Mecklenburg North Carolina Restricted Stock Plan of Guilford Mills, Inc. is an executive compensation program that offers certain employees of Guilford Mills, Inc. the opportunity to purchase or receive company's stock. It is a type of equity compensation plan designed to incentivize and retain key employees by providing them with ownership in the company. Under the Mecklenburg North Carolina Restricted Stock Plan, eligible employees are granted restricted stock units (RSS) or restricted stock awards (SAS). RSS and SAS are forms of equity compensation that provide employees with the right to receive company shares after a certain vesting period. The RSU variant of the plan grants employees the right to receive a certain number of company shares in the future, typically after a specified period of time or upon meeting certain performance goals. During the vesting period, the RSS are considered "restricted" and cannot be sold or transferred. Once fully vested, the shares are converted into common stock, and the employee has the option to sell them or hold onto them as an investment. On the other hand, SAS grant employees actual ownership of company shares, subject to certain restrictions. Typically, these restrictions include a vesting period and forfeiture provisions that allow the company to repurchase the shares if the employee leaves the company before they are fully vested. The purpose of the Mecklenburg North Carolina Restricted Stock Plan is to link employee compensation to the company's performance and align employee interests with those of the shareholders. By providing employees with a stake in the company, it offers a long-term incentive to increase productivity and contribute to the company's success. Additionally, it helps attract and retain talented individuals by offering them the potential for significant financial gains as the company prospers. Overall, the Mecklenburg North Carolina Restricted Stock Plan of Guilford Mills, Inc. represents a valuable employee benefit program that promotes loyalty, motivation, and commitment to the company's growth. It offers employees the opportunity to directly participate in the company's success and potentially realize substantial financial rewards.