DUPONT PHOTOMASKS INC
DEF 14A, 1999-09-22
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
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<PAGE>

                                UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 14A

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                    Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )

Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]

Check the appropriate box:

[_]  Preliminary Proxy Statement

[_]  CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
     COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
     RULE 14A-6(E)(2))

[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement

[_]  Definitive Additional Materials

[_]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12

                            Dupont Photomasks, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]  No fee required.

[_]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

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


     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

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


     (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
         the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

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


     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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


     (5) Total fee paid:

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

[_]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[_]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
     Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
     was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
     number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1) Amount Previously Paid:

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


     (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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


     (3) Filing Party:

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


     (4) Date Filed:

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

Notes:
<PAGE>

                            DUPONT PHOTOMASKS, INC.
                          131 Old Settlers Boulevard
                            Round Rock, Texas 78664
                                 512-310-6500

                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                          TO BE HELD OCTOBER 26, 1999

To our Stockholders

  Notice is hereby given that our 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be
held at the Doubletree Hotel, 6505 North IH-35, Austin, Texas 78751, on
Tuesday, October 26, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. local time and any adjournment
thereof, for the following purposes:

  (1) To adopt and approve amendments to our Amended and Restated Certificate
      of Incorporation which generally impose certain measures affecting
      stockholders' rights and certain "anti-takeover" provisions in
      connection with changes of control of our company, including:

    (A) The division of our Board of Directors into three classes to be
        elected for separate terms of office.

    (B) Supermajority requirements of 66 2/3% of the voting power of all
        issued and outstanding shares of voting stock with respect to the
        removal of any director or the entire Board of Directors or the
        amendment, change or repeal of certain provisions of the Amended
        and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

    (C) Increase the authorized number of shares of our common stock from
        25,000,000 to 100,000,000 shares.

    (D) Eliminate the existing maximum on the liquidation preference of any
        preferred stock that we may issue from time to time.

    (E) Eliminate the ability of our stockholders to take action by written
        consent.

    (F) Special provision governing the election of directors by holders of
        our preferred stock that we may issue from time to time.

  (2) To elect to our Board of Directors seven directors, to serve until our
      2000 annual meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are
      elected and qualify, subject to their prior death, resignation or
      removal.

  (3) To adopt and approve an amendment to our 1997 Stock Option and
      Restricted Stock Plan to increase the number of shares of our common
      stock authorized for issuance under the plan by 2,000,000 shares.

  (4) To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as independent
      public accountants for our company for the year ending June 30, 2000.

  (5) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
      and any adjournments thereof.

  Our Board of Directors recommends an affirmative vote on the items described
above. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company beneficially owned 8,400,000 shares
(approximately 54.6%) of our common stock on the record date and thus will be
able to control the vote on the items described above. DuPont has indicated
its intention to vote in favor of the items described above.

  Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 7, 1999
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. All stockholders
are cordially invited and urged to attend the meeting. Regardless of whether
you expect to attend the meeting, you are requested to sign, date and return
the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed self-addressed postage-paid
envelope. You may still attend and vote in person at the annual meeting if you
wish, even though you may have submitted your proxy prior to the meeting. If
you attend the meeting and vote in person, your proxy will automatically be
revoked and only your vote at the
<PAGE>

meeting will be counted. Our Bylaws require that the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote be represented in
person or by proxy at the meeting in order to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. It is important that your shares be represented at the
meeting in person or by proxy.

  Your support for us is greatly appreciated.

                                          By order of our Board of Directors

                                          /s/ Marshall C. Turner

                                          Marshall C. Turner
                                          Chairman of our Board and Chief
                                           Executive Officer

September 20, 1999

                                       2
<PAGE>

                            DUPONT PHOTOMASKS, INC.
                           131 Old Settlers Boulevard
                            Round Rock, Texas 78664

                                PROXY STATEMENT

                      1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                SOLICITATION, EXERCISE AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES

  The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors to be
voted at our 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our annual meeting will be
held at the Doubletree Hotel, 6505 North IH-35, Austin, Texas 78751, on
Tuesday, October 26, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. local time. In addition to the original
solicitation by mail, certain of our regular employees may solicit proxies by
telephone or in person. No specially engaged employees or solicitors will be
retained for proxy solicitation purposes. All expenses of this solicitation,
including the costs of preparing and mailing this proxy statement and the
reimbursement of brokerage firms and other nominees for their reasonable
expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of shares, will be
borne by us. You may vote in person at our annual meeting, if you wish, even
though you have previously mailed in your proxy. This proxy statement and the
accompanying proxy are being mailed to stockholders beginning on or about
September 27, 1999.

  All duly executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions
thereon. Stockholders who execute proxies, however, retain the right to revoke
them at any time before they are voted. The revocation of a proxy will not be
effective until written notice thereof has been given to Mr. John M. Lynn
unless the stockholder granting such proxy votes in person at our annual
meeting.

                              VOTING OF SECURITIES

   The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at
our annual meeting is September 7, 1999. As of such date, we had outstanding
15,378,623 shares of our common stock, $.01 par value per share. Our common
stock is the only class of our stock outstanding and entitled to vote at our
annual meeting. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of our
common stock held. All votes on the proposals set forth below will be taken by
ballot. For purposes of the votes on all proposals set forth below, the holders
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by
proxy, will constitute a quorum at our annual meeting. The stockholders present
at our annual meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment,
notwithstanding the subsequent withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less
than a quorum or the refusal of any stockholder present in person or by proxy
to vote or participate in our annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes
(the submission of a proxy by a broker or nominee specifically indicating the
lack of discretionary authority to vote on the matter) will be counted as
present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the
transaction of business.

  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, STOCKHOLDERS
ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,
WHETHER OR NOT THEY EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON.

                  DISCLOSURE REGARDING ANTI-TAKEOVER PROPOSALS

  Our Board of Directors have approved proposals to amend our Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, also referred to as or called our
Charter, to include certain provisions available to public companies under
Delaware law that deter hostile take-over attempts, as more particularly
described below. Our Board of Directors has also approved amendments to our
Bylaws consistent with the proposed amendments to our Charter, which are to
become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of the proposed
amendments to our Charter. Stockholder approval of the proposed amendments to
our Bylaws is not required and is not

                                       1
<PAGE>

being solicited. If the proposed amendments to our Charter are approved, the
Charter and Bylaws, as so amended, will become the governing instruments of our
company and will differ in several respects from our existing Charter and
Bylaws. Some of the changes will be procedural in nature but others will result
in material changes in stockholders' rights and corporate procedures from those
currently provided. Copies of the proposed amendments to the Charter and Bylaws
are attached hereto as Appendices A and B. Our stockholders should carefully
review the proposed amendments to determine the nature and desirability of the
proposed changes.

  In considering the proposals, our stockholders should be aware that the
overall effect of the proposed provisions is to make it more difficult for
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock to change
the composition of our Board of Directors and to remove existing management in
circumstances where a majority of the stockholders may be dissatisfied with the
performance of the incumbent directors or otherwise desire to make changes.
These provisions, if included in our Charter and Bylaws, could make a proxy
contest a less effective means of removing or replacing existing directors or
could make it more difficult to make a change in control of our company which
is opposed by our Board of Directors. This strengthened tenure and authority of
the Board of Directors could enable it to resist change and otherwise thwart
the desires of a majority of the stockholders. Because these provisions may
have the effect of continuing the tenure of the current directors, our Board of
Directors has recognized that the individual directors have a personal interest
in these provisions that may differ from those of our stockholders. However,
our Board of Directors believes that these provisions' primary purpose is to
ensure that it will have sufficient time to consider fully any proposed
takeover attempt in light of the short-term and long-term benefits and other
opportunities available to our company and, to the extent our Board of
Directors determines to proceed with any takeover, to effectively negotiate
terms that would maximize the benefits to our company and to our stockholders.

  A hostile takeover attempt may have a positive or negative effect on a
corporation and its stockholders, depending on the circumstances surrounding a
particular takeover attempt. Takeover attempts that have not been negotiated or
approved by the board of directors of a corporation can seriously disrupt the
business and management of a corporation and generally present to the
stockholders the risk of terms which may be less than favorable to all of the
stockholders than would be available in a board-approved transaction. Board-
approved transactions may be carefully planned and undertaken at an opportune
time in order to obtain maximum value for the corporation and all of its
stockholders with due consideration to matters such as the recognition or
postponement of gain or loss for tax purposes, the management and business of
the acquiring corporation and the maximum strategic deployment of corporate
assets. In addition, in the case of a proposal which is presented to a board of
directors, there is a greater opportunity for the board of directors to analyze
the proposal thoroughly, to develop and evaluate alternatives, to negotiate for
improved terms and to present its recommendations to stockholders in the most
effective manner.

  Our Board of Directors recognizes that hostile takeover attempts do not
always have the unfavorable consequences or effects described above and may
frequently be beneficial to stockholders, providing all stockholders with
considerable value for their shares. However, our Board of Directors believes
that the potential disadvantages of unapproved takeover attempts are
sufficiently great such that prudent steps to reduce the likelihood of such
takeover attempts are in the best interests of our company and our
stockholders. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has proposed certain measures
for inclusion in our Charter and Bylaws that may have the effect of
discouraging or deterring hostile takeover attempts.

  Notwithstanding the belief of our Board of Directors as to the benefits to
our stockholders of the proposed changes, stockholders should recognize that
one of the effects of such changes may be to discourage a future attempt to
acquire control of our company which is not presented to and approved by our
Board of Directors, but which a substantial number, and perhaps even a
majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in
which stockholders might receive a substantial premium for their shares over
the current market price. As a result, stockholders who might desire to
participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so.


                                       2
<PAGE>


  In addition, by increasing the probability that any person or group seeking
control of our company would be forced to negotiate directly with our Board of
Directors, the proposed takeover defenses could discourage takeover bids by
means of a hostile tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise without the
approval of our Board of Directors. Thus, the principal disadvantages to our
stockholders which result from discouraging such hostile takeover bids would be
to (i) reduce the likelihood that any acquiror would make a hostile tender
offer for the outstanding shares of stock of our company at a premium over the
market price and (ii) increase the difficulty of removing our existing Board of
Directors and management even if in a particular case removal would be
beneficial to stockholders generally.

  It should be noted, however, that our Board of Directors has a fiduciary duty
to our stockholders to negotiate in the best interests of our stockholders and
not for its own interests. Further, while the proposed takeover defenses may
discourage hostile takeover attempts, these provisions would not prevent a
hostile acquisition of our company.

  Our Board of Directors has considered the potential disadvantages and
believes that the potential benefits of the provisions described below outweigh
the possible disadvantages. In particular, our Board of Directors believes that
the benefits associated with enabling our Board of Directors to fully consider
and negotiate proposed takeover attempts make these proposals beneficial to our
company and to our stockholders.

  The proposals to include these anti-takeover provisions in our Charter and
Bylaws do not reflect knowledge on the part of our Board of Directors or
management of any proposed takeover or other attempt to acquire control of our
company. Management may in the future propose or adopt other measures designed
to discourage takeovers apart from those proposed in this Proxy Statement, if
warranted, from time to time in the judgment of our Board of Directors,
although there is no such intention at the present time.

                       SUMMARY OF ANTI-TAKEOVER PROPOSALS

  The anti-takeover proposals are summarized in the chart below. The following
chart does not purport to be an exhaustive discussion. It is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Charter and
Bylaws, as presently in effect, and our Charter and Bylaws as proposed to be
amended. Our stockholders are requested to read this chart in conjunction with
the discussions and proposals following this summary.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Amended and Restated
                    Present Amended and Restated  Certificate of Incorporation,
   Issue            Certificate of Incorporation    as Proposed to be Amended
   -----            ----------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                 <C>                           <C>
Classified Board... Each member of the Board of   The Board of Directors is
                    Directors is elected          divided into three classes,
                    annually.                     designated Class I, Class II
                                                  and Class III. Class I
                                                  directors will hold office
                                                  until the 2000 annual
                                                  meeting; Class II directors
                                                  will hold office until the
                                                  2001 annual meeting; and
                                                  Class III directors will
                                                  hold office until the 2002
                                                  annual meeting. After each
                                                  election, the directors
                                                  shall serve in succeeding
                                                  terms of three years.

Supermajority
 Voting             (i) Directors may be removed  (i) Directors may only be
 Requirement....... with or without cause by a    removed for cause by a 66
                    majority vote of the          2/3% vote of the
                    stockholders.                 stockholders.
</TABLE>


                                       3
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Amended and Restated
                    Present Amended and Restated  Certificate of Incorporation,
     Issue          Certificate of Incorporation    as Proposed to be Amended
     -----          ----------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                 <C>                           <C>
                    (ii) Any provision of our     (ii) Provisions of our
                    Charter may be amended or     Charter governing the
                    repealed by a majority vote   election and removal of
                    of the stockholders.          directors and prohibiting
                                                  stockholder action by
                                                  written consent may not be
                                                  amended or repealed without
                                                  a 66 2/3% vote of the
                                                  stockholders.

                    (iii) Any provision of the    (iii) No provision of the
                    Bylaws may be adopted,        Bylaws may be adopted,
                    amended or repealed by a      amended or repealed without
                    majority vote of the          a 66 2/3% vote of the
                    stockholders.                 stockholders.

Increase in Number
 of Authorized
 Shares of Common   25,000,000 shares of          100,000,000 shares of
 Stock............  authorized common stock       authorized common stock

Preferred Stock
 Liquidation        Holders of preferred stock    At the time any series of
 Preference.......  may not receive more than     preferred stock is
                    $100 per share plus accrued   designated, the Board of
                    dividends if there is a       Directors will have complete
                    voluntary liquidation,        discretion to determine the
                    dissolution or winding up of  amounts, if any, the holders
                    our company.                  of such preferred stock will
                                                  receive if there is a
                                                  voluntary liquidation,
                                                  dissolution or winding up of
                                                  our company.

Stockholder Action
 by Written         Stockholders may take action  Stockholder action may be
 Consent..........  by written consent or at a    taken only at a duly called
                    meeting of stockholders.      annual or special meeting of
                                                  stockholders.

Election of
 Directors by       Directors elected by          The term of directors
 Preferred          preferred stockholders will   elected by preferred
 Stockholders.....  serve for the period for      stockholders will end when
                    which they are elected.       preferred stockholders are
                                                  divested of their right to
                                                  elect such directors.
<CAPTION>
                                                    Bylaws, as Proposed to be
                           Present Bylaws                    Amended
                    ----------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                 <C>                           <C>
Stockholder
 Meeting            No provisions pertaining to   Authority in the chairman of
 Protocol.........  conduct of stockholder        any stockholder meeting to
                    meetings.                     prescribe rules for the
                                                  conduct of such meeting,
                                                  including: (i) establishment
                                                  of an agenda; (ii)
                                                  procedures to maintain order
                                                  at the meeting; (iii)
                                                  attendance limited to
                                                  stockholders of record; (iv)
                                                  restrictions on entry after
                                                  commencement of the meeting;
                                                  and (v) time limits for
                                                  questions or comments by
                                                  participants.
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Bylaws, as Proposed to be
       Issue                Present Bylaws                    Amended
       -----         ----------------------------  ----------------------------

<S>                  <C>                           <C>
Advance Notice
 Requirements for
 Stockholders'
 Proposals           No provisions pertaining to   Provisions for director
 at Stockholder      nominations to the Board of   nominations and for the
 Meetings........... Directors or submission of    submission of new business,
                     business to be considered by  including: (i) may be made
                     stockholders at the annual    only at the annual meeting
                     meeting.                      by the board or any
                                                   stockholder; (ii) timely
                                                   notice must be given prior
                                                   to such meeting; (iii) the
                                                   nomination for director must
                                                   set forth the person
                                                   proposed for election;
                                                   (iv) submission of new
                                                   business must set forth a
                                                   brief description of such
                                                   business; and (v) chairman
                                                   of the meeting may determine
                                                   whether a nomination or
                                                   submission of new business
                                                   was made in accordance with
                                                   these procedures.

Stockholder Meeting
 Protocol........... No provisions pertaining to   Authority in the chairman of
                     conduct of stockholder        any stockholder meeting to
                     meetings.                     prescribe rules for the
                                                   conduct of such meeting,
                                                   including: (i) establishment
                                                   of an agenda;
                                                   (ii) procedures to maintain
                                                   order at the meeting; (iii)
                                                   attendance limited to
                                                   stockholders of record; (iv)
                                                   restrictions on entry after
                                                   commencement of the meeting;
                                                   and (v) time limits for
                                                   questions or comments by
                                                   participants.

Authority to Call
 Special Meetings
 of Stockholders.... By the Board of Directors or  Only by the Board of
                     by holders of at least 25%    Directors.
                     of our outstanding common
                     stock.
</TABLE>

                      APPROVAL OF ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS

  Our Board of Directors has proposed amendments to our Charter to incorporate
certain measures designed to protect our stockholders' interests in the event
of hostile takeover attempts against our company. Our Board of Directors has
also approved amendments to our Bylaws consistent with the proposed amendments
to our Charter, which are to become effective simultaneously with the
effectiveness of the proposed amendments to our Charter. Our Board of Directors
believes that these measures will enable it to more effectively consider any
proposed takeover attempt and to negotiate terms that maximize the benefit to
our company and to our stockholders.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                              STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL

  Each of the proposed amendments to our Charter described in Proposals 1A, 1B,
1C, 1D, 1E and 1F below are conditioned upon stockholder approval of the other
proposed amendments to our Charter. None of the proposed amendments to our
Charter will be adopted unless all are approved by our stockholders. The
proposed amendments to our Bylaws described herein similarly are conditioned
upon approval of the proposed amendments to our Charter.

  The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common
stock is required for approval of each proposed amendment to our Charter.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the tabulation of
votes cast on each proposal and will have the same effect as negative votes. If
all of the proposed amendments to our Charter are approved at the annual
meeting, they would become effective upon filing a certificate of amendment to
our Charter with the Secretary of State of Delaware, which filing is expected
to take place shortly after such stockholder approval.

                              BOARD RECOMMENDATION

  Our Board of Directors believes that approval of each of Proposals 1A, 1B,
1C, 1D, 1E and 1F is in the best interests of our company and our stockholders.
Our Board of Directors, therefore, recommends that you vote FOR each such
proposal; and it is intended that proxies not marked to the contrary will be so
voted.

                           AMENDMENTS TO OUR CHARTER

             Classified Board of Directors Removable Only for Cause
                                 (Proposal 1A)

  A classified board of directors divides directors into two or three "classes"
elected for staggered "terms" of two or three years. The classification system
of electing directors may tend to maintain the incumbency of the board of
directors as it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to change a
majority of the directors. A classified board of directors may also contribute
to the continuity and stability of leadership and policy. Classification of the
board of directors might make it more difficult for a person acquiring shares
to take immediate control of the board of directors.

  Delaware law permits the adoption of a classified board of directors with
staggered terms. A maximum of three classes of directors is permitted by
Delaware law, with members of one class to be elected each year for a maximum
term of three years. Our present Charter currently does not provide for a
classified board of directors. Our Board of Directors has proposed an amendment
to our Charter to incorporate provisions establishing a classified Board of
Directors removable only for cause, as discussed below, the Classified Board
Provisions.

  Under the Classified Board Provisions, our Board of Directors will be divided
into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, upon
stockholder approval of the proposed amendment to our Charter. The directors in
Class I will hold office until our 2000 annual meeting; the directors in Class
II will hold office until our 2001 annual meeting; and the directors in Class
III will hold office until our 2002 annual meeting (and, in each case, until
their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier
resignation, removal from office or death). After each such election, the
directors shall then serve in succeeding terms of three years and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified.

  Under Delaware law, a director on a classified Board of Directors can be
removed from office during his term by stockholders only for cause unless the
Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Our Board of Directors has
proposed that the amendment to our Charter provide that our directors may be
removed from office only for cause by a vote of at least 66 2/3% in voting
power of the then-outstanding shares of our voting stock entitled to vote in
the election of directors, voting together as a single group.


                                       6
<PAGE>


  With the Classified Board Provisions proposed for inclusion in our Charter,
unless directors are removed for cause, it will require at least two annual
meetings of stockholders for a majority of stockholders to make a change in
control of the Board of Directors, since only a portion of the directors will
be elected at each meeting. A significant effect of a classified Board of
Directors may be to deter hostile takeover attempts because an acquiror would
experience delay in replacing a majority of the directors. However, a
classified Board of Directors also makes it more difficult for stockholders to
effect a change in control of the Board of Directors, even if such a change in
control is sought due to dissatisfaction with the performance of the company's
directors.

          Super-Majority Vote Requirement for Amendment of Provisions
            of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
                                 (Proposal 1B)

  Generally, our present Charter may be amended following the approval of the
Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares and our Bylaws may be amended either by resolution of our Board of
Directors or a majority vote of our Stockholders. Our Board of Directors has
proposed an amendment to our Charter to require that two-thirds (66 2/3%) of
the then outstanding shares would be necessary for the stockholders to adopt,
amend or repeal: (i) any provision of the Charter governing the election and
removal of directors; (ii) any provision of the Bylaws; (iii) any provision of
the Charter prohibiting stockholder actions by written consent; and (iv) any
provision of the Charter referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii).

  In the event this proposal is not approved by the requisite vote of our
stockholders, any provision of the Charter may be amended by action of our
Board of Directors, with the affirmative vote of a majority of our common
stockholders, and the Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by action of
our Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of a majority of our common
stockholders. In the event our stockholders approve this proposal, the Charter
will include the super-majority voting provisions.

    Increase in the Number of Shares of Common Stock Authorized for Issuance
                                 (Proposal 1C)

  The present capital structure of our company authorizes 25,000,000 shares of
common stock. Our Board of Directors believes that this capital structure is
inadequate for the present and future needs of our company. Therefore, our
Board of Directors has approved the amendment of our Charter to increase the
authorized number of shares of our common stock to 100,000,000 shares. Our
Board of Directors believes this capital structure more appropriately reflects
the present and future needs of our company.

  As of September 7, 1999, 15,378,623 shares of common stock were outstanding
and 6,937,304 shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to various benefit
plans, resulting in approximately 2,684,073 remaining available for future
needs. Pending stockholder approval of this proposal to increase the authorized
number of shares of common stock to 100,000,000 shares and Proposal 3 to
increase the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under
the 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan by 2,000,000 shares, our
company will have reserved 8,937,304 shares for issuance pursuant to various
benefit plans and will have approximately 75,684,073 authorized shares of
common stock available for future needs.

  Authorizing additional shares of common stock would give our Board of
Directors the authority, without further action of our stockholders, to issue
such common stock from time to time as it deems necessary. Our Board of
Directors believes it is necessary to have the ability to issue such additional
shares of common stock for general corporate purposes. Potential uses of the
additional authorized shares may include acquisition transactions, equity
financings, stock dividends or distributions, in each case without further
action by the stockholders, unless such stockholder action is specifically
required by applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq National Market or any
stock exchange on which our company's securities may then be listed. Our
company has no current plans to issue such additional authorized shares of
common stock.


                                       7
<PAGE>

  The proposed increase in the authorized number of shares of common stock
could have a number of effects on our company's stockholders depending upon the
exact nature and circumstances of any actual issuances of authorized but
unissued shares. The increase could have an anti-takeover effect, in that the
additional shares could be issued (within the limits imposed by applicable law)
in one or more transactions that could make a change in control or takeover of
our company more difficult. For example, additional shares could be issued by
our company so as to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of persons
seeking to obtain control of our company. Similarly, the issuance of additional
shares to certain persons allied with our management could have the effect of
making it more difficult to remove our company's current management by diluting
the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to cause such removal.
Our Board of Directors is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt to
acquire control of our company.

              Amendment of Preferred Shares Liquidation Preference
                                 (Proposal 1D)

  Our Charter authorizes our Board of Directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares
of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one
or more series, and our Board of Directors, without further approval of our
stockholders, is authorized to fix the relative rights, preferences, privileges
and restrictions applicable to each such series of preferred stock. Our Board
of Directors has no current plans, commitments or other arrangements to issue
any preferred stock.

  Our present Charter provides that in the event of a voluntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of preferred stock may
not receive an amount greater than $100 per share plus accrued dividends (the
"liquidation preference"). The proposed amendment to our Charter removes the
liquidation preference limit of $100 and allows our Board of Directors to
determine, in its sole discretion, what amounts, if any, the holders of
preferred stock will receive if there is a voluntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of our company.

              Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent
                                 (Proposal 1E)

  Under Delaware law, stockholders may execute an action by written consent in
lieu of a stockholder meeting. Delaware law permits a corporation to eliminate
such actions by written consent in its certificate of incorporation. Our Board
of Directors proposes to include a provision in our Charter which would
eliminate the right of our stockholders to act by written consent.

  Elimination of such stockholders' right to act by written consent may
lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder actions because
certain actions by written consent are not subject to the minimum notice
requirement of a stockholders' meeting. The elimination of stockholders' right
to act by written consent may deter hostile takeover attempts because of the
lengthened stockholder approval process. Without the ability to act by written
consent, a holder or group of holders controlling a majority in interest of our
common stock will not be able to amend our Charter or remove directors pursuant
to a written consent. Any such holder or group of holders would have to wait
until a stockholders' meeting was held to take any such action. Our Board of
Directors believes this provision would enhance its and our stockholders'
opportunity to fully consider stockholder proposals at a meeting where all
views can be heard.

  In the event that this proposal is not approved by the requisite vote of the
stockholders, our stockholders will continue to be able to act by written
consent, subject to the requirements of the Nasdaq National Market and any
other stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. In the event the
proposal is approved our Charter will include a provision which eliminates our
stockholders' right to act by written consent.

                                       8
<PAGE>

       Special Provisions for Directors Elected by Preferred Stockholders
                                 (Proposal 1F)

  Our Board of Directors proposes to amend our Charter to make special
provision for any directors elected by the holders of our preferred stock.
Under this proposal, during any period when the holders of any series of
preferred stock have the right to elect additional directors pursuant to our
Charter, the then otherwise total authorized number of directors shall
automatically be increased by such specified number of directors. The proposal
also provides that whenever the holders of any series of preferred stock having
such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to
the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional
directors elected by holders of such stock, shall terminate. As a consequence,
directors elected by the holders of our preferred stock would not become part
of the classified board. In the event that this proposal is not approved by the
requisite vote of the stockholders, our Charter will provide that directors
elected by the holders of our preferred stock will serve for the period for
which they are elected.

                           AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

                    Changes in Stockholder Meeting Protocol

  Our Board of Directors has approved amendments to our Bylaws, to become
effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of the proposed amendments to
our Charter, to allow our Board of Directors to adopt rules, regulations and
procedures for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders, including: (i) the
establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and
procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those
present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to
stockholders of record of the corporation or their duly authorized and
constituted proxies; (iv) restrictions on entry after the time fixed for the
commencement of the meeting; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to
questions or comments by participants.

  The proposed changes in stockholder meeting protocol could have the effect of
deterring a hostile takeover of our company by restricting the nomination and
election of candidates to our Board of Directors.

                          Advance Notice Requirements

  Our Board of Directors has approved amendments to our Bylaws, to become
effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of the proposed amendments to
our Charter, to incorporate certain procedures regarding nominations to our
Board of Directors and notice of stockholder business, including: (i)
nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the
submission of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made only at
the annual meeting and only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or
by any stockholder of record; (ii) for nominations or other business to be
properly brought before an annual meeting, timely notice must be given so that
such notice is delivered to the company at least ninety days, but no more than,
one hundred twenty days prior to such meeting; (iii) any notice of nomination
shall set forth the person proposed for election to the Board of Directors;
(iv) any notice of business shall set forth a brief description of the business
to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal and the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (v) except as
otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to
determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before a
meeting was made in accordance with these procedures.

  The proposed implementation of advance notice requirements, by prescribing
the types of business that could be presented to stockholders during annual
meetings, could discourage takeover bids initiated by hostile tender offer,
proxy contest or the removal of the existing Board of Directors and management.

                                       9
<PAGE>

               Authority to Call Special Meetings of Stockholders

  Our Board of Directors has approved amendments to our Bylaws to become
effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of the proposed amendments to
our Charter, to incorporate certain procedures restricting rights of
stockholders to call special meetings. Our present Bylaws allow special
meetings of stockholders to be called by both the Board of Directors and by
written request of at least 25% of the outstanding holders of common stock. The
proposed amendment would allow for special meetings of stockholders to be
called only by the Board of Directors.

  The proposed restriction on the authority to call special meetings of
stockholders, by limiting when certain matters could be brought up for
consideration, could discourage takeover bids initiated by proxy contest or
hostile tender offer.

                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                                  (Proposal 2)

                              General Information

  Seven directors are proposed to be elected at our annual meeting, all of whom
are currently our directors. Our Bylaws provide for a board of not less than
one nor more than fifteen directors, with the current number set at seven.
Vacancies on our board may be filled by the majority vote of directors then in
office or by the sole remaining director.

  Our Charter and Bylaws presently provide that each director shall hold office
until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until his or her successor is
elected and has qualified. Assuming that the stockholders approve the anti-
takeover proposals, our board will be divided into three classes as nearly
equal in size as is practicable, designated Class I, Class II and Class III.
The term of office of the Class I directors would expire at the 2000 annual
meeting, the term of office of the Class II directors would expire at the 2001
annual meeting and the term of office of the Class III directors would expire
at the 2002 annual meeting. When these initial terms expire, persons nominated
to serve as each class of director shall be elected to hold office for three
years. Our board has assigned each of its nominees for election as director to
a particular class of directorship (assuming stockholder approval of the anti-
takeover proposals), as indicated in the table below.

  The persons named in the accompanying proxy may act with discretionary
authority to vote for a new management nominee should any nominee named in this
proxy statement become unavailable for election, although management is unaware
of any circumstances likely to render any nominee unavailable for election.
Unless the stockholder has specified otherwise, the persons named in the
accompanying proxy will vote such stockholder's shares of our common stock in
favor of the nominees listed below. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater
number of persons than the number of nominees listed below.

                              Stockholder Approval

  The seven nominees receiving the greatest number of votes at our annual
meeting at which a quorum is present shall be elected, even if they receive
less than a majority of the votes. Our Charter does not permit cumulative
voting. Abstentions will not be counted towards the tabulation of votes cast
for the election of any director.

                              Board Recommendation

  Our board believes that the election of the persons listed below as our
directors is in the best interest of our company and our stockholders. Our
board, therefore, recommends that you vote FOR the nominees and it is intended
that the proxies not marked to the contrary will be so voted.

                                       10
<PAGE>

Nominees for Director

  The following table sets forth the name, age (as of September 7, 1999) and
current position of each person who is a nominee for election as one of our
directors:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Proposed
                                                                       Class of
   Name                                  Age     Current Position      Director
   ----                                  --- ------------------------- ---------
   <S>                                   <C> <C>                       <C>
   Marshall C. Turner...................  57 Chairman of our Board and Class III
                                              Chief Executive Officer

   John L. Doyle........................  68         Director          Class I

   John W. Himes........................  54         Director          Class I

   John C. Hodgson......................  55         Director          Class I

   Gary W. Pankonien....................  49         Director          Class II

   Susan Vladuchick Sam.................  51         Director          Class II

   John C. Sargent......................  61         Director          Class III
</TABLE>

  Marshall C. Turner is our Chairman of our Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer, positions he assumed on an interim basis in June 1999 until
a permanent replacement is appointed. An independent consultant, he has been a
venture capital principal or operating executive in technology industries for
26 years. From its inception in 1981 through 1998, he was a general partner of
Taylor & Turner Associates, Ltd., the general partner of several venture
capital partnerships. Mr. Turner is Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Public
Broadcasting Service and of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. He
serves as a director of Alliance Technology Fund, Splitrock Services, Inc.,
three privately held companies and the George Lucas Educational Foundation. He
has been one of our directors since April 1996.

  John L. Doyle is a private consultant, having retired from the Hewlett-
Packard Company in 1991. At the time of his retirement, he was Executive Vice
President, Business Development with responsibility for Hewlett-Packard's
integrated circuit facilities as well as acquisitions, mergers, planning,
corporate purchasing, manufacturing and engineering. He was also a member of
the Executive Committee. He is currently a director of Xilinx, Inc. and Analog
Devices, Inc. He has been one of our directors since April 1996.

  John W. Himes is Senior Vice President of Corporate Plans, Investor Relations
and Financial Communications for DuPont. He joined DuPont in 1966 and has
served in a variety of business management positions, including leadership of
Dacron Polyester, Advanced Composites and Industrial Polymers. Mr. Himes was
responsible for Human Resources and later Business Development in Asia for
DuPont. He has been one of our directors since January 1998.

  John C. Hodgson is the Vice President/General Manager of the Photopolymer and
Electronic Materials Strategic Business Unit of DuPont, a position he assumed
in 1996. He has been with DuPont for over 30 years and has served in a variety
of management positions in the X-Ray, Electronics and Diagnostic businesses in
the United States and in Geneva, Switzerland. From 1994 until assuming his
current position, Mr. Hodgson served as Managing Director/General Manager of
the Electronic Materials Strategic Business Unit. He has been one of our
directors since April 1996.

  Gary W. Pankonien is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 1st TECH
Molding and a private investor. He serves as a director of Tanisys Technology,
a manufacturer of memory modules, 1st TECH Molding and MagRabbit. Mr. Pankonien
spent seven years at Compaq Computer Corporation where he served as the
Notebook Computer Design and Operations Manager for three years. He co-
developed and currently holds the patent for the first notebook computer as
well as several other patents. Mr. Pankonien has over 20 years of management
experience in the electronics industry and has extensive experience in offshore
operations. He has been one of our directors since April 1996.

                                       11
<PAGE>

  Susan Vladuchick Sam is a private consultant, having retired from DuPont in
1999. She joined DuPont in 1969 and held a variety of management positions in
research and development, human resources and manufacturing during the course
of her career, including Director of Operations for DuPont Medical Products
from 1993 to 1995, Director of Human Development and Personnel Relations from
1995 to 1997 and Director of Operations--U.S. Region and Vice Chair of the
Operations Network from 1997 to 1999. Ms. Sam currently serves on the College
of Engineering & Science Advisory Board for Clemson University and is a past
Alumni Trustee for Grove City College. She has been one of our directors since
January 1996.

  John C. Sargent is a private consultant, having retired from DuPont in 1998.
He joined the Treasury Department of Conoco in 1964 and worked in a number of
financial management positions with Conoco both in the United States and
Europe. He became Vice President and Treasurer of Conoco in 1981 and also in
1981 became Assistant Treasurer and Director of the Treasury Division of DuPont
after Conoco was acquired by DuPont. He assumed the position of Vice President
and Treasurer of DuPont in 1992. He has been one of our directors since
December 1995.

                                Board Committees

  Our board has appointed from among its members two standing committees:

  The Audit Committee is presently composed of John L. Doyle, who serves as
chairperson of the committee, and John C. Sargent. No member of the Audit
Committee may be an employee or officer. Marshall C. Turner previously served
as a member of the committee but resigned from the committee upon becoming an
employee and officer. The functions of the Audit Committee include meeting with
our independent public accountants to discuss the scope and results of their
examination, to review our internal audit activities and to discuss the
adequacy of our accounting and control systems, to review the audit schedule
and to consider any issues raised by its members, our independent public
accountants, our staff or management. Each year the Audit Committee will
recommend to the full board the name of an accounting firm to audit our
financial statements.

  The Compensation Committee is presently composed of Gary W. Pankonien and
Susan Vladuchick Sam, who serves as chairperson of the committee. No member of
the Compensation Committee may be an employee or officer. Marshall C. Turner
previously served as a member of the committee but resigned from the committee
upon becoming an employee and officer. The principal functions of the
Compensation Committee are to review and approve our organization structure,
review performance of our officers, establish overall employee compensation
policies and recommend to our board major compensation programs. The
Compensation Committee also reviews and approves compensation of directors and
corporate officers, including salary, bonus awards, stock options and
restricted stock grants, and administers our stock plans and bonus plan.

  During 1999, our board held ten meetings in person or by telephone. Members
of our board are provided with information between meetings regarding our
operations and are consulted on an informal basis with respect to pending
business. Such consultation from time to time leads to director action between
meetings by unanimous written consent of the directors, which occurred two
times during 1999. During 1999, the Compensation Committee held nine meetings
and acted by unanimous written consent four times and the Audit Committee held
three meetings. Each of the incumbent directors who was a director during the
1999 year attended no fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of our
board and the total number of meetings held by all committees of our board on
which such director served during the year.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                        APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO OUR
                  1997 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
                                  (Proposal 3)

  Stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment to our 1997 Stock Option
and Restricted Stock Plan, referred to as the 1997 Plan, that will increase the
number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the plan from
3,000,000 shares to 5,000,000 shares. Our Board of Directors approved the
2,000,000 share increase on September 2, 1999, subject to stockholder approval
at our annual meeting. The Board of Directors believes it is in the best
interests of our company and our stockholders to increase the share reserve so
that our company can continue to attract and retain the services of those
persons essential to our company's growth and financial success.

  Summary Plan Description of the 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan

  The following is a summary of the principal features of the 1997 Plan. The
summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of all the
provisions of the 1997 Plan. The 1997 Plan, as amended to reflect the proposed
amendment, is set forth in its entirety as Appendix C hereto.

  General. The 1997 Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options or
NQOs and incentive stock options or ISOs as well as restricted stock grants.
ISOs must meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, the Code, and NQOs need not meet the requirements of the
Code. A restricted stock grant is an award of shares of common stock on which
are imposed restriction periods and/or performance based restrictions which
subject the shares to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as defined in Section
83 of the Code or any successor law. The 1997 Plan is not subject to the
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

  Eligibility. Under the 1997 Plan, certain employees, consultants, directors
and other individuals as the Compensation Committee from time to time shall
determine are eligible to receive grants of NQOs, ISOs and restricted stock;
provided, however, that ISOs may only be issued to our employees.

  Administration. The Compensation Committee administers the 1997 Plan. In
accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Plan, the Compensation Committee has
authority to determine the participants to be granted options or restricted
stock, to interpret the 1997 Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind any rules
and regulations necessary or appropriate for the administration of the 1997
Plan, to determine and interpret the details and provisions of each grant
agreement, to modify or amend any grant agreement, to waive any conditions or
restrictions applicable to any grant and to make all other determinations
necessary or advisable for the administration of the 1997 Plan.

  Shares Available. Assuming stockholder approval of this proposal, the 1997
Plan will have 5,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance. Under
the terms of the 1997 Plan, the number of shares of common stock reserved is
subject to adjustment if the number of outstanding shares of common stock is
changed as a result of reclassification or recapitalization. In the event of a
stock split, reverse stock split or other event that is functionally equivalent
to a stock split or reverse stock split, the 1997 Plan provides for automatic
proportionate adjustments to the number of shares granted and to the number of
shares of common stock authorized for future grant.

  Option Grant Terms. Option grants shall be subject to a vesting schedule as
determined by the Compensation Committee. Each grant shall be evidenced by an
agreement executed by an authorized officer and each agreement shall be in a
form approved by the Compensation Committee, shall comply with the terms and
conditions of the 1997 Plan and may contain such other provisions as the
Compensation Committee shall determine. Options granted to all participants are
not exercisable for a period of at least six months from the date of grant. The
exercise price for each option shall be fixed on the grant date and such
exercise price shall, in no event, be less than the par value of the common
stock.

                                       13
<PAGE>

  In the event that a participant's employment shall terminate for reasons
other than permanent disability or death, in the case of ISOs, the participant
shall have the right to exercise, to the extent the ISOs were exercisable on
the termination date, at any time during a period of three months following
such termination. In the case of NQOs, the Compensation Committee may specify
the terms and conditions upon which such NQOs shall terminate. The Committee
may, in its discretion, consistent with the terms of the specific grant,
accelerate the exercisability of all or part of the NQOs not otherwise
exercisable or provide that the NQOs shall remain outstanding and be
exercisable on such other terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee
shall approve.

  At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, options awarded under the
1997 Plan may be subject to reload. A reload option is defined as a replacement
option granted upon exercise by the participant of the original option. The
reload option shall be deemed granted to the participant as of the exercise
date of the original option. The exercise price of the reload option shall be
100% of the market value of the common stock on such date. The reload option
may be used or refused with respect to each tranche of options as they vest and
is available on a one-time basis (even if the participant elects to exercise
less than the total number of vested shares). If the participant elects to
accept the reload option, the participant must agree that all shares purchased
through the exercise of the original option must be held for some minimum
period of time established by the Compensation Committee as set forth in the
participant's grant agreement. In no event shall any reload option be granted
if it would cause the number of grants to any executive officer in a year to
exceed the individual limit as outlined in the 1997 Plan.

  Restricted Stock Grant Terms. Restricted stock granted by the Compensation
Committee will be subject to such restrictions as the Compensation Committee
may impose thereon, including, but not limited to, continuous employment and/or
the attainment of specific corporate or individual performance standards or
goals. The restrictions and the period in which such restrictions apply may
differ with respect to each participant. Restricted stock grants will be
subject to forfeiture if certain events specified by the Compensation Committee
fail to occur prior to the lapse of the restrictions.

  In connection with each grant of restricted stock, the Compensation Committee
will determine (i) the terms and conditions of the restricted stock grant
agreement evidencing the award, (ii) the restriction period for the grant,
(iii) the restrictions applicable to the grant, (iv) the percentage of the
grant that will vest in the event of such participant's death, disability or
retirement prior to the expiration of the restriction period or the
satisfaction of the restrictions applicable to the grant, and (v)
notwithstanding the restriction period and the restrictions set forth in the
restricted stock grant agreement, whether to shorten the restriction period or
waive the restrictions if the Compensation Committee concludes that it is in
the best interests of the company to do so. In the event a participant's
employment with the company shall terminate (for reasons other than the
participant's death, permanent disability or retirement) prior to the
satisfaction or occurrence of the restrictions applicable to all or a portion
of a grant, then such portion of the grant shall be returned and forfeited by
the participant. After satisfaction or occurrence of all restrictions, a
certificate, without a legend shall be delivered to the participant for the
number of shares that are no longer subject to restrictions.

  Miscellaneous. A participant in the 1997 Plan shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to shares covered by such participant's option or
restricted stock grant until the date of the issuance of the shares to the
participant. No adjustments shall be made for dividends or other distributions
or rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.

  All or a portion of the options granted to a participant may, in the
discretion of the Compensation Committee, be on terms that permit transfer
without consideration by such participant to (i) the participant's spouse,
children or grandchildren, the Immediate Family Members, (ii) a trust or trusts
for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (iii) a
partnership or other entity in which such Immediate Family Members are the only
partners.


                                       14
<PAGE>

  In the event of a change of control (as defined in the 1997 Plan), the
unexercised option grants outstanding will automatically become exercisable in
full and all restrictions and conditions to which any restricted stock grant is
subject shall be deemed satisfied as of the change of control date.

  The Compensation Committee may at any time alter, amend, suspend, discontinue
or terminate the 1997 Plan and any grants thereunder; provided, however, that
no such action by the Compensation Committee may, without the approval of our
stockholders, alter the provisions of the 1997 Plan so as to (i) increase the
maximum number of shares of common stock that may be subject to grants; (ii)
change the eligibility provisions of the 1997 Plan; or (iii) change the
individual limit of shares that may be granted under the 1997 Plan. For the
purposes of granting ISOs, the 1997 Plan shall terminate on June 8, 2007. No
ISOs shall be awarded after such date.

                              Option Transactions

  The following table sets forth information regarding options to purchase
shares of common stock granted to the Named Officers during 1999. Because
grants under the 1997 Plan are discretionary, future benefits are not
determinable.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Potential Realizable
                                                                           Value at Assumed
                                 % of Total                              Annual Rates of Stock
                                  Options                                 Price Appreciation
                         Options Granted to                                 for Option term
                         Granted  Company   Exercise Price Expiration    ---------------------
Name                     (#)(1)  Employees    ($/Share)       Date           5%        10%
- ----                     ------- ---------- -------------- ----------    ---------- ----------
<S>                      <C>     <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>        <C>
Marshall C. Turner...... 29,500     3.9%        $47.37     6/11/2009     $  878,827 $2,227,120
J. Michael Hardinger.... 46,000     6.1%         38.81      3/1/2009      1,122,740  2,845,245
J. Michael Hardinger....    100       *          33.37     7/13/2008          2,099      5,318
Preston M. Adcox........ 35,000     4.6%         38.81      3/1/2009        854,259  2,164,860
Preston M. Adcox........    100       *          33.37     7/13/2008          2,099      5,318
Gerard Cognie........... 17,800     2.4%         33.37(2)  7/13/2008(2)     373,555    946,661
David S. Gino........... 17,000     2.3%         33.37(2)  7/13/2008(2)     356,766    904,114
Kenneth A. Rygler....... 13,000     1.7%         33.37(2)  7/13/2008(2)     272,821    691,381
</TABLE>
- --------
*  Less than 1%
(1) Options granted to Messrs. Hardinger, Adcox, Cognie, Gino and Rygler are
    NQOs that become exercisable over a four-year period at the rate of 25% per
    year. Options granted to Mr. Turner are NQOs that become exercisable six
    months from the date of grant. The data presented in this table does not
    include options received by Mr. Turner as a non-employee director prior to
    June 1999.
(2) These options were subject to our stock option re-pricing discussed below.
    As a result of the re-pricing, these options have a revised exercise price
    of $23.25 and a revised expiration date of 9/21/2008.

                               New Plan Benefits

  As of September 7, 1999, no options or restricted stock had been granted on
the basis of the 2,000,000 share increase which forms a part of this proposal.

                  Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

  The following is a general summary of the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of each type of grant which may be awarded under the 1997 Plan.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of each type of grant are different
for the participants and for the company. The following is intended as a
summary of the effect of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences
associated with the 1997 Plan and does not purport to be complete. This summary
is based on current law, which is subject to change in the future, and current

                                       15
<PAGE>

interpretations of the law, which may also change. It is recommended that
participants consult their own tax advisors for counseling. The tax treatment
under non-U.S., state or local law is not covered in this summary.

  Options granted under the 1997 Plan may be either ISOs which satisfy the
requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or NQOs which are not
intended to meet such requirements. The U.S. federal income tax treatment for
the two types of options differs as follows:

  Incentive Stock Options. No taxable income is recognized by the optionee at
the time of the option grant, and no taxable income is generally recognized at
the time the option is exercised. The optionee will, however, recognize taxable
income in the year in which the purchased shares are sold or otherwise made the
subject of a taxable disposition. For U.S. federal income tax purposes,
dispositions are divided into two categories: qualifying and disqualifying. A
qualifying disposition occurs if the sale or other disposition is made after
the optionee has held the shares for more than two years after the option grant
date and more than one year after the exercise date. If either of these two
holding periods is not satisfied, then a disqualifying disposition will result.

  Upon a qualifying disposition, the optionee will recognize long-term capital
gain in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the amount realized upon the sale
or other disposition of the purchased shares over (ii) the exercise price paid
for the shares. If there is a disqualifying disposition of the shares, then the
excess of (i) the fair market value of those shares on the exercise date over
(ii) the exercise price paid for the shares will be taxable as ordinary income
to the optionee. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon the disposition
will be recognized as a capital gain or loss by the optionee.

  If the optionee makes a disqualifying disposition of the purchased shares,
then our company will be entitled to an income tax deduction, for the taxable
year in which such disposition occurs, equal to the excess of (i) the fair
market value of such shares on the option exercise date over (ii) the exercise
price paid for the shares. If the optionee makes a qualifying disposition, our
company will not be entitled to any income tax deduction.

  Nonqualified Stock Options. No taxable income is recognized by an optionee
upon the grant of a NQO. The optionee will in general recognize ordinary
income, in the year in which the option is exercised, equal to the excess of
the fair market value of the purchased shares on the exercise date over the
exercise price paid for the shares, and the optionee will be required to
satisfy the tax withholding requirements applicable to such income.

  If the shares acquired upon exercise of the NQO are unvested and subject to
repurchase by our company in the event of the optionee's termination of service
prior to vesting in those shares, then the optionee will not recognize any
taxable income at the time of exercise but will have to report as ordinary
income, as and when our company's repurchase right lapses, an amount equal to
the excess of (i) the fair market value of the shares on the date the
repurchase right lapses over (ii) the exercise price paid for the shares. The
optionee may, however, elect under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code
to include as ordinary income in the year of exercise of the option an amount
equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the purchased shares on the
exercise date over (ii) the exercise price paid for such shares. If the Section
83(b) election is made, the optionee will not recognize any additional income
as and when the repurchase right lapses.

  Our company will be entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the amount
of ordinary income recognized by the optionee with respect to the exercised
NQO. The deduction will in general be allowed for our company's taxable year of
in which such ordinary income is recognized by the optionee.

  Restricted Stock Grants. The tax principles applicable to restricted stock
grants under the 1997 Plan will be substantially the same as those summarized
above for the exercise of NQOs.


                                       16
<PAGE>

                    Deductibility of Executive Compensation

  Our company anticipates that any compensation deemed paid in connection with
the disqualifying disposition of incentive stock option shares or the exercise
of nonqualified stock options granted with exercise prices equal to the fair
market value of the shares on the grant date will qualify as performance-based
compensation for purposes of Code Section 162(m) and will not have to be taken
into account for purposes of the $1 million limitation per covered individual
on the deductibility of the compensation paid to certain of our company's
executive officers. Accordingly, all compensation deemed paid under the 1997
Plan will remain deductible by our company without limitation under Code
Section 162(m).

                              Accounting Treatment

  Option grants with exercise prices less than the fair market value of the
shares on the grant or issue date will result in a direct compensation expense
to our company's earnings equal to the difference between the exercise price
and the fair market value of the shares on the grant date. Such expense will be
accruable by our company over the period that the option shares are to vest.
Option grants at 100% of fair market value will not result in any direct charge
to our company's earnings. However, the fair value of those options is required
to be disclosed in the notes to our company's financial statements, and we must
also disclose, in pro-forma information to our financial statements, the impact
those options would have upon our reported earnings were the value of those
options at the time of grant treated as compensation expense. Whether or not
granted at a discount, the number of outstanding options may be a factor in
determining our company's earnings per share on a diluted basis.

                              Stockholder Approval

  The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common
stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is
required for approval of the amendment to the 1997 Plan increasing the number
of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the plan to
5,000,000 shares. Should such stockholder approval not be obtained, then the
2,000,000 share increase will not be implemented and no additional options will
be granted on the basis of such share increase. The 1997 Plan will, however,
continue to remain in effect, and grants may continue to be made pursuant to
the provisions of the 1997 Plan in effect prior to the amendment summarized in
this proposal, until all the available shares of our common stock available
have been issued. Abstentions will be counted towards the tabulation of votes
cast on this proposal and will have the same effect as negative votes, whereas
broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining whether or not
the proposal has been approved.

                              Board Recommendation

  Our board believes that approval of the amendment to our 1997 Stock Option
and Restricted Stock Plan increasing the number of shares of our common stock
available for issuance under the plan to 5,000,000 shares is in the best
interest of our company and our stockholders. Our board, therefore, recommends
that you vote FOR such approval and it is intended that the proxies not marked
to the contrary will be so voted.

              RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                                  (Proposal 4)

                              General Information

  Our Bylaws provide that it shall be the duty of the Audit Committee to
employ, subject to stockholder ratification at each annual meeting, independent
accountants to audit our books of account, accounting

                                       17
<PAGE>

procedures and financial statements for the year and to perform such other
duties as prescribed from time to time by the Audit Committee.

  During 1999, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audited our annual consolidated
financial statements, reviewed financial information in filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and provided various other services.

  Subject to ratification by stockholders, the Audit Committee has retained
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants to perform the
examination of our financial statements for 2000 and to render other services
required of them. Notwithstanding this selection, the Audit Committee may, in
its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent accounting
firm at any time if the Audit Committee believes that such change would be in
the our company's and our stockholder's best interest.

  Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at
our annual meeting on October 26, 1999, with the opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so. Such representatives are also expected to
be available to respond to appropriate questions.

                             Stockholder Approval

  The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common
stock present or represented and entitled to vote at he annual meeting is
required for the approval of the ratification of the selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Abstentions will be counted towards the tabulation
of votes cast on this proposal and will have the same effect as negative
votes, whereas broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of
determining whether or not the proposal has been approved.

                             Board Recommendation

  Our board believes that the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
independent accountants is in the best interest of our company and
stockholders. Our board, therefore, recommends that you vote FOR such
ratification and it is intended that the proxies not marked to the contrary
will be so voted.

                                OTHER BUSINESS

  Our board knows of no business to be brought before the meeting other than
the proposals outlined above. If any other proposals properly come before the
meeting, it is intended that the shares represented by proxies shall be voted
in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons exercising the
authority conferred by the proxies.

                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

  Under the present rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and our
present Bylaws, the deadline for stockholders to submit proposals to be
considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2000 annual meeting of
stockholders is expected to be 120 days prior to September 20, 2000. Such
proposals may be considered for inclusion in next year's proxy statement if
they comply with certain rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and, assuming the anti-takeover proposals are approved
at the 1999 annual meeting, the procedures set forth in our Bylaws, as
amended.

  The deadline for stockholders to nonetheless submit proposals to be
considered for presentation to stockholders at the 2000 annual meeting,
assuming the anti-takeover proposals are not approved at the 1999

                                      18
<PAGE>


annual meeting, is a reasonable time prior to the 2000 annual meeting. If the
anti-takeover proposals are approved at the 1999 annual meeting, the deadline
is expected to be 90 days prior to October 26, 2000, and each stockholder
proposal must otherwise comply with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws, as
amended.

                       BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

  As of September 7, 1999, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company ("DuPont")
beneficially owned 8,400,000 shares (approximately 54.6%) of our common stock.
As a result, DuPont has sufficient voting power to control our direction and
policies including any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially
all of our assets, to elect the members of our board and to prevent or cause a
change in our control. DuPont has indicated its intention to vote in favor of
the proposals described above.

  The following table sets forth, as of the close of business on September 7,
1999, certain information regarding beneficial ownership of shares of our
common stock by:

  .  Each person who is known by us to be a beneficial owner of 5% or more of
     our common stock;

  .  Each current director, each of whom is a nominee for election as a
     director;

  .  Each executive officer named in the summary compensation table included
     herein; and

  .  All our current directors and executive officers as a group.

  Our common stock is the only class of voting securities outstanding. Unless
otherwise indicated, each person or entity set forth in the table has sole
investment and voting power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially
owned. Shares are owned beneficially and of record, unless otherwise specified.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Shares Beneficially Owned
                                               ------------------------------
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)         Number (2)         Percent
- ----------------------------------------       ---------------    -----------
<S>                                            <C>                <C>
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company...........       8,400,000(3)        54.6%
 1007 Market Street
 Wilmington, Delaware 19898
Marshall C. Turner............................          12,800              *
John L. Doyle.................................          15,500              *
John W. Himes.................................       8,400,000(4)        54.6%
John C. Hodgson...............................       8,400,500(4)        54.6%
Gary W. Pankonien.............................          17,500              *
Susan Vladuchick Sam..........................           2,000              *
John C. Sargent...............................           1,550              *
Preston M. Adcox..............................          72,498              *
Gerard Cognie.................................          50,800(5)           *
David S. Gino.................................          37,857              *
Kenneth A. Rygler.............................          31,860              *
All executive officers and directors as a
 group (14 persons)...........................       8,689,171(4)        56.5%
</TABLE>
- --------
*  Less than 1%.
(1) The address for all officers and directors is 131 Old Settlers Boulevard,
    Round Rock, Texas 78664.
(2) Does not include shares purchasable more than 60 days after September 7,
    1999 pursuant to options granted as of year end to directors and named
    executive officers under our stock plans, as follows:

                                       19
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Option
      Executive Officer or Director                                       Shares
      -----------------------------                                       ------
      <S>                                                                 <C>
      Marshall C. Turner................................................. 38,000
      John L. Doyle......................................................  8,500
      Gary W. Pankonien..................................................  8,500
      John C. Sargent....................................................  3,750
      Preston M. Adcox................................................... 75,572
      Gerard Cognie...................................................... 37,341
      David S. Gino...................................................... 31,086
      Kenneth A. Rygler.................................................. 26,736
</TABLE>

(3) All shares are held by DuPont's wholly owned subsidiary, DuPont Chemical
    and Energy Operations, Inc.
(4) Includes the 8,400,000 shares beneficially owned by DuPont, which Messrs.
    Himes and Hodgson share the right to vote.
(5) Includes 14,800 shares held by Mr. Cognie's spouse as to which Mr. Cognie
    has disclaimed beneficial ownership.

              TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US AND DUPONT

  We have entered into a number of agreements with DuPont for the purpose of
defining certain past, present and prospective arrangements and transactions.
These agreements were negotiated in the context of a parent-subsidiary
relationship and, therefore, are not the result of negotiations between
independent parties. It is our intention and the intention of DuPont that such
agreements and the transactions provided for therein, taken as a whole, should
accommodate the parties' interests in a manner that is fair to both parties,
while continuing various mutually beneficial joint arrangements. However,
because of the complexity of the various relationships between us and DuPont,
we cannot assure you that all of these agreements, or the transactions provided
for therein, were effected on terms at least as favorable to us as could have
been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. We are only entitled to the
ongoing assistance of DuPont for a limited time.

  We and DuPont may enter into additional or modified arrangements and
transactions in the future. Any such future arrangements and transactions will
be determined through negotiation between DuPont and us. We have adopted a
policy that all future agreements between us and DuPont will be on terms that
we believe are no less favorable to us than the terms we believe would be
available from unaffiliated parties. In that regard, we intend to follow the
procedures provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law, which includes a
vote to affirm any such future agreements by a majority of our directors who
are not employees of DuPont, even though such directors may be less than a
quorum.

  The following is a summary of certain past, present and prospective
arrangements and transactions between DuPont and us:

                       Administrative Service Agreements

  We and DuPont have entered into several transitional administrative service
agreements, pursuant to which DuPont will continue to provide various services
to us, including tax compliance, information systems support and workers'
compensation administration.

  Each service under the administrative service agreements is provided for a
specified time period, ranging from one to two years. However, we may terminate
any or all services that we receive under an administrative service agreement
at any time upon 45 days' prior written notice. Each administrative service
agreement shall terminate on the date upon which DuPont owns less than 50% of
our outstanding common stock. We are obligated to take all steps necessary to
obtain our own administrative and support services prior to the termination of
the administrative service agreements.

                                       20
<PAGE>

  We will be obligated to pay fees established in the administrative service
agreements based upon the type and amount of services rendered. In addition, we
will reimburse DuPont for any out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in connection
with providing the services. We paid DuPont $2.4 million for services provided
under the administrative service agreements in 1999. With the exception of the
administrative service agreement entered into by the respective subsidiaries of
DuPont and our company in Korea, in the absence of gross negligence or willful
or reckless misconduct, DuPont's liability for damages to us for any breach of
DuPont's obligations under the administrative service agreements is limited to
payments made to DuPont thereunder. With respect to the administrative service
agreement covering the operations in Korea, DuPont's subsidiary is not required
to provide any guarantee or warranty of any nature and cannot be held liable
for any claims, damages or liabilities of any kind resulting from the
furnishing of the services thereunder.

                 Research, Development and Consulting Agreement

  We have entered into a research, development and consulting agreement with
DuPont whereby DuPont will provide to us supplemental technical assistance and
consulting with respect to analytical support and consulting on an as-needed
basis and research projects addressing our specific needs. In exchange for the
analytical support, we will pay DuPont $100,000 per calendar year. In the event
the costs of these services are estimated to exceed $100,000, we can either
agree to pay additional projected costs or elect not to have DuPont provide
these additional services. Compensation for research project support will be
determined at the time each specific project relating thereto is undertaken.
The initial term of the research, development and consulting agreement expires
on January 1, 2001 and automatically renews for successive one-year terms until
terminated by either DuPont or us pursuant to certain procedures set forth in
the research, development and consulting agreement.

                         Tax Indemnification Agreement

  We have entered into a tax indemnification agreement with DuPont pursuant to
which we will pay DuPont, or DuPont will pay us, as appropriate, amounts in
respect of taxes shown as due attributable to our operations for the period
ending on the date on which we cease to be a member of the DuPont consolidated
group. DuPont will indemnify us and our subsidiaries from liability for certain
matters, net of corresponding tax benefits, including any federal, state or
local taxes attributable to any affiliated or combined group of which we were a
member at any time prior to June 13, 1996 and any federal, state or local
income or other tax for any period up to and including June 13, 1996. We will
indemnify DuPont and its subsidiaries from liability for certain matters,
including any federal, state or local income or other taxes attributable to our
operations following June 13, 1996. In connection with the sale of our 31%
equity interest in DuPont Korea, Ltd. to DuPont, to the extent there is a loss,
any tax benefit attributable to such loss will be for DuPont's benefit at such
time as DuPont beneficially owns 50% or less of our outstanding common stock.

  The tax indemnification agreement will require payments of claims to be made
within 30 days of the date a written demand for the claim is delivered.
Interest accrues on payments that are not made within 10 days of the final due
date at the rate applicable to the underpayments of the applicable tax. Any
disputes concerning the calculation or basis of determination of any payment
provided under the tax indemnification agreement will be resolved by a law firm
or an accounting firm selected jointly by the parties.

                    Environmental Indemnification Agreement

  We have entered into an environmental indemnification agreement with DuPont
pursuant to which DuPont will generally indemnify us against substantially all
liabilities relating to any environmental contamination present on our
manufacturing sites and those of our subsidiaries as of June 13, 1996 or
present on any other site as a result of our manufacturing operations and those
of our subsidiaries prior to June 13, 1996.


                                       21
<PAGE>

  In the event that the parties cannot determine with reasonable certainty,
following good faith negotiations, whether the contamination was caused by
activities occurring before or after June 13, 1996, the environmental
indemnification agreement provides for a mechanism whereby the liability
associated with any such claim is allocated according to the following: DuPont
bears 100% of the liability associated with claims filed by us with regard to
such contamination prior to June 13, 1996; DuPont's liability for claims filed
following June 13, 1996 declines at the rate of 20% per year; and DuPont has no
liability for such claims filed following June 13, 2001.

  The environmental indemnification agreement includes procedures for notice
and payment of indemnification claims and generally provides that the party
bearing the majority of the liability will assume the defense of such claim and
will control any negotiation or remediation activities.

                                Credit Agreement

  We have entered into a credit agreement with DuPont. Pursuant to this credit
agreement, DuPont originally agreed to provide a credit facility in an
aggregate amount of $100.0 million. This credit facility expires in 2001 and
any loans thereunder will bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.25% per annum. At our
option, advances under this credit facility are convertible into term loans
with maturities up to seven years. We have borrowed a maximum of approximately
$69 million under this credit facility and, at June 30, 1999, no borrowings
were outstanding under this credit facility. We have amended our credit
agreement with DuPont to add a second credit facility with an additional
borrowing capacity of $100.0 million. The new credit facility has a term of
three years and outstanding amounts bear interest at 0.25% per annum for the
first two years and LIBOR plus 0.25% per annum for the third year. We have
borrowed a maximum of $100.0 million under this credit facility and, at June
30, 1999, borrowings of $100.0 million were outstanding under this credit
facility. The amounts loaned under the amended credit agreement are unsecured
and the amended credit agreement contains various representations, covenants
and events of default. For example, the amended credit agreement provides that,
without DuPont's prior written consent, we will not incur, create, assume or
permit to exist any indebtedness, including guarantees on indebtedness, in
addition to the indebtedness under the amended credit agreement.

                  Corporate Tradename and Trademark Agreement

  We have entered into a corporate tradename and trademark agreement with
DuPont whereby DuPont licenses to us the following:

  .  Use of the tradename "DuPont" as part of our corporate name;

  .  Use of the tradename "DuPont" as part of the name of our affiliated
     companies; and

  .  Use of the trademark DuPont in Oval as part of our corporate logo.

  DuPont may terminate the corporate tradename and trademark agreement upon two
years' prior written notice in the event that DuPont and/or its affiliates
cease to hold 20% of our total outstanding common stock and upon 90 days'
written notice in the event that:

  .  DuPont ceases to be the largest holder of our common stock;

  .  We purport to assign or otherwise transfer the corporate tradename and
     trademark agreement without DuPont's written consent; or

  .  We use the tradename "DuPont" other than under the terms of the
     corporate tradename and trademark agreement.

  In addition, DuPont may terminate the corporate tradename and trademark
agreement upon 90 days' written notice for any reason after January 1, 2008. In
the corporate tradename and trademark agreement, we grant DuPont the right to
inspect and test products manufactured by or for us and intended to be sold
bearing the DuPont in Oval logo to determine uniform quality and compliance
with quality standards of DuPont and

                                       22
<PAGE>

agree to hold DuPont harmless from any and all liabilities arising from the
manufacture, sale, transportation, storage or use of products manufactured by
or for us bearing the DuPont in Oval logo. Upon termination of the corporate
tradename and trademark agreement, we will be obligated to:

  .  Change our name so that the tradename "DuPont" is omitted;

  .  Cease to use the tradename "DuPont" or any similar tradename as part of
     our corporate name or in any other manner whatsoever; and

  .  Cease to use the DuPont in Oval logo.

                         Registration Rights Agreement

  Under a registration rights agreement between DuPont and us, DuPont and its
assignees are entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of
shares they hold under the Securities Act of 1933. Subject to limitations,
including a minimum registration of over 1,000,000 shares, DuPont and its
assignees have the right to require us to register the sale of all or part of
the shares they hold under the Securities Act of 1933. DuPont and its assignees
are entitled to request up to an aggregate of four demand registrations. DuPont
and its assignees are also entitled to include the shares of common stock they
hold in a registered offering of securities by us for their own account,
subject to conditions and restrictions. In addition, the registration rights
agreement contains certain indemnification provisions by us for the benefit of
DuPont and its assignees as well as any potential underwriter and by DuPont and
its assignees for the benefit of us and related persons. DuPont and its
assignees may transfer its registration rights under the registration rights
agreement without our prior approval. The registration rights agreement also
provides that while DuPont owns 50% or more of our common stock, we may not
grant registration rights to any other person without DuPont's prior consent.

               COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

  Under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, directors,
certain officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of our common stock are
required from time to time to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
reports on Forms 3, 4 or 5, relating principally to transactions in our
securities by such persons. Based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and
amendments thereto furnished to us during 1999 and thereafter, Forms 5 and
amendments thereto furnished to us with respect to 1999, and any written
representations received by us from a director, officer or beneficial owner of
more than 10% of our common stock that no Form 5 is required, we believe that
all reporting persons filed on a timely basis the reports required by Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during 1999.

          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

  The Compensation Committee is composed of Gary W. Pankonien and Susan
Vladuchick Sam, who serves as chairperson of the Committee. No member of the
Compensation Committee is an employee or officer of the company or any of its
subsidiaries. However, Ms. Sam was the Director of Operations--U.S. Region and
Vice Chair of the Operations Network for DuPont during 1999.

                         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

  The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving our
organization structure, reviewing performance of our officers, establishing
overall employee compensation policies and recommending to our board major
compensation programs. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves

                                       23
<PAGE>

compensation for our directors and corporate officers, including salary, bonus
awards and stock option and restricted stock grants, and administers our stock
plans and bonus plan.

  The Compensation Committee has designed a compensation program intended to
attract and motivate our employees. The Compensation Committee believes that
compensation should be tied to our long term performance and benefit to our
stockholders. As such, a significant portion of our management's compensation
is tied to the performance of our long-term total stockholder return. The
Compensation Committee periodically reviews our compensation programs in
comparison with similarly situated companies and amended our programs
accordingly to assure that our compensation programs are competitive within
the industry and carry out our objectives.

                                 Base Salaries

  Base salaries for our employees are targeted to be competitive with
similarly situated companies. Base salaries are determined by evaluating
levels of responsibility, prior experience and breadth of knowledge, as well
as internal equity issues and external pay practices. Increases to base
salaries are driven primarily by individual employee performance.

  At September 1, 1999, the annualized base salaries for Messrs. Turner,
Adcox, Cognie, Gino and Rygler were $259,200, $276,300, 1,126,300 FrF
(approximately $178,800), $200,900, and $189,600. Mr. Turner's compensation
package was calculated on the basis that he devotes approximately 80% of his
time to his position. We have no change-in-control arrangements with any of
our executive officers.

  During the year, as a result of the prolonged downturn in the global
photomask market, the Compensation Committee implemented a temporary salary
reduction for certain employees including all of our officers. Salary
reductions of 5% to 15% were in effect from October 1998 to February 1999.

                                  Bonus Plan

  We maintain an annual incentive or bonus plan for our employees. Employees
are selected by the Compensation Committee to participate in the bonus plan
based upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. The bonus plan
provides for target bonus grants to be established based on the position of
the employee and to be computed as a percentage of the employee's base salary.
The bonus plan provides that a performance goal based primarily on our
earnings will be set by our board, and the amount of bonus will be calculated
based on the employee's target bonus grant, our performance compared with the
performance goal and individual contributions by the employee.

  The Compensation Committee authorized, at the recommendation of our Chief
Executive Officer, bonuses to be awarded to selected employees, including
executive officers, aggregating $3.1 million for 1999.

                  1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan

  We maintain the 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to provide
incentive to our employees primarily responsible for our success and to
closely identify their interests with those of our stockholders. Under this
plan, grants of stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock or
combinations of the above may be awarded to employees, consultants, directors
and other individuals. The aggregate number of shares of our common stock
subject to option or restriction under this plan may not exceed 5,000,000
shares (assuming stockholder approval of Proposal 3).

  This plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which determines
the timing and size of grants, the individuals, if any, who receive grants and
the terms and conditions of such grants. The Compensation Committee reviews
stock option grants and restricted stock grants as part of its periodic review

                                      24
<PAGE>

of our compensation program. Effective as of August 2, 1999, the Compensation
Committee authorized us to grant up to 648,600 stock options and incentive
stock options, at an exercise price of $48.06 per share, to approximately 500
employees of the company and others including executive officers.

                          Re-pricing of Stock Options

  In 1999, the Compensation Committee considered the options held by our
executive officers and employees and the fact that a broad decline in the price
of our common stock had resulted in a substantial number of stock options
granted pursuant to the 1997 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan having
exercise prices well above the recent historical trading prices of the common
stock. Our management advised the Compensation Committee that it believed
employee turnover was likely to increase in part because our company's total
compensation package for long-term employees, which included substantial
options with exercise prices well above the then current trading price, was
less attractive than compensation offered by other companies in the same
geographic location, since options granted to new hires at other companies
would be granted at current trading prices.

  The Compensation Committee determined (i) that our company's success in the
future would depend in large part on its ability to retain a number of its
highly skilled technical and managerial personnel, (ii) that competition for
such personnel would be intense, (iii) that the loss of key employees could
have a significant adverse impact on our company's business, (iv) that it would
be important and cost-effective to provide equity incentives to employees and
executive officers of our company to improve the performance and the value of
our company for its stockholders, and (v) that the morale of long-term
employees holding stock options with exercise prices well below the current
trading price would decrease as more recently hired employees are granted
options with exercise prices set at current, lower market prices. The
Compensation Committee recognized that an exchange of existing options with
exercise prices higher than fair market value for options granted at fair
market value would restore incentives to our employees because of the increased
potential for appreciation. The Compensation Committee also recognized that it
could require the new options to be subject to restrictions on exercise so that
optionees participating in the exchange would have incentives to remain with
the company. Considering these factors, the Compensation Committee determined
it to be in the best interests of the company and its stockholders to restore
the incentives for employees and certain executive officers to remain as
employees of the company and to exert their maximum efforts on behalf of the
company by granting replacement stock options under the 1997 Stock Option and
Restricted Stock Plan at the optionee's election, with exercise restrictions
and with exercise prices equal to the then current market value.

  Accordingly, on September 21, 1998, at the recommendation of the Compensation
Committee, our Board of Directors approved a resolution authorizing the re-
pricing of substantially all of the company's then outstanding vested and
unvested employee stock options with an exercise price in excess of $23.25 per
share. Messrs. Hardinger and Adcox did not participate in the re-pricing. This
re-pricing included stock options granted under the 1997 Stock Option and
Restricted Stock Plan. As part of the re-pricing, the ten-year term of the
options and the four-year vesting period were restarted as of September 21,
1998, and the exercise price on the options was revised to $23.25 per share.
This resolution resulted in the re-pricing of 968,993 options.

                          Employee Stock Purchase Plan

  We maintain an employee stock purchase plan that qualifies under Section 423
of the Internal Revenue Code and permits substantially all of our U.S.
employees to purchase shares of our common stock. Participating employees may
purchase our common stock at a purchase price equal to 85% of the lower of the
fair market value of our common stock at the beginning of an offering period or
on the exercise date. Employees may designate up to 15% of their base
compensation for the purchase of our common stock under this plan.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                      Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans

  We maintain a plan that complies with the provisions of Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all U.S. employees are eligible to
participate in this plan, and eligibility for participation commences upon
hiring. Under the terms of this plan, we match a percentage of each employee
participant's voluntary contributions, subject to a maximum company
contribution of 4% of the employee's compensation. We also maintain retirement
plans for certain non-U.S. employees. Obligations under these plans are
determined in accordance with local regulations and customs. Additionally, we
maintain profit sharing plans covering substantially all of our active U.S.
employees and certain non-U.S. employees. Profit sharing payments are made
periodically in accordance with the terms of the various plans.

              Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

  Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally
disallows a tax deduction to publicly held companies for compensation exceeding
$1 million paid to employees. The limitation applies only to compensation that
is not considered to be performance-based compensation. Compensation that
qualifies as performance-based compensation will not have to be taken into
account for purposes of this limitation. The 1997 Stock Option and Restricted
Stock Plan contains certain provisions which are intended to assure that any
compensation deemed paid in connection with the exercise of stock options
granted under that plan with an exercise price equal to the market price of the
option shares on the grant date will qualify as performance-based compensation.
The non-performance based compensation to be paid to our executive officers for
1999 did not exceed the $1 million limit per officer, nor is it expected that
the non-performance based compensation to be paid to our executive officers for
2000 will exceed that limit. Because it is very unlikely that the compensation
payable to any of our employees in the foreseeable future will approach the $1
million limit, the Compensation Committee has decided not to take any other
action to limit or restructure the elements of cash compensation. The
Compensation Committee will reconsider this decision should the individual
compensation of any employee ever approach the $1 million level.

                    Compensation of Chief Executive Officer

  The compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officers in 1999 was in
accordance with our compensation programs. Any future modifications in Chief
Executive Officer compensation will also be in accordance with our compensation
programs.

Respectfully submitted by The Compensation Committee,
Gary W. Pankonien
Susan Vladuchick Sam, Chairperson

                                       26
<PAGE>

                  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

                           Summary Compensation Table

  The following table sets forth, for the years ended June 30, the compensation
paid to our named officers, a group consisting of our chief executive officers
and our four other most highly compensated executive officers for the year
ended June 30, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Long-term
                                                  Compensation
                             Annual Compensation     Awards
                            --------------------- ------------
                                                   Securities
Name and Principal                                 Underlying     All Other
Position                    Year Salary   Bonus    Options (#) Compensation (3)
- ------------------          ---- ------- -------- ------------ ---------------
<S>                         <C>  <C>     <C>      <C>          <C>
Marshall C. Turner (1)....  1999 $16,780             29,500
 Chairman and CEO

J. Michael Hardinger (2)..  1999 297,695 $225,000    46,100        $11,737
 Former Chairman and CEO    1998 316,034             46,000          9,071
                            1997 294,170  441,000                   17,528

Preston M. Adcox..........  1999 246,100  116,000    35,100          8,754
 President and COO          1998 261,038             36,750          7,296
                            1997 230,834  316,000                   13,700

Gerard Cognie (4).........  1999 163,082   75,000    17,800(5)
 EVP--European Operations   1998 176,629             22,100(5)
                            1997 161,049  164,200

David S. Gino.............  1999 166,764   80,000    17,000(5)       5,727
 EVP--Finance and Chief
  Financial                 1998 163,708             12,600(5)       4,296
 Officer                    1997 147,498  121,500                    8,781

Kenneth A. Rygler.........  1999 167,702   61,000    13,000(5)       5,549
 EVP--Worldwide Marketing   1998 173,034             10,800(5)       4,700
  and
 Strategic Planning         1997 168,500  109,350                    9,555
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Mr. Turner joined us as an employee in June 1999. The data presented in
    this table does not include compensation received by Mr. Turner as a non-
    employee director prior to June 1999. Mr. Turner's compensation package was
    calculated on the basis that he devotes approximately 80% of his time to
    his position.
(2) Mr. Hardinger stepped down as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
    our Board in June 1999.
(3) Matching contributions made by us pursuant to our defined contribution
    retirement plans.
(4) Mr. Cognie is paid in French Francs. The figures shown were calculated
    using an exchange rate for 1999 of 6.3 Francs to the dollar, for 1998 of
    6.0 Francs to the dollar and for 1997 of 5.8 Francs to the dollar.

(5) These options were subject to our stock option re-pricing discussed above.
    As a result of the re-pricing, these options have a revised exercise price
    of $23.25 and a revised expiration date of 9/21/2008.

                                       27
<PAGE>

                           Option Grants in Last Year

  The following table sets forth information regarding options to purchase
shares of our common stock granted to our named officers in 1999. We have not
granted any stock appreciation rights.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Potential Realizable
                                                                           Value at Assumed
                                 % of Total                              Annual Rates of Stock
                                  Options                                 Price Appreciation
                         Options Granted to                                 for Option term
                         Granted  Company   Exercise Price Expiration    ---------------------
Name                     (#)(1)  Employees    ($/Share)       Date           5%        10%
- ----                     ------- ---------- -------------- ----------    ---------- ----------
<S>                      <C>     <C>        <C>            <C>           <C>        <C>
Marshall C. Turner...... 29,500     3.9%        $47.37     6/11/2009     $  878,827 $2,227,120
J. Michael Hardinger.... 46,000     6.1%         38.81      3/1/2009      1,122,740  2,845,245
J. Michael Hardinger....    100       *          33.37     7/13/2008          2,099      5,318
Preston M. Adcox........ 35,000     4.6%         38.81      3/1/2009        854,259  2,164,860
Preston M. Adcox........    100       *          33.37     7/13/2008          2,099      5,318
Gerard Cognie........... 17,800     2.4%         33.37(2)  7/13/2008(2)     373,555    946,661
David S. Gino........... 17,000     2.3%         33.37(2)  7/13/2008(2)     356,766    904,114
Kenneth A. Rygler....... 13,000     1.7%         33.37(2)  7/13/2008(2)     272,821    691,381
</TABLE>
- --------
*  Less than 1%
(1) Options granted to Messrs. Hardinger, Adcox, Cognie, Gino and Rygler are
    non-qualified stock options that become exercisable over a four-year period
    at the rate of 25% per year. Options granted to Mr. Turner are non-
    qualified stock options that become exercisable six months from the date of
    grant. The data presented in this table does not include options received
    by Mr. Turner as a non-employee director prior to June 1999.
(2) These options were subject to our stock option re-pricing discussed above.
    As a result of the re-pricing, these options have a revised exercise price
    of $23.25 and a revised expiration date of 9/21/2008.

                    Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Year
                           and Year-End Option Values

  The following table sets forth information regarding the exercisable and
unexercisable options to acquire our common stock granted to our named
officers.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Value of In-The-Money
                                                Number of Unexercised    Unexercised Options at
                                                 Options at Year-End          Year-End (1)
                                              ------------------------- -------------------------
                           Shares
                          Acquired    Value
                         on Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
Name                         (#)       ($)        (#)          (#)          ($)          ($)
- ----                     ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Marshall C. Turner......                          9,750       40,750    $  252,334   $  192,779
J. Michael Hardinger....                        120,881      117,060     3,377,138    1,544,143
Preston M. Adcox........                         53,495       84,785     1,367,979    1,001,742
Gerard Cognie...........                         22,248       47,316       686,907    1,211,507
David S. Gino...........                         26,661       38,486       823,158    1,003,255
Kenneth A. Rygler.......                         22,661       32,686       699,658      860,430
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The closing price per share of our common stock on June 30, 1999 was
    $47.875.


                                       28
<PAGE>

                          Ten-Year Option Re-pricings

  The following table sets forth information regarding re-pricings of options
to acquire our common stock involving our named officers.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Market
                                    Securities  Price of                           Length of
                                    Underlying  Stock at                           Original
                                    Number of   Time of     Exercise              Option Term
                                     Options   Re-pricing Price at Time   New    Remaining at
                                     Repriced      or          of       Exercise    Date of
                                    or Amended Amendment  Re-pricing or  Price   Re-pricing or
Name                        Date        (#)       ($)     Amendment ($)   ($)      Amendment
- ----                      --------- ---------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>      <C>
Marshall C. Turner (1)..
J. Michael Hardinger
 (2)....................
Preston M. Adcox (2)....
Gerard Cognie...........  9/21/1998   22,100     $23.25      $52.75      $23.25    8.8 years
Gerard Cognie...........  9/21/1998   17,800      23.25       33.37       23.25    9.8 years
David S. Gino...........  9/21/1998   12,600      23.25       52.75       23.25    8.8 years
David S. Gino...........  9/21/1998   17,000      23.25       33.37       23.25    9.8 years
Kenneth A. Rygler.......  9/21/1998   10,800      23.25       52.75       23.25    8.8 years
Kenneth A. Rygler.......  9/21/1998   13,000      23.25       33.37       23.25    9.8 years
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Mr. Turner joined us as an employee in June 1999.
(2) Messrs. Hardinger and Adcox did not participate in our September 21, 1998
    option re-pricing.

                          Long-Term Incentive Programs

  We have no long-term incentive programs.

                                 Pension Plans

  We have no defined benefit or actuarial pension plans. However, each of our
named officers except Mr. Turner has been credited with years of service under
the DuPont defined benefit pension plan. Their participation in this plan ended
in June 1996. Upon termination, they received either a reduced pension
immediately or a full pension at a deferred date.

                             DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

  Directors who are one of our officers receive no additional compensation for
serving on our board. All other directors who are not employed by DuPont
receive an annual fee of $20,000. Mr. Doyle is party to an arrangement with us
whereby he provides consulting services in the area of human resource
management and principles at a fee of $3,500 per day, not to exceed five days
per year. There were no payments to Mr. Doyle in 1999 under this agreement. In
February 1999, the board approved payment of one-time additional compensation
of $14,000 to Mr. Pankonien and $26,000 to Mr. Turner for services they
rendered in their role as directors.

     Second Amended and Restated Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan

  The purpose of the Second Amended and Restated Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan is to allow us to recruit and retain qualified outside directors to
serve on our board. Under this plan, each director who was not an employee, and
who is not precluded by his or her employer from receiving such grant, receives
a one-time grant of options to purchase 12,000 shares of our common stock upon
first joining our board.

                                       29
<PAGE>

Thereafter, each non-employee director receives, during his or her tenure as a
director, an annual grant of options covering 5,000 shares as of the first day
of the month following our annual meeting of stockholders. Directors who are
first elected to our board within the 60 day period immediately preceding our
annual meeting of stockholders and who at the time of their election received
the one-time grant of options to purchase 12,000 shares described above, will
not, under the terms of this plan, receive an additional grant of 5,000 shares
as of the first of the month following such annual meeting. Upon exercise of an
option, payments of the purchase price for the stock subject to the exercise
will be made in cash. Under the terms of this plan, no more than 25% of the
total number of shares of stock granted under option may become exercisable in
any given year following the grant. Currently, 250,000 shares have been
reserved for issuance under this plan. Under this plan, prior to its amendment,
Messrs. Doyle, Pankonien, and Turner were granted options to purchase 3,000
shares of our common stock, at $35.56 per share, on November 1, 1996 and 3,000
shares of our common stock, at $44.81 per share, on November 1, 1997. Further,
Messrs. Doyle, Pankonien, Sargent and Turner were granted options to purchase
5,000 shares of our common stock, at $32.81 per share, on November 2, 1998.
Options granted under this plan were not subject to our September 21, 1998
option re-pricing.

                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH

  The graph set forth below compares the cumulative total return as of the end
of the company's most recent year on $100 invested in our common stock of the
company, the Nasdaq Composite Index and an industry peer group on June 14,
1996, the first trading date, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends. The
industry peer group used includes the following issuers: Align-Rite
International, Inc. (Nasdaq--MASK); Electroglas, Inc. (Nasdaq--EGLS); Etec
Systems (Nasdaq--ETEC); KLA-Tencor Corporation (Nasdaq--KLAC); Novellus
Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq--NVLS); Photronics, Inc. (Nasdaq--PLAB) and Ultratech
Stepper, Inc. (Nasdaq--UTEK). The stock performance set forth below is not
necessarily indicative of future price performance.

                        [PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              6/14/96 6/30/96 6/30/97 6/30/98 6/30/99
       <S>                    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
       DPI                      100   120.59  317.66  202.95  281.62
       Nasdaq Composite Inde    100    96.69  117.66  154.59  219.16
       Industry Peer Group      100     84.9  173.44   119.5  212.27
</TABLE>

                                       30
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

      AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

  1. Amend the first sentence of paragraph (a) of Article FOURTH of the Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to read in its entirety as
follows:

  The aggregate number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have
  authority to issue is 105,000,000 shares, consisting of 100,000,000 shares
  designated "Common Stock" and 5,000,000 shares designated "Preferred
  Stock".

  2. Amend subparagraph (b)(5) of Article FOURTH of the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation so as to read in its entirety as follows:

  the amount or amounts, if any, payable upon shares of such class or series
  upon, and the rights of the holders of such class or series in, the
  voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or on any
  distribution of the assets, of the Corporation;

  3. Amend the first sentence of paragraph (f) of Article FOURTH of the Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation so as to read in its entirety as
follows:

  In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
  winding up of the Corporation, holders of shares of each series of
  Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive the amount fixed for such
  series upon any such event plus, in the case of any series on which
  dividends will have been determined by the Board of Directors to be
  cumulative, an amount equal to all dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon
  to the date of final distribution whether or not earned or declared before
  any distribution shall be paid, or set aside for payment, to holders of
  Common Stock.

  4. Amend Article FOURTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation by deleting paragraph (l) thereof in its entirety.

  5. Amend Article SIXTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation so as to read in its entirety as follows:

  (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or
      under the direction of, the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
      Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of
      paragraph (b) of Article FOURTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate
      of Incorporation of the Corporation relating to the rights of the
      holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors,
      the total number of directors shall be determined from time to time by
      resolution of the Board of Directors.

  (b) The Board of Directors (other than those directors elected by the
      holders of any series of Preferred Stock provided for or fixed pursuant
      to the provisions of paragraph (b) of Article FOURTH of the Amended and
      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the
      "Preferred Stock Directors")) shall be divided into three classes, as
      nearly equal in number as possible, designated Class I, Class II and
      Class III. Class I directors shall initially serve until the first
      annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding the date of this
      Certificate of Amendment; Class II directors shall initially serve
      until the second annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding the
      date of this Certificate of Amendment; and Class III directors shall
      initially serve until the third annual meeting of stockholders next
      succeeding the date of this Certificate of Amendment. Commencing with
      the first annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding the date of
      this Certificate of Amendment, directors of each class the term of
      which shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a three-
      year term and until the election and qualification of their respective
      successors in office. In case of any increase or decrease, from time to
      time, in the number of directors (other than Preferred Stock
      Directors), the number of directors in each class shall be apportioned
      as nearly equal as possible.


                                      A-1
<PAGE>

  (c) Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of
      Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting
      from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any
      vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
      retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall
      be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
      directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board.
      Any director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the
      class for which such directors shall have been chosen and until his
      successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of
      directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

  (d) Except for such additional directors, if any, as are elected by the
      holders of any series of Preferred Stock as provided for or fixed
      pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of Article FOURTH of the
      Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation,
      any director, or the entire Board, may be removed from office at any
      time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least
      66 2/3% in voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock
      of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
      directors, voting together as a single class.

  (e) During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock
      have the right to elect additional directors as provided for or fixed
      pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of Article FOURTH hereof,
      then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which
      such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of
      directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by such
      specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock
      shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or
      fixed pursuant to said provisions, and (ii) each such additional
      director shall serve until such director's successor shall have been
      duly elected and qualified, or until such director's right to hold such
      office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs
      earlier, subject to his earlier death, disqualification, resignation or
      removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board of Directors of the
      Corporation in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series,
      whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right
      to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to
      the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such
      additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected
      to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation,
      disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall
      forthwith terminate and the total and authorized number of directors of
      the Corporation shall be reduced accordingly.

  (f) Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation
      shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not
      be by written ballot.

  6. Amend Article SEVENTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation by adding a second sentence thereto which shall read in its
entirety as follows:

  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Amended and Restated Certificate
  of Incorporation of the Corporation or any provision of law which might
  otherwise permit a lesser vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of
  the holders of any particular class or series of the stock required by law
  or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
  Corporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in
  voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the
  Corporation, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order
  for the stockholders of the Corporation to adopt, alter, amend or repeal
  any bylaw of the Corporation.

  7. Amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation by adding a
new Article thereto, Article ELEVENTH, which shall read in its entirety as
follows:

  Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the
  Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of
  stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any written
  consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.


                                      A-2
<PAGE>

  8. Amend Article EIGHTH of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation by adding a third sentence thereto which shall read in its
entirety as follows:

  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Amended and Restated Certificate
  of Incorporation of the Corporation or any provision of law which might
  otherwise permit a lesser vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of
  the holders of any particular class or series of the stock required by law
  or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any amendment,
  alteration or repeal of, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with
  the provisions of, Article SIXTH, Article SEVENTH, Article ELEVENTH or this
  Article EIGHTH shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at
  least 66 2/3% in voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the
  Corporation, voting together as a single class.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B

                            AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

  1. Amend the first sentence of Section 3.03 of the Bylaws so as to read in
its entirety as follows:

  Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by
  resolution of the board of directors, which may fix the date, time and
  place of the meeting.

  2. Amend Section 3.05 of the Bylaws so as to add the following at the end
thereof:

  The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each
  matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be
  announced at the meeting by the person presiding over the meeting. The
  board of directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for
  the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate.
  Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as
  adopted by the board of directors, the person presiding over any meeting of
  stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn
  the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do
  all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the
  proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures,
  whether adopted by the board of directors or prescribed by the presiding
  officer of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i)
  the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii)
  rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of
  those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the
  meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation, their duly authorized
  and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the
  meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after
  the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the
  time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the
  extent determined by the board of directors or the person presiding over
  the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in
  accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

  3. Amend Article III of the Bylaws so as to add a new section thereto,
Section 3.09, which shall read in its entirety as follows:

  Section 3.09. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

  (A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

  (1) Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the
      corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the
      stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (a)
      pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting (or any supplement
      thereto), (b) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (c)
      by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record
      of the corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section
      3.09 is delivered to the Secretary of the corporation, who is entitled
      to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set
      forth in this Section 3.09.

  (2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an
      annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph
      (A)(1) of this Section 3.09, the stockholder must have given timely
      notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation and any
      such proposed business other than the nominations of persons for
      election to the board of directors must constitute a proper matter for
      stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder's notice shall be
      delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the
      corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth day
      nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth day
      prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting
      (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual
      meeting is more than thirty days before or more than seventy days after
      such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered
      not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth day
      prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business
      on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such annual meeting or the
      tenth day following the

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

     day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first
     made by the corporation). In no event shall the public announcement of
     an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time
     period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder's
     notice as described above. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth:
     (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for
     election as a director all information relating to such person that is
     required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of
     directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case
     pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 14a-11 thereunder (and such
     person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a
     nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (b) as to any other
     business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a
     brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
     meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any
     resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such
     business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the corporation, the
     language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such
     business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of
     such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
     proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and
     the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal
     is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on
     the corporation's books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class
     and number of shares of capital stock of the corporation which are owned
     beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial
     owner, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record
     of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends
     to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business
     or nomination, and (iv) a representation whether the stockholder or the
     beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends
     (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at
     least the percentage of the corporation's outstanding capital stock
     required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or
     (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such
     proposal or nomination. The corporation may require any proposed nominee
     to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to
     determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a
     director of the corporation.

  (3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A)(2) of
      this Section 3.09 to the contrary, in the event that the number of
      directors to be elected to the board of directors of the corporation at
      an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by
      the corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at
      least one hundred days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding
      year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice required by this Section
      3.09 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees
      for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the
      Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not
      later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on
      which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

  (B) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted
  at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the
  meeting pursuant to the corporation's notice of meeting. Nominations of
  persons for election to the board of directors may be made at a special
  meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to
  the corporation's notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the board
  of directors or (2) provided that the board of directors has determined
  that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the
  corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided
  for in this Section 3.09 is delivered to the Secretary of the corporation,
  who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who
  complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.09. In the
  event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the
  purpose of electing one or more directors to the board of directors, any
  such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may
  nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such
  position(s) as specified in the corporation's notice of meeting, if the
  stockholder's notice required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 3.09
  shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of

                                      B-2
<PAGE>

  the corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred
  twentieth day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of
  business on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such special meeting or
  the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made
  of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the
  board of directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the
  public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting
  commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a
  stockholder's notice as described above.

  (B) General.

  (1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures
      set forth in this Section 3.09 shall be eligible to be elected at an
      annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation to serve
      as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of
      stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in
      accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.09. Except
      as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have
      the power and duty (a) to determine whether a nomination or any
      business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or
      proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set
      forth in this Section 3.09 (including whether the stockholder or
      beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is
      made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so
      solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder's
      nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder's
      representation as required by clause (A)(2)(c)(iv) of this Section
      3.09) and (b) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or
      proposed in compliance with this Section 3.09, to declare that such
      nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall
      not be transacted.

  (2) For purposes of this Section 3.09, "public announcement" shall include
      disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
      Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document
      publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

  (3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.09, a
      stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the
      Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to
      the matters set forth in this Section 3.09. Nothing in this Section
      3.09 shall be deemed to affect any rights (a) of stockholders to
      request inclusion of proposals in the corporation's proxy statement
      pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (b) of the holders of
      any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any
      applicable provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

  4. Amend the first sentence of Section 4.02 of the Bylaws so as to read in
   its entirety as follows:

  Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of the
  certificate of incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any
  series of Preferred Stock of the corporation to elect additional directors,
  the total number of directors shall be determined from time to time by
  resolution of the board of directors.

  5. Amend Section 4.03 of the Bylaws so as to read in its entirety as
follows:

  Intentionally omitted.

  6. Amend Section 4.05 of the Bylaws so as to read in its entirety as
follows:

  Intentionally omitted.

  7. Amend the second sentence of Section 7.04 of the Bylaws so as to read in
its entirety as follows:

  Such determination shall be made:

  (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such third
      party or corporate proceeding, even though less than a quorum; or


                                      B-3
<PAGE>

  (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
      directors, even though less than a quorum; or

  (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by
      independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or

  (4) by the stockholders.

  8. Amend Section 8.07 of the Bylaws so as to read in its entirety as follows:

  These by laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new bylaws may be
  adopted in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of
  incorporation.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX C

                             DUPONT PHOTOMASKS, INC
              AMENDED 1997 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

1. PURPOSE

  The purpose of the DUPONT PHOTOMASKS, INC, 1997 Stock Option and Restricted
Stock Plan (the "PLAN") is to advance the interests of DuPont Photomasks, Inc.
(the "COMPANY") and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) by providing incentive
awards and stock ownership opportunities to certain key employees (including
officers), consultants, directors and other individuals who contribute
significantly to the performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries. In
addition, the Plan is intended to enhance the ability of the Company and its
Subsidiaries to attract and retain individuals of superior managerial ability
and to motivate such key employees to exert their best efforts towards future
progress and profitability of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Accordingly,
the Company may make awards ("Awards") to key employees, consultants and other
individuals in the form of (i) options ("OPTIONS") to purchase shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share ("COMMON STOCK"), and (ii)
shares of Common Stock which are restricted as provided in Section 7
("Restricted Stock"). Options may be either incentive stock options ("ISOs")
which are qualified under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "CODE"), or nonqualified stock options ("NONQUALIFIED OPTIONS").

  For purposes of the Plan, a "SUBSIDIARY" shall be any corporation in which
the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in such corporation.

2. APPROVAL OF AWARDS

  Each Award may be approved in any of the following ways:

  A. BOARD/COMMITTEE APPROVAL. The entire Board or the Committee (as defined
     below) may vote in advance to approve such Award.

  B. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL/RATIFICATION. In compliance with Section 4 of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 ACT"), a majority of the
     shareholders of the Company duly entitled to vote on such matters at
     meetings held in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware may,
     either in advance of the Award or no later than the next annual meeting
     of shareholders, affirmatively vote to approve such Award.

3. ADMINISTRATION AND INTERPRETATION

  A. ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation
     Committee (the "COMMITTEE") of the Board of Directors (the "BOARD") of
     DuPont Photomasks, Inc. The Committee may prescribe, amend and rescind
     rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and shall have full
     power and authority to construe and interpret the Plan. The Committee
     may correct any defect or any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in
     the Plan or, subject to the requirements of Section 2 herein, in any
     grant made under the Plan in the manner and to the extent it shall deem
     desirable.

  Committee members shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of
the Board. The Board may from time to time appoint members of the Committee in
substitution for or in addition to members previously appointed and may fill
vacancies, however caused, in the Committee.

  A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the
acts of a majority of the members present at a meeting, or the acts of a
majority of the members evidenced in writing, shall be the acts of the
Committee. Members of the Committee may, in the discretion of the Board,
receive compensation for their services as members, and all expenses and
liabilities they incur in connection with the administration of the Plan shall
be borne by the Company.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

  The day-to-day administration of the Plan may be carried out by such officers
and employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries as shall be designated from
time to time by the Committee. The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants,
accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons, and the Committee, the
Company and the officers and employees of the Company shall be entitled to rely
upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons.

  The Committee, the Board, or the shareholders, as the case may be, shall have
concurrent authority to make all decisions concerning specific Awards granted
under the Plan, including without limitation the election of the persons to
whom Awards are granted, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each
Award and the terms and conditions of each Award. The Committee shall construe
the terms and provisions of the Plan and the Agreements and adopt, from time to
time, such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan,
as it may deem advisable to carry out the Plan. All decisions by the Committee
shall be final. The effective date of an Award is referred to herein as the
"GRANT DATE."

  In the Committee's discretion, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may
be delegated the authority to grant Awards to key employees of the Company who
are neither directors nor executive officers (as such term is defined under the
1934 Act) of the Company.

  In the event one or more members of the Committee do not qualify as outside
directors, the Committee may, in the exercise of its discretion, appoint a
subcommittee comprised solely of two (2) or more outside directors ("Outside
Directors Committee") in compliance with Section 162)(m)(4)(C) of the which
shall have the exclusive authority to approve grants under the Plan to the
chief executive officer and to other executive officers whose compensation may
otherwise exceed the deduction limit of Section 162(m) of the Code ("Executive
Officers"). Grants approved by the Outside Directors Committee shall be subject
to ratification by the Committee as a whole if the appointment by the Committee
so provides. Grants to Executive Officers shall be contingent on shareholder
approval of the material terms of the Plan to the extent required under Section
162(m) of the Code.

  B. INTERPRETATION. The interpretation and construction by the Committee of
     any provisions of the Plan or of any grant under the Plan shall be final
     and conclusive for all purposes.

  C. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY. Neither the Committee nor any member thereof
     shall be liable for any act, omission interpretation, construction or
     determination made in connection with the Plan in good faith and the
     members of the Committee shall be entitled to indemnification and
     reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or
     expense (including counsel fees) arising therefrom to the full extent
     permitted by law and the articles of incorporation of the Company. The
     members of the Committee, if appointed, shall be named as insureds under
     any directors and officers liability insurance coverage that may be in
     effect from time to time.

4. SHARES SUBJECT TO GRANTS UNDER THE PLAN

  The aggregate number of shares which may be issued under Awards granted under
the Plan shall not exceed 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock; provided however,
that the number of shares with respect to which Awards may be granted to any
single Executive Officer of the Company during any fiscal year shall not exceed
2,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Such shares may consist of authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock or previously issued shares of Common Stock
reacquired by the Company. Until termination of the Plan, the Company shall at
all times make available a sufficient number of shares to meet the requirements
of the Plan and the outstanding Awards. The aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock which are available for Awards under the Plan shall be decreased
by each exercise of an Option, and by each grant of Restricted Stock. To the
extent that such Award lapses the shares theretofore subject to such Award may
again be granted under the Plan. If any Award, in whole or in part, expires or
terminates unexercised or is canceled or forfeited, the shares covered by such
Award may be subject to another Award granted under the Plan. Nevertheless, an
Award that is canceled, lapses, expires or is forfeited will continue to be
counted against the individual limit on

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

Awards granted to a single Executive Officer in any fiscal year. The aggregate
number of shares which may be issued under awards granted under the Plan shall
be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8 hereof.

5. ELIGIBILITY

  The individuals who shall be eligible to receive Awards under the Plan shall
be such key employees, directors, independent consultants and other individuals
as the Committee from time to time shall determine. However, only employees of
the Company and Subsidiaries shall be eligible to receive grants of ISOs. In
granting Awards, the Board, the Committee or the shareholders shall take into
consideration the contribution an individual has made or may make to the
success of the Company or its Subsidiaries and such other factors as the
Committee shall determine. The Board, the Committee or the shareholders shall
also have the authority to consult with and receive recommendations from
officers and other employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries with regard to
these matters. In no event shall any individual or his legal representatives,
heirs, legatees, distributees or successors have any right to participate in
the Plan except to such extent, if any, as the Committee shall determine.

  Awards may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for
stock options, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation awards
granted by other corporations where, as a result of a merger or consolidation
of such other corporation, or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of
stock or other beneficial ownership interest in such other corporation, the
individuals who held such awards become eligible to receive Awards under the
Plan.

6. GRANTS AND TERMS OF OPTIONS

  A. GRANTS OF OPTIONS. Grants of Options under the Plan shall be for such
     number of shares of Common Stock and shall be subject to such terms and
     conditions as the Board, the Committee or the shareholders shall
     designate. Options may be granted by the Board, the Committee or the
     shareholders to any eligible individual at any time and from time to
     time.

  B. TERMS OF OPTIONS. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an
     Agreement executed by an authorized officer of the Company. Each
     Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Committee, shall comply
     with and be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and may
     contain such other provisions, consistent with the terms and conditions
     of the Plan and the specific Awards, as the Committee shall deem
     advisable. References herein to an Agreement shall include, to the
     extent applicable, any amendment to the Agreement and any interpretation
     or construction thereof by the Committee pursuant to this Plan.

    (1) EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. Options shall not be exercisable prior to the
        date six (6) months following the Grant Date. In the discretion of
        the Committee, each Agreement may state that the Option granted
        therein may not be exercised in whole or in part for a period or
        periods of time specified in such Agreement and may further limit
        the exercisability of the Option in such a manner as the Committee
        deems appropriate, consistent with the terms of the specific Award.
        In addition, the Committee may, by a resolution duly adopted,
        suspend the exercisability of all outstanding Options at any time
        and from time to time upon a determination, in its discretion that
        such suspension is in the best interests of the Company and its
        shareholders; provided, that the resolution effecting any such
        suspension shall also make provision for the exercise of all
        outstanding Options for a reasonable period of time following such
        suspension (but in no event less than 30 days). Except as provided
        herein or as so specified in the Agreement or in a resolution of
        the Committee, any Option may be exercised in whole at any time or
        in part from time to time during its term. The Committee may, in
        its discretion, consistent with the terms of the specific Award, at
        any time and from time to time accelerate the exercisability of all
        or part of any Option. A recipient of the Option ("Optionee") may
        exercise an Option by providing written notice to the Company at
        any time or from time to time during the period such Option is
        exercisable and by satisfying such other conditions as set forth in
        the Agreement relating to the Option, including without limitation
        satisfying the requirements for tax withholding with respect to
        such exercise.

                                      C-3
<PAGE>

    (2) PAYMENT OF OPTION EXERCISE PRICE. Upon exercise of an Option, the
        full price per share (the "EXERCISE PRICE") for the shares with
        respect to which the Option is being exercised shall be payable to
        the Company (i) in cash or by check payable and acceptable to the
        Company, (ii) by tendering to the Company shares of Common Stock
        owned by the Optionee for at least six months, having an aggregate
        Market Value Per Share (as defined below) as of the date of
        exercise and tender that is not greater than the Exercise Price for
        the shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and
        by paying any remaining amount of the Exercise Price as provided
        above, or (iii) by the Optionee delivering to the Company a
        properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable
        instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Company cash or
        a check payable and acceptable to the Company to pay the option
        exercise price, provided that the Optionee and the broker shall
        comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of
        indemnity as the Committee may prescribe as a condition of such
        payment procedure. In lieu of (ii) above, upon confirming that the
        Optionee owns the number of additional shares being tendered, a new
        certificate may be issued for the number of shares being acquired
        pursuant to the exercise of the Option less the number of shares
        being tendered upon the exercise and return to the Optionee (or not
        require surrender of) the certificate for the shares being tendered
        upon the exercise. Payment instruments will be received subject to
        collection.

    (3) NUMBER OF SHARES. Each Agreement shall state the total number of
        shares of Common Stock that are subject to the Option, which number
        shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 8.

    (4) EXERCISE PRICE. The Exercise Price for each Option shall be fixed
        on, or in case of ratification by the shareholders as of, the Grant
        Date. The Exercise Price may be greater or, other than with respect
        to an ISO, less than the Market Value Per Share on the Grant Date,
        but in no event less than the par value of the Common Stock;
        provided that, as to Options awarded to Executive Officers, the
        Exercise Price shall be not less than the Market Value Per Share on
        the Grant Date. The Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment
        pursuant to Section 8. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the
        Board of Directors or the Committee, in the sound exercise of
        business judgment, from canceling outstanding Options and reissuing
        new Options at a lower exercise price, in the event that the fair
        market value per share of Common Stock at any time prior to the
        date of exercise falls below the exercise price of Options granted
        pursuant to the Plan; provided, however, that such actions shall
        only be permitted when approved by a majority of the disinterested
        directors on the Board or the Committee as the case may be.

    (5) TERM. The term of each Option shall be determined at the Grant
        Date; provided, however, that each Option shall expire no later
        than ten years from the Grant Date and in the event no
        determination is made to the contrary, shall expire ten years from
        the Grant Date (such date, as determined by the Committee or
        provided for herein, being referred to hereafter as the "EXPIRATION
        TIME").

    (6) MARKET VALUE PER SHARE. "MARKET VALUE PER SHARE" shall be
        determined as of any particular date by any fair and reasonable
        means determined by the Board, the Committee or the shareholders,
        as the case may be.

    (7) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

      (a) ISOs In the event that an Optionee's employment with the Company
          shall terminate for reasons other than (i) permanent disability
          within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3) or (ii) death, the
          Optionee shall have the right, subject to subsections (1) and
          (5) above, to exercise any ISO at any time during the period of
          three (3) months following such termination to the extent the
          ISO was exercisable on the termination date.

              In the event that an Optionee's employment with the Company
              shall terminate due to permanent disability, the Optionee shall
              have the right, subject to subsections (1) and (5)

                                      C-4
<PAGE>

              above, to exercise any ISO at any time during the period of 12
              months following such termination, to the extent such ISO was
              exercisable on the termination date. Whether any termination of
              employment is due to permanent disability, and whether any
              authorized leave of absence or absence on military or government
              service or for other reasons shall constitute a termination of
              employment, for the purposes of the Plan shall be determined by
              the Committee.

              If an Optionee shall die while entitled to exercise an ISO, the
              Optionee's estate, personal representative or beneficiary, as
              the case may be, shall have the right, subject to subsections
              (1) and (5) above, to exercise any ISO at any time during the
              period of 12 months following the date of the Optionee's death,
              to the extent that such ISO was exercisable on the date of the
              Optionee's death.

              In the absence of a provision to the contrary contained in the
              Agreement, an ISO which has not been exercised during the period
              of 12 months following the date of an Optionee's death or
              permanent disability, shall be and become a Nonqualified Option
              exercisable for the remainder of the term of the Agreement, if
              not previously expired, to the same extent that such Option was
              exercisable during such 12 month period.

              The Committee may, in its discretion, consistent with the terms
              of the specific grant, (i) accelerate the exercisability of all
              or part of an ISO that is not otherwise exercisable or (ii)
              provide that an ISO shall remain outstanding and be exercisable
              following termination of employment (or other specified events
              in the case of non-employees) on such other terms and conditions
              as the Committee shall approve consistent with the Code and the
              regulations promulgated thereunder regarding ISOs.

      (b) Nonqualified Options. With respect to Nonqualified Options, the
          Board, the Committee or the shareholders, as the case may be,
          may specify any terms and conditions upon which such
          Nonqualified Option shall terminate. The Committee may, in its
          discretion, consistent with the terms of the specific grant, (i)
          accelerate the exercisability of all or part of a Nonqualified
          Option that is not otherwise exercisable or (ii) provide that a
          Nonqualified Option shall remain outstanding and be exercisable
          following termination of employment (or other specified events
          in the case of non-employees) on such other terms and conditions
          as the Committee shall approve. Notwithstanding the above, in
          the event an employee ceases to be an employee by reason of
          retirement or death, the total number of shares of common stock
          covered by the Nonqualified Option shall thereupon become
          exercisable provided such Nonqualified Option shall have been
          granted at least six months prior to such retirement or death.

(8) ELIGIBILITY FOR INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. ISOs may be granted to individuals
who are key employees (including officers who are also key employees) of the
Company at the time the ISO is granted. ISOs may be granted to the same
individual on more than one occasion, but in no event shall an ISO be granted
after June 8, 2007.

  No employee shall be eligible to receive ISOs that become exercisable for the
first time in any calendar year with respect to stock with an aggregate fair
market value (determined at the Grant Date) in excess of $100,000 (or such
other limits as may be imposed by the applicable laws and regulations under the
Code in effect on the date of grant). This limitation applies to the aggregate
amount of ISOs granted under the Plan and all other option plans of the
Company, its parent and subsidiary corporations

(9) RELOAD OPTIONS. In the event a person who is an active employee of the
Company or a Subsidiary shall exercise an Option (the "ORIGINAL OPTION") by
paying all or a portion of the Exercise Price of the shares of Common Stock
subject to the Original Option by tendering to the Company shares of Common
Stock owned by such person, which have been held by him or her for at least six
months, or an amount in cash equal

                                      C-5
<PAGE>

to the Exercise Price, an Option to purchase the number of shares of Common
Stock, obtained by the employee upon exercise (the "RELOAD OPTION") shall be
deemed granted to the employee as of the exercise date; provided that a Reload
Option has been granted to such Optionee with respect to such Option, as
evidenced in his Agreement and that the employee does not reject such Reload
Option in accordance with this Section 6. The Exercise Price of the Common
Stock subject to the Reload Option shall be 100% of Market Value Per Share of
the Common Stock on such date, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.
The Reload Option may be used or refused with respect to each tranche of
options as they vest and are exercised on a one-time basis, (even if the
employee elects to exercise less than the total number of vested shares). If
the employee elects to accept the Reload Option, the employee must agree that
all shares purchased through the exercise of the original Option must be held
for some minimum period of time established by the Compensation Committee and
set forth in the Employee's Agreement. In no event shall any Reload Options be
granted if it would cause the number of Awards granted to any Executive Officer
in a year to exceed the individual limit in Section 4 above.

7. RESTRICTED STOCK

  A. AWARDS OF RESTRICTED STOCK. Restricted Stock may be awarded to any
     individual eligible to receive the same, at any time and from time to
     time. The issuance of Restricted Stock to an individual pursuant to an
     Award may be made subject to such restrictions and the future
     satisfaction or occurrence of terms, conditions or contingencies
     (collectively, "Conditions") set when the Award is made, such that
     failure of any Condition shall cause all or part of such shares to be
     forfeited.

  B. DESCRIPTION OF RESTRICTED STOCK. Shares of Restricted Stock may not be
     sold, exchanged, pledged, transferred, assigned or otherwise encumbered
     or disposed of until the Conditions set at the time of the Award have
     been satisfied. A share of Restricted Stock shall be subject to such
     restrictions and Conditions as may be established at the time of the
     Award, which may include, without limitation, "LAPSE" and "NON-LAPSE"
     restrictions (as such terms are defined in regulations promulgated under
     Section 83 of the Code) and the achievement of specific goals. The
     Committee may, in its discretion, consistent with the terms of the
     specific Award, at any time and from time to time accelerate the "lapse"
     restrictions or reduce the "non-lapse" restrictions of all or any part
     of a Restricted Stock Award.

     After the satisfaction or occurrence of the Conditions and the lapse of
     all restrictions, a certificate, without a legend shall be delivered to
     the recipient for the number of shares that are no longer subject to
     restrictions and Conditions. The remaining shares of Restricted Stock
     issued with respect to such Award, if any, shall either be returned to
     the Company and forfeited by the recipient or, if appropriate under the
     terms of the Award applicable to such shares, shall continue to be
     subject to the restrictions and Conditions.

  C. PAYMENT OF RESTRICTED STOCK. The satisfaction of the Conditions and the
     lapse of all actions, and the delivery of a certificate without a legend
     for the portion of such award that is no longer subject to restrictions
     and Conditions, is hereinafter referred to as the "payment" of such
     portion of the Award. Subject to the provisions above, each Award shall
     be paid at the time and in the manner specified at the time of the
     Award.

  D. PAYMENT IN THE EVENT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. In the event a
     recipients employment with the Company shall terminate prior to the
     satisfaction or occurrence of a Condition applicable to all or a portion
     of an Award of Restricted Stock, then such portion of the Award shall be
     returned to the Company and forfeited by the recipient; provided,
     however, if the termination of employment is due to the employee's
     death, permanent disability or retirement, the Committee may, in its
     sole discretion, deem the Conditions to have been met for all or part of
     such portion of the Award. With respect to the shares of Restricted
     Stock granted to an individual who is not an employee of the Company on
     the Grant Date, the Committee may specify the circumstances upon which
     the shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeitable prior to the
     satisfaction of applicable Conditions.


                                      C-6
<PAGE>

    If a recipient dies after satisfaction of the Conditions for the
    payment of all or a portion of an Award of Restricted Stock but prior
    to the actual payment of all or such portion thereof, such payment
    shall be made to the recipient's beneficiary or beneficiaries at the
    time and in the same manner that such payment would have been made to
    the recipient.

8. RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION

  A. The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not
     affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the shareholders of
     the company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization,
     reorganization or other change in the Company's capital structure or its
     business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of
     bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks ahead of or
     affecting Common Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or
     liquidation of the Company or any sale or transfer of all or any part of
     its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding.

  B. The shares with respect to which awards may be granted are shares of
     Common Stock as presently constituted.

    (i) STOCK SPLIT. If, and whenever, prior to the termination of the Plan
        or the expiration of an outstanding Option, the Company shall
        effect a subdivision of shares of Common Stock or the payment of a
        stock dividend on Common Stock without receipt of consideration by
        the Company, the remaining shares of Common Stock available under
        the Plan and the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to
        which outstanding Options may thereafter be exercised shall be
        proportionately increased, and the Exercise Price under outstanding
        Options shall be proportionately reduced.

    (ii) REVERSE STOCK SPLIT. If, and whenever, prior to the termination of
         the Plan or the expiration of an outstanding Option, the Company
         shall effect a consolidation of shares of Common Stock, the
         remaining shares of Common Stock available under the Plan and the
         number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which any
         outstanding Option may thereafter be exercised shall be
         proportionately reduced, and the Exercise Price under the
         outstanding Options shall be proportionately increased.

  C. Except as may otherwise be expressly provided in the Plan, the issuance
     by the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities convertible
     into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect Options granted
     under this Plan, and no adjustments shall be made to the grants under
     this Plan.

  D. If the Company effects a recapitalization or otherwise materially
     changes its capital structure (both of the foregoing are herein referred
     to as a ("FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE") then thereafter upon any exercise of an
     Option theretofore granted, the holder shall be entitled to purchase
     under such Option, in lieu of the number of shares of Common Stock that
     would have been received, the number and class of shares of stock and
     securities to which the holder would have been entitled pursuant to the
     terms of the Fundamental Change if, immediately prior to such
     Fundamental Change, the Optionee had been the holder of record of that
     number of shares of Common Stock.

  E. Any adjustment provided for above shall be subject to any required
     shareholder action.

9. RECIPIENT'S AGREEMENT; COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES REGULATIONS

  If, at the time of the exercise of any Option or award of Restricted Stock,
in the opinion of counsel for the Company, it is necessary or desirable, in
order to comply with any then applicable laws or regulations relating to the
sale of securities, for the individual exercising the Option or receiving the
Restricted Stock to agree to hold any of their shares for investment and
without intention to resell or distribute the shares and to agree to dispose of
such shares only in compliance with such laws and regulations, the individual
will, upon the request of the company, execute and deliver to the Company a
further agreement to such effect.


                                      C-7
<PAGE>

10. WITHHOLDING FOR TAXES

  Any cash payment under the Plan shall be reduced by any amounts required to
be withheld or paid with respect thereto under all present or future federal,
state and local tax and other laws and regulations that may be in effect as of
the date of each such payment ("TAX AMOUNTS"). Any issuance of Common Stock
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or other distribution of Common Stock
under the Plan shall not be made until appropriate arrangements have been made
for the payment of any amounts that may be required to be withheld or paid with
respect thereto. Such arrangements may, at the discretion of the Committee,
include allowing the participant to tender to the Company shares of Common
Stock owned by the participant, or to request the Company to withhold a portion
of the shares of Common Stock being acquired pursuant to the exercise or
otherwise distributed to the participant, which have a Market Value Per Share
as of the date of such exercise, tender or withholding that is not greater than
the sum of all Tax Amounts, together with payment of any remaining portion of
all Tax Amounts in cash or by check payable and acceptable to the Company.
Payment instruments will be received subject to collection.

11. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY

  Each individual to whom an Award has been made under this Plan may designate
a beneficiary or beneficiaries (which beneficiary may be an entity other than a
natural person) to receive any payment that under the terms of such Award may
become payable on or after the individual's death. At any time, and from time
to time, any such designation may be changed or canceled by the individual
without the consent of any such beneficiary. Any such designation, change or
cancellation must be on a form provided for that purpose by the Committee and
shall not be effective until received by the Committee. If no beneficiary has
been named by a deceased participant, or the designated beneficiaries have
predeceased the individual, the beneficiary shall be the individual's estate.
If an individual designates more than one beneficiary, any payments under this
Plan to such beneficiaries shall be made in equal shares unless the individual
has designated otherwise, in which case the payments shall be made in the
shares designated by the individual.

12. CHANGE OF CONTROL

  A. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, in the event of a
     Change of Control, the unexercised Options outstanding under this Plan
     will automatically become exercisable in full and all Conditions to
     which any Restricted Stock is subject shall be deemed satisfied as of
     the Change of Control Date. The existence of this Plan or of Options
     granted hereunder shall not in any way prevent any Change of Control
     transaction and no holder of Options granted under this Plan shall have
     the right to prevent any such transaction.

  B. For purposes of the Plan, the term "CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall mean the
     occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

    (1) any corporation (other than the Company or a Subsidiary), person or
        group (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the 1934
        Act) makes a tender or exchange offer which, if consummated, would
        make such corporation, person or group the beneficial owner (within
        the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of voting securities
        of the Company representing more than 25% of the total number of
        votes eligible to be cast at any election of directors of the
        Company and, pursuant to such offer, purchases are made (an
        "OFFER");

    (2) the shareholders of the Company approve an agreement to merge or
        consolidate the Company with or into another corporation or to
        sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
        assets, or adopt a plan of liquidation;

    (3) any corporation, person or group (within the meaning of Sections
        13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act), other than E. I. Du Pont de
        Nemours and Company or their affiliates, becomes the beneficial
        owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of
        voting securities of the Company representing more than 25% of the
        total number of votes eligible to be cast at any election of
        directors of the Company; or

                                      C-8
<PAGE>

    (4) those persons who constitute the Directors at the beginning of any
        one-year period cease to constitute a majority of the Board at any
        time during such one-year period; provided that changes in board
        membership among the employees or consultants of E. I. du Pont de
        Nemours and Company who are Directors or nominees of the Company
        shall not be considered in determining whether this event has
        occurred.

      As used herein, the term ("CHANGE OF CONTROL DATE") means the first
      purchase of voting securities of the Company pursuant to an Offer,
      the date of any shareholder approval or adoption of an agreement or
      plan referred to in Section 12.B.(2), the date on which the event
      described in Section 12.B.(3) occurs, or the date on which the
      change in constituency of the Board, described in Section 12.B.(4)
      occurs, as the case may be.

  C. In the event that the Compensation Committee determines that an "excess
     parachute payment" (as defined in Code Sec. 280G) would result if the
     full acceleration Provision in this Section occurred (when added to any
     other payments or benefits under any other agreements, arrangements or
     plans that are contingent on a Change of Control or that would otherwise
     constitute "parachute payments" as defined in Code Sec. 280G) then the
     number of shares as to which exercisability is accelerated shall be
     reduced at the election of the Compensation Committee to the minimum
     extent necessary to prevent any "excess parachute payment" from
     occurring ("the limitation"). Notwithstanding the above, if, in the
     opinion of the Compensation Committee, the total "parachute payments"
     (reduced by the amount of excise tax imposed on the employee under Code
     Section 4999 and by the state and federal income taxes on all such
     payments in excess of such limitation) would exceed such total amounts
     payable if such limitation were applied, the Compensation Committee
     shall not reduce the number of accelerated shares.

  D. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a merger
     or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation
     or becomes the wholly-owned subsidiary of another corporation, any
     outstanding options hereunder may be terminated by the Company as of the
     effective date of such dissolution, liquidation, merger or consolidation
     by giving notice to each holder thereof of its intention to do so not
     less than (10) days preceding such effective date and permitting the
     exercise until such effective date, or the Expiration Date if earlier,
     of all such outstanding Options. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,
     if the Company is not the surviving corporation or becomes the wholly
     owned subsidiary of another corporation as a result of the Company being
     reorganized or merged or consolidated with another corporation while
     unexercised options are outstanding under this Plan, the surviving or
     parent corporation, as the case may be, may either (1) assume the
     unexercised options outstanding under this Plan; or (2) substitute new
     options in the surviving corporation or parent corporation, as the case
     may be, for the outstanding Options. The latter alternative can be used
     only if the excess of the aggregate fair market value of the securities
     subject to the options immediately after the substitution or assumption
     over the aggregate option price of such shares is not less than the
     excess of the aggregate fair market value of the Common Stock subject to
     the outstanding Option immediately before such substitution or
     assumption over the aggregate option price of such Common Stock, and
     that the vesting status of any substituted options duplicates as nearly
     as practicable the vesting status of the old options.

13. MISCELLANEOUS

  A. NO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed
     as conferring upon any employee the right to continue in the employ of
     the Company or any Subsidiary.

  B. EMPLOYMENT WITH SUBSIDIARIES. For purposes of determining employment
     with respect to ISOs, employment by the Company shall be deemed to
     include employment by, and to continue during any period in which an
     employee is in the employment of any Subsidiary.

  C. NO RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. A participant shall have no rights as a
     shareholder with respect to shares covered by such participant's Option
     or Restricted Stock award until the date of the

                                      C-9
<PAGE>

     issuance of shares to the employee pursuant thereto. No adjustment will
     be made for dividends or other distributions or rights for which the
     record date is prior to the date of such issuance.

  D. NO RIGHT TO CORPORATE ASSETS. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be
     construed as giving any participant, such participant's beneficiaries or
     any other person any equity or other interest of any kind in any assets
     of the Company or any Subsidiary or creating a trust of any kind or a
     fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company or a Subsidiary
     and any such person, except to the extent such person is a holder of
     shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan.

  E. NO RESTRICTION ON CORPORATE ACTION. Nothing contained in the Plan shall
     be construed to prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from taking any
     corporate action that is deemed by the Company or such Subsidiary to be
     appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would
     have an adverse effect on the Plan or any award made under the Plan. No
     participant, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against
     the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of any such action.

  F. ASSIGNABILITY. All or a portion of the Nonqualified Options and
     Restricted Stock to be granted to an Optionee may, in the discretion of
     the Committee (or the Board of Directors, as the case may be), be on
     terms that permit transfer without consideration by such Optionee to:

    (i) the spouse, children or grandchildren of the Optionee ("Immediate
        Family Members"),

    (ii) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate
         Family Members (including a custodian under a Uniform Gifts to
         Minors Act for the benefit of a child or grandchild), or

    (iii) a partnership or other entity in which such Immediate Family
          Members are the only partners, PROVIDED that (A) the stock option
          agreement pursuant to which such Nonqualified Options or
          Restricted Stock are granted must be approved by the Committee,
          and must expressly provide for transferability in a manner
          consistent with this Section, and (B) subsequent transfers of
          transferred Options or Restricted Stock shall be prohibited
          except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Following
          transfer, any such Options or Restricted Stock shall continue to
          be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable
          immediately prior to transfer, provided that for purposes of each
          Agreement and Sections 6.B(2) and 10 hereof the term "Optionee"
          shall be deemed to refer to the transferee (however, the events
          of termination of employment of Section 7.D hereof shall continue
          to be applied with respect to the original Optionee). Except as
          set forth above, Options and Restricted Stock may not be
          transferred except by will or the laws of descent and
          distribution.

  G. APPLICATION OF FUNDS. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale
     of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan will be used for general
     corporate purposes.

  H. GOVERNING LAW; CONSTRUCTION. All rights and obligations under the Plan
     shall be governed by, and the Plan shall be construed in accordance
     with, the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles
     of conflicts of laws. Titles and headings to Sections herein are for
     purposes of reference only, and shall in no way limit, define or
     otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions of the
     Plan.

  I. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Committee may from time to time and at
     any time alter, amend, suspend, discontinue or terminate this Plan and
     any Awards hereunder; provided, however, that no such action of the
     Committee may, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company,
     alter the provisions of the Plan so as to (i) increase the maximum
     number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to Awards and
     distributed in the payment of Awards and exercises under the Plan
     (except as provided in Section 8); (ii) change the eligibility
     provisions of the Plan; or (iii) change the individual limit in Section
     4 above. For the purposes of awarding ISOs, the Plan shall terminate on
     June 8, 2007, and no ISOs shall be awarded after such date.


                                     C-10
<PAGE>

  J. PREEMPTION BY APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS. Notwithstanding the
     above, if the issuance or other distribution of shares of Common Stock
     or Restricted Stock would cause a breach of any applicable law or
     regulation, absent some act by the individual or the Company, the
     issuance or distribution of such shares, as the case may be, shall be
     deferred until such action shall have been taken.

                                      C-11
<PAGE>

                            DUPONT PHOTOMASKS, INC.
           PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OCTOBER 26, 1999

                                     PROXY

     The undersigned hereby appoints David S. Gino and John M. Lynn, or any one
or more of them, with full power of substitution, the attorneys and proxies for
the undersigned to vote the shares of common stock of DuPont Photomasks, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, held of record by the undersigned at the close of business
on September 7, 1999, at the annual meeting of stockholders of the company to be
held at the Doubletree Hotel, 6505 North IH-35, Austin, Texas 78751, on Tuesday,
October 26, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment thereof, as
follows:

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMENTS/ADDRESS CHANGE: PLEASE MARK
COMMENT/ADDRESS CHANGE ON REVERSE SIDE.

                  (Continued and to be signed on other side)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            - FOLD AND DETACH HERE-

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT OUR TRANSFER AGENT IS:

               FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY, A DIVISION OF EQUISERVE
               P.O. BOX 2500
               JERSEY CITY, N.J. 07303-2506
               1-800-446-2617
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

/X/   PLEASE MARK YOUR
      VOTES AS IN THIS
      EXAMPLE.


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE PERSONS SET FORTH HEREIN AS DIRECTORS AND THE OTHER PROPOSALS.


                                                FOR     AGAINST     ABSTAIN


1. To approve certain measures affecting
   stockholders' rights and certain
   "anti-takeover" provisions, including:

       (A) Classified Board of Directors
       Removable Only for Cause                    / /       / /         / /

       (B) Super-Majority Vote
       Requirements for Amendment
       of our Amended and Restated
       Certificate of Incorporation and
       Bylaws                                      / /       / /         / /

       (C) Increase in the Number of
       Shares of Common Stock
       Authorized for Issuance                     / /       / /         / /

       (D) Amendment of Preferred
       Stock Liquidation Preference                / /       / /         / /
<PAGE>

      (E) Elimination of Stockholder
      Action by Written Consent                   / /       / /         / /

      (F) Special Provision for
      Directors Elected by Preferred
      Stockholders                                / /       / /         / /

                <TABLE>
                <CAPTION>
                <S>                          <C>                        <C>
                FOR all nominees listed to   WITHHOLD VOTE              NOMINEES: John L. Doyle,
                the right (except as marked  to vote for all nominees   John W. Himes, John C. Hodgson,
                to the contrary)             listed to the right        Gary W. Pankonien, Susan
                                                                        Vladuchick Sam, John C. Sargent,
                                                                        and Marshall C. Turner
                </TABLE>


2. Election of Directors                         / /       / /


(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name on the following line.)_____________________________________

                                                 FOR     AGAINST     ABSTAIN
3. Approval of the adoption of the
   Amendment to the 1997 Stock                    / /       / /         / /
   Option and Restricted Stock Plan


4. Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers        / /       / /         / /
   LLP as independent accountants

5. As such proxies may in their discretion
   determine upon such other matters as may
   properly come before the meeting.


THIS PROXY SHALL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN, AND IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH INSTRUCTIONS, THE PROXIES SHALL VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE, ALL OF THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ABOVE AND SUCH OTHER
MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.


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

          -----------------------------------------------------------
                         SIGNATURE(S)     DATE


THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             -FOLD AND DETACH HERE


PLEASE NOTE


     THIS PROXY IS TO BE VOTED AS DIRECTED.  IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC
DIRECTION, IT IS INTENDED TO VOTE THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY FOR THE
ELECTION OF JOHN L. DOYLE, JOHN W. HIMES, JOHN C. HODGSON, GARY W. PANKONIEN,
SUSAN VLADUCHICK SAM, JOHN C. SARGENT, AND MARSHALL C. TURNER, AS DIRECTORS AND
FOR THE OTHER PROPOSALS.

     You are urged to sign and return your proxy without delay in the return
envelope provided for that purpose, which requires no postage if mailed in the
United States or Canada.
<PAGE>

     When signing this proxy, please date it and take care to have the signature
conform to the stockholder's name as it appears on this side of the proxy. If
shares are registered in the names of two or more persons, each person should
sign. Executors, administrators, trustees and guardians should so indicate when
signing.


                         PLEASE SEND IN YOUR PROXY
                         In order that there may be proper representation at the
                         annual meeting, each stockholder, whether he or she
                         owns one or more shares, is requested to sign this
                         proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.

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


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