HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORP
10-K, 1999-03-19
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    Form 10-K

                [X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

     For the Year Ended December 31, 1998    Commission File Number 0-6866

                                       OR

          [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        For the transition period from to

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                       Delaware                         04-2423640
              (State of incorporation)       (IRS Employer Identification No.)


               Mansfield Corporate Center, Nine Hampshire Street,
                       Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048-9171
              (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508) 337-5111

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock,
                                                            $1 Par Value
                                                            (Title of Class)

Indicate by checkmark  whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]

Indicate by checkmark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein,  and will not be contained,  to the best
of  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ X ]

The  aggregate   market  value  of  the   registrant's   common  stock  held  by
nonaffiliates of the registrant as of February 26, 1999,  (computed by reference
to the quoted selling prices of such stock in the over-the-counter  market), was
$430,281,855.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, $1 Par Value,
as of February 26, 1999, was 22,319,131.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Annual Proxy Statement for the registrant's  1999 Annual Meeting
of  Stockholders  to be filed  with the SEC in March  1999 are  incorporated  by
reference into Part III, Items 10-12.

<PAGE>
HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION                                  10-K Annual Report
Commission File No. 0-6866                                    For the Year Ended
                                                               December 31, 1998

                                     PART I

Item 1. Business

     General  HELIX  TECHNOLOGY   CORPORATION   (the   "Company"),   a  Delaware
corporation   organized  in  1967,  provides  critical  enabling  vacuum  system
technology to a broad range of electronic component  manufacturers,  principally
for the production of semiconductors, disk drives and flat panel displays.

The Company's  On-Board  technology is a  comprehensive  package of hardware and
software that can integrate both Helix and non-Helix vacuum products.  (On-Board
is a  registered  trademark  of Helix  Technology  Corporation.)  These  systems
provide original equipment  manufacturers the flexibility to rapidly implement a
full  range of  process-driven  solutions  and  end-users  performance-enhancing
process  controls,  advanced  diagnostics  and  communications  capabilities  to
increase system uptime and to lower the cost of ownership.

The Company's  On-Board  Cryopump product  continues to be the industry standard
high-vacuum  pump for both the PVD (Physical Vapor  Deposition or  "sputtering")
and ion implantation  markets. Its On-Board Waterpumps,  On-Board Turbopumps and
On-Board  TurboPlus give the Company products to support the CVD (Chemical Vapor
Deposition) and etch processes.

The  Company's   STABIL-ION  and  CONVECTRON  vacuum  measurement   systems  are
considered industry standards and are used in the PVD, ion implantation, CVD and
etch processes.  (STABIL-ION  and CONVECTRON are registered  trademarks of Helix
Technology   Corporation.)  The  Company's  vacuum  gauging  products  are  also
integrated into analytical instruments, primarily mass spectrometers.

The Company maintains Customer Support Centers  strategically located throughout
the world to provide replacement parts,  overhaul,  repair and upgrade services.
The Company's  unique GUTS  (Guaranteed  Up-Time Support) rapid response system,
which has been the  industry  benchmark  since 1985,  is designed to assure that
users of the Company's  products have direct,  twenty-four-hour-a-day  access to
the resources of the Customer Support Centers.  (GUTS is a registered  trademark
of Helix Technology Corporation.)

The Company encounters  competition in both domestic and foreign markets for its
products.  Competition comes from smaller firms and from larger firms which have
greater total resources than the Company.  Customer  service,  product  quality,
performance and price are all factors in selling the Company's products.

The Company's  business is, generally,  not dependent on the availability of raw
materials or components from any single source. Certain components, however, may
be available from only one or two qualified sources.  The Company's policy is to
develop alternative  sources for components and, where possible,  to avoid using
scarce raw materials in its products.


                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>
                                 

                                     PART I

Item 1. Business  (continued)

The Company holds many U.S. and foreign patents in the fields of vacuum pumping,
gauging and cryogenics that it believes are significant to its operations. These
patents  expire at various  years  through  2016.  No patents  which the Company
considers  significant  expire  during  the  next  five  years.  Trademarks  are
considered  important to the Company's business.  These trademarks are protected
by  registration in the United States and other countries in which the Company's
products are marketed.

The Company and Ulvac Corporation of Chigasaki,  Japan, operate a joint venture,
Ulvac  Cryogenics,  Inc.  ("UCI") formed in 1981,  which  manufactures and sells
cryogenic vacuum pumps, principally to Ulvac Corporation.  Each company owns 50%
of UCI and made initial cash  investments  of  approximately  $100,000,  with no
subsequent cash investments.  The joint venture  arrangement  includes a license
and  technology  agreement  from the Company and a management  and  consultation
agreement from Ulvac Corporation.  The Company and Ulvac Corporation essentially
share control of the joint venture.

On May 7, 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips Company ("GPC"). GPC is
a world leader in the development and manufacture of instrumentation  for vacuum
measurement  and  control  used  principally  in the  semiconductor,  flat panel
display and disk drive manufacturing processes.

     Backlog - The backlog of orders believed to be firm was approximately  $4.8
million at December 31, 1998, compared to $7.0 million at December 31, 1997. The
Company expects to recognize  revenues from  essentially all of the December 31,
1998, backlog during 1999.

     Research and  Development  - The Company  expended  $10,106,000  in 1998 on
research and development efforts compared to $11,540,000 and $10,213,000 in 1997
and  1996,  respectively.  These  expenditures  reflect  development  activities
relating to product enhancements and new products for commercial applications.

     Employment  - Total  employment  in the  Company at the end of 1998 was 457
compared  with  606  and 503 at the end of 1997  and  1996,  respectively.  This
includes  temporary  employees of eight at the end of 1998 compared to 65 and 27
in 1997 and 1996, respectively.

     Environmental Affairs - Compliance with federal, state and local provisions
relating to  environmental  quality has not had,  and is not expected to have, a
material impact upon capital expenditures,  earnings or the competitive position
of the Company.

     Financial Information about One Operating Segment and Major Customers - The
Company's one operating segment is cryogenic and vacuum equipment. The Company's
largest  customer is Applied  Materials,  the world's  largest  manufacturer  of
semiconductor capital equipment,  representing 20%, 30% and 28% of net sales for
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Information concerning the Company's industry
segment  information and different  geographical areas are included in Note G of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.


                                      - 3 -
<PAGE>
                                    

                                     PART I

Item 2. Properties

The Company occupies  approximately 230,000 square feet worldwide,  as described
in the table below.

                            Size    Lease
       Location          (Sq. Ft.) Expires              Functions
       --------          --------- -------              ---------

Mansfield, Massachusetts  155,000   2006    Corporate headquarters, engineering,
                                            manufacturing, sales and
                                            marketing and administration
Boulder, Colorado          22,000   Owned   Engineering, manufacturing, and
                            9,000   2001    sales and marketing
Santa Clara, California    11,000   2000    Sales office, customer support and
                                            repair depot
Austin, Texas              12,000   1999    Sales office and customer support
Phoenix, Arizona            1,300   2000    Sales office and customer support
Scotland                    5,300   2020    Sales office and customer support
Germany                     2,500   2000    Sales office and customer support
France                      6,400   2000    Sales office, customer support and
                                            repair depot
Japan                       5,160   2000    Sales office and customer support

The Company  believes that its existing  facilities will be adequate to meet its
currently  anticipated  requirements and that suitable  additional or substitute
facilities  will  be  available  as  required.   The  lease  on  the  Mansfield,
Massachusetts,   facility  provides  for  renewal  options  for  up  to  fifteen
additional years.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

In the normal  course of  business,  the  Company  is  subject to various  legal
proceedings and claims.  The Company believes that the ultimate outcome of these
matters will not have a material effect on its financial statements.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

During the quarter ended  December 31, 1998, no matters were submitted to a vote
of security holders through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.











                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


                                     PART II

Item 5. Market for the  Registrant's  Common Stock and Related  Security  Holder
Matters

The  Company's  common  stock is traded on the NASDAQ  National  Market  (NASDAQ
symbol HELX). At December 31, 1998, there were 22,319,131 shares of common stock
outstanding and approximately 854 common stockholders of record.

Price Range of Common Stock and Cash Dividend Per Common Share

The price range and cash dividend per common share of the Company's common stock
by quarter are:

                                  First      Second       Third       Fourth
        1998                     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter      Quarter
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock price
  High                            $25.13     $20.63       $15.50      $14.00
  Low                             $17.75     $14.75       $ 9.25      $ 6.81
Cash dividends per share (1)      $  .21     $  .21       $  .21      $  .12

                                  First      Second       Third       Fourth
        1997                     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter      Quarter
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock price
  High (2)                        $18.63     $21.00       $33.38      $31.53
  Low (2)                         $14.13     $15.00       $19.50      $17.50
Cash dividends per share (1)(2)   $ .175     $ .175       $ .175      $  .21

(1)   Cash dividends per share declared in periods prior to the acquisition of
Granville-Phillips  Company  are  based on shares  outstanding  at that time and
therefore do not reflect the 2,383,000 shares issued as part of the acquisition.
(2)   Market prices and per share data reflect a two-for-one common stock split
effective November 1997.

The Board of Directors  declared a quarterly  cash  dividend of $0.12 per common
share payable on March 11, 1999, to common  stockholders  of record at the close
of business on February 25, 1999.






                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


                                     PART II


Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table  summarizes  certain selected  consolidated  financial data,
which should be read in conjunction with  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis
of  Financial   Conditions  and  Results  of   Operations"   and  the  Company's
consolidated  financial  statements and related notes included elsewhere herein.
In  connection  with the  acquisition  of  Granville-Phillips  Company  in 1998,
accounted for as a pooling of interests,  all  prior-period  financial  data has
been restated to include the impact of the combination.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands except per share data)    1998        1997       1996      1995     1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
<S>                                  <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
Net sales ........................   $ 95,345    $157,076   $151,665   $145,370   $103,176

Net income (loss) (1) ............   $ (1,920)   $ 25,544   $ 25,126   $ 24,694   $ 11,786

Basic net income (loss)
   per share (2) .................   $  (0.09)   $   1.15   $   1.15   $   1.14   $   0.55

Diluted net income (loss)
   per share (2) .................   $  (0.09)   $   1.14   $   1.14   $   1.12   $   0.54

Cash dividends per share (1)(2)(3)   $    .75    $  0.735   $   0.65   $   0.29   $  0.145

Total assets .....................   $ 75,652    $ 96,219   $ 83,005   $ 79,509   $ 53,173

Basic shares (2) .................     22,262      22,151     21,788     21,592     21,260
Diluted shares (2) ...............     22,262      22,353     22,096     22,124     21,812

(1)   Net loss for the year ended December 31, 1998, reflects merger and other 
special charges of $3,546,000  related to the acquisition of  Granville-Phillips
Company and  restructuring  and other special  charges of $2,500,000  related to
work  force  reductions,  exit costs for a leased  facility  and  impairment  of
certain assets. (See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
(2)   All share and per share data reflect a two-for-one common stock split 
effective November 1997.
(3)   Cash dividends per share declared in periods prior to the acquisition are
based on  shares  outstanding  at that time and  therefore  do not  reflect  the
2,383,000 shares issued as part of the acquisition.

</TABLE>




                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

On May 7, 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips Company ("GPC"). GPC is
a world leader in the development and manufacture of instrumentation  for vacuum
measurement  and  control  used  principally  in the  semiconductor,  flat panel
display and disk drive  manufacturing  processes.  The transaction was accounted
for as a pooling of interests;  and  accordingly,  the financial  results of the
Company for all periods  presented  include the financial  position,  results of
operations, stockholders' equity, comprehensive income and cash flows of GPC.
 
Results of Operations - 1998 Compared with 1997

Net sales for 1998 were $95.3  million  compared  to $157.1  million in 1997,  a
decrease of $61.8 million.  This decline is  attributable to the excess capacity
in the worldwide semiconductor industry, combined with the economic slump in the
Pacific Rim.

Total gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 39.8% for 1998,  compared to
48.2% for the prior  year.  The  reduction  in gross  margin  was  caused by the
substantial  decline in  production  volume and the  related  increase in excess
capacity and manufacturing unit costs.

Research and  development  expenses for 1998 were $10.1  million or 10.6% of net
sales,  compared  to $11.5  million or 7.3% of net sales for 1997.  As  industry
conditions worsened during the year, the Company delayed certain expenditures on
projects it believed were not critical during the downturn.  Despite the decline
in the semiconductor  capital equipment  business  environment and the continued
weakness of the Asian  markets,  the  Company  continues  to fund its  long-term
strategic  development  programs.  These  actions are  expected to position  the
Company  for  growth as the  economics  improve in the  worldwide  semiconductor
industry.

Selling,  general and administrative expenses decreased in 1998 to $26.6 million
from $30.9  million in the prior year.  This  reduction in spending is primarily
attributable  to a decrease in  variable  compensation,  lower sales  commission
expense and a reduction in advertising and promotional  expenditures,  which was
partially offset by expenses  associated with the opening of the Company's sales
office in Japan.

During  1998,  the  Company  incurred  certain  special  charges.  In the second
quarter, the Company acquired GPC in a transaction accounted for as a pooling of
interests.   Direct   acquisition   costs,   including   professional  fees  and
compensation  expense for  various  incentive  plans for certain GPC  employees,
amounted to $3.5 million and were charged against results of operations.  During
the third quarter, the Company restructured its domestic operations to eliminate
non-strategic  spending,  while  redirecting  resources to the Company's  global
customer support structure and other strategic  initiatives and took a charge of
$2.5 million. The restructuring  included provisions for termination benefits of
$1.3 million paid to  approximately  80 personnel,  $1.0 million relating to the
closing of a leased  facility  and $0.2  million for the  impairment  of certain
assets.  Approximately $0.7 million of the charge was non-cash,  relating to the
write-off  of certain  leasehold  improvements  in the closed  facility  and the
impairment  of the assets.  The Company  expects that these changes will provide
approximately $5.0 million of



                                      - 7 -
                                  
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)
 
Results of Operations - 1998 Compared with 1997 (continued)

annual cost savings in 1999. At December 31, 1998, $0.9 million of restructuring
and  special  charges  remained  in other  accrued  expenses,  which the Company
expects to be paid or amortized by the end of the third quarter of 1999.

As a result of the decline in net sales and the special charges  recorded during
1998,  the Company  experienced an operating loss of $4.8 million or 5.0% of net
sales,  compared to an operating  profit of $33.3  million or 21.2% of net sales
for the prior year.

Royalty and equity income from the Company's joint venture in Japan decreased by
$0.8 million in 1998 due to the downturn in the Japanese  semiconductor  capital
equipment market.

Interest and other income for 1998 was $1.2 million  compared  with $1.8 million
for 1997,  reflecting lower cash, cash equivalent and investment balances during
the year.

The Company  recorded an income tax benefit of $0.7 million for 1998 compared to
a tax provision of $11.3 million for the previous year. In 1998, the Company had
an operating loss before taxes due to merger, restructuring and special charges.
The Company  benefited from research and development and other tax credits.  The
1997  provision of 30.6% is less than the federal  statutory rate of 35% because
Granville-Phillips  Company was an  S-Corporation  prior to the acquisition and,
therefore, not subject to federal income tax.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating  activities was $7.4 million in 1998. The Company
invested $2.6 million, primarily in machinery and equipment,  during 1998. As of
December  31,  1998,   there  are  no   anticipated   material   future  capital
expenditures. Cash dividends paid to stockholders during 1998 were $16.1 million
compared to $16.3  million for 1997. In October  1998,  the  Company's  Board of
Directors decided to reduce the quarterly dividend from $.21 per common share to
$.12  per  common  share  due  to  the  uncertain  business  environment  in the
semiconductor capital equipment market.

At December 31, 1998, the Company had informal bank money market lines of credit
of $12.0 million.  There have been no borrowings  under these  agreements  since
1993. Since the agreements are informal and unused, terms would be negotiated as
necessary.  The Company does not anticipate  utilizing  these lines of credit in
the near term.

The Company  manages its foreign  exchange  rate risk arising from  intercompany
foreign currency  denominated  transactions  through the use of foreign currency
forward contracts. The gains and losses on these transactions are not material.



                                      - 8 -


<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued)

The Company  believes  that  existing  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  investment
balances,  anticipated  cash flow from  operations  and  funds  available  under
existing  credit  lines  will be  adequate  to fund  operations  and that it has
further financing options should additional funds be required.

Results of Operations - 1997 Compared with 1996

Net sales for 1997 were $157.1  million  compared to $151.7  million in 1996, an
increase of $5.4 million.  The growth in sales  resulted  primarily  from record
sales of the Company's  cryogenic  vacuum  products and  instruments  for vacuum
measurement  and  control,  used  principally  by  semiconductor   manufacturers
worldwide.  Net sales showed sequential  quarterly  improvement during the first
three quarters of 1997 as the global market for semiconductor  capital equipment
strengthened.  Net sales  decreased in the fourth quarter due to the downturn in
the worldwide semiconductor industry.

Total gross profit as a percentage  of net sales was 48.2% in 1997 compared with
48.0% in 1996. The increase in gross profit was attributable to the efficiencies
derived from the Company's high  production  volumes and ongoing  cost-reduction
initiatives.

Research and  development  expenses  increased  to $11.5  million or 7.3% of net
sales for 1997  compared  to $10.2  million or 6.7% of net sales for 1996.  This
increase  reflects  continued  funding  by the  Company of  long-term  strategic
development programs in response to the increasing demand from the semiconductor
industry for new products and product enhancements.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $30.9 million or 19.7%
of net sales for 1997  compared  to $27.8  million or 18.3% of net sales for the
prior year. This increase is primarily due to increases in salaries and variable
compensation expense, and to increased sales and marketing efforts worldwide.

Royalty and equity  income from the Company's  joint  venture in Japan  improved
$0.3 million over 1996.

Interest and other income for 1997 was $1.8 million  compared  with $1.5 million
for 1996, reflecting higher cash and cash equivalent balances during the year.

The Company's  provision for income taxes was $11.3 million and $12.6 million in
1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The difference  between the statutory federal tax
rate of 35% and the Company's effective tax rate of 30.6% and 33.4% for 1997 and
1996,  respectively,  is  principally  due to the  impact of  Granville-Phillips
Company's  status as an  S-Corporation,  which is not subject to federal  income
taxes.  Also in 1997, the Company  generated a greater  benefit from tax credits
for research and development expenditures.




                                      - 9 -
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

New Accounting Pronouncements

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Financial
Accounting Standards No. 133 (SFAS 133),  "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging  Activities."  The  adoption of SFAS 133 in 2000 is not  expected to
have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
 
Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results

From time to time,  information provided by the Company,  statements made by its
employees  or  information  included  in its  filings  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission may contain  statements  that are not historical  facts but
that are  "forward-looking  statements"  involving risks and  uncertainties.  In
particular,  statements in  "Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations"  relating to the Company's shipment levels,
profitability,  sufficiency  of  capital to meet  working  capital  and  capital
expenditure requirements may be forward-looking  statements. The words "expect,"
"anticipate,"  "internal,"  "plan,"  "believe,"  "seek,"  "estimate" and similar
expressions  are  intended to identify  such  forward-looking  statements.  Such
statements are not guarantees of future  performance  and involve certain risks,
uncertainties  and assumptions  that could cause the Company's future results to
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by
or on behalf of the Company.  Many such factors are beyond the Company's ability
to control or predict.  Readers  are  accordingly  cautioned  not to place undue
reliance on  forward-looking  statements.  The Company  disclaims  any intent or
obligation  to  update  publicly  any  forward-looking  statements,  whether  in
response to new  information  or future events or otherwise.  Important  factors
that may cause the Company's actual results to differ from such  forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below.

The Company's  business  depends in large part upon the capital  expenditures of
semiconductor  manufacturers,   which,  in  turn,  depend  on  the  current  and
anticipated  market  demand  for  integrated  circuits  and  products  utilizing
integrated  circuits.  The  semiconductor  industry is highly  cyclical  and has
historically  experienced periodic downturns,  which generally have had a severe
effect on the  semiconductor  industry's  demand for capital  equipment and have
affected the Company's  results of  operations.  There can be no assurance  that
developments  in  the  semiconductor  industry  or the  semiconductor  equipment
industry will occur at the rate or in the manner expected by the Company.

In addition to the cyclical nature, risks and uncertainties of the semiconductor
industry,  the Company faces the following risks and uncertainties:  the need to
continuously develop, manufacture and gain customers' acceptance of new products
and product  enhancements;  dependence  on a limited  number of  customers  (the
Company's ten largest  customers  accounted for  approximately 39% of net sales,
and its largest customer,  Applied  Materials,  Inc, accounted for approximately
20% of net sales in 1998);  its  ability  to  attract  and  retain  certain  key
personnel;  the  ability  of the  Company to protect  its  technology  assets by
obtaining and enforcing patents; dependence on sole and limited source suppliers
for certain components and subassemblies  included in the Company's products and
systems. As a result of the


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

Certain Factors That May Effect Future Results (continued)

foregoing and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in
its  future  operating  results  on a  quarterly  or annual  basis  which  could
materially affect its business,  financial  position,  results of operations and
stock price.

Year 2000

The Year 2000 problem  refers to the  potential  for  information  systems to be
unable to correctly  recognize  and process  calendar  dates and  date-sensitive
information  involving  dates  on or after  January  1,  2000.  The  Company  is
addressing  its Year 2000 risk within  four  categories:  1)  internal  business
software,  2) internal  systems  (hardware and  software,  exclusive of business
software),  3) external  suppliers of goods and  services,  and 4) the Company's
products.

INTERNAL  BUSINESS  SOFTWARE.  The  Company's  internal  business  systems  that
collectively  provide the major processing  functions for its operations are not
Year 2000 compliant. The  remediation/replacement  of those systems was begun in
mid-1998 and is scheduled for completion by March 1999.

INTERNAL  SYSTEMS.  The Company  utilizes  other systems  (exclusive of business
systems   discussed  above)  to  perform  certain  data  processing,   including
computer-based programs,  networking equipment,  laboratory equipment,  building
security and atmosphere  control  systems,  fax and copy  machines,  and others.
Starting in the first  quarter of 1998,  the Company  initiated a  comprehensive
program to address Year 2000 problems with such internal systems, consisting of:
forming a project team of representatives from across the Company;  inventorying
and  assessing  each  internal  system to determine  whether it was compliant or
non-compliant  to Year 2000  problems;  and  developing  a plan to  address  all
non-compliant systems.

The  Company is on  schedule  with its  remediation  efforts  and  expects to be
completed by June 1999.  Testing of each remediated  initial system is performed
at the time of such remediation. Additional testing will be performed during the
second  half of 1999,  focusing  on those  systems  classified  as high  risk of
failure as well as critical to the business.  Independent organizations might be
employed  to assist  the  Company  as needed to test and  verify  such  internal
systems are Year 2000 compliant.

EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES.  Starting in January 1998, the Company
undertook a program to  understand  and mitigate  Year 2000  problems with those
external suppliers who are crucial to the Company's operations,  including parts
providers,   carriers,   telecommunications  providers,   utilities,   financial
institutions  and  others.  A series  of  questionnaires  was  sent to  external
suppliers.  As a result,  the Company has  determined  that the  majority of the
Company's  suppliers are either Year 2000  compliant or are aware of the problem
and have an active program  underway to address their particular  problems.  For
each  supplier  who is not Year  2000  compliant,  the  Company  has  defined  a
contingency  plan in case the supplier  cannot or will not resolve its Year 2000
problems in a timely


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations (continued)

Year 2000 (continued)

manner.  The plan elements differ for each supplier but generally consist of one
or more actions such as: work with the supplier to help resolve  their Year 2000
problems;  develop alternative  suppliers for sole-source  components;  redesign
products  to  negate  the need for  non-compliant  suppliers;  maintain  back-up
inventories of critical  components to protect against temporary  disruptions in
supply;  evaluate  alternative  component and product delivery  mechanisms;  and
monitor those  suppliers  who have active Year 2000 programs  underway to verify
progress against those suppliers' scheduled milestones.

The Company will continue these  monitoring  activities until satisfied that all
crucial suppliers are Year 2000 compliant. In addition, the Company has enhanced
its new supplier  qualification process to require new suppliers to be Year 2000
compliant in all aspects of their operations and products.

THE COMPANY'S  PRODUCTS.  Certain of the  Company's  products  contain  embedded
software.  In 1997, the Company  performed an assessment of all such software to
determine Year 2000 compliance. As a result, the Company believes that there are
no material  issues  regarding  the use of its  products.  The Company  also has
enhanced its product  development  and testing  processes to ensure that all new
products are Year 2000 compliant.

The Company  estimates that the total cost  associated  with addressing the Year
2000 problem is approximately $0.9 million,  of which approximately $0.7 million
has been incurred to date. Of the total cost, approximately $0.7 million relates
to new  systems  and has  been  capitalized,  and the  remainder  has or will be
expensed as incurred. These cost estimates are approximate and subject to change
due to unforeseen internal or external conditions.

While  the  Company  believes  that it is  addressing  all  material  Year  2000
problems,  there are a number of risks  associated  with Year 2000, only some of
which are within the  control of the  Company.  These risks  include  unforeseen
difficulties in completing certain Year 2000 programs,  an incomplete  inventory
of internal  systems,  and the failure of one or more  suppliers  to  adequately
address the Year 2000 problem. The Company's Year 2000 efforts are meant to help
manage and mitigate these risks.





                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>

                                     PART II

Item 7a.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

A portion of the  Company's  business is conducted  outside of the United States
through  its  foreign  subsidiaries.  The foreign  subsidiaries  maintain  their
accounting  records in their local  currencies.  Consequently,  period-to-period
comparability  of results of operations is affected by  fluctuations in exchange
rates. To reduce the risks associated with foreign  currency rate  fluctuations,
the Company has entered into forward exchange contracts on a continuing basis to
hedge the currency  exposures.  Gains and losses on forward  exchange  contracts
qualifying for hedge  accounting  were  immaterial  for years  presented and are
classified  in cost of sales.  The  Company  plans to  continue  to use  forward
exchange  contracts to mitigate the impact of exchange  rate  fluctuations.  The
potential  fair  value loss for a  hypothetical  10%  adverse  change in forward
currency  exchange rates at December 31, 1998, would be $240,000.  The potential
loss  was   estimated  calculating  the  fair   value  of the  forward  exchange
contracts at December 31, 1998,  and  comparing  that with the value  calculated
using the hypothetical forward currency exchange rates.







                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>

                                    
                                     PART II

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
                       SCHEDULES COVERED BY THE REPORT OF
                             INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

                                                                         Page(s)

Report of Independent Accountants..........................................23

Consolidated Financial Statements of Helix Technology Corporation

     Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997..........24

     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
        December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996...................................25

     Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
        for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996...............26

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years
        Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.............................27
 
     Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the 
        Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997                             28

     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.... .......................29-42

Report of Independent Accountants..........................................43

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)..............................................44

Financial Statement Schedule for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996
 
     II.   Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...............................45

Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted since they are either
inapplicable or not required.

Item  9.  Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
Financial Disclosure

The  Company  did  not  change  accountants  or  file a  Form  8-K  reporting  a
disagreement  on  an  accounting  principle,  practice  or  financial  statement
disclosure during the two-year period ended December 31, 1998.


                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>


                                   PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of The Registrant

Officers are elected  annually by the Board and serve at the  discretion  of the
Board. Set forth below is information  regarding the current Executive  Officers
of the Company who are not Directors of the Company.

Mr. Robert E. Anastasi is 52 and has served the Company as Senior Vice President
since July 1997 and Vice President since June 1991.

Mr. Michael  El-Hillow is 47 and has served the Company as Senior Vice President
and  Chief  Financial  Officer  since  July  1997 and Vice  President  and Chief
Financial  Officer since April 1997. He was Vice  President and Chief  Financial
Officer of A.T. Cross Company from January 1991 until April 1997.

Mr.  Christopher Moody is 43 and has served the Company as Senior Vice President
since  August  1997.  He  was  Vice  President  of  Japan  Sales  at  KLA-Tencor
Corporation  from April 1996 until  August  1997 and  Director  of Sales for KLA
Instruments  Wafer  Inspection  Division  from January 1995 until April 1996. He
served as National Sales Manager at Eaton Corporation,  Semiconductor  Equipment
Division, from 1993 until January 1995.

Mr.  Richard  J.  Paynting  is 51 and has  served  the  Company  as Senior  Vice
President  since July 1997 and Vice President since August 1996. He was Director
of New Products at Bose Corporation from May 1991 until August 1996.

Additional information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference
to the registrant's  proxy statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
which will be filed with the SEC in March 1999, pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Information  required by this item is  incorporated  herein by  reference to the
registrant's  proxy statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders  which
will be filed with the SEC in March 1999, pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Information  required by this item is  incorporated  herein by  reference to the
registrant's  proxy statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders  which
will be filed with the SEC in March 1999, pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

There were no related-party transactions.





                                     - 15 -


<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

                                                                  Page Number(s)
                                                                  or
                                                                  Incorporation 
                                                                  by
Description                                                       Reference to
- -----------                                                       --------------

(a)  Financial Statements, Schedules & Exhibits:

     (1), (2) The Consolidated Financial Statements and required  14
            schedules are indexed under Item 8.

     (3) Exhibits required by Item 601 of SEC Regulation S-K.
         (Exhibit numbers refer to exhibit number on Table I.)

         2.1  Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of            Exhibit 2.1 to
              April 16, 1998 among Helix Technology Corporation,  the Company's
              Helix Acquisition Corporation, Granville-Phillips   Form 8-K filed
              Company and certain principal stockholders of       May 15, 1998.
              Granville-Phillips Company.

         2.2  Registration Rights Agreement dated May 7, 1998.    Exhibit 2.2 to
                                                                  the Company's 
                                                                  Form 8-K filed
                                                                  May 15, 1998.

         2.3  Escrow Agreement dated May 7, 1998.                 Exhibit 2.3 to
                                                                  the Company's 
                                                                  Form 8-K filed
                                                                  May 15, 1998.

         3.   Articles of Incorporation                           Exhibit 3 to
              Restated articles of incorporation as amended       the Company's 
              on May 7, 1987, and May 18, 1988.                   Form 10-Q for 
                                                                  the Quarter 
                                                                  Ended
                                                                  September 30,
                                                                  1988.

              By-laws                                             Exhibit (3)-3
              As amended on December 10, 1986, and                to the 
              December 9, 1987.                                   Company's Form
                                                                  10-K for the
                                                                  Year Ended
                                                                  December 31, 
                                                                  1987.

         4A.  Description of Common Stock                         Exhibit 3 to
                                                                  the Company's 
                                                                  Form 10-Q for 
                                                                  the Quarter 
                                                                  Ended
                                                                  September 30, 
                                                                  1988.



                                     - 16 -
                                    
<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

Item  14.  Exhibits,  Financial  Statement  Schedules  and  Reports  on Form 8-K
(continued)

                                                                  Page Number(s)
                                                                  or 
                                                                  Incorporation 
                                                                  by
Description                                                       Reference to
- -----------                                                       --------------

         4B.  Description of Preferred Stock                      Exhibit 3 to
                                                                  the Company's
                                                                  Form 10-Q for 
                                                                  the Quarter 
                                                                  Ended
                                                                  September 30, 
                                                                  1988.

         10.  Material Contracts:

         (1)  Basic agreement between the Company and             Exhibit 10.13 
              Ulvac Corporation dated August 17, 1981.            to a 
                                                                  Registration
                                                                  Statement on 
                                                                  Form S-2, 
                                                                  Registration
                                                                  No. 2-84880.

         (2)  Lease agreement dated July 24, 1984,                Exhibit
              between WRC Properties, Inc. as Lessor              10-(14) to
              and the Company as Lessee.                          the Company's
                                                                  Form 10-K for
                                                                  the Year Ended
                                                                  December 31,
                                                                  1984.

         (3)  Lease agreement dated May 23, 1991, between         Exhibit
              Mansfield Corporate Center Limited                  10-(14) to the
              Partnership as Lessor and the Company               Company's Form
              as Lessee.                                          10-K for the 
                                                                  Year Ended
                                                                  December 31, 
                                                                  1991.

         (4)  Lease agreement dated May 21, 1996 between
              LakeCenter Plaza, Ltd., LLLP as Lessor and
              the Company as Lessee.

         (5)  Lease agreement dated August 7, 1998 between
              Mitsubishi Jisho Co., Ltd. as Lessor and the
              Company as Lessee.
 
 

 




                                     - 17 -

                                    
<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

Item  14.  Exhibits,  Financial  Statement  Schedules  and  Reports  on Form 8-K
(continued)

                                                               Page Number(s)
                                                               or
                                                               Incorporation 
                                                               by
Description                                                    Reference to
- -----------                                                    -----------------

         Compensation Plans, Contracts and Arrangements:

         (6)  The Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.        Exhibit A to
                                                               the Company's
                                                               Proxy 
                                                               Statement for
                                                               its 1996
                                                               Annual Meeting
                                                               of 
                                                               Stockholders
                                                               held on 
                                                               April 24, 
                                                               1996.

         (7)  The Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan for         Exhibit B to the
              Non-Employee Directors.                          Company's Proxy
                                                               Statement for its
                                                               1996 Annual 
                                                               Meeting of
                                                               Stockholders held
                                                               on April 24, 
                                                               1996.

         (8)  The Company's informal incentive bonus plan.     Exhibit 10.9 to a
                                                               Registration
                                                               Statement on Form
                                                               S-2, Registration
                                                               No. 2-84880.

         (9)  Employment agreement dated December 13, 1989,    Exhibit 9-(14) to
              as amended and restated on February 13, 1992,    the Company's
              and re-executed on May 28, 1992, between the     Form 10-K for the
              Company and Robert J. Lepofsky.                  Year Ended
                                                               December 31,
                                                               1992.

         (10) The Company's Section 125 Plan.                  Exhibit 18 to
                                                               Form 8, Amendment
                                                               No. 1 to the
                                                               1985 Annual 
                                                               Report on Form
                                                               10-K.
 
         (11) The Company's Amended and Restated               Exhibit 10-(12)
              Employees' Pension Plan dated December 15,       to the Company's
              1994.                                            Form 10-K for the
                                                               Year Ended 
                                                               December 31,
                                                               1994.
 
 

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

                                    
                                     PART IV

Item  14.  Exhibits,  Financial  Statement  Schedules  and  Reports  on Form 8-K
(continued)

                                                              Page Number(s) or
                                                              Incorporation by
Description                                                   Reference to
- -----------                                                   ------------------

         (12) The Company's Amended and Restated              Exhibit 10-(13) to
              Employee Personal Account Plan dated            the Company's Form
              December 15, 1994.                              10-K for the Year
                                                              Ended December 31,
                                                              1994.

         (13) The Company's Supplemental Key Executive        Exhibit 14-(14) to
              Retirement Plan effective February 13, 1992.    the Company's Form
                                                              10-K for the Year
                                                              Ended December 31,
                                                              1992.

         (14) Employment Agreement dated July 18, 1997,       Exhibit 10-(13) to
              between the Company and Robert E. Anastasi.     the Company's Form
                                                              10-K for the Year
                                                              Ended December 31,
                                                              1997.

         (15) Employment Agreement dated July 18, 1997,       Exhibit 10-(14) to
              between the Company and Michael El-Hillow.      the Company's Form
                                                              10-K for the Year
                                                              Ended December 31,
                                                              1997.

         (16) Employment Agreement dated August 18, 1997,     Exhibit 10-(15) to
              between the Company and Christopher Moody.      the Company's Form
                                                              10-K for the Year
                                                              Ended December 31,
                                                              1997.

         (17) Employment Agreement dated July 18, 1997,       Exhibit 10-(16) to
              between the Company and Richard J. Paynting.    the Company's Form
                                                              10-K for the Year
                                                              Ended December 31,
                                                              1997.
         (18) The Company's Amended and Restated
              Employee Savings Plan dated April 1, 1998.
 


                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>
                                    
                                     PART IV

Item  14.  Exhibits,  Financial  Statement  Schedules  and  Reports  on Form 8-K
(continued)
 
     21.   Subsidiaries of the Registrant

     23.   Consent of Independent Accountants

     27.1  Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only)

     27.2  Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only)

(b) The Company  did not file any  reports on Form 8-K during the quarter  ended
December 31, 1998.

(c) Exhibits  required by Item 601 of  Regulation  S-K are indexed  under (a)(3)
above.

(d) Separate  financial  statements of: (1)  subsidiaries  not  consolidated and
fifty percent or less owned persons; (2) affiliates whose securities are pledged
as collateral; and (3) other Schedules are not filed because they are either not
applicable or the items do not exceed the various disclosure levels.






























                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>
                                       
                                   SIGNATURES



        Pursuant to  the  requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934, the  registrant  has duly caused this report to be
        signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, this
        19th day of March, 1999.


                                           HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                                                  (Registrant)



                                        /s/Robert J. Lepofsky
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                           Robert J. Lepofsky
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

        Pursuant to  the  requirements  of  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
        this report has been signed below  by the following persons on behalf of
        the  registrant  on  this  19th  day  of  March, 1999, in the capacities
        indicated.

         Signatures                                Titles

(i)   Principal Executive Officer


      /s/Robert J. Lepofsky
      ---------------------
         Robert J. Lepofsky                President and Chief Executive Officer


(ii)  Principal Financial and 
      Accounting Officer


     /s/Michael El-Hillow
     --------------------
        Michael El-Hillow                  Senior Vice President and Chief
                                           Financial Officer


 








                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>
   

     (iii)  A Majority of the Board of Directors


 
            /s/ Arthur R. Buckland            Director
            -------------------------
                Arthur R. Buckland


 
            /s/ Matthew O. Diggs, Jr.         Director
            -------------------------
                Matthew O. Diggs, Jr.



            /s/ Frank Gabron                  Director
            -------------------------
                Frank Gabron


 
            /s/ Robert H. Hayes               Director
            -------------------------
                Robert H. Hayes



            /s/ Robert J. Lepofsky            Director
            -------------------------
                Robert J. Lepofsky



            /s/ Marvin G. Schorr              Director and Chairman of the Board
            -------------------------
                Marvin G. Schorr



            /s/ Wickham Skinner               Director
            ------------------------- 
                Wickham Skinner



            /s/ Mark S. Wrighton              Director
            -------------------------
                Mark S. Wrighton








                                     - 22 -

                    
<PAGE>

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




To The Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Helix Technology Corporation:

     In our opinion,  the accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets and related
consolidated  statements  of  operations,  stockholders'  equity,  comprehensive
income and cash flows present fairly,  in all material  respects,  the financial
position of Helix  Technology  Corporation at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and the
results of their  operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended  December 31,  1998,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's  management;  our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
financial  statements  based on our  audits.  We  conducted  our audits of these
statements  in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards  which
require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial  statements  are free of material  misstatement.  An audit
includes  examining,  on a test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and
disclosures in the financial  statements,  assessing the  accounting  principles
used and  significant  estimates made by management,  and evaluating the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- ------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
January 29, 1999





















                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>
                        
<TABLE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>

                                                                           December 31,
(in thousands except share data)                          Notes          1998         1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current:
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>          <C>    
  Cash and cash equivalents                                 A           $ 8,843      $34,717
  Investments                                               A            18,152        3,675
  Receivables - net of allowances of $228 in
   1998 and $240 in 1997                                                  9,783       18,185
  Inventories                                               A            14,811       15,371
  Deferred income taxes                                     A&D           5,157        4,234
  Other current assets                                                    1,106        1,119
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets                                                     57,852       77,301
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Property, plant and equipment at cost                       A            36,691       34,252
Less:  accumulated depreciation                                         (25,990)     (22,109)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment                                        10,701       12,143
Other assets                                                A&F           7,099        6,775
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                            $75,652      $96,219
=============================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current:
  Accounts payable                                                      $ 3,752      $ 5,036
  Payroll and compensation                                                2,884        4,298
  Retirement costs                                          H             3,588        3,501
  Income taxes                                              A&D             507        3,022
  Other accrued liabilities                                 I             1,553          667
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities                                                12,284       16,524
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commitments                                                 C                 -            -
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; authorized
  2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: none                              -            -
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 60,000,000
  shares; issued and outstanding:  22,319,131 in 1998
  and 22,213,131 in 1997                                    E            22,319       22,213
Capital in excess of par value                                            7,936        3,684
Deferred compensation                                       I                 -         (953)
Treasury stock, $1 par value 34,000 shares                                 (438)           -
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                              (359)          71
Retained earnings                                                        33,910       54,680
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                               63,368       79,695
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                              $75,652      $96,219
=============================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>

                                        - 24 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                              

                                HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<CAPTION>

                                                      For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands except per share data)              Notes        1998         1997         1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>     
Net sales                                                    $ 95,345    $157,076     $151,665
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales                                                  57,373      81,325       78,892
Research and development                            A          10,106      11,540       10,213
Selling, general and administrative                 E          26,581      30,891       27,773
Merger, restructuring and special charges           I           6,046           -            -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              100,106     123,756      116,878
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss)                                        (4,761)     33,320       34,787

Joint venture income                                F             957       1,744        1,480
Interest and other income                                       1,234       1,754        1,457
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes                                     (2,570)     36,818       37,724
Income tax benefit (provision)                      A&D           650     (11,274)     (12,598)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                            $ (1,920)   $ 25,544     $ 25,126
===============================================================================================
Net income (loss) per share:
  Basic                                             A&E      $  (0.09)   $   1.15     $   1.15
  Diluted                                           A&E      $  (0.09)   $   1.14     $   1.14
===============================================================================================
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
  Basic                                             A&E        22,262      22,151       21,788
  Diluted                                           A&E        22,262      22,353       22,096
===============================================================================================


Pro Forma Results (unaudited)
Income (loss) before taxes                                   $ (2,570)   $ 36,818     $ 37,724
Income tax benefit (provision)                                    824     (12,767)     (13,675)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net income (loss)                                  $ (1,746)   $ 24,051     $ 24,049
===============================================================================================
Pro forma net income (loss) per share:
   Basic                                                     $  (0.08)   $   1.09     $   1.10
   Diluted                                                   $  (0.08)   $   1.08     $   1.09
===============================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>


                                           - 25 -

<PAGE>
<TABLE>

        

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<CAPTION>

                                         Common Stock                              Accumulated
                                      -------------------                             Other
                                               Capital in                         Comprehensive
                                       Par       Excess     Deferred     Treasury    Income/    Retained
(in thousands)                        Value      of Par    Compensation    Stock      (Loss)    Earnings     Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          
Balance, December 31, 1995 ......   $ 21,765    $  1,937    $   (508)   $   --      $  1,307    $ 35,787    $ 60,288
Shares issued for stock options .        419       1,417        --          --          --          --         1,836
Income tax benefit from
  exercise of stock options .....       --         1,739        --          --          --          --         1,739
Restricted stock (Note I) .......         99         749        (377)       --          --          --           471
Shares tendered for exercise
  of stock options ..............       (168)     (2,843)       --          --          --          --        (3,011)
Retirement of treasury stock ....        (80)       (895)       --          --          --          --          (975)
Other comprehensive loss ........       --          --          --          --          (474)       --          (474)
Net income ......................       --          --          --          --          --        25,126      25,126
Cash dividends ..................       --          --          --          --          --       (15,517)    (15,517)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 ......     22,035       2,104        (885)       --           833      45,396      69,483
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued for stock options .        157       1,625        --          --          --          --         1,782
Income tax benefit from
  exercise of stock options .....       --           448        --          --          --          --           448
Restricted stock (Note I) .......         73         494         (68)       --          --          --           499
Shares tendered for exercise
  of stock options ..............        (52)       (987)       --          --          --          --        (1,039)
Other comprehensive loss ........       --          --          --          --          (762)       --          (762)
Net income ......................       --          --          --          --          --        25,544      25,544
Cash dividends ..................       --          --          --          --          --       (16,260)    (16,260)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 ......     22,213       3,684        (953)       --            71      54,680      79,695
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares issued for stock options .        106       1,785        --          --          --          --         1,891
Income tax effect from exercise
  of stock options ..............       --          (224)       --          --          --          --          (224)
Restricted stock and
  acquisition adjustment (Note I)       --         2,691         953        --          --        (2,783)        861
Shares tendered for exercise of
  stock options .................       --          --          --          (438)       --          --          (438)
Other comprehensive loss ........       --          --          --          --          (430)       --          (430)
Net loss ........................       --          --          --          --          --        (1,920)     (1,920)
Cash dividends ..................       --          --          --          --          --       (16,067)    (16,067)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 ......   $ 22,319    $  7,936    $   --      $   (438)   $   (359)   $ 33,910    $ 63,368
=====================================================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>





                                     - 26 -

<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<CAPTION>

                                                                 For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)                                                     1998        1997        1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>     
  Net income (loss) .........................................   $ (1,920)   $ 25,544    $ 25,126
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
   cash provided (used) by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization ..........................      3,999       3,713       3,632
     Deferred income taxes ..................................       (923)       (820)       (763)
     Restructuring charge ...................................        667        --          --
     Undistributed earnings of joint venture, other .........       (769)     (1,561)       (984)
     Amortization of deferred compensation ..................        861         499         471
     Performance-based stock compensation ...................        959       1,300         750
     Net change in other operating assets and liabilities (1)      4,535      (1,216)      2,325
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net cash provided by operating activities .................      7,409      27,459      30,557
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures ......................................     (2,557)     (5,248)     (3,819)
  Purchase of investments ...................................    (53,047)     (4,444)     (4,277)
  Sale of investments .......................................     38,585       3,470       3,704
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net cash used by investing activities .....................    (17,019)     (6,222)     (4,392)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Shares tendered for exercise of stock options .............       (438)     (1,039)     (3,011)
  Net cash provided by employee stock plans .................        241         543       1,061
  Purchase of treasury stock ................................       --          --          (975)
  Cash dividends paid .......................................    (16,067)    (16,260)    (15,517)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net cash used by financing activities .....................    (16,264)    (16,756)    (18,442)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ............    (25,874)      4,481       7,723
Cash and cash equivalents, January 1 ........................     34,717      30,236      22,513
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31 ......................   $  8,843    $ 34,717    $ 30,236
=================================================================================================

(1)  Change in other operating assets and liabilities:
      (Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable ............   $  8,402    $ (4,871)   $  7,114
      (Increase)/decrease in inventories ....................        560         484        (948)
      (Increase)/decrease in other current assets ...........         12        (218)       (293)
      Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable ...............     (1,284)         67      (1,950)
      Increase/(decrease) in other accrued expenses .........     (3,155)      3,322      (1,598)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net change in other operating assets and liabilities ...   $  4,535    $ (1,216)   $  2,325
=================================================================================================

Income taxes paid ...........................................   $  3,528    $ 10,131    $ 15,482
=================================================================================================

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity in 1998, 1997 and 1996, $1,650,000, $1,240,000
and $775,000, respectively, was reclassed from accrued executive compensation to equity in
connection with issuance of stock options.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>

                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)


<CAPTION>

                                                      For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)                                                1998         1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>     
Net income (loss) .......................................   $ (1,920)   $ 25,544
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other comprehensive loss, before tax
   Foreign currency translation adjustment ..............       (662)     (1,047)
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment .....         15        --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                (647)     (1,047)
Income tax related to items of other comprehensive income        217         285
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax ....................       (430)       (762)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income (loss) .............................   $ (2,350)   $ 24,782
======================================================================================

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

</TABLE>





















                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>
                             

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Use of Estimates

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities at the
date of the  financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of  revenues  and
expenses  during the reporting  period.  Actual  results could differ from those
estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated
financial statements to conform with the current presentation.

     Principles of Consolidation

     The consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of the Company
and  its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  after  elimination  of  all  intercompany
transactions. The investment in and operating results of the Company's 50%-owned
joint venture are included on the basis of the equity method of accounting.

     Business Combination

     In May 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips  Company ("GPC"). The
acquisition  was  accounted  for as a  pooling  of  interests  under  Accounting
Principles  Board  Opinion  No. 16  "Business  Combinations".  All prior  period
consolidated  financial  statements  have been restated to include the financial
position, results of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of GPC.

     Foreign Currency Translation

     Assets  and  liabilities  of  operations  outside  the  United  States  are
translated into U.S.  dollars using current  exchange rates.  Income and expense
accounts are  translated  at the average  rates in effect  during the year.  The
effects  of  foreign   currency   translation   adjustments   are   included  in
comprehensive  income as a component of  stockholders'  equity.  The  cumulative
translation adjustment for the Company's 50%-owned joint venture is reported net
of income  taxes.  Transaction  gains/losses  were not  material.  The effect of
foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents was not material.

     Comprehensive Income

     In January 1998, the Company adopted Financial  Accounting Standard No. 130
"Reporting  Comprehensive  Income," which requires unrealized gains or losses on
the Company's  investments and foreign  currency  translation  adjustments to be
included in other comprehensive income.





                                     - 29 -

<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

     Cash and Cash Equivalents

     Cash and cash equivalents  include demand  deposits,  money market accounts
and other highly liquid investments with original  maturities of three months or
less.

 
     Investments

     The Company's investments are classified as available-for-sale  securities,
and the  difference in the cost and fair value of these  investments is included
in comprehensive income. The Company's investments consist of the following:


                                                    December 31,
                                          1998                    1997
                                  -------------------      ------------------
  (in thousands)                  Cost     Fair Value       Cost   Fair Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Money market funds              $ 2,336    $ 2,336            -         -
  Municipal and tax-free bonds     15,516     15,531            -         -
  Treasury bills                      285        285       $3,675    $3,675
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  $18,137    $18,152       $3,675    $3,675
  =============================================================================

     Financial Instruments

     Financial  instruments that potentially  subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist  principally of cash and cash equivalents,
short-term  investments  and trade accounts  receivable.  The Company invests in
investment-grade  securities.  The Company's  customers are  concentrated in one
industry segment, the semiconductor manufacturing industry, and, historically, a
significant  portion of the  Company's  sales  have been to a limited  number of
customers within this industry.  The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations
of its customers'  financial  condition and may require deposits on large orders
but  does  not  require   collateral  or  other  security  to  support  customer
receivables.



                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

     Inventories
                                                    December 31,
     (in thousands)                              1998         1997
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
     Finished goods                             $ 3,067      $ 4,355
     Work in process                              7,597        7,367
     Materials and parts                          4,147        3,649
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                $14,811      $15,371
     ====================================================================

     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, 
     first-out basis.

     Property, Plant and Equipment
                                                    December 31,
     (in thousands)                              1998         1997
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
     Land                                       $    20      $    20
     Leasehold improvements                       5,454        4,710
     Machinery and equipment                     31,217       29,522
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                $36,691      $34,252
     ====================================================================

     Depreciation  is provided on the  straight-line  method over the  estimated
useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser
of their useful life or the remaining life of the lease.  Estimated useful lives
of machinery and equipment range from 3 to 15 years.

     Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and betterments
are capitalized. The cost of assets sold or retired and related depreciation are
removed from the accounts at the time of sale and any resulting  gain or loss is
reflected in income.

     Revenue Recognition

     The Company records revenue on its products when units are shipped and when
services are performed.

     Research and Development

     Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.


                                           - 31 -
<PAGE>

                             

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

     Income Taxes

     Deferred income taxes result from temporary  differences in the recognition
of revenues and  expenses  between  financial  statements  and tax returns.  Tax
credits are recognized  when realized for tax purposes using the  "flow-through"
method of  accounting.  The Company has not  provided  for federal  income taxes
applicable to  undistributed  earnings of its foreign  subsidiaries  since these
earnings are indefinitely reinvested.

     Net Income Per Share

     In 1997,  the  Company  adopted  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  128
"Earnings  per  Share"  which  specifies  the   computation,   presentation  and
disclosure of net income per share.  Basic net income (loss) per common share is
based on the weighted  average  number of common shares  outstanding  during the
year. Diluted net income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution
that could occur if outstanding  stock options were exercised.  All prior period
net income per share figures have been restated.

     The  following  table sets forth the  computation  of basic and diluted net
income (loss) per common share:
 
                                               For the years ended December 31,
     (in thousands except per share data)        1998    1997       1996
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net income (loss)                        $(1,920)   $25,544    $25,126
     ==========================================================================

     Basic Shares                              22,262     22,151     21,788
     Add:  Common equivalent shares (1)             -        202        308
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Diluted shares                            22,262     22,353     22,096

     Basic net income (loss) per share        $ (0.09)   $  1.15    $  1.15
     ==========================================================================

     Diluted net income (loss) per share      $ (0.09)   $  1.14    $  1.14
     ==========================================================================

     (1) Common equivalent shares  representing  shares issuable upon conversion
of stock options  (using the treasury  stock method).  Options  outstanding  not
included in the  computation  of diluted shares were 491,000 in 1998 because the
Company was in a net loss  position,  and the  inclusion of such shares would be
anti-dilutive.  For 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  30,000  and  120,000  options
outstanding were not included in the  computation,  because the option price was
greater than the average market price of the common shares.

 

                                     - 32 -

<PAGE>
                            

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  (continued)

     New Accounting Pronouncements

     In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued  Financial
Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities."  The  adoption of this  Standard in 2000 is not  expected to have a
material impact on the Company's financial statements.

B.   Bank Credit Arrangements

     The  Company's  informal  bank money  market  lines of credit  amounted  to
$12,000,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997.

C.   Lease Obligations and Commitments

     The  Company  leases  certain  facilities  and  equipment  under  long-term
operating  leases.  The  Company  has a  noncancelable  operating  lease for its
corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations,  which expires in 2006. The
lease includes  scheduled base rent increases  through the term of the lease and
renewal options for up to fifteen additional years.

     Future minimum lease payments under the noncancelable operating leases are:

     (in thousands)                  Operating Leases
     ------------------------------------------------
     1999                                 $3,534
     2000                                  2,870
     2001                                  2,165
     2002                                  2,195
     2003                                  2,189
     Later years                           6,119
     ------------------------------------------------
     Total                                $19,072
     ================================================

     Total  rental  expense  under  operating  leases  was  $3,526,000  in 1998,
$3,289,000 in 1997, and $3,159,000 in 1996.

     The Company enters into short-term  foreign currency forward contracts with
its  primary  bank to  minimize  the effect of foreign  currency  exchange  rate
fluctuations on certain intercompany transactions with its wholly owned European
and Japanese subsidiaries. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on these
transactions  are not material and are recorded in the statements of operations.
The notional  amounts of the  Company's  outstanding  foreign  currency  forward
contracts  at  December  31,  1998 and 1997,  were  $2,153,000  and  $2,224,000,
respectively.



                                     - 33 -

<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

D.   Income Taxes

     The  components  of income  (loss)  before  income  taxes  and the  related
provision for (benefit from) income taxes are presented below:

                                            For the years ended December 31,
     (in thousands)                        1998         1997       1996
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
     Income (loss) before income taxes:
      Domestic                             $(2,572)     $36,106    $37,152
      Foreign                                    2          712        572
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           $(2,570)     $36,818    $37,724
     =======================================================================
 
     Provision for (benefit from) income
     taxes:
      Current:
         Federal                           $   176      $10,096    $10,593
         Foreign                                18          250        285
         State                                  79        1,729      2,482
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               273       12,075     13,360
     
      Deferred:
         Federal                              (611)        (656)      (624)
         Foreign                                 -            -          -
         State                                (312)        (145)      (138)
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              (923)        (801)      (762)
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total                                 $  (650)     $11,274     $12,598
     =======================================================================


     The Company's  deferred tax assets and  (liabilities)  are comprised of the
following:

                                                              December 31,
     (in thousands)                                        1998       1997
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Deferred tax assets:
     Inventory valuation                                  $1,411     $1,312
     Compensation and benefit plans                        2,208      2,483
     Leases                                                  223        262
     Depreciation                                            305          -
     Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards         656          -
     Other                                                   434        230
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total deferred tax assets                          $5,237     $4,287
     Deferred tax liabilities:
     Depreciation                                         $    -     $  (53)
     Other                                                   (80)         -
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total deferred tax liabilities                     $  (80)    $  (53)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Net deferred tax assets                            $5,157     $4,234
     ========================================================================

     Deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries
are not  material.  The Company  believes  that its deferred tax assets are more
likely than not realizable; therefore, no valuation allowance is required.

                                     - 34 -
                               
<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

D.   Income Taxes (continued)

     The table below  reconciles the expected U.S.  federal income tax provision
(benefit) to the recorded  income tax provision  (benefit) in the  statements of
operations:

                                                             December 31,
     (in thousands)                                  1998        1997     1996
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Federal tax computed at statutory rate
       of 35%                                       $(899)    $12,886   $13,203
     State income taxes, net of federal income
       tax benefit                                   (151)      1,063     1,563
     Non-taxable S-Corporation (income) loss          165      (1,514)   (1,148)
     Foreign sales corporation tax benefit              -        (907)     (923)
     Earnings not subject to U.S. income taxes       (191)       (414)     (333)
     R&D and foreign tax credits                     (357)       (516)     (177)
     Non-deductible acquisition costs                 620           -         -
     Other, net                                       163         676       413
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Income tax provision (benefit)                 $(650)    $11,274   $12,598
     ===========================================================================

     Prior to the acquisition on May 7, 1998, Granville-Phillips Company ("GPC")
had elected to be treated as an  S-Corporation  for federal income tax reporting
purposes.  Under this election, the individual stockholders of GPC are deemed to
have received a pro rata  distribution  of taxable income of GPC (whether or not
an actual  distribution  was made),  which is included in their taxable  income.
Accordingly,  GPC did not provide for federal income taxes.  Unaudited pro forma
net income  (loss) per share  reflects  unaudited  pro forma  income tax benefit
(provision)  of GPC as if GPC was combined and subject to the effective  federal
and state statutory rates of approximately 38% throughout the periods presented.
GPC's  S-Corporation  tax  reporting  status was  terminated  on the date of the
acquisition and, therefore, the undistributed earnings of $2.8 million as of the
date of acquisition have been reclassified to additional paid-in capital.

     For U.S. federal income tax purposes,  the Company has a net operating loss
carryforward of approximately  $1.0 million.  This  carryforward  will expire in
2018.

E.   Capital Stock

     On  October  16,  1997,  the  Company's  Board of  Directors  authorized  a
two-for-one  common  stock  split that was  effected in the form of a 100% stock
dividend.   Stock  certificates  were  distributed  on  November  13,  1997,  to
stockholders  of record on October 30, 1997.  All  references  in the  financial
statements and notes to number of shares, per share amounts and market prices of
the  Company's  common  stock have been  retroactively  restated  to reflect the
increased number of common shares outstanding.

     Options for the purchase of shares of the Company's  common stock have been
granted to officers,  directors  and key employees  under various  incentive and
nonqualified stock option agreements. The terms of these agreements provide that
the options are exercisable over a number of years from the date of grant at not
less than the fair market value at the date of grant.
 
                                     - 35 -

<PAGE>                              

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

E.   Capital Stock  (continued)

     Options expire at various dates through the year 2008. At December 31, 1998
and 1997,  respectively,  1,207,774  and  1,313,774  shares of common stock were
reserved for stock options. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively,  97,024
and 75,774  nonqualified  stock options were  exercisable.  In 1989, the Company
entered into an agreement with its President  under which options to purchase up
to 800,000  shares of the  Company's  common stock were  granted,  at a price of
$1.69 per share, exercisable over a ten-year period subject to the attainment of
certain financial  performance  targets.  At December 31, 1998,  options for the
purchase  of 640,000  shares had become  exercisable.  In  connection  with this
agreement, compensation expense of $959,000, $1,300,000 and $750,000 was charged
in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

     The following  table  summarizes  option activity for the years ended 1998,
1997 and 1996:

                                      Number of           Weighted Average
     Options Outstanding            Common Shares          Exercise Price
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     December 31, 1995                895,400                  $ 2.71

     Options granted                  140,000                  $16.40
     Options exercised               (420,400)                 $ 2.52
                                     ---------
     December 31, 1996                615,000                  $ 5.95

     Options granted                  121,000                  $20.90
     Options exercised               (157,226)                 $ 3.45
     Options cancelled                (82,000)                 $14.66
                                     ---------
     December 31, 1997                496,774                  $ 8.95

     Options granted                  180,000                  $22.33
     Options exercised               (106,000)                 $ 2.27
                                     ---------
     December 31, 1998                570,774                  $14.41

     The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding
and exercisable options:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                Options Outstanding                        Options Exercisable
                  -------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------
     Range of          Number        Weighted Average     Weighted          Number        Weighted
     Exercise        Outstanding        Remaining          Average        Exercisable      Average
      Prices         at 12/31/98    Contractual Life    Exercise Price    at 12/31/98   Exercise Price
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                 <C>             <C>                  <C>             <C>            <C>   
   $ 1.69 - $ 9.13     199,774         2.17 years           $ 2.37          29,774         $ 3.78
   $14.31 - $18.44     161,000         6.47 years           $17.06          57,750         $16.74
   $23.11 - $27.03     210,000         8.84 years           $23.83           9,500         $26.91

</TABLE>



                                     - 36 -
<PAGE>
                               
                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

E.   Capital Stock  (continued)

     The Company adopted the disclosure only option under Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation" (SFAS
123) as of December 31, 1996. If the accounting  provisions of SFAS 123 had been
adopted, the effect on net income (loss) and basic and diluted net income (loss)
per share would have been as follows:

     (in thousands except per share data)       1998        1997        1996
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     As Reported
     Net income (loss)                        $(1,920)    $25,544     $25,126
     Basic net income (loss) per share        $ (0.09)    $  1.15     $  1.15
     Diluted net income (loss) per share      $ (0.09)    $  1.14     $  1.14

     Pro Forma
     Net income (loss)                        $(2,438)    $25,371     $25,015
     Basic net income (loss) per share        $ (0.11)    $  1.15     $  1.15
     Diluted net income (loss) per share      $ (0.11)    $  1.14     $  1.14

     The weighted  average fair value of options  granted during 1998,  1997 and
1996 was $8.44,  $8.06 and $6.16,  respectively.  The fair value of each  option
grant is estimated on the date of grant using the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing
model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

                                                1998        1997        1996
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Dividend yield                             4.2%        4.2%        4.2%
     Expected stock price volatility             50%         50%         50%
     Risk-free interest rate                   5.49%       6.34%       6.08%
     Expected holding period (years)            6.4         6.4         6.3



                                     - 37 -

<PAGE>
  
                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F.   Other Assets

     The Company has a 50/50 joint venture company, Ulvac Cryogenics, Inc., with
an unrelated Japanese manufacturer to produce cryogenic vacuum pumps in Japan.

     Condensed results of operations for the joint venture for each of the three
fiscal years ended September 30 are as follows:

     (in thousands)                             1998        1997        1996
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net sales                                $19,511     $27,638     $25,751
     ========================================================================
     Gross profit                             $ 5,280     $ 8,488     $ 7,415
     ========================================================================
     Net income                               $ 1,092     $ 2,364     $ 1,901
     ========================================================================
     Fee income, including royalty income
      and equity income                       $   957     $ 1,744     $ 1,480
     ========================================================================

     Condensed balance sheet information as of September 30, is as follows:

     (in thousands)                                 1998           1997
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Current assets                                $15,314        $20,724
     Noncurrent assets                               2,906          3,399
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total assets                                  $18,220        $24,123
     ========================================================================
     Current liabilities                           $ 4,572        $ 9,710
     Long-term liabilities                             829            915
     Stockholders' equity                           12,819         13,498
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity    $18,220        $24,123
     ========================================================================

     The  Company's  net  investment  in  the  joint  venture  of  approximately
$6,500,000  and  $6,552,000  at  December  31, 1998 and 1997,  respectively,  is
reported in other assets.  The Company's net investment at December 31, 1998 and
1997, reflects a cumulative  translation gain (loss) of ($168,000) and $366,000,
respectively  (net of income tax benefit of $90,000 and  provision  of $197,000,
respectively).  This  currency  translation  gain or loss,  which is included in
stockholders'  equity,  resulted from translating the balance sheet of the joint
venture into U.S. dollars.

G.   Segment Information

     Line of Business and Foreign Operations

     The Company adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 131,
"Disclosure  about Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information" for 1998.
The Company operates in one line of business; the development, manufacture, sale
and support of cryogenic and vacuum equipment.




                                     - 38 -
<PAGE>

                              

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

G.   Segment Information  (continued)

     The consolidated  financial statements include the accounts of wholly owned
international subsidiaries which operate customer support facilities to sell and
service  products  manufactured in the United States. A summary of United States
and International operations follows for the years ended December 31:

                                                       Corporate
                                                        Expenses
                               United                  and Assets/
     (in thousands)            States  International  Eliminations  Consolidated
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1998
     Net sales                 $ 90,278     $13,598     $(8,531)     $ 95,345
     Operating income (loss)      3,843          85      (8,689)       (4,761)
     Identifiable assets         42,530       8,026      25,096        75,652



     1997
     Net sales                 $152,448     $13,993     $(9,365)     $157,076
     Operating income            37,733         751      (5,164)       33,320
     Identifiable assets         52,231       7,457      36,531        96,219


     1996
     Net sales                 $147,175     $13,093     $(8,603)     $151,665
     Operating income            38,324         561      (4,098)       34,787
     Identifiable assets         44,706       7,183      31,116        83,005

     Corporate expenses consist of certain general and administrative  expenses,
including  merger,  restructuring  and  special  charges in 1998,  which are not
allocable to geographic operations.  Corporate assets consist primarily of cash,
cash equivalents and investments.  Intercompany  transactions are at prices that
are comparable to third-party sales.

     Export Sales and Significant Customers

     The Company's export sales,  principally to customers in the Far East, were
$6,322,000 in 1998, $13,105,000 in 1997 and $11,524,000 in 1996.

     The Company's  largest customer  represented 20%, 30%, and 28% of net sales
for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.


                                     - 39 -
<PAGE>


                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

H.    Employee Benefit Plans

     The Company's  retirement and savings plans cover  substantially all of the
Company's  employees  who have one year of service.  A  noncontributory  defined
benefit pension plan and a defined  contribution  plan function  together as the
Company's retirement program.

     The Company's  funding  policy is to  contribute  not less than the minimum
required  amount in  accordance  with the Internal  Revenue Code and ERISA.  The
Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132, "Employee's
Disclosure  about  Pensions and Other  Retirement  Benefits,"  during 1998.  The
following tables set forth the funded status,  projected benefit  obligation and
fair value of assets of the defined benefit pension plan.

     Reconciliation of Funded Status
 
                                                               December 31,
     (in thousands)                                         1998         1997
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Funded status                                        $ 1,402      $ 1,821
     Unrecognized prior service cost                           40           52
     Unrecognized net transition asset                       (184)        (223)
     Unrecognized net actuarial gain                       (4,018)      (4,135)
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Accrued pension cost                                 $(2,760)     $(2,485)
     ===========================================================================

     Reconciliation of Projected Benefit Obligation

     (in thousands)                                        1998          1997
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Beginning of year benefit obligation (January 1)     $ 6,369      $ 5,964
       Service cost                                           981          894
       Interest cost                                          508          481
       Actuarial loss                                         963           99
       Benefits paid                                       (1,061)      (1,069)
       Curtailment gain (1)                                  (489)           -
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     End of year benefit obligation (December 31)         $ 7,271      $ 6,369
     ===========================================================================
     Reconciliation of Fair Value of Assets

     (in thousands)                                        1998         1997
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Beginning of year, fair value of assets (January 1)  $ 8,190      $ 7,553
       Actual return on plan assets                         1,544        1,706
       Benefits paid                                       (1,061)      (1,069)
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     End of year, fair value of assets (December 31)      $ 8,673      $ 8,190
     ===========================================================================


                                     - 40 -

<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

H.   Employee Benefit Plans  (continued)

     The Company's net pension cost included the following components:

     (in thousands)                           1998          1997         1996
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Service cost                           $  981       $  894        $  840
     Interest cost                             508          481           443
     Expected return on assets                (563)        (537)         (505)
     Net amortization of:
       Prior service cost                        8            8             8
       Net actuarial gain                     (131)        (131)          (38)
       Transition obligation                   (39)         (39)          (39)
     Curtailment gain(1)                      (489)           -             -
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net periodic pension cost              $  275       $  676        $  709
     =========================================================================
 
     (1) The  curtailment  gain relates to certain  participants  in the pension
plan who were  terminated  from  employment  in  connection  with the  Company's
restructuring plan. (Note I).

     Key  assumptions  used in computing  year-end  obligations  for the defined
benefit plan were:

                                                  1998        1997        1996
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Discount rate for obligations               6.75%        7.0%        7.5%
     Rate of compensation increase                5.0%        5.0%        5.5%
     Long-term rate of return on assets           9.0%        9.0%        9.0%
 
     Defined benefit plan assets include marketable equity securities, corporate
and government debt securities and cash.

     The Company has Employee  Savings Plans,  qualified  under Section  401(k),
that are designed to supplement  retirement  income.  The Company  contributes a
percentage of the  participants'  contributions  up to a defined maximum amount.
The contributions expense, net of forfeitures, was $826,000 in 1998, $812,000 in
1997 and $761,000 in 1996.

     The Company  has a  Supplemental  Key  Executive  Retirement  Plan which is
designed to  supplement  benefits  paid to  participants  under  Company-funded,
tax-qualified retirement plans. The Company recorded additional retirement costs
of $170,000 in 1998,  $69,000 in 1997 and  $140,000 in 1996 in  connection  with
this Plan.



                                     - 41 -
<PAGE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

I.   Merger, Restructuring and Special Charges

In the second quarter of 1998, the Company acquired  Granville-Phillips  Company
("GPC") in a transaction  accounted for as a pooling of interests.  GPC operates
in the same line of business as the Company; the development,  manufacture, sale
and support of vacuum  equipment.  The Company issued 2,382,925 shares of common
stock in exchange for all outstanding common stock of GPC at May 7, 1998. Direct
acquisition costs,  primarily  compensation expense relating to shares issued to
certain GPC employees as part of a restricted stock plan, and professional  fees
amounted to $3.5 million and were charged against the results of operations.  At
the time of the acquisition,  GPC common shares included in the restricted stock
plan were exchanged for the equivalent value of the Company's common shares. GPC
was an S-Corporation  for tax purposes prior to the  acquisition.  In accordance
with SAB  topic  4B,  the  amount  of  undistributed  earnings  of $2.8  million
generated  during  the  periods  that  GPC was  taxed  as an  S-Corporation  was
reclassified  from  retained  earnings  to capital in excess of par value at the
time of the merger and $0.8  million  was  recorded  in capital in excess of par
value for stock incentive plans in 1998.

The following  information  presents certain statement of operations data of the
Company and GPC for the periods prior to the acquisition.

                                  (Unaudited)
                              Three Months Ended    Year Ended       Year Ended
     (in thousands)              Mar. 31, 1998     Dec. 31, 1997   Dec. 31, 1996
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net sales for:
       Helix                        $25,872         $ 131,519         $128,383
       GPC                            5,622            25,557           23,282
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Combined                     $31,494         $ 157,076         $151,665
     ===========================================================================
     Net income (loss) for:
       Helix                        $ 2,941         $  21,315         $ 21,957
       GPC                           (1,075)            4,229            3,169
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Combined                     $ 1,866         $  25,544         $ 25,126
     ===========================================================================

During the third quarter of 1998, the Company recorded  restructuring  and other
special  charges  of  $2.5  million.   The  Company  restructured  its  domestic
operations to eliminate non-strategic  spending,  while redirecting resources to
the Company's global customer support structure and other strategic initiatives.
The charges  primarily  included  provisions  for  termination  benefits of $1.3
million for approximately 80 personnel,  exit costs related to a leased facility
of $1.0  million  and $0.2  million for the  impairment  of certain  assets.  At
December 31, 1998, $0.9 million of restructuring and special charges remained in
other accrued expenses, which the Company expects to be paid or amortized by the
third quarter of 1999.

The amounts accrued and charged  against the provisions  described above were as
follows:

                                                Cash Payments
                                                  and Asset    December 31, 1998
(in thousands)                 1998 Provision    Write-offs         Balance
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee termination benefits      $1,300          $1,000            $300
Exit leased facility                1,000             400             600
Asset impairment                      200             200               -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                              $2,500          $1,600            $900
================================================================================

                                     - 42 -

<PAGE>

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




To The Board Of Directors and Stockholders
of Helix Technology Corporation:


     Our report on the  consolidated  financial  statements of Helix  Technology
Corporation  is included on Page 23 of this Form 10-K.  In  connection  with our
audits of such financial statements,  we have also audited the related financial
statement schedule listed in the index on Page 14 of this Form 10-K.

     In our opinion,  the financial  statement  schedule referred to above, when
considered  in  relation  to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,
presents  fairly,  in all  material  respects,  the  information  required to be
included therein.







/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- -----------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
January 29, 1999









                                           - 43 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>


                                HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                                     QUARTERLY RESULTS
                                        (UNAUDITED)

<CAPTION>

                                          First     Second       Third      Fourth
(in thousands except per share data)     Quarter    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
<S>                                       <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>     
Net sales .............................   $ 31,494   $ 25,706    $ 18,550    $ 19,595
Gross profit ..........................     14,702      9,955       5,948       7,367
Operating income (loss) ...............      2,821     (1,873)     (4,765)       (944)
Net income (loss) .....................      1,866       (434)     (3,431)         79
Basic net income (loss) per share (1) .   $   0.08   $  (0.02)   $  (0.15)   $   0.00
Diluted net income (loss) per share (1)   $   0.08   $  (0.02)   $  (0.15)   $   0.00

1997
Net sales .............................   $ 34,408   $ 39,440    $ 42,508    $ 40,720
Gross profit ..........................     16,196     18,854      20,349      20,352
Operating income ......................      6,590      8,188       9,552       8,990
Net income ............................      4,896      6,266       7,343       7,039
Basic net income per share (1) ........   $   0.22   $   0.28    $   0.33    $   0.32
Diluted net income per share (1) ......   $   0.22   $   0.28    $   0.33    $   0.31

(1) All per share data  reflects a  two-for-one  common  stock  split  effective
November 1997.

</TABLE>







                                     - 44 -
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                          HELIX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
                 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

              For the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996

                                 (in thousands)

<CAPTION>

 
          Column A                     Column B           Column C              Column D    Column E
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Additions
                                                   ------------------------           
                                      Balance at   Charged to    Charged to    Deductions   Balance at
                                      Beginning    Costs and       Other          from        End of
          Description                 of Period    Expenses      Accounts       Reserves      Period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 1998
<S>                                      <C>         <C>          <C>             <C>         <C>  
   Allowance for doubtful accounts       $240        $    5       $   -           $   17      $ 228
======================================================================================================
   Warranty                              $292        $1,375       $   -           $1,370      $ 297
======================================================================================================


Year ended December 31, 1997
   Allowance for doubtful accounts       $238        $   17       $   -           $   15      $ 240
======================================================================================================
   Warranty                              $303        $1,614       $   -           $1,625      $ 292
======================================================================================================


Year ended December 31, 1996
   Allowance for doubtful accounts       $240        $    6       $   -           $    8      $ 238
======================================================================================================
   Warranty                              $305        $1,305       $   -           $1,307      $ 303
======================================================================================================


</TABLE>


                                     - 45 -









                                 LEASE AGREEMENT
                           OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL SPACE

This Lease  Agreement is made and entered into as of the 21 day of May, 1996, by
and between  LakeCenter Plaza,  Ltd., LLLP  ("Landlord"),  whose address is 4875
Pearl East Circle,  Suite 300, Boulder  Colorado 80301,  and  Granvi1le-Phi11ips
Company  ("Tenant"),  whose address is 5675 Arapahoe Ave. Boulder Colorado 80303
in consideration of the covenants, terms, conditions, agreements and payments as
herein set forth, the Landlord and Tenant hereby enter into the following Lease:

1. Definitions.  Whenever the following words or phrases are used in this Lease,
said words or phrases shall have the following meaning:

     A. "Area"  shall mean the parcel of land  depicted on Exhibit "A"  attached
hereto and commonly known and referred to as LakeCenter Plaza Boulder, Colorado.
The Area includes the Leased  Premises and one or more  buildings.  The Area may
include Common Areas.

     B. "Building" shall mean a building located in the Area.

     C.  "Common  Areas"  shall mean all  entrances,  exits,  driveways,  curbs,
walkways,  hallways,  parking areas,  landscaped areas,  restrooms,  loading and
service  areas,  and like areas or facilities  which are located in the Area and
which are  designated by the Landlord as areas or  facilities  available for the
nonexclusive use in common by persons designated by the Landlord.

     D. "Leased Premises" shall mean the premises herein leased to the Tenant by
the Landlord.

     E.  "Tenant's  Pro rata  Share"  as to the  Building  in which  the  Leased
Premises are located shall mean an amount  (expressed as a percentage)  equal to
the number of square feet included in the Leased  Premises  divided by the total
number of leasable square feet included in said Building.  The Tenant's Pro rata
Share as to Common Areas shall mean an amount  (expressed as a percentage) equal
to the number of square  feet  included  in the Leased  Premises  divided by the
total number of leasable  square feet included in all  Buildings  located in the
Area.  The Tenant's Pro rata Share for Common Areas may change from time to time
as the leasable square footage in all Buildings located in the Area is increased
or decreased.

2. Leased Premises.  The landlord hereby leases unto the Tenant,  and the Tenant
hereby leases from the Landlord, the following described premises:

Space Suite 101 in Building  5665/Building "B" consisting of 12.154 square feet,
all as depicted on Exhibit "B" attached hereto.

3. Base Term.  The term of this Lease  shall  commence at 12:00 noon on July 15.
1996, and,  unless sooner  terminated as herein provided for, shall end at 12:00
noon on August 1, 2001, ("Lease Term").  Except as specifically  provided to the
<PAGE>

contrary herein,  the Leased Premises shall, upon the termination of this Lease,
by virtue of the  expiration of the Lease Term or otherwise,  be returned to the
Landlord by the Tenant in as good or better  condition than when entered upon by
the Tenant, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

4.  Rent.  Tenant shall pay the following rent for the Leased Premises:

     A. Base Month1y  Rent.  Tenant shall pay to  Landlord,  without  notice and
without  setoff,  at the address of Landlord as herein set forth,  the following
Base Monthly Rent ("Base  Monthly  Rent"),  said Base Monthly Rent to be paid in
advance on the first day of each month during the term hereof. In the event that
this Lease  commences  on a date  other than the first day of a month,  the Base
Monthly  Rent for the first month of the Lease Term shall be  prorated  for said
partial  month.  Below is a schedule of Base Monthly  Rental  payments as agreed
upon:


                                During Lease Term
                                -----------------                    

   For Period                       To Period               A Base Monthly
    Starting                          Ending                    Rent of
   ----------                       ---------               --------------

July 15, 1996                       August 1, 1996          $4,810.96

August 1, 1996                      August 1, 1997          $9,621.92

August 1, 1997                      August 1, 2001          $9,621.92 Plus any
                                                            cost of living
                                                            adjustment per
                                                            paragraph 4C below.

     B. Lease Term Adjustment.  If, for any reason,  other than delays caused by
the Tenant, the Leased Premises are not ready for Tenant's occupancy on July 15,
1996 the Tenant's  rental  obligation end other monetary  expenses (i.e.  taxes,
utilities,  etc.) shall be abated in direct  proportion to the number of days of
delay. It is hereby agreed that the premises shall be deemed ready for occupancy
on the day the  Landlord  receives  a T. C .O.  or C. O.  from  the  appropriate
authority,  or on the day the  Landlord  gives  Tenant  the  keys to the  Leased
Premises if a building permit has not been applied for and/or is not required by
the  appropriate  authority and in  accordance  with the terms,  conditions  and
exhibits to this Lease Agreement.

     C.  Cost of  Living  Adjustment.  The  Base  Monthly  Rental  specified  in
paragraph  4A  above  shall  be  recalculated  for each  Lease  Year as  defined
hereinafter  following  the  first  Lease  Year of  this  Lease  Agreement.  The
recalculated  Base  Monthly  Rental  shall  be  hereinafter  referred  to as the
"Adjusted Monthly Rental". The Adjusted Monthly Rental for each Lease Year after
the first Lease Year shall be the greater of: (i) the amount of the Base Monthly
Rental,  or (ii) an amount  calculated by the rent adjustment  formula set forth
below. In applying the rent adjustment formula, the following  definitions shall
apply:
<PAGE>

     (1)  "Lease  Year"  shall  mean a period of twelve  (12)  consecutive  full
calendar  months  with  the  first  Lease  Year  commencing  on the  date of the
commencement of the term of this Lease and each succeeding Lease Year commencing
upon the anniversary date of the first Lease Year;  however,  if this Lease does
not  commence on the first day of a month,  then,  the first Lease Year and each
succeeding  Lease  Year  shall  commence  on the first  day of the  first  month
following each anniversary date of this Lease;

     (2) "Bureau" shall mean the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States
Department  of Labor or any  successor  agency  that shall issue the Price Index
referred to in this Lease Agreement.

     (3)  "Price  Index"  shall  mean  the  "Consumer   Price   Index-All  Urban
Consumers-All Items (CPI-U) U.S. City Average (1982-84=100)" issued from time to
time by the Bureau. In the event the Price Index shall hereafter be converted to
a different standard  reference base or otherwise revised,  the determination of
the  increase in the Price  Index shall be made with the use of such  conversion
factor,  formula or table as may be published by Prentice-Hall,  Inc. or failing
such  publication,   by  another  nationally  recognized  publisher  of  similar
statistical  information.  In the  event  the  Price  Index  shall  cease  to be
published,  then,  for  the  purposes  of  this  paragraph  4C  there  shall  be
substituted  for the Price Index such other index as the Landlord and the Tenant
shall agree upon,  and if they are unable to agree  within sixty (60) days after
the Price Index  ceases to be  published,  such matter  shall be  determined  by
arbitration   in  accordance   with  the  Rules  of  the  American   Arbitration
Association.

     (4) "Base Price  Index"  shall mean the Price Index  released to the public
during  the second  calendar  month  preceding  the  commencement  of this Lease
Agreement,

     (5) "Revised Price Index" shall mean the Price Index released to the public
during the second  calendar  month  preceding  the Lease Year for which the Base
Annual Rental is to be adjusted;

     (6) "Base Monthly  Rental" shall mean the Base Monthly  Rental set forth in
subparagraph  4A  above.  The rent  adjustment  formula  used to  calculate  the
Adjusted Monthly Rental is as follows:

          Adjusted Monthly = Revised Price Index X Base Monthly Rental
          Rental             Base Price Index

The Adjusted Monthly Rental as hereinabove provided shall continue to be payable
monthly as required  in  paragraph  4A above  without  necessity  of any further
notice by the Landlord to the Tenant.

     D. Total Net Lease. The Tenant  understands and agrees that this Lease is a
total net lease (a "net, net, net lease"), whereby the Tenant has the obligation
to  reimburse  the  Landlord  for a share  of all  costs  and  expenses  (taxes,
insurance,  trash removal,  Common Area operation and maintenance and like costs
and expenses),  incurred by the Landlord as a result of the Landlord's ownership
and operation of the Area.
<PAGE>

5. N/A

6. Use of Premises.  Tenant shall use the Leased Premises only for manufacturing
and  related  activities  and for no other  purpose  whatsoever  except with the
written consent of Landlord. Tenant shall not allow any accumulation of trash or
debris on the Leased  Premises or within any portion of the Area.  All receiving
and  delivery  of goods and  merchandise  and all  removal of garbage and refuse
shall  be made  only by way of the  rear  and/or  other  service  door  provided
therefore.  In the event the Leased Premises shall have no such door, then these
matters shall be handled in a manner satisfactory to Landlord. No storage of any
material  outside of the Leased  Premises shall be allowed unless first approved
by  Landlord  in  writing,  and then in only  such  areas as are  designated  by
Landlord. Tenant shall not commit or suffer any waste on the Leased Premises nor
shall Tenant  permit any  nuisance to be  maintained  on the Leased  Premises or
permit any disorderly  conduct or other  activity  having a tendency to annoy or
disturb any occupants of any part of the Area and/or any adjoining property.

7. Laws and Regulations.  Tenant  Responsibility.  The Tenant shall, at its sole
cost and  expense,  comply  with all laws and  regulations  of any  governmental
entity,  board,  commission  or  agency  having  jurisdiction  over  the  Leased
Premises.  Tenant agrees not to install any electrical  equipment that overloads
any electrical  paneling,  circuitry or wiring and further agrees to comply with
the requirements of the insurance  underwriter or any  governmental  authorities
having jurisdiction thereof.

8. Landlord's  Rules and Regulations.  Landlord  reserves the right to adopt and
promulgate rules and regulations applicable to the Leased Premises and from time
to time amend or supplement said rules or regulations.  Notice of such rules and
regulations and amendments and supplements thereto shall be given to Tenant, and
Tenant  agrees  to comply  with and  observe  such  rules  and  regulations  and
amendments and supplements thereto provided that the same apply uniformly to all
Tenants of the Landlord in the Area. Any additional rules and regulations  shall
be reasonable,  not interfere with Tenant's business operation, and not increase
Tenant's operating costs.

9. Parking.  If the Landlord  provides off street  parking for the common use of
Tenants, employees and customers of the Area, the Tenant shall park all vehicles
of whatever type used by Tenant  and/or  Tenant's  employees  only in such areas
thereof as are  designated by Landlord for this purpose,  and Tenant accepts the
responsibility  of  seeing  that  Tenant's  employees  park only in the areas so
designated.  Tenant  shall,  upon the  request of the  Landlord,  provide to the
Landlord  license numbers of the Tenant's  vehicles and the vehicles of Tenant's
employees.

10. Control of Common Areas.  -- Exclusive  control of the Landlord.  All Common
Areas shall at all times be subject to the exclusive  control and  management of
Landlord, notwithstanding that Tenant and/or Tenant's employees and/or customers
may have a nonexclusive right to the use thereof.  Landlord shall have the right
from time to time to establish,  modify and enforce rules and  regulations  with
respect to the use of said facilities and Common Areas.
<PAGE>

11. Taxes.

     A.  Real  Property  Taxes  and  Assessments.  The  Tenant  shall pay to the
Landlord on the first day of each month,  as additional  rent,  the Tenant's Pro
rata Share of all real estate taxes and special  assessments levied and assessed
against  the  Building in which the Leased  Premises  are located and the Common
Areas. If the first and last years of the Lease Term are not calendar years, the
obligations  of the Tenant  hereunder  shall be prorated  for the number of days
during the calendar year that this Lease is in effect.  The monthly payments for
such taxes and assessments  shall be $1,266.00  until the Landlord  receives the
first tax  statement  for the referred to  properties.  Thereafter,  the monthly
payments  shall be based upon 1/12th of the prior year's taxes and  assessments.
Once each year the Landlord shall  determine the actual  Tenant's Pro rata Share
of taxes and assessments for the prior year and if the Tenant has paid less than
the  Tenant's  Pro rata  Share  for the  prior  year the  Tenant  shall  pay the
deficiency to the Landlord  with the next payment of Base Monthly  Rent,  or, if
the Tenant has paid in excess of the  Tenant's Pro rata Share for the prior year
the Landlord shall forthwith refund said excess to the Tenant.

     B. Personal Property Taxes.  Tenant shall be responsible for, and shall pay
promptly when due, any and all taxes and/or  assessments  levied and/or assessed
against  any  furniture,  fixtures,  equipment  and  items of a  similar  nature
installed and/or located in or about the Leased Premises by Tenant.

     C. N/A

     D. Should Landlord protest and win a reduction in the real estate taxes for
the  Building  and Area,  Tenant shall be obligated to pay its Pro rata Share of
the  cost  of such  protest,  not to  exceed  Tenants  pro  rata  share  of said
reduction, if the protest is handled by a party other than the Landlord.

12. Insurance.

     A. Landlord's Insurance.  The Landlord shall procure and maintain such fire
and casualty,  loss of rents and  liability  insurance as it, from time to time,
deems  proper and  appropriate  in reference to the Building in which the Leased
Premises are located and the Common Areas.  Such insurance shall not be required
to cover any of the  Tenant's  property and the Tenant shall have no interest in
any of the  proceeds of such  insurance.  Landlord  shall show  evidence of said
insurance upon each policy renewal.

     B. Tenant's Insurance.  Tenant shall, at its sole cost and expense,  insure
on a full  replacement  cost  basis,  Tenant's  inventory,  fixtures,  leasehold
improvements  and  betterments  located  on the  Leased  Premises  against  loss
resulting from fire and other all risk perils. Tenant shall procure, pay for and
maintain  comprehensive  public liability  insurance providing coverage from and
against any loss or damage  occasioned  by an accident or casualty on the Leased
Premises.  Said liability policy shall be written on an "occurrence  basis" with
limits of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit coverage.  Certificates
for such  insurance  shall be delivered to Landlord and shall  provide that said
insurance shall not be changed,  modified,  reduced or cancelled  without thirty
(30) days prior written notice thereof being given to Landlord.
<PAGE>

     C. Tenant's High Pressure  Steam Boiler  Insurance.  If Tenant makes use of
any kind of steam  or  other  high  pressure  boiler  or other  apparatus  which
presents a risk of damage to the Leased  Premises  or to the  Building  or other
improvements  of which the Leased  Premises are a part or to the life or limb of
persons  within such  premises,  Tenant shall  secure and  maintain  appropriate
boiler  insurance in an amount  satisfactory to Landlord.  Certificates for such
insurance  shall be delivered to Landlord and shall provide that said  insurance
shall not be changed,  modified,  reduced or cancelled  without thirty (30) days
prior written notice thereof being given to Landlord.

     D. Tenant's Share of Landlord  Insurance.  Tenant shall pay the Landlord as
additional rent Tenant's Pro rata Share of the insurance secured by the Landlord
pursuant to "12A" above. Payment shall be made on the first day of each month as
additional  rent. The monthly  payments for such insurance shall be $51.00 until
changed by  Landlord  as a result of an increase or decrease in the cost of such
insurance.

     E. Mutual  Subrogation  Waiver.  Landlord  and Tenant  hereby grant to each
other, on behalf of any insurer  providing fire and extended  coverage to either
of them covering the Leased Premises, Buildings or other improvements thereon or
contents  thereof,  a waiver of any right of subrogation any such insurer of one
party may  acquire  against  the other or as against  the  Landlord or Tenant by
virtue of  payments  of any loss under such  insurance.  Such a waiver  shall be
effective so long as the Landlord and Tenant are  empowered to grant such waiver
under the terms of their respective insurance policy or policies and such waiver
shall stand mutually  terminated as of the date either  Landlord or Tenant gives
notice to the other that the power to grant such waiver has been so terminated.

13.  Utilities.  Tenant  shall be solely  responsible  for and  promptly pay all
charges for heat,  water,  gas,  electric,  sewer service arid any other utility
service used or consumed on the Leased Premises. Should Landlord elect to supply
all  or any of the  utility  services  to be  used  or  consumed  on the  Leased
Premises,  Tenant shall, within ten (10) days from presentation of the statement
for such utility  service,  pay to Landlord,  as additional rent under the terms
hereof,  the amount of said statement if it represents utility service furnished
to the  Leased  Premises  only or its Pro  rata  Share of said  statement  if it
includes utility service to an area greater than the Leased  Premises.  Said pro
ration of  utilities  shall be reviewed by Landlord and Tenant at the end of the
first year of occupancy,  at which time Landlord shall  determine if the present
percentage of said total  utilities is equitable in relation to the use of total
services by all the Tenants and will be adjusted by Landlord, if necessary.  The
Tenant  shall  forthwith  upon  taking  occupancy  of the Leased  Premises  make
arrangements  with the Public Service  Company,  U.S. West or other  appropriate
utility company to pay the utilities used on the Leased Premises and to have the
same billed to the Tenant at the address designated by the Tenant.  Should there
be a time where the Landlord remains  responsible for utilities  supplied to the
Leased  Premises,  the Landlord  shall bill the Tenant  therefore and the Tenant
shall promptly reimburse the Landlord  therefore.  In no event shall Landlord be
liable for any  interruption or failure in the supply of any such utility to the
Leased Premises.
<PAGE>

In the event the utility  company  supplying  water  and/or  sewer to the Leased
Premises   determines  that  an  additional  service  fee,  impact  fee,  and/or
assessment, or any other type of payment or penalty is necessary due to Tenant's
use and occupancy of the Building,  nature of operation  and/or  consumption  of
utilities,  said expense shall be borne solely by the Tenant. Said expense shall
be paid  promptly  and any repairs  requested  by the utility  company  shall be
performed by Tenant immediately and without any delay.

14. Maintenance Obligations of Landlord. Except as herein otherwise specifically
provided  for,  Landlord  shall keep and  maintain  the roof and exterior of the
Building of which the Leased  Premises are a part in good repair and  condition.
Tenant  shall  repair and pay for any damage to roof,  foundation  and  external
walls caused by Tenant's action, negligence or fault.

15.  Maintenance  Obligations  of the Tenant.  Subject  only to the  maintenance
obligations of the Landlord as herein provided for, the Tenant shall, during the
entire Lease Term,  including all extensions  thereof, at the Tenant's sole cost
and expense, keep and maintain the Leased Premises in good condition and repair,
including specifically the following:

     A. Electrical Systems.  Tenant agrees to maintain in good working order and
to make all required repairs and replacements to the electrical  systems for the
Leased Premises.

     B. Plumbing Systems. Tenant agrees to maintain in good working order and to
make all required repairs or replacements to the plumbing systems for the Leased
Premises.

     C. N/A

     D. Tenant's  Responsibility for Building and Area Repairs.  Tenant shall be
responsible  for any repairs  required  for any part of the  Building or Area of
which the Leased  Premises  are a part if such repairs are  necessitated  by the
actions or inactions of Tenant.

     E.  Cutting  Roof.  Tenant must obtain in writing the  Landlord's  approval
prior to making  any roof  penetrations.  Failure  by  Tenant to obtain  written
permission  to  penetrate  a roof  shall  relieve  Landlord  of any roof  repair
obligations  as set forth in Paragraph  "14" hereof.  Tenant  further  agrees to
repair,  at its sole cost and expense,  all roof penetrations made by the Tenant
and to use, if so requested by Landlord,  a licensed  contractor selected by the
Landlord to make such penetrations and repairs.

     F. Glass and Doors.  The repair and  replacement  of all glass and doors on
the  Leased  Premises  shall  be the  responsibility  of the  Tenant.  Any  such
replacements  or  repairs  shall be  promptly  completed  at the  expense of the
Tenant.

     G. Liability for Overload.  Tenant shell be  responsible  for the repair or
replacement of any damage to the Leased Premises, the Building or the Area which
result from the Tenant's  movement of heavy articles therein or thereon.  Tenant
shall not overload the floors of any part of the Leased Premises.
<PAGE>

     H. Liability for Overuse and Overload of Operating Systems. Tenant shall be
responsible for the repair,  upgrade,  modification,  and/or  replacement of any
operating  systems  servicing  the  Leased  Premises  and/or  all or part of the
Building  which is  necessitated  by  Tenant's  change or  increase in use of or
non-disclosed  use of all or a part of the Leased  Premises.  Operating  systems
include,  but are not limited to,  electrical  systems;  plumbing  systems (both
water and natural gas);  heating,  ventilating,  and air  conditioning  systems;
telecommunications systems; computer and network systems; lighting systems, fire
sprinkler systems; security systems; and building control systems, if any.

     I. N/A

     J. Failure of Tenant to Maintain  Premises.  Should Tenant  neglect to keep
and maintain the Leased Premises as required herein, the Landlord shall have the
right,  but not the obligation,  to have the work done and any reasonable  costs
plus a five percent (5%) overhead charge therefore shall be charged to Tenant as
additional  rental and shall  become  payable by Tenant  with the payment of the
rental next due.

     K. Said approvals from landlord shall not be unreasonably withheld.

16. Common Area  Maintenance.  Tenant shall be responsible for Tenant's Pro rata
Share of the total costs incurred for the operation,  maintenance  and repair of
the Common Areas, including, but not limited to, the costs and expenses incurred
for the operation, maintenance and repair of parking areas (including restriping
and repaving);  removal of snow; utilities for common lighting and signs; normal
HVAC  maintenance  and elevator  maintenance  (if  applicable);  trash  removal;
security to protect and secure the Area; common entrances, exits, and lobbies of
the Building;  all common  utilities,  including water to maintain  landscaping;
replanting in order to maintain a smart appearance of landscape areas; supplies;
depreciation on the machinery and equipment used in such operation,  maintenance
and repair;  the cost of  personnel  to  implement  such  services;  the cost of
maintaining  in good  working  condition  the  HVAC  system(s)  for  the  Leased
premises;  the cost of maintaining in good working condition the elevator(s) for
the  Leased  Premises,  if  applicable;  and  ten  percent  (10%)  of  all  such
operational, maintenance and repair costs to cover Landlord's administrative and
overhead  costs.  These  costs  shall be  estimated  on an  annual  basis by the
Landlord  and shall be adjusted  upwards or  downwards  depending  on the actual
costs for the preceding twelve months. Tenant shall pay monthly, commencing with
the  first  month of the  Lease  Term,  as  additional  rent due under the terms
hereof,  a sum equal to Tenant's Pro rata Share of the estimated  costs for said
twelve (12) month period, divided by 12. The estimated initial monthly costs are
$760.00.  Once each year the Landlord  shall  determine  the actual costs of the
foregoing  expenses  for the prior year and if the actual costs are greater than
the  estimated  costs,  the Tenant  shall pay its Tenant's Pro rata Share of the
difference between the estimated costs and the actual costs to the Landlord with
the next payment of Base Monthly Rent, or, if the actual costs are less than the
estimated  costs, the Landlord shall forthwith refund the amount of the Tenant's
excess payment to the Tenant.

17.  Inspection  of and Right of Entry to Leased  Premises--Regu1ar,  Emergency,
Reletting. Landlord and/or Landlord's agents and employees, shall have the right
to enter the Leased Premises at all times during regular  business hours and, at
all times  during  emergencies,  to examine  the Leased  Premises,  to make such
<PAGE>

repairs, alterations, improvements or additions as Landlord deems necessary, and
Landlord  shall be  allowed  to take all  materials  into and upon  said  Leased
Premises  that  may be  required  therefore  without  the same  constituting  an
eviction of Tenant in whole or in part,  and the rent  reserved  shall in no way
abate while such repairs, alterations, improvements or additions are being made,
by reason of loss or interruption of business of Tenant or otherwise. During the
six months  prior to the  expiration  of the term of this  Lease or any  renewal
thereof,  Landlord may exhibit the Leased Premises to prospective tenants and/or
purchasers and may place upon the Leased  Premises the usual notices  indicating
that the Leased Premises are for lease and/or sale.

Prior to entering the Leased  Premises  for any reason other than an  emergency,
the Landlord must give the Tenant  reasonable  notice and be  accompanied by the
Tenant. The Landlord may not exhibit the Leased Premises to prospective  tenants
and/or purchasers without being accompanied by the Tenant.

In the event of an  emergency  and prior to entering  the Leased  Premises,  the
Landlord must make every  available  effort to first contact the Tenant.  Should
the Landlord enter the Leased  Premises  after working hours,  he is responsible
for securing the areas against intruders and rearming the Premises.

18.  A1teration-Changes  and  Additions-Responsibi1iy.   Unless  the  Landlord's
approval  is first  secured in  writing,  the Tenant  shall not install or erect
inside  partitions,  add to  existing  electric  power  service,  add  telephone
outlets, add light fixtures,  install additional heating and/or air conditioning
or make any other  changes or  alterations  to the  interior  or exterior of the
Leased Premises that exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) in total cost. Any
such  changes or  alterations  shall be made at the sole cost and expense of the
Tenant.  At the end of this  Lease,  all such  fixtures,  equipment,  additions,
changes and/or  alterations  (except trade fixtures,  portable wall  partitions,
signs,  and  security  systems  installed  by  Tenant)  shall be and  remain the
property  of  Landlord;  provided,  however,  Landlord  shall have the option to
require Tenant to remove any or all such fixtures,  equipment,  additions and/or
alterations  and  restore  the  Leased   Premises  to  the  condition   existing
immediately  prior to such  change  and/or  installation,  normal  wear and tear
excepted,  all at Tenant's  cost and  expense.  All such work shall be done in a
good and workmanlike  manner and shall consist of new materials unless agreed to
otherwise by Landlord. Any and all repairs, changes and/or modifications thereto
shall be the  responsibility  of, and at the cost of, Tenant.  Landlord may post
the Leased  Premises,  or take such other action as is then permitted by law, to
protect the Landlord and the Leased Premises against mechanics' liens.  Landlord
may also require  adequate  security to assure Landlord that the Leased Premises
will be restored to their  original  condition  upon  termination of this Lease.
Landlord approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

19.  Sign  Approval.  Except for signs  which are  located  inside of the Leased
Premises  and which are not  attached  to any part of the Leased  Premises,  the
Landlord  must approve in writing any sign to be placed in or on the interior or
exterior  of the Leased  Premises,  regardless  of size or value.  Specifically,
<PAGE>

signs  attached  to windows of the Leased  Premises  must be so  approved by the
Landlord.  As a condition to the granting of such approval,  Landlord shall have
the right to require  Tenant to furnish a bond or other  security  acceptable to
Landlord  sufficient to insure  completion of and payment for any such sign work
to be so  performed.  Tenant  shall,  during the  entire  Lease  Term,  maintain
Tenant's  signs in good  condition and repair at Tenant's sole cost and expense.
Tenant shall,  remove all signs at the  termination  of this Lease,  at Tenant's
sole risk and  expense and shall in a  workmanlike  manner  properly  repair any
damage and close any holes caused by the installation and/or removal of Tenant's
signs.  Tenant  shall  give  Landlord  prior  notice of such  removal  so that a
representative  of Landlord shall have the opportunity of being present when the
signage is removed, or shall pre-approve the manner and materials used to repair
damage and close the holes caused by removal. Approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

20. Right of Landlord Make Changes and Additions. Landlord reserves the right at
any time to make  alterations  or additions to the Building or Area of which the
Leased Premises are a part.  Landlord also reserves the right to construct other
buildings  and/or  improvements in the Area and to make alterations or additions
thereto,  all as Landlord shall  determine.  Easements for light and air are not
included  in the  leasing of the Leased  Premises  to Tenant.  Landlord  further
reserves  the  exclusive  right to the roof of the  Building of which the Leased
Premises are a part.  Landlord  also reserves the right at any time to relocate,
vary and adjust the size of any of the  improvements  or Common Areas located in
the Area, provided,  however,  that all such changes shall be in compliance with
the requirements of governmental  authorities having jurisdiction over the Area.
Said  changes  shall not  interfere  with  Tenants use and  operations  or incur
Tenant's fees.

21. Damage or Destruction of Leased  Premises.  In the event the Leased Premises
and/or the  Building  of which the Leased  Premises  are a part shall be totally
destroyed by fire or other  casualty or so badly damaged that, in the opinion of
Landlord,  it is not feasible to repair or rebuild same. Landlord shall have the
right to  terminate  this Lease  upon  written  notice to Tenant.  If the Leased
Premises are partially  damaged by fire or other  casualty,  except if caused by
Tenant's  negligence,  and said Leased  Premises are not  rendered  untenantable
<PAGE>

thereby, as determined by Landlord,  an appropriate  reduction of the rent shall
be  allowed  for the  unoccupied  portion of the Leased  Premises  until  repair
thereof shall be substantially completed. If the Landlord elects to exercise the
right herein  vested in it to  terminate  this Lease as a result of damage to or
destruction of the Leased  Premises or the Building in which the Leased Premises
are located,  said election shall be made by giving notice thereof to the Tenant
within thirty (30) days after the date of said damage or destruction.

22. Governmental  Acquisition of Property. The parties agree that Landlord shall
have complete freedom of negotiation and settlement of all matters pertaining to
the  acquisition  of the Leased  Premises,  the Building,  the Area, or any part
thereof,  by any governmental body or other person or entity via the exercise of
the power of eminent domain,  it being  understood and agreed that any financial
settlement made or compensation  paid respecting said land or improvements to be
so taken, whether resulting from negotiation and agreement or legal proceedings,
shall be the exclusive  property of Landlord,  there being no sharing whatsoever
between Landlord and Tenant of any sum so paid. In the event of any such taking,
Landlord shall have the right to terminate this Lease on the date  possession is
delivered to the  condemning  person or  authority.  Such taking of the property
shall not be a breach of this Lease by  Landlord  nor give rise to any claims in
Tenant for damages or compensation from Landlord. Nothing herein contained shall
be construed as depriving the Tenant of the right to retain as its sole property
any  compensation  paid for any tangible  personal  property owned by the Tenant
which is taken in any such condemnation proceeding.

23.  Assignment or Subletting.  Tenant may not assign this Lease,  or sublet the
Leased  Premises or any part thereof,  without the written  consent of Landlord,
such consent not to be unreasonably  withheld.  No such assignment or subletting
if approved  by the  Landlord  shall  relieve  Tenant of any of its  obligations
hereunder, and, the performance or nonperformance of any of the covenants herein
contained  by  subtenants   shall  be  considered  as  the  performance  or  the
nonperformance by the Tenant.

24.  Warranty of Title.  Subject to the  provisions of the  following  three (3)
paragraphs  hereof,  Landlord  covenants  it has good  right to lease the Leased
Premises in the manner  described  herein and that Tenant  shall  peaceably  and
quietly have, hold,  occupy and enjoy the Leased Premises during the term of the
Lease.

25.  Access.  Landlord shall provide  Tenant  nonexclusive  access to the Leased
Premises  through and across land and/or other  improvements  owned by Landlord.
Landlord shall have the right, during the term of this Lease, to designate,  and
to change, such nonexclusive access.

26.  Subordination.  Tenant agrees that this Lease shall be  subordinate  to any
mortgages,  trust  deeds  or  ground  leases  that may now  exist  or which  may
hereafter be placed upon said Leased  Premises and to any and all advances to be
made thereunder, and to the interest thereon, and all renewals, replacements and
extensions thereof. Tenant shall execute and deliver whatever instruments may be
required for the above purposes, and failing to do so within ten (10) days after
demand in writing, does hereby make, constitute and irrevocably appoint Landlord
as its  attorney-in-fact and in its name, place and stead so to do. Tenant shall
in the event of the sale or assignment of Landlord's  interest in the Area or in
the Building of which the Leased  Premises  form a part,  or in the event of any
proceedings  brought for the  foreclosure  of or in the event of exercise of the
power of sale under any mortgage made by Landlord  covering the Leased Premises,
attorn to the  purchaser  and recognize  such  purchaser as Landlord  under this
Lease.
<PAGE>

27. Easements. The Landlord shall have the right to grant any easement on, over,
under and above the Area for such purposes as Landlord determines, provided that
such  easements do not materially  interfere with Tenant's  occupancy and use of
the Leased Premises.

28. Landlord/Tenant's Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement.  Tenant shall
indemnify  and hold  Landlord  harmless  from and  against  any and all  claims,
losses, expenses,  costs, judgments,  and/or demands,  including court costs and
attorney's fees,  suffered or incurred by the Landlord,  arising from activities
of Tenant on the Leased  Premises  or in the  Building  or in the Area and/or on
account of any  operation or action by Tenant and/or from and against all claims
arising  from  any  breach  or  default  on the  part  of  Tenant  or any act of
negligence of Tenant, its agents, contractors,  servants, employees,  licensees,
or  invitees;  or any  accident,  injury or death of any person or damage to any
property in or about the Leased Premises, the Building or the Area.

Landlord shall  indemnify and hold Tenant  harmless from and against any and all
claims, losses,  expenses,  costs,  judgments,  and/or demands,  including court
costs and  attorney's  fees,  suffered or incurred by the Tenant,  arising  from
activities of Landlord on the Leased  Premises or in the Building or in the Area
and/or on account of any operation or action by Landlord and/or from and against
all claims arising from any breach or default on the part of Landlord or any act
of  negligence  of  Landlord,  its  agents,  contractors,  servants,  employees,
licensees, or invitees; or any accident, injury or death of any person or damage
to any property in or about the Leased Premises, the Building or the Area.

29. Acts or Omission of Others. The Landlord, or its employees or agents, or any
of them,  shall not be  responsible  or liable to the Tenant or to the  Tenant's
guests, invitees,  employees, agents or any other person or entity, for any loss
or damage that may be caused by the acts or  omissions of other  tenants,  their
guests or invitees,  occupying  any other part of the Area or by persons who are
trespassers  on or in the Area,  or for any loss or damage  caused or  resulting
from the bursting, stoppage, backing up or leaking of water, gas, electricity or
sewers or caused in any other manner  whatsoever,  unless such loss or damage is
caused by or results  from the  negligent  acts of the  Landlord,  its agents or
contractors.

30. Interest on Past Due  Obligations.  Any amount due to Landlord not paid when
due shall bear  interest at one and one half  (1.5%)  percent per month from due
date until paid.  Payment of such interest  shall not excuse or cure any default
by Tenant under this Lease.
<PAGE>

31.  Holding Over One and One Half Last Month's  Rent. If Tenant shall remain in
     possession  of the Leased  Premises  after the  termination  of this Lease,
     whether by  expiration  of the Lease Term or  otherwise,  without a written
     agreement   as  to  such   possession,   then  Tenant  shall  be  deemed  a
     month-to-month  Tenant. The rent rate during such holdover tenancy shall be
     equivalent  to one and one half  (1.5) the  monthly  rent paid for the last
     full month of tenancy under this Lease, excluding any free rent concessions
     which may have been made for the last full month of the  Lease.  No holding
     over by Tenant  shall  operate to renew or extend  this Lease  without  the
     written consent of Landlord to such renewal or extension  having been first
     obtained.  Tenant  shall  indemnify  Landlord  against  loss  or  liability
     resulting from the delay by Tenant in surrendering possession of the Leased
     Premises including,  without limitation, any claims made with regard to any
     succeeding occupancy bounded by such holdover period.

32.  Modifications  or Extensions.  No  modification  or extension of this Lease
shall be binding upon the parties  hereto unless in writing and unless signed by
the parties hereto.

33.  Notice  Procedure.  All notices,  demands and requests  which may be or are
required  to be given by either  party to the other shall be in writing and such
that are to be given to Tenant  shall be deemed to have been  properly  given if
served  on Tenant or an  employee  of Tenant or sent to Tenant by United  States
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, properly sealed, stamped
and  addressed to Tenant at see page 1 or at such other place as Tenant may from
time to time designate in a written  notice to Landlord;  and, such as are to be
given to  Landlord  shall be deemed to have been  properly  given if  personally
served on Landlord or if sent to Landlord, United States registered or certified
mail,  return  receipt  requested,  properly  sealed,  stamped and  addressed to
Landlord at see page 1 or at such other place as Landlord  may from time to time
designate in a written  notice to Tenant.  Any notice given by mailing  shall be
effective as of the date of mailing.

34.  Memorandum of Lease-Notice to Mortgagee.  The Landlord and Tenant agree not
to place this Lease of record,  but upon the request of either  party to execute
and  acknowledge  so the same may be recorded a short form lease  indicating the
names and respective  addresses of the Landlord and Tenant, the Leased Premises,
the Lease Term, the dates of the  commencement and termination of the Lease Term
and options  for  renewal,  if any,  but  omitting  rent and other terms of this
Lease. Tenant agrees to an assignment by Landlord of rents and of the Landlord's
interest in this Lease to a mortgagee,  if the same be made by Landlord.  Tenant
further  agrees if requested to do so by the Landlord  that it will give to said
mortgagee a copy of any request for performance by Landlord or notice of default
by Landlord;  and in the event Landlord  fails to cure such default,  the Tenant
will give said mortgagee a sixty (60) day period in which to cure the same. Said
period shall begin with the last day on which  Landlord  could cure such default
before  Tenant has the right to exercise  any remedy by reason of such  default.
All  notices  to the  mortgagee  shall be sent by United  States  registered  or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested.
<PAGE>

35.  Controlling  Law.  The  Lease and all terms  hereunder  shall be  construed
consistent  with the laws of the State of  Colorado.  Any dispute  resulting  in
litigation  hereunder  shall be  resolved  in court  proceedings  instituted  in
Boulder County and in no other jurisdiction.

36.  Landlord  Not a Partner  With the Tenant.  Nothing  contained in this Lease
shall be deemed,  held or  construed as creating  Landlord as a partner,  agent,
associate  of or in  joint  venture  with  Tenant  in the  conduct  of  Tenant's
business, it being expressly understood and agreed that the relationship between
the parties hereto is and shall at all times remain that of Landlord and Tenant.

37. Partial Invalidity.  If any term, covenant or condition of this Lease or the
application  thereof to any person or  circumstance  shall,  to any  extent,  be
invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease or the application of such
term,  covenant or  condition to persons and  circumstances  other then those to
which it has been held invalid or unenforceable,  shall not be affected thereby,
and each term,  covenant and condition of this Lease shall be valid and shall be
enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

38. Defau1t-Remedies of Landlord

     A. If Tenant shall  default in the payment of rent or in the keeping of any
of the terms,  covenants or conditions of this Lease to be kept and/or performed
by Tenant,  Landlord may  immediately,  or at any time  thereafter,  reenter the
Leased Premises, remove all persons and property therefrom, without being liable
to  indictment,  prosecution  for damage  therefore,  or for forcible  entry and
detainer  and  repossess  and  enjoy  the  Leased  Premises,  together  with all
additions thereto or alterations and improvements thereof.  Landlord may, at its
option, at any time and from time to time thereafter,  relet the Leased Premises
or any part  thereof  for the  account of Tenant or  otherwise,  and receive and
collect  the rents  therefore  and apply the same  first to the  payment of such
expenses as Landlord may have incurred in recovering  possession and for putting
the same in good order and condition for rerental, and expense,  commissions and
charges paid by Landlord in reletting the Leased  Premises.  Any such  reletting
may be for the  remainder  of the term of this  Lease or for a longer or shorter
period. In lieu of reletting such Leased Premises,  Landlord may occupy the same
or cause the same to be occupied by others.  Whether or not the Leased  Premises
or any part  thereof be relet,  Tenant  shall pay the  Landlord the rent and all
other charges  required to be paid by Tenant up to the time of the expiration of
this  Lease or such  recovered  possession,  as the case may be and  thereafter,
Tenant, if required by Landlord, shall pay to Landlord until the end of the term
of this Lease,  the equivalent of the amount of all rent reserved herein and all
other  charges  required to be paid by Tenant,  less the net amount  received by
Landlord  for such  reletting,  if any,  unless  waived by written  notice  from
Landlord to Tenant.  No action by Landlord  to obtain  possession  of the Leased
<PAGE>

Premises  and/or to recover any amount due to Landlord  hereunder shall be taken
as a waiver of  Landlord's  right to require  full and complete  performance  by
Tenant of all terms hereof, including payment of all amounts due hereunder or as
an election on the part of Landlord to terminate  this Lease  Agreement.  If the
Leased  Premises shall be reoccupied by Landlord,  then, from and after the date
of repossession, Tenant shall be discharged of any obligations to Landlord under
the  provisions  hereof for the  payment of rent.  If the  Leased  Premises  are
reoccupied by the Landlord pursuant hereto, and regardless of whether the Leased
Premises  shall be relet or  possessed  by Landlord,  all  fixtures,  additions,
furniture,  and the  like  then on the  Leased  Premises  which  were  initially
installed or  constructed  by the  Landlord may be retained by Landlord.  In the
event Tenant is in default under the terms hereof and, by the sole determination
of Landlord, has abandoned the Leased Premises, Landlord shall have the right to
remove all the Tenant's  property  from the Leased  Premises and dispose of said
property in such a manner as determined  best by Landlord,  at the sole cost and
expense of Tenant and without liability of Landlord for the actions so taken.

     B. In the event an  assignment  of Tenant's  business or property  shall be
made for the benefit of creditors,  or, if the Tenant's leasehold interest under
the terms of this Lease Agreement shall be levied upon by execution or seized by
virtue  of any writ of any  court of law,  or,  if  application  be made for the
appointment  of a receiver  for the  business or  property  of Tenant,  or, if a
petition in bankruptcy shall be filed by or against Tenant, then and in any such
case, at Landlord's option, with or without notice,  Landlord may terminate this
Lease and immediately  retake possession of the Leased Premises without the same
working any forfeiture of the obligations of Tenant hereunder

     C. N/A

     D. In  addition  to any remedy  granted to  Landlord  by the terms  hereof,
Landlord  shall have available any and all rights and remedies  available  under
the statutes of the State of Colorado.  No remedy herein or otherwise  conferred
upon or reserved to Landlord  shall be considered  exclusive of any other remedy
but shall be  cumulative  and shall be in addition to every other  remedy  given
hereunder  or now or  hereafter  existing  at law or in  equity  or by  statute.
Further,  all  powers  and  remedies  given  by this  Lease to  Landlord  may be
exercised,  from time to time,  and as often as occasion  may arise or as may be
deemed  expedient.  No delay or omission  of  Landlord to exercise  any right or
power  arising from any default shall impair any such right or power or shall be
considered  to be a waiver of any such  default  or  acquiescence  thereof.  The
acceptance of rent by Landlord  shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any breach
of any of the covenants  herein contained or of any of the rights of Landlord to
any remedies herein given.

     E. N/A

<PAGE>

39. Legal Proceedings-Responsibilities.  In the event of proceeding at law or in
equity by either  party  hereto,  the  defaulting  party shall pay all costs and
expenses,   including   all   reasonable   attorney's   fees   incurred  by  the
non-defaulting  party in pursuing such remedy, if such  non-defaulting  party is
awarded substantially the relief requested.

40.  Administrative  Charges.  In the event any check,  bank draft or negotiable
instrument given for any money payment hereunder shall be dishonored at any time
and from time to time, for any reason  whatsoever not  attributable to Landlord,
Landlord  shall  be  entitled,  in  addition  to any  other  remedy  that may be
available,  (1) to make an  administrative  charge of $100.00 or three times the
face  value of the check,  bank draft or  negotiable  instrument,  whichever  is
smaller, and (2) at Landlord's sole option, to require Tenant to make all future
rental payments in cash or cashiers check.

41. Hazardous Materials and Environmental Considerations.

     A. Tenant  covenants  and agrees  that  Tenant and its  agents,  employees,
contractors  and Invitees  shall comply with all  Hazardous  Materials  Laws (as
hereinafter  defined).  Without  limiting the  foregoing,  Tenant  covenants and
agrees that it will not use, generate,  store or dispose of, nor permit the use,
generation,  storage or disposal of Hazardous Materials (as hereinafter defined)
on,  under or about the Leased  Premises,  nor will it  transport  or permit the
transportation of Hazardous Materials to or from the Leased Premises,  except in
full  compliance  with any applicable  Hazardous  Materials  Laws. Any Hazardous
Materials  located on the Leased  Premises shall be handled in an  appropriately
controlled  environment  which  shall  include  the  use of such  equipment  (at
Tenant's  expense) as is  necessary to meet or exceed  standards  imposed by any
Hazardous  Materials  Laws and in such a way as not to interfere  with any other
tenant's  use of its  premises.  Upon breach of any covenant  contained  herein,
Tenant shall,  at Tenant's  sole expense,  cure such breach by taking all action
prescribed by any applicable  Hazardous  Materials  Laws or by any  governmental
authority with jurisdiction over such matters.

     B. Tenant shall inform Landlord at any time of (i) any Hazardous  Materials
it  intends  to use,  generate,  handle,  store or  dispose  of,  on or about or
transport from, the Leased Premises and (ii) of Tenant's  discovery of any event
or condition which constitutes a violation of any applicable Hazardous Materials
Laws.  Tenant shall provide to Landlord copies of all  communications to or from
any  governmental  authority or any other party relating to Hazardous  Materials
affecting the Leased Premises.
<PAGE>

     C. Tenant  shall  indemnify  and hold  Landlord  harmless  from any and all
claims, judgments,  damages, penalties,  fines, costs, liabilities,  expenses or
losses  (including,  without  limitation,  diminution  on  value  of the  Leased
Premises,  damages for loss or  restriction  on use of all or part of the Leased
Premises,  sums paid in settlement of claims,  investigation of site conditions,
or any cleanup,  removal or restoration  work required by any federal,  state or
local governmental  agency,  attorney's fees,  consultant fees, and expert fees)
which  arise as a result of or in  connection  with any breach of the  foregoing
covenants or any other violation of any Hazardous  Materials laws by Tenant. The
indemnification  contained  herein  shall  also  accrue  to the  benefit  of the
employees, agents, officers, directors and/or partners of Landlord.

     D. Upon  termination of this Lease and/or vacation of the Leased  Premises,
Tenant shall properly  remove all Hazardous  Materials and shall then provide to
Landlord an environmental  audit report,  prepared by a professional  consultant
satisfactory  to Landlord  and at Tenant's  sole  expense,  certifying  that the
Leased Premises have not been subjected to environmental harm caused by Tenant's
use and occupancy of the Leased Premises. Landlord shall grant to Tenant and its
agents or  contractors  such access to the Leased  Premises as is  necessary  to
accomplish such removal and prepare such report.

     E. "Hazardous Materials" shall mean (a) any chemical,  material,  substance
or  pollutant  which  poses a hazard to the Leased  Premises or to persons on or
about the Leased  Premises or would cause a violation  of or is regulated by any
Hazardous Materials Laws, and (b) any chemical, material or substance defined as
or included in the definitions of "hazardous  substances",  "hazardous  wastes",
"extremely hazardous waste",  "restricted  hazardous waste", "toxic substances",
"regulated substance",  or words of similar import under any applicable federal,
state or local law or under the regulations adopted or publications  promulgated
pursuant thereto, including, but not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response,  Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980, as amended,  42 U.S.C.  Sec.
9601, et seg.; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C.
Sec. 1801, et seg.; the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act as amended,  42
U.S.C.  Sec 6901, et seg.; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C.  Sec. 6991 et
seg.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended,  33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251,
et seg. and Sections 25-15-101, et seg. , 25-16-101, et seg., 25-7-101, et seg.,
and 25-8-101,  et seg., of the Colorado Revised Statutes.  "Hazardous  Materials
Laws"  shall  mean  any  federal  state  or  local  laws,   ordinances,   rules,
regulations,  or policies  (including,  but not limited to, those laws specified
above)  relating  to the  environment,  health and safety or the use,  handling,
transportation,   production,   disposal,  discharge  or  storage  of  Hazardous
Materials, or to industrial hygiene or the environmental conditions on, under or
about the Leased Premises. Said term shall be deemed to include all such laws as
are now in  effect  or as  hereafter  amended  and all  other  such  laws as may
hereafter be enacted or adopted during the term of this Lease.

     F. All obligations of Tenant hereunder shall survive and continue after the
expiration of this Lease or its earlier termination for any reason.
<PAGE>

     G.  Tenant  further  covenants  and agrees  that it shall not  install  any
storage tank (whether above or below the ground) on the Leased Premises  without
obtaining  the prior  written  consent of the  Landlord,  which  consent  may be
conditioned upon further requirements imposed by Landlord with respect to, among
other things,  compliance by Tenant with any applicable laws, rules, regulations
or ordinances and safety measures or financial responsibility requirements.

     H. Should any local governmental entity having jurisdiction over the Leased
Premises  require any type of  environmental  audit or report prior to or during
the  occupancy of the Leased  Premises by the Tenant,  such cost of the audit or
report shall be the sole responsibility of the Tenant.

42. Entire Agreement.  It is expressly  understood and agreed by and between the
parties  hereto  that  this  Lease  sets  forth  all the  promises,  agreements,
conditions,  and  understandings  between  Landlord and/or its agents and Tenant
relative  to the Leased  Premises  and that there are no  promises,  agreements,
conditions,  or understandings  either oral or written,  between them other than
that are herein set forth.

43. N/A

44. Estoppel Certificates.  Within no more than 10 days after receipt of written
request, the Tenant shall furnish to the owner a certificate, duly acknowledged,
certifying, to the extent true:

     A. That this Lease is in full force and effect.
     B. That the Tenant knows of no default  hereunder on the part of the owner,
or if it has reason to believe that such a default exists, the nature thereof in
reasonable detail.
     C. The  amount of the rent  being  paid and the last date to which rent has
been paid.
     D. That this Lease has not been modified,  or if it has been modified,  the
terms and dates of such modifications.
     E. That the term of this Lease has commenced.
     F. The commencement and expiration dates.
     G. Whether all work to be performed by the owner has been completed.
     H. Whether the renewal term option has been exercised if applicable.
     I. Whether there exist any claims or  deductions  from, or defenses to, the
payment of rent.
     J. Such other matters as may be reasonably requested by owner.
<PAGE>

If the Tenant fails to execute and deliver to the owner a completed  certificate
as required  under this  section,  the Tenant  hereby  appoints the owner as its
Attorney-In-Fact  to execute and deliver such  certificate  for and on behalf of
the Tenant.

45.  Financial  Statements.  As requested by the Landlord,  Tenant shall provide
copies of its most recent  financial  statements and shall also provide Landlord
with up to three (3) prior years of financial statements, if so requested.

46. Lease Exhibits  Attached.  This Lease includes the following Lease Exhibits,
which are incorporated herein and made a part of this Lease Agreement:

Exhibit "A" - Site Plan Depicting Area (Drawing)
Exhibit "B" - Interior Space Plan (Drawing)
Exhibit "C" - Landlord and Tenant's Construction Obligations
Exhibit "D"- Sign Code Obligations
Exhibit "K" - Additional Terms and Conditions
Exhibit "F" - Option to Extend

47.  Miscellaneous.  All  marginal  notations  and  paragraph  headings  are for
purposes of  reference  and shall not affect the true  meaning and intent of the
terms hereof.  Throughout this Lease, wherever the words "Landlord" and "Tenant"
are used they shall include and imply to the singular, plural, persons both male
and female, companies, partnerships and corporations, end in reading said Lease,
the necessary  grammatical  changes required to make the provisions  hereof mean
and apply as  aforesaid  shall be made in the same  manner as though  originally
included in said Lease.
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Lease as of the date hereof.




LANDLORD:  LakeCenter Plaza., LLLP


By:  /s/   William W. Reynolds
     -------------------------
           William W. Reynolds



TENANT:    Granville-Phillips Company


By:  /s/   Kristie K. Skiles, Treasurer
     ----------------------------------
           Kristie K. Skiles, Treasurer

<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit "A"
                       Site Plan Depicting Area (Drawing)
<PAGE>


                                  Exhibit "B"
                       Interior Space Plan (Drawing)

<PAGE>


                                   Exhibit "C"
                  Landlord and Tenant Construction Obligations

1. LANDORD

A.  Landlord  shall  complete  the Leased  Premises  per Exhibit "B" and per the
attached set of "Standard Lease Space Specifications" for Office Buildings.

B. Landlord agrees to install  approximately 4,000 square feet of VPI Conductile
in the leased  premises as depicted in Exhibit  "B". Any  additional  conductive
tile installed in the lease premises will be at the sole cost and expense of the
Tenant.

C. Landlord agrees to install all electrical  systems in the amount of $3.25 per
square feet in the leased premises.  Any additional  electrical  installation in
excess of $3.25 per  square  foot  will be at the sole cost and  expense  of the
Tenant.

D. Landlord  agrees to install  electronic  ballast for all florescent  fixtures
installed  in the Lease  Premises.  Said  electronic  ballasts  are not standard
fixtures  installed  by Landlord  and may  increase  electrical  systems cost to
exceed the $3.25 per square feet as  described  in  paragraph C of this  Exhibit
"C". Any additional  electrical  installation in excess of $3.25 per square foot
will be at the sole cost and expense of the Tenant.

E. Landlord agrees to install 3/4 inch conduits  conduit for  computer/telephone
outlets installed in the Lease Premises. Said 3/4 inch conduits are not standard
installations by Landlord and may increase electrical systems cost to exceed the
$3.25 per square feet as  described  in  paragraph C of this  Exhibit  "C".  Any
additional electrical installation in excess of $3.25 per square foot will be at
the sole cost and expense of the Tenant.

F. The leased premises is currently independently serviced by two (2) twelve and
one half (12.5) ton HVAC units. If additional HVAC service is deemed  necessary,
additional  service can be provided  from a shared HVAC unit or Tenant may elect
to install an additional HVAC unit at its sole cost and expense.

2 . TENANT

Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of any change order which increases the
cost of the  work  shown  on  Exhibit  "B" or  which  increases  the cost of the
Landlords Standard Lease Space Specifications. If Tenant should make any changes
which increase such cost it shall pay to the Landlord such sum within 15 days of
occupancy of the Leased  Premises.  Landlord shall have the obligation to notify
Tenant in writing of any  changes  which  will  obligate  the Tenant to any such
additional  costs prior to any changes being made and Tenant being  obligated to
any such costs.
<PAGE>

                      STANDARD LEASE SPACE SPECIFICATIONS
                           OFFICE/INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

The  following  are  standard  specifications  for the  Leased  Premises  herein
defined.

GENERAL

A. The leased space design/layout will conform to the Architectural drawings.

B. All work performed to complete the Leased Premises will be in accordance with
all applicable codes and regulations as well as currant A.D.A requirements.

C.  Demising,  corridor and partition  walls  separating  offices from warehouse
space to be 3-5/8"  metal studs at 24" o.c.  with 5/8" gypsum  wallboard on each
side.  Partitions  to  extend  from  floor  to  underside  of  structure  above.
Partitions to have acoustical  sealant at joints and sound  attenuation  batting
between  studs from floor to  structure  above.  Partitions  to receive  typical
partition finish.

D. 1) Building interior space may be divided into fire containment  areas. It is
the  responsibility  of the Tenant to conform to all applicable  regulations and
fire  codes,  including,  but not limited to,  maintaining  egress  requirements
during the term of occupancy.

2) Fire containment  walls to be 3-5/8" metal studs at 24" o.c. with 5/8" gypsum
wallboard  on each side.  Walls to extend from floor to  underside  of structure
above.  Doors in fire  containment  walls to be twenty minute fire rated,  solid
core oak veneer with closer and metal jams.

E. Tenant will be responsible  for  identifying any equipment or areas requiring
additional or special ventilation, lighting or electrical service prior to space
planning.


OFFICE AREAS

A. INTERIOR PARTITIONS

1. 3-5/8"  metal studs at 24" o.c.  from floor to underside of ceiling with 5/8"
gypsum wallboard on each side.
2. All  concrete  block walls in Leased  Premises  to be furred and  sheathed as
interior partitions above unless otherwise noted on Architectural drawings.

B. PARTITION FINISH

All  interior  partitions,  not  prefinished,  will receive  paint.  Paint to be
Landlord's standard. Two finish coats over one primer coat. Color to be selected
by Tenant from among choices preselected by Landlord.

C. CEILING

To be suspended acoustical 2X4 ceiling tile. Tile and metal grid to be white.
<PAGE>

D. FLOOR COVERING

1. Carpet to be Landlord's  standard  (Cambridge--Oxford  28 oz. nylon  textured
loop and/or  Cambridge---Park  Lane 30 oz. nylon cut pile).  Installation  to be
glue down.  Color to be selected by Tenant from among  choices  pre-selected  by
Landlord. Base at carpet to be 2-1/2" high solid oak finish to match doors.
2.  Resilient  flooring to be  Landlord's  standard.  12"x12"xl/8".  Color to be
selected  by  Tenant  from  among  choices  pre-selected  by  Landlord.  Base at
resilient flooring to be Roppe 2-1/2" rubber cove.

E. INTERIOR DOORS

All interior  doors to be solid core flush panel oak veneer with 3 coats natural
color lacquer finish. Frames to be Timely Metal Frames. Door sizes to be 3'-0" x
7'-0" x 1-3/4" unless otherwise noted on architectural drawings.

F. DOOR HARDWARE

To be sargent 6 line  Orbital  series,  26D brushed  chrome or equal.  All entry
doors to have keyed cylinder lock sets. All office, conference, and storage room
doors to have passage lock set.  Restrooms  to have privacy  lock.  All doors to
have  1-1/2  pair 4" hinges  and 1 Ives  concave  wall stop #407 1/2,  or equal,
stainless steel finish.

G. LIGHTING

To be 2'x4' 4 lamp, recessed, fluorescent with prismatic lens light fixtures.


H. ELECTRICAL/PHONE

Outlet locations as shown or Architectural drawings. All outlets, outlet covers,
switches and switch plate covers to be white.

I. COMPUTER/TELEPHONE OUTLETS

Outlets  to  consist  of empty  junction  box with 1/2"  conduit  stubbed  above
ceiling.

J. TELEPHONE/COMPUTER LINES AND CABLING

Wiring and installation to be provided by Tenant. 3/4" plywood phone board to be
provided and Installed by Landlord for telephone installation.


RESTROOMS/ IF INSIDE THE TENANT 'S SPACE

A. CONSTRUCTION AND FINISHES

To be as per office area specifications except as follows:

1) Partitions and ceiling to receive 5/8" water resistant gypsum wallboard.
2) Walls  to have 2 coats  of epoxy  paint  from  floor  to 4'-0"  above  floor.
Remaining wall surface and ceiling to have 2 finish coats of semi-gloss  acrylic
over one primer coat. Color to be white.
<PAGE>

3) Ceiling structure to be metal stud joists bearing on partition wall.  Ceiling
structure  to support  unit  water  heater for  restroom.  Ceiling  height to be
maximum allowable.
4) Counter  tops to have  plastic  laminate  finish with color to be selected by
Tenant from among choices pre-selected by Landlord.

B. PLUMBING FIXTURES

1) Toilet -- Armitage Shanks, white, model #109 or equal.
2)  Lavatory --  Armitage  Shanks  model #308,  white,  19" self  rimming  china
lavatory with Price Pfister #H43-121 faucet or equal.
3)  Lavatory  --  American  Standard  wall hung  Royalyn  Vitreous  China 3 hole
#1024.131 (20" x 18") with Delta handle faucet #2520 or equal.
4) Urinal -- Kohler model #402, white with Zorn flush valve or equal.

C. ACCESSORIES

1)  Mirror  -- Full  HGT and  with  mirror  with  metal  edge  trim as  shown on
Architectural Drawings.
2) Mirror -- Bobrick  stainless  steel channel frame mirror  #B-165-1830  (18" x
30") or equal.
 

3) Paper Towel  Dispenser/Disposal  -- Bobrick B-369  recessed,  stainless steel
satin finish or equal.
4) Toilet Tissue  Dispenser -- Bobrick  B-388  recessed,  stainless  steel satin
finish or equal.
5) Utility Hook -- Bobrick  #B-670  polished  stainless  steel or equal  mounted
interior  side of  toilet  and  shower  stall  doors (if  applicable)  66" above
finished floor.
6) Grab Bars -- Bobrick #b-490, stainless steel satin finish or equal.

D. LIGHTING

One surface  mounted 2 tube  fluorescent  fixture  with  acrylic lens in drywall
light valance over lavatory.  Ceiling  fixture,  if called for in  Architectural
drawings, to be 2 tube fluorescent with acrylic wrap lens.

E. ELECTRICAL

One GFI  electric  Outlet  adjacent to  lavatory.  One exhaust fan in any toilet
room.


MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL

A. HEATING AND COOLING

The  interior  premises  are  heated  and  cooled  by one or  more  roof-mounted
mechanical units. The sizing of the mechanical units are designed to provide one
(1) ton of cooling  for every four  hundred  (400)  square  feet of floor  area;
provided that the internal load does not exceed three (3) watts per square foot.
Individual  thermostat  control  shall  be  centrally  controlled  allowing  for
automatic setback capabilities with external dial-in monitoring provided for the
interior premises,  with control areas not to exceed two thousand (2,000) square


<PAGE>

feet in size.  Based  upon the  above,  the  system  shall  maintain  a  minimum
temperature  of 65 degrees  Fahrenheit  and a maximum  temperature of 75 degrees
Fahrenheit  in the  separate  rooms within the Leased  Premises,  so long as the
minimum exterior  temperature shall not be below zero degrees Fahrenheit and the
maximum exterior temperature shall not be in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

B. ELECTRICAL

Standard  electrical  advice provided to the building to be 120/208 volt,  three
phase,  four wire.  No  additional  service to be provided for Tenant  equipment
unless otherwise  noted. One (1) light switch per office is provided.  Circuitry
design  is  normally  laid  out to  allocate  6 to 8 duplex  outlets  per 20 amp
circuit.

C. ELECTRICAL OUTLETS

Restrooms to have one duplex electrical outlet.  See Architectural  drawings for
outlet locations in other areas.

D. LIGHTING

Finished  rooms,  other than  restrooms  and storage  areas will be lighted with
2'x4' recessed, 4 lamp, fluorescent fixtures.

All fixtures to be provided  initially with lamps.  Lights and switch  locations
will be as shown on Architectural drawings.


SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS

See Architectural drawings for additional notes and locations if the items below
are included in the tenant finish

A. COFFEE BAR

1) Base and upper  cabinets  to be  Merrillat  brand  with style to be chosen by
Landlord.
2) Countertop and splash to be plastic laminate finish with color to be selected
by Tenant from among choices pre-selected by Landlord.
3) Kitchen sink,  Dayton Kingsford  #K-11515 single  compartment sink with Delta
#2171 faucet or equal.
4) Dishwasher
5) Garbage disposal in sink
<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit "D"
                              Sign Code Obligations


Current sign code specifications for the property depicted in Exhibit "A" do not
allow  Tenant to erect any  signage  on or about  their  Leased  Premises.  Only
tenants occupying an entire building are permitted any building signage.  Tenant
may  install  any signage on  windows,  doors  and/or  interior of space that is
permissible under City of Boulder sign code regulations.
 
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit "E"
                         Additional Terms and Conditions

1. Tenant  shall be given the right to cancel this Lease  Agreement  after three
years of occupancy  with six (6) months  written  notification  in addition to a
prepayment  penalty  equaling  three  (3)  months  rent.  This  right  to  early
termination  will be applicable  only after Tenant has been  occupying the lease
premises  for three (3) full years (36  months) of this  lease  term.  After the
first three (3) years, the Tenant may give written notification to terminate the
lease after an additional  six (6) months of occupancy from the date the written
request to  terminate  the Lease has been  received by the landlord and Landlord
has received the above described payment of an additional sum equaling three (3)
months rent.  Said right to  terminate  the Lease shall be valid only during the
initial base lease term. Any termination  rights granted beyond the initial base
lease term must be mutually  agreed upon by both Tenant and Landlord and must be
in writing.
 
<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit "F"
                                Option to Extend

Tenant shall have the option to extend the Lease  Agreement  (as Amended  above)
from  12:00  noon on August 1, 2001 to 12:00 noon on August 1, 2006 In the event
the Tenant desires to exercise said option,  Tenant shall give written notice of
interest in such  exercise  to  Landlord no later than  October 1, 2000 in order
that the Landlord and Tenant may proceed with  determination  of the Fair Market
Value as  provided  herein.  In the event the Tenant  desires to  exercise  said
option,  Tenant shall give written notice of such exercise to Landlord not later
than  February  1, 2001.  See below for Option  Term Rent.  In the event of such
exercise, the Lease Agreement,  including all amendments, shall be automatically
extended for the additional  term.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  this option
shall be void and of no force or effect if the  Tenant is in  default  hereunder
either as of the date of the Tenant's  exercise of said option or as of the date
of the commencement of the option or additional term.

Option Term Rent: Tenant shall pay the following rent for the Leased Premises:

Landlord and Tenant will attempt to agree upon a Fair Market Rental Value of the
Leased Premises satisfactory to both parties not later than November 1, 2000. If
no agreement  can be reached by the parties  during that  period,  then the Base
Monthly Rental for the Option Term shall he determined by the Fair Market Rental
Value of the Leased  Premises as determined by comparison to premises of similar
size  located  in or near  the  City of  Boulder,  Colorado,  having  comparable
development, use and density capability and such other characteristics as may be
deemed relevant by a subject appraiser whose selection is outlined herein.

Not Later than November 10, 2000,  Landlord shall select an independent MAI real
estate  appraiser  with  at  least  ten  (10)  years  experience  in  appraising
commercial  real  property  in the  City  of  Boulder,  Colorado  (a  "Qualified
Appraiser").  The Qualified Appraiser selected by the Landlord shall be referred
to as the  "Landlord's  Appraiser".  Not  later  than  December  10,  2000,  the
Landlord's  Appraiser shall determine the Fair Market Rental Value of the Leased
Premises in accordance  with the  appraisal  standards set forth above and shall
immediately  give  the  Landlord  and the  Tenant  written  notification  of his
determination.

If the Tenant agrees with the Landlord's  Appraiser's  determination of the Fair
Market  Rental  Value,  the new  Base  Monthly  Rental  shall  become  effective
beginning  with the first month of the Option Term. If the Tenant does not agree
with the Landlord's  Appraiser's  determination of Fair Market Rental Value, the
Tenant shall have the right to select its own  Qualified  Appraiser to determine
the Fair Market  Rental  Value.  If the Tenant does elect to appoint a Qualified
Appraiser  (the  "Tenant's  Appraiser"),  the Tenant  shall  select the Tenant's
Appraiser not later than December 20, 2000.  The Tenant's  Appraiser  shall make
his own  determination  of the Fair Market Rental Value in  accordance  with the
provisions  set  forth  above,  Not  later  than  January  20,  2001  and  shall
immediately   give  the   Landlord  and  the  Tenant   written   notice  of  his
determination.

On or before  January 30, 2001,  the Landlord and Tenant shall again  attempt to
agree upon a Fair Market  Rental Value of the Lease  Premises.  In the event the
Tenant  desires to exercise said option,  the Tenant will give written notice of
such exercise to the Landlord not later than February 1, 2000.

All appraisal  fees required  hereunder  shall be shared equally by the Landlord
and the Tenant.
 



                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

This  AGREEMENT,  made and  entered  into  this 7th day of  August,  1998 by and
between:  Mitsubishi Jisho Co., Ltd., a company  incorporated and existing under
the laws of Japan, having its principle place of business at 2-7-3,  Marunouchi,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan (hereinafter called the "Lessor"), and:
Helix  Technology,  K.K., a company  incorporated and existing under the laws of
Japan, having its principle place of business at 2-2-1,  Minatomirai,  Nishi-ku,
Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-pref., Japan (hereinafter called the "Lessee"),

WITNESSETH THAT
WHEREAS,  the Lessor is desirous of renting the room defined in Article 1 hereof
to the Lessee through Mitsubishi Jisho Building Management  Yokohama,  Co., Ltd.
as the agent of the Lessor.
and
WHEREAS, the Lessee is willing to take a lease of the room of the Lessor through
Mitsubishi Jisho Building Management Yokohama, Co., Ltd.

NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Article 1  (Room to let and its area)
The room to let is defined as follows:
Building: Queens Tower A, 14th floor; Rooms: 1403 and 1404; Total area: 401.13m2
(As shown in the drawing attached hereto);  OA-compatible double floors,  carpet
tiles,  lights  and  electric  appliances,   air  conditioning  and  ventilation
equipment provided.
Building  structure:  36 floors above the ground,  5 floors under the ground,  2
penthouse floors, S and SRC structures
Location: 2-3-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-pref.

Article 2  (Term)
The Agreement shall be effective from the 1st day of September, 1989 to the 31st
day of August, 2000.

Article 3  (Rent and Other Charges)
     3.1 The rent  shall be  2,669,500.-  Yen per  month  (inclusive  of  common
service  fee).  The Lessee shall pay the rent of the  following  month by a bank
account  transfer as provided  separately  on the 25th of every month (or on the
following  weekday if the 25th day hits a Bank holiday.) The Lessor shall not be
precluded  from demanding a direct  payment from the Lessee,  however.  Both the
Lessor and the Lessee  shall not request the increase or decrease of the rent to
the  other  party  hereof  during  the  term as  provided  in  Article  2 hereof
(inclusive of the extended term pursuant to Article 12.)

     3.2 The Lessee shall pay the  electricity  rates of the room to let and the
air  conditioning  fees outside of the business hours.  The Lessee shall pay the
public  utilities  charges  such as water and gas rates if these  utilities  are
supplied to the room to let.  Payment of the  above-mentioned  rates and charges
for the previous month shall be made in the manner of payment of rent.

<PAGE>

Article 4  (Digital PBX)
     4.1 The Lessee shall use the digital PBX system installed by the Lessor and
shall pay the charge for using the digital PBX system as provided  separately by
the Lessor.

     4.2 The Lessee shall conform to the "Digital PBX Utilization  Agreement" as
provided separately by the Lessor for the use of digital PBX system.

Article 5  (Consumption Tax and Other Taxes)
The Lessee  shall pay the  consumption  and other taxes to be levied on the rent
and other charges as a result of conclusion of the Agreement. The taxes shall be
paid in the manner of payment of rent.

Article 6  (Purpose of Using the Room to Let)
The room to let shall be used exclusively as the office of the Lessee.

Article 7 (Prohibition of Transfer of Right of Lease and of Sublease, Limitation
of Room Sharing and of Indication of Lessee's Title)

     7.1 The Lessee  shall not  transfer,  sell or purchase  the right of lease,
sublet or loan the use of the room to let.

     7.2 The  Lessee  shall not  allow the  others to stay in the room to let or
display the lessee's title other than The lessee  without  obtaining the written
consent of the Lessor.

Article 8 (Furnishings and Facility Construction)
     8.1 If the Lessee  wishes to modify the  original  state of the room to let
for the purpose of repair,  remodel,  or establishment  of new furnishings,  the
Lessee shall obtain an approval of the Lessor prior to the start of construction
even if the Lessee bears the expenses.  The Lessor shall not reject the Lessee's
request of modification  apart from cases such that the  modification  can cause
the problems  related to building  structure,  building base  facilities,  legal
issues, or construction period and methods.

     8.2 The Lessee shall bear the taxes and other public charges including, but
not  limited  to,  fixed  property  tax,  urban  planning  tax,  and real estate
acquisition tax, to be imposed on the newly  established or altered  furnishings
and  facilities  pursuant  to Article 8 hereof  irrespective  of the holder of a
title deed.

Article 9  (Repair)
     9.1 If there is a need for repair,  the Lessee shall request the Lessor for
repair as soon as possible and the Lessor shall  promptly  coordinate the repair
work as soon as possible.

     9.2 In case the Lessor has properly  implemented  repair,  improvement,  or
maintenance work as the Lessor admits necessary  (inclusive of power failure and
suspension  of  water   supply),   the  Lessor  shall  not  be  liable  for  any
inconvenience and damages of the Lessee as a result of repair,  improvement,  or
maintenance or remodeling.  If the period of repair or improvement continues for
a long time, the Lessor and the Lessee shall mutually discuss the matter.

<PAGE>

Article 10 (Compensation for Damage)
The  Lessee  shall  bear all the  compensation  for  damage  to the room to let,
facility,  furnishings  of  the  Lessor  or to the  common  space  caused  by an
accidental  or  intentional  fault of the  Lessee  or its  agent,  employee,  or
contractor.

Article 11   (Indemnification)
The Lessor  shall be held  harmless  for the  damages of the Lessee  caused as a
result of natural  disasters  by an Act of God  including,  but not  limited to,
earthquake,  fire, and damage from a storm and flood,  or robbery and loss which
is not attributed to the fault of the Lessor.

Article 12   (Renewal of Lease Agreement)
The Agreement  shall be renewed for two more years from the following day of the
maturity if either the Lessor or the Lessee  does not  provide  any  instance in
writing  six  months  prior to the  maturity  of the  Agreement  at the  latest.
Provided  however that, the Lessor may revise the rent as provided in Article 3,
Item 3.1 hereof after consultation with the Lessee at the time of renewal of the
Agreement.

Article 13   (Cancellation Before the Maturity)
If  cancellation of the Agreement is required before the maturity as provided in
Article 2 hereof,  either the Lessor or the Lessee shall give an advance  notice
to the other party six months prior to the cancellation date at the latest. Even
if the  period  from the  advance  notice to the  cancellation  is less than six
months,  the Lessee may cancel the  Agreement by paying the rent that covers the
period  from the next day of the  advance  notice to the  cancellation  date and
other fees as  provided  in Article 3, and the  immediate  cancellation  penalty
which consists of the balance to the rent for six months.

Article 14 (Deposit and Guaranty Money)
     14.1 To secure a payment for the liability under the Agreement,  the Lessee
shall deposit the amount of 16,017,000.-Yen  which is equivalent to the rent for
six months to the Lessor at the time of  conclusion  of this  Agreement  and the
amount of  16,017,000.-Yen  to the Lessor as a guaranty  money no later than the
previous day of the start of lease.  If the rent is increased,  the Lessee shall
deposit the balance  separately in addition to the initial  deposit and guaranty
money.  Provided  however  that,  the Lessor shall not pay the interests for the
deposit and guaranty money.

     14.2 The deposit  and  guaranty  money may be used as a mortgage  for other
lease  agreement  between  the  Lessor  and the  Lessee  if any and also for the
liability against the Lessor and Mitsubishi Jisho Building  Management  Yokohama
Co., Ltd. in accordance  with the contract of furnishings and repair work of the
room and other rooms to let.

     14.3 If the Lessee is liable for the rent in arrears,  the compensation for
damage, the payment in accordance with the Agreement or other agreements, or the
payment  based on the contract  with the Lessor and  Mitsubishi  Jisho  Building
Management  Yokohama Co., Ltd. for the  furnishings  and repair work, the Lessor
shall be able to apply the  above-mentioned  deposit or  guaranty  money for the
above-mentioned purposes without any notification.

<PAGE>


     14.4 If the case as provided in Item 14.3 arises, the Lessee shall fill the
deposition and guaranty money within 10 days after the receipt of the notice.

     14.5 The Lessee  shall not claim the offset to the total  liabilities  with
the deposit and guaranty money.

     14.6 In case the Agreement is  concluded,  resolved,  or canceled,  and the
Lessee  completely clears out of the room to let, the deposit and guaranty money
shall be returned to the Lessee promptly after taking away the amount payable to
the Lessor if any balance is remained.

Article 15 (Prohibition of Transfer or Loan of the Right of Claim of Deposit and
Guaranty Money)
The Lessee  shall not  transfer  or place a mortgage of the claim of deposit and
guaranty money to others.

Article 16 (Cancellation Before the Start of Lease)
     16.1 If the Lessee  cancels the  Agreement  for certain  reasons  after the
conclusion of the Agreement and before the start of lease,  the Lessee shall pay
the  amount  equivalent  to the  deposit of  16,017,000.-Yen  to the Lessor as a
cancellation  penalty. In addition,  if the Lessor has built the partition walls
and  entrances/exits for the Rooms 1402 and 1403 to prepare for the lease to the
Lessee  (including  the case that the  purchase  order has  already  made to the
subcontractor), the Lessee shall pay the construction expenses.

     16.2  If the  case  as  provided  in  Item  16.3  occurs,  the  Lessor  may
appropriate the deposit money received from the Lessee at the time of conclusion
of this Agreement for the cancellation  penalty and shall not return the deposit
to the Lessee.

Article 17 (Liability Arrears Damages)
If the Lessee is in arrears for the payment of liability  such as rent and other
charges  pursuant  to the  Agreement,  the Lessor may claim  damages for delayed
payment at the annual rate of 18.25% to the Lessee.  Even if the Lessee has paid
the liability in arrears to the Lessor,  the Lessor shall not be precluded  from
executing the right to cancel the Agreement pursuant to Article 19 hereof.

Article 18 (Conformance to Detailed Building Facility Rules)
The Lessee shall conform to the Queens Tower Building A Detailed  Facility Rules
attached herewith (inclusive of the rules modified by the Lessor.)

Article 19 (Rescission of Lease Agreement)
     19.1 If either the Lessor or the Lessee acts contrary to the Agreement, the
other  party  may  rescind  the  Agreement  after  giving a  certain  period  of
peremptory notice.

     19.2 If the Lessor  rescinds the  Agreement  for the reason of the Lessee's
infringement  hereof,  the Lessee shall pay a penalty equivalent to the rent for
six  months to the  Lessor.  Provided  however  that,  the  Lessor  shall not be
precluded  from  claiming the damage  caused by  rescission  of the Agreement or
delayed vacation of the room to let.

<PAGE>

Article 20 (Force Majeure)
If all or part of the  building  is lost or  destroyed  due to an event of force
majeure or any other  cause  beyond the  control of the party  affected,  either
party may terminate the Agreement by notifying the other party in writing.

Article 21 (Vacation of the Room to Let)

     21.1 If the  Lessee  does not  vacate the room to let at the same time with
the  maturity  of  the  Agreement,  the  Lessee  shall  pay to  the  Lessor  the
compensation  for  damages  which is  double  the rent for the  period  from the
following day of the maturity of the Agreement until the completion of vacation,
plus utilities  charges  including,  but not limited to,  electricity  and water
rates.  The Lessee shall  compensate  for damage if the delay of  surrender  has
caused the Lessor a damage.

     21.2 The Lessee shall remove furnishings and equipment which the Lessee has
newly  established  or  added  by the  expense  of the  Lessee  and  repair  any
modification,  corruption,  and  damage  to the  room to let,  furnishings,  and
facility,  perform  coating  and  replacement  of  walls,  ceilings,  and  floor
finishing  materials,  returning  the  state of the room to let to its  original
state  before  evacuating  them to the  Lessor.  The  Lessee  shall  submit  the
restitution memoranda on the issue to the Lessor.

     21.3 The  construction for restitution as provided in Article 20, Item 20.2
shall be conducted by the Lessor, and the expenses for the construction shall be
paid  by  The  lessee.  Provided  however  that,  The  lessee  may  arrange  the
subcontractor  by its own  discretion  by obtaining the consent of the Lessor in
writing.

     21.4 If the Lessee  does not remove the  articles  in the room to let after
the  maturity of the  Agreement,  the Lessor may dispose the articles at its own
discretion.  The Lessor may claim the  expenses  needed for the  disposal of the
articles to the Lessee.

     21.5 Whatever the conditions or pretexts may be, the Lessee shall not claim
the  repayment  of the  expenses  paid  for the  room to let,  furnishings,  and
facility or the  compensation  for removal,  eviction,  and premium.  The Lessee
shall not ask the Lessor to purchase  the  furnishings  and  facility  which the
Lessee has newly installed or added.

Article22 (Agent)
The Lessor  shall  entrust  the agent as  designated  herein with full powers in
relation  to the  Agreement,  and the Lessee  shall  execute  any actions to the
Lessor through the designated agent. Provided however that, the Lessor shall not
be precluded from directly exercising the rights to the Lessee.

Article 23 (Confidentiality)
The parties shall take sufficient  measures to keep in strict  confidence all of
the contents rendered  hereunder and shall not disclose any of them to any third
party, Provided however that, this obligation of confidentiality shall not apply
to the legal obligation of disclosure of information.

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed in duplicate,  by its duly authorized  officer or  representative as of
the date first above written.
Lessor:      Mitsubishi Jisho Co., Ltd.
             2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
             Takeshi Fukuzawa, President and CEO

             
             /s/Takeshi Fukuzawa
             -----------------------------------
             Takeshi Fukuzawa, President and CEO
             

Agent:       Mitsubishi Jisho Building Management Yokohama, Co., Ltd.
             2-2-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-pref.
             Takeyuki Ohnishi, President and CEO



             Authorized Land and Building Dealer
             (Tokyo) No.66783
             Hajime Kumakura




Lessee:      Helix Technology, K.K.
             2-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi,
             Yoshiko Nishio, President and CEO



             /s/Keiko Nishio
             -----------------------------------
             Keiko Nishio, President

<PAGE>


                                      QUEENS TOWER - A
                                 DETAILED FACILITIES RULES

I.  General Information

1. Building Opening/Closing Time

           Opening             Closing     Gateway used during closure
          -----------        -----------   -----------------------------------
   Entrances/exits 8:00 a.m.   10:00 p.m.  1F Tower-A gate way
                                           1F Landmark tower side exit
                                           (22:00 p.m. to midnight)

The   opening/closing   time  may  be  changed   due  to   building   management
circumstances.

2. Air Conditioning Service

                Weekdays                Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays
                -------------           ------------------------------------
        8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.                        Closed

Air conditioning  service will be provided during the time shown above. The time
for service may be shortened to save energy.

3. Elevators

                       Weekdays              Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays
                    -------------        ------------------------------------
   Passengers                   Operated all day

   Cargoes     8:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m.                 Stopped

Elevators will be operated as shown in the table above. Elevator operations time
and system may be changed due to building management circumstances.

4. Hot Water Supply

                Weekdays                Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays
                -------------           ------------------------------------

 
        8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.                        Closed

Hot water will be  supplied to the hot water  station  located on every floor as
shown above.

5. Window Cleaning
The Building Management Office (Mitsubishi Jisho Building  Management  Yokohama)
will clean the windows on the outside once a month.

<PAGE>

6. Mail Delivery
Normal mail will be delivered to the mailbox located on the 1st floor.

7. No Power Supply Day (Building Closure Day)
A Sunday  during the period from  February  20th to 26th every year, 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. The "No Power Supply Day" is established  for legal  inspection of electric
facilities.  Power cut may occur at a certain  occasion for the  construction of
electric  facility.  A notice will be delivered in advance when the construction
is to be implemented.

II. Detailed Rules

1. Preservation and Maintenance of Building
     1)  Take  good  care to  keep  the  building  and  its  facilities  in good
condition.
     2) Contact the Building  Management Office as soon as any damage or failure
is found.
     3) The floor  loading  limit is 500kg/m2.  Contact the Building  Management
Office for consultation in advance when executing the installation and moving of
heavy objects such as a safe and movable racks.
     4)  Obtain  a prior  approval  from the  Building  Management  Office  when
modification of the building layout is planned including repair or rearrangement
of furnishings, or installation of new furniture. The Building Management Office
will  perform all  construction  work which can affect the  building  structure,
power/water supply, drainage, and air conditioning works.
     5) It is  stipulated  by law that all  electric  facilities  are  under the
supervision  and  maintenance  of the Queen's Square  Yokohama chief  electrical
engineers.  The lessee  shall  designate  the  personnel  in charge of  handling
electric  appliances  at all  times  and  implement  periodical  inspection  and
maintenance for special  electric  appliances.  The inspection  results shall be
submitted to the Building Management Office in writing.
     6) As the capacity for electric appliances is limited, contact the Building
Management Office in advance when using large electric appliances.
     7) It is unavoidable to perform constructions which may cause inconvenience
to the lessee. Your cooperation is highly appreciated during construction.

2. General Rules
     1) Obtain a prior approval from the Building Management Office when showing
the Company name or other information on the door of the room to let.
     2) No posting  of bills and  writing on the  windows,  space,  and walls of
common use.
     3) When leaving the articles on the space of common use such as a corridor,
DO NOT cause a nuisance to the surrounding  area including,  but not limited to,
the generation of noise, odor, or oscillation.
     4) Do NOT install the telephone under disguised ownership.
     5) Delivery  of baggage  shall be made from the  baggage  delivery  station
located on the 2nd basement.  The height of the delivery truck must be less than
3m, and the use of the baggage  delivery  station  must be  completed  within 30
minutes.  Do NOT use the main  entrance,  other  entrances  and  exits,  and the
elevators for visitors for baggage delivery.  Please be sure to tell these rules
to all suppliers concerned.

<PAGE>

     6) Parking is NOT allowed in the surrounding  area of the building.  Do NOT
park on the road.
     7) When the  ambulance  is called,  contact the Tower - A Operation  Center
(ext.#5000) about the call, too.

3. Hygiene and Cleaning
     1) The cleaning of the room to let shall be conducted  either by the lessee
themselves or the authorized vendor.
     2) To keep the floor  carpets  of the inner  office  and  corridors  clean,
contact the cleaning vendor mentioned above immediately after finding any stains
or damages.  Telecommunication cables and power lines are wired under the floor.
Contact the Building  Management Office  immediately when the damage by water is
concerned.
     3) Dump used tea leaves and cigarette buds in the container equipped in the
hot water station.
     4) Dusts and waste paper must be disposed of separately  into the dedicated
container.
     5) Insect and rat poisoning will be performed by the authorized vendor on a
regular basis.
     6) Bulky waste must be disposed of by the lessee themselves.

4. Prevention of Crimes and Guarding
     1) Always take good care for  prevention  of theft,  burglary,  or robbery.
Contact  both  the  police  (Dial  #0110)  and the  Tower - A  Operation  Center
immediately after finding the theft, burglary, or robbery.
     2)  Consult  the  Building  Management  Office in advance  when  hiring the
guard(s).
     3) Take good care when handling the key. Before you leave the office,  make
sure  that the  office  is  locked.  Be sure to keep the key in the key  deposit
system  and do not carry the key  outside of the  building.  if the key is lost,
contact the Building Management Office immediately.
     4) The IC card is as  important  as a key.  If you  have  lost the IC card,
contact  the  Building  Management  Office  immediately.  Conform to the IC Card
Guideline for the use of the card.
     5) Please refrain from staying overnight in the building. If overnight stay
is necessary, consult the matter with the Building Management Office in advance.
     6) If you find  someone  or  something  suspicious,  contact  the Tower - A
Operation Center immediately.

5. Fire Prevention
     1) Designate the fire prevention manager, fire prevention  specialist,  and
fire prevention inspector, and always take good care for the prevention of fire.
If a fire is detected,  call the fire department  (Dial #0119),  and contact the
Tower  - A  Operation  Center.  The  appointment  and  alteration  of  the  fire
prevention  specialist,  fire prevention manager,  and fire prevention inspector
must be reported to the Building Management Office.
     2)  Ensure  that  everyone  is  aware  of the  location  and  usage  of the
communication  equipment (e.g.  emergency phone),  fire extinguishing  equipment
(e.g. fire extinguisher,  fire sprinkler), and evacuation facility (e.g. stairs,
emergency exits).  Do NOT leave the articles near the fire prevention  equipment
such as water  sprinklers,  emergency  exits, and fire doors as those can hinder
the fire fighting activities.
     3) A required number of fire extinguishers are equipped in the room to let.

<PAGE>

     4) Throw  cigarette  buds in the  dedicated  container  equipped in the hot
water station.
     5) Do NOT  bring  hazardous  objects  into  the  building.  Do NOT  use the
equipment which can catch afire.
     6) Leave the office after confirming the safety of the room.

III. Emergency
Fill in the form of emergency list of where to make contact and submit it to the
Tower-A Operation Center. All modifications must be notified without fall.

IV.  Room Visiting by Staff Members
The  building  management  staff may enter  into the room as  required  from the
management point of view. A notice will be given later on.

V.   IC Cards
Conform to the IC Card Guideline for the use of IC cards.

VI.  Information Terminals
Conform to the Information  Terminal Guideline to be separately provided for the
use of the information terminal on lease.


The  contents  of the  Detailed  Facility  Rules may be changed  due to building
management  circumstances.  Please be sure to observe the updated rules as well.
Everyone must be aware of the above-mentioned rules.


             Mitsubishi Jisho Building Management Yokohama Co., Ltd.




                                                                      
 
                                                        Basic Plan Document # 05
                                                                      Plan # 002
                                                 IRS Letter Serial No.: D363689a

                     PRISM PROTOTYPE RETIREMENT PLAN & TRUST

                       Section 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
                                (Nonstandardized)

                             Adoption Agreement <F1>


The Employer <F2>,  designated below,  hereby establishes a profit-sharing  plan
(optionally  including  a cash or  deferred  arrangement  (as defined in Section
401(k) of the Internal  Revenue Code)) for all Eligible  Employees as defined in
this Adoption Agreement pursuant to the terms of the PRISM Prototype  Retirement
Plan & Trust Basic Plan Document # 05.

A. Employer Information:

     1. Name:  Helix Technology Corporation

     2. Address:  Nine Hampshire Street

     3. Address:  Mansfield, MA  02048

     4. Attention:  Joseph Giorgio          Telephone:  508-337-5664

     5. Employer Taxpayer Identification Number <F3>:  04-2423640


B. Basic Plan Provisions:

     1. Plan Name (select one):

          a. ___ This plan is established effective , 19, (the "Effective Date")
as a  profit  sharing  plan  and  trust  (optionally  with a "cash  or  deferred
arrangement"  as defined in Code  Section  401(k)) to be known as Plan and Trust
(the "Plan") in the form of the PRISM Prototype Retirement Plan & Trust.

(PRISM is a registered trademark.)

<PAGE>

         b. X   This  plan  is an amendment and restatement in the form of the 
PRISM  Prototype  Retirement  Plan  &  Trust,  effective  April  1,  1998,  (the
"Effective Date") of the Helix Technology  Corporation Employee Savings Plan and
Trust (the "Plan"),  originally  effective as of January 1, 1979 (the  "Original
Effective Date").

     2. Employer's Three Digit Plan Number:  001

     3. Committee Members <F4>:  Michael El-Hillow, Chairman; Michael
        Eacobacci, Gregory Knox, Charles Chappell, and Joseph Giorgio, Members
  
     4. Definitions:

          a. Compensation for allocation purposes:

                  i  Will be determined  over the following  applicable  period
(select only one):

                     (a)          X the Plan Year
                     (b)         ___      the period of Plan  participation  
during the Plan Year
                     (c)         ___      a  consecutive  12 month period  
commencing on and ending with, or within, the Plan Year.

                  ii  X     If selected,  Compensation  will include Employer  
contributions  made  pursuant  to  a  Salary  Reduction   Agreement,   or  other
arrangement,  which are not includible in the gross income of the Employee under
Sections 125, 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B) or 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

                  iii         Shall not include (select as many as desired):

                     (a)      ___   Bonuses
                     (b)      ___   Commissions
                     (c)      ___   Taxable fringe benefits identified below:
 
                     (d)      ___   Other items of remuneration identified 
below:
 
 
                  iv Shall  be  limited  to  $ ,  which  shall  be  the  maximum
amount of  compensation  considered  for plan  allocation  purposes (but not for
testing  purposes),  and may not be an amount in excess of the Internal  Revenue
Code Section  401(a)(17) limit in effect for the Plan Year <F5>. If no amount is
<PAGE>

specified,  Compensation  shall  be limited to the Internal Revenue Code Section
401(a)(17)  amount,  as adjusted by the  Secretary of the Treasury  from time to
time.

            b.    Early Retirement Date:

                  i  ___      is not applicable to this Plan
                  ii  X       is the  latter  of the date on which the  
Participant  attains  age 55  (not  less  than  55) and the  date on  which  the
Participant completes 10 Years of Service.

            c.    Hour of Service shall be  determined  on the basis of the 
method  selected  below.  Only one method may be  selected.  The method shall be
applied to all Employees covered under the Plan as follows (select only one):

                  i   X       On the basis of actual  hours for which an  
Employee is paid, or entitled to be paid.
                  ii ___      On the basis of days  worked.  An  Employee  shall
be credited with ten (10) Hours of Service if under  Section  1.1(U) of the Plan
such Employee would be credited with at least one (1) Hour of Service during the
day.
                  iii         ___   On the  basis  of weeks  worked.  An  
Employee  shall be  credited  with  forty-five  (45)  Hours of  Service if under
Section 1.1(U) of the Plan such Employee would be credited with at least one (1)
Hour of Service during the week.
                  iv ___      On the basis of  semi-monthly  payroll  periods.
An Employee  shall be credited with  ninety-five  (95) Hours of Service if under
Section 1.1(U) of the Plan such Employee would be credited with at least one (1)
Hour of Service during the semi-monthly payroll period.
                  v  ___      On the basis of months  worked.  An Employee shall
be credited  with one  hundred  ninety  (190) Hours of Service if under  Section
1.1(U) of the Plan such Employee would be credited with at least one (1) Hour of
Service during the month.
 
            d.    Limitation  Year shall mean the 12 month period  commencing on
January 1 and ending on December 31.
<PAGE>

            e.    Normal Retirement Date for each Participant shall mean (select
one):

                  i   X       the date the Participant attains age:  65  (not to
exceed 65)
                  ii ___      the  latter of the date the  Participant  attains
age  (not  to  exceed  65)  or  the  (not  to  exceed  5th)  anniversary  of the
participation  commencement date. If for the Plan Years beginning before January
1, 1988, Normal Retirement Date was determined with reference to the anniversary
of the participation commencement date (more than 5 but not to exceed 10 years),
the anniversary date for Participants  who first commenced  participation  under
the Plan before the first Plan Year  beginning on or after January 1, 1988 shall
be the  earlier  of (A)  the  tenth  anniversary  of the  date  the  Participant
commenced  participation in the Plan (or such anniversary as had been elected by
the employer,  if less than 10) or (B) the fifth anniversary of the first day of
the first Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1988.  Notwithstanding  any
other provisions of the Plan, the participant commencement date is the first day
of the first Plan Year in which the Participant  commenced  participation in the
Plan.

            f.    Permitted   Disparity   Level,   for  purposes  of  allocating
Employer Contributions, shall mean (select only one):

                  i   X       Not applicable - the Plan does not use permitted
disparity.
                  ii ___      The Taxable Wage Base,  which is the  contribution
and benefit base under  section 230 of the Social  Security Act at the beginning
of the year.
                  iii         ___    % (not  greater  than 100%) of the Taxable
Wage Base as defined in B(4)(f)(ii) above.
                  iv ___      $ , provided  that the amount does not exceed the
Taxable Wage Base as defined in B(4)(f)(ii) above.

            g.    Plan Year shall mean (select and complete only one of the 
following):

                  i  ___      the  12-consecutive  month  period which coincides
with the Limitation Year. The first Plan Year shall be the period  commencing on
the Effective Date and ending on the last day of the Limitation Year.
                  ii ___      the  12-consecutive  month period  commencing on,
19, and each annual anniversary thereof.
                  iii          X    the calendar year (January 1 through 
December 31).

            h.    Qualified  Distribution Date, for purposes of making  
distributions  under the provisions of a Qualified  Domestic Relations Order (as
defined in Internal Revenue Code Section  414(p)),  X shall ___ shall not be the
date the  order is  determined  to be  qualified.  If  shall  is  selected,  the
<PAGE>

Alternate  Payee will be entitled to an  immediate  distribution  of benefits as
directed by the Qualified  Domestic  Relations  Order. If shall not is selected,
the Alternate  Payee may only take a distribution  on the earliest date that the
Participant is entitled to a distribution.

            i.    Spouse:

                     ___   If selected,  Spouse shall mean only that person who
has actually been the Participant's spouse for at least one year.

            j.    Year of Service shall mean:

                  i  For eligibility purposes (select one of the following):

                     (a)         ___      the  12   consecutive   months  during
which an Employee is credited with (not more than 1000) Hours of Service.
                     (b)          X a Period of Service  (using the  elapsed  
time method of counting Service, as described in Section 1.1(N)(3) of the Plan).

                  ii For allocation accrual purposes (select one of the
following):

                     (a)         ___      the  12   consecutive   months  during
which  an
                                 Employee  is  credited  with (not more than 
1000) Hours of Service.
                     (b)          X a Period of Service  (using the  elapsed  
time method of counting Service, as described in Section 1.1(N)(3) of the Plan).
                  iii   For vesting service purposes (select one of the  
following):

                     (a)         ___      the  12   consecutive   months  during
which an Employee is credited with (not more than 1000) Hours of Service.
                     (b)          X a Period of Service  (using the elapsed time
method of counting Service, as described in Section 1.1(N)(3) of the Plan).
                  iv For  purpose  of  computing  Years of  Service  in plans
where Year of Service is defined in terms of Hours of Service),  the consecutive
12 month period shall be:

                     (a)      For eligibility  purposes,  the first Year of
Service shall be computed using the 12 month period commencing on the Employee's
date of hire and ending on the first annual  anniversary of the Employee's  date
of hire (the "Initial  Computation  Period").  In the event an employee does not

<PAGE>

complete an eligibility Year of Service during this initial  computation period,
the computation period shall be (select only one):

                        (1)          X    the period  commencing on each annual
anniversary  of the  Employee's  date of hire  and  ending  on the  next  annual
anniversary of the Employee's date of hire.
                        (2)         ___   the Plan  Year,  commencing  with the
Plan Year in which the Initial Computation Period ends.

                     (b)      For vesting  purposes,  Years of Service  shall be
computed on the basis of:

                        (1)          X    the period  commencing on each annual 
anniversary  of the  Employee's  date of hire  and  ending  on the  next  annual
anniversary of the Employee's date of hire.
                        (2)         ___   the Plan  Year,  commencing  with the 
first Plan Year an Employee completes an Hour of Service.

                     (c)      For  allocation  accrual purposes, Year of Service
shall be computed on the basis of the Plan Year.

                  v  ___      For eligibility purposes,  Years of Service with
the following  Predecessor  Employers  shall count in fulfilling the eligibility
requirements for this Plan:
 
                  vi ___      For  vesting  purposes,  Years of Service  with
the following  Predecessor Employers shall count for purposes of determining the
nonforfeitable amount of a Participant's account:
 
 
      5.    Coverage:

            This Plan is extended by the Employer to the  following  Employees
who have met the eligibility requirements (select as many as appropriate):

                  i  ___      All Employees
                  ii ___      Salaried Employees
                  iii         ___   Sales Employees
                  iv ___      Hourly Employees
                  v  ___      Leased Employees
                  vi ___      All Employees except (select as applicable):

                              (a)       X those  who  are  members  of a unit
of Employees covered by a collective  bargaining  agreement between the Employer
and Employee  representatives,  if retirement  benefits were the subject of good
faith  bargaining  and if two percent or less of the  Employees  who are covered
pursuant to that agreement are professionals as defined in Section 1.410(b)-9 of
the Regulations.  For this purpose, the term "Employee  representative" does not
include any  organization  more than half of whose members are Employees who are
owners, officers, or executives of the Employer.
<PAGE>

                              (b)      ___      those  who are  nonresident  
aliens (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section  7701(b)(1)(B))  and
who  receive no earned  income  (within the  meaning of  Internal  Revenue  Code
Section  911(d)(2))  from the  Employer  which  constitutes  income from sources
within the United  States  (within the meaning of Internal  Revenue Code Section
861(a)(3)).

                  vii         ___   Union  Employees  (who  are  members  of the
following unions or union affiliates:
 
                  viii  ___   Other Employees, described as follows:
 

      6.          Eligibility:

            An Employee  covered by the Plan may become a Participant upon 
completion of the following eligibility requirements:

            a.    Service <F6>:

                  i  ___      There shall be no minimum service  requirement for
an Employee to become a Participant.
                  ii  X       The Employee  must  complete 1 Year of Service 
(not  more  than  2  years)  to  be a  Participant  for  purposes  of  receiving
allocations of Employer Profit Sharing Contributions.

            b.    Age:

                  i   X       There shall be no minimum age  requirement  for an
Employee to become a Participant.
                  ii ___      The  Employee  must  attain  age  (not  more  than
21) to be a Participant in the Plan.
<PAGE>

            c.    Waiver of Age and Service Requirements:

                  i  ___      Notwithstanding  the  provisions of Items  B(6)(a)
and (b), Employees who have not satisfied the age and service requirements,  but
would  otherwise be eligible to  participate  in the plan,  shall be eligible to
participate on the Effective Date.

                  ii ___      For  new  Plans,  notwithstanding  the  provisions
of Items  B(6)(a) and (b),  Employees who have not satisfied the age and service
requirements,  but would otherwise be eligible to participate in the plan, shall
be eligible to participate on the Effective Date.

            d.    Entry Dates:

                  Upon  completion  of  the  eligibility  requirements,  an 
Employee shall commence participation in the Plan (select only one):

                  i    X      As soon as practicable under the payroll practices
utilized by the  Employer,  and  consistently  applied to all  Employees,  or if
earlier, the first day of the Plan Year <F7>.
                  ii ___      As of the first day of the month  following the  
completion of the eligibility requirements.
                  iii         ___   As of the  earliest  of the first day of the
Plan  Year,  fourth,  seventh  or tenth  month of the Plan Year  next  following
completion of the eligibility requirements.
                  iv ___      As of the  earliest  of the  first day of the Plan
Year or  seventh  month  of the  Plan  Year  next  following  completion  of the
eligibility requirements.
                  v  ___      As  of  the  first  day  of  the  Plan  Year  next
following  completion of the eligibility  requirements  (may only be selected if
the eligibility year of service requirement is 6 months or less).

      7.    Vesting:

            a.    The  percentage  of  a   Participant's   Employer Contribution
Account (attributable to Employer Profit Sharing  Contributions) to be vested in


<PAGE>

him or her upon  termination  of  employment  prior to  attainment of the Plan's
Normal Retirement Date shall be <F8>:

                              Completed Years of Service

                                 1     2      3     4     5     6     7

                  i     ___           100%
                  ii    ___                  100%
                  iii   ___            20%    40%   60%   80%  100%
                  iv    ___                   20%   40%   60%   80%   100%
                  v     ___      10%   20%    30%   40%   60%   80%   100%
                  vi     X        0%   50%    75%  100%  100%
                  vii   ___                                           100%
                  vii   ___Full and immediate vesting upon entry into the 
Plan <F9>

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the amount inserted in the
blanks above shall not exceed the limits specified in Code Section 411(a)(2).

            b.    For purposes of computing a Participant's  vested account  
balance,  Years of Service  for  vesting  purposes X shall ___ shall not include
Years of Service  before the Employer  maintained  this Plan or any  predecessor
plan,  and X shall ___ shall not include  Years of Service  before the  Employee
attained age 18.
            c.    Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of this  Item  B(7)(c)  of 
the  Adoption  Agreement,  a  Participant  shall  become  fully  vested  in  his
Participant's Employer Contribution if: <F10>

                  i  ___      the  Participant's  job is eliminated  without the
Participant being offered a comparable position elsewhere with the Employer.
                  ii ___      for such reason as is described below:
 

      8.    Employer Profit Sharing Contributions:

            a.    Contributions:

                  i   X       In  its  discretion,  the  Employer may contribute
Employer Profit Sharing Contributions to the Plan.

<PAGE>

                  ii ___      The  Employer  shall   contribute  Employer Profit
Sharing  Contributions to the Plan in the amount of % of the Compensation of all
Eligible Participants under the Plan.
                  iii          X    If  selected,  the  Employer  may make  
Employer Profit Sharing  Contributions  without regard to current or accumulated
Net Profits of the Employer for the taxable year ending with, or within the Plan
Year.
                  iv  X       If selected,  the Employer  may  designate  all or
any part of the Employer Profit Sharing  Contributions as Qualified  Nonelective
Contributions,  provided,  however,  that  contributions  so designated  will be
subject to the same vesting, distribution, and withdrawal restrictions as Before
Tax Contributions <F11>.

            b.    Allocations:

                  Employer Profit Sharing  Contributions  shall be allocated to
the  accounts of  eligible  Participants  according  to the  following  selected
allocation formula:
                  i   X       The Employer Profit Sharing  Contributions  shall
be  allocated  to each  eligible  Participant's  account in the ratio  which the
Participant's   Compensation   bears  to  the   Compensation   of  all  eligible
Participants.  Employer Profit Sharing Plan Contributions, shall be allocated to
the accounts of Participants  who have completed a Year of Service <F12> (select
one):

                              (a)         ___   as of the  last day of the month
preceding the month in which the contribution was made.
                              (b)         ___   as of  the  last day of the Plan
quarter preceding the quarter in which the contribution was made.
                              (c)          X    as of the last day of the Plan
Year.

                  ii ___      The Employer Profit Sharing  Contributions  shall
be allocated in accordance with the following formula:

                              (a)   If the  Plan is Top-Heavy, the  contribution
shall be first  credited  to each  eligible  Participant's  Account in the ratio
which the  Participant's  Compensation  bears to the total  Compensation  of all
eligible Participants, up to 3% of each Participant's Compensation.

<PAGE>

                              (b)   If the Plan is Top-Heavy,  any Employer  
Profit Sharing Contribution remaining after the allocation in (a) above shall be
credited  to  each  eligible  Participant's  account  in  the  ratio  which  the
Participant's  Excess  Compensation <F13> bears to the total Excess Compensation
of all eligible  Participants,  up to 3% of each eligible  Participant's  Excess
Compensation.
                              (c)   Any contributions  remaining after the 
allocation in (b) above shall be credited to each eligible Participant's account
in the ratio which the sum of the  Participant's  total  Compensation and Excess
Compensation bears to the sum of the total Compensation and Excess  Compensation
of all  eligible  Participants,  up to an  amount  equal to the  maximum  Excess
Percentage  times  the  sum  of  the   Participant's   Compensation  and  Excess
Compensation.  If the Plan is Top-Heavy,  the maximum Excess  Percentage is N/A%
(insert percentage). If the Plan is not Top-Heavy, the maximum Excess Percentage
is N/A% (insert  percentage,  which shall not exceed the prior Excess Percentage
limitation specified by more than 3).

                         Note:   If the  Permitted  Disparity  Level defined at
Item  B(4)(f) is the Taxable  Wage Base (which is the  contribution  and benefit
base under section 230 of the Social Security Act at the beginning of the year),
then the maximum Excess  Percentage  should be 2.7% if the Plan is Top-Heavy and
5.7% if the Plan is not Top-Heavy.

                                 If the  Permitted  Disparity  Level defined at
Item  B(4)(f) is greater  than 80% but less than 100% of the Taxable  Wage Base,
then the maximum Excess  Percentage  should be 2.4% if the Plan is Top-Heavy and
5.4% if the Plan is not Top-Heavy.

                                 If the  Permitted  Disparity  Level defined at
Item  B(4)(f) is greater  than the greater of $10,000 or 20% of the Taxable Wage
Base, but not more than 80%, then the maximum Excess  Percentage  should be 1.3%
if the Plan is Top-Heavy and 4.3% if the Plan is not Top-Heavy.


<PAGE>

                              (d)   Any  remaining  Employer  Profit  Sharing
Contribution  shall be allocated  among eligible  Participants'  accounts in the
ratio which the Participant's  Compensation  bears to the total  Compensation of
all Participants.
                  iii         ___   If  selected,  and the  Employer has elected
to allocate Employer Profit Sharing Plan Contributions as of the last day of the
Plan Year, a Participant must be employed by the Employer on the last day of the
Plan Year in order to receive an allocation <F14>.
                  iv ___      A Participant who terminates  before the end of 
the period for which  contributions  are allocated shall share in the allocation
of Employer  Profit Sharing  Contributions  if termination of employment was the
result of (select all that apply):

                              (a)         ___   retirement
                              (b)         ___   disability
                              (c)         ___   death
                              (d)         ___   other, as specified below:
 
 
      9.    Rollover & Transfer Contributions (select one):

            a. ___      Subject to policies,  applied in a consistent and
nondiscriminatory  manner,  adopted by the Committee,  each Employee,  who would
otherwise be eligible to  participate  in the Plan except that such Employee has
not yet met the  eligibility  requirements,  and  each  Participant  may  make a
Rollover Contribution as described in Internal Revenue Code  Sections 402(a)(5),
403(a)(4) or 408(d)(3).
            b.  X       Subject to policies,  applied in a consistent and
nondiscriminatory  manner, adopted by the Committee, each Participant may make a
Rollover Contribution  as described in Internal Revenue Code Sections 402(a)(5),
403(a)(4) or 408(d)(3).
            c. ___      No Employee shall make Rollover Contributions to the
Plan.

      10.   Distributions:

            a.    Distributions Upon Separation from Service:

                  The  Normal  Form of  Benefit  under the Plan  shall be a
single lump sum distribution,  made X (if selected) as soon as  administratively
practical after receipt of a distribution request from a Participant entitled to
a  distribution  or ___ (if selected) upon the  Participant's  attainment of the
Plan's Early Retirement Date or the Plan's Normal Retirement Date,  whichever is
earlier. See Attached Addendum
<PAGE>

                  In  addition  to the Normal  Form of  Benefit,  the  
Participant shall be entitled to select from among the following  optional forms
of benefit specified by the employer (select as many as apply):

                  i   X       Installment payments
                  ii ___      Such other forms as may be specified below:
 

            b.          In-Service Distributions (select as may be appropriate):

                  i   X       There  shall  be no  in-service  distribution  of
Participant account balances derived from Employer Profit Sharing Contributions.
                  ii ___      Participants  may request an in-service  
distribution  of their account  balance  attributable to Employer Profit Sharing
Contributions, for the following reasons:

                              (a)         ___   For  purposes  of   satisfying
a  financial   hardship,   as  determined   in   accordance   with  the  uniform
nondiscriminatory policy of the Committee;
                              (b)         ___   Attainment of age 59 1/2 by the
Participant; or
                              (c)         ___   Attainment of the Plan's  Normal
Retirement Date by the Participant.
      11.         Forfeitures:

            a.    Forfeitures   of  amounts   attributable   to  Employer Profit
Sharing Contributions shall be reallocated as of:

                  i   X       the  last  day  of the  Plan  Year  in  which  the
Forfeiture occurred.
                  ii ___      the last  day of the  Plan  Year  following  the
Plan Year in which the Forfeiture occurred.
                  iii         ___   the last day of the Plan Year in which  the
Participant  suffering the  Forfeiture  has incurred five  consecutive  One Year
Breaks in Service.

            b.    Forfeitures of Employer Profit Sharing  Contributions shall be
reallocated as follows:

                  i  ___      Not applicable as Employer  Profit Sharing  
Contributions are always 100% vested and nonforfeitable.

<PAGE>

                  ii ___      Used first to pay the expenses of administering  
the Plan, and then allocated pursuant to one of the following two options <F15>:
                  iii         ___   Forfeitures   shall  be   allocated   to   
Participant's   accounts  in  the  same  manner  as  Employer   Profit   Sharing
Contributions,   Employer   Matching   Contributions,    Qualified   Nonelective
Contributions  or Qualified  Matching  Contributions,  in the  discretion of the
Employer, for the year in which the Forfeiture arose.
                  iv  X       Forfeitures  shall be applied to reduce  the  
Employer  Profit  Sharing   Contributions,   Employer  Matching   Contributions,
Qualified Nonelective Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions,  in the
discretion of the Employer,  for the Plan Year  following the Plan Year in which
the Forfeiture arose.

      12.   Limitations on Allocations:

            If the Employer maintains or ever maintained  another qualified  
retirement plan in which any Participant in this Plan is (or was) a participant,
or  could  possibly  become  a  participant,  the  Employer  must  complete  the
following:

            a.    If  the   Participant   is  covered   under  another   
qualified  defined  contribution  plan  maintained by the Employer  other than a
Master or Prototype Plan:

                  i  ___      The  provisions  of this Plan shall apply as if 
the other plan were a Master or Prototype plan; or,
                  ii ___      The following  provisions will be effective to
limit the total Annual  Additions to the Maximum  Permissible  Amount,  and will
properly  reduce  any  Excess  Amounts,  in a  manner  that  precludes  Employer
discretion:
 

                  b.          If the  Participant  is or ever  has been a  
participant in a qualified defined benefit plan maintained by the Employer,  the
following provisions will be effective to satisfy the 1.0 limitation of Internal
Revenue Code Section  415(e),  in a manner that precludes  Employer  discretion:
Contributions to this plan will be reduced first, in the following order: First,
Participant   Before  Tax   Contributions;   Second,   any  Qualified   Matching
Contributions;  Third,  any qualified  nonelective  contributions;  Fourth,  any
Employer Matching Contributions;  and Finally, any Profit Sharing Contributions.
Contributions  will only be  reduced  to the extent  necessary  to  satisfy  the
requirements of Section 415(e) of the Code, and to the extent  allowable,amounts
which may be distributed to the Participant to satisfy those  requirements  will
be refunded.

<PAGE>

      13.   Internal Revenue Code 411(d)(6) Protected Benefits:

             X    If  selected,  the Plan has  Internal  Revenue  Code Section
411(d)(6)  Protected Benefits from a prior plan that this Plan amends, that must
be protected. (Attached addendum)

      14.   Top-Heavy Plan Provisions:

            For  each  Plan  Year in  which  the  Plan is a  Top-Heavy  Plan
the following provisions will apply:

            a.    The  percentage of a  Participant's  Employer  Contribution  
Account to be vested in him upon  termination of employment  prior to retirement
shall be:

                  i  ___      a  percentage  determined  in  accordance  with 
the following schedule:

                              Years of Service        Percentage

                              Less than two               0
                              Two but less than three    20
                              Three but less than four   40
                              Four but less than five    60
                              Five but less than six     80
                              Six or more               100;

                  ii ___      100%  vesting  after  (not to  exceed  3)  Years
of Service;  provided,  however, that Years of Service may not exceed two (2) if
the service requirement for eligibility exceeds 1 year; or
                  iii          X    computed  in  accordance   with  the vesting
schedule  selected by the Employer in Items  B(7)(a) or C(4)(d),  as long as the
benefits under the vesting schedule in Items B(7)(a) or C(4)(d) vest at least as
rapidly as the two options specified in this Item B(14)(a), above.

                  If the vesting  schedule  under the Plan shifts in or out of
the schedules  above for any Plan Year because of the Plan's  Top-Heavy  status,
such shift is an  amendment  to the vesting  schedule and the election in 2.2 of
the Basic Plan Document applies.

            b.    For  purposes  of  minimum   Top-Heavy   allocations,   
contributions  and  forfeitures  equal to 3% (not less than 3%) of each  Non-key
Employee's  Compensation  will be allocated to each  Participant's  Contribution
Account when the Plan is a Top-Heavy Plan,  except as otherwise  provided in the
Basic  Plan  Document.  This  Item 14 will not apply to any  Participant  to the
extent the  Participant is covered under any other plan or plans of the Employer
and the Employer completes the following:  (Insert the name of the plan or plans
which will meet the minimum  allocation  or benefit  requirement  applicable  to
Top-Heavy plans.)  Helix Technology Corporation Employees' Pension Plan
<PAGE>
 
            c.    The  Valuation  Date as of which  account  balances or accrued
benefits are valued for purposes of computing the  Top-Heavy  Ratio shall be the
last day of each Plan Year.

            d.    If the  Employer  maintains  or has ever  maintained  one or
more defined  benefit plans which have covered or could cover a  Participant  in
this Plan, complete the following:

                  Present Value:  For purposes of establishing  Present Value to
compute the Top-Heavy  Ratio, any benefit shall be discounted only for mortality
and interest based on the following:

                  Interest rate  %              Mortality table

      15.   Investments:

            a.    Investments  made pursuant to the investment  direction  
provisions  of the  Basic  Plan  Document  shall be made  into  any  appropriate
Investment  Fund as selected by the  Employer.  In addition,  investment of Plan
assets is expressly authorized, as required by Revenue Ruling 81-100, in each of
the  following  common or  collective  funds  sponsored  by the  Trustee,  or an
affiliate of the Trustee <F16>:
                  Key Trust EB Managed  Guaranteed  Income Contract Fund, Key 
Trust  Multiple   Investment  Trust  for  Employee  Benefit  Trusts,  and  other
collective  trusts  exempt from tax under IRC 501 and as described in Rev.  Rul.
81-100.

            b. X        If  selected,  an  Employer  Stock  Fund  shall be  
available  as an  Investment  Fund  pursuant  to the  terms  of the  Basic  Plan
Document.
                        ___   If  selected,  and an Employer  Stock Fund is  
available   as  an   Investment   Fund,   Participants   will  have  the  right,
notwithstanding  any other  provisions  of the Plan, to direct that a portion of
the Plan assets held for their  benefit and invested in the Employer  Stock Fund
be diversified  pursuant to the provisions of Section  10.7(F) of the Basic Plan
Document.

<PAGE>

            c.    Participants  may make  changes of existing  account  balances
and future contributions from among the Investment Funds offered:

                  i  ___      Once  during  each  business  day that the Trustee
and the New York Stock Exchange are open.
                  ii ___      Once during each calendar month.
                  iii          X    Once during each quarter of the Plan Year.
                  iv ___      Once during each rolling ____ day period.
 
            d.       X        If selected,  the Participant  shall be restricted
in making  changes of existing  account  balances from any  Investment  Fund, as
specified in the terms or conditions of such  Investment  Fund, and the Employer
shall attach an addendum specifying such restriction.

            e.    The   Participant   will  designate  into  which   Investment
Funds all contributions to their accounts are made, except the following:

                  i  ___      Employer Profit Sharing Contributions
                  ii ___      Employer Mandatory Matching Contributions
                  i    X      Employer Discretionary Matching Contributions
                  iv ___      Qualified Matching Contributions
                  v  ___      Qualified Nonelective Contributions

            f.  X       If  selected,  and to the  extent a  selection  is made
above, the Employer shall attach an Investment Direction Addendum specifying how
the contributions so specified shall be invested among the Investment Fund.

            g.  X       If selected,  the Participant  shall be restricted in 
the use of the Employer  Stock Fund as an Investment  Fund for  designating  the
investment of contributions in the Participant's account, as follows:

                        i   X       The  Participant  may not direct the  
investment of Plan assets held in their account into the Employer Stock Fund.
                        ii ___      The   Participant   may   direct  %  of  the
following contributions into the Employer Stock Fund:

                                    (a) ___   Employer Profit Sharing 
                                              Contributions
                                    (b) ___   Employer Mandatory Matching
                                              Contributions
                                    (c) ___   Employer Discretionary Matching
                                              Contributions
                                    (d) ___   Qualified Matching Contributions
                                    (e) ___   Qualified Nonelective 
                                              Contributions



<PAGE>



                        iii ___     ____  % of the  following  contributions
will be invested into the Employer Stock Fund, with the balance invested among:

                                    (a) ___   the other Investment Funds,  
                                              including the Employer Stock Fund
                                    (b) ___   the  other Investment Funds,   not
                                              including the Employer Stock Fund
      16.   Loans (select one):

            a.  X       Loans may be made from the Plan in  accordance  with the
Basic Plan Document and such policies and  procedures as the Committee may adopt
and apply on a consistent and nondiscriminatory basis <F17>.
            b. ___      No loans shall be made from the Plan.

      17.   Trustee:

     The Trustee of this Plan shall be Key Trust  Company of Ohio,  N.A. (a bank
or trust company  affiliated with KeyCorp within the meaning of Internal Revenue
Code 1504).

      18.         Effective Date Addendum:

            ___      If  selected,   the  following  provisions  shall  have
the specified  effective  dates (which are different  from the date specified in
Item B(1)):
 
<PAGE>


C.    Section 401(k) Plan Provisions:


      1.    Service:

            An Eligible  Employee  shall be required  to fulfill the  following
eligibility  service  requirements in order to participate in the Plan through a
salary  reduction  agreement  and for  purposes of receiving  an  allocation  of
Employer Matching Contributions:

            a.  X       The  Employee  must  complete  1 Year of Service
(not more than 1 year) to be a Participant for purposes of receiving allocations
of Employer Matching Contributions.
            b.  X       The  Employee  must  complete 1 Year of Service
(not more than 1 year) to be a  Participant  for  purposes  of  entering  into a
Salary  Reduction  Agreement and having  Employee  Before Tax  Contributions  or
Employee  After  Tax  Contributions  contributed  to the Plan on the  Employee's
behalf.

      2.    Employee Salary Deferrals:

            a.  X       Participants  shall be entitled  to enter  into a Salary
Reduction  Agreement  providing for Before Tax  Contributions  to be made to the
Plan.

                        i  The  minimum   Before  Tax   Contribution   shall  be
1% of the Participant's Compensation.
                        ii The  maximum   Before  Tax   Contribution   shall  be
15% of the Participant's Compensation.

            b.  X       Participants  shall be entitled  to enter  into a Salary
Reduction  Agreement  providing  for After Tax  Contributions  to be made to the
Plan.

                        i  The   minimum   After  Tax   Contribution   shall  be
1% of the Participant's Compensation.
                        ii The   maximum   After  Tax   Contribution   shall  be
15% of the Participant's Compensation.
                        iii         ___   If   selected,   notwithstanding   the
above,  a  Participant  shall  not be  able to  enter  into a  Salary  Reduction
Agreement  providing for After Tax  Contributions  to be made to the Plan unless
the Participant has entered into a Salary Reduction  Agreement that provides for
Before  Tax  Contributions  to be made to the Plan in an amount of at least % of
the Participant's Compensation.

<PAGE>

            c.  X       If selected,  a Participant shall be entitled to enter
into a Salary  Reduction  Agreement  providing  that any  extraordinary  item of
compensation,  not  yet  payable  (including  bonuses),  be  withheld  from  the
Participant's  Compensation  and  contributed to the Plan as either a Before Tax
Contribution,  or  After  Tax  Contribution  (provided  such  contributions  are
authorized above, and to the extent that such contribution, when aggregated with
either  the   Participants   other  Before  Tax   Contributions   or  After  Tax
Contributions  do not  exceed  the  limitations  specified  above,  on an annual
basis).

      3.          Contribution Changes:

            a.    Participants may increase or decrease the amount of 
contributions  made to the Plan pursuant to a Salary  Reduction  Agreement  once
each:
                  i        ___      Plan Year
                  ii       ___      Semi-annual period, based on the Plan Year
                  iii       X       Quarter, based on the Plan Year
                  iv       ___      Month
                  v        ___   Other,  as specified  below  (provided  that it
is   at least once per year):
 

               b. Claims  for   returns  of  Excess   Before  Tax  Contributions
for the  Participant's  preceding  taxable  year  must be made in  writing,  and
submitted to the Committee by April 15 (specify a date between March 1 and April
15).
<F18>
      4.          Employer Matching Contributions <F19>:

            a.    Mandatory Matching Contributions:

                  The Employer shall make contributions to the Plan, in an 
amount as specified below:

                  i   X       An  amount, equal to 50% of  each  Participant's
Before  Tax  Contributions,  however,  no match  shall be made on  Participant's
Before  Tax  Contributions  in  excess  of  3% (or  $  )  of  the  Participant's
Compensation.
                  ii ___      An  amount,  equal  to  %  of  each  Participant's
After Tax Contributions,  but not to exceed % of the Participant's Compensation,
or $ .


<PAGE>

                  iii         ___   An   amount,   equal   to   %  of   each   
Participant's  contributions  made  pursuant  to a  Salary  Reduction  Agreement
(including both Before Tax Contributions and After Tax Contributions),  but only
if the Participant has entered into a Salary Reduction  Agreement  providing for
Before Tax  Contributions of at least % of the Participant's  Compensation,  but
not to exceed % of the Participant's Compensation, or $ .
                  iv ___      An amount equal to the sum of the following:

                              (a)         %   of   the   first   %  of   the
Participant's  Compensation  deferred pursuant to a Salary Reduction  Agreement;
plus,
                              (b)         %   of   the   next   %   of   the   
Participant's  Compensation  deferred pursuant to a Salary Reduction  Agreement;
plus,
                              (c)         %   of   the   next   %   of   the   
Participant's  Compensation  deferred pursuant to a Salary Reduction  Agreement,
but not to exceed % of the Participant's Compensation, or $ .
                  v  ___      An amount  equal to $ , for each  Participant  who
enters  into  a  Salary  Reduction   Agreement  providing  for  ___  Before  Tax
Contributions,   ___  After  Tax   Contributions,   or  ___  either  Before  Tax
Contributions or After Tax  Contributions (or a combination of both) equal to or
exceeding % of the Participant's Compensation.  Such contributions shall be made
and allocated:

                              (a)         ___   only  during the first Plan Year
the Plan is in effect,  or if a  restatement,  for the first Plan Year beginning
with, or containing the restatement Effective Date.
                              (b)         ___   each  Plan Year  that a 
Participant  has in force a Salary  Reduction  Agreement  meeting  the  criteria
specified above.
                              (c)         ___   during   the   first   Plan Year
that the Participant  participates  through a Salary Reduction Agreement meeting
the criteria specified above.

            b.          Discretionary Matching Contributions:

                   X    The  Employer  shall  make  contributions  to the  Plan,
in an amount  determined  by  resolution  of the Board of Directors on an annual
basis. The Board  resolution  shall provide for the percentage  and/or amount of
Before Tax  Contributions  and/or After Tax  Contributions to be matched and the
maximum  percentage and/or amount of Before Tax  Contributions  and/or After Tax
Contributions eligible for matching.

<PAGE>

            c.          Allocation of Matching Contributions:

                  Employer Matching  Contributions  shall be allocated pursuant
to the terms of the Basic Plan Document, notwithstanding the foregoing:

                  i  ___      A Participant who terminates  before the end of
the period for which  contributions  are allocated shall share in the allocation
of Employer  Matching  Contributions if termination of employment was the result
of (select all that apply):
                              (a)         ___   retirement
                              (b)         ___   disability
                              (c)         ___   death
                              (d)         ___   other, as specified below:
 

                  ii  X       Employer  Matching  Contributions  shall be 
allocated to the accounts of Participants (select one):

                              (a)          X    as  of  each   pay   period  for
which a contribution was made pursuant to a Salary Reduction Agreement.
                              (b)         ___   semi-monthly.
                              (c)         ___   as of the  last day of the month
preceding the month in which the contribution was made.
                              (d)         ___   as of  the  last  day of  the 
Plan quarter preceding the quarter in which the contribution was made.
                              (e)         ___   as of the last day of the Plan
year.
<PAGE>


                  iii          X    If selected, the Employer  may make Employer
Matching  Contributions  without regard to current or accumulated Net Profits of
the Employer for the taxable year ending with, or within the Plan Year <F20>.

            d.    The percentage of a Participant's  Employer Matching 
Contribution Account <F21> (attributable to Employer Matching  Contributions) to
be vested in him or her upon  termination  of employment  prior to attainment of
the Plan's Normal Retirement Date shall be <F22>:

                              Completed Years of Service

                                  1    2      3      4    5     6      7


                  i     ___           100%
                  ii    ___                   100%
                  iii   ___            20%     40%   60%   80%   100%
                  iv    ___                   20%    40%   60%   80%   100%
                  v     ___      10%   20%    30%    40%   60%   80%   100%
                  vi     X        0%   50%    75%   100%  100%
                  vii   ___                                            100%
                  vii   ___  Full and immediate vesting upon entry into the Plan

                        Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  in the Plan,
the amount inserted in the blanks above shall not exceed the limits specified in
Code 411(a)(2).
            e.    Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of this  Item  C(4)(e)  of
the  Adoption  Agreement,  a  Participant  shall  become  fully  vested  in  his
Participant's Employer Matching Contribution Account if <F23>:
                  i  ___      the  Participant's  job is eliminated  without the
Participant being offered a comparable position elsewhere with the Employer.
                  ii ___      for such reason as is described below:
 

            f.          Corrective Contributions:

                  i   X       If  selected,   the  Employer  shall  be  
authorized to make Qualified Matching Contributions, subject to the terms of the
Basic Plan  Document,  in an amount  determined  by  resolution  of the Board of
Directors on an annual basis.
<PAGE>

                  ii  X       If  selected,   the  Employer  shall be authorized
to make Qualified Nonelective  Contributions,  subject to the terms of the Basic
Plan Document,  in an amount  determined by resolution of the Board of Directors
on an annual basis.

      5.          Gap Earnings:

            ___      If selected,  Gap  Earnings,  as defined in Section 3.2(G)
(1) of  the  Basic  Plan  Document,  will  be  calculated  for  Excess  Elective
Deferrals, Excess Contributions and Excess Aggregate Contributions, and refunded
to the Participant as provided for in Article III of the Basic Plan Document.

      6.          Forfeitures:

            a. Forfeitures of amounts attributable to Employer Matching 
Contributions shall be reallocated as of:

                  i   X       the  last  day  of the  Plan  Year  in  which  the
Forfeiture occurred.
                  ii ___      the last  day of the  Plan  Year  following  the
Plan Year in which the Forfeiture occurred.
                  iii___      the last day of the Plan Year in which  the
Participant suffering the Forfeiture has incurred the fifth consecutive One Year
Break in Service.

            b.    Forfeitures  of Employer  Matching  Contributions  shall be
reallocated as follows:
                  i  ___      Not applicable as Employer  Matching Contributions
are always 100% vested and nonforfeitable.
                  ii ___      Used first to pay the expenses of administering  
the Plan, and then allocated pursuant to one of the following two options:
                  iii         ___   Forfeitures   shall  be   allocated   to   
Participant's   accounts  in  the  same  manner  as  Employer   Profit   Sharing
Contributions,   Employer   Matching   Contributions,    Qualified   Nonelective
Contributions  or Qualified  Matching  Contributions,  in the  discretion of the
Employer, for the year in which the Forfeiture arose.
                  iv  X       Forfeitures  shall be applied to reduce  the  
Employer  Profit  Sharing   Contributions,   Employer  Matching   Contributions,
Qualified Nonelective Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions,  in the
discretion of the Employer,  for the Plan Year  following the Plan Year in which
the Forfeiture arose.
<PAGE>

            c.    Forfeitures of Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be:

                  i  ___      Applied to reduce Employer  contributions for the
Plan Year in which the excess arose,  but allocated as below,  to the extent the
excess  exceeds  Employer  contributions  for the Plan Year, or the Employer has
already contributed for such Plan Year.
                  ii  X       Allocated after all other forfeitures under the 
Plan:

                              (a)         ___   to  the  Matching  Contribution
account  of  each  Non-highly  Compensated   Participant  who  made  Before  Tax
Contributions  or  After  Tax   Contributions  in  the  ratio  which  each  such
Participant's  Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of
all such Participants for the Plan Year; or,
                              (b)          X    to  the  Matching  Contribution
account of each Non-highly  Compensated  Eligible Participant in the ratio which
each Eligible  Participant's  Compensation  for the Plan Year bears to the total
Compensation of all Eligible Participants for the Plan Year.
      7.          In-Service Distributions (select as may be appropriate):

            a.   ___    There shall be no in-service  distribution  of  
Participant  account balances derived from Before Tax  Contributions  (including
Qualified Nonelective Contributions and Qualified Matching Contributions treated
as Before  Tax  Contributions  under the terms of the Basic Plan  Document),  or
Employer Matching Contributions.

            b.    X     Participants  may  request  an  in-service  distribution
of their account balance  attributable to Employer Matching  Contributions,  for
the following reasons: See Attached Addendum
                        i     X     For  purposes of  satisfying  a financial
hardship, as determined in accordance with the uniform  nondiscriminatory policy
of the Committee;
                        ii   ___    Attainment of age 59 1/2 by the
Participant; or
                        iii  ___    Attainment of the Plan's Normal  Retirement
Date by the Participant.

            c.    X     Participants  may  request  an  in-service  distribution
of their account balance attributable to Employee Before Tax Contributions,  for
the following reasons:

<PAGE>

                        i    ___    For  purposes of  satisfying  a financial
hardship,  as  determined  by  the  facts  and  circumstances  of an  Employee's
situation,  in accordance  with the  provisions of Section 3.9 of the Basic Plan
Document;
                        ii    X     For purposes of satisfying a financial  
hardship,  using the "safe  harbor"  provisions of Section 3.9 of the Basic Plan
Document.
                        iii   X     Attainment of age 59 1/2 by the Participant;
or
                        iv   ___    Attainment of the Plan's Normal  Retirement
Date by the Participant.

<PAGE>

NOTICE:  The adopting  Employer may not rely on an opinion  letter issued by the
National  Office of the Internal  Revenue  Service as evidence  that the Plan is
qualified  under the provisions of Section 401 of the Internal  Revenue Code. In
order to obtain reliance with respect to the Plan's qualification,  the Employer
must apply to the Key  District  Office of the  Internal  Revenue  Service for a
determination letter.

This Adoption Agreement may only be used in conjunction with Basic Plan Document
# 05.

This Plan document may only be used under the express authority of KeyCorp,  its
subsidiaries and affiliates, and is not effective as completed until executed by
a duly authorized officer of KeyCorp, one of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and
approved by KeyCorp's counsel.

KeyCorp, as sponsor,  may amend or discontinue this prototype plan document upon
proper notification to all adopting Employers pursuant to Revenue Ruling 89-13.

Failure   to   properly   fill  out  an   Adoption   Agreement   may  result  in
disqualification  of the Plan, and adverse tax  consequences to the Employer and
Plan Participants.

This Plan is sponsored by:

   KeyCorp, on behalf of its operating subsidiaries, banking and trust company 
   affiliates
   127 Public Square
   Cleveland, Ohio  44114
   (800) 982-3811

<PAGE>

In Witness  Whereof,  the  Employer and the Trustee,  by their  respective  duly
authorized officers,  have caused this Adoption Agreement to be executed on this
7th day of April, 1998.


Employer:  Helix Technology Corporation
 

By:       /s/ Michael El-Hillow
          ---------------------
          Michael El-Hillow
Title:    Senior Vice President and CFO

Trustee:  Key Trust Company of Ohio, NA

 
By:       /s/Michael Olah
          ---------------------
          Michael Olah
Title:    V.P.

            and

By:       /s/Anthony Feora
          ----------------------
          Anthony Feora



Approved on Behalf of Trustee:

                                Initials:   /s/M.O.     Date:  4/7/98
                                            -------
                                            M.O.





                           Investment Fund Designation
<PAGE>

Helix  Technology  Corporation  (the  "Named  Fiduciary"),   as  an  independent
fiduciary with respect to the Helix Technology Corporation Employee Savings Plan
& Trust (the "Plan"), an employee pension benefit plan covered by the applicable
provisions of the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA") and its employees who participate therein (the "Participants"), hereby
designates the following investment funds from among the investment fund options
available for adopting employers of the PRISM Prototype  Retirement Plan & Trust
(as  defined  in  Section  10.7  of  the  Plan),   available  for  selection  by
Participants for the investment of Plan assets held for their benefit:

              (a)   EB MaGIC Fund
              (b)   Fidelity ContraFund
              (c)   Fidelity Magellan Fund
              (d)   The American Funds Group: American Balanced Fund
              (e)   The Victory International Growth Fund: Class A
              (f)   Helix Technology Corporation
              (g)
              (h)
              (i)
              (j)
              (k)
              (l)
              (m)

The plan assets are currently  invested in the funds more fully  described below
(Existing  Funds).  The Named Fiduciary  further  designates that assets held in
each of the Existing Funds by the Plan prior to liquidation  and transfer to the
Trustee shall be reinvested in the PRISM Fund(s) as specified below:

      Existing Funds:                           PRISM Funds:
 (a)                                (a)   EB MaGIC Fund
 (b)                                (b)   Fidelity ContraFund
 (c)                                (c)   Fidelity Magellan Fund
 (d)                                (d)   The American Funds Group: American 
                                          Balanced Fund
 (e)                                (e)   The Victory International Growth Fund:
                                          Class A
 (f)                                (f)   Helix Technology Corporation
 (g)                                (g)
 (h)                                (h)
 (i)                                (i)
 (j)                                (j)
 (k)                                (k)
 (l)                                (l)
 (m)                                (m)
  X  In addition, if selected, an Employer Stock Fund will also be available.

(EBMaGIC,  Fidelity  Magellan  and  The  American  Funds  Group  are  registered
trademarks.)



<PAGE>

In making the selection of Investment  Funds, and in designating the PRISM Funds
into  which the  liquidated  assets  from  each of the  Existing  Funds  will be
invested in, the Named Fiduciary hereby confirms and acknowledges that:

The Named Fiduciary has had made available to it copies of the  prospectuses (to
the extent required under applicable  federal securities law and regulation) for
each investment fund available for selection by adopting  employers of the PRISM
Prototype  Retirement  Plan &  Trust,  and has  received  copies  of  each  such
prospectus for the Investment Funds selected;  The Named Fiduciary  acknowledges
that the Trustee of the Plan may receive  certain fees for services  provide to,
or on behalf of an  Investment  Fund, or the sponsors or  distributors  thereof,
pursuant to plans of  distribution  adopted by the fund under the  provisions of
Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and further  acknowledges that
(i) such fee, if paid, is  appropriate  for services  rendered to the fund,  and
when aggregated  with other fees for service payable to the Trustee  constitutes
reasonable  compensation  for the Trustee's  services to the Plan;  and (ii) the
Plan  will be  able to  redeem  its  interest  in any  such  Investment  Fund on
reasonably short notice without penalty;
The Named  Fiduciary  further  acknowledges  that it has selected the Investment
Funds on its  determination,  after due inquiry,  that the Investment  Funds are
appropriate  vehicles for the investment of Plan assets pursuant to the terms of
the Plan,  considering all relevant facts and  circumstances,  including but not
limited to (i) the  investment  policy  and  philosophy  of the Named  Fiduciary
developed  pursuant  to ERISA 404;  (ii) the ability of  Participants,  using an
appropriate mix of Investment  Funds, to diversify the investment of Plan assets
held for their benefit;  and, (iii) the ability of Participants to, utilizing an
appropriate mix of Investment Funds, to structure an investment portfolio within
their account in the Plan with risk and return characteristics within the normal
range of risk and return characteristics for individuals with similar investment
backgrounds, experience and expectations; and,
The Named Fiduciary  acknowledges that it has not relied on any  representations
or  recommendations  from the Trustee or any of its  employees in selecting  the
Investment  Funds, or in specifying which of the selected PRISM Funds into which
the liquidated assets from each of the Existing Funds will be invested.
<PAGE>

The Trustee  agrees to follow the Named  Fiduciary's  direction  with respect to
offering the Investment Funds available for selection by the Participants in the
Plan for the investment of Plan assets held for their benefit:

In Witness Whereof,  the Employer,  by its duly authorized  representative,  has
executed  this document in  connection  with adoption of the Plan  utilizing the
PRISM Prototype Retirement Plan & Trust documents, as provided by the Trustee.


                       Named Fiduciary:  Helix Technology Corporation



 
  By:     /s/Michael El-Hillow
          --------------------
          Michael El-Hillow

  Title:  Senior Vice President and CFO

<PAGE>


        <F1>   Footnotes  in this  Adoption  Agreement  are not to be  construed
as part of the  Plan  provisions  but are  explanatory  only.  To the  extent  a
footnote  is  inconsistent  with the  provisions  of the Basic Plan  Document or
applicable law, the provisions of the Plan shall be construed in conformity with
the Basic Plan Document or law.

        <F2>   Terms that are capitalized are defined in the PRISM Prototype 
Retirement Plan & Trust Basic Plan Document.

        <F3>   The Plan will have an individual TIN, distinct from the Employer
TIN.

        <F4>   Committee  members  direct  the  day to day  operation  of the 
Plan. Committee members serve at the pleasure of the Employer.  See Section 11.4
for changes in Committee membership.  If no Committee members are specified, the
Employer shall assume responsibility for the operations of the Plan.

        <F5>   If no amount is  specified,  the maximum  amount of  Compensation
allowed under Code Section  401(a)(17)(the  "$150,000 limit"  ("$200,000  limit"
prior to the Plan Year beginning before January 1, 1994)), as adjusted from time
to time, shall be used.

        <F6>   If a fractional  year is elected,  the elapsed time method of
computing service shall be used for the fractional year.  Eligibility provisions
for  optional  cash or deferred  arrangements  are  contained  in Item C of this
Adoption Agreement.

        <F7>   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,   an  Employee  who has  met the
eligibility  requirements may not enter the Plan later than six months following
the date on which the Employee first completes the eligibility requirements.

        <F8>   Notwithstanding  the selection made in this Item B(7)(a), a 
participant shall be fully vested in his or her Employer  Contribution  Accounts
if the Participant dies or becomes Disabled while in the employ of the Employer.

        <F9>   If more than one Year of Service is an eligibility  requirement, 
Item viii must be selected.

        <F10>  The  provisions  of this  section  will be  administered  by the
Employer on a consistent and nondiscriminatory basis.

        <F11>  Amounts  designated as Qualified  Nonelective  Contributions will
be allocated pursuant to Section 3.1(A)(14) of the Basic Plan Document.

        <F12>  In the event contributions are allocated  on a basis  other  than
a full plan year,  the Year of Service shall be based on the elapsed time method
of  calculation,  and a  Participant  shall  be  deemed  to  have  completed  an
appropriate  Period of Service for allocation  purposes if the  Participant  has
completed a pro-rata  Period of Service  corresponding  to the interval on which
contributions are allocated.
<PAGE>

        <F13>  Excess  Compensation  means  a  Participant's  Compensation  in 
excess of the Permitted  Disparity Level specified in the Definitions section of
this Adoption Agreement.

        <F14>  Even if this Item  is  selected,  the  provisions  of Section 4.8
of the Basic Plan  Document  may  supersede  this  requirement  if  necessary to
satisfy Code Sections 401(a)(26) and 410(b).

        <F15>  If this option is  selected,  iii  or  iv  must  be  selected  to
reallocate Forfeitures of Employer Profit Sharing Contributions  remaining after
expenses of administering the Plan have been paid.

        <F16>  This Item is for use in identifying collective trust funds, 
which, pursuant to Revenue Ruling 81-100 must be specifically  referenced in the
Plan.  Actual Investment Funds are referenced on the Investment Fund Designation
form attached to this Adoption Agreement.

        <F17>  If this option is selected,  the Employer must establish 
appropriate procedures for implementation of the Plan's loan program.

        <F18>  The date  specified  is for the refund of amount  deferred in 
excess of the Code Section 402(g) limit (the $7,000 limit) for the Participant's
taxable year.

        <F19>  The Employer  shall have the right to designate  all, or any 
portion of Employer Matching Contributions as Qualified Matching  Contributions,
which shall then be subject to the same vesting,  distribution,  and  withdrawal
restrictions as Before Tax Contributions.

        <F20>  Net  Profits will  never be  required  for  the  contribution  of
Before  Tax  Contributions,  After  Tax  Contributions,   Qualified  Nonelective
Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions.

        <F21>  Notwithstanding  anything in the Adoption Agreement to the 
contrary,  amounts  in  a  Participant's  account  attributable  to  Before  Tax
Contributions,  Qualified  Nonelective  Contributions,  and  Qualified  Matching
Contributions shall be 100% vested and nonforfeitable at all time.

        <F22>  Notwithstanding  the selection made in this item B(7)(b), a 
Participant shall be fully vested in his or her Employer  Contribution  Accounts
if the Participant dies or becomes Disabled while in the employ of the Employer.

        <F23>  The  provisions  of this  section  will be  administered  by the
Employer on a consistent and nondiscriminatory basis.


<PAGE>


                          Helix Technology Corporation
                          Employee Savings Plan & Trust

                                    Addendum

The following  items are in explanation or expansion of certain items  contained
on the Adoption Agreement or in the Basic Plan Document:

Item B(13):  411(d)(6) Protected Benefits:

Notwithstanding  anything  in the Plan to the  contrary,  pursuant to 7.8 of the
Plan, the following are 411(d)(6) protected benefits which shall be preserved in
the Plan and be available as options to the Participants:

Optional Form of Benefit Distribution

In addition to a lump sum payment,  Participants' benefit distributions shall be
payable by the purchase of a non-transferable fixed or variable annuity contract
that provides fixed income or fixed period payments.

Withdrawal  of Amounts  Attributable  to  After-Tax  Contributions  and  Company
Matching Contributions

A  Participant  may elect to withdraw  all or a portion of the then value of his
Participant  Account  attributable to his After-Tax  Contributions  and his vest
Company Matching  Contributions as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next
following the date such written  request is received by the Benefits  Committee;
provided, however, that:

      (a)   No  withdrawal  will be permitted  unless the amount to be withdrawn
is at least $350 or 100% of the then value of his  After-Tax  Contributions  and
vested Company Matching Contributions if less than $350;
      (b)   Any   withdrawal   under  this   addendum  will  require  a  
suspension of the  Participant's  Before-Tax and After-Tax  Contributions  for a
period of three months following the effective date of the withdrawal;
      (c)   In no event will a Participant be permitted to withdraw After-Tax
Contributions or vested Company Matching  Contributions held less than two years
except in the event of a hardship  (such as an accident,  sickness,  disability,
education of himself or immediate family,  purchase or capital  improvement to a
primary residence) approved by the Benefits Committee;
      (d)   Such  request  is  received  30 days prior to the  Valuation  Date
unless such advance  notice is waived by the Benefits  Committee.  The amount so
withdrawn  shall be paid to the  Participant as soon as practicable  thereafter;
and
      (e)   Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,  any  withdrawals
made from a Participant's  Account  attributable to his After-Tax  Contributions
shall be made  first  from  that  portion  of his  Account  attributable  to his
After-Tax   Contributions  made  prior  to  January  1,  1987,  until  all  such
contributions  have been  withdrawn,  and then from the  portion of his  Account
attributable to such  contributions  made after December 31, 1986. In any event,
withdrawals from a Participant's Account attributable to After-Tax Contributions
and earnings thereon shall be made in a manner in which corresponds with the tax
treatment of the withdrawal under the Code.
<PAGE>


For purposes of this section,  the Benefits Committee shall determine in its
sole  discretion  whether a financial  hardship  exists to warrant a withdrawal,
and, if such hardship exists, the amount of the withdrawal necessary to meet the
hardship.

All other provisions of the Plan shall be unaffected by this addendum,  which
shall be given  force  and  effect  only to the  extent  necessary  to  preserve
411(d)(6)  protected  benefits  consistent  with the  provisions of the Code and
regulations issued thereunder.

Item B(15)(b)(i) - Investments Employer Stock Fund:

A Participant  will have the right ,  notwithstanding  any other  provisions of 
the Plan,  to direct  that all or any  portion of the Plan assets held for their
benefit and invested in the Employer Stock Fund be diversified  upon  attainment
of age 58.

Item B(15)(d) - Investments:

Participants  shall be restricted in making changes of existing account balances
attributable to assets held for their benefit and invested in the Employer Stock
Fund.

Item B(15)(f) - Investments:

Employer   Discretionary   Matching   Contributions   made  on  behalf  of  Plan
Participants will be invested in Employer Stock Fund.



Item C(7)(b) - In - Service Distributions:

Participants  will be restricted from receiving an in - service  distribution of
their  account   balance   attributable  to  Employer   Discretionary   Matching
Contributions.


   


Exhibit 21. Subsidiaries of the Registrant


                                                           Percentage of Voting
Subsidiary                      Place Organized              Securities Owned

Helix Securities
Corporation                     Massachusetts                  Wholly owned

CTI-Cryogenics, Inc.            Barbados                       Wholly owned

CTI-Cryogenics Ltd.             England                        Wholly owned

CTI-Cryogenics SA               France                         Wholly owned

CTI-Cryogenics GmbH             Germany                        Wholly owned

Helix Technology KK             Japan                          Wholly owned

Granville-Phillips Company      Washington                     Wholly owned





 


Exhibit 23. Consent of Experts and Counsel


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




To The Board Of Directors and Stockholders
of Helix Technology Corporation:


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration  statement
of Helix  Technology  Corporation on Form S-8 (File No.  2-83974) of our reports
dated January 29, 1999, on our audits of the consolidated  financial  statements
and financial statement schedules of Helix Technology Corporation as of December
31, 1998 and 1997,  and for the years ended  December 31,  1998,  1997 and 1996,
which reports are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- -----------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 17, 1999





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<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         8,843
<SECURITIES>                                   18,152
<RECEIVABLES>                                  10,011
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (228)
<INVENTORY>                                    14,811
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<DEPRECIATION>                                 (25,990)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 75,652
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          12,284
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
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<OTHER-SE>                                     41,049
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   75,652
<SALES>                                        95,345
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<CGS>                                          57,373
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  42,733
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (2,191)
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<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,920)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.09)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.09)
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         34,717
<SECURITIES>                                   3,675
<RECEIVABLES>                                  18,425
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (240)
<INVENTORY>                                    15,371
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               77,301
<PP&E>                                         34,252
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (22,109)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 96,219
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          16,524
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       22,213
<OTHER-SE>                                     57,482
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   96,219
<SALES>                                        157,076
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               157,076
<CGS>                                          81,325
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  42,431
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (3,498)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
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<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            25,544
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<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   25,544
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.14
        


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