UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement | ¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |||
x |
Definitive Proxy Statement | |||||
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Definitive Additional Materials | |||||
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule.14a-12 |
INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
5) | Total fee paid: |
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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4) | Date Filed: |
Notice of Annual Meeting
and
Proxy Statement
2014
INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC.
INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC.
259 Prospect Plains Road Cranbury, NJ 08512
April 23, 2014
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Innophos Holdings, Inc., our eighth as a publicly traded company. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 9:00 AM EDT on May 20, 2014, at the Princeton Marriott, located at 100 College Road E, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540.
The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement describe the items to be considered and acted upon by the stockholders.
Please note we are requiring identification as a stockholder to attend the Annual Meeting. For more information on this matter, kindly refer to the Notice of Meeting.
If you own shares of record, you will find enclosed a proxy card or cards and an envelope in which to return the card(s). Whether or not you plan to attend this meeting, please sign, date and return your enclosed proxy card(s), or vote over the telephone or Internet, as soon as possible so that your shares can be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting according to your instructions. You can revoke your proxy any time before the meeting and issue a new proxy as you deem appropriate. You will find the procedures to follow if you wish to revoke your proxy under the Frequently Asked Questions section in the Proxy Statement.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
Randolph Gress
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Your Vote Is Important. Whether You Own One Share Or Many, Your Prompt Cooperation In Voting Your Proxy Is Greatly Appreciated.
INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC.
259 Prospect Plains Road Cranbury, NJ 08512
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF
STOCKHOLDERS
Please take notice that the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Innophos Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will take place as follows:
Date: |
May 20, 2014 | |
Time: |
9:00 AM EDT | |
Place: |
Princeton Marriott, 100 College Road E, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 | |
Purposes: |
1. Election of six (6) members of the Board of Directors for terms extending until the next Annual Meeting; | |
2. Ratification of selection of an independent registered public accounting firm; and | ||
3. Proposal for advisory vote on approval of the compensation of Named Executives | ||
Who Can Vote: |
Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2014. | |
How to Vote: |
You may vote your proxy by marking, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it as soon as possible using the enclosed envelope. Or, you can vote over the telephone or the Internet as described on the enclosed proxy card. | |
Who May Attend: |
Only persons with evidence of stock ownership, or who are invited guests of the Company, may attend and be admitted to the Annual Meeting. We may require photographic identification (e.g. drivers license with photograph or passport) for verification of your identity. | |
If your shares are registered in your name, you must bring a copy of your proxy card (a reproduced proxy card is acceptable so long as it has identification on it) or, if you would like to pre-register for the meeting, please contact the Companys Investor Relations Department at (609) 366-1299 and request an admission pass. | ||
If your shares are registered in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, you will need to bring a proxy or a letter from that broker, trust, bank or other nominee or your most recent brokerage account statement, that confirms that you are the beneficial owner of those shares. If you do not have either an admission pass or proof that you own shares, you will not be admitted to the meeting. |
Dated: April 23, 2014 | By Order of the Board of Directors, | |||
William N. Farran | ||||
Corporate Secretary |
2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
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PROXY STATEMENT
2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC.
This Proxy Statement, the accompanying Proxy Card and Annual Report to Stockholders of Innophos Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company or Innophos), are being mailed on or about April 23, 2014 to the Companys stockholders of record on April 8, 2014. The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Companys 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting) scheduled to be held on May 20, 2014.
The Board solicits your proxy to give all stockholders the opportunity to vote on matters that will be presented at the Meeting, regardless of whether they can be present in person. This Proxy Statement provides you with information on these matters to assist you in voting your shares.
Who is the Proxy Committee?
The Proxy Committee consists of three Company officers, Messrs. William N. Farran, Robert Harrer, and James A. Testa, appointed by the Board and named on the Proxy Card to vote shares at the Meeting as instructed by stockholders.
What is a proxy?
A proxy is your legal designation of another person as your agent (the person is sometimes referred to as a proxy) to vote on your behalf. By completing and returning the enclosed Proxy Card, you are giving the Proxy Committee the authority to vote your shares in the manner you indicate on your card.
Why did I receive more than one Proxy Card?
You will receive multiple Proxy Cards if you hold your shares in different ways (for example, in joint tenancy, trusts, custodial accounts) or in multiple accounts. If your shares are held by a broker (that is, in street name), you will receive together with your Company materials your voting information, such as a request for instructions, from your broker, and you will return your voting instructions as directed by your broker. You should vote on and sign each Proxy Card you receive that represents a separate holding of shares. It is not necessary to send more than one Proxy Card or instructions for the same shares, no matter how they are held.
Who is qualified to vote?
You are qualified to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting if you own shares of Common Stock of the Company at the close of business on our record date of April 8, 2014.
How many shares of Common Stock may vote at the Meeting?
As of April 8, 2014, there were 21,941,398 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter presented. The Companys one class of Common Stock is the only security allowed to vote at the Meeting.
What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a street name holder?
These terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are registered directly in your name with Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, our transfer agent for the Common Stock, you are a stockholder of record.
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If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, they are the stockholder of record and you are a street name holder.
How do I vote my shares?
If you are a stockholder of record, you have several choices. You can vote your proxy:
| by mailing in the enclosed Proxy Card; |
| over the telephone; or |
| via the Internet. |
Please refer to the specific instructions set forth on the enclosed Proxy Card. For security reasons, our electronic voting system has been designed to authenticate your identity as a stockholder.
If you hold your shares in street name, your broker/bank/trustee/nominee will provide you with materials and instructions for voting your shares.
Can I vote my shares in person at the Meeting?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote your shares in person at the Meeting. If you hold your shares in street name, you must obtain a proxy from your broker, banker, trustee or nominee, giving you the right to vote the shares at the Meeting.
What are the Boards recommendations on how I should vote my shares?
The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:
Proposal 1 |
FOR the election of the six (6) nominees to serve as directors. | |
Proposal 2 |
FOR the approval of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm. | |
Proposal 3 |
FOR the approval of the compensation of the Named Executives. |
What are my choices when voting?
Proposal 1 |
You may cast your vote in favor of electing the nominees as directors or withhold your vote on one or more nominees. | |
Proposal 2 |
You may cast your vote in favor of or against the proposal, or you may elect to abstain from voting your shares. | |
Proposal 3 |
You may cast your vote in favor of or against the proposal, or you may elect to abstain from voting your shares. |
How will my shares be voted if I do not specify how they should be voted?
If you properly sign and return your Proxy Card without indicating how you want your shares to be voted, the Proxy Committee will cause your shares to be voted as follows:
Proposal 1 |
FOR the election of the six (6) nominees to serve as directors. | |
Proposal 2 |
FOR the approval of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm. | |
Proposal 3 |
FOR the approval of the compensation of the Named Executives. |
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How are votes withheld, abstentions and broker non-votes treated?
The shares with votes withheld and abstentions are deemed as present at the Meeting, are counted for quorum purposes, and those votes generally have the same effect as a vote against the matter where it requires a predetermined affirmative vote to pass. Broker non-votes, if any, while counted for general quorum purposes, are not deemed to be present with respect to any matter for which a broker does not have authority to vote.
Can I change my vote after I have mailed in my Proxy Card?
Yes, you may revoke your proxy by doing one of the following:
| by sending a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company at the address shown on this Proxy Statement that is received prior to the Meeting, stating that you revoke your proxy; |
| by signing a later-dated Proxy Card and submitting it so that it is received prior to the Meeting in accordance with the instructions included in the Proxy Card(s); or |
| by attending the Meeting and voting your shares in person (this automatically revokes your Proxy Card). |
What vote is required to approve each proposal?
Proposal 1 |
Requires a plurality of the votes cast to elect a director. A plurality means that a nominee must receive more votes than the next closest contestant in a contest for the seat in question. | |
Proposal 2 |
Requires a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting to be adopted. | |
Proposal 3 |
Requires a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting to be adopted. |
What constitutes a quorum?
Under our by-laws, a quorum is a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote. The presence of a quorum is necessary to transact business at the Meeting.
Who will count the votes?
The votes will be counted by Inspectors of Election, persons required by Delaware law to oversee voting at a stockholders meeting. The Inspectors will be present at the Meeting and will report the voting results. We expect that a representative from Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, our transfer agent, will serve as one of the Inspectors of Election.
Will my vote be confidential?
All voting records which identify stockholders are kept permanently confidential, except as necessary to meet legal requirements and in other limited circumstances such as proxy contests. The Inspectors of Election, who are not Company employees, will be required to execute confidentiality agreements.
Who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?
The Company pays all costs of soliciting proxies. Upon request, the Company will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and trustees, or their nominees, for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of shares of the Companys Common Stock. In addition, the Company has retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. (Mackenzie) to aid in the solicitation of proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile, e-mail and personal solicitation and will request brokerage houses and other nominees, fiduciaries and custodians to forward soliciting materials to beneficial owners of the Companys Common Stock. For these services, the Company has agreed to pay MacKenzie $5,000, plus expenses.
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Is mailing this Proxy Statement the only way that proxies are being solicited?
No. As stated above, the Company has retained MacKenzie, a professional soliciting firm, to aid in the solicitation of proxy materials. In addition to mailing these proxy materials and the services of our proxy soliciting firm, directors, officers or employees of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, e-mail or personal contact. Those persons will not be specifically compensated for doing so.
How will voting be conducted on other matters raised at the meeting?
If any matters are presented at the meeting other than the proposals on the Proxy Card, the Proxy Committee will vote on them using their best judgment. Your signed Proxy Card or instructions give them the authority to do this. Under our by-laws, notice of any matter to be presented by a stockholder for a vote at the meeting must have been received by our Corporate Secretary no later than March 20, 2014, and it must have been accompanied by certain information about the stockholder presenting it. We have not received notice of any matter to be presented other than those on the Proxy Card.
When must stockholder proposals be submitted for the 2015 Annual Meeting?
Stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in our 2015 proxy statement must be received in writing by our Corporate Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 24, 2014. Stockholder proposals that are not intended to be included in the proxy statement must be received not less than 60 nor more than 90 days in advance of our 2015 Annual Meeting, unless we announce the meeting date less than 70 days before the meeting. In that case, proposals must be received not later than 10 days after we announce the meeting date. In each case, proposals must be accompanied by information required by our by-laws.
What is the deadline to nominate an individual for election as a director at the 2015 annual meeting?
Our by-laws describe the procedures that must be used in order for someone nominated by a stockholder of record to be eligible for election as a director. To nominate an individual for election as a director at the 2015 Annual Meeting, notice of intention to nominate must be received by the Corporate Secretary no sooner than February 19, 2015 and no later than March 23, 2015. If the meeting date is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary date of this years meeting, the notice may be given not later than 10 days after the earlier of the announcement of the meeting or the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed. The notice must contain specified information about the nominee, including his or her age, address, occupation and share ownership, as well as the name, address and share ownership of the stockholder giving the notice.
If you have any further questions about voting your shares or attending the Meeting, please call MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at 1-800-322-2885 or our Investor Relations Department at 1-609-366-1299.
The Board of Directors and its Committees
Under our by-laws and the laws of Delaware, our state of incorporation, the business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Board. It is the duty of the Board to serve as a prudent fiduciary for stockholders and to oversee the management of the Companys business.
Board Composition and Meetings
The Board currently consists of six directors, five of whom are independent. During 2013, the Board and its standing committees held a total of 16 meetings (five Board and 11 committee) and took action by written consent in lieu of meetings a total of 15 times. Each director attended at least 85% of the meetings of the Board and committees on which he or she served during 2013, and overall attendance at Board and committee meetings during 2013 averaged 98% for our current directors as a group. Each director is expected to devote sufficient time, energy and attention to ensure diligent performance of his or her duties. This includes not only attending Board and committee meetings, but stockholders meetings as well. All current directors attended the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders.
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In accordance with NASDAQ Stock Market Rules, the Board determines whether directors and nominees for election as directors are independent in accordance with guidelines it has adopted, which include all elements of independence set forth in the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. According to those rules, independent director means a person other than an executive officer or employee of the company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the issuers board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The rules provide a number of specific exclusions based on business and/or family relationships from being considered independent.
In order to be listed and remain on the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Company is required to have a majority of independent directors comprising the Board and to have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
To comply with the rules, a listed company must also have an audit committee of at least three members, each of whom must: (i) be independent as defined under the rules; (ii) meet the criteria for independence set forth in the applicable SEC rules (subject to applicable exemptions); (iii) not have participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or any current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the past three years; and (iv) be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Additionally, at least one member of the audit committee must have past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background which results in the individuals financial sophistication, including being or having been a senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities.
NASDAQ Stock Market rules also require that: (i) the compensation of the chief executive officer and other executive officers be determined or recommended to the Board for determination by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee comprising solely independent directors; and (ii) director nominees must either be selected, or recommended for the Boards selection, either by a majority of the independent directors or a nominations committee comprising solely independent directors. From November 2006 through 2013, the Company complied on a timely basis with all SEC and NASDAQ Stock Market rules relating to the composition of the Board and committees as those rules became applicable. At the present time, the Company remains in compliance with the applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules covering director independence in its case. The Board intends to maintain that compliance through all necessary additions and adjustments to Board and committee membership from time to time in the future.
On an annual basis, each director and executive officer is obligated to complete a Director and Officer Questionnaire which requires disclosure of any transactions with the Company in which the director or executive officer, or any member of his or her immediate family, have a direct or indirect material interest.
The Board is dedicated to the principle that independent directors must play a determinative role in the overall governance of the Company, including an active role in the leadership structure of the Board and its committees.
Since its formation in 2004, Mr. Gress has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and also acted in the capacity of Board chair before being formally elected as Chairman in November 2006. However, all other directors now serving on the Board are independent directors. To follow sound governance practices consistent with its principles and provide leadership and coordination among the independent majority of directors, in 2007, the Board created a new office of Lead Independent Director, or LID, and formalized that determination in the corporate structure by amending the Companys by-laws. Under the amended by-laws, whenever the Board elects a chairman who is not also an independent director under the regulatory standards
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then applicable to the Company, it must also elect from among the independent directors a LID. Apart from being a distinct corporate office recognized under the by-laws, the LID position is separately compensated from other directors in recognition of its importance and additional responsibilities.
The LID is to preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board in the absence of the chairman, to act as chair for meetings of the independent directors, and to have the duties prescribed by the by-laws and the Board. The Board has specified major roles for the LID that centrally involve that director in coordinating the independent director activities on the Board and its committees concerning, among other things, meetings, information flow, agenda setting and management oversight.
Gary Cappeline, an independent director, currently serves as the LID. Mr. Cappeline has served on each of the Boards three standing committees, has chaired the Audit Committee and currently chairs the Compensation Committee. He was last re-elected as the LID at the 2013 annual organizational meeting of the Board to serve until the 2014 annual organizational meeting of the Board.
Since the creation of the office of the LID, the Board has reviewed from time to time the governance issues and principles relating to the existing combination of the offices of chief executive and chairman and has concluded that the interests of the Company and its stockholders are best served by maintaining the office of the LID and electing a qualified candidate to that office. Among factors that support that conclusion are the following: (i) the Board believes the existing combined structure and incumbent personnel involved would continue to work well for the benefit of the Company; (ii) there is no convincing evidence that the Companys financial performance or other aspects of its business would be improved by splitting the roles; (iii) there is a concern that dividing the roles could weaken its ability to develop and implement critical strategies; (iv) as a matter of good governance, the Company already implements alternative measures to strengthen Board independence and oversight (for example, Board expansions have been solely with independent directors, Board committees are all being chaired by independent directors, and at Board and committee meetings, time is allocated for independent directors to meet in executive session without management personnel present); and (v) although trends favor increased oversight by independent boards of directors, potential benefits of splitting the roles can be achieved in other meaningful ways such as by using the LID function concentrated in one independent director who could work in tandem with a non-independent chairman.
The Board retains the right at any time to review the issues of separation or combination of the Board leadership and management leadership and the discretion and power to make changes in that regard should it conclude circumstances warrant them.
The Boards Role in Risk Oversight
The Company is exposed to a wide variety of risks in its business activities, including strategic risks, operational risks, financial risks, risks relating to general economic conditions and their effect on its industry, geo-political risks and risks relating to regulatory and legal compliance. The Company regularly discloses in its public filings material risks to its business and the steps it takes to identify and prevent or mitigate them.
One of the responsibilities of the Board is oversight of the Companys risk management activities. In meeting that responsibility, the Board ensures that processes are in place to identify and evaluate the major risks faced by the Company and oversee and monitor the design and implementation of guidelines and programs to manage the Companys response to those risks. The Board discharges its oversight function through a combination of its own efforts, those of its standing committees and the senior management structure of the Company. Senior executives manage material risks on a day-to-day basis and assist in managing risk in liaison with the Board and committees. The Board has adopted an Enterprise Risk Management Policy, or ERMP, for the Company providing an overall methodology for dealing with various types of risk.
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According to the ERMP, the accountabilities for risk management at the Company are as follows:
| Board of Directors (including through delegation to its committees). The Board is ultimately responsible for approving the Company Enterprise Risk Management framework and key risk management policies, including risk appetite parameters. It approves the overall Company strategy to ensure it fits with risk appetite, oversees the mitigation of strategic risk elements, such as executive succession planning and approval authority levels, and ensures that management is complying with risk management policies. Although the committees and mechanisms described below operate on a regular basis and circumstances may result in risk elements being the subject of Board attention at any time, the full Board itself devotes at least one session annually (normally in May or June in connection with its annual organizational meeting) focused on risk identification and management where it reviews risk identification and analyses made by the organization through the ERMP process. It does so on a full two year review cycle and on a one year interim cycle involving detailed updates, normally in conjunction with the timing of annual insurance coverage renewals. The delegations made by the Board to its standing committees with respect to risk can be summarized as follows: |
| Nominating & Corporate Governance Committeethis Board committee is generally responsible for the oversight of risk exposures not specifically delegated to the other Board committees and works directly with the Chief Risk Officer, or CRO, who is an executive officer of the Company. In practice, it is expected that the greater part of the Board-related ERMP activities will be conducted through this committee. |
| Audit Committeethis Board committee is generally responsible for oversight dealing with risk exposure arising from or relating to the Companys financial reporting and financial controls. In this area, the committee is supported by Companys management team and internal audit function. |
| Compensation Committeethis Board committee is responsible for the Companys compensation policies and programs and how they relate to risk. |
| Managements Ethics and Governance Committee / Chief Executive Officer. This committee chaired by the CEO comprises a number of other senior executives and managers including the CRO and is the primary management tool to oversee management responsibilities with regard to risk. It is aligned with the Board through the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. |
| Managements Leadership Team. This group, chaired by the CEO and comprising all business sector and function vice presidents, through its regular quarterly business review meetings and task forces, is responsible for reviewing the material risks listed during the risk identification process and implementing mitigation actions. It ensures that newly-observed risks, or changes in risks previously documented, are communicated to the CRO. In addition to this duty, it has responsibility for tactical business operation within pre-defined risk tolerance parameters. |
| Chief Risk Officer. This office, currently held by the Vice President, Strategic Planning, provides leadership and guidance to the organization, and ultimately to the Board, with respect to ERMP processes. The CRO, assisted by insurance and loss prevention personnel, applies policies, frameworks, methodologies and tools in the areas of risk identification, risk assessment, risk response and risk monitoring to fulfill the responsibilities of (i) developing and implementing enterprise-wide risk reporting, (ii) ensuring consistent application of the ERMP framework and methodologies, and (iii) developing appropriate methodologies for determination of risk appetite at the Board level. |
Risk Analysis of Performance-Based Compensation Plans
The Compensation Committee has discussed and analyzed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement the various elements of compensation provided to our named executives. The Committee believes that, although the larger part of compensation value provided to our named executives and key employees could be regarded as performance-based, our compensation programs do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
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Our compensation programs encourage participants to remain focused on both short and long-term financial and other measures and to remain in Company service for extended periods of time. The bases for compensation under our programs have been broad, traditional measurements indicative of sound performance measured both internally and externally. For example, our performance share awards (under our long term incentive programs) generally vest only at the end of multi-year performance cycles, and award levels for each cycle have been based on returns on invested capital (ROIC) and other standards of profitability like growth in contribution margin (CM). The fact that these awards are stock-based, together with the nature of stock option and restricted stock awards made separately under our programs (also with installment vesting or exercisability) generally encourages participants to focus on sustained stock price appreciation over the long term.
Under our short term programs, awards paid in cash have been based on both Company financial achievement and fulfillment of individual goals. Historically, the financial goals have been based on broadly accepted measurements, such as adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), EPS (Earnings Per Share), FCF (Free Cash Flow) and/or WC (Working Capital as a percentage of sales), in each case measured against targets related to annual budgets. Participants personal goals are harmonized with overall Company goals and depend to a significant degree on non-financial measurements that may extend to risk reduction areas like health, safety, environment and customer service. The harmonization to broader goals discourages excessive risk taking by individuals. Moreover, awards are not paid out to executives on individual goals if, at a minimum, Company goals are not met. The Company also has stock ownership guidelines that require long-term equity ownership by senior executives, a structure that keeps their interests aligned with stockholders for the long-term and discourages excessive risk taking harmful to all investors.
The Board currently has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, each of which currently has the membership shown in the table below.
Name |
Audit |
Compensation |
Nominating & Corporate Governance | |||
Gary Cappeline |
X | X* | ||||
Linda J. Myrick |
X* | |||||
Karen Osar |
X* | X | X | |||
Amado Cavazos |
X | X | ||||
John Steitz |
X | X |
* | Chair |
A complete copy of the Companys corporate governance documents and charters are available on the Companys website (www.innophos.com) under the tab Investor Relations, and then by selecting Corporate Governance, followed by Documents and Charters. The following are posted on the website:
| Audit Committee Charter |
| Compensation Committee Charter |
| Nominating & Corporate Governance Charter |
| Corporate Governance Guidelines |
| Code of Ethics |
| Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers |
| Insider Trading Policy |
| Certificate of Incorporation |
| By-Laws |
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Under our by-laws and Delaware law, the Board has the power to form additional standing or special committees as it sees fit. Committee members are appointed by the Board and hold their offices until their successors are appointed and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. All vacancies on committees are filled by the Board. The Board designates a member of each of the standing committees as Chair, and each committee keeps a separate book of minutes of its proceedings and actions.
The principal duties and responsibilities of our standing committees are discussed below.
The Board has adopted a written charter that defines the duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee. The principal purpose and responsibilities of the Audit Committee is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility to:
| review the integrity of the Companys financial statements and its financial reporting process; |
| review the effectiveness of the Companys internal accounting and financial controls; |
| review and monitor the performance of the Companys internal audit function, if any, and independent registered public accounting firm; |
| select the independent registered public accounting firm and monitor its qualifications and independence; |
| review and monitor the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
| review and discuss issues warranting Committee attention, including significant risks to the Company and the steps management has taken to minimize such risks; |
| review and investigate matters relating to the integrity of management, potential conflicts of interest and adherence to the Companys policies; |
| establish procedures for internal complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; |
| review and approve, as appropriate, related-party transactions for potential conflicts of interest; |
| review policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including the risk of fraud; |
| review the Companys annual report, proxy statement and SEC filings (Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K, etc.), including Managements Discussion and Analysis; and |
| prepare its report to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement and any other filings, as required by SEC regulations. |
Of the Committee members, the Board has determined that both Ms. Osar, chair of the Committee, and Mr. Cappeline meet the SECs definition of audit committee financial expert. All Committee members are independent as that term is defined by the NASDAQ Stock Market rules applicable to the Company.
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee serves as the Companys nominating committee. The principal purpose and responsibility of the Committee under its charter adopted by the Board is to:
| develop and recommend qualification standards and other criteria for selecting new directors; |
| screen and recommend to nominees for election as directors of the Company; |
| establish procedures and oversee annual evaluations of the Board, individual Board members and the Board committees; |
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| to develop, implement and oversee plans related to appropriate training, development, continuing education and improvement actions for the Board, individual Board members and the Board Committees; |
| to oversee compliance with ethics policies and consider other matters of corporate and Board governance; |
| review the Companys Code of Ethics, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, confidential information and insider trading policies, and any similar Company codes and policies, and, based on such periodic review, recommend changes to the Board; |
| review the makeup of the Board and its committees and recommend, as appropriate, changes in the number, function or membership; |
| to assist the Board in its oversight of the Companys enterprise risk management (ERM) process, and prepare the Board for its annual ERM review; and |
| develop and review succession plans of the chief executive officer. |
The Committee is to consist of at least two members; however, the Committee currently consists of three members, all of whom are independent.
The Committee will also evaluate candidates for the Board recommended by stockholders. Stockholders wishing to recommend a candidate may submit a recommendation to the Secretary of the Corporation. That submission should include (i) the candidates name, address, occupation and share ownership; (ii) other biographical information that will enable the Committee to evaluate the candidate in light of the criteria; and (iii) information concerning any relationship between the candidate and the stockholder making the recommendation. No distinction is made by the Committee in considering candidates properly nominated by stockholders from those who may be nominated by directors, management or other sources.
The Committee is interested in nominating candidates (as needed subject to the size of the Board as determined by that body) who will make the strongest contributions toward the Boards fulfillment of its overall responsibilities to manage the Companys business in the best interests of the stockholders. The Companys business in recent years has expanded beyond its original focus of specialty phosphate chemical manufacturing in North America to that of an international producer of performance critical and nutritional specialty ingredients for a variety of end markets, including food, beverage, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, oral care and industrial. The Committee believes persons who can bring demonstrated successful experience in related fields, expertise in relevant disciplines, and who can work diligently, collegially, but with independent criticality, with senior management and fellow Board members will make the most desirable candidates for director. Although it has no specific criteria as to geographic or other diversity among directors or candidates, in recognition of the Companys significant operations and human resources located in Mexico, the Committee believes it is important to have a presence on the Board reflecting that perspective.
The Compensation Committee has a written charter adopted by the Board. The Compensation Committees primary purpose and responsibilities are to:
| review and approve compensation policies, including cash-based and equity-based incentive plans, for the Board and senior executives; |
| approve the annual goals and objectives for the chief executive officer; evaluate the chief executive officers performance in light of those goals and objectives; and recommend to the Board the chief executive officers compensation level based on this evaluation; |
| review and approve employment agreements, severance agreements or change of control agreements and other compensatory arrangements between the Company and its executive officers; |
| approve, adopt, amend and terminate pension and retirement plans of the Company; |
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| approve the parameters of overall compensation policy throughout the entire Company; |
| produce all reports on executive compensation required on behalf of the Committee or the Board, review all other compensation discussion and analysis disclosure materials, and generally oversee compliance with the compensation reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and |
| retain or obtain the advice of any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; and directly manage the appointment, compensation and oversight of such advisers. |
The Committee regularly consults with external, independent consultants and may consult with outside legal advisors that advise it on compensation issues. The Committee has the final authority to retain and terminate compensation consultants and determines the terms and conditions of those relationships, including compensation. In their engagements, compensation consultants receive directions from, and consult with, the Committee, as well as senior management. In the course of its duties, the Committee discusses with the consultants executive compensation matters it deems appropriate outside the presence of management. Although the Committee seeks and considers the information and advice provided by its consultants, decisions by the Committee are ultimately the Committees responsibility.
During 2013, the Committee engaged Mercer (USA) Inc. (Mercer) to provide compensation related services and advice relating to executives. Mercer reported directly to the Committee, and the nature and scope of the principal executive compensation services rendered for 2013 by it to the Compensation Committee and on its behalf can be summarized as follows: (i) guidance with respect to executive compensation, taking into account the Companys business strategies, pay philosophy, stockholders interests, prevailing market practices, and relevant legal and regulatory mandates; (ii) assistance with the assessment and implementation of long-term incentive compensation programs; and (iii) advice with respect to best practices related to executive compensation and Compensation Committee activities.
For 2013, the Company incurred $222,241 of fees and expenses in respect of executive compensation services performed by Mercer, all of which were in support of the Committees functions. For 2013, the Company and its subsidiaries also expended approximately $214,500 for insurance brokerage and additional advisory services performed by an affiliate of Mercer. Those services were considered ordinary and necessary for the ongoing protection of corporate assets and personnel or in furtherance of strategic development and were not approved by the Board or any committee thereof. The insurance relationship with Mercers affiliate originated with the Companys organization in 2004, was known at the time of Mercers retention for executive compensation services in 2013, and is not considered by the Company to present a conflict of interest or adversely affect Mercers independence.
The Compensation Committee assessed the independence of Mercer and all other outside advisors retained to advise it on compensation matters in 2013 and determined that there were no conflicts of interest. In compliance with its charter and in reaching these conclusions, the Committee considered Rule 10C-1(b)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the corresponding independence factors in Rule 5605(d)(3) of the NASDAQ Stock Market regarding compensation advisor independence and believes that its advisors were able to independently advise the Compensation Committee.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
There are no relationships required to be disclosed under this section.
Our by-laws allow directors to be paid compensation, including allowances and attendance fees, as the Board may from time to time determine. Only non-employee directors are currently eligible for such compensation, and directors who are employees of the Company receive no compensation for their service on the Board.
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The objective of our director compensation programs is to enable the Company to attract and retain as directors individuals of substantial accomplishment with demonstrated leadership capabilities. From time to time, our Compensation Committee reviews the levels, types and mix of compensation paid to directors, considers market conditions and prevailing practices with its consultants and makes recommendations to the Board for its consideration concerning director compensation. Consistent with those objectives and procedures, we pay our directors compensation structured as follows:
Fee Type |
Value in $ | Notes | ||||
Annual Retainer Cash |
45,000 | |||||
Annual Retainer Stock |
60,000 | (Payable in shares following election at annual meeting) | ||||
Annual Lead Independent Director Fee |
20,000 | |||||
Annual Committee Membership: |
||||||
Audit |
7,500 | ($15,000 for chair) | ||||
Compensation |
2,500 | ($7,500 for chair) | ||||
Nominating & Corporate Governance |
2,500 | ($7,500 for chair) | ||||
Meeting Fee (for each Board or committee meeting) |
||||||
Board in person |
1,500 | |||||
Committee in person |
1,000 | |||||
Any telephonic attendance |
500 |
In order to better align the interests of directors with those of the stockholders, we utilize an annual stock retainer referred to in the table above and reflected in the table below, pursuant to which our non-employee directors receive a portion of their annual fee (the equivalent of $60,000 in fair market value at time of issue) in actual shares of Company Common Stock following their successful election or re-election at annual meetings. Directors are subject to the Companys Executive and Director Stock Ownership Policy, under which they are afforded until five years after first election to achieve and maintain a level of ownership of Common Stock equal in value to five times the amount of their annual cash retainer (currently $45,000). At the current level of cash retainer and an illustrative price per share of Common Stock of $55, compliance with the policy would require each director to own a minimum of 4,090 shares.
For services rendered as directors in all Board and committee capacities in 2013, we provided for our directors the following compensation:
Director Compensation Table
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (1) |
Stock Awards ($) (2) |
Option Awards ($) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Gary Cappeline |
95,500 | 60,038 | | | | | 155,538 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amado Cavazos |
65,000 | 60,038 | | | | | 125,038 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Linda Myrick |
63,500 | 60,038 | | | | | 123,538 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Karen Osar |
81,500 | 60,038 | | | | | 141,538 | |||||||||||||||||||||
John Steitz |
70,500 | 60,038 | | | | | 130,538 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen Zide (3) |
| | | | 18,560 | | 18,560 |
(1) | Represents all fees earned during the year ended December 31, 2013. |
(2) | On May 20, 2013, the Company issued 1,136 shares of Common Stock valued at a closing market price of $52.85 per share as an annual stock retainer to each Independent Director. The stock was immediately vested. |
(3) | Mr. Zide chose not to stand for re-election and, in June 2013, received a distribution of previously deferred compensation, plus earnings, totaling $205,476, of which the amount shown in the table was attributable to cash retainer fees for 2013. |
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Each of our current directors has entered into an indemnity agreement with the Company. Under those agreements, we have agreed generally to indemnify the directors against liabilities, including advancing litigation expenses, incurred in connection with their service for our Company, its subsidiaries or other entities at our request.
Other Corporate Governance Matters
The Board sets high standards for the Companys employees, officers and directors. Implicit in sound corporate governance is a philosophy of lawful conduct and ethical behavior toward the various interests affecting or forming part of the corporate landscape. To fulfill its responsibilities and to discharge its duty, the Board of Directors follows the procedures and standards that are set forth in guidelines, codes and charters adopted by the Board. These governing principles are subject to modification from time to time as the Board deems appropriate in the best interests of the Company or as required by applicable laws and regulations.
The Companys principal guidelines are contained in its Code of Ethics, its Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and its Insider Trading Policy. In addition to these codes and policies, other rules and principles of the Companys corporate governance are contained in the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of its three standing committees of the Board. The Guidelines, Codes and Policy are available on the Companys website (www.innophos.com) under Investor Relations, then Corporate Governance, and then Documents and Charters.
Policy on Communications from Security Holders and Interested Parties
Security holders and interested parties may send communications through the Corporate Secretary of the Company to (1) the Board, (2) the committee chairs, or (3) the outside directors as a group. The Corporate Secretary will collect, organize and forward all communications, in that officers judgment, which are appropriate for consideration by the directors. Examples of communications that would not be considered appropriate for consideration by the directors include personal employment matters, solicitations for products or services, and matters not relevant to the functioning of the Board, stockholder interests or the affairs of the Company.
Policy With Respect To Related Person Transactions
The Board has adopted a written policy that requires certain transactions with related persons to be approved or ratified by its Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee or Compensation Committee (for compensation matters within the scope of the Compensation Committee charter). For purposes of this policy, related persons include (i) any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of the Companys last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer of the Company or a nominee to become a director of the Company, (ii) any person who is the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of any class of the Companys voting securities; and (iii) any immediate family member or affiliate of any person described in (i) or (ii). The types of transactions that are subject to this policy are transactions, arrangements or relationships (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, was, is or will be a participant and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest and the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $100,000. Under the policy, certain transactions are deemed to be automatically pre-approved and do not need to be brought to the applicable Committee for individual approval. The standards applied by the applicable Committee when reviewing transactions with related persons would be expected to include (a) the benefits to the Company of the transaction; (b) the terms and conditions of the transaction and whether such terms and conditions are comparable to the terms available to an unrelated third party or to employees generally, and (c) the potential for the transaction to affect the independence or judgment of a director or executive officer of the Company.
Since the beginning of 2013, the Company has engaged in no transaction, nor is it aware of any currently proposed transaction, in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
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The Board will present to the stockholders for their consideration and approval at the Meeting the three Proposals detailed below.
Election of Board Members
The Companys certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide for the size of the Board to be determined by Board action taken from time to time. At present, the full Board has been set at six with all the directors terms of office set to expire with the 2014 Annual Meeting. All the directors listed below are currently serving on the Board, all have been nominated for re-election, and all have agreed to serve if re-elected.
Gary Cappeline |
Age: | 64 | ||
Director Since: | 2007 | |||
Current Committees: | Compensation (Chair) and Audit | |||
Biography and Other Directorships: | Gary Cappeline is currently the Lead Independent Director. Mr. Cappeline currently serves as an Operating Partner of AEA Investors LLC, a private equity investment fund headquartered in New York City. Before joining AEA in 2007, Mr. Cappeline was president and chief operating officer of Ashland Inc., a diversified chemical company, to which he returned in 2002 after service as a senior executive in the chemical sectors at Engelhard Corporation and Honeywell International. He also served as chemical industry partner at Bear Stearns Merchant Bank. Mr. Cappeline currently serves on the board of directors of Evoqua Water Technologies (a manufacturer of water purification equipment), Shoes for Crews LLC (a manufacturer of slip resistant footwear), Swanson Industries (a mining equipment repair business), and RelaDyne Inc. (a distributor of lubricants and fuels). He previously served as a board and executive committee member of the American Chemistry Council (a chemical industry trade association) and the Board of Unifrax Corporation (a manufacturer of high temperature insulation products). |
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Amado Cavazos |
Age: | 69 | ||
Director Since: | 2008 | |||
Current Committees: | Compensation and Nominating & Corporate Governance | |||
Biography and Other Directorships: | Amado Cavazos is a director of Innophos. Mr. Cavazos retired from Du Pont, S.A. de C.V. in 2003 after holding numerous management and executive positions in Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and USA since 1968. From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Cavazos was Director of Coatings Businesses for Mexico and Central America. He was Group Director of Du Pont Mexico from 1993 to 1995 and Director of Corporate Planning from 1989 to 1993. During this time he represented Du Pont on several Boards of Directors; Nylon de Mexico, Tetraetilo de Mexico, Química Fluor, and Industrias Tecnos. From 1982 to 1987, Mr. Cavazos was Group Director for Du Pont Mexico and COO for three of its joint ventures, reporting directly to the Boards of Directors (Pigmentos y Productos Químicos, La Domincia and Química Fluor). Mr. Cavazos earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from Tecnológico de Monterrey. He served as member of the executive committee 1990-1999 and Chairman 1999-2001 of ANIQ, the chemical manufacturers association of Mexico. | |||
Randolph Gress |
Age: | 58 | ||
Director Since: | 2004 | |||
Current Committees: | None | |||
Biography and Other Directorships: | Randolph Gress is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Innophos. Mr. Gress joined Innophos as Chief Executive Officer and Director at the companys inception in 2004. He joined Rhodia in 1997 and held various positions including Global President of Rhodias Specialty Phosphates business and Vice President and General Manager of the Sulfuric Acid business. Prior to joining Rhodia, Mr. Gress spent 14 years at FMC Corporation where he worked in various managerial capacities in Strategic Planning, Business, Operations, and Supply Chain. From 1977 to 1980, Mr. Gress worked at Ford Motor Company in various capacities within the Plastics, Paint and Vinyl Division. Mr. Gress earned a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Gress currently serves on the Board of Directors for Coeur Mining, Inc., a precious metals mining company. |
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Linda Myrick |
Age: | 58 | ||
Director Since: | 2006 | |||
Current Committees: | Nominating & Corporate Governance (Chair) | |||
Biography and Other Directorships: | Linda Myrick is Program Director for Research & Development for American Air Liquide, Inc. in Newark, DE, a position she has held since January 2013. She relocated from Paris, France where she was Group Manager for Medical Gases for the Air Liquide affiliate, Air Liquide Santé International. Previously, she was Vice President & General Manager for Scott Specialty Gases, Inc., which was acquired by Air Liquide in 2007. Before joining Scott in 2004, she served as an independent member of the Board of Directors of Berwind Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., West Point, PA. From 2001 to 2003, she held various executive management positions with Rhodia, Inc. including Vice President & General Manager, North America for Home, Personal Care & Industrial Ingredients, and Vice President & General Manager, North America for Specialty Phosphates. Prior to joining Rhodia, Ms. Myrick held a number of positions in marketing, strategic planning and business management with FMC Corporation, Philadelphia, PA. Ms. Myrick earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and an M.B.A. from the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania. | |||
Karen Osar |
Age: | 64 | ||
Director Since: | 2007 | |||
Current Committees: Biography and Other Directorships: |
Audit (Chair), Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance | |||
Karen Osar was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chemtura Corporation, a $4.0 billion specialty chemicals manufacturer headquartered in Connecticut from 2004 through Chemturas formation in 2005 (and from 2004 was Executive Vice President of a predecessor company) until her retirement in March 2007. From 1999 through 2003, she served first as Chief Financial Officer of Westvaco Corporation and subsequent to its merger with Mead Corporation in 2002, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MeadWestvaco Corporation, primarily a provider of packaging solutions and products to major branded goods manufacturers. She also held the position of Vice President and Treasurer of Tenneco, Inc., an industrial conglomerate, from 1994 to 1999. Previously she served as Managing Director, Investment Banking, at JP Morgan and Company. Ms. Osar currently serves as a director of Webster Financial Corporation, a bank holding company, and SAPPI Ltd., a leading global producer of paper and chemical cellulose based in Johannesburg, South Africa. |
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John Steitz |
Age: | 55 | ||
Director Since: | 2009 | |||
Current Committees: | Audit and Compensation | |||
Biography and Other Directorships: | John Steitz has been President and Chief Operating Officer of PQ Corporation, a leading worldwide producer of specialty inorganic performance chemicals and catalysts, since October 2013. Prior to joining PQ Corporation, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Avantor Performance Materials from August 2012 and, prior to that time, as President and Chief Operating Officer of Albemarle Corporation, a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals. During his tenure at Albemarle, he led global expansion into China, Russia, South America and the Middle East. He also managed several strategic acquisitions and integrations, while restructuring Albemarles R&D function to improve the companys vitality in new product offering and revenues. Before joining Albemarle, Mr. Steitz spent twenty years at Mallinckrodt, Inc., holding a variety of positions of increasing responsibility. He eventually served as vice president and general manager of Mallinckrodts pharmaceutical chemicals division, where he helped the company generate record earnings and growth. |
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Among the factors considered by the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee in recommending, and the Board in nominating, the above candidates, all of whom are being proposed for re-election were the following:
Nominee |
Material Factors Considered | |
Mr. Cappeline |
His business background and senior responsibilities as an executive in the chemical industry and merchant/investment banking field, as well as his prior leadership as chair of two Board standing committees, his qualifications as a financial expert for Audit Committee purposes, and his role as the LID which he has held since the creation of that office. | |
Mr. Cavazos |
His experience in numerous managerial positions with a global chemical producer, particular strength in operations and familiarity with the industry environment in Mexico and Latin America. | |
Mr. Gress |
His extensive background and experience as an executive in the specialty chemical industry, his leadership role in the founding of the Company in 2004 and guiding it from leveraged buyout vehicle to publicly traded entity, his experience as chief executive officer of the Company overseeing and expanding its business and developing its leadership structure for nearly nine years and his right under an employment contract to be nominated to the Board and be chosen as chairman if elected. | |
Ms. Myrick |
Her experience in the immediate predecessor business to the Company, participation in the Board from 2006 as its first independent director, managerial expertise in the fields of technical research and development, and leadership of a standing Board committee. | |
Ms. Osar |
Her extensive experience and leadership positions in diverse major manufacturing and chemical companies, including expertise in banking, finance, treasury and prior service as a chief financial officer, her leadership as chair of a standing Board committee, and qualifications as a financial expert for Audit Committee purposes. | |
Mr. Steitz |
His extensive experience and senior leadership positions in the specialty chemical industry with particular emphasis and strength in operations. |
Your Board Recommends that Stockholders Vote FOR all Six (6) Nominees Listed Above.
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Approval of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or PwC, has served as the independent auditor (now referred to as the independent registered public accounting firm) of the Company since its creation in 2004. We believe that their knowledge of Innophos business and its organization gained through their prior service is valuable. Partners and employees of PwC assigned to the Innophos engagement are periodically rotated, thus giving us the benefit of new thinking and approaches in the audit area. We expect representatives of PwC to be present at the annual meeting with an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
For the years 2013 and 2012, PwC performed professional services for Innophos and its subsidiaries in connection with audits of the financial statements, due diligence services and tax services. PwC has also reviewed quarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Based on their review of the performance of PwC and discussions with that firm and as set forth in its report under Audit Committee Report, the Audit Committee selected PwC to serve as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for 2014. The stockholders are being asked to approve that selection.
Your Board recommends that Stockholders Vote to Approve the Selection of PwC as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
In Proposal 3, we provide stockholders the opportunity to cast an advisory, non-binding vote, popularly known as a say on pay, regarding the compensation of our Named Executives, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, rules. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or Dodd-Frank Act, which amended the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, requires a say on pay vote and another periodic advisory vote on the frequency of say on pay. At the 2011 Annual Meeting, a majority of votes cast on the frequency issue favored holding advisory votes regarding say on pay annually, a practice which was then adopted by the Board.
The Proposal consists of the following non-binding resolution to be presented to the 2014 Annual Meeting:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Innophos Holdings, Inc. (the Company) hereby advise that they approve of the compensation paid to the Companys Named Executives, as disclosed pursuant to SEC rules under Executive Compensation, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and any related material disclosed in the Companys Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting.
While this vote is not binding on the Company or the Board of Directors and will not change their fiduciary duties, it will provide information to us regarding investor sentiment about our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices that the Compensation Committee intends to consider when determining executive compensation for the future. The vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executives and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement that set compensation.
You should read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which discusses how our executive compensation policies and programs implement our compensation philosophy, and the compensation tables in this Proxy Statement. We believe you should also consider the following key factors in determining whether to approve this proposal:
| Our executive compensation program has been designed to establish a strong pay-for-performance culture based on the achievement of key business objectives reinforced by incentive-based pay. While total remuneration opportunities for executives were reflective of competitive opportunities and best |
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practices in the marketplace, they were contingent upon the attainment of levels of performance identified with increasing shareholder value both for the short and long-term. |
| Our 2013 cash-based short-term incentive program (STIP) was based on attainment of key Company business objectives, including Earnings Per Share (EPS) and Working Capital as percentage of sales (WC), as well as attainment of personal objectives designed to complement Company performance. Company-wide achievement for 2013 measured by the performance measures was below the threshold level for the C Factor, and, accordingly, resulted in no payout to STIP participants (including our Named Executives) for 2013, regardless of attainment of individual P Factor objectives. This compared to a payout under the STIP of $4.2 million for 2012 (when the C Factor score had been at the threshold of 0.50) and $5.7 million for 2011 (when the C Factor score had been above target at 1.06). |
| Our long-term incentive program (LTIP) grant of performance shares made in 2013, like grants in prior years, was based on a three year performance cycle. For the 2013 grant, it utilized performance metrics equally weighted for Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and Contribution Margin (CM) growth. The goals for those metrics were established based on our budget and projections and refined to reflect the Companys most recent strategic goals as known at the time. Performance share payouts made in 2013 to our Named Executives from the cycle ending in 2012 (based solely on ROIC and computed differently than the 2013 grants) reflected 175% of target, based on Company performance for the periods underlying the payout (i.e. 2010, 2011 and 2012) that was 75.2% above target. However, as explained elsewhere, final results for the LTIP performance cycle ending in 2013 resulted in no payout of performance shares in 2014. Although not a favorable result for our Named Executives, these outcomes confirm that the performance share aspect of our program is functioning as designed, i.e. shares are not being distributed when the Companys performance cycle goals have not been met. Our LTIP awards of stock options for last year were made at fair market value in March 2013 when our stock was trading at $54.59 per share. When the first portion of those grants became exercisable in 2014, the stock was trading at $55.98 per share. |
| Our executive compensation was again well-aligned with performance in 2013. In spite of a very challenging year, we continued to invest in the food, beverage and nutritional ingredient businesses and made good progress executing on our strategic initiatives to strengthen our performance and position us for stronger future growth and improved profitability. We completed our fourth acquisition in just over two years with the purchase of Chelated Minerals International, expanding our position in the high-growth micronutrient ingredients sector. We increased investments in new product applications to ensure faster and more efficient market success for new developments and satisfying future performance needs. Significant investments were made in our Coatzacoalcos facility to restore our operating capability and reliability, leading to improved phosphoric acid yields each quarter of the year, with fourth quarter performance at 490 basis points higher than the first quarter low point. New monthly and annual production records were established on the Coatzacoalcos Specialty Ingredients unit, and we commissioned a new, higher grade food and beverage Purified Phosphoric Acid operation at that site to support our US and Canada network and add strength to our product mix in Latin America. We exited the year with the highest quarter of operating income and margin for Specialty Phosphates in nearly two years. Overall for 2013, Innophos generated strong cash flow from operations of over $90 million which supported growth investment and improved returns of cash to shareholders. Dividends paid in 2013 were 28% higher than in 2012, and a 14% increase in the quarterly dividend to a new rate of $0.40/share was established in the fourth quarter 2013. |
| Our executive compensation program has been designed to align managements interests with our stockholders interests through stock ownership. We encourage long-term stock ownership by our employees and maintain stock ownership guidelines requiring Named Executives to hold common stock with values at least equal to specified multiples of their respective base salaries. Generally, under our LTIP, our stock option awards take three years to fully vest, and our performance share awards are based on multi-year cycles, generally requiring continued employment to receive an award payout. The value of equity awards made to our Named Executives in 2013 under our LTIP was more than 50% of total compensation. |
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| Our executive compensation program and policies have been operated to avoid problematic pay practices. For example, our Named Executives are provided minimal perquisites, we have not participated in any practice of surrendering or re-pricing stock options, severance provisions in change of control circumstances affecting our Named Executives under their executive employment contracts are all double-trigger (that is, requiring both a control change and an actual or constructive termination in a limited time frame), we have discontinued tax gross up provisions for change in control payout purposes in new executive employment contracts, and we have adopted policies that curtail hedging activities and recoup or clawback overpayments of incentive compensation from our executives under circumstances of financial restatements. |
Although the vote is non-binding, the Company will consider the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal as approval of the compensation of the Companys Named Executives. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered votes cast on the proposal and will not have a positive or negative effect on the outcome of this proposal.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the advisory vote approving executive compensation. Unless you instruct otherwise on your proxy card or by other voting instructions, your proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendation.
Information Regarding the Independence of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table shows the fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services for 2013 and 2012:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||
Audit (1) |
$ | 2,123 | $ | 2,154 | ||||
Audit-Related (2) |
| 483 | ||||||
Tax (3) |
828 | 571 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total (4) |
$ | 2,951 | $ | 3,208 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Fees for professional services provided for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements as well as reviews of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, accounting consultations on matters addressed during the audit or interim reviews, and SEC filings and offering memoranda, including consents. |
(2) | Fees for professional services that principally include due diligence services. |
(3) | Fees for professional services that principally include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. |
(4) | The 2012 fees were adjusted for final billings related to the 2012 year ended audit. |
The Audit Committee has the sole authority to pre-approve all audit engagement fees and terms as well as all non-audit engagements with PwC. In 2013 and 2012, all the above services were pre-approved by the Committee in accordance with a pre-approval policy.
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The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed Innophos audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 with Company management. We have discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or PwC, the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the PCAOB) in accordance with Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committee.
We also discussed with Company management managements assessment of Innophos disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2013. We have received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB, and we have discussed with PwC its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, we recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the Company be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Karen Osar
Gary Cappeline
John Steitz
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Program
The goal of our executive compensation program is to provide compensation and incentives that attract and retain top level executives and motivate them to increase shareholder value for the long-term. In achieving our goal, we seek to be fair, reasonable and competitive to all constituencies involved. Our fundamental premise is that increased value for our shareholders means increased value for our executives.
In this section, we discuss our compensation policies and objectives and the programs we have established to achieve them primarily focusing on our Named Executives and the positions they held for 2013:
Name |
Title | |
Randolph Gress |
Chief Executive Officer and President | |
Neil Salmon* |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |
Mark Feuerbach* |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |
William Farran |
Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary | |
Louis Calvarin |
Vice President, Operations | |
Joseph Golowski |
Vice President, Specialty Phosphates Business |
* | Mr. Salmon served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until his resignation effective July 15, 2013 to accept a position at another company. Mr. Feuerbach, at that time already serving as Vice President-Investor Relations, Treasury, Financial Planning & Analysis, became Chief Financial Officer on an interim basis and served as such through the balance of 2013. On March 3, 2014, Robert Harrer was elected Vice President and Chief Financial Officer succeeding Mr. Feuerbach who continued in his previous positions. |
Historical compensation data for the Named Executives can be found in the Summary Compensation Table and supporting tables in this proxy statement following our discussion. References to the Committee in this discussion mean the Boards Compensation Committee. The Committee has primary responsibility for establishing, implementing and continually monitoring adherence to the Companys compensation philosophy along with the other duties provided in the Committees charter.
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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Philosophy. Our Committee has adopted an Executive Compensation Strategy Statement that embodies our compensation philosophy and whose elements we use to design and implement our compensation programs. The Statement is as follows:
1. | Our compensation programs will be designed and operated with reference to competitive labor market. |
2. | Our base pay rates will be targeted at approximately the median of selected peer group(s) in the marketplace (described below) and adjusted for experience, performance, and internal equity (i.e. the relationship of one internal position to others). |
3. | Short-term (annual) incentive compensation targets also are aimed at the median of the selected peer group(s) in the marketplace. The design should provide significant upside potential for exceptional business and individual performance. However, individual incentives will not be provided for senior executives who influence overall Company performance if a threshold level of Company performance is not met. |
4. | Short-term (annual) incentive awards will be determined on the basis of Company financial performance and individual performance against pre-established objectives. |
5. | At least one type of long-term (multi-year) compensation should be equity-based and keyed to our publicly traded Common Stock, so as not only to attract and motivate talent, but also to align executives goals as owners with those of the shareholders. The level of equity based awards will be targeted at the median of selected peer group(s) in the marketplace. Executives should be encouraged to retain significant value from equity awards as long-term investments to align their personal financial assets and goals with shareholder interests. |
6. | In determining the extent to which awards will be given or performance goals are found to be met, the Committee follows established principles required by Company plans, such as generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP), and guidelines consistent with its compensation philosophy, but may exercise its judgment and discretion in the application of those guidelines or deviate from those guidelines in any proper case or in any given year. |
7. | The combined value of equity awards and other compensation is intended to place our total compensation at or near the median of selected peer group(s) in the marketplace, if all performance goals are met or exceeded. |
8. | Conservative perquisites will be provided if they allow executives to allocate more time to the job and less to personal affairs, assist in accomplishing job responsibilities, or make up for benefits lost due to regulatory limits. |
9. | The range of our welfare benefits will be typical of companies in our industry, and, to limit risk and exposure, our primary domestic retirement vehicle will be a tax-qualified defined contribution plan integrated with a savings plan. Executives will also participate in one or more non-qualified plans that make up for benefits lost due to regulatory limits on tax-qualified plans. |
Objectives. We seek to employ our strategy to attain the objectives of recognizing performance of our Named Executives (primarily by quantitative, and secondarily by qualitative, criteria), aligning their interests with those of our investors, and retaining them for long service periods in a competitive environment.
Recognize Performance. Our Named Executives have an average of more than 20 years in the specialty chemical business, during which time they have been promoted to increasing levels of responsibility. The amount of compensation of each of the Named Executives is intended to reflect superior experience, continued high performance and a career of prior service. Key elements of compensation that depend on Named Executives performance include: (i) cash bonuses based on assessment of Company and individual performance against quantitative and qualitative benchmarks on a year-to-year basis; (ii) equity related compensation; and (iii) merit increases to base salary.
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Align Interests. We seek to align the interests of our Named Executives with those of our investors by grading performance on the basis of financial measurements that we believe develop long-term value for shareholders. Our view of the elements of compensation that align the interests of executives with shareholders include: (i) equity incentive compensation, which links a significant portion of compensation to shareholder value because the total value of awards corresponds to stock price appreciation and dividend rate; (ii) long-term performance award programs that focus on the growth of specified key financial measurements correlated to expectations of long-term shareholder value measured over multi-year cycles; and (iii) policies that require stock retention and ownership, protect against activities that would unduly disassociate executives from risk on their investment stakes, and that adjust for potential overpayment of incentive compensation. In 2013, the performance criteria for the financial component of short-term incentives (STI) were earnings per share (EPS) goals and working capital as a percentage of sales (WC) goals, while long-term incentives (LTI) for the three year cycle then beginning will be determined on the basis of return on invested capital (ROIC) and growth in contribution margin (CM), aligning the interests of our Named Executives with those of our investors in those several respects. Our policies relating to (iii) above are discussed below under the headings Stock Ownership Policy, Policy Restricting Hedging and Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy, respectively.
Retain Talent. Stock retention requirements and contingent incentive pay based on long-term financial goals are used to provide an incentive for senior executives to stay employed with the Company, thus retaining their skills and knowledge for shareholder benefit. In addition, we require continued service to receive maximum payment, including extended vesting and exercisability on stock options for participants who retire, restricted stock awards subject to forfeiture, unless future service is completed, and performance share awards that pay out fully only if an executive participant remains employed by the Company for the entire multi-year performance period. We also enhance our retirement program by making larger contributions to participants as they near retirement age, which often correlates with longer service.
Impact of Prior Say on Pay Vote
In May 2013, as part of the annual say on pay vote under the Dodd-Frank Act, our stockholders passed an advisory resolution approving the compensation of our Named Executives as set forth in our proxy statement by an affirmative vote of 92.5% of the votes cast on the proposal. The Committee believes the vote was confirmatory of its compensation philosophy and its prior efforts in designing and implementing compensation policies and programs that have been successful in promoting growth in shareholder value by our Named Executives. As evidenced elsewhere in this discussion, for 2013 and into 2014, the Committee did not find it necessary or desirable to make material changes in compensation programs as a result of the advisory vote or any other input from stockholders. The Committee nevertheless continues to make changes and adjustments to programs from year to year based on its perception of business needs and the need to ensure that the programs continue to be effective in incentivizing performance and retaining talent under changing business conditions.
Setting Compensation
Based on the objectives discussed above, the Committee structures the Companys executive compensation programs and implements them to motivate executives to achieve the business goals set by the Board. Normally, compensation programs are determined on an annual basis, but the Committee may revise, initiate or discontinue programs at any time. The Committee has also regularly engaged outside consultants to assist in making compensation related decisions. See The Board of Directors and its Committees-Compensation Committee elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
The Committees consultant for 2013, Mercer, completed a study to evaluate competitive levels of executive base pay, short-term bonus and long-term incentives. The study compared Innophos executive compensation to executive compensation from a group of peer companies, as shown below, with 2013 revenue ranging from $310 million to $2.82 billion and with market capitalization ranging from $314 million to $6.2 billion. Statistical
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analysis was used to adjust the compensation data to reflect the Companys size (focusing primarily on revenues of approximately $900 million) compared to the peers. This information was aged forward through 2013 using a 3.0% average executive wage change data considered applicable by Mercer and was used by the Committee as the principal basis of making base salary adjustments for the Named Executives for 2014. In so doing, the Committee followed the same process of peer identification, refinement and comparability development during 2013 and timed its adjustments for as early in the following year as practicable, as it has done in previous years.
Pay levels for our Named Executives were compared to pay provided to similarly situated executives at the following specialty chemical companies:
Balchem Corp. |
Calgon Carbon Corp. | |
Compass Minerals Intl. Inc. |
Ferro Corp. | |
Fuller (H.B.) Co. |
International Flavors & Fragrances | |
Koppers Holdings Inc. |
Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. | |
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. |
Minerals Technologies Inc. | |
Newmarket Corp. |
OM Group Inc. | |
Quaker Chemical Corp. |
Sensient Technologies Corp. | |
Stepan Company |
In making compensation decisions, the Committee compares elements of Company compensation against available data from the relevant peer group, whose constituents are reviewed and approved by the Committee generally on an annual basis. A significant percentage of total compensation normally is allocated to incentives as a result of the philosophy mentioned above. In 2013, the Committee reviewed the basis for allocating between short-term and long-term incentive compensation, and, making use of information provided by Mercer, determined the appropriate level and mix of incentive compensation and guideline levels for long term incentive grants. The Committees considerations regarding long-term incentives resulted in a grant, under our existing 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan (the 2009 Plan), to the Named Executives made in March 2013 (the 2013 LTI Grant). The 2013 LTI Grant consisted of value allocated approximately 50% in performance shares, 30% in restricted stock and 20% in non-qualified stock options. The proportions and composition of equity components in future grants may differ based on the Committees perception of business needs and changing business conditions.
Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
The full Board determines compensation for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Committee determines compensation for the other Named Executives and makes recommendations to the full Board with respect to CEO compensation. The process for the CEO is an ongoing one with elements of periodic self-scoring, evaluation and review by the Committee with the CEO, followed by an annual review by the Committee with the CEO and by the Committee with the full Board. For the other Named Executives, the conclusions and recommendations, including salary adjustments and annual cash and equity award amounts, are presented by the CEO to the Committee for its consideration annually (or in connection with a new hire). This process involves a review of pertinent materials and sources, including scoring and obtaining input from other members of the Board of Directors, regarding performance of the Named Executives. In addition to the services of outside consultants and counsel, the Committee has regularly called upon the Vice President, Human Resources for assistance and advice in reviewing recommendations, designing compensation plans, providing leadership in succession planning, and generally supporting the Committees functions. The Committee considers these recommendations and all factors it deems relevant in making its determinations on the compensation of the Named Executives.
Coincident with the Companys finalizing full year audited financial statements, the Committees goal is to take action on salaries and short-term incentives by March of the following year. The Committees goal for long-
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term incentives, given the design requirements of multi-year cycles, is to act as soon as feasible after parameters for those cycles can be evaluated and not later than when the short-term incentives are determined. For 2013, the Committee completed its design, targeting and award activities on a timely basis in that framework.
2013 Executive Compensation Components
For 2013, the principal components of compensation for Named Executives were:
| Base salary |
| Short term incentive compensation |
| Long-term equity incentive compensation |
| Retirement and other benefits |
| Perquisites and other personal benefits |
Base Salary
The Company provides the Named Executives with base salary to compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. Base salary ranges are determined for each executive according to his or her position and responsibility, as well as the current market-competitive level for similar positions. Base salary ranges are designed so that salary opportunities for a given position will be approximately (within +/- 15% of) the market median for the base salary established for each position. Base salaries are reviewed to determine if they require market adjustments.
Salary levels are typically considered annually as part of the Companys performance review process as well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibility. Increases to salaries of Named Executives made at that time may be merit based, depending on the Committees assessment of the individuals performance taking into consideration the market competitive level of such increases.
During the first quarter of 2014, the Committee reviewed the current Named Executives base salaries. Following that review, the Committee approved merit increases effective January 1, 2014 for Messrs. Feuerbach, Farran, Calvarin and Golowski of 4.6%, 3.0%, 7.6% and 10.3%, respectively. Mr. Calvarins and Mr. Golowskis increases were deemed appropriate based on changes in job responsibilities resulting from an internal management re-alignment of the Leadership Team (discussed below under Short Term (Annual) Incentive Compensation) which was effective during the first quarter of 2014. Mr. Gress received a base salary increase of 2.9%. The Committee considered all salary adjustments competitive and in line with comparable positions in the peer group.
Short Term (Annual) Incentive Compensation
This compensation component is embodied in the 2010 Executive, Management and Sales Incentive Plan with targets established in a program for 2013 (the 2013 STIP). The 2013 STIP governed all short term incentive awards granted through December 31, 2013, even if not paid until later. The plan provides the Committee latitude to design for the Named Executives cash-based, short term incentive compensation award packages to promote high performance and motivate executives to achieve annual corporate and individual goals. The Named Executives participated in the 2013 STIP along with other Company employees worldwide. Except as provided otherwise in individual employment agreements, participants must be employed by the Company at the time of payment of the award (normally in March of the fiscal year after the year in which it is earned).
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Under the 2013 STIP, the Named Executives could receive individual, market-competitive bonuses (based on ranges of performance from threshold to maximum and centered on target) measured as a percentage of base pay that would be earned if the executives achieved requisite performance for applicable annual goals. The following table shows the 2013 target bonus percentages for each Named Executive:
Named Executive |
Bonus (as a percentage of base salary) Target | |||
Randolph Gress |
90 | |||
Neil Salmon |
55 | |||
Mark Feuerbach |
40 | |||
William Farran |
45 | |||
Louis Calvarin |
45 | |||
Joseph Golowski |
45 |
Typical of prior practice, Company-wide and individual performance goals were used to determine the level of payout under the 2013 STIP. If target performance were achieved with respect to both goals, by definition, the Named Executives would receive 100% of their weighted financial target bonus and 100% of their weighted individual bonuses. If threshold performance were achieved for both goals, the Named Executives would receive 50% of their weighted financial target bonus and up to 100% their weighted individual bonus (there is no fixed threshold level for individual performance). If maximum performance were achieved for both goals, by definition, the Named Executives would receive 300% of their weighted financial target bonus and 200 % of their weighted individual bonus. Financial performance below the threshold level would result in no payout under the program, and financial performance above maximum would not result in a total bonus payment in excess of 270%, assuming both exceptional Company and individual performance. Financial performance between threshold and target performance and between target and maximum performance is interpolated to determine payout level. For individual performance, scores are interpolated between 0 and 200% with 100% being the target.
For 2013, 70% of the award (the weighted financial target) for the Named Executives was based upon the Company financial goal, or C Factor. This goal, measured globally for the Company as a whole and for all Named Executives in the same manner, was achievement of the levels indicated in the table below for 2013 with a weighting of 90% for earnings per share (EPS) and 10% for working capital as a percentage of sales (WC), in each case derived from the Companys financial results:
Factor Component |
Threshold (50% award level) |
Target (100% award level) |
Maximum (300% award level) |
|||||||||
EPS* |
$ | 3.00 | $ | 3.70 | $ | 5.00 | ||||||
WC* |
30.1 | % | 29.1 | % | 27.1 | % |
* | The 2013 STIP performance base measure of EPS was defined as fully diluted earnings per share as evidenced by the audited consolidated statement of income of the Company as reported in its Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The 2013 performance base measure of WC was defined as the percentage derived from (i) the twelve month average of total current assets excluding cash, minus (ii) the twelve month average of total current liabilities excluding short-term debt, divided by net sales, of the Company as reported in its Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Base measures may be adjusted upward or downward by the Committee to reflect equitable circumstances not taken into account in strict applications of US GAAP. These adjustments have allowed for exclusion of certain out of period or unusual expenses or revenues, such as settlement of long running legal proceedings and expenditures for long lived rights like development of the Companys phosphate mining concessions in Mexico. |
The remaining 30% of the 2013 STIP award target (the weighted individual target) for the Named Executives was based upon achieving individual performance objectives, or P Factors. These are specific goals within the plan participants area of responsibility that are considered to influence either the C Factor results or otherwise positively affect short and long-term Company performance. P Factors typically fall into one or more of five categories: (1) safety, governance, compliance; (2) strategic actions; (3) revenue, business and/or margin growth; (4) cost reduction; and (5) other. The P Factors are developed during meetings of the Companys Leadership Team (composed of senior management in the various business areas) so that the individual goals
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are consistent with, and help contribute to, overall Company performance. In establishing P Factors, consideration is given to values they bring to the Company (other than as directly related to C Factors) and an assessment of achievability during the award period. Within that framework, the Committee seeks to have target levels set for P factors that are realistic, attainable and quantifiable whenever possible, but challenging to the executives.
Achievement of target performance results in 100% payout of the P Factor portion of the target award. Achievement below target may result in payout between 0 and 99% of the P Factor portion depending on the percentage achievement of the individual objectives by the scoring method used for the STIP. Achievement of maximum performance can result in a payout of 200% of the P Factor portion of the target award (or, at the P Factor weight, 60% of the total target STIP award). In practice, however, P Factor scores above 150% are considered to have a very low probability of attainment.
For a number of years, the Committee has maintained a policy of not paying this incentive, regardless of individual performance, unless the Company achieves the overall minimum financial performance level for its global financial goals (i.e. threshold on the C Factor, or if there are multiple components to that factor, threshold for at least the primary component.) As noted below, the Committee adhered to this policy for 2013.
Subject to the above criteria, the calculation of a proposed award under the 2013 STIP could be expressed as a formula:
Base salary x Target Percentage x (weighted C Factor results + weighted P Factor results)
Based on Company financial performance for 2013, the overall C Factor score applied to all Named Executives was below threshold for both components, resulting in no payout on the 2013 STIP. This differed from 2012 when C Factor results exceeded threshold, and, accordingly, payments were made on both the C Factor and P Factor for all participants. Based on the Companys failure to achieve a threshold financial performance level, none of the Named Executives, nor any other participant, received any payment under the 2013 STIP. For that reason, we have omitted the table normally included in this discussion showing the detailed calculation of STIP awards covering both factors for each Named Executive. Likewise, we have omitted our narrative discussion of the individual P Factor achievements of the Named Executives toward their respective goals, as those efforts did not result in the executives receiving payments under the 2013 STIP.
The Committee approved changes to the 2014 STIP as well as the 2014 LTIP to enhance the motivational impact of such incentive compensation plans going forward while also reinforcing achievement of core business objectives. See Changes to 2014 STIP and LTIP
Long Term Incentives
Our principal tool for supporting an LTI program has been the 2009 Plan which was approved by stockholders at the 2009 Annual Meeting. The 2013 LTI Grants were awarded to the Named Executives at levels which the Committee considered to be a market-competitive and consistent with our established LTI guidelines (as discussed under Setting Compensation). The 2013 LTI Grants were in the form of performance shares (50% of value), restricted stock shares (30% of value) and stock options (20% of value), a proportion that may vary by Named Executive or from year-to-year in future grants. The 2009 Plan allows for a variety of different types of incentives, and future grants may include types and combinations differing from those awarded previously.
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The 2013 LTI Grant to the Named Executives consisted of the following:
Named Executive |
LTIP Award as a Percentage of Base Salary (*) |
Number of Performance Shares (**) |
Number of Options |
Per Share Exercise Price ($) |
Number of Restricted Shares |
|||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
150 | 12,535 | 18,495 | 54.59 | 7,521 | |||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon |
80 | 3,739 | 5,517 | 54.59 | 2,243 | |||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
40 | 961 | 1,419 | 54.59 | 577 | |||||||||||||||
William Farran |
85 | 2,576 | 3,801 | 54.59 | 1,546 | |||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
70 | 2,008 | 2,963 | 54.59 | 1,205 | |||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
65 | 1,743 | 2,572 | 54.59 | 1,046 |
* | Percentage of base salary during the previous calendar year employing valuation methodology of options and performance shares used by the Committee for award purposes, which included for 2013, in addition to that disclosed under footnote (1) of the Summary Compensation Table, average per share pricing for a pre-grant period of 90 days. Allocation of value was approximately 50% for performance shares (at target), 30% for restricted stock and 20% for options. |
** | Target award shown. Final payout could be as high as two times the number of shares shown. However, interim results indicate that performance shares will be below target under this grant. See table of LTI Performance Measured by Goal and Achievement below. |
Performance Shares. These are authorized (but as of yet unissued) shares of the Companys Common Stock which it is obligated to issue and deliver to participants if pre-established measures of Company performance are met for the multi-year performance cycle related to each award. The number of performance shares awarded at target is determined by dividing the value allocated to that component by the price of the Common Stock determined on a 90 day trailing average. Except as provided otherwise in employment agreements and in cases of retirement, performance shares cannot be earned, unless the participants employment continues through the cycle and at least the minimum goals for the cycle are met. Performance shares may also be awarded with dividend equivalents which are paid only on the distribution of performance shares, if earned.
Restricted Shares. These are shares of Common Stock issued at the time of award, which vest according to a schedule established at that time (a three year schedule, similar to that for options, was utilized for the 2013 LTI Grants). A 90 day trailing average price is used to determine number of restricted shares awarded (for 2013, 30% of total 2013 LTI Grant). Restricted shares do not depend on performance and participants may vote and receive dividends in the interim on these shares.
Stock Options. These are non-transferable rights to purchase Common Stock at a fixed exercise price that normally vest in installments and remain exercisable over an extended term. The number of stock options granted is determined by dividing the stock option value awarded (for 2013, 20% of total LTI award) in dollars by the estimated grant date economic value of each option as calculated using a Black-Scholes methodology and a 90 day trailing average price to which that methodology is applied. Options granted in the 2013 LTI Grants will be outstanding for up to ten years from date of grant and vest (and first become exercisable) ratably over three years on each of the succeeding anniversaries of the grant date. All awards of stock options under the 2009 Plan have been made, and will be made, at or above the fair market value of the underlying stock at the time of the award. Since the Common Stock is publicly traded, options normally will be granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of the grant. The Committee will not grant options with an exercise price that is less than the closing price of the Companys Common Stock on the grant date, nor will it grant options which are priced on a date other than the grant date.
The 2013 LTI Grants (consisting of a performance cycle covering the years 2013, 2014 and 2015) uses two performance measures, Contribution Margin Growth (CMG) and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), each weighted 50%.
CMG is calculated as total contribution margin generated for the three years in the performance cycle (2013, 2014 and 2015), less three times the base period (the year immediately preceding the cycle, or in the case of the 2013 awards, 2012). The CMG is then translated into a CMG Bonus Factor, as shown in the summary table below, and is interpolated for actual CMG results between the noted figures in the table.
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Subject to the component definitions, the formula for determining the ROIC percentage for the performance cycle applicable to the 2013 LTI Grants is a three year average of each individual full years ROIC calculated as follows:
Adjusted Net Income + Post Tax Interest Expense |
Last five quarter average of ((Total Assets Cash) (Total Liabilities Debt)) |
The ROIC Bonus Factor achievement potential ranges from zero to 200% based on attained ROIC centered on a strategic plan target of a three year average ROIC of 14.5%, as shown in the summary table below. The ROIC Bonus Factor is interpolated for actual ROIC results between the noted minimum and maximum figures in the table.
Finally, the percentage payout factor (or PPF) is derived by multiplying the CMG Bonus Factor by its 50% weighting and adding that result to the ROIC Bonus Factor multiplied by its 50% weighting. The resulting PPF is capped at a maximum payout of 200%. Additional caps are applied depending on the ROIC performance as noted in the table below.
CM Growth Bonus Factor |
Threshold | Target | 2.0x | 3.0x | Weighting 50% | |||||
0% | 100% | 200% | 300% | |||||||
(3 yr. cumulative growth over base year) | 0% | 10.3% | 14.7% | 19.2% | ||||||
ROIC Bonus Factor |
Threshold | Target | 2.0x | Weighting 50% | ||||||
0% | 100% | 200% | ||||||||
(3 yr. average of last 5 quarter average ROIC) | 13.0% | 14.5% | 15.4% |
Percentage Payout Factor PPF = (CM Growth Bonus Factor x 50%) + (ROIC Bonus Factor x 50%)
Maximum PPF Determined by ROIC Performance | ||
Above 13% |
Maximum PPF is 200% | |
12% and up, below 13% |
Maximum PPF is 100% | |
10% and up, below 12% |
Maximum PPF is 50% | |
Below 10% |
PPF is 0% |
The performance parameters for the 2013 LTI Grants are subject to adjustment in the case of business acquisitions by the Company. These depend on approval of acquisition case forecasts and their consolidation into previously established base financial projections, including updating for post-closing adjustments, and resulting, as applicable, in revised targets for ROIC applied in the grid.
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The table below shows, for the performance cycle applicable to 2013 LTI Grants, the threshold, target and maximum goals that were set, as well as the levels that have been set for LTI awards in prior performance cycles related to 2013 and the levels of achievement (including on an interim basis) obtained under the programs.
LTIP Performance Measured By Goal and Achievement
Award (Performance Cycle Years) |
Threshold* | Target* | Maximum* | ROIC Achieved* |
Performance Factor Achieved |
Year Payable |
||||||||||||||||||
2013 LTI (2013, 2014, 2015) |
13.0/0 | 14.5/10.3 | 15.4/19.2 | N/A | 21 | (I)** | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 LTI (2012, 2013, 2014) |
17.0/0 | 20.6/9.1 | 23.6/12.0 | N/A | 0 | (I)** | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||
2011 LTI (2011, 2012, 2013) |
18.1/0 | 20.6/13.0 | 23.0/16.2 | N/A | 0 | (F) | 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
2010 LTI (2010, 2011, 2012) |
11.50 | 19.30 | 27.05 | 25.13 | 175 | (F) | 2013 |
* | All ROIC and CMG shown in percent. For the LTI grants made in 2013, 2012 and 2011, with both ROIC and CMG as parameters, the table is shown with minimum ROIC/CMG for threshold, the target ROIC/CMG for target and the maximum ROIC/CMG for maximum. For prior cycles, the table is shown with average ROIC, the only parameter for those cycles. The table includes adjustments to ROIC resulting from the Committees decision to adjust the targeted ranges of that measure upward for 2011 and 2012 in the 2010 LTI award to make them more challenging after review of the Companys long-term strategic plans in late 2010. The ROIC component definition applicable to the 2013, 2012 and 2011 LTI grants differs from prior cycles. The calculation of the 2013 LTI Grants differs from 2012 and 2011 in that ROIC and CMG are each weighted independently in the later cycle, while, in the earlier cycles, the two are linked through a multiplier. |
** | The achievement of 21 and 0 for the 2013 LTI and 2012 LTI, respectively, represent interim PPFs based on a three year average ROIC with each yearly ROIC calculation measured at year-end using the average invested capital of the last five quarters. The PPF applicable to the 2012 and 2011 LTI grants is a combination of ROIC multiplier and CM bonus factor. Awards achieved are based on averages derived from all component years in a cycle, so that interim (I) achievements for partial cycles above or below indicated levels in the table above may not be necessarily indicative of what final (F) award levels will be attained for the full cycle. However, based on performance to date and the design structure of the LTI, it is doubtful that either LTI will result in anything other than a minimal payout. |
Future performance cycles may be based on different targets or measurements, including different time periods or measurements other than ROIC or CMG, as the Committee continues to work to achieve best alignment of management incentives and investor returns. The achievement levels of awards were selected and set by the Committee in 2013 in light of the facts and circumstances known about the Companys historical, budgeted and projected business and prospects at that time.
Under the LTIP, no performance shares are earned if performance were to fall below the threshold level applicable to the particular cycle. If the threshold level of performance were achieved, the Named Executives would earn the threshold percentage of the target performance share award. If maximum performance were achieved, the Named Executives would earn 200% of the target performance share award. Performance between threshold and target and between target and maximum performance is to be interpolated to determine the amount of performance shares earned. As the preceding table indicates, unlike the LTI grants provided in 2010 where performance shares were paid out in 2013 at a 175% of target rate, no payout of performance shares was made in 2014 on the LTI grant made in 2011. In addition, no payout of performance shares is expected in 2015 on the LTI grants made in 2012, and the prospect of a payout of performance shares in 2016 from the LTI grants made in 2013 is considered minimal.
The Committee approved changes for the performance cycle covering the LTI grants made in 2014 under the 2009 Plan (the 2014 LTI Grants) which last during 2014, 2015 and 2016. See Changes to 2014 STIP and LTIP discussed below.
By using a mix of stock options and performance share awards, and in its more recent awards restricted shares, the Company has been able to enhance shareholder value and compensate the Named Executives for
31
activities associated with improvements to the business. Conversely, where goals have not been met, pay has been reduced commensurate with performance. Of course, these stock based programs deliver the maximum effect only when the value of the Companys stock increases and therefore are believed to motivate appropriate actions to deliver strong performance in support of the stock. The programs also encourage retention of equity through installment vesting over extended periods and by imposing forfeitures for terminations.
The Company anticipates using a combination of stock options vesting in annual installments, restricted stock vesting in annual installments and shares awarded based on selected aspects of Company performance over a multi-year cycle as its principal basis for future long-term incentive awards so long as sufficient shares are made available to support such programs.
Changes to 2014 STIP and 2014 LTIP
STI Changes
The Committee reviewed with management the causes underlying the shortfalls in performance on the 2013 STIP and concluded, in part, that certain structural features of the C Factor components should be modified for 2014. More specifically, for 2014, the performance parameters were shifted to emphasize EPS attributable to the core of the Companys business in Specialty Phosphates by giving that segment a separate weighting of 80% of the overall C Factor. Meanwhile, the small and historically more volatile GTSP and Other segment, believed to disproportionately influence overall EPS as evidenced in 2013, is now weighted at 10% for 2014, along with WC, which remains unchanged at 10% from the 2013 STIP. Through this action, the Committee clarified that Specialty Phosphate results are to be the main factor driving STI payout as concerns EPS and, at the same time, it limited a minor business segments ability to unduly affect STI payouts positively or negatively.
LTI Changes
Since performance shares have accounted for approximately 50% of the value allocated to LTI grants and circumstances indicated extended periods without share distribution were ensuing, in March 2014, the Committee took measures prospectively to restore what it perceived as the diminishing effectiveness of this important program. Thus, in preparation for grants to be made this year, the Committee reviewed the underlying business related causes of the performance shortfalls for the noted cycles, including the levels at which goals had been set, and the design structure of the program applicable to the LTI grants previously issued. The Committee concluded that while the three year performance cycles previously established as the norm were an appropriate and typical period to measure long term value growth, the averaging procedure being used could not accommodate sufficiently for single years in a performance cycle, such as 2013, where the measured results were substantially below the threshold goals established for the cycle, even though the other two years might have superior results (i.e. at target or above).
Consequently, the Committee approved changes to the program applicable to the LTI grants issued in 2014 (the 2014 LTI Grants) for the performance cycle covering 2014, 2015 and 2016. Each years performance applicable to the calculation of performance shares issued in the 2014 LTI Grants will be calculated individually (not averaged) and weighted to affect one third of the overall result. Goals for the performance cycle applicable to the 2014 LTI Grants are set at the beginning of 2014 for all three years. After calculating each year individually, the weighted results will be added together to derive a total payout performance factor for the full three year cycle. Despite these changes allowing participants to determine if performance shares are being earned for each year in the cycle, payouts will not be made (and participants will not be eligible for distributions) until the completion of the full cycle, thereby maintaining the 2009 Plans longer term retention value. Measures of CMG and ROIC, set at levels derived from budget and forecasts the Committee believes are realistic for the cycle, will remain, and the formulas for determining payouts are the same as those applicable to the 2013 LTI Grants.
32
Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy
The Company has a policy to seek to recover incentive compensation paid to any executive as required by the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act or any other clawback provision required by law, rule or the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Global Select Market or any other exchange on which the Companys equity securities are traded. The policy vests the Committee with full authority and empowers it to enforce the policy on behalf of the Company and to promulgate necessary or desirable rules to carry it out. Upon enactment of definitive standards, rules or listing requirements by the SEC or an applicable exchange, the Committee is also required to develop and present for consideration and enactment by the Board of Directors any amendments to the policy as such Committee deems in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Beginning in 2012, LTI grants were made explicitly subject to the policy and, commencing with 2013, the same was done for the STI program. As participants in those programs, the recoupment policy extends to the Named Executives.
Stock Ownership Policy
The Committee believes that management should maintain substantial ownership interests in Company stock. The Named Executives are subject to the Companys Executive and Director Stock Ownership Policy adopted by the Board as amended and restated in February 2009. Under that policy, executives were afforded until March 2014 (or five years after hire) to achieve and maintain a level of ownership of Common Stock equal in value to a set multiple of their annual base salary. The policy established the multiple for directors at five times (5x) annual cash retainer, for the CEO at five times (5x) base compensation, for the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel at two times (2x) base compensation and for the other executives at one time (1x) base compensation. As of December 31, 2013, based on the computational rules under the policy, all our Named Executives and directors already were in compliance with the requirements.
Policy Restricting Hedging
The Dodd-Frank Act requires issuers to disclose in their proxy materials whether employees or directors are able to purchase financial instruments (such as swaps, collars and forward contracts, etc.) designed to offset decreases in the value of equity securities granted or held by those persons, a practice commonly known as hedging. Among other things, hedging by members of management has been criticized as contributing to lack of alignment with stockholder value, imprudent business practices and promoting undue risk taking. Since becoming publicly traded in 2006, the Company has maintained in effect a Statement of Policy Concerning Securities Trading and Disclosure of Confidential Information (the ITP). The ITP applies to senior personnel, a term including all participants (among whom are our officers and directors) in the Companys equity based plans (such as the 2009 LTIP), and, among other things, prohibits them from (i) short-selling Company stock or (ii) purchasing, selling or engaging in any other transaction involving derivative securities (that is, securities related to the value of Innophos equity securities), except for grants under Company employee benefit plans. As a result of these restrictions, the Committee believes the ITP effectively curtails hedging activities by those persons. The Companys employee benefit plans dealing with stock are administered by the Committee in observance of SEC Rule 16b-3, which excludes all but disinterested directors from decision making as to the nature and timing of awards. Moreover, grants and awards under those programs are made at current fair market value and are not transferable, nor can they serve as collateral until an underlying security is issued, so, in any event, they cannot support interim hedging instruments.
Retirement and Other Benefits
The Company provides savings and retirement programs to the Named Executives. These plans are offered to remain competitive in the market and assist Named Executives in planning for their future, allowing them to better focus on Company needs.
All employees in the United States (including the Named Executives) are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Savings Plan, a tax qualified, defined contribution plan (the DCP) maintained by our subsidiary, Innophos, Inc. The participating U.S. Named Executives (and all other participating U.S. employees) receive annual retirement
33
contributions from the employer calculated on the basis of age and eligible earnings which are deposited into a self-directed, multi-vehicle investment account maintained by an independent trustee. The annual retirement feature of the DCP is non-contributory for participants, and employer contributions are fully vested for participants after three years of company service. In addition, Named Executives whose total eligible compensation exceeds the Internal Revenue Code limits in the qualified plan are entitled to participate in the non-qualified Innophos, Inc. Retirement Savings Restoration Plan (the Restoration Plan). That plan, which is operated in conjunction with a rabbi trust, provides a non-elective benefit according to the same formula for eligible earnings that exceed the limits under the qualified plan (including, among others, the limitation on the amount of annual compensation for purposes of calculating eligible remuneration for a participant under a qualified retirement plan ($255,000 in 2013). It does not duplicate benefits paid under the tax qualified plan.
The savings plan feature of the DCP is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan under which eligible participants in the U.S. (including the Named Executives) are able to contribute up to 100% of their annual salary (or the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service for a particular plan year) to the DCP on a before-tax basis. The employer matches 100% of the first 4% of pay that is contributed by the participant. Enrollment in the savings plan is automatic for newly hired employees (with opt-out features), and Company matching contributions, which previously had vested at the rate of 25% per year, became fully vested immediately.
All Named Executives were fully vested in the DCP employer annual retirement contributions and in the Company match feature of the savings plan.
The DCP is the prevalent type of retirement plan sponsored by U.S. employers today, and we believe it is the most appropriate retirement vehicle consistent with providing benefits, participant involvement and protection against risk to the stockholders investment. In particular, we believe that our DCP and Restoration Plan are representative of programs being afforded to executives in the U.S. by the majority of our competitors and compare favorably to others based on overall employer contribution levels and the weight given to employees with higher levels of eligible compensation and greater seniority such as our Named Executives.
In addition, U.S. senior executives are eligible for executive disability and life insurance coverage by personal election. Messrs. Gress, Feuerbach (as to the disability coverage only) and Messrs. Farran, Calvarin and Golowski have elected coverage under these benefits that are offered to partially compensate for limits in the general employee benefit coverage that restrict the income protection for executives.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
We provide the Named Executives with perquisites and other personal benefits consistent with our compensation strategy under Compensation Philosophy and Objectives. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits.
All Named Executives are provided with a capped reimbursement of expenses for certain financial planning and tax preparation assistance. Mr. Gress is provided a taxable car allowance of $1,000 per month.
Attributed costs of the personal benefits described above for the Named Executives for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 are included in the All Other Compensation column under the Summary Compensation Table.
Executive Employment Agreements
The Named Executives all have executive employment agreements with the Company entered into before 2013. The agreements for the Named Executives were developed to provide them with current, market-competitive employment protections, furnish additional motivation, and thereby retain them in their key roles at the Company. The Committee utilized the services of its consultant in developing and reviewing the terms of the
34
agreements and relied on outside counsel to the Company in negotiating and documenting them, while the executives were separately represented. The agreements are described in more detail under the caption Related Transactions-Employment Agreements.
Additional details concerning the amounts payable to the Named Executives relating to severance benefits, including those in connection with a change-in-control, are included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement under the caption Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control.
Tax ImplicationsDeductibility of Executive Compensation
As part of its role, the Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, which provides that the Company may not deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000 in non-performance based compensation that is paid to certain individuals. Based on assumptions it considers reasonable at the present time, the Company believes that compensation expected to be paid to each Named Executive under the compensation programs will be fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. However, in certain situations, the Committee may approve compensation that will not meet these requirements in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for its executive officers.
The Compensation Committee of the Board has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion & Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management, and based on that review the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion & Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Gary Cappeline
Amado Cavazos
Karen Osar
John Steitz
35
The following table sets forth certain compensation for the Companys Chief Executive Officer, all persons who served as Chief Financial Officer in 2013, and the three other most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as officers at the end and during 2013 for the Company and its subsidiaries:
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (3) |
Option Awards ($) (3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (4) |
Change
in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |
All Other Compensation ($) (5) |
Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
2013 | 826,130 | | 1,094,857 | 369,715 | | | 184,657 | 2,475,359 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Director, Chief Executive |
2012 | 746,130 | | 865,184 | 243,239 | 420,220 | | 291,754 | 2,566,527 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Officer & President |
2011 | 710,600 | | 579,182 | 466,208 | 628,170 | | 287,174 | 2,671,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon |
(1) | 2013 | 189,558 | | 326,557 | 110,285 | | | 73,072 | 699,472 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President & Chief |
2012 | 331,485 | | 219,644 | 61,751 | 130,539 | | 72,140 | 815,559 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Officer |
2011 | 315,701 | | 146,779 | 119,980 | 179,160 | | 53,331 | 814,951 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
(2) | 2013 | 250,284 | | 83,959 | 28,366 | | | 39,337 | 401,946 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President & Chief |
2012 | 231,383 | | 76,634 | 21,553 | 62,936 | | 42,464 | 434,970 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Officer |
2011 | 225,081 | | 51,571 | 41,136 | 99,756 | | 46,328 | 463,872 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William Farran |
2013 | 299,642 | | 225,020 | 75,982 | | | 60,778 | 661,422 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President & General |
2012 | 290,351 | | 168,340 | 47,327 | 86,496 | | 62,471 | 654,985 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Counsel |
2011 | 281,894 | | 124,961 | 101,126 | 139,030 | | 68,373 | 715,384 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
2013 | 283,566 | | 175,398 | 59,230 | | | 45,183 | 563,377 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President, Operations |
2012 | 276,111 | | 125,780 | 35,362 | 82,626 | | 48,911 | 568,790 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 268,079 | | 91,241 | 75,416 | 127,869 | | 52,504 | 615,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
2013 | 265,064 | | 152,252 | 51,414 | | | 48,867 | 517,597 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President, Specialty |
2012 | 250,060 | | 107,699 | 30,279 | 75,168 | | 51,146 | 514,352 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Products |
2011 | 235,019 | | 77,357 | 58,276 | 98,520 | | 54,589 | 523,761 |
(1) | Mr. Salmon resigned from the Company effective July 15, 2013. |
(2) | Mr. Feuerbach served as Chief Financial Officer from July 15, 2013 through March 2, 2014. Mr. Robert Harrer was elected Vice President & Chief Financial Officer effective March 3, 2014. |
(3) | The SEC rules relating to executive compensation disclosure requires reporting of all stock and option awards granted during the fiscal year at the full grant date fair value. The value for each of the years presented in this Summary Compensation Table reflects the full grant date fair value, and with respect to the stock awards, these awards assume the performance conditions will be achieved at target levels. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts were computed pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718 and are set forth in footnote 11 to the Companys Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
(4) | Amounts included in this column represent annual short term incentive plan (STIP) awards (i.e. cash bonus from the named plan) which were earned and accrued during 2013 for the 2013 year. As a result of the Company not meeting minimum financial performance objectives for that year, the Named Executives did not earn, and were not paid, any short-term cash bonus. |
(5) | Other Compensation |
Name |
Supplemental Contributions for 401(k) Savings (a) |
Annual Contributions for Defined Contribution Plans |
Temporary Housing Allowance (b) |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (c) |
Other (d) |
Total Other Compensation |
||||||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
10,200 | 21,951 | 19,542 | 117,023 | 15,941 | 184,657 | ||||||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon |
8,666 | 16,713 | | 6,452 | 41,241 | 73,072 | ||||||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
10,011 | 21,951 | | 5,531 | 1,844 | 39,337 | ||||||||||||||||||
William Farran |
10,200 | 21,951 | | 14,244 | 14,383 | 60,778 | ||||||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
10,200 | 19,970 | | 10,594 | 4,419 | 45,183 | ||||||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
10,200 | 21,951 | | 8,500 | 8,216 | 48,867 |
(a) | Matching contributions by the Company to each of the Named Executives pursuant to the DCP. |
(b) | Mr. Gress had received a temporary housing allowance of $4,000 per month net after taxes which was then included in his base compensation effective April 1, 2013. |
(c) | Contributions by the Company to each of the Named Executives pursuant to the non-qualified Restoration Plan. |
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The table below to footnote (c) provides information on the nonqualified deferred compensation of our Named Executives for and as of the end of 2013.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Name |
Executive Contributions in Last FY ($) |
Registrant Contributions in Last FY ($) (1) |
Aggregate earnings in Last FY ($) (2) |
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) (3) |
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) (4) |
|||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
| 117,023 | 330,610 | | 1,397,322 | |||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon |
| 6,452 | 11,964 | (78,266 | ) | 6,207 | ||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
| 5,531 | 24,902 | | 112,943 | |||||||||||||||
William Farran |
| 14,244 | 33,277 | | 233,665 | |||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
| 10,594 | 36,289 | | 165,009 | |||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
| 8,500 | 24,655 | | 115,391 |
(1) | Named Executives whose total eligible compensation exceeds the Code limits in the qualified plan are entitled to participate in the Restoration Plan. That plan, which is operated in conjunction with a rabbi trust, provides a non-elective benefit according to the same formula for eligible earnings that exceed the limits under the qualified plan (including, among others, the limitation on the amount of annual compensation for purposes of calculating eligible remuneration for a participant under a qualified retirement plan ($255,000 in 2013). The amounts included in this column are included in other compensation in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) | The Named Executive has an account under the Restoration Plan which includes any earnings and losses based on the performance of a variety of funds the individual may choose. The Company does not guarantee any rate of return on the compensation deferred. None of the earnings are included in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(3) | Mr. Salmon received a distribution from the Restoration Plan on January 17, 2014. |
(4) | The portion of the Aggregate Balance as of December 31, 2013 reported in the Summary Compensation Table prior to the current year-end for the following Named Executives was: Mr. Gress $818,513; Mr. Salmon $64,962; Mr. Feuerbach $28,456; Mr. Farran $152,770; Mr. Calvarin $96,278; Mr. Golowski $42,241. |
(d) Other includes the following:
Vehicle Allowances |
Executive Life / Disability Insurance |
Tax Services |
Unused Vacation |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
12,000 | 3,941 | | | 15,941 | |||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon |
| 311 | 13,850 | 27,080 | 41,241 | |||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
| 544 | 1,300 | | 1,844 | |||||||||||||||
William Farran |
| 1,968 | 12,415 | | 14,383 | |||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
| 419 | 4,000 | | 4,419 | |||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
7,627 | 589 | | | 8,216 |
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) (1) |
Maximum (#) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) |
All
Other Options Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) |
Exercise Price of Option Awards ($/share) |
Grant Date Fair Market Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
March 29, 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6,268 | 12,535 | 25,070 | 7,521 | 18,495 | 54.59 | 1,464,572 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon |
March 29, 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1,870 | 3,739 | 7,478 | 2,243 | 5,517 | 54.59 | 436,842 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
March 29, 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 481 | 961 | 1,922 | 577 | 1,419 | 54.59 | 112,325 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William Farran |
March 29, 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1,288 | 2,576 | 5,152 | 1,546 | 3,801 | 54.59 | 301,002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
March 29, 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1,004 | 2,008 | 4,016 | 1,205 | 2,963 | 54.59 | 234,628 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
March 29, 2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 872 | 1,743 | 3,486 | 1,046 | 2,572 | 54.59 | 203,666 |
(1) | On March 29, 2013, the Companys Compensation Committee awarded performance shares which entitle the holder to receive, at the end of a three year cliff vesting term, a number of shares of Common Stock, ranging from zero to a specified maximum, calculated using a future return on invested capital and contribution margin for a performance cycle (the three year period 2013-2015 for a 2013 award) as defined solely by reference to the Companys results. Amounts equivalent to dividends will accrue over the vesting period and are paid on performance share awards when fully vested. Named Executives forfeit these performance shares upon termination of employment prior to vesting, except for specified cases where the performance share rights are retained on a prescribed basis. These shares will automatically vest at 100% of target upon a change in control and satisfaction of applicable triggers. |
(2) | Grant date fair value for the performance shares is $54.59 per share of Common Stock at target level. The other stock awards consist of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $54.59 per share of Common Stock. The fair value for the stock option grants is $19.99 per share of Common Stock. |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2013
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date (1) |
Number of Shares or Units That Have Not Vested (#)(2) |
Market Value of Shares or Units That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) |
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
59,000 | | | 15.20 | October 22, 2017 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
49,000 | | | 18.38 | April 25, 2018 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57,000 | | | 14.57 | May 7, 2019 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
49,300 | | | 25.68 | March 11, 2020 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18,134 | 9,066 | | 39.67 | March 18, 2021 | 14,600 | 709,560 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3,973 | 7,945 | | 50.12 | March 30, 2022 | 15,824 | 769,046 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18,495 | | 54.59 | March 29, 2023 | 20,056 | 974,722 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon (4) |
| | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
3,500 | | | 15.20 | October 22, 2017 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,000 | | | 18.38 | April 25, 2018 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5,200 | | | 25.68 | March 11, 2020 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1,600 | 800 | | 39.67 | March 18, 2021 | 1,300 | 63,180 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
352 | 704 | | 50.12 | March 30, 2022 | 1,402 | 68,137 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,419 | | 54.59 | March 29, 2023 | 1,538 | 74,747 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
William Farran |
11,200 | | | 25.68 | March 11, 2020 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3,934 | 1,966 | | 39.67 | March 18, 2021 | 3,150 | 153,090 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
772 | 1,547 | | 50.12 | March 30, 2022 | 3,079 | 149,639 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,801 | | 54.59 | March 29, 2023 | 4,122 | 200,329 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
16,000 | | | 15.20 | October 22, 2017 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11,000 | | | 18.38 | April 25, 2018 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12,000 | | | 14.57 | May 7, 2019 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8,000 | | | 25.68 | March 11, 2020 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2,934 | 1,466 | | 39.67 | March 18, 2021 | 2,300 | 111,780 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
578 | 1,155 | | 50.12 | March 30, 2022 | 2,300 | 111,780 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,963 | | 54.59 | March 29, 2023 | 3,213 | 156,152 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
15,956 | | | 2.55 | April 1, 2015 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10,000 | | | 15.20 | October 22, 2017 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7,000 | | | 18.38 | April 25, 2018 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7,000 | | | 14.57 | May 7, 2019 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6,400 | | | 25.68 | March 11, 2020 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2,267 | 1,133 | | 39.67 | March 18, 2021 | 1,950 | 94,770 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
495 | 989 | | 50.12 | March 30, 2022 | 1,970 | 95,742 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,572 | | 54.59 | March 29, 2023 | 2,789 | 135,545 |
(1) | Ten years from grant date. |
(2) | Reflects the target share amounts attributable to the performance shares granted on March 29, 2013, March 30, 2012, and March 18, 2011. For March 29, 2013 and March 30, 2012, amounts include restricted stock grants. |
(3) | The market value per share of Common Stock at December 31, 2013 was $48.60. |
(4) | Mr. Salmon forfeited 2,333 unvested stock options from the 2011 stock option grant, 2,017 unvested stock options from the 2012 stock option grant, and 5,517 unvested stock options from the 2013 stock option grant. Mr. Salmon forfeited 10,726 unvested performance shares awards (at the target level). Mr. Salmon forfeited all unvested restricted stock grants of 2,974 shares |
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Options Exercised and Stock Vested in 2013
Option Awards | Stock Awards (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Number of Shares withheld to cover taxes (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) |
|||||||||||||||
Randolph Gress |
| | 1,439 | 715 | 78,555 | |||||||||||||||
Neil Salmon |
16,876 | 894,766 | 365 | 122 | 19,925 | |||||||||||||||
Mark Feuerbach |
5,000 | 255,200 | 127 | | 6,933 | |||||||||||||||
William Farran |
| | 280 | 85 | 15,285 | |||||||||||||||
Louis Calvarin |
| | 209 | 68 | 11,409 | |||||||||||||||
Joseph Golowski |
| | 179 | | 9,772 |
(1) | Represents the vesting of restricted stock awards granted on March 30, 2012 which vest annually over three years. |
The | first installment of restricted stock awards vested at a closing price of $54.59 on March 28, 2013. |
Pension Benefits
The table under this item has been omitted since the Company maintains no defined benefit or similar actuarially valued pension plan covering the Named Executives. All Named Executives in the US participate in the Companys DCP, and all contribution amounts relating to that plan have been included under Other Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Messrs. Gress, Farran, Feuerbach, Calvarin and Golowski are eligible for severance in the event of qualifying terminations in accordance with their employment agreements described in more detail under the caption Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and AnalysisExecutive Employment Agreements and Related TransactionsEmployment Agreements. Those agreements reflect terms negotiated between the Company and the Named Executives. All Named Executives based in the U.S. are eligible for severance payments and acceleration of vesting of certain awards in the event of a qualified termination. These types and amounts of benefits under the agreements can be summarized for Messrs. Gress, Farran, Feuerbach, Calvarin and Golowski, respectively, as follows:
Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason:
| Accrued and unpaid salary, bonuses, expenses, vacation and sick pay to termination date |
| Base Salary for 24, 18, 14, 15 and 14 months (or applicable severance policy if greater), respectively, from terminationpayable in monthly installments |
| Amount equivalent to annual (STIP) bonus prorated for actual service in year of termination |
| Annual (STIP) bonus at target level that would have been earned if executive had remained employed for 24, 18, 14, 15 and 14 months, respectively, from termination |
| Vesting of all retention incentive awards (including LTIP) that would have become vested during the 24, 18, 12, 12 and 12 months, respectively, from termination if executive had remained employed and deemed full attainment of target levels of performance (for vesting purposes) |
| Continued coverage under insurance and other welfare plans for 24, 18, 12, 12 and 12 months, respectively, from termination |
Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason in Connection with Change-in-Control:
| Accrued and unpaid salary, bonuses, expenses, vacation and sick pay to termination date |
| Base Salary for 36, 27, 18, 18 and 18 months (or applicable severance policy if greater), respectively, Company severance policy if greater, from terminationpayable in lump sum |
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| Amount equivalent to annual (STIP) bonus prorated for actual service in year of termination |
| Annual (STIP) bonus at target level that would have been earned if executive had remained employed for 36, 27, 18, 18 and 18 months, respectively, from termination |
| Vesting of all retention incentive awards (including LTIP) that would have become vested during the 36, 27, 18, 18 and 18 months, respectively, from termination if executive had remained employed and deemed full attainment of target levels of performance (for vesting purposes) |
| Continued coverage under insurance and other welfare plans for 36, 27, 18, 18 and 18 months, respectively, from termination |
Termination for Cause:
| Accrued and unpaid salary, bonuses, expenses, vacation and sick pay to termination date |
Termination by Death or Disability:
| Accrued and unpaid salary, bonuses, expenses, vacation and sick pay to termination date |
| Continued coverage for spouse and eligible dependents under insurance and other welfare plans for greater of 12 months or applicable Company plan or policy period from termination |
| Vesting of all retention incentive awards (including LTIP) that would have become vested during the 12 months from termination if executive had remained employed and deemed full attainment of target levels of performance for (vesting purposes) |
Termination by Retirement:
| Accrued and unpaid salary, bonuses, expenses, vacation and sick pay to termination date |
| Entitlement to LTIP performance shares for the performance cycle period up to retirement contingent upon actual Company attainment of goals at end of cycle (or, in connection with Change-in-Control, at a minimum assuming that target level of performance had been achieved) |
As of December 31, 2013, the Named Executives were eligible for the following severance payments (including the value of benefits delivered):
Named Executive |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason* ($) |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason in Connection with Change-in- Control** ($) |
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Mr. Gress* |
4,238,047 | 6,357,070 | ||||||
Mr. Feuerbach* |
591,296 | 709,555 | ||||||
Mr. Farran* |
879,824 | 1,319,736 | ||||||
Mr. Calvarin* |
693,851 | 832,621 | ||||||
Mr. Golowski* |
648,578 | 778,294 |
* | The amounts shown in the tables are derived from applying provisions of current employment agreements with the Company as to salary and other benefits applicable to the Named Executives on December 31, 2013. |
** | Where the applicable terms of plans or policies may produce a larger benefit than an individual contract, the table gives effect to the provision producing the larger benefit. The table does not include amounts of tax gross up payments that may be made pursuant to employment agreements which are described and quantified under Related Transactions-Employment Agreements. |
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The following includes the spread value (as of December 31, 2013) of all equity for each Named Executive whose vesting will accelerate in the event of the relevant termination scenarios:
Named Executive |
Retirement ($) |
Death or Disability ($) |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason ($) |
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason in Connection with Change-in-Control ($) |
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Mr. Gress |
| 272,757 | 535,616 | 2,535,003 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Feuerbach |
| 22,683 | 22,678 | 213,254 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Farran |
44,908 | 56,217 | 108,721 | 520,751 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Calvarin |
| 42,776 | 42,767 | 392,905 | ||||||||||||
Mr. Golowski |
| 35,767 | 35,760 | 336,262 |
Messrs. Gress, Farran, Feuerbach, Calvarin and Golowski. The Named Executives based in the U.S. entered into executive employment agreements with the Company effective January 25, 2008. In general, the agreements have the same overall features for each of the Named Executives, differing as to that executives job description, base salary amount, relative level of target bonuses, entitlements to levels of welfare, fringe and other benefits and severance pay periods. The agreement covering Mr. Gress provides further that he is entitled to be nominated for election to the Board and, if elected by the stockholders, is to serve as a director and be named Chairman of the Board.
From October 1, 2009 until his resignation effective July 15, 2013, the Company was also party to a substantially similar executive employment agreement with Neil Salmon, formerly Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. That agreement was terminated by Mr. Salmons resignation with no special payments, except for normal accruals, being made thereunder.
After initial terms, the agreements are in their automatic renewal terms of one year, unless one years notice of non-renewal is given. They may be terminated at any time by the Company with or without Cause (as defined) or by the executives for Good Reason (as defined) according to prescribed procedures. Special provisions are also made for their termination as a result of disability or death. The agreements provide for cash severance payments in the event of non-Cause and Good Reason terminations amounting to 24, 18, 14, 15 and 14 months of base salary (or the amount resulting from the prevailing Company severance policy if greater) for Messrs. Gress, Farran, Feuerbach, Calvarin and Golowski, respectively, paid in installments, together with short and long-term incentives paid according to pro rata formulas, the vesting of options, equity awards and other benefits, and the continuation of coverages under insurance and welfare programs for the applicable severance periods.
The agreements have so called double trigger change-in-control provisions designed to avoid distraction potentially detrimental to stockholder value and to enhance protection for the executives covering events affecting the Company, the future outcomes of which cannot be predicted. In the event non-Cause or Good Reason terminations of the Named Executives employment occur during a period extending from six months prior to, through two years following, a Change-in-Control (as defined), the severance and other coverage periods are increased to 36, 27, 18, 18 and 18 months for Messrs. Gress, Farran, Feuerbach, Calvarin and Golowski, respectively, and payment of the severance amounts in lump sum is required. The agreements also contain terms providing the executives with gross up payments for taxes, interest and penalties on payments received under the agreements that are determined to be excess parachute payments under the Code and, accordingly, are subject to an excise tax, subject to adjustment for additional payments or return to the Company of overpayments after tax liabilities are settled. Based on amounts estimated as of December 31, 2013, the gross
42
up payments that would have been due to the Named Executives that time under their agreements on account of excess parachute payments would have been approximately $1,650,023 for Mr. Gress, $307,835 for Mr. Farran, $129,268 for Mr. Feuerbach, $188,080 for Mr. Calvarin and $170,868 for Mr. Golowski. In general, payment of amounts due under the agreements is subject to the parties delivering and not revoking releases. Since 2010, the Company has discontinued the use of such tax gross up provisions in its new executive employment agreements.
The employment agreements for the Named Executives also provide confidentiality, proprietary rights, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions governing the Companys and executives relative rights as to those matters. To protect the Companys business, these include non-solicitation and non-competition periods of 18 and 12 months, respectively, from date of termination. The protective covenant provisions may be enforced by the Company through equitable remedies in court, such as injunctions, in contrast to the general procedure of enforcing the agreements through arbitration.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires directors, officers and persons who own beneficially more than 10% of our Common Stock to file initial reports and reports of changes in ownership of our Common Stock with the SEC within prescribed time periods. The Companys directors, officers and stockholders first became subject to Section 16(a) in November 2006. As a practical matter, we try to assist our officers and directors in the reporting process by monitoring transactions and providing support for their filings. To the best of our knowledge, in 2013, there were no untimely required filings under Section 16(a) of which the Company is aware.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table furnishes information concerning all persons known by the Company to own beneficially five percent or more of the Companys Common Stock:
Common Stock Beneficially Owned at April 1, 2014 (1) |
||||||||
Principal Stockholders |
Number of Shares |
Percentage of Class |
||||||
Neuberger Berman Group LLC (2) 605 Third Avenue New York, NY 10158 |
2,174,935 | 9.91 | % | |||||
Black Rock Inc. (3) 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 |
1,901,658 | 8.67 | % | |||||
River Road Asset Management LLC (4) 462 S. 4th Street, Suite 1600 Louisville, KY 40202 |
1,643,957 | 7.49 | % | |||||
Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (5) 600 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 |
1,475,528 | 6.73 | % | |||||
Vanguard Group Inc. (6) 100 Vanguard Boulevard Malvern, PA 19355 |
1,365,883 | 6.23 | % |
(1) | Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of Common Stock subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days (of April 1, 2014) are deemed outstanding. Shares subject to option, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. |
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(2) | According to Company information and a Schedule 13G/A filed February 12, 2014, filed by reporting person consisting of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company whose business address is 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158, the reporting person may be deemed to hold sole voting and investment power over the number of shares being reported (in the amounts as indicated in the schedule). |
(3) | According to Company information and a Schedule 13G dated January 29, 2014 filed by reporting person consisting of Black Rock, Inc., a Delaware corporation whose business address is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, the reporting person may be deemed to hold sole voting and investment power over the number of shares being reported (in the amounts as indicated in the schedule). |
(4) | According to Company information and a Schedule 13G dated February 12, 2014 filed by reporting person consisting of River Road Asset Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company whose business address is 462 S. 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202, the reporting person may be deemed to hold sole voting and investment power over the number of shares being reported (in the amounts as indicated in the schedule). |
(5) | According to Company information and a Schedule 13G dated February 12, 2014 filed jointly by reporting persons consisting of (i) Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (AGI) and (ii) NFJ Investment Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (NFJ), whose business addresses are 680 Newport Center Drive, Suite 250, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (AGI) and 2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75201 (NJF), the reporting persons may be deemed to hold sole voting and investment power over the number of shares being reported (in the amounts as indicated in the schedule). |
(6) | According to Company information and a Schedule 13G/A dated February 11, 2014 filed by reporting person consisting of Vanguard Group, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation whose business address is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355, the reporting person may be deemed to hold sole voting and investment power over the number of shares being reported (in the amounts as indicated in the schedule). |
Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of April 1, 2014 by each director and nominee, by each Named Executive currently serving, and by all directors, nominees and executive officers as a group.
Common Stock Beneficially Owned at April 1, 2014 (1) |
||||||||
Name and Office |
Number of Shares |
Percentage of Class |
||||||
Named Executives |
||||||||
Randolph Gress, President and CEO (2) |
473,468 | 2.13 | % | |||||
Mark Feuerbach, Vice President, Investor Relations, Treasury, Financial Planning & Analysis (3) |
38,742 | * | ||||||
William Farran, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (4) |
26,081 | * | ||||||
Louis Calvarin, Vice President-Operations (5) |
75,280 | * | ||||||
Joseph Golowski, Vice President-Specialty Phosphate Business (6) |
71,567 | * | ||||||
Directors/Nominees: |
||||||||
Gary Cappeline (7) |
18,100 | * | ||||||
Amado Cavazos |
11,321 | * | ||||||
Linda Myrick (8) |
19,292 | * | ||||||
Karen Osar (9) |
14,525 | * | ||||||
John Steitz |
8,532 | * | ||||||
Directors/Nominees and Executive Officers as a Group (10) (19 persons) |
938,047 | 4.18 | % |
* | Represents less than 1% |
(1) | Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. In computing the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to stock options held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days (of April 1, 2014) are deemed outstanding. Shares of common stock subject to stock options, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. |
(2) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 255,610 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
(3) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 12,277 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. Mr. Feuerbach also served as Chief Financial Officer from July 15, 2013 until March 2, 2014 when he was succeeded by Robert Harrer. |
(4) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 19,913 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
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(5) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 53,543 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
(6) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 35,647 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
(7) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 6,219 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
(8) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 7,411 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
(9) | Includes options entitling the holder to purchase 2,644 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
(10) | Includes options entitling the holders to purchase 487,785 shares of common stock within 60 days after the noted date. |
Delivery of Proxy Materials to Households with Multiple Stockholders
If you have consented to the delivery of only one set of proxy materials to multiple Innophos stockholders who share your address, then only one set of proxy materials and only one annual report are being delivered to your household, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders sharing your address. We will deliver promptly upon oral or written request a separate copy of the proxy materials or the annual report to any shareholder at your address. If you wish to receive a separate copy of those items, you may call us at (609) 366-1299 or write to us in care of our Investor Relations Department at the address set forth on the Notice accompanying this Proxy Statement. Likewise, stockholders sharing an address who now receive multiple copies of the proxy materials or the annual report may request delivery of a single copy by calling us at the above number or writing to us at the above address.
Our Code of Ethics, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and Insider Trading Policy, Board committee charters, annual, quarterly and other reports filed with the SEC and proxy statements are available on our website, www.innophos.com and are also available in print to any stockholder who requests them.
By referring to these documents, we do not intend to incorporate the contents of the website into this document.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
William N. Farran
Corporate Secretary
April 23, 2014
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INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shareowner ServicesSM | ||||||||||||||||||||
P.O. Box 64945, St. Paul, MN 55164-0945 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail | ||||||||||||||||||||
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week | ||||||||||||||||||||
Your telephone 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||
VOTE BY TELEPHONE TOLL FREE 1-866-883-3382 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (EDT) on May 19, 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you. | |||||||||||||||||||
VOTE BY INTERNET http://www.proxypush.com/iphs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (EDT) on May 19, 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic ballot. | |||||||||||||||||||
VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-prepaid envelope weve provided or return it to Innophos Holdings, Inc. c/o Shareowner ServicesSM, P.O. Box 64873, St Paul, MN 55164-0873. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your Voting Instruction Card. | ||||||||||||||||||||
If you vote by Telephone or Internet, please do not mail your Proxy Card
ò Please detach here ò
This proxy card represents all shares of Innophos Holdings, Inc. Common Stock held in the registration indicated below. The Board of Directors recommends a Vote FOR Proposals 1, 2, and 3. |
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1. Election of Directors: | 01 Gary Cappeline 02 Amado Cavazos 03 Randolph Gress |
04 Linda Myrick 05 Karen Osar 06 John Steitz |
¨ |
FOR all nominees (except as marked) |
¨ |
WITHHOLD 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.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. Ratification of the selection of independent registered public accounting firm for 2014 |
¨ For ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Approval of compensation of Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Innophos Holdings, Inc. Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
¨ For ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed Date and Sign Below | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Address Change? Mark Box ¨ Indicate Changes below |
Date:
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Signature(s) in Box | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please sign exactly as name appears on this card. Joint owners should each sign personally. Corporation proxies should be signed by an authorized officer, indicating title. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should so indicate when signing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
INNOPHOS HOLDINGS, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
9:00 a.m. E.D.T.
Princeton Marriott
100 College Road East
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Innophos Holdings, Inc. 259 Prospect Plains Road Cranbury, New Jersey 08512 |
Proxy
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This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting on May 20, 2014. |
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This proxy will be voted as specified by the stockholder. If no specification is made, all shares of stock covered by this proxy will be voted FOR Items 1, 2, and 3 as set forth in the Proxy Statement.
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The stockholder represented herein appoints William Farran, Robert Harrer and James A. Testa, or any of them, proxies with full power of substitution and re-substitution to vote all shares of Common Stock entitled to be voted by said stockholder(s) at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Innophos Holdings, Inc. to be held at the Princeton Marriott, 100 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, on May 20, 2014, at 9:00 EDT and at any adjournment thereof, as specified in this proxy. The proxies are authorized in their discretion to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
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Your vote is important!
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Please sign and date on the reverse side of this proxy card and return promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person.
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See reverse for voting Instructions. |