DII GROUP INC
10-K, 1999-03-19
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS & ACCESSORIES
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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X]           ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                   FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 1999
 
                                       OR
 
[ ]           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
          FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____________ TO ____________
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-21374
                              THE DII GROUP, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                   DELAWARE                                      84-1224426
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation       (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
               or organization)
   6273 MONARCH PARK PLACE, NIWOT, COLORADO                        80503
   (Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)
</TABLE>
 
        REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 303-652-2221
        SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        TITLE OF EACH CLASS
                                        -------------------
<S>                                                          <C>
                                   Common Stock, $0.01 par value
                   Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
</TABLE>
 
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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.  [ ]
 
Aggregate market value of voting common stock held by non-affiliates based upon
                      the closing price at March 1, 1999:
                                  $728,160,893
 
              Shares of common stock outstanding at March 1, 1999:
                                   30,659,406
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
 
Portions of the Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders are incorporated
by reference into Part II of this Form 10-K. Portions of the Proxy Statement
relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 6, 1999 (to be
filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal
year covered by this report on Form 10-K) are incorporated by reference into
Part III of this Form 10-K.
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<PAGE>   2
 
                                     PART I
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS -- CAUTIONARY STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995.
 
     This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words such as "expects," "anticipates,"
"forecasts," "intends," "plans," "believes," "projects," and "estimates" and
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding expected industry growth, prospective sales growth, new
customers, integration of acquired businesses, contingencies, Year 2000
readiness, environmental matters and liquidity under "Part I, Item
1 -- Business," "Part II, Item 7 -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and "Part II, Item
8 -- Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and are
based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove to be wrong. Actual
results and outcomes may vary materially from what is expressed or forecast in
such statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are: general economic and business conditions; the Company's
dependence on the electronics industry; changes in demand for the Company's
products and services or the products of the Company's customers; the risk of
delays or cancellations of customer orders; fixed asset utilization; the timing
of orders and product mix; availability of components; competition; the risk of
technological changes and of the Company's competitors developing more
competitive technologies; the Company's dependence on certain important
customers; the Company's ability to integrate acquired businesses; the Company's
ability to manage growth; risks associated with international operations; the
availability and terms of needed capital; risks of loss from environmental
liabilities; and other risks detailed in this report. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company is a leading provider of electronics design and manufacturing
services that operates through a global network of independent business units in
North America, Europe, and Asia. These business units are uniquely linked to
provide the following related core products and services to original equipment
manufacturers ("OEMs"): custom semiconductor design; design and manufacture of
printed wiring boards; assembly of printed circuit boards; final systems
assembly ("box build"); and distribution. By offering comprehensive and
integrated design and manufacturing services, the Company believes that it is
better able to differentiate its product and service offerings from those of its
competitors, develop long-term relationships with its customers and enhance its
profitability. Key customers of the Company include: 3Com Corporation, EMC
Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company ("Hewlett-Packard" or "HP"), International
Business Machines Corporation ("IBM"), Lifescan, Inc. (a subsidiary of Johnson &
Johnson), Motorola, Inc., Silicon Graphics, Inc., Symbios Logic, Inc., The
Foxboro Company, Pace Micro Technology, Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., Mylex
Corporation, Matrox Graphics, Inc., and The Square D Company.
 
     In addition, the Company offers the following products and services through
its non-core business unit known as Process Technologies International ("PTI"):
process tooling; machines tools; and process automation equipment. In March
1999, the Company sold the assets and business of its subsidiary, TTI Testron,
Inc., a manufacturer of functional and in-circuit test fixtures. The Company is
continuing with its initiative to divest this non-core business unit, in order
to sharpen its focus on the Company's core businesses of design and
semiconductor services, design and fabrication of printed wiring boards, and
systems assembly and distribution. The Company does not believe that the sale of
TTI Testron and other PTI businesses will result in any adverse impact on the
Company's 1999 consolidated financial position. However, the Company's
consolidated revenues and operating results will be adversely impacted (by less
than 10%) until such time as the proceeds are reinvested back into the Company's
core businesses of design and semiconductor services, design and fabrication of
printed wiring boards, and systems assembly and distribution.
<PAGE>   3
 
ACQUISITIONS AND PURCHASES OF MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
 
     The Company has actively pursued acquisitions and purchases of
manufacturing facilities in furtherance of its strategy to be the fastest and
most comprehensive global provider of custom electronics design and
manufacturing services, ranging from microelectronics design through the
fabrication, final assembly and distribution of printed circuits and finished
products for customers. These acquisitions and manufacturing facility purchases
have enabled the Company to provide more integrated outsourcing technology
solutions with time-to-market and lower cost advantages. Acquisitions and
manufacturing facility purchases have also played an important part in expanding
the Company's presence in the global electronics marketplace. Since 1994, the
Company has made the following acquisitions and manufacturing facility purchases
to expand its geographic presence and enhance its value-added design and
manufacturing capabilities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               TRANSACTION                       DATE               PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
               -----------                       ----               --------------------
<S>                                         <C>              <C>
Design and Semiconductor Services
Orbit Semiconductor, Inc.                    August 1996     Design and fabrication of custom
                                                             microelectronics products
Design Solutions, Inc.                        June 1997      Design and engineering of printed
                                                             circuit boards
Printed Wiring Boards
Printed wiring board manufacturing of HP     October 1998    High volume printed wiring board
  in Boeblingen, Germany                                     fabrication
Greatsino Electronic Technology (China)      August 1998     High volume printed wiring board
                                                             fabrication
Printed wiring board manufacturing assets    August 1997     High volume printed wiring board
  of IBM in Austin, TX                                       fabrication
Printed wiring board manufacturing assets   December 1995    Oversize complex multilayer printed
  of Unisys Corporation in Roseville, MN                     wiring boards and backpanel
                                                             fabrication
Multilayer Technology, Inc.                 September 1994   Quick-turn prototype complex
                                                             multilayer printed wiring board
                                                             fabrication
Systems Assembly and Distribution
Greatsino Electronic Technology (China)      August 1998     Assembly of printed circuit boards
Utes Electronika A.S. (Czech Republic)        July 1998      Assembly of printed circuit boards
                                                             and final systems assembly
CEM assets of The Square D Company          November 1995    Assembly of printed circuit boards
Sistemas Inteligentes Ceretronik, S.A. de     July 1994      Assembly of printed circuit boards
  C.V. (Mexico)
CEM business of The Thielen Group, Inc.        May 1994      Assembly of printed circuit boards
Process Technologies
Process Control Technologies, Inc.            April 1997     Process automation equipment for
                                                             printed circuit board assembly
Chemtech (UK) Limited                         April 1996     Quick-turn stencils
</TABLE>
 
     By enhancing the Company's capability to provide a wide range of related
electronics design and manufacturing services to a global market that is
increasingly dependent on outsourcing providers, these acquisitions have enabled
the Company to enhance its competitive position as a leading provider of
comprehensive outsourcing technology solutions.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     As a result of the growing capital-intensive nature of the manufacturing
process, coupled with the greater need for more sophisticated design,
engineering and manufacturing processes, OEMs continue to increasingly outsource
a broad range of manufacturing and related engineering services. OEMs utilize
electronics outsourcing providers to:
 
          Reduce Time to Market. In an environment characterized by compressed
     product life cycles and rapid technological advances, OEMs must accelerate
     the time to bring products to market in order to remain competitive. By
     providing engineering, design and manufacturing expertise, electronics
     outsourcing providers can assist OEMs in the reduction of their
     time-to-market.
 
          Reduce Production Cost. The competitive technology environment
     requires OEMs to achieve low-cost manufacturing solutions. Due to their
     established manufacturing expertise and infrastructure, electronics
     outsourcing providers can provide OEMs with lower overall production costs
     and increased flexibility compared with in-house manufacturing.
 
          Access Leading-edge Manufacturing, Design and Engineering
     Capabilities. As electronic products have become more technologically
     advanced, the related manufacturing processes have become increasingly
     sophisticated and complex, making it difficult for OEMs to maintain the
     necessary manufacturing, engineering and design expertise necessary to
     manufacture products internally. Electronics outsourcing providers enable
     OEMs to gain access to design and manufacturing expertise and advanced
     manufacturing capabilities.
 
          Access Worldwide Manufacturing Capabilities. In an effort to lower
     costs and access foreign markets, OEMs are continuously increasing their
     international activities. Electronics outsourcing providers, with an
     expanded international manufacturing presence, are able to offer OEMs a
     variety of options of manufacturing locations to better address their
     objectives regarding costs, shipment location, frequency of interaction
     with electronics outsourcing providers and local content requirements of
     end-market countries.
 
          Reduce Capital Investment. As electronic products have become more
     technologically advanced, the design and manufacturing processes have
     become increasingly automated, requiring significantly higher levels of
     investment in capital equipment, systems and infrastructure. Electronics
     outsourcing providers enable OEMs to gain access to advanced, leading-edge
     design and manufacturing expertise and technology, thereby reducing OEMs
     capital investment requirements.
 
          Focus Resources. As the electronics industry continues to experience
     increased competition and rapid technological change, many OEMs are seeking
     to focus their resources on activities and technologies where they add the
     greatest value. The utilization of electronics outsourcing providers
     enables OEMs to focus their efforts on their core competencies of research,
     product design and development, and marketing.
 
          Improve Inventory Management and Purchasing Power. OEMs are faced with
     increasing difficulties in planning, procuring and managing their
     inventories efficiently due to frequent design changes, compressed product
     life cycles, high levels of investment in electronic components, component
     price fluctuations and the need to achieve economies of scale in materials
     procurement. By leveraging electronics outsourcing providers' inventory
     management expertise and volume procurement capabilities, OEMs can reduce
     production costs, improve control over inventory levels and increase their
     return on assets.
 
     The Company believes that many OEMs now view outsourcing as a strategic
manufacturing solution, rather than a back-up source to in-house manufacturing
capacity during peak periods.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     Industry information regarding the Company's three primary products and
service offerings follows:
 
  Design and Semiconductor Services
 
     Competitive pressures are requiring manufacturers of electronic products to
bring increasingly complex products to market rapidly. Cost reductions in
electronic products are increasingly due to designs utilizing technology
advances to reduce board size and the number of components attached.
 
     Customer requirements for improved functionality, performance, reliability,
and lower cost are provided by Dii Technologies Design (formerly Design
Solutions). Design services include printed circuit board and backpanel layout,
design for manufacturability and test, and total life cycle planning and
management. Design services also provide value to customers that have already
launched products into the marketplace. This is accomplished through a redesign
to minimize part counts and cost, printed wiring board size, and layer count.
 
     Electronic systems are generally comprised of three major types of digital
integrated circuits: microprocessor, memory and logic. Microprocessors are used
for control and computing tasks; memory devices are used to store program
instructions and data; and logic devices are used to customize these processing
and storage capabilities to a specific application.
 
     Logic circuits are found in virtually every electronic system. Logic
circuits are utilized in a wide range of business and consumer applications
including medical devices, computers, calculators, communications equipment,
instruments, watches, automotive parts and defense-related products. Unlike
processing and memory functions, most logic functions must be custom designed
for each application in order to meet unique design requirements and to allow
for differentiation of the particular end-product to provide advantages over the
products of competitors. Although application specific standard products are
effective in providing rapid time-to-market advantages, they typically do not
allow system designers to provide product differentiation. As a result, system
designers typically utilize application specific integrated circuits ("ASIC")
that provide the specific logic component required for a specific electronic
system. Dii Semiconductor (formerly Orbit Semiconductor) participates in the
ASIC market by providing cost-effective gate array conversion and mixed-signal
and silicon integration design services. Dii Semiconductor provides reduced cost
and increased speed-to-market advantages to its customers by offering the
following application-specific integrated circuit design services:
 
          - Conversion services from field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs") to
            ASICs. These services focus on designs that utilize primarily
            digital signals, with only a small amount of analog signals.
 
          - Design services for mixed-signal ASICs. These services focus on
            designs that utilize primarily analog signals, with only a small
            amount of digital signals.
 
          - Silicon integration design services. These services utilize silicon
            design modules that are used to accelerate complex ASIC designs,
            including system-on-a-chip.
 
     Dii Semiconductor utilizes external foundry suppliers for its customers'
silicon manufacturing requirements, thereby using a "fabless" manufacturing
approach.
 
     By integrating the combined capabilities of design and semiconductor
services, the Company can compress the time from product concept to market
introduction and minimize product development costs.
 
  Printed Wiring Boards
 
     Printed wiring boards are the platforms used to interconnect the
microprocessors, integrated circuits, capacitors, resistors, and other
components critical to the operation of electronic products. Printed wiring
boards are generally made of rigid fiberglass, rigid paper or thin flexible
plastic. In recent years, the trend in the electronics industry has generally
been to increase the speed and performance of components, while reducing their
size. This advancement in component technology has driven the change in printed
circuit board design to higher density printed circuits. Multek has invested in
the advanced engineering systems and process equipment needed to meet these
density requirements.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
  Systems Assembly and Distribution
 
     The assembly of printed circuit boards involves the attachment of various
electronic components, such as integrated circuits, capacitors, resistors, and
processors to printed wiring boards. Low price and high quality are now
considered to be entry level standards for companies in the industry. World
class contract manufacturers have expanded their services beyond printed circuit
board assembly and test to include both front-end services, such as design and
engineering, materials management and fabrication; and back-end services, such
as system assembly, integration and distribution/fulfillment. Successful
contract manufacturers are becoming increasingly important in helping OEMs
introduce new products faster, more frequently and with a greater number of
features than in previous product generations. As a result, some production
volumes are smaller and have shorter lead times for products targeted at
specialized niche markets. The ability to provide OEMs with product design
capabilities, quick-turn prototyping and complete high-volume solutions with
distribution capabilities is critical to the success of the contract
manufacturers' relationships with OEMs.
 
STRATEGY
 
     The Company's strategy is to capitalize on the growth in the electronics
outsourcing industry by being the fastest and most comprehensive global provider
of custom electronics design and manufacturing services. Key elements of the
Company's strategy include:
 
          Acquisitions and Manufacturing Facility Purchases: The Company has
     actively pursued acquisitions and manufacturing facility purchases to
     expand its worldwide operations, enhance its technology offerings, increase
     its volume production capabilities, and diversify its customer base. The
     Company will selectively review the increasing number of opportunities to
     acquire manufacturing operations being sold by OEMs and aggressively pursue
     these opportunities where the Company's acquisition criteria are satisfied.
 
          Offer Comprehensive and Integrated Design and Manufacturing
     Solutions: The Dii Group leverages the technology capabilities of its three
     core business units to offer comprehensive and integrated design and
     manufacturing solutions to its customers. By offering a broad range of
     integrated products and services that extends from custom microelectronics
     design and outsourced production, through printed wiring board design and
     fabrication, to final systems assembly and in-circuit and functional
     testing, the Company is able to secure more fully integrated projects,
     which provide opportunities to enhance volume and profitability.
 
          Linked Marketing Strategies: The Company markets its products and
     services to customers through its individual business units and through
     linked marketing in order to provide fully integrated, custom design and
     manufacturing solutions to its customers. Through the integration of design
     and manufacturing solutions offered by the Company's network of business
     units, the Company provides customer-specific products and services to
     reduce customer time-to-market and decrease total manufacturing costs.
 
          Customer Relationships: The Company seeks to establish "partnerships"
     with its customers through involvement in the early stages of their product
     development by providing integrated design and manufacturing services. The
     Dii Group companies target customers in fast-growing industry sectors that
     require complex outsourcing solutions together with minimum time-to-market.
     This enhances the Company's ability to realize higher margins on its
     products and services.
 
          Global Presence: The Company offers design and manufacturing
     capabilities in the three major electronics markets of the world (North
     America, Europe and Asia). Through the Company's 1998 acquisition of
     Greatsino Electronic Technology, a printed wiring board fabricator and
     contract electronics manufacturer with operations in the People's Republic
     of China, and through the Company's purchase of Hewlett-Packard's
     fabrication facility located in Boeblingen, Germany, the Company expanded
     significantly its worldwide manufacturing capabilities. The Company
     believes that by offering its products and services in diverse geographic
     locations, the Company is better able to address its customers' needs of
     low cost, coordination of worldwide manufacturing requirements, shipping
     costs, and local content requirements.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
          Technology and Manufacturing Leadership: The Company seeks to maintain
     technological leadership in order to secure partnerships with customers in
     the early stages of their product development and to support their design
     and manufacturing requirements. In addition, the Company continues to
     invest in high-technology equipment, enabling the Dii Group companies to
     accept increasingly complex orders, which provide opportunities to enhance
     volume and profitability.
 
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
     The Company provides the following related products and services to
customers in the global electronics manufacturing industry:
 
          Design and Semiconductor Services -- Through Dii Technologies, the
     Company provides printed circuit board and backpanel design services, as
     well as design for manufacturability and test and total life cycle
     planning.
 
          Through Dii Semiconductor, the Company provides the following
     application specific integrated circuit design services to its OEM
     customers:
 
          - Conversion services from field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs") to
            ASICs. These services focus on designs that utilize primarily
            digital signals, with only a small amount of analog signals.
 
          - Design services for mixed-signal ASICs. These services focus on
            designs that utilize primarily analog signals, with only a small
            amount of digital signals.
 
          - Silicon integration design services. These services utilize silicon
            design modules that are used to accelerate complex ASIC designs,
            including system-on-a-chip.
 
          Dii Semiconductor utilizes external foundry suppliers for its
     customers' silicon manufacturing requirements, thereby using a "fabless"
     manufacturing approach.
 
          By integrating the combined capabilities of design and semiconductor
     services, the Company can compress the time from product concept to market
     introduction and minimize product development costs. The Company believes
     that its semiconductor design expertise provides it with a competitive
     advantage by enabling the Company to offer its customers reduced costs
     through the consolidation of components onto silicon chips.
 
          Printed Wiring Boards -- The Company manufactures high density,
     complex multilayer printed wiring boards and back panels through Multek.
 
          Systems Assembly and Distribution -- The Company assembles complex
     electronic circuits and provides final system assembly and distribution
     services on a high and low volume contract basis through Dovatron
     International ("Dovatron").
 
     With the above core competencies, the Company has the ability to provide
customers with total design and manufacturing outsourcing solutions. The
Company's ability to offer fully integrated solutions with value-added front-and
back-end product and process development capabilities coupled with global volume
assembly capabilities provides customers with significant speed-to-market and
product cost improvements.
 
     In addition, the Company has a non-core business unit known as Process
Technologies International ("PTI"). Through this business unit, the Company
manufactures surface mount printed wiring board solder cream stencils through
IRI International and Chemtech; and manufactures depaneling equipment and
automated handling systems used in the printed circuit board assembly process
through Cencorp Automation Systems. In March 1999, the Company sold the assets
and business of its subsidiary, TTI Testron, Inc., a manufacturer of functional
and in-circuit test fixtures. The Company is continuing with its initiative to
divest this non-core business unit, in order to sharpen its focus on the
Company's core businesses of design and semiconductor services, design and
fabrication of printed wiring boards, and systems assembly and distribution. The
Company does not believe that the sale of TTI Testron and other PTI businesses
will result in any adverse impact on the Company's 1999 consolidated financial
position. However, the Company's consolidated
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
revenues and operating results will be adversely impacted (by less than 10%)
until such time as the proceeds are reinvested back into the Company's core
businesses of custom semiconductor design, design and fabrication of printed
wiring boards, and systems assembly and distribution.
 
     See Note 13 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K for details concerning financial
information regarding the Company's business segments.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
     The Company provides initial prototype and follow-on high volume
manufacturing services primarily on a turnkey basis, where the Company purchases
materials, and occasionally on a consignment basis, where the customer provides
materials. The level of the Company's sales revenue is subject to significant
shifting, based on whether orders are being filled on a turnkey or on a
consignment basis. Because the Company obtains firm purchase orders from its
customers, the customers typically bear the inventory cost risk associated with
purchases of materials by the Company in connection with orders to be filled on
a turnkey basis. Manufacturing information regarding the Company's core
competencies follows:
 
  Design and Semiconductor Services
 
     The Company provides the electronics industry with complete printed circuit
board design and layout services through Dii Technologies Design. Through its
early involvement with product development, Dii Technologies Design's
comprehensive review of design aspects assures that both mechanical and
electrical considerations are integrated to achieve a high quality, cost
effective product. In addition, Dii Technologies Design assesses customer
designs for manufacturability and testability and provides engineering and
design automation productivity software and advanced packaging solution
consulting. By working closely with its customers, Dii Technologies Design gains
an understanding as to the future requirements of OEMs. By integrating the
design expertise of Dii Technologies Design with the Dii Group companies' other
design and manufacturing services, the Dii Group offers its customers the
ability to both minimize costs and shorten the time from development of the
prototype design to volume manufacturing. The Company believes that the
coordination of the various design and manufacturing stages under one "virtual"
roof offers time and cost advantages that the customer could not achieve by
coordinating these activities among different service providers.
 
     Additionally, the Company designs both in-circuit and functional test
solutions for its customers through Dii Technologies Test. In-circuit test
ensures that there is a proper electrical connection between the printed wiring
board and each electronic component. Functional test verifies that the assembly
will perform as designed in the field. Dii Technologies Test provides a key
design component - one that ensures the Company's customers' requirements can be
consistently met in the fabrication and assembly process.
 
     Dii Semiconductor provides ASIC design services but does not manufacture
its products. The Company's products are manufactured using various
semiconductor foundry wafer fabrication service providers. This enables the
Company to take advantage of these suppliers' high volume economies of scale and
access to advanced process technology. The Company believes that its
semiconductor design expertise provides it with a competitive advantage by
enabling the Company to offer its customers reduced costs through the
consolidation of components onto silicon chips.
 
  Printed Wiring Boards
 
     Through Multek, the Company manufactures high density, complex multilayer
printed wiring boards and back panels on either a quick-turn, pre-production or
high-volume production basis. Quick-turn production typically requires lead
times of three to seven days, and as short as 24 hours. This quick-turn
prototype service is able to provide small test quantities to the product
development groups of customers. Pre-production is the manufacture of limited
quantities of printed wiring boards during the transition period from prototype
to volume production. High-volume production is characterized by longer lead
times and increased emphasis on lower cost as the product transitions to
full-scale commercial production. Multek is one of only a few
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
independent manufacturers that can respond to its customers' demands for an
accelerated transition from prototype to volume production.
 
     The manufacture of multilayer printed wiring boards involves several steps:
etching the circuit image on copper-clad epoxy laminate, pressing the laminates
together to form a panel, drilling holes and depositing copper or other
conductive material into the holes to form the inter-layer electrical
connections, and machining the panels to shape. Certain advanced interconnect
products require additional application specific steps, including multiple
imaging processes, cavity formation, and a higher level testing of impedance,
capacitance, resistivity and inductance.
 
     Multilayering, which involves the placing of multiple layers of electrical
circuitry on a single printed wiring board, expands the number of circuits and
components that can be contained on the interconnect product and increases the
operating speed of the system by reducing the distance the electrical signal
must travel. The manufacture of complex multilayer interconnect products often
requires the use of sophisticated circuit interconnections between layers
(called "blind or buried vias") and adherence to strict electrical
characteristics to maintain consistent circuit transmission speeds (referred to
as "controlled impedance"). These technologies require very tight lamination and
etching tolerances.
 
     During 1997, Multek gained a key technology with the acquisition of the
printed wiring board manufacturing assets of IBM in Austin, Texas. This
technology, Surface Laminar Circuit (SLC), is a photo generated micro via
capability that was licensed as a part of the transaction. This technology can
be further developed to provide alternative packaging solutions to Multek's
current and future customers, as well as providing entry into the wireless
markets.
 
     Through the acquisition of Hewlett-Packard's printed wiring board
fabrication facility located in Boeblingen, Germany in fiscal 1998, Multek
acquired the technology to produce micro vias by laser ablation. This
capability, in addition to Multek's photo micro via technology (SLC) in Austin,
Texas, provides Multek's customers with proven high volume production capacity
in both of the major high density interconnect (HDI) process solutions. The
Company believes that it is the only interconnect provider with this level of
experience and the potential for interchangeability of these leading micro via
applications.
 
     Through the use of specialized materials such as polyimide, teflon, teflon
hybrids, and low dielectric constant substrates, Multek achieves multilayer
circuit counts to 68 layers. Multek employs state-of-the-art manufacturing
processes by working closely with equipment suppliers, many of which use Multek
as a beta site for new technologies being introduced to the marketplace. Each
Multek facility is ISO 9002 certified.
 
  Systems Assembly and Distribution
 
     Through Dovatron, the Company produces complex printed circuit board
assemblies using both surface mount ("SMT") and pin through-hole ("PTH")
interconnection technologies. The assembly of printed circuit boards involves
the attachment of various electronic components, such as integrated circuits,
capacitors, resistors, and processors, to printed circuit boards. SMT is a
method of assembling printed circuit boards whereby components are fixed
directly onto the surface of the board instead of being inserted and soldered
into plated holes on the board (the latter method being PTH). SMT offers the
advantages of miniaturization and significant cost reductions. The higher
density achieved through SMT also allows for shorter signal lengths, with
resulting increases in signal speed potential and thermal performance.
 
     Dovatron's manufacturing processes also include the more advanced assembly
process technology of ball grid array ("BGA"). BGA technology utilizes packaged
semiconductor die where the electrical connection from within the package is
terminated on the outer surface of the package using solder alloy in the shape
of a partial sphere. A BGA package, rather than using pins for leads, mounts to
the printed circuit board using the balls located on the underside of the
package. BGA technology can provide higher interconnect density and improved
assembly yields and reliability through its use of an array of solder balls,
rather than pin leads.
 
     In conjunction with its assembly activities, Dovatron also provides
computer-aided testing of printed circuit boards, sub-systems and systems, which
contributes significantly to the Company's ability to deliver high-quality
products on a consistent basis. Dovatron's test capabilities include management
defect analysis,
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
environmental stress screening, in-circuit tests and functional tests.
In-circuit tests verify that all components have been properly inserted and that
the electrical circuits are complete. Functional tests determine if the board or
system assembly is performing to customer specifications. Dovatron also provides
environmental stress tests of the board or system assembly.
 
     Dovatron employs a multi-disciplined engineering team, which provides
design and manufacturing support to customers. In addition, Dovatron conducts
design-for-manufacturability and design-for-testability reviews. When
appropriate, Dovatron recommends design changes to reduce manufacturing costs
and/or lead times, improve manufacturing yields, and enhance the ability to
automate assembly.
 
     Dovatron offers sophisticated materials management and logistic
capabilities. Materials management and logistics consists of the planning,
procuring and warehousing of the components and materials used in the
manufacturing process. The Company's worldwide volume procurement capabilities
combined with negotiated commodity agreements ensure maximum leverage in
reducing material costs. Actual procurement and scheduling is done at the
manufacturing site level to ensure attentiveness to customer demands and
satisfaction. Dovatron uses sophisticated automated MRP (Manufacturing Resources
Planning) systems and enhanced EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) capabilities to
ensure inventory control and optimization. Through its MRP system, Dovatron is
provided instantaneous visibility to material availability and real-time
tracking of work in process. The Company utilizes EDI with its customers and
suppliers to implement a variety of supply chain management programs. EDI allows
customers to share demand and product forecasts and deliver purchase orders
while also assisting suppliers with just-in-time delivery and supplier-managed
inventory. Dovatron's use of internal automated materials management systems and
strategic relationships with key suppliers all ensure timely interface and
responsiveness and overall customer satisfaction.
 
     Additionally, Dovatron offers systems assembly and distribution services to
its customers. Systems assembly or box build, involves the assembly of higher
level sub-systems and systems incorporating printed circuit boards into finished
products. Distribution services include direct order fulfillment, which involves
the direct shipment to the customers' distribution channels or in some cases,
directly to the end user.
 
     Dovatron continues to expand its services beyond printed circuit board
assembly and test to include both front-end services, such as engineering,
materials management and fabrication, and back-end services, such as system
assembly, integration and distribution/fulfillment. Quality remains a key focus
and is critical to Dovatron's success. All of Dovatron's global manufacturing
facilities are ISO 9002 certified.
 
MARKETING AND CUSTOMER PROFILE
 
     The Company markets its products and services through advertisements,
technical articles and press releases that appear regularly in a variety of
trade publications, as well as through the dissemination of Company brochures,
data sheets and technical information. Additionally, the Company participates in
various industry trade shows on a regular basis. Individual products and
services are marketed to customers though direct sales personnel and independent
manufacturers' representatives. The Dii Group's sales and marketing functions
link the Dii Group companies to provide fully integrated custom design and
manufacturing solutions to its customers. Through the integration of design and
manufacturing solutions offered by the Company's network of business units, the
Dii Group companies provide customer-specific products and services that enable
customers to compress the time from product concept to market introduction and
minimize total manufacturing costs. The Company dedicates project managers to
tailor the Dii Group companies' comprehensive spectrum of products and services
around customers' specific requirements. By providing comprehensive and
integrated design and manufacturing services, the Company believes that it is
better able to differentiate its product and service offerings from those of its
competitors, develop long-term relationships with its customers, and enhance
profitability. The Company has established Dii Technology Centers in order to
ensure a coordinated evolution of technology across the various Dii Group
companies.
 
     The Company offers manufacturing capabilities in three major electronics
markets of the world (North America, Europe and Asia). The Company's operations
located outside of the United States generated approximately 43%, 42%, and 25%
of total net sales in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. The Company's
international operations subject the Company to the risks of doing business
abroad, including
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
currency fluctuations, export duties, import controls and trade barriers,
restrictions on the transfer of funds, greater difficulty in accounts receivable
collection, burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and, in
certain parts of the world, political and economic instability. See Note 14 to
the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included in Exhibit 13 of
this Form 10-K regarding financial information by geographic area.
 
     The Company seeks a well-balanced customer profile across most sectors of
the electronics industry in order to reduce exposure to a downturn in any
particular sector. The primary sectors within the electronics industry served by
the Company are office automation, mainframes and mass storage, data
communications, computers and peripherals, telecommunications, industrial and
instrumentation, and medical. The Company seeks to participate in the early
stages of high velocity product development with customers in targeted, fast-
growing industry sectors. A majority of the Company's sales are to customers in
the electronics industry, which is subject to rapid technological change,
product obsolescence, and price competition. The factors affecting the
electronics industry, in general, or any of the Company's major customers, in
particular, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating
results. The electronics industry has historically been cyclical and subject to
significant economic downturns at various times, which have been characterized
by diminished product demand, accelerated erosion of average selling prices, and
over-capacity. The Company's customers also are subject to short product life
cycles and pricing and margin pressures, which risks are in turn borne by the
Company.
 
     At any given time, certain customers may account for significant portions
of the Company's business. Hewlett-Packard accounted for 10% and 17% of net
sales in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. IBM accounted for 10% of net sales
in fiscal 1998. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales
during fiscal 1998, 1997, or 1996. The Company's top ten customers accounted for
48%, 50%, and 43% of net sales in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. The
percentage of the Company's sales to its major customers may fluctuate from
period to period. Significant reductions in sales to any of these customers
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results.
 
     Although management believes that the Company has a broad diversification
of customers and markets, the Company has few material, firm, long-term
commitments or volume guarantees from its customers. In addition, customer
orders can be canceled and volume levels can be changed or delayed. From time to
time, some of the Company's customers have terminated their manufacturing
arrangements with the Company, and other customers have reduced or delayed the
volume of design and manufacturing services performed by the Company. The timely
replacement of canceled, delayed or reduced contracts with new business cannot
be assured, and termination of a manufacturing relationship or change, reduction
or delay in orders could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operating results. In the past, changes in customer orders have had a
significant impact on the Company's results of operations due to corresponding
changes in the level of overhead absorption.
 
BACKLOG
 
     Although the Company obtains firm purchase orders from its customers, OEM
customers typically do not make firm orders for delivery of products more than
30 to 90 days in advance. The Company does not believe that the backlog of
expected product sales covered by firm purchase orders is a meaningful measure
of future sales since orders may be rescheduled or canceled.
 
SUPPLIERS
 
     The Company works with customers and suppliers to minimize the impact of
component shortages. The Company orders raw materials and components based on
purchase orders received and accepted, and maintains minimal levels of inventory
that are not identified for use in filling specific orders. Raw material and
component shortages have had, and are expected to have, from time to time,
short-term adverse effects on the Company's business, including impact due to
price fluctuations and delayed shipments. Significant shortages of raw materials
or components used by the Company's operating units would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. In addition, the
Company's operating units depend on a limited
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
number of suppliers for many of the raw materials used in their products and
services. The interruption of supply from such suppliers could adversely affect
the Company's operations.
 
COMPETITION
 
     Today's technology marketplace is more competitive than ever. In an
environment characterized by compressed product life cycles, global competition,
rapid technological change, increasingly stringent quality and service
expectations, and constant profit margin pressure due to unrelenting price
pressure, OEMs have a growing need to limit asset risks, improve returns on
invested capital, and most importantly, focus their resources on their own core
competencies of product development and marketing. These factors place
corresponding competitive pressures on the outsourcing industry.
 
     The Company competes against numerous domestic and foreign companies. The
Company also faces competition from current and prospective customers who
evaluate the Company's capabilities against the merits of manufacturing their
products internally. Because of the Company's wide range of products and
services, some of the Company's CEM competitors are also customers of the
Company. As the Company continues to expand its operations, some of its CEM
competitors may decide to place orders with companies with which they are in
less direct competition. Certain of the Company's competitors have substantially
greater design, engineering and manufacturing services, and financial, research
and development, and marketing resources than the Company. To remain
competitive, the Company will be required to continue to make substantial
capital outlays to develop and provide technologically advanced design,
engineering and manufacturing services, maintain quality levels, offer flexible
delivery schedules, deliver finished products on a reliable basis, compete
favorably on the basis of price and provide access to worldwide manufacturing
locations. In addition, the market for the Company's products and services is
characterized by rapidly changing technology and continuing process development.
Consequently, the Company's success depends upon its ability to develop and
provide manufacturing services which meet its customers' changing requirements,
maintain technological leadership, and successfully anticipate or respond to
technological changes on a cost-effective and timely basis.
 
     Competition in the electronics outsourcing industry is based upon
technology, service, design, engineering and manufacturing capability, quality,
price, and the ability to deliver finished products on an expeditious and
reliable basis. In order to differentiate itself in this intensely competitive
market, the Company has adopted and pursues a strategy to be the fastest and
most comprehensive global provider of custom electronics design and
manufacturing services, ranging from microelectronics design through the
fabrication, assembly and distribution of printed circuits and finished products
for customers.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
 
     The Company's operations are subject to certain federal, state and local
regulatory requirements relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of
hazardous chemicals used during their manufacturing processes. The Company
believes that it is currently operating in compliance with applicable
regulations and does not believe that costs of compliance with these laws and
regulations will have a material effect upon its capital expenditures, operating
results or competitive position.
 
     The Company has joined together with other potentially responsible parties
("PRPs") to negotiate with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation
("NYDEC") concerning the performance of a remedial investigation/feasibility
study ("RI/FS") at the Roblin Steel Site. In connection therewith, the Company
executed the Roblin Steel Site Deminimus Contributors (PRP) Participation
Agreement. The Company's share of the agreement is less than 2%. A Consent Order
concerning the performance of a RI/FS was reached with the NYDEC in July of
1997.
 
     In April 1998, the Company entered into Consent Orders with the NYDEC
concerning the performance of a RI/FS with respect to environmental matters at a
formerly owned facility in Kirkwood, New York, and a facility that is owned and
leased out to a third party in Binghamton, New York.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
     The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot, at this time, be predicted in
light of the uncertainties inherent in these matters. Based upon the facts and
circumstances currently known, management cannot estimate the most likely loss
or the maximum loss for the above environmental matters. The Company has accrued
the minimum estimated costs, which amounts are immaterial, associated with these
matters in its consolidated financial statements.
 
     The Company determines the amount of its accruals for environmental matters
by analyzing and estimating the range of possible costs in light of information
currently available. The imposition of more stringent standards or requirements
under environmental laws or regulations, the results of future testing and
analysis undertaken by the Company at its operating facilities, or a
determination that the Company is potentially responsible for the release of
hazardous substances at other sites could result in expenditures in excess of
amounts currently estimated to be required for such matters. No assurance can be
given that actual costs will not exceed amounts accrued or that costs will not
be incurred with respect to sites as to which no problem is currently known.
Further, there can be no assurance that additional environmental matters will
not arise in the future.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     The Company employs approximately 7,900 employees worldwide, the majority
of whom are engaged in manufacturing operations. Approximately 900 employees at
the Cork, Ireland, Boeblingen, Germany, and Puebla, Mexico facilities are
subject to collective bargaining agreements. The Company believes that its
relations with its employees are good.
 
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
 
     The Company holds patents and also owns certain registered trademarks. The
Company does not believe that such patents and trademarks are material to its
business.
 
     The Company has devoted significant resources to develop its current level
of expertise, and believes that its unpatented proprietary know-how and
processes are valuable assets that have been and will continue to be important
to the Company's business. The Company relies primarily on a combination of
nondisclosure agreements and other contractual provisions, as well as the
confidentiality and loyalty of its employees, to protect its know-how processes.
The failure of the Company to protect its material know-how and processes could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of
operations. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the steps taken by the
Company will be adequate to protect its proprietary rights or that a competitor
will not independently develop know-how or processes similar or superior to
those of the Company.
 
     Although the Company does not believe that its manufacturing processes
infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties, there can be no
assurance that third parties will not assert infringement claims against the
Company. If any such claims arise, the Company will evaluate its merits, and may
seek a license from the claimant. There can be no assurance that licenses, if
needed by the Company, could be obtained on acceptable terms, that litigation
would not occur or that damages for past infringement by the Company, if any,
would not be material. Litigation, which could result in substantial cost and
diversion of resources of the Company, may be necessary to enforce intellectual
property rights of the Company or to defend the Company against infringement
claims. The failure to obtain necessary licenses or the advent of litigation
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
 
     The Company currently occupies the following facilities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               SQUARE     OWNED/
                 LOCATION BY BUSINESS UNIT                     FOOTAGE    LEASED
                 -------------------------                    ---------   ------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Design and Semiconductor Services
San Jose, California........................................     61,800   Leased(1)
Sunnyvale, California.......................................     50,300   Leased
                                                              ---------
                                                                112,100
                                                              ---------
Printed Wiring Boards:
Austin, Texas...............................................    696,000   Leased
Boeblingen, Germany.........................................    340,000    Owned
Fremont, California.........................................      3,200   Leased
Irvine, California..........................................     60,000    Owned
Roseville, Minnesota........................................     68,000   Leased
Santa Barbara, California...................................      5,000   Leased
Zhuhai, Guandong Province, China............................    144,000    Owned
                                                              ---------
                                                              1,316,200
                                                              ---------
Systems Assembly and Distribution:
Anaheim, California.........................................     63,000   Leased
Binghamton, New York........................................    110,000    Owned
Boulder, Colorado (Dovatron Corporate Headquarters).........      9,000   Leased
Brno, Czech Republic........................................    117,000    Owned
Clearwater, Florida.........................................     60,000    Owned
Clearwater, Florida.........................................    128,000    Owned(2)
Cork, Ireland...............................................     20,000   Leased
Cork, Ireland...............................................    100,000    Owned
Guadalajara, Mexico.........................................    127,000   Leased
Longmont, Colorado..........................................     70,000    Owned
Malacca, Malaysia...........................................     40,000   Leased
Puebla, Mexico..............................................     43,000    Owned
Puebla, Mexico..............................................     10,000   Leased
Zhuhai, Guandong Province, China............................    360,000    Owned(2)
Zhuhai, Guandong Province, China............................     76,000    Owned
                                                              ---------
                                                              1,333,000
                                                              ---------
Process Technologies:
Addison, Illinois...........................................     25,000   Leased
Buffalo Grove, Illinois.....................................     10,000   Leased
Essex, United Kingdom.......................................     14,000   Leased
Gardena, California.........................................      9,000   Leased
Johnson City, New York......................................     20,000   Leased
Lincoln, Rhode Island.......................................      5,400   Leased
Longmont, Colorado..........................................     31,400   Leased
Penang, Malaysia............................................      1,200   Leased
Singapore...................................................     12,700   Leased
                                                              ---------
                                                                128,700
                                                              ---------
Corporate Headquarters:
Niwot, Colorado.............................................     11,000    Owned
                                                              ---------
          Total.............................................  2,901,000
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The Company terminated its lease of this facility in conjunction with the
    sale of its wafer fabrication facility in January 1999.
 
(2) Facilities are currently under construction.
 
     An additional facility of 50,000 square feet is located in Binghamton, New
York and is being leased to a third party. The Company also leases small amounts
of office space in Atlanta, Georgia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Company
believes that its facilities are well maintained and suitable for their
respective operations and have sufficient capacity to accommodate the expected
growth of the Company in the foreseeable future.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     In 1997 two related complaints, as amended, were filed in the District
Court of Boulder, Colorado and the U.S. District Court for the District of
Colorado against the Company and certain of its officers. The lawsuits purport
to be brought on behalf of a class of persons who purchased the Company's common
stock during the period from April, 1996, through September 8, 1996, and claim
violations of Colorado and federal laws based on allegedly false and misleading
statements made in connection with the offer, sale or purchase of the Company's
common stock at allegedly artificially inflated prices, including statements
made prior to the Company's acquisition of Orbit. The complaints seek
compensatory and other damages, as well as equitable relief. The Company filed
motions to dismiss both amended complaints. The motion to dismiss the state
court complaint has been denied, and the Company has filed its answer denying
that it misled the securities market. The motion to dismiss the federal court
complaint is still pending. Both actions were brought by the same plaintiffs'
law firm as the Orbit action discussed below. A May 1999 trial date for the
state court action has been vacated, and a new trial date has not been set. No
trial date has been set for the federal court action. Discovery has commenced in
the state court action. The Company believes that the claims asserted in both
actions are without merit and intends to defend vigorously against such claims.
 
     A class action complaint (as amended in March 1996) for violations of
federal securities law was filed against Orbit and three of its officers in 1995
in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The amended
complaint was dismissed on November 12, 1996, with leave to amend only as to
certain specified claims relating to statements made by securities analysts. In
January 1997, a second amended complaint was filed. The second amended complaint
alleges that Orbit and three of its officers are responsible for actions of
securities analysts that allegedly misled the market for Orbit's then existing
public common stock. The second amended complaint seeks relief under Sections
10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The
second amended complaint seeks compensatory and other damages, as well as
equitable relief. In September 1997, Orbit filed its answer to the second
amended complaint denying responsibility for the actions of securities analysts
and further denying that it misled the securities market. The parties have
entered into a Memorandum of Understanding reflecting a proposed settlement of
the action subject to the final terms, which are being negotiated.
 
     In addition to the above matters, the Company is involved in certain other
litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.
 
     Although management is of the opinion that these matters will not have a
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of
operations of the Company, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot, at this
time, be predicted in light of the uncertainties inherent in litigation.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K,
there were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The following table sets forth certain information concerning the executive
officers of the Company. Each of such persons serves at the discretion of the
Board of Directors.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT
               NAME                 AGE    DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS; POSITIONS HELD WITH THE COMPANY
               ----                 ---   ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>   <C>
Ronald R. Budacz..................  52    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
                                            Company since March 1993.
C.Y. Cheong.......................  43    Senior Vice President of the Company and President, The
                                            Dii Group Asia operations since May 1995; Managing
                                            Director of Dovatron Singapore from May 1993 until April
                                            1995.
Micheal Corkery...................  35    Senior Vice President of the Company and President, The
                                            Dii Group Europe since September 1997; Vice President and
                                            General Manager of Dovatron Ireland from January 1996
                                            until September 1997; Director of Operations of Dovatron
                                            Ireland, December 1993 until January 1996.
Mark D. Herbst....................  38    Senior Vice President of the Company and Senior Vice
                                            President of Corporate Sales and Marketing since May 1998,
                                            Vice President of the Company from February 1997 until
                                            May 1998; Group Vice President of Process Technologies
                                            from May 1995 until May 1998; Vice President/General
                                            Manager of IRI International from September 1990 until
                                            May 1995.
Dermott O'Flanagan................  47    Senior Vice President of the Company since March 1993;
                                            President of Dovatron International, Inc. since January
                                            1995; Managing Director of Dovatron Ireland Limited from
                                            March 1993 until January 1995.
Carl A. Plichta...................  48    Senior Vice President of the Company since March 1993;
                                            Senior Vice President of Materials and IS for Dovatron
                                            International, Inc. since January 1995; President of
                                            Dovatron Manufacturing New York (division of Dovatron
                                            International, Inc.) from March 1993 until January 1995.
Steven C. Schlepp.................  42    Senior Vice President of the Company and President of
                                            Multilayer Technology, Inc. since June 1996; President of
                                            Toppan West Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of
                                            Toppan Printing Ltd., from January 1991 until June 1996.
Thomas J. Smach...................  38    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and
                                            Treasurer since August 1997; Corporate Controller and Vice
                                            President of the Company from March 1994 until August
                                            1997; Certified Public Accountant with KPMG Peat Marwick
                                            LLP from 1982 until March 1994.
Ronald R. Snyder..................  42    Senior Vice President; President, Dii Semiconductor since
                                            May 1998; Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of
                                            the Company from March 1994 until May 1998; President of
                                            Dovatron Manufacturing Colorado (division of Dovatron
                                            International, Inc.) from March 1993 until March 1994.
Carl R. Vertuca, Jr. .............  52    Director since May 1993; Executive Vice
                                            President -- Finance, Administration and Corporate
                                            Development since August 1997; Chief Financial Officer
                                            of the Company from March 1993 until August 1997.
</TABLE>
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
     The Company's common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the
symbol "DIIG." The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices on
the Nasdaq Stock Market for the shares of Common Stock traded for the following
periods (adjusted to reflect two-for-one stock split effective September 2,
1997).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              HIGH      LOW
                                                             ------    ------
<S>                                                          <C>       <C>
1998
Fourth Quarter.............................................  $24.13      9.88
Third Quarter..............................................   18.75     11.88
Second Quarter.............................................   23.81     14.38
First Quarter..............................................   29.88     20.13
1997
Fourth Quarter.............................................  $33.50     18.00
Third Quarter..............................................   32.78     21.00
Second Quarter.............................................   22.13     11.09
First Quarter..............................................   14.75     10.19
</TABLE>
 
     As of January 3, 1999, there were 1,901 record holders of the common stock.
This figure does not reflect beneficial ownership of shares held in nominee
name.
 
     The Company has never paid a cash dividend on its common stock and is
restricted from paying dividends under the terms of its existing credit
facility. The Company presently intends to retain earnings for use in its
business and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to
Selected Financial Data in the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders
included in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS
 
     Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders included in
Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
     Information with respect to this item is incorporated by reference to
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the Company's 1998
Annual Report to Shareholders included in Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
     The following consolidated financial statements and supplementary data
(included in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements),
included in the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders, are hereby
incorporated by reference, and are included in Exhibit 13 hereto:
 
     Independent Auditors' Reports
     Consolidated Statements of Operations
     Consolidated Balance Sheets
     Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
     KPMG Peat Marwick LLP was previously the principal accountants for The DII
Group, Inc. On September 4, 1997, that firm's appointment as principal
accountants was terminated and Deloitte & Touche LLP was engaged as principal
accountants. The decision to change accountants was approved by the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
     During the registrant's two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent
interim periods preceding such dismissal, there were no disagreements with KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures which disagreements if not
resolved to their satisfaction would have caused them to make reference thereof
in connection with their reports.
 
     None of the "reportable events" described under Item 304 (a)(l)(v) of
Regulation S-K occurred within the registrant's two most recent fiscal years and
the subsequent interim periods preceding September 4, 1997.
 
     The audit reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP on the consolidated financial
statements of The DII Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the 52 weeks ended
December 29, 1996 did not contain any adverse opinion, or disclaimer of opinion
nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or
accounting principles. A letter from KPMG Peat Marwick is attached as Exhibit
16.1.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The information set forth under the captions "1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" and
"Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" to be included in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 6, 1999 and to be filed pursuant to Regulation
14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this report on
Form 10-K, is incorporated herein by reference. The information regarding
Executive Officers of the Registrant is included in Part I of this Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The (i) information set forth under the caption "Board and Committee
Meetings; Directors' Compensation" and (ii) information set forth under the
captions "Executive Compensation," "Employment Agreements," "Severance
Compensation Arrangements," "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation" and "Certain Transactions and Relationships" all to be included
in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 6, 1999 and to be filed pursuant to Regulation
14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this report on
Form 10-K, is incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
(i) the information set forth in said Proxy Statement under the caption "Report
of the Compensation Committee" and (ii) the information
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
set forth under the caption "Performance Graph" in said Proxy Statement, are not
incorporated by reference herein or in any other filing of the Company.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The information set forth under the caption "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT" to be included in the Company's definitive
Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May
6, 1999 and to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the
close of the fiscal year covered by this report on Form 10-K, is incorporated
herein by reference.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     The information set forth under the caption "Certain Transactions and
Relationships" to be included in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement
relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 6, 1999 and to
be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the
fiscal year covered by this report on Form 10-K, is incorporated herein by
reference.
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
     (a)(1) List of Financial Statements
 
     The following consolidated financial statements and Independent Auditors'
Reports are incorporated by reference in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K:
 
          - Independent Auditors' Reports
 
          - Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
          - Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
          - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
          - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
          - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
     (a)(2) List of Financial Statement Schedule
 
          - Independent Auditors' Reports.
 
          - Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - For the fiscal
            years ending 1998, 1997 and 1996.
 
     (a)(3) List of Exhibits:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
           2.1           -- Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among The DII Group,
                            Inc., DII Merger Corp. and Orbit Semiconductor, Inc.,
                            dated as of June 9, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
                            Annex A to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained
                            in the Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement, No.
                            333-6789)
          #2.2           -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 5, 1997, by and
                            among International Business Machines Corporation, a New
                            York corporation, Multilayer Tek, L.P., a Texas Limited
                            partnership and The DII Group, Inc., a Delaware
                            corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of
                            the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29,
                            1997)
</TABLE>
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
           2.3           -- Exhibit A to Purchase Agreement -- Assignment and
                            Assumption Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 2.2 of the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated
                            August 29, 1997)
          #2.4           -- Exhibit C to Purchase Agreement -- Lease (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 2.3 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997).
          #2.5           -- Exhibit E to Purchase Agreement -- Project Operations
                            Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of
                            the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29,
                            1997)
          *2.6           -- Exhibit F to Purchase Agreement -- Supply Agreement
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997)
           2.7           -- Exhibit G to Purchase Agreement -- Bill of Sale
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997).
           2.8           -- Exhibit H to Purchase Agreement -- Special Warranty Deed
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997)
          #2.9           -- Agreement relating to the sale and purchase of the share
                            in Valenta Holdings Limited, dated as of August 22, 1998
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated September 4, 1998)
         *#2.10          -- Master Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 30,
                            1998, by and among Hewlett-Packard GmbH, a company
                            registered and incorporated under the laws of Germany,
                            Multilayer Technology GmbH & Co KG, a legal entity
                            registered and organized under the laws of Germany and
                            The DII Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
          *2.11          -- Exhibit A to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- Real
                            Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
          *2.12          -- Exhibit B to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- Lease
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
          #2.13          -- Exhibit C to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- Division
                            Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                            2.4 of the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated November
                            16, 1998)
          *2.14          -- Exhibit D to Master Asset Purchase
                            Agreement -- Technology License Agreement (incorporated
                            by reference to Exhibit 2.5 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
          *2.15          -- Exhibit E to Master Asset Purchase
                            Agreement -- Transition Services Agreement (incorporated
                            by reference to Exhibit 2.6 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
           2.16          -- Exhibit F to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- New
                            Confidential Disclosure Agreement (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 2.7 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
           3.1           -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant,
                            together with the Certificate of Amendment of the
                            Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for fiscal year
                            ended December 31, 1995, File No. 0-21374).
</TABLE>
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
           3.2           -- Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                            Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of
                            the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the
                            quarterly period ended March 29, 1998, File No. 0-21374).
           3.3           -- Restated Bylaws of Registrant, as amended (incorporated
                            by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's Form 10-K
                            Annual Report for fiscal year ended December 29, 1996,
                            File No. 0-21374)
           4.1           -- Indenture -- 8.50% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007
                            dated September 19, 1997 between the Registrant and The
                            Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company, National
                            Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
                            10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 1997, File No.
                            0-21374)
           4.2           -- Purchase Agreement -- 8.50% Senior Subordinated Notes Due
                            2007 dated September 16, 1997 between the Registrant and
                            Salomon Brothers Inc, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                            Securities Corporation, and BT Alex. Brown Incorporated,
                            as the initial purchasers (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
                            10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 1997, File No.
                            0-21374)
           4.3           -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 16, 1997
                            between the Registrant and Salomon Brothers Inc,
                            Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, and
                            BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, as the initial purchasers
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the
                            Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                            quarter ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.1           -- Form of Severance Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant's Form 10 Registration
                            Statement, as amended, File No. 0-21374).
          10.2           -- Rights Agreement dated as of May 4, 1993, between The
                            Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights Agent
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
                            Registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement, as amended,
                            No. 33-71138)
         +10.3           -- 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrant's Form S-1 Registration
                            Statement, as amended, No. 33-71138).
         +10.4           -- 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report
                            for fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, File No.
                            0-21374)
         +10.5           -- 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant's Form 10-K
                            Annual Report for fiscal year ended December 31, 1993,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.6           -- Savings and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant's Form 10
                            Registration Statement, as amended, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.7           -- Amendments to the Savings and Deferred Profit Sharing
                            Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for fiscal year
                            ended December 29, 1996, File No. 0-21374).
         +10.8           -- Dovatron Ireland Limited Defined Contribution Plan
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10 Registration Statement, as amended,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.9           -- Form of Performance Share Agreement pursuant to the 1994
                            Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.16 of the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report
                            for fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, File No.
                            0-21374)
</TABLE>
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
         +10.10          -- Non-Employee Directors' Stock Compensation Plan
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B of the
                            Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Registrant's 1996
                            Annual Meeting of Stockholders, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.11          -- Senior Executive Performance Bonus Plan (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit A of the Registrant's Proxy
                            Statement for the Registrant's 1996 Annual Meeting of
                            Stockholders, File No. 0-21374)
         *10.12          -- Agreement dated as of February 17, 1997, by and between
                            Hewlett-Packard and Dovatron International, Inc.
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
          10.13          -- The DII Group, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
          10.14          -- The DII Group, Inc. Performance Share Agreement
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.15          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R. Budacz (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q
                            Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended March 30,
                            1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.16          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Carl R. Vertuca, Jr.
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.17          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R. Snyder (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q
                            Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended March 30,
                            1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.18          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Ronald R. Budacz (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.19          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Carl R. Vertuca, Jr. (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.20          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Ronald R. Snyder (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.21          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Dermott O'Flanagan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.12 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.22          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R.
                            Budacz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374).
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
         +10.23          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Carl R.
                            Vertuca, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
                            of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the
                            quarterly period ended September 28, 1997, File No.
                            0-21374).
         +10.24          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R.
                            Snyder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374).
         +10.25          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Carl A. Plichta (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q
                            Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended September
                            28, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.26          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Carl A.
                            Plichta (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374).
         +10.27          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Dermott O'Flanagan
         +10.28          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998 between
                            Nortavod Corporation and Dermott O'Flanagan
         #10.29          -- $180,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of October 30,
                            1998 among The DII Group, Inc. and Subsidiary Borrowers
                            and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent,
                            and Chase Securities Inc. as Arranger
         #10.30          -- $90,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1998
                            among Multilayer Technology GmbH & Co. KG, as Borrower
                            and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent,
                            and Chase Securities Inc. as Arranger
          13             -- Portions of the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is
                            incorporated by reference in Part II of the Annual Report
                            on Form 10-K.
          16.1           -- Letter dated September 10, 1997 from KPMG Peat Marwick
                            LLP to the Registrant (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 16.1 of the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated
                            September 4, 1997)
          21.1           -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant
          23.1           -- Consent of Independent Auditors -- Deloitte & Touche LLP
          23.2           -- Consent of Independent Auditors -- KPMG
          27             -- Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* Confidential treatment has been granted as to portions of this exhibit.
 
+ Management contract or compensatory plan.
 
# Schedules were not included but will be furnished supplementally to the
  Commission upon request.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
     (b) Reports on Form 8-K
 
     The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and
Exchange Commission during the Quarter ended January 3, 1999.
 
     The following item was reported in the Form 8-K dated November 13, 1998:
 
          Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets -- The Company completed
     its acquisition of Hewlett-Packard Company's Printed Circuit Organization's
     fabrication facility located in Boeblingen, Germany pursuant to a Master
     Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of October 30, 1998. No financial
     statements were filed as part of such report.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
The DII Group, Inc.:
 
     Under date of January 28, 1997, we reported on the consolidated statements
of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of The DII Group, Inc. and
subsidiaries (the Company) for the 52 weeks ended December 29, 1996, as
contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 1996. In
connection with our audit of the aforementioned consolidated financial
statements, we also audited the related consolidated financial statement
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, for the 52 weeks ended December
29, 1996. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this
financial statement schedule based on our audit.
 
     In our opinion, such financial statement schedule for the 52 weeks ended
December 29, 1996, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.
 
KPMG LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
January 28, 1997
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
The DII Group, Inc.
 
     We have audited the consolidated financial statements of The DII Group,
Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 3, 1999 and December 28,
1997, and for the 53 and 52 weeks then ended, and have issued our report thereon
dated January 28, 1999 (February 18, 1999 as to the redemption of convertible
subordinated notes described in Note 6); such report and financial statements
are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audit also included the financial
statement schedules of The DII Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the 53 weeks
ended January 3, 1999 and the 52 weeks ended December 28, 1997, listed in Item
14. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In
our opinion, such financial statement schedules for the 53 weeks ended January
3, 1999 and the 52 weeks ended December 28, 1997, when considered in relation to
the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in
all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
January 28, 1999
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    FOR THE FISCAL YEARS 1998, 1997 AND 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            COLUMN C
            COLUMN A                COLUMN B               ADDITIONS               COLUMN D      COLUMN E
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     (1)             (2)
                                   BALANCE AT     CHARGED TO      CHARGED TO                    BALANCE AT
                                  BEGINNING OF    COSTS AND     OTHER ACCOUNTS    DEDUCTIONS      END OF
          DESCRIPTION                PERIOD        EXPENSES        DESCRIBE        DESCRIBE       PERIOD
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>             <C>           <C>               <C>           <C>
Allowance deducted from assets
  to which it applies:
  Allowance for doubtful
     accounts receivable:
     Fiscal 1998                     $2,893         2,657           2,086(2)        1,736(1)      5,900
     Fiscal 1997                      1,771         1,238              --             116(1)      2,893
     Fiscal 1996                      1,685           519              --             433(1)      1,771
  Allowance for doubtful notes
     receivable:
     Fiscal 1998                         --            --              --              --            --
     Fiscal 1997                         --            --              --              --            --
     Fiscal 1996                         --           204              --             204(1)         --
  Allowance for inventories:
     Fiscal 1998                      5,472         7,962           3,095(4)        7,061(3)      9,468
     Fiscal 1997                      5,392         3,253           1,100(4)        4,273(3)      5,472
     Fiscal 1996                      4,533         3,042              --           2,183(3)      5,392
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Uncollectible receivables written-off, net of recoveries.
 
(2) Reserves established for doubtful accounts receivable of acquired entities.
 
(3) Inventory write-offs.
 
(4) Reserves established for excess and obsolete inventory of acquired entities.
<PAGE>   28
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Form 10-K to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                            The DII Group, Inc.
                                            (Registrant)
 
                                            By:     /s/ THOMAS J. SMACH
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Thomas J. Smach
                                              Chief Financial Officer
 
Dated: March 18, 1999
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                      DATE
                      ---------                                      -----                      ----
<C>                                                    <S>                                 <C>
 
                /s/ RONALD R. BUDACZ                   Chairman and Chief Executive        March 18, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------    Officer (Principal Executive
                  Ronald R. Budacz                       Officer)
 
              /s/ CARL R. VERTUCA, JR.                 Executive Vice President and        March 18, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------    Director (Principal Financial
                Carl R. Vertuca, Jr.                     Officer)
 
                 /s/ THOMAS J. SMACH                   Chief Financial Officer and Senior  March 18, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------    Vice President
                   Thomas J. Smach                       (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
                /s/ ROBERT L. BRUECK                   Director                            March 18, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Robert L. Brueck
 
           /s/ CONSTANTINE S. MACRICOSTAS              Director                            March 18, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
             Constantine S. Macricostas
 
             /s/ GERARD T. WRIXON, PH.D.               Director                            March 18, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
               Gerard T. Wrixon, Ph.D.
 
               /s/ ALEXANDER W. YOUNG                  Director                            March 18, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Alexander W. Young
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   29
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
 
           2.1           -- Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among The DII Group,
                            Inc., DII Merger Corp. and Orbit Semiconductor, Inc.,
                            dated as of June 9, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
                            Annex A to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained
                            in the Registrant's Form S-4 Registration Statement, No.
                            333-6789)
          #2.2           -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 5, 1997, by and
                            among International Business Machines Corporation, a New
                            York corporation, Multilayer Tek, L.P., a Texas Limited
                            partnership and The DII Group, Inc., a Delaware
                            corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of
                            the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29,
                            1997)
           2.3           -- Exhibit A to Purchase Agreement -- Assignment and
                            Assumption Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 2.2 of the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated
                            August 29, 1997)
          #2.4           -- Exhibit C to Purchase Agreement -- Lease (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 2.3 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997).
          #2.5           -- Exhibit E to Purchase Agreement -- Project Operations
                            Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of
                            the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29,
                            1997)
          *2.6           -- Exhibit F to Purchase Agreement -- Supply Agreement
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997)
           2.7           -- Exhibit G to Purchase Agreement -- Bill of Sale
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997).
           2.8           -- Exhibit H to Purchase Agreement -- Special Warranty Deed
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated August 29, 1997)
          #2.9           -- Agreement relating to the sale and purchase of the share
                            in Valenta Holdings Limited, dated as of August 22, 1998
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated September 4, 1998)
         *#2.10          -- Master Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 30,
                            1998, by and among Hewlett-Packard GmbH, a company
                            registered and incorporated under the laws of Germany,
                            Multilayer Technology GmbH & Co KG, a legal entity
                            registered and organized under the laws of Germany and
                            The DII Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
          *2.11          -- Exhibit A to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- Real
                            Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
          *2.12          -- Exhibit B to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- Lease
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 of the
                            Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
          #2.13          -- Exhibit C to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- Division
                            Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                            2.4 of the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated November
                            16, 1998)
          *2.14          -- Exhibit D to Master Asset Purchase
                            Agreement -- Technology License Agreement (incorporated
                            by reference to Exhibit 2.5 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   30
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
          *2.15          -- Exhibit E to Master Asset Purchase
                            Agreement -- Transition Services Agreement (incorporated
                            by reference to Exhibit 2.6 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
           2.16          -- Exhibit F to Master Asset Purchase Agreement -- New
                            Confidential Disclosure Agreement (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 2.7 of the Registrant's Report on
                            Form 8-K dated November 16, 1998)
           3.1           -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant,
                            together with the Certificate of Amendment of the
                            Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for fiscal year
                            ended December 31, 1995, File No. 0-21374).
           3.2           -- Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                            Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of
                            the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the
                            quarterly period ended March 29, 1998, File No. 0-21374).
           3.3           -- Restated Bylaws of Registrant, as amended (incorporated
                            by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's Form 10-K
                            Annual Report for fiscal year ended December 29, 1996,
                            File No. 0-21374)
           4.1           -- Indenture -- 8.50% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007
                            dated September 19, 1997 between the Registrant and The
                            Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company, National
                            Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
                            10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 1997, File No.
                            0-21374)
           4.2           -- Purchase Agreement -- 8.50% Senior Subordinated Notes Due
                            2007 dated September 16, 1997 between the Registrant and
                            Salomon Brothers Inc, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                            Securities Corporation, and BT Alex. Brown Incorporated,
                            as the initial purchasers (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
                            10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 1997, File No.
                            0-21374)
           4.3           -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 16, 1997
                            between the Registrant and Salomon Brothers Inc,
                            Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, and
                            BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, as the initial purchasers
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the
                            Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                            quarter ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.1           -- Form of Severance Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant's Form 10 Registration
                            Statement, as amended, File No. 0-21374).
          10.2           -- Rights Agreement dated as of May 4, 1993, between The
                            Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights Agent
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
                            Registrant's Form S-1 Registration Statement, as amended,
                            No. 33-71138)
         +10.3           -- 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrant's Form S-1 Registration
                            Statement, as amended, No. 33-71138).
         +10.4           -- 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report
                            for fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, File No.
                            0-21374)
         +10.5           -- 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant's Form 10-K
                            Annual Report for fiscal year ended December 31, 1993,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.6           -- Savings and Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant's Form 10
                            Registration Statement, as amended, File No. 0-21374)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   31
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
         +10.7           -- Amendments to the Savings and Deferred Profit Sharing
                            Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report for fiscal year
                            ended December 29, 1996, File No. 0-21374).
         +10.8           -- Dovatron Ireland Limited Defined Contribution Plan
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10 Registration Statement, as amended,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.9           -- Form of Performance Share Agreement pursuant to the 1994
                            Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.16 of the Registrant's Form 10-K Annual Report
                            for fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, File No.
                            0-21374)
         +10.10          -- Non-Employee Directors' Stock Compensation Plan
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B of the
                            Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Registrant's 1996
                            Annual Meeting of Stockholders, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.11          -- Senior Executive Performance Bonus Plan (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit A of the Registrant's Proxy
                            Statement for the Registrant's 1996 Annual Meeting of
                            Stockholders, File No. 0-21374)
         *10.12          -- Agreement dated as of February 17, 1997, by and between
                            Hewlett-Packard and Dovatron International, Inc.
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
          10.13          -- The DII Group, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
          10.14          -- The DII Group, Inc. Performance Share Agreement
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.15          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R. Budacz (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q
                            Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended March 30,
                            1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.16          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Carl R. Vertuca, Jr.
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended March 30, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.17          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R. Snyder (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q
                            Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended March 30,
                            1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.18          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Ronald R. Budacz (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.19          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Carl R. Vertuca, Jr. (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   32
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
         +10.20          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Ronald R. Snyder (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.21          -- Amendment to the Senior Executive Severance Agreement
                            dated as of January 1, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc.
                            and Dermott O'Flanagan (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 10.12 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly
                            Report for the quarterly period ended March 30, 1997,
                            File No. 0-21374)
         +10.22          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R.
                            Budacz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374).
         +10.23          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Carl R.
                            Vertuca, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
                            of the Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the
                            quarterly period ended September 28, 1997, File No.
                            0-21374).
         +10.24          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Ronald R.
                            Snyder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374).
         +10.25          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Carl A. Plichta (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q
                            Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended September
                            28, 1997, File No. 0-21374)
         +10.26          -- First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of
                            August 12, 1997 between The DII Group, Inc. and Carl A.
                            Plichta (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the
                            Registrant's Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarterly
                            period ended September 28, 1997, File No. 0-21374).
         +10.27          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998 between
                            The DII Group, Inc. and Dermott O'Flanagan
         +10.28          -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998 between
                            Nortavod Corporation and Dermott O'Flanagan
         #10.29          -- $180,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of October 30,
                            1998 among The DII Group, Inc. and Subsidiary Borrowers
                            and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent,
                            and Chase Securities Inc. as Arranger
         #10.30          -- $90,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1998
                            among Multilayer Technology GmbH & Co. KG, as Borrower
                            and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent,
                            and Chase Securities Inc. as Arranger
          13             -- Portions of the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is
                            incorporated by reference in Part II of the Annual Report
                            on Form 10-K.
          16.1           -- Letter dated September 10, 1997 from KPMG Peat Marwick
                            LLP to the Registrant (incorporated by reference to
                            Exhibit 16.1 of the Registrant's Report on Form 8-K dated
                            September 4, 1997)
          21.1           -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant
          23.1           -- Consent of Independent Auditors -- Deloitte & Touche LLP
          23.2           -- Consent of Independent Auditors -- KPMG
          27             -- Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   33
 
- ---------------
 
* Confidential treatment has been granted as to portions of this exhibit.
 
+ Management contract or compensatory plan.
 
# Schedules were not included but will be furnished supplementally to the
  Commission upon request.

<PAGE>   1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                  Agreement, made as of the 1st day of January 1998, by and
between The DII Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Dermott
O'Flanagan ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Company desires to employ Executive as Senior Vice President and
President, DOVatron International, Inc.; and

         B. Executive is willing to accept such employment on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                  THE PARTIES AGREE as follows:

                  1. Position and Term of Employment. Executive's employment
hereunder shall commence as of January 1, 1998 and shall end December 31, 2000,
unless terminated sooner pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement or extended by
the mutual agreement of the parties. During the term hereof, Executive shall be
employed as Senior Vice President (and President, DOVatron International, Inc.)
of the Company and shall devote his full business time, skill, attention and
best efforts in carrying out his duties and promoting the best interests of the
Company. Executive shall also serve as a director and/or officer of one or more
of the Company's subsidiaries as may be requested from time to time by the Board
of Directors. Subject always to the instructions and control of the Board of
Directors of the Company, Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and shall be responsible for the duties of the Senior Vice
President and President, DOVatron International, Inc. 



<PAGE>   2

Executive's duties under this Agreement shall be limited to those duties
performed while present in the United States relating to the Company and the
Company's subsidiaries.

                  Executive shall not at any time while employed by the Company
or any of its affiliates or for a period of one (1) year following the later of
(i) termination of employment for any reason or (ii) the date on which the last
payment is required to be made under Section 2.1(a)(ii) hereof, without the
prior consent of the Board of Directors, knowingly acquire any financial
interests, directly or indirectly, in or perform any services for or on behalf
of any business, person or enterprise which undertakes any business in
competition with the business of the Company and its affiliates or sells to or
buys from or otherwise transacts business with the Company and its affiliates;
provided that Executive may acquire and own not more than five percent (5%) of
the outstanding capital stock of any public corporation or mutual fund.
Executive shall not at any time while employed by the Company or any of its
affiliates or for a period of two (2) years following termination of employment
for any reason, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment, employ or enter
into any business or contractual relationship with any employee of the Company
or any of its affiliates.

                  2.1 Base Salary. (a) (i) Executive shall be paid an initial
salary at the monthly rate of Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Eight and
42/100 Dollars ($19,838.42), which shall be paid in accordance with the
Company's normal payroll practice with respect to salaried employees, subject to
applicable payroll taxes and deductions (the "Base Salary"). Executive's Base
Salary shall be subject to review and possible change in accordance with the
usual practices and policies of the Company. However, Executive's base annual
salary shall not be reduced unless such reduction is part of a Company-wide
reduction in pay scale and 


                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3


such reduction is proportionate to reductions imposed on the Company's and its
subsidiaries' employees; however, in no event may Executive's then current Base
Salary be reduced by more than 10%.

         (ii) If for any reason other than Executive's voluntary resignation or
termination pursuant to Sections 6(a), (b) or (c) hereof, Executive does not
continue to be employed by the Company, Executive shall continue to receive an
amount equal to his then current Base Salary plus an annual performance bonus
equal to the highest annual bonus payment Executive has received in the previous
three years for the then remaining balance of the term of this Agreement. In no
event shall such payment be less than one year's base salary plus such highest
annual bonus. The foregoing amounts shall be paid to Executive over the
remaining term of this Agreement or one year (whichever is applicable) in
accordance with the Company's payroll and bonus payment policies.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no payments under this subparagraph (ii) shall be
made if the Company makes all payments to Executive required to be made under
the Executive's Senior Executive Severance Agreement (the "Severance Agreement")
in the event of a Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in
Control shall be deemed to have taken place upon the occurrence of any of the
following events:

              (A) any corporation, person, other entity or group (other than
the trustee of any qualified retirement plan maintained by the Company) becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of securities representing twenty percent
(20%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities; or


                                      -3-

<PAGE>   4

                  (B) during any period of twenty-four consecutive months,
individuals who at the beginning of such consecutive twenty-four month period
constitute the Board of Directors cease for any reason (other than retirement
upon reaching normal retirement age, disability or death) to constitute at least
a majority thereof, unless the election or the nomination for election by the
Company's stockholders of each new director was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the
beginning of such twenty-four month period; or

                  (C) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) at least 80% of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after
such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan
of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets; or

                  (D) there shall occur a transaction or series of transactions
which the Board of Directors shall determine to have the effect of a Change in
Control.

              (b) If Executive resigns voluntarily or ceases to be employed
by the Company (or any affiliate) for any reason described in Section 6(a) or
(c) of this Agreement, all benefits described in Sections 2 and 3 hereof shall
terminate (except to the extent previously earned or vested).



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

            (c) If Executive's employment shall have been terminated
pursuant to Section 6(b), the Company shall pay in equal monthly installments
for the then remaining balance of the term of this Agreement to Executive (or
his beneficiaries or personal representatives, as the case may be) disability
benefits at a rate per annum equal to one hundred percent (100%) of his then
current Base Salary, plus amounts equal to the highest annual bonus as provided
in clause (ii) of Section 2.1(a), less payments and benefits, if any, received
under any disability plan or insurance provided by the Company and less any
"sick leave" payments received from the Company for the applicable period.

            2.2 Bonuses. Executive shall be eligible for an annual
performance bonus for calendar years beginning after December 31, 1997, in
accordance with the Company's Senior Executive Performance Bonus Plan. The
Company shall administer such bonus plan on a basis consistent with the past.

            2.3 Expenses. During the term hereof, the Company shall pay or
reimburse Executive in accordance with the Company's normal practices any
travel, hotel and other expenses or disbursements reasonably incurred or paid by
Executive in connection with the services performed by Executive hereunder, in
each case upon presentation by Executive of itemized accounts of such
expenditures or such other supporting information as the Company may require.

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6


                   3. Other Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to receive the
following benefits during the term of employment:

                  (a) participation in medical, dental, hospitalization,
disability and life insurance benefit plans made available by the Company to its
senior executives and Executive also shall be eligible to participate in
existing retirement or pension plans offered by the Company to its senior
executives, subject in each case to the terms and requirements of each such plan
or program;
                  (b) reimbursement for country club dues at one country club;

                  (c) usage of a Company-furnished 1998 Audi A8 and 
reimbursement for non-routine maintenance costs;

                  (d) due to the differences in education programs in the United
States as compared with Ireland, educational allowances of (i) $12,000 per
school year commencing in September 1997 for one of Executive's children for a
period of five (5) years, and (ii) $12,000 per school year commencing September
1998 for a second child for a period of three (3) years. In addition, the
Company shall make additional payments on an after-tax basis to Executive equal
to Executive's actual federal, state and local tax liability resulting from such
educational allowances. For purposes hereof, after-tax basis shall mean with
respect to any payment to be received or deemed to be received by Executive, the
amount of such payment (the "Base Payment") supplemented by a further payment
(the "Additional Payment") to Executive so that the sum of the Base Payment plus
the Additional Payment shall, after deducting all taxes imposed on such
Executive as a result of the receipt or accrual of the Base Payment and such
Additional Payment, be equal to the Base Payment. In the event the Executive's
employment is terminated pursuant to Section 6(a) or (b), the Company shall
continue to provide the benefits 



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

under this paragraph (d) for the balance of the term provided that the
Executive's children continue their education in the United States;

                  (e) the Company agrees to loan Executive the sum of $550,000
to be applied towards the purchase of a residence. The term of such loan shall
be for a period ending December 31, 2000 subject to automatic extension if the
Company and the Executive extend this Employment Agreement (or enter into a new
Employment Agreement) in which event the term of the loan shall be extended
through the term of employment; provided that the loan shall be accelerated in
the event that (i) Executive resigns voluntarily or is terminated pursuant to
the provisions of Section 6(c) or (ii) Executive sells the residence . The loan
shall be interest-free, evidenced by a promissory note and shall be secured by a
second mortgage on the residence;

                  (f) payment of an annual financial and tax-planning allowance
in an amount up to 1% of base salary; and

                  (g) in the event that the Executive incurs liability as a
result of the vesting of performance shares in January 1996 and April 1997, the
Company shall make equitable provision in order to provide the Executive with
benefits on an equivalent basis as the Company's other senior executives, in
particular in the form of a loan to discharge the liability and provision for
the forgiveness of the indebtedness.

                  4. Confidential Information. Except as specifically permitted
by this Section 4, and except as required in the course of his employment with
the Company, while in the employ of the Company or thereafter, Executive will
not communicate or divulge to or use for the benefit of himself or any other
person, firm, association, or corporation without the prior written consent of
the Company, any Confidential Information (as defined herein) owned, or 

                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

used by the Company or any of its affiliates that may be communicated to,
acquired by or learned of by Executive in the course of, or as a result of,
Executive's employment with the Company or any of its affiliates. All
Confidential Information relating to the business of the Company or any of its
affiliates which Executive shall use or prepare or come into contact with shall
become and remain the sole property of the Company or its affiliates.

                  "Confidential Information" means information not generally
known about the Company and its affiliates, services and products, whether
written or not, including information relating to research, development,
purchasing, marketing plans, computer software or programs, any copyrightable
material, trade secrets and proprietary information, including, but not limited
to, customer lists.

                  Executive may disclose Confidential Information to the extent
it (i) becomes part of the public domain otherwise than as a result of
Executive's breach hereof or (ii) is required to be disclosed by law. If
Executive is required by applicable law or regulation or by legal process to
disclose any Confidential Information, Executive will provide the Company with
prompt notice thereof so as to enable the Company to seek an appropriate
protective order.

                  Upon request by the Company, Executive agrees to deliver to
the Company at the termination of Executive's employment, or at such other times
as the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports and
other documents (and all copies thereof) containing Confidential Information
that Executive may then possess or have under his control.

                  5. Assignment of Patents and Copyrights. Executive shall
assign to the Company all inventions and improvements within the existing or
contemplated scope of the Company's business made by Executive while in the
Company's employ, together with any such 

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9

patents or copyrights as may be obtained thereon, both domestic and foreign.
Upon request by the Company and at the Company's expense, Executive will at any
time during his employment with the Company and after termination regardless of
the reason therefor, execute all proper papers for use in applying for,
obtaining and maintaining such domestic and foreign patents and/or copyrights as
the Company may desire, and will execute and deliver all proper assignments
therefor.

                  6.       Termination.

                           (a)  This Agreement shall terminate upon Executive's 
death.

                           (b)  The Company may terminate Executive's employment
hereunder upon fifteen (15) days' written notice if in the opinion of the Board
of Directors, Executive's physical or mental disability has continued or is
expected to continue for one hundred and eighty (180) consecutive days and as a
result thereof, Executive will be unable to continue the proper performance of
his duties hereunder. For the purpose of determining disability, Executive
agrees to submit to such reasonable physical and mental examinations, if any, as
the Board of Directors may request and hereby authorizes the examining person to
disclose his findings to the Board of Directors of the Company.

                           (c)  The Company may terminate Executive's employment
hereunder "for cause" (as hereinafter defined). If Executive's employment is
terminated for cause, Executive's salary and all other rights not then vested
under this Agreement shall terminate upon written notice of termination being
given to Executive. As used herein, the term "for cause" means the occurrence of
any of the following:

                                (i) Executive having willfully and continually 
                  failed to perform substantially his duties with the Company 
                  (other than such failure 

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10

                  resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness,
                  death or disability) after a written demand for substantial
                  performance has been delivered to the Executive by the Board
                  or the President of the Company which specifically identifies
                  the manner in which the Executive is not substantially
                  performing his duties; or (ii) Executive having willfully
                  engaged in conduct which is materially demonstrably injurious
                  to the Company. For purposes of this section, no act, or
                  failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be
                  considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by
                  the Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that
                  such action or omission was in, or not opposed to, the best
                  interests of the Company. Any act or failure to act based upon
                  authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the
                  Board or based upon the advice of counsel to the Company shall
                  be conclusively presumed to be done or omitted to be done by
                  the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the
                  Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall
                  not be deemed to have been terminated for cause unless and
                  until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy
                  of a written resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote
                  of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire membership
                  of the Board at a meeting called and held for that purpose
                  after reasonable notice to and opportunity for the Executive
                  and the executive's counsel to be heard by the Board, finding
                  that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was
                  guilty of the conduct set forth above in (i) or (ii) and
                  specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

                  7. Additional Remedies. Executive recognizes that irreparable
injury will result to the Company and to its business and properties in the
event of any breach by Executive of the non-compete or non-solicitation
provisions of Section 1, the confidentiality provisions of Section 4 or the
assignment provisions of Section 5 and that Executive's continued employment is
predicated on the covenants made by him pursuant to such Sections. In the event
of any breach by Executive of his obligations under said provisions, the Company
shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages available, to
injunctive relief to restrain any such breach by Executive or by any person or
persons acting for or with Executive in any capacity whatsoever and other
equitable relief.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11

                  8. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind
and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company and
their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns. Neither this
Agreement nor any of the duties or obligations hereunder shall be assignable by
Executive.

                  9. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado.
Each of the Company and Executive consents to the jurisdiction of any state or
federal court sitting in Colorado, in any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement.

                  10 Headings. The paragraph headings used in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any purpose or in any way affect the interpretation of this
Agreement.

                  11. Severability. If any provision, paragraph or subparagraph
of this Agreement is adjudged by any court to be void or unenforceable in whole
or in part, this adjudication shall not affect the validity of the remainder of
this Agreement. In addition, to the extent possible, a like valid term which
meets the objective of the void or unenforceable term shall be substituted for
any such void or unenforceable term.

                  12. Complete Agreement. This document embodies the complete
agreement and understanding among the parties, written or oral, which may have
related to the subject matter hereof in any way and shall not be amended orally,
but only by the mutual agreement of the parties hereto in writing, specifically
referencing this Agreement.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12

                  13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more separate counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same Agreement.

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



                                            THE DII GROUP, INC.

                                            By:    /s/ Thomas J. Smach 
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                                  -----------------------------


                                                   /s/ Dermott O'Flanagan
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            DERMOTT O'FLANAGAN





                                      -12-

<PAGE>   1

                 EMPLOYMENT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT


                  Agreement, made as of the 1st day of January 1998, by and
between NortaVOD Corporation., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Dermott O'Flanagan ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Company desires to employ Executive as Senior Vice President 
and Director of Overseas Operations; and

         B. Executive is willing to accept such employment on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                  THE PARTIES AGREE as follows:

                  1. Position and Term of Employment. Executive's employment
hereunder shall commence as of January 1, 1998 and shall end December 31, 2000,
unless terminated sooner pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement or extended by
the mutual agreement of the parties. During the term hereof, Executive shall be
employed as Senior Vice President and Director of Overseas Operations of the
Company and shall devote his full business time, skill, attention and best
efforts in carrying out his duties and promoting the best interests of the
Company. Executive shall also serve as a director and/or officer of one or more
of the Company's subsidiaries as may be requested from time to time by the Board
of Directors. Subject always to the instructions and control of the Board of
Directors of the Company, Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and shall be responsible for the duties of the Senior Vice
President and Director of Overseas Operations. Executive's 



<PAGE>   2

duties under this Agreement shall be limited to those duties performed while
outside of the United States and shall be subject to the fulfillment by
Executive of his duties under his Employment Agreement with The DII Group, Inc.
("DII").

                  Executive shall not at any time while employed by the Company
or any of its affiliates or for a period of one (1) year following the later of
(i) termination of employment for any reason or (ii) the date on which the last
payment is required to be made under Section 2.1(a)(ii) hereof, without the
prior consent of the Board of Directors, knowingly acquire any financial
interests, directly or indirectly, in or perform any services for or on behalf
of any business, person or enterprise which undertakes any business in
competition with the business of the Company and its affiliates or sells to or
buys from or otherwise transacts business with the Company and its affiliates;
provided that Executive may acquire and own not more than five percent (5%) of
the outstanding capital stock of any public corporation or mutual fund.
Executive shall not at any time while employed by the Company or any of its
affiliates or for a period of two (2) years following termination of employment
for any reason, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment, employ or enter
into any business or contractual relationship with any employee of the Company
or any of its affiliates.

                  2.1 Base Salary. (a) (i) Executive shall be paid an initial
salary at the monthly rate of Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Three and
50/100 Dollars ($8,873.50) which shall be paid in accordance with the Company's
normal payroll practice with respect to salaried employees, subject to
applicable payroll taxes and deductions (the "Base Salary"). Executive's Base
Salary shall be subject to review and possible change in accordance with the
usual practices and policies of the Company. However, Executive's base annual
salary shall not be reduced unless such reduction is part of a Company-wide
reduction in pay scale and such 

                                      -2-


<PAGE>   3

reduction is proportionate to reductions imposed on the Company's and its
subsidiaries' employees; however, in no event may Executive's then current Base
Salary be reduced by more than 10%.

         (ii) If for any reason other than Executive's voluntary resignation or
termination pursuant to Sections 6(a), (b) or (c) hereof, Executive does not
continue to be employed by the Company, Executive shall continue to receive an
amount equal to his then current Base Salary under this Agreement plus an annual
performance bonus equal to the highest annual bonus payment Executive has
received under this Agreement in the previous three years for the then remaining
balance of the term of this Agreement. In no event shall such payment be less
than one year's base salary plus such highest annual bonus. The foregoing
amounts shall be paid to Executive over the remaining term of this Agreement or
one year (whichever is applicable) in accordance with the Company's payroll and
bonus payment policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no payments under this
subparagraph (ii) shall be made if the Company makes all payments to Executive
required to be made under the Executive's Senior Executive Severance Agreement
(the "Severance Agreement") in the event of a Change in Control. For purposes of
this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have taken place upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:

              (A) any corporation, person, other entity or group (other than
the trustee of any qualified retirement plan maintained by DII) becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934), directly or indirectly, of securities representing twenty percent
(20%) or more of the combined voting power of DII's then outstanding securities;
or

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   4

                  (B) during any period of twenty-four consecutive months,
individuals who at the beginning of such consecutive twenty-four month period
constitute the Board of Directors of DII cease for any reason (other than
retirement upon reaching normal retirement age, disability or death) to
constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election or the nomination
for election by DII's stockholders of each new director was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors
at the beginning of such twenty-four month period; or

                  (C) the stockholders of DII approve a merger or consolidation
of DII with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which
would result in the voting securities of DII outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the
combined voting power of the voting securities of DII or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders
of DII approve a plan of complete liquidation of DII or an agreement for the
sale or disposition by DII of all or substantially all of DII's assets; or

                  (D) there shall occur a transaction or series of transactions
which the Board of Directors shall determine to have the effect of a Change in
Control.

              (b) If Executive resigns voluntarily or ceases to be employed
by the Company (or any affiliate) for any reason described in Section 6(a) or
(c) of this Agreement, all benefits described in Sections 2 and 3 hereof shall
terminate (except to the extent previously earned or vested).


                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5

                  (c) If Executive's employment shall have been terminated
pursuant to Section 6(b), the Company shall pay in equal monthly installments
for the then remaining balance of the term of this Agreement to Executive (or
his beneficiaries or personal representatives, as the case may be) disability
benefits at a rate per annum equal to one hundred percent (100%) of his then
current Base Salary under this Agreement, plus amounts equal to the highest
annual bonus as provided in clause (ii) of Section 2.1(a), less payments and
benefits, if any, received under any disability plan or insurance provided by
the Company and less any "sick leave" payments received from the Company for the
applicable period.

                  2.2 Bonuses. Executive shall be eligible for an annual
performance bonus for calendar years beginning after December 31, 1997, in the
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors

                  2.3 Expenses. During the term hereof, the Company shall pay or
reimburse Executive in accordance with the Company's normal practices any
travel, hotel and other expenses or disbursements reasonably incurred or paid by
Executive in connection with the services performed by Executive hereunder, in
each case upon presentation by Executive of itemized accounts of such
expenditures or such other supporting information as the Company may require.

                  3.1 Stock Options; Performance Shares. Executive shall be
eligible for grants of stock options and performance share awards under DII's
1994 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), as may hereafter be determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of DII under the Plan. Stock
options and performance share awards under this Section 3.1 shall be deemed to
be granted exclusively for Executive's services under this Agreement.

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6

                  3.2 Effect of Termination of Employment; Change in Control.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Executive's options, if Executive shall
resign voluntarily or cease to be employed by the Company (or an affiliate)
other than as a result of death or disability, Executive shall be entitled to
exercise such options to the extent such options could otherwise have been
exercised immediately prior to the time of termination at any time up to and
including 90 days after the date of termination, but not beyond the expiration
date of an option. This provision is not intended to limit any other rights that
Executive may have with respect to the vesting or exercise of options.

                  (b) If Executive shall die or become disabled, all options and
performance shares which have not vested will accelerate and vest immediately,
and, in the event of Executive's death, all option rights will transfer to
Executive's representative. All then unexercised options will be cancelled one
year after Executive dies or becomes disabled.

                  (c) If there is a Change in Control, all options and
performance shares which have not vested will accelerate and vest immediately.

                  4. Confidential Information. Except as specifically permitted
by this Section 4, and except as required in the course of his employment with
the Company, while in the employ of the Company or thereafter, Executive will
not communicate or divulge to or use for the benefit of himself or any other
person, firm, association, or corporation without the prior written consent of
the Company, any Confidential Information (as defined herein) owned, or used by
the Company or any of its affiliates that may be communicated to, acquired by or
learned of by Executive in the course of, or as a result of, Executive's
employment with the Company or any of its affiliates. All Confidential
Information relating to the business of the Company or any 

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7


of its affiliates which Executive shall use or prepare or come into contact with
shall become and remain the sole property of the Company or its affiliates.

                  "Confidential Information" means information not generally
known about the Company and its affiliates, services and products, whether
written or not, including information relating to research, development,
purchasing, marketing plans, computer software or programs, any copyrightable
material, trade secrets and proprietary information, including, but not limited
to, customer lists.

                  Executive may disclose Confidential Information to the extent
it (i) becomes part of the public domain otherwise than as a result of
Executive's breach hereof or (ii) is required to be disclosed by law. If
Executive is required by applicable law or regulation or by legal process to
disclose any Confidential Information, Executive will provide the Company with
prompt notice thereof so as to enable the Company to seek an appropriate
protective order.

                  Upon request by the Company, Executive agrees to deliver to
the Company at the termination of Executive's employment, or at such other times
as the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports and
other documents (and all copies thereof) containing Confidential Information
that Executive may then possess or have under his control.

                  5. Assignment of Patents and Copyrights. Executive shall
assign to the Company all inventions and improvements within the existing or
contemplated scope of the Company's business made by Executive while in the
Company's employ, together with any such patents or copyrights as may be
obtained thereon, both domestic and foreign. Upon request by the Company and at
the Company's expense, Executive will at any time during his employment with the
Company and after termination regardless of the reason therefor, execute all
proper papers for use in applying for, obtaining and maintaining such domestic
and foreign patents and/or copyrights as the Company may desire, and will
execute and deliver all proper assignments therefor.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

                  6.  Termination.

                  (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8, this Agreement
shall terminate upon Executive's death.

                  (b) The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder
upon fifteen (15) days' written notice if in the opinion of the Board of
Directors, Executive's physical or mental disability has continued or is
expected to continue for one hundred and eighty (180) consecutive days and as a
result thereof, Executive will be unable to continue the proper performance of
his duties hereunder. For the purpose of determining disability, Executive
agrees to submit to such reasonable physical and mental examinations, if any, as
the Board of Directors may request and hereby authorizes the examining person to
disclose his findings to the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  (c) The Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder
"for cause" (as hereinafter defined). If Executive's employment is terminated
for cause, Executive's salary and all other rights not then vested under this
Agreement shall terminate upon written notice of termination being given to
Executive, subject to the provisions of Section 8. As used herein, the term "for
cause" means the occurrence of any of the following:

                                    (i) Executive having willfully and
                  continually failed to perform substantially his duties with
                  the Company (other than such failure resulting from incapacity
                  due to physical or mental illness, death or disability) after
                  a written demand for substantial performance has been
                  delivered to the Executive by the Board or the President of
                  the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which
                  the Executive is not substantially performing his duties; or
                  (ii) Executive having willfully 

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9


                  engaged in conduct which is materially demonstrably injurious
                  to the Company. For purposes of this section, no act, or
                  failure to act, on the part of the Executive shall be
                  considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by
                  the Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that
                  such action or omission was in, or not opposed to, the best
                  interests of the Company. Any act or failure to act based upon
                  authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the
                  Board or based upon the advice of counsel to the Company shall
                  be conclusively presumed to be done or omitted to be done by
                  the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the
                  Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall
                  not be deemed to have been terminated for cause unless and
                  until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy
                  of a written resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote
                  of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire membership
                  of the Board at a meeting called and held for that purpose
                  after reasonable notice to and opportunity for the Executive
                  and the executive's counsel to be heard by the Board, finding
                  that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was
                  guilty of the conduct set forth above in (i) or (ii) and
                  specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

                  7. Additional Remedies. Executive recognizes that irreparable
injury will result to the Company and to its business and properties in the
event of any breach by Executive of the non-compete or non-solicitation
provisions of Section 1, the confidentiality provisions of Section 4 or the
assignment provisions of Section 5 and that Executive's continued employment is
predicated on the covenants made by him pursuant to such Sections. In the event
of any breach by Executive of his obligations under said provisions, the Company
shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages available, to
injunctive relief to restrain any such breach by Executive or by any person or
persons acting for or with Executive in any capacity whatsoever and other
equitable relief.

                  8. Deferred Compensation Account; Contributions to Trust. All
compensation earned under this Agreement (other than stock option grants) shall
be deferred in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.


                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10

                  (a) The Company shall credit to a book reserve (the "Deferred
Compensation Account") established for this purpose an amount equal to all
compensation earned under this Agreement (other than stock option grants). Any
amounts represented by credits made to the Deferred Compensation Account in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall be contributed by the Company to
the trust (the "Trust") established under the Trust Agreement annexed as Exhibit
A hereto. In the case of Performance Shares, the amount of the deferred
Performance Shares shall be credited to the Deferred Compensation Account upon
vesting in the form of Stock Units. A corresponding number of shares of Common
Stock shall be transferred by the Company to the Trust, to be held in accordance
with the provisions of the Trust Agreement.

                  (b) The Deferred Compensation Account shall be credited with
all amounts of cash compensation that are deferred pursuant to this Agreement,
and shall be debited or credited with amounts representing all losses or
earnings debited or credited to an account established in respect of the
Executive under the Trust. The Deferred Compensation Account also shall be
charged from time to time with all amounts that are distributed to the
Executive.

                  (c) With respect to Stock Units, in the event DII declares and
pays a dividend, the Deferred Compensation Account shall be credited with an
amount equal to the amount of the dividend paid on the number of shares of
Common Stock equal to the number of Stock Units in the Deferred Compensation
Account. In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or
exchange of shares of Common Stock, recapitalization or other change in the
capital structure of DII, corporate separation or division (including, but not
limited to, split-up, spin-off or distribution to DII shareholders other than a
normal cash dividend), sale by DII of all or a substantial portion of its
assets, rights offering, merger, consolidation, reorganization or 


                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11

partial or complete liquidation, or any other corporate transaction or event
having an effect similar to any of the foregoing, the number of Stock Units in
the Deferred Compensation Account shall be appropriately adjusted in an
equitable manner or there shall be made such other equitable adjustments to the
Deferred Compensation Account.

                  (d) Amounts contributed to the Trust and credited to the
Executive's account thereunder shall be invested and reinvested, at the
direction of the Executive, in accordance with the provisions of the Trust
Agreement. The assets of the Trust shall be considered part of the general
assets of the Company subject to the claims of its general creditors.

                  (e) The Executive agrees on behalf of himself and his
designated beneficiary to assume all risk in connection with any debits or
credits made to his account under the Trust by reason of losses or earnings on
investments made in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement.

                  (f) If the Executive experiences an Unforeseeable Financial
Emergency, the Executive may, with the approval of the Company, receive a
partial or full distribution of his Deferred Compensation Account. The
distribution shall not exceed the amount reasonably needed to satisfy the
Unforeseeable Financial Emergency.

                  (g) The Executive may at any time elect to withdraw all of the
balance then credited to his Deferred Compensation Account, less a ten (10)
percent withdrawal penalty. Thereafter, the provisions of this Section 8 shall
no longer continue in effect.

                  (h) Upon the earlier of (i) a period of 30 days shall have
elapsed after the Executive ceases to be a resident of the United States, and
(ii) the earliest date reasonably 


                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12

practicable following the Executive's Termination of Employment, the Company
shall pay (or cause to be paid from the Trust) to the Executive or to the
Executive's beneficiary or estate (in the event of his death) a lump sum amount
equal to his Deferred Compensation Account. All payments shall be made in cash,
except that distributions representing Stock Units shall be made in shares of
Common Stock.

                  (i) The beneficiary referred to in paragraph (h) above may be
designated or changed by the Executive on a form provided by the Company and
delivered to the Company before his death. If no such beneficiary shall have
been designated, or if no designated beneficiary shall survive the Executive,
the lump sum payment payable under paragraph (h) above shall be payable to the
Executive's surviving spouse or, if none, his estate.

                  (j) For purposes of this Agreement:

                      "Change in Control" shall mean a change in control of the 
Company, which shall be deemed to have occurred if the conditions set forth in
any one of the following four paragraphs shall have been satisfied:

                     (i) any corporation, person, other entity or group (other
         than the trustee of any qualified retirement plan maintained by DII)
         becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of securities
         representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power
         of DII's then outstanding securities; or

                     (ii) during any period of twenty-four consecutive months,
         individuals who at the beginning of such consecutive twenty-four month
         period constitute the Board 


                                      -12-

<PAGE>   13

         of Directors of DII cease for any reason (other than retirement upon
         reaching normal retirement age, disability or death) to constitute at
         least a majority thereof, unless the election or the nomination for
         election by the Company's shareholders of each new director was
         approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still
         in office who were directors at the beginning of such twenty-four month
         period;

                     (iii) the shareholders of DII approve a merger or
         consolidation of DII with any other corporation, other than a merger or
         consolidation which would result in the voting securities of DII
         outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either
         by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities
         of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the combined voting power of
         the voting securities of DII or such surviving entity outstanding
         immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the shareholders of
         DII approve a plan or complete liquidation of DII or an agreement for
         the sale or disposition by DII of all or substantially all DII's
         assets;

                     (iv) there shall occur a transaction or series of
         transactions which the Board of Directors of DII shall determine to
         have the effect of a Change in Control.

                  "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $0.01 of
DII, or any security of DII issued in substitution, exchange or in lieu thereof.

                  "Performance Shares" shall mean performance shares awarded
under DII's 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and under any successor plan of DII which
permits the awardee to elect to defer the Performance Shares.


                                      -13-

<PAGE>   14

                  "Stock Units" shall mean bookkeeping units in the Deferred
Compensation Account, each of which represents a share of Common Stock.

                  "Termination of Employment" shall mean the Executive's
cessation of employment or service with the Company or any affiliate voluntarily
or involuntarily, for any reason.

                  "Unforeseeable Financial Emergency" shall mean an
unanticipated emergency that is caused by an event beyond the control of the
Executive that would result in severe financial hardship to the Executive
resulting from (i) a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Executive
or a dependent of the Executive, (ii) a loss of the Executive's property due to
casualty, or (iii) other such extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances, all
as determined in the sole discretion of the Company.

                  (k) It is the intention of the parties hereto that the
arrangement described in this Agreement be unfunded for tax purposes and for
purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended. Nothing in this Agreement or the Trust Agreement and no action taken
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or the Trust Agreement shall create
or be construed to create a fiduciary relationship between the Company and the
Executive, his designated beneficiary or any other person. Any funds that may be
invested under the provisions of the Trust Agreement shall continue for all
purposes to be a part of the general funds of the Company and no person other
than the Company shall by virtue of the provisions of this Agreement have any
interest in such funds. To the extent that any person acquires a right to
receive payments from the Company under this Agreement, such right shall be no
greater than 

                                      -14-

<PAGE>   15

the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company. This Agreement
constitutes a mere promise by the Company to make a benefit payment in the
future.

                  (l) The Company or the trustee of the Trust shall withhold
from benefits distributed under this Agreement all income, employment and other
taxes required to be withheld by applicable law.

                  (m) After a Change in Control, if any person or entity has
failed to comply (or is threatening not to comply) with any of its obligations
under this Agreement or the Trust, or takes or threatens to take any action to
deny, diminish or to recover from the Executive the benefits intended to be
provided hereunder, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable
attorneys' fees and related costs incurred in the successful pursuance or
defense of the Executive's rights. If the Executive does not prevail, attorneys'
fees shall also be payable under the preceding sentence to the extent the
Executive had reasonable justification for retaining counsel, but only to the
extent that the scope of such representation was reasonable.

                  (n) No benefit under this Agreement shall be subject in any
manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to do so shall be void. No benefit under
this Agreement shall in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts,
contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of the person entitled to any such
benefit, except as specifically provided in this Agreement.

                  9. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is intended to bind
and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and the Company and
their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns. Neither this
Agreement nor any of the duties or obligations hereunder shall be assignable by
Executive.


                                      -15-

<PAGE>   16


                  10. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado.
Each of the Company and Executive consents to the jurisdiction of any state or
federal court sitting in Colorado, in any action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement.

                  11. Headings. The paragraph headings used in this Agreement
are for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any purpose or in any way affect the interpretation of this
Agreement.

                  12. Severability. If any provision, paragraph or subparagraph
of this Agreement is adjudged by any court to be void or unenforceable in whole
or in part, this adjudication shall not affect the validity of the remainder of
this Agreement. In addition, to the extent possible, a like valid term which
meets the objective of the void or unenforceable term shall be substituted for
any such void or unenforceable term.

                  13. Complete Agreement. This document embodies the complete
agreement and understanding among the parties, written or oral, which may have
related to the subject matter hereof in any way and shall not be amended orally,
but only by the mutual agreement of the parties hereto in writing, specifically
referencing this Agreement.

                  14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more separate counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same Agreement.

                  15. Miscellaneous. Executive acknowledges that the Company is
not responsible for the tax attributes of Executive's compensation under this
Agreement. Executive shall be solely responsible for Executive's income tax
liability and any other tax liability, and the Company expressly disavows any
responsibility or warranty in connection therewith.

                                      -16-


<PAGE>   17


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



                                            NORTAVOD CORPORATION


                                            By:      /s/ Thomas J. Smach
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Title:       Vice President 
                                                  -----------------------------

                                                     /s/ Dermott O'Flanagan
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            DERMOTT O'FLANAGAN





                                      -17-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.29



                                                                  EXECUTION COPY





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




                                  $180,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG


                               THE DII GROUP, INC.
                                       AND
                            THE SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS
                        FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,

                               THE SEVERAL LENDERS
                        FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,

                                       AND

                              CHASE SECURITIES INC.
                                   AS ARRANGER

                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 30, 1998


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


<PAGE>   2





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      Page

<S>                                                                                                   <C>
SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS................................................................................1
         1.1  Defined Terms............................................................................1
         1.2  Other Definitional Provisions...........................................................24

SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF U.S. DOLLAR COMMITMENTS...............................................24
         2.1  Term Commitments........................................................................24
         2.2  Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing.......................................................25
         2.3  Repayment of Term Loans; Evidence of Debt...............................................25
         2.4  Revolving Commitments...................................................................26
         2.5  Procedure for Dollar Revolving Loan Borrowing...........................................27
         2.6  Commitment Fees, etc. ..................................................................27
         2.7  Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments.......................................27
         2.8  Repayment of Dollar Revolving Loans; Evidence of Debt...................................28

SECTION 3.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF MULTICURRENCY COMMITMENTS.............................................28
         3.1  Multicurrency Commitments...............................................................28
         3.2  Procedure for Multicurrency Borrowings..................................................29
         3.3  Repayment of Multicurrency Loans; Evidence of Debt......................................29

SECTION 4.  LETTERS OF CREDIT.........................................................................30
         4.1  L/C Commitment..........................................................................30
         4.2  Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit..............................................30
         4.3  Fees and Other Charges..................................................................31
         4.4  L/C Participations......................................................................31
         4.5  Reimbursement Obligation of the Company.................................................32
         4.6  Obligations Absolute....................................................................32
         4.7  Letter of Credit Payments...............................................................33
         4.8  Applications............................................................................33

SECTION 5.  GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE LOANS................................................33
         5.1  Interest Rates and Payment Dates........................................................33
         5.2  Computation of Interest and Fees........................................................34
         5.3  Inability to Determine Interest Rate....................................................35
         5.4  Optional Prepayments....................................................................35
         5.5  Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions.........................................36
         5.6  Conversion and Continuation Options.....................................................37
         5.7  Limitations on Tranches.................................................................38
         5.8  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.........................................................38
         5.9  Requirements of Law.....................................................................40
         5.10  Taxes..................................................................................41
         5.11  Indemnity..............................................................................43

</TABLE>


                                      -i-
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                  <C>
         5.12  Change of Lending Office...............................................................43
         5.13  Subsidiary Borrowers...................................................................43
         5.14  Replacement of Lenders.................................................................44
         5.15  Lending Installations..................................................................44

SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES............................................................44
         6.1  Financial Condition.....................................................................44
         6.2  No Change...............................................................................45
         6.3  Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law................................................45
         6.4  Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.................................46
         6.5  No Legal Bar............................................................................46
         6.6  Litigation..............................................................................46
         6.7  No Default..............................................................................46
         6.8  Ownership of Property; Liens............................................................47
         6.9  Intellectual Property...................................................................47
         6.10  Taxes..................................................................................47
         6.11  Federal Regulations....................................................................47
         6.12  Labor Matters..........................................................................47
         6.13  ERISA..................................................................................48
         6.14  Investment Company Act; Other Regulations..............................................48
         6.15  Subsidiaries...........................................................................48
         6.16  Use of Proceeds........................................................................48
         6.17  Environmental Matters..................................................................49
         6.18  Accuracy of Information, etc...........................................................50
         6.19  Security Documents.....................................................................50
         6.20  Solvency...............................................................................50
         6.21  Year 2000 Matters......................................................................51
         6.22  Certain Documents......................................................................51
         6.23  Immaterial Subsidiaries................................................................51

SECTION 7.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT......................................................................52
         7.1  Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit...............................................52
         7.2  Conditions to Each Extension of Credit..................................................55
         7.3  Each Subsidiary Borrower Credit Event...................................................55

SECTION 8.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.....................................................................56
         8.1  Financial Statements....................................................................56
         8.2  Certificates; Other Information.........................................................56
         8.3  Payment of Obligations..................................................................58
         8.4  Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. ..................................................58
         8.5  Maintenance of Property; Insurance......................................................58
         8.6  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions..................................58
         8.7  Notices.................................................................................58
         8.8  Environmental Laws......................................................................59
         8.9  Additional Collateral, etc..............................................................59
</TABLE>


                                      -ii-

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                 <C>
SECTION 9.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS........................................................................61
         9.1  Financial Condition Covenants...........................................................61
         9.2  Indebtedness............................................................................62
         9.3  Liens...................................................................................63
         9.4  Fundamental Changes.....................................................................64
         9.5  Disposition of Property.................................................................65
         9.6  Restricted Payments.....................................................................65
         9.7  Capital Expenditures....................................................................66
         9.8  Investments.............................................................................66
         9.9  Optional Payments and Modifications of Certain Debt Instruments. .......................67
         9.10  Transactions with Affiliates...........................................................68
         9.11  Sales and Leasebacks...................................................................68
         9.12  Changes in Fiscal Periods..............................................................68
         9.13  Negative Pledge Clauses................................................................68
         9.14  Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions...........................................69
         9.15  Lines of Business......................................................................69
         9.16  Amendments to Acquisition Documents....................................................69

SECTION 10.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT........................................................................69

SECTION 11.  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.................................................................73
         11.1  Appointment............................................................................73
         11.2  Delegation of Duties...................................................................73
         11.3  Exculpatory Provisions.................................................................73
         11.4  Reliance by Administrative Agent.......................................................73
         11.5  Notice of Default......................................................................74
         11.6  Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.................................74
         11.7  Indemnification........................................................................75
         11.8  Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity........................................75
         11.9  Successor Administrative Agent.........................................................75
         11.10  Authorization to Release Guarantees and Liens.........................................76

SECTION 12.  GUARANTEE................................................................................76
         12.1  Guarantee..............................................................................76
         12.2  No Subrogation, Contribution, Reimbursement or Indemnity...............................77
         12.3  Amendments, etc. with respect to the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations...................77
         12.4  Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional...................................................78
         12.5  Reinstatement..........................................................................78
         12.6  Payments...............................................................................79

SECTION 13.  MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................79
         13.1  Amendments and Waivers.................................................................79
         13.2  Notices................................................................................80
         13.3  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.........................................................81
         13.4  Survival of Representations and Warranties.............................................81
</TABLE>




                                     -iii-


<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>


<S>                                                                                                 <C>
         13.5  Payment of Expenses and Taxes..........................................................81
         13.6  Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.................................82
         13.7  Adjustments; Set-off...................................................................84
         13.8  Counterparts...........................................................................85
         13.9  Severability...........................................................................85
         13.10  Integration...........................................................................85
         13.11  GOVERNING LAW.........................................................................85
         13.12  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers...................................................86
         13.13  Acknowledgments.......................................................................86
         13.14  Conversion of C.......................................................................87
         13.15  Confidentiality.......................................................................87
         13.16  European Economic and Monetary Union..................................................87
         13.17  Accounting Changes....................................................................91
         13.18  Collateral Agent as Several Creditor. ................................................91
         13.19  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.................................................................91
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>   6




ANNEX:

A                     Pricing Grid


SCHEDULES:

1.1A             Commitments
1.1B             Qualified Foreign Subsidiaries
1.1C             Immaterial Subsidiaries
6.4              Consents, Authorizations, Filings and Notices
6.15             Subsidiaries
6.19             UCC Filing Jurisdictions
7.1(g)           Environmental Audit Properties
9.2(d)           Existing Indebtedness
9.3(f)           Existing Liens
9.5(f)           Specified Dispositions
9.8(k)           Investments


EXHIBITS:

A                Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
B                Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
C                Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Termination
D                Form of Compliance Certificate
E                Form of Closing Certificate
F                Form of Assignment and Acceptance
G-1              Form of Legal Opinion of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
G-2              Form of Legal Opinion of Counsel to Subsidiary Borrowers
H                Form of Exemption Certificate
I                Form of Solvency Certificate
J                Form of Term Note
K                Form of Revolving Note
L                Form of Intercreditor Agreement







                                      -v-


<PAGE>   7

                  CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 30, 1998, among THE DII
GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS
(as hereinafter defined), the several banks and other financial institutions or
entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the "Lenders") and THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as administrative agent.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement (such
capitalized term and other capitalized terms used without definition in these
recitals being used with the meanings given such terms in Section 1.1) the
Company, through one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, will acquire from
Hewlett-Packard GmbH certain assets used in the manufacturing of certain printed
circuit boards, including the premises used for such manufacturing at its
facility located in Boblingen, Germany; and

                  WHEREAS, to finance, in part, the cost of the Acquisition
(including specified assumed liabilities), the payment of fees and expenses
relating thereto and the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness of the
Company, and to provide financing for working capital and general corporate
purposes of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Company has requested the
Lenders to make available the credit facilities described herein; and

                  WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to make such credit
facilities available upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

                  1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed
in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section
1.1.

                  "ABR": for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate
in effect on such day, (b) the Base CD Rate in effect on such day plus 1% and
(c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For
purposes hereof: "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly
announced from time to time by the Reference Lender as its prime rate in effect
at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to
be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Reference Lender in connection
with extensions of credit to debtors); "Base CD Rate" shall mean the sum of (a)
the product of (i) the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate and (ii) a fraction, the
numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the C/D
Reserve Percentage and (b) the C/D Assessment Rate; and "Three-Month Secondary
CD Rate" shall mean, for any day, the secondary market rate for three-month
certificates of deposit reported as being in effect on such day (or, if such day
shall not be a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day) by the Board
through the public information telephone line of the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York (which rate will, under the current 











<PAGE>   8


                                                                               2

practices of the Board, be published in Federal Reserve Statistical Release
H.15(519) during the week following such day), or, if such rate shall not be so
reported on such day or such next preceding Business Day, the average of the
secondary market quotations for three-month certificates of deposit of major
money center banks in New York City received at approximately 10:00 A.M., New
York City time, on such day (or, if such day shall not be a Business Day, on the
next preceding Business Day) by the Reference Lender from three New York City
negotiable certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing selected by it.
Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month
Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of
the opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate,
the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate,
respectively.

                  "ABR Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is
based upon the ABR.

                  "Acquisition": as defined in Section 7.1.

                  "Acquisition Agreement": the Master Asset Purchase Agreement,
dated as of October 30, 1998, among the Company, MTKG and the Seller.

                  "Acquisition Documentation": collectively, the Acquisition
Agreement and all schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto and all side letters
and agreements affecting the terms thereof or entered into in connection
therewith (including, without limitation, the Division Purchase Agreement), in
each case as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in
accordance with Section 9.16.

                  "Adjustment Date":  as defined in the Pricing Grid.

                  "Administrative Agent": The Chase Manhattan Bank, together
with its affiliates, as the arranger of the Commitments and as the
administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with any of its successors.

                  "Affiliate": as to any Person, any other Person that, directly
or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person means
the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the
securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or
persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or
otherwise.

                  "Aggregate Available Revolving Commitments": as at any date of
determination with respect to all Revolving Lenders, an amount in U.S. Dollars
equal to the Available Revolving Commitments of all Revolving Lenders on such
date.

                  "Aggregate Committed Outstandings": as at any date of
determination with respect to any Revolving Lender, an amount in U.S. Dollars
equal to the sum of (a) the 







<PAGE>   9

                                                                               3


Aggregate Revolving Outstandings of such Revolving Lender on such date and (b)
the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Aggregate Multicurrency Outstandings of such
Revolving Lender on such date.

                  "Aggregate Exposure": with respect to any Lender at any time,
an amount equal to (a) until the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of such
Lender's Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the
aggregate then unpaid principal amount of such Lender's Term Loans and (ii) the
amount of such Lender's Revolving Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving
Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender's Aggregate
Committed Outstandings then outstanding.

                  "Aggregate Exposure Percentage": with respect to any Lender at
any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender's Aggregate
Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time.

                  "Aggregate Multicurrency Outstandings": as at any date of
determination with respect to any Revolving Lender, an amount in the applicable
Available Foreign Currencies equal to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
such Revolving Lender's Multicurrency Loans.

                  "Aggregate Revolving Outstandings": as at any date of
determination with respect to any Revolving Lender, an amount equal to the sum
of (a) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Lender's Dollar Revolving
Loans on such date and (b) such Lender's Revolving Percentage of the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of all L/C Obligations on such date.

                  "Agreement": this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Applicable Margin": for each Type of Loan at any time, the
rate per annum determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid.

                  "Application": an application, in such form as the Issuing
Lender may specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to open a
Letter of Credit.

                  "Arranger": Chase Securities Inc., as arranger of the
Commitments.

                  "Asset Sale": any Disposition of property (other than Capital
Stock of the Company) or series of related Dispositions of property (excluding
any such Disposition permitted by clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (f) of Section
9.5 or Section 9.11) that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (valued at the initial principal amount thereof in the case of
non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt securities and valued at
fair market value in the case of other non-cash proceeds) in excess of
$2,000,000 in any fiscal year; provided, that asset Dispositions permitted by
clause (f) of Section 9.5 shall not be excluded from the definition of "Asset
Sale" to the extent that the gross proceeds therefrom exceed $125,000,000, in
the case of the Disposition described in Item 1 set forth on Schedule 9.5(f),
and $30,000,000, in the case of the Disposition described in Item 2 set forth on
Schedule 9.5(f).






<PAGE>   10


                                                                               4

                  "Assignee": as defined in Section 13.6(c).

                  "Assignment and Acceptance": an Assignment and Acceptance,
substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

                  "Assignor": as defined in Section 13.6(c).

                  "Available Foreign Currencies": Deutsche Marks, Pounds
Sterling, euro (when available) and any other available and freely-convertible
eurocurrency selected by the Company and approved by the Administrative Agent
and each of the Revolving Lenders.

                  "Available Revolving Commitment": as to any Revolving Lender
at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender's
Revolving Commitment then in effect over (b) such Lender's Aggregate Committed
Outstandings on such date.

                  "Benefitted Lender": as defined in Section 13.7(a).

                  "Board": the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
of the United States (or any successor).

                  "Borrowers": the collective reference to the Company and the
Subsidiary Borrowers.

                  "Borrowing Date": any Business Day specified by a Borrower as
a date on which such Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans
hereunder.

                  "Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement": a Borrowing Subsidiary
Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

                  "Borrowing Subsidiary Termination": a Borrowing Subsidiary
Termination, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

                  "Business": as defined in Section 6.17(b).

                  "Business Day": (a) when such term is used in respect of a day
on which a Loan denominated in an Available Foreign Currency is to be made, a
payment is to be made in respect of such Loan, an interest rate or Exchange Rate
is to be set in respect of such Available Foreign Currency or any other dealing
in such Available Foreign Currency is to be carried out pursuant to this
Agreement, such term shall mean a London Banking Day which is also a day on
which banks are open for general banking business in the city which is the
principal financial center of the country of issuance of such Available Foreign
Currency, (b) when such term is used in respect of a day on which a Eurodollar
Loan is to be made, an interest rate is to be set in respect thereof or any
payment is to be made in respect thereof, such term shall mean a London Banking
Day, and (c) when such term is used in any context in this Agreement (including
as described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b)), such term shall mean a day
which, in addition to complying 







<PAGE>   11


                                                                               5

with any applicable requirements set forth in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b),
is a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in
New York City are authorized or required by law to close.

                  "Capital Expenditures": for any period, with respect to any
Person, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries
for the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a capital lease) of fixed or capital
assets or additions to equipment (including replacements, capitalized repairs
and improvements during such period) that should be capitalized under GAAP on a
consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries, provided that
the acquisition of Capital Stock shall in no case constitute a Capital
Expenditure.

                  "Capital Lease Obligations": as to any Person, the obligations
of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other
arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP
and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any
time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Capital Stock": any and all shares, interests, participations
or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any
and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation)
and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.

                  "Cash Equivalents": (a) marketable direct obligations issued
by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by
any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States,
in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b)
certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight
bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of
acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof or Hong Kong or any foreign
country which is a member of the OECD having combined capital and surplus of not
less than $200,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof); (c)
commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services ("S&P") or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or
carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both
of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper
issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition;
(d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying
the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more
than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured
by the United States government; (e) securities with maturities of one year or
less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state,
commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or
taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign
government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political
subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are
rated at least A by S&P or A by Moody's; (f) securities with maturities of six
months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit
issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the 







<PAGE>   12

                                                                               6


requirements of clause (b) of this definition; or (g) shares of money market
mutual or similar funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the
requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition.

                  "C/D Assessment Rate": for any day as applied to any ABR Loan,
the annual assessment rate in effect on such day that is payable by a member of
the Bank Insurance Fund maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(the "FDIC") classified as well-capitalized and within supervisory subgroup "B"
(or a comparable successor assessment risk classification) within the meaning of
12 C.F.R. ss. 327.4 (or any successor provision) to the FDIC (or any successor)
for the FDIC's (or such successor's) insuring time deposits at offices of such
institution in the United States.

                  "C/D Reserve Percentage": for any day as applied to any ABR
Loan, that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day,
as prescribed by the Board, for determining the maximum reserve requirement for
a Depositary Institution (as defined in Regulation D of the Board as in effect
from time to time) in respect of new non-personal time deposits in Dollars
having a maturity of 30 days or more.

                  "Change of Control": (a) any "person" or "group" within the
meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, shall become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of more than 35% of the then
outstanding voting stock of the Company other than in a transaction having the
approval of the board of directors of the Company at least a majority of which
members are Continuing Directors or (b) Continuing Directors shall cease to
constitute at least a majority of the directors constituting the board of
directors of the Company.

                  "Closing Date": the date on which the conditions precedent set
forth in Section 7.1 shall have been satisfied, which date is October 30, 1998.

                  "Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.

                  "Collateral": all property of the Loan Parties, now owned or
hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security
Document.

                  "Collateral Agent": The Chase Manhattan Bank, together with
its affiliates, as collateral agent pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor
Agreement.

                  "Commitment": as to any Lender, the sum of the Term Commitment
and the Revolving Commitment of such Lender.

                  "Commitment Fee Rate": at any time, the rate per annum
determined pursuant to the Pricing Grid.

                  "Commonly Controlled Entity": an entity, whether or not
incorporated, that is under common control with the Company within the meaning
of Section 4001 of ERISA or is 








<PAGE>   13


                                                                               7

part of a group that includes the Company and that is treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Code.

                  "Company": as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Company Guaranty:  the guarantee contained in Section 12.

                  "Compliance Certificate": a certificate duly executed by a
Responsible Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

                  "Confidential Information Memorandum": the Confidential
Information Memorandum dated October 1998 and furnished to the Lenders.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA": for any period, Consolidated Net Income
for such period plus, without duplication and to the extent included as a charge
in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (a)
income tax expense and asset taxes, (b) interest expense, amortization or
writeoff of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, discounts and
other fees and charges associated with Indebtedness (including the Loans), (c)
depreciation and amortization expense, (d) amortization of intangibles
(including, but not limited to, goodwill) and organization costs, (e) any
extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring non-cash expenses or losses (including,
whether or not otherwise includable as a separate item in the statement of such
Consolidated Net Income for such period, non-cash losses on sales of assets
outside of the ordinary course of business or realized upon the sale of Capital
Stock of any Person), (f) aggregate non-recurring charges taken in fiscal 1998
with respect to Orbit Semiconductor, Inc. (amounting to approximately
$84,000,000) and (g) any other non-cash charges, and minus, to the extent
included in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the
sum of (a) interest income, (b) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring
income or gains (including, whether or not otherwise includable as a separate
item in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, gains on
the sales of assets outside of the ordinary course of business or realized upon
the sale of Capital Stock of any Person) and (c) any other non-cash income, all
as determined on a consolidated basis.

                  "Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio": for any period, the
ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period.

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense": for any period, total cash
interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of
the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
bankers' acceptance financing and net costs under Derivative Agreements in
respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such
period in accordance with GAAP).

                  "Consolidated Leverage Ratio": as at any day, the ratio of (a)
Consolidated Total Funded Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the
four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company most recently ended.



<PAGE>   14

                                                                               8

                  "Consolidated Net Income": for any period, the consolidated
net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be
excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
becomes a Subsidiary of the Company or is merged into or consolidated with the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person
(other than a Subsidiary of the Company) in which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such
income is actually received by the Company or such Subsidiary in the form of
dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any
Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time
permitted by the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Loan
Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.

                  "Consolidated Net Worth": at any date, all amounts that would,
in conformity with GAAP, be included on a consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its Subsidiaries under stockholders' equity at such date (excluding
any foreign currency adjustments); provided, for purposes of determining
compliance with Section 9.1(c), no effect shall be given to non-recurring
charges taken in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1998 with respect to Orbit
Semiconductor, Inc. in an aggregate amount not to exceed $18,000,000.

                  "Consolidated Senior Funded Debt": at any date, the aggregate
principal amount of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries
at such date which is Funded Debt, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Total Funded Debt": at any date, the aggregate
principal amount of Funded Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such
date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Continuing Directors": the directors of the Company on the
Closing Date, and each other director, if, in each case, such other director's
election or appointment by the other directors or nomination for election by the
stockholders to the board of directors of the Company, as the case may be, is
recommended or approved by at least 66-2/3% of the then Continuing Directors.

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

                  "Convertible Subordinated Notes": the 6% Convertible
Subordinated Notes of the Company due October 15, 2002.

                  "Default": any of the events specified in Section 10, whether
or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has
been satisfied.



<PAGE>   15



                                                                               9

                  "Derivative Agreements": of any Person at any date, swaps,
caps or collar agreements or similar arrangements to which such Person and any
financial institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a
"Derivatives Counterparty") are parties under which such parties agree to
exchange payments based upon interest rates, exchange rates or market prices or
values or changes therein in respect of debt obligations or equities, currencies
or commodities or indexes in respect of any of the foregoing without delivery of
the same (including, whether or not otherwise included in the foregoing, options
granted or written by such Person in favor of a Derivatives Counterparty
intended to be settled in cash.)

                  "Disposition": with respect to any property, any sale, lease,
sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition
thereof. The terms "Dispose" and "Disposed of" shall have correlative meanings.

                  "Division Purchase Agreement": the Division Purchase
Agreement, dated as of October 30, 1998, between Hewlett-Packard Company and
Multilayer Technology.

                  "Dollar Revolving Loans": as defined in Section 2.4(a).

                  "Dollars", "U.S. Dollars" and "$": dollars in lawful currency
of the United States.

                  "Domestic Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Company organized
under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

                  "Dutch Pledge Agreements": the Deed of Pledge of Registered
Shares in a Limited Partnership executed by Dovatron Nevada, Inc. and Dovatron
Mexico, Inc. pursuant to which the pledgors thereunder grant a security interest
in an aggregate of 65% of the outstanding limited partnership interest in DII
International Holdings C.V., and the Deed of Pledge of Registered Shares in a
Private Limited Liability Company executed by Dovatron Nevada, Inc., pursuant to
which the pledgor thereunder grants a security interest in 65% of the share
capital of Nador Invest B.V., in each case in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent.

                  "Environmental Laws": any and all foreign, Federal, state,
local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances,
codes, decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements
of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or
standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or the environment,
as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

                  "ERISA": the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time.

                  "Eurocurrency Base Rate": (a) with respect to each Interest
Period pertaining to a Multicurrency Loan denominated in any currency other than
Pounds Sterling (in the event that Pounds Sterling is an Available Foreign
Currency), the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the
offered rate for deposits in such currency with a term comparable to such
Interest Period that appears on the applicable Telerate Page at approximately
11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such
Interest Period; provided, 









<PAGE>   16

                                                                              10


however, that if at any time for any reason such offered rate for any such
currency does not appear on a Telerate Page, "Eurocurrency Base Rate" shall
mean, with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a
Multicurrency Loan denominated in such currency, the rate per annum equal to the
average (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of 1%) of the respective rates
notified to the Administrative Agent by each of the Multicurrency Reference
Lenders as the rate at which such Multicurrency Reference Lender is offered
deposits in such currency at or about 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days
prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the London interbank market
for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days
comprised therein; and (b) in the event that Pounds Sterling is an Available
Foreign Currency, with respect to each day during each Interest Period
pertaining to a Multicurrency Loan denominated in Pounds Sterling, the rate per
annum equal to the average (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of 1%) of the
respective rates notified to the Administrative Agent by each of the
Multicurrency Reference Lenders as the rate at which such Multicurrency
Reference Lender is offered deposits in Pounds Sterling at or about 11:00 A.M.,
London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in
the Paris interbank market for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period
for the number of days comprised therein.

                  "Eurocurrency Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Multicurrency Loan, a rate per annum determined
for such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the
nearest 1/100th of 1%):

                             Eurocurrency Base Rate
                    ----------------------------------------
                    1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

                  "Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements": for any day as applied to
a Eurodollar Loan or a Multicurrency Loan, the aggregate (without duplication)
of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements
in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency
reserves under any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority
having jurisdiction with respect thereto) dealing with reserve requirements
prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a member bank of the
Federal Reserve System.

                  "Eurodollar Base Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum determined
on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such
Interest Period commencing on the first day of such Interest Period appearing on
Page 3750 of the Dow Jones Markets screen as of 11:00 A.M., London time, two
Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period. In the event that
such rate does not appear on Page 3750 of the Dow Jones Markets screen (or
otherwise on such screen), the "Eurodollar Base Rate" shall be determined by
reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying
eurodollar rates as may be selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the
absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which the
Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits at or about 11:00 A.M., New York
City time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in
the interbank eurodollar 





<PAGE>   17


                                                                              11

market where its eurodollar and foreign currency and exchange operations are
then being conducted for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for
the number of days comprised therein.

                  "Eurodollar Loans": Loans the rate of interest applicable to
which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

                  "Eurodollar Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for
such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the nearest
1/100th of 1%):

                              Eurodollar Base Rate
                    ----------------------------------------
                    1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

                  "Event of Default": any of the events specified in Section 10,
provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or
both, has been satisfied.

                  "Exchange Rate": with respect to any currency other than
Dollars, the rate shall be determined by reference to such publicly available
service for displaying exchange rates as may be agreed upon by the
Administrative Agent and the Company or, in the absence of such agreement, such
"Exchange Rate" shall instead be the Administrative Agent's spot rate of
exchange in the interbank market where its foreign currency exchange operations
in respect of such non-Dollar currency are then being conducted, at or about
11:00 A.M., local time, on such date for the purchase of Dollars with such
non-Dollar currency, for delivery two Business Days later; provided, that if at
the time of any such determination, no such spot rate can reasonably be quoted,
the Administrative Agent may use any reasonable method as it deems applicable to
determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

                  "Excluded Foreign Subsidiary": any Foreign Subsidiary in
respect of which either (a) the pledge of all of the Capital Stock of such
Subsidiary as Collateral or (b) the guaranteeing by such Subsidiary of the
Obligations, would, in the good faith judgment of the Company, result in adverse
tax, legal or regulatory consequences to the Company.

                  "Existing Credit Agreement": the Loan Agreement, dated as of
May 5, 1993, among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries and Norwest Bank
Colorado, N.A., The Chase Manhattan Bank, Harris Trust and Savings Bank and NBD
Bank.

                  "Facility": each of (a) the Term Commitments and the Term
Loans made thereunder (the "Term Facility") and (b) the Revolving Commitments
(including the commitment to make Multicurrency Loans) and the extensions of
credit made thereunder (the "Revolving Facility").

                  "Federal Funds Effective Rate": for any day, the weighted
average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the
next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve 




<PAGE>   18


                                                                              12


Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a
Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions
received by the Reference Lender from three federal funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by it.

                  "Foreign Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of the Company that is
not a Domestic Subsidiary.

                  "Funded Debt": as to any Person, all Indebtedness of such
Person of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) of the definition of
Indebtedness in this Section 1.1, and all Guarantee Obligations of such Person
in respect of such Indebtedness.

                  "Funding Office": the office of the Administrative Agent
specified in Section 13.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to
time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the
Company and the Lenders.

                  "GAAP": generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 9.1,
GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date
hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent
audited financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(b).

                  "Governmental Authority": any nation or government, any state
or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality,
regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory
organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

                  "Greatsino Acquisition": the acquisition by the Company of all
the outstanding capital stock of Greatsino Electric Technology, which is a
printed circuit board fabricator and contract electronics manufacturer with
operations in the People's Republic of China.

                  "Greatsino Documentation": collectively, the Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of August 22, 1998, by and among the Company, Universal
Appliances Ltd. and Valenta Holdings Ltd., pursuant to which the Company
purchased all of the outstanding stock of Greatsino Electronic Technology, and
all schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto and all side letters and agreements
affecting the terms thereof or entered into in connection therewith (in each
case as in effect on the date hereof).

                  "Guarantee and Collateral Agreement": the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Company and each
Subsidiary Guarantor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Guarantee Obligation": as to any Person (the "guaranteeing
person"), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person
(including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which
the guaranteeing person has issued a





<PAGE>   19

                                                                              13


reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case
guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or
other obligations (the "primary obligations") of any other third Person (the
"primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any
obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to
purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or
indirect security therefor (other than pursuant to a contractual right to
indemnity (other than in respect of Indebtedness) in connection with
acquisitions or Dispositions in accordance with past practice), (ii) to advance
or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation
or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or
otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to
purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring
the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor
to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold
harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect
thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include
endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person
shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or
determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee
Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person
may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee
Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such
guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case
the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person's
maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the
Company in good faith.

                  "Immaterial Subsidiary": any Subsidiary set forth on Schedule
1.1C or any new Subsidiary created or acquired after the Closing Date and
designated by the Company by notice to the Administrative Agent as an Immaterial
Subsidiary; provided, that at any time, (i) the aggregate book value of the
assets of each Immaterial Subsidiary shall not exceed 5% of the aggregate book
value of all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and
(ii) the revenues of each Immaterial Subsidiary as of the fiscal year most
recently ended do not exceed 5% of the revenues of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole in such fiscal year, (iii) the aggregate book
value of the assets of all such Immaterial Subsidiaries, taken together shall
not exceed 10% of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole and (iv) the aggregate revenues of all Immaterial
Subsidiaries in such fiscal year shall not exceed 10% of the aggregate revenues
of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole in such fiscal year;
provided that the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv) shall apply only to
Immaterial Subsidiaries created or acquired after the Closing Date. The Company
shall redesignate any Immaterial Subsidiary as a Material Subsidiary by written
notice to the Administrative Agent delivered not later than the date of delivery
of the Company's audited financial statements for any fiscal year which would
demonstrate that one or more Immaterial Subsidiaries must be redesignated as
Material Subsidiaries in order to comply with the requirements set forth in the
preceding sentence.

                  "Indebtedness": of any Person at any date, without
duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all
obligations of such Person for the 






<PAGE>   20

                                                                              14

deferred purchase price of property or services (other than current trade
payables incurred in the ordinary course of such Person's business), (c) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other
similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property
acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or
lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession
or sale of such property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (f)
all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party
under acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities, (g) the liquidation
value of all redeemable preferred Capital Stock of such Person, (h) all
Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind
referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above; (i) all obligations of the kind
referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder
of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such
Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment
of such obligation; and (j) for the purposes of Sections 9.2 and 10(e) only, all
obligations of such Person in respect of Derivative Agreements.

                  "Insolvency": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of
ERISA.

                  "Insolvent": pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

                  "Intellectual Property": the collective reference to all
rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether
arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise,
including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks,
trademark licenses, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at
law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the
right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

                  "Intercreditor Agreement": the Collateral Agency and
Intercreditor Agreement to be entered into by The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
collateral agent, each of the Lenders and each Lender under the MTKG Credit
Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Interest Payment Date": (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day
of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is
outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar
Loan or Multicurrency Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less,
the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan or
Multicurrency Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day
that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such
Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period and (d) as to any Loan
(other than any Revolving Loan that is an ABR Loan), the date of any repayment
or prepayment made in respect thereof.

                  "Interest Period": with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or
Multicurrency Loan:







<PAGE>   21


                                                                              15

                  (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or
         conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar
         Loan or Multicurrency Loan and ending one, two, three or six months
         thereafter, as selected by the relevant Borrower in its notice of
         borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with
         respect thereto; and

                  (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the
         next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan or
         Multicurrency Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter,
         as selected by the relevant Borrower by irrevocable notice to the
         Administrative Agent not less than three Business Days prior to the
         last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto;

         provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest
         Periods are subject to the following:

                               (i) if any Interest Period pertaining to a
                  Eurodollar Loan or Multicurrency Loan would otherwise end on a
                  day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be
                  extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result
                  of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into
                  another calendar month in which event such Interest Period
                  shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

                              (ii) any Interest Period applicable to a
                  Eurodollar Loan or Multicurrency Loan that would otherwise
                  extend beyond the Scheduled Revolving Termination Date shall
                  end on the Scheduled Revolving Termination Date;

                             (iii) any Interest Period pertaining to a
                  Eurodollar Loan or Multicurrency Loan that begins on the last
                  Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there
                  is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at
                  the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last
                  Business Day of a calendar month; and

                              (iv) each Borrower shall select Interest Periods
                  so as not to require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar
                  Loan or Multicurrency Loan during an Interest Period for such
                  Eurodollar Loan or Multicurrency Loan.

                  "Investments": as defined in Section 9.8.

                  "Issuing Lender": The Chase Manhattan Bank, in its capacity as
issuer of any Letter of Credit.

                  "Judgement Currency": as defined in Section 13.14.

                  "L/C Commitment": $25,000,000.



<PAGE>   22

                                                                              16


                  "L/C Fee Payment Date": the last day of each March, June,
September and December and the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period.

                  "L/C Obligations": at any time, an amount equal to the sum of
(a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding
Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of
Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 4.5.

                  "L/C Participants": the collective reference to all the
Revolving Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.

                  "Lending Installation": with respect to a Lender or the
Administrative Agent, the office, branch, subsidiary or Affiliate of such Lender
or the Administrative Agent listed on the signature pages hereof or otherwise
selected by such Lender or the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.15.

                  "Lenders":  as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Letters of Credit":  as defined in Section 4.1(a).

                  "Lien": any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other
security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or
preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

                  "Loan": any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this
Agreement.

                  "Loan Documents": this Agreement, the Security Documents, each
Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement, each Borrowing Subsidiary Termination, the
Intercreditor Agreement and the Notes.

                  "Loan Parties": the Company, each Subsidiary Borrower and each
other Subsidiary of the Company that is a party to a Loan Document.

                  "London Banking Day": any day on which banks in London are
open for general banking business, including dealings in foreign currency and
exchange.

                  "Majority Facility Lenders": with respect to any Facility, the
holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term
Loans or the Aggregate Committed Outstandings, as the case may be, outstanding
under such Facility (or, in the case of the Revolving Facility, prior to any
termination of the Revolving Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the
Total Revolving Commitments).

                  "Majority Revolving Facility Lenders": the Majority Facility
Lenders in respect of the Revolving Facility.





<PAGE>   23

                                                                              17


                  "Material Adverse Effect": a material adverse effect on (a)
the Acquisition, (b) the business, property, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or
(c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders
hereunder or thereunder.

                  "Materials of Environmental Concern": any gasoline or
petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or
any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as
such in or under any Environmental Law, including asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

                  "Material Subsidiary": any Subsidiary other than an Immaterial
Subsidiary.

                  "MTKG": Multilayer Technology and Co. KG, a German limited
partnership and indirect subsidiary of the Company.

                  "MTKG Credit Agreement": the $90,000,000 term loan credit
agreement to be entered into among MTKG, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent, and the several lenders from time to time parties thereto,
as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.

                  "Multicurrency Loans": as defined in Section 3.1.

                  "Multicurrency Reference Lender": The Chase Manhattan Bank.

                  "Multiemployer Plan": a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

                  "Net Cash Proceeds": (a) in connection with any Asset Sale or
any Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Cash
Equivalents (including any such proceeds received by way of deferred payment of
principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price
adjustment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) of such Asset
Sale or Recovery Event, net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, investment
banking fees, amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness
secured by a Lien expressly permitted hereunder on any asset that is the subject
of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event (other than any Lien pursuant to a Security
Document) and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection
therewith and net of taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a
result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or
deductions and any tax sharing arrangements) and (b) in connection with any
issuance or sale of equity securities or debt securities or instruments or the
incurrence of loans, the cash proceeds received from such issuance or
incurrence, net of attorneys' fees, investment banking fees, accountants' fees,
underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses
actually incurred in connection therewith.





<PAGE>   24

                                                                              18


                  "Non-Excluded Taxes":  as defined in 5.10(a).

                  "Non-Guarantor Subsidiary": any Subsidiary that is not a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor.

                  "Non-U.S. Lender":  as defined in Section 5.10(d).

                  "Notes": the collective reference to any promissory note
evidencing Loans.

                  "Obligations": the unpaid principal of and interest on
(including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement
Obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like
proceeding, relating to the Company or any Subsidiary Borrower, whether or not a
claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding)
the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of each Borrower to the
Administrative Agent or to any Lender (or, in the case of Derivative Agreements,
any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which
may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan
Document, the Letters of Credit, any Derivative Agreement entered into with any
Lender or any affiliate of any Lender or any other document made, delivered or
given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal,
interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses
(including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative
Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by any Borrower pursuant
hereto) or otherwise.

                  "Other Taxes": any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.

                  "Participant":  as defined in Section 13.6(b).

                  "PBGC": the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title -IV of ERISA (or any successor).

                  "Person": an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever
nature.

                  "Plan": at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that
is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Company or a Commonly Controlled
Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section
4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of
ERISA.

                  "Pricing Grid": the pricing grid attached hereto as Annex A.


<PAGE>   25


                                                                              19


                  "Pro Forma Balance Sheet": as defined in Section 6.1(a).

                  "Projections": as defined in Section 8.2(c).

                  "Properties": as defined in Section 6.17(a).

                  "Qualified Foreign Subsidiary": (a) any Foreign Subsidiary
listed on Schedule 1.1B and (b) any other Foreign Subsidiary the designation of
which as a Subsidiary Borrower is accompanied by any amendments, supplements or
other modifications to the Security Documents deemed necessary or appropriate by
the Administrative Agent in connection with such designation.

                  "Recovery Event": any settlement of or payment in respect of
any property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding relating
to any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  "Reference Lender": The Chase Manhattan Bank.

                  "Register": as defined in Section 13.6(d).

                  "Regulation U": Regulation U of the Board as in effect from
time to time.

                  "Reimbursement Obligation": the obligation of the Company to
reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 4.5 for amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit.

                  "Reinvestment Deferred Amount": with respect to any
Reinvestment Event, the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith that are not applied to prepay
the Term Loans pursuant to Section 5.5(c) as a result of the delivery of a
Reinvestment Notice.

                  "Reinvestment Event": any Asset Sale or Recovery Event in
respect of which the Company has delivered a Reinvestment Notice or entered into
a written agreement to use all or a specified portion of the Net Cash Proceeds
of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event to acquire assets similar to those giving
rise to the relevant Asset Sale or Recovery Event, as the case may be.

                  "Reinvestment Notice": a written notice executed by a
Responsible Officer stating that no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and that the Company (directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary)
intends and expects to use all or a specified portion of the Net Cash Proceeds
of an Asset Sale or Recovery Event to acquire assets similar to those giving
rise to the relevant Asset Sale or Recovery Event, as the case may be.

                  "Reinvestment Prepayment Amount": with respect to any
Reinvestment Event, the Reinvestment Deferred Amount relating thereto less any
amount expended prior to the relevant Reinvestment Prepayment Date to acquire
assets similar to those giving rise to the relevant Reinvestment Event, as the
case may be.


<PAGE>   26


                                                                              20

                  "Reinvestment Prepayment Date": with respect to any
Reinvestment Event, the earlier of (a) the date occurring 12 months after such
Reinvestment Event and (b) the date on which the Company shall have determined
not to acquire assets similar to those giving rise to the relevant Recovery
Event with all or any portion of the relevant Reinvestment Deferred Amount.

                  "Reorganization": with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241
of ERISA.

                  "Reportable Event": any of the events set forth in Section
4043(b) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice
period is waived under subsections .27, .28, .29, .30, .31, .32, .34 or .35 of
PBGC Reg. ss. 4043.

                  "Required Lenders": at any time, the holders of more than 50%
of (a) until the Closing Date, the Commitments then in effect and (b)
thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term
Loans then outstanding and (ii) the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect
or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Aggregate Committed
Outstandings then outstanding.

                  "Required Prepayment Lenders": the Majority Facility Lenders
in respect of each Facility.

                  "Requirement of Law": as to any Person, the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or
any of its property is subject.

                  "Responsible Officer": the chief executive officer, president,
chief financial officer or the executive vice president of finance of the
Company, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief
financial officer or the executive vice president of finance of the Company.

                  "Restricted Payments": as defined in Section 9.6.

                  "Revolving Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation of
such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Loans and participate in Letters of
Credit in an aggregate principal and/or face amount (in U.S. Dollars or the
Dollar Equivalent thereof) not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading
"Revolving Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A or in the
Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a party hereto,
as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The
original amount of the Total Revolving Commitments is $110,000,000.


<PAGE>   27


                                                                              21

                  "Revolving Commitment Period": the period from and including
the Closing Date to the Scheduled Revolving Termination Date, or such earlier
date on which the Revolving Loans shall terminate as provided herein.

                  "Revolving Lender": each Lender that has a Revolving
Commitment or that holds Revolving Loans.

                  "Revolving Loans": the collective reference to Dollar
Revolving Loans and Multicurrency Loans.

                  "Revolving Percentage": as to any Revolving Lender at any
time, the percentage which such Lender's Revolving Commitment then constitutes
of the Total Revolving Commitments (or, at any time after the Revolving
Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the sum of
(i) aggregate principal amount of such Lender's Dollar Revolving Loans then
outstanding and (ii) the Dollar Equivalent of such Lender's Multicurrency Loans
then outstanding, constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Dollar
Revolving Loans and the Dollar Equivalent of the Multicurrency Loans then
outstanding).

                  "Revolving Termination Date": the earlier of (a) the Scheduled
Revolving Termination Date and (b) the date on which the Revolving Commitments
are terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.

                  "Scheduled Revolving Termination Date": November 1, 2003.

                  "SEC": the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor
thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.

                  "Security Documents": the collective reference to the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Dutch Pledge Agreements and all other
security documents hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent granting a
Lien on any property of any Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of
any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

                  "Seller": Hewlett-Packard GmbH, a German company.

                  "Senior Indebtedness": at any date, all Indebtedness of the
Company and its Subsidiaries at such date other than Subordinated Indebtedness.

                  "Single Employer Plan": any Plan that is covered by Title IV
of ERISA, but that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

                  "Solvent": when used with respect to any Person, means that,
as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present fair saleable
value" of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of
all "liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise", as of such date, as
such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable 


<PAGE>   28


                                                                              22

federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors,
(b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person will, as of
such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability
of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such
Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital
with which to conduct its business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay its
debts as they mature. For purposes of this definition, (i) "debt" means
liability on a "claim", and (ii) "claim" means any (x) right to payment, whether
or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed,
contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured
or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if
such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an
equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or
unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.

                  "Subordinated Notes": (i) the Convertible Subordinated Notes
and (ii) the 8.50% Senior Subordinated Notes of the Company due 2007.

                  "Subordinated Indebtedness": (i) Indebtedness of the Company
in respect of the Subordinated Notes and (ii) other Indebtedness of the Company
which by its terms is subordinated to the Obligations in a manner and to an
extent satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  "Subsidiary": as to any Person, a corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other
ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a
contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of
such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the
management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all
references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this Agreement shall refer
to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

                  "Subsidiary Borrower": at any time, any Qualified Foreign
Subsidiary of the Company designated as a Subsidiary Borrower by the Company
pursuant to Section 5.13 that has not ceased to be a Subsidiary Borrower
pursuant to such Section.

                  "Subsidiary Borrower Obligations": the unpaid principal of and
interest on (including, without limitation, interest accruing after the maturity
of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the
filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency,
reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the relevant Borrower, whether or
not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such
proceeding) the Loans to and all other obligations and liabilities of any
Subsidiary Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender (or, in the
case of any Derivative Agreements, any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct
or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or
hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this
Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit, any Derivative
Agreement entered into with any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender or any
other document made, delivered or 



<PAGE>   29

                                                                              23



given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal,
interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses
(including, without limitation, all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by any
Subsidiary Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise.

                  "Subsidiary Guarantor": each Subsidiary of the Company other
than any Immaterial Subsidiary or Excluded Foreign Subsidiary.

                  "Term Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation of such
Lender, if any, to make a Term Loan to the Company hereunder in a principal
amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading "Term Commitment"
opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1A. The original aggregate amount of
the Term Commitments is $70,000,000.

                  "Term Lender": each Lender that has a Term Commitment or is
the holder of a Term Loan.

                  "Term Loan": as defined in Section 2.1.

                  "Term Percentage": as to any Term Lender at any time, the
percentage which such Lender's Term Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate
Term Commitments (or, at any time after the Closing Date, the percentage which
the aggregate principal amount of such Lender's Term Loans then outstanding
constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans then
outstanding).

                  "Total Aggregate Committed Outstandings": at any time, the
aggregate amount of the Aggregate Committed Outstandings of the Revolving
Lenders outstanding at such time.

                  "Total Revolving Commitments": at any time, the aggregate
amount of the Revolving Commitments of the Revolving Lenders then in effect.

                  "Tranche": the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans or
Multicurrency Loans of any Facility the then current Interest Periods with
respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date
(whether or not such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

                  "Transferee": any Assignee or Participant.

                  "Type": as to any Term Loan or Dollar Revolving Loan, its
nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

                  "Uniform Customs": the Uniform Customs and Practice for
Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce
Publication No. 500, as the same may be amended from time to time.

                  "United States": the United States of America.

<PAGE>   30

                                                                              24

                  "U.S. Dollar Equivalent": with respect to an amount
denominated in any currency other than U.S. Dollars, the equivalent in U.S.
Dollars of such amount determined at the Exchange Rate on the date of
determination of such equivalent. In making any determination of the U.S. Dollar
Equivalent for purposes of calculating the amount of Loans to be borrowed from
the respective Lenders on any Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall use
the relevant Exchange Rate in effect on the date on which the interest rate for
such Loans is determined pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary": as to any Person, any other Person
all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares
required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor": any Subsidiary Guarantor
that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company.

                  1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise
specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined
meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

                  (b As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i)
accounting terms relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries not defined in
Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent
not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii)
the words "include", "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed
by the phrase "without limitation", (iii) the word "incur" shall be construed to
mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to
exist (and the words "incurred" and "incurrence" shall have correlative
meanings), and (iv) the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to have
the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible
assets and properties, including cash, Capital Stock, securities, revenues,
accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights.

                  (c The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section,
Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

                  (d The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

             SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF U.S. DOLLAR COMMITMENTS

                  2.1 Term Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, each Term Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (a "Term Loan") in
U.S. Dollars to the Company on the Closing Date in an amount not to exceed the
amount of the Term Commitment of such 




<PAGE>   31


                                                                              25


Lender. The Term Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans,
as determined by the Company and notified to the Administrative Agent in
accordance with Sections 2.2 and 5.6.

                  2.2 Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing. The Company shall give
the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by
the Administrative Agent prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, one Business
Day prior to the anticipated Closing Date) requesting that the Term Lenders make
the Term Loans on the Closing Date and specifying the amount to be borrowed. The
Term Loans made on the Closing Date shall initially be ABR Loans. Upon receipt
of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Term Lender
thereof. Not later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date each
Term Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding
Office an amount in immediately available funds equal to the Term Loan to be
made by such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall credit the account of the
Company on the books of such office of the Administrative Agent with the
aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Term
Lenders in immediately available funds.

                  2.3 Repayment of Term Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Term
Loan of each Term Lender shall mature in 20 consecutive quarterly installments,
commencing on February 1, 1999, each of which shall be in an amount equal to
such Lender's Term Percentage multiplied by the amount set forth below opposite
such installment:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Installment                             Principal Amount
              -----------                             ----------------
<S>                                                  <C>
              February 1, 1999                              $2,500,000
              May 1, 1999                                   $2,500,000
              August 1, 1999                                $2,500,000
              November 1, 1999                              $2,500,000
              February 1, 2000                              $3,000,000
              May 1, 2000                                   $3,000,000
              August 1, 2000                                $3,000,000
              November 1, 2000                              $3,000,000
              February 1, 2001                              $3,500,000
              May 1, 2001                                   $3,500,000
              August 1, 2001                                $3,500,000
              November 1, 2001                              $3,500,000
              February 1, 2002                              $4,000,000
              May 1, 2002                                   $4,000,000
              August 1, 2002                                $4,000,000
              November 1, 2002                              $4,000,000
              February 1, 2003                              $4,500,000
              May 1, 2003                                   $4,500,000
              August 1, 2003                                $4,500,000
              November 1, 2003                              $4,500,000

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   32

                                                                              26

                   (b The Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the appropriate Term Lender the
principal amount of each Term Loan of such Term Lender in installments according
to the amortization schedule set forth in paragraph (a) above (or on such
earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 10).
The Company hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
of the Term Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until
payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in
Section 5.1.

                   (c Each Term Lender shall maintain in accordance with its
usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Company to
such Term Lender resulting from each Term Loan of such Term Lender from time to
time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such
Term Lender from time to time in respect of such Term Loans under this
Agreement.

                   (d The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Company, shall
maintain the Register pursuant to Section 13.6(d), and a subaccount therein for
each Term Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Term Loan
made hereunder and any Note evidencing such Term Loan, the Type thereof and each
Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest
due and payable or to become due and payable from the Company to each Term
Lender hereunder and (iii) both the amount of any sum received by the
Administrative Agent hereunder from the Company and each Term Lender's share
thereof.

                   (e The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each
Term Lender maintained pursuant to Section 2.3(d) shall, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Company therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure
of any Term Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any
such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the
obligation of the Company to repay (with applicable interest) the Term Loans by
such Term Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                   (f The Company agrees that, upon the request to the
Administrative Agent by any Term Lender, the Company will execute and deliver to
such Term Lender a promissory note of the Company evidencing any Term Loans of
such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit J, with appropriate insertions
as to date and principal amount.

                   2.4 Revolving Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving
credit loans ("Dollar Revolving Loans") in U.S. Dollars to the Company from time
to time during the Revolving Commitment Period so long as after giving effect
thereto and to any concurrent repayment or prepayment of Loans (i) the Available
Revolving Commitment of each Revolving Lender is greater than or equal to zero
and (ii) the Total Aggregate Committed Outstandings does not exceed the Total
Revolving Commitments. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Company may
use the Revolving Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Dollar Revolving Loans
in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof. The Dollar 



<PAGE>   33

                                                                              27

Revolving Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans, as
determined by the Company and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance
with Sections 2.5 and 5.6.

                  (b) The Company shall repay all outstanding Dollar Revolving
Loans on the Revolving Termination Date.

                  2.5 Procedure for Dollar Revolving Loan Borrowing. The Company
may borrow Dollar Revolving Loans under the Revolving Commitments during the
Revolving Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the Company shall
give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received
by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, (a) three
Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurodollar
Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the
case of ABR Loans), specifying (i) the amount and Type of Dollar Revolving Loans
to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date and (iii) in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the
respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor. Any Dollar Revolving
Loans made on the Closing Date shall initially be ABR Loans. Each borrowing of
Dollar Revolving Loans under the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount
equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof
(or, if the then aggregate Available Revolving Commitments are less than
$1,000,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans,
$2,500,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Upon receipt of
any such notice from the Company, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify
each Revolving Lender thereof. Each Revolving Lender will make the amount of its
pro rata share of each Dollar Revolving Loan borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Company at the Funding Office prior
to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by the
Company in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such
borrowing will then be made available to the Company by the Administrative Agent
crediting the account of the Company on the books of such office with the
aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the
Revolving Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

                  2.6 Commitment Fees, etc. (a) The Company agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee
for the period from and including the Closing Date to the last day of the
Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average
daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the
period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day
of each March, June, September and December and on the Scheduled Revolving
Termination Date, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the date
hereof.

                  (b The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the
fees in the amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by the
Company and the Administrative Agent.

                  2.7 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments. The
Company shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Days' notice to
the Administrative Agent, to 


<PAGE>   34

                                                                              28


terminate the Revolving Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount
of the Revolving Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of
Revolving Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to
any prepayments of the Revolving Loans made on the effective date thereof, the
Total Aggregate Committed Outstandings would exceed the Total Revolving
Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $1,000,000, or a
whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments
then in effect.

                   2.8 Repayment of Dollar Revolving Loans; Evidence of Debt.
(a) The Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the appropriate Revolving Lender the then unpaid
principal amount of the Dollar Revolving Loans on the Scheduled Revolving
Termination Date and on such other dates and in such other amounts as may be
required from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. The Company hereby
further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Dollar
Revolving Loans from time to time outstanding until payment thereof in full at
the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Section 5.1.

                   (b) Each Revolving Lender shall maintain in accordance with
its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Company
resulting from each Dollar Revolving Loan made by it from time to time,
including the amounts of principal and interest payable thereon and paid from
time to time under this Agreement.

                   (c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register
pursuant to Section 13.6(d), and a subaccount therein for each Revolving Lender,
in which shall be recorded (i) the date and amount of each Revolving Loan made
hereunder, (ii) the date and amount of any principal or interest due and payable
or to become due and payable from the Company hereunder in respect of the
Dollars Revolving Loans and (iii) both the date and amount of any sum received
by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Company in respect of the Dollar
Revolving Loans and each Revolving Lender's share thereof.

                   (d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each
Revolving Lender maintained pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and
amounts of the obligations of the Company therein recorded; provided, however,
that the failure of any Revolving Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain
the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner
affect the obligation of the Company to repay (with applicable interest) the
Dollar Revolving Loans made to the Company by each Revolving Lender in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

            SECTION 3. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF MULTICURRENCY COMMITMENTS

                   3.1 Multicurrency Commitments. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving
credit loans (each, a "Multicurrency Loan") in U.S. Dollars or any Available
Foreign Currency to any Borrower from time to time during the Revolving
Commitment Period so long as after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent
repayment or prepayment of Loans (a) the Available Revolving Commitment of each




<PAGE>   35

                                                                              29

Revolving Lender is greater than or equal to zero, (b) the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of Multicurrency Loans does not exceed an amount of which the
U.S. Dollar Equivalent is $25,000,000 and (c) the Total Aggregate Committed
Outstandings does not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments. During the
Revolving Commitment Period, any Borrower may borrow Multicurrency Loans under
the Revolving Commitments by borrowing, repaying the Multicurrency Loans in
whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof.

                   3.2 Procedure for Multicurrency Borrowings. Any Borrower may
request the Revolving Lenders to make Multicurrency Loans during the Revolving
Commitment Period on any Business Day provided that such Borrower shall give the
Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the
Administrative Agent prior to 10:00 A.M., London time, three Business Days prior
to the requested Borrowing Date), specifying in each case (i) the amount and
currency to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date and (iii) the length
of the initial Interest Period therefor. Each borrowing of Multicurrency Loans
under the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount in U.S. Dollars equal to,
or an amount in an Available Foreign Currency of which the U.S. Dollar
Equivalent is equal to, at least $2,500,000 (or, if the then Aggregate Available
Revolving Commitments are less than $2,500,000, such lesser amount). Upon
receipt of any such notice from any Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof. Not later than 12:00 P.M. Noon,
London time, on the requested Borrowing Date, each Revolving Lender shall make
an amount equal to its Revolving Percentage of the principal amount of
Multicurrency Loans requested to be made on such Borrowing Date available to the
Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's funding office for the
applicable currency specified by the Administrative Agent from time to time by
notice to the Revolving Lenders and in immediately available funds. The amounts
made available by each Revolving Lender will then be made available to the
relevant Borrower at the funding office for the relevant Available Foreign
Currency specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent by notice to
the Revolving Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

                   3.3 Repayment of Multicurrency Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a)
Each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent
for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of
each Multicurrency Loan of such Revolving Lender to such Borrower on the
Revolving Termination Date and on such other date(s) and in such other amounts
as may be required from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. Each Borrower
hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the
Multicurrency Loans advanced to it and from time to time outstanding until
payment thereof in full at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in
Section 5.1.

                   (b) Each Revolving Lender shall maintain in accordance with
its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of each
Borrower to such Revolving Lender resulting from each Multicurrency Loan of such
Revolving Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and
interest payable thereon and paid to such Revolving Lender from time to time
under this Agreement.






<PAGE>   36

                                                                              30

                   (c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register
pursuant to Section 13.6(d), and a subaccount therein for each Revolving Lender,
in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Multicurrency Loan made
hereunder, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to
become due and payable from each Borrower to each Revolving Lender hereunder in
respect of the Multicurrency Loans and (iii) both the amount of any sum received
by the Administrative Agent hereunder from each Borrower in respect of the
Multicurrency Loans and each Revolving Lender's share thereof.

                   (d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each
Multicurrency Lender maintained pursuant to Section 3.3(b) shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and
amounts of the obligations of each Borrower therein recorded; provided, however,
that the failure of any Revolving Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain
the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner
affect the obligation of such Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the
Multicurrency Loans made to such Borrower by such Revolving Lender in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.

                          SECTION 4. LETTERS OF CREDIT

                   4.1 L/C Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving
Lenders set forth in Section 4.4(a), agrees to issue letters of credit ("Letters
of Credit") for the account of the Company on any Business Day during the
Revolving Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by
the Issuing Lender; provided that the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to
issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C
Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (ii) the aggregate amount of the
Available Revolving Commitments would be less than zero. Each Letter of Credit
shall (i) be denominated in Dollars and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of
(x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date that is five
Business Days prior to the Scheduled Revolving Termination Date, provided that
any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof
for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date
referred to in clause (y) above). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, the Letter of Credit in the amount of $667,000 described on Schedule 4.1
hereto is deemed to be a "Letter of Credit" hereunder issued by Norwest Bank
Colorado, NA ("Norwest"), and Norwest shall be deemed to be an "Issuing Lender"
hereunder solely with respect to such Letter of Credit.

                   (b) Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform
Customs and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of
New York.

                   (c) The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to
issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or
cause the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by,
any applicable Requirement of Law.

                   4.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit. The Company
may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit
by delivering to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein
an Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of 






<PAGE>   37


                                                                              31

the Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and
information as the Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Application,
the Issuing Lender will process such Application and the certificates, documents
and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in
accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of
Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required
to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt
of the Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other
papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter
of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by the
Issuing Lender and the Company. The Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such
Letter of Credit to the Company promptly following the issuance thereof. The
Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall
in turn promptly furnish to the Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter
of Credit (including the amount thereof).

                   4.3 Fees and Other Charges. (a) The Company will pay a fee on
all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable
Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar Loans under the Revolving
Facility, shared ratably among the Revolving Lenders and payable quarterly in
arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. In addition, the
Company shall pay to the Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee of
1/8 of 1% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each Letter of
Credit, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the
Issuance Date.

                   (b) In addition to the foregoing fees, the Company shall pay
or reimburse the Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses
as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing, negotiating,
effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of
Credit.

                   4.4 L/C Participations. (a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably
agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the
Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant
irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from
the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C
Participant's own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C
Participant's Revolving Percentage in the Issuing Lender's obligations and
rights under each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each draft
paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and
irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any
Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the
Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant
shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand at the Issuing Lender's address for
notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant's Revolving
Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, that is not so
reimbursed.

                   (b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant
to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 4.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed
portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is
paid to the Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such
payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing 




<PAGE>   38

                                                                              32


Lender on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, times (ii)
the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and
including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is
immediately available to the Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the
denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C
Participant pursuant to Section 4.4(a) is not made available to the Issuing
Lender by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such
payment is due, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C
Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such
due date at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving
Facility. A certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant
with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the
absence of manifest error.

                   (c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made
payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its
pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 4.4(a), the Issuing
Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly
from the Company or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto
by the Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the
Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share
thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment received by
the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such
L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion thereof
previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.

                   4.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Company. The Company
agrees to reimburse the Issuing Lender within two Business Days of the date on
which the Issuing Lender notifies the Company of the date and amount of a draft
presented under any Letter of Credit and paid by the Issuing Lender for the
amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs
or expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment. Each
such payment shall be made to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices
specified herein in lawful money of the United States and in immediately
available funds. Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts remaining
unpaid by the Company under this Section from the date such amounts become
payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment
in full at the rate set forth in (i) until the second Business Day following the
date of notice to the Company of the applicable drawing, Section 5.1(b) and (ii)
thereafter, Section 5.1(d).

                   4.6 Obligations Absolute. The Company's obligations under
this Section 4 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
that the Company may have or have had against the Issuing Lender, any
beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Company also agrees
with the Issuing Lender that the Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for,
and the Company's Reimbursement Obligations under Section 4.5 shall not be
affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of
any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be
invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Company and
any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such




<PAGE>   39

                                                                              33



Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Company
against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The
Issuing Lender shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or
delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however
transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or
omissions found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Issuing Lender. The Company agrees that any action taken or omitted by the
Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related
drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct and in accordance with the standards of care specified in the Uniform
Commercial Code of the State of New York, shall be binding on the Company and
shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Lender to the Company.

                   4.7 Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be
presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall
promptly notify the Company of the date and amount thereof. The responsibility
of the Issuing Lender to the Company in connection with any draft presented for
payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation
expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that
the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in
connection with such presentment are substantially in conformity with such
Letter of Credit.

                   4.8 Applications. To the extent that any provision of any
Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions
of this Section 4, the provisions of this Section 4 shall apply.

         SECTION 5.  GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE LOANS

                   5.1 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar
Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect
thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day
plus the Applicable Margin.

                   (b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest for each day it is
outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the ABR for such day plus the
Applicable Margin.

                   (c) Each Multicurrency Loan shall bear interest (subject to
Section 13.16, payable in the Available Foreign Currency in which such
Multicurrency Loan is denominated) for each day during each Interest Period with
respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Eurocurrency Rate
determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin in effect for
such day.

                   (d) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any
Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the
stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), all outstanding Loans and
Reimbursement Obligations (whether or not overdue) shall bear interest at a rate
per annum equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that would otherwise
be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus
2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate applicable to ABR
Loans under the 



<PAGE>   40

                                                                              34


Revolving Facility plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable
on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any commitment fee or other amount
payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate
per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the relevant
Facility plus 2% (or, in the case of any such other amounts that do not relate
to a particular Facility, the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the
Revolving Facility plus 2%), in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii)
above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as
well after as before judgment).

                   (e) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (d) of this
Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.

                   5.2 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest and fees
payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for
the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans the rate of
interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate and Loans
denominated in Pounds Sterling, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the
basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days
elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the
Company and the relevant Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate or a
Eurocurrency Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a
change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become
effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes
effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the
Company and the relevant Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each
such change in interest rate.

                   (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and the Lenders in the absence of
manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of a Borrower,
deliver to such Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the
Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section
5.1(a).

                   (c) (i) If any Multicurrency Reference Lender shall for any
reason no longer have a Revolving Commitment or any Multicurrency Loans, such
Multicurrency Reference Lender shall thereupon cease to be a Multicurrency
Reference Lender, and if, as a result, there shall only be one Multicurrency
Reference Lender remaining, the Administrative Agent (after consultation with
the Company and the Revolving Lenders) shall, by notice to the Company and the
Lenders, designate another Revolving Lender as a Multicurrency Reference Lender
so that there shall at all times be at least two Multicurrency Reference
Lenders.

                    (ii) Each Multicurrency Reference Lender shall use its best
efforts to furnish quotations of rates to the Administrative Agent as
contemplated hereby. If any of the Multicurrency Reference Lenders shall be
unable or shall otherwise fail to supply such rates to the Administrative Agent
upon its request, the rate of interest shall, subject to the provisions of
Section 5.3, be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining
applicable Multicurrency Reference Lenders or Multicurrency Reference Lender, as
applicable.


<PAGE>   41

                                                                              35

                   5.3 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If prior to the
first day of any Interest Period:

                   (a) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which
         determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrowers) that,
         by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and
         reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate or
         the Eurocurrency Rate with respect to the currency in which a Loan or a
         requested Loan is denominated (the "Affected Currency"), as the case
         may be, for such Interest Period, or

                   (b) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from
         the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of the relevant Facility that
         the Eurodollar Rate or the Eurocurrency Rate, as the case may be,
         determined or to be determined with respect to such Affected Currency
         for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the
         cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of
         making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period,

the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the
Company and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such
notice is given (w) any Eurodollar Loans or Multicurrency Loans, as the case may
be, under the relevant Facility requested to be made on the first day of such
Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans in U.S. Dollars, (x) any Loans under
the relevant Facility that were to have been converted on the first day of such
Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be converted into or continued as ABR
Loans, (y) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility shall be
converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to ABR Loans and
(z) any Multicurrency Loans to which such Interest Period relates shall be
repaid on the last day of the then current Interest Period. Until such notice
has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans or
Multicurrency Loans under the relevant Facility shall be made or continued as
such, nor shall the Borrowers have the right to convert Loans under the relevant
Facility to Eurodollar Loans, as the case may be, provided that Loans may
continue to be made, converted or continued, as the case may be, in U.S. Dollars
or Available Foreign Currencies other than the Affected Currency.

                   5.4 Optional Prepayments. (a) The Company may at any time and
from time to time prepay the Dollar Revolving Loans and the Term Loans, in whole
or in part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the
Administrative Agent at least three Business Days prior thereto in the case of
Eurodollar Loans and at least one Business Day prior thereto in the case of ABR
Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether
the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans; provided, that if a
Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto, the Company shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant
to Section 5.11. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the
amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified
therein, together with (except in the case of Dollar Revolving Loans that are
ABR Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial
prepayments of Term Loans and 


<PAGE>   42


                                       36




Dollar Revolving Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000
or a whole multiple thereof.

                   (b) The Borrowers may at any time and from time to time
prepay, without premium or penalty, the Multicurrency Loans, in whole or in
part, upon at least three Business Days' irrevocable notice to the
Administrative Agent specifying the date and amount of prepayment; provided,
that if a Multicurrency Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, the relevant Borrower shall also pay any
amounts owing pursuant to Section 5.11. Upon the receipt of any such notice, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof. If any
such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and
payable on the date specified therein. Partial prepayments of Multicurrency
Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of which the U.S. Dollar
Equivalent is at least $1,000,000.

                   5.5 Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions. (a) If,
at any time during the Revolving Commitment Period, for any reason the Aggregate
Committed Outstandings of all Revolving Lenders exceed the Total Revolving
Commitments then in effect, (i) the Company shall, without notice or demand,
immediately prepay the Revolving Loans and/or (ii) the Borrowers shall, without
notice or demand, immediately prepay the Multicurrency Loans such that the sum
of (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans so prepaid and (B)
the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of the
Multicurrency Loans so prepaid, equals or exceeds the amount of such excess.

                   (b) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise
agree, if any Capital Stock of the Company shall be sold or issued by the
Company (other than (i) in connection with options exercisable for the purchase
of Capital Stock or compensation-related transactions with officers, employees
or directors, to the extent the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds thereof do not
exceed $15,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Company and (ii) upon issuance of
Capital Stock upon the conversion of the Convertible Subordinated Notes), an
amount equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied on the
date of such sale or issuance, unless a Reinvestment Notice shall be delivered
in respect of such sale or issuance, toward the prepayment of the Term Loans and
the Revolving Loans as set forth in Section 5.5(e), provided, that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, on each Reinvestment Prepayment Date, an amount
equal to the Reinvestment Prepayment Amount with respect to the relevant sale or
issuance shall be applied toward the prepayment of Term Loans and the Revolving
Loans as set forth in Section 5.5(e).

                   (c) Unless the Required Prepayment Lenders shall otherwise
agree, if on any date, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall receive Net
Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale or Recovery Event then, unless a Reinvestment
Notice shall be delivered in respect of such Recovery Event or Asset Sale, such
Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied on such date toward the prepayment of the
Term Loans and the Revolving Loans as set forth in Section 5.5(e); provided,
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds of
Recovery Events that may be excluded from the foregoing requirement pursuant to
a Reinvestment Notice shall not exceed, on any date which this Agreement is in
effect, 20% of the net fixed asset value plus 




<PAGE>   43

                                                                              37

inventory of the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of
the last day of the fiscal year of the Company most recently ended prior to such
date and (ii) on each Reinvestment Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the
Reinvestment Prepayment Amount with respect to the relevant Reinvestment Event
shall be applied toward the prepayment of the Term Loans and the Revolving Loans
as set forth in Section 5.5(e).

                   (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, mandatory prepayments of
Revolving Loans or Multicurrency Loans that would otherwise be required pursuant
to this Section 5.5 solely as a result of fluctuations in Exchange Rates from
time to time shall only be required to be made pursuant to this Section 5.5 on
the last Business Day of each month on the basis of the Exchange Rate in effect
on such Business Day.

                   (e) Amounts to be applied in connection with prepayments made
pursuant to Section 5.5 shall be applied, first, to the prepayment of the Term
Loans and, second, to the prepayment of the Dollar Revolving Loans or, if the
Borrowers elect, the Multicurrency Loans. The application of any prepayment of
Term Loans or Dollar Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall be made,
first, to ABR Loans and, second, to Eurodollar Loans. Each prepayment of the
Loans under this Section 5.5 (except in the case of Dollar Revolving Loans that
are ABR Loans) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such
prepayment on the amount prepaid.

                   5.6 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Company may
elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the
Administrative Agent at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of
such election, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be
made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. The Company may
elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the
Administrative Agent at least three Business Days' prior irrevocable notice of
such election (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest
Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan under a particular Facility may be
converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Majority Facility Lenders in
respect of such Facility have determined in its or their sole discretion not to
permit such conversions. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.

                   (b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the
Company giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the term "Interest Period" set forth in
Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such
Loans, provided that no Eurodollar Loan under a particular Facility may be
continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of such
Facility have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such
continuations, and provided, further, that if the Company shall fail to give any
required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is
not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Loans shall be
automatically converted to ABR 


<PAGE>   44


                                                                              38


Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any
such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender
thereof.

                   (c) Any Multicurrency Loan may be continued as such upon the
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the
relevant Borrower giving the Administrative Agent at least two Business Days'
prior irrevocable notice of such election, provided, that if the relevant
Borrower shall fail to give such notice or if any Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders have determined that such continuation would not be appropriate, such
Multicurrency Loans shall automatically be continued for an Interest Period of
one month.

                   5.7 Limitations on Tranches. All borrowings, conversions and
continuations of Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods
hereunder shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so
that, immediately after giving effect thereto, (a) the aggregate principal
amount of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each Tranche shall be equal to
$2,500,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) the
aggregate principal amount of the Multicurrency Loans comprising each Tranche
shall be in an amount which is, or of which the U.S. Dollar Equivalent is, at
least $2,500,000.

                   5.8 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by a
Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Borrowers on account of
any commitment fee and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders shall be
made pro rata according to the respective Term Percentages or Revolving
Percentages, as the case may be, of the relevant Lenders.

                   (b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Company
on account of principal of and interest on the Term Loans shall be made pro rata
according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans then
held by the Term Lenders. The amount of each principal prepayment of the Term
Loans shall be applied to reduce the then remaining installments of the Term
Loans pro rata based upon the then remaining principal amount thereof. Amounts
prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

                   (c) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrowers
on account of principal of and interest on the Revolving Loans shall be made pro
rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Revolving
Loans then held by the Revolving Lenders.

                   (d) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the
Company hereunder in respect of amounts denominated in Dollars, whether on
account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff
or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on
the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds.
The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders promptly
upon receipt in like funds as received.


<PAGE>   45


                                                                              39



                   (e) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by a
Borrower on account of Multicurrency Loans hereunder, whether on account of
principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without set-off or
counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, London time, on the due date
thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolving Lenders,
at the payment office for the currency of such Multicurrency Loans specified
from time to time by the Administrative Agent by notice to the Revolving
Lenders, in the currency of such Multicurrency Loans and in immediately
available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the
Revolving Lenders entitled to receive the same promptly upon receipt in like
funds as received.

                   (f) If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the
Eurodollar Loans or Multicurrency Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other
than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan or a Multicurrency Loan
becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof
shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such
extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which
event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In
the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding
two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate
during such extension.

                   (g) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the
amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is
making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative
Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative
Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay
to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a
rate equal to (i) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate (in the case of
a borrowing of Dollar Revolving Loans or Term Loans) and (ii) the Administrative
Agent's reasonable estimate of its average daily cost of funds (in the case of a
borrowing of Multicurrency Loans), in each case for the period until such Lender
makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A
certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to
any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. If such Lender's share of such borrowing is not made available
to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of such
Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such
amount (together with interest thereon from the date such amount was made
available to such Borrower (i) at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans
hereunder (in the case of a borrowing of Dollar Revolving Loans or Term Loans)
or (ii) the Administrative Agent's reasonable estimate of its average daily cost
of funds plus the Applicable Margin applicable to Multicurrency Loans (in the
case of a borrowing of Multicurrency Loans)), on demand, from the applicable
Borrower.

                   (h) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by the applicable Borrower 


<PAGE>   46


                                                                              40


prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder that such Borrower will
not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may
assume that such Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent
may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding
amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by such Borrower
within three Business Days of such required date, the Administrative Agent shall
be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which
was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest
thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective
Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative
Agent or any Lender against any Borrower.

                   5.9 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change
in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or
compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made
subsequent to the date hereof:

                   (i) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind
          whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any
          Application or any Eurodollar Loan or Multicurrency Loan made by it,
          or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect
          thereof (except for Excluded Taxes and Non-Excluded Taxes covered by
          Section 5.10 and changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income
          of such Lender);

                   (ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
          special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
          held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,
          advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other
          acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not
          otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate or the
          Eurocurrency Rate hereunder, including, without limitation, the
          imposition of any reserves with respect to Eurocurrency Liabilities
          under Regulation D of the Board; or

                   (iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender,
by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into,
continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or Multicurrency Loans or issuing or
participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder
in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the applicable Borrower shall
promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to
compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable,
provided that such Lender shall have given notice to the Company within 180 days
after it becomes aware or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have been
aware of the event giving rise to such payment obligation. If any Lender becomes
entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall
promptly notify the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the
event by reason of which it has become so entitled.

                   (b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of
or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the
interpretation or application thereof 




<PAGE>   47


                                                                              41

or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any
request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force
of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall
have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or such
corporation's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or
in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or
such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance
(taking into consideration such Lender's or such corporation's policies with
respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material,
then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the Company (with a
copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Company
shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate
such Lender for such reduction, provided that such Lender shall have given
notice to the Company within 180 days after it becomes aware or, in the exercise
of reasonable care, should have been aware of the event giving rise to such
payment obligation.

                   (c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Company (with a copy to
the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
The obligations of the Borrowers pursuant to this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.

                   5.10 Taxes. (a) All payments made by the Borrowers under this
Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction 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, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of
net income taxes) ("Excluded Taxes") imposed on the Administrative Agent or any
Lender as a result of a present or former connection between the Administrative
Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing
such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein
(other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or
such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received
a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document). If any
such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") or Other Taxes are required to be withheld
from any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder,
the amounts so payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be
increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Administrative Agent or such
Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any
such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in
this Agreement, provided, however, that the Borrowers shall not be required to
increase any such amounts payable to any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded
Taxes (i) that are attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the
requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section or (ii) that are United
States withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Lender at the time
the Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, except, in each case, to the
extent that such Lender's assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of
assignment, to receive additional amounts from the applicable Borrower with
respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to this paragraph.

<PAGE>   48

                                                                              42

                   (b) In addition, the Borrowers shall pay any Other Taxes to
the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

                   (c) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are
payable by any Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter such Borrower shall
send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the
relevant Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official
receipt received by such Borrower showing payment thereof. If a Borrower fails
to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing
authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or
other required documentary evidence, such Borrower shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or
penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a
result of any such failure.

                   (d) Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a United States
person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a "Non-U.S. Lender") shall
deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a
Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been
purchased) two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or Form
4224, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal
withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to
payments of "portfolio interest", a statement substantially in the form of
Exhibit H and a Form W-8, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors
thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming
complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on
all payments by the Company under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it
becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or
before the date such Participant purchases the related participation). In
addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the
obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S.
Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Company at any time it
determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously
delivered certificate to the Company (or any other form of certification adopted
by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Notwithstanding any other
provision of this paragraph, a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be required to deliver
any form pursuant to this paragraph that such Non-U.S. Lender is not legally
able to deliver.

                   (e) A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or
reduction of non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which
a Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with
respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to such Borrower (with a
copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable
law or reasonably requested by such Borrower, such properly completed and
executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments
to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate, provided that such Lender
is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in
such Lender's judgment such completion, execution or submission would not
materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.



<PAGE>   49


                                                                              43
                   (f) The agreements in this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.

                   5.11 Indemnity. Each of the Borrowers agrees to indemnify
each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense that such
Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by such Borrower in
making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans or
Multicurrency Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by such Borrower
in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Loans or Multicurrency
Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar
Loans or Multicurrency Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest
Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to
the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the
amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period
from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or
continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure
to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on
the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for
such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin
included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably
determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount
by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in
the interbank eurodollar market. A certificate as to any amounts payable
pursuant to this Section submitted to the Company by any Lender shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.

                   5.12 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon
the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 5.9 or
5.10(a) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Company, use
reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to
designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the
object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such
designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause
such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect
or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender
pursuant to Section 5.9 or 5.10(a).

                   5.13 Subsidiary Borrowers. The Company may designate any
Qualified Foreign Subsidiary of the Company as a Subsidiary Borrower by delivery
to the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement executed by such
Subsidiary and the Company and upon such delivery such Subsidiary shall for all
purposes of this Agreement be a Subsidiary Borrower and a party to this
Agreement until the Company shall have executed and delivered to the
Administrative Agent a Borrowing Subsidiary Termination with respect to such
Subsidiary, whereupon such Subsidiary shall cease to be a Subsidiary Borrower
and a party to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, no
Borrowing Subsidiary Termination will become effective as to any Subsidiary
Borrower at a time when any principal of or interest on 


<PAGE>   50


                                                                              44


any Loan to such Subsidiary Borrower shall be outstanding hereunder, provided
that such Borrowing Subsidiary Termination shall be effective to terminate such
Subsidiary Borrower's right to make further borrowings under this Agreement.

                   5.14 Replacement of Lenders. The Company shall be permitted
to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant
to Section 5.9 or 5.10(a) or (b) defaults in its obligation to make Loans
hereunder, with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such
replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement,
(iii) prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action
under Section 5.12 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts
owing pursuant to Section 5.9 or 5.10(a), (iv) the replacement financial
institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such
replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Company shall be
liable to such replaced Lender under Section 5.11 if any Eurodollar Loan owing
to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the
Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) the replacement financial institution, if
not already a Lender, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in
accordance with the provisions of Section 13.6 (provided that the Company shall
be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein),
(viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrowers
shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 5.9 or
5.10(a), as the case may be, and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of any rights that any Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

                   5.15 Lending Installations. Each Lender may book its Loans at
any Lending Installation selected by such Lender and may change Lending
Installation from time to time; provided that such Lender shall be solely
responsible with respect to any Loans so booked, and the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to deal solely with the Lender with
respect to such Loans. All terms of this Agreement shall apply to any such
Lending Installation and the Loans and any Notes issued hereunder shall be
deemed held by each Lender for the benefit of any such Lending Installation.
Each Lender may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower
in accordance with Section 13.2, designate replacement or additional Lending
Installations through which Loans will be made by it and for whose account Loan
payments are to be made.


                    SECTION 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                   To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter
into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the
Letters of Credit, each of the Company and each Subsidiary Borrower (to the
extent such representation relates to such Subsidiary Borrower) hereby
represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

                   6.1 Financial Condition. (a) The unaudited pro forma
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as
at September 27, 1998 (the "Pro 



<PAGE>   51


                                                                              45


Forma Balance Sheet"), copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each
Lender, has been prepared giving effect (as if such events had occurred on such
date) to (i) the consummation of the Acquisition, (ii) the Loans to be made on
the Closing Date and the use of proceeds thereof, (iii) the loans to be made
under the MTKG Credit Agreement on the Closing Date and the use of the proceeds
thereof and (iv) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the
foregoing. The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared based on the best
information available to the Company as of the date of delivery thereof, and
presents fairly on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at September 27, 1998, assuming
that the events specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred at
such date.

                   (b) The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company as
at December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of income and of cash flows for the fiscal years ended on such dates,
reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from Deloitte & Touche
LLP and KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, respectively, present fairly the consolidated
financial condition of the Company as at such dates, and the consolidated
results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the respective
fiscal years then ended. The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company
as at September 27, 1998, June 28, 1998, and March 31, 1998, and the related
unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for each of the
thirteen-week periods ended on such dates, present fairly the consolidated
financial condition of the Company as at such dates, and the consolidated
results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the thirteen-week
periods then ended (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments). All such
financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the
periods involved (except as approved by the aforementioned firms of accountants
and disclosed therein). The Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, do
not have any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent liabilities and
liabilities for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term
commitments, including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange
transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not
reflected in the most recent financial statements referred to in this paragraph.
During the period from December 29, 1997 to and including the date hereof there
has been no Disposition by the Company of any material part of its business or
property.

                   6.2 No Change. Since December 28, 1997 there has been no
development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, except as disclosed in the Confidential Information
Memorandum (or incorporated by reference therein) or the Company's press release
issued on October 22, 1998, a copy of which has been delivered to each Lender.

                   6.3 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the
corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its
property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the
business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its
ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification and (d) is in compliance with 


<PAGE>   52

                                                                              46

all Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure to comply with
any of the foregoing clauses (c) or (d) could not, in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                   6.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
Each Loan Party has the corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to
make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents and Acquisition Documentation to
which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrowers, to borrow hereunder and,
in the case of each Loan Party which is a party to the Acquisition Agreement, to
consummate the Acquisition. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary corporate
action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrowers, to authorize
the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No consent or
authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any
Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the
Acquisition and the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, delivery,
performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and notices described in
Schedule 6.4, which consents, authorizations, filings and notices have been
obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) the filings referred
to in Section 6.19. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on
behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each
other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding
obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan
Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or
at law).

                   6.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit,
the borrowings hereunder, the use of the proceeds thereof and the consummation
of the Acquisition will not violate any Requirement of Law or any Contractual
Obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and will not result in, or
require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective
properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such
Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Security Documents).
No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation applicable to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                   6.6 Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of
or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened by or against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with
respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby or the Acquisition, or (b) that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                   6.7 No Default. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual
Obligations in any respect that could reasonably 


<PAGE>   53

                                                                              47


be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing.

                   6.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all
its real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its
other property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except as
permitted by Section 9.3 or, with respect to the Closing Date, any Lien granted
in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement to the extent satisfactory
arrangements shall have been made for the termination thereof.

                   6.9 Intellectual Property. The Company and each of its
Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary
for the conduct of its business as currently conducted. No material claim has
been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of
any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual
Property, nor does the Company know of any valid basis for any such material
claim. The use of Intellectual Property by the Company and its Subsidiaries does
not infringe on the rights of any Person in any material respect.

                   6.10 Taxes. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
has filed or caused to be filed all Federal, state and other material tax
returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and
payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its
property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its
property by any Governmental Authority (other than any the amount or validity of
which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the
books of the Company or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be); no tax Lien has
been filed, and, to the knowledge of such Borrower, no claim is being asserted,
with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

                   6.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any
Loans will be used for "buying" or "carrying" any "margin stock" within the
respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and
from time to time hereafter in effect or for any purpose that violates the
provisions of the Regulations of the Board. If requested by any Lender or the
Administrative Agent, the Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and
each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the
requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in
Regulation U.

                   6.12 Labor Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no
strikes or other labor disputes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
pending or, to the knowledge of such party, threatened; (b) hours worked by and
payment made to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries have not been in
violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of
Law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries on account of employee health and welfare insurance have
been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Company or the relevant
Subsidiary.



<PAGE>   54

                                                                              48

                   6.13 ERISA. Neither a Reportable Event nor an "accumulated
funding deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section
302 of ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on
which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, and
except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, each Plan has complied in all respects with the applicable
provisions of ERISA and the Code. No termination of a Single Employer Plan has
occurred, and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such
five-year period. The present value of all accrued benefits under each Single
Employer Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as
of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation
is made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to
such accrued benefits by a material amount. Neither the Company nor any Commonly
Controlled Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any
Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in a material liability under ERISA, and neither the Company nor any Commonly
Controlled Entity would become subject to any material liability under ERISA if
the Company or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely
from all Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the
date on which this representation is made or deemed made. No such Multiemployer
Plan is in Reorganization or Insolvent.

                   6.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. No Loan Party
is an "investment company", or a company "controlled" by an "investment
company", within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
No Loan Party is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than
Regulation X of the Board) that limits its ability to incur Indebtedness.

                   6.15 Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed to the Administrative
Agent by the Company in writing from time to time after the Closing Date, (a)
Schedule 6.15 sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each
Subsidiary and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of
Capital Stock owned by any Loan Party and (b) there are no outstanding
subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or
commitments (other than stock options and other rights under the Company's 1994
Stock Incentive Plan, 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Non-Employee
Directors Stock Compensation Plan granted to employees or directors and
directors' qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Capital Stock of the
Company or any Subsidiary, except as created by the Loan Documents.

                   6.16 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans shall be
used to make an equity contribution to DII International Holdings C.V., a wholly
owned Dutch subsidiary of the Company (which will use such proceeds to fund the
purchase price of the Acquisition), and to pay fees and expenses related to the
Acquisition. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and the Letters of Credit shall
be used to refinance indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the
Existing Credit Agreement and for general corporate purposes in the ordinary
course of business.



<PAGE>   55

                                                                              49

                   6.17 Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

                   (a) the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated
         by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Properties") do not
         contain, and have not previously contained, any Materials of
         Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under
         circumstances that constitute or constituted a violation of, or could
         give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law;

                   (b) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
         received or is aware of any notice of violation, alleged violation,
         non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding
         environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with regard
         to any of the Properties or the business operated by the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries (the "Business"), nor does such party have
         knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or
         is being threatened;

                   (c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been
         transported or disposed of from the Properties in violation of, or in a
         manner or to a location that could give rise to liability under, any
         Environmental Law, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been
         generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the
         Properties in violation of, or in a manner that could give rise to
         liability under, any applicable Environmental Law;

                   (d) no judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative
         action is pending or, to the knowledge of such party, threatened, under
         any Environmental Law to which the Company or any Subsidiary is or will
         be named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business, nor
         are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders,
         administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or
         judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with
         respect to the Properties or the Business;

                   (e) there has been no release or threat of release of
         Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or
         arising from or related to the operations of the Company or any
         Subsidiary in connection with the Properties or otherwise in connection
         with the Business, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that
         could give rise to liability under Environmental Laws;

                   (f) the Properties and all operations at the Properties are
         in compliance, and have in the last five years been in compliance, with
         all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no contamination at,
         under or about the Properties or violation of any Environmental Law
         with respect to the Properties or the Business; and

                   (g) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
         assumed any liability of any other Person under Environmental Laws.



<PAGE>   56

                                                                              50

                   6.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. Other than the projections
and pro forma financial information referred to in the next sentence, the
statements and information contained in this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents, the Confidential Information Memorandum and all other documents,
certificates and written statements (as the same may have been updated or
supplemented, provided such update or supplement has been furnished to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to the date of this Agreement)
furnished by or on behalf of the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, do not contain, as of the date of this
Agreement, any 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. The projections and pro forma
financial information contained in the materials referenced above are based upon
good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Company to be
reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such
financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact
and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial
information may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a
material amount. As of the date hereof, the representations and warranties
contained in the Acquisition Documentation are true and correct in all material
respects; provided, that the representations and warranties of Hewlett-Packard
GmbH contained therein are understood to be true and correct in all material
respects to the best of the Company's and MTKG's knowledge. There is no fact
known to any Loan Party that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect that has not been expressly disclosed herein, in the other Loan
Documents, in the Confidential Information Memorandum or in any other documents,
certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by
the other Loan Documents.

                   6.19 Security Documents. The Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the
Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of certificated
Pledged Stock described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when stock
certificates representing such Pledged Stock are delivered to the Administrative
Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, when financing statements and other filings specified on
Schedule 6.19 in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule
6.19, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected
(to the extent perfection is permitted or provided for under any applicable
foreign law) Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of
the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for
the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in each
case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except, in the case of
Collateral other than Pledged Stock, Liens permitted by Section 9.3).

                   6.20 Solvency. Each Loan Party is, and after giving effect to
the Acquisition and the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being
incurred in connection herewith and therewith will be and will continue to be,
Solvent.



<PAGE>   57


                                                                              51
                   6.21 Year 2000 Matters. Any reprogramming required to permit
the proper functioning (but only to the extent that such proper functioning
would otherwise be impaired by the occurrence of the year 2000) in and following
the year 2000 of computer systems and other equipment containing embedded
microchips material to the conduct of business, in either case owned or operated
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or used or relied upon in the conduct
of their business (including any such systems and other equipment supplied by
others or with which the computer systems of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries interface), and the testing of all such systems and other equipment
as so reprogrammed, will be completed in all material respects by October 1,
1999. The costs to the Company and its Subsidiaries that have not been incurred
as of the date hereof for such reprogramming and testing and for the other
reasonably foreseeable consequences to them of any improper functioning of other
computer systems and equipment containing embedded microchips due to the
occurrence of the year 2000 could not reasonably be expected to result in a
Default or Event of Default or to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except for any
reprogramming referred to above, the computer systems of the Company and its
Subsidiaries are and, with ordinary course upgrading and maintenance, will
continue for the term of this Agreement to be, sufficient for the conduct of
their business as currently conducted.

                   6.22 Certain Documents. The Company has delivered to the
Administrative Agent (with a copy for each Lender) a complete and correct copy
of the Acquisition Documentation and the Greatsino Documentation, including any
amendments, supplements or modifications with respect to any of the foregoing.

                   6.23 Immaterial Subsidiaries. (a) (i) The aggregate book
value of the assets of each Immaterial Subsidiary set forth on Schedule 1.1C
does not exceed, for any such Immaterial Subsidiary, 5% of the aggregate book
value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and
(ii) the aggregate book value of the assets of all such Immaterial Subsidiaries
taken together does not exceed 10% of the aggregate book value of the assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                   (b) (i) The revenues of each Immaterial Subsidiary set forth
         on Schedule 1.1C in any fiscal year shall not exceed, for any such
         Immaterial Subsidiary, 5% of the revenues of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole for such fiscal year and (ii) the
         revenues all such Immaterial Subsidiaries taken together shall not
         exceed, for any fiscal year, 10% of the revenues of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole for such fiscal year.

                   (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be
         deemed to have made an untrue representation under this Section 6.23 if
         the Company shall redesignate any Immaterial Subsidiary as a Material
         Subsidiary by notice to the Administrative Agent delivered at the time
         of delivery of the Company's audited financial statements for any
         fiscal year demonstrating that such redesignation is required in order
         to comply with the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.23.





<PAGE>   58

                                                                              52

                         SECTION 7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT


                   7.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement
of each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by
it is subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of
such extension of credit on the Closing Date (but in any event no later than
November 30, 1998), of the following conditions precedent:

                   (a) Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the
         Administrative Agent, the Company and each Person listed on Schedule
         1.1A, (ii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and
         delivered by the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, (iii) an
         Acknowledgment and Consent in the form attached to the Guarantee and
         Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by each Issuer (as defined
         therein), if any, that is not a Loan Party, (iv) the Intercreditor
         Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the
         parties thereto and (v) each Dutch Pledge Agreement, executed and
         delivered by a duly authorized officer of the parties thereto.

                   In the event that this Agreement has not been duly executed
         and delivered by each Person listed on Schedule 1.1A on the date
         scheduled to be the Closing Date, the condition referred to in clause
         (i) above shall nevertheless be deemed satisfied if on such date the
         Company and the Administrative Agent shall have designated one or more
         Persons (the "Designated Lenders") to assume, in the aggregate, all of
         the Commitments that would have been held by the Persons listed on
         Schedule 1.1A (the "Non-Executing Persons") which have not so executed
         and delivered this Agreement (subject to each such Designated Lender's
         consent and its execution and delivery of this Agreement). Schedule
         1.1A shall automatically be deemed to be amended to reflect the
         respective Commitments of the Designated Lenders and the omission of
         the Non-Executing Persons as Lenders hereunder.

                   (b) Acquisition, etc. The following transactions shall have
         been consummated, in each case on terms and conditions reasonably
         satisfactory to the Lenders:

                           (i) the Company, through MTKG, shall have consummated
                   the acquisition of Hewlett-Packard GmbH's printed circuit
                   board manufacturing operation located in Boeblingen, Germany,
                   pursuant to the Master Asset Purchase Agreement and other
                   satisfactory documentation, and no material provision thereof
                   shall have been waived, amended or modified (the
                   "Acquisition");

                           (ii) the Acquisition shall have been consummated for
                   an aggregate purchase price of not more than $95,000,000
                   (including assumed liabilities);

                           (iii) (A) The Administrative Agent shall have
                   received satisfactory evidence that the Existing Credit
                   Agreement shall have been terminated and all amounts
                   thereunder shall be paid in full simultaneous with the
                   Closing and (B) 


<PAGE>   59


                                                                              53



                   satisfactory arrangements shall have been made for the
                   termination of all Liens granted in connection therewith.

                   (c) Pro Forma Balance Sheet; Financial Statements. The
         Lenders shall have received (i) the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, (ii)
         audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the 1997
         and 1996 fiscal years and (iii) satisfactory unaudited interim
         consolidated financial statements of the Company for each fiscal
         quarterly period ended subsequent to the date of the latest applicable
         financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (ii) of this
         paragraph as to which such financial statements are available, and such
         financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the
         Lenders, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated
         financial condition of the Company, as reflected in the financial
         statements or projections contained in the Confidential Information
         Memorandum.

                   (d) Approvals. All governmental and third party approvals
         necessary in connection with the Acquisition, the continuing operations
         of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated
         hereby shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and
         all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action
         being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would
         restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the
         Acquisition or the financing contemplated hereby.

                   (e) Business Plan. The Lenders shall have received a business
         plan for the Company and its Subsidiaries for the five fiscal years
         ending December 31, 2002 and a written discussion of the assumptions
         supporting the business plan of the Company and its Subsidiaries for
         the period from the Closing Date through the final maturity of the Term
         Loans.

                   (f) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received the results of a recent lien search in each of the
         jurisdictions where assets of the Loan Parties are located, and such
         search shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of the Company or its
         Subsidiaries except for liens permitted by Section 9.3 or with respect
         to which arrangements for the termination thereof shall have been made
         as provided in Section 7.1(b)(iii)(B).

                   (g) Environmental Audit. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received an environmental audit from Shield Environmental Associates,
         Inc. with respect to the real properties of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries specified by the Administrative Agent as set forth on
         Schedule 7.1(g).

                   (h) Fees. The Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
         Arranger shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all
         expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the
         reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the
         Closing Date. All such amounts will be paid with proceeds of Loans made
         on the 



<PAGE>   60


                                                                              54

         Closing Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions given by
         the Company to the Administrative Agent on or before the Closing Date.

                   (i) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of each
         Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of
         Exhibit E, with appropriate insertions and attachments.

                   (j) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received the following executed legal opinions:

                           (i) the legal opinion of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt
                   & Mosle counsel to the Company and its Subsidiaries,
                   substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1;

                           (ii) the legal opinion of local counsel in each
                   foreign jurisdiction where a Subsidiary, if any, that is a
                   Subsidiary Borrower on the Closing Date is incorporated,
                   which opinion shall be satisfactory to the Administrative
                   Agent;

                           (iii) the legal opinion of local counsel in Colorado,
                   which opinion shall be satisfactory to the Administrative
                   Agent; and

                           (iv) the legal opinion of local counsel in The
                   Netherlands, which opinion shall be satisfactory to the
                   Administrative Agent.

         Each such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent
         may reasonably require.

                   (k) Pledged Stock; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes. The
         Collateral Agent shall have received (i) the certificates representing
         the shares of Capital Stock that are certificated pledged pursuant to
         the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock
         power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized
         officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any)
         pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Guarantee and
         Collateral Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or
         accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor
         thereof.

                   (l) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document
         (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by
         the Security Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the
         Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create
         in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a
         perfected (to the extent perfection is permitted or provided for under
         any applicable foreign law) Lien on the Collateral described therein,
         prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with
         respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 9.3), shall be in
         proper form for filing, registration or recordation.



<PAGE>   61


                                                                              55


                   (m) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received a solvency certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit I
         hereto, from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

                   (n) Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received
         insurance certificates satisfying the requirements of Section 5.2(b) of
         the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

                   7.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of
each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any
date (including its initial extension of credit) is subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions precedent:

                   (a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the
         representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to
         the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects
         on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date (it being
         understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its
         terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and
         correct in all material respects only as of such specified date).

                   (b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the
         extensions of credit requested to be made on such date.

Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of any Borrower
hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company as of
the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in this
Section 7.2 have been satisfied. In addition, each borrowing by a Subsidiary
Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by such
Subsidiary Borrower (insofar as such conditions relate to representations and
warranties or covenants or agreements of such Subsidiary Borrower) as of the
date thereof that the conditions contained in this Section 7.2 have been
satisfied.

                   7.3 Each Subsidiary Borrower Credit Event. The agreement of
each Revolving Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be
made by it to any Subsidiary Borrower on any date is subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions precedent:

                   (a) Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement. The Administrative Agent
         shall have received the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement for such
         Subsidiary Borrower executed and delivered by the Company and such
         Subsidiary Borrower.

                   (b) Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received a
         satisfactory written opinion of reputable counsel for such Subsidiary
         Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2, and covering such
         other matters relating to such Subsidiary Borrower or its Borrowing
         Subsidiary Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably
         request.

<PAGE>   62


                                                                              56

                   (c) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received a Closing Certificate in the form of Exhibit E hereto, with
         appropriate insertions and attachments, and such other documents and
         certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably
         request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of
         such Subsidiary Borrower, the authorization of the transactions
         contemplated hereby relating to such Subsidiary Borrower and any other
         legal matters relating to such Subsidiary Borrower, its Borrowing
         Subsidiary Agreement or such transactions, all in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                        SECTION 8. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                   The Company agrees, and each Subsidiary Borrower agrees (to
the extent specifically applicable to such Subsidiary Borrower), that, so long
as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or
any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent
hereunder, each such party shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

                   8.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender:

                   (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days
         after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the audited
         consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
         Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited
         consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year,
         setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
         previous year, reported on without a "going concern" or like
         qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope
         of the audit, by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent certified
         public accountants of nationally recognized standing; and

                   (b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45
         days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each
         fiscal year of the Company, the unaudited condensed consolidated
         balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at
         the end of such quarter and the related unaudited condensed
         consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such quarter
         and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter,
         setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
         previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly
         stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit
         adjustments).

All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material
respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior
periods (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be,
and disclosed therein).

                   8.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender (or, in the case of clause (f), to the
relevant Lender):



<PAGE>   63
                                                                              57


                   (a) concurrently with the delivery of any financial
         statements pursuant to Section 8.1, (i) a certificate of a Responsible
         Officer stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer's
         knowledge, each Loan Party during such period has observed or performed
         in all material respects all of its covenants and other agreements, and
         satisfied in all material respects every condition, contained in this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to be
         observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such Responsible
         Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default
         except as specified in such certificate and (ii) in the case of
         quarterly or annual financial statements, (x) a Compliance Certificate
         containing all information and calculations necessary for determining
         compliance by the Company and its Subsidiaries with the provisions of
         this Agreement referred to therein as of the last day of the fiscal
         quarter or fiscal year of the Company, as the case may be, and (y) to
         the extent not previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent, a
         listing of any county or state within the United States where any Loan
         Party keeps inventory or equipment acquired by any Loan Party since the
         date of the most recent list delivered pursuant to this clause (y) (or,
         in the case of the first such list so delivered, since the Closing
         Date), together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
         that all actions required to perfect the security interest (if required
         under this Agreement or any other Loan Document) of the Lenders in such
         property have been taken;

                   (b) as soon as available, and in any event no later than 45
         days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a detailed
         consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a
         projected consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related
         consolidated statements of projected cash flow, projected changes in
         financial position and projected income and a description of the
         underlying assumptions applicable thereto), and, as soon as available,
         significant revisions, if any, of such budget and projections with
         respect to such fiscal year (collectively, the "Projections"), which
         Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a
         Responsible Officer stating that such Projections are based on
         reasonable estimates, information and assumptions and that such
         Responsible Officer has no reason to believe that such Projections are
         incorrect or misleading in any material respect;

                   (c) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of
         the Company, a narrative discussion and analysis of the financial
         condition and results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries
         for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of the
         then current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, as compared
         to the comparable periods of the previous year;

                   (d) no later than 5 Business Days prior to the effectiveness
         thereof, copies of substantially final drafts of any proposed material
         amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification with respect to the
         Acquisition Documentation;

                   (e) within five days after the same are sent, copies of all
         financial statements and reports that the Company sends to the holders
         of any class of its debt securities or public 


<PAGE>   64


                                                                              58


         equity securities and, within five days after the same are filed,
         copies of all financial statements and reports that the Company may
         make to, or file with, the SEC; and

                   (f) promptly, such additional financial and other information
         as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

                   8.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise
satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may
be, all its material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or
validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been
provided on the books of the Company or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.

                   8.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. (a) (i) Preserve,
renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and (ii) take
all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises
necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each
case, as otherwise permitted by Section 9.4 and except, in the case of clause
(ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual
Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply
therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                   8.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Keep all property
useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted and (b) maintain with financially sound and
reputable insurance companies insurance on all its property in at least such
amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public
liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually insured
against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar
business.

                   8.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.
(a) Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct
entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b)
permit representatives of any Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties
and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records at any
reasonable times on any Business Day and as often as may reasonably be desired
and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other
condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the
Company and its Subsidiaries and with its independent certified public
accountants, with prior notice to the Company or its Subsidiaries and subject to
reasonable security and confidentiality procedures..

                   8.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender of:

                   (a)  the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

                   (b) any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual
         Obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii)
         litigation, investigation or proceeding that may 





<PAGE>   65


                                                                              59


         exist at any time between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and
         any Governmental Authority, that in either case, if not cured or if
         adversely determined, as the case may be, could reasonably be expected
         to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                   (c) any litigation or proceeding affecting the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries in which the amount involved is $5,000,000 or more
         and not covered by insurance or in which injunctive or similar relief
         is sought;

                   (d) the following events, as soon as possible and in any
         event within 30 days after the Company knows or has reason to know
         thereof: (i) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any
         Plan, a failure to make any required contribution to a Plan, the
         creation of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan or any withdrawal
         from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any
         Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking
         of any other action by the PBGC or the Company or any Commonly
         Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer Plan with respect to the
         withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of,
         any Plan; and

                   (e) any development or event that has had or could reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein and stating what action the Company or the relevant Subsidiary proposes
to take with respect thereto.

                   8.8 Environmental Laws. (a) Comply in all material respects
with, and ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants and
subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and
comply in all material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants
and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any
and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by
applicable Environmental Laws.

                   (b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies,
sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful
orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental
Laws.

                   8.9 Additional Collateral, etc. (a) With respect to any
property acquired after the Closing Date by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (other than (x) any property described in paragraph (b) or (c)
below, (y) any property subject to a Lien expressly permitted by Section 9.3(g)
and (z) property acquired by any Excluded Foreign Subsidiary or Immaterial
Subsidiary) as to which the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders,
does not have a perfected (to the extent perfection is permitted or provided for
under any applicable foreign law) Lien, promptly (i) execute and deliver to the
Collateral Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or
such other documents as the Collateral Agent deems necessary or advisable to
grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security
interest in 



<PAGE>   66

                                                                              60

such property and (ii) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected (to the extent
perfection is permitted or provided for under any applicable foreign law) first
priority security interest in such property, including the filing of Uniform
Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by
the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the
Collateral Agent.

                   (b) With respect to any new Subsidiary (other than an
Excluded Foreign Subsidiary or an Immaterial Subsidiary) created or acquired
after the Closing Date by the Company (which, for the purposes of this paragraph
(b), shall include any existing Subsidiary that ceases to be an Excluded Foreign
Subsidiary or an Immaterial Subsidiary), the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such amendments to the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Collateral Agent deems necessary or
advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a
perfected (to the extent perfection is permitted or provided for under any
applicable foreign law) first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of
such new Subsidiary that is owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
(ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent the certificates representing such Capital
Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a
duly authorized officer of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
(iii) cause such new Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, (B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant
to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first
priority security interest in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement with respect to such new Subsidiary, including the filing
of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be
required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be
requested by the Collateral Agent and (C) to deliver to the Collateral Agent a
certificate of such Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, with
appropriate insertions and attachments, and (iv) if requested by the Collateral
Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent legal opinions relating to the matters
described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from
counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

                   (c) With respect to any new Excluded Foreign Subsidiary
(other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) created or acquired after the Closing Date
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, promptly (i) execute and deliver to
the Collateral Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
as the Collateral Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Collateral
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected (to the extent perfection is
permitted or provided for under any applicable foreign law) first priority
security interest in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary that is owned by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (provided that in no event shall more
than 65% of the total outstanding Capital Stock of any such new Subsidiary be
required to be so pledged), (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent the
certificates representing such Capital Stock (if such Capital Stock is
certificated), together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and
delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, and take such other action as may be necessary or, in the opinion
of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect (to the extent perfection is
permitted or provided for under any applicable foreign law) the Collateral
Agent's security interest therein, and (iii) if requested by the Collateral
Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent legal opinions 


<PAGE>   67

                                                                              61

relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and
substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

                          SECTION 9. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                   The Company agrees and each Subsidiary Borrower agrees (to
the extent specifically applicable to such Subsidiary Borrower) that, so long as
the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or
any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent
hereunder, each such party shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

                   9.1  Financial Condition Covenants.


                   (a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated
Leverage Ratio of the Company as at any day during the periods set forth below
to exceed the ratio set forth below opposite such period (it being understood
that, notwithstanding the dates set forth below, any step-down in the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall occur on the last day of the fiscal quarter
concluding closest to any date set forth below):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Consolidated
          Period                                     Leverage Ratio
          ------                                     --------------
<S>                                                 <C>
       Closing Date -
         January 3, 1999                                   4.25
       January 4, 1999 -
         January 2, 2000                                   4.25
       January 3, 2000 -
         December 31, 2000                                 3.75
       January 1, 2001-
         December 30, 2001                                 3.50
       December 31, 2001-
         December 29, 2002                                 3.25
       December 30, 2002 and thereafter                    3.00
</TABLE>

                   (b) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters of the Company (or, if less, the number of full fiscal quarters
subsequent to the Closing Date) ending with the fiscal quarter concluding
closest to any date set forth below to be less than the ratio set forth below
opposite such date:


<PAGE>   68

                                                                              62

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        Consolidated Interest
              Fiscal Quarter                              Coverage Ratio    
              --------------                           ---------------------
<S>                                                    <C>
           December 31, 1998                                  3.00
           March 31, 1999                                     3.00
           June 30, 1999                                      3.00
           September 30, 1999                                 3.00
           December 31, 1999                                  3.25
           March 31, 2000                                     3.25
           June 30, 2000                                      3.25
           September 30, 2000                                 3.25
           December 31, 2000 and thereafter                   3.50
</TABLE>

                   (c) Consolidated Net Worth. Permit Consolidated Net Worth at
any time to be less than (i) the sum of (A) $175,000,000 and (B) 50% of
cumulative Consolidated Net Income for each fiscal quarter of the Company
(beginning with the fiscal quarter ending January 3, 1999) for which
Consolidated Net Income is positive less (ii) the aggregate purchase price of
shares of the Company's common stock repurchased by the Company of up to
$25,000,000.

                   9.2 Indebtedness. Create, issue, incur, assume, become liable
in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                   (a) Indebtedness of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan
         Document;

                   (b) (i) Indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary and of
         any Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the Company or any other Subsidiary so
         long as, if applicable, the provisions of Section 9.8(h) are complied
         with or (ii) Indebtedness of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to any other
         Non-Guarantor Subsidiary;

                   (c) Guarantee Obligations by the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries of obligations of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

                   (d) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on
         Schedule 9.2(d) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or
         extensions thereof (without increasing, or shortening the maturity of,
         the principal amount thereof);

                   (e) Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Capital
         Lease Obligations) secured by Liens permitted by Section 9.3(g) in an
         aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30,000,000 at any one time
         outstanding;

                   (f) (i) Indebtedness of MTKG in respect of the MTKG Credit
         Agreement and (ii) Guarantee Obligations of the Company and DII
         International Holdings, CV, a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary of the
         Company, in respect of such Indebtedness;

                   (g) additional Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount (for the Company and all
         Subsidiaries) not to exceed $25,000,000 at any one time outstanding;


<PAGE>   69


                                                                              63


                   (h) subordinated Indebtedness that requires no principal
         repayment prior to the date which is six months following the Scheduled
         Revolving Termination Date, has subordination terms reasonably
         acceptable to the Administrative Agent and bears interest at an annual
         rate of not more than the three month Eurodollar Rate plus 10%;

                   (i) Indebtedness under Derivative Agreements entered into by
         the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to protect against changes in
         interest rates or currency exchange rates or commodity prices or
         similar risks and not for speculative purposes (but in any event
         excluding any Derivative Agreements under which the Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries may become obligated to make any payments resulting
         from changes in market values of the Subordinated Notes or any Capital
         Stock of the Company); and

                   (j) Indebtedness in connection with one or more standby or
         trade letters of credit or performance, surety or appeal bonds issued
         in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to self-insurance
         obligations and not in connection with the borrowing of money or the
         obtaining of advances or credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed
         $25,000,000 at any one time outstanding.

                   9.3 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for:

                   (a) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
         levies not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with respect
         thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or its Subsidiaries,
         as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;

                   (b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
         repairmen's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of
         business that are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days or that
         are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

                   (c) pledges or deposits in connection with workers'
         compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
         legislation;

                   (d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
         contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory
         obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other
         obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of
         business;

                   (e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
         encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business that, in the
         aggregate, are not substantial in amount and that do not in any case
         materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or
         materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

                   (f) Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule
         9.3(f), securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 9.2(d), provided
         that no such Lien is spread to cover 


<PAGE>   70


                                                                              64


         any additional property after the Closing Date and that the amount of
         Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;

                   (g) (I) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company or any
         other Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 9.2(e) to finance the
         acquisition of fixed or capital assets, provided that (i) such Liens
         shall be created substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of
         such fixed or capital assets, (ii) such Liens do not at any time
         encumber any property other than the property financed by such
         Indebtedness and (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby (A)
         is not increased and (B) does not exceed the acquisition cost of such
         fixed or capital assets and (II) Liens on any assets acquired by the
         Company or any Subsidiary, which Liens were not created in
         contemplation of such acquisition, provided that such Liens do not at
         any time encumber any property other than the assets so acquired;

                   (h)  Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

                   (i) any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered
         into by the Company or any other Subsidiary in the ordinary course of
         its business and covering only the assets so leased;

                   (j) Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents under
         the MTKG Credit Agreement; and

                   (k) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section so long as
         neither (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the
         obligations secured thereby nor (ii) the aggregate fair market value
         (determined as of the date such Lien is incurred) of the assets subject
         thereto exceeds (as to the Company and all Subsidiaries) $5,000,000 at
         any one time.

                   9.4 Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, consolidation
or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any
liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of, all or substantially all of its
property or business (except as permitted by Section 9.5), except that:

                   (a) any Subsidiary of the Company may be merged or
         consolidated with or into the Company (provided that the Company shall
         be the continuing or surviving corporation) or with or into any Wholly
         Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that the Wholly Owned Subsidiary
         Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving corporation);

                   (b) any Subsidiary of the Company may be merged or
         consolidated with or into any Person (provided that the continuing or
         surviving entity of such merger or consolidation shall be a Subsidiary
         and the Company shall comply with the provisions of Section 8.9 with
         respect thereto) to the extent the acquisition of such Person is an
         Investment permitted under Section 9.8;

<PAGE>   71



                                                                              65

                   (c) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary may merge or consolidate
         with or into any other Non Guarantor Subsidiary;

                   (d) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary may Dispose of any or all of
         its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to any other
         Subsidiary; and

                   (e) any Subsidiary of the Company may Dispose of any or all
         of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Company
         or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor.

                   9.5 Disposition of Property. Dispose of any of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary,
issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary's Capital Stock to any Person,
except:

                   (a) the Disposition of obsolete or worn out property in the
         ordinary course of business;

                   (b) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

                   (c) Dispositions permitted by Section 9.4(d) or (e);

                   (d)(i) the sale or issuance of any Subsidiary's Capital Stock
         to the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) the
         sale or issuance of the Capital Stock of any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary
         to any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary;

                   (e) Dispositions of other property having a fair market
         value, in the aggregate on any date while this Agreement is in effect,
         not to exceed 10% in respect of fiscal year 1998, 20% in respect of
         fiscal year 1999 or 25% thereafter of the net fixed asset value of the
         Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as determined on
         the last day of the fiscal year of the Company most recently ended
         prior to such date;

                   (f) Dispositions described on Schedule 9.5(f); and

                   (g) Dispositions permitted by Section 9.11

                   9.6 Restricted Payments. Declare or pay any dividend (other
than dividends payable solely in common stock of the Person making such
dividend) on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a
sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance,
retirement or other acquisition of, any Subordinated Notes or Capital Stock of
the Company or any Subsidiary, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any
other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in
cash or property or in obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary or enter
into derivatives or other transaction (other than the sale of puts with respect
to the Company's Capital Stock to the extent the Company would be permitted to
repurchase such Capital Stock under this Agreement) with any financial
institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a "Derivatives
Counterparty") 



<PAGE>   72

                                                                              66

obligating it to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of
any change in market value of any such Capital Stock (collectively, "Restricted
Payments"), except that:

                   (a) any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the
         Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor;

                   (b) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments
         to any other Subsidiary,

                   (c) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing, the Company may repurchase the Convertible
         Subordinated Notes; provided, that if such repurchase is not financed
         with Indebtedness described in Section 9.2(h), (i) the ratio of
         Consolidated Senior Funded Debt to Consolidated EBITDA for the four
         consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended shall not exceed
         1.5:1.0 and (ii) the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated
         EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended
         shall not exceed 2.5:1.0, in the case of each of clause (i) and (ii)
         after giving effect to the proposed repurchase of Convertible
         Subordinated Notes;

                   (d) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing, the Company may repurchase shares of its
         common stock; provided, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases
         shall not exceed $25,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.

                   9.7 Capital Expenditures. Make or commit to make any Capital
Expenditure, except (a) Capital Expenditures of the Company and its Subsidiaries
in the ordinary course of business not exceeding 10% of the Company's revenues
for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended less the amount of
the aggregate Capital Expenditures made by the Company and its Subsidiaries for
the current fiscal quarter and the three fiscal quarters most recently ended,
excluding all Capital Expenditures made or committed related to the Acquisition
and the Greatsino Acquisition; provided, that up to $25,000,000 of any such
amount referred to above, if not so expended in the fiscal year for which it is
permitted, may be carried over for expenditure in the next succeeding fiscal
year and (b) Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of any Reinvestment
Deferred Amount.

                   9.8 Investments. Make any advance, loan, extension of credit
(by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or purchase any
Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or make any
other Investment in, any Person (all of the foregoing, "Investments"), except:

                   (a) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of
         business;

                   (b) investments in Cash Equivalents;

                   (c) Guarantee Obligations permitted by Section 9.2;
<PAGE>   73



                                                                              67


                   (d) loans and advances to any individual employee of the
         Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of
         business (including for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses)
         in an aggregate amount for the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
         not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

                   (e) the Acquisition;

                   (f) repurchases of the Convertible Subordinated Notes and
         Capital Stock by the Company pursuant to Section 9.6(c) and 9.6(d),
         respectively;

                   (g) Investments by the Company in DII International Holdings
         CV, a Dutch subsidiary of the Company ("Holdings"), and by Holdings in
         MTKG (in the form of capital contribution, direct or indirect
         guarantees of Indebtedness or participations in Indebtedness), the
         proceeds of which shall be used to fund the purchase price of the
         Acquisition and costs and expenses in connection therewith;

                   (h) Investments by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in
         the Company or any Person that, prior to or as a result of such
         Investment, is or becomes a Wholly Owed Subsidiary; provided that if
         any such Investment or series of Investments exceeds $500,000 and is
         made by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in a Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary which is not or does not become a Subsidiary Guarantor, (i)
         such Investment is evidenced by a promissory note pledged in favor of
         the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and (ii) such
         Investment constitutes Indebtedness of the primary obligor that is not
         subordinate to any other Indebtedness of such obligor;

                   (i) Investments in any Person engaged or proposing to engage
         in the same or a similar line of business as the Company and its
         Subsidiaries, provided that (x) such Investments under this clause (i)
         aggregate no more than one or a combination of the following
         computations: (A) $10,000,000 in any year, provided that any amount not
         so invested in any year may be used for such Investments in the next
         succeeding fiscal year, less any amount used pursuant to clause (B)(1)
         of this clause (i) and (B)(1) any amount not previously used pursuant
         to clause (A) plus (2) $10,000,000 less any amount previously invested
         pursuant to this clause (B) and (y) Investments made pursuant to this
         clause (i) during any fiscal year shall be deemed made, first, in
         respect of amounts permitted for such fiscal year as provided above
         and, second, in respect of amounts carried over from the prior fiscal
         year pursuant to subclause (A) above; provided further that Investments
         in minority interests shall not exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate;

                   (j) in addition to Investments otherwise expressly permitted
         by this Section, Investments by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
         in an aggregate amount (valued at cost) not to exceed $5,000,000 in any
         fiscal year; and

                   (k) Investments described on Schedule 9.8(k).

                   9.9 Optional Payments and Modifications of Certain Debt
Instruments. (a) Except as permitted by Section 9.6(c), make any optional or
voluntary payment, prepayment, 


<PAGE>   74


                                                                              68


repurchase or redemption of or otherwise optionally or voluntarily defease or
segregate funds with respect to any Subordinated Indebtedness or enter into any
derivative or other transaction with any Derivatives Counterparty obligating it
to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in
market value of Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) amend, modify, waive or otherwise
change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other
change to, any of the terms of Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any such
amendment, modification, waiver or other change that (i) would extend the
maturity or reduce the amount of any payment of principal thereof or reduce the
rate or extend any date for payment of interest thereon and (ii) does not
involve the payment of a consent fee) or (c) designate any Indebtedness (other
than obligations of the Loan Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents) as
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" for the purposes of any indenture pursuant to
which Subordinated Indebtedness is issued.

                   9.10 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction
(other than such transactions between Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries), including any
purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or
the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate
(other than the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor) unless such
transaction is (a) otherwise permitted under this Agreement and upon fair and
reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, than it would obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with
a Person that is not an Affiliate, or (b) in the ordinary course of business of
the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and upon fair and reasonable
terms no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be,
than it would obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person that
is not an Affiliate.

                   9.11 Sales and Leasebacks. Enter into any arrangement with
any Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any Subsidiary of real or
personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company
or such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been
or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental
obligations of the Company or such Subsidiary (a "Sale Leaseback Transaction")
other than Sale Leaseback Transactions yielding proceeds not to exceed in the
aggregate 25% of Capital Expenditures for the four consecutive fiscal quarters
most recently ended; provided that any amount referred to above, if not so used
in the period for which it is permitted, may be carried over to a subsequent
period not later than the four quarters after the fiscal quarter in which it
became available; provided further that the aggregate amount of all Sale
Leaseback Transactions shall not exceed $50,000,000.

                   9.12 Changes in Fiscal Periods. Permit the fiscal year of the
Company to end on a day other than the Sunday closest to December 31 or change
the Company's method of determining fiscal quarters.

                   9.13 Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into or suffer to exist
or become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Lien upon any of its property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, other than (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, 


<PAGE>   75


                                                                              69

(b) the MTKG Credit Agreement, (c) the indenture governing the Company's 8.50%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 and (d) any agreements governing any purchase
money Liens or Capital Lease Obligations otherwise permitted hereby (in which
case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets
financed thereby).

                   9.14 Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions. Enter into
or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction
on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Company to (a) make Restricted Payments
in respect of any Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by, or pay any
Indebtedness owed to, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, (b)
make loans or advances to, or other Investments in, the Company or any other
Subsidiary of the Company or (c) transfer any of its assets to the Company or
any other Subsidiary of the Company, except for such encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) any restrictions existing under
the Loan Documents, (ii) the MTKG Credit Agreement, (iii) any restrictions with
respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered
into in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the
Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary and (iv) restrictions with respect to
property which is subject to a Lien permitted by Sections 9.3(g) and 9.3(k).

                   9.15 Lines of Business. Enter into any business, either
directly or through any Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which the
Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement (after
giving effect to the Acquisition) or that are reasonably related thereto.

                   9.16 Amendments to Acquisition Documents. (a) Amend,
supplement or otherwise modify (pursuant to a waiver or otherwise) the terms and
conditions of the indemnities and licenses furnished to the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Acquisition Documentation or any other document
delivered by the Seller or any of its affiliates in connection therewith such
that after giving effect thereto such indemnities or licenses shall be
materially less favorable to the interests of the Loan Parties or the Lenders
with respect thereto or (b) otherwise amend, supplement or otherwise modify the
terms and conditions of the Acquisition Documentation or any such other
documents except for any such amendment, supplement or modification that (i)
becomes effective after the Closing Date and (ii) could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.


                          SECTION 10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                   If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

                   (a) any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan
         or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms
         hereof; or any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or
         Reimbursement Obligation, or any other amount payable hereunder or
         under any other Loan Document, within five days after any such interest
         or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

<PAGE>   76


                                                                              70

                   (b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any
         Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in
         any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by
         it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such
         other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material
         respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

                   (c) (i) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section
         8.4(a) (with respect to the Company only), Section 8.7(a) or Section 9
         of this Agreement or Sections 5.5 and 5.7(b) of the Guarantee and
         Collateral Agreement; or

                   (d) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any
         other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through
         (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a
         period of 30 days; or

                   (e) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) default
         in making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (including
         any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans) on the scheduled or
         original due date with respect thereto; or (ii) default in making any
         payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period of
         grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such
         Indebtedness was created; or (iii) default in the observance or
         performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such
         Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing,
         securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or
         condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or
         condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or beneficiary of such
         Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
         beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such
         Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or (in the case
         of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation) to become
         payable; provided, that a default, event or condition described in
         clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time
         constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more
         defaults, events or conditions of the type described in clauses (i),
         (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be
         continuing with respect to Indebtedness the outstanding principal
         amount of which exceeds in the aggregate $5,000,000; or

                   (f) (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence
         any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future
         law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,
         insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an
         order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate
         it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement,
         adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other
         relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a
         receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for
         it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries shall make a general assignment for the benefit
         of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Company
         or any of its Subsidiaries any case, 


<PAGE>   77


                                                                              71



         proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above
         that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such
         adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or
         unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced
         against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or
         other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution,
         distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its
         assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that
         shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending
         appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action in furtherance of, or
         indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the
         acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) the Company
         or any of its Subsidiaries shall generally not, or shall be unable to,
         or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they
         become due; or

                   (g) (i) any Person shall engage in any "prohibited
         transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
         Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
         defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist
         with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan
         shall arise on the assets of the Company or any Commonly Controlled
         Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or
         proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee
         shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer
         Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or
         appointment of a trustee is, in the reasonable opinion of the Required
         Lenders, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes
         of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for
         purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v) the Company or any Commonly
         Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion of the Required
         Lenders is likely to, incur any liability in connection with a
         withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or Reorganization of, a
         Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any other event or condition shall occur or
         exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through
         (vi) above, such event or condition, together with all other such
         events or conditions, if any, could, in the sole judgment of the
         Required Lenders, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect; or

                   (h) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against
         the Company or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a
         liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which the
         relevant insurance company has acknowledged coverage) of $5,000,000 or
         more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated,
         discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the
         entry thereof; or

                   (i) any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any
         reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any
         Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by any
         of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same
         effect and priority purported to be created thereby; or


<PAGE>   78

                                                                              72


                   (j) the guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and
         Collateral Agreement shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force
         and effect or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall
         so assert; or

                   (k)  a Change of Control shall occur;

then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Company,
automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans
hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C
Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of
Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately
become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default,
either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of
the Majority Revolving Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon
the request of the Majority Revolving Facility Lenders, the Administrative Agent
shall, by notice to the Company declare the Revolving Commitments to be
terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Commitments shall immediately
terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative
Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent
shall, by notice to the Company, declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued
interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the
beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the
documents required thereunder) to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the
same shall immediately become due and payable. With respect to all Letters of
Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at
the time of an acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, the Company shall at
such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative
Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such
Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied
by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of
Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall
have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other
obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. After
all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all
Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of
the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid
in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned
to the Company (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto).
Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest
and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by each of the
Borrowers.

<PAGE>   79


                                                                              73

                      SECTION 11. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                   11.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates
and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably
authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on
its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated
to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and
no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

                   11.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may
execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by
or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of
counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative
Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                   11.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Administrative Agent
nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be
taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by
a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted from its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct)
or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer
thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any
certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in,
or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness,
genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its
obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under
any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or
performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or
records of any Loan Party.

                   11.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon
any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit,
letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document
or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and
statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrowers), independent
accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any 


<PAGE>   80

                                                                              74

Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of
assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in
failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the
Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it
deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the
Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by
reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent
shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request
of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders),
and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall
be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

                   11.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be
deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a
Lender, the Company referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or
Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the
event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative
Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall
take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be
reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this
Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent
shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not
be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the
best interests of the Lenders.

                   11.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any
of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates
have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent
hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any
affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or
warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to
the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made
its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each
Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as
it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their
affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required
to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any
Lender with any credit or other information concerning the 


<PAGE>   81


                                                                              74


business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or
creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may
come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers,
directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

                   11.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the
Administrative Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by
the Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so),
ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages in effect
on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if
indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have
terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance
with such Aggregate Exposure Percentages immediately prior to such date), from
and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind
whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the
Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent
in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any
of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to
herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any
action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with
any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of
any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a
final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted from the Administrative Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all
other amounts payable hereunder.

                   11.8 Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The
Administrative Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from
and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though the
Administrative Agent was not the Administrative Agent. With respect to its Loans
made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued or
participated in by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and
powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms
"Lender" and "Lenders" shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual
capacity.

                   11.9 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days' notice to the Lenders and the
Company. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall
appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which
successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 10(a) or Section
10(f) with respect to the Company shall have occurred and be continuing) be
subject to approval by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the
rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term
"Administrative Agent" shall mean such successor agent effective upon such
appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent's rights, powers
and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or
further act 




<PAGE>   82


                                                                              76


or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to
this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted
appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days following a
retiring Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective
and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative
Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a
successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent's
resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 11 shall
inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

                   11.10 Authorization to Release Guarantees and Liens.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan
Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each of
the Lenders (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as
expressly required by Section 13.1) to take any action requested by the Company
having the effect of releasing any Collateral or guarantee obligations to the
extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any
Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 13.1.

                              SECTION 12. GUARANTEE

                   12.1 Guarantee. In order to induce the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders to execute and deliver this Agreement and to make or maintain
the Loans to the Subsidiary Borrowers hereunder, and in consideration thereof,
the Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the
Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, the prompt and
complete payment and performance by the Subsidiary Borrowers when due (whether
at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Subsidiary Borrower
Obligations, and the Company further agrees to pay any and all expenses
(including, without limitation, all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements
of counsel) which may be paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or by the
Lenders in enforcing, or obtaining advice of counsel in respect of, any of their
rights under the guarantee contained in this Section 12. The guarantee contained
in this Section 12, subject to Section 12.5, shall remain in full force and
effect until the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations are paid in full, the
Commitments are terminated and no Letters of Credit are outstanding,
notwithstanding that from time to time prior thereto the Subsidiary Borrowers
may be free from any Obligations.

                   The Company agrees that whenever, at any time, or from time
to time, it shall make any payment to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on
account of its liability under this Section 12, it will notify the
Administrative Agent and such Lender in writing that such payment is made under
the guarantee contained in this Section 12 for such purpose. No payment or
payments made by the Subsidiary Borrowers or any other Person or received or
collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Subsidiary
Borrowers or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any
setoff or appropriation or application, at any time or from time to time, in
reduction of or in payment of the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations shall be
deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of the
Company under this 


<PAGE>   83


                                                                              77


Section 12 which, notwithstanding any such payment or payments, shall remain
liable for the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations until, subject to Section 12.5,
the Obligations are paid in full, the Commitments are terminated and no Letters
of Credit are outstanding.

                   12.2 No Subrogation, Contribution, Reimbursement or
Indemnity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12, the
Company hereby irrevocably waives all rights which may have arisen in connection
with the guarantee contained in this Section 12 to be subrogated to any of the
rights (whether contractual, under the United States Bankruptcy Code (or similar
action under any successor law or under any comparable law), including Section
509 thereof, under common law or otherwise) of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender against the Subsidiary Borrowers or against the Administrative Agent or
any Lender for the payment of the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations, until all
such Obligations shall have been paid in full, no Letters of Credit shall be
outstanding and the Commitments shall have been terminated. The Company hereby
further irrevocably waives all contractual, common law, statutory and other
rights of reimbursement, contribution, exoneration or indemnity (or any similar
right) from or against the Subsidiary Borrowers or any other Person which may
have arisen in connection with the guarantee contained in this Section 12, until
the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations shall have been paid in full, no Letters of
Credit shall be outstanding and the Commitments shall have been terminated. So
long as the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations remain outstanding, if any amount
shall be paid by or on behalf of the Subsidiary Borrowers to the Company on
account of any of the rights waived in this Section 12.2, such amount shall be
held by the Company in trust, segregated from other funds of the Company, and
shall, forthwith upon receipt by the Company, be turned over to the
Administrative Agent in the exact form received by the Company (duly indorsed by
the Company to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be applied against the
Subsidiary Borrower Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as
the Administrative Agent may determine. The provisions of this Section 12.2
shall survive the term of the guarantee contained in this Section 12 and the
payment in full of the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations and the termination of
the Commitments.

                   12.3 Amendments, etc. with respect to the Subsidiary Borrower
Obligations. The Company shall remain obligated under this Section 12
notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against the Company, and
without notice to or further assent by the Company, any demand for payment of or
reduction in the principal amount of any of the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations
made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the
Administrative Agent or such Lender, and any of such Obligations continued, and
such Obligations, or the liability of any other party upon or for any part
thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset
with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed,
extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or
released by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and this Agreement, any
other Loan Document, and any other documents executed and delivered in
connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in
whole or in part, as the Lenders (or the Required Lenders, as the case may be)
may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or
right of offset at any time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for
the payment of the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations may be sold, exchanged,
waived, surrendered or released. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender



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                                                                              78


shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any
time held by it as security for the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations or for the
guarantee contained in this Section 12 or any property subject thereto.

                   12.4 Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional. The Company waives
any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the
Subsidiary Borrower Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the guarantee contained in this Section
12 or acceptance of the guarantee contained in this Section 12; the Subsidiary
Borrower Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been
created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in
reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 12; and all dealings
between the Subsidiary Borrowers or the Company, on the one hand, and the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other, shall likewise be
conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the
guarantee contained in this Section 12. The Company waives diligence,
presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to
or upon the Subsidiary Borrowers or the Company with respect to the Subsidiary
Borrower Obligations. The guarantee contained in this Section 12 shall be
construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment
without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, any of the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations or any
collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect
thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, (b) any defense, setoff or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment
or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the
Borrowers against the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (c) any other
circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the
Subsidiary Borrowers or the Company) which constitutes, or might be construed to
constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Subsidiary Borrowers for the
Subsidiary Borrower Obligations, or of the Company under the guarantee contained
in this Section 12, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When the
Administrative Agent or any Lender is pursuing its rights and remedies under
this Section 12 against the Company, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may,
but shall be under no obligation to, pursue such rights and remedies as it may
have against the Subsidiary Borrowers or any other Person or against any
collateral security or guarantee for the Subsidiary Borrowers Obligations or any
right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any
payments from the Subsidiary Borrowers or any such other Person or to realize
upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of
offset, or any release of any Subsidiary Borrower or any such other Person or of
any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve
the Company of any liability under this Section 12, and shall not impair or
affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a
matter of law, of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against the Company.

                   12.5 Reinstatement. The guarantee contained in this Section
12 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at
any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Subsidiary Borrower
Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution,
liquidation or reorganization of any Subsidiary Borrower or upon or as a result
of the 


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                                                                              79


appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar
officer for, any Subsidiary Borrower or any substantial part of its property, or
otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

                   12.6 Payments. The Company hereby agrees that any payments in
respect of the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations pursuant to this Section 12 will
be paid to the Administrative Agent without setoff or counterclaim in Dollars or
the relevant Available Foreign Currency, as applicable, at the office of the
Administrative Agent specified in Section 13.2.

                            SECTION 13. MISCELLANEOUS

                   13.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any
other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended,
supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 13.1. The Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant
Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the
Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document
may, from time to time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or
modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding
any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any
manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder
or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of
the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or
Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver
and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the
principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan,
extend the scheduled date of any amortization payment in respect of any Term
Loan, reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder or extend
the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the
expiration date of any Lender's Revolving Commitment, in each case without the
consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; (ii) amend, modify or waive
any provision of this Section 13.1 or reduce any percentage specified in the
definition of Required Lenders or Required Prepayment Lenders, consent to the
assignment or transfer by any Borrower of any of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release all or substantially
all of the Collateral, release the Company from its obligations under Section 12
or release all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their
obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in each case without
the written consent of all Lenders; (iii) amend, modify or waive any condition
precedent to any extension of credit under the Revolving Facility set forth in
Section 7.2 or 7.3(including in connection with any waiver of an existing
Default or Event of Default) without the written consent of the Majority
Revolving Facility Lenders; (iv) reduce the percentage specified in the
definition of Majority Facility Lenders with respect to any Facility without the
written consent of all Lenders under such Facility; (v) amend, modify or waive
any provision of Section 11 without the written consent of the Administrative
Agent; or (vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 4 without the
written consent of the Issuing Lender. Any such waiver and any such amendment,
supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall
be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all
future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the


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                                                                              80


Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position
and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or
Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default,
or impair any right consequent thereon.

                   13.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon
the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by
telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when
received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire
delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such
other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:

<TABLE>

<S>                                                  <C>
         The Borrowers:                              The DII Group, Inc.
                                                     6273 Monarch Park Place
                                                     Suite 200
                                                     Niwot, Colorado  80503
                                                     Attention: Mr. Thomas J. Smach
                                                     Telecopy:  303-652-0416
                                                     Telephone:  303-652-2221

         The Administrative Agent:

                   With respect to all matters
                   other than procedures for
                   borrowing and repaying
                   Multicurrency Loans:              The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                                     One Chase Manhattan Plaza
                                                     8th Floor
                                                     New York, New York 10081
                                                     Attention:  Loan and Agency Services Group
                                                     Telecopy:  (212) 552-5668
                                                     Telephone:  (212) 552-7277

                   With respect to borrowings
                   and repayments of
                   Multicurrency Loans:              The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                                     9 Thomas Moore Street
                                                     London El 9YT
                                                     England
                                                     Attention:  Loan and Agency Services Group
                                                     Telecopy:  44-171-777-2360
                                                     Telephone:  44-171-777-2353

                   with a copy to:                   The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                                     2 Court Street, P.O. Box 706
                                                     Binghamton, New York 13902
                                                     Attention:  Michael Brunner
                                                     Telecopy:  607-772-9341
                                                     Telephone:  607-772-2375
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   87

                                                                              81


provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.

                   13.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise
and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or
privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges
provided by law.

                   13.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and
in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in
connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder.

                   13.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Company agrees (a) to
pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development,
preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to,
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in
connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and filing and recording
fees and expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted
to the Company prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on
the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such
other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to
pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any
rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other
documents, including the fees and disbursements of counsel (including the
allocated fees and expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender and of counsel
to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the
Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and
any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying,
stamp, excise and other taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be
payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or
administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment,
supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of,
this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d)
to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent and their



<PAGE>   88


                                                                              82


respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling
persons (each, an "Indemnitee") harmless from and against any and all other
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect
to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any
of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or the violation
of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to
the operations of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Properties
and the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel in connection with claims,
actions or proceedings by any Indemnitee against any Loan Party under any Loan
Document (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the "Indemnified
Liabilities"), provided, that the Company shall have no obligation hereunder to
any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such
Indemnified Liabilities are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a
court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. Without limiting the foregoing, and to
the extent permitted by applicable law, each Borrower agrees not to assert and
to cause its Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause
its Subsidiaries to so waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of
recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities,
settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or
related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by statute or
otherwise against any Indemnitee. All amounts due under this Section 13.5 shall
be payable promptly after written demand therefor. Statements payable by the
Company pursuant to this Section 13.5 shall be submitted to The Chase manhattan
Bank, One chase manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081, Attn: Jesus Sang
(Telephone No. (212) 552-7916) (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5650), at the address of
the Company set forth in Section 13.2, or to such other Person or address as may
be hereafter designated by the Company in a written notice to the Administrative
Agent. The agreements in this Section 13.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans
and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                   13.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Borrowers, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, all future holders of the
Loans and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Borrower may
assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of each Lender.

                   (b) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrowers, in
accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks, financial
institutions or other entities (each, a "Participant") participating interests
in any Loan owing to such Lender, any Commitment of such Lender or any other
interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. In the
event of any such sale by a Lender of a participating interest to a Participant,
such Lender's obligations under this Agreement to the other parties to this
Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible
for the performance thereof, such Lender shall remain the holder of any such
Loan for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the
Borrowers and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In no event shall
any Participant under any such 

<PAGE>   89

                                                                              83


participation have any right to approve any amendment or waiver of any provision
of any Loan Document, or any consent to any departure by any Loan Party
therefrom, except to the extent that such amendment, waiver or consent would
reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Loans or any fees payable
hereunder, or postpone the date of the final maturity of the Loans, in each case
to the extent subject to such participation. Each Borrower agrees that if
amounts outstanding under this Agreement and the Loans are due or unpaid, or
shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall, to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have the right of setoff in respect of
its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same
extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it
as a Lender under this Agreement, provided that, in purchasing such
participating interest, such Participant shall be deemed to have agreed to share
with the Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in Section 13.7(a) as fully as
if it were a Lender hereunder. Each Borrower also agrees that each Participant
shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 5.9, 5.10 and 5.12 with respect to
its participation in the Commitments and the Loans outstanding from time to time
as if it was a Lender; provided that, in the case of Section 5.10, such
Participant shall have complied with the requirements of said Section and
provided, further, that no Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater
amount pursuant to any such Section than the transferor Lender would have been
entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation transferred by
such transferor Lender to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.

                   (c) Any Lender (an "Assignor") may, in accordance with
applicable law, at any time and from time to time assign to any Lender or any
Affiliate thereof or, with the consent of the Company and the Administrative
Agent (which, in each case, shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to
an additional bank, financial institution or other entity (an "Assignee") all or
any part of its rights and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to an
Assignment and Acceptance, executed by such Assignee, such Assignor and any
other Person whose consent is required pursuant to this paragraph, and delivered
to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance and recording in the Register;
provided (i) that no such assignment to an Assignee (other than to any Lender or
any affiliate thereof) shall be in an aggregate principal amount of less than
$5,000,000 (other than in the case of an assignment of all of a Lender's
interests under this Agreement) and (ii) the assignor shall have commitments and
Loans aggregating at least $5,000,000 (other than in the case of an assignment
of all of a Lender's interests under this Agreement), unless otherwise agreed by
the Company and the Administrative Agent. Any such assignment need not be
ratable as among the Facilities. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and
recording, from and after the effective date determined pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto
and, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights
and obligations of a Lender hereunder with a Commitment and/or Loans as set
forth therein, (y) the Assignor thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such
Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement
(and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of an Assignor's
rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Assignor shall cease to be a
party hereto) and (z) the Assignee thereunder shall automatically become a party
to the Intercreditor Agreement and become a Secured Party (as defined therein)
thereunder and have the rights and obligations of a Secured Party as set forth
therein. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 


<PAGE>   90


                                                                              84

13.6, the consent of the Company shall not be required for any assignment that
occurs when an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(f) shall have occurred and
be continuing with respect to the Company.

                   (d) The Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of the
Borrowers, maintain at its address referred to in Section 13.2 a copy of each
Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for
the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of,
and the principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time.
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest
error, and each Borrower, each other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as
the owner of the Loans and any Notes evidencing the Loans recorded therein for
all purposes of this Agreement. Any assignment of any Loan, whether or not
evidenced by a Note, shall be effective only upon appropriate entries with
respect thereto being made in the Register (and each Note shall expressly so
provide). Any assignment or transfer of all or part of a Loan evidenced by a
Note shall be registered on the Register only upon surrender for registration of
assignment or transfer of the Note evidencing such Loan, accompanied by a duly
executed Assignment and Acceptance, and thereupon one or more new Notes shall be
issued to the designated Assignee and the old Note shall be returned by the
Administrative Agent to the Company marked "cancelled".

                   (e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed
by an Assignor, an Assignee and any other Person whose consent is required by
Section 13.6(c), together with payment to the Administrative Agent of a
registration and processing fee of $4,000, the Administrative Agent shall (i)
promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) record the information
contained therein in the Register on the effective date determined pursuant
thereto.

                   (f) For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement
acknowledge that the provisions of this Section 13.6 concerning assignments of
Loans and Notes relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do
not prohibit assignments creating security interests, including any pledge or
assignment by a Lender of any Loan or Note to any Federal Reserve Bank in
accordance with applicable law.

                   (g) Each Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the
relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to
facilitate transactions of the type described in paragraph (f) above.

                   13.7 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) Except to the extent that this
Agreement expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender
or to the Lenders under a particular Facility, if any Lender (a "Benefitted
Lender") shall receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to
it, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or
involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature
referred to in Section 10(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any
such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect
of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefitted Lender shall
purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such


<PAGE>   91


                                                                              85


portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall provide
such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be
necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or
benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however,
that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter
recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the
purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but
without interest.

                   (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders
provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the
Borrowers, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrowers to the extent
permitted by applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the
Borrowers hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise), to set off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all
deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any
currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in
each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or
unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency
thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers. Each Lender agrees
promptly to notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent after any such
setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give
such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

                   13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or
more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts,
and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one
and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this
Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all
the parties shall be lodged with the Company and the Administrative Agent.

                   13.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

                   13.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents represent the agreement of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no
promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or
referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

                   13.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

<PAGE>   92

                                                                              86

                   13.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each of the
Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

                   (a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action
         or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
         to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any
         judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction
         of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States
         for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any
         thereof;

                   (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be
         brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or
         hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any
         such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an
         inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

                   (c) agrees that service of process in any such action or
         proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or
         certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
         prepaid, to the Company at its address set forth in Section 13.2 or at
         such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been
         notified pursuant thereto (and, in the case of each Subsidiary
         Borrower, such Subsidiary Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the
         Company to receive and accept any such process on behalf of such
         Subsidiary Borrower, and the Company hereby accepts such appointment);

                   (d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to
         effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall
         limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

                   (e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any
         right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding
         referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or
         consequential damages.

                   13.13 Acknowledgments. Each of the Borrowers hereby
acknowledges that:

                   (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
         execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

                   (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any
         fiduciary relationship with or duty to such Borrower arising out of or
         in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
         and the relationship between Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one
         hand, and such Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or
         therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

                   (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan
         Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions
         contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrowers and the
         Lenders.

<PAGE>   93


                                                                              87

                   13.14 Conversion of Currencies. (a) If, for the purpose of
obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing
hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto (including
any Subsidiary Borrower) agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively
do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with
normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could
be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding
the day on which final judgment is given.

                   (b) The obligations of each Borrower in respect of any sum
due to any party hereto or any holder of the obligations owing hereunder (the
"Applicable Creditor") shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the
"Judgment Currency") other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be
due hereunder (the "Agreement Currency"), be discharged only to the extent that,
on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum
adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in
accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase
the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the
Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the
Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, such Borrower agrees, as a
separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the
Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrowers
contained in this Section 13.14 shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

                   13.15 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and
each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to
it by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by such Loan
Party as confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the
Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to
the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate of any Lender, (b)
to any Transferee or prospective Transferee that agrees to comply with the
provisions of this Section, (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys,
accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates,
(d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response to
any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be
required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required to do
so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has been
publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that
requires access to information about a Lender's investment portfolio in
connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i) in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

                   13.16 European Economic and Monetary Union. (a) Definitions.
In this Section 13.16 and in each other provision of this Agreement to which
reference is made in this Section 13.16 expressly or impliedly, the following
terms have the meanings given to them in this Section 13.16:

                   "commencement of the third stage of EMU" means the date of
         commencement of the third stage of EMU (at the date of this Agreement
         expected to be January 1, 1999) 


<PAGE>   94


                                                                              88

         or the date on which circumstances arise which (in the opinion of the
         Administrative Agent) have substantially the same effect and result in
         substantially the same consequences as commencement of the third stage
         of EMU as contemplated by the Treaty on European Union;

                   "EMU" means economic and monetary union as contemplated in
         the Treaty on European Union;

                   "EMU legislation" means legislative measures of the European
         Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single
         or unified European currency (whether known as the euro or otherwise),
         being in part the implementation of the third stage of EMU;

                   "euro" means the single currency of participating member
         states of the European Union;

                   "euro unit" means the currency unit of the euro;

                   "national currency unit" means the unit of currency (other
         than a euro unit) of a participating member state;

                   "participating member state" means each state so described in
         any EMU legislation; and

                   "Treaty on European Union" means the Treaty of Rome of March
         25, 1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986 and the Maastricht
         Treaty (which was signed at Maastricht on February 7, 1992, and came
         into force on November 1, 1993), as amended from time to time.

                   (b) Effectiveness of Provisions. The provisions of paragraphs
         (c) to (j) below (inclusive) shall be effective at and from the
         commencement of the third stage of EMU, provided, that if and to the
         extent that any such provision relates to any state (or the currency of
         such state) that is not a participating member state on the
         commencement of the third stage of EMU, such provision shall become
         effective in relation to such state (and the currency of such state) at
         and from the date on which such state becomes a participating member
         state.

                   (c) Redenomination and Alternative Currencies. Each
         obligation under this Agreement of a party to this Agreement which has
         been denominated in the national currency unit of a participating
         member state shall be redenominated into the euro unit in accordance
         with EMU legislation, provided, that if and to the extent that any EMU
         legislation provides that following the commencement of the third stage
         of EMU an amount denominated either in the euro or in the national
         currency unit of a participating member state and payable within that
         participating member state by crediting an account of the creditor can
         be paid by the debtor either in the euro unit or in the national
         currency 


<PAGE>   95


                                                                              89


         unit, each party to this Agreement shall be entitled to pay or repay
         any such amount either in the euro unit or in such national currency
         unit.

                   (d) Loans. Any Loan in the currency of a participating member
         state shall be made in the euro unit.

                   (e) Business Days. With respect to any amount denominated or
         to be denominated in the euro or a national currency unit, any
         reference to a "Business Day" shall be construed as a reference (i) for
         purposes of determining each date (a "Rate Fixing Day") on which the
         Eurodollar Base Rate applicable thereto may be set, any day (a "TO
         Day") (other than a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas, New Year's Day or any
         day on which the Trans-European Real-time Gross Settlement Operating
         System (or any successor settlement system) is not operating (as
         determined by the Administrative Agent) on which the TARGET operating
         system is operating for purposes of quoting eurocurrency deposit rates
         and (ii) for purposes of determining any day on which any Loan in such
         currency may be made hereunder or on which an Interest Period
         applicable thereto shall begin or end, a day (other than a Saturday or
         Sunday) on which banks are generally open for business in

                           (i)       London and New York City and

                           (ii)     Frankfurt am Main, Germany (or such
                                    principal financial center or centers in
                                    such participating member state or states as
                                    the Administrative Agent may from time to
                                    time nominate for this purpose).

                   (f) Payments to the Administrative Agent. Sections 3.3 and
         5.1(c) shall be construed so that, in relation to the payment of any
         amount of euro units or national currency units, such amount shall be
         made available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available,
         freely transferable, cleared funds to such account with such bank in
         Frankfurt am Main, Germany (or such other principal financial center in
         such participating member state as the Administrative Agent may from
         time to time nominate for this purpose) as the Administrative Agent
         shall from time to time nominate for this purpose.

                   (g) Payments by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders. Any
         amount payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders under this
         Agreement in the currency of a participating member state shall be paid
         in the euro unit.

                   (h) Payments by the Administrative Agent Generally. With
         respect to the payment of any amount denominated in the euro or in a
         national currency unit, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable to
         any Borrower or any of the Lenders in any way whatsoever for any delay,
         or the consequences of any delay, in the crediting to any account of
         any amount required by this Agreement to be paid by the Administrative
         Agent if the Administrative Agent shall have taken all relevant steps
         to achieve, on the 

<PAGE>   96


                                                                              90





         date required by this Agreement, the payment of such amount in
         immediately available, freely transferable, cleared funds (in the euro
         unit or, as the case may be, in a national currency unit) to the
         account with the bank in the principal financial center in the
         participating member state which the relevant Borrower or, as the case
         may be, any Lender shall have specified for such purpose. In this
         paragraph (h), "all relevant steps" means all such steps as may be
         prescribed from time to time by the regulations or operating procedures
         or such clearing or settlement system as the Administrative Agent may
         from time to time determine for the purpose of clearing or settling
         payments of the euro.

                   (i) Basis of Accrual. If the basis of accrual of interest or
         fees expressed in this Agreement with respect to the currency of any
         state that becomes a participating state shall be inconsistent with any
         convention or practice in the London Interbank Market or, as the case
         may be, the Paris Interbank Market for the basis of accrual of interest
         or fees in respect of the euro, such convention or practice shall
         replace such expressed basis effective as of and from the date on which
         such state becomes a participating member state; provided, that if any
         Loan in the currency of such state is outstanding immediately prior to
         such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such
         Loan, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

                   (j) Rounding and Other Consequential Changes. Without
         prejudice and in addition to any method of conversion or rounding
         prescribed by any EMU legislation and without prejudice to the
         respective liabilities for indebtedness of the Borrowers to the Lenders
         and the Lenders to the Borrowers under or pursuant to this Agreement:

                           (i) each reference in this Agreement to a minimum
                   amount (or an integral multiple thereof) in a national
                   currency unit to be paid to or by the Administrative Agent
                   shall be replaced by a reference to such reasonably
                   comparable and convenient amount (or an integral multiple
                   thereof) in the euro unit as the Administrative Agent may
                   from time to time specify; and

                           (ii) except as expressly provided in this Section
                   13.16, each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to
                   such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative
                   Agent may from time to time specify to be necessary or
                   appropriate to reflect the introduction of or changeover to
                   the euro in participating member states.

                   (k) Increased Costs. The Borrowers shall from time to time,
         at the request of the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative
         Agent for the account of each Lender the amount of any cost or
         increased cost incurred by, or of any reduction in any amount payable
         to or in the effective return on its capital to, or of interest or
         other return foregone by, such Lender or any holding company of such
         Lender as a result of the introduction of, changeover to or operation
         of the euro in any participating member state to the extent such
         introduction, changeover or operation relates to such Lender's
         obligations hereunder; provided that the Borrowers shall not be
         required to pay to any Lender any amounts 


<PAGE>   97

                                                                              91



         under this paragraph for any period prior to the date on which such
         Lender gives notice to the Company that such amounts are payable unless
         such Lender gives notice within 180 days after it becomes aware or
         should have been aware of the event giving rise to such payment
         obligation.

                   13.17 Accounting Changes. In the event that any "Accounting
Change" (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in
the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this
Agreement, then the Company and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into
negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to
equitably reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the
criteria for evaluating the Company's financial condition shall be the same
after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made.
Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by
the Company, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial
covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated
or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. "Accounting
Changes" refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation
of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if
applicable, the SEC.

                   13.18 Collateral Agent as Several Creditor. Each of the
Borrowers and the Lenders agree that the Collateral Agent shall be the joint and
several creditor together with the relevant Lender of each and every obligation
of the Company and of each and any of the Subsidiary Borrowers toward each of
the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan documents pursuant to
Section 7.2 of the Intercreditor Agreement with such rights as set forth in such
section.

                   13.19 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE BORROWERS, THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.


<PAGE>   98

                                                                              92

                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.


                               THE DII GROUP, INC.

                               By:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:


                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as 
                               Administrative Agent and as a Lender

                               By:
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:
                                  Title:




<PAGE>   99




                                                                         Annex A


                                  Pricing Grid

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

=================================================================================================================
                                                         Applicable Margin
                                                          for Eurodollar
                                                             Loans and      
                                                           Multicurrency     Applicable Margin     Commitment Fee
              Consolidated Leverage Ratio                      Loans           for ABR Loans            Rate
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>                    <C>
Less than or equal to 2.00                                     1.00%                  0%               0.250%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than 2.00, but less than or equal to 2.50              1.25%                  0%               0.250%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than 2.50, but less than or equal to 3.00              1.50%                  0%               0.375%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than 3.00, but less than or equal to 3.50              1.75%               0.25%               0.375%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than 3.50, but less than or equal to 4.00              2.00%               0.50%               0.500%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than 4.00                                              2.25%               0.75%               0.500%
=================================================================================================================
</TABLE>



Changes in the Applicable Margin Ratio or in the Commitment Fee Rate resulting
from changes in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the
date (the "Adjustment Date") on which financial statements are received by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Credit Documentation (but in
any event not later than the 45th day after the end of each of the first three
quarterly periods of each fiscal year or the 90th day after the end of each
fiscal year, as the case may be) and shall remain in effect until the next
change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements
referred to above are not delivered within the time periods specified above,
then, until such financial statements are delivered, the Consolidated Leverage
Ratio as at the end of the fiscal period that would have been covered thereby
shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be greater than 4.00.
Each determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to this
definition shall be made with respect to the period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters of the Company ending at the end of the period covered by the relevant
financial statements.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the first Adjustment Date occurring
following the end of the first full fiscal quarter to be completed after the
Closing Date, the Applicable Margins and Commitment Fee Rate will be as set
forth above opposite the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of greater than 3.50, but
less than or equal to 4.00.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.30

                                                                 EXECUTION COPY






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



                                   $90,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                      MULTILAYER TECHNOLOGY GMBH & CO. KG,
                                  AS BORROWER,

                               THE SEVERAL LENDERS
                        FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,

                                       AND

                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
                                   AS ARRANGER


                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 30, 1998



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

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS...........................................................................................1
         1.1  Defined Terms.......................................................................................1
         1.2  Other Definitional Provisions......................................................................10

SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS......................................................................10
         2.1  Commitments........................................................................................10
         2.2  Procedure for Borrowing............................................................................10
         2.3  Repayment of Loans.................................................................................11
         2.4  Optional Prepayments...............................................................................11
         2.5  Interest Rates and Payment Dates...................................................................12
         2.6  Computation of Interest and Fees...................................................................12
         2.7  Inability to Determine Floating Portion of Interest Rate...........................................13
         2.8  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments....................................................................14
         2.9  Requirements of Law................................................................................15
         2.10  Taxes.............................................................................................16
         2.11  Indemnity.........................................................................................17
         2.12  Change of Lending Office..........................................................................17
         2.13  Replacement of Lenders............................................................................18

SECTION 3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......................................................................18
         3.1  Financial Condition................................................................................18
         3.2  Existence; Compliance with Law.....................................................................19
         3.3  Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations......................................................19
         3.4  No Legal Bar.......................................................................................19
         3.5  Litigation.........................................................................................19
         3.6  No Default.........................................................................................20
         3.7  Ownership of Property; Liens.......................................................................20
         3.8  Intellectual Property..............................................................................20
         3.9  Subsidiaries.......................................................................................20
         3.10  Use of Proceeds...................................................................................20
         3.11  Security Documents................................................................................20
         3.12  Year 2000 Matters.................................................................................21
         3.13  Certain Documents.................................................................................21
         3.14  Withholding Tax...................................................................................21
         3.15  No Filing.........................................................................................21
         3.16  Proper Form.......................................................................................22
         3.17  Choice of Law.....................................................................................22

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.................................................................................22
</TABLE>



                                       ii

<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
SECTION 5.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................................................................24
         5.1  Financial Statements...............................................................................24
         5.2  Certificates; Other Information....................................................................24
         5.3  Payment of Obligations.............................................................................25
         5.4  Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. .............................................................25
         5.5  Maintenance of Property; Insurance.................................................................25
         5.6  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.............................................25
         5.7  Notices............................................................................................26
         5.8  Environmental Laws.................................................................................26
         5.9  Additional Collateral, etc.........................................................................26

SECTION 6.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT....................................................................................27

SECTION 7.  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.............................................................................29
         7.1  Appointment........................................................................................29
         7.2  Delegation of Duties...............................................................................29
         7.3  Exculpatory Provisions.............................................................................30
         7.4  Reliance by Administrative Agent...................................................................30
         7.5  Notice of Default..................................................................................30
         7.6  Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.............................................30
         7.7  Indemnification....................................................................................31
         7.8  Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity....................................................31
         7.9  Successor Administrative Agent.....................................................................32
         7.10  Authorization to Release Guarantees and Liens.....................................................32

SECTION 8.  MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................32
         8.1  Amendments and Waivers.............................................................................32
         8.2  Notices............................................................................................33
         8.3  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.....................................................................34
         8.4  Survival of Representations and Warranties.........................................................34
         8.5  Payment of Expenses and Taxes......................................................................34
         8.6  Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.............................................35
         8.7  Adjustments; Set-off...............................................................................37
         8.8  Counterparts.......................................................................................37
         8.9  Severability.......................................................................................37
         8.10  Integration.......................................................................................38
         8.11  GOVERNING LAW.....................................................................................38
         8.12  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers...............................................................38
         8.13  Acknowledgements..................................................................................38
         8.14  Confidentiality...................................................................................39
         8.15      Accounting Changes............................................................................39
         8.16      Judgment......................................................................................39
         8.17      Collateral Agent as Secured Creditor..........................................................40
         8.18  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.............................................................................40
</TABLE>


                                      iii

<PAGE>   4


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              Page
<S>                                                                                                           <C>
SCHEDULES:

1.1A                  Commitments
1.1B                  Premium Schedule
3.3                   Consents, Authorizations, Filings and Notices
3.11(a)               Filing Jurisdictions




EXHIBITS:

A                     List of German Security Agreements
B                     Form of Closing Certificate
C                     Form of Assignment and Acceptance
D-1                   Form of Legal Opinion of Curtis, Mallet-Provost, Colt & Mosle
D-2                   Form of Legal Opinion of Raupach & Wollert-Elmendorff
D-3                   Form of Legal Opinion of Michaelis Pfeiffer Konig
D-4                   Form of Legal Opinion of Loeff Claeyes Verbeke
E                     Form of Guarantee Agreement
F                     Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
G                     Form of Intercreditor Agreement
</TABLE>


                                       iv
<PAGE>   5

                  CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 30, 1998, among
MULTILAYER TECHNOLOGY GMBH & CO. KG, a German limited partnership (the
"Borrower"), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from
time to time parties to this Agreement (the "Lenders"), and THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK, as administrative agent.

                               W I T N E S S E T H

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement (such
capitalized term and other capitalized terms used without definition in these
recitals being used with the meanings given such terms in Section 1.1) the
Borrower will acquire from Hewlett-Packard GmbH certain assets used in the
manufacturing of certain printed circuit boards, including the premises used for
such manufacturing at its facility located in Boblingen, Germany; and

                  WHEREAS, to finance, in part, the cost of the Acquisition
(including specified assumed liabilities), and the payment of fees and expenses
relating thereto, the Borrower has requested the Lenders to make available the
credit facilities described herein; and

                  WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to make such credit
facilities available upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

                  1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed
in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section
1.1.

                  "ABR": for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate
in effect on such day, (b) the Base CD Rate in effect on such day plus 1% and
(c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For
purposes hereof: "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest per annum publicly
announced from time to time by the Reference Lender as its prime rate in effect
at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to
be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Reference Lender in connection
with extensions of credit to debtors); "Base CD Rate" shall mean the sum of (a)
the product of (i) the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate and (ii) a fraction, the
numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the C/D
Reserve Percentage and (b) the C/D Assessment Rate; and "Three-Month Secondary
CD Rate" shall mean, for any day, the secondary market rate for three-month
certificates of deposit reported as being in effect on such day (or, if such day
shall not be a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day) by the Board
through the public information telephone line of the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York (which rate will, under the current practices of the Board, be published in
Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) during the week following such
day), or, if such rate shall not be so reported on such day or such next
preceding Business Day, the average of the secondary market quotations for
three-month certificates of deposit of major money center banks in New York City
received at approximately 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such day (or, if
such day shall not be a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day) by the
Reference Lender from three New York City negotiable 



<PAGE>   6
                                                                               2


certificate of deposit dealers of recognized standing selected by it. Any change
in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate
or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of
business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Three-Month
Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

                  "Acquisition": the purchase by the Borrower from
Hewlett-Packard GmbH of certain assets used in the manufacturing of certain
printed circuit boards, including the premises used for such manufacturing at
Hewlett-Packard GmbH's facility located at Boblingen, Germany, and the
assumption of certain specified liabilities, pursuant to the Acquisition
Agreement.

                  "Acquisition Agreement":  the Master Asset Purchase Agreement,
dated as of October 30, 1998, by and among the Seller, the Borrower and DII.

                  "Acquisition Documentation": collectively, the Acquisition
Agreement and all schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto and all side letters
and agreements affecting the terms thereof or entered into in connection
therewith (including, without limitation, the Division Purchase Agreement), in
each case as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Administrative Agent": The Chase Manhattan Bank, together
with its affiliates, as the arranger of the Commitments and as the
administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, together with any of its successors.

                  "Affiliate": as to any Person, any other Person that, directly
or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person means
the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the
securities having ordinary voting power or, if no securities are issued,
exercise 10% or more of the voting rights, for the election of directors (or
persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or
otherwise.

                  "Agreement": this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Arranger": Chase Securities Inc., as arranger of the
Commitments.

                  "Assignee": as defined in Section 8.6(c).

                  "Assignment and Acceptance": an Assignment and Acceptance,
substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

                  "Assignor": as defined in Section 8.6(c).

<PAGE>   7
                                                                               3


                  "Benefitted Lender": as defined in Section 8.7(a).

                  "Board": the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
of the United States (or any successor).

                  "Borrower": as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Business Day": a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law
to close, provided, that with respect to notices and determinations in
connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Loans, such day is
also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank
eurodollar market.

                  "Capital Lease Obligations": as to any Person, the obligations
of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other
arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a
combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and
accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP
and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any
time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Capital Stock": any and all shares, interests, participations
or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any
and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation)
and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.

                  "C/D Assessment Rate": for any day, the annual assessment rate
in effect on such day that is payable by a member of the Bank Insurance Fund
maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") classified
as well-capitalized and within supervisory subgroup "B" (or a comparable
successor assessment risk classification) within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. ss.
327.4 (or any successor provision) to the FDIC (or any successor) for the FDIC's
(or such successor's) insuring time deposits at offices of such institution in
the United States.

                  "C/D Reserve Percentage": for any day, that percentage
(expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the
Board, for determining the maximum reserve requirement for a Depositary
Institution (as defined in Regulation D of the Board as in effect from time to
time) in respect of new non-personal time deposits in Dollars having a maturity
of 30 days or more.

                  "Change of Control": either of the following events: (a) a
"Change of Control" (as defined in the DII Credit Agreement) shall occur or (b)
DII shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Capital Stock of the
Borrower.

                  "Closing Date": the date on which the conditions precedent set
forth in Section 4 shall have been satisfied, which date is the date hereof.

<PAGE>   8
                                                                               4


                  "Code": the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.

                  "Collateral": all property of the Loan Parties, now owned or
hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security
Document.

                  "Collateral Agent": The Chase Manhattan Bank, together with
its affiliates, as collateral agent pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor
Agreement.

                  "Commitment": as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender
to make a Loan to the Borrower hereunder in a principal amount not to exceed the
amount set forth under the heading "Commitment" opposite such Lender's name on
Schedule 1.1A. The original aggregate amount of the Commitments is $90,000,000.

                  "Confidential Information Memorandum": the Confidential
Information Memorandum dated October 1998 and furnished to the Lenders.

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

                  "CV": DII International Holdings C.V., which is a wholly owned
Netherlands subsidiary of DII and the indirect parent of the Borrower.

                  "Default": any of the events specified in Section 6, whether
or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has
been satisfied.

                  "Derivative Agreements": of any Person at any date, swaps,
caps or collar agreements or similar arrangements to which such Person and any
financial institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a
"Derivatives Counterparty") are parties under which such parties agree to
exchange payments based upon interest rates, exchange rates or market prices or
values or changes therein in respect of debt obligations or equities, currencies
or commodities or indexes in respect of any of the foregoing without delivery of
the same (including, whether or not otherwise included in the foregoing, options
granted or written by such Person in favor of a Derivatives Counterparty
intended to be settled in cash.)

                  "DII":  The DII Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                  "DII Credit Agreement": the Credit Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, among DII, the Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time parties
thereto, the lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

                  "Division Purchase Agreement": the Division Purchase
Agreement, dated as of October 30, 1998, between Hewlett-Packard Company and
Multilayer Technology.

                  "Dollars" and "$": dollars in lawful currency of the United
States.


<PAGE>   9
                                                                               5

                  "DOVatron": DOVatron Verwaltungs GmbH, a German limited
liability company which is a limited partner of the Borrower owning 100% of the
limited partnership interest in the Borrower.

                  "Environmental Laws": any and all foreign, Federal, state,
local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances,
codes, decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements
of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or
standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or the environment,
as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

                  "Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements": for any day, the
aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal
fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic,
supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board
or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto)
dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board)
maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

                  "Eurodollar Base Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period, the rate per annum determined on the basis of the rate for
deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such Interest Period commencing on the
first day of such Interest Period appearing on Page 3750 of the Dow Jones
Markets screen as of 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the
beginning of such Interest Period. In the event that such rate does not appear
on Page 3750 of the Dow Jones Markets screen (or otherwise on such screen), the
"Eurodollar Base Rate" shall be determined by reference to such other comparable
publicly available service for displaying eurodollar rates as may be selected by
the Administrative Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by reference
to the rate at which the Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits at or
about 11:00 A.M., New York City time, two Business Days prior to the beginning
of such Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar market where its eurodollar
and foreign currency and exchange operations are then being conducted for
delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days
comprised therein.

                  "Eurodollar Rate": with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Loan, a rate per annum determined for such day
in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th
of 1%):

                              Eurodollar Base Rate
                    ----------------------------------------
                    1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

                  "Event of Default": any of the events specified in Section 6,
provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or
both, has been satisfied.

                  "Excluded Foreign Subsidiary": any Subsidiary of DII that is
not organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States in
respect of which either (a) the pledge of 



<PAGE>   10
                                                                               6


all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary as Collateral or (b) the
guaranteeing by such Subsidiary of the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement), would, in the good faith judgment of DII, result in
adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to DII.

                  "Federal Funds Effective Rate": for any day, the weighted
average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the
next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if
such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of
the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Reference Lender
from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

                  "Funding Office": the office of the Administrative Agent
specified in Section 8.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to
time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the
Borrower and the Lenders.

                  "GAAP": generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States as in effect from time to time.

                  "German Security": the collective reference to the agreements
set forth on Exhibit A, each in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.

                  "Governmental Authority": any nation or government, any state
or other political subdivision thereof, any international or supranational
organization, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court,
central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government,
any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

                  "Guarantee Agreement": the Guarantee Agreement to be made by
DII, CV, Multilayer and DOVatron in favor of the Collateral Agent for the
benefit of the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, as the same may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Guarantee and Collateral Agreement": the Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement to be executed and delivered by DII and each of its
Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries and Immaterial
Subsidiaries (as defined in the DII Credit Agreement)), substantially in the
form of Exhibit F, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

                  "Guarantee Obligation": as to any Person (the "guaranteeing
person"), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person
(including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which
the guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar
obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any
Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the "primary obligations")
of any other third Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether
directly or indirectly, 



<PAGE>   11
                                                                               7

including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent,
(i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct
or indirect security therefor (other than pursuant to a contractual right to
indemnity (other than in respect of Indebtedness) in connection with
acquisitions or dispositions in accordance with the past practice of DII), (ii)
to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary
obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary
obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary
obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the
purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of
the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise
to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss
in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall
not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the
ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any
guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to
the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which
such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such
guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument
embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the
maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated
or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be
such guaranteeing person's maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect
thereof as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

                  "Guarantors": the collective reference to DII, CV, Multilayer,
DOVatron and the Guarantors named in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

                  "Indebtedness": of any Person at any date, without
duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all
obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or
services (other than current trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of
such Person's business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes,
bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or
arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with
respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies
of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited
to repossession or sale of such property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of
such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an
account party under acceptance, letter of credit or similar facilities, (g) the
liquidation value of all redeemable preferred Capital Stock of such Person, (h)
all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind
referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above; (i) all obligations of the kind
referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder
of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such
Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment
of such obligation; and (j) for the purposes of Section 6(e) only, all
obligations of such Person in respect of Derivative Agreements.

                  "Intellectual Property": the collective reference to all
rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether
arising under United States, German, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise,
including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, 



<PAGE>   12
                                                                               8

patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and
processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or
other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and
damages therefrom.

                  "Intercreditor Agreement": the Collateral Agency and
Intercreditor Agreement to be entered into among The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
collateral agent, each of the Lenders and each Lender under the DII Credit
Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G, as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

                  "Interest Payment Date": the last day of each Interest Period
and the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect of the Loans.

                  "Interest Period": as to any Loan, (a) initially, the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending three months thereafter; and (b)
thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding
Interest Period and ending three months thereafter; provided that, all of the
foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

                           (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a
         day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended
         to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension
         would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in
         which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding
         Business Day; and

                           (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last
         Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
         numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such
         Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar
         month.

                  "Lenders":  as defined in the preamble hereto.

                  "Lien": any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other
security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or
preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

                  "Loan": any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this
Agreement.

                  "Loan Documents": this Agreement, the Security Documents and
the Intercreditor Agreement.

                  "Loan Parties": the Borrower, each Guarantor and each other
Subsidiary of DII that is a party to a Loan Document.

                  "Material Adverse Effect": a material adverse effect on (a)
the Acquisition, (b) the business, property, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the 



<PAGE>   13
                                                                               9

Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or DII and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or
the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.

                  "Multilayer": Multilayer Technology Geschaftsfuhrungs GmbH, a
German limited liability company which is the general partner of the Borrower.

                  "Non-Excluded Taxes": as defined in Section 2.10(a).

                  "Other Taxes": any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.

                  "Participant": as defined in Section 8.6(b).

                  "Percentage": as to any Lender at any time, the percentage
which such Lender's Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate Commitments
(or, at any time after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate
principal amount of such Lender's Loans then outstanding constitutes of the
aggregate principal amount of the Loans then outstanding).

                  "Person": an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever
nature.

                  "Pledge Agreement": the Pledge Agreement to be made by
DOVatron Nevada, Inc. and DOVatron Mexico, Inc. in favor of the Collateral Agent
for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which the pledgors pledge 35% of their
interest in CV to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders,
as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.

                  "Premium": an amount determined in accordance with Schedule
1.1B.

                  "Pro Forma Balance Sheet": as defined in Section 3.1.

                  "Reference Lender": The Chase Manhattan Bank.

                  "Register": as defined in Section 8.6(d).

                  "Required Lenders": at any time, the holders of more than 50%
of (a) until the Closing Date, the Commitments then in effect and (b)
thereafter, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding.

                  "Requirement of Law": as to any Person, the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in 

<PAGE>   14
                                                                              10


each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to
which such Person or any of its property is subject.

                  "Responsible Officer": the chief executive officer, president,
chief financial officer or the executive vice president of finance of the
Borrower or DII, as the case may be, but in any event, with respect to financial
matters, the chief financial officer or the executive vice president of finance
of the Borrower or DII, as the case may be.

                  "Security Documents": the collective reference to the
Guarantee Agreement, the German Security Documents, the Pledge Agreement, the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and all other security documents hereafter
delivered to the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on any property of any
Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any
Loan Document.

                  "Seller": Hewlett-Packard GmbH, a German limited liability
company.

                  "Subsidiary": as to any Person, a corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other
ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a
contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of
such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the
management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all
references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this Agreement shall refer
to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

                  "Transferee": any Assignee or Participant.

                  "United States": the United States of America.

                  1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise
specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined
meanings as used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

                  (b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i)
accounting terms relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not defined in
Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent
not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii)
the words "include", "includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed
by the phrase "without limitation", (iii) the word "incur" shall be construed to
mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to
exist (and the words "incurred" and "incurrence" shall have correlative
meanings), and (iv) the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to have
the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible
assets and properties, including cash, Capital Stock, securities, revenues,
accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights.

<PAGE>   15
                                                                              11


                  (c) The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section,
Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

                  (d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be 
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

                   SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

                  2.1 Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
each Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (a "Loan") to the Borrower on
the Closing Date in an amount not to exceed the amount of the Commitment of such
Lender.

                  2.2 Procedure for Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the
Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the
Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, two Business Days
prior to the anticipated Closing Date) requesting that the Lenders make the
Loans on the Closing Date and specifying the amount to be borrowed. Upon receipt
of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender
thereof. Not later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date each
Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an
amount in immediately available funds equal to the Loan to be made by such
Lender. The Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Loans available
to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent from the
Lenders.

                  2.3 Repayment of Loans. (a The Loan of each Lender shall
mature and be payable in full on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

                   (b) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to 
the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the principal amount of
the Loan of such Lender as set forth in paragraph (a) above (or on such earlier
date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 6). The
Borrower hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of
the Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until payment in
full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Section 2.5.

                   (c) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual
practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such
Lender resulting from the Loan of such Lender from time to time, including the
amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to
time in respect of such Loan under this Agreement.

                   (d) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, 
shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 8.6(d), and a subaccount therein
for each Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made
hereunder and each Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any
principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from


<PAGE>   16
                                                                              12

the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) both the amount of any sum
received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each
Lender's share thereof.

                   (e) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of 
each Lender maintained pursuant to Section 2.3(c) shall, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the
failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or
any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the
obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loan of such
Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

                   2.4 Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time prepay
the Loans, in whole but not in part, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the
Administrative Agent at least three Business Days prior to the date of
prepayment, which notice shall specify the date of prepayment; provided, that
(i) the Borrower shall, at the time of such prepayment, pay to the
Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, the Premium
calculated as of the date of such prepayment and (ii) if the Loans are prepaid
on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
the Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.11. Upon
receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each
Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the entire principal amount of the
Loans shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with the
Premium and accrued interest to such date and any amounts payable pursuant to
Section 2.11.

                   2.5 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) The Loans shall
bear interest for each Interest Period at a per annum rate of interest comprised
of a fixed rate component and a variable rate component, as follows:

                        (i)  a fixed rate component calculated at the rate per 
         annum of 6.667% on the aggregate principal amount of the Loans; and

                       (ii) a variable rate component calculated at the rate per
         annum determined in accordance with the following formula:

                           VR       =       ER+2.00%     x  N
                                            --------
                                                3

         where:

                           VR       =       variable interest rate per annum

                           ER       =       Eurodollar Rate determined for such
                                            Interest Period; provided, that 
                                            with respect to the interest rate 
                                            for the initial Interest Period 
                                            commencing on the Closing Date, ER 
                                            shall be a rate to be determined by
                                            the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>   17
                                                                              13


                           N        =       a notional amount equal initially
                                            to $90,000,000, which notional
                                            amount will be reduced by $4,500,000
                                            on each Interest Payment Date;
                                            provided, that no such reduction
                                            shall occur on any such scheduled
                                            reduction date if any Default
                                            described in Section 6(a) shall have
                                            occurred and be continuing.

                   (b) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of, or
interest or Premium on, any Loan or any fee or other amount payable hereunder
shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
the ABR plus 2%, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in
full (as well after as before judgment).

                   (c) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.

                   2.6 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest and fees
payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for
the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable
notify the Borrower and the Lenders of each determination of the Eurodollar
Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the
Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of
business on the day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative
Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the
effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

                   (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of
manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower,
deliver to the Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the
Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section
2.6(a).

                  2.7 Inability to Determine Floating Portion of Interest Rate.
If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:

                   (a) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which
         determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that,
         by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and
         reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for
         such Interest Period, or

                   (b) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from
         the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be
         determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly
         reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such
         Lenders) of making or maintaining their Loans during such Interest
         Period,


<PAGE>   18

                                                                              14


the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the
Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such
notice is given all outstanding Loans shall on the last day of the then current
Interest Period and until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative
Agent bear interest comprised of a fixed rate component and a variable rate
component, as follows:

                        (i)  a fixed rate component calculated at the rate per 
         annum of 6.667% on the aggregate principal amount of the Loans; and

                       (ii) a variable rate component calculated at the rate per
         annum determined in accordance with the following formula:

                           VR       =       ABR+0.50%  x  N
                                            ---------
                                                 3

         where:

                           VR       =       variable interest rate per annum

                           ABR      =       (as defined in Section 1.1)

                           N        =       a notional amount equal initially
                                            to $90,000,000, which notional
                                            amount will be reduced by $4,500,000
                                            on each Interest Payment Date;
                                            provided, that no such reduction
                                            shall occur on any such scheduled
                                            reduction date if any Default
                                            described in Section 6(a) shall have
                                            occurred and be continuing.

                  2.8 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) The borrowing by the
Borrower from the Lenders hereunder shall be made pro rata according to the
respective Percentages of the Lenders.

                   (b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower
on account of principal of and interest on (including any Premium) the Loans
shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts
of the Loans then held by the Lenders. Each payment in respect of the Loans
shall be applied first to accrued and unpaid interest and Premium and then to
principal. Amounts prepaid on account of the Loans may not be reborrowed.

                   (c) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the
Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, Premium, fees or
otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior
to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in
immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such
payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any
payment on a Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day,
the maturity thereof shall 




<PAGE>   19

                                                                              15


be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such
extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which
event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In
the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding
two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate
during such extension.

                   (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the
amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is
making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative
Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative
Agent by the required time on the Closing Date, such Lender shall pay to the
Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate
equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until
such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent.
A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect
to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. If such Lender's share of such borrowing is not made available
to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of the
Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such
amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to the Loans, on
demand, from the Borrower.

                   (e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified
in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder
that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and
the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon
such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares
of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative
Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days of such required date, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender
to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence,
such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily
average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit
the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.

                   2.9 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change
in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or
compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made
subsequent to the date hereof:

                        (i) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind
         whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Loan made by it, any
         other Loan Document or any present or future assignment or
         participation agreement contemplated by Section 8.6 or change the basis
         of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for
         Non-Excluded Taxes to the extent that they are to be borne by the
         Borrower pursuant to Section 2.10 and 


<PAGE>   20
                                                                              16

         Excluded Taxes and except for changes in the rate of tax on the 
         overall net income of such Lender);

                       (ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
         special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
         held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,
         advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other
         acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not
         otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate
         hereunder; or

                      (iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender,
by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, continuing or
maintaining Loans, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder or under any
other Loan Document or any present or future assignment or participation
agreement contemplated by Section 8.6 in respect thereof, then, in any such
case, the Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any
additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost
or reduced amount receivable, provided that such Lender shall have given
reasonable notice to the Borrower within 180 days after it becomes aware or, in
the exercise of reasonable care, should have been aware of the event giving rise
to such payment obligation. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any
additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of
which it has become so entitled.

                   (b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of
or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the
interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any
corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental
Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on such Lender's or such corporation's capital as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender
or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or
compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's or such corporation's
policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to
be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request
therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or
amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction, provided that such
Lender shall have given reasonable notice to the Borrower within 180 days after
it becomes aware or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have been aware
of the event giving rise to such payment obligation.

                   (c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to
the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.


<PAGE>   21
                                                                              17


                   2.10 Taxes. (a) All payments made by the Borrower under this
Agreement shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction 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, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of
net income taxes) ("Excluded Taxes") imposed on the Administrative Agent or any
Lender as a result of a present or former connection between the Administrative
Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing
such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein
(other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or
such Lender or a Participant having been a party to or having executed,
delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced
or accepted, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the DII Credit Agreement
or any other document (including, without limitation, any present or future
assignment or participation agreement contemplated by Section 8.6 which has been
or in the future will be executed in connection therewith) and other than
arising from the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, a Lender or a
Participant being or becoming an Affiliate of the Borrower). If any such
non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") or Other Taxes are required to be withheld
from any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or a
Participant hereunder or under any present or future assignment or participation
agreement contemplated by Section 8.6, the amounts so payable to the
Administrative Agent or such Lender or such Participant shall be increased to
the extent necessary to yield to the Administrative Agent or such Lender or such
Participant (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes) interest
or any such other amounts payable hereunder or under any present or future
assignment or participation agreement contemplated by Section 8.6 at the rates
or in the amounts specified in this Agreement, provided, however, that the
Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to any
Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes that are attributable to such
Lender's failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) of this
Section.

                  (b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

                  (c) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable
by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to
the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the relevant
Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt
received by the Borrower showing payment thereof, if available. If the Borrower
fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate
taxing authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required
receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or
penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a
result of any such failure.

                  (d) A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or
reduction of non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which
the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party,
with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by



<PAGE>   22
                                                                              18


applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower, such properly completed
and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such
payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate, provided that such
Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation
and in such Lender's judgment such completion, execution or submission would not
materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.

                   (e) The agreements in this Section shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.

                   2.11 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender
and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense that such Lender may
sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a
borrowing of or continuation of Loans after the Borrower has given a notice
requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b)
default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of Loans after the Borrower has
given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or
(c) the making of a prepayment of Loans on a day that is not the last day of an
Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have
accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed or continued, for the
period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow or continue
to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow
or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such
failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided
for herein over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such
Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such
amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank
eurodollar market. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this
Section submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the
absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this
Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                   2.12 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon
the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.9 or
2.10(a) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use
reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to
designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the
object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such
designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause
such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect
or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender
pursuant to Section 2.9 or 2.10(a).

                   2.13 Replacement of Lenders. The Borrower shall be permitted
to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant
to Section 2.9 or 2.10(a) or (b) defaults in its obligation to make Loans
hereunder, with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such
replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement,
(iii) prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action
under Section 2.12 so as to 



<PAGE>   23
                                                                              19



eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section
2.9 or 2.10(a), (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at
par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to
the date of replacement, (v) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced
Lender under Section 2.11 if any Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be
purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto,
(vi) the replacement financial institution, if not already a Lender, shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender
shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of
Section 8.6 (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the
registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as
such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional
amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.9 or 2.10, as the case may be,
and Section 8.6(b) and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other
Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

                    SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                   To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter
into this Agreement and to make the Loans, the Borrower hereby represents and
warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

                   3.1 Financial Condition. The unaudited pro forma balance
sheet of the Borrower as at the Closing Date (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet"),
copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, has been prepared
giving effect (as if such events had occurred on such date) to (i) the
consummation of the Acquisition, (ii) the Loans to be made on the Closing Date
and the use of proceeds thereof and (iii) the payment of fees and expenses in
connection with the foregoing. The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been prepared
based on the best information available to the Borrower as of the date of
delivery thereof, and presents fairly on a pro forma basis the estimated
financial position of Borrower as at the Closing Date, assuming that the events
specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred at such date. The
Borrower does not have any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent
liabilities and liabilities for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual or
long-term commitments, including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or
exchange transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not
reflected in the Pro Forma Balance Sheet.

                   3.2 Existence; Compliance with Law. The Borrower (a) is a
duly organized and validly existing limited partnership and is registered under
No. HRA2264 in the commercial register of Boblingen under the laws of Germany,
(b) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its
property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the
business in which it is currently engaged, and (c) is in compliance with all
Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith
could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                   3.3 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. The
Borrower and Multilayer each have the power and authority, and the legal right,
to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents and the Acquisition Documents to
which the Borrower is a party and to 


<PAGE>   24
                                                                              20


borrow hereunder and to consummate the Acquisition. The Borrower and Multilayer
have taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party and to
authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No
consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in
respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in
connection with the Acquisition and the borrowings hereunder or with the
execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement
or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and
notices described in Schedule 3.3, which consents, authorizations, filings and
notices have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) the
actions referred to in Section 3.11. Each Loan Document to which the Borrower is
a party has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower. This
Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which the Borrower is a
party upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of
the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether
enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

                   3.4 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowings hereunder, the use
of the proceeds thereof and the consummation of the Acquisition will not violate
any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower and/or
Multilayer and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any
Lien on any of their properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law
or any such Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Security
Documents). No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation applicable to the
Borrower and/or Multilayer could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                   3.5 Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of
or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by or against the Borrower and/or
Multilayer or against any of their properties or revenues (a) with respect to
any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby or the Acquisition, or (b) that could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  3.6 No Default. The Borrower is not in default under or with
respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect that could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing.

                   3.7 Ownership of Property; Liens. The Borrower has good and
marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real property,
and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other property, and
none of such property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by the
Guarantee Agreement.

                   3.8 Intellectual Property. The Borrower owns, or is licensed
to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as
currently conducted. No 



<PAGE>   25
                                                                              21


material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or
questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or
effectiveness of any Intellectual Property, nor does the Borrower know of any
valid basis for any such claim. The use of Intellectual Property by the Borrower
does not infringe on the rights of any Person in any material respect.

                  3.9 Subsidiaries. The Borrower has no Subsidiaries on the
Closing Date.

                   3.10 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used
to finance the Acquisition and to pay related fees and expenses.

                   3.11 Security Documents. (a) The Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the
Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of the
certificated Pledged Stock described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement,
when stock certificates representing such Pledged Stock are delivered to the
Collateral Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when financing statements and other filings
specified on Schedule 6.19 to the DII Credit Agreement are filed in the offices
specified in such schedule, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall
constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title
and interest of the parties to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in such
Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for the obligations of DII
under the Guarantee Agreement and the obligations and liabilities of the
Borrowers (as defined in the DII Credit Agreement) under the DII Credit
Agreement, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except,
in the case of Collateral other than Pledged Stock, Liens permitted by the
Guarantee Agreement).

                   (b) Each of the Security Documents (other than the Guarantee
and Collateral Agreement) is effective to create in favor of the Collateral
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security
interest in the collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case
of the collateral described in such Security Documents, when the appropriate
actions are taken under relevant foreign laws (as specified in such Security
Documents), such Security Documents shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on,
and security interest in, all right, title and interest of each of the relevant
grantors parties thereto in such collateral and the proceeds thereof, as
security for the obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, in each case prior and superior in
right to any other Person (except Liens permitted by the Guarantee Agreement).

                   3.12 Year 2000 Matters. Any reprogramming required to permit
the proper functioning (but only to the extent that such proper functioning
would otherwise be impaired by the occurrence of the year 2000) in and following
the year 2000 of computer systems and other equipment containing embedded
microchips material to the conduct of business, in either case owned or operated
by the Borrower or used or relied upon in the conduct of its business (including
any such systems and other equipment supplied by others or with which the
computer systems of the Borrower interface), and the testing of all such systems
and other equipment as so reprogrammed in all material respects, will be
completed by October 1, 1999. The costs to the Borrower that have not been
incurred as of the date hereof for such reprogramming and testing 



<PAGE>   26
                                                                              22


and for the other reasonably foreseeable consequences to them of any improper
functioning of other computer systems and equipment containing embedded
microchips due to the occurrence of the year 2000 could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Default or Event of Default or to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except for any reprogramming referred to above, the computer
system of the Borrower is and, with ordinary course upgrading and maintenance,
will continue for the term of this Agreement to be, sufficient for the conduct
of its business as currently conducted.

                   3.13 Certain Documents. The Borrower has delivered to each
Lender a complete and correct copy of the Acquisition Documentation, including
any amendments, supplements or modifications with respect to any of the
foregoing.

                   3.14 Withholding Tax. (a) There is no tax, levy, impost,
deduction, charge or withholding imposed, levied or made by or in Germany or any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein either (i) on or by
virtue of the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents (or any other document including, without limitation, any present or
future assignment or participation agreement contemplated by Section 8.6, which
has been or in the future will be executed in connection therewith) or (ii) on
any payment to be made by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents or on any payment to be made by the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender to any Participant. The
Borrower is permitted to make all payments pursuant to this Agreement or any
other Loan Document or any other document executed in connection therewith, and
each Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are and also in
the future will be permitted to make payments to any Participant free and clear
of all taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed,
levied or made by or in Germany or any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein, and no such payment in the hands of any Lender, the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Participant will be subject to
any tax, levy, impost, deduction, charge or withholding imposed, levied or made
by or in Germany or any political subdivision or taxing authority therein or
thereof.

                  (b) The Borrower neither believes nor reasonably expects that
any interest paid by the Borrower hereunder will constitute interest paid by a
trade or business in the United States within the meaning of Section
884(f)(l)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                   3.15 No Filing. To ensure the legality, validity,
enforceability or admissibility in evidence of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents in Germany, it is not necessary that this Agreement, any other Loan
Document or any other document be filed or recorded with any court or other
authority in Germany, or that any stamp or similar tax be paid on or in respect
of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

                   3.16 Proper Form. This Agreement will be in proper legal form
under the laws of Germany for the enforcement thereof in Germany.


<PAGE>   27
                                                                              23

                   3.17 Choice of Law. In any action or proceeding involving the
Borrower arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court of Germany,
each Lender and the Administrative Agent would be entitled to the recognition
and effectiveness of the provisions of Section 8.11.

                         SECTION 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                   The agreement of each Lender to make the Loan requested to be
made by it is subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the
making of such Loan on the Closing Date (but in any event no later than November
30, 1998), of the following conditions precedent:

                   (a) Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the
         Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each Person listed on Schedule
         1.1A, (ii) the Guarantee Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly
         authorized officer of each of DII, CV, Multilayer and DOVatron, (iii)
         each of the German Security Agreements, executed and delivered by a
         duly authorized officer of each party thereto, (iv) the Intercreditor
         Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the
         parties thereto and (v) the Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by
         a duly authorized officer of each of the parties thereto.

                   (b) DII Credit Agreement. The DII Credit Agreement shall have
         been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and the
         conditions precedent to the Closing Date thereunder set forth in
         Section 7 thereof shall have been satisfied.

                   (c) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received the results of a recent lien search or other analogous
         investigation, to the extent applicable under relevant law, in each of
         the jurisdictions where assets of the Borrower are located, and such
         search or investigation shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of
         the Borrower except for liens permitted by the Guarantee Agreement or
         discharged on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to documentation
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                   (d) Fees. The Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
         Arranger shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all
         expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the
         reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the
         Closing Date. All such amounts will be paid with proceeds of Loans made
         on the Closing Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions
         given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or before the
         Closing Date.

                   (e) Closing Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
         received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of each
         Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of
         Exhibit B, with appropriate insertions and attachments.

                   (f) Legal Opinions.  The Administrative Agent shall have 
         received the following executed legal opinions:


<PAGE>   28
                                                                              24



                           (i) the legal opinion of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt
                   & Mosle, United States counsel to the Loan Parties and its
                   Subsidiaries, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1;

                           (ii) the legal opinion of Raupach &
                   Wollert-Elmendorff, German tax counsel to the Borrower and
                   its Subsidiaries, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2;

                           (iii) the legal opinion of Michaelis Pfeiffer Konig,
                   German counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
                   substantially in the form of Exhibit D-3;

                           (iv) the legal opinion of Loeff Claeyes Verbeke,
                   Netherlands counsel to CV and its Subsidiaries, substantially
                   in the form of Exhibit D-4;

                           (v) the legal opinion of Bruckhaus Westrick Heller
                   Lober, German counsel to the Lenders, in form and substance
                   satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

                           (vi) to the extent consented to by the relevant
                   counsel, each legal opinion, if any, delivered in connection
                   with the Acquisition Agreement, accompanied by a reliance
                   letter in favor of the Lenders.

         Each such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent
         may reasonably require.

                   (g) Accountants' Opinions. The Lenders shall have received
         opinions of Deloitte & Touche LLP, tax advisors to the Loan Parties,
         concerning the effectiveness of the tax structure of the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the Administrative Agent.

                   (h) Appointment of Agent for Service of Process. Each of the
         Borrower, Multilayer and DOVatron shall have irrevocably appointed DII
         as its agent for service of processes in the United States pursuant to
         documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
         Agent.

                   (i) Perfection of Liens and Security Interests. All filings,
         recordings and other actions that are necessary or reasonably desirable
         in order to establish, protect, preserve and perfect a Collateral
         Agent's lien on and perfected security interest (to the extent
         perfection is permitted or provided for under relevant law) in all
         right, title, estate and interest of the Loan Parties in and to all
         Collateral covered by the Security Documents prior and superior to all
         other Liens, existing or future, except Liens permitted by the
         Guarantee Agreement, shall have been duly made or taken and all fees,
         taxes and other charges relating to such filings and recordings and
         other actions shall have been paid by the Borrower. The Collateral
         Agent shall have received authenticated copies or other evidence of all
         filings, recordings and other actions obtained or made in order to
         create and 


<PAGE>   29
                                                                              25


         perfect such first lien on and perfected security interest (to the 
         extent perfection is permitted or provided for under relevant law) in 
         the right, title, estate and interest of the Borrower in and to all 
         Collateral covered by the Security Documents.

                   (j) Representations and Warranties. Each of the
         representations and warranties made by each Loan Party in or pursuant
         to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material
         respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.

                   (k)  No Default.  No Default or Event of Default shall have 
         occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the 
         Loans requested to be made on such date.

                        SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                   The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments
remain in effect, or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the
Administrative Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to:

                  5.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender, in each case in English:

                   (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days
         after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the
         unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
         consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related
         unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such
         year (in each case, expressed in Dollars), setting forth in each case
         in comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified by a
         Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material respects;
         and

                   (b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45
         days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each
         fiscal year of the Borrower, the unaudited condensed consolidated
         balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at
         the end of such quarter and the related unaudited condensed
         consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such quarter
         and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter,
         setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
         previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly
         stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit
         adjustments).

All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material
respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP
applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior
periods (except as approved by such officer and disclosed therein).

                   5.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender (or, in the case of clause (c), to the
relevant Lender), in each case in English:


<PAGE>   30
                                                                              26


                   (a) concurrently with the delivery of any financial 
         statements pursuant to Section 5.1, a certificate of a Responsible 
         Officer stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer's 
         knowledge, each Loan Party during such period has observed or 
         performed in all material respects all of its covenants and other 
         agreements, and satisfied in all material respects every condition, 
         contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it 
         is a party to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that 
         such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or 
         Event of Default except as specified in such certificate;

                   (b) no later than 10 Business Days prior to the effectiveness
         thereof, copies of substantially final drafts of any proposed
         amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification with respect to the
         Acquisition Documentation; and

                   (c) promptly, such additional financial and other information
         as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

                   5.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise
satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may
be, all its material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or
validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been
provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.

                   5.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. (a) (i) Preserve,
renew and keep in full force and effect its existence and (ii) take all
reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or
desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in the case of clause
(ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual
Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply
therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                   5.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Keep all property
useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted and (b) maintain with financially sound and
reputable insurance companies insurance on all its property in at least such
amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public
liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually insured
against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar
business.

                   5.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions.
(a) Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct
entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b)
permit representatives of any Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties
and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records at any
reasonable time on any Business Day and as often as may reasonably be desired
and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other
condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with 



<PAGE>   31
                                                                              27

officers and employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and with its
independent certified public accountants with prior notice to the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries and subject to reasonable security and confidentiality
procedures.

                   5.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent
and each Lender of:

                   (a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

                   (b) any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual
         Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii)
         litigation, investigation or proceeding that may exist at any time
         between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental
         Authority, that in either case, if not cured or if adversely
         determined, as the case may be, could reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect;

                   (c) any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries in which the amount involved is $5,000,000 (or
         the equivalent thereof) or more and not covered by insurance or in
         which injunctive or similar relief is sought; and

                   (d) any development or event that has had or could reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein and stating what action the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary proposes
to take with respect thereto.

                   5.8 Environmental Laws. (a) Comply in all material respects
with, and ensure compliance in all material respects by all tenants and
subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and
comply in all material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants
and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any
and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by
applicable Environmental Laws.

                   (b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies,
sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under
Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful
orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental
Laws.

                   5.9 Additional Collateral, etc. (a) With respect to any
property acquired after the Closing Date by the Borrower (other than (y) any
property described in paragraph (b) below and (z) any property subject to a Lien
expressly permitted by the Guarantee Agreement) as to which the Collateral
Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, does not have a perfected (to the extent
perfection is permitted or provided for under relevant law) Lien, promptly take
all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the
benefit of the Lenders, a perfected (to the extent perfection is permitted or
provided for under relevant law) first priority security interest in such
property.


<PAGE>   32
                                                                              28



                   (b) With respect to any new Subsidiary created or acquired
after the Closing Date by the Borrower, promptly (i) execute and deliver to the
Collateral Agent all security documents as the Collateral Agent deems necessary
or advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a
first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary
that is owned by the Borrower, (ii) cause such new Subsidiary (A) to take such
actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit
of the Lenders, a perfected (to the extent perfection is permitted or provided
for under relevant law) first priority security interest in the Collateral
described in clause (i) above with respect to such new Subsidiary and (B) to
deliver to the Collateral Agent a certificate of such Subsidiary, substantially
in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments, (iii)
cause such new Subsidiary to enter into a guarantee in respect of the Borrower's
obligations hereunder in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent
and (iv) if requested by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent
legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be
in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the
Collateral Agent.


                          SECTION 6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                   If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

                   (a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal or Premium
         on any Loan when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or the
         Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan, or any other
         amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, within five
         days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance
         with the terms hereof; or

                   (b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any
         Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in
         any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by
         it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such
         other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material
         respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

                   (c) (i) the Borrower shall default in the observance or
         performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section
         5.4(a) or Section 5.7(a) of this Agreement, (ii) an "Event of Default"
         under and as defined in the DII Credit Agreement shall have occurred
         and be continuing, (iii) DII shall default in the observance or
         performance of any agreement contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee
         Agreement or (iv) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any agreement contained in Sections 5.5 and 5.7(b) of
         the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; or

                   (d) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
         performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any
         other Loan Document (other than 



<PAGE>   33
                                                                              29


         as provided in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section), and such 
         default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days; or

                   (e) any Guarantor, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         shall (i) default in making any payment of any principal of any
         Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the
         Loans) on the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto; or
         (ii) default in making any payment of any interest on any such
         Indebtedness beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the
         instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created; or
         (iii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement
         or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any
         instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or
         any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which
         default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the
         holder or beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on
         behalf of such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of
         notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated
         maturity or (in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a
         Guarantee Obligation) to become payable; provided, that a default,
         event or condition described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this
         paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default
         unless, at such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the
         type described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (e)
         shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Indebtedness the
         outstanding principal amount of which exceeds in the aggregate
         $5,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof); or

                   (f) (i) DII, CV, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any
         existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign,
         relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of
         debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to
         it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking
         reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation,
         dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its
         debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,
         conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any
         substantial part of its assets, or DII, CV, the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its
         creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against DII, CV, the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other
         action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in
         the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or
         appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a
         period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against DII, CV,
         the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other
         action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution,
         distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its
         assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that
         shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending
         appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) DII, CV, the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action in
         furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or
         acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or
         (iii) above; or (v) DII, CV, the Borrower or any of its 


<PAGE>   34
                                                                              30

         Subsidiaries shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall 
         admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; 
         or

                   (g) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against
         DII, CV, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the
         aggregate a liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to
         which the relevant insurance company has acknowledged coverage) of
         $5,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof) or more, and all such judgments
         or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded
         pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or

                   (h) any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any
         reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any
         Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by any
         of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same
         effect and priority purported to be created thereby; or

                   (i) the Guarantee Agreement or the guarantee contained in
         Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall cease, for
         any reason, to be in full force and effect or any Loan Party or any
         Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert; or

                   (j) a Change of Control shall have occurred;

then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower,
automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans
hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall immediately become due and payable,
and the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit
of the Lenders, the Premium, which shall also become immediately due and
payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, the following
actions may be taken: with the consent of the Required Lenders, the
Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the
Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans
hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be due and payable forthwith and the
Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, the Premium, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and
payable. Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment,
demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by
the Borrower.

                       SECTION 7. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                   7.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates
and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably
authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on
its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated
to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, 



<PAGE>   35
                                                                              31


                                                                        
                                                                        
together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and
no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

                   7.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may
execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by
or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of
counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative
Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                   7.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Administrative Agent
nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be
taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by
a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted from its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct)
or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals,
statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer
thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any
certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in,
or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness,
genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its
obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under
any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or
performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or
records of any Loan Party.

                   7.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon
any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit,
letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document
or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and
statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower, DII and CV),
independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take
any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of all the Lenders as it deems appropriate or
it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and
all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases
be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of all Lenders, and
such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be
binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

<PAGE>   36
                                                                              32



                   7.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be
deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a
Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or
Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". In the
event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative
Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall
take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be
reasonably directed by all Lenders; provided that unless and until the
Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative
Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from
taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall
deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

                   7.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any
of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates
have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the
Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a
Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any
representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each
Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property,
financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their
affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into
this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make
such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business,
operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the
Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other
documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the
Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty
or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information
concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or
otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of
a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or
any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates.

                   7.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the
Administrative Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by
the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so),
ratably according to their respective Percentages in effect on the date on which
indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought
after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans
shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Percentages
immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time 



<PAGE>   37
                                                                              33


(whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out
of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any
documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent
under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall
be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of
competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the Administrative Agent's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive
the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

                   7.8 Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The
Administrative Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from
and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though the
Administrative Agent was not the Administrative Agent. With respect to its Loans
made or renewed by it, the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and
powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms
"Lender" and "Lenders" shall include the Administrative Agent in its individual
capacity.

                   7.9 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days' notice to the Lenders and the
Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall
appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which
successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 6(a) or Section
6(f) with respect to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be
subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the
rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term
"Administrative Agent" shall mean such successor agent effective upon such
appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent's rights, powers
and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or
further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of
the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent
has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days
following a retiring Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective
and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative
Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a
successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent's
resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 7 shall
inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

                   7.10 Authorization to Release Guarantees and Liens.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan
Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each of
the Lenders (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as
expressly required by Section 8.1) to take any action requested by the Borrower
having the effect of releasing any Collateral or guarantee obligations to the



<PAGE>   38
                                                                              34



extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any
Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 8.1.

                            SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS

                   8.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any other
Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or
modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.1. The
Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may,
or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent
and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time,
(a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to
the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of
the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such
terms and conditions as all of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the
case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its
consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment,
supplement or modification shall (i) reduce the principal amount or extend the
final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan, reduce the stated rate of any
interest, Premium or fee payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of any
payment thereof, in each case without the consent of each Lender directly
affected thereby; (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 8.1
or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders,
consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release all or
substantially all of the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the
Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee or Guarantee and
Collateral Agreement, as the case may be, in each case without the written
consent of all Lenders; or (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section
7 without the written consent of the Administrative Agent. Any such waiver and
any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of
the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the
Administrative Agent and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any
waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be
restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be
cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

                   8.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by
telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to
have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when
received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire
delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such
other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:


<PAGE>   39
                                                                              35


         The Borrower:                Multilayer Technology GmbH and Co. KG
                                             Herrenberger Strasse 110
                                             Boblingen, Germany
                                             Attention: Michael Corkery
                                             Telecopy:  49-7031-14-1782
                                             Telephone:  49-7031-14-1801

         The Administrative Agent:           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                             One Chase Manhattan Plaza
                                             8th Floor
                                             New York,  New York  10081
                                             Attention:  Loan and Agency 
                                                           Services Group
                                             Telecopy:  (212) 552-5658
                                             Telephone:  (212) 552-7277

         with a copy to:                     The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                             2 Court Street, P.O. Box 706
                                             Binghamton, New York  13902
                                             Attention:  Michael Brunner
                                             Telecopy:  (607) 772-9341
                                             Telephone:  (607) 772-2375

provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.

                   8.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise
and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or
privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges
provided by law.

                   8.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and
in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in
connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder.

                   8.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Borrower agrees (a) to
pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development,
preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to,
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in
connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and filing and recording
fees and 



<PAGE>   40
                                                                              36



expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted to the
Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on the
Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such
other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to
pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any
rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other
documents, including the fees and disbursements of counsel (including the
allocated fees and expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender and of counsel
to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the
Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and
any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying,
stamp, excise and other taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be
payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or
administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment,
supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of,
this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d)
to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent and their
respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling
persons (each, an "Indemnitee") harmless from and against any and all other
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect
to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any present or future assignment or
participation agreement contemplated by Section 8.6(b) and any such other
documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the
Loans or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any
Environmental Law applicable to the operations of the Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of the Properties and the reasonable fees and expenses of
legal counsel in connection with claims, actions or proceedings by any
Indemnitee against any Loan Party under any Loan Document (all the foregoing in
this clause (d), collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities"), provided, that
the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect
to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities are found
by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to
have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Indemnitee. Without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by
applicable law, the Borrower agrees not to assert and to cause its Subsidiaries
not to assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to so
waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect
to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages,
costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental
Laws, that any of them might have by statute or otherwise against any
Indemnitee. All amounts due under this Section 8.5 shall be payable promptly
after written demand therefor. Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to
this Section 8.5 shall be submitted to The Chase Manhattan Bank, One Chase
Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081, Attn: Jesus Sang (Telephone No. (212)
552-7916) (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5650), at the address of the Borrower set
forth in Section 8.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter
designated by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent. The
agreements in this Section 8.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all
other amounts payable hereunder.


<PAGE>   41
                                                                              37



                   8.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments.
(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, all future holders of the Loans
and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not
assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of each Lender.

                   (b) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, in
accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks, financial
institutions or other entities (each, a "Participant") participating interests
in any Loan owing to such Lender, any Commitment of such Lender or any other
interest of such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. In the
event of any such sale by a Lender of a participating interest to a Participant,
such Lender's obligations under this Agreement to the other parties to this
Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible
for the performance thereof, such Lender shall remain the holder of any such
Loan for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly
with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In no event shall any Participant
under any such participation have any right to approve any amendment or waiver
of any provision of any Loan Document, or any consent to any departure by any
Loan Party therefrom, except to the extent that such amendment, waiver or
consent would reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Loans or any premium
or fees payable hereunder, or postpone the date of the final maturity of the
Loans, in each case to the extent subject to such participation. The Borrower
agrees that if amounts outstanding under this Agreement and the Loans are due or
unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall, to the maximum
extent permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have the right of setoff in
respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to
the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing
directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement, provided that, in purchasing
such participating interest, such Participant shall be deemed to have agreed to
share with the Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in Section 8.7(a) as
fully as if it were a Lender hereunder. The Borrower also agrees that each
Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.9, 2.10, 2.11 and
2.13(viii) with respect to its participation in the Commitments and the Loans
outstanding from time to time as if it was a Lender and each Lender who sold the
participating interest shall be entitled to raise the claims under Section 2.9,
2.10 and 2.11 also in relation to taxes, expenses, losses and other amounts
described in said Sections arising in connection with, or due to, the
participation in the respective Commitments and Loans and the documents in
connection therewith; provided that, in the case of Section 2.10, such
Participant shall have complied with the requirements of Section 2.10(d).

                   (c) Any Lender (an "Assignor") may, in accordance with
applicable law, at any time and from time to time assign to any Lender or any
affiliate thereof or, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent (which, in each case, shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to
an additional bank, financial institution or other entity (an "Assignee") all,
but not part, of its rights and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to an
Assignment and Acceptance, executed by such Assignee, such Assignor and any
other Person whose consent is required pursuant to this paragraph, and delivered
to the Administrative Agent for its 


<PAGE>   42
                                                                              38



acceptance and recording in the Register. Upon such execution, delivery,
acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date determined pursuant
to such Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party
hereto and, to the extent provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the
rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder with a Commitment and/or Loans as
set forth therein, and (y) the Assignor thereunder shall be released from its
obligations under this Agreement and such Assignor shall cease to be a party
hereto. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 8.6, the consent of the
Borrower shall not be required for any assignment that occurs when an Event of
Default pursuant to Section 8(f) shall have occurred and be continuing with
respect to the Borrower.

                   (d) The Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of the
Borrower, maintain at its address referred to in Section 8.2 a copy of each
Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for
the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of,
and the principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time.
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest
error, and the Borrower, each other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the
owner of the Loans for all purposes of this Agreement. Any assignment of any
Loan shall be effective only upon appropriate entries with respect thereto being
made in the Register.

                   (e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed
by an Assignor, an Assignee and any other Person whose consent is required by
Section 8.6(c), together with payment to the Administrative Agent of a
registration and processing fee of $4,000, the Administrative Agent shall (i)
promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) record the information
contained therein in the Register on the effective date determined pursuant
thereto.

                   (f) For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement
acknowledge that the provisions of this Section 8.6 concerning assignments of
Loans relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do not
prohibit assignments creating security interests, including any pledge or
assignment by a Lender of any Loan to any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance
with applicable law.

                   8.7 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) Except to the extent that this
Agreement expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular
Lender, if any Lender (a "Benefitted Lender") shall, at any time after the Loans
and other amounts payable hereunder shall immediately become due and payable
pursuant to Section 6, receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations
owing to it, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily
or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature
referred to in Section 6(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any
such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect
of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefitted Lender shall
purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such
portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall provide
such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be
necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or
benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the 


<PAGE>   43
                                                                              39



Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or
benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase
shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent
of such recovery, but without interest.

                   (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders
provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the
Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent
permitted by applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the
Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise), to set off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all
deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any
currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in
each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or
unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency
thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower, as the case may be.
Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
after any such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the
failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and
application.

                   8.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or
more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts,
and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one
and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this
Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all
the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

                   8.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

                   8.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents
represent the agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises,
undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any
Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to
herein or in the other Loan Documents.

                   8.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                   8.12  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers.  The Borrower 
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

                   (a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action
         or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
         to which it is a party, or for recognition 

<PAGE>   44
                                                                              40


         and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the 
         non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New 
         York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of 
         New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

                   (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be
         brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or
         hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any
         such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an
         inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

                   (c) acknowledges that it has appointed DII to receive and
         accept service of process in any such action or proceeding on behalf of
         the Borrower and that DII has accepted such appointment;

                   (d) agrees that service of process in any such action or
         proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or
         certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
         prepaid, to DII at its address specified in Section 12(c) of the
         Guarantee Agreement or at such other address of which the
         Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

                   (e) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to
         effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall
         limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

                   (f) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any
         right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding
         referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or
         consequential damages.

                   8.13 Acknowledgements. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

                   (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
         execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

                   (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any
         fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or
         in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents,
         and the relationship between Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one
         hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or
         therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

                   (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan
         Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions
         contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the
         Lenders.

                   8.14 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and
each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to
it by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by such Loan
Party as confidential; provided that nothing herein 


<PAGE>   45
                                                                              41


shall prevent the Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such
information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate
of any Lender, (b) to any Transferee or prospective Transferee that agrees to
comply with the provisions of this Section, (c) to its employees, directors,
agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any
of its affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority,
(e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as
may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested
or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding,
(g) that has been publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized
rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender's investment
portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i)
in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan
Document.

                   8.15 Accounting Changes. In the event that any "Accounting
Change" (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in
the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this
Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into
negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to
equitably reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the
criteria for evaluating the Borrower's financial condition shall be the same
after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made.
Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial
covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated
or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. "Accounting
Changes" refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation
of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if
applicable, the SEC.

                   8.16 Judgment. The obligation of the Borrower hereunder due
to any party hereto in Dollars shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency
(the "judgment currency") other than Dollars, be discharged only to the extent
that on the Business Day following receipt by such party of any sum adjudged to
be so due in the judgment currency such party may in accordance with normal
banking procedures purchase Dollars with the judgment currency; if the amount of
Dollars so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such party in
Dollars, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any
such judgment, to indemnify the party against such loss, and if the amount of
Dollars so purchased exceeds the sum originally due to any party to this
Agreement, such party agrees to remit to the Borrower the excess.


                   8.17 Collateral Agent as Secured Creditor. Each of the
Borrower and the Lenders agree that the Collateral Agent shall be the joint and
several creditor together with the relevant Lender of each and every obligation
of the Borrower toward each of the Lenders under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents pursuant to Section 7.2 of the Intercreditor Agreement, with such
rights as set forth in such Section.


<PAGE>   46
                                                                              42



                   8.18 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY
IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.


<PAGE>   47
                                                                              43


                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.


                                       MULTILAYER TECHNOLOGY GMBH AND 
                                       CO. KG


                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                       THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as 
                                       Administrative Agent and as a Lender


                                       By:                                
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:





<PAGE>   1
          
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                           SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

As more fully described in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Company merged (the "Merger") with Orbit Semiconductor, Inc. ("Orbit") on August
22, 1996, and ultimately Orbit became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dii
Group. This transaction was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests and,
accordingly, all prior period financial statements have been restated to reflect
the combined operations of the two companies. The following consolidated
financial data have been derived from the restated consolidated financial
statements:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1998 (7)             1997          1996 (6)         1995          1994 (5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                  <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>    
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS (1):
Net sales                                    $   925,543          779,603         458,893         396,978         258,464
Income (loss) before extraordinary item          (17,032)          35,320          10,035          23,654           8,803
Basic earnings (loss) per share before
   extraordinary item (2)                          (0.68)            1.43            0.42            1.05            0.44
Diluted earnings (loss) per share before
   extraordinary item (2)                          (0.68)            1.26            0.40            0.95            0.41
=========================================================================================================================
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED                      $      --               --              --              --              --
=========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           JAN. 3,     DEC. 28,      DEC. 29,    DEC. 31,     DEC. 31,
                                           1998 (7)      1997        1996 (6)      1995       1994 (5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>   
BALANCE SHEET DATA (1):
Cash and cash equivalents                 $ 55,972       85,067       25,010       55,533       15,161
Total assets                               747,309      592,729      335,851      327,311      211,460
Convertible subordinated notes (3)          86,235       86,250       86,250       86,250         --
Long-term debt, excluding convertible
   subordinated notes (4)                  273,684      156,545       12,938        9,401       31,872
Total stockholders' equity (2) (3)         175,721      207,348      159,037      145,549      118,452
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  See Notes 2 and 4 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
     included elsewhere herein.

(2)  See Notes 10 and 12 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
     included elsewhere herein.

(3)  As of February 18, 1999, substantially all of the Company's convertible
     subordinated notes were converted into approximately 4,600,000 shares of
     common stock and the unconverted portion was redeemed for $101. See Note 6
     of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere
     herein.

(4)  Long-term debt excludes current portion and includes bank term debt,
     revolving line-of-credit borrowings, other long-term debt (including
     capital lease obligations), and senior subordinated notes. See Notes 5 and
     9 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included
     elsewhere herein.

(5)  The Company recorded a non-recurring pre-tax charge of $12,100 in fiscal
     1994. This non-recurring charge was primarily associated with the
     write-down of certain assets to net realizable value relating to two
     under-capitalized start-up customers.

(6)  The Company recorded a non-recurring pre-tax charge of $16,532 in fiscal
     1996. See Note 7 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
     included elsewhere herein.

(7)  The Company recorded non-recurring pre-tax charges of $76,636 in fiscal
     1998. See Note 7 of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements
     included elsewhere herein.



                                                                              15

<PAGE>   2


                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


OVERVIEW
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company's fiscal year consists of either a 52-week or 53-week period ending
on the Sunday nearest to December 31. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated
financial statements are presented as of January 3, 1999 and December 28, 1997,
and for the 53 weeks ended January 3, 1999 and 52 weeks ended December 28, 1997
and December 29, 1996. Each fiscal year is referred to herein as fiscal 1998,
1997, and 1996, respectively. 

On July 29, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock
split of the Company's common stock effected in the form of a stock dividend,
which was distributed on September 2, 1997, to shareholders of record as of
August 15, 1997. All share and per-share data included herein have been
retroactively restated to reflect the split. 

The Company is a leading provider of electronics design and manufacturing
services that operates through a global network of independent business units.
These business units are uniquely linked to provide the following related
products and services:

DESIGN AND SEMICONDUCTOR SERVICES - Through Dii Technologies the Company
provides printed circuit board and back panel design services, as well as design
for manufacturability and test and total life cycle planning. 

Through Dii Semiconductor (formerly known as Orbit Semiconductor), the Company
provides the following application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC") design
services to its OEM customers:

o Conversion services from field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs") to ASICs.
  These services focus on designs that utilize primarily digital signals, with
  only a small amount of analog signals.

o Design services for mixed-signal ASICs. These services focus on designs that
  utilize primarily analog signals, with only a small amount of digital signals.

o Silicon integration design services. These services utilize silicon design
  modules that are used to accelerate complex ASIC designs, including
  system-on-a-chip.

Dii Semiconductor utilizes external foundry suppliers for its customers' silicon
manufacturing requirements, thereby using a "fabless" manufacturing approach.

By integrating the combined capabilities of design and semiconductor services,
the Company can compress the time from product concept to market introduction
and minimize product development costs.

PRINTED WIRING BOARDS - The Company manufactures high density, complex
multilayer printed wiring boards and back panels through Multek.

SYSTEMS ASSEMBLY AND DISTRIBUTION - The Company assembles complex electronic
circuits and provides final system configuration ("box build") and distribution
through Dovatron. These services are commonly referred to as contract
electronics manufacturing ("CEM").

By offering comprehensive and integrated design and manufacturing services, the
Company believes that it is better able to differentiate its product and service
offerings from those of its competitors, develop long-term relationships with
its customers, and enhance profitability.

The Company also has a non-core business unit known as Process Technologies
International ("PTI"). Through this business unit, the Company manufactures
surface mount printed circuit board solder cream stencils through IRI
International and Chemtech; designs and manufactures in-circuit and functional
test software and hardware through TTI Testron; and manufactures depaneling
equipment and automated handling systems used in the printed circuit board
assembly process through Cencorp Automation Systems. Management has undertaken
an initiative to divest this non-core business unit, in order to sharpen its
focus on the Company's core businesses of custom semiconductor design, printed
wiring board design and fabrication, and systems assembly and distribution.

The Company does not believe that a sale of PTI would result in any adverse
impact on the Company's 1999 consolidated financial position. If the Company
sells PTI, the Company's consolidated revenues and operating results will be
adversely impacted (by less than 10%) until such time as the proceeds are
reinvested back into the Company's core businesses of custom semiconductor
design, printed wiring board design and fabrication, and systems assembly and
distribution.

Operating results may also be affected by a number of factors including the
economic conditions in the markets the Company serves; price and product
competition; the level of volume and the timing of orders; product mix; the
amount of automation employed on specific manufacturing projects; efficiencies
achieved by inventory management; 


16


<PAGE>   3



                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


fixed asset utilization; the level of experience in manufacturing a particular
product; customer product delivery requirements; shortages of components or
experienced labor; the integration of acquired businesses; start-up costs
associated with adding new geographical locations; expenditures required for
research and development; and failure to introduce, or lack of market acceptance
of, new processes, services, technologies, and products on a timely basis. Each
of these factors has had in the past, and may have in the future, an adverse
effect on the Company's operating results.

A majority of the Company's sales are to customers in the electronics industry,
which is subject to rapid technological change, product obsolescence, and price
competition. The factors affecting the electronics industry, in general, or any
of the Company's major customers, in particular, could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's operating results. The electronics industry has
historically been cyclical and subject to significant economic downturns at
various times, which have been characterized by diminished product demand,
accelerated erosion of average selling prices, and over-capacity. The Company's
customers also are subject to short product life cycles and pricing and margin
pressures, which risks are in turn borne by the Company. The Company seeks a
well-balanced customer profile across most sectors of the electronics industry
in order to reduce exposure to a downturn in any particular sector. The primary
sectors within the electronics industry served by the Company are office
automation, mainframes and mass storage, data communications, computers and
peripherals, telecommunications, industrial and instrumentation, and medical.

The Company offers manufacturing capabilities in three major electronics markets
of the world (North America, Europe and Asia). The Company's operations located
outside of the United States generated approximately 43%, 42% and 25% of total
net sales in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company's
international operations subject the Company to the risks of doing business
abroad, including currency fluctuations, export duties, import controls and
trade barriers, restrictions on the transfer of funds, greater difficulty in
accounts receivable collection, burdens of complying with a wide variety of
foreign laws, and, in certain parts of the world, political and economic
instability. 

At any given time, certain customers may account for significant portions of the
Company's business. Hewlett-Packard accounted for 10% and 17% of net sales in
fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. IBM accounted for 10% of net sales in fiscal
1998. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales during fiscal
1998, 1997 or 1996. The Company's top ten customers accounted for 48%, 50%, and
43% of net sales in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The percentage of
the Company's sales to its major customers may fluctuate from period to period.
Significant reductions in sales to any of these customers would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results.

Although management believes the Company has a broad diversification of
customers and markets, the Company has few material, firm long-term commitments
or volume guarantees from its customers. In addition, customer orders can be
canceled and volume levels can be changed or delayed. From time to time, some of
the Company's customers have terminated their manufacturing arrangements with
the Company, and other customers have reduced or delayed the volume of design
and manufacturing services performed by the Company. The timely replacement of
canceled, delayed, or reduced contracts with new business cannot be assured, and
termination of a manufacturing relationship or change, reduction, or delay in
orders could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results.
In the past, changes in customer orders have had a significant impact on the
Company's results of operations due to corresponding changes in the level of
overhead absorption.

ACQUISITIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has actively pursued acquisitions in furtherance of its strategy to
be the fastest and most comprehensive global provider of custom electronics
design and manufacturing services, ranging from microelectronics design
through the fabrication, final assembly, and distribution of printed circuits
and finished products for customers. The Company's acquisitions have enabled the
Company to provide more integrated outsourcing technology solutions with
time-to-market and lower cost advantages. Acquisitions have also played an
important part in expanding the Company's presence in the global electronics
marketplace.


                                                                              17
<PAGE>   4



                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in assimilating the
operations, technologies, and products and services of the acquired companies;
the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; risks of
entering markets in which the Company has no or limited direct prior experience
and where competitors in such markets have stronger market positions; and the
potential loss of key employees of the acquired company. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to successfully integrate newly acquired
businesses. Such a failure could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition, and results of operations. The integration of
certain operations following an acquisition will require the dedication of
management resources that may distract attention from the day-to-day business of
the Company.

In August 1998 the Company acquired Greatsino Electronic Technology, a printed
wiring board fabricator and contract electronics manufacturer with operations in
the People's Republic of China. The cash purchase price, net of cash acquired,
amounted to $51,795. The initial purchase price is subject to adjustment for
contingent consideration of no more than $40,000, based upon the business
achieving specified levels of earnings through August 31, 1999. As of January 3,
1999, the Company had accrued $9,000 of contingent consideration. In October
1998, the Company acquired Hewlett-Packard's printed wiring board fabrication
facility located in Boeblingen, Germany, and its related production equipment,
inventory and other assets, for a purchase price of approximately $89,900,
subject to certain post-closing adjustments. In connection with the purchase,
the Company entered into a three-year supply agreement with Hewlett-Packard.
These two transactions represent significant steps in the Company's strategy of
expanding its worldwide operations, enhancing its technology offerings,
increasing its volume production capabilities, and diversifying its customer
base. However, these transactions subject the Company to acquisition-related
risks, as well as risks associated with international operations. If these
operations do not prove to be as successful as the Company expects, the
Company's financial condition and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected. In addition, the Greatsino acquisition, as well as certain
prior acquisitions, are subject to contingent purchase price adjustments for
varying periods, all of which end no later than June 2001. Such adjustments
would increase the goodwill allocated to these acquisitions.

See Note 2 and Note 4 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere herein for information regarding acquisitions and
manufacturing facility purchases.


OPERATING RESULTS - FISCAL 1998  
COMPARED WITH FISCAL 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total net sales in fiscal 1998 increased $145,940 (19%) to $925,543 from
$779,603 in fiscal 1997. The Company believes that the electronics industry
experienced a downturn in fiscal 1998, as evidenced by diminished product
demand, accelerated erosion of average selling prices, and overcapacity, the
impact of which reduced the historical growth rates experienced by the Company's
existing customer base.

Net sales from systems assembly and distribution, which represented 64% of net
sales in fiscal 1998, increased $75,208 (15%) to $589,286 from $514,078 (66% of
net sales) in fiscal 1997. This increase is primarily the result of increases in
sales volume from existing and new customers, partially offset by reduced orders
of certain product lines from some of Dovatron's major customers in the office
automation segment. The sales growth is also attributable, to a lesser extent,
to the acquisitions described in Note 2 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

Net sales from printed wiring board design and manufacturing operations, which
represented 23% of net sales in fiscal 1998, increased $80,589 (63%) to $208,696
from $128,107 (16% of net sales) in fiscal 1997. This increase is attributable
to increases in sales to both existing and new customers, offset by reduced
orders of certain product lines from some of Multek's major customers in the
semiconductor test equipment industry. The sales growth is also attributable to
the acquisitions described in Note 2 and the purchases of the manufacturing
facilities described in Note 4 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere herein.

Net sales for the Company's other products and services, which represented 13%
of net sales in fiscal 1998, decreased $9,857 (7%) to $127,561 from $137,418
(18% of net sales) in fiscal 1997. This decrease is primarily attributable to
the downturn in the semiconductor and machine tool industries, which was
characterized by diminished product demand, accelerated erosion of average
selling prices, and overcapacity.


18

<PAGE>   5


                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Excluding non-recurring charges, gross profit in fiscal 1998 increased $6,992 to
$138,932 from $131,940 in fiscal 1997. Excluding non-recurring charges, gross
margin decreased to 15.0% in fiscal 1998 as compared with 16.9% in fiscal 1997.
The gross margin was adversely affected by (i) the increased level of systems
build ("box-build") projects for Dovatron, which typically have lower margins
than its non box-build projects; (ii) the incremental production from the Multek
acquisitions described in Note 2 and the purchases of manufacturing facilities
described in Note 4 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere herein, which carry lower gross margins than historical
Multek high-technology and quick-turn business; (iii) continued manufacturing
inefficiencies, underutilization, and yield problems at Orbit; and (iv) the
electronics industry downturn experienced in 1998 (especially in the
semiconductor and machine tool industries), characterized by diminished product
demand, accelerated erosion of average selling prices, and overcapacity.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense increased $8,535 to $77,318
in fiscal 1998 from $68,783 in fiscal 1997. The percentage of SG&A expense to
net sales decreased to 8.4% in fiscal 1998 from 8.8% in fiscal 1997. The
increase in absolute dollars is related to (i) the continued expansion of the
Company's sales and marketing, finance, and other general and administrative
infrastructure necessary to support the Company's growth; (ii) the acquisitions
described in Note 2 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere herein; (iii) the purchases of the manufacturing facilities
described in Note 4 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere herein; and (iv) increased SG&A expenses associated with the
19% increase in net sales in fiscal 1998. The percentage of SG&A expense to net
sales decreased in fiscal 1998 when compared with fiscal 1997 due to better
absorption from the increase in sales. 

During fiscal 1998, the Company recognized non-recurring pre-tax charges of
$76,636, substantially all of which related to the operations of the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, Orbit Semiconductor ("Orbit"). The Company decided to
sell Orbit's 6-inch, 0.6 micron wafer fabrication facility ("Fab") and adopt a
fabless manufacturing strategy to complement Orbit's design and engineering
services. The charges were primarily due to the impaired recoverability of
inventory, intangible assets and fixed assets, and other costs associated with
the exit of semiconductor manufacturing. The manufacturing facility was
ultimately sold in January 1999.

The non-recurring pre-tax charges consisted of (i) $53,340 associated with the
write-down of long-lived assets to fair value, (ii) $12,500 for losses on sales
contracts, incremental amounts of uncollectible accounts receivable, and
estimated incremental costs for sales returns and allowances, (iii) $5,750 for
losses associated with inventory write-downs, (iv) $3,648 of costs related to
the exiting of semiconductor manufacturing, and (v) $1,398 of employee
termination costs. See Note 7 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere herein for information regarding the non-recurring
pre-tax charges.

Interest expense increased $11,019 to $21,680 in fiscal 1998 from $10,661 in
fiscal 1997. The increase is primarily due to increased borrowings described in
Note 5 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included
elsewhere herein used to fund the business acquisitions and purchases of
manufacturing facilities.

Amortization expense increased $693 to $4,661 in fiscal 1998 from $3,968 in
fiscal 1997. This increase is attributable to the amortization of debt issue
costs associated with the increased borrowings used to fund the business
acquisitions and purchases of manufacturing facilities as well as amortization
of goodwill associated with such acquisitions. 

Other expense (net) decreased $544 in fiscal 1998 from fiscal 1997 mainly due
to increased net gains realized on foreign currency transactions and reduced
provisions for doubtful accounts.

The Company's estimated effective income tax rate differs from the U.S.
statutory rate due to domestic income tax credits and lower effective income tax
rates on foreign earnings considered permanently invested abroad. The effective
tax rate for a particular year will vary depending on the mix of foreign and
domestic earnings, income tax credits, and changes in previously established
valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based upon management's current
analysis of the realizability of these deferred tax assets. As foreign earnings
considered permanently invested abroad increase as a percentage of consolidated
earnings, the overall consolidated effective income tax rate will usually
decrease because the foreign earnings are generally taxed at a lower rate than
domestic earnings.



                                                                              19
<PAGE>   6


                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


OPERATING RESULTS - FISCAL 1998  
COMPARED WITH FISCAL 1997 (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foreign income from operations before income taxes amounted to $32,721 and
$25,936 in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. Domestic loss from operations
before income taxes amounted to $71,253 in fiscal 1998. Domestic income from
operations before income taxes amounted to $23,729 in fiscal 1997. The mix of
foreign and domestic income or loss from operations before income taxes, the
recognition of income tax loss and tax credit carryforwards, and management's
current assessment of the required valuation allowance resulted in an estimated
effective income tax rate of 56% in fiscal 1998. Excluding the non-recurring
charges, the effective income tax rate in fiscal 1998 was 20%. The Company's
effective income tax rate was 29% in fiscal 1997.

OPERATING RESULTS - FISCAL 1997 
COMPARED WITH FISCAL 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total net sales in fiscal 1997 increased $320,710 (70%) to $779,603 from
$458,893 in fiscal 1996. Net sales from systems assembly and distribution, which
represented 66% of net sales in fiscal 1997, increased $239,427 (87%) to
$514,078 from $274,651 (60% of net sales) in fiscal 1996. The sales growth is
primarily attributable to significant increases in orders from both existing and
new customers, such as the high volume, multi-site production order for
Hewlett-Packard, which began ramping in early fiscal 1997. 

Net sales from printed wiring board design and manufacturing operations, which
represented 16% of net sales in fiscal 1997, increased $55,256 (76%) to $128,107
from $72,851 (16% of net sales) in fiscal 1996. The sales growth in fiscal 1997
is attributable to increases in sales to both existing and new customers. The
sales growth is also attributable to the acquisitions described in Note 2 of the
Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein and
the purchase of the manufacturing facility in 1997 described in Note 4 of the
Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein. 

Net sales for the Company's other products and services, which represented 18%
of net sales in fiscal 1997, increased $26,027 (23%) to $137,418 from $111,391
(24% of net sales) in fiscal 1996. This increase is attributable to increases in
sales to both existing and new customers, as well as the acquisitions described
in Note 2 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included
elsewhere herein.

Excluding non-recurring charges, gross profit in fiscal 1997 increased $43,657
to $131,940 from $88,283 in fiscal 1996. Excluding non-recurring charges, the
gross margin decreased to 16.9% in fiscal 1997 as compared with 19.2% in fiscal
1996. The gross margin decrease is primarily the result of (i) the increase in
systems assembly and distribution revenues, which generate lower margins than
the Company's other products and service offerings, (ii) Multek's underabsorbed
overhead associated with the transition of its printed wiring board fabrication
facility purchased in August 1997 to the merchant market, and (iii) Orbit's
underabsorption of overhead associated with its transition into its new 6-inch,
0.6 micron wafer fabrication facility. The transition into Orbit's 6-inch, 0.6
micron fabrication facility took longer than originally anticipated. The Company
completed the transition into its 6-inch, 0.6 micron facility and sold its
4-inch, 1.2 micron wafer fabrication facility during the first quarter of 1998.

SG&A expense increased $20,243 to $68,783 in fiscal 1997 from $48,540 in fiscal
1996. The percentage of SG&A expense to net sales was 8.8% and 10.6% for fiscal
years 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increase in absolute dollars was
primarily attributable to (i) additional costs associated with the start-up of
Orbit's newly acquired wafer fabrication facility while winding down its old
wafer fabrication facility, (ii) the continued expansion of the Company's sales
and marketing, finance, and other general and administrative infrastructure
necessary to support the Company's growth, (iii) increased incentive-based stock
compensation, the recognition of which is based upon expected achievement of
certain earnings per share targets established by the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors, (iv) the acquisitions described in Note 2 of the
Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein; (v)
the purchase of the manufacturing facility in 1997 described in Note 4 of the
Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein, and
(vi) increased SG&A expenses associated with the 70% increase in net sales in
fiscal 1997. The percentage of SG&A expense to net sales decreased in fiscal
1997 when compared with fiscal 1996 due to better absorption from the increase
in revenues.

 Interest expense increased $4,394 to $10,661 in fiscal 1997 from
$6,267 in fiscal 1996. The increase is primarily due to increased borrowings
described in Note 5 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere herein used to fund the 1997 business acquisitions and
purchase of manufacturing facility.

20

<PAGE>   7

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Amortization expense increased $850 to $3,968 in fiscal 1997 from $3,118 in
fiscal 1996. This increase is attributable to the amortization of debt issue
costs associated with the increased borrowings described in Note 5 of the
Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein used
to fund the 1997 business acquisitions and purchase of manufacturing facility as
well as amortization of goodwill associated with the 1997 business acquisitions.

Other expense (net) increased $722 in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996 mainly as the
result of increased provisions for doubtful accounts receivable.

Foreign income from operations before income taxes amounted to $25,936 and
$4,650 in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively. Domestic income from operations
before income taxes amounted to $23,729 and $11,023 in fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The mix of foreign and domestic earnings, income tax credits, the
recognition of income tax loss and tax credit carryforwards, changes in
previously established valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, and certain
Orbit merger costs not being deductible for income tax purposes in fiscal 1996
resulted in an estimated effective income tax rate of 29% and 36% in fiscal 1997
and 1996, respectively.

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND COMMITMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At January 3, 1999, the Company had working capital of $87,310 and a current
ratio of 1.4x, compared with working capital of $160,618 and a current ratio of
2.2x at December 28, 1997. Cash and cash equivalents at January 3, 1999, were
$55,972, a decrease of $29,095 from $85,067 at December 28, 1997. This decrease
resulted primarily from cash provided by fiscal 1998 operating and financing
activities of $68,105 and $107,277, respectively, offset by cash used by 1998
investing activities of $204,424.

Net cash flows used by investing activities amounted to $204,424 and $126,491 in
fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. Capital expenditures amounted to $153,891
and $121,269 in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. A significant portion of the
capital expenditures in fiscal 1998 were related to the $89,900 purchase of a
manufacturing facility in Germany, as more fully described in Note 4 of the
Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.
Remaining capital expenditures represent the Company's continued investment in
state-of-the-art, high-technology equipment, which enables the Company to accept
increasingly complex and higher-volume orders and to meet current and expected
production levels, as well as to replace or upgrade older equipment that was
either returned or sold. The Company received proceeds of $3,362 and $2,717 from
the sale of equipment in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively, to allow for the
potential replacement of older equipment with state-of-the-art, high-technology
equipment. The Company expects capital expenditures in fiscal 1999 to be in the
range of $80,000 to $100,000.

During 1998 and 1997, the Company made certain business acquisitions. The cash
purchase price, net of cash acquired, for these acquisitions amounted to $53,895
and $7,939 in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. The original purchase prices
for these acquisitions are subject to adjustments for contingent consideration
based upon the businesses achieving specified levels of earnings for varying
periods, all of which end no later than June 2001. See Note 2 of the Company's
1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein for information
regarding business acquisitions.

Net cash flows provided by financing activities amounted to $107,277 and
$134,682 in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively, primarily resulting from the
proceeds from issuance of long-term debt amounting to $137,500 and $150,000 in
fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. These borrowings, as described in Note 5 of
the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein,
were used to fund the business acquisitions and purchases of manufacturing
facilities described in Notes 2 and 4, respectively, of the Company's 1998
Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein. In addition, the
Company repaid $3,375 and $2,455 in capital lease obligations in fiscal 1998 and
1997, respectively. The Company also repaid $5,593 and $10,219 in long-term debt
in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company received $6,156 and $6,900 in
proceeds from stock issued under its stock plans in fiscal 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The Company repurchased 1,454,500 and 192,500 shares of its common
stock at a cost of $24,335 and $4,209 in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
Company could repurchase an additional 353,000 shares of common stock in future
years as a part of its share repurchase plan, subject to certain restrictions
under its Credit Agreement.



                                                                              21
<PAGE>   8
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND COMMITMENTS
(CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In October 1998, the Company replaced its $80,000 senior secured revolving
line-of-credit facility with a $210,000 Credit Agreement with a syndicate of
domestic and foreign banks. The Credit Agreement is more fully described in Note
5 of the Company's 1998 Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein. The Company anticipates that it will from time to time borrow from its
credit facility to fund its operations and growth. Debt issue costs associated
with the issuance of the Company's $210,000 Credit Agreement amounted to $3,076
in fiscal 1998. Debt issue costs associated with the issuance of the $150,000
senior subordinated notes and the Company's line-of-credit amounted to $5,335 in
fiscal 1997.

As of February 18, 1999, substantially all of the Company's convertible
subordinated notes were converted into approximately 4,600,000 shares of common
stock and the unconverted portion was redeemed for $101.

Management believes that its current level of working capital, together with
cash generated from operations, existing cash reserves, leasing capabilities,
and line-of-credit availability will be adequate to fund the Company's current
capital expenditure plan for fiscal 1999. The Company intends to continue its
acquisition strategy and it is possible that future acquisitions may be
significant. If available resources are not sufficient to finance the Company's
acquisitions, the Company would be required to seek additional equity or debt
financing. There can be no assurance that such funds, if needed, will be
available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all.

The Company's operations are subject to certain federal, state and local
regulatory requirements relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of
hazardous chemicals used during its manufacturing processes. The Company
believes that it is currently operating in compliance with applicable
regulations and does not believe that costs of compliance with these laws and
regulations will have a material effect upon its capital expenditures, results
from operations or competitive position.

The Company determines the amount of its accruals for environmental matters by
analyzing and estimating the range of possible costs in light of information
currently available. The imposition of more stringent standards or requirements
under environmental laws or regulations, the results of future testing and
analysis undertaken by the Company at its operating facilities, or a
determination that the Company is potentially responsible for the release of
hazardous substances at other sites could result in expenditures in excess of
amounts currently estimated to be required for such matters. No assurance can be
given that actual costs will not exceed amounts accrued or that costs will not
be incurred with respect to sites as to which no problem is currently known.
Further, there can be no assurance that additional environmental matters will
not arise in the future.

See Note 9 of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein for a description of commitments and contingencies.

YEAR 2000 ISSUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Year 2000 date conversion issue is the result of computer programs being
written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. This
issue affects computer systems that have time-sensitive programs that may not
properly recognize the Year 2000. This could result in major system failures or
miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including, among other
things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or engage
in normal business activities.

Management has implemented a company-wide program to prepare its financial,
manufacturing, and other critical systems and applications for the Year 2000.
This comprehensive program was developed to ensure the Company's information
technology assets, including embedded microprocessors ("IT assets") and non-IT
assets are Year 2000 ready. The Company has formed a Year 2000 project team of
approximately 75 employees, overseen by a corporate officer, which team is
responsible for monitoring the progress of the program and ensuring timely
completion. The team has a detailed project plan in place with tasks,
milestones, critical paths, and dates identified.


22

<PAGE>   9

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The Company's comprehensive program covers the following six phases: (i)
inventory of all IT and non-IT assets; (ii) assessment of repair requirements;
(iii) repair of IT and non-IT assets; (iv) testing of individual IT and non-IT
assets to determine the correct manipulation of dates and date-related data; (v)
communication with the Company's significant suppliers and customers to
determine the extent to which the Company is vulnerable to any failures by them
to address the Year 2000 issue; and (vi) creation of contingency plans in the
event of Year 2000 failures.

Implementation of the program is ongoing with all of the operating entities
having completed the inventory phase. Each operating company has identified
those software programs and related hardware that are non-compliant and is in
the process of developing remediation or replacement plans and establishing
benchmark dates for completion of each phase of those plans. The Company
anticipates that all mission-critical software and hardware will be compliant by
the third quarter of 1999. The Company has yet to begin system integration
testing. Until system integration testing is substantially in process, the
Company cannot fully estimate the risks of its Year 2000 issue. To date,
management has not identified any IT assets that present a material risk of not
being Year 2000-ready, or for which a suitable alternative cannot be
implemented. However, as the program proceeds into subsequent phases, it is
possible that the Company may identify assets that do present a risk of a Year
2000-related disruption. It is also possible that such a disruption could have a
material adverse effect on financial condition and results of operations.

As of January 3, 1999, the Company is approximately 80% complete in contacting
suppliers who provide both critical IT assets and non-information technology
related goods and services (e.g. transportation, packaging, production
materials, production supplies, etc.). The Company mailed surveys to its
suppliers in order to (i) evaluate the suppliers' Year 2000 compliance plans and
state of readiness and (ii) determine whether a Year 2000-related event will
impede the ability of such suppliers to continue to provide such goods and
services as the Year 2000 is approached and reached. For a vast majority of
those suppliers of IT assets who have responded, the Company has received
assurances that these assets will correctly manipulate dates and date-related
data as the Year 2000 is approached and reached. The Company has received
responses from approximately 70% of suppliers of non-IT assets. The Company is
in the process of reviewing responses for accuracy and adequacy, and sending
follow-up surveys or contacting suppliers directly via phone for those
non-responsive suppliers.

The Company also relies, both domestically and internationally, upon government
agencies, utility companies, telecommunications services, and other service
providers outside of the Company's control. There is no assurance that such
suppliers, governmental agencies, or other third parties will not suffer a Year
2000 business disruption. Such failures could have a material adverse affect on
the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Further, the Company has initiated formal communications with its significant
suppliers, customers and critical business partners to determine the extent to
which the Company may be vulnerable in the event those parties fail to properly
remediate their own Year 2000 issues. The Company has taken steps to monitor the
progress made by those parties, and intends to test critical system interfaces
as the Year 2000 approaches. The Company will develop appropriate contingency
plans in the event that a significant exposure is identified relative to the
dependencies on third-party systems. While the Company is not presently aware of
any such significant exposure, there can be no guarantee that the systems of
third parties on which the Company relies will be converted in a timely manner,
or that a failure to properly convert by another company would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company.

The program calls for the development of contingency plans for the Company's
at-risk business functions. Because the Company has not completed testing of
mission critical systems, and, accordingly, has not fully assessed its risks
from potential Year 2000 failures, the Company has not yet developed specific
Year 2000 contingency plans. The Company will develop such plans if the results
of testing mission-critical systems identify a business function risk. In
addition, as a normal course of business, the Company maintains and deploys
contingency plans to address various other potential business interruptions.
These plans may be applicable to address the interruption of support provided by
third parties resulting from their failure to be Year 2000-ready.


                                                                              23
<PAGE>   10

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

YEAR 2000 ISSUE (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company does not expect the costs associated with its Year 2000 efforts to
be substantial. To date, the Company estimates that it has spent approximately
$1,854 on implementation of the program, with the majority of the work being
performed by Company employees. Less than $7,000 has been allocated to address
the Year 2000 issue. The Company's aggregate cost estimate includes certain
internal recurring costs, but does not include time and costs that may be
incurred by the Company as a result of the failure of any third parties,
including suppliers, to become Year 2000-compliant or costs to implement any
contingency plans. The Company is expensing as incurred all costs related to the
assessment and remediation of the Year 2000 issue. These costs are being funded
through operating cash flows. Certain inventory and manufacturing
software-related projects were accelerated to ensure Year 2000 compliance.
However, such acceleration did not increase the anticipated costs of the
projects. The Company has not deferred any specific information technology
project as a result of the implementation of the program. The Company is
committed to achieving Year 2000 compliance; however, because a significant
portion of the problem is external to the Company and therefore outside its
direct control, there can be no assurances that the Company will be fully Year
2000 compliant. If the modifications and conversions required to make the
Company Year 2000-ready are not made, or are not completed on a timely basis,
the resulting problems could have a material impact on the operations of the
Company. This impact could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations and financial condition.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The FASB has issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133). This
Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities.
It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or
liabilities in its statement of financial position and measure those instruments
at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative
(that is, gains and losses) are recognized in earnings or in other comprehensive
income each reporting period, depending on the intended use of the derivative
and the resulting designation. Generally, changes in the fair value of
derivatives not designated as a hedge, as well as changes in fair value of
fair-value designated hedges (and the item being hedged), are required to be
reported in earnings. Changes in fair value of other types of designated hedges
are generally reported in other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of
a designated hedge, as defined, is reported in earnings immediately.
The Company will be required to adopt SFAS 133 as of January 3, 2000. The
Company has not completed the process of evaluating the impact, if any, that
will result from adopting SFAS 133.

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and other parts of this Report contain "forward-looking" statements
about matters that are inherently difficult to predict. Those statements include
statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company
and its management. Some of the important factors that affect these statements
have been described above as each subject is discussed. Such forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect future developments
such as, for example, the ability to deal with the Year 2000 issue, including
problems that may arise on the part of third parties.

24

<PAGE>   11

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

           QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

                            (Dollars in thousands)

The Company's primary market risk exposures are in the areas of interest-rate
risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. To manage the volatility relating
to these exposures, the Company may enter into various derivative transactions
to hedge the exposures. The Company does not hold or issue any derivative
financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company incurs interest expense on loans made under its Credit Agreement at
interest rates that are fixed for a maximum of six months. Borrowings under the
Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company's option, at either: (i) the
Applicable Base Rate ("ABR") (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus the
Applicable Margin for ABR Loans ranging between 0.00% and 0.75%, based on
certain financial ratios of the Company, or (ii) the Eurodollar Rate (as defined
in the Credit Agreement) plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans ranging
between 1.00% and 2.25%, based on certain financial ratios of the Company. The
Eurodollar Rate is subject to market risks and will fluctuate. The Company had
no open interest rate hedge positions to reduce its exposure to changes in
interest rates at January 3, 1999.

The following table summarizes the principal cash flows and related weighted
average interest rates by expected maturity dates for the Company's outstanding
long-term debt as of January 3, 1999:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              1999       2000      2001    2002     2003    THEREAFTER    TOTAL
                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>         <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>
Fixed rate                  $      -         -         -        -        -    150,000    150,000
   Average interest rate           -         -         -        -        -        8.5%       8.5%
Variable rate               $ 16,000    18,000    20,000   22,000   61,500          -    137,500
   Average interest rate         7.0%      7.0%      7.2%     7.3%     7.4%         -        7.3%
================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
The fair value of the Company's fixed rate debt approximated $143,685 at January
3, 1999. Interest rates on variable debt are estimated by using the average
implied forward London Interbank Offer Rate rates for the year of maturity based
on the yield curve in effect at January 3, 1999, plus the borrowing margin in
effect under the Credit Agreement at January 3, 1999.

The Company conducts a significant amount of its business and has a number of
operating facilities in countries outside of the United States. Substantially
all of the Company's business outside the United States is conducted in U.S.
dollar-denominated transactions. Some transactions of the Company and its
subsidiaries are made in currencies different from their functional currencies.
In order to minimize foreign exchange transaction risk, the Company selectively
hedges certain of its foreign exchange exposures through forward exchange
contracts, principally relating to nonfunctional currency monetary assets and
liabilities. The strategy of selective hedging can reduce the Company's
vulnerability to certain of its foreign currency exposures, and the Company
expects to continue this practice in the future. Gains and losses on these
foreign currency hedges are generally offset by corresponding losses and gains
on the underlying transaction. To date, the Company's hedging activity has been
immaterial, and there were no open foreign exchange contracts as of the balance
sheet dates included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. As
of January 3, 1999, the Company had the following unhedged net foreign currency
monetary asset (liability) positions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 U.S. DOLLAR
                                          FOREIGN CURRENCY        EQUIVALENT
                                                    ASSETS            ASSETS
                                                (LIABILITY)       (LIABILITY)
                        -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                       <C>     
German Deutsche Mark                                4,300            $  2,600
British Pound Sterling                                 88                 147
Irish Punt                                            989               1,500
Chinese Renminbi                                   38,100               4,600
Hong Kong Dollar                                  (42,000)             (5,430)
Malaysian Ringgit                                   4,081               1,074
=============================================================================
</TABLE>

The Company believes that its revenues and operating expenses currently incurred
in foreign currencies are immaterial, and therefore any associated market risk
is unlikely to have a material adverse affect on the Company's business, results
of operations or financial condition.


                                                                              25
<PAGE>   12
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT


The Board of Directors
The DII Group, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of The DII Group,
Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 3, 1999 and December 28,
1997, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity, and cash flows for the 53 and 52 weeks then ended. 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, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 3, 1999 and
December 28, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
53 and 52 weeks then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

We also audited the adjustments described in Note 12 that were applied to
restate the 1996 financial statements to give retroactive effect to the change
in the method of accounting for earnings per share in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per Share." In our opinion,
such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Denver, Colorado
January 28, 1999
(February 18, 1999 as to the redemption of convertible 
subordinated notes described in Note 6)


26

<PAGE>   13

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT



The Board of Directors
The DII Group, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows of The DII Group, Inc. and subsidiaries
(the "Company") for the 52 weeks ended December 29, 1996. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of
the Company for the 52 weeks ended December 29,1996 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

KPMG LLP

Denver, Colorado
January 28, 1997

                                                                              27
<PAGE>   14
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (In thousands, except earnings per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1998           1997          1996
                                                  ----------     ----------     ---------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C>    
NET SALES:
Systems assembly and distribution                 $ 589,286        514,078        274,651
Printed wiring boards                               208,696        128,107         72,851
Other                                               127,561        137,418        111,391
                                                  ---------------------------------------
         Total net sales                            925,543        779,603        458,893
                                                  ---------------------------------------
COST OF SALES:
Cost of sales                                       786,611        647,663        370,610
Non-recurring charges                                74,182           --           11,883
                                                  ---------------------------------------
         Total cost of sales                        860,793        647,663        382,493
                                                  ---------------------------------------
         Gross profit                                64,750        131,940         76,400
Selling, general, and administrative expenses        77,318         68,783         48,540
Non-recurring charges                                 2,454           --            4,649
Interest income                                      (2,894)        (1,744)        (1,732)
Interest expense                                     21,680         10,661          6,267
Amortization expense                                  4,661          3,968          3,118
Other, net                                               63            607           (115)
                                                  ---------------------------------------
         Income (loss) before income taxes          (38,532)        49,665         15,673
Income tax expense (benefit)                        (21,500)        14,345          5,638
                                                  ---------------------------------------
         Net income (loss)                        $ (17,032)        35,320         10,035
=========================================================================================
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic                                             $   (0.68)          1.43           0.42
Diluted                                           $   (0.68)          1.26           0.40
=========================================================================================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
         AND EQUIVALENTS OUTSTANDING:
Basic                                                24,888         24,719         23,678
Diluted                                              24,888         30,702         25,074
=========================================================================================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




28
<PAGE>   15
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except par value data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 JANUARY 3,  DECEMBER 28,
                                                                      1999           1997
                                                                 ----------    ----------
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>    
ASSETS
Current assets:                                    
 Cash and cash equivalents                                       $  55,972         85,067
 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
  accounts of $5,900 and $2,893                                    153,861        132,590
 Inventories                                                        66,745         74,059
 Deferred income taxes                                               7,249            769
 Other assets                                                       11,570          7,766
                                                                 ------------------------ 
    Total current assets                                           295,397        300,251
                                                                 ------------------------ 

Property, plant and equipment                                      326,226        207,257
Goodwill, net of accumulated
  amortization of $12,130 and $8,223                                97,475         70,371
Debt issue costs, net of accumulated
  amortization of $2,247 and $1,208                                  9,319          7,282
Deferred income taxes                                               11,428           --
Other assets                                                         7,464          7,568
                                                                 ------------------------ 
                                                                 $ 747,309        592,729
=========================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable                                                $ 122,536         98,688
 Accrued expenses                                                   32,414         16,099
 Accrued compensation and benefits                                  11,720         13,667
 Accrued interest payable                                            6,769          4,688
 Current portion of capital lease obligations                        5,617          2,482
 Current portion of long-term debt                                  29,031          4,009
                                                                 ------------------------ 
    Total current liabilities                                      208,087        139,633
                                                                 ------------------------ 
Long-term debt, net of current portion                             271,864        151,703
Convertible subordinated notes payable                              86,235         86,250
Capital lease obligations, net of
  current portion                                                    1,820          4,842
Deferred income taxes                                                 --              739
Other                                                                3,582          2,214
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred stock, $0.01 par value;
  5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued                            --             --
 Common stock, $0.01 par value;
  90,000,000 and 45,000,000 shares
  authorized; 26,169,344 and 25,328,914
  shares issued; and 24,522,344 and
  25,136,414 shares outstanding                                        262            253
 Additional paid-in capital                                        124,410        117,612
 Retained earnings                                                  93,071        110,103
 Treasury stock, at cost; 1,647,000  
 and 192,500 shares                                                (28,544)        (4,209)
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss                               (4,139)        (4,095)
 Deferred compensation                                              (9,339)       (12,316)
                                                                 ------------------------ 
    Total stockholders' equity                                     175,721        207,348
                                                                 ------------------------ 
                                                                 $ 747,309        592,729
=========================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 



                                                                              29
<PAGE>   16

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         
                                                                               ADDITIONAL                                
                                                   PREFERRED       COMMON        PAID-IN        RETAINED       TREASURY  
                                                    STOCK          STOCK         CAPITAL        EARNINGS        STOCK    
                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    ----------- 
<S>                                              <C>                    <C>        <C>             <C>           <C>     
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995                     $      --              228         87,360         64,748           --   
========================================================================================================================
Net income                                              --             --             --           10,035           --   
Foreign currency translation adjustments                --             --             --             --             --   
   Net comprehensive income                                                                                              
Issuance of 938,562 shares of common
   stock under employee stock plans                     --                9          1,686           --             --   
Tax benefit on common stock
   issued under employee stock plans                    --             --              846           --             --   
Amortization of deferred employee
   stock compensation                                   --             --             --             --             --   
Deferred employee stock compensation                    --             --            1,733           --             --   
Issuance of 173,332 shares of common
   stock under deferred employee stock
   compensation plan                                    --                2             (2)          --             --   
Issuance of 14,750 shares of common
   stock under directors' stock plan                    --             --              234           --             --   
                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    ----------- 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 29, 1996                            --              239         91,857         74,783           --   
========================================================================================================================
Net income                                              --             --             --           35,320           --   
Foreign currency translation adjustments                --             --             --             --             --   
   Net comprehensive income                                                                                              
Issuance of 1,180,136 shares of common
   stock under employee stock plans                     --               12          6,888           --             --   
Tax benefit on common stock issued
   under employee stock plans                           --             --            6,029           --             --   
Treasury stock, at cost (192,500 shares)                --             --             --             --           (4,209)
Amortization of deferred employee
   stock compensation                                   --             --             --             --             --   
Deferred employee stock compensation                    --             --           12,698           --             --   
Issuance of 212,332 shares of common
   stock under deferred employee stock
   compensation plan                                    --                2             (2)          --             --   
Issuance of 7,616 shares of common
   stock under directors' stock plan                    --             --              142           --             --   
                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    ----------- 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 28, 1997                            --              253        117,612        110,103         (4,209)
========================================================================================================================
Net loss                                                --             --             --          (17,032)          --   
Foreign currency translation adjustments                --             --             --             --             --   
   Net comprehensive loss                                                                                                
Issuance of 555,935 shares of common
   stock under employee stock plans                     --                6          6,150           --             --   
Tax benefit on common stock issued
   under employee stock plans                           --             --            1,635           --             --   
Treasury stock, at cost (1,454,500 shares)              --             --             --             --          (24,335)
Amortization of deferred employee
   stock compensation                                   --             --             --             --             --   
Deferred employee stock compensation                    --             --           (1,172)          --             --   
Issuance of 274,836 shares of common
   stock under deferred employee stock
   compensation plan                                    --                3             (3)          --             --   
Issuance of 8,859 shares of common
   stock under directors' stock plan                    --             --              173           --             --   
Conversion of convertible notes (800 shares)            --             --               15           --             --   
                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    ----------- 
BALANCE AT JANUARY 3, 1999                       $      --              262        124,410         93,071        (28,544)
========================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
                                                   ACCUMULATED
                                                      OTHER
                                                  COMPREHENSIVE     DEFERRED
                                                       LOSS       COMPENSATION      TOTAL
                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>    
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995                            (3,443)        (3,344)       145,549
============================================================================================
Net income                                                --             --           10,035
Foreign currency translation adjustments                  (406)          --             (406)
                                                                                 -----------
   Net comprehensive income                                                            9,629
Issuance of 938,562 shares of common
   stock under employee stock plans                       --             --            1,695
Tax benefit on common stock
   issued under employee stock plans                      --             --              846
Amortization of deferred employee
   stock compensation                                     --            1,084          1,084
Deferred employee stock compensation                      --           (1,733)          --
Issuance of 173,332 shares of common
   stock under deferred employee stock
   compensation plan                                      --             --             --
Issuance of 14,750 shares of common
   stock under directors' stock plan                      --             --              234
                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 29, 1996                            (3,849)        (3,993)       159,037
============================================================================================
Net income                                                --             --           35,320
Foreign currency translation adjustments                  (246)          --             (246)
                                                                                 -----------
   Net comprehensive income                                                           35,074
Issuance of 1,180,136 shares of common
   stock under employee stock plans                       --             --            6,900
Tax benefit on common stock issued
   under employee stock plans                             --             --            6,029
Treasury stock, at cost (192,500 shares)                  --             --           (4,209)
Amortization of deferred employee
   stock compensation                                     --            4,375          4,375
Deferred employee stock compensation                      --          (12,698)          --
Issuance of 212,332 shares of common
   stock under deferred employee stock
   compensation plan                                      --             --             --
Issuance of 7,616 shares of common
   stock under directors' stock plan                      --             --              142
                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 28, 1997                            (4,095)       (12,316)       207,348
============================================================================================
Net loss                                                  --             --          (17,032)
Foreign currency translation adjustments                   (44)          --              (44)
                                                                                 -----------
   Net comprehensive loss                                                            (17,076)
Issuance of 555,935 shares of common
   stock under employee stock plans                       --             --            6,156
Tax benefit on common stock issued
   under employee stock plans                             --             --            1,635
Treasury stock, at cost (1,454,500 shares)                --             --          (24,335)
Amortization of deferred employee
   stock compensation                                     --            1,805          1,805
Deferred employee stock compensation                      --            1,172           --
Issuance of 274,836 shares of common
   stock under deferred employee stock
   compensation plan                                      --             --             --
Issuance of 8,859 shares of common
   stock under directors' stock plan                      --             --              173
Conversion of convertible notes (800 shares)              --             --               15
                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
BALANCE AT JANUARY 3, 1999                              (4,139)        (9,339)       175,721
============================================================================================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


30

<PAGE>   17


                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               1998        1997       1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>        <C>   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income (loss)                                          $ (17,032)     35,320     10,035
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
 net cash provided by operating activities:            
 Depreciation and fixed asset impairment charge               81,077      18,374     24,842
 Amortization and goodwill impairment charge                   5,262       3,968      3,544
 Provision for doubtful receivables                              854       1,237        519
 Deferred income taxes                                       (17,012)      2,179     (1,855)
 Loss (gain) on sales of equipment                                92         (11)       (26)
 Stock plan compensation                                       1,978       4,517      1,318
 Other                                                         3,511      (4,637)   (17,551)
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding
  effects of acquisitions:       
  Accounts receivable                                        (15,737)    (52,297)   (16,504)
  Inventories                                                 10,782     (26,474)     5,586
  Other assets                                                (4,371)     (3,472)    (1,832)
  Accounts payable                                            12,591      50,619       (871)
  Accrued expenses                                             6,110      22,284        254
                                                           --------------------------------
    Net cash provided by operating activities                 68,105      51,607      7,459
===========================================================================================
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (53,895)     (7,939)    (2,056)
Additions to property, plant, and equipment                 (153,891)   (121,269)   (33,274)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant, and equipment          3,362       2,717        276
                                                           --------------------------------
    Net cash used by investing activities                   (204,424)   (126,491)   (35,054)
===========================================================================================
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Repayments of capital leases                                  (3,375)     (2,455)    (2,480)
Repayments of long-term debt                                  (5,593)    (10,219)    (4,060)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                     137,500     150,000      1,190
Debt issuance costs                                           (3,076)     (5,335)      (297)
Proceeds from stock issued under stock plans                   6,156       6,900      1,695
Payments to acquire treasury stock                           (24,335)     (4,209)      --
Proceeds from notes receivable                                  --          --        1,000
                                                           --------------------------------
    Net cash provided (used) by financing activities         107,277     134,682     (2,952)
                                                           --------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                          (53)        259         24
                                                           --------------------------------
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (29,095)     60,057    (30,523)
                                                           --------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                85,067      25,010     55,533
                                                           --------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                   $  55,972      85,067     25,010
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                              31
<PAGE>   18
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a        BACKGROUND
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dii Group, Inc. (the "Dii Group" or the "Company") was incorporated in March
1993 as Dovatron International, Inc., in order to serve as a holding company to
effectuate the spin-off of Dover Corporation's electronic outsourcing business,
which occurred on May 21, 1993.

As more fully described in Note 2 below, the Company merged (the "Merger") with
Orbit Semiconductor, Inc. ("Orbit"), on August 22, 1996, and ultimately Orbit
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dii Group. This transaction was
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests and, accordingly, all prior period
financial statements have been restated to reflect the combined operations of
the two companies.

The Company's fiscal year consists of either a 52-week or 53-week period ending
on the Sunday nearest to December 31. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated
financial statements are presented as of January 3, 1999 and December 28, 1997,
and for the 53 weeks ended January 3, 1999 and 52 weeks ended December 28, 1997
and December 29, 1996. Each fiscal year is referred to herein as fiscal 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

b        DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dii Group is a leading provider of electronics design and manufacturing
services, which operates through a global network of independent business units.
The Company provides the following related products and services to customers in
the global electronics manufacturing industry:

DESIGN AND SEMICONDUCTOR SERVICES - Through Dii Technologies the Company
provides printed circuit board and design services, as well as design for
manufacturability and test and total life cycle planning.

Through Dii Semiconductor (formerly known as Orbit Semiconductor), the Company
provides the following application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC") design
services to its OEM customers: 

o Conversion services from field programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs") to ASICs.
  These services focus on designs that utilize primarily digital signals, with
  only a small amount of analog signals.

o Design services for mixed-signal ASICs. These services focus on designs that
  utilize primarily analog signals, with only a small amount of digital signals.

o Silicon integration design services. These services utilize silicon design
  modules that are used to accelerate complex ASIC designs, including
  system-on-a-chip.

Dii Semiconductor utilizes external foundry suppliers for its customers' silicon
manufacturing requirements, thereby using a "fabless" manufacturing approach. 

By integrating the combined capabilities of design and semiconductor services,
the Company can compress the time from product concept to market introduction
and minimize product development costs.

PRINTED WIRING BOARDS - The Company manufactures high density, complex
multilayer printed wiring boards and back panels through Multek.

SYSTEMS ASSEMBLY AND DISTRIBUTION - The Company assembles complex electronic
circuits and provides final system configuration ("box build") and distribution
through Dovatron. These services are commonly referred to as contract
electronics manufacturing ("CEM"). 

By offering comprehensive and integrated design and manufacturing services, the
Company believes that it is better able to differentiate its product and service
offerings from those of its competitors, develop long-term relationships with
its customers, and enhance profitability.

PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES - The Company also has a non-core business unit know as
Process Technologies International ("PTI"). Through this business unit, the
Company manufactures surface mount printed circuit board solder cream stencils
through IRI International and Chemtech; manufactures in-circuit and functional
test software and hardware through TTI Testron; and manufactures depaneling
equipment and automated handling systems used in the printed circuit board
assembly process through Cencorp Automation Systems.


32

<PAGE>   19

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Management has undertaken an initiative to divest of this non-core business
unit, in order to sharpen its focus on the Company's core businesses of custom
semiconductor design, printed wiring board design and fabrication, and systems
assembly and distribution. 

The Company does not believe that a sale of PTI would result in any adverse
impact on the Company's 1999 consolidated financial position. If the Company
sells PTI, the Company's consolidated revenues and operating results will be
adversely impacted (by less than 10%) until such time as the proceeds are
reinvested back into the Company's core businesses of custom semiconductor
design, printed wiring board design and fabrication, and systems assembly and
distribution.

Operating results may also be affected by a number of factors including the
economic conditions in the markets the Company serves; price and product
competition; the level of volume and the timing of orders; product mix; the
amount of automation employed on specific manufacturing projects; efficiencies
achieved by inventory management; fixed asset utilization; the level of
experience in manufacturing a particular product; customer product delivery
requirements; shortages of components or experienced labor; the integration of
acquired businesses; start-up costs associated with adding new geographical
locations; expenditures required for research and development; and failure to
introduce, or lack of market acceptance of, new processes, services,
technologies, and products on a timely basis. Each of these factors has had in
the past, and may have in the future, an adverse effect on the Company's
operating results.

The Dii Group has actively pursued acquisitions in furtherance of its strategy
to be the fastest and most comprehensive provider of custom design, engineering
and manufacturing services for original equipment customers, from
microelectronic circuits through the final assembly and distribution of finished
products. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the
assimilation of the operations, technologies, and products and services of the
acquired companies; the diversion of management's attention from other business
concerns; risks of entering markets in which the Dii Group has no or limited
direct prior experience and where competitors in such markets have stronger
market positions; and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired
company. The integration of certain operations following an acquisition requires
the dedication of management resources, which may distract attention from the
day-to-day business of the Company.

A majority of the Company's sales are to customers in the electronics industry,
which is subject to rapid technological change, product obsolescence, and price
competition. The factors affecting the electronics industry, in general, or any
of the Company's major customers, in particular, could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's operating results. The electronics industry has
historically been cyclical and subject to significant economic downturns at
various times, which are characterized by diminished product demand, accelerated
erosion of average selling prices, and overcapacity. The Company's customers
also are subject to short product life cycles and pricing and margin pressures,
which risks are in turn borne by the Company. The Company seeks a well-balanced
customer profile across most sectors of the electronics industry in order to
reduce exposure to a downturn in any particular sector. The primary sectors
within the electronics industry served by the Company are office automation,
mainframes and mass storage, data communications, computers and peripherals,
telecommunications, industrial and instrumentation, and medical.

The Company offers manufacturing capabilities in three major electronics markets
of the world (North America, Europe and Asia). The Company's operations located
outside of the United States generated approximately 43%, 42%, and 25% of total
net sales in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. The Company's
international operations subject the Company to the risks of doing business
abroad, including currency fluctuations, export duties, import controls and
trade barriers, restrictions on the transfer of funds, greater difficulty in
accounts receivable collection, burdens of complying with a wide variety of
foreign laws, and, in certain parts of the world, political and economic
instability.


                                                                              33
<PAGE>   20
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


c        BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are
eliminated.

d        TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company's primary functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Foreign
subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar translate net
assets at year-end exchange rates, while income and expense accounts are
translated at weighted-average exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from these
translations are reflected in stockholders' equity as cumulative foreign
currency translation adjustments. Some transactions of the Company and its
subsidiaries are made in currencies different from their functional currencies.
Gains and losses from these transactions are included in income as they occur.
To date, the effect on income of such amounts has been immaterial.

In order to minimize foreign exchange transaction risk, the Company selectively
hedges certain of its foreign exchange exposures through forward exchange
contracts, principally relating to nonfunctional currency monetary assets and
liabilities. Gains and losses resulting from these agreements are deferred and
reflected as adjustments to the related foreign currency transactions. The
strategy of selective hedging can reduce the Company's vulnerability to certain
of its foreign currency exposures, and the Company expects to continue this
practice in the future. To date, the Company's hedging activity has been
immaterial, and there were no open foreign exchange contracts as of the balance
sheet dates included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. As
of January 3, 1999, the Company had the following unhedged net foreign currency
monetary asset (liability) positions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        U.S. Dollar
                                      FOREIGN CURRENCY   Equivalent
                                                ASSETS       Assets
                                            (LIABILITY)  (Liability)
                                      -----------------------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>      
German Deutsche Mark                             4,300    $   2,600
British Pound Sterling                              88          147
Irish Punt                                         989        1,500
Chinese Renminbi                                38,100        4,600
Hong Kong Dollar                               (42,000)      (5,430)
Malaysian Ringgit                                4,081        1,074
===================================================================
</TABLE>


e        CASH EQUIVALENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all
investment instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.

f        INVENTORIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inventory costs include material, labor, and overhead. An allowance is provided
to reduce inventories to the lower of cost or market. Consideration is given to
deterioration, obsolescence, and other factors when establishing the allowance.
Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

g        PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Property, plant, and equipment includes the cost of land, buildings, machinery
and equipment, and significant improvements of existing plant and equipment.
Expenditures for maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as
incurred. 

Plant and equipment are depreciated on straight-line methods over the estimated
useful lives of the assets, which are 30 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years
for machinery and equipment.

h        GOODWILL AND DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goodwill arising from business acquisitions is amortized on the straight-line
basis over 15 to 30 years. Debt issuance costs are amortized on the
straight-line basis over the term of the related debt.

i        IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Long-lived assets, including goodwill, are reviewed for impairment if events or
circumstances indicate the carrying amount of these assets may not be
recoverable. If this review indicates that these assets will not be
recoverable, based on the forecasted undiscounted future operating cash flows
expected to result from the use of these assets and their eventual disposition,
the Company's carrying value of these assets is reduced to fair value. Except as
disclosed in Note 7, management does not believe current events or circumstances
indicate that its long-lived assets, including goodwill, are impaired as of
January 3, 1999.


34

<PAGE>   21

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


j        INCOME TAXES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax
assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the
period that includes the enactment date.

k        EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company maintains various defined contribution plans for employees who have
completed certain length of service and age requirements. Participants may elect
to contribute a certain portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis to
these plans. The Company matches various percentages of the participants'
contributions up to a maximum percentage of their compensation.

The Company also maintains various deferred profit sharing plans for certain
employees who have completed certain length of service requirements with certain
business units. The Company may, subject to approval by the Board of Directors,
contribute a portion of its profits to these Plans. Such contributions will be
allocated to employees of the business units based upon their salary and years
of service.

In connection with the purchase of a manufacturing facility in Germany, as
discussed in Note 4, the Company assumed a defined benefit pension plan for the
employees of that facility. As of January 3, 1999, plan assets approximated the
accumulated benefit obligation. Pension expense for the period from the date of
purchase to January 3, 1999, was immaterial.

Additionally, the Company provides a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for
select senior executives and directors of the Company. Contributions to the
deferred compensation plan are held in an irrevocable "rabbi trust." The
participants elect to make contributions of portions of their cash and incentive
stock compensation on a pre-tax basis to the plan. The Company matches various
percentages of the participants' cash compensation contributions up to a maximum
percentage of such contributions.

The Company's contribution to all of its employee benefit plans amounted to
$1,983, $1,233, and $464 in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.

l        FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unless otherwise stated herein, the fair value of the Company's financial
instruments approximates their carrying amount due to the relatively short
periods to maturity of the instruments and/or variable interest rates of the
instruments, which approximate current market interest rates.

m        COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities for loss contingencies, including environmental remediation costs,
arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties, and other
sources are recorded when the amount of assessment and/or remediation costs are
probable and can be reasonably estimated. The costs for a specific clean-up site
are discounted if the aggregate amount of the obligation and the amount and
timing of the cash payments for that site are fixed or reliably determinable,
generally based upon information derived from the remediation plan for that
site.

Recoveries from third parties that are probable of realization are separately
recorded, and are not offset against the related liability.

n        REVENUE RECOGNITION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of product to its customers.

o        EARNINGS PER SHARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basic and diluted earnings-per-share ("EPS") amounts for all periods presented
have been calculated, and where necessary restated, to conform to the
requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings
per Share." Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing earnings
available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS assumes the conversion of the
convertible subordinated notes, if dilutive, and the issuance of common stock
for other potentially dilutive equivalent shares outstanding.


                                                                              35
<PAGE>   22
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


p        PERVASIVENESS OF ESTIMATES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

q        RECLASSIFICATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Certain 1997 and 1996 balances have been reclassified to conform with the 1998
presentation.

r        COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130,
Reporting Comprehensive Income (SFAS 130), effective January 1, 1998. SFAS 130
requires that changes in equity during a reporting period, except transactions
with owners in their capacity as owners (for example, the issuance of common
stock and dividends paid on common stock) and transactions reported as direct
adjustments to retained earnings, be reported as a component of comprehensive
income. Comprehensive income is required to be reported in a financial statement
that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements.
Disclosure of comprehensive income for the fiscal years ended January 3, 1999,
December 28, 1997, and December 29, 1996, are included in the accompanying
financial statements as part of the statement of stockholders' equity.

NOTE 2

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

In August 1998 the Company acquired Greatsino Electronic Technology, a printed
wiring board fabricator and contract electronics manufacturer with operations in
the People's Republic of China. The cash purchase price, net of cash acquired,
amounted to $51,795. The initial purchase price is subject to adjustments for
contingent consideration of no more than approximately $40,000 based upon the
business achieving specified levels of earnings through August 31, 1999. The
fair value of the assets acquired, excluding cash acquired, amounted to $55,699
and liabilities assumed were $21,801, including estimated acquisition costs. The
cost in excess of net assets acquired amounted to $17,897. In addition, as of
January 3, 1999, the Company accrued $9,000 of contingent consideration.

During fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, the Company completed certain other business
combinations that are immaterial to the Company's results from operations and
financial position. The cash purchase price, net of cash acquired, amounted to
$2,100, $7,939, and $2,056, in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. The
fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from these
acquisitions was immaterial. The cost in excess of net assets acquired through
these acquisitions amounted to $9,133 and $3,677 in fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

The costs of acquisitions have been allocated on the basis of the estimated fair
value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is subject to future
adjustments from contingent purchase price adjustments for varying periods, all
of which end no later than June 2001. The Company increased goodwill and notes
payable to sellers of businesses acquired in the amount of $11,550 and $1,134
for contingent purchase price adjustments during fiscal 1998 and 1996,
respectively. There were no contingent purchase price adjustments in fiscal
1997.

The acquisitions described above were accounted for by the purchase method of
accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated
statements of income do not include any revenue or expenses related to these
acquisitions prior to their respective closing dates. The pro forma results for
fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, assuming these acquisitions had been made at the
beginning of the prior year, would not be materially different from reported
results.

On August 22, 1996, the Dii Group issued 7,359,250 shares of the Dii Group
common stock for all outstanding shares of Orbit common stock, based upon one
share of Orbit common stock converted into 45/100ths (0.45) of a share of Dii
Group common stock, and as further adjusted to account for the two-for-one stock
split. 

Results of operations for the separate companies prior to the Merger and for
the combined companies as restated are as follows:

36
<PAGE>   23

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Six months ended
                                    Jun. 30, 1996
                                       (Unaudited)
                                 ---------------- 
<S>                              <C>      
NET SALES:
Dii Group                               $ 196,230
Orbit                                      31,810
                                 ---------------- 
Combined, as restated                     228,040
=================================================
NET INCOME:
Dii Group                                   9,499
Orbit                                       2,174
                                 ---------------- 
Combined, as restated                      11,673
=================================================
</TABLE>

NOTE 3

INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
                                   Jan. 3,        Dec. 28,      
                                      1999            1997      
                                --------------------------      
<S>                                <C>              <C>   
Raw materials                      $44,669          51,802
Work in process                     24,922          24,890
Finished goods                       6,622           2,839
                                --------------------------
                                    76,213          79,531
Less allowance                       9,468           5,472
                                --------------------------
                                   $66,745          74,059
==========================================================
</TABLE>


NOTE 4

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
                                   Jan. 3,        Dec. 28,      
                                      1999            1997      
                                --------------------------      
<S>                             <C>             <C>   
Land                               $ 12,816          7,714
Buildings                           125,886         48,859
Machinery and
   equipment                        234,221        203,777
Construction in
   progress                          40,313          9,938
                                --------------------------
                                    413,236        270,288
Less accumulated
   depreciation and
   amortization                      87,010         63,031
                                --------------------------
                                   $326,226        207,257
==========================================================
</TABLE>

In October 1998, the Company acquired Hewlett-Packard Company's ("HP") printed
wiring board fabrication facility located in Boeblingen, Germany, and its
related production equipment, inventory and other assets for a purchase price of
approximately $89,900, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.

In August 1997, the Company acquired International Business Machine's ("IBM")
Austin, Texas, printed wiring board fabrication facility, and its related
production equipment, inventory, and intellectual property, for a purchase price
of approximately $46,064.

NOTE 5

LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Jan. 3,      Dec. 28,      
                                              1999          1997      
                                        ------------------------      
<S>                                       <C>            <C>    
Senior
   subordinated notes                     $150,000       150,000
Bank term loan                             100,000            --
Revolving line-of-
   credit advances                          37,500            --
Notes payable with
   interest rates ranging
   from 7.74% to 9.05%                       1,845         5,712
Non-interest-bearing notes
   payable to sellers of businesses
   acquired due in 1999                     11,550            --
                                        ------------------------
      Total long-term debt                 300,895       155,712
Less current portion                        29,031         4,009
                                        ------------------------
   Long-term debt,
      net of current portion              $271,864       151,703
================================================================
</TABLE>

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt for fiscal years subsequent to
January 3, 1999, are as follows: $29,031 in 1999; $18,356 in 2000; $20,008 in
2001; $22,000 in 2002; $61,500 in 2003; and $150,000 in 2007.


                                                                              37
<PAGE>   24

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The senior subordinated notes bear interest at 8.5% and mature on September 15,
2007. Interest is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The Company
may redeem the notes on or after September 15, 2002. The indenture contains
certain covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and
certain of its subsidiaries to (i) incur additional debt, (ii) issue or sell
capital stock of certain subsidiaries, (iii) engage in asset sales, (iv) incur
layered debt, (v) create liens on its properties and assets, and (vi) make
distributions or pay dividends. The covenants are subject to a number of
significant exceptions and qualifications.The fair value of the Company's senior
subordinated notes approximated $143,685 at January 3, 1999 and approximated its
carrying amount at December 28, 1997.

On October 30, 1998, the Company replaced its $80,000 senior secured revolving
line-of-credit facility with a $210,000 Credit Agreement (the "Agreement") with
a syndicate of domestic and foreign banks. The Agreement provides for a $100,000
5-year term loan ("Bank term loan"), and a $110,000 revolving line-of-credit
facility ("Revolver"). The Revolver expires on November 1, 2003. Borrowings
under the Agreement bear interest, at the Company's option, at either: (i) the
Applicable Base Rate ("ABR") (as defined in the Agreement) plus the Applicable
Margin for ABR Loans ranging between 0.00% and 0.75%, based on certain financial
ratios of the Company; or (ii) the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Agreement)
plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans ranging between 1.00% and 2.25%,
based on certain financial ratios of the Company. The Company is required to pay
a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.50% per annum, based on
certain financial ratios of the Company, of the unused commitment under the
Revolver. At January 3, 1999, the weighted-average interest rate for the
Company's Bank term loan was 7.15%. At January 3, 1999, borrowings of $37,500
were outstanding under the Revolver at a weighted-average interest rate of
7.21%.

The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company's assets, and
contains certain restrictions on the Company's ability to (i) incur certain
debt, (ii) create liens on its properties and assets, (iii) make certain
investments and capital expenditures, (iv) merge or consolidate with other
entities, (v) pay dividends or make distributions, (vi) repurchase or redeem
common stock, or (vii) dispose of assets. The Agreement also requires that the
Company maintain certain financial covenants, including, among other things, a
maximum ratio of consolidated funded debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization), a minimum ratio of consolidated interest
coverage, and minimum levels of consolidated net worth, as defined, during the
term of the Agreement. At January 3, 1999, the Company was in compliance with
all loan covenants.

The Company made long-term debt interest payments of $13,004, $1,353, and $1,091
during fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.

NOTE 6

CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fair market value of the Company's 6% convertible subordinated notes
approximated $107,794 and $127,969, based upon the last sales price on January
3, 1999, and December 28, 1997, respectively. Interest is payable on April 15
and October 15 of each year. As of February 18, 1999, substantially all of the
Company's convertible subordinated notes were converted into approximately
4,600,000 shares of common stock and the unconverted portion was redeemed for
$101.

The Company made convertible subordinated note interest payments of $5,175
during fiscal 1998 and 1997, and $5,247 in 1996.

NOTE 7

NON-RECURRING CHARGES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During fiscal 1998, the Company recognized non-recurring pre-tax charges of
$76,636, substantially all of which related to the operations of the Company's
wholly owned subsidiary, Orbit Semiconductor. The Company decided to sell
Orbit's 6-inch, 0.6 micron wafer fabrication facility ("Fab") and adopt a
fabless manufacturing strategy to complement Orbit's design and engineering
services. The charges were primarily due to the impaired recoverability of
inventory, intangible assets and fixed assets, and other costs associated with
the exit of semiconductor manufacturing. The manufacturing facility was
ultimately sold in January 1999. As discussed below, $74,182 of the
non-recurring pre-tax charges have been classified as a component of cost of
sales.


38
<PAGE>   25

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Of the total non-recurring pre-tax charges, $1,398 relate to employee
termination costs and have been classified as a component of costs of sales. As
of January 3, 1999, approximately 40 people have been terminated, and another
170 people were terminated when the Fab was sold in the first quarter of fiscal
1999. The Company paid approximately $498 of employee termination costs during
fiscal 1998. The remaining $900 is classified as accrued compensation and
benefits as of January 3,1999 and was paid out in the first quarter of fiscal
1999.

The non-recurring pre-tax charges include approximately $53,340 for the
write-down of long-lived assets to fair value. The fair value of these assets
was based on the sale price of the Fab. These assets primarily relate to the
property, plant, and equipment sold. This amount has been classified as a
component of cost of sales. The non-recurring pre-tax charges include
approximately $12,500 for losses on sales contracts, incremental amounts of
uncollectible accounts receivable, and estimated incremental costs for sales
returns and allowances. Of this amount, $10,767 was realized during fiscal 1998
and $1,733 is expected to be realized in the first quarter of fiscal 1999 and is
included in accrued expenses at January 3, 1999. These losses are classified as
a component of cost of sales. 

The non-recurring pre-tax charges also include approximately $9,398 for losses
on inventory write-downs and exit costs. The Company has written off and
disposed of approximately $5,750 of inventory, which have been classified as a
component of cost of sales. The loss on the sale of the Fab includes $3,648 of
incremental costs and contractual obligations for items such as lease
termination costs, litigation, environmental clean-up costs, and other facility
exit costs incurred directly as a result of the exit plan. Of the $3,648,
approximately $1,194 have been classified as a component of cost of sales. The
Company had a remaining liability of $3,305 related to these exit costs, which
have been classified as accrued expenses as of January 3, 1999.

Non-recurring charges in 1996 amounted to $16,532 and included $4,649 of costs
associated with the Orbit Merger described in Note 2 and $11,883 of costs
associated with the closure of Orbit's 4-inch, 1.2 micron wafer fabrication
facility and the move into its new 6-inch, 0.6 micron facility. The $11,883 of
closure costs, which were classified in cost of sales, include provisions of (i)
$7,970 associated with the impairment of long-lived assets associated with the
closure of Orbit's 4-inch, 1.2 micron wafer fabrication facility, (ii) $1,500
for 4-inch wafer inventory not recoverable on the 6-inch fabrication process,
(iii) $1,763 associated with the write-off of Orbit's investment in a subsidiary
established to expand its manufacturing capacity in Israel, and (iv) $650 of
expenses associated with closure and exit costs of the 4-inch, 1.2 micron wafer
fabrication facility. The Israel expansion was no longer required with the
acquisition of the 6-inch, 0.6 micron facility. The Company completed the
transition into its 6-inch, 0.6 micron facility and sold its 4-inch, 1.2 micron
wafer fabrication facility during the first quarter of 1998. All previously
established provisions associated with the closure were completely utilized in
fiscal 1997 or the first quarter of 1998. The original accrual estimates
approximated the actual amounts required to complete the transaction.

NOTE 8

INCOME TAXES

Income (loss) before income taxes for domestic and foreign operations were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                                1998          1997        1996
                                                              ----------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>          <C>   
Domestic                                                      $(71,253)      23,729       11,023
Foreign                                                         32,721       25,936        4,650
                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                              $(38,532)      49,665       15,673
================================================================================================
INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT) WERE ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS:
Income (loss) from operations                                 $(21,500)      14,345        5,638
Stockholders' equity (for compensation expense for tax
   purposes in excess of amounts recognized for financial
   reporting purposes)                                          (1,635)      (5,805)        (846)
                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                              $(23,135)       8,540        4,792
================================================================================================
</TABLE>


                                                                              39
<PAGE>   26

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

Income tax expense (benefit) attributable to income from operations consists of:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               CURRENT      DEFERRED       TOTAL
                                              ----------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>          <C>     
FISCAL 1998:
   U.S. Federal                               $ (7,983)     (15,710)     (23,693)
   State                                          (185)      (1,479)      (1,664)
   Foreign                                       3,680          177        3,857
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              $ (4,488)     (17,012)     (21,500)
                                              ==================================
FISCAL 1997:
   U.S. Federal                               $  8,983          297        9,280
   State                                           672        1,339        2,011
   Foreign                                       2,511          543        3,054
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              $ 12,166        2,179       14,345
                                              ==================================
FISCAL 1996:
   U.S. Federal                               $  5,859       (1,500)       4,359
   State                                           489         (176)         313
   Foreign                                       1,145         (179)         966
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              $  7,493       (1,855)       5,638
================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
   
                                                                  1998         1997       1996
                                                                -------------------------------  
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>        <C>    
THE SIGNIFICANT COMPONENTS OF DEFERRED TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) 
ATTRIBUTABLE TO INCOME FROM OPERATIONS ARE:
Deferred tax expense (exclusive of the effects of other
 components listed below)                                       $(19,414)        812      (3,891)
Charge in lieu of taxes resulting from initial recognition
 of acquired tax liabilities that are allocated to
 goodwill related to an acquired entity                             --          (326)       --   
Increase in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets        2,402       1,693       2,036
                                                                -------------------------------  
                                                                $(17,012)      2,179      (1,855)
================================================================================================
</TABLE>

Income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S.
Federal income tax rate of 35 percent for fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively,
and 34 percent for fiscal 1996 to income (loss) before income taxes as a result
of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    1998         1997        1996
                                                                 ---------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>         <C>  
Computed "expected" tax expense (benefit)                        $(13,486)      17,383       5,329
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
   Foreign tax rate differential                                   (7,695)      (5,825)       (560)
   State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit           (1,098)       1,307         207
   Tax credits and carryforwards                                   (1,166)        (786)     (1,498)
   Change in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets        2,402        1,693       2,036
   Other                                                             (457)         573         124
                                                                 ---------------------------------
                                                                 $(21,500)      14,345       5,638
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>


40

<PAGE>   27

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  JAN. 3, 1999   DEC. 28, 1997
                                                  ----------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>  
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS:
   Inventories                                         $ 1,604           1,499
   Deferred revenues                                     5,595             542
   Deferred compensation                                 1,594           1,522
   Compensated absences                                  1,093             815
   Allowance for doubtful accounts                         593             664
   Accrued liabilities                                   3,598             713
   Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards       7,284             581
   Federal and state credits                             6,628           3,983
   Merger costs                                            368             492
   Other                                                    22             555
                                                   ---------------------------
        Total gross deferred tax assets                 28,379          11,366
        Less valuation allowance                         6,966           4,564
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                        21,413           6,802
==============================================================================
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES:
   Accumulated depreciation                                 --           2,718
   Goodwill                                              2,723           2,674
   Leasing                                                  --             985
   Other                                                    13             395
                                                   ---------------------------
        Total gross deferred tax liabilities             2,736           6,772
                                                   ---------------------------
             Net deferred tax asset                    $18,677              30
==============================================================================
</TABLE>

At January 3, 1999, approximately $17,483 of tax losses were available to carry
forward. These carryforwards generally expire in tax years 1999 through 2018.
State manufacturing investment tax credits of $4,081 expire in tax years 2002
through 2005. State investment tax credits of $567 expire in tax years 2008
through 2012. State research and development tax credits and alternative minimum
tax credits total $397 and $1,583, respectively, and carry forward with no
expiration. Capital loss carryforwards totaling $254 expire in 1999. 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income,
and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of
historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the
periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it
is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these
deductible differences, net of the established valuation allowance.

The Company does not provide for federal income taxes on the undistributed
earnings of its foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are not intended by
management to be repatriated in the foreseeable future. Deferred income taxes
have not been provided on undistributed foreign earnings of $74,562 as of
January 3, 1999. Determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax
liability on these undistributed earnings is not practicable. 

The Company made income tax payments of $2,575, $5,235, and $5,936 in fiscal
1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.


                                                                              41
<PAGE>   28

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


NOTE 9

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of January 3, 1999, and December 28, 1997, the Company has financed a total
of $8,849 and $10,758, respectively, in machinery and equipment purchases with
capital leases. Accumulated amortization for machinery and equipment under
capital leases totals $3,426 and $2,790 at January 3, 1999, and December 28,
1997, respectively. These capital leases have interest rates ranging from 6.77%
to 9.05%. The Company also has several non-cancelable operating leases, 
primarily for equipment. These leases generally contain renewal options and
require the Company to pay all executory costs, such as maintenance and
insurance. The capital and operating leases expire in various years through
2005, and require the following minimum lease payments:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             OPERATING         CAPITAL
                                                             -------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>               <C>  
1999                                                         $   3,670           5,938
2000                                                             3,438           2,168
2001                                                             3,127             120
2002                                                             1,817               -
2003                                                             1,157               -
Thereafter                                                       1,136               -
                                                             -------------------------
   Total minimum lease payments                              $  14,345           8,226
                                                             =========
Less amount representing interest                                                 789
                                                                               -------
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments                              7,437
Less current portion                                                             5,617
                                                                               -------
Obligations under capital leases, excluding current portion                    $ 1,820
======================================================================================
</TABLE>


Rental expense for operating leases amounted to $6,474, $7,213, and $4,623 in
fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.

The Company has approximately $14,294 of capital commitments as of January 3,
1999. The majority of these commitments are expected to be completed by the end
of fiscal 1999.

In 1997 two related complaints, as amended, were filed in the District Court of
Boulder, Colorado, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado,
against the Company and certain of its officers. The lawsuits purport to be
brought on behalf of a class of persons who purchased the Company's common stock
during the period from April 1, 1996, through September 8, 1996, and claim
violations of Colorado and federal laws based on allegedly false and misleading
statements made in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of the Company's
common stock at allegedly artificially inflated prices, including statements
made prior to the Company's acquisition of Orbit. The complaints seek
compensatory and other damages, as well as equitable relief. The Company filed
motions to dismiss both amended complaints. The motion to dismiss the state
court complaint has been denied, and the Company has filed its answer denying
that it misled the securities market. The motion to dismiss the federal court
complaint is still pending. Both actions were brought by the same plaintiffs'
law firm as the Orbit action discussed below. A May 1999 trial date for the
state court action has been vacated, and a new trial date has not been set. No
trial date has been set in the federal court action. Discovery has commenced in
the state court action. The Company believes that the claims asserted in both
actions are without merit, and intends to defend against such claims vigorously.

A class action complaint (as amended in March 1996) for violations of federal
securities law was filed against Orbit and three of its officers in 1995 in the
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The amended
complaint was dismissed on November 12, 1996, with leave to amend only as to
certain specified claims relating to statements made by securities analysts. In
January 1997 a second amended complaint was filed. The second amended complaint
alleges that Orbit and three of its officers are responsible for actions of
securities analysts that allegedly misled the market for Orbit's then existing
public common stock. The second amended complaint seeks relief under Section
10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. The
second amended complaint seeks compensatory and other damages, as well as
equitable relief. In September 1997, Orbit filed its answer to the second
amended complaint denying responsibility for the actions of securities analysts
and further denying that it misled the securities market. The 


42

<PAGE>   29

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


parties have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding reflecting a proposed
settlement of the action subject to the final terms, which are being negotiated.

In addition to the above matters, the Company is involved in certain other
litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. 

Although management is of the opinion that these matters will not have a
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of
operations of the Company, the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot, at
this time, be predicted, in light of the uncertainties inherent in litigation.

The Company has joined together with other potentially responsible parties
("PRPs") to negotiate with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYDEC) concerning the performance of a remedial investigation/feasibility study
(RI/FS) at the Roblin Steel Site. In connection therewith, the Company executed
the Roblin Steel Site Deminimus Contributors Participation Agreement. The
Company's share of the agreement is less than 2%. A Consent Order concerning the
performance of a RI/FS was reached with the NYDEC in July of 1997.

In April 1998 the Company entered into Consent Orders with NYDEC concerning the
performance of a RI/FS with respect to environmental matters at a formerly owned
facility in Kirkwood, New York, and a facility that is owned and leased out to a
third party in Binghamton, New York.

The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot, at this time, be predicted in
light of the uncertainties inherent in these matters. Based upon the facts and
circumstances currently known, management cannot estimate the most likely loss
or the maximum loss for the above environmental matters. The Company has accrued
the minimum estimated costs, which amounts are immaterial, associated with these
matters in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company determines the amount of its accruals for environmental matters by
analyzing and estimating the range of possible costs in light of information
currently available. The imposition of more stringent standards or requirements
under environmental laws or regulations, the results of future testing and
analysis undertaken by the Company at its operating facilities, or a
determination that the Company is potentially responsible for the release of
hazardous substances at other sites could result in expenditures in excess of
amounts currently estimated to be required for such matters. No assurance can be
given that actual costs will not exceed amounts accrued or that costs will not
be incurred with respect to sites as to which no problem is currently known.
Further, there can be no assurance that additional environmental matters will
not arise in the future.

NOTE 10

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

On July 29, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock
split of the Company's common stock effected in the form of a stock dividend,
which was distributed on September 2, 1997, to shareholders of record as of
August 15, 1997. All share and per-share data included in this report have been
retroactively restated to reflect the split.

During 1998 and 1997, the Company repurchased 1,454,500 and 192,500 shares of
its common stock at a cost of $24,335 and $4,209, respectively. The Company
could repurchase an additional 353,000 shares of common stock in future years as
a part of its share repurchase plan, subject to certain restrictions under its
Credit Agreement. 

Each outstanding share of common stock carries a dividend of one preferred share
purchase right ("Right"). The Rights are not exercisable until the earlier of
(i) ten days following a public announcement that, without consent of the
Company, a person or group (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired beneficial
ownership of 20% or more of the voting power of all outstanding securities of
the Company

                                                                              43

<PAGE>   30

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

or (ii) ten days following the commencement of a tender or exchange offer that
would result in a person or group becoming an Acquiring Person, without the
prior consent of the Company. In the event that a person or group becomes an
Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than the Acquiring Person,
shall have the right to receive, upon exercise, that number of shares of the
Common Stock of the Company having a market value of two times the exercise
price of the Right. In addition, after a person or group becomes an Acquiring
Person, if the Company is involved in a merger or other business combination
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, holders of
the Rights, other than the Acquiring Person, will be entitled to purchase
shares of the acquiring company at a similar discount. The Rights will expire,
unless earlier redeemed by the Company, on May 3, 2004.

NOTE 11

STOCK PLANS

Under the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan, the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors is authorized to grant stock options to purchase up to an
aggregate of 1,100,000 shares of common stock. In addition, under the 1994 Stock
Incentive Plan, the Committee is also authorized to make awards of performance
shares and/or grant stock options to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,000,000
shares of common stock. Under the terms of these Plans, shares may be awarded or
options may be granted to key employees to purchase shares of the Company's
common stock. Options are granted at a purchase price equal to the fair market
value of the common stock on the date of the grant, and performance shares are
awarded in the form of shares of restricted common stock. 

At the time of the Merger, Orbit had three stock option plans, the KMOS
Semiconductor, Inc., 1989 Stock Option Plan ("1989 Plan"), the KMOS
Semiconductor, Inc., 1990 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan ("1990 Plan"), and the
Orbit Semiconductor, Inc., 1994 Stock Incentive Plan ("1994 Orbit Plan"), under
which incentive and non-qualified stock options were granted to key employees,
directors, and consultants. The options were generally granted at the fair
market value of Orbit's stock on the date of grant. As a result of the merger,
outstanding options to purchase Orbit common stock at the time of the Merger
were converted into options to acquire an aggregate of 1,990,492 shares of Dii
Group common stock, which is equal to the product of the number of shares of
Orbit common stock that were issuable upon exercise of such options multiplied
by the Exchange Ratio and as further adjusted to account for the two-for-one
stock split. At the time of conversion, the exercise price of the converted
options was determined by dividing the original exercise price of such options
by the Exchange Ratio. Stock options will no longer be granted under the Orbit
stock option plans.

The following table summarizes the stock option transactions under the Company's
Stock Option Plans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           SHARES UNDERLYING    WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
                                                     OPTIONS      EXERCISE PRICE
                                           -------------------------------------  
<S>                                                <C>                    <C> 
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AT DEC. 31, 1995               3,513,884                7.28
   Granted                                           344,250               10.34
   Exercised                                        (330,872)               2.79
   Canceled                                         (138,592)              10.96
================================================================================
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AT DEC. 29, 1996               3,388,670                7.81
   Granted                                           627,700               16.08
   Exercised                                      (1,082,680)               5.60
   Canceled                                         (373,100)               9.43
================================================================================
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AT DEC. 28, 1997               2,560,590               10.53
   Granted                                         1,596,134               14.20
   Exercised                                        (327,734)               7.96
   Canceled                                         (340,723)              14.01
================================================================================
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AT JAN. 3, 1999                3,488,267               11.99
OPTIONS EXERCISABLE AT JAN. 3, 1999                1,519,855                9.90
================================================================================
</TABLE>


44

<PAGE>   31

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following table summarizes stock option information under the Company's
Stock Option Plans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

               OPTIONS OUTSTANDING AT JAN. 3, 1999           OPTIONS EXERCISABLE AT JAN. 3, 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
         NUMBER     WEIGHTED-AVERAGE   REMAINING CONTRACTUAL         NUMBER     WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
    OUTSTANDING       EXERCISE PRICE          TERM (IN YEARS)   OUTSTANDING       EXERCISE PRICE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>                      <C>            <C>                  <C>      
        784,785           $    7.18                4.27             758,069            $    7.17
      1,056,430                9.96                8.98             181,083                 9.01
        603,912               10.66                7.19             353,844                10.73
        613,856               15.64                8.82             123,549                14.75
        429,284               22.44                8.84             103,310                22.90
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3,488,267           $   11.99                7.56           1,519,855            $    9.90
================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"), and related
Interpretations, in accounting for its employee stock options because, as
discussed below, the alternative fair value accounting provided for under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123"), requires the use of option valuation
models that were not developed for use in valuing employee stock options. Under
APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options
equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, no
compensation expense is recognized.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by
SFAS No. 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its
employee stock options under the fair value method of that Statement. The
weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted was $5.20, $8.56, and
$6.52 for fiscal 1998, 1997, 1996 respectively, using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: risk-free
interest rates of 5.41%, 5.47%, and 5.76% in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996,
respectively; volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company's
common stock of 52% in fiscal 1998, 51% in fiscal 1997, and 50% in fiscal 1996;
a weighted-average expected life of the option of three years; and no expected
dividend yields.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions, including expected stock price volatility. Because the
Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different
from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of the employee stock options.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods. The Company's pro
forma information follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            FISCAL YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1998            1997               1996
                              -------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>               <C>                 <C>  
PRO FORMA:
Net income (loss)             $ (19,453)        33,272              8,019
Basic earnings
   (loss) per share           $    (.78)          1.35               0.34
Diluted earnings
   (loss) per share           $    (.78)          1.08               0.32
=========================================================================
</TABLE>

Pro forma net income (loss) reflects only options granted in fiscal 1998, 1997,
and 1996. Therefore, the full impact of calculating compensation cost for stock
options under SFAS No. 123 is not reflected in the pro forma net income amounts
presented above because compensation cost for options granted prior to January
1, 1996, are not considered.


                                                                              45

<PAGE>   32

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

STOCK PLANS (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, most
outstanding options expire ten years from the date of grant and vest over a
three-year period. All outstanding options under the 1994 Orbit Plan, the 1989
Plan, and 1990 Plan were fully vested on January 3, 1999, and expire no later
than 10 years after grant date. 

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors awarded 456,000, 250,000,
and 142,000 shares in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively, to key
executives under the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan. Shares vest over a period of
time, which in no event exceeds eight years. Certain shares may vest at an
accelerated rate upon the achievement of certain annual earnings-per-share
targets established by the Compensation Committee. Non vested shares for
individual participants who are no longer employed by the Company on the plan
termination date are forfeited. Participants will receive all unissued shares
upon their death or disability, or in the event of a change of control of the
Company. The shares are not reported as outstanding until vested. The number of
shares vested amounted to 62,500, 262,336, and 212,332 for fiscal 1998, 1997,
and 1996, respectively. 

Unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the date the shares
were awarded is charged to stockholders' equity and is amortized to expense
based upon the estimated number of shares expected to be issued in any
particular year. Unearned compensation expense amounting to $1,805, $4,375,
and $1,084 was amortized to expense during fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996,
respectively. The weighted-average fair value of performance shares awarded in
1998, 1997, and 1996 was $19.97, $10.67, and $12.21 per share, respectively.

As of January 3, 1999, there are 92,445 shares available for future grant under
the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan and 1994 Stock Incentive Plan.

The Company's Non-Employee Directors' Stock Compensation Plan (the "Directors'
Plan") provides for the automatic grant to each non-employee director of the
Company of 2,000 shares of common stock per annum as consideration for regular
service as a director. Shares will be issued in quarterly installments at the
end of each fiscal quarter. The Company recognizes quarterly compensation
expense equal to the fair market value of the stock to be issued at the end of
each quarter. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the
Directors' Plan is 60,000 shares, and the plan will terminate on December 31,
2004. As of January 3, 1999, there are 24,557 shares available for future grant
under this plan. The weighted-average fair value of director shares awarded in
fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $18.36, $21.95, and $12.90 per share,
respectively.

The Company also has a 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan under which all U.S.
and international employees may be granted the opportunity to purchase up to
1,000,000 shares of common stock at 85% of market value on the first or last
business day of a six-month payment period, whichever is lower. As of January 3,
1999, there are 613,721 shares available for sale under this plan. The shares
sold under this plan in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996 amounted to 228,201, 64,224,
and 57,076, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of shares sold under
this plan in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $17.13, $16.33, and $11.97 per
share, respectively. Compensation expense pursuant to SFAS No. 123 associated
with this plan in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996 was immaterial.


46

<PAGE>   33
                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 12

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") data were computed as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          1998         1997         1996
<S>                                                                    <C>             <C>          <C>   
                                                                       ----------------------------------
BASIC EPS:
Net  income (loss)                                                     $(17,032)       35,320       10,035
Shares used in computation:
   Weighted-average common shares outstanding                            24,888        24,719       23,678
Basic EPS                                                              $  (0.68)         1.43         0.42
==========================================================================================================
DILUTED EPS:
Net income (loss)                                                      $(17,032)       35,320       10,035
Plus income impact of assumed conversions:
   Interest expense (net of tax) on convertible subordinated notes         --           3,105         --
   Amortization (net of tax) of debt issuance cost on
       convertible subordinated notes                                      --             260         --
                                                                       ----------------------------------
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders                     $(17,032)       38,685       10,035
==========================================================================================================
SHARES USED IN COMPUTATION:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding                               24,888        24,719       23,678
Shares applicable to exercise of dilutive options                          --           1,242        1,280
Shares applicable to deferred stock compensation                           --             141          116
Shares applicable to convertible subordinated notes                        --           4,600         --
                                                                       ----------------------------------
Shares applicable to diluted earnings                                    24,888        30,702       25,074
                                                                       ----------------------------------
Diluted EPS                                                            $  (0.68)         1.26         0.40
==========================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The common equivalent shares from common stock options, deferred stock
compensation and convertible subordinated notes were antidilutive for fiscal
1998, and therefore were not assumed to be converted for diluted
earnings-per-share computations. Additionally, the convertible subordinated
notes were antidilutive for fiscal 1996, and therefore not assumed converted for
diluted earnings-per-share computations.


                                                                              47
<PAGE>   34

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


NOTE 13

BUSINESS CONCENTRATIONS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131,
"Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." The
Company's businesses are organized, managed, and internally reported as three
reportable segments. These segments, which are based on differences in products,
technologies, and services are Systems Assembly and Distribution, Printed Wiring
Boards, and Other (which includes Dii Semiconductor and PTI). See Note 1(b) for
further information regarding the products and services provided by these
segments. These segments offer products and services across most sectors of the
electronics industry in order to reduce exposure to downturn in any particular
sector.

Transactions between segments are recorded at cost. The Company's businesses are
operated on an integrated basis and are characterized by substantial
intersegment cooperation, cost allocations, and marketing efforts. Substantially
all interest expense is incurred at Corporate. Therefore, management does not
represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the
operating income and other financial information shown.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1998           1997           1996
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>            <C>    
NET SALES:
   Systems assembly and distribution                    $ 589,286        514,078        274,651
   Printed wiring boards                                  208,696        128,107         72,851
   Other                                                  127,561        137,418        111,391
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                        $ 925,543        779,603        458,893
===============================================================================================
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES*:
   Systems assembly and distribution                    $  32,558         30,645         13,621
   Printed wiring boards                                   29,084         26,935         17,442
   Other                                                    6,647         12,048         11,152
   Unallocated general corporate                          (30,185)       (19,963)       (10,010)
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                        $  38,104         49,665         32,205
===============================================================================================
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS AT THE END OF EACH FISCAL YEAR:
   Systems assembly and distribution                    $ 238,027        209,886        126,253
   Printed wiring boards                                  390,194        170,503         92,594
   Other                                                   79,453        143,110         96,281
   Unallocated general corporate                           39,635         69,230         20,723
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                        $ 747,309        592,729        335,851
===============================================================================================
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION**:
   Systems assembly and distribution                    $  10,629          6,915          7,326
   Printed wiring boards                                   10,925          7,008          5,627
   Other                                                   10,283          7,628          7,230
   Unallocated general corporate                            1,162            791            677
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                        $  32,999         22,342         20,860
===============================================================================================
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
   Systems assembly and distribution                    $  21,317         25,493         10,869
   Printed wiring boards                                  118,818         61,326          6,586
   Other                                                   11,912         34,334         15,377
   Unallocated general corporate                            1,844            116            442
                                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                        $ 153,891        121,269         33,274
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>

*  Excludes non-recurring charges of $76,636 and $16,532 in fiscal 1998 and
   1996, respectively, which related primarily to other services. See Note 7 for
   additional information regarding the non-recurring charges.

** Excludes non-recurring charges related to property, plant, and equipment and
   goodwill impairment charges of $53,340 and $7,970 in fiscal 1998 and 1996,
   respectively, which related primarily to other services. See Note 7 for
   additional information regarding the non-recurring charges.


48

<PAGE>   35

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following summarizes financial information by geographic areas:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               FOR THE FISCAL YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1998              1997           1996

                                                        ------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>                 <C>            <C>    
NET SALES:
   North America                                        $ 637,795           543,469        356,917
   Europe                                                 175,675           150,174         65,348
   Asia                                                   112,073            85,960         36,628

TRANSFERS BETWEEN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS:
   North America                                              166             3,021          1,500
   Europe                                                      85                61             33
   Asia                                                     1,091               220             48
   Eliminations                                            (1,342)           (3,302)        (1,581)
                                                        ------------------------------------------
                                                        $ 925,543           779,603        458,893
==================================================================================================
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
   North America                                        $ (38,053)           47,780         23,551
   Europe                                                  20,027            17,635          6,063
   Asia                                                     9,874             4,035         (1,471)
   Unallocated general corporate                          (30,380)          (19,785)       (12,470)
                                                        ------------------------------------------
                                                        $ (38,532)           49,665         15,673
==================================================================================================
LONG-LIVED ASSETS AT THE END OF EACH FISCAL YEAR:
   North America                                        $ 232,134           257,673        155,681
   Europe                                                 110,296            12,466          7,335
   Asia                                                    80,836             7,065          6,971
   Unallocated general corporate                            9,955             7,706          3,197
                                                        ------------------------------------------
                                                        $ 433,020           284,910        173,184
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>

Export sales from the United States are immaterial 

At any given time, certain customers may account for significant portions of the
Company's business. Hewlett-Packard accounted for 10% and 17% of net sales in
fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. IBM accounted for 10% of net sales in fiscal
1998. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in fiscal 1998,
1997, or 1996. The Company's top ten customers accounted for 48%, 50%, and 43%
of net sales in fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. The percentage of the
Company's sales to its major customers may fluctuate from period to period.
Significant reductions in sales to any of these customers would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results. The Company has few material,
firm, long-term commitments or volume guarantees from its customers. In
addition, customer orders can be canceled and volume levels can be changed or
delayed. From time to time, some of the Company's customers have terminated
their manufacturing arrangements with the Company, and other customers have
reduced or delayed the volume of design and manufacturing services performed by
the Company. The timely replacement of canceled, delayed, or reduced contracts
with new business cannot be assured, and termination of a manufacturing
relationship or change, reduction, or delay in orders could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results. In the past, changes in
customer orders have had a significant impact on the Company's results of
operations due to corresponding changes in the level of overhead absorption.

Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at the
reporting date if counterparties completely failed to perform as contracted.
Concentrations of credit risk (whether on or off balance sheet) that arise from
financial instruments exist for groups of customers or counterparties when they
have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet
contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other
conditions. The Company has concentrations of credit risk in accounts receivable
from its top ten customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of
its customers and generally does not require collateral. The Company maintained
reserves for potential credit losses of $5,900 and $2,893 at January 3, 1999,
and December 28, 1997, respectively. In addition, the Company has concentrations
of credit risk in cash and cash equivalents, which are maintained at recognized
financial institutions. The Company performs ongoing financial evaluations of
these financial institutions.


                                                                              49

<PAGE>   36

                      THE DII GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)


NOTE 14

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following summarizes quarterly financial information for the years ended
January 3, 1999, and December 28, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 GROSS PROFIT             NET     BASIC EARNINGS    DILUTED EARNINGS
                    NET SALES           (LOSS)   INCOME (LOSS)  (LOSS) PER SHARE    (LOSS) PER SHARE
                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
<S>               <C>                 <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>   
1998 QUARTERS
First             $   235,374         (18,714)         (32,047)           (1.27)           (1.27)
Second                221,938          33,142            6,127             0.24             0.23
Third                 205,917          32,022            6,532             0.26             0.25
Fourth                262,314          18,300            2,356             0.10             0.09
                  --------------------------------------------
                  $   925,543          64,750          (17,032)           (0.68)           (0.68)
================================================================================================
1997 QUARTERS
First             $   137,080          26,180            5,077             0.21             0.20
Second                184,097          32,679            7,540             0.31             0.27
Third                 212,864          33,302            9,955             0.40             0.35
Fourth                245,562          39,779           12,748             0.50             0.44
                  --------------------------------------------
                  $   779,603         131,940           35,320             1.43             1.26
================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The Company recorded $54,000 and $22,636 of non-recurring charges during the
first and fourth quarters of fiscal 1998, respectively, relating to Orbit's
semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. See Note 7 for additional information
regarding the non-recurring charges.




50


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1


                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
                              AS OF JANUARY 3, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SUBSIDIARIES                                     STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
                                                 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION
<S>                                            <C>
DOVatron International, Inc.                     Delaware
DOVatron de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.                 Mexico
Multilayer Technology, Inc.                      California
Orbit Semiconductor, Inc.                        Delaware
KMOS Semiconductor, Inc.                         Delaware
Cencorp Inc.                                     Delaware
DOVatron (Ireland) B.V.                          The Netherlands
Chemtech (U.K.) Ltd.                             United Kingdom
The DII Group, Inc. Singapore Pte. Ltd.          Singapore
DOVatron Malaysia Sdn. Bhd                       Malaysia
Design Solutions, Inc.                           California
Dovatron Mexico, Inc.                            Delaware
Dovatron Nevada, Inc.                            Nevada
The DII Group Asia Ltd.                          Hong Kong
Multilayer Technology and Co KG                  Germany
Multilayer Technology Geschaftsfuhruntos         Germany
DOVatron Vernaltunls GMBH                        Germany
DOVatron Czech A.S.                              Czech Republic
The DII Group (BVI) Co Ltd.                      British Virgin Islands
DII Europe B.V.                                  The Netherlands
DII International Holdings C.V.                  The Netherlands
</TABLE>






<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
The DII Group, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in registration statements Nos.
33-73556, 33-90572, 33-79940, 333-10999, 333-11001, 333-11005 and 333-11007 of
the DII Group, Inc. on Form S-8, of our reports dated January 28, 1999 (February
18, 1999 as to the redemption of convertible subordinated notes described in
Note 6), appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the DII Group, Inc. for
the 53 weeks ended January 3, 1999.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Denver, Colorado
March 17, 1999

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
The DII Group, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in registration statements Nos.
33-73556, 33-90572, 33-79940, 333-10999, 333-11001, 333-11005 and 333-11007 on
Form S-8, and No. 33-80175 on Form S-3 of The DII Group, Inc. of our reports
dated January 28, 1997, relating to the consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows of the DII Group, Inc. for the 52 weeks
ended December 29, 1996 and related schedule, which reports appear in the 1998
Annual Report on Form 10-K of The DII Group, Inc.

KPMG LLP

Denver, Colorado
March 17, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1999
<CASH>                                          55,972
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  159,761
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,900
<INVENTORY>                                     66,745
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               295,397
<PP&E>                                         413,236
<DEPRECIATION>                                  87,010
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 747,309
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          208,087
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           262
<OTHER-SE>                                     175,721
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   747,309
<SALES>                                        925,543
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               925,543
<CGS>                                          860,793
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  860,793
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                83,627
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   869
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,680
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (38,532)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (21,500)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (17,032)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (17,032)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.68)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.68)
        

</TABLE>


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