BLACK BOX CORP
10-K405, 1999-06-24
COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

|X|    Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
       Act of 1934

                    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

| |    Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
       Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ________ to ________.

                         Commission File Number: 0-18706

                              BLACK BOX CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          DELAWARE                                              95-3086563
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

          1000 Park Drive
       Lawrence, Pennsylvania                                      15055
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 724-746-5500

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                         COMMON STOCK, $.001 PAR VALUE.

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

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

Aggregate market value of outstanding Common Stock, $.001 par value (the
"Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates of the Registrant at June 18, 1999, was
$866,415,323 based on the closing sale price reported on the Nasdaq National
Market for June 18, 1999. For purposes of this calculation only, directors and
executive officers of the Registrant and their affiliates are deemed to be
affiliates of the Registrant.

Number of outstanding shares of Common Stock at June 18, 1999, was 18,504,725.

                       Document Incorporated by Reference

Proxy Statement for 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders -- Part III


<PAGE>   2



                                     PART I

ITEM 1 -- BUSINESS

GENERAL. Until June 3, 1994, Black Box Corporation (the "Company" or "Black
Box"), operated through two independent subsidiaries, Black Box Corporation of
Pennsylvania ("Black Box-PA") and MICOM Communications Corp. ("MICOM"). The
Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1987.

         On July 22, 1993, the Board of Directors of the Company approved in
principle a plan to distribute all of the outstanding shares of MICOM Common
Stock (the "Distribution") to all holders of the Company's outstanding Common
Stock (the "MICOM Spin-off"). On May 10, 1994, the Company's Board of Directors
formally approved the Distribution and declared a dividend payable to each
holder of record at the close of business on May 20, 1994 (the "Record Date") of
two shares of MICOM Common Stock for each three shares of the Company's Common
Stock held by such holder on the Record Date. On June 3, 1994, the Distribution
was effected. Accordingly the operating results of MICOM have been classified as
discontinued operations for all periods presented.

OVERVIEW. Black Box (NASDAQ: BBOX) is a leading worldwide technical service
provider of computer communications and networking services and related products
to businesses of all sizes. Black Box provides expert technical support
worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides on-site installation
services in select markets. Through its BLACK BOX (R) Catalog, available in
eight languages, the Company offers more than 12,000 solutions - approximately
90% BLACK BOX (R) labeled - and designed and built more than 300,000 custom
products last year. Black Box is currently represented in 77 countries, and
operates 28 subsidiaries on five continents. The Company is headquartered near
Pittsburgh in Lawrence, Pennsylvania.

         Black Box differentiates itself from its competitors through its
private label brand, BLACK BOX (R), and through unparalleled levels of technical
support. The Black Box brand has earned a reputation for high quality and
reliability since the Company was founded in 1976. Through its more than 600
technical support professionals, the Company offers technical services on the
phone free of charge 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and fee-based on-site
cabling and installation services. Black Box technicians receive continuous
training, averaging about 45 minutes per technician per day, and provide
guidance in system design, product selection, installation, post-installation
and maintenance. Their certifications include A+, Bay Networks (R), BiCSi LAN
Specialist, Cisco, CNE, 3Com, IBM, Microsoft, MSCD, Novell, RCDD, and of course,
Black Box.

         In Fiscal 1999, the Company significantly expanded its technical
services offering to include on-site services. Black Box believes the on-site
offering will, over time, increase its addressable share of the worldwide
telecommunications market tenfold over its current 7 percent share, while
enabling it to address its customers' growing demands to bring its technical
services on-site.

         Black Box's MIS and inventory management systems enable it to ship 95
percent of orders for stock products on the day the orders are received. The
successful combination of high quality technical support, superior customer
service and cost-effective direct marketing has resulted in the Company's
consistent growth in revenues and operating income and its high level of
customer satisfaction.


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          Since its inception, the Company has experienced consistent growth in
revenues and profitability due to continual (i) delivery of high quality
technical services, both on the phone and at its customer's site, (ii)
commitment to the highest quality products, (iii) expansion of its product
offerings and (iv) its commitment to superior customer service.

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND. The rapidly growing need to interconnect new and existing
computer resources over local and geographically dispersed areas continues to
create an increased demand for computer communications and networking products.
The continual development of new and often incompatible technologies has also
made the task of creating and maintaining such systems increasingly complex.
Manufacturers often do not provide sufficient technical advice or devices to
connect or integrate their products with products of different manufacturers.
Even sophisticated MIS staffs often require third party technical advice and a
wide range of specialized computer communications and networking products to
install and maintain computer systems. Black Box addresses these needs by
providing its customers with a convenient and technically proficient means to
purchase computer communications and networking solutions and by offering
on-site cabling and installation services.

BUSINESS STRATEGY. Black Box's business strategy is to be a "one-stop shop" for
organizations with simple to complex computer communications and networking
needs who wish to benefit from high levels of technical support and customer
service. The Company believes that its combination of technical support (on the
phone and on-site), customer service and cost-effective direct marketing is the
best method to sell into its markets. The Company's 23 years of experience in
the industry have enabled it to compile an extensive database of loyal active
accounts and establish the BLACK BOX(R) private label brand as the premier line
of computer communications and networking solutions. The success of this
strategy is evidenced by the Company's record of consistent growth in revenues
and operating income and its high rate of repeat customers. Keys to the
Company's success include the following:

         Unparalleled Technical Support. Black Box believes that its ability to
provide in-depth technical support and prompt and efficient customer service is
critical to its success. The Company's 600 technical experts-specialists in
Conversion, Connectivity, Communications, Local Area Networks (LAN), and
Installation Services - are available by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, to provide solutions to any computer, cabling, or network communication
challenge. Phone consultations are free of charge and multilingual
representatives are available worldwide. On average, almost one million
technical support calls were answered last year and, 97 percent of them were
answered within 20 seconds - the fastest answer rate in the industry. On-site
technical services are also provided in selected markets worldwide and the
Company intends to continue expanding its on-site offerings. The Company also
offers a dial-up automated fax-back service and web-based technical data for
customers who need written comprehensive application and technical product
details.

         Cost-Effective Direct Marketing. Because of the broad range of products
sold, average order size of $701 in Fiscal 1999 and a geographically dispersed
customer base, Black Box believes that its direct mail strategy is a
cost-effective and efficient way to sell products to both existing and
prospective customers. The high quality, 1,200 page BLACK BOX(R) Catalog, which
is available in print, on the internet or on CD-ROM, provides customers around
the world access to a comprehensive range of computer communications and
networking products, including complete technical specifications and recommended
uses, and allows them to make technical decisions and purchases without leaving
their offices. The Company believes that, in conjunction with the



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BLACK BOX(R) Catalog, its trained telephonic technical and customer support
staffs coupled with its on-site support is an effective sales tool.

         Proprietary Customer List. Over the past 23 years, the Company has
built a proprietary mailing list containing approximately 1.8 million names
representing nearly 730,000 customers. This database includes information on the
past purchases of its customers. The Company routinely analyzes this data in an
effort to enhance customer response and purchasing rates, increase average order
size and ensure that targeted mailings reach specific customer groups. The
Company believes that its proprietary list is a valuable asset that represents a
significant competitive advantage and does not rent the list to other parties.

         Broad and Responsive Product Mix. The Black Box Catalogs offer over
12,000 products in 12 categories, the vast majority of which are BLACK BOX(R)
private labeled. Black Box continuously refines its product mix based on
information compiled from customers through the thousands of calls received
daily to place orders, request technical assistance or develop custom products.
Black Box also actively monitors communications industry technology and product
developments to identify new product areas to respond to evolving customer
needs. The Company also offers custom capabilities and sources products outside
of its standard product set to meet a customer's exact specifications and
requirements. Revenue from custom products has grown rapidly during the past
several years.

         Quality Products and Brand Name. BLACK BOX(R) is a widely recognized
brand name associated with high quality products and knowledgeable customer
support services. The Company believes that the Black Box(R) tradename is
important to its business. As a result, manufacturers of computer communications
and networking products have sought to distribute their products under the BLACK
BOX(R) private label to take advantage of this broad and cost-effective
distribution channel. In 1994, Black Box received ISO9000 certification,
becoming the first U.S. technical direct marketer to be so certified. In
addition, the Company's subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil, France, Japan, Mexico
and the United Kingdom have also received the ISO certification. Rigorous
quality control processes must be documented and practiced to earn and maintain
ISO9000 certification, which is increasingly required of vendors (like Black
Box) by the purchasing departments of many businesses around the world. Black
Box guarantees all of its products by permitting customers to return or exchange
them within the first 45 days after purchase. In addition, the Company provides
warranties of at least one year, and lifetime warranties with many products. In
Fiscal 1998, Black Box became the first in the industry to introduce a warranty
program offering full protection regardless of cause of failure, including
accidental, surge or water damage. Extended warranty protection is also
available on nearly all products.

         In-Stock Availability and Rapid Order Fulfillment. The Company has
developed an efficient inventory management and order fulfillment systems that
allow more than 95 percent of orders for standard product received before
midnight eastern time to be shipped that same day.

GROWTH STRATEGY. The principal components of Black Box's growth strategy include
(i) expanded technical support services, (ii) enhanced global direct marketing
activities, (iii) expanded product offerings and (iv) continued expansion
worldwide.

         Expanded Technical Support Services. In Fiscal 1998, Black Box expanded
its technical support services to include on-site design, installation and
maintenance of connectivity solutions. The Company believes there is a large
growing and lucrative market for these services worldwide


                                                                               4
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and it expects the expansion to enable it, overtime, to increase its addressable
share of the worldwide telecommunications market by tenfold.

         Through a series of acquisitions, occurring primarily in Fiscal 1999,
Black Box has established on-site businesses in: Birmingham, AL.; St.
Petersburg/Tampa, FL.; Sarasota, FL.; Atlanta, GA.; Detroit, MI.; Winston-Salem,
NC.; Cleveland, OH.; Columbus, OH.; Pittsburgh, PA.; Columbia, SC.; Charleston,
WV.; and Newbury, England. Annualized combined revenues from on-site services
were $55 million in Fiscal 1999 and the Company expects to aggressively continue
expanding its on-site capabilities in Fiscal 2000. Annualized combined revenues
from on-site services in Fiscal 2000 are expected to be approximately $125
million.

         Enhanced Global Direct Marketing Activities. Black Box continues to
make changes in its catalog design by improving product presentations, expanding
technical information, and making better use of eye-catching icons. The Company
is also currently making substantial enhancements to its internet-based catalog,
which is expected to be operational early in Fiscal 2000. In addition to the
BLACK BOX(R) Catalog, the Company also mails interim New Product Supplements
and, on a regular basis, mini-catalogs featuring specific products and
applications. These regular mailings enable the Company to introduce new
products more quickly than its twice per year BLACK BOX(R) Catalog
distributions, and serve as a more cost-effective method to prospect for new
customers and maintain contact with existing customers.

         In addition to producing state-of-the-art color catalogs, the Company
publishes a family of technical guides on topics such as local and remote
communications, power and data protection, and internetworking, as well as a
monthly subscription technical newsletter, Connectivity NEWS(sm), that includes
technical tips and application notes and discusses technology trends.

         Expanded Product Offerings. The Company serves rapidly growing markets
and offers new products, which are continuously developed as a result of
technological advances. In response to this dynamic environment, Black Box
continues to broaden its existing product lines by offering line extensions and
new technologies. In Fiscal 1999, the Company introduced over 2,300 new
products.

         Expansion Worldwide. In Fiscal 1999, Black Box's consolidated revenues
outside the U.S. and Canada were $144.4 million, or 44% of total consolidated
revenues. Black Box currently distributes products in 77 countries through 16
subsidiaries, one joint venture and a network of third-party distributors. In
Fiscal 1999 the Company expanded its on-site technical services offerings into
Great Britain through its combination with Ohmega Installations Limited. The
Company expects to further expand its on-site offering outside of the United
States in the future.

CUSTOMERS. Black Box customers range from small organizations to many of the
world's largest corporations and include educational institutions and federal,
state and local governments. While the Company's customers include a majority of
the Fortune 1,000 companies, Black Box estimates that the majority of its active
customers were non-Fortune 1,000 businesses. Many small and mid-sized companies
lack the in-house expertise to evaluate and maintain increasingly complex
computer systems and thus rely on Black Box's technical expertise, both before
and after making purchases. Larger customers find the BLACK BOX(R) Catalog to be
a convenient and


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comprehensive source for all of their computer communications and networking
needs, in addition to the Company's extensive base of technical knowledge.
Additionally, the Company's overall average order size has increased
consistently and was $701 in Fiscal 1999 compared to $645 in the prior year. The
Company believes the increased average order size reflects its ability to sell
products in volume, the successful introduction of more sophisticated, higher
priced products and effective cross-selling and up-selling at the time of
customer order.

         Black Box also provides products, service and support to over 10,000
domestic resellers who integrate and sell products directly to end-users. In
Fiscal 1999, the reseller program accounted for 19% of the Company's revenues in
North America and 11% of its total revenues. This program enables resellers to
provide quality Black Box products to their end user customers who rely on the
reseller to provide them additional products and services. This program provides
the reseller with access to over 12,000 products, 24-hour technical support and
rapid fulfillment that would be costly to replicate, manage and implement in
their own operations. The customers of this program range from large
distributors to small single proprietors who offer very specialized local
solutions.

CATALOGS. Black Box was the first company to engage exclusively in the sale of a
broad range of computer communications and networking products through direct
marketing techniques. Black Box employs a distribution method based on the
targeted mailing of comprehensive, fully-illustrated color catalogs and other
promotional material directly to its customers who make systems design
decisions. Black Box's catalogs present a wide choice of items using a
combination of product features and benefits, photographs, product descriptions,
product specifications, compatibility charts, potential applications and other
helpful technical information. The catalogs have a distinctive look and are
recognized by Black Box's customers.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT. Black Box believes that its technical support is a critical
component of its success. The Company's technical support personnel, both phone
based and on-site, typically have technical or engineering backgrounds through
education or relevant work experience. Technical support is available 24 hours
per day, 7 days per week, in 11 languages, and the Company's staff handled
nearly 1 million customer calls worldwide last year. Black Box also
differentiates its phone based technical support by providing very short
customer wait times. Frequent contact between the Company's technical staff and
customers enables it to modify existing products and/or introduce new products
to meet changing applications and to identify emerging product trends.

CUSTOMER SERVICE. Black Box strives to make purchasing its products as
convenient as possible. The Company's customer service group handled over 1
million calls worldwide last year, and is available 24 hours per day from Monday
through Saturdays. Off-hours ordering requirements for customers are handled by
the technical support personnel. The Company enters and fulfills orders at its
Pittsburgh and subsidiary locations. Calls are received by well-trained inbound
customer service representatives who utilize on-line terminals to enter customer
orders into computerized order processing systems. Using proprietary
applications, each member of the customer service group has immediate access to
customer files, including usage and billing information and real-time inventory
levels. Using this data, inbound customer service personnel are also prompted by
their computer screen to cross-sell selected products and to update customer
list information. The Company regularly reviews performance to monitor
productivity.

         Black Box also employs an outbound customer sales and service force to
increase the frequency and order size of customer purchases. Black Box's
telesales force is focused on expanding its customer list and improving the
accuracy of its customer database. In addition, telesales personnel are utilized
to obtain specifications for potential orders and to follow-up on such quotes.


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Black Box provides key account pricing to large corporate buyers and provides
an assigned telesales representative who works with corporate buyers to ensure
that their requirements are satisfied.

         When an order is entered into the Company's system, a credit check is
performed and, when approved, the order is transmitted to the distribution
center and a packing slip is printed for order fulfillment. All packages are
inspected prior to shipment to ensure the accurate order fulfillment. Orders
generally are shipped by Federal Express or United Parcel Service in the United
States and by similar small package delivery services internationally.


WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS. The Company's headquarters and domestic operating
facilities are located in Lawrence, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Pittsburgh). This
200,000 square foot facility is on an 84-acre site that houses administrative,
sales and marketing, manufacturing and service operations. In Fiscal 1998, Black
Box also began construction of a new 132,000 square foot distribution center
expansion. The facility became operational in May 1999 and is intended to ensure
adequate distribution capacity for the Company's foreseeable future.

PRODUCTS. Black Box believes that its ability to offer a broad, innovative
product line with plenty of new products, has been an important factor in its
consistent high growth rates and operating margins. Black Box currently offers
more than 12,000 private label, well-known branded products and custom products.
A majority of the 12,000 products carry the BLACK BOX(R) brand name.

MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS. Black Box utilizes a network of over 200
manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world. Each supplier is monitored for
quality, delivery performance and cost through a well established certification
program. Manufacturers of computer communications and networking products
distribute their products under the BLACK BOX(R) brand name because Black Box
offers qualified technical support and provides a significant channel of
distribution to end users. This network has manufacturing and engineering
capabilities to customize products for specialized applications. Black Box
believes that the loss of any single source of supply would not adversely affect
its business.

         Black Box also operates its own manufacturing and assembly operation at
its Lawrence, Pennsylvania location which currently supplies custom cable
assemblies, switches and specialized active devices. The Company has chosen to
manufacture certain products in-house when third-party sourcing is not
economical or when lead times cannot be met by third-parties. Sourcing decisions
of in-house versus out-of-house are based upon a balance of quality, delivery,
performance and cost.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS. The Company has committed significant resources
to the development of sophisticated information systems which are used to manage
all aspects of its business. The Company's systems support and integrate
technical support and customer service, inventory management, purchasing,
distribution activities and accounting. These systems provide the Company with
real time, continuously updated information which allows the Company to monitor
sales trends, make informed purchasing decisions, perform statistical analyses
of its customer database and provide product availability and order status
information. The Company's international operations utilize a remote customer
access system to communicate with its Pittsburgh-based information systems to
check stock availability, order status and pricing and to place orders.


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         The Company's changing product mix, multiple language requirements and
design enhancements require efficient modification of product presentations for
its various catalogs. Black Box has implemented a computerized publishing system
that provides flexibility and speed for both text and graphic layout. Black Box
believes that this system enables it to efficiently update product lines in
subsequent catalog issues and introduce new products on a timely basis.

BACKLOG. Due to rapid order fulfillment, Black Box's backlog of orders is not
significant to its operations outside of its on-site services operation. At
March 31, 1999, the worldwide backlog of unfilled orders believed to be firm for
Black Box products was approximately $3.3 million. The worldwide backlog of
unfilled orders believed to be firm on-site services was approximately $11.1
million.

EMPLOYEES. As of March 31, 1999, the Company had approximately 1,600 employees
worldwide. The Company's ATIMCO subsidiary is subject to a collective bargaining
agreement with 25 employees. The agreement expires April 21, 2001. The Company
believes that its relationship with its employees is good.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Financial information regarding the Company, including
geographic sales data, is set forth in Item 8 of this Form 10-K and is
incorporated herein by reference.

COMPETITION. The Company competes with a variety of manufacturers, direct
marketers, computer resellers and manufacturers' sales organizations. The
Company also competes with the manufacturers of products that the Company sells
under its private labels. The Company believes the principal competitive factors
in its markets are product quality and selection, technical support, customer
base and customer service. The Company believes it competes favorably with
respect to these factors. The Company believes there are no dominant competitors
in the industry. There are several direct marketing catalog competitors such as
Micro Warehouse, Inc., CDW Computer Centers, Inc., and Viking Office Products
who market some comparable products in a similar manner.



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<PAGE>   9




ITEM 2 -- PROPERTIES

         The Company's headquarters and domestic operating facilities are
located in Lawrence, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Pittsburgh). This 200,000 square
foot facility on a sixteen-acre site houses administrative, sales and marketing,
manufacturing and service operations. In Fiscal 1998, Black Box began
construction of a new 132,000 square foot addition to its product distribution
center. This building stands on 6 acres of previously undeveloped land adjacent
to the existing facility and became operational in May 1999. Black Box also owns
62 undeveloped acres adjacent to such site.

         The Company also owns or leases the following facilities:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Location                               Own/Lease         Square Footage
         --------                               ---------         --------------
<S>                                             <C>               <C>
         Melbourne, Australia                   Lease             15,100
         Zaventum, Belgium                      Lease             11,600
         Sao Paulo, Brazil                      Lease             14,000
         Ontario, Canada                        Lease              6,200
         Santiago,Chile                         Lease              1,400
         Rungis, France                         Lease             20,800
         Hallbergmoos, Germany                  Lease              6,700
         Vimodrone, Italy                       Lease              3,100
         Tokyo, Japan                           Lease             15,100
         Mexico City, Mexico                    Lease              6,500
         Utrecht, Netherlands                   Lease             20,500
         Hato Rey, Puerto Rico                  Lease              6,000
         Altendorf, Switzerland                 Lease             10,500
         Orlando, Florida, USA                  Lease              2,000
         Sarasota, Florida, USA                 Lease              1,200
         St. Petersburg, Florida, USA           Lease             13,000
         Atlanta, Georgia, USA                  Lease             16,000
         Duluth, Georgia, USA                   Lease             21,000
         Livonia, Michigan, USA                 Lease              2,000
         Brunswick, Ohio, USA                   Lease              2,750
         Worthington, Ohio, USA                 Lease              4,500
         Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA          Lease              4,900
         West Columbia, South Carolina, USA     Lease              5,200
         Charleston, West Virginia, USA         Lease              2,000
         Newbury, England                       Own                1,100
         Reading, England                       Own               19,400
         Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA     Own                7,200
</TABLE>


         The Company believes that its manufacturing facilities, located at its
headquarters site, are adequate for its present level of production. The
Company's other facilities, including the new distribution center, used
primarily for sales and distribution, are also adequate given its present level
of operations.


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ITEM 3 -- LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         The Company is involved in, or has pending, various legal proceedings,
claims, suits and complaints arising out of the normal course of business. Based
on the facts currently available to the Company, management believes all such
matters are adequately provided for, covered by insurance, without merit, or of
such amounts which upon resolution will not have a material adverse effect on
the consolidated financial position or the results of operations of the Company.

ITEM 4 -- SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year
covered by this report to a vote of security-holders, through the solicitation
of proxies or otherwise.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         The executive officers of the Company and their respective ages and
positions are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               NAME                AGE                     POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
               ----                ---                     -------------------------

<S>                                 <C>      <C>
        Fred C. Young               43       Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
                                             President and Secretary

        Anna M. Baird               42       Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
                                             and Principal Accounting Officer

        Kathleen Bullions           44       Vice President of Operations
</TABLE>


The following is a biographical summary of the experience of the executive
officers of the Company:

         FRED C. YOUNG, 43, was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company on June 24, 1998. He also is currently
President and Secretary of the Company and was first elected a director of the
Company on December 18, 1995. He served as Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of Black Box Corporation since joining the
Company in 1991 and was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer in May 1996 and President in May 1997.

         ANNA M. BAIRD, 42, was promoted to Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, and Treasurer on May 9, 1997. She was Director of Finance prior to May
9, 1997.

         KATHLEEN BULLIONS, 44, was promoted to Vice President of Operations on
May 9, 1997. She was Director of Operations prior to May 9, 1997.



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                                     PART II


ITEM 5 -- MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

         The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market (trading
symbol "BBOX"). On June 18, 1999, the last reported sale price of the Common
Stock was $46 15/16 per share. The following table sets forth the quarterly high
and low sale prices of the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market
during each of the Company's fiscal quarters indicated. Such over the counter
market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up,
mark-down, or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         High                       Low
                                         ----                       ---

<C>                                      <C>                       <C>
Fiscal 1997

1st Quarter                              24-3/4                     17
2nd Quarter                              33-1/2                     19
3rd Quarter                              41-1/2                     32
4th Quarter                              43-1/4                     24-3/4

Fiscal 1998

1st Quarter                              39-1/2                     20-3/4
2nd Quarter                              41-1/2                     33-3/4
3rd Quarter                              46                         25
4th Quarter                              40-1/4                     29-1/2

Fiscal 1999

1st Quarter                              41                         31 7/16
2nd Quarter                              37 3/8                     22 3/4
3rd Quarter                              38 3/8                     21 1/2
4th Quarter                              38 3/8                     26 3/8
</TABLE>

         At March 31, 1999, there were 166 holders of record.

         No cash dividends have been paid on the Common Stock.





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<PAGE>   12


ITEM 6 -- SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

    The following table sets forth certain selected historical consolidated
financial data for the Company for the periods indicated. All periods presented
have been restated to reflect mergers accounted for as poolings-of-interests.
Information should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The
historical data presented below for Fiscal Years 1995 through 1999 were derived
from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
- --------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Income Statement Data:                         1995            1996             1997            1998             1999
                                               ----            ----             ----            ----             ----
<S>                                            <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>
Revenue  (1)                                   $174,769        $206,222         $246,413        $299,276         $329,974
Cost of Sales                                    79,463          95,733          117,698         151,441          167,672
                                               --------        --------         --------        --------         --------
Gross Profit                                     95,306         110,489          128,715         147,835          162,302
Selling, general &
 administrative expenses                         58,006          68,454           78,624          88,137           94,674
                                               --------        --------         --------        --------         --------
Operating income before
  amortization                                   37,300          42,035           50,091          59,698           67,628
Intangibles amortization                          4,206           3,620            3,854           3,801            4,263
                                               --------        --------         --------        --------         --------
Operating income                                 33,094          38,415           46,237          55,897           63,365
Interest expense, net                             6,399           5,763            3,654           2,636              553
Income from continuing operations                14,751          18,697           24,792          32,404           38,145
Income from discontinued
  operations                                         50              --               --              --               --
                                               --------        --------         --------        --------         --------
Net income                                      $14,801         $18,697          $24,792         $32,404          $38,145
                                               ========        ========         ========        ========         ========

Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations                 $0.90           $1.13            $1.47           $1.89            $2.19
Income from discontinued
 operations                                        0.00            0.00             0.00            0.00             0.00
                                               --------        --------         --------        --------         --------
Net income                                        $0.90           $1.13            $1.47           $1.89            $2.19
                                               ========        ========         ========        ========         ========

Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations                 $0.88           $1.10            $1.40           $1.79            $2.09
Income from discontinued
 operations                                        0.00            0.00             0.00            0.00             0.00
                                               --------        --------         --------        --------         --------
Net income                                        $0.88           $1.10            $1.40           $1.79            $2.09
                                               ========        ========         ========        ========         ========


Balance Sheet Data (at end of
 Period):

Working Capital                                 $23,718         $30,636          $39,364         $63,345          $73,262
Total assets                                    155,375         158,750          176,826         190,283          246,275
Total long-term debt                             57,076          41,274           21,280           8,189              204
Stockholders' equity                             48,227          68,486           95,959         130,248          192,652
</TABLE>


(1)      Revenues are net of sales returns and allowances.



                                                                              12
<PAGE>   13


ITEM 7 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

GENERAL: The table below should be read in conjunction with the following
discussion (percentages are based on total revenues.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1997             1998                  1999
================================================================================
<S>                             <C>             <C>                  <C>
    Revenues                    $246,413        $299,276             $329,974
      North America                 55.3%           55.0%                56.3%
      International                 44.7            45.0                 43.7
      Total                        100.0           100.0                100.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

FISCAL 1999 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1998: Revenues for Fiscal 1999 were $329,974, an
increase of 10.3% over Fiscal 1998 restated revenues of $299,276, reflecting
strong growth in North America and Europe. North American revenues increased to
$185,606 from $164,628 or 12.7% over the prior year. The growth was driven by
success of the Company's new on-site technical services, increases in new
product sales and new customers related, in part, to the merger with South Hills
Datacomm in September 1998.

Reported revenues from international operations increased to $144,368 from
$134,648 or 7.2% over the prior year. If exchange rates had remained constant
from the prior year, international revenues would have increased 7.4% from
Fiscal 1998.

Reported revenue dollar and percentage changes for the Company's largest
subsidiaries were as follows: Japan decreased $1,953 or 6.3% due to poor overall
economic conditions in the region and due to the relative strength of the U.S.
dollar. If the Yen's exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar had remained
unchanged from Fiscal 1998, Japan's revenues would have decreased 4.3%. United
Kingdom reported revenues increased $4,535 or 16.2% primarily due to increased
penetration of existing customers. Reported revenues from France increased
$2,592 or 13.6% primarily due to growth in new customer revenues. Brazil
revenues decreased $5,586 or 42.7%, which was consistent with management's plan
to eliminate unprofitable revenue categories to improve the overall
profitability of the Company. Without the impact of currency, revenues for the
United Kingdom, France and Brazil would have increased by 15.4%, increased by
10.9% and decreased by 42.7%, respectively. Excluding Japan, United Kingdom,
France and Brazil, the remaining international business units' revenues grew
$10,132 or 23.2% from Fiscal 1998. Overall growth in international revenues were
due primarily to strong customer demand for switches and cables, success in
attracting new customers and deeper penetration of existing customers.

Total Fiscal 1999 revenues resulting from acquisitions accounted for using the
purchase method was $17,476.

Gross profit in Fiscal 1999 increased to $162,302, or 49.2% of revenues, from
$147,835, or 49.4% of revenues, in Fiscal 1998. The slight decrease in gross
profit margin was due primarily to the impact of strong revenue growth of the
Company's on-site technical services product line which provides slightly lower
gross margins. The revaluation of foreign denominated


                                                                              13
<PAGE>   14

intercompany receivables had little impact on gross profit margin. Excluding the
impact of revaluing the intercompany receivables, the gross profit margin was
49.0% in Fiscal 1999 compared to 49.6% in Fiscal 1998.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for Fiscal 1999 were
$94,674, or 28.7% of revenues, an increase of $6,537 over SG&A expenses of
$88,137, or 29.5% of revenues in Fiscal 1998. SG&A expense as a percentage of
revenues decreased from last year as the Company was able to leverage its
existing cost structure and because of the revenue growth of the Company's
on-site technical services product line which provides slightly less operating
expense relative to revenues. The dollar increase over the prior year related
primarily to additional marketing and personnel costs worldwide and additional
costs related to the addition of the Company's on-site technical services
product line.

Operating income before amortization in Fiscal 1999 was $67,628, or 20.5% of
revenues, compared to $59,698, or 19.9% of revenues, in Fiscal 1998. Intangibles
amortization for the year was $4,263, which is comparable to the prior year
amount of $3,801.

Net interest expense for Fiscal 1999 declined to $553 from $2,636 in Fiscal 1998
due to lower average borrowings and a reduction in the Company's effective cost
of borrowing.

The tax provision in Fiscal 1999 was $24,905, or an effective tax rate of 39.5%,
which is comparable to $21,272, or an effective tax rate of 39.6%, in Fiscal
1998. The annual effective tax rate of 39.5% for Fiscal 1999 was higher than the
U.S. statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to state income taxes, foreign income
taxes higher than the U.S. rate, and the unfavorable impact of non-deductible
intangibles amortization.

Net income for Fiscal 1999 was $38,145 compared to $32,404 in Fiscal 1998, an
increase of 17.7%. This growth was primarily due to strong revenue growth in
North America and Europe and the Company's ability to leverage its existing cost
structure and the success of the Company's operational changes in Brazil and
Mexico.

FISCAL 1998 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1997: Restated revenues for Fiscal 1998 were
$299,276, an increase of $52,863 or 21.5% over Fiscal 1997 restated revenues of
$246,413, reflecting strong growth worldwide. North American revenues increased
to $164,628 from $136,390 or 20.7% over the prior year. The growth was driven by
both the success of new product sales and an increase in the number of medium
and large orders.

Reported revenues from international operations increased to $134,648 from
$110,023 or 22.4% over the prior year. If exchange rates had remained constant
from the prior year, international revenues would have increased 29.4% from
Fiscal 1997.

Reported revenue dollar and percentage growth for the Company's largest
subsidiaries were as follows: Japan increased $4,245 or 16.0%; United Kingdom
increased $6,882 or 32.7%; France increased $907 or 5.0% and Brazil increased
$4,834 or 58.6%. Reported revenue growth in France was reduced due to a stronger
U.S. dollar in Fiscal 1998, and without the currency effect, operating revenues
increased 19.2% from the prior year. Excluding Japan, United Kingdom, France,
and Brazil, the remaining international business units grew $7,757 or 21.6%,
from Fiscal 1997. The overall growth in international revenues was due to an
increase in the number of orders as well as the success of new product sales.



                                                                              14
<PAGE>   15

Gross profit in Fiscal 1998 increased to $147,835, or 49.4% of revenues, from
$128,715, or 52.2% of revenues, in Fiscal 1997. The decrease in gross profit
margin was due to the combined effects of an increase in medium and large
orders, which receive larger discounts and carry slightly lower profit margins
than small orders, and the impact of strong sales growth of the Company's local
area networking product line which provides slightly lower gross margins. The
revaluation of foreign denominated intercompany receivables had little impact on
gross profit margin. Excluding the impact of revaluing the intercompany
receivables, the gross profit margin was 49.6% in Fiscal 1998 compared to 52.5%
in Fiscal 1997.

SG&A expenses for Fiscal 1998 were $88,137, or 29.5% of revenues, an increase of
$9,513 over SG&A expenses of $78,624, or 31.9% of revenues in Fiscal 1997. SG&A
expense as a percentage of revenues decreased from last year as the Company was
able to leverage its existing cost structure. The dollar increase over the prior
year related to additional marketing and personnel costs, primarily at the
international locations.

Operating income before amortization in Fiscal 1998 was $59,698, or 19.9% of
revenues, compared to $50,091, or 20.3% of revenues, in Fiscal 1997. Intangibles
amortization for the year was $3,801, comparable to the prior year amount of
$3,854.

Net interest expense for Fiscal 1998 declined to $2,636 from $3,654 in Fiscal
1997 due to lower average borrowings.

The tax provision in Fiscal 1998 was $21,272, or an effective tax rate of 39.6%,
compared to $17,627, or an effective tax rate of 41.6%, in Fiscal 1997. The
decrease in the effective tax rate was due to foreign tax planning. The annual
effective tax rate of 39.6% for Fiscal 1998 was higher than the U.S. statutory
rate of 35.0% primarily due to state income taxes, foreign income taxes higher
than the U.S. rate, and the unfavorable impact of non-deductible intangibles
amortization.

Net income for Fiscal 1998 was $32,404 compared to $24,792 in Fiscal 1997, an
increase of 30.7%. This growth was primarily due to strong revenue growth in
North America and Europe and the Company's ability to leverage its existing cost
structure.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES: The Company continues to meet all of its cash
requirements through cash flow from operations. During Fiscal 1999, cash flow
before debt reduction and the impact of acquisitions was $40,413, the total
impact of acquisitions was $25,428, and the Company reduced debt by $20,205. The
Company also made capital expenditures of $9,354 during Fiscal 1999. As of March
31, 1999, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5,946, working capital
of $73,262 and long-term debt of $204. The Company's total debt at March 31,
1999 of $1,715 was comprised of various loans and commitments. The weighted
average interest rate on all indebtedness of the Company as of March 31, 1999
was approximately 6.7% compared to 8.8% as of March 31, 1998. In addition, at
March 31, 1999, the Company had $48,021 of additional funds available under its
Omnibus Credit Facility with Mellon Bank.

The Mellon Credit Facility provides for a maximum borrowing of $49,000 through
September 30, 2002. Interest on borrowings is variable based on the Company's
option of selecting the bank's prime rate (7-3/4 percent at March 31, 1999), the
Euro-dollar rate plus an applicable


                                                                              15
<PAGE>   16

margin, as defined in the agreement, or Mellon's ABS rate plus an applicable
margin, as defined in the agreement. The applicable margin added to the
Euro-dollar rate and Mellon's ABS rate is adjusted each quarter based on the
cash flow ratio, as defined in the agreement and can vary from 1 percent to 1/2
percent (1/2 percent at March 31, 1999).

On March 31, 1999, the Company announced its intention to repurchase up to 1
million shares of its Common Stock. As of June 1999, the Company had repurchased
1 million shares at prevailing market prices. Funding for the stock repurchase
came from existing cash flow and borrowings from the Mellon Credit Facility.

The Company has operations, customers and suppliers worldwide, thereby exposing
the Company's financial results to foreign currency fluctuations. In an effort
to reduce this risk, the Company generally sells and purchases inventory based
on prices denominated in U.S. dollars. Intercompany sales to subsidiaries are
generally denominated in the subsidiaries' local currency, although intercompany
sales to the Company's subsidiaries in Brazil and Mexico are denominated in U.S.
dollars. The gains and losses resulting from the revaluation of the intercompany
balances denominated in foreign currencies are recorded to gross profit to the
extent the intercompany transaction resulted from an intercompany sale of
inventory.

The Company has entered into and will continue in the future, on a selective
basis, to enter into forward exchange contracts to reduce its foreign currency
exposure related to these intercompany transactions. On a monthly basis, the
open contracts are revalued to the current exchange rates and the resulting
gains and losses are recorded in other income. These gains and losses offset the
revaluation of the related foreign currency denominated receivables. At March
31, 1999, the Company did not have any open forward contracts. During Fiscal
1999, the net impact from revaluing forward contracts was not material.

The Company believes that its cash flow from operations and existing credit
facilities will be sufficient to satisfy its liquidity needs for the foreseeable
future.

YEAR 2000 COSTS: The Company has conducted a review of its information
technology systems and non-information technology systems to evaluate the
potential impact and disruption to its business arising from the year 2000.
Those systems that were determined to not be year 2000 compliant have been
corrected or are currently in the process of being modified. The Company's
mainframe Distribution Control System, which processes customer orders, controls
inventory, and updates accounts receivable, became compliant in early 1998. The
hardware supporting this application is year 2000 compliant and the system
software will be year 2000 compliant in July 1999 as part of regular maintenance
upgrades. The Company completed the process of upgrading the functionality of
the hardware and system software that supports both the financial general ledger
and the manufacturing control system. This upgrade resulted in a year 2000
compliant system in March 1999. The application software for the financial
general ledger and the manufacturing system has been assessed and became
compliant in March 1999. The Company has determined that a minimal amount of
updates and replacements are also required for the hardware and software on the
workstations and servers and should be completed by September 1999. The Company
is in the process of evaluating its subsidiaries to determine their state of
readiness for the year 2000 and does not anticipate any major issues. Total
costs for modifications/upgrades to the information technology systems is
estimated at $400 of which about $300 was incurred during Fiscal 1998. All costs
that directly relate to the year 2000 are being expensed as incurred.



                                                                              16
<PAGE>   17

The Company has surveyed significant vendors in order to evaluate the risks of
year 2000 threats related to their interaction with the Company's systems and
the supply of products. About 90% of the responses have been received and
evaluated with no major complications or disruptions anticipated. The Company is
currently evaluating the year 2000 readiness of its significant service
providers and does not anticipate any related problems. The Company has the
ability to communicate to customers information about year 2000 compliance for
all products. Other significant non-information technology systems have been
evaluated and the estimated cost for replacement is not material.

The Company has fully tested its mainframe Distribution Control System and does
not expect any processing failures as a result of the year 2000. However, in the
event of a year 2000 failure of this system, the Company has a contingency plan
to fulfill customer orders using a manual process.

CONVERSION TO THE EURO CURRENCY: On January 1, 1999, certain members of the
European Union established fixed conversion rates between their existing
currencies and the European Union's common currency, the Euro. The Company
conducts business in member countries. The transition period for the
introduction of the Euro will be between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2002. The
Company is assessing the issues involved with the introduction of the Euro, and
it does not expect Euro conversion to have a material impact on its operations
or financial results.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS: In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments and requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either
assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. As required
by SFAS No. 133, the Company expects to adopt the new statement in the first
quarter of Fiscal 2001. The effect of this statement on the Company's financial
statements has not been determined.

INFLATION. The overall effects of inflation on the Company have been nominal.
Although long-term inflation rates are difficult to predict, the Company
continues to strive to minimize the effect of inflation through improved
productivity and cost reduction programs as well as price increases within the
constraints of market competition.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: When included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or
in documents incorporated herein by reference, the words "expects," "intends,"
"anticipates," "believes," "estimates," and analogous expressions are intended
to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are inherently subject
to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include,
among others, the ability of the Company to identify, acquire and operate
additional on-site technical service companies, general economic and business
conditions, competition, changes in foreign, political and economic conditions,
fluctuating foreign currencies compared to the U.S. dollar, rapid changes in
technologies, customer preferences and various other matters, many of which are
beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 and speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The
Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly
any updates or any changes in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or
any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is
based.

                                                                              17


<PAGE>   18
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of business that
include foreign currency exchange rates. In an effort to mitigate the risk, the
Company, on a selective basis, will enter into forward exchange contracts. A
discussion of accounting policies for financial derivatives is included in Note
1 to the consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 1999, the Company did
not have any open forward exchange contracts.



                                                                              18
<PAGE>   19




ITEM 8 -- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

BLACK BOX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

         Report of Independent Public Accountants
         Consolidated Statements of Income
         Consolidated Balance Sheets
         Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



                                                                              19
<PAGE>   20





                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Black Box Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Black Box
Corporation (a Delaware corporation and the "Company") and subsidiaries as of
March 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of income,
changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended March 31, 1999. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Black
Box Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1999 and 1998, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended March 31, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

                                                         /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
April 30, 1999



                                                                              20
<PAGE>   21



BLACK BOX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                --------------------
                                                   1997            1998           1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenues                                             $246,413       $299,276       $329,974
  Cost of sales                                       117,698        151,441        167,672
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                          128,715        147,835        162,302
  SG&A expense                                         78,624         88,137         94,674
  Intangibles amortization                              3,854          3,801          4,263
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income                                       46,237         55,897         63,365
  Interest expense, net                                 3,654          2,636            553
   Other expense (income), net                            164          (415)          (238)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Income from continuing operations
  before income taxes                                  42,419         53,676         63,050
Provision for income taxes                             17,627         21,272         24,905
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                            $24,792        $32,404        $38,145
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per common share                         $1.47          $1.89          $2.19
Diluted earnings per common share                       $1.40          $1.79          $2.09
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares                         16,883         17,168         17,435
Weighted average common and common
  equivalent shares                                    17,760         18,084         18,268
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                                                                              21
<PAGE>   22



BLACK BOX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     MARCH 31,
                                                                                        --------------------------------
                                                                                             1998              1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                             <C>            <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                                     $ 11,166       $  5,946
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
  accounts of $2,655 and $4,023, respectively                                                     50,419         62,841
  Inventories, net                                                                                32,283         32,258
  Prepaid catalog expenses                                                                         5,845          4,967
  Other current assets                                                                             4,418         11,205
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets                                                                             104,131        117,217
Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                13,548         24,190
Intangibles, net                                                                                  72,164        104,208
Other assets                                                                                         440            660
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                                                                    $190,283       $246,275
========================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Current debt                                                                                  $  8,705       $  1,511
  Accounts payable                                                                                15,815         18,210
  Accrued compensation and benefits                                                                6,214          6,820
  Other accrued expenses                                                                           6,665         12,729
  Accrued income taxes                                                                             3,387          4,685
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                                                                         40,786         43,955
Long-term debt                                                                                     8,189            204
Deferred taxes                                                                                    10,768          9,051
Other liabilities                                                                                    292            413
Stockholders' equity
  Preferred stock authorized 5,000,000; par value
    $1.00; none issued and outstanding
  Common stock authorized 40,000,000; par value
    $.001; issued and outstanding 17,233,021 and
    18,147,358, respectively                                                                          17             18
  Additional paid-in capital                                                                      34,117         59,272
  Retaining earnings                                                                             101,533        139,678
  Cumulative foreign currency translation                                                        (3,619)        (3,842)
  Dividends declared to former shareholders
    prior to mergers                                                                             (1,800)        (2,474)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity                                                                       130,248        192,652
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                     $ 190,283       $246,275
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                                                                              22
<PAGE>   23



BLACK BOX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Cumulative
                                             Common Stock        Additional                   Foreign
                                             ------------          Paid-in     Retained       Currency      Dividend
                                        Shares        Amount       Capital     Earnings     Translation     Declared     Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                       <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>                <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1996                 16,770,165     $17         $26,016     $43,759            $(988)     $(318)     $68,486

Comprehensive income
   Net income                                                                     24,792                                   24,792
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustment                                                                                    (1,166)                 (1,166)
                                                                                                                          -------
Comprehensive income                                                                                                       23,626

Exercise of options                          216,428                   2,474                                                2,474
Tax benefit from exercised options                                     1,520                                                1,520
Dividends declared to former
  shareholders prior to mergers                                                                                 (147)        (147)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1997                 16,986,593      17          30,010      68,551           (2,154)      (465)      95,959

Comprehensive income
   Net income                                                                     32,404                                   32,404
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustment                                                                                    (1,465)                 (1,465)
                                                                                                                          -------
Comprehensive income                                                                                                       30,939

Contribution from merger                                                 261         578                                      839
Issuance of common stock                      68,115
Exercise of options                          178,313                   2,038                                                2,038
Tax benefit from exercised options                                     1,808                                                1,808
Dividends declared to former
  shareholders prior to mergers                                                                               (1,335)      (1,335)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1998                 17,233,021      17          34,117     101,533           (3,619)    (1,800)     130,248

Comprehensive income
   Net income                                                                     38,145                                   38,145
   Foreign currency translation
     adjustment                                                                                      (223)                   (223)
                                                                                                                            -----
Comprehensive income                                                                                                       37,922

Issuance of common stock                     567,592       1          18,317                                               18,318
Exercise of options                          346,745                   3,732                                                3,732
Tax benefit from exercised options                                     3,106                                                3,106
Dividends declared to former
  shareholders prior to mergers                                                                                 (674)        (674)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1999                 18,147,358     $18         $59,272    $139,678          $(3,842)   $(2,474)    $192,652
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                                                              23
<PAGE>   24



BLACK BOX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                            -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 1997             1998            1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>              <C>
  CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income                                                       $ 24,792        $ 32,404         $ 38,145
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
  provided by operating activities
  Depreciation and amortization                                       6,356           6,446            7,591
  All other                                                              99             151              139
Changes in working capital items
  Accounts receivable, net                                           (8,925)         (4,023)          (3,438)
  Inventories, net                                                  (11,047)         (1,576)           2,575
  Other assets                                                         (504)         (1,772)            (245)
  Accounts payable                                                    7,332          (5,176)          (1,982)
  Accrued compensation and benefits                                   1,233             286              196
  Accrued expenses                                                       83             376           (1,147)
  Accrued income taxes                                                2,906          (1,722)           4,459
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Cash provided by operating activities                                22,325          25,394           46,293
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Capital expenditures                                               (2,993)         (2,495)          (9,354)
  Cash acquired from merger                                              --             160               --
  Mergers, net of $1,183 cash acquired                                   --              --          (24,754)
  Acquisition of joint venture                                         (934)             --               --
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
  Cash used in investing activities                                  (3,927)         (2,335)         (34,108)
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Repayment of borrowings                                           (68,410)        (94,196)         (36,971)
  Proceeds from borrowings                                           48,384          81,340           16,766
  Proceeds from the exercise of options                               2,474           2,038            3,732
  Dividends paid to former shareholders
      prior to merger                                                  (147)         (1,335)            (674)
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
  Cash used in financing activities                                 (17,699)        (12,153)         (17,147)
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
  Foreign currency exchange impact on cash                           (1,244)         (1,465)            (258)
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
  (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                     (545)          9,441           (5,220)
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                      2,270           1,725           11,166
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                          $ 1,725        $ 11,166          $ 5,946
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
  Interest paid                                                     $ 3,671        $  2,758          $ 1,278
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
  Income taxes paid                                                 $13,315        $ 16,181          $15,318
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------

                                                                           YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                            -------------------------------------------------
                                                                 1997            1998             1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mergers
Fair Value of:
     Assets acquired                                                $    --        $     --          $30,860
     Liabilities assumed                                                 --              --           (4,923)
                                                            --------------- ---------------- ----------------
Cash paid                                                                --              --           25,937
Less cash acquired                                                       --              --           (1,183)
                                                            --------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net cash paid for mergers                                           $    --        $     --          $24,754
- ----------------------------------------------------------- --------------- ---------------- ----------------
</TABLE>

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                                                                              24
<PAGE>   25



BLACK BOX CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NATURE OF OPERATIONS: Black Box Corporation is a leading worldwide technical
service provider of computer communications and networking equipment and
services and related products to businesses of all sizes, operating in 77
countries throughout the world.

FISCAL YEARS AND INTERIM PERIODS: Prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
the Company followed a 52 or 53 week fiscal year that ended on the Sunday
nearest March 31. Each fiscal quarter consisted of 13 weeks, and the last
quarter was adjusted for those years having 53 weeks. For fiscal years ended
March 31, 1998 and after, the Company changed the fiscal year end to March 31.
The first three quarters consisted of 13 weeks, and the fourth quarter was
adjusted to end on March 31. The ending date for the year ended March 31, 1997
was actually March 30, 1997. For simplicity, March 31 is used for all year end
references.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The accompanying consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Black Box Corporation and its wholly owned and
majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation.

CASH EQUIVALENTS: The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased
with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying
amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those
instruments.

INVENTORIES: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out
method) or market. The net inventory balances at March 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1998                1999
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                 <C>
   Raw materials                            $ 1,654             $ 2,231
   Work-in-process                               41                  31
   Finished goods                            33,442              33,552
   Inventory reserve                         (2,854)             (3,556)
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   Inventory, net                          $ 32,283            $ 32,258
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated
useful lives of the assets. The useful life for buildings and improvements is 30
years and for machinery and equipment is three to seven years. Maintenance and
minor repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Major replacements or
betterments are capitalized. When items are sold, retired or otherwise disposed
of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts
and, if applicable, a gain or loss is recorded.



                                                                              25
<PAGE>   26

Property, plant and equipment balances, net of accumulated depreciation, at
March 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1998               1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>               <C>
Land                                                                   $     1,962       $    2,841
Building and improvements                                                   10,143           17,294
Machinery                                                                   16,250           24,796
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            28,355           44,931
Accumulated depreciation                                                   (14,807)         (20,741)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment, net                                     $    13,548       $   24,190
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


INTANGIBLES: Intangibles include the reorganization value in excess of amounts
allocable to identifiable assets (the portion of the reorganization value which
could not be attributed to specific, tangible or identifiable intangible
assets), Goodwill (the excess of the purchase cost over the fair value of the
assets acquired) and Tradename and Trademarks. These intangibles are amortized
over 20, 25 to 40, and 40 years, respectively. The intangible assets and
associated accumulated amortization at March 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1998               1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>               <C>
Reorganization value in excess of amounts
 allocable to identifiable assets, less
 accumulated amortization of $18,880 and
 $21,664, respectively                                                 $   38,194        $    35,410

Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of $527
 and $1,104, respectively                                                   3,577             39,307

Tradename and trademarks, less accumulated
 amortization of $5,549 and $6,451, respectively                           30,393             29,491
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intangibles, net                                                       $   72,164        $   104,208
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The Company evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets, including
goodwill, at each balance sheet date based on forecasted future operations,
undiscounted cash flows and other significant criteria. Based upon the available
data, management believes that the carrying amount of these intangible assets
will be realized over their respective remaining amortization periods.

INCOME TAXES: Deferred income taxes are recognized for all temporary differences
between the tax and financial bases of the Company's assets and liabilities,
using the enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in
which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION: The financial statements of the Company's foreign
subsidiaries, except for the subsidiaries located in Brazil and Mexico, are
recorded in the local currency which is the functional currency. Accordingly,
assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated using prevailing
exchange rates at the appropriate balance sheet date and revenues and expenses
are translated using an average monthly exchange rate. Translation adjustments
resulting from this


                                                                              26
<PAGE>   27

process are recorded as a separate component of "Stockholders' Equity" and will
be included in income upon sale or liquidation of the foreign investment. Gains
and losses from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional
currency are included in net earnings. For the subsidiaries located in Brazil
and Mexico, the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, hence a combination of
current and historical rates is used in translating assets and liabilities and
the related exchange adjustments are included in net earnings.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES: The Company has operations, customers
and suppliers worldwide, thereby exposing the Company's financial results to
foreign currency fluctuations. In an effort to reduce this risk, the Company
generally sells and purchases inventory based on prices denominated in U.S.
dollars. Intercompany sales to all subsidiaries except Brazil and Mexico are
denominated in the subsidiaries local currency. Intercompany sales to the
subsidiaries in Brazil and Mexico are denominated in U.S. dollars. The gains and
losses resulting from the revaluation of the intercompany balances denominated
in foreign currencies is recorded to gross profit to the extent the intercompany
transaction resulted from an intercompany sale of inventory.

The Company has entered and will continue in the future, on a selective basis,
to enter into forward exchange contracts to reduce the foreign currency exposure
related to these intercompany transactions. These contracts have a term of 12
months or less and are with a major commercial bank. Accordingly, the Company
expects the counterparty to the contracts to meet its obligations. On a monthly
basis, the open contracts are revalued to the current exchange rates, and the
resulting gains and losses are recorded in other income. These gains and losses
offset the revaluation of the related foreign currency denominated receivables.
At March 31, 1999, the Company did not have any open forward exchange contracts.
During Fiscal 1999, the net impact from revaluing forward contracts was not
material.

The Company does not hold or issue any other financial derivative instruments
nor does it engage in speculative trading of financial derivatives.


EARNINGS PER SHARE: Basic earnings per common share were computed based on the
weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding, during the
relevant periods. Diluted earnings per common share were computed under the
treasury stock method based on the weighted average number of common shares
issued and outstanding, plus additional shares assumed to be outstanding to
reflect the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, less the number of
shares assumed to be repurchased with the tax savings resulting from
compensation expense of exercisable options.

USE OF ESTIMATES: The preparation of financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting standards requires management to make estimates
and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in
the accompanying financial statements. Actual results could differ from those
amounts.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS: In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments and requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either
assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. As required
by SFAS No. 133, the Company expects to adopt the new statement in the first
quarter of Fiscal 2001. The effect of this statement on the Company's financial
statements has not been determined.



                                                                              27
<PAGE>   28

NOTE 2: CHANGES IN BUSINESS

MERGERS AND NEW SUBSIDIARIES: During Fiscal 1999, the Company successfully
completed four business combinations accounted for as poolings of interests
(collectively the "Merged Companies"): Associated Network Solutions, Inc.
("ANSI"), American Telephone Wiring Company ("ATW"), CCI Direct Connect, Inc.
("CCI") and Midwest Communications Technologies, Inc. ("MCT"). Accordingly, all
prior period amounts of the Merged Companies have been restated to reflect the
combined results of operations and financial position. The Company issued an
aggregate of 467.911 shares of its common stock in exchange for all of the
outstanding shares of the Merged Companies. The following table reports
aggregated revenue and aggregated net income of the Merged Companies for the
periods preceding the acquisition dates:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Year Ended March 31,
                               ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
                                    Full Year           Full Year             Partial Year
                                      1997                1998                    1999 *
- ------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -------------------

<S>                                       <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Revenue                                   $14,255              $19,455              $6,496
Net income                                    497                1,489                 415
- ------------------------------ ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
</TABLE>

         * Fiscal 1999 data includes only activity for each of the Merged
         Companies from April 1, 1998 to its respective merger date. (Fiscal
         1997 and 1998 data includes twelve full months of activity.)

Three of the four Merged Companies were Subchapter S corporations. As such, the
earnings of these three companies were not subject to United States corporate
income tax. Proforma tax information is not presented because it is not
material.

In addition, during Fiscal 1999, the Company completed eight business
combinations which have been accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. Todd Communications, Inc. ("Todd"), Cable Consultants, Incorporated.
("Cable Con"), Key-Four, Inc. ("Key-Four"), Advanced Communications Corporation
("ACC"), Wakefield Electronics Group Inc., doing business as South Hills
Datacomm ("South Hills"), Ohmega Installations Limited ("Ohmega"), Aicon
Telemarketing Tecnologico Ltda. ("Aicon") and The Austin Connection, Inc.
("Austin").

In March 1999, the Company merged Todd, a privately held company based in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, into a wholly owned subsidiary. Todd specializes
in technical design, installation and maintenance of premise cabling systems to
customers throughout North Carolina. The purchase price was $1,900 and resulted
in goodwill of approximately $1,300, which will be amortized over twenty five
years. The Company has consolidated the results of operations for Todd as of the
merger date. The operations and financial position of Todd are not material to
either the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the
Company and therefore, no pro forma information has been provided.

In March 1999, the Company merged Cable Con, a privately held company based in
Atlanta, Georgia, into a wholly owned subsidiary. Cable Con specializes in
technical design, installation and maintenance of premise and outside cabling
systems to customers throughout the Southeast. The purchase price was $12,100
and resulted in goodwill after assumed liabilities of approximately $9,400,
which will be amortized over twenty five years. In addition, the merger
agreement provides



                                                                              28
<PAGE>   29

for contingent payment of up to $3,000 depending on Cable Con's future
performance. The Company has consolidated the results of operations for Cable
Con as of the merger date. The operations and financial position of Cable Con
are not material to either the consolidated financial position or results of
operations of the Company and therefore, no pro forma information has been
provided.

In January 1999, the Company merged Key-Four, a privately held company based in
Atlanta, Georgia, into a wholly owned subsidiary. Key-Four provides installation
and maintenance for structured premise cabling systems, telephone systems
installation and service, dedicated on-site telecommunications support
personnel, plus related products to customers throughout the Southeast. The
purchase price was $1,900 and resulted in goodwill after assumed liabilities of
approximately $2,300, which will be amortized over twenty five years. In
addition, the merger agreement provides for contingent payment of up to $600
depending on Key-Four's future performance. The Company has consolidated the
results of operations for Key-Four as of the merger date. The operations and
financial position of Key-Four are not material to either the consolidated
financial position or results of operations of the Company and therefore, no pro
forma information has been provided.

In December 1998, the Company merged ACC into a wholly owned subsidiary. ACC was
a privately held company based in Columbia, South Carolina that provides on-site
services for premise cabling and related products to customers throughout South
Carolina. The purchase price was $1,500 and resulted in goodwill of
approximately $1,200, which will be amortized over twenty five years. The
Company has consolidated the results of operations for ACC as of the merger
date. The operations and financial position of ACC are not material to either
the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company and
therefore, no pro forma information has been provided.

In September 1998, the Company merged with the parent corporation of Wakefield
Electronics Group Inc., doing business as South Hills Datacomm (South Hills).
South Hills is a direct marketer of computer communications and networking
products with subsidiary operations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Chile.
The purchase price was $25,300 and resulted in goodwill of approximately
$20,500, which will be amortized over thirty years. In connection with the
merger, the Company established a reserve of $2,200 for the purpose of covering
the costs related to consolidation of the facilities and workforce. The Company
has consolidated the results of operations for South Hills as of the merger
date. The operations and financial position of South Hills are not material to
either the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the
Company and therefore, no pro forma information has been provided.

In addition, the Company completed three minor mergers, Ohmega, Aicon and
Austin, for a total purchase price of $1,754 and resulting in goodwill of
approximately $1,600.

Total revenues in Fiscal 1999 from mergers accounted for using the purchase
method was $17,476.

During Fiscal 1998, the Company merged with ATIMCO, a privately held company
that provides network design and installation services, premise cabling and
related products. The Company issued 68.115 shares of common stock in the
transaction, which was accounted for by a pooling of interests. ATIMCO's
revenues in Fiscal 1998 were $3,200. ATIMCO's results of operations are not
considered material to the Company, and as such, prior periods have not been
restated.



                                                                              29
<PAGE>   30

NOTE 3: INDEBTEDNESS

Long-term debt at March 31 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1998           1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>
Notes                                  $ 16,000         $      --
Other debt                                  894             1,715
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         16,894             1,715
Less current portion                     (8,705)           (1,511)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt                         $  8,189         $     204
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


In May 1994, Black Box Corporation of Pennsylvania ("Black Box PA"), a domestic
operating subsidiary of the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement
with Mellon Bank, N.A. ("Mellon") for the purpose of refinancing the then
existing revolving credit agreement and to provide additional working capital.
On February 12, 1999, Black Box PA entered into a new credit agreement with
Mellon. This agreement refinanced the existing debt under the previous revolving
agreement, extended the term and modified the interest rate options, among other
things. The current agreement provides for a maximum borrowing of $49,000
through September 30, 2002. Interest on borrowings is variable based on the
Company's option of selecting the bank's prime rate (7-3/4 percent at March 31,
1999), the Euro-dollar rate plus an applicable margin, as defined in the
agreement or Mellon's Automated Borrowing Services ("ABS") rate plus an
applicable margin, as defined in the agreement. The applicable margin added to
the Euro-dollar rate and Mellon's ABS rate is adjusted each quarter based on the
cash flow ratio, as defined in the agreement and can vary from 1 percent to 1/2
percent (1/2 percent at March 31, 1999). The agreement requires the Company to
pay a quarterly commitment fee, based on a rate determined by the cash flow
ratio, as defined in the agreement and can vary from 3/8 percent to 1/5 percent
(1/5 percent at March 31, 1999), of the daily unborrowed portion of the total
commitment. The agreement is unsecured; however, all borrowings are guaranteed
by the Company, as the ultimate parent. The agreement contains restrictive
covenants that relate to capital expenditures and various financial ratios.

In May 1994, the domestic subsidiary of the Company entered into a $40,000, five
year Senior Note Agreement with certain financial institution parties for the
purpose of refinancing a portion of the existing notes outstanding. The Senior
Notes were payable in five equal installments of $8,000 per year starting in May
1995 and ending in May 1999. Interest on the notes was fixed at 8.81 percent and
prepayments are permitted subject to the payment of a yield-maintenance amount,
as defined in the agreement. On September 1, 1998 the Senior Notes were paid in
full.

Other debt is composed of various bank, industrial revenue and third party loans
secured by specific pieces of equipment and real property. Interest on these
loans are fixed and range from 3 to 5 percent.

At March 31, 1999, the Company had $979 of letters of credit outstanding.

The aggregated amount of the minimum principal payments for each of the five
fiscal years subsequent to March 31, 1999 for all long-term indebtedness is as
follows: 2000-$1,511; 2001-$109; 2002-$16; 2003-$14, 2004-$14; and
thereafter-$51.

The fair value of the Company's debt at March 31, 1999 approximates the carrying
value. The fair


                                                                              30
<PAGE>   31

value is based on management's estimate of current rates available to the
Company for similar debt with the same remaining maturity.

NOTE 4: INCOME TAXES

The domestic and foreign components of pretax income from continuing operations
for the years ended March 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1997      1998      1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>       <C>
Domestic                                   $31,334   $40,280   $46,007
Foreign                                     11,085    13,396    17,043
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated                               $42,419   $53,676   $63,050
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The provision for income tax charged to continuing operations for the years
ended March 31 consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1997             1998             1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>               <C>             <C>
Current:
  Federal                                  $ 9,507           $9,706          $  9,980
  State                                      1,158              856             1,031
  Foreign                                    7,078            7,612             7,799
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current                               17,743           18,174            18,810
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred                                      (116)           3,098             6,095
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for income taxes                 $17,627          $21,272           $24,905
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Reconciliations between income taxes from continuing operations computed using
the federal statutory income tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate for
the years ended March 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997             1998              1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>               <C>
Federal statutory tax rate                              35.0%            35.0%             35.0%
Foreign taxes, net of foreign tax credits                0.6              2.8               1.1
Amortization of intangibles                              2.3              1.9               1.8
State income taxes, net of federal benefit               2.0              1.6               1.6
Other, net                                               1.7             (1.7)              0.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective tax rate                                      41.6%            39.6%             39.5%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The components of deferred tax (liabilities) assets at March 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1998             1999
                                                                               ----             ----
<S>                                                                          <C>              <C>
  Tradename and trademarks                                                   $ (10,627)       $(10,312)
  State taxes                                                                   (1,283)         (1,041)
  Unremitted earnings of Japanese subsidiary                                    (3,551)         (3,528)
  Basis of fixed assets                                                           (961)         (1,026)
  Other                                                                         (4,790)         (3,646)
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
  Gross deferred tax liabilities                                               (21,212)        (19,553)
  Net operating losses and foreign tax credit carryforwards                      7,430           6,593
  Other                                                                          3,014           3,909
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
  Gross deferred tax assets                                                     10,444          10,502
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
  Net deferred tax liabilities                                               $ (10,768)        $(9,051)
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------
</TABLE>


                                                                              31
<PAGE>   32

At March 31, 1999, the Company had $44,507 of net operating loss carryforwards
and $39,410 of alternative minimum tax loss carryforwards. As a result of the
Company's reorganization in 1992 and concurrent ownership change, Section 382 of
the Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of net operating losses available to
the Company to approximately $600 per year. The carryforwards expire in the
fiscal years 2004 through 2007; however, due to the limitation stated above, the
Company expects to utilize only the unrestricted portion of the operating loss
carryforwards, prior to expiration.

In general, except for certain earnings in Japan, it is management's intention
to reinvest undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which aggregate
approximately $17,000 based on exchange rates at March 31, 1999. However, from
time to time, the foreign subsidiaries declare dividends to the U.S. parent, at
which time the appropriate amount of tax is determined. Also, additional taxes
could be necessary if foreign earnings were lent to the parent or if the Company
should sell its stock in the subsidiaries. It is not practicable to estimate the
amount of additional tax that might be payable on undistributed foreign
earnings.

NOTE 5: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases certain equipment and facilities under noncancelable
operating lease agreements, which contain provisions for certain rental
adjustments as well as renewal options. Rent expense under these operating
leases for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 was $913, $916, and
$2,882, respectively. At March 31, 1999, the minimum lease commitments under all
noncancelable operating leases for the next five years are as follows:
2000-$2,249; 2001-$1,543; 2002-$1,060; 2003-$845, 2004-$339 and thereafter-$332.

The Company is involved in, or has pending, various legal proceedings, claims,
suits and complaints arising out of the normal course of business. Based on the
facts currently available to the Company, management believes all such matters
are adequately provided for, covered by insurance, are without merit, or are of
such amounts which upon resolution will not have a material adverse effect on
the consolidated financial position or the results of operations of the Company.

NOTE 6: INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS

PERFORMANCE BONUS: The Company has a variable compensation plan covering
substantially all employees. This plan provides for the payment of a bonus based
on certain annual performance targets. All payments are subject to approval by
the Board of Directors upon the completion of the annual audit. In addition, the
Company has an incentive compensation plan that covers certain key employees.
Amounts to be paid under this plan are based on the attainment of certain
operating targets over a three-year period ending March 31, 2001. The amount
expensed under the variable and incentive compensation plans for the years ended
March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 were $2,954, $2,084, and $2,871, respectively.

PROFIT SHARING AND SAVINGS PLAN: The Company has a Profit Sharing and Savings
Plan ("Plan") which qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section
401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering only U.S. employees. Under the
Plan, participants are permitted to make contributions of up to 12 percent of
their compensation, as defined. The Company matches 25 percent of the
participant's contributions and increases its matching contribution percentage
if the Company achieves specific revenue and profit targets established at the
beginning of each fiscal year. The


                                                                              32
<PAGE>   33


total Company contribution for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 was
$505, $523 and $748, respectively.

STOCK OPTION PLANS: The Company has two stock option plans, the 1992 Stock
Option Plan, as amended (the "Employee Plan"), and the 1992 Directors Stock
Option Plan, as amended (the "Directors Plan"). The Employee Plan authorizes the
issuance of options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") for up to 3,900
shares of Common Stock. Options are issued by the Board of Directors or a Board
committee to key employees of the Company and generally become exercisable in
equal amounts over a three-year period. Option prices are equal to the fair
market value of the stock on the date of the grant and have been adjusted to
reflect the effect of the MICOM distribution on June 3, 1994. No SARs have been
issued.

The Directors Plan authorizes the issuance of options and SARs for up to 100
shares of Common Stock. Options are issued by the Board of Directors or a Board
committee and generally become exercisable in equal amounts over a three-year
period. Option prices are equal to the fair market value of the stock on the
date of the grant and have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the MICOM
distribution on June 3, 1994. No SARs have been issued.

The following is a summary of the Company's stock option plans for years ended
March 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1997                            1998                           1999
                                            ----                            ----                           ----
                                                   WEIGHTED                        WEIGHTED                        WEIGHTED
                                                   AVERAGE                         AVERAGE                         AVERAGE
                                                   EXERCISE                        EXERCISE                        EXERCISE
                                   SHARES          PRICE           SHARES          PRICE           SHARES          PRICE
                               --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>
Outstanding, beginning
  of the year                        1,754         $ 11.96           1,750         $ 14.11         2,518          $20.14
Granted                                400           23.38           1,042           28.71           723           22.08
Exercised                             (214)          11.47            (178)          11.43          (348)          10.82
Forfeited                             (190)          16.70             (96)          19.43           (91)          28.77
- ------------------------------ --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Outstanding, end of
  the year                           1,750         $ 14.11           2,518         $ 20.14         2,802          $21.51
Exercisable, end of year               822         $ 10.54           1,119         $ 12.32         1,355          $17.70

Weighted average fair value
of options granted during
the year                                           $ 11.89                         $ 17.26                        $11.87
- ------------------------------ --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
</TABLE>





                                                                              33
<PAGE>   34

The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding
at March 31, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                                           -------------------                -------------------
                                                WEIGHTED
                                                AVERAGE                    WEIGHTED                       WEIGHTED
RANGE OF                                        REMAINING                   AVERAGE                       AVERAGE
EXERCISE                    NUMBER              CONTRACTUAL                EXERCISE        NUMBER         EXERCISE
PRICES                      OUTSTANDING         LIFE                          PRICE      EXERCISABLE      PRICE
- --------------------------- ------------------- -------------------- --------------- -------------------- -------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>                     <C>                 <C>             <C>
$7.77                                73         3.7 years               $     7.77             73            $   7.77
$8.92 - $9.35                        50         4.5 years                     9.35             50                9.35
$9.78 - $13.06                      275         5.3 years                    10.07            275               10.07
$13.65 - $15.75                     474         6.2 years                    15.01            474               15.01
$20.50 - $21.94                     938         9.1 years                    21.75             91               21.05
$24.75 - $27.38                     219         7.5 years                    24.91            135               24.75
$30.25 - $33.25                     749         8.7 years                    30.26            250               30.26
$33.50 - $35.19                      24         8.5 years                    35.01              7               35.19
- --------------------------- ------------------- -------------------- --------------- ------------------- --------------
$7.77  - $35.19                   2,802         7.8 years               $    21.51          1,355            $  17.70
- --------------------------- ------------------- -------------------- --------------- ------------------- --------------
</TABLE>

The Company continues to apply APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for stock-based
compensation. To date, all stock options have been issued at market value;
accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized. Had the Company elected
to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value basis under SFAS No. 123,
the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the
pro forma amounts for the years ended March 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997                 1998             1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                    <C>                   <C>             <C>
Net income                As reported            $   24,792            $   32,404      $   38,145
                          Pro forma                  23,521                30,103          34,071

Earnings per share        As reported            $     1.40            $     1.79      $     2.09
                          Pro forma                    1.32                  1.66            1.86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes options pricing model with the following assumptions for the years
ending March 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1997              1998                  1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                <C>               <C>
Expected life (in years)                    7.0                7.3               6.1
Risk free interest rate                     6.6%               5.7%             4.6%
Volatility                                  35%                50%               50%
Dividend yield                               --                 --                --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

NOTE 7:  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per common share were computed based on the weighted average
number of common shares issued and outstanding during the relevant periods.
Diluted earnings per common share were computed under the treasury stock method
based on the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding,
plus additional shares assumed to be outstanding to reflect the dilutive effect
of common stock equivalents, less the number of shares assumed to be repurchased
with the tax savings resulting from compensation expense of exercisable options.
The following table details this calculation:



                                                                              34
<PAGE>   35

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                                        --------------------
                                                               1997             1998         1999
- -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ -----------
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>         <C>
Net income for earnings per share computation                    $24,792      $32,404     $38,145
Basic earnings per common share:
   Weighted average common shares                                 16,883       17,168      17,435
   Basic earnings per common share                                 $1.47        $1.89       $2.19
- -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ -----------
Diluted earnings per common share:
   Weighted average common shares                                 16,883       17,168      17,435
   Shares issuable from assumed conversion of
       common stock equivalents                                      998        1,049         989
   Shares assumed repurchased with tax savings from
      compensation expense of exercised options                     (121)        (133)       (156)
- -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ -----------
  Weighted average common and common
       equivalent shares                                          17,760       18,084      18,268
  Diluted earnings per common share                                $1.40        $1.79       $2.09
- -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------ -----------
</TABLE>

NOTE 8: SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company manages its business segments primarily on a geographic basis. Its
reportable segments are comprised of North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim.
Other operating segments include Latin America and corporate expenses. Corporate
expenses include costs related to tradename and trademark protection and various
administrative items. The Company reports its segments separately because of
differences in geographic market characteristics. Each reportable segment is
directed by a regional vice president and may provide revenue from direct
marketing and on-site services.

The accounting policies of the various segments are the same as those described
in "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Note 1. The company evaluates
the performance of each segment based on "Worldwide EBITA." A segment's
Worldwide EBITA is its earnings before interest, taxes and amortization with all
profit on intercompany sales allocated to the segment providing the third party
revenues. Intersegment sales are not reviewed by management and are not included
in the total revenues reported below. Certain costs included in the North
America segment are incurred for the benefit of other segments but are not
allocated for internal management reporting and are, therefore, not allocated
herein. These unallocated costs include certain order fulfillment, shipping, and
various overhead items. Segment interest income, interest expense and
expenditures for segment assets are not presented to or reviewed by management,
and are, therefore, not presented.

Summary information by reportable segment is as follows:

NORTH AMERICA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
                                 1997           1998            1999
- ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
<S>                              <C>            <C>             <C>
Revenues                         $ 136,390      $ 164,628       $ 185,606
Worldwide EBITA                     25,136         29,180          31,413
Depreciation                         1,271          1,569           1,983
Amortization                         2,953          2,900           3,357
Segment assets                     163,446        172,158         231,212
- ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
</TABLE>



                                                                              35
<PAGE>   36

EUROPE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
                                1997          1998           1999
- --------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenues                        $ 64,278       $ 77,167       $ 92,118
Worldwide EBITA                   13,341         15,805         22,052
Depreciation                         720            708            865
Amortization                          --             --              5
Segment assets                    28,432         33,335         37,947
- --------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
</TABLE>

PACIFIC RIM

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
                                1997          1998           1999
- --------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
<S>                             <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenues                        $ 34,097       $ 39,395       $ 36,171
Worldwide EBITA                   12,483         14,612         13,195
Depreciation                          50            151            128
Amortization                          --             --             --
Segment assets                    13,138         12,243         12,887
- --------------------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
</TABLE>

OTHER

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------
                                1997          1998           1999
- --------------------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------
<S>                              <C>          <C>             <C>
Revenues                         $11,648      $ 18,086        $ 16,079
Worldwide EBITA                    (869)           101             968
Depreciation                         304           112             119
Amortization                         901           901             901
Segment assets                   174,764       181,570         220,284
- --------------------------- ------------- ------------- ---------------
</TABLE>

The following are reconciliations between certain reportable segment data and
the corresponding consolidated amounts:

REVENUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------- -------------
                                                           1997           1998          1999
- ----------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
Total revenues from reportable segments                     $234,765      $281,190      $313,895
Other revenues                                                11,648        18,086        16,079
Total consolidated revenues                                  246,413       299,276       329,974
- ----------------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------- -------------
</TABLE>

EBITA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
                                                           1997           1998          1999
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>
Total Worldwide EBITA for reportable segments                $50,960       $59,597       $66,660
Other EBITA                                                     (869)          101           968
Total consolidated EBITA                                      50,091        59,698        67,628
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
</TABLE>


                                                                              36
<PAGE>   37

ASSETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
                                                           1997           1998          1999
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>           <C>
Total assets for reportable segments                        $205,016      $217,736      $282,046
Other assets                                                 174,764       181,570       220,284
Corporate eliminations                                      (202,954)     (209,023)     (256,055)
Total consolidated assets                                    176,826       190,283       246,275
- ------------------------------------------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------
</TABLE>

NOTE 9: QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       FIRST                 SECOND               THIRD            FOURTH
                                      QUARTER               QUARTER              QUARTER           QUARTER             YEAR
- ------------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------- -------------- ---------------
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>                 <C>            <C>            <C>
FISCAL 1998
Revenues                                     $69,269               $74,596             $74,206        $81,205        $299,276
Gross profit                                  34,820                36,834              37,026         39,155         147,835
Net income                                     7,193                 7,951               8,107          9,153          32,404
Basic earnings per
 common share                                   0.42                  0.46                0.47           0.53            1.89(1)
Diluted earnings per
 common share                                   0.40                  0.44                0.45           0.51            1.79(1)
- ------------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------- -------------- ---------------
FISCAL 1999
Revenues                                     $73,096               $79,130             $84,789        $92,959        $329,974
Gross Profit                                  36,185                38,596              42,073         45,448         162,302
Net income                                     8,284                 8,764               9,605         11,492          38,145
Basic earnings per
 common share                                   0.48                  0.51                0.55           0.65            2.19
Diluted earnings per
 common share                                   0.46                  0.49                0.53           0.62            2.09(1)
- ------------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------- -------------- ---------------
</TABLE>

(1)      Earnings per share for the year is different than the sum of the
         quarterly earnings per share due to the change in shares each quarter.

NOTE 10: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)

In April 1999, the Company merged Con-Optic, Inc. into Key-Four, a wholly owned
subsidiary. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, privately held Con-Optic provides
services complementary to Key-Four, including technical design, installation and
maintenance services for premise cabling and related products to customers
throughout Georgia. The results of operations and financial position of
Con-Optic are not material to the consolidated results of operations or
financial position.

During May 1999, the Company merged with C-Tel Corporation. Established in 1987
in Columbus, Ohio, privately held C-Tel provides technical design, installation
and maintenance services for premise cabling and related products to customers
primarily in Ohio. The results of operations and financial position of C-Tel are
not material to the consolidated results of operations or financial position.



                                                                              37
<PAGE>   38

On March 31, 1999, the Company announced its intention to repurchase up to 1
million shares of its Common Stock. As of June 1999, the Company had repurchased
1 million shares at prevailing market prices.

ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON AUDITING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.





                                                                              38
<PAGE>   39



                                    PART III

ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information set forth under the caption "Executive Officers of
the Registrant" included under Part I of this Form 10-K.

         The other information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information set forth under the captions "Election of
Directors" and "Board of Directors and Certain Board Committees" in the
Company's definitive proxy statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Proxy Statement").

ITEM 11 -- EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information set forth under the captions "Board of Directors
and Certain Board Committees", "Executive Compensation and Other Information",
and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in the Proxy
Statement; provided, however, that the compensation committee report and
performance graph in the Proxy Statement are not incorporated herein by
reference.

ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information set forth under the captions "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners", "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation -- Change of Control Agreement", "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation -- Separation Agreement", and "Security
Ownership of Management" in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         The information required by this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information set forth under the captions "Election of
Directors" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in
the Proxy Statement.



                                                                              39
<PAGE>   40

                                     PART IV

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

         Financial statements, financial statement schedules and exhibits not
listed here have been omitted where the required information is included in the
consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, or is not applicable or
required.

         (a)      Documents filed as part of this report

                  (1)      Financial Statements - no financial statements have
                           been filed in this Form 10-K other than those in Item
                           8.

                  (2)      Financial Statement Schedules

                           Report of Independent Public Accountants on
                           Supplemental Schedules

                           Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

                  (3)      Exhibits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            Exhibit
                            Number                                Description
                            ------                                -----------

                           <S>               <C>
                            3(i)             Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                                             Company, as amended (8)

                            3(ii)            Restated Bylaws, as amended (2)

                            10.1             1992 Stock Option Plan, as amended (9)

                            10.2             1992 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended (9)

                            10.3             Omnibus Credit Facility Agreement, dated as of February 12, 1999,
                                             among Black Box Corporation of Pennsylvania, Black Box Corporation
                                             and Mellon Bank, N.A. (1)

                            10.4             Agreement and Plan of Distribution, dated as of
                                             May 10, 1994, among the Company, Black Box - PA
                                             and MICOM (3)

                            10.5             Indemnification and Liability Assumption Agreement,
                                             dated as of  June 3, 1994, among the Company, Black Box - PA and MICOM (3)
</TABLE>


                                                                              40
<PAGE>   41

<TABLE>
                           <S>               <C>
                            10.6(i)          Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1992,
                                             among the Company (previously known as MB
                                             Holdings, Inc.), Black Box and MICOM (3)

                            10.6(ii)         Amendment to Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of
                                             June 3, 1994 (3)

                            10.7             Separation Agreement, dated as of October 17, 1991,
                                             between the Company (previously known as MB Holdings, Inc.), and MICOM (3)

                            10.8             Black Box do Brasil Industria E. Comercio LTDA.
                                             Quotaholder Agreement (5)

                            10.9             Private Instrument of Amendment to the Articles of
                                             Association of Black Box do Brasil Industria E.
                                             Comercio LTDA. (5)

                            10.10            Change of Control Agreement with
                                             Frederick C. Young, dated as of December 20, 1994 (6)

                            10.12            Subscription Agreement and Plan of Acquisition of
                                             BBOX Holding Company by Black Box Corporation
                                             dated November 21, 1996 (7)

                            10.13            Executive Incentive Program Summary
                                             (1999-2001) (10)

                            10.14            Separation Agreement, dated as of June 23, 1998,
                                             between the Company and Jeffrey M. Boetticher (10)

                            21.1             Subsidiaries of the Company (1)

                            23.1             Consent and Report of Arthur Andersen LLP,
                                             independent public accountants (1)

                            27.1             Financial Data Schedule (1)

                            27.2             Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-Q for
                                             the Fiscal 1999 Third Quarter (1)

                            27.3             Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-Q for
                                             the Fiscal 1999 Second Quarter (1)
</TABLE>



                                                                              41
<PAGE>   42

<TABLE>
                           <S>               <C>
                           27.4              Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-Q for
                                             the Fiscal 1999 First Quarter (1)

                           27.5              Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-K for
                                             Fiscal 1998 (1)

                           27.6              Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-Q for
                                             Fiscal 1998 Third Quarter (1)

                           27.7              Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-Q for
                                             Fiscal 1998 Second Quarter (1)

                           27.8              Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-Q for
                                             Fiscal 1998 First Quarter (1)

                           27.9              Restated Financial Data Schedule for Form 10-K for
                                             Fiscal 1997 (1)
</TABLE>

         (1)      Filed herewith.

         (2)      Filed as an exhibit to the 1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K of
                  the Company, file number 0-18706, filed with the Commission on
                  June 26, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference.

         (3)      Filed as an exhibit to the Report on Form 8-K, file number
                  0-18706, filed with the Commission on June 20, 1994, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.

         (5)      Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
                  the Company, file number 0-18706, filed with the Commission on
                  February 15, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.




                                                                              42
<PAGE>   43

         (6)      Filed as an exhibit to the 1995 Form 10-K of the Company, file
                  number 0-18706, filed with the Commission on June 19, 1995 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.


         (7)      Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
                  the Company, file number 0-18706, filed with the Commission on
                  February 12, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.

         (8)      Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
                  the Company, file number 0-18706, filed with the Commission on
                  November 10, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.

         (9)      Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
                  the Company, file number 0-18706, filed with the Commission on
                  November 13, 1998.

         (10)     Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
                  the Company, file number 0-18706, filed with the Commission on
                  June 29, 1998.

                  (b)      Reports on Form 8-K. None.

                  (c)      The Company hereby files as exhibits to the Form 10-K
                           the exhibits set forth in Item 14(a)(3) hereof which
                           are not incorporated by reference.

                  (d)      The Company hereby files as financial statement
                           schedules to this Form 10-K the financial statement
                           schedules which are set forth in Item 14(a)(2)
                           hereof.



                                                                              43
<PAGE>   44




SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1943, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

         BLACK BOX CORPORATION

         Dated:  June 25, 1999
                                                   /s/ Anna M. Baird
                                         ------------------------------------
                                         Anna M. Baird, Vice President, Chief
                                         Financial Officer, Treasurer, and
                                         Principal Accounting Officer

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as
amended, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

        SIGNATURES                   CAPACITY                     DATE


  /s/ WILLIAM F. ANDREWS               Director                 June 25, 1999
  ----------------------
    William F. Andrews


  /s/ WILLIAM R. NEWLIN                Director                 June 25, 1999
  ---------------------
    William R. Newlin


    /s/ BRIAN D. YOUNG                 Director                 June 25, 1999
    ------------------
      Brian D. Young


    /s/ FRED C. YOUNG            Director, President,           June 25, 1999
    -----------------         Chief Operating Officer,
     Fred C. Young                 and Secretary


    /s/ ANNA M. BAIRD              Vice President,              June 25, 1999
    -----------------          Chief Financial Officer,
      Anna M. Baird            Treasurer and Principal
                                  Accounting Officer


                                                                              44
<PAGE>   45



                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS






To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Black Box Corporation:

We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the
consolidated financial statements of Black Box Corporation and Subsidiaries
included in this Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated April 30,
1999. Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the accompanying
index is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This
schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of
the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all
material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.



                                                       /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
April 30, 1999




                                                                              45
<PAGE>   46




                                                                     SCHEDULE II

                              BLACK BOX CORPORATION

                       VALUATIONS AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            ADDITIONS
                                       BALANCE AT           CHARGED TO           REDUCTIONS            BALANCE
       DESCRIPTION                    BEGINNING OF          COSTS AND               FROM              AT END OF
       -----------                       PERIOD              EXPENSES             RESERVES             PERIOD
                                         ------              --------             --------             ------

<S>                                      <C>                   <C>                 <C>                  <C>
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
  Inventory reserves                     $1,648                $1,398              $1,436               $1,610
  Allowance for unrealizable
  accounts/sales returns                 $2,407                $  664              $  572               $2,499

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
  Inventory reserves                     $1,610                $3,653              $2,409               $2,854
  Allowance for unrealizable
  accounts/sales returns                 $2,499                $1,333              $1,177               $2,655

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1999
  Inventory reserves                     $2,854                $3,396              $2,694               $3,556
  Allowance for unrealizable
  accounts/sales returns                 $2,655                $2,923              $1,555               $4,023
  Restructuring reserve                  $   --                $2,200              $  902               $1,298
</TABLE>



                                                                              46

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

================================================================================




                        OMNIBUS CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT


                          dated as of February 12, 1999


                                      among


                     BLACK BOX CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA,


                              BLACK BOX CORPORATION


                                       and


                                MELLON BANK, N.A.




================================================================================


<PAGE>   2

                                Table of Contents


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                            Title                                                       Page
- -------                                            -----                                                       ----


<S>           <C>                                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I     DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION...........................................................................1

         1.01     Certain Definitions.............................................................................1

         1.02     Construction...................................................................................17

         1.03     Accounting Principles..........................................................................18


ARTICLE II     REVOLVING CREDIT..................................................................................20

         2.01     Revolving Credit Loans.........................................................................20

         2.02     Revolving Credit Commitment Fee................................................................21

         2.03     Making of Revolving Credit Loans...............................................................21

         2.04     Interest Rates.................................................................................22

         2.05     Conversion or Renewal of Interest Rate Options.................................................25

         2.06     Prepayments Generally..........................................................................26

         2.07     Optional Prepayments...........................................................................27

         2.08     Interest Payment Dates.........................................................................27

         2.09     Payments Generally; Interest on Overdue Amounts................................................28

         2.10     Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances...............................................28

         2.11     Taxes..........................................................................................31

         2.12     Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.....................................................32


ARTICLE III     LETTERS OF CREDIT................................................................................33

         3.01     Letters of Credit..............................................................................33

         3.02     Letter of Credit Fees..........................................................................33

         3.03     Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit....................................................35

         3.04     Payments.......................................................................................35

         3.05     Increased Costs................................................................................35

         3.06     Further Assurances.............................................................................36

         3.07     Obligations Absolute...........................................................................36

         3.08     Additional Provisions Regarding Letters of Credit..............................................37


ARTICLE IV     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................................................38

         4.01     Corporate Status...............................................................................38

         4.02     Corporate Power and Authorization..............................................................38

         4.03     Execution and Binding Effect...................................................................39

         4.04     Governmental Approvals and Filings.............................................................39
</TABLE>


                                       i
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                           <C>
         4.05     Absence of Conflicts...........................................................................39

         4.06     Audited Financial Statements...................................................................40

         4.07     Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.............................................................41

         4.08     Absence of Material Adverse Changes............................................................41

         4.09     Accurate and Complete Disclosure...............................................................41

         4.10     Margin Regulations.............................................................................41

         4.11     Subsidiaries...................................................................................41

         4.12     Partnerships, etc..............................................................................42

         4.13     Ownership and Control..........................................................................42

         4.14     Litigation.....................................................................................42

         4.15     Absence of Events of Default...................................................................43

         4.16     Absence of Other Conflicts.....................................................................43

         4.17     Insurance......................................................................................43

         4.18     Title to Property..............................................................................43

         4.19     Intellectual Property..........................................................................43

         4.20     Taxes..........................................................................................44

         4.21     Employee Benefits..............................................................................44

         4.22     Environmental Matters..........................................................................45

         4.23     Solvency.......................................................................................45

         4.24     Regulatory Status..............................................................................46

         4.25     Permits and Other Operating Rights.............................................................46

         4.26     Year 2000 Compliance...........................................................................46


ARTICLE V     CONDITIONS OF LENDING..............................................................................47

         5.01     Conditions to Initial Revolving Credit Loans...................................................47

         5.02     Conditions to All Revolving Credit Loans.......................................................48


ARTICLE VI     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.............................................................................49

         6.01     Basic Reporting Requirements...................................................................49

         6.02     Insurance......................................................................................54

         6.03     Payment of Taxes and Other Potential Charges and Priority Claims...............................54

         6.04     Preservation of Corporate Status...............................................................55

         6.05     Governmental Approvals and Filings.............................................................55

         6.06     Maintenance of Properties......................................................................55

         6.07     Avoidance of Other Conflicts...................................................................55

         6.08     Financial Accounting Practices.................................................................56
</TABLE>


                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>              <C>                                                                                            <C>
         6.09     Use of Proceeds................................................................................57

         6.10     Continuation of or Change in Business..........................................................57

         6.11     Consolidated Tax Return........................................................................57

         6.12     Fiscal Year....................................................................................57

         6.13     Covenant to Secure Note Equally................................................................57


ARTICLE VII     NEGATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................................57

         7.01     Consolidated Net Worth.........................................................................58

         7.02     Leverage.......................................................................................58

         7.03     Cash Flow......................................................................................58

         7.04     Liens..........................................................................................58

         7.05     Indebtedness...................................................................................59

         7.06     Guarantees, Indemnities of the Borrower, etc...................................................60

         7.07     Loans, Advances and Investments................................................................61

         7.08     Dividends and Related Distributions............................................................62

         7.09     Sale-Leasebacks................................................................................62

         7.10     Mergers, Acquisitions, etc.....................................................................62

         7.11     Dispositions of Properties.....................................................................63

         7.12     Dealings with Affiliates.......................................................................63

         7.13     Capital Expenditures...........................................................................63

         7.14     Limitation on Other Restrictions on Liens......................................................63

         7.15     License Agreement..............................................................................63


ARTICLE VIII     DEFAULTS........................................................................................64

         8.01     Events of Default..............................................................................64

         8.02     Consequences of an Event of Default............................................................66


ARTICLE IX     GUARANTY AND SURETYSHIP...........................................................................67

         9.01     Guaranty and Suretyship........................................................................67

         9.02     Obligations Absolute...........................................................................67

         9.03     Waivers, etc...................................................................................69

         9.04     Reinstatement..................................................................................70

         9.05     No Stay........................................................................................71

         9.06     Payments.......................................................................................71

         9.07     Subrogation, etc...............................................................................71

         9.08     Continuing Guaranty............................................................................71

         9.09     Subordination..................................................................................72
</TABLE>


                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>           <C>                                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE X     MISCELLANEOUS......................................................................................72

         10.01     Holidays......................................................................................72

         10.02     Records.......................................................................................72

         10.03     Amendments and Waivers........................................................................72

         10.04     No Implied Waiver; Cumulative Remedies........................................................73

         10.05     Notices.......................................................................................73

         10.06     Expenses; Taxes; Indemnity....................................................................73

         10.07     Severability..................................................................................75

         10.08     Prior Understandings..........................................................................75

         10.09     Duration; Survival............................................................................75

         10.10     Counterparts..................................................................................76

         10.11     Limitation on Payments........................................................................76

         10.12     Set-Off.......................................................................................76

         10.13     Successors and Assigns; Participations........................................................77

         10.14     Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction:  Waiver of Jury Trial; Limitation of Liability.....78

         10.15     Termination of Existing Revolving Credit Facilities...........................................79

         10.16     Confidentiality...............................................................................80


         Exhibit A - Form of Revolving Credit Note
         Exhibit B - Form of Continuing Letter of Credit Agreement
         Exhibit C - Form of Documentary Letter of Credit Application
         Exhibit D - Form of Note (Stock Payments)
         Exhibit E - Subordination Terms

         Schedule 4.01 - Jurisdictions of Incorporation
         Schedule 4.11 - Capitalization of Subsidiaries
         Schedule 4.12 - Joint Ventures
         Schedule 4.13 - Capitalization of Borrower and Guarantor
         Schedule 4.14 - Litigation
         Schedule 4.21 - Plans and Multiemployer Plans
         Schedule 7.04 - Existing Liens
         Schedule 7.05 - Existing Indebtedness

         Annex A - Pricing Grid
</TABLE>


                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   6



                  THIS OMNIBUS CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),
dated as of February 12, 1999, by and among BLACK BOX CORPORATION OF
PENNSYLVANIA, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), BLACK BOX CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national
banking association (the "Lender").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower is proposing to refinance certain
obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantor to the Lender under the Credit
Agreement, dated as of May 6, 1994, between the Lender and the Borrower, as
amended (the "Existing Revolving Credit Facility");

                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested the Lender (a) to provide
the funds necessary to refinance such obligations and (b) to provide a revolving
credit facility to provide funds for the working capital requirements and
general corporate purposes of the Borrower and to provide for the issuance of
Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower; and

                  WHEREAS, the Lender has agreed to extend credit to the
Borrower on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the
mutual covenants herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

                  1.01. Certain Definitions. In addition to other words and
terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used herein the following words
and terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context
hereof otherwise clearly requires:

                  "ABS Rate" shall mean a per annum rate of interest equal to
the rate of interest determined by the Lender, in its sole discretion from time
to time, to be its ABS Rate. Such ABS Rate shall change from time to time as of
the effective date of each change in the ABS Rate as determined in the sole
discretion of the Lender. The ABS Rate may be greater or less than other
interest rates charged by the Lender to other borrowers and is not solely based
or dependent upon the interest rate which the Lender may charge any particular
borrower or class of borrowers.



                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>   7

                  "ABS Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.04(a)(iii) hereof.

                  "ABS Rate Portion" of any Revolving Credit Loan or Loans shall
mean at any time the portion, including the whole, of such Revolving Credit Loan
or Loans bearing interest at such time under the ABS Rate Option. If no
Revolving Credit Loan or Loans is specified, "ABS Rate Portion" shall refer to
the ABS Rate Portion of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at such time.

                  "Acquisition" of a Person shall mean the acquisition of all or
substantially all of the assets of such Person, whether by acquisition of the
assets of such Person or of the ownership interests of such Person, or
otherwise.

                  "Affiliate" of a Person (the "Specified Person") shall mean
any Person which directly or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is
under common control with, the Specified Person. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, "control" of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

                  "Applicable Margin" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.04(b).

                  "Applicable Tier" shall have the meaning set forth in Annex A
hereof.

                  "Assured Obligation" shall have the meaning set forth in the
definition of Guaranty Equivalent.

                  "Base Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.04(a)(i) hereof.

                  "Base Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.04(a)(i) hereof.

                  "Base Rate Portion" of any Revolving Credit Loan or Loans
shall mean at any time the portion, including the whole, of such Revolving
Credit Loan or Loans bearing interest at such time (a) under the Base Rate
Option or (b) in accordance with Section 2.09(b)(ii) hereof. If no Revolving
Credit Loan or Loans is specified, "Base Rate Portion" shall refer to the Base
Rate Portion of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at such time.



                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>   8

                  "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday, public holiday under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or
other day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated to close in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

                  "Capital Expenditures" of any Person shall mean, for any
period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities during
such period) of such Person during such period which would be classified as
capital expenditures in accordance with GAAP (including, without limitation,
expenditures for maintenance and repairs which are capitalized, and Capitalized
Leases to the extent an asset is recorded in connection therewith in accordance
with GAAP).

                  "Capitalized Lease" shall mean at any time any lease which is,
or is required under GAAP to be, capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee
at such time, and "Capitalized Lease Obligation" of any Person at any time shall
mean the aggregate amount which is, or is required under GAAP to be, reported as
a liability on the balance sheet of such Person at such time as lessee under a
Capitalized Lease.

                  "Cash Equivalent Investments" shall mean any of the following,
to the extent acquired for investment and not with a view to achieving trading
profits: (a) obligations fully backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States of America maturing not in excess of nine (9) months from the date of
acquisition, (b) commercial paper maturing not in excess of nine (9) months from
the date of acquisition and rated "P-1" by Moody's Investors Service or "A-1" by
Standard & Poor's Corporation on the date of acquisition, and (c) the following
obligations of any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess
of $500,000,000, which has, or the holding company of which has, a commercial
paper rating meeting the requirements specified in clause (b) above: (i) time
deposits, certificates of deposit and acceptances maturing not in excess of nine
(9) months from the date of acquisition, or (ii) repurchase obligations with a
term of not more than seven (7) days for underlying securities of the type
referred to in clause (a) above.

                  "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, and any successor statute of similar
import, and regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.

                  "CERCLIS" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Information System List, as the same may be amended
from time to time.



                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>   9

                  "Change of Control Event" shall mean the beneficial ownership
or acquisition by any Person or group of affiliated Persons (in any transaction
or series of transactions) of (a) shares of the Guarantor representing more than
fifty percent (50%) of the voting control of the Guarantor or (b) the power to
elect, appoint or cause the election or appointment of at least a majority of
the members of the board of directors of the Guarantor.

                  "Closing Date" shall mean the date of this Agreement.

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

                  "Commitment Fee Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.02.

                  "Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio", as of the last day of
any fiscal quarter, shall mean the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA minus
Capital Expenditures of the Guarantor minus charges against income for foreign,
federal, state and local income Taxes to (b) the current maturities of long term
Indebtedness of the Guarantor plus Consolidated Interest Expense, in each case
for the 4 most recently completed fiscal quarters ending on such day, considered
as a single accounting period. If an Acquisition occurs during such period, each
element of the Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio shall be calculated on a
pro forma basis as if the Acquisition had been made, and any Indebtedness or
other obligations issued or incurred in connection therewith had been issued or
incurred, as of the first day of such period. In making such pro forma
calculation of the Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to Indebtedness or
other obligations issued or incurred in connection with the Acquisition,
interest expense thereon shall be calculated on the basis of an interest rate
per annum not less than the one-month Euro-Rate as of the last day of such
period plus an Applicable Margin determined on the basis of the Consolidated
Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such period.

                  "Consolidated EBIT" for any period, with respect to the
Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries, shall mean the sum of (a)
Consolidated Net Income of the Guarantor for such period, (b) Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period and (c) charges against income for foreign,
federal, state and local income taxes for such period, all as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.



                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>   10

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" for any period, with respect to the
Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries, shall mean the sum of (a)
Consolidated EBIT for such period, (b) depreciation expense for such period, and
(c) amortization expense for such period, all as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP plus noncash charges to the extent included in
determining Consolidated Net Income for which no future cash expenditure is
reasonably anticipated.

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense" for any period shall mean the
total interest expense of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries
for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Leverage Ratio", as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter, shall mean the ratio of (a) the aggregate Indebtedness of the
Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such day to (b) Consolidated
EBITDA of the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the 4 most
recently completed fiscal quarters ending on such day, considered as a single
accounting period. If an Acquisition occurs during such period, (i) Consolidated
EBITDA of the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries shall be calculated on
a pro forma basis as if the Acquisition had been made as of the first day of
such period and (ii) the aggregate Indebtedness of the Guarantor and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of determination of the Consolidated
Leverage Ratio shall include Indebtedness incurred in connection with and after
giving effect to the Acquisition (and including, on a pro forma basis, all
Indebtedness to be incurred in connection with the Acquisition, to the extent
not incurred on such date).

                  "Consolidated Net Income" of any Person (the "Statement
Person") for any period shall mean the net earnings (or loss) after taxes of the
Statement Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period determined on
a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that there shall be
deducted therefrom (a) income or loss accounted for by the Statement Person on
the equity method because of the income (or deficit) during such period of any
Person (other than a consolidated Subsidiary of the Statement Person) in which
the Statement Person or any consolidated Subsidiary of the Statement Person has
an ownership interest, but the deduction for such equity income shall be
reversed to the extent that during such period an amount not in excess of such
income has been actually received by the Statement Person or such consolidated
Subsidiary of the Statement Person in the form of cash or property dividends or
similar distributions, (b) the undistributed earnings of any consolidated
Subsidiary of




                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>   11

the Statement Person to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends
or similar distributions by such consolidated Subsidiary of the Statement Person
is restricted (whether such restriction arises by operation of Law (including
Law applicable to a foreign Subsidiary), by agreement, by its articles of
incorporation or by-laws (or other constituent documents), or otherwise), (c)
any restoration to income of any contingency reserve, except to the extent that
provision for such reserve was made against income during such period, and (d)
any gain arising from the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment,
under GAAP, of any Indebtedness, of the Statement Person or any consolidated
Subsidiary of the Statement Person.

                  "Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person at any time shall mean
the total amount of stockholders' equity of such Person and its consolidated
Subsidiaries at such time determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP (exclusive of the effects of foreign currency translations and the accrual
of interest on any note receivable from an Affiliate of such Person unless paid
in cash).

                  "Controlled Group Member" shall mean each trade or business
(whether or not incorporated) which together with any Loan Party is treated as a
single employer under Sections 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Sections
414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

                  "Corresponding Source of Funds" shall mean, with respect to
any Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion, the proceeds of hypothetical
receipts by a Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or by the Lender through a
Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office of one or more Dollar deposits in the
interbank eurodollar market at the beginning of the Euro-Rate Funding Period
corresponding to such Funding Segment having maturities approximately equal to
such Euro-Rate Funding Period and in an amount approximately equal to the
principal amount of such Funding Segment.

                  "Dollar," "Dollars" and the symbol "$" shall mean lawful money
of the United States of America.

                  "Environmental Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any other Person whose liability (contingent or otherwise) for any
Environmental Claim such Person has retained, assumed or otherwise is liable for
(by Law, agreement or otherwise).

                  "Environmental Approvals" shall mean any Governmental Action
pursuant to or required under any Environmental Law.



                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>   12

                  "Environmental Claim" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
any action, suit, proceeding, investigation, notice, claim, complaint, demand,
request for information or other written communication by any other Person
(including but not limited to any Governmental Authority, citizens' group or
present or former employee of such Person) alleging, asserting or claiming any
actual or potential (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) liability under
any Environmental Law or (c) liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs,
governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages,
personal injuries, fines or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from
the presence, or release into the environment, of any Environmental Concern
Materials at any location, whether or not owned by such Person, in violation of
any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Cleanup Site" shall mean any location which is
listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List, on CERCLIS or on
any similar state list of sites requiring investigation or cleanup, or which is
the subject of any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or
investigation related to or arising from any alleged violation of any
Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Concern Materials" shall mean (a) any flammable
substance, explosive, radioactive material, hazardous material, hazardous waste,
toxic substance, solid waste, pollutant, contaminant or any related material,
raw material, substance, product or by-product of any substance specified in or
regulated by any Environmental Law (including but not limited to any "hazardous
substance" as defined in CERCLA or any similar state Law), (b) any toxic
chemical or other substance from or related to industrial, commercial or
institutional activities, and (c) asbestos, gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil,
waste and used oil, heating oil and other petroleum products or compounds,
polychlorinated biphenyls, radon and urea formaldehyde.

                  "Environmental Law" shall mean any Law, whether now existing
or subsequently enacted or amended, relating to (a) pollution or protection of
the environment, including natural resources, (b) exposure of Persons, including
but not limited to employees, to Environmental Concern Materials, (c) protection
of the public health or welfare from the effects of products, by-products,
wastes, emissions, discharges or releases of Environmental Concern Materials or
(d) regulation of the manufacture, use or introduction into commerce of
Environmental Concern Materials including their manufacture, formulation,
packaging, labeling, distribution, transportation, handling, storage or
disposal. Without limitation, "Environmental Law" shall also include any
Environmental Approval and the terms and conditions thereof.



                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>   13

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, and
regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References
to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

                  "Euro-Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.04(a)(ii) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Funding Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.04(c) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.04(a)(ii) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Portion" of any Revolving Credit Loan or Loans
shall mean at any time the portion, including the whole, of such Revolving
Credit Loan or Loans bearing interest at any time under the Euro-Rate Option or
at a rate calculated by reference to the Euro-Rate under Section 2.09(b)(i)
hereof. If no Revolving Credit Loan or Loans is specified, "Euro-Rate Portion"
shall refer to the Euro-Rate Portion of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding
at such time.

                  "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.04(a)(ii) hereof.

                  "Event of Default" shall mean any of the Events of Default
described in Section 8.01 hereof.

                  "Funding Breakage Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.10(b) hereof.

                  "Funding Breakage Indemnity" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 2.10(b) hereof.

                  "Funding Segment" of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving
Credit Loans at any time shall mean the entire principal amount of the Euro-Rate
Portion to which at the time in question there is applicable a particular
Euro-Rate Funding Period beginning on a particular day and ending on a
particular day. (By definition, the Euro-Rate Portion is at all times composed
of an integral number of discrete Funding Segments and the sum of the principal
amounts of all Funding Segments of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time equals the
principal amount of the Euro-Rate Portion at such time.)



                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>   14

                  "GAAP" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.03
hereof.

                  "Governmental Action" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.04 hereof.

                  "Governmental Authority" shall mean any government or
political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau, central bank,
commission, department or instrumentality of either, or any court, tribunal,
grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or domestic.

                  "Guaranteed Obligations" shall mean all obligations from time
to time of the Borrower to the Lender under or in connection with any Loan
Document, whether for principal, interest, fees, indemnities, expenses or
otherwise, and all refinancings or refundings thereof, whether such obligations
are direct or indirect, otherwise secured or unsecured, joint or several,
absolute or contingent, due or to become due, whether for payment or
performance, now existing or hereafter arising (specifically including but not
limited to obligations arising or accruing after the commencement of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the
Borrower or any other Person, or which would have arisen or accrued but for the
commencement of such proceeding, even if the claim for such obligation is not
enforceable or allowable in such proceeding). Without limitation of the
foregoing, such obligations include all obligations arising from any extensions
of credit under or in connection with the Loan Documents from time to time,
regardless of whether any such extensions of credit are in excess of the amount
committed under or contemplated by the Loan Documents or are made in
circumstances in which any condition to extension of credit is not satisfied.
Without limitation of the foregoing, the Lender (or any successive assignee or
transferee) from time to time may assign or otherwise transfer all or any
portion of its rights or obligations under the Loan Documents (including,
without limitation, all or any portion of any commitment to extend credit), or
any other Guaranteed Obligations, to any other Person, and such Guaranteed
Obligations (including, without limitation, any Guaranteed Obligations resulting
from extension of credit by such other Person under or in connection with the
Loan Documents) shall be and remain Guaranteed Obligations entitled to the
benefit of the Agreement.

                  "Guaranty Equivalent": A Person (the "Deemed Guarantor") shall
be deemed to be subject to a Guaranty Equivalent in respect of any indebtedness,
obligation or liability (the "Assured Obligation") of another Person (the
"Deemed Obligor") if the Deemed Guarantor directly or indirectly guarantees,
becomes




                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>   15

surety for, endorses, assumes, agrees to indemnify the Deemed Obligor against,
or otherwise agrees, becomes or remains liable (contingently or otherwise) for,
such Assured Obligation. Without limitation, a Guaranty Equivalent shall be
deemed to exist if a Deemed Guarantor agrees, becomes or remains liable
(contingently or otherwise), directly or indirectly: (a) to purchase or assume,
or to supply funds for the payment, purchase or satisfaction of, an Assured
Obligation, (b) to make any loan, advance, capital contribution or other
investment in, or to purchase or lease any property or services from, a Deemed
Obligor (i) to maintain the solvency of the Deemed Obligor, (ii) to enable the
Deemed Obligor to meet any other financial condition, (iii) to enable the Deemed
Obligor to satisfy any Assured Obligation or to make any Stock Payment or any
other payment, or (iv) to assure the holder of such Assured Obligation against
loss, (c) to purchase or lease property or services from the Deemed Obligor
regardless of the non-delivery of or failure to furnish of such property or
services, (d) in a transaction having the characteristics of a take-or-pay or
throughput contract or as described in paragraph 6 of FASB Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 47, or (e) in respect of any other
transaction the effect of which is to assure the payment or performance (or
payment of damages or other remedy in the event of nonpayment or nonperformance)
of any Assured Obligation.

                  "Indebtedness" of a Person shall mean (without duplication):

                  (a) All obligations on account of money borrowed by, or credit
         extended to or on behalf of, or for or on account of deposits with or
         advances to, such Person;

                  (b) All obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
         debentures, notes or similar instruments (except trade accounts payable
         arising in the ordinary course of business);

                  (c) All obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase
         price of property or services;

                  (d) All obligations secured by a Lien on property owned by
         such Person (whether or not assumed); and all obligations of such
         Person under Capitalized Leases (without regard to any limitation of
         the rights and remedies of the holder of such Lien or the lessor under
         such Capitalized Lease to repossession or sale of such property);

                  (e) The unreimbursed amount of all drawings under any letter
         of credit issued for the account of such Person;



                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>   16

                  (f) All obligations of such Person in respect of acceptances
         or similar obligations issued for the account of such Person;

                  (g) All obligations of such Person under a product financing
         or similar arrangement described in paragraph 8 of FASB Statement of
         Accounting Standards No. 49 or any similar requirement of GAAP;

                  (h) All obligations of such Persons under any Swaps; and

                  (i) All indebtedness of others as to which such Person is a
         Deemed Guarantor under a Guaranty Equivalent.

                  "Indemnified Parties" shall mean the Lender and its
affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys and
agents.

                  "Law" shall mean any law (including common law), constitution,
statute, treaty, convention, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, injunction,
writ, decree or award of any Governmental Authority.

                  "Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.01 hereof.

                  "LIBID Rate" as of any Funding Breakage Date shall mean the
rate of interest determined in good faith by the Lender in accordance with its
usual procedures (which determination shall be conclusive) to be the average of
rates per annum for deposits in Dollars bid for by major money center banks in
the euro-dollar interbank market for delivery on the Funding Breakage Date,
which deposits are of an amount comparable to the Funding Segment that is paid,
prepaid or converted to the Base Rate Option and which deposits mature on the
last day of the corresponding Euro-Rate Funding Period (or if no such deposits
mature on such date, the rate determined by standard securities interpolation
methods as applied to deposits maturing as close as possible to, but earlier
than, such date, and to deposits maturing as close as possible to, but later
than, such date).

                  "License Agreement" shall mean that certain Trademark/Service
Mark License Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1992, between BB Technologies,
Inc. and the Borrower, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Trademark/Service
Mark License Agreement, dated as of December 21, 1993, Amendment No. 2 to the
Trademark/Service Mark License Agreement, dated as of May 6, 1994, and Amendment
No. 3 to the Trademark/Service Mark License




                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>   17

Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1995, and, subject to Section 7.15, as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien,
security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of any
nature whatsoever, including but not limited to any conditional sale or title
retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended
as, or having the effect of, security.

                  "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Revolving
Credit Note and all other agreements and instruments extending, renewing,
refinancing or refunding any indebtedness, obligation or liability arising under
any of the foregoing, in each case as the same may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time hereafter.

                  "Loan Party" shall mean the Borrower and the Guarantor.

                  "London Business Day" shall mean a day for dealing in deposits
in Dollars by and among banks in the London interbank market and which is a
Business Day.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean: (a) a material adverse
effect on the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) a material
adverse effect on the ability of any Loan Party to perform or comply with any of
the terms and conditions of any Loan Document, or (c) an adverse effect on the
legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability or admissibility into
evidence of any Loan Document, or the ability of the Lender to enforce any
rights or remedies under or in connection with any Loan Document.

                  "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan
which is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA and to which the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member has or had an
obligation to contribute.

                  "Net Income" of any Person for any period shall mean the net
earnings (or loss) after taxes of such Person for such period determined in
accordance with GAAP (exclusive of principles of consolidation).

                  "Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office" shall have the meaning
given to that term in Section 2.12(a) hereof.

                  "Obligations" shall mean all indebtedness, obligations and
liabilities of the Borrower to the Lender from time to time



                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>   18

arising under or in connection with or related to or evidenced by or secured by
or under color of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and all extensions,
renewals or refinancings thereof, whether such indebtedness, obligations or
liabilities are direct or indirect, otherwise secured or unsecured, joint or
several, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, whether for payment or
performance, now existing or hereafter arising. Without limitation of the
foregoing, such indebtedness, obligations and liabilities include the principal
amount of the Revolving Credit Loans, Reimbursement Obligations, interest, fees,
indemnities or expenses under or in connection with this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, and all extensions, renewals and refinancings thereof, whether or
not such Revolving Credit Loans were made or the Letters of Credit were issued
in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or in excess of
the obligation of the Lender to lend and to issue Letters of Credit. Obligations
shall remain Obligations notwithstanding any assignment or transfer or any
subsequent assignment or transfer of any of the Obligations or any interest
therein.

                  "Office," when used in connection with the Lender, shall mean
its office located at Three Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15259,
or at such other office or offices of the Lender or any branch, subsidiary or
affiliate thereof as may be designated in writing from time to time by the
Lender to the Borrower.

                  "Option" shall mean the Base Rate Option or the Euro-Rate
Option or the ABS Rate Option, as the case may be.

                  "Participant" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10.13(b) hereof.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
established under Title IV of ERISA or any other governmental agency, department
or instrumentality succeeding to the functions of said corporation.

                  "Pension-Related Event" shall mean any of the following events
or conditions:

                  (a) Any action is taken by any Person (i) to terminate, or
         which would result in the termination of, a Plan, either pursuant to
         its terms or by operation of law (including, without limitation, any
         amendment of a Plan which would result in a termination under Section
         4041(e) of ERISA), or (ii) to have a trustee appointed for a Plan
         pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA;



                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>   19

                  (b) PBGC notifies any Person of its determination that an
         event described in Section 4042 of ERISA has occurred with respect to a
         Plan, that a Plan should be terminated, or that a trustee should be
         appointed for a Plan;

                  (c) Any Reportable Event occurs with respect to a Plan;

                  (d) Any action occurs or is taken which could result in any
         Loan Party becoming subject to liability for a complete or partial
         withdrawal by any Person from a Multiemployer Plan (including, without
         limitation, seller liability incurred under Section 4204(a)(2) of
         ERISA), or any Loan Party or any Controlled Group Member receives from
         any Person a notice or demand for payment on account of any such
         alleged or asserted liability; or

                  (e) (i) There occurs any failure to meet the minimum funding
         standard under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code with
         respect to a Plan, or any tax return is filed showing any tax payable
         under Section 4971(a) of the Code with respect to any such failure, or
         any Loan Party or any Controlled Group Member receives a notice of
         deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any
         alleged or asserted such failure, or (ii) any request is made by any
         Person for a variance from the minimum funding standard, or an
         extension of the period for amortizing unfunded liabilities, with
         respect to a Plan.

                  "Person" shall mean an individual or a corporation,
partnership, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, joint-stock
company, Governmental Authority or any other entity.

                  "Plan" means any employee pension benefit plan within the
meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) covered by
Title IV of ERISA by reason of Section 4021 of ERISA, of which any Loan Party or
any Controlled Group Member is or has been within the preceding five (5) years a
"contributing sponsor" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA, or
which is or has been within the preceding five (5) years maintained for
employees of any Loan Party or any Controlled Group Member.

                  "Portion" shall mean the Base Rate Portion, the Euro-Rate
Portion or the ABS Rate Portion, as the case may be.

                  "Postretirement Benefits" shall mean any benefits, other than
retirement income, provided by any Loan Party to retired employees, or to their
spouses, dependents or beneficiaries,




                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>   20

including, without limitation, group medical insurance or benefits, or group
life insurance or death benefits.

                  "Potential Default" shall mean any event or condition which
with notice, passage of time or a determination by the Lender, or any
combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event of Default.

                  "Prime Rate" as used herein, shall mean the interest rate per
annum announced from time to time by Mellon Bank, N.A. as its prime rate.

                  "Reimbursement Obligations" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.04 hereof.

                  "Reportable Event" means (a) a reportable event described in
Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder, (b) a withdrawal by a
substantial employer from a Plan to which more than one employer contributes, as
referred to in Section 4063(b) of ERISA, (c) a cessation of operations at a
facility causing more than twenty percent (20%) of Plan participants to be
separated from employment, as referred to in Section 4068(f) of ERISA, or (d) a
failure to make a required installment or other payment with respect to a Plan
when due in accordance with Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA
which causes the total unpaid balance of missed installments and payments
(including unpaid interest) to exceed $750,000.

                  "Responsible Officer" with respect to any Loan Party shall
mean the Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, Treasurer,
Chief Financial Officer or Controller of such Loan Party.

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.02 hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit Committed Amount" shall mean $49,000,000.

                  "Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.01(a) hereof.



                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>   21

                  "Revolving Credit Maturity Date" shall mean September 30,
2002.

                  "Revolving Credit Note" shall mean the promissory note of the
Borrower executed and delivered under Section 2.01(c) hereof, any promissory
note issued in substitution therefor under Section 2.12(b), together with all
extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings thereof in whole or part.

                  "Solvent" means, with respect to any Person at any time, that
at such time (a) the sum of the debts and liabilities (including, without
limitation, contingent liabilities) of such Person is not greater than all of
the assets of such Person at a fair valuation, (b) the present fair salable
value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they
become absolute and matured, (c) such Person has not incurred, will not incur,
does not intend to incur, and does not believe that it will incur, debts or
liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) beyond such
person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, (d) such Person is
not engaged in, and is not about to engage in, a business or a transaction for
which such person's property constitutes or would constitute unreasonably small
capital, and (e) such Person is not otherwise insolvent as defined in, or
otherwise in a condition which could in any circumstances then or subsequently
render any transfer, conveyance, obligation or act then made, incurred or
performed by it avoidable or fraudulent pursuant to, any Law that may be
applicable to such Person pertaining to bankruptcy, insolvency or creditors'
rights (including but not limited to the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended,
and, to the extent applicable to such Person, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance
Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, or any other applicable Law pertaining
to fraudulent conveyances or fraudulent transfers or preferences).

                  "Standard Notice" shall mean an irrevocable notice provided to
the Lender on a Business Day which is

                  (a) At least one (1) Business Day in advance in the case of
         selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option or the
         ABS Rate Option or prepayment of any Base Rate Portion or any ABS Rate
         Portion; and

                  (b) At least three (3) London Business Days in advance in the
         case of selection of the Euro-Rate Option of any Euro-Rate Portion.

Standard Notice must be provided no later than 10:00 a.m., Pittsburgh time, on
the last day permitted for such notice.



                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>   22

                  "Stock Payment" by any Person shall mean any dividend,
distribution or payment of any nature (whether in cash, securities, or other
property) on account of or in respect of any shares of the capital stock (or
warrants, options or rights therefor) of such Person, including but not limited
to any payment on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or
acquisition of any shares of the capital stock (or warrants, options or rights
therefor) of such Person, in each case regardless of whether required by the
terms of such capital stock (or warrants, options or rights) or any other
agreement or instrument.

                  "Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall mean any
corporation of which a majority (by number of shares or number of votes) of any
class of outstanding capital stock normally entitled to vote for the election of
one or more directors (regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend
or dilute the voting rights of such class) is at such time owned directly or
indirectly, beneficially or of record, by such Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person, and any trust of which a majority of the beneficial
interest is at such time owned directly or indirectly, beneficially or of
record, by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

                  "Swaps" shall mean, with respect to any Person, payment
obligations with respect to interest rate swaps, currency swaps and similar
obligations obligating such Person to make payments, whether periodically or
upon the happening of a contingency. For the purposes of this Agreement, the
amount of the obligation under any Swap shall be the amount determined in
respect thereof as of the end of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of
such Person, based on the assumption that such Swap had terminated at the end of
such fiscal quarter, and in making such determination, if any agreement relating
to such Swap provides for the netting of amounts payable by and to such Person
thereunder or if any such agreement provides for the simultaneous payment of
amounts by and to such Person, then in each such case, the amount of such
obligation shall be the net amount so determined.

                  "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(a)
hereof.

                  1.02. Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement
otherwise clearly requires, references to the plural include the singular, the
singular the plural and the part the whole; "or" has the inclusive meaning
represented by the phrase "and/or"; and "property" includes all properties and
assets of any kind or nature, tangible or intangible, real, personal or mixed.




                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>   23

References in this Agreement to "determination" (and similar terms) by the
Lender include good faith estimates by the Lender (in the case of quantitative
determinations) and good faith beliefs by the Lender (in the case of qualitative
determinations). The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and similar terms in
this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Agreement. References herein to "out-of-pocket expenses" of a
Person (and similar terms) include, but are not limited to, the reasonable fees
of in-house counsel and other in-house professionals of such Person to the
extent that such fees are routinely identified and specifically charged under
such Person's normal cost accounting system. The section and other headings
contained in this Agreement and the Table of Contents preceding this Agreement
are for reference purposes only and shall not control or affect the construction
of this Agreement or the interpretation thereof in any respect. Section,
subsection and exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

                  1.03.  Accounting Principles.

                  (a) As used herein, "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted
accounting principles as such principles shall be in effect at the Relevant
Date, subject to the provisions of this Section 1.03. As used herein, "Relevant
Date" shall mean the date a relevant computation or determination is to be made
or the date of relevant financial statements, as the case may be.

                  (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all
computations and determinations as to accounting or financial matters shall be
made, and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement
shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP (including principles of
consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall
have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP.

                  (c) If any change in GAAP after the date of this Agreement is
or shall be required to be applied to transactions then or thereafter in
existence, and a violation of one or more provisions of this Agreement shall
have occurred or in the opinion of the Borrower would likely occur which would
not have occurred or be likely to occur if no change in accounting principles
had taken place,

                  (i) The Lender agrees that such violation shall not be
         considered to constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Default for
         a period of ninety (90) days from the date the Borrower notifies the
         Lender of the application of this Section 1.03(c);



                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>   24

             (ii) The Borrower and the Lender agree in such event to negotiate
         in good faith an amendment of this Agreement which shall approximate to
         the extent possible the economic effect of the original financial
         covenants after taking into account such change in GAAP; and

            (iii) If the Borrower and the Lender are unable to negotiate such an
         amendment within such ninety-day period, the Borrower shall have the
         option of (A) prepaying the Revolving Credit Loans and causing the
         cancellation of any Letters of Credit (pursuant to applicable
         provisions hereof) or (B) submitting the drafting of such an amendment
         to a firm of independent certified public accountants of nationally
         recognized standing acceptable to the Borrower and the Lender, which
         shall complete its draft of such amendment within ninety (90) days of
         submission; if the Borrower and the Lender cannot agree, the firm shall
         be selected by binding arbitration in the City of Pittsburgh,
         Pennsylvania, in accordance with the rules then being used by the
         American Arbitration Association. If the Borrower does not exercise
         either such option within said period, then as used in this Agreement,
         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect at
         the Relevant Date. The Lender agrees that if the Borrower elects the
         option in clause (B) above, until such firm has been selected and
         completes drafting such amendment, no such violation shall constitute
         an Event of Default or a Potential Default.

                  (d) If any change in GAAP after the date of this Agreement is
required to be applied to transactions or conditions then or thereafter in
existence, and the Lender shall assert that the effect of such change is or
shall likely be to distort materially the effect of any of the definitions of
financial terms in Article I hereof or any of the covenants of the Borrower in
Article VII hereof (the "Financial Provisions"), so that the intended economic
effect of any of the Financial Provisions will not in fact be accomplished,

             (i) The Lender shall notify the Borrower of such assertion,
         specifying the change in GAAP which is objected to, and until otherwise
         determined as provided below, the specified change in GAAP shall not be
         made by the Borrower in its financial statements for the purpose of
         applying the Financial Provisions; and

             (ii) The Borrower and the Lender shall follow the procedures set
         forth in paragraph (ii) and the first sentence of paragraph (iii) of
         subsection (c) of this Section. If the



                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>   25

         Borrower and the Lender are unable to agree on an amendment as provided
         in said paragraph (ii) and if the Borrower does not exercise either
         option set forth in the first sentence of said paragraph (iii) within
         the specified period, then as used in this Agreement "GAAP" shall mean
         generally accepted accounting principles in effect at the Relevant
         Date, except that the specified change in GAAP which is objected to by
         the Lender shall not be made in applying the Financial Provisions. The
         Lender agrees that if the Borrower elects the option in clause (B) of
         the first sentence of said paragraph (iii), until such independent firm
         has been selected and completes drafting such amendment, the specified
         change in GAAP shall not be made in applying the Financial Provisions.

                  (e) All expenses of compliance with this Section 1.03 shall be
paid for by the Borrower.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                REVOLVING CREDIT

                  2.01.  Revolving Credit Loans.

                  (a) Revolving Credit Commitments. Subject to the terms and
conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth,
the Lender agrees (such agreement being herein called the "Revolving Credit
Commitment") to make loans (the "Revolving Credit Loans") to the Borrower at any
time or from time to time on or after the date hereof and to but not including
the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. The Lender shall have no obligation to make
any Revolving Credit Loan to the extent that the sum of (a) the aggregate
principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans at any time outstanding and (b)
the aggregate face amount of all Letters of Credit at any time outstanding (such
sum being hereinafter referred to as the "Revolving Credit Extensions of
Credit") would exceed the Revolving Credit Committed Amount at such time.

                  (b) Nature of Credit. Within the limits of time and amount set
forth in this Section 2.01, and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the
Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans hereunder.

                  (c) Revolving Credit Note. The obligation of the Borrower to
repay the unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made to it by
the Lender and to pay interest thereon shall be evidenced in part by a
promissory note of the Borrower, dated the Closing Date, in substantially the
form attached hereto




                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>   26

as Exhibit A, with the blanks appropriately filled, payable to the order of the
Lender in a face amount equal to the Revolving Credit Committed Amount.

                  (d) Maturity. To the extent not due and payable earlier, the
Revolving Credit Loans shall be due and payable on the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date and, to the extent that the aggregate Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit
at any time outstanding is in excess of the Revolving Credit Committed Amount at
such time (whether as a result of the reduction of the Revolving Credit
Committed Amount or otherwise), a portion of the Revolving Credit Loans in an
amount equal to such excess shall be immediately due and payable.

                  2.02. Revolving Credit Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay
to the Lender a commitment fee calculated at the Commitment Fee Rate for each
day from and including the date hereof to but not including the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date (or such earlier date on which the Revolving Credit Commitment
terminates), on the amount (not less than zero) equal to (a) the Revolving
Credit Committed Amount minus (b) Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit on such
day. Such Revolving Credit Commitment Fee shall be due and payable for the
preceding period for which such fee has not been paid (x) on the first (1st) day
of each January, April, July and October and (y) on the date of each reduction
of the Revolving Credit Committed Amount on the amount so reduced and (z) on the
Revolving Credit Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the "Commitment Fee Rate"
for each day shall mean the applicable percentage set forth in Annex A based on
the Applicable Tier on such day times 1/360.

                  2.03. Making of Revolving Credit Loans. Whenever the Borrower
desires that the Lender make a Revolving Credit Loan, the Borrower shall provide
Standard Notice to the Lender setting forth the following information:

                  (a) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which such
proposed Revolving Credit Loan is to be made;

                  (b) The principal amount of such proposed Revolving Credit
Loan, which shall be the sum of the principal amounts selected pursuant to
clause (c) of this Section 2.03, and which shall be an integral multiple of
$100,000 not less than $100,000;

                  (c) The interest rate Option or Options selected in accordance
with Section 2.04(a) hereof and the principal amounts selected in accordance
with Section 2.04(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and the ABS Rate Portion
and each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion of such proposed Revolving
Credit Loan; and



                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>   27

                  (d) With respect to each such Funding Segment of such proposed
Revolving Credit Loan, the Euro-Rate Funding Period to apply to such Funding
Segment, selected in accordance with Section 2.04(c) hereof.

Unless any applicable condition specified in Article V hereof has not been
satisfied, on the date specified in such Standard Notice, the Lender shall make
the proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loan available to the Borrower in funds
immediately available at the Lender's Office.

                  2.04.  Interest Rates.

                  (a) Optional Bases of Borrowing. The unpaid principal amount
of the Revolving Credit Loans shall bear interest for each day until due on one
or more bases selected by the Borrower from among the interest rate Options set
forth below. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may
select different Options to apply simultaneously to different Portions of the
Revolving Credit Loans and may select different Funding Segments to apply
simultaneously to different parts of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving
Credit Loans. The aggregate number of Funding Segments applicable to the
Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans at any time shall not exceed
five (5).

             (i) Base Rate Option: A rate per annum (computed on the basis of a
         year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) for each day equal to the
         Base Rate for such day. The "Base Rate" for any day shall mean the
         Prime Rate for such day such interest rate to change automatically from
         time to time effective as of the effective date of each change in the
         Prime Rate.

             (ii) Euro-Rate Option: A rate per annum (based on a year of 360
         days and actual days elapsed) for each day equal to the Euro-Rate for
         such day plus the Applicable Margin for such day. The "Euro-Rate" for
         any day shall mean for each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion
         corresponding to a proposed or existing Euro-Rate Funding Period the
         rate per annum determined by the Lender by dividing (the resulting
         quotient to be rounded upward to the nearest 1/1000 of 1%) (A) the rate
         of interest (which shall be the same for each day in such Euro-Rate
         Funding Period) determined in good faith by the Lender in accordance
         with its usual procedures (which determination shall be conclusive) to
         be the average of the rates per annum for deposits in Dollars offered
         to major money center banks in the London interbank market at
         approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) London



                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>   28

         Business Days prior to the first day of such Euro-Rate Funding Period
         for delivery on the first day of such Euro-Rate Funding Period in
         amounts comparable to such Funding Segment and having maturities
         comparable to such Euro-Rate Funding Period (except that the Euro-Rate
         with respect to a two-week Euro-Rate Funding Period shall be determined
         on the basis of deposits having a maturity of one month and not two
         weeks) by (B) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve
         Percentage.

                  The "Euro-Rate" may also be expressed by the following
         formula:

                              [average of the rates offered to major money]
                              [center banks in the London interbank market]
         Euro-Rate =          [determined by the Lender per subsection (A)]
                              [1.00 - Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage        ]

                  "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" for any day shall mean the
         percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the nearest
         1/1000 of 1%), as determined in good faith by the Lender (which
         determination shall be conclusive), which is in effect on such day as
         prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or
         any successor) representing the maximum reserve requirement (including,
         without limitation, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve
         requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred
         to as "Eurocurrency liabilities") of a member bank in such System. The
         Euro-Rate shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of
         each change in the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage. The Euro-Rate Option
         shall be calculated in accordance with the foregoing whether or not the
         Lender is actually required to hold reserves in connection with its
         eurocurrency funding or, if required to hold such reserves, is required
         to hold reserves at the "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" as herein
         defined.

                  The Lender shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of the
         Euro-Rate determined or adjusted in accordance with the definition of
         the Euro-Rate, which determination or adjustment shall be conclusive if
         made in good faith.

                  (iii) ABS Rate Option: A rate per annum (computed on the basis
         of a year of 360 days and the actual days elapsed) for each day equal
         to the ABS Rate for such day plus one half of one percent (0.50%), such
         interest rate to change automatically from time to time effective as of
         the effective date of each change in the ABS Rate.



                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>   29

                  (b) Applicable Margin. The Applicable Margin for each day
shall mean the applicable percentage set forth in Annex A based on the
Applicable Tier on such day.

                  (c) Euro-Rate Funding Periods. At any time when the Borrower
shall select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate Option to apply to any part of
the Revolving Credit Loans, the Borrower shall specify one or more periods
during which the Euro-Rate Option shall apply, such periods being two weeks or
one, two, three or six months ("Euro-Rate Funding Period"); provided, that (i)
each Euro-Rate Funding Period shall begin on a London Business Day, and the term
"month", when used in connection with a Euro-Rate Funding Period, shall be
construed in accordance with prevailing practices in the interbank eurodollar
market at the commencement of such Euro-Rate Funding Period, as determined in
good faith by the Lender (which determination shall be conclusive); (ii) the
Borrower may not select a Euro-Rate Funding Period that would end after the
Revolving Credit Maturity Date; and (iii) the Borrower shall, in selecting any
Euro-Rate Funding Period, allow for scheduled mandatory payments of the
Revolving Credit Loans.

                  (d) Transactional Amounts. Every selection of, conversion
from, conversion to or renewal of an interest rate Option and every payment or
prepayment of any Revolving Credit Loans shall be in a principal amount such
that after giving effect thereto the aggregate principal amount of (i) the Base
Rate Portion or the ABS Rate Portion shall be for any aggregate principal amount
and (ii) each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit
Loans shall be $100,000 or an integral multiple thereof.

                  (e)  Euro-Rate Unascertainable; Impracticability.  If

                  (i) on any date on which a Euro-Rate would otherwise be set
         the Lender shall have determined in good faith (which determination
         shall be conclusive) that:

                           (A) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
                  ascertaining such Euro-Rate,

                           (B) a contingency has occurred which materially and
                  adversely affects the interbank eurodollar market, or

                           (C) the effective cost to the Lender of funding a
                  proposed Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion from a
                  Corresponding Source of Funds shall exceed the Euro-Rate
                  applicable to such Funding Segment, or




                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>   30

                  (ii) at any time the Lender shall have determined in good
         faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the making,
         maintenance or funding of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion has been
         made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by the Lender or a
         Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office in good faith with any Law or
         guideline or interpretation or administration thereof by any
         Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or
         administration thereof or with any request or directive of any such
         Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law);

then, and in any such event, the Lender may notify the Borrower of such
determination. Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice (which shall
not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation of the Lender
to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate Option shall
be suspended until the Lender shall have later notified the Borrower of the
Lender's determination in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive)
that the circumstance giving rise to such previous determination no longer
exist.

                  If the Lender notifies the Borrower of a determination under
subsection (ii) of this Section 2.04(e), the Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving
Credit Loans shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate Option as of the
date specified in such notice (and accrued interest thereon shall be due and
payable on such date).

                  If at the time the Lender makes a determination under
subsection (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.04(e) the Borrower previously has
notified the Lender that it wishes to select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate
Option with respect to any proposed Revolving Credit Loan but such Revolving
Credit Loan has not yet been made, such notification shall be deemed to provide
for selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option instead of
the Euro-Rate Option with respect to such Loan.

                  2.05. Conversion or Renewal of Interest Rate Options.

                  (a) Conversion or Renewal. Subject to the provisions of
Section 2.10(b) hereof, and if no Event of Default or Potential Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or shall exist, the Borrower may convert any
part of the Revolving Credit Loans from any interest rate Option or Options to
one or more different interest rate Options and may renew the Euro-Rate Option
as to any Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion:




                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>   31

                  (i) At any time with respect to conversion from the Base Rate
         Option or the ABS Rate Option; or

                  (ii) At the expiration of any Euro-Rate Funding Period with
         respect to conversions from or renewals of the Euro-Rate Option as to
         the Funding Segment corresponding to such expiring Euro-Rate Funding
         Period.

Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or renew any interest rate Option or
Options, the Borrower shall provide to the Lender Standard Notice setting forth
the following information:

                  (v) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         proposed conversion or renewal is to be made;

                  (w) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
         2.04(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and the ABS Rate Option and
         each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be converted from or
         renewed;

                  (x) The interest rate Option or Options selected in accordance
         with Section 2.04(a) hereof and the principal amounts selected in
         accordance with Section 2.04(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and the
         ABS Rate Portion and each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to
         be converted to; and

                  (y) With respect to each Funding Segment to be converted to or
         renewed, the Euro-Rate Funding Period selected in accordance with
         Section 2.04(c) hereof to apply to such Funding Segment.

Standard Notice having been so provided, after the date specified in such
Standard Notice, interest shall be calculated upon the principal amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans as so converted or renewed. Interest on the principal
amount of any part of the Revolving Credit Loans converted or renewed
(automatically or otherwise) shall be due and payable on the conversion or
renewal date.

                  (b) Failure to Convert or Renew. Absent due notice from the
Borrower of conversion or renewal in the circumstances described in Section
2.05(a)(ii) hereof, any part of the Euro-Rate Portion for which such notice is
not received shall be converted automatically to the Base Rate Option on the
last day of the expiring Euro-Rate Funding Period.

                  2.06. Prepayments Generally. Whenever the Borrower desires or
is required to prepay any part of Revolving Credit



                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>   32

Loans, it shall provide Standard Notice to the Lender setting forth the
following information:

                  (a) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
proposed prepayment is to be made;

                  (b) The total principal amount of such prepayment, which shall
be the sum of the principal amounts selected pursuant to clause (c) of this
Section 2.06; and

                  (c) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
2.04(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and the ABS Rate Portion and each part
of each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be prepaid.

                  Standard Notice having been so provided, on the date specified
in such Standard Notice, the principal amounts of the Base Rate Portion and the
ABS Rate Portion and each part of the Euro-Rate Portion specified in such
notice, together with interest on each such principal amount to such date, shall
be due and payable.

                  2.07. Optional Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right
at its option from time to time to prepay the Revolving Credit Loans in whole or
part without premium or penalty (subject, however, to Section 2.10(b) hereof):

                  (a) At any time with respect to any part of the Base Rate
Portion and the ABS Rate Portion; or

                  (b) At the expiration of any Euro-Rate Funding Period with
respect to prepayment of the Euro-Rate Portion with respect to any part of the
Funding Segment corresponding to such expiring Euro-Rate Funding Period.

Any such prepayment shall be made in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof.

                  2.08. Interest Payment Dates. Interest on the Base Rate
Portion and the ABS Rate Portion shall be due and payable on the first (1st)
Business Day of each calendar month. Interest on each Funding Segment of the
Euro-Rate Portion shall be due and payable on the last day of the corresponding
Euro-Rate Funding Period. After maturity of any part of the Revolving Credit
Loans (by acceleration or otherwise), interest on such part of the Revolving
Credit Loans shall be due and payable on demand.



                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>   33

                  2.09. Payments Generally; Interest on Overdue Amounts.

                  (a) Payments Generally. All payments and prepayments to be
made by the Borrower in respect of principal, interest, fees, indemnity,
expenses or other amounts due from the Borrower hereunder or under any Loan
Document shall be payable in Dollars by 12:00 o'clock Noon, Pittsburgh time, on
the day when due without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived, and an action therefor shall immediately
accrue, without setoff, counterclaim, withholding or other deduction of any kind
or nature. Such payments shall be made to the Lender at its Office in Dollars in
funds immediately available at such Office. Any payment or prepayment received
by the Lender after 12:00 o'clock Noon, Pittsburgh time, on any day shall be
deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day.

                  (b) Interest on Overdue Amounts. To the extent permitted by
law, after there shall have become due (by acceleration or otherwise) principal,
interest, fees, indemnity, expenses or any other amounts due from the Borrower
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, such amounts shall bear interest for
each day until paid (before and after judgment), payable on demand, at a rate
per annum (in each case based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed)
which for each day shall be equal to the following:

                  (i) In the case of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion, (A)
         until the end of the applicable then-current Euro-Rate Funding Period
         at a rate per annum two percent (2%) above the rate otherwise
         applicable to such part, and (B) thereafter in accordance with the
         following clause (ii); and

                  (ii) In the case of any other amount due from the Borrower
         hereunder or under any Loan Document, two percent (2%) above the
         then-current Base Rate Option.

To the extent permitted by law, interest accrued on any amount which has become
due hereunder or under any Loan Document shall compound on a day-by-day basis,
and hence shall be added daily to the overdue amount to which such interest
relates.

                  2.10. Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances.

                  (a) Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting From Taxes,
Reserves, Capital Adequacy Requirements, Expenses, Etc. If any Law or guideline
or interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the interpretation or



                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>   34

administration thereof or compliance with any request or directive of any
Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law) now existing or
hereafter adopted:

                  (i) subjects the Lender or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office to any tax or changes the basis of taxation with respect to this
         Agreement, the Revolving Credit Note, the Revolving Credit Loans, the
         Letters of Credit or payments by the Borrower of principal, interest,
         commitment fee or other amounts due from the Borrower hereunder or
         under the Revolving Credit Note (except for taxes on the overall net
         income or overall gross receipts of the Lender or such Notional
         Euro-Rate Funding Office imposed by the jurisdictions (federal, state
         and local) in which the Lender's principal office or Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office is located),

                  (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve,
         special deposit or similar requirement against credits or commitments
         to extend credit extended by, assets (funded or contingent) of,
         deposits with or for the account of, other acquisitions of funds by,
         the Lender or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office (other than
         requirements expressly included herein in the determination of the
         Euro-Rate hereunder),

                  (iii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any capital
         adequacy or similar requirement (A) against assets (funded or
         contingent) of, or credits or commitments to extend credit extended by,
         the Lender or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office, or (B) otherwise
         applicable to the obligations of the Lender or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office under this Agreement, or

                  (iv) imposes upon the Lender or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office any other condition or expense with respect to this Agreement,
         the Revolving Credit Note or its making, maintenance or funding of any
         Revolving Credit Loan, any Letter of Credit or any security therefor,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by, or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon the
Lender, any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or, in the case of clause (iii)
hereof, any Person controlling the Lender, with respect to this Agreement, the
Revolving Credit Note or the making, maintenance or funding of any Revolving
Credit Loan or any Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any capital adequacy or
similar requirement, to have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the
Lender's or controlling




                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>   35

Person's capital, taking into consideration the Lender's or controlling Person's
policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount which the Lender deems
to be material (the Lender being deemed for this purpose to have made,
maintained or funded each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion from a
Corresponding Source of Funds), the Lender may from time to time notify the
Borrower of the amount determined in good faith (using any averaging and
attribution methods) by the Lender (which determination shall be conclusive) to
be necessary to compensate the Lender or such Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office
for such increase, reduction or imposition. Such amount shall be due and payable
by the Borrower to the Lender five (5) Business Days after such notice is given,
together with an amount equal to interest on such amount from the date two (2)
Business Days after the date demanded until such due date at the Base Rate
Option. A certificate by the Lender as to the amount due and payable under this
Section 2.10(a) from time to time and the method of calculating such amount
shall be conclusive. The Lender agrees that it will use good faith efforts to
notify the Borrower of the occurrence of any event that would give rise to a
payment under this Section 2.10(a); provided, however, that any failure of the
Lender to give any such notice shall have no effect on the Borrower's
obligations hereunder.

                  (b) Funding Breakage. In addition to all other amounts payable
hereunder, if and to the extent for any reason any part of any Funding Segment
of any Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans becomes due (by
acceleration or otherwise), or is paid, prepaid or converted to the Base Rate
Option (whether or not such payment, prepayment or conversion is mandatory or
automatic and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then due), on a day
other than the last day of the corresponding Euro-Rate Funding Period (the date
such amount so becomes due, or is so paid, prepaid or converted, being referred
to as the "Funding Breakage Date"), the Borrower shall pay the Lender an amount
("Funding Breakage Indemnity") determined by the Lender by calculating the
following amount: (A) the principal amount of such Funding Segment of the
Revolving Credit Loans owing to the Lender which so became due, or which was so
paid, prepaid or converted, times (B) the greater of (x) zero or (y) the rate of
interest applicable to such principal amount on the Funding Breakage Date minus
the market LIBID Rate as of the Funding Breakage Date, times (C) the number of
days from and including the Funding Breakage Date to but not including the last
day of such Funding Period, times (D) 1/360. Such Funding Breakage Indemnity
shall be due and payable on demand. In addition, the Borrower shall, on the due
date for payment of any Funding Breakage Indemnity, pay to the Lender an
additional amount equal to interest on such Funding Breakage Indemnity from the
Funding Breakage Date to but not including such




                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>   36

due date at the Base Rate Option (calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days
and actual days elapsed). The amount payable to the Lender under this Section
2.10(b) shall be determined in good faith by the Lender, and such determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  2.11. Taxes.

                  (a) Payments Net of Taxes. All payments made by the Borrower
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of,
and without reduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future
income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions
or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed by any Governmental Authority, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding

                  (i) income or franchise taxes imposed on the Lender by the
         jurisdiction under the laws of which the Lender is organized or any
         political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or as a
         result of a connection between the Lender and any jurisdiction other
         than a connection resulting solely from this Agreement and the
         transactions contemplated hereby, and

                  (ii) income or franchise taxes imposed by any jurisdiction in
         which the Lender's lending offices which make or book Revolving Credit
         Loans are located or any political subdivision or taxing authority
         thereof or therein

(all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
withholdings being hereinafter called "Taxes"). If any Taxes are required to be
withheld or deducted from any amounts payable to the Lender under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall pay the relevant amount of such
Taxes and the amounts so payable to the Lender shall be increased to the extent
necessary to yield to the Lender (after payment of all Taxes) interest or any
such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Whenever any Taxes are paid by the
Borrower with respect to payments made in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, as promptly as possible thereafter, the Borrower shall send
to the Lender a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the
Borrower showing payment thereof.

                  (b) Indemnity. The Borrower hereby indemnifies the Lender for
the full amount of all Taxes attributable to payments by or on behalf of the
Borrower hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, any Taxes paid by
the Lender, any present or




                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>   37

future claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any
omission to pay or delay in paying any Taxes (including any incremental Taxes,
interest or penalties that may become payable by the Lender as a result of any
failure to pay such Taxes), whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally
asserted. Such indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the
date the Lender makes written demand therefor.

                  2.12. Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

                  (a) Notional Funding. The Lender shall have the right from
time to time, prospectively or retrospectively, without notice to the Borrower,
to deem any branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the Lender to have made,
maintained or funded any part of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time. Any branch,
subsidiary or affiliate so deemed shall be known as a "Notional Euro-Rate
Funding Office." The Lender shall deem any part of the Euro-Rate Portion of the
Revolving Credit Loans or the funding therefor to have been transferred to a
different Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office if such transfer would avoid or cure
an event or condition described in Section 2.04(e)(ii) hereof or would lessen
compensation payable by the Borrower under Section 2.10(a) hereof, and if the
Lender determines in its sole discretion that such transfer would be practicable
and would not have a material adverse effect on such part of the Revolving
Credit Loans, the Lender or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office (it being
assumed for purposes of such determination that each part of the Euro-Rate
Portion is actually made or maintained by or funded through the corresponding
Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office). Notional Euro-Rate Funding Offices may be
selected by the Lender without regard to the Lender's actual methods of making,
maintaining or funding Revolving Credit Loans or any sources of funding actually
used by or available to the Lender.

                  (b) Actual Funding. The Lender shall have the right from time
to time to make or maintain any part of the Euro-Rate Portion by arranging for a
branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the Lender to make or maintain such part of
the Euro-Rate Portion. The Lender shall have the right to (i) hold the Revolving
Credit Note for the benefit and account of such branch, subsidiary or affiliate
or (ii) request the Borrower to issue one or more promissory notes in the
principal amount of such Euro-Rate Portion, in substantially the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A, with the blanks appropriately filled, payable to such
branch, subsidiary or affiliate and with appropriate changes reflecting that the
holder thereof is not obligated to make any additional Revolving Credit Loans to
the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to comply promptly with any request under
subsection (ii) of this Section 2.12(b). If the Lender causes a branch,
subsidiary or



                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>   38

affiliate to make or maintain any part of the Euro-Rate Portion hereunder, all
terms and conditions of this Agreement shall, except where the context clearly
requires otherwise, be applicable to such part of the Euro-Rate Portion and to
any note payable to the order of such branch, subsidiary or affiliate to the
same extent as if such part of the Euro-Rate Portion were made or maintained and
such note were the Revolving Credit Note.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                LETTERS OF CREDIT

                  3.01. Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set
forth, the Lender agrees to issue for the account of the Borrower letters of
credit, up to a maximum aggregate face amount of $10,000,000 outstanding at any
time, in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Lender (each a
"Letter of Credit" and collectively the "Letters of Credit"); provided, that on
the date of the issuance of any Letter of Credit, and after giving effect to
such issuance, and on each date thereafter, the Revolving Credit Extensions of
Credit shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Committed Amount. Each Letter of
Credit shall (a) be in favor of such beneficiaries as the Borrower shall specify
from time to time (which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Lender), (b)
have an expiration date no later then one (1) year from the date of issuance
thereof or, if earlier, the thirtieth (30th) day prior to the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date, unless the Lender in its sole discretion shall permit a Letter of
Credit to have an expiration date later than one (1) year from the date of
issuance thereof, and (c) be denominated in any currency issued by a nation
within which is located a banking institution with which the Lender maintains a
correspondent banking relationship at the time of issuance of such Letter of
Credit or such other currency acceptable to the Lender.

                  3.02. Letter of Credit Fees.

                  (a) Standby Letters of Credit.

                  (i) Issuance Fee. For each Standby Letter of Credit which the
         Lender issues pursuant to this Agreement, the Borrower shall pay to the
         Lender an issuance fee in an amount equal to the issuance fee
         customarily charged by the Lender from time to time in connection with
         the issuance of standby letters of credit.

                  (ii) Amendment Fee. For each amendment to a Standby Letter of
         Credit which the Lender issues pursuant to this




                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>   39

         Agreement, the Borrower shall pay to the Lender an amendment fee in an
         amount equal to the amendment fee customarily charged by the Lender
         from time to time in connection with amendments to standby letters of
         credit.

                  (iii) Commission. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender with
         respect to each outstanding Standby Letter of Credit a fee at the rate
         of one percent (1.00%) per annum on the undrawn stated amount of such
         Standby Letter of Credit from time to time. The fee shall be payable
         quarterly in advance on the date of issuance of such Standby Letter of
         Credit and on the first day of each January, April, July and October
         while such Standby Letter of Credit is outstanding.

                  (b) Documentary Letters of Credit.

                  (i) Issuance Fee and Charges. For each Documentary Letter of
         Credit which the Lender issues pursuant to this Agreement, the Borrower
         shall pay to the Lender an issuance fee and other customary charges in
         an amount equal to the issuance fee and charges customarily charged by
         the Lender from time to time in connection with the issuance of
         documentary letters of credit.

                  (ii) Amendment or Transfer Fee. For each amendment to or
         transfer of a Documentary Letter of Credit which the Lender issues
         pursuant to this Agreement, the Borrower shall pay to the Lender an
         amendment or transfer fee, as the case may be, in an amount equal to
         the amendment or transfer fee, as the case may be, customarily charged
         by the Lender from time to time in connection with amendments to and
         transfers of documentary letters of credit.

                  (iii) Negotiation Fee. The Borrower shall pay a negotiation
         fee to the Lender with respect to each drawing under a Documentary
         Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the negotiation fee customarily
         charged by the Lender from time to time in connection with drawings
         under documentary letters of credit. Such negotiation fee shall be
         payable at the time of each drawing on a Documentary Letter of Credit.

                  (iv) Commission. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender with
         respect to each outstanding Documentary Letter of Credit a at the rate
         of one and 25/100 percent (1.25%) per annum on the undrawn stated
         amount of such Documentary Letter of Credit from time to time or such
         higher rate customarily charged by the Lender from time to time with
         respect to documentary letters of credit. The fee shall be payable
         quarterly in advance on the date of issuance of such




                                     - 34 -
<PAGE>   40

         Documentary Letter of Credit and on the first day of each January,
         April, July and October while such Documentary Letter of Credit is
         outstanding.

                  3.03. Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit.

                  (a) Standby Letters of Credit. The Borrower shall,
concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, execute and
deliver to the Lender, a Continuing Letter of Credit Agreement in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and the Borrower may from time to time
request the Lender to issue a Standby Letter of Credit in accordance with the
terms thereof.

                  (b) Documentary Letters of Credit. The Borrower may from time
to time request, upon at least three (3) Business Days' notice, the Lender to
issue a Documentary Letter of Credit by delivering to the Lender an Application
and Security Agreement (Documentary Letter of Credit) in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C or the Lender's then current form of application
(the "Documentary Letter of Credit Application"), completed to the satisfaction
of the Lender, together with such other certificates, documents and other papers
and information as the Lender may reasonably request. Upon receipt of any
Documentary Letter of Credit Application, the Lender will process such
Documentary Letter of Credit Application, and the other certificates, documents
and other papers delivered in connection therewith, in accordance with its
customary procedures and shall promptly issue such Documentary Letter of Credit
(but in no event earlier than two (2) Business Days after receipt by the Lender
of the Documentary Letter of Credit Application relating thereto) by issuing the
original of such Documentary Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof and by
furnishing a copy thereof to the Borrower.

                  3.04. Payments. The Borrower agrees (i) to reimburse the
Lender, not later than the Business Day next following any drawing, for any
payment made by the Lender under any Letter of Credit ("Reimbursement
Obligations") and (ii) to pay to the Lender interest on any unreimbursed portion
of any such payment from the date of such payment until reimbursement in full
thereof at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus two percent
(2%) per annum.

                  3.05. Increased Costs.

                  (a) In the event that any requirement of Law (or any change
therein or in the interpretation or application thereof) shall either (i)
impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against letters of credit




                                     - 35 -
<PAGE>   41

issued by the Lender or (ii) impose upon the Lender any other condition
regarding any Letter of Credit and the result of any event referred to in clause
(i) or (ii) above shall be to increase the cost to the Lender of issuing or
maintaining such Letter of Credit or to reduce any amount receivable in
connection therewith, then, in any such case the Borrower shall, without
duplication of any amounts paid pursuant to Subsection 2.10(a), promptly pay to
the Lender upon receipt of its demand setting forth in reasonable detail any
additional amounts which shall be sufficient to compensate the Lender for such
increased cost or reduced amount receivable, together with interest on each such
amount from the date two (2) Business Days after the date demanded until payment
in full thereof at the Prime Rate. A certificate as to the fact and amount of
such increased cost incurred by the Lender, or such reduced amount receivable as
a result of any event mentioned in clause (i) or (ii) above, submitted by the
Lender to the Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

                  (b) In the event that the Lender shall have determined that
the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or guideline regarding capital
adequacy, or any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof
or compliance by the Lender or any Person controlling the Lender with any
request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force
of law) from any central bank or Governmental Authority, including, without
limitation, the issuance of any final rule, regulation or guideline, does or
shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Lender's or such
controlling Person's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a
level below that which the Lender or such Person could have achieved but for
such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration the Lender's or
such controlling Person's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an
amount deemed by the Lender to be material, then from time to time, after
submission by a written request therefor, the Borrower shall promptly pay to the
Lender, without duplication of any amounts paid pursuant to subsection 2.10(a)
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender for such
reduction.

                  3.06. Further Assurances. The Borrower hereby agrees, from
time to time, to do and perform any and all acts and to execute any and all
further instruments reasonably requested by the Lender more fully to effect the
purposes of this Agreement insofar as it relates to the issuance of Letters of
Credit hereunder.

                  3.07. Obligations Absolute. The payment obligations of the
Borrower under Section 3.04 shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be
paid strictly in accordance with the



                                     - 36 -
<PAGE>   42

terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation,
the following circumstances:

                  (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of
Credit or any of the Loan Documents;

                  (b) any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departures
from all or any of the Loan Documents;

                  (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral,
or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any
guaranty;

                  (d) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other
right which the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary, or any
transferee, of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such
beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Lender, or any other
Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated
herein, or any unrelated transaction;

                  (e) any statement or any other document presented under any
Letter of Credit opened for its account proving to be forged, fraudulent,
invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
inaccurate in any respect;

                  (f) payment by the Lender under any Letter of Credit against
presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply with the terms of
such Letter of Credit, except payment resulting solely from the gross negligence
or willful misconduct of the Lender; or

                  (g) any other circumstances or happening whatsoever, whether
or not similar to any of the foregoing, except payment by the Lender under any
Letter of Credit resulting solely from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Lender.

                  3.08. Additional Provisions Regarding Letters of Credit. The
Borrower hereby indemnifies and holds the Lender harmless from and against any
and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses whatsoever
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) which the Lender may incur (or which may
be claimed against the Lender by any entity or entities whatsoever) by reason of
or in connection with the execution and delivery or use or transfer of, or
payment of, or failure to pay under, any Letter of Credit, except for any
claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses to the extent, but only
to the extent, caused by the Lender's deliberate breach of the terms of a Letter
of Credit or the gross negligence or willful misconduct of



                                     - 37 -
<PAGE>   43

the Lender in determining whether a statement or draft presented under a Letter
of Credit complied with the terms of the Letter of Credit.

                  Neither the Lender nor any of its officers or directors shall
be liable or responsible for: (a) the use which may be made of any Letter of
Credit or for any acts or omissions of the beneficiary or any transferee in
connection therewith; (b) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents,
or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be
in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (c) payment
by the Lender against presentation of documents which do not comply with the
terms of a Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any
reference or adequate reference to a Letter of Credit; or (d) any other
circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under a Letter of
Credit, except only that the Borrower shall have a claim against the Lender, and
the Lender shall be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the
extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential, damages suffered by the
Borrower which were caused by the Lender's gross negligence, misfeasance or
willful misconduct in connection with the matters referred to in clauses (b)
through (d) above.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  The Loan Parties hereby represent and warrant to the Lender as
follows:

                  4.01. Corporate Status. Each Loan Party and each of its
Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Each Loan Party
and each of its Subsidiaries has corporate power and authority to own its
property and to transact the business in which it is engaged or presently
proposes to engage. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in all
jurisdictions in which the ownership of its properties or the nature of its
activities or both makes such qualification necessary or advisable. Schedule
4.01 hereof states as of the date hereof the jurisdiction of incorporation of
each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries, and the jurisdictions in which
each such Person is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation.

                  4.02. Corporate Power and Authorization. Each Loan Party has
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver,



                                     - 38 -
<PAGE>   44

perform, and take all actions contemplated by, each Loan Document to which it is
a party, and all such action has been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate proceedings on its part.

                  4.03. Execution and Binding Effect. This Agreement and each
other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party and which is required to
be delivered on or before the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.01 hereof has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by each Loan Party which is a party
hereto or thereto, as the case may be. This Agreement and each such other Loan
Document to which such Loan Party is a party constitutes, and each other Loan
Document when executed and delivered by the applicable Loan Party will
constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party which is
a party hereto or thereto, as the case may be, enforceable against such Loan
Party in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws of general application
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights or by general principles of
equity limiting the availability of equitable remedies.

                  4.04. Governmental Approvals and Filings. No approval, order,
consent, authorization, certificate, license, permit or validation of, or
exemption or other action by, or filing, recording or registration with, or
notice to, any Governmental Authority (collectively, "Governmental Action") is
or will be necessary or advisable in connection with execution and delivery of
any Loan Document by any Loan Party, consummation by any Loan Party of the
transactions herein or therein contemplated, performance of or compliance with
the terms and conditions hereof or thereof by any Loan Party or to ensure the
legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability or admissibility in evidence
hereof or thereof.

                  4.05. Absence of Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery
of any Loan Document by any Loan Party, nor consummation by any Loan Party of
the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor performance of or
compliance with the terms and conditions hereof or thereof by any Loan Party
does or will

                  (a) violate or conflict with any Law, or

                  (b) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of any term
or condition of, or constitute a default under, or result in (or give rise to
any right, contingent or otherwise, of any Person to cause) any termination,
cancellation, prepayment or acceleration of performance of, or result in the
creation or imposition of (or give rise to any obligation, contingent or




                                     - 39 -
<PAGE>   45

otherwise, to create or impose) any Lien upon any property of any Loan Party or
any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to, or otherwise result in (or give rise to any
right, contingent or otherwise, of any Person to cause) any change in any right,
power, privilege, duty or obligation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof
under or in connection with (other than any such event which could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect),

                  (i) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other
         constituent documents) of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof,

                  (ii) any material agreement or instrument creating, evidencing
         or securing any Indebtedness or Guaranty Equivalent to which any Loan
         Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party or by which any of them or
         any of their respective properties (now owned or hereafter acquired)
         may be subject or bound, or

                  (iii) any other material agreement or instrument to which any
         Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party or by which any of them
         or any of their respective properties (now owned or hereafter acquired)
         may be subject or bound.

As of the date of this Agreement, neither Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof
is a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any
instrument evidencing Indebtedness of such Person, any agreement relating
thereto or any other contract or agreement (including its charter) which limits
the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of,
Indebtedness of the Borrower of the type to be evidenced by the Revolving Credit
Note.

                  4.06. Audited Financial Statements. The Loan Parties have
heretofore furnished to the Lender consolidated balance sheets of the Guarantor
and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998, and March 31, 1997, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity for the fiscal years then ended, as examined and reported
on by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified public accountants for the
Guarantor, who delivered an unqualified opinion in respect thereof. Such
financial statements (including the notes thereto) present fairly the financial
condition of the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of
each such fiscal year and the results of their operations and their cash flows
for the fiscal years then ended, all in conformity with GAAP.




                                     - 40 -
<PAGE>   46

                  4.07. Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. As of the date of
this Agreement, neither Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof has any material
liability or obligation of any nature whatever (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise, whether or not due), forward or long-term commitments
or unrealized or anticipated losses from unfavorable commitments, except as
disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Section 4.06 hereof and the
notes thereto.

                  4.08. Absence of Material Adverse Changes. Since March 31,
1998, there has been no material adverse change in the business, operations,
condition (financial or otherwise), or prospects of the Guarantor and the
Subsidiaries of the Guarantor taken as a whole, except as disclosed in the
financial statements referred to in Section 4.06 hereof or otherwise disclosed
in writing to the Lender.

                  4.09. Accurate and Complete Disclosure. All information
heretofore, contemporaneously or hereafter provided (orally or in writing) by or
on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party to the Lender
pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any transaction
contemplated hereby or thereby is or will be (as the case may be) true and
accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is
dated (or, if not dated, when received by the Lender) and does not or will not
(as the case may be) omit to state any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances in which
it was provided.

                  4.10. Margin Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any
Revolving Credit Loan hereunder will be used for the purpose of buying or
carrying any "margin stock," as such term is used in Regulations G and U of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time to time,
or to extend credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any "margin
stock." Neither Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is engaged in the business
of extending credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying "margin
stock." Neither Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof owns any "margin stock."
Neither the making of any Revolving Credit Loan nor any use of proceeds of any
such Revolving Credit Loan will violate or conflict with the provisions of
Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
as amended from time to time.

                  4.11. Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.11 hereof states as of the date
of this Agreement the authorized capitalization of each Subsidiary of the
Guarantor, the number of shares of each class of capital stock issued and
outstanding of each such Subsidiary, and



                                     - 41 -
<PAGE>   47

the number and percentage of outstanding shares of each such class of capital
stock owned by each Loan Party and by each Subsidiary thereof. The outstanding
shares of each Subsidiary of each Loan Party have been duly authorized and
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Each Loan Party and each
Subsidiary thereof owns beneficially and of record and has good title to all of
the shares it is listed as owning in such Schedule 4.11, free and clear of any
Lien.

                  4.12. Partnerships, etc. Neither Loan Party nor any Subsidiary
thereof is a partner (general or limited) of any partnership, is a party to any
joint venture or owns (beneficially or of record) any equity or similar interest
in any Person (including but not limited to any interest pursuant to which such
Loan Party or Subsidiary has or may in any circumstance have an obligation to
make capital contributions to, or be generally liable for or on account of the
liabilities, acts or omissions of such other Person), except for (x) capital
stock of Subsidiaries referred to in Section 4.11 hereof, (y) equity investments
permitted under Section 7.07 hereof and (z) matters set forth in Schedule 4.12
hereof.

                  4.13. Ownership and Control. Schedule 4.13 hereof states as of
the date of this Agreement the authorized capitalization of each Loan Party and
the number of shares of each class of capital stock issued and outstanding of
each Loan Party. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
the Borrower are owned beneficially and of record by a Subsidiary of the
Guarantor and the Guarantor owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of such Subsidiary. The outstanding shares of capital stock of
each Loan Party have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid
and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13 hereof, there are no
options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, conversion rights, exchange rights,
preemptive rights or other rights, agreements or arrangements (contingent or
otherwise) which may in any circumstances now or hereafter obligate a Subsidiary
of the Guarantor to issue any shares of its capital stock.

                  4.14. Litigation. There is no pending or (to a Loan Party's
knowledge after due inquiry) threatened action, suit, proceeding or
investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or affecting any
Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, except for (a) matters that if adversely
decided, individually or in the aggregate, could not have a Material Adverse
Effect and (b) the matters set forth on Schedule 4.14 hereof.



                                     - 42 -
<PAGE>   48

                  4.15. Absence of Events of Default. No event has occurred and
is continuing and no condition exists which constitutes an Event of Default or
Potential Default.

                  4.16. Absence of Other Conflicts. Neither any Loan Party nor
any Subsidiary thereof is in violation of or conflict with, or is subject to any
contingent liability on account of any violation of or conflict with:

                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other
constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it is party or by
which it or any of its properties (now owned or hereafter acquired) may be
subject or bound, except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate,
could not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.17. Insurance. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof
maintains with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with respect
to its properties and business and against at least such liabilities, casualties
and contingencies and in at least such types and amounts as is customary in the
case of corporations engaged in the same or a similar business or having similar
properties similarly situated.

                  4.18. Title to Property. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary
thereof has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned
or purported to be owned by it and good title to all other property of whatever
nature owned or purported to be owned by it, including but not limited to all
property reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to in
Section 4.06 hereof or submitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a) hereof, as the case
may be (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of
business after the date of such balance sheet), in each case free and clear of
all Liens, except for Liens permitted by Section 7.04.

                  4.19. Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party and each
Subsidiary thereof owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use, all
the patents, trademarks, service marks, names (trade, service, fictitious or
otherwise), copyrights, technology (including but not limited to computer
programs and software), processes, data bases and other rights, free from
burdensome restrictions, necessary to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as presently conducted and presently planned




                                     - 43 -
<PAGE>   49

to be conducted without material conflict with the rights of others.

                  4.20. Taxes. All tax and information returns required to be
filed by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof have been
properly prepared, executed and filed. All taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges upon any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or upon any
of their respective properties, incomes, sales or franchises which are due and
payable have been paid.

                  4.21. Employee Benefits. No accumulated funding deficiency (as
defined in section 302 of ERISA and section 412 of the Code), whether or not
waived, exists with respect to any Plan. No liability to the PBGC has been or is
expected by a Loan Party or any Controlled Group Member to be incurred with
respect to any Plan by a Loan Party, any Subsidiary thereof or any Controlled
Group Member which does or would have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Loan
Party, any Subsidiary thereof nor any Controlled Group Member has contributed or
presently contributes to any Multiemployer Plan. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
be exempt from, or will not involve any transaction which is subject to, the
prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA and will not involve any transaction in
connection with which a penalty could be imposed under section 502(i) of ERISA
or a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975 of the Code. A copy of the
most recent Annual Report (5500 Series Form) as of the date hereof including all
attachments thereto as filed with the Internal Revenue Service for each Plan has
been provided to the Lender and fairly presents the funding status of each Plan.
There has been no material deterioration in any Plan's funding status since the
date of such Annual Report. Schedule 4.21 hereof sets forth as of the date
hereof a list of all Plans and Multiemployer Plans, and all information
available to a Loan Party with respect to the direct, indirect or potential
withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan of any Loan Party or any
Controlled Group Member. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.21 hereof, no Loan
Party and no Subsidiary thereof has any liability (contingent or otherwise) for,
or in connection with, and none of their respective properties is subject to a
Lien in connection with, any Pension-Related Event. No Loan Party and no
Subsidiary thereof has any liability (contingent or otherwise) for, or in
connection with, any Postretirement Benefits. The PBGC premiums and
contributions required to meet the minimum funding requirements of ERISA and the
Code for all Plans have not exceeded $1,000,000 on an annual basis for any of
the past three (3) years. The amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined
in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA),




                                     - 44 -
<PAGE>   50

as certified to by the Plan's actuary, for any Plan do not exceed $1,000,000 and
for all Plans do not exceed $1,000,000.

                  4.22. Environmental Matters.

                  (a) Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof and each of
their respective Environmental Affiliates is and has been in full compliance
with all applicable Environmental Laws, except for matters which, individually
or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. There are no circumstances that may prevent or interfere with such full
compliance in the future.

                  (b) Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof and their
respective Environmental Affiliates have all Environmental Approvals necessary
for the ownership and operation of their respective properties, facilities and
businesses as presently owned and operated and as presently proposed to be owned
and operated, except for such Environmental Approvals the absence of which,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  (c) There is no Environmental Claim pending or to the
knowledge of any Loan Party after due inquiry threatened, and, to the knowledge
of any Loan Party, there are no past or present acts, omissions, events or
circumstances that could form the basis of any Environmental Claim, against any
Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective Environmental
Affiliates, except for matters which, if adversely decided, individually or in
the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  (d) No facility or property now or previously owned, operated
or leased by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective
Environmental Affiliates is an Environmental Cleanup Site. To the knowledge of
any Loan Party, neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof nor any of
their respective Environmental Affiliates has directly transported or directly
arranged for the transportation of any Environmental Concern Materials to any
Environmental Cleanup Site. No Lien exists, and no condition exists which could
result in the filing of a Lien, against any property of any Loan Party or any
Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective Environmental Affiliates, under
any Environmental Law.

                  4.23. Solvency. On and as of the Closing Date, after
consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and after giving effect to
all Revolving Credit Loans, Letters of Credit and other obligations and
liabilities being incurred on such date in



                                     - 45 -
<PAGE>   51

connection therewith, and on the date of each subsequent Revolving Credit Loan,
issuance of a Letter of Credit or other extension of credit hereunder and after
giving effect to application of the proceeds thereof in accordance with the
terms of the Loan Documents, each Loan Party is and will be Solvent.

                  4.24. Regulatory Status. Neither Loan Party nor any Subsidiary
thereof is (a) an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, (b) a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" or an "affiliate"
of a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", within
the meaning of the Public Utility Act of 1935, as amended, or (c) a "public
utility" within the meaning of the Federal Power Act, as amended.

                  4.25. Permits and Other Operating Rights. Each Loan Party and
each Subsidiary thereof has all such valid and sufficient certificates of
convenience and necessity, franchises, licenses, permits, operating rights and
other authorizations from federal, state, regional, municipal or other
governmental bodies having jurisdiction over such Person or any of its
respective properties, as are necessary for the ownership, operation and
maintenance of its businesses and properties, subject to exceptions and
deficiencies which do not materially affect the business and operations of such
Person or any material part thereof, and such certificates of convenience and
necessity, franchises, licenses, permits, operating rights and other
authorizations from federal, state, regional, municipal and other local
regulatory bodies or administrative agencies or other governmental bodies having
jurisdiction over such Person or any of its properties are free from burdensome
restrictions or conditions of an unusual character or restrictions or conditions
materially adverse the business or operations of such Person, and none of such
Persons is in violation of any thereof in any material respect.

                  4.26. Year 2000 Compliance. The Guarantor has reviewed its
operations and those of its Subsidiaries with a view to assessing whether their
businesses, taken as a whole, will be vulnerable to a Year 2000 Problem. As of
the date of this Agreement, the Guarantor has a reasonable basis to believe
that, solely with respect to the internal operations of the Guarantor and its
Subsidiaries under the direct control of such Person, and in view of the efforts
of such Person to date to address a potential Year 2000 Problem and its ongoing
remediation program, neither the Guarantor nor any of its Subsidiaries will
experience a Year 2000 Problem that will have a Material Adverse Effect;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed



                                     - 46 -
<PAGE>   52

to be a representation or warranty that the operations, hardware, software,
embedded chips or other systems of third parties with whom the Guarantor or any
of its Subsidiaries interact will not cause a Year 2000 Problem that will have a
Material Adverse Effect. "Year 2000 Problem" means any significant risk that
computer hardware, software or equipment containing embedded microchips of the
Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which is essential to their business
operations will not, in the case of dates occurring after December 31, 1999,
function at least as reliably as in the case of dates occurring before January
1, 2000, including the making of accurate leap year calculations, provided that
all third party hardware, software, systems or equipment containing embedded
microchips interacting with the Guarantor's or its Subsidiaries' computer
hardware, software or equipment containing embedded microchips is also able to
function in the same manner with respect to such dates and calculations.


                                    ARTICLE V
                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING

                  5.01. Conditions to Initial Revolving Credit Loans. The
obligation of the Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans or to issue Letters of
Credit on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction, immediately prior to
or concurrently with the making of such Revolving Credit Loan or the issuance of
Letters of Credit, of the following conditions precedent, in addition to the
conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.02 hereof:

                  (a) Agreement; Revolving Credit Note. The Lender shall have
received an executed counterpart of this Agreement, duly executed by each Loan
Party, and the Revolving Credit Note conforming to the requirements hereof, duly
executed on behalf of the Borrower.

                  (b) Corporate Proceedings. The Lender shall have received
certificates by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party dated as
of the Closing Date as to (i) true copies of the certificates of incorporation
and by-laws of each Loan Party in effect on such date, (ii) true copies of all
corporate action taken by each Loan Party relative to this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents and (iii) the incumbency and signature of the respective
officers of each Loan Party executing this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to which such Loan Party is a party, together with satisfactory
evidence of the incumbency of such Secretary or Assistant Secretary. The Lender
shall have received certificates from the appropriate Secretaries of State or
other applicable Governmental Authorities dated not more than thirty



                                     - 47 -
<PAGE>   53

(30) days before the Closing Date showing the good standing of each Loan Party
in its state of incorporation.

                  (c) Legal Opinion of Counsel to the Loan Parties. The Lender
shall have received an opinion addressed to the Lender, dated the Closing Date,
of counsel to each of the Loan Parties as to such matters as may be requested by
the Lender and in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.

                  (d) Fees, Expenses, etc. The Borrower shall have paid all
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the
preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including without limitation attorney's fees and costs, lien search
fees, filing fees and appraisal costs.

                  (e) Additional Matters. All corporate and other proceedings,
and all documents, instruments and other matters in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
be satisfactory in form and substance to the Lender.

                  5.02. Conditions to All Revolving Credit Loans. The obligation
of the Lender to make any Revolving Credit Loan or to issue any Letter of Credit
is subject to performance by each of the Loan Parties of their respective
obligations to be performed hereunder or under the other Loan Documents on or
before the date of such Revolving Credit Loan or the issuance of such Letter of
Credit, satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth herein and in the
other Loan Documents and to satisfaction of the following further conditions
precedent:

                  (a) Notice. Appropriate notice of such Revolving Credit Loan
or Letter of Credit shall have been given by the Borrower as provided in Article
II hereof or Article III hereof, as the case may be.

                  (b) Representations and Warranties. Each of the
representations and warranties made by each Loan Party herein and in each other
Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of
such date as if made on and as of such date (except for representations and
warranties made as of the date of this Agreement, which need to be true and
correct in all material respects only as of the date of this Agreement), both
before and after giving effect to the Revolving Credit Loans requested to be
made or the Letters of Credit requested to be issued on such date.



                                     - 48 -
<PAGE>   54

                  (c) No Defaults. No Event of Default or Potential Default
shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the
Revolving Credit Loans requested to be made or the Letters of Credit requested
to be issued on such date.

                  (d) No Violations of Law, etc. Neither the making nor use of
the Revolving Credit Loans nor the issuance of the Letters of Credit shall cause
the Lender to violate or conflict with any Law.

                  (e) No Material Adverse Change. There shall not have occurred,
or be threatened, a material adverse change in the business, operations, assets
or condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Loan Party since the
Closing Date.

Each request by the Borrower for any Revolving Credit Loan or Letter of Credit
shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Loan Parties that the
conditions set forth in this Section 5.02 have been satisfied as of the date of
such request. Failure of the Lender to receive notice from any Loan Party to the
contrary before such Revolving Credit Loan is made or such Letter of Credit is
issued shall constitute a further representation and warranty by the Loan
Parties that the conditions referred to in this Section 5.02 have been satisfied
as of the date such Revolving Credit Loan is made or such Letter of Credit is
issued.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Loan Parties hereby covenant to the Lender as follows:

                  6.01. Basic Reporting Requirements.

                  (a) Annual Audit Reports. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each fiscal year
of the Guarantor, the Loan Parties shall furnish to the Lender consolidated
statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity of the
Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year and a
consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries as
of the close of such fiscal year, and notes to each, all in reasonable detail,
setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding
fiscal year. Such financial statements shall be accompanied by an opinion of
independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing
selected by the Guarantor and reasonably satisfactory to the Lender. Such
opinion shall be free of exceptions or




                                     - 49 -
<PAGE>   55

qualifications not acceptable to the Lender and in any event shall be free of
any exception or qualification which is of "going concern" or like nature or
which relates to a limited scope of examination. Such opinion in any event shall
contain a written statement of such accountants substantially to the effect that
(i) such accountants examined such financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and accordingly made such tests of
accounting records and such other auditing procedures as such accountants
considered necessary in the circumstances and (ii) in the opinion of such
accountants such financial statements present fairly the financial position of
the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal
year and the results of their operations and their cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity for such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP.

                  (b) Quarterly Consolidated Reports. As soon as practicable,
and in any event within sixty (60) days after the close of each fiscal quarter
of each fiscal year of the Guarantor, the Loan Parties shall furnish to the
Lender unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity of the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such
fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of such fiscal year to the
end of such fiscal quarter and an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal
quarter, all in reasonable detail, setting forth in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the same periods or as of the same date during the
preceding fiscal year (except for the consolidated balance sheet, which shall
set forth in comparative form the corresponding balance sheet as of the prior
fiscal year end). Such financial statements shall be certified by a Responsible
Officer of the Guarantor as presenting fairly the financial position of the
Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter
and the results of their operations and their cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity for such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP, subject to
normal and recurring year-end audit adjustments.

                  (c) Consolidating Reports. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within sixty (60) days after the close of each of the first three fiscal
quarters of each fiscal year of the Guarantor and one hundred twenty (120) days
after the close of each fiscal year of the Guarantor, the Loan Parties shall
furnish to the Lender unaudited consolidating statements of income of the
Guarantor and each of its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter or fiscal year,
as the case may be, and unaudited consolidating balance sheets of the Guarantor
and each of its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter or fiscal
year, as the case may be, all in reasonable detail. Such statements shall be
certified by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantor as presenting fairly the
financial position of the Guarantor and each of its Subsidiaries as of the end
of such fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as the case may



                                     - 50 -
<PAGE>   56

be, and the results of their operations for such fiscal quarter or fiscal year,
as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP (exclusive of principles of
consolidation), subject (in the case of quarterly reports) to normal and
recurring year-end audit adjustments.

                  (d) Quarterly Compliance Certificates. The Loan Parties shall
deliver to the Lender a Quarterly Compliance Certificate (herein so defined),
duly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantor concurrently
with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsections (a) and
(b) of this Section 6.01. The Quarterly Compliance Certificate will state, among
other reasonable items: (i) that as of the date thereof no Event of Default or
Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or exists, or if an Event of
Default or Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or exists,
specifying in detail the nature and period of existence thereof and any action
with respect thereto taken or contemplated to be taken by the Loan Parties and
(ii) in reasonable detail the information and calculations necessary to
establish compliance with the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 7.03 hereof
and (iii) in reasonable detail the information and calculations necessary to
determine the Applicable Tier.

                  (e) Accountants' Certificate. Each set of financial statements
delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) hereof shall be accompanied by (i) a
certificate or report dated the date of such statements and balance sheet by the
independent certified public accountants who opined on such financial statements
stating in substance that they have reviewed this Agreement and that in making
the examination necessary for their certification of such statements and balance
sheet they did not become aware of any Event of Default or Potential Default, or
if they did become so aware, such certificate or report shall state the nature
and period of existence thereof, and (ii) a certificate or report dated as of
the date of such financial statements by such accountants stating in reasonable
detail the information and calculations necessary to establish compliance with
the covenants set forth in Article VII hereof.

                  (f) Projections. As soon as practicable and in any event
within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal year of the Guarantor,
the Loan Parties shall furnish to the Lender a certificate signed by a
Responsible Officer on behalf of the Guarantor containing a consolidated
projection of the revenues,



                                     - 51 -
<PAGE>   57

expenditures (capital or otherwise) and results of operations and cash position
of the Guarantor and each Subsidiary of the Guarantor and the amounts and ratios
described in Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 7.03 hereof as of the end of each month or,
in the case of such amounts and ratios, as of the end of each fiscal quarter in
the forthcoming fiscal year, together with a statement of the assumptions and
estimates upon which such projections are based. Such projections, estimates and
assumptions, as of the date of preparation thereof, shall be reasonable, made in
good faith, shall be consistent with the Loan Documents, and shall represent the
Guarantor's best judgment as to such matters.

                  (g) Certain Other Reports and Information. Promptly upon their
becoming available to a Loan Party, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Lender
a copy of (i) all regular or special reports, registration statements and
amendments to the foregoing which such Loan Party or any Subsidiary of such Loan
Party shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor
thereto) or any securities exchange, (ii) all reports, proxy statements,
financial statements and other information distributed by such Loan Party to its
stockholders, bondholders or the financial community generally, and (iii) all
accountants' management letters pertaining to, all other reports submitted by
accountants in connection with any audit of, and all other reports from outside
accountants with respect to, such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  (h) Further Information. Each Loan Party shall promptly
furnish to the Lender such other information and in such form as the Lender may
reasonably request from time to time.

                  (i) Notice of Certain Events. Promptly after a Responsible
Officer's knowledge of any of the following, a Loan Party shall give the Lender
notice thereof, together with a written statement of a Responsible Officer of
such Loan Party setting forth the details thereof and any action with respect
thereto taken or proposed to be taken by such Loan Party:

                  (i) Any Event of Default or Potential Default.

                  (ii) Any material adverse change in the business, operations
         or condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of a Loan Party and
         its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  (iii) Any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or
         investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or
         affecting such Loan Party or any Subsidiary of such Loan Party, except
         for matters that if adversely



                                     - 52 -
<PAGE>   58

         decided, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (iv) Any material violation, breach or default by such Loan
         Party or any Subsidiary of such Loan Party of or under any agreement or
         instrument material to the business, operations, condition (financial
         or otherwise) or prospects of such Loan Party and its Subsidiaries
         taken as a whole.

                  (v) Any Pension-Related Event. Such notice shall be
         accompanied by: (A) a copy of any notice, request, return, petition or
         other document received by such Loan Party or any Controlled Group
         Member from any Person, or which has been or is to be filed with or
         provided to any Person (including without limitation the Internal
         Revenue Service, PBGC or any Plan participant, beneficiary, alternate
         payee or employer representative), in connection with such
         Pension-Related Event, and (B) in the case of any Pension-Related Event
         with respect to a Plan, the most recent Annual Report (5500 Series),
         with attachments thereto, and the most recent actuarial valuation
         report, for such Plan.

                  (vi) Any Environmental Claim pending or threatened against
         such Loan Party or any Subsidiary of such Loan Party or any of their
         respective Environmental Affiliates, or any past or present acts,
         omissions, events or circumstances (including but not limited to any
         dumping, leaching, deposition, removal, abandonment, escape, emission,
         discharge or release of any Environmental Concern Material at, on or
         under any facility or property now or previously owned, operated or
         leased by such Loan Party or any Subsidiary of such Loan Party or any
         of their respective Environmental Affiliates) that could form the basis
         of such Environmental Claim, which Environmental Claim, if adversely
         resolved, individually or in the aggregate, could have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (vii) The expiration or earlier termination of the License
         Agreement.

                  (vii) The occurrence of a Change of Control Event.

                  (j) Visitation; Verification. Each Loan Party shall permit
such Persons as the Lender may designate from time to time, at such Loan Party's
expense while an Event of Default is continuing and otherwise at the Lender's
expense, to visit and inspect any of the properties of such Loan Party and of
any Subsidiary of such Loan Party, to examine their respective books and records
and take copies and extracts therefrom and to discuss



                                     - 53 -
<PAGE>   59

their respective affairs with their respective directors, officers, key
employees and independent accountants at such times and as often as the Lender
may request. Each Loan Party hereby authorizes such officers, key employees and
independent accountants to discuss with the Lender the affairs of such Loan
Party and its Subsidiaries. The Lender shall have the right to examine and
verify accounts, inventory and other properties and liabilities of each Loan
Party and its Subsidiaries from time to time, and each Loan Party shall
cooperate, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to cooperate, with the
Lender in such verification.

                  6.02. Insurance. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers
insurance with respect to its properties and business and against such
liabilities, casualties and contingencies and of such types and in such amounts
as is customary in the case of corporations engaged in the same or similar
businesses or having similar properties similarly situated.

                  6.03. Payment of Taxes and Other Potential Charges and
Priority Claims. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, pay or discharge

                  (a) on or prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto,
all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or any of
its properties;

                  (b) on or prior to the date when due, all lawful claims of
materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other like Persons
which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien upon any such property;
and

                  (c) on or prior to the date when due, all other lawful claims
which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien upon any such property
or which, if unpaid, might give rise to a claim entitled to priority over
general creditors of such Loan Party or Subsidiary in a case under Title 11
(Bankruptcy) of the United States Code, as amended;

provided, that unless and until foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar
proceedings shall have been commenced, such Loan Party or Subsidiary need not
pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge or claim so long as (x) the
validity thereof is contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings
diligently conducted, (y) such reserves or other appropriate provisions as may
be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor.



                                     - 54 -
<PAGE>   60

                  6.04. Preservation of Corporate Status. Each Loan Party shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain its status as a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and to be duly qualified to do business as
a foreign corporation and in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the
ownership of its properties or the nature of its business or both make such
qualification necessary or advisable; provided, however, that a Subsidiary of a
Loan Party (other than another Loan Party) may merge out of existence,
liquidate, wind-up or dissolve if such merger, liquidation, winding-up or
dissolution would not be disadvantageous, in any material respect, to a Loan
Party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (as determined in good faith by the
Guarantor) and will not adversely affect the Lender (as reasonably determined by
the Lender).

                  6.05. Governmental Approvals and Filings. Each Loan Party
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain in full
force and effect all Governmental Actions necessary or advisable in connection
with the execution and delivery of any Loan Document by any Loan Party,
consummation by any Loan Party of the transactions herein or therein
contemplated, performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions hereof
or thereof by any Loan Party or to ensure the legality, validity, binding
effect, enforceability or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof.

                  6.06. Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in
good repair, working order and condition the properties now or hereafter owned,
leased or otherwise possessed by it (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and shall
make or cause to be made all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements
and improvements thereto so that the business carried on in connection therewith
may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times. Each Loan Party
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, procure and maintain in full
force and effect all franchises, patents, trademarks, trade names, service
marks, copyrights, licenses and other rights, in each case, that are necessary
in any material respect for the business and operation of the Guarantor and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  6.07. Avoidance of Other Conflicts. A Loan Party shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, violate or conflict with, be in
violation of or conflict with, or be or remain subject to any liability
(contingent or otherwise) on account of any violation or conflict with



                                     - 55 -
<PAGE>   61

                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its certificates of incorporation of by-laws (or other
constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it is party or by
which any of them or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a party or by which
any of them or any of their respective properties (now owned or hereafter
acquired) may be subject or bound,

except for matters that could not reasonably be expected , individually or in
the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries and each of its Environmental Affiliates to, comply with, or
operate pursuant to valid waivers of, applicable Environmental Laws, including,
without limitation, to the extent required by applicable Environmental Laws,
conducting, on a timely basis, periodic tests and monitoring for contamination
of ground water, surface water, air and land and for biological toxicity and
completing proper, thorough and effective clean-up, removal, remediation and/or
restoration, except to the extent that failure so to comply with any
Environmental Law does not have a Material Adverse Effect, and except that, with
respect to any testing, monitoring, clean-up, removal, remediation or other such
action required pursuant to such Environmental Laws, neither a Loan Party nor
any of its Subsidiaries or Environmental Affiliates shall be required to perform
any such action if the applicability or validity thereof is being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves have been
established in accordance with GAAP.

                  6.08. Financial Accounting Practices. Each Loan Party shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, make and keep books, records and
accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect its
transactions and dispositions of its assets and maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization, (b) transactions are recorded as necessary (i) to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and (ii) to maintain
accountability for assets, (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance
with management's general or specific authorization and (d) the recorded
accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable
intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.



                                     - 56 -
<PAGE>   62

                  6.09. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of
the Revolving Credit Loans and the Letters of Credit for general corporate
purposes and shall not use any such proceeds directly or indirectly for any
unlawful purpose, in any manner inconsistent with Section 4.10 hereof, or
inconsistent with any other provision of any Loan Document.

                  6.10. Continuation of or Change in Business. Each Loan Party
and each of its Subsidiaries shall continue to engage in its business
substantially as conducted and operated during the present and preceding fiscal
year, and a Loan Party shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, engage in any other business.

                  6.11. Consolidated Tax Return. A Loan Party shall not, and
shall not suffer any of its Subsidiaries to, file or consent to the filing of
any consolidated income tax return with any Person other than the Guarantor, the
Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries.

                  6.12. Fiscal Year. The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not
suffer any of their respective Subsidiaries to, change their respective fiscal
year or fiscal quarter (except to conform to the fiscal year of the Loan
Parties).

                  6.13. Covenant to Secure Note Equally. If a Loan Party or any
Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its
property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Liens
permitted by the provisions of Section 7.04 (unless prior written consent to the
creation or assumption thereof shall have been obtained pursuant to Section
10.03), it will make or cause to be made effective provision satisfactory in
form and substance to the Lender (including, without limitation, opinions of
counsel relating thereto) whereby the Revolving Credit Note and the
Reimbursement Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably with
any and all other Indebtedness thereby secured so long as any such other
Indebtedness shall be so secured. Securing the Revolving Credit Note as provided
in this Section 6.13 shall not permit the existence of any Lien not permitted by
Section 7.04.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Loan Parties hereby covenant to the Lender as follows:



                                     - 57 -
<PAGE>   63

                  7.01. Consolidated Net Worth. Consolidated Net Worth of the
Guarantor shall not at any time during a fiscal year of the Guarantor be less
than the sum of (x) $100,000,000 plus (y) 50% of the Guarantor's Consolidated
Net Income for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

                  7.02. Leverage. As of the last day of each fiscal quarter, the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall not be greater than 3.0 to 1.0.

                  7.03. Cash Flow. As of the last day of each fiscal quarter,
the Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio shall not be less than 1.25 to 1.0.

                  7.04. Liens. A Loan Party shall not, and shall not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, at any time create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Lien on any of its property (now owned or hereafter acquired), except for the
following:

                  (a) Liens existing on the date hereof securing obligations
existing on the date hereof, as such Liens and obligations are listed in
Schedule 7.04 hereto (and extension, renewal and replacement Liens upon the same
property theretofor subject to a listed Lien, provided the amount secured by
each Lien constituting such an extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall not
exceed the amount secured by the Lien theretofor existing);

                  (b) Liens arising from taxes, assessments, charges or claims
described in Section 6.03 hereof that are not yet due or that remain payable
without penalty or to the extent permitted to remain unpaid under the proviso to
such Section 6.03;

                  (c) Liens incurred or deposits or pledges of cash or
securities in the ordinary course of business to secure (i) workmen's
compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security obligations, (ii)
performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts (other than for payment of money)
or leases, (iii) stay, surety or appeal bonds, or (iv) other obligations of a
like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                  (d) Liens by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party on
property securing all or part of the purchase price thereof and Liens (whether
or not assumed) existing in property at the time of purchase thereof by a Loan
Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party, provided that (i) such Lien is created
before or substantially simultaneously with the purchase of such property by
such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, (ii) such Lien is confined solely to the
property so purchased, improvements thereto and proceeds thereof and (iii) the
aggregate amount secured by all



                                     - 58 -
<PAGE>   64

Liens described in this Section 7.04(d) shall not at any time exceed
$10,000,000;

                  (e) Liens by a foreign Subsidiary of any Loan Party securing
Indebtedness of such foreign Subsidiary permitted by Section 7.05(c) hereof;

                  (f) Liens resulting from the recharacterization of any Capital
Lease permitted by Section 7.05(d) hereof;

                  (g) Judgment liens fully bonded or stayed pending appeal;

                  (h) Liens in favor of the United States which arise in the
ordinary course of business resulting from progress payments or partial payments
under United States government contracts or subcontracts thereunder;

                  (i) Zoning restrictions, easements, minor restrictions on the
use of real property, minor irregularities in the title thereto and other minor
Liens that do not secure the payment of money or the performance of an
obligation and that do not individually or in the aggregate materially detract
from the value of a property or asset to, or materially impair its use in the
business of, a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and

                  (j) Liens securing Indebtedness in an amount not in excess of
$1,000,000 at any one time outstanding.

                  7.05. Indebtedness. A Loan Party shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, at any time create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness to the Lender pursuant to this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents;

                  (b) Indebtedness of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries
existing on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 7.05 hereof, but not any
extensions, renewals or refinancings thereof;

                  (c) Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by the Guarantor
and its Subsidiaries from time to time; provided, that the aggregate principal
amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time;

                  (d) Indebtedness incurred by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of
a Loan Party from a Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party, provided that (i)
any Subsidiary involved in any such



                                     - 59 -
<PAGE>   65

lending arrangement be consolidated, for financial statement reporting purposes,
with the Guarantor, (ii) any lending Person involved in any such lending
arrangement be Solvent at the time of such lending arrangement and after giving
effect thereto and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness under
this Section 7.05(d) shall not exceed (y) $10,000,000 to any one Person and (z)
and $30,000,000 in the aggregate to all such Persons;

                  (e) Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Guarantor and its
Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not in excess of $10,000,000 at any one
time, provided that such Capitalized Leases are otherwise permitted by Section
7.13; and

                  (f) Indebtedness for borrowed money in the form of a note or
notes payable by the Borrower to the order of BBox Holding Company, a Delaware
corporation (the "Holding Company"), issued in connection with a Stock Payment
made to the Holding Company or in connection with the payment of interest with
respect to any such note or notes, which note or notes (i) shall be
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, or otherwise in form and
substance satisfactory to the Lender and the Borrower, the Lender hereby
agreeing that any such note or notes may have a stated term of seven (7) years,
but be payable on demand and require the payment of interest on an annual basis,
and (ii) shall be subordinated to the Revolving Credit Note on the terms
identified in Exhibit E attached hereto; provided however, that this
subparagraph shall be applicable only so long as the Holding Company is wholly
owned, directly or indirectly, by the Guarantor;

provided, however, that Indebtedness borrowed by the Borrower from any Affiliate
of the Borrower shall be subordinated to the Revolving Credit Note on the terms
identified in Exhibit E attached hereto.

                  7.06. Guarantees, Indemnities of the Borrower, etc. The Loan
Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to,
be or become subject to or bound by any Guaranty Equivalent, except for the
Obligations owed to the Lender under the Loan Documents and:

                  (a) Contingent liabilities arising from the endorsement of
negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Guaranty Equivalents securing Assured Obligations not in
excess of $10,000,000 at any one time;




                                     - 60 -
<PAGE>   66

                  (c) Indemnities of the liabilities of its directors, officers
and employees in their capacities as such as permitted by Law;

                  (d) Guaranty Equivalents constituting usual and customary
indemnities with respect to liabilities (other than Indebtedness) in connection
with an acquisition or disposition of stock or assets by any Loan Party or any
Subsidiary of a Loan Party; and

                  (e) Guaranty Equivalents by any Loan Party or a Subsidiary of
any Loan Party from time to time of Assured Obligations constituting
Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.05(c) or (d).

                  7.07. Loans, Advances and Investments. The Loan Parties shall
not, and shall not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, at any time
make or suffer to exist or remain outstanding any loan or advance to, or
purchase, acquire or own (beneficially or of record) any stock, bonds, notes or
securities of, or any partnership interest (whether general or limited) in, or
any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to or other investment
in, any other Person, except:

                  (a) The capital stock of a Subsidiary of a Loan Party owned on
the date hereof and listed on Schedule 4.11 hereto and the matters set forth on
Schedule 4.12 hereto;

                  (b) Loans or advances, so long as no Event of Default or
Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur after
giving effect thereto, permitted under Section 7.05(d);

                  (c) So long as no Event of Default or Potential Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or shall occur after giving effect thereto,
additional capital stock of any of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.11
hereto and additional interests with respect to those matters set forth on
Schedule 4.12 hereto or the capital stock of any new wholly owned Subsidiary of
any Loan Party or of any existing wholly owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party;
provided, that the acquisition of such additional interests shall not require
the expenditure of more than $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

                  (d) So long as no Event of Default or Potential Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or shall occur after giving effect thereto,
investments in any other Person where (i) such Person is in the same or a
similar line of business as any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party,
(ii) such investment is in the form of an Acquisition and (iii) the investment
in such




                                     - 61 -
<PAGE>   67

Person shall not exceed $50,000,000; provided, that where the consideration
payable in connection with such Acquisition consists of any consideration other
than the capital stock of the Guarantor, such investment in such Person shall
not exceed $20,000,000 and in any fiscal year of the Guarantor, the commitments
to make such non-stock Acquisitions shall not exceed $30,000,000 in the
aggregate; and

                  (e) Cash Equivalent Investments.

                  7.08. Dividends and Related Distributions. A Loan Party shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make any Stock
Payment if an Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred and is
continuing or if the same shall occur after giving effect thereto.

                  7.09. Sale-Leasebacks. A Loan Party shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, at any time enter into or suffer to remain in
effect any transaction to which such Loan Party or Subsidiary is a party
involving the sale, transfer or other disposition by such Loan Party or
Subsidiary of any property (now owned or hereafter acquired), with a view
directly or indirectly to the leasing back of any part of the same property or
any other property used for the same or a similar purpose or purposes.

                  7.10. Mergers, Acquisitions, etc. A Loan Party shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to (v) merge with or into or
consolidate with any other Person, (w) liquidate, wind-up, dissolve or divide,
(x) acquire all or any substantial portion of the properties of any going
concern or going line of business, or (y) acquire all or any substantial portion
of the properties of any other Person other than in the ordinary course of
business, except:

                  (a) Acquisitions (as defined herein) that satisfy the
conditions set forth in Section 7.07(c) or (d) hereof.

                  (b) Provided that no Event of Default or Potential Default
shall occur and be continuing or shall exist at such time or after giving effect
to such transaction, a Subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than another Loan
Party) may merge out of existence, liquidate, wind-up or dissolve if such
merger, liquidation, winding-up or dissolution (i) would not disadvantageous, in
any material respect, to a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (as
determined in good faith by the Guarantor) and (ii) would not adversely affect
the Lender (as reasonably determined by the Lender).




                                     - 62 -
<PAGE>   68

                  7.11. Dispositions of Properties. A Loan Party shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, convey, assign, lease,
transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any of
its properties, except:

                  (a) Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of each Loan Party may
sell inventory in the ordinary course of business; and

                  (b) Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of each Loan Party may
dispose of equipment which is obsolete or no longer useful in the business of
the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

provided, however, that a Loan Party will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, sell, convey, assign, lease, license, transfer or otherwise
permit use of, by any Person other than the Guarantor or any of its
Subsidiaries, any customer or mailing list owned by a Loan Party or any of its
Subsidiaries.

                  7.12. Dealings with Affiliates. A Loan Party shall not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly deal with, in the ordinary
course of business or otherwise, any Affiliate, except (a) any Affiliate who is
a natural person may serve as an employee, officer, consultant and/or director
of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party and receive reasonable
compensation for his or her services in such capacity, (b) in transactions which
are pursuant to the reasonable requirements of such Person's business operations
and which are on no less favorable terms to such Person than would be the case
with a similar transaction with an unaffiliated Person negotiated at arm's
length.

                  7.13. Capital Expenditures. A Loan Party shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Capital Expenditures on or after
the date hereof if an Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred
and is continuing or if the same shall occur after giving effect thereto.

                  7.14. Limitation on Other Restrictions on Liens. The Loan
Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, enter
into, become or remain subject to any agreement or instrument to which such
Person is a party or by which such Person or any of its properties (now owned or
hereafter acquired) may be subject or bound that would prohibit the grant of any
Lien upon any of its properties (now owned or hereafter acquired) or the payment
of any Stock Payment, except the Loan Documents.

                  7.15 License Agreement. Without the prior written consent of
the Lender, the Borrower shall not amend, modify or



                                     - 63 -
<PAGE>   69

supplement the License Agreement in any manner that would be materially
disadvantageous to the Borrower nor exercise any right to terminate the License
Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    DEFAULTS

                  8.01. Events of Default. An Event of Default shall mean the
occurrence or existence of one or more of the following events or conditions
(for any reason, whether voluntary, involuntary or effected or required by Law):

                  (a) Any Loan Party shall fail to pay when due principal of or
interest on any Revolving Credit Loan, any Reimbursement Obligation, any fees,
indemnity or expenses, or any other amount due hereunder or under any other Loan
Document.

                  (b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any
Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party in or pursuant to or in
connection with any Loan Document, or any statement made by any Loan Party or
any Subsidiary of any Loan Party in any financial statement, certificate,
report, exhibit or document furnished by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any
Loan Party to the Lender pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document,
shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the
time when made or deemed made (including by omission of material information
necessary to make such representation, warranty or statement not misleading).

                  (c) Any Loan Party shall default in the performance or
observance of any covenant contained in Article VII hereof or the covenant
contained in Section 6.01(i) hereof.

                  (d) Any Loan Party shall default in the performance or
observance of any other material covenant, agreement or duty under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document and such default shall have continued for a
period of ten (10) Business Days.

                  (e) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party shall
default beyond any applicable cure period in the payment of principal or
interest on any obligation for borrowed money in excess of $500,000 or in the
performance of any provision contained in any instrument under which any such
obligation for borrowed money is created or secured (including the breach of any
covenant thereunder) if an effect of such default is to cause, or permit any
Person to cause such obligation to become due prior to its stated maturity,
unless, solely with respect to a non-payment default (i) such Loan Party or such
Subsidiary is actively and




                                     - 64 -
<PAGE>   70

diligently contesting the existence of such default and (ii) the obligee has not
taken any action to accelerate the maturity of such obligation or to exercise
any other remedy available to it under such instrument.

                  (f) One or more judgments for the payment of money shall have
been entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party, which
judgment or judgments exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate, and such judgment or
judgments shall have remained undischarged and unstayed for a period of thirty
(30) consecutive days.

                  (g) Any one or more Pension-Related Events referred to in
subsection (a)(ii), (b) or (e) of the definition of "Pension-Related Event"
shall have occurred; or any one or more other Pension-Related Events shall have
occurred and the Lender shall determine in good faith (which determination shall
be conclusive) that such other Pension-Related Events, individually or in the
aggregate, could have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (h) There shall have occurred a material adverse change in the
business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects
of any Loan Party.

                  (i) A proceeding shall have been instituted in respect of any
Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party

                  (i) seeking to have an order for relief entered in respect of
         such Person, or seeking a declaration or entailing a finding that such
         Person is insolvent or a similar declaration or finding, or seeking
         dissolution, winding-up, charter revocation or forfeiture, liquidation,
         reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other similar
         relief with respect to such Person, its assets or its debts under any
         Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, relief of debtors or protection
         of creditors, termination of legal entities or any other similar Law
         now or hereafter in effect, or

                  (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator,
         assignee, sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or for all or
         any substantial part of its property

and such proceeding shall result in the entry, making or grant of any such order
for relief, declaration, finding, relief or appointment, or such proceeding
shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) consecutive
days.



                                     - 65 -
<PAGE>   71

                  (j) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party shall
become insolvent; shall fail to pay, become unable to pay, or state that it is
or will be unable to pay, its debts as they become due; shall voluntarily
suspend transaction of its or his business; shall make a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors; shall institute (or fail to controvert in a timely and
appropriate manner) a proceeding described in Section 8.01(i)(i) hereof, or
(whether or not any such proceeding has been instituted) shall consent to or
acquiesce in any such order for relief, declaration, finding or relief described
therein; shall institute (or fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate
manner) a proceeding described in Section 8.01(i)(ii) hereof, or (whether or not
any such proceeding has been instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce in any
such appointment or to the taking of possession by any such custodian of all or
any substantial part of its or his property; shall dissolve, wind-up, revoke or
forfeit its charter (or other constituent documents) or liquidate itself or any
substantial part of its property other than proceedings for the voluntary
liquidation and dissolution of a Subsidiary of the Guarantor permitted by
Section 6.04 hereof; or shall take any action in furtherance of any of the
foregoing.

                  (k) The expiration or earlier termination of the License
Agreement.

                  (l) Any provision of Article IX hereof shall cease to be in
full force and effect, or the Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm its obligations
thereunder.

                  (m) The Guarantor shall cease to own, directly or indirectly,
one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding capital stock of the Borrower.

                  (n) A Change of Control Event shall occur.

                  8.02. Consequences of an Event of Default.

                  (a) If an Event of Default specified in subsections (a)
through (n) of Section 8.01 hereof shall occur and be continuing or shall exist,
then, in addition to all other rights and remedies which the Lender may have
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, at law, in equity or otherwise, the
Lender shall be under no further obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or to
issue Letters of Credit hereunder, and the Lender may by notice to the Borrower,
from time to time do any or all of the following:

                  (i) Declare the Revolving Credit Commitment terminated,
         whereupon the Revolving Credit Commitment will terminate and any fees
         hereunder shall be immediately due and payable



                                     - 66 -
<PAGE>   72

         without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all
         of which are hereby waived, and an action therefor shall immediately
         accrue.

                  (ii) Declare the unpaid principal amount of the Revolving
         Credit Loans, interest accrued thereon and all other Obligations to be
         immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or
         further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and an
         action therefor shall immediately accrue.

                  (b) If an Event of Default specified in subsection (i) or (j)
of Section 8.01 hereof shall occur or exist, then, in addition to all other
rights and remedies which the Lender may have hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, at law, in equity or otherwise, the Revolving Credit Commitment shall
automatically terminate and the Lender shall be under no further obligation to
make Revolving Credit Loans or to issue Letters of Credit, and the unpaid
principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans, interest accrued thereon and all
other Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and an
action therefor shall immediately accrue.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                             GUARANTY AND SURETYSHIP

                  9.01. Guaranty and Suretyship. The Guarantor hereby
absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees and becomes surety for
the full and punctual payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations as
and when such payment or performance shall become due (at scheduled maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.
The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder constitute an agreement of suretyship
as well as of guaranty, are a guarantee of payment and performance and not
merely of collectability, and are in no way conditioned upon any attempt to
collect from or proceed against the Borrower or any other Person or any other
event or circumstance. The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder are direct and
primary obligations of the Guarantor and are independent of the Guaranteed
Obligations, and a separate action or actions may be brought against the
Guarantor regardless of whether action is brought against the Borrower or any
other Person or whether the Borrower or any other Person is joined in any such
action or actions.

                  9.02. Obligations Absolute. The Guarantor agrees that the
Guaranteed Obligations will be paid and performed strictly in



                                     - 67 -
<PAGE>   73

accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any law,
regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting the
Guaranteed Obligations, any of the terms of the Loan Documents or the rights of
the Lender or any other Person with respect thereto. The obligations of the
Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable,
irrespective of any of the following:

                  (a) Any lack of genuineness, legality, validity,
enforceability or allowability (in a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar proceeding, or otherwise), or any avoidance or subordination, in whole
or in part, of any Loan Document or any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

                  (b) Any increase, decrease or change in the amount, nature,
type or purpose of any of the Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not
contemplated by the Loan Documents as presently constituted); any change in the
time, manner, method or place of payment or performance of, or in any other term
of, any of the Guaranteed Obligations; any execution or delivery of any
additional Loan Documents; or any amendment, modification or supplement to, or
refinancing or refunding of, any Loan Document or any of the Guaranteed
Obligations.

                  (c) Any failure to assert any breach of or default under any
Loan Document or any of the Guaranteed Obligations; any extensions of credit in
excess of the amount committed under or contemplated by the Loan Documents, or
in circumstances in which any condition to such extensions of credit has not
been satisfied; any other exercise or non-exercise, or any other failure,
omission, breach, default, delay or wrongful action in connection with any
exercise or non-exercise, of any right or remedy against the Borrower or any
other Person under or in connection with any Loan Document or any of the
Guaranteed Obligations; any refusal of payment or performance of any of the
Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not with any reservation of rights against
the Guarantor; or any application of collections (including but not limited to
collections resulting from realization upon any direct or indirect security for
the Guaranteed Obligations) to other obligations, if any, not entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement, in preference to Guaranteed Obligations entitled to
the benefits of this Agreement, or if any collections are applied to Guaranteed
Obligations, any application to particular Guaranteed Obligations.

                  (d) Any taking, exchange, amendment, modification, supplement,
termination, subordination, release, loss or impairment of, or any failure to
protect, perfect, or preserve the value of, or any enforcement of, realization
upon, or exercise of




                                     - 68 -
<PAGE>   74

rights or remedies under or in connection with, or any failure, omission,
breach, default, delay or wrongful action by the Lender or any other Person in
connection with the enforcement of, realization upon, or exercise of rights or
remedies under or in connection with, or any other action or inaction by the
Lender or any other Person in respect of, any direct or indirect security for
any of the Guaranteed Obligations. As used in this Agreement, "direct or
indirect security" for the Guaranteed Obligations, and similar phrases, includes
but is not limited to any collateral security, guaranty, suretyship, letter of
credit, capital maintenance agreement, put option, subordination agreement or
other right or arrangement of any nature providing direct or indirect assurance
of payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, made or on
behalf of any Person.

                  (e) Any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution,
winding-up, charter revocation or forfeiture, or other change in, restructuring
or termination of the corporate structure or existence of, the Borrower or any
other Person; any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding
with respect to the Borrower or any other Person; or any action taken or
election made by the Lender (including but not limited to any election under
Section 1111(b)(2) of the United States Bankruptcy Code), the Borrower or any
other Person in connection with any such proceeding.

                  (f) Any defense, setoff or counterclaim (excluding only the
defense of full, strict and indefeasible payment and performance), which may at
any time be available to or be asserted by the Borrower or any other Person with
respect to any Loan Document or any of the Guaranteed Obligations; or any
discharge by operation of law or release of the Borrower or any other Person
from the performance or observance of any Loan Document or any of the Guaranteed
Obligations.

                  (g) Any other event or circumstance, whether similar or
dissimilar to the foregoing, and whether known or unknown, which might otherwise
constitute a defense available to, or limit the liability of, the Guarantor, a
guarantor or a surety, excepting only full, strict and indefeasible payment and
performance of the Guaranteed Obligations in full.

                  9.03. Waivers, etc. The Guarantor hereby waives any defense to
or limitation on its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or based on
any event or circumstance referred to in Section 9.02 hereof. Without
limitation, the Guarantor waives each of the following:




                                     - 69 -
<PAGE>   75

                  (a) All notices, disclosures and demands of any nature which
otherwise might be required from time to time to preserve intact any rights
against the Guarantor, including without limitation the following: any notice of
any event or circumstance described in Section 9.02 hereof; any notice required
by any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction;
any notice of nonpayment, nonperformance, dishonor, or protest under any Loan
Document or any of the Guaranteed Obligations; any notice of the incurrence of
any Guaranteed Obligation; any notice of any default or any failure on the part
of the Borrower or any other Person to comply with any Loan Document or any of
the Guaranteed Obligations or any direct or indirect security for any of the
Guaranteed Obligations; and any notice of any information pertaining to the
business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
Borrower or any other Person.

                  (b) Any right to any marshalling of assets, to the filing of
any claim against the Borrower or any other Person in the event of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding, or to the exercise
against the Borrower or any other Person of any other right or remedy under or
in connection with any Loan Document or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any
direct or indirect security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; any
requirement of promptness or diligence on the part of the Lender or any other
Person; any requirement to exhaust any remedies under or in connection with, or
to mitigate the damages resulting from default under, any Loan Document or any
of the Guaranteed Obligations or any direct or indirect security for any of the
Guaranteed Obligations; any benefit of any statute of limitations; and any
requirement of acceptance of this Agreement, and any requirement that the
Guarantor receive notice of such acceptance.

                  (c) Any defense or other right arising by reason of any law
now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction pertaining to election of
remedies (including but not limited to anti-deficiency laws, "one action" laws
or the like), or by reason of any election of remedies or other action or
inaction by the Lender (including but not limited to commencement or completion
of any judicial proceeding or nonjudicial sale or other action in respect of
collateral security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations), which results in
denial or impairment of the right of the Lender to seek a deficiency against the
Borrower or any other Person or which otherwise discharges or impairs any of the
Guaranteed Obligations.

                  9.04. Reinstatement. The obligations of the Guarantor
hereunder shall continue to be effective, or be automatically reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time payment of any of



                                     - 70 -
<PAGE>   76

the Guaranteed Obligations is avoided, rescinded or must otherwise be returned
by the Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, by reason of such
payment being a preference or fraudulent conveyance), all as though such payment
had not been made.

                  9.05. No Stay. Without limitation of any other provision
hereof, if any declaration of default or acceleration or other exercise or
condition to exercise of rights or remedies under or with respect to any
Guaranteed Obligation shall at any time be stayed, enjoined or prevented for any
reason (including but not limited to stay or injunction resulting from of the
pendency against the Borrower or any other Person of a bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar proceeding), the Guarantor agrees that, for purposes
of this Agreement and its obligations hereunder, the Guaranteed Obligations
shall be deemed to have been declared in default or accelerated, and such other
exercise or conditions to exercise shall be deemed to have been taken or met.

                  9.06. Payments. All payments to be made by Guarantor pursuant
to the provisions hereof shall be made at the times and in the manner prescribed
for payments in Section 2.09 hereof, without setoff, counterclaim, withholding
or other deduction of any nature.

                  9.07. Subrogation, etc. The Guarantor hereby agrees that any
and all rights it now has or hereafter may have (known and unknown, whether
arising by operation of law, by agreement or otherwise) against the Borrower or
any other Person arising from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement
of any of the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder or in connection herewith,
including without limitation any and all rights of subrogation, reimbursement,
exoneration, contribution and indemnity or similar rights which the Guarantor
may have against the Borrower at any time, shall be subordinate in any and all
events to any and all rights which the Lender may have against the Borrower in
respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, and the Guarantor will not enforce any
such right until the Guaranteed Obligations have been paid and performed in full
and all commitments to extend credit under the Loan Documents have been fully
terminated.

                  9.08. Continuing Guaranty. The obligations of the Guarantor
hereunder constitute a continuing agreement and shall continue in full force and
effect (notwithstanding that no Guaranteed Obligations may be outstanding from
time to time, or any other event or circumstance) until all Guaranteed
Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Agreement have been paid
and performed in full, and all commitments to extend credit under the Loan
Documents have terminated, subject in any event to



                                     - 71 -
<PAGE>   77

reinstatement in accordance with Section 9.04 hereof. Any purported termination,
revocation or discharge of the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be
void and of no effect. For purposes hereof, the Guaranteed Obligations shall not
be deemed to have been paid in full until the Lender shall have received payment
of the Guaranteed Obligations in full and in cash and all commitments to extend
credit under the Loan Documents have terminated.

                  9.09. Subordination. The Guarantor further agrees that any and
all present and future debts and obligations of the Borrower, any endorser, or
any guarantor of any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations to the Guarantor
and any and all claims of the Guarantor against the Borrower, any endorser, or
any guarantor of any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any of their
respective properties, howsoever arising, shall be subordinate and subject in
right of payment to the prior payment, in full, of the Guaranteed Obligations
and as security for the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder, the Guarantor
hereby assigns to the Lender all claims of any nature which the Guarantor may
now or hereafter have against the Borrower.


                                    ARTICLE X
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  10.01. Holidays. Whenever any payment or action to be made or
taken hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a
day which is not a Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken
on the next following Business Day and such extension of time shall be included
in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or
action.

                  10.02. Records. The unpaid principal amount of the Revolving
Credit Loans, the unpaid interest accrued thereon, the interest rate or rates
applicable to such unpaid principal amount, the duration of such applicability,
and the accrued and unpaid Revolving Credit Commitment Fees and fees pursuant to
Section 3.02 hereof shall at all times be ascertained from the records of the
Lender, which shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  10.03. Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement nor any
Loan Document may be amended, modified or supplemented except by an agreement in
writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment,
modification or supplement is sought.



                                     - 72 -
<PAGE>   78

                  10.04. No Implied Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No course of
dealing and no delay or failure of the Lender in exercising any right, power or
privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any other
or future exercise thereof or exercise of any other right, power or privilege;
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege
or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or
privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies of the Lender under this Agreement and any
other Loan Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies
which the Lender would otherwise have hereunder or thereunder, at law, in equity
or otherwise.

                  10.05. Notices.

                  (a) Except to the extent otherwise expressly permitted
hereunder or thereunder, all notices, requests, demands, directions and other
communications (collectively "notices") under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall be in writing (including telecopied communication) and shall be
sent by first-class mail, or by nationally-recognized overnight courier, or by
telecopier (with confirmation in writing mailed first-class or sent by such an
overnight courier), or by personal delivery. All notices shall be sent to the
applicable party at the address stated on the signature pages hereof or in
accordance with the last unrevoked written direction from such party to the
other parties hereto, in all cases with postage or other charges prepaid. Any
such properly given notice shall be effective on the earliest to occur of
receipt, telephone confirmation of receipt of telex or telecopy communication,
one (1) Business Day after delivery to a nationally-recognized overnight
courier, or three (3) Business Days after deposit in the mail, except Standard
Notice, which shall be effective when received by the Lender.

                  (b) The Lender may rely on any notice (whether or not such
notice is made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Loan
Document) purportedly made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan
Party, and the Lender shall have no duty to verify the identity or authority of
any Person giving such notice.

                  10.06. Expenses; Taxes; Indemnity.

                  (a) The Borrower agrees to pay or cause to be paid and to save
the Lender harmless against liability for the payment of all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable fees
and expenses of counsel, including local counsel, auditors, consulting
engineers, appraisers, and all



                                     - 73 -
<PAGE>   79

other professional, accounting, evaluation and consulting costs) incurred by the
Lender from time to time arising from or relating to (i) the negotiation,
preparation, execution, delivery, administration and performance of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any requested amendments,
modifications, supplements, waivers or consents (whether or not ultimately
entered into or granted) to this Agreement or any Loan Document, and (iii) the
enforcement or preservation of rights under this Agreement or any Loan Document
(including but not limited to any such costs or expenses arising from or
relating to (A) collection or enforcement of an outstanding Revolving Credit
Loan, Reimbursement Obligation or any other amount owing hereunder or thereunder
by the Lender and (B) any litigation, proceeding, dispute, work-out,
restructuring or rescheduling related in any way to this Agreement or the Loan
Documents).

                  (b) The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all stamp, document,
transfer, recording, filing, registration, search, sales and excise fees and
taxes and all similar impositions now or hereafter determined by the Lender to
be payable in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any
other documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in connection
herewith or therewith, and the Borrower agrees to save the Lender harmless from
and against any and all present or future claims, liabilities or losses with
respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or delay in paying any such
fees, taxes or impositions.

                  (c) The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse and indemnify each
of the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all losses, liabilities,
claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for such
Indemnified Party in connection with any investigative, administrative or
judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not such Indemnified
Party shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on,
asserted against or incurred by such Indemnified Party as a result of, or
arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, any transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or
thereby, or any transaction financed in whole or in part or directly or
indirectly with the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan (and without in any
way limiting the generality of the foregoing, including any violation or breach
of any Environmental Law or any other Law by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of
any Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate of any of them; any Environmental
Claim arising out of the management, use, control, ownership or operation of
property by any of such Persons,



                                     - 74 -
<PAGE>   80

including all on-site and off-site activities involving Environmental Concern
Materials; or any exercise by the Lender of any of its rights or remedies under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document); but excluding any such losses,
liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting solely from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party, as finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. If and to the extent that the
foregoing obligations of the Borrower under this subsection (c), or any other
indemnification obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make
the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations
which is permissible under applicable Law.

                  10.07. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are
intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction such provision
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or
enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions
hereof in any jurisdiction.

                  10.08. Prior Understandings. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements,
whether written or oral, among the parties hereto relating to the transactions
provided for herein and therein.

                  10.09. Duration; Survival. All representations and warranties
of the each Loan Party contained herein or in any other Loan Document or made in
connection herewith or therewith shall survive the making of, and shall not be
waived by the execution and delivery, of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, any investigation by or knowledge of the Lender, the making of any
Revolving Credit Loan, the issuance of any Letter of Credit or any other event
or condition whatever. All covenants and agreements of each Loan Party contained
herein or in any other Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect
from and after the date hereof so long as the Borrower may borrow hereunder or
request the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder and until payment in full of
all Obligations. Without limitation, all obligations of the Borrower hereunder
or under any other Loan Document to make payments to or indemnify the Lender
shall survive the payment in full of all other Obligations, termination of the
Borrower's right to borrow or to request the issuance of Letters of Credit
hereunder, and all other events and conditions whatever.




                                     - 75 -
<PAGE>   81

                  10.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
counterparts each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but
all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                  10.11. Limitation on Payments. The parties hereto intend to
conform to all applicable Laws in effect from time to time limiting the maximum
rate of interest that may be charged or collected. Accordingly, notwithstanding
any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall not
be required to make any payment to or for the account of the Lender, and the
Lender shall refund any payment made by the Borrower, to the extent that such
requirement or such failure to refund would violate or conflict with nonwaivable
provisions of applicable Laws limiting the maximum amount of interest which may
be charged or collected by the Lender.

                  10.12. Set-Off. Each Loan Party hereby agrees that, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, if an Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, and if any Obligation of such Loan Party shall be due and payable
(by acceleration or otherwise), the Lender shall have the right, without notice
to such Loan Party, to set-off against and to appropriate and apply to such
Obligation any indebtedness, liability or obligation of any nature owing to such
Loan Party by the Lender, including but not limited to all deposits (whether
time or demand, general or special, provisionally credited or finally credited,
whether or not evidenced by a certificate of deposit) now or hereafter
maintained by such Loan Party with the Lender. If an Event of Default shall
occur and be continuing, such right shall be absolute and unconditional in all
circumstances and, without limitation, shall exist whether or not the Lender or
any other Person shall have given notice or made any demand to the such Loan
Party or any other Person, whether such indebtedness, obligation or liability
owed to such Loan Party is contingent, absolute, matured or unmatured (it being
agreed that the Lender may deem such indebtedness, obligation or liability to be
then due and payable at the time of such setoff), and regardless of the
existence or adequacy of any collateral, guaranty or any other security, right
or remedy available to the Lender or any other Person. Each Loan Party hereby
agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any Participant and any
branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the Lender or any Participant shall have the
same rights of set-off as the Lender as provided in this Section (regardless of
whether such Participant, branch, subsidiary or affiliate would otherwise be
deemed in privity with or a direct creditor of such Loan Party). The rights
provided by this Section are in addition to all other rights of set-off and
banker's lien and all other rights and



                                     - 76 -
<PAGE>   82
remedies which the Lender (or any such Participant, branch, subsidiary or
affiliate) may otherwise have under this Agreement, any other Loan Document, at
law or in equity, or otherwise, and nothing in this Agreement or any Loan
Document shall be deemed a waiver or prohibition of or restriction on the rights
of set-off or bankers' lien of any such Person.

                  10.13. Successors and Assigns; Participations.

                  (a) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Loan Parties, the Lender, all future
holders of the Revolving Credit Note, and their respective successors and
assigns, except that neither the Lender nor any Loan Party may assign or
transfer any of its rights hereunder or interests herein without the prior
written consent of the other party (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) and any purported assignment without such consent shall be
void.

                  (b) Participations. The Lender may, in the ordinary course of
its commercial banking business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any
time sell participations to one or more commercial banks or other Persons (each
a "Participant") in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all or a
portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Revolving Credit Loans owing
to it and the Revolving Credit Note); provided, that

                  (i) the Lender's obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged,

                  (ii) the Lender shall remain solely responsible to the Loan
         Parties for the performance of such obligations,

                  (iii) each Loan Party shall continue to deal solely and
         directly with the Lender in connection with the Lender's rights and
         obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents,
         and

                  (iv) the Lender may enter into any amendment to this Agreement
         or to any of the other Loan Documents without the prior consent of any
         such Participant, except any amendment which would (A) increase the
         Revolving Credit Committed Amount, (B) extend the maturity of the
         principal of or any interest on any amount owed to the Lender by the
         Loan Parties under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
         (C) reduce the principal amount of or the rate of interest on any
         amount owed to the Lender by the Loan Parties under this



                                     - 77 -
<PAGE>   83

         Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, (D) waive any Event of
         Default under this Agreement, or (E) release the Guarantor from any
         obligation hereunder.

Each Loan Party agrees that any such Participant shall be entitled to the
benefits of Sections 2.10, 2.11 and 10.06 hereof with respect to its
participation in the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Revolving Credit Loans
outstanding from time to time; provided, that no such Participant shall be
entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to such Sections than the Lender
would have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the
participation transferred to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.

                  (c) Financial and Other Information. Each Loan Party
authorizes the Lender to disclose to any Participant and any prospective
transferee any and all financial and other information in the Lender's
possession concerning any Loan Party and their respective Subsidiaries and
affiliates which has been or may be delivered to the Lender by or on behalf of
any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
the Lender's credit evaluation of any Loan Party and their respective
Subsidiaries and affiliates.

                  10.14. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction: Waiver of
Jury Trial; Limitation of Liability.

                  (a) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
(EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT, IF ANY, OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN SUCH OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, WITHOUT REGARD TO CHOICE OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.

                  (b) Certain Waivers. EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY:

                  (i) AGREES THAT ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BY ANY PERSON
         ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
         OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING
         IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (COLLECTIVELY, "RELATED
         LITIGATION") MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
         JURISDICTION SITTING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SUBMITS TO THE
         JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
         AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT BRING ANY RELATED LITIGATION IN ANY OTHER FORUM
         (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE LENDER TO BRING ANY
         ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OTHER FORUM);




                                     - 78 -
<PAGE>   84

                  (ii) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE AT ANY TIME TO THE
         LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT,
         WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH RELATED LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN
         AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO OBJECT, WITH RESPECT TO
         ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH COURT DOES
         NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER SUCH PERSON;

                  (iii) CONSENTS AND AGREES TO SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT
         OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY RELATED LITIGATION BY REGISTERED OR
         CERTIFIED U.S. MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE LOAN PARTY AT THE ADDRESS
         FOR NOTICES DESCRIBED IN SECTION 10.05 HEREOF, AND CONSENTS AND AGREES
         THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE IN EVERY RESPECT VALID AND EFFECTIVE
         SERVICE (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR EFFECTIVENESS
         OF PROCESS SERVED IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW); AND

                  (iv) WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY RELATED
         LITIGATION.

                  (c) Limitation of Liability. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW, NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY A LOAN PARTY AGAINST THE LENDER OR ANY
AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, ATTORNEY OR AGENT OF THE LENDER FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF
ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY
OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY). EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES
NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER SUCH CLAIM PRESENTLY
EXISTS OR ARISES HEREAFTER AND WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CLAIM IS KNOWN OR SUSPECTED
TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

                  10.15. Termination of Existing Revolving Credit Facilities.
Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the parties hereto
and the satisfaction of each of the other conditions set forth in Section 5.01
hereof, the Existing Revolving Credit Facilities and the Security Documents (as
defined therein) and the obligations of the Lender to make Revolving Credit
Extensions of Credit thereunder shall be, and hereby are, terminated and the
Lender shall cause any Liens securing the Obligations thereunder to be
terminated or released. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any
Revolving Credit Extensions of Credit or any other Obligations remain
outstanding under any of the Existing Revolving Credit Facilities (including
without limitation Letters of Credit), the Loan Parties hereby acknowledge and
agree that such Revolving Credit Extensions



                                     - 79 -
<PAGE>   85

of Credit and other Obligations shall constitute Obligations of the Loan Parties
hereunder and not under any of the Existing Revolving Credit Facilities.

                  10.16. Confidentiality. In accordance with its usual and
customary practices, the Lender shall maintain the confidentiality of
Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined). "Confidential Information"
means any materials, documents or information furnished by or on behalf of the
Borrower in connection with this Agreement designated by or on behalf of any
Loan Party as confidential, except that Confidential Information shall not
include materials, documents or information that (a) is or becomes publicly
available other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement, (b) becomes
available to the Lender on a non-confidential basis from third party or (c) was
available to the Lender on a non-confidential basis.



                                     - 80 -
<PAGE>   86




                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers
thereunto duly authorized, have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the
date first above written.


                                           BLACK BOX CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA

                                           By:      /s/ Anna M. Baird
                                                    --------------------------
                                           Title:   Chief Financial Officer
                                                    --------------------------

                                           Address for Notices:
                                           1000 Park Drive
                                           Pittsburgh, PA 15241
                                           Attn:  Anna M. Baird
                                           Telephone:  412/873-6750
                                           Telecopier:  412/873-6784

                                           BLACK BOX CORPORATION

                                           By:      /s/ Anna M. Baird
                                                    --------------------------
                                           Title:   Chief Financial Officer
                                                    --------------------------

                                           Address for Notices:
                                           1000 Park Drive
                                           Pittsburgh, PA 15241
                                           Attn:  Anna M. Baird
                                           Telephone:  412/873-6750
                                           Telecopier:  412/873-6784

                                           MELLON BANK, N.A.

                                           By:      /s/ Mark Latterner
                                                    --------------------------
                                           Title:   Vice President
                                                    --------------------------

                                           Address for Notices:
                                           230 Two Mellon Bank Center
                                           Pittsburgh, PA  15259
                                           Attn:  Mark T. Latterner
                                           Telephone:  412/236-1226
                                           Telecopier:  412/234-9010





                                     - 81 -
<PAGE>   87


                  ANNEX A To Omnibus Credit Facility Agreement



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

            Applicable Tier                         Applicable Margin                      Commitment Fee Rate
- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

<S>                                                       <C>                                    <C>
Tier I                                                    .5000%                                 .2000%
- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

Tier II                                                   .6250%                                 .2500%
- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

Tier III                                                  .7500%                                 .3125%
- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

Tier IV                                                   .8750%                                 .3125%
- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

Tier V                                                    1.000%                                 .3750%
- ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                  As used in this Agreement, the term "Applicable Tier" means,
on any date, whichever of Tier I, Tier II, Tier III, Tier IV or Tier V applies
on such date. Subject to the other provisions of this definition, on the Closing
Date the Applicable Tier shall be Tier I. Thereafter, subject to the other
provisions of this definition, (a) following the end of each fiscal quarter of
the Guarantor, the Loan Parties shall prepare and deliver to the Lender in
accordance with Section 6.01(d) a Quarterly Compliance Certificate, duly
completed and signed by a Responsible Officer, computing which of the financial
tests in the table set forth below the Loan Parties satisfy as of the last day
of such fiscal quarter and (b) the Applicable Tier corresponding to such
financial test shall take effect on the first day of the month following the
month in which the Lender receives such Quarterly Compliance Certificate, and
such Applicable Tier shall continue in effect until reset in accordance with
this definition. If a Quarterly Compliance Certificate is not received by the
Lender by the last day of the month in which it is required to be delivered
under Section 6.01(d), then, without limiting any other rights and remedies of
the Lender, the Applicable Tier shall be deemed to be Tier V for each day from
and including the first day of the month in which such Quarterly Compliance
Certificate was required to be delivered to and including the fifth day after
the date on which such Quarterly Compliance Certificate is received by the
Lender. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this definition, the
Applicable Tier shall be deemed to be Tier V in each day on which an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing.



                                      - i -
<PAGE>   88

                  For purposes of the foregoing, the "Applicable Tier" shall be
determined by using the following chart:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

                      Applicable Tier                                        Consolidated Leverage Ratio
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                           <C>
Tier 1                                                        Less than or equal to 1.00 to 1
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

Tier II                                                       Less than or equal to 1.50 and greater than 1.00 to
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

Tier III                                                      Less than or equal to 2.00 and greater than 1.50 to 1
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

Tier IV                                                       Less than or equal to 2.50 and greater than 2.00 to 1
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------

Tier V                                                        Less than or equal to 3.00 and greater than 2.50 to 1
- ------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                [END OF ANNEX A]

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 21.1

                           SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                                LOCATION                              STATE OF INCORPORATION
- ----                                                --------                              ----------------------

<S>                                                 <C>                                   <C>
Advanced Communications, Corporation                Columbia, South Carolina, USA         South Carolina

American Telephone Wiring Company                   Charleston, West Virginia, USA        West Virginia

Associated Network Solutions, Inc.                  St. Petersburg, Florida, USA          Florida

ATIMCO Network Services, Inc.                       Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA         Pennsylvania

BBox Holding Company                                Wilmington, Delaware, USA             Delaware

BB Technologies, Inc.                               Wilmington, Delaware, USA             Delaware

Black Box Corporation of Pennsylvania               Lawrence, Pennsylvania, USA           Delaware

Cable Consultants, Incorporated                     Atlanta, Georgia, USA                 Georgia

Midwest Communications Technologies, Inc.           Columbus, Ohio, USA                   Ohio

Key-Four, Inc.                                      Atlanta, Georgia, USA                 Georgia

Todd Communications, Inc.                           Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA    North Carolina

Aicon Telemarketing Tecnologico Ltda.               Santiago, Chile

Alpeco International Foreign Sales Corporation      Bridgetown, Barbados

Black Box Catalog Australia Pty. Ltd.               Croydon VIC, Australia

Black Box Canada Corporation                        Ontario, Canada

Black Box Catalog New Zealand Limited               Wellington, New Zealand

Black Box Catalogue, Ltd.                           Reading, England

Black Box Communication SANV                        Zaventum, Belgium

Black Box Datacom, B.V.                             Utrecht, Netherlands

Black Box de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.                   Mexico City, Mexico

Black Box Deutschland GmbH                          Munich, Germany

Black Box do Brazil Industria e Comercio Ltda.      Sao Paulo, Brazil

Black Box France, S.A.                              Rungis, France

Black Box Foreign Sales Corporation                 St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Black Box Italia, SpA                               Vimodrone, Italy

Black Box Japan Kabushiki Kaisha                    Tokyo, Japan

Black Box Puerto Rico Corp.                         San Juan, Puerto Rico

Datacom Black Box Services AG                       Altendorf, Switzerland

Datacom Black Box Holding, AG                       Zug, Switzerland

Ohmega Installations Limited                        Newbury, Berkshire, England

South Hills Datacomm Chile, S.A.                    Santiago, Chile
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 23.1

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
reports, included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed
registration statements on Form S-8, Registration No. 33-75254; Form S-8,
Registration No. 33-75252; Form S-8, Registration No. 33-92656; Form S-8,
Registration No. 333-01978; Form S-8, Registration No. 333-34839; and Form S-8,
Registration No. 333-34837, relating to the Company's 1992 Employee Stock Option
Plan, 1992 Director Stock Option Plan, First Amendment to the Employee Plan,
Second Amendment to the Employee Plan, Third Amendment to the Employee Plan and
First Amendment to the Director Plan, Form S-3, Registration No. 333-48421, Form
S-4, Registration No. 333-52937 and Form S-4, Registration No. 333-77343.


/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
  June 24, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                           5,946
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   66,864
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,023
<INVENTORY>                                     32,258
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               117,217
<PP&E>                                          44,931
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,741
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 246,275
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,955
<BONDS>                                            204
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                     192,634
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   246,275
<SALES>                                        329,974
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               329,974
<CGS>                                          167,672
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  167,672
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (238)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,923
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 553
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 63,050
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,905
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             38,145
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    38,145
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.09


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           2,366
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,420
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,640
<INVENTORY>                                     36,257
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                99,834
<PP&E>                                          37,464
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,781
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 212,548
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,969
<BONDS>                                          6,307
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            18
<OTHER-SE>                                     163,053
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   212,548
<SALES>                                         84,789
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                84,789
<CGS>                                           42,716
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,716
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    92
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   730
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 237
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,010
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,405
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,605
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,605
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.53


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           3,444
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,274
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,298
<INVENTORY>                                     34,318
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               100,752
<PP&E>                                          32,890
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,447
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 211,453
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,446
<BONDS>                                         16,894
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                     148,343
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   211,453
<SALES>                                         79,130
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                79,130
<CGS>                                           40,534
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,534
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    11
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   730
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 100
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,453
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,689
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,764
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,764
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.49


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          10,936
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,149
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,442
<INVENTORY>                                     32,808
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,417
<PP&E>                                          29,279
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,529
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 181,984
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,505
<BONDS>                                             83
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,572
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   181,984
<SALES>                                         73,096
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                73,096
<CGS>                                           36,911
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,911
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (77)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   730
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 183
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,685
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,401
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,284
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,284
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.46


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          11,166
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   53,074
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,655
<INVENTORY>                                     32,283
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               104,131
<PP&E>                                          28,355
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,807
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 190,283
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,786
<BONDS>                                          8,189
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                     130,231
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   190,283
<SALES>                                        299,276
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               299,276
<CGS>                                          151,441
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  151,441
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (415)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,333
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,636
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,676
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,272
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             32,404
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    32,404
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.79


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,755
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,285
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,666
<INVENTORY>                                     36,948
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,146
<PP&E>                                          28,025
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,299
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 183,489
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,963
<BONDS>                                          8,191
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                     120,513
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   183,489
<SALES>                                         74,206
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                74,206
<CGS>                                           37,180
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,180
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (184)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   333
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 605
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,222
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,114
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,107
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,107
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.45


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,684
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,993
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,408
<INVENTORY>                                     36,445
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                98,177
<PP&E>                                          27,540
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,587
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 186,689
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,095
<BONDS>                                         17,359
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                     112,234
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   186,689
<SALES>                                         74,596
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                74,596
<CGS>                                           37,762
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,762
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (262)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   333
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 716
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,216
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,265
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,951
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,951
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.44


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,280
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,724
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,365
<INVENTORY>                                     36,638
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                94,802
<PP&E>                                          26,571
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,936
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 183,926
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,920
<BONDS>                                         21,167
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                     104,716
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   183,926
<SALES>                                         69,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                69,269
<CGS>                                           34,449
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   34,449
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    96
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   333
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 797
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,076
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,884
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,193
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,193
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLACK BOX
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,725
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,393
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,499
<INVENTORY>                                     30,666
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                86,714
<PP&E>                                          25,874
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,227
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 176,826
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,350
<BONDS>                                         21,280
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            17
<OTHER-SE>                                      95,942
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   176,826
<SALES>                                        246,413
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               246,413
<CGS>                                          117,698
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  117,698
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   164
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   664
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,654
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 42,419
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,627
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,792
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,792
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40


</TABLE>


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