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                 Commission File Number
            December 31, 1996                             1-7107


                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                DELAWARE                                93-0609074
        (State of Incorporation)                     (I.R.S. Employer
                                                    Identification No.)

          111 S.W. Fifth Avenue              Registrant's telephone number
         Portland, Oregon  97204                   (including area code)
          (Address of principal                        503-221-0800
           executive offices)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


                                                 Name of each exchange on
           Title of each class                       which registered
           -------------------                       ----------------

Common Stock, $1 par value                        New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights                   New York Stock Exchange



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

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


State the aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  nonaffiliates  of
the registrant: $2,181,885,464 as of March 13, 1997.


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock:  109,381,671 shares of Common Stock, $1 par value,  outstanding as
of March 13, 1997.


                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE


Definitive Proxy Statement for 1997 Annual Meeting:  Part III







                                     PART I


ITEM 1.     Business

General

      Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation, a Delaware corporation,  is a major forest
products firm headquartered in Portland,  Oregon. It manufactures  lumber, pulp,
structural and other panel products,  hardwood  veneers,  windows and doors, and
cellulose  insulation.  It operates 107 facilities throughout the United States,
Canada, and Ireland. It has approximately  12,000 employees.  It distributes its
products primarily through  distributors and home centers, and to a minor extent
through its own distribution centers.

      The  business  of  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation  and  its  wholly  owned
subsidiaries  (except when the context otherwise requires,  hereinafter referred
to  collectively  as "the  registrant"  or "L-P") is generally  divided into two
industry  segments:  building  products and pulp.  For 1996,  building  products
accounted  for  approximately  93 percent of the  registrant's  gross  sales
revenues, compared to approximately 7 percent for pulp.


Building Products

      Panel  Products.  The  registrant  manufactures  plywood  and a variety of
reconstituted  panel products,  including oriented strand board ("OSB") and such
other panel products as industrial particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and
hardboard.  In recent years,  the  registrant  has  emphasized  development  and
expansion  of  its  reconstituted  panel  product  lines.  While  such  products
accounted for 15 percent of the  registrant's  sales in 1985, they comprised
48 percent of its sales in 1996.

      The  largest  consumption  of panel  products  is for  structural  uses in
building  and  remodeling  such  as  subfloors,  walls,  and  roofs.  The  total
structural panel market in North America (plywood, OSB and other waferboards) is
approximately  36 billion  square  feet  annually,  of which  plywood  currently
constitutes  about 21  billion  square  feet.  In  recent  years,  environmental
pressure on timber  harvesting,  especially in the West, has resulted in reduced
supplies and higher costs, causing many plywood mills to close permanently.  The
lost  volume  from  those  closed  mills  has  been  replaced  by  reconstituted
structural panel products.

      The  registrant is the largest North  American  producer of OSB through 16
OSB plants with an aggregate annual capacity of approximately 4.6 billion square
feet, plus one overseas plant. The registrant plans to open one additional North
American  plant in 1997.  The  registrant  operates  seven plywood plants in the
South with a combined annual capacity of 1.6 billion square feet.

      The   registrant's   other   reconstituted   panel    products--industrial
particleboard,  medium density fiberboard, and hardboard--produced at a total of
seven plants, are used primarily in the manufacture of furniture and cabinets.

      Lumber.  The registrant is a large producer of lumber.  The registrant has
13 Western  (whitewood and redwood) sawmills with an annual production  capacity
of 1.0 billion board feet ("BBF"), while its 15 Southern sawmills have an annual
production capacity of .5 BBF. Lumber represented 25 percent of the registrant's
sales revenue in 1996, down from 42 percent in 1985. The  registrant's  sawmills
produce a variety of standard U.S.  dimension lumber as well as specialty grades
and sizes,  primarily for the North American home building  market. A sawmill in
Ketchikan,  Alaska,  produces lumber for export in the traditional sizes used in
the Japanese building industry,  but has the capability of switching to standard
U.S. dimensions. The registrant also operates a fingerjoint plant which produces
dimension lumber from low grade and short pieces of lumber.



                                   - 2 -





      Other  Building  Products.  Eight plants in Ohio  manufacture  windows and
doors and their various components.

      The registrant  produces  various hardwood veneers at a plant in Wisconsin
with both rotary and sliced manufacturing  processes.  These veneers are sold to
customers  who  overlay  the  veneers on other  materials  for use in  paneling,
furniture and cabinets.

      The registrant has three engineered  I-joist plants located in California,
Nevada, and North Carolina. OSB is cut into sections and used as the web for the
I-joists.  The registrant also produces laminated veneer lumber ("LVL") in North
Carolina  and Nevada.  LVL is a high-grade  structural  product used where extra
strength is required.  It is also used as the flange  material in  I-joists.  In
March  1997,  the  registrant  acquired  the  assets of Tecton  Laminates  Corp.
("Tecton"), which will significantly increase LVL and I-joist capacity.

      Nine  plants  produce  cellulose  residential   insulation  from  recycled
newspaper.  This insulation has a higher R-value than comparable  thicknesses of
conventional fiberglass insulation.  Other facilities operated by the registrant
include a fiber  cement  shake  plant,  two wood chip mills,  two  coatings  and
chemical   plants,   a  consumer   electronics   storage   manufacturer,   seven
wood-treating plants, and six building materials distribution centers.


Pulp

      The  registrant  has two pulp  mills  located  in Samoa,  California,  and
Chetwynd,   British   Columbia,   Canada,   with  a  total  annual  capacity  of
approximately   390  thousand   short  tons.   The  Chetwynd   mill  utilizes  a
state-of-the-art mechanical pulping process and a zero effluent discharge system
to produce  100  percent  aspen  pulp.  The Samoa  mill  produces  bleached  and
unbleached kraft pulp by a chlorine-free process, thereby eliminating dioxins. A
third mill in Ketchikan,  Alaska, produced a high-grade dissolving pulp, but was
permanently closed in March 1997. (See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.")


Competition

      The  registrant  competes  internationally  with several  thousand  forest
products firms, ranging from very large, fully integrated firms to smaller firms
that may  manufacture  only one or a few items.  The  registrant  estimates that
approximately  25 forest  products  firms  comprise its major  competition.  The
registrant also competes less directly with firms that  manufacture  substitutes
for wood  building  products.  A majority of the  products  manufactured  by the
registrant,  including  lumber,  structural  panels,  and  pulp,  are  commodity
products sold primarily on the basis of price in competition with numerous other
forest products companies.

      The registrant has introduced a number of new  value-enhanced  products to
complement  its  traditional  lumber  and panel  products,  such as OSB  panels,
siding,  flooring,  and a radiant barrier product known as  Kool-Ply(TM).  These
innovative  products  are made from  abundant  smaller-diameter  and  affordably
priced tree  species,  as well as treetops  and mill  shavings.  Such trees have
generally not been the target of environmentalist  pressure, which has seriously
restricted  wood supplies for much of the industry,  especially in the West. The
registrant's  cellulose insulation products utilize wood fiber from waste paper.
The  registrant  believes  development  of these products gives it a competitive
advantage through lower and more predictable supply costs.

Environmental Compliance

      The registrant is subject to federal,  state and local  pollution  control
laws and  regulations  in all areas in which it has  operating  facilities.  The
registrant maintains an accounting reserve for environmental loss contingencies.
From time to time, the registrant undertakes construction projects for


                                   - 3 -





environmental control facilities or incurs other environmental costs that extend
an asset's useful life,  improve  efficiency,  or improve the  marketability  of
certain properties.

      The   registrant's   policy  is  to  comply  fully  with  all   applicable
environmental laws and regulations.  In recent years, the registrant has devoted
increasing financial and management resources to achieving this goal. As part of
its efforts to ensure environmental compliance,  the registrant conducts regular
internal  environmental  assessments.  From time to time, the registrant becomes
aware of violations of applicable laws or regulations.  In those instances,  the
registrant's  policy is to bring its  operations  promptly into full  compliance
with applicable environmental laws and regulations.  The registrant is not aware
of any  instances in which its current  operations  are not in  compliance  with
applicable  environmental  laws and regulations that would be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the registrant.

      Additional  information concerning  environmental  compliance is set forth
under Item 3, Legal Proceedings and Item 8, Notes to Financial Statements.


Additional Statistical Information

      Additional information regarding the business of the registrant, including
segment  information,  production volumes, and industry product price trends, is
presented in the following  tables labeled "Sales and Operating  Profit by Major
Product  Group,"  "Summary  of  Production  Volumes,"  "Industry  Product  Price
Trends," and "Logs by Source." Additional  financial  information about industry
segments  is  presented  in the table  labeled  "Industry  Segment  Information"
located within Part II, Item 8, Notes to Financial Statements.

      Reference is made to Item 2 for  additional  information as to sources and
availability   of  raw  materials   and  the   locations  of  the   registrant's
manufacturing facilities.



                                   - 4 -




Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and Subsidiaries PRODUCT INFORMATION SUMMARY SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INDUSTRY SEGMENTS IN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SALES AND PROFIT BY MAJOR PRODUCT GROUP - --------------------------------------- SALES: Structural panel products $ 1,006 40% $ 1,127 39% $ 1,208 40% $ 1,005 40% $ 888 41% Lumber 614 25 644 23 867 28 816 33 653 30 Industrial panel products 195 8 215 8 240 8 194 8 150 7 Other building products 494 20 523 18 505 17 411 16 309 14 ------- --- ------- --- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Building products 2,309 93 2,509 88 2,820 93 2,426 97 2,000 92 Pulp 177 7 334 12 220 7 85 3 185 8 ------- --- ------- --- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total sales $ 2,486 100% $ 2,843 100% $ 3,040 100% $ 2,511 100% $ 2,185 100% ======= === ======= === ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Export sales (included above) $ 268 11% $ 457 16% $ 371 12% $ 252 10% $ 339 16% ======= === ======= === ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= PROFIT: Building products $ 174 $ 346 $ 636 $ 562 $ 364 Pulp (91) 44 (5) (59) (20) Settlement charges and other unusual items, net(1) (350) (367) --- --- --- Unallocated expense, net (52) (121) (72) (70) (47) Interest, net (8) 3 1 (5) (14) ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) before taxes(2), minority interest and accounting changes $ (327) $ (95) $ 560 $ 428 $ 283 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= SUMMARY OF PRODUCTION VOLUMES(3) - -------------------------------- OSB, square feet 3/8" basis 4,008 86% 3,445 94% 3,404 97% 3,100 100% 2,850 101% Softwood plywood, square feet 3/8"basis 1,613 105 1,466 90 1,604 106 1,507 105 1,405 80 Lumber 1,201 73 1,359 56 1,986 86 1,796 87 1,850 71 Particleboard, square feet 3/4" basis 336 93 339 94 371 106 359 106 335 93 Medium density fiberboard, square feet 3/4" basis 207 92 208 93 234 106 206 93 160 97 Hardboard, square feet 1/8" basis 220 100 212 97 216 103 191 91 201 93 Hardwood veneer, square feet surface measure 209 84 232 93 281 110 260 108 252 89 Pulp, short tons (thousands) 439 76 486 81 441 72 224 37 459 72 - 5 - 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 INDUSTRY PRODUCT PRICE TRENDS(4) OSB, MSF, 7/16" -- 24/16 span rating (North Central price) $ 184 $ 245 $ 265 $ 236 $217 Southern pine plywood, MSF,1/2" CDX (3 ply) 258 303 302 282 248 Framing lumber, composite prices, MBF 398 337 405 394 287 Industrial particleboard, 3/4" basis, MSF 184 290 295 258 200 LOGS BY SOURCE(6) - ----------------- Fee owned lands 16% 13% 11% 12% 14% Private cutting contracts 14 12 14 15 15 Government contracts 6 9 8 10 12 Purchased logs 64 66 67 63 59 Total log volume -- million board feet 2,432 2,818 3,138 2,940 2,856
- -------------------------- (1) In 1996, of the total $350 million charge, $171 million related to the pulp segment and $134 related to the building products segment. In 1995, the substantial majority of the $367 million charge related to class action settlements concerning the company's siding product and therefore would be primarily allocated to building products. (2) Does not include cumulative effects of accounting changes in 1993. (3) Volume amounts stated in millions (except pulp) and as a percent of normal capacity. (4) Prices represent yearly averages stated in dollars per thousand board feet (MBF), thousand square feet (MSF) or short ton. (5) Discounting sometimes occurs from the published price. (6) Stated as a percent of total log volume. SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INDUSTRY SEGMENTS IN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. - 6 - ITEM 2. Properties The following tables list the principal facilities of the registrant and its subsidiaries. Information on production capacities reflects normal operating rates and normal production mixes under current market conditions, taking into account known constraints such as log supply. Unless otherwise noted, capacities are in millions of units. MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 --------------------------------------------- SAWMILLS METRIC 1) NORMAL 2) (BOARD FEET, 2 SHIFTS, 5 DAYS; *1 SHIFT, 5 DAYS) CAPACITIES CAPACITIES WESTERN LUMBER (13 plants) Annette, AK 112 70 Belgrade, MT 148 90 Big Lagoon, CA 33 20* Chilco, ID 205 125 Deer Lodge, MT (3 shifts) 155 95 Fort Bragg, CA 114 70 Ketchikan, AK 98 60 Moyie Springs, ID 220 135 Samoa, CA 163 100 Sandpoint, ID (remanufacturing) --- --- Saratoga, WY 82 50 Tacoma, WA 98 60 Ukiah, CA 163 100 SOUTHERN LUMBER (15 plants) Bernice, LA 65 40* Bon Wier, TX 33 20* Cleveland, TX 65 40* Eatonton, GA 50 30* Evergreen, AL 65 40* Hattiesburg, MS 65 40* Henderson, NC 65 40* Jasper, TX 90 55* Kountze, TX 24 15* Lockhart, AL 33 20* Marianna, FL 50 30* New Waverly, TX 25 15* Philadelphia, MS 65 40* Statesboro, GA 40 25* West Bay, FL 50 30* ----- ----- Total Lumber Capacity (28 plants) 2,376 1,455 ===== ===== - 7 - MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 --------------------------------------------- PANEL PRODUCTS PLANTS METRIC 1) NORMAL 2) SOFTWOOD PLYWOOD PLANTS CAPACITIES CAPACITIES (3/8-INCH BASIS, SQUARE FEET, 2 SHIFTS, 5 DAYS) Bon Wier, TX 230 260 Cleveland, TX 250 280 Jasper, TX 140 160 Logansport, LA 195 220 Lufkin, TX 165 185 New Waverly, TX 230 260 Urania, LA 220 250 ----- ----- Total Softwood Plywood Capacity (7 plants) 1,430 1,615 ===== ===== ORIENTED STRAND BOARD PLANTS (3/8-INCH BASIS, SQUARE FEET, 3 SHIFTS, 7 DAYS) Chilco, ID 125 140 Carthage, TX (Start-up 4th quarter 1997) 355 400 Corrigan, TX 135 150 Dawson Creek, B.C. Canada 335 375 Hanceville, AL 310 350 Hayward, WI (2 plants) 445 500 Houlton, ME 230 260 Jackson County, GA 295 335 Jasper, TX 355 400 Montrose, CO 130 145 Newberry, MI 115 130 Roxboro, NC 335 375 Sagola, MI 310 350 Silsbee, TX 310 350 Swan Valley, MB, Canada 400 450 Tomahawk, WI 135 150 Two Harbors, MN 125 140 Waterford, Ireland 355 400 ----- ----- Total OSB Capacity (18 plants) 4,800 5,400 ===== ===== MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD PLANTS (3/4-INCH BASIS, SQUARE FEET, 3 SHIFTS, 7 DAYS) Eufaula, AL 230 130 Oroville, CA 90 50 Urania, LA 90 50 ----- ----- Total Medium Density Fiberboard Capacity (3 plants) 410 230 ===== ===== PARTICLEBOARD PLANTS (3/4-INCH BASIS, SQUARE FEET, 3 SHIFTS, 7 DAYS) Arcata, CA 230 220 Missoula, MT 275 155 Silsbee, TX 140 80 ----- ----- Total Particleboard Capacity (3 plants) 635 360 ===== ===== HARDBOARD PLANT (1/8-INCH BASIS, SQUARE FEET, 3 SHIFTS, 7 DAYS) Oroville, CA 62 210 ===== ===== - 8 - MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 --------------------------------------------- OTHER BUILDING PRODUCTS HARDWOOD VENEER PLANTS NORMAL 2) (SURFACE MEASURE, SQUARE FEET, 2 SHIFTS, 5 DAYS) CAPACITIES Mellen, WI (2 plants) 250 ===== WINDOW AND DOOR PLANTS (6 PLANTS) Norton, OH (2 plants) (aluminum extrusions in lbs.) 7,200,000 Orrville, OH (windows) 125,000 Ottawa, OH (windows and doors) 250,000 Winesburg, OH (windows and doors) 180,000 Youngstown, OH (aluminum extrusions in lbs.) 5,000,000 I-JOIST PLANTS (LINEAR FEET; 1 SHIFT, 5 DAYS) Fernley, NV 20 Wilmington, NC 25 Red Bluff, CA 30 ----- Total I-Joist Capacity (3 plants) 75 ===== LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER PLANTS (THOUSAND CUBIC FEET; 2 SHIFTS, 7 DAYS) Fernley, NV 2,500 Wilmington, NC 3,100 ----- Total LVL Capacity (2 plants) 5,600 ===== FIBER GYPSUM PLANT (1/2 INCH BASIS, MILLION SQ. FEET; 1 SHIFT, 5 DAYS) Point Tupper, NS, Canada 80 ===== ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS -- FINGERJOINT (BOARD FEET; 2 SHIFTS, 5 DAYS; *1 SHIFT, 5 DAYS) Deer Lodge, MT 50 ===== PULP MILLS METRIC 1) NORMAL 2) (THOUSAND SHORT TONS, 3 SHIFTS, 7 DAYS) CAPACITIES CAPACITIES Samoa, CA 195 220 Chetwynd, B.C. Canada 155 170 ----- ----- Total Pulp Capacity (2 plants) 350 390 ===== ===== - 9 - MANUFACTURING AND OTHER FACILITIES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 ------------------------------------------------------- OTHER FACILITIES (24 PLANTS) Cellulose insulation plants: Chandler, AZ; Sacramento and San Diego, CA; Atlanta, GA; Fort Wayne, IN; Norfolk, NE; Bucyrus, OH; Portland, OR; Elkwood, VA Cement fiber shake: Red Bluff, CA Chip mills: Cleveland and Moscow, TX Coatings and chemicals: Portland, OR; Orangeburg, SC Consumer electronics storage: Montgomery, IL Insulated glass plant: Orrville, OH Vinyl extrusion plant: Barberton, OH Wood treating plants: Evergreen and Lockhart, AL; Marianna, FL; Statesboro, GA; New Waverly and Silsbee, TX; Ukiah, CA DISTRIBUTION CENTERS (6 LOCATIONS) Calpella, CA Chino, CA Rocklin, CA Dodge City, KS Salina, KS Conroe, TX TOTAL FACILITIES: 107 Note: The capacities above are based on normal operating rates and normal production mixes. Market conditions, the availability of logs, and the nature of current orders can cause actual production rates to vary considerably from normal rates. TIMBERLAND HOLDINGS HECTARES ACRES California: Whitewoods, Fir, Pine, Redwood 194,300 480,000 Idaho: Fir, Pine 16,600 41,000 Louisiana: Pine, Hardwoods 83,200 205,400 Minnesota: Hardwoods 12,200 30,100 North Carolina: Pine, Hardwoods 900 2,100 Texas: Pine, Hardwoods 284,000 701,500 Wisconsin: Hardwoods 600 1,500 Wyoming: Whitewoods 1,700 4,300 ------- --------- Total Fee 593,500 1,465,900 ======= ========= - -------------------------- 1) Metric capacities in thousand cubic meters 2) Normal capacities in millions of units unless otherwise noted. In addition to its fee-owned timberlands, the registrant has timber cutting rights in the United States, under long-term contracts (five years and over) on approximately 13,400 acres and under contracts for shorter periods on approximately 282,900 acres, on government and privately owned timberlands in the vicinities of certain of its manufacturing facilities. L-P's Canadian subsidiary is a party to long-term timber license arrangements in Canada. Information regarding the sources of the registrant's log requirements is located under the table labeled "Logs by Source" in Item 1. - 10 - ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings For a discussion of legal and environmental matters involving L-P and the potential effect on L-P, refer to the footnotes to the financial statements beginning on page 39 under the heading "Contingencies" which is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders No matter was submitted to a vote of the registrant's security holders during the fourth quarter of 1996. Executive Officers of the Registrant The following sets forth the name of each executive officer of the registrant (including certain executives whose duties may cause them to be classified as executive officers under applicable SEC rules), the age of the officer, and all positions and offices held with the registrant as of March 20, 1997: Mark A. Suwyn, age 54, has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of L-P since January 1996. Before joining L-P, Mr. Suwyn was Executive Vice President of International Paper Company from 1992 through 1995. Previously, Mr. Suwyn was Senior Vice President of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Mr. Suwyn is also a director of the registrant. Michael D. Hanna, age 44, joined L-P in June 1996 as Executive Vice President after serving as President of Associated Chemists, Inc., for more than five years previous. Stephen J. Grant, age 57, has served L-P as Senior Vice President, Compliance since August 1995. Mr. Grant previously was Senior Vice President of Morrison-Knudsen Corporation for more than four years, with responsibility for legal affairs and subsequently for certain international operations. William L. Hebert, age 46, has been Vice President, Treasurer and Controller and Chief Financial Officer of L-P since August 1995 and previously served as Treasurer from December 1993 to August 1995, and as Controller-Finance for more than a year before that. Anton C. Kirchhof, age 51, has served as the registrant's General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for more than five years. J. Keith Matheney, age 48, joined the registrant in March 1970 and has served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing since January 26, 1997. Mr. Matheney was General Manager--Western Division from February 1996 to January 1997 after serving as General Manager--Weather-Seal Division of the registrant from May 1994 to February 1996, and as Director of Sales and Marketing for more than five years previous. Warren C. Easley, age 55, joined L-P as Vice President of Technology and Quality in May 1996 after serving as Technical Manager--Nylon Division, North America for E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. for more than five years previous. Richard B. Fethers, age 43, became Director--Pulp Division of the registrant in May 1996. For more than five years previous, Mr. Fethers acted as Consultant for E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. Richard W. Frost, age 45, joined L-P in May 1996 as Vice President, Timberlands. Before that, Mr. Frost worked for S.D. Warren Company as Director of Timberlands prior to April 1992, as Vice President and Manager, Westbrook Mill, from April 1992 to September 1995, and as Vice President and General Manager, Somerset Operations for S.D. Warren Company from September 1995 to 1996. - 11 - Karen D. Lundquist, age 41, was named Vice President of Manufacturing in January 1997. Before joining L-P, Ms. Lundquist was an executive officer and director of Creative Breakthroughs, Inc., from the fall of 1993 to 1997, and served as its Chief Executive Officer from mid-1995 to 1997. From September 1991 to October 1993, Ms. Lundquist was a plant manager with E.I. du Pont Nemours & Co. All executive officers serve at the pleasure of the board of directors of L-P. Unless earlier removed by the board of directors, the officers' terms of office run until the next annual meeting of the board of directors. PART II ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow-Jones newspaper quotations symbol is "LaPac," and the ticker symbol is "LPX." Information regarding market prices for the registrant's common stock is included in the following table labeled "High and Low Stock Prices." Holders of the registrant's common stock may automatically reinvest dividends toward purchase of additional shares of the company's common stock. At March 14, 1997, L-P had approximately 23,900 stockholders of record. - 12 - ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data
DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE 1996 1995 +/- % - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL DATA - ----------- Net sales $2,486.0 $2,843.2 -12.6% Net income (loss) (200.7) (51.7) Net income (loss) per share (1.87) (.48) Net cash provided by operating activities 22.8 334.6 -93.2% Capital expenditures -- plants, logging roads and timber (includes acquisitions) 266.0 412.6 -35.5% Working capital 234.5 170.0 Ratio of current assets to current liabilities 1.68 to 1 1.38 to 1 Total assets 2,588.7 2,805.4 Long-term debt, excluding current portion 458.6 201.3 +127.8% Long-term debt as a percent of total capitalization 24.3% 10.8% Stockholders' equity 1,427.6 1,656.0 -13.8% Per ending share of common stock 13.13 15.28 Number of employees 12,000 13,000 Number of stockholders of record 23,900 24,900
1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER YEAR - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 QUARTERLY DATA - ------------------- Net sales $584.1 $658.3 $676.3 $567.3 $2,486.0 Gross profit (loss) (1) (5.0) 35.0 21.9 (20.9) 31.0 Income (loss) before taxes and minority interest (5.0) 34.5 (332.0)(2) (24.3) (326.8) Net income (loss) (3.6) 21.0 (203.4)(2) (14.7) (200.7) Net income (loss) per share (.03) .19 (1.89) (.14) (1.87) Cash dividends per share .14 .14 .14 .14 .56 1995 QUARTERLY DATA - ------------------- Net sales $686.8 $709.3 $776.8 $670.3 $2,843.2 Gross profit(1) 86.5 41.6 99.0 41.8 268.9 Income (loss) before taxes and minority interest 87.3 41.9 (267.3)(2) 43.3 (94.8) Net income (loss) 54.3 26.3 (159.1)(2) 26.8 (51.7) Net income (loss) per share .50 .25 (1.48) .25 (.48) Cash dividends per share .125 .14 .14 .14 .545 HIGH AND LOW STOCK PRICES - ------------------------- 1996 High $26.25 $28.13 $23.75 $23.00 $28.13 Low 23.00 22.13 19.63 20.63 19.63 1995 High $30.50 $29.00 $29.00 $27.13 $30.50 Low 24.75 20.88 21.88 22.00 20.88
- -------------------------- (1) Gross profit is income before settlement charges and other unusual items, taxes, minority interest and interest. (2) In the third quarter of 1996, L-P recorded a charge of $350.0 million ($215.0 million after income taxes, or $2.00 per share) related to the closure of a subsidiary's pulp mill in Ketchikan, Alaska, the settlement of all outstanding shareholder securities class action claims, a reserve - 13 - for other litigation and a reserve for the planned shutdown and other costs related to certain other non-strategic facilities. In the third quarter of 1995, L-P recorded a charge of $366.6 million ($221.8 million after income taxes, or $2.07 per share) related to class action settlements concerning the company's siding product, severance charges and asset write-downs. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements herein to the extent they are not based on historical events, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the outlook for future operations, production capacities, forecasts of future costs and expenditures, evaluation of market conditions, the outcome of legal proceedings, the adequacy of reserves, or plans for product development, or construction of new facilities. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to an inherent risk that actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Factors that may result in such variance, in addition to those set forth under the above captions, include changes in interest rates, commodity prices, and other economic conditions; actions by competitors; changing weather conditions and other natural phenomena; actions by government authorities; uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; technological developments; future decisions by management in response to changing conditions; and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. - 14 -
FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE)(2) SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT DATA 1996(4) 1995(4) 1994 1993 1992 - ----------------------------- --------- --------- ------- ------- ------- Net sales $ 2,486.0 $2,843.2 $3,039.5 $2,511.3 $2,184.7 Gross profit (1) 31.0 268.9 558.6 423.6 297.5 Interest, net (7.8) 2.9 1.0 5.0 14.4 Provision (benefit) for income taxes (125.6) (45.8) 209.8 173.2 106.2 Income (loss)(3) (200.7) (51.7) 346.9 254.4 176.9 Income (loss) per share(3) (1.87) (.48) 3.15 2.32 1.63 Cash dividends per share .56 .545 .485 .43 .39 Average shares of common stock outstanding (thousands) 107,410 107,040 110,140 109,670 108,500 SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS - ---------------------- Current assets $ 579.2 $ 618.5 $ 721.9 $ 614.1 $ 539.1 Timber and timberlands, at cost less cost of timber harvested 648.6 689.6 693.5 673.5 531.2 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,278.5 1,452.3 1,273.2 1,145.9 1,070.3 Other assets 82.4 45.0 55.1 32.8 65.4 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total assets $2,588.7 $2,805.4 $2,743.7 $2,466.3 $2,206.0 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Current liabilities $ 344.7 $ 448.5 $ 344.8 $ 317.2 $ 295.5 Long-term debt, excluding current portion 458.6 201.3 209.8 288.6 386.3 Deferred income taxes and other 357.8 499.6 339.7 289.1 163.2 Stockholders' equity 1,427.6 1,656.0 1,849.4 1,571.4 1,361.0 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $2,588.7 $2,805.4 $2,743.7 $2,466.3 $2,206.0 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
- 15 -
KEY FINANCIAL TRENDS 1996(4) 1995(4) 1994 1993 1992 - -------------------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Working capital $ 234.5 $ 170.0 $ 377.1 $ 296.9 $ 243.6 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Plant and logging road additions (5) $ 244.0 $ 362.9 $ 286.0 $ 208.4 $ 161.4 Timber additions, net 22.0 49.7 66.0 81.5 40.1 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total capital additions $ 266.0 $ 412.6 $ 352.0 $ 289.9 $ 201.5 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Long-term debt as a percent of total capitalization 24% 11% 10% 16% 22% Income as a percent of average equity(3) -13% -3% 20% 17% 14%
- -------------------------- (1) Gross profit is income before settlement charge and unusual items, income taxes, minority interest, and interest. (2) All per share amounts and number of shares have been retroactively adjusted for a two-for-one stock split in 1993 and a three-for-two stock split in 1992. (3) Does not include cumulative effects of accounting changes in 1993. (4) In the third quarter of 1996, L-P recorded a charge of $350.0 million ($215.0 million after income taxes, or $2.00 per share) related to the closure of a subsidiary's pulp mill in Ketchikan, Alaska, the settlement of all outstanding shareholder securities class action claims, a reserve for other litigation and a reserve for the planned shutdown and other costs related to certain other non-strategic facilities. In the third quarter of 1995, L-P recorded a charge of $366.6 million ($221.8 million after income taxes, or $2.07 per share) related to class action settlements concerning the company's siding product, severance charges and asset write-downs. (5) Includes cash paid in acquisitions. - 16 - ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations GENERAL L-P's net losses in 1996 and 1995 primarily resulted from charges taken in the third quarter of each year. The charge in 1996 of $350.0 million pre-tax ($215.0 million after tax, or $2.00 per share) was taken to reflect the shutdown of Ketchikan Pulp Company's (wholly-owned L-P subsidiary) pulp mill, the settlement of all outstanding shareholder securities class action claims, a reserve for other litigation and a reserve for the shutdown and other costs related to certain other non-strategic facilities. The charge in the third quarter of 1995 of $366.6 million pre-tax ($221.8 million after tax, or $2.07 per share) reflected the settlements of class action proceedings related to L-P's siding product, severance charges and asset write-downs. Both charges were tax effected because all components are deductible either currently or in future years. Prior to the charges, L-P earned $14.3 million in 1996 ($.13 per share), $170.1 million in 1995 ($1.59 per share) and $346.9 million in 1994 ($3.15 per share). Both the building products and pulp segments suffered declines in sales and profitability in 1996. An industry-wide oversupply of structural panel products in North America was the primary cause of the decline in building products. Pulp markets remained very weak throughout 1996 due to high world-wide inventories. The Ketchikan Pulp Company contract issue (discussed further below) also negatively impacted pulp segment results in 1996. An oversupply of lumber and high raw material costs caused a sharp decline in the profitability of the building products segment in 1995 compared to the record results in 1994. Higher pulp segment earnings in 1995 partially offset the decline in building products earnings. Markets in 1994 benefited from low interest rates and a strong U.S. economy. Sales in 1996 were $2.49 billion, a 13 percent decline from 1995 sales of $2.84 billion. Sales in 1995 represented a 7 percent decline from 1994 record sales of $3.04 billion. L-P incurred a net loss in 1996 of $200.7 million ($1.87 per share) compared to a net loss of $51.7 million ($.48 per share) in 1995 and net income in 1994 of $346.9 million ($3.15 per share). L-P operates in two major business segments: building products and pulp. Building products is the most significant segment, accounting for more than 88 percent of net sales in each of the prior three years. The results of operations are discussed below for each of these segments separately. Additional information about the factors affecting L-P's segments is presented in the "Selected Financial Data" in Item 6 and the "Product Information Summary" in Item 1. - 17 - BUILDING PRODUCTS INCREASE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, (DECREASE) --------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 96-95 95-94 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS) Sales: Structural panel products $1,006 $1,127 $1,208 -11% -7% Lumber 614 644 867 -5% -26% Industrial panel products 195 215 240 -9% -10% Other building products 494 523 505 -6% +4% ------ ------ ------ Total building products $2,309 $2,509 $2,820 -8% -11% ====== ====== ====== Profit $ 174 $ 346 $ 636 -50% -46% ====== ====== ====== Sales of structural panel products (plywood and oriented strand board (OSB)) suffered in 1996 from industry wide over-capacity. The over-capacity is the result of new OSB plants built by the industry throughout North America without a significant increase in demand. Average selling prices in 1996 fell approximately 20 percent compared to 1995 (average OSB prices fell around 26 percent). Sales volumes increased approximately 14 percent due to new OSB plants started-up in 1996, despite temporary market-related shut-downs in the fourth quarter at L-P's OSB plants. In 1995, relatively high interest rates and poor weather in key areas of the country early in the year contributed to weak markets, especially in OSB. OSB pricing was also negatively impacted by the beginnings of the excess capacity in the industry. OSB siding sales suffered beginning in 1995 from adverse publicity related to class action litigation and by a company-initiated reduction in siding production (see "settlement charges and other unusual items, net" for further discussion) and L-P has reduced the volume of OSB siding it manufactures. Average structural panel sales prices in 1995 were approximately 4 percent lower than in 1994 due to OSB market price declines which were offset by slightly higher plywood prices. Overall structural panel volume in 1995 declined by approximately 3 percent from 1994, due primarily to curtailed plywood production early in 1995 as the mills ran short of logs due to wet weather. Lumber sales were lower in 1996 than 1995 as a result of sales volume, which decreased approximately 12 percent. L-P has permanently closed a number of unprofitable sawmills around the country over the last year. Average selling prices rose about 9 percent in 1996 due to a strong U.S. economy, lower production volumes industry wide and lower volumes of lumber imported from Canada. In 1995, higher interest rates, poor weather and a flood of low priced Canadian lumber resulted in depressed price levels throughout the year. These factors caused L-P sawmills to operate at lower capacity levels (56 percent of capacity in 1995 compared to 86 percent in 1994). Sales volumes were off nearly 20 percent in 1995 reflecting the lower demand and a significant increase in lumber exports from Canada to the U.S., which also eroded prices. Average sales prices in 1995 declined approximately 8 percent from 1994 with sharply higher redwood prices and lower whitewood prices. Industrial panel sales volumes in 1996 showed slight increases compared to 1995 while prices fell approximately 11 percent. The industrial panel markets have experienced an excess of capacity, particularly in medium density fiberboard (MDF) as new plants have been brought on line. The decrease in industrial panel sales in 1995 compared to 1994 resulted from lower volumes of nearly 10 percent and a decline in average selling prices of approximately 4 percent. Demand for these products was lackluster in 1995 which caused L-P to temporarily shut down some plants. - 18 - Other building products sales decreased in 1996 due to lower wood chip sales. L-P is producing less wood chips due to lower sawmill production and wood chip prices weakened significantly, particularly on the West Coast. Sales of other building products increased in 1995 primarily due to higher log sales from L-P's California fee lands. L-P had curtailed sawmill production and the log volumes harvested were sold on the open market. Sales from facilities which operated for a full year in 1995 and only a partial year in 1994 also contributed to the increase. Building products profit decreased in 1996 from 1995 due to the lower prices discussed above for structural panel products and industrial panel products. Raw material costs have generally been lower in 1996 than in 1995, but not sufficiently to offset the lower sales prices. Building products profits in 1995 were lower than in 1994 due to lower lumber and structural panel sales prices combined with increased raw material costs and lower production volumes. Log prices were higher in most areas of the country in 1995 as were wood chip prices (used in certain of L-P's panel products) because of increased demand from pulp and paper mills. L-P's building products are primarily sold as commodities and therefore sales prices fluctuate based on market factors over which L-P has no control. L-P cannot predict whether the prices of its building products will remain at current levels, or will increase or decrease in the future because supply and demand are influenced by many factors, only one of which is the cost and availability of raw materials. L-P is not able to determine to what extent, if any, it will be able to pass any future increases in the price of raw materials on to customers through product price increases. PULP INCREASE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, (DECREASE) --------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 96-95 95-94 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS) Pulp sales $177 $334 $220 -47% +52% ==== ==== ==== Profit (loss) $(91) $ 44 $ (5) n.m. n.m. ==== ==== ==== Pulp sales plummeted in 1996 as sales prices fell an average of 44 percent while volumes decreased about 5 percent. Large pulp inventories around the world created very weak pulp markets throughout 1996. L-P took intermittent downtime at the pulp mills during the year, which caused the volume decrease. Pulp sales increased in 1995 over 1994 due to a 59 percent increase in average selling prices in 1995. World-wide pulp markets rebounded strongly during the second half of 1994 which continued through the first nine months of 1995. Sales volume decreased in 1995 by approximately 4 percent due to intermittent production problems at the pulp mills and sharply lower demand in the fourth quarter of the year. After one year of profits, the pulp mills returned to losses in 1996 due to the downturn in the markets and problems experienced with the Ketchikan Pulp Company contract (see further discussion below). The pulp segment briefly returned to profitability due to the increase in sales in 1995 after incurring a loss in 1994. Raw material costs decreased in 1996 after experiencing an increase in 1995. L-P's pulp products are primarily sold as commodities and therefore sales prices fluctuate based on market factors over which L-P has no control. L-P cannot predict whether the prices of its pulp products will remain at current levels, or will increase or decrease in the future because supply and demand are influenced by many factors, only one of which is the cost and availability of raw materials. Pulp markets remained sluggish in early 1997. L-P is not able to - 19 - determine to what extent, if any, it will be able to pass any future increases in the price of raw materials on to customers through product price increases. L-P pulp products are sold primarily to export customers and are the major factor in L-P's export sales. Therefore, pulp sales are the primary reason for L-P's decreased export sales in 1996 and the increased export sales in 1995 both in amount and as a percent of total sales. Information regarding L-P's geographic segments and export sales are provided in the notes to financial statements under the caption "segment information." GENERAL CORPORATE EXPENSE, NET General corporate expense was $52 million in 1996, after rising to an unusually high amount of $121 million in 1995. This compared to $72 million in 1994. In 1996, a $10 million credit resulting from a gain on the sale of a sawmill and related timberland was netted into this expense. The most significant factor in the 1995 increase was higher expenses associated with litigation against the company, including legal fees and increases in contingency reserves (it did not, however, include amounts recorded in the on the line item "Settlement Charges and Other Unusual Items, Net" which is discussed below). Higher franchise taxes also contributed to the 1995 increase. Partially offsetting the 1995 increases were lower compensation expenses in 1995 compared to 1994 because restricted stock plan awards, tied to the performance of the company, were not issued in 1995 (or 1996). SETTLEMENT CHARGES AND OTHER UNUSUAL ITEMS, NET In the third quarter of 1996, L-P recorded pre-tax charges of $350.0 million ($215.0 million after tax, or $2.00 per share) to reflect expected costs to be incurred in the shut-down of the pulp mill owned and operated by L-P's Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) subsidiary as well as the settlement of all outstanding shareholder securities class action claims, a reserve for other litigation and a reserve for the planned shut-down and other costs related to certain other non-strategic facilities. The charge for the shut-down of the Ketchikan Pulp mill includes the Company's best estimates of all costs related to the closing of operations including the write-down of property, plant and equipment to estimated salvage value, severance costs, inventory write-downs, environmental and general property clean- up and other costs. L-P and KPC believe the shut-down of this mill was caused by changes in economic and operating conditions as a result of modifications made to the long-term timber supply contract made by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). These changes were required by Congress as part of the Tongass Timber Reform Act passed in 1990. KPC filed claims against the USFS which were resolved subsequent to year-end. See the Note entitled "Subsequent Events" for further information. In 1996, as part of the implementation of current management's strategic plan, L-P evaluated the viability of all its current operations and made plans for the closure or sale of certain other manufacturing facilities including several sawmills, structural panel products plants and other plants. The facilities have been written down to their estimated salvage or sales value. The total charge related to property and equipment write-downs, including the KPC facilities was $191.1 million. The facilities covered by this charge incurred operating losses of approximately $64 million through in 1996, of which approximately $40 million related to pulp segment assets and $24 million related to building products related assets. L-P reached an agreement on behalf of all defendants to settle all outstanding shareholder securities class action claims brought in 1995 against the company and four former and current officers. The agreement received court approval in February 1997 and is discussed further in the Note entitled "Contingencies." The settlement required a payment of approximately $65 million, of which approximately $20 million was covered by insurance. L-P also reserved - 20 - additional amounts related to other outstanding litigation, including plaintiffs who opted out of the siding class action settlements. In the third quarter of 1995, L-P recorded a pre-tax charge of $366.6 million ($221.8 million after tax, or $2.07 per share). This charge included $345.0 million for class action settlements related to the Company's siding product, as well as write-downs on planned disposals by mid-1996 of certain facilities, principally sawmills. The historical results of these operations were not significant. A gain on the sale of a non-strategic asset was netted against this charge. INTEREST, NET Net interest expense rose significantly in 1996 as L-P borrowed funds to cover its settlement obligations and fund capital expenditures. Less interest was capitalized in 1996 as construction projects were completed and interest income was lower due to lower levels of cash available for investing. Interest rates were also slightly higher in 1996 which contributed to the increase because most of L-P's debt has variable interest rates. L-P's debt level in 1995 decreased, resulting in lower interest expense compared to 1994. This decrease was partially offset by higher interest rates. Interest rate increases favorably impacted L-P's interest income, but that increase was partially offset by lower cash and cash equivalents balances associated with large capital expenditures and treasury stock purchases. Interest capitalized, which also lowers interest expense, had increased with the large capital expenditures in 1995. LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS For a discussion of legal and environmental matters involving L-P and the potential effect on L-P, refer to the footnotes to the financial statements under the heading "Contingencies." FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Cash provided by operations decreased to $23 million in 1996 from $335 million in 1995 and $596 million 1994. These fluctuations primarily correlate to the company's net income or loss after adjustments for non-cash charges and changes in various working capital components. In 1996, L-P paid out more than $263 million for obligation related to litigation settlements. In 1995, log inventories increased $80 million due to higher costs and higher volumes (1994 volumes were low due to primarily weather-related factors), pulp inventories increased due to the weak markets and other building products inventories increased primarily due to the addition of a new distribution center. Cash used in investing activities decreased to $213 million in 1996 after increasing to $387 million in 1995 from $350 million in 1994. Capital expenditure peaked in 1995 with the addition of several new OSB plants and other projects. L-P has also spent significant amounts on environmental projects (such as pollution control equipment), upgrades of existing production facilities, timber to supply its operations and logging roads. L-P borrowed $263 million in 1996, resulting in net cash provided by financing activities of $142 million. Cash used in financing activities decreased to $188 million in 1995 from $191 million in 1994. The new borrowings in 1996 were used to fund capital expenditures, other debt repayments and dividends and to cover settlement obligations which operating cash did not sufficiently cover. L-P did not purchase any treasury shares in 1996 after purchasing $120 million of treasury stock in 1995 and $54 million in 1994. The company increased short-term borrowings by a net $48 million in 1995 and its joint venture in Ireland borrowed $30 million on a long-term basis toward financing the construction of a new OSB plant. Borrowings were not significant in 1994. - 21 - In February 1997, L-P signed a new credit facility agreement with a group of banks, which added a $125 million term loan facility for L-P Canada, Ltd. to the existing $300 million revolving credit facility. The entire credit facility expires in 2002. L-P Canada Ltd. also entered into a $30 million (Canadian) short-term revolving credit agreement to fund its working capital needs. The new agreement is expected to be sufficient to meet L-P's immediate cash needs discussed below. L-P's short-term credit ratings are A-1 with Standard & Poors and D-1 with Duff & Phelps. In 1995, L-P completed a program authorized by the board of directors to repurchase 5 million L-P common shares. Upon completion of this program, the board authorized the repurchase of an additional 10 million common shares at management's discretion. L-P did not purchase any shares under this new authorization. Future purchases under this new program will be prioritized, taking into consideration other uses of the company's cash. L-P is budgeting capital expenditures, including timber and logging road additions, for 1997 of $150 million to $175 million. These expenditures are primarily to complete a new OSB plant currently under construction, continue environmental improvements to existing plants, upgrade production facilities and provide timber to operations. Contingency reserves, which represent an estimate of future cash needs for various contingencies (principally payments for siding litigation settlements), total $260 million, of which $100 million is estimated to be payable within one year. As with all accounting estimates, there is inherent uncertainty concerning the reliability and precision of such estimates. As described in the notes to the financial statements under the heading "Contingencies," the amounts ultimately paid in settling all of the outstanding litigation could exceed the current reserves by a material amount. L-P continues to be in a strong financial condition with a relatively low ratio of long-term debt as a percent of total capitalization. Although cash and cash equivalents have decreased significantly over the past two years, existing cash and cash equivalents combined with borrowings available under the credit facility, expected income tax refunds, the cash expected from the settlement of the KPC claims and cash to be generated from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet projected cash needs including the payments related to the siding litigation settlement referred to above. The company also believes that because of its conservative financial structure and policies, it has substantial financial flexibility to generate additional funds should the need arise. BUSINESS OUTLOOK STRUCTURAL PANELS L-P derived approximately 40 percent of its revenues and a significant portion of its building products operating profit from structural panels in 1996. After several years of predictions that significantly more structural capacity was being planned and built in North America, the impact of that excess capacity was felt with a vengeance in the fall of 1996. Prices fell over 40 percent and have stayed at that level since. These new market conditions have led to several reactions. Older, less competitive OSB mills are being closed, significant development efforts have been initiated aimed at expanding the use of OSB panels that currently penetrate only 35 percent of the total structural panel market and there has been a strong push to develop export markets. It is difficult to predict the rate of market share growth and the rate of capacity rationalization. Plywood volume and prices, meanwhile, have held up better than expected. Plywood offers some aesthetic and functional advantages that will retard the rate of erosion of its share by OSB. As some of the newer, improved OSB products are introduced, it will resume its market share gain versus plywood. L-P's strategies are to improve efficiencies at several of our mills to ensure they can compete for the long term. - 22 - LUMBER L-P derived approximately 25 percent of its revenues from lumber in 1996. Lumber prices have held up well in the slow winter season because of a relatively strong building market and the lower level of imports from Canadian mills. The Canada-U.S. trade agreement has slowed the flow of Canadian wood into the market. We have shut down nearly 20 out-of-date mills and concentrated our management and some capital on our remaining sawmills. Earnings were up significantly last year and we expect them to rise further in 1997. SPECIALTY BUSINESS The primary drivers of growth and earnings in this segment will be our acquisitions - Associated Chemists (ACI), GreenStone Industries, Inc. ("GreenStone"), and, pending completion, Tecton. ACI supplies specialized coatings to wood products and paper businesses and overall volume should be up this year. Marketing arrangements completed late in 1996 will help our defoamer business grow significantly. GreenStone is in the cellulosic insulation business and demand is high for their products. Capacity additions and acquisitions are planned to support the growth. Tecton is a supplier of Engineered Wood Products and compliments our already significant position in this market. Laminated Veneer Lumber and I-Joists are growing rapidly as solid wood products become more difficult to obtain. PULP Pulp prices continue to hover near historical lows and various manufacturers taking selective downtime to reduce inventories. We expect this process will continue during the first half of the year and are anticipating a slow recovery starting during the second half. Meanwhile our mills are taking cost via numerous improvement projects that promise very fast payback. - 23 - ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to financial statements together with the report of independent public accountants are located on the following pages. Quarterly data for the registrant's latest two fiscal years is located in the table labeled "Quarterly Data" in Item 5. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------- -------- -------- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 27.8 $ 75.4 Accounts receivable, less reserves of $1.4 and $1.5 102.5 128.7 Inventories 264.3 317.7 Prepaid expenses 12.0 14.3 Income tax refunds receivable 99.5 --- Deferred income taxes 73.1 82.4 ------- ------- Total current assets 579.2 618.5 TIMBER AND TIMBERLANDS, at cost less cost of timber harvested 648.6 689.6 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost: Land, land improvements and logging roads, net of road amortization 182.5 164.5 Buildings 269.5 227.8 Machinery and equipment 1,953.9 1,872.9 Construction in progress 80.1 327.3 ------- ------- 2,486.0 2,592.5 Less reserves for depreciation (1,207.5) (1,140.2) ------- ------- Net property, plant and equipment 1,278.5 1,452.3 Other Assets 82.4 45.0 ------- ------- Total Assets $2,588.7 $2,805.4 ======= ======= See notes to financial statements. - 24 - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE) 1996 1995 - -------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current portion of long-term debt $ 18.7 $ 38.6 Short-term notes payable 35.4 98.3 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 190.6 161.6 Current portion of contingency reserves 100.0 150.0 ------- ------- Total current liabilities 344.7 448.5 LONG-TERM DEBT, excluding current portion 458.6 201.3 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 163.2 207.5 CONTINGENCY RESERVES, excluding current portion 159.8 250.5 OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES AND MINORITY INTEREST 34.8 41.6 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock, $1 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 116,937,022 shares issued 117.0 117.0 Preferred stock, $1 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued --- --- Additional paid-in capital 472.7 472.4 Retained earnings 1,140.0 1,400.8 Treasury stock, 8,170,799 shares and 8,588,427 shares, at cost (183.3) (192.7) Loans to Employee Stock Ownership Trusts (61.6) (85.5) Other (57.2) (56.0) -------- -------- Total stockholders' equity 1,427.6 1,656.0 -------- -------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $2,588.7 $2,805.4 ======== ======== See notes to financial statements. - 25 - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE) 1996 1995 1994 -------- -------- -------- NET SALES $2,486.0 $2,843.2 $3,039.5 -------- -------- -------- COSTS AND EXPENSES: Cost of sales 2,123.5 2,250.3 2,158.4 Depreciation and amortization 150.6 152.0 143.8 Cost of timber harvested 41.2 50.6 53.5 Selling and administrative 139.7 121.4 125.2 Settlement charges and other unusual items, net 350.0 366.6 --- Interest expense, net of capitalized interest of $7.1, $10.9 and $5.5 14.2 5.3 9.0 Interest income (6.4) (8.2) (10.0) -------- -------- -------- Total costs and expenses 2,812.8 2,938.0 2,479.9 -------- -------- -------- Income (loss) before taxes and minority interest (326.8) (94.8) 559.6 Provision (benefit) for income taxes (125.6) (45.8) 209.8 Minority interest in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries (.5) 2.7 2.9 -------- -------- -------- NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (200.7) $ (51.7) $ 346.9 ======== ======= ======== NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE $ (1.87) $ (.48) $ 3.15 ========= ======== ======== CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK $ .56 $ .545 $ .485 ========= ======== ======== AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (thousands) 107,410 107,040 110,140 ========= ======== ======== See notes to financial statements. - 26 -
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 - -------------------------------------------------- ------- ------ ------ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $(200.7) $(51.7) $346.9 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested 191.8 202.6 197.3 Accrued settlement charges and other unusual items, net 350.0 366.6 --- Cash settlements of contingencies (263.4) (13.6) --- Other adjustments 3.8 26.9 23.6 Decrease (increase) in receivables 31.9 28.7 (41.6) Decrease (increase) in inventories 31.1 (103.9) 25.1 Decrease (increase) in income tax refunds receivable (99.5) --- --- Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses 1.4 (7.0) (.2) Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1.6) 38.2 39.4 Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable --- (7.5) .4 Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes (22.0) (144.7) 5.0 ------ ------ ------ Net cash provided by operating activities 22.8 334.6 595.9 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Plant, equipment and logging road additions, including cash used in acquisitions (244.0) (362.9) (286.0) Timber and timberland additions, net (22.0) (49.7) (66.0) Assets sold and divested 62.4 23.5 4.2 Other investing activities, net (9.1) 1.8 (2.5) ------ ------ ------ Net cash used in investing activities (212.7) (387.3) (350.3) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net increase (decrease) in short-term notes payable (12.9) 47.8 5.8 Long-term borrowings 262.7 30.0 --- Repayment of long-term debt (53.4) (82.0) (106.6) Cash dividends (60.1) (58.2) (53.4) Purchase of treasury stock --- (120.2) (54.3) Loans to ESOTs --- --- (56.0) Treasury stock sold to ESOTs --- --- 56.0 Other financing activities, net 6.0 (5.2) 17.2 ------ ------ ------ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 142.3 (187.8) (191.3) ------ ------ ------ NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (47.6) (240.5) 54.3 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 75.4 315.9 261.6 ------ ------ ------ CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 27.8 $ 75.4 $315.9 ====== ====== ====== See notes to financial statements.
- 27 -
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY OTHER TOTAL ADD'L LOANS EQUITY STOCK- DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS COMMON STOCK TREASURY STOCK PAID-IN RETAINED TO ADJUST- HOLDERS' EXCEPT PER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL EARNINGS ESOTs MENTS EQUITY ------------------ ------------------ ------- -------- ----- ----- ------ BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1993 116,937,022 $117.0 6,755,938 $(85.6) $431.5 $1,217.2 $(72.5) $(36.2) $1,571.4 Net income --- --- --- --- --- 346.9 --- --- 346.9 Cash dividends, $.485 per share --- --- --- --- --- (53.4) --- --- (53.4) Issuance of shares for employee stock plans and for other purposes --- --- (1,697,713) 26.5 18.0 --- --- --- 44.5 Additional loans to ESOTs and sale of treasury stock to ESOTs --- --- (1,843,621) 27.1 28.9 --- (56.0) --- --- Purchase of treasury stock --- --- 1,730,200 (54.3) --- --- --- --- (54.3) Employee stock ownership trust contribution --- --- --- --- --- --- 14.5 --- 14.5 Currency translation adjustment --- --- --- --- --- --- --- (20.2) (20.2) ----------- ----- --------- ---- ----- ------- ------ ----- ------ BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1994 116,937,022 117.0 4,944,804 (86.3) 478.4 1,510.7 (114.0) (56.4) 1,849.4 Net income (loss) --- --- --- --- --- (51.7) --- --- (51.7) Cash dividends, $.545 per share --- --- --- --- --- (58.2) --- --- (58.2) Issuance of shares for employee stock plans and for other purposes --- --- (689,774) 13.8 (6.0) --- --- --- 7.8 Purchase of treasury stock --- --- 4,333,397 (120.2) --- --- --- --- (120.2) Employee stock ownership trust contribution --- --- --- --- --- --- 28.5 --- 28.5 Currency translation adjustment and pension liability adjustment, net --- --- --- --- --- --- --- .4 .4 ----------- ----- --------- ---- ----- ------- ------ ----- ------ BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1995 116,937,022 117.0 8,588,427 (192.7) 472.4 1,400.8 (85.5) (56.0) 1,656.0 Net income (loss) --- --- --- --- --- (200.7) --- --- (200.7) Cash dividends, $.56 per share --- --- --- --- --- (60.1) --- --- (60.1) Issuance of shares for employee stock plans and for other purposes --- --- (417,628) 9.4 .3 --- --- --- 9.7 Employee stock ownership trust contribution --- --- --- --- --- --- 23.9 --- 23.9 Currency translation adjustment, pension liability adjustment and deferred compensation, net --- --- --- --- --- --- --- (1.2) (1.2) ----------- ----- --------- ---- ----- ------- ------ ----- ------ BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 116,937,022 $117.0 8,170,799 $(183.3) $472.7$ 1,140.0$ (61.6) $(57.2) $1,427.6 =========== ====== ========= ======= =========================== ====== ========
See notes to financial statements. - 28 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Operations Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (the Company or L-P) is a U.S.-based company principally engaged in the manufacture of wood-based building products, and to a lesser extent, wood-based pulp. Through its foreign subsidiaries, the Company also maintains manufacturing facilities in Canada and Ireland. The principal customers for the Company's building products are retail home centers, distributors and wholesalers in North America with minor sales to Asia and Europe. The principal customers for its pulp products are brokers in Asia and Europe, with minor sales in North America. Refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis under the heading "Business Outlook" for a discussion of risks related to L-P's concentration in the panel products market segment. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. See discussion of specific estimates in footnotes entitled "Income Taxes," "Retirement Plans," "Settlement Charges and Other Unusual Items," and "Contingencies." Principles of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and all of its subsidiaries (L-P), after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. Earnings Per Share Earnings per share have been computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods. The effect of common stock equivalents is not material. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position No. 93-6, "Employers' Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans" (SOP 93-6) requires that shares held by L-P's Employee Stock Ownership Trusts (ESOTs) which were acquired by the ESOTs on or after January 1, 1994 and are not allocated to participants' accounts, are not considered outstanding for purposes of computing earnings per share (1,073,251 shares at December 31, 1996). Unallocated shares held by the ESOTs which were acquired by the ESOTs prior to January 1, 1994, and all allocated ESOT shares continue to be considered outstanding for purposes of computing earnings per share. Cash and Cash Equivalents L-P considers all highly liquid securities with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash paid during 1996, 1995 and 1994 for interest (net of capitalized interest) was $13.4 million, $4.6 million and $9.0 million. Net cash paid (received) during 1996, 1995 and 1994 for income taxes was $(4.1) million, $109.0 million and $204.4 million. - 29 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS L-P invests its excess cash with high quality financial institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure at any one financial institution. In addition, L-P holds its cash investments until maturity and is therefore not subject to significant market risk. Inventory Valuation Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventory costs include material, labor and operating overhead. The LIFO method is used for most log and lumber inventories with remaining inventories valued at FIFO or average cost. Inventory quantities are determined on the basis of physical inventories, adjusted where necessary for intervening transactions from the date of the physical inventory to the end of the year. The major types of inventories are as follows: DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 ------------------------- ------ ------ Logs $106.4 $176.9 Lumber 47.4 58.3 Panel products 54.4 30.7 Other building products 70.0 70.5 Pulp 25.4 35.7 Other raw materials 26.3 27.7 Supplies 23.0 22.0 LIFO reserve (88.6) (104.1) ------ ------ Total $264.3 $317.7 ====== ====== Timber L-P follows an overall policy on fee timber that amortizes timber costs over the total fiber available during the estimated growth cycle. Timber carrying costs, such as reforestation and forest management, are generally expensed as incurred. Cost of timber harvested includes not only the cost of fee timber but also the amortization of the cost of long-term timber deeds. Property, Plant, and Equipment L-P uses the units of production method of depreciation for most machinery and equipment which amortizes the cost of equipment over the estimated units that will be produced during its useful life. Provisions for depreciation of buildings and the remaining machinery and equipment have been computed using straight-line rates based on the estimated service lives. The effective straight-line rates for the principal classes of property range from approximately 5 percent to 20 percent. Logging road construction costs are capitalized and included in land and land improvements. These costs are amortized as the timber volume adjacent to the road system is harvested. L-P capitalizes interest on borrowed funds during construction periods. Capitalized interest is charged to machinery and equipment accounts and amortized over the lives of the related assets. Interest capitalized during 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $7.1 million, $10.9 million and $5.5 million. L-P defers start-up costs on major construction projects during the start-up phase and amortizes the deferral over seven years. Start-up costs deferred during 1996, 1995 and 1994 were $3.8 million, $3.1 million and $.8 million. - 30 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued SFAS 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," which establishes criteria for measuring impairment losses of long-lived assets and determining when such losses should be recognized. L-P complied with the standards set forth in SFAS 121 and a charge in 1995 was included in the line item "Settlement Charges and Other Unusual Items, Net" in the income statement. See the Note to the financial statements entitled "Settlement Charges and Other Unusual Items" for a discussion of charges in 1996 and 1995 related to impairment of property, plant and equipment. Derivative Financial Instruments L-P has only limited involvement with derivative financial instruments, in the form of infrequent transactions in lumber futures, and at December 31, 1996 had no material derivative financial instruments outstanding. Foreign Currency Translation Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs, and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are shown in stockholders' equity. Goodwill At December 31, 1996 and 1995, L-P had approximately $45.9 million and $17.8 million of goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, recorded in the balance sheet under the caption "other assets." This goodwill has resulted from the purchase of subsidiaries and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 to 15 years. The amortization period and recoverability of this goodwill are periodically reviewed by the company. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. 2. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 ------------------------ ------ ------ Accounts payable $ 90.3 $ 98.6 Salaries and wages payable 36.6 19.8 Taxes other than income taxes 12.2 12.4 Workers' compensation 12.0 12.0 Other accrued liabilities 39.5 18.8 ------ ------ $190.6 $161.6 ====== ====== - 31 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 3. INCOME TAXES Income (loss) before taxes and minority interest for the years ended December 31, was taxed under the following jurisdictions: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 ------------------------------------ ------- ------- ------ Domestic $(255.1) $(123.0) $524.1 Foreign (71.7) 28.2 35.5 ------- ------ ------ $(326.8) $ (94.8) $559.6 ======= ====== ====== Provision (benefit) for income taxes includes the following: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 ----------------------------------- ------- ------- ------ Current tax provision (benefit): U.S. federal $ (87.4) $ 74.4 $171.8 State and local (10.0) 14.7 24.9 Foreign 12.2 6.1 8.1 ------- ------ ------ Total current tax provision (benefit) $ (85.2) $ 95.2 $204.8 ======= ====== ====== Deferred tax provision (benefit): U.S. federal $ 2.6 $(129.2) $ 3.3 State and local .3 (16.4) .4 Foreign (43.3) 4.6 1.3 ------- ------ ------ Total deferred tax provision (benefit) $ (40.4) $(141.0) $ 5.0 ======= ====== ====== The tax effects of significant temporary differences creating deferred tax (assets) and liabilities at December 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows: DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 ----------------------------------- ------ ------ Property, plant and equipment $ 95.3 $174.9 Timber and timberlands 143.0 147.3 Inventories (1.2) (4.3) Accrued liabilities (33.7) (2.3) Contingency reserves (100.5) (155.0) Benefit of foreign capital loss and NOL carryover (13.6) (9.3) Benefit of foreign ITC carryover (68.4) (77.0) Other 26.0 (4.4) Valuation allowance 43.2 55.2 ------ ------ Net deferred tax liability 90.1 125.1 Less net current deferred tax assets (73.1) (82.4) ------ ------ Net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities $163.2 $207.5 ====== ====== Due to the current domestic tax benefit in 1996, L-P is expecting refunds from federal and state taxing authorities of approximately $99.5 million, which have been reflected as current assets. L-P's subsidiary, Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. (LPC), has unrealized foreign investment tax credits (ITC) of approximately C$93 million. These credits can be carried forward to offset future tax of LPC and reduce LPC's basis in the related property, plant and equipment. The credits expire C$3 million in 1997, C$20 million in 1999, C$6 million in 2000, C$46 million in 2001, C$4 million in - 32 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2003, C$13 million in 2004 and C$1 million in 2005. In addition, LPC has a capital loss carryover of C$23 million available to offset capital gains in future years which does not expire. The following table summarizes the differences between the statutory U.S. federal and effective income tax rates: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 1994 ---------------------- ----- ----- ---- Federal tax rate (35)% (35)% 35% Tax-exempt investment income -- (2) -- State and local income taxes (4) (4) 4 Exempt foreign sales corporation income -- (3) -- Other, net 1 (4) (1) ---- ---- ---- (38)% (48)% 38% ==== ==== ==== 4. LONG-TERM DEBT INTEREST RATE DECEMBER 31, (IN MILLIONS) AT 12/31/96 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------- ------------- ----- ------ Project Bank Financings -- Chetwynd, B.C. pulp mill, refinanced subsequent to year-end, interest rate variable 6.1% $51.0 $80.0 Nova Scotia fiber gypsum plant, refinanced subsequent to year-end, interest rate variable 6.3 34.7 34.7 Sunpine Forest Products, subsidiary sold during 1996 --- --- 5.9 Waterford, Ireland, OSB plant, payable 1996-2001, interest rate variable 6.8 41.4 30.0 Project Revenue Bond Financings -- Newberry, MI, payable in 2009, interest rate variable 4.7 7.6 7.6 Two Harbors, MN, payable in 2004, interest rate variable 4.7 8.0 8.0 Wilmington, NC, payable in 1999, interest rate variable 5.5 10.0 10.0 Hanceville, AL payable 1996-2000, interest rate fixed 5.7 .5 .6 Employee Stock Ownership Trust (ESOT) Loans -- Hourly ESOT, payable annually through 1999, interest rate fixed 8.3 25.5 34.0 Salaried ESOT, payable annually through 1999, interest rate variable 4.6 18.0 24.0 Revolving Credit Facility, refinanced subsequent to year-end, interest rate variable 6.2 275.0 --- Other installment notes and contracts, payable in varying amounts, through 2000, interest rates vary 4.3-7.0 5.6 5.1 ------ ------ 477.3 239.9 Less current portion (18.7) (38.6) ------ ------ $458.6 $201.3 ====== ====== The carrying amounts of L-P's long-term debt approximates fair market value since the debt is primarily variable rate debt. Substantially all of L-P's debt is unsecured. Many of L-P's loan agreements contain lender's standard covenants and restrictions. L-P was in compliance with all of the covenants and restrictions of these agreements during 1996 and 1995. - 33 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS At December 31, 1996, L-P had a $300 million revolving credit facility with a group of banks which was due in 2001. Interest on borrowings under the credit line was computed on one of numerous variable interest rate formulas at L-P's option. L-P paid a commitment fee on the unused credit line. Borrowings in 1996 were classified as long-term debt as amounts are not expected or required to be repaid during 1997. Borrowings in 1995 were classified as short-term as amounts were expected to be repaid during 1996. Subsequent to year-end, this revolving credit facility was replaced with a new $425 million credit facility under substantially the same terms. The new facility includes a $300 million revolving credit line and $125 million term facility to refinance the Chetwynd and Nova Scotia debt. Borrowings under the new facility are due in 2002. Additionally, L-P's subsidiary, L-P Canada Ltd. entered into a $30 million (Canadian) revolving credit facility subsequent to year-end. The weighted average interest rate for all debt at December 31, 1996 and 1995 was 6.2 percent and 5.9 percent. Required repayment of principal for long-term debt is as follows: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) ----------------------------------- 1997 $ 18.7 1998 22.0 1999 34.9 2000 7.2 2001 6.6 2002 and after 387.9 ------ $477.3 ====== 5. RETIREMENT PLANS L-P maintains tax-qualified Employee Stock Ownership Trusts (ESOTs), for salaried and certain hourly employees under which 10 percent of the eligible employees' annual earnings are contributed to the plans. Prior to 1995, hourly employees received contributions of 5 percent, supplemented by participation in defined benefit pension plans. The defined benefit plans covering the majority of hourly employees were frozen at the end of 1994. Approximately 9,900 L-P employees participate in the ESOTs. Compensation expense for ESOT shares allocated to employees each year is generally based on the ESOTs' cost of the shares. However, as required by SOP 93-6, compensation expense for the 1,843,621 purchased by the ESOTs in 1994 is based on the market value of the shares at the time of allocation. L-P's ESOTs held a total of 13,117,695 shares at December 31, 1996 of which 9,303,634 were allocated to participants' accounts. ESOT expense was comprised of the following: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 ----------------------------------- ----- ----- ----- Compensation expense $28.2 $28.9 $18.1 Interest incurred on ESOT debt 3.2 4.3 4.8 Dividends paid on unallocated ESOT shares (2.2) (2.8) (3.1) Market value adjustment (2.2) (2.3) -- ----- ----- ----- Total ESOT expense $27.0 $28.1 $19.8 ===== ===== ===== L-P also maintains other defined contribution pension plans covering various groups of hourly and salaried employees in the U.S. and other countries. Contributions to the plans are generally computed by one of three methods: 1) L-P contribution required based upon a defined formula with no employee contributions - 34 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS allowed; 2) L-P contribution required based upon a defined formula with elective employee contributions; and 3) elective employee contributions only with no L-P contribution allowed. L-P also has a number of defined benefit pension plans covering its hourly employees, most of which were frozen in 1994 as discussed above. Contributions to these plans are based on actuarial calculations of amounts to cover current pension and amortization of prior service costs over periods ranging from 10 to 20 years. Contributions to multiemployer defined benefit plans are specified in applicable collective bargaining agreements. The status of L-P administered defined benefit pension plans is as follows:
1996 1995 ---------------------------- --------------------------- PLANS WITH PLANS WITH PLANS WITH PLANS WITH ASSETS IN ACCUMULATED ASSETS IN ACCUMULATED EXCESS OF BENEFITS EXCESS OF BENEFITS ACCUMULATED IN EXCESS ACCUMULATED IN EXCESS BENEFITS OF ASSETS BENEFITS OF ASSETS DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS)- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ------------------- Accumulated benefit obligation Vested portion $19.9 $89.8 $19.1 $88.9 Non-vested portion .2 2.9 .3 4.3 ---- ---- ---- ---- Total 20.1 92.7 19.4 93.2 Effect of future compensation -- -- -- .1 ---- ---- ---- ---- Projected benefit obligation 20.1 92.7 19.4 93.3 Plan assets 39.6 87.3 33.6 88.8 ---- ---- ---- ---- Net funded status 19.5 (5.4) 14.2 (4.5) Unrecognized asset at transition (5.1) (8.0) (4.3) (9.6) Unrecognized net loss .2 20.9 1.8 19.3 Adjustment to recognize minimum liability -- (9.7) -- (9.6) ---- ---- ---- ---- Net prepaid (accrued) pension expense $14.6 $(2.2) $11.7 $(4.4) ==== ===== ==== ====
The actuarial assumptions used to determine pension expense and the funded status of the plans for 1996 and 1995 were: a discount rate on benefit obligations of 7.75 percent and 7.5 percent, and an 8.75 percent expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The assets of the plans at December 31, 1996 and 1995 consist mostly of government obligations, and minor amounts in equity securities and cash and cash equivalents. - 35 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Pension expense included the following components: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 ----------------------------------- ----- ----- ----- Benefits earned by employees $ .5 $ .4 $ 4.8 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 8.3 7.9 8.2 Return on plan assets (10.9) (10.2) (10.1) Net amortization and deferral (1.7) (2.4) (1.3) ----- ----- ----- Net periodic pension expense (income) (3.8) (4.3) 1.6 Contributions to multiemployer and defined contribution pension plans 2.1 2.0 1.8 Gain from curtailment of pension plan --- --- (5.2) ----- ----- ----- Net pension expense (income) $ (1.7) $ (2.3) $ (1.8) ===== ===== ===== L-P has several plans which provide minimal post-retirement benefits other than pensions. Net expense related to these plans in 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $.8 million, $.6 million and $.8 million. L-P does not generally provide post-employment benefits. 6. STOCK OPTIONS AND PLANS The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" which establishes a fair value approach to measuring compensation expense related to employee stock plans for grants on or after January 1, 1995. As allowed by SFAS 123, L-P has elected to adopt only the disclosure provisions of the standard and therefore recorded no compensation expense for certain stock option plans and all stock purchase plans. Had compensation expense for L-P's stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method of FASB Statement 123, the L-P's net income (loss) and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE) 1996 1995 ----------------------------------------------------- ------ ------ Net income (loss) As reported $(200.7) $(51.7) Pro forma (206.0) (53.6) Net income (loss) per share As reported $(1.87) $(.48) Pro forma (1.92) (.50) The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the actual option terms with the assumptions of a 2.2 percent dividend yield, expected volatility of 27 percent, and a risk free interest rate of 6.7 percent. Stock Option Plans L-P grants options to key employees to purchase L-P common stock. Options are granted at 85 to 100 percent of market price. The options become exercisable 20 percent or 33 percent per year beginning one year after the grant date and expire 5 or 10 years after the date of grant. Compensation expense (income) recognized for stock options was $.7 million in 1996, $1.0 million in 1995 and $(.3) million in 1994. Shares available for grant at December 31, 1996 were 292,150. - 36 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Changes in options outstanding and exercisable were as follows:
NUMBER OF SHARES -------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 1994 ---------------------- -------------------------------------- Options outstanding at January 1 1,370,410 2,611,123 2,800,662 Options granted 605,000 114,000 193,350 Options exercised (196,530) (1,046,412) (209,809) Options cancelled (131,350) (308,301) (173,080) -------- -------- -------- Options outstanding at December 31 1,647,530 1,370,410 2,611,123 ========= ========= ========= Options exercisable at December 31 762,850 668,900 1,137,453 ======= ======= =========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE PER SHARE -------------------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 1994 ---------------------- -------------------------------- EXERCISE PRICE Options granted $22.18 $21.57 $28.05 ===== ===== ===== Options exercised $12.13 $11.55 $12.77 ===== ===== ===== Options cancelled $21.39 $12.73 $12.49 ===== ===== ===== Options outstanding $21.14 $19.40 $15.37 ===== ===== ===== Options exercisable $19.05 $17.05 $12.63 ===== ===== ===== FAIR VALUE AT DATE OF GRANT Options granted $ 8.38 $ 8.98 $ N/A ===== ===== ===== Restricted Stock Plans L-P has also granted awards under the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation Key Employee Restricted Stock Plan. Shares are issued, at no cost to the employee, only after certain annual performance criteria are met. The expense is recorded in the year to which the performance criteria relates. L-P did not meet the performance criteria in 1996 or 1995 and therefore recognized no compensation expense for restricted stock awards. L-P met the performance criteria in 1994 and recognized compensation expense for restricted stock awards of $10.6 million. Shares available for grant at December 31, 1996 were 2,886,667. Changes in the Restricted Stock Awards outstanding were as follows: NUMBER OF SHARES ------------------------------ YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1996 1995 1994 ---------------------- ------------------------------ Restricted awards outstanding at January 1 251,208 664,500 960,000 Restricted awards granted --- 145,000 256,000 Restricted awards exercised --- (42,875) (412,500) Restricted awards cancelled (141,750) (515,417) (139,000) ------- ------- ------- Restricted awards outstanding at December 31 109,458 251,208 664,500 ======= ======= ======= Fair value at date of grant $ N/A $ 27.00 $ N/A ======= ======= ======= - 37 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS L-P also has a restricted stock plan in which the shares are issued at the date of grant. The shares are non-transferable until the time period specified lapses. There are no other performance criteria. Under this plan 150,000 shares were granted and issued in 1996. These shares vest 30,000 shares in 1997, 30,000 shares in 1998, 30,000 share in 1999 and 60,000 shares in 2006. Deferred compensation was recorded in the other equity line in the balance sheet in the amount of $3.8 million based on the market value of the stock at the date of issuance. The deferred compensation balance is amortized to expense over the years during which the certificates vest. The amount of expense recorded in 1996 related to these restricted shares was $.8 million. Stock Purchase Plans L-P offers employee stock purchase plans to all employees. Under each plan, employees may subscribe to purchase shares of L-P stock over 24 months at 85 percent of the market price. At December 31, 1996, 750,000 shares and 558,063 shares were subscribed at $18.59 and $20.35 per share under the 1996 and 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plans. During 1996, L-P issued 71,398 shares to employees at an average price of $22.09 under all Employee Stock Purchase Plans, including the completion of the purchase period for the 1994 Plan. 7. SETTLEMENT CHARGES AND OTHER UNUSUAL ITEMS 1996 In the third quarter of 1996, L-P recorded pre-tax charges of $350.0 million ($215.0 million after tax, or $2.00 per share) to reflect expected costs to be incurred in the shut-down of the pulp mill owned and operated by L-P's Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) subsidiary as well as the settlement of all outstanding shareholder securities class action claims, a reserve for other litigation and a reserve for the planned shut-down and other costs related to certain other non-strategic facilities. The charge for the shut-down of the Ketchikan Pulp mill includes the Company's best estimates of all costs related to the closing of operations including the write-down of property, plant and equipment to estimated salvage value, severance costs, inventory write-downs, environmental and general property clean- up and other costs. L-P and KPC believe the shut-down of this mill was caused by changes in economic and operating conditions as a result of modifications made to the long-term timber supply contract made by the U.S. Forest Service. These changes were required by Congress as part of the Tongass Timber Reform Act passed in 1990. KPC filed claims against the USFS which were resolved subsequent to year-end. See the Note entitled "Subsequent Events" for further information. In 1996, as part of the implementation of current management's strategic plan, L-P evaluated the viability of all its current operations and made plans for the closure or sale of certain other manufacturing facilities including several sawmills, structural panel products plants and other plants. The facilities have been written down to their estimated salvage or sales value. The total charge related to property and equipment write-downs, including the KPC facilities was $191.1 million. The facilities covered by this charge incurred operating losses of approximately $64 million through in 1996, of which approximately $40 million related to pulp segment assets and $24 million related to building products related assets. L-P reached an agreement on behalf of all defendants to settle all outstanding shareholder securities class action claims brought in 1995 against the company and four former and current officers. The agreement has been given court approval and is discussed further in the Note entitled "Contingencies." The settlement required a payment of approximately $65 million, of which - 38 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS approximately $20 million was covered by insurance. L-P received the insurance proceeds and paid the settlement amount into an escrow account in 1996. L-P also reserved additional amounts related to other outstanding litigation, including plaintiffs who opted out of the siding class action settlements. Detail regarding the industry segments to which this $350.0 million charge relate is presented in the Note entitled "Segment Information." Broken down by type of expense, $191.1 million related to property and equipment write-downs, $19.3 million related to inventory write-downs and $139.6 million related to reserves taken for severance and other shut-down charges as well as litigation costs. 1995 In the third quarter of 1995, L-P recorded a pre-tax charge of $366.6 million ($221.8 million after tax, or $2.07 per share). This charge included $345.0 million for class action settlements related to the Company's siding product, as well as write-downs on planned disposals by mid-1996 of certain facilities, principally sawmills. The historical results of these operations were not significant. A gain on the sale of a non-strategic asset was netted against this charge. 8. CONTINGENCIES Environmental Proceedings In March 1995, L-P's subsidiary Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) entered into agreements with the federal government to resolve the issues related to water and air compliance problems experienced at KPC's pulp mill during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In addition to civil and criminal penalties that have been paid, KPC also agreed to undertake further expenditures, which are primarily capital in nature, including certain remedial and pollution control related measures, with an estimated cost of up to approximately $20 million. With the impending closure of the pulp mill, KPC is currently seeking the EPA's and court's guidance regarding the necessity of these expenditures. KPC has also agreed to undertake a study of whether a clean-up of Ward Cove, the body of water adjacent to the pulp mill, is needed. If the study determines that such clean-up is needed, KPC may be required to spend up to $6 million on the clean-up, including the cost of the study, as part of the overall $20 million of expenditures. At this time, the company cannot estimate what portion, if any, of the clean-up expenditures will be required. KPC is also negotiating with the state and EPA to conduct investigative and clean-up activities at the pulp mill following shut-down. Total anticipated costs for these activities are unknown at this time, but KPC has recorded its initial estimated amount. The USFS has named KPC as a potentially responsible party for costs related to the capping of a landfill near Thorne Bay, Alaska. Total costs may range up to $8 million. Certain of L-P's plant sites have or are suspected of having substances in the ground or in the groundwater that are considered pollutants. Appropriate corrective action or plans for corrective action are underway. Where the pollutants were caused by previous owners of the property, L-P is vigorously pursuing those parties through legal channels and is vigorously pursuing insurance coverage under all applicable policies. L-P maintains a reserve for estimated environmental loss contingencies. The balance of the reserve was $33 million and $14 million at December 31, 1996 and 1995. The increase during 1996 related primarily to the shut down of the Ketchikan Pulp Company pulp operations. As with all accounting estimates, significant uncertainty exists in the reliability and precision of the estimates - 39 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS because the facts and circumstances surrounding each contingency vary from case to case. L-P continually monitors its estimated exposure for environmental liabilities and adjusts its accrual accordingly. As additional information about the environmental contingencies becomes known, L-P's estimate of its liability for environmental loss contingencies may change significantly, although no estimate of the range of potential liability can be made at this time. L-P cannot estimate the time frame over which these accrued amounts are likely to be paid out. A portion of L-P's environmental reserve is related to liabilities for clean-up of properties which are currently owned or have been owned in the past by L-P. Certain of these sites are subject to cost sharing arrangements with other parties who were also involved with the site. L-P does not believe that any of these cost sharing arrangements will result in an additional material liability to L-P due to non-performance by the other party. L-P has not reduced its liability for any anticipated insurance recoveries. Although L-P's policy is to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, the company has in the past been required to pay fines for non-compliance and sometimes litigation has resulted from contested environmental actions. Also, L-P is involved in other environmental actions and proceedings which could result in fines or penalties. Management believes that any fines, penalties or other losses resulting from the matters discussed above in excess of the reserve for environmental loss contingencies will not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position or results of operations of L-P. See "Colorado Criminal Proceedings" for further discussion of an environmental action against the company. Colorado Criminal Proceedings L-P began an internal investigation at L-P's Montrose (Olathe), Colorado, oriented strand board (OSB) plant of various matters, including certain environmental matters, in the summer of 1992 and reported its initial finding of irregularities to governmental authorities in September 1992. Shortly thereafter, a federal grand jury commenced an investigation of L-P concerning alleged environmental violations at that plant, which was subsequently expanded to include the taking of evidence and testimony relating to alleged fraud in connection with the submission of unrepresentative OSB product samples to the APA-The Engineered Wood Association (APA), an industry product certification agency, by L-P's Montrose plant and certain of its other OSB plants. L-P then commenced an independent investigation, which was concluded in 1995, under the direction of former federal judge Charles B. Renfrew concerning irregularities in sampling and quality assurance in its OSB operations. In June 1995, the grand jury returned an indictment in the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado, against L-P, a former manager of the Montrose mill, and a former superintendent at the mill. L-P is now facing 23 felony counts related to environmental matters at the Montrose mill, including alleged conspiracy, tampering with opacity monitoring equipment, and making false statements under the Clean Air Act. The indictment also charges L-P with 25 felony counts of fraud relating to alleged use of the APA trademark on OSB structural panel products produced by the Montrose mill as a result of L-P's allegedly improper sampling practices in connection with the APA quality assurance program. No trial date has been set. In December 1995, L-P received a notice of suspension from the EPA stating that, because of criminal proceedings pending against L-P in Colorado, agencies of the federal government would be prohibited from purchasing from L-P's Northern Division. L-P is negotiating to have the EPA suspension lifted or modified based on positive environmental programs actively underway. While negotiations are continuing, the EPA has approved a preliminary agreement limiting the prohibition to L-P's Montrose, Colorado, facility for an interim period in recognition of L-P's environmental compliance efforts. Under recently revised regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture, the EPA suspension will also have the effect of prohibiting L-P's Montrose facility from purchasing timber directly, but not indirectly, from the United States Forest Service. - 40 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS L-P maintains a reserve for its estimate of the cost of the Montrose criminal proceedings, although as with any estimate, there is uncertainty concerning the actual costs to be incurred. At the present time, L-P cannot predict whether or to what extent the circumstances described above will result in further civil litigation or investigation by government authorities, or the potential financial impact of any such current or future proceedings, in which case the resolution of the above matters could have a materially adverse impact on L-P. OSB Siding Matters L-P has been named as a defendant in numerous class action and non-class action proceedings, brought on behalf of various persons or purported classes of persons (including nationwide classes in the United States and Canada) who own or have purchased or used OSB siding manufactured by L-P, because of alleged unfair business practices, breach of warranty, misrepresentation, conspiracy to defraud, and other theories related to alleged defects, deterioration, or failure of OSB siding products. The United States District Court for the District of Oregon has given final approval to a settlement between L-P and a nationwide class composed of all persons who own, who have owned, or who subsequently acquire property on which L-P's OSB siding was installed prior to January 1, 1996, excluding persons who timely opted out of the settlement and persons who are members of the settlement class in the Florida litigation described below. Under the settlement agreement, an eligible claimant whose claim is filed prior to January 1, 2003 (or earlier in certain cases), and is approved by an independent claims administrator will be entitled to receive from the settlement fund established under the agreement a payment equal to the replacement cost (to be determined by a third-party construction cost estimator and currently estimated to be in the range $2.20 to $6.40 per square foot depending on the type of product and geographic location) of damaged siding, reduced by a specific adjustment (of up to 65 percent) based on the age of the siding. Class members who have previously submitted or resolved claims under any other warranty or claims program of L-P may be entitled to receive the difference between the amount which would be payable under the settlement agreement and the amount previously paid. Independent adjusters will determine the extent of damage to OSB siding at each claimant's property in accordance with a specified protocol. There will be no adjustment to settlement payments for improper maintenance or installation. A claimant who is dissatisfied with the amount to be paid under the settlement may elect to pursue claims against L-P in a binding arbitration seeking compensatory damages without regard to the amount of payment calculated under the settlement protocol. A claimant who elects to pursue an arbitration claim must prove his entitlement to damages under any available legal theory, and L-P may assert any available defense, including defenses that otherwise had been waived under the settlement agreement. If the arbitrator reduces the damage award otherwise payable to the claimant because of a finding of improper installation, the claimant will be entitled to pursue a claim against the contractor/builder to the extent the award was reduced. L-P is required to pay $275 million into the settlement fund in seven annual installments beginning in mid-1996: $100 million (paid in June 1996), $55 million, $40 million, $30 million, $20 million, $15 million, and $15 million. If at any time after the fourth year of the settlement period the amount of approved claims (paid and pending) equals or exceeds $275 million, then the settlement agreement will terminate as to all claims in excess of $275 million unless L-P timely elects to provide additional funding within 12 months equal to the lesser of (I) the excess of unfunded claims over $275 million or (ii) $50 million and, if necessary to satisfy unfunded claims, a second payment within 24 months equal to the lesser of (I) the remaining unfunded amount or (ii) $50 million. If the total payments to the settlement fund are insufficient to - 41 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS satisfy in full all approved claims filed prior to January 1, 2003, then L-P may elect to satisfy the unfunded claims by making additional payments into the settlement fund at the end of each of the next two 12-month periods or until all claims are paid in full, with each additional payment being in an amount equal to the greater of (I) 50 percent of the aggregate sum of all remaining unfunded approved claims or (ii) 100 percent of the aggregate amount of unfunded approved claims, up to a maximum of $50 million. If L-P fails to make any such additional payment, all class members whose claims remain unsatisfied from the settlement fund may pursue any available legal remedies against L-P without regard to the release of claims provided in the settlement agreement. If L-P makes all payments required under the settlement agreement, including all additional payments as specified above, class members will be deemed to have released L-P from all claims for damaged OSB siding, except for claims arising under their existing 25-year limited warranty after termination of the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement does not cover consequential damages resulting from damage to OSB siding or damage to utility grade OSB siding (sold without any express warranty), either of which could create additional claims. In the event all claims filed prior to January 1, 2003, that are approved have been paid without exhausting the settlement fund, any amounts remaining in the settlement fund revert to L-P. In addition to payments to the settlement fund, L-P will be required to pay fees of class counsel in the amount of $26.25 million, as well as expenses of administering the settlement fund and inspecting properties for damage and certain other costs. As of December 31, 1996, approximately $68 million of the first year's $100 million installment remained, after accruing interest on undisbursed funds and deducting class notification costs, prior claims costs (including payments advanced to homeowners in urgent circumstances) and payment of a small number of claims under the settlement. By that date, approximately 78,000 claims forms had been requested and mailed and approximately 33,300 claims had been submitted; inspections and claims payments were at a very early stage. Approximately 1,400 opt out notices were timely submitted, including about 1,200 individual property owners (a number of whose claims have subsequently been resolved) and about 200 developers/owners of commercial properties; this has resulted in additional claims being filed by those who opted out, predominantly by owners/developers of commercial properties, most of which have been settled. A settlement of the Florida class action has been approved by the Circuit Court for Lake County, Florida. Under the settlement, L-P has established a claims procedure pursuant to which members of the settlement class may report problems with L-P's OSB siding and have their properties inspected by an independent adjuster, who will measure the amount of damage and also determine the extent to which improper design, construction, installation, finishing, painting, and maintenance may have contributed to any damage. The maximum payment for damaged siding will be $3.40 per square foot for lap siding and $2.82 per square foot for panel siding, subject to reduction of up to 75 percent for damage resulting from improper design, construction, installation, finishing, painting, or maintenance, and also subject to reduction for age of siding more than three years old. L-P has agreed that the deduction from the payment to a member of the Florida class will be not greater than the deduction computed for a similar claimant under the national settlement agreement described above. Class members will be entitled to make claims for up to five years after October 4, 1995. As of December 31, 1996, approximately 21,781 claims forms had been requested and mailed; approximately 12,000 completed claims forms had been returned, and approximately 11,500 inspections had been completed; this resulted in approximately 9,221 allowed claims, at an aggregate cost of approximately $26 million (including adjustments to deductions to conform to the national settlement). L-P maintains reserves for the estimated costs of these siding settlements, although, as with any estimate, there is uncertainty concerning the actual costs to be incurred. The discussion above notes some of the factors, in addition to - 42 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS the inherent uncertainty of predicting the outcome of claims and litigation, that could cause actual costs to vary materially from current estimates. Other OSB Matters Three separate purported class actions on behalf of owners and purchasers of properties in which L-P's OSB panels are used for flooring, sheathing, or underlayment have been consolidated in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California under the caption Agius v. Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. The actions seek damages and equitable relief for alleged fraud, misrepresentation, breach of warranty, negligence, and improper trade practices related to alleged improprieties in testing, APA certification, and marketing of OSB structural panels, and alleged premature deterioration of such panels. A separate state court action entitled Carney v. Louisiana-Pacific Corporation is pending in the Superior Court of the State of California for the City and County of San Francisco, seeking relief under California consumer protection statutes based on similar allegations. At the present time, L-P cannot predict the potential financial impact of the above actions. However, the resolution of the above matters could have a materially adverse impact on L-P. Securities Actions In October 1996, L-P reached an agreement in principle to settle pending securities class actions in which L-P and certain of its present and former executive officers were named as defendants. The actions were brought on behalf of various purported classes of purchasers of L-P's common stock and were consolidated in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon under the caption In Re Louisiana Pacific Corp. Securities Litigation. Plaintiffs were seeking to recover damages under the securities laws for alleged failures to disclose or improper disclosures generally relating to the various legal proceedings described above and the matters that are the subject of such proceedings. The proposed settlement, which was entered into without any admission of liability by any defendant, provides for payment by L-P of approximately $65 million, of which approximately $20 million was covered by insurance. L-P received the insurance proceeds and paid the settlement amount in 1996. The settlement received final approval in the court in February 1997. Executive Employment Matter In January 1996, an action entitled International Paper Company v. Mark A. Suwyn and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation was instituted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York claiming that Mr. Suwyn's employment as chief executive officer of L-P violated the terms of a previous employment agreement with the plaintiff. The complaint seeks an injunction prohibiting Mr. Suwyn from continuing his employment with L-P for 18 months and other relief. L-P believes there are meritorious defenses related to this case and does not believe that there is any material liability related to this case. Other L-P and its subsidiaries are parties to other legal proceedings. Management believes that the outcome of such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position or results of operations of L-P. - 43 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The balance in L-P's contingency reserves, exclusive of the environmental reserves discussed above, was $227 million and $387 million at December 31, 1996, and 1995. As L-P receives additional information regarding these contingencies, L-P will monitor its estimated exposure and adjust its accrual accordingly. Although the preliminary statistics from the siding settlements indicate present reserves are adequate, the amounts ultimately paid for these contingencies could differ materially from the amount currently recorded, although no estimate of the timing or range of the potential liability can be made at this time. 9. COMMITMENTS L-P is obligated to purchase timber under certain cutting contracts, primarily with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which extend to 2002. L-P's best estimate of its commitment at current contract rates under these contracts is approximately $25.5 million for approximately 378 million board feet of timber. This commitment is based on a revised contract with the USFS in Alaska for L-P's Ketchikan Pulp Company subsidiary (see the Note entitled "Subsequent Events" for a further discussion of this revised contract). Payments under all operating leases that were charged to rental expense during 1996, 1995, and 1994 were $17.0 million, $10.7 million and $7.6 million. L-P's future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases total approximately $6.8 million. During 1997, L-P plans expenditures of $150-$175 million for plant additions and improvements, timber and logging roads. 10. SEGMENT INFORMATION L-P operates in two major industry segments. The major products included in each segment are detailed further in the "Product Information Summary" in Item 1. Intersegment sales are chips transferred from company-owned building products plants to company-owned pulp mills. All transfers are made at prevailing market prices. Timber and related assets and capital expenditures for such assets have not been allocated to the industry segments as these are a prime source of raw materials for both segments. The cost of logs delivered to the plants and residual fibers are included in the operating results of the segments. - 44 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Export sales are primarily to customers in the Far East and Europe. Information about L-P's geographic segments is as follows: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total sales -- point of origin U.S. $2,389 $2,703 $2,937 Canada and other 162 191 158 Intersegment sales to U.S. (65) (51) (55) ----- ----- ----- Total sales $2,486 $2,843 $3,040 ===== ===== ===== Export sales (included above) $ 268 $ 457 $ 371 ===== ===== ===== Profit (loss) U.S. $ 107 $ 353 $ 585 Canada and other (24) 37 46 Settlement charges and other unusual items, net (350) (367) -- General corporate expense and interest, net (60) (118) (71) ----- ----- ----- Income (loss) before taxes and minority interest $ (327) $ (95) $ 560 ===== ===== ===== Identifiable assets U.S. $2,195 $2,305 $2,353 Canada 308 434 363 All other 86 66 28 ----- ----- ----- Total assets $2,589 $2,805 $2,744 ===== ===== ===== - 45 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Information about L-P's industry segments is as follows: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (IN MILLIONS) 1996 1995 1994 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total sales Building products $2,328 $2,535 $2,831 Pulp 177 334 220 Intersegment sales to pulp (19) (26) (11) ----- ----- ----- Total sales $2,486 $2,843 $3,040 ===== ===== ===== Profit (loss) Building products $ 174 $ 346 $ 636 Pulp (91) 44 (5) Settlement charges and other unusual items, net(1) (350) (367) -- General corporate expense, net (52) (121) (72) Interest, net (8) 3 1 ----- ----- ----- Income (loss) before taxes and minority interest $ (327) $ (95) $ 560 ===== ===== ===== Identifiable assets Building products $1,346 $1,389 $1,146 Pulp 341 457 440 Timber, timberlands, logging equipment and roads 682 727 733 General corporate assets 220 232 425 ----- ----- ----- Total assets $2,589 $2,805 $2,744 ===== ===== ===== Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested Building products $ 164 $ 158 $ 162 Pulp 25 36 29 Capital expenditures Building products 203 286 228 Pulp 36 47 30 Timber, timberlands, logging equipment and roads 38 69 92 - -------------------------- (1) In 1996, of the total $350 million charge, $171 million related to the pulp segment, $134 million related to the building products segment (including litigation costs related to building products) and $45 million was not allocable to either industry segment. In 1995, the substantial majority of the $366.6 million charge related to class action settlements concerning the company's siding product and therefore would be primarily allocated to building products. 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Acquisition On January 2, 1997, L-P purchased all of the outstanding common stock of GreenStone Industries, a cellulose insulation manufacturer. The total purchase price paid by L-P in cash, stock and assumption of liabilities was approximately $45 million. - 46 - NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Ketchikan Pulp Company Timber Contract In February 1997, L-P's Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) subsidiary and the U.S. Government reached an agreement that will provide KPC's two sawmills with timber to operate for three additional years. The government also agreed to immediately pay KPC $135 million to settle damage claims filed against the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and potentially another $5 million in 3 years if KPC meets certain conditions. The Company plans to record the settlement as an unusual item when the funds are received. See Note entitled "Settlement Charges and Other Unusual Items" and Management's Discussion and Analysis for a further discussion of the KPC contract dispute. - 47 - REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND MANAGEMENT Report of Independent Public Accountants To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Portland, Oregon January 31, 1997 (except with respect to the matter discussed under the heading "Ketchikan Pulp Company Timber Contract" in Note 11 as to which date is February 21, 1997) Report of Management The management of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation has prepared the consolidated financial statements and related financial data contained in this Annual Financial Report. The financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles appropriate in the circumstances and by necessity include some amounts determined using management's best judgments and estimates with appropriate consideration to materiality. Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the financial statements and other financial data included in the report. To meet this responsibility management maintains a system of internal accounting controls to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that accounting records are reliable. Management supports a program of internal audits and internal accounting control reviews to provide assurance that the system is operating effectively. The Board of Directors pursues its responsibility for reported financial information through its Audit Committee, composed of five outside directors. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management, the internal auditors and the independent public accountants to review the activities of each. MARK A. SUWYN WILLIAM L. HEBERT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vice President, Treasurer and Controller January 31, 1997 - 48 - 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 regarding the directors of the registrant is incorporated herein by reference to the material included under the caption "Item 1--Election of Directors" and "General" in the definitive proxy statement filed by the registrant for its 1997 annual meeting of stockholders (the "1997 Proxy Statement"). Information regarding the executive officers of the registrant is located in Part I of this report under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant." ITEM 11. Executive Compensation Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the material under the captions "Compensation Committee--Interlocks and Insider Participation," "Compensation of Executive Officers," "Director's Compensation," Agreements with Executive Officers,", and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the 1997 Proxy Statement. ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to the material under the caption "Holders of Common Stock" in the 1997 Proxy Statement. ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Information regarding management transactions is incorporated herein by reference to the material under the captions "Compensation Committee--Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Management Transactions" in the 1997 Proxy Statement. PART IV ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K A. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES The following financial statements are included in this report: Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1996, and 1995. Consolidated Statements of Income--years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994. Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity--years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994. Notes to Financial Statements. - 49 - Report of Independent Public Accountants. No financial statement schedules are required to be filed. B. REPORTS ON FORM 8-K The registrant did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 1996. C. EXHIBITS The exhibits filed as part of this report or incorporated by reference herein are listed in the accompanying exhibit index. Each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement is identified in the index. - 50 - SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "registrant"), has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Date: March 28, 1997 LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION (Registrant) /s/ WILLIAM L. HEBERT William L. Hebert Vice President, Treasurer and Controller ---------------------------------------- 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. Date Signature and Title March 28, 1997 /s/ MARK A. SUWYN -------------------- Mark A. Suwyn Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) March 28, 1997 /s/ WILLIAM L. HEBERT ------------------------ William L. Hebert Vice President, Treasurer and Controller (Principal Financial & Accounting Officer) Date Signature and Title March 28, 1997 /s/ WILLIAM C. BROOKS ------------------------ William C. Brooks Director March 28, 1997 /s/ ARCHIE W. DUNHAM ----------------------- Archie W. Dunham Director March 28, 1997 /s/ PIERRE S. DU PONT IV --------------------------- Pierre S. du Pont IV Director March 28, 1997 /s/ WILLIAM E. FLAHERTY -------------------------- William E. Flaherty Director March 28, 1997 /s/ BONNIE GUITON HILL ------------------------- Bonnie Guiton Hill Director March 28, 1997 /s/ DONALD R. KAYSER ----------------------- Donald R. Kayser Director March 28, 1997 /s/ FRANCINE I. NEFF ----------------------- Francine I. Neff Director March 28, 1997 /s/ LEE C. SIMPSON --------------------- Lee C. Simpson Director March 28, 1997 /s/ CHARLES E. YEAGER ------------------------ Charles E. Yeager Director EXHIBIT INDEX On written request, the registrant will furnish to any record holder or beneficial holder of the registrant's common stock any exhibit to this report upon the payment of a fee equal to the registrant's costs of copying such exhibit plus postage. Any such request should be sent to: Pamela A. Selis, Director of Corporate Communications, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, 111 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204. Items identified with an asterisk (*) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. Exhibit Description of Exhibit 3.A Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant as amended to date. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the registrant's Form 10-Q report for the quarter ended June 30, 1993. 3.B Bylaws of the registrant as amended to date. 4.A.1 Rights Agreement as Restated as of February 3, 1991, between the registrant and First Chicago Trust Company of New York as Rights Agent, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 28, 1995, and Amendment No. 2 dated as of October 30, 1995. Pursuant to Item 601 (b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, the registrant is not filing certain instruments with respect to its long-term debt because the amount authorized under any such instrument does not exceed 10 percent of the total consolidated assets of the registrant at December 31, 1996. The registrant agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. 4.A.2 Credit Agreement dated as of January 31, 1997, among the registrant, Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association and the other financial institutions party thereto. 10.A The registrant's 1984 Employee Stock Option Plan as amended to date.* 10.B The registrant's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan.* 10.C 1992 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and Related Form of Option Agreement. Incorporated by Exhibit Description of Exhibit reference to Exhibit 10.C to the registrant's Form 10-K report for 1992.* 10.D Louisiana-Pacific Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan.* 10.E(1) The registrant's Key Employee Restricted Stock Plan as amended.* 10.E(2) Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under Exhibit 10.H(1). Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.H(2) to the registrant's Form 10-K report for 1992.* 10.F(1) Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 1997 Incentive Stock Award Plan effective March 1, 1997 (subject to stockholder approval).* 10.F(2) Form of Award Agreements for Non-Qualified Stock Options and Performance Shares under the Louisiana-Pacific 1997 Incentive Stock Award Plan (subject to stockholder approval).* 10.F(3) Louisiana-Pacific Annual Cash Incentive Award Plan adopted March 1, 1997 (subject to stockholder approval of performance goals).* 10.G The registrant's Supplemental Benefits Plan.* 10.H Employment Agreement between the registrant and Mark A. Suwyn dated January 2, 1996. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.L to the registrant's Form 10-K report for 1995.* 10.I Restricted Stock Award Agreement between the registrant and Mark A. Suwyn dated January 31, 1996. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.M to the registrant's Form 10-K report for 1995.* 10.J Employment Agreement between the registrant and Stephen Grant dated August 1, 1995. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.P to the registrant's Form 10-K report for 1995.* Exhibit Description of Exhibit 10.K 1997 Cash Incentive Award for Mark A. Suwyn adopted March 1, 1997 (subject to stockholder approval).* 10.L Letter agreement dated April 19, 1996, with Michael D. Hanna, with respect to attached employment agreement dated January 15, 1995, between Mr. Hanna and Associated Chemists, Inc.* 10.M Executive Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 1997, by and between the registrant and Karen D. Lundquist.* 11 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and Subsidiaries: Calculation of Net Income Per Share for the Year Ended December 31, 1996. 21 List of subsidiaries of the registrant. 23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants. 27 Financial data schedule.
                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                                 Index to Bylaws


                                                       Page No.
                                                       --------

ARTICLE I.         STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS . . . . . .     1

      Section 1.        Annual Meeting. . . . . . . .     1
      Section 2.        Special Meetings. . . . . . .     1
      Section 3.        Place of Meetings . . . . . .     1
      Section 4.        Notice of Meeting . . . . . .     1
      Section 5.        Quorum. . . . . . . . . . . .     1
      Section 6.        Organization. . . . . . . . .     2
      Section 7.        Conduct of Business . . . . .     2
      Section 8.        Voting. . . . . . . . . . . .     2
      Section 9.        Proxies . . . . . . . . . . .     3
      Section 10.       List of Stockholders. . . . .     3
      Section 11.       Inspectors. . . . . . . . . .     3
      Section 12.       Denial of Action by Consent
                          of Stockholders . . . . . .     4
      Section 13.       Nominations for Director  . .     4
      Section 14.       Notice of Stockholder Business    4

ARTICLE II.        BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . .     5

      Section 1.        General Powers. . . . . . . .     5
      Section 2.        Number, Classification,
                          Election and Qualification.     5
      Section 3.        Place of Meetings . . . . . .     6
      Section 4.        Regular Meetings. . . . . . .     6
      Section 5.        Special Meetings. . . . . . .     6
      Section 6.        Notice. . . . . . . . . . . .     6
      Section 7.        Quorum and Manner of Acting .     6
      Section 8.        Organization. . . . . . . . .     7
      Section 9.        Resignations. . . . . . . . .     7
      Section 10.       Vacancies and Newly Created .
                          Directorships . . . . . . .     7
      Section 11.       Removal of Directors. . . . .     7
      Section 12.       Compensation. . . . . . . . .     7
      Section 13.       Board and Committee Action
                          Without Meeting . . . . . .     8
      Section 14.       Board and Committee Telephonic
                          Meetings. . . . . . . . . .     8
      Section 15.       Mandatory Retirement Age. . .     8

ARTICLE III.       EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES . .     8

      Section 1.        Executive and Other Committees    8
      Section 2.        General . . . . . . . . . . .     9





                                      - i -





ARTICLE IV.        EXCEPTIONS TO NOTICE REQUIREMENTS      9

      Section 1.        Waiver of Notice. . . . . . .     9
      Section 2.        Unlawful Notice . . . . . . .     9

ARTICLE V.         OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . .     9

      Section 1.        Number, Election and
                          Qualification . . . . . . .     9
      Section 2.        Resignations. . . . . . . . .    10
      Section 3.        Removal . . . . . . . . . . .    10
      Section 4.        Vacancies . . . . . . . . . .    10
      Section 5.        Chairman  . . . . . . . . . .    10
      Section 6.        President . . . . . . . . . .    11
      Section 7.        Vice Presidents . . . . . . .    11
      Section 8.        Secretary . . . . . . . . . .    11
      Section 9.        Treasurer . . . . . . . . . .    11
      Section 10.       Additional Powers and Duties.    12
      Section 11.       Compensation. . . . . . . . .    12

ARTICLE VI.        INDEMNIFICATION. . . . . . . . . .    12

      Section 1.        General . . . . . . . . . . .    12
      Section 2.        Employee Benefit or Welfare
                          Plan Fiduciary Liability. .    12
      Section 3.        Persons Not to be Indemnified
                          Under Section 2 . . . . . .    13
      Section 4.        Advances of Expenses  . . . .    13
      Section 5.        Mandatory Indemnification in
                          Certain Circumstances   . .    14
      Section 6.        Right to Indemnification upon
                          Application; Procedure upon
                          Application . . . . . . . .    14
      Section 7.        Enforcement of Rights . . . .    14
      Section 8.        Bylaws as Contract;
                          Non-Exclusivity . . . . . .    15

ARTICLE VII.       STOCK AND TRANSFER OF STOCK. . . .    15

      Section 1.        Stock Certificates. . . . . .    15
      Section 2.        Transfers of Shares . . . . .    15
      Section 3.        Regulations, Transfer Agents
                          and Registrars. . . . . . .    16
      Section 4.        Replacement of Certificates .    16
      Section 5.        Fixing of Record Date . . . .    16

ARTICLE VIII.      FISCAL YEAR. . . . . . . . . . . .    16

ARTICLE IX.        SEAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    16

ARTICLE X.         AMENDMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . .    17





                                   - ii -





                                    BYLAWS OF
                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                        ARTICLE I. STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS

            Section 1. Annual  Meeting.  The annual meeting of the  stockholders
shall be held on the first Friday in the month of May in each year at 10:30 a.m.
or at such  other time or date in April or May of each year as shall be fixed by
the Board of  Directors,  for the election of directors and the  transaction  of
such other  business as may properly come before the meeting.  If the date fixed
for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday in the place of the meeting, the
meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day.

            Section 2. Special  Meetings.  Special  meetings of the stockholders
for any proper purposes,  unless otherwise provided by the law of Delaware,  may
be called by the  Chairman or pursuant to  resolution  of the Board of Directors
and shall be called by the  Chairman  at the request in writing of a majority of
the directors. Business transacted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be
confined  to the  purpose or  purposes of the meeting as stated in the notice of
the meeting.

            Section 3. Place of Meetings.  Meetings of the  stockholders  may be
held at such places,  within or without the State of  Delaware,  as the Board of
Directors  or the officer  calling the same shall  specify in the notice of such
meeting.

            Section 4. Notice of Meeting.  Written notice stating the place, day
and hour of the  meeting  and,  in case of a special  meeting,  the  purpose  or
purposes for which the meeting is called,  shall, unless otherwise prescribed by
statute,  be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of
the  meeting,  either  personally  or by  mail,  by or at the  direction  of the
Chairman, the President, the Secretary, or other persons calling the meeting, to
each  stockholder of record  entitled to vote at such meeting.  If mailed,  such
notice  shall be deemed to be given when  deposited  in the United  States mail,
postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the
records of the  Corporation.  When a meeting  is  adjourned  to another  time or
place,  notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given provided that the time
and place to which the  meeting is  adjourned  are  announced  at the meeting at
which the adjournment is taken, the adjournment is for no more than thirty days,
and after the adjournment no new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting.
Notice of the  adjourned  meeting shall be given to each  stockholder  of record
entitled  to vote at the  meeting if all the  conditions  of the  proviso in the
preceding  sentence are not met. At an  adjourned  meeting the  Corporation  may
transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

            Section 5.  Quorum.  A  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by



                                   - 1 -





proxy,  shall  constitute  a quorum  at a  meeting  of  stockholders  except  as
otherwise  provided by statute or in the Certificate of  Incorporation.  If less
than a majority  of the  outstanding  shares  are  represented  at a meeting,  a
majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time.
At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any
business may be  transacted  which might have been  transacted at the meeting as
originally  noticed.  The stockholders  present at a duly organized  meeting may
continue to transact business until adjournment,  notwithstanding the withdrawal
of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

            Section 6.  Organization.  At each meeting of the  stockholders  the
Chairman,  or in his  absence or  inability  to act,  the  President,  or in the
absence or inability to act of the Chairman and the President, a Vice-President,
or in the absence of all the foregoing, any person chosen by a majority of those
stockholders present shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary, or, in
his absence or inability to act, the Assistant Secretary or any person appointed
by the chairman of the  meeting,  shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep
the minutes thereof.

            Section 7.  Conduct of Business.  The Board of Directors  shall have
authority to determine from time to time the procedures governing, and the rules
of conduct  applicable  to,  annual and special  meetings  of the  stockholders.
Except as otherwise  determined by the Board of Directors  prior to the meeting,
the chairman of any  stockholders  meeting shall determine the order of business
and shall have  authority  in his  discretion  to adjourn  such  meeting  and to
determine  the  procedures  governing  such  meeting and to regulate the conduct
thereat,  including,  without limitation,  imposing  restrictions on the persons
(other than stockholders of the Corporation or their duly appointed proxies) who
may attend any such stockholders meeting, determining whether any stockholder or
any  proxy  may be  excluded  from  any  stockholders  meeting  based  upon  any
determination  by the chairman in his sole  discretion  that any such person has
unduly disrupted or is likely to disrupt the proceedings  thereat and specifying
the  circumstances  in which any person may make a statement or ask questions at
any stockholders meetings.

            Section 8.  Voting.  Except as  otherwise  provided by statute,  the
Certificate of Incorporation,  or any certificate duly filed pursuant to Section
151 of the Delaware General  Corporation Law, each stockholder shall be entitled
to one vote on each matter  submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders for
each share of capital stock held of record by him on the date fixed by the Board
of Directors as the record date for the  determination  of the  stockholders who
shall be  entitled to notice of and to vote at such  meeting;  or if such record
date shall not have been so fixed, then at the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which notice  thereof  shall be given.  Except as otherwise
provided by statute,  these Bylaws,  or the  Certificate of  Incorporation,  any
corporate action to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be



                                   - 2 -





authorized by a majority of the total votes, or when  stockholders  are required
to vote by class by a majority of the votes of the appropriate  class, cast at a
meeting  of  stockholders  by  the  holders  of  shares  present  in  person  or
represented  by proxy and  entitled to vote on such action.  Unless  required by
statute, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable,  the vote
on any question need not be by written  ballot and may be by such other means as
the  chairman  deems  advisable  under the  circumstances.  On a vote by written
ballot,  each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by his proxy,
if there be such proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.

            Section 9. Proxies.  Each stockholder  entitled to vote at a meeting
of  stockholders  may  authorize  another  person or persons to act for him by a
proxy  signed by such  stockholder  or his  attorney-in-fact.  No proxy shall be
valid  after  the  expiration  of three  years  from the  date  thereof,  unless
otherwise provided in the proxy.

            Section 10. List of Stockholders.  The officer who has charge of the
stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before
every meeting of stockholders,  a complete list of the stockholders  entitled to
vote at the meeting,  arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of
each  stockholder  and the  number  of  shares  registered  in the  name of each
stockholder.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for
any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period
of at least ten days  prior to the  meeting,  either at a place  within the city
where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of
the meeting,  or, if not so  specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be
held.  The list  shall  also be  produced  and kept at the time and place of the
meeting during the whole time thereof,  and may be inspected by any  stockholder
who is present.

            Section 11.  Inspectors.  The Board of Directors  may, in advance of
any  meeting of  stockholders,  appoint  one or more  inspectors  to act at such
meeting or any adjournment  thereof. If the inspectors shall not be so appointed
or if any of them shall fail to appear or act,  the  chairman of the meeting may
appoint  inspectors.  The  inspectors  shall  determine  the  number  of  shares
outstanding  and the voting power of each,  the number of shares  represented at
the meeting,  the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and
shall receive votes or ballots,  hear and determine all challenges and questions
arising in  connection  with the right to vote,  count and tabulate all votes or
ballots,  determine  the  result,  and do such acts as are proper to conduct the
election or vote with fairness to all  stockholders.  On request of the chairman
of the meeting or any stockholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall
make a report in writing of any challenge,  request or matter determined by them
and shall  execute a  certificate  of any fact  found by them.  No  director  or
candidate  for the office of director  shall act as  inspector of an election of
directors. Inspectors need not be stockholders.



                                   - 3 -






            Section 12. Denial of Action by Consent of  Stockholders.  No action
required  to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special  meeting of
the  stockholders  of the  Corporation  may be taken without a meeting,  and the
power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of
any action is specifically denied.

            Section 13.  Nominations  for Director.  Nominations for election to
the  Board  of  Directors  may be  made  by the  Board  of  Directors  or by any
stockholder  of record  entitled  to vote for the  election  of  directors.  Any
stockholder  entitled to vote for the  election of  directors  may nominate at a
meeting  persons  for  election  as  directors  only if  written  notice of such
stockholder's  intent  to make such  nomination  is  given,  either by  personal
delivery or by certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Chairman at the
Corporation's  executive  offices not later than (i) with respect to an election
to be held at an annual  meeting of  stockholders,  60 days prior to the date of
such meeting  (provided that if such annual meeting of stockholders is held on a
date other  than the first  Friday in May,  such  written  notice  must be given
within 10 days  after  the first  public  disclosure  of the date of the  annual
meeting, including, without limitation, disclosure of the meeting date set forth
in any document or exhibit thereto filed by the Corporation  with the Securities
and Exchange  Commission),  and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a
special  meeting of  stockholders  for the election of  directors,  the close of
business on the seventh day  following  the date on which notice of such meeting
is first given to  stockholders.  Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name
and  address,  as  they  appear  on  the  Corporation's  stock  ledger,  of  the
stockholder  who intends to make the nomination and the name and address of each
person to be nominated;  (b) a representation  that such stockholder is a holder
of record  of stock of the  Corporation  entitled  to vote at such  meeting  and
intends to appear at the meeting in person or by proxy to nominate the person or
persons  specified  in  the  notice  as  directors;  (c) a  description  of  all
arrangements  or  understandings  between  such  stockholder  and each  proposed
nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant
to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by such  stockholder;  (d)
such other  information  regarding each nominee  proposed by such stockholder as
would be  required to be included  in a proxy  statement  filed  pursuant to the
proxy rules of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  were such nominee to be
nominated  by the  Board of  Directors;  and (e) the  consent  of each  proposed
nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected. The chairman of
any  meeting  of  stockholders  to elect  directors  may  refuse to  permit  the
nomination  of any  person  to be made  without  compliance  with the  foregoing
procedure.

            Section 14. Notice of Stockholder Business. At any annual meeting of
the  stockholders  held after May 6, 1988, only such business shall be conducted
as shall have been brought  before the meeting (a) by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors or (b) by any  stockholder of record of the  Corporation  who
complies



                                   - 4 -





with the notice  procedures  set forth in this  Section  14. For  business to be
properly  brought  before  an  annual  meeting  by  any  such  stockholder,  the
stockholder must give written notice thereof to the Chairman, either by personal
delivery or by certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Chairman at the
Corporation's  executive  offices  not  less  than 60 nor  more  than 90 days in
advance of such meeting (provided that if such annual meeting of stockholders is
held on a date other than the first Friday in May,  such written  notice must be
given within 10 days after the first public disclosure of the date of the annual
meeting, including, without limitation, disclosure of the meeting date set forth
in any document or exhibit thereto filed by the Corporation  with the Securities
and Exchange Commission). Each such notice shall set forth as to each matter the
stockholder  proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description
of the business  desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons
for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as
they appear on the Corporation's stock ledger, of the stockholder proposing such
business,  (c) a  representation  that such stockholder is a holder of record of
stock of the Corporation  entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear
at the  meeting  in person or by proxy to  propose  such  business,  and (d) any
material interest of such stockholder in the proposed business.  The chairman of
an annual  meeting  shall,  if the facts  warrant,  determine and declare to the
meeting that any such business was not properly  brought  before the meeting and
in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  Section  14,  and if he should so
determine,  he shall so declare to the meeting and such  business  not  properly
brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.


                         ARTICLE II. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

            Section  1.  General  Powers.   The  business  and  affairs  of  the
Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.

            Section 2. Number, Classification,  Election and Qualification.  The
number of directors of the Corporation  shall be ten, but, by vote of a majority
of the entire  Board of  Directors  or  amendment  of these  Bylaws,  the number
thereof may be increased or decreased to such greater or lesser number (not less
than three) as may be so  provided.  At the first  election of  directors by the
stockholders,  the directors  shall be divided into three  classes;  the term of
office  of those of the  first  class to  expire  at the  first  annual  meeting
thereafter; of the second class at the second annual meeting thereafter;  and of
the third class at the third annual meeting thereafter.  At each annual election
held after  such  classification  and  election,  directors  shall be elected to
succeed  those  whose terms  expire,  each such newly  elected  director to hold
office for a term of three years and until his successor is elected or until his
death,  resignation,  retirement  or removal.  Except as  otherwise  provided by
statute or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the
stockholders, and the persons



                                   - 5 -





receiving  a  plurality  of the votes cast at such  election  shall be  elected,
provided that a quorum is present at the meeting.
Directors need not be stockholders.

            Section 3. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors may
be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware,  as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine or as shall be specified in the notice
or waiver of notice of such meeting.

            Section  4.  Regular  Meetings.  A regular  meeting  of the Board of
Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately  after,
and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders  for the purpose of
electing officers and the transaction of other business.  The Board of Directors
may provide by resolution the time and place, either within or without the State
of Delaware,  for holding of additional  regular  meetings  without other notice
than such resolution.

            Section  5.  Special  Meetings.  Special  meetings  of the  Board of
Directors may be called by or at the request of the  Chairman,  President or any
two directors.  The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the
Board of  Directors  may fix any place,  either  within or without  the State of
Delaware, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors
called by them.

            Section 6.  Notice.  Notice of any  special  meeting  shall be given
personally  or by telephone to each director at least  twenty-four  hours before
the time at which the meeting is to be held or shall be mailed to each director,
postage prepaid, at his residence or business address at least three days before
the day on which the meeting is to be held;  provided  that,  in the case of any
special  meeting to be held by  conference  telephone or similar  communications
equipment,  notice of such  meeting may be given  personally  or by telephone to
each director not less than six hours before the time at which the meeting is to
be held. Except as otherwise  specifically provided in 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 of the meeting.

            Section 7.  Quorum and  Manner of Acting.  A majority  of the entire
Board of  Directors  shall be present  in person at any  meeting of the Board of
Directors  in order to  constitute a quorum for the  transaction  of business at
such meeting,  except that one-third of the entire Board of Directors present in
person at a meeting shall  constitute a quorum if the Chairman is present at the
meeting. Except as otherwise specifically required by statute or the Certificate
of Incorporation, the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting
at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.  In the
absence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors,  a majority of the
directors present or, if no director be present, the Secretary, may



                                   - 6 -





adjourn  such  meeting to another time and place.  At any  adjourned  meeting at
which a quorum is present,  any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted  at the meeting as originally  called.  Except as provided in Article
III of these Bylaws,  the  directors  shall act only as a board of directors and
the individual directors shall have no power as such.

            Section 8. Organization.  At each meeting of the Board of Directors,
the Chairman (or, in his absence or inability to act, the  President,  or in his
absence or  inability  to act,  another  director  chosen by a  majority  of the
directors  present) shall act as chairman of the meeting.  The Secretary (or, in
his absence or inability to act, any person appointed by the chairman) shall act
as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.

            Section 9. Resignations.  Any director of the Corporation may resign
at any  time by  giving  written  notice  of his  resignation  to the  Board  of
Directors or Chairman or the President or the  Secretary.  Any such  resignation
shall take  effect at the time  specified  therein or, if the time when it shall
become effective shall not be specified  therein,  immediately upon its receipt;
and, unless  otherwise  specified  therein,  the acceptance of such  resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective.

            Section 10. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Vacancies and
newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number
of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though
less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director,  and any director so chosen
shall hold office until the next  election of the class for which such  director
has been chosen and until his successor is elected and  qualified,  or until his
earlier resignation or removal. When one or more directors shall resign from the
Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then
in office,  including those who have so resigned,  shall have power to fill such
vacancy or vacancies,  the vote thereon to take effect when such  resignation or
resignations  shall  become  effective,  and each  director so chosen shall hold
office as provided in this section in the filling of other vacancies.

            Section 11. Removal of Directors. All or any number of the directors
may be removed at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative  vote
of the  holders of at least 75 percent of the  outstanding  Common  Stock of the
Corporation at a meeting of the stockholders  expressly called for that purpose.
A vacancy in the Board of Directors  caused by any such removal may be filled by
such  stockholders at such meeting,  or if the  stockholders  shall fail to fill
such vacancy, as in these Bylaws provided.

            Section  12.  Compensation.   The  Board  of  Directors  shall  have
authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses,
of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity,  provided, no such
payment shall



                                   - 7 -





preclude any director  from serving the  Corporation  in any other  capacity and
receiving compensation therefor.

            Section 13. Board and Committee Action Without  Meeting.  Any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of
any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board
of Directors or committee,  as the case may be, consent thereto in writing,  and
the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of  proceedings  of the Board
of Directors or committee.

            Section 14. Board and Committee Telephonic Meetings. A director or a
member of a committee  designated by the Board of Directors may participate in a
meeting  of the Board of  Directors  or such  committee  by means of  conference
telephone  or similar  communications  equipment  by means of which all  persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such  participation  shall
constitute presence in person at the meeting.

            Section 15. Mandatory Retirement Age. The date upon which a director
shall retire from service as a director of this Corporation shall be the date of
the next annual meeting of stockholders  following the date the director attains
age 70 and no person who has  attained  the age of 70 shall become a nominee for
election  as a director of the  Corporation.  Any  director  who, on February 1,
1997,  has already  attained  age 70 shall  retire at the end of his or her then
current term of office.

                   ARTICLE III. EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

            Section 1.  Executive and Other  Committees.  The Board of Directors
may,  by  resolution  passed  by a  majority  of the whole  Board of  Directors,
designate one or more  committees,  each  committee to consist of two or more of
the  directors of the  Corporation.  The Board of Directors may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or  disqualified  member at any meeting of the  committee.  In addition,  in the
absence or  disqualification  of a member of a committee,  the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting,  whether or not
he or they constitute a quorum,  may  unanimously  appoint another member of the
Board of  Directors  to act at the  meeting  in the place of any such  absent or
disqualified  member.  Any  such  committee,  to  the  extent  provided  in  the
resolution,  shall have and may  exercise  all the powers and  authority  of the
Board  of  Directors  in the  management  of the  business  and  affairs  of the
Corporation,  and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all
papers  which may  require  it;  but no such  committee  shall have the power or
authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an
agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale,
lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation's  property and
assets,  recommending to the  stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a
revocation  of a  dissolution,  or  amending,  these  Bylaws;  and,  unless  the
resolution



                                   - 8 -





expressly so provides,  no such  committee  shall have the power or authority to
declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.  Each committee  shall
keep  written  minutes of its  proceedings  and shall report such minutes to the
Board of  Directors  when  required.  All such  proceedings  shall be subject to
revision or alteration by the Board of Directors,  provided, however, that third
parties shall not be prejudiced by such revision or alteration.

            Section 2.  General.  A majority of any  committee may determine its
action and establish the time, place and procedure for its meetings,  unless the
Board of Directors  shall  otherwise  provide.  Notice of such meetings shall be
given to each member of the committee in the manner  provided for in Article II,
Section 6 or as the  Board of  Directors  may  otherwise  provide.  The Board of
Directors  shall  have  power at any time to fill  vacancies  in, to change  the
membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed
to  prevent  the  Board of  Directors  from  appointing  one or more  committees
consisting  in  whole  or in  part of  persons  who  are  not  directors  of the
Corporation;  provided,  however,  that  no  such  committee  shall  have or may
exercise any authority of the Board of Directors.


                  ARTICLE IV. EXCEPTIONS TO NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

            Section 1. Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given
under these Bylaws,  a written waiver thereof,  signed by the person entitled to
notice,  whether  before  or after  the time  stated  therein,  shall be  deemed
equivalent to notice.  Attendance  of a person at a meeting  shall  constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting,  except when the person  attends a meeting for
the express  purpose of  objecting,  at the  beginning  of the  meeting,  to the
transaction  of any  business  because  the  meeting is not  lawfully  called or
convened.  Neither  the  business to be  transacted  at, nor the purpose of, any
regular  or  special  meeting of the  stockholders,  directors,  or members of a
committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.

            Section 2. Unlawful Notice.  Whenever notice is required to be given
under these Bylaws to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving
of such notice to such person  shall not be required  and there shall be no duty
to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give
such notice to such person.  Any action or meeting  which shall be taken or held
without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have
the same force and effect as if such notice has been duly given.


                             ARTICLE V.  OFFICERS

            Section 1. Number, Election and Qualification.  The elected officers
of the Corporation shall be a Chairman, a President, one or more Vice-Presidents
(one or more of whom may be



                                   - 9 -





designated Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President),  a Secretary, and
a Treasurer.  Such  officers  shall be elected from time to time by the Board of
Directors,  each to hold  office  until the  meeting  of the Board of  Directors
following the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until his successor is
elected and qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal. The Board of
Directors  may from  time to time  appoint  such  other  officers  (including  a
Chairman of the Executive Committee, a Controller and one or more Assistant Vice
Presidents,   Assistant   Secretaries,   Assistant   Treasurers   and  Assistant
Controllers), and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the business
of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties as may
be  prescribed  by the Board of  Directors  and shall  hold  office  during  the
pleasure of the Board of  Directors.  Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person.  From and after the  distribution  by G-P of the stock it presently
holds in the Corporation,  no person who is serving as an officer or director of
G-P shall concurrently serve as an officer of the Corporation.

            Section 2.  Resignations.  Any officer of the Corporation may resign
at any  time by  giving  written  notice  of his  resignation  to the  Board  of
Directors,  the Chairman,  the President or the Secretary.  Any such resignation
shall take  effect at the time  specified  therein or, if the time when it shall
become effective shall not be specified  therein,  immediately upon its receipt;
and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall
not be necessary to make it effective.

            Section 3. Removal.  Any officer or agent of the  Corporation may be
removed  either with or without  cause,  at any time, by the Board of Directors,
except  that a vote of a majority  of the  entire  Board of  Directors  shall be
necessary for the removal of an elected  officer.  Such removal shall be without
prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.  Election
or  appointment  of an  officer  or agent  shall not of itself  create  contract
rights.

            Section 4. Vacancies.  A vacancy in any office may be filled for the
unexpired portion of the term of the office which shall be vacant, in the manner
prescribed  in these  Bylaws for the  regular  election or  appointment  of such
office.

            Section  5.  Chairman.  The  Chairman  shall be the chief  executive
officer of the Corporation, and shall have general direction over the management
of its  business,  properties  and affairs.  The Chairman  shall  preside,  when
present,  at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and,
in the absence of the Chairman of the  Executive  Committee,  at all meetings of
the Executive Committee. He shall have general power to execute bonds, deeds and
contracts in the name of the  Corporation  and to affix the  corporate  seal; to
sign stock  certificates;  and to remove or suspend such  employees or agents as
shall not have been  elected  or  appointed  by the Board of  Directors.  In the
absence or



                                   - 10 -





disability of the  Chairman,  his duties shall be performed and his powers shall
be exercised by the President.

            Section 6.  President.  The President  shall be the chief  operating
officer  of the  Corporation  and,  subject  to the  direction  of the  Board of
Directors and the Chairman,  he shall have general direction over the operations
of the  Corporation.  He shall have general  power to execute  bonds,  deeds and
contracts in the name of the Corporation and to affix the corporate seal; and to
sign stock certificates.

            Section  7. Vice  Presidents.  The  several  Vice  Presidents  shall
perform all such duties and services as shall be assigned to or required of them
from time to time, by the Board of Directors or the President, respectively, and
unless  their  authority be  expressly  limited  shall act in the order of their
election in the place of the President, exercising all his powers and performing
his duties,  during his absence or disability.  The Board of Directors  however,
may from time to time designate the relative positions of the Vice Presidents of
the Corporation and assign to any one or more of them such particular  duties as
the Board of Directors may think proper.

            Section 8.  Secretary.  The Secretary  shall attend to the giving of
notice of all meetings of  stockholders  and of the Board of Directors and shall
record all of the  proceedings  of such  meetings  in a book to be kept for that
purpose. He shall have charge of the corporate seal and have authority to attest
any and all  instruments or writings to which the same may be affixed.  He shall
keep  and  account  for  all  books,  documents,   papers  and  records  of  the
Corporation,  except those which are hereinafter directed to be in charge of the
Treasurer.  He  shall  have  authority  to sign  stock  certificates  and  shall
generally perform all the duties usually appertaining to the office of secretary
of a  corporation.  In the absence of the Secretary,  an Assistant  Secretary or
Secretary pro tempore shall perform his duties.

            Section 9. Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall have the care and custody
of all moneys,  funds and  securities of the  Corporation,  and shall deposit or
cause to be deposited all funds of the Corporation in and with such depositaries
as shall,  from time to time, be designated by the Board of Directors or by such
officers of the  Corporation  as may be  authorized by the Board of Directors to
make such  designation.  He shall  have  power to sign  stock  certificates;  to
indorse for deposit or  collection,  or otherwise,  all checks,  drafts,  notes,
bills of exchange or other commercial  paper payable to the Corporation,  and to
give proper receipts or discharges therefor.  He shall keep all books of account
relating to the business of the Corporation, and shall render a statement of the
Corporation's  financial  condition  whenever  required so to do by the Board of
Directors,  the Chairman or the President. In the absence of the Treasurer,  the
Board of Directors shall appoint an Assistant Treasurer to perform his duties.




                                   - 11 -





            Section  10.  Additional  Powers  and  Duties.  In  addition  to the
foregoing  enumerated duties and powers, the several officers of the Corporation
shall  perform  such other duties and  exercise  such  further  powers as may be
provided  by these  Bylaws  or as the Board of  Directors  may from time to time
determine or as may be assigned to them by any competent superior officer.

            Section 11.  Compensation.  The  compensation of the officers of the
Corporation for their services as such officers shall be fixed from time to time
by the Board of Directors.  An officer of the Corporation shall not be prevented
from receiving  compensation by reason of the fact that he is also a director of
the  Corporation,  but any such  officer who shall also be a director  shall not
have any vote in the determination of the amount of compensation paid to him.


                         ARTICLE VI.  INDEMNIFICATION

            Section  1.  General.  The  Corporation  shall,  to the full  extent
permitted by Section 145 of the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law, as amended
from time to time,  indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto
against  all  expenses   (including,   without  limitation,   attorney's  fees),
judgments,  fines  (including  excise  taxes)  and  amounts  paid in  settlement
(collectively,  "Losses")  incurred  in  connection  with any action,  suit,  or
proceeding,   whether   threatened,   pending,   or   completed   (collectively,
"Proceedings")  to which such  person was or is a party or is  threatened  to be
made a party by  reason  of the fact  that  such  person  is or was a  director,
officer,  employee,  or agent of the  Corporation  or is or was  serving  at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another
corporation,  partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise;  provided,
however,   that  the  Corporation   shall  indemnify  any  such  person  seeking
indemnification in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person only if
such Proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

            Section 2. Employee Benefit or Welfare Plan Fiduciary Liability.  In
addition  to any  indemnification  pursuant  to Section 1 of this  Article,  but
subject to the express  exclusions  set forth in Section 3 of this Article,  the
Corporation  shall  indemnify  any  natural  person who is or was serving at the
direction or request of the Corporation in a fiduciary  capacity with respect to
an  employee  benefit or welfare  plan  covering  one or more  employees  of the
Corporation or of an affiliate of the  Corporation,  or who is or was performing
any service or duty on behalf of the  Corporation  with  respect to such a plan,
its participants or beneficiaries, against all Losses incurred by such person in
connection with any Proceeding  arising out of or in any way connected with such
service or performance, to the extent such Losses are insurable under applicable
law but are not covered by  collectible  insurance  or  indemnified  pursuant to
Section 1 of this Article. This Section is intended to provide a right to



                                   - 12 -





indemnification as permitted by Section 145(f) of the Delaware
General Corporation Law.

            Section  3.  Persons  Not to be  Indemnified  Under  Section  2.  No
indemnification  shall be made  under  Section 2 of this  Article  to any person
(other  than  an  employee  of  the  Corporation  or  of  an  affiliate  of  the
Corporation) who was or is acting as a lawyer, accountant,  actuary,  investment
adviser or  arbitrator  with  respect  to an  employee  benefit or welfare  plan
against any expense,  judgment,  fine or amount paid in  settlement  incurred by
such person in connection with any action,  suit or proceeding arising out of or
in any way connected with his actions in such capacity. No indemnification shall
be made under Section 2 of this Article to any person  determined (in the manner
prescribed by Section 145(d) of the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law) to have
participated  in, or to have had  actual  knowledge  of and have  failed to take
appropriate   action   with   respect   to,   any   violation   of  any  of  the
responsibilities, obligations or duties imposed upon fiduciaries by the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or amendments thereto or by the common or
statutory  law of the  United  States of  America  or any state or  jurisdiction
therein,  knowing  such  in  either  case  to  have  been a  violation  of  such
responsibilities, obligations or duties.

            Section  4.  Advances  of  Expenses.  Except as limited by the other
provisions of this Section, the Corporation shall pay promptly (and in any event
within 60 days of  receipt  of the  written  request  of the  person  who may be
entitled to such payment) all expenses  (including but not limited to attorneys'
fees)  incurred  in  connection  with any  Proceeding  by any  person who may be
entitled to indemnification  under Sections 1 or 2 of this Article in advance of
the final  disposition of such Proceeding.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any
advance  payment  of  expenses  on  behalf  of a  director  or  officer  of  the
Corporation  shall be,  and if the Board of  Directors  so elects,  any  advance
payment  of  expenses  on behalf  of any other  person  who may be  entitled  to
indemnification  under Sections 1 or 2 of this Article may be,  conditioned upon
the  receipt  by the  Corporation  of an  undertaking  by or on  behalf  of such
director,  officer,  or other  person to repay the amount  advanced in the event
that it is ultimately  determined that such director,  officer, or person is not
entitled to  indemnification;  provided  that such  advance  payment of expenses
shall be made  without  regard to the  ability  to repay the  amounts  advanced.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  no advance payment of expenses shall be made by
the Corporation if a determination is reasonably and promptly made by a majority
vote of directors who are not parties to such Proceeding,  even though less than
a quorum, or if there are no such directors,  or if such directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that, based upon the facts known
to such  directors or counsel at the time such  determination  is made following
due inquiry,  (a) in the case of a person who may be entitled to indemnification
under Section 1, such person did not act in good faith and in a manner that such
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the



                                   - 13 -





Corporation  or,  with  respect  to any  criminal  proceeding,  such  person had
reasonable  cause to believe his conduct was  unlawful,  or (b) in the case of a
person who may be entitled to  indemnification  under  Section 2, such person is
not  entitled  to  indemnification  under the  standard  set forth in the second
sentence  of  Section  3.  Nothing in this  Article  VI shall  require  any such
determination  to be made as a  condition  to  making  any  advance  payment  of
expenses, unless the Board of Directors so elects.

            Section 5. Mandatory  Indemnification in Certain  Circumstances.  To
the extent that a director,  officer,  employee, or agent has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in the defense of any  Proceeding  referred to Section 1
or Section 2 of this Article,  or in the defense of any claim,  issue, or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified  against expenses  (including  attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

            Section 6. Right to Indemnification upon Application; Procedure upon
Application.  Any indemnification  under Sections 1 or 2 shall be made promptly,
and in any event within 60 days of receipt of the written  request of the person
who  may  be  entitled  thereto   following  the  conclusion  of  such  person's
participation  in any  Proceeding  for which  indemnity  is sought,  unless with
respect to such written request, a determination is reasonably and promptly made
by a majority  vote of  directors  who are not parties to the  Proceeding,  even
though  less  than a  quorum,  or if  there  are no such  directors,  or if such
directors so direct,  by  independent  legal counsel that,  based upon the facts
known to such  directors  or  counsel  at the time  such  determination  is made
following  due  inquiry,  (a) in the case of a  person  who may be  entitled  to
indemnification  under Section 1, such person did not act in good faith and in a
manner that such person reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation or, with respect to any criminal  proceeding,  such
person had reasonable  cause to believe his conduct was unlawful,  or (b) in the
case of a person who may be entitled to  indemnification  under  Section 2, such
person is not  entitled to  indemnification  under the standard set forth in the
second sentence of Section 3.

            Section 7. Enforcement of Rights. The right to indemnification or to
an advance of expenses as granted by this Article  shall be  enforceable  by any
person entitled thereto in any court of competent jurisdiction,  if the Board of
Directors or independent legal counsel denies the claim, in whole or in part, or
if no  disposition of such claim is made within 100 days of receipt by the Board
of Directors of such person's written request for  indemnification or an advance
of expenses.  Such person's  expenses  (including  but not limited to attorneys'
fees)  incurred  in  connection  with  successfully  establishing  his  right to
indemnification  or an advance  of  expenses,  in whole or in part,  in any such
proceedings shall also be indemnified by the Corporation.




                                   - 14 -





            Section  8.  Bylaws  as  Contract;  Non-Exclusivity.  All  rights to
indemnification  and advances of expenses  under this Article shall be deemed to
be  provided  by a contract  between the  Corporation  and each person  entitled
thereto. Any repeal or modification of these bylaws shall not impair or diminish
any rights or obligations  existing at the time of such repeal or  modification.
The rights  granted by this Article  shall not be deemed  exclusive of any other
rights to which any person seeking indemnification or an advance of expenses may
be entitled under any bylaws,  agreement,  vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or  otherwise,  both as to action in his  official  capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding such office. The rights granted by this
Article VI shall  extend to the estate,  heirs or legal  representatives  of any
person entitled to  indemnification  or an advance of expenses  hereunder who is
deceased or incompetent.


                    ARTICLE VII. STOCK AND TRANSFER OF STOCK

            Section  1.  Stock  Certificates.  Every  holder  of  stock  in this
Corporation  shall be entitled to have a  certificate,  in such form as shall be
approved by the Board of Directors,  certifying the number of shares of stock of
this  Corporation  owned by him signed by or in the name of this  Corporation by
the Chairman,  or the President or a Vice President,  and by the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary,  or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer.  Any of or all
the  signatures  on the  certificate  may be  facsimiles.  In case any  officer,
transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been
placed upon a certificate  shall have ceased to be such officer,  transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may nevertheless be issued by
the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer,  transfer agent
or registrar at the date of issue.

            Section 2. Transfers of Shares.  Transfers of Shares of stock of the
Corporation  shall be made on the stock  records  of the  Corporation  only upon
authorization  by the registered  holder thereof,  or by his attorney  thereunto
authorized  by power of attorney  duly  executed and filed with the Secretary or
with a transfer agent,  and on surrender of the certificate or certificates  for
such shares  properly  indorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer
power and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as otherwise provided by law,
the  Corporation  shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person
in whose  name any share or shares  stand on the record of  stockholders  as the
owner of such share or shares for all purposes,  including,  without limitation,
the  rights to receive  dividends  or other  distributions,  and to vote as such
owner,  and the Corporation  may hold any such  stockholder of record liable for
calls and assessments  and the  Corporation  shall not be bound to recognize any
equitable  or legal claim to or interest in any such share or shares on the part
of any  other  person  whether  or not it shall  have  express  or other  notice
thereof.  Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security,
and not absolutely, such fact shall be stated



                                   - 15 -





in the  entry of the  transfer  if,  when the  certificates  are  presented  for
transfer, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

            Section 3. Regulations, Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board of
Directors may make such additional rules and regulations,  not inconsistent with
these  Bylaws,  as it may deem  expedient  concerning  the issue,  transfer  and
registration  of  certificates  for shares of stock of the  Corporation.  It may
appoint and change from time to time one or more transfer agents and one or more
registrars  and may  require  all  certificates  for shares of stock to bear the
signature or signatures of any of them.

            Section 4.  Replacement of  Certificates.  In the event of the loss,
theft,  mutilation or destruction of any  certificate for shares of stock of the
Corporation,  a  duplicate  thereof  may be issued  and  delivered  to the owner
thereof,  provided he makes a sufficient  affidavit  setting  forth the material
facts  surrounding  the loss,  theft,  mutilation or destruction of the original
certificates  and  gives  a bond to the  Corporation,  in such  sum  limited  or
unlimited,  and in such form and with such surety as the Board of Directors  may
authorize  indemnifying  the Corporation,  its officers and, if applicable,  its
transfer agents and registrars,  against any losses,  costs and damages suffered
or incurred by reason of such loss,  theft,  mutilation  or  destruction  of the
original certificate and replacement thereof.

            Section 5. Fixing of Record Date. In order that the  Corporation may
determine  the  stockholders  entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders  or any  adjournment  thereof,  or to express  consent to corporate
action in  writing  without a meeting,  or  entitled  to receive  payment of any
dividend  or other  distribution  or  allotment  of any  rights,  or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or
for the purpose of any other lawful  action,  the Board of Directors may fix, in
advance,  a record  date,  which  shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten
days  before  the date of such  meeting,  nor more than  sixty days prior to any
other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting  of  stockholders  shall  apply to any  adjournment  of the
meeting;  provided,  however,  that the Board of Directors  may fix a new record
date for the adjourned meeting.

                            ARTICLE VIII. FISCAL YEAR

         The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year.

                                ARTICLE IX. SEAL

            The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate  seal,  which shall
be in such form as the Board of Directors shall determine.




                                   - 16 -




                              ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

            These  Bylaws  may be  amended  or  repealed,  or new  Bylaws may be
adopted,  at  any  annual  or  special  meeting  of  the  stockholders,  by  the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75 percent of the outstanding Common
Stock of the  Corporation;  provided,  however,  that the notice of such meeting
shall have been given as provided in these  Bylaws,  which notice shall  mention
that amendment or repeal of these Bylaws,  or the adoption of new Bylaws, is one
of the purposes of such meeting. These Bylaws may also be amended or repealed or
new Bylaws may be adopted,  by the Board of Directors by the vote of  two-thirds
of the entire Board of Directors.





                                   - 17 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                                       and

                    FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                                  Rights Agent


                                Rights Agreement
                         Restated as of February 3, 1991

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

















                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section                                                                   Page
- -------                                                                   ----

      Table of Defined Terms...............................................iii

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

2     Appointment of Rights Agent............................................4

3     Issuance of Right Certificates.........................................4

4     Form of Right Certificates.............................................6

5     Countersignature and Registration......................................6

6     Transfer, Split Up, Combination and
      Exchange of Right Certificates;
      Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen
      Right Certificate......................................................7

7     Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price;
      Expiration Date of Rights..............................................8

8     Cancellation and Destruction of
      Right Certificates....................................................10

9     Reservation and Availability of
      Capital Shares........................................................11

10    Preferred Shares Record Date..........................................12

11    Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number
      of Shares or Number of Rights.........................................12

12    Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price
      or Number of Shares...................................................20

13    Consolidation, Merger or Sale or
      Transfer of Assets or Earning Power...................................20

14    Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares...............................24

15    Rights of Action......................................................25

16    Agreement of Right Holders............................................26

17    Right Holders and Right Certificate
      Holders Not Deemed a Stockholder......................................26

18    Concerning the Rights Agent...........................................27


                                      - i -



Section                                                                   Page
- -------                                                                   ----

19    Merger or Consolidation or Change
      of Name of Rights Agent...............................................27

20    Duties of Rights Agent................................................28

21    Change of Rights Agent................................................30

22    Issuance of New Right Certificates....................................31

23    Redemption............................................................32

24    Exchange..............................................................33

25    Notice of Certain Events..............................................34

26    Notices...............................................................35

27    Supplements and Amendments............................................36

28    Certain Covenants.....................................................36

29    Successors............................................................37

30    Benefits of This Agreement............................................37

31    Severability..........................................................37

32    Determinations and Actions by the
      Board of Directors, etc...............................................37

33    Governing Law.........................................................38

34    Counterparts..........................................................38

35    Descriptive Headings..................................................38


Exhibit A -- Form of Certificate of Designations

Exhibit B -- Form of Right Certificate


                                     - ii -




                             TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS

Term Defined                                          Page        Section

Acquiring Person                                       1          1(a)

Adjustment Shares                                     13          11(a)(ii)

Affiliate                                              2          1(b)

Agreement                                              1          Intro

Associate                                              2          1(b)

Beneficial Owner                                       2          1(c)

Business Day                                           3          1(d)

Certificate of Designations                            1          Intro

close of business                                      3          1(e)

Common Shares                                          3          1(f)

common stock equivalents                              14          11(a)(iii)

Company (Louisiana-Pacific Corporation)                1          Intro

Company (Following a Section 13(a) event)             21          13(a)

current market value of a whole right
(for purposes of fractional Rights and
fractional shares)                                    24          14(a)

current market value of one one-hundredth
of a Preferred Share (for purposes of
fractional Rights and fractional shares)              25          14(b)

current per share market price of the
Common Shares                                         15          11(d)(i)

current per share market price of the
Preferred Shares                                      16          11(d)(ii)

Distribution Date                                      5          3(a)

equivalent preferred shares                           14          11(b)

Exchange Act                                           2          1(b)

Exchange Date                                          8          7(b)


                                     - iii -





Term Defined                                          Page        Section

Exchange Ratio                                        33          24(a)

Final Expiration Date                                  8          7(b)

NASDAQ                                                16          11(d)(i)

Person                                                 3          1(g)

Plan (Employee Benefit Plan)                           1          1(a)

Preferred Shares                                       3          1(h)

Principal Party                                       22          13(b)

Purchase Price                                         3          1(i)

Qualifying Tender Offer                                4          1(j)

Record Date                                            1          Intro

Redemption Date                                        8          7(b)

Redemption Price                                      32          23(a)

Registered Common Shares                              22          13(b)

Right                                                  1          Intro

Rights Agent                                           1          Intro

Section 11(a)(ii) event                               13          11(a)(ii)

Section 13 event                                      21          13(a)

Shares Acquisition Date                                4          1(k)

Stockholder Rights Plan                                4          1

Subsidiary                                             4          1(1)

Trading Day                                           16          11(d)(i)


                                     - iv -





                                RIGHTS AGREEMENT

            This Rights Agreement (the  "Agreement")  restated as of February 3,
1991,  between  LOUISIANA-PACIFIC   CORPORATION,  a  Delaware  corporation  (the
"Company"),  and FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, a New York corporation
(the "Rights Agent");

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

            WHEREAS the Board of  Directors  of the Company has  authorized  the
issuance of and declared a dividend payable,  in one right (a "Rights") for each
Common Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding on June 6, 1988
(the "Record  Date"),  upon the terms and subject to the  conditions  herein set
forth;

            WHEREAS  each such Right shall  represent  the right to purchase one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior  Participating  Cumulative Preferred
Stock, $1 par value,  of the Company,  and shall have the rights and preferences
set forth in the form of Certificate of Designations, attached hereto as Exhibit
A; and

            WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Company has further authorized
the  issuance of one Right with  respect to each Common  Share that shall become
outstanding  between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution  Date,
the Redemption Date and the Final  Expiration Date (as such terms are defined in
Sections 3 and 7 hereof);

            WHEREAS the Company entered into a Rights  Agreement dated as of May
23, 1988,  with The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A., as the original Rights Agent,
which  agreement was amended as of October 28, 1990, to permit the  substitution
of First Chicago Trust  Company of New York as successor  Rights Agent;  and the
Company and said  successor  Rights  Agent have  amended and restated the Rights
Agreement as set forth herein.

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

            Section 1. Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings indicated:

            (a)  "Acquiring  Person"  shall mean any Person (as  defined) who or
which,  together with all Affiliates and Associates (as defined) of such Person,
shall be the  Beneficial  Owner as  defined) of 20 percent or more of the Common
Shares of the Company then  outstanding,  provided,  however,  that an Acquiring
Person shall not include (i) the Company,  any wholly  owned  Subsidiary  of the
Company any employee  benefit plan ("Plan") of the Company or of a Subsidiary of
the Company or any Person  holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of
any

                                   - 1 -





such Plan or (ii) any  Person who or which,  together  with all  Affiliates  and
Associates of such Person,  first became the  Beneficial  Owner of 20 percent or
more of the Common  Shares of the Company as the result of a  Qualifying  Tender
Offer (as defined).  For purposes of this  subsection  (a), in  determining  the
percentage  of the  outstanding  shares of Common Shares with respect to which a
Person is the Beneficial  Owner (i) all shares as to which such Person is deemed
the  Beneficial  Owner shall be deemed  outstanding  and (ii)  shares  which are
subject to issuance upon the exercise or conversion  of  outstanding  conversion
rights,  rights,  warrants and options other than those referred to in (i) shall
not be deemed  outstanding.  Any determination made by the Board of Directors as
to whether any Person is or is not an Acquiring  Person shall be conclusive  and
binding upon all holders of Rights.

            (b) "Affiliate" and "Associate"  shall have the respective  meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations  under
the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the  "Exchange  Act"),  as in
effect on the
date hereof.

            (c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial  Owner" of and shall be
deemed to "beneficially own" any securities:

                  (i) which such Person or any of such  Person's  Affiliates  or
      Associates  beneficially  owns,  directly or  indirectly,  for purposes of
      Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulation  13D-G thereunder (or any
      comparable or successor law or  regulation),  in each case as in effect on
      the date hereof; or

                  (ii) which such Person or any of such  Person's  Affiliates or
      Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
      immediately  or only  after the  passage of time or the  fulfillment  of a
      condition or both) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding
      (other than customary arrangements with and among underwriters and selling
      group members with respect to a bona fide public  offering of securities),
      or upon the exercise of conversion rights,  exchange rights, rights (other
      than these Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise;  provided, however,
      that  a  Person  shall  not be  deemed  the  Beneficial  Owner  of,  or to
      beneficially  own,  securities  tendered  pursuant to a tender or exchange
      offer  made  by or on  behalf  of  such  Person  or any of  such  Person's
      Affiliates or Associates  until such tendered  securities are accepted for
      purchase or exchange;  or (B) the right to vote,  alone or in concert with
      others, pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided,
      however,  that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to
      beneficially own, any security if the agreement,

                                   - 2 -





      arrangement or  understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from
      a revocable proxy given to such Person or any of such Person's  Affiliates
      or Associates in response to a public proxy solicitation made pursuant to,
      and in  accordance  with,  the  applicable  rules and  regulations  of the
      Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the
      Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or

                  (iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
      any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates
      or Associates has any agreement,  arrangement or understanding (other than
      customary  arrangements  with and among  underwriters  and  selling  group
      members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the
      purpose of  acquiring,  holding  voting  (other than voting  pursuant to a
      revocable  proxy as  described in the proviso to Section  l(c)(ii)(B))  or
      disposing of any securities of the Company.

            (d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday
or a day on which banking  institutions  in the state of New York are authorized
or obligated by law or executive order to close.

            (e) "Close of  business"  on any given  date shall mean 5 p.m.,  New
York City time,  on such  date;  provided,  however,  that if such date is not a
Business Day it shall mean 5 p.m.,  New York City time,  on the next  succeeding
Business Day.

            (f) "Common  Shares" when used with  reference to the Company  shall
mean shares of common stock of the par value of $l each of the Company.  "Common
Shares" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean
shares of the common  stock of such Person (or other class of equity  securities
or equity  interests)  having power to control or direct the  management of such
Person or, if such Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, of the Person which
ultimately  controls  such  first-mentioned  Person  and  which has  issued  and
outstanding  such  common  stock (or such other  class of equity  securities  or
equity interests).

            (g)  "Person"  shall  mean  any   individual,   firm,   partnership,
corporation,  association,  group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5  under the
Exchange  Act) or other  entity,  and shall  include any successor (by merger or
otherwise) of such entity.

            (h)  "Preferred  Shares"  shall  mean  shares  of  Series  A  Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1 par value, of the Company.


                                   - 3 -





            (i)  "Purchase  Price"  shall mean the price to be paid for each one
one-hundredth  of a Preferred  Share pursuant to the exercise of a Right,  which
price is, as of the date  hereof,  as set forth in Section  7(c).  The  Purchase
Price is subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth in Sections 11 and
13.

            (j) "Qualifying  Tender Offer" shall mean a tender offer made by any
Person,  other  than an  Acquiring  Person,  an  Affiliate  or  Associate  of an
Acquiring  Person,  or a Person that  beneficially owns 5 percent or more of the
Company's  outstanding  Common Shares, to purchase all outstanding Common Shares
of the  Company  for cash in an  amount,  net to the  sellers,  which  equals or
exceeds  the  highest  per  share  price  paid  by  such  Person,  or any of its
Affiliates or Associates  for any such Common Shares within the 24-month  period
prior to such offer and for which such Person has obtained  binding  commitments
for any required financing at the time the tender offer is first made;  provided
that (i) all  shares  duly  tendered  pursuant  to such  tender  offer  shall be
accepted for payment and (ii) upon consummation of such tender offer such Person
shall  beneficially own at least 85 percent of the outstanding  Common Shares of
the Company.  For purposes of this subsection (k), in determining the percentage
of outstanding Common Shares of the Company (A) shares held by a Person who is a
director and also an officer of the Company shall be deemed not  outstanding and
(B) shares held by Plans in which employee participants do not have the right to
determine  confidentially  whether  Common Shares of the Company held subject to
the Plan will be tendered in a tender offer shall be deemed not outstanding.

            (k)  "Shares  Acquisition  Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement (which, for the purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation,  a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by
the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.

            (l)  "Subsidiary"  of any Person shall mean any corporation or other
entity of which a majority of the voting equity  securities or equity  interests
is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

            The terms and conditions embodied in this Rights Agreement,  as from
tine to time amended, may be referred to as the "Stockholder Rights Plan" of the
Company.

            Section 2.  Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints
the Rights  Agent to act as agent for the  Company and the holders of the Rights
in accordance with the terms and conditions  hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby
accepts  such  appointment.  The  Company  may from  time to time  appoint  such
co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.

            Section 3.  Issuance of Right Certificates


                                   - 4 -





            (a) Until the  earlier of the close of  business on (i) the 10th day
after the Shares  Acquisition  Date or (ii) the 10th Business Day (or such later
date as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to such
time  as  any  Person  becomes  an  Acquiring  Person)  after  the  date  of the
commencement  by, or first  public  announcement  of the  intent  of, any Person
(other than the Company, any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, any Plan of
the company or of any  Subsidiary of the Company,  or any entity  holding Common
Shares  of the  Company  for or  pursuant  to the  terms  of any  such  Plan) to
commence,  a tender or exchange  offer  (other than a tender  offer which would,
upon  acceptance  of shares  for  payment,  be a  Qualifying  Tender  Offer) the
consummation of which would result in beneficial ownership by a Person, together
with its Affiliates  and  Associates,  of 30 percent or more of the  outstanding
Common Shares of the Company, including any such date which is after the date of
this  Agreement  and prior to the issuance of the Rights (the earlier of (i) and
(ii) being herein referred to as the "Distribution  Date"),  (x) the Rights will
be  evidenced  by (A)  certificates  for  Common  Shares of the  Company  (which
certificates shall also be deemed to be Right  Certificates) or, as the case may
be, (B) certificates issued subsequent to the Record Date and bearing the legend
set forth in Section  3(c) hereof  (and,  in neither  case,  by  separate  Right
Certificates)  and the record  holders of such  certificates  for Common  Shares
shall be the record holders of the Rights represented thereby and (y) the Rights
and  the  right  to  receive  Right   Certificates  will  be  transferable  only
simultaneously  with and  together  with the  transfer  of Common  Shares of the
Company.  Until the Distribution  Date (or the earlier of the Redemption Date or
the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are defined in Section 7 hereof)),  the
surrender  for  transfer  of such  certificates  for  Common  Shares  shall also
constitute the surrender for transfer of the Rights  associated  with the Common
Shares represented  thereby. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date,
after  notification by the Company,  the Rights Agent will send, by first-class,
postage-prepaid  mail,  to each record holder of Common Shares of the Company as
of the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder
shown on the records of the Company, a Right  Certificate,  in substantially the
form of Exhibit B hereto, evidencing one Right for each Common Share so held. As
of the  Distribution  Date,  the Rights will be  evidenced  solely by such Right
Certificates and may be transferred by the transfer of the Right Certificates as
permitted  hereby,  separately and apart from any transfer of one or more shares
of Common Shares,  and the holders of such Right  Certificates  as listed in the
records of the Company or any transfer  agent or registrar  for the Rights shall
be the record holders thereof.

            (b) Rights  shall be issued in  respect of all Common  Shares of the
Company  issued  after  the  Record  Date,  but  prior  to the  earliest  of the
Distribution  Date  (the  Redemption  Date,  the  Exchange  Date,  or the  Final
Expiration Date). Certificates for such Common Shares shall also be deemed to be
certificates for

                                   - 5 -





Rights and shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise  affixed
to them the following  legend (or the form of legend specified in any version of
this Rights Agreement prior to the current amendment and restatement hereof):

      This  certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain
      Rights as set forth in the  Stockholder  Rights Plan of  Louisiana-Pacific
      Corporation (the "Plan"),  until separate certificates for such Rights are
      issued. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Plan, such Rights
      will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced
      by this certificate.  The terms of the Plan, a copy of which is on file at
      the principal  executive  offices of  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation,  are
      hereby  incorporated  herein by reference.  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation
      will mail or cause to be mailed to the holder of this  certificate  a copy
      of the Plan without charge promptly following receipt of a written request
      therefor.  Under  certain  circumstances  set  forth in the  Plan,  Rights
      beneficially  owned by any Person  who is,  was or  becomes  an  Acquiring
      Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in
      the Plan) and any  subsequent  holder of such Rights,  may become null and
      void.

            (c)  Certificates  for  Common  Shares,  if any,  issued  after  the
Distribution  Date but prior to the earlier of the Redemption  Date or the Final
Expiration  Date shall have  impressed on,  printed on,  written on or otherwise
affixed to them the following legend:

      This  certificate does not evidence any Right issued pursuant to the terms
      of the Stockholder Rights Plan of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

            Section 4. Form of Right  Certificates.  The Right Certificates (and
the forms of election to purchase,  assignment and  certificate to be printed on
the reverse thereof), when, as and if issued, shall be substantially the same as
Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of  identification  or designation  and
such legends,  summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem
appropriate and as are not  inconsistent  with the provisions of this Agreement,
or as may be  required  to comply  with any  applicable  law or with any rule or
regulation  made  pursuant  thereto or with any rule or  regulation of any stock
exchange  on which the Common  Shares of the Company or the Rights may from time
to time be listed, or to conform to usage.  Subject to the provisions of Section
22 hereof, the Right Certificates,  whenever issued, which are issued in respect
of Common Shares which were issued and  outstanding  as of the close of business
on the  Distribution  Date,  shall be dated as of the close of  business  on the
Distribution  Date,  and on their  face shall  entitle  the  holders  thereof to
purchase such number of Preferred Shares

                                   - 6 -





(including  fractional shares which are integral  multiples of one one-hundredth
of a share) as shall be set forth therein at the price per one  one-hundredth of
a Preferred Share set forth therein, but the number of such Preferred Shares and
fractions  thereof  and the  Purchase  Price shall be subject to  adjustment  as
provided herein.

Section 5.  Countersignature and Registration.

            (a) The  Right  Certificates  shall be  executed  on  behalf  of the
Company by its  Chairman  of the Board,  its  President  or any Vice  President,
either  manually  or by  facsimile  signature,  and  have  affixed  thereto  the
Company's seal or a facsimile  thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary,
or an  Assistant  Secretary,  of the  Company,  either  manually or by facsimile
signature.  The Right Certificates shall be countersigned manually by the Rights
Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose  unless so  countersigned.  In case
any officer of the  Company who shall have signed any of the Right  Certificates
shall cease to be such  officer of the Company  before  countersignature  by the
Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,  such Right Certificates,
nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent, and issued and delivered
by the  Company  with the same  force and effect as though the person who signed
such Right  Certificates  had not ceased to be such officer of the Company;  and
any Right  Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who,
at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper
officer of the Company to sign such Right  Certificate,  although at the date of
the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

            (b) Following the  Distribution  Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at its shareholder services office, books for registration and
transfer of the Right Certificates  issued hereunder.  Such books shall show the
names and addresses of the  respective  holders of the Right  Certificates,  the
number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the
date of each of the Right Certificates.

            Section 6.  Transfer,  Split Up,  Combination  and Exchange of Right
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificate.

            (a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 7(f) and 14 hereof, at any
time after the close of business on the  Distribution  Date,  and at or prior to
the close of business on the earliest of the Redemption Date, the Exchange Date,
or the Final  Expiration  Date (as such terms are  defined in Section 7 hereof),
any  Right  Certificate  or Right  Certificates  may be  transferred,  split up,
combined or  exchanged  for another  Right  Certificate  or Right  Certificates,
entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of Preferred Shares as
the Right

                                   - 7 -





Certificate  or Right  Certificates  surrendered  then  entitled  such holder to
purchase.  Any  registered  holder  desiring to transfer,  split up,  combine or
exchange any Right  Certificate  shall make such request in writing delivered to
the  Rights  Agent,   and  shall  surrender  the  Right   Certificate  or  Right
Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office of
the Rights  Agent with the form of  assignment  on the reverse  side thereof (or
with a written  instrument of transfer in form  satisfactory  to the Company and
the  Rights  Agent  enclosed  with  such  Right  Certificate),  executed  by the
registered holder thereof or his attorney  authorized in writing,  and with such
signature  guaranteed.  Neither  the  Rights  Agent  nor the  Company  shall  be
obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such
surrendered  Right  Certificate  until the  certificate set forth in the form of
assignment  on the  reverse  side of such  Right  Certificate  shall  have  been
completed  and  executed  by the  registered  holder  thereof  or  his  attorney
authorized in writing, and with such signature guaranteed, and the Company shall
have been provided such  additional  evidence of the identity of the  Beneficial
Owner (or  former  Beneficial  Owner) of the  Rights  represented  by such Right
Certificate or the Affiliates or Associates of such Beneficial  Owner (or former
Beneficial Owner) as the Company shall reasonably request.  Upon receipt of such
executed form of assignment and certificate and of such additional evidence,  if
requested, the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the person entitled
thereto a Right  Certificate  or Right  Certificates,  as the case may be, as so
requested.  The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or  governmental  charge that may be imposed in  connection  with any  transfer,
split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.

            (b) Upon  receipt by the  Company  and the Rights  Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loan, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security  reasonably  satisfactory  to  them,  and,  at the  Company's  request,
reimbursement  to the Company and the Rights  Agent of all  reasonable  expenses
incidental  thereto,  and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of
the Right  Certificate  if mutilated,  the Company shall issue and deliver a new
Right  Certificate  of like  tenor  to the  Rights  Agent  for  delivery  to the
registered owner in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen,  destroyed or
mutilated.

            Section 7. Exercise of Rights;  Purchase  Price;  Expiration Date of
Rights.

            (a) Until the Distribution Date, no Right may be exercised.

            (b) The registered  holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the
Rights  evidenced  thereby (except as otherwise  provided herein) in whole or in
part at any time after the

                                   - 8 -





Distribution  Date upon  surrender  of the Right  Certificate,  with the form of
election to purchase on the reverse  side thereof and  certificate  thereon duly
executed  (with  signatures  duly  guaranteed),  to  the  Rights  Agent  at  the
shareholder  services  office or agency of the Rights Agent  designated for such
purpose,  together with payment of the Purchase Price with respect to each Right
exercised,  at or prior to the  earliest of (i) the close of business on June 6,
1998 (the  "Final  Expiration  Dates"),  (ii) the time at which the  Rights  are
exchanged (the "Exchange  Date") as provided in Section 24, or (iii) the time at
which the Rights are redeemed (the "Redemption Date"), as provided in Section 23
hereof.

            (c) The  Purchase  Price for each one  one-hundredth  of a Preferred
Share pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall  initially be $75.00,  and shall
be payable in lawful money of the United  States of America in  accordance  with
Section 7(d) hereof. The Purchase Price and the number of Preferred Shares to be
acquired upon  exercise of a Right shall be subject to  adjustment  from time to
time as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof.

            (d) Upon  receipt of a Right  Certificate  representing  exercisable
Rights,  with the form of election to purchase and form of  certificate  thereon
duly executed, accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the shares to be
purchased and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be paid
by the holder of such Right  Certificate  in  accordance  with Section 9 by bank
certified check or cashier's check payable to the order of the Company, and such
additional  evidence  of  the  identity  of  the  Beneficial  Owner  (or  former
Beneficial  Owner) of the Rights  represented  by such Right  Certificate or the
Affiliates  or Associates  thereof as the Company may  reasonably  request,  the
Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) requisition from any transfer agent of
the  Preferred  Shares  certificates  for the number of  Preferred  Shares to be
purchased and the Company  hereby  irrevocably  authorizes its transfer agent to
comply  with all such  requests,  and/or,  as  provided  in  Section  14 hereof,
requisition  from the depositary  agent depositary  receipts  representing  such
number of one  one-hundredths  of a Preferred  Share as are to be purchased  (in
which case  certificates for the Preferred  Shares  represented by such receipts
shall be  deposited  by the transfer  agent with the  depositary  agent) and the
Company hereby directs the  depositary  agent to comply with such request,  (ii)
when appropriate,  requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in
lieu of issuance of  fractional  shares in  accordance  with  Section 14,  (iii)
promptly after receipt of such  certificates or depositary  receipts,  cause the
same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right
Certificate,  registered  in such  name or  names as may be  designated  by such
holder and (iv) when appropriate,  after receipt,  promptly deliver such cash to
or  upon  the  order  of  the  registered  holder  of  such  Right  Certificate.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions of this Section 7(d), the Company may
suspend the issuance of

                                   - 9 -





Preferred Shares upon exercise of Rights for a reasonable  period, not in excess
of 90 days,  during which the Company seeks to register under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and any applicable securities law of any jurisdiction,  the
Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant to the Rights;  provided,  however,  that
nothing  contained  in this  Section  7(d)  shall  relieve  the  Company  of its
obligations under Section 9(c) hereof.

            (e) In case the  registered  holder of any Right  Certificate  shall
exercise less than all the Rights  evidenced  thereby,  a new Right  Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to his
duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

            (f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, upon
the  occurrence  of a Section  ll(a)(ii)  event or Section 13 event,  any Rights
beneficially  owned by (i) an Acquiring  Person or any Affiliate or Associate of
an  Acquiring  Person,  (ii)  a  transferee  of an  Acquiring  Person  or of any
Affiliate or Associate of such Acquiring  Person who becomes a transferee  after
the  Acquiring  Person  becomes such (other than a transferee  in a  transaction
described in Section 23(b)), or (iii) a transferee who acquired such Rights from
an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person prior to
or concurrently  with the Acquiring Person becoming such in a transaction  which
the Board of Directors has determined to be part of an arrangement  which has as
a primary  purpose or effect the  avoidance of this Section  7(f),  shall become
null and void,  and any holder of such Rights  (whether or not such holder is an
Acquiring  Person or an Affiliate or  Associate  of an Acquiring  Person)  shall
thereafter  have no right to exercise  such Rights  under any  provision of this
Agreement or otherwise.  Any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3 that
represents Rights  beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or
Associate thereof and any Right Certificate issued at any time upon the transfer
of any Rights to an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof or to
any nominee of such  Acquiring  Person,  Affiliate or  Associate,  and any Right
Certificate  issued  pursuant  to  Sections  6 or 11  upon  transfer,  exchange,
replacement  or  adjustment of any other Right  Certificate  referred to in this
sentence, shall or shall be deemed to contain the following legend:

      The Rights  represented by this Right Certificate are or were beneficially
      owned by a Person who was or became an  Acquiring  Person or  Affiliate or
      Associate  of an  Acquiring  Person  (as such  terms  are  defined  in the
      Stockholder   Rights  Plan).   This  Right   Certificate  and  the  Rights
      represented  hereby  are  void  in  the  circumstances  specified  in  the
      Stockholder Rights Plan.

The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the

                                   - 10 -





provisions of this Section 7(f) are complied  with,  but shall have no liability
to any holder of Rights or any other  Person as a result of its  failure to make
any determination under this Section 7(f) with respect to an Acquiring Person or
its Affiliates, Associates or transferees.

            Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right  Certificates.  All
Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise,  transfer, split up,
combination  or exchange  shall,  if surrendered to the Company or to any of its
agents,  be delivered to the Rights Agent for  cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if  surrendered  to the Rights Agent,  shall be canceled by it, and no Right
Certificates  shall be issued in lieu thereof  except as expressly  permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement,  and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire,  any other  Right  Certificate  purchased  or  acquired  by the  Company
otherwise  than upon the exercise  thereof.  The Rights Agent shall  deliver all
canceled Right Certificates to the Company,  or shall, at the written request of
the Company,  destroy such canceled Right  Certificates,  and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

            Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Shares.

            (a) The  Company  covenants  and  agrees  that it will  cause  to be
reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued  Preferred Shares
(and, will use its best efforts, following the occurrence of a Section ll(a)(ii)
event,  to cause to be reserved and kept  available  out of its  authorized  and
unissued  Common Shares and/or other  securities  or out of its  authorized  and
issued  shares  held in its  treasury),  the number of  Preferred  Shares  (and,
following the  occurrence  of a Section  ll(a)(ii)  event,  the number of Common
Shares  and/or  other  securities)  as will from time to time be  sufficient  to
permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.

            (b) So long as the Preferred  Shares (and,  following the occurrence
of a Section ll(a)(ii) event,  Common Shares and/or other  securities)  issuable
upon the exercise of Rights may be listed on any national  securities  exchange,
the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the
Rights become exercisable, all shares issued or reserved for such issuance to be
listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.

            (e) If  necessary  to permit the  issuance  of shares  and/or  other
securities  pursuant to the Rights,  the Company  will use its best efforts from
and after the time the Rights become  exercisable to register such shares and/or
other  securities  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended,  and  any
applicable  securities  laws and to keep such  registration  effective until the
Final Expiration Date.

                                   - 11 -






            (d) The  Company  covenants  and  agrees  that it will take all such
action as may be  necessary to ensure that all one  one-hundredths  of Preferred
Shares (and, following the occurrence of a Section l(a)(ii) event, Common Shares
and/or other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of
delivery of the  certificates  for such shares or other  securities  (subject to
payment of the Purchase  Price),  be duly and validly  authorized and issued and
fully paid and nonassessable.

            (e) The Company  further  covenants and agrees that it will pay when
due and payable any and all federal and state  transfer  taxes and charges which
may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right  Certificates
or of any Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities as the case
may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required
to pay any  transfer  tax which may be payable in  respect  of any  transfer  or
delivery  of Right  Certificates  to a Person  other  than,  or the  issuance or
delivery of certificates for the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other
securities,  as the case may be) in a name other  than that of,  the  registered
holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to
issue or deliver any  certificates for Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or
other securities,  as the case may be) upon the exercise of any Rights until any
such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being  payable by the holder of such
Right  Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to
the Company's satisfaction that no such tax is due.

            Section 10.  Preferred Shares Record Date. Each Person in whose name
any certificate for Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other  securities,
as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes
be deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares (or Common
Shares and/or other securities,  as the case may be) represented thereby on, and
such  certificate  shall be  dated,  the date upon  which the Right  Certificate
evidencing  such Rights was duly  surrendered  and payment of the Purchase Price
(and any applicable transfer taxes) were made;  provided,  however,  that if the
date of such  surrender and payment is a date upon which the transfer  books for
the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities,  as the case may
be) are closed,  such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of
such  shares  on,  and such  certificate  shall be  dated,  the next  succeeding
Business Day on which such transfer books are open.

            Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number
of Rights.  The  Purchase  Price,  the  number  and kind of shares  which may be
purchased  upon  exercise  of a Right and the number of Rights  outstanding  are
subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.

            (a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time

                                   - 12 -





            after the date of this  Agreement and prior to the close of business
            on the earlier of the Redemption  Date or the Final  Expiration Date
            (A) declare or pay any dividend on the Preferred  Shares  payable in
            Preferred  Shares,  (B) subdivide the outstanding  Preferred Shares,
            (C) combine the outstanding  Preferred  Shares into a smaller number
            of Preferred  Shares or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in
            a  reclassification  of the  Preferred  Shares  (including  any such
            reclassification  in connection  with a  consolidation  or merger in
            which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation),  then
            and in each such event,  the Purchase Price in effect at the time of
            the record date for such dividend or on the  effective  date of such
            subdivision,  combination  or  reclassification,  and the number and
            kind of  Preferred  Shares  or  capital  stock,  as the case may be,
            issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the
            holder of any Right  exercised  after such time shall be entitled to
            receive the aggregate number and kind of Preferred Shares or capital
            stock,  as the case may be, which,  if such Right had been exercised
            immediately  prior to such  date and at a time  when the  Right  was
            exercisable  and the  transfer  books of the Company  were open,  he
            would have owned upon such  exercise and been entitled to receive by
            virtue   of   such    dividend,    subdivision,    combination    or
            reclassification.   If  an  event  occurs  which  would  require  an
            adjustment  under both this Section  ll(a)(i) and Section  ll(a)(ii)
            hereof,  the adjustment  provided for in this Section ll(a)(i) shall
            be in  addition  to,  and  shall be made  prior to,  any  adjustment
            required pursuant to Section ll(a)(ii) hereof.

            (ii) Subject to Section 24, in the event that, at any time after the
date of this  Agreement  any Person  (other than the  Company,  any wholly owned
Subsidiary  of the Company,  any Plan of the Company or of a  Subsidiary  of the
Company, or any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any
such Plan),  alone or together with its Affiliates and Associates,  shall become
an Acquiring  Person (except in a transaction to which the provisions of Section
13(a) hereof  apply),  then,  immediately  upon the  occurrence of such event (a
"Section ll(a)(ii)  event"),  proper provision shall be made so that each holder
of a Right,  except as provided in Section 7(f) hereof,  shall thereafter have a
right to receive for each Right,  upon exercise  thereof in accordance  with the
terms of this Agreement and payment of the then-current  Purchase Price, in lieu
of one  one-hundredth of a Preferred Share,  such number of Common Shares of the
Company as shall  equal the result  obtained  by  multiplying  the  then-current
Purchase Price by the then number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share for
which a Right was  exercisable  immediately  prior to the first  occurrence of a
Section ll(a)(ii) event, and dividing that product by 50 percent

                                   - 13 -





of the current per share  market  price  (determined  pursuant to Section  ll(d)
hereof) for Common Shares on the date of such first  occurrence  (such number of
shares being hereinafter referred to as the "Adjustment Shares");  provided that
such  provision  shall not be  effective  until  such time as the  Rights are no
longer subject to redemption pursuant to Section 23(a) hereof.

            (iii) In lieu of issuing  Common Shares in  accordance  with Section
ll(a)(ii)  hereof,  the Company may, if the Board of Directors  determines  that
such action is  necessary  or  appropriate  and not  contrary to the interest of
holders of Rights,  and, in the event that the number of Common Shares which are
authorized by the Company's  Certificate of Incorporation but not outstanding or
reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of the Rights is not
sufficient  to permit  the  exercise  in full of the Rights in  accordance  with
Section  ll(a)(ii)  hereof,  the Company shall, with respect to each Right, make
adequate  provision to substitute for all or a portion of the Adjustment  Shares
upon  payment  of the  applicable  Purchase  Price  (A) cash,  (B) other  equity
securities of the Company (including,  without  limitation,  shares of preferred
stock or units of preferred  stock having the same value as Common  Shares (such
shares or units of  preferred  stock,  "common  stock  equivalents")),  (C) debt
securities  of the  Company,  (D)  other  assets or (E) any  combination  of the
foregoing,  having an aggregate  value equal to the Adjustment  Shares for which
substitution is made. To the extent that the Company determines that some action
is to be taken pursuant to this Section  ll(a)(iii),  the Company shall provide,
subject to Section  7(f) hereof,  that such action shall apply  uniformly to all
outstanding Rights.

            (b) In the event that the Company  shall at any time after the close
of business on the Record Date and prior to the close of business on the earlier
of the Redemption  Date or the Final  Expiration Date fix a record date prior to
the Redemption Date or Final Expiration Date for the issuance of rights, options
or warrants  to all holders of  Preferred  Shares  entitling  them (for a period
expiring  within 45 calendar  days after such record date) to  subscribe  for or
purchase  Preferred  Shares (or shares  having the same rights,  privileges  and
preferences  as  the  Preferred  Shares  ("equivalent   preferred  shares"))  or
securities  convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares, at
a price per  Preferred  Share or per  share of  equivalent  preferred  share (or
having  an  effective  price  per  share or a  converted  basis in the case of a
security  convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less
than the current per share market price of the Preferred  Shares (as  determined
in accordance  with Section 11(d) hereof) on such record date, then the Purchase
Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by  multiplying
the  Purchase  Price  in  effect  immediately  prior  to such  record  date by a
fraction,  the  numerator  of which  shall be the  number  of  Preferred  Shares
outstanding  on such record date plus the number of  Preferred  Shares which the
aggregate offering price of the total number of

                                   - 14 -





Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be offered (and/or the
aggregate price of the  convertible  securities so to be offered) would purchase
at such current market price,  and the  denominator of which shall be the number
of  Preferred  Shares  outstanding  on such  record  date  plus  the  number  of
additional Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for
subscription  or purchase  (or into which the  convertible  securities  so to be
offered are initially convertible).  In case such subscription price may be paid
by  delivery of  consideration  part or all of which may be in a form other than
cash,  the value of such  consideration  shall be as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors,  whose  determination  shall be net forth in a statement
filed  with the Rights  Agent and shall be  binding on the Rights  Agent and the
holders of the Rights.  Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the
Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation.
Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed;
and in the event that such rights,  options or warrants  are not so issued,  the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.

            (c) In the event that the Company  shall at any time after the close
of business on the Record Date and prior to the close of business on the earlier
of the Redemption  Date or the Final  Expiration  Date fix a record date for the
making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred  Shares  (including any
such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing  corporation)  of evidences of  indebtedness or assets
(other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in Preferred
Shares) or  subscription  rights or  warrants  (excluding  those  referred to in
Section 11(b)),  the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall
be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect  immediately  prior to
such record date by a fraction,  the numerator of which shall be the current per
share market price per one Preferred  Share (as  determined  in accordance  with
Section  11(d)  hereof) on such record  date,  less the fair market value of the
portion of the assets or evidences of  indebtedness  so to be  distributed or of
such subscription  rights or warrants applicable to one Preferred Share, and the
denominator  of which  shall be such  current  per  share  market  price per one
Preferred Share.  Such adjustments  shall be made  successively  whenever such a
record date is fixed;  and in the event that such  distribution  is not so made,
the Purchase  Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would
then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

            (d) (i) For the  purpose of any  computation  hereunder,  other than
      computations made pursuant to Section  11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current per
      share market price" of the Common Shares on any date shall be deemed to be
      the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Common Shares on
      each

                                   - 15 -





      of the 20 consecutive  Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter  defined)
      through and including  the Trading Day  immediately  preceding  such date;
      provided, however, that in the event the current per share market price of
      the Common Shares is determined during a period following the announcement
      by the issuer of such Common Shares of (A) a dividend or  distribution  on
      such Common Shares payable in such Common Shares or securities convertible
      into  such  Common  Shares,  or  (B)  any  subdivision,   combination,  or
      reclassification  of such Common Shares, and prior to the expiration of 20
      Trading Days after the ex-dividend  date for such dividend,  distribution,
      subdivision, combination, or reclassification, then, and in each such case
      the  current  market  price shall be  appropriately  adjusted to take into
      account such event.  The closing price for each day shall be the last sale
      price,  regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
      average of the closing bid and asked  prices,  regular way, in either case
      as reported in the principal  consolidated  transaction  reporting  system
      with respect to  securities  listed or admitted to trading on the New York
      Stock Exchange,  Inc., or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted
      to  trading on the New York  Stock  Exchange,  Inc.,  as  reported  in the
      principal  consolidated  transaction  reporting  system  with  respect  to
      securities listed on the principal national  securities  exchange on which
      the  Common  Shares are listed or  admitted  to trading  or, if the Common
      Shares are not listed or  admitted to trading on any  national  securities
      exchange,  the last quoted price or, if not so quoted,  the average of the
      high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter  market, as reported
      by  the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,   Inc.  Automated
      Quotations  System  ("NASDAQ") or such other system then in use, or, if on
      any such date the Common  Shares are not quoted by any such  organization,
      the  average  of the  closing  bid and  asked  prices  as  furnished  by a
      professional market maker making a market in the Common Shares selected by
      the Board of Directors.  The term "Trading Days" shall mean a day on which
      the principal national  securities exchange on which the Common Shares are
      listed or admitted to trading is open for the  transaction of business or,
      if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national
      securities exchange, a Business Day.

            (ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder,  the "current per
      share market  price" of the  Preferred  Shares shall be  determined in the
      same  manner as set forth  above for  Common  Shares in clause (i) of this
      Section  11(d).  If the current per share  market  price of the  Preferred
      Shares cannot be determined in the manner provided above, the "current per
      share market price" of the Preferred  Shares shall be conclusively  deemed
      to  be  the  current  per  share  market   price  of  the  Common   Shares
      (appropriately  adjusted  to  reflect  any stock  split,  stock  dividend,
      subdivision, combination, reclassification, or similar transaction

                                   - 16 -





      occurring after the date hereof) multiplied by one hundred.

            If neither the Common Shares nor the  Preferred  Shares are publicly
held or so listed or traded,  "current  per share  market  price" shall mean the
fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors based
upon such  appraisals or valuation  reports of such  independent  experts as the
Board  of  Directors  shall  in  good  faith  determine  appropriate.  Any  such
determination  of "current  per share  market  price"  shall be  described  in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent.

            (e) No  adjustment  in the Purchase  Price shall be required  unless
such  adjustment  would require an increase or decrease of at least 1 percent in
the Purchase Price;  provided,  however, that any adjustments which by reason of
this  Section  11(e) are not  required  to be made shall be carried  forward and
taken into account in any subsequent  adjustment.  All  calculations  under this
Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of
a Common Share or other share or  one-millionth of a Preferred Share as the case
may be.

            (f) If, as a result of an adjustment  made pursuant to Section 11(a)
or Section  13(a),  the holder of any Right  thereafter  exercised  shall become
entitled  to  receive  any  shares of capital  stock of the  Company  other than
Preferred Shares, the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of
any Right  shall be subject to  adjustment  from time to time in a manner and on
terms as nearly  equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the
Preferred  Shares contained in this Section 11 and the provisions of Sections 7,
9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like
terms to any such other shares.

            (g) All Rights  originally  issued by the Company  subsequent to any
adjustment  made to the Purchase  Price  hereunder  shall  evidence the right to
purchase,  at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of a
Preferred  Share  purchasable  from time to time  hereunder upon exercise of the
Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

            (h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided
in Section 11(i) below,  upon each  adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result
of the  calculations  made in  Sections  11(b) and (c),  each Right  outstanding
immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the
right  to  purchase,  at  the  adjusted  Purchase  Price,  that  number  of  one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the nearest one one-millionth
of a  Preferred  Share)  obtained  by (i)  multiplying  (x)  the  number  of one
one-hundredths of a Preferred Share covered by a Right immediately prior to such
adjustment  by (y) the  Purchase  Price  in  effect  immediately  prior  to such
adjustment  of the Purchase  Price and (ii)  dividing the product so obtained by
the Purchase Price in effect  immediately  after such adjustment of the Purchase
Price.

                                   - 17 -






            (i) The Company may elect, on or after the date of any adjustment of
the  Purchase  Price,  to adjust  the  number of Rights  instead  of making  any
adjustment in the number of Preferred Shares  purchasable upon the exercise of a
Right.  Each of the Rights  outstanding  after such  adjustment of the number of
Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one  one-hundredths of a Preferred
Share for which a Right was exercisable  immediately  prior to such  adjustment.
Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall
become that  number of Rights  (calculated  to the  nearest one  ten-thousandth)
obtained by dividing  the  Purchase  Price in effect  immediately  prior to such
adjustment  of the Purchase  Price by the Purchase  Price in effect  immediately
after such  adjustment  of the Purchase  Price.  The Company shall make a public
announcement  of its  election  to adjust the number of Rights,  indicating  the
record date for the  adjustment,  and,  if known at the time,  the amount of the
adjustment  to be made.  This record date may be the date on which the  Purchase
Price is adjusted or any day  thereafter,  but, if the Right  Certificates  have
been  issued,  shall  be at  least  ten  days  after  the  date  of  the  public
announcement.  If Right  Certificates have been issued,  upon each adjustment of
the number of Rights  pursuant to this  Section  11(i),  the Company  shall,  as
promptly as  practicable,  cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right
Certificates  on such  record  date Right  Certificates  evidencing,  subject to
Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled
as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to
be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the
Right  Certificates  held by such holders prior to the date of  adjustment,  and
upon  surrender  thereof,  if required by the  Company,  new Right  Certificates
evidencing  all the Rights to which such  holders  shall be entitled  after such
adjustment.  Right  Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued,  executed
and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the option
of the Company,  the adjusted  Purchase  Price) and shall be  registered  in the
names  of the  holders  of  record  of Right  Certificates  on the  record  date
specified in the public announcement.

            (j)  Irrespective  of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price
or the number of one  one-hundredths  of a  Preferred  Share  issuable  upon the
exercise of the Rights, as applicable,  the Right  Certificates  theretofore and
thereafter   issued  may  continue  to  express  the  Purchase   Price  per  one
one-hundredth of a Preferred Share and the number of shares which were expressed
in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

            (k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing
the Purchase Price below one one-hundredth of the then par value, if any, of the
Preferred  Shares  issuable upon exercise of the Rights,  the Company shall take
any  corporate  action  which may, in the advice or opinion of its  counsel,  be
necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and
nonassessable one one-hundredths of a Preferred

                                   - 18 -





Share at such adjusted Purchase Price.

            (l) In any case in which  this  Section  11  shall  require  that an
adjustment  in the  Purchase  Price be made  effective as of a record date for a
specified  event,  the Company may elect to defer,  until the occurrence of such
event,  the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share and other capital stock or
securities  of the Company,  if any,  issuable upon such exercise over and above
the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share and other capital stock or
securities of the Company,  if any,  issuable upon such exercise on the basis of
the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment;  provided,  however, that
the  Company  shall  deliver  to such  holder a due  bill or  other  appropriate
instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional shares upon
the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

            (m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such further  adjustments in the number of one
one-hundredths  of a Preferred  Share which may be acquired upon exercise of the
Rights,  and such  adjustments  in the  Purchase  Price,  in  addition  to those
adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that the
Board of Directors in their sole  discretion  shall determine to be advisable in
order that any (i)  consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred  Shares,  (ii)
issuance wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at less than the current market
price, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares or securities which by
their terms are convertible  into or  exchangeable  for Preferred  Shares,  (iv)
dividends on  Preferred  Shares  payable in Preferred  Shares or (v) issuance of
rights,  options or warrants referred to in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the
Company to holders of its Preferred  Shares shall not be taxable to such holders
or shall reduce the taxes payable by such holders.

            (n) The Company shall not, at any time after the  Distribution  Date
(i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in
a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into
any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction  which
complies  with Section 11(o)  hereof),  or (iii) sell or transfer (or permit any
Subsidiary  to  sell  or  transfer),   in  one  transaction,   or  a  series  of
transactions,  assets or earning power  aggregating  more than 50 percent of the
assets or earning power of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  (taken as a whole)
to any  other  Person or  Persons  (other  than the  Company  and/or  any of its
Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with Section (o)
hereof), if (A) at the time of or immediately after such  consolidation,  merger
or sale  there are any  rights,  warrants  or other  instruments  or  securities
outstanding  or  agreements  in effect  which  would  substantially  diminish or
otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the

                                   - 19 -





Rights  or  (B)  prior  to,   simultaneously  with  or  immediately  after  such
consolidation,   merger  or  sale,  the  Person  which  constitutes,   or  would
constitute,  the  "Principal  Party" for purposes of Section  13(a) hereof shall
have distributed or otherwise transferred to its stockholders,  or other Persons
holding an equity  interest  in such  Person,  Rights  previously  owned by such
Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates;  provided,  however, this Section
11(n)  shall  not  affect  the  ability  of any  Subsidiary  of the  Company  to
consolidate  with,  merge with or into,  or sell or  transfer  assets or earning
power to, any other Subsidiary of the Company.

            (a) After the  Distribution  Date, the Company shall not,  except as
permitted by Sections 23 or 26 hereof,  take (or permit any  Subsidiary to take)
any action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that
such action will  diminish  substantially  or otherwise  eliminate  the benefits
intended  to  be  afforded  by  the  Rights,  including,  without  limiting  the
generality of the foregoing,  any merger,  consolidation  or sale or transfer of
assets or earning power.

            (p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary  notwithstanding,  in
the event that the  Company  shall at any time after the date of this  Agreement
and  prior  to the  Distribution  Date  (i)  declare  or pay a  dividend  on the
outstanding  Common  Shares  payable  in  Common  Shares,   (ii)  subdivide  the
outstanding  Common Shares,  (iii) combine the outstanding  Common Shares into a
smaller  number of shares,  or (iv) issue any shares of its  capita]  stock in a
reclassification  of  the  outstanding  Common  Shares,  the  number  of  Rights
associated  with each  Common  Share then  outstanding,  or issued or  delivered
thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted
so that the  number of Rights  thereafter  associated  with  each  Common  Share
following any such event (including other Common Shares issued after the date of
such event, but prior to the Distribution  Date) shall equal the result obtained
by  multiplying  the  number  of  Rights   associated  with  each  Common  Share
immediately  prior to such event by a fraction  the  numerator of which shall be
the  total  number  of  Common  Shares  outstanding  immediately  prior  to  the
occurrence of the event and the  denominator  of which shall be the total number
of Common Shares outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.

            Section  12.  Certificate  of Adjusted  Purchase  Price or Number of
Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Sections 11 and 13 hereof,
the  Company  shall  (a)  promptly  prepare a  certificate  setting  forth  such
adjustment,  and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to such  adjustment,
(b)  promptly  file with the Rights Agent and with each  transfer  agent for the
Preferred Shares and the Common Shares a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a
brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate (or, if prior to the
Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate  representing  Common Shares)
in accordance with Section 25 hereof. Notwithstanding the

                                   - 20 -





foregoing  sentence,  the failure of the Company to make such  certification  or
give such notice  shall not affect the validity of or the force or effect of the
requirement for such adjustment.  Any adjustment to be made pursuant to Sections
11 and 13 of this  Rights  Agreement  shall be  effective  as of the date of the
event giving rise to such adjustment.  The Rights Agent shall be fully protected
in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained.

            Section 13.  Consolidation,  Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earning Power.

            (a) In the event  that,  directly or  indirectly,  after there is an
Acquiring  Person,  (i) the Company  shall  consolidate  with, or merge with and
into,  any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction
that  complies  with Section  11(o)  hereof),  and the Company  shall not be the
continuing or surviving  corporation of such  consolidation or merger,  (ii) any
Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction  which  complies
with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with the Company, or merge with and
into  the  Company  and  the  Company  shall  be  the  continuing  or  surviving
corporation of such merger and, in connection with such consolidation or merger,
all or part of the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or
other securities of any other Person or cash or any other property, or (iii) the
Company  shall sell or otherwise  transfer  (or one or more of its  Subsidiaries
shall sell or otherwise transfer),  in one or more transactions to any Person or
Persons  (other  than the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries)  in one or more
transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o),  assets or earning power
aggregating  more than 50 percent of the assets or earning  power of the Company
and its  Subsidiaries  (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons  (other
than the  Company or one or more of its wholly  owned  Subsidiaries)  (any event
described in clauses (i),  (ii) or (iii) of this Section  13(a) being a "Section
13 event"),  then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that
(A) each holder of a Right,  except as provided in Section  7(f)  hereof,  shall
thereafter  have  the  right  to  receive,  upon  the  exercise  thereof  at the
then-current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such
number of validly  authorized and issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable  Common
Shares of the Principal Party (as hereinafter defined) which Common Shares shall
not be subject to any liens,  encumbrances,  rights of first  refusal,  transfer
restrictions or other adverse  claims,  as shall be equal to the result obtained
by  (1)  multiplying  the  then-current  Purchase  Price  by the  number  of one
one-hundredths   of  a  Preferred  Share  for  which  a  Right  was  exercisable
immediately  prior to the first  occurrence  of a  Section  13 event  (or,  if a
Section 11(a)(ii) event has occurred prior to the Section 13 event,  multiplying
the  number  of such  one  one-hundredths  of a  share  for  which  a Right  was
exercisable  immediately prior to the first occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii)
event by the Purchase Price in effect

                                   - 21 -





immediately prior to such first occurrence), and dividing that product by (2) 50
percent of the current per share market price  (determined  in  accordance  with
Section  11(d)(i)  hereof) of the Common Shares of such  Principal  Party on the
date of  consummation  of such Section 13 event;  (B) such Principal Party shall
thereafter  be liable for, and shall  assume,  by virtue of such  consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant
to this Agreement; (C) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to
such  Principal  Party,  it being  specifically  intended that the provisions of
Section 11 hereof  shall  apply  only to such  Principal  Party  after the first
occurrence of a Section 13 event; (D) such Principal Party shall take such steps
(including, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of shares
of its Common  Shares in  accordance  with  Section 9 hereof  applicable  to the
reservation of Capital  Shares) in connection  with such  consummation as may be
necessary to assure that the provisions  hereof shall  thereafter be applicable,
as nearly as  reasonably  may be, in relation to the shares of its Common Shares
thereafter  deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights;  and (E) the provisions
of Section  11(a)(ii)  hereof shall be of no further effect  following the first
occurrence of any Section 13 event.

            (b)    "Principal Party" shall mean:

            (i) in the case of any  transaction  described in clause (i) or (ii)
      of  Section  13(a)  hereof,  (A)  the  Person  that is the  issuer  of any
      securities  into which Common  Shares of the Company are converted in such
      merger or  consolidation,  or, if there is more than one such issuer,  the
      issuer of Common  Shares that has the  highest  aggregate  current  market
      price  (determined in accordance  with Section 11(d) hereof) and (B) if no
      securities  are so  issued,  the  Person  that is the other  party to such
      merger or  consolidation,  or, if there is more than one such Person,  the
      Person the Common Shares of which has the highest aggregate current market
      price (determined in accordance with Section 11(d) hereof); and

            (ii) in the case of any  transaction  described  in clause  (iii) of
      Section 13(a) hereof,  the Person that is the party  receiving the largest
      portion  of the  assets or  earning  power  transferred  pursuant  to such
      transaction  or  transactions,  or, if each Person that is a party to such
      transaction  or  transactions  receives  the same portion of the assets or
      earning power transferred  pursuant to such transaction or transactions or
      if the Person receiving the largest portion of the assets or earning power
      cannot be determined,  whichever Person the Common Shares of which has the
      highest  aggregate.current  market price  (determined  in accordance  with
      Section 11(d) hereof);

provided,  however,  that in any such  case,  (A) if the  Common  Shares of such
Person are not at such time and have not been

                                   - 22 -





continuously over the preceding  twelve-month period registered under Section 12
of the  Exchange  Act  ("Registered  Common  Shares"),  or such  Person is not a
corporation,  and such Person is direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person
that has registered Common Shares outstanding,  "Principal Party" shall refer to
such other Person;  (B) if the Common  Shares of such Person are not  Registered
Common Shares or such Person is not a  corporation,  and such Person is a direct
or  indirect  Subsidiary  of  another  Person  but is not a direct  or  indirect
Subsidiary of another  Person which has  Registered  Common Shares  outstanding,
"Principal   Party"  shall  refer  to  the  ultimate   parent   entity  of  such
first-mentioned  Pereon;  (C) if the  Common  Shares  of  such  Person  are  not
Registered Common Shares or such Person is not a corporation, and such Person is
directly or indirectly  controlled  by more than one Person,  and one or more of
such other Persons has Registered Common Shares  outstanding,  "Principal Party"
shall refer to whichever of such other  Persons is the issuer of the  Registered
Common Shares having the highest  aggregate  current market price (determined in
accordance  with Section  11(d)  hereof);  and (D) if the Common  Shares of such
Person are not Registered Common Shares or such Person is not a corporation, and
such Person is directly or indirectly  controlled  by more than one Person,  and
none of such other Persons have Registered Common Shares outstanding, "Principal
Party" shall refer to whichever ultimate parent entity is the corporation having
the greatest  stockholders'  equity or, if no such  ultimate  parent entity is a
corporation,  shall  refer to  whichever  ultimate  parent  entity is the entity
having the greatest net assets.

            (c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger,
sale or transfer unless prior thereto the Company and Principal Party shall have
executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental  agreement  confirming
that (i) such Principal Party shall,  upon  consummation of such  consolidation,
merger or sale or transfer of assets or earning power,  assume this Agreement in
accordance with Sections 13(a) and (b) hereof,  (ii) all rights of first refusal
or  preemptive  rights in  respect  of the  issuance  of  Common  Shares of such
Principal Party upon exercise of outstanding Rights have been waived,  (iii) any
provision  of the  authorized  securities  of  such  Principal  Party  or of its
charter, bylaws or other instruments governing its corporate affairs which would
obligate such Principal  Party to issue in connection  with, or as a consequence
of, the  consummation  of a  transaction  referred to in Section  13(a)  hereof,
Common Shares of such Principal  Party at less than the  then-current  per share
market  price  (determined  in  accordance  with  Section  11(d)(i)  hereof)  or
securities exercisable for, or convertible into, such Common Shares at less than
such  then-current  per share  market price (other than to the holders of Rights
pursuant  to this  Section  13) have  been  waived  or  canceled,  and (iv) such
transaction  shall not result in a default by such  Principal  Party  under this
Agreement and further  providing that, as soon as practicable  after the date of
any consolidation, merger or sale or transfer of assets or earning

                                   - 23 -





power referred to in Section 13(a) hereof, such Principal Party will:

            (A) prepare and file a registration  statement  under the Securities
      Act of 1933,  as amended,  with  respect to the Rights and the  securities
      purchasable  upon exercise of the Rights on an  appropriate  form, use its
      best efforts to cause such  registration  statement to become effective as
      soon as  practicable  after such filing and use its best  efforts to cause
      such registration  statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all
      times meeting the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended)
      until the Final  Expiration Date of the Rights,  and similarly comply with
      applicable state securities laws;

            (B) use its best  efforts to list (or  continue  the listing of) the
      Rights and the  securities  purchasable  upon  exercise of the Rights on a
      national securities  exchange or to meet the eligibility  requirements for
      quotation on the NASDAQ or such other system then in use; and

            (C) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements
      for  such   Principal   Party  which  comply  in  all  respects  with  the
      requirements for registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the
      Exchange Act.

            In the  event  that at any time  after the  occurrence  of a Section
11(a)(ii)  event hereof some or all of the Rights shall not have been  exercised
at the time of a Section 13 event,  the Rights which have not  theretofore  been
exercised  shall  thereafter be exercisable  in the manner  described in Section
13(a)  (without  taking into  account any prior  adjustment  required by Section
11(a)(ii)).

            (d) The  provisions  of this  Section  13 shall  similarly  apply to
successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers.

            Section 14.  Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.

            (a) The Company  shall not be required to issue  fractions of Rights
or to distribute  Right  Certificates  which  evidence  fractional  Right (i.e.,
Rights to acquire  less than one  one-hundredth  of a Preferred  Share).  If the
Company shall determine not to issue such fractional Rights, there shall be paid
to the registered  holders of the Right  Certificates  with regard to which such
fractional  Rights would  otherwise be issuable,  an amount in cash equal to the
same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right.  For the purposes of
this  Section  14(a),  the  current  market  value of a whole Right shall be the
closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on
which such  fractional  Rights would have been otherwise  issuable.  The closing
price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such
sale takes

                                   - 24 -





place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way,
in either case as reported in the principal  consolidated  transaction reporting
system with respect to securities  listed or admitted to trading on the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc., or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on
the New York Stock  Exchange,  Inc., as reported in the  principal  consolidated
transaction  reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal
national  securities  exchange  on which the Rights are  listed or  admitted  to
trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any  national
securities exchange,  the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of
the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by
NASDAQ or such other  system  then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are
not quoted by any such  organization,  the  average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights
selected by the Board of Directors.  If on any such date no such market maker is
making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date will be
as  determined  in good  faith  by the  Board  of  Directors,  based  upon  such
appraisals  or  valuation  reports of such  independent  experts as the Board of
Directors shall in good faith determine appropriate.

            (b)  The  Company  shall  not be  required  to  issue  fractions  of
Preferred  Shares  (other than  fractions  which are  integral  multiples of one
one-hundredth  of a  Preferred  Share)  upon  exercise  of  the  Rights,  or  to
distribute  certificates which evidence fractional  Preferred Shares (other than
fractions  which are  integral  multiples  of one  one-hundredth  of a Preferred
Share). Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-hundredth
of a  Preferred  Share may, at the  election of the  Company,  be  evidenced  by
depositary  receipts,  pursuant to an appropriate  agreement between the Company
and a depositary selected by it, provided that such agreement shall provide that
the holders of such  depositary  receipts shall have all the rights,  privileges
and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred
Shares.  With  respect to  fractional  Preferred  Shares  that are not  integral
multiples of one  one-hundredth  of a Preferred  Share,  if the Company does not
issue  fractional  shares or depositary  receipts in lieu  thereof,  the Company
shall  pay to the  registered  holders  of Right  Certificates  at the time such
Rights  are  exercised  as herein  provided  an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current  market value of one  Preferred  Share.  For purposes of
this Section 14(b), the current market value of one one-hundredth of a Preferred
Share shall be one  one-hundredth  of the closing price of a Preferred Share (as
determined  in  accordance  with Section  11(d)(ii)  hereof) for the Trading Day
immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

            (c)  The  holder  of a  Right,  by the  acceptance  of  the  Rights,
expressly  waives his right to receive any  fractional  Rights or any fractional
shares upon exercise of a Right except

                                   - 25 -





as permitted by this Section 14.

            Section  15.  Rights Of  Action.  All rights of action in respect of
this  Agreement,  excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under
Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective  registered holders of the Right
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares),  without the consent of the Rights
Agent  or of the  holder  of any  other  Right  Certificate  (or,  prior  to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Shares),  may in his own behalf and for his own
benefit,  enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding
against  the Company to enforce,  or  otherwise  act in respect of, his right to
exercise the Rights  evidenced by such Right  Certificate in the manner provided
in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing
or  any  remedies  available  to  the  holders  of  Rights,  it is  specifically
acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law
for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of
the  obligations  under,  and  injunctive  relief  against  actual or threatened
violations of, the obligations of any Person subject to this Agreement.

            Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders.  Every holder of a Right, by
accepting  the same,  consents  and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent
and with every other holder of a Right that:

            (a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be evidenced by
the certificates for Common Shares  registered in the name of the holders of the
Common  Shares  (which  certificates  for Common  Shares  shall also  constitute
certificates for Rights) and each Right will be transferable  only in connection
with the transfer of the Common Shares;

            (b)  after  the  Distribution   Date,  the  Right  Certificates  are
transferable  only on the registry  books of the Rights Agent if  surrendered at
the principal  office of the Rights Agent,  duly  endorsed or  accompanied  by a
proper  instrument of transfer and with the appropriate  forms and  certificates
duly executed; and

            (c) subject to Sections  6(a) and 7(f)  hereof,  the Company and the
Rights  Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name the Right  Certificate
(or, prior to the Distribution  Date, the associated Common Shares  certificate)
is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced  thereby
(notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates
or the  associated  Common  Shares  certificate  made by anyone  other  than the
Company or the Rights  Agent)  for all  purposes  whatsoever,  and  neither  the
Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

                                   - 26 -






            Section 17. Right Holders and Right Certificate Holders Not Deemed a
Stockholder.  No holder,  as such,  of any Right or Right  Certificate  shall be
entitled to vote,  receive  dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of
the number of one one-hundredths of a Preferred Share or any other securities of
the  Company  which may at any time be  issuable  on the  exercise of the Rights
represented  thereby,  nor  shall  anything  contained  herein  or in any  Right
Certificate  be  construed  to  confer  upon the  holder  of any  Right or Right
Certificate,  as such,  any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the  election of  directors  or upon any matter  submitted  to
stockholders  at any  meeting  thereof,  or to give or  withhold  consent to any
corporate  action,  or to receive notice of meetings or other actions  affecting
stockholders  (except as provided in Section  24),  or to receive  dividends  or
subscription  rights, or otherwise,  until the Right or Rights evidenced by such
Right  Certificate  shall have been exercised in accordance  with the provisions
hereof.

            Section 18.  Concerning the Bights Agent.

            (a)  The  Company  agrees  to  pay to the  Rights  Agent  reasonable
compensation  for all services  rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights  Agent,  its  reasonable  expenses  and counsel fees and
other  disbursements  incurred  in the  administration  and  execution  of  this
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.  The Company
also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless  against,
any loss,  liability,  or expense,  incurred  without  negligence,  bad faith or
willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted
by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this
Agreement,  including  the costs and expenses of defending  against any claim of
liability.

            (b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability
for or in respect of any action  taken,  suffered or omitted by it in connection
with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate
or certificate for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or for other securities
of the  Company,  instrument  of  assignment  or  transfer,  power of  attorney,
endorsement,   affidavit,  letter,  notice,  direction,   consent,  certificate,
statement,  or other  paper or  document  believed by it to be genuine and to be
signed, executed and, where necessary,  verified or acknowledged,  by the proper
person or persons,  or otherwise  upon the advice of its counsel as set forth in
Section 20 hereof.

            Section 19.  Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name
of Rights Agent.

            (a) Any  corporation  into which the Rights  Agent or any  successor
Rights  Agent  may be  merged  or  with  which  it may be  consolidated,  or any
corporation resulting from any merger or

                                   - 27 -





consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a
party,  or any  corporation  succeeding to the corporate trust or stock transfer
business  of the  Rights  Agent  or any  successor  Rights  Agent,  shall be the
successor  to the Rights  Agent under this  Agreement  without the  execution or
filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto,
provided that such corporation  would be eligible for appointment as a successor
Rights  Agent under the  provisions  of Section 21 hereof.  If, at the time such
successor  Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency  created by this  Agreement,
any of the Right  Certificates  shall have been countersigned but not delivered,
any  such  successor  Rights  Agent  may  adopt  the   countersignature  of  the
predecessor  Rights Agent and deliver such Right  Certificates so countersigned;
and  if at  that  time  any  of the  Right  Certificates  shall  not  have  been
countersigned,   any  successor   Rights  Agent  may   countersign   such  Right
Certificates  either in the name of the predecessor  Rights Agent or in the name
of the  successor  Rights Agent;  and in all such cases such Right  Certificates
shall  have  the full  force  provided  in the  Right  Certificates  and in this
Agreement.

            (b) If at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and
at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not
delivered,  the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name
and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned;  and if at that time any of the
Right  Certificates  shall not have been  countersigned,  the  Rights  Agent may
countersign such Right  Certificates  either in its prior name or in its changed
name;  and in all such cases such Right  Certificates  shall have the full force
provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

            Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent undertakes the
duties and  obligations  imposed by this Agreement upon the following  terms and
conditions,  by all of which the Company and the holders of Right  Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

            (a) The Rights  Agent may  consult  with legal  counsel  (who may be
legal counsel for the Company),  and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall
be full and complete  authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any
action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in  accordance  with such advice
or opinion.

            (b) Whenever in the  performance  of its duties under this Agreement
the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be
proved or  established  by the Company  prior to taking or suffering  any action
hereunder,  such fact or matter  (unless  other  evidence in respect  thereof be
herein  specifically  prescribed)  may be deemed to be  conclusively  proved and
established by a certificate sighed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the
President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the

                                   - 28 -





Rights  Agent;  provided,  however,  that so long as any Person is an  Acquiring
Person hereunder,  such certificate shall be signed by a majority of the menders
of the Board of Directors;  and such certificate shall be full  authorization to
the Rights  Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the
provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

            (c) The Rights  Agent shall be liable  hereunder  to the Company and
any  other  Person  only for its own  gross  negligence,  bad  faith or  willful
misconduct.

            (d) The Rights  Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of
the  statements of fact or recitals  contained in this Agreement or in the Right
Certificates (except its countersignature  thereof) or be required to verify the
same, but all such  statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.

            (e) The  Rights  Agent  shall  not be under  any  responsibility  in
respect of the validity of this  Agreement or the execution and delivery  hereof
(except  the due  authorization,  execution  and  delivery  hereof by the Rights
Agent) or in respect  of the  validity  or  execution  of any Right  Certificate
(except  its  countersignature  thereof);  nor shall it be  responsible  for any
breach by the Company of any covenant or condition  contained in this  Agreement
or in any Right  Certificate;  nor shall it be responsible for any change in the
exercisability  of the  Rights  (including  the  Rights  becoming  null and void
pursuant to Section 7(f) hereof) or any adjustment required under the provisions
of Sections 11 or 13 hereof (including the manner,  method or amount thereof) or
the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change or
adjustment  (except with  respect to the  exercise of Rights  evidenced by Right
Certificates after receipt by the Rights Agent of the certificate describing any
such adjustment as  contemplated by Section 12 hereof);  nor shall it by any act
hereunder  be  deemed  to  make  any   representation  or  warranty  as  to  the
authorization  or reservation of any Preferred  Shares to be issued  pursuant to
this Agreement or any Right  Certificate  or as to whether any Preferred  Shares
will,  when  issued,   be  validly   authorized  and  issued,   fully  paid  and
nonassessable.

            (f) The Company  agrees that it will perform,  execute,  acknowledge
and deliver or cause to be performed,  executed,  acknowledged and delivered all
such further and other acts,  instruments  and  assurances as may  reasonably be
required by the Rights Agent for the carrying  out or  performing  by the Rights
Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

            (g) The Rights  Agent is hereby  authorized  and  directed to accept
instructions  with respect to the  performance of its duties  hereunder from any
one of the  Chairman  of the  Board,  the  President,  any Vice  President,  the
Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply
to such

                                   - 29 -





officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties,  and it shall
not be liable for any action  taken or  suffered to be taken by it in good faith
in accordance with instructions of any such officer; provided,  however, that so
long as any Person is an  Acquiring  Person  hereunder,  the Rights  Agent shall
accept such  instructions  and advice only from the Board of Directors and shall
not be liable for any action  taken or  suffered to be taken by it in good faith
in accordance  with such  instructions.  Any application by the Rights Agent for
written  instructions  from the Company may, at the option of the Rights  Agent,
set forth in writing  any action  proposed  to be taken or omitted by the Rights
Agent under this  Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall
be taken or such  omission  shall be  effective.  The Rights  Agent shall not be
liable for any action taken by, or omission  of, the Rights Agent in  accordance
with a proposal  included in any such application on or after the date specified
in such application  (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after
the date any such  officer of the  Company or, if there is an  Acquiring  Person
hereunder,  a  majority  of the  members  of the  Board of  Directors,  actually
receives such application,  unless any such officer or a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors  shall have  consented in writing to an earlier  date)
unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an
omission), the Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in response
to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

            (h) The  Rights  Agent and any  stockholder,  director,  officer  or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the  Company  may be  interested,  or  contract  with or lend money to the
Company  or  otherwise  act as fully and freely as though it were not the Rights
Agent under this Agreement.  Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from
acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

            (i) The Rights  Agent may execute and  exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder  either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the  Company  resulting  from any such  act,  default,
neglect or  misconduct,  provided  that  reasonable  care was  exercised  in the
selection and continued employment thereof.

            (j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise  incur any financial  liability in the
performance  of any of its duties or in the exercise of its rights  hereunder if
the Rights Agent shall have  reasonable  grounds for believing that repayment of
such funds or adequate  indemnification  against  such risk or  liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

                                   - 30 -






      (k) If, with respect to any Right  Certificate  surrendered  to the Rights
Agent for  exercise  or  transfer,  the  certificate  included  with the form of
assignment  or form of election to purchase,  as the case may be, has either not
been  completed,  not signed or  indicates an  affirmative  response to clause 1
and/or 2 thereof,  the  Rights  Agent  shall not take any  further  action  with
respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the
Company. If such certificate has been completed and signed, the Rights Agent may
assume  without  further  inquiry that the Right  Certificate  is not owned by a
person  described  in Section  7(f)  hereof  and shall not be  charged  with any
knowledge to the contrary.

            Section  21.  Change  of  Rights  Agent.  The  Rights  Agent  or any
successor  Rights Agent may resign and be discharged  from its duties under this
Agreement  upon 30 days'  notice in writing  mailed to the  Company  and to each
transfer  agent of the  Common  Shares and  Preferred  Shares by  registered  or
certified  mail,  and to the holders of the Right  Certificates  by  first-class
mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon
30 days'  notice in  writing,  mailed to the Rights  Agent or  successor  Rights
Agent,  as the case may be, and to each transfer  agent of the Common Shares and
Preferred  Shares by  registered  or certified  mail,  and to the holders of the
Right  Certificates by first-class  mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be
removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint
a  successor  to the  Rights  Agent.  If the  Company  shall  fail to make  such
appointment  within a period of 30 days after  giving  notice of such removal or
after it has been notified in writing of such  resignation  or incapacity by the
resigning or incapacitated  Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate
(who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the
Company),  then the Company  shall  become the Rights  Agent and the  registered
holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction
for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor  Rights Agent,  whether
appointed by the Company or by such a court,  shall be a  corporation  organized
and doing  business  under the laws of the United  States or of the state of New
York (or of any other state of the United States so long as such  corporation is
authorized to do business as a banking institution in the state of New York), in
good  standing,  having a  principal  office in the state of New York,  which is
authorized under such laws to exercise  corporate trust or stock transfer powers
and is subject to supervision  or examination by federal or state  authority and
which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined  capital and
surplus of at least $50 million.  After appointment,  the successor Rights Agent
shall be vested with the same powers,  rights, duties and responsibilities as if
it had been  originally  named as Rights Agent without  further act or deed; but
the predecessor  Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights
Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any
further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose.

                                   - 31 -





Not later than the  effective  date of any such  appointment,  the Company shall
file  notice  thereof  in writing  with the  predecessor  Rights  Agent and each
transfer  agent of the Common  Shares and  Preferred  Shares,  and mail a notice
thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates.  Failure
to give any notice  provided  for in this  Section  21,  however,  or any defect
therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal
of the Rights Agent or the  appointment  of the successor  Rights Agent,  as the
case may be.

            Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates.  Notwithstanding any
of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  or of the  Rights to the  contrary,  the
Company may, at its option,  issue new Right  Certificates  evidencing Rights in
such form as may be approved by the Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment
or change  in the  Purchase  Price per share and the  number or kind or class of
shares or other securities or property  purchasable under the Right Certificates
made in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  Agreement.  In addition,  in
connection  with the issuance or sale of Common Shares of the Company  following
the  Distribution  Date and prior to the close of business on the earlier of the
Redemption  Date or the Final  Expiration  Date,  the  Company  (a) shall,  with
respect  to Common  Shares of the  Company  so  issued or sold  pursuant  to the
exercise of stock options or under any Plan, or upon the exercise, conversion or
exchange of securities  hereinafter  issued by the Company,  and (b) may, in any
other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors,  issue
Right  Certificates  representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection
with  such  issuance  or  sale;  provided,  however,  that  (i)  no  such  Right
Certificate  shall be issued if, and to the extent  that,  the Company  shall be
advised  by  counsel  that such  issuance  would  create a  significant  risk of
material  adverse  tax  consequences  to the  Company or the Person to whom such
Right Certificate  would be issued,  and (ii) no such Right Certificate shall be
issued if, and to the extent that,  appropriate  adjustment shall otherwise have
been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

            Section 23.  Redemption.

            (a) The  Company  may,  at its  option,  by  action  of the Board of
Directors  at any time prior to the close of  business on the earlier of (i) the
10th day  following  the Shares  Acquisition  Date or (ii) the Final  Expiration
Date,  redeem  all,  but not less than  all,  the then  outstanding  Rights at a
redemption price of $.01 per Right as such amount may be appropriately  adjusted
to reflect any stock  split,  stock  dividend or similar  transaction  occurring
after the date hereof (such  redemption price being  hereinafter  referred to as
the "Redemption Price").

            (b) In the  event  that if,  following  the  occurrence  of a Shares
Acquisition  Date and following the expiration of the right of redemption  under
subparagraph  (a) of this  Section 23, but prior to any Section 13 event,  (i) a
Person who is an

                                   - 32 -





Acquiring  Person  or an  Affiliate  or  Associate  of such  Person  shall  have
transferred  or  otherwise  disposed  of  a  number  of  Common  Shares  in  one
transaction, or a series of transactions (not directly or indirectly involving a
purchase by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), which did not result in the
occurrence of a Section  11(a)(ii)  event or a Section 13 event,  such that such
Person is thereafter a Beneficial Owner of 10 percent or less of the outstanding
Common  Shares of the  Company,  (ii)  there are no other  Persons,  immediately
following  the  transfer or other  disposition  described in clause (i), who are
Acquiring  Persons,  and (iii) the  transfer or other  disposition  described in
clause (i) was other than  pursuant to a transaction  or series of  transactions
which  directly or indirectly  involved the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,
then the right of  redemption  provided in  subparagraph  (a) of this Section 23
shall be reinstated and thereafter all outstanding Rights shall again be subject
to the provisions of this Section 23. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable at any time when the Rights
are subject to any  effective  right of  redemption  by the  Company  under this
Agreement.

            (c) Immediately  upon the action of the Board of Directors  ordering
the redemption of the Rights,  or at such time and date  thereafter as the Board
of Directors may specify, and without any further action and without any notice,
the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of
the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption  Price.  Promptly after
the action of the Board of Directors  ordering the redemption of the Rights, the
Company  shall  give  notice  of such  redemption  to the  holders  of the  then
outstanding  Rights by  mailing  such  notice to all such  holders at their last
addresses as they appear upon the  registry  books of the Rights Agent or, prior
to the  Distribution  Date, on the registry  books of the transfer agent for the
Common Shares. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
redemption  will state the method by which the payment of the  Redemption  Price
will be made.  Neither the Company nor any of its  Affiliates or Associates  may
redeem,  acquire or purchase  for value any Rights in any manner other than that
specifically set forth in this Section 23, and other than in connection with the
purchase of Common Shares prior to the Distribution Date.

            Section 24.  Exchange.

            (a) The  Company  may,  at its  option,  by  action  of the Board of
Directors,  at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring  Person,  exchange
all or part of the  then-outstanding  and  exercisable  Rights  (which shall not
include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(f))
for  Common  Shares  at an  exchange  ratio  of  one  Common  Share  per  Right,
appropriately  adjusted to reflect any stock  split,  stock  dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof (such

                                   - 33 -





exchange   ratio   being   herein   referred  to  as  the   "Exchange   Ratio").
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to
effect such exchange at any time after any Person  (other than the Company,  any
Subsidiary  of the Company,  any Plan of the Company or of a  Subsidiary  of the
Company, or any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any
such Plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person,  becomes
the  Beneficial  Owner  of  50  percent  or  more  of  the  Common  Shares  then
outstanding.

            (b)  Immediately  upon the action of the Board of  Directors  of the
Company  ordering  the  exchange  of any Rights  pursuant  to Section  24(a) and
without any further  action and without any notice,  the right to exercise  such
Rights shall terminate and the only right  thereafter of a holder of such Rights
shall be to receive  that  number of Common  Shares  equal to the number of such
Rights held by such holder  multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.  The Company shall
promptly give public notice of any such exchange;  provided,  however,  that the
failure to give,  or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of
such exchange.  The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to
all of the  holders of such Rights at their last  addresses  as they appear upon
the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner
herein  provided shall be deemed given,  whether or not the holder  receives the
notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange
of the Common  Shares  for  Rights  will be  effected  and,  in the event of any
partial  exchange,  the number of Rights  which will be  exchanged.  Any partial
exchange  shall be effected  pro rata based on the number of Rights  (other than
Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(f) hereof)
held by each holder of Rights.

            (c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Company, at its
option, may substitute Preferred Shares (or equivalent preferred shares, as such
term is defined in Section 11(b)) for Common Shares  exchangeable for Rights, at
the  initial  rate of one  one-hundredth  of a  Preferred  Share (or  equivalent
preferred  share) for each Common Share,  as  appropriately  adjusted to reflect
adjustments in the voting rights of the Preferred  Shares  pursuant to the terms
thereof,  so that the  fraction of a Preferred  Share  delivered in lieu of each
Common Share shall have at least the same voting rights as one Common Share.

            (d) The Company  shall not be required to issue  fractions of Common
Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares. In
lieu of such fractional  shares, the Company shall pay to the registered holders
of the Right  Certificates  with regard to which such  fractional  shares  would
otherwise  be  issuable  an amount  in cash  equal to the same  fraction  of the
current  market value of a whole Common Share.  For the purposes of this Section
24(d), the current market value of a whole share shall be the closing price of a
Common Share

                                   - 34 -





determined in the manner set forth in Section 11(d).

      Section 25.  Notice of Certain Events.

            (a) In case  the  Company  shall  propose,  at any  time  after  the
Distribution  Date,  (i) to declare or pay any dividend  payable in stock of any
class to the holders of its Preferred  Shares or to make any other  distribution
to the holders of its  Preferred  Shares  (other than a regular  quarterly  cash
dividend),  or (ii) to offer to the  holders of its  Preferred  Shares  options,
rights or warrants to  subscribe  for or to purchase  any  additional  Preferred
Shares  or  shares  of stock of any  class or any  other  securities,  rights or
options, or (iii) to effect any  reclassification of its Preferred Shares (other
than a reclassification  involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred
Shares),  or (iv) to effect  any  consolidation  or merger  into or with,  or to
effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more of its  Subsidiaries
to effect any sale or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of more than
50 percent of the assets or earning  power of the Company  and its  Subsidiaries
(taken  as a whole)  to,  any  other  Person or  Persons,  or (v) to effect  the
liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case,
the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with
Section 26 hereof,  a notice of such  proposed  action,  which shall specify the
record date for the purposes of such stock  dividend,  or distribution of rights
or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification,  consolidation, merger,
sale, transfer, liquidation,  dissolution or winding up is to take place and the
date of participation  therein by the holders of record of the Preferred Shares,
if any such date is to be fixed,  and such notice  shall be so given in the case
of any action  covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 20 days prior to the
record date for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such
action,  and in the case of any such other action, at least 20 days prior to the
date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation  therein
by the holders of the  Preferred  Shares,  whichever  shall be the earlier.  The
failure to give notice  required by this Section 25 or any defect  therein shall
not affect the  legality or  validity of the action  taken by the Company or the
vote upon any such action.

            (b) In case any Section  11(a)(ii)  event shall occur,  then (i) the
Company shall as soon as practicable  thereafter  give to each holder of a Right
Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of
such event,  which shall specify the event and the  consequences of the event to
holders of Rights under Section  11(a)(ii)  hereof,  and (ii) all  references in
Section 25(a) to Preferred Shares shall be deemed  thereafter to refer to Common
Shares and/or, if appropriate, other securities.


                                   - 35 -





            Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement
to be  given  or  made  by the  Rights  Agent  or by  the  holder  of any  Right
Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently  given or made if sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid,  addressed (until another address is filed in
writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation,  111
S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204, Attention:  Secretary. Subject to the
provisions  of  Section  21  hereof,  any  notice or demand  authorized  by this
Agreement  to be given or made by the  Company  or by the  holder  of any  Right
Certificate  to or on the Rights  Agent shall be  sufficiently  given or made if
sent by first-class mail,  postage prepaid,  addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) to the  principal  office of the Rights Agent
as follows:

            First Chicago Trust Company of New York
            36 Went Broadway
            New York, New York 10007

Notices  or  demands  authorized  by this  Agreement  to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate (or, if prior
to the  Distribution  Date, to the holder of  certificates  representing  Common
Shares  of the  Company)  shall  be  sufficiently  given  or  made  if  sent  by
first-class  mail,  postage prepaid,  addressed to such holder at the address of
such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

            Section 27.  Supplements and Amendments.

            (a) Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company may by action of the
Board of  Directors,  and the Rights  Agent  shall if the  Company  so  directs,
supplement  or amend any provision of this  Agreement in any manner  without the
approval of any holders of Common Shares.  From and after the Distribution Date,
the Company may by action of the Board of Directors,  and the Rights Agent shall
if  directed  by the  Company,  from  time to time,  supplement  or  amend  this
Agreement without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates in order (i)
to cure any  ambiguity,  (ii) to correct or supplement  any provision  contained
herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions  herein,
(iii) to  shorten  or  lengthen  any time  period  herein  or (iv) to  change or
supplement  any other  provisions,  hereunder  in any manner  which the Board of
Directors  may deem  necessary  or desirable  so long as the  interests"  of the
holders of the Rights or Right  Certificates  (other than an Acquiring Person or
any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring  Person) shall not be materially  and
adversely  affected  thereby;  provided,  however,  this  Agreement  may  not be
supplemented or amended to lengthen,  pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence,
(A) a time period governing  redemption of the Rights if the Rights are not then
redeemable,  or (B) any other time  period  unless such  lengthening  is for the
purpose of  protecting,  enhancing  or  clarifying  the  rights  of,  and/or the
benefits  to,  the  holders of Rights  (other  than an  Acquiring  Person or any
Affiliate or Associate of an

                                   - 36 -





Acquiring  Person).  Upon the  delivery  of a  certificate  from an  appropriate
officer  of the  Company  or,  so  long as any  Person  is an  Acquiring  Person
hereunder,  from  the  Board  of  Directors,  which  states  that  the  proposed
supplement or amendment is in compliance  with the terms of this Section  26(a),
the Rights  Agent shall  execute  such  supplement  or  amendment.  Prior to the
Distribution  Date,  the  interests  of the  holders  of Rights  shall be deemed
coincident  with the  interests  of the  holders  of the  Common  Shares  of the
Company.

            (b) After the  Distribution  Date and  prior to the  earlier  of the
Redemption Date or the Final  Expiration  Date, the Company shall not effect any
amendment to the  Certificate  of  Designations  for the Preferred  Shares which
would  materially and adversely  affect the rights,  privileges or powers of the
Preferred  Shares,  without the prior  approval of the holders of  two-thirds or
more of the then outstanding Rights.

            Section 28.  Certain Covenants.

            Subject to Section 27 and the other provisions of this Agreement:

            (a) no  adjustment  to the Purchase  Price,  the number of Preferred
Shares or Common Shares or other securities, as the case may be (or fractions of
a share),  for which a Right is exercisable or the number of Rights  outstanding
shall be made or be  effective  if such  adjustment  would  have the  effect  of
reducing  or limiting  the  benefits  the  holders of the Rights  would have had
absent such  adjustment,  including,  without  limitation,  the  benefits  under
Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 13, unless the terms of this Agreement are amended
so as to preserve such benefits; and

            (b) the  Company  shall not,  during  any time when there  exists an
Acquiring  Person (i) sell or issue,  or permit any Subsidiary to sell or issue,
to an Acquiring  Person,  or any  Affiliate or  Associate  thereof,  any rights,
options,  warrants  or  convertible  securities  on terms  similar  to, or which
materially  adversely affect the value of, the Rights,  or (ii) sell or issue to
an Acquiring  Person, or any Affiliate or Associate  thereof,  Preferred Shares,
Common  Shares or shares of any  other  class of  capital  stock if such sale or
issue is  intended  to or would  materially  adversely  affect  the value of the
Rights.

            Section 29.  Successors.  All the covenants  and  provisions of this
Agreement  by or for the benefit of the  Company or the Rights  Agent shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

            Section 30.  Benefits of This  Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to give to any person or corporation  other than the Company,
the Rights  Agent and the  registered  holders of the Right  Certificates  (and,
prior to the

                                   - 37 -





Distribution  Date,  the Cocoon  Shares of the  Company)  any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the
sole and exclusive  benefit of the Company,  the Rights Agent and the registered
holders of the Right  Certificates  (and,  prior to the  Distribution  Date, the
Common Shares of the Company).

            Section  31.  Severability.  If any  term,  provision,  covenant  or
restriction  of this Agreement is held by a court of competent  jurisdiction  or
other  authority  to be invalid,  void or  unenforceable,  the  remainder of the
terms, provisions,  covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected,  impaired or invalidated;
provided,  however,  that  notwithstanding  anything  in this  Agreement  to the
contrary, if any such term,  provision,  covenant or restriction is held by such
court  or  authority  to be  invalid,  void or  unenforceable  and the  Board of
Directors  determines  in their good faith  judgment  that  severing the invalid
language from this  Agreement  would  adversely  affect the purpose or effect of
this  Agreement  and the  Rights  shall  not then be  redeemable,  the  right of
redemption  set forth in Section  23 hereof  shall be  reinstated  and shall not
expire until the close of business on the tenth day  following  the date of such
determination by the Board of Directors.

            Section 32.  Determinations  and Actions by the Board of  Directors,
etc. For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of Common
Shares of the Company outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes
of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of which any
Person  is the  Beneficial  owner,  shall  be made in  accordance  with the last
sentence of Rule  13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the Exchange Act Regulations as in effect on
the date hereof. Except as otherwise  specifically provided herein, the Board of
Directors  of the  Company  shall  have the  exclusive  power and  authority  to
administer  this  Agreement  and to exercise all rights and powers  specifically
granted to the Board of Directors  or to the Company,  or as may be necessary or
advisable  in  the   administration  of  this  Agreement,   including,   without
limitation,  the  right  and  power  (a) to  interpret  the  provisions  of this
Agreement and (b) to make all  determinations  deemed necessary or advisable for
the   administration  of  this  Agreement.   All  such  actions,   calculations,
interpretations  and  determinations  (including,  for  purposes  of clause (ii)
below,  all omissions with respect to the  foregoing)  which are done or made by
the Board of Directors in good faith shall (i) be final,  conclusive and binding
on the  Company,  the  Rights  Agent,  the  holders  of the Rights and all other
parties,  and (ii) not subject the Board of Directors  or any member  thereof to
any liability to the holders of the Rights.

            Section 33. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Right Certificate
issued  hereunder  shall be deemed to be a  contract  made under the laws of the
state of Delaware  and for all  purposes  shall be governed by and  construed in
accordance with

                                   - 38 -





the laws of such state applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely
within such state;  provided,  however,  that the rights and  obligations of the
Rights  Agent  hereunder  shall be governed by the laws of the state of New York
(or state of incorporation of any successor Rights Agent).

            Section  34.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in any
number of counterparts and each of such  counterparts  shall for all purposes be
deemed to be an original,  and all such counterparts  shall together  constitute
but one and the same instrument.

            Section  35.  Descriptive  Headings.  Descriptive  headings  of  the
several  sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience  only and shall
not  control or affect  the  meaning or  construction  of any of the  provisions
hereof.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly  executed  and their  respective  corporate  seals  thereto  affixed and
attested as of the day and year first above written.

                                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION


Attest:


By    /s/ Anton C. Kirchoff                   /s/ Harry A. Merlo
Name:   Anton C. Kirchoff                 Name:  Harry A. Merlo
Title:  Secretary                         Title  Chairman and President

                                          FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF
                                            NEW YORK


Attest:

By:   /s/ Joanne Gorostiola               By   /s/ John C. Bambach
Name:  Joanne Gorostiola                  Name:  John C. Bambach
Title:  Customer Service Officer          Title:  Vice President

                                   - 39 -





                                                                       Exhibit A

                                     FORM OF

                 CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS OF SERIES A JUNIOR
                    PARTICIPATING CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK,
                                  $1 Par Value

                                       of

                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                              ---------------------

               Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation
                          Law of the State of Delaware

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

      The undersigned, Harry A. Merlo and Donald R. Holman, certify that:

            1.  They  are  the  Chairman  and  President   and  the   Secretary,
respectively,  of  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation,  a corporation  organized and
existing  under  the  General  Corporation  Law of the  State of  Delaware  (the
"Corporation").

            2.  That  pursuant  to the  authority  conferred  upon the  Board of
Directors by the Certificate of  Incorporation,  as amended,  of the Corporation
and  pursuant  to Section  151 of the  General  Corporation  Law of the State of
Delaware,  the  said  Board of  Directors  on May 23,  1988,  duly  adopted  the
following  resolution,  which  resolution  remains  in full  force  and  effect,
creating a series of shares of Preferred  Stock of the par value of $1 each (the
"Preferred   Stock")  of  the   Corporation   designated   as  Series  A  Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1 par value:

            "RESOLVED  that  pursuant  to the  authority  vested in the Board of
Directors  of  this  Corporation  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  its
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), a
series of the Preferred  Stock of the Corporation be, and it hereby is, created,
and that the designation  and amount thereof and the voting powers,  preferences
and relative, participating,  optional and other special rights of the shares of
such series, and the qualifications,  limitations or restrictions thereof are as
follows:

            Section 1.  Designation and Amount.  The shares of such series shall
be designated as Series A Junior  Participating  Cumulative  Preferred Stock, $1
Par Value (the Series A Preferred Stock") and the number of shares  constituting
such series shall be 1,000,000.



                                     - A-1 -




            Section 2.  Dividends and Distributions.

            (A) The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in preference
to the  holders  of Common  Stock of the par value of $1 per share  (the  Common
Stock)  of  the  Corporation  and  of  any  other  junior  stock  which  may  be
outstanding, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board
of Directors  out of funds  legally  available  for the purpose,  (i)  quarterly
dividends  payable  in cash on the  first  day of  March,  June,  September  and
December in each year (each such date being  referred to herein as a  "Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred
Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater
of (a) $23.00 per share ($92.00 per annum),  or (b) subject to the provision for
adjustment  hereinafter set forth, 100 times  the-aggregate  per share amount of
all cash dividends declared on the Common Stock since the immediately  preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend
Payment  Date,  since the first  issuance of any share or fraction of a share of
Series A Preferred  Stock,  and (ii)  subject to the  provision  for  adjustment
hereinafter  set  forth,  quarterly  distributions  (payable  in  kind)  on each
Quarterly  Dividend  Payment  Date in an amount per share equal to 100 times the
aggregate  per share  amount of all  noncash  dividends  or other  distributions
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, by reclassification or otherwise),  declared
on the Common Stock since the immediately  preceding  Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date,  or with respect to the first  Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date since the
first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred  Stock.
In the event the  Corporation  shall at any time after May 23, 1988,  declare or
pay any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,  or effect a
subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding  shares of Common
Stock (by  reclassification  or  otherwise)  into a greater or lesser  number of
shares of Common  Stock,  then in each such case the amount to which  holders of
shares of Series A Preferred  Stock are entitled under clauses (i)(b) or (ii) of
the  preceding  sentence  shall be  adjusted  by  multiplying  such  amount by a
fraction  the  numerator  of which is the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding  immediately  after such event and the  denominator  of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.

            (B)  The   Corporation   shall  declare  a  mandatory   dividend  or
distribution  on the  Series A  Preferred  Stock as  provided  in  Section  2(A)
immediately  after it declares a dividend or  distribution  on the Common  Stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the
event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common



                                     - A-2 -






Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
subsequent  Quarterly  Dividend Payment Date, a mandatory dividend of $23.00 per
share ($92.00 per annum) on the Series A Preferred  Stock shall  nevertheless be
payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

            (C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Preferred  stock,  unless
the date of issue of such  shares  is  prior to the  record  date for the  first
Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date, in which case  dividends on such shares shall
begin to accrue  from the date of issue of such  shares,  or unless  the date of
issue is a Quarterly  Dividend  Payment  Date or is a date after the record date
for the  determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled
to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date,
in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative
from such Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date.  Accrued but unpaid dividends shall
cumulate but shall not bear  interest.  Dividends paid on the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the
time  accrued  and  payable  on such  shares  shall be  allocated  pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of
Directors  may fix a record date for the  determination  of holders of shares of
Series  A  Preferred  Stock  entitled  to  receive  payment  of  a  dividend  or
distribution declared thereon,  which record date shall be not more than 30 days
prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

            Section  3.  Voting  Rights.  The  holders  of  shares  of  Series A
Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

            (A) Each share of Series A Preferred  Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to one vote (and each one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred
Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one  one-hundredth of one vote) on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

            (B) Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation
or herein or by law,  the holders of shares of Series A Preferred  Stock and the
holders  of shares of  Common  Stock  shall  vote  together  as one class on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.

            (C) In addition,  the holders of shares of Series A Preferred  Stock
shall have the following special voting rights:

            (i) If and whenever  accrued  dividends on Series A Preferred  Stock
shall not have been paid or declared



                                     - A-3 -






      and a sum  sufficient  for the  payment  thereof  set  aside in an  amount
      equivalent to six quarterly  dividends on all Shares of Series A Preferred
      Stock at the time outstanding,  then and in each such event the holders of
      Series A Preferred  Stock and each other series of Preferred  Stock now or
      hereafter  issued  which shall be accorded  such clans voting right by the
      Board of Directors  and which shall have the right to elect two  directors
      as the result of a prior or subsequent  default in payment of dividends on
      such series (each such other series being hereinafter called "Other Series
      of Preferred  Stock"),  voting  separately  as a class  without  regard to
      series,  shall be  entitled  to elect two  directors,  in  addition to the
      directors  to be elected by the  holders of all shares of the  Corporation
      entitled  to vote for the  election of  directors,  and the holders of all
      shares (including the Series A Preferred Stock) otherwise entitled to vote
      for directors,  voting  separately as a class,  shall be entitled to elect
      the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

            (ii) Such special  voting right of the holders of Series A Preferred
      Stock may be  exercised  until all  dividends  in  default on the Series A
      Preferred  Stock  shall  have  been  paid in full or  declared  and  funds
      sufficient  therefor  set  aside,  and when so paid or  provided  for such
      special  voting  right of the  holders of Series A  Preferred  Stock shall
      cease,  but subject always to the same  provisions for the vesting of such
      special voting rights in the case of any such future  dividend  default or
      defaults.

            (iii) At any time after such  special  voting  rights  shall have so
      vested in the holders of Series A Preferred  Stock,  the  Secretary of the
      Corporation  may, and upon the written request of the holders of record of
      10  percent  or more in number of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock and
      each Other Series of Preferred Stock then outstanding  addressed to him at
      the principal  executive office of the Corporation  shall,  call a special
      meeting of the  holders of  Preferred  Stock so  entitled  to vote for the
      election of the directors to be elected by them as herein provided,  to be
      held  within 60 days  after such call and at the place and upon the notice
      provided  by law  and  in the  bylaws  for  the  holding  of  meetings  of
      stockholders;  provided, however, that the Secretary shall not be required
      to call such special meeting in the case of any such request received less
      than 90 days before the date fixed for any annual meeting of stockholders,
      and if in such case such  special  meeting is not  called,  the holders of
      Preferred Stock so entitled to vote shall be



                                     - A-4 -






      entitled to exercise the special  voting  rights  provided in this Section
      3(C) at such annual meeting.  If any such special  meeting  required to be
      called as above  provided  shall not be called by the Secretary  within 30
      days after receipt of any such  request,  then the holders of record of 10
      percent or more in number of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock and each
      Other Series of Preferred Stock then  outstanding may designate in writing
      one of their  number to call such  meeting,  and the person so  designated
      may, at the expense of the  Corporation,  call such  meeting to be held at
      the place and upon the notice above  provided,  and for that purpose shall
      have access to the stock books of the Corporation. No such special meeting
      and no  adjournment  thereof  shall be held on a date  later  than 60 days
      before the annual meeting of the stockholders or a special meeting held in
      place  thereof  next  succeeding  the time  when the  holders  of Series A
      Preferred Stock become entitled to elect directors as above provided.

            (iv) If, at any  meeting  so called or at any  annual  meeting  held
      while the holders of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock have the special
      voting rights  provided for in this Section 3(C),  the holders of not less
      than 33-1/3 percent of the then  outstanding  shares of Series A Preferred
      Stock and each Other Series of Preferred Stock are present in person or by
      proxy, which percentage shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum for the
      election of additional  directors as herein provided,  the then authorized
      number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by
      two, as of the time of such special  meeting or the time of the first such
      annual meeting held while such holders have said special voting rights and
      such  quorum is present,  and the holders of the Series A Preferred  Stock
      and each Other  Series of  Preferred  Stock,  voting as a class,  shall be
      entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for.

            (v) Upon the  election at such  meeting by the holders of the shares
      of Series A  Preferred  Stock and each Other  Series of  Preferred  Stock,
      voting as a class, of the two directors they are entitled so to elect, the
      persons so elected,  together with such persons as may be or may have been
      elected as  directors  by the  holders of all shares  (including  Series A
      Preferred  Stock)  otherwise   entitled  to  vote  for  directors,   shall
      constitute the duly elected  directors of the Corporation.  The additional
      directors so elected by holders of Series A Preferred Stock and each Other
      Series of Preferred Stock, voting as a class, shall



                                     - A-5 -






      serve until the next annual meeting or until their  respective  successors
      shall  be  elected  and  qualified,  and at  each  subsequent  meeting  of
      stockholders at which the directorship of any director elected by the vote
      of holders of Series A Preferred  Stock and each Other Series of Preferred
      Stock under the special voting rights set forth in this Section 3(C) is up
      for election said special  voting rights shall apply in the  reelection of
      such director or in the election of his successor; provided, however, that
      whenever the holders of Series A Preferred  Stock and each Other Series of
      Preferred  Stock  shall be  divested  of the  special  rights to elect two
      directors as above provided, the terms of office of all persons elected as
      directors by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and each Other Series
      of Preferred  Stock,  voting as a class,  or elected to fill any vacancies
      resulting from the death, resignation,  or removal of directors so elected
      by the  holders  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock and each  Other  Series of
      Preferred Stock,  shall forthwith  terminate and the authorized  number of
      directors shall be reduced accordingly.

            (vi) If, at any time after a special  meeting of  stockholders or an
      annual meeting of  stockholders at which the holders of Series A Preferred
      Stock and each Other  Series of Preferred  Stock have  elected  additional
      directors as provided  above,  and while the holders of Series A Preferred
      Stock and each Other Series of Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to elect
      two  directors,  the  number of  directors  who have been  elected  by the
      holders of Series A  Preferred  Stock and each Other  Series of  Preferred
      Stock (or who by reason of one or more  resignations,  deaths or  removals
      have succeeded any directors so elected)  shall by reason of  resignation,
      death or  removal be less than two but at least  one,  the  vacancy in the
      directors  elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and each
      Other Series of Preferred  Stock may be filled by the  remaining  director
      elected by such holders,  and failing such  election  within 30 days after
      such  vacancy  arises,  or if there  shall not be  incumbent  at least one
      director  elected by such holders,  the Secretary of the Corporation  may,
      and upon the  written  request  of the  holders of record of 10 percent or
      more in number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and each Other Series
      of Preferred  Stock then  outstanding  addressed  to him at the  principal
      office of the Corporation  shall,  call a special meeting of the holder of
      Preferred  Stock so entitled to vote for an election to fill such  vacancy
      or  vacancies,  to be held within 60 days after such call and at the place
      and upon the notice provided



                                     - A-6 -






      by law and in the bylaws  for the  holding of  meetings  of  stockholders;
      provided,  however,  that the Secretary shall not be required to call such
      special meeting in the case of any such request received less than 90 days
      before the date fixed for any annual  meeting of  stockholders,  and if in
      such case such  special  meeting is not called,  the holders of  Preferred
      Stock so  entitled  to vote  shall be  entitled  to fill such  vacancy  or
      vacancies at such annual meeting.  If any such special meeting required to
      be called as above provided shall not be called by the Secretary within 30
      days after receipt of any such  request,  then the holders of record of 10
      percent or more in number of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock and each
      Other Series of Preferred Stock then  outstanding may designate in writing
      one of their  number to call such  meeting,  and the person so  designated
      may, at the expense of the  Corporation,  call such  meeting to be held at
      the place and upon the notice above  provided,  and for that purpose shall
      have access to the stock books of the Corporation; no such special meeting
      and no  adjournment  thereof  shall be held on a date  later  than 60 days
      before the annual meeting of the stockholders or a special meeting held in
      place  thereof  next  succeeding  the time  when the  holders  of Series A
      Preferred  Stock and each Other Series of Preferred  Stock become entitled
      to elect directors as above provided.

            (D) Nothing herein shall prevent the directors or stockholders  from
taking  any  action to  increase  the  number of  authorized  shares of Series A
Preferred  Stock,  or increasing  the number of  authorized  shares of Preferred
Stock  of the same  class  as the  Series A  Preferred  Stock or the  number  of
authorized shares of Common Stock, or changing the par value of the Common Stock
or Preferred  Stock,  or issuing  options,  warrants,  or rights to any class of
stock of the Corporation as authorized by the Certificate of Incorporation  now,
or as it may hereafter be amended.

            (E) The  provisions  of this  Section 3 shall govern the election of
directors by holders of Series A Preferred Stock  notwithstanding any provisions
of  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  to  the  contrary,  including,  without
limitation,  the  first  sentence  of  section  (4)  of  Article  Tenth  of  the
Certificate of Incorporation.

            (F) Except as eat forth herein,  holders of Series A Preferred Stock
shall have no special  voting  rights and their  consent  shall not be  required
(except to the extent they are entitled to vote as set forth in the  Certificate
of Incorporation or herein or by law) for taking any corporate action.




                                     - A-7 -







            Section 4.        Certain Restrictions.

            (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears,
thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividend and distributions,  whether
or not declared,  on shares of Series A Preferred Stock  outstanding  shall have
been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

            (i) declare or pay dividend on, make any other  distributions on any
      shares  of  stock  ranking   junior   (either  as  to  dividends  or  upon
      liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

            (ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other  distributions on
      any shares of stock  ranking on a parity  (either as to  dividends or upon
      liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock,
      except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such
      parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to
      the  total  amounts  to which  the  holders  of all such  shares  are then
      entitled;

            (iii)  redeem or purchase  or  otherwise  acquire for  consideration
      shares  of any  stock  ranking  junior  (either  as to  dividends  or upon
      liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock,
      provided  that  the  Corporation  may  at any  time  redeem,  purchase  or
      otherwise  acquire  shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares
      of any stock of the Corporation  ranking junior (either as to dividends or
      upon  dissolution,  liquidation  or winding  up) to the Series A Preferred
      Stock; or

            (iv) purchase or otherwise  acquire for  consideration any shares of
      Series A Preferred  Stock,  or any share of stock ranking on a parity with
      the Series A Preferred  Stock,  except in accordance with a purchase offer
      made  in  writing  or by  publication  (as  determined  by  the  Board  of
      Directors)  to all  holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
      Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and
      other  relative  rights  and  preferences  of the  respective  series  and
      classes,  shall  determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable
      treatment among the respective series or classes.

            (B)  The  Corporation   shall  not  permit  any  subsidiary  of  the
Corporation  to purchase or otherwise  acquire for  consideration  any shares of
stock of the Corporation unless the



                                     - A-8 -






Corporation could, under Section 4(A), purchase or otherwise acquire such shares
at such time and in such manner.

            Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
purchased  or otherwise  acquired by the  Corporation  in any manner  whatsoever
shall be retired  and  canceled  promptly  after the  acquisition  thereof.  The
Corporation  Shall take all such action as is  necessary so that all such shares
shall  after  their  cancellation  become  authorized  but  unissued  shares  of
Preferred Stock,  without  designation as to series, and may be reissued as part
of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of
the Board of Directors,  subject to the conditions and  restrictions on issuance
set forth herein.

            Section  6.   Liquidation   Dissolution  or  Winding  Up.  Upon  any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall
be made (A) to the  holders  of shares of stock  ranking  Junior  (either  as to
dividends  or upon  liquidation,  dissolution  or  winding  up) to the  Series A
Preferred  Stock  unless,  prior  thereto,  the  holders  of  shares of Series A
Preferred  Stock shall have received the higher of (i) $1.00 per share ($.O1 per
one  one-hundredth  of a share),  plus an amount  equal to  accrued  and  unpaid
dividends and  distributions  thereon,  whether or not declared,  to the date of
such payment,  or (ii) an aggregate  amount per share,  subject to the provision
for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount to
be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock;  nor shall any distribution
be made (B) to the holders of stock ranking on a parity  (either as to dividends
or upon  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding  up) with the Series A  Preferred
Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all
other such parity stock in  proportion to the total amounts to which the holders
of all such shares are entitled upon such  liquidation,  dissolution  or winding
up. In the event the  Corporation  shall at any time declare or pay any dividend
on Common Stock  payable in shares of Common Stock,  or effect a subdivision  or
combination  or  consolidation  of the  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock (by
reclassification  or  otherwise)  into a greater  or lesser  number of shares of
Common Stock,  then in each such case the  aggregate  amount to which holders of
shares of Series A Preferred  Stock are  entitled  under  clause  (A)(ii) of the
preceding  sentence shall be adjusted by  multiplying  such amount by a fraction
the  numerator  of which is the  number of shares  of Common  Stock  outstanding
immediately  after  such  event and the  denominator  of which is the  number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

            Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation,  merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common



                                     - A-9 -






Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or  securities,  cash and/or
any other property,  or otherwise  changed,  then in any such case the shares of
Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall at the same  time be  similarly  exchanged  or
changed  in an  amount  per  share  (subject  to the  provision  for  adjustment
hereinafter  set  forth)  equal to 100  times  the  aggregate  amount  of stock,
securities,  cash and/or any other property  (payable in kind),  as the case may
be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or  exchanged.
In the event the  Corporation  shall at any time  declare or pay any dividend on
Common  Stock  payable in shares of Common  Stock,  or effect a  subdivision  or
combination  or  consolidation  of the  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock (by
reclassification  or  otherwise)  into a greater  or lesser  number of shares of
Common  Stock,  then in each such  case the  amount  set forth in the  preceding
sentence with respect to the exchange or change of share.  of Series A Preferred
Stock shall be adjusted by  multiplying  such amount by a fraction the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately after
such event and the  denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

            Section 8. By  Redemption.  The shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock
shall not be redeemable.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the  Corporation  may
acquire shares of Series A Preferred Stock in any other manner permitted by law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or herein.

            Section 9. Rank.  Unless  otherwise  provided in the  Certificate of
Incorporation or a Certificate of Designations  relating to a subsequent  series
of Preferred Stock of the  Corporation,  the Series A Preferred Stock shall rank
junior  to all  other  series  of the  Corporation's  Preferred  Stock as to the
payment of dividends and the distribution of assets on liquidation,  dissolution
or winding up, and senior to the Common Stock of the Corporation.

            Section 10. Amendment. The Certificate of Incorporation shall not be
amended  in any  manner  which  would  materially  alter or change  the  powers,
preferences  or special  rights of the Series A Preferred  Stock so as to affect
them  adversely  without  the  affirmative  vote of the  holders  of at  least a
majority  of  the  outstanding  shares  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock,  voting
separately as a class.

            Section  11.  Fractional  Shares.  Series A  Preferred  Stock may be
issued in  one-hundredths  of a share or other  fractions of a share which shall
entitle the  holder,  in  proportion  to such  holder's  fractional  shares,  to
exercise voting rights,  receive dividends,  participate in distributions and to
have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Preferred Stock.



                                    - A-10 -







            3. The authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock is 15,000,000.
The number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock
is 1,000,000. None of the shares of such series has been issued.

            Dated:  _______________________, 1988.


                                          ------------------------------
                                          Harry A. Merlo
                                          Chairman and President of
                                          Louisiana-Pacific Corporation

ATTEST:

- ------------------------------
Donald R. Holman
Secretary of
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation



                                    - A-11 -







                                                                      Exhibit  B

                            Form of Right Certificate

Certificate No. R                                     ________ Rights

            NOT  EXERCISABLE  AFTER JUNE 6, 1998,  OR EARLIER IF  REDEEMED.  THE
            RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO  REDEMPTION AT $.01 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET
            FORTH  IN  THE  RIGHTS   AGREEMENT.   UNDER  CERTAIN   CIRCUMSTANCES
            (SPECIFIED IN THE RIGHTS  AGREEMENT),  RIGHTS  BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY
            ACQUIRING  PERSONS  (AS  DEFINED  IN THE  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT)  OR ANY
            SUBSEQUENT  HOLDER OF SUCH  RIGHTS  MAY BECOME  NULL AND VOID.  [THE
            RIGHTS   REPRESENTED   BY  THIS  RIGHT   CERTIFICATE   ARE  OR  WERE
            BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON
            OR AN AFFILIATE  OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING  PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS
            ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). THIS RIGHT CERTIFICATE AND THE
            RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN
            THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.]*

                                Right Certificate

                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

            This certifies that  ___________________,  or registered assigns, is
the  registered  owner of the  number of Rights set forth  above,  each of which
entitles the  registered  owner  thereof,  subject to the terms,  provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement  restated as of February 3, 1991 (the "Rights
Agreement"),  between Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
Company), and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Rights Agent," which
term shall include every successor Rights Agent under the Rights Agreement),  to
purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution  Date (as such term
is defined in the Rights  Agreement) and prior to 5 p.m. (New York City time) on
June 6,  1998,  at the  office or agency of the  Rights  Agent or its  successor
designated for such purpose,  one  one-hundredth  of a fully paid  nonassessable
share of Series A Junior Participating  Cumulative Preferred Stock, $l par value
(the "Preferred Shares"), of the Company, at a purchase price.

- --------------
* That portion of the legend in brackets  shall be inserted  only if  applicable
and shall replace the preceding sentence initially of $___ per one one-hundredth
of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"),  upon presentation and surrender of
this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related



                                     - B-1 -








certificate  duly executed.  As provided in the Rights  Agreement,  the Purchase
Price and the  number  of  Preferred  Shares  which  may be  purchased  upon the
exercise  of the Rights  evidenced  by this  Right  Certificate  are  subject to
modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

            This Right  Certificate  is subject to all of the terms,  provisions
and conditions of the Rights Agreement,  which terms,  provisions and conditions
are hereby  incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement  reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations  of rights,  obligations,  duties and  immunities  hereunder  of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right  Certificates.  Copies of
the  Rights  Agreement  are on file at the  principal  executive  offices of the
Company and are  available  from the Rights  Agent or the Company  upon  written
request.

            Upon the occurrence of certain  events  specified in Section 7(f) of
the Rights  Agreement,  if the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are or
were  beneficially  owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of
an  Acquiring  Person (as such terms are  defined in the Rights  Agreement)  or,
under  certain  circumstances,  a  transferee  of  any  such  Acquiring  Person,
Affiliate  or  Associate,  such Rights shall become null and void and any holder
thereof  (whether or not such holder is an  Acquiring  Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring  Person)  shall  thereafter  have no right to exercise
such Rights.

            In certain  circumstances  described  in the Rights  Agreement,  the
Rights  evidenced hereby may entitle the holder hereof to purchase capital stock
of an entity  other than the  Company or receive  cash or other  assets,  all as
prescribed in the Rights Agreement.

            This Right  Certificate,  with or without other Right  Certificates,
upon  surrender at the office or agency of the Rights Agent  designated for such
purpose, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of
like tenor and date  evidencing  Rights equal to the aggregate  number of Rights
evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right  Certificates  surrendered.  If this
Right  Certificate  shall be exercised in part,  the holder shall be entitled to
receive upon surrender  hereof another Right  Certificate or Right  Certificates
for the number of whole Rights not  exercised.  Subject to the provisions of the
Rights  Agreement,  the Rights evidenced by this Right  Certificate may, but are
not required  to, be redeemed by the Company at a  redemption  price of $.01 per
Right.

            No fractional  Preferred  Shares will be issued upon the exercise of
any Right or Rights  evidenced  hereby (other than fractions  which are integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a



                                     - B-2 -








Preferred  Share,  which may, at the  election of the  Company,  be evidenced by
depositary  receipts),  but in lieu  thereof,  a cash payment  will be Bade,  as
provided in the Rights Agreement.

            No holder of this Right  certificate  shall be  entitled  to vote or
receive  dividends  or be deemed for any  purpose  the  holder of the  Preferred
Shares  or of any  other  securities  of the  Company  which  may at any time be
issuable on the  exercise  hereof,  nor shall  anything  contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof,  as such, any
of the  rights  of a  stockholder  of the  Company  or any right to vote for the
election  of  directors  or upon any matter  submitted  to  stockholders  at any
meeting thereof,  or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or, to
receive notice of meetings or other actions  affecting  stockholders  (except as
provided  in the Rights  Agreement),  or to receive  dividends  or  subscription
rights,  or  otherwise,  until  the  Right or  Rights  evidenced  by this  Right
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

            This  Right  Certificate  shall not be valid or  obligatory  for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

            WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers
of the Company and its corporate seal. Dated as of
- ---------------------.


ATTEST:                                   LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

- ------------------------------            ----------------------------
Secretary                                 Chairman and President

Countersigned:

FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY
  OF NEW YORK

By__________________________
  Authorized Signature




                                     - B-3 -








                   Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate

                               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

               (To be executed by the  registered  holder if such holder desires
              to transfer the Right Certificate.)


      FOR VALUE RECEIVED  ____________________________ hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto -----------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Please print name and address of transferee)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably  constitute and appoint Attorney, to transfer the within
Right Certificate on the books of the within-named  Company,  with full power of
substitution.

Dated:  ________________________, 19__

                                    -----------------------------
                                    Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

                                   Certificate

            The undersigned  hereby certifies by checking the appropriate  boxes
that:

      (1) this Right  Certificate  [ ] is [ ] is not being  sold,  assigned  and
transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring  Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such  Acquiring  Person (as such terms are defined
in the Rights Agreement); and

            (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the  undersigned,
the  undersigned [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights  evidenced by this Right
Certificate  from any  Person who is, was or  subsequently  became an  Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.

Dated:  _____________, 19__               ____________________________
                                          Signature

Signature Guaranteed:
      Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate -- continued

                                     NOTICE

            This signature to the foregoing Assignment and



                                     - B-4 -






Certificate  must  correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right
Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.

            Signatures  must be  guaranteed  by a  member  firm of a  registered
national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers,  Inc.,  or a  commercial  bank or trust  company  having  an  office or
correspondent in the United States.

            In the event the certification set forth above is not completed, the
Company  will deem the  beneficial  owner of the Rights  evidenced by this Right
Certificate to be an Acquiring  Person or an Affiliate or Associate  thereof (as
such  terms  are  defined  in the  Rights  Agreement)  and,  in the  case  of an
Assignment,  will affix a legend to that effect on any Right Certificates issued
in exchange for this Right Certificate.

            Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate -- continued

                          FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

                      (To be executed if holder desires to
                        exercise the Right Certificate.)

To LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

            The   undersigned    hereby    irrevocably    elects   to   exercise
__________________  Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the
Preferred  Shares  issuable  upon the exercise of such Rights and requests  that
certificates for such Preferred
Shares be issued in the name of:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Please print name and address)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please insert social security or other identifying number:
- ---------------------

If such  number of Rights  shall not be all the Rights  evidenced  by this Right
Certificate,  a new Right  Certificate for the balance  remaining of such Rights
shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Please print name and address)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dated ____________, 19___





                                     - B-5 -






                                         ----------------------------
                                         Signature

Signature Guaranteed:


                                   Certificate

The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

           (1) the Rights  evidenced by this Right  Certificate  [ ] are [ ] are
not  beneficially  owned by an Acquiring  Person or an Affiliate or an Associate
thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement); and Form of Reverse
Side of Right Certificate -- continued

           (2) after due inquiry and to the best  knowledge of the  undersigned,
the  undersigned [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights  evidenced by this Right
Certificate  from any  person who is, was or  subsequently  became an  Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.

Dated: _______________, 19__               __________________________
                                           Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

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

                                     NOTICE

           The  signatures  in the  foregoing  Form of Election to Purchase  and
Certificate  must  correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right
Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.

           Signatures  must be  guaranteed  by a  member  firm  of a  registered
national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States.

           In the event the certification set forth above is not completed,  the
Company  will deem the  beneficial  owner of the Rights  evidenced by this Right
Certificate to be an Acquiring  Person or an Affiliate or Associate  thereof (as
such  terms  are  defined  in the  Rights  Agreement)  and,  in the  case  of an
Assignment,  will affix a legend to that effect on any Right Certificates issued
in exchange for this Right Certificate.



                                     - B-6 -






                                                                      EXHIBIT 28

                           DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
                        OF LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

General

           The authorized capital stock of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation ("L-P")
consists of  15,000,000  shares of  Preferred  Stock,  $1 par value  ("Preferred
Stock"),  none of which have been issued, and 75,000,000 shares of Common Stock,
$1 par value ("Common Stock").  All outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully
paid and nonassessable. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive or conversion
rights and there are no  redemption or sinking fund  provisions  relating to the
Common Stock. As L-P has no Preferred Stock outstanding, there is no restriction
on  repurchase  or  redemption  of Common Stock as a result of arrearages in the
payment of dividends or sinking fund  installments  with respect to any class of
stock  issued by L-P.  The  holders of  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock are
entitled to one vote per share.  Voting for  directors  is not  cumulative.  The
board of  directors  of L-P is divided  into  three  classes  serving  staggered
three-year terms.

           Subject to the rights of any  Preferred  Stock which may be issued in
the future,  the holders of Common Stock are  entitled to such  dividends as the
board of directors may declare out of funds legally available therefor,  at such
times and in such amounts as the board deems advisable, and to share pro rata in
all  assets  of  L-P  available  for  distribution  to  its  stockholders   upon
liquidation.

Business Combinations

           Article  Tenth of L-P's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  relating to
certain business combinations, provides that:

           (a) At any time a person  beneficially  owns at least 20  percent  of
     L-P's  outstanding  Common  Stock,  certain  mergers or other  transactions
     involving  L-P,  including  the issuance of voting  securities of L-P other
     than pursuant to employee benefit plans,  must be approved by holders of at
     least 75 percent of the  outstanding  Common  Stock  unless (i) such person
     acquired its Common  Stock in a cash tender  offer for all the  outstanding
     Common Stock or has no interest in such merger or other  transaction  other
     than solely as a holder of Common Stock,  (ii) certain  price  requirements
     are met, or (iii) such merger or other  transaction has been approved by at
     least two-thirds of the entire board of directors of L-P;




                                  - 1 -






           (b) Changes to L-P's  bylaws must be approved by at least  two-thirds
     of the  directors,  or by the  affirmative  vote of  holders of at least 75
     percent of the outstanding Common Stock;

           (c)  Directors  may only be removed for cause and by the  affirmative
     vote of holders of at least 75 percent of the outstanding Common Stock; and

           (d)  Any   stockholder   action   must  be  taken  at  a  meeting  of
     stockholders.

Article Tenth may be changed only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least
75 percent of the outstanding Common Stock.

Preferred Stock

           The  authorized  Preferred  Stock may be issued in the future without
any  further  action by the holders of the Common  Stock,  except as provided in
Article Tenth of L-P's  Certificate of Incorporation  discussed above. The board
of directors is authorized to divide the Preferred  Stock into series and within
the  limitations  provided by law and L-P's charter,  to designate the different
series and fix and determine the relative  rights and  preferences of any series
so  established.  If  Preferred  Stock is issued,  the rights of the  holders of
Common  Stock  will be  subordinated  in certain  respects  to the rights of the
holders of the Preferred Stock.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

           Effective June 6, 1988, L-P distributed purchase rights ("Rights") to
holders of Common  Stock on the basis of one Right for each share  pursuant to a
Rights  Agreement.  A copy of the Rights Agreement as amended and restated as of
February 3, 1991 (the "Rights Agreement"),  may be obtained by stockholders from
L-P.  Each  Right  entitles  the  registered  holder  to  purchase  from L-P one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior  Participating  Cumulative Preferred
Stock,  $1 par  value,  of L-P (the  "Preferred  Shares").  The  Rights  are not
exercisable  and are attached to and trade with shares of Common Stock until the
earlier of (i) 10 days following a public announcement that a person, other than
certain  exempt  persons,  has  acquired,  or  obtained  the  right to  acquire,
beneficial  ownership  of 20 percent or more of the  outstanding  Common  Stock,
other than  pursuant to a Qualifying  Tender  Offer (as defined) (an  "Acquiring
Person"),   or  (ii)  10  business  days  following  the   commencement  of,  or
announcement  of an intention  to make, a tender offer or exchange  offer (other
than a Qualifying  Tender Offer) the  consummation  of which would result in the
beneficial ownership by a person of 30 percent or more of the outstanding Common
Stock. Upon such an event, the



                                  - 2 -






Rights will trade separately. When the Rights first become exercisable,  holders
of the Rights  will be entitled to  receive,  upon  exercise  and the payment of
$75.00 per Right (the "Purchase Price"), one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share.
Unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged,  in the event that a person
becomes  an  Acquiring  Person,  each  holder  of a  Right  (other  than  Rights
beneficially  owned by the Acquiring Person or certain  transferees,  which will
thereafter be void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise and
payment of the  Purchase  Price,  shares of Common Stock having a value equal to
two  times  the  Purchase  Price.  Similarly,  upon the  occurrence  of  certain
acquisition  transactions  involving L-P, proper  provision must be made so that
each holder of a Right (other than Rights  beneficially  owned by the  Acquiring
Person or certain  transferees,  which will thereafter be void)  thereafter will
have the right to receive,  upon  exercise  and payment of the  Purchase  Price,
common  stock of the  acquiring  company  having a value  equal to two times the
Purchase Price.

           At any time after a person  becomes an Acquiring  Person and prior to
the  acquisition  by  such  Acquiring  Person  of 50  percent  or  more  of  the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock,  L-P may exchange  the Rights  (other than
Rights beneficially owned by such Acquiring Person or certain transferees, which
became null and void),  in whole or in part, for Common Stock at the rate of one
share per Right, subject to adjustments to prevent dilution.

           Each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive upon declaration the
greater of (i) cash and  non-cash  dividends in an amount equal to 100 times the
per share dividends  declared on the Common Stock or (ii) a preferential  annual
dividend  of $92.00 per share.  The  holders of  Preferred  Shares,  voting as a
separate  class,  will be entitled to elect two  directors  if dividends on such
stock are in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly dividends. In the event
of  liquidation,  each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive a liquidation
payment in an amount  equal to the  greater of $1.00 plus all accrued and unpaid
dividends and distributions or an amount equal to 100 times the aggregate amount
to be distributed per share of Common Stock.  Each Preferred Share will have one
vote,  voting  together  with the  Common  Stock.  In the  event of any  merger,
consolidation,  or other  transaction  in  which  shares  of  Common  Stock  are
exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount
received per share of Common Stock.

           The Rights will expire on June 6, 1998,  unless  earlier  redeemed or
exchanged by L-P. Until the close of business on the earlier of (i) the 10th day
following  public  announcement  that a person has become an Acquiring Person or
(ii) the expiration date of the Rights, the Rights may be redeemed at



                                  - 3 -






L-P's  election in whole,  but not in part, at a price of $.01 per Right.  L-P's
right of  redemption  may be  reinstated  if an  Acquiring  Person  reduces  his
beneficial  ownership to 10 percent or less of the outstanding Common Stock in a
transaction not involving a purchase by L-P.

           The  Rights  have  certain  antitakeover   effects,  but  should  not
discourage  a  Qualifying  Tender  Offer or  interfere  with any merger or other
business  combination  approved by L-P's board of  directors  at a time when the
Rights are redeemable. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or
group that  attempts  to acquire  L-P on terms not  approved  by L-P's  board of
directors except pursuant to a Qualifying Tender Offer.




                                  - 4 -


                          RIGHTS AGREEMENT, AS RESTATED
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1



         Amendment  No. 1, dated as of July 28, 1995 (the  "Amendment"),  to the
Rights  Agreement,  restated as of February  3, 1991 (the  "Rights  Agreement"),
between Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation,  a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, a New York corporation (the "Rights
Agent").

WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS,  the  Company  and the Rights  Agent  entered  into the Rights
Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  on July 28, 1995,  the Board of Directors of the Company,  in
accordance with Section 27 of the Rights Agreement,  determined it desirable and
in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to supplement and amend
certain provisions of the Rights Agreement.

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

         Section  1.  Amendment  to  Section  1(a).  Section  1(a) of the Rights
Agreement is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                  "(a) 'Acquiring Person' shall mean any Person (as defined) who
         or which,  together with all  Affiliates and Associates (as defined) of
         such Person,  shall be the Beneficial  Owner (as defined) of 15 percent
         or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding, provided,
         however,  that an Acquiring  Person shall not include the Company,  any
         wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of the  Company,  any  employee  benefit plan
         ("Plan")  of the  Company or of a  Subsidiary  of the  Company,  or any
         Person  holding  Common  Shares of the  Company  for or pursuant to the
         terms of any such Plan.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing:  (i) no Person
         shall become an 'Acquiring  Person' as the result of an  acquisition of
         Common  Shares of the Company by the  Company  which,  by reducing  the
         number  of Common  Shares of the  Company  outstanding,  increases  the
         proportionate number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially owned
         by such  Person  to 15  percent  or more of the  Common  Shares  of the
         Company then  outstanding,  provided,  however,  that if a Person shall
         become the Beneficial Owner of






         15 percent or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding
         by  reason  of  such  share  acquisitions  by  the  Company  and  shall
         thereafter  become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares
         of the Company,  then such Person  shall be deemed to be an  'Acquiring
         Person'  unless  upon  the  consummation  of the  acquisition  of  such
         additional  Common  Shares of the  Company  such Person does not own 15
         percent or more of the Common  Shares of the Company then  outstanding;
         and (ii) if the Board of  Directors  determines  in good  faith  that a
         Person  who  would  otherwise  be an  'Acquiring  Person'  became  such
         inadvertently (including,  without limitation,  because (A) such Person
         was  unaware  that it  beneficially  owned a  percentage  of the Common
         Shares of the Company that would  otherwise  cause such Person to be an
         'Acquiring  Person'  or (B) such  Person was aware of the extent of its
         Beneficial  Ownership of Common Shares of the Company but had no actual
         knowledge of the  consequences of such Beneficial  Ownership under this
         Agreement) and without any intention of changing or influencing control
         of the Company,  and if such Person as promptly as practicable divested
         or divests  itself of  Beneficial  Ownership of a sufficient  number of
         Common  Shares of the Company so that such Person would no longer be an
         'Acquiring  Person',  then such Person  shall not be deemed to be or to
         have become an 'Acquiring  Person' for any purposes of this  Agreement.
         For purposes of this  subsection  (a), in determining the percentage of
         the outstanding  shares of Common Shares of the Company with respect to
         which a Person is the Beneficial  Owner (i) all shares as to which such
         Person is deemed the Beneficial  Owner shall be deemed  outstanding and
         (ii)  shares  which  are  subject  to  issuance  upon the  exercise  or
         conversion  of  outstanding  conversion  rights,  rights,  warrants and
         options  other than those  referred  to in clause (i) of this  sentence
         shall not be deemed outstanding. Any determination made by the Board of
         Directors as to whether any Person is or is not an  'Acquiring  Person'
         shall be conclusive and binding upon all holders of Rights.

         Section  2.  Amendment  to  Section  1(j).  Section  1(j) of the Rights
Agreement is deleted.

         Section 3.  Amendment to Section  3(a).  The first  sentence of Section
3(a) of the Rights Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the parenthetical clause
"(other than a tender offer which would,  upon acceptance of shares for payment,
be a Qualifying Tender Offer)",  and (ii) deleting the number "30" and inserting
in lieu thereof the number "15."







         Section 4.  Amendments  to Section  13(a).  (a) The first  sentence  of
Section 13(a) of the Rights Agreement is amended by deleting clause (ii) of said
sentence and  inserting in lieu thereof the  following  "(ii) any Person  (other
than a Subsidiary  of the Company in a transaction  which  complies with Section
11(o) hereof)  shall  consolidate  with the Company,  or merge with and into the
Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
merger and, in connection with such  consolidation or merger, all or part of the
Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged  for stock or other  securities
of the Company or of any other Person or cash or any other property, or."

         (b) The first  sentence  of Section  13(a) of the Rights  Agreement  is
further  amended by deleting  the phrase  "(other than the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries)  in one or more  transactions  each of which complies with Section
11(o)"  appearing in clause (iii) of said sentence and inserting in lieu thereof
the phrase "(other than the Company or any of its wholly owned  Subsidiaries  in
one or more  transactions  each of which complies with Section  11(o))",  and by
deleting the phrase "to any other  Person or Persons  (other than the Company or
one or more of its  wholly  owned  Subsidiaries)"  appearing  in said  sentence.
Section 5. Amendment to Section 23(a).  Section 23(a) of the Rights Agreement is
amended so as to read in its entirety as follows:

                  "(a) The Company may, at its option, by action of the Board of
         Directors  at any time  prior to the  earlier  of (i) the time that any
         Person first becomes an Acquiring  Person or (ii) the close of business
         on the Final  Expiration  Date,  redeem all, but not less than all, the
         then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per Right as such
         amount may be appropriately  adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock
         dividend or similar transaction  occurring after February 3, 1991 (such
         redemption price being hereinafter  referred to as the  'Redemption
         Price'."

         Section 6.  Amendment  to Section  23(b).  Section  23(b) of the Rights
Agreement is deleted.

         Section 7. Amendment to Section 24(c). Section 24(c) is amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

                  "(c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Company,
         at its option, may substitute Preferred Shares (or equivalent preferred
         shares,  as such term is defined in  Section  11(b)) for Common  Shares
         exchangeable  for Rights,  at the initial rate (as of February 3, 1991)
         of one-hundredth  of a Preferred Share (or equivalent  preferred share)
         for each Common Share, as appropriately adjusted to






         reflect  subsequent  adjustments in the rights of the Preferred  Shares
         pursuant  to the terms  thereof,  so that the  fraction  of a Preferred
         Share delivered in lieu of each Common Share shall have the same rights
         to participate (taking into account any minimum  preferential  amounts)
         in dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
         of the Company, as one Common Share."

         Section 8.  Amendment  to Section  27(a).  The first two  sentences  of
Section 27(a) are amended by deleting the words  "Distribution  Date" each place
that  such  words  appear  therein  and  inserting  in lieu  thereof  the  words
"occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) event."

         Section 9. Rights Agreement as Amended. The term "Agreement" as used in
the Rights Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Rights Agreement as amended
hereby.  This Amendment  shall be effective as of the date hereof and, except as
set forth herein, the Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
be otherwise unaffected hereby.

         Section 10. Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such  counterparts  shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original,  and all of such counterparts  shall together  constitute but
one in the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Amendment to be duly
executed and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed and attested,  all as
of the day and year first above written.

Attest:                                        LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION



By /s/ ANTON C. KIRCHHOF                       By /s/ WILLIAM L. HEBERT
   Anton C. Kirchhof                              William L. Hebert
                                                  Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer


                                               FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY
                                               OF NEW YORK



By /s/ JAMES KUZMICH                           By /s/ JOANNE GOROSTIOLA
   James Kuzmich                                  Joanne Gorostiola
                                                  Assistant Vice President







                          RIGHTS AGREEMENT, AS RESTATED
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 2


          Amendment  No. 2, dated as of October 30, 1995 (the  "Amendment"),  to
the  Rights  Agreement,  restated  as of  February  3,  1991 and as  amended  by
Amendment  No. 1 thereto  dated as of July 28,  1995 (the  "Rights  Agreement"),
between Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation,  a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, a New York corporation (the "Rights
Agent").

WITNESSETH:

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Rights Agent have entered into the Rights
Agreement; and

          WHEREAS,  on October 29, 1995,  the Board of Directors of the Company,
in accordance with Section 27 of the Rights  Agreement,  determined it desirable
and in the best interest of the Company and its  stockholders  to supplement and
amend certain provisions of the Rights Agreement.

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

          Section 1.  Amendment to Section 7(c).  The first  sentence of Section
7(c) of the Rights Agreement is amended to read in its entirety as follows: "The
Purchase Price for each one  one-hundredth  of a Preferred Share pursuant to the
exercise of a Right shall be  $200.00,  and shall be payable in lawful  money of
the United States of America in accordance with Section 7(d) hereof."

          Section 2. Rights  Agreement as Amended.  The term "Agreement" as used
in the  Rights  Agreement  shall be deemed to refer to the Rights  Agreement  as
amended  hereby.  This  Amendment  shall be effective as of the date hereof and,
except as set forth herein,  the Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and be otherwise unaffected hereby.

          Section 3. Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such  counterparts  shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original,  and all of such counterparts  shall together  constitute but
one in the same instrument.








          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Amendment to be duly
executed and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed and attested,  all as
of the day and year first above written.




Attest:                                        LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION




By   /s/ Anton C. Kirchhof                     By   /s/ William L. Hebert
       Anton C. Kirchhof                              William L. Hebert
                                                      Treasurer and
                                                      Chief Financial Officer



                                               FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY
                                               OF NEW YORK




By   /s/ James Kuzmich                         By   /s/ Joanne Gorostiola
       James Kuzmich                                  Joanne Gorostiola
                                                      Assistant Vice President





                                                  - 2 -

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF JANUARY 31, 1997

                                      AMONG

                         LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION,

                           AS THE REVOLVING BORROWER,

                         LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CANADA LTD.,

                              AS THE TERM BORROWER,



                         BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                            AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,

                                    AS AGENT,


                                       AND

                  THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO


                                   ARRANGED BY

                          BANCAMERICA SECURITIES, INC.














                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Section                                                             Page


                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS.............................. 1

            1.01  Certain Defined Terms....................................  1
            1.02  Accounting Principles.................................... 16

                                   ARTICLE II
                                  THE CREDITS.............................. 16

            2.01  Amounts and Terms of Commitments......................... 16
                  (a)  The Term Credit..................................... 16
                  (b)  The Revolving Credit................................ 16
            2.02  Loan Accounts; Notes; Designation of Revolving
             Borrower...................................................... 17
            2.03  Procedure for Committed Borrowing........................ 18
            2.04  Conversion and Continuation Elections for
             Committed Borrowings.......................................... 19
            2.05  Bid Borrowings........................................... 21
            2.06  Procedure for Bid Borrowings............................. 21
            2.07  Procedure for Swingline Loans............................ 26
            2.08  Voluntary Termination or Reduction of
             Commitments................................................... 28
            2.09  Prepayments.............................................. 29
            2.10  Repayment................................................ 30
                  (a)  The Revolving Credit................................ 30
                  (b)  Bid Loans........................................... 30
                  (c)  Swingline Loans..................................... 30
                  (d)  The Term Credit..................................... 30
            2.11  Interest................................................. 30
            2.12  Fees..................................................... 31
                  (a)  Facility Fees....................................... 31
                  (b)  Arrangement, Agency, Bid Loan Fees.................. 31
                  (c)  Upfront Fees........................................ 31
            2.13  Computation of Fees and Interest......................... 32
            2.14  Payments by the Borrowers................................ 33
            2.15  Payments by the Banks to the Agent....................... 33
            2.16  Sharing of Payments, Etc................................. 34
            2.17  Quarterly Adjustments.................................... 35
            2.18  Guaranty................................................. 36

                                   ARTICLE III
                    TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY................. 36

            3.01  Taxes.................................................... 36
            3.02  Illegality............................................... 37
            3.03  Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.................. 38
            3.04  Funding Losses........................................... 39
            3.05  Inability to Determine Rates............................. 40
            3.06  Survival................................................. 40



                                        i






                                   ARTICLE IV
                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.......................... 40

            4.01  Conditions of Initial Loans.............................. 40
                  (a)   Credit Agreement, the Guaranty and Notes........... 40
                  (b)   Legal Opinions..................................... 40
                  (c)   Resolutions........................................ 40
                  (d)   Incumbency......................................... 41
                  (e)   Payment of Fees.................................... 41
                  (f)   Certificates....................................... 41
                  (g)   Termination of Existing Agreement.................. 41
                  (h)   Other Documents.................................... 42
            4.02  Conditions to All Borrowings............................. 42
                  (a)   Notice of Borrowing.  ............................. 42
                  (b)   Continuation of Representations and
                  Warranties............................................... 42
                  (c)   Financial Statements............................... 42
                  (d)   No Existing Default................................ 42

                                    ARTICLE V
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................... 43

            5.01  Corporate Existence...................................... 43
            5.02  Subsidiaries............................................. 43
            5.03  Corporate Authorization.................................. 43
            5.04  Governmental Authorization............................... 43
            5.05  No Contravention......................................... 43
            5.06  Binding Effect........................................... 44
            5.07  Encumbrances............................................. 44
            5.08  Compliance with Laws..................................... 44
            5.09  Litigation............................................... 44
            5.10  No Default............................................... 44
            5.11  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations...................... 44
            5.12  Regulated Entities....................................... 45
            5.13  Financial Statements..................................... 45
            5.14  ERISA Compliance......................................... 45
            5.15  Swap Obligations......................................... 46

                                   ARTICLE VI
                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS......................... 46

            6.01  Use of Proceeds.......................................... 46
            6.02  Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc................. 46
            6.03  Notices.................................................. 47
            6.04  Payment of Obligations................................... 48
            6.05  Insurance................................................ 48
            6.06  Inspection of Property and Books and Records............. 48
            6.07  Financial Statements..................................... 48
            6.08  ERISA Compliance......................................... 49

                                   ARTICLE VII
                              NEGATIVE COVENANTS........................... 50

            7.01  Funded Debt to Net Worth................................. 50



                                       ii





            7.02  Disposition of Property.................................. 50
            7.03  Mergers.................................................. 50
            7.04  Encumbrances............................................. 51
            7.05  Use of Proceeds.......................................... 51
            7.06  ERISA.................................................... 51

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT........................... 52

            8.01  Events of Default........................................ 52
            8.02  Remedies................................................. 54
            8.03  Rights Not Exclusive..................................... 55
            8.04  Notice of Default........................................ 55

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   THE AGENT............................... 55

            9.01  Appointment and Authorization; "Agent"................... 55
            9.02  Delegation of Duties..................................... 56
            9.03  Liability of Agent....................................... 56
            9.04  Reliance by Agent........................................ 56
            9.05  Notice of Default........................................ 57
            9.06  Credit Decision.......................................... 57
            9.07  Indemnification of Agent................................. 58
            9.08  Agent in Individual Capacity............................. 58
            9.09  Successor Agent.......................................... 59
            9.10  Withholding Tax.......................................... 60

                                   ARTICLE X
                                 MISCELLANEOUS............................. 61

            10.01  Amendments and Waivers.................................. 61
            10.02  Notices................................................. 62
            10.03  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.......................... 63
            10.04  Costs and Expenses...................................... 63
            10.05  Borrower Indemnification................................ 64
            10.06  Payments Set Aside...................................... 64
            10.07  Successors and Assigns.................................. 65
            10.08  Assignments, Participations, etc........................ 65
            10.09  Designated Bidders...................................... 67
            10.10  Confidentiality......................................... 67
            10.11  Set-off................................................. 68
            10.12  Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices,
              Etc.......................................................... 68
            10.13  Counterparts............................................ 69
            10.14  Severability............................................ 69
            10.15  No Third Parties Benefited.............................. 69
            10.16  Certain Interpretive Provisions......................... 69
            10.17  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction............... 70
            10.18  Arbitration; Reference Proceeding....................... 71
            10.19  Waiver of Jury Trial.................................... 72
            10.20  Judgment................................................ 72
            10.21  Provisions With Respect to Term Borrower............... 72A
            10.22  Entire Agreement....................................... 72A



                                       iii






      SCHEDULES

      Schedule 2.01           Commitments
      Schedule 5.14(c)        ERISA Matters
      Schedule 10.02          Lending Offices, Addresses for Notices


      EXHIBITS

      Exhibit A-1       Form of Notice of Borrowing (Revolving Loans
                        and Swingline Loans)
      Exhibit A-2       Form of Notice of Borrowing (Term Loans)
      Exhibit B         Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
      Exhibit C         Form of Compliance Certificate
      Exhibit D-1       Form of Legal Opinion of Borrowers' Counsel
      Exhibit D-2       Form of Legal Opinion of Term Borrower's
                        Canadian Counsel
      Exhibit D-3       Form of Legal Opinion of Agent's Counsel
      Exhibit E         Form of Assignment and Acceptance
      Exhibit F         Form of Invitation for Competitive Bids
      Exhibit G         Form of Competitive Bid Request
      Exhibit H         Form of Competitive Bid
      Exhibit I         Form of Revolving Note
      Exhibit J         Form of Bid Loan Note
      Exhibit K         Form of Term Note
      Exhibit L         Form of Designation Agreement
      Exhibit M         Form of Guaranty







                                      iv





                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


      This   CREDIT   AGREEMENT,   dated  as  of   January   31,   1997,   among
Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation,  a corporation  organized  under the laws of the
State of Delaware (the "Revolving Borrower"),  Louisiana-Pacific  Canada Ltd., a
corporation organized under the laws of the province of British Columbia, Canada
(the "Term  Borrower"),  the several  financial  institutions  from time to time
party to this Agreement (collectively, the "Banks"; individually, a "Bank"), and
Bank of America National Trust and Savings  Association,  as agent for the Banks
and the Designated Bidders.

                                WITNESSETH THAT:

            WHEREAS,  the Banks have agreed to make  available to the  Revolving
Borrower a revolving credit facility with a swingline subfacility upon the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

            WHEREAS,  the  Banks  have  agreed  to make  available  to the  Term
Borrower a term loan  facility upon the terms and  conditions  set forth in this
Agreement;

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

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

      1.01 Certain Defined Terms. In addition to the terms defined  elsewhere in
this Agreement,  the following terms have the meanings indicated for purposes of
this Agreement:

            "Absolute   Rate"   has  the   meaning   specified   in   subsection
      2.06(c)(ii)(D).

            "Absolute  Rate Auction" means a  solicitation  of Competitive  Bids
      setting forth Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.06.

            "Absolute  Rate Bid Loan" means a Bid Loan that bears  interest at a
      rate determined with reference to the Absolute Rate.

            "Agent"  means BofA in its  capacity  as agent for the Banks and the
      Designated  Bidders  hereunder,  and any  successor  agent  arising  under
      Section 9.09.

            "Agent-Related  Persons" means BofA in its capacity as Agent and any
      successor agent arising under Section 9.09, together with their respective
      affiliates (including, in the








      case of BofA,  the  Arranger),  and the  officers,  directors,  employees,
      agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and affiliates.

            "Agent's Payment Office" means the address for payments set forth on
      Schedule  10.02 in  relation  to the Agent,  or such other  address as the
      Agent may from time to time specify.

            "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement.

            "Applicable  Margin"  means,  in  respect  of  all  Committed  Loans
      outstanding  on any date (A) for the period from the Closing  Date through
      March 31, 1997, (i) 0.1700% for Offshore Rate Committed  Loans and 0.0000%
      for Base Rate Committed  Loans and Swingline  Loans,  in each case, to the
      Revolving Borrower, and (ii) 0.2500% for Offshore Rate Committed Loans and
      0.000% for Base Rate Committed  Loans,  in each case, to the Term Borrower
      and (B) from and after  April 1,  1997,  the  percentage  specified  below
      opposite the Interest  Coverage Ratio (which ratio shall be calculated for
      the  relevant  four  fiscal  quarter  period)  calculated  for the periods
      described below.

                       ------------------------------------------------------
                                 Applicable Margin with Respect to:
                       ------------------------------------------------------
                              Revolving Loans
                            and Swingline Loans            Term Loans

Interest Coverage         Offshore   Base Rate and   Offshore
Ratio                       Rate       Swingline       Rate      Base Rate
                           ------      ----------     ------     ---------
at End of Fiscal
- ----------------
Quarter
- -------
Greater than or equal     0.1700%       0.0000%      0.2500%      0.0000%
to 5.00 to 1.00
Greater than or equal     0.2500%       0.0000%      0.3750%      0.0000%
to 3.00 to 1.00 but
less than 5.00 to
1.00
Less than 3.00 to         0.3250%       0.0000%      0.5000%      0.0000%
1.00


      The Applicable Margin for each fiscal quarter commencing on or after April
      1, 1997 shall be calculated in reliance on the financial reports delivered
      pursuant to subsections 6.07(a) and 6.07(b) and the certificate  delivered
      with respect  thereto  pursuant to subsection  6.07(c) with respect to the
      fiscal  quarter ending  immediately  before the fiscal quarter in question
      (e.g., March 31 financials  determine the Applicable Margin for the fiscal
      quarter  beginning April 1). As such financial reports and certificate are
      not  required to be delivered  hereunder  until 45 days (or 90 days in the
      case of fiscal year-end financial reports) after the end of the applicable
      fiscal  quarter,  the  Applicable  Margin for each fiscal quarter shall be
      assumed for interim calculation and collection purposes, until delivery of
      such financial



                                      2





      reports and certificate,  to be the same as for the immediately  preceding
      fiscal quarter.  The Applicable Margin shall be adjusted  automatically in
      accordance  with the provisions of Section 2.17 as to all Committed  Loans
      then outstanding  (without regard to the timing of Interest Periods) as of
      the effective date of any change in the Applicable Margin.

            "Arranger"   means   BancAmerica   Securities,   Inc.,   a  Delaware
      corporation.

            "Bank" has the meaning specified in the introductory  clause hereto.
      References to the "Banks" shall include BofA, including in its capacity as
      the Swingline Bank; for purposes of clarification only, to the extent that
      BofA may have any rights or  obligations in addition to those of the Banks
      due to its  status  as the  Swingline  Bank,  its  status  as such will be
      specifically referenced.

            "Base Rate"  means,  for any day, the higher of: (a) 0.50% per annum
      above the latest  Federal  Funds  Rate;  and (b) the rate of  interest  in
      effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by BofA in San
      Francisco, California, as its "reference rate." (The "reference rate" is a
      rate set by BofA based upon  various  factors  including  BofA's costs and
      desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used
      as a  reference  point for  pricing  some  loans,  which may be priced at,
      above, or below such announced rate.)

            Any change in the reference rate announced by BofA shall take effect
      at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement
      of such change.

            "Base  Rate  Committed  Loan"  means a  Committed  Loan  that  bears
      interest based on the Base Rate.

            "Bid  Borrowing"  means a Borrowing  hereunder  consisting of one or
      more Bid Loans made to the  Revolving  Borrower  on the same day by one or
      more Banks or Designated Bidders.

            "Bid  Loan"  means a Loan by a Bank or a  Designated  Bidder  to the
      Revolving Borrower under Section 2.05, which may be a LIBOR Bid Loan or an
      Absolute Rate Bid Loan.

            "Bid Loan  Lender"  means,  in respect of any Bid Loan,  the Bank or
      Designated Bidder making such Bid Loan to the Revolving Borrower.

            "Bid Loan Note" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.02(b).




                                      3





            "BofA" means Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association,
      a national banking association.

            "Borrower"  means  each  of the  Revolving  Borrower  and  the  Term
      Borrower,  and "Borrowers" means both the Revolving  Borrower and the Term
      Borrower.

            "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder  consisting of (i) Committed
      Loans of the same Type made to the same Borrower on same day by the Banks,
      (ii) Bid Loans made to the Revolving Borrower on the same day by the Banks
      or  Designated  Bidders,  or (iii) a  Swingline  Loan or Loans made to the
      Revolving  Borrower on the same day by the  Swingline  Bank,  in each case
      pursuant to Article II, and, other than in the case of Base Rate Committed
      Loans and Swingline Loans, having the same Interest Period.

            "Borrowing  Date" means any date on which a Borrowing  occurs  under
      Section 2.03, Section 2.06, or Section 2.07, as applicable.

            "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday or other
      day on  which  commercial  banks  in New York  City or San  Francisco  are
      authorized or required by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day
      relates to any Offshore Rate Loan,  means such a day on which dealings are
      carried on in the applicable offshore dollar interbank market.

            "Closing Date" means the date on which all conditions  precedent set
      forth in Section  4.01 are  satisfied  or waived by all Banks (or,  in the
      case of subsection 4.01(e),  waived by the Person entitled to receive such
      payment).

            "Code" means the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  and  regulations
      promulgated thereunder.

            "Commitment"  means, as to each Bank, such Bank's obligation to make
      Term Loans pursuant to subsection  2.01(a) and Revolving Loans pursuant to
      subsection 2.01(b).

            "Committed  Borrowing"  means a Borrowing  hereunder  consisting  of
      Committed  Loans made on the same day by the Banks  ratably  according  to
      their  respective  Pro  Rata  Shares  and,  in the case of  Offshore  Rate
      Committed Loans, having the same Interest Period.

            "Committed  Loan" means a Revolving  Loan or a Term Loan, and may be
      an Offshore Rate  Committed  Loan or a Base Rate  Committed  Loan (each, a
      "Type" of Committed Loan).




                                   4





            "Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Bank or a Designated Bidder to
      make a Bid Loan in accordance with subsection 2.06(b).

            "Competitive  Bid Request" has the meaning  specified in  subsection
      2.06(a).

            "Compliance  Certificate"  means a certificate  substantially in the
      form of Exhibit C.

            "Conversion/Continuation  Date"  means  any  date  on  which,  under
      Section  2.04,  a Borrower  (a)  converts  Committed  Loans of one Type to
      another Type, or (b)  continues as Committed  Loans of the same Type,  but
      with a new  Interest  Period,  Committed  Loans  having  Interest  Periods
      expiring on such date.

            "Default" means any event or circumstance  which, with the giving of
      notice,  the lapse of time,  or both,  would  (if not  cured or  otherwise
      remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

            "Designated  Bidder"  means an affiliate of a Bank that is an entity
      described in clause (i) or (ii) of the  definition of "Eligible  Assignee"
      and that has become a party hereto pursuant to Section 10.09.

            "Designation  Agreement" means a designation  agreement entered into
      by a  Bank  and  a  Designated  Bidder  and  accepted  by  the  Agent,  in
      substantially the form of Exhibit L.

            "Dollars",  "dollars", and "$" means dollars of the United States of
      America.

            "EBIT" means,  for any period,  for the  Revolving  Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,  determined in accordance with GAAP,
      the sum of (a) net  income  (or net  loss)  for such  period  plus (b) all
      amounts  treated as expenses  for  interest to the extent  included in the
      determination of such net income (or loss),  plus (c) all accrued taxes on
      or measured by income to the extent included in the  determination of such
      net income (or loss);  provided,  however, that net income (or loss) shall
      be computed for these  purposes  without  giving  effect to  extraordinary
      losses or  extraordinary  gains or the  cumulative  effect of  changes  in
      accounting principles.

            "Eligible  Assignee" means (i) a commercial bank organized under the
      laws of the United  States,  or any state  thereof,  and having a combined
      capital  and  surplus of at least  $250,000,000;  (ii) a  commercial  bank
      organized  under  the laws of any other  country  which is a member of the
      Organization for Economic  Cooperation and Development (the "OECD"),  or a
      political subdivision of any such country, and



                                      5





      having a combined capital and surplus of at least  $250,000,000,  provided
      that such bank is acting  through a branch or agency located in the United
      States;  and (iii) a Person that is organized under the laws of the United
      States, or any state thereof, or under the laws of any other country which
      is a member of the OECD, or a political  subdivision  of any such country,
      and acting through a branch or agency  located in the United  States,  and
      that is primarily  engaged in the business of commercial  banking and that
      is (A) a Subsidiary  of a Bank,  (B) a  Subsidiary  of a Person of which a
      Bank is a Subsidiary, or (C) a Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary.

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

            "ERISA  Affiliate"  means  any  trade or  business  (whether  or not
      incorporated)  under common control with the Revolving Borrower within the
      meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections  414(m) and (o)
      of the Code for  purposes  of  provisions  relating  to Section 412 of the
      Code).

            "ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension
      Plan;  (b) a withdrawal by the Revolving  Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate
      from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in
      which it was a substantial  employer (as defined in Section  4001(a)(2) of
      ERISA) or a cessation of operations  which is treated as such a withdrawal
      under Section  4062(e) of ERISA;  (c) a complete or partial  withdrawal by
      the Revolving Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or
      notification  that a  Multiemployer  Plan  is in  reorganization;  (d) the
      filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or  Multiemployer
      Plan,  the treatment of a Plan  amendment as a  termination  under Section
      4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the  commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to
      terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer  Plan; (e) an event or condition
      which might  reasonably  be expected to  constitute  grounds under Section
      4042 of ERISA for the  termination  of, or the appointment of a trustee to
      administer,  any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition
      of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than PBGC premiums due but
      not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Revolving Borrower or
      any ERISA Affiliate.

            "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage"  has the meaning  specified in the
      definition of "Offshore Rate".

            "Event of Default" means any event listed in Section 8.01.

            "Existing   Agreement"  has  the  meaning  specified  in  subsection
      4.01(g).




                                      6





            "Facility Fee Percentage"  means (A) for the period from the Closing
      Date  through  March 31,  1997,  0.0800%,  and (B) from and after April 1,
      1997, the percentage  specified below opposite the Interest Coverage Ratio
      (which  ratio shall be  calculated  for the relevant  four fiscal  quarter
      period) calculated for the periods described below.

      Interest Coverage Ratio             Facility Fee
      at End of Fiscal Quarter             Percentage
      ------------------------             ----------

      Greater than or equal to
      5.00 to 1.00                          0.0800%

      Greater than or equal to
      3.00 to 1.00
      but less than 5.00 to 1.00            0.1250%

      Less than 3.00 to 1.00                0.1750%

      The Facility Fee Percentage for each fiscal quarter commencing on or after
      April 1, 1997 shall be  calculated  in reliance on the  financial  reports
      delivered pursuant to subsections  6.07(a) and 6.07(b) and the certificate
      delivered with respect thereto pursuant to subsection 6.07(c) with respect
      to the fiscal  quarter  ending  immediately  before the fiscal  quarter in
      question (e.g., March 31 financials  determine the Facility Fee Percentage
      for the fiscal quarter  beginning April 1). As such financial  reports and
      certificate  are not required to be delivered  hereunder until 45 days (or
      90 days in the case of fiscal year-end financial reports) after the end of
      the applicable fiscal quarter, the Facility Fee Percentage for each fiscal
      quarter shall be assumed for interim calculation and collection  purposes,
      until delivery of such financial  reports and certificate,  to be the same
      as for the immediately  preceding fiscal quarter. The facility fee payable
      hereunder  shall  be  adjusted   automatically   in  accordance  with  the
      provisions of Section 2.17 as of the  effective  date of any change in the
      Facility Fee Percentage.

            "FDIC"  means the Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,  and any
      governmental authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

            "Federal  Funds Rate" means,  for any day, the rate set forth in the
      weekly  statistical  release  designated  as  H.15(519),  or any successor
      publication,  published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including
      any such successor,  "H.15(519)")  on the preceding  Business Day opposite
      the caption "Federal Funds (Effective)";  or, if for any relevant day such
      rate is not so published on any such preceding  Business Day, the rate for
      such day will be the  arithmetic  mean as  determined  by the Agent of the
      rates for



                                      7





      the last  transaction  in overnight  Federal funds  arranged prior to 9:00
      a.m. (New York City time) on that day by each of three leading  brokers of
      Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the Agent.

            "Fee Letter" has the meaning specified in subsection
      2.12(b).

            "FRB" means the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System,
      and  any  governmental  authority  succeeding  to  any  of  its  principal
      functions.

            "Funded  Debt" means,  determined  on a  consolidated  basis for the
      Revolving  Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  indebtedness for borrowed money
      or  liability  under a lease  which is the  primary  source of  payment of
      industrial  revenue or pollution control bonds.  Funded Debt also includes
      Purchase  Money  Indebtedness,  prepayment  deposits  in  respect of sales
      contracts  and  unfunded  reserves  maintained  with respect to pending or
      threatened disputes or settlement thereof.

            "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from
      time  to  time  in the  opinions  and  pronouncements  of  the  Accounting
      Principles   Board  and  the  American   Institute  of  Certified   Public
      Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial  Accounting
      Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable  stature
      and authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which are applicable
      to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

            "Guaranty"   means  a   guaranty   executed   by   Louisiana-Pacific
      Corporation substantially in the form of Exhibit M.

            "Indemnified  Liabilities"  has the  meaning  specified  in  Section
      10.05.

            "Indemnified Person" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05.

            "Interest  Coverage Ratio" means, as measured  quarterly on the last
      day of each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal quarter period then ending,
      the ratio of (i) EBIT to (ii) an amount equal to the consolidated interest
      expense (including capitalized interest) of the Revolving Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries for the four fiscal quarter period then ending  calculated in
      accordance with GAAP.

            "Interest Payment Date" means, (a) as to any Offshore Rate Committed
      Loan or Bid Loan, the last day of each Interest Period  applicable to such
      Loan,  (b) as to any Base Rate  Committed  Loan,  the last Business Day of
      each calendar quarter and each date such Base Rate Committed Loan is



                                      8





      converted into another Type of Committed Loan, and (c) as to any Swingline
      Loan,  the  Business  Day agreed upon by the  Revolving  Borrower  and the
      Swingline Bank,  which will not be later than the fourteenth  Business Day
      following the Borrowing Date thereof or, if sooner,  the date set forth in
      clause (a) of the  definition  of Revolving  Termination  Date;  provided,
      however,  that (i) if any Interest  Period for an Offshore Rate  Committed
      Loan  exceeds  three  months,  the date that falls three  months after the
      beginning of such  Interest  Period and after each  Interest  Payment Date
      thereafter is also an Interest  Payment Date, and (ii) as to any Bid Loan,
      such  intervening  dates prior to the maturity thereof as may be specified
      by the Revolving  Borrower and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan Lender
      in the applicable Competitive Bid shall also be Interest Payment Dates.

            "Interest Period" means, (a) as to any Offshore Rate Committed Loan,
      the  period  commencing  on the  Borrowing  Date  of  such  Loan or on the
      Conversion/Continuation  Date  on  which  the  Loan is  converted  into or
      continued as an Offshore Rate Committed  Loan, and ending on the date one,
      two, three or six months thereafter as selected by the applicable Borrower
      in its Notice of  Borrowing or Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  as the
      case may be;  (b) as to any  LIBOR  Bid  Loan,  a period  of one to twelve
      months as selected by the Revolving Borrower in the applicable Competitive
      Bid  Request;  and (c) as to any  Absolute  Rate Bid Loan, a period of not
      less than 7 days and not more than 365 days as selected  by the  Revolving
      Borrower in the applicable Competitive Bid Request;

      provided that:

                  (i) if any Interest  Period would  otherwise end on a day that
            is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the
            following Business Day unless, in the case of an Offshore Rate Loan,
            the result of such extension  would be to carry such Interest Period
            into another  calendar  month,  in which event such Interest  Period
            shall end on the preceding Business Day;

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

                  (iii) no Interest Period for any Term Loan shall extend beyond
            the Term Maturity Date and no Interest Period for any Revolving Loan
            shall extend beyond the



                                      9





            date  set  forth  in  clause  (a) of the  definition  of  "Revolving
            Termination Date".

            "Invitation   for  Competitive   Bids"  means  a  solicitation   for
      Competitive Bids, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

            "IRS"  means the  Internal  Revenue  Service,  and any  governmental
      authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under the Code.

            "Lending  Office" means,  as to any Bank or Designated  Bidder,  the
      office or  offices  of such Bank or  Designated  Bidder  specified  as its
      "Lending  Office"  or  "Domestic  Lending  Office"  or  "Offshore  Lending
      Office",  as the case may be, on Schedule  10.02,  or such other office or
      offices as such Bank or Designated Bidder may from time to time notify the
      Revolving Borrower and the Agent.

            "LIBO Rate" means,  for any Interest  Period with respect to a LIBOR
      Bid Loan the rate of interest per annum  determined by the Agent to be the
      arithmetic  mean (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of 1%) of the rates
      of interest per annum  notified to the Agent by each Reference Bank as the
      rate of interest at which dollar deposits in the approximate amount of the
      LIBOR Bid Loans to be  borrowed  in such Bid Loan  Borrowing  and having a
      maturity  comparable  to such  Interest  Period  would be offered to major
      banks in the London  interbank  market at their  request at  approximately
      11:00 a.m.  (London time) two Business Days prior to the  commencement  of
      such Interest Period.

            "LIBOR  Auction"  means a solicitation  of Competitive  Bids setting
      forth a LIBOR Bid Margin pursuant to Section 2.06.

            "LIBOR Bid Loan"  means any Bid Loan that bears  interest  at a rate
      based upon the LIBO Rate.

            "LIBOR  Bid  Margin"  has  the  meaning   specified  in   subsection
      2.06(c)(ii)(C).

            "Loan" means an extension of credit by a Bank, the Swingline Bank or
      a Designated  Bidder,  as the case may be, to a Borrower under Article II,
      and, in the case of the  Revolving  Borrower,  may be a Revolving  Loan, a
      Swingline Loan, or a Bid Loan, and, in the case of the Term Borrower,  may
      be a Term Loan.

            "Majority  Banks"  means  (a) at any  time  prior  to the  Revolving
      Termination Date, or after the Revolving  Termination Date if no Loans are
      then  outstanding,  Banks  then  holding  at  least  60% of the  Revolving
      Commitments,  and (b)  otherwise,  Banks then  holding at least 60% of the
      then



                                      10





      aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of the Loans.  For  purposes  of this
      definition, each Bank shall be deemed to hold all outstanding Bid Loans of
      such Bank's Designated Bidders.

            "Multiemployer  Plan"  means  a  "multiemployer  plan",  within  the
      meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Revolving Borrower or
      any  ERISA  Affiliate   makes,   is  making,   or  is  obligated  to  make
      contributions  or, during the preceding three calendar years, has made, or
      been obligated to make, contributions.

            "Net Worth" means the total,  determined on a consolidated basis for
      the Revolving  Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  of (1) the capital accounts
      as  determined  by GAAP and (2) debt of the  Revolving  Borrower  which is
      subordinated  by the  holders  thereof  to the Loans and other sums now or
      hereafter owed by the Borrowers or their  Subsidiaries  to the Agent,  the
      Banks or the  Designated  Bidders  with  respect to the Loans or otherwise
      under this Agreement or the Notes,  by  arrangements or agreements in form
      and substance satisfactory to the Majority Banks.

            "Note"  means a Revolving  Note,  a Term Note or a Bid Loan Note and
      "Notes" means all of the Revolving  Notes, the Term Notes and the Bid Loan
      Notes.

            "Notice of Borrowing"  means a notice in  substantially  the form of
      Exhibit A-1 in the case of the  Revolving  Borrower and Exhibit A-2 in the
      case of the Term Borrower.

            "Notice of Conversion/Continuation"  means a notice in substantially
      the form of Exhibit B.

            "Offshore  Rate"  means,  for any Interest  Period,  with respect to
      Offshore Rate Committed Loans  comprising part of the same Borrowing,  the
      rate of  interest  per annum  (rounded  upward  to the next  1/16th of 1%)
      determined by the Agent as follows:


      Offshore Rate =                 LIBOR
                      ------------------------------------
                      1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

      Where,

            "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage" means for any day for any Interest
            Period  the  maximum  reserve  percentage  (expressed  as a decimal,
            rounded  upward  to the next  1/100th  of 1%) in  effect on such day
            (whether or not  applicable  to any Bank) under  regulations  issued
            from time to time by the FRB for  determining  the  maximum  reserve
            requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal
            reserve requirement)



                                      11





            with  respect to  Eurocurrency  funding  (currently  referred  to as
            "Eurocurrency liabilities"); and

            "LIBOR" means the rate of interest per annum determined by the Agent
            to be the arithmetic  mean (rounded upward to the next 1/16th of 1%)
            of the rates of  interest  per annum  notified  to the Agent by each
            Reference  Bank as the rate of interest at which dollar  deposits in
            the  approximate  amount  of the  amount  of the  Loan to be made or
            continued as, or converted  into, an Offshore Rate Committed Loan by
            such  Reference  Bank  and  having  a  maturity  comparable  to such
            Interest  Period  would  be  offered  to major  banks in the  London
            interbank  market  at their  request  at  approximately  11:00  a.m.
            (London  time) two Business Days prior to the  commencement  of such
            Interest Period.

                  The Offshore  Rate shall be adjusted  automatically  as to all
            Offshore Rate Loans then outstanding as of the effective date of any
            change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

            "Offshore Rate  Committed  Loan" means any Committed Loan that bears
      interest based on the Offshore Rate.

            "Offshore  Rate Loan" means any LIBOR Bid Loan or any Offshore  Rate
      Committed Loan.

            "Other Taxes" means any present or future stamp or documentary taxes
      or any other excise or property taxes,  charges or similar levies (but not
      including such taxes  (including  income taxes or franchise  taxes) as are
      imposed on or measured by each Bank's or  Designated  Bidder's net income)
      which  arise  from any  payment  made  hereunder  or from  the  execution,
      delivery or registration  of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement
      or any other documents or instruments given in connection herewith.

            "PBGC"  means  the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation,  or any
      governmental  authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under
      ERISA.

            "Pension  Plan" means a pension  plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
      ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which the Revolving  Borrower sponsors
      or  maintains,  or to which it makes,  is making,  or is obligated to make
      contributions, or in the case of a multiple employer plan (as described in
      Section  4064(a) of ERISA) has made  contributions  at any time during the
      immediately preceding five plan years.

            "Permitted Swap  Obligations"  means all obligations  (contingent or
      otherwise)  of either  Borrower or any of their  Subsidiaries  existing or
      arising under Swap Contracts, provided that each of the following criteria
      is satisfied:



                                      12





      (a) such  obligations  are (or were)  entered  into by such Person for the
      purpose  of  directly   mitigating  risks  associated  with   liabilities,
      commitments or assets held or reasonably  anticipated  by such Person,  or
      changes in the value of  securities  issued by such Person in  conjunction
      with a securities  repurchase program not otherwise prohibited  hereunder,
      and not for  purposes of  speculation  or taking a "market  view;" and (b)
      such Swap Contracts do not contain any provision  ("walk-away"  provision)
      exonerating the non-defaulting  party from its obligation to make payments
      on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party.

            "Person"   means  any   individual,   association,   joint  venture,
      partnership,  joint stock company,  corporation,  trust,  business  trust,
      government, governmental agency, governmental subdivision or other entity.

            "Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
      ERISA) which the Revolving  Borrower sponsors or maintains or to which the
      Revolving Borrower makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions
      and includes any Pension Plan.

            "Pro Rata Share" means, as to any Bank at any time, (i) with respect
      to Loans other than Term Loans, the percentage  equivalent (expressed as a
      decimal,  rounded to the eighth decimal place) at such time of such Bank's
      Revolving Commitment divided by the combined Revolving  Commitments of all
      Banks,  (ii)  with  respect  to  Term  Loans,  the  percentage  equivalent
      (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the eighth decimal place) at such time
      of the  principal  amount of such Bank's Term Loan divided by the combined
      Term Loans of all Banks.

            "Purchase Money  Indebtedness"  means indebtedness  incurred for the
      purchase of assets either by way of deferred payment of the purchase price
      thereof or by borrowing in order to finance such purchase.

            "Reference Banks" means BofA and The Chase Manhattan Bank.

            "Reportable  Event"  means any of the  events  set forth in  Section
      4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder,  other than any such event
      for which the 30-day  notice  requirement  under  ERISA has been waived in
      regulations issued by the PBGC.

            "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person,  any law (statutory or
      common),  treaty,  rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or
      of a governmental  authority,  in each case  applicable to or binding upon
      the



                                      13





      Person  or  any of its  property  or to  which  the  Person  or any of its
      property is subject.

            "Revolving Borrower" is defined in the preamble.

            "Revolving  Commitment"  has the  meaning  specified  in  subsection
      2.01(b).

            "Revolving Loan" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.01(b).

            "Revolving Note" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.02(b).

            "Revolving Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of:

                  (a)   January 31, 2002; and

                  (b) the date on which the Commitments  terminate in accordance
            with the provisions of this Agreement.

            "Subsidiary"  of  a  Person  means  any  corporation,   association,
      partnership, joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50%
      of the  voting  stock or other  equity  interests  (in the case of Persons
      other than corporations) is owned or controlled  directly or indirectly by
      the  Person,  or one or  more  of the  Subsidiaries  of the  Person,  or a
      combination  thereof.  Unless  the  context  otherwise  clearly  requires,
      references herein to a "Subsidiary" refer to a Subsidiary of the Revolving
      Borrower.

            "Swap  Contract"  means any  agreement,  whether or not in  writing,
      relating to any transaction that is a rate swap, basis swap,  forward rate
      transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap
      or option,  bond,  note or bill  option,  interest  rate  option,  forward
      foreign exchange transaction,  cap, collar or floor transaction,  currency
      swap,  cross-currency rate swap,  swaption,  currency option or any other,
      similar  transaction  (including  any  option  to  enter  into  any of the
      foregoing) or any  combination of the foregoing,  and,  unless the context
      otherwise clearly requires,  any master agreement relating to or governing
      any or all of the foregoing.

            "Swap  Termination  Value" means, in respect of any one or more Swap
      Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable
      netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts,  (a) for any date on or
      after the date such Swap  Contracts  have been closed out and  termination
      value(s) determined in accordance  therewith,  such termination  value(s),
      and (b) for any date  prior  to the  date  referenced  in  clause  (a) the
      amount(s) determined as the



                                      14





      mark-to-market  value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon
      one or more mid-market or other readily available  quotations  provided by
      any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include any Bank).

            "Swingline Bank" means BofA.

            "Swingline  Borrowing" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of one
      or more Swingline Loans made to the Revolving  Borrower on the same day by
      the Swingline Bank.

            "Swingline  Clean-Up  Day" has the meaning  specified in  subsection
      2.09(c).

            "Swingline  Commitment"  has the  meaning  specified  in  subsection
      2.01(c).

            "Swingline Loan" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.01(c).

            "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,  imposts,
      deductions,  charges or  withholdings,  and all  liabilities  with respect
      thereto,  excluding,  in the case of each Bank, each Designated Bidder and
      the Agent,  such taxes (including  income taxes or franchise taxes) as are
      imposed on or measured by such Person's net income by the jurisdiction (or
      any political  subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Person is
      organized or maintains a lending office.

            "Term Borrower" is defined in the preamble.

            "Term Commitment" means $125,000,000.

            "Term Loan" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.01(a).

            "Term Maturity Date" means February 1, 2002.

            "Term Note" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.02(b).

            "Type" has the meaning  specified in the  definition  of  "Committed
      Loan."

            "Unfunded  Pension  Liability"  means the excess of a Plan's benefit
      liabilities under Section  4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of
      that Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for
      funding that Plan  pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the  applicable
      plan year.

            "United States" and "U.S." each means the United States of America.



                                      15






            1.02  Accounting  Principles.  All financial  computations  required
under this Agreement shall be made, and all financial information required under
this Agreement shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied.
References  herein to "fiscal  year" and "fiscal  quarter"  refer to such fiscal
periods of the Borrowers.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE CREDITS

      2.01  Amounts and Terms of  Commitments.  (a) The Term  Credit.  Each Bank
severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, to make a single
loan to the Term Borrower (each such loan, a "Term Loan") on the Closing Date in
an amount  not to exceed the amount set forth on  Schedule  2.01  opposite  such
Bank's name under the heading "Term Commitment". Each Bank's Term Loan shall not
exceed its pro rata share (as set forth on Schedule  2.01  opposite  such Bank's
name under the heading  "Pro Rata Share (Term  Loans)")  of the  aggregate  Term
Loans made on the Closing Date.  Amounts borrowed as Term Loans which are repaid
or prepaid by the Term Borrower may not be reborrowed.

            (b) The Revolving  Credit.  Each Bank severally agrees, on the terms
and conditions set forth herein,  to make loans to the Revolving  Borrower (each
such loan, a "Revolving  Loan") from time to time on any Business Day during the
period from the Closing Date to the Revolving  Termination Date, in an aggregate
amount  not to  exceed  at any  time  outstanding,  together  with  such  Bank's
participation, if any, in Swingline Loans then outstanding, the amount set forth
on Schedule 2.01 under the heading  "Revolving  Commitment"  (such amount as the
same may be reduced under Section 2.08 or as a result of one or more assignments
under Section 10.08,  the Bank's  "Revolving  Commitment");  provided,  however,
that,  after giving effect to any Committed  Borrowing of Revolving  Loans,  the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, together with the
aggregate  principal  amount of all Bid Loans and Swingline  Loans  outstanding,
shall not at any time  exceed the  combined  Revolving  Commitments.  Within the
limits of each Bank's Revolving  Commitment,  and subject to the other terms and
conditions  hereof,  the  Revolving  Borrower may borrow  under this  subsection
2.01(b), prepay under Section 2.09 and reborrow under this subsection 2.01(b).

            (c) The Swingline Bank agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth
herein, to make a portion of the combined Revolving Commitments of all the Banks
available to the Revolving  Borrower by making swingline loans (each such loan a
"Swingline  Loan") to the  Revolving  Borrower from time to time on any Business
Day during the period from the Closing Date to the Revolving  Termination  Date,
in an  aggregate  principal  amount  not  to  exceed  at  any  time  outstanding
$25,000,000  (as such amount may be reduced under Section 2.08 or as a result of
one or more



                                      16





assignments under Section 10.08, the Swingline Bank's  "Swingline  Commitment"),
notwithstanding  the fact that such Swingline  Loans,  when  aggregated with the
Swingline  Bank's  outstanding  Revolving Loans, may exceed the Swingline Bank's
Revolving  Commitment;  provided,  however,  that,  after  giving  effect to any
Borrowing of a Swingline Loan, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Revolving Loans,  Swingline Loans and Bid Loans shall not at any time exceed the
combined Revolving Commitments.  Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the
other terms and conditions  hereof, the Revolving Borrower may borrow under this
subsection 2.01(c), prepay under Section 2.09 and reborrow under this subsection
2.01(c).

      2.02 Loan Accounts; Notes; Designation of Revolving Borrower.

            (a) The  Loans  made by each  Bank or  Designated  Bidder  shall  be
evidenced  by one or more loan  accounts or records  maintained  by such Bank or
Designated  Bidder in the  ordinary  course of  business.  The loan  accounts or
records  maintained  by the Agent and each Bank or  Designated  Bidder  shall be
rebuttable presumptive evidence of the amount of the Loans made by the Banks and
Designated  Bidders to each Borrower and the interest and payments thereon.  Any
failure  so to  record  or any error in doing so shall  not,  however,  limit or
otherwise  affect the obligation of either Borrower  hereunder or under any Note
or the  Revolving  Borrower  under the  Guaranty  to pay any  amount  owing with
respect to the Loans.

            (b) Upon the request of any Bank or  Designated  Bidder made through
the Agent, the Revolving Loans,  Swingline Loans and Bid Loans made by such Bank
or Designated  Bidder to the Revolving  Borrower may be evidenced by one or more
notes in the form of  Exhibit I (a  "Revolving  Note") or Exhibit J (a "Bid Loan
Note") as  applicable,  instead of loan  accounts.  Upon the request of any Bank
made through the Agent, the Term Loan made by such Bank to the Term Borrower may
be evidenced by a note in the form of Exhibit K (a "Term Note"), instead of loan
accounts.  Each such Bank or  Designated  Bidder shall  endorse on the schedules
annexed to its Note(s) the date, amount and maturity of each Loan made by it and
the amount of each payment of principal  made by the  applicable  Borrower  with
respect thereto. Each such Bank and Designated Bidder is irrevocably  authorized
by the applicable  Borrower to endorse its Note(s) and each Bank's or Designated
Bidder's  notations  on its Note(s) or other loan  accounts or records  shall be
rebuttable  presumptive evidence of the amount of the Loans made by such Bank or
Designated Bidder to the applicable Borrower and the payments thereon; provided,
however, that the failure of a Bank or Designated Bidder to make, or an error in
making, a notation on its Note(s) or other loan accounts or records with respect
to any Loan  shall not  limit or  otherwise  affect  the  obligations  of either
Borrower hereunder or under any such Note or of the Revolving Borrower under the
Guaranty to such Bank or Designated Bidder.



                                      17






      (c) The Term Borrower hereby  irrevocably  appoints the Revolving Borrower
as its agent and  attorney-in-fact,  authorized  to execute  and  deliver on its
behalf any and all statements,  certificates, documents and agreements as may be
required or contemplated  hereunder,  including Notices of Borrowing and Notices
of  Conversion/Continuation,  and to  receive  any and  all  notices  and  other
communications from the Agent and the Banks hereunder and to perform on the Term
Borrower's  behalf  any and all  other  acts,  deeds  and  requirements  of this
Agreement.

      2.03  Procedure for Committed Borrowing.

            (a)  Each  Committed  Borrowing  shall be made  upon the  applicable
Borrower's  irrevocable  written notice  delivered to the Agent in the form of a
Notice of  Borrowing  (which  notice must be received by the Agent prior to 9:00
a.m.  (San  Francisco  time)) (i) three  Business  Days  prior to the  requested
Borrowing  Date,  in the case of Offshore  Rate  Committed  Loans,  and (ii) one
Business Day prior to the  requested  Borrowing  Date,  in the case of Base Rate
Committed Loans, specifying:

                        (A) the amount of the Committed  Borrowing,  which shall
            be in an aggregate  minimum  amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of
            $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

                        (B) the  requested  Borrowing  Date,  which  shall  be a
            Business Day;

                        (C)  the  Type  of  Loans   comprising   the   Committed
            Borrowing; and

                        (D) the duration of the Interest  Period  applicable  to
            any Offshore Rate Committed  Loans  included in such notice.  If the
            Notice of  Borrowing  fails to specify the  duration of the Interest
            Period for any Committed Borrowing comprised of Offshore Rate Loans,
            such Interest Period shall be three months.

            (b) The Agent will  promptly  notify each Bank of its receipt of any
Notice of  Borrowing  and of the  amount of such  Bank's  Pro Rata Share of that
Committed Borrowing.

            (c) Each Bank will make the amount of its Term Loan available to the
Agent  for the  account  of the Term  Borrower,  or its Pro  Rata  Share of each
Committed  Borrowing  available  to the Agent for the  account of the  Revolving
Borrower,  in the case of a Revolving  Loan, in each case at the Agent's Payment
Office by 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) on the Borrowing Date requested by the
applicable Borrower in funds immediately available to the Agent. The proceeds of
all such Committed Loans received in immediately available funds by the Agent by
11:00  a.m.  (San  Francisco  time) on such  Borrowing  Date  will  then be made
available to the applicable Borrower by the Agent in immediately



                                      18





available funds at such office by crediting by 1:00 p.m. (San Francisco time) on
such date the account of the  applicable  Borrower on the books of BofA with the
aggregate of the amounts made  available in immediately  available  funds to the
Agent by the Banks; provided, that, if on such Borrowing Date all or any portion
of the proceeds thereof shall then be required to be applied to the repayment of
any  outstanding  Swingline  Loans  pursuant to Section  2.07,  such proceeds or
portion  thereof  shall be applied to the  repayment  of such  Swingline  Loans.
Subject to the proviso in the immediately  preceding  sentence,  any proceeds of
such Committed  Loans received in  immediately  available  funds by the Agent by
11:00 a.m. (San  Francisco  time) on such Borrowing Date and not credited to the
applicable  Borrower  by 1:00 p.m.  (San  Francisco  time) on such date shall be
deemed to have been  disbursed on the following  Business Day and interest shall
begin to accrue thereon on such following Business Day;  provided,  that, if the
failure  to  credit  any  such  funds  received  from a Bank  by  the  Agent  in
immediately available funds by 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) on such Borrowing
Date to the applicable  Borrower by 1:00 p.m. (San Francisco  time) on such date
is due to the gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of the Agent,  then the
Agent shall pay to such Bank  interest  on such funds at the Federal  Funds Rate
from such date of receipt by the Agent to the following Business Day.

            (d) After giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, there may not be
more than seven different Interest Periods in effect in respect of all Committed
Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.

      2.04 Conversion and Continuation Elections for Committed Borrowings.

            (a) The applicable  Borrower may, upon irrevocable written notice to
the Agent in accordance with subsection 2.04(b):

                  (i) elect,  as of any  Business  Day, in the case of Base Rate
      Committed Loans, or as of the last day of the applicable  Interest Period,
      in the case of any other Type of  Committed  Loans,  to  convert  any such
      Committed  Loans  (or  any  part  thereof  in  an  amount  not  less  than
      $5,000,000,  or that is in an integral  multiple of  $1,000,000  in excess
      thereof) into Committed Loans of any other Type; or

                  (ii)  elect,  as of the  last day of the  applicable  Interest
      Period,  to continue any Committed Loans having Interest  Periods expiring
      on such day (or any part thereof in an amount not less than $5,000,000, or
      that is in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof);

provided,  that if at any time the aggregate  amount of Offshore Rate  Committed
Loans in respect of any Committed Borrowing is reduced, by payment,  prepayment,
or conversion of part thereof to



                                      19





be less than $5,000,000,  such Offshore Rate Committed Loans shall automatically
convert into Base Rate Committed  Loans, and on and after such date the right of
the applicable  Borrower to continue such  Committed  Loans as, and convert such
Committed Loans into, Offshore Rate Committed Loans shall terminate.

            (b)  The   applicable   Borrower   shall   deliver   a   Notice   of
Conversion/Continuation  to be  received  by the Agent not later  than 9:00 a.m.
(San  Francisco  time)  at least  (i)  three  Business  Days in  advance  of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Committed Loans are to be converted into or
continued as Offshore Rate Committed  Loans and (ii) one Business Day in advance
of the Conversion/Continuation  Date, if the Committed Loans are to be converted
into Base Rate Committed Loans, specifying:

                        (A)  the applicable Borrower;

                        (B) the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;

                        (C)  the  aggregate  amount  of  Committed  Loans  to be
            converted or renewed;

                        (D) the  Type of  Committed  Loans  resulting  from  the
            proposed conversion or continuation; and

                        (E) other than in the case of conversions into Base Rate
            Committed Loans, the duration of the requested Interest Period.

            (c) If upon the  expiration  of any Interest  Period  applicable  to
Offshore Rate  Committed  Loans,  the  applicable  Borrower has failed to select
timely a new Interest  Period to be applicable  to such Offshore Rate  Committed
Loans,  or if any  Default  or Event of  Default  then  exists,  the  applicable
Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Offshore Rate Committed
Loans into Base Rate Committed Loans effective as of the expiration date of such
Interest Period.

            (d) The Agent will  promptly  notify  each Bank of its  receipt of a
Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  or, if no timely  notice is provided by the
applicable Borrower,  the Agent will promptly notify each Bank of the details of
any  automatic  conversion.  All  conversions  and  continuations  shall be made
ratably  according  to  the  respective  outstanding  principal  amounts  of the
Committed Loans with respect to which the notice was given held by each Bank.

            (e) Unless the Majority Banks otherwise agree,  during the existence
of a Default or Event of Default, no Borrower may elect to have a Committed Loan
converted into or continued as an Offshore Rate Committed Loan.




                                      20





            (f)  After  giving  effect  to any  conversion  or  continuation  of
Committed Loans,  there may not be more than seven different Interest Periods in
effect  in  respect  of  all  Committed   Loans  and  Bid  Loans  together  then
outstanding.

      2.05 Bid  Borrowings.  In addition  to  Committed  Borrowings  pursuant to
Section 2.03, each Bank severally agrees that the Revolving Borrower may, as set
forth in  Section  2.06,  from time to time  request  the  Banks and  Designated
Bidders  prior to the  Revolving  Termination  Date to submit offers to make Bid
Loans  to  the  Revolving  Borrower;  provided,  however,  that  the  Banks  and
Designated  Bidders may, but shall have no obligation to, submit such offers and
the Revolving  Borrower  may, but shall have no  obligation  to, accept any such
offers,  and any Bank may designate a Designated Bidder to make such offers from
time to time and, if such offers are accepted by the Revolving Borrower, to make
such Bid Loans; and provided, further, that at no time shall (a) the outstanding
aggregate  principal  amount of all Bid Loans  made by all Banks and  Designated
Bidders plus the outstanding  aggregate  principal amount of all Revolving Loans
made by all Banks plus the aggregate  principal  amount of all  Swingline  Loans
then outstanding exceed the combined Revolving  Commitments or (b) the number of
Interest  Periods  for Bid Loans then  outstanding  plus the number of  Interest
Periods for Committed Loans then outstanding exceed seven.

      2.06  Procedure for Bid Borrowings.

            (a) When the  Revolving  Borrower  wishes to  request  the Banks and
Designated  Bidders  to  submit  offers to make Bid  Loans  hereunder,  it shall
transmit  to  the  Agent  by  telephone  call  followed  promptly  by  facsimile
transmission a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit G (a "Competitive Bid
Request") so as to be received no later than 9:00 a.m. (San Francisco  time) (x)
four  Business Days prior to the date of a proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of
a LIBOR  Auction,  or (y) two Business  Days prior to the date of a proposed Bid
Borrowing in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction, specifying:

                  (i) the date of such Bid Borrowing,  which shall be a Business
      Day;

                  (ii) the aggregate  amount of such Bid Borrowing,  which shall
      be a minimum amount of $10,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
      thereof;

                  (iii)  whether the  Competitive  Bids  requested are to be for
      LIBOR Bid Loans or Absolute Rate Bid Loans or both; and

                  (iv) the duration of the Interest Period  applicable  thereto,
      subject to the provisions of the definition of "Interest Period" herein.



                                   21






Subject  to  subsection   2.06(c),   the  Revolving  Borrower  may  not  request
Competitive  Bids for more than three Interest  Periods in a single  Competitive
Bid Request and may not request Competitive Bids more than once in any period of
five Business Days.

            (b) Upon  receipt  of a  Competitive  Bid  Request,  the Agent  will
promptly send to the Banks and Designated  Bidders by facsimile  transmission an
Invitation for  Competitive  Bids,  which shall  constitute an invitation by the
Revolving Borrower to each Bank and Designated Bidder to submit Competitive Bids
offering to make the Bid Loans to which such  Competitive Bid Request relates in
accordance with this Section 2.06.

            (c) (i) Each Bank and Designated Bidder may at its discretion submit
      a  Competitive  Bid  containing  an offer or  offers  to make Bid Loans in
      response to any Invitation for Competitive Bids. Each Competitive Bid must
      comply  with  the  requirements  of this  subsection  2.06(c)  and must be
      submitted to the Agent by facsimile transmission at the Agent's office for
      notices  set forth on  Schedule  10.02  (and  immediately  confirmed  by a
      telephone  call) not later than (1) 6:30 a.m. (San  Francisco  time) three
      Business Days prior to the proposed  date of  Borrowing,  in the case of a
      LIBOR Auction or (2) 6:30 a.m. (San  Francisco  time) on the proposed date
      of  Borrowing,  in the case of an Absolute  Rate  Auction;  provided  that
      Competitive Bids submitted by the Agent (or any affiliate of the Agent) in
      the capacity of a Bank or Designated Bidder may be submitted, and may only
      be  submitted,  if the  Agent or such  affiliate  notifies  the  Revolving
      Borrower of the terms of the offer or offers  contained  therein not later
      than (A) 6:15 a.m. (San  Francisco  time) three Business Days prior to the
      proposed  date of  Borrowing,  in the case of a LIBOR  Auction or (B) 6:15
      a.m. (San Francisco  time) on the proposed date of Borrowing,  in the case
      of an Absolute Rate Auction.

                  (ii) Each Competitive Bid shall be in  substantially  the form
      of Exhibit H, specifying therein:

                        (A)  the proposed date of Borrowing;

                        (B) the principal amount of each Bid Loan for which such
            Competitive  Bid is being made,  which  principal  amount (x) may be
            equal to,  greater than or less than the  Commitment  of the quoting
            Bank,  (y) must be  $10,000,000  or in  multiples of  $1,000,000  in
            excess thereof,  and (z) may not exceed the principal  amount of Bid
            Loans for which Competitive Bids were requested;




                                   22





                        (C) in  case  the  Revolving  Borrower  elects  a  LIBOR
            Auction,  the margin  above or below LIBOR (the "LIBOR Bid  Margin")
            offered for each such Bid Loan,  expressed  in multiples of 1/1000th
            of one basis point to be added to or subtracted  from the applicable
            LIBOR and the Interest Period applicable thereto;

                        (D) in case the  Revolving  Borrower  elects an Absolute
            Rate Auction,  the rate of interest per annum expressed in multiples
            of  1/1000th of one basis point (the  "Absolute  Rate")  offered for
            each such Bid Loan; and

                        (E) the  identity  of the  quoting  Bank  or  Designated
            Bidder.

      A Competitive  Bid may contain up to three separate  offers by the quoting
      Bank or Designated  Bidder with respect to each Interest Period  specified
      in the related Invitation for Competitive Bids.

                  (iii)  Any Competitive Bid shall be
      disregarded if it:

                        (A) is not substantially in conformity with Exhibit H or
            does not  specify  all of the  information  required  by  subsection
            (c)(ii) of this Section;

                        (B)  contains qualifying, conditional or
            similar language;

                        (C)  proposes  terms  other than or in addition to those
            set forth in the applicable Invitation for Competitive Bids; or

                        (D)  arrives  after  the  time set  forth in  subsection
            (c)(i) of this Section.

            (d) Promptly on receipt and not later than 7:00 a.m. (San  Francisco
time) three  Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing,  in the case
of a LIBOR Auction,  or 7:00 a.m. (San  Francisco  time) on the proposed date of
Borrowing,  in the case of an Absolute Rate  Auction,  the Agent will notify the
Revolving  Borrower of the terms (i) of any  Competitive Bid submitted by a Bank
or Designated Bidder that is in accordance with subsection 2.06(c),  and (ii) of
any Competitive Bid that amends,  modifies or is otherwise  inconsistent  with a
previous  Competitive  Bid  submitted  by such Bank or  Designated  Bidder  with
respect to the same Competitive Bid Request. Any such subsequent Competitive Bid
shall be  disregarded  by the Agent unless such  subsequent  Competitive  Bid is
submitted solely to correct a manifest error in such former  Competitive Bid and
only if



                                      23





received within the times set forth in subsection 2.06(c). The Agent's notice to
the Revolving  Borrower shall specify (1) the aggregate  principal amount of Bid
Loans for which offers have been received for each Interest Period  specified in
the related  Competitive Bid Request;  and (2) the respective  principal amounts
and LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, so offered. Subject
only to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 4.02 hereof and the provisions
of this subsection (d), any Competitive Bid shall be irrevocable except with the
written consent of the Agent given on the written  instructions of the Revolving
Borrower.

            (e) Not later than 7:30 a.m.  (San  Francisco  time) three  Business
Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or
7:30 a.m. (San Francisco time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of
an Absolute Rate Auction,  the Revolving  Borrower shall notify the Agent of its
acceptance  or  non-acceptance  of the  offers so  notified  to it  pursuant  to
subsection  2.06(d).  The  Revolving  Borrower  shall be under no  obligation to
accept any offer and may choose to reject all offers. In the case of acceptance,
such notice  shall  specify the  aggregate  principal  amount of offers for each
Interest  Period  that is  accepted.  The  Revolving  Borrower  may  accept  any
Competitive Bid in whole or in part; provided that:

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

                  (ii)  the  principal  amount  of each  Bid  Borrowing  must be
      $10,000,000 or in any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

                  (iii)  acceptance  of offers  may only be made on the basis of
      ascending LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates within each Interest Period,
      as the case may be; and

                  (iv) the  Revolving  Borrower may not accept any offer that is
      described in subsection  2.06(c)(iii)  or that  otherwise  fails to comply
      with the requirements of this Agreement.

            (f) If offers  are made by two or more Banks or  Designated  Bidders
with the same LIBOR Bid  Margins or  Absolute  Rates,  as the case may be, for a
greater  aggregate  principal  amount  than the  amount in respect of which such
offers are accepted for the related Interest Period, the principal amount of Bid
Loans in respect of which such offers are  accepted  shall be  allocated  by the
Agent  among such Banks or  Designated  Bidders as nearly as  possible  (in such
multiples,  not less than  $1,000,000,  as the Agent  may deem  appropriate)  in
proportion to the aggregate  principal amounts of such offers.  Determination by
the Agent of



                                      24





the amounts of Bid Loans shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

            (g) (i) The Agent  will  promptly  notify  each  Bank or  Designated
      Bidder having  submitted a Competitive  Bid if its offer has been accepted
      and, if its offer has been accepted,  of the amount of the Bid Loan or Bid
      Loans to be made by it on the date of the Bid Borrowing.

                (ii) Each Bank or Designated  Bidder,  which has received notice
      pursuant  to  subsection  2.06(g)(i)  that  its  Competitive  Bid has been
      accepted,  shall make the amounts of such Bid Loans available to the Agent
      for the account of the Revolving  Borrower at the Agent's  Payment Office,
      by 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) on such date of Bid Borrowing, in funds
      immediately  available  to the  Agent  for the  account  of the  Revolving
      Borrower at the Agent's Payment Office. The proceeds of all such Bid Loans
      received in  immediately  available  funds by the Agent by 11:00 a.m. (San
      Francisco  time) on such date of Bid Borrowing will then be made available
      to the Revolving  Borrower by the Agent in immediately  available funds at
      such office by crediting by 1:00 p.m.  (San  Francisco  time) on such date
      the  account  of the  Revolving  Borrower  on the  books of BofA  with the
      aggregate of the amounts made available in immediately  available funds to
      the  Agent by the  Banks.  Any  proceeds  of such Bid  Loans  received  in
      immediately  available  funds by the Agent by 11:00  a.m.  (San  Francisco
      time) on such date of Bid  Borrowing  and not  credited  to the  Revolving
      Borrower by 1:00 p.m. (San Francisco time) on such date shall be deemed to
      have been disbursed on the following Business Day and interest shall begin
      to accrue thereon on such following Business Day;  provided,  that, if the
      failure to credit any such funds received from a Bank or Designated Bidder
      by the Agent in immediately  available  funds by 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco
      time) on such date of Bid Borrowing to the Revolving Borrower by 1:00 p.m.
      (San  Francisco  time)  on such  date is due to the  gross  negligence  or
      willful  misconduct of the Agent, then the Agent shall pay to such Bank or
      Designated  Bidder  interest on such funds at the Federal  Funds Rate from
      such date of receipt by the Agent to the following Business Day.

                (iii) Promptly  following  each Bid  Borrowing,  the Agent shall
      notify each Bank and Designated Bidder of the ranges of bids submitted and
      the highest and lowest bids accepted for each Interest Period requested by
      the Revolving  Borrower and the aggregate amount borrowed pursuant to such
      Bid Borrowing and the Interest Period applicable thereto.




                                   25





                  (iv) From time to time,  the Revolving  Borrower and the Banks
      and Designated  Bidders shall furnish such information to the Agent as the
      Agent may  request  relating  to the  making of Bid Loans,  including  the
      amounts,  interest rates, dates of borrowings and maturities thereof,  for
      purposes of the allocation of amounts received from the Revolving Borrower
      for payment of all amounts owing hereunder.

            (h)  If,  on or  prior  to  the  proposed  date  of  Borrowing,  the
Commitments  have not been terminated and if, on such proposed date of Borrowing
all applicable  conditions to funding referenced in Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 4.02
hereof  are  satisfied,  the Banks  and  Designated  Bidders  whose  offers  the
Revolving Borrower has accepted will fund each Bid Loan so accepted.  Nothing in
this  Section  2.06 shall be construed as a right of first offer in favor of the
Banks or Designated  Bidders or to otherwise  limit the ability of the Revolving
Borrower to request and accept credit  facilities from any Person (including any
of the  Banks or  Designated  Bidders),  provided  that no  Default  or Event of
Default would  otherwise  arise or exist as a result of the  Revolving  Borrower
executing, delivering or performing under such credit facilities.

      2.07 Procedure for Swingline Loans. (a) Each Borrowing of a Swingline Loan
shall be made upon the Revolving Borrower's irrevocable written notice delivered
to the  Agent  (with a copy to the  Swingline  Bank) in the form of a Notice  of
Borrowing  (which  notice must be received by the Agent and the  Swingline  Bank
prior to 11:00  a.m.  (San  Francisco  time) on the  requested  Borrowing  Date,
specifying:  (i) the  amount  of such  Swingline  Loan;  and (ii) the  requested
Borrowing  Date,  which shall be a Business  Day.  Upon receipt of the Notice of
Borrowing,  the  Swingline  Bank  will  immediately  confirm  with the Agent (by
telephone  or in  writing)  that the Agent has  received a copy of the Notice of
Borrowing  from the  Revolving  Borrower  and, if not, the  Swingline  Bank will
provide the Agent with a copy thereof.

            (b) Unless the Swingline Bank has received notice prior to 2:00 p.m.
(San  Francisco  time) on the relevant  Swingline  Borrowing Date from the Agent
(including at the request of any Bank) (i)  directing the Swingline  Bank not to
make the requested Swingline Loan as a result of the limitation set forth in the
proviso  set  forth in  Section  2.01(b),  or (ii)  that one or more  conditions
specified in Article IV are not then satisfied;  then,  subject to the terms and
conditions  hereof,  the  Swingline  Bank will,  not later  than 3:00 p.m.  (San
Francisco  time) on the  Borrowing  Date  specified in such Notice of Borrowing,
make the amount of the requested  Swingline  Loan available to the Agent for the
account of the Revolving  Borrower at the Agent's  Payment Office in immediately
available  funds.  The proceeds of such  Swingline  Loan received in immediately
available funds by the Agent by 3:00 p.m. (San Francisco time) on such Borrowing
Date will then be made available to the Revolving Borrower by the



                                      26





Agent in immediately  available  funds by crediting the account of the Revolving
Borrower  on the books of BofA with the amount  made  available  in  immediately
available  funds to the Agent by the Swingline  Bank.  Each Swingline  Borrowing
pursuant to this  Section  shall be in an  aggregate  principal  amount equal to
$1,000,000  or an  integral  multiple  of  $100,000  in excess  thereof,  unless
otherwise agreed by the Swingline Bank.

            (c) After giving effect to any Borrowing of a Swingline Loan,  there
may not be more than three  different  Swingline  Loans  outstanding  at any one
time.

            (d) The Agent will notify the Banks of any  Borrowing of a Swingline
Loan or repayment thereof promptly after any such Borrowing or repayment.

            (e) If (i) any Swingline Loan shall remain  outstanding at 9:00 a.m.
(San  Francisco  time) on the  Business  Day  immediately  prior to a  Swingline
Clean-Up Day and by such time on such Business Day the Agent shall have received
neither (A) a Notice of Borrowing  delivered pursuant to Section 2.03 requesting
that  Committed  Loans be made  pursuant  to Section  2.01(b)  on the  Swingline
Clean-Up  Day in an  amount  at least  equal  to the  principal  amount  of such
Swingline  Loan, nor (B) any other notice  indicating  the Revolving  Borrower's
intent to repay such Swingline  Loan with funds obtained from other sources,  or
(ii) any  Swingline  Loans shall remain  outstanding  during the  existence of a
Default or Event of Default and the Swingline Bank shall in its sole  discretion
notify the Agent that the Swingline  Bank desires that such  Swingline  Loans be
converted into Committed Loans; then, the Agent shall be deemed to have received
a Notice of  Borrowing  from the  Revolving  Borrower  pursuant to Section  2.03
requesting that Base Rate Committed Loans be made pursuant to Section 2.01(b) on
such  Swingline  Clean-Up  Day (in the case of the  circumstances  described  in
clause (i) above) or on the first  Business Day  subsequent  to the date of such
notice from the Swingline  Bank (in the case of the  circumstances  described in
clause (ii) above) in an amount equal to the aggregate  amount of such Swingline
Loans,  and the  procedures  set forth in Sections  2.03(b) and 2.03(c) shall be
followed in making such Base Rate Committed Loans; provided, that such Base Rate
Committed Loans shall be made  notwithstanding the Revolving  Borrower's failure
to comply with the conditions specified in Section 4.02 and notwithstanding that
the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loans is less than the minimum amount for
borrowing  set  forth in  Section  2.03(a);  and  provided,  further,  that if a
Borrowing of Committed Loans becomes legally impracticable and if so required by
the Swingline Bank at the time such  Committed  Loans are required to be made by
the Banks in accordance with this subsection  2.07(e),  each Bank agrees that in
lieu of making  Committed Loans as described  above,  such Bank shall purchase a
participation  from the Swingline Bank in the applicable  Swingline  Loans in an
amount equal to such Bank's Pro Rata Share of the aggregate  principal amount of
such Swingline Loans, and the



                                      27





procedures  set forth in  Sections  2.03(b)  and  2.03(c)  shall be  followed in
connection with the purchases of such participations.  The proceeds of such Base
Rate Committed Loans or purchases of  participations,  as the case may be, shall
be applied to repay such  Swingline  Loans.  A copy of each notice  given by the
Agent to the Banks  pursuant  to this  subsection  2.07(e)  with  respect to the
making of Committed  Loans or the purchases of  participations,  as the case may
be, shall be promptly  delivered by the Agent to the  Revolving  Borrower.  Each
Bank's  obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make the Committed Loans
or purchase the  participations,  as contemplated  by this  subsection  2.07(e),
shall  be  absolute  and   unconditional  and  shall  not  be  affected  by  any
circumstance  (except the Swingline  Bank's  funding of a Swingline Loan when it
has received a notice under  subsection  2.07(b)(i) or (ii)),  including (1) any
set-off,  counterclaim,  recoupment,  defense or other right which such Bank may
have against the Swingline Bank, the Revolving  Borrower or any other Person for
any reason  whatsoever;  (2) the  occurrence or  continuance  of a Default or an
Event of Default; or (3) any other circumstance,  happening or event whatsoever,
whether or not similar to any of the foregoing;  provided, that, nothing in this
Section  2.07 shall  require  any Bank to fund a  Committed  Loan or  purchase a
participation to the extent that such Committed Loan or participation  interest,
when   aggregated  with  such  Bank's   then-outstanding   Committed  Loans  and
participation interests, would exceed such Bank's Commitment.

      2.08  Voluntary  Termination  or Reduction of  Commitments.  The Revolving
Borrower may, upon not less than three Business Days' prior notice to the Agent,
terminate  the  Revolving  Commitments,  or  permanently  reduce  the  Revolving
Commitments  by an  aggregate  minimum  amount of  $10,000,000  or any  integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess  thereof;  unless,  after giving effect thereto
and to any  prepayments  of  Revolving  Loans  or  Swingline  Loans  made on the
effective date thereof, (i) the  then-outstanding  principal amount of Revolving
Loans,  Bid Loans and  Swingline  Loans would  exceed the amount of the combined
Revolving  Commitments then in effect,  or (ii) the  then-outstanding  principal
amount  of all  Swingline  Loans  would  exceed  the  amount  of  the  Swingline
Commitment  then in effect,  as adjusted  pursuant to the last  sentence of this
Section  2.08.  Once reduced in  accordance  with this  Section,  the  Revolving
Commitments  may not be increased.  Any  reduction of the Revolving  Commitments
shall be applied to each Bank's Revolving  Commitment  according to its Pro Rata
Share.  All accrued  facility fees to, but not including,  the effective date of
any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments,  shall be paid on the
effective date of such reduction or termination.  At no time shall the Swingline
Commitment exceed the combined Revolving Commitments or the Revolving Commitment
of the  Swingline  Bank and any reduction of the  Revolving  Commitments  or the
Revolving  Commitment of the Swingline Bank which reduces the combined Revolving
Commitments or the Swingline Bank's Revolving  Commitment,  respectively,  below
the then-current amount of the Swingline Commitment shall result



                                      28





in an automatic  corresponding  reduction  of the  Swingline  Commitment  to the
amount of the combined  Revolving  Commitments or the Swingline Bank's Revolving
Commitment,  respectively,  as so reduced, without any action on the part of the
Swingline  Bank.  At the  close  of  business  on the  Closing  Date,  the  Term
Commitments shall automatically be reduced to zero.

      2.09  Prepayments.  (a) Subject to Section 3.04, each Borrower may, at any
time or from time to time, upon irrevocable notice to the Agent,  ratably prepay
Committed  Loans or  Swingline  Loans in whole or in part,  and,  in the case of
Committed  Loans, in minimum amounts of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000
in excess thereof.  Such notice of prepayment  shall specify the date and amount
of such  prepayment,  the  applicable  Borrower,  whether such  prepayment is of
Committed Loans or Swingline Loans, or a combination thereof and, if applicable,
the Type(s) of Committed Loans to be prepaid,  and must be received by the Agent
prior to 9:00 a.m.  (San  Francisco  time) (i) three  Business Days prior to the
proposed date of prepayment in the case of Offshore Rate Committed  Loans,  (ii)
one Business Day prior to the proposed  date of  prepayment  in the case of Base
Rate Committed  Loans,  and (iii) on the proposed date of prepayment in the case
of Swingline  Loans.  The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of
any such  notice,  and,  if  applicable,  of such  Bank's Pro Rata Share of such
prepayment. If such notice is given by a Borrower, such Borrower shall make such
prepayment  and the payment  amount  specified  in such notice  shall be due and
payable on the date specified  therein,  together with accrued  interest to such
date on the amount prepaid and any amounts required pursuant to Section 3.04.

            (b) Bid Loans may not be  voluntarily  prepaid  other  than with the
consent of the applicable  Bid Loan Lender,  to be given or withheld in its sole
discretion.

            (c) (i) If  following  any  reduction  of the  Swingline  Commitment
pursuant to Section 2.08 the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Swingline
Loans would exceed the Swingline  Commitment as reduced,  the Revolving Borrower
shall prepay  without  notice or demand on the  reduction  date of the Swingline
Commitment the outstanding  principal amount of the Swingline Loans in an amount
equal to the excess of the Swingline  Loans over the Swingline  Commitment as so
reduced,  and (ii) so that for one  Business  Day  during  each  successive  two
calendar week period the aggregate  principal amount of Swingline Loans shall be
$0 (a "Swingline  Clean-Up  Day"),  the Revolving  Borrower shall prepay without
notice or demand on the Swingline Clean-Up Day the outstanding  principal amount
of the Swingline Loans (which  Swingline Loans may not be reborrowed  until such
Swingline CleanUp Day has ended).




                                      29





      2.10  Repayment.

            (a) The Revolving Credit.  The Revolving Borrower shall repay to the
Banks on the  Revolving  Termination  Date the  aggregate  principal  amount  of
Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.

            (b) Bid Loans.  The Revolving  Borrower shall repay each Bid Loan on
the last day of the relevant Interest Period.

            (c)  Swingline  Loans.  The  Revolving  Borrower  shall repay to the
Swingline Bank in full on the Revolving Termination Date the aggregate principal
amount of the Swingline Loans outstanding on such date.

            (d) The Term Credit.  The Term Borrower  shall repay to the Banks on
the Term Maturity Date the aggregate  principal amount of Term Loans outstanding
on such date.

      2.11  Interest.

            (a) (i) Each Committed  Loan shall bear interest on the  outstanding
principal amount thereof from the applicable  Borrowing Date at a rate per annum
equal to the Offshore  Rate or the Base Rate, as the case may be (and subject to
the  applicable  Borrower's  right to convert to other Types of Committed  Loans
under Section 2.04), plus the Applicable Margin,  (ii) each Swingline Loan shall
bear interest on the  outstanding  principal  amount thereof from the applicable
Borrowing  Date at a rate per annum  equal to the Base Rate plus the  Applicable
Margin or at such other rate not in excess of the Base Rate plus the  Applicable
Margin agreed to by the Swingline Bank in its sole discretion at the time of the
applicable Swingline  Borrowing,  and (iii) each Bid Loan shall bear interest on
the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a
rate per annum equal to the LIBO Rate plus (or minus) the LIBOR Bid Margin or at
the Absolute Rate, as the case may be.

            (b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each  Interest
Payment  Date.  Interest  shall  also be paid on the date of any  prepayment  of
Committed  Loans or  Swingline  Loans under  Section 2.09 for the portion of the
Loans so prepaid and upon payment  (including  prepayment)  in full thereof and,
during the existence of any Event of Default,  interest  shall be paid on demand
of the Agent at the request or with the consent of the Majority Banks.

            (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, if any amount of
principal  of or interest on any Loan or any other amount  payable  hereunder or
under any other document or instrument given in connection  herewith is not paid
in full  when due  (whether  at  stated  maturity,  by  acceleration,  demand or
otherwise),  each  Borrower  agrees to pay interest on such unpaid  principal or
other amount, from the date such amount becomes due



                                      30





until the date  such  amount  is paid in full,  and after as well as before  any
entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law, payable on demand,  at
a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 1%.

            (d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations
of each Borrower to any Bank or Designated  Bidder hereunder shall be subject to
the  limitation  that payments of interest  shall not be required for any period
for which interest is computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent)
that contracting for or receiving such payment by such Bank or Designated Bidder
would be  contrary  to the  provisions  of any law  applicable  to such  Bank or
Designated  Bidder  limiting the highest  rate of interest  that may be lawfully
contracted for,  charged or received by such Bank or Designated  Bidder,  and in
such event each Borrower  shall pay such Bank or Designated  Bidder  interest at
the highest rate permitted by applicable law.

      2.12  Fees.

            (a) Facility Fees. The Revolving Borrower shall pay to the Agent for
the  account  of each Bank a  facility  fee on the full  amount  of such  Bank's
Revolving  Commitment  (regardless of usage),  computed on a quarterly  basis in
arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar  quarter,  at a rate per annum
equal to the Facility Fee  Percentage.  Such  facility fee shall accrue from the
Closing  Date to the  Revolving  Termination  Date and shall be due and  payable
quarterly  in  arrears  on the  last  Business  Day  of  each  calendar  quarter
commencing on March 31, 1997 through the Revolving  Termination  Date,  with the
final payment to be made on the Revolving  Termination  Date;  provided that, in
connection  with any reduction or  termination  of Revolving  Commitments  under
Section 2.08, the accrued  facility fee calculated for the period ending on such
date shall also be paid on the date of such reduction or  termination,  with the
following  quarterly  payment  being  calculated on the basis of the period from
such reduction or termination date to such quarterly  payment date. The facility
fees  provided  in  this  subsection   shall  accrue  at  all  times  after  the
above-mentioned  commencement  date,  including  at any time during which one or
more conditions in Article IV are not met.

            (b) Arrangement, Agency, Bid Loan Fees. The Revolving Borrower shall
pay an arrangement fee to the Arranger for the Arranger's own account, and shall
pay an agency fee and Bid Loan fees to the Agent for the Agent's own account, as
required by the letter agreement ("Fee Letter")  between the Revolving  Borrower
and the Arranger and Agent dated November 20, 1996.

            (c) Upfront Fees.  The Revolving  Borrower shall pay to the Agent on
the Closing  Date for the account of each Bank which is a party to the  Existing
Agreement an upfront fee equal to 0.050% times (i) its Commitment hereunder less
(ii) its "Commitment" as defined in the Existing Agreement, if, as to such



                                      31





Bank,  the  amount  set forth in clause  (i) less the amount set forth in clause
(ii) is greater than zero.

      2.13  Computation of Fees and Interest.

            (a) All  computations  of interest for Base Rate Committed Loans and
Swingline  Loans bearing  interest  based on the Base Rate when the Base Rate is
determined  by BofA's  "reference  rate" shall be made on the basis of a year of
365 or 366  days,  as the  case may be,  and  actual  days  elapsed.  All  other
computations  of fees and interest  shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year
and actual  days  elapsed  (which  results in more  interest  being paid than if
computed on the basis of a 365-day year).  Interest and fees shall accrue during
each period  during which  interest or such fees are computed from the first day
thereof to the last day  thereof.  The Agent will  provide  to the  Borrowers  a
statement of the amount of interest due on each  Interest  Payment Date and such
other dates that interest is due hereunder and a statement of the amount of fees
due on each date that fees are due  hereunder;  provided that the failure of the
Agent to provide any such statement  shall not limit or otherwise  affect either
Borrower's  obligations  hereunder  or under any Note or any other  document  or
instrument given in connection herewith.

            (b) Each  determination  of an  interest  rate by the Agent shall be
conclusive and binding on the Borrowers the Banks and Designated  Bidders in the
absence of manifest error.

            (c) If any Reference  Bank's  Commitment  terminates  (other than on
termination of all the Commitments),  or for any reason whatsoever any Reference
Bank ceases to be a Bank hereunder, that Reference Bank shall thereupon cease to
be a Reference  Bank. The Agent shall promptly  appoint another Bank (which Bank
shall be approved by the Revolving Borrower) as a replacement Reference Bank for
the  terminated  Reference  Bank.  Until  the  appointment  of such  replacement
Reference Bank, the Offshore Rate and LIBO Rate shall be determined on the basis
of the rates as notified by the remaining Reference Bank.

            (d) Each  Reference  Bank  shall  use its best  efforts  to  furnish
quotations of rates to the Agent as contemplated hereby. If any of the Reference
Banks  fails to supply  such  rates to the Agent upon its  request,  the rate of
interest  shall be  determined  on the basis of the  quotations of the remaining
Reference Bank.

            (e) For  the  purpose  of the  Interest  Act  (Canada)  only,  where
interest is calculated  based on a year  comprised of 360 days, 365 days, or 366
days,  the yearly rate or  percentage of interest to which such interest rate is
equivalent, is the rate obtained by multiplying the rate by the actual number of
days in the year and dividing by 360, 365 or 366 as the case may be.




                                      32





      2.14  Payments by the Borrowers.

            (a) All payments to be made by the  Borrowers  shall be made without
set-off,  recoupment or  counterclaim.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided
herein, all payments by the Borrowers shall be made to the Agent for the account
of the Banks and Designated  Bidders at the Agent's Payment Office, and shall be
made in dollars and in  immediately  available  funds,  no later than 11:00 a.m.
(San  Francisco  time) on the date  specified  herein.  The Agent will  promptly
distribute  to each Bank (or  Designated  Bidder)  its Pro Rata  Share (or other
applicable share as expressly  provided herein) of such payment in like funds as
received. Any payment received by the Agent later than 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco
time) shall be deemed to have been  received on the  following  Business Day and
any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

            (b)  Subject  to the  provisions  set  forth  in the  definition  of
"Interest  Period"  herein,  whenever  any  payment is due on a day other than a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the  computation of interest
or fees, as the case may be.

            (c) Unless the Agent receives  notice from the  applicable  Borrower
prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Banks or Designated Bidders
that such Borrower will not make such payment in full as and when required,  the
Agent may assume that such  Borrower  has made such payment in full to the Agent
on such date in immediately  available funds and the Agent may (but shall not be
so  required),  in reliance  upon such  assumption,  distribute  to each Bank or
Designated  Bidder on such due date an amount  equal to the amount then due such
Bank or Designated  Bidder. If and to the extent such Borrower has not made such
payment in full to the Agent,  each Bank or Designated Bidder shall repay to the
Agent on demand  such  amount  distributed  to such Bank or  Designated  Bidder,
together with  interest  thereon at the Federal Funds Rate for each day from the
date such amount is distributed to such Bank or Designated Bidder until the date
repaid.

      2.15  Payments by the Banks to the Agent.

            (a) Unless the Agent receives  notice from a Bank on or prior to the
Closing Date or, with respect to any Borrowing  after the Closing Date, at least
one  Business Day prior to the date of such  Borrowing,  that such Bank will not
make  available as and when  required  hereunder to the Agent for the account of
the  applicable  Borrower  the  amount  of that  Bank's  Pro  Rata  Share of the
Committed  Borrowing,  in the case of a Committed  Borrowing,  or the  Swingline
Loan, in the case of a Swingline Borrowing, the Agent may assume that each Bank,
in the case of a Committed  Borrowing,  or the Swingline  Bank, in the case of a
Swingline Borrowing, has made such amount available to the Agent in



                                      33





immediately  available  funds on the Borrowing Date and the Agent may (but shall
not be so required),  in reliance upon such  assumption,  make  available to the
applicable  Borrower on such date a corresponding  amount.  If and to the extent
any  Bank  shall  not  have  made  its full  amount  available  to the  Agent in
immediately  available  funds  and the  Agent  in such  circumstances  has  made
available  to such  Borrower  such  amount,  that Bank shall on the Business Day
following such Borrowing Date make such amount available to the Agent,  together
with  interest at the Federal Funds Rate for each day during the period from the
Borrowing Date to the date that Bank makes such amount available to the Agent. A
notice of the Agent  submitted to any Bank with  respect to amounts  owing under
this  subsection (a) shall be conclusive,  absent manifest error. If such amount
is so made  available,  such payment to the Agent shall  constitute  such Bank's
Loan as of the date of  Borrowing  for all purposes of this  Agreement.  If such
amount is not made  available  to the Agent on the Business  Day  following  the
Borrowing Date, the Agent will notify the applicable Borrower of such failure to
fund and, upon demand by the Agent,  such Borrower  shall pay such amount to the
Agent for the  Agent's  account,  together  with  interest  thereon for each day
elapsed  since  the date of such  Borrowing,  at a rate per  annum  equal to the
interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.

            (b)  The  failure  of any  Bank to make  any  Committed  Loan on any
Borrowing Date shall not relieve any other Bank of any  obligation  hereunder to
make a Committed Loan on such  Borrowing  Date, but no Bank shall be responsible
for the failure of any other Bank to make the Committed  Loan to be made by such
other Bank on any Borrowing Date.

      2.16  Sharing of  Payments,  Etc.  If,  other than as  expressly  provided
elsewhere  herein,  any Bank shall obtain on account of the Committed Loans made
by it any payment (whether voluntary,  involuntary,  through the exercise of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its Pro Rata Share, such Bank shall
immediately  (a) notify the Agent of such fact,  and (b) purchase from the other
Banks  such  participations  in the  Committed  Loans  made by them as  shall be
necessary  to cause such  purchasing  Bank to share the excess  payment pro rata
with each of them; provided,  however, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Bank, such purchase shall to
that extent be rescinded and each other Bank shall repay to the purchasing  Bank
the purchase price paid  therefor,  together with an amount equal to such paying
Bank's  ratable  share  (according  to the  proportion of (i) the amount of such
paying Bank's required  repayment to (ii) 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.  Each  Borrower
agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank may, to the
fullest extent permitted by law,  exercise all its rights of payment  (including
the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.11) with respect



                                      34





to such  participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of such
Borrower in the amount of such participation. The Agent will keep records (which
shall  be  conclusive  and  binding  in  the  absence  of  manifest   error)  of
participations  purchased  under this  Section  and will in each case notify the
Banks  following any such purchases or repayments.  Any Bank having  outstanding
both  Committed  Loans,  Swingline  Loans,  and Bid Loans at any time a right of
set-off is exercised  by such Bank and  applying  such setoff to the Loans shall
apply the proceeds of such set-off first to such Bank's Committed  Loans,  until
its Committed  Loans are reduced to zero,  thereafter  to its  Swingline  Loans,
until reduced to zero, and thereafter to its Bid Loans.

      2.17  Quarterly Adjustments.

            (a) If the  financial  reports  delivered  pursuant  to  subsections
6.07(a) and 6.07(b) and the certificate delivered pursuant to subsection 6.07(c)
when delivered  with respect to any fiscal quarter  indicate that the Applicable
Margin or Facility Fee  Percentage  for any period  should have been higher than
the  Applicable  Margin or  Facility  Fee  Percentage  assumed  for such  period
pursuant to the  definitions  of such terms,  and the interest or fee that would
have  been  collected  hereunder  based  upon the  actual  Applicable  Margin or
Facility  Fee  Percentage   exceeds  the  interest  or  fee  actually  collected
hereunder, then the applicable Borrower shall pay an amount equal to such excess
to the Agent for the account of the Banks. The Agent will provide a statement to
the  applicable  Borrower of such amounts due within five  Business  Days of the
Agent's receipt of such financial  reports and  certificate,  and the applicable
Borrower  shall pay such amounts  within three  Business  Days of its receipt of
such  statement;  provided  that the  failure of the Agent to  provide  any such
statement  shall not limit or otherwise  affect  either  Borrower's  obligations
hereunder  or under  any  Note or any  other  document  or  instrument  given in
connection herewith.

            (b) If (i) the financial reports  delivered  pursuant to subsections
6.07(a) and 6.07(b) and the certificate delivered pursuant to subsection 6.07(c)
when delivered  with respect to any fiscal quarter  indicate that the Applicable
Margin or Facility Fee Percentage for any period should have been lower than the
Applicable Margin or Facility Fee Percentage assumed for such period pursuant to
the definitions of such terms,  and (ii) the interest or fee actually  collected
hereunder  exceeds the interest or fee that would have been collected  hereunder
based upon the actual  Applicable  Margin or Facility Fee  Percentage,  then the
Agent shall credit such excess to interest and fees owing  hereunder  (including
any interest owing under  subsection  2.11(c)) during the calendar  quarter when
such financial  reports and certificate were received and, if all such excess is
not credited by the end of such calendar quarter,  upon request of the Revolving
Borrower,  each Bank, severally, if no Default or Event of Default exists, shall
refund to the Agent for distribution to



                                      35





the applicable Borrower the amount of such excess actually received and retained
by such Bank.

      2.18 Guaranty.  All  obligations of the Term Borrower  hereunder and under
any Note shall be guaranteed by the Revolving Borrower pursuant to the Guaranty.

                                   ARTICLE III

                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

      3.01  Taxes.  (a) Any and all  payments by the  Borrowers  to each Bank or
Designated  Bidder or the Agent under this  Agreement and any other  document or
instrument  given in  connection  herewith  shall be made free and clear of, and
without deduction or withholding for any Taxes. In addition, the Borrowers shall
pay all Other Taxes.

            (b) Each  Borrower  agrees to indemnify  and hold harmless each Bank
and Designated  Bidder and the Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes
imposed on any payments by such Borrower  under this  Agreement  (including  any
Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any  jurisdiction  on amounts payable under this
Section) paid by such Bank or  Designated  Bidder or the Agent and any liability
(including penalties,  interest,  additions to tax and expenses,  unless arising
from the gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  of such Bank or  Designated
Bidder or the Agent) arising  therefrom or with respect thereto,  whether or not
such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. Payment under this
indemnification  shall  be made  within  30 days  after  the date  such  Bank or
Designated Bidder or the Agent makes written demand therefor.

            (c) If a Borrower shall be required by law to deduct or withhold any
Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Bank
or Designated Bidder or the Agent, then:

                  (i) the sum payable  shall be  increased  as necessary so that
      after  making  all  required   deductions  and   withholdings   (including
      deductions and  withholdings  applicable to additional  sums payable under
      this Section) such Bank or Designated Bidder or the Agent, as the case may
      be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such
      deductions or withholdings been made;

                  (ii)   such   Borrower   shall   make  such   deductions   and
      withholdings;

                  (iii) such  Borrower  shall pay the full  amount  deducted  or
      withheld to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance
      with applicable law; and




                                      36





                  (iv) such  Borrower  shall also pay to each Bank or Designated
      Bidder or to the Agent for the account of such Bank or Designated  Bidder,
      at the time interest is paid, all additional  amounts which the respective
      Bank or Designated Bidder specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax
      yield such Bank or Designated  Bidder would have received if such Taxes or
      Other Taxes had not been imposed.

            (d)  Within 30 days after the date of any  payment by a Borrower  of
Taxes or Other Taxes,  such  Borrower  shall furnish the Agent the original or a
certified copy of a receipt  evidencing  payment  thereof,  or other evidence of
payment satisfactory to the Agent.

            (e) If a Borrower is required to pay additional  amounts to any Bank
or  Designated  Bidder  or the  Agent  for such  Person's  account  pursuant  to
subsection  (c) of this Section,  then such Bank or Designated  Bidder shall use
reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to change
the  jurisdiction  of its Lending Office so as to eliminate any such  additional
payment by such  Borrower  which may  thereafter  accrue,  if such change in the
judgment of such Bank or Designated Bidder is not otherwise  disadvantageous  to
such Bank or Designated Bidder, as the case may be.

      3.02  Illegality.

            (a) If any Bank reasonably  determines that the  introduction of any
Requirement  of  Law,  or  any  change  in any  Requirement  of  Law,  or in the
interpretation  or  administration  of any  Requirement  of  Law,  has  made  it
unlawful, or that any central bank or other governmental  authority has asserted
that it is unlawful,  for any Bank or its  applicable  Lending  Office,  or such
Bank's Designated  Bidders in the case of LIBOR Bid Loans, to make Offshore Rate
Loans,  then, on notice thereof by the Bank to the Borrowers  through the Agent,
any  obligation  of that Bank or  Designated  Bidder to make Offshore Rate Loans
(including in respect of any LIBOR Bid Loan as to which the  Revolving  Borrower
has accepted such Bank's or Designated Bidder's Competitive Bid, but as to which
the Borrowing Date has not arrived) shall be suspended  until such Bank notifies
the  Agent  and  the  Borrowers  that  the  circumstances  giving  rise  to such
determination no longer exist.

            (b) If a Bank  reasonably  determines  that it is unlawful  for such
Bank or such Bank's  Designated  Bidder to maintain any Offshore Rate Loan, upon
its receipt of notice of such fact and demand from such Bank (with a copy to the
Agent) (i) the Revolving  Borrower shall prepay in full such Offshore Rate Loans
to it of that Bank or its  Designated  Bidder then  outstanding,  together  with
interest accrued thereon and amounts required under Section 3.04,  either on the
last day of the Interest Period thereof,  if such Bank or its Designated  Bidder
may lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore Rate Loans to



                                      37





such day, or immediately, if such Bank or its Designated Bidder may not lawfully
continue to maintain such  Offshore Rate Loans,  and (ii) the Offshore Rate Loan
of the Term  Borrower to that Bank shall be  automatically  converted  to a Base
Rate Committed Loan,  either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof,  if
such Bank may lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore Rate Loan to such day,
or immediately, if such Bank may not lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore
Rate Loan,  and, in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Committed Loan prior
to the last day of the Interest Period thereof,  the Term Borrower shall pay, on
the date of such automatic conversion,  interest accrued thereon to such day and
amounts required under Section 3.04. If the Revolving Borrower is required to so
prepay  any  Offshore  Rate  Committed  Loan  that  is a  Revolving  Loan,  then
concurrently with such prepayment,  the Revolving Borrower shall borrow from the
affected Bank, in the amount of such repayment, a Base Rate Committed Loan.

            (c) If the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain  Offshore Rate
Committed Loans has been so terminated or suspended, the applicable Borrower may
elect,  by giving  notice to such Bank  through  the Agent that all Loans  which
would  otherwise be made by such Bank as Offshore Rate Committed  Loans shall be
instead Base Rate Committed Loans.

      3.03  Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.

            (a) If any Bank determines  that, due to either (i) the introduction
of or any change  (other than any change by way of  imposition of or increase in
reserve requirements  included in the calculation of the Offshore Rate) in or in
the  interpretation of any law or regulation or (ii) the compliance by that Bank
with any  guideline  or  request  from any  central  bank or other  governmental
authority  (whether or not having the force of law), there shall be any increase
in the cost to such Bank of agreeing to make or making,  funding or  maintaining
any Offshore Rate Committed  Loans,  then each Borrower shall be liable for, and
shall from time to time,  upon demand  (with a copy of such demand to be sent to
the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Bank, additional amounts as
are sufficient to compensate such Bank for such increased costs.

            (b) If any Bank or, in the case of Bid Loans, such Bank's Designated
Bidder,  shall have determined that (i) the introduction of any Capital Adequacy
Regulation, (ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation, (iii) any change
in the  interpretation or  administration of any Capital Adequacy  Regulation by
any central bank or other governmental authority charged with the interpretation
or administration  thereof, or (iv) compliance by such Bank or Designated Bidder
(or the Lending Office of either) or any  corporation  controlling  such Bank or
Designated Bidder with any Capital Adequacy Regulation,  affects or would affect
the amount of capital  required  or expected  to be  maintained  by such Bank or
Designated Bidder or any corporation



                                      38





controlling such Bank or Designated Bidder and (taking into  consideration  such
Bank's or such Designated  Bidder's or such corporation's  policies with respect
to  capital  adequacy  and  such  Bank's  or such  Designated  Bidder's  or such
corporation's  desired  return on  capital)  determines  that the amount of such
capital is increased as a consequence of its Commitments,  Swingline  Commitment
(in the case of the Swingline Bank),  loans,  credits or obligations  under this
Agreement,  then,  upon  demand  of such Bank or such  Designated  Bidder to the
applicable  Borrower through the Agent,  such Borrower shall pay to such Bank or
Designated Bidder, as applicable, from time to time as specified by such Bank or
such Designated Bidder, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Bank or
Designated Bidder for such increase.  For purposes of this subsection,  "Capital
Adequacy  Regulation"  means any guideline,  request or directive of any central
bank or other  governmental  authority,  or any other law,  rule or  regulation,
whether or not having the force of law, in each case, regarding capital adequacy
of any bank or of any corporation controlling a bank.

      3.04 Funding  Losses.  Each Borrower shall reimburse each Bank and, in the
case of Bid Loans, each Bank's Designated Bidder, and hold each Bank and, in the
case of Bid Loans,  each Bank's  Designated  Bidder,  harmless  from any loss or
expense  which  such  Bank or  Designated  Bidder  may  sustain  or  incur  as a
consequence of:

            (a) the  failure  of such  Borrower  to make on a timely  basis  any
payment of principal of any Offshore Rate Loan;

            (b) the failure of such  Borrower  to borrow,  continue or convert a
Committed  Loan after  such  Borrower  has given (or is deemed to have  given) a
Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

            (c) the  failure  of such  Borrower  to make any  prepayment  of any
Committed Loan in accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.09;

            (d) the  prepayment  (including  pursuant to Section  2.09) or other
payment  (including  after  acceleration  thereof) of any Offshore  Rate Loan or
Absolute  Rate  Bid  Loan  on a day  that is not the  last  day of the  relevant
Interest Period; or

            (e) the  automatic  conversion  under  Section  2.04  or  subsection
3.02(b) of any Offshore Rate  Committed  Loan to a Base Rate Committed Loan on a
day that is not the last day of the relevant Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense  arising from the liquidation or reemployment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or from fees payable
to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.




                                      39





      3.05 Inability to Determine  Rates.  If the Agent  determines that for any
reason  adequate and reasonable  means do not exist for determining the Offshore
Rate or the LIBO  Rate for any  requested  Interest  Period  with  respect  to a
proposed  Offshore  Rate  Loan,  or that  the  Offshore  Rate or the  LIBO  Rate
applicable pursuant to subsection 2.11(a) for any requested Interest Period with
respect to a proposed  Offshore Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect
the cost to the Banks of funding  such Loan,  the Agent will  promptly so notify
the Borrowers and each Bank. Thereafter,  the obligation of the Banks to make or
maintain  Offshore Rate Loans, as the case may be,  hereunder shall be suspended
until the Agent  revokes  such notice in writing.  Upon  receipt of such notice,
each   Borrower   may   revoke   any   Notice   of   Borrowing   or   Notice  of
Conversion/Continuation  then  submitted by it. If such Borrower does not revoke
such  Notice of  Borrowing,  the Banks  shall  make,  convert  or  continue  the
Committed  Loans, as proposed by such Borrower,  in the amount  specified in the
applicable notice submitted by such Borrower,  but such Committed Loans shall be
made,  converted or continued as Base Rate  Committed  Loans instead of Offshore
Rate Committed Loans.

      3.06 Survival.  The  agreements  and  obligations of the Borrowers in this
Article III shall survive the payment of all other obligations hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

      4.01 Conditions of Initial Loans. The effectiveness of this Agreement, the
obligation  of each Bank to make its initial  Committed  Loan  hereunder  and to
receive  through  the  Agent  the  initial  Competitive  Bid  Request,  and  the
obligation of the Swingline Bank to make its initial  Swingline Loan  hereunder,
is  subject  to the  condition  that the Agent  have  received  on or before the
Closing Date all of the  following,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to the
Agent and each Bank, and in sufficient copies for each Bank:

            (a) Credit Agreement,  the Guaranty and Notes.  This Agreement,  the
Guaranty  and, if  requested by any Bank,  the  Note(s),  executed by each party
thereto;

            (b) Legal  Opinions.  (i) An  opinion,  dated the Closing  Date,  of
Miller,  Nash, Wiener,  Hager & Carlsen LLP, counsel to the Revolving  Borrower,
substantially  in the form of Exhibit  D-1,  (ii) an opinion,  dated the Closing
Date,  of  Russell  &  DuMoulin,   Canadian   counsel  to  the  Term   Borrower,
substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  D-2,  and  (iii) an  opinion,  dated the
Closing Date, of Morrison & Foerster,  special  California counsel to the Agent,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-3;

            (c) Resolutions. A copy of a resolution or resolutions passed by the
Board of Directors of each Borrower,



                                      40





certified by the  Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of such Borrower as being
in full force and effect on the Closing Date,  authorizing  the  Borrowings  and
Guaranty provided for herein and the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and any instrument or agreement required hereunder;

            (d)  Incumbency.  A  certificate,  signed  by  the  Secretary  or an
Assistant  Secretary  of each  Borrower  and dated the Closing  Date,  as to the
incumbency,  and containing the specimen signature or signatures,  of the person
or persons  authorized to execute and deliver this  Agreement and any instrument
or agreement required hereunder on behalf of such Borrower;

            (e) Payment of Fees.  Evidence of payment by the Revolving  Borrower
of all accrued and unpaid  fees,  costs and  expenses to the extent then due and
payable on the Closing Date,  together with attorney costs of BofA to the extent
invoiced  prior to or on the  Closing  Date,  plus such  additional  amounts  of
attorney costs as shall constitute BofA's reasonable  estimate of attorney costs
incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings  (provided that
such estimate shall not thereafter  preclude final settling of accounts  between
the  Borrowers  and BofA with respect to such costs);  including any such costs,
fees and expenses  arising under or  referenced in Sections  2.12(b) and (c) and
10.04;

            (f) Certificates.  A certificate signed by a duly authorized officer
of each Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date, stating that:

                  (i) the representations and warranties  contained in Article V
      are true and  correct on and as of such date,  as though made on and as of
      such date; and

                  (ii) no  Default or Event of  Default  exists or would  result
      from the initial Borrowing to be made by it;

            (g)  Termination  of  Existing  Agreement.  Evidence  (i)  that  all
commitments  to  extend  credit  under  the  Credit   Agreement  (the  "Existing
Agreement")  dated as of February  16, 1996 among the  Revolving  Borrower,  the
financial  institutions  party  thereto,  and BofA, as agent for such  financial
institutions,  have  been  terminated,  and (ii) of  payment  or  repayment  (or
provision  satisfactory to the Agent for payment or repayment thereof out of the
proceeds of a Borrowing hereunder on the Closing Date) by the Revolving Borrower
of (A) all facility fees accrued to the Closing Date under subsection 2.12(a) of
the Existing  Agreement and (B) all principal and accrued  interest  outstanding
thereunder and any amounts payable under Section 3.04 of the Existing Agreement;
it being  agreed by each of the Banks which is party to the  Existing  Agreement
(x) that, upon  satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions set forth in this
Section 4.01, its commitment to extend credit under the Existing Agreement shall
be



                                      41





deemed to be terminated,  notwithstanding  the notice provisions of Section 2.08
of the Existing Agreement, which each such Bank hereby waives, and the condition
set  forth in  clause  (i) of this  subsection  4.01(g)  shall be  deemed  to be
satisfied, and (y) promptly after the Closing Date, such Bank will return to the
Agent for return to the Revolving  Borrower any  promissory  note given to it by
the Revolving Borrower under the Existing Agreement; and

            (h) Other Documents.  Certified  copies of all approvals,  consents,
exemptions  and  other  actions  by,  and  notices  to  and  filings  with,  any
governmental  authority  and  any  trustee  or  holder  of any  indebtedness  or
obligation of either  Borrower  which,  in any Bank's  opinion,  are required in
connection with any transaction contemplated hereby.

      4.02 Conditions to All Borrowings. The obligation of each Bank to make any
Committed Loan to be made by it, the obligation of any Bank or Designated Bidder
to make  any Bid  Loan as to which  the  Revolving  Borrower  has  accepted  the
relevant  Competitive  Bid, and the obligation of the Swingline Bank to make any
Swingline Loan hereunder (including, in each case, its initial Loan), is subject
to the  satisfaction  of the  following  conditions  precedent  on the  relevant
Borrowing Date:

            (a) Notice of Borrowing.  As to any Committed  Loan, the Agent shall
have received (with, in the case of the initial Loan only, a copy for each Bank)
a Notice of Borrowing;

            (b)   Continuation   of   Representations   and   Warranties.    The
representations and warranties in Article V (exclusive of the last two sentences
of Section 5.13) shall be true and correct on and as of such Borrowing Date with
the same effect as if made on and as of such Borrowing Date;

            (c)  Financial  Statements.   The  financial  statements  then  most
recently supplied to the Banks under both subsections  6.07(a) and 6.07(b) shall
have been prepared in accordance  with the provisions of such  subsections as of
the dates and periods therein specified,  and since such dates and periods there
shall have been no change in the  Revolving  Borrower's  consolidated  financial
condition or results of operations sufficient to impair the Revolving Borrower's
ability to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms hereof,  and neither the
Revolving  Borrower nor any Subsidiary  shall have any  contingent  obligations,
liabilities  for  taxes or other  outstanding  financial  obligations  which are
material in the aggregate to the Revolving  Borrower,  except as shall have been
disclosed  in  such  financial  statements,  or as  shall  have  been  otherwise
previously disclosed to the Banks in writing; and

            (d) No Existing Default.  No Default or Event of Default shall exist
or shall result from such Borrowing.




                                      42





Each Notice of Borrowing  and  Competitive  Bid Request  submitted by a Borrower
hereunder  shall  constitute  a  representation  and  warranty by such  Borrower
hereunder,  as of the  date  of  each  such  notice  or  request  and as of each
Borrowing Date, that the conditions in this Section 4.02 are satisfied.

                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      Each Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and each Bank that:

      5.01 Corporate  Existence.  Each Borrower is a corporation  duly organized
and existing under the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  and is
properly  qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  and in good  standing  in every
jurisdiction  in which such Borrower is doing business of a nature that requires
such qualification;

      5.02 Subsidiaries. Each of its Subsidiaries is duly organized and existing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation,  and is properly  qualified
as a foreign  corporation and in good standing in every jurisdiction in which it
is doing business of a nature that requires such qualification;

      5.03 Corporate Authorization.  The execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement and any instrument or agreement required hereunder to be executed
by it,  including,  in the case of the Revolving  Borrower,  the  Guaranty,  are
within  such  Borrower's  powers,  have  been  duly  authorized,  and are not in
conflict with the terms of any charter,  bylaw or other  organization  papers of
such  Borrower,  or any instrument or agreement to which such Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
is bound or affected;

      5.04 Governmental Authorization.  No approval, consent, exemption or other
action by, or notice to or filing with, any governmental  authority is necessary
in connection  with the  execution,  delivery or performance by such Borrower of
this Agreement or any instrument or agreement  required hereunder to be executed
by it, including, in the case of the Revolving Borrower, the Guaranty, except as
may have been obtained and certified  copies of which have been delivered to the
Agent and each Bank;

      5.05 No Contravention.  There is no law, rule or regulation  applicable to
such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,  nor is there any judgment,  decree or
order of any court or governmental authority binding on such Borrower or any its
Subsidiaries, which would be contravened by the execution, delivery, performance
or  enforcement  of this  Agreement  or any  instrument  or  agreement  required
hereunder, including, in the case of the Revolving Borrower, the Guaranty;



                                      43






      5.06  Binding  Effect.  This  Agreement  is a  legal,  valid  and  binding
agreement of such Borrower, enforceable against such Borrower in accordance with
its terms, and any instrument or agreement required hereunder, including, in the
case of the Revolving Borrower, the Guaranty, when executed and delivered,  will
be similarly legal, valid, binding and enforceable;

      5.07  Encumbrances.  The  properties  and assets of such  Borrower and its
Subsidiaries are free and clear of all security interests,  liens,  encumbrances
or rights of  others,  except for  security  interests,  liens and  encumbrances
permitted under Section 7.04;

      5.08 Compliance with Laws. Such Borrower and each of its  Subsidiaries are
in compliance with all applicable federal,  state and local laws, ordinances and
regulations  relating to  hazardous  materials  or wastes or  hazardous or toxic
substances,  except where failure to so comply would not have a material adverse
effect  on  the  Revolving  Borrower's   consolidated   financial  condition  or
operations  or  materially  impair  such  Borrower's   ability  to  perform  its
obligations  hereunder or under any instrument or agreement required  hereunder,
including, in the case of the Revolving Borrower, the Guaranty;

      5.09  Litigation.  Except as disclosed in reports  filed by the  Revolving
Borrower with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  copies of which have been
delivered to the Banks,  or in Exhibit A to the legal  opinion  delivered  under
subsection  4.01(b)(i),  there are no  suits,  proceedings,  claims or  disputes
pending or, to the knowledge of such Borrower,  threatened  against or affecting
such Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries or their  respective  properties,  the
adverse determination of which might reasonably be expected to materially affect
the  Revolving  Borrower's  consolidated  financial  condition or  operations or
materially impair such Borrower's  ability to perform its obligations  hereunder
or under any instrument or agreement required hereunder,  including, in the case
of the Revolving Borrower, the Guaranty;

      5.10 No  Default.  No  Default  or Event of Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing or would result from the incurring of obligations by either  Borrower
under this  Agreement  or the Notes or, in the case of the  Revolving  Borrower,
under the Guaranty;

      5.11 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The proceeds of the Loans are to
be used solely for the purposes  set forth in and  permitted by Section 6.01 and
Section  7.05.  Neither  of the  Borrowers  nor  any of  their  Subsidiaries  is
generally  engaged in the business of  purchasing or selling  "margin  stock" as
such term is defined in Regulation  G, T, U or X of the FRB or extending  credit
for the purpose of purchasing or carrying such margin stock;




                                      44





      5.12 Regulated  Entities.  None of the Borrowers,  any Person  controlling
either Borrower, or any Subsidiary of either Borrower is an "Investment Company"
within  the  meaning  of the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940.  Neither  of the
Borrowers is subject to regulation  under the Public Utility Holding Company Act
of 1935,  the Federal Power Act, the  Interstate  Commerce Act, any state public
utilities code, or any other Federal or state statute or regulation limiting its
ability to incur indebtedness;

      5.13 Financial Statements.  All consolidated  financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 1995, and subsequent periods, furnished by the Revolving
Borrower to the Agent and the Banks present  fairly,  in all material  respects,
the consolidated  financial position of the Revolving Borrower (unless otherwise
therein  noted and any  changes  in  accounting  principles  and  practices  are
concurred  with by the  accountants  referred  to in  subsection  6.07(b))  and,
together with all other information and data furnished by the Revolving Borrower
to the Agent and the Banks, are complete and correct as of the dates and periods
therein  specified.  Since such dates there has been no change in the  Revolving
Borrower's  consolidated financial condition or results of operations sufficient
to impair the Borrowers' ability to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms
hereof.  Neither of the Borrowers nor any of its Subsidiaries has any contingent
obligations,  liabilities for taxes or other outstanding  financial  obligations
which are material in the  aggregate,  except as  disclosed in such  statements,
information and data;

      5.14  ERISA Compliance.

            (a) Each Plan is in  compliance  in all material  respects  with the
applicable  provisions  of ERISA,  the Code and other federal or state law. Each
Plan which is intended to qualify under Section  401(a) of the Code has received
a favorable  determination letter from the IRS and, to the best knowledge of the
Revolving  Borrower,  nothing  has  occurred  which would cause the loss of such
qualification.  The Revolving  Borrower and each ERISA  Affiliate  have made all
required  contributions  to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code,  and no
application  for a funding  waiver or an  extension of any  amortization  period
pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan;

            (b) There are no pending or, to the best  knowledge of the Revolving
Borrower,  threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any governmental
authority,  with respect to any Plan which have resulted or could  reasonably be
expected  to result in a material  adverse  change in the  Revolving  Borrower's
consolidated  financial  condition or results of  operations.  There has been no
prohibited  transaction or violation of the fiduciary  responsibility rules with
respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in a material adverse change in the Revolving Borrower's  consolidated financial
condition or results of operations;



                                      45






            (c) (i) No ERISA  Event has  occurred or is  reasonably  expected to
occur;  (ii) except as disclosed in Schedule  5.14(c),  no Plan has any Unfunded
Pension Liability;  (iii) neither the Revolving Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate
has incurred,  or reasonably  expects to incur,  any liability under Title IV of
ERISA  with  respect  to any  Pension  Plan  (other  than  premiums  due and not
delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) neither the Revolving Borrower nor
any ERISA Affiliate has incurred,  or reasonably expects to incur, any liability
(and no event has occurred  which,  with the giving of notice under Section 4219
of ERISA,  would result in such  liability)  under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA
with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) neither the Revolving Borrower nor
any ERISA  Affiliate  has  engaged  in a  transaction  that  could be subject to
Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; and

            (d) The Term  Borrower (i) does not sponsor or maintain or make,  is
not making,  and is not  obligated to make  contributions,  and in the case of a
multiple  employer plan (as described in Section  4064(a) of ERISA) has not made
contributions at any time during the immediately  preceding five plan years to a
pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to ERISA,  (iii) does
not make, is not making and is not obligated to make  contributions  nor, during
the  preceding  three  calendar  years,  has it made or been  obligated  to make
contributions  to  a  "multiemployer   plan",  within  the  meaning  of  Section
4001(a)(3)  of ERISA,  and (iii) does not sponsor or maintain and does not make,
is not making, and is not obligated to make contributions to an employee benefit
plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to ERISA; and

      5.15 Swap Obligations.  Neither Borrower nor any of their Subsidiaries has
incurred  any  outstanding  obligations  under any Swap  Contracts,  other  than
Permitted Swap Obligations.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

      So long as any Bank shall have any  Commitment  hereunder,  the  Swingline
Bank  shall  have  any  Swingline  Commitment  hereunder,  or any  Loan or other
obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, each Borrower will and,
with respect to Sections 6.02,  6.03, 6.04, 6.05, 6.06 and 6.08, will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, unless the Majority Banks waive compliance in writing:

      6.01 Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Loans for general corporate
purposes not in contravention of any Requirement of Law;

      6.02  Preservation  of  Corporate  Existence,  Etc.  Preserve  all rights,
privileges and franchises useful or necessary for ordinary  business  operations
and keep all properties useful or



                                      46





necessary for ordinary business  operations in good working order and condition,
and from  time to time  make all  needful  repairs,  renewals  and  replacements
thereto  and  thereof so that the  efficiency  of such  property  shall be fully
maintained and preserved;

      6.03  Notices.  Promptly give notice in writing to the Agent and each Bank
of:

            (a) all  litigation  when the aggregate  amount of claims pending is
$50,000,000 or more and the litigation  involves  $15,000,000 or more and either
Borrower, or a Subsidiary thereof, is a defendant;

            (b) any dispute  which may exist between  either  Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries and any governmental  regulatory body or any threatened  action
by any governmental agency to acquire or condemn any of the properties of either
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  where the amount involved is $30,000,000 or
more;

      (c) any strike involving 1,000 or more employees of either Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries which has continued for thirty (30) days;

            (d) any proceeding or order before any court or administrative  body
requiring  either Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with any statute
or regulation  regarding  protection of the environment if such compliance would
require (i)  expenditures  in the amount of  $50,000,000 or more or (ii) if such
violation involves the possibility of the imposition of a fine of $10,000,000 or
more;

            (e) the occurrence of any of the following  events  affecting either
Borrower  or any ERISA  Affiliate  (but in no event more than 10 days after such
event), and deliver to the Agent and each Bank a copy of any notice with respect
to such  event  that is  filed  with a  governmental  authority  and any  notice
delivered by a governmental  authority to either Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
with respect to such event:

                  (i)   an ERISA Event;

                  (ii) a material  increase in the Unfunded Pension Liability of
      any Plan;

                  (iii) the adoption of, or the  commencement  of  contributions
      to, any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code by either  Borrower or any
      ERISA Affiliate; or

                  (iv)  the  adoption  of any  amendment  to a Plan  subject  to
      Section 412 of the Code, if such amendment  results in a material increase
      in contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability; and



                                      47






                  (f) any Default or Event of Default known to either Borrower.

            Each notice under this  Section  shall be  accompanied  by a written
statement by the chief financial officer of the Revolving Borrower setting forth
details of the  occurrence  referred  to therein  and  stating  what  action the
Revolving  Borrower or any  affected  Subsidiary  proposes to take with  respect
thereto and at what time.  Each notice under  subsection  6.03(f) shall describe
with particularity any and all clauses or provisions of this Agreement that have
been breached or violated;

      6.04  Payment of  Obligations.  Promptly  pay and  discharge  all material
obligations,  including tax claims, at maturity, except such as may be contested
in good faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist;

      6.05 Insurance. Maintain such insurance as is usually maintained by others
in the business of the same nature as the business of the  Borrowers and each of
their Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or maintain a program of self insurance,
with reserves, in accordance with sound business practices;

      6.06  Inspection  of Property  and Books and  Records.  Maintain  adequate
books,  accounts and records in accordance  with good  accounting  standards and
permit  representatives of the Majority Banks or the Agent to inspect such books
and records and to visit the properties of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries;

      6.07  Financial  Statements.  From time to time as  hereinafter  set forth
promptly  prepare,  or cause to be  prepared,  and  deliver to the  Agent,  with
sufficient copies for each Bank, in form and detail satisfactory to the Majority
Banks:

                  (a)  On  a  consolidated  basis  summary  balance  sheets  and
      statements  of  income,  shareholders'  equity  and  cash  flows  for  the
      Revolving Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of each of the first
      three  quarterly  accounting  periods in each fiscal year of the Revolving
      Borrower;  such statements  shall be delivered within 45 days from the end
      of the period covered and shall be furnished with a Compliance Certificate
      signed by a responsible officer of the Revolving Borrower;

                  (b) (i) On a  consolidated  basis summary  balance  sheets and
      statements  of  income,  shareholders'  equity  and  cash  flows  for  the
      Revolving  Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of each fiscal year
      of the Revolving  Borrower,  certified by an independent  certified public
      accountant  or  accountants   selected  by  the  Revolving   Borrower  and
      acceptable  to the  Majority  Banks;  such  independent  certified  public
      accountant  or  accountants  shall also  certify to the effect that in the
      course of making  their audit they  obtained no  knowledge of any existing
      unremedied Default or



                                      48





      Event of Default by either Borrower under this  Agreement,  or a statement
      disclosing any such defaults if any are found;  and (ii) on a consolidated
      basis   unaudited   summary  balance  sheets  and  statements  of  income,
      shareholders'  equity  and  cash  flows  for  the  Term  Borrower  and its
      Subsidiaries as of the end of each fiscal year of the Term Borrower;  such
      statements  referred  to in clauses (i) and (ii) of this  Section  6.07(b)
      shall be delivered  within 90 days from the end of the period  covered and
      shall be furnished with a Compliance  Certificate  signed by a responsible
      officer of the Revolving Borrower;

                  (c)  Within 45 days  after the end of each of the first  three
      fiscal  quarters of each fiscal year of the Revolving  Borrower and within
      90 days after the end of each fiscal  year of the  Revolving  Borrower,  a
      Compliance  Certificate,  with schedules  containing the  information  and
      calculations  necessary to  substantiate  compliance with Section 7.01 and
      the calculation of the Interest Coverage Ratio, certified by a responsible
      officer of the Revolving Borrower and, in the case of financial statements
      as of the end of each fiscal year,  reviewed by the  Revolving  Borrower's
      independent  certified public  accountant or accountants as being true and
      correct;

                  (d)  Within 90 days after the end of each  fiscal  year of the
      Revolving Borrower, a list of Subsidiaries;

                  (e)  Within  15 days  after  filing  with the  Securities  and
      Exchange Commission, a copy of all public documents (with the exception of
      Forms  S-8)  filed  by the  Revolving  Borrower  with the  Securities  and
      Exchange Commission; and

                  (f) Such other  financial  statements,  lists of property  and
      accounts,  forecasts,  legal opinions or reports as to either  Borrower or
      any of its Subsidiaries,  as any Bank may reasonably  request from time to
      time; and

      6.08  ERISA  Compliance.  (a)  Maintain  each  Plan in  compliance  in all
material  respects with the applicable  provisions of ERISA,  the Code and other
federal or state  law;  (b) cause each Plan  which is  qualified  under  Section
401(a)  of the Code to  maintain  such  qualification;  (c)  make  all  required
contributions  to any Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, and cause each of
its ERISA Affiliates to do each of the foregoing; and (d) not take or permit any
action which would cause the  representations in subsection 5.14(d) with respect
to the Term Borrower to cease to be true and correct in all material respects.




                                      49





                                   ARTICLE VII

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

      So long as any Bank shall have any  Commitment  hereunder,  the  Swingline
Bank  shall  have  any  Swingline  Commitment  hereunder,  or any  Loan or other
obligation  hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied,  no Borrower will, nor
will it permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  unless the  Majority  Banks  waive
compliance in writing:

      7.01 Funded Debt to Net Worth. On a consolidated  basis, permit the Funded
Debt to Net Worth ratio, measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter, to be in
excess of 1.00 to 1.00;

      7.02 Disposition of Property.  Sell, lease, sell and lease back, exchange,
transfer or otherwise dispose of:

            (a)  in  a  transaction,  or  a  series  of  transactions,   all  or
substantially  all of the  property  and assets of the Term  Borrower  or of the
Revolving Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

            (b) during any  calendar  year,  any of its fixed or capital  assets
with a fair market value  exceeding on a cumulative  basis for such year for all
such  dispositions by the Revolving  Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  ten percent
(10%) of the total consolidated assets of the Revolving Borrower  (determined as
of the immediately preceding December 31); or

            (c)  any  of  its  material  assets,  to the  extent  not  otherwise
prohibited by this Section, except for full, fair and reasonable consideration;

      7.03 Mergers.  Merge or consolidate  with any other Person or liquidate or
dissolve; provided, however, that:

            (a) either  Borrower may merge or consolidate  with any other Person
if, (i) in the case of a merger or consolidation of the Revolving Borrower,  the
Revolving Borrower (or the resulting corporation in a consolidation) will be the
surviving corporation, (ii) in the case of a merger or consolidation of the Term
Borrower, the resulting corporation will, under applicable Canadian law, succeed
by  operation of law to all rights and  obligations  of the Term  Borrower,  and
(iii), in all events, such Borrower (or such resulting  corporation) will not be
in default under any of the terms of this Agreement immediately after the merger
or consolidation; provided that, in the case of a merger or consolidation of the
Term Borrower and the  Revolving  Borrower,  the Revolving  Borrower will be the
surviving corporation; and

            (b)  any  Subsidiary  may be  merged  with  or  dissolved  into  the
Revolving  Borrower or with or into any other Subsidiary;  provided that, (i) in
the case of a merger with or dissolution



                                      50





into the  Revolving  Borrower,  the  Revolving  Borrower  will be the  surviving
corporation,  and (ii) in the case of a merger with or dissolution into the Term
Borrower, the resulting corporation will, under applicable Canadian law, succeed
by operation of law to all rights and obligations of the Term Borrower;

      7.04  Encumbrances.  Subject any property to any mortgage,  deed of trust,
encumbrance,  or voluntary lien; provided, however, that this Section 7.04 shall
not be deemed to prohibit the assumption of, or purchase  subject to,  mortgages
already  existing upon  property  being  acquired,  or the execution of purchase
money mortgages,  or the coming into being of other  encumbrances,  including in
support of industrial  revenue or pollution  control bonds which are capitalized
and treated as indebtedness by the Revolving Borrower (provided that the maximum
aggregate  outstanding  balance  of  indebtedness  secured  by  such  mortgages,
purchase money mortgages,  or other  encumbrances,  including such bonds,  shall
never be in excess of  $100,000,000),  liens for taxes,  or loggers'  liens,  or
mechanics'  liens,  or  other  liens  arising  by law out of the  nature  of the
operations involved;

      7.05 Use of Proceeds.  (a) Use any portion of the Loan proceeds,  directly
or  indirectly,  (i) to purchase or carry "margin stock" as such term is defined
in  Regulation  G, T, U or X of the FRB,  (ii) to repay or  otherwise  refinance
indebtedness  of either  Borrower  or others  incurred to purchase or carry such
margin  stock,  (iii) to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any such margin stock, or (iv) to acquire any security in any  transaction  that
is subject to Section 13 or 14 of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934, and
regulations promulgated thereunder; or

            (b) directly or indirectly, use any portion of the Loan proceeds (i)
knowingly to purchase Ineligible  Securities from the Arranger during any period
in  which  the  Arranger  makes a market  in such  Ineligible  Securities,  (ii)
knowingly to purchase  during the  underwriting or placement  period  Ineligible
Securities being  underwritten or privately placed by the Arranger,  or (iii) to
make payments of principal or interest on Ineligible Securities  underwritten or
privately  placed by the  Arranger  and  issued by or for the  benefit of either
Borrower or any  Affiliate  of either  Borrower.  The  Arranger is a  registered
broker-dealer  and  permitted  to  underwrite  and  deal in  certain  Ineligible
Securities;  and  "Ineligible  Securities"  means  securities  which  may not be
underwritten  or dealt in by member  banks of the Federal  Reserve  System under
Section 16 of the Banking Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C. ss. 24,  Seventh),  as amended;
or

      7.06  ERISA.  (a)  engage  in  one  or  more  prohibited  transactions  or
violations of the fiduciary  responsibility rules with respect to any Plan which
has  resulted  or could  reasonably  expected  to  result  in  liability  of the
Revolving  Borrower  in an  aggregate  amount in excess of  $50,000,000;  or (b)
engage in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of



                                      51





ERISA,  and the Revolving  Borrower  shall not suffer or permit any of its ERISA
Affiliates to do any of the foregoing.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

      8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default":

            (a) Either Borrower shall fail to pay, within five (5) Business Days
after the date when due, any  installment  of interest or principal or any other
sum due under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof;

            (b) Any  representation  or  warranty  herein  or in any  agreement,
instrument or certificate  executed  pursuant  hereto or in connection  with any
transaction  contemplated hereby shall prove to have been false or misleading in
any material respect when made or when deemed to have been made;

            (c) A writ, execution or attachment,  or any similar process,  shall
be levied  against  all or any  substantial  portion of the  property  of either
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any judgment  shall be entered  against
either Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $15,000,000
and such writ,  execution,  attachment,  process or  judgment  is not  released,
bonded,  satisfied,  vacated or  appealed  from within 60 days after its levy or
entry,  or  the  total  of  all  judgments   against  the  Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries  outstanding  at any time  which  have not been  released,  bonded,
satisfied,  vacated or appealed from within 60 days from the respective dates of
entry thereof shall exceed $45,000,000 in the aggregate;

            (d) Either Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay its
debts  generally  as they come due,  or shall  file any  petition  or action for
relief under any  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency or moratorium law, or
any other law or laws for the relief of, or relating to, debtors;

            (e) An  involuntary  petition  shall be filed  under any  bankruptcy
statute  against  either  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or a custodian,
receiver,  trustee,  assignee  for the benefit of  creditors  (or other  similar
official)  shall be appointed  to take  possession,  custody,  or control of the
properties of either Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  unless such petition
or  appointment  is set aside or withdrawn  or ceases to be in effect  within 45
days from the date of said filing or appointment;

            (f) (i) Any default shall occur under any other agreement  involving
the borrowing of money or the extension of credit under which either Borrower or
any of its  Subsidiaries  may be  obligated  as  borrower  having  an  aggregate
principal amount



                                      52





(including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to
all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit  arrangement) of more than
$25,000,000,   if  such  default  consists  of  the  failure  to  pay  any  such
indebtedness  when  due or if such  default  causes  (or upon a lapse of time or
notice or both would cause) the  acceleration  of any such  indebtedness  or the
termination  of any  commitment to lend,  or if such default  permits (or upon a
lapse of time or notice or both  would  permit)  the  holder or  holders of such
indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such  indebtedness (or a trustee
or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to
accelerate  any  indebtedness  or to terminate  any  commitment to lend, or (ii)
there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early  Termination  Date  resulting from
(1) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which either Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries is the Defaulting Party or (2) any Termination  Event as
to which either Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries is an Affected Party,  and,
in either  event,  the Swap  Termination  Value owed by either  Borrower or such
Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $25,000,000; for purposes of this
subsection  (f),  the  terms  "Early  Termination  Date",   "Defaulting  Party",
"Termination  Event",  and "Affected Party" shall have the meanings  assigned to
them in the relevant Swap Contract,  it being  understood that such  definitions
contemplate  Swap Contracts  documented on  International  Swaps and Derivatives
Association  ("ISDA") standard forms; if such Swap Contract is not documented on
an ISDA standard form,  such terms shall be given similar or analogous  meanings
as used in such non-ISDA standard agreements;

            (g) (i) Any one or more ERISA Events shall occur with respect to one
or more Pension Plans or Multiemployer Plans which has or have resulted or could
reasonably  be expected to result in liability of the Revolving  Borrower  under
Title IV of  ERISA to the  Pension  Plan,  Multiemployer  Plan or the PBGC in an
aggregate amount in excess of $50,000,000; (ii) the aggregate amount of Unfunded
Pension  Liability among all Pension Plans at any time exceeds  $50,000,000;  or
(iii) the Revolving  Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate shall fail to pay when due,
after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment  payment or
payments with respect to its  withdrawal  liability  under Section 4201 of ERISA
under any one or more  Multiemployer  Plans, which payment or payments are in an
aggregate amount in excess of $50,000,000;

            (h) The  entering  of a final  order by any court or  administrative
agency  requiring either Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to divest itself of
such a substantial  part of its assets that the ability of the Borrowers to pay,
when due and payable,  either at the fixed  maturity  thereof or otherwise,  the
Loans or any part  thereof,  or any  installment  of  interest  thereon,  or the
principal of or interest on any other obligation for borrowed money,  will be or
may reasonably be expected to be materially  adversely affected,  which order is
not subject to appeal or review by any court or as to which order the right to



                                      53





appeal or review has expired,  and such order remains in effect for more than 60
days;

            (i) Any Person or related group of Persons  (other than employees of
the Revolving  Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any Plan for the benefit of such
employees)  shall  beneficially  own or shall control by proxy or otherwise,  or
shall enter into any agreement to obtain any right to acquire,  more than thirty
percent (30%) of the Revolving Borrower's voting securities;

            (j) At any  time  prior to  termination  or  expiration  of the Term
Commitment  and payment in full of the Term Loans and any other  obligations  of
the Term Borrower  hereunder and under any other document or instrument given in
connection herewith,  (i) the Revolving Borrower shall fail to beneficially own,
free and clear of all liens,  100% of the issued and  outstanding  shares of the
voting and nonvoting stock (including warrants,  options, conversion rights, and
other rights of purchase or convert  into such stock) of the Term  Borrower on a
fully diluted basis, or (ii) there shall occur the creation or imposition of any
lien on any shares of capital stock of the Term Borrower;

            (k) At any  time  prior to  termination  or  expiration  of the Term
Commitment  and payment in full of the Term Loans and any other  obligations  of
the Term Borrower  hereunder and under any other document or instrument given in
connection  herewith and of any amounts due under the Guaranty,  the Guaranty is
for any reason  partially  (including with respect to future advances) or wholly
revoked or invalidated,  or otherwise ceases to be in full force and effect,  or
the Revolving  Borrower or any other Person  contests in any manner the validity
or  enforceability  thereof  or  denies  that it has any  further  liability  or
obligation thereunder; or

            (l) Either  Borrower shall breach,  or default under,  any covenant,
term,  condition,  provision,  representation  or  warranty  contained  in  this
Agreement not specifically  referred to in this Article, and, except in the case
of a breach or default under Section 7.03, such breach or default shall continue
for thirty days after the earlier of its  discovery  by any elected or appointed
officer of such Borrower or written notice thereof to the Borrowers by the Agent
or any Bank.

      8.02 Remedies.  If any Event of Default  occurs,  the Agent shall,  at the
request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Banks,

            (a) declare the commitment of each Bank to make Committed  Loans and
the commitment of the Swingline  Bank to make Swingline  Loans to be terminated,
whereupon such commitments shall be terminated;

            (b) declare the unpaid  principal  amount of all outstanding  Loans,
all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and



                                      54





all other  amounts  owing or payable  hereunder  or under any other  document or
instrument  given in  connection  herewith to be  immediately  due and  payable,
without presentment,  demand,  protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower; and

            (c)  exercise  on  behalf of  itself  and the  Banks and  Designated
Bidders all rights and  remedies  available  to it and the Banks and  Designated
Bidders under this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty or applicable law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection
(d) or (e) of Section 8.01 (in the case of subsection (e) upon the expiration of
the 45-day period mentioned therein),  the obligation of each Bank to make Loans
shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding
Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become
due and  payable  without  further  act of the  Agent or any Bank or  Designated
Bidder.

      8.03 Rights Not Exclusive.  The rights  provided for in this Agreement and
the other documents or instruments  given in connection  herewith are cumulative
and are not  exclusive  of any other  rights,  powers,  privileges  or  remedies
provided  by law or in  equity,  or under  any  other  instrument,  document  or
agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

      8.04 Notice of Default. The Agent shall give notice to the Borrowers under
subsection  8.01(l) promptly upon being requested to do so by any Bank and shall
thereupon notify all the Banks thereof.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    THE AGENT

      9.01  Appointment  and  Authorization;  "Agent".  Each Bank and Designated
Bidder hereby  irrevocably  (subject to Section 9.09)  appoints,  designates and
authorizes  the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the  provisions of
this  Agreement  and each  other  document  or  instrument  given in  connection
herewith and to exercise  such powers and perform  such duties as are  expressly
delegated  to it by the  terms  of  this  Agreement  or  any  such  document  or
instrument,  together  with such powers as are  reasonably  incidental  thereto.
Notwithstanding  any  provision  to the  contrary  contained  elsewhere  in this
Agreement or in any such  document or  instrument,  the Agent shall not have any
duties or  responsibilities,  except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall
the Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary  relationship with any Bank or
Designated  Bidder,  and  no  implied  covenants,  functions,  responsibilities,
duties,  obligations  or  liabilities  shall be read into this  Agreement or any
other  document or instrument  given in connection  herewith or otherwise  exist
against the Agent. Without limiting the generality of the



                                      55





foregoing sentence, the use of the term "agent" in this Agreement with reference
to the Agent is not  intended  to connote  any  fiduciary  or other  implied (or
express)  obligations  arising  under  agency  doctrine of any  applicable  law.
Instead,  such term is used merely as a matter of market  custom and is intended
to create or reflect only an  administrative  relationship  between  independent
contracting parties.

      9.02  Delegation of Duties.  The Agent may execute any of its duties under
this Agreement or any other document or instrument given in connection  herewith
by or through agents,  employees or  attorneys-in-fact  and shall be entitled to
advice of counsel  concerning all matters  pertaining to such duties.  The Agent
shall  not be  responsible  for the  negligence  or  misconduct  of any agent or
attorney-in-fact that it selects with reasonable care.

      9.03 Liability of Agent.  None of the  Agent-Related  Persons shall (i) be
liable  for any  action  taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection  with this  Agreement or any other  document or  instrument  given in
connection herewith or the transactions  contemplated hereby (except for its own
gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to
any  of  the  Banks  or   Designated   Bidders  for  any   recital,   statement,
representation  or  warranty  made  by  either  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  or
affiliate  of  either  Borrower,  or any  officer  thereof,  contained  in  this
Agreement or in any other such document or  instrument,  or in any  certificate,
report,  statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received
by the Agent under or in connection  with,  this Agreement or any other document
or instrument  given in  connection  herewith,  or the validity,  effectiveness,
genuineness,  enforceability  or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other such
document or instrument, or for any failure of either Borrower or any other party
to any other such document or instrument to perform its obligations hereunder or
thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Bank or
Designated Bidder to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance
of any of the  agreements  contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any
other such  document  or  instrument,  or to inspect  the  properties,  books or
records of either Borrower or any of such Borrower's Subsidiaries or affiliates.

      9.04  Reliance by Agent.

            (a) The  Agent  shall  be  entitled  to  rely,  and  shall  be fully
protected  in  relying,   upon  any  writing,   resolution,   notice,   consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message,
statement  or other  document or  conversation  believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed,  sent or made by the proper  Person or Persons,
and upon advice and  statements  of legal counsel  (including  counsel to either
Borrower),  independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The
Agent shall be fully justified in



                                      56





failing  or  refusing  to take any  action  under  this  Agreement  or any other
document  or  instrument  given in  connection  herewith  unless it shall  first
receive such advice or  concurrence  of the Majority  Banks (or, when  expressly
required  hereby,  all of the  Banks)  as it  deems  appropriate  and,  if it so
requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks against
any and all  liability  and  expense  which may be  incurred  by it by reason of
taking or  continuing  to take any such action.  The Agent shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or
any other document or instrument given in connection herewith in accordance with
a request or consent of the Majority Banks (or, when expressly  required hereby,
all of the  Banks)  and such  request  and any  action  taken or  failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Banks.

            (b) For  purposes  of  determining  compliance  with the  conditions
specified in Section 4.01,  each Bank that has executed this Agreement  shall be
deemed to have consented to,  approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each
document  or other  matter  either  sent by the Agent to such Bank for  consent,
approval,  acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to
or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Bank.

      9.05 Notice of Default. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect
to defaults in the payment of  principal,  interest and fees required to be paid
to the Agent for the  account  of the Banks or  Designated  Bidders,  unless the
Agent shall have received written notice from a Bank or a Borrower  referring to
this  Agreement,  describing  such  Default or Event of Default and stating that
such  notice is a "notice of  default".  The Agent will  notify the Banks of its
receipt of any such  notice.  The Agent shall take such  action with  respect to
such Default or Event of Default as may be  requested  by the Majority  Banks in
accordance with Article VIII; provided, however, that unless and until the Agent
has received  any such  request,  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 or in the best  interest
of the Banks and Designated Bidders.

      9.06 Credit  Decision.  Each Bank (which for purposes of this Section 9.06
shall  include  each   Designated   Bidder)   acknowledges   that  none  of  the
Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no
act by the Agent  hereinafter  taken,  including  any  review of the  affairs of
either  Borrower  or  its  Subsidiaries,  shall  be  deemed  to  constitute  any
representation  or warranty by any  Agent-Related  Person to any Bank. Each Bank
represents to the Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any
Agent-Related  Person  and based on such  documents  and  information  as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the



                                      57





business,  prospects,  operations,  property,  financial and other condition and
creditworthiness  of the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries,  and all  applicable
bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions  contemplated hereby, and made
its own  decision  to enter  into this  Agreement  and to  extend  credit to the
Borrowers hereunder.  Each Bank also represents that it will,  independently and
without reliance upon any  Agent-Related  Person and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own
credit  analysis,  appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this  Agreement  and the other  documents  or  instruments  given in  connection
herewith, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself
as to  the  business,  prospects,  operations,  property,  financial  and  other
condition and creditworthiness of the Borrowers. Except for notices, reports and
other  documents  expressly  herein required to be furnished to the Banks by the
Agent, the Agent shall not have any duty or  responsibility  to provide any Bank
with any  credit  or  other  information  concerning  the  business,  prospects,
operations,  property,  financial  and other  condition or  creditworthiness  of
either  Borrower which may come into the possession of any of the  Agent-Related
Persons.

      9.07   Indemnification   of  Agent.   Whether  or  not  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby are consummated,  the Banks shall indemnify upon demand the
Agent-Related  Persons  (to the  extent  not  reimbursed  by or on behalf of the
Borrowers and without  limiting the obligation of either Borrower to do so), pro
rata, from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities;  provided,  however,
that no Bank shall be liable for the payment to the Agent-Related Persons of any
portion of such  Indemnified  Liabilities  resulting  solely from such  Person's
gross  negligence or willful  misconduct.  Without  limitation of the foregoing,
each Bank shall  reimburse  the Agent upon demand for its  ratable  share of any
costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including attorney costs) incurred by the Agent
in  connection  with  the  preparation,   execution,  delivery,  administration,
modification,  amendment or enforcement  (whether  through  negotiations,  legal
proceedings  or  otherwise)  of,  or  legal  advice  in  respect  of  rights  or
responsibilities  under, this Agreement,  any other document or instrument given
in connection herewith,  or any document  contemplated by or referred to herein,
to the extent that the Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf
of the Borrowers.  The  undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment of
all obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of the Agent.

      9.08 Agent in Individual  Capacity.  BofA (or any successor agent) and its
affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept
deposits from,  acquire equity  interests in and generally engage in any kind of
banking,  trust,  financial  advisory,  underwriting  or other business with the
Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  and  affiliates  as  though  BofA  (or such
successor agent) were not the Agent hereunder and



                                      58





without notice to or consent of the Banks or Designated  Bidders.  The Banks and
the Designated Bidders acknowledge that,  pursuant to such activities,  BofA (or
such successor  agent) or its affiliates may receive  information  regarding the
Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or affiliates (including information that may be
subject  to  confidentiality  obligations  in  favor  of such  Borrower  or such
Subsidiaries  or affiliates)  and  acknowledge  that the Agent shall be under no
obligation to provide such information to them. With respect to its Loans,  BofA
(or such  successor)  shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement
as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and
the terms "Bank" and "Banks"  include BofA (or such successor) in its individual
capacity.

      9.09  Successor  Agent.  The Agent may, and at the request of the Majority
Banks shall,  resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Revolving Borrower and
the Banks. If the Agent resigns under this  Agreement,  the Majority Banks shall
appoint  from among the Banks a successor  agent for the Banks.  If no successor
agent is appointed  prior to the effective date of the resignation of the Agent,
the Agent  may  appoint,  after  consulting  with the  Banks  and the  Revolving
Borrower,  a successor  agent from among the Banks.  Upon the  acceptance of its
appointment as successor agent hereunder,  such successor agent shall succeed to
all the rights,  powers and duties of the  retiring  Agent and the term  "Agent"
shall mean such successor agent and the retiring Agent's appointment, powers and
duties as Agent shall be terminated. The Borrowers may continue to deal with the
retiring Agent as Agent hereunder until the Revolving  Borrower  receives notice
of the  appointment  of such a  successor  agent.  After  any  retiring  Agent's
resignation  hereunder as Agent,  the provisions of this Article IX and Sections
10.04 and 10.05 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it while it was Agent under this  Agreement.  If no successor  agent
has  accepted  appointment  as Agent by the date  which is 30 days  following  a
retiring Agent's notice of resignation,  the retiring Agent's  resignation shall
nevertheless  thereupon  become effective and the Banks shall perform all of the
duties of the Agent  hereunder  until such time,  if any, as the Majority  Banks
appoint a successor agent as provided for above.  If the Revolving  Borrower has
not received  notice of the  appointment of a successor  agent within 30 days of
the retiring  Agent's notice of  resignation,  the Borrowers shall deal directly
with the Banks and  Designated  Bidders  until the Revolving  Borrower  receives
notice  of  the   appointment   of  a  successor   agent  as   provided   above.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  however, BofA may not be removed as the Agent at
the  request of the  Majority  Banks  unless BofA shall also  simultaneously  be
replaced as "Swingline  Bank" hereunder  pursuant to  documentation  in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to BofA.




                                      59





      9.10  Withholding Tax.

            (a) If any Bank  (which  for  purposes  of this  Section  9.10 shall
include any Designated Bidder) is a "foreign corporation,  partnership or trust"
within  the  meaning  of the Code and such  Bank  claims  exemption  from,  or a
reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code, such
Bank agrees with and in favor of the Agent, to deliver to the Agent:

                  (i) if such Bank claims an exemption  from, or a reduction of,
      withholding tax under a United States tax treaty,  properly  completed IRS
      Forms  1001 and W-8  before  the  payment  of any  interest  in the  first
      calendar  year and  before  the  payment  of any  interest  in each  third
      succeeding  calendar  year during  which  interest  may be paid under this
      Agreement;

                  (ii) if  such  Bank  claims  that  interest  paid  under  this
      Agreement  is exempt  from  United  States  withholding  tax because it is
      effectively connected with a United States trade or business of such Bank,
      two properly  completed  and  executed  copies of IRS Form 4224 before the
      payment of any interest is due in the first  taxable year of such Bank and
      in each succeeding  taxable year of such Bank during which interest may be
      paid under this Agreement, and IRS Form W-9; and

                  (iii) such other  form or forms as may be  required  under the
      Code or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption  from,
      or reduction of, United States withholding tax.

            Such  Bank  agrees to  promptly  notify  the Agent of any  change in
circumstances  which would  modify or render  invalid any claimed  exemption  or
reduction.

            (b) If any Bank claims exemption from, or reduction of,  withholding
tax under a United  States tax treaty by  providing  IRS Form 1001 and such Bank
sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of
the  obligations  of the Borrowers  hereunder to such Bank,  such Bank agrees to
notify  the  Agent  of the  percentage  amount  in  which  it is no  longer  the
beneficial  owner such  obligations of the Borrowers to such Bank. To the extent
of such percentage  amount, the Agent will treat such Bank's IRS Form 1001 as no
longer valid.

            (c) If any Bank claiming  exemption  from United States  withholding
tax by filing IRS Form 4224 with the Agent grants a participation in all or part
of the obligations of the Borrowers  hereunder to such Bank, such Bank agrees to
undertake  sole   responsibility   for  complying  with  the   withholding   tax
requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code.



                                      60






            (d) If  any  Bank  is  entitled  to a  reduction  in the  applicable
withholding  tax, the Agent may withhold from any interest  payment to such Bank
an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account
such reduction.  If the forms or other documentation  required by subsection (a)
of this Section are not delivered to the Agent, then the Agent may withhold from
any  interest   payment  to  such  Bank  not  providing   such  forms  or  other
documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

            (e) If the IRS or any other  governmental  authority  of the  United
States or other  jurisdiction  asserts a claim  that the Agent did not  properly
withhold tax from  amounts  paid to or for the account of any Bank  (because the
appropriate form was not delivered,  was not properly executed,  or because such
Bank failed to notify the Agent of a change in circumstances  which rendered the
exemption from, or reduction of,  withholding tax ineffective,  or for any other
reason) such Bank shall indemnify the Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly
or  indirectly,  by the  Agent  as tax or  otherwise,  including  penalties  and
interest,  and including any taxes  imposed by any  jurisdiction  on the amounts
payable to the Agent under this  Section,  together  with all costs and expenses
(including  attorney  costs).  The obligation of the Banks under this subsection
shall survive the payment of all  obligations and the resignation or replacement
of the Agent.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      10.01  Amendments and Waivers.  No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or any other document or instrument given in connection herewith,
and no consent with respect to any departure by either Borrower therefrom, shall
be  effective  unless the same shall be in  writing  and signed by the  Majority
Banks (or by the Agent at the  written  request of the  Majority  Banks) and the
Borrowers  and  acknowledged  by the Agent,  and then any such waiver or consent
shall be effective  only in the specific  instance and for the specific  purpose
for which given; provided,  however, that no such waiver,  amendment, or consent
shall,  unless in  writing  and  signed by all the Banks and the  Borrowers  and
acknowledged by the Agent, do any of the following:

            (a) increase or extend any  Commitment of any Bank (or reinstate any
Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02);

            (b) postpone or delay any date fixed by this  Agreement or any other
document  or  instrument  given  in  connection  herewith  for  any  payment  of
principal,  interest,  fees or other amounts due to the Banks or the  Designated
Bidders  (or any of  them)  hereunder  or  under  any  other  such  document  or
instrument;




                                      61





            (c)  reduce  the  principal  of, or the rate of  interest  specified
herein on, any Loan or (subject to clause (iii) below) any fees or other amounts
payable  hereunder or under any other document or instrument given in connection
herewith;

            (d) change the  percentage  of the  Commitments  or of the aggregate
unpaid  principal  amount of the Loans which is required for the Banks or any of
them to take any action hereunder;

            (e) amend this Section,  or Section  2.16,  or any provision  herein
providing for consent or other action by all Banks; or

            (f) release the Revolving  Borrower from its  obligations  under the
Guaranty or terminate  the Guaranty,  except in each case as expressly  provided
for therein;

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing  and signed by the Agent in addition  to the  Majority  Banks or all the
Banks,  as the case may be,  affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any other document or instrument given in connection herewith, (ii)
no  amendment,  waiver or consent  shall,  unless in  writing  and signed by the
Swingline Bank in addition to the Majority  Banks or all the Banks,  as the case
may be, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline  Bank under this  Agreement
or any other document or instrument given in connection herewith,  and (iii) the
Fee Letter may be  amended,  or rights or  privileges  thereunder  waived,  in a
writing executed by the parties thereto.

      10.02  Notices.

            (a) All  notices,  requests  and  other  communications  shall be in
writing  (including,   unless  the  context  expressly  otherwise  provides,  by
facsimile  transmission,  provided that any matter  transmitted  by or to either
Borrower by facsimile (i) shall be immediately  confirmed by a telephone call to
the recipient at the number  specified on Schedule 10.02, and (ii) except in the
case of a Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion/Continuation, or Competitive
Bid  Request,  in which  case the  facsimile  copy  shall  be  deemed  to be the
operative  original  document,  shall be followed promptly by delivery of a hard
copy  original  thereof)  and  mailed,  faxed or  delivered,  to the  address or
facsimile  number  specified for notices on Schedule  10.02;  or, if directed to
either  Borrower or the Agent,  to such other  address as shall be designated by
such party in a written  notice to the other  parties,  and if  directed  to any
other party,  at such other  address as shall be  designated  by such party in a
written notice to the Borrowers and the Agent.

            (b) All  such  notices,  requests  and  communications  shall,  when
transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective upon the next Business
Day after delivery for overnight  (next-day)  delivery,  or when  transmitted in
legible form by



                                      62





facsimile machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after
the date deposited into the U.S.  mail, or if delivered,  upon delivery;  except
that notices  pursuant to Article II or IX shall not be effective until actually
received by the Agent.

            (c) Any agreement of the Agent and the Banks and Designated  Bidders
herein to receive certain notices by facsimile is solely for the convenience and
at the request of the Borrowers.  The Agent and the Banks and Designated Bidders
shall be  entitled to rely on the  authority  of any Person  purporting  to be a
Person  authorized by a Borrower to give such notice and the Agent and the Banks
and  Designated  Bidders  shall not have any liability to the Borrowers or other
Person on account of any action  taken or not taken by the Agent or the Banks or
Designated  Bidders in reliance upon such  facsimile  notice.  The obligation of
each  Borrower to repay the Loans made to it shall not be affected in any way or
to any extent by any failure by the Agent and the Banks and  Designated  Bidders
to receive written  confirmation  of any facsimile  notice or the receipt by the
Agent  and the  Banks  and  Designated  Bidders  of a  confirmation  which is at
variance  with the terms  understood  by the Agent and the Banks and  Designated
Bidders to be contained in the facsimile notice.

      10.03 No Waiver;  Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay
in exercising,  on the part of the Agent or any Bank or Designated  Bidder,  any
right,  remedy,  power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof;
nor  shall  any  single or  partial  exercise  of any  right,  remedy,  power or
privilege  hereunder  preclude  any other or  further  exercise  thereof  or the
exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

      10.04  Costs and Expenses.  The Borrowers shall:

            (a)  whether  or  not  the  transactions   contemplated  hereby  are
consummated,  pay or reimburse BofA  (including in its capacity as Agent) within
five  Business Days after demand  (subject to subsection  4.01(e)) for all costs
and expenses incurred by BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) in connection
with the development,  preparation,  delivery,  administration and execution of,
and any amendment,  supplement, waiver or modification to (in each case, whether
or not  consummated),  this  Agreement  and  any  other  documents  prepared  in
connection  herewith,  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby  and  thereby,  including  reasonable  attorney  costs  incurred  by BofA
(including in its capacity as Agent) with respect thereto; and

            (b) pay or reimburse the Agent and each Bank and  Designated  Bidder
within five Business Days after demand  (subject to subsection  4.01(e)) for all
costs and expenses  (including  attorney  costs)  incurred by them in connection
with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights



                                      63





or remedies under this  Agreement or any other  document or instrument  given in
connection  herewith  during  the  existence  of an  Event of  Default  or after
acceleration  of the  Loans  (including  in  connection  with any  "workout"  or
restructuring regarding the Loans, and including in any insolvency proceeding or
appellate proceeding).

      10.05   Borrower   Indemnification.   Whether  or  not  the   transactions
contemplated hereby are consummated,  the Borrowers shall indemnify and hold the
Agent-Related  Persons,  and each Bank and  Designated  Bidder and each of their
respective officers, directors, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact
(each,  an  "Indemnified   Person")  harmless  from  and  against  any  and  all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs,  charges,  expenses and disbursements  (including  attorney costs) of any
kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time (including at any time following
repayment of the Loans and the  termination,  resignation  or replacement of the
Agent or replacement of any Bank or Designated  Bidder) be imposed on,  incurred
by or asserted  against any such Person in any way relating to or arising out of
this  Agreement or any document  contemplated  by or referred to herein,  or the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  or any action  taken or omitted by any such
Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing,  including with respect
to  any  investigation,  litigation  or  proceeding  (including  any  insolvency
proceeding or appellate  proceeding) related to or arising out of this Agreement
or the Loans or the use of the proceeds thereof,  whether or not any Indemnified
Person is a party thereto (all the  foregoing,  collectively,  the  "Indemnified
Liabilities");  provided,  that the Borrowers shall have no obligation hereunder
to any  Indemnified  Person with respect to (i)  Indemnified  Liabilities to the
extent  resulting  from the  gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  of such
Indemnified  Person (ii) any  violation of any banking law or regulation by such
Indemnified  Person,  (iii) any  liability  as between or among any  Indemnified
Person  or their  respective  shareholders  and  controlling  persons,  (iv) any
default  hereunder by any Person other than the  Borrowers,  or (v) any Taxes or
Other  Taxes,  except to the extent  such Taxes or Other  Taxes are  indemnified
against by other  provisions of this  Agreement.  The agreements in this Section
shall survive payment of all other obligations of the Borrowers.

      10.06 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that a Borrower makes a payment to
the  Agent or the  Banks or  Designated  Bidders,  or the  Agent or the Banks or
Designated  Bidders  exercise  their right of set-off,  and such  payment or the
proceeds  of such  set-off or any part  thereof  are  subsequently  invalidated,
declared to be  fraudulent  or  preferential,  set aside or required  (including
pursuant to any settlement  entered into by the Agent or such Bank or Designated
Bidder  in its  discretion)  to be repaid to a  trustee,  receiver  or any other
party,  in connection with any insolvency  proceeding or otherwise,  then (a) to
the extent of such recovery the obligation or part thereof originally intended



                                      64





to be  satisfied  shall be revived and  continued in full force and effect as if
such  payment had not been made or such set-off had not  occurred,  and (b) each
Bank severally agrees to pay (and to cause any Designated  Bidder  designated by
it to pay) to the  Agent  upon  demand  its pro  rata  share  of any  amount  so
recovered from or repaid by the Agent.

      10.07  Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of this Agreement  shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors  and  assigns,  except that no Borrower may assign or transfer any of
its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent
of the Agent and each Bank.

      10.08  Assignments, Participations, etc.

            (a) Any Bank may, with the written consent of the Revolving Borrower
at all times  other than  during the  existence  of an Event of Default  and the
Agent, which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld, at any time assign and
delegate to one or more  Eligible  Assignees  (each an  "Assignee")  all, or any
ratable  (in the  case of  Committed  Loans)  part of  all,  of the  Loans,  the
Commitments and the other rights and  obligations of such Bank  hereunder,  in a
minimum amount of $10,000,000,  it being agreed that no Bank shall assign all or
a portion of its Revolving Commitment without assigning a ratable portion of its
Term Loan and no Bank shall  assign  all or a portion  of its Term Loan  without
assigning a ratable portion of its Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that
the  Borrowers  and the Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with such
Bank in  connection  with the  interest so  assigned  to an  Assignee  until (i)
written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses
and related  information with respect to the Assignee,  shall have been given to
the Borrowers  and the Agent by such Bank and the  Assignee;  (ii) such Bank and
its Assignee  shall have  delivered to the Borrowers and the Agent an Assignment
and  Acceptance  substantially  in  the  form  of  Exhibit  E  ("Assignment  and
Acceptance");  and (iii) the  assignor  Bank or Assignee has paid to the Agent a
processing fee in the amount of $3,000. In connection with any assignment by the
Swingline Bank, its Swingline  Commitment may be in whole or in part included as
part of the  assignment  transaction,  and the  Assignment and Acceptance may be
appropriately  modified to include an assignment and delegation of its Swingline
Commitment and any outstanding Swingline Loans.

            (b) From and after the date that the  Agent  notifies  the  assignor
Bank that it has received (and provided its consent with respect to) an executed
Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the  above-referenced  processing  fee,
(i) the  Assignee  thereunder  shall be a party  hereto  and, to the extent that
rights and  obligations  hereunder  have been  assigned  to it  pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights and obligations of a Bank under
this Agreement and the other



                                      65





documents or  instruments  given in connection  herewith,  and (ii) the assignor
Bank shall, to the extent that rights and  obligations  hereunder and under such
documents or  instruments  have been assigned by it pursuant to such  Assignment
and  Acceptance,  relinquish  its rights and be  released  from its  obligations
hereunder and under such other  documents and  instruments;  provided,  that the
assignor  Bank and the  Assignee  shall each be entitled to the  benefits of the
indemnification  provisions  which  would  otherwise  survive the payment of the
other obligations of the Borrowers.

            (c) Within  five  Business  Days after its  receipt of notice by the
Agent that it has received an executed  Assignment and Acceptance and payment of
the processing fee (and provided that it consents to such assignment if required
under  subsection  10.08(a)),  each  Borrower  shall  execute and deliver to the
Agent, new Notes  evidencing such Assignee's  assigned Loans and Commitment and,
if the assignor Bank has retained a portion of its Loans and its Commitment,  as
applicable,  replacement  Notes in the form of  Exhibit  I and  Exhibit K in the
principal  amount  of the  Revolving  Commitment  and Term  Loan,  respectively,
retained by the  assignor  Bank (such Notes to be in  exchange  for,  but not in
payment of, the Notes with respect to Committed  Loans held by such Bank,  which
shall be returned to the applicable Borrower,  along with any Bid Loan Note held
by such Bank if it is not  retaining  a portion  of its Loans and its  Revolving
Commitment,  concurrently  with the delivery by such Borrower of its replacement
Notes).   Immediately  upon  each  assignor  Bank's  or  Assignee's  making  its
processing fee payment under the Assignment and Acceptance, this Agreement shall
be deemed to be amended to the  extent,  but only to the  extent,  necessary  to
reflect  the  addition  of the  Assignee  and the  resulting  adjustment  of the
Commitments arising therefrom.  The Commitment  allocated to each Assignee shall
reduce the Commitment of the assigning Bank pro tanto.

            (d) Any Bank or  Designated  Bidder  may at any time  sell to one or
more  commercial  banks or other Persons not  affiliates  of either  Borrower (a
"Participant") participating interests in any Loans, the Commitment of that Bank
and the other  interests of that Bank or  Designated  Bidder (the  "Originator")
hereunder  and under the other  documents  and  instruments  given in connection
herewith;  provided,  however, that (i) the Originator's  obligations under this
Agreement  shall remain  unchanged,  (ii) the  Originator  shall  remain  solely
responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrowers and the
Agent  shall  continue  to deal  solely  and  directly  with the  Originator  in
connection with the Originator's rights and obligations under this Agreement and
the other documents and instruments  given in connection  herewith,  and (iv) no
Bank  shall  transfer  or grant  any  participating  interest  under  which  the
Participant  has rights to approve  any  amendment  to, or any consent or waiver
with respect to, this  Agreement or any other  document or  instrument  given in
connection herewith, except to the extent such amendment, consent



                                      66





or waiver would require unanimous consent of the Banks as described in the first
proviso to Section 10.01. In the case of any such participation, the Participant
shall not have any rights under this Agreement, or any of the other documents or
instruments  given  in  connection  herewith,  and all  amounts  payable  by the
Borrowers  hereunder shall be determined as if such Originator had not sold such
participation;  except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due
and  unpaid,  or shall have been  declared  or shall have become due and payable
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,  each Participant shall be deemed to
have the right of set-off in respect of its  participating  interest  in amounts
owing  under  this  Agreement  to  the  same  extent  as if  the  amount  of its
participating  interest were owing directly to it as a Bank or Designated Bidder
(as the case may be) under this Agreement.

            (e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement,  any Bank
or Designated  Bidder may at any time create a security  interest in, or pledge,
all or any portion of its rights  under and interest in this  Agreement  and the
Notes  held by it in  favor  of any  Federal  Reserve  Bank in  accordance  with
Regulation A of the FRB or U.S. Treasury  Regulation 31 CFR ss.203.14,  and such
Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security  interest in any manner
permitted under applicable law.

      10.09  Designated  Bidders.  Any Bank from time to time may  designate one
Designated  Bidder  to have a right to offer  and make  Bid  Loans  pursuant  to
Section 2.06; provided, however, that (i) no such Bank may make more than 3 such
designations,  (ii) each such Bank making any such designation  shall retain the
right to make Bid Loans,  and (iii) the parties to each such  designation  shall
execute and deliver to the Agent a Designation Agreement. Upon its receipt of an
appropriately completed Designation Agreement executed by a designating Bank and
a designee  representing that it is a Designated  Bidder,  the Agent will accept
such  Designation  Agreement  and give prompt  notice  thereof to the  Revolving
Borrower,  whereupon  such  designation of such  Designated  Bidder shall become
effective  and  such  designee  shall  become  a party  to this  Agreement  as a
"Designated Bidder."

      10.10 Confidentiality.  Each Bank and Designated Bidder agrees to take and
to cause its affiliates to take normal and reasonable  precautions  and exercise
due care to maintain the  confidentiality  of all information  provided to it by
the Borrowers or any of their  Subsidiaries,  or by the Agent on such Borrower's
or Subsidiary's behalf, under this Agreement or any other document or instrument
given in connection herewith, and neither it nor any of its affiliates shall use
any such  information  other than in connection  with or in  enforcement of this
Agreement and the other documents and instruments  given in connection  herewith
or in connection  with other business now or hereafter  existing or contemplated
with  either  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  except to the extent  such
information (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a



                                      67





result of disclosure by such Bank or Designated Bidder in breach of this Section
10.10,  or (ii) was or  becomes  available  on a  non-confidential  basis from a
source  other  than a  Borrower,  provided  that  such  source is not bound by a
confidentiality  agreement  with a  Borrower  known to such  Bank or  Designated
Bidder; provided,  however, that any Bank or Designated Bidder may disclose such
information   (A)  at  the  request  or  pursuant  to  any  requirement  of  any
governmental  authority to which such Bank or Designated Bidder is subject or in
connection  with an  examination  of such Bank or Designated  Bidder by any such
authority; (B) pursuant to subpoena or other court process; (C) when required to
do so in accordance  with the provisions of any  applicable  Requirement of Law;
(D) to the extent  reasonably  required in  connection  with any  litigation  or
proceeding to which the Agent, any Bank or Designated Bidder or their respective
affiliates  may be party;  (E) to the extent  reasonably  required in connection
with the  exercise  of any  remedy  hereunder  or under  any other  document  or
instrument  given in  connection  herewith;  (F) to such  Bank's  or  Designated
Bidder's  independent  auditors  and  other  professional  advisors;  (G) to any
Participant or Assignee,  actual or potential,  provided that such Person agrees
in writing to keep such information  confidential to the same extent required of
the  Banks  hereunder;  and  (H) as to any  Bank  or  Designated  Bidder  or its
affiliates,  as  expressly  permitted  under the terms of any other  document or
agreement  regarding   confidentiality  to  which  a  Borrower  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries is party or is deemed party with such Bank or Designated  Bidder or
such affiliate.

      10.11  Set-off.  In addition  to any rights and  remedies of the Banks and
Designated  Bidders  provided by law, if an Event of Default exists or the Loans
have been accelerated, each Bank and each Designated Bidder is authorized at any
time and from time to time,  without prior notice to either  Borrower,  any such
notice being waived by each Borrower to the fullest extent  permitted by law, to
set off and apply any and all  deposits  (general  or  special,  time or demand,
provisional  or final) at any time held by, and other  indebtedness  at any time
owing by, such Bank or Designated  Bidder to or for the credit or the account of
such Borrower  against any and all  obligations  of such Borrower  owing to such
Bank or Designated Bidder, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or
not the Agent or such Bank or  Designated  Bidder  shall have made demand  under
this  Agreement or any document or instrument  given in connection  herewith and
although such  obligations  may be  contingent or unmatured.  Each Bank and each
Designated  Bidder  agrees  promptly to notify the  applicable  Borrower and the
Agent after any such  set-off and  application  made by such Bank or  Designated
Bidder; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect
the validity of such set-off and application.

      10.12 Notification of Addresses,  Lending Offices, Etc. Each Bank and each
Designated  Bidder  shall  notify  the Agent in  writing  of any  changes in the
address to which notices to such Bank or  Designated  Bidder should be directed,
of addresses of any



                                      68





Lending Office, of payment instructions in respect of all payments to be made to
it hereunder  and of such other  administrative  information  as the Agent shall
reasonably request.

      10.13  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any  number of
separate  counterparts,  each of  which,  when so  executed,  shall be deemed an
original,  and all of said  counterparts  taken  together  shall  be  deemed  to
constitute but one and the same instrument.

      10.14 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement or any instrument or agreement  required  hereunder  shall not in
any way  affect  or impair  the  legality  or  enforceability  of the  remaining
provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

      10.15 No Third Parties Benefited.  This Agreement is made and entered into
for the sole  protection  and legal  benefit of the  Borrowers,  the Banks,  the
Designated Bidders,  the Agent-Related  Persons,  and their permitted successors
and  assigns,  and no other  Person  shall be a direct or  indirect  (other than
Participants,  to the extent provided for herein) legal  beneficiary of, or have
any  direct  or  indirect  cause of  action or claim in  connection  with,  this
Agreement  or any of the other  documents  or  instruments  given in  connection
herewith.

      10.16  Certain Interpretive Provisions.

            (a) The  meanings  of defined  terms are equally  applicable  to the
singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

            (b) The words  "hereof",  "herein",  "hereunder"  and similar  words
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any  particular  provision of this
Agreement; and subsection,  Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this
Agreement unless otherwise specified.

            (c) (i)  The  term  "documents"  includes  any and all  instruments,
documents,  agreements,  certificates,  indentures,  notices and other writings,
however  evidenced;  (ii)  the  term  "including"  is  not  limiting  and  means
"including but not limited to;" and (iii) in the  computation of periods of time
from a specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and
including";  the words "to" and "until"  each mean "to but  excluding",  and the
word "through" means "to and including."

            (d) Unless otherwise  expressly  provided herein,  (i) references to
agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual instruments shall be
deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, but
only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited



                                      69





by the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) references to any statute or regulation
are to be  construed  as  including  all  statutory  and  regulatory  provisions
consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or
regulation.

            (e) The captions and headings of this Agreement are for  convenience
of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

            (f) This  Agreement  and other  documents  or  instruments  given in
connection herewith may use several different limitations, tests or measurements
to  regulate  the same or  similar  matters.  All such  limitations,  tests  and
measurements are cumulative and shall each be performed in accordance with their
terms.

            (g) References to "attorney costs" in this Agreement or in the Notes
or any other  document or  instrument  given in  connection  herewith  means and
includes all fees and  disbursements of any law firm or other external  counsel,
the allocated cost of internal legal services and all  disbursements of internal
counsel.

            (g) This Agreement and the other documents and instruments  given in
connection  herewith are the result of negotiations among and have been reviewed
by counsel to the  Agent,  the  Borrowers,  and the other  parties,  and are the
products of all parties.  Accordingly,  they shall not be construed  against the
Banks, the Designated Bidders, the Swingline Bank or the Agent merely because of
the Agent's,  Banks',  Designated  Bidders' or Swingline  Bank's  involvement in
their preparation.

      10.17 Governing Law;  Submission to  Jurisdiction.  (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND
THE NOTES AND THE  GUARANTY  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND  CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA;  PROVIDED THAT THE AGENT AND THE BANKS
AND DESIGNATED BIDDERS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

            (b) SUBJECT TO SECTION  10.18,  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING  WITH
RESPECT TO THIS  AGREEMENT,  THE NOTES,  THE  GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER  DOCUMENT OR
INSTRUMENT  GIVEN IN  CONNECTION  HEREWITH  MAY BE  BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT
OF  CALIFORNIA,  AND BY EXECUTION  AND DELIVERY OF THIS  AGREEMENT,  EACH OF THE
BORROWERS,  THE BANKS, THE DESIGNATED BIDDERS AND THE AGENT HEREBY CONSENTS, FOR
ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS  PROPERTY,  TO THE  JURISDICTION  OF THE  AFORESAID
COURTS.  EACH OF THE BORROWERS,  THE BANKS, THE DESIGNATED BIDDERS AND THE AGENT
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES ANY OBJECTION,  INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING
OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE  GROUNDS OF FORUM NON  CONVENIENS,  WHICH IT MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH  JURISDICTION
IN RESPECT OF THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY DOCUMENT  RELATED  HERETO.  EACH  BORROWER
HEREBY WAIVES



                                      70





PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS,  COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS,  WHICH MAY BE MADE
BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY CALIFORNIA LAW.

      10.18  Arbitration; Reference Proceeding.

            (a) THE BORROWERS,  THE BANKS, THE DESIGNATED  BIDDERS AND THE AGENT
EACH AGREE THAT ANY  CONTROVERSY  OR CLAIM BETWEEN OR AMONG THE PARTIES  ARISING
OUT OF OR  RELATING  TO THIS  AGREEMENT,  THE NOTES,  THE  GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER
DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT GIVEN IN CONNECTION  HEREWITH,  AND ANY CLAIM BASED ON OR
ARISING FROM AN ALLEGED TORT RELATED HERETO OR THERETO,  SHALL AT THE REQUEST OF
ANY PARTY BE DETERMINED BY ARBITRATION.  THE  ARBITRATION  SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH THE  UNITED  STATES  ARBITRATION  ACT  (TITLE  9,  U.S.  CODE),
NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY CHOICE OF LAW  PROVISION IN THIS  AGREEMENT,  AND UNDER THE
COMMERCIAL  RULES  OF  THE  AMERICAN   ARBITRATION   ASSOCIATION   ("AAA").  THE
ARBITRATION  SHALL BE CONDUCTED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO,  CALIFORNIA.
THE  ARBITRATORS  SHALL GIVE EFFECT TO STATUTES OF LIMITATION IN DETERMINING ANY
CLAIM.  ANY  CONTROVERSY  CONCERNING  WHETHER  AN ISSUE IS  ARBITRABLE  SHALL BE
DETERMINED  BY THE  ARBITRATORS.  JUDGMENT  UPON THE  ARBITRATION  AWARD  MAY BE
ENTERED IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION.  THE INSTITUTION AND MAINTENANCE OF AN
ACTION FOR JUDICIAL RELIEF OR PURSUIT OF A PROVISIONAL OR ANCILLARY REMEDY SHALL
NOT CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY,  INCLUDING THE PLAINTIFF,  TO
SUBMIT THE  CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM TO ARBITRATION IF ANY OTHER PARTY CONTESTS SUCH
ACTION FOR JUDICIAL RELIEF.

            (b) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (a), NO CONTROVERSY
OR CLAIM SHALL BE  SUBMITTED TO  ARBITRATION  WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES
IF, AT THE TIME OF THE PROPOSED  SUBMISSION,  SUCH  CONTROVERSY  OR CLAIM ARISES
FROM OR RELATES TO AN OBLIGATION  TO THE AGENT OR ANY BANK OR DESIGNATED  BIDDER
WHICH IS SECURED BY REAL  PROPERTY  COLLATERAL  LOCATED  IN  CALIFORNIA.  IF ALL
PARTIES  DO NOT  CONSENT  TO  SUBMISSION  OF  SUCH A  CONTROVERSY  OR  CLAIM  TO
ARBITRATION,  THE  CONTROVERSY  OR CLAIM  SHALL BE  DETERMINED  AS  PROVIDED  IN
SUBSECTION (c).

            (c) A CONTROVERSY  OR CLAIM WHICH IS NOT SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION AS
PROVIDED  AND LIMITED IN  SUBSECTIONS  (a) AND (b) SHALL,  AT THE REQUEST OF ANY
PARTY,  BE DETERMINED BY A REFERENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE  SECTIONS 638 ET SEQ. IF SUCH AN ELECTION IS MADE,  THE PARTIES  SHALL
DESIGNATE TO THE COURT A REFEREE OR REFEREES  SELECTED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE
AAA IN THE SAME MANNER AS ARBITRATORS ARE SELECTED IN AAA-SPONSORED PROCEEDINGS.
THE PRESIDING REFEREE OF THE PANEL, OR THE REFEREE IF THERE IS A SINGLE REFEREE,
SHALL BE AN ACTIVE  ATTORNEY OR RETIRED JUDGE.  JUDGMENT UPON THE AWARD RENDERED
BY SUCH  REFEREE  OR  REFEREES  SHALL BE  ENTERED  IN THE  COURT  IN WHICH  SUCH
PROCEEDING WAS COMMENCED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH  CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
SECTIONS 644 AND 645.

            (d) NO PROVISION OF THIS SECTION  SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY
TO THIS AGREEMENT TO EXERCISE SELF-HELP REMEDIES



                                      71





SUCH AS SET-OFF,  TO  FORECLOSE  AGAINST OR SELL ANY REAL OR  PERSONAL  PROPERTY
COLLATERAL  OR SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN  PROVISIONAL  OR ANCILLARY  REMEDIES FROM A
COURT OF COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  BEFORE,  AFTER,  OR DURING THE PENDENCY OF ANY
ARBITRATION  OR OTHER  PROCEEDING.  THE  EXERCISE OF A REMEDY DOES NOT WAIVE THE
RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO RESORT TO ARBITRATION OR REFERENCE. AT THE MAJORITY BANKS'
OPTION, FORECLOSURE UNDER A DEED OF TRUST OR MORTGAGE MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED EITHER
BY  EXERCISE OF POWER OF SALE UNDER THE DEED OF TRUST OR MORTGAGE OR BY JUDICIAL
FORECLOSURE.

      10.19 Waiver of Jury Trial.  IF A CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT SUBMITTED TO
ARBITRATION AS PROVIDED AND LIMITED IN SUBSECTIONS  (a) AND (b) OF SECTION 10.18
AND IS NOT DETERMINED BY A REFERENCE AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (c) OF SUBSECTION
10.18, THEN THE BORROWERS,  THE BANKS, THE DESIGNATED BIDDERS AND THE AGENT EACH
WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION
BASED  UPON OR  ARISING  OUT OF OR RELATED  TO THIS  AGREEMENT,  THE NOTES,  THE
GUARANTY,  AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT GIVEN IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR
THE TRANSACTIONS  CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY SUCH ACTION, PROCEEDING
OR OTHER  LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST ANY OTHER
PARTY OR ANY PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE,  WHETHER WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT  CLAIMS,
TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE.  THE BORROWERS, THE BANKS, THE DESIGNATED BIDDERS AND
THE AGENT EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION  SHALL BE TRIED BY A
COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING,  THE PARTIES FURTHER
AGREE THAT THEIR  RESPECTIVE  RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED BY OPERATION OF
THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION,  COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING WHICH SEEKS, IN
WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT,
THE NOTES,  THE GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT GIVEN IN CONNECTION
HEREWITH  OR ANY  PROVISION  HEREOF OR THEREOF.  THIS WAIVER  SHALL APPLY TO ANY
SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT,
THE NOTES, THE GUARANTY AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT GIVEN IN CONNECTION
HEREWITH.

      10.20 Judgment.  If, for the purposes of obtaining  judgment in any court,
it is  necessary to convert a sum due  hereunder or under any other  document or
instrument given in connection  herewith in one currency into another  currency,
the rate of  exchange  used  shall be that at which in  accordance  with  normal
banking  procedures  the Agent could purchase the first currency with such other
currency on the Business Day  preceding  that on which final  judgment is given.
The  obligation  of each  Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the
Agent or any Bank hereunder or under such other documents or instruments  shall,
notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the "Judgment  Currency") other than
that in  which  such  sum is  denominated  in  accordance  with  the  applicable
provisions of this Agreement (the "Agreement  Currency"),  be discharged only to
the extent that on the Business Day following  receipt by the Agent (for its own
account or for the account of any Bank) of any sum  adjudged to be so due in the
Judgment Currency, the Agent may in accordance with



                                      72





normal  banking  procedures  purchase the  Agreement  Currency with the Judgment
Currency.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the
sum  originally  due to the Agent or such Bank in the Agreement  Currency,  each
Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment,
to indemnify the Agent or the Person to whom such  obligation  was owing against
such loss. If the amount of the Agreement  Currency so purchased is greater than
the sum originally due to the Agent or such Bank in such currency,  the Agent or
such Bank agrees to return the amount of any excess to the  applicable  Borrower
(or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

      10.21  Provisions  With  Respect to Term  Borrower.  All  representations,
warranties,  covenants and obligations of the Term Borrower set forth herein and
in all other  documents  and  instruments  given in  connection  herewith  shall
terminate and be of no further force and effect after  termination or expiration
of the Term  Commitment  and  payment  in full of the Term  Loans  and all other
monetary  obligations  of the Term  Borrower  then due and owing  hereunder  and
thereunder;  provided,  that the use of the term  "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries"
herein shall continue to include the Term Borrower.

      10.22 Entire Agreement. This Agreement,  together with the other documents
and instruments  given in connection  herewith,  including the Notes and the Fee
Letter, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the Borrowers, the
Banks and the Agent and supersedes all prior or  contemporaneous  agreements and
understandings  of such  Persons,  verbal or  written,  relating  to the subject
matter hereof and thereof.












      In Witness  Whereof,  the parties  hereto have executed this  Agreement by
their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.


                                   LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION



                                   By:  /s/ MICHAEL D. HANNA     
                                   Title:    Executive Vice President



                                   By:  /s/ WILLIAM L. HEBERT
                                   Title:    Vice President, Treasurer &
                                             Controller



                                   LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CANADA LTD.



                                   By:  /s/ WILLIAM L. HEBERT
                                   Title:    Vice President, Treasurer &
                                             Controller


                                   By:  /s/ LYNN L. MILLER
                                   Title:    Assistant Treasurer



                                   BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                   AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                                   as Agent



                                   By:  /s/ MICHAEL J. BALOK
                                   Title:    Managing Director



                                   BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
                                   SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Swingline
                                   Bank and as a Bank



                                   By:  /s/ MICHAEL J. BALOK
                                   Title:    Managing Director






                                     73






                                   ABN AMRO BANK N.V.


                                   By:  /s/ ERRETT E. HUMMEL
                                   Title:    Errett E. Hummel, Vice President


                                   By:  /s/ BRIAN W. DIXON
                                   Title:    Brian W. Dixon, Senior Manager


                                   ROYAL BANK OF CANADA


                                   By:  /s/ J. BLAINE SHAUM
                                   Title:    Regional Manager


                                   SOCIETE GENERALE


                                   By:  /s/ J. BLAINE SHAUM
                                   Title:    Regional Manager


                                   By:
                                   Title:



                                   SOCIETE GENERALE FINANCE
                                   (IRELAND) LIMITED


                                   By:  /s/ J. BLAINE SHAUM
                                   Title:    Regional Manager


                                   By:
                                   Title:


                                   THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA



                                   By:  /s/ -----------------
                                   Title:    Officer


                                   By:  /s/ -----------------
                                   Title:    Officer





                                     74






                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK



                                   By:  /s/ HELEN SANTO
                                   Title:    Vice President



                                   THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO



                                   By:  /s/ GARY S. GAGE
                                   Title:    Senior Vice President



                                   UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK OF
                                   OREGON



                                   By:  /s/ JANICE T. THEDE
                                   Title:    Vice President



                                   WACHOVIA BANK OF GEORGIA, N.A.



                                   By:  /s/ WILLIAM F.
                                   Title:    Senior Vice President



                                   WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.



                                   By:  /s/----------------
                                   Title:    Vice President


                                   By:  /s/ EDITH LIM
                                   Title:    Vice President



                                     75
                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                         1984 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

         1.  Purpose.  The  continued  growth and  success of  Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation  (the  "Corporation")  are dependent  upon its ability to retain the
services of key employees of the highest competence and to provide incentive for
effective  service and superior  performance.  The purpose of this 1984 Employee
Stock  Option  Plan (the  "Plan")  is to  provide an  incentive  to certain  key
employees of the Corporation and its  subsidiaries  (as hereinafter  defined) to
continue in their employment and also to afford them the opportunity to acquire,
or increase,  stock  ownership in the  Corporation in order that they may have a
direct proprietary interest in its success.

         2. Stock.  The stock subject to option and other provisions of the Plan
shall be shares of the Corporation's authorized but unissued, or reacquired,  $1
par value common stock  ("Common  Stock").  The total number of shares of Common
Stock with  respect  to which  options  may be  granted  shall not exceed in the
aggregate  1,000,000,  provided  that such  aggregate  number of shares shall be
subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5(g).

         In the event that any outstanding option under the Plan shall terminate
or expire  prior to the end of the period  during  which  options may be granted
under the Plan, the shares of Common Stock allocable to the unexercised  portion
of such  option  may be  made  the  subject  of  additional  options  and  stock
appreciation rights granted under the Plan.

         3.       Administration;   Grant  of  Options  and  Stock  Appreciation
Rights.

         (a) The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors;  however,
any action relating to the Plan may be taken by the Board of Directors only if a
majority of the Board of Directors and a majority of the directors acting in the
matter are disinterested  persons.  The term  "disinterested  person" as used in
this Plan shall mean a person who is not at the time he exercises  discretion in
administering  the Plan eligible,  and has not at any time within one year prior
thereto been eligible,  for selection as a person to whom stock may be allocated
or to whom stock options or stock appreciation rights may be granted pursuant to
the Plan or any other plan of the Corporation or any of its affiliates entitling
the participants  therein to acquire stock,  stock options or stock appreciation
rights of the Corporation or any of its affiliates.

         (b) In administering the Plan, the Board of Directors may adopt,  amend
and rescind rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. The  interpretation
and decision of the Board of Directors with regard to any question arising under
the Plan  shall be final and  conclusive.  No  member of the Board of  Directors
shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith.




                                                     - 1 -








         (c) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3(a), the Board of Directors
shall grant options and stock appreciation  rights pursuant to the Plan. Options
or stock  appreciation  rights may be granted to the same  employee on more than
one occasion.  Options may be granted without related stock appreciation rights.
Stock appreciation rights may be granted only with respect to a related option.

         (d) Pursuant to the bylaws of the  Corporation,  the Board of Directors
may designate a committee of not less than three directors, all of whom shall be
"disinterested  persons" as that term is defined in paragraph  3(a),  which,  in
lieu of the Board of  Directors,  shall  have  full  authority  pursuant  to the
foregoing  subparagraphs  (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 3, in the administration
of the Plan with  respect to the  participation  therein of  officers  or former
officers of the Corporation.

         4. Eligibility. The individuals who shall be eligible to participate in
the Plan shall be such salaried  employees  (including  officers who may also be
directors) of the  Corporation or of any  corporation  in which the  Corporation
owns, directly or indirectly, stock possessing more than 50 percent of the total
combined  voting power of all classes of stock (such a corporation  being herein
called a "subsidiary") as the Board of Directors shall determine.

         5. Terms and  Conditions of Options.  Options  granted  pursuant to the
Plan shall be  evidenced  by  agreements  in such form as the Board of Directors
shall from time to time  approve,  which  agreements  shall  comply  with and be
subject to the following terms and conditions:

         (a)  Payment:  Upon  exercise  of an option,  in whole or in part,  the
option price for shares to which the exercise  relates  shall be paid in full in
cash; except that

                  (1)  shares  to  be  issued  pursuant  to  exercise  of  stock
         appreciation  rights  pursuant to paragraph 11, if any, shall be issued
         without any cash payment by the optionee; and

                  (2) the Board of Directors may, in its  discretion,  designate
         an  option,  at the  time of  grant  or  thereafter,  as  eligible  for
         alternative  methods of payment  of the option  price on the  following
         terms and conditions:

                           (A) Method of Payment: Payment of the option price of
                  shares  subject to an option so designated may be made, at the
                  election of the  optionee,  either in cash or by delivering to
                  the  Corporation  shares of Common  Stock having a fair market
                  value equal to the option price,  or any  combination  of cash
                  and Common Stock  having a combined  value equal to the option
                  price.  Shares of Common  Stock may not be used in  payment or
                  partial  payment unless an option for at least 2,000 shares is
                  being exercised.




                                                     - 2 -








                           (B)  Payment  in Common  Stock:  Payment in shares of
                  Common Stock shall be made by  delivering  to the  Corporation
                  certificates,  duly endorsed for transfer, representing shares
                  of Common Stock  having an aggregate  fair market value on the
                  date of  exercise  equal to that  portion of the option  price
                  which is to be paid in Common Stock.  The fair market value of
                  a share  of  Common  Stock on the  date of  exercise  shall be
                  deemed to be the  closing  price per share of Common  Stock on
                  the New York Stock  Exchange on the date of exercise or, if no
                  sale of Common Stock shall have been made on that  Exchange on
                  that date, on the next  preceding  business day on which there
                  was a sale of such stock on that Exchange.

                           (C) Fractional Shares: Whenever payment of the option
                  price  would  require  delivery  of a  fractional  share,  the
                  optionee  shall  deliver the next lower whole number of shares
                  of  Common  Stock  and a cash  payment  shall  be  made by the
                  optionee for the balance of the option price.

                           (D) Limitations on Exercises: The Corporation may, in
                  the  discretion  of its Board of  Directors,  refuse to permit
                  repeated and successive exercises of options, payment of which
                  is to be made in Common Stock, if the effect of such exercises
                  would be to  excessively  compound  or  pyramid  the number of
                  shares of Common Stock owned by the optionee.

         (b) Number of Shares: The option shall state the total number of shares
of Common Stock subject thereto.

         (c) Option Price: The option price shall be not less than 85 percent of
the fair market  value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of the granting
of the option. The fair market value of a share of Common Stock on any such date
is defined as the closing price per share thereof on the New York Stock Exchange
on that  date or,  if no sale of  Common  Stock  shall  have  been  made on that
Exchange on that date, on the next  preceding  business day on which there was a
sale of such stock on that Exchange.

         (d) Terms of Options:  Each option  granted under the Plan shall expire
not more than ten years from the date the option is granted.

         (e) Date of Exercise: Any option may be exercised at any time, in whole
or in part,  unless the Board of Directors  shall provide that an option may not
be exercised by the optionee,  in whole or in part, for any period or periods of
time;  provided,  however,  that no  option  shall be  exercisable  in part with
respect to a number of shares fewer than 100.

         (f)  Termination  of  Employment:  In  the  event  that  an  optionee's
employment by the Corporation shall terminate,  his option shall terminate three
months  following the date of termination  of his  employment;  however,  if the
employee  shall die while in the  employ of the  Corporation  during a period of
continuous  employment by the Corporation,  which includes the date on which the
option was granted, his estate, personal representative or beneficiary



                                                     - 3 -








shall  have the right,  subject to the  provisions  of  paragraphs  5(d) and (e)
hereof, to exercise his option at any time within twelve months from the date of
his death.  Whether an  authorized  leave of absence or absence on  military  or
government service shall constitute a termination of employment for the purposes
of the Plan shall be determined by the Board of Directors,  which  determination
shall be final and  conclusive.  For purposes of this  paragraph,  an optionee's
employment by a subsidiary shall be deemed to be employment by the Corporation.

         (g)  Recapitalization:  In the event of any  change  in  capitalization
which affects the Common Stock,  whether by stock dividend,  stock distribution,
stock split-up, subdivision or combination of shares, merger or consolidation or
otherwise, such proportionate adjustments,  if any, as the Board of Directors in
its  discretion  deems  appropriate  to reflect  such change  shall be made with
respect  to the total  number of shares  of  Common  Stock in  respect  of which
options  may be granted  under the Plan,  the  number of shares  covered by each
outstanding option, and the price per share under each such option; however, any
fractional shares resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated.

         A dissolution of the Corporation, or a merger or consolidation in which
the  Corporation is not the resulting or surviving  corporation (or in which the
Corporation is the resulting or surviving  corporation  but becomes a subsidiary
of another  corporation),  shall cause every  option  outstanding  hereunder  to
terminate  concurrently  with  consummation of any such  dissolution,  merger or
consolidation,  except that the resulting or surviving  corporation  (or, in the
event the Corporation is the resulting or surviving corporation but has become a
subsidiary of another corporation,  such other corporation) may, in its absolute
and uncontrolled discretion,  tender an option or options to purchase its shares
on terms and conditions,  both as to number of shares and otherwise,  which will
substantially  preserve the rights and  benefits of any option then  outstanding
hereunder.

         In the  event of a change  in the  Corporation's  presently  authorized
Common Stock which is limited to a change of all its presently authorized shares
with par value into the same number of shares with a different par value or into
the same number of shares without par value,  the shares resulting from any such
change shall be deemed to be Common Stock within the meaning of this Plan.

         (h)  Transferability:  No option, stock appreciation right or any other
right under the Plan shall be assignable or  transferable  except by will or the
laws of descent and distribution.  During an optionee's lifetime, only he or his
guardian or legal representative may exercise any such option or right.

         (i) Employee's  Agreements:  Each optionee shall agree to remain in the
employ of and to render his services to the  Corporation  or a subsidiary  for a
period of two years from the date of grant of the option.

         (j)  Rights as a  Stockholder:  An  optionee  shall have no rights as a
stockholder  with respect to shares  covered by his option until the date of the
issuance or transfer of the



                                                     - 4 -








shares to him and only after such shares are fully  paid.  Except as provided in
paragraph  5(g) no  adjustment  shall be made for  dividends or other rights for
which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance or transfer.

         (k) Provision for Taxes:  It shall be a condition to the  Corporation's
obligation  to issue or  reissue  shares of Common  Stock upon  exercise  of any
option or any related stock  appreciation  rights that the optionee pay, or make
provision  satisfactory to the Corporation for payment of, any federal and state
income and other taxes which the Corporation is obligated to withhold or collect
with respect to the issue or reissue of such shares.

         (l) Other Provisions:  The option  agreeements shall contain such other
provisions as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable.

         6. Term of Plan and Effective Date.  Options may be granted pursuant to
the Plan from time to time within ten years after January 30, 1984,  the date of
adoption  of the Plan by the Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation.  The Plan
shall be subject to approval by the affirmative  vote of the holders of at least
a majority of the  securities of the  Corporation  present,  or  represented  by
proxy, and entitled to vote at a meeting (to be duly held in accordance with the
applicable  laws of the state of  Delaware)  for  which  proxies  are  solicited
substantially in accordance with rules and  regulations,  if any, as are then in
effect  under  Section  14(a) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  which
approval must occur within twelve months after said date of adoption of the Plan
by the  Board of  Directors.  Options  and  stock  appreciation  rights  granted
pursuant to the Plan prior to such approval shall be subject to such approval.

         7.  Amendment  and  Discontinuance.  The  Board  of  Directors  of  the
Corporation  may alter,  amend,  suspend or  terminate  the Plan;  however,  any
amendment of the Plan which would materially (i) increase the benefits  accruing
to optionees under the Plan, (ii) increase the number of securities which may be
issued under the Plan or (iii) modify the  requirements  as to  eligibility  for
participation in the Plan, shall be subject to approval by holders of securities
of the  Corporation in the same manner as specified in paragraph 6 within twelve
months before or after the date of such amendment by the Board of Directors.

         8.  Application of Proceeds.  The proceeds  received by the Corporation
from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to options shall be available for general
corporate purposes.

         9. No  Obligation to Exercise  Option.  The granting of an option shall
impose no  obligation  upon the  optionee to exercise  the same,  in whole or in
part.

         10. Restrictions on Exercise. Any provision of the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding,  no option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be exercisable at
any time,  in whole or in part,  (i) prior to the shares of Common Stock subject
to the option being  authorized for listing on the New York Stock  Exchange,  or
(ii) if  issuance  and  delivery  of the shares of Common  Stock  subject to the
option would be in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.



                                                     - 5 -









         11.      Stock Appreciation Rights.

         (a) Grant of Stock Appreciation  Rights:  Stock appreciation rights may
be granted,  in connection  with all or any part of any option granted under the
Plan,  either at the time of the grant of the  option or at any time  thereafter
during the term of the option. The number of stock  appreciation  rights granted
to an optionee  shall not exceed the number of shares of Common  Stock which the
optionee may purchase  upon exercise of a related  option or options  granted to
him under the Plan.

         (b)      Exercise and Termination of Stock Appreciation Rights:

                  (1) A holder of stock  appreciation  rights may exercise  such
         rights, in whole or in part, in lieu of exercise of his related option,
         or any part thereof,  to the extent the option is then  exercisable and
         unexercised; in which event the optionee shall (i) surrender his option
         with  respect  to a  number  of  shares  equal to the  number  of stock
         appreciation rights exercised, and (ii) receive the number of shares of
         Common  Stock  or  amount  of cash  determined  pursuant  to  paragraph
         11(c)(3).  The number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant
         of future options and stock appreciation rights under the Plan shall be
         reduced by the number of shares  with  respect to which an option is so
         surrendered.

                  (2)  Upon any  exercise  of an  option  or the  related  stock
         appreciation  rights,  both the number of shares  subject to the option
         and the number of the  optionee's  stock  appreciation  rights shall be
         reduced  by  the  number  (i) of  shares  as to  which  the  option  is
         exercised,  or  (ii)  of  stock  appreciation  rights  exercised.  Upon
         expiration  or   termination  of  an  optionee's   option,   his  stock
         appreciation   rights  granted  in  connection   therewith  shall  also
         terminate or expire and may no longer be exercised.

         (c)  Terms  and  Conditions  of  Stock   Appreciation   Rights:   Stock
appreciation  rights  granted  to an  optionee  pursuant  to the  Plan  shall be
evidenced  by an  agreement  and shall be  subject  to the  following  terms and
conditions,  and to such other terms and  conditions not  inconsistent  with the
Plan as shall from time to time be provided by the Board of Directors:

                  (1) Stock appreciation rights may be exercised at the election
         of the  holder  at such time or  times,  and to the same  proportionate
         extent that the option to which they relate shall be exercisable.

                  (2) In the  event of any  adjustment,  pursuant  to  paragraph
         5(g),  in the  number of shares of Common  Stock  subject  to an option
         granted under the Plan, the number of stock appreciation rights granted
         thereunder  in  connection  with such option  shall be  proportionately
         adjusted.

                  (3)  Upon   exercise   of  stock   appreciation   rights,   in
         consideration  of the  surrender  or partial  surrender  of his related
         option and services theretofore rendered



                                                     - 6 -







         to the  Corporation  or a  subsidiary,  the  holder  thereof  shall  be
         entitled to receive,  with respect to each such right,  an amount equal
         to the difference between:

                           (A) The fair market  value of a share of Common Stock
                  at the time of exercise, and

                           (B) The per share option price for the shares subject
                  to the related option and the stock  appreciation  right being
                  exercised;  however,  if paid in cash  such  amount  shall not
                  exceed twice such per share option price. Such amount shall be
                  payable as the optionee shall elect, in cash, shares of Common
                  Stock  or any  combination  thereof;  however,  the  Board  of
                  Directors,  or the committee  appointed  pursuant to paragraph
                  3(d),  shall have sole  discretion to consent to or disapprove
                  any  election  to receive  cash in full or partial  payment of
                  such amount.  Such consent or disapproval  may be given at any
                  time  after the  election  to which it  relates  and no amount
                  shall  be  paid  in cash  prior  to  action  by the  Board  of
                  Directors (or the committee,  if one is appointed)  consenting
                  to  such  payment.  If the  optionee  is to  receive  all or a
                  portion of such amount in shares,  the number of shares  shall
                  be determined  by dividing  such amount or portion  thereof by
                  the fair market value of one share of Common Stock at the time
                  of exercise.  If the number of shares so  determined  is not a
                  whole  number,  such number shall be reduced to the next lower
                  whole number.

         For  purposes of this  paragraph  11(c)(3),  the fair market value of a
share of Common  Stock at the time of  exercise  of a stock  appreciation  right
shall be (i) in the case of any such right exercised during the period specified
in Rule 16b-3(e)(3)  (iii) under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (a "window
period"),  the fair market value of the Common  Stock for such window  period as
designated by the Board of Directors (or the committee,  if one is appointed) in
its discretion, which value shall not exceed the highest daily closing price per
share of Common Stock on the New York Stock  Exchange  during such window period
and shall be not less than the  arithmetic  mean of the daily closing  prices of
the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange  during such window  period,  or
(ii) in all other cases,  the closing price per share of Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange on the date of exercise or, if no sale of Common Stock shall
have been made on that Exchange on that date, on the next preceding business day
on which there was a sale of such stock on that Exchange.



                                                     - 7 -

                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                         1991 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

         1.  Purpose.  The  continued  growth and  success of  Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation  (the  "Corporation")  are dependent  upon its ability to retain the
services of key employees of the highest  competence  and to provide  incentives
for  effective  service  and  superior  performance.  The  purpose  of this 1991
Employee  Stock  Option Plan (the  "Plan") is to provide an incentive to certain
key employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries  (as hereinafter  defined)
to  continue in their  employment  and also to afford  them the  opportunity  to
acquire, or increase,  stock ownership in the Corporation in order that they may
have a direct  proprietary  interest in its success.  Options  granted under the
Plan  shall be  nonqualified  options  which  are not  intended  to  qualify  as
incentive stock options under Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code.

         2. Stock.  The stock subject to option and other provisions of the Plan
shall be shares of the Corporation's authorized but unissued, or reacquired,  $1
par value common stock  ("Common  Stock").  The total number of shares of Common
Stock with  respect  to which  options  may be  granted  shall not exceed in the
aggregate  1,000,000,  provided  that such  aggregate  number of shares shall be
subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5(g).

         In the  event  that any  outstanding  option  under  the Plan  shall be
canceled or  terminate  or expire  prior to the end of the period  during  which
options may be granted under the Plan,  the shares of Common Stock  allocable to
the  unexercised  portion of such option may be made the  subject of  additional
options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan.

         3. Administration; Grant of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.

         (a) The Plan shall be  administered  by the Board of  Directors  of the
Corporation;  however, any action relating to the Plan may be taken by the Board
of Directors  only if a majority of the Board of Directors and a majority of the
directors   acting  in  the  matter   are   disinterested   persons.   The  term
"disinterested  person" as used in this Plan shall have the meaning  ascribed to
it in the rules and  regulations  promulgated  by the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  pursuant to Section 16 of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act").

         (b) In administering the Plan, the Board of Directors may adopt,  amend
and rescind rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. The  interpretation
and decision of the Board of Directors with regard to any question arising under
the Plan  shall be final and  conclusive.  No  member of the Board of  Directors
shall be liable for any action  taken or  determination  made in good faith with
respect  to the Plan or to any  options  or stock  appreciation  rights  granted
pursuant to the Plan.




                                                     - 1 -








         (c) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3(a), the Board of Directors
shall grant options and stock appreciation  rights pursuant to the Plan. Options
or stock  appreciation  rights may be granted to the same  employee on more than
one occasion.  Options may be granted without related stock appreciation rights.
Stock appreciation rights may be granted only with respect to a related option.

         (d) Pursuant to the bylaws of the  Corporation,  the Board of Directors
may designate a committee of not less than three directors, all of whom shall be
"disinterested  persons" as that term is defined in paragraph  3(a),  which,  in
lieu of the Board of  Directors,  shall  have  full  authority  pursuant  to the
foregoing  subparagraphs  (a),  (b) and  (c) of  paragraph  3,  or  such  lesser
authority  as the Board of  Directors  may provide in such  designation.  To the
extent of such  designation,  any  reference to "Board of Directors" in the Plan
shall be deemed to refer to such committee.

         4. Eligibility. The individuals who shall be eligible to participate in
the Plan shall be such salaried  employees  (including  officers who may also be
directors) of the  Corporation or of any  corporation  in which the  Corporation
owns, directly or indirectly, stock possessing more than 50 percent of the total
combined  voting power of all classes of stock (such a corporation  being herein
called a "subsidiary") as the Board of Directors shall determine.

         5. Terms and  Conditions of Options.  Options  granted  pursuant to the
Plan shall be  evidenced  by  agreements  in such form as the Board of Directors
shall from time to time  approve,  which  agreements  shall  comply  with and be
subject to the following terms and conditions:

         (a)  Payment:  Upon  exercise  of an option,  in whole or in part,  the
option price for shares to which the exercise  relates  shall be paid in full in
cash; except that

                  (1)  shares  to  be  issued  pursuant  to  exercise  of  stock
         appreciation  rights  pursuant to paragraph 11, if any, shall be issued
         without any cash payment by the optionee; and

                  (2) the Board of Directors may, in its  discretion,  designate
         an  option,  at the  time of  grant  or  thereafter,  as  eligible  for
         alternative  methods of payment  of the option  price on the  following
         terms and conditions:

                           (A) Method of Payment: Payment of the option price of
                  shares  subject to an option so designated may be made, at the
                  election of the  optionee,  either in cash or by delivering to
                  the  Corporation  shares of Common  Stock having a fair market
                  value equal to the option price,  or any  combination  of cash
                  and Common Stock  having a combined  value equal to the option
                  price.  Shares of Common  Stock may not be used in  payment or
                  partial  payment unless an option for at least 2,000 shares is
                  being exercised.




                                                     - 2 -








                           (B)  Payment  in Common  Stock:  Payment in shares of
                  Common Stock shall be made by  delivering  to the  Corporation
                  certificates,  duly endorsed for transfer, representing shares
                  of Common Stock  having an aggregate  fair market value on the
                  date of  exercise  equal to that  portion of the option  price
                  which is to be paid in Common Stock.  The fair market value of
                  a share  of  Common  Stock on the  date of  exercise  shall be
                  deemed to be the  closing  price per share of Common  Stock on
                  the New York Stock  Exchange on the date of exercise or, if no
                  sale of Common Stock shall have been made on that  Exchange on
                  that date, on the next  preceding  business day on which there
                  was a sale of such stock on that Exchange.

                           (C) Fractional Shares: Whenever payment of the option
                  price  would  require  delivery  of a  fractional  share,  the
                  optionee  shall  deliver the next lower whole number of shares
                  of  Common  Stock  and a cash  payment  shall  be  made by the
                  optionee for the balance of the option price.

                           (D) Limitations on Exercises: The Corporation may, in
                  the  discretion  of its Board of  Directors,  refuse to permit
                  repeated and successive exercises of options, payment of which
                  is to be made in Common Stock,  if the effect of such exercise
                  would be to  excessively  compound  or  pyramid  the number of
                  shares of Common Stock owned by the optionee.

         (b) Number of Shares: The option shall state the total number of shares
of Common Stock subject thereto.

         (c) Option Price: The option price shall be not less than 85 percent of
the fair market  value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of the granting
of the option. The fair market value of a share of Common Stock on any such date
is defined as the closing price per share thereof on the New York Stock Exchange
on that  date or,  if no sale of  Common  Stock  shall  have  been  made on that
Exchange on that date, on the next  preceding  business day on which there was a
sale of such stock on that Exchange.

         (d) Term of Option: Each option granted under the Plan shall expire not
more than ten years from the date the option is granted.

         (e) Date of Exercise: Any option may be exercised at any time following
the  expiration  of six  months  after the date of  grant,  in whole or in part,
unless the Board of Directors  shall provide that an option may not be exercised
by the  optionee,  in whole or in  part,  for any  period  or  periods  of time;
provided, however, that no option shall be exercisable in part with respect to a
number of shares fewer than 100. An option  agreement  may, in the discretion of
the Board of Directors, provide that an option will become immediately and fully
exercisable  (i) in the  event  of  death  of the  optionee  or  (ii)  upon  the
occurrence of a change of control of the Corporation.  For purposes of the Plan,
a change  of  control  shall be  deemed  to occur if (x) any  person  or  group,
together with its affiliates and associates  (other than the  Corporation or any
of its subsidiaries or employee benefit plans),



                                                     - 3 -








acquires  direct or indirect  beneficial  ownership of 20 percent or more of the
then outstanding  shares of Common Stock or commences a tender or exchange offer
for 30 percent or more of the then  outstanding  shares of Common Stock,  or (y)
the   Corporation  is  to  be  liquidated  or  dissolved.   The  terms  "group,"
"affiliates,"  "associates"  and "beneficial  ownership" shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the rules and  regulations  promulgated  under the  Exchange
Act.

         (f)  Termination  of  Employment:  In  the  event  that  an  optionee's
employment by the Corporation shall terminate,  his option shall terminate three
months  following the date of termination  of his  employment;  however,  if the
employee  shall die while in the  employ of the  Corporation  during a period of
continuous  employment by the Corporation,  which includes the date on which the
option was granted,  his estate,  personal  representative  or beneficiary shall
have the right,  subject to the  provisions  of paragraph  5(e), to exercise his
option at any time within 12 months from the date of his death,  notwithstanding
the option term  specified  pursuant to paragraph  5(d).  Whether an  authorized
leave of absence or absence on military or government service shall constitute a
termination  of  employment  for the purposes of the Plan shall be determined by
the Board of Directors. For purposes of this paragraph, optionee's employment by
a subsidiary shall be deemed to be employment by the Corporation.

         (g)  Recapitalization:  In the event of any  change  in  capitalization
which affects the Common Stock,  whether by stock dividend,  stock distribution,
stock split,  subdivision or combination of shares,  merger or  consolidation or
otherwise, such proportionate adjustments,  if any, as the Board of Directors in
its  discretion  deems  appropriate  to reflect  such change  shall be made with
respect  to the total  number of shares  of  Common  Stock in  respect  of which
options  may be granted  under the Plan,  the  number of shares  covered by each
outstanding  option,  and the  exercise  price per share under each such option;
however,  any  fractional  shares  resulting from any such  adjustment  shall be
eliminated.

         A dissolution of the Corporation, or a merger or consolidation in which
the  Corporation is not the resulting or surviving  corporation (or in which the
Corporation is the resulting or surviving  corporation  but becomes a subsidiary
of another  corporation),  shall cause every  option  outstanding  hereunder  to
terminate  concurrently  with  consummation of any such  dissolution,  merger or
consolidation,  except that the resulting or surviving  corporation  (or, in the
event the Corporation is the resulting or surviving corporation but has become a
subsidiary of another corporation,  such other corporation) may, in its absolute
and uncontrolled discretion,  tender an option or options to its shares on terms
and  conditions,  both  as  to  number  of  shares  and  otherwise,  which  will
substantially  preserve the rights and  benefits of any option then  outstanding
hereunder.

         In the  event of a change  in the  Corporation's  presently  authorized
Common Stock which is limited to a change of all its presently authorized shares
with par value into the same number of shares with a different par value or into
the same number of shares without par value,  the shares resulting from any such
change shall be deemed to be Common Stock within the meaning of this Plan.



                                                     - 4 -









         (h)  Transferability:  No option, stock appreciation right or any other
right under the Plan shall be assignable or  transferable  other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution.  During an optionee's lifetime, only he or
his guardian or legal representative may exercise any such option or right.

         (i)  Employee's  Agreements:  Each option  shall agree to remain in the
employ of and to render his services to the  Corporation  or a subsidiary  for a
period of one year from the date of grant of the option.

         (j)  Rights as a  Stockholder:  An  optionee  shall have no rights as a
stockholder  with respect to shares  covered by his option until the date of the
issuance  or  transfer of the shares to him and only after such shares are fully
paid.  Except as  provided in  paragraph  5(g) no  adjustment  shall be made for
dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such
issuance or transfer.

         (k) Provision for Taxes:  It shall be a condition to the  Corporation's
obligation  to issue or  reissue  shares of Common  Stock upon  exercise  of any
option or any related stock  appreciation  rights that the optionee pay, or make
provision  satisfactory to the Corporation for payment of, any federal and state
income and other taxes which the Corporation is obligated to withhold or collect
with respect to the issue or reissue of such shares.

         (l) Other  Provisions:  The option  agreements shall contain such other
provisions as the Board of Directors shall deem advisable.

         6. Effective Date and Term of Plan.  Options may be granted pursuant to
the Plan from time to time  beginning  February 3, 1991, the date of adoption of
the Plan by the Board of Directors of the  Corporation.  The Plan shall continue
in effect  until  options have been granted  covering  all  available  shares of
Common Stock as specified in paragraph 2 or until the Plan is  terminated by the
Board of Directors, whichever is earlier, except as provided below.

         The Plan shall be subject to  approval by the  affirmative  vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the securities of the Corporation  present, or
represented  by proxy,  and  entitled  to vote at a meeting  (to be duly held in
accordance  with the applicable laws of the state of Delaware) for which proxies
are solicited substantially in accordance with rules and regulations, if any, as
are then in effect under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act,  which approval must
occur within  twelve months after said date of adoption of the Plan by the Board
of Directors. Options and stock appreciation rights granted pursuant to the Plan
prior to such approval shall be subject to such approval.

         7. Amendment or Termination.  The Board of Directors may alter,  amend,
suspend  or  terminate  the Plan at any time.  Amendments  to the Plan  shall be
subject to  stockholder  approval  to the  extent  required  to comply  with any
exemption to the short-swing  profit provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act pursuant to rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder or with the rules
and regulations of any securities exchange on which



                                                     - 5 -








the Common  Stock is listed.  Expiration  or  termination  of the Plan shall not
affect outstanding  options or stock  appreciation  rights except as provided in
paragraph 6. The Board of Directors may also modify the terms and  conditions of
any  outstanding  option,  subject to the consent of the optionee and consistent
with the provisions of the Plan.

         8.  Application of Proceeds.  The proceeds  received by the Corporation
from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to options shall be available for general
corporate purposes.

         9. No  Obligation to Exercise  Option.  The granting of an option shall
impose no  obligation  upon the  optionee to exercise  the same,  in whole or in
part.

         10. Restrictions on Exercise. Any provision of the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding,  no option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be exercisable at
any time,  in whole or in part,  (i) prior to the shares of Common Stock subject
to the option being  authorized for listing on the New York Stock  Exchange,  or
(ii) if  issuance  and  delivery  of the shares of Common  Stock  subject to the
option would be in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.

         11.      Stock Appreciation Rights.

         (a) Grant of Stock Appreciation  Rights:  Stock appreciation rights may
be granted,  in connection  with all or any put of any option  granted under the
Plan,  either at the time of the grant of the  option or at any time  thereafter
during the term of the option. The number of stock  appreciation  rights granted
to an optionee  shall not exceed the number of shares of Common  Stock which the
optionee may purchase  upon exercise of a related  option or options  granted to
him under the Plan.

         (b)      Exercise and Termination of Stock Appreciation Rights:

                  (1) A holder of stock  appreciation  rights may exercise  such
         rights, in whole or in part, in lieu of exercise of his related option,
         or any part thereof,  to the extent the option is then  exercisable and
         unexercised; in which event the optionee shall (i) surrender his option
         with  respect  to a  number  of  shares  equal to the  number  of stock
         appreciation rights exercised, and (ii) receive the number of shares of
         Common  Stock  or  amount  of cash  determined  pursuant  to  paragraph
         11(c)(3).  The number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant
         of future options and stock appreciation rights under the Plan shall be
         reduced by the number of shares  with  respect to which an option is so
         surrendered.

                  (2)  Upon any  exercise  of an  option  or the  related  stock
         appreciation  rights,  both the number of shares  subject to the option
         and the number of the  optionee's  stock  appreciation  rights shall be
         reduced  by (i)  the  number  of  shares  as to  which  the  option  is
         exercised,  or (ii) the number of stock appreciation  rights exercised.
         Upon  expiration  or  termination  of an optionee's  option,  his stock
         appreciation   rights  granted  in  connection   therewith  shall  also
         terminate or expire and may no longer be exercised.



                                                     - 6 -









         (c)  Terms  and  Conditions  of  Stock   Appreciation   Rights:   Stock
appreciation  rights  granted  to an  optionee  pursuant  to the  Plan  shall be
evidenced  by an  agreement  and shall be  subject  to the  following  terms and
conditions,  and to such other terms and  conditions not  inconsistent  with the
Plan as shall from time to time be provided by the Board of Directors:

                  (1) Stock appreciation rights may be exercised at the election
         of the  holder  at such time or  times,  and to the same  proportionate
         extent that the option to which they relate shall be exercisable.

                  (2) In the  event of any  adjustment,  pursuant  to  paragraph
         5(g),  in the  number of shares of Common  Stock  subject  to an option
         granted under the Plan, the number of stock appreciation rights granted
         thereunder  in  connection  with such option  shall be  proportionately
         adjusted.

                  (3)  Upon   exercise   of  stock   appreciation   rights,   in
         consideration  of the  surrender  or partial  surrender  of his related
         option  and  services  theretofore  rendered  to the  Corporation  or a
         subsidiary,  the holder  thereof  shall be entitled  to  receive,  with
         respect to each such right, an amount equal to the difference between:

                           (A) The fair market  value of a share of Common Stock
                  at the time of exercise, and

                           (B) The per share option price for the shares subject
                  to the related option and the stock  appreciation  right being
                  exercised;  however,  if paid in cash  such  amount  shall not
                  exceed twice such per share option price.

         Such amount  shall be payable as the  optionee  shall  elect,  in cash,
shares  of  Common  Stock or any  combination  thereof;  however,  the  Board of
Directors shall have sole discretion to consent to or disapprove any election to
receive  cash  in full or  partial  payment  of such  amount.  Such  consent  or
disapproval  may be given at any time after the election to which it relates and
no  amount  shall be paid in cash  prior to  action  by the  Board of  Directors
consenting  to such  payment.  If the optionee is to receive all or a portion of
such amount in shares, the number of shares shall be determined by dividing such
amount or portion  thereof by the fair market value of one share of Common Stock
at the time of exercise.  If the number of shares so  determined  is not a whole
number, such number shall be reduced to the next lower whole number.

         For  purposes of this  paragraph  11(c)(3),  the fair market value of a
share of Common  Stock at the time of  exercise  of a stock  appreciation  right
shall be (i) in the case of any such right exercised during the period specified
in Rule  16b-3(e)(3)(iii)  under the  Exchange  Act (or any  successor  rule) (a
"window  period"),  the fair  market  value of the Common  Stock for such window
period as  designated by the Board of Directors in its  discretion,  which value
shall not exceed the highest  daily  closing  price per share of Common Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange during such window period and shall be not less than
the  arithmetic  mean of the closing  price per share of the Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange during



                                                     - 7 -







such window period,  or (ii) in all other cases,  the closing price per share of
Common  Stock on the New York Stock  Exchange on the date of exercise  or, if no
sale of Common Stock shall have been made on that  Exchange on that date, on the
next  preceding  business  day on which  there was a sale of such  stock on that
Exchange.




                                                     - 8 -
                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                      DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
                                 August 1, 1985

                  This Plan shall be known as the Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation
Directors'  Deferred  Compensation  Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to provide
for deferral of directors' compensation.

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   Eligibility

                  Any  member of the  Board of  Directors  of  Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation  (the "Company") other than an employee of the Company or one of its
subsidiaries who is entitled to compensation  from the Company for services as a
director ("Eligible Director") may elect to defer receipt of such compensation.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                  Participation

                  1.  Election.  An Eligible  Director  becomes a Participant by
filing  with the  Company a form of  election  to  participate  provided  by the
Company. An Eligible Director may elect to defer either:





                                                     - 1 -



                  (a) The Eligible Director's annual director's fees; or

                  (b)  All  compensation  to be  earned  as a  director  of  the
         Company, including annual director's fees and fees for attendance at or
         participation in board of directors or committee meetings.

                  2.  Election  Deadlines.  An  Eligible  Director  may  file an
election on or prior to December 31 to defer compensation  earned for subsequent
calendar years.

                  Any person who becomes an Eligible Director and who was not an
Eligible  Director on the preceding  December 31 may file an election  before he
attends his first meeting as a director to defer compensation  earned during the
remainder of that calendar year and subsequent calendar years.



                                   ARTICLE III

                                Deferred Account

                  A deferred  reserve account (the "Deferred  Account") shall be
established  for each  Participant  for  bookkeeping  purposes only and not as a
fund.  Deferred  compensation  earned  during a quarter shall be credited to the
Deferred Account as of the end of such quarter.

                  There shall be credited to each Participant's Deferred Account
as of the end of each quarter an amount equal to interest on the account balance
at the beginning of such quarter at a rate equal to the 90-day  commercial paper
rate for high-grade  unsecured notes 


                                                     - 2 -




sold  through  dealers by major  corporations  as reported in the "Money  Rates"
report of the Wall Street Journal for the first business day of such quarter.

                  A  Participant's  rights  are  limited to  receiving  from the
Company payment of the balance in the Deferred Account.

                  The Deferred  Account of a Participant  shall continue for all
purposes  to be a part of the  general  funds of the  Company.  A  Participant's
rights shall be no greater than the rights of any unsecured  general creditor of
the Company.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  Nonassignment

                  A Participant's  right to his Deferred Account shall not be in
any manner assigned, transferred, pledged, or encumbered by a Participant except
by will or the laws of  descent  and  distribution,  and shall not be subject to
levy,  attachment,  garnishment  or other  process by or on behalf of any of the
Participant's creditors.


                                    ARTICLE V

                           Payment of Deferred Account

                  Payment of a Participant's Deferred Account shall begin on the
first day of the first quarter after the Participant  ceases being a director of
the Company.


                                                     - 3 -



                  A  Participant   must  elect  (in  the  form  of  election  to
participate) to receive payment of his Deferred  Account in either a lump sum or
in equal quarterly installments payable over a five-year or a ten-year period.

                  Payments shall be made to the Participant or, if he dies prior
to receiving full payment of his Deferred  Account,  to his surviving spouse or,
if there is no surviving spouse, in one lump sum to his estate.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                 Administration

                  This Plan shall be administered by the Compensation  Committee
of the  Board  (the  "Committee").  The  Committee  shall  have  full  power and
authority to interpret the  provisions  and to supervise the  administration  of
this Plan and to take all action in connection  therewith as it deems  necessary
or advisable. All decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be final.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                   Termination

                  1. Termination of  Participation.  A Participant may terminate
participation by signing and filing with the Company a notice of termination.  A
notice of  termination  filed on or prior to December 31 shall be effective  for
compensation  earned in subsequent calendar years. A Director's Deferred Account
will continue to be subject to the provisions 


                                                     - 4 -



of this Plan following termination of participation. An Eligible Participant who
terminates participation may again elect to participate in the Plan.

                  2.  Termination  of Plan.  This Plan shall  continue in effect
until  terminated by resolution of the Board. In the event of termination of the
Plan,  Deferred  Accounts  existing  prior to  termination  shall continue to be
subject to the provisions of the Plan as if the Plan had not been terminated.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                    Amendment

                  This Plan may be amended  from time to time by  resolution  of
the Board,  but no such amendment  shall permit a Deferred  Account  established
pursuant to the Plan prior to the amendment to be paid to a Participant prior to
the time the Participant would otherwise be entitled to receive it.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                 Effective Date

                  This  Plan is  effective  January  1,  1986,  and  applies  to
compensation earned by Participant on or after that date.


                                                     - 5 -


                         ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
                    LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION DIRECTORS'
                           DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

                  I elect to  participate in the  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation
Directors' Deferred  Compensation Plan (the "Plan"),  and I agree to be bound by
the terms and conditions of the Plan.

                  I elect to defer pursuant to the Plan:

                  ___      My annual directors' fees.

                  ___      All  compensation  to be earned by me as a  director,
                           including   annual   directors'  fees  and  fees  for
                           attendance at or  participation in board of directors
                           or committee meetings.

                  I further  elect that my  Deferred  Account to be  established
pursuant to the Plan shall be paid to me as follows:

                  ___      In a lump sum on the first day of the first  calendar
                           quarter   after  I  cease   being   a   director   of
                           Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

                  ___      In equal quarterly installments over a period of

                           ___      five years or
                           ___      ten years

                           beginning  on the  first  day of the  first  calendar
                           quarter   after  I  cease   being   a   director   of
                           Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

                  I understand that this election irrevocably (i) defers receipt
of my compensation  as a director of  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation  while this
election is effective, and (ii) establishes the method of payment of my Deferred
Account to be established pursuant to the Plan.

Dated:  ________________, 19__

                                         ----------------------------------
                                         Director

Receipt Acknowledged:
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation


By ___________________________________

Dated:  ______________________________

                                                     - 6 -

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10H(1)

                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                       KEY EMPLOYEE RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN


1.       Purpose.

                  The   continued   growth  and  success  of   Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation are dependent upon its ability to attract and retain the services of
key  employees of the highest  competence  and to provide  incentives  for their
effective service and superior performance. The purpose of the Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation  Key Employee  Restricted  Stock Plan is to advance the interests of
Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation through a program permitting grants of restricted
stock which will attract,  motivate,  and retain key employees and encourage key
employees   to   identify   with   the   interests   of  the   stockholders   of
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.


2.       Definitions.

                  When used in the Plan,  the  following  terms  shall  have the
meanings set forth below:

                  (a) Agreement.  "Agreement" means the written Restricted Stock
Award Agreement that evidences a Restricted Stock Award.

                  (b)  Award  Date.  "Award  Date"  means  the  date on  which a
Restricted Stock Award is made.

                  (c)  Board.   "Board"   means  the  Board  of   Directors   of
Louisiana-Pacific.

                  (d) Committee. "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of
the Board.

                  (e) Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.

                  (f) Executive Officer. "Executive Officer" means the president
or any vice president of Louisiana-Pacific.

                  (g) Fair Market  Value.  "Fair Market Value" of a Share on any
date  means  the  closing  price of a Share as  reported  on the New York  Stock
Exchange  Composite Tape for that date or, if no Share was sold on that Exchange
on that  date,  on the  next  preceding  day on  which a Share  was sold on that
Exchange.




                                                     - 1 -








                  (h)     Louisiana-Pacific.      "Louisiana-Pacific"      means
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

                  (i) Participant.  "Participant" means an eligible employee who
has received a Restricted Stock Award under the Plan.

                  (j) Plan. "Plan" means the  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation Key
Employee Restricted Stock Plan as described herein.

                  (k)  Restricted  Stock  Award.  "Restricted  Stock  Award"  or
"Award"  means an award of the  right to  receive a grant of  Restricted  Shares
under the Plan.

                  (1) Share. "Share" means a share of Louisiana-Pacific's $1 par
value common stock.

                  (m)  Subsidiary.  "Subsidiary"  means any corporation in which
Louisiana-Pacific  owns,  directly or indirectly,  stock possessing more than 50
percent  of the total  combined  voting  power of all  classes  of stock in such
corporation.

                  Capitalized  terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings as the  definitions  of such terms  included  in the General  Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act.


3.       Eligibility.

                  The persons who shall be eligible to receive  Restricted Stock
Awards under the Plan shall be salaried  employees  (including  officers who may
also be directors) of Louisiana-Pacific and its subsidiaries.


4.       Administration.

                  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  However,  no
action  regarding  the Plan may be taken by the  Committee  unless the Committee
consists  of three or more  persons all of whom are  "disinterested  persons" as
that term is defined in Rule 16b-3(d)(3) under the Exchange Act.

                  The Committee  shall be authorized,  subject to the provisions
of  the  Plan,  to  adopt,   amend,   and  rescind  rules  and  regulations  for
administration  of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings and to take all
action  necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan, to interpret the Plan's
provisions,  and to decide all  questions  and  resolve  all  controversies  and
disputes   which  may  arise  in  connection   with  the  Plan.  All  decisions,
determinations, and interpretations of the Committee with regard to any question
arising  under  the Plan  shall  be  conclusive  and  binding  upon all  parties
concerned. No member of



                                                     - 2 -








the Committee or the Board shall be liable for any action taken or determination
made in good faith.


5.       Grant of Restricted Stock Awards.

                  The Committee  shall have the sole authority and discretion to
make Restricted Stock Awards to Executive  Officers,  division general managers,
and other key employees recommended for such Awards by an Executive Officer or a
division  general  manager  and to  determine  the number of Shares of each such
Award.

                  Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Agreement
in such form and containing such terms, not  inconsistent  with the Plan, as the
Committee from time to time shall approve.  Restricted  Stock Awards may be made
to the same person on more than one occasion.


6.       Shares Subject to Restricted Stock Awards.

                  Shares  subject to Restricted  Stock Awards under the Plan may
be either authorized but unissued Shares or treasury Shares. The total number of
Shares with respect to which  Restricted Stock Awards may be made under the Plan
shall  not  exceed  1,700,000  Shares,  or such  greater  number of Shares as is
determined  pursuant to an adjustment in accordance with Section 8. In the event
that any Shares previously subject to Awards under the Plan are forfeited,  such
Shares shall again be available for use in connection with new Restricted  Stock
Awards under the Plan.


7.       Terms of Restricted Stock Awards.

                  (a) Issuance of Shares. No Shares shall be issued on the Award
Date.  Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be issued on the date or
dates set forth in the Agreement  evidencing  such Award,  provided that no such
date shall occur earlier than the first  anniversary of the Award Date except as
provided  in Section 8 below,  and  provided  further  that the  Participant  is
employed by  Louisiana-Pacific  or any of its  Subsidiaries  on such date.  Such
Shares shall be represented by stock certificates  registered in the name of the
Participant and, if not delivered to the Participant  pursuant to subsection (c)
hereof  immediately  following  issuance,  shall  be  held  in  the  custody  of
Louisiana-Pacific.

                  (b) Rights as Stockholder  Prior to Delivery of Shares.  After
issuance  of the Shares and prior to delivery  of the  Shares,  the  Participant
shall have the right to receive dividends,  to vote the Shares, and to enjoy all
other stockholder  rights, with the exception that (i) the Participant shall not
be  entitled  to  delivery  of  a  stock   certificate  for  the  Shares,   (ii)
Louisiana-Pacific  shall retain custody of the shares, and (iii) the Participant
may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, exchange, encumber, or otherwise dispose
of the Shares.



                                                     - 3 -









                  (c) Delivery of Shares. Subject to the provisions of the Plan,
and any additional conditions and restrictions  (including,  but not limited to,
performance  criteria based on earnings per share,  return on assets,  return on
equity,  net income, or such other standard as the Committee deems  appropriate)
that may be imposed by the Committee and set forth in the Agreement, one or more
stock  certificates  for the Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be
delivered to the  Participant on such date or dates as shall be set forth in the
Agreement  evidencing  such  Award,  provided  that such Shares have been issued
pursuant to  subsection  (a) hereof.  The Committee may at any time, in its sole
discretion,  accelerate  the date of  delivery of all or a portion of the Shares
issued pursuant to an Award. A Participant  shall enjoy all  stockholder  rights
with  respect to Shares that may have been  delivered  and such Shares  shall no
longer be subject to the terms of the Plan or the Agreement.

                  (d)  Termination  of  Employment.  Notwithstanding  any  other
provisions to the contrary,  in the event that a  Participant's  employment with
Louisiana-Pacific  and its  Subsidiaries  terminates  for any reason  (including
retirement, death, or disability), (i) any Restricted Stock Award granted to the
Participant shall immediately  expire, (ii) no further Shares shall be delivered
to the Participant  pursuant to a Restricted  Stock Award,  and (iii) any Shares
issued pursuant to a Restricted  Stock Award that have not yet been delivered to
the  Participant  shall  be  forfeited  back to  Louisiana-Pacific.  The date of
termination of a Participant's  employment shall be determined by the Committee,
which determination shall be final.

                  (e)  Nontransferability  of Award.  No Restricted  Stock Award
shall be subject to sale, transfer,  assignment, pledge, or encumbrance, and any
such attempted action shall be void.


8.       Changes Affecting Shares.

                  In the event of any change in capitalization which affects the
Shares, whether by stock dividend, stock distribution,  stock split, subdivision
or  combination  of  Shares,  merger  or  consolidation,   or  otherwise,   such
proportionate  adjustments,  if any, as the  Committee in its  discretion  deems
appropriate  to  reflect  such  change  shall be made with  respect to the total
number of Shares for which Restricted Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan
and the number of Shares covered by outstanding Awards;  however, any fractional
Shares resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated.

                  If (i) any person or Group,  together with its  Affiliates and
Associates (other than Louisiana-Pacific or any of its Affiliates,  subsidiaries
or employee benefit plans),  acquires direct or indirect Beneficial ownership of
20  percent  or more of the then  outstanding  Shares or  commences  a tender or
exchange offer for 30 percent or more of the then  outstanding  Shares,  or (ii)
Louisiana-Pacific  is to be liquidated  or dissolved,  the Committee in its sole
discretion may accelerate the date on which Shares are to be issued  pursuant to
Section 7(a) or may terminate outstanding Restricted Stock Awards.



                                                     - 4 -









                  In the  event of a  change  in  Louisiana-Pacific's  presently
authorized  Shares  which  is  limited  to a  change  of all  of  its  presently
authorized  shares of $1 par value  common  stock into the same number of shares
with a different par value or into the same number of shares  without par value,
the shares  resulting  from any such change shall be deemed to be Shares  within
the meaning of the Plan.


9.       Effective Date.

                  The Plan shall become  effective  upon  adoption by the Board,
subject  to  approval  by  the  holders  of a  majority  of  the  securities  of
Louisiana-Pacific  present,  or represented by proxy,  and entitled to vote at a
meeting (to be duly held in accordance  with the applicable laws of the state of
Delaware) for which proxies are solicited substantially in accordance with rules
and  regulations,  if any,  as are then in  effect  under  Section  14(a) of the
Exchange  Act,  provided the total vote cast on the proposal to approve the Plan
represents  over 50 percent in  interest  of all  securities  entitled  to vote.
Restricted  Stock  Awards  made under the Plan prior to such  approval  shall be
subject to such approval.


10.      Amendment and Termination of Plan.

                  The Board may amend,  suspend, or terminate the Plan, in whole
or in part, from time to time,  provided that, without a Participant's  consent,
no such amendment, suspension, or termination shall impair rights or obligations
pursuant to outstanding  Restricted Stock Awards;  and, provided  further,  that
stockholder  approval shall be obtained for any such amendment,  suspension,  or
termination which materially (i) increases the benefits accruing to Participants
under the Plan,  (ii)  increases  the number of Shares which may be issued under
the Plan  (other  than  pursuant  to Section 8 hereof),  or (iii)  modifies  the
requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan.


11.      Miscellaneous Provisions.

                  (a) No Right of Continued Employment.  Nothing in the Plan, or
in any Restricted  Stock Award granted  pursuant to the Plan,  shall confer upon
any person the right to  continue in the employ of  Louisiana-Pacific  or any of
its Subsidiaries, or interfere in any way with the right of Louisiana-Pacific or
any Subsidiary to terminate the person's employment at any time.

                  (b) Withholding  Taxes. A Participant shall be required to pay
to  Louisiana-Pacific  an amount sufficient to provide for any withholding taxes
in  connection  with  a  Restricted  Stock  Award.  The  Committee  may,  in its
discretion  and subject to such rules as it may adopt,  permit a Participant  to
satisfy this  withholding  obligation by electing (i) to have  Louisiana-Pacific
withhold  from the Shares  otherwise  to be delivered  to the  Participant  that
number of Shares that would satisfy the withholding obligation or (ii) to



                                                     - 5 -







transfer to  Louisiana-Pacific  already owned Shares to satisfy the  withholding
obligation.  In  addition,  the  Committee  may  permit a  Participant  to elect
withholding  in the  manner  specified  above in  excess  of  statutory  minimum
withholding  requirements as long as such  withholding in the aggregate does not
exceed a  Participant's  estimated tax obligations  arising from  recognition of
compensation income in connection with a Restricted Stock Award. All withholding
elections  must be made on or  before  the  date  that the  amount  of tax to be
withheld is determined.

                  (c)  Delaware  Law to  Govern.  The  Plan  and all  Agreements
entered  into under the Plan shall be  constructed  pursuant  to the laws of the
State of Delaware.

                  (d)   Restrictions   on  Issuance   and  Delivery  of  Shares.
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary,  Louisiana-Pacific reserves
the  right to  restrict  the  issuance  and  delivery  of Shares  pursuant  to a
Restricted  Stock  Award  under the Plan  until  such  time as (i)  satisfactory
assurances  are received that the Shares when issued shall be duly listed on the
New York Stock Exchange,  (ii) any legal  requirements or regulations  have been
met relating to the  registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933
and any applicable state laws, and (iii) any other legal  requirements have been
met.



                                                     - 6 -

                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION

                         1997 INCENTIVE STOCK AWARD PLAN

                             Effective March 1, 1997







                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                         1997 INCENTIVE STOCK AWARD PLAN

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page ARTICLE 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE......................................................................... 1 1.1 Establishment................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose......................................................................................... 1 ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS....................................................................................... 1 2.1 Defined Terms................................................................................... 1 ARTICLE 3. ADMINISTRATION.................................................................................... 3 3.1 General......................................................................................... 3 3.3 Liability of Committee Members.................................................................. 3 ARTICLE 4. DURATION OF THE PLAN AND SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN................................................................................................. 3 4.1 Duration of the Plan............................................................................ 3 4.2 Other Stock Plans............................................................................... 3 ARTICLE 5. ELIGIBILITY....................................................................................... 4 ARTICLE 6. AWARDS............................................................................................ 4 6.1 Types of Awards................................................................................. 4 6.2 Award Agreements................................................................................ 4 6.3 Nonuniform Determinations....................................................................... 4 6.4 Provisions Governing All Awards................................................................. 5 ARTICLE 7. STOCK OPTIONS..................................................................................... 5 ARTICLE 8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS......................................................................... 6 ARTICLE 9. PERFORMANCE SHARES................................................................................ 6 ARTICLE 10. RESTRICTED STOCK................................................................................. 7 ARTICLE 11. OTHER STOCK-BASED AND COMBINATION AWARDS......................................................... 8 ARTICLE 12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION....................................................... 8 - i - ARTICLE 13. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION........................................................................ 8 ARTICLE 14. MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................................... 8 14.1 Tax Withholding................................................................................ 8 14.2 Securities Law Restrictions.................................................................... 9 14.3 Governing Law.................................................................................. 9 ARTICLE 15. STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL............................................................................. 9
- ii - LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION 1997 INCENTIVE STOCK AWARD PLAN ARTICLE 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE 1.1 Establishment. LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION ("Corporation"), hereby establishes the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 1997 Incentive Stock Award Plan (the "Plan"), effective as of March 1, 1997, subject to stockholder approval as provided in Article . 1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term interests of Corporation and its stockholders by enabling Corporation to attract, retain, and reward key employees of Corporation and its subsidiaries and to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such employees and Corporation's stockholders. The Plan is designed to serve this purpose by offering stock options and other equity-based incentive awards and encourage key employees to acquire an ownership in Corporation. ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1 Defined Terms. The following definitions are applicable to the Plan: "AWARD" means an award or grant made to a Participant pursuant to the Plan. "AWARD AGREEMENT" means an agreement as described in Section of the Plan. "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of Corporation. "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time, or any successor thereto, together with rules, regulations, and interpretations promulgated thereunder. Where the context so requires, any reference to a particular Code section will be construed to refer to the successor provision to such Code section. "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee of the Board. - 1 - "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, $1 par value, of Corporation or any security of Corporation issued in substitution, exchange, or lieu thereof. "CORPORATION" means Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto. "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means on any given date, the closing price per share of Common Stock as reported for such day by the principal exchange or trading market on which Common Stock is traded (as determined by the Committee) or, if Common Stock was not traded on such date, on the next preceding day on which Common Stock was traded. If the Common Stock is not listed on a stock exchange or if trading activities for Common Stock are not reported, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Committee. "PARTICIPANT" means an employee of Corporation or a Subsidiary who is granted an Award under the Plan. "PLAN" means this Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 1997 Incentive Stock Award Plan, as set forth herein and as it may be hereafter amended and from time to time. "SHARE" means a share of Common Stock. "SUBSIDIARY" means any corporation in which Corporation directly or indirectly controls 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock having voting power. "VEST" or "VESTED" means: (a) In the case of an Award that requires exercise, to be or to become immediately and fully exercisable and free of all restrictions; (b) In the case of an Award that is subject to forfeiture, to be or to become nonforfeitable, freely transferable, and free of all restrictions; (c) In the case of an Award that is required to be earned by attaining specified performance goals, to be or to become earned and nonforfeitable, freely transferable, and free of all restrictions; or (d) In the case of any other Award as to which payment is not dependent solely upon the exercise of a right, election, exercise, or option, to be or to become immediately payable and free of all restrictions. - 2 - ARTICLE 3. ADMINISTRATION 3.1 General. The Plan will be administered by the Committee. The Committee will have full power and authority to administer the Plan in its sole discretion. A majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a quorum and action approved by a majority will be the act of the Committee. 3.2 Authority of the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee: (a) Will select the Participants, determine the types of Awards to be granted to Participants, determine the shares or share units subject to Awards, and determine the terms and conditions of individual Award Agreements; (b) Has the authority to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend, and revoke any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan; and (c) May correct any deficit, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems desirable to carry out the purposes of the Plan. Decisions of the Committee, or any delegate as permitted by the Plan, will be final, conclusive, and binding on all Participants. 3.3 Liability of Committee Members. No member of the Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award, or any Participant. ARTICLE 4. DURATION OF THE PLAN AND SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN 4.1 Duration of the Plan. The Plan is effective March 1, 1997, subject to approval by Corporation's stockholders as provided in Article . The Plan will remain in effect until Awards have been granted covering all the available Shares and all outstanding Awards have been exercised, settled, or terminated in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, or the Plan is otherwise terminated by the Board. Termination of the Plan will not affect outstanding Awards. 4.2 Other Stock Plans. The Plan is separate from the following existing plans (the "Prior Plans"): - 3 - Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan; Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 1984 Employee Stock Option Plan; and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation Key Employee Restricted Stock Plan. The Plan will neither affect the operation of the Prior Plans nor be affected by the Prior Plans, except that no further stock options or restricted stock awards will be granted under any of the Prior Plans after the date the Plan is approved by Corporation's stockholders as described in Article . 4.3 General Limitation on Awards. Subject to adjustment pursuant to Article of the Plan, the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted under the Plan may not exceed 5 million Shares. 4.4 Cancellation or Expiration of Awards. If an Award under the Plan is canceled or expires for any reason prior to having been fully vested or exercised by a Participant or is settled in cash in lieu of Shares or is exchanged for other Awards, all Shares covered by such Awards will again become available for additional Awards under the Plan. ARTICLE 5. ELIGIBILITY Officers and other key employees of Corporation and its Subsidiaries (including employees who may also be directors of Corporation or a Subsidiary) who, in the Committee's judgment, are or will be contributors to the long-term success of Corporation will be eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. ARTICLE 6. AWARDS 6.1 Types of Awards. Awards under the Plan may consist of: stock options (either incentive stock options, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or nonstatutory stock options), stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted stock grants, and other stock-based awards (as described in Article of the Plan). Awards of performance shares and restricted stock may provide the Participant with dividends or dividend equivalents and voting rights prior to vesting. 6.2 Award Agreements. Each Award will be evidenced by a written Award Agreement between Corporation and the Participant. Award Agreements may, subject to the provisions of the Plan, contain any provision approved by the Committee. Any Award Agreement may make provision for any matter that is within the discretion of the Committee or may retain the Committee's discretion to approve or authorize any action with respect to the Award during the term of the Award Agreement. 6.3 Nonuniform Determinations. The Committee's determinations under the Plan or under one or more Award Agreements, including without limitation, (a) the selection of Participants to receive Awards, (b) the type, form, amount, and timing of - 4 - Awards, (c) the terms of specific Award Agreements, and (d) elections and determinations made by the Committee with respect to exercise or payments of Awards, need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee selectively among Participants and Awards, whether or not Participants are similarly situated. 6.4 Provisions Governing All Awards. All Awards will be subject to the following provisions: (a) Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in this Section , each Award (but not Shares issued following Vesting or exercise of an Award) will not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and Awards requiring exercise will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or, in the event the Participant becomes legally incompetent, by the Participant's guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its discretion, may include in any Award Agreement a provision that the Award is transferable, without payment of consideration, to immediate family members of the Participant or to a trust for the benefit of or a partnership composed solely of such family members. (b) Employment Rights. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the granting of any Award will confer on any person the right to continued employment with Corporation or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with the right of Corporation or a Subsidiary to terminate such person's employment at any time for any reason, with or without cause. (c) Effect of Change in Control. The Committee may, in its discretion, include in any Award Agreement a provision that upon the effective date of a change in control of Corporation (as that term may be defined in the Award Agreement), all or a specified portion of the Award (i) will become fully Vested, (ii) will terminate, or (iii) may be converted into shares of an acquiror. In any such change in control provision, the Committee may provide whether or to what extent such acceleration in the Vesting of an Award will be conditioned to avoid resulting in an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code. ARTICLE 7. STOCK OPTIONS The option price for each stock option may not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Stock options will be exercisable for such period as specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, but in no event may options be exercisable for a period of more than ten years after their date of grant. The option price of each Share as to which a stock option is exercised must be paid in full at the time of exercise. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide in any Award Agreement for a stock option that payment of the option - 5 - price may be made in cash, by tender of Shares owned by the Participant valued at Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise, subject to such guidelines for the tender of Shares as the Committee may establish, in such other consideration as the Committee deems appropriate, or a combination of cash, shares of Common Stock, and such other consideration. The number of Shares subject to options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan to any individual Participant during any three-calendar year period may not exceed 200,000. In the case of an Option designated as an incentive stock option, the terms of the option and the Award Agreement must conform with the statutory and regulatory requirements specified pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, as in effect on the date such incentive stock option is granted. The Committee may, in its discretion, include in an Award Agreement for any option a provision that in the event previously acquired Shares are surrendered by a Participant in payment of all or a portion of either (a) the option exercise price or (b) the Participant's federal, state, or local tax withholding obligation with respect to such exercise, the Participant will automatically be granted a replacement or reload option (with an option price equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of such exercise) for a number of Shares equal to all or a portion of the number of Shares surrendered. Such replacement option will be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee determines. ARTICLE 8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS Stock appreciation rights may be granted in tandem with a stock option, in addition to a stock option, or may be freestanding and unrelated to a stock option. Stock appreciation rights granted in tandem or in addition to a stock option may be granted either at the same time as the stock option or at a later time. No stock appreciation right may be exercisable earlier than six months after grant, except in the event of the Participant's death or disability. A stock appreciation right will entitle the Participant to receive from Corporation an amount equal to the increase in the Fair Market Value of a Share on the exercise of the stock appreciation right over the grant price. The Committee may determine in its discretion whether the stock appreciation right may be settled in cash, shares, or a combination of cash and shares. ARTICLE 9. PERFORMANCE SHARES 9.1 General. Performance shares may be granted in the form of actual Shares or Share units having a value equal to Shares. An Award of performance shares will be granted to a Participant subject to such terms and conditions set forth in the Award Agreement as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, the condition that the performance shares or a portion thereof will Vest only in the event specified performance goals are met within a specified performance period, as set forth in the Award Agreement. An Award Agreement for a performance share Award may also, in addition to specifying performance goals, condition Vesting of such Award on continued employment - 6 - for a period specified in the Award Agreement. In the event that a stock certificate is issued in respect of performance shares, the certificate will be registered in the name of the Participant but will be held by Corporation until the time the performance shares become Vested. The performance conditions and the length of the performance period will be determined by the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce or eliminate the Vesting of performance shares if, in the Committee's judgment, it determines that the Vesting of the performance share Award is not appropriate given actual performance over the applicable performance period. The maximum number of Shares issuable to any individual Participant with respect to performance share Awards in any four calendar-year period may not exceed 100,000 Shares. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide in an Award Agreement whether performance shares granted in the form of share units will be paid in cash, shares, or a combination of cash and shares. 9.2 Performance Goals for Executive Officers. The performance goals for performance share awards granted to executive officers of Corporation may relate to corporate performance, business unit performance, or a combination of both. Corporate performance goals will be based on financial performance goals related to the performance of Corporation as a whole and may include one or more measures related to earnings, profitability, efficiency, or return to stockholders such as earnings per share, operating profit, stock price, costs of production, or other measures. Business unit performance goals will be based on a combination of financial goals and strategic goals related to the performance of an identified business unit for which a Participant has responsibility. Strategic goals for a business unit may include one or a combination of objective factors relating to success in implementing strategic plans or initiatives, introductory products, constructing facilities, or other identifiable objectives. Financial goals for a business unit may include the degree to which the business unit achieves one or more objective measures related to its revenues, earnings, profitability, efficiency, operating profit, costs of production, or other measures. Any corporate or business unit goals may be expressed as absolute amounts or as ratios or percentages. Success may be measured against various standards, including budget targets, improvement over prior periods, and performance relative to other companies, business units, or industry groups. ARTICLE 10. RESTRICTED STOCK Restricted stock may be granted in the form of actual Shares or Share units having a value equal to Shares. A restricted stock Award will be subject to such terms and conditions set forth in the Award Agreement as the Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, restrictions on the sale, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of such restricted stock and provisions that such restricted stock or stock units be forfeited upon termination of the Participant's employment for specified reasons within a specified period of time or upon other conditions, as set forth in the Award Agreement. - 7 - The Award Agreement for a restricted stock Award may also, in addition to conditioning Vesting of the Award on continued employment, further condition Vesting on attainment of performance goals. In the event that a stock certificate is issued in respect of restricted stock, such certificate will be registered in the name of the Participant but will be held by the Corporation until the end of the restricted period. The employment conditions and the length of the period for vesting of restricted stock will be established by the Committee at the time of grant and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide in an Award Agreement whether restricted stock granted in the form of Share units will be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares. ARTICLE 11. OTHER STOCK-BASED AND COMBINATION AWARDS The Committee may grant other Awards under the Plan pursuant to which Shares are or may in the future be acquired, or Awards denominated in or measured by Share equivalent units, including Awards valued using measures other than the market value of Shares. For such other stock-based awards that are granted to executive officers of Corporation and that condition Vesting of such Awards, in whole or in part, on attaining performance goals, such Awards will be subject to the same limitations on types of performance goals and the same limitation on the maximum number of Shares issuable to any individual Participant as provided in Article 9 of the Plan. The Committee may also grant Awards under the Plan in tandem or combination with other Awards or in exchange for Awards, or in tandem or combination with, or as alternatives to, grants or rights under any other employee plan of Corporation. ARTICLE 12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION In the event of any change in capitalization affecting the Common Stock of Corporation, such as a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spinoff, combination or exchange of shares, or other form of reorganization, or corporate change, or any distribution with respect to Common Stock other than regular cash dividends, the Committee may make such substitution or adjustment, if any, that it deems to be equitable as to the number and kind of Shares or other securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan and to outstanding Awards. ARTICLE 13. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION The Board may amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan or any portion of the Plan at any time, provided no amendment may be made without stockholder approval if such approval is required by applicable law or the requirements of an applicable stock exchange. ARTICLE 14. MISCELLANEOUS 14.1 Tax Withholding. Corporation will have the right to deduct from any settlement of any Award under the Plan, including the delivery or vesting of Shares, any - 8 - federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of Corporation to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. The recipient of any payment or distribution under the Plan must make arrangements satisfactory to Corporation for the satisfaction of any such withholding tax obligations. Corporation will not be required to make any such payment or distribution under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied. The Committee, in its discretion, may permit a Participant to satisfy the Participant's federal, state, or local tax, or tax withholding obligations with respect to an Award by having Corporation retain the number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of taxes or withholding taxes. 14.2 Securities Law Restrictions. No Shares will be issued under the Plan unless counsel for Corporation is satisfied that such issuance will be in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan may be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law. The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. 14.3 Governing Law. Except with respect to references to the Code or federal securities laws, the Plan and all actions taken thereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Oregon. ARTICLE 15. STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL The adoption of the Plan and the grant of Awards under the Plan are expressly subject to the approval of the Plan by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the stockholders of Corporation present, or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote at Corporation's 1997 annual meeting of stockholders. - 9 -
                                 AWARD AGREEMENT
                                    UNDER THE
                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                         1997 INCENTIVE STOCK AWARD PLAN

                            NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION


Corporation:                                LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                                            111 S.W. Fifth Avenue
                                            Portland, Oregon  97204

Participant:                                ----------------------------

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

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


Grant Date:                                 ----------------------------

Option:                                     A Nonqualified Stock Option

Option Shares:                              ______ Shares

Exercise Price:                             $______ per Share

                  Subject to the terms and  conditions of the  Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation  1997  Incentive  Stock Award Plan (the "Plan") and this  Agreement,
effective as of the Grant Date,  Corporation grants to Participant the Option to
purchase the Option Shares at the Exercise Price.

                  The  provisions  of Appendix A attached to this  Agreement are
incorporated by reference as part of this Agreement.

                                      LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION


                                      By _______________________________________
                                      Its ______________________________________



                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Participant










                                   APPENDIX A
                                       TO
                  AWARD AGREEMENT FOR NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION


                  This Award  Agreement  evidences  the grant of a  Nonqualified
Stock Option (the "Option") to Participant under the Plan.

                  Capitalized terms are defined in Section 8.

1.  OPTION SHARES; ADJUSTMENT

                  In the event of a declaration  of a stock  dividend or a stock
split  (whether  effected as a dividend or otherwise) by  Corporation  where the
record date for such dividend or stock split is after the Grant Date, the number
of  Option  Shares  and  the  Exercise  Price  will  automatically  be  adjusted
proportionately to reflect the effect of such dividend or stock split.

2.  TERMS OF THE OPTION

                  The Option is subject to all applicable provisions of the Plan
and to the following terms and conditions:

                  2.1 Nonqualified  Stock Option.  The Option is not intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option meeting the requirements of IRC ss. 422.

                  2.2 Term.  The term of the Option  extends  ten years from the
Grant Date unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Agreement.

                  2.3   Exercisability.   The  Option   initially  will  not  be
exercisable  and,  unless the Option is  terminated  or canceled  earlier or the
exercisability  of the Option is accelerated in accordance  with this Agreement,
the  Option may be  exercised  from time to time to  purchase a whole  number of
Option Shares up to the following limits:

                  (a) Prior to the first  anniversary  of the  Grant  Date,  the
         Option may not be exercised;

                  (b)  During  the  one-year  period   beginning  on  the  first
         anniversary  of the Grant Date, the Option may be exercised to purchase
         up to one-third of the total Option Shares;

                  (c)  During  the  one-year  period  beginning  on  the  second
         anniversary  of the Grant Date, the Option may be exercised to purchase
         up to two-thirds of the total Option Shares; and




                                      - 1 -








                  (d) On and after the third  anniversary of the Grant Date, the
         Option may be exercised to purchase all the Option Shares.

                  2.4 Effect of Termination of Employment. The Option may not be
exercised (in whole or in part) unless  Participant is continuously  Employed by
an Employer  from the Grant Date through at least the first  anniversary  of the
Grant Date. If  Participant  ceases to be an Employee for any reason on or after
the first  anniversary  of the Grant Date,  the term of the Option will continue
for the  applicable  Continuation  Period.  The Option will  remain  exercisable
during the  Continuation  Period,  if at all,  only to the extent the Option had
become  exercisable  pursuant to Sections  2.3 and 2.10 of this  Agreement on or
prior  to the  Termination  Date.  The  Option,  to the  extent  not  previously
exercised,  will  be  canceled  automatically  at  the  end  of  the  applicable
Continuation Period.

                  2.5 Method of Exercise.  The Option,  or any portion  thereof,
may be  exercised,  to the extent it has  become  exercisable  pursuant  to this
Agreement,  by delivery of written notice to  Corporation  stating the number of
Shares, form of payment, and proposed date of closing.

                  2.6  Other  Documents.   Upon  any  exercise  of  the  Option,
Participant  must furnish  Corporation  before the closing of such exercise such
other  documents  or  representations  as  Corporation  may  require  to  assure
compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

                  2.7 Payment.  The Exercise Price for the Shares purchased upon
exercise  of the  Option  must be paid in full in United  States  dollars  at or
before closing by one or a combination of the following:

                  2.7.1 Payment in cash or certified check or bank draft payable
         to the order of Corporation;

                  2.7.2  Delivery of  previously  acquired  Shares having a Fair
         Market Value equal to the Exercise Price; or

                  2.7.3 By delivery (in a form approved by the  Committee) of an
         irrevocable   direction  to  a  securities  broker  acceptable  to  the
         Committee:

                           (a) To  sell  Shares  subject  to the  Option  and to
                  deliver all or a part of the sales  proceeds to Corporation in
                  payment of all or a part of the Exercise Price and withholding
                  taxes due; or

                           (b) To pledge  Shares  subject  to the  Option to the
                  broker as security  for a loan and to deliver all or a part of
                  the loan proceeds to  Corporation  in payment of all or a part
                  of the Exercise Price and withholding taxes due.




                                      - 2 -








                  2.8  Previously   Acquired  Shares.   Delivery  of  previously
acquired  Shares in full or partial  payment  for the  exercise of the Option is
subject to the following conditions:

                  2.8.1  The Shares tendered must be in good delivery form;

                  2.8.2 Any Shares  remaining  after  satisfying the payment for
         the Option will be reissued in the same manner as the Shares tendered;

                  2.8.3 No fractional Shares will be issued and whenever payment
         of the full  Exercise  Price with Shares  would  require  delivery of a
         fractional Share,  Participant must deliver the next lower whole number
         of Shares and make a cash payment to Corporation for the balance of the
         Exercise Price; and

                  2.8.4 Shares may be tendered in full or partial payment of the
         Exercise Price only in connection  with the exercise of the Option with
         respect to at least 2,000 Shares.

                  2.9.  Transferability.

                  2.9.1 General. Except as provided in Section 2.9.2, the Option
is not  transferable  other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution
and may be exercised  during the lifetime of Participant only by Participant or,
in the case Participant becomes legally incompetent,  by Participant's  guardian
or legal representative. No assignment or transfer of the Option in violation of
the foregoing restriction, whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law
or otherwise, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution,  will vest
in the assignee or transferee any interest or right whatsoever,  but immediately
upon any attempt to assign or transfer the Option, the Option will terminate and
be of no  force  or  effect.  Whenever  the  word  "Participant"  is used in any
provision of this  Agreement  under  circumstances  where the  provision  should
logically be construed to apply to the executor, administrator, or the person or
persons to whom this Option may be transferred by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution, it will be deemed to include such person or persons.

                  2.9.2   Permitted   Family   Transfers.   The  Option  may  be
transferred by Participant,  without payment of consideration,  to Participant's
immediate family members or lineal descendants  ("Permitted Family Members"), to
trusts for the benefit of Permitted Family Members, or to family partnerships or
limited  liability  companies of which  Participant and Permitted Family members
are the only partners or members.  For purposes of this  Section,  a transfer of
the Option to a family  partnership or limited liability company in exchange for
a  partnership  or limited  liability  company  interest  will be deemed to be a
transfer without payment of consideration.




                                      - 3 -








                  2.10  Effect of Change in Control.

                  2.10.1 Acceleration of Vesting. Upon a Change in Control Date,
the Option, to the extent it had not yet become  exercisable,  will become fully
exercisable.  This  acceleration  will not  extend  the date on which the Option
terminates.  If, or to the extent, the acceleration of the exercisability of the
Option pursuant to this Section 2.10.1 results in an "excess parachute  payment"
within the  meaning  of Section  280G of the Code,  Corporation  will  reimburse
Participant,  on an after-tax  basis,  for (1) any excise tax imposed by Section
4999(a) of the Code that is directly  attributable  to the  acceleration  of the
exercisability of the Option,  and (2) any income taxes and excise taxes imposed
on any  reimbursement  pursuant to this sentence.  For purposes of computing any
after-tax  reimbursement,  Participant will be deemed to pay federal, state, and
local income taxes (for the state and locality of  Participant's  residence)  at
the  highest   effective   combined   marginal   rates  (giving  effect  to  the
deductibility  of  state  and  local  taxes)  for the  tax  year  in  which  the
reimbursement  payment is made.  No  reimbursement  will be due pursuant to this
Section  2.10.1 if, or to the  extent,  Participant  is  entitled  to payment or
reimbursement for the same amounts under any other agreement with Corporation.

                  2.10.2  Dissolution.   The  Option  will  terminate  upon  the
effective date of a dissolution or liquidation of Corporation.

                  2.10.3 Merger.  In the event of a merger or  consolidation  in
which  Corporation  is not the resulting or surviving  corporation  (or in which
Corporation is the resulting or surviving  corporation  but becomes a subsidiary
of another  corporation),  the Option will  automatically  be converted  into an
option to purchase a number of shares of the stock of the resulting or surviving
corporation  (or,  in the event  Corporation  becomes a  subsidiary  of  another
corporation,  such  other  corporation)  into  which  Corporation's  Shares  are
converted in the transaction  with such terms and conditions,  both as to number
of shares,  option price,  and  otherwise,  as will  substantially  preserve the
economic rights and benefits of Participant under this Agreement.

3.  TAX REIMBURSEMENT

                    It is a  condition  of  Corporation's  obligation  to  issue
Shares in  connection  with an exercise of the Option  that  Participant  pay to
Corporation,  or make provision  satisfactory to Corporation for the payment of,
an amount  sufficient  to provide for any  withholding  or similar tax liability
imposed on Corporation in connection with or with respect to any exercise of the
Option.

4.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  The Option  granted  pursuant to this  Agreement  is expressly
subject to the approval of the Plan by  Corporation's  stockholders  pursuant to
Article 15 of the Plan.

                  Corporation  will use its best  efforts to obtain  approval of
the Plan and this



                                      - 4 -








Option by any state or federal agency or authority that  Corporation  determines
has jurisdiction. If Corporation determines that any required approval cannot be
obtained,  this Option will  terminate on notice to  Participant to that effect.
Without  limiting the foregoing,  Corporation  will not be required to issue any
Shares upon exercise of all or any portion of the Option until  Corporation  has
taken all  action  required  to comply  with all  applicable  federal  and state
securities laws.

5.  SUCCESSORSHIP

                  Subject  to  restrictions  on  transferability  set  forth  in
Section 2.9, this Agreement will be binding upon and benefit the parties,  their
successors and assigns.

6.  NOTICES

                  Any  notices  under this Option must be in writing and will be
effective when actually  delivered  personally or, if mailed,  when deposited as
registered or certified mail directed to the address of Corporation's records or
to such other address as a party may certify by notice to the other party.

7.  ARBITRATION

                  Any  dispute  or claim that  arises out of or that  relates to
this  Agreement  or to  the  interpretation,  breach,  or  enforcement  of  this
Agreement, must be resolved by mandatory arbitration in accordance with the then
effective  arbitration rules of Arbitration  Service of Portland,  Inc., and any
judgment upon the award rendered  pursuant to such arbitration may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction thereof.

8.  DEFINED TERMS

                  When used in this  Agreement,  the  following  terms  have the
meaning specified below:

                  o  ACQUIRING  PERSON  means any  person or  related  person or
         related  persons  which  constitute  a "group" for  purposes of Section
         13(d) and Rule 13d-5  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the
         "Exchange Act"), as such Section and Rule are in effect as of the Grant
         Date;  provided,  however,  that the term  Acquiring  Person  shall not
         include (a)  Corporation or any of its  Subsidiaries,  (b) any employee
         benefit  plan  or  related   trust  of   Corporation   or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries,   (c)  any  entity   holding   voting  capital  stock  of
         Corporation  for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee  benefit
         plan,  or (d) any person or group  solely  because such person or group
         has voting power with respect to capital stock of  Corporation  arising
         from a revocable  proxy or consent  given in response to a public proxy
         or consent solicitation made pursuant to the Exchange Act.




                                      - 5 -








                  o  APPROVED RETIREMENT means termination of employment with an
         Employer after Participant  attains age 60, but only if such retirement
         is approved  by  Corporation's  Chief  Executive  Officer,  in his sole
         discretion.

                  o  CHANGE IN CONTROL of Corporation means:

                  (a) The  acquisition  by any  Acquiring  Person of  beneficial
         ownership  (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
         20 percent or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
         Voting  Securities;  provided,  however,  that  for  purposes  of  this
         paragraph (a) the following  acquisitions  will not constitute a Change
         in Control:  (i) any acquisition  directly from  Corporation,  (ii) any
         acquisition  by  Corporation,  (iii) any  acquisition  by any  employee
         benefit plan (or related trust)  sponsored or maintained by Corporation
         or any corporation  controlled by Corporation,  or (iv) any acquisition
         by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses
         (i), (ii),  and (iii) of paragraph (c) of this  definition of Change in
         Control; or

                  (b)  During  any  period of 12  consecutive  calendar  months,
         individuals  who at the beginning of such period  constitute  the Board
         (the  "Incumbent  Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
         majority  of the Board;  provided,  however,  that any  individual  who
         becomes a director during the period whose election,  or nomination for
         election,  by  Corporation's  shareholders was approved by a vote of at
         least a majority of the directors then constituting the Incumbent Board
         will be  considered  as  though  such  individual  were a member of the
         Incumbent Board, but excluding,  for this purpose,  any such individual
         whose  initial  assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
         threatened  election contest with respect to the election or removal of
         directors  or other  actual or  threatened  solicitation  of proxies or
         consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

                  (c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation
         or sale or other  disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
         of  Corporation  (a  "Business  Combination")  in  each  case,  unless,
         following such Business  Combination,  (i) all or substantially  all of
         the  individuals  and  entities who were the  beneficial  owners of the
         Voting  Securities  outstanding  immediately  prior  to  such  Business
         Combination  beneficially  own,  directly or  indirectly,  more than 50
         percent of,  respectively,  the then outstanding shares of common stock
         and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
         entitled to vote  generally in the election of  directors,  as the case
         may be, of the  corporation  resulting  from such Business  Combination
         (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such
         transaction   owns   Corporation  or  all  or   substantially   all  of
         Corporation's   assets   either   directly   or  through  one  or  more
         subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
         immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Voting



                                      - 6 -








         Securities,  (ii) no Person  (excluding  any employee  benefit plan, or
         related trust, of Corporation or such  corporation  resulting from such
         Business  Combination)  beneficially owns,  directly or indirectly,  20
         percent or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
         stock of the  corporation  resulting from such Business  Combination or
         the combined voting power of the then outstanding  voting securities of
         such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior
         to the  Business  Combination  and  (iii)  at least a  majority  of the
         members of the board of directors  of the  corporation  resulting  from
         such Business  Combination  were members of Incumbent Board at the time
         of the  execution  of the  initial  agreement,  or of the action of the
         Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

                  (d) Approval by the shareholders of Corporation of any plan or
         proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of Corporation.

                  o  CHANGE IN CONTROL DATE means the first date  following  the
         Grant Date on which a Change in Control has occurred.

                  o  CONTINUATION  PERIOD means a period during which the Option
         continues to be exercisable after termination of Employment, namely the
         period ending on the earlier of the  expiration of the original term of
         the Option or:

                           (a)  If the termination of Employment is by reason of
                  Participant's death or Disability, the expiration of one year
                  following the Termination Date;

                           (b)  If the termination of Employment is by reason of
                  Participant's Approved Retirement, the expiration of two years
                  following the Termination Date;

                           (c) In the  case  of an  involuntary  termination  of
                  Participant's  Employment  by an Employer,  the  expiration of
                  five business days following the Termination Date; or

                           (d) If the termination of Employment is for any other
                  reason,  the expiration of 30 days  following the  Termination
                  Date.

                  o  DISABILITY means the condition of being permanently  unable
         to  perform  Participant's  duties  for  an  Employer  by  reason  of a
         medically  determinable  physical  or  mental  impairment  that  can be
         expected  to result in death or that has lasted or can be  expected  to
         last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.




                                      - 7 -







                  o  EMPLOYEE   AND   EMPLOYMENT   both   refer  to  service  by
         Participant  as a full-time or part-time  employee of an Employer,  and
         include periods of illness or other leaves of absence  authorized by an
         Employer.  A transfer of Participant's  Employment from one Employer to
         another will not be treated as a termination of Employment.

                  o  EMPLOYER means Corporation or a Subsidiary of Corporation.

                  o  TERMINATION DATE means the date Participant ceases to be an
         Employee.

                  o  VOTING   SECURITIES   means   Corporation's    issued   and
         outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections
         of directors.

                  o Capitalized  terms not otherwise  defined in this  Agreement
         have the meanings given them in the Plan.





                                      - 8 -



                                 AWARD AGREEMENT
                                    UNDER THE
                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                         1997 INCENTIVE STOCK AWARD PLAN

                            NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION


Corporation:                                LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                                            111 S.W. Fifth Avenue
                                            Portland, Oregon  97204

Participant:                                ----------------------------

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

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


Grant Date:                                 ----------------------------

Award:                                      Performance Shares

Target Shares:                              ______ Shares

Performance Period:                         The four calendar year period ending
                                            December 31, 2000


                  Subject to the terms and  conditions of the  Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation  1997  Incentive  Stock Award Plan (the "Plan") and this  Agreement,
effective as of the Grant Date,  Corporation  grants to Participant the right to
receive a number of Performance  Shares equal to up to 200 percent of the Target
Shares.

                  The  provisions  of Appendix A attached to this  Agreement are
incorporated by reference as part of this Agreement.

                                      LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION


                                      By _______________________________________
                                      Its ______________________________________



                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Participant










                                   APPENDIX A
                                       TO
                     AWARD AGREEMENT FOR PERFORMANCE SHARES


                  This Award Agreement evidences the grant of Performance Shares
to Participant under the Plan.

                  Capitalized terms are defined in Section 9.

1.  PERFORMANCE SHARES; ADJUSTMENT

                  In the event of a declaration  of a stock  dividend or a stock
split  (whether  effected as a dividend or otherwise) by  Corporation  where the
record date for such dividend or stock split is after the Grant Date, the number
of Target Shares will  automatically be adjusted  proportionately to reflect the
effect of such dividend or stock split. Furthermore, the number of Target Shares
will be  increased  to reflect  reinvestment  (using the Fair Market  Value of a
Share on the  dividend  payment  date) of cash  dividends  paid with  respect to
Corporation's common stock during the Performance Period.

2.  TERMS OF AWARD

                  This Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan and to
the following terms and conditions:

                  2.1 Performance  Goals. The number of Performance  Shares,  if
any, to be issued pursuant to this Award will be based on corporate  performance
by  Corporation  during the  Performance  Period (or, in the case of an Approved
Retirement prior to the end of the Performance  Period,  during the Short Period
described in Section 2.5.3(a)) based on a comparison of Corporation's annualized
total stockholder return for the period to the mean annualized total stockholder
return for the Peer Group companies.

                  2.2  Determination  of Payout  Percentage.  The Committee will
compute the  positive  or negative  difference  in  percentage  points (the "TSR
Difference")  by subtracting the Peer Group TSR from  Corporation's  TSR for
the  Performance  Period  (or,  if  applicable,  the Short  Period).  The Payout
Percentage  will  be  determined  from  the  following  table  based  on the TSR
Difference.

                   TSR Difference            Payout Percentage
                   --------------            -----------------

                 Less than negative 3%                0%
                 Negative 3%                         20%
                 0%                                  60%
                 Positive 3%                        100%
                 Positive 13% and above             200%



                                      - 1 -






For TSR  Differences  between the levels  represented  in the table,  the Payout
Percentage  will be  interpolated  on a  straight-line  basis and rounded to the
nearest whole percent.

                  2.3  Performance  Shares.  If Participant  remains an Employee
through  the end of the  Performance  Period,  Participant  will be  entitled to
receive  a number of  Performance  Shares  (the  "Payout  Shares")  equal to the
product of the Payout Percentage  determined  pursuant to Section 2.2 multiplied
by the number of Target  Shares (and  rounded down to a whole number of Shares).
In the event Participant terminates Employment before the end of the Performance
Period,  Participant  will be  entitled  to receive  the  number of  Performance
Shares,  if any,  described  in Section 2.5. Any portion of this Award that does
not become Vested  pursuant to this Agreement  will be canceled and  Participant
will not receive any Shares or other  payment  with  respect to such  non-Vested
portion of the Award.

                  2.4  Settlement of Award.

                  2.4.1 General. Except as provided in Section 2.4.2, this Award
will be  settled on a  settlement  date  selected  by the  Committee  as soon as
practicable  after  the  end of  the  Performance  Period  by  the  delivery  to
Participant of:

                  (a) An  unrestricted  certificate for 50 percent of the Payout
         Shares; and

                  (b) A  certificate  subject to the  restrictions  described in
         Section 2.7 of this Agreement for the balance of the Payout Shares (the
         "Restricted Payout Shares").

                  2.4.2  Early   Settlement.   In  the  event   Participant  (or
Participant's  representative)  becomes entitled to receive  Performance  Shares
pursuant to Section 2.5.2 (on account of death or Disability),  Section 2.5.3(a)
(on account of  Approved  Retirement),  or  2.6.1(a)  (on account of a Change in
Control),  this  Award  will be settled on a  settlement  date  selected  by the
Committee  as soon as  practical  after  the  Termination  Date,  the end of the
Retirement Year, or the Change in Control Date, respectively, by the delivery to
Participant  of an  unrestricted  certificate  for  all the  Performance  Shares
determined pursuant to those Sections.

2.5  Employment Requirement.

                  2.5.1  General.  Except as  otherwise  expressly  provided  in
Sections 2.5.2 and 2.5.3, if Participant ceases to be an Employee for any reason
prior to the end of the  Performance  Period,  this Award will be  canceled  and
Participant  will not receive any Shares or other  payment  with respect to this
Award.


                                      - 2 -





                  2.5.2  Effect of Death or Disability.

                  (a) In the event Participant dies or terminates  Employment by
reason of Disability prior to the end of the Performance Period,  Participant or
Participant's representative will be entitled to receive a number of Performance
Shares equal to 100 percent of the number of Target Shares.

                  (b) In the event Participant dies or terminates  Employment by
reason of Disability after the end of the Performance  Period but before the end
of  the  Restriction   Period,  the  Restricted  Payout  Shares  (if  any)  will
automatically become fully Vested as of the Termination Date.

                  2.5.3  Effect of Approved Retirement.

                  (a) In the event Participant  terminates  Employment by reason
of Approved Retirement prior to the end of the Performance Period, the Committee
will determine the TSR Difference for the Short Period consisting of the portion
of the  Performance  Period  ending on the last day of the  Retirement  Year.  A
Payout  Percentage  will be  determined  from the table set forth in Section 2.2
based on that Short  Period TSR  Difference.  Participant  will be  entitled  to
receive a prorated number of Performance  Shares (rounded down to a whole number
of Shares) equal to (a) the product of the Payout  Percentage  multiplied by the
number of Target Shares,  multiplied by (b) a fraction with a numerator equal to
the number of whole fiscal years from the  beginning of the  Performance  Period
through the last day of the Retirement year and a denominator equal to the whole
number of fiscal years in the Performance Period.

                  (b) In the event Participant  terminates  Employment by reason
of Approved  Retirement  after the end of the Performance  Period but before the
end of the  Restriction  Period,  the  Restricted  Payout  Shares  (if any) will
automatically become fully Vested as of the Termination Date.

                  2.6  Effect of Change in Control.

                  2.6.1  General.

                  (a) Upon the  occurrence  of a Change in Control Date prior to
the end of the Performance  Period,  Participant will be entitled to a number of
Performance Shares equal to 100 percent of the Target Shares.

                  (b) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Date during the
Restriction  Period all  Restricted  Payout  Shares (if any) will  automatically
become fully Vested.

                  2.6.2   Reimbursement.   If,  or  to  the   extent,   (a)  the
determination of Participant's  Performance  Shares pursuant to Section 2.6.1(a)
as a result of a Change in  Control  or (b) the  Vesting  of  Restricted  Payout
Shares in connection with a Change in



                                      - 3 -





Control pursuant to Section 2.6.1(b)  results in an "excess  parachute  payment"
within the  meaning  of Section  280G of the Code,  Corporation  will  reimburse
Participant,  on an after-tax  basis,  for (i) any excise tax imposed by Section
4999(a)  of the Code that is  directly  attributable  to such  determination  or
Vesting,  and (2) any income taxes and excise taxes imposed on any reimbursement
pursuant  to this  Section  2.6.2.  For  purposes  of  computing  any  after-tax
reimbursement,  Participant  will be deemed  to pay  federal,  state,  and local
income  taxes (for the state and  locality of  Participant's  residence)  at the
highest effective combined marginal rates (giving effect to the deductibility of
state and local  taxes) for the tax year in which the  reimbursement  payment is
made. No reimbursement  will be due pursuant to this Section 2.6.2 if, or to the
extent, Participant is entitled to payment or reimbursement for the same amounts
under any other agreement with Corporation.

                  2.7 Restricted Payout Shares. A certificate for the Restricted
Payout Shares (if any) will be issued in Participant's name but will be retained
by Corporation.  During the Restriction Period, the Restricted Payout Shares may
not be  sold,  assigned,  or  encumbered.  If  Participant  dies  or  terminates
Employment by reason of Disability or Approved  Retirement before the expiration
of the  Restriction  Period,  the  Restricted  Payout Shares will be governed by
Sections  2.5.2 and  2.5.3.  If a Change  in  Control  Date  occurs  during  the
Restriction  Period,  the  Restricted  Payout Shares will be governed by Section
2.6.1(b). If Participant terminates Employment for any other reason prior to the
expiration of the Restriction  Period,  all the Restricted Payout Shares will be
forfeited  and  the  certificate  for  such  Restricted  Payout  Shares  will be
canceled. If Participant remains an Employee through the Restriction Period, the
restrictions  of  this  Section  2.7  will  lapse  upon  the  expiration  of the
Restriction  Period and an unrestricted  certificate  for the Restricted  Payout
Shares will be issued to Participant.  During the Restriction Period,  dividends
paid with respect to the Restricted  Payout Stock will be reinvested  (using the
Fair  Market  Value  of a Share on the  dividend  payment  date)  in  additional
Restricted Payout Shares and Participant will be entitled to exercise all voting
rights with respect to the Restricted Payout Shares.

                  2.8 Other  Documents.  Participant will be required to furnish
Corporation such other documents or  representations  as Corporation may require
to assure  compliance  with  applicable  laws and  regulations as a condition of
Corporation's obligation to issue any performance Shares.

                  2.9  Adjustment  of Payout  Percentage.  Pursuant to authority
granted under the Plan,  the Committee may, in its  discretion,  reduce (even to
zero)  the  Payout  Percentage  if,  in the  Committee's  judgment,  the  Payout
Percentage  determined in accordance  with Section 2.2 of this  Agreement is not
appropriate given actual  performance by Corporation over the Performance Period
(or, if applicable, the Short Period).

                  2.10.  Transferability.

                  2.10.1  General.  Except as  provided in Section  2.10.2,  the
Award  is not  transferable  other  than  by will or the  laws  of  descent  and
distribution.  No  assignment  or  transfer  of the  Award in  violation  of the
foregoing restriction, whether voluntary, involuntary



                                      - 4 -





or by operation of law or  otherwise,  except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution,  will vest in the  assignee or  transferee  any  interest or right
whatsoever,  but  immediately  upon any attempt to assign or transfer the Award,
the  Award  will  terminate  and be of no force  or  effect.  Whenever  the word
"Participant"  is used in any provision of this  Agreement  under  circumstances
where the  provision  should  logically be  construed to apply to the  executor,
administrator, or the person or persons to whom this Award may be transferred by
will or by the laws of descent  and  distribution,  it will be deemed to include
such person or persons.

                  2.10.2   Permitted   Family   Transfers.   The  Award  may  be
transferred by Participant,  without payment of consideration,  to Participant's
immediate family members or lineal descendants  ("Permitted Family Members"), to
trusts for the benefit of Permitted Family Members, or to family partnerships or
limited  liability  companies of which  Participant and Permitted Family Members
are the only partners or members.  For purposes of this  Section,  a transfer of
the Award to a family partnership or limited liability company in exchange for a
partnership  or  limited  liability  company  interest  will be  deemed  to be a
transfer without payment of consideration.

3.  RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER

                  Prior to the issuance of  Performance  Shares in settlement of
this Award, Participant will have no rights as a stockholder of Corporation with
respect to this Award or the Target Shares. Participant's rights with respect to
Restricted  Payout Shares during the Restriction  Period will be as set forth in
Section 2.7 of this Agreement.

4.  WITHHOLDING TAXES

                  Corporation  will have the  right to  require  Participant  to
remit to Corporation,  or to withhold from other amounts payable to Participant,
as  compensation  or  otherwise,  or  from  Payout  Shares  to be  delivered  to
Participant  in  settlement  of this Award (or  Restricted  Payout  Shares to be
delivered to Participant at the expiration of the Restriction Period), an amount
sufficient to satisfy all federal,  state and local withholding tax requirements
with  respect to the Award or the Payout  Shares.  Participant  may,  by written
notice to Committee  which  complies  with any  applicable  timing  restrictions
imposed pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, elect to have withholding
taxes  satisfied by withholding  Vested Shares.  To the extent  required by Rule
16b-3, such election will be subject to approval by the Committee.

5.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  This Award is expressly subject to the approval of the Plan by
Corporation's stockholders pursuant to Article 15 of the Plan.

                  Corporation  will use its best  efforts to obtain  approval of
the Plan and  this  Award by any  state or  federal  agency  or  authority  that
Corporation  determines has  jurisdiction.  If Corporation  determines  that any
required approval cannot be obtained, this



                                      - 5 -





Award will terminate on notice to Participant to that effect.  Without  limiting
the foregoing,  Corporation  will not be required to issue any  certificates for
Payout Shares,  or any portion thereof,  until  Corporation has taken all action
required to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws.

6.  SUCCESSORSHIP

                  Subject  to  restrictions  on  transferability  set  forth  in
Section 2.10, this Agreement will be binding upon and benefit the parties, their
successors and assigns.

7.  NOTICES

                  Any notices under this  Agreement  must be in writing and will
be effective when actually delivered personally or, if mailed, when deposited as
registered or certified mail directed to the address of Corporation's records or
to such other address as a party may certify by notice to the other party.

8.  ARBITRATION

                  Any  dispute  or claim that  arises out of or that  relates to
this  Agreement  or to  the  interpretation,  breach,  or  enforcement  of  this
Agreement,  shall be resolved by mandatory  arbitration  in accordance  with the
then effective  arbitration rules of Arbitration Service of Portland,  Inc., and
any judgment upon the award rendered pursuant to such arbitration may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

9.  DEFINED TERMS

                  When used in this  Agreement,  the  following  terms  have the
meaning specified below:

                  o  ACQUIRING  PERSON  means any  person or  related  person or
         related  persons  which  constitute  a "group" for  purposes of Section
         13(d) and Rule 13d-5  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the
         "Exchange Act"), as such Section and Rule are in effect as of the Grant
         Date;  provided,  however,  that the term  Acquiring  Person  shall not
         include (a)  Corporation or any of its  Subsidiaries,  (b) any employee
         benefit  plan  or  related   trust  of   Corporation   or  any  of  its
         Subsidiaries,   (c)  any  entity   holding   voting  capital  stock  of
         Corporation  for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee  benefit
         plan,  or (d) any person or group  solely  because such person or group
         has voting power with respect to capital stock of  Corporation  arising
         from a revocable  proxy or consent  given in response to a public proxy
         or consent solicitation made pursuant to the Exchange Act.



                                      - 6 -




                  o  APPROVED RETIREMENT means termination of Employment with an
         Employer after Participant  attains age 60, but only if such retirement
         is approved  by  Corporation's  Chief  Executive  Officer,  in his sole
         discretion.

                  o  CHANGE IN CONTROL of Corporation means:

                  (a) The  acquisition  by any  Acquiring  Person of  beneficial
         ownership  (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
         20 percent or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
         Voting  Securities;  provided,  however,  that  for  purposes  of  this
         paragraph (a) the following  acquisitions  will not constitute a Change
         in Control:  (i) any acquisition  directly from  Corporation,  (ii) any
         acquisition  by  Corporation,  (iii) any  acquisition  by any  employee
         benefit plan (or related trust)  sponsored or maintained by Corporation
         or any corporation  controlled by Corporation,  or (iv) any acquisition
         by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses
         (i), (ii),  and (iii) of paragraph (c) of this  definition of Change in
         Control; or

                  (b)  During  any  period of 12  consecutive  calendar  months,
         individuals  who at the beginning of such period  constitute  the Board
         (the  "Incumbent  Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
         majority  of the Board;  provided,  however,  that any  individual  who
         becomes a director during the period whose election,  or nomination for
         election,  by  Corporation's  stockholders was approved by a vote of at
         least a majority of the directors then constituting the Incumbent Board
         will be  considered  as  though  such  individual  were a member of the
         Incumbent Board, but excluding,  for this purpose,  any such individual
         whose  initial  assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
         threatened  election contest with respect to the election or removal of
         directors  or other  actual or  threatened  solicitation  of proxies or
         consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

                  (c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation
         or sale or other  disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
         of  Corporation  (a  "Business  Combination")  in  each  case,  unless,
         following such Business  Combination,  (i) all or substantially  all of
         the  individuals  and  entities who were the  beneficial  owners of the
         Voting  Securities  outstanding  immediately  prior  to  such  Business
         Combination  beneficially  own,  directly or  indirectly,  more than 50
         percent of,  respectively,  the then outstanding shares of common stock
         and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
         entitled to vote  generally in the election of  directors,  as the case
         may be, of the  corporation  resulting  from such Business  Combination
         (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such
         transaction   owns   Corporation  or  all  or   substantially   all  of
         Corporation's   assets   either   directly   or  through  one  or  more
         subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
         immediately  prior  to  such  Business   Combination,   of  the  Voting
         Securities,  (ii) no Person  (excluding  any employee  benefit plan, or
         related trust, of Corporation or such  corporation  resulting from such
         Business



                                      - 7 -





         Combination)  beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,  20 percent or
         more of,  respectively,  the then outstanding shares of common stock of
         the  corporation  resulting  from  such  Business  Combination  or  the
         combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
         corporation  except to the extent that such ownership  existed prior to
         the Business  Combination  and (iii) at least a majority of the members
         of the  board of  directors  of the  corporation  resulting  from  such
         Business Combination were members of Incumbent Board at the time of the
         execution  of the  initial  agreement,  or of the  action of the Board,
         providing for such Business Combination; or

                  (d) Approval by the stockholders of Corporation of any plan or
         proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of Corporation.

                  o CHANGE IN CONTROL  DATE means the first date  following  the
         Grant Date on which a Change in Control has occurred.

                  o  DISABILITY means the condition of being permanently  unable
         to  perform  Participant's  duties  for  an  Employer  by  reason  of a
         medically  determinable  physical  or  mental  impairment  that  can be
         expected  to result in death or that has lasted or can be  expected  to
         last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

                  o  EMPLOYEE   AND   EMPLOYMENT   both   refer  to  service  by
         Participant  as a full-time or part-time  employee of an Employer,  and
         include periods of illness or other leaves of absence  authorized by an
         Employer.  A transfer of Participant's  Employment from one Employer to
         another will not be treated as a termination of Employment.

                  o  EMPLOYER means Corporation or a Subsidiary of Corporation.

                  o  PAYOUT  PERCENTAGE  means  the  percentage   determined  as
         provided in Section  2.2 used to  determine  the number of  Performance
         Shares to be issued to Participant pursuant to this Award.

                  o  PEER GROUP means the following  forest products  companies:
         Boise Cascade, Georgia-Pacific,  Potlatch, Weyerhaeuser, and Willamette
         Industries.  In the event that during the Performance Period any of the
         foregoing  companies  (1) is  subject  to a Change in  Control,  or (2)
         becomes a debtor in a voluntary or involuntary  bankruptcy  case,  such
         company  automatically  will be  excluded  from the Peer  Group for the
         entire Performance Period.

                  o  PEER GROUP TSR means the mean annualized total  stockholder
         return  (computed in the same manner as described in the  definition of
         TSR or Total Stockholder Return) for the members of the Peer Group.



                                      - 8 -





                  o  PERFORMANCE  PERIOD means the period described on the cover
         page to this Agreement.

                  o  PERFORMANCE  SHARES means the number of Shares  issuable to
         Participant pursuant to this Award as provided in Section 2.3.

                  o  RESTRICTION  PERIOD means the two-year period following the
         expiration  of the  Performance  Period  during which the  restrictions
         described in Section 2.7 are applicable.

                  o  RETIREMENT   YEAR  means  the  fiscal  year  during   which
         Participant terminates Employment by reason of an Approved Retirement.

                  o  SHORT PERIOD means, in the event of an Approved Retirement,
         the portion of the Performance Period through the end of the Retirement
         Year determined as provided in Section 2.5.3.

                  o TSR OR TOTAL  STOCKHOLDER  RETURN means, for the Performance
         Period or, if applicable,  the Short Period,  an amount (expressed as a
         percentage) equal to 1 less than:

                  (a) the  ratio  of  the   Closing   Investment   to  the  Base
         Investment;

                  (b) raised to an exponential power with an exponent equal to 1
         divided by the number of years in the Performance  Period (or the Short
         Period).

                  For purposes of the forgoing calculation:

                           (i) BASE  PRICE  means  the mean  daily  stock  price
                  (based on reported  closing stock trading  prices for each day
                  on the principal exchange or market on which the Shares trade)
                  of the Shares for the last  fiscal  quarter of the fiscal year
                  preceding the Performance Period.

                           (ii)  BASE INVESTMENT means $100.

                           (iii)  CLOSING PRICE means the mean daily stock price
                  (computed  in the same  manner  as  described  above  for Base
                  Price) of the Shares for each  trading  day of the last fiscal
                  quarter  of  the  Performance  Period  (or,  for  an  Approved
                  Retirement, the last fiscal quarter of the Short Period).

                           (iv)  CLOSING  INVESTMENT  means the  product  of the
                  Closing Price and a number of Shares equal to:




                                      - 9 -




                                    (A) The Base Investment  divided by the Base
                           Price;

                                    (B) Increased, as of the ex-dividend date of
                           each  dividend  or   distribution   paid  during  the
                           Performance Period (or Short Period), by a number (or
                           fractional  number)  of  Shares  equal to the  dollar
                           amount  or, in the case of a  non-cash  distribution,
                           the market value (as of the date of  distribution) of
                           each such  dividend  or  distribution  divided by the
                           closing  stock  trading  price of the  Shares  on the
                           ex-dividend date;

                                    (C) With all closing  prices and dividend or
                           distribution  amounts  adjusted  to reflect any stock
                           dividends or stock splits or similar changes
                           in capitalization.

                  o  TSR  DIFFERENCE  means the positive or negative  difference
         computed  by  subtracting   the  Peer  Group  TSR  for  a  period  from
         Corporation's TSR for that period.

                  o  TARGET  SHARES  means the number of Shares set forth on the
         cover page to this  Agreement  that is used to determine  the number of
         Performance Shares to be issued to Participant under this Award.

                  o  TERMINATION DATE means the date Participant ceases to be an
         Employee.

                  o VOTING SECURITIES means Corporation's issued and outstanding
         securities  ordinarily  having  the  right  to  vote  at  elections  of
         directors.

                  o Capitalized  terms not otherwise  defined in this  Agreement
         have the meanings given them in the Plan.




                                     - 10 -

                          LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
                        ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

                  THIS ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN (the "Plan") was adopted
by  Louisiana-Pacific   Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("Corporation"),
effective March 1, 1997. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein
have the meanings set forth in Section 4.

                           SECTION 1. INCENTIVE AWARDS

                  1.1  Target  Award.  Each  Award  opportunity  will  specify a
targeted incentive opportunity (the "Target Award") expressed either as a dollar
amount or as a percentage of a Participant's regular annualized base salary.

                  1.2 Incentive  Awards.  The amount paid for each Award will be
equal to the ---------------- product of:

                  (a) The Total Success  Percentage for the  Participant for the
Plan Year; multiplied by

                  (b)  The Participant's Target Award for the Plan Year.

However,  in no event may a  Participant's  Award payment for a Plan Year exceed
the  lesser  of (i) 150  percent  of the  Participant's  Target  Award,  or (ii)
$1,250,000.

                  1.3 Performance  Goals. The Goals that will be used to measure
a Participant's Award will consist of one or more of the following:

                  (a) Corporate Goals measuring financial performance related to
         the  Corporation  as a whole.  Corporate  Goals may include one or more
         measures related to earnings,  profitability,  efficiency, or return to
         stockholders and may include  earnings,  earnings per share,  operating
         profit,  stock price, costs of production,  or other measures,  whether
         expressed  as absolute  amounts,  as ratios,  or  percentages  of other
         amounts.  Success may be measured against various standards,  including
         budget targets,  improvement over prior years, and performance relative
         to other companies or industry groups.

                  (b)  Business  Unit Goals  measuring  financial  or  strategic
         performance of an identified  business unit for which a Participant has
         responsibility.  Strategic  Business  Unit Goals may  include  one or a
         combination  of objective  factors  related to success in  implementing
         strategic  plans or  initiatives,  introducing  products,  constructing
         facilities,  or other identifiable objectives.  Financial Business Unit
         Goals may include the degree to which the business unit achieves one or
         more  measures  related  to  its  revenues,  earnings,   profitability,
         efficiency, operating profit, costs of production, or other



                                      - 1 -








         measures,  whether  expressed  as  absolute  amounts  or as  ratios  or
         percentages, which may be measured against various standards, including
         budget targets,  improvement over prior years, and performance relative
         to other companies or business units.

                  (c)  Individual  Goals  measuring  success in  developing  and
         implementing  particular  tasks assigned to an individual  Participant.
         Individual    Goals   will    naturally   vary   depending   upon   the
         responsibilities  of individual  Participants and may include,  without
         limitation,  goals  related to success in developing  and  implementing
         particular  management  plans  or  systems,  reorganizing  departments,
         establishing business relationships, or resolving identified problems.

                  1.4  Weighting  of Goals.  Each Goal will be  weighted  with a
Weighting Percentage so that the total Weighting  Percentages for all Goals used
to determine a Participant's Award is 100 percent.

                  1.5  Achievement  Percentage.  Each Goal will also specify the
Achievement  Percentages (ranging from 0 to 150 percent) to be used in computing
the  payment of an Award based upon the extent to which the  particular  Goal is
achieved. Achievement Percentages for a particular Goal may be based on:

                  o  An "all or nothing"  measure that  provides for a specified
         Achievement  Percentage  if the  Goal  is met,  and a zero  Achievement
         Percentage if the Goal is not met;

                  o  Several levels of  performance  or  achievement  (such as a
         Threshold  Level,  a Target  Level,  and a  Maximum  Level)  that  each
         correspond to a specified Achievement Percentage; or

                  o  Continuous  or  numerical  measures  that  define a sliding
         scale of Achievement Percentages.

                  1.6  Computation  of  Awards.  As soon as  possible  after the
completion  of each Plan Year, a computation  will be made for each  Participant
of:

                  o  The   extent  to  which   Goals  were   achieved   and  the
         corresponding Achievement Percentages for each Goal:

                  o  A Weighted  Achievement  Percentage  for each Goal equal to
         the product of the Achievement  Percentage and the Weighting Percentage
         for that Goal;

                  o  The Total  Success  Percentage  equal to the sum of all the
         Weighted Achievement Percentages for all the Participant's Goals; and



                                      - 2 -









                  o  An Award amount  equal to the product of the Total  Success
         Percentage and the Participant's Target Award.

                  1.7  Right to  Receive  Award.  A  Participant  must  continue
Employment with Corporation until the end of a Plan Year in order to be entitled
to receive an Award for that Plan Year. If a Participant  terminates  Employment
with Corporation  before the end of the Plan Year for a reason other than death,
Disability, or Approved Retirement,  the Participant will not be entitled to any
Award  for  that  Plan  Year.  If  a  Participant   terminates  Employment  with
Corporation  before  the end of the Plan  Year due to death or  Disability,  the
Participant  or the  Participant's  beneficiary or estate will be entitled to an
Award equal to 100 percent of the  Participant's  Target Award. If a Participant
terminates Employment with Corporation by reason of Approved Retirement prior to
the  expiration of the Plan year, the  Participant  will be entitled to an Award
computed as follows:

                  o  The Total Success  Percentage will be determined  after the
         end of the Plan Year as if the Participant had remained an Employee for
         the entire Plan Year; and

                  o  The  Participant's  Award computed  pursuant to Section 1.6
         will be  prorated  based on the number of days before and the number of
         days after the effective date of the Approved Retirement.

                  1.8 Payment of Awards.  Each Participant's  Award will be paid
in cash in a lump sum  within  30 days  after  the  amount of the Award has been
determined.

                            SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION

                  For each Plan Year,  the  Committee  will  approve  the Target
Awards for all  Participants  and will approve  Corporate  Goals and Achievement
Percentages  for the  Corporate  Goals.  After  the end of each Plan  Year,  the
Committee  will  certify  the  extent to which  the  Corporate  Goals  have been
achieved. In addition,  the Committee will have exclusive authority to establish
Goals,  Weighting   Percentages,   and  Achievement   Percentages,   to  certify
achievement,  and  to  take  all  other  actions  with  respect  to  Awards  for
Corporation's  Chief  Executive  Officer  and any  other  Participants  that the
Committee  determines may be subject to Section  162(m) of the Internal  Revenue
Code of 1986.

                            SECTION 3. MISCELLANEOUS

                  3.1  Nonassignability  of Benefits.  A Participant's  benefits
under the Plan  cannot be sold,  transferred,  anticipated,  assigned,  pledged,
hypothecated,  seized by legal process,  subjected to claims of creditors in any
way, or otherwise disposed of.

                  3.2 No Right of Continued Employment. Nothing in the Plan will
confer upon any Participant the right to continued  Employment with  Corporation
or interfere in any way with the right of  Corporation to terminate the person's
Employment at any time.



                                      - 3 -









                  3.3 Amendments and Termination. The Committee has the power to
terminate  this  Plan at any time or to amend  this  Plan at any time and in any
manner that it may deem advisable.

                             SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS

                  For  purposes  of this  Plan,  the  following  terms  have the
meanings set forth in this Section 4:

                  "ACHIEVEMENT  PERCENTAGE"  means a  percentage  (from 0 to 150
         percent)   corresponding   to  a  specified  level  of  achievement  or
         performance of a particular Goal.

                  "APPROVED  RETIREMENT" means termination of employment with an
         Employer after Participant  attains age 60, but only if such retirement
         is approved by  Corporation's  Chief Executive Officer, in his sole
         discretion.

                  "AWARD" means an incentive award under the Plan.

                  "CORPORATION" means Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation, a Delaware
         corporation.

                  "COMMITTEE" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

                  "DISABILITY"  means the condition of being permanently  unable
         to  perform  Participant's  duties  for  an  Employer  by  reason  of a
         medically  determinable  physical  or  mental  impairment  that  can be
         expected  to result in death or that has lasted or can be  expected  to
         last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

                  "EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYMENT" both refer to service by Participant
         as a  full-time  or  part-time  employee  of  Corporation,  and include
         periods  of  illness  or  other   leaves  of  absence   authorized   by
         Corporation.

                  "GOAL"  means  one of the  elements  of  performance  used  to
         determine Awards under the Plan as described in Section 1.3.

                  "PARTICIPANT"   means  an   eligible   employee   selected  to
         participate in the Plan for all or a portion of a Plan Year.

                  "PLAN YEAR" means a calendar year.

                  "TARGET  AWARD"  means  the  targeted  incentive  award  for a
         Participant for a Plan Year as provided in Section 1.1.

                  "TOTAL SUCCESS PERCENTAGE" means the sum of the Weighted



                                      - 4 -







         Achievement Percentages for each Goal for a Participant.

                  "WEIGHTED  ACHIEVEMENT  PERCENTAGE"  means the  product of the
         Achievement  Percentage  and  the  Weighting  Percentage  for a Goal as
         provided in Section 1.6.



                                      - 5 -

                                LOUISIANA-PACIFIC

                           SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS PLAN

                  THIS SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS PLAN (the "Plan") is established by
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation ("L-P"), a Delaware corporation, effective January
1, 1989.
                  1. A participant in the  Louisiana-Pacific  Salaried  Employee
Stock  Ownership  Trust (the "ESOT") whose share of employer  contributions  and
forfeitures   which  would   otherwise  be  contributed  and  allocated  to  the
participant's  accounts in the profit  sharing  fund and the stock bonus fund of
the ESOT is  reduced  for a plan year by reason of the  application  of  Section
401(a)(17)  of the Internal  Revenue Code  (limiting  compensation  which can be
taken into  account  under the ESOT to $200,000 as adjusted  for cost of living)
shall be entitled to a supplemental benefit under this Plan for the plan year in
an amount equal to the reduction.

                  2.  The   supplemental   benefit  will  not  be  paid  to  the
participant  currently.  Rather, the employer (L-P or, if a subsidiary of L-P is
the employer,  the subsidiary) shall credit to a book reserve (the "Supplemental
Benefit  Account") the amount of the supplemental  benefit.  The credit shall be
made as of  December  31 of the  applicable  ESOT plan  year.  There  shall be a
separate account for each participant who is entitled to a supplemental  benefit
under this Plan.

                  3.  Except  as   provided  in   paragraph  5  relating  to  an
unforeseeable  emergency,  the supplemental  benefit, plus the additional amount
credited to the Supplemental Benefit Account under paragraph 7, shall be paid to
the participant  upon termination of employment for any reason other than death,
or to a beneficiary  designated by the  participant  should the  participant die
while employed.

                  4. The amount of the  Supplemental  Benefit  Account  shall be
paid to the  participant  or  designated  beneficiary  in a single lump sum cash
payment within 60 days after termination of employment.  If at the time of death
no beneficiary  has been  designated or the  designated  beneficiary is not then
living, the amount shall be paid to the participant's estate.

                  5. In the event that the  participant  incurs a financial need
as a result of an  "unforeseeable  emergency,"  the  employer  may,  in its sole
discretion,  pay all or a portion  of the  Supplemental  Benefit  Account to the
participant  prior to the time it would  otherwise be payable under the terms of
paragraph 4. Any such payment  because of an  unforeseeable  emergency  shall be
made only to the extent reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need.

          For  purposes of this Plan,  an  unforeseeable  emergency  is a severe
financial hardship resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of
the participant or a dependent,


                                      - 1 -





loss  of  property  due  to  casualty,   or  other  similar   extraordinary  and
unforeseeable   circumstances   arising  as  a  result  of  events   beyond  the
participant's  control.  The circumstances that will constitute an unforeseeable
emergency will depend upon the facts of each case, but, in any case, payment may
not be made to the extent that any hardship is or may be relieved:

                  (a) Through  reimbursement  or  compensation  by  insurance or
         otherwise, or

                  (b) By liquidation of the participant's  assets, to the extent
         the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe  financial
         hardship.

Examples  of what  shall  not be  considered  to be an  unforeseeable  emergency
include the need to send a child to college or the desire to purchase a home.

                  6. The  beneficiary  referred to in  paragraphs 3 and 4 may be
designated or changed by the  participant  (without the consent of the spouse or
any prior  beneficiary) by written notice to L-P sent by certified or registered
mail, addressed as follows:

                         Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
                         111 S.W. Fifth Avenue
                         Portland, Oregon  97204

                         Attention:  Treasurer

                  7. There shall be credited to the Supplemental Benefit Account
an additional amount (i.e., in addition to the principal amount credited to such
account under paragraph 2 hereof) equal to the interest which would have accrued
on such  principal  amount  if  such  amount  had  earned  interest,  compounded
quarterly at the rate specified below, from the date such amount was credited to
the account until paid out pursuant to the foregoing provisions of the Plan. The
rate of interest for each  calendar  quarter  shall equal the 90-day  commercial
paper  rate  for  high-grade  unsecured  notes  sold  through  dealers  by major
corporations  as reported in the "Money Rates" report of the Wall Street Journal
for the first business day of such quarter.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  if,
at any time interest is to be computed under this  paragraph 7, the  participant
is indebted to the employer for borrowed funds other than an employee relocation
loan, the interest rate under this paragraph  shall not exceed the interest rate
being paid by the participant with respect to such borrowed funds.

                  8. No  payment  under  this  Plan  shall  be made  unless  the
participant is fully vested in the participant's accounts under the ESOT. If the
participant's  accounts  under the ESOT are  forfeited,  then the  participant's
Supplemental Benefit Account under this Plan shall also be forfeited, subject to
being restored upon return to employment if the  circumstances are such that the
participant's accounts under the ESOT would also have been restored.

                  9.  Nothing  contained  in this Plan and no action taken under
its provisions  shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a
fiduciary   relationship   between  the  employer  and  the   participant,   the
participant's designated beneficiary, or any other


                                      - 2 -





person.  The  supplemental  benefit  under the  provisions  of this  Plan  shall
continue for all purposes to be a part of the general  funds of the employer and
subject to claims of unsecured general creditors of the employer.  To the extent
that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the employer under the
Plan, such right shall be unsecured.

                  10. A  participant's  right or that of any  other  person to a
payment  pursuant  to the Plan shall not be  assigned,  transferred,  pledged or
encumbered except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

                  11. If the  employer  shall  find that any  person to whom any
payment is payable  under the Plan is unable to care for his affairs  because of
illness  or  accident  or is a minor,  any  payment  due  (unless a prior  claim
therefor shall have been made by a duly appointed  guardian,  committee or other
legal  representative) may be paid to the spouse,  child, a parent, or a brother
or sister,  or to any person deemed by the employer to have incurred expense for
such person otherwise entitled to payment, in such manner and proportions as the
employer may  determine.  Any such payment shall be a complete  discharge of the
liabilities of the employer under the Plan.

                  12. Nothing  contained herein shall be construed as conferring
upon any  participant  the right to continue in the employ of the employer in an
executive or any other capacity.

                  13.  Payments under the Plan will not constitute  compensation
for purposes of any retirement or life  insurance  benefit plan of the employer,
including,  without  limitation,  the  ESOT,  as any such  plan or trust  may be
amended from time to time.

                  14.  The Board of  Directors  of L-P shall have full power and
authority  to  interpret,  construe  and  administer  the Plan  and the  Board's
interpretation and construction  thereof and actions  thereunder,  including the
amount or  recipient of the payment to be made  therefrom,  shall be binding and
conclusive  on all  persons  for all  purposes.  No member of the Board shall be
liable to any  person for any action  taken or  omitted in  connection  with the
interpretation  and  administration of the Plan, unless  attributable to his own
willful misconduct or lack of good faith.

                  15. The Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
L-P and its  subsidiaries,  its successors and assigns and the  participants and
their heirs, executors, administrators, and legal representatives.



                                      - 3 -




                  16. The Plan shall be governed by and  construed in accordance
with the laws of  Oregon  and  applicable  federal  law  (federal  law  shall be
controlling in the event of any conflict with Oregon law).

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, L-P has caused this Plan to be executed by
its duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.


                                       LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION


                                       By    /s/ JOHN C. HART
                                             (Vice) President


                                       By    /s/ DONALD R. HOLMAN
                                             Secretary



                                      - 4 -


                            1997 CASH INCENTIVE AWARD

                                  MARK A. SUWYN

         The   Compensation   Committee   of   the   board   of   directors   of
Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation  ("L-P")  has  approved  and  adopted  this  Cash
Incentive Award for calendar year 1997 for Mark A. Suwyn ("Suwyn"),  pursuant to
the  Louisiana-Pacific  Corporation Annual Cash Incentive Award Plan. Subject to
approval  of the  performance  goals for  annual  cash  incentive  awards by the
stockholders,  L-P will pay to Suwyn as additional cash compensation the amounts
set forth below if the corresponding performance goals are attained on or before
December 31, 1997.

                                                                             
1. Acquisitions.  Acquire business(es) that add at least $500 million      $ 30,000
   in sales and $50 million in earnings, both on an annualized basis
   as of the acquisition date(s)

2. West Coast Timberlands.  Establish and gain board of director             30,000
   approval of a plan to enhance the value to be realized from the
   West Coast timberlands

3. Ketchikan Pulp Company.  Shut down the pulp mill by March 31              30,000
   and, unless the sawmills cannot operate for reasons beyond the
   company's control, generate $10 million in cash from sawmill
   operations

4. Commodity Business.  Achieve $150 million in operating                    20,000
   earnings in the commodity business of structural panels, lumber
   and industrial panels

5. Specialty Division.  Achieve $20 million in operating earnings            20,000
   and achieve growth in sales of $110 million over 1996 in the
   Specialty Division

6. Pulp Division.  Limit losses in the Pulp Division to less than $15        20,000
   million and achieve a final board of director-approved resolution
   of L-P's long-term position in the pulp business

7. Siding.  Approve and implement a long-term plan which                     20,000
   determines the direction of siding as a product line

8. Culture Change and Improvement.  Complete the training of at              20,000
   least 11,000 employees in RCT fundamentals, complete the
   development of the BPI training program and have at least 5,000
   employees complete the initial training, and have strategic plans
   approved for each business segment




                                      - 8 -










9. EPA Suspension and Debarment.  Settle the EPA suspension and              20,000
   debarment proceeding (case no. 95-0156-00) with the result that
   there is no continuing suspension or debarment with respect to
   any facilities of L-P

10.Safety.  Implement a safety management system in at least 15              10,000
   major manufacturing facilities

11.Employee Compensation and Development Systems.  Establish                 10,000
   and implement a new compensation system for all salaried
   employees and establish a new employee development system
   (including performance management and career development) for
   all salaried employees

12.Information Systems.  Establish and implement a strategic plan            10,000
   for new information systems

   Total Cash Incentive Target Award                                       $240,000
   Based on Suwyn Performance Goals:
Additional Award. If the actual Award achieved is $240,000, L-P shall pay Suwyn an additional $120,000 (an additional 50 percent of the Target Award). If the actual Award achieved is less than $240,000 but at least $180,000, L-P shall pay to Suwyn an additional $90,000 (an additional 37.5 percent of the Target Award). Certification of Performance. No part of the above Award amounts shall be paid until the Compensation Committee has certified in writing that the relevant performance goals have been achieved. AWARD OPPORTUNITY BASED ON CORPORATE PERFORMANCE Pursuant to the Annual Cash Incentive Award Plan, the Compensation Committee hereby approves an additional Award opportunity of a Target amount of $240,000, with the actual Award amount to be paid to Suwyn determined on the basis of L-P's earnings per share (EPS) for calendar year 1997, as follows: - 9 - PERCENT OF TARGET AWARD TO BE PAID 150%------------------------------------------------------------------ 100%------------------------------------------------------------------ 50%------------------------------------------------------------------ $0.30 $0.60 $1.20 EPS Performance No part of the above Award based upon corporate performance shall be paid until L-P's audited consolidated financial statements for 1997 have been completed. Adopted by the Compensation Committee March 11, 1997 - 10 -
L-P      LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION                           April 19, 1996


         lll S.W. Fifth Avenue
         Portland, Oregon  97204
         503/221-0800
         FAX:  503/796-0204


Mr. Mike Hanna
President
Associated Chemists, Inc.

Dear Mike:

The purpose of the memo is to capture the essence of our  discussions  regarding
your position with Louisiana-Pacific in the event the pending acquisition of ACI
is completed.

In the first month while we await the Hart Scott Rodino ruling,  you should plan
on spending some of your time  traveling to our  operations to learn better what
we do and how ACI might leap  forward in sales with L-P.  As you will not yet be
an employee, you will be in a perfect position to talk and observe. I anticipate
announcing  at the  OPC  meeting  Saturday  that if the  deal  goes  through,  I
anticipate you working with additional parts of the company.

Once aboard,  I see you with the  following  responsibilities  in the  beginning
(refer to attached organizational chart):
         *The Specialty Products groups will report to you directly.  These will
         tend to be  stand-alone  businesses  with a single person  running each
         one. They represent the growth segment of our business plan.  *Building
         Products  Sales  &  Marketing   will  report   directly  to  you.  This
         organization  will have the  responsibility  to develop  the  marketing
         approaches  to and carry out sales of all our building  products to the
         retail and wholesale trades. The two primary thrusts envisioned at this
         time are building and maintaining the preferred  position as a supplier
         of building  products to the retail trade (Home Depot,  Lowes,  etc.) a
         becoming the clear #1 developer and  manufacturer  of  Engineered  Wood
         Products to the building trades.

Depending  on the number and type of  acquisitions  we make (and  therefore  the
complexity we create) this position  would also take  responsibility  in about a
year for the Manufacturing  Division which will be run by a VP-Manufacturing  to
be selected soon.

You will  have the  responsibility  to  convene  and lead the  Operating  Policy
Committee  (OPC)  which is  comprised  of the key  Senior  Managers  across  the
company.  This committee  meets every 2-3 months to deal with major  operational
issues, sets the tone and direction for the



                                      - 1 -




manner in which we deal with our people and recommends  policy changes necessary
to support our business and management thrusts.

In this position, you will have the primary role in all business operations. You
will be a key member of the Senior Management team and therefore involved in all
Strategic  Issues and  decisions.  You will be my  substitute  in meetings  with
customers, shareholders and employees that I can not attend.

Your compensation,  benefits and contractual arrangements at ACI will be honored
for the first three years after the  acquisition  is completed.  During the year
your  compensation  will be adapted  into a new L-P plan,  but will not diminish
your compensation as noted below:

         * Salary                                                      $280,000
         * Annual Bonus for 1996
                  -40% paid on July 15, 1996                           $ 88,000
                  -60% paid December 1996 or January 1997              $132,000

At  the  end  of  three  years  your  compensation,   benefits  and  contractual
arrangements  will be folded  into  standard  Senior  Executive  L-P  Plans.  In
addition,  you will be awarded stock options to purchase  45,000 shares,  1/3 of
which will vest on 1/1/97,  1/1/98,  and 1/1/99.  The options will be granted at
85% of the market  price on the date of the ACI  closing,  pending  extension of
this feature by the Board. These options will vest immediately upon a changed of
control of the company.

I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

/s/ MARK A. SUWYN

Mark A Suwyn




                                      - 2 -


                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DATED:      January 15, 1995

FROM:       Associated Chemists, Inc.

OWNERS:     Richard L. Rosenberg and Mary M. Rosenberg

TO:         Michael D. Hanna

1.    Employment

      (a) The Corporation agrees to employ Hanna and Hanna agrees to be employed
by the Corporation in the capacity of President and Chief Operating Officer. The
term of the employment shall be for two years effective  January 15, 1995 and is
subject to termination only for Cause.

      (b) The  Corporation  and Hanna  further agree to a two year notice period
for termination or separation,  other than for cause. This paragraph is intended
to bind both  parties  to a  two-year  notice  regardless  of the date  given in
Paragraph 1(a).


                                          ASSOCIATED CHEMISTS, INC.


                                          By     Michael D. Hanna
                                          President


                                                 Richard L. Rosenberg
                                          Richard L. Rosenberg - "OWNER"


                                                 Mary M. Rosenberg
                                          Mary M. Rosenberg - "OWNER"


                                                 Michael D. Hanna
                                          Michael D. Hanna - "HANNA"




                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                  THIS EXECUTIVE  EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT  (this  "Agreement")  is
entered into effective as of January 1, 1997, by and between  LOUISIANA  PACIFIC
CORPORATION,  a corporation  organized  and existing  under the laws of Delaware
(the "Corporation"),  and KAREN D. LUNDQUIST (the "Executive").  The Corporation
and Executive are herein referred to collectively as the "Parties," or singly as
a "Party" as the  context  requires or permits.  All  references  to Section and
subsections  refer  to  Sections  and  subsections  of this  Agreement,  and all
reference to Exhibits and Schedules are to Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto
each of which is made a part hereof for all purposes.

                                    PREMISES:

                  A.       The  Corporation  desires  to hire  the  services  of
Executive and to provide  Executive  with  compensation  and terms of employment
which will retain, motivate and competitively reward the Executive;

                  B.       Executive is not currently a party to any  employment
contract  that would  prevent  her from being  employed  by the  Corporation  in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

                  C.       Executive  represents  that  her  employment  by  the
Corporation  will not  violate  any  federal  immigration  laws and  regulations
promulgated thereunder; and

                  D.       Executive   desires   to  render   services   to  the
Corporation upon the following terms and conditions.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  mutual  covenants
contained  herein  and of the  mutual  benefits  to the  Parties  to be  derived
hereunder, the Corporation and Executive agree as follows:

                  1.       EMPLOYMENT.  Corporation  hereby employs Executive to
perform those duties generally described in this Agreement, and Executive hereby
accepts and agrees to such employment on the terns and conditions set forth.

                  2.       TERM.  The  "Term" of this  Agreement  shall be for a
period of three (3) years  commencing  effective  as of  January  1,  1997,  and
expiring at midnight on December  31, 1999,  unless  earlier  terminated  in the
manner provided herein.  In the event the Parties have not agreed to extend this
Agreement or have not entered into a new agreement prior to the end of the Term,
then  Executive's  employment with the Corporation  shall continue in accordance
with all of the provisions of this  Agreement  until such time as this Agreement
is amended or superseded by a new employment agreement.



                                      - 1 -









                  3.       DUTIES.

                  3.1      During  the  Term,  Executive  shall be  employed  by
Corporation as the Vice President of Manufacturing of the Corporation, and shall
have all of the  rights,  powers and  obligations  normally  associated  with or
attributed  to an executive  officer of the  Corporation.  Executive is hired to
perform  the  following  duties:  (i) head of  manufacturing  for all  commodity
operations which includes  lumber,  OSB, plywood and industrial panel facilities
world-wide,  (ii) managing four  manufacturing  managers  reporting  directly to
Executive  plus  such   additional   staff  as  required,   and  (iii)  being  a
participating  member of the  Senior  Management  Team  which  sets  policy  and
direction  for the  Corporation.  Executive  shall devote her full working time,
attention  and energy to the business of the  Corporation,  and shall not during
the term be engaged in any other business  activities  which will  significantly
interfere or conflict with the reasonable  performance of her duties  hereunder,
except as provided in Section 3.2. In the performance of these duties, Executive
will initially report directly to Mark Suwyn, the Corporation's  Chief Executive
Officer.

                  3.2      The Parties  acknowledge that Executive is a founder,
shareholder,  director, and officer of Creative Breakthroughs, Inc. ("Company"),
a company that renders services to the Corporation as an independent contractor.
Executive will resign her position of officer and will not participate  directly
in negotiations  involving the  Corporation and Company for services.  Executive
will, however, remain active as a compensated director of the Company and retain
her  shareholdings  in the  Company.  It is  acknowledged  that the  Company may
continue  to  render  services  to  the  Corporation.  The  Parties  agree  that
Executive's  continued  activities  as a director on behalf of the Company shall
not be  asserted  by the  Corporation  as a conflict  of interest or a breach by
Executive of her duties and responsibilities (fiduciary or other) to Corporation
or other breach of this Agreement or applicable laws.

                  4.       COMPENSATION.  For  services  rendered by  Executive,
Corporation shall compensate Executive as follows:

                  4.1      BASE SALARY.  Corporation  shall pay Executive a base
salary of $190,000 per year, payable as earned in equal monthly or twice-monthly
payments.  Base salary shall be adjusted  annually  based upon  performance  and
shall be subject to Corporation's  executive  compensation  plans in effect from
time to time.  All salary  payments  shall be subject to  withholding  and other
applicable taxes.

                  4.2      SHORT TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. Executive shall be
paid a minimum  of  $50,000  incentive  compensation  prior to the first  annual
anniversary of the term of this  Agreement.  Following  such first  anniversary,
this incentive  compensation  may be increased or decreased which  determination
shall be based on Executive's performance.

                  4.3      LONG TERM  INCENTIVE  COMPENSATION.  As an additional
incentive  to Executive to utilize her talents and skills to maximize the growth
and  profitability  of Corporation,  Corporation  will establish,  annually,  in
advance, criteria for bonus



                                      - 2 -








compensation  for Executive  based on Executive's  contribution to the strategic
objectives of the  Corporation.  Such bonus  compensation  shall be in the range
between $20,000 and $50,000 but in no event less than $20,000 per annum.

                  4.4      STOCK OPTIONS.

                  4.4.1    As a further  incentive to  Executive,  promptly upon
execution of this  Agreement and subject to Board  approval  which  approval the
Chief Executive Officer will recommend,  the Corporation will grant to Executive
options entitling her to acquire 30,000 of the Corporation's shares trading in a
public  medium  pursuant to the terms  (including  price) and  conditions of its
share  option  plan  available  to  other  senior  executive   officers  of  the
Corporation.  Under such plan, so long as Executive is rendering  services under
this  Agreement,  Executive  shall become  vested (on each  following  January 1
during the Term  commencing  January 1, 1997) in an option to acquire  10,000 of
such shares and Executive  will have a period of five (5) years from the time of
vesting to exercise  each option.  The price per share of each share  subject to
such option shall be an amount  equal to the closing  price of such shares as of
the last trading day of 1996.  Once vested such option shall not be  forfeitable
for any reason.

                  4.4.2    Notwithstanding  anything contained in this Agreement
to the contrary,  upon the occurrence of any of the following events,  Executive
shall be Immediately vested in all options to such 30,000 shares:

                           4.4.2.1 Executive's employment with Corporation shall
be  terminated  without  cause or due to  death  or  disability  as  defined  in
paragraph 7.4;

                           4.4.2.2   The   Chief   Executive   Officer   of  the
Corporation as of January I 1997, shall be replaced.

                           4.4.2.3    Executive's   duties   are   significantly
curtailed or reduced.

                           4.4.2.4  The  effective  control  of the  Corporation
shall change as defined in the standard form option agreement used for executive
options  from  those  persons  and/or  entities  who  effectively   control  the
Corporation as of January 1, 1997, to other persons and/or entities.

                  4.5      MOVING  EXPENSES.  Executive shall have paid for her,
or  reimbursed,  all the  expenses of her move to  Portland,  Oregon  including,
without limitation the following:

                  4.5.1    Packing and unpacking and  transporting all household
goods;

                  4.5.2    Expenses   associated   with  Minnesota   residential
premises lease severance;




                                      - 3 -








                  4.5.3    Expenses  associated  with  preparing  for  shipment,
transporting and delivering two horses;

                  4.5.4    Usual and  customary  closing  costs and  expenses of
purchasing and closing title to a home in Portland, Oregon area;

                  4.5.5    Expenses  associated  with  preparing  for  shipment,
transporting and receiving two vehicles, and

                  4.5.6    Personal  travel expenses from Minnesota to Portland,
Oregon for as many trips as are  reasonably  necessary for Executive to complete
her move to Portland, Oregon.

                  4.6      OTHER   BENEFITS.   Executive  will  be  eligible  to
participate in all regular salaried executive  employee benefit programs:  Heath
Care Coverage,  Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment  Insurance,  Long Term
Disability  coverage,  Personal  Accident  Insurance,  Employee Stock  Ownership
Trust,  and  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plans.  Executive  shall be  entitled to
participate   in  any   health   and  life   insurance,   retirement,   pension,
profit-sharing, or other benefit plan as hereafter adopted by the Corporation on
the same basis as other employees.

                  4.7      VACATION\SICK  PAY.  Executive  shall be  entitled to
four (4) weeks paid  vacation  time and such  additional  paid time for sick and
personal  leave  time on the  same  basis  as  other  senior  executives  of the
Corporation  are  provided  such leave time.  Upon  termination  of  Executive's
employment for any reason,  the Corporation shall compensate  Executive for such
unused and accrued vacation time at Executive's then current base salary.

                  5.       WORKING   FACILITIES.   Corporation   shall   provide
Executive with such  reasonable  working  facilities and services,  including an
office and  secretarial  assistance,  as are necessary and  appropriate  for the
performance  of her duties.  Such  facilities  and services shall be provided to
Executive at  Corporation's  principal  place of business or such other place as
may be agreed to by the Corporation and Executive.

                  6.       EXPENSES.  Corporation  will reimburse  Executive for
actual and reasonable business expenses incurred by Executive in connection with
the business of Corporation,  including expenses for automobile,  entertainment,
travel,  attendance at  conventions,  employee  training and similar  items,  on
Executive's  periodic  presentation  of an  itemized  account of such  expenses,
together with supporting documentation.

                  7.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

                  7.1      TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. Corporation may terminate this
Agreement,  without  liability,  for "cause" (as defined below) by delivering to
Executive thirty (30) days' advance written notice of termination  setting forth
the reasons  for such  termination.  Upon  delivery  of such  notice,  except as
expressly herein or in the Corporation's policies provided



                                      - 4 -








to the contrary,  all obligations of the  Corporation  hereunder shall cease. As
used herein, the term "Cause" shall mean the following: (i) Executive shall have
been  incompetent  in the  performance of her duties  hereunder;  (ii) material,
willful  or gross  misconduct  by  Executive  in the  performance  of her duties
hereunder;  (iii) the failure by Executive to perform or observe any substantial
obligation of such employment that is not remedied within thirty (30) days after
the receipt of written notice thereof from Corporation (provided such neglect or
failure is unrelated to disability); or (iv) a final nonappealable conviction of
or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by Executive to any felony or misdemeanor
involving fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty involving Corporation.

                  7.2      TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE.  Corporation may terminate
Executive's employment with Corporation at any time upon ninety (90) days' prior
written  notice  without cause.  If the  Corporation  so terminates  Executive's
employment  without cause at any time prior to January 1, 2000, it agrees to pay
Executive  a  severance  payment  of an  amount  equal  to nine  (9)  months  of
Executive's  then base salary or if the  Corporation  so terminates  Executive's
employment  without cause after  December 31, 1999, it agrees to pay Executive a
severance  payment of an amount equal to (i) nine (9) months of Executive's then
base salary,  plus (ii) one ( 1 ) month of Executive's then base salary for each
full or partial year of employment with the Corporation to a maximum of eighteen
(18) months' salary,  plus the greater of (a) Executive's  annual short and long
term  incentive  compensation  earned by Executive for the last year's short and
long  term  incentive  compensation  prorated  to the  date  of  termination  of
Executive's  employment,  or (b) the amount of such incentive  compensation  due
Executive at the time of termination, if determinable. In addition,  Corporation
shall,  at its expense,  make  available to Executive out placement  services of
first class quality.

                  7.3      BY   DEATH.    This   Agreement    shall    terminate
automatically  upon the death of Executive,  and,  except for the  Corporation's
obligations  (hereby assumed by the Corporation) for the payment of accrued base
salary and  incentive  compensation  (determined  pursuant to the  provisions of
Section  7.2 as if  Executive  were  terminated  without  cause)  and  except as
expressly herein or in the Corporation's  policies provided to the contrary, all
obligations of Corporation hereunder shall cease.

                  7.4      BY DISABILITY.  If Executive  shall be prevented from
properly  performing  her duties  hereunder  by reason of any physical or mental
incapacity  for a period  of more  than one  hundred  eighty  (180)  consecutive
calendar days in any twelve-month  period, then, to the extent permitted by law,
the Corporation may terminate Executive's  employment by delivery of thirty (30)
days' advance written notice of termination. Thirty (30) days following delivery
of such notice of termination,  except for the Corporation's obligations (hereby
assumed by the Corporation) for the payment of accrued base salary and incentive
compensation  (determined  pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  Section  7.2 as if
Executive were  terminated  without cause) and except as expressly  herein or in
the  Corporation's  policies  provided to the contrary,  all  obligations of the
Corporation hereunder shall cease.

                  8.       NOTICES. All notices or other communications required
or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if delivered



                                      - 5 -








by hand or mailed,  postage  prepaid,  by certified or registered  mail,  return
receipt requested,  or by Federal Express (or other established express delivery
service which maintains  delivery  records),  freight prepaid,  and addressed as
follows:

If to Corporation:                  Louisiana Pacific Corporation
                                    111 S.W. Fifth Avenue
                                    Portland, Oregon 97204
                                                     Attn: General Counsel

If to Executive:                    Karen D. Lundquist
                                    c/o Parsons, Davies, Kinghorn & Peters
                                    185 South State Street, Suite 700
                                    Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
                                                     Attention:  John Parsons

Notice of change of address shall be effective only when made in accordance with
this Section.

                  9.       GOVERNING  LAW. This  Agreement  shall be governed by
and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Oregon.

                  10.      ARBITRATION. In the event of a dispute or controversy
between the Parties as to the provisions or performance of this Agreement,  such
dispute or controversy shall be submitted to arbitration in Portland,  Oregon in
accordance with the Commercial Rules of Arbitration of the American  Arbitration
Association.

                  11.      EXPENSES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. If any action, suit or
proceeding is brought by a Party with respect to a matter or matters governed by
this  Agreement,  all costs and  expenses of the  prevailing  Party  incurred in
connection with such proceeding,  including reasonable attorneys' fees, shall be
paid by the nonprevailing Party.

                  12.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  Except for incentive compensation,
stock  options and benefits that require  reference to extraneous  documents for
further  definition,  this Agreement  contains the entire agreement  between the
Parties  with  respect to any  written  or oral  negotiations,  commitments  and
understandings.  No letter,  telegram or other communication passing between the
Parties  shall  be  deemed  a part of this  Agreement;  nor  shall a  subsequent
communication have the effect of modifying or adding to this Agreement unless it
is distinctly stated in such letter,  telegram or other communication that it is
to  constitute  a part of this  Agreement  and is signed by the  Parties to this
Agreement.

                  13.      SEVERABILITY.  If and to the extent that any court of
competent  jurisdiction  holds  any  provision,  or any  part  thereof,  of this
Agreement to be invalid or  unenforceable,  such holding  shall in no way affect
the validity of the remainder of this Agreement.




                                      - 6 -








                  14.      WAIVER. No failure by either Party to insist upon the
strict  performance  of any  covenant,  duty,  agreement  or  condition  of this
Agreement or to exercise  any right or remedy  consequent  upon a breach  hereof
shall constitute a waiver of any such breach,  any subsequent breach of the same
obligation, or of any other covenant, agreement, term, or condition.

                  15.      COUNTERPARTS  AND  HEADINGS.  This  Agreement  may be
executed in two or more counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original
and all of which together  shall  constitute  one and the same  instrument.  All
headings in this  Agreement are inserted for  convenience or reference and shall
not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

                  16.      BINDING  EFFECT.  The rights and  obligations  of the
Parties  under this  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and shall bind the
respective  legal  representatives,  successors  and  permitted  assigns  of the
Parties.

                  DATED as of the date first above written.

                       Corporation:              LOUISIANA PACIFIC CORPORATION


                                                 By  /s/ MARK A. SUWYN
                                                     Duly Authorized Officer

                       Executive:

                                                     /s/ KAREN D. LUNDQUIST
                                                     Karen D. Lundquist




                                      - 7 -


                                  EXHIBIT 11


                LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CALCULATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE
                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996


Number of Shares --------------------------------------------- Including Common Excluding Common Stock Equivalents Stock Equivalents (1) ----------------- --------------------- Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding 116,937,022 116,937,022 Weighted average number of shares sold to ESOTs subsequent to January 1, 1994, not allocated to participate accounts (2) (1,227,983) (1,227,983) Weighted average number of shares of treasury stock held during the period (8,302,837) (8,302,837) Common stock equivalents: Application of the "treasury stock" method to stock option and purchase plans 27,481 ---- ----------- ----------- Weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents 107,433,683 107,406,202 =========== =========== Rounded to 107,430,000 107,410,000 =========== =========== Net income (loss) $(200,700,000) $(200,700,000) =========== =========== Net income (loss) per share $(1.87) $(1.87) =========== ===========
(1) Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15, "Earnings Per Share," allows companies to disregard dilution of less than 3 percent in the computation of earnings per share. Therefore, shares used in computing earnings per share for financial reporting purposes is 107,040,000 shares. (2) American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position No. 93-6, "Employers' Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans" requires that shares held by registrant's ESOTs which were acquired by the ESOTs on or after January 1, 1994, which are not allocated to participant's accounts, are not considered outstanding for purposes of computing earnings per share. Shares held by the ESOTs which were acquired by the ESOTs prior to January 1, 1994, continue to be considered outstanding (whether or not allocated to participant's accounts) for purposes of computing earnings per share.
                                   EXHIBIT 21



                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT


            The  following   table  lists  the   registrant   and  each  of  its
subsidiaries  and the  jurisdiction  under the laws of which the  registrant and
each subsidiary is  incorporated.  Each subsidiary is identified  underneath its
immediate parent.  Except as indicated,  each subsidiary is 100 percent owned by
its parent.


Name                                                  Jurisdiction
- ----------------------                                --------------------

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation                         Delaware


Domestic Subsidiaries
- ----------------------

      Associated Chemists, Inc.                       Oregon
      Creative Point, Inc.                            California
      GreenStone Industries, Inc.                     Delaware
            Pacific Rim Recycling, Inc.               Delaware
            GreenStone Industries-Ft. Wayne, Inc.     Indiana
      Ketchikan Pulp Company                          Washington
      Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (W. Va.)          West Virginia
      Louisiana-Pacific Polymers, Inc.                Oregon
      L-P Foreign Sales Corporation                   Guam
      New Waverly Transportation, Inc.                Texas

Foreign Subsidiaries
- ---------------------

      Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd.                   British Columbia, Canada
            Louisiana-Pacific Forest Products, Ltd.   British Columbia, Canada
      Louisiana-Pacific de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.       Mexico
      Louisiana-Pacific, S.A. de C.V.                 Mexico
      Louisiana-Pacific de Venezuela, C. A.           Venezuela
      Louisiana-Pacific Coillte Ireland Limited       Ireland

                                   EXHIBIT 23


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report  included  in this  Form  10-K  into the  registrants'  previously  filed
Registration Statement Nos. 2-97014,  33-42276,  33-50958,  33-60264,  33-62944,
33-54859, 33-55105, 33-62317 and 333-10987.


                                             /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Portland, Oregon
March 27, 1997




 

5 This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in this Form 10-K and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 1,000 12-MOS DEC-31-1996 JAN-01-1996 DEC-31-1996 27,800 0 102,500 (1,400) 264,300 579,200 2,486,000 (1,207,500) 2,588,700 344,700 458,600 0 0 117,000 1,310,600 2,588,700 2,486,000 2,486,000 2,315,300 2,805,000 0 0 14,200 (326,800) (125,600) (200,700) 0 0 0 (200,700) (1.87) 0