def14a
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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LINDSAY CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
January 25, 2010
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lindsay Corporation (the Company) will be held at the
Companys corporate offices at 2222 North 111th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday,
January 25, 2010, at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, for the following purposes:
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To elect three (3) directors for terms ending in 2013. |
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To approve the Lindsay Corporation 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
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To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditor for the
Company for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2009. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
A Proxy Statement setting forth important information with respect to the election of the
director and the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors is enclosed with this
Notice of Annual Meeting.
Only stockholders holding shares of the Companys common stock of record at the close of
business on December 3, 2009 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
Stockholders, whether or not they expect to be present at the Annual Meeting, are requested to sign
and date the enclosed proxy, which is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors, and return it
promptly in the envelope enclosed for that purpose. Any person giving a proxy has the power to
revoke it at any time prior to the Annual Meeting, and stockholders who are present at the Annual
Meeting may withdraw their proxies and vote in person.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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/s/ Eric R. Arneson
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Eric R. Arneson, Secretary |
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Omaha, Nebraska
December 21, 2009
IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION
FOR PROXIES TO ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual
Meeting of
Stockholders to be Held on January 25, 2010.
The Proxy Statement for this Annual Meeting
and Annual Report
are available online at http://www.lindsayannualmeeting.com.
LINDSAY CORPORATION
PROXY
STATEMENT
for
2010
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lindsay Corporation (the Company) to be held on Monday,
January 25, 2010, at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice
of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Only record holders of the Companys common stock at the close
of business on December 3, 2009 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company and is
revocable at any time before it is exercised by written notice of revocation delivered to the
Secretary of the Company or by filing a later dated proxy with him. Furthermore, stockholders who
are present at the Annual Meeting may withdraw their proxies and vote in person. All shares of the
Companys common stock represented by properly executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted by the
Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the directions given therein. Where no
instructions are indicated, proxies will be voted FOR each of the proposals set forth in this
Proxy Statement for consideration at the Annual Meeting. Shares of common stock entitled to vote
and represented by properly executed, returned and unrevoked proxies will be considered present at
the Annual Meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum, including shares with respect to which
votes are withheld, abstentions are cast or there are broker nonvotes.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 2222 North 111th
Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68164.
This Proxy Statement and the proxy cards are first being mailed to stockholders on or about
December 23, 2009.
Voting Securities and Beneficial Ownership
Thereof by Principal Stockholders, Directors and Officers
At the record date, there were 12,410,448 shares of the Companys common stock issued and
outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote upon each matter to be voted on at
the Annual Meeting. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate votes with respect to the
election of directors.
The following table sets forth, as of December 3, 2009, the beneficial ownership of the
Companys common stock by each director, by each nominee to become a director, by each of the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the Named Executive Officers), and by
all current executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. The shares beneficially
owned by executive officers and directors of the Company represent approximately 1.4% of the total
shares outstanding on the record date and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Board of
Directors believes that all of these shares will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be voted
FOR each proposal being considered at the Annual Meeting. In addition, executive officers,
directors and nominees to become a director are deemed to beneficially own shares which they may
acquire upon the exercise of vested stock options or options that will vest within 60 days of the
record date. These shares are not outstanding and may not be voted at the Annual Meeting. The
following table also sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Companys common stock by each
other stockholder believed by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding
shares of the Companys common stock based on a review of a report obtained from a third-party
market analyst reviewing Schedule 13F reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for
the quarter ending September 30, 2009 with respect to the Companys common stock.
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Number of Shares |
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Percent |
Name |
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Beneficially Owned(1) |
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of Class |
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Directors and Executive Officers |
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Howard G. Buffett, Director |
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34,721 |
(2) |
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Michael N. Christodolou, Director and Chairman of the Board |
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20,487 |
(2) |
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* |
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W. Thomas Jagodinski, Director |
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1,407 |
(2) |
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* |
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J. David McIntosh, Director |
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16,352 |
(2) |
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* |
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Michael C. Nahl, Director |
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11,316 |
(2) |
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* |
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Michael D. Walter, Director |
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2,499 |
(2) |
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* |
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William F. Welsh II, Director |
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27,266 |
(2) |
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* |
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Richard W. Parod, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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282,807 |
(2) |
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2.2 |
% |
David B. Downing, Chief Financial Officer and President
International |
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28,062 |
(2) |
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* |
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Timothy J. Paymal, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer |
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4,356 |
(2) |
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* |
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Barry A. Ruffalo, President Irrigation |
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1,781 |
(2) |
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* |
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Thomas D. Spears, President Infrastructure |
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653 |
(2) |
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All current executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons) |
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431,707 |
(2) |
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3.4 |
% |
Other Stockholders |
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Neuberger Berman, LLC (3). |
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1,658,255 |
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13.4 |
% |
INVESCO PowerShares Capital Management LLC (4) |
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1,132,255 |
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9.1 |
% |
Barclays Global Investors NA (5). |
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837,932 |
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6.8 |
% |
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Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Companys common stock. |
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Each stockholder not shown as being a part of a group owns all outstanding shares
directly and has sole voting and investment power over such shares, or shares such power with
a spouse. The number of shares shown for stockholders reporting ownership as part of a group
represents the total number of shares over which any member of the group has sole or shared
voting or investment power. |
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Includes 15,186; 1,013; 0; 10,124; 7,088; 0; 3,038; 191,000; 22,500; 2,400; 0; 0 and
252,349 shares which may be acquired currently or within 60 days of December 3, 2009 pursuant
to the exercise of options by Messrs. Buffett, Christodolou, Jagodinski, McIntosh, Nahl,
Walter, Welsh, Parod, Downing, Paymal, Ruffalo, Spears and the current executive officers and
directors as a group, respectively. |
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The address for this stockholder is 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158-3698. |
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The address for this stockholder is 301 West Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187-5053. |
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The address for this stockholder is 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-2228. |
2
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission require the Company to disclose the
identity of directors and executive officers and of beneficial owners of more than 10% of the
Companys common stock who did not file on a timely basis reports required by Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based solely on review of copies of those reports
received by the Company, or written representations from reporting persons, the Company believes
that all directors, executive officers and 10% beneficial owners complied with all filing
requirements applicable to them during the Companys fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Companys Bylaws require that the Board of Directors be divided into three classes that
are elected to the Board on a staggered basis for three year terms. At the Annual Meeting, the
terms of three directors will terminate and stockholders will be voting on nominees to fill these
three positions on the Board. Accordingly, the Board of Directors, upon recommendations made by
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, has nominated Howard G. Buffett, Michael C. Nahl
and William F. Welsh II to serve as directors for terms ending in 2013. Messrs. Buffett, Nahl and
Welsh are current directors of the Company. Each of Messrs. Buffett, Nahl and Welsh has expressed
an intention to serve, if elected, and the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of them
might be unavailable to continue to serve, if elected. There are no arrangements or understandings
between Messrs. Buffett, Nahl and Welsh and any other person pursuant to which they were nominated
to serve on the Board of Directors.
The election of a director requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present
in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote. Consequently, votes
withheld and broker nonvotes with respect to the election of directors will have no impact on the
election of directors. Proxies submitted pursuant to this solicitation will be voted, unless
specified otherwise, for the election of Messrs. Buffett, Nahl and Welsh. If any of Messrs.
Buffett, Nahl and Welsh is unable to serve, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be
voted for the election of such substitute nominee as the Corporate Governance and Nomination
Committee may recommend to the Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF MESSRS. BUFFETT,
NAHL AND WELSH AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY WITH TERMS ENDING IN 2013.
3
Board of Directors and Committees
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors of the Company.
The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Buffett, Nahl, Welsh, Christodolou,
Jagodinski, McIntosh and Walter are independent directors of the Company under the listing
standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. All members of the Board of Directors have held
the positions with the companies (or their predecessors) set forth under Principal Occupation for
at least five years, unless otherwise indicated.
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Principal |
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Director |
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Term To |
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Occupation |
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Since |
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NOMINEES
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Howard G. Buffett |
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54 |
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President of Buffett Farms and President of the |
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Howard G. Buffett Foundation (1) |
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1995 |
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2010 |
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Michael C. Nahl |
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67 |
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Retired Executive Vice President and Chief |
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Financial Officer of Albany International Corp.(2) |
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2003 |
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2010 |
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William F. Welsh II |
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68 |
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Retired Chairman of Election Systems & Software, |
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Inc. (3) |
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2001 |
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2010 |
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DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
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Michael N. Christodolou |
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48 |
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Founder and Manager of Inwood Capital Management, |
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L.L.C. (4) |
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1999 |
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2011 |
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W. Thomas Jagodinski |
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53 |
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Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of |
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Delta and Pine Land Company (5) |
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2008 |
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2011 |
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J. David McIntosh |
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66 |
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Retired Executive Vice President of The Toro |
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Company (6) |
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2002 |
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2011 |
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Richard W. Parod |
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56 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer of Lindsay |
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Corporation(7) |
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2000 |
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2012 |
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Michael D. Walter |
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60 |
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President of Mike Walter & Associates (8) |
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2009 |
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2012 |
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Mr. Buffett also serves as a director of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. |
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In September 2009, Mr. Nahl retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Albany International Corp. Mr. Nahl joined Albany International Corp. in 1981 as Group
Vice President, Corporate, served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1983 to
2005 and was appointed as Executive Vice President in 2005. Mr. Nahl is a director of GrafTech
International Ltd. and serves on the Regional Advisory Board of JP Morgan Chase & Co. |
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From 1995 to 2002, Mr. Welsh was President and Chief Executive Officer of Election
Systems & Software, Inc. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Welsh served as Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Election Systems & Software. Mr. Welsh is Chairman and a director of Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. |
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Mr. Christodolou founded Inwood Capital Management, L.L.C. in May 2000. From 1988
to 1999, Mr. Christodolou was employed by Barbnet Investment Co., formerly Taylor & Co., an
investment consulting firm providing services to certain entities associated with members of the
Bass family of Fort Worth, Texas. |
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Mr. Jagodinski was President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Delta and Pine
Land Company from September 2002 until June 2007 when the company was acquired by Monsanto Company.
From 1991 to 2002, he served in various executive roles at Delta and Pine Land Company including
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Jagodinski currently serves on
the Board of Directors of Solutia Inc. and Phosphate Holdings, Inc. |
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Mr. McIntosh served as Group Vice President of Professional and International
Business Divisions of The Toro Company from 1996 until August 1998 when he was appointed Executive
Vice President. Mr. McIntosh had been employed by The Toro Company for 26 years prior to retiring
on January 31, 2002. Mr. McIntosh currently serves on the Board of Directors for Health Tech
Solutions, Inc. |
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Prior to joining the Company in April of 2000, Mr. Parod was the Vice President and
General Manager of Toro Irrigation, a division of The Toro Company, from 1997 to March 2000. From
1993 to 1997, he was an executive officer of James Hardie Irrigation, serving as President from
1994 to 1997. |
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Mr. Walter served in various leadership positions with ConAgra Foods, most recently
as Senior Vice President, Economic & Commercial Affairs, before founding the Mike Walter &
Associates consulting firm in 2006. Mr. Walter also serves as President of the Commodity Markets
Council based in Washington D.C and serves on the Board of Directors of AgroTech Foods (India) and
European Oat Millers (UK). |
4
Information regarding executive officers of the Company is found in the Companys Annual
Report which has been supplied with this Proxy Statement.
Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors operates pursuant to the provisions of the Companys certificate of
incorporation and Bylaws as well as a set of Corporate Governance Principles which address a number
of items, including the qualifications for serving as a director, the responsibilities of directors
and board committees and the compensation of directors. The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical
Conduct that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal
Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, as required by Section 406 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act
of 2002. Additionally, the Company maintains a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all persons
associated with the Company, including its directors, officers and employees, that complies with
the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. Both of these codes and the
Companys Corporate Governance Principles are available on the Companys website at
http://www.lindsay.com and are available in print to any stockholder who submits a request in
writing to the Secretary of the Company.
The Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings and actions taken by written
consent in lieu of meetings. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, the Board of Directors
held twelve meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of
Directors and of the committees of the Board of Directors on which he served during fiscal 2009.
The Companys independent directors normally meet in executive session at each regularly
scheduled Board meeting. The Chairman of the Board, currently Mr. Christodolou, an independent
director, serves as the presiding director at each executive session of the independent directors.
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee. The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of
Directors in the oversight of (i) the integrity of the Companys financial statements, (ii) the
Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditors
qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of the Companys internal audit function.
The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting, compensating and evaluating the Companys
independent auditor. Specific functions performed by the Audit Committee include reviewing
periodically with the independent auditor the performance of the services for which they are
engaged, reviewing the scope of the annual audit and its results, reviewing the Companys annual
financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent
auditor, reviewing the scope and results of the Companys internal auditing function, and
reviewing the adequacy of the Companys internal accounting controls with management and the
independent auditor. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of
Directors which is available on the Companys website at http://www.lindsay.com and is available in
print to any stockholder who submits a request in writing to the Secretary of the Company. The
charter meets the requirements of the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Directors Jagodinski (Chairman), Christodolou, Nahl,
Walter and Welsh, each of whom has been determined to be independent by the Board of Directors
under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and under the listing standards adopted
by the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that each of
Messrs. Christodolou, Jagodinski, Nahl, Walter and Welsh qualify as an audit committee financial
expert under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee held ten meetings
during fiscal 2009.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the Companys
compensation policies, benefit plans, employment agreements, salary levels, bonus payments, and
awards pursuant to the Companys management incentive plans for its executive officers and other
elected officers. The Compensation Committee approves all individual grants and awards under the
Companys long-term equity incentive plans. It also reviews compensation for non-employee
directors and recommends changes to the Board. The Compensation Committee is specifically
responsible for determining the compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer and conducts
an annual performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer. The Companys Chief Executive
Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the compensation paid to
executive officers and other elected officers. However, the final authority for setting executive
officer compensation rests with
5
the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to delegate specific
responsibilities to the Committee Chair, any other Committee member(s) or subcommittees as the
Compensation Committee may establish from time to time.
The Compensation Committee has periodically retained an external compensation consulting firm,
Mercer (US), Inc. (Mercer), to assist and advise it on particular matters. Mercer is engaged
directly by the Compensation Committee, but its fees are paid by the Company. The nature and scope
of Mercers engagement with respect to the Compensation Committees decisions regarding executive
and director compensation during fiscal 2009 are described under Compensation Discussion and
Analysis found later in this Proxy Statement.
The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors
which is available on the Companys website at http://www.lindsay.com and is available in print to
any stockholder who submits a request in writing to the Secretary of the Company. The charter
meets the requirements of the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. The
Compensation Committee is comprised of Directors Welsh (Chairman), Christodolou, McIntosh and
Walter, each of whom has been determined to be independent by the Board of Directors under the
listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee held nine meetings during
fiscal 2009.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors of persons to serve
as directors of the Company and as chairmen and members of committees of the Board of Directors and
for reviewing and recommending changes in the general Corporate Governance Principles of the
Company. It also oversees the annual evaluation by the Board of Directors to determine whether the
Board and its committees are functioning effectively. The Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors which is available on
the Companys website at http://www.lindsay.com and is available in print to any stockholder who
submits a request in writing to the Secretary of the Company. The charter meets the requirements
of the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies nominees to serve as a director
of the Company primarily through suggestions made by directors and management. The Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee will consider director nominees for next years Annual Meeting
recommended by stockholders which are submitted in writing, complete with biographical and business
experience information regarding the nominee, to the Secretary of the Company by August 31, 2010.
Candidates for directors are evaluated based on their independence, character, judgment, diversity
of experience, financial or business acumen, ability to represent and act on behalf of all
stockholders, and the needs of the Board. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee uses
the same criteria to evaluate its own nominees for director as it does for persons nominated by
Company stockholders.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is comprised of Directors Christodolou
(Chairman), Buffett, McIntosh and Welsh, each of whom has been determined to be independent by the
Board of Directors under the listing standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. The
Committee held three meetings during fiscal 2009.
Related Party Transactions. The Board of Directors has adopted a written policy regarding the
review, approval or ratification of related party transactions. Under the policy, all such related
party transactions must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or ratified by the Audit Committee
if pre-approval is impracticable. Under the policy, certain transactions are excluded from the
definition of related party transaction, including (i) transactions available to all employees
generally, (ii) director and officer compensation approved by the Compensation Committee and/or
Board of Directors, as applicable, (iii) transactions in the ordinary course of the Companys
business that are on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable
products and services to unrelated third parties, and (iv) certain transactions with other
companies where the related partys only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive
officer), director or beneficial owner of less than 5% of that companys shares, if the aggregate
amount involved during the fiscal year does not exceed the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of that
companys total annual revenues. In determining whether to approve or ratify a related party
transaction, the Audit Committee will consider, among other factors, whether the terms of the
transaction are fair to the Company, whether the transaction would present an improper conflict of
interest for any director, officer or other related party, or whether the transaction would impair
the independence of an outside director. Any Audit Committee member who has an interest in a
transaction under discussion must abstain from voting on the proposed transaction.
6
There were no related party transactions in fiscal 2009.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Philosophy and Overview. The overall goal of the Companys compensation policy
is to maximize stockholder value by attracting, retaining and motivating the executive officers
that are critical to its long-term success. The Boards Compensation Committee (the Committee)
believes that executive compensation should be designed to promote both the short-term and
long-term economic goals of the Company. Accordingly, an important component of the Committees
compensation philosophy is to closely align the financial interests of the Companys executive
officers with those of the Companys stockholders. To that end, the Committee has determined that
the total compensation program for executive officers should consist of the following components:
|
|
|
Base salaries to reflect responsibility, experience, tenure and performance of key
executives, as well as the scarcity of qualified executives for key positions; |
|
|
|
|
Annual cash incentive awards to reward performance against short-term corporate,
business unit and/or individual objectives; |
|
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|
|
Long-term incentive compensation to emphasize longer-term strategic objectives and
align the interests of executives with those of stockholders; and |
|
|
|
|
Other benefits as appropriate to be competitive in the market place. |
It has been the intent of the Committee that executive salaries, target annual incentive
opportunities and target long-term incentive values be targeted at the median of manufacturing and
general industry companies of similar size to the Company (measured by annual revenues) for
comparable positions, based on available survey data, with variation due to differences in
executive skill levels and experience, the executives role and internal equity with other
positions and roles within the Company.
In September 2008, the Compensation Committee engaged the external consulting firm of Mercer
(US), Inc. (Mercer) to conduct a compensation study to assist the Committee in establishing
executive compensation for fiscal 2009. Among other things, the Mercer study provided the
Committee with compensation survey information to aid it in establishing the competitive market for
the Companys executive positions. The survey included compensation data from two published survey
sources, the 2008 Mercer US Global Premium Executive Suite and the 2007 Watson Wyatt Survey Report
on Top Management Compensation, which Mercer considered to be appropriate sources of compensation
data for use by the Committee. Where possible, Mercer used survey data targeting corporate or
incumbent revenue of one-half to two times that of the business unit of the Lindsay executive. In
total, over 120 companies were included in the compensation survey.
In addition to reviewing the compensation of executive officers against the competitive
market, the Committee also considers recommendations from the Companys President and Chief
Executive Officer regarding the total compensation for executive officers. The Committee also
considered the historical compensation of each executive officer, from both a total compensation
and a component by component basis, in setting the fiscal year 2009 compensation for the executive
officers.
The Committee is of the view that awards of annual and long-term incentive compensation
awarded to executive officers should be adjusted in the event of restatements of the Companys
financial results. Accordingly, the Committee has adopted a policy that allows recoupment or
repayment of annual and long-term compensation payments made to executive officers during the three
years preceding the restatement of Company financial statements to the extent such payments
exceeded the amounts that would have been payable based on the restated financial results.
Conversely, the policy allows for additional payments to the extent the amounts paid as annual and
long-term incentive payments received in the three years preceding a restatement of Company
financial statements were less than the amounts that would have been payable based on the restated
financial results.
2009 Executive Compensation Program. The Companys fiscal year 2009 compensation program for
its executive officers, including the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table
included in this Proxy Statement, consisted of four basic components, which are (i) base salary,
(ii) annual cash incentive awards, (iii) long-term incentive compensation and (iv) other employee
benefits. The purposes of each of these components of executive compensation, and the manner in
which compensation for fiscal 2009 under these components was
7
determined by the Committee for executive officers are as follows:
Base Salary. Base salaries are designed to provide executive officers with a competitive
level of fixed compensation that is commensurate with the executive officers individual
responsibility, experience, tenure and general performance of duties. Base salary levels are also
subject to competitive pressures faced by the Company for attracting and retaining qualified
executives to fill key positions in the different geographic regions where the Companys executives
reside. The Committee considers compensation survey information regarding base salary levels for
executive officers with comparable positions and responsibilities in similar companies in order to
maintain base salaries at competitive levels. In general, the Committee evaluates each executive
officers base salary on an annual basis to determine if an increase from the prior years base
salary is justified based on these criteria and considerations. In the case of Richard Parod, base
salary was initially established by the terms of his employment agreement and is subject to annual
increases as determined by the Committee.
In October 2008, the Committee established the base salaries for each of the Named Executive
Officers except for Mr. Spears whose base salary was established when he joined the Company in June
2009. With respect to the base salaries of Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Parod, the
Committee considered both the recommendations of Mr. Parod for salary adjustments as well as the
survey data presented by Mercer. Mr. Parod primarily made his recommendations for salary
adjustments based on individual performance and the Mercer report. The Committee also took note
that the recommended salaries were consistent with its policy of establishing base salary levels
for its executive officers at levels that approximate the median salaries paid to persons holding
comparable positions by manufacturing and general industry companies with annual revenues similar
to those of the Company. With respect to Mr. Parod, the Committee considered the information from
the Mercer survey, the Companys performance and Mr. Parods personal performance and concluded
that an increase in his base salary of approximately 10% was appropriate.
Annual Cash Incentive Awards. The Company paid annual cash incentive awards to its executive
officers under a Management Incentive Plan that was adopted by the Committee for fiscal 2009 (the
2009 MIP). The Company used annual cash payments under the 2009 MIP primarily to encourage its
executive officers to achieve specific short-term financial goals of the Company generally and, in
some cases, for achievement of the Companys financial results in certain market segments. In
addition, a portion of the annual cash incentives is designated to reward individual performance
objectives of each executive officer participating in the 2009 MIP. The Committee adopted the 2009
MIP and established the financial and individual goals for executive officers under the 2009 MIP
during the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
The financial performance component accounted for 80% of each Named Executive Officers
potential annual cash incentive. This component consisted of three subcomponents: revenue,
operating margin and average working capital to sales. For each of Messrs. Denman, Downing and
Ruffalo, the financial performance component was split equally between consolidated Company
financial performance and the financial performance (also based on revenue, operating margin and
average working capital to sales) of their respective business units. For purposes of the 2009
MIP, (i) revenue was defined as the Companys fiscal 2009 operating revenues, (ii) operating margin
was defined as the Companys fiscal 2009 operating income divided by fiscal 2009 operating
revenues, and (iii) average working capital to sales was defined to include two key components of
working capital: average month end inventories plus average month end accounts receivable divided
by fiscal 2009 operating revenues. The average working capital to sales subcomponent, which was
designed as a measure of the Companys utilization of its working capital, is calculated using the
average of an entire 12 months worth of information in order to reduce any distortion caused by the
seasonal nature of the Companys business. Each of the three subcomponents was calculated using
the Companys Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2009, net of any
effect of acquisitions made during fiscal 2009. The Committee chose to use revenue and operating
margin as the primary financial performance measures for determining annual cash incentive awards
under the 2009 MIP because it believed that the Named Executive Officers had significant influence
over these measures, that operating margin and revenue align the interests of officers with the
creation of stockholder value and that these measures are well understood by management and
stockholders. Accordingly, each of the revenue and operating margin subcomponents was assigned a
weighting of 40% by the Committee, while the average working capital to sales subcomponent was
assigned a weighting of 20% by the Committee. Considering the manufacturing nature of the
Companys business, the Committee felt that weighting 20% of the financial performance component
based on average working capital to sales would motivate the Named Executive Officers to properly
manage receivables and inventory in relationship to sales. Historically, the Committee had based
80% of the financial performance component on operating income. For fiscal 2009, the Committee
changed this portion of the financial performance
8
component to be based on the measure of two separate subcomponents: revenue and operating margin.
The Committee deemed these measures to be more effective in focusing management on maintaining
profitability in the event of a potential, significant decline in revenue due to the economic
recession, and to better align management with stockholder interests.
In general, the Committee seeks to establish target levels for financial performance goals
based on the Companys annual budget for the relevant fiscal year as approved by the Board of
Directors, at least in years when the budget anticipates an increase in the financial performance
measure over the previous fiscal year. The 2009 targets for revenue, operating margin and average
working capital to sales were $541.1 million, 13.6% and 27.5%, respectively. Each target
corresponds to the Companys operating budget for fiscal 2009. The targets established for
specific business units also corresponded to the fiscal 2009 operating budget. As noted above,
each target excludes the effect of any acquisitions made during fiscal 2009.
The Committee also approved the use of individual performance objectives to determine 20% of
the annual cash incentives under the 2009 MIP for each Named Executive Officer. These individual
performance objectives were approved by the Committee, based on recommendations by Mr. Parod, for
each Named Executive Officer according to his respective area of responsibility. Unlike the
financial performance measures described above, which the Committee viewed as short-term
performance measures, the individual performance objectives were designed to focus on goals or
initiatives that will create longer-term value for the Company. Depending on the officer, these
performance objectives relate to areas such as lean efficiency, market development, strategic
acquisitions, cost reduction and product development. Some of these individual performance
objectives are objective and depend upon the accomplishment of specific, measurable goals such as
cost reduction, increased sales or manufacturing efficiency ratios. Others are subjective in
nature, such as performance objectives tied to the strengthening of operational capabilities or the
creation and implementation of new sales and distribution channels.
The 2009 MIP established a target cash incentive amount for each Named Executive Officer (each
a Target Cash Incentive Award). Consistent with the prior year, the Target Cash Incentive Award
for Mr. Parod was set at 60% of his base salary. Also consistent with the prior year, the Target
Cash Incentive Award for each of Messrs. Denman, Downing and Ruffalo was set at 45% of his
respective base salary and the Target Cash Incentive Award for Mr. Paymal was set at 35% of his
base salary. In each case, a Target Cash Incentive Award represents the total cash incentive a
Named Executive Officer was entitled to receive if he had achieved 100% of the target levels under
the financial performance component and individual performance component established for such Named
Executive Officer under the 2009 MIP. Since he did not join the Company until the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2009, the Committee awarded Mr. Spears a guaranteed bonus of $15,000 in lieu of
participation in the 2009 MIP.
Under the 2009 MIP, a Named Executive Officer could earn a portion of his Target Cash
Incentive Award if he achieved at least a threshold level of performance for any of the financial
or individual performance components. Separate calculations were performed to determine the payout
earned under the financial performance component and the individual performance component, and
those two components are then added together to determine the final cash incentive awarded to a
Named Executive Officer. The financial performance subcomponents are calculated according to a
scale that provides varying percentage payouts for threshold, intermediate, target and
maximum performance levels. If the Company fails to meet the threshold performance level for a
specific financial performance subcomponent, then that Named Executive Officer will receive no
payout under that specific subcomponent. Percentage payouts between the threshold, intermediate,
target and maximum levels are linearly interpolated for each financial performance subcomponent.
The following performance levels trigger the following percentage awards (calculated as a
percentage of the Target Cash Incentive Award available under the overall Company financial
performance component):
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Average |
|
Percentage of Target Cash Incentive |
|
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|
Operating |
|
Working Capital |
|
Award Available for Financial |
|
|
Revenue (40%) |
|
Margin (40%) |
|
to Sales (20%) |
|
Performance Subcomponent |
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|
Threshold |
|
$270.5 million |
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
31.5 |
% |
|
|
15 |
% |
Intermediate |
|
$405.8 million |
|
|
10.2 |
% |
|
|
29.5 |
% |
|
|
75 |
% |
Target |
|
$541.1 million |
|
|
13.6 |
% |
|
|
27.5 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
Maximum |
|
$811.6 million |
|
|
15.7 |
% |
|
|
23.5 |
% |
|
|
200 |
% |
9
Likewise, the cash incentive awarded under the individual performance component is calculated
according to a scale providing the following percentage awards (calculated as a percentage of the
Target Cash Incentive Award available under the individual performance component):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of Target Cash Incentive Award |
Performance Level |
|
Available for Individual Component |
|
|
|
|
|
Does not meet objectives |
|
|
0 |
% |
Meets some objectives |
|
|
50 |
% |
Meets most objectives |
|
|
75 |
% |
Meets all objectives |
|
|
100 |
% |
Exceeds objectives |
|
|
150 |
% |
Significantly exceeds objectives |
|
|
200 |
% |
Both the financial and individual performance component calculations offer a range of payouts
for performance that exceeds or falls short of the target level. The Committee believes that this
not only provides an incentive to executives to achieve performance that exceeds expectations, but
it also provides constant motivation during down cycles. By rewarding a range of performance, the
Committee hoped to partially counteract the cyclical nature of the Companys business. Likewise,
the receipt of an award under one component or subcomponent is not contingent upon meeting a
certain performance standard under the other component or subcomponents. For example, an executive
who has met all of his individual performance objectives would still receive a payout under the
individual component even if the Company failed to meet the threshold financial performance
objectives. Similarly, an executive may receive a payout if the threshold level is met for a
specific financial performance subcomponent even if the executive failed to meet his or her
individual performance objectives and/or the Company failed to meet the threshold levels for the
other financial performance subcomponents. If any sort of unplanned event should arise, the 2009
MIP gives the Committee the discretion to change the rules, standards or procedures affecting a
Named Executive Officers incentive payouts under the plan. The following example demonstrates how
a hypothetical executive officers annual cash incentive payment was calculated under the 2009 MIP:
An officer receiving a base salary of $260,000 (with a target incentive percentage of 45% of his
base salary) would be eligible for a Target Cash Incentive Award of $117,000. $93,600 of that
amount would be attributable to the Companys financial performance component (80% of the Target
Cash Incentive Award), whereas $23,400 of that amount would be attributable to the officers
individual performance component (20% of the Target Cash Incentive Award). If the Company
generated revenues of $405.8 million, operating margin of 6.8%, an average working capital to sales
ratio of 32.5%, and the officer met all of his individual performance objectives, he would receive
a total cash incentive payout of $57,096, calculated as follows:
Company Financial Performance Component: $28,080A + $5,616B + $0C
= $33,696
A Revenue Subcomponent: $93,600 * 0.40 *0.75 performance multiplier
B Operating Margin Subcomponent: $93,600 * 0.40 *0.15 performance multiplier
C Average Working Capital to Sales Subcomponent: $93,600 * 0.20 *0.00 performance
multiplier
Individual Performance Component: $23,400 X 100% performance multiplier = $23,400
Total Cash Incentive Awarded: $33,696 + $23,400 = $57,096
During fiscal 2009, for purposes of the 2009 MIP, the Company recorded revenue of $328.8
million, operating margin of 6.84% and average working capital to sales of 37.8%. Each of these
figures were adjusted to eliminate the effect of an anticipated disposition of revenue generating
assets which did not occur during fiscal 2009. The results of operations from these assets were
not included in the fiscal 2009 operating budget and therefore were not considered when
establishing target levels for each financial performance subcomponent. Accordingly, each
subcomponent was adjusted to eliminate the effect of the results of operations from these assets.
Based on these results, the overall Company Financial Performance Component payout percentage was
22.6% based on subcomponent payout percentages of 41%, 16% and 0% for each of the revenue (40%),
operating margin (40%) and
10
average working capital to sales (20%) subcomponents, respectively. The payout percentage for
certain market financial performance components for Named Executive Officers ranged from 43.3% to
55.5%. At a meeting in October 2009, the Committee verified the attainment of these measures used
for the Financial Performance Component of the 2009 MIP. In addition, after the conclusion of
fiscal 2009, Mr. Parod recommended scores to the Committee for each Named Executive Officer under
the Individual Performance Component of the 2009 MIP. The Committee then discussed and approved
those scores, determining that the Named Executive Officers were entitled to performance
multipliers under the Individual Performance Component of the 2009 MIP ranging from 95% to 101.5%.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. The long-term incentive component is designed to reward the
achievement of longer-term strategic objectives and align the financial interests of the Companys
executive officers with those of the Companys stockholders. For fiscal 2009, the Committee
decided to use a combination of Performance Stock Units (PSUs) and Restricted Stock Units
(RSUs) awarded in tandem in order to provide the Companys Named Executive Officers, except
Messrs. Denman and Spears, with long-term incentive compensation. Mr. Denman received a grant of
RSUs only because it was likely that he would retire from the Company prior to the expiration of
the three-year performance period associated with PSUs. Consistent with the Companys policy
regarding PSU and RSU awards made to new hires, Mr. Spears was only awarded RSUs during fiscal
2009. The Committee plans to award both PSUs and RSUs to Mr. Spears during fiscal 2010. Both PSUs
and RSUs were granted pursuant to the Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan which was approved by
the stockholders at the Companys annual stockholder meeting in 2006.
PSUs represent a right to receive a certain target number of shares of the Companys common
stock at a specified time in the future if certain performance objectives have been met during the
specified performance period leading up to the payout of the PSU. PSUs are, therefore, designed to
reward achievement of specific performance objectives over this period. Historically, the
Compensation Committee has awarded PSUs with a threshold payout of 50% of the target number and a
maximum payout of 200% of the target number. In addition to requiring satisfaction of the
applicable threshold performance levels, PSUs are only payable if the recipient remains employed
with the Company until payout occurs after the end of the performance period.
RSUs represent a right to receive a certain number of shares of the Companys common stock at
a specified time in the future, but are not conditioned upon achieving any specific performance
objectives, and are only payable if the recipient remains employed by the Company at the end of the
vesting period leading up to the payout of the RSU. RSUs are designed primarily to encourage
retention of executive officers and key employees.
Under the terms of the individual award agreements, both the PSUs and RSUs awarded to Named
Executive Officers for fiscal 2009 are payable in common stock and provide the Named Executive
Officers with special cash dividend equivalents which entitle them to receive any special cash
dividend (i.e. other than regular quarterly dividends) paid by the Company while the PSUs and RSUs
are outstanding. The Committee has adopted a policy regarding the timing of grants of PSUs and
RSUs to employees which generally provides that such grants will be made on an annual basis during
the first quarter or at the beginning of the second quarter of the fiscal year and at least two
business days after the Company has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the prior fiscal year.
Each of the PSUs and RSUs has a three-year vesting period. The PSUs awarded during fiscal
2009 will not become realizable until fiscal 2012. At that point, depending upon the Companys
performance over the three-year period, the PSUs will either convert into a specified number of
shares of the Company common stock or become worthless. The Committee selected a three-year
performance period because measuring performance over a long period would be less affected by
cyclical variations in the Companys business and one-time events. The Committee felt that a
three-year period was commonly used by similar companies for this reason. The RSUs awarded during
fiscal 2009 will ratably vest over the same three-year period, with one third of the RSUs
converting into Company common stock on November 1 in each fiscal year following the grant date,
provided that the Named Executive Officer continues his employment with the Company. The Committee
has granted PSUs and RSUs in fiscal 2010 that will become fully realizable in fiscal 2013 and plans
to grant additional PSUs and RSUs in fiscal 2011 that will become fully realizable in fiscal 2014.
The Committee intends that this will create a layering effect that will provide constant
motivation and alignment of executive and stockholder interests extending into the future and will
support executive retention. The Committee approves a target long-term incentive award amount for
each Named Executive Officer and then awards 70% of that award amount in the form of PSUs and the
other 30% in the form of RSUs, except that each of Messrs. Denman and Spears received 100% of his
respective award in the form of RSUs in fiscal
2009 for the reasons discussed above. The Committee chose this mix of PSUs and RSUs to
promote sustained long-
11
term performance, goal alignment and retention.
The Committee selected PSUs and RSUs for long-term incentive awards instead of stock options
because the expense under generally accepted accounting principles associated with grants of stock
options was thought to be greater than the perceived value of options to the recipients. Also,
using shares as opposed to options to make awards reduces the number of shares required to deliver
equivalent value to the recipients.
Although the Committee uses equity-based compensation in connection with the long-term
incentive portion of the Companys executive compensation program, neither the Committee nor the
Company have adopted any stock ownership guidelines or policies for its Named Executive Officers
and, accordingly, the Committee does not consider any specific guidelines in connection with
establishing the levels of equity-based compensation awarded to the Companys Named Executive
Officers.
The specific terms of the PSU and RSU grants made to the Named Executive Officers for fiscal
2009 are as follows:
PSUs Awards. Based on the recommendation of Mercer, the Committee determined that 70% of the
long-term incentive award granted to each Named Executive Officer (other than Messrs. Denman and
Spears) would consist of PSUs. Each PSU awarded in fiscal 2009 has a three-year performance period
running through the end of fiscal 2011 (i.e. August 31, 2011) and will vest on November 1 of fiscal
2012. Consistent with prior years and based primarily on Mercers recommendation, the Committee
chose Revenue Growth and Return on Net Assets (RONA) as the performance measures to be used to
determine PSU payouts for the three-year performance period. The Committee considered several
performance measures, including measures that were tied to the Companys stock price or the
accomplishment of specific performance objectives. The Committee previously decided against using
stock price as a performance measure because it felt that such a plan would be susceptible to
distortion from the cyclical nature of the Companys business. Likewise, the Committee decided
against the use of other performance objectives because of the difficulty in correlating such
objectives to stockholder value.
Ultimately, the Committee chose to correlate PSU payouts to Revenue Growth and RONA because it
determined that there was a reasonable relationship between these performance measures and
stockholder value. Additionally, these performance measures could be easily quantified and
calculated for the purposes of determining whether the Company had met the necessary performance
requirements. The Committee assigned equal weighting to Revenue Growth and RONA for purposes of
determining PSU payouts in order to drive profitable growth and focus on appropriate asset
management. Additionally, the Committee was concerned that considering RONA alone could create an
incentive for Named Executive Officers to unnecessarily dispose of assets in order to manage the
denominator and inflate the Companys RONA and thereby increase their PSU payout. To prevent such
an occurrence, the Committee decided to use both RONA and Revenue Growth as performance measures
and to weight them equally. Although the Committee feels that Revenue Growth and RONA reasonably
approximate the connection between executive performance and stockholder value, future developments
could possibly prompt the Committee to make subsequent PSU awards according to different
performance measures.
Revenue Growth is the average annual percentage increase in the Companys consolidated
operating revenues for each year during the applicable performance period. Accordingly, if the
Company had year over year growth in its consolidated operating revenues of 4%, 15% and 11% during
a three-year performance period, the Revenue Growth for purposes of PSU payouts for that
performance period would be the average of the individual year increases or 10%. RONA is
calculated in the following manner:
(Average*Total Assets Average*Current Liabilities + Average*Current Portion of Long-Term Debt)
* These averages will be computed using the beginning and ending amounts of Total Assets, Current
Liabilities, and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt for the applicable fiscal year.
For the purposes of calculating Revenue Growth and RONA, any acquisitions made by the Company and
revenues, expenses or assets associated with such acquisitions are excluded in the fiscal year of
the acquisition, but will be fully included during every year thereafter.
12
The Committee has established the following three-year average performance measures and
conversion percentages for Revenue Growth and RONA for the PSUs awarded in fiscal 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue Growth |
|
RONA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
9 |
% |
Target |
|
|
10 |
% |
|
|
15 |
% |
Maximum |
|
|
15 |
% |
|
|
17 |
% |
The Committee selected target performance measures that were within the range of the long-term
target financial performance goals communicated from Lindsay to the stockholders by Mr. Parod in
the 2008 Annual Report. The Committee attempted to establish maximum and threshold performance
levels that would appropriately reward the Named Executive Officers for exceptional performance,
while also providing them with continued motivation in the event that market factors or down
periods make it impossible to meet target performance levels. If the Company fails to meet the
threshold performance level for either Revenue Growth or RONA over the three-year performance
period, then there will be no PSU payout at the end of the performance period, even if the other
factor achieves the threshold or higher level.
At the threshold level for both performance measures each PSU will convert into one-half share
of stock, and this ratio increases to one share of stock if the target level is achieved for both
performance measures and two shares of stock if the maximum level is achieved for both performance
measures. The Committee determined that the payout ratio of 2 to 1 used at the maximum level for
both performance measures was appropriate because it believed the maximum levels were aggressive
goals that would be difficult to achieve. Payout factors will be linearly interpolated when actual
performance results fall between the threshold, target and maximum levels. As a result, the number
of shares each PSU will convert into based on varying achievements of the performance levels for
Revenue Growth and RONA are set forth in the following matrix:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RONA |
REVENUE GROWTH |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
Maximum |
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.4142 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
Target |
|
|
0.7071 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.4142 |
|
Threshold |
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.7071 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
The Committee is also entitled to adjust the conversion calculation in order to reduce (but
not increase) the amount of stock awarded to take into account any unanticipated events including,
but not limited to, extraordinary or nonrecurring items, changes in tax laws, changes in generally
accepted accounting principles, impacts of discontinued operations and restatements of prior period
financial results.
The following is an example of how the payout of PSUs would be calculated for a hypothetical
executive officer who received a total award of 1,000 PSUs in fiscal 2009.
Assume that the Company achieves Revenue Growth of 14% in 2009, 15% in 2010 and 16% in 2011. This
results in a 15% average three-year Revenue Growth for the relevant performance period, which meets
the maximum performance level for Revenue Growth. Assume that the Company achieved RONA of 8% in
2009, 9% in 2010 and 10% in 2011. This results in a 9% average three-year RONA for the performance
period, which meets the threshold performance level for RONA. Accordingly, the executives 1,000
PSUs will convert into 1,000 shares of common stock.
In the event of a change in control of the Company, the PSUs will convert into an amount of
Company common stock that is pro-rated to account for the amount of time the Named Executive
Officers held the PSUs prior
13
to the change of control transaction and will be paid out based on the probable or expected level
of Revenue Growth and RONA at the time of the change in control. If any of the Companys financial
statements are restated as the result of errors, omissions or fraud, for any fiscal year during the
three-year performance period, such restated results will be used to recalculate any PSU
conversions made at the expiration of the performance period.
RSU Awards. The Committee determined that the remaining 30% of each Named Executive Officers
long-term incentive award should consist of RSUs, except for Messrs. Denman and Spears who received
100% of their awards in the form of RSUs. The RSUs awarded in fiscal 2009 vest according to a
three-year schedule, with one-third of the RSUs vesting on November 1 of each fiscal year following
the fiscal year of their award contingent upon the Named Executive Officers continued employment
with the Company. Upon vesting, each RSU converts into a share of the Companys common stock.
Accordingly, if a Named Executive Officer received 600 RSUs for fiscal 2009 and remained employed
with the Company, 200 of those RSUs would convert into 200 shares of common stock on November 1,
2009. Another 200 RSUs would convert into 200 shares of common stock on November 1, 2010, and then
the final 200 RSUs would convert into 200 shares of common stock on November 1, 2011.
Additionally, the RSUs will fully vest upon a change in control of the Company.
Award Value. In determining the number of PSUs and RSUs granted to the Named Executive
Officers for fiscal 2009 (other than Mr. Spears), the Committee first established a dollar value of
the total PSUs and RSUs to be awarded to each Named Executive Officer assuming they achieved target
performance levels for the PSUs. The initial dollar value for Mr. Parod was set at $500,000. The
Committee determined this amount by considering the value of other compensation available to Mr.
Parod and then calculating the amount of PSUs and RSUs that would be necessary to provide him with
a total compensation package which reflected the median of total compensation paid to individuals
holding similar positions for similar companies. The dollar values of PSUs and RSUs granted to the
Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Parod were based on initial recommendations made to the
Committee by Mr. Parod. In making and approving these recommendations, both Mr. Parod and the
Compensation Committee considered the 2008 Mercer study which compared the Companys total direct
compensation, consisting of base salary, cash bonus and the expected value of long-term incentives,
to the median level for individuals holding similar positions with comparable revenue
responsibility at other manufacturing companies. In each case, the dollar value was divided by the
closing sale price of the Companys common stock on the grant date ($43.92 as of November 3, 2008)
to convert the dollar value into a total number of stock units initially awarded to each Named
Executive Officer. Of these total stock units, 70% were designated as PSUs and 30% were designated
as RSUs, except with respect to Mr. Denman who received 100% of his stock units in the form of
RSUs. While the dollar value of PSUs was based upon a payout ratio of 1 to 1, the actual PSU
payout ratio may be as low as 0 to 1 if the Company fails to meet the threshold performance level
for either performance measure. Alternatively, the PSU payout ratio may be as high as 2 to 1 if
the Company meets or exceeds the maximum performance level for both performance measures. Mr.
Spears received $100,000 of RSUs when he joined the Company in June 2009.
Fiscal 2007-2009 Performance. The end of fiscal 2009 marked the end of the three-year
performance period for the first tranche of PSUs awarded in fiscal 2007. For this performance
period, the Company achieved three-year average revenue growth of 18.22% and three-year average
RONA of 10.82% which equated to a cumulative payout percentage of 137.3% of target. In accordance
with the terms of the PSUs earned for this performance period, Mr. Parod was issued 12,976 shares
of common stock (resulting from 9,451 PSUs awarded in fiscal 2007) and Mr. Downing was issued 4,513
shares of common stock (resulting from 3,287 PSUs awarded in fiscal 2007). No payouts have yet
been earned with respect to the PSUs awarded in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 which have three-year
performance periods ending at the end of fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011, respectively.
Other Employee Benefits. The Company also provides certain other benefits to its Named
Executive Officers in the normal course of business as appropriate to be competitive with market
practice. In addition to this standard benefits package, Named Executive Officers are provided
supplemental life insurance coverage. Also, a personal automobile is provided to Mr. Parod
according to the terms of his employment agreement. Other benefits provided to the Named Executive
Officers are generally those which are available to all employees of the Company, such as
participation in Company sponsored health and dental insurance, life insurance and disability
benefits. The Company and employee participants share in the cost of these programs. The Company
also maintains a qualified 401(k) retirement plan to which the Company makes matching contributions
corresponding to employee contributions. The Companys Named Executive Officers are eligible to
participate in each of these employee benefit plans.
14
Termination Payments. The Company is party to arrangements with its Named Executive Officers
that provide for termination payments under several possible scenarios, including payments that are
triggered by a change in control of the Company. All stock options issued to the Named Executive
Officers, as well as to other employees of the Company, are subject to immediate vesting in
connection with a change of control transaction. Also, in the event of a change in control of the
Company, outstanding PSUs will convert into an amount of Company common stock that is pro-rated to
account for the amount of time the Named Executive Officers held the PSUs prior to the change of
control transaction and will be paid out based on the probable or expected level of Revenue Growth
and RONA at the time of the change in control. Any outstanding RSUs will fully vest upon a change
in control.
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each Named Executive Officer which do
provide for certain additional compensation to them if their employment with the Company is
terminated without cause. In the case of Mr. Parod, he will be entitled to receive a lump sum
payment equal to two times (or three times if termination occurs within two years following a
change in control) his annual salary and target bonus if his employment is terminated without cause
or if he terminates his employment for good reason within two years following a change in control.
In the case of Messrs. Downing, Paymal, Ruffalo and Spears, each of them will be entitled to
receive a lump sum payment equal to one times (or one-half times with respect to Mr. Paymal) his
annual salary (or annual salary plus target bonus if termination occurs within one year following a
change in control) if his employment is terminated without cause or if he terminates his employment
for good reason within one year following a change in control. The termination provisions
contained in Mr. Parods employment agreement were specifically negotiated between the Company and
Mr. Parod at the time he joined the Company and were considered necessary in order to attract and
retain him. All termination provisions are designed to provide these executive officers with cash
to provide for their living expenses in situations where their employment was not terminated
voluntarily or for cause.
In June 2009, Mr. Denman left the Company due to a health issue and his employment agreement
terminated at that time. Under the Companys short-term disability plan, Mr. Denman will receive
up to 75% of his base salary for a period not to exceed six months following his date of
disability. Following separation of employment, Mr. Denman has agreed to provide certain
consulting services to the Company for the next two years. In consideration of these consulting
services, the Company will provide Mr. Denman with group family health insurance coverage for a
period of two years. If his health permits and certain conditions are met, Mr. Denman may also
have the opportunity to receive up to $105,000 for additional consulting services during this
period. Also, in light of his disability, the Compensation Committee approved acceleration of
vesting of 3,950 RSUs which would have vested on November 1, 2009 had Mr. Denman remained an
employee as of such date. These RSUs vested and were paid to Mr. Denman on June 19, 2009. All
remaining, unvested RSUs held by Mr. Denman were forfeited.
Tax Considerations. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 imposes an annual,
individual limit of $1 million on the deductibility of the Companys compensation payments to the
chief executive officer and to the four most highly compensated executive officers other than the
chief executive officer. Specified compensation is excluded for this purpose, including
performance-based compensation, provided that certain conditions are satisfied. The Committee has
attempted to preserve, where practicable, the deductibility of all compensation payments to the
Companys executive officers. However, the amount of taxable compensation recognized by Mr. Parod
during the Companys fiscal 2009 exceeded Section 162(m)s $1 million threshold. As a result, the
Company was unable to deduct $2.6 million of compensation expense in fiscal 2009. All of the
non-deductible compensation expense related to gains realized by Mr. Parod on the exercise of
non-qualified stock options awarded to him under his employment agreement which did not qualify as
performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m).
15
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth information regarding all forms of compensation earned by the Companys Named Executive Officers during the last three fiscal years.
Other than Mr. Denman and Mr. Spears, each Named Executive Officer was employed by the Company during all of fiscal 2009. Mr. Denman left the Company in June 2009
and Mr. Spears joined the Company in June 2009.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
All other |
|
|
Name and Principal |
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(3) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Richard W. Parod |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
474,359 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
490,765 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,971 |
|
|
|
14,925 |
(4) |
|
|
1,089,020 |
|
President and Chief |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
434,642 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
453,461 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
452,492 |
|
|
|
14,972 |
|
|
|
1,405,567 |
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
411,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
452,182 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
226,700 |
|
|
|
17,827 |
|
|
|
1,107,732 |
|
David B. Downing |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
284,096 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
161,921 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,075 |
|
|
|
11,302 |
(5) |
|
|
522,394 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
272,692 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157,740 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
186,270 |
|
|
|
10,258 |
|
|
|
626,960 |
|
and President
International |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
253,692 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157,269 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,000 |
|
|
|
11,554 |
|
|
|
506,515 |
|
Barry A. Ruffalo |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
252,404 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
140,323 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,051 |
|
|
|
8,306 |
(6) |
|
|
453,084 |
|
President Irrigation |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
238,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157,740 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
185,026 |
|
|
|
37,225 |
|
|
|
618,453 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
103,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,093 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,400 |
|
|
|
122,077 |
|
|
|
304,070 |
|
Owen S. Denman |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
182,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
147,221 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,320 |
(7) |
|
|
403,128 |
|
President Barrier |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
228,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157,740 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
141,133 |
|
|
|
4,246 |
|
|
|
531,219 |
|
Systems, Inc. |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
216,740 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
157,083 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,650 |
|
|
|
3,265 |
|
|
|
430,738 |
|
Timothy J.
Paymal |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,845 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,508 |
|
|
|
5,194 |
(8) |
|
|
262,547 |
|
Vice President
and Chief Accounting Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
156,573 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,634 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
95,197 |
|
|
|
5,180 |
|
|
|
293,584 |
|
Thomas D. Spears
PresidentInfrastructure |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
49,327 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
97,550 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
161,877 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These awards consist of both restricted stock units and performance stock
units granted under the Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The restricted stock units vest
33 1/3% per year over three years and the performance stock units cliff vest on November 1
following the end of their three-year performance period. The amount shown equals the grant date
fair value of the Companys common stock multiplied by the total number of restricted stock units
and performance stock units awarded. |
|
(2) |
|
These awards consist entirely of restricted stock units granted under the
Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These restricted stock units vest 33 1/3% per year over
three years on November 1 of each year following the date of grant. The amount shown equals the
grant date fair value of the Companys common stock multiplied by the actual number of restricted
stock units awarded. |
|
(3) |
|
These amounts represent annual cash incentive awards received under the
Companys Management Incentive Plan for each fiscal year. |
|
(4) |
|
Consists of $5,005 in defined contributions and matching contributions to the
Companys defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2009, $1,670 in
premiums for supplemental life insurance for fiscal 2009 and $8,250 representing the fair market
value of the use of a Company vehicle. |
|
(5) |
|
Consists of $10,478 in defined contributions and matching contributions to
the Companys defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2009 and $824 in
premiums for supplemental life insurance for fiscal 2009. |
|
(6) |
|
Consists of $8,061 in defined contributions and matching contributions to the
Companys defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2009 and $245 in
premiums for supplemental life insurance for fiscal 2009. |
|
(7) |
|
Consists of $3,593 in defined contributions and matching contributions to the
Companys defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2009 and the
following compensation that was paid to Mr. Denman in connection with his separation from the
Company: $41,452 for short-term disability payments, $25,738 for final payout of Mr. Denmans
accrued personal time off, and $2,537 for payment of Mr. Denmans health insurance premiums. |
|
(8) |
|
Consists of $5,194 in defined contributions and matching contributions to the
Companys defined contribution profit-sharing and 401(k) plan for fiscal year 2009. |
16
The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to the Companys Named Executive Officers during the last completed fiscal year under the Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
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|
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|
|
|
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|
|
All Other |
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All other |
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Non- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
of |
|
Exercise |
|
date fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan |
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
|
Number |
|
Securities |
|
or Base |
|
value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
Awards |
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
of Shares |
|
Under- |
|
Price of |
|
stock and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Units |
|
Thres- |
|
|
|
|
|
Maxi- |
|
Thres- |
|
|
|
|
|
Maxi- |
|
of Stock |
|
lying |
|
Option |
|
option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approval |
|
Granted |
|
hold |
|
Target |
|
mum |
|
hold |
|
Target |
|
mum |
|
or Units |
|
Options |
|
Awards |
|
awards |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Date |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
($/Sh) |
|
($)(4) |
Richard W. Parod |
|
|
11/3/2008 |
|
|
|
10/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,400 |
(1) |
|
|
11,384 |
(1) |
|
|
19,353 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
834,308 |
|
David B. Downing |
|
|
11/3/2008 |
|
|
|
10/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,447 |
(1) |
|
|
3,756 |
(1) |
|
|
6,374 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
274,783 |
|
Barry A. Ruffalo |
|
|
11/3/2008 |
|
|
|
10/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,117 |
(1) |
|
|
3,255 |
(1) |
|
|
5,531 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
238,441 |
|
Owen S. Denman |
|
|
11/3/2008 |
|
|
|
10/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,415 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
147,221 |
|
Timothy J. Paymal |
|
|
11/3/2008 |
|
|
|
10/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
887 |
(1) |
|
|
1,365 |
(1) |
|
|
2,321 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
100,058 |
|
Thomas D. Spears |
|
|
6/29/2009 |
|
|
|
5/21/2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,058 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
97,550 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These awards consist of both restricted stock units and performance stock
units granted in fiscal 2009 under the Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These restricted
stock units vest 33 1/3% per year over three years and the performance stock units cliff vest in
fiscal 2012. The amounts shown equal the aggregate number of shares of common stock into which the
restricted stock units may convert if Messrs. Parod, Downing, Ruffalo and Paymal maintain their
employment with the Company for the entire vesting period and into which performance stock units
will convert if certain threshold, target and maximum performance objectives are met. |
|
(2) |
|
These awards consist entirely of restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2009
under the Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In June 2009, the Compensation Committee
approved acceleration of vesting of 3,950 restricted stock units (1,138 relating to the grant made
on November 3, 2008) which would have vested on November 1, 2009 had Mr. Denman remained an
employee as of such date. These RSUs were paid to Mr. Denman on June 19, 2009 and all remaining
RSUs were forfeited. |
|
(3) |
|
This award consists entirely of restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2009 under
the Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These restricted stock units vest 33 1/3% per year
over three years on November 1 of each year following the date of grant. The amounts shown equal
the number of shares of common stock into which the restricted stock units may convert if Mr.
Spears maintains his employment with the Company for the entire vesting period. |
|
(4) |
|
Amounts are computed in accordance with SFAS 123R assuming a payout at Maximum
for equity incentive plan awards. |
17
The following table sets forth information concerning unexercised options, stock that has not vested and equity incentive plan awards for each of the Companys Named Executive
Officers that were outstanding as of the end of the last completed fiscal year.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
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Stock Awards |
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Equity |
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Option Awards |
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Equity |
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Incentive |
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Equity |
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Incentive |
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Plan Awards: |
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Incentive Plan |
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Plan Awards: |
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Market or |
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Awards: |
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Number of |
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Payout Value |
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Number of |
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Number of |
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Number of |
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Market Value |
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Unearned |
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of Unearned |
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|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
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|
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Number of |
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of Shares or |
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Shares, Units |
|
Shares, Units |
|
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Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
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|
|
|
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|
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|
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Shares or |
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Units of Stock |
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or Other |
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or Other |
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|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
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Option |
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|
|
|
|
|
Units of Stock |
|
That Have |
|
Rights That |
|
Rights That |
|
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Unearned |
|
Exercise |
|
Option |
|
|
That Have |
|
Not Been |
|
Have Not |
|
Have Not |
|
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
Options |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
|
|
Not Vested |
|
Vested |
|
Vested |
|
Vested |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
Date |
|
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
Richard W. Parod |
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.00 |
|
|
|
3/8/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,684 |
(1) |
|
|
277,453 |
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|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.52 |
|
|
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4/24/2013 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,660 |
(2) |
|
|
1,148,167 |
|
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25.77 |
|
|
|
4/22/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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18,000 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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24.29 |
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8/15/2015 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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13,500 |
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9,000 |
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|
|
|
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|
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19.33 |
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|
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11/8/2015 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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David B. Downing |
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7,500 |
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24.70 |
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8/30/2014 |
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|
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|
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|
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2,275 |
(1) |
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94,435 |
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12,000 |
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3,000 |
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|
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|
|
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24.29 |
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8/15/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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9,467 |
(2) |
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392,975 |
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2,250 |
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|
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1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
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19.33 |
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11/8/2015 |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Barry A. Ruffalo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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2,156 |
(1) |
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|
89,496 |
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|
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|
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|
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|
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4,612 |
(2) |
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|
191,444 |
|
Owen S. Denman |
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Timothy J. Paymal |
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2,400 |
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600 |
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24.29 |
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8/15/2015 |
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1,317 |
(1) |
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54,669 |
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956 |
(2) |
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39,684 |
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Thomas D. Spears |
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3,058 |
(1) |
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126,938 |
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(1) |
|
These awards consist of restricted stock units granted under the Companys
2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. These restricted stock units vest 33 1/3% per year, ratably vesting
on each November 1 following the end of the fiscal year of their respective grant date. |
|
(2) |
|
These awards consist of performance stock units granted under the Companys 2006
Long-Term Incentive Plan. These performance stock units cliff vest on November 1 following the end
of their respective three-year performance period. Each performance stock unit converts into one
share of common stock if target levels of performance are achieved, but may ultimately convert into
a larger or smaller amount of stock depending upon actual performance achieved over the relevant
three-year performance period. |
18
The following table sets forth information concerning exercised options and vesting of stock
awards for each of the Companys Named Executive Officers as of the end of the last completed
fiscal year.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
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|
|
Option Awards |
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|
Stock Awards |
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|
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Number of Shares |
|
|
Value Realized on |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Value Realized on |
|
|
|
Acquired on Exercise |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Acquired on Vesting |
|
|
Vesting |
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Name |
|
(#) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
($) |
|
Richard W. Parod |
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|
80,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,739,414 |
|
|
|
5,037 |
(1) |
|
|
239,660 |
|
David B. Downing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,259 |
(1) |
|
|
59,903 |
|
Barry A. Ruffalo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
844 |
(1) |
|
|
40,158 |
|
Owen S. Denman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,762 |
(2) |
|
|
304,260 |
|
Timothy J. Paymal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,017 |
(1) |
|
|
48,389 |
|
Thomas A. Spears |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These awards consist of the portion of restricted stock units granted during
fiscal 2006, 2007 and 2008 that vested and converted into shares of common stock during fiscal
2009. The value realized upon vesting was calculated by multiplying the number of vesting
restricted stock units by the $47.58 closing price of the Companys common stock on October 31,
2008 since the November 1, 2008 vesting date fell on an off-market day. |
|
(2) |
|
In June 2009, the Compensation Committee approved acceleration of vesting of 3,950
restricted stock units which would have vested on November 1, 2009 had Mr. Denman remained an
employee as of such date. These RSUs were paid to Mr. Denman on June 19, 2009. The value realized
upon vesting of these units was calculated by multiplying the number of vesting restricted stock
units by the $31.11 closing price of the Companys stock on June 19, 2009. The remaining 3,812 of
the awards reported in this table consist of the portion of restricted stock units granted during
fiscal 2006, 2007 and 2008 that vested and converted into shares of common stock during fiscal
2009. The value realized upon vesting was calculated by multiplying the number of vesting
restricted stock units by the $47.58 closing price of the Companys common stock on October 31,
2008 since the November 1, 2008 vesting date fell on an off-market day. |
Pension Benefits
The Company does not provide for any defined benefit and actuarial pension plans for its Named
Executive Officers. Accordingly no tabular disclosure is being provided under this heading.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The Company does not provide for any deferred compensation arrangements for its Named
Executive Officers. Accordingly no tabular disclosure is being provided under this heading.
Report of the Compensation Committee
On Executive Compensation
The Companys Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement with management. Based on the Committees review of
and the discussions with management with respect to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be
included in this Proxy Statement.
William F. Welsh II, Chairman
Michael N. Christodolou
J. David McIntosh
Michael D. Walter
19
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are not employees of the Company receive annual retainers of $25,000, plus
$1,400 per day for attending meetings (including teleconference meetings of four hours or more) of
the Board of Directors and $800 per day for other teleconference meetings of the Board of Directors
of less than four hours or for attending any separate meetings of committees of the Board of
Directors.
In addition, the Chairman of the Board of Directors receives $16,000 per year for serving in
that capacity, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives $8,000 per year for serving as such
Chairman, and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee receives $6,000 per year for serving as
such Chairman. Directors are reimbursed for expenses they incur in attending meetings and are
reimbursed for attending continuing education programs up to $1,000 per year or as otherwise
approved by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Additionally, each non-employee director receives an annual grant of restricted stock units
with an award value of $35,000 with the award being made on the date of the Annual Meeting. The
number of restricted stock units to be awarded is based on the closing price of the Companys
common stock on the grant date, and the restricted stock units are payable in shares of common
stock under the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2006 Plan). Accordingly on January 26, 2009, each
of Messrs. Buffett, Christodolou, Jagodinski, McIntosh, Nahl, Walter and Welsh received an award of
1,124 restricted stock units. The restricted stock units vested on November 1, 2009.
New directors who are not employees of the Company receive a one-time grant of restricted
stock units with an award value of $35,000 with the grant being made on the date of their first
regular Board meeting as a director. The number of units awarded will equal $35,000 divided by the
closing stock price on the date of grant. These restricted stock units vest ratably (one-third
each year) on November 1 of each of the three years following the date of grant. Accordingly on
January 26, 2009, Mr. Walter received an additional award of 1,124 restricted stock units. These
restricted stock units vest ratably (one-third each year) on each of November 1, 2009, 2010 and
2011.
The following table sets forth the compensation paid to the Companys directors in fiscal
2009. Mr. Parod also serves as a director, but his compensation is discussed within the various
tables included within the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained within this Proxy
Statement.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
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Change in |
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Pension Value |
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and |
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Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Total |
|
Name |
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
Howard G. Buffett |
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,000 |
|
Michael N.
Christodolou |
|
|
63,200 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
98,200 |
|
W. Thomas Jagodinski |
|
|
48,667 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,667 |
|
J. David McIntosh |
|
|
43,200 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,200 |
|
Michael C. Nahl |
|
|
48,933 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,933 |
|
Michael D. Walter |
|
|
27,583 |
|
|
|
70,000 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97,583 |
|
William F. Welsh II |
|
|
53,200 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88,200 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These awards consist of restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2009 under
the Companys 2006 Plan. These restricted stock units vested on November 1, 2009. |
|
(2) |
|
This amount consists of two awards of restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2009
under the Companys 2006 Plan. One-half of the restricted stock units vest ratably (one-third
each year) on each of November 1, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the remainder vested on November 1, 2009. |
20
Compensation Committee Interlocks
and Insider Participation
During fiscal 2009, there were no compensation committee interlocks and no insider
participation in compensation decisions that were required to be reported under the rules and
regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Report of the Audit Committee
The following report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall this report be incorporated by
reference into any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Audit Committee is comprised of W. Thomas Jagodinski (as Chairman), Michael N.
Christodolou, Michael C. Nahl, Michael D. Walter and William F. Welsh II, each of whom is an
independent director of the Company under the rules adopted by Securities and Exchange Commission
and the New York Stock Exchange.
The Companys management is responsible for the preparation of the Companys financial
statements and for maintaining an adequate system of internal controls and processes for that
purpose. KPMG LLP (KPMG) acts as the Companys independent auditors and they are responsible for
conducting an independent audit of the Companys annual financial statements and effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
and issuing reports on the results of their audits. The Audit Committee is responsible for
providing independent, objective oversight of both of these processes.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year
ended August 31, 2009 with management of the Company and with representatives of KPMG. Our
discussions with KPMG also included the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standard No. 61,
as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.
In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed the independence of KPMG. We have discussed KPMGs
independence with them and have received written disclosures and a letter from KPMG regarding their
independence as required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board regarding the independent accountants communications with the audit committee concerning
independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee has recommended to
the full Board of Directors that the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended
August 31, 2009 be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
W. Thomas Jagodinski, Chairman
Michael N. Christodolou
Michael C. Nahl
Michael D. Walter
William F. Welsh II
21
PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF 2010 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
General Information
Upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors adopted the Lindsay
Corporation 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2010 Plan) on December 3, 2009, subject to
approval by the stockholders of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that the 2010 Plan
will advance the long-term success of the Company by encouraging stock ownership among key
employees and members of the Board who are not employees (Non-employee Directors). The 2010 Plan
is also intended to provide compensation that will be tax deductible by the Company without regard
to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). The Compensation
Committee (referred to as the Committee in this proposal) retained Mercer (US), Inc. (Mercer)
to assist it in the development of the 2010 Plan.
Long-term incentives are a key component of the Companys compensation philosophy, as
discussed further under Compensation Discussion and Analysis found earlier in this Proxy
Statement. The Committee believes that equity-based compensation authorized under the 2010 Plan
will continue to facilitate alignment of the interests of the Companys executives, key employees
and directors with those of its stockholders by linking compensation to stock price performance.
The 2010 Plan will also allow the Committee to continue its strategy of rewarding achievement of
long-term strategic objectives by tying award payouts to key performance measures that are expected
to drive the longer-term success of the Company. The Committee has conducted a review of its
long-term incentive strategy with the assistance of Mercer to evaluate alignment of the strategy
with current business needs and market trends. As a result of this review, the Committee
determined that the current executive long-term incentive strategy used by the Committee is
appropriate and reflects the Committees strong focus on performance. In recent years, the
Committee has granted 70% of target value in the form of performance stock units (PSUs) and 30% of
the target value in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs) to its executives. The Committee
expects to continue its strategy of delivering a majority of the target award value for its
executives in the form of PSUs which vest based on meeting specific long-term performance targets.
Because goals set at the maximum level are intended to be stretch goals, if the maximum level of
performance is reached on the performance measures, PSU awards pay out at 200% of the target number
of units. Both PSUs and RSUs granted to executives and key employees normally have 3-year vesting
periods.
If approved by stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the 2010 Plan will become effective on the
date of the Annual Meeting and will replace the Companys 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2006
Plan). In that case, no further grants will be made under the 2006 Plan after the date of the
Annual Meeting; provided that the annual grant of RSUs to Non-employee Directors scheduled to be
made on the date of the Annual Meeting will be made under the 2006 Plan, and all outstanding awards
under the 2006 Plan on the effective date of the 2010 Plan will be satisfied from the shares which
are available and have been reserved under the 2006 Plan. If the 2010 Plan is not approved by
stockholders, the Company will continue to make grants under the 2006 Plan in accordance with the
terms of that plan. As of December 3, 2009, only 49,617 shares of common stock were not reserved
and remained available for grant under the 2006 Plan. The 2010 Plan authorizes the issuance of up
to 400,000 shares of common stock. In addition, up to 35,000 shares that have not been reserved
and remain available for grant under the 2006 Plan at the close of business on the effective date
of the 2010 Plan, together with any shares subject to awards under the 2006 Plan or the Companys
2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2001 Plan) that expire, are forfeited or become unexercisable
without having been exercised or paid in full, will also be authorized for issuance under the 2010
Plan.
Assuming the 2010 Plan is approved, total potential dilution (which includes current dilution
from outstanding awards plus shares available for grant under the 2010 Plan) is projected to be
less than 8% of common shares outstanding, which is in line with practices for similarly-sized
industrial companies. The Company expects the shares available for grant under the 2010 Plan to
cover awards for two to three years. The request is larger than the number of shares Lindsay has
granted annually over the past two years because the Company expects growth, both organically and
through acquisitions, over the next three years and expects that there will be additional
executives and key employees participating in the program. Because of the high proportion of the
target award value delivered through PSUs to executives, the Company needs to ensure it has
sufficient shares available to cover PSU awards which have a maximum payout of 200% of target.
22
Approval of the 2010 Plan requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote. Abstentions
will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the 2010 Plan. Broker nonvotes will not be
considered shares entitled to vote with respect to approval of the 2010 Plan and will not be
counted as votes for or against the approval of the 2010 Plan. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
APPROVAL OF THE 2010 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.
Summary of 2010 Plan
The following is a summary of the terms of the 2010 Plan. This summary is not a complete
description of all provisions of the 2010 Plan, and is subject to the actual terms of the 2010
Plan. A copy of the 2010 Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
Administration. The 2010 Plan will be administered by the Committee. The 2010 Plan provides
the Committee with the flexibility to design compensatory awards that are responsive to the
Companys needs. Subject to the terms of the 2010 Plan, the Committee has the discretion to
determine the terms of each award, including which award, if any, may be subject to vesting upon a
change in control of the Company, as such term is defined in the 2010 Plan. In general, all
awards under the 2010 Plan to Company employees will be made by the Committee. However, the
Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant awards to
participants who are not directors or executive officers of the Company. The Committee must fix
the total number of shares or performance units that may be subject to grants made under this
delegation. Awards under the 2010 Plan made to Non-employee Directors will be approved by the
Board upon recommendation by the Committee.
Awards and Eligibility. Awards under the 2010 Plan may be in the form of stock options; stock
appreciation rights; restricted shares; deferred shares (restricted stock units); performance
shares or performance units. Awards of stock appreciation rights, deferred shares (restricted
stock units), and performance shares may also provide for payments of dividend equivalents in cash
or additional shares on a current, deferred or contingent basis with respect to any or all
dividends or other distributions paid by the Company. However, the Company has not previously
granted, and does not presently intend to grant, dividend equivalents on any awards with respect to
regular quarterly dividends paid by the Company. The Company has previously granted, and intends
to grant in the future, special cash dividend equivalents which will be payable on deferred shares
(restricted stock units) if the Company ever pays a special dividend (other than regular quarterly
dividends).
All employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Non-employee Directors are eligible
to receive awards under the 2010 Plan. Based on its historic compensation practices and
anticipated growth, the Company expects that a range of 70 to 90 employees and all seven
Non-employee Directors will annually receive awards under the 2010 Plan. The benefits or amounts
that may be received by or allocated to participants under the 2010 Plan will be determined at the
discretion of the Committee and are not presently determinable.
Shares Available for Issuance. The maximum number of shares as to which stock awards may be
granted under the 2010 Plan is 400,000 shares. In addition, up to 35,000 shares that have not been
reserved and remain available for grant under the 2006 Plan at the close of business on the
effective date of the 2010 Plan will be available for issuance under the 2010 Plan. This reserved
share amount is subject to adjustments by the Committee as provided in the 2010 Plan for stock
splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, acquisitions and other similar transactions or events.
Shares of common stock issued under the 2010 Plan may be shares of original issuance, shares held
in Treasury or shares that have been reacquired by the Company. Shares returned to the Company
upon exercise of an option or retained by the Company for tax withholding will be considered issued
under the 2010 Plan and will not be available for future issuance under the 2010 Plan. Any shares
that are delivered by the Company, and any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of,
the Company through the assumption by the Company of outstanding awards previously granted by an
acquired company, will not be counted against the shares available for granting awards under the
2010 Plan.
Expired, Forfeited or Unexercised Awards. If any award granted under the 2010 Plan expires,
is forfeited or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised or paid in full, the shares
subject thereto will be available for future awards under the 2010 Plan. Likewise, if any award
that was outstanding on the record date under the 2006 Plan or the 2001 Plan expires unexercised,
is forfeited or becomes unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised or paid in full,
the shares subject thereto shall be available for award under the 2010 Plan. An award of
performance shares (including PSUs) will be treated as not having been paid in full whenever less
than the target
23
number of performance shares is issued in satisfaction of such award and the difference will
be added to the number of shares available for future awards under the 2010 Plan.
Limitations on Grants. No participant may receive awards during any rolling 36-month period
representing more than 350,000 shares of common stock or more than 5,000,000 performance units. In
no event will the number of shares of common stock issued under the 2010 Plan upon the exercise of
incentive stock options exceed 400,000 shares. These limits are subject to adjustments by the
Committee as provided in the 2010 Plan for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and
other similar transactions or events.
Termination. The 2010 Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date it is approved
by stockholders, and no award will be granted under the plan after that date.
Plan Amendment. The 2010 Plan may be amended by the Board of Directors, but without further
approval by the stockholders of the Company no such amendment may increase the limitations set
forth in the 2010 Plan on the number of shares that may be issued under the 2010 Plan or any of the
limitations on awards to individual participants. The Board may condition any amendment on the
approval of the stockholders if such approval is necessary or deemed advisable with respect to the
applicable listing or other requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or other national
securities exchange or other applicable laws, policies or regulations.
Types of Awards Allowed Under the 2010 Plan
Options. Stock options entitle the optionee to purchase shares of common stock at a price
equal to or greater than the fair market value on the date of grant, except as provided in the 2010
Plan. Options may be either incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options, provided that
only employees may be granted incentive stock options. The option may specify that the option
price is payable (i) in cash, (ii) by the transfer to the Company of unrestricted stock, (iii) with
any other legal consideration the Committee may deem appropriate or (iv) any combination of the
foregoing. No stock option may be exercised more than 10 years from the date of grant. Each grant
may specify a period of continuous employment or service with the Company or any subsidiary that is
necessary before the stock option or any portion thereof will become exercisable and may provide
for the earlier exercise of the option in the event of a change in control of the Company or
similar event. The 2010 Plan prohibits option repricing as well as exchange of underwater options
for cash or other awards without stockholder approval.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights represent the right to receive an
amount, determined by the Committee and expressed as a percentage not exceeding 100%, of the
difference between the base price established for such rights and the fair market value of the
Companys common stock on the date the rights are exercised. The base price must not be less than
the fair market value of the common stock on the date the right is granted, except as provided in
the 2010 Plan. The grant may specify that the amount payable upon exercise of the stock
appreciation right may be paid by the Company (i) in cash, (ii) in shares of the Companys common
stock or (iii) any combination of the foregoing. Any grant may specify a waiting period or periods
before the stock appreciation rights may become exercisable and permissible dates or periods on or
during which the stock appreciation rights shall be exercisable, and may specify that the stock
appreciation rights may be exercised only in the event of a change in control of the Company or
similar event. The Committee may grant tandem stock appreciation rights in connection with an
option or free-standing stock appreciation rights unrelated to an option. No stock appreciation
right may be exercised more than ten years from the grant date, and each grant of a free-standing
stock appreciation right must specify the period of continuous employment or service that is
necessary before the free-standing stock appreciation right or installments thereof may be
exercisable. A tandem stock appreciation right may be exercised only upon surrender of the related
option, which must be exercisable and in-the-money, for cancellation.
Restricted Shares. An award of restricted shares involves the immediate transfer by the
Company to a participant of ownership of a specific number of shares of common stock in return for
the performance of services. The transfer may be made without additional consideration from the
participant. The participant is entitled immediately to voting, dividend and other ownership
rights in such shares, subject to the discretion of the Committee. Restricted shares must be
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Code Section 83 for a period to
be determined by the Committee on the grant date, and any grant may provide for the earlier
termination of such risk of forfeiture in the event of a change in control of the Company or
similar event. The Committee may specify performance objectives that must be achieved for the
restrictions to lapse.
24
Deferred Shares (Restricted Stock Units). An award of deferred shares (restricted stock
units) granted under the 2010 Plan represents the right to receive a specific number of shares at
the end of a specified deferral period. Any grant of deferred shares (restricted stock units) may
be further conditioned upon the attainment of performance objectives. The grant may provide for
the early termination of the deferral period in the event of a change in control of the Company or
similar event. During the deferral period, the participant is not entitled to vote or receive
dividends on the shares subject to the award, but the Committee may provide for the payment of
dividend equivalents on a current or deferred basis. The grant of deferred shares (restricted
stock units) may be made without any consideration from the participant other than the performance
of future services.
Performance Shares and Units. A performance share is a bookkeeping entry that records the
equivalent of one share of common stock, and a performance unit is a bookkeeping entry that records
the equivalent of $1.00. Each grant will specify one or more performance objectives to be met
within a specified period (the performance period), which may be subject to earlier termination
in the event of a change in control of the Company or a similar event. If by the end of the
performance period the participant has achieved the specified performance objectives, the
participant will be deemed to have fully earned the performance shares or performance units. If
the participant has not achieved the level of acceptable achievement, the participant may be deemed
to have partly earned the performance shares or performance units in accordance with a
predetermined formula. To the extent earned, the performance shares or performance units will be
paid to the participant at the time and in the manner specified in the grant or determined by the
Committee in cash, shares of the Companys common stock or any combination thereof.
Performance Objectives. The 2010 Plan provides that grants of performance shares, performance
units or, when determined by the Committee, options, deferred shares, restricted stock or other
stock-based awards may be made based upon performance objectives. Performance objectives
applicable to awards that are intended to be exempt from the limitations of Code Section 162(m) are
limited to specified levels of or increases in the Companys or subsidiarys return on equity,
earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, return on capital, return on assets, earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization, sales, sales growth, gross margin, return
on investment, increase in the fair market value of the Companys common stock, share price
(including but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return), operating income or
profit, net earnings, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash
flow), cash flow return on investment (which equals net cash flow divided by total capital),
inventory turns, financial return ratios, total return to stockholders, market share, earnings
measures/ratios, economic or incremental value added, economic profit, balance sheet measurements
such as receivable turnover, internal rate of return, increase in net present value or expense
targets, working capital measurements (such as average working capital divided by sales), customer
or dealer satisfaction surveys and productivity. Performance objectives may be described in terms
of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual
participant or the subsidiary, division, department or function within the Company or subsidiary in
which the participant is employed. Performance criteria may be measured on an absolute or relative
basis. Relative performance may be measured by a group of peer companies or by a financial market
index. Any performance objectives may provide for adjustments to exclude the impact of any
significant acquisitions or dispositions of businesses by the Company, one-time non-operating
charges, or accounting changes (including the early adoption of any accounting change mandated by
any governing body, organization or authority). Except in the case of an award intended to be
exempt from the limitations of Code Section 162(m), if the Committee determines that a change in
the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, or the manner in
which it conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render the performance objectives
unsuitable, the Committee may modify the performance objectives or the related minimum acceptable
level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and equitable. In
the case of awards intended to be exempt from the limitations of Code Section 162(m), any such
modifications may not increase the amount payable under such award.
Transferability of Awards. Except as provided below, no award under the 2010 Plan may be
transferred by a participant other than upon death by will or the laws of descent and distribution
or designation of a beneficiary in a form acceptable to the Committee, and stock options and stock
appreciation rights may be exercised during the participants lifetime only by the participant or,
in the event of the participants legal incapacity, the guardian or legal representative acting on
behalf of the participant. The Committee may expressly provide in an award agreement (other than
an incentive stock option) that the participant may transfer the award to a spouse or lineal
descendant, a trust for the exclusive benefit of such family members, a partnership or other entity
in which all the beneficial owners are such family members, or any other entity affiliated with the
participant that the Committee may approve. Additionally, any award made under the 2010 Plan may be transferred as necessary to fulfill
any domestic relations
25
order as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B).
Section 162(m) Exemption
Code Section 162(m) prevents a publicly held corporation from claiming income tax deductions
for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to certain senior executives. Compensation is exempt
from this limitation if it is qualified performance-based compensation. Stock options and stock
appreciation rights are two examples of performance-based compensation. Other types of awards,
such as restricted stock, deferred shares and performance shares, that are granted pursuant to
pre-established objective performance formulas, may also qualify as performance-based compensation,
so long as certain requirements are met, including the prior approval by stockholders of the
material terms of the 2010 Plan. By approving the 2010 Plan, the stockholders will be approving,
among other things, (i) the eligibility requirements for participation in the 2010 Plan; (ii) the
performance objectives upon which the grant or vesting of awards may be based; and (iii) the
maximum amount of compensation, payable in shares of common stock or cash, that may be granted to
an eligible participant in any rolling 36-month period.
Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of certain of the federal income tax consequences of certain
transactions under the 2010 Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not
describe state or local tax consequences.
In general, an optionee will not recognize income at the time a nonqualified stock option is
granted. At the time of exercise, the optionee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal
to the difference between the option price paid for the shares and the fair market value of the
shares on the date of exercise. At the time of sale of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of
a nonqualified stock option, any appreciation (or depreciation) in the value of the shares after
the date of exercise generally will be treated as capital gain (or loss).
An optionee generally will not recognize income upon the grant or exercise of an incentive
stock option. If shares issued to an optionee upon the exercise of an incentive stock option are
not disposed of in a disqualifying disposition within two years after the date of grant or within
one year after the transfer of the shares to the optionee, then upon the sale of the shares any
amount realized in excess of the option price generally will be taxed to the optionee as long-term
capital gain and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss. If shares acquired upon the
exercise of an incentive stock option are disposed of prior to the expiration of either holding
period described above, the optionee generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of
disposition in an amount equal to any excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of
exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of the shares) over the option price
paid for the shares. Any further gain (or loss) realized by the optionee generally will be taxed
as short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on the holding period.
Subject to certain exceptions for death or disability, if an optionee exercises an incentive
stock option more than three months after termination of employment, the exercise of the option
will be taxed as the exercise of a nonqualified stock option. In addition, if an optionee is
subject to federal alternative minimum tax, the exercise of an incentive stock option will be
treated essentially the same as a nonqualified stock option for purposes of the alternative minimum
tax.
A recipient of restricted stock generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on
the fair market value of the restricted stock (reduced by any amount paid by the recipient) at such
time as the shares are no longer subject to a risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for
purposes of Code Section 83. However, a recipient who so elects under Code Section 83(b) within 30
days of the date of transfer of the restricted stock will recognize ordinary income on the date of
transfer of the shares equal to the excess of the fair market value of the restricted stock
(determined without regard to the risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer) over any purchase
price paid for the shares. If a Section 83(b) election has not been made, any dividends received
with respect to restricted stock that are subject at that time to a risk of forfeiture or
restrictions on transfer generally will be treated as compensation that is taxable as ordinary
income to the recipient.
A recipient of deferred shares (restricted stock units) generally will not recognize income
until shares are transferred to the recipient at the end of the deferral period and are no longer
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for purposes of Code
Section 83. At that time, the participant will recognize ordinary
26
income equal to the fair market value of the shares, reduced by any amount paid by the
recipient.
A participant generally will not recognize income upon the grant of performance shares or
performance units. Upon payment, with respect to performance shares or performance units, the
participant generally will recognize as ordinary income an amount equal to the amount of cash
received and the fair market value of any unrestricted stock received.
To the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in the circumstances described
above, the Company or subsidiary for which the participant performs services will be entitled to a
corresponding deduction, provided that, among other things, the income meets the test of
reasonableness, is an ordinary and necessary business expense, is not an excess parachute payment
within the meaning of Code Section 280G and is not disallowed by the $1,000,000 limitation on
certain executive compensation under Code Section 162(m).
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following equity compensation plan information summarizes plans and securities approved
and not approved by security holders as of August 31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
Weighted-average |
|
|
Number of securities remaining |
|
|
|
to be issued upon |
|
|
exercise price of |
|
|
available for future issuance |
|
|
|
exercise of |
|
|
outstanding |
|
|
under equity compensation |
|
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
|
options, warrants, |
|
|
plans (excluding securities |
|
Plan category |
|
warrants, and rights |
|
|
and rights |
|
|
reflected in column (a)) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders (1) (2) |
|
|
439,557 |
|
|
$ |
23.21 |
|
|
|
271,315 |
|
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders (3) |
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
504,557 |
|
|
$ |
21.60 |
|
|
|
271,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Plans approved by stockholders include the Companys 2001 and 2006 Long-Term
Incentive Plans. While certain options and rights remain outstanding under the Companys 2001
Long-Term Incentive Plan, no future equity compensation awards may be granted under this plan. |
|
(2) |
|
Column (a) includes (i) 63,828 shares that could be issued under PSUs outstanding at
August 31, 2009, and (ii) 70,630 shares that could be issued under RSUs outstanding at August 31,
2009. The PSUs are earned and common stock issued if certain predetermined performance criteria
are met. Actual shares issued may be equal to, less than or greater than (but not more than 200%
of) the number of outstanding PSUs included in column (a), depending on actual performance. The
RSUs vest and are payable in common stock after expiration of the time periods set forth in the
related agreements. Column (b) does not take these PSU and RSU awards into account because they do
not have an exercise price. |
|
(3) |
|
Consists of options issued to Richard W. Parod pursuant to his employment agreement,
which was not approved by stockholders. |
As of December 3, 2009, there were 49,617 shares available for grant under the 2006 Plan and
525,562 shares underlying outstanding awards under all plans (of which 367,699 are stock options,
66,610 are RSUs and 91,253 are PSUs). As of December 3, 2009, the weighted average exercise price
of outstanding stock options was $21.60 and the weighted average term was 3.9 years. If the 2010
Plan is approved by stockholders, no further grants will be made under the 2006 Plan, provided that
the annual grant of RSUs to Non-employee Directors will be made under the 2006 Plan on the
effective date of the 2010 Plan, and all outstanding awards under the 2006 Plan on the effective
date of the 2010 Plan will be satisfied from the shares which are available and have been reserved
under the 2006 Plan. Up to 35,000 shares that have not been reserved and remain available for
grant under the 2006 Plan at the close of business on the effective date of the 2010 Plan will be
available for issuance under the 2010 Plan.
27
PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
KPMG LLP, the Companys independent auditor since 2001, has been appointed by the Audit
Committee as the independent auditor for the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year
ending August 31, 2010. This appointment is being presented to the stockholders for ratification.
The ratification of the appointment of the independent auditor requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting
and entitled to vote. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against ratification.
Broker nonvotes will not be considered shares entitled to vote with respect to ratification of the
appointment and will not be counted as votes for or against the ratification.
If stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain KPMG LLP, but may
ultimately decide to retain them. Any decision to retain KPMG LLP or another independent
registered public accounting firm will be made by the Audit Committee and will not be resubmitted
to stockholders. In addition, even if stockholders ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the Audit
Committee retains the right to appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm
for fiscal 2010 if it determines that it would be in the Companys best interests.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31,
2010.
Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be
provided an opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate inquiries from
stockholders.
Accounting Fees and Services
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by KPMG
for each of the last two fiscal years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Category of Fee |
|
Fiscal 2009 |
|
Fiscal 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
887,785 |
|
|
$ |
965,405 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
$ |
21,775 |
|
|
$ |
27,001 |
|
Tax Fees (3) |
|
$ |
82,125 |
|
|
$ |
88,750 |
|
All Other Fees (4) |
|
$ |
12,868 |
|
|
$ |
4,700 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees consist of the audit of the Companys 2009 and 2008 annual financial
statements and review of the Companys quarterly financial statements during 2009 and 2008. |
|
(2) |
|
Audit-related fees were for audits of the Companys employee benefit plans. |
|
(3) |
|
Tax fees were for tax compliance. |
|
(4) |
|
All other fees were for corporate compliance at an international subsidiary
location. |
As provided in its Charter, the Audit Committee must pre-approve all services provided to the
Company by its independent auditors. The Audit Committee approved all services provided by KPMG
LLP to the Company in fiscal 2009 and determined that the services listed above did not adversely
affect KPMG LLPs independence in providing audit services.
28
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting must be received by the
Secretary of the Company at its home office no later than December 28, 2009. Stockholder proposals
submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting received after that date will be considered
untimely. Such proposals must set forth (i) a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the Annual Meeting and the reason for conducting such business at the Annual
Meeting, (ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the number of
shares of the Companys common stock beneficially owned by such stockholder and (iv) any material
interest of such stockholder in such business. Nominations for directors may be submitted by
stockholders by delivery of such nominations in writing to the Secretary of the Company by December
28, 2009. Only stockholders of record as of December 3, 2009 are entitled to bring business before
the Annual Meeting or make nominations for directors.
In order to be included in the Companys Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to its
next Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals must be submitted by August 31, 2010 to the Secretary of
the Company at its principal executive offices. The inclusion of any such proposal in such proxy
material shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not intend to bring before the Annual Meeting any matters other than those
disclosed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and it does not know of any business
which persons, other than management, intend to present at the Annual Meeting. The proxy for the
Annual Meeting confers discretionary authority on the Board of Directors to vote on any matter
properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting if the Company did not receive written
notice of the matter on or before November 9, 2009.
The Company will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. The Company has engaged D.F. King &
Co., Inc. as its proxy solicitor for the Annual Meeting at an estimated cost of $15,000 plus
disbursements. Proxies may also be solicited by directors, officers and employees of the Company
in person, by telephone or through other forms of communication, but such persons will not receive
any additional compensation for such solicitation. In addition, the Company will supply banks,
brokers, dealers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries with proxy materials to enable them
to send a copy of such materials by mail to each beneficial owner of shares of the Companys common
stock which they hold of record and will, upon request, reimburse them for their reasonable
expenses in so doing.
Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Audit, Compensation or Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, or any individual director by sending a letter to the attention of the appropriate
person (which may be marked as confidential) addressed to the Secretary of the Company. All
communications received by the Secretary will be forwarded to the appropriate Board member. In
addition, it is the policy of the Board of Directors that the Companys directors shall attend, and
will generally be available to discuss stockholder concerns at, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
whenever possible. All Board members attended last years Annual Meeting.
The Companys Annual Report, including the Form 10-K and financial statements filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is being made available, together with this
Proxy Statement, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. However, the Annual
Report is not to be considered part of this proxy solicitation material.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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/s/ Eric R. Arneson
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Eric R. Arneson, Secretary |
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Omaha, Nebraska December 21, 2009 |
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29
EXHIBIT A
LINDSAY CORPORATION
2010 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(Effective January 25, 2010)
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Lindsay Corporation 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan)
is to attract and retain employees and directors for Lindsay Corporation and its subsidiaries and
to provide such persons with incentives and rewards for superior performance.
2. Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth
below:
2.1 Award means any Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares,
Deferred Shares (Restricted Stock Units), Performance Shares or Performance Units granted
under the Plan.
2.2 Award Agreement means an agreement, certificate, resolution or other form of
writing or other evidence approved by the Committee which sets forth the terms and
conditions of an Award. An Award Agreement may be in an electronic medium, may be
limited to a notation on the Companys books and records and, if approved by the
Committee, need not be signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant.
2.3 Base Price means the price to be used as the basis for determining the Spread
upon the exercise of a Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right.
2.4 Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.6 Committee means the committee of the Board described in Section 4.
2.7 Company means Lindsay Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or any successor
corporation.
2.8 Deferral Period means the period of time during which Deferred Shares
(Restricted Stock Units) are subject to deferral limitations under Section 8.
2.9 Deferred Shares or Restricted Stock Units means an Award pursuant to Section
8 of the right to receive Shares at the end of a specified Deferral Period.
2.10 Employee means any person, including an officer, employed by the Company or a
Subsidiary.
2.11 Fair Market Value means the fair market value of the Shares as determined by
the Committee from time to time. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the fair
market value shall be the closing price for the Shares reported on a consolidated basis
on the New York Stock Exchange on the relevant date or, if there were no sales on such
date, the closing price on the nearest preceding date on which sales occurred.
2.12 Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right means a Stock Appreciation Right
granted pursuant to Section 6 that is not granted in tandem with an Option or similar
right.
2.13 Grant Date means the date specified by the Committee on which a grant of an
Award shall become effective, which shall not be earlier than the date on which the
Committee takes action with respect thereto.
2.14 Incentive Stock Option means any Option that is intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option under Code Section 422 or any successor provision.
2.15 Nonemployee Director means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
2.16 Nonqualified Stock Option means an Option that is not intended to qualify as
an Incentive Stock Option.
2.17 Option means any option to purchase Shares granted under Section 5.
2.18 Optionee means the person so designated in an agreement evidencing an
outstanding Option.
2.19 Option Price means the purchase price payable upon the exercise of an Option.
2.20 Participant means an Employee or Nonemployee Director who is selected by the
Committee to receive benefits under this Plan, provided that only Employees shall be
eligible to receive grants of Incentive Stock Options.
2.21 Performance Objectives means the performance objectives established pursuant
to this Plan for Participants who have received Awards. Performance Objectives may be
described in terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the
performance of the individual Participant or the Subsidiary, division, department or
function within the Company or Subsidiary in which the Participant is employed.
Performance Objectives may be measured on an absolute or relative basis. Relative
performance may be measured by a group of peer companies or by a financial market index.
Any Performance Objectives applicable to a Qualified PerformanceBased Award shall be
limited to specified levels of or increases in the Companys or Subsidiarys return on
equity, earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, return on capital, return on
assets, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization, sales, sales
growth, gross margin, return on investment, increase in the fair market value of the
Shares, share price (including but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder
return), operating income or profit, net earnings, cash flow (including, but not limited
to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on investment (which equals
net cash flow divided by total capital), inventory turns, financial return ratios, total
return to shareholders, market share, earnings measures/ratios, economic or incremental
value added, economic profit, balance sheet measurements such as receivable turnover,
internal rate of return, increase in net present value or expense targets, working
capital measurements (such as average working capital divided by sales), customer or
dealer satisfaction surveys and productivity. Any Performance Objectives may provide for
adjustments to exclude the impact of any significant acquisitions or dispositions of
businesses by the Company, one-time non-operating charges, or accounting changes
(including the early adoption of any accounting change mandated by any governing body,
organization or authority). Except in the case of a Qualified PerformanceBased Award,
if the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate
structure or capital structure of the Company, or the manner in which it conducts its
business, or other events or circumstances render the Performance Objectives unsuitable,
the Committee may modify such Performance Objectives or the related minimum acceptable
level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and
equitable. In the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award, any such modifications
may not increase the amount payable under such Award.
2.22 Performance Period means a period of time established under Section 9 within
which the Performance Objectives relating to Performance Shares, Performance Units,
Deferred Shares (Restricted Stock Units) or Restricted Shares are to be achieved.
2
2.23 Performance Share means a bookkeeping entry that records the equivalent of
one Share awarded pursuant to Section 9.
2.24 Performance Unit means a bookkeeping entry that records a unit equivalent to
$1.00 awarded pursuant to Section 9.
2.25 Predecessor Plan means the Lindsay Manufacturing Co. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
2.26 Qualified PerformanceBased Award means an Award or portion of an Award that
is intended to satisfy the requirements for qualified performancebased compensation
under Code Section 162(m). The Committee shall designate any Qualified
PerformanceBased Award as such at the time of grant.
2.27 Restricted Shares means Shares granted under Section 7 subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture.
2.28 Shares means shares of the Common Stock of the Company, $1.00 par value, or
any security into which Shares may be converted by reason of any transaction or event of
the type referred to in Section 11.
2.29 Spread means, in the case of a Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right, the
amount by which the Fair Market Value on the date when any such right is exercised
exceeds the Base Price specified in such right or, in the case of a Tandem Stock
Appreciation Right, the amount by which the Fair Market Value on the date when any such
right is exercised exceeds the Option Price specified in the related Option.
2.30 Stock Appreciation Right means a right granted under Section 6, including a
Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right or a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right.
2.31 Subsidiary means a corporation or other entity in which the Company has a
direct or indirect ownership or other equity interest, provided that for purposes of
determining whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of
Incentive Stock Options, Subsidiary means any corporation (within the meaning of the
Code) in which the Company owns or controls directly or indirectly more than 50 percent
of the total combined voting power represented by all classes of stock issued by such
corporation at the time of such grant.
2.32 Tandem Stock Appreciation Right means a Stock Appreciation Right granted
pursuant to Section 6 that is granted in tandem with an Option or any similar right
granted under any other plan of the Company.
3. Shares Available Under the Plan.
3.1 Reserved Shares. Subject to adjustments as provided in Sections 3.2, 3.5 and
11, the maximum number of Shares that may be (i) issued or transferred upon the exercise
of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (ii) awarded as Restricted Shares and released
from substantial risk of forfeiture, (iii) issued or transferred in payment of Deferred
Shares (Restricted Stock Units) or Performance Shares, or (iv) issued or transferred in
payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to Awards, shall not in the aggregate
exceed 400,000 Shares, provided that, in addition, the Shares which remain available for
Awards under the Predecessor Plan on the effective date of this Plan (but not to exceed
35,000 Shares) shall also be available for Awards under this Plan. Such Shares may be
Shares of original issuance, Shares held in Treasury, or Shares that have been reacquired
by the Company.
3
3.2 Accounting for Shares. For purposes of Section 3.1, the following rules will
apply for counting Shares issued or transferred under the Plan:
(a) If an Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent) is denominated and payable
in Shares, the number of Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award
relates, shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate
number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan.
(b) With respect to Performance Shares (including Awards described as
performance stock units) which are payable in Shares, the target number of
Performance Shares shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the
aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan. If more
than the target number of Performance Shares is issued in satisfaction of such
Award, the difference will be added to the number of Shares counted against the
aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan at the time
when the Award is settled in Shares. If less than the target number of Performance
Shares is issued in satisfaction of such Award, the difference will be added back to
the number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan at the time when
the Award is settled in Shares.
(c) Dividend Equivalents denominated in Shares and Awards not denominated, but
potentially payable, in Shares shall be counted against the aggregate number of
Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan in such amount and at such time
as the Dividend Equivalents and such Awards are settled in Shares; provided,
however, that Awards that operate in tandem with (whether granted simultaneously
with or at a different time from), or that are substituted for, other Awards may
only be counted once against the aggregate number of Shares available, and the
Committee shall adopt procedures, as it deems appropriate, in order to avoid double
counting.
(d) Any Shares that are delivered by the Company, and any Awards that are
granted by, or become obligations of, the Company through the assumption by the
Company of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an
acquired company, shall not be counted against the Shares available for granting
Awards under this Plan.
(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Shares related to
Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without
the issuance of such Shares, are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or are exchanged
with the Committees permission, prior to the issuance of Shares, for Awards not
involving Shares, shall be available again for grant under this Plan.
(f) Shares subject to an Award under the Plan will be treated as having been
issued and transferred and may not again be made available for issuance under the
Plan if such Shares are: (i) Shares that were subject to an Option or a
stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right and were not issued upon the net settlement
or net exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) Shares delivered to
the Company to pay the Option Price upon exercise of an Option, (iii) Shares
delivered to or withheld by the Company to satisfy withholding taxes, or (iv) Shares
repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option exercise.
3.3 ISO Maximum. In no event shall the number of Shares issued upon the exercise of
Incentive Stock Options exceed 400,000 Shares, subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 11.
3.4 Maximum Awards. No Participant may receive Awards representing more than
350,000 Shares in any rolling 36-month period, subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 11. In addition, the maximum number of Performance Units that may be granted to
a Participant in any rolling 36-month period is 5,000,000.
3.5 Expired, Forfeited and Unexercised Awards. If any Award granted under this Plan
expires, is forfeited or becomes unexercisable for any reason without having been
exercised or paid in full, the Shares subject thereto which were not exercised or paid in
full shall be available for future Awards under the Plan. Likewise, if any Award that
was outstanding on December 3, 2009 under the Companys Predecessor Plan or 2001
Long-Term Incentive Plan expires, is forfeited or becomes unexercisable for any reason
without having been exercised or paid in full, the Shares subject thereto which were not
exercised or paid in full shall be added to the number of Shares which are available for
4
Awards under Section 3.1. An Award of Performance Shares (including Awards described as
performance stock units) shall be treated as not having been paid in full whenever less
than the target number of Performance Shares is issued in satisfaction of such Award, and
the difference will be added to the number of Shares available for Awards under Section
3.1.
4. Plan Administration.
4.1 Board Committee Administration. This Plan shall be administered by the
Compensation Committee appointed by the Board from among its members, provided that the
full Board may at any time act as the Committee. The interpretation and construction by
the Committee of any provision of this Plan or of any Award Agreement and any
determination by the Committee pursuant to any provision of this Plan or any such
agreement, notification or document shall be final and conclusive. No member of the
Committee shall be liable to any person for any such action taken or determination made
in good faith. It is intended that the Compensation Committee will consist solely of
persons who, at the time of their appointment, each qualified as a Non-Employee
Director under Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and, to the extent that relief from the limitation of Code Section 162(m) is sought, as
an Outside Director under Section 1.162-27(e)(3)(i) of the Treasury Regulations issued
under Code Section 162(m).
4.2 Committee Delegation. The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the
Company the authority to grant Awards to Participants who are not directors or executive
officers of the Company, provided that the Committee shall have fixed the total number of
Shares or Performance Units subject to such grants. Any such delegation shall be subject
to the limitations of Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
4.3 Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Plan to the contrary, all Awards to Non-Employee Directors must be authorized by the full
Board pursuant to recommendations made by the Compensation Committee.
5. Options. The Committee may from time to time authorize grants to Participants of Options
to purchase Shares upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine in accordance with
the following provisions:
5.1 Number of Shares. Each grant shall specify the number of Shares to which it
pertains.
5.2 Option Price. Each grant shall specify an Option Price per Share, which shall
be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date, except as
provided in Section 11.
5.3 Consideration. Each grant shall specify the form of consideration to be paid in
satisfaction of the Option Price and the manner of payment of such consideration, which
may include (i) cash in the form of currency or check or other cash equivalent acceptable
to the Company, (ii) nonforfeitable, unrestricted Shares owned by the Optionee which have
a value at the time of exercise that is equal to the Option Price, (iii) any other legal
consideration that the Committee may deem appropriate on such basis as the Committee may
determine in accordance with this Plan, or (iv) any combination of the foregoing.
5.4 Cashless Exercise. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Option Price
and any applicable statutory minimum withholding taxes may be paid from the proceeds of
sale through a bank or broker on the date of exercise of some or all of the Shares to
which the exercise relates.
5.5 PerformanceBased Options. Any grant of an Option may specify Performance
Objectives that must be achieved as a condition to exercise of the Option.
5
5.6 Vesting. Each Option grant may specify a period of continuous employment of the
Optionee by the Company or any Subsidiary (or, in the case of a Nonemployee Director,
service on the Board) that is necessary before the Options or installments thereof shall
become exercisable, and any grant may provide for the earlier exercise of such rights in
the event of a change in control of the Company or other similar transaction or event.
5.7 ISO Dollar Limitation. Options granted under this Plan may be Incentive Stock
Options, Nonqualified Stock Options or a combination of the foregoing, provided that only
Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted to Nonemployee Directors. Each grant shall
specify whether (or the extent to which) the Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a
Nonqualified Stock Option. Notwithstanding any such designation, to the extent that the
aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Options designated as
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Optionee during any
calendar year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be
treated as Nonqualified Stock Options.
5.8 Exercise Period. No Option granted under this Plan may be exercised more than
ten years from the Grant Date.
5.9 Award Agreement. Each grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing
such terms and provisions as the Committee may determine consistent with this Plan.
6. Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may also authorize grants to Participants of
Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right is the right of the Participant to receive
from the Company an amount, which shall be determined by the Committee and shall be expressed as a
percentage (not exceeding 100 percent) of the Spread at the time of the exercise of such right.
Any grant of Stock Appreciation Rights under this Plan shall be upon such terms and conditions as
the Committee may determine in accordance with the following provisions:
6.1 Payment in Cash or Shares. Any grant may specify that the amount payable upon
the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be paid by the Company in cash, Shares or
any combination thereof or may grant to the Participant or reserve to the Committee the
right to elect among those alternatives.
6.2 Maximum SAR Payment. Any grant may specify that the amount payable upon the
exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not exceed a maximum specified by the
Committee on the Grant Date.
6.3 Exercise Period. Any grant may specify (i) a waiting period or periods before
Stock Appreciation Rights shall become exercisable and (ii) permissible dates or periods
on or during which Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable.
6.4 Change in Control. Any grant may specify that a Stock Appreciation Right may be
exercised only in the event of a change in control of the Company or other similar
transaction or event.
6.5 Dividend Equivalents. On or after the Grant Date of any Stock Appreciation
Rights, the Committee may provide for the payment to the Participant of dividend
equivalents thereon in cash or Shares on a current, deferred or contingent basis with
respect to any or all dividends or other distributions paid by the Company.
6.6 Award Agreement. Each grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which
shall describe the subject Stock Appreciation Rights, identify any related Options, state
that the Stock Appreciation Rights are subject to all of the terms and conditions of this
Plan and contain such other terms and provisions as the Committee may determine
consistent with this Plan.
6.7 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Each grant of a Tandem Stock Appreciation
Right shall provide that such Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised only (i)
at a time when the related Option (or any similar right granted under any other plan of
the Company) is also
6
exercisable and the Spread is positive and (ii) by surrender of the
related Option (or such other right) for cancellation.
6.8 Exercise Period. No Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan may be
exercised more than ten years from the Grant Date.
6.9 Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights. Regarding Freestanding Stock
Appreciation Rights only:
(a) Each grant shall specify in respect of each Freestanding Stock Appreciation
Right a Base Price per Share, which shall be equal to or greater than the Fair
Market Value on the Grant Date, except as provided in Section 11;
(b) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant regardless of whether
any Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted to such Participant
remain unexercised; and
(c) Each grant shall specify the period or periods of continuous employment of
the Participant by the Company or any Subsidiary (or, in the case of a Nonemployee
Director, service on the Board) that are necessary before the Freestanding Stock
Appreciation Rights or installments thereof shall become exercisable, and any grant
may provide for the earlier exercise of such rights in the event of a change in
control of the Company or other similar transaction or event.
7. Restricted Shares. The Committee may also authorize grants to Participants of Restricted
Shares upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine in accordance with the
following provisions:
7.1 Transfer of Shares. Each grant shall constitute an immediate transfer of the
ownership of Shares to the Participant in consideration of the performance of services,
subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer hereinafter
referred to.
7.2 Consideration. To the extent permitted by Delaware law, each grant may be made
without additional consideration from the Participant or in consideration of a payment by
the Participant that is less than the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date.
7.3 Substantial Risk of Forfeiture. Each grant shall provide that the Restricted
Shares covered thereby shall be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the
meaning of Code Section 83 for a period to be determined by the Committee on the Grant
Date, and any grant or sale may provide for the earlier termination of such risk of
forfeiture in the event of a change in control of the Company or other similar
transaction or event.
7.4 Dividend, Voting and Other Ownership Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the
Committee, an award of Restricted Shares shall entitle the Participant to dividend,
voting and other ownership rights during the period for which such substantial risk of
forfeiture is to continue.
7.5 Restrictions on Transfer. Each grant shall provide that, during the period for
which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to continue, the transferability of the
Restricted Shares shall be prohibited or restricted in the manner and to the extent
prescribed by the Committee on the Grant Date. Such restrictions may include, without
limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the Company or provisions subjecting
the Restricted Shares to a continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any
transferee.
7.6 PerformanceBased Restricted Shares. Any grant or the vesting thereof may be
further conditioned upon the attainment of Performance Objectives established by the
Committee in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 9 regarding Performance
Shares and Performance Units.
7
7.7 Dividends. Any grant may require that any or all dividends or other
distributions paid on the Restricted Shares during the period of such restrictions be
automatically sequestered and paid on a deferred basis when the restrictions lapse or
reinvested on an immediate or deferred basis in additional Shares, which may be subject
to the same restrictions as the underlying Award or such other restrictions as the
Committee may determine.
7.8 Award Agreements. Each grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement
containing such terms and provisions as the Committee may determine consistent with this
Plan. Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, all certificates representing
Restricted Shares, together with a stock power that shall be endorsed in blank by the
Participant with respect to such Shares, shall be held in custody by the Company until
all restrictions thereon lapse.
8. Deferred Shares (Restricted Stock Units). The Committee may authorize grants of Deferred
Shares (Restricted Stock Units) to Participants upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may
determine in accordance with the following provisions:
8.1 Deferred Compensation. Each grant shall constitute the agreement by the Company
to issue or transfer Shares to the Participant in the future in consideration of the
performance of services, subject to the fulfillment during the Deferral Period of such
conditions as the Committee may specify.
8.2 Consideration. Each grant may be made without additional consideration from the
Participant or in consideration of a payment by the Participant that is less than the
Fair Market Value on the Grant Date.
8.3 Deferral Period. Each grant shall provide that the Deferred Shares (Restricted
Stock Units) covered thereby shall be subject to a Deferral Period, which shall be fixed
by the Committee on the Grant Date, and any grant or sale may provide for the earlier
termination of such period in the event of a change in control of the Company or other
similar transaction or event.
8.4 Dividend Equivalents and Other Ownership Rights. During the Deferral Period,
the Participant shall not have any right to transfer any rights under the subject Award,
shall not have any rights of ownership in the Deferred Shares and shall not have any
right to vote such shares, but the Committee may on or after the Grant Date authorize the
payment of dividend equivalents on such shares in cash or additional Shares on a current,
deferred or contingent basis with respect to any or all dividends or other distributions
paid by the Company.
8.5 Performance Objectives. Any grant or the vesting thereof may be further
conditioned upon the attainment of Performance Objectives established by the Committee in
accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 9 regarding Performance Shares and
Performance Units.
8.6 Award Agreement. Each grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement containing
such terms and provisions as the Committee may determine consistent with this Plan.
9. Performance Shares and Performance Units. The Committee may also authorize grants of
Performance Shares and Performance Units, which shall become payable to the Participant upon the
achievement of specified Performance Objectives, upon such terms and conditions as the Committee
may determine in accordance with the following provisions:
9.1 Number of Performance Shares or Units. Each grant shall specify the number of
Performance Shares or Performance Units to which it pertains, which may be subject to
adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other factors.
9.2 Performance Period. The Performance Period with respect to each Performance
Share or Performance Unit shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award
Agreement and may be subject to earlier termination in the event of a change in control
of the Company or other
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similar transaction or event.
9.3 Performance Objectives. Each grant shall specify the Performance Objectives
that are to be achieved by the Participant.
9.4 Threshold Performance Objectives. Each grant may specify in respect of the
specified Performance Objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement below which no
payment will be made and may set forth a formula for determining the amount of any
payment to be made if performance is at or above such minimum acceptable level but falls
short of the maximum achievement of the specified Performance Objectives.
9.5 Payment of Performance Shares and Units. Each grant shall specify the time and
manner of payment of Performance Shares or Performance Units that shall have been earned,
and any grant may specify that any such amount will be paid by the Company in cash,
Shares or any combination thereof or may grant to the Participant or reserve to the
Committee the right to elect among those alternatives.
9.6 Maximum Payment. Any grant of Performance Shares may specify that the amount
payable with respect thereto may not exceed a maximum specified by the Committee on the
Grant Date. Any grant of Performance Units may specify that the amount payable, or the
number of Shares issued, with respect thereto may not exceed maximums specified by the
Committee on the Grant Date.
9.7 Dividend Equivalents. Any grant of Performance Shares may provide for the
payment to the Participant of dividend equivalents thereon in cash or additional Shares
on a current, deferred or contingent basis with respect to any or all dividends or other
distributions paid by the Company.
9.8 Adjustment of Performance Objectives. If provided in the terms of the grant,
the Committee may adjust Performance Objectives and the related minimum acceptable level
of achievement if, in the sole judgment of the Committee, events or transactions have
occurred after the Grant Date that are unrelated to the performance of the Participant
and result in distortion of the Performance Objectives or the related minimum acceptable
level of achievement; provided, however, in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based
Award any such modifications may not increase the amount payable under such Award.
9.9 Award Agreement. Each grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which
shall state that the Performance Shares or Performance Units are subject to all of the
terms and conditions of this Plan and such other terms and provisions as the Committee
may determine consistent with this Plan.
10. Transferability.
10.1 Transfer Restrictions. Except as provided in Sections 10.2 and 10.4, no Award
granted under this Plan shall be transferable by a Participant other than upon death by
will or the laws of descent and distribution or designation of a beneficiary in a form
acceptable to the Committee, and Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
exercisable during a Participants lifetime only by the Participant or, in the event of
the Participants legal incapacity, by his guardian or legal representative acting in a
fiduciary capacity on behalf of the Participant under state law. Any attempt to transfer
an Award in violation of this Plan shall render such Award null and void.
10.2 Limited Transfer Rights. The Committee may expressly provide in an Award
Agreement (or an amendment to an Award Agreement) that a Participant may transfer such
Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option), in whole or in part, to a spouse or lineal
descendant (a Family Member), a trust for the exclusive benefit of Family Members, a
partnership or other entity in which all the beneficial owners are Family Members, or any
other entity affiliated with the Participant that may be approved by the Committee.
Subsequent transfers of Awards shall be prohibited except in accordance with this Section
10.2. All terms and conditions of the Award, including provisions
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relating to the
termination of the Participants employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary,
shall continue to apply following a transfer made in accordance with this Section 10.2.
10.3 Restrictions on Transfer. Any Award made under this Plan may provide that all
or any part of the Shares that are (i) to be issued or transferred by the Company upon
the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, upon the termination of the
Deferral Period applicable to Deferred Shares (Restricted Stock Units) or upon payment
under any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units, or (ii) no longer subject to
the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in Section 7,
shall be subject to further restrictions upon transfer.
10.4 Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 10, any Award made under this Plan may be transferred as necessary to fulfill any
domestic relations order as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B).
11. Adjustments. The Committee shall make or provide for such adjustments in the (a) number
of Shares covered by outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred Shares (Restricted
Stock Units), Restricted Shares and Performance Shares granted hereunder, (b) prices per share
applicable to such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, and (c) kind of shares covered thereby
(including shares of another issuer), as the Committee in its sole discretion may in good faith
determine to be equitably required in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of
Participants that otherwise would result from (x) any stock dividend, stock split, combination or
exchange of Shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (y)
any merger, consolidation, spinoff, spinout, splitoff, splitup, reorganization, partial or
complete liquidation or other distribution of assets (other than a normal cash dividend), issuance
of rights or warrants to purchase securities or (z) any other corporate transaction or event having
an effect similar to any of the foregoing. Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or
event, the Committee may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding Awards under this Plan
such alternative consideration as it may in good faith determine to be equitable under the
circumstances and may require in connection therewith the cancellation or surrender of all Awards
so replaced. The Committee shall also make or provide for such adjustments in each of the
limitations specified in Section 3 as the Committee in its sole discretion may in good faith
determine to be appropriate in order to reflect any transaction or event described in this Section
11. In the event the Company shall assume outstanding employee awards or the right or obligation
to make such awards in connection with the acquisition of another business or another corporation
or business entity, the Committee may make such adjustments, not inconsistent with the terms of the
Plan, in the terms of Awards as it shall deem appropriate in order to achieve reasonable
comparability or other equitable relationship between the assumed awards and the Awards granted
under the Plan as so adjusted.
11.1 Change in Control. The Committee shall also be authorized to determine and
specify in any Award Agreement provisions which shall apply upon a change in control of
the Company. A Change in Control of the Company for purposes of Awards made under this
Plan shall mean any of the following events: (a) a dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, (b) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, (c) a merger or
combination involving the Company after which the owners of Common Stock of the Company
immediately prior to the merger or combination own less than 50% of the outstanding
shares of common stock of the surviving corporation, or (d) the acquisition of more than
50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, whether by tender offer or
otherwise, by any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company. The decision of the Committee
as to whether a Change in Control has occurred shall be conclusive and binding.
11.2 Cash-Out. In connection with any change in control, the Committee, without the
consent of Participants, may determine that (i) any or all outstanding Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights shall be automatically exercised and cashed out in exchange for a
cash payment for such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights which may not exceed the
Spread between the Option Price or Base Price and Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise, and (ii) any or all other outstanding Awards shall be cashed out in exchange
for such consideration as the Committee may in good faith determine to be equitable under
the circumstances.
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12. Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue any fractional Shares
pursuant to this Plan. The Committee may provide for the elimination of fractions or for the
settlement thereof in cash.
13. Withholding Taxes. To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state,
local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit realized by a Participant or
other person under this Plan, it shall be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such
benefit that the Participant or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for
payment of all such taxes required to be withheld. At the discretion of the Committee, such
arrangements may include relinquishment of a portion of such benefit. The Fair Market Value of any
Shares withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the
amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory tax withholding rates.
14. Certain Terminations of Employment, Hardship and Approved Leaves of Absence.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, in the event of termination of
employment by reason of death, disability, normal retirement, early retirement with the consent of
the Company or leave of absence approved by the Company, or in the event of hardship or other
special circumstances, of a Participant who holds an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is not
immediately and fully exercisable, any Restricted Shares as to which the substantial risk of
forfeiture or the prohibition or restriction on transfer has not lapsed, any Deferred Shares
(Restricted Stock Units) as to which the Deferral Period is not complete, any Performance Shares or
Performance Units that have not been fully earned, or any Shares that are subject to any transfer
restriction pursuant to Section 10.3, the Committee may in its sole discretion take any action that
it deems to be equitable under the circumstances or in the best interests of the Company,
including, without limitation, waiving or modifying any limitation or requirement with respect to
any Award under this Plan. However, any such actions taken by the Committee must comply with the
provisions of Section 21 and the requirements of Code Section 409A and with Code Section 162(m) for
Qualified Performance-Based Awards.
15. Foreign Participants. In order to facilitate the making of any grant or combination of
grants under this Plan, the Committee may provide for such special terms for Awards to Participants
who are foreign nationals, or who are employed by or perform services for the Company or any
Subsidiary outside of the United States of America, as the Committee may consider necessary or
appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Moreover, the Committee
may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, this Plan
as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms
of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose, provided that no such supplements, amendments,
restatements or alternative versions shall include any provisions that are inconsistent with the
terms of this Plan, as then in effect, unless this Plan could have been amended to eliminate such
inconsistency without further approval by the stockholders of the Company.
16. Amendments and Other Matters.
16.1 Plan Amendments. This Plan may be amended from time to time by the Board, but
no such amendment shall increase any of the limitations specified in Section 3, other
than to reflect an adjustment made in accordance with Section 11, without the further
approval of the stockholders of the Company. The Board may condition any amendment on
the approval of the stockholders of the Company if such approval is necessary or deemed
advisable with respect to the applicable listing or other requirements of a national
securities exchange or other applicable laws, policies or regulations.
16.2 Award Deferrals. The Committee may permit Participants to elect to defer the
issuance of Shares or the settlement of Awards in cash under the Plan pursuant to such
rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for purposes of this Plan. In the case
of an award of Restricted Shares, the deferral may be effected by the Participants
agreement to forego or exchange his or her award of Restricted Shares and receive an
award of Deferred Shares (Restricted Stock Units). The Committee also may provide that
deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest on the deferral
amounts, or the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents where the deferral amounts
are denominated in Shares. However, any Award deferrals which the Committee permits must
comply with the provisions of Section 21 and the requirements of Code Section 409A.
16.3 Conditional Awards. The Committee may condition the grant of any award or
combination of Awards under the Plan on the surrender or deferral by the Participant of
his or her right to receive a cash bonus or other compensation otherwise payable by the
Company or any Subsidiary to
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the Participant, provided that any such grant must comply
with the provisions of Section 21 and the requirements of Code Section 409A.
16.4 Repricing Prohibited. The terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to
reduce the Option Price of outstanding Options or Base Price of outstanding Stock
Appreciation Rights
or cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash,
other Awards or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an Option Price or Base Price
that is less than the Option Price or Base Price of the original Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights without stockholder approval, provided that nothing herein shall
prevent the Committee from taking any action provided for in Section 11.
16.5 No Employment Right. This Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any right
with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any
Subsidiary and shall not interfere in any way with any right that the Company or any
Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate any Participants employment or other
service at any time.
16.6 Tax Qualification. To the extent that any provision of this Plan would prevent
any Option that was intended to qualify under particular provisions of the Code from so
qualifying, such provision of this Plan shall be null and void with respect to such
Option, provided that such provision shall remain in effect with respect to other
Options, and there shall be no further effect on any provision of this Plan.
16.7 Amendments to Comply with Laws, Regulations or Rules. Notwithstanding any
other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, in its sole and
absolute discretion and without the consent of any Participant, the Board may amend the
Plan, and the Committee may amend any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or
otherwise as it deems necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or
such Award Agreement to any present or future law, regulation or rule applicable to the
Plan, including, but not limited to, Code Section 409A.
17. Effective Date. This Plan shall become effective upon its approval by the stockholders of
the Company.
18. Termination. This Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date upon which it
is approved by the stockholders of the Company, and no Award shall be granted after that date.
19. Limitations Period. Any person who believes he or she is being denied any benefit or
right under the Plan may file a written claim with the Committee. Any claim must be delivered to
the Committee within forty-five (45) days of the specific event giving rise to the claim. Untimely
claims will not be processed and shall be deemed denied. The Committee, or its designated agent,
will notify the Participant of its decision in writing as soon as administratively practicable.
Claims not responded to by the Committee in writing within ninety (90) days of the date the written
claim is delivered to the Committee shall be deemed denied. The Committees decision shall be
final, conclusive and binding on all persons. No lawsuit relating to the Plan may be filed before
a written claim is filed with the Committee and is denied or deemed denied, and any lawsuit must be
filed within one year of such denial or deemed denial or be forever barred.
20. Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of this Plan and any Award hereunder
will be determined in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, except to the extent
governed by applicable federal law.
21. Compliance with Code Section 409A.
21.1 Awards Subject to Section 409A. The provisions of this Section 21 shall apply
to any Award or portion thereof that is or becomes subject to Code Section 409A (Section
409A), notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Plan or the Award
Agreement applicable to such Award. Awards subject to Section 409A include, without
limitation:
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(a) Any Nonqualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right that permits the
deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the
exercise of the Award.
(b) Any other Award that either (i) provides by its terms for settlement of all
or any portion of the Award on one or more dates following the Short-Term Deferral
Period (as defined
below) or (ii) permits or requires the Participant to elect one or more dates
on which the Award will be settled.
Subject to any applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 409A
or other applicable guidance, the term Short-Term Deferral Period means the period
ending on the later of (i) the date that is two and one-half months from the end of the
Companys fiscal year in which the applicable portion of the Award is no longer subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture or (ii) the date that is two and one-half months from
the end of the Participants taxable year in which the applicable portion of the Award is
no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. For this purpose, the term
substantial risk of forfeiture shall have the meaning set forth in any applicable U.S.
Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 409A or other applicable guidance.
21.2 Deferral and/or Distribution Elections. Except as otherwise permitted or
required by Section 409A or any applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant
to Section 409A or other applicable guidance, the following rules shall apply to any
deferral and/or distribution elections (each, an Election) that may be permitted or
required by the Committee pursuant to an Award subject to Section 409A:
(a) All Elections must be in writing and specify the amount of the distribution
in settlement of an Award being deferred, as well as the time and form of
distribution as permitted by this Plan.
(b) All Elections shall be made by the end of the Participants taxable year
prior to the year in which services commence for which an Award may be granted to
such Participant; provided, however, that if the Award qualifies as
performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 409A and is based on
services performed over a period of at least twelve (12) months, then the Election
may be made no later than six (6) months prior to the end of such period.
(c) Elections shall continue in effect until a written election to revoke or
change such Election is received by the Company, except that a written election to
revoke or change such Election must be made prior to the last day for making an
Election determined in accordance with paragraph (b) above or as permitted by
Section 21.3.
21.3 Subsequent Elections. Any Award subject to Section 409A which permits a
subsequent Election to delay the distribution or change the form of distribution in
settlement of such Award shall comply with the following requirements:
(a) No subsequent Election may take effect until at least twelve (12) months
after the date on which the subsequent Election is made;
(b) Each subsequent Election related to a distribution in settlement of an
Award not described in Section 21.4(b), 21.4(c) or 21.4(f) must result in a delay of
the distribution for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date such
distribution would otherwise have been made; and
(c) No subsequent Election related to a distribution pursuant to Section
21.4(d) shall be made less than twelve (12) months prior to the date of the first
scheduled payment under such distribution.
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21.4 Distributions Pursuant to Deferral Elections. No distribution in settlement of
an Award subject to Section 409A may commence earlier than:
(a) Separation from service (as determined pursuant to U.S. Treasury
Regulations or other applicable guidance);
(b) The date the Participant becomes Disabled (as defined below);
(c) Death;
(d) A specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule) that is either (i)
specified by the Committee upon the grant of an Award and set forth in the Award
Agreement evidencing such Award or (ii) specified by the Participant in an Election
complying with the requirements of Section 21.2 and/or 21.3, as applicable;
(e) To the extent provided by U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant
to Section 409A or other applicable guidance, a change in the ownership or effective
control or the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of
the Company; or
(f) The occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency (as defined below).
Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, to the extent that a Participant is
a Specified Employee (as defined in Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i)), no distribution
pursuant to Section 21.4(a) in settlement of an Award subject to Section 409A may be made
before the date which is six (6) months after such Participants date of separation from
service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participants death.
21.5 Unforeseeable Emergency. The Committee shall have the authority to provide in
the Award Agreement evidencing any Award subject to Section 409A for distribution in
settlement of all or a portion of such Award in the event that a Participant establishes,
to the satisfaction of the Committee, the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency (as
defined in Section 409A). In such event, the amount(s) distributed with respect to such
Unforeseeable Emergency cannot exceed the amounts necessary to satisfy such Unforeseeable
Emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such
distribution(s), after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be
relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by
liquidation of the Participants assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets
would not itself cause severe financial hardship). All distributions with respect to an
Unforeseeable Emergency shall be made in a lump sum as soon as practicable following the
Committees determination that an Unforeseeable Emergency has occurred. The occurrence
of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall be judged and determined by the Committee. The
Committees decision with respect to whether an Unforeseeable Emergency has occurred and
the manner in which, if at all, the distribution in settlement of an Award shall be
altered or modified, shall be final, conclusive, and not subject to approval or appeal.
21.6 Disabled. The Committee shall have the authority to provide in the Award
Agreement evidencing any Award subject to Section 409A for distribution in settlement of
such Award in the event that the Participant becomes Disabled. A Participant shall be
considered Disabled if either:
(a) the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be
expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of
not less than twelve (12) months, or
(b) the Participant is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or
mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to
last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income
replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an
accident and health plan covering employees of the Participants employer.
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All distributions payable by reason of a Participant becoming Disabled shall be paid in a
lump sum or in periodic installments as established by the Participants Election,
commencing as soon as practicable following the date the Participant becomes Disabled.
If the Participant has made no Election with respect to distributions upon becoming
Disabled, all such distributions shall be paid in a lump sum as soon as practicable
following the date the Participant becomes Disabled.
21.7 Death. If a Participant dies before complete distribution of amounts payable
upon settlement of an Award subject to Section 409A, such undistributed amounts shall be
distributed to his or her beneficiary under the distribution method for death established
by the Participants Election as
soon as administratively possible following receipt by the Committee of satisfactory
notice and confirmation of the Participants death. If the Participant has made no
Election with respect to distributions upon death, all such distributions shall be paid
in a lump sum as soon as practicable following the date of the Participants death.
21.8 No Acceleration of Distributions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, this Plan does not permit the acceleration of the time or schedule of any
distribution under this Plan in settlement of an Award subject to Section 409A, except as
provided by Section 409A and/or U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section
409A or other applicable guidance.
22. Predecessor Plan. Upon stockholder approval of this Plan pursuant to Section 17, no new
awards will be granted under the Predecessor Plan; provided that the annual grants of Restricted
Stock Units to Nonemployee Directors will be made under the Predecessor Plan on the effective date
of this Plan, and all outstanding awards under the Predecessor Plan on the effective date of this
Plan will be satisfied from the Shares which are available and have been reserved under the
Predecessor Plan.
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Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named
proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you
marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
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INTERNET
www.eproxy.com/lnn
Use the Internet to vote your proxy until 12:00 p.m. (CT)
on January 22, 2010. |
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PHONE
1-800-560-1965
Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy until 12:00 p.m.
(CT) on January 22, 2010. |
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*
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MAIL Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope provided. |
If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need to mail
back your Proxy Card.
TO VOTE BY MAIL AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ON ALL ITEMS BELOW,
SIMPLY SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
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1.
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Election of directors for
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01 Howard G. Buffett
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03 Michael C. Nahl
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Vote FOR all nominees
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Vote WITHHELD |
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term to expire in 2013:
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02 William F. Welsh II
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(except as marked)
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from all nominees |
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(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any
indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s)
in the box provided to the right.) |
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2.
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Approval of 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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o For
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o Against
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o Abstain |
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3.
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Ratification of the appointment of KPMG
LLP as the independent auditor for the
fiscal year ending August 31, 2010.
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o For
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o Against
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o Abstain |
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To vote, in its discretion, upon any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof which management did not have written notice of on November 9, 2009. |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR, FOR
APPROVAL OF 2010 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR.
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Address Change? Mark Box o Indicate changes below:
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Date __________________________________ |
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Signature(s) in Box |
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Please sign exactly as name appears on this proxy. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. |
LINDSAY CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Monday, January 25, 2010
8:30 a.m. CST
Corporate Headquarters
2222 North 111th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
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Lindsay Corporation
2222 North 111th Street
Omaha, Nebraska
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proxy |
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF LINDSAY CORPORATION FOR USE ONLY AT
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 25, 2010 AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
The undersigned hereby authorizes the Board of Directors of Lindsay Corporation (the Company), or
any successors in their respective positions, as proxy, with full powers of substitution, to
represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the
Companys corporate office, 2222 North 111th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday, January 25, 2010,
at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, and at any adjournment of said meeting, and thereat to act
with respect to all votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast, if then personally
present, in accordance with the instructions below and on the reverse hereof.
This proxy is revocable and the undersigned may revoke it at any time prior to the Annual Meeting
by giving written notice of such revocation to the Secretary of the Company. Should the undersigned
be present and want to vote in person at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof, the
undersigned may revoke this proxy by giving written notice of such revocation to the Secretary of
the Company on a form provided at the meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of or
access to the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and the Companys 2009 Annual Report to
Stockholders prior to the signing of this proxy.
See reverse for voting instructions.