BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS INC
S-3/A, EX-1, 2000-07-14
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                                                                       EXHIBIT 1

                                                              [Draft -- 6/30/00]



                                2,750,000 SHARES

                           BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                                                            July __, 2000


CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
FLEETBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC.
  As Representatives of the Several Underwriters,
    c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
        Eleven Madison Avenue,
        New York, N.Y. 10010-3629

Dear Sirs:


      1. INTRODUCTORY. Benchmark Electronics, Inc., a Texas corporation
("COMPANY"), proposes to issue and sell 2,750,000 shares ("FIRM SECURITIES") of
its Common Stock ("SECURITIES") and also proposes to issue and sell to the
Underwriters, at the option of the Underwriters, an aggregate of not more than
412,500 additional shares ("OPTIONAL SECURITIES") of its Securities as set forth
below. The Firm Securities and the Optional Securities are herein collectively
called the "OFFERED SECURITIES". The Company hereby agrees with the several
Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto ("UNDERWRITERS") as follows:

      2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.  The Company
represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the several Underwriters
that:

            (a) A registration statement (No. 333-38414) relating to the Offered
      Securities, including a form of prospectus, has been filed with the
      Securities and Exchange Commission ("COMMISSION") and either (i) has been
      declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933 ("ACT") and is not
      proposed to be amended or (ii) is proposed to be amended by amendment or
      post-effective amendment. If such registration statement ("INITIAL
      REGISTRATION STATEMENT") has been declared effective, either (i) an
      additional registration statement ("ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION STATEMENT")
      relating to the Offered Securities may have been filed with the Commission
      pursuant to Rule 462(b) ("RULE 462(B)") under the Act and, if so filed,
      has become effective upon filing pursuant to such Rule and the Offered
      Securities all have been duly registered under the Act pursuant to the
      initial registration statement and, if applicable, the additional
      registration statement or (ii) such an additional registration statement
      is proposed to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) and
      will become effective upon filing pursuant to such Rule and upon such
      filing the Offered Securities will all have been duly registered under the
      Act pursuant to the initial registration statement and such additional
      registration statement. If the Company does not propose to amend the
      initial registration statement or if an additional registration statement
      has been filed and the Company does not propose to amend it, and if any
      post-effective amendment to either such registration statement has been
      filed with the Commission prior to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement, the most recent amendment (if any) to

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<PAGE>
      each such registration statement has been declared effective by the
      Commission or has become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(c)
      ("RULE 462(C)") under the Act or, in the case of the additional
      registration statement, Rule 462(b). For purposes of this Agreement,
      "EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to the initial registration statement or, if
      filed prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
      additional registration statement means (i) if the Company has advised the
      Representatives that it does not propose to amend such registration
      statement, the date and time as of which such registration statement, or
      the most recent post-effective amendment thereto (if any) filed prior to
      the execution and delivery of this Agreement, was declared effective by
      the Commission or has become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule
      462(c), or (ii) if the Company has advised the Representatives that it
      proposes to file an amendment or post-effective amendment to such
      registration statement, the date and time as of which such registration
      statement, as amended by such amendment or post-effective amendment, as
      the case may be, is declared effective by the Commission. If an additional
      registration statement has not been filed prior to the execution and
      delivery of this Agreement but the Company has advised the Representatives
      that it proposes to file one, "EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to such
      additional registration statement means the date and time as of which such
      registration statement is filed and becomes effective pursuant to Rule
      462(b). "EFFECTIVE DATE" with respect to the initial registration
      statement or the additional registration statement (if any) means the date
      of the Effective Time thereof. The initial registration statement, as
      amended at its Effective Time, including all material incorporated by
      reference therein, including all information contained in the additional
      registration statement (if any) and deemed to be a part of the initial
      registration statement as of the Effective Time of the additional
      registration statement pursuant to the General Instructions of the Form on
      which it is filed and including all information (if any) deemed to be a
      part of the initial registration statement as of its Effective Time
      pursuant to Rule 430A(b) ("RULE 430A(B)") under the Act, is hereinafter
      referred to as the "INITIAL REGISTRATION STATEMENT". The additional
      registration statement, as amended at its Effective Time, including the
      contents of the initial registration statement incorporated by reference
      therein and including all information (if any) deemed to be a part of the
      additional registration statement as of its Effective Time pursuant to
      Rule 430A(b), is hereinafter referred to as the "ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION
      STATEMENT". The Initial Registration Statement and the Additional
      Registration Statement are herein referred to collectively as the
      "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS" and individually as a "REGISTRATION STATEMENT".
      The form of prospectus relating to the Offered Securities, as first filed
      with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 424(b) ("RULE
      424(B)") under the Act or (if no such filing is required) as included in a
      Registration Statement, including all material incorporated by reference
      in such prospectus, is hereinafter referred to as the "PROSPECTUS". No
      document has been or will be prepared or distributed in reliance on Rule
      434 under the Act.

            (b) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is
      prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement: (i) on the
      Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, the Initial
      Registration Statement conformed in all respects to the requirements of
      the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission ("RULES AND
      REGULATIONS") and did not include any untrue statement of a material fact
      or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
      necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) on the
      Effective Date of the Additional Registration Statement (if any), each
      Registration Statement conformed, or will conform, in all respects to the
      requirements of

                                        2
<PAGE>
      the Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not include, or will not
      include, any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit, or will
      not omit, to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
      necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) on the
      date of this Agreement, the Initial Registration Statement and, if the
      Effective Time of the Additional Registration Statement is prior to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Additional Registration
      Statement each conforms, and at the time of filing of the Prospectus
      pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (if no such filing is required) at the
      Effective Date of the Additional Registration Statement in which the
      Prospectus is included, each Registration Statement and the Prospectus
      will conform, in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules
      and Regulations, and neither of such documents includes, or will include,
      any untrue statement of a material fact or omits, or will omit, to state
      any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
      statements therein not misleading. If the Effective Time of the Initial
      Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement: on the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement,
      the Initial Registration Statement and the Prospectus will conform in all
      respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations,
      neither of such documents will include any untrue statement of a material
      fact or will omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
      or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and no
      Additional Registration Statement has been or will be filed. The two
      preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from a
      Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon written information
      furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives
      specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only
      such information is that described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

            (c) The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing
      corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas, with
      power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and
      conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; and the Company is
      duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in
      all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the
      conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the
      failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not have a material
      adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or
      business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

            (d) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated and is
      an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the
      jurisdiction of its incorporation, with power and authority (corporate and
      other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the
      Prospectus; and each subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do
      business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other
      jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct
      of its business requires such qualification; all of the issued and
      outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
      authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable; and the
      capital stock of each subsidiary owned by the Company, directly or through
      subsidiaries, is owned free from liens, encumbrances and defects.

            (e) The Company's authorized capital stock is as set forth in the
      Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock"; the shares
      conform, as to legal matters, in all material respects to the description
      thereof contained in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of
      Capital Stock"; the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have
      been duly authorized and validly issued and are

                                        3
<PAGE>
      fully paid and nonassessable; the Offered Securities have been duly
      authorized, and, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the
      Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the
      consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued, fully paid and
      nonassessable; the Offered Securities are approved for listing, subject to
      official notice of issuance, on The New York Stock Exchange; the
      certificates evidencing the Offered Securities comply with all applicable
      requirements of Texas law; no holder of outstanding shares of capital
      stock of the Company has any statutory or contractual preemptive rights to
      subscribe for the Offered Securities; and, except as set forth in the
      Prospectus, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements
      or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into
      or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership
      interests in the Company are outstanding.

            (f) No holders of securities of the Company have rights to the
      registration of such securities under the Registration Statement.

            (g) No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any
      court or governmental agency or body is required to be obtained by the
      Company for the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been
      obtained under the Act and such as may be required under the blue sky laws
      of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of
      the Offered Securities by the Underwriters in the manner contemplated in
      this Agreement and in the Prospectus and such other approvals (specified
      in such opinion) as have been obtained.

            (h) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
      delivered by the Company.

            (i) There is no pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding by
      or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any
      arbitrator involving the Company or the subsidiaries which would be
      required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus and
      is not described as required; and there is no contract or other document
      of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or
      Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit thereto, which is not described
      or filed as required.

            (j) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
      sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof
      as described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as
      defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

            (k) To the Company's knowledge, there are no disputes, problems or
      indications of a decline in business with any customer which represented
      10% or more of the sales of the Company in the year ended December 31,
      1999, or the quarter ended March 31, 2000, which could have a material
      adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects,
      earnings, business or results of operations of the Company.

            (l) Neither the issue and sale of the Offered Securities, nor the
      consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated will
      conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default
      under, the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed or
      trust, note agreement, loan or credit agreement or other agreement,
      obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company or its
      subsidiaries is a party or bound or to which their material properties is
      subject.

                                        4
<PAGE>
            Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered
      to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with
      the offering of the Offered Securities shall be deemed a representation
      and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each
      Underwriter.

      3. PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF OFFERED SECURITIES. On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the
terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the
Underwriters, and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase
from the Company, at a purchase price of $_______ per share, the respective
numbers of shares of Firm Securities set forth opposite the names of the
Underwriters in Schedule A hereto.

      The Company will deliver the Firm Securities to the Representatives for
the accounts of the Underwriters, against payment of the purchase price in
Federal (same day) funds by official bank check or checks or wire transfer to an
account at a bank acceptable to Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFBC")
drawn to the order of _______ at the office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, at 10:00
A.M., New York time, on _______, 2000, or at such other time not later than
seven full business days thereafter as CSFBC and the Company determine, such
time being herein referred to as the "FIRST CLOSING DATE". For purposes of Rule
15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the First Closing Date (if
later than the otherwise applicable settlement date) shall be the settlement
date for payment of funds and delivery of securities for all the Offered
Securities sold pursuant to the offering. The certificates for the Firm
Securities so to be delivered will be in definitive form, in such denominations
and registered in such names as CSFBC requests and will be made available for
checking and packaging at the above office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore at least
24 hours prior to the First Closing Date.

      In addition, upon written notice from CSFBC given to the Company from time
to time not more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the Prospectus, the
Underwriters may purchase all or less than all of the Optional Securities at the
purchase price per Security to be paid for the Firm Securities. The Company
agrees to sell to the Underwriters the number of shares of Optional Securities
specified in such notice and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly,
to purchase such Optional Securities. Such Optional Securities shall be
purchased for the account of each Underwriter in the same proportion as the
number of shares of Firm Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter's name
bears to the total number of shares of Firm Securities (subject to adjustment by
CSFBC to eliminate fractions) and may be purchased by the Underwriters only for
the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the
Firm Securities. No Optional Securities shall be sold or delivered unless the
Firm Securities previously have been, or simultaneously are, sold and delivered.
The right to purchase the Optional Securities or any portion thereof may be
exercised from time to time and to the extent not previously exercised may be
surrendered and terminated at any time upon notice by CSFBC to the Company.

      Each time for the delivery of and payment for the Optional Securities,
being herein referred to as an "OPTIONAL CLOSING DATE", which may be the First
Closing Date (the First Closing Date and each Optional Closing Date, if any,
being sometimes referred to as a "CLOSING DATE"), shall be determined by CSFBC
but shall be not later than five full business days after written notice of
election to purchase Optional Securities is given. The Company will deliver the
Optional Securities being purchased on each Optional Closing Date to the
Representatives for the accounts of the several Underwriters, against payment of
the purchase price therefor in Federal (same day) funds by official bank check
or checks or wire transfer to an account at a bank acceptable to CSFBC drawn to
the order of _______, at the above office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore. The

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<PAGE>
certificates for the Optional Securities being purchased on each Optional
Closing Date will be in definitive form, in such denominations and registered in
such names as CSFBC requests upon reasonable notice prior to such Optional
Closing Date and will be made available for checking and packaging at the above
office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore at a reasonable time in advance of such
Optional Closing Date.

      4.  OFFERING BY UNDERWRITERS.  It is understood that the several
Underwriters propose to offer the Offered Securities for sale to the
public as set forth in the Prospectus.

      5.  CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company agrees with the
several Underwriters that:

            (a) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is
      prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will
      file the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with
      subparagraph (1) (or, if applicable and if consented to by CSFBC,
      subparagraph (4)) of Rule 424(b) not later than the earlier of (i) the
      second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement
      or (ii) the fifteenth business day after the Effective Date of the Initial
      Registration Statement.

      The Company will advise CSFBC promptly of any such filing pursuant to Rule
      424(b). If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is
      prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and an additional
      registration statement is necessary to register a portion of the Offered
      Securities under the Act but the Effective Time thereof has not occurred
      as of such execution and delivery, the Company will file the additional
      registration statement or, if filed, will file a post-effective amendment
      thereto with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 462(b)
      on or prior to 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement
      or, if earlier, on or prior to the time the Prospectus is printed and
      distributed to any Underwriter, or will make such filing at such later
      date as shall have been consented to by CSFBC.

            (b) The Company will advise CSFBC promptly of any proposal to amend
      or supplement the initial or any additional registration statement as
      filed or the related prospectus or the Initial Registration Statement, the
      Additional Registration Statement (if any) or the Prospectus and will not
      effect such amendment or supplementation without CSFBC's consent; and the
      Company will also advise CSFBC promptly of the effectiveness of each
      Registration Statement (if its Effective Time is subsequent to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement) and of any amendment or
      supplementation of a Registration Statement or the Prospectus and of the
      institution by the Commission of any stop order proceedings in respect of
      a Registration Statement and will use its best efforts to prevent the
      issuance of any such stop order and to obtain as soon as possible its
      lifting, if issued.

            (c) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered
      Securities is required to be delivered under the Act in connection with
      sales by any Underwriter or dealer, any event occurs as a result of which
      the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue
      statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
      to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
      which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to
      amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will promptly
      notify CSFBC of such event and will promptly prepare and file with the
      Commission, at its own expense, an amendment or supplement which will
      correct such statement or omission or an amendment which will effect such

                                        6
<PAGE>
      compliance. Neither CSFBC's consent to, nor the Underwriters' delivery of,
      any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the
      conditions set forth in Section 6.

            (d) As soon as practicable, but not later than the Availability Date
      (as defined below), the Company will make generally available to its
      securityholders an earnings statement covering a period of at least 12
      months beginning after the Effective Date of the Initial Registration
      Statement (or, if later, the Effective Date of the Additional Registration
      Statement) which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.
      For the purpose of the preceding sentence, "AVAILABILITY DATE" means the
      45th day after the end of the fourth fiscal quarter following the fiscal
      quarter that includes such Effective Date, except that, if such fourth
      fiscal quarter is the last quarter of the Company's fiscal year,
      "AVAILABILITY DATE" means the 90th day after the end of such fourth fiscal
      quarter.

            (e) The Company will furnish to the Representatives copies of each
      Registration Statement (4 of which will be signed and will include all
      exhibits), each related preliminary prospectus, and, so long as a
      prospectus relating to the Offered Securities is required to be delivered
      under the Act in connection with sales by any Underwriter or dealer, the
      Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents, in each
      case in such quantities as CSFBC requests. The Prospectus shall be so
      furnished on or prior to 3:00 P.M., New York time, on the business day
      following the later of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
      Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement. All other documents
      shall be so furnished as soon as available. The Company will pay the
      expenses of printing and distributing to the Underwriters all such
      documents.

            (f) The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Offered
      Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as CSFBC
      designates and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as
      required for the distribution.

            (g) During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will
      furnish to the Representatives and, upon request, to each of the other
      Underwriters, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a
      copy of its annual report to stockholders for such year; and the Company
      will furnish to the Representatives (i) as soon as available, a copy of
      each report and any definitive proxy statement of the Company filed with
      the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or mailed to
      stockholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other information
      concerning the Company as CSFBC may reasonably request.

            (h) The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of
      its obligations under this Agreement, for any filing fees and other
      expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in
      connection with qualification of the Offered Securities for sale under the
      laws of such jurisdictions as CSFBC designates and the printing of
      memoranda relating thereto for the filing fee incident to, and the
      reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in
      connection with, the review by the National Association of Securities
      Dealers, Inc. of the Offered Securities, for any travel expenses of the
      Company's officers and employees and any other expenses of the Company in
      connection with attending or hosting meetings with prospective purchasers
      of the Offered Securities and for expenses incurred in distributing
      preliminary prospectuses and the Prospectus (including any amendments and
      supplements thereto) to the Underwriters.

                                        7
<PAGE>
            (i) For a period of 90 days after the date of the initial public
      offering of the Offered Securities, the Company will not offer, sell,
      contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly,
      or file with the Commission a registration statement under the Act
      relating to, any additional shares of its Securities or securities
      convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of its
      Securities, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer,
      sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior written consent of
      CSFBC; provided, however, that the Company may issue and sell Common Stock
      pursuant to any employee stock option plan, stock ownership plan or
      dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in effect at the date and time
      that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto
      ("Execution Time") and the Company may issue Common Stock issuable upon
      the conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding at
      the Execution Time.

            (j) The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action
designed to or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to
cause or result, under the Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise, in stabilization
or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the
sale or resale of the Offered Securities.

      6. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNDERWRITERS. The obligations of
the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Firm Securities on the
First Closing Date and the Optional Securities to be purchased on each Optional
Closing Date will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties on the part of the Company herein, to the accuracy of the statements
of Company officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance
by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional
conditions precedent:

            (a) The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated the date
      of delivery thereof (which, if the Effective Time of the Initial
      Registration Statement is prior to the Execution Time, shall be on or
      prior to the date of this Agreement or, if the Effective Time of the
      Initial Registration Statement is subsequent to the Execution Time, shall
      be prior to the filing of the amendment or post-effective amendment to the
      registration statement to be filed shortly prior to such Effective Time),
      of KPMG LLP confirming that they are independent public accountants within
      the meaning of the Act and the applicable published Rules and Regulations
      thereunder and stating to the effect that:

                  (i) in their opinion the financial statements examined by them
            and included in the Registration Statements comply as to form in all
            material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
            Act and the related published Rules and Regulations;

                  (ii) they have performed the procedures specified by the
            American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for a review of
            interim financial information as described in Statement of Auditing
            Standards No. 71, Interim Financial Information, on the unaudited
            financial statements included in the Registration Statements;

                  (iii) on the basis of the review referred to in clause (ii)
            above, a reading of the latest available interim financial
            statements of the Company, inquiries of officials of the Company who
            have responsibility for financial and accounting matters and other
            specified procedures, nothing came to their attention that caused
            them to believe that:

                                        8
<PAGE>
                        (A) the unaudited financial statements included in the
                  Registration Statements do not comply as to form in all
                  material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
                  of the Act and the related published Rules and Regulations or
                  any material modifications should be made to such unaudited
                  financial statements for them to be in conformity with
                  generally accepted accounting principles;

                        (B) at the date of the latest available balance sheet
                  read by such accountants, or at a subsequent specified date
                  not more than three business days prior to the date of this
                  Agreement, there was any change in the capital stock or any
                  increase in short-term indebtedness or long-term debt of the
                  Company and its consolidated subsidiaries or, at the date of
                  the latest available balance sheet read by such accountants,
                  there was any decrease in consolidated net current assets or
                  net assets, as compared with amounts shown on the latest
                  balance sheet included in the Prospectus; or

                        (C) for the period from the closing date of the latest
                  income statement included in the Prospectus to the closing
                  date of the latest available income statement read by such
                  accountants there were any decreases, as compared with the
                  corresponding period of the previous year, in consolidated
                  sales, income from operations, or in the total or per share
                  amounts of consolidated income before extraordinary items or
                  net income,

            except in all cases set forth in clauses (B) and (C) above for
            changes, increases or decreases which are described in such letter;

                  (iv) in their opinion, with respect to the unaudited pro forma
            condensed combined statements of income for the year ended December
            31, 1999 included in the Prospectus, (A) the assumptions of the
            Company's management provide a reasonable basis for presenting the
            significant effects directly attributable to the acquisition
            described in the introductory information to these unaudited pro
            forma condensed combined financial statements, (B) the related pro
            forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and
            (C) the pro forma column reflects the proper application of those
            adjustments to the historical financial statement amounts in these
            pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements;

                  (v) on the basis of a reading of the pro forma condensed
            combined financial statements referred to in 6(a)(iv) above and
            inquiries of officials of the Company who have responsibility for
            financial and accounting matters about whether these unaudited pro
            forma condensed combined financial statements comply as to form in
            all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of
            rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X, nothing came to their attention that
            caused them to believe that these unaudited pro forma condensed
            combined financial statements included in the Prospectus do not
            comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
            accounting requirements of rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X; and

                  (vi) they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
            percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial
            information contained in the Registration Statements

                                        9
<PAGE>
            (in each case to the extent that such dollar amounts, percentages
            and other financial information are derived from the general
            accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries subject to
            the internal controls of the Company's accounting system or are
            derived directly from such records by analysis or computation) with
            the results obtained from inquiries, a reading of such general
            accounting records and other procedures specified in such letter and
            have found such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
            information to be in agreement with such results, except as
            otherwise specified in such letter.

      For purposes of this subsection, (i) if the Effective Time of the Initial
      Registration Statement is subsequent to the execution and delivery of this
      Agreement, "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS" shall mean the initial registration
      statement as proposed to be amended by the amendment or post-effective
      amendment to be filed shortly prior to its Effective Time, (ii) if the
      Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is prior to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement but the Effective Time of the
      Additional Registration is subsequent to such execution and delivery,
      "REGISTRATION STATEMENTS" shall mean the Initial Registration Statement
      and the additional registration statement as proposed to be filed or as
      proposed to be amended by the post-effective amendment to be filed shortly
      prior to its Effective Time, and (iii) "PROSPECTUS" shall mean the
      prospectus included in the Registration Statements. All financial
      statements included in material incorporated by reference into the
      Prospectus shall be deemed included in the Registration Statements for
      purposes of this subsection.

            (b) If the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is
      not prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, such Effective
      Time shall have occurred not later than 10:00 P.M., New York time, on the
      date of this Agreement or such later date as shall have been consented to
      by CSFBC. If the Effective Time of the Additional Registration Statement
      (if any) is not prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      such Effective Time shall have occurred not later than 10:00 P.M., New
      York time, on the date of this Agreement or, if earlier, the time the
      Prospectus is printed and distributed to any Underwriter, or shall have
      occurred at such later date as shall have been consented to by CSFBC. If
      the Effective Time of the Initial Registration Statement is prior to the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Prospectus shall have been
      filed with the Commission in accordance with the Rules and Regulations and
      Section 5(a) of this Agreement. Prior to such Closing Date, no stop order
      suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement shall have been
      issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or,
      to the knowledge of the Company or the Representatives, shall be
      contemplated by the Commission.

            (c) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
      there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event
      involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or other),
      business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its
      subsidiaries taken as one enterprise which, in the judgment of a majority
      in interest of the Underwriters including the Representatives, is material
      and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with
      completion of the public offering or the sale of and payment for the
      Offered Securities; (ii) any downgrading in the rating of any debt
      securities of the Company by any "nationally recognized statistical rating
      organization" (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act), or
      any public announcement that any such organization has under surveillance
      or review its rating of any debt securities of

                                       10
<PAGE>
      the Company (other than an announcement with positive implications of a
      possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such
      rating); (iii) any material suspension or material limitation of trading
      in securities generally on The New York Stock Exchange, or any setting of
      minimum prices for trading on such exchange, or any suspension of trading
      of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the
      over-the-counter market; (iv) any banking moratorium declared by U.S.
      Federal or New York authorities; or (v) any outbreak or escalation of
      major hostilities in which the United States is involved, any declaration
      of war by Congress or any other substantial national or international
      calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of a majority in interest of the
      Underwriters including the Representatives, the effect of any such
      outbreak, escalation, declaration, calamity or emergency makes it
      impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion of the public
      offering or the sale of and payment for the Offered Securities.

            (d) The Representatives shall have received an opinion, dated such
      Closing Date, of Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P., counsel for the Company,
      to the effect that:

                  (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
            existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
            State of Texas, with corporate power and authority to own or lease
            its properties and conduct its business as described in the
            Prospectus; and the Company is duly qualified to transact business
            as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of
            each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, except
            where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not
            have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results
            of operations or business of the Company and its subsidiaries taken
            as a whole;

                  (ii) The Company's authorized capital stock is as set forth in
            the Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock"; the
            shares conform, as to legal matters, in all material respects to the
            description thereof contained in the Prospectus under the caption
            "Description of Capital Stock"; the issued and outstanding shares of
            Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are
            fully paid and nonassessable; the Offered Securities have been duly
            authorized, and, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the
            Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the
            consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued, fully paid
            and nonassessable; the Offered Securities are approved for listing,
            subject to official notice of issuance, on The New York Stock
            Exchange; the certificates evidencing the Offered Securities comply
            with all applicable requirements of Texas law; no holder of
            outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company has any statutory
            or, to such counsel's knowledge after due inquiry, contractual
            preemptive rights to subscribe for the Offered Securities; and, to
            such counsel's knowledge after due inquiry, except as set forth in
            the Prospectus, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase,
            agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any
            obligations into or exchange any securities for, shares of capital
            stock of or ownership interests in the Company are outstanding;

                  (iii) To such counsel's knowledge after due inquiry, no
            holders of securities of the Company have rights to the registration
            of such securities under the Registration Statement;

                                       11
<PAGE>
                  (iv) No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order
            of any court or governmental agency or body is required to be
            obtained by the Company for the transactions contemplated herein,
            except such as have been obtained under the Act and such as may be
            required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection
            with the purchase and distribution of the Offered Securities by the
            Underwriters in the manner contemplated in this Agreement and in the
            Prospectus and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as
            have been obtained;

                  (v) Neither the issue and sale of the Offered Securities, nor
            the consummation of any other of the transactions herein
            contemplated will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of
            any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (1)
            the charter or by-laws of the Company or its subsidiaries, (2) any
            indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan or credit
            agreement known to such counsel after due inquiry to which the
            Company or the Subsidiary is a party or bound or to which their
            respective material property is subject, or (3) to such counsel's
            knowledge after due inquiry, any statute, law, rule, regulation,
            judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or its
            subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency,
            governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction
            over the Company or its subsidiaries or any of its or their
            properties;

                  (vi) The Initial Registration Statement was declared effective
            under the Act as of the date and time specified in such opinion, the
            Additional Registration Statement (if any) was filed and became
            effective under the Act as of the date and time (if determinable)
            specified in such opinion, the Prospectus either was filed with the
            Commission pursuant to the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) specified in
            such opinion on the date specified therein or was included in the
            Initial Registration Statement or the Additional Registration
            Statement (as the case may be), and, to the best of the knowledge of
            such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of a
            Registration Statement or any part thereof has been issued and no
            proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or
            contemplated under the Act, and each Registration Statement and the
            Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of their
            respective effective or issue dates, complied as to form in all
            material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and
            Regulations; such counsel have no reason to believe that any part of
            a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, as of its
            effective date or as of such Closing Date, contained any untrue
            statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
            required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
            therein not misleading or that the Prospectus or any amendment or
            supplement thereto, as of its issue date or as of such Closing Date,
            contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
            state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
            therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
            made, not misleading; the descriptions in the Registration
            Statements and Prospectus of statutes, legal and governmental
            proceedings and contracts and other documents are accurate and
            fairly present the information required to be shown; and such
            counsel do not know of any legal or governmental proceedings
            required to be described in a Registration Statement or the
            Prospectus which are not described as required or of any contracts
            or documents of a character required to be described in a

                                       12
<PAGE>
            Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits
            to a Registration Statement which are not described and filed as
            required; it being understood that such counsel need express no
            opinion as to the financial statements or other financial data
            contained in the Registration Statements or the Prospectus; and

                  (vii) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
            and delivered by the Company.

            (e) The Representatives shall have received from Cravath, Swaine &
      Moore, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated such
      Closing Date, with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the
      validity of the Offered Securities delivered on such Closing Date, the
      Registration Statements, the Prospectus and other related matters as the
      Representatives may require, and the Company shall have furnished to such
      counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to
      pass upon such matters.

            (f) The Representatives shall have received a certificate, dated
      such Closing Date, of the President or any Vice President and a principal
      financial or accounting officer of the Company in which such officers, to
      the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, shall state
      that: the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement
      are true and correct; the Company has complied with all agreements and
      satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
      hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date; no stop order suspending the
      effectiveness of any Registration Statement has been issued and no
      proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are contemplated by
      the Commission; the Additional Registration Statement (if any) satisfying
      the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (3) of Rule 462(b) was filed
      pursuant to Rule 462(b), including payment of the applicable filing fee in
      accordance with Rule 111(a) or (b) under the Act, prior to the time the
      Prospectus was printed and distributed to any Underwriter; and, subsequent
      to the [IF CLOSING DATE OF LATEST INCOME STATEMENT IN PROSPECTUS IS MORE
      RECENT THAN LATEST BALANCE SHEET DATE, INSERT--respective] date[s] of the
      most recent financial statements in the Prospectus, there has been no
      material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a
      prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or
      other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and
      its subsidiaries taken as a whole except as set forth in or contemplated
      by the Prospectus or as described in such certificate.

            (g) The Representatives shall have received a letter, dated such
      Closing Date, of KPMG LLP which meets the requirements of subsection (a)
      of this Section, except that the specified date referred to in such
      subsection will be a date not more than three days prior to such Closing
      Date for the purposes of this subsection.

            (h) On or prior to the date of this Agreement, the Representatives
      shall have received lockup letters from each of the officers and directors
      of the Company.

The Company will furnish the Representatives with such conformed copies of such
opinions, certificates, letters and documents as the Representatives reasonably
request. CSFBC may in its sole discretion waive on behalf of the Underwriters
compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder,
whether in respect of an Optional Closing Date or otherwise.

      7.  INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.  (a)  The Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, directors and
officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the

                                       13
<PAGE>
meaning of Section 15 of the Act, against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
any Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred;
provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged
omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the
Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed
that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the
information described as such in subsection (b) below; provided further, that
with respect to any untrue statement or omission of material fact made in any
preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8(a)
shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting
any such loss, claim, damage or liability purchased the securities concerned, to
the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such Underwriter
occurs under the circumstance where it shall have been determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment that (w) the Company
had previously furnished copies of the final Prospectus to the Representatives,
(x) delivery of the final Prospectus was required by the Act to be made to such
person, (y) the untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in the
preliminary Prospectus was corrected in the final Prospectus and (z) there was
not sent or given to such person, at or prior to the written confirmation of the
sale of such securities to such person, a copy of the final Prospectus. This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may
otherwise have.

      (b) Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each person, if any who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
any Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus, or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use
therein, and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred, it being understood
and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists
of (i) the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each
Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the fourth
paragraph under the caption "Underwriting" and (ii) the following information in
the Prospectus furnished on behalf of Chase Securities Inc.: the material
relationship disclosure appearing in the eleventh paragraph under the caption
"Underwriting".

                                       14
<PAGE>
      (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve
it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than
under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against
any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to
the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly
notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such
indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified
party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the
defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified
party under this Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred
by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the
prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or
could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release
of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject
matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an
admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of an
indemnified party.

      (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b)
above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the
one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities
or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of
the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the
other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds
from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to
the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters.
The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first
sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this
subsection (d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no
Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount
by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent

                                       15
<PAGE>
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (d) to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations and not joint.

      (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section shall be in addition
to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the
same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter
within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under
this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the respective
Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and
conditions, to each director of the Company, to each officer of the Company who
has signed a Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Act.

      8. DEFAULT OF UNDERWRITERS. If any Underwriter or Underwriters default in
their obligations to purchase Offered Securities hereunder on either the First
or any Optional Closing Date and the aggregate number of shares of Offered
Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to
purchase does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Offered Securities
that the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such Closing Date, CSFBC may
make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Offered
Securities by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such
arrangements are made by such Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters
shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments
hereunder, to purchase the Offered Securities that such defaulting Underwriters
agreed but failed to purchase on such Closing Date. If any Underwriter or
Underwriters so default and the aggregate number of shares of Offered Securities
with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the total
number of shares of Offered Securities that the Underwriters are obligated to
purchase on such Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to CSFBC and the
Company for the purchase of such Offered Securities by other persons are not
made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without
liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except
as provided in Section 9 (provided that if such default occurs with respect to
Optional Securities after the First Closing Date, this Agreement will not
terminate as to the Firm Securities or any Optional Securities purchased prior
to such termination). As used in this Agreement, the term "Underwriter" includes
any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section. Nothing herein
will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

      9. SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS. The respective
indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the
Company or its officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made
pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of
any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter, the Company or any of their respective representatives,
officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of
and payment for the Offered Securities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section 8 or if for any reason the purchase of the Offered Securities by the
Underwriters is not consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the
expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective
obligations of the Company and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7 shall
remain in effect, and if any Offered Securities have been purchased hereunder
the representations and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations under
Section 5 shall also remain in effect. If the purchase of the Offered Securities
by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because
of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the occurrence of
any event specified

                                       16
<PAGE>
in clause (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 6(c), the Company will reimburse the
Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of
counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the offering of the
Offered Securities.

      10. NOTICES. All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if sent
to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to
the Representatives, c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Eleven Madison
Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010-3629, Attention: Investment Banking
Department--Transactions Advisory Group, or, if sent to the Company, will be
mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at Benchmark Electronics,
Inc., 3000 Technology Drive, Angleton, TX 77515, Attention: Gayla J. Delly;
provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 will
be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to such Underwriter.

      11.  SUCCESSORS. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the
officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7,
and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

      12.  REPRESENTATION OF UNDERWRITERS.  The Representatives will act
for the several Underwriters in connection with this financing, and any
action under this Agreement taken by the Representatives jointly or by
CSFBC will be binding upon all the Underwriters.

      13.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

      14. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES
OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

      The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in
any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                                       17
<PAGE>
      If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives' understanding
of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company one of the counterparts
hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the Company and the
several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.

                                    By__________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


The foregoing Underwriting Agreement
  is hereby confirmed and accepted as
  of the date first above written.

  CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
  CHASE SECURITIES INC.
  FLEETBOSTON ROBERTSON STEPHENS INC.


   Acting on behalf of themselves and
     as the Representatives of the
     several Underwriters

  By  CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION

   By__________________________
     Name:
     Title:

                                       18
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE A

                                                       NUMBER OF
                  UNDERWRITER                       FIRM SECURITIES
                  -----------                       ---------------

Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation..........
Chase Securities Inc............................
FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc..............
                                                   ------------------
      Total                                             2,750,000
                                                   ==================


                                       19


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