HURCO COMPANIES INC
DEF 14A, 2000-04-05
INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASUREMENT, DISPLAY, AND CONTROL
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                          SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

            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 ss.240.14a-12.

                              Hurco Companies, 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:...........................................................


<PAGE>
                              HURCO COMPANIES, INC.

                               ONE TECHNOLOGY WAY

                                 P.O. BOX 68180
                         INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46268
                                 (317) 293-5309

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                             To Be Held May 23, 2000

To Our Shareholders:

The 2000 Annual Meeting of  Shareholders of Hurco  Companies,  Inc.,  will be
held at the corporate  headquarters  of Hurco  Companies,
Inc., One Technology Way,  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  46268 at 10:00 a.m.
(Indianapolis time) (11:00 a.m. EDT) on Tuesday, May 23, 2000,
for the following purposes:

1.       To elect seven directors to serve until the next annual meeting or
         until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

2.            To approve or  disapprove a proposed  amendment  to the  Company's
              1997 Stock  Option and  Incentive  Plan which (i)  increases  from
              500,000 to 750,000 the number of shares of common stock subject to
              issuance  under the plan,  (ii)  increases from 100,000 to 200,000
              the number of shares of common  stock  which may be granted to any
              individual participant pursuant to awards made under the plan, and
              (iii) adds as  eligible  participants  in the plan  members of the
              Company's Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company.

3.       To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
         Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

If you do not expect to attend the Annual  Meeting,  please mark,  sign and date
the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed  return envelope which requires
no postage if mailed in the United States.

Only  shareholders  of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2000, are
entitled  to notice of and to vote at the  Annual  Meeting  or any  adjournments
thereof. In the event there are not sufficient votes for approval of one or more
of the above matters at the time of the Annual  Meeting,  the Annual Meeting may
be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies.

                            By order of the Board of Directors,



                            Roger J. Wolf, Secretary

April 6, 2000
Indianapolis, Indiana

                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

                     Even if you plan to attend the meeting,
                     we urge you to mark, sign and date the
                     enclosed proxy and return it promptly
                     in the enclosed envelope.
<PAGE>
                              HURCO COMPANIES, INC.

                               One Technology Way

                                 P. O. Box 68180

                           Indianapolis, Indiana 46268

                         Annual Meeting of Shareholders

                                  May 23, 2000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 PROXY STATEMENT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                SOLICITATION, VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

This Proxy Statement is furnished to the holders (the  "Shareholders") of common
stock of Hurco Companies, Inc. ("Hurco" or the "Company") in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors for the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders  to be held at 10:00 a.m.  (Indianapolis  time) (11:00 a.m. EDT) on
May 23,  2000 at the  corporate  headquarters  of  Hurco  Companies,  Inc.,  One
Technology Way,  Indianapolis,  Indiana, and at any adjournments  thereof.  This
Proxy  Statement  and the  accompanying  form of proxy are  being  mailed to the
Shareholders on or about April 6, 2000. Proxies are being solicited  principally
by mail.  Directors,  officers  and regular  employees of Hurco may also solicit
proxies personally by telephone,  telegraph or otherwise.  All expenses incident
to the  preparation  and  mailing  to the  Shareholders  of  the  Notice,  Proxy
Statement and form of Proxy will be paid by Hurco.

Shareholders  of record  as of the close of  business  on March  17,  2000,  are
entitled  to  notice  of and  vote at the  Annual  Meeting  or any  adjournments
thereof.  On such  record  date,  Hurco had  5,951,859  shares  of common  stock
outstanding  and entitled to vote.  Each share will be entitled to one vote with
respect to each matter  submitted to a vote.  The presence in person or by proxy
of the holders of a majority of the  outstanding  shares entitled to vote at the
Annual  Meeting is  necessary  to  constitute  a quorum for the  transaction  of
business.

If the enclosed form of proxy is executed and returned, it may be revoked at any
time  before  it is voted by  giving  written  notice  to the  Secretary  of the
Company.  If a shareholder  executes  more than one proxy,  the proxy having the
latest date will revoke any earlier proxies.  Shareholders who attend the Annual
Meeting may revoke their proxies and vote in person.

A proxy, if returned  properly  executed and not subsequently  revoked,  will be
voted in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder in the proxy. If no
instructions are given, the proxy will be voted for the election of the Board of
Directors' nominees named in this Proxy Statement.  Directors will be elected by
a plurality of the votes cast. A proxy may indicate that all or a portion of the
shares  represented by such proxy are not being voted with respect to a specific
proposal.  This could occur, for example, when a broker is not permitted to vote
shares held in street name on certain  proposals in the absence of  instructions
from the beneficial owners. Shares that are not voted with respect to a specific
proposal  will be  considered  present for purposes of  determining a quorum and
voting on other proposals. Abstentions on a specific proposal will be considered
as present, but not as voting in favor of such proposal.  Neither the non-voting
of shares nor  abstentions  will affect the matters to be voted on at the Annual
Meeting.
<PAGE>


                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has nominated  seven persons for election as directors.
Except for Mr. Robert W.  Cruickshank  and Mr.  Michael Doar,  all  nominees
are  currently  directors.  Each  director  will serve for a term of one year,
which  expires at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders  of the Company when
his successor has been elected.  The seven nominees are:  Robert W.
Cruickshank,  Michael Doar,  Hendrik J. Hartong,  Jr.,  Brian D.  McLaughlin,
Richard T. Niner,  O. Curtis Noel and Charles E. Mitchell  Rentschler.  Unless
authority is specifically withheld, the shares represented by the enclosed form
of proxy will be voted in favor of these nominees.

If any of these nominees becomes unable to accept election, the persons named in
the proxy will exercise their voting power in favor of such person or persons as
the Board may  recommend.  All of the nominees have  consented to being named in
this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. The Board of Directors knows of no
reason why any of the nominees would be unable to accept election.

The following information sets forth the name of each director,  his age, tenure
as a director,  principal  occupation and business  experience for the last five
years:

                                                                   Served as a
Name                                          Age                 Director since
- ----                                          ---                 --------------
Robert W. Cruickshank                         54                      -----

Michael Doar                                  44                      -----

Hendrik J. Hartong, Jr. (1,3,4)               61                       1986

Brian D. McLaughlin (1)                       57                       1987

Richard T. Niner (1,2,4)                      60                       1986

O. Curtis Noel (3,4)                          64                       1993

Charles E. Mitchell Rentschler (2,3)          60                       1986


Robert W. Cruickshank,  since 1981, has been owner of R. W. Cruickshank Company,
a financial services firm. Mr. Cruickshank is also a director of Calgon Carbon
Corporation  and Friedman's  Jewlers,  Inc. This will be Mr.  Cruickshank's
first term as a director of the Company.

Michael Doar has been President of Ingersoll Contract  Manufacturing  Company, a
subsidiary of Ingersoll International, since 1999. From 1989 until 1998, he held
various management  positions with Ingersoll Milling Machine Company.  This will
be Mr. Doar's first term as a director of the Company.

Hendrik J. Hartong,  Jr. is a general  partner of Brynwood  Management III and
Brynwood  Management  IV, L.P.,  the general  partner of Brynwood  Partners  III
and Brynwood  Partners IV, L.P. Mr.  Hartong is also a general  partner of
Brynwood  Management  II, L.P.,  the general partner of Brynwood Partners II,
L.P., and until December 31, 1998, was a general partner of Brynwood
Management,  the general partner of  Brynwood  Partners  Limited  Partnership.
Mr.  Hartong  has served as a director of Lincoln  Snacks  since June 1998.  Mr.
Hartong has been a director since 1986.
<PAGE>

Brian D.  McLaughlin  has been  President and Chief  Executive  Officer of Hurco
since December 1987. From 1982 to 1987, he was employed as President and General
Manager  of  various  divisions  of  Ransburg   Corporation,   an  international
manufacturer of factory  automation  equipment.  Previously,  he was employed in
general  management and marketing  management  positions with Eaton Corporation.
Mr. McLaughlin has been a director since 1987.

Richard T.  Niner was  elected  Chairman  of the Board of  Directors  on
March 9, 1999.  Mr.  Niner is a general  partner of Wind River Associates.  Mr.
Niner is also a general partner of Brynwood  Management II, L.P., the general
partner of Brynwood  Partners II, L.P., and until  December  31,  1998,  was a
general  partner of Brynwood  Management,  the  general  partner of  Brynwood
Partners  Limited Partnership.  Mr.  Niner is also a director  of Arrow
International,  Inc.  and Case,  Pomeroy & Company,  Inc.  Mr.  Niner has been a
director since 1986.

O. Curtis Noel has been an  independent  business  consultant  for more than ten
years  specializing  in market and  industry  studies, competitive analysis and
corporate development programs with clients in the U.S. and abroad.  Mr. Noel
has been a director since 1993.

Charles E. Mitchell  Rentschler has served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of The Hamilton  Foundry & Machine Co. since 1985.
Mr. Rentschler has been a director since 1986.

(1)      Member of Executive Committee
(2)      Member of Audit Committee
(3)      Member of Compensation Committee
(4)      Member of Nominating Committee

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees listed above.

Board Meetings and Committees

During the last fiscal year,  the Board of Directors  held six meetings.  All of
the current directors  attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings
of the Board and the committees on which they served.

The Board has an  Executive  Committee,  which held no meetings  during the last
fiscal year.  The  Executive  Committee may exercise all of the authority of the
Board of  Directors  with  respect to the general  operations  of Hurco  between
meetings of the Board.

The Board has a Compensation  Committee that held three meetings during the last
fiscal year. The Compensation  Committee reviews and recommends to the Board the
compensation  of the  officers  and  managers  of Hurco and  guidelines  for the
general wage structure of the entire workforce.  The Compensation Committee also
oversees the  administration of the Company's employee benefit plans. The report
of the Compensation  Committee regarding  executive  compensation is included on
page 10 of this Proxy Statement.

The Board also has an Audit  Committee that held three meetings  during the last
fiscal year.  The Audit  Committee  has the  authority to oversee the  Company's
accounting  and  financial  reporting  activities,  and meets with the Company's
independent  accountants and Chief Financial  Officer to review the scope,  cost
and  results of the annual  audit and to review  internal  accounting  controls,
policies  and  procedures.  The  Board  of  Directors  selects  the  independent
accountants  of Hurco  upon  the  recommendation  of the  Audit  Committee.  See
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS on page 18.
<PAGE>
The Board of Directors has a Nominating  Committee  that held one meeting during
the last  fiscal  year.  The  Nominating  Committee  reviews the  structure  and
composition  of the Board of Directors and considers the  qualifications  of and
recommends  all nominees for directors.  The Nominating  Committee will consider
candidates  whose names are submitted in writing by  shareholders.  Shareholders
who wish to nominate  persons for  election  as  directors  must comply with the
advance notice and eligibility  requirements contained in the Company's By-laws,
a copy of which is available  upon request.  Such  requests and any  nominations
should be addressed to the Secretary, Hurco Companies, Inc., One Technology Way,
P.O. Box 68180, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268.

The members of these Committees are identified in the table on pages 2 and 3.

Compensation of Directors

Each director who is not a full-time  employee of the Company  received a fee of
$1,500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors  attended  during  fiscal 1999
effective February 1, 1999 (previously  $1,000 per meeting).  Each such director
also received $5,000 per fiscal quarter.  Directors are also entitled to receive
reimbursement for travel and other expenses incurred in attending such meetings.
Mr. Niner received  annual  compensation of $72,000 for his services as Chairman
of the Board of Directors.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934  requires the  Company's
directors  and  executive  officers,  and  persons  who own more than 10% of the
Company's  common stock,  to file reports of ownership  with the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission  and Nasdaq.  Such persons are also required to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of such forms received by it,
or written  representations  from certain  reporting  persons that they were not
required to file a Form 5 to report previously  unreported  ownership or changes
in ownership,  the Company believes that,  during its fiscal year ending October
31,  1999,  its  officers,  directors  and greater  than 10%  beneficial  owners
complied with all filing requirements under Section 16(a).

PROPOSAL 2 - Approval of Amendment to the Company's 1997 Stock Option and
Incentive Plan

On March 14, 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted an amendment to
the  Company's  1997 Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan (the "Plan") and directed
that  the  amendment  be  submitted  to  the  shareholders  of the  Company  for
consideration  and  approval at the 2000 Annual  Meeting.  The  amendment  would
increase from 500,000 to 750,000 the number of shares of common stock subject to
issuance  under the Plan,  would  increase from 100,000 to 200,000 the number of
shares of  common  stock  which may be  granted  to any  individual  participant
pursuant to awards made under the Plan,  and would add as eligible  participants
in the Plan members of the Company's Board of Directors who are not employees of
the Company. The proposed amendment to the Plan will not become effective unless
it is approved at the Annual Meeting by the vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares of common stock represented at the meeting.

As of March 1, 2000,  there were  options to  purchase an  aggregate  of 463,500
shares of common stock  outstanding and unexercised  that had been granted under
the Plan.
<PAGE>
The following is a summary of the principal features of the Plan. The summary is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete  text of the Plan, a copy
of which  (marked to show the  proposed  amendment)  is  appended  to this Proxy
Statement as Annex A.

Purpose

The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term interests of the Company and
its  shareholders  by providing a means for attracting  and retaining  officers,
directors  and key  employees  of the  Company and its  Affiliates.  The Company
believes  that  officers,  directors  and key employees who own shares of common
stock will have a closer  identification with the Company and greater motivation
to work for the Company's  success by reason of their ability as shareholders to
participate in the Company's growth and earnings.

Eligible Persons

Recipients  of awards under the Plan must be, or have been at the time of grant,
employees  of the  Company.  If the  amendment  of the Plan is  approved  by the
shareholders,  members of the Company's Board of Directors who are not employees
of the  Company  would also be  eligible  for awards  under the plan.  There are
presently  approximately  300 persons who would be eligible for awards under the
amended Plan.

Shares Subject to the Plan

If the  amendment  of the Plan is  approved by the  shareholders,  the number of
shares of common stock  subject to the Plan would be  increased  from 500,000 to
750,000.  The number of shares of common stock subject to the Plan is subject to
adjustment  in certain  events.  If the amendment to the Plan is approved by the
shareholders,  the number of shares of common stock, which may be granted to any
individual  participant  pursuant  to  awards  made  under  the  Plan,  would be
increased from 100,000 to 200,000.

The number of shares  covered by an award  under the Plan  reduces the number of
shares  available for future awards,  however,  any awards that terminate or are
surrendered or forfeited  without exercise or issuance will become available for
further awards under the Plan.

The closing  sales  price of common  stock on March 17,  2000,  as quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market was $4.00 per share.

Administration of the Plan

The  Plan  is  administered  by  the  Compensation  Committee  of the  Board  of
Directors. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Compensation Committee has sole
authority to determine and designate  persons who are to be granted awards under
the Plan and the  nature and terms of the awards to be  granted,  including  the
number of shares to be subject to such awards.
<PAGE>
Grant of Stock Options

With respect to the grant of stock  options  under the Plan that are intended to
qualify as "incentive  stock options" under Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue
Code of 1986,  as amended (the  "Code"),  the option price must be at least 100%
(or 110% in the case of any holder of more than 10% of the  voting  power of the
Company or any  Affiliate)  of the fair market  value of the common stock on the
date  of the  grant  of the  stock  option.  The  aggregate  fair  market  value
(determined  on the date of grant) of the shares of stock  subject to "incentive
stock  options" that become  exercisable  for the first time by a grantee in any
calendar year may not exceed $100,000.

The Compensation  Committee establishes the exercise price of nonqualified stock
options at the time the options are granted.

The number and class of shares  subject to an option will be  adjusted  by the
Compensation  Committee  in the event of stock  splits, stock dividends,
recapitalization and certain other events involving changes in the Company's
capital.

Exercise of Stock Options

No incentive stock options granted under the Plan may be exercised more than ten
years,  or five  years in the case of any  holder of more than 10% of the voting
power  of  the  Company  or  any  Affiliate  (or  such  shorter  period  as  the
Compensation Committee may determine), from the date it is granted. Nonqualified
stock options may be exercised during such period as the Compensation  Committee
determines at the time of grant.

Stock  options  granted  under  the  Plan  become  exercisable  in one  or  more
installments  in  the  manner  and  at  the  time  or  times  specified  by  the
Compensation Committee at the time of grant.

Performance Shares

The Compensation Committee may grant awards of performance shares, in which case
the grantee could be granted  shares of the Company's  common stock,  subject to
satisfaction  of specified  performance  goals  established by the  Compensation
Committee.  Performance goals may be established on one or more of the following
business  criteria:  earnings  per share;  return on  equity;  return on assets;
operating  income;  or market value per share. The applicable  performance goals
and all other terms and conditions of the award are determined in the discretion
of the Compensation Committee.

After an award of  performance  shares has vested (that is, after the applicable
performance goal or goals have been achieved), the grantee will be entitled to a
payment of shares of the Company's common stock, cash or a combination  thereof.
However,  no grantee  shall  receive any such  payment  unless the  Compensation
Committee has certified,  by resolution or other appropriate  action in writing,
that the amount thereof has been  accurately  determined in accordance  with the
terms,  conditions and limits of the Plan and that the performance goals and any
other material terms previously established by the Compensation Committee or set
forth in the Plan were, in fact,  satisfied.  If a grantee terminates employment
prior to the end of the  period of time over  which the  performance  shares are
being earned for any reason other than death,  disability or retirement,  all of
such grantee's rights with respect to performance  shares that have not yet been
earned shall be forfeited.  However,  a grantee shall be entitled to receive any
performance  shares  earned  as of the  date  of  termination  if the  specified
performance goals have been attained.
<PAGE>
As of the date of this Proxy  Statement,  the Company has not made any awards of
performance shares.

Restricted Shares

The Compensation  Committee may grant awards of restricted shares, in which case
the  grantee  is  granted  shares of the  Company's  common  stock  subject to a
restricted  period during which,  or at the expiration of which,  the restricted
shares  vest.  All terms and  conditions  of an award of  restricted  shares are
determined  in the  discretion  of the  Compensation  Committee,  subject to the
limitations  of  the  Plan.   Unless  the   Compensation   Committee   otherwise
specifically  provides,  a grantee of restricted shares has the right to receive
all  dividends  on the  restricted  shares and the right to vote the  restricted
shares during the restricted period. If a grantee terminates  employment for any
reason prior to the end of the restricted  period,  all of such grantee's rights
with respect to the nonvested portion of the restricted shares are forfeited.

As of the date of this Proxy  Statement,  the Company has not made any awards of
restricted shares.

Stock Appreciation Rights

The Compensation Committee may grant awards of stock appreciation rights, either
in connection  with the grant of a related  option  (affiliated  or tandem stock
appreciation  rights),  or  independently  of  any  option  (freestanding  stock
appreciation rights). Affiliated stock appreciation rights automatically will be
deemed to be exercised at the same time the related  option is exercised and not
necessitate  a reduction in the number of shares of common stock  subject to the
relation  option.  Tandem stock  appreciation  rights require  forfeiture of the
right to purchase an equal number of shares  under the related  option when such
stock appreciation  rights are exercised (and will be canceled upon the exercise
of the related option to the extent of the number of shares  purchased under the
option).  All terms and conditions of an award of stock appreciation  rights are
determined  in the  discretion  of the  Compensation  Committee,  subject to the
limitations of the Plan. Payment for stock  appreciation  rights may be in cash,
shares of common  stock,  or a  combination  thereof,  at the  discretion of the
Compensation Committee.

As of the date of this Proxy  Statement,  the Company has not made any awards of
stock appreciation rights.

Miscellaneous Provisions

The  Compensation  Committee may accelerate the period of exercise or vesting of
any incentive award, either absolutely or contingently,  for such reasons as the
Compensation Committee may deem appropriate.

In general,  if the service of a recipient of  performance  shares or restricted
shares is  involuntarily  terminated  within twelve months following a change in
control of the Company,  a recipient of performance  shares is entitled to a pro
rata payment as though the recipient had retired,  and a recipient of restricted
shares becomes fully vested in the restricted  shares and the restricted  period
with respect to such shares lapses. In addition,  in the event of a tender offer
or exchange  offer for the common stock or upon the  occurrence of certain other
events,  all options and stock  appreciation  rights granted under the Plan will
become  exercisable  in full,  unless  otherwise  provided  by the  Compensation
Committee.
<PAGE>
Amendment of the Plan

The Board, or the Compensation  Committee with the approval of the Board may, at
any time,  terminate or amend the Plan.  No  amendments to the Plan will require
shareholder  approval unless such approval is required to comply with Rule 16b-3
under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934;  Section  422 of the Code or the
requirements of the Nasdaq National Market.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The  following  is  a  brief  summary  of  the  principal   federal  income  tax
consequences  of awards under the Plan. The summary is based on current  federal
income tax laws and interpretations  thereof, all of which are subject to change
at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. The summary is not intended to be
exhaustive.

Limitation on Amount of Deduction.  The Company  generally will be entitled to a
tax deduction for awards under the Plan only to the extent that the participants
recognize  ordinary  income from the award.  Section 162(m) of the Code contains
special rules  regarding the federal income tax  deductibility  of  compensation
paid to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and to each of the other four most
highly compensated  executive officers of the Company.  The general rule is that
annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible
only to the  extent  that it does  not  exceed  $1,000,000  or it  qualifies  as
"performance-based  compensation"  under  Section  162(m).  The  Plan  has  been
designed to permit the Compensation  Committee to grant awards which qualify for
deductibility under Section 162(m).

Taxation of Ordinary  Income and Capital Gains.  Subject to certain  exceptions,
the maximum federal tax rate on "net capital gains" from the sale or exchange of
capital assets is 20%. "Net capital gain" is the excess of net long-term capital
gain over net short-term capital loss. Short-term capital gains are taxed at the
same rates  applicable  to  ordinary  income.  Gains or losses  from the sale or
exchange of capital assets will be "long-term" if the capital asset was held for
more than one year and  "short-term"  if the capital asset was held for one year
or less.  For  taxpayers  with  certain  income  levels,  the  marginal tax rate
applicable  to  ordinary  income can range up to 39.6%.  The  classification  of
income as ordinary  compensation  income or capital  gain is also  relevant  for
income tax  purposes  for  taxpayers  who have  capital  losses  and  investment
interest.

Nonqualified Stock Options.  A participant who is granted a nonqualified  option
does not recognize taxable income upon the grant of the option,  and the Company
is not entitled to a tax deduction.  The  participant  will  recognize  ordinary
income upon the  exercise of the option in an amount  equal to the excess of the
fair  market  value of the option  shares on the  exercise  date over the option
price. Such income will be treated as compensation to the participant subject to
the applicable withholding requirements.  The Company is generally entitled to a
tax  deduction in an amount equal to the amount  taxable to the  participant  as
ordinary  income  in the year the  income is  taxable  to the  participant.  Any
appreciation  in  value  after  the  time of  exercise  will be  taxable  to the
participant as capital gains and will not result in a deduction by the Company.
<PAGE>
The  participant may also be required to recognize gain or loss upon the sale of
the option  shares.  If the  selling  price of the  option  shares  exceeds  the
participant's  basis in the shares,  the  participant  will recognize  long-term
capital  gain if the  option  shares  were  held for more  than  one  year,  and
short-term  capital  gain if the shares  were held for one year or less.  If the
selling price of the option shares is less than the  participant's  basis in the
shares,  the  participant  will recognize  long-term or short-term  capital loss
depending  on how long the shares  were  held.  The  participant's  basis in the
option  shares  will  equal the  amount of  ordinary  income  recognized  by the
participant  upon  exercise  of the option,  plus any cash paid to exercise  the
option.

Incentive  Stock  Options.  Incentive  stock  options  may be  granted  only  to
participants  who are  employees.  An employee who  receives an incentive  stock
option  does not  recognize  taxable  income  upon the grant or  exercise of the
option,  and the Company is not  entitled  to a tax  deduction.  The  difference
between the option price and the fair market  value of the option  shares on the
date of exercise, however, will be treated as a tax preference item for purposes
of determining the alternative minimum tax liability, if any, of the employee in
the year of  exercise.  The Company  will not be  entitled  to a deduction  with
respect to any item of tax preference.

An employee will recognize gain or loss upon the  disposition of shares acquired
from the exercise of  incentive  stock  options.  The nature of the gain or loss
depends on how long the option  shares were held.  If the option  shares are not
disposed of pursuant to a  "disqualifying  disposition"  (i.e.,  no  disposition
occurs  within two years from the date the option was  granted nor one year from
the date of exercise),  the employee will  recognize  long-term  capital gain or
capital loss depending on the selling price of the shares.  If option shares are
sold or disposed of as part of a  disqualifying  disposition,  the employee must
recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of gain
recognized on the sale, or the  difference  between the fair market value of the
option shares on the date of exercise and the option price.  Any additional gain
will be taxable to the  employee  as a long-term  or  short-term  capital  gain,
depending  on how long the option  shares were held.  The  Company is  generally
entitled to a deduction  in computing  its federal  income taxes for the year of
disposition in an amount equal to any amount taxable to the employee as ordinary
income.

Performance Shares. A participant who receives performance shares will generally
recognize  additional  compensation  taxable as  ordinary  income and subject to
withholding,  and the Company will be entitled to a tax  deduction,  at the time
payment is made,  whether in the form of cash or shares of the Company's  common
stock.  To the  extent  that  payment  is made in the form of stock,  the amount
taxable as  compensation  to the  participant  and  deductible by the Company is
measured  by the then fair  market  value of the shares,  which  constitutes  an
addition to the participant's tax basis in such shares.

Restricted  Shares. A participant who receives  restricted shares will generally
recognize  compensation  taxable as ordinary income when the restrictions  lapse
and the  shares  become  vested.  The  amount  taxable  as  compensation  to the
participant  and  deductible  by the Company is measured by the then fair market
value of the shares,  which  constitutes  an addition to the  participant's  tax
basis in such shares.  In  addition,  a  participant  will  generally  recognize
compensation  taxable as ordinary  income and the Company  will be entitled to a
deduction for any dividends paid on the shares during the restricted period. The
Company's  deduction  generally is  allowable  for its taxable year in which the
participant's taxable year of income inclusion ends.
<PAGE>
Stock Appreciation  Rights. A participant who receives stock appreciation rights
will generally recognize  compensation  taxable as ordinary income upon exercise
of the stock  appreciation  rights equal to the amount of appreciation  payable,
whether  payment  is made in cash,  shares of  common  stock,  or a  combination
thereof.  If payment is made in shares,  the  Company's  deduction  generally is
allowable  for its  taxable  year in which the  stock  appreciation  rights  are
exercised.  If payment is made in cash,  the  Company's  deduction  generally is
allowable for its taxable year in which the participant's taxable year of income
inclusion ends.

The Board of  Directors  recommends  a vote FOR the proposed amendment.


<PAGE>


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation

The following table sets forth all  compensation  paid or accrued during each of
the last three fiscal years to the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other
four  executive  officers of the Company (the Named  Executive  Officers)  whose
salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 during fiscal 1999.

                           Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
                                                                                          Long-Term
                                                 Annual Compensation                    Compensation         All Other
                                    ------------------------------------------          ------------          Compen-
Name and                 Fiscal     Salary        Bonus       Other Annual        Securities Underlying       sation
Principal Position         Year       ($)        ($)(1)      Compensation ($)           Options(2)            ($) (3)
- ------------------       ------     ------       ------      ----------------           ----------          -----------
<S>                        <C>    <C>           <C>                    <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Brian D. McLaughlin        1999   $268,077          --                 --                   50,000              $52,206
President and CEO          1998    258,077       75,000                --                       --               52,206
                           1997    250,000      125,000                --                       --               51,726

Roger J. Wolf              1999   $165,946           --                                     25,000              $47,566
Sr. VP, Secretary          1998    160,039       50,000                --                       --               48,064
Treasurer and CFO          1997    156,000       60,000                --                       --               47,086

James D. Fabris            1999   $165,904           --                --                   35,000              $23,984
Executive Vice             1998    156,154       65,000                --                       --               24,054
President - Operations     1997    140,000       60,000                --                       --               23,504

Richard Blake              1999   $135,268           --                --                       --                   --
V.P. of Hurco and          1998    128,124       40,000                --                       --               $1,791
President Hurco Machine    1997    108,550       41,750                --                       --                4,633
Tool Products Division

David E. Platts            1999   $105,000           --                --                   10,000              $14,802
Vice President of          1998    104,038       10,000                --                       --               15,436
Research & Development     1997    100,000       45,000                --                       --               13,153
- ---------------------------
</TABLE>
(1)    Represents cash bonuses earned and paid in the subsequent year.
(2)    Represents  shares of common  stock  underlying  grants of options  made
       during the year.  We have not  granted any Stock
       Appreciation Rights (SARs).
(3)    Represents  contributions to defined  contribution plans and split dollar
       life insurance  premiums.  During fiscal 1997, we initiated  Split-Dollar
       Life Insurance  Agreements with certain officers.  Under the terms of the
       agreements, we pay all of the premiums on behalf of the officers. We will
       be repaid the premiums from the policies' cash  surrender  value when the
       policies  are  terminated  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the
       agreements.


<PAGE>



                          Defined Contribution Plan   Company paid Split-Dollar
Name                            Company Match          Life Insurance Premiums

Brian D. McLaughlin                $4,800                      $47,406
Roger J. Wolf                       4,800                       42,766
James D. Fabris                     4,800                       19,184
David E. Platts                     2,587                       12,215

Stock Options

The  following  table sets forth  information  related  to options  granted  and
exercised  during  fiscal 1999 and options held at fiscal  year-end by the Named
Executive Officers. We do not have any outstanding SARs.

                        Option Grants During Fiscal 1999
<TABLE>
                                                    % of Total                                 Potential Realizable
                                      Number of      Options                                 Value at Assumed Annual
                                      Securities    Granted to                                 Rates of Stock Price
                                      Underlying    Employees     Exercise                   Appreciation for Option
                                       Options      in Fiscal       Price      Expiration             Term1
Name                                   Granted2        Year        ($/SH)         Date           5%($)        10%($)
- ----                                   --------        ----        ------         ----           -----        -----
<S>                                     <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Brian D. McLaughlin                     50,000        16.4%        $5.813       12/15/08       182,788      463,221
Roger J. Wolf                           25,000         8.2%        $5.813       12/15/08        91,394      231,611
James D. Fabris                         35,000        11.5%        $5.813       12/15/08       127,952      324,255
David E. Platts                         10,000         3.3%        $5.813       12/15/08        36,558       92,644
</TABLE>
1 The potential  realizable value  illustrates value that might be realized upon
the exercise of the options  immediately prior to the expiration of their terms,
assuming the specified  compounded rates of appreciation of Hurco's common stock
from the date of grant through the term of the options.

2 Options may be exercised in five annual  installments  commencing on the first
anniversary of the date of grant.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                 Aggregated Option Exercises in Fiscal 1999 and Year-End Option Values

                                                                                                  Value of
                                                                  Number of                      Unexercised
                                                           Securities Underlying                In-the-Money
                             Shares                          Unexercised Options                    Options
                            Acquired                            at FY-End (#)                 at FY-End ($) (1)
                              on            Value         ------------------------        ---------------------
                           Exercise       Realized         Exer-           Unexer-          Exer-      Unexer-
Name                         (#)            ($)          cisable           cisable        cisable      cisable
- ----                       ---------     ---------       -------           -------        -------      -------
<S>                           <C>            <C>         <C>                <C>           <C>               <C>
Brian D. McLaughlin           --             --          125,000            50,000        $70,000           --
Roger J. Wolf                 --             --           50,000            25,000          7,000           --
James D. Fabris               --             --           36,000            39,000         33,250           --
Richard Blake                 --             --           17,000             4,000          7,875           --
David E. Platts               --             --           28,000            12,000         20,625           --
- -----------------------------------------
(1)  Value is calculated  based on the closing  market price of the common stock
     on October 31, 1999 ($ 3.50) less the option exercise price.
</TABLE>
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During  fiscal 1999 the members of the  Compensation  Committee  were Hendrik
J.  Hartong,  Jr., O. Curtis Noel and Charles E. Mitchell Rentschler.  None of
the Committee members is a current or former officer or employee of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries.

Employment Contracts

Brian D.  McLaughlin  entered into an employment  contract on December 14, 1987.
The  contract  term  is  month-to-month.   Mr.  McLaughlin's  salary  and  bonus
arrangements  are set  annually by the  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of
Directors.  Other  compensation,   such  as  stock  option  grants,  is  awarded
periodically at the discretion of the  Compensation  Committee.  As part of that
contract,  Mr.  McLaughlin is entitled to 12 months' salary if his employment is
terminated for any reason other than gross misconduct.

Roger J. Wolf  entered  into an  employment  contract  on January  8, 1993.  The
contract term is unspecified.  Mr. Wolf's salary and bonus  arrangements are set
annually  by  the  Compensation  Committee  of the  Board  of  Directors.  Other
compensation,  such as stock  option  grants,  is  awarded  periodically  at the
discretion of the Compensation  Committee. As part of that contract, Mr. Wolf is
entitled to 12 months'  salary if his  employment  is  terminated  without  just
cause.

James D. Fabris  entered into an employment  contract on November 18, 1997.  The
contract term is unspecified.  Mr. Fabris' salary and bonus  arrangement are set
annually  by  the  Compensation  Committee  of the  Board  of  Directors.  Other
compensation,  such as stock  option  grants,  is  awarded  periodically  at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee. As part of the contract, Mr. Fabris is
entitled to 12 months'  salary if his  employment is  terminated  for any reason
other than gross misconduct.
<PAGE>
Richard  Blake  entered  into an  employment  contract  on April 21,  1999 which
extends through December 31, 2000. Mr. Blake's salary and bonus arrangements are
set annually by the Board of Directors. Other compensation, such as stock option
grants, is awarded periodically at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  As
part of the  contract,  Mr.  Blake is  entitled to  continuation  of base salary
through  December 31, 2000, if his employment is terminated  without cause.  Mr.
Blake may voluntarily resign in which case Hurco has no further obligation.



                   BOARD OF DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

                        REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The  Compensation  Committee  of the  Board of  Directors  establishes  policies
relating to the compensation arrangements of the Chief Executive Officer and all
other  executive  officers  and  oversees the  administration  of the  Company's
employee benefit plans. All decisions of the Compensation  Committee relating to
the  compensation of the Company's  executive  officers are reviewed by the full
Board.

Compensation Policy

The goal of the  Company's  executive  compensation  policy is to ensure that an
appropriate  relationship  exists  between  executive  pay and the  creation  of
shareholder  value,  while  at  the  same  time  motivating  and  retaining  key
employees.  To achieve this goal, the Company's  executive  compensation  policy
integrates annual base compensation with incentive compensation plans based upon
corporate performance and individual initiatives and performance. Measurement of
corporate   performance  is  primarily  based  on  Company  goals  and  industry
performance  levels.  Accordingly,  in  years  in which  performance  goals  and
industry  levels are achieved or exceeded,  executive  compensation  tends to be
higher than in years in which  performance  is below  expectations.  Annual cash
compensation, together with stock option incentives, are designed to attract and
retain qualified executives and to ensure that such executives have a continuing
stake in the long-term success of the Company.

Stock options are granted from time to time to key employees, based primarily on
such person's potential  contribution to the Company's growth and profitability.
The Compensation  Committee feels that stock options are an effective  incentive
for managers to create value for shareholders since the value of an option bears
a direct  relationship to the Company's stock price. The Compensation  Committee
believes that linking compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and all other
executive  officers to corporate  performance  results in a better  alignment of
compensation with corporate goals and shareholder interest. As performance goals
are met or exceeded,  resulting in increased value to  shareholders,  executives
are rewarded commensurately.
<PAGE>
Fiscal 1999 Executive Compensation

For fiscal 1999,  the  Company's  compensation  program for the Chief  Executive
Officer and all other  executive  officers  consisted of (i) base  salary;  (ii)
bonus awards based upon the performance  measurements described above; and (iii)
stock option  awards.  During fiscal year 1999, the annual  compensation  of the
Chief Executive  Officer  included base salary,  which was increased from fiscal
1998 for a cost-of-living adjustment and stock option awards. In evaluating 1999
performance,  the Committee  considered the Company's  financial  performance in
relation to its  business  plan and other  corporate  performance  criteria  and
determined  that no bonus  would be awarded to the Chief  Executive  Officer and
other corporate  executive  officers.  The Committee  believes that compensation
levels for the Chief Executive Officer and all other executive  officers and key
employees during fiscal 1999 adequately reflect the Company's compensation goals
and policies.

                                 Hendrik J. Hartong, Jr.
                                 O. Curtis Noel
                                 Charles E. Mitchell Rentschler


<PAGE>


                          SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN

                        BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The  following  table sets  forth  information  as of March 1,  2000,  regarding
beneficial  ownership of the  Company's  common stock by each director and Named
Executive  Officer,  by all directors and executive  officers as a group, and by
certain other beneficial  owners of more than 5% of the common stock.  Each such
person has sole voting and  investment  power with  respect to such  securities,
except as otherwise noted.
<TABLE>
                                                                                     Shares Beneficially Owned

Name and Address                                                                Number                   Percent

                                               Other Beneficial Owners
<S>                                                                           <C>                          <C>
Wellington Management Co.                                                     645,000 (1)                  10.8%
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02109

Wellington Trust Company, NA                                                  555,000 (2)                   9.3%
79 State Street
Boston, MA  02109

The Prudential Insurance Company of America                                   489,364 (3)                   8.2%
4 Gateway Center
Newark, New Jersey 07102

The TCW Group, Inc.                                                           324,800 (4)                   5.5%
865 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California  90017

Brynwood Partners II L.P., et al                                              762,561 (5)                  12.0%
Two Soundview Avenue
Greenwich, Connecticut  06830

Dimensional Fund Advisors                                                     398,900 (6)                   6.7%
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA  90401

FMR Corporation                                                                379,028 (7)                  6.4%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
</TABLE>





<PAGE>


                        Directors and Executive Officers

Hendrik J. Hartong, Jr.                      346,013 (5,8)                5.4%
Andrew L. Lewis IV                            34,000 (8)                  0.6%
Brian D. McLaughlin                          183,586 (9,10)               2.9%
E. Keith Moore                                38,010 (11)                 0.6%
Richard T. Niner                             694,549 (5,8)               10.9%
O. Curtis Noel                                25,000 (8)                  0.4%
Charles E. Mitchell Rentschler                45,000 (8,12)               0.7%
Roger J. Wolf                                 68,492 (13)                 1.1%
James D. Fabris                               43,500 (14)                 0.7%
Richard Blake                                 18,000 (15)                 0.3%
David E. Platts                               31,700 (16)                 0.5%
Executive officers and directors           1,260,724 (17)                19.8%
as a group (12 persons)


(1)      According to a Schedule 13G, dated December 31, 1999, Wellington
         Management Co. has shared voting power for all shares.

(2)      According to a Schedule 13G, dated December 31, 1999, Wellington Trust
         Company, NA has shared voting power for all shares.

(3)      According to a Schedule 13G, dated December 31, 1999,  the PrudentiaL
         Insurance  Company of America has sole voting power for
         all shares.

(4)      According to a Schedule 13G, dated December 31, 1999, the TCW Group,
         Inc. has shared voting power for all shares.

(5)      Represents shares owned by a group,  consisting of Brynwood Partners II
         L.P. ("Brynwood II"), its general partner, Brynwood Management II, L.P.
         ("Brynwood  Management  II"), and the partners of Brynwood  Management,
         Hendrik J. Hartong,  Jr., and Richard T. Niner.  Brynwood Management II
         has  shared  voting and  dispositive  power over  278,001  shares;  Mr.
         Hartong has sole voting and  dispositive  power over 68,012  (including
         25,000 shares subject to the exercise of non-qualified  options) shares
         and shared voting and dispositive power over 278,001 shares;  Mr. Niner
         has sole voting and dispositive  power over 416,548  (including  25,000
         shares  subject to the exercise of  non-qualified  options)  shares and
         shared voting and dispositive power over 278,001 shares.  The shares in
         the table for Mr. Hartong and Mr. Niner include those shares over which
         they have voting and investment power.

(6)      According to a Schedule 13G, dated December 31, 1999, Dimensional Fund
         Advisors has sole voting power for all shares.

(7)      According to a Schedule 13G, dated December 31, 1999, FMR Corporation
         has no voting power for any of the shares.


(8)      Includes 25,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
         60 days.

(9)      Includes 135,000 shares subject to options held by Mr. McLaughlin that
         are exercisable within 60 days.
<PAGE>
(10)     Includes  10,986  shares  owned by Mr.  McLaughlin's  wife and
         children,  as to which  he may be  deemed  to have  beneficial
         ownership.

(11)     Includes 11,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
         60 days.

(12)     Includes 1,000 shares owned by Mr. Rentschler's wife, as to which he
         may be deemed to have beneficial ownership.

(13)     Includes 55,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
         60 days.

(14)     Includes 43,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
         60 days.

(15)     Includes 17,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
         60 days.

(16)     Includes 30,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
         60 days.

(17)     Includes 421,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within
         60 days.




<PAGE>
                                PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph illustrates the cumulative total shareholder return on Hurco
common stock for the five-year period ended October 31, 1999, as compared to the
NASDAQ stock market index for U.S.  companies and to a peer group  consisting of
NASDAQ traded securities for U.S. companies in the same Standard Industrial Code
(SIC)  group  as  Hurco  (Industrial  and  Commercial   Machinery  and  Computer
Equipment).  The  comparisons  in this table are required by the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission  and are not  intended  to  forecast  or be  indicative  of
possible future performance of Hurco common stock.

                             INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

Arthur Andersen LLP served as the independent accountants to audit the financial
statements of Hurco for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999.  Representatives
of Arthur  Andersen LLP are expected to be present at the Annual  Meeting,  will
have  the  opportunity  to  make a  statement  if they so  desire,  and  will be
available to respond to appropriate  questions from  shareholders.  The Board of
Directors expects to reappoint Arthur Andersen LLP as independent accountants to
serve for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2000.

                              SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

The date by which  shareholder  proposals  must be  received  by the Company for
inclusion in proxy materials relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
is December 6, 2000.

In order to be considered at the 2001 Annual Meeting, shareholder proposals must
comply with the advance  notice and  eligibility  requirements  contained in the
Company's By-Laws.  The Company's By-Laws provide that shareholders are required
to give  advance  notice to the  Company  of any  business  to be  brought  by a
shareholder before an annual shareholders'  meeting. For business to be properly
brought  before an annual meeting by a shareholder,  the  shareholder  must give
timely written  notice  thereof to the Secretary of the Company.  In order to be
timely,  a  shareholder's  notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at
the  principal  executive  offices of the Company not less than 60 days prior to
the  meeting.  In the  event  that less  than 70 days'  notice  or prior  public
disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to  shareholders,  notice
by the shareholder  must be received not later than the close of business on the
tenth  day  following  the day on which  notice of the date of the  meeting  was
mailed  or public  disclosure  was  made.  The  notice  must  contain  specified
information about the proposed business and the shareholder making the proposal.
A copy of the Company's By-Laws is available upon request. Such requests and any
shareholder  proposals  should  be sent  to  Roger  J.  Wolf,  Secretary,  Hurco
Companies,  Inc., One  Technology  Way, P.O. Box 68180,  Indianapolis,  Indiana,
46268, the principal executive offices of the Company.

                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

The  Company  filed its Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year ended
October  31,  1999 with the  Securities  and  Exchange Commission. Shareholders
may obtain a copy of the Form 10-K by writing to Roger J. Wolf,  Senior
Vice-President  and Chief Financial Officer,  Hurco  Companies,  Inc., One
Technology  Way, P. O. Box 68180,  Indianapolis,  Indiana 46268. A copy of
the 10-K can also be obtained at hurco.com or SEC.gov.
<PAGE>

                                 OTHER BUSINESS

The Board of Directors  knows of no other  matters which may be presented at the
Annual  Meeting.  If any other  matters  should  properly come before the Annual
Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote in accordance
with their business judgment on such matters.


<PAGE>


                                     Annex A

(Text proposed to be added and is underlined. Text proposed to be deleted is in
all caps.)

                              Hurco Companies, Inc.
                      1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

                  1.       Plan  Purpose.  The  purpose  of the Plan is to
promote  the  long-term  interests  of the  Company  and its shareholders  by
providing  a means for  attracting  and  retaining  officers,  directors  and
                                                            ------------
key  employees  of the  Company and its Affiliates.

                  2.       Definitions.  The following definitions are
                           applicable to the Plan:

                  "Affiliate" -- means any "parent  corporation"  or "subsidiary
corporation"  of the Company as such terms are defined in Code  sections  424(e)
and (f), respectively.

                  "Affiliated  SAR" -- means a SAR that is granted in connection
with a related Option, and which automatically will be deemed to be exercised at
the same time that the related  Option is exercised.  The deemed  exercise of an
Affiliated SAR shall not necessitate a reduction in the number of Shares subject
to the related Option.

                  "Award" -- means the grant by the Committee of Incentive Stock
Options,  Non-Qualified  Stock Options,  SARs,  Restricted  Shares,  Performance
Shares or any combination thereof, as provided in the Plan.

                  "Award Agreement" -- means the written agreement setting forth
the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan.

                  "Base Price" -- means the amount over which the  appreciation
in value of a Share will be measured  upon exercise of an SAR.

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

                  "Change in Control" -- means each of the events  specified  in
the  following  clauses (i) through  (iii):  (i) any third  person,  including a
"group" as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act after the date of the
adoption of the Plan by the Board,  first becomes the beneficial owner of shares
of the Company  with  respect to which 25% or more of the total  number of votes
for the election of the Board of Directors of the Company may be cast, (ii) as a
result of, or in connection with, any cash tender offer,  exchange offer, merger
or  other  business  combination,  sale of  assets  or  contested  election,  or
combination  of the  foregoing,  the persons who were  directors  of the Company
shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company or
(iii) the  shareholders  of the Company  shall  approve an  agreement  providing
either for a  transaction  in which the Company will cease to be an  independent
publicly owned entity or for a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all the assets of the Company; provided,  however, that the occurrence of any of
such  events  shall  not be  deemed  a  Change  in  Control  if,  prior  to such
occurrence,  a resolution specifically approving such occurrence shall have been
adopted by at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company.
<PAGE>
                  "Code" -- means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                  "Committee"  -- means  the  Committee  appointed  by the Board
pursuant to Section 3 of the Plan.

                  "Company" -- means Hurco Companies, Inc., an Indiana
corporation.

                  "Continuous Service" -- means, in the case of an Employee, the
                                               -----------------------------
absence of any  interruption  or  termination  of service as an  Employee of the
                                                                             ---
Company  or an  Affiliate;  and  in  the  case  of an  individual  who is not an
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee,  the  absence  of any  interruption  or  termination  of  the  service
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
relationship  between the  individual  and the Company or an Affiliate.  Service
- ------------------------------------------
shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave or
any  other  leave  of  absence  approved  by the  Company  or in the case of any
transfer between the Company and an Affiliate or any successor to the Company.

                  "Director"  -- means  any  individual  who is a member  of the
Board.

                  "Disability"  -- means total and  permanent  disability  as
determined  by the  Committee  pursuant to Code  section 22(e)(3).

                  "Employee"  -- means  any  person,  including  an  officer  or
Director, who is employed by the Company or any Affiliate.

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

                  "Exercise  Price"  -- means  the  price per Share at which the
Shares subject to an Option may be purchased upon exercise of the Option.

                  "Freestanding   SAR"   --   means  a  SAR   that  is   granted
independently of any Option.

                  "Incentive Stock Option" -- means an option to purchase Shares
granted by the Committee  pursuant to the terms of the Plan which is intended to
qualify under Code section 422.

                  "Market  Value" -- means the last  reported  sale price on the
date in question  (or, if there is no  reported  sale on such date,  on the last
preceding  date on  which  any  reported  sale  occurred)  of one  Share  on the
principal exchange on which the Shares are listed for trading,  or if the Shares
are not listed for trading on any  exchange,  the average  trading  price of one
share on the date in question as reported on the Nasdaq  National  Market or any
similar  system  then in use,  or, if the  Shares  are not  listed on the Nasdaq
National Market,  the mean between the closing high bid and low asked quotations
of one Share on the date in question as reported by Nasdaq or any similar system
then in use, or, if no such  quotations are available,  the fair market value on
such date of one Share as the Committee shall determine.

                  "Non-Qualified  Stock  Option" -- means an option to  purchase
Shares granted by the Committee  pursuant to the terms of the Plan, which option
is not intended to qualify under Code section 422.
<PAGE>
                  "Option" -- means an Incentive Stock Option or a
Non-Qualified Stock Option.

                  "Participant"  -- means any  EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY OR ANY
AFFILIATE individual who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award.
          ----------
                  "Performance  Cycle" -- means the period of time,  designated
by the Committee,  over which Performance Shares may be earned.

                  "Performance  Shares"  -- means  Shares  awarded  pursuant  to
Section 12 of the Plan.

                  "Plan" -- means the Hurco Companies, Inc., 1997 Stock Option
and Incentive Plan.

                  "Reorganization"  -- means the  liquidation  or dissolution of
the Company or any merger,  consolidation  or  combination of the Company (other
than a  merger,  consolidation  or  combination  in  which  the  Company  is the
continuing  entity  and which does not result in the  outstanding  Shares  being
converted into or exchanged for different securities,  cash or other property or
any combination thereof).

                  "Restricted  Period" -- means the period of time  selected  by
the Committee for the purpose of  determining  when  restrictions  are in effect
under Section 10 of the Plan with respect to Restricted Shares.

                  "Restricted   Shares"   --  means   Shares   which  have  been
contingently   awarded  to  a  Participant  by  the  Committee  subject  to  the
restrictions referred to in Section 10 of the Plan, so long as such restrictions
are in effect.

                  "Retirement"  -- means A PARTICIPANT'S,  with  respect  to an
                                                        -----------------------
Employee,  cessation of Continuous  Service on or after age 65 or such other age
- ---------
as set forth in the Company's  retirement  policy as in effect from time to time
and, with respect to a Director who is not an Employee,  cessation of Continuous
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service on the Board.
- ---------------------
                  "Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" -- means an Award, granted
alone or in  connection  with a related  Option,  pursuant  to Section 11 of the
Plan.

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

                  "Shares" -- means the shares of common stock, no par value, of
the Company.

                  "Tandem SAR" -- means a SAR that is granted in connection with
a related Option, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to
purchase an equal number of Shares under the related Option (and when a Share is
purchased under the Option, the SAR shall be canceled to the same extent).
<PAGE>
                  3.  Administration.  The  Plan  shall be  administered  by the
Committee, which shall consist of two or more members of the Board, each of whom
shall be a "non-employee  director" as provided under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange
Act,  and an "outside  director"  as provided  under Code  section  162(m).  The
members of the Committee  shall be appointed by the Board.  Except as limited by
the express  provisions of the Plan, the Committee  shall have sole and complete
authority  and  discretion  to (a) select  Participants  and grant  Awards;  (b)
determine  the number of Shares to be subject to types of Awards  generally,  as
well as to individual Awards granted under the Plan; (c) determine the terms and
conditions  upon which Awards shall be granted under the Plan; (d) prescribe the
form and terms of Award Agreements; (e) establish procedures and regulations for
the  administration  of the  Plan;  (f)  interpret  the  Plan;  and (g) make all
determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

                  A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the
acts of a majority  of the  members  present at any meeting at which a quorum is
present,  or acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee  without a
meeting,  shall be acts of the Committee.  All determinations and decisions made
by the  Committee  pursuant  to the  provisions  of the  Plan  shall  be  final,
conclusive, and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference
permitted by law.

                  4.       Participants.  The Committee may select from time to
time  Participants  in the Plan from those  officers, Directors and key
Employees of the Company or its Affiliates who, in the opinion of the
Committee,  have the capacity for  contributing in a substantial measure to the
successful performance of the Company or its Affiliates.

                  5.       Shares  Subject to Plan,  Limitations on Grants and
                           Exercise  Price.  Subject to adjustment by the
                           operation of Section 13 hereof:

                           (a) The maximum  number of Shares which may be issued
                  with  respect  to  Awards  made  under  the  Plan  is  500,000
                  1,000,000 Shares.  The Shares with respect to which Awards may
                  ---------
                  be made under the Plan may either be  authorized  and unissued
                  shares or unissued shares  heretofore or hereafter  reacquired
                  and  held  as  treasury  shares.   Any  Award  which  expires,
                  terminates or is surrendered for  cancellation or with respect
                  to  Restricted  Shares which is forfeited (so long as any cash
                  dividends  paid on such  Shares  are also  forfeited),  may be
                  subject  to new  Awards  under  the Plan with  respect  to the
                  number of Shares as to which a termination  or forfeiture  has
                  occurred.

                           (b) The number of Shares  which may be granted  under
                  the Plan to any Participant  during the term of the Plan under
                  all forms of Awards shall not exceed 100,000 250,000 Shares.
                                                               -------
                           (c)  Notwithstanding  any other  provision  under the
                  Plan,  the Exercise  Price for any Incentive  Stock Option and
                  the Base Price for any  Tandem or  Affiliated  SAR  granted in
                  connection  with an Incentive  Stock Option  awarded under the
                  Plan may not be less than the  Market  Value of the  Shares on
                  the date of grant.
<PAGE>
                  6. General  Terms and  Conditions  of Options.  The  Committee
shall have full and  complete  authority  and  discretion,  except as  expressly
limited by the Plan, to grant Options and to prescribe the terms and  conditions
(which need not be identical  among  Participants)  of the Options.  Each Option
shall be evidenced by an Award  Agreement that shall  specify:  (a) the Exercise
Price,  (b) the number of Shares subject to the Option,  (c) the expiration date
of the Option,  (d) the  manner,  time and rate  (cumulative  or  otherwise)  of
exercise  of the  Option,  (e) the  restrictions,  if any, to be placed upon the
Option or upon Shares which may be issued upon  exercise of the Option,  (f) the
conditions,  if any, under which a Participant  may transfer or assign  Options,
and (g) any other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
shall  determine.  The  Committee  may, as a condition  of granting  any Option,
require that a  Participant  agree to  surrender  for  cancellation  one or more
Options previously granted to such Participant.

                  7.       Exercise of Options.

                           (a)  Except  as  provided  in  Section  16, an Option
                  granted  under  the  Plan  shall  be  exercisable  during  the
                  lifetime  of the  Participant  to whom such Option was granted
                  only by such Participant,  and except as provided in Section 8
                  of the Plan, no Option may be exercised unless at the time the
                  Participant   exercises  the  Option,   the   Participant  has
                  maintained  Continuous  Service since the date of the grant of
                  the Option.

                           (b)  To  exercise  an  Option  under  the  Plan,  the
                  Participant must give written notice to the Company specifying
                  the number of Shares  with  respect  to which the  Participant
                  elects to exercise  the Option  together  with full payment of
                  the Exercise Price.  The date of exercise shall be the date on
                  which the notice is  received by the  Company.  Payment may be
                  made either (i) in cash (including  check, bank draft or money
                  order),   (ii)  by  tendering  Shares  already  owned  by  the
                  Participant  and having a Market Value on the date of exercise
                  equal to the  Exercise  Price,  (iii) by  requesting  that the
                  Company  withhold  Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option
                  having a Market Value equal to the Exercise  Price, or (iv) by
                  any  other  means  determined  by the  Committee  in its  sole
                  discretion.

                  8.       Termination of Options.  Unless otherwise
                           specifically  provided by the Committee in the Award
                           Agreement or any amendment thereto, Options shall
                           terminate as provided in this Section.

                           (a) Unless sooner  terminated under the provisions of
                  this Section,  Options shall expire on the earlier of the date
                  specified in the Award Agreement or the expiration of ten (10)
                  years from the date of grant.

                           (b) If the  Continuous  Service of a  Participant  is
                  terminated for cause,  or voluntarily by the  Participant  for
                  any reason other than death,  Disability  or  Retirement,  all
                  rights  under any  Options  granted to the  Participant  shall
                  terminate  immediately  upon the  Participant's  cessation  of
                  Continuous Service.
<PAGE>
                           (c) If the  Continuous  Service of a  Participant  is
                  terminated  by  reason  of  Retirement  or  terminated  by the
                  Company   without   cause,   the   Participant   may  exercise
                  outstanding  Options to the extent  that the  Participant  was
                  entitled to exercise  the Options at the date of  cessation of
                  Continuous  Service,  but only  within the period of three (3)
                  months immediately  succeeding the Participant's  cessation of
                  Continuous  Service,  and in no  event  after  the  applicable
                  expiration dates of the Options.

                           (d)  In  the  event  of the  Participant's  death  or
                  Disability,  the Participant or the Participant's beneficiary,
                  as the case may be, may  exercise  outstanding  Options to the
                  extent that the  Participant  was  entitled  to  exercise  the
                  Options at the date of cessation of  Continuous  Service,  but
                  only within the one-year  period  immediately  succeeding  the
                  Participant's  cessation  of  Continuous  Service by reason of
                  death or  Disability,  and in no event  after  the  applicable
                  expiration date of the Options.

                  9.  Incentive  Stock Options.  Incentive  Stock Options may be
granted only to  Participants  who are Employees.  Any provisions of the Plan to
the contrary  notwithstanding,  (a) no  Incentive  Stock Option shall be granted
more than ten years  from the  earlier  of the date the Plan is  adopted  by the
Board of Directors of the Company or approved by the Company's Shareholders, (b)
no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years from the date
the Incentive  Stock Option is granted,  (c) the Exercise Price of any Incentive
Stock  Option shall not be less than the Market Value per Share on the date such
Incentive  Stock Option is granted,  (d) any Incentive Stock Option shall not be
transferable  by the  Participant to whom such Incentive Stock Option is granted
other  than  by will or the  laws of  descent  and  distribution  and  shall  be
exercisable during such Participant's lifetime only by such Participant,  (e) no
Incentive  Stock Option shall be granted  which would  permit a  Participant  to
acquire,  through the exercise of Incentive  Stock Options in any calendar year,
under all plans of the Company and its  Affiliate,  Shares  having an  aggregate
Market Value  (determined as of the time any Incentive  Stock Option is granted)
in excess of $100,000 (determined by assuming that the Participant will exercise
each  Incentive  Stock  Option  on the  date  that  such  Option  first  becomes
exercisable), and (f) no Incentive Stock Option may be exercised more than three
(3) months after the Participant's cessation of Continuous Service (one (1) year
in the case of Disability) for any reason other than death.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of any Participant who, at the date of grant, owns shares
possessing  more than 10% of the total  combined  voting power of all classes of
capital  stock  of the  Company  or any  Affiliate,  the  Exercise  Price of any
Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 110% of the Market Value per Share
on the date such  Incentive  Stock  Option is granted and such  Incentive  Stock
Option  shall  not be  exercisable  more  than  five  years  from the date  such
Incentive Stock Option is granted.

                  10. Terms and Conditions of Restricted  Shares.  The Committee
shall have full and complete authority,  subject to the limitations of the Plan,
to grant Awards of Restricted  Shares and to prescribe the terms and  conditions
(which  need not be  identical  among  Participants)  in respect of the  Awards.
Unless the Committee otherwise specifically provides in the Award Agreement, an
Award of Restricted Shares shall be subject to the following provisions:
<PAGE>
                           (a) At the time of an Award of Restricted Shares, the
                  Committee  shall  establish for each  Participant a Restricted
                  Period  during  which,  or at the  expiration  of  which,  the
                  Restricted Shares shall vest. Subject to paragraph (e) of this
                  Section,  the  Participant  shall  have  all the  rights  of a
                  shareholder with respect to the Restricted  Shares,  including
                  but not limited to, the right to receive all dividends paid on
                  the  Restricted  Shares  and the right to vote the  Restricted
                  Shares.  The  Committee  shall  have  the  authority,  in  its
                  discretion,  to accelerate the time at which any or all of the
                  restrictions shall lapse with respect to any Restricted Shares
                  prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, or to remove
                  any or all  restrictions,  whenever it may determine that such
                  action is  appropriate  by reason of changes in applicable tax
                  or other  laws or other  changes  in  circumstances  occurring
                  after the commencement of the Restricted Period.

                           (b) If a Participant  ceases  Continuous  Service for
                  any reason, including death, before the Restricted Shares have
                  vested,  a  Participant's  rights with respect to the unvested
                  portion  of  the  Restricted  Shares  shall  terminate  and be
                  returned to the Company.

                           (c) Each certificate  issued in respect to Restricted
                  Shares shall be registered in the name of the  Participant and
                  deposited  by the  Participant,  together  with a stock  power
                  endorsed  in  blank,  with  the  Company  and  shall  bear the
                  following (or a similar) legend:

                           "The  transferability  of  this  certificate  and the
                  shares  represented  hereby  are  subject  to  the  terms  and
                  conditions (including  forfeiture) contained in the 1997 Stock
                  Option and Incentive  Plan of Hurco  Companies,  Inc.,  and an
                  Award Agreement  entered into between the registered owner and
                  Hurco  Companies,  Inc. Copies of the Plan and Award Agreement
                  are on file in the office of the Secretary of the Company."

                           (d) At the time of an Award of Restricted Shares, the
                  Participant  shall  enter  into an  Award  Agreement  with the
                  Company in a form  specified by the Committee  agreeing to the
                  terms and conditions of the Award.

                           (e) At the time of an Award of Restricted Shares, the
                  Committee may, in its  discretion,  determine that the payment
                  to the  Participant  of  dividends  declared  or  paid  on the
                  Restricted  Shares  by the  Company,  or a  specified  portion
                  thereof,  shall be deferred  until the earlier to occur of (i)
                  the lapsing of the  restrictions  imposed  with respect to the
                  Restricted  Shares,  or (ii) the forfeiture of such Restricted
                  Shares under paragraph (b) of this Section,  and shall be held
                  by the Company for the account of the  Participant  until such
                  time. In the event of deferral, there shall be credited at the
                  end of each year (or portion  thereof)  interest on the amount
                  of the  account  at the  beginning  of the  year at a rate per
                  annum as the  Committee,  in its  discretion,  may  determine.
                  Payment of deferred dividends, together with accrued interest,
                  shall  be  made  upon  the  earlier  to  occur  of the  events
                  specified in (i) and (ii) of this paragraph.
<PAGE>
                           (f) At the expiration of the restrictions  imposed by
                  this Section,  the Company shall  redeliver to the Participant
                  the  certificate(s) and stock power deposited with the Company
                  pursuant  to  paragraph  (c) of this  Section  and the  Shares
                  represented  by  the  certificate(s)  shall  be  free  of  all
                  restrictions.

                           (g)      No Award of Restricted Shares may be
                  assigned, transferred or encumbered.

                  11. Grant of SARs.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan, a SAR Award may be made to  Participants at any time and from time to time
as shall be determined by the Committee,  in its sole discretion.  The Committee
may grant Affiliated SARs,  Freestanding  SARs,  Tandem SARs, or any combination
thereof as follows:

                           (a) The Committee,  subject to the limitations of the
                  Plan, shall have complete discretion to determine the Exercise
                  Price and other terms and conditions of SARs granted under the
                  Plan.  Each SAR Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement
                  specifying  the terms and  conditions of the Award,  including
                  its term, the Base Price and the conditions of exercise.

                           (b) The Base Price of Shares with respect to a Tandem
                  or Affiliated  SAR Award shall equal the Exercise Price of the
                  Shares under the related Option.

                           (c) Tandem SARs may be  exercised  for all or part of
                  the Shares subject to the related Option upon the surrender of
                  the right to exercise  the  equivalent  portion of the related
                  Option. A Tandem SAR may be exercised only with respect to the
                  Shares for which its related Option is then exercisable.  With
                  respect  to  a  Tandem  SAR  granted  in  connection  with  an
                  Incentive  Stock  Option:  (i) the Tandem SAR shall  expire no
                  later than the  expiration of the underlying  Incentive  Stock
                  Option;  (ii) the  value of the  payout  with  respect  to the
                  Tandem  SAR  shall  be for no more  than one  hundred  percent
                  (100%) of the  difference  between the  Exercise  Price of the
                  underlying  Incentive Stock Option and the Market Value of the
                  Shares subject to the underlying Incentive Stock Option at the
                  time the  Tandem  SAR is  exercised;  and (iii) the Tandem SAR
                  shall be exercisable  only when the Market Value of the Shares
                  subject to the  Incentive  Stock  Option  exceeds the Exercise
                  Price of the Incentive Stock Option.

                           (d) Upon  exercise of a SAR, a  Participant  shall be
                  entitled  to  receive  payment  from the  Company in an amount
                  determined by multiplying:

                                    (i) The  difference  between  the Market
                           Value of a Share on the date of
                           exercise over the Base Price; times

                                    (ii) The  number of Shares  with  respect to
                           which the SAR Award is exercised.

                           At the discretion of the Committee, payment for a SAR
                  may be in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.
<PAGE>
                  12. Performance Shares. The Committee, in its sole discretion,
may from  time to time  authorize  the  grant  of  Performance  Shares  upon the
achievement of performance goals (which may be cumulative and/or alternative) as
may be  established,  in  writing,  by the  Committee  based  on any  one or any
combination  of the following  business  criteria:  (a) earnings per Share;  (b)
return on equity;  (c) return on assets;  (d)  operating  income;  or (e) Market
Value per Share.  At the time as it is certified,  in writing,  by the Committee
that the  performance  goals  established by the Committee have been attained or
otherwise  satisfied within the Performance Cycle, the Committee shall authorize
the payment of cash in lieu of Performance Shares or the issuance of Performance
Shares  registered in the name of the Participant,  or a combination of cash and
Shares.  The grant of an Award of  Performance  Shares  shall be evidenced by an
Award  Agreement  containing the terms and conditions of the Award as determined
by the Committee. To the extent required under Code Section 162(m), the business
criteria under which  performance goals are determined by the Committee shall be
resubmitted to shareholders  for reapproval no later than the first  shareholder
meeting that occurs in the fifth year  following the year in which  shareholders
previously approved the Plan.

                  If the Participant ceases Continuous Service before the end of
a Performance Cycle for any reason other than Retirement,  Disability, or death,
the Participant shall forfeit all rights with respect to any Performance  Shares
that were being earned during the Performance Cycle. The Committee,  in its sole
discretion,  may establish  guidelines  providing  that if a Participant  ceases
Continuous  Service  before  the  end  of  a  Performance  Cycle  by  reason  of
Retirement,  Disability,  or  death,  the  Participant  shall be  entitled  to a
prorated  payment with respect to any Performance  Shares that were being earned
during the Performance Cycle.

                  13. Adjustments Upon Changes in  Capitalization.  In the event
of any change in the outstanding  Shares subsequent to the effective date of the
Plan by reason  of any  reorganization,  recapitalization,  stock  split,  stock
dividend, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or any change
in the  corporate  structure  or Shares of the  Company,  the maximum  aggregate
number and class of shares as to which Awards may be granted  under the Plan and
the number and class of shares with  respect to which  Awards  theretofore  have
been granted under the Plan shall be appropriately  adjusted by the Committee to
prevent the dilution or diminution of Awards. The Committee's determination with
respect to any adjustments  shall be conclusive.  Any shares or other securities
received, as a result of any of the foregoing,  by a Participant with respect to
Restricted   Shares  shall  be  subject  to  the  same   restrictions   and  the
certificate(s)  or other  instruments  representing  or evidencing the shares or
other  securities shall be legended and deposited with the Company in the manner
provided in Section 10 of this Agreement.

                  14.      Effect of  Reorganization.  Unless otherwise
provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement,  Awards will
be affected by a Reorganization as follows:

                           (a)  If  the   Reorganization  is  a  dissolution  or
                  liquidation  of the  Company  then  (i)  the  restrictions  on
                  Restricted Shares shall lapse and (ii) each outstanding Option
                  or SAR Award shall terminate, but each Participant to whom the
                  Option or SAR was  granted  shall have the right,  immediately
                  prior to the dissolution or liquidation to exercise the Option
                  or SAR in full,  notwithstanding  the provisions of Section 9,
                  and the Company  shall notify each  Participant  of such right
                  within a reasonable period of time prior to any dissolution or
                  liquidation.
<PAGE>
                           (b)   If   the   Reorganization   is  a   merger   or
                  consolidation,  other  than a Change  in  Control  subject  to
                  Section  15 of  this  Plan,  upon  the  effective  date of the
                  Reorganization  (i) each Participant  shall be entitled,  upon
                  exercise of an Option in accordance  with all of the terms and
                  conditions of the Plan,  to receive in lieu of Shares,  shares
                  or other  securities or consideration as the holders of Shares
                  shall be  entitled  to  receive  pursuant  to the terms of the
                  Reorganization;  and (ii)  each  holder of  Restricted  Shares
                  shall  receive  shares or other  securities  as the holders of
                  Shares received which shall be subject to the restrictions set
                  forth in Section 10 unless the Committee accelerates the lapse
                  of  such   restrictions  and  the   certificate(s)   or  other
                  instruments  representing  or  evidencing  the shares or other
                  securities shall be legended and deposited with the Company in
                  the manner provided in Section 10 of this Plan.

                  The  adjustments  contained  in this Section and the manner of
application of such provisions shall be determined solely by the Committee.

                  15. Effect of Change of Control.  If the Continuous Service of
any Participant of the Company or any Affiliate is involuntarily terminated, for
whatever  reason,  at any time within  twelve  months after a Change in Control,
unless the Committee shall have otherwise  provided in the Award Agreement,  (a)
any Restricted  Period with respect to an Award of Restricted Shares shall lapse
upon the  Participant's  termination  of  Continuous  Service  and all Shares of
Restricted Shares shall become fully vested in the Participant to whom the award
was made; and (b) with respect to Performance  Shares,  the Participant shall be
entitled  to receive a prorata  payment  of Shares to the same  extent as if the
Participant  ceases Continuous  Service by reason of Retirement under Section 12
of the Plan. If a tender offer or exchange  offer for Shares (other than such an
offer by the Company) is commenced, or if the event specified in clause (iii) of
the definition of a Change in Control contained in Section 2 shall occur, unless
the Committee shall have otherwise  provided in the Award Agreement,  all Option
and SAR  Awards  theretofore  granted  and not fully  exercisable  shall  become
exercisable  in  full  upon  the  happening  of  such  event  and  shall  remain
exercisable in accordance with their terms; provided, however, that no Option or
SAR shall be  exercisable  by a director  or officer of the  Company  within six
months of the date of grant of the  Option or SAR and no Option or SAR which has
previously been exercised or otherwise terminated shall become exercisable.

                  16. Assignments and Transfers.  Except as otherwise  expressly
authorized  by the  Committee in the Award  Agreement or any  amendment  thereto
during the  lifetime  of a  Participant  no Award nor any right or interest of a
Participant  in any  Award  under  the  Plan  may  be  assigned,  encumbered  or
transferred otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

                  17.  Employee  Rights Under the Plan. No officer,  Employee or
other person shall have a right to be selected as a Participant nor, having been
so selected,  to be selected again as a Participant and no officer,  Employee or
other person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under the Plan
or under any other  incentive or similar  plan of the Company or any  Affiliate.
Neither  the Plan nor any  action  taken  under the Plan shall be  construed  as
giving any Employee any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any
Affiliate.
<PAGE>
                  18.  Delivery  and  Registration  of  Shares.   The  Company's
obligation  to deliver  Shares with respect to an Award shall,  if the Committee
requests,  be  conditioned  upon  the  receipt  of a  representation  as to  the
investment intention of the Participant to whom such Shares are to be delivered,
in such form as the  Committee  shall  determine to be necessary or advisable to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable federal
or state securities laws. It may be provided that any representation requirement
shall  become  inoperative  upon a  registration  of the Shares or other  action
eliminating  the necessity of the  representation  under the  Securities  Act or
other state  securities  laws.  The Company shall not be required to deliver any
Shares  under the Plan prior to (i) the  admission  of such Shares to listing on
any stock  exchange or system on which  Shares may then be listed,  and (ii) the
completion of any  registration or other  qualification  of the Shares under any
state or federal law, rule or regulation,  as the Company shall  determine to be
necessary or advisable.

                  19.  Withholding  Tax.  Prior to the delivery of any Shares or
cash pursuant to an Award,  the Company shall have the right and power to deduct
or  withhold,  or require the  Participant  to remit to the  Company,  an amount
sufficient  to  satisfy  all  applicable  tax  withholding   requirements.   The
Committee,  in its sole  discretion  and pursuant to such  procedures  as it may
specify from time to time, may permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or
part of the tax  withholding  obligations  in  connection  with an  Award by (a)
having the Company withhold otherwise  deliverable  Shares, or (b) delivering to
the  Company  Shares  already  owned  having a Market  Value equal to the amount
required to be  withheld.  The amount of the  withholding  requirement  shall be
deemed to include any amount which the Committee  determines,  not to exceed the
amount  determined by using the maximum federal,  state or local marginal income
tax rates  applicable to the  Participant  with respect to the Award on the date
that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be  determined  for these  purposes.
For these purposes, the value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered shall be
equal to the  Market  Value as of the date  that the taxes  are  required  to be
withheld.

                  20. Termination, Amendment and Modification of Plan. The Board
may at any time terminate,  and may at any time and from time to time and in any
respect  amend  or  modify,  the  Plan;  provided  however,  that to the  extent
necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or Code
section 422 (or any other applicable law or regulation,  including  requirements
of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Company's common stock is
listed or quoted)  shareholder  approval of any Plan amendment shall be obtained
in  the  manner  and to the  degree  as is  required  by the  applicable  law or
regulation; and provided further, that no termination, amendment or modification
of the Plan shall in any manner affect any Award theretofore granted pursuant to
the Plan without the consent of the Participant to whom the Award was granted or
transferee of the Award.

                  21.  Effective  Date and Term of Plan.  The Plan shall  become
effective upon its adoption by the Board of Directors,  subject to  ratification
by the  shareholders  of the  Company  at the next  annual  meeting,  and  shall
continue  in effect  for a term of ten years  from the date of  adoption  by the
Board of Directors unless sooner terminated under Section 20 of the Plan.
<PAGE>
                  22.      Governing  Law. The Plan and Award  Agreements  shall
be construed  in  accordance  with and governed by the laws of the State of
Indiana.

                  23.  Awards to Foreign  Nationals  and  Employees  Outside the
United States.  To the extent the Committee  deems it necessary,  appropriate or
desirable  to comply with  foreign law or practice and to further the purpose of
this Plan, the Committee may, without amending this Plan, (a) establish  special
rules  applicable to Awards granted to Participants  who are foreign  nationals,
are employed  outside the United States,  or both,  including  rules that differ
from those set forth in this Plan, and (b) grant Awards to such  Participants in
accordance with those rules.

                                            Adopted by the Board of Directors of
                                            Hurco Companies, Inc.
                                            as of March 6, 1997


                                            Adopted by the Shareholders of
                                            Hurco Companies, Inc.
                                            as of May 29, 1997

                Approved as Amended by the Board of Directors of
                ------------------------------------------------
                Hurco Companies, Inc. as of December 7, 1999
                --------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  FORM OF PROXY
                                     -FRONT-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>
                         HURCO COMPANIES, INC.                            1. To elect seven directors to serve until the
                                                                             next Annual Meeting or until their successors are
                                                                             duly elected and qualified.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            For All   With-  For All
                                                                                                            Nominees   hold  Except

Mark box at right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.                (01) Robert W. Cruickshank
                                                                           (02) Michael Doar
                                                                           (03) Hendrik J. Hartong, Jr.
Mark box at right if an address change or comment has been                 (04) Brian D. McLaughlin
noted on the reverse side of this card.                                    (05) Richard T. Niner
                                                                           (06) O. Curtis Noel
                                                                           (07) Charles E. Mitchell Rentschler

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
CONTROL NUMBER:                                                           To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
RECORD DATE SHARES:                                                       mark the "For All Except" box and strike a line through
                                                                          the name(s) of the nominee(s).  Your shares will be voted
                                                                          "For" the remaining nominees(s).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          2. To approve or disapprove a proposed amendment to the
                                                                             Company's 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan which
                                                                             (i) increase from 500,000 to 750,000 the number of
                                                                             shares of common stock subject to issuance under the
                                                                             plan, (ii) increases from 100,000 to 200,000 the number
                                                                             of shares of common stock which may be granted to any
                                                                             individual participant pursuant to awards made under
 Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.  Date:_____________             the plan, and (iii) adds as eligible participants in
                                                                             the Company's Board of Directors who are not employees
 _____________________________          ________________________             of the Company.
                                                                                ___               ___             ___
                                                                                For             Against         Abstain
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
     Shareholder Sign Here               Co-Owner Sign Here               3. To transact such other business as may properly
                                                                             come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
                                                                             thereof.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


                                 FORM OF PROXY
                                    - BACK -

                              HURCO COMPANIES, INC.

                 One Technology Way, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268

             PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - May 23, 2000

                  Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

The  undersigned  hereby  appoints as proxies Brian D. McLaughlin and Richard T.
Niner, or either of them, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of
common stock which the  undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Hurco Companies,  Inc., to be held at Hurco's  Corporate Office,
One Technology  Way,  Indianapolis,  Indiana at 10:00 a.m.  (Indianapolis  time)
(11:00 a.m. EDT), on Tuesday,  May 23, 2000 and any adjournments  thereof,  upon
the matters on the reverse side.

Only  shareholders  of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2000, are
entitle  to  notice of and to vote at the  Annual  Meeting  or any  adjournments
thereof. In the event there are not sufficient votes for approval of one or more
of the above matters at the time of the Annual  Meeting,  the Annual Meeting may
be adjourned in order to permit further  solicitation of proxies.  If you do not
expect to attend the Annual  Meeting,  please  mark,  sign and date the enclosed
proxy and return it in the enclosed return envelope which requires no postage if
mailed in the United States.

The share represented by the Proxy, unless otherwise  specified,  shall be
voted FOR each nominee listed on the reserve side.

    PLEASE  VOTE,  DATE AND SIGN ON  RESERVE  SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE
                                ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

Please sign this proxy  exactly as your  name(s)  appear(s)  on the reverse side
hereof. Joint owners should each sign personally. Trustees and other fiduciaries
should   indicate  the  capacity  in  which  they  sign.  If  a  corporation  or
partnership,  this signature should be that of an authorized  officer who should
state his or her title.

Has Your Address Changed?                  Do You Have Any Comments?

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