Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                                MERGER AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                                 SEKIDENKO, INC.
                                  ("SEKIDENKO")

                                 DR. RAY R. DILS
                        (AS THE "PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER")

                        ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
                          (AS THE "PARENT CORPORATION")

                                       AND

                           MERCURY MERGER CORPORATION
                              (AS THE "MERGER SUB")

                               DATED JULY 21, 2000

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Page
<S>   <C>                                                                          <C>

PARTIES ..............................................................................1

RECITALS .............................................................................1

1.    THE MERGER......................................................................2
      1.1      Articles and Plan of Merger............................................2
      1.2      Effective Time.........................................................2
      1.3      Effect of the Merger...................................................2
      1.4      Anticipated Tax Treatment of the Merger................................3
      1.5      Anticipated Accounting Treatment of the Merger.........................3

2.    CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE OF SHARES...............................................3
      2.1      Conversion of Capital Stock of Sekidenko...............................3
      2.2      Procedures for Exchange of Certificates for Merger Shares..............3
      2.3      Merger Shares to be Escrowed...........................................4
      2.4      Merger Sub's Capital Stock.............................................4

3.    CLOSING.........................................................................4
      3.1      Date, Time and Place of Closing........................................4
      3.2      Documents to be Delivered at Closing by Sekidenko......................4
      3.3      Documents to be Delivered at Closing by the Parent Corporation.........5

4.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SEKIDENKO AND THE
      PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER...........................................................5
      4.1      Corporate Existence and Powers of Sekidenko............................5
      4.2      Authorizations, Enforceability and Effect of Agreement.................6
      4.3      Capital Stock of Sekidenko.............................................7
      4.4      Subsidiaries...........................................................7
      4.5      Permits and Compliance with Applicable Laws............................7
      4.6      Litigation, Orders and Judgments.......................................7
      4.7      Financial Statements...................................................7
      4.8      Tax Matters............................................................8
      4.9      Offices and Equipment..................................................8
      4.10     Insurance..............................................................8
      4.11     Material Contracts.....................................................9
      4.12     Intellectual Property..................................................9
      4.13     Compliance with Employment Laws and Labor Relations....................9
      4.14     Hazardous Substances..................................................10
      4.15     Employee Benefit Plans................................................10
      4.16     Finders...............................................................11
      4.17     Absence of Certain Changes or Events..................................11
      4.18     Relations with Major Customer.........................................11
      4.19     Books and Records.....................................................12
      4.20     Pooling of Interests; Tax Reorganization..............................12
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<S>   <C>                                                                          <C>
5.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT CORPORATION
      AND THE MERGER SUB.............................................................12
      5.1      Corporate Existence and Powers of the Parent Corporation..............12
      5.2      Corporate Existence and Powers of the Merger Sub......................12
      5.3      Authorizations, Enforceability and Effect of Agreement................12
      5.4      Capital Stock of the Parent Corporation...............................13
      5.5      Securities Filings Made by the Parent Corporation.....................14
      5.6      Tax Matters...........................................................14

6.    COVENANTS......................................................................14
      6.1      Investigation.........................................................14
      6.2      Confidentiality.......................................................15
      6.3      Announcements.........................................................15
      6.4      Conduct of Sekidenko's Business Until Closing.........................15
      6.5      Conduct of the Parent Corporation's Business Until Closing............16
      6.6      Hart Scott Rodino Filing..............................................16
      6.7      Form S-3 Registration Statement.......................................17
      6.8      Listing Application...................................................18
      6.9      Advice of Changes.....................................................18
      6.10     Expenses Associated with the Merger...................................18
      6.11     Preparation of Audited Financial Statements of Sekidenko..............18
      6.12     No Acquisition Discussions............................................18
      6.13     Certificates..........................................................18

7.    CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARENT CORPORATION AND
      THE MERGER SUB.................................................................19
      7.1      Accuracy of Representations and Warranties............................19
      7.2      Performance of Covenants..............................................19
      7.3      Consents..............................................................19
      7.4      No Change in Major Customer Relationship..............................19
      7.5      Certificate...........................................................19
      7.6      Escrow Agreement......................................................19
      7.7      HSR Act Waiting Period................................................19
      7.8      Opinion of Counsel to Sekidenko.......................................19
      7.9      Confirmation of Pooling of Interest...................................19
      7.10     Employment Agreement..................................................20
      7.11     No Dissenters.........................................................20
      7.12     Audit of Financial Statements.........................................20
      7.13     Exemption from Registration...........................................20
      7.13     Assignment of Sublicense Royalties....................................20

8.    CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SEKIDENKO AND THE PRINCIPAL
      SHAREHOLDER....................................................................20
      8.1      Accuracy of Representations and Warranties............................20
      8.2      Performance of Covenants..............................................20
      8.3      Certificate...........................................................20
      8.4      Escrow Agreement......................................................20
      8.5      HSR Act Waiting Period................................................20
      8.6      Opinion of Counsel to the Parent Corporation..........................20
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>   <C>                                                                          <C>
9.    TERMINATION....................................................................21
      9.1      By Mutual Agreement...................................................21
      9.2      By the Parent Corporation.............................................21
      9.3      By Sekidenko..........................................................21
      9.4      Effect of Termination.................................................21

10.   GENERAL........................................................................21
      10.1     Binding Effect; Benefits..............................................21
      10.2     Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.................22
      10.3     Assignment............................................................22
      10.4     Notices...............................................................22
      10.5     Entire Agreement; Amendment...........................................23
      10.6     Governing Law and Interpretation......................................23
      10.7     Arbitration...........................................................23
      10.8     Counterparts..........................................................23
      10.9     Waivers...............................................................23
      10.10    Severability..........................................................23
</TABLE>

                                       iv
<PAGE>   5

                                    EXHIBITS

     The following Exhibits are attached to and are incorporated by reference
into this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>
     Exhibit 1.1        Form of Articles of Merger
     Exhibit 2.3        Form of Escrow Agreement
     Exhibit 3.2.3      Form of Employment Agreement
     Exhibit 7.8        Form of Opinion of Legal Counsel to Sekidenko
     Exhibit 8.6        Form of Opinion of Legal Counsel to the Parent Corporation
</TABLE>

                                    SCHEDULES

     The following Schedules have been provided separately, but concurrently
with delivery of this Agreement, by Sekidenko to the Parent Corporation and are
incorporated by reference into this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>
     Schedule 2.1       List of Sekidenko Shareholders
     Schedule 4.2.4     Consents
     Schedule 4.6       Litigation, Orders and Judgments
     Schedule 4.7       Financial Statements
     Schedule 4.11      Material Contracts
     Schedule 4.12      Intellectual Property
     Schedule 4.13      Compliance with Employment Laws and Labor Relations
     Schedule 4.14      Hazardous Substances
     Schedule 4.15      Benefit Plans
     Schedule 4.16      Finders Fees
     Schedule 4.17      Changes or Events
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6

                             INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Term                                              Location of Definition
----                                              ----------------------
<S>                                               <C>
Agreement                                         Preface
APB No. 16                                        Recital E
Applied Materials                                 Section 4.18
Articles of Merger                                Section 1.1
Benefit Plans                                     Section 4.15
Closing                                           Section 3.1
Closing Date                                      Section 3.1
Code                                              Recital D
Effective Time                                    Section 1.2
Environmental Requirements                        Section 4.14
ERISA                                             Section 4.15
Escrow Agent                                      Section 2.3
Escrow Agreement                                  Section 2.3
Exchange Price                                    Section 2.1
Exchange Ratio                                    Section 2.1.1
Form S-3 Registration                             Section 6.7
Hazardous Substances                              Section 4.14
HSR Act                                           Section 4.2.4
Material Contract                                 Section 4.11
Merger                                            Section 1.1
Merger Shares                                     Section 2.1.1
Merger Sub                                        Parties
Principal Shareholder                             Parties
Parent Corporation                                Parties
Parent Corporation's Securities Filings           Section 5.5
Sekidenko                                         Parties
Sekidenko Financial Statements                    Section 4.7
Sekidenko Intellectual Property                   Section 4.12
Sekidenko Shareholders                            Section 2.1
Surviving Corporation                             Section 1.3
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   7

                                MERGER AGREEMENT

     THIS MERGER AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is dated for reference purposes as
of July 21, 2000 and is by and among the following:

                                     PARTIES

<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
Sekidenko, Inc., a corporation duly                                ("SEKIDENKO")
incorporated under the laws of the
State of Washington having its
principal office located at:
2501 S.E. Columbia Way, Suite 230
Vancouver, Washington 98661

Dr. Ray R. Dils,                                   (the "PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER")
an individual residing at:
1416 N.E. 145th Avenue
Vancouver, Washington 98684

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc., a corporation       (the "PARENT CORPORATION")
duly incorporated under the laws of the
State of Delaware and having its
principal office located at:
1625 Sharp Point Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Mercury Merger Corporation, a corporation                     (the "MERGER SUB")
duly incorporated under the laws of the
State of Washington and having its
principal office located at:
1625 Sharp Point Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525
</TABLE>

                                    RECITALS

     A. The Boards of Directors of Sekidenko and Parent Corporation each have
determined that a business combination involving Sekidenko and Parent
Corporation would enable each of those companies to better achieve their
long-term strategic and financial objectives and, accordingly, would be in the
best interest of their respective shareholders and each desires to effect the
Merger (as defined herein) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.

     B. The Principal Shareholder is the record and beneficial holder of a
majority of the outstanding capital stock of Sekidenko and desires to cause
Sekidenko to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.

     C. The Parent Corporation has caused the formation of Merger Sub for the
sole purpose of effecting the Merger.

                                       1
<PAGE>   8

     D. The parties intend that the Merger qualify for federal income tax
purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE").

     E. The parties intend that the Merger be accounted for as a pooling of
interests for financial accounting purposes in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion Number 16, the interpretive releases issued pursuant
thereto and the pronouncements of the Securities and Exchange Commission
relating thereto (collectively, "APB NO. 16").

                                    AGREEMENT

     NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, and, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1.   THE MERGER.

     1.1 Articles and Plan of Merger. On the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement, on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3.1, below),
Sekidenko and the Merger Sub will execute Articles of Merger, including a Plan
of Merger, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 (the "ARTICLES OF
MERGER"), and file such Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of Washington. Pursuant to these Articles of Merger, the Merger Sub will
be merged with and into Sekidenko (the "MERGER").

     1.2 Effective Time. The Merger will become effective as of the date on
which Sekidenko and the Merger Sub file the Articles of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Washington (the "EFFECTIVE Time").

     1.3 Effect of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in
Section 23B.11.060 of the Washington Business Corporation Act. Pursuant to the
Merger, the separate existence of the Merger Sub will cease and Sekidenko shall,
for all purposes, be considered the surviving corporation (the "SURVIVING
CORPORATION").

          1.3.1 The Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of Sekidenko in
     effect at and as of the Effective Time will be the Articles of
     Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.

          1.3.2 The Bylaws of the Merger Sub in effect at and as of the
     Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

          1.3.3 The officers and directors of the Merger Sub, as of the
     Effective Time, will be the officers and directors of the Surviving
     Corporation, and all other persons who hold or who may claim to hold any
     position as an officer or director of Sekidenko shall, as of the Effective
     Time, be deemed to have been removed from such position.

          1.3.4 The Surviving Corporation may, at any time after the Effective
     Time, take any action, including executing and delivering any document, in
     the name of and on behalf of either Sekidenko or the Merger Sub in order to
     carry out and effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                       2
<PAGE>   9

     1.4 Anticipated Tax Treatment of the Merger. The parties intend that the
Merger qualify for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368 of the Code. However, no party makes any representation
herein to any other party or to the shareholders of any other party as to the
actual tax treatment of the Merger, except as specifically set forth in Sections
4.20, 5.6 and 5.7 of this Agreement.

     1.5 Anticipated Accounting Treatment of the Merger. The parties intend that
the Merger be accounted for as a pooling of interests for financial accounting
purposes in accordance with APB No. 16. However, no party makes any
representation herein to any other party as to the actual accounting treatment
of the Merger, except as specifically set forth in Sections 4.20, 5.6 and 5.7 of
this Agreement.

2.   CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE OF SHARES.

     2.1 Conversion of Capital Stock of Sekidenko. Schedule 2.1 sets forth the
record holders of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Sekidenko capital
stock as of the date of this Agreement (the "SEKIDENKO SHAREHOLDERS", which term
shall hereinafter also include any person who becomes a record holder of
Sekidenko capital stock after the date of this Agreement prior to the Closing)
and the number of shares of Sekidenko capital stock held by each of them. For
purposes of this Agreement, the "EXCHANGE PRICE" shall mean the average over a
10 trading day period which ends with the fifth trading day prior to the Closing
Date (as hereinafter defined) of the last sale price for shares of the Parent
Corporation's common stock as publicly reported on the Nasdaq National Market.

          2.1.1 At the Effective Time, each share of Sekidenko common stock that
is then issued and outstanding shall automatically be converted into the right
to receive shares of the common stock of the Parent Corporation ("MERGER
SHARES"), as determined by this Section 2.1. The number of Merger Shares to be
exchanged for each share of Sekidenko common stock (the "EXCHANGE RATIO") shall
be determined by dividing (i) $98,050,000 by (ii) the product of the Exchange
Price and 500,000, provided, however, that the number of Merger Shares shall not
be less than 1,500,000 nor more than 2,000,000. If the number of Merger Shares,
calculated as set forth in the second sentence of this Section 2.1.1, is less
than 1,500,000, then the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted upwards so that the
number of Merger Shares equals 1,500,000. If the number of Merger Shares,
calculated as set forth in the second sentence of this Section 2.1.1, exceeds
2,000,000, then the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted downwards so that the
number of Merger Shares equals 2,000,000. The outstanding shares of Sekidenko
common stock shall be exchanged for Merger Shares in accordance with Section
2.2.

          2.1.2 No fractional shares shall be issued to any Sekidenko
Shareholder. In lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares, a Sekidenko
Shareholder shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fractional
share which such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive multiplied by the
Exchange Price. No interest will be paid or accrued on the cash payable pursuant
to this Section 2.1.2.

          2.1.3 At the Effective Time, as a result of the effectiveness of the
Merger and without any further action on the part of Sekidenko or the Sekidenko
Shareholders, all outstanding shares of Sekidenko common stock shall cease to be
outstanding, shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist and each Sekidenko
Shareholder shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such
shares except for the right to receive Merger Shares and cash in lieu of
fractional shares in accordance with this Section 2.1.

     2.2 Procedures for Exchange of Certificates for Merger Shares. At Closing,
the Parent Corporation shall deliver to the Sekidenko Shareholders: (i) one or
more certificates in the name of each of the Sekidenko Shareholders for the
number of Merger Shares to be issued to such Sekidenko Shareholder pursuant to
Section 2.1.1 of this Agreement, except for those Merger Shares which are to be
deposited with

                                       3
<PAGE>   10

the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 2.3 and (ii) cash in lieu of fractional
shares to be paid to the Sekidenko Shareholders pursuant to Section 2.1.2 of
this Agreement. At Closing, Sekidenko shall cause each of the Sekidenko
Shareholders to deliver to the Parent Corporation the stock certificate or
certificates representing the shares of Sekidenko common stock held by such
Sekidenko Shareholder.

     2.3 Merger Shares to be Escrowed. A stock certificate representing 10% of
the Merger Shares to which each Sekidenko Shareholder would otherwise be
entitled to receive in exchange for his or its Sekidenko common stock shall, in
lieu of being delivered to such Sekidenko Shareholder at Closing, be delivered
by the Parent Corporation to an escrow agent reasonably acceptable to the
Principal Shareholder and the Parent Corporation (the "ESCROW AGENT") to be held
by the Escrow Agent (or its successor as escrow agent) and dispersed in
accordance with the terms of an escrow agreement among Escrow Agent, the
Sekidenko Shareholders and the Parent Corporation in the form of Exhibit 2.3
hereto ("ESCROW AGREEMENT").

     2.4 Merger Sub's Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, each share of
capital stock of the Merger Sub outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

3.   CLOSING.

     3.1 Date, Time and Place of Closing. The closing of the transactions
contemplated by Section 1 hereof (the "CLOSING") will take place at the offices
of Foster Pepper & Shefelman, LLP, in Portland, Oregon, at 10:00 a.m. local
time, on August 18, 2000, or at such other date, time and place as Sekidenko and
the Parent Corporation may mutually agree in writing ("CLOSING DATE").

     3.2 Documents to be Delivered at Closing by Sekidenko. At Closing,
Sekidenko will execute and deliver and/or cause to be executed and delivered to
the Parent Corporation the following instruments and other documents:

          3.2.1 the Articles of Merger duly executed by Sekidenko;

          3.2.2 the Escrow Agreement duly executed by the Escrow Agent and each
     Sekidenko Shareholder;

          3.2.3 a copy of an Employment Agreement by and between the Principal
     Shareholder and Sekidenko in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2.3 duly
     executed by the Principal Shareholder and by Sekidenko;

          3.2.4 the closing certificate required by Section 7.5 duly executed by
     Sekidenko;

          3.2.5 the opinion of legal counsel to Sekidenko required by Section
     7.8 of this Agreement;

          3.2.6 the stock certificates representing all of the outstanding
     shares of Sekidenko common stock;

          3.2.7 a representation letter signed by each of the Sekidenko
     Shareholders, including any person who becomes a Sekidenko Shareholder
     after the date of this agreement and prior to the Closing Date, certifying
     that such person (a) is an "accredited investor" within the meaning of
     Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), (b)
     is acquiring the Merger Shares for himself, herself or itself and not for
     any other person, (c) understands that the Merger

                                       4
<PAGE>   11

     Shares are being issued without registration under the Securities Act and,
     therefore, cannot be resold or otherwise transferred without registration
     of such shares or availability of an exemption from registration, and (d)
     acknowledges that one or more legends relating to the resale restrictions
     may be placed on the certificates representing the Merger Shares; and

          3.2.8 written agreements from each of the Sekidenko Shareholders not
     to transfer or dispose of any of the Merger Shares issued to them (a) until
     such time as financial results have been published by the Parent
     Corporation that include at least 30 days of combined operations following
     the Effective Date and (b) in the case of each Sekidenko Shareholder who
     may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of Sekidenko within the meaning of Rule
     145 under the Securities Act, except in accordance with such Section 145.

     3.3 Documents to be Delivered at Closing by the Parent Corporation. At
Closing, the Parent Corporation will execute and deliver and/or cause to be
executed and delivered to Sekidenko the following instruments and other
documents:

          3.3.1 the Articles of Merger duly executed by the Merger Sub;

          3.3.2 the Escrow Agreement duly executed by the Parent Corporation and
     the Escrow Agent;

          3.3.3 the closing certificate required by Section 8.3 duly executed by
     the Parent Corporation.

          3.3.4 the opinion of legal counsel to the Parent Company required by
     Section 8.6 of this Agreement;

          3.3.5 the stock certificates representing the Merger Shares and the
     cash payments in lieu of any fractional shares as provided by Section 2.1.

4.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SEKIDENKO AND THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER.

     Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder do hereby, jointly and severally,
make the following representations and warranties to the Parent Corporation and
the Merger Sub as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date:

     4.1 Corporate Existence and Powers of Sekidenko and the Principal
Shareholder.

          4.1.1 Sekidenko is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
     in good standing under the laws of the State of Washington. Sekidenko is
     not required to be qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in any
     state or other jurisdiction where the failure to be so qualified and in
     good standing would have a material adverse effect on the business,
     financial condition or results of operations of Sekidenko. Sekidenko has
     all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
     this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.

          4.1.2 The Principal Shareholder has the power and capacity to execute,
     deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
     contemplated herein.

                                       5
<PAGE>   12

          4.1.3 Neither Sekidenko nor the Principal Shareholder has (a) filed or
     had filed against it a petition in bankruptcy or a petition to take
     advantage of any insolvency act, (b) admitted in writing its inability to
     pay its debts generally, (c) made an assignment for the benefit of
     creditors, (d) consented to the appointment of a receiver for itself or
     himself or any substantial portion of its or his properties, or (e)
     generally committed any act of insolvency or bankruptcy.

     4.2 Authorizations, Enforceability and Effect of Agreement.

          4.2.1 The Board of Directors of Sekidenko and the Sekidenko
     Shareholders have duly and validly authorized the execution, delivery and
     performance of this Agreement by Sekidenko. All corporate actions necessary
     for Sekidenko to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations
     hereunder have been duly taken.

          4.2.2 Assuming that this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation
     of the Parent Corporation and the Merger Sub, this Agreement constitutes a
     valid and binding obligation of each of Sekidenko and the Principal
     Shareholder, fully enforceable against each of them in accordance with its
     terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or similar
     laws relating to creditors' rights or general principles of equity and
     public policy considerations.

          4.2.3 The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
     Sekidenko and by the Principal Shareholder and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby will not, with or without the giving of
     notice or the lapse of time, or both: (a) violate the articles of
     incorporation, bylaws or any resolutions adopted by the board of directors
     or shareholders of Sekidenko, (b) violate any provision of law, statute,
     rule or regulation to which Sekidenko or the Principal Shareholder is
     subject; (c) violate any judgment, order, writ or decree of any court,
     arbitrator or governmental agency applicable to Sekidenko, the Principal
     Shareholder or the shares of Sekidenko common stock held by the Principal
     Shareholder; or (d) result in the breach of or a conflict with any term,
     covenant, condition or provision of, result in the modification or
     termination of, constitute a default under, or result in the creation or
     imposition of any new lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon
     any of the assets or other properties of Sekidenko or the shares of
     Sekidenko common stock held by the Principal Shareholder pursuant to any
     contract, agreement or instrument to which Sekidenko or the Principal
     Shareholder is a party or by which any of the assets or other properties of
     Sekidenko, the Principal Shareholder or the shares of Sekidenko common
     stock held by the Principal Shareholder are or may be bound or affected or
     from which Sekidenko derives any material benefit.

          4.2.4 No consent, authorization or approval of, or exemption by, or
     filing with any governmental, public or self-regulatory body or authority
     is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by
     Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder of this Agreement or any of the
     instruments or agreements herein referred to, or the taking of any action
     herein contemplated, except for (a) the filing of a Premerger Notification
     Form to comply with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
     1976 (the "HSR ACT") and termination or expiration of the waiting period
     relating thereto, (b) notices and filings required in order to comply with
     the Securities Act and any state securities or "blue sky" laws, (c) the
     filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
     Washington, and (d) the filing of a Notice of Sale of Securities on Form D
     with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as set forth on
     Schedule 4.2.4, the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by
     Sekidenko or the Principal Shareholder does not require the notification or
     consent of any other party to any of the Material Contracts as such term is
     hereinafter defined.

                                       6
<PAGE>   13

          4.2.5 There is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, investigation
     or hearing or notice of hearing pending or threatened against Sekidenko or
     the Principal Shareholder that (a) questions the validity of this Agreement
     or the right of Sekidenko or the Principal Shareholder to enter into this
     Agreement or to consummate the transaction contemplated hereby, or (b) has
     resulted in or, if decided adversely, might result in, an injunction or the
     entry of an order that would prevent or delay the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     4.3 Capital Stock of Sekidenko. The authorized capital stock of Sekidenko
consists of 1,000,000 shares of common stock (without par value), of which
500,000 shares are issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock.
Sekidenko does not have outstanding any stock subscriptions, preemptive rights,
options, warrants or other rights entitling any party to acquire, directly or
indirectly, (a) capital stock or other securities of Sekidenko or (b) rights to
acquire capital stock or other securities of Sekidenko. All of the outstanding
shares of Sekidenko common stock have been duly authorized and validly issued
and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive rights.

     4.4 Subsidiaries. Sekidenko does not own, directly or indirectly, any
ownership or management interest in any other corporation, company, limited
liability company, business trust, partnership, limited partnership, joint
venture, or other entity or association, including without limitation the Parent
Corporation.

     4.5 Permits and Compliance with Applicable Laws. Sekidenko has all
requisite corporate power and authority, and all permits, licenses and approvals
of governmental and administrative authorities, to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Each of such
permits, licenses and approvals is in full force and effect, and Sekidenko is in
material compliance with each of them. Neither Sekidenko nor the Principal
Shareholder has received any notice of any violation by Sekidenko of any laws,
rules, regulations or orders applicable to Sekidenko's business or of any
default in or violations of any of its permits or licenses.

     4.6 Litigation, Orders and Judgments. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.6,
there are no claims, actions, suits or proceedings pending before any federal,
state, municipal, foreign or other court or any governmental, administrative or
self-regulatory body or agency, or any private arbitration tribunal or, to the
knowledge of Sekidenko or the Principal Shareholder, threatened against,
involving or otherwise directly relating to Sekidenko, its business or its
properties or the shares of Sekidenko common stock held by the Principal
Shareholder. Neither Sekidenko nor any officer, director, agent or employee of
Sekidenko (including but not limited to the Principal Shareholder) has been
permanently or temporarily enjoined or barred by order, judgment or decree of
any court or other tribunal or any agency or self-regulatory body from engaging
in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with the business engaged
in by Sekidenko. There is not in existence at present any order, judgment or
decree of any court or other tribunal or any agency or self-regulatory body to
which Sekidenko or its assets, other properties or business or the shares of
Sekidenko common stock held by the Principal Shareholder are subject or by which
it or they are bound.

     4.7 Financial Statements. Sekidenko's fiscal year ends on December 31st of
each year. Sekidenko has provided to the Parent Corporation, true and correct
copies of the unaudited balance sheets of Sekidenko as of December 31, 1998 and
1999 and unaudited statements of operations for the fiscal years then ended (the
"SEKIDENKO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS"). Subject to normal adjustments which could be
anticipated if such statements had been audited, which adjustments, taken as a
whole, would not be material in amount or effect and except as set forth on
Schedule 4.7, the Sekidenko Financial Statements fairly present in all material
respects the financial position and results of operations for Sekidenko for the
periods set forth therein and were prepared in accordance with United States
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with that
of prior years. The Sekidenko Financial Statements do not

                                       7
<PAGE>   14

reflect any items of special or nonrecurring income or any other income not
earned in the ordinary course of Sekidenko's business except as expressly
specified therein. The accounts receivable reflected on the Sekidenko Financial
Statements and all accounts receivable arising since December 31, 1999 through
the date of this Agreement arose from bona fide transactions in the ordinary
course of Sekidenko's business and either will have been collected in full on or
before the Closing Date or will, as of the Closing Date, be fully collectible at
their face amounts (less any applicable reserves reflected in the Sekidenko
Financial Statements) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date. The notes
receivable reflected on the Sekidenko Financial Statements and all notes
receivable arising since December 31, 1999 through the date of this Agreement
arose from bona fide advances made by Sekidenko to its employees, are evidenced
by promissory notes that bear interest at a reasonable rate and have been or
will be repaid in full in accordance with their terms. Except to the extent
reflected or reserved against or otherwise disclosed in the Sekidenko Financial
Statements, Sekidenko did not, as of the dates of the balance sheets contained
therein, have any liabilities, debts or obligations of any nature required under
generally accepted accounting principals to be shown or provided for in
financial statements. Since December 31, 1999, Sekidenko has not incurred any
liabilities, debts or obligations other than those incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices or incurred in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Since December 31, 1999,
Sekidenko has properly recorded in its books of account all items of income and
expense and all other proper charges and accruals required to be made in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practice. Since
December 31, 1999, no accounts receivable, notes receivable or other debts or
obligations owed to Sekidenko have been forgiven, settled or compromised except
for full consideration or except in the ordinary course of business.

     4.8 Tax Matters. Sekidenko has prepared and filed with all applicable
federal, state and local governmental agencies and all applicable foreign
governmental agencies, all income, gross receipts, franchise, customs, value
added, employee income tax withholding, social security, Federal Insurance
Contribution Act, unemployment, property, sales, use, excise and other tax
returns required to be filed by Sekidenko for all periods for which the due date
of such return (including any extension periods which Sekidenko is entitled to
make use of) was prior to the date of this Agreement. Schedule 4.8 provides a
list of all extension periods which Sekidenko has made use of, which extension
periods are due to terminate following the date of this Agreement. Sekidenko has
paid all taxes payable or which have become due and has accrued and properly
reflected as accrued liabilities such taxes not yet due and payable but relating
to the operations of its business in the periods reflected in the Sekidenko
Financial Statements. Sekidenko has not executed or filed with the Internal
Revenue Service or any other domestic or foreign taxing authority any agreement
extending the period for assessment or collection of any taxes and is not a
party to any pending action or proceeding by any governmental authority for
assessment or collection of taxes, and no claim for assessment or collection of
taxes has been asserted or threatened against Sekidenko for which provision has
not been made in the Sekidenko Financial Statements. Complete and correct copies
of the federal income tax returns of Sekidenko for the two fiscal years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1999, as filed with the Internal Revenue Service, together
with all related correspondence and notices, have previously been delivered to
the Parent Corporation. Sekidenko is not a member of any affiliated group within
the meaning of Section 1504 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     4.9 Offices and Equipment. The offices and capital equipment of Sekidenko
are in good condition and repair (except for ordinary wear and tear which does
not adversely affect their use) and are suitable for the uses for which they are
intended.

     4.10 Insurance. Sekidenko maintains fire, casualty, product liability,
workers compensation and other insurance policies issued by reputable companies
with policy limits, deductibles and exclusions which are customarily carried by
other companies whose size and business is similar to that of Sekidenko.

                                       8
<PAGE>   15

     4.11 Material Contracts. As used in this Agreement "MATERIAL CONTRACT"
shall mean any agreement, contract or understanding which involves a commitment
by Sekidenko in excess of $25,000.00 during the remaining term of such agreement
contract or understanding (excluding any renewal periods which are at the sole
discretion of Sekidenko unless Sekidenko has already exercised such renewal
option or will need to decide whether or not to exercise such renewal option
within 180 days of the date of this Agreement) or any other agreement, contract
or understanding that is material to the conduct of Sekidenko's business.
Schedule 4.11 sets forth a complete list of all Material Contracts, and correct
and complete copies of all Material Contracts have been delivered to the Parent
Company prior to the date hereof. Each of the Material Contracts is valid,
binding, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms.
With respect to each of the Material Contracts, there has not occurred any
material default by Sekidenko or any event which, with the lapse of time or the
election of any person other than Sekidenko, or any combination thereof, will
become a default of Sekidenko. To the knowledge of Sekidenko or the Principal
Shareholder, there has not occurred any default by any of the other parties to
any of the Material Contracts or any event which, with the lapse of time or the
election of any person, will become a default by any other party under any of
the Contracts.

     4.12 Intellectual Property. Schedule 4.12 sets forth a correct and complete
list of all patents, registered trademarks, registered copyrights and all
pending applications for any of the foregoing of Sekidenko. Schedule 4.12 also
sets forth all licenses, joint development agreements or other contracts or
agreements to which Sekidenko is a party (either as licensor or as licensee).
The items set forth on Schedule 4.12, together with all trade secrets, know-how,
inventions, discoveries, designs, formulae, computer software and documentation
and other proprietary information used or useful in Sekidenko's business,
whether patentable or not, used by Sekidenko in its business or owned by
Sekidenko and relating to its business and blueprints, drawings and other
technical papers relating to such are herein referred to as the "SEKIDENKO
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY." Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.12, (a) Sekidenko owns
or has the right to use all of the Sekidenko Intellectual Property to the extent
necessary for the conduct by Sekidenko of its business as presently conducted;
(b) the validity of such items and the title thereto of Sekidenko have not been
questioned in any litigation to which Sekidenko is a party, nor is any such
litigation threatened; and (c) to the knowledge of Sekidenko and the Principal
Shareholder, the conduct of Sekidenko's business as now conducted does not and
will not in any manner conflict with patents, patent rights, licenses,
trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights or
trade secret rights of others, nor has Sekidenko received any notice or other
communication claiming any such conflict. Each employee or independent
contractor of Sekidenko that has provided technical services to Sekidenko has
executed an Employee Intellectual Property and Non-Compete Agreement in the form
provided by Sekidenko to the Parent Corporation. Sekidenko has used its best
efforts to enforce the provisions of those agreements and is not aware of any
person who is or has been in violation of the terms of such agreements.

     4.13 Compliance with Employment Laws and Labor Relations. Sekidenko is in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations respecting employment conditions and practices and is not liable for
any material arrearages of wages or any material taxes or penalties for failure
to comply with any of the foregoing. Sekidenko has not engaged in any unfair
labor practice, nor has it discriminated on the basis of race, religion, age or
sex, or other protected category in its employment conditions or practices.
Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13, there are no: (a) unfair labor practice or
race, religion, age, sex or other discrimination complaints pending or
threatened against Sekidenko before any board, department, commission or agency
nor does any basis exist therefor; (b) existing or threatened labor strikes,
disputes, grievances, controversies or other labor troubles affecting Sekidenko;
or (c) pending or threatened union representation questions regarding the
employees of Sekidenko. Sekidenko is not presently and has not at any time
within the past five years been party to any union or collective bargaining
agreement and has not been affected by any labor strike, dispute, grievance,
controversy or other labor trouble involving its employees.

                                       9
<PAGE>   16

     4.14 Hazardous Substances. For purposes of this Section 4.14 "HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCES" will mean any toxic, corrosive, inflammable or ignitable substance;
any flammable explosives, asbestos, radioactive materials, hazardous wastes,
petroleum products including crude oil or any petroleum by-product or
derivative, biological wastes, or related injurious materials, whether injurious
by themselves or in combination with other materials; and any other substances
defined as "hazardous materials" or "toxic substances" under federal, state or
local laws applicable to Sekidenko but shall not include commercially available
office cleaning or janitorial supplies. For purposes of this Section 4.14,
"ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS" shall mean all laws, regulations, ordinances or
other administrative, judicial or other governmental actions, orders, requests,
determinations or pronouncements which have the effect of law which relate to
the protection of the environment or human health, the generation, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, transportation, handling or disposal of
Hazardous Substances, air or water quality or emission standards that are
applicable to Sekidenko.

          4.14.1 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.14, to the knowledge of
     Sekidenko after due inquiry and investigation:

               (a) There has not been any violation of any Environmental
     Requirements by Sekidenko nor has there been any third party claim or
     demand based upon any Environmental Requirements against Sekidenko;

               (b) Sekidenko has not disposed of, stored or used any Hazardous
     Substance on, nor has it transported any Hazardous Substance from, any of
     the real properties owned, occupied or leased by Sekidenko in violation of
     any Environmental Requirements;

               (c) No underground storage tanks, asbestos-containing material in
     any friable or damaged form or condition or materials containing
     polychlorinated biphenyls, landfills or surface impounds exist at any of
     the real properties owned, occupied or leased by Sekidenko; and

               (d) None of the real properties owned, occupied or leased by
     Sekidenko is contaminated by any Hazardous Substance in a manner that has
     given or is reasonably likely to give rise to any material liability on the
     part of Sekidenko.

          4.14.2 Neither Sekidenko nor the Principal Shareholder is aware, after
     due inquiry and investigation, of any event or circumstance that could be
     reasonably expected to result in any of the matters set forth in Section
     4.14.1.

          4.14.3 Except as set forth in Schedule 4.14, neither Sekidenko nor the
     Principal Shareholder is aware of any violations by any other person of any
     Environmental Requirements on or related to any of the real properties
     owned, occupied or leased by Sekidenko, irrespective of whether such
     violations occurred during Sekidenko's ownership, occupancy or lease of
     such property.

     4.15 Employee Benefit Plans. Schedule 4.15 is a correct and complete list
of every stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation right, bonus, deferred
compensation, incentive compensation, profit sharing, pension, thrift, savings,
retirement, severance or termination pay, excess benefits, medical,
hospitalization, disability or life insurance or other plan providing similar
benefits, or other employee benefit plan, program, agreement, arrangement,
commitment or practice of Sekidenko providing employee or executive benefits or
benefits to any person, including, but not limited to, plans administered by
trade associations, area-wide plans, plans resulting from collective bargaining
and plans covering foreign employees ("BENEFIT PLANS"). None of the Benefit
Plans is a "multi-employer pension plan" as that term is

                                       10
<PAGE>   17

defined in Section 3(37) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended, ("ERISA"). Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15:

          4.15.1 each of the Benefit Plans has been operated and administered in
     all material respects in accordance with applicable laws, including, but
     not limited to, ERISA and the Code;

          4.15.2 all contributions required to be made as of the date of this
     Agreement have been made or adequate provision has been made for their
     payment;

          4.15.3 the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or former employee or officer of
     Sekidenko to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment
     or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount
     of compensation due any such employee or officer; and

          4.15.4 there are no pending claims by or on behalf of any of the
     Benefit Plans, by any employee or beneficiary covered under any such
     Benefit Plan, or otherwise involving any such Benefit Plan (other than
     routine claims for benefits not individually exceeding $10,000).

Sekidenko has previously made available to Parent Corporation true and complete
copies of each of the following documents: (i) a copy of each Benefit Plan
(including all amendments thereto); (ii) a copy of the annual report, if
required under ERISA or the Code, with respect to each such Benefit Plan for any
plan year beginning after December 31, 1997; (iii) a copy of the most recent
actuarial report, if required under applicable law, with respect to each such
Benefit Plan; (iv) a copy of the most recent Summary Plan Description or a
summary of plan benefits; (v) if the Benefit Plan is funded through a trust or
any third party funding vehicle, a copy of the trust or other funding agreement
(including all amendments thereto) and the latest financial statements thereof;
(vi) all other records of any Benefit Plan requested by Parent Corporation
reasonably related to such Benefit Plan's compliance with applicable laws, and
(vii) the most recent determination letter received from the Internal Revenue
Service with respect to each Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code.

     4.16 Finders. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16, neither Sekidenko nor
the Principal Shareholder has taken any action which would give to any firm,
corporation, agency or other person a right to a consultant's or finder's fee,
investment banking fee or any type of brokerage commission in relation to or in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     4.17 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.17, since December 31, 1999, (i) Sekidenko has conducted its business only in
the ordinary course of such business, (ii) Sekidenko has not suffered the
occurrence of any events which, individually or in the aggregate, have had, or
might reasonably be expected to have, a material and adverse effect on
Sekidenko's business, financial condition or results of operations; (iii)
Sekidenko has not declared or paid, or agreed to declare or pay, any dividend or
distribution with respect to any of its capital stock or redeemed or agreed to
redeem any of its capital stock and (iv) Sekidenko has not made any increase in
or commitment to increase the rate of compensation of any employee (except for
increases in keeping with its past practices), made any change or commitment to
change any of the Benefit Plans or adopted or made any commitment to adopt any
new Benefit Plan.

     4.18 Relations with Major Customer. Sales to Applied Materials, Inc.
("Applied Materials") have constituted a substantial portion of Sekidenko's
revenues and are expected to continue to do so. Under certain agreements and
understandings between Sekidenko and Applied Materials, the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement either require the prior consent of
Applied Materials or can result in Applied Materials exercising rights to
terminate such agreements. Neither Sekidenko nor the

                                       11
<PAGE>   18

Principal Shareholder has any knowledge of (a) any actual or contemplated
termination, cancellation or limitation of, or any adverse modification or
change in, the business relationship of Sekidenko with Applied Materials or (b)
any reason to believe that Applied Materials will not carry on such business
relationships with Sekidenko following Closing. Neither Sekidenko nor the
Principal Shareholder believes or has any knowledge that would suggest that
Applied Materials will either withhold its consent to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or terminate its agreements with Sekidenko
following the consummation of the Merger.

     4.19 Books and Records. The books and records of Sekidenko are located at
Sekidenko's principal offices in Vancouver, Washington. The books of account and
other financial and corporate records of Sekidenko are in all material respects
complete and correct, are maintained in accordance with good business practices,
and are accurately reflected in the Sekidenko Financial Statements. The minute
books of Sekidenko, as previously made available to Parent Corporation and its
counsel, contain complete and accurate records of all meetings and accurately
reflect all other corporate action of the shareholders and directors (and
committees thereof) of Sekidenko through the date hereof.

     4.20 Pooling of Interests; Tax Reorganization. To the knowledge of
Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder, having sought and obtained the advice
of Sekidenko's accounting advisors, Sekidenko has not taken (or, as of the date
hereof, failed to take) any action which would prevent the accounting for the
Merger as a pooling of interests in accordance with APB No. 16. To the knowledge
of Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder, Sekidenko has not taken or failed to
take any action which would prevent the Merger from constituting a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code.

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT CORPORATION AND THE MERGER SUB.

     The Parent Corporation and the Merger Sub do hereby, jointly and severally,
make the following representations and warranties to Sekidenko as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Closing Date:

     5.1 Corporate Existence and Powers of the Parent Corporation. The Parent
Corporation is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Parent Corporation has all
requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.

     5.2 Corporate Existence and Powers of the Merger Sub. The Merger Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Washington. The Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein. The Merger Sub was organized by the Parent
Corporation solely for the purpose of consummating the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Merger Sub has not engaged in any business or other
activities and, as of the date of this Agreement, has no liabilities of any
nature, contingent or otherwise, except for liabilities or obligations arising
out of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Corporation will be in control (within
the meaning of Section 368(c)(1) of the Code) of the Merger Sub.

     5.3 Authorizations, Enforceability and Effect of Agreement.

          5.3.1 This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed
     and delivered by the Parent Corporation and the Merger Sub and all
     corporate actions necessary for the Parent Corporation and the Merger Sub
     to enter into this Agreement and to perform their respective

                                       12
<PAGE>   19

     obligations hereunder have been duly taken. No approval of the shareholders
     of the Parent Corporation is required by any applicable law or the listing
     requirements of the Nasdaq National Market.

          5.3.2 Assuming that this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation
     of Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder, this Agreement constitutes a
     valid and binding obligation of each of the Parent Corporation and the
     Merger Sub, fully enforceable against each of them in accordance with its
     terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or similar
     laws relating to creditors' rights or general principles of equity and
     public policy considerations.

          5.3.3 The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
     Parent Corporation and by the Merger Sub and the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby will not, with or without the giving of
     notice or the lapse of time, or both: (a) violate the articles of
     incorporation, bylaws or any resolutions adopted by the board of directors
     or shareholders of either the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub, (b)
     violate any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which the
     Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub is subject; (c) violate any judgment,
     order, writ or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental agency
     applicable to the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub; or (d) result in
     the breach of or conflict with any term, covenant, condition or provision
     of, result in the modification or termination of, constitute a default
     under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any new lien, security
     interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the assets or other properties
     of the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub pursuant to any contract,
     agreement or instrument to which the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub
     is a party or by which any of the assets or other properties of the Parent
     Corporation or the Merger Sub are or may be bound or affected or from which
     the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub derives any material benefit.

          5.3.4 No consent, authorization or approval of, or exemption by, or
     filing with any governmental, public or self-regulatory body or authority
     is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by
     the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub of this Agreement or any of the
     instruments or agreements herein referred to, or the taking of any action
     herein contemplated, except for (a) the filing of a Premerger Notification
     Form required to comply with the HSR Act and termination of the waiting
     period relating thereto, (b) notices and filings required in order to
     comply with the Securities Act and any state securities or "blue sky" laws,
     (c) the filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
     State of Washington, and (d) the filing of a Notice of Sale of Securities
     on Form D with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          5.3.5 There is no action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, investigation
     or hearing or notice of hearing pending or threatened against the Parent
     Corporation or the Merger Sub that (a) questions the validity of this
     Agreement or the right of the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub to enter
     into this Agreement or consummate the transaction contemplated hereby or
     (b) has resulted in or, if decided adversely, might result in, an
     injunction or the entry of an order that would prevent or delay the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          5.3.6 The Merger Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of
     this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
     non-assessable and free of any preemptive rights.

     5.4 Capital Stock of the Parent Corporation. The authorized capital stock
of the Parent Corporation consists of (i) 40 million shares of common stock
($0.001 par value) and (ii) 1 million shares of preferred stock ($0.001 par
value) of which no shares have been designated or issued. As of July 14, 2000,
the Parent Corporation had issued and outstanding (i) 29,238,252 shares of
common stock and (ii) no shares of preferred stock. Since July 14, 2000, the
Parent Corporation has not issued any capital stock except

                                       13
<PAGE>   20

pursuant to the exercise of stock options, warrants or other rights to acquire
shares of the Parent Corporation's capital stock identified in the Parent
Corporation's Securities Filings (as hereinafter defined) and has not issued any
options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of the Parent Corporation's
capital stock except pursuant to plans or agreements referred to in the Parent
Corporation's Securities Filings and in accordance with the Parent Corporation's
past practices with respect to such issuances.

     5.5 Securities Filings Made by the Parent Corporation. Since January 1,
1997, the Parent Corporation has, in a timely manner, filed all reports, forms,
filings and notices required to be filed by the Parent Corporation with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and with each exchange on which the Parent
Corporation's common stock is listed for trading. The Parent Corporation has
delivered or caused to be delivered to Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder
copies of the Parent Corporation's (i) Annual Report on Form 10-K for most
recently completed fiscal year, (ii) definitive proxy statement for the most
recent annual meeting of the Parent Corporation's shareholders, (iii) Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for each fiscal quarter since the end of the most recently
completed fiscal year, (iv) Current Reports on Form 8-K filed since the end of
the most recently completed fiscal year, (v) amendments filed with respect to
any of the foregoing and (vi) any other filings made with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (collectively the "PARENT CORPORATION'S SECURITIES
FILINGS"). The information contained in the Parent Corporation's Securities
Filings did not, when filed, contain any untrue statements of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained in such filings, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading. All financial statements contained in the
Parent Corporation's Securities Filings were prepared in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent
with that of prior years or periods, are correct and complete and fairly present
the financial position and results of operations of the Parent Corporation on a
consolidated basis as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein in each
case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles subject only
to, in the case of unaudited statements for fiscal quarters which ended other
than at year-end, normal year-end audit adjustments and the lack of full
footnotes to unaudited financial statements.

     5.6 Tax Matters. The Parent Corporation intends that following the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation will continue the historic business of
Sekidenko or use a significant portion of Sekidenko's historic business assets
in a business, and Parent Corporation intends to continue to hold at least 80
percent of all classes of capital stock issued by the Surviving Corporation. The
total fair market value of all Merger Shares issued to the Sekidenko
Shareholders in the Merger equals at least 80 percent of the total of all
consideration received by the Sekidenko Shareholders (including cash received
for fractional shares).

     5.7 Pooling of Interests; Tax Reorganization. To the knowledge of the
Parent Corporation, having sought and obtained the advice of its accounting
advisors, neither the Parent Corporation nor the Merger Sub has taken (or as of
the date hereof failed to take) any action which would prevent the accounting
for the Merger as a pooling of interests in accordance with APB No. 16. To the
knowledge of the Parent Corporation, neither the Parent Corporation nor the
Merger Sub has taken or failed to take any action which would prevent the Merger
from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the
Code.

6.   COVENANTS.

     6.1 Investigation. Sekidenko will give full access to the Parent
Corporation and to its counsel, accountants and other representatives at any
reasonable time, to such of its properties, personnel, books, tax returns,
contracts, commitments and records as relate to the business of Sekidenko,
including without limitation any Benefit Plan documents described in Section
4.15, and will furnish to the Parent Corporation

                                       14
<PAGE>   21

and its representatives all such additional information and documents concerning
Sekidenko as the Parent Corporation or its representatives may from time to time
request prior to Closing. The Parent Corporation will use its best efforts to
conduct its investigation of Sekidenko, pursuant to this Section 6.1, in such a
manner as to prevent undue speculation among the employees, customers or
suppliers of Sekidenko. Neither the Parent Corporation nor any person acting on
its behalf will contact or communicate with any customer, supplier or employee
of Sekidenko for the purpose of discussing in any manner the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement without an authorized representative of Sekidenko
consenting to or participating in such contact or communication.

     6.2 Confidentiality. The terms, conditions and covenants set forth in a
Confidentiality Agreement by and between Parent Corporation and Sekidenko are
hereby acknowledged and affirmed and shall continue in full force and effect
until and through Closing or following any termination of this Agreement. The
Parent Corporation shall advise its counsel, accountants and other
representatives of the existence of such Confidentiality Agreement and shall be
responsible for their compliance with its terms, conditions and covenants.

     6.3 Announcements. The initial public announcement relating to this
Agreement shall occur by means of a joint press release issued at such time as
Sekidenko and the Parent Corporation agree to be appropriate. Thereafter,
Sekidenko and the Parent Corporation shall consult with each other and use
reasonable efforts to agree upon the text of any press release issued by or on
behalf of either party or that in any manner refers to the other party or to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing in this Section 6.3 shall limit the ability of a party to make any
filing which such party is required to make with any federal, state or local
regulatory authority or to make any public statement which such party is
required to make by applicable law or the listing requirements of the exchange
on which its securities are traded or quoted, provided that such party will make
every reasonable effort to notify the other party of its need to make such
filing or public statement as early as possible and shall limit the information
relating to the other party or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
that is contained in such filing or public statement to only that information
which is required.

     6.4 Conduct of Sekidenko's Business Until Closing. Except as contemplated
by this Agreement or as the Parent Corporation may otherwise consent to in
writing, between the date hereof and the Closing, Sekidenko will and the
Principal Shareholder will cause Sekidenko to operate its business in the usual,
regular and ordinary manner; and, to the extent consistent with such operation,
use its best efforts to preserve its present business organization intact; keep
available the services of its present employees; and preserve its present
business relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business
dealings with it. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Sekidenko
shall not (unless it shall have received the prior written consent of the Parent
Corporation):

          (a) amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws;

          (b) enter into or amend any employment, severance or similar agreement
     or arrangements with any of its directors, executive officers or employees,
     except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or
     as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

          (c) authorize, propose or announce an intention to authorize or
     propose, or enter into negotiations or an agreement with respect to any
     acquisition of assets or securities, any disposition of assets or
     securities or any release or relinquishment of any contract rights, which
     acquisitions, dispositions, releases or relinquishments would involve
     aggregate consideration in excess of $100,000;

          (d) issue any shares of capital stock or other securities, declare any
     dividend or other distribution on its common stock (whether payable in
     cash, additional shares of Sekidenko common

                                       15
<PAGE>   22

     stock, other securities of Sekidenko or rights to acquire securities of
     Sekidenko, or other property), or authorize a stock split, recapitalization
     or similar event or set a record date for any of the foregoing;

          (e) grant, confer or award any options, appreciation rights, warrants,
     conversion rights, restricted stock, stock units, performance shares or
     similar rights with respect to any shares of its capital stock or other
     securities;

          (f) take any actions which would, or would be reasonably likely to,
     prevent the merger from qualifying as a transaction to be accounted for as
     a pooling of interests in accordance with APB No. 16;

          (g) take any actions which would, or would be reasonably likely to,
     prevent the merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning
     of Section 368 of the Code;

          (h) except as required by applicable law (in which case prompt notice
     shall be given to the Parent Corporation), amend in any material respect
     the terms of any Benefit Plan, including without limitation any employment,
     severance or similar agreements or arrangements in existence on the date
     hereof, or adopt any new employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements
     or any employment, severance or similar agreements or arrangements;

          (i) incur, create, assume or otherwise become liable for borrowed
     money or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable for the
     obligations of any individual, corporation or other entity, except in the
     ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

          (j) make any loans or advances to any person, except in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practice;

          (k) make any material tax election;

          (l) directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any
     shares of its capital stock or make any commitment for any such action; or

          (m) agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing
     actions or take any action which would make any representation or warranty
     in this Agreement untrue or incorrect as of the Closing Date.

     6.5 No Dividends on or Changes in the Parent Corporation's Common Stock.
Except as Sekidenko may consent to in writing, between the date hereof and the
Effective Time, the Parent Corporation will not declare any dividend or other
distribution on its common stock (whether payable in cash, additional shares of
the Parent Corporation's common stock, other securities of the Parent
Corporation or rights to acquire securities of the Parent Corporation, or other
property), or authorize a stock split, recapitalization or similar event or set
a record date for any of the foregoing.

     6.6 Hart-Scott-Rodino Filing. The Parent Corporation and the Principal
Shareholder shall each exercise reasonable efforts to prepare and file as soon
as possible all reports or other documents required or requested by the Federal
Trade Commission or the Department of Justice under the HSR Act, and all
regulations promulgated thereunder, concerning the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and comply promptly with any request by either of such agencies
for additional information concerning the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, so that the waiting period specified in the HSR Act will expire or be
terminated as soon as possible after the execution and delivery of this
Agreement. The parties shall furnish to one another such information concerning
Sekidenko, the Principal Shareholder and

                                       16
<PAGE>   23

the Parent Corporation as the parties need to perform their obligations
hereunder. Each of the parties shall promptly notify the other parties as to any
material communication received by such party from the Federal Trade Commission,
the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice or any other governmental or
regulatory authority regarding the transactions contemplated hereby.

     6.7 Form S-3 Registration Statement. Promptly following the execution of
this Agreement, the Parent Corporation will commence to prepare a registration
statement on Form S-3 for the resale by the Sekidenko Shareholders of the Merger
Shares (the "FORM S-3 REGISTRATION").

          6.7.1 The Parent Corporation shall use its best efforts to file the
Form S-3 Registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 30 days
after the Closing Date, to cause the Form S-3 Registration to become effective
no later than the date on which the Parent Corporation files its Form 10-Q for
the quarter ending September 30, 2000 and to keep the Form S-3 Registration
effective and the information contained therein current, complete and accurate
for at least one year after the Closing Date and during any period thereafter
during which any Sekidenko Shareholder is an affiliate of the Parent
Corporation; provided, however, that (a) following the first anniversary date of
the Closing Date, the Parent Corporation shall not be required to keep the Form
S-3 Registration effective with respect to any Merger Shares that may be sold
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without any practical limitation
on the number of shares to be sold by the Sekidenko Shareholder, (b) the Parent
Corporation may from time to time suspend the effectiveness of the Form S-3
Registration, by giving notice to the Sekidenko Shareholders, if the Parent
Corporation shall have determined that any offers or sales made in reliance on
the Form S-3 Registration would require the Parent Corporation to disclose a
material corporate development, which disclosure could be reasonably expected to
have a material effect on the Parent Corporation or the market price of its
common stock, and (c) the Parent Corporation's obligations under this Section
6.7 are conditioned upon the prompt and timely provision, in writing, by the
holders of any Merger Shares covered by the Form S-3 Registration of any
information or documents that the Parent Corporation deems necessary or
appropriate in connection with the Parent Corporation's preparation of the Form
S-3 Registration, the prospectus included therein or any prospectus supplement
thereto.

          6.7.2 Each Sekidenko Shareholder agrees by acquisition of Merger
Shares that, (a) upon receipt of any notice from the Parent Corporation of a
suspension of the effectiveness of the Form S-3 Registration, such shareholder
shall immediately thereupon discontinue disposition of Merger Shares until such
holder (i) is advised in writing by the Parent Corporation that the use of the
Form S-3 Registration may be resumed, (ii) has received copies of a supplemental
or amended prospectus, if applicable, and (iii) has received copies of any
additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in the prospectus included in the Form S-3
Registration; and (b) such shareholder shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the
full extent permitted by law, the Parent Corporation, its affiliates, agents and
representatives from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs
(including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys' fees) and expenses
arising out of or based upon any untrue statement of a material fact provided by
the shareholder in writing expressly for inclusion in the Form S-3 Registration,
the prospectus included therein or any prospectus supplement thereto, or arising
out of or based upon any omission of a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading based upon information
provided by the shareholder in writing expressly in connection with the Form S-3
Registration.

          6.7.3 Parent Corporation agrees to (i) exercise commercially
reasonable efforts to avoid or to minimize the duration of any period during
which the effectiveness of the Form S-3 Registration is suspended or any
Sekidenko Shareholder is precluded for any reason within the control of the
Parent Corporation from reselling Merger Shares pursuant to such registration,
(ii) promptly provide each Sekidenko Shareholder with copies of prospectuses and
supplemental or amended prospectuses, if

                                       17
<PAGE>   24

applicable, and (iii) indemnify and hold harmless each Sekidenko Shareholder and
his or its agents, officers, directors and representatives, to the full extent
permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
costs (including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys' fees) and
expenses arising out of or based upon any untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Form S-3 Registration, including any and all materials
incorporated therein by reference except to the extent that such statements were
provided by the shareholder in writing or were based upon statements provided in
writing by the shareholder expressly for inclusion in the Form S-3 Registration,
the prospectus included therein or any prospectus supplement thereto, or arising
out of or based upon any omission of a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading unless based upon
information provided by the shareholder in writing expressly in connection with
the Form S-3 Registration.

     6.8 Listing Application. If required by the Nasdaq National Market, the
Parent Corporation shall file or cause to be filed a supplemental listing
application with the Nasdaq National Market covering the Merger Shares. Within
thirty (30) days following the Closing Date, the Parent Corporation shall have
obtained approval of any such listing application, subject to official notice of
issuance.

     6.9 Advice of Changes. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date,
Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder will advise the Parent Corporation in
writing of any fact, which (a) if known at the date hereof, would have been
required to be set forth or disclosed in any Schedule to this Agreement, (b)
would render any of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4
untrue as of the Closing Date or (c) could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on Sekidenko's business, financial condition or results
of operations.

     6.10 Expenses Associated with the Merger. Whether or not the Merger is
consummated as contemplated by this Agreement, each of the parties shall be
responsible for its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.

     6.11 Preparation of Audited Financial Statements of Sekidenko. Immediately
upon the execution of this Agreement, the Parent Corporation shall retain Arthur
Andersen LLP to conduct an audit of the financial statements of Sekidenko for
1998 and 1999 and as of the end of such years, and as of such other dates and
for such other periods as the Parent Corporation may be required to file audited
financial statements for Sekidenko with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder shall, and Sekidenko shall cause Moss
Adams LLP to, cooperate with Arthur Andersen LLP to promptly and timely provide
to Arthur Andersen LLP all such information and access to all such papers,
agreements, instruments and other documents as Arthur Andersen LLP shall
reasonably request in connection with the conduct of the audit.

     6.12 No Acquisition Discussions. None of Sekidenko, the Principal
Shareholder nor any of their respective representatives shall encourage,
solicit, participate in or initiate discussions or negotiations with, or provide
any non-public information to, any person (including a corporation, partnership
or other entity or group) in respect of the acquisition by such other person of
all or any material portion of Sekidenko's assets or any equity interest in or
business combination with Sekidenko. Sekidenko shall not authorize, propose or
announce an intention to authorize or propose any such acquisition. The
Principal Shareholder shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of
his shares of Sekidenko common stock, except pursuant to a Stock Option
Agreement or with the prior written consent of the Parent Corporation.

     6.13 Certificates. Sekidenko, the Sekidenko Shareholders, the Parent
Corporation and the Merger Sub each shall provide to the requesting party or
such party's legal counsel or accounting advisors

                                       18
<PAGE>   25

such accurate certificates and other information as the requesting party or such
party's legal counsel or accounting advisors may reasonably request in order for
the parties to conclude that the Merger will qualify (a) as a transaction to be
accounted for as a polling of interests under APB No. 16, and (b) for federal
income tax purposes, as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of
the Code.

7. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARENT CORPORATION AND THE MERGER SUB.

     Except for the performance of the covenants required to be performed by
them prior to Closing, the obligations of the Parent Corporation and the Merger
Sub under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived
in writing by the Parent Corporation, in its sole discretion:

     7.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations
and warranties of Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder contained in this
Agreement will be true on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as though made on and as of the Closing Date.

     7.2 Performance of Covenants. Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder will
have performed and complied with all covenants, obligations and agreements to be
performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing Date pursuant to
this Agreement.

     7.3 Consents. Sekidenko will have delivered to the Parent Corporation all
consents and approvals of all persons and entities required to be obtained by
Sekidenko in connection with the Merger, including without limitation the
consents identified on Schedule 4.2.4.

     7.4 No Change in Major Customer Relationship. There will not have been any
adverse change in Sekidenko's relationship with Applied Materials, and Applied
Materials shall have consented to the consummation by Sekidenko of the Merger
and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     7.5 Certificate. The Parent Corporation will have received an accurate
certificate signed on behalf of Sekidenko by an authorized officer of Sekidenko
and by the Principal Shareholder, dated on the Closing Date, satisfactory in
form and substance to the Parent Corporation and its counsel, certifying as to
the fulfillment of the conditions specified in Sections 7.1 through 7.5.

     7.6 Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent and each of the Sekidenko
Shareholders will have executed the Escrow Agreement in form of Exhibit 2.3.

     7.7 HSR Act Waiting Period. The applicable waiting period under the HSR
Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, shall have expired or been
terminated.

     7.8 Opinion of Counsel to Sekidenko. The Parent Corporation will have
received a favorable opinion of Foster Pepper & Shefelman, LLP, counsel to
Sekidenko, dated on the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit 7.8
hereto.

     7.9 Confirmation of Pooling of Interest. The Parent Corporation shall have
received a letter of Arthur Andersen LLP, its independent accountants, dated on
the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parent
Corporation, stating that such accountants concur with management's conclusion
that the Merger will qualify as a transaction to be accounted for as a pooling
of interests under APB No. 16.

                                       19
<PAGE>   26

     7.10 Employment Agreement. Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder will
have entered into an Employment Agreement, effective as of the Closing Date,
substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.2.3.

     7.11 No Dissenters. No Sekidenko Shareholder shall be entitled to claim, as
of the Closing Date, any dissenters' or appraisal rights in respect of such
shareholder's shares of Sekidenko common stock.

     7.12 Audit of Financial Statements. The audit of Sekidenko's financial
statements by Arthur Andersen LLP, as described in Section 6.11, will not have
raised any issues, other than those disclosed on Schedule 4.7, which could be
reasonably expected to result in a material change or adjustment to the
financial statements provided to the Parent Corporation by Sekidenko prior to
the date of this Agreement.

     7.13 Exemption from Registration. The offer and sale of the Merger Shares
to the Sekidenko Shareholders pursuant to the Merger shall be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act.

     7.14 Assignment of Sublicense Royalties. The Principal Shareholder shall
have assigned to Sekidenko all rights which he may have, including the right to
receive royalties, under the terms of a Technology Sublicense and Distribution
Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998 by and between Sekidenko and Y.O. Systems,
Inc. and such assignment shall be a in form reasonable acceptable to Parent
Corporation.

8. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF SEKIDENKO AND THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER.

     Except for the performance of the covenants required to be performed by
them prior to Closing, the obligations of Sekidenko and the Principal
Shareholder under this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to
the Closing, of each of the following conditions, any or all of which may be
waived in writing by Sekidenko, in its sole discretion:

     8.1 Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations
and warranties of the Parent Corporation and the Merger Sub contained in this
Agreement will be true on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as though made on and as of the Closing Date.

     8.2 Performance of Covenants. The Parent Corporation and the Merger Sub
will have performed and complied with all covenants, obligations and agreements
to be performed or complied with by it on or before the Closing Date pursuant to
this Agreement.

     8.3 Certificate. Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder will have received
an accurate certificate signed by the Parent Corporation, dated on the Closing
Date, satisfactory in form and substance to Sekidenko and its counsel,
certifying as to the fulfillment of the conditions specified in Sections 8.1 and
8.2.

     8.4 Escrow Agreement. The Parent Corporation and the Escrow Agent will have
executed the Escrow Agreement in the form of Exhibit 2.3.

     8.5 HSR Act Waiting Period. The applicable waiting period under the HSR
Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, shall have expired or been
terminated.

     8.6 Opinion of Counsel to the Parent Corporation. Sekidenko and the
Principal Shareholder will have received a favorable opinion of Thelen Reid &
Priest LLP, counsel to the Parent Corporation and the Merger Sub, dated on the
Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit 8.6 hereto.

                                       20
<PAGE>   27

9.   TERMINATION.

     9.1 By Mutual Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the
Effective Time by the mutual agreement of Sekidenko and the Parent Corporation.

     9.2 By the Parent Corporation. This Agreement may be terminated prior to
the Closing Date by written notice from the Parent Corporation to Sekidenko, if
(a) the Closing has not taken place on or before August 31, 2000 unless the
delay is due to factors within the reasonable control of the Parent Corporation
or the Merger Sub; (b) a United States federal or state court of competent
jurisdiction or United States federal or state governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or commission shall have issued an order, decree or ruling
or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such order,
decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and non-appealable;
provided, that the Parent Corporation shall have used all reasonable efforts to
remove such injunction, order or decree; (c) Sekidenko or the Principal
Shareholder shall have materially breached this Agreement, which breach is not
curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after written notice of such
breach is given by the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub to the breaching
party or (d) within 10 business days of Sekidenko providing to the Parent
Corporation all materials requested by the Parent Corporation in its request for
due diligence materials delivered to Sekidenko on July 12, 2000, the Parent
Corporation, in its sole discretion, is not satisfied with its investigation of
Sekidenko or its business, properties or financial condition.

     9.3 By Sekidenko. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the Closing
Date by written notice from Sekidenko to the Parent Corporation, if (a) the
Closing has not taken place on or before August 31, 2000 unless the delay is due
to factors within the reasonable control of Sekidenko or the Principal
Shareholder; (b) a United States federal or state court of competent
jurisdiction or United States federal or state governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or commission shall have issued an order, decree or ruling
or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such order,
decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and non-appealable;
provided, that Sekidenko and the Principal Shareholder shall have used all
reasonable efforts to remove such injunction, order or decree; (c) the Parent
Corporation or the Merger Sub shall have materially breached this Agreement,
which breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after
written notice of such breach is given by the Sekidenko or the Principal
Shareholder to the breaching party or (d) if the Exchange Price is less than
$45.00.

     9.4 Effect of Any Termination. Any termination of this Agreement shall not
relieve either the terminating party or any other party of any respective
obligations they may have under Sections 6.2 or 6.3 of this Agreement. In
addition, if this Agreement is terminated as a result of a breach of a
representation or warranty or the breach of a covenant contained in this
Agreement, the breaching party shall, notwithstanding such termination, remain
liable to the other parties for damages incurred by such other parties as a
result of such breach but such damages shall be limited to the out of pocket
expenses incurred by such other parties.

10.  GENERAL.

     10.1 Binding Effect; Benefits. This Agreement will be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and, to the extent permitted under
Section 10.2, their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, whether expressed or implied, is intended to
confer any rights or remedies on any person other than Sekidenko, the Sekidenko
Shareholders, the Parent Corporation, the Merger Sub and those other persons who
may be entitled to indemnification under the Escrow Agreement. Nothing in this
Agreement is intended to relieve or discharge the obligation

                                       21
<PAGE>   28

or liability owed by any third party to Sekidenko, the Principal Shareholder,
the Parent Corporation or the Merger Sub.

     10.2 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The
representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement or in any instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall not survive the Merger; provided,
however, that the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 and
Section 5 shall survive the Merger for a period of one (1) year from the
Effective Time, the covenants contained in Section 6 shall survive the Merger to
the extent provided therein and this Section 10 shall survive the Merger. Any
claim against any Sekidenko Shareholder for a breach of a representation,
warranty or covenant of either Sekidenko or the Principal Shareholder shall be
subject to and limited by the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement.

     10.3 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor the rights or obligations of
any party under this Agreement may be assigned by any party without the prior
written consent of the other parties, which consent may be withheld in the sole
discretion of such other parties, except that the Merger Sub may assign its
rights and obligations under this Agreement to a different wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Parent Corporation.

     10.4 Notices. Any notice, request, demand or other communication which is
required to be given or which is given in connection with this Agreement will be
in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given if delivered in person,
transmitted by facsimile, sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested or sent by overnight courier, addressed as follows:

          If to Sekidenko or to the Principal Shareholder to:
                    Dr. Ray R. Dils
                    1416 N.E. 145th Avenue
                    Vancouver, Washington 98684
                    Facsimile: 800-600-2213

               with a copy to:
                    Foster Pepper & Shefelman, LLP
                    101 S.W. Main, 15th Floor
                    Portland, Oregon 97204
                    Attention: Curt B. Gleaves
                    Facsimile: 503-221-1510

          If to the Parent Corporation or to the Merger Sub, to:
                    1625 Sharp Point Drive
                    Fort Collins, CO 80525
                    Attention: Douglas Schatz
                    Facsimile: 970-407-5300

               with a copy to:
                    Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
                    101 Second Street, 18th Floor
                    San Francisco, CA 94105
                    Attention: Carissa C. W. Coze
                    Facsimile: 415-369-8633

or to such other address as any party may designate by giving notice to the
other parties hereto. Notices delivered by hand or by facsimile will be deemed
given when actually received. Notices sent by regular

                                       22
<PAGE>   29

mail will be deemed given three business days after they are sent. Notices sent
by overnight courier will be deemed given on the business day following the date
on which they are sent.

     10.5 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement (including the Exhibits
and Schedules hereto) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, oral and written, between any of the parties hereto and may not
be amended, modified or terminated except by a written instrument executed by
all of the parties.

     10.6 Governing Law and Interpretation. This Agreement will be construed as
to both validity and performance and enforced in accordance with and governed by
the internal laws of the state of Washington without giving effect to the choice
of law provisions thereunder. Headings of sections of this Agreement are for the
convenience of the parties only and shall not be given any substantive or
interpretive effect whatsoever. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, (a) words denoting the singular will include the plural, (b) words
denoting the plural will include the singular, (c) words denoting a gender will
include persons of either gender, (d) words denoting a natural person will
include corporations, limited liability companies, trusts and other business
entities and (e) words denoting an entity will include natural persons.

     10.7 Arbitration. With regard to any claim arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, if the parties can not resolve such matter after good faith
negotiation for at least 15 days, any party may, by written notice to the other,
demand arbitration of the claim unless the basis for the claim involves a
potential claim which is at issue in pending litigation with a third party, in
which event arbitration shall not be commenced until such amount is ascertained
or the parties agree to arbitration. Unless the parties otherwise agree, any
such dispute shall be settled by arbitration conducted by three arbitrators.
Within fifteen (15) days after such written notice is sent, the Parent
Corporation and the Principal Shareholder shall each select one arbitrator, and
the two arbitrators so selected shall select a third arbitrator. The arbitrators
shall not have the power or authority to award punitive or exemplary damages.
Absent fraud, collusion or willful misconduct by the arbitrators, the decision
of the arbitrators shall be final and binding upon the parties, the decision of
a majority of the arbitrators shall be binding and conclusive. Judgment upon any
award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. Any such arbitration shall be held in San Francisco, California
under the commercial rules then in effect of the American Arbitration
Association. The non-prevailing party to an arbitration shall pay its own
expenses, the fees of each arbitrator, the administrative fee of the American
Arbitration Association, and the expenses, including without limitation,
attorneys' fees and costs reasonably incurred by the other party to the
arbitration.

     10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which, when executed, will be deemed to be an original and
all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

     10.9 Waivers. Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken
pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation any investigation by or
on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party
taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants
or agreements contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party of a breach
of any provision hereunder shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
prior or subsequent breach of the same or any other provision hereunder.

     10.10 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement

                                       23
<PAGE>   30

in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to
be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is
enforceable.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the 21st day of July, 2000

SEKIDENKO:                                 SEKIDENKO, INC.

                                           By    /s/ RAY R. DILS
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                Dr. Ray R. Dils, President

THE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER:                 DR. RAY R. DILS

                                                 /s/ RAY R. DILS
                                           -------------------------------------

THE PARENT CORPORATION:                    ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                           By    /s/ RICHARD P. BECK
                                             -----------------------------------
                                            Its   Chief Financial Officer

THE MERGER SUB:                            MERCURY MERGER CORPORATION

                                           By    /s/ DAVID K. SMITH
                                             -----------------------------------
                                            Its   Chief Financial Officer

                                       24<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.22

                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this "Agreement"), dated as of July
6, 2000, is made by and among ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Parent"), FLOW ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Colorado corporation and
a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Sub"), and ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS
COMPANY, a Colorado corporation (the "Company").

                                    RECITALS

     A. The Boards of Directors of Parent and the Company each have determined
that a business combination between Parent and the Company would enable the
companies to achieve short-term and long-term strategic and financial benefits
to the benefit of their respective stockholders and, accordingly, for that and
other reasons is in the best interests of their respective stockholders. Each of
such Boards of Directors desires to effect the Merger (as defined herein), on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

     B. It is intended that the Merger qualify as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), for federal income tax purposes.

     C. It is intended that the Merger be accounted for as a pooling of
interests for financial accounting purposes.

     D. Parent has incorporated and organized Merger Sub solely to facilitate
the Merger.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                  DEFINITIONS

     "Affiliate" means each "affiliate" as defined in Rule 145 of the rules and
regulations promulgated under the Securities Act.

     "Affiliate Letter" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.8.

     "Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.

     "Alternative Proposal" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

     "APB No. 16" means the Accounting Principles Board Opinion Number 16.

     "Articles of Merger" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

     "CBCA" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

<PAGE>   2

     "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

     "Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b).

     "Closing" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

     "Closing Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

     "Code" has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United
States of America.

     "Company" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.

     "Company Benefit Plans" means all employee benefit plans as defined in
Section 3.3 of ERISA and any other plan, contract, program, policy or benefit
arrangements covering employees or former employees of the Company and all
employee agreements providing compensation, severance or other benefits to any
employee or former employee of the Company.

     "Company Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

     "Company Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

     "Company Contract" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.10.

     "Company Disclosure Schedule" means the disclosure schedule delivered by
the Company at or prior to the execution hereof to Parent.

     "Company Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on or
change in the business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     "Company Option Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(i).

     "Company Options" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(i).

     "Company Personnel" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a).

     "Company Real Properties" means all real property ever owned, leased or
occupied by the Company or any Predecessor.

     "Company Reports" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(a).

     "Confidentiality Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(c).

     "Copyrights" means any and all of Company's copyrights, copyrightable
works, semiconductor topography and mask work interests, including, without
limitation, all rights of

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

authorship, use, publication, reproduction, distribution, performance,
transformation, moral rights and ownership of copyrightable works, semiconductor
topography works and mask works, and all rights to register and obtain renewals
and extensions of registrations, together with all other interests accruing by
reason of international copyright, semiconductor topography and mask work
conventions.

     "Current Policy" has the meaning provided in Section 6.14(b).

     "Effective Date" means the date upon which this Agreement has been executed
by each of the parties.

     "Effective Time" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

     "Enforceability Exceptions" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(c).

     "Environmental Requirements" means any applicable laws, regulations,
ordinances or other provisions having the force or effect of law, or any
judicial, governmental, or administrative orders, requests, or determinations,
or any common law requirements relating to the protection of human health or the
environment (both natural and workplace), including without limitation any
Environmental Requirements concerning (A) the use, generation, treatment,
storage, transportation, handling or disposal of Hazardous Materials, (B) the
control of soil, surface or groundwater pollution products, (C) air quality and
emission standards, or (D) health, safety and hazard communication matters.
Environmental Requirements include, without limitation, CERCLA, the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the
Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Clean Air Act, SWDA, the
Atomic Energy Act, the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, and equivalent state
and local ordinances and statutes and ordinances in countries other than the
United States of America.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

     "ERISA Affiliate" means any business or entity which is a member of the
same "controlled group of corporations," under "common control" or an
"affiliated service group" with an entity within the meanings of Sections
414(b), (c) or (m) of the Code, or required to be aggregated with the entity
under Section 414(o) of the Code, or is under "common control" with the entity,
within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or any regulations
promulgated or proposed under any of the foregoing Sections.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "Exchange Agent" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

     "Exchange Fund" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

     "Exchange Ratio" means the number determined by dividing (i) 900,000 by
(ii) the total number as of the Effective Time of (A) outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock plus (B) shares underlying outstanding Company Options.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

     "Future Benefit Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(b).

     "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied.

     "Hazardous Materials" means any toxic, injurious or hazardous materials,
substances or wastes, toxic pollutants or contaminants, including petroleum
products, crude oil or any by-products or derivatives thereof as any of the
foregoing terms are defined in federal, state and local laws applicable to the
Company or Parent, as the case may be, but does not include commercially
available office cleaning or janitorial supplies.

     "Intellectual Property" means any and all of the following of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries: (i) Patents; (ii) Trademarks; (iii) Copyrights;
and (iv) any and all technology, ideas, inventions, designs, proprietary
information, unpublished research and development information, manufacturing and
operating information, know-how, formulae, trade secrets and technical data,
computer programs, and all hardware, software and processes.

     "IRS" means the federal Internal Revenue Service.

     "ISOs" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(iii).

     "Issued Patents" means any and all issued patents, reissue or reexamination
patents, revivals of patents, utility models, certificates of invention,
registrations of patents, or extensions thereof, regardless of country or formal
name.

     "Last Report Date" means April 30, 2000.

     "Letter of Transmittal" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(c).

     "Merger" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

     "Merger Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

     "Merger Sub" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.

     "Parent" has the meaning set forth in the preface above.

     "Parent Board" means the Board of Directors of Parent.

     "Parent Common Stock" means the common stock of the Parent.

     "Parent Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on or
change in the business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition
of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

     "Parent Option Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(iv).

     "Parent Options" means all options to acquire Parent Common Stock granted
by Parent.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

     "Parent Preferred Stock" means the 1,000,000 authorized shares of Parent
preferred stock.

     "Parent Reports" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.

     "Parent Share" means any share of the voting common stock of Advanced
Energy Industries, Inc.

     "Patent Applications" means any and all patent rights, including, without
limitation, all United States and foreign utility and design patents, and all
published or unpublished nonprovisional and provisional patent applications,
including, without limitation, any and all applications of additions,
divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reexaminations,
substitutions, extensions, renewals, utility models, certificates of invention
or reissues thereof or therefor, invention disclosures and records of invention
for abandoned patent applications

     "Patents" means the Patent Applications and the Issued Patents.

     "Permits" means all valid and current permits, licenses, orders,
authorizations, registrations, approvals and other analogous instruments.

     "Person" includes both natural persons and entities.

     "Post Closing Dividends" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(f).

     "Predecessor" means any Person that owns or has ever owned, leased or
occupied the Company Real Properties.

     "Proxy Statement/Prospectus" has the meaning provided in Section 6.7(a).

     "Qualified Plan" means each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be a
"qualified plan" within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code, and either
(i) the IRS has issued a favorable determination letter that has not been
revoked, or (ii) an application for a favorable determination letter was timely
submitted to the IRS for which no final action has been taken by the IRS as of
the Closing Date.

     "Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(a).

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     "Significant Subsidiaries" of a party means Subsidiaries of such party
which constitute "significant subsidiaries" under Rule 405 promulgated by the
Commission under the Securities Act.

     "Specified Post-Closing Dividends" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.3(f).

     "Stock Purchase Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(iv).

     "Stockholders Meeting" means a meeting of the holders of Company Common
Stock.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

     "Subsidiary" of a party means any corporation or other organization,
whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which such party directly or
indirectly owns or controls at least a majority of the securities or other
interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such
corporation or other organization, or any organization of which such party is a
general partner.

     "Substituted Options" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(d)(i).

     "Surviving Corporation" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

     "SWDA" means the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended.

     "Termination Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(a).

     "Trademarks" means any and all of Company's trademarks, registered
trademarks, applications for registration of trademark, service marks,
registered service marks, applications for registration of service marks, trade
names, registered trade names, and applications for registrations of trade
names.

     "Transaction" has the meaning provided in Section 6.1(b).

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                   THE MERGER

     2.1 THE BASIC TRANSACTION. On the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
the Company in accordance with this Agreement, and the separate corporate
existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease (the "Merger"). The Company shall
be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as
the "Surviving Corporation"), and shall become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Parent. The Merger shall have the effects specified in the Colorado Business
Corporation Act (the "CBCA").

     2.2 THE CLOSING. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place (a) at the offices of the
Company at 10:00 a.m., local time, on the first business day immediately
following the day on which the last to be fulfilled or waived of the conditions
set forth in Article 7 shall be completely fulfilled or waived in accordance
herewith, or (b) at such other time, date or place as Parent and the Company may
agree. The date on which the Closing occurs is hereinafter referred to as the
"Closing Date."

     2.3 EFFECTIVE TIME. On the Closing Date, Articles of Merger meeting the
requirements of Section 7-111-105 of the CBCA in the form of Exhibit 2.3 (the
"Articles of Merger") shall be executed and filed in the office of the Colorado
Secretary of State, in accordance with the CBCA. The Merger shall become
effective at (a) the time of filing of the Articles of Merger with the Colorado
Secretary of State or (b) such later time as agreed by the parties hereto and
designated in the Articles of Merger as the effective time of the Merger (the
"Effective Time").

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

     2.4 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS. The Articles of Incorporation
and By-laws of Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving Corporation,
until duly amended in accordance with applicable law.

     2.5 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. The directors and
officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors are
duly appointed or elected in accordance with applicable law.

                                   ARTICLE 3
                      CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

     3.1 MERGER SUB STOCK. At the Effective Time, each share of common stock of
Merger Sub outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

     3.2 COMPANY STOCK; OPTIONS.

          (a) EXCHANGE RATIO. At the Effective Time, each share of Company
Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of
Parent Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio.

          (b) CANCELLATION OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK. At the Effective Time, as a
result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof,
all shares of Company Common Stock outstanding at the Effective Time shall cease
to be outstanding, shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
each holder of shares of Company Common Stock shall thereafter cease to have any
rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock, except the right to
receive upon the surrender of a certificate representing such shares of Company
Common Stock (a "Certificate") (i) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
determined in accordance with this Section 3.2, and (ii) cash, without interest,
payable (A) in lieu of any fractional shares of Parent Common Stock, in
accordance with Section 3.3(b), and (B) as Specified Post-Closing Dividends, in
accordance with Section 3.3(f).

          (c) TREASURY SHARES AND SHARES HELD BY SUBSIDIARIES. At the Effective
Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent,
Merger Sub or the Company, any and all shares of Company Common Stock issued and
held in the Company's treasury shall cease to be outstanding, shall be canceled
and retired without payment of any consideration therefor and shall cease to
exist.

          (d) OPTIONS.

               (i) At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without
any action on the part of holder thereof, each option to purchase Company Common
Stock granted by the Company (collectively, "Company Options") under one of its
stock option plans (collectively, "Company Option Plans") that remains
outstanding and unexercised as of the

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

Effective Time, whether or not vested or exercisable, shall be assumed by Parent
and shall be converted into an option to purchase Parent Common Stock
(collectively, "Substituted Options").

               (ii) Subject to subsection 3.2(d)(iii) below, (A) the number of
shares of Parent Common Stock underlying a Substituted Option shall be equal to
the number of shares of Company Common Stock underlying the subject Company
Option multiplied by the Exchange Ratio and rounded to the nearest whole number,
(B) the exercise price per share of a Substituted Option shall be adjusted
proportionately such that the aggregate exercise price under the Substituted
Options shall remain substantially unchanged, and (C) each Substituted Option
shall be exercisable on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as had
been applicable to the related Company Option, except to the extent the number
of shares and exercise price per share have been adjusted pursuant to (A) and
(B), respectively, of this subsection 3.2(d)(ii).

               (iii) It is the intention of the parties that Company Options
that qualified as incentive stock options, within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Code ("ISOs"), immediately prior to the Effective Time, be converted, when
assumed by Parent, into Substituted Options that qualify as ISOs immediately
following the Effective Time, to the extent permitted by Section 422 of the Code
and applicable terms of the Company Option Plans. In furtherance of such
intention, the formulae, terms and conditions set forth in subsection 3.2(d)(ii)
above may be applied to, or modified for, such Substituted Options as deemed
reasonably necessary by Parent, so long as any such application or modification
does not materially reduce the benefit of the Substituted Option to the holder
thereof.

               (iv) The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock
Purchase Plan") shall be terminated prior to the Closing. All funds invested in
the Stock Purchase Plan but not used by employees to purchase stock thereunder
prior to the Effective Time shall be transferred or otherwise credited to
employees of the Company such that, following the Effective Time, each such
employee shall have purchase rights under Parent's stock purchase plans
substantially similar to those existing under the Stock Purchase Plan
immediately prior to the Effective Time.

               (v) On or prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall file with the
Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or Form S-8, as determined by
Parent in its sole discretion, relating to the issuance of the Parent Common
Stock underlying the Substituted Options or shall cause such Parent Common Stock
to be included in an effective Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to
one or more of Parent's stock option plans (collectively, "Parent Option
Plans"). So long as any Substituted Options remain outstanding, Parent shall use
its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of any Registration
Statement(s) related to the Substituted Options (and to maintain the current
status of the prospectus or prospectuses related thereto). At or prior to the
Effective Time, Parent shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for delivery upon
exercise of the Substituted Options. To the extent required by the relevant
market or exchange, Parent shall list or qualify all such shares for trading on
the principal market or exchange on which Parent Common Stock is traded from
time to time.

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

     3.3 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING COMPANY COMMON STOCK.

          (a) As of the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to
be deposited, with an exchange agent reasonably acceptable to the Company (the
"Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of Company Common Stock, for
exchange in accordance with this Article 3, (i) certificates representing the
shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger
("Merger Certificates"), and (ii) Parent's good faith estimate of the cash in
lieu of fractional shares expected to be payable in connection with the Merger.
Such cash and Merger Certificates are referred to herein as the "Exchange Fund."

          (b) No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued
pursuant hereto. In lieu of the issuance of any fractional share of Parent
Common Stock, cash will be paid in respect of any fractional share of Parent
Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable, and the amount of such cash shall
be equal to such fractional proportion of the closing price of one share of
Parent Common Stock as reported in The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, as
of the last day prior to the Effective Time on which trading is conducted on the
Nasdaq National Market. No interest will be paid or accrued on the cash payable
to holders of shares of Company Common Stock.

          (c) Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Exchange
Agent to mail to each holder of record of Company Common Stock (i) a letter of
transmittal, in a typical form and having such provisions as Parent may
reasonably specify ("Letter of Transmittal"), which shall advise the holder that
delivery of Merger Certificates shall be effected, and risk of loss to such
holder's shares of Company Common Stock shall pass, only upon delivery of the
Certificates representing such shares to the Exchange Agent, and (ii)
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of such Certificates in exchange
for Merger Certificates and cash in lieu of fractional shares from the Exchange
Fund.

          (d) Upon surrender of a Certificate to the Exchange Agent for
cancellation, together with a duly executed and properly completed Letter of
Transmittal, (i) the holder of the shares of Company Common Stock represented by
such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor from the
Exchange Fund (A) a Merger Certificate representing that number of whole shares
of Parent Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of Company
Common Stock represented by the Certificate by the Exchange Ratio, and (B) a
check representing (1) the amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
Common Stock, if any, determined pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 3.3,
and (2) any Specified Post-Closing Dividends, in each case less any applicable
tax withholding, and (ii) the Company Common Stock represented by the
surrendered Certificate shall thereupon be canceled.

          (e) In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company Common Stock
which is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, a Merger
Certificate representing the proper number of shares of Parent Common Stock,
together with a check for the cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares, if
any, may be issued to such transferee of such Company Common Stock, if the
Certificate representing such Company Common Stock is presented to the Exchange
Agent, accompanied by all documents, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Parent and the Exchange Agent, required to evidence and effect
such transfer of Company Common Stock and to evidence that any applicable stock
transfer taxes have been paid. There shall be no

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

transfers on the transfer records of the Company, at or after the Effective
Time, of shares of Company Common Stock which were outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time.

          (f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, no
dividends or other distributions declared after the Effective Time on Parent
Common Stock ("Post-Closing Dividends") shall be paid with respect to any shares
of Company Common Stock represented by a Certificate until such Certificate is
surrendered for exchange as provided herein. Subject to the effect of applicable
laws, following surrender of any such Certificate, there shall be paid to the
holder of the certificates representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock
issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such
surrender, the amount of Post-Closing Dividends with a record date after the
Effective Time theretofore payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent
Common Stock and not paid, less the amount of any withholding taxes which may be
required thereon ("Specified Post-Closing Dividends"), and (ii) at the
appropriate payment date, the amount of Post-Closing Dividends with a record
date after the Effective Time but prior to surrender and a payment date
subsequent to surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent
Common Stock, less the amount of any withholding taxes which may be required
thereon.

          (g) Certificates surrendered for exchange by any Affiliate of the
Company shall not be exchanged until Parent has received a written agreement
from such person as provided in Section 6.8.

          (h) None of Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation, the
Exchange Agent or any other person shall be liable to any former stockholder of
the Company for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

     3.4 LOST CERTIFICATES. In the event any Certificate shall have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, upon the making and delivery of an affidavit (in form and
substance satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation) of that fact by the person
claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by
the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond in such
reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against
any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the
Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed
Certificate the shares of Parent Common Stock and cash deliverable in respect
thereof pursuant to this Agreement.

     3.5 ADJUSTMENT OF EXCHANGE RATIO. In the event that, subsequent to the date
of this Agreement but prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of
Parent Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or
a different class as a result of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, subdivision, reclassification, combination, exchange, recapitalization
or other similar transaction, the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately
adjusted.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                                   ARTICLE 4
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company makes
the following representations and warranties to Parent and Merger Sub, as of the
date of this Agreement.

     4.1 ORGANIZATION AND STANDING.

          (a) The Company (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii)
has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its
properties and carry on its business as now conducted, and (iii) is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in
each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify, or be in good standing,
would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

          (b) The Company does not have any Subsidiaries and, except as set
forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule, does not own any equity securities or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for equity securities
of any other company.

          (c) The Company has not (i) filed or had filed against it a petition
in bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any other insolvency act, (ii)
admitted in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, (iii) made an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) consented to the appointment of a
receiver for itself or any substantial part of its property, or (v) generally
committed any act of insolvency (including the failure to pay obligations as
they become due) or bankruptcy.

     4.2 CAPITALIZATION.

          (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 15,000,000
shares of Company Common Stock. As of April 30, 2000, there were 4,125,259
shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding. From such date to the
date of this Agreement, no additional shares of capital stock of the Company
have been issued, except pursuant to the exercise of Company Options. As of
April 30, 2000, Company Options to acquire 338,038 shares of Company Common
Stock were outstanding. From such date to the date of this Agreement, no
additional Company Options have been granted.

          (b) All of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable
and free of preemptive or similar rights. Other than Company Options, there are
no existing and outstanding warrants, rights, options, subscriptions,
convertible securities or other agreements or commitments which obligate the
Company to issue, transfer or sell any shares of capital stock of the Company.

          (c) The Company does not have any outstanding bonds, debentures, notes
or other obligations pursuant to which the holders thereof have the right to
vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the
right to vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

     4.3 AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABILITY; NO VIOLATION.

          (a) The Company has full corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.

          (b) Subject only to the approval of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby by the stockholders of the Company in
accordance with the CBCA, all corporate action necessary on the part of the
Company for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been
duly taken.

          (c) This Agreement constitutes (assuming this Agreement is a valid and
legally binding obligation of Parent and Merger Sub) a valid and legally binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to
creditors' rights and general principles of equity and public policy
considerations (the "Enforceability Exceptions").

          (d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not
result in any conflict with, breach or violation of or default (or an event
which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default),
termination or forfeiture under (i) any terms or provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, (ii) any statute, rule, regulation,
judicial, governmental, regulatory or administrative decree, order or judgment
applicable to the Company, or (iii) any agreement, lease, license, permit or
other instrument to which the Company is a party or to which any of its assets
are subject, except where any such breach, violation, default, termination or
forfeiture would not have or result in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

          (e) There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or,
to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company that questions
the validity of this Agreement or the right of the Company to enter into this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

     4.4 NO CONSENTS. Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule, no
consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, qualification or filing
of or with any court or any regulatory authority or any other governmental or
administrative body is required on the Company's part for the consummation by it
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (i) notices and
filings required in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act,
and state securities or "blue sky" laws, and (ii) the filing of the Articles of
Merger with the Colorado Secretary of State.

     4.5 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except where the failure to so comply would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company (i) has all valid and
current Permits, and each Permit is in full force and effect, and (ii) has made
all filings and registrations and the like, necessary or required by law to
conduct its business as currently conducted. The Company has not received any
governmental notice of any violation by it of any laws, rules, regulation or
orders applicable to its business. Except where the failure to comply would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) the Company is not in default under
any Permits and is in compliance with the same, and (b) the business and
operations of the Company are in

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

compliance with all applicable foreign, federal, state, local and county laws,
ordinances, regulations, judgments, orders, decrees or rules of any court,
arbitrator or governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or entity.

     4.6 COMPANY REPORTS.

          (a) The Company has filed all reports, forms, registrations,
schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the
Commission since April 30, 1996 (the "Company Reports"). As of their respective
dates, the Company Reports complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and
the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Except to the
extent that information contained in any Company Report has been amended,
revised or superseded by a Company Report subsequently filed and publicly
available prior to the date of this Agreement, none of the Company Reports, when
filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

          (b) Each of the balance sheets of the Company included in or
incorporated by reference into the Company Reports (including the related notes
and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the financial position
of the Company as of its date, and each of the statements of income, retained
earnings and cash flows of the Company included in or incorporated by reference
into the Company Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly
presents in all material respects the results of operations and cash flows of
the Company for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited
statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which would not be material in
amount or effect), in each case in accordance with GAAP, except as may be noted
therein and subject to the fact that unaudited financial statements do not
contain full notes thereto. The Company has no liabilities or obligations
required to be disclosed in a balance sheet or the notes thereto prepared in
accordance with GAAP, except (i) liabilities or obligations reflected on, or
reserved against in, a balance sheet of the Company or in the notes thereto, and
included in the Company Reports, (ii) liabilities or obligations incurred since
the Last Report Date in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practices, or (iii) liabilities disclosed in a Company Report.

     4.7 ABSENCE OF LITIGATION, ORDERS, JUDGMENTS.

          (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened which involve transactions of or otherwise
relate to the Company or any of its businesses or properties, at law or in
equity, or before any arbitrator of any kind, or before or by any federal,
state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau,
agency or other instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that are reasonably likely
to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

          (b) There are no outstanding orders, writs, injunctions, decrees,
judgments, awards, determinations or directions, which involve transactions of
or otherwise relate to the Company or any of its businesses or properties, of
any court or arbitrator or under any outstanding order, regulation or demand of
any federal, state, municipal or other governmental

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that are reasonably likely to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect.

     4.8 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Since the Last Report Date, the Company has
conducted its business only in the ordinary course of such business, and there
has not been (i) any Company Material Adverse Effect or any event which is
reasonably likely to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with
respect to its capital stock; or (iii) any material change in its accounting
principles, practices or methods.

     4.9 TAXES. The Company (i) has timely filed all material federal, state and
foreign tax returns required to be filed by it for tax years ended prior to the
date of this Agreement or requests for extensions have been timely filed and any
such request shall have been granted and not expired, and all such returns are
complete in all material respects, (ii) has paid or accrued all taxes shown to
be due and payable on such returns and (iii) has properly accrued all such taxes
for such periods subsequent to the periods covered by such returns.

     4.10 CONTRACTS. Each (a) agreement, contract and commitment, whether
written or oral, to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and
which is filed as an exhibit to or described in a Company Report and (b)
material agreement, contract and commitment entered into by the Company, or by
which it became bound, after the Last Report Date (collectively, "Company
Contracts"), is a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company and, to
the knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto, enforceable against the
Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto, in
accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. The Company
is not, and to the knowledge of the Company no other party to any Company
Contract is, in material default thereof. The Company has not, and to the
knowledge of the Company no other party to any Company Contract has, performed
any act or omitted to perform any act which act or omission, with the giving of
notice or passage of time or otherwise, will become a material default
thereunder.

     4.11 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

          (a) The Company owns or has the right to use all Intellectual Property
used in the operation of its business as presently conducted, without any
interference or conflict with or misappropriation or infringement of the
Intellectual Property rights of others, other than any interference, conflict,
misappropriation or infringement which is not reasonably likely to result in (i)
a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to manufacture or sell any of
its material products or any material line of products or otherwise to operate
its business, (ii) a material liability of the Company, or (iii) material
redesign or other corrective costs to the Company. The Company has taken
commercially reasonable action to maintain and protect its rights in the
material Intellectual Property that it owns or uses. Each material item of
Intellectual Property owned or used by the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time hereunder will be owned or available for use by the Surviving
Corporation on substantially identical terms and conditions immediately
subsequent to the Effective Time.

          (b) Section 4.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth all
Patents, registered Copyrights, registered Trademarks, joint development
agreements, licenses and

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

agreements relating to Intellectual Property owned or used by the Company (other
than agreements or licenses for readily available "off-the-shelf" software) that
require a consent or waiver to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

          (c) To its knowledge, the Company has not, within the past four years,
interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated, or otherwise come into
conflict with any Intellectual Property rights of others other than any
interference, infringement, misappropriation or conflict which did not and is
not reasonably likely to result in (i) a material adverse effect on the
Company's ability to manufacture or sell any of its material products or any
material line of products or otherwise to operate its business, (ii) a material
liability of the Company, or (iii) material redesign or other corrective costs
to the Company. The Company has not received, and has no knowledge of, any
charge, complaint, claim, demand or notice alleging any such interference,
infringement, misappropriation, or conflict (including, without limitation, any
claim that the Company must license or refrain from using any Intellectual
Property rights of any other person), or that the Company's use of the
Intellectual Property constitutes unfair competition.

          (d) To the knowledge of the Company, no fraud or misrepresentation has
been made by the Company or any of its officers, directors or employees or the
relevant inventors during the prosecution of any of the Patents of the Company,
nor has any fraud or misrepresentation been included in any documentation for or
other disclosure to any governmental agency of the Intellectual Property of the
Company.

     4.12 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

          (a) The Company does not maintain or contribute to or have any actual
or, to its knowledge, potential liability with respect to any (i) deferred
compensation or bonus or retirement plans or arrangements, (ii) qualified or
nonqualified defined contribution or defined benefit plans or arrangements which
are employee pension benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), or
(iii) employee welfare benefit plans, (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA),
stock option or stock purchase plans, or material fringe benefit plans or
programs whether in writing or oral and whether or not terminated. The Company
has never contributed to any multiemployer pension plan (as defined in Section
3(37) of ERISA) or has ever maintained or contributed to any defined benefit
plan (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA). The Company does not maintain or
contribute to any Company Benefit Plan which provides health, accident or life
insurance benefits to former employees, their spouses or dependents, other than
in accordance with Section 4980B of the Code.

          (b) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be a
"qualified plan" within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code, either (i)
the IRS has issued a favorable determination letter that has not been revoked,
or (ii) an application for a favorable determination letter was timely submitted
to the IRS for which no final action has been taken by the IRS. To the knowledge
of the Company, there is no reason that is not susceptible to cure why the
qualified status under Section 401(a) of the Code of any Company Benefit Plan
would be denied or revoked, whether retroactively or prospectively.

          (c) To the knowledge of the Company, no Company Benefit Plan, any
fiduciary thereof, nor the Company has incurred any liability or penalty under
Section 4975 of

                                       15
<PAGE>   16

the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA. Except as would not have a Company Material
Adverse Effect, each Company Benefit Plan has been maintained and administered
in all material respects in compliance with its terms and with ERISA and the
Code, to the extent applicable thereto.

          (d) To the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any ERISA
Affiliate (during the period of its affiliated status) has any existing
liability currently due and payable that has not been satisfied in full under
Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code. To the knowledge of the Company,
there are no current plans to terminate, whether voluntarily or involuntarily,
any materially underfunded pension plan of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
that is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

          (e) To the knowledge of the Company, there is no pending or
anticipated claim, suit, action or other litigation against or otherwise
involving any of the Company Benefit Plans (excluding claims for benefits
incurred in the ordinary course of the Company Benefit Plan activities) except
those which would either have no Company Material Adverse Effect or those which
have been released, dismissed, settled or otherwise satisfied, each of which is
set forth in Section 4.12(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

          (f) All material contributions required to be made as of the date
hereof to the Company Benefit Plans have been made or provided for.

          (g) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.12 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the execution of, and performance of the transactions contemplated by,
this Agreement will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional
or subsequent events) constitute an event under any benefit plan, policy,
arrangement or agreement or any trust or loan that will or is reasonably likely
to result in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise), acceleration,
forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting, distribution, increase in benefits or
obligation to fund benefits with respect to any employee of the Company.

          (h) The Company has not entered into any severance agreements or
adopted any severance policies applicable to the Company or its employees which
would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or which have not either been
satisfied or provided for, and each such severance agreement and policy is set
forth on Section 4.12(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

     4.13 NO BROKERS. The Company has not entered into any contract, arrangement
or understanding with any person or firm which will or is reasonably likely to
result in the obligation of the Company, Parent or Merger Sub to pay any
finder's fees, brokerage or agent's commissions or other like payments in
connection with the negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, except that the Company has retained
Quist Financial, Inc. to render a fairness opinion, the arrangements with which
have been disclosed in writing to Parent prior to the date hereof. Other than
the foregoing arrangements, the Company is not aware of any claim for payment of
any finder's fees, brokerage or agent's commissions or other like payments in
connection with the negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

     4.14 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Company has received the opinion of
Quist Financial, Inc. substantially to the effect that, as of the date hereof,
the Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders of Company Common Stock from a
financial point of view.

     4.15 PARENT STOCK OWNERSHIP. The Company does not own any shares of Parent
Common Stock or other securities convertible into Parent Common Stock.

     4.16 POOLING OF INTERESTS; TAX REORGANIZATION. To the knowledge of the
Company, having sought and obtained the advice of its accounting advisors, the
Company has not taken (or as of the date hereof failed to take) any action which
would prevent the accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests in
accordance with APB No. 16, the interpretative releases issued pursuant thereto,
and the pronouncements of the Commission. To the knowledge of the Company, the
Company has not taken or failed to take any action which would prevent the
Merger from constituting a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of
the Code.

     4.17 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

          (a) There has not been any violation of any Environmental Requirements
by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any Company Predecessor, nor
to the knowledge of the Company has there been any third party claim or demand
based upon any Environmental Requirements against the Company or any Company
Predecessor, other than violations, claims or demands that have not resulted,
and are not reasonably likely to result, in a Company Material Adverse Effect.

          (b) The Company has not disposed of, stored or used any Hazardous
Materials on, nor has it transported any Hazardous Materials from, any of the
Company Real Properties in violation of applicable Environmental Requirements
other than a disposal, storage, use or transport which has not resulted in and
is not reasonably likely to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the
knowledge of the Company, no Company Predecessor has disposed of, stored or used
any Hazardous Materials on, nor has any such Company Predecessor transported any
Hazardous Materials from, any of the Company Real Properties in violation of
applicable Environmental Requirements.

          (c) To the knowledge of the Company, none of the following exists at
any of the real property currently owned, leased or occupied by the Company or
existed at any of the Company Real Properties at the time the Company or the
Company Predecessor operated there: (i) underground storage tanks, (ii)
asbestos-containing material in any friable or damaged form or condition, (iii)
materials or equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), or (iv)
landfills or surface impoundments.

          (d) To the knowledge of the Company, none of the Company Real
Properties is or has been contaminated by any Hazardous Materials, in a manner
that has given or is reasonably likely to give rise to any material liability on
the part of the Company to any person, including without limitation any
governmental authority, for response costs, corrective action costs, personal
injury, property damage, natural resources damages or attorney fees, pursuant to
CERCLA, or SWDA, or any other Environmental Requirements, whether federal, state
or locally imposed.

                                       17
<PAGE>   18

     4.18 INSURANCE. The Company maintains insurance with financially sound and
reputable insurers, in such amounts, and with such deductibles and covering such
risks as is customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and
owning similar properties in the localities where the Company is located. The
Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list of each insurance policy presently
maintained by the Company.

     4.19 PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.
Each employee, consultant, service provider, officer and director of the Company
has executed a proprietary information and inventions and confidentiality
agreement, copies of which have been provided to Parent. The Company is not
aware that any of such persons is in violation thereof, and the Company will use
its best efforts to prevent any such violation.

     4.20 ACCURACY OF DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION. The copies of all instruments,
agreements, other documents and written information delivered by the Company to
Parent or its counsel are and will be complete and correct in all material
respects as of the date of delivery thereof. No representations or warranties
made by the Company in this Agreement, nor any document, written information,
statement, financial statement, letter, certificate or exhibit prepared and
furnished or to be prepared and furnished by the Company or its representatives
to Parent pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact, or omits
or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements or facts
contained herein or therein not misleading. There is no presently existing
event, fact or condition that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or
that could reasonably be expected to do so, which has not been set forth in this
Agreement or the exhibits hereto or otherwise disclosed by the Company to Parent
in writing in the Company Disclosure Schedule.

     4.21 TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ENCUMBRANCES. The Company Disclosure Schedule
contains a complete and accurate list of all real property owned by the Company
and all real property leases to which the Company is a party. Except as listed
in the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has good and marketable title to
its properties, interests in properties and assets, real and personal, used in
or necessary for the operation of the business of Company, free and clear of all
liens and encumbrances. The equipment of Company used in the operation of its
business is, taken as a whole, (i) adequate for the business conducted by
Company and (ii) in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear
excepted. To the knowledge of the Company, all real or personal property leases
to which Company is a party are valid, binding and enforceable against Company
and effective in accordance with their respective terms.

                                   ARTICLE 5
             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

     Parent and Merger Sub make the following representations and warranties to
the Company as of the date of this Agreement.

     5.1 ORGANIZATION AND STANDING.

          (a) Parent and each of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of

                                       18
<PAGE>   19

incorporation, (ii) has all requisite corporate power and authority to own,
operate and lease its properties and carry on its business as now conducted, and
(iii) is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify, or be in
good standing, would have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

          (b) Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Merger Sub
was organized for purposes of consummating the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Merger Sub has not engaged in any activity other than as provided in,
or contemplated by, this Agreement and, as of the date hereof, has no
liabilities of any nature, contingent or otherwise, other than liabilities or
obligations that may arise from this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby. The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of
Merger Sub Common Stock, all of which are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and are owned by Parent.

          (c) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries (including without
limitation Merger Sub) has (i) filed or had filed against it a petition in
bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any other insolvency act, (ii)
admitted in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, (iii) made an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) consented to the appointment of a
receiver for itself or any substantial part of its property or (v) generally
committed any act of insolvency (including the failure to pay obligations as
they become due) or bankruptcy.

     5.2 CAPITALIZATION.

          (a) The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of 40,000,000
shares of Parent Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Parent Preferred Stock. As
of March 31, 2000, there were 28,487,941 shares of Parent Common Stock, and no
shares of Parent Preferred Stock, issued and outstanding. From such date to the
date of this Agreement, no additional shares of capital stock of Parent have
been issued, except pursuant to the exercise of Parent Options. As of March 31,
2000, Parent Options to acquire 1,933,578 shares of Parent Common Stock were
outstanding. From such date to the date of this Agreement, no additional Parent
Options have been granted.

          (b) All of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable
and free of preemptive rights. Other than Parent Options, there are no existing
and outstanding warrants, rights, options, subscriptions, convertible securities
or other agreements or commitments which obligate Parent to issue, transfer or
sell any shares of capital stock of Parent or Merger Sub.

          (c) All of the shares of Parent Common Stock issuable as consideration
in the Merger at the Effective Time, when issued in accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive rights.

     5.3 AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABILITY; NO VIOLATION.

          (a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has full corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to perform its respective
obligations hereunder.

                                       19
<PAGE>   20

          (b) All corporate action necessary on the part of Parent and Merger
Sub for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been duly
taken. No approval of the stockholders of Parent is required by applicable law
or the rules of the Nasdaq National Market in connection with the consummation
by Parent or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (c) This Agreement constitutes (assuming this Agreement is a valid and
binding obligation of the Company), a valid and legally binding obligation of
each of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub, as
applicable, in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability
Exceptions.

          (d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not
result in any conflict with, breach or violation of or default (or an event
which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default),
termination or forfeiture under (i) any terms or provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation or the By-laws of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including
without limitation Merger Sub), (ii) any statute, rule, regulation, judicial,
governmental, regulatory or administrative decree, order or judgment applicable
to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including without limitation Merger Sub),
or (iii) any agreement, lease, license, permit or other instrument to which
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including without limitation Merger Sub) is a
party or to which any of its assets are subject, except where any such breach,
violation, default, termination or forfeiture would not have or result in a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.

          (e) There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or
threatened against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that questions the validity
of this Agreement or the right of Parent or Merger Sub to enter into this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

     5.4 NO CONSENTS. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration,
qualification or filing of or with any court or any regulatory authority or any
other governmental or administrative body is required on the part of Parent or
any of its Subsidiaries for the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except (i) notices and filings
required in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and state
securities or "blue sky" laws, (ii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with
the Colorado Secretary of State and (iii) any notices and filings necessary to
comply with the rules of the Nasdaq National Market System.

     5.5 PARENT REPORTS.

          (a) Parent has filed all reports, forms, registrations, schedules,
statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the Commission
since November 17, 1995 (the "Parent Reports"). As of their respective dates,
the Parent Reports complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and
the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Except to the
extent that information contained in any Parent Report has been amended, revised
or superseded by a Parent Report subsequently filed and publicly available prior
to the date of this Agreement, none of the Parent Reports, when filed, contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to

                                       20
<PAGE>   21

state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.

          (b) Each of the consolidated balance sheets of Parent included in or
incorporated by reference into the Parent Reports (including the related notes
and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the consolidated
financial position of Parent and its Subsidiaries as of its date, and each of
the consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of
Parent included in or incorporated by reference into the Parent Reports
(including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents in all material
respects the income, stockholders' equity and cash flows, as the case may be, of
Parent and its Subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the
case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which would
not be material in amount or effect), in each case in accordance with GAAP,
except as may be noted therein and subject to the fact that unaudited financial
statements do not contain full notes thereto. Parent and its Subsidiaries do not
have any liabilities or obligations required to be disclosed in a consolidated
balance sheet or the notes thereto prepared in accordance with GAAP, except (i)
liabilities or obligations reflected on, or reserved against in, a consolidated
balance sheet of Parent or in the notes thereto, and included in the Parent
Reports, (ii) liabilities or obligations incurred since March 31, 2000 in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, or (iii)
liabilities disclosed in a Parent Report.

     5.6 POOLING OF INTERESTS; TAX REORGANIZATION. To the knowledge of Parent,
having sought and obtained the advice of its accounting advisors, neither Parent
nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken (or as of the date hereof failed to take)
any action which would prevent the accounting for the Merger as a pooling of
interests in accordance with APB No. 16, the interpretative releases issued
pursuant thereto, and the pronouncements of the Commission. To the knowledge of
Parent, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or failed to take
any action which would prevent the Merger from constituting a reorganization
within the meaning of section 368 of the Code.

     5.7 ACCURACY OF DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION. The copies of all instruments,
agreements, other documents and written information delivered by Parent to the
Company or its counsel are and will be complete and correct in all material
respects as of the date of delivery thereof. No representations or warranties
made by Parent in this Agreement, nor any document, written information,
statement, financial statement, letter, certificate or exhibit prepared and
furnished or to be prepared and furnished by Parent or its representatives to
the Company pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact, or omits
or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements or facts
contained herein or therein not misleading. There is no presently existing
event, fact or condition that would have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or
that could reasonably be expected to do so, which has not been set forth in this
Agreement or the exhibits hereto.

     5.8 COMPANY OPTIONS. Parent acknowledges that the vesting of all Company
Options will accelerate at the Effective Time.

                                       21
<PAGE>   22

                                   ARTICLE 6
                                   COVENANTS

     6.1 ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS.

          (a) Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company, its
affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives
and agents shall immediately cease any existing discussions or negotiations, if
any, conducted with any parties heretofore with respect to any acquisition of
all or any material portion of the assets of, or any equity interest in, the
Company or any business combination with the Company. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company may issue Company Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
the Company Options outstanding on the date hereof and pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Plan, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3.2(d)(iv).

          (b) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company may, solely in response to
unsolicited requests therefor, furnish non-public information regarding itself
to any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group in respect of,
and may participate in discussions and negotiate with such entity or group
concerning, a business combination, merger, sale of material assets, sale of
shares of capital stock or similar transaction involving the Company (a
"Transaction"), provided that (i) such entity or group has submitted a written
proposal to the Board of Directors of the Company relating to any such
Transaction (an "Alternative Proposal"), (ii) the entity or group enters into
confidentiality agreements with the Company with respect to such non-public
information, and (iii) the Company Board, by a majority vote, determines in its
good faith judgment, based as to legal matters on the written advice of legal
counsel, that failing to take such action would constitute a breach of the
Company Board's fiduciary duty. The Company Board shall provide a copy of any
such written proposal to Parent and Merger Sub immediately after receipt
thereof, unless prohibited by the terms of such proposal.

          (c) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates, nor any of such
Persons' respective officers, directors, employees, representatives or agents,
shall, directly or indirectly (i) encourage, solicit, participate in or initiate
discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any
corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group (other than Parent and
Merger Sub, any affiliate or associate of Parent and Merger Sub or any designees
of Parent and Merger Sub) concerning any Transaction, or (ii) authorize, propose
or announce an intention to authorize or propose any Transaction (other than the
Merger), unless and until the Company has received an Alternative Proposal in
writing and the Company Board, by majority vote, has determined in its good
faith judgment, based as to legal matters on the written advice of legal
counsel, that failing to take such action would constitute a breach of the
Company Board's fiduciary duty; provided, however, that nothing herein shall
prevent the Company Board from taking, and disclosing to the Company's
stockholders, a position contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2 promulgated under
the Exchange Act with regard to any tender offers; provided, further, that the
Company Board shall not recommend that the stockholders of the Company tender
their shares in connection with any such tender offer unless the Company Board
by a majority vote determines in its good faith judgment, based as to legal
matters on the written advice of legal counsel, that failing to take such action
would constitute a breach of the Company Board's fiduciary duty.

                                       22
<PAGE>   23

          (d) Nothing in this Section 6.1 shall (i) permit the Company to
terminate this Agreement (except as specifically provided in Article 8 hereof),
(ii) permit the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to a
Transaction during the term of this Agreement (it being agreed that during the
term of this Agreement, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with any
person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, a Transaction, other than a
confidentiality agreement in customary form), or (iii) except as specifically
provided in Article 8, affect any other obligation of the Company under this
Agreement.

     6.2 INTERIM OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY.

          (a) Prior to the Effective Time, except as set forth in Section 6.2 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule or as contemplated by any other provision of
this Agreement, unless Parent has consented in writing thereto, the Company:

               (i) shall conduct its operations according to their usual,
regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as heretofore
conducted;

               (ii) shall use its reasonable efforts to preserve intact its
business organizations and goodwill, keep available the services of its officers
and employees and maintain satisfactory relationships with those persons having
business relationships with them;

               (iii) shall not amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;

               (iv) shall promptly notify Parent of (A) any material adverse
change in its condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, assets,
liabilities or the normal course of its business or of its properties, (B) any
material litigation or, to the extent known to the Company, any material
governmental complaints, investigations or hearings against or otherwise
involving the Company (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated), or (C) the breach of any representation or warranty of the
Company contained herein;

               (v) shall promptly deliver to Parent true and correct copies of
any report, statement or schedule filed by the Company with the Commission
subsequent to the date of this Agreement;

               (vi) shall not enter into or amend any employment, severance or
similar agreements or arrangements with any of its directors or executive
officers, except (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, or (B) as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

               (vii) shall not authorize, propose or announce an intention to
authorize or propose, or enter into negotiations or an agreement with respect to
any acquisition of assets or securities, any disposition of assets or securities
or any release or relinquishment of any contract rights, which acquisitions,
dispositions, releases or relinquishments would be outside the ordinary course
of business and would involve aggregate consideration in excess of $100,000;

               (viii) shall not issue any shares of capital stock or securities,
except as permitted by the last sentence of Section 6.1(a), or effect any stock
split or otherwise change its capitalization;

                                       23
<PAGE>   24

               (ix) shall not grant, confer or award any options, appreciation
rights, warrants, conversion rights, restricted stock, stock units, performance
shares or other rights, not existing on the date hereof, with respect to any
shares of its capital stock or other securities of the Company;

               (x) shall not take any actions which would, or would be
reasonably likely to, prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code;

               (xi) shall not take any actions which would, or would be
reasonably likely to, prevent the Merger from qualifying as a transaction to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests in accordance with APB No. 16;

               (xii) except as required by applicable law (in which case prompt
notice shall be given by the Company to Parent), shall not amend in any material
respect the terms of the Company Benefit Plans, including without limitation any
employment, severance or similar agreements or arrangements in existence on the
date hereof, or adopt any new employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements
or any employment, severance or similar agreements or arrangements;

               (xiii) shall not incur, create, assume or otherwise become liable
for borrowed money or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become responsible
or liable for the obligations of any other individual, corporation or other
entity, except in the ordinary course of business;

               (xiv) shall not make any loans or advances to any other Person,
except in the ordinary course of business;

               (xv) shall not make any material tax election other than in the
ordinary course, or without the consent of Parent, which shall not unreasonably
be withheld, settle or compromise any material tax liability;

               (xvi) shall not declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make
any other distribution or payment with respect to any shares of its capital
stock or other ownership interests;

               (xvii) shall not directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock, or make any commitment for
any such action; provided that cashless exercises of stock options shall not be
in violation of this clause (xvii); and

               (xviii) shall not agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of
the foregoing actions or take any action which would make any representation or
warranty in Article 4 hereof untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of
the Closing Date.

     6.3 MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. The Company will take all action necessary in
accordance with applicable law and its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to
convene a Stockholders' Meeting as promptly as practicable to consider and vote
upon the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Unless the Company Board by a majority

                                       24
<PAGE>   25

vote determines in its good faith judgment, based as to legal matters on the
written advice of legal counsel, that taking such action would constitute a
breach of the Company Board's fiduciary duty, the Company Board shall recommend
such approval, and the Company shall take all lawful action to solicit such
approval, including, without limitation, timely mailing the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.

     6.4 FILINGS; OTHER ACTIONS. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
provided, the Company and Parent shall: (a) use all reasonable efforts to
cooperate with one another in (i) determining which filings are required to be
made prior to the Effective Time with, and which other consents, approvals,
permits or authorizations are required to be obtained prior to the Effective
Time from, governmental or regulatory authorities of the United States, the
several states and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and (ii) timely making all such filings and timely seeking all such
consents, approvals, permits or authorizations; and (b) use all reasonable
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all other action and do, or cause to be
done, all other things necessary, proper or appropriate to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     6.5 INSPECTION OF RECORDS. From the date hereof to the Effective Time, each
of the Company and Parent shall (a) allow all designated officers, attorneys,
accountants and other representatives of the other party reasonable access at
all reasonable times to its respective offices, records and files,
correspondence, audits and properties, as well as to all information relating to
its respective commitments, contracts, titles and financial position, or
otherwise pertaining to its respective business and affairs, (b) furnish to the
other party and the other party's counsel, financial advisors, auditors and
other authorized representatives such financial and operating data and other
information as such persons may reasonably request and (c) instruct its
respective employees, counsel and financial advisors to cooperate with the other
party in the other party's investigation of its respective business.

     6.6 PUBLICITY. The initial press release relating to this Agreement shall
be a joint press release and thereafter, until the Effective Time, the Company
and Parent shall, subject to their respective legal obligations (including
requirements of stock exchanges and similar self regulatory bodies), consult
with each other, and use reasonable efforts to agree upon the text of any press
release, before issuing any such press release or otherwise making public
statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and in making
any filings with any federal or state governmental or regulatory agency or with
any national securities exchange with respect thereto.

     6.7 PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.

          (a) Parent and the Company shall cooperate and promptly prepare and
Parent shall file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act (the "Registration Statement"),
with respect to the Parent Common Stock issuable in the Merger, which
Registration Statement shall contain the proxy statement with respect to the
meeting of the stockholders of the Company in connection with the Merger (the
"Proxy Statement/Prospectus").

                                       25
<PAGE>   26

          (b) The parties will cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and Parent
will cause the Registration Statement, to comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder. Parent shall use all reasonable
efforts, and the Company shall cooperate with Parent, to have the Registration
Statement declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable.

          (c) The information supplied by the Company for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
Registration Statement shall not (i) at the time the Registration Statement is
declared effective, (ii) at the time the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to holders of Company
Common Stock, (iii) at the time of the Stockholders' Meeting, or (iv) at the
Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not misleading, and shall comply as to form and substance with the requirements
of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

          (d) The information supplied by Parent for inclusion or incorporation
by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement
shall not (i) at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective, (ii)
at the time the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto) is first mailed to holders of Company Common Stock, (iii) at
the time of the Stockholders' Meeting, or (iv) at the Effective Time, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, and
shall comply as to form and substance with the requirements of the Securities
Act and the Exchange Act.

          (e) No amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will
be made by the Company or Parent without the approval of the other (except to
the extent such amendment or supplement incorporates by reference other filings
of the Company or Parent). Parent will advise the Company, promptly after it
receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement has become
effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, the issuance of any
stop order, the suspension of the qualification of the Parent Common Stock
issuable in connection with the Merger for offering or sale in any jurisdiction,
or any request by the Commission for amendment of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
or the Registration Statement or comments thereon and responses thereto or
requests by the Commission for additional information.

     6.8 AFFILIATE LETTERS. Promptly after the date hereof, the Company shall
deliver to Parent a list of names and addresses of those persons who were, in
the Company's reasonable judgment, as of the record date for the Stockholders'
Meeting, Affiliates of the Company. The Company shall provide Parent such
information and documents as Parent shall reasonably request with respect to
such Affiliates. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to deliver or
cause to be delivered to Parent, prior to the Closing Date, from each of the
Affiliates of the Company identified in the foregoing list, an affiliate letter
in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent in order to satisfy the
requirements of Rule 145 of the Securities Act and APB No. 16 (collectively,
"Affiliate Letters"). Parent shall be entitled to place legends as

                                       26
<PAGE>   27

specified in such Affiliate Letters on the certificates evidencing any Parent
Common Stock to be received by such Affiliates pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, and to issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer
agent for the Parent Common Stock, consistent with the terms of such Affiliate
Letters. Subject to the receipt by Parent of satisfactory representations and
warranties from the relevant holders and/or brokers, such legends shall be
removed and such transfer instructions terminated at the earliest possible date
under all applicable laws and regulations.

     6.9 EXPENSES. Whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses except as
expressly provided herein and except that the filing fee in connection with the
filing of the Registration Statement or Proxy Statement/Prospectus with the
Commission and the expenses incurred in connection with printing and mailing the
Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall be shared
equally by the Company and Parent.

     6.10 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

          (a) From and after the Effective Time, Parent shall provide or cause
the Surviving Corporation to provide to persons who are employees of the Company
at the Effective Time and who will continue as employees of the Surviving
Corporation after the Effective Time (the "Company Personnel") the same employee
compensation and benefit plans, programs and arrangements as are provided to
other employees of Parent employed in similar capacities to such Company
Personnel; provided, however, that subject to the foregoing, Parent shall not be
precluded from amending or terminating any particular plan, program or
arrangement, or from substituting any such plans, programs or arrangements with
plans, programs or arrangements applicable and available to other employees of
Parent and its Subsidiaries.

          (b) Following the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the benefit plans
covering the Company Personnel following the Effective Time (the "Future Benefit
Plans") to continue to recognize the service credit of the Company Personnel
accrued as of the Effective Time under the Company Benefit Plans for purposes of
participation, eligibility and vesting of benefits, to the extent permissible by
the terms of such Future Benefit Plans.

     6.11 AGREEMENTS. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Company
shall not enter into any agreement which the Company knows or has reason to know
is reasonably likely to cause any major customer of the Company to terminate any
material contracts, agreements or other obligations that exist between that
customer on the one hand, and the Company (or the Company following the Merger),
on the other hand and the Company shall take all reasonable action appropriate
to an effort to avoid such termination.

     6.12 TAKEOVER STATUTE. If any "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
acquisition" or other form of anti-takeover statute or regulation shall become
applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and the Company
Board shall grant such approvals and take such actions as are reasonably
necessary so that the transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as
promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise act to
eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation on the
transactions contemplated

                                       27
<PAGE>   28

hereby; provided, however, that the Company and the Company Board shall not be
required to grant such approvals or take such actions if the Company Board, by
majority vote, determines in its good faith judgment, based as to legal matters
on the written advice of legal counsel, that granting such approvals or taking
such actions would constitute a breach of the Company's Board's fiduciary
duties.

     6.13 INTERIM OPERATIONS OF PARENT.

          (a) Prior to the Effective Time, except as contemplated by any other
provision of this Agreement, unless the Company has consented in writing
thereto, Parent:

               (i) shall promptly notify the Company of (A) any material adverse
change in its condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, assets,
liabilities or the normal course of its business or of its properties, (B) any
material litigation or, to the extent known to Parent, any material governmental
complaints, investigations or hearings against or otherwise involving Parent (or
communications indicating that the same may be contemplated), or (C) the breach
of any representation or warranty of Parent contained herein;

               (ii) shall promptly deliver to the Company true and correct
copies of any report, statement or schedule filed by Parent with the Commission
subsequent to the date of this Agreement;

               (iii) shall not take any actions which would, or would be
reasonably likely to, prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code;

               (iv) shall not take any actions which would, or would be
reasonably likely to, prevent the Merger from qualifying as a transaction to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests in accordance with APB No. 16; and

          (b) shall not agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the
foregoing actions or take any action which would make any representation or
warranty in Article 5 hereof untrue or incorrect in any material respect as of
the Closing Date.

     6.14 DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.

          (a) The Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of the Surviving
Corporation shall contain the respective provisions that are set forth, as of
the date of this Agreement, in the Articles of Incorporation and the By-laws of
the Company dealing with indemnification of officers, directors and employees of
the Company and other persons specified therein, which provisions shall not be
amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years from the
Effective Time in any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder
with respect to actions or events occurring prior to the Effective Time of
individuals who were entitled to such indemnification prior to the Effective
Time.

          (b) The Surviving Corporation shall maintain in effect for at least
six years from the Effective Time directors' and officers' liability insurance
with an insurance company rated at least "A" by A.M. Best Company, covering the
persons who, as of the date of this

                                       28
<PAGE>   29

Agreement, are covered by the Company's directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy (the "Current Policy"). The coverage provided by the directors'
and officers' liability insurance maintained by the Surviving Corporation shall
be substantially similar to the coverage provided by the Current Policy.

          (c) Parent shall guarantee the obligations of the Surviving
Corporation provided by this Section 6.14.

          (d) This Section 6.14 shall survive the consummation of the Merger, is
intended to benefit the Company, the Surviving Corporation and each indemnified
party, and shall be enforceable by the indemnified parties.

     6.15 RULE 145 COMPLIANCE. For so long as resales of shares of Parent
Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger are subject to the resale
restrictions set forth in Rule 145 under the Securities Act, Parent will use
reasonable efforts to comply with Rule 144(c)(1) under the Securities Act.

     6.16 TAX MATTERS. Each party represents and warrants to the other parties
that the statements in the proposed form of certificate of such party (each, a
"Party's Certificate" and, together, the "Parties' Certificates") to be
delivered by such party in connection with the opinions to be delivered pursuant
to Article 7 are true and correct as of the date hereof, assuming for purposes
of this sentence that the Merger had been consummated on the date hereof. Each
party agrees that, at and prior to the Effective Time, it will not take any
action that would cause any of the statements in such party's Party's
Certificate to be false as of the Effective Time. Unless (and then only to the
extent) otherwise required by a "determination" (as defined in Section
1313(a)(1) of the Code) or by a similar applicable provision of state or local
income or franchise tax law, each party agrees (i) to report the Merger on all
tax returns and other filings as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) not to take any position in any audit,
administrative proceeding or litigation that is inconsistent with the
characterization of the Merger as such a reorganization.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

     7.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The
respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

          (a) This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have
been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company.

          (b) None of the parties hereto shall be subject to any order or
injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States which
prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
In the event any such order or injunction shall have been issued, each party
agrees to use its best efforts to have any such injunction lifted.

                                       29
<PAGE>   30

          (c) The Registration Statement shall have become effective and shall
be effective at the Effective Time, and no stop order suspending effectiveness
of the Registration Statement shall have been issued, no action, suit,
proceeding or investigation by the Commission to suspend the effectiveness
thereof shall have been initiated and be continuing, and all material approvals
under state securities laws relating to the issuance or trading of the Parent
Common Stock to be issued to the Company stockholders in connection with the
Merger shall have been received.

          (d) All consents, authorizations, orders and approvals of (or filings
or registrations with) any governmental commission, board or other regulatory
body required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement shall have been obtained or made, except for the filing of the
Articles of Merger and any other documents required to be filed after the
Effective Time and except where the failure to have obtained or made any such
consent, authorization, order, approval, filing or registration would not have a
material adverse effect on the business of Parent (and its Subsidiaries) and the
Company, taken as a whole, following the Effective Time.

     7.2 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE MERGER. The
obligation of the Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to the
fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

          (a) Parent shall have performed in all material respects its
agreements contained in this Agreement required to be performed on or prior to
the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub
contained in this Agreement and in any document delivered in connection herewith
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date,
except that those representations and warranties which address matters only as
of a particular date shall have been true and correct as of such date, and the
Company shall have received a certificate of an executive officer of Parent,
dated the Closing Date, certifying to such effect.

          (b) The Company shall have received, prior to the effective date of
the Registration Statement, the opinion of Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson, P.C.,
counsel to the Company, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of section
368(a) of the Code, and that the Company, Parent and Merger Sub each will be a
party to that reorganization within the meaning of section 368(b) of the Code,
and such firm shall have reconfirmed such opinion as of the Closing Date. In
rendering such opinion, Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson, P.C. may require and rely
upon such certificates of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub and/or their
respective officers or principal stockholders as are customary for such
opinions.

          (c) From the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, there
shall not have occurred a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

     7.3 CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB TO EFFECT THE MERGER.
The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger shall be subject
to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

                                       30
<PAGE>   31

          (a) The Company shall have performed in all material respects its
agreements contained in this Agreement required to be performed on or prior to
the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
this Agreement and in any document delivered in connection herewith shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, except that
those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a
particular date shall have been true and correct as of such date, and Parent
shall have received a certificate of an executive officer of the Company, dated
the Closing Date, certifying to such effect.

          (b) Parent shall have received a letter of Arthur Andersen LLC, its
independent public accountants, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, stating that such accountants
concur with management's conclusion that the Merger will qualify as a
transaction to be accounted for in accordance with the pooling of interests
method of accounting under the requirements of APB No. 16.

          (c) Parent shall have received, prior to the effective date of the
Registration Statement, the opinion of Thelen Reid & Priest LLP, counsel to
Parent and Merger Sub, to the effect that the Merger will be treated for federal
income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of section 368(a) of
the Code, and that the Company, Parent and Merger Sub each will be a party to
that reorganization within the meaning of section 368(b) of the Code, and such
firm shall have reconfirmed such opinion as of the Closing Date. In rendering
such opinion, Thelen Reid & Priest LLP may require and rely upon such
certificates of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub and/or their respective
officers or principal stockholders as are customary for such opinions.

          (d) The Stock Purchase Plan shall have been terminated and any stock
and/or cash distributed thereunder as set forth in Section 3.2(d)(iv).

          (e) From the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, there
shall not have occurred a Company Material Adverse Effect.

                                   ARTICLE 8
                                  TERMINATION

     8.1 TERMINATION BY MUTUAL CONSENT. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before or after
the approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company, by the mutual
consent of Parent and the Company.

     8.2 TERMINATION BY EITHER PARENT OR THE COMPANY. This Agreement may be
terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by action of the Board of Directors
of either Parent or the Company if (a) the Merger shall not have been
consummated by December 31, 2000, or (b) the approval of the Company's
stockholders required by Section 7.1(a) shall not have been obtained at the
Stockholders' Meeting or any adjournment thereof, or (c) a United States federal
or state court of competent jurisdiction or United States federal or state
governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise

                                       31
<PAGE>   32

prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such order,
decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and non-appealable;
provided, that the party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
paragraph (c) shall have used all reasonable efforts to remove such injunction,
order or decree; and provided, in the case of a termination pursuant to
paragraph (a) of this Section 8.2, that the terminating party shall not have
breached in any material respect its obligations under this Agreement in any
manner that shall have proximately contributed to the failure to consummate the
Merger by December 31, 2000.

     8.3 TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, before or after
the adoption and approval by the stockholders of the Company referred to in
paragraph (a) of Section 7.1, by action of the Company Board, if (a) the Company
Board, by majority vote, determines in its good faith judgment, based as to
legal matters on the written advice of legal counsel, that terminating this
Agreement and abandoning the Merger is required by the Company Board's fiduciary
duties, or (b) there has been a breach by Parent or Merger Sub of any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement that has had or is
reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, which breach is not
curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after written notice of such
breach is given by the Company to Parent, or (c) there has been a material
breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement on the
part of Parent, which breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within
30 days after written notice of such breach is given by the Company to Parent.

     8.4 TERMINATION BY PARENT. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, by action of the Board
of Directors of Parent, if (a) the Company Board shall have (i) withdrawn or
modified in a manner materially adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation
of this Agreement or the Merger or (ii) recommended an Alternative Proposal to
the Company stockholders, or (b) there has been a breach by the Company of any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement that has had or is
reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, which breach is not
curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after written notice of such
breach is given by Parent to the Company, or (c) there has been a material
breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement on the
part of the Company, which breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured
within 30 days after written notice of such breach is given by Parent to the
Company.

     8.5 EFFECT OF TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT.

          (a) If this Agreement is terminated by the Company or Parent pursuant
to Section 8.2(b), 8.3(a) or 8.4(a), and (x) prior to such termination, a
proposal with respect to a Transaction shall have been made, and (y) within two
(2) years after such termination, either the Company enters into any agreement
with respect to a Transaction whereby any third party shall acquire beneficial
ownership of more than 50% of the Company's (i) outstanding shares of voting
stock or (ii) assets (measured by fair market value), then the Company shall pay
Parent, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, a fee (the "Termination
Fee") of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) within fifteen (15) business days
after the execution of such agreement or the consummation of such acquisition
(whichever shall first occur).

                                       32
<PAGE>   33

          (b) The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this
Section 8.5 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements, Parent and Merger Sub would not
enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if the Company fails to promptly pay the
Termination Fee when due and, in order to obtain such payment, Parent or Merger
Sub commences a suit which results in a judgment against the Company, the
Company shall reimburse Parent for its costs and expenses (including attorneys'
fees) incurred in connection with such suit, together with interest on the
amount of the Termination Fee at the prime rate, as then quoted in The Wall
Street Journal, from the date the Termination Fee was required to be paid.

          (c) In the event of termination of this Agreement and the abandonment
of the Merger pursuant to this Article 8, all obligations of the parties hereto
shall terminate, except (i) the obligations of the parties set forth in this
Section 8.5 and Section 6.9, (ii) the provisions of Sections 9.3, 9.6, 9.9 and
9.13, and (iii) the Confidentiality Agreement previously executed between the
Company and Parent (the "Confidentiality Agreement"). Moreover, in the event of
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, nothing herein
shall prejudice the ability of the nonbreaching party from seeking damages,
after taking into account payment of the Termination Fee, if such fee has been
paid, from any other party for any willful breach of this Agreement, including
without limitation, attorneys' fees and the right to pursue any remedy at law or
in equity.

     8.6 EXTENSION; WAIVER. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party
hereto, by action taken by its Board of Directors, may, to the extent legally
allowed, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties made to such party contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained herein. Any
agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such
party.

                                   ARTICLE 9
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     9.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. The
representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement or in any instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall not survive the Merger; provided,
however, that the covenants contained in Article 3, Section 6.9, Section 6.14
and this Article 9 shall survive the Merger, but not beyond the extent, if any,
specified therein.

     9.2 NOTICES. Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be sufficient
if in writing, and sent by facsimile transmission and by courier service (with
proof of service), hand delivery or certified or registered mail (return receipt
requested and first-class postage prepaid), addressed as follows:

                                       33
<PAGE>   34

     If to Parent or Merger Sub:

          Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
          1625 Sharp Point Drive
          Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
          Attn.: Richard P. Beck
          Facsimile: (970) 407-5300

     with copies to:

          Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
          333 West San Carlos Street, 17th Floor
          San Jose, CA  95110-2701
          Attn.:  Jay L. Margulies, Esq.
          Facsimile: (408) 287-8040

     If to the Company:

          Engineering Measurements Company
          600 Diagonal Highway
          Longmont, Colorado 80501
          Attn.: Charles E. Miller
          Facsimile: (303) 678-7152

     with copies to:

          Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson, P.C.
          1900 Fifteenth Street
          Boulder, CO 80302
          Attn: G. James Williams, Jr.
          Facsimile: (303) 449-5426

or to such other address as any party shall specify by written notice so given,
and such notice shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the date so
telecommunicated, personally delivered or mailed.

     9.3 ASSIGNMENT; BINDING EFFECT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the
parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior
written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Notwithstanding anything
contained in this Agreement to the contrary (except as provided in Section
6.14), nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on
any person other than the parties hereto or their respective heirs, successors,
executors, administrators and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

     9.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the Exhibits, the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Confidentiality Agreement and any documents delivered by the
parties in

                                       34
<PAGE>   35

connection herewith constitute the entire agreement among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings among the parties with respect thereto. No addition to or
modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party
hereto unless made in writing and signed by all parties hereto.

     9.5 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto, by
action taken by their respective Boards of Directors, at any time before or
after approval of the Merger by the stockholders of the Company, but after any
such stockholder approval, no amendment shall be made which by law requires the
further approval of stockholders without obtaining such further approval. This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of each of the parties hereto.

     9.6 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado without regard to its rules of
conflict of laws.

     9.7 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof each
signed by less than all, but together signed by all of the parties hereto.

     9.8 HEADINGS. Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are
for the convenience of the parties only, and shall be given no substantive or
interpretive effect whatsoever.

     9.9 INTERPRETATION. In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, words describing the singular number shall include the plural and vice
versa, and words denoting any gender shall include all genders and words
denoting natural persons shall include corporations, partnerships and other
business entities and vice versa.

     9.10 WAIVERS. Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken
pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any investigation by
or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party
taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants
or agreements contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party hereto of a
breach of any provision hereunder shall not operate or be construed as a waiver
of any prior or subsequent breach of the same or any other provision hereunder.

     9.11 INCORPORATION OF EXHIBITS. The Company Disclosure Schedule and all
Exhibits attached hereto and referred to herein are hereby incorporated herein
and made a part hereof for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

     9.12 SEVERABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted
to be only so broad as is enforceable.

                                       35
<PAGE>   36

     9.13 ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT. The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached.
It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any Colorado court, this being in addition to
any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

     9.14 KNOWLEDGE. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) "to the knowledge of
the Company" or words of like import shall mean to the knowledge of Charles
Miller or William Ringer, and (b) "to the knowledge of Parent" or words of like
import shall mean to the knowledge of Douglas Schatz, Richard Beck or Joseph
Monkowski.

                                       36
<PAGE>   37

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement and caused the
same to be duly delivered on their behalf on the day and year set forth in the
Preamble hereto.

COMPANY:                                   ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS COMPANY

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

MERGER SUB:                                FLOW ACQUISITION CORPORATION

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

PARENT:                                    ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.

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

                                       37

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00012-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00012-of-00352.parquet"}]]