EXHIBIT 10.1 ------------ PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL The Directors 5531 Simpson Strong-Tie International Inc. Winchester Road Cardinal Point Our Ref: SCB/hbh Tamworth Staffordshire 16th July 1999 Dear Sirs SIMPSON STRONG-TIE INTERNATIONAL INC We are writing to confirm that we have agreed facilities for the above company as described below. The facilities are repayable upon demand at any time, but subject to this overriding condition, the limits have been marked forward for review by 16th July 2000. FACILITIES OVERDRAFT GBP250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand pounds). RENTAL GUARANTEE TO ROYAL LONDON GBP442,000 (four hundred and forty two thousand pounds). HM CUSTOMS & EXCISE GUARANTEE GBP10,000 (2 x GBP5,000) COMPANY BARCLAYCARD GBP15,000 (fifteen thousand pounds). BARCLAYS VEHICLE MANAGEMENT GBP60,000 (sixty thousand pounds). SERVICES PURPOSE To assist with the working capital requirements of the Company. INTEREST/COMMISSION/FEES Interest will be charged at a rate of 2% above Barclays Bank's Base Rate current from time to time. Barclays Bank PLC Simpson Strong-Tie International Inc. 16th July 1999 No amounts may be drawn in excess of the agreed facility but if exceptionally the Bank pays amounts which are not agreed in advance and which create an excess position, then a borrowing margin of 15% will apply to the unauthorised amounts calculated daily. Interest will be charged quarterly in arrears in March, June, September and December, or at such other intervals as the Bank may notify to you. Base Rate is currently 5% and variations in Base Rate are published in the press. Commission will be charged in line with the Bank tariff current from time to time, a copy of which is in your possession. The tariff is usually reviewed annually in May. Commission in respect of the Rental Guarantee will be charged at a rate of 0.45% per annum. The commission and management time charge will be debited quarterly in arrears in March, June, September and December. A renewal fee of GBP500 has been debited to the account. SECURITY The facility will be secured/guaranteed by :- Standby Letter of Credit in the sum of GBP442,000 from the Union Bank re the Rental Guarantee to Royal London. A Guarantee from Simpson Manufacturing Inc in respect of the remaining facilities. Barclays Bank PLC Simpson Strong-Tie International Inc. 16th July 1999 and any other security which is now held or hereinafter may be held by the Bank, all of which security is to be available as cover for all liabilities of the Borrower whether actual or contingent to the Bank at any time. CONDITION PRECEDENT The facility is conditional upon the Standby Letter of Credit being renewed at its expiry date. INFORMATION The Borrower will provide the Bank with copies of its audited, trading and consolidated profit and loss account and balance sheet as soon as they are available, and not later than 180 days from the end of each accounting reference period. Yours faithfully /s/S C Brettell - --------------------------------- S C BRETTELL CORPORATE MANAGER