Document:

EXHIBIT 10.17

Form 2 tris/99 TURRI, MILAN                    LEASE FOR USE OTHER THAN DWELLING

[field for revenue stamp]
revenue stamp (1)

                                                            Milan, July 3, 2000

     1) With this private deed (2) FINISOLA SPA, with headquarters in Milan,
Via Bistolfi no. 35, registered in the regular section of the corporate
register c/o C.C.I.A.A. [Chamber of Commerce for Industry, Agriculture and
Handicraft] Milan [stamp] tax ID number 07487290152 as no. 234927 in the person
of its president and CEO Mr. LUIGI FARE', born in Milan, 02/25/1946

[hereby] rents to (2) NUVERA FUEL CELLS EUROPE SPA, with headquarters in Milan,
Via Bistolfi no. 35, in the person of its legal representative Mr. FRANCO
LADAVAS, born [stamp] tax ID number 12910180152 in Milan, 08/05/1942

who accepts, the real estate unit consisting of STORAGE AREAS and WORKSHOPS
(666 square meters) -- PERTAINING COMMON AREAS and OPEN AREAS in MILAN via dei
Canzi no. 1 to be exclusively used for an INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT

to conduct

business which  does not entail direct contact with the user and
consumer public.
2) The term of the lease is 6 (six) years and --- months.
that is, from 07/01/2000 to 06/30/2006
3) The annual rent is hereby fixed as 57,000,000 lire + VAT

(fifty seven million)

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in addition to --- for expenses and services on account, except for
equalization, which will be determined on the basis of the actual expenses,
etc. in the amount of 57,000,000 lire + VAT, to be paid to lessor's domicile in
4 (four) equal advance installments of 14,250,000 lire + VAT, due 01/01, 04/01,
07/01, 10/01.

4) The lessee formally pledges to accept the conditions set down by lessor
except for the provision of art. 10

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Law 392/1978, the supply of heat, and to reimburse all expenses according to
local customs and practices. - 5) Failure to pay or partial payment, within the
legal terms and conditions, of a rent installment or of the shares of
additional costs, as well as a change in the use of the premises, shall ipso
jure result in the cancellation of the contract by lessee's action and fault
pursuant to art. 1456 Civil Code. - 6) Reserved. - 7) Lessor reserves the right
not to provide a security service on the janitor's non work days, absence, and
vacations and during holidays during the work week, and to eliminate the
janitor service, by replacing it with adequate mechanical means. - 8) Reserved.
- 9) Lessee declares that he has examined the entire premises and all of the
facilities and that he has found them to be in a well maintained condition
according to art. 1575 Civil Code and shall therefore forfeit every right of
grievance unless such is produced within eight days of the commencement of the
lease, and he pledges not to make any changes to the premises or to the
facilities without prior written consent from lessor. All improvements or
additions, shall become lessor's property at the termination of the lease,
without compensation of any kind, except for lessor's right to demand the
premises be restored to their original condition for which lessee is liable and
at his expense. - 10) The repairs as per articles 1576 and 1609 Civil Code and
every other [repair] relating to the facilities of the rented premises and,
more precisely, electrical (bells, wiring, intercom system, etc.), plumbing
(faucets, tubs, sinks, pipes, radiators, etc.), frames, rolling gates, Venetian
blinds (including belts, rollers, hinges, panes, etc.) are lessee's
responsibility. Lessor reserves the right to visit the rented premises or have
[them] visited during the lease and to undertake both inside and outside,
changes, repairs, facilities, and work in general, without any obligation to
compensate even if it takes more than twenty days to perform the work performed
and such work is not urgent, the tenant thereby waiving the provision of
articles 1582, 1583, 1584 Civil Code. - 11) Starting on the day on which notice
is communicated or in the event in which the owner wishes to sell the building
or the rented real estate unit, lessee must permit the premises to be visited
by applicants from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on working Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays, under penalty of paying damages. - 12) Where during the lease a part
or all of the premises are declared uninhabitable or unsuitable

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to the contractual use, should the contract thereby be terminated, lessor must
return only the portion of the rent paid to him in advance proportionate to the
loss of use, excluding all other compensation and all reasons for damages, also
in the eventuality specified in paragraph 2 of art. 1578 Civil Code. - 13)
Lessee is appointed caretaker of the rented premises and expressly releases
lessor from all responsibility for direct and indirect damage due to malicious
or culpable acts, omissions or negligence by the janitor, tenants or by third
parties, and specifically for theft with or without burglary, and for any
damage which might occur to the premises due to dampness, water flooding, or
seepage, and sewers backing up. Lessor is also released from all responsibility
for any shortage or lack of water, gas, or electricity and for failure to
supply any of any service, including heat, elevator, and intercom, even if
these are due to defective equipment or lateness in repairing same. - 14) For
all effects of this contract, including the serving of executions and for the
purposes of legal jurisdiction, lessee declares that he has elected domicile,
in all cases, at the rented property. - 15) With the exception of the provision
as per art. 8 of Law 392/1978, the costs of this contract and any renewal
thereof, as well as taxes, stamp surtaxes, and collection and receipt costs,
shall be borne by lessee. - 16) Lessee declares that he knows and accepts as an
integral part of this contract all of the conditions contained in the "General
Regulations for Tenants" (3) of which he has a copy, and those conditions
contained in the building's regulations, if any. Infraction of the rules
contained in the Regulations, if lessee receives objections [to same] at least
twice by registered letter, shall give lessor the right to request cancellation
of the contract with all legal consequences. - 17) Reserved. - 18) The parties
acknowledge that they hereby exclude any encumbrance of appurtenance or other
link between the unit which is the subject of this contract and other premises
used as a dwelling or a use other than the one envisioned in other contracts by
and between these parties, currently in force or in the future. - 19) If one of
the contracting parties has not notified the other of termination via legal
document or by certified letter sent by the Post Office 6 (six) months prior to
expiration of the lease, although valid for a limited term, the contract will
be deemed

<PAGE>

renewed under the same agreements and conditions, except for what is agreed in
item 6 concerning the rent amount.
20) This contract is subject to VAT and shall be registered at a fixed rate
in case of use.
21) The present contract is understood to be without security deposit.
22) The rent will be updated and adjusted each year based on the annual change
in ISTAT index, staring 07/01/2001.
23) Subletting and gratuitous loan for use are permitted if communicated in
writing.

[stamp] FINISOLA S.p.A.                  [stamp] NUVERA FUEL CELLS EUROPE S.p.A.

/s/ Luigi Fare                           /s/ Franco Ladavas
--------------------------------        ----------------------------------------
    Luigi Fare                               Franco Ladavas
    President and CEO                        President and CEO
    LESSOR                                   LESSEE

In compliance with articles 1341 and 1342 Civil Code, the parties, by reading
each clause and rereading clauses 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20,
21, 22, 23 hereby declare their express approval thereof.

[stamp] FINISOLA S.p.A.                  [stamp] NUVERA FUEL CELLS EUROPE S.p.A.

/s/ Luigi Fare                           /s/ Franco Ladavas
--------------------------------        ----------------------------------------
    Luigi Fare                               Franco Ladavas
    President and CEO                        President and CEO
    LESSOR                                   LESSEE

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[notes in left margin]

(1)  Cancel prior to signature pursuant to art. 12 Law 10/28/1972 no. 642; for
     recording, form 69 must also be attached containing the contracting
     parties' personal and tax particulars and annexed form 8, list of
     documents (2) Specify personal particulars, tax ID number, and domicile,
     and in the case of a company, the corporate name, registered office, name
     of the legal representative, and to the above, place and date of birth (3)
     By the Milan Real Estate Association registered in Milan 8/1/1973 as no.
     A/7/1/1980.

[right margin]
Served to the local Highway Patrol authority (Form 11 - Turri) on (date) by

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F I N I S O L A
---------------------
ORONZIO DE NORA GROUP

NUVERA FUEL CELLS EUROPE SPA
Via Bistolfi, 35

MILAN

                                                             Milan, July 4, 2000

SUBJECT: Lease contract dated 7/3/2000 regarding the real estate units located
         in Milan at Via dei Canzi No. 11

     With regard to the referenced contract, an Explanatory Note is annexed
hereto having to do with the management of the real estate by FINISOLA S.p.A.--
in particular, with the parameters adopted for determination of the rental rate
and the respective General Expenses and for the treatment of Ordinary
Maintenance. Said Explanatory Note must be considered an integral part of the
lease contract itself. Insofar as Special Maintenance, upon our authorization
following your request, it will be performed by us and charged to you at cost
plus 10% as an all-inclusive reimbursement of expenses and the respective
service, and will be invoiced quarterly and payable when due.

     If you are in agreement with the above, kindly return a countersigned copy
hereof in acceptance.

                                           Cordially,

IN ACCEPTANCE                              FINISOLA S.p.A.
    NUVERA FUEL CELLS EUROPE SPA           THE PRESIDENT
           THE PRESIDENT                   Luigi Fare
           Franco Ladavas

<PAGE>

Management of industrial real estate used by the Companies belonging to the ODN
Group

Via Bistolfi:
De Nora Impianti S.p.A.
Nuvera Fuel Cells S.p.A.
Norfin S.p.A.
Finisola S.p.A.
Flynor Jet S.p.A.
Oronzio De Nora Foundation

Via dei Canzi:
De Nora Elettrodi S.p.A.
De Nora Impianti S.p.A.
Nuvera Fuel Cells S.p.A.

Cologno Monzese
De Nora Elettrodi S.p.A.

1. Rental rates and general expenses

Finisola, on its own behalf and on the tenants' account, directly manages the
aforesaid real estate using its own personnel and/or by availing itself of
outside companies. Listed below are the criteria for determination of the
payments to be charged to the individual tenants of the lease contracts.

1a. Determination of rental rates

The annual payments shall be established on the basis of the surface area in
paved m2 occupied by each individual tenant, and increased on the basis of a
percentage of surcharge related to the commercial parts that are non-paved,
common areas and accessories (uncovered areas, sheds, warehouses, cafeteria
areas, janitorial areas, file rooms, bathroom facilities, corridors and
hallways...). Said percentage of surcharge shall be calculated in proportion to
the area occupied.

In particular, the total leasable m2 shall be placed in a ratio to the total
covered accessories m2 and to the total uncovered m2 with surcharge
coefficients (obviously reduced for this last type).

It shall be Finisola's duty to keep the blue prints for the occupied area
up-to-date.

Any leasable areas that are not occupied by the individual operating companies
shall remain under Finisola's charge insofar as the relative surcharge
percentages are concerned.

<PAGE>

1b. Distribution of Expenses
Two categories of expenses shall be recognized:

A.   General Expenses related to the real estate and under the direct control
     of Finisola. It is noted that any contracts executed with third parties
     must be transferred to the name of Finisola. Said expenses shall be
     charged again at cost quarterly on a per share basis payable when due,
     based on the same criteria referred to under item 1a, unless otherwise
     indicated. Among these there are:

     o    Finisola's fixed structural cost;

     o    MTZ (Management) and ISA (Hygiene Security Environmental) Offices:
          they shall continue to be controlled by Finisola, which shall furnish
          their respective services to the other industrial companies;

     o    Insurance on real estate: for the part involving the buildings
          (third-party civil liability, theft,
         fire); the topic shall be reconsidered in the course of 2001;

     o    Heating and air conditioning: with personnel in charge thereof
          centralized at Finisola;

     o    Utilities - water: such utilities shall be registered in Finisola's
          name for the three industrial sites;

     o    Cleaning company: for all the real estate (poss. with invoicing
          referring to each site);

     o    Guarding and alarms: as above;

     o    Janitorial services: Finisola shall only be responsible for via
          Bistolfi, including the respective employees;

     o    Switchboard (with hardware and software): personnel in charge
          centralized at Finisola;

     o    Telephony: centralized and charged to each individual company on a
          usage basis for fixed telephones, faxes going through the
          switchboard, Internet lines and data transmission lines; o
          Miscellaneous contracts: elevators, de-ratting, extinguisher
          maintenance; ...

     o    Urban solid waste: the garbage tax and any contracts with AMSA shall
          be in Finisola's for all three of the sites.

B.   The following expenses shall remain the responsibility of the individual
     companies, in terms of management as well as in bearing the respective
     costs:

     o    Utilities - electricity and methane: for Bistolfi, they shall be in
          the name of DNI, while for Canzi and Cologno, they shall be the name
          of DNE. Said costs shall be charged to the companies using them at
          each site based on the area occupied, as reported by Finisola;

     o    Cafeteria: De Nora Elettrodi shall manage the contract with the other
         party; thus different invoices shall be issued in the name of the
         individual companies (current criteria);

     o    Janitorial: De Nora Elettrodi shall only be responsible for via dei
          Canzi, including the respective employees, and shall bill the
          expenses;

     o    Telephony: contracts for cellular phones, telephone and fax lines not
          going through the switchboard shall remain under the charge of the
          company using them;

     o    Special waste: every company that produces industrial and laboratory
          waste must have its own listing in a waste loading/unloading registry
          (Bistolfi: DNI, DNFC; Canzi: DNE, DNFC, DNI; Cologno: DNE); said
          activity shall be assisted by Finisola (ISA).

All the reimbursements referred to hereinabove are to be understood as being
invoiced quarterly.

<PAGE>

2. Maintenance

All the maintenance operations, whether of a regular or special nature, with
regard to the three industrial sites in Milan: via Bistolfi, via dei Canzi and
Cologno Monzese must go through Finisola. In order to aid the operating
companies, Finisola will handle outside companies: requesting and approving
estimates, coordinating the work, its execution, as well as supervising the
same. Finisola - the MTZ + ISA office - with the cooperation of those in charge
at the individual companies, acts as the party responsible for obtaining and
maintaining permits and licenses such as: against industrial accidents, against
fire, approval of electrical equipment, ASL certifications, waste standards....

2.1 Regular Maintenance

The operations in question shall be performed by Finisola, following a request
to be forwarded to Finisola by the specific company lessee. After approving the
request for an operation, the cost of the work shall be charged to the
requesting company under the following terms:

a.   the amount will not be calculated if the work is carried out solely with
     Finisola personnel because it is already included in the charge for
     general expenses under the structural costs;

b.   on the other hand, if it is carried out with the utilization of outside
     resources (materials and labor), these shall be charged at cost plus 10%
     with the respective quarterly invoice.

Operations in the common areas and accessories shall be managed by Finisola and
shall follow the same treatment set forth hereinabove.EXHIBIT 10.18

                            NUVERA FUEL CELLS, INC.

                           2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

     1. Purposes of the Plan.

     The purposes of this 2000 Stock Incentive Plan of NUVERA FUEL CELLS, INC.
(the "Company") are to promote the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by strengthening the Company's ability to attract, motivate, and
retain employees, directors, and consultants of exceptional ability and to
provide a means to encourage stock ownership and a proprietary interest in the
Company to selected employees, directors, and consultants of the Company upon
whose judgment, initiative, and efforts the financial success and growth of the
business of the Company largely depend.

     2. Definitions.

          (a) "Award" shall mean any Option, Other Stock-Based Award or award
     of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan.

          (b) "Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract or
     other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan,
     which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a Participant.

          (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (d) "Change of Control" shall mean the first to occur of:

               (i) an individual, corporation, partnership, group, associate or
          other entity or "person", as such term is defined in Section 14(d) of
          the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), other than
          Arthur D. Little, Inc., De Nora New Energy Investments B.V. , any
          non-natural person 100% of the capital stock of which is owned by
          Norfin S.p.A., the Company or any employee benefit plan(s) sponsored
          by the Company, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in
          Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
          66-2/3% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
          outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at
          elections of directors;

               (ii) individuals who constitute the Board of Directors of the
          Company on the effective date of the Plan (the "Incumbent Board")
          cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof,
          provided that any Approved Director, as hereinafter defined, shall
          be, for purposes of this subsection (ii), considered as though such
          person were a member of the Incumbent Board. An "Approved Director",
          for purposes of this subsection (ii), shall mean any person becoming
          a director subsequent to the effective date of the Plan whose
          election, or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders,
          was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors
          comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by
          approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such

<PAGE>

                                       2

          person is named as a nominee of the Company for director), but shall
          not include any such individual whose initial assumption of office
          occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest
          (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated
          under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of
          proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, corporation,
          partnership, group, associate or other entity or "person" other than
          the Board;

               (iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan
          or agreement providing (A) for a merger or consolidation of the
          Company other than with a wholly-owned subsidiary and other than a
          merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of
          the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
          represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
          voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 65% of the
          combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such
          surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
          consolidation, or (B) for a sale, exchange or other disposition of
          all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. If any of the
          events enumerated in this subsection (iii) occurs, the Committee
          shall determine the effective date of the Change of Control resulting
          therefrom for purposes of the Plan.

               (iv) In addition to the events described in subsections (i),
          (ii) and (iii), it shall be a "Change of Control" for purposes hereof
          for any Participant principally employed in the business of a
          Designated Business Unit, as hereinafter defined, if an event
          described in subsections (i), (ii) or (iii) shall occur, except that
          for purposes of this subsection (iv), references in such subsections
          to the "Company" shall be deemed to refer to the Designated Business
          Unit in the business of which the Participant is principally
          employed. A Change in Control described in this subsection (iv) shall
          apply only to a Participant employed principally by the affected
          Designated Business Unit. For purposes of this subsection (iv),
          "Designated Business Unit" shall mean Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe,
          S.r.l. and any other business unit identified as a Designated
          Business Unit by the Committee from time to time.

          (e) "Committee" means the Finance Committee of the Board; provided,
     that the Board by resolution duly adopted may at any time or from time to
     time determine to assume any or all of the functions of the Committee
     under the Plan, and during the period of effectiveness of any such
     resolution, references herein to the "Committee" will mean the Board
     acting in such capacity.

          (f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value, of the
     Company.

          (g) "Company" means NUVERA FUEL CELLS, INC., a Delaware corporation.

<PAGE>

                                       3

          (h) "Eligible Person" means any person who, at the time of the grant
     of an Option or Restricted Stock Award, is an employee, director, or
     consultant of the Company or any subsidiary.

          (i) "Fair Market Value" means the value of a share of Common Stock as
     of the relevant time of reference, as determined as follows. If the Common
     Stock is then publicly traded, Fair Market Value will be (i) the most
     recent closing price of a share of Common Stock on the principal national
     securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded, if the Common
     Stock is then traded on a national securities exchange; or (ii) the most
     recent closing price of the Common Stock reported in The NASDAQ Stock
     Market's National Market, if the Common Stock is not then traded on a
     national securities exchange; or (iii) the average of the closing bid and
     asked prices for the Common Stock quoted by an established quotation
     service for over-the-counter securities, if the Common Stock is not then
     traded on a national securities exchange or reported in The NASDAQ Stock
     Market's National Market. If the Common Stock is not then publicly traded,
     Fair Market Value will be the fair value of a share of the Common Stock as
     determined by the Board or the Committee, taking into consideration such
     factors as it deems appropriate, which may include recent sale and offer
     prices of Common Stock in arms'-length transactions.

          (j) "Participant" means any Eligible Person selected to receive an
     Award hereunder.

          (k) "Restricted Stock Award" means a right to the grant or purchase,
     at a price determined by the Committee, of Common Stock which is
     nontransferable and subject to substantial risk of forfeiture until
     specific conditions of continuing employment or performance are met.

          (l) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as
     an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
     and regulations thereunder or any successor provision thereto.

          (m) "Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or a nonqualified stock
     option awarded under this Plan.

          (n) "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean an award granted under
     Section 8 of this Plan.

          (o) "Plan" means this Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive
     Plan, as it may be amended and/or restated and in effect from time to
     time.

          (p) "Substitute Awards" shall mean Awards granted in assumption of,
     or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company
     acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines.

<PAGE>

                                       4

     3. Shares of Common Stock Subject to the Plan.

          (a) Subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of
     Section 3 and Section 8 of the Plan, the aggregate number of shares of
     Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan will not
     exceed an aggregate of 176,124 shares of Common Stock. Subject to
     adjustment as provided in Section 3(e), no participant may receive Options
     and/or stock appreciation rights under the Plan in any calendar year that
     relate to more than 20,000 Shares.

          (b) The shares of Common Stock to be delivered under the Plan will be
     made available, at the discretion of the Committee, from authorized but
     unissued shares of Common Stock and/or from previously issued shares of
     Common Stock reacquired by the Company.

          (c) If, after the effective date of the Plan, any Shares covered by
     an Award (other than a Substitute Award) or to which such an Award
     relates, are forfeited, or if such an Award otherwise terminates without
     the delivery of Shares or of other consideration, then the Shares covered
     by such Award, or to which such Award relates, to the extent of any such
     forfeiture or termination, shall again be, or shall become, available for
     issuance under the Plan.

          (d) In the event that any Option or other Award granted hereunder
     (other than a Substitute Award) is exercised through the delivery of
     Shares, or in the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from such
     Option or Award are satisfied by the withholding of Shares by the Company,
     the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan shall be
     increased by the number of Shares so surrendered or withheld.

          (e) In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend
     or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
     securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse
     stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
     combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the
     Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other
     securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event
     affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee
     to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
     benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the
     Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable,
     adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other
     securities or property) which thereafter may be made the subject of
     Awards, including the aggregate and individual limits specified in Section
     3(a), (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property)
     subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the grant, purchase, or exercise
     price with respect to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision
     for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; provided,
     however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award denominated in
     Shares shall always be a whole number.

          (f) Shares underlying Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number
     of Shares remaining available for issuance under the Plan.

<PAGE>

                                       5

     4. Administration of the Plan.

          (a) The Plan will be governed by and interpreted and construed in
     accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware (without
     reference to principles of conflicts or choice of law). The captions of
     sections of the Plan are for reference only and will not affect the
     interpretation or construction of the Plan.

          (b) The Plan will be administered by the Committee, which will
     consist of two or more persons. The Committee has and may exercise such
     powers and authority of the Board as may be necessary or appropriate for
     the Committee to carry out its functions as described in the Plan. The
     Committee will determine the Eligible Persons to whom, and the time or
     times at which, Awards may be granted and the number of shares subject to
     each Award. The Committee also has authority (i) to interpret the Plan,
     (ii) to determine the terms and provisions of the Award Agreements, and
     (iii) to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for Plan
     administration. The Committee has authority to prescribe, amend, and
     rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan. All interpretations,
     determinations, and actions by the Committee will be final, conclusive,
     and binding upon all parties.

          (c) No member of the Committee will be liable for any action taken or
     determination made in good faith by the Committee with respect to the Plan
     or any Award under it.

     5. Grants, Eligibility.

          (a) The Committee will determine and designate from time to time
     those Eligible Persons who are to be granted Awards, the type of each
     Option and/or Award to be granted and the number of shares covered thereby
     or issuable upon exercise thereof, and the number of shares covered by
     each Award. Each Award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement which may
     include any other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan, as
     the Committee may determine.

          (b) Holders of options and other types of Awards granted by a company
     acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines are eligible
     for grant of Substitute Awards hereunder.

     6. Terms and Conditions of Stock Options.

          (a) The price at which Common Stock may be purchased by a Participant
     under an Option, the term of an Option and the other terms and conditions
     relating thereto will be determined by the Committee.

          (b) Each Option will be exercisable at such time or time, during such
     periods, and for such numbers of shares as is determined by the Committee
     and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement (subject to acceleration
     by the Committee, in its discretion).

          (c) Unless the Committee otherwise determines (whether at the time
     the Option is granted or otherwise), upon the exercise of an Option, the
     purchase price will be

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                                       6

     payable in full in cash. The Committee shall determine the time or times
     at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, and the method or
     methods by which, and the form or forms, including, without limitation,
     cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or any combination thereof,
     having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant
     exercise price, in which, payment of the exercise price with respect
     thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.

          (d) No fractional shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of
     an Option, nor will any cash payment be made in lieu of fractional shares.

     7. Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Awards.

          (a) All shares of Common Stock subject to Restricted Stock Awards
     granted or sold pursuant to the Plan may be issued or transferred to the
     Participant for such consideration (which may consist wholly of services)
     as the Committee may determine, and will be subject to the following
     conditions:

               (i) The shares may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise
          alienated or hypothecated until the restrictions, if any, are removed
          or expire, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

               (ii) The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement
          that the certificates representing shares subject to Restricted Stock
          Awards granted or sold pursuant to the Plan will be held in escrow by
          the Company until the restrictions on the shares lapse in accordance
          with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 7.

               (iii) Each certificate representing shares subject to Restricted
          Stock Awards granted or sold pursuant to the Plan may bear a legend
          making appropriate reference to the restrictions, if any, imposed.

               (iv) The Committee may impose other conditions on any shares
          subject to Restricted Stock Awards granted or sold pursuant to the
          Plan as it may deem advisable, including without limitation,
          restrictions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under the
          requirements of any stock exchange or securities quotations system
          upon which such shares or shares of the same class are then listed,
          and under any blue sky or other securities laws applicable to such
          shares.

          (b) Any restrictions imposed under subparagraph (a) above upon
     Restricted Stock Awards will lapse at such time or times, and/or upon the
     achievement of such predetermined performance objectives, as is or are
     determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award
     Agreement (subject to acceleration by the Committee, in its discretion).

          (c) Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, the
     holder will have all rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares
     covered by Restricted Stock Awards granted or sold, including the right to
     receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect
     thereto; provided, however, that if requested by

<PAGE>

                                       7

     the Company, he or she will execute an irrevocable proxy or enter into a
     voting agreement with the Company as determined by the Committee for the
     purpose of granting the Company or its nominee the right to vote all
     shares that remain subject to restrictions under this Section 7 in the
     same proportions (for and against) as the outstanding voting shares of the
     Company that are not subject to such restrictions are voted by the other
     shareholders of the Company on any matter, unless the Committee determines
     otherwise.

     8. Other Stock-Based Awards.

     The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Participants such other
Awards (including, without limitation, stock appreciation rights and rights to
dividends and dividend equivalents) that are denominated or payable in, valued
in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to,
Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares) as
are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan.
Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall determine the terms and
conditions of such Awards. Shares or other securities delivered pursuant to a
purchase right granted under this Section 8 shall be purchased for such
consideration, which may be paid by such method or methods and in such form or
forms, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards, or other property, or any combination thereof, as the Committee shall
determine, the value of which consideration, as established by the Committee,
shall, except in the case of Substitute Awards, not be less than the Fair
Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such purchase
right is granted.

     9. General Provisions.

          (a) Nothing in the Plan or in any instrument executed pursuant to the
     Plan will confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ
     of or as a director of or consultant to the Company or any of its
     Subsidiaries or affect the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to
     terminate the employment, directorship, or consulting relationship of any
     Participant at any time, with or without cause.

          (b) No shares of Common Stock will be issued or transferred pursuant
     to an Award unless and until all then applicable requirements imposed by
     federal and state securities and other laws, rules and regulations and by
     any regulatory agencies having jurisdiction, and by any stock exchanges or
     securities quotations systems upon which the Common Stock may be listed,
     have been fully met. As a condition precedent to the issuance of shares
     pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award, the Company may require the
     Participant to take any reasonable action to meet such requirements.

          (c) No Participant and no beneficiary or other person claiming under
     or through such Participant will have any right, title, or interest in or
     to any shares of Common Stock allocated or reserved under the Plan or
     subject to any Award, except as to such shares of Common Stock, if any,
     that have been issued or transferred to such Participant.

<PAGE>

                                       8

          (d) The Committee may adopt rules regarding the withholding of
     federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld
     with respect to payments and delivery of shares to Participants under the
     Plan. The Company shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted
     or any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or
     from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount
     (in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, other Awards, or other
     property) of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award, its exercise,
     or any payment or transfer under such Award or under the Plan and to take
     such other action (including, without limitation, providing for elective
     payment of such amounts in cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities,
     other Awards or other property by the Participant) as may be necessary in
     the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of
     such taxes.

          (e) The Committee may cancel, with the consent of the Participant,
     all or a portion of any Option granted under the Plan to be conditioned
     upon the granting to the Participant of a new Option for the same or such
     different number of shares as the Option surrendered, or may require such
     voluntary surrender as a condition to a grant of a new Option to such
     Participant. Subject to the provisions of Section 6(d), such new Option
     will be exercisable at such time or time, during such periods, and for
     such numbers of shares, and in accordance with any other terms or
     conditions, as are specified by the Committee at the time the new Option
     is granted, all determined in accordance with the provisions of the Plan
     without regard to the price, period of exercise, or any other terms or
     conditions of the Option surrendered.

          (f) Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from
     adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation
     arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or
     applicable only in specific cases.

          (g) Unless the provisions of an Award Agreement shall specifically
     provide that this Section 9(g) shall not apply, upon a Change in Control,
     all Awards shall become fully vested and exercisable, and any restrictions
     applicable to any Award shall automatically lapse.

     10. Amendment and Termination.

          (a) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless
     otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan, the
     Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan or any
     portion thereof at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment,
     alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made
     without (i) shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply
     with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the Board
     deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply or (ii) the consent
     of the affected Participant, if such action would adversely affect the
     rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award. Notwithstanding
     anything to the contrary herein, the Committee may amend the Plan in such
     manner as may be necessary to enable the Plan to achieve its stated
     purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States in a tax-efficient
     manner and in compliance with local rules and regulations.

<PAGE>

                                       9

          (b) The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any
     terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate, any Award
     theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, without the consent
     of any relevant Participant or holder or beneficiary of an Award,
     provided, however, that no such action shall impair the rights of any
     affected Participant or holder or beneficiary under any Award theretofore
     granted under the Plan.

          (c) The Committee shall be authorized to make adjustments in the
     terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in
     recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without
     limitation, the events described in Section 3(e) affecting the Company, or
     the financial statements of the Company, or of changes in applicable laws,
     regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines
     that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or
     enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made
     available under the Plan.

          (d) Any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary
     notwithstanding, the Committee may cause any Award granted hereunder to be
     canceled in consideration of a cash payment or alternative Award made to
     the holder of such canceled Award equal in value to the Fair Market Value
     of such canceled Award.

          (e) The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or
     reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to
     the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.

     11. Effective Date of Plan and Duration of Plan.

     The effective date of the Plan is September 14, 2000, the date on which it
was approved by the Board and shareholders of the Company. No Award may be
granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of such effective date.
However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable
Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond such date, and
the authority of the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue,
or terminate any such Award, or to waive any conditions or rights under any
such Award, and the authority of the Board to amend the Plan, shall extend
beyond such date.

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