SPRINGS INDUSTRIES INC
10-K405, 1998-03-27
BROADWOVEN FABRIC MILLS, COTTON
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<PAGE>   1
===============================================================================



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                    FORM 10-K

         [X]    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                    For the Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 1998

         [ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

             For The Transition period from          to 
                                            --------    -----------

                           Commission File No. 1-5315

                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 SOUTH CAROLINA                     57-0252730
         (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer
          incorporation or organization)         Identification No.)

             205 NORTH WHITE STREET          
            FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA                   29715
     (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (803) 547-1500
           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

                                                    Name of each exchange
                Title of each class                  on which registered
     ------------------------------------        ----------------------------
     Class A Common Stock; $.25 par value          New York Stock Exchange

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act
                                      None

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 such shorter period that the Registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
at least the past 90 days. Yes [X]  No [ ]

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

Aggregate market value of Springs Industries, Inc. Common Stock, excluding
treasury shares, held by nonaffiliates as of March 18, 1998, was $689,801,701.

As of March 18, 1998, there were 12,153,026 shares of Class A Common Stock and
7,270,921 shares of Class B Common Stock of Springs Industries, Inc.
outstanding. 

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Specified Portions of Annual Report to Security Holders for Fiscal Year Ended
January 3, 1998 (Parts I & II)

Specified Portions of Proxy Statement to Security Holders dated March 6, 1998
(Parts III & IV)

===============================================================================
<PAGE>   2




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


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                 Washington, DC

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


                            FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT


                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                  * * * * * *

                         TABLE OF CONTENTS TO FORM 10-K


                                     PART I


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM
- ----
<S>      <C>              
1.       BUSINESS

2.       PROPERTIES

3.       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

4.       SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF
             SECURITY HOLDERS


                                     PART II

5.       MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
             AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

6.       SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

7.       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
             FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   3


                                     PART II


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM
- ----
<S>      <C>                                                 
8.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

9.       CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
             ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE


                                    PART III


10.      DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
             REGISTRANT

11.      EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

12.      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
             AND MANAGEMENT

13.      CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS


                                     PART IV


14.      EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND
             REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
</TABLE>

SIGNATURES

EXHIBIT INDEX






<PAGE>   4


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


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                 Washington, DC

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


                             FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT


                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

         Springs Industries, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the
State of South Carolina, began its operations in 1888. Springs' principal
executive offices are located at 205 North White Street, Fort Mill, South
Carolina 29715 (telephone number: 803/547-1500). The term "Springs" or "the
Company" as used herein means Springs Industries, Inc., and its subsidiaries
unless clearly indicated otherwise.

         The Company's operations are engaged principally, and, in recent years,
increasingly, in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of packaged textile and
nontextile home furnishing products, its home furnishings segment. The balance
of the Company's operations are engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and sale
of fabrics for apparel, consumer and industrial markets, its specialty fabrics
segment. The operations of these segments are conducted by various divisions and
subsidiaries.

         Through both internal development and acquisitions of complementary
businesses, Springs has emerged as one of the most significant manufacturers and
marketers of home furnishings in the United States. Among the factors
contributing to Springs' industry position are its highly automated
manufacturing facilities, its well-known brands, and its commitments to fashion
design and diverse product offerings in the home furnishings field.






<PAGE>   5



         Home furnishings is the larger segment of Springs' business, with sales
of $1.896 billion in 1997 and operating income of $110.6 million. The home
furnishings segment manufactures, purchases for resale and markets home
furnishings products, including sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, comforters,
infant and toddler bedding, towels, shower curtains, bath and accent rugs, other
bath fashion accessories, knitted infant apparel, baby and healthcare products,
juvenile novelties, drapery hardware and hard and soft decorative window
furnishings.

         Springs' home furnishings products are sold primarily through its own
sales force to retailers and are varied in design, styling and color to appeal
to a broad spectrum of consumers. The Company's retail customers include
department stores, specialty stores, national chains, mass merchandisers, and
catalog operations. Springs also sells bed and bath products through
distributors to institutional customers and directly to consumers through its 53
company owned outlet stores, and it also sells decorative window products
directly to large-scale contractors and distributor/fabricators.

         The Company has a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary that markets and
distributes bedding and bath products in that country. A majority of the bedding
products sold in Canada are purchased from a Canadian manufacturer.  This
subsidiary allows the Company to better serve Canadian home furnishings
customers and to expand the Company's presence in the Canadian market.

         The Company acquired three home furnishings businesses during 1995. In
May 1995, the Company purchased all of the outstanding stock of Dundee Mills,
Incorporated, a manufacturer of towels, infant and toddler bedding, knitted
infant apparel, and healthcare products, and the Company purchased substantially
all of the assets of Dawson Home Fashions, Inc., a manufacturer of shower
curtains and bath fashions accessories. In July 1995, the Company purchased
from Apogee Enterprises, Inc., substantially all of the assets of its Nanik
Window Coverings Group, a manufacturer of wood window blinds and interior
shutters.

         During the second quarter of 1996, the Company adopted a plan to
consolidate and realign its fabric manufacturing operations. In connection with
this plan, the Company closed three fabric manufacturing plants, added
production in other plants, and increased outside purchases of grey fabric. This
consolidation and realignment primarily affected the home furnishings segment.

         Springs' specialty fabrics segment manufactures, finishes, purchases
for resale and markets a wide variety of fabrics and, in 1997, generated sales
of $329.9 million and operating income of $4.5 million. Specialty fabrics
include finished fabrics for industrial, apparel and specialty end uses.


                                       5

<PAGE>   6
         More specifically, the specialty fabrics segment produces and markets
finished fabrics in a broad range of colors, weights, fibers, finishes and
printed designs and sells them principally to manufacturers of apparel and
decorative home furnishings, and to retailers of home sewing fabrics. This
segment also produces and sells protective and fire-retardant fabrics for
industrial and commercial applications. The segment sells its products primarily
through its own sales force. Sales are also made through distributors and
agents.

         The Company has sold two of its specialty fabrics businesses since
1995. In December 1995, the Company sold the assets of its Intek office panel
fabrics business for a cash payment of $13.2 million. In April 1996, the Company
sold its Clark-Schwebel, Inc., subsidiary for $193 million in cash. During the
five years ended in 1995, Clark-Schwebel, Inc.'s average contribution was 13
percent of Springs' sales and nine percent of its earnings before interest and
taxes.

         On February 17, 1998, Springs adopted a plan to close the segment's
Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Plant. Springs determined that the plant was
not cost competitive and that modernization was not economically feasible.
Springs will consolidate most of the plant's production into more modern
finishing facilities operated by the home furnishings segment and use outside
contractors for the balance of the production. The phase-down of the facility is
expected to take four to five months. A pretax charge of $23 million will be
recorded during the first quarter of 1998. The charge includes $11.3 million for
write-offs of plant and equipment, $4.0 million for severance arising from the
elimination of approximately 480 positions, and $7.7 million for certain other
expenses associated with the closing of the facility. In addition, the Company
expects to incur approximately $8 million for equipment relocation and other
realignment expenses which do not qualify as "exit costs."

         Textile home furnishings products, consisting primarily of textile
bedding, bath, and window-coverings products, represented 71.2%, 68.8%, and
61.7% of consolidated revenues for each of 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
No other product or class of products exceeded 10% of consolidated revenues for
1997, 1996, or 1995.

         Raw materials used by the Company include principally cotton and
polyester fiber and purchased woven fabric. The Company also purchases other
natural and manmade fibers, fiber glass and aramid yarns, finished knitted and
non-woven fabrics, dyes and chemicals, aluminum, plastic, wood, and steel. Such
raw materials are generally readily available; and, with the exception of
certain aramid fibers and yarns (which are used by the specialty fabrics segment
in some of its products), the Company is not dependent on any one supplier as a
source for raw materials. Any shortage in the supply of cotton by reason of
weather, disease or other factors, or significant increases in the price of
cotton or polyester, however, could adversely affect the Company's results of
operations.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7

         The Company considers its trademarks to be materially important to its
business. The trademarks are protected, in part, through United States and
foreign trademark registrations.

         The home furnishings segment sells bed and bath products under the
Wamsutta(R), Springmaid(R), Performance(TM), and Dundee(R) brands, and
decorative window products under the Graber(R), Bali(R), Nanik(R),
FashionPleat(R), Maestro(TM) and CrystalPleat(R) brands. This segment also uses
the Wabasso(R) and Texmade(R) brands on bed products sold in Canada.

         The home furnishings segment also uses certain licensed designs and
trademarks which may be considered to be of material importance to this segment.
These include a license agreement with each of Bill Blass, Ltd., and Liz
Claiborne, Inc., and multiple license agreements with The Walt Disney Company.
The Bill Blass license agreement has automatic renewal provisions if certain
sales thresholds are met; the Liz Claiborne license agreement expires December
31, 1999, subject to certain renewal rights; and the Walt Disney license
agreements expire at various future dates from 1998 to 2001.  Home furnishing
products are also sold under private brand names of certain customers.

         The specialty fabrics segment uses the Springmaid(R), Wamsutta(R),
UltraSuede(R), UltraLeather(TM), Firegard(R), Firewear(R) and Synergy(R) brands
on home sewing and other specialty fabrics.

         The Company's working capital requirements for 1997 were provided from
operations and to a lesser extent from asset sales and short-term borrowings.
Management expects that cash generated by operations and borrowings from
committed bank lines and commercial paper will adequately provide for the
Company's cash needs during 1998. Trade receivables are, in the main,
collectible in 60 days or less.

         The home furnishings segment's top ten customers represent
approximately 54% of the segment's sales; however, the segment's total customer
base is very large. While the Company has no reason to believe that the segment
will lose the business of any of the segment's largest customers, the loss of
one or more of the largest accounts (or a material portion of any thereof) could
have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business. Sales in the
specialty fabrics segment are more dispersed, with its top ten customers
accounting for only approximately 34% of the segment's sales. In 1997, sales to
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. were approximately 14% of Springs' total sales; no other
single customer accounted for ten percent or more of Springs' total sales.



                                       7
<PAGE>   8
         The Company's unfilled order position at January 3, 1998, amounted to
approximately $166 million. The unfilled order position at December 28, 1996,
was approximately $178 million. 

         The markets in which the principal products of the Company are sold are
highly competitive as to price, quality, customer service and product design.
The Company believes that it competes effectively in both segments with respect
to these factors. In certain product categories competition is concentrated
among several large domestic companies while in other product categories
competition is much more dispersed among both larger and smaller companies.

         Springs is involved in certain administrative proceedings governed by
environmental laws and regulations, including proceedings under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The
potential costs to the Company related to all of these environmental matters are
uncertain due to such factors as: the unknown magnitude of possible pollution
and cleanup costs; the complexity and evolving nature of governmental laws and
regulations and their interpretations; the timing, varying costs and
effectiveness of alternative cleanup technologies; the determination of the
Company's liability in proportion to other potentially responsible parties; and
the extent, if any, to which such costs are recoverable from insurers or other
parties.

         The Company has accrued an undiscounted liability of approximately $11
million, which represents management's best estimate of Springs' probable
liability concerning all known environmental matters. Management believes the
$11 million will be paid out over the next 10 years. This accrual has not been
reduced by any potential insurance recovery to which the Company may be entitled
regarding environmental matters.

         Approximately 19,500 associates were employed by Springs and its
subsidiaries at the end of 1997. Of these associates, approximately 17,450 were
employed in the home furnishings segment, approximately 1,425 in the specialty
fabrics segment, and approximately 625 in corporate administrative and shared
services functions.

         International sales of home furnishings and specialty fabric products
are made through Springs' divisions and its subsidiaries. Sales outside of the
United States accounted for approximately 6.9% of total sales in 1997 and 6.6%
in each of 1996 and 1995. The bulk of Springs' sales outside of the United
States are made in Canada by 


                                       8
<PAGE>   9
the home furnishings segment. During each of the last three years, less than 5%
of the Company's assets have been located outside of the United States.

         Financial information for the home furnishings and specialty fabrics
segments is incorporated by reference from the Springs Industries, Inc. 1997
Annual Report to Shareholders ("Annual Report") under the caption "Industry
Segment Information," page 14.



ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

         The Company owns its Executive Office Building and an additional office
building in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and the 21-story Springs Building at 104
West 40th Street, New York City, New York. The Springs Building contains sales
showrooms for the home furnishings segment's bed and bath fashions, and baby
products businesses. The Springs Building also serves as the sales headquarters
for the home furnishings segment's baby products business, and the specialty
fabrics segment's Springfield and UltraFabrics Divisions. Part of the Springs
Building is leased to other businesses.

         The Company leases offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, which are used
by the bed and bath fashions business. This business and other divisions lease
additional space in other cities for administration and sales offices, outlet
stores and distribution centers.

         The Company also owns a customer service center located near Lancaster,
South Carolina. This facility houses customer service operations, computer and
data processing operations and accounting offices.

         Springs has forty-one manufacturing plants, including the Rock Hill
Printing and Finishing Plant, which is scheduled to close by midyear Seventeen
plants are grey fabric manufacturing plants; four are dyeing, printing and
finishing plants; eleven are fabricating plants; five plants perform both
dyeing, printing, finishing and fabricating operations; and four plants
manufacture decorative window products. Of these plants, nineteen are in South
Carolina, eleven in Georgia, two in each of North Carolina, Alabama, and
Wisconsin, and one in each of California, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
and Nevada.

         The home furnishings segment uses thirty-four of these plants and the
specialty fabrics segment uses four. The two segments share another three
plants. All of the plants are owned by Springs and are unencumbered, except for
four which are subject to mortgages and five which are leased either through
industrial revenue bond financing or through other lease arrangements.


                                       9





<PAGE>   10
         Springs considers all plants to be well maintained and generally in
good operating condition.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         Information required by this Item is contained in Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements, Note 10. Other Matters, found on page 26 of the Annual
Report and incorporated herein by reference.



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

         None reportable.



         EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         Pursuant to Instruction #3 to Paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation
S-K, the following information is provided on the Company's Executive Officers.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Position and Business
Name                       Age                       Experience
- ----                       ---                 ---------------------
<S>                        <C>      <C>
Crandall C. Bowles         50       President and Chief Executive Officer
                                    (January 1998 to present). President and
                                    Chief Operating Officer (January 1997 to
                                    January 1998). Executive Vice President 
                                    (April 1992 to January 1997). President - 
                                    Bath Fashions Group (May 1995 to January
                                    1997). President - Textile Manufacturing 
                                    Group (March 1993 to May 1995). Executive 
                                    Vice President - Growth and Development 
                                    (April 1992 to February 1993). Director 
                                    (1978 to present).


C. Powers Dorsett          53       Senior Vice President - General Counsel and
                                    Secretary (February 1996 to present). Vice
                                    President - General Counsel and Secretary
                                    (February 1990 to January 1996).
</TABLE>


                                       10




<PAGE>   11

<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>      <C>
William K. Easley          54       Senior Vice President (February
                                    1996 to present). President - Bedding
                                    Manufacturing (May 1995 to present).
                                    President - Performance Home Fashions
                                    Division, Home Furnishings Group (October
                                    1993 - May 1995). Senior Vice President Bed
                                    and Bath Group (August 1992 - October 1993).


Walter Y. Elisha           65       Chairman of the Board (October 1983 to
                                    present). Chief Executive Officer (1981
                                    through December 1997). President (December
                                    1989 to January 1997). Director (February
                                    1980 to present). Mr. Elisha is also a
                                    director of American Telephone & Telegraph
                                    Company, Carolina Power & Light Company,
                                    and Cummins Engine Company, Inc.


Samuel J. Ilardo           42       Treasurer (May 1995 to present). Assistant
                                    Treasurer (March 1994 to April 1995). Tax
                                    Director (November 1992 to February 1994).


Stephen P. Kelbley         55       Executive Vice President (September 1991 to 
                                    present). President - Home Furnishings 
                                    Operating Group (February 1998 to present).
                                    President - Diversified Home Products Group
                                    (January 1997 to February 1998). President -
                                    Diversified Products Group (May 1995 to 
                                    January 1997). President - Specialty Fabrics
                                    Group (March 1994 to April 1995). Chief 
                                    Financial Officer (September 1991 to March 
                                    1994).



Charles M. Metzler         45       Vice President - Controller (February 1996
                                    to present). Controller - Springs Canada,
                                    Inc. (September 1992 to January 1996).
</TABLE>


                                       11




<PAGE>   12

<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>      <C>
Robert W. Moser            59       Executive Vice President (July 1989 to 
                                    present). President - Fabrics Group (January
                                    1997 to present). President - Bath
                                    Manufacturing (May 1995 to January 1997).
                                    President - Specialty Fabrics Group (March
                                    1993 to March 1994). President - Finished
                                    Fabrics Group and Windows (September 1991 to
                                    March 1993).


Thomas P. O'Connor         52       Executive Vice President (August 1992 to 
                                    present). President - Bed and Bath 
                                    Sales and Marketing Group (February 1998 to
                                    present). President - Bed Fashions Group
                                    (May 1995 to February 1998). President -
                                    Home Fashions Group (March 1993 to April
                                    1995). Senior Vice President - Springs
                                    (September 1991 to August 1992). President -
                                    Bed and Bath Group (September 1991 to
                                    February 1993).


Robert L. Thompson         61       Vice President - Public Affairs (September
                                    1986 to present).


James F. Zahrn             47       Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                                    Officer (April 1997 to present). Senior Vice
                                    President and Chief Financial Officer (March
                                    1995 to April 1997). Vice President -
                                    Finance and Treasurer (March 1994 to March
                                    1995). Vice President and Treasurer (May
                                    1993 to March 1994). Treasurer (August 1986
                                    to May 1993).
</TABLE>

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

Crandall Close Bowles, President and Chief Executive Officer, and a director of
the Company, and Leroy S. Close, a director of the Company, are siblings. There
are no other family relationships within the director and executive officer
group.


                                       12






<PAGE>   13


PART II

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

         Class A Common Stock of Springs is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange. As of March 18, 1998, there were approximately 2,737 holders of record
of Class A Common Stock, and approximately 76 holders of Class B Common Stock.
No established trading market exists for Class B Common Stock. Class B Common
Stock may, however, at the election of the holder, be exchanged on a one-for-one
basis at any time for Class A Common Stock.

         Information required by this Item on the sales prices and dividends of
the Common Stock of Springs is incorporated by reference from page 32 of the
Annual Report under the caption "Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)."



ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

         Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from
pages 30 and 31 of the Annual Report under the caption "Selected Financial
Data."



ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
of operations required by this Item is incorporated by reference from pages 27
through 29 of the Annual Report under the caption "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Operations and Financial Condition."



ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         Financial statements, including the report of independent certified
public accountants, and supplementary data required by this Item are
incorporated by reference from the Annual Report. See Item 14 for a list of
financial statements and the pages of the Annual Report from which they are
incorporated. Supplementary data is incorporated by reference from page 32 of
the Annual Report under the caption "Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)."


<PAGE>   14


ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
         ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         None.



PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         Information about directors required by this Item is incorporated by
reference from the Company's Proxy Statement to Security Holders dated March 6,
1998 (the "Proxy Statement") under the captions "Directors, Nominees, and
Election of Directors" and "Information Regarding the Board of Directors" on
pages 2 through 6 of the Proxy Statement. The information on Executive Officers
and Walter Y. Elisha, Chairman of the Board of Directors, is provided at the end
of Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption "Executive Officers of the
Registrant."



ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the
Proxy Statement under the captions "Executive Officer Compensation and Related
Information," "Management Compensation and Organization Committee Report,"
"Employment Agreements" and "Performance Graph" on pages 7 through 16 of the
Proxy Statement.



ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
         MANAGEMENT

         Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the
Proxy Statement under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management" on pages 19 through 21 of the Proxy Statement.


                                       14






<PAGE>   15


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the
Proxy Statement under the caption "Transactions With Certain Persons" on pages
21 and 22 of the Proxy Statement.



PART IV

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

         (a)      1.       The following financial statements and independent 
         auditors' report are incorporated by reference from the Annual Report
         as a part of this Report:

                  (i)      Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 3, 1998, and
                           December 28, 1996 (Annual Report page 16).

                  (ii)     Consolidated Statement of Operations and Retained
                           Earnings for the fiscal years ended January 3, 1998,
                           December 28, 1996, and December 30, 1995 (Annual
                           Report page 15).

                  (iii)    Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the fiscal
                           years ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996, and
                           December 30, 1995 (Annual Report page 17).

                  (iv)     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Annual
                           Report pages 18 through 26).

                  (v)      Independent Auditors' Report (Annual Report page 26).

                  2.       Financial statement schedules are not shown here
         because, under applicable rules, they are not required, are
         inapplicable, or the information required is included in the Financial
         Statements or in the Notes thereto.

                  3.       Exhibits required to be listed by Item 601 of
         Regulation S-K are listed (and, where applicable, attached) in the
         Exhibit Index attached hereto, which is incorporated herein by this
         reference.

         (b)      Reports on Form 8-K: No 8-K's were filed during the last
                  quarter of the period covered by this report.

<PAGE>   16

         The matters discussed or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K
contain forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations,
estimates, projections, and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates,"
"plans," "believes," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar
expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements which
include but are not limited to projections of expenditures, cash flows, and
operating performance. Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the
safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements are not guaranties of future performance and involve certain
risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict. Actual future results
and trends, therefore, may differ materially from whit is forecast in
forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including: the ability
of the Company and its suppliers and customers to bring their information
systems into compliance with the "Year 2000 Computer Problem"; the health of the
retail economy in general, competitive conditions, and demand for the Company's
products; progress toward the Company's cost-reduction goals; unanticipated
natural disasters; legal proceedings; labor matters; and the availability and
price of raw materials which could be affected by weather, disease, energy
costs, or other factors.


[SIGNATURES ON NEXT PAGE]



<PAGE>   17


SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Springs Industries, Inc. has duly caused this Report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.



By          /s/James F. Zahrn
         ---------------------------------
         James F. Zahrn
         Executive Vice President and
         Chief Financial Officer

Date:    March 27, 1998



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
By:  /s/John F. Akers                             By:  /s/Crandall C. Bowles
     -----------------------------                    ----------------------------------------
        John F. Akers, Director                           Crandall C. Bowles, President &
Date: March 27, 1998                                       Chief Executive Officer and
                                                           Director
                                                          (Principal Executive Officer)
                                                  Date: March 27, 1998


By:  /s/John L. Clendenin                         By:  /s/Leroy S. Close
     -----------------------------                    ----------------------------------------
        John L. Clendenin, Director                       Leroy S. Close, Director
Date: March 27, 1998                              Date: March 27, 1998


By:  /s/Charles W. Coker                          By:  /s/Walter Y. Elisha
     -----------------------------                    ----------------------------------------
        Charles W. Coker, Director                        Walter Y. Elisha, Chairman
Date: March 27, 1998                                       and Director
                                                  Date: March 27, 1998
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   18


<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
By:   /s/John H. McArthur                         By:   /s/Aldo Papone
     ------------------------------------            -----------------------------------------
         John H. McArthur, Director                        Aldo Papone, Director
Date: March 27, 1998                              Date: March 27, 1998


By:   /s/Donald S. Perkins                        By:   /s/Robin B. Smith
     ------------------------------------            -----------------------------------------
         Donald S. Perkins, Director                       Robin B. Smith, Director
Date: March 27, 1998                              Date: March 27, 1998


By:   /s/Sherwood H. Smith, Jr.                   By:   /s/Stewart Turley
     ------------------------------------            -----------------------------------------
         Sherwood H. Smith, Jr., Director                  Stewart Turley, Director
Date: March 27, 1998                              Date: March 27, 1998




By:  /s/James F. Zahrn                             By:      /s/Charles M. Metzler
     ------------------------------------             ----------------------------------------
        James F. Zahrn                                Charles M. Metzler,
        Executive Vice President and                  Vice President-Controller
        Chief Financial Officer                       (Principal Accounting Officer)
        (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: March 27, 1998                               Date: March 27, 1998
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   19








                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                 WASHINGTON, DC

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







                                    EXHIBITS






                * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *






<PAGE>   20


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item
- ----
<S>       <C>     <C>   
(2)       (a)     Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 6, 1995, as
                  amended on March 7, 1995, among Springs Industries, Inc.,
                  Dundee Acquisition Corp., and Dundee Mills, Incorporated,
                  incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed June 12, 1995.

          (b)     Agreement and Plan of Merger among Springs Industries, Inc.,
                  Fort Mill A Inc.,Vestar/CS Holding Company, L.L.C., and
                  Clark-S Acquisition Corporation dated as of February 24, 1996,
                  together with a list identifying the schedules and exhibits to
                  the Agreement, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed
                  March 21, 1996.

(3)       (a)     Springs' Restated Articles of Incorporation, amended and
                  restated as of April 18, 1994, incorporated by reference from
                  Form 10-Q filed August 15, 1994.

          (b)     Springs' Bylaws, amended as of December 12, 1996.

(4)               $225,000,000 Credit Agreement dated December 17, 1997, among
                  Springs Industries, Inc., Wachovia Bank, N.A., Bank of America
                  NT & SA, SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, The Bank of Nova Scotia, The
                  Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., Mellon Bank, N.A., and The
                  Fuji Bank, Limited, Atlanta Agency.

                  Note: No other long-term debt instrument issued by the Company
                  exceeds 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Company
                  and its subsidiaries. In accordance with paragraph 4(iii) of
                  Item 601 of Regulation S-K, the Company will furnish to the
                  Commission upon request copies of long-term debt insturments
                  and related agreements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   21

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item
- ----
<S>      <C>      <C>  
(10)     Material Contracts - Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements

         (a)      Springs' Deferred Unit Stock Plan, amended and restated
                  effective February 22, 1990, incorporated by reference from
                  Form 10-K, filed March 26, 1990. Amendment effective December
                  10, 1990, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K, filed
                  March 25, 1991. Amendment effective August 16, 1990,
                  incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q, filed November 12,
                  1991. Amendment effective as of November 1, 1996, incorporated
                  by reference from Form 10-K filed March 28, 1997.

         (b)      Springs' Restricted Stock Plan, incorporated by reference from
                  Form 10-K, filed March 19, 1982. Amendment dated August 19,
                  1983, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K, filed March
                  16, 1984.

         (c)      Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1985, between Springs and
                  Walter Y. Elisha, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K,
                  filed March 14, 1986.

         (d)      Springs' Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated
                  on August 18, 1994, incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q,
                  filed November 14, 1994.

         (e)      Springs' Senior Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan,
                  incorporated by reference from Form 10-K, filed March 19,
                  1982. Amendment dated February 26, 1987, incorporated by
                  reference from Form 10-K, filed March 27, 1987. Amendment
                  dated June 20, 1991, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K,
                  filed March 25, 1992.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   22


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item
- ----
<S>      <C>      <C>   
         (f)      Springs' Shadow Retirement Plan, incorporated by reference
                  from Form 10-K, filed March 19, 1982. Amendment adopted
                  October 18, 1990, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K,
                  filed March 25, 1991.

         (g)      Springs' Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors, as
                  amended and restated on August 18, 1994, incorporated by
                  reference from Form 10-Q, filed November 14, 1994. Amendments
                  adopted as of October 29, 1995, and as of November 1, 1996,
                  incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed March 28, 1997.

         (h)      Springs' Outside Directors COLI Deferred Compensation Plan
                  adopted December 12, 1985, incorporated by reference from Form
                  10-K, filed March 14, 1986.

         (i)      Springs' Senior Management COLI Deferred Compensation Plan
                  adopted December 12, 1985, incorporated by reference from Form
                  10-K, filed March 14, 1986.

         (j)      Springs' 1991 Incentive Stock Plan, as approved by
                  shareholders on April 15, 1991, incorporated by reference from
                  the Company's Proxy Statement to Shareholders dated February
                  27, 1991, under the caption "Exhibit A" on pages A-1 through
                  A-12 of such Proxy Statement. Amendments approved by
                  shareholders on April 29, 1996, incorporated by reference from
                  Form 10-Q filed May 14, 1996. Amendments as of November 1,
                  1996, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed March 28,
                  1997.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   23

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item
- ----
<S>      <C>      <C>   
         (k)      Springs' 1991 Restricted Stock Plan for Outside Directors, as
                  approved by the Company's shareholders on April 15, 1991,
                  incorporated by reference from the Company's Proxy Statement
                  to Shareholders dated February 27, 1991, under the caption
                  "Exhibit B" on pages B-1 through B-4 of such Proxy Statement.

         (l)      Springs' Amended and Restated Achievement Incentive Plan, as
                  approved by the Board of Directors on April 13, 1992,
                  incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q, filed May 11, 1992.
                  Amendment approved by the Board of Directors on February 18,
                  1993, incorporated by reference from Form 10-K, filed March
                  31, 1993.

         (m)      Springs' Contingent Compensation Plan adopted by the Board of
                  Directors on June 20, 1991, incorporated by reference from
                  Form 10-Q, filed November 12, 1991.

         (n)      Springs' Excess Benefits Plan adopted by the Board of
                  Directors on August 18, 1994, and amended and restated
                  effective March 1, 1996, incorporated by reference from Form
                  10-K filed March 28, 1997.

         (o)      Form of stock option agreement used in conjunction with option
                  grants under the 1991 Incentive Stock Plan from December 1991
                  to February 1995.

         (p)      Form of stock option agreement used in conjunction with option
                  grants under the 1991 Incentive Stock Plan from October 1995
                  to 1997.

         (q)      Form of stock option agreement between the Company and Walter
                  Y. Elisha dated February 25, 1998.
</TABLE>


                                       23

<PAGE>   24

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item
- ----
<S>      <C>      <C>   
         (r)      Letter agreement between the Company and Walter Y. Elisha
                  dated March 4, 1998, relating to surrender of incremental
                  stock equivalents.

         (s)      Letter dated March 4, 1998, to Walter Y. Elisha relating to
                  retirement arrangements.

         (t)      Form of agreement used in conjunction with grants of
                  performance units under the 1991 Incentive Stock Plan.

         (u)      Financial Planning Policy for certain executives of the
                  Company.

(13)     Pages 14 through 32 of the 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders, which 
         have been expressly incorporated by reference.

(21)     List of Subsidiaries of Springs.

(23)     S-8 Registration Statement for 1991 Incentive Stock Plan and 1991
         Restricted Stock Plan for Outside Directors.

(27.1)   Financial Data Schedule (for SEC purposes)

(27.2)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended September 
         27, 1997

(27.3)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for the six months ended June 28, 1997

(27.4)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended March 29,
         1997

(27.5)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for the 12 months ended December 28,
         1996

(27.6)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for nine months ended September 28,
         1996

(27.7)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for six months ended June 29, 1996

(27.8)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for three months ended March 30, 1996

(27.9)   Restated Financial Data Schedule for twelve months ended December 30,
         1995
</TABLE>


                                       24





<PAGE>   1



                                                                    EXHIBIT 3(B)




                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                     BYLAWS

                        (AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 12, 1996)

                                    ARTICLE I

Offices

         Section 1. The Corporation shall maintain its registered office in the
Town of Fort Mill, York County, South Carolina, where it shall maintain a
registered agent. The Corporation shall maintain such other offices, both within
and without the State of South Carolina, as may be determined from time to time
by the Board of Directors or as the business of the Corporation may from time to
time require.

                                   ARTICLE II

Capital Stock

         Section 1. Certificates. The interest of each shareholder in the
Corporation shall be evidenced by certificates in conformity with law and
otherwise as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time. Each such
certificate shall be signed, either manually or in facsimile, by the Chief
Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a
facsimile thereof. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed upon any certificate, shall have ceased to be such
before the certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the
same effect as if such officer had not ceased to be such prior to the time of
its issue.

         Section 2. Transfer of Stock. The Corporation shall be entitled to
treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof
and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim
to or interest in any share on the part of any other person, regardless of
whether it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as may be
expressly provided by law. The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be
transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or
by his attorney, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for the same
number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or
attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the
signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require.

         Section 3. Lost, stolen or destroyed certificates. In case the record
holder of a share or shares of stock of the Corporation claims that the
certificate representing such share or shares has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken, a new certificate shall be issued in its place, but only on
delivery to the Corporation of (a) proof satisfactory to the Corporation in the
reasonable exercise of its discretion of such loss, destruction or


<PAGE>   2

wrongful taking, (b) proof of compliance with the requirements of law relating
thereto, and (c) a sufficient indemnity bond or, if in a form approved by the
Board of Directors, another adequate form of security sufficient to indemnify
the Corporation against loss; provided, however, in no event shall the
Corporation be required to issue a replacement certificate unless the record
holder requests the Corporation to do so before the Corporation has notice that
the certificate or certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser.

         Section 4. Regulations, transfer agents, and registrars. The Board of
Directors shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and
regulations as it may deem appropriate concerning the issuance, transfer,
conversion, registration, and cancellation of certificates for shares of this
Corporation's stock not inconsistent with the laws of South Carolina, the
Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws. The Board of Directors may appoint
one or more transfer agents or registrars, or both, and may require all stock
certificates to bear the signature of a transfer agent or of a registrar or
both.

                                   ARTICLE III

Shareholders Meetings

         Section 1. Annual meetings. The annual meeting of the shareholders
shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of South
Carolina, and at such day and hour, not later than May 31 of each year, as may
be determined by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors and
designated in the notice of such meeting. In the absence of such a
determination, the annual meeting shall be held on the last Monday in April of
each year. The business to be transacted at such meeting shall be the election
of directors and such other business as may be properly brought before the
meeting.

         Section 2. Special meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may
be called only by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the
holders of not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes entitled to be cast on
any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special meeting. Special
meetings of the shareholders may be held at such place, either within or without
the State of South Carolina, as the Board of Directors shall designate. If no
designation is made by the Board of Directors, the place of meeting shall be the
principal office of the Corporation.

         Section 3. Notice of meetings, waiver. The Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary shall give to each shareholder entitled to vote at any meeting, or
otherwise entitled by law to notice of such meeting, written notice of the date,
time, place, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of
such meeting, together with such other data and information as may be required
by law, or as the Board of Directors shall provide. Such notice shall be given
personally or by mail or as otherwise permitted by law not less than ten (10)
nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.


<PAGE>   3

Furthermore, such notice shall be deemed to be effective at the earlier of the
date when deposited in the United States mail or its receipt by the shareholder.
If mailed, such notice shall be directed to the shareholder's address as it
appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. Such further notice
shall be given as may be required by law. A shareholder may waive the notice of
meeting by signing, either in person or by proxy, and delivering to the
Corporation a written waiver of notice, either before or after such meeting.
Attendance of a shareholder at a meeting, in person or by proxy, shall
constitute waiver of objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the
meeting unless the shareholder, at the beginning of the meeting, objects to
holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting. Except where
otherwise required by law, notice need not be given of any adjourned meeting of
the shareholders if the new date, time and place are announced at the meeting
before adjournment.

         Section 4. List of shareholders. Prior to any meeting of the
shareholders, a complete alphabetical list of the shareholders entitled to
notice of such meeting arranged by voting group (and within each voting group by
class or series of shares), showing the address of and the number of shares held
by each shareholder, shall be prepared by the Secretary or under his direction.
Such list shall be available for inspection by any shareholder at the principal
office of the Corporation beginning on the date on which notice of the meeting
is given for which the list was prepared and continuing through the meeting.
Such list shall also be physically present at the place of the meeting and
available for inspection by any shareholder at any time during the meeting or
any adjournment.

         Section 5. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the
Articles of Incorporation, the required quorum for the transaction of any item
of business at any meeting of shareholders shall consist of shareholders
representing, either in person or by proxy, a majority of the votes entitled to
be cast within each voting group entitled to vote on such item of business at
such meeting. If a quorum be not present, a meeting of shareholders may be
adjourned from time to time by the Chairman of the Board or by a vote of shares
having a majority of the shares represented at such meeting, until a quorum is
present.

         Section 6. Voting. Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of
Incorporation, at every meeting of the shareholders, each shareholder of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally on a matter shall have, as to such
matter, one vote per share in person or by properly executed proxy for each
share of Class A Common Stock or voting Preferred Stock registered in his name
and four votes per share in person or by properly executed proxy for each share
of Class B Common Stock registered in his name. In all elections of directors,
each shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate his votes as provided in the
Articles of Incorporation. A shareholder may vote his shares through a proxy
appointed by a written instrument signed by the shareholder or by his duly
authorized attorney in fact and delivered to the Secretary of the meeting. No
proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution
unless a longer period is expressly provided therein and such longer period is
permitted by law. If a


<PAGE>   4

quorum exists within a voting group whose vote is required on a matter other
than the election of directors, action on such matter by such voting group is
approved if the votes cast within such voting group favoring the action exceed
the votes cast opposing the action, unless a greater number of affirmative votes
is required by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or a bylaw. In electing
directors, those candidates who receive the greatest number of votes cast at the
meeting shall be deemed elected even though not receiving a majority of votes
cast.

         Section 7. Inspectors of Elections. The Board of Directors by
resolution shall appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors
may include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities,
including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives
of the Corporation, to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One
or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any
inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to
act, or if all inspectors or alternates who have been appointed are unable to
act at a meeting of shareholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one
or more inspectors to act at the meeting. The inspectors of election shall
receive and take charge of all proxies and ballots, shall resolve all questions
respecting the validity of proxies, and the qualifications of voters, and shall
certify and report the results of the voting to the presiding officer.

         Section 8. Organization. The Chairman of the Board shall preside over
all meetings of shareholders, or if he shall not be present, such person as may
be designated by the Board of Directors shall preside. The Secretary of the
Corporation, or in his absence an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of
every meeting.

                                   ARTICLE IV

Board of Directors

         Section 1. General powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In
addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred on it by these
Bylaws, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation
and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law, by the Articles of
Incorporation, or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done
by the shareholders. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the
shareholders and shall serve until the next annual meeting or any special
meeting of shareholders called earlier for the purpose of election of directors
and until their successors shall be elected and qualified or until their earlier
resignation or removal. The Board of Directors may appoint a Chairman and one or
more Vice Chairmen of the Board. Only members of the Board of Directors are
eligible to be the Chairman and Vice Chairmen. Directors, including the Chairman
of the Board and any Vice Chairman of the Board, may also serve as officers of
the Corporation.


<PAGE>   5

         Section 2. Number and qualification. The number of directors shall be
not less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15), the exact number of
directors within such limits to be fixed and determined from time to time by the
vote of the Board of Directors or by a resolution of the shareholders. No
decrease in the number of directors fixed by the Board of Directors or the
shareholders shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent
director. No person who has attained the age of 72 years shall be eligible to be
elected or appointed to the Board of Directors.

         Section 3. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, including
a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled
by the shareholders at an annual meeting or a special meeting called for that
purpose or by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the directors
remaining in office constitute less than a quorum of the Board, at any regular
or special meeting of the Board. A director so elected shall serve until the
next annual meeting of the shareholders or any special meeting of shareholders
called earlier for the purpose of the election of directors and until his
successor shall be elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or
removal.

         Section 4. Meetings. The regular annual meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be held not more than thirty (30) days subsequent to the annual
meeting of the shareholders at such time and place as the Chairman of the Board
or the Board of Directors shall direct. Other regular meetings of the Board of
Directors may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of
South Carolina, as the Board by resolution determines. A special meeting of the
Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or by a majority
of the members of the Board of Directors then in office. Each director shall be
notified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the date, time and place
of each special meeting of the Board of Directors by written notice addressed to
him at his business or residence, by telephone communication or by any other
means permitted by law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed adequately
delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage
thereon prepaid, at least five days before such meeting. If by overnight carrier
service, such notice shall be deemed adequately given when delivered to the
carrier at least two days before the meeting; if by telegram, when the telegram
is delivered to the telegraph company at least 24 hours before the time set for
the meeting; if by facsimile transmission, when transmitted at least 24 hours
before the time set for the meeting; or if by telephone, when given at least 12
hours before the time set for the meeting. Notice of a meeting of directors need
not be given of regular meetings of the Board of Directors held at times fixed
by resolution of the Board of Directors. Notice need not be given of adjourned
meetings, whether regular or special. Notice of a meeting of directors need not
be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice, either before or after
the meeting and such waiver is filed with the minutes or corporate records.
Attendance of a director at a meeting shall of itself constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting, unless such director at the beginning of the meeting (or
promptly upon his arrival) objects to holding or transacting business at the
meeting and does not thereafter vote for or consent to action at the meeting.
Unless otherwise required by


<PAGE>   6

law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board
of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice.

         Section 5. Quorum and required vote. Two-thirds of the directors in
office immediately before a meeting begins shall be necessary at any regular or
special meeting to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a
quorum is not present, a majority of the directors present at any meeting of the
Board may adjourn the meeting to a subsequent day and hour without further
notice. The vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

         Section 6. Compensation. The Board of Directors may by resolution
provide for the payment of compensation to directors for their services as such
and for the payment of fees and expenses to directors for attendance at any
regular or special meeting of the Board; provided, however, that nothing herein
shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity
and receiving compensation therefor.

         Section 7. Removal. At any meeting of the shareholders called for that
purpose, with notice of such purpose given, any director or directors may be
removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares then entitled to be cast within each voting group
entitled to vote for the election of each such director; provided, however, that
no director may be removed if the votes cast against his removal would be
sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire
Board of Directors or of the class of directors of which he is a part. When any
director or directors are removed, new directors may be elected at the same
meeting of the shareholders for the unexpired term of the director or directors
removed.

         Section 8. Executive committee. The Board of Directors, by a resolution
or resolutions adopted by a majority of the members of the board then in office,
may appoint from among its membership an executive committee consisting of such
number of directors as may be so designated, but in no event fewer than three
(3). Except as otherwise limited by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or by
the resolution or resolutions creating or concerning the executive committee,
the executive committee shall have full power and authorization, in the
intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, to do any and all things
in relation to the management and direction of the business and affairs of the
Corporation and to exercise any and all powers of the Board of Directors.

         Section 9. Other committees. Other standing committees may be appointed
by the Board of Directors from among its membership by a resolution adopted by a
majority of the members of the Board then in office consisting of such number of
directors as may be so designated, but in no event fewer than three (3). Except
as otherwise limited by law or the Articles of Incorporation, the Board may, by
resolution, invest any such committee with such powers, and impose upon it such
conditions within the power and authority of the Board, as the Board shall see
fit. The Board of Directors


<PAGE>   7

may, by a resolution or resolutions adopted by a majority of the members of the
Board then in office, designate one or more directors from among its membership
as alternate members of the Executive or other committees who may act in the
place and stead of any absent member or members at any committee meeting.

         Section 10. Conduct of committees. Within the powers conferred upon it
and as permitted by law, the Executive committee and any other committee
appointed by the Board of Directors may adopt rules for the conduct of its own
business, shall keep minutes of its meetings, and shall report, as the Board of
Directors may request, its activities since the last regular or special meeting
of the Board. Any committee appointed by the Board of Directors, including the
Executive committee, may be disestablished at any regular or special meeting of
the Board or its power and purposes amended as the Board may determine.

         Section 11. Action of the Board of Directors taken without a meeting.
Except as otherwise provided by law, any action which is required or permitted
to be taken by the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be taken
without a meeting if all of the directors, or all of the committee members, as
the case may be, execute either before or after the action is taken a written
consent thereto and such consent is filed with the records of the Corporation or
with the minutes of the Board or committee.

                                    ARTICLE V

Officers

         Section 1. Corporate officers. The Board of Directors shall appoint a
Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint
one or more Vice Presidents and such other officers as the Board of Directors,
the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may determine.

         Section 2. Division officers. The Board of Directors, the Chairman of
the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint officers with titles
indicating their responsibilities in operating divisions of the Corporation
which may include President, Vice President, and any other divisional titles
which may be deemed appropriate.

         Section 3. Compensation. The compensation of the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President, and the Vice Chairman of the Board,
shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and unless the Board of Directors
shall determine otherwise, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive
Officer shall determine the compensation of all other officers of the
Corporation.

         Section 4. Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board. The
Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of
the Board of Directors, unless the Vice Chairman of the Board has been
designated by the 


<PAGE>   8

Board of Directors to preside at meetings of the Board of Directors. The
Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board shall perform such other
duties as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

         Section 5. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall
be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and
shall perform all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board
of Directors.

         Section 6. President. Unless the President is also appointed Chief
Executive Officer, the President shall perform all duties incident to the office
of President and such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board
of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

         Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall issue notices for all
meetings of the Board of Directors, any committees thereof, and shareholders and
shall cause the minutes of the same to be recorded in books provided for that
purpose. He shall have charge of the corporate seal and of all corporate records
and shall have the responsibility for authenticating records of the Corporation.
He shall make such reports and perform such other duties as the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer shall
determine are properly required of him and, in general, perform all duties
incident to the office of Secretary.

         Section 8. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all
monies and securities of the Corporation. He shall perform such other duties as
the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the Chief Executive
Officer shall determine are properly required of him and, in general, perform
all duties incident to the office of Treasurer.

         Section 9. Duties of other officers. All other officers shall perform
such duties as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or the Chief
Executive Officer may determine are properly required of him.

         Section 10. Term of office, removal, and vacancies. The appointment of
officers by the Board of Directors shall take place annually at the meeting of
the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of the shareholders.
Officers may also be appointed by the Board of Directors at any regular meeting
of the Board or at any special meeting of the Board called for that purpose.
Officers permitted to be appointed by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer may be appointed any time. Each officer shall hold office
until his successor shall have been duly appointed and shall have qualified or
until his death or until he shall resign. Any officer may be removed from
office, with or without cause, at any time by a vote of a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors then in office. Any officer appointed by the
Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may be removed from office,
with or without cause, at any time by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer. Any vacancy in an office may be filled by the Board of
Directors, the Chairman


<PAGE>   9

of the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer, except that only the Board of
Directors may fill a vacancy in the positions of Chief Executive Officer,
President, Secretary or Treasurer.

         Section 11. Bonds. The Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board,
or the Chief Executive Officer may require any officer, agent, or employee of
the Corporation to give bond to the Corporation, with sufficient surety or
sureties to insure the faithful performance of such officer's, agent's, or
employee's duties.


                                   ARTICLE VI

Miscellaneous

         Section 1. Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be in such form and
shall contain such symbols and wording as the Board of Directors may from time
to time adopt.

         Section 2. Buying and selling property. Without limiting the authority
granted to officers pursuant to Article V, the Chairman of the Board, Vice
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, and such other person or persons as the
Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board
of Directors shall designate by name or position, shall have the authority to
buy or sell, and to contract to buy or sell, on behalf of the Corporation, any
real property of any kind whatsoever.

         Section 3. Execution of documents. Any contract, negotiable instrument,
or other written obligation shall be binding on the Corporation when executed by
the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, or such
other person or persons as the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer, or the Board of Directors shall designate by name or
position.

         Section 4. Deposits. The cash monies of the Corporation shall be
deposited in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Chairman
of the Board, Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Corporation's
principal financial officer, or the Board of Directors shall designate by name
and may be withdrawn therefrom only upon the signature of persons designated by
the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the
Corporation's principal financial officer, or the Board of Directors.

         Section 5. Voting securities held by the Corporation. Unless the Board
of Directors orders otherwise, the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, and such other officer or officers as the
Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, or the Chief Executive
Officer shall designate in writing, shall each have full power and authority on
behalf of the Corporation to attend, to act and to vote at any meeting of the
security holders of other corporations in which the


<PAGE>   10

Corporation may hold securities and at such meeting shall possess and may
exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such
securities which the Corporation might have possessed and exercised if it had
been present.

         Section 6. Dividends and distributions. Before declaring any
distributions, the Board of Directors may fix and set aside from time to time
such sums over and above paid-in capital of the Corporation as a reserve for any
proper purpose, including expansion, maintenance, or contingencies, as the Board
may deem desirable, and the Board may from time to time increase, diminish, and
vary any such sums so set aside.

         Section 7.  Indemnification.

         (a)      General.  The Corporation shall indemnify each person who:

                  (i)      is or was a director or officer of the Corporation
         (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such
         person); or

                  (ii)     while holding a status described in (i) above, is or
         was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
         partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic
         corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
         or other enterprise as follows: (A) if such person is or was a director
         of the Corporation, to the full extent permitted under South Carolina
         Business Corporation Act of 1988, as amended ("SCBCA") ss.ss.33-8-510
         and 520, or as required by the determination of a court pursuant to
         SCBCA ss.33-8-540; or (B) if such person is or was a non-director
         officer of the Corporation, to the full extent permitted by SCBCA
         ss.33-8-560(1) as to mandatory and court-ordered indemnification and
         otherwise in the same manner and to the same extent that directors are
         permitted to be indemnified under SCBCA ss.33-8-510.

         (b)      Procedure.

                  (i)      Directors. If indemnification is requested by a
         director pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 7 under the
         authority granted by SCBCA ss.33-8-510, then the Board shall cause a
         determination to be made in one of the manners prescribed in SCBCA
         ss.33-8-550 as to whether indemnification of the director requesting
         such indemnification is permissible in the circumstances because such
         director has met the standard of conduct set forth in SCBCA
         ss.33-8-510. Upon any such determination that such indemnification is
         proper or upon mandatory indemnification pursuant to SCBCA ss.33-8-520,
         the Corporation shall make indemnification payments to the maximum
         extent permitted by SCBCA ss.33-8-510 or 520.


<PAGE>   11

                  (ii)     Non-director officers. If indemnification is
         requested by a non-director officer pursuant to subsection (a) of this
         Section 7, then the Board shall cause a determination to be made as to
         whether such indemnification is permissible in the circumstances
         because such person has met the standard of conduct set forth in SCBCA
         ss.33-8-510 or as otherwise provided in subsection (a) of this Section
         7. Upon the determination by the Board that indemnification of any such
         non-director officer is proper or upon mandatory indemnification
         pursuant to SCBCA ss.33-8-520, the Corporation shall make
         indemnification payments to the maximum extent permitted by SCBCA
         ss.33-8-520 or 560, as the case may be.

         (c)      Interim payment of expenses. The Corporation shall pay in
advance the expenses (including attorneys' fees) of defending a civil or
criminal action, suit, or proceeding that are incurred by a person who:

                  (i)      is or was a director or officer of the Corporation
         (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such
         person); or

                  (ii)     while holding a status described in (i) above, is or
         was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
         partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic
         corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan
         or other enterprise, as follows: (A) if such person is or was a
         director, to the full extent permitted by and in accordance with SCBCA
         ss.33-8-530; and (B) with respect to non-director officers, in the same
         manner and to the same extent it is permitted to advance expenses to
         directors pursuant to SCBCA ss.33-8-530; provided, however, that such
         person [whether covered by clause (A) or (B) above] shall provide the
         Corporation with (1) a written affirmation of such person's good faith
         belief that such person has met the applicable standard of conduct, and
         (2) a written understanding by such person or on such person's behalf
         to repay any expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined
         that such person is not entitled to be indemnified against such
         expenses.

         (d)      Non-officer/non-director agents and employees. The Board may
indemnify, or advance expenses in connection with a proceeding that may be the
subject of indemnification to, a non-officer or non-director agent or employee
of the Corporation if, to the extent and on such terms as the Board may from
time to time determine.

         (e)      Subsequent amendment. No amendment, termination, recision or
other elimination of this Section 7 or of any relevant provisions of the SCBCA
or any other applicable law shall affect or diminish in any way the rights to
indemnification under this Section 7 with respect to any action, suit or
proceeding arising out of, or relating to, any


<PAGE>   12

event or act or omission occurring or fact or circumstance existing prior to
such amendment, termination, recision or other elimination.

         (f)      Other rights; indemnification agreements; certain limitations.
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to, other subsections of this Section 7 shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of
expenses may be entitled pursuant to any applicable law (including court-ordered
indemnification pursuant to SCBCA ss.33-8-540), to any agreement, or to any vote
of shareholders (including a vote pursuant to SCBCA ss.33-8-550) or of
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's
official capacity and as to action in any other capacity while an officer or
director. Nothing contained in this Section 7 shall be deemed to prohibit, and
the Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into, agreements which
provide indemnification rights and procedures permitted by the SCBCA.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Bylaws, the
Corporation's Articles of Incorporation or applicable law, indemnification of a
director shall not be permitted (i) for any breach of the director's duty of
loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) for the types of liability set forth in SCBCA
ss.33-8-330, or (iv) for any transaction from which he received an improper
personal benefit; and indemnification of officers shall not be permitted if
inconsistent with public policy.

         (g)      Continuation of right to indemnification. All rights to
indemnification under this Section 7 [including those arising pursuant to
subsection (e) above] shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director or officer, shall inure to the benefit of heirs, executors,
administrators and the estate of such person, and shall be deemed to be a
contract between the Corporation and each such person or entity. This Section 7
shall be binding upon any successor corporation to the Corporation, whether by
way of merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or otherwise.

         (h)      Notice. If the Corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to
a director under Section 7(a) in connection with a proceeding by or in right of
the Corporation, the Corporation shall report the indemnification or advance in
writing to the shareholders with or before the notice of the next meeting of
shareholders.

         (i)      Savings clause. If this Section 7 or any portion of it shall
be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify persons specified in this Section 7 to
the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 7 that shall
not have been invalidated and to the full extent permitted by applicable law.





<PAGE>   13


                                   ARTICLE VII

Amendment

         Subject to the Articles of Incorporation and the SCBCA, the Bylaws may
be amended or repealed at any meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum
exists if the votes in favor of the amendment exceed the votes opposed to the
amendment, or at any meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation at
which a quorum exists by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors then in office. The shareholders may prescribe that any
bylaws adopted by them shall not be altered, amended or repealed by the Board.




<PAGE>   1


                                                                       EXHIBIT 4









                                  $225,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   dated as of

                                December 17, 1997

                                      among


                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.

                             The Banks Listed Herein

                                       and

                              WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.,
                                    as Agent



<PAGE>   2













                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01.     Definitions

SECTION 1.02.     Accounting Terms and Determinations

SECTION 1.03.     References

SECTION 1.04.     Use of Defined Terms

SECTION 1.05.     Terminology

ARTICLE II  THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01.     Commitments to Lend Syndicated Loans

SECTION 2.02.     Method of Borrowing Syndicated Loans

SECTION 2.03.     Money Market Loans

SECTION 2.04.     Notes

SECTION 2.05.     Maturity of Loans

SECTION 2.06.     Interest Rates

SECTION 2.07.     Fees

SECTION 2.08.     Optional Termination or Reduction of Commitments

SECTION 2.09.     Mandatory Termination of Commitments

SECTION 2.10.     Optional Prepayments

SECTION 2.11.     Mandatory Prepayments

SECTION 2.12.     General Provisions as to Payments

SECTION 2.13.     Computation of Interest and Fees




<PAGE>   3


ARTICLE III  CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS

SECTION 3.01.     Conditions to First Borrowing

SECTION 3.02.     Conditions to All Borrowings

ARTICLE IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 4.01.     Corporate Existence and Power

SECTION 4.02.     Corporate and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention

SECTION 4.03.     Binding Effect

SECTION 4.04.     Financial Information

SECTION 4.05.     No Litigation

SECTION 4.06.     Compliance with ERISA

SECTION 4.07.     Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes

SECTION 4.08.     Subsidiaries

SECTION 4.09.     Investment Company Act

SECTION 4.10.     Public Utility Holding Company Act

SECTION 4.11.     Ownership of Property; Liens

SECTION 4.12.     No Default

SECTION 4.13.     Full Disclosure

SECTION 4.14.     Environmental Matters

SECTION 4.15.     Capital Stock

SECTION 4.16.     Margin Stock

SECTION 4.17.     Insolvency

SECTION 4.18.     Insurance

<PAGE>   4

ARTICLE V  COVENANTS

SECTION 5.01.     Information

SECTION 5.02.     Inspection of Property, Books and Records

SECTION 5.03.     Ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Total Tangible
                  Capital

SECTION 5.04.     Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth

SECTION 5.05.     Restricted Payments

SECTION 5.06.     Loans or Advances

SECTION 5.07.     Investments

SECTION 5.08.     Negative Pledge

SECTION 5.09.     Maintenance of Existence

SECTION 5.10.     Dissolution

SECTION 5.11.     Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets

SECTION 5.12.     Use of Proceeds

SECTION 5.13.     Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes

SECTION 5.14.     Insurance

SECTION 5.15.     Change in Fiscal Year

SECTION 5.16.     Maintenance of Property

SECTION 5.17.     Environmental Notices

SECTION 5.18.     Environmental Matters

SECTION 5.19.     Environmental Release

SECTION 5.20.     Transactions with Affiliates

SECTION 5.21      Election to Become Guarantors; Release of Guarantors to be
                  Sold
<PAGE>   5

SECTION 5.22      Ownership of Bonds

ARTICLE VI  DEFAULTS

SECTION 6.01.     Events of Default

SECTION 6.02.     Notice of Default

ARTICLE VII  THE AGENT

SECTION 7.01.     Appointment; Powers and Immunities

SECTION 7.02.     Reliance by Agent

SECTION 7.03.     Defaults

SECTION 7.04.     Rights of Agent as a Bank

SECTION 7.05.     Indemnification

SECTION 7.06      Consequential Damages

SECTION 7.07.     Payee of Note Treated as Owner

SECTION 7.08.     Nonreliance on Agent and Other Banks

SECTION 7.09.     Failure to Act

SECTION 7.10.     Resignation or Removal of Agent

ARTICLE VIII  CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; COMPENSATION60

SECTION 8.01.     Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair

SECTION 8.02.     Illegality

SECTION 8.03.     Increased Cost and Reduced Return

SECTION 8.04.     Base Rate Loans Substituted for Affected Euro-Dollar Loans

SECTION 8.05.     Compensation


<PAGE>   6

ARTICLE IX  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01.     Notices

SECTION 9.02.     No Waivers

SECTION 9.03.     Expenses; Documentary Taxes

SECTION 9.04.     Indemnification

SECTION 9.05.     Setoff; Sharing of Setoffs

SECTION 9.06.     Amendments and Waivers

SECTION 9.07.     No Margin Stock Collateral

SECTION 9.08.     Successors and Assigns

SECTION 9.09.     Confidentiality

SECTION 9.10.     Representation by Banks

SECTION 9.11.     Obligations Several

SECTION 9.12.     Georgia Law

SECTION 9.13.     Severability

SECTION 9.14.     Interest

SECTION 9.15.     Interpretation

SECTION 9.16.     Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction

SECTION 9.17.     Counterparts

SECTION 9.18.     Source of Funds -- ERISA




<PAGE>   7



EXHIBIT A-1       Form of Syndicated Loan Note

EXHIBIT A-2       Form of Money Market Loan Note

EXHIBIT B         Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Borrower

EXHIBIT C         Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Agent

EXHIBIT D         Form of Assignment and Acceptance

EXHIBIT E         Form of Notice of Borrowing

EXHIBIT F         Form of Compliance Certificate

EXHIBIT G         Form of Closing Certificate

EXHIBIT H         Intentionally Deleted

EXHIBIT I         Form of Guaranty

EXHIBIT J         Form of Contribution Agreement

EXHIBIT K         Form of Money Market Quote Request

EXHIBIT L         Form of Money Market Quote



Schedule 4.04     Financial Information Disclosures

Schedule 4.06     ERISA

Schedule 4.08     Subsidiaries

Schedule 4.14     Environmental Matters




<PAGE>   8


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 17, 1997 among SPRINGS
INDUSTRIES, INC., the BANKS listed on the signature pages hereof and WACHOVIA
BANK, N.A., as Agent.

         The parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.01. Definitions. The terms as defined in this Section 1.01
shall, for all purposes of this Agreement and any amendment hereto (except as
herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires),
have the meanings set forth herein:

         "Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.06(c).

         "Affiliate" of any relevant Person means (i) any Person that directly,
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls the relevant Person
(a "Controlling Person"), (ii) any Person (other than the relevant Person or a
Subsidiary of the relevant Person) which is controlled by or is under common
control with a Controlling Person, or (iii) any Person (other than a Subsidiary
of the relevant Person) of which the relevant Person owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of the common stock or equivalent equity interests. As
used herein, the term "control" means possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

         "Agent" means Wachovia Bank, N.A., a national banking association
organized under the laws of the United States of America, in its capacity as
agent for the Banks hereunder, and its successors and permitted assigns in such
capacity.

         "Agent's Letter Agreement" means that certain letter agreement, dated
as of October 24, 1997, between the Borrower and the Agent relating to the
structure of the Loans, and certain


<PAGE>   9

fees from time to time payable by the Borrower to the Agent, together with all
amendments and supplements thereto.

         "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, together with all amendments
and supplements hereto.

         "Applicable Margin" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a).

         "Assignee" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08(c).

         "Assignment and Acceptance" means an Assignment and Acceptance executed
in accordance with Section 9.08(c) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

         "Authority" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.

         "Bank" means each bank listed on the signature pages hereof as having a
Commitment, and its successors and assigns.

         "Base Rate" means for any Base Rate Loan for any day, the rate per
annum equal to the higher as of such day of (i) the Prime Rate, or (ii) one-half
of one percent above the Federal Funds Rate. For purposes of determining the
Base Rate for any day, changes in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall
be effective on the date of each such change.

         "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan which bears or is to bear interest at a
rate based upon the Base Rate, and is to be made as a Base Rate Loan pursuant to
the applicable Notice of Borrowing, Section 2.02(f), or Article VIII, as
applicable.

         "Borrower" means SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., a South Carolina
corporation, and its successors and its permitted assigns.

         "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans made to the
Borrower (i) at the same time by all of the Banks, in the case of a Syndicated
Borrowing, or (ii) separately by one or more Banks, in the case of a Money
Market Borrowing, in each case pursuant to Article II. A Borrowing is a "Money
Market Borrowing" if such Loans are made pursuant to Section 2.03 or a
"Syndicated Borrowing" if such Loans are made pursuant to Section 2.01. A
Borrowing is a "Domestic Borrowing" if such Loans are


<PAGE>   10

Domestic Loans or a "Euro-Dollar Borrowing" if such Loans are Euro-Dollar Loans.
A Domestic Borrowing is a "Base Rate Borrowing" if such Domestic Loans are Base
Rate Loans. A Borrowing is a "Money Market Borrowing" if such Loans are made
pursuant to Section 2.03 or a "Syndicated Borrowing" if such Loans are made
pursuant to Section 2.01.

         "Capital Stock" means any nonredeemable capital stock of the Borrower
or any Consolidated Subsidiary (to the extent issued to a Person other than the
Borrower), whether common or preferred.

         "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601 et. seq. and its implementing regulations
and amendments.

         "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Inventory System established pursuant to CERCLA.

         "Change of Law" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.

         "Close Family Interests" means Anne Springs Close and members of her
family, the Close Family Trusts, The Springs Company and Central Reassurance
Corporation.

         "Closing Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(e).

         "Closing Date" means December 17, 1997.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor Federal tax code.

         "Commitment" means, with respect to each Bank, (i) the amount set forth
opposite the name of such Bank on the signature pages hereof, and (ii)as to any
Bank which enters into any Assignment and Acceptance (whether as transferor Bank
or as Assignee thereunder), the amount of such Bank's Commitment after giving
effect to such Assignment and Acceptance, in each case as such amount may be
reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.08 and 2.09.


<PAGE>   11

         "Compliance Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c).

         "Consolidated Debt" means at any date the Debt of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis as of such date.

         "Consolidated Interest Expense" for any period means interest, whether
expensed or capitalized, in respect of Debt of the Borrower or any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries outstanding during such period.

         "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the Net Income of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP on
a consolidated basis, but excluding (i) extraordinary items and (ii) any gains
resulting from a write-up of assets, or any earnings of any Person acquired by
the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary in a pooling of interests for any
Fiscal Year prior to the Fiscal Year of the date of measurement.

         "Consolidated Net Income Available for Restricted Payments" means, on
any date, an amount equal to the sum of: (i) $40,000,000; plus (or minus, in
case of a deficit) (ii) 100% of Consolidated Net Income for the period (taken as
one accounting period) commencing on April 1, 1995 and terminating at the end of
the last Fiscal Quarter preceding the date of any proposed Restricted Payment;
less (iii) the aggregate amount of all Dividends paid or declared after April 1,
1995, by the Borrower on any of its Capital Stock; and less (iv) the excess of
(A) the aggregate amount expended, directly or indirectly, after April 1, 1995,
for redemption, purchase, retirement or other acquisition of any shares of its
Capital Stock over (B) the aggregate amount received after April 1, 1995, from
sales of Capital Stock.

         "Consolidated Subsidiary" means at any date any Subsidiary or other
entity the accounts of which, in accordance with GAAP, would be consolidated
with those of the Borrower in its consolidated financial statements as of such
date.

         "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, at any time, Stockholders'
Equity, less the sum of the value, as set forth or reflected on the most recent
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,
prepared in accordance with GAAP, of:


<PAGE>   12

                  (A)      Any surplus resulting from any write-up of assets
subsequent to January 1, 1996;

                  (B)      All assets which would be treated as intangible
assets for balance sheet presentation purposes under GAAP, including without
limitation goodwill (whether representing the excess of cost over book value of
assets acquired, or otherwise), trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and
technologies, and unamortized debt discount and expense;

                  (C)      To the extent not included in (B) of this definition,
any amount at which shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower appear as an asset
on the balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries; and

                  (D)      Loans or advances to stockholders, directors,
officers or employees.

         "Consolidated Total Tangible Capital" means, at any time, the sum of
(i) Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, and (ii) Consolidated Debt, provided that
for purposes of this definition only, in determining Consolidated Debt, clauses
(vii), (viii) and (ix) of the definition of Debt contained in this Agreement
shall be disregarded.

         "Contribution Agreement" means the Contribution Agreement of even date
herewith in substantially the form of Exhibit "J" to be executed by the Borrower
and each of the Guarantors.

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

         "Debt" of any Person means at any date, without duplication, (i) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii)
all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or
services, except (A) trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
business, and (B) Non-Interest Bearing Deferred Compensation, (iv) all
obligations of such Person as


<PAGE>   13

lessee under capital leases, (v) all obligations of such Person to reimburse any
bank or other Person in respect of amounts payable under a banker's acceptance,
(vi) all Redeemable Preferred Stock of such Person (in the event such Person is
a corporation), (vii) all obligations of such Person to reimburse any bank or
other Person in respect of amounts paid under a standby (but not commercial)
letter of credit or similar instrument (but excluding such reimbursement
obligations pertaining to any variable rate demand bond while they remain
contingent due to there having been no presenting and honoring of a draft under
any such letter of credit or similar instrument), (viii) all Debt of others
secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is
assumed by such Person, and (ix) all Debt of others Guaranteed by such Person.

         "Default" means any condition or event which constitutes an Event of
Default or which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would,
unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

         "Default Rate" means, with respect to any Loan, on any day, the sum of
2% plus the then highest interest rate (including the Applicable Margin) which
may be applicable to any Loans hereunder (irrespective of whether any such type
of Loans are actually outstanding hereunder).

         "Dividends" means for any period the sum of all dividends or other
distributions paid or declared during such period in respect of any Capital
Stock and Redeemable Preferred Stock (other than dividends or other
distributions paid or payable in the form of additional Capital Stock).

         "Dollars" or "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the United States
of America.

         "Domestic Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks in Georgia are authorized by law to close.

         "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary created under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof.


<PAGE>   14

         "Environmental Authority" means any foreign, federal, state, local or
regional government that exercises any form of jurisdiction or authority under
any Environmental Requirement.

         "Environmental Authorizations" means all licenses, permits, orders,
approvals, notices, registrations or other legal prerequisites for conducting
the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary required by any Environmental
Requirement.

         "Environmental Judgments and Orders" means all judgments, decrees or
orders arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental
Requirements, whether or not entered upon consent, or written agreements with an
Environmental Authority or other entity arising from or in any way associated
with any Environmental Requirement, whether or not incorporated in a judgment,
decree or order.

         "Environmental Liabilities" means any liabilities, whether accrued,
contingent or otherwise, arising from and in any way associated with any
Environmental Requirements.

         "Environmental Notices" means notice from any Environmental Authority
or by any other person or entity, of possible or alleged noncompliance with or
liability under any written Environmental Requirement, including without
limitation any complaints, citations, demands or requests from any Environmental
Authority or from any other person or entity for correction of any violation of
any Environmental Requirement or any investigations concerning any violation of
any Environmental Requirement.

         "Environmental Proceedings" means any judicial or administrative
proceedings arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental
Requirement.

         "Environmental Releases" means releases as defined in CERCLA or under
any applicable state or local environmental law or regulation.

         "Environmental Requirements" means any legal requirement relating to
health, safety or the environment and applicable to the Borrower, any Subsidiary
or the Properties, including but not limited to any such requirement under
CERCLA or similar state legislation and all federal, state and local laws,
ordinances, regulations, orders, writs, decrees and common law.

<PAGE>   15

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, or any successor law. Any reference to any provision
of ERISA shall also be deemed to be a reference to any successor provision or
provisions thereof.

         "Euro-Dollar Business Day" means any Domestic Business Day on which
dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out in the London interbank market.

         "Euro-Dollar Loan" means a Loan which bears or is to bear interest at a
rate based upon the Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate, and to be made as a
Euro-Dollar Loan pursuant to the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

         "Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.06(c).

         "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.

         "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
upward, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Domestic Business Day
next succeeding such day, provided that (i) if the day for which such rate is to
be determined is not a Domestic Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such
day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Domestic
Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Domestic Business Day, and
(ii) if such rate is not so published for any day, the Federal Funds Rate for
such day shall be the average rate charged to the Agent on such day on such
transactions, as determined by the Agent.

         "Fiscal Quarter" means any fiscal quarter of the Borrower.

         "Fiscal Year" means any fiscal year of the Borrower.

         "Fixed Rate Borrowing" means a Euro-Dollar Borrowing or a Money Market
Borrowing, either or both of them, as the context requires.


<PAGE>   16

         "Fixed Rate Loans" means Euro-Dollar Loans or Money Market Loans,
either or both of them, as the context requires.

         "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
basis consistent with those which, in accordance with Section 1.02, are to be
used in making the calculations for purposes of determining compliance with the
terms of this Agreement.

         "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other
obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person (i) to secure, purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the
purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation (whether arising by virtue
of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets,
goods, securities or services, to provide collateral security, to take-or-pay,
or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into
for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or
other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss
in respect thereof (in whole or in part), provided that the term Guarantee shall
not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

         "Guarantors" means any one or more or all of the following, as the
context shall require: (i) Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and Dundee Mills, Incorporated, a Georgia corporation; and (ii) any
Domestic Subsidiary which elects to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 5.21;
in each case subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 5.21.

         "Guaranty" means the Guaranty Agreement of even date herewith in
substantially the form of Exhibit "I" to be executed by the Guarantors,
unconditionally and jointly and severally Guaranteeing payment of the Loans, the
Notes and all other obligations of the Borrower to the Agent and the Banks
hereunder,


<PAGE>   17

including without limitation all principal, interest, fees, costs, and
compensation and indemnification amounts.

         "Hazardous Materials" includes, without limitation, (a) solid or
hazardous waste, as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of
1980, 42 U.S.C. ss. 6901 et seq. and its implementing regulations and
amendments, or in any applicable state or local law or regulation, (b)
"hazardous substance", "pollutant", or "contaminant" as defined in CERCLA, or in
any applicable state or local law or regulation, (c) gasoline, or any other
petroleum product or by-product, including, crude oil or any fraction thereof,
or (d) pesticides, as defined in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act of 1975, or in any applicable state or local law or regulation,
as each such Act, statute or regulation may be amended from time to time.

         "Interest Period" means: (1) with respect to each Euro-Dollar
Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the
numerically corresponding day in the first, second, third or sixth month
thereafter, as the Borrower may elect in the applicable Notice of Borrowing;
provided that:

                  (a)      any Interest Period (subject to paragraph (c) below)
         which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Euro-Dollar Business
         Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Euro-Dollar Business Day
         unless such Euro-Dollar Business Day falls in another calendar month,
         in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding
         Euro-Dollar Business Day;

                  (b)      any Interest Period which begins on the last
         Euro-Dollar Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which
         there is no numerically corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent
         calendar month) shall, subject to paragraph (c) below, end on the last
         Euro-Dollar Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month;
         and

                  (c)      no Interest Period may be selected which begins
         before the Termination Date and would otherwise end after the
         Termination Date.

(2) with respect to each Base Rate Borrowing, the period commencing on the date
of such Borrowing and ending 30 days thereafter; provided that:


<PAGE>   18

                  (a)      any Interest Period (subject to paragraph (b) below)
         which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Domestic Business Day
         shall be extended to the next succeeding Domestic Business Day; and

                  (b)      no Interest Period which begins before the
         Termination Date and would otherwise end after the Termination Date may
         be selected.

(3) with respect to each Money Market Borrowing, the period commencing on the
date of such Borrowing and ending on the Stated Maturity Date or such other date
or dates as may be specified in the applicable Money Market Quote; provided
that:

                  (a)      any Interest Period (subject to clause (b) below)
         which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Domestic Business Day
         shall be extended to the next succeeding Domestic Business Day; and

                  (b)      no Interest Period may be selected which begins
         before the Termination Date and would otherwise end after the
         Termination Date.

            "Investment" means any investment in any Person other than a
Subsidiary, whether by means of purchase or acquisition of obligations or
securities of such Person, capital contribution to such Person, loan or advance
to such Person, making of a time deposit with such Person, Guarantee or
assumption of any obligation of such Person or otherwise.

            "Lending Office" means, as to each Bank, its office located at its
address set forth on the signature pages hereof (or identified on the signature
pages hereof as its Lending Office) or such other office as such Bank may
hereafter designate as its Lending Office by notice to the Borrower and the
Agent.

            "Leverage Ratio" means the ratio of Consolidated Debt to
Consolidated Total Tangible Capital.

            "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed to 
secure debt, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, security
title, preferential arrangement which has the practical effect of constituting a
security interest or encumbrance, or encumbrance or servitude of any kind in
respect of such asset to secure or assure payment of a Debt or a 


<PAGE>   19

Guarantee, whether by consensual agreement or by operation of statute or other
law, or by any agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide any of the
foregoing. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower or any Subsidiary
shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or
holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale
agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such
asset.

         "Loan" means a Base Rate Loan, Euro-Dollar Loan, Domestic Loan,
Syndicated Loan, or Money Market Loan, and "Loans" means Base Rate Loans,
Euro-Dollar Loans, Domestic Loans, Syndicated Loans, Money Market Loans, or any
or all of them, as the context requires.

         "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the
Contribution Agreement, any other document evidencing, relating to or securing
the Loans, and any other document or instrument delivered from time to time in
connection with this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the Contribution
Agreement or the Loans, as such documents and instruments may be amended or
supplemented from time to time.

         "London Interbank Offered Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.06(d).

         "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as defined in Regulations G, T, U
or X.

         "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to any event, act,
condition or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination
in any litigation, arbitration, or governmental investigation or proceeding),
whether singly or in conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts,
condition or conditions, occurrence or occurrences, whether or not related, a
material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, any of (a) the
financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole which has or could
have the effect of impairing the Borrower's ability to perform or comply with
provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party,
(b) the rights and remedies of the Agent or the Banks under the Loan Documents,
or (c) the legality, validity or enforceability of any Loan Document.


<PAGE>   20

         "Money Market Borrowing Date" has the meaning specified in Section
2.03.

         "Money Market Loan Notes" means the promissory notes of the Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2, evidencing the obligation of the
Borrower to repay the Money Market Loans, together with all amendments,
consolidations, modifications, renewals and supplements thereto.

         "Money Market Quote" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

         "Money Market Quote Request" has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(b).

         "Money Market Rate" has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(c)(ii)(C).

         "Multiemployer Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

         "Net Income" means, as applied to any Person for any period, the
aggregate amount of net income of such Person, after taxes, for such period, as
determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Net Proceeds of Capital Stock" means any proceeds received by the
Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary in respect of the issuance of Capital
Stock, after deducting therefrom all reasonable and customary costs and expenses
incurred by the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary directly in connection
with the issuance of such Capital Stock.

         "Non-Interest Bearing Deferred Compensation" means with respect to the
obligations of the Borrower to its employees, officers and directors under the
Borrower's deferred compensation plans in effect from time to time, that portion
of such deferred compensation which does not bear interest.

         "Notes" means each of the Syndicated Loan Notes or Money Market Loan
Notes, or any or all of them, as the requires.

         "Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.


<PAGE>   21

         "Operating Profits" means, as applied to any Person for any period, the
operating income of such Person for such period, as determined in accordance
with GAAP.

         "Participant" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08(b).

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity
succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

         "Performance Pricing Determination Date" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.06(a).

                  "Permitted Sale-Lease Back/Bond Transaction" shall mean a
         transaction entered into by the Borrower with any of the South Carolina
         Counties of Chester, York, Lancaster and Spartanburg (each an "SC
         County", collectively, the "SC Counties") for the purpose of obtaining
         a fee-in-lieu-of-tax characterization with respect to such transaction,
         whereby (the following transactions are referred to in this definition
         as the "Bond Transaction(s)"): (i) the Borrower has sold or will sell
         certain real and personal property (the "Property") located in each of
         the SC Counties to the respective SC County in which such Property is
         located; (ii) the Borrower has leased-back or will lease-back the
         Property from each respective SC County; (iii) each of the SC Counties
         has assigned or will assign such lease (the "Lease(s)") to certain
         trustees (the "Trustee(s)"); (iv) each of the Trustees has sold or will
         sell a bond (the "Bond(s)") issued by the respective SC County to the
         Borrower, the payment of which is secured by the Property in such SC
         County and the respective Lease, and the Bond proceeds are loaned to
         the Borrower in return for the Borrower's issuance of a promissory note
         therefor; (v) each Bond and the collateral security therefor shall be
         freely assignable, provided, however, the Borrower shall not encumber,
         transfer or otherwise dispose of the Bond or any collateral security
         therefor and shall remain the sole holder thereof; (vi) each Bond
         Transaction shall be entered into, performed and terminated (including,
         without limitation, all payments of any loans, rent, and purchase price
         by Borrower, any County or any Trustee at the consummation of any Bond
         Transaction, during the performance of any Bond Transaction, and at the
         termination of any Bond


<PAGE>   22

         Transaction) in accordance with its terms and without (x) the transfer
         of or obligation to transfer any funds between the parties to the Bond
         Transactions except for mutual offsetting book entries and fees paid or
         to be paid to any SC County in lieu of taxes, or (y) any effect under
         GAAP (as currently in effect) on the Borrower's financial statements;
         (vii) at any time the Borrower may terminate any Lease and title to the
         respective Property subject to such Lease shall be automatically
         transferred back to the Borrower; and (viii) at the end of the term of
         any Lease and upon payment of the respective Bond in full, title to the
         respective Property subject to such Lease shall be automatically
         transferred back to the Borrower.

         "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an
unincorporated association, a trust or any other entity or organization,
including, but not limited to, a government or political subdivision or an
agency or instrumentality thereof.

         "Plan" means at any time an employee pension benefit plan which is
covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under
Section 412 of the Code and is either (i) maintained by a member of the
Controlled Group for employees of any member of the Controlled Group or (ii)
maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or any other
arrangement under which more than one employer makes contributions and to which
a member of the Controlled Group is then making or accruing an obligation to
make contributions or has within the preceding 5 plan years made contributions.

         "Prime Rate" refers to that interest rate so denominated and set by
Wachovia from time to time as an interest rate basis for borrowings. The Prime
Rate is but one of several interest rate bases used by Wachovia. Wachovia lends
at interest rates above and below the Prime Rate.

         "Properties" means all real property owned, leased or otherwise used or
occupied by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, wherever located.

         "Redeemable Preferred Stock" of any Person means any preferred stock
issued by such Person which is at any time prior to the Termination Date either
(i) mandatorily redeemable (by


<PAGE>   23

sinking fund or similar payments or otherwise) or (ii) redeemable at the option
of the holder thereof.

         "Refunding Loan" means a new Syndicated Loan made on the day on which
an outstanding Syndicated Loan is maturing or a Base Rate Borrowing is being
converted to a Fixed Rate Borrowing, if and to the extent that the proceeds
thereof are used entirely for the purpose of paying such maturing Loan or Loan
being converted, excluding any difference between the amount of such maturing
Loan or Loan being converted and any greater amount being borrowed on such day
and actually either being made available to the Borrower pursuant to Section
2.02(c) or remitted to the Agent as provided in Section 2.12, in each case as
contemplated in Section 2.02(d).

         "Regulation G" means Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, together with all
official rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

         "Regulation T" means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, together with all
official rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

         "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, together with all
official rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

         "Regulation X" means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, together with all
official rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

         "Required Banks" means at any time Banks having at least 66 2/3% of the
aggregate amount of the Commitments or, if the Commitments are no longer in
effect, Banks holding at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the sum of the (i) Syndicated Loans and (ii) Money Market Loans.

         "Restricted Payment" means (i) any Dividend on any shares of the
Borrower's Capital stock or (ii) any payment on account of the purchase,
redemption, retirement or acquisition of (a) any shares of the Borrower's
Capital Stock (except shares


<PAGE>   24

acquired upon the conversion thereof into other shares of its Capital Stock) or
(b) any option, warrant or other right to acquire shares of the Borrower's
Capital Stock.

         "Stated Maturity Date" means, with respect to any Money Market Loan,
the Stated Maturity Date therefor specified by the Bank in the applicable Money
Market Quote.

         "Stockholders' Equity" means, at any time, the shareholders' equity of
the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as set forth or reflected on the
most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, but excluding any Redeemable
Preferred Stock of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
Shareholders' equity generally would include, but not be limited to (i) the par
or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock, (ii) capital surplus, (iii)
retained earnings, and (iv) various deductions such as (A) purchases of treasury
stock, (B) valuation allowances, (C) receivables due from an employee stock
ownership plan, (D) employee stock ownership plan debt guarantees, and (E)
translation adjustments for foreign currency transactions.

         "Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity of which securities
or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of
the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the
time directly or indirectly owned by the Borrower.

         "Syndicated Loans" means Base Rate Loans or Euro-Dollar Loans made
pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 2.01.

         "Syndicated Loan Notes" means the promissory notes of the Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, evidencing the obligation of the
Borrower to repay Syndicated Loans, together with all amendments,
consolidations, modifications, renewals and supplements thereto.

         "Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(c).

         "Termination Date" means whichever is applicable of (i) December 17,
2002, (ii) the date the Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 6.01
following the occurrence of an Event of


<PAGE>   25

Default, or (iii) the date the Borrower terminates the Commitments entirely
pursuant to Section 2.08.

         "Third Parties" means all lessees, sublessees, licensees and other
users of the Properties, excluding those users of the Properties in the ordinary
course of the Borrower's business and on a temporary basis.

         "Transferee" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08(d).

         "Unfunded Vested Liabilities" means, with respect to any Plan at any
time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all vested
nonforfeitable benefits, determined on an accumulated benefit obligation basis,
under such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable
to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for
such Plan, but only to the extent that such excess represents a potential
liability of a member of the Controlled Group to the PBGC or the Plan under
Title IV of ERISA.

         "Unused Commitment" means at any date, with respect to any Bank, an
amount equal to its Commitment less the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of its Syndicated Loans (but not its Money Market Loans).

         "Wachovia" means Wachovia Bank, N.A., a national banking association,
and its successors.

         "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary all of the shares of
capital stock or other ownership interests of which (except directors'
qualifying shares) are at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Borrower.

         SECTION 1.02. Accounting Terms and Determinations. Unless otherwise
specified herein, all terms of an accounting character used herein shall be
interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all
financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in
accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent (except for changes
concurred in by the Borrower's independent public accountants or otherwise
required by a change in GAAP) with the most recent audited consolidated
financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered
to the Banks unless with respect to any such change concurred in by the

<PAGE>   26

Borrower's independent public accountants or required by GAAP, in determining
compliance with any of the provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents: (i) the Borrower shall have objected to determining such compliance
on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements, or (ii) the
Required Banks shall so object in writing within 30 days after the delivery of
such financial statements, in either of which events such calculations shall be
made on a basis consistent with those used in the preparation of the latest
financial statements as to which such objection shall not have been made (which,
if objection is made in respect of the first financial statements delivered
under Section 5.01 hereof, shall mean the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.04).

         SECTION 1.03. References. Unless otherwise indicated, references in
this Agreement to "Articles", "Exhibits", "Schedules", "Sections" and other
Subdivisions are references to articles, exhibits, schedules, sections and other
subdivisions hereof.

         SECTION 1.04. Use of Defined Terms. All terms defined in this Agreement
shall have the same defined meanings when used in any of the other Loan
Documents, unless otherwise defined therein or unless the context shall require
otherwise.

         SECTION 1.05. Terminology. All personal pronouns used in this
Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall
include all other genders; the singular shall include the plural, and the plural
shall include the singular. Titles of Articles and Sections in this Agreement
are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE CREDITS

         SECTION 2.01. Commitments to Lend Syndicated Loans. Each Bank severally
agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, to make Syndicated Loans
to the Borrower from time to time before the Termination Date; provided that,

                  (i) immediately after each such Syndicated Loan is made, the
         aggregate outstanding principal amount of


<PAGE>   27

         Syndicated Loans by such Bank shall not exceed the amount of its
         Commitment, and

                  (ii)  the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all
         Syndicated Loans and Money Market Loans shall not exceed the aggregate
         amount of the Commitments.

Each Euro-Dollar Borrowing under this Section shall be in an aggregate principal
amount of $5,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $1,000,000 (except that
any such Syndicated Borrowing may be in the aggregate amount of the Unused
Commitments) and shall be made from the several Banks ratably in proportion to
their respective Commitments. Each Base Rate Borrowing under this Section shall
be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or any larger multiple of
$500,000 (except that any such Borrowing may be in the aggregate amount of the
Unused Commitments) and shall be made from the several Banks ratably in
proportion to their respective Commitments. Within the foregoing limits, the
Borrower may borrow under this Section, repay or, to the extent permitted by
Section 2.10, prepay Syndicated Loans and reborrow under this Section at any
time before the Termination Date.

         SECTION 2.02. Method of Borrowing Syndicated Loans. (a) The Borrower
shall give the Agent notice (a "Notice of Borrowing"), which shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit E, prior to 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia
time) at least 3 Euro-Dollar Business Days before each Euro-Dollar Borrowing,
and prior to 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) at least 1 Domestic Business Day
before each Base Rate Borrowing, specifying:

                  (i)   the date of such Syndicated Borrowing, which shall be a
         Domestic Business Day in the case of a Base Rate Borrowing or a
         Euro-Dollar Business Day in the case of a Euro-Dollar Borrowing, 

                  (ii)  the aggregate amount of such Syndicated Borrowing,

                  (iii) whether the Syndicated Loans comprising such Borrowing
         are to be Base Rate Loans or Euro-Dollar Loans, and

<PAGE>   28

                  (iv) in the case of a Euro-Dollar Borrowing, the duration of
         the Interest Period applicable thereto, subject to the provisions of
         the definition of Interest Period.

             (b)  Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, the Agent shall 
promptly notify each Bank of the contents thereof and of such Bank's ratable
share of such Syndicated Borrowing and such Notice of Borrowing, once received
by the Agent, shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower.

             (c)  Not later than 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on the date
of each Euro-Dollar Borrowing and not later than 1:00 P.M. on the date of each
Base Rate Borrowing, each Bank shall (except as provided in paragraph (d) of
this Section) make available its ratable share of such Borrowing, in Federal or
other funds immediately available in Atlanta, Georgia, to the Agent at its
address determined pursuant to Section 9.01. Unless the Agent determines that
any applicable condition specified in Article III has not been satisfied, the
Agent will make the funds so received from the Banks available to the Borrower
at the Agent's aforesaid address. Unless the Agent receives notice from a Bank,
at the Agent's address referred to in or specified pursuant to Section 9.01, no
later than 4:00 P.M. (local time at such address) on the Domestic Business Day
before the date of a Euro-Dollar Borrowing, or in the case of a Base Rate
Borrowing, no later than 12:00 Noon on the same Domestic Business Day of such
Base Rate Borrowing, stating that such Bank will not make a Loan in connection
with such Borrowing, the Agent shall be entitled to assume that such Bank will
make a Loan in connection with such Borrowing and, in reliance on such
assumption, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) make available such
Bank's ratable share of such Borrowing to the Borrower for the account of such
Bank. If the Agent makes such Bank's ratable share available to the Borrower and
such Bank does not in fact make its ratable share of such Borrowing available on
such date, the Agent shall be entitled to recover such Bank's ratable share from
such Bank or the Borrower (and for such purpose shall be entitled to charge such
amount to any account of the Borrower maintained with the Agent), together with
interest thereon for each day during the period from the date of such Borrowing
until such sum shall be paid in full at a rate per annum equal to the rate at
which the Agent determines that it obtained (or could have obtained) overnight
Federal funds to cover such amount for each such day during such period,
provided that (i) any such payment by the Agent or the Borrower of such Bank's
ratable share


<PAGE>   29

and interest thereon shall be without prejudice to any rights that the Borrower
may have against such Bank and (ii) until such Bank has paid its ratable share
of such Borrowing, together with interest pursuant to the foregoing, it will
have no interest in or rights with respect to such Borrowing for any purpose
hereunder (but the Agent, as a Bank, shall have such interest and rights, if it
has made such funding available). If the Agent does not exercise its option to
advance funds for the account of such Bank, it shall forthwith notify the
Borrower of such decision.

                  (d)      If any Bank makes a new Syndicated Loan hereunder on
a day on which the Borrower is to repay all or any part of an outstanding
Syndicated Loan from such Bank, such Bank shall apply the proceeds of its new
Syndicated Loan to make such repayment as a Refunding Loan and only an amount
equal to the difference (if any) between the amount being borrowed and the
amount of such Refunding Loan shall be made available by such Bank to the Agent
as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section, or remitted by the Borrower to the
Agent as provided in Section 2.12, as the case may be.

                  (e)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, no Fixed Rate Borrowing may be made if there shall have occurred
a Default or an Event of Default, which Default or Event of Default shall not
have been cured or waived, and all Refunding Loans shall be made as Base Rate
Loans (but shall bear interest at the Default Rate, if applicable).

                  (f)      In the event that a Notice of Borrowing fails to
specify whether the Syndicated Loans comprising such Syndicated Borrowing are to
be Base Rate Loans or Euro-Dollar Loans, such Syndicated Loans shall be made as
Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower is otherwise entitled under this Agreement to
repay any Syndicated Loans maturing at the end of an Interest Period applicable
thereto with the proceeds of a new Borrowing, and the Borrower fails to repay
such Syndicated Loans using its own moneys and fails to give a Notice of
Borrowing in connection with such new Syndicated Borrowing, a new Syndicated
Borrowing shall be deemed to be made on the date such Syndicated Loans mature in
an amount equal to the principal amount of the Syndicated Loans so maturing, and
the Syndicated Loans comprising such new Syndicated Borrowing shall be Base Rate
Loans.


<PAGE>   30

                  (g)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, there shall not be more than 6 Borrowings outstanding at any given time.

                  SECTION 2.03. Money Market Loans. (a) In addition to making
Syndicated Borrowings, the Borrower may, as set forth in this Section 2.03,
request the Banks to make offers to make Money Market Borrowings available to
the Borrower. The Banks may, but shall have no obligation to, make such offers
and the Borrower may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers in
the manner set forth in this Section 2.03, provided that:

                           (i)      the number of interest rates applicable to
         Money Market Loans which may be outstanding at any given time is
         subject to the provisions of Section 2.02(g);

                           (ii)     the aggregate principal amount of all Money
         Market Loans, together with the aggregate principal amount of all
         Syndicated Loans, at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the
         aggregate amount of the Commitments of all of the Banks at such time;
         and

                           (iii)    the Money Market Loans of any Bank will be
         deemed to be usage of the Commitments for the purpose of calculating
         availability pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii) and 2.03(a)(ii), but will
         not reduce such Bank's obligation to lend its pro rata share of the
         remaining Unused Commitment.

                  (b)      When the Borrower wishes to request offers to make
Money Market Loans, it shall give the Agent (which shall promptly notify the
Banks) notice substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto (a "Money Market
Quote Request") so as to be received no later than 10:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia
time) at least 2 Domestic Business Days prior to the date of the Money Market
Borrowing proposed therein (or such other time and date as the Borrower and the
Agent, with the consent of the Required Banks, may agree), specifying:

                           (i)      the proposed date of such Money Market
         Borrowing, which shall be a Euro-Dollar Business Day (the "Money Market
         Borrowing Date");

                           (ii)     the maturity date (or dates) (each a "Stated
         Maturity Date") for repayment of each Money Market Loan to be made as
         part of such Money Market Borrowing


<PAGE>   31

         (which Stated Maturity Date shall be that date occurring not less than
         7 days but not more than 180 days from the date of such Money Market
         Borrowing); provided that the Stated Maturity Date for any Money Market
         Loan may not extend beyond the Termination Date (as in effect on the
         date of such Money Market Quote Request); and

                           (iv)     the aggregate amount of principal to be
         requested by the Borrower as a result of such Money Market Borrowing,
         which shall be at least $5,000,000 (and in larger integral multiples of
         $1,000,000) but shall not cause the limits specified in Section 2.03(a)
         to be violated.

The Borrower may request offers to make Money Market Loans having up to 2
different Stated Maturity Dates in a single Money Market Quote Request; provided
that the request for each separate Stated Maturity Date shall be deemed to be a
separate Money Market Quote Request for a separate Money Market Borrowing.
Except as otherwise provided in the immediately preceding sentence, after the
first Money Market Quote Request has been given hereunder, no Money Market Quote
Request shall be given until at least 5 Domestic Business Days after all prior
Money Market Quote Requests have been fully processed by the Agent, the Banks
and the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.03.

                          (c) (i) Each Bank may, but shall have no obligation
         to, submit a response containing an offer to make a Money Market Loan
         substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto (a "Money Market Quote")
         in response to any Money Market Quote Request; provided that, if the
         Borrower's request under Section 2.03(b) specified more than 1 Stated
         Maturity Date, such Bank may, but shall have no obligation to, make a
         single submission containing a separate offer for each such Stated
         Maturity Date and each such separate offer shall be deemed to be a
         separate Money Market Quote. Each Money Market Quote must be submitted
         to the Agent not later than 10:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on the
         Money Market Borrowing Date; provided that any Money Market Quote
         submitted by Wachovia may be submitted, and may only be submitted, if
         Wachovia notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer contained
         therein not later than 9:45 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on the Money
         Market Borrowing Date (or 15 minutes prior to the time that the other
         Banks are required to have submitted their respective Money Market
         Quotes). Subject to Section 6.01, any Money Market Quote so 


<PAGE>   32

         made shall be irrevocable except with the written consent of the Agent
         given on the instructions of the Borrower.

                           (ii)     Each Money Market Quote shall 
         specify:

                                    (A)      the proposed Money Market Borrowing
                  Date and the Stated Maturity Date therefor;

                                    (B)      the principal amounts of the Money
                  Market Loan which the quoting Bank is willing to make for the
                  applicable Money Market Quote, which principal amounts (x) may
                  be greater than or less than the Commitment of the quoting
                  Bank, (y) shall be at least $5,000,000 or a larger integral
                  multiple of $500,000, and (z) may not exceed the principal
                  amount of the Money Market Borrowing for which offers were
                  requested;

                                    (C)      the rate of interest per annum
                  (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%)
                  offered for each such Money Market Loan (such amounts being
                  hereinafter referred to as the "Money Market Rate"); and

                                    (D)      the identity of the quoting Bank.

         Unless otherwise agreed by the Agent and the Borrower, no Money Market
         Quote shall contain qualifying, conditional or similar language or
         propose terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the
         applicable Money Market Quote Request (other than setting forth the
         principal amounts of the Money Market Loan which the quoting Bank is
         willing to make for the applicable Interest Period) and, in particular,
         no Money Market Quote may be conditioned upon acceptance by the
         Borrower of all (or some specified minimum) of the principal amount of
         the Money Market Loan for which such Money Market Quote is being made.

                  (d)      The Agent shall as promptly as practicable after the
Money Market Quote is submitted (but in any event not later than 10:30 A.M.
(Atlanta, Georgia time)) on the Money Market Borrowing Date, notify the Borrower
of the terms (i) of any Money Market Quote submitted by a Bank that is in
accordance with 


<PAGE>   33

Section 2.03(c) and (ii) of any Money Market Quote that amends, modifies or is
otherwise inconsistent with a previous Money Market Quote submitted by such Bank
with respect to the same Money Market Quote Request. Any such subsequent Money
Market Quote shall be disregarded by the Agent unless such subsequent Money
Market Quote is submitted solely to correct a manifest error in such former
Money Market Quote. The Agent's notice to the Borrower shall specify (A) the
principal amounts of the Money Market Borrowing for which offers have been
received and (B) the respective principal amounts and Money Market Rates so
offered by each Bank (identifying the Bank that made each Money Market Quote).

         (e)      Not later than 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on the Money
Market Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall notify the Agent of its acceptance or
nonacceptance of the offers so notified to it pursuant to Section 2.03(d) and
the Agent shall promptly notify each Bank which submitted an offer. In the case
of acceptance, such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of
offers (for each Stated Maturity Date) that are accepted. The Borrower may
accept any Money Market Quote in whole or in part; provided that:

                  (i)      the aggregate principal amount of each Money Market
         Borrowing may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related
         Money Market Quote Request;

                  (ii)     the aggregate principal amount of each Money Market
         Loan comprising a Money Market Borrowing shall be at least $5,000,000
         (and in larger integral multiples of $1,000,000) but shall not cause
         the limits specified in Section 2.03(a) to be violated;

                  (iii)    acceptance of offers may only be made in ascending
         order of Money Market Rates; and

                  (iv)     the Borrower may not accept any offer where the Agent
         has advised the Borrower that such offer fails to comply with Section
         2.03(c)(ii) or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this
         Agreement (including without limitation, Section 2.03(a)).

If offers are made by 2 or more Banks with the same Money Market Rates for a
greater aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which offers
are accepted for the related Stated


<PAGE>   34

Maturity Date, the principal amount of Money Market Loans in respect of which
such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the Borrower among such Banks as
nearly as possible in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of such
offers. Determinations by the Borrower of the amounts of Money Market Loans
shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

                  (f)      Any Bank whose offer to make any Money Market Loan
has been accepted shall, not later than 12:00 P.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on
the Money Market Borrowing Date, make the amount of such Money Market Loan
allocated to it available to the Agent at its address referred to in Section
9.01 in immediately available funds. The amount so received by the Agent shall,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be made available to the
Borrower on such date by depositing the same, in immediately available funds,
not later than 4:00 P.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time), in an account of such Borrower
maintained with Wachovia.

                  (g)      After any Money Market Loan has been funded, the
Agent shall notify the Banks of the aggregate principal amount of the Money
Market Quotes received and the highest and lowest rates included in such Money
Market Quotes.

                  SECTION 2.04. Notes. (a) The Syndicated Loans of each Bank
shall be evidenced by a single Syndicated Loan Note payable to the order of such
Bank for the account of its Lending Office in an amount equal to the original
principal amount of such Bank's Commitment.

                  (b)      The Money Market Loans made by any Bank to the
Borrower shall be evidenced by a single Money Market Loan Note payable to the
order of such Bank for the account of its Lending Office in an amount equal to
the original principal amount of the aggregate Commitments.

                  (c)      Upon receipt of each Bank's Notes pursuant to Section
3.01, the Agent shall deliver such Notes to such Bank. Each Bank shall record,
and prior to any transfer of its Notes shall endorse on the schedules forming a
part thereof appropriate notations to evidence, the date, amount and maturity
of, and effective interest rate for, each Loan made by it, the date and amount
of each payment of principal made by the Borrower with respect thereto, and such
schedules of each such Bank's Notes shall constitute rebuttable presumptive
evidence of the 

<PAGE>   35

respective principal amounts owing and unpaid on such Bank's Notes; provided
that the failure of any Bank to make, or any error in making, any such
recordation or endorsement shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower
hereunder or under the Notes or the ability of any Bank to assign its Notes.
Each Bank is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Borrower so to endorse its
Notes and to attach to and make a part of any Note a continuation of any such
schedule as and when required.

                  SECTION 2.05. Maturity of Loans. (a) Each Loan included in any
Borrowing shall mature, and the principal amount thereof shall be due and
payable, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing,
subject to the Borrower's right to obtain Refunding Loans pursuant hereto.

                  (b)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, the outstanding
principal amount of the Loans, if any, together with all accrued but unpaid
interest thereon, if any, shall be due and payable on December 17, 2002.

                  SECTION 2.06. Interest Rates. (a) "Applicable Margin" means:

         (i)      for the period commencing on the Closing Date to and including
the first Performance Pricing Determination Date, (x) for any Base Rate Loan,
0%, and (y) for any Euro-Dollar Loan, 0.175%; and

         (ii)     from and after the first Performance Pricing Determination
Date, (x) for any Base Rate Loan, 0.00% and (y) for each Euro-Dollar Loan, the
percentage determined on each Performance Pricing Determination Date by
reference to the table set forth below as to such type of Loan and the Leverage
Ratio for the quarterly or annual period ending immediately prior to such
Performance Pricing Determination Date.

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                 <C>       <C>                <C>
LEVERAGE RATIO     < 30%              > 30% AND < 40%              > 40%
                                      -                            -    
ADJUSTED LONDON   0.175%                 0.225%                    0.30%
INTERBANK           
OFFERED RATE
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   36

         In determining interest for purposes of this Section 2.06 and fees for
purposes of Section 2.07, the Borrower and the Banks shall refer to the
Borrower's most recent consolidated quarterly and annual (as the case may be)
financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as the case
may be. If such financial statements require a change in interest pursuant to
this Section 2.06 or fees pursuant to Section 2.07, the Borrower shall deliver
to the Agent, along with such financial statements, a notice to that effect,
which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the calculations supporting
the required change. The "Performance Pricing Determination Date" is the date
which is the last date on which such financial statements are permitted to be
delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as applicable. Any such required
change in interest and fees shall become effective on such Performance Pricing
Determination Date, and shall be in effect until the next Performance Pricing
Determination Date, provided that: (i) for Euro-Dollar Loans, changes in
interest shall only be effective for Interest Periods commencing on or after the
Performance Pricing Determination Date; and (ii) no fees or interest shall be
decreased pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 if a Default is in
existence on the Performance Pricing Determination Date.

         (b)      Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Loan is made until it
becomes due, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate for such day plus the
Applicable Margin. Such interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on
the last day thereof. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, overdue interest on any Base Rate Loan shall bear interest,
payable on demand, for each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the
Default Rate.

         (c)      Each Euro-Dollar Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof, for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate
per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the applicable Adjusted
London Interbank Offered Rate for such Interest Period. Such interest shall be
payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest
Period is longer than 3 months, at intervals of 3 months after the first day
thereof. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue
interest on any Euro-Dollar Loan shall bear interest, payable on demand, for
each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.


<PAGE>   37

         The "Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate" applicable to any Interest
Period means a rate per annum equal to the quotient obtained (rounded upwards,
if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) by dividing (i) the applicable
London Interbank Offered Rate for such Interest Period by (ii) 1.00 minus the
Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage.

         The "London Interbank Offered Rate" applicable to any Euro-Dollar Loan
means for the Interest Period of such Euro-Dollar Loan, the rate per annum
determined on the basis of the offered rate for deposits in Dollars of amounts
equal or comparable to the principal amount of such Euro-Dollar Loan offered for
a term comparable to such Interest Period, which rates appear on the Telerate
Page 3750 effective as of 11:00 A.M., London time, 2 Euro-Dollar Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period, provided that if no such offered
rates appear on such page, the "London Interbank Offered Rate" for such Interest
Period will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next
higher 1/100th of 1%) of rates quoted by not less than 2 major banks in New York
City, selected by the Agent, at approximately 10:00 A.M., New York City time, 2
Euro-Dollar Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, for
deposits in Dollars offered by leading European banks for a period comparable to
such Interest Period in an amount comparable to the principal amount of such
Euro-Dollar Loan.

         "Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day that percentage
(expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for
determining the maximum reserve requirement for a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System in respect of "Eurocurrency liabilities" (or in respect of any
other category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the
interest rate on Euro-Dollar Loans is determined or any category of extensions
of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non-United States office of
any Bank to United States residents). The Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate
shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in
the Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage.

         (d)      Each Money Market Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Money Market Loan is
made until it becomes due, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Money
Market Rate set forth in 


<PAGE>   38

the relevant Money Market Quote. Such interest shall be payable on the Stated
Maturity Date thereof, and, if the Stated Maturity Date occurs more than 90 days
after the date of the relevant Money Market Loan, at intervals of 90 days after
the first day thereof. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by
law, overdue interest on any Money Market Loan shall bear interest, payable on
demand, for each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

         (e)      The Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the
Loans hereunder. The Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower and the
Banks by telecopier of each rate of interest so determined, and its
determination thereof shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

         (f)      After the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default,
the principal amount of the Loans (and, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, all accrued interest thereon) may, at the election of the Required Banks,
bear interest at the Default Rate.

         SECTION 2.07. Fees. (a) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the
ratable account of each Bank, a facility fee, calculated in the manner provided
in the last paragraph of Section 2.06(a)(ii), on the aggregate amount of such
Bank's Commitment (without taking into account the amount of the outstanding
Loans made by such Bank), at a rate per annum equal to: (i) for the period
commencing on the Closing Date to and including the first Performance Pricing
Determination Date, 0.075%; and (ii) from and after the first Performance
Pricing Determination Date, the percentage determined on each Performance
Pricing Determination Date by reference to the table set forth below and the
Leverage Ratio for the quarterly or annual period ending immediately prior to
such Performance Pricing Determination Date:

<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>             <C>       <C>                  <C>
LEVERAGE RATIO          < 30%           > 30% AND < 40%                > 40%
                                        -                              -    
FACILITY FEE            0.075%               0.10%                    0.125%
</TABLE>

Such facility fees shall accrue from and including the Closing Date to (but
excluding the Termination Date) and shall be payable on each March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 and on the Termination Date.


<PAGE>   39

         (b)      The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the account and sole
benefit of the Agent, such fees and other amounts at such times as set forth in
the Agent's Letter Agreement.

         SECTION 2.08. Optional Termination or Reduction of Commitments. The
Borrower may, upon at least 3 Domestic Business Days' notice to the Agent,
terminate at any time, or proportionately reduce the Unused Commitments from
time to time by an aggregate amount of at least $5,000,000 or any larger
integral multiple of $1,000,000. If the Commitments are terminated in their
entirety, all accrued fees (as provided under Section 2.07) shall be due and
payable on the effective date of such termination.

         SECTION 2.09. Mandatory Termination of Commitments. The Commitments
shall terminate on the Termination Date and any Loans then outstanding (together
with accrued interest thereon) shall be due and payable on such date.

         SECTION 2.10. Optional Prepayments. (a) The Borrower may, upon at least
1 Domestic Business Days' notice to the Agent, prepay any Base Rate Borrowing in
whole at any time, or from time to time in part in amounts aggregating at least
$1,000,000 or any larger multiple of $500,000, by paying the principal amount to
be prepaid together with accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment.
Each such optional prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably the Base Rate
Loans of the several Banks included in such Base Rate Borrowing.

         (b)      The Borrower may prepay all or any portion of the principal
amount of any Fixed Rate Loan prior to the maturity thereof, subject to the
payment of any compensation required by Section 8.05(a), if such payment is on a
date other than the last day of an Interest Period for such Fixed Rate Loan.

         (c)      Upon receipt of a notice of prepayment pursuant to this
Section 2.10, the Agent shall promptly notify each Bank of the contents thereof
and of such Bank's ratable share of such prepayment and such notice, once
received by the Agent, shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower.

         SECTION 2.11. Mandatory Prepayments. (a) If (i) the Close Family
Interests shall own outstanding shares of the voting stock of the Borrower
having less than 51% of the voting power on


<PAGE>   40

all matters; or (ii) as of any date a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Borrower consists of individuals who were not either (A) directors of the
Borrower as of the corresponding date of the previous year, (B) selected or
nominated to become directors by the Board of Directors of the Borrower of which
a majority consisted of individuals described in clause (A), or (C) selected or
nominated to become directors by the Board of Directors of the Borrower of which
a majority consisted of individuals described in clause (A) and individuals
described in clause (B); then, in any such event, the Borrower shall prepay all
outstanding principal on the Loans and accrued and unpaid interest and fees
immediately following receipt of a notice from the Agent (acting at the
direction of the Required Banks) making demand therefor, and all Commitments
shall terminate.

         (b)      On each date on which the Commitments are reduced pursuant to
Section 2.08 or Section 2.09, the Borrower shall repay or prepay such principal
amount of the outstanding Loans, if any (together with interest accrued thereon
and any amount due under Section 8.05(a)), as may be necessary so that after
such payment the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans does not exceed
the aggregate amount of the Commitments as then reduced. Each such payment or
prepayment shall be applied ratably to the Loans of the Banks outstanding on the
date of payment or prepayment in the following order of priority: (i) first, to
Base Rate Loans; (ii) secondly, to Euro-Dollar Loans; and (iii) lastly, to Money
Market Loans.

         SECTION 2.12. General Provisions as to Payments. (a) The Borrower shall
make each payment of principal of, and interest on, the Loans and of fees
hereunder, not later than 1:00 P.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on the date when
due, in Federal or other funds immediately available in Atlanta, Georgia, to the
Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.01. The Agent will promptly
distribute to each Bank its ratable share of each such payment received by the
Agent for the account of the Banks.

         (b)      Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on the Base
Rate Loans, Money Market Loans or of fees hereunder shall be due on a day which
is not a Domestic Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended
to the next succeeding Domestic Business Day. Whenever any payment of principal
of or interest on, the Euro-Dollar Loans shall be due on a day which is not a
Euro-Dollar Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the
next succeeding Euro-Dollar Business Day


<PAGE>   41

unless such Euro-Dollar Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which
case the date for payment thereof shall be the next preceding Euro-Dollar
Business Day.

         (c)      All payments of principal, interest and fees and all other
amounts to be made by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement with respect to
any Loan or fee relating thereto shall be paid without deduction for, and free
from, any tax, imposts, levies, duties, deductions, or withholdings of any
nature now or at anytime hereafter imposed by any governmental authority or by
any taxing authority thereof or therein excluding in the case of each Bank,
taxes imposed on or measured by its net income, and franchise taxes imposed on
it, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Bank (as the case may be)
is organized or any political subdivision thereof and, in the case of each Bank,
taxes imposed on its income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the
jurisdiction of such Bank's applicable Lending Office or any political
subdivision thereof (all such non-excluded taxes, imposts, levies, duties,
deductions or withholdings of any nature being "Taxes"). In the event that the
Borrower is required by applicable law to make any such withholding or deduction
of Taxes with respect to any Loan or fee or other amount, the Borrower shall pay
such deduction or withholding to the applicable taxing authority, shall promptly
furnish to any Bank in respect of which such deduction or withholding is made
all receipts and other documents evidencing such payment and shall pay to such
Bank additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the amount received by
such Bank after the required withholding or other payment shall equal the amount
such Bank would have received had no such withholding or other payment been
made. If the Borrower fails to provide such original or certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment of Taxes, the Borrower hereby agrees to compensate
such Bank for, and indemnify them with respect to, the tax consequences of the
Borrower's failure to provide evidence of tax payments or tax exemption.

         Each Bank which is not organized under the laws of the United States or
any state thereof agrees, as soon as practicable after receipt by it of a
request by the Borrower to do so, to file all appropriate forms and take other
appropriate action to obtain a certificate or other appropriate document from
the appropriate governmental authority in the jurisdiction imposing the relevant
Taxes, establishing that it is entitled to receive payments of principal and
interest under this Agreement and the Notes without deduction and free from
withholding of any Taxes


<PAGE>   42

imposed by such jurisdiction; provided that if it is unable, for any reason, to
establish such exemption, or to file such forms and, in any event, during such
period of time as such request for exemption is pending, the Borrower shall
nonetheless remain obligated under the terms of the immediately preceding
paragraph.

         In the event that the Borrower seeks a refund of any Taxes paid by the
Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.12(c), the applicable Bank shall use its
reasonable efforts to assist the Borrower in connection therewith, at the
Borrower's expense. In the event any Bank receives a refund of any Taxes paid by
the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.09(c), it will pay to the Borrower the
amount of such refund promptly upon receipt thereof; provided that if at any
time thereafter it is required to return such refund, the Borrower shall
promptly repay to it the amount of such refund.

         Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower and the Banks
contained in this Section 2.12(c) shall be applicable with respect to any
Participant, Assignee or other Transferee, and any calculations required by such
provisions (i) shall be made based upon the circumstances of such Participant,
Assignee or other Transferee, and (ii) constitute a continuing agreement and
shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment in full or
cancellation of the Notes.

         SECTION 2.13. Computation of Interest and Fees. Interest on Base Rate
Loans based on the Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360
days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first daybut
excluding the last day). Interest on Euro-Dollar Loans and Money Market Loans
shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the actual
number of days elapsed, calculated as to each Interest Period from and including
the first day thereof to but excluding the last day thereof. Facility fees and
any other fees payable hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360
days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but
excluding the last day).





<PAGE>   43


                                   ARTICLE III

                            CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS

         SECTION 3.01. Conditions to First Borrowing. The obligation of each
Bank to make a Loan on the occasion of the first Borrowing is subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3.02 and receipt by the
Agent of the following (as to the documents described in paragraphs (a),(c),
(d)and (e) below, in sufficient number of counterparts for delivery of a
counterpart to each Bank and retention of one counterpart by the Agent):

                  (a) from each of the parties hereto of either (i) a duly
         executed counterpart of this Agreement signed by such party or (ii) a
         facsimile transmission of such executed counterpart, with the original
         to be sent to the Agent by overnight courier);

                  (b) a duly executed Syndicated Loan Note and a duly executed
         Money Market Loan Note for the account of each Bank complying with the
         provisions of Section 2.04;

                  (c) an opinion letter (together with any opinions of local
         counsel relied on therein) of the General Counsel or Associate General
         Counsel of the Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in
         the form of Exhibit B and covering such additional matters relating to
         the transactions contemplated hereby as the Agent or any Bank may
         reasonably request;

                  (d) an opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, special counsel
         for the Agent, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form
         of Exhibit C and covering such additional matters relating to the
         transactions contemplated hereby as the Agent may reasonably request;

                  (e) a certificate (the "Closing Certificate") substantially in
         the form of Exhibit G), dated as of the Closing Date, signed by a
         principal financial officer of the Borrower, to the effect that (i) no
         Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the first
         Borrowing and (ii) the representations and warranties of the Borrower
         contained in Article IV are true on and as of the date of the first
         Borrowing hereunder;


<PAGE>   44

                  (f) all documents which the Agent or any Bank may reasonably
         request relating to the existence of the Borrower and each Guarantor,
         the corporate authority for and the validity of this Agreement, the
         Notes, the Guaranty and the Contribution Agreement, and any other
         matters relevant hereto, all in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Agent, including, without limitation, a certificate of incumbency of
         the Borrower and each Guarantor, signed by the Secretary or an
         Assistant Secretary of the Borrower and each Guarantor, certifying as
         to the names, true signatures and incumbency of the officer or officers
         of the Borrower or such Guarantor authorized to execute and deliver the
         Loan Documents, or the Guaranty and the Contribution Agreement, as
         applicable, and certified copies of the following items: (i) the
         Borrower's and each Guarantor's Certificate of Incorporation, (ii) the
         Borrower's and each Guarantor's Bylaws, (iii) certificates of the
         Secretary of State of the State of South Carolina as to the good
         standing of the Borrower as a South Carolina corporation, and of the
         Secretary of State of Delaware as to the good standing of Springs
         Window Fashions Division, Inc. as a Delaware corporation, and of the
         Secretary of State of Georgia as to the good standing of Dundee Mills,
         Incorporated as a Georgia corporation and (iv) the action taken by the
         Board of Directors of the Borrower and each Guarantor authorizing the
         Borrower's and each Guarantor's execution, delivery and performance of
         this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents to which the
         Borrower is a party, and of the Guaranty and the Contribution Agreement
         by the Guarantors;

                  (g) the Guaranty and the Contribution Agreement, each duly
         executed by each of the Guarantors; and

                  (h) receipt of all fees required to be paid on the Closing
         Date pursuant to the Agent's Letter Agreement.

         SECTION 3.02. Conditions to All Borrowings. The obligation of each Bank
to make a Loan on the occasion of each Borrowing is subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions except as expressly provided in the last sentence of
this Section 3.02:


<PAGE>   45

                  (a) a Notice of Borrowing or notification pursuant to Section
         2.03(e) of acceptance of one or more Money Market Quotes, as
         applicable.

                  (b) the fact that, immediately before and after such
         Borrowing, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

                  (c) the fact that the representations and warranties of the
         Borrower contained in Article IV of this Agreement shall be true on and
         as of the date of such Borrowing; and

                  (d) the fact that, immediately after such Borrowing, the
         conditions set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 2.01 shall have
         been satisfied.

Each Syndicated Borrowing and each Money Market Borrowing hereunder shall be
deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such
Borrowing as to the truth and accuracy of the facts specified in paragraphs (b),
(c) and (d) of this Section; provided that if such Borrowing is a Borrowing
which consists solely of a Refunding Loan, such Borrowing shall not be deemed to
be such a representation and warranty to the effect set forth in Section 4.04(b)
as to any event, act or condition having a Material Adverse Effect which has
theretofore been disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Banks.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Borrower represents and warrants that:

         SECTION 4.01. Corporate Existence and Power. The Borrower is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, is duly qualified to transact business
in every jurisdiction where, by the nature of its business, such qualification
is necessary, except where such lack of qualification would not have a Material
Adverse Effect, and has all corporate powers and all governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now
conducted.


<PAGE>   46

         SECTION 4.02. Corporate and Governmental Authorization; No
Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this
Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents (i) are within the Borrower's
corporate powers, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, (iii) require no action by or in respect of or filing with, any
governmental body, agency or official, (iv) do not contravene, or constitute a
default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or of the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower or of any agreement,
judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (v) do not result in the creation or
imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 4.03. Binding Effect. This Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding agreement of the Borrower enforceable in accordance with its terms, and
the Notes and the other Loan Documents, when executed and delivered in
accordance with this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of
the Borrower enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, provided
that the enforceability hereof and thereof is subject in each case to general
principles of equity and to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.

         SECTION 4.04. Financial Information. (a) The consolidated balance sheet
of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 28, 1996, and
the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
copies of which have been delivered to each of the Banks, and the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the interim period ended
September 27, 1997, copies of which have been delivered to each of the Banks,
fairly present, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of
the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and their
consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such periods stated.

         (b) Since December 28, 1996, there has been no event, act, condition or
occurrence having a Material Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>   47
         SECTION 4.05. No Litigation. There is no action, suit or proceeding
pending, or to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened, against or affecting
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any
governmental body, agency or official which could have a Material Adverse Effect
or which in any manner draws into question the validity of or could impair the
ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under, this Agreement, the
Notes or any of the other Loan Documents.

         SECTION 4.06. Compliance with ERISA. (a) The Borrower and each member
of the Controlled Group have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum
funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and are in
compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of
ERISA and the Code except where any such non-compliance would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect, and, except as set forth in Schedule 4.06, have not
incurred any liability to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA.

         (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.06, neither the Borrower nor any
member of the Controlled Group has incurred any withdrawal liability with
respect to any Multiemployer Plan under Title IV of ERISA, and no such liability
is expected to be incurred.

         SECTION 4.07. Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes. The Borrower and
its Subsidiaries are in material compliance with all applicable laws,
regulations and similar requirements of governmental authorities, except where
such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate
proceedings. There have been filed on behalf of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries all Federal, state and local income, excise, property and other tax
returns which are required to be filed by them and all taxes due pursuant to
such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by or on behalf of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary have been paid. The charges, accruals and reserves on
the books of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of taxes or other
governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate. United
States income tax returns of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have been
examined and closed through the Fiscal Year ended 1989.

         SECTION 4.08. Subsidiaries. Each of the Borrower's Subsidiaries is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing


<PAGE>   48

and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, is
duly qualified to transact business in every jurisdiction where, by the nature
of its business, such qualification is necessary, except where such lack of
qualification would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and has all corporate
powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals
required to carry on its business as now conducted. The Borrower has no
Subsidiaries except for those Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 4.08, which
accurately sets forth each such Subsidiary's complete name and jurisdiction of
incorporation.

         SECTION 4.09. Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.

         SECTION 4.10. Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither the Borrower
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of
a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company", as such terms are defined in the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

         SECTION 4.11. Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Borrower and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries has title to its properties sufficient for the
conduct of its business, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except
as permitted in Section 5.08.

         SECTION 4.12. No Default. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Consolidated Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any agreement,
instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound which could have or cause a Material Adverse Effect. No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

         SECTION 4.13. Full Disclosure. All information heretofore furnished by
the Borrower to the Agent or any Bank for purposes of or in connection with this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby is, and all such information
hereafter furnished by the Borrower to the Agent or any Bank will be, true,
accurate and complete in every material respect or based on reasonable estimates
on the date as of which such information is stated or certified. The Borrower
has disclosed 


<PAGE>   49

to the Banks in writing any and all facts which could have or cause a Material
Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 4.14. Environmental Matters. (a) Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary is subject to any Environmental Liability which could have or cause a
Material Adverse Effect and, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.14, neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary has been designated as a potentially responsible
party under CERCLA or under any state statute similar to CERCLA. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 4.14, none of the Properties has been identified on any
current or proposed (i) National Priorities List under 40 C.F.R. ss. 300, (ii)
CERCLIS list or (iii) any list arising from a state statute similar to CERCLA.

         (b) No Hazardous Materials have been or are being used, produced,
manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed of,
managed or otherwise handled at, or shipped or transported to or from the
Properties or are otherwise present at, on, in or under the Properties, or, to
the best of the knowledge of the Borrower, at or from any adjacent site or
facility, except for Hazardous Materials used, produced, manufactured,
processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed of, managed, or
otherwise handled in the ordinary course of business in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Requirements.

         (c) The Borrower, and each of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, has
procured all Environmental Authorizations necessary for the conduct of its
business, and is in compliance with all Environmental Requirements in connection
with the operation of the Properties and the Borrower's, and each of its
Subsidiary's and Affiliate's, respective businesses.

         SECTION 4.15. Capital Stock. All Capital Stock, debentures, bonds,
notes and all other securities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries presently
issued and outstanding are validly and properly issued in accordance with all
applicable laws, including, but not limited to, the "Blue Sky" laws of all
applicable states and the federal securities laws. The issued shares of Capital
Stock of the Borrower's Wholly Owned Subsidiaries are owned by the Borrower free
and clear of any Lien or adverse claim. At least a majority of the issued shares
of capital stock of each of the Borrower's other Subsidiaries (other than Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries) is owned by the Borrower free and clear of any Lien or
adverse claim.


<PAGE>   50

         SECTION 4.16. Margin Stock. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in
the business of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, and no part of the
proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to
extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin
Stock, or be used for any purpose which violates, or which is inconsistent with,
the provisions of Regulation G,T, U or X.

         SECTION 4.17. Insolvency. After giving effect to the execution and
delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Loans under this Agreement:
(i) the Borrower will not (x) be "insolvent," within the meaning of such term as
used in O.C.G.A. ss. 18-2-22 or as defined in ss. 101 of the "Bankruptcy Code",
or Section 2 of either the "UFTA" or the "UFCA", or as defined or used in any
"Other Applicable Law" (as those terms are defined below), or (y) be unable to
pay its debts generally as such debts become due within the meaning of Section
548 of the Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA or Section 6 of the UFCA, or
(z) have an unreasonably small capital to engage in any business or transaction,
whether current or contemplated, within the meaning of Section 548 of the
Bankruptcy Code, Section 4 of the UFTA or Section 5 of the UFCA; and (ii) the
obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents and with respect to the
Loans will not be rendered avoidable under any Other Applicable Law. For
purposes of this Section 4.17, "Bankruptcy Code" means Title 11 of the United
States Code, "UFTA" means the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, "UFCA" means the
Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, and "Other Applicable Law" means any other
applicable state law pertaining to fraudulent transfers or acts voidable by
creditors, in each case as such law may be amended from time to time.

         SECTION 4.18. Insurance. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has
(either in the name of the Borrower or in such Subsidiary's own name), with
financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all its
property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as are usually
insured against in the same general area by companies of established repute
engaged in the same or similar business.





<PAGE>   51


                                    ARTICLE V

                                    COVENANTS

         The Borrower agrees that, so long as any Bank has any Commitment
hereunder or any amount payable hereunder or under any Note remains unpaid:

         SECTION 5.01. Information. The Borrower will deliver to each of the
Banks:

                  (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after
         the end of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance sheet of the
         Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal
         Year and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders'
         equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case
         in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all
         certified by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public
         accountants of nationally recognized standing, with such certification
         to be free of exceptions and qualifications not acceptable to the
         Required Banks;

                  (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after
         the end of each of the first 3 Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, a
         consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated
         Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related
         statement of income and statement of cash flows as of such Fiscal
         Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for
         the corresponding Fiscal Quarter and the corresponding portion of the
         previous Fiscal Year, all certified (subject to normal year-end
         adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, GAAP and consistency by
         the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the
         Borrower;

                  (c) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial
         statements referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, a certificate,
         substantially in the form of Exhibit F (a "Compliance Certificate"), of
         the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the
         Borrower (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations
         required to establish whether the Borrower was in compliance with the
         requirements of Sections 5.03 through 5.07, inclusive, and 5.09 on the
         date of such financial


<PAGE>   52

         statements and (ii) stating whether any Default exists on the date of
         such certificate and, if any Default then exists, setting forth the
         details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes
         to take with respect thereto;

                  (d) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of annual
         financial statements referred to in paragraph (a) above, a statement of
         the firm of independent public accountants which reported on such
         statements to the effect that nothing has come to their attention to
         cause them to believe that any Default existed on the date of such
         financial statements;

                  (e) within 5 Domestic Business Days after the Borrower becomes
         aware of the occurrence of any Default, a certificate of the chief
         financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the Borrower
         setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is
         taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  (f) promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of
         the Borrower generally, copies of all financial statements, reports and
         proxy statements so mailed;

                  (g) promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all
         registration statements (other than the exhibits thereto and any
         registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent) and annual,
         quarterly or monthly reports which the Borrower shall have filed with
         the Securities and Exchange Commission;

                  (h) if and when any member of the Controlled Group (i) gives
         or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any "reportable event" (as
         defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might
         constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of
         ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is
         required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the
         notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the
         PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability
         under Title IV of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (iii) receives
         notice from the PBGC under 


<PAGE>   53

      Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate or appoint a trustee to
      administer any Plan, a copy of such notice;

                  (i)      thirty (30) days prior to the consummation thereof, a
      written summary of the terms and conditions of any Permitted Sale-Lease
      Back/Bond Transaction, and promptly thereafter, copies of any documents
      to be executed in connection therewith reasonably requested by the
      Agent and the Banks; and

                  (j)      from time to time such additional information
      regarding the financial position or business of the Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries as the Agent, at the request of any Bank, may reasonably
      request.


         SECTION 5.02. Inspection of Property, Books and Records. The Borrower
will (i) keep, and cause each Subsidiary to keep, proper books of record and
account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP shall be
made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and
activities; and (ii) permit, and cause each Subsidiary to permit, at reasonable
times and on reasonable notice, representatives of any Bank at such Bank's
expense prior to the occurrence of a Default and at the Borrower's expense after
the occurrence of a Default to visit and inspect any of their respective
properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and
records and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with
their respective officers, employees and independent public accountants. The
Borrower agrees to cooperate and assist in such visits and inspections, in each
case at such reasonable times and as often as may reasonably be desired.

         SECTION 5.03. Ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Total Tangible
Capital. The ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Total Tangible Capital
will not at any time exceed 0.5 to 1.00, calculated at the end of each Fiscal
Quarter.

         SECTION 5.04. Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth will at no time be less than $475,000,000, plus the sum of
(i) 25% of the cumulative Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries for the period from April 1, 1995 through and
including the last Fiscal Quarter just ended (taken as one accounting period),
calculated quarterly but excluding from such


<PAGE>   54

calculations of Consolidated Net Income for purposes of this clause (i), any
quarter in which the Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries is negative, (ii) the excess of (A) 100% of the
cumulative Net Proceeds of Capital Stock received during any period after April
1, 1995, over (B) the aggregate amount expended, directly or indirectly, after
April 1, 1995, for redemption, purchase, retirement or other acquisition of any
shares of the Borrower's Capital Stock, and (iii) 100% of the amount of any Debt
converted to equity in the Borrower during any period after April 1, 1995,
calculated quarterly.

         SECTION 5.05. Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not declare or
make any Restricted Payment during any Fiscal Year except from Consolidated Net
Income Available for Restricted Payments; provided that after giving effect to
the payment of any such Restricted Payments, the Borrower will be in full
compliance with all of the provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 5.06. Loans or Advances. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall make loans or advances to any Person except: (i) loans or
advances to employees not exceeding $1,500,000 in the aggregate principal amount
outstanding at any time, in each case made in the ordinary course of business
and consistent with practices existing on April 1, 1995; and (ii) deposits
required by government agencies or public utilities; (iii) trade accounts
receivable, unless such trade accounts receivable are in excess of an aggregate
amount of $10,000,000 and such trade accounts receivable are evidenced by a
promissory note or such other instrument of payment; (iv) loans and advances (a)
from the Borrower to any Guarantor (b) from any Guarantor to any other Guarantor
or (c) from any Subsidiary to the Borrower; (v) loans and advances from the
Borrower to any Foreign Subsidiary not exceeding at any time an amount which,
together with the aggregate amount of Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries
permitted by clause (C) of Section 5.07, is equal to 15% of Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth at such time; and (vi) other loans and advances, not
exceeding at any time an amount which, together with the aggregate amounts of
Investments permitted by clause (D) of Section 5.07, is equal to 10% of
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time; provided that after giving effect
to the making of any loans, advances or deposits permitted by this Section, the
Borrower will be in full compliance with all the provisions of this Agreement.


<PAGE>   55

         SECTION 5.07. Investments. Except for the existing Investments listed
on Schedule 5.07, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall make
Investments in any Person except as permitted by Section 5.06 and except for (A)
Investments in (i) direct obligations of the United States Government maturing
within one year, (ii) certificates of deposit issued by a commercial bank whose
credit is satisfactory to the Agent (the Agent acknowledges and agrees that the
Lenders party to this Agreement as of the date hereof are satisfactory with
respect thereto), (iii) commercial paper rated A1 or the equivalent thereof by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or P1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. and in either case maturing within 6 months after the
date of acquisition, (iv) tender bonds the payment of the principal of and
interest on which is fully supported by a letter of credit issued by a United
States bank whose long-term certificates of deposit are rated at least AA or the
equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Corporation and Aa or the equivalent
thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and/or (v) other short term
Investments in accordance with company policy of the Borrower in effect as of
the date of this Agreement, a written copy of which has been provided to the
Banks, which policy may not be changed without the Required Banks' prior written
consent, (B) Investments by the Borrower in a Guarantor or by any Guarantor in
another Guarantor, (C) Investments by the Borrower in Foreign Subsidiaries not
exceeding at any time an amount which, together with loans and advances to
Foreign Subsidiaries permitted by clause (v) of Section 5.06, is equal to 15% of
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time; (D) other Investments not
exceeding at any time an amount which, together with the aggregate amounts of
loans and advances permitted by clause (vi) of Section 5.06, is equal to 10% of
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time; and (E) Investments in the bond
issued pursuant to a Permitted Sale-Lease Back/Bond Transaction.

         SECTION 5.08. Negative Pledge. Neither the Borrower nor any
Consolidated Subsidiary will create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any
asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

                  (a) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement securing Debt
         outstanding on the date of this Agreement in an aggregate principal
         amount not exceeding $30,000,000;

<PAGE>   56

                           (b)      any Lien existing on any asset of any
         corporation at the time such corporation becomes a Consolidated
         Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;

                           (c)      any Lien on any asset securing Debt incurred
         or assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of
         acquiring or constructing such asset, provided that such Lien attaches
         to such asset concurrently with or within 18 months after the
         acquisition or completion of construction thereof;

                           (d)      any Lien on any asset of any corporation
         existing at the time such corporation is merged or consolidated with or
         into the Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary and not created in
         contemplation of such event;

                           (e)      any Lien existing on any asset prior to the
         acquisition thereof by the Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary and
         not created in contemplation of such acquisition;

                           (f)      Liens securing Debt owing by any Subsidiary
         to the Borrower;

                           (g)      any Lien arising out of the refinancing,
         extension, renewal or refunding of any Debt secured by any Lien
         permitted by any of the foregoing paragraphs of this Section, provided
         that (i) such Debt is not secured by any additional assets, and (ii)
         the amount of such Debt secured by any such Lien is not increased;

                           (h)      Liens incidental to the conduct of its
         business or the ownership of its assets which (i) do not secure Debt
         and (ii) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of
         its assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its
         business;

                           (i)      any Lien on Margin Stock; and

                           (j)      Liens not otherwise permitted by the
         foregoing paragraphs of this Section securing Debt (other than
         indebtedness represented by the Notes) in an aggregate principal amount
         at any time outstanding not to exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net
         Worth.

<PAGE>   57

Provided Liens permitted by the foregoing paragraphs (a) through (j) shall at no
time secure Debt in an aggregate amount greater than 15% of Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth.

         SECTION 5.09. Maintenance of Existence. Except as permitted by Section
5.11, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain its
corporate existence and carry on its business in substantially the same manner
and in substantially the same fields as such business is now carried on and
maintained.

         SECTION 5.10. Dissolution. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall suffer or permit dissolution or liquidation either in whole
or in part, except through corporate reorganization to the extent permitted by
Section 5.11, and except for Subsidiaries which are shown on Schedule 4.08 as
being inactive.

         SECTION 5.11. Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. The Borrower
will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, consolidate or merge with or
into, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or any substantial part of its
assets to, any other Person, or discontinue or eliminate any business line or
segment, provided that (a) the Borrower may merge with another Person if (i)
such Person was organized under the laws of the United States of America or one
of its states, (ii) the Borrower is the corporation surviving such merger and
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such merger, no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (b) Subsidiaries of the Borrower may merge with one
another, and (c) the foregoing limitation on the sale, lease or other transfer
of assets and on the discontinuation or elimination of a business line or
segment shall not prohibit, during any Fiscal Year, (A) a transfer of assets or
the discontinuance or elimination of a business line or segment (in a single
transaction or in a series of related transactions) unless the aggregate assets
to be so transferred or utilized in a business line or segment to be so
discontinued, when combined with all other assets transferred, and all other
assets utilized in all other business lines or segments discontinued, during
such Fiscal Year constituted more than 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth,
or (B) a transfer of assets as a part of a Permitted Sale-Lease Back/Bond
Transaction.

<PAGE>   58

                  SECTION 5.12. Use of Proceeds. No portion of the proceeds of
the Loans will be used by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) in connection with,
whether directly or indirectly, any tender offer for, or other acquisition of,
stock of any corporation with a view towards obtaining control of such other
corporation, unless such tender offer or other acquisition is to be made on a
negotiated basis with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Person to be
acquired (ii) directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate,
incidental or ultimate, of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, or (iii) for
any purpose in violation of any applicable law or regulation.

                  SECTION 5.13. Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes. (a) The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries and each member of the
Controlled Group to, comply with all material applicable laws (including but not
limited to ERISA), regulations and similar requirements of governmental
authorities (including but not limited to PBGC), except where the necessity of
such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate
proceedings. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay
promptly when due all taxes, assessments, governmental charges, claims for
labor, supplies, rent and other obligations which, if unpaid, might become a
lien against the property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except liabilities
being contested in good faith and against which, if requested by the Agent, the
Borrower will set up reserves in accordance with GAAP.

                  (b) The Borrower (i) shall not permit the aggregate complete
or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to
Multiemployer Plans incurred by the Borrower and members of the Controlled Group
to exceed $3,000,000 at any time, and (ii) shall notify the Agent and the Banks
in writing, within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, of the aggregate
amount of such liability, if it exceeds $1,000,000. For purposes of this Section
5.14(b), the amount of withdrawal liability of the Borrower and members of the
Controlled Group at any date shall be the aggregate present value of the amount
claimed to have been incurred less any portion thereof which the Borrower and
members of the Controlled Group have paid or as to which the Borrower reasonably
believes, after appropriate consideration of possible adjustments arising under
Sections 4219 and 4221 of ERISA, it and members of the Controlled Group will
have no liability, provided that the Borrower shall obtain prompt written



<PAGE>   59

advice from independent actuarial consultants supporting such determination.

                  SECTION 5.14. Insurance. The Borrower will maintain, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain (either in the name of the Borrower
or in such Subsidiary's own name), with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies, insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and
against at least such risks as are usually insured against in the same general
area by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business.

                  SECTION 5.15. Change in Fiscal Year. The Borrower will not
change its Fiscal Year without the consent of the Required Banks.

                  SECTION 5.16. Maintenance of Property. The Borrower shall, and
shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain all of its properties and assets
reasonably required for the conduct of its business in good condition, repair
and working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

                  SECTION 5.17. Environmental Notices. The Borrower shall
furnish to the Banks and the Agent prompt written notice of all material
Environmental Liabilities, pending, threatened or anticipated Environmental
Proceedings, Environmental Notices, Environmental Judgments and Orders, and
Environmental Releases at, on, in, under or in any way affecting the Properties
or any adjacent property, and all facts, events, or conditions that could lead
to any of the foregoing.

                  SECTION 5.18. Environmental Matters. The Borrower and its
Subsidiaries will not, and will not permit any Third Party to, use, produce,
manufacture, process, treat, recycle, generate, store, dispose of, manage at, or
otherwise handle, or ship or transport to or from the Properties any Hazardous
Materials except for Hazardous Materials used, produced, manufactured,
processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed, managed, or otherwise
handled in the ordinary course of business in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Requirements.

                  SECTION 5.19. Environmental Release. The Borrower agrees that
upon the occurrence of a non-permitted Environmental Release at or on any of the
Properties it will act immediately to investigate the extent of, and to take
appropriate remedial



<PAGE>   60

action to eliminate, such Environmental Release, whether or not ordered or
otherwise directed to do so by any Environmental Authority.

                  SECTION 5.20. Transactions with Affiliates. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into, or be a party to, any
transaction with any Affiliate of the Borrower or such Subsidiary (which
Affiliate is not the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary), except as permitted
by law and in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to reasonable terms
which are fully disclosed to the Agent and the Banks, and are no less favorable
to Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm's
length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate.

                  SECTION 5.21 Election to Become Guarantors; Release of
Guarantors to be Sold. (a) Any Domestic Subsidiary (whether existing on the
Closing Date or acquired or created thereafter) which is not a Guarantor may
elect to become a Guarantor at any time by (x) executing and delivering to the
Agent a counterpart of the Guaranty and a counterpart of the Contribution
Agreement, thereby becoming a party to each of them, (y) delivering to the Agent
an opinion of counsel to such Subsidiary substantially in the form of Exhibit B,
but limited to such Domestic Subsidiary, and excluding paragraph 2 thereof, and
(z) delivering to the Agent documents pertaining to such Domestic Subsidiary
reasonably requested by the Agent of the types described in paragraph (f) of
Section 3.01.

         (b) In the case of any Guarantor the stock of which is to be sold, such
Guarantor may submit to the Agent a request for a release of its obligations
under the Guaranty, and such Guarantor shall be entitled to obtain from the
Agent a written release from the Guaranty, provided that it can demonstrate to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that (A) the provisions of Section 5.11
will not be breached by such sale, (b) all loans to such Guarantor from the
Borrower or any other Guarantor have been repaid in full, (C) the net purchase
price to be realized by the seller of such Guarantor for such sale will be not
less than 100% of the net book value of such seller's Investment in such
Guarantor, and (D) no Event of Default is in existence or will be caused as a
result of such sale, and upon obtaining such written release, it shall no longer
be a Guarantor for any purpose hereunder or under the Guaranty.



<PAGE>   61

                  SECTION 5.22 Ownership of Bonds. The Borrower shall be the
sole holder of each bond issued pursuant to a Permitted Sale- Lease Back/Bond
Transaction and shall not encumber, transfer or otherwise dispose of such bond
without the prior written consent of all Banks.

                  SECTION 5.23 No Restrictive Subsidiary Agreements. The
Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or
otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective, any consensual
restriction (excluding any such restriction under this Agreement) on the ability
of any such Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on
any of its capital stock, or (ii) pay any Debt owed to the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    DEFAULTS

                  SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. If one or more of the
following events ("Events of Default") shall have occurred and be continuing:

                           (a) the Borrower shall fail to pay when due any
         principal of any Loan or shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan
         within 5 Domestic Business Days after such interest shall become due,
         or shall fail to pay any fee or other amount payable hereunder within 5
         Domestic Business Days after such fee or other amount becomes due; or

                           (b) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
         covenant contained in Sections 5.01(e), 5.02(ii), 5.03 to 5.12,
         inclusive, Sections 5.15 or 5.20; or

                           (c) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any
         covenant or agreement contained or incorporated by reference in this
         Agreement (other than those covered by paragraph (a) or (b) above) and
         such failure shall not have been cured within 30 days after the earlier
         to occur of (i) written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower
         by the Agent at the request of any Bank or (ii) the Borrower otherwise
         becomes aware of any such failure; or


<PAGE>   62

                           (d) any representation, warranty, certification or
         statement made by the Borrower in Article IV of this Agreement or in
         any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered
         pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect or
         misleading in any material respect when made (or deemed made); or

                           (e) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make
         any payment in respect of Debt in an aggregate amount in excess of
         $20,000,000 outstanding (other than the Notes) when due or within any
         applicable grace period; or

                           (f) any event or condition shall occur which results
         in the acceleration of the maturity of Debt of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary in an aggregate amount outstanding equal to or in excess of
         $20,000,000 (including, without limitation, any required mandatory
         prepayment or "put" of such Debt to the Borrower or any Subsidiary) or
         enables (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would
         enable) the holders of such Debt or commitment or any Person acting on
         such holders' behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof or terminate
         any such commitment (including, without limitation, any required
         mandatory prepayment or "put" of such Debt to the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary); or

                           (g) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall commence a
         voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization
         or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any
         bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect
         or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,
         custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of
         its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment
         of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or
         other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general
         assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay
         its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action to
         authorize any of the foregoing; or

                           (h) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be
         commenced against the Borrower or any Subsidiary seeking liquidation,
         reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under
         any bankruptcy, insolvency or other



<PAGE>   63

         similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a
         trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of
         it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case
         or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period
         of 60 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or
         hereafter in effect; or

                           (i) the Borrower or any member of the Controlled
         Group shall fail to pay when due any material amount which it shall
         have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan under Title IV of
         ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Plans shall be filed
         under Title IV of ERISA by the Borrower, any member of the Controlled
         Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing, if
         the Plan or Plans have unfunded liabilities, calculated on a
         termination basis, in excess of $3,000,000; or the PBGC shall institute
         proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee
         to be appointed to administer any such Plan or Plans or a proceeding
         shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any such Plan or Plans to enforce
         Section 515 or 4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such proceeding shall not have
         been dismissed within 30 days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by
         reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree
         adjudicating that any such Plan or Plans must be terminated; or

                           (j) one or more judgments or orders for the payment
         of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $3,000,000 shall be
         rendered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary and such judgment or
         order shall continue unsatisfied and unstayed for a period of 30 days;
         or

                           (k) a federal tax lien shall be filed against the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary under Section 6323 of the Code or a lien of
         the PBGC shall be filed against the Borrower or any Subsidiary under
         Section 4068 of ERISA and in either case such lien shall remain
         undischarged for a period of 25 days after the date of filing;


then, and in every such event, (i) the Agent shall, if requested by the Required
Banks, by notice to the Borrower terminate the Commitments and they shall
thereupon terminate, (ii) any Bank may




<PAGE>   64

terminate its obligation to fund a Money Market Loan in connection with any
relevant Money Market Quote, and (iii) the Agent shall, if requested by the
Required Banks, by notice to the Borrower declare the Notes (together with
accrued interest thereon), and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents, to be, and the Notes (together with accrued interest
thereon), and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Borrower together with interest at the Default Rate
accruing on the principal amount thereof from and after the date of such Event
of Default; provided that if any Event of Default specified in paragraph (g) or
(h) above occurs with respect to the Borrower, without any notice to the
Borrower or any other act by the Agent or the Banks, the Commitments shall
thereupon terminate and the Notes (together with accrued interest thereon) and
all other amounts payable hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall
automatically and without notice become immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Borrower together with interest thereon at the Default Rate
accruing on the principal amount thereof from and after the date of such Event
of Default. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agent shall have available to it
all other remedies at law or equity, and shall exercise any one or all of them
at the request of the Required Banks.

                  SECTION 6.02. Notice of Default. The Agent shall give notice
to the Borrower of any Default under Section 6.01(c) promptly upon being
requested to do so by any Bank and shall thereupon notify all the Banks thereof.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    THE AGENT

                  SECTION 7.01. Appointment; Powers and Immunities. Each Bank
hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as its agent
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents with such powers as are
specifically delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together
with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Agent: (a)
shall have no duties or responsibilities except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall not by reason




<PAGE>   65

of this Agreement or any other Loan Document be a trustee for any Bank; (b)
shall not be responsible to the Banks for any recitals, statements,
representations or warranties contained in this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or in any certificate or other document referred to or provided for
in, or received by any Bank under, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or
for the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other document referred to or
provided for herein or therein or for any failure by the Borrower to perform any
of its obligations hereunder or thereunder; (c) shall not be required to
initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings hereunder or under
any other Loan Document except to the extent requested by the Required Banks,
and then only on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Agent, and (d) shall
not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder
or under any other Loan Document or any other document or instrument referred to
or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith, except
for its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Agent may employ agents
and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with
reasonable care. The provisions of this Article VII are solely for the benefit
of the Agent and the Banks, and the Borrower shall not have any rights as a
third party beneficiary of any of the provisions hereof. In performing its
functions and duties under this Agreement and under the other Loan Documents,
the Agent shall act solely as agent of the Banks and does not assume and shall
not be deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or relationship of agency
or trust with or for the Borrower. The duties of the Agent shall be ministerial
and administrative in nature, and the Agent shall not have by reason of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document a fiduciary relationship in respect of any
Bank.

                  SECTION 7.02. Reliance by Agent. The Agent shall be entitled
to rely upon any certification, notice or other communication (including any
thereof by telephone, telefax, telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine
and correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper Person
or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel, independent
accountants or other experts selected by the Agent. As to any matters not
expressly provided for by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Agent
shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,
hereunder and




<PAGE>   66

thereunder in accordance with instructions signed by the Required Banks, and
such instructions of the Required Banks in any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Banks.

                  SECTION 7.03. Defaults. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default (other than the
nonpayment of principal of or interest on the Loans) unless the Agent has
received notice from a Bank or the Borrower specifying such Default or Event of
Default and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default". In the event that
the Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Banks. The Agent
shall give each Bank prompt notice of each nonpayment of principal of or
interest on the Loans whether or not it has received any notice of the
occurrence of such nonpayment. The Agent shall (subject to Section 9.06) take
such action hereunder with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall
be directed by the Required Banks, provided that, unless and until the Agent
shall have received such directions, the 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 Banks.

                  SECTION 7.04. Rights of Agent as a Bank. With respect to the
Loans made by the Agent, in its capacity as a Bank hereunder, the Agent shall
have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Bank and may exercise the
same as though it were not acting as the Agent, and the term "Bank" or "Banks"
shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include Wachovia in its
individual capacity. The Agent may (without having to account therefor to any
Bank) accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of
banking, trust or other business with the Borrower (and any of its Affiliates)
as if it were not acting as the Agent, and the Agent may accept fees and other
consideration from the Borrower (in addition to any agency fees and arrangement
fees heretofore agreed to between the Borrower and the Agent) for services in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise without
having to account for the same to the Banks.

                  SECTION 7.05. Indemnification. Each Bank severally agrees to
indemnify the Agent, to the extent the Agent shall not have been reimbursed by
the Borrower, ratably in accordance with




<PAGE>   67

its Loans outstanding for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including, without
limitation, counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind and
nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the
Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or any other documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein
or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (excluding, unless an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, the normal administrative costs and
expenses incident to the performance of its agency duties hereunder) or the
enforcement of any of the terms hereof or thereof or any such other documents;
provided that no Bank shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent
they arise from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Agent. If any
indemnity furnished to the Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of the
Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, the Agent may call for additional
indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until
such additional indemnity is furnished.

                  SECTION 7.06 Consequential Damages. THE AGENT SHALL NOT BE
RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY BANK, THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY
FOR ANY PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A
RESULT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

                  SECTION 7.07. Payee of Note Treated as Owner. The Agent may
deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes
hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof
shall have been filed with the Agent and the provisions of Section 9.08(c) have
been satisfied. Any requests, authority or consent of any Person who at the time
of making such request or giving such authority or consent is the holder of any
Note shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or
assignee of that Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor or
replacement thereof.

                  SECTION 7.08. Nonreliance on Agent and Other Banks. Each Bank
agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the Agent or any other
Bank, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,
made its own credit analysis of the Borrower and decision to enter into this




<PAGE>   68

Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or
any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents. The Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the
performance or observance by the Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or
therein or to inspect the properties or books of the Borrower or any other
Person. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information
expressly required to be furnished to the Banks by the Agent hereunder or under
the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Bank with any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition or business of the Borrower or any other Person (or any of
their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of the Agent.

                  SECTION 7.09. Failure to Act. Except for action expressly
required of the Agent hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, the Agent
shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder
and thereunder unless it shall receive further assurances to its satisfaction by
the Banks of their indemnification obligations under Section 7.05 against any
and all liability and expense which may be incurred by the Agent by reason of
taking, continuing to take, or failing to take any such action.

                  SECTION 7.10. Resignation or Removal of Agent. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, the Agent may
resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower and
the Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Required
Banks. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Banks shall have the
right to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so
appointed by the Required Banks and shall have accepted such appointment within
30 days after the retiring Agent's notice of resignation or the Required Banks'
removal of the retiring Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the
Banks, appoint a successor Agent. Any successor Agent shall be a bank which has
a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of
any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent
shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the




<PAGE>   69

retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.
After any retiring Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, the
provisions of this Article VII shall continue in effect for its benefit in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as
the Agent hereunder.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                      CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; COMPENSATION

                  SECTION 8.01. Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate
or Unfair. If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period:

                           (a) the Agent determines that deposits in Dollars (in
         the applicable amounts) are not being offered in the relevant market
         for such Interest Period, or

                           (b) the Required Banks advise the Agent that the
         London Interbank Offered Rate, as determined by the Agent, will not
         adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Banks of funding the
         relevant Euro-Dollar Loans for such Interest Period,

the Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Banks,
whereupon until the Agent notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving
rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligations of the Banks to make
the Euro-Dollar Loans specified in such notice shall be suspended. Unless the
Borrower notifies the Agent at least 2 Domestic Business Days before the date of
any Borrowing of such Euro-Dollar Loans for which a Notice of Borrowing has
previously been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, such Borrowing
shall instead be made as a Base Rate Borrowing.

                  SECTION 8.02. Illegality. If, after the date hereof, the
adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change therein, or
any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental
authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof (any such agency being referred to as an "Authority" and
any such event being referred to as a "Change of Law"), or compliance by any
Bank (or its Lending Office) with any request or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) of




<PAGE>   70

any Authority shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Bank (or its Lending
Office) to make, maintain or fund its Euro-Dollar Loans and such Bank shall so
notify the Agent, the Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the other
Banks and the Borrower, whereupon until such Bank notifies the Borrower and the
Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the
obligation of such Bank to make Euro-Dollar Loans shall be suspended. Before
giving any notice to the Agent pursuant to this Section, such Bank shall
designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for
giving such notice and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank. If such Bank shall determine that it may not
lawfully continue to maintain and fund any of its outstanding Euro-Dollar Loans
to maturity and shall so specify in such notice, the Borrower shall immediately
prepay in full the then outstanding principal amount of each Euro-Dollar Loan of
such Bank, together with accrued interest thereon. Concurrently with prepaying
each such Euro-Dollar Loan, the Borrower shall borrow a Base Rate Loan in an
equal principal amount from such Bank (on which interest and principal shall be
payable contemporaneously with the related Euro-Dollar Loans of the other
Banks), and such Bank shall make such a Base Rate Loan.

                  SECTION 8.03. Increased Cost and Reduced Return. (a) If after
the date hereof, a Change of Law or compliance by any Bank (or its Lending
Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
of any Authority:

                           (i)  shall impose, modify or deem applicable any
         reserve, special deposit or similar requirement (including, without
         limitation, any such requirement imposed by the Board of Governors of
         the Federal Reserve System, but excluding any such requirement included
         in an applicable Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage) against assets of,
         deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Bank
         (or its Lending Office); or

                           (ii) shall impose on any Bank (or its Lending Office)
         or on the London interbank market any other condition affecting its
         Euro-Dollar Loans, its Notes or its obligation to make Euro-Dollar
         Loans;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or
its Lending Office) of making or maintaining any Loan, or to reduce the amount
of any sum received or receivable




<PAGE>   71

by such Bank (or its Lending Office) under this Agreement or under its Notes
with respect thereto, by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then,
within 15 days after demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), the
Borrower shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction.

                  (b) If any Bank reasonably shall have determined that after
the date hereof the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding
capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank (or its Lending Office) with
any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the
force of law) of any Authority, has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate of return on such Bank's capital as a consequence of its obligations
hereunder to a level below that which such Bank could have achieved but for such
adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Bank's policies
with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Bank to be
material, then from time to time, within 15 days after demand by such Bank, the
Borrower shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Bank for such reduction.

                  (c) Each Bank will promptly notify the Borrower and the Agent
of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which
will entitle such Bank to compensation pursuant to this Section and will
designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need
for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of
such Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank. A certificate of any Bank
claiming compensation under this Section and setting forth the additional amount
or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive, provided it has a
reasonable basis for claiming compensation, in the absence of manifest error. In
determining such amount, such Bank may use any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods.

                  (d) The provisions of this Section 8.03 shall (i) be
applicable with respect to any Participant, Assignee or other Transferee, and
any calculations required by such provisions shall be made based upon the
circumstances of such Participant, Assignee or other Transferee, and (ii)
constitute a continuing agreement and shall survive the termination of this
Agreement and the payment in full or cancellation of the Notes, provided that




<PAGE>   72

any Change of Law or other incident, condition or occurrence covered by this
Section 8.03 shall have transpired prior to such termination of this Agreement
and the payment in full or cancellation of the Notes.

                  SECTION 8.04. Base Rate Loans Substituted for Affected
Euro-Dollar Loans. If (i) the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain any
Euro-Dollar Loans has been suspended pursuant to Section 8.02 or (ii) any Bank
has demanded compensation under Section 8.03, and the Borrower shall, by at
least 5 Euro-Dollar Business Days' prior notice to such Bank through the Agent,
have elected that the provisions of this Section shall apply to such Bank, then,
unless and until such Bank notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving
rise to such suspension or demand for compensation no longer apply:

                  (a) all Loans which would otherwise be made by such Bank as
         Euro-Dollar Loans shall be made instead as Base Rate Loans, and

                  (b) after each of Euro-Dollar Loans has been repaid, all
         payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to repay such
         Euro-Dollar Loans shall be applied to repay its Base Rate Loans
         instead.

                  SECTION 8.05. Compensation. Upon the request of any Bank,
delivered to the Borrower and the Agent, the Borrower shall pay to such Bank
such amount or amounts as shall compensate such Bank for any loss, cost or
expense incurred by such Bank as a result of:

                  (a) any payment or prepayment (pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08,
2.10, 2.11, 6.01, 8.02 or otherwise) of a Fixed Rate Loan on a date other than
the last day of an Interest Period for such Loan; or

                  (b) any failure by the Borrower to borrow a Fixed Rate Loan on
the date for the Fixed Rate Borrowing of which such Fixed Rate Loan is a part
specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing delivered pursuant to Section
2.02 or notification of acceptance of Money Market Quotes pursuant to Section
2.03(e);

such compensation to include, without limitation, an amount equal to the excess,
if any, of (x) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so
paid or prepaid or not prepaid or




<PAGE>   73

borrowed for the period from the date of such payment, prepayment or failure to
prepay or borrow to the last day of the then current Interest Period for such
Fixed Rate Loan (or, in the case of a failure to prepay or borrow, the Interest
Period for such Fixed Rate Loan which would have commenced on the date of such
failure to prepay or borrow) at the applicable rate of interest for such Fixed
Rate Loan provided for herein over (y) the amount of interest (as reasonably
determined by such Bank) such Bank would have paid on deposits in Dollars of
comparable amounts having terms comparable to such period placed with it by
leading banks in the London interbank market.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  SECTION 9.01. Notices. All notices, requests and other
communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including bank wire,
telecopier or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at its address
or telecopier number set forth on the signature pages hereof or such other
address or telecopier number as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose
by notice to each other party. Each such notice, request or other communication
shall be effective (i) if given by telecopier, when such telecopy is transmitted
to the telecopier number specified in this Section and the appropriate
confirmation is received, (ii) if given by mail, 72 hours after such
communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid,
addressed as aforesaid or (iii) if given by any other means, when delivered at
the address specified in this Section; provided that notices to the Agent under
Article II or Article VIII shall not be effective until received.

                  SECTION 9.02. No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Agent or
any Bank in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any Note
or other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein
provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies
provided by law.

                  SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Documentary Taxes. The Borrower shall
pay (i) all out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent, including fees and
disbursements of special counsel for the Banks



<PAGE>   74

and the Agent, in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, any waiver or consent hereunder or thereunder or any
amendment hereof or thereof or any Default or alleged Default hereunder or
thereunder and (ii) if a Default occurs, all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
the Agent and the Banks, including fees and disbursements of counsel, in
connection with such Default and collection and other enforcement proceedings
resulting therefrom, including out-of-pocket expenses incurred in enforcing this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Borrower shall indemnify the Agent
and each Bank against any transfer taxes, documentary taxes, assessments or
charges made by any Authority by reason of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

                  SECTION 9.04. Indemnification. The Borrower shall indemnify
the Agent, the Banks and each Affiliate thereof and their respective directors,
officers, employees and agents from, and hold each of them harmless against, any
and all losses, liabilities, claims or damages to which any of them may become
subject, insofar as such losses, liabilities, claims or damages arise out of or
result from any actual or proposed use by the Borrower of the proceeds of any
extension of credit by any Bank hereunder or breach by the Borrower of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or from any investigation, litigation
(including, without limitation, any actions taken by the Agent or any of the
Banks to enforce this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents) or other
proceeding (including, without limitation, any threatened investigation or
proceeding) relating to the foregoing, and the Borrower shall reimburse the
Agent and each Bank, and each Affiliate thereof and their respective directors,
officers, employees and agents, upon demand for any expenses (including, without
limitation, legal fees) incurred in connection with any such investigation or
proceeding; but excluding any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses incurred by reason of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the
Person to be indemnified. The provisions of this Section 9.04 shall constitute a
continuing agreement and shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
payment in full or cancellation of the Notes, provided that any incident,
occurrence, condition or event upon which such losses, liabilities, claims or
damages for which indemnification under this Section 9.04 are based shall have
transpired prior to such termination of this Agreement and the payment in full
or cancellation of the Notes.



<PAGE>   75

                  SECTION 9.05. Setoff; Sharing of Setoffs. (a) The Borrower
hereby grants to the Agent and each Bank a lien for all indebtedness and
obligations owing to them from the Borrower upon all deposits or deposit
accounts, of any kind, or any interest in any deposits or deposit accounts
thereof, now or hereafter pledged, mortgaged, transferred or assigned to the
Agent or any such Bank or otherwise in the possession or control of the Agent or
any such Bank for any purpose for the account or benefit of the Borrower and
including any balance of any deposit account or of any credit of the Borrower
with the Agent or any such Bank, whether now existing or hereafter established
hereby authorizing the Agent and each Bank at any time or times with or without
prior notice to apply such balances or any part thereof to such of the
indebtedness and obligations owing by the Borrower to the Banks and/or the Agent
then past due and in such amounts as they may elect, and whether or not the
collateral, if any, or the responsibility of other Persons primarily,
secondarily or otherwise liable may be deemed adequate. For the purposes of this
paragraph, all remittances and property shall be deemed to be in the possession
of the Agent or any such Bank as soon as the same may be put in transit to it by
mail or carrier or by other bailee.

                  (b) Each Bank agrees that if it shall, by exercising any right
of setoff or counterclaim or resort to collateral security (if any) or
otherwise, receive payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal
and interest owing with respect to the Note held by it which is greater than the
proportion received by any other Bank in respect of the aggregate amount of all
principal and interest owing with respect to the Note held by such other Bank,
the Bank receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase such
participations in the Notes held by the other Banks owing to such other Banks,
and such other adjustments shall be made, as may be required so that all such
payments of principal and interest with respect to the Notes held by the Banks
owing to such other Banks shall be shared by the Banks pro rata; provided that
(i) nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Bank to exercise any
right of setoff or counterclaim it may have and to apply the amount subject to
such exercise to the payment of indebtedness of the Borrower other than its
indebtedness under the Notes, and (ii) if all or any portion of such payment
received by the purchasing Bank is thereafter recovered from such purchasing
Bank, such purchase from each other Bank shall be rescinded and




<PAGE>   76

such other Bank shall repay to the purchasing Bank the purchase price of such
participation to the extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to
such other Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of (x) the amount
of such other Bank's required repayment to (y) the total amount so recovered
from the purchasing Bank) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the
purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower
agrees, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so under applicable law,
that any holder of a participation in a Note, whether or not acquired pursuant
to the foregoing arrangements, may exercise rights of setoff or counterclaim and
other rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such holder of a
participation were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such
participation.

                  SECTION 9.06. Amendments and Waivers. (a) Any provision of
this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Documents may be amended or waived
if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the
Borrower and the Required Banks (and, if the rights or duties of the Agent are
affected thereby, by the Agent); provided that, no such amendment or waiver
shall, unless signed by all Banks, (i) change the Commitment of any Bank or
subject any Bank to any additional obligation, (ii) change the principal of or
rate of interest on any Loan or any fees (other than fees payable to the Agent)
hereunder, (iii) change the date fixed for any payment of principal of or
interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder, (iv) change the amount of principal,
interest or fees due on any date fixed for the payment thereof, (v) change the
percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the
Notes, or the percentage of Banks, which shall be required for the Banks or any
of them to take any action under this Section or any other provision of this
Agreement, (vi) change the manner of application of any payments made under this
Agreement or the Notes, (vii) release or substitute all or any substantial part
of the collateral (if any) held as security for the Loans, or (viii) release any
Guarantee given to support payment of the Loans.

                  (b) The Borrower will not solicit, request or negotiate for or
with respect to any proposed waiver or amendment of any of the provisions of
this Agreement except through the Agent and the Agent shall be supplied by the
Borrower with sufficient information to enable the Banks to make an informed
decision with respect thereto. Executed or true and correct copies of any waiver
or consent effected pursuant to the



<PAGE>   77

provisions of this Agreement shall be delivered by the Borrower to each Bank
forthwith following the date on which the same shall have been executed and
delivered by the requisite percentage of Banks. The Borrower will not, directly
or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of
supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, to any Bank (in its
capacity as such) as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into
by such Bank of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions of
this Agreement unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, on the same terms,
ratably to all such Banks.

                  SECTION 9.07. No Margin Stock Collateral. Each of the Banks
represents to the Agent and each of the other Banks that it in good faith is
not, directly or indirectly (by negative pledge or otherwise), relying upon any
Margin Stock as collateral in the extension or maintenance of the credit
provided for in this Agreement.

                  SECTION 9.08. Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that the Borrower
may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights under this Agreement.

                  (b) Any Bank may at any time sell to one or more Persons (each
a "Participant") participating interests in any Loan owing to such Bank, any
Note held by such Bank, any Commitment hereunder or any other interest of such
Bank hereunder. In the event of any such sale by a Bank of a participating
interest to a Participant, such Bank's obligations under this Agreement shall
remain unchanged, such Bank shall remain solely responsible for the performance
thereof, such Bank shall remain the holder of any such Note for all purposes
under this Agreement, and the Borrower and the Agent shall continue to deal
solely and directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's rights and
obligations under this Agreement. In no event shall a Bank that sells a
participation be obligated to the Participant to take or refrain from taking any
action hereunder except that such Bank may agree that it will not (except as
provided below), without the consent of the Participant, agree to (i) the change
of any date fixed for the payment of principal of or interest on the related
loan or loans, (ii) the change of the amount of any principal, interest or fees
due on any date fixed for the payment thereof with respect to the related loan
or



<PAGE>   78

loans, (iii) the change of the principal of the related loan or loans, (iv) any
change in the rate at which either interest is payable thereon or (if the
Participant is entitled to any part thereof) fee is payable hereunder from the
rate at which the Participant is entitled to receive interest or fee (as the
case may be) in respect of such participation, (v) the release or substitution
of all or any substantial part of the collateral (if any) held as security for
the Loans, or (vi) the release of any Guarantee given to support payment of the
Loans. Each Bank selling a participating interest in any Loan, Note, Commitment
or other interest under this Agreement, other than a Money Market Loan or Money
Market Note or participating interest therein, shall, within 10 Domestic
Business Days of such sale, provide the Borrower and the Agent with written
notification stating that such sale has occurred and identifying the Participant
and the interest purchased by such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each
Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Article VIII with respect to
its participation in Loans outstanding from time to time.

                  (c) Any Bank may at any time assign to one or more banks or
financial institutions (each an "Assignee") all or a proportionate part of its
rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan
Documents, and such Assignee shall assume all such rights and obligations,
pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, executed by such Assignee, such
transferor Bank and the Agent (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not then
a Bank, subject to clause (iii) below, by the Borrower); provided that (i) no
interest may be sold by a Bank pursuant to this paragraph (c) unless the
Assignee shall agree to assume ratably equivalent portions of the transferor
Bank's Commitment, (ii) if a Bank is assigning only a portion of its Commitment,
then, the amount of the Commitment being assigned (determined as of the
effective date of the assignment) shall be in an amount not less than
$10,000,000, (iii) except, during the continuance of a Default, no interest may
be sold by a Bank pursuant to this paragraph (c) to any Assignee that is not
then a Bank (or an Affiliate of a Bank) without the consent of the Borrower and
the Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and (iv) a Bank may
not have more than 2 Assignees that are not then Banks at any one time. Upon (A)
execution of the Assignment and Acceptance by such transferor Bank, such
Assignee, the Agent and (if applicable) the Borrower, (B) delivery of an
executed copy of the Assignment and Acceptance to the Borrower and the Agent,
(C) payment by such Assignee to such transferor




<PAGE>   79

Bank of an amount equal to the purchase price agreed between such transferor
Bank and such Assignee, and (D) payment of a processing and recordation fee of
$2,500 to the Agent, such Assignee shall for all purposes be a Bank party to
this Agreement and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank under
this Agreement to the same extent as if it were an original party hereto with a
Commitment as set forth in such instrument of assumption, and the transferor
Bank shall be released from its obligations hereunder to a corresponding extent,
and no further consent or action by the Borrower, the Banks or the Agent shall
be required. Upon the consummation of any transfer to an Assignee pursuant to
this paragraph (c), the transferor Bank, the Agent and the Borrower shall make
appropriate arrangements so that, if required, a new Note is issued to each of
such Assignee and such transferor Bank.

                  (d) Subject to the provisions of Section 9.09, the Borrower
authorizes each Bank to disclose to any Participant, Assignee or other
transferee (each a "Transferee") and any prospective Transferee any and all
financial information in such Bank's possession concerning the Borrower which
has been delivered to such Bank by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or
which has been delivered to such Bank by the Borrower in connection with such
Bank's credit evaluation prior to entering into this Agreement.

                  (e) No Transferee shall be entitled to receive any greater
payment under Section 8.03 than the transferor Bank would have been entitled to
receive with respect to the rights transferred, unless such transfer is made
with the Borrower's prior written consent or by reason of the provisions of
Section 8.02 or 8.03 requiring such Bank to designate a different Lending Office
under certain circumstances or at a time when the circumstances giving rise to
such greater payment did not exist.

                  (f) Anything in this Section 9.08 to the contrary
notwithstanding, any Bank may assign and pledge all or any portion of the Loans
and/or obligations owing to it to any Federal Reserve Bank or the United States
Treasury as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any Operating Circular issued by
such Federal Reserve Bank, provided that any payment in respect of such assigned
Loans and/or obligations made by the Borrower to the assigning and/or pledging
Bank in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall satisfy the
Borrower's obligations




<PAGE>   80

hereunder in respect of such assigned Loans and/or obligations to the extent of
such payment. No such assignment shall release the assigning and/or pledging
Bank from its obligations hereunder.

                  SECTION 9.09. Confidentiality. Each Bank agrees to exercise
commercially reasonable efforts to keep any information delivered or made
available by the Borrower to it which is clearly indicated to be confidential
information, confidential from anyone other than persons employed or retained by
such Bank who are or are expected to become engaged in evaluating, approving,
structuring or administering the Loans; provided that nothing herein shall
prevent any Bank from disclosing such information (i) to any other Bank, (ii)
upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (iii) upon the request or
demand of any regulatory agency or authority having jurisdiction over such Bank,
(iv) which has been publicly disclosed, (v) to the extent reasonably required in
connection with any litigation to which the Agent, any Bank or their respective
Affiliates may be a party, (vi) to the extent reasonably required in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder, (vii) to such Bank's legal counsel
and independent auditors and (viii) to any actual or proposed Participant,
Assignee or other Transferee of all or part of its rights hereunder which has
agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.09; provided
that should disclosure of any such confidential information be required by
virtue of clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence, to the extent
permitted by law, any relevant Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower of same
so as to allow the Borrower to seek a protective order or to take any other
appropriate action; provided, further, that, no Bank shall be required to delay
compliance with any directive to disclose any such information so as to allow
the Borrower to effect any such action.

                  SECTION 9.10. Representation by Banks. Each Bank hereby
represents that it is a commercial lender or financial institution which makes
loans in the ordinary course of its business and that it will make its Loans
hereunder for its own account in the ordinary course of such business; provided
that, subject to Section 9.08, the disposition of the Note or Notes held by that
Bank shall at all times be within its exclusive control.

                  SECTION 9.11. Obligations Several. The obligations of each
Bank hereunder are several, and no Bank shall be responsible for the obligations
or commitment of any other Bank hereunder. 




<PAGE>   81

Nothing contained in this Agreement and no action taken by the Banks pursuant
hereto shall be deemed to constitute the Banks to be a partnership, an
association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The amounts payable at
any time hereunder to each Bank shall be a separate and independent debt, and
each Bank shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document and it shall not be necessary for any
other Bank to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such
purpose.

                  SECTION 9.12. Georgia Law. This Agreement and each Note shall
be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Georgia.

                  SECTION 9.13. Severability. In case any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan
Documents should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and
shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

                  SECTION 9.14. Interest. In no event shall the amount of
interest, and all charges, amounts or fees contracted for, charged or collected
pursuant to this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents and deemed to
be interest under applicable law (collectively, "Interest") exceed the highest
rate of interest allowed by applicable law (the "Maximum Rate"), and in the
event any such payment is inadvertently received by any Bank, then the excess
sum (the "Excess") shall be credited as a payment of principal, unless the
Borrower shall notify such Bank in writing that it elects to have the Excess
returned forthwith. It is the express intent hereof that the Borrower not pay
and the Banks not receive, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever,
interest in excess of that which may legally be paid by the Borrower under
applicable law. The right to accelerate maturity of any of the Loans does not
include the right to accelerate any interest that has not otherwise accrued on
the date of such acceleration, and the Agent and the Banks do not intend to
collect any unearned interest in the event of any such acceleration. All monies
paid to the Agent or the Banks hereunder or under any of the Notes or the other
Loan Documents, whether at maturity or by prepayment, shall be subject to rebate
of unearned interest as and to the extent required by applicable law. By the
execution of this Agreement, the Borrower covenants,




<PAGE>   82

to the fullest extent permitted by law, that (i) the credit or return of any
Excess shall constitute the acceptance by the Borrower of such Excess, and (ii)
the Borrower shall not seek or pursue any other remedy, legal or equitable ,
against the Agent or any Bank, based in whole or in part upon contracting for
charging or receiving any Interest in excess of the Maximum Rate. For the
purpose of determining whether or not any Excess has been contracted for,
charged or received by the Agent or any Bank, all interest at any time
contracted for, charged or received from the Borrower in connection with this
Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread in
equal parts throughout the full term of the Commitments. The Borrower, the Agent
and each Bank shall, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, (i)
characterize any non- principal payment as an expense, fee or premium rather
than as Interest and (ii) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof.
The provisions of this Section shall be deemed to be incorporated into each Note
and each of the other Loan Documents (whether or not any provision of this
Section is referred to therein). All such Loan Documents and communications
relating to any Interest owed by the Borrower and all figures set forth therein
shall, for the sole purpose of computing the extent of obligations hereunder and
under the Notes and the other Loan Documents be automatically recomputed by the
Borrower, and by any court considering the same, to give effect to the
adjustments or credits required by this Section.

                  SECTION 9.15. Interpretation. No provision of this Agreement
or any of the other Loan Documents shall be construed against or interpreted to
the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or
judicial authority by reason of such party having or being deemed to have
structured or dictated such provision.

                  SECTION 9.16. Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction.
The Borrower (a) and each of the Banks and the Agent irrevocably waives, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal
proceeding arising out of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) submits to the
nonexclusive personal jurisdiction in the State of Georgia, the courts thereof
and the United States District Courts sitting therein, for the enforcement of
this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, (c) waives any




<PAGE>   83

and all personal rights under the law of any jurisdiction to object on any basis
(including, without limitation, inconvenience of forum) to jurisdiction or venue
within the State of Georgia for the purpose of litigation to enforce this
Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents, and (d) agrees that service of
process may be made upon it in the manner prescribed in Section 9.01 for the
giving of notice to the Borrower. Nothing herein contained, however, shall
prevent the Agent from bringing any action or exercising any rights against any
security and against the Borrower personally, and against any assets of the
Borrower, within any other state or jurisdiction.

                  SECTION 9.17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

                  SECTION 9.18. Source of Funds -- ERISA. Each of the Banks
hereby severally (and not jointly) represents to the Borrower that no part of
the funds to be used by such Bank to fund the Loans hereunder from time to time
constitutes (i) assets allocated to any separate account maintained by such Bank
in which any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) has any interest nor
(ii) any other assets of any employee benefit plan. As used in this Section, the
terms "employee benefit plan" and



                [See continuation of document on following page]




<PAGE>   84


"separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in
Section 3 of ERISA.


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


                                       SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.(SEAL)


                                       By:   s/James F. Zahrn
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Title: Executive Vice President
                                             s/Samuel J. Ilardo
                                          ------------------------------------
                                                Treasurer
                                       Springs Industries, Inc.
                                       205 North White Street
                                       Fort Mill, South Carolina 29715
                                       Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                       Telecopier number: 803-547-3707
                                       Confirmation number: 803-547-3774





<PAGE>   85



COMMITMENTS                         WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.,
                                    as Agent and as a Bank      (SEAL)

$55,000,000
                                    By: s/Sarah T. Warren
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President

                                    Lending Office

                                    Wachovia Bank, N.A.
                                    400 South Tryon Street, 31st Floor
                                    Charlotte, North Carolina  28202
                                    Attention: Sarah Warren
                                    Telecopier number: 704-378-5035
                                    Confirmation number: 704-378-5185





                                    BANK OF AMERICA NT & SA(SEAL)


$45,000,000                         By:  s/Michael J. McKenney
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President

                                    Lending Office

                                    Bank of America NT & SA
                                    1230 Peachtree Street, Suite 3800
                                    Atlanta, Georgia  30309
                                    Attention: Michael McKenney
                                    Telecopier number: 404-249-6938
                                    Confirmation number: 404-249-6913






<PAGE>   86




                                    SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA(SEAL)


$45,000,000                         By:  s/Jeffrey D. Drucker
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Banking Officer


                                    By: s/Raymond B. King
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President

                                    Lending Office

                                    SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
                                    25 Park Place, 23rd Floor
                                    Atlanta, Georgia  30303
                                    Attention: Jeffrey D. Drucker
                                    Telecopier number: 404-588-8833
                                    Confirmation number: 404-230-1403





                                    THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA(SEAL)


$22,500,000                         By:  s/William E. Zarrett
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Relationship Manager

                                    Lending Office

                                    The Bank of Nova Scotia
                                    600 Peachtree St., NE, Suite 2700
                                    Atlanta, Georgia  30308
                                    Attention: William Zarrett
                                    Telecopier number: 404-888-8998
                                    Confirmation number: 404-877-1504






<PAGE>   87



                                    THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.
(SEAL)


$22,500,000                         By:  s/Brandon A. Meyerson
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Assistant Vice President

                                    Lending Office

                                    The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd.
                                    133 Peachtree St., N.E., #4970
                                    Atlanta, Georgia  30303-1808
                                    Attention: Brandon Meyerson
                                    Telecopier number: 404-577-1155
                                    Confirmation number: 404-577-2960






                                    MELLON BANK, N.A.(SEAL)


$20,000,000                         By:  s/Jonathan C. Ritz
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President

                                    Lending Office

                                    Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                    One Mellon Bank Center
                                    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
                                    Attention: Johnathan C. Ritz
                                    Telecopier number: 412-236-1914
                                    Confirmation number: 412-236-1190








<PAGE>   88




                                    THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED,
                                    ATLANTA AGENCY(SEAL)


$15,000,000                         By:  s/Mr. Shinichiro Fujimoto
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              and Joint General
                                              Manager

                                    Lending Office

                                    The Fuji Bank, Limited,
                                    Atlanta Agency
                                    Marquis One Tower, Suite 2100
                                    245 Peachtree Center Avenue, NE
                                    Atlanta, Georgia  30303
                                    Attention: Bryan Brading
                                    Telecopier number: 404-653-2119
                                    Confirmation number: 404-215-3321


- ----------

TOTAL COMMITMENTS:

$225,000,000









<PAGE>   89


                                                                     EXHIBIT A-1


                              SYNDICATED LOAN NOTE

                                Atlanta, Georgia
                             ________________, 1997

                  For value received, ______________, a _____________ SPRINGS
INDUSTRIES, INC., a South Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), promises to pay
to the order of _____________________ ___________________________________, a
____________________ (the "Bank"), for the account of its Lending Office, the
principal sum of ___________________________________ AND NO/100 DOLLARS
($_______), or such lesser amount as shall equal the unpaid principal amount of
each Syndicated Loan made by the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit
Agreement referred to below, on the dates and in the amounts provided in the
Credit Agreement. The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal
amount of this Syndicated Loan Note on the dates and at the rate or rates
provided for in the Credit Agreement. Interest on any overdue principal of and,
to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest on the principal amount hereof
shall bear interest at the Default Rate, as provided for in the Credit
Agreement. All such payments of principal and interest shall be made in lawful
money of the United States in Federal or other immediately available funds at
the office of Wachovia Bank, N.A., 191 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia
30303-1757, or such other address as may be specified from time to time pursuant
to the Credit Agreement.

                  All Loans made by the Bank, the respective maturities thereof,
the interest rates from time to time applicable thereto, and all repayments of
the principal thereof shall be recorded by the Bank and, prior to any transfer
hereof, endorsed by the Bank on the schedule attached hereto, or on a
continuation of such schedule attached to and made a part hereof; provided that
the failure of the Bank to make any such recordation or endorsement shall not
affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the Credit Agreement.

                  This Syndicated Loan Note is one of the Syndicated Loan Notes
referred to in the Credit Agreement dated as of December 17, 1997 among the
Borrower, the Banks listed on the signature



<PAGE>   90

pages thereof and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as Agent (as the same may be amended and
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"). Terms defined in the Credit
Agreement are used herein with the same meanings. Reference is made to the
Credit Agreement for provisions for the optional and mandatory prepayment and
the repayment hereof and the acceleration of the maturity hereof, as well as the
obligation of the Borrower to pay all costs of collection, including reasonable
attorneys fees, in the event this Syndicated Loan Note is collected by law or
through an attorney at law.

                  The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest,
notice of demand, protest and nonpayment and any other notice required by law
relative hereto, except to the extent as otherwise may be expressly provided for
in the Credit Agreement.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Syndicated
Loan Note to be duly executed, under seal, by its duly authorized officer as of
the day and year first above written.


                                       SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.(SEAL)


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




<PAGE>   91


                          Syndicated Loan Note (cont'd)

                   SYNDICATED LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Base Rate,              Amount            Amount of
               or Euro-                of                Principal              Maturity         Notation
Date           Dollar Loan             Loan              Repaid                 Date             Made By
<S>            <C>                     <C>               <C>                    <C>              <C>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   92


                                                                     EXHIBIT A-2


                             MONEY MARKET LOAN NOTE

                               As of _______, 199_


                  For value received, SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., a South Carolina
corporation (the "Borrower"), promises to pay to the order of ______________, a
_______________ (the "Bank"), for the account of its Lending Office, the
principal sum of TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS
($225,000,000), or such lesser amount as shall equal the unpaid principal amount
of each Money Market Loan made by the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to the
Credit Agreement referred to below, on the dates and in the amounts provided in
the Credit Agreement. The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of this Money Market Loan Note on the dates and at the rate or
rates provided for in the Credit Agreement referred to below. Interest on any
overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest on
the principal amount hereof shall bear interest at the Default Rate, as provided
for in the Credit Agreement. All such payments of principal and interest shall
be made in lawful money of the United States in Federal or other immediately
available funds at the office of Wachovia Bank, N.A., 191 Peachtree Street,
N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1757, or such other address as may be specified
from time to time pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

                  All Money Market Loans made by the Bank, the respective
maturities thereof, the interest rates from time to time applicable thereto, and
all repayments of the principal thereof shall be recorded by the Bank and, prior
to any transfer hereof, endorsed by the Bank on the schedule attached hereto, or
on a continuation of such schedule attached to and made a part hereof; provided
that the failure of the Bank to make any such recordation or endorsement shall
not affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the Credit
Agreement.

                  This Money Market Loan Note is one of the Money Market Loan
Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement dated as of December 17, 1997 among
the Borrower, the Banks listed on the signature pages thereof, Wachovia Bank,
N.A., as Agent (as the same may be amended and modified from time to time, the
"Credit



<PAGE>   93

Agreement"). Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same
meanings. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for provisions for the
optional and mandatory prepayment and the repayment hereof and the acceleration
of the maturity hereof, as well as the obligation of the Borrower to pay all
costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys fees, in the event this
Money Market Loan Note is collected by law or through an attorney at law.

                  The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest,
notice of demand, protest and nonpayment and any other notice required by law
relative hereto, except to the extent as otherwise may be expressly provided for
in the Credit Agreement.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Money Market
Loan Note to be duly executed, under seal, by its duly authorized officer as of
the day and year first above written.


                                       SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.(SEAL)


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




<PAGE>   94


                        Money Market Loan Note (cont'd)


MONEY MARKET LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Amount             Amount of             Stated
             Interest            of                 Principal             Maturity              Notation
Date         Rate                Loan               Repaid                Date                  Made By
<S>          <C>                 <C>                <C>                   <C>                   <C>


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   95


                                                                       EXHIBIT B


                                   OPINION OF
                            COUNSEL FOR THE BORROWER


                                                           [Dated as provided in
                                                           Section 3.01 of the
                                                           Credit Agreement]


To the Banks and the Agent
Referred to Below
c/o Wachovia Bank, N.A.,
as Agent
191 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia  30303-1757
Attn.:__________________________

Dear Sirs:

                  We have acted as counsel for SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., a South
Carolina corporation (the "Borrower") and for SPRINGS WINDOW FASHIONS DIVISION,
INC., a Delaware corporation and DUNDEE MILLS, INCORPORATED, a Georgia
corporation(collectively, the "Guarantors") in connection with the Credit
Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") dated as of December 17, 1997, among the
Borrower, the banks listed on the signature pages thereof and Wachovia Bank,
N.A., as Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein
defined.

                  We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records,
certificates of public officials and other instruments and have conducted such
other investigations of fact and law as we have deemed necessary or advisable
for purposes of this opinion. We have assumed for purposes of our opinions set
forth below that the execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement by each Bank
and by the Agent have been duly authorized by each Bank and by the Agent.

                  Upon the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:


<PAGE>   96

                  1. The Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of South Carolina and has all
corporate powers required to carry on its business as now conducted.

                  2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of
the Credit Agreement and the Notes and by each Guarantor of the Guaranty and the
Contribution Agreement (i) are within the Borrower's and each Guarantor's
corporate powers, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, (iii) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any
governmental body, agency or official, (iv) do not contravene, or constitute a
default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or of the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower or any Guarantor or of
any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument which to
our knowledge is binding upon the Borrower or any Guarantor and (v) to our
knowledge, except as provided in the Credit Agreement, do not result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.

                  3. Each of the Credit Agreement, the Guaranty and the
Contribution Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Borrower
or the Guarantors, as applicable, enforceable against the Borrower and the
Guarantors, respectively, in accordance with its terms, and the Notes constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by: (i)
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity.

                  4. To our knowledge, there is no action, suit or proceeding
pending, or threatened, against or affecting the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or
official in which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision which
could materially adversely affect the business, consolidated financial position
or consolidated results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, or which in any manner questions the
validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any Note, the Guaranty or
the Contribution Agreement.



<PAGE>   97

                  5. Each of the Borrower's Subsidiaries is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, and has all corporate powers and all material
governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry
on its business as now conducted.

                  6. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

                  7. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
"holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", or an
"affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company", as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, as amended.

                  We are qualified to practice in the State of _______________
and do not purport to be experts on any laws other than the laws of the United
States and the State of _____________ and this opinion is rendered only with
respect to such laws. We have made no independent investigation of the laws of
any other jurisdiction.

                  This opinion is delivered to you in connection with the
transaction referenced above and may only be relied upon by you, any Assignee,
Participant or other Transferee under the Credit Agreement, and Jones, Day,
Reavis & Pogue without our prior written consent.


                                       Very truly yours,




<PAGE>   98


                                                                       EXHIBIT C


                                   OPINION OF
                     _____________________________, SPECIAL COUNSEL
                                  FOR THE AGENT


                                                           [Dated as provided in
                                                           Section 3.01 of the
                                                           Credit Agreement]


To the Banks and the Agent
Referred to Below
c/o Wachovia Bank, N.A.,
as Agent
191 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1757
Attn:______________________

Dear Sirs:

                  We have participated in the preparation of the Credit
Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") dated as of December 17, 1997, among SPRINGS
INDUSTRIES, INC., a South Carolina corporation (the "Borrower"), the banks
listed on the signature pages thereof (the "Banks") and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as
Agent (the "Agent"), and have acted as special counsel for the Agent for the
purpose of rendering this opinion pursuant to Section 3.01(d) of the Credit
Agreement. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein
defined.

                  This opinion letter is limited by, and is in accordance with,
the January 1, 1992 edition of the Interpretive Standards applicable to Legal
Opinions to Third Parties in Corporate Transactions adopted by the Legal Opinion
Committee of the Corporate and Banking Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia
which Interpretive Standards are incorporated herein by this reference.

                  We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records,
certificates of public officials and other instruments and have conducted such
other investigations of fact




<PAGE>   99

and law as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this opinion.

         Upon the basis of the foregoing, and assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement and each of the Notes by or on
behalf of the Borrower, we are of the opinion that the Credit Agreement
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Borrower and each Note
constitutes valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, in each case
enforceable in accordance with its terms except as: (i) the enforceability
thereof may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
conveyance, voidable preference, moratorium or similar laws applicable to
creditors' rights or the collection of debtors' obligations generally; (ii)
rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited
by equitable principles of general applicability; and (iii) the enforceability
of certain of the remedial, waiver and other provisions of the Credit Agreement
and the Notes may be further limited by the laws of the State of Georgia;
provided that such additional laws do not, in our opinion, substantially
interfere with the practical realization of the benefits expressed in the Credit
Agreement and the Notes, except for the economic consequences of any procedural
delay which may result from such laws.

         In giving the foregoing opinion, we express no opinion as to the effect
(if any) of any law of any jurisdiction except the State of Georgia. We express
no opinion as to the effect of the compliance or noncompliance of the Agent or
any of the Banks with any state or federal laws or regulations applicable to the
Agent or any of the Banks by reason of the legal or regulatory status or the
nature of the business of the Agent or any of the Banks.

         This opinion is delivered to you in connection with the transaction
referenced above and may only be relied upon by you and any Assignee,
Participant or other Transferee under the Credit Agreement without our prior
written consent.

                                       Very truly yours,




<PAGE>   100


                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                          Dated __________ ____, 19___

                  Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of December
17, 1997 (together with all amendments and modifications thereto, the "Credit
Agreement") among Springs Industries, Inc., a South Carolina corporation (the
"Borrower"), the Banks (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and Wachovia Bank,
N.A., as Agent (the "Agent"). Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used
herein with the same meaning.

                  _________________________________________ (the "Assignor") and
________________________________ (the "Assignee") agree as follows:

                  1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee,
without recourse to the Assignor, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes
from the Assignor, a ____% interest in and to all of the Assignor's rights and
obligations under the Credit Agreement as of the Effective Date (as defined
below) (including, without limitation, a ____% interest (which on the Effective
Date hereof is $__________) in the Assignor's Commitment and a ________ interest
(which on the Effective Date hereof is $________) in the Syndicated Loans [and
Money Market Loans] owing to the Assignor and a ____% interest in the Note[s]
held by the Assignor (which on the Effective Date hereof is $__________).

                  2. The Assignor (i) makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the
execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value
of the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
thereto, other than that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest
being assigned by it hereunder, that such interest is free and clear of any
adverse claim and that as of the date hereof its Commitment (without giving
effect to assignments thereof which have not yet become effective) is
$__________ and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Syndicated Loans
[and Money Market Loans] owing to it (without giving effect to assignments
thereof which have not yet become effective) is $__________ ; (ii) makes no
representation or




<PAGE>   101

warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition
of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its
obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto; and (iii) attaches the Note[s] referred to in
paragraph 1 above and requests that the Agent exchange such Note[s] for [a new
Syndicated Loan Note dated , in the principal amount of $__________ payable to
the order of the Assignee and a new Money Market Loan Note dated ___________,
____ in the principal amount of $______________ payable to the order of the
Assignee] [new Notes as follows: a (i) Syndicated Loan Note dated ___________,
____ in the principal amount of $_____________ payable to the order of the
Assignor (ii) Syndicated Loan Note dated __________, _____ in the principal
amount of $_______ payable to the order of the Assignee, and (iii) and a new
Money Market Loan Note dated ___________, ____ in the principal amount of
$______________ payable to the order of the Assignee].

                  3. The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of
the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred
to in Section 4.04(a) thereof (or any more recent financial statements of the
Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) thereof) and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) agrees
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, the Assignor or
any other Bank and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under the Credit Agreement; (iii) confirms that it is a bank
or financial institution; (iv) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such
action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit
Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof, together with such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (v) agrees that it will perform in
accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the
Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank; (vi) specifies as
its Lending Office (and address for notices) the office set forth beneath its
name on the signature pages hereof, (vii) represents and warrants that the
execution, delivery and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance are within
its corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, (viii) makes the representation and warranty




<PAGE>   102

contained in Section 9.18 of the Credit Agreement[, and (ix) attaches the forms
prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States certifying as to
the Assignee's status for purposes of determining exemption from United States
withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made to the Assignee under
the Credit Agreement and the Notes or such other documents as are necessary to
indicate that all such payments are subject to such taxes at a rate reduced by
an applicable tax treaty].

                  4. The Effective Date for this Assignment and Acceptance shall
be ____________, 19__ (the "Effective Date"). Following the execution of this
Assignment and Acceptance, it will be delivered to the Agent for execution and
acceptance by the Agent and to the Borrower for execution by the Borrower.

                  5. Upon such execution and acceptance by the Agent [and
execution by the Borrower] [IF REQUIRED BY THE CREDIT AGREEMENT], from and after
the Effective Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement
and, to the extent rights and obligations have been transferred to it by this
Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Bank thereunder
and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent its rights and obligations have been
transferred to the Assignee by this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its
rights (other than under Sections 8.03, 9.03 and 9.04 of the Credit Agreement)
and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement.

                  6. Upon such execution and acceptance by the Agent [and
execution by the Borrower] [IF REQUIRED BY THE CREDIT AGREEMENT], from and after
the Effective Date, the Agent shall make all payments in respect of the interest
assigned hereby to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all
appropriate adjustments in payments for periods prior to such acceptance by the
Agent directly between themselves.

                  7. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Georgia.


                                    [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]


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




<PAGE>   103


                                    [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]


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

                                    Lending Office:
                                    [Address]

                                    WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.,
                                    As Agent

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


                                    [NAME OF BORROWER]
                                    IF REQUIRED BY THE CREDIT AGREEMENT


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




<PAGE>   104


                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                               NOTICE OF BORROWING

                            ___________________, 199___


Wachovia Bank, N.A., as Agent
191 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia  30303-1757
Attention:  ________________

         Re:      Credit Agreement (as amended and modified from time to time,
                  the "Credit Agreement") dated as of December 17, 1997 by and
                  among Springs, Industries, Inc., the Banks from time to time
                  parties thereto, and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as Agent.

Gentlemen:

         Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall
have the meanings attributable thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         This Notice of Borrowing is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.02
of the Credit Agreement.

         The Borrower hereby requests a [Euro-Dollar Borrowing] [Base Rate
Borrowing] in the aggregate principal amount of $________ to be made on
__________, 199__, and for interest to accrue thereon at the rate established by
the Credit Agreement for [Euro-Dollar Loans][Base Rate Loans]. The duration of
the Interest Period with respect thereto shall be [1 month] [2 months] [3
months] [6 months] [30 days] [60 days] [90 days] [120 days].

         The Borrower has caused this Notice of Borrowing to be executed and
delivered by its duly authorized officer this _____ day of ____________, 199_.

                                       SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


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



<PAGE>   105




                                                                       EXHIBIT F


                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


                Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of December
17, 1997 (as modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement") among Springs Industries, Inc., the Banks from time to time
parties thereto, and Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A., as Agent. Capitalized terms
used herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

                  Pursuant to SECTION 5.01(c) of the Credit Agreement,
_____________, the duly authorized ______________ of Springs Industries, Inc.,
hereby certifies to the Agent and the Banks that the information contained in
the Compliance Check List attached hereto is true, accurate and complete as of
__________________, ____, and that no Default is in existence on and as of the
date hereof.


                                    SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.



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





<PAGE>   106


                              COMPLIANCE CHECK LIST
                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.

                          _____________________________


                             _______________, ______




1.      Ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Total Tangible Capital
        (Section 5.03), calculated at the end of each Fiscal Quarter

        The ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Total Tangible Capital
        will not at any time exceed 0.5 to 1.00. Solely for the purposes of this
        Section 5.03, "Consolidated Debt" shall not include the outstanding
        balance of the Borrower's deferred compensation obligations from time to
        time.

<TABLE>
        <S>     <C>                              <C>               <C>
        (a)     Consolidated Debt                Schedule - 2      $
                                                                     -----------
        (b)     Consolidated Tangible Net
                Worth                            Schedule - 1      $
                                                                     -----------

        (c)     sum of (a) plus (b)                                $
                                                                    ------------
        Actual Ratio of (a) to (c)
                                                                    ------------

        Maximum Ratio                                                0.5 to 1.0
</TABLE>


2.      Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth (Section 5.04)

        Consolidated Tangible Net Worth will at no time be less than
        $475,000,000, plus the sum of (i) 25% of the cumulative Consolidated Net
        Income of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the period
        from April 1, 1995 through and including the last Fiscal Quarter just
        ended (taken as one accounting period), calculated quarterly but
        excluding from such calculations of Consolidated Net Income for purposes
        of this clause (i), any quarter in which the Consolidated Net Income of
        the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries is negative, (ii) the
        excess of (A) 100% of the cumulative Net Proceeds of Capital Stock
        received during any period after




<PAGE>   107

        April 1, 1995, over (B) the aggregate amount expended, directly or
        indirectly, after April 1, 1995, for redemption, purchase, retirement or
        other acquisition of any shares of the Borrower's Capital Stock, and
        (iii) 100% of the amount of any Debt converted to equity in the Borrower
        during any period after April 1, 1995, calculated quarterly.

<TABLE>
         <S>      <C>                                              <C>
         (a)      $475,000,000

         (b)      25% of positive Consolidated
                  Net Income after April 1, 1995                   $
                                                                    -----------

         (c)      Excess of 100% of cumulative Net
                  Proceeds of Capital Stock received after
                  April 1, 1995 over expenditures after
                  April 1, 1995 for redemption, 
                  purchase, retirement or other acquisition
                  of shares of Capital Stock
                  (but not less than zero)                         $
                                                                    -----------

         (d)      100% of amount of Debt converted
                  to equity after April 1, 1995                    $
                                                                    -----------

                  Actual Consolidated Tangible
                  Net Worth           Schedule - 1                 $
                                                                    -----------

                  Required Consolidated Tangible Net
                  Worth (sum of (a) plus (b) plus (c)
                  plus (d)                                         $
                                                                    -----------
</TABLE>

4.      Restricted Payments (Section 5.05)

          The Borrower will not declare or make any Restricted Payment during
        any Fiscal Year except from Consolidated Net Income Available for
        Restricted Payments; provided that after giving effect to the payment of
        any such Restricted Payments, the Borrower will be in full compliance 
        with all of the provisions of this Agreement.

          Total Restricted Payments during
          Fiscal Year                                               $
                                                                    -----------

          (a) $40,000,000



<PAGE>   108


        (b)       Consolidated Net Income
                  after April 1, 1995                              $
                                                                    -----------

        (c)       Dividends after April 1, 1995                    $
                                                                    -----------

        (d)       Excess of expenditures after April 1, 1995
                  for redemption, purchase, retirement or other
                  acquisition of shares of Capital Stock over
                  amount received after April 1, 1995
                  from the sales of Capital Stock                  $
                                                                    -----------

        (e)       Maximum Restricted Payments
                  made after April 1, 1995 (sum of (a)
                  [PLUS] [MINUS] (b) less (c) less (d)             $
                                                                    -----------

5.       Loans and Advances (Section 5.06)

         Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall make loans or
        advances to any Person except: (i) loans or advances to employees not
        exceeding $1,500,000 in the aggregate principal amount outstanding at
        any time, in each case made in the ordinary course of business and
        consistent with practices existing on April 1, 1995; and (ii) deposits
        required by government agencies or public utilities; (iii) trade
        accounts receivable, unless such trade accounts receivable are in excess
        of an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 and such trade accounts receivable
        are evidenced by a promissory note or such other instrument of payment;
        (iv) loans and advances (a) from the Borrower to any Guarantor (b) from
        any Guarantor to any other Guarantor or (c) from any Subsidiary to the
        Borrower; (v) loans and advances from the Borrower to any Foreign
        Subsidiary not exceeding at any time an amount which, together with the
        aggregate amount of Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries permitted by
        clause (C) of Section 5.07, is equal to 15% of Consolidated Tangible Net
        Worth at such time; and (vi) other loans and advances, not exceeding at
        any time an amount which, together with the aggregate amounts of
        Investments permitted by clause (D) of Section 5.07, is equal to 10% of
        Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time; provided that after giving
        effect to the making of any loans, advances or deposits permitted by
        this Section, the Borrower will be in full compliance with all the
        provisions of this Agreement.


<PAGE>   109
 
         (a)  To Employees                                       $
                                                                  ----------
              Limitation                                         $
                                                                  ----------

              Excess over Limitation                             $          (1)
                                                                  ----------

         (b)  trade payables evidenced
                  by a note or other instrument                  $
                                                                  ----------

              Limitation                                         $10,000,000

              Excess over Limitation                             $          (2)
                                                                  ----------

         (c)  To Foreign Subsidiaries--See P. 6(a) below

         (c)  Other loans and advances--See P. 6(b) below

6.  Investments (Section 5.07)

         Except for the existing Investments listed on Schedule 5.07, neither
        the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall make Investments in any
        Person except as permitted by Section 5.06 and except for (A)
        Investments in (i) direct obligations of the United States Government
        maturing within one year, (ii) certificates of deposit issued by a
        commercial bank whose credit is satisfactory to the Agent (the Agent
        acknowledges and agrees that the Lenders party to this Agreement as of
        the date hereof are satisfactory with respect thereto), (iii) commercial
        paper rated A1 or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's
        Corporation or P1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors
        Service, Inc. and in either case maturing within 6 months after the date
        of acquisition, (iv) tender bonds the payment of the principal of and
        interest on which is fully supported by a letter of credit issued by a
        United States bank whose long-term certificates of deposit are rated at
        least AA or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Corporation and
        Aa or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and/or
        (v) other short term Investments in accordance with company policy of
        the Borrower in effect as of the date of this Agreement, a written copy
        of

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)      Any postive amount on this line shall be included in amounts permitted
in P. 6(b) below.

(2)      Any positive amount on this line shall be included in amounts permitted
in P. 6(b) below.

<PAGE>   110


        which has been provided to the Banks, which policy may not be changed
        without the Required Banks' prior written consent, (B) Investments by
        the Borrower in a Guarantor or by any Guarantor in another Guarantor,
        (C) Investments by the Borrower in Foreign Subsidiaries not exceeding at
        any time an amount which, together with loans and advances to Foreign
        Subsidiaries permitted by clause (v) of Section 5.06, is equal to 15% of
        Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time; (D) other Investments not
        exceeding at any time an amount which, together with the aggregate
        amounts of loans and advances permitted by clause (vi) of Section 5.06,
        is equal to 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at such time; and (E)
        Investments in the bond issued pursuant to a Permitted Sale-Lease
        Back/Bond Transaction.

        (a)   To Foreign Subsidiaries

              Loans and advances                                   $
                                                                    ---------  

              Investments                                          $
                                                                    ---------  

              Subtotal                                             $
                                                                    ---------  

              Limitation                                           $         (3)
                                                                    ---------  

              Excess over Limitation                               $         (4)
                                                                    ---------  

        (b)   Other

              Loans and advances permitted by
              clause (vi) of ss. 5.06                              $
                                                                    ---------  

              Investments permitted by clause
              (D) of ss. 5.07                                      $
                                                                    ---------  

              Limitation                                           $         (5)
                                                                    ---------

7.       Negative Pledge (Section 5.08)


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

(3)  15% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth

(4)  Any positive amount on this line shall be included in amounts permitted in 
     P. (b) below.

(5)  10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth


<PAGE>   111


        None of the Borrower's or any Consolidated Subsidiary's property is
subject to any Lien securing Debt, except for:

         Description of Lien and Property            Amount of Debt
         subject to same                                Secured

         a.___________________________               $_____________

         b.___________________________               $_____________

         c.___________________________               $_____________

         d.___________________________               $_____________

         e.___________________________               $_____________

         f.___________________________               $_____________

         g.___________________________               $_____________

                                                Total$
                                                      =============

         10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth      $_____________

         15% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth      $_____________


8.      Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. (Section 5.11)

        The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, consolidate
        or merge with or into, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or any
        substantial part of its assets to, any other Person, or discontinue or
        eliminate any business line or segment, provided that (a) the Borrower
        may merge with another Person if (i) such Person was organized under the
        laws of the United States of America or one of its states, (ii) the
        Borrower is the corporation surviving such merger and (iii) immediately
        after giving effect to such merger, no Default shall have occurred and
        be continuing, (b) Subsidiaries of the Borrower may merge with one
        another, and (c) the foregoing limitation on the sale, lease or other
        transfer of assets and on the discontinuation or elimination of a
        business line or segment shall not prohibit, during any Fiscal Year, (A)
        a transfer of assets or the discontinuance or elimination of a business
        line or segment (in a single



<PAGE>   112

        transaction or in a series of related transactions) unless the aggregate
        assets to be so transferred or utilized in a business line or segment to
        be so discontinued, when combined with all other assets transferred, and
        all other assets utilized in all other business lines or segments
        discontinued, during such Fiscal Year constituted more than 10% of
        Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, or (B) a transfer of assets as a part
        of a Permitted Sale-Lease Back/Bond Transaction.

         Value of assets transferred or business
         lines or segments discontinued                            $
                                                                    -----------

         Limitation (not more than 10% of
         Consolidated Tangible Net Worth--see
         Schedule - 1)                                             $
                                                                    -----------

         Excess over limitation                                    $
                                                                    -----------




<PAGE>   113


                                                                    Schedule - 1

                         Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
                       

Stockholders' Equity                                               $
         Less:                                                      -----------
              Surplus from write-up of assets subsequent
               to January 1, 1994                                  $
                                                                    -----------
              Intangibles                                          $
                                                                    -----------
              Loans to stockholders, directors
               officers or employees                               $
                                                                    -----------
              Capital Stock shown as assets                        $
                                                                    -----------
              Deferred expenses(1)                                 $
                                                                    -----------

Consolidated Tangible Net Worth                                    $
                                                                    ===========

Intangibles Description

         (a)                                                       $
            ----------------------------------------                -----------

         (b)                                                       $
            ----------------------------------------                -----------

         (c)                                                       $
            ----------------------------------------                -----------

         Other                                                     $
                                                                    -----------

                  Total                                            $

- ------------------------------                                      ===========

(1)  To the extent not included as an intangible.



<PAGE>   114


                                                                    Schedule - 2
Consolidated Debt

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         INTEREST
                                           RATE     MATURITY    TOTAL
                                           ----     --------    -----
<S>                                      <C>        <C>       <C>
Secured
- -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
         Total Secured                                                                  

Unsecured
- ---------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
         Total Unsecured                                      $
                                                               -------

Guarantees
- ----------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------
         Total                                                $
                                                               -------

Redeemable Preferred Stock                                    $    
- --------------------------                                     -------
            Total                                             $
                                                               -------
                                                      
                                                

Other Debt
- ----------

                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------

                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------

                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------

                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------

                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------

                                                              $
- ----------------------------------       -------    -------    -------


Total Consolidated Debt                                       $
                                                               =======
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   115


                                                                       EXHIBIT G



                               CLOSING CERTIFICATE


         Reference is made to the Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement")
dated as of December 17, 1997, among Springs Industries, Inc., the Banks listed
therein, and Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A., as Agent. Capitalized terms used
herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         Pursuant to Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement__________,
____________, the duly__________ authorized of Springs Industries, Inc. hereby 
certifies to the Agent and the Banks that (i) no Default has occurred and is
continuing as of the date hereof, and (ii) the representations and warranties
contained in Article IV of the Credit Agreement are true on and as of the date 
hereof.

         Certified as of this ___ day of _______________, 1997.



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



<PAGE>   116


                                                                       EXHIBIT I

                           FORM OF GUARANTY AGREEMENT

                                    GUARANTY
                                 
                  THIS GUARANTY (this "Guaranty") is made as of the 17th day of
December, 1997, by SPRINGS WINDOW FASHIONS DIVISION, INC., a Delaware
corporation, and DUNDEE MILLS, INCORPORATED, a Georgia corporation (each a
"Guarantor", and collectively, the "Guarantors", which terms shall include any
Domestic Subsidiary of Springs Industries, Inc. which becomes a Guarantor
pursuant to Section 15 hereof and Section 5.21 of the Credit Agreement referred
to below) in favor of the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Banks, under the
Credit Agreement referred to below;

                               W I T N E S S E T H

                  WHEREAS, SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., a South Carolina
corporation (the "Borrower"), and WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., as Agent (the "Agent"),
and certain other Banks from time to time party thereto have entered into a
certain Credit Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as it may be amended or
modified further from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), providing, subject
to the terms and conditions thereof, for extensions of credit to be made by the
Banks to the Borrower which will the benefit the Guarantors;

                  WHEREAS, it is required by Section 3.01(g) of the Credit
Agreement, that the Guarantors execute and deliver this Guaranty whereby the
Guarantors shall guarantee the payment when due of all principal, interest and
other amounts that shall be at any time payable by the Borrower under the Credit
Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents; and

                  WHEREAS, in consideration of the financial and other support
that the Borrower has provided, and such financial and other support as the
Borrower may in the future provide, to the Guarantors, whether directly or
indirectly, and in order to induce the Banks and the Agent to enter into the
Credit Agreement, the Guarantors are willing to guarantee the obligations of the
Borrower under the Credit Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents;



<PAGE>   117

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                  SECTION 1. Definitions. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement
and not otherwise defined herein have, as used herein, the respective meanings
provided for therein.

                  SECTION 2. Representations and Warranties. The Guarantors
incorporate herein by reference as fully as if set forth herein all of the
representations and warranties pertaining to the Guarantors contained in Article
IV of the Credit Agreement (which representations and warranties shall be deemed
to have been renewed by the Guarantors upon each Borrowing under the Credit
Agreement).

                  SECTION 3. Covenants. The Guarantors covenant that, so long as
any Bank has any Commitment outstanding under the Credit Agreement or any amount
payable under the Credit Agreement or any Note shall remain unpaid, the
Guarantors will fully comply with those covenants set forth in Article V of the
Credit Agreement pertaining to the Guarantors, and the Guarantors incorporate
herein by reference as fully as if set forth herein all of such covenants.

                  SECTION 4. The Guaranty. The Guarantors hereby unconditionally
and jointly and severally guarantee the full and punctual payment (whether at
stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the principal of and
interest on each Note issued by the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement,
and the full and punctual payment of all other amounts payable by the Borrower
under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, all Syndicated Loans
and Swing Loans and interest thereon, and all compensation and indemnification
amounts and fees payable pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the Agent's Letter
Agreement (all of the foregoing obligations being referred to collectively as
the "Guaranteed Obligations"). Upon failure by the Borrower to pay punctually
any such amount, each of the Guarantors agrees that it shall forthwith on demand
pay the amount not so paid at the place and in the manner specified in the
Credit Agreement, the relevant Note or the relevant Loan Document, as the case
may be.



<PAGE>   118

                  SECTION 5. Guaranty Unconditional. The obligations of the
Guarantors hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise
affected by:

                                    (i) any extension, renewal, settlement,
        compromise, waiver or release in respect of any obligation of the
        Borrower under the Credit Agreement, any Note, or any other Loan
        Document, by operation of law or otherwise or any obligation of any
        other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

                                    (ii) any modification or amendment of or
        supplement to the Credit Agreement, any Note, or any other Loan
        Document;

                                    (iii) any release, nonperfection or
        invalidity of any direct or indirect security for any obligation of the
        Borrower under the Credit Agreement, any Note, any Loan Document, or any
        obligations of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

                                    (iv) any change in the ownership of the
        Borrower or corporate structure or ownership of any other Guarantor or
        any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any
        insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding
        affecting the Borrower, or any other Guarantor or any other guarantor of
        the Guaranteed Obligations, or its assets or any resulting release or
        discharge of any obligation of the Borrower, or any other Guarantor or
        any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

                                    (v) the existence of any claim, setoff or
        other rights which the Guarantors may have at any time against the
        Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other guarantor of any of the
        Guaranteed Obligations, the Agent, any Bank or any other Person, whether
        in connection herewith or any unrelated transactions, provided that
        nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate
        suit or compulsory counterclaim;

                                    (vi) any invalidity or unenforceability
        relating to or against the Borrower, or any other Guarantor or any other
        guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations,


<PAGE>   119

        for any reason related to the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document,
        or any other Guaranty, or any provision of applicable law or regulation
        purporting to prohibit the payment by the Borrower, or any other
        Guarantor or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of the
        principal of or interest on any Note or any other amount payable by the
        Borrower under the Credit Agreement, the Notes, or any other Loan
        Document; or

                                     (vii) any other act or omission to act or
        delay of any kind by the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other
        guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Agent, any Bank or any
        other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for
        the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a legal or equitable
        discharge of the Guarantors' obligations hereunder.

                  SECTION 6. Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full; Reinstatement
In Certain Circumstances. The Guarantors' obligations hereunder shall remain in
full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in
full and the Commitments under the Credit Agreement shall have terminated or
expired. If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Note
or any other amount payable by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement or any
other Loan Document is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon
the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, the
Guarantors' obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be
reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time.

                  SECTION 7. Waiver of Notice by the Guarantors. The Guarantors
irrevocably waive acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as
any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against the
Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed
Obligations, or any other Person.

                  SECTION 8. Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time
for payment of any amount payable by the Principal under the Credit Agreement,
any Note or any other Loan Document is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to
acceleration under the terms of the Credit Agreement, any Note or any other




<PAGE>   120

Loan Document shall nonetheless be payable by the Guarantors hereunder forthwith
on demand by the Agent made at the request of the Required Banks.

                  SECTION 9. Notices. All notices, requests and other
communications to any party hereunder shall be given or made by telecopier or
other writing and telecopied or mailed or delivered to the intended recipient at
its address or telecopier number set forth on the signature pages hereof or such
other address or telecopy number as such party may hereafter specify for such
purpose by notice to the Agent in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.01
of the Credit Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this Guaranty, all such
communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when transmitted by
telecopier, or personally delivered or, in the case of a mailed notice, 3
Domestic Business Days after such communication is deposited in the mails with
first class postage prepaid, in each case given or addressed as aforesaid.

                  SECTION 10. No Waivers; Postponement of Subrogation. (a) No
failure or delay by the Agent or any Banks in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies
provided in this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan
Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies
provided by law.

                  (b) Each Guarantor agrees that any right of subrogation or any
other such similar right it may have against the Borrower or any other Guarantor
to enforce any remedy which the Agent or any Bank may have against the Borrower
or any other Guarantor shall not be exercised or enforced unless and until all
of the obligations of Borrower to the Agent and the Banks have been paid and
performed in full.

                  SECTION 11. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty is for the
benefit of the Agent and the Banks and their respective successors and assigns
and in the event of an assignment of any amounts payable under the Credit
Agreement, the Notes, or the other Loan Documents, the rights hereunder, to the
extent applicable to the indebtedness so assigned, may be transferred with such
indebtedness. This Guaranty may not be assigned by the Guarantors without the
prior written consent of the Agent and the



<PAGE>   121

Required Banks, and shall be binding upon the Guarantors and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.

                  SECTION 12. Changes in Writing. Neither this Guaranty nor any
provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but
only in writing signed by the Guarantors and the Agent, with the consent of the
Required Banks.

                  SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL. THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA. EACH OF THE GUARANTORS AND THE AGENT
HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT
COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA AND OF ANY GEORGIA STATE COURT
SITTING IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA AND FOR PURPOSES OF ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE
GUARANTORS IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY
OBJECTION WHICH ANY OF THEM MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE
OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
EACH OF THE GUARANTORS AND THE Agent HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

                  SECTION 14. Taxes, etc. All payments required to be made by
the Guarantors hereunder shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and free
and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any
present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties or other charges of whatsoever
nature imposed by any government or any political or taxing authority pursuant
and subject to the provisions of Section 2.11(c) of the Credit Agreement, the
terms of which are incorporated herein by reference as to the Guarantors as
fully as if set forth herein, and for such purposes, the rights and obligations
of the Borrower under such Section shall devolve to the Guarantors as to
payments required to be made by the Guarantors hereunder.

                  SECTION 15. Additional Guarantors; Release of Guarantors.
Section 5.21 of the Credit Agreement provides that Domestic Subsidiaries which
are not Guarantors may elect to become Guarantors, by, among other things,
executing and delivering to the Agent a counterpart of this Guaranty and the




<PAGE>   122

Contribution Agreement. Any Domestic Subsidiary which executes and delivers to
the Agent a counterpart of this Guaranty and the Contribution Agreement shall be
a Guarantor for all purposes hereunder. Under certain circumstances described in
paragraph (b) of Section 5.21 of the Credit Agreement, a Guarantor which is to
be sold may obtain from the Agent a written release from this Guaranty pursuant
to the provisions of such paragraph and upon obtaining such written release, any
such former Guarantor shall no longer be a Guarantor hereunder. Each other
Guarantor consents and agrees to any such release and agrees that no such
release shall affect its obligations hereunder.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantors have caused this Guaranty
to be duly executed, under seal, by their respective authorized officers as of
the date first above written.

                                       SPRINGS WINDOW FASHIONS
                                       DIVISION, INC.(SEAL)

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

                                       Springs Window Fashions
                                       Division, Inc.
                                       c/o Springs Industries, Inc.
                                       205 North White Street
                                       Fort Mill, South Carolina 23715
                                       Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                       Telecopier number: 803-547-3707
                                       Confirmation number: 803-547-3774


                                       DUNDEE MILLS, INCORPORATED(SEAL)

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

                                       Dundee Mills, Incorporated
                                       c/o Springs Industries, Inc.
                                       205 North White Street
                                       Fort Mill, South Carolina 23715
                                       Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                       Telecopier number: 803-547-3707
                                       Confirmation number: 803-547-3774




<PAGE>   123


                                                                       EXHIBIT J

                         FORM OF CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

                             CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

                  THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into
as of _______________________ ____, 1997 by and among SPRINGS WINDOW FASHIONS
DIVISION, INC., and DUNDEE MILLS, INCORPORATED (each a "Subsidiary Guarantor",
and collectively, the "Subsidiary Guarantors"), which terms shall include any
Domestic Subsidiary of Springs Industries, Inc. which becomes a Guarantor
pursuant to the last paragraph hereof, Section 15 of the Guaranty referred to
below and Section 5.21 of the Credit Agreement referred to below)). The Borrower
and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors are sometimes hereinafter referred to
individually as a "Contributing Party" and collectively as the "Contributing
Parties").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as
of even date herewith among the Borrower, the Banks party thereto and Wachovia
Bank, N.A., as Agent (such agreement, as the same may from time to time be
amended, modified, restated or extended, being hereinafter referred to as the
"Credit Agreement"; capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings
ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement), the Banks have agreed to extend
financial accommodations to the Borrower;

                  WHEREAS, as a condition, among others, to the willingness of
the Agent and the Banks to enter into the Credit Agreement, they have required
that each Subsidiary Guarantor, along with the Borrower, execute and deliver
that certain Guaranty, dated as of even date herewith (such agreement, as the
same may from time to time be amended, modified, restated or extended, being
hereinafter referred to as the "Guaranty"), pursuant to which, among other
things, the Subsidiary Guarantors have jointly and severally agreed to guarantee
the "Guaranteed Obligations" (as defined in the Guaranty); and

                  WHEREAS, each Subsidiary Guarantor is a direct or indirect
subsidiary of the Borrower and is engaged in businesses related to those of the
Borrower and each other Subsidiary Guarantor, and each of the Subsidiary
Guarantors will derive



<PAGE>   124

direct or indirect economic benefit from the effectiveness and existence of the
Credit Agreement;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
covenants hereinafter contained, and to induce each Subsidiary Guarantor to
enter into the Guaranty, it is agreed as follows:

                  To the extent that any Subsidiary Guarantor shall, under the
Guaranty, make a payment (a "Subsidiary Guarantor Payment") of a portion of the
Guaranteed Obligations, then, without limiting its rights of subrogation against
the principal, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to contribution and
indemnification from, and be reimbursed by, each of the other Contributing
Parties in an amount, for each such Contributing Party, equal to a fraction of
such Subsidiary Guarantor Payment, the numerator of which fraction is such
Contributing Party's Allocable Amount and the denominator of which is the sum of
the Allocable Amounts of all of the Contributing Parties.

                  As of any date of determination, the "Allocable Amount" of
each Contributing Party shall be equal to the maximum amount of liability which
could be asserted against such Contributing Party hereunder with respect to the
applicable Subsidiary Guarantor Payment without (i) rendering such Contributing
Party "insolvent" within the meaning of Section 101(31) of the Federal
Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") or Section 2 of either the Uniform
Fraudulent Transfer Act (the "UFTA") or the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act
(the "UFCA"), (ii) leaving such Contributing Party with unreasonably small
capital, within the meaning of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or Section 4
of the UFTA or Section 5 of the UFCA, or (iii) leaving such Contributing Party
unable to pay its debts as they become due within the meaning of Section 548 of
the Bankruptcy Code or Section 4 of the UFTA or Section 6 of the UFCA.

                  This Agreement is intended only to define the relative rights
of the Contributing Parties, and nothing set forth in this Agreement is intended
to or shall impair the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and
severally, to pay any amounts, as and when the same shall become due and payable
in accordance with the terms of the Guaranty.

                  The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution
and indemnification hereunder shall constitute




<PAGE>   125

assets in favor of each Subsidiary Guarantor to which such contribution and
indemnification is owing.

                  This Agreement shall become effective upon its execution by
each of the Contributing Parties and shall continue in full force and effect and
may not be terminated or otherwise revoked by any Contributing Party until all
of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full (in
lawful money of the United States of America) and discharged and the Credit
Agreement and financing arrangements evidenced and governed by the Credit
Agreement shall have been terminated. Each Contributing Party agrees that if,
notwithstanding the foregoing, such Contributing Party shall have any right
under applicable law to terminate or revoke this Agreement, and such
Contributing Party shall attempt to exercise such right, then such termination
or revocation shall not be effective until a written notice of such revocation
or termination, specifically referring hereto and signed by such Contributing
Party, is actually received by each of the other Contributing Parties and by the
Agent at its notice address set forth in the Credit Agreement. Such notice shall
not affect the right or power of any Contributing Party to enforce rights
arising prior to receipt of such written notice by each of the other
Contributing Parties and the Agent. If any Bank grants additional loans to the
Borrower or takes other action giving rise to additional Guaranteed Obligations
after any Contributing Party has exercised any right to terminate or revoke this
Agreement but before the Agent receives such written notice, the rights of each
other Contributing Party to contribution and indemnification hereunder in
connection with any Subsidiary Guarantor Payments made with respect to such
loans or Guaranteed Obligations shall be the same as if such termination or
revocation had not occurred.

                  Section 5.21 of the Credit Agreement provides that Domestic
Subsidiaries may elect to become Guarantors, by, among other things, executing
and delivering to the Agent a counterpart of the Guaranty and of this
Contribution Agreement. Any Subsidiary which executes and delivers to the Agent
a counterpart of the Guaranty and of this Contribution Agreement shall be a
Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes hereunder. Under certain circumstances
described in paragraph (b) of Section 5.21 of the Credit Agreement, Guarantors
which are to be sold may obtain from the Agent a written release from the
Guaranty pursuant to the provisions of such sentence, and upon obtaining such
written release, any such former Guarantor shall no longer be a




<PAGE>   126

Subsidiary Guarantor or Contributing Party hereunder, and such release shall
automatically and without further action constitute a release by each other
Contributing Party of all obligations of such Subsidiary hereunder. The Borrower
and each other Subsidiary Guarantor consents and agrees to any such release and
agrees that no such release shall affect its obligations hereunder, except as to
the former Guarantor so released.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Contributing Party has executed and
delivered this Agreement, under seal, as of the date first above written.

                                    SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.(SEAL)


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

                                    Springs Industries, Inc.
                                    205 North White Street
                                    Fort Mill, South Carolina 29715
                                    Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                    Telecopier number: 803-547-3707
                                    Confirmation number: 803-547-3774


                                    SPRINGS WINDOW FASHIONS
                                    DIVISION, INC.(SEAL)


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

                                    Springs Window Fashions
                                    Division, Inc.
                                    c/o Springs Industries, Inc.
                                    205 North White Street
                                    Fort Mill, South Carolina 23715
                                    Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                    Telecopier number: 803-547-3707
                                    Confirmation number: 803-547-3774





<PAGE>   127


                                    DUNDEE MILLS, INCORPORATED(SEAL)


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

                                    Dundee Mills, Incorporated
                                    c/o Springs Industries, Inc.
                                    205 North White Street
                                    Fort Mill, South Carolina 23715
                                    Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                    Telecopier number: 803-547-3707
                                    Confirmation number: 803-547-3774




<PAGE>   128


                                                                       EXHIBIT K

                           MONEY MARKET QUOTE REQUEST

Wachovia Bank, N.A.,
  as Agent
191 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia  30303-1757
Attention:  _________________________

       Re:        Money Market Quote Request

                  This Money Market Quote Request is given in accordance with
Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement (as amended or modified from time to time,
the "Credit Agreement") dated as of December 17, 1997, among SPRINGS INDUSTRIES,
INC., the Banks from time to time parties thereto, and WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., as
Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as defined therein.

         The Borrower hereby requests that the Agent obtain quotes for a Money
Market Borrowing based upon the following:

                 1.  The proposed date of the Money Market Borrowing shall be
                     ______________, 19_____ (the "Money Market Borrowing
                     Date").(1)(*)

                 2.  The aggregate amount of the Money Market Borrowing shall be
                     $_________.(2)

                 3.  The Stated Maturity Date(s) applicable to the Money Market
                     Borrowing shall be days.(3)







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

* All numbered footnotes appear on the last page of this Exhibit K.



<PAGE>   129




                                       Very truly yours,

                                       SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.

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

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

(1)  The date must be a Euro-Dollar Business Day.

(2)  The amount of the Money Market Borrowing is subject to Section 2.03(a) and 
     (b).

(3)  The Stated Maturity Dates are subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii). The
     Borrower may request that up to 2 different Stated Maturity Dates be
     applicable to any Money Market Borrowing, provided that (i) each such
     Stated Maturity Date shall be deemed to be a separate Money Market Quote
     Request and (ii) the Borrower shall specify the amounts of such Money
     Market Borrowing to be subject to each such different Stated Maturity Date.



<PAGE>   130


                                                                       EXHIBIT L

                               MONEY MARKET QUOTE

Wachovia Bank, N.A.,
  as Agent
191 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1757
Attention:  ______________________

       Re:        Money Market Quote to Springs Industries, Inc.

                  This Money Market Quote is given in accordance with Section
2.03(c)(ii) of the Credit Agreement (as amended or modified from time to time,
the "Credit Agreement") dated as of December 17, 1997, among SPRINGS INDUSTRIES,
INC. (the "Borrower"), the Banks from time to time parties thereto, and WACHOVIA
BANK, N.A., as Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as
defined therein.

                  In response to the Borrower's Money Market Quote Request dated
________________, 19__, we hereby make the following Money Market Quote on the
following terms:

         1. Quoting Bank:

         2. Person to contact
            at Quoting Bank:

         3. Date of Money Market Borrowing:(1)(*)

         4. We hereby offer to make Money Market Loan(s) in the following
maximum principal amounts for the following Interest Periods and at the
following rates:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Maximum                              Stated
Principal                           Maturity
Amount(2)                            Date(3)               Rate Per Annum(4)
- ---------                           --------               ----------------- 
<S>                                 <C>                    <C>

</TABLE>

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

(*)  All numbered footnotes appear on the last page of this Exhibit I.



<PAGE>   131


                  We understand and agree that the offer(s) set forth above,
subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement, irrevocably obligate(s) us to make the Money Market Loan(s) for which
any offer(s) [is] [are] accepted, in whole or in part (subject to the last
sentence of Section 2.03(c)(i) of the Credit Agreement).

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    [Name of Bank]



Dated:                              By:
                                       --------------------------------------
                                       Authorized Officer
- ------------------------------














- ----------

(1) As specified in the related Money Market Quote Request.

(2) The principal amount bid for each Stated Maturity Date may not exceed
    the principal amount requested. Money Market Quotes must be made for at
    least $5,000,000 or a larger integral multiple of $1,000,000.

(3) The Stated Maturity Dates are subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii).

(4) Subject to Section 2.03(c)(ii)(C).




<PAGE>   132
                                                                   SCHEDULE 4.04

                        FINANCIAL INFORMATION DISCLOSURES




                             No disclosure required


<PAGE>   133


                                                                   SCHEDULE 4.06

                                      ERISA




                                  No exceptions


<PAGE>   134


                                                                   Schedule 4.08


SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================
                                  State                                    Holding
Subsidiary                        Incorporated             Guarantor       Company     Inactive
- ----------                        ------------             ---------       -------     --------
<S>                               <C>                      <C>             <C>         <C>
DOMESTIC:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Catawba Trucking Co., Inc.      SC                                                   X
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Lancaster International Sales   SC                                                   X
Corporation
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Springmaid International,       SC                                                   X
Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Springs Management              SC                                                   X
Company, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Warbird Corporation             DE                                        X
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Springs Window Fashions         DE                       X                
Division, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Springs Industries (Asia),      DE
Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Dundee Mills, Incorporated      GA                       X
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Springs Sales Corporation       U.S.V.I.                 N/A             N/A         N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREIGN*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Springs Canada, Inc.            Ontario                  N/A             N/A         N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Springs de Mexico, S.A. de      Mexico                   N/A             N/A         N/A
C.V.
================================================================================================
</TABLE>

      Subsidiaries pooled and excluded up to 15% of Consolidated Net Worth.




<PAGE>   135


                                                                   SCHEDULE 4.14


                              ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS



CERCLIS

None

National Priorities List/CERCLIS

     Wamchem Site
     Leonard Chemical
     601 Bypass Site
     Refuse Hideaway

State CERCLIS List

     York Haven, PA (ISCC)





<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(o)

                         Form of Stock Option Agreement
                         December 1991 to February 1995


[date]




Name
Address
City State Zip

RE:      GRANT OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PURSUANT TO
         SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., 1991 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN (THE "PLAN")

Dear _____________:

This letter sets forth the agreement between you and Springs Industries, Inc., a
South Carolina corporation (the "Company") regarding an option to acquire shares
of the Company's Class A Common Stock (the "Common Stock").

You are a valuable and trusted associate of the Company. In recognition of your
contribution to the Company, the Management Compensation and Organization
Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") has determined to grant
you a Non-Qualified Stock Option to acquire a specified number of shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the Plan.

 1. The Plan. The Plan, as amended from time to time, is hereby incorporated
herein and to the extent that anything herein is inconsistent with the Plan, the
terms of the Plan shall control. A copy of the Plan is attached hereto as
Exhibit "A." Capitalized terms shall have the same meaning as provided in the
Plan unless otherwise provided herein.

 2. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to you the right, privilege and
option to purchase up to <# of stock options> shares of its Common Stock at the
price of $_____ per share ("Exercise Price"), in the manner and subject to the
conditions hereinafter provided. Such option shall be a Non-Qualified Stock
Option, and the date of grant of the Option is ________________ (the "Effective
Date").

 3. Time of Exercise of Option.

    (a) Rate of Exercise. Subject to termination of the option as provided in
Section 5 herein, (i) you may exercise the option granted herein for up to
one-third (1/3)




<PAGE>   2

of the shares for which an option has been granted herein, only on or after the
third anniversary of the Effective Date and (ii) you may exercise the option to
purchase up to an additional one-third (1/3) of the shares for which an option
has been granted herein on or after each of the fourth and fifth anniversaries
of the Effective Date.

    (b) Partial Exercise. Subject to the other restrictions in the Plan and in
this Agreement, this option may be exercised for all or a part of the shares
with respect to which this option is exercisable under Section 3(a).

 4. Method of Exercise; Withholding. The option shall be exercised from time to
time by written notice directed to the Company specifying the number of shares
to be purchased and accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price multiplied by
the number of shares to be purchased ("Purchase Price") in accordance with the
Plan. Payment of the Purchase Price may be made by delivery of Common Stock not
then subject to any restrictions valued at its Fair Market Value on the day of
delivery. If any law or regulation requires the Company to take any action with
respect to the shares specified in any written notice delivered by you before
the issuance thereof, then the date of delivery of such shares shall be extended
for the period necessary to take such action. Upon receipt of your written
notice of exercise, the Committee may elect to settle all or a portion of the
option by paying you an amount, in cash or Common Stock, equal to the excess of
the Fair Market Value (determined on the date the notice of exercise is received
by the Company) of the Common Stock over the Exercise Price. As provided in the
Plan, the Company shall have the right to require you to remit to the Company an
amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax
requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for Common
Stock. You may also elect to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock to
satisfy such withholding obligations pursuant to the procedures set forth in the
Plan.

5. Termination of Option. Except as herein otherwise stated, the option, to the
extent not theretofore exercised, shall terminate in accordance with the Plan
and upon the first to occur of the following events:

    (a) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of this option;

    (b) the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date of Optionee's
death;

    (c) the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which Optionee's
employment by the Company is terminated by reason of Optionee's Disability or
Retirement; or, in case of the death of Optionee during such twelve (12) month
period, the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date of death; or



<PAGE>   3


    (d) ninety days following the termination of Optionee's employment with the
Company (except if such termination is by reason of Death, Retirement, or
Disability); or, in case of the death of Optionee during such ninety (90) day
period, the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date of death.

    You shall be deemed to be employed by the Company if employed by the Company
or any Subsidiary.

 6. Exercise upon Termination. Upon termination of employment, you (or your
executors or administrators in the case of death) shall be permitted to exercise
the option until its termination pursuant to Section 5 to the extent exercisable
at the time of termination of employment.

 7. Adjustment of Options. The number of shares for which this option has been
granted may be adjusted or the option may be amended or terminated in certain
circumstances in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

 8. Rights Prior to Exercise of Option. This option is not transferable by you,
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution in the event of death as
provided herein, and during Optionee's lifetime shall be exercisable only by
Optionee. This option shall confer no rights to the holder hereof to act as a
shareholder with respect to any of the shares of Common Stock subject to the
option until payment of the option price and delivery of a certificate has been
made.

 9. No Employment Rights. This Agreement shall not confer upon you any right
with respect to the continuance of employment by the Company, nor shall it
interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate such employment.

10. Restrictions on Issuance of Shares. The issuance of shares of Common Stock
pursuant to this option is subject to the condition that if at any time the
Committee, in its discretion, determines that the listing, registration or
qualification of the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or under any
state or federal law is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in
connection with the granting of this option or the purchase or delivery of the
Common Stock, the delivery of shares may be withheld unless and until such
listing, registration or qualification is effected.

11. Optionee's Representations and Warranties. By execution of this Agreement,
you represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

    (a) You are accepting this option solely for your own account for investment
and not with a view to or for sale or distribution of the option or any portion
thereof and not with any present intention of selling, offering to sell, or
otherwise disposing of or distributing the option or any portion thereof. The
entire legal and beneficial interest of the option herein accepted is for and
will be held for your account only and neither in whole or in part for any other
person.



<PAGE>   4

    (b) You reside at the following address:

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

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

    (c) You are familiar with the Company and its plans, operations and
financial condition. Prior to the acceptance of this option, you have received
all information as you deem necessary and appropriate to enable an evaluation of
the financial risk inherent in accepting the option and have reviewed
satisfactory and complete information concerning the business and financial
condition of the Company in response to all inquiries in respect thereof.

12. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and
their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators and permitted successors and assigns.

13. Notices. All notices and other communications under this agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of delivery
if delivered personally or when received if mailed to the party to whom notice
is to be given, by certified mail, return receipt requested postage prepaid, to
the following address, or any other address specified by notice duly given.

         To Optionee as follows:   Name
                                   Address
                                   City State Zip

         To Company as follows:    Springs Industries, Inc.
                                   Attention:  Office of the Corporate Secretary
                                   P. O. Box 70
                                   Fort Mill, SC 29716

14. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the
laws of the State of South Carolina. If any term or provision hereof shall be
held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall
continue in full force and effect. Any modification to this Agreement shall not
be effective unless the same shall be in writing and such writing shall be
signed by authorized representatives of both of the parties hereto.

Please signify your acceptance of the option and your agreement to be bound by
the terms hereof by promptly signing one of the two original letters provided to
you herewith and returning the same to the Vice President-General Counsel and
Secretary of the Company. Thank you for your good work and service. The Company
looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.



<PAGE>   5

Very truly yours,

SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


By:
   ---------------------------------

Title:


ACCEPTED AND AGREED on the _____ day
of ________________, 19__.

OPTIONEE:



- ------------------------------------(Seal)
(Name)





<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10 (P)



                         Form of Stock Option Agreement
                              October 1995 to 1997

[date]



Name
Address
City State Zip


RE:    GRANT OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PURSUANT TO SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.,
       1991 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN, AS AMENDED EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 1996 (THE
       "PLAN")


Dear ____________:

This letter sets forth the agreement between you ("you" or "Optionee") and
Springs Industries, Inc., a South Carolina corporation (the "Company"),
regarding an option to acquire shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock (the
"Common Stock").

You are a valuable and trusted associate of the Company. In recognition of your
contribution to the Company, the Management Compensation and Organization
Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") has determined to grant
you a Non-Qualified Stock Option to acquire a specified number of shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the Plan.

1. The Plan. The Plan, as amended from time to time, is hereby incorporated
herein and to the extent that anything herein is inconsistent with the Plan, the
terms of the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms shall have the same meaning
as provided in the Plan unless otherwise provided herein. A copy of the Plan is
available upon request in writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company.

2. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to you the right, privilege and
option to purchase up to <# of stock options> shares of its Common Stock at the
price of $_____ per share ("Exercise Price"), in the manner and subject to the
conditions hereinafter provided. Such option shall be a Non-Qualified Stock
Option, and the date of grant of the Option is ________________ (the "Effective
Date").

3. Time of Exercise of Option.

   (a) Rate of Exercise. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3(b) herein and
subject to termination of the option as provided in Section 5 herein, you may



<PAGE>   2

exercise the option granted herein only on or after the third anniversary of the
Effective Date.

   (b) Vesting Upon Disability, Death or Retirement. Subject to termination of
the option as provided in Section 5 herein, in the event of Optionee's death
while employed or retired or in the event Optionee's employment with the Company
is terminated by reason of Optionee's Disability or Retirement prior to the
third anniversary of the Effective Date, the option granted herein shall be
deemed to be fully vested and may then be exercisable prior to the termination
of the option as specified in Section 5 below on or after the later of
_______________, or the date on which the option is deemed to be fully vested.

   (c) Partial Exercise. Subject to the other restrictions in the Plan and in
this Agreement, this option may be exercised for all or a part of the shares
with respect to which this option is exercisable under Sections 3(a) and 3(b).

4. Method of Exercise; Withholding. The option shall be exercised from time to
time by written notice directed to the Company specifying the number of shares
to be purchased and accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price multiplied by
the number of shares to be purchased ("Purchase Price") in accordance with the
Plan. Payment of the Purchase Price may be made by delivery of Common Stock not
then subject to any restrictions valued at its Fair Market Value on the day of
delivery. If any law or regulation requires the Company to take any action with
respect to the shares specified in any written notice delivered by you before
the issuance thereof, then the date of delivery of such shares shall be extended
for the period necessary to take such action. Upon receipt of your written
notice of exercise, the Committee may elect to settle all or a portion of the
option by paying you an amount, in cash or Common Stock, equal to the excess of
the Fair Market Value (determined on the date the notice of exercise is received
by the Company) of the Common Stock over the Exercise Price. As provided in the
Plan, the Company shall have the right to require you to remit to the Company an
amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax
requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for Common
Stock. You may also elect to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock to
satisfy such withholding obligations pursuant to the procedures set forth in the
Plan.

5. Termination of Option. Except as herein otherwise stated, the option, to the
extent not theretofore exercised, shall terminate in accordance with the Plan
and upon the first to occur of the following events:

   (a) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of this option;

   (b) the expiration of three (3) years following the date of Optionee's death
while employed or retired;



<PAGE>   3

   (c) the expiration of three (3) years after the date on which Optionee's
employment by the Company is terminated by reason of Optionee's Disability; or,
in case of the death of Optionee during the last year of such three (3) year
period, the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date of death; or

   (d) ninety days following the termination of Optionee's employment with the
Company (except if such termination is by reason of Death, Retirement, or
Disability); or, in case of the death of Optionee during such ninety (90) day
period, the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date of death.

   You shall be deemed to be employed by the Company if employed by the Company
or any Subsidiary.

6. Exercise upon Termination. Upon termination of employment, you (or your
executors or administrators in the case of death) shall be permitted to exercise
the option until its termination pursuant to Section 5 to the extent exercisable
at the time of termination of employment.

7. Adjustment of Options. The number of shares for which this option has been
granted may be adjusted or the option may be amended or terminated in certain
circumstances in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

8. Rights Prior to Exercise of Option. This option is not transferable by you,
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution in the event of death as
provided herein, and during Optionee's lifetime shall be exercisable only by
Optionee. This option shall confer no rights to the holder hereof to act as a
shareholder with respect to any of the shares of Common Stock subject to the
option until payment of the option price and delivery of a certificate has been
made.

9. No Employment Rights. This Agreement shall not confer upon you any right with
respect to the continuance of employment by the Company, nor shall it interfere
in any way with the right of the Company to terminate such employment.

10. Restrictions on Issuance of Shares. The issuance of shares of Common Stock
pursuant to this option is subject to the condition that if at any time the
Committee, in its discretion, determines that the listing, registration or
qualification of the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or under any
state or federal law is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in
connection with the granting of this option or the purchase or delivery of the
Common Stock, the delivery of shares may be withheld unless and until such
listing, registration or qualification is effected.

11. Optionee's Representations and Warranties. By execution of this Agreement,
you represent and warrant to the Company as follows:


<PAGE>   4

   (a) You are accepting this option solely for your own account for investment
and not with a view to or for sale or distribution of the option or any portion
thereof and not with any present intention of selling, offering to sell, or
otherwise disposing of or distributing the option or any portion thereof. The
entire legal and beneficial interest of the option herein accepted is for and
will be held for your account only and neither in whole or in part for any other
person.

   (b) You reside at the following address:

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

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

   (c) You are familiar with the Company and its plans, operations and financial
condition. Prior to the acceptance of this option, you have received all
information as you deem necessary and appropriate to enable an evaluation of the
financial risk inherent in accepting the option and have reviewed satisfactory
and complete information concerning the business and financial condition of the
Company in response to all inquiries in respect thereof.

12. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and
their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators and permitted successors and assigns.

13. Notices. All notices and other communications under this agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of delivery
if delivered personally or when received if mailed to the party to whom notice
is to be given, by certified mail, return receipt requested postage prepaid, to
the following address, or any other address specified by notice duly given.

    To Optionee as follows:   Name
                              Address
                              City State Zip

    To Company as follows:    Springs Industries, Inc.
                              Attention:  Office of the Corporate Secretary
                              P. O. Box 70
                              Fort Mill, SC 29716

14. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the
laws of the State of South Carolina. If any term or provision hereof shall be
held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall
continue in full force and effect. Any modification to this Agreement shall not
be effective unless the same shall be in writing and such writing shall be
signed by authorized representatives of both of the parties hereto.


<PAGE>   5

Please signify your acceptance of the option and your agreement to be bound by
the terms hereof by promptly signing one of the two original letters provided to
you herewith and returning the same to the Senior Vice President-General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company. Thank you for your good work and service. The
Company looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

Very truly yours,

SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


By:
   ---------------------------------

Title:


ACCEPTED AND AGREED on the _____ day
of _____________, 19__.

OPTIONEE:


                              (Seal)
- ------------------------------
Name

<PAGE>   1
                     FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
                 WALTER Y. ELISHA AND SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


February 25, 1998


Mr. Walter Y. Elisha
____________________
____________________

RE:      GRANT OF NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PURSUANT TO
         SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., 1991 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN, AS AMENDED
         EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 1996 (THE "PLAN")

Dear Walt:

This letter sets forth the agreement between you ("you" or "Optionee") and
Springs Industries, Inc., a South Carolina corporation (the "Company"),
regarding an option to acquire shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock (the
"Common Stock").

You are a valuable and trusted associate of the Company. In recognition of your
contribution to the Company, the Management Compensation and Organization
Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") has determined to grant
you a Non-Qualified Stock Option to acquire a specified number of shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the Plan.

 1. The Plan. The Plan, as amended from time to time, is hereby incorporated
herein and to the extent that anything herein is inconsistent with the Plan, the
terms of the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms shall have the same meaning
as provided in the Plan unless otherwise provided herein. A copy of the Plan is
available upon request in writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company.

 2. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to you the right, privilege and
option to purchase up to 50,000 shares of its Common Stock at the price of
$56-3/16 per share ("Exercise Price"), in the manner and subject to the
conditions hereinafter provided. Such option shall be a Non-Qualified Stock
Option, and the date of grant of the Option is February 12, 1998 (the "Effective
Date").

 3. Time of Exercise of Option.

    (a) Rate of Exercise. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3(b) herein
and subject to termination of the option as provided in Section 5 herein, you
may 
<PAGE>   2

or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall continue in
full force and effect. Any modification to this Agreement shall not be effective
unless the same shall be in writing and such writing shall be signed by
authorized representatives of both of the parties hereto.

Please signify your acceptance of the option and your agreement to be bound by
the terms hereof by promptly signing one of the two original letters provided to
you herewith

                  (i)  in the event of Optionee's death while employed or
    retired or in the event Optionee's employment with the Company is terminated
    by reason of Optionee's Disability prior to the first anniversary of the
    Effective Date, the option granted herein shall be deemed to be fully vested
    and may then be exercisable prior to the termination of the option as
    specified in Section 5 below on or after August 12, 1998; or

                  (ii) in the event of Optionee's Retirement prior to the first
    anniversary of the Effective Date, the option granted herein shall be deemed
    to be fully vested and may then be exercisable prior to the termination of
    the option as specified in Section 5 below on or after February 12, 1999.

    (c) Partial Exercise. Subject to the other restrictions in the Plan and in
this Agreement, this option may be exercised for all or a part of the shares
with respect to which this option is exercisable under Sections 3(a) and 3(b).

 4. Method of Exercise; Withholding. The option shall be exercised from time to
time by written notice directed to the Company specifying the number of shares
to be purchased and accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price multiplied by
the number of shares to be purchased ("Purchase Price") in accordance with the
Plan. Payment of the Purchase Price may be made by delivery of Common Stock not
then subject to any restrictions valued at its Fair Market Value on the day of
delivery. If any law or regulation requires the Company to take any action with
respect to the shares specified in any written notice delivered by you before
the issuance thereof, then the date of delivery of such shares shall be extended
for the period necessary to take such action. Upon receipt of your written
notice of exercise, the Committee may elect to settle all or a portion of the
option by paying you an amount, in cash or Common Stock, equal to the excess of
the Fair Market Value (determined on the date the notice of exercise is received
by the Company) of the Common Stock over the Exercise Price. As provided in the
Plan, the Company shall have the right to require you to remit to the Company an
amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax
requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for Common
Stock. You may also elect to have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock to
satisfy such withholding obligations pursuant to the procedures set forth in the
Plan.

 5. Termination of Option. Except as herein otherwise stated, the option, to the
extent not theretofore exercised, shall terminate in accordance with the Plan
and upon the first to occur of the following events:

    (a) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of this option;

    (b) the expiration of three (3) years following the date of Optionee's death
while employed or retired;



<PAGE>   3
exercise the option granted herein only on or after the first anniversary of the
Effective Date.

    (b) Vesting Upon Disability, Death or Retirement. Subject to termination of
the option as provided in Section 5 herein:

    (c) the expiration of three (3) years after the date on which Optionee's
employment by the Company is terminated by reason of Optionee's Disability; or,
in case of the death of Optionee during the last year of such three (3) year
period, the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date of death; or

    (d) ninety (90) days following the termination of Optionee's employment
with the Company (except if such termination is by reason of Death, Retirement,
or Disability); or, in case of the death of Optionee during such ninety (90) day
period, the expiration of twelve (12) months following the date of death.

    You shall be deemed to be employed by the Company if employed by the
Company or any Subsidiary.

 6. Exercise upon Termination. Upon termination of employment, you (or your
executors or administrators in the case of death) shall be permitted to exercise
the option until its termination pursuant to Section 5 to the extent exercisable
at the time of termination of employment.

 7. Adjustment of Options. The number of shares for which this option has been
granted may be adjusted or the option may be amended or terminated in certain
circumstances in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

 8. Rights Prior to Exercise of Option. This option is not transferable by you,
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution in the event of death as
provided herein, and during Optionee's lifetime shall be exercisable only by
Optionee. This option shall confer no rights to the holder hereof to act as a
shareholder with respect to any of the shares of Common Stock subject to the
option until payment of the option price and delivery of a certificate has been
made.

 9. No Employment Rights. This Agreement shall not confer upon you any right
with respect to the continuance of employment by the Company, nor shall it
interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate such employment.

10. Restrictions on Issuance of Shares. The issuance of shares of Common Stock
pursuant to this option is subject to the condition that if at any time the
Committee, in its discretion, determines that the listing, registration or
qualification of the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or under any
state or federal law is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in
connection with the granting of this option or the purchase or delivery of the
Common Stock, the delivery of shares may be withheld unless and until such
listing, registration or qualification is effected.

11. Optionee's Representations and Warranties. By execution of this Agreement,
you represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

    (a) You are accepting this option solely for your own account for investment
and not with a view to or for sale or distribution of the option or any portion
thereof and



<PAGE>   4
purchase or delivery of the Common Stock, the delivery of shares may be
withheld unless and until such listing, registration or qualification is
effected.

11. Optionee's Representations and Warranties. By execution of this Agreement,
you represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

    (a) You are accepting this option solely for our own account for investment
and not with a view to or for sale or distribution of the option or any portion
thereof and not with any present intention of selling, offering to sell, or
otherwise disposing of or distributing the option or any portion thereof. The
entire legal and beneficial interest of the option herein accepted is for and
will be held for your account only and neither in whole or in part for any
other person.

    (b) You reside at the following address:
        ___________________
        ___________________

    (c) You are familiar with the Company and its plans, operations and
financial condition. Prior to the acceptance of this option, you have received
all information as you deem necessary and appropriate to enable an evaluation of
the financial risk inherent in accepting the option and have reviewed
satisfactory and complete information concerning the business and financial
condition of the Company in response to all inquiries in respect thereof.

12. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and
their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators and permitted successors and assigns.

13. Notices. All notices and other communications under this agreement shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of delivery
if delivered personally or when received if mailed to the party to whom notice
is to be given, by certified mail, return receipt requested postage prepaid, to
the following address, or any other address specified by notice duly given.

    To Optionee as follows:    Mr. Walter Y. Elisha
                               ____________________
                               ____________________

    To Company as follows:     Springs Industries, Inc.
                               Attention:  Office of the Corporate Secretary
                               P. O. Box 70
                               Fort Mill, SC 29716

14. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the
laws of the State of South Carolina. If any term or provision hereof shall be
held invalid 
<PAGE>   5
or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall continue in
full force and effect. Any modification to this Agreement shall not be effective
unless the same shall be in writing and such writing shall be signed by
authorized representative of both of the parties hereto.

Please signify your acceptance of the option and your agreement to be bound by
the terms hereof by promptly signing one of the two original letters provided to
you herewith and returning the same to the Senior Vice President-General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company. Thank you for your good work and service. The
Company looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

Very truly yours,

SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


By:    /s/ C. Powers Dorsett
   ---------------------------------
       C. Powers Dorsett
Title: Senior Vice President-General
        Counsel & Secretary


ACCEPTED AND AGREED on the 25th day
of February, 1998.

OPTIONEE:


/s/ Walter Y. Elisha
- ----------------------------------(Seal)
Walter Y. Elisha



<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(r)

March 4, 1998


Mr. Walter Y. Elisha
Springs Industries, Inc.
205 North White Street
Fort Mill, SC   29715

Dear Walt:

This letter is to confirm the agreement which has been approved by the
Management Compensation and Organization Committee of the Board of Directors for
you to surrender for cancellation your 274,000 outstanding units of incremental
stock equivalents under the Company's Deferred Unit Stock Plan in exchange for
credits under a deferred compensation account for you which will mirror the
Company's Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended from time to time. The amount
of the credits shall be $9,448,289.17 which is based on the average of the
closing prices of the Company's Class A common stock on the New York Stock
Exchange for February 9, 10, and 11 of this year; and the transaction shall be
deemed to be effective February 12, 1998.

You have also agreed that the terms of the non-competition agreement dated July
22, 1991, which you entered into in connection with the grants of incremental
stock equivalents in 1990 and 1991, shall apply with respect to your new
deferred compensation account.

If the foregoing terms and conditions accurately reflect our agreement, please
signify your agreement by signing and returning to the corporate secretary the
enclosed copy of this letter.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Charles W. Coker

Charles W. Coker, Chairman
Management Compensation &
  Organization Committee

                                       Accepted and agreed, this 9th day of
                                       March, 1998.


                                       /s/ Walter Y. Elisha
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Walter Y. Elisha




<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(s)

March 4, 1998



Mr. Walter Y. Elisha
Springs Industries, Inc.
205 North White Street
Fort Mill, SC   29715

Dear Walt:

This letter is intended to outline the details for fulfilling the Board's wish
that there be an arrangement with you following your retirement, whereby Springs
will have the continuing benefit of your expertise on certain matters, on an
as-needed basis, in exchange for certain work-related, company-provided
benefits. Specifically, the Board would like to provide you an office,
administrative support, and access to certain aircraft, in support of your
agreement to be available to provide advice and counsel to the Company from time
to time as reasonably requested by the Board of Directors. These benefits are
provided in addition to the retirement benefits provided to you as a retired
executive.

Essentially, the arrangement can be divided into three categories for ease of
discussion:


I.  Office and Administrative Support.

Springs will provide you with office and administrative support for a period of
five years following your retirement. The office will initially be the space
Springs is in the process of leasing near the corporate offices in Fort Mill.
Initially, you will be provided with the services of Mrs. Laura Faile. If Mrs.
Faile should leave Springs' employment, Springs reserves the right, after
consulting with you, to make all decisions concerning the level of secretarial
assistance needed to assist you in the performance of your business and other
activities on behalf of the Company.

You will, of course, be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable expenses
incurred in the performance of your duties as an advisor.


II. Use of Airplane.

Springs is currently a limited partner in TPT Aviation which enables the Company
to use aircraft owned by TPT. As long as Springs has the right to use such
aircraft of TPT or has similar rights through another partnership or if Springs
acquires a company-owned aircraft, Springs agrees to make such aircraft
available for use by you at a total cost to




<PAGE>   2

the Company which shall not exceed $150,000. Your use of the plane shall be
subject to the priorities of Company business, you shall be responsible for any
personal tax consequences related to such use, and you shall make arrangements
with the Company to pay for any required tax and other withholdings.
Additionally, such use of aircraft shall be limited to destinations within the
continental United States.


III. Non-Competition.

During the term of this agreement you shall remain free to undertake both
professional and consulting agreements with other parties; provided, however,
that during the term hereof you will not, without the prior written consent of
the Company:

        (a) become employed by or render advisory or consulting services to

            (i)  any competitor (present or potential) of Springs or its
        subsidiaries or joint venture partners; or

            (ii) to any person or entity engaged in the textile business whether
        as a manufacturer, converter, wholesaler, or distributor; or

        (b) directly or indirectly induce or solicit any person employed or
    hereafter employed by Springs or any of its subsidiaries or joint venture
    partners to leave the employ of Springs or any such subsidiary or joint
    venture partner.

I am delighted that Springs will continue to benefit from your expertise which
has proved to be so invaluable to the Company.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Charles W. Coker

Charles W. Coker, Chairman
Management Compensation &
  Organization Committee





<PAGE>   1




               Form of Agreement for Grants of Performance Units

                        PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT


                  THIS PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is
made and entered into between SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., a South Carolina
corporation ("Springs"), and _____________________________ (the "Participant").

                  THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

            1.    Grant. Springs hereby grants to Participant, effective
_______________ (the "Effective Date"), pursuant to the Springs Industries,
Inc., 1991 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended effective November 1, 1996 (the
"Plan"), a Performance Unit Award (the "Award") of <# of performance units>
Performance Units (the "Target Amount") subject to the terms, restrictions and
conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan. The Plan is incorporated
into and made a part of this Agreement and a copy is available upon request in
writing to the Corporate Secretary of Springs. Unless otherwise defined in this
Agreement, capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as
defined in the Plan. Participant's receipt of this Award does not entitle
Participant to an award for any other performance cycle. Awards for other
performance cycles may only be granted by the Committee as set forth in a
written award agreement.

            2.    Vesting. Subject to the provisions of ss.6 with respect to
forfeiture of awards in the event a Participant engages in competition with
Springs or its subsidiaries (the "Noncompetition Provisions"):

                  (a) The Award shall be earned and vest only upon Participant's
continuous and active employment with Springs (including employment with any
Subsidiary) from the Effective Date through the end of the Performance Cycle (as
defined in ss.5) unless any failure to remain continuously and actively employed
is caused by (i) Retirement under the Springs of Achievement Partnership Plan
(the "Partnership Plan"), (ii) Disability [as defined in the Long-Term
Disability Plan of Springs], (iii) termination of employment for economic
reasons [as defined in the Partnership Plan] or (iv) death;

                  (b) If Participant's employment is terminated during the
Performance Cycle for reasons (i), (ii) or (iii) in ss.2(a) above, Participant
shall be entitled to a proportionate share of the Award which would otherwise be
distributable to Participant for the Performance Cycle based upon the period of
time Participant was continuously and actively employed by Springs (including
employment with any Subsidiary) during such Performance Cycle; and

<PAGE>   2
                  (c) In case of Participant's death during the Performance
Cycle, the Participant's beneficiary or estate, as provided in ss.6(f), shall be
entitled to a proportionate share of the Award which would otherwise be
distributable to Participant for the Performance Cycle based upon the period of
time Participant was continuously and actively employed by Springs (including
employment with any Subsidiary) during such Performance Cycle and such Award
shall be distributed in the form of cash and Springs' Class A Common Stock (the
"Common Stock") [or solely in the form of cash if required pursuant to the
provision set forth in ss.6(b) below] as soon as practicable following
completion of the Performance Cycle.

         3. Award Entitlement. A Participant shall be entitled to receive a
settlement of the Performance Units vested pursuant to Section 2 only to the
extent such Performance Units are earned. Subject to satisfaction of the
Noncompetition Provisions, a Participant shall earn the Performance Units based
upon the Percentile Ranking of Springs' Total Shareholder Return attained by
Springs on the Common Stock for the Performance Cycle as set forth in Exhibit A
to this Agreement. Percentile Ranking and Total Shareholder Return are defined
in ss.4.

         4. (a) Total Shareholder Return. Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") for a
company shall be determined by dividing (i) the sum of (A) the cumulative amount
of dividends paid for the performance period assuming dividend reinvestment and
(B) the difference between the fair market value of the company's common stock
on the first day of the period and the fair market value of the company's common
stock on the last date of the period by (ii) the fair market value of the
company's common stock on the first day of the period. Fair Market Value for the
Common Stock shall be determined as provided in the Plan. Fair market value for
other companies shall be determined pursuant to procedures approved by the
Committee.

            (b) Percentile Ranking. Percentile Ranking shall equal the
percentile of Springs' TSR for the Performance Cycle within the TSR for the
corresponding period of the companies included in Standard & Poor's 500 stock
index (the "S & P 500") on the last day of the period.

         5. Performance Cycle. The period over which Springs' TSR shall be
measured shall begin on the first day of Springs' 1998 fiscal year and shall end
on the last day of its 2000 fiscal year (the "Performance Cycle"). The period
over which TSR for the S & P 500 is measured shall correspond as closely as
reasonably practicable to the Performance Cycle.

         6. Distribution.  The Performance Units actually earned by Participant
for the Performance Cycle (as determined in accordance with Section 3) shall
become vested and settled as follows:

            (a) Subject to ss.8 and subsections (b) and (c) of this ss.6 and
except as otherwise provided above in ss.2(c), one-half of the Performance Units
earned by Participant shall be credited as Deferred Stock, with each such
Performance Unit credited as one share of Deferred Stock.



<PAGE>   3

            (b) Subject to ss.8 and subsection (c)(i) of this ss.6, the
remaining one-half of the Performance Units earned (or all of the Performance
Units earned, if the total value of all Performance Units earned by all
Participants, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the last day
of the Performance Cycle, is less than $500,000) shall be paid in cash, with the
amount of such cash payment equal to the number of such Performance Units
multiplied by the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on
the first day of the Performance Cycle or (ii) Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock on the last day of the Performance Cycle. All cash amounts shall be paid
as soon as practicable after the Determination Date as defined in Section 7.

            (c) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the
         contrary, in the event a Participant engages in competition with
         Springs or any of its subsidiaries prior to the end of the Performance
         Cycle, then the entire Award shall be forfeited.

               (ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the
         contrary, the portion of an Award credited pursuant to ss.6(a) as
         Deferred Stock shall not become vested and earned until the second
         anniversary of the last day of the Performance Cycle. (The two-year
         period beginning on the last day of the Performance Cycle is referred
         to as the "Restricted Period.") If prior to the end of the Restricted
         Period the Participant engages in competition with Springs or any of
         its subsidiaries, then the Deferred Stock shall be forfeited;
         otherwise, all restrictions on the Deferred Stock shall lapse on the
         day following the last day of the Restricted Period, except that in the
         event of the Participant's death during the Restricted Period, all
         restrictions on the Deferred Stock shall immediately lapse. Upon lapse
         of restrictions on the Deferred Stock, the Participant shall receive a
         distribution of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of
         Deferred Stock credited hereunder as soon as practicable; provided,
         however, if the Participant has elected to have the stock portion of
         the Award deferred as Deferred Stock under the Plan pursuant to ss.8,
         then the Deferred Stock shall be distributed as provided in ss.8(c).

            (d) The Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine
whether a Participant is competing with Springs or its subsidiaries pursuant to
rules and procedures that may be adopted by the Committee from time to time.
Upon termination of employment of a Participant, the Participant may make
written request to the Committee for a determination whether prospective
employment by the Participant would be considered competition with Springs or
its subsidiaries. The Committee shall make a determination and respond in
writing to the Participant regarding the request as soon as practicable after
receipt of the Participant's written request for a determination. The
Committee's decision shall be final and binding.



<PAGE>   4

            (e) During the Restricted Period, cash payments shall be made to the
Participant with respect to the Deferred Stock in an amount equal to the
dividends payable by Springs on an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock;
provided, however, if the Participant has elected to defer the stock portion of
an Award, then credits shall be made to the Participant's dividend account
established pursuant to ss.8.

            (f) A Participant may file a written designation of beneficiary with
Springs' chief human resources officer to receive an Award payable hereunder in
case of the Participant's death. If no beneficiary is designated, any payment on
behalf of a deceased Participant shall be made to the Participant's estate.

        7. Determination of Awards. The determination of Percentile Ranking of
Springs TSR for the Performance Cycle shall be made by the Committee as soon as
practicable following public announcement by Springs of the financial results of
its operations for the fiscal year ending on the last day of the Performance
Cycle. The date of such determination is the "Determination Date." The
determination of the Committee shall be final and conclusive.

        8. (a) Deferral of Awards. Participant may elect to defer all or any
portion of an Award in increments of 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of either or both of
the cash and stock portions of an Award. The cash portion of the Award earned by
Participant may be deferred under the Springs Deferred Compensation Plan or any
successor plan. The portion of the Award earned by Participant which is credited
as Deferred Stock during the Restricted Period may be deferred, following
completion of the Restricted Period, as Deferred Stock under the Plan. Any
election to defer all or any portion of an Award must be made in writing and
must be submitted to Springs's chief human resources officer no later than sixty
(60) days after the date of this Agreement.

           (b) Dividend Account. Springs will establish a dividend account in
respect of the stock portion of Participant's Award that is deferred as Deferred
Stock under this ss.8. The dividend account will be credited with dividend
equivalents and interest in accordance with the following procedures:

               (i) As of the payment date for each dividend paid on the Common
         Stock with a record date occurring after the date of crediting Deferred
         Stock under this ss.8 and prior to the final distribution from the
         Participant's dividend account, there shall be credited to
         Participant's dividend account an amount determined by multiplying the
         amount of the cash dividend per share of Common Stock declared for such
         dividend record date by the number of shares of Deferred Stock credited
         to Participant and which have not been distributed to Participant as of
         the record date. Amounts equivalent to dividends which are credited to
         Participant's dividend account hereunder shall be distributed as
         provided in paragraph (c) below.



<PAGE>   5
            (ii) At the end of each calendar quarter subsequent to the quarter
        in which the first credit is made to Participant's dividend account
        pursuant to subparagraph (i) above, there shall further be credited to
        the dividend account an additional amount determined by multiplying the
        credit balance in the dividend account as of the beginning of such
        quarter [reduced by distributions, if any, from such account during such
        quarter] by the prime rate of interest per annum, as defined below, in
        effect on the 15th day of the last month of such quarter. The prime rate
        of interest to be credited as aforesaid shall be the prime rate
        announced by Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, N.A., or any successor or
        in the absence of such public announcement, the prime rate quoted in The
        Wall Street Journal's money rates column.

        (c) Distributions of Deferred Awards. Distribution of the cash portion
of an Award which is deferred shall be paid in accordance with the provision of
the Springs Deferred Compensation Plan. Distributions of Deferred Stock which
are deferred pursuant to this ss.8 and amounts credited to the Participant's
related dividend account shall be made upon termination of Participant's
full-time, active employment with Springs and its subsidiaries in three annual
installments, commencing in the month next following the first anniversary of
Participant's termination of employment with Springs and its subsidiaries. The
three installments distributions shall be as follows:

            (i)   the first installment shall be one-third of the amount of
        Deferred Stock and one-third of the amount in the Participant's dividend
        account and shall be distributed on the first anniversary of the
        Participant's termination of employment;

            (ii)  the second installment shall be one-third of the Deferred 
        Stock and one-half of the amount in the Participant's dividend account
        and shall be distributed on the first anniversary date of the first
        distribution; and

            (iii) the third installment shall be one-third of the Deferred Stock
        and the amount remaining in the Participant's dividend account and shall
        be distributed on the second anniversary date of the first distribution;

provided, however, if Participant's termination of employment shall occur
because of Participant's death, then distribution of Participant's Deferred
Stock and dividend account shall be made in one distribution on the January 31st
following the date of Participant's death or as soon as practicable thereafter.

         9. Withholding. Whenever Participant is entitled to a distribution of
Common Stock, Springs may require Participant to remit to Springs an amount
sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements.
Cash distributions shall be net of an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal,
state and local withholding tax



<PAGE>   6

requirements. Participant may elect with respect to a distribution of Common
Stock to surrender or authorize Springs to withhold shares of Common Stock
(valued at Fair Market Value on the date of surrender or withholding of the
Common Stock) in satisfaction of such withholding requirements in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

        10. Subject to Plan. This Agreement, Participant's Award hereunder, and
Participant's rights to receive distributions of Common Stock, Deferred Stock,
and cash are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

        11. Transferability. This Award is not transferable or assignable by
Participant except by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution
and may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered. Rights in connection with this
Award may be exercised during Participant's lifetime only by Participant or by
Participant's legal representative or guardian.

        12. Rights as a Shareholder. Participant shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock distributable in
connection with an earned Award until the date of issuance of a certificate to
Participant for such shares.

        13. Restrictions on Issuance of Shares. Springs shall not be obligated
to issue any Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement if such issuance would
result in the violation of any laws, including the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Act") or any applicable state securities laws (the "State Acts"). As provided
in the Plan, in the event that the offering of shares with respect to the Award
is not registered under the Act or the State Acts, but exemption is available
which requires an investment representation or other representation, Participant
shall, as a condition to receipt of Common Stock, be required to execute such
documents as may be necessary in the opinion of counsel for Springs to comply
with the Act and the State Acts. The stock certificate evidencing such
unregistered shares acquired upon receipt of the Award shall bear a restrictive
legend in substantially the following form and such other restrictive legends as
are required or advisable under the provision of any applicable laws:

       This stock certificate and the shares represented hereby have not
       been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
       "Act"), nor under any state securities laws and shall not be
       transferred at any time in the absence of (i) an effective
       registration statement under the Act and applicable state securities
       laws with respect to such shares at such time or (ii) an opinion of
       counsel satisfactory to the Company and its counsel, to the effect
       that such transfer at such time will not violate the Act or any
       applicable state securities law.
  
  
  
  
<PAGE>   7

        14. No Employment Rights. This Agreement shall not confer upon
Participant any right with respect to continued employment by Springs or any
Subsidiary or affect the right of Springs or any Subsidiary to terminate such
employment at any time.

        15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina.

        16. Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of
delivery if delivered personally or when received if mailed to the party to whom
notice is to be given, by certified mail, return receipt required, postage
prepaid, to the following address, or any other address specified by notice duly
given:

            To Participant at:

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

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

            To Springs at:

            Springs Industries, Inc.
            205 North White Street
            Fort Mill, South Carolina  29715
            Attention:  Corporate Secretary

            Executed and delivered this _____ day of ________, 19__.


                                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                    By:
                                          -----------------------------------

                                    Title:
                                          -----------------------------------


                                          PARTICIPANT:



                                          ----------------------------------
                                          (Name)





<PAGE>   1


                         EXECUTIVE FINANCIAL COUNSELING
                                  PLAN SUMMARY



The purpose of this plan is to aid senior executives in developing and
implementing a personal financial plan for accumulation, management, and use of
financial resources during their life and the efficient distribution of those
assets after death.

Executives participating in the long-term incentive program will be eligible for
the Executive Financial Counseling program. The Company will offer eligible
executives (with the exception of the CEO) a "pool" of $15,000 to pay the cost
of a formal financial/estate plan. The chief executive officer's "pool" amount
will be determined and approved by the Management Compensation & Organization
Committee of the Board of Directors. This "pool" can be used from the time the
individual is granted performance awards under the long-term incentive program
until their retirement. The individual pool amount (limited to $15,000 for
participants other than the CEO) can be used for the initial plan, any updates,
revisions, and other changes. As participants access financial/estate planning
services, the fees are deducted from the pool balance.

Eligible associates may select their provider from those previously approved
(AYCO, Wachovia Bank, Arthur Andersen, and KPMG Peat Marwick) or as may be
approved in addition from time to time by the Management Compensation &
Organization Committee of the Board.

Cost of services up to plan limits will be treated as imputed income to the
executive using the plan and reported on the associate's W-2 statement.





<PAGE>   1
14

                         INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION(1)
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


SALES PER INDUSTRY SEGMENT (In percent)

[CHART]

Home Furnishings 85%
Specialty Fabrics 15%

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS PER INDUSTRY SEGMENT(3)
(In percent)

[CHART]

Home Furnishings 96%
Specialty Fabrics 4%

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In millions)
                                             1997 (2)       1996 (4)       1995 (4)
<S>                                          <C>            <C>            <C>     
TRADE SALES:
     Home furnishings .................      $1,896.2       $1,808.5       $1,632.5
Specialty fabrics .....................         329.9          412.5          590.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL ........................      $2,226.1       $2,221.0       $2,223.2
====================================================================================

PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS:(3)
     Home furnishings .................      $  110.6       $   52.0       $   89.6
     Specialty fabrics ................           4.5           27.8           43.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total ........................         115.1           79.8          133.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Interest expense .................          18.6           22.1           32.0
     Other (income), net ..............          (6.4)         (46.8)          (9.4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
         EXTRAORDINARY ITEM ...........      $  102.9       $  104.5       $  110.9
====================================================================================

IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS AT YEAR END:
     Home furnishings .................      $1,348.3       $1,311.2       $1,263.1
     Specialty fabrics ................         179.0          181.6          394.6
     LIFO reserve .....................        (119.0)        (125.0)        (132.8)
     Cash and cash equivalents ........            .4           30.7            2.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL ........................      $1,408.7       $1,398.5       $1,527.5

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
     Home furnishings .................      $   91.3       $   66.3       $   56.8
     Specialty fabrics ................           7.2            8.8           18.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL ........................      $   98.5       $   75.1       $   75.2
====================================================================================

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
     Home furnishings .................      $   75.5       $   76.9       $   77.5
     Specialty fabrics ................           9.1           12.5           21.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL ........................      $   84.6       $   89.4       $   98.5
====================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)   This schedule provides consolidated financial information for the
      Company's two principal business segments, but not financial information
      for the segments as separate entities. See the notes to the consolidated
      financial statements for further comments.

(2)   Fiscal year 1997 included 53 weeks, whereas fiscal years 1996 and 1995
      included 52 weeks.

(3)   Profit from operations represents sales less cost of goods sold, selling,
      general and administrative expenses, and restructuring and realignment
      expenses. In 1997, profit from operations is net of $11.1 million of
      realignment expenses, of which $10.2 million was charged to the home
      furnishings segment and $.9 million to the specialty fabrics segment.
      Profit from operations for 1996 is net of $33.9 million of restructuring
      and realignment expenses, of which $33.3 million was charged to the home
      furnishings segment and $.6 million to the specialty fabrics segment.

(4)   Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 1997
      presentation, including classification in net sales of certain promotional
      costs which were previously included in selling, general and
      administrative expenses.


<PAGE>   2

                                                                              15

                             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
                       OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


(In thousands except per share data)
For the Fiscal Years Ended January 3, 1998 (53 weeks), December 28, 1996, and
December 30, 1995


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997              1996              1995
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>               <C>       
OPERATIONS
NET SALES .......................................      $2,226,075        $2,220,976        $2,223,240
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost and expenses:
     Cost of goods sold .........................       1,820,131         1,830,249         1,828,542
     Selling, general and administrative expenses         279,692           276,975           261,176
     Restructuring and realignment expenses .....          11,137            33,926                --
     Interest expense ...........................          18,583            22,064            32,035
     Other income, net ..........................          (6,405)          (46,757)           (9,446)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total ..................................       2,123,138         2,116,457         2,112,307
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and extraordinary item         102,937           104,519           110,933
Income tax provision ............................          33,972            16,086            39,307
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before extraordinary item ................          68,965            88,433            71,626
Extraordinary item:
     Loss on extinguishment of debt, net
        of income tax benefit of $2,176 .........              --             3,552                --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NET INCOME .............................      $   68,965        $   84,881        $   71,626
======================================================================================================
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE--BASIC:
Income before extraordinary item ................      $     3.43        $     4.39        $     3.75
Extraordinary loss ..............................              --             (0.18)               --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NET INCOME .............................      $     3.43        $     4.21        $     3.75
======================================================================================================
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE--DILUTED:
Income before extraordinary item ................      $     3.34        $     4.29        $     3.69
Extraordinary loss ..............................              --             (0.17)               --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NET INCOME .............................      $     3.34        $     4.12        $     3.69
======================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997              1996              1995
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>               <C>       
RETAINED EARNINGS
RETAINED EARNINGS
AT BEGINNING OF YEAR ............................      $  675,533        $  616,347        $  568,403
Net income ......................................          68,965            84,881            71,626
Repurchase of Class A common stock ..............         (17,485)               --                --
Class A cash dividends declared .................         (16,875)          (16,650)          (14,840)
Class B cash dividends declared .................          (8,784)           (9,045)           (8,842)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         RETAINED EARNINGS AT END OF YEAR .......      $  701,354        $  675,533        $  616,347
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


<PAGE>   3

16

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


(In thousands except share data)
January 3, 1998, and December 28, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1997                1996
<S>                                                                              <C>               <C>        
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
     Cash and cash equivalents ............................................      $       373       $    30,719
     Accounts receivable, net .............................................          317,702           350,830
     Inventories, net .....................................................          420,295           370,896
     Other ................................................................           48,309            37,331
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total current assets .............................................          786,679           789,776
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PROPERTY (AT COST):
     Land and improvements ................................................           18,881            18,559
     Buildings ............................................................          245,241           238,861
     Machinery and equipment ..............................................        1,076,032         1,062,980
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total ............................................................        1,340,154         1,320,400
     Accumulated depreciation .............................................         (799,623)         (785,836)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Property, net ....................................................          540,531           534,564
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER ASSETS ..............................................................           81,533            74,207
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL ............................................................      $ 1,408,743       $ 1,398,547
===============================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
     Short-term borrowings ................................................      $     7,450       $        --
     Current maturities of long-term debt .................................           14,452             6,921
     Accounts payable .....................................................           92,135           103,841
     Accrued wages and salaries ...........................................            8,610            21,827
     Accrued incentive pay and benefit plans ..............................           30,510            31,471
     Other accrued liabilities ............................................           86,936            88,313
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total current liabilities ........................................          240,093           252,373
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
     Long-term debt .......................................................          164,287           177,640
     Accrued benefits and deferred compensation ...........................          173,681           161,242
     Other ................................................................           26,084            26,513
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total noncurrent liabilities .....................................          364,052           365,395
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY:
     Class A common stock- $.25 par value (12,601,757 and 12,746,374 shares
        issued in 1997 and 1996, respectively) ............................            3,150             3,187
     Class B common stock- $.25 par value (7,270,921 and 7,508,579 shares
        issued and outstanding in 1997 and 1996, respectively) ............            1,818             1,877
     Additional paid-in capital ...........................................          108,684           110,352
     Retained earnings ....................................................          701,354           675,533
     Cost of Class A shares in treasury (101,091 and 106,739 shares
        in 1997 and 1996, respectively) ...................................           (2,276)           (2,378)
     Currency translation adjustment and other ............................           (8,132)           (7,792)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total shareowners' equity ........................................          804,598           780,779
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         TOTAL ............................................................      $ 1,408,743       $ 1,398,547
===============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


<PAGE>   4


                                                                              17

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


(In thousands)
For the Fiscal Years Ended January 3, 1998 (53 weeks), December 28, 1996, and
December 30, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1997            1996            1995
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>      
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net income ....................................................      $  68,965       $  84,881       $  71,626
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
         provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation and amortization .............................         84,565          89,422          98,514
         Gain on sales of businesses and other investments .........         (6,587)        (50,127)         (4,296)
         Deferred income taxes .....................................          7,596         (13,738)          7,837
         Provision for restructuring ...............................          1,800          30,375              --
         Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment ........            540           6,179           1,012
         Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt ..............             --           5,728              --
         Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
             of business acquisitions and sales of businesses:
             Accounts receivable ...................................         30,302         (30,367)         18,925
             Inventories ...........................................        (49,399)        (17,840)        (24,765)
             Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities ........        (21,184)         20,966         (16,459)
             Accrued restructuring costs ...........................         (7,115)         (4,137)             --
             Other, net ............................................            204          (4,967)        (14,906)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net cash provided by operating activities .................        109,687         116,375         137,488
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Purchases of property, plant and equipment ....................        (98,478)        (75,131)        (75,175)
     Business acquisitions, net of stock issued
         and cash acquired .........................................         (6,429)         (1,900)        (74,678)
     Notes receivable ..............................................        (14,000)             --              --
     Principal collected on notes receivable .......................          3,447              20              20
     Proceeds from sales of businesses and other assets ............          3,391         195,371          14,183
     Purchase of investment ........................................             --              --          (7,879)
     Proceeds from sale of investment ..............................         14,466              --              --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net cash provided (used) by investing activities ..........        (97,603)        118,360        (143,529)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Proceeds (repayments) from short-term borrowings, net .........          7,450         (21,900)         10,800
     Proceeds from long-term borrowings ............................          1,587           2,834          99,719
     Repayments of long-term debt ..................................         (7,409)       (161,861)        (80,332)
     Repurchase of Class A shares ..................................        (18,325)             --              --
     Cash dividends paid ...........................................        (25,733)        (25,695)        (22,309)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Net cash provided (used) by financing activities ..........        (42,430)       (206,622)          7,878
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ...................        (30,346)         28,113           1,837
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR .....................         30,719           2,606             769
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR ..................      $     373       $  30,719       $   2,606
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


<PAGE>   5

18

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The accompanying consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Springs Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Springs
or the Company). Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in
consolidation. Investments in 20 to 50 percent owned companies are accounted for
using the equity method of accounting.

USE OF ESTIMATES: Preparation of the Company's consolidated 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, disclosures relating to contingent assets and liabilities, and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses.

REVENUE RECOGNITION: Revenue from product sales is recognized at the time
ownership of the goods transfers to the customer.

CASH EQUIVALENTS: Cash equivalents consist of liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less when purchased.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its
customers' financial conditions and, generally, requires no collateral from its
customers. The reserve for doubtful accounts to provide for expected credit
losses was $14.0 million in 1997 and $7.7 million in 1996.

INVENTORIES: Inventories are summarized as follows:

(in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1997            1996
<S>                                        <C>             <C>      
Standard cost (which approximates
  average cost) or average cost:
    Finished goods ..................      $ 280,316       $ 242,650
    In process ......................        199,600         185,307
    Raw materials and supplies ......         59,381          67,925
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             539,297         495,882
Less LIFO reserve ...................       (119,002)       (124,986)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total .........................      $ 420,295       $ 370,896
=====================================================================
</TABLE>

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using
the last-in, first-out method (LIFO) for approximately 84 percent of inventories
and the average cost method for all other inventories. Average cost approximates
current cost.

At the end of 1997, certain LIFO inventories within the Company were merged into
the same pool, increasing net income by $1.5 million, or $0.07 per basic share.
In 1996, certain inventory quantities were reduced resulting in a liquidation of
LIFO inventory quantities carried at higher costs prevailing in 1995. The effect
of the 1996 reduction was to reduce net income for 1996 by approximately $1.3
million, or $.06 per basic share.

PROPERTY: Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets,
ranging from 10 to 20 years for land improvements, 20 to 40 years for buildings,
and 3 to 11 years for machinery and equipment. Certain of the Company's fixed
assets are leased through Industrial Revenue Bond financings and similar
arrangements.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: The Company measures stock-based compensation using
the intrinsic value method, in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (APB)
Opinion No. 25.

PURCHASE COMMITMENTS: Periodically the Company enters into forward delivery
contracts and futures contracts for the purchase of certain raw materials,
consistent with the size of its business, to reduce the Company's exposure to
price volatility. Gains and losses on futures contracts, which were not material
at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, are deferred and subsequently
recognized in income as cost of goods sold in the same period as the hedged
item. The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading
purposes.

INCOME TAXES: The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, and
foreign taxes currently payable and deferred taxes. Deferred taxes were
determined using the liability method, which considers future tax consequences
associated with differences between financial accounting and tax bases of assets
and liabilities and gives immediate effect to changes in income tax laws upon
enactment.

EARNINGS PER SHARE: In February of 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (the "FASB") issued Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which was
required to be adopted for both interim and year-end financial statement periods
ending after December 15, 1997. The Company adopted this new method of computing
earnings per share and restated earnings per share for all prior periods. The
following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share: 

(in thousands except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Net                   Per-Share
                                     Income      Shares      Amount
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>          <C>        <C>  
For the year ended
January 3, 1998

Earnings per common
   share--basic ..............      $68,965      20,122      $3.43
Stock-based compensation
   awards ....................           --         546       (.09)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common
   share--diluted ............      $68,965      20,668      $3.34
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
For the year ended
December 28, 1996

Earnings per common
   share--basic ..............      $84,881      20,146      $4.21
Stock-based compensation
   awards ....................           --         458       (.09)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common
   share--diluted ............      $84,881      20,604      $4.12
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
For the year ended
December 30, 1995

Earnings per common
   share--basic ..............      $71,626      19,083      $3.75
Stock-based compensation
   awards ....................           --         340       (.06)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common
   share--diluted ............      $71,626      19,423      $3.69
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   6

                                                                              19

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


RECLASSIFICATION: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform
with the 1997 presentation, including classification in net sales of certain
promotional costs which were previously included in selling, general and
administrative expenses.

OTHER: In 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income," and Statement No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information." These statements, which are effective for periods
beginning after December 15, 1997, expand or modify disclosures and,
accordingly, will have no impact on the Company's reported financial position,
results of operations, or cash flows.

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

NOTE 2.  INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION:

Springs operates in two industry segments: home furnishings and specialty
fabrics. The Company's principal markets and operations are in North America.
The home furnishings segment manufactures, purchases for resale, and markets
home furnishing products, including sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, comforters,
infant and toddler bedding, curtains, shower curtains, accent and bath rugs,
towels, other bath fashion accessories, baby and healthcare products, juvenile
novelties, drapery hardware and decorative window furnishings to all major
channels of retail distribution and to institutional customers. The specialty
fabrics segment manufactures, finishes, purchases for resale, and markets woven
and non-woven fabrics, including apparel fabrics, home-sewing fabrics,
industrial fabrics, specialty and high performance fabrics, and protective and
fire retardant fabrics to manufacturers for use in a variety of end products.
Summarized segment information appears on page 14 and is an integral part of the
consolidated financial statements. Sales for 1997, 1996, and 1995 include sales
of $314.3 million, $306.2 million, and $266.9 million, respectively, to one
customer. The home furnishings segment had sales of $258.3 million, $248.4
million, and $210.2 million for 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively, to this
customer. Sales to this customer of $56.0 million, $57.8 million, and $56.7
million for 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively, were generated in the specialty
fabrics segment. Accounts receivable at January 3, 1998, and December 28, 1996,
included receivables from this customer totaling $40.1 million and $41.4
million, respectively.

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

NOTE 3.  ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES:

On April 17, 1996, the Company sold Clark-Schwebel, Inc., for $193 million in
cash. A gain of $50.1 million was included in other income for 1996. Through the
date of the divestiture, Clark-Schwebel, Inc., had 1996 sales of $68.9 million
and earnings before interest and taxes of $11.3 million. In 1995,
Clark-Schwebel, Inc., contributed about 10 percent of the Company's sales of
$2.223 billion and had record earnings representing about 24 percent of Springs'
earnings before interest expense and taxes of $143 million. During the five
years ended in 1995, Clark-Schwebel, Inc.'s average contribution was 13 percent
of Springs' sales and 9 percent of its earnings before interest and taxes.

During 1995, the Company acquired three businesses in the home furnishings
segment. Effective May 27, 1995, the Company purchased all of the outstanding
stock of Dundee Mills, Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of towels, infant
and toddler bedding, knitted infant apparel, and healthcare products. The
purchase price was $119.6 million, $21.2 million of which was paid in cash and
the remainder through the issuance of approximately 2.5 million shares of
Springs Class A common stock with a fair value as of the acquisition date of
$98.4 million. Effective May 28, 1995, the Company purchased substantially all
of the assets of Dawson Home Fashions, Inc., a leading manufacturer of shower
curtains and bath fashions accessories. Springs paid $39 million in cash for the
business. On July 28, 1995, the Company purchased from Apogee Enterprises, Inc.,
substantially all of the assets of its Nanik Window Coverings Group, a leading
manufacturer of wood window blinds and interior shutters.

The acquisitions were accounted for as purchases, with the costs allocated on
the basis of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Liabilities assumed in connection with these acquisitions totaled $66.3 million,
including $33.9 million of long-term debt. The operating results of Dundee,
Dawson and Nanik were included in the Company's consolidated results of
operations from their respective dates of acquisition.

The following summary of unaudited pro forma results of operations presents
information as if the acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of 1995 . The
pro forma earnings per share calculation treats the Springs Class A common
shares issued in the Dundee acquisition as having been outstanding during all of
1995. The pro forma information is not indicative of results which would have
occurred or which may occur in the future: (in thousands, except per share
amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Year Ended
                                           Dec. 30, 1995
                                           -------------
<S>                                        <C>       
Net sales ............................      $2,377,453
Net income ...........................          69,574
Earnings per common share--basic .....            3.65
========================================================
</TABLE>

On December 29, 1995, the Company sold the assets of its Intek office panel
fabrics business. In connection with this sale, the Company received cash of
$13.2 million. The gain on this transaction was included in other income.


<PAGE>   7

20

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


NOTE 4.  RESTRUCTURING AND REALIGNMENT EXPENSES:

During the second quarter of 1996, the Company adopted a plan to consolidate and
realign its fabric manufacturing operations. In connection with this plan, the
Company closed three fabric manufacturing plants, added production in other
plants, and increased outside purchases of grey fabric. A pretax charge of $30.4
million was recorded in the second quarter of 1996, which included $6.6 million
for severance expense arising from the elimination of approximately 850
positions, $16.3 million for write-offs of plant and equipment, and $7.5 million
for certain other expenses associated with the plan.

Through January 3, 1998, the Company has recorded cash expenditures of
approximately $4.1 million against the severance accrual and $5.2 million
against the accrual for certain other expenses associated with the plan. The
severance accrual was also reduced by $0.2 million in 1997. A decrease of $2.0
million, due to a lower-than-expected average cost per associate, was offset
substantially by an increase of $1.8 million arising from the elimination of
approximately 320 positions at other manufacturing facilities. In addition,
through January 3, 1998, the Company has incurred expenses of $14.9 million,
including $11.3 million during 1997, for equipment relocation and other
realignment expenses related to the plan.

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

NOTE 5.  LONG-TERM DEBT:

Long-term debt consists of: (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1997            1996
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>      
Senior notes payable in annual installments of $5,000 in years 1998
   through 2006, interest rate at 9.6% .............................      $  45,000       $  50,000
Notes payable in quarterly installments of $2,857 from August
   1998 through May 2005, interest payable at variable rates
   (6.2% at 1/3/98) ................................................         80,000          80,000
Notes payable in quarterly installments of $714 from December
   1998 through September 2005, interest payable at variable rates
   (6.3% at 1/3/98) ................................................         20,000          20,000
Industrial Revenue Bond Obligations, payable in varying annual
   amounts to 2019, interest at rates ranging from 3.0% to 8.3% ....         31,115          31,456
Other ..............................................................          2,624           3,105
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total ...........................................................        178,739         184,561
Current maturities .................................................        (14,452)         (6,921)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   LONG-TERM DEBT ..................................................      $ 164,287       $ 177,640
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>


Periodically, the Company finances its operations through the issuance of
commercial paper. The Company's access to the commercial paper market is
facilitated by a committed $225 million long-term revolving credit agreement
provided by several banks. This revolving credit agreement will expire on
December 16, 2002. The Company pays an annual commitment fee on the unused
portion of these agreements. As of January 3, 1998, no borrowings were
outstanding under this agreement. 

In August 1997, the Company renewed for one year its $100 million long-term loan
facility, dated August 12, 1996, which may be used to refinance debt and for
general corporate purposes. This long-term facility was increased to $125
million in December, 1997. As of January 3, 1998, no borrowings were outstanding
under this agreement.

Certain long-term debt agreements contain requirements concerning, among other
things, the maintenance of working capital and tangible net worth, limitations
on the incurrence of indebtedness, and restrictions on the payment of dividends
and/or redemption of stock. At January 3, 1998, under the most restrictive of
such requirements, retained earnings of approximately $186 million were
available for dividends and/or the redemption of stock.

The Company recorded in 1996 an extraordinary charge of $3.6 million, net of an
income tax benefit of $2.2 million, incurred as a result of the early
extinguishment of $68.7 million of senior notes payable. The notes were due in
varying amounts through 2003 and had an effective interest rate of 10 percent.


<PAGE>   8

                                                                              21

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


Scheduled annual maturities of long-term debt are : 1998--$14,452,000;
1999--$21,300,000; 2000--$20,610,000; 2001--$20,214,000; 2002--$20,212,000 and
varying amounts thereafter through 2019. Total interest payments in 1997, 1996,
and 1995 were $17,808,000, $23,973,000, and $31,357,000, respectively.

The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the
potential impact of increases in interest rates on floating-rate long-term debt.
The interest rate swap agreements were designed to fix the interest rate on $100
million of variable rate debt at 6.7 percent. The Company is exposed to credit
loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to the interest rate
swap agreements; however, the Company believes its counterparty will perform. At
January 3, 1998, and December 28, 1996, the notional amount of swap agreements
totaled $100 million and $105 million, respectively.

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

NOTE 6.  SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY:

Changes in shareowners' equity, exclusive of retained earnings, are: (in
thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Class A              Class B                               Class A
                                    Common Stock Issued   Common Stock Issued                Stock Held in Treasury   Currency
                                    -------------------   -------------------     Additional ----------------------  Translation
                                      Number      Par        Number      Par       Paid-In      Number                Adjustment
                                    Of Shares    Value     Of Shares    Value      Capital     Of Shares    Cost      And Other
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994 ...      9,884     $ 2,471      7,830     $ 1,958     $  11,413      120     $ 2,602     $  2,448
Exchange of Class B common stock
   for Class A common stock ....        225          57       (225)        (57)           --       --          --           --
Shares awarded under various
   employee plans ..............         20           5         --          --           691       (9)       (153)          --
Shares issued in acquisition of
   Dundee Mills, Incorporated ..      2,514         628         --          --        97,736       --          --           --
Currency translation adjustment          --          --         --          --            --       --          --        4,801
Other ..........................         --          --         --          --            --       --          --       (1,527)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 30, 1995 ...     12,643     $ 3,161      7,605     $ 1,901     $ 109,840      111     $ 2,449     $  5,722
Exchange of Class B common stock
   for Class A common stock ....         96          24        (96)        (24)           --       --          --           --
Shares awarded under various
  employee plans ...............          7           2         --          --           512       (4)        (71)          --
Effect of Clark-Schwebel, Inc.
  disposition ..................         --          --         --          --            --       --          --      (10,938)
Currency translation adjustment          --          --         --          --            --       --          --       (2,310)
Other ..........................         --          --         --          --            --       --          --         (266)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 28, 1996 ...     12,746     $ 3,187      7,509     $ 1,877     $ 110,352      107     $ 2,378     $ (7,792)
Exchange of Class B common stock
   for Class A common stock ....        238          59       (238)        (59)           --       --          --           --
Shares awarded under various
   employee plans ..............          8           2         --          --           465       (6)       (102)          --
Shares reacquired by the Company       (390)        (98)        --          --        (2,133)      --          --           --
Currency translation adjustment          --          --         --          --            --       --          --       (1,078)
Other ..........................         --          --         --          --            --       --          --          738
   BALANCE AT JANUARY 3, 1998 ..     12,602     $ 3,150      7,271     $ 1,818     $ 108,684      101     $ 2,276     $ (8,132)
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   9

22

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


As of January 3, 1998, Springs had authorized 1,000,000 shares of $1.00 par
value, voting preferred stock, none of which was outstanding. Authorized common
stock consisted of 40,000,000 shares of $.25 par value Class A stock and
20,000,000 shares of $.25 par value Class B stock. Subject to certain
exceptions, holders of Class B stock are entitled to four votes per share on
matters brought before shareowners of the Company, while holders of Class A
stock are entitled to one vote per share. See note 10 for description of related
parties. Cash dividends per share declared on Class A stock must equal at least
110 percent of cash dividends declared per share on Class B stock. 

In October of 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved the purchase of up
to 2 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock. Management was
authorized to begin buying the shares in the open market and in private
transactions. The Company repurchased 390,200 shares in 1997 at an average cost
of $50.53 per share.

The Company has an incentive stock plan ("the Plan") which was approved by the
shareowners in 1991. Prior to that time, the Company maintained a deferred unit
stock plan which expired in 1991 except for the shares and grants thereunder.
Primary stock equivalents and incremental stock equivalents, which are similar
to deferred stock and stock appreciation rights, respectively, were issued under
the deferred unit stock plan and are still outstanding. In addition, the
shareowners in 1991 approved a restricted stock plan for outside directors under
which an annual grant of restricted stock is made to outside directors.

The Plan is designed to achieve the objectives of the long-term component of the
Company's executive compensation program. The Plan provides for various
stock-based Class A common stock awards, including stock options, restricted
stock, performance units, and stock appreciation rights. Under the Plan,
nonqualified stock options, deferred stock, and performance unit awards have
been granted. 

The exercise price of all options granted to date represents the fair market
value of the shares on the date of the grant. Options which have been granted
generally become exercisable on the third anniversary of the grant date or
ratably over a two-to-four year period thereafter. No portion of the grant may
be exercised beyond ten years from the date of the grant. 

A summary of the Company's stock options as of January 3, 1998, December 28,
1996, and December 30, 1995, and changes during the years ended on those dates
is presented below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997                   1996                   1995
                                           ----------------------  --------------------    ---------------------
                                                        Weighted-              Weighted-               Weighted-
                                                         Average                Average                 Average
                                                        Exercise               Exercise                Exercise
(Shares in thousands)                        Shares      Price      Shares      Price      Shares       Price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>   
Outstanding at beginning of year .....       882,500     $38.26     926,000     $37.99     372,000     $31.88
Granted ..............................       250,000      44.00      15,000      47.25     608,000      41.21
Forfeited ............................        (5,000)     39.13     (58,500)     36.41     (40,000)     33.07
Exercised ............................            --         --          --         --     (14,000)     29.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at end of year ...........     1,127,500     $39.53     882,500     $38.26     926,000     $37.99
================================================================================================================
Options exercisable at year end ......       225,809     $32.09     141,333     $30.52      94,000     $29.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


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

The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding
at January 3, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Shares Exercisable
                                                                  -----------------------
     Range         Options       Weighted-Avg.    Weighted-                     Weighted-
       of        Outstanding       Remaining       Average                       Average
    Exercise         at           Contractual     Exercise          at          Exercise
     Prices        1/3/98            Life           Price         1/3/98          Price
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>   
 $29.00             215,000        3.9 years       $29.00         172,000         $29.00
  34.33              42,500        6.3 years        34.33          14,167          34.33
  39.13-41.88       568,000        7.6 years        41.28          15,000          41.88
  44.00             250,000        9.1 years        44.00              --             --
  46.38-47.25        52,000        6.2 years        46.63          24,642          46.38
                  ---------                                       -------
                  1,127,500                                       225,809
=========================================================================================
</TABLE>

The options granted during 1997, 1996, and 1995 had a weighted-average fair
value of $14.22, $17.79, and $13.56, respectively. The fair value of each option
was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
and the following weighted-average assumptions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               1997      1996        1995
<S>                          <C>       <C>         <C>    
Expected option
   lives ................    8 years   10 years    8 years
Risk-free
   interest rate ........       6.4%       6.9%       6.4%
Expected volatility .....      28.8%      30.0%      30.7%
Expected
  dividend rate .........    $ 1.32     $ 1.32     $ 1.32
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   10

                                                                              23

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


The Company has awarded deferred stock awards and performance unit awards during
the three years ended in 1997, 1996, and 1995. Such awards totaled 70,781 units
in 1997, 117,483 units in 1996, and 69,636 units in 1995, at weighted-average
grant-date fair values of $44.50, $44.71 and $37.51, respectively. Compensation
cost charged against income for such awards totaled approximately $2,718,000,
$1,107,000 and $968,000 for the years ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996,
and December 30, 1995, respectively.

The Company measures stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method,
in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25. Had compensation cost for the Company's
stock-based compensation awards been determined at the grant dates based on the
fair value method described in FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," the Company's pro forma net income would have been
$66.9 million, or $3.33 per basic share, for 1997, $83.5 million, or $4.14 per
basic share, for 1996, and $71.2 million, or $3.73 per basic share, for 1995.

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

NOTE 7.  INCOME TAXES:

The following tables present the components of the provision for income taxes
and reconciliation of the statutory U.S. income tax rate to the effective income
tax rate during 1997, 1996, and 1995.

INCOME TAX PROVISION:
(in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                1997        1996        1995
<S>                           <C>        <C>          <C>    
Current ..................    $26,376    $ 29,824     $31,470
Deferred .................      7,596     (13,738)      7,837
- --------------------------------------------------------------
  Total tax provision
    on income before
    extraordinary
    item .................    $33,972    $ 16,086     $39,307
==============================================================
</TABLE>


RECONCILIATION TO EFFECTIVE TAX RATES:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      1997          1996          1995
<S>                                   <C>          <C>            <C> 
Provision at statutory
  U.S. tax rate ..............        35.0%         35.0%         35.0%
Effective state income
  tax rate (excluding
  sale of subsidiary) ........         2.1           2.6           3.9
Effect of sale of
subsidiary (including
state tax) ...................        (1.2)        (18.2)          0.3
Changes in valuation
  allowance ..................          --          (1.4)         (2.0)
Other ........................        (2.9)         (2.6)         (1.8)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total effective tax
    rate on income before
    extraordinary item .......        33.0%         15.4%         35.4%
=========================================================================
</TABLE>


Income before income taxes includes foreign income of $2,558,000, $4,855,000 and
$6,932,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively. The provision for income taxes
includes state income taxes of $3,326,000 in 1997, $1,482,000 in 1996, and
$6,513,000 in 1995. Springs made income tax payments of approximately
$27,009,000, $32,226,000, and $47,691,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

Temporary differences which give rise to deferred income taxes and the resulting
assets and liabilities are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands)                                 1997            1996
<S>                                         <C>             <C>      
Employee benefit accruals ............      $  38,704       $  38,871
Deferred compensation ................         31,637          28,282
Restructuring reserves ...............          8,935          11,631
Accounts receivable reserves .........          8,242           7,676
Environmental accruals ...............          3,938           5,041
Other items ..........................         13,840          16,751
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total deferred tax assets .........        105,296         108,252
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Property .............................        (86,602)        (76,290)
Inventories ..........................         (6,167)         (7,320)
Intangibles ..........................           (910)         (1,331)
Other items ..........................         (1,237)         (5,335)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total deferred tax liabilities ....        (94,916)        (90,276)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset ...............      $  10,380       $  17,976
======================================================================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   11

24

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


NOTE 8.  EMPLOYEES' BENEFIT PLANS:

EMPLOYEES' PROFIT SHARING AND RETIREMENT PLANS

Substantially all associates of Springs are covered by defined contribution
plans or defined benefit plans. The Company makes contributions to defined
contribution plans, and these contributions are computed as a percentage of each
participant's eligible compensation. In addition, in the event that eligible
participants contribute a percentage of their compensation to defined
contribution plans, the Company matches a portion of their contributions.
Company contributions to defined benefit plans are made in accordance with the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and benefits are generally based upon
years of service. Assets in defined benefit plans are invested in diversified
equity securities, fixed income securities (including United States government
obligations), real estate and money market securities. 

Defined contribution plan expenses for 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $21.6 million,
$22.4 million, and $21.8 million, respectively. The net assets available for
benefits under defined contribution plans had a market value of approximately
$685 million as of December 31, 1997.


The following assumptions and components were used to develop the net pension
expense for defined benefit plans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997           1996           1995
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>            <C>    
ASSUMPTIONS:
Discount rate for obligations .........................         6.75%          7.25%          7.00%
Assumed rate of compensation increases ................         4.00-4.50      4.00           4.50
Expected long-term rate of return on assets ...........         8.50           7.50           7.50
COMPONENTS OF NET PENSION EXPENSE: (in thousands)
Service cost ..........................................      $ 2,058        $ 1,988        $ 1,598
Interest cost on Projected Benefit Obligations ........        5,044          5,413          3,728
Actual return on assets ...............................       (4,598)        (4,909)        (3,737)
Net amortization and deferral .........................        1,273            748          1,183
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension expense, net ..................................      $ 3,777        $ 3,240        $ 2,772
===================================================================================================
</TABLE>

The following table sets forth the funding status of Springs' defined benefit
pension plans: (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997                           1996
                                                 Assets Exceed    Accumulated   Assets Exceed    Accumulated
                                                  Accumulated       Benefits     Accumulated       Benefits
                                                   Benefits      Exceed Assets     Benefits     Exceed Assets
<S>                                              <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>      
Accumulated Benefit Obligation:
   Vested ...................................      $(35,519)      $(27,852)        $(29,982)      $(25,082)
   Non-vested ...............................          (770)           (91)            (773)           (34)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated Benefit Obligation ..............       (36,289)       (27,943)         (30,755)       (25,116)
Effect of projected future compensation .....          (238)        (1,376)          (6,888)        (1,951)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected Benefit Obligation ................       (36,527)       (29,319)         (37,643)       (27,067)
Plan assets at fair value ...................        49,396          4,824           43,045          4,236
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess (deficiency) of assets over
   Projected Benefit Obligation .............        12,869        (24,495)           5,402        (22,831)
Unrecognized effects of changes
   resulting from experience
   different from that assumed ..............        (4,564)         3,024           (4,892)         1,890
Unrecognized prior service cost .............        (7,209)          (109)              --            171
Additional minimum liability ................            --         (3,088)              --         (2,011)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid (accrued) pension cost recognized
   in the balance sheet .....................      $  1,096       $(24,668)        $    510       $(22,781)
=============================================================================================================
</TABLE>

Effective January 1, 1998, the Company amended the method of determining the
benefits for one of its defined benefit plans. The plan amendment resulted in
unrecognized negative prior service cost of $7.2 million at the end of 1997.


<PAGE>   12

                                                                              25

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS

The Company sponsors a postretirement medical plan which covers substantially
all salaried and nonsalaried associates. The plan provides medical benefits and
is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted periodically.

Net postretirement medical benefit cost consisted of the following components:
(in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    1997          1996          1995
<S>                               <C>           <C>           <C>    
Service cost ...............      $ 1,769       $ 1,825       $ 1,145
Interest cost on Accumulated
Postretirement Benefit
  Obligation (APBO) ........        4,401         4,304         4,666
Net amortization
  and deferral .............         (342)         (239)         (768)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net postretirement
benefit cost ...............      $ 5,828       $ 5,890       $ 5,043
======================================================================
</TABLE>

The following table sets forth the status of Springs' obligation under its
postretirement medical plan at January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996: (in
thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1997           1996
<S>                                         <C>            <C>      
Retirees .............................      $(25,989)      $(30,295)
Fully eligible active plan
  participants .......................       (10,626)       (10,133)
Other active plan participants .......       (30,232)       (24,008)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
APBO .................................       (66,847)       (64,436)
Unrecognized prior service cost ......        (2,586)           132
Unrecognized
actuarial gains, net .................        (5,200)        (9,875)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued Postretirement
  Benefit Obligation recognized
  in the balance sheet ...............      $(74,633)      $(74,179)
====================================================================
</TABLE>

Net unrecognized actuarial gains at January 3, 1998, and December 28, 1996,
primarily resulted from lower healthcare cost inflation than assumed and changes
in the discount rate. 

For measurement purposes, a 9.0 percent annual rate of increase in the per
capita cost of covered healthcare benefits was assumed for 1997 (6.2 percent for
HMO Plans); this 9.0 percent rate is assumed to decrease gradually to 5.5
percent by the year 2006 (year 2004 for HMO Plans) and remain at that level
thereafter. If the healthcare cost trend rate were increased by one percent, the
APBO would increase by 11 percent and the aggregate of the service and interest
cost components of net postretirement medical benefit cost would increase by 15
percent. The discount rates used in determining the APBO at January 3, 1998, and
December 28, 1996, were 6.75 percent and 7.25 percent, respectively.

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

NOTE 9.  DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

The Company has estimated the fair values of financial instruments using
available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.
Considerable judgment, however, is required in interpreting market data to
develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein
are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company would realize in
a current market exchange.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, certain
other assets, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings are reasonable
estimates of their fair value at January 3, 1998, and December 28, 1996. The
carrying value of notes receivable is $17.6 million at January 3, 1998, compared
to an estimated fair value of $15.4 million, using interest rates based on the
credit worthiness of the customers. The carrying value of the notes receivable
approximated their fair value at December 28, 1996. 

The estimated fair value of long-term debt at January 3, 1998, was $185.3
million, compared to a carrying value of $178.7 million. The estimated fair
value of long-term debt at December 28, 1996, was $190.0 million, compared to
its carrying value of $184.6 million. Fair value was estimated using interest
rates that were available to the Company at those dates for issuance of debt
with similar terms and remaining maturities. At January 3, 1998, and December
28, 1996, the Company had interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling
$100 million and $105 million, respectively. The estimated fair value of these
agreements was an unrealized loss of $1.6 million at January 3, 1998, and an
unrealized loss of $2.1 million at December 28, 1996, based on market prices for
similar instruments.


<PAGE>   13

26

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.



NOTE 10.  OTHER MATTERS:

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES: Two members of the Board of Directors,
including the Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 1998, their family and
related entities own approximately 99 percent of Springs' Class B common stock
and approximately 1 percent of Class A common stock. Springs transacts business
with certain companies that are controlled by these persons and related
entities. In the opinion of Springs' management, the cost of services provided
by these companies is not material, and the services have been obtained at
competitive prices or rates. Management annually reviews its conclusions with
the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

CONTINGENCIES: Springs is involved in certain administrative proceedings
governed by environmental laws and regulations, including proceedings under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The
potential costs to the Company related to all of these environmental matters are
uncertain due to such factors as: the unknown magnitude of possible pollution
and cleanup costs; the complexity and evolving nature of governmental laws and
regulations and their interpretations; the timing, varying costs and
effectiveness of alternative cleanup technologies; the determination of the
Company's liability in proportion to other potentially responsible parties; and
the extent, if any, to which such costs are recoverable from insurers or other
parties.

The Company has accrued an undiscounted liability of approximately $11 million,
which represents management's best estimate of Springs' probable liability
concerning all known environmental matters. Management believes the $11 million
will be paid out over the next 10 years. This accrual has not been reduced by
any potential insurance recovery to which the Company may be entitled regarding
environmental matters. Environmental matters include a site listed on the United
States Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA") National Priority List where
Springs is the sole responsible party. Springs, the EPA and the United States
Department of Justice have executed a consent decree related to this site. Soil
cleanup was completed in 1993, subject to final approval by the EPA, and the
approved EPA groundwater remedy began in 1996.

Springs is also involved in various other legal proceedings and claims
incidental to its business. Springs is protecting its interests in all such
proceedings. 

In the opinion of management, based on the advice of counsel, the likelihood
that the resolution of the above matters would have a material adverse impact on
either the financial condition or the future results of operations of Springs is
remote.

COMMITMENTS: The Company enters into forward delivery contracts and
futures contracts for the purchase of certain raw materials, consistent with the
size of its business, to reduce the Company's exposure to price volatility.
Management assesses these contracts on a continuous basis to determine if
contract prices will be recovered through subsequent sales.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT: On February 17, 1998, Management adopted a plan to close one
of its facilities. The phase-down of the facility is expected to take four to
five months. A pretax charge of $23 million will be recorded during the first
quarter of 1998. The charge includes $11.3 million for write-offs of plant and
equipment, $4.0 million for severance arising from the elimination of
approximately 480 positions, and $7.7 million for certain other expenses
associated with the closing of the facility. In addition, the Company expects to
incur approximately $8 million for equipment relocation and other realignment
expenses which do not qualify as "exit costs."

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

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Board of Directors of Springs Industries, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Springs
Industries, Inc. as of January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings and of cash flows
for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 3, 1998. 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 Springs Industries, Inc. at January
3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended January 3, 1998, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
February 2, 1998 (February 17, 1998, as to the last paragraph in Note 10)


<PAGE>   14

                                                                              27

                   MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            Springs Industries, Inc.

The management of the Company is responsible for the preparation of the
consolidated financial statements and related financial information included in
this annual report. The statements, which include amounts based on management's
estimates, have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

In fulfilling the Company's responsibilities for maintaining the integrity of
financial information and for safeguarding assets, Springs relies upon internal
control systems designed to provide reasonable assurance that the Company's
records properly reflect business transactions and that these transactions are
in accordance with management's authorization. There are limitations inherent in
all systems of internal accounting controls based on the recognition that the
cost of such systems should not exceed the benefits to be derived. Springs
believes its systems provide this appropriate balance. The Company's internal
audit staff tests, evaluates, and reports on the adequacy and effectiveness of
internal control systems and procedures.

Management also recognizes its responsibility for conducting the Company's
affairs in an ethical and socially responsible manner. Springs has communicated
to its associates its intentions to maintain high standards of ethical business
conduct in all of its activities. Ongoing review programs are carried out to
monitor compliance with this policy.

The Board of Directors pursues its oversight responsibility with respect to the
Company's systems of internal control and financial statements, in part, through
its Audit Committee, which is composed solely of outside directors. The Audit
Committee meets regularly with Springs' management, internal auditors, and
independent auditors. Both the independent auditors and internal auditors have
access to and meet privately with this Committee without the presence of
management.

The Company's independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, rely on the Company's
internal control structure to the extent they deem appropriate and perform tests
and other procedures they deem necessary to express an opinion on the fairness
of the presentation of the financial statements, which management believes
provides an objective assessment of the degree to which management meets its
responsibility for fairness of financial reporting.


/s/ James F. Zahrn

James F. Zahrn
Executive Vice President--Chief Financial Officer

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

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                       OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

A ten-year summary of Selected Financial Data appears on pages 30 through 31. A
three-year analysis of industry segment information appears on page 14.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 Compared with 1996

SALES

For 1997, a 53-week fiscal period, sales of $2.226 billion increased less than
one percent from the previous year's sales of $2.221 billion. After adjusting
for the divestiture of the Company's former subsidiary Clark-Schwebel, Inc.,
sales for 1997 rose more than three percent.

Sales for the home furnishings segment reached a record $1.896 billion, up
almost five percent from 1996. Sales for each of the principal business units
within this segment exceeded the prior year amounts.

Specialty fabrics sales were $329.9 million, down 20 percent from 1996.
Excluding the effect of Clark-Schwebel, Inc., full year specialty fabrics sales
for 1997 were lower by about four percent.


EARNINGS

Net income for 1997 was $69.0 million, or $3.43 per basic share, compared to
$84.9 million, or $4.21 per basic share, in 1996. Excluding realignment expenses
and a gain on the sale of an investment, 1997 earnings amounted to $71.8
million, or $3.57 per basic share, an 11 percent increase over 1996 earnings
before unusual items, of $64.6 million, or $3.21 per basic share.

Operating profits of $115.1 million in 1997 exceeded the prior year's operating
profits of $79.8 million by 44 percent. Excluding restructuring and realignment
expenses, operating profits for 1997 would have been $126.3 million, compared to
$113.8 million in 1996. The home furnishings segment reported operating profits
of $110.6 million, which more than doubled the previous year's earnings.
Excluding restructuring and realignment expenses from both years, the home
furnishings segment's operating earnings would have been $120.9 million,
compared to $85.3 million in 1996.

Lower margins in retail fabrics and certain woven apparel fabrics caused the
specialty fabrics segment operating profits to decline sharply from the prior
year. For 1997, the segment's operating earnings fell by more than 80 percent.
Excluding the effect of Clark-Schwebel, Inc., from 1996, the segment's operating
earnings fell by more than 70 percent.

The increase in the effective income tax rate to 33.0 percent in 1997, compared
to 15.4 percent in 1996, is primarily the result of the absence of taxes
associated with the gain on the 1996 sale of Clark-Schwebel, Inc. 

<PAGE>   15

28

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                       OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            Springs Industries, Inc.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 Compared with 1995

SALES

Annual sales in 1996 were $2.221 billion compared to the previous year's sales
of $2.223 billion. Increased home furnishings sales were offset by a reduction
in specialty fabrics sales. 

Home furnishings sales reached $1.809 billion for 1996, up 11 percent over the
previous year's sales of $1.633 billion. The increase from 1995 was a result of
three acquisitions completed in mid-1995 and internal growth in each of the
principal home furnishings businesses.

Sales for the specialty fabrics segment were $412.5 million for 1996, down 30
percent from the prior year. Excluding the sales of the Company's former
subsidiary Clark-Schwebel, Inc. from both years, specialty fabrics sales rose
one percent.

EARNINGS

Net income for 1996 was $84.9 million, or $4.21 per basic share, and included an
after-tax gain on the sale of Clark-Schwebel, Inc. of $50.1 million, or $2.49
per basic share, as well as a restructuring charge, realignment expenses, an
extraordinary loss, and other write-offs, which collectively reduced net income
by $29.8 million, or $1.48 per basic share. Excluding these unusual items, net
income for 1996 would have been $64.6 million, or $3.21 per basic share,
compared to $71.6 million, or $3.75 per basic share, for 1995.

Operating profits of $79.8 million in 1996 were substantially lower than in
1995. Excluding the restructuring and realignment expenses and Clark-Schwebel,
Inc.'s results from both years, operating profits would have been $104.0 million
in 1996 and $104.6 million in 1995. The home furnishings segment reported
operating profits of $52.0 million, substantially below the level achieved in
1995. Excluding the restructuring and realignment expenses recorded in 1996,
operating profits for the home furnishings segment would have been $85.3
million, compared to $89.6 million in 1995. Operating earnings of the segment
were adversely affected in the fourth quarter by a highly promotional mix of
shipments as well as inefficiencies connected with major systems conversions and
with ongoing consolidations of facilities.

The specialty fabrics segment reported a substantial reduction in operating
earnings for 1996. Excluding the results of Clark-Schwebel, Inc. from both
years, the segment's operating earnings improved moderately over the prior year.

The decrease in the effective income tax rate to 15.4 percent in 1996, compared
to 35.4 percent in 1995, was primarily the result of the absence of taxes
associated with the gain on the sale of Clark-Schwebel, Inc. A lower effective
state income tax rate also contributed to the reduction.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

The replacement cost of property, plant and equipment is generally greater than
the historical cost shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheet due to inflation
that has occurred since the property was placed in service. 

Springs uses the LIFO method of accounting for approximately 84 percent of its
inventories. Under this method, the cost of goods sold reported in the
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Retained Earnings generally reflects
current costs.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

The Company's overall cash needs for 1997 were provided from operations and to a
lesser extent from asset sales and short-term borrowings. Debt, net of cash, as
a percent of total capital was 23.7 percent at January 3, 1998, compared to 21.7
percent at December 28, 1996. In August of 1997, the Company renewed for one
year its $100 million long-term facility, dated August 12, 1996, which may be
used to refinance debt and for general corporate purposes. This long-term
facility was increased to $125 million in December 1997. In addition, the
Company replaced its credit agreements totaling $100 million with a $225 million
committed long-term revolving credit agreement which expires on December 16,
2002. As of January 3, 1998, no borrowings were outstanding under these credit
facilities. 

The Company presently expects to spend approximately $15 million during the next
two years to modify its computer information systems to ensure the proper
processing of transactions relating to the Year 2000 and beyond. This "Year 2000
Computer Problem" creates risk for the Company from unforeseen problems in its
own computer systems and from third parties with whom the Company conducts
business transactions. Such failures of the Company's and/or third parties'
computer systems could have a material impact on the Company's ability to
conduct its business. Management currently believes that Company information
systems that will be affected by the Year 2000 issue have been identified, and
the Company is developing and implementing plans to ensure compliance for its
systems by the Year 2000. The pretax amount expensed in 1997 in connection with
these efforts was $2.8 million.

In October of 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved the purchase of up
to 2 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock. Management was
authorized to begin buying the shares in the open market and in private
transactions. The Company repurchased 390,200 shares in 1997 at an average cost
of $50.53 per share.

The Company invested $98.5 million in new property, plant and equipment during
1997, and the Company expects capital expenditures for 1998 to approximate $150
million. Management expects that cash generated by operations and borrowings
from committed bank lines and commercial paper will adequately provide for the
Company's cash needs during 1998, including cash required for the Company's
repurchase of shares.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

During the three years ended 1997, the Company acquired three home furnishings
businesses and sold two businesses in the specialty fabrics segment. Effective
May 27, 1995, the Company purchased all of the outstanding stock of Dundee
Mills, Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of towels, infant and toddler
bedding, knitted infant apparel, and healthcare products. The purchase price for
the equity of Dundee was $119.6 million, $21.2 million of which was paid in cash
and 


<PAGE>   16

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                       OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            Springs Industries, Inc.

the remainder through the issuance of approximately 2.5 million shares of
Springs Class A common stock with a fair value as of the acquisition date of
$98.4 million. Effective May 28, 1995, the Company purchased substantially all
of the assets of Dawson Home Fashions, Inc., a leading manufacturer of shower
curtains and bath fashions accessories. Springs paid $39 million in cash for the
business. On July 28, 1995, the Company purchased from Apogee Enterprises, Inc.,
substantially all of the assets of its Nanik Window Coverings Group, a leading
manufacturer of wood window blinds and interior shutters. Liabilities assumed in
connection with these acquisitions totaled $66.3 million, including $33.9
million of long-term debt. The operating results of Dundee, Dawson and Nanik
were included in the Company's consolidated results of operations from the
respective dates of the acquisitions. 

On April 17, 1996, the Company sold Clark-Schwebel, Inc., for $193 million in
cash. A gain of $50.1 million was included in other income for 1996. Through the
date of the divestiture, Clark-Schwebel, Inc., had 1996 sales of $68.9 million
and earnings before interest and taxes of $11.3 million. In 1995,
Clark-Schwebel, Inc., contributed about 10 percent of the Company's sales of
$2.223 billion and had record earnings representing about 24 percent of Springs'
earnings before interest expense and taxes of $143 million. During the five
years ended in 1995, Clark-Schwebel, Inc.'s average contribution was 13 percent
of Springs' sales and 9 percent of its earnings before interest and taxes.
Effective December 29, 1995, the Company sold the assets of its Intek office
panel fabrics business for cash of $13.2 million. The gain on this transaction
was included in other income.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESTRUCTURING AND REALIGNMENT

During the second quarter of 1996, the Company adopted a plan to consolidate and
realign its fabric manufacturing operations. In connection with this plan, the
Company closed three fabric manufacturing plants, added production in other
plants, and increased outside purchases of grey fabric. A pretax charge of $30.4
million was recorded in the second quarter of 1996, which included $6.6 million
for severance expense arising from the elimination of approximately 850
positions, $16.3 million for write-offs of plant and equipment, and $7.5 million
for certain other expenses associated with the plan.

Through January 3, 1998, the Company has recorded cash expenditures of
approximately $4.1 million against the severance accrual and $5.2 against the
accrual for certain other expenses associated with the plan. The severance
accrual was also reduced by $0.2 million in 1997. A decrease of $2.0 million,
due to a lower-than-expected average cost per associate, was offset
substantially by an increase of $1.8 million arising from the elimination of
approximately 320 positions at other manufacturing facilities. In addition,
through January 3, 1998, the Company has incurred expenses of $14.9 million,
including $11.3 million during 1997, for equipment relocation and other
realignment expenses related to the plan. Over the next 12 months, Springs plans
to incur future expenses of approximately $6.9 million for equipment relocation
and other realignment costs which do not qualify as "exit costs."

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER
The Company enters into forward delivery contracts and futures contracts for the
purchase of certain raw materials, consistent with the size of its business, to
reduce the Company's exposure to price volatility. Management assesses these
contracts on a continuous basis to determine if contract prices will be
recovered through subsequent sales. 

On February 17, 1998, Management adopted a plan to close one of its facilities.
The phase-down of the facility is expected to take four to five months. A pretax
charge of $23 million will be recorded during the first quarter of 1998. The
charge includes $11.3 million for write-offs of plant and equipment, $4.0
million for severance arising from the elimination of approximately 480
positions, and $7.7 million for certain other expenses associated with the
closing of the facility. In addition, the Company expects to incur approximately
$8 million for equipment relocation and other realignment expenses which do not
qualify as "exit costs."

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In February of 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB")
issued Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which was required to be adopted
for both interim and year-end financial statements ending after December 15,
1997. The Company adopted this new method of computing earnings per share in the
fourth quarter of 1997 and restated earnings per share for all prior periods.

In 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income,"
and Statement No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information." These statements, which are effective for periods beginning after
December 15, 1997, expand or modify disclosures and, accordingly, will have no
impact on the Company's reported financial position, results of operations, or
cash flows.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that are based on
management's expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Words such
as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and variations of
such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements which include but are not limited to projections of expenditures,
cash flows, and operating performance. Such forward-looking statements are made
pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guaranties of future performance
and involve certain risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict.
Actual future results and trends, therefore, may differ materially from what is
forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including:
the ability of the Company and its suppliers and customers to bring their
information systems into compliance with the "Year 2000 Computer Problem"; the
health of the retail economy in general, competitive conditions, and demand for
the Company's products; progress toward the Company's cost-reduction goals;
unanticipated natural disasters; legal proceedings; labor matters; and the
availability and price of raw materials which could be affected by weather,
disease, energy costs, or other factors.


<PAGE>   17

30

                             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1997 (c)              1996                1995   
<S>                                                               <C>                 <C>                 <C>       
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS: (in millions)
   Net sales ...............................................      $  2,226.1          $  2,221.0          $  2,223.2
   Income (loss) from continuing operations ................            69.0                88.4(j)             71.6
   Net income (loss) .......................................            69.0(e)             84.9(d)             71.6
   Class A cash dividends declared .........................            16.9                16.7                14.8
   Class B cash dividends declared .........................             8.8                 9.0                 8.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
   Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic ........            3.43                4.39(j)             3.75
   Net income (loss) - basic ...............................            3.43(e)             4.21(d)             3.75
   Class A cash dividends declared .........................            1.32                1.32                1.26
   Class B cash dividends declared .........................            1.20                1.20                1.14
   Shareowners' equity .....................................           40.69               38.75               36.48
   Class A stock price range:
      High .................................................              54 3/4              50 1/2              44 3/4
      Low ..................................................              41                  38 3/8              35 1/4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA:
   Net income (loss) to net sales ..........................             3.1%(e)             3.8%(d)             3.2%
   Net income (loss) to average shareowners' equity ........             8.6%(e)            11.1%(d)            10.8%
   Operating return on assets employed (f) .................             8.6%                8.8%                9.8%
   Inventory turnover (g) ..................................             4.6                 4.8                 5.3
   Accounts receivable turnover (h) ........................             6.4                 6.4                 6.5
   Net sales divided by average assets .....................             1.6                 1.5                 1.5
   Current ratio ...........................................             3.3                 3.1                 2.9
   Capital expenditures (in millions) ......................      $     98.5          $     75.1          $     75.2
   Depreciation (in millions) ..............................      $     78.6          $     80.8          $     84.6
   Approximate number of shareowners .......................           2,856               3,000               3,200
   Average number of associates ............................          20,100              21,700              22,600
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA: (in millions)
   Net working capital .....................................      $    546.6          $    537.4          $    506.3
   Net property ............................................           540.5               534.6               614.0
   Total assets ............................................          1408.7             1,398.5             1,527.5
   Long-term debt ..........................................           164.3               177.6               326.9
   Shareowners' equity .....................................           804.6               780.8               734.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a)   Net of a $70.0 million charge ($43.9 million after tax, or $2.46 per basic
      share) for restructuring.

(b)   Net of an $18.0 million charge ($11.2 million after tax, or $.63 per basic
      share) for restructuring.

(c)   Fiscal years 1997 and 1992 include 53 weeks, whereas all other years
      include 52 weeks.

(d)   Net of restructuring and realignment expenses of $33.9 million, an
      after-tax gain of $50.1 million on the sale of Clark-Schwebel, Inc., an
      extraordinary loss, net of an income tax benefit of $2.2 million, of $3.6
      million and other write-offs. Without these unusual items, net income
      would have been $64.6 million, or $3.21 per basic share, net income to net
      sales would have been 2.9 percent, and the return on average shareowners'
      equity would have been 8.5 percent.

(e)   Net of restructuring and realignment expenses of $11.1 million and a $6.6
      million gain on the sale of an investment. Without these unusual items,
      net income would have been $71.8 million, or $3.57 per basic share, net
      income to net sales would have been 3.2 percent, and the return on average
      shareowners' equity would have been 9.0 percent.

(f)   Pretax income before interest expense divided by average of month-end
      total assets used in operations. For 1997, pretax income was net of
      realignment expenses and a gain on the sale of an investment. Without
      these unusual items, operating return on assets employed would have been
      9.0 percent. For 1996, pretax income was net of restructuring and
      realignment expenses, an after-tax gain on the sale of Clark-Schwebel,
      Inc., and other write-offs. Without these unusual items, operating return
      on assets employed would have been 8.3 percent.


<PAGE>   18

                                                                              31

                             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994           1993            1992 (c)        1991
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS: (in millions)
   Net sales ...............................................   $2,060.6       $2,016.1          $1,969.9       $1,888.7
   Income (loss) from continuing operations ................       62.2           47.2              44.5           27.1
   Net income (loss) .......................................       62.2          (25.3)(i)          44.5           27.1
   Class A cash dividends declared .........................       11.8           11.6              11.5           11.4
   Class B cash dividends declared .........................        8.5            8.5               8.6            8.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
   Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic ........       3.54           2.69              2.53           1.54
   Net income (loss) - basic ...............................       3.54          (1.44)(i)          2.53           1.54
   Class A cash dividends declared .........................       1.20           1.20              1.20           1.20
   Class B cash dividends declared .........................       1.08           1.08              1.08           1.08
   Shareowners' equity .....................................      33.20          30.90             33.47          32.39
   Class A stock price range:
      High .................................................         41             49                43 7/8         36 1/4
      Low ..................................................         29 1/4         33 1/2            30 1/2         21 1/4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA:
   Net income (loss) to net sales ..........................        3.0%          (1.3)%(i)          2.3%           1.4%
   Net income (loss) to average shareowners' equity ........       11.2%          (4.7)%(i)          7.7%           4.9%
   Operating return on assets employed (f) .................       10.4%           8.8%              8.7%           6.6%
   Inventory turnover (g) ..................................        5.8            5.6               6.0            6.0
   Accounts receivable turnover (h) ........................        6.4            6.5               6.5            6.3
   Net sales divided by average assets .....................        1.6            1.6               1.5            1.5
   Current ratio ...........................................        2.5            2.3               2.2            2.2
   Capital expenditures (in millions) ......................   $   92.6       $   88.3          $   80.3       $  115.9
   Depreciation (in millions) ..............................   $   79.7       $   78.1          $   77.7       $   75.2
   Approximate number of shareowners .......................      3,200          3,200             3,300          3,500
   Average number of associates ............................     20,300         20,300            20,900         21,700
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA: (in millions)
   Net working capital .....................................   $  373.0       $  353.5          $  328.2       $  329.7
   Net property ............................................      555.3          549.9             559.3          572.1
   Total assets ............................................    1,289.0        1,292.1           1,250.3        1,251.3
   Long-term debt ..........................................      265.4          293.0             273.6          287.8
   Shareowners' equity .....................................      584.1          543.2             588.1          568.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>                                                  
                                                                   1990             1989            1988        
<S>                                                            <C>                <C>            <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS: (in millions)
   Net sales ...............................................   $1,877.1           $1,908.5       $1,824.2
   Income (loss) from continuing operations ................       (6.8)(a)           64.9           52.8(b)
   Net income (loss) .......................................       (6.8)(a)           64.9           52.8(b)
   Class A cash dividends declared .........................       11.6               11.5           14.7
   Class B cash dividends declared .........................        8.7                8.7            2.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
   Income (loss) from continuing operations - basic ........      (0.39)(a)           3.67           2.98(b)
   Net income (loss) - basic ...............................      (0.39)(a)           3.67           2.98(b)
   Class A cash dividends declared .........................       1.20               1.20           1.01
   Class B cash dividends declared .........................       1.08               1.08           0.27
   Shareowners' equity .....................................      32.05              33.08          30.67
   Class A stock price range:
      High .................................................         39 1/2             45 1/4         38 3/4
      Low ..................................................         16 7/8             30 1/2         27
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATISTICAL DATA:
   Net income (loss) to net sales ..........................        (0.4)%(a)           3.4%           2.9%(b)
   Net income (loss) to average shareowners' equity ........        (1.2)%(a)          11.6%          10.2%(b)
   Operating return on assets employed (f) .................         1.9%(a)           11.2%          10.3%(b)
   Inventory turnover (g) ..................................         5.6                5.8            6.2
   Accounts receivable turnover (h) ........................         6.2                6.4            6.4
   Net sales divided by average assets .....................         1.6                1.7            1.7
   Current ratio ...........................................         2.5                2.4            2.7
   Capital expenditures (in millions) ......................   $   117.8           $  108.3       $   77.1
   Depreciation (in millions) ..............................   $   72.6           $   67.5       $   62.1
   Approximate number of shareowners .......................      3,400              3,500          3,700
   Average number of associates ............................     23,200             24,100         23,400
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA: (in millions)
   Net working capital .....................................   $  356.5           $  354.9       $  389.8
   Net property ............................................      524.2              475.0          424.5
   Total assets ............................................    1,201.1            1,188.4        1,118.3
   Long-term debt ..........................................      260.4              227.5          238.5
   Shareowners' equity .....................................      560.9              585.1          541.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(g)   Cost of goods sold divided by average of month-end inventories.

(h)   Net sales divided by average of month-end receivables.

(i)   Net of a charge of $72.5 million, net of income taxes, or $4.12 per basic
      share, for cumulative effect of adoption of Statement of Financial
      Accounting Standards Nos. 106 & 109.

(j)   Differs from net income by an extraordinary loss of $3.6 million, net of 
      an income tax benefit of $2.2 million, or $.18 per basic share.

Note: Selected Financial Data includes the following since their respective
      dates of acquisition: Uniglass, February 1988; Andre Richard, March 1988;
      Carey-McFall, March 1989; C. S. Brooks, April 1991; C. S. Brooks Canada,
      August 1992; Griffiths-Kerr, October 1992; Dundee Mills, Incorporated, May
      1995; Dawson Home Fashions, Inc., May 1995; and Nanik Window Coverings
      Group, July 1995. Selected Financial Data also includes the following
      until their respective dates of disposition: Clark-Schwebel Distribution
      Corp., June 1994; the Company's Intek office panel fabrics business,
      December 1995; and Clark-Schwebel, Inc., April 1996.


<PAGE>   19

32

                      QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
                            Springs Industries, Inc.


(In millions except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997                                                1996
                              ------------------------------------------------    --------------------------------------------------
QUARTER                         1ST       2ND       3RD     4TH (1)   YEAR (1)      1ST      2ND        3RD       4TH        YEAR
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>     
Net sales ................    $543.0    $528.9    $579.3    $574.9    $2,226.1    $579.3    $540.2     $563.0    $538.5    $2,221.0
Gross profit .............      96.2      98.1     108.4     103.2       405.9     101.6     101.0      107.2      80.9       390.7
Income before
   extraordinary item ....      11.2      15.2      27.4      15.2        69.0      12.3      43.0       22.6      10.5        88.4
Net income ...............      11.2      15.2      27.4      15.2        69.0      12.3      39.5       22.6      10.5        84.9
Net income,
   as adjusted (2) .......    $ 12.9    $ 16.5    $ 24.8    $ 17.6    $   71.8    $ 12.3    $ 15.9     $ 22.8    $ 13.6    $   64.6
====================================================================================================================================
Earnings per common
share--basic (3):
Income before
    extraordinary item ...    $  .56    $  .75    $ 1.36    $  .76    $   3.43    $  .61    $ 2.14     $ 1.12    $  .52    $   4.39
Extraordinary loss .......        --        --        --        --          --        --      (.18)        --        --        (.18)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income ...............       .56       .75      1.36       .76        3.43       .61      1.96       1.12       .52        4.21
Net income,
    as adjusted (2) ......    $  .64    $  .82    $ 1.23    $  .88    $   3.57    $  .61    $  .79     $ 1.13    $  .68    $   3.21
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)   14 weeks for the quarter and 53 weeks for the year.

(2)   Net income for 1997 and 1996, adjusted to exclude the effects of
      restructuring and realignment expenses; a gain on the sale of an
      investment in 1997; and a gain on the sale of Clark-Schwebel, Inc., an
      extraordinary loss, and other write-offs in 1996.

(3)   Earnings per share amounts were restated to conform with the requirements
      of FASB Statement No. 128, "Earnings per Share."


DIVIDENDS AND PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997                                                 1996
                            -----------------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------------
QUARTER                       1ST        2ND         3RD         4TH        YEAR     1ST       2ND         3RD      4TH       YEAR
<S>                         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>   
Per share:
Class A dividends
    declared..............  $  .33     $  .33      $  .33      $  .33     $ 1.32    $  .33    $  .33     $  .33    $  .33    $ 1.32
Class B dividends
    declared..............     .30        .30         .30         .30       1.20       .30       .30        .30       .30      1.20
====================================================================================================================================
Common stock prices:
    High..................   47 1/2     54 3/4      54          53 1/16    54 3/4    47 1/8    50 1/2     50 1/4    48 1/8    50 1/2
    Low...................   41         42 7/8      43 11/16    43 13/16   41        38 3/8    42 3/8     41 3/8    41 5/8    38 3/8
</TABLE>


PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
(by quarter)

[CHART]

Bar graph showing the high and low price of the Company's common stock by
quarter for 1996 and 1997.

QUARTERLY INCOME COMPARISON
(per share)(1)

[CHART]

Bar graph showing a quarterly comparison of earnings per share for 1996 and
1997.

(1)   Net income for 1997 and 1996, adjusted to exclude the effects of
      restructuring and realignment expenses; a gain on the sale of an
      investment in 1997; and a gain on the sale of Clark-Schwebel, Inc., an
      extraordinary loss, and other write-offs in 1996.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21

                                  SUBSIDIARIES
                                       OF
                            SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Place of
Name of Subsidiary                                                     Incorporation
- ------------------                                                     -------------
<S>                                                                    <C>
 1.   Catawba, Inc.                                                    Nevada

 2.   Catawba Trucking, Inc.                                           South Carolina

 3.   Lancaster International Sales Corporation                        South Carolina

 4.   Springmaid International, Inc.                                   South Carolina

 5.   Springs Canada, Inc.                                             Ontario

 6.   Springs de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.                                  Mexico

 7.   Springs Industries (Asia) Inc.                                   Delaware

 8.   Springs Sales Corporation                                        U.S. Virgin Islands

 9.   Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.                           Delaware

10.   Springs Window Fashions Leasing Co., Inc.                        South Carolina

11.   Warbird Corporation                                              Delaware
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23





INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No.
33-46260 and No. 33-46261 of Springs Industries, Inc., on Form S-8 of our report
dated February 2, 1998 (February 17, 1998, as to the last paragraph in Note 10)
incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Springs
Industries, Inc., for the year ended January 3, 1998.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina

March 27, 1998





<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JANUARY 3, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1998
<CASH>                                             373
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  317,702
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    420,295
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               786,679
<PP&E>                                       1,340,154
<DEPRECIATION>                                 799,623
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,408,743
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          240,093
<BONDS>                                        164,287
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,968
<OTHER-SE>                                     799,630
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,408,743
<SALES>                                      2,226,075
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,226,075
<CGS>                                        1,820,131
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,820,131
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,583
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                102,937
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,972
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             68,965
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    68,965
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.43
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.34
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                             680
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  363,687
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    401,304
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               807,822
<PP&E>                                       1,350,435
<DEPRECIATION>                                 815,806
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,425,913
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          251,822
<BONDS>                                        168,835
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,066
<OTHER-SE>                                     811,419
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,425,913
<SALES>                                      1,651,176
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,651,176
<CGS>                                        1,348,387
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,348,387
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 81,419
<INCOME-TAX>                                    27,682
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             53,737
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    53,737
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.62
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                             673
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  326,393
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    411,193
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               783,934
<PP&E>                                       1,346,467
<DEPRECIATION>                                 816,159
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,397,051
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          238,684
<BONDS>                                        177,022
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,065
<OTHER-SE>                                     790,358
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,397,051
<SALES>                                      1,071,940
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,071,940
<CGS>                                          877,585
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  877,585
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,226
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,527
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,189
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             26,338
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    26,338
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.27
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 29, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                           1,571
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  357,230
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    380,140
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               785,987
<PP&E>                                       1,331,344
<DEPRECIATION>                                 804,188
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,395,607
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          245,633
<BONDS>                                        177,180
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     780,688
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,395,607
<SALES>                                        543,009
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               543,009
<CGS>                                          446,757
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  446,757
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,521
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,085
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,874
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,211
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,211
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.54
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR  
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                          30,719
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  350,830
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    370,896
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               789,776
<PP&E>                                       1,320,400
<DEPRECIATION>                                 785,836
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,398,457
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          252,373
<BONDS>                                        177,640
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     775,715
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,398,547
<SALES>                                      2,220,976
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,220,976
<CGS>                                        1,830,249
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,830,249
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              22,064
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                104,519
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,086
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             88,433
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (3,552)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    84,881
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.12
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          17,324
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  358,115
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    371,965
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               776,348
<PP&E>                                       1,301,394
<DEPRECIATION>                                 774,296
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,374,690
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          223,259
<BONDS>                                        177,177
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     771,749
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,374,690
<SALES>                                      1,682,483
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,682,483
<CGS>                                        1,372,646
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,372,646
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,864
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 93,102
<INCOME-TAX>                                    15,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             77,907
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (3,552)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    74,355
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.61
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 29, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                          79,195
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  330,663
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    380,247
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               819,679
<PP&E>                                       1,295,944
<DEPRECIATION>                                 766,410
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,425,189
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          289,338
<BONDS>                                        177,281
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,064
<OTHER-SE>                                     757,025
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,425,189
<SALES>                                      1,119,583
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,119,583
<CGS>                                          916,978
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  916,978
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,372
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 57,982
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,692
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             55,290
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (3,552)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    51,738
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.51
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


                                                                 

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                           2,152
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  368,850
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    393,874
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               793,032
<PP&E>                                       1,392,834
<DEPRECIATION>                                 784,287
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,543,488
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          270,075
<BONDS>                                        329,021
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,062    
<OTHER-SE>                                     735,574
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,543,488
<SALES>                                        579,340
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               579,340
<CGS>                                          477,755
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  477,755
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,834
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 20,191
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,885
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,306
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,306
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.60
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPRINGS INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                           2,606
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  351,669
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    384,730
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               769,305
<PP&E>                                       1,380,659
<DEPRECIATION>                                 766,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,527,544
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          262,990
<BONDS>                                        326,949
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,062
<OTHER-SE>                                     729,460
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,527,544
<SALES>                                      2,223,240
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,223,240
<CGS>                                        1,828,542
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,828,542
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              32,035
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                110,933
<INCOME-TAX>                                    39,307
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             71,626
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
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<NET-INCOME>                                    71,626
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.69
        

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