Universal Electronics, Inc.
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO.___)
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Universal Electronics, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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April 26, 2006
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Universal
Electronics Inc. to be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 4:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, at the
offices of the Company, 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630. We urge you to be present in
person or represented by proxy at this Meeting of Stockholders.
You will be asked to consider and vote upon the election of members of the Companys Board of
Directors, the ratification of the Board of Directors engagement of the Companys independent
registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2006, and the approval of the
Universal Electronics Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Details of these proposals and a description
of the general business, directors and management of Universal Electronics are set forth in the
accompanying Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote
to approve all of the proposals.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, it is important that your shares
are represented. Therefore, please promptly complete, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy
card in the accompanying envelope, which requires no postage if mailed within the United States.
You are, of course, welcome to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you previously
returned your proxy card.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Universal Electronics Inc., we would like to
thank you for all of your support.
Sincerely yours,
Paul D. Arling
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
6101 Gateway Drive
Cypress, California 90630
714-820-1000
714-820-1010 Facsimile
www.uei.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
Corporate Headquarters:
6101 Gateway Drive
Cypress, California 90630
Notice
of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be Held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006
The 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Universal Electronics Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Universal or the Company), will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 4:00 p.m., Pacific
Daylight Time, at the Companys offices, 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630. Doors to
the meeting will be open at 3:30 p.m.
The meeting will be conducted:
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To consider and vote upon the following proposals (collectively, the Proposals), each
of which is described in more detail in the accompanying Proxy Statement: |
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Proposal One: The election of Paul D. Arling as a Class I director to serve on the Board of
Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2007 or until the
election and qualification of his successor, and the election of Bruce A. Henderson, William
C. Mulligan and J.C. Sparkman as Class II directors to serve on the Board of Directors until
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2008, or until their respective successors
are elected and qualified; |
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Proposal Two: Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as the Companys auditors for the year ending December
31, 2006; and |
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Proposal Three: Approval of the Universal Electronics, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. |
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To consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or
any and all postponements or adjournments thereof. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2006 will be entitled to notice
of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
April 26, 2006
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Richard A. Firehammer, Jr. |
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Senior Vice President, General |
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Counsel and Secretary |
Each Stockholder is Requested to Execute and Promptly Return the
Enclosed Proxy Card in the Enclosed Prepaid Envelope.
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
Proxy Statement
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To be held on Tuesday June 13, 2006
Dated as of and Mailed on or about April 26, 2006
Introduction
This Proxy Statement (the Proxy Statement) is being furnished to stockholders of Universal
Electronics Inc., a Delaware corporation (Universal or the Company), in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board or the Board of
Directors) from holders of record of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock, par value
$.01 per share (the Company Common Stock), as of the close of business on April 14, 2006 (the
Annual Meeting Record Date) for use at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company
(the Annual Meeting) to be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)
at the Companys offices, 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630 and at any adjournments or
postponements thereof. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being
mailed to stockholders on or about April 26, 2006. The world headquarters and principal executive
offices of the Company are located at 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630.
Voting Rights and Proxy Information
Only the holders of shares of Company Common Stock as of the close of business on the Annual
Meeting Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof. Such holders of shares of Company Common Stock are entitled
to one vote per share on any matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The presence,
either in person or by properly executed and delivered proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, as of the Annual Meeting Record Date, is necessary to
constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting and to permit action to be taken by the stockholders at
such meeting. Under Delaware law, shares of Company Common Stock represented by proxies that
reflect abstentions or broker non-votes (i.e., shares held by a broker or nominee which are
represented at the Annual Meeting, but with respect to which such broker or nominee is not
empowered to vote on a particular proposal) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled
to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of shares of Company Common Stock present in person or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to elect any director nominated pursuant to
Proposal One. One Class I director and three Class II directors will be elected at the Annual
Meeting. Accordingly, the person who receives the largest number of votes cast for the Class I
directorship will be elected, and the three persons who receive the largest number of votes cast
for the three Class II directorships will be elected. Consequently, any shares not voted (whether
by abstention, broker non-vote, or otherwise) as to Proposal One will have no impact on the
election of directors, except to the extent that the failure to vote for one individual results in
another individual receiving a larger number of votes. Thus, the withholding of a vote with
respect to the election of a particular nominee for director will have the practical effect of a vote
against that nominee.
Passage of Proposal Two or Three or any other question or matter properly brought before the Annual
Meeting requires the approval of a majority of the shares of Company Common Stock present in person
or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. An abstention with respect to any share will have
the practical effect of a vote against Proposal Two , Three or any other question or matter
properly brought before the Annual Meeting. A broker non-vote with respect to any share will not
affect the passage of Proposal Two, Three or any other question or matter properly brought before
the Annual Meeting, since the share is not considered present for voting purposes.
As of
April 14 2006, there were 13,735,300 shares of Company Common Stock outstanding and entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting. The directors and executive officers of the Company intend to vote
in accordance with the recommendations of the Board with respect to Proposals One, Two and Three,
as well as any other question or matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
1
All shares of Company Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting by properly executed and
delivered proxies received prior to or at the Annual Meeting and not revoked will be voted at the
Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If no instructions
are indicated for any Proposal, such proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations
of the Board as set forth herein with respect to such proposal.
If a quorum is not present at the time the Annual Meeting is convened or if for any other reason
the Company believes that additional time should be allowed for the solicitation of proxies, the
Company may adjourn the Annual Meeting with or without a vote of the stockholders. If the Company
proposes to adjourn the Annual Meeting by a vote of the stockholders, the persons named in the
enclosed form of proxy will vote all shares of Company Common Stock for which they have voting
authority in favor of such adjournment.
Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time
before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by (i) filing with Computershare Investor Services, LLC
in its capacity as transfer agent for the Company (the Transfer Agent), at or before the Annual
Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, (ii) duly executing a
subsequent proxy relating to the same shares of Company Common Stock and delivering it to the
Transfer Agent at or before the Annual Meeting, or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in
person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a
revocation of a proxy). Any written notice revoking a proxy should be sent to Computershare
Investor Services, LLC, 2 North LaSalle Street, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60602.
Corporate Governance
General
The Board believes that effective corporate governance is critical to the Companys ability to
create value for its stockholders and the Board has adopted policies intended to improve corporate
governance. The Board will continue to monitor emerging developments in corporate governance and
augment the Companys policies and procedures when required or when the Board determines that such
changes would benefit the Company and its stockholders. The Corporate Governance page of the
Companys website at www.uei.com provides access to the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines
and the charters of the Boards committees. To access the Corporate Governance page from the
Companys website home page at www.uei.com, select About Us at the top of the page, then select
Investor Relations from the menu that appears (in order to reach the Investor page) and, finally,
select Corporate Governance on the Investor page.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Board, acting on the recommendation of its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, has
adopted corporate governance guidelines to promote the effective functioning of the Board and its
committees, to promote the interests of stockholders, and to ensure a common set of expectations as
to how the Board, its various committees, individual directors and management should perform their
functions. These corporate governance guidelines are posted on the Corporate Governance page of the
Companys website at www.uei.com.
Committee Charters
The Board has three standing committees, as discussed below. Each of these committees, the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, has
adopted a written charter setting forth the purpose and responsibilities of the committee. The
three charters are posted on the Companys Corporate Governance page on its website at www.uei.com.
2
Code of Conduct
The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct applicable to all officers, directors and employees of the
Company, including without limitation the Companys principal executive officer, principal
financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller. Any person subject to the Code of
Conduct must avoid conflicts of interest, comply with all laws and other legal requirements,
conduct business in an honest and ethical manner, report all violations of the Code of Conduct and
potential conflicts of interest and otherwise act with integrity and in the Companys best
interest. The Code of Conduct also includes procedures to receive, retain and treat complaints
received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and to allow for
the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters. The Code of Conduct complies with the requirements of NASD and the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and is posted on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website
at www.uei.com. Any amendment to the Code of Conduct or waiver of its provisions with respect to
the Companys principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer or controller or any director will be promptly posted on the Companys website.
Director Independence Standards
The Board has adopted Director Independence Standards to assist in determining the independence of
each director. In order for a director to be considered independent, the Board must affirmatively
determine that the director has no material relationship with the Company. In each case, the Board
broadly considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including the directors commercial,
industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and family relationships and such
other criteria as the Board may determine from time to time. These Director Independence Standards
are posted on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website at www.uei.com. The Board has
determined that each of the four current Class II Directors, Messrs. Chahil, Henderson, Mulligan
and Sparkman meets these standards and thus is independent and, in addition, satisfies the
independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
Communication with Directors
The Board has adopted a process by which shareholders and other interested parties may communicate
with the Board, certain committee chairs or the non-management directors as a group by e-mail or
regular mail. That process is described on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website
at www.uei.com. Any communication by regular mail should be sent to Universal Electronics Inc.,
6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630, to the attention, as applicable, of the (i) Chair, Board
of Directors; (ii) Chair, Audit Committee; (iii) Chair, Compensation Committee; (iv) Chair,
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee or (v) the Non-Management Directors, c/o Lead
Director.
Stockholder Nominations for Director
The Boards Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (discussed below) actively seeks
individuals to become Board members who have the highest personal and professional character and
integrity, who possess appropriate characteristics, skills, experience and time to make a
significant contribution to the Board, the Company and its stockholders, who have demonstrated
exceptional ability and judgment, and who will be most effective, in the context of the whole Board and
other nominees to the Board, in ensuring the success of the Company and representing stockholders
interests. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may employ professional search firms
(for which it would pay a fee) to assist it in identifying potential Board members with the desired
skills and disciplines. In April 2006, the Company through its Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee has retained a professional search firm to assist in identifying up to two (2) candidates
to serve as members of the Companys Board of Directors.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider stockholder recommendations for
nominations for director on the same basis and in the same manner as it considers recommendations
for nominations for director from any other source. Any stockholder may submit a nomination in
writing to the Secretary of the Company, Universal Electronics Inc., 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress,
California 90630. Any stockholder recommendation must be received by December 29, 2006 for the
election of directors at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and must comply with the
requirements of, and be accompanied by all the information required by, the Securities and Exchange
Commissions proxy rules and Article IV of the
Companys Amended and Restated By-laws (Article IV is included with this Proxy Statement as Appendix A).
3
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
The number of directors is presently set at nine and is divided into two classes. A director who is
an employee of the Company and/or any subsidiary serves as a Class I Director and is elected each
year at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve a one-year term. A director of the Company who
is not an employee serves as a Class II Director and is elected every even-numbered year at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve a two-year term.
Five directors currently are serving; one is a Class I Director and four are Class II Directors,
and there are four vacancies. The current Board vacancies were created by resignations in 1998,
1999 and 2002. The Company is retaining these vacancies to accommodate additional qualified
directors who come to the attention of the Board. In April 2006, one of the Class II Directors,
Mr. Chahil, advised the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of his intention to not seek
reelection. In this notice, Mr. Chahil advised that he recently accepted new employment and that
this new employment precluded him from sitting on outside boards. As such, after this Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, assuming all those nominated are elected), there will be four members of
the Board, one (1) Class I director, three (3) Class II directors and five (5) vacancies. In April
2006, the Company, through its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has retained a
professional search firm to assist in identifying up to two (2) candidates to serve as members of
the Companys Board of Directors.
The term of the sole Class I Director and each of the Class II Directors expires at this years
Annual Meeting. The Board has nominated and recommends the reelection of Mr. Arling as a Class I
Director for a one-year term expiring at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In addition, the
Board has nominated and recommends the reelection of each of Messrs. Henderson, Mulligan and
Sparkman as a Class II Director for a two-year term expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Arling, Henderson, Mulligan and Sparkman meet these
standards and each of Messrs. Henderson, Mulligan and Sparkman is independent and, in addition,
satisfies the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them FOR Messrs.
Arling, Henderson, Mulligan and Sparkman.
If elected, Mr. Arling and Messrs. Henderson, Mulligan and Sparkman have consented to serve as
directors of the Company for a one-year and two-year term, respectively, and until their respective
successors are elected and qualified. If additional persons are nominated for election as
directors, the proxy holders intend to vote all proxies received by them in a manner intended to
ensure the election of Messrs. Arling, Henderson, Mulligan and Sparkman. However, consistent with
their authority, the proxy holders will determine the specific nominees for whom to vote, and in no
event will they vote to fill more than five positions. Although it is not contemplated that any
nominee will be unable to serve as director, in such event, the proxies will be voted by the proxy
holders for such other person or persons as may be designated by the present Board. Information
with respect to each nominee is set forth below.
Nominees for Election as Class I Directors
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Paul D. Arling
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Director since 1996
Age: 43
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Mr. Arling is Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.
He has held the positions of
Chairman since July 2001 and Chief
Executive Officer since October
2000. He was the Companys
President from September 1998 until
May 2001 when Robert P. Lilleness
was hired as the Companys
President and Chief Operating
Officer. He was the Companys Chief
Operating Officer from September
1998 until his promotion to Chief
Executive Officer in October 2000.
He was the Companys Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer from May 1996 until August
1998. Prior to joining the Company,
from 1993 through May 1996, he
served in various capacities at
LESCO, Inc. (a |
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manufacturer and
distributor of professional turf
care products) with the most recent
being Acting Chief Financial
Officer. At the 2005 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, Mr. Arling was
reelected as a Class I Director of
the Company to serve until the 2006
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. |
Nominees for Election as Class II Directors
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Bruce A. Henderson
Director since 1996 Member:
Audit Committee (Chairman)
Compensation Committee
Age: 57
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Since May 2004, Mr. Henderson
has served as Chief Executive
Officer of Imation Corp (a
manufacturer and supplier of
magnetic and optical removable
data storage media). Mr.
Henderson is also Imations
Chairman of the Board, a
position he has held since June
2004. Prior to joining Imation,
from November, 2001, Mr.
Henderson served as Chief
Executive Officer of Edgecombe
Holdings, LLC (a private
investment company). In
February 1999, following the
merger of BTR plc and Siebe plc,
through November 2001, he served
as Chief Executive of Invensys
Controls and subsequently Chief
Executive of Invensys Software
Systems, both divisions of
Invensys plc (a UK
engineering company in the high
value-added controls and
automation systems
industry) . From 1995 until
February 1999, Mr. Henderson
served as President of the
Appliance Controls division of
Siebe plc. Mr. Henderson is
co-author of Lean
Transformation: How to Transform
Your Business Into a Lean
Enterprise and A Workbook for
Assessing Your Lean
Transformation. He also serves
as a director of the Lean
Enterprise Institute. Mr.
Henderson is also a member of
the Board of Trustees of the
Virginia Commonwealth
University, School of
Engineering Foundation.
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At the 2004 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, Mr. Henderson was
reelected as a Class II Director
of the Company to serve until
the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. |
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William C. Mulligan
Director since 1992
Member:
Audit Committee
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee (Chairman)
Age: 53
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Mr. Mulligan is a Managing
Director with Primus Venture
Partners (a Cleveland-based
venture capital partnership),
which position he has held since
1985. Mr. Mulligan serves on
the board of directors of Golf
Galaxy, Inc., a publicly held
golf specialty retailer, where
he also serves as a member of
the Audit Committee and the
Nominating and Governance
Committee. Mr. Mulligan also
serves on the boards of
directors of several privately
held companies. |
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At the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Mr. Mulligan was reelected as a Class II Director of the Company to serve until the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. |
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J. C. Sparkman
Director since 1998 Member:
Compensation Committee (Chairman)
Audit Committee
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee
Age: 73
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Mr. Sparkman served as Executive
Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of
Tele-Communications, Inc.
(TCI) from 1987 until his
retirement in 1995. He is a
director of Shaw Communications,
Inc., where he also serves as a
member of the Human
Resources and Compensation
Committee and the Executive
Committee. Mr. Sparkman also is
a director of Liberty Global,
Inc., a publicly held
international cable operator,
where he also serves as a member
of the Compensation Committee.
At the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Mr. Sparkman
was elected as a Class II
Director of the Company to serve
until the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. |
5
Vote Required
Approval of the election of the nominees is subject to the affirmative vote of a plurality of shares
of Company Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOREGOING NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for establishing broad corporate policies and for the overall performance
of the Company. Generally, directors discharge their responsibilities at Board and committee
meetings. During 2005, the Board met four times and acted twice by unanimous written consent. All
Directors attended 100% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which he served during
2005. The Company encourages each director to attend each annual meeting of stockholders, however,
since attendance by our stockholders at these meetings has historically been via proxy and not in
person, the Companys outside directors have not regularly attended these meetings. At the 2005
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, no stockholder attended in person and only one director was
present.
The Board appoints committees to help carry out its duties. Board committees work on important
issues in greater detail than would be possible at a full meeting of the Board. The Board has three
standing committees: (i) Audit, (ii) Compensation, and (iii) Corporate Governance and Nominating.
The members of each committee are appointed by the Board and serve at its discretion. A majority
of the members of any committee constitutes a quorum, and the acts of a majority of the members
present, or acts approved in writing by all of the members, are acts of that committee. Only
independent directors serve on the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committees.
Audit Committee. During 2005, the members of the Audit Committee were Mr. Henderson (Chairman of
the Committee), Mr. Mulligan, and Mr. Sparkman, none of whom was an officer or employee of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries. Each member of the Audit Committee was independent, as
independence is defined in Rule 4200(a)(13) of the listing standards of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Mr. Mulligan is a financial expert. No member of the Audit Committee
receives any compensation from the Company, except fees for service as a Director.
The Audit Committees functions include meeting with the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm and management representatives, making recommendations to the Board regarding the
appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, approving the scope of audits and
other services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, establishing
pre-approval policies and procedures for all audit, audit-related, tax, and other fees to be paid
to the independent registered public accounting firm, considering whether the performance of any
professional service by the registered public accountants could impair their independence, and
reviewing the results of external audits, the accounting principles applied in financial reporting,
and financial and operational controls. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit
Committee, a copy of which is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website
at www.uei.com.
During 2005, management completed the documentation, testing and evaluation of the Companys system
of internal control over financial reporting in response to the requirements set forth in Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations. The Audit Committee was kept
apprised of the progress of the evaluation and provided oversight and advice to management during
the process. In connection with this oversight, the Committee received periodic updates provided by
management at each regularly scheduled Committee meeting. The Committee continues to oversee the
Companys efforts related to its internal control over financial reporting and managements
preparations for their evaluation in fiscal 2006. In addition, the independent registered public
accountants have unrestricted access to the Audit Committee and vice versa. During 2005, the Audit
Committee met six times.
6
Current Accountants. On August 25, 2005, the Company engaged Grant Thornton LLP (GT)
as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2005. The decision to engage GT was approved by the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of
Directors.
The following table sets forth fees billed to the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005 by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP. GT did
not represent the Company during the year ended December 31, 2004, and, accordingly, did not bill
fees to the Company for that year.
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For the year ended |
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12/31/2005 |
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Audit Fees (1) |
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$ |
1,054,000 |
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Tax Fees |
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0 |
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All Other Fees |
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0 |
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$ |
1,054,000 |
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|
(1) |
|
Includes fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Companys
consolidated financial statements, the audit of managements assessment of internal control
over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control, reviews of the interim
financial statements included in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that are
normally provided by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm in
connection with statutory and regulatory filings. |
Former Accountants On August 25, 2005, the Company dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to dismiss PwC was
approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
PwCs reports on the Companys financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and through August 25, 2005, there was no
disagreement with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction
of PwC, would have caused it to make reference thereto in its report on the Companys financial
statements for such years.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and through August 25, 2005, there were no
reportable events, as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 and through August 25, 2005, neither the
Company nor any person acting on its behalf consulted GT regarding either (i) the application of
accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of
audit opinion that might be rendered on the Companys financial statements, or (ii) a matter that
was either the subject of a disagreement, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and
the related Instructions to Item 304, or a reportable event, as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K.
The following table sets forth fees billed to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2005 and
2004 by the Companys former independent registered public accounting firm, PwC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended |
|
|
12/31/2005 |
|
12/31/2004 |
Audit Fees (1)
|
|
$ |
125,500 |
|
|
$ |
1,075,000 |
|
Tax Fees (2)
|
|
|
55,225 |
|
|
|
54,000 |
|
All Other Fees (3)
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
182,225 |
|
|
$ |
1,160,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
In 2005, the Audit Fees line includes fees for the review of the first and second quarter
reports on Form 10-Q. In 2004, this line includes fees for professional services rendered for
the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements, the audit of managements
assessment of internal control over financial reporting and the |
7
|
|
|
|
|
effectiveness of internal control, reviews of the interim financial statements included in
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory
filings. |
|
(2) |
|
In 2005, the Tax Fees line includes fees for work performed on the Franchise Tax Boards
audit of the Companys 1999 and 2000 tax returns as well as work performed related to the IRS
audit of the Companys 2002 and 2003 tax returns. In 2004, this line reflects fees for
professional services rendered for assistance in preparation of our estimated tax payments,
extensions, research and development credit analysis and transfer pricing studies during our
transition to a new professional service firm. |
|
(3) |
|
In 2004, the All Other Fees line is composed primarily of due diligence services performed
related to the acquisition of SimpleDevices Inc. in 2004. |
In making its determination regarding the independence of PwC, the Audit Committee considered
whether the services described under All Other Fees were compatible with maintaining the
independence of PwC. All audit, tax, and other services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee
for engagements after May 6, 2003. The Audit Committee Report is included as Appendix B to this
Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee. During 2005, the members of the Compensation Committee were Mr. Sparkman
(Chairman of the Committee), Mr. Henderson and Mr. Chahil (Mr. Chahil became a member of the
Compensation Committee on April 21, 2005), none of whom was an officer or employee of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries. Each member of the Compensation Committee was independent as defined in
Rule 4200(a)(13) of the listing standards of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
The Compensation Committee functions include making recommendations to the Board on policies and
procedures relating to executive officers compensation and various employee stock plans and
approving individual salary adjustments and stock awards in those areas. The Compensation Committee
also makes recommendations regarding the compensation of our directors. During 2005, the
Compensation Committee met four times. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on
the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website at www.uei.com.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. During 2005, the members of the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee were Mr. Mulligan (Chairman of the Committee), Mr. Sparkman and
Mr. Chahil (Mr. Chahil became a member of the Compensation Committee on April 21, 2005) none of
whom was an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Each member of the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee was independent as defined in Rule 4200(a)(13) of the
listing standards of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee consider Board nominees to the extent permitted
under, and made pursuant to the procedures established by, Article IV of the Companys Amended and
Restated By-laws. Procedures for stockholder nominations are discussed above under the caption
Corporate Governance Stockholder Nominations for Director.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee also fulfills an advisory function with respect
to a range of matters affecting the Board and its committees, including making recommendations with
respect to qualifications of director candidates, the selection of committee assignments and
chairs, and related matters affecting the functioning of the Board. During 2005, the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee met two times. A copy of the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee Charter is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website
at www.uei.com.
Compensation of Directors
In June 2004, the Companys stockholders adopted the 2004 Directors Compensation Plan, pursuant to
which each Class II director is to receive an annual cash retainer equal to $25,000, a fee of
$1,500 for each board meeting attended in excess of four each year (determined fiscally, July
through June each year), a fee of $1,000 for each committee meeting attended, a fee of $10,000 for
each committee chaired, and an award of 5,000 shares of Company Common Stock; the stock awards vest
ratably each quarter.
8
Pursuant to the 2004 Directors Compensation Plan, during 2005 each Class II Director was paid the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOD |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Company |
Name |
|
Total Cash |
|
Annual Retainer |
|
Meeting Fee(1) |
|
Meeting Fee |
|
Chair Fee |
|
Stock Award |
Mr. Chahil |
|
$ |
27,500 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
1,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
5,000 shs. |
Mr. Henderson |
|
$ |
46,500 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
(3) |
|
$ |
10,000 |
(3) |
|
5,000 shs. |
Mr. Mulligan |
|
$ |
44,500 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
8,000 |
(4) |
|
$ |
10,000 |
(4) |
|
5,000 shs. |
Mr. Sparkman |
|
$ |
48,500 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
12,000 |
(5) |
|
$ |
10,000 |
(5) |
|
5,000 shs. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
For the fiscal year July 2004 June 2005, the Board met five times, thus each Class II
director received the $1,500 meeting fee for one meeting during this time period. |
|
(2) |
|
During 2005, Mr. Chahil attended one Compensation Committee meeting. |
|
(3) |
|
During 2005, Mr. Henderson attended four Compensation Committee meetings and six Audit
Committee meetings. Mr. Henderson is Chairman of the Audit Committee. |
|
(4) |
|
During 2005, Mr. Mulligan attended six Audit Committee meetings and two Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee meetings. Mr. Mulligan is Chairman of the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee. |
|
(5) |
|
During 2005, Mr. Sparkman attended four Compensation Committee meetings, six Audit Committee
meetings, and two Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee meetings. Mr. Sparkman is
Chairman of the Compensation Committee. |
A Class I Director who is an officer of the Company receives no additional compensation for his
service as a director. However, all directors are reimbursed for travel expenses and other
out-of-pocket costs incurred to attend meetings.
Ownership of Company Securities
The Company Common Stock is the only outstanding class of equity securities of the Company.
Ownership as of March 31, 2006 of the Company Common Stock by each director/nominee, each executive
officer named in the Executive Compensation tables below, and by all directors and executive
officers of the Company as a group, and any person known to the Company to be the beneficial holder
of more than five percent of the Company Common Stock, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of |
|
% of Shares |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Issued |
|
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
of |
Name and Address (1) |
|
As of March 31, 2006 |
|
March 31, 2006 |
Directors and Nominees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul D. Arling |
|
|
624,300 |
(2) |
|
|
3.64 |
% |
Satjiv S. Chahil |
|
|
38,440 |
(3) |
|
|
* |
|
Bruce A. Henderson |
|
|
51,179 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
William C. Mulligan |
|
|
70,503 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
J.C. Sparkman |
|
|
106,007 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Director Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert P. Lilleness |
|
|
255,573 |
(7) |
|
|
1.49 |
% |
Paul J. M. Bennett |
|
|
130,200 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Richard A. Firehammer Jr. |
|
|
56,539 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
Bryan M. Hackworth |
|
|
6,500 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (9 persons) |
|
|
1,339,241 |
(11) |
|
|
7.81 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Owners of More than 5% of the Outstanding
Company Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Olstein & Associates, L.P. |
|
|
1,267,000 |
(12) |
|
|
7.39 |
% |
The Olstein Funds |
|
|
1,144,600 |
(13) |
|
|
6.68 |
% |
Lord, Abbett & Co., LLC |
|
|
1,324,023 |
(14) |
|
|
7.72 |
% |
Royce & Associates, LLC |
|
|
849,300 |
(15) |
|
|
4.95 |
% |
Wells Fargo & Company |
|
|
758,525 |
(16) |
|
|
4.42 |
% |
9
(1) |
|
The address for each Director/Nominee and each Non-Director Executive Officer listed in
this table is c/o Universal Electronics Inc., 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630.
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, and subject to community property
laws where applicable, to the knowledge of the Company, each stockholder named in this table
has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned
by that stockholder. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes 612,800 subject to options exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 1,000 shares
held by Mr. Arlings wife as to which Mr. Arling disclaims beneficial ownership. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 19,690 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 43,471 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 43,471 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 43,471 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 255,573 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 115,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 56,539 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 17,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days.
|
|
(11) |
|
Includes 1,196,515 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(12) |
|
As reported on Schedule 13G/A as filed on February 10, 2006 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by Olstein & Associates, L.P., a New York limited partnership, with its principal
business office at 4 Manhattanville Road, Purchase, New York 10577. |
|
(13) |
|
As reported on Schedule 13G/A as filed on February 10, 2006 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by The Olstein Funds, a Delaware investment company, with its principal business
office at 4 Manhattanville Road, Purchase, New York 10577 |
|
(14) |
|
As reported on Schedule 13G as filed on February 14, 2006 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by Lord, Abbett & Co., LLC, a New York investment advisor company, with its
principal business office at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302 |
|
(15) |
|
As reported on Schedule 13G/A as filed on February 1, 2006 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by Royce & Associates, LLC, a New York investment adviser company, with its
principal business office at 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019 |
|
(16) |
|
As reported on Schedule 13G as filed on March 7, 2006 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by Wells Fargo & Company, a Delaware holding company, with its principal business
office at 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 |
Executive Officer Compensation
Summary of Compensation
Table I below sets forth a summary of the compensation paid by the Company to its chief executive
officer and the four additional most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (Named
Executive Officers) during the periods indicated.
TABLE I
Summary Compensation Table for the Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
Other |
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation (1) |
|
Annual |
|
Awards |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
($) |
|
Compensation |
|
(#) |
|
Compensation ($) |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus (2) |
|
($) |
|
Stock Options (3) |
|
(4) |
Paul D. Arling |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
420,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
$ |
56,856 |
|
Chairman and Chief Executive |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
420,000 |
|
|
|
504,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
54,084 |
|
Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
424,531 |
|
|
|
283,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert P. Lilleness |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
181,273 |
|
President and Chief Operating |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
25,293 |
|
Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
304,135 |
|
|
|
171,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
10
Summary Compensation Table for the Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
Other |
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation (1) |
|
Annual |
|
Awards |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
($) |
|
Compensation |
|
(#) |
|
Compensation ($) |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus (2) |
|
($) |
|
Stock Options (3) |
|
(4) |
Paul J. M. Bennett |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
267,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,193 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
15,649 |
|
Senior Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
267,490 |
|
|
|
160,521 |
|
|
|
38,595 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
15,631 |
|
Managing Director, Europe |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
220,466 |
|
|
|
112,488 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard A. Firehammer Jr. |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
161,494 |
|
Senior Vice President, General |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
28,645 |
|
Counsel and Secretary |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
181,151 |
|
|
|
79,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
185,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan M. Hackworth |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
151,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
19,955 |
|
Corporate Controller, Chief |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
69,712 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
16,965 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
5,471 |
|
Accounting Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Excludes certain perquisites and other amounts that for any executive officer did not exceed
the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus for such executive officer. |
|
(2) |
|
Bonus includes the amount of cash bonus earned during the relevant year. Actual pay out of
bonuses may occur in a following year. |
|
(3) |
|
Awards referenced above represent options to purchase shares of the Company Common Stock
granted during the relevant year. |
|
(4) |
|
For 2005, All Other Compensation was composed of the following items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grossed-UP |
|
Gross-Up for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment for |
|
Taxes Related |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and |
|
to Key Person |
|
|
|
|
401(k) |
|
Pension |
|
Gain from |
|
Taxes Related |
|
Life |
|
|
|
|
Company |
|
and Medical |
|
Stock Option |
|
to Secured |
|
Insurance |
|
|
|
|
Contributions |
|
Premiums |
|
Exercise |
|
Note |
|
Policy |
|
Totals |
Paul D. Arling |
|
$ |
7,000 |
|
|
$ |
12,955 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
11,035 |
|
|
$ |
25,866 |
|
|
$ |
56,856 |
|
Robert P. Lilleness |
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
10,223 |
|
|
|
154,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,865 |
|
|
|
181,273 |
|
Paul J. M. Bennett |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,649 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,649 |
|
Richard A. Firehammer Jr. |
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
11,983 |
|
|
|
130,496 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,015 |
|
|
|
161,494 |
|
Bryan M. Hackworth |
|
|
7,000 |
|
|
|
12,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,955 |
|
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
Grant of Stock Options. The following table sets forth details regarding stock options granted to
the Named Executive Officers during 2005. The Company has never granted stock appreciation rights.
In addition, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, the table shows
the hypothetical gains or option spreads that would exist for the respective options. These gains
are based on assumed rates of annual compound stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% from the date
the options were granted over the full option term. The actual value, if any, an executive may
realize will depend on the spread between the market price and the exercise price on the date the
option is exercised.
11
TABLE II
Stock Option Grants During The Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential realizable value at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Annual Rates of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Appreciation for the |
|
|
Stock Options |
|
Granted to |
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
Option Term (4) |
|
|
Granted (1), (5) |
|
Employees |
|
price (2) |
|
Expiration |
|
($) |
|
|
(#) |
|
in 2004 |
|
($/Share) |
|
Date (3) |
|
5% |
|
10% |
Paul D. Arling |
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
12.69 |
% |
|
$ |
17.59 |
|
|
|
1/21/2015 |
|
|
$ |
884,729 |
|
|
$ |
2,242,077 |
|
Robert P. Lilleness |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
7.93 |
% |
|
|
17.59 |
|
|
|
1/21/2015 |
|
|
|
552,956 |
|
|
|
1,401,298 |
|
Paul J.M. Bennett |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
3.17 |
% |
|
|
17.59 |
|
|
|
1/21/2015 |
|
|
|
221,182 |
|
|
|
560,519 |
|
Richard A. Firehammer Jr. |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
3.17 |
% |
|
|
17.59 |
|
|
|
1/21/2015 |
|
|
|
221,182 |
|
|
|
560,519 |
|
Bryan M. Hackworth |
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
1.74 |
% |
|
|
17.59 |
|
|
|
1/21/2015 |
|
|
|
121,650 |
|
|
|
308,286 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Under its various stock incentive plan, the Company may grant to eligible employees non-qualified stock options. During 2005, the Company granted a total of 630,500 options to employees. |
|
(2) |
|
Under all stock option plans, the option purchase price is equal to the fair market value at the date of the grant. |
|
(3) |
|
If an optionee ceases to be an employee, other than by reason of death or disability, while holding an exercisable option, the
option will generally terminate if not exercised within the following 90 to 180 days (depending upon the Plan from which the
option is granted). If the optionees employment ceases without cause or as a result of a constructive termination, each as
defined in the Plan, all options shall be immediately exercisable and, if the optionees employment ceases within 18 months to
two years (depending upon the Plan from which the option is granted) of such constructive termination, then the optionee shall
be permitted to exercise the options at any time until the expiration of the option in accordance with its original term. Stock
options are not transferable except that under all Plans if an optionee dies while an employee of the Company or within one
year after becoming disabled, a legal representative or legatee may exercise the option, to the extent not already exercised,
at any time up to one year from the date of death or, if shorter, the expiration of the option in accordance with its original
term. |
|
(4) |
|
In accordance with SEC rules, these columns show gains that might exist for the respective options, assuming the market price
of the Companys Stock appreciates from the date of the grant over a period of ten years at the annualized rates of five and
ten percent, respectively. If the stock price does not increase above the exercise price at the time of the exercise, realized
value to the named officers from these options will be zero. There can be no assurance that the amounts reflected in this table
or the associated rates of appreciation will be achieved. |
|
(5) |
|
Options were granted pursuant to various Universal Electronics Inc. incentive stock plans and vest over four years on the
anniversary date of the grant at a rate of 25% per year and have ten-year terms. |
Aggregated Stock Option Exercises and Year-End Values. Table III below sets forth, on an
aggregated basis, information regarding the exercise, during 2005, of options to purchase Company
Common Stock by the Companys Named Executive Officers and the value on December 31, 2005 of all
unexercised stock options held by such individuals.
12
TABLE III
Aggregated Stock Option Exercises and Year-End (December 31, 2005)
Stock Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised Stock |
|
|
In-the-Money Stock Options |
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
|
Value |
|
|
Options at Year End |
|
|
at Year End (1) |
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Realized |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
($) |
|
Name |
|
# |
|
|
($) |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
Paul D. Arling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
612,800 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,104,304 |
|
|
$ |
361,600 |
|
Robert P. Lilleness |
|
|
16,579 |
|
|
$ |
154,185 |
|
|
|
255,573 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
699,233 |
|
|
|
445,500 |
|
Paul J. M. Bennett |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
779,936 |
|
|
|
114,950 |
|
Richard A. Firehammer Jr. |
|
|
20,661 |
|
|
$ |
130,496 |
|
|
|
56,539 |
|
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
219,014 |
|
|
|
45,200 |
|
Bryan M. Hackworth |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
19,500 |
|
|
|
5,513 |
|
|
|
16,538 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
37,240 |
|
|
$ |
284,681 |
|
|
|
1,046,412 |
|
|
|
299,500 |
|
|
$ |
5,808,000 |
|
|
$ |
983,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Based on a per share price for Company Common Stock of $17.23, which reflects the closing
price of the Companys Common Stock as reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market on December 30,
2005. |
Employment Agreements
Mr. Arling. On April 23, 2003, the Company and Mr. Arling entered into an employment agreement
with a three-year term that, unless terminated by either party in accordance with the terms of the
agreement, automatically renews for successive one-year terms. In October 2005, the parties agreed
to extend the expiration date of this employment agreement to April 30, 2009, and amended the
agreement to provide Mr. Arling a stay bonus. The stay bonus is $200,000, and will be paid to Mr.
Arling on the earlier of (i) December 15, 2007 (if he is still employed by the Company on that
date), (ii) the effective date of his termination of employment with the Company, if done without
cause (as defined in the employment agreement), or (iii) on the effective date of Mr. Arlings
election to terminate his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement).
The current agreement requires that, during its term, Mr. Arling must (i) devote his full working
time and energy to the Company, (ii) refrain from disclosing and/or using any of the Companys
trade secrets and proprietary information, and (iii) during the term of the agreement and for a
period of two (2) years thereafter, refrain from soliciting certain of the Companys large
customers or any key employees. The agreement also increased Mr. Arlings annual base salary for
2003 to $420,000 (an increase of 5% over his 2002 annual base salary), with the opportunity to
receive increases (but not decreases) in such annual salary as determined and set by the
Compensation Committee in accordance with plans and policies established by that committee. Mr.
Arlings 2003 base salary of $420,000 was not increased for 2004, 2005 or 2006. Mr. Arling may earn
an annual bonus payable at or near the end of each fiscal year in an amount equal to a percentage
of his base salary in accordance with the method established by the Compensation Committee (see
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation Annual Bonus Incentives). Mr. Arling
did not receive an annual bonus for 2005. The agreement also permits the Company to award a
discretionary bonus to Mr. Arling as determined by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Arling did not
receive a discretionary bonus in 2005, although he was provided a stay bonus when his employment
agreement was amended (as explained above). The agreement further provides for the grant of options
to acquire shares of Company Common Stock as determined by the Compensation Committee. In January
2005, Mr. Arling received a stock option grant to acquire up to 80,000 shares of Company Common
Stock (see COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Common Stock Incentives).
Neither the current agreement, nor the amendment, modified the $200,000 non-recourse interest
bearing secured loan provided to Mr. Arling by the earlier agreement. The loan was used by Mr.
Arling for the acquisition of his primary residence in Southern California. The loan bears interest
at the rate of 5.28% per annum, which interest is payable annually to the Company on each December
13th. The loan is secured by the primary residence purchased by Mr. Arling, and the principal is
payable on the earlier of (i) December 15, 2007, (ii) within twelve (12) months following a demand
from the Company if Mr. Arling shall cease (for whatever reason) to be an employee of the Company
or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as such term is defined in the promissory note
evidencing the loan) or (iii) on the closing of a sale or transfer by Mr. Arling or his spouse of
all or any part of their primary
13
residence in Southern California that secures the loan, including
without limitation any sale or transfer of any interest therein (including any beneficial interest
therein) without the Companys prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably
withheld. Also, in accordance with the new agreement, Mr. Arling receives a grossed-up payment to
assist him in payment of interest on the loan and certain amounts of his taxes resulting from this
payment. As of March 31, 2006, the entire principal amount of $200,000 was owed by Mr. Arling to
the Company. The agreement further entitles Mr. Arling to participate in benefits plans of the
Company in effect from time to time and for other customary benefits.
If during the term of the agreement Mr. Arling should resign for good reason (as such term is
defined in the agreement), Mr. Arling will receive salary, bonus, other incentive compensation and
perquisites, and may continue to participate in Company benefit plans, for an 18-month period
following such resignation (twenty-four (24) months if such resignation is due to a Change in
Control, as such term is defined in the agreement).
Mr. Robert P. Lilleness. In April 2003, the Company and Mr. Lilleness entered into an employment
agreement with a three-year term that, unless terminated by either party in accordance with the
terms of the agreement, automatically renews for successive one-year terms. On December 12, 2005,
Mr. Lilleness was advised by the Company of the Companys desire to not allow the agreement to
renew. As such, at the end of business on April 30, 2006, Mr. Lilleness employment agreement with
the Company will terminate in accordance with its terms. Thereafter, Mr. Lilleness will continue
his employment with the Company as an employee-at-will. Until it terminates at the end of business
on April 30, 2006, Mr. Lilleness employment agreement provides that he is to be employed as the
Companys President and Chief Operating Officer and, during the term of the agreement, is to (i)
devote his full working time and energy to the Company, (ii) refrain from disclosing and/or using
any of the Companys trade secrets and proprietary information, and (iii) during the term of the
agreement and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, refrain from soliciting certain of the
Companys customers and/or competitors or any key employees. The agreement also set Mr. Lilleness
annual base salary at $300,000, unchanged from November 2002, with the opportunity to receive
increases (but not decreases) in such annual salary as determined and set by the Compensation
Committee in accordance with plans and policies established by that committee. Mr. Lilleness 2003
base salary of $300,000 was not increased for 2004, 2005, or 2006. Mr. Lilleness may earn an annual
bonus payable at or near the end of the each fiscal year in an amount equal to a percentage of his
base salary in accordance with the method established by the Compensation Committee (see
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation Annual Bonus Incentives). Mr. Lilleness
did not receive an annual bonus for 2005. The agreement also permits the Company to award a
discretionary bonus to Mr. Lilleness as determined by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Lilleness did
not receive a discretionary bonus in 2005. The agreement further provides for the grant of options
to acquire shares of Company Common Stock as determined by the Compensation Committee. In January
2005, Mr. Lilleness received a stock option grant to acquire up to 50,000 shares of Company Common
Stock (see COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Common Stock Incentives).
The agreement further entitles Mr. Lilleness to participate in benefit plans of the Company in
effect from time to time and for other customary benefits.
If during the term of the agreement Mr. Lilleness should resign for good reason (as such term is
defined in the agreement), Mr. Lilleness will receive salary, bonus, other incentive compensation
and perquisites, and may continue to participate in Company benefit plans, for an 18-month period
following such resignation (twenty-four (24) months if such resignation is due to a Change in
Control as such term is defined in the agreement).
On March 3, 2006, the Company and Mr. Lilleness entered into a Change in Control and Salary
Continuation
Agreement (see Salary Continuation Agreements below). This agreement was extended to Mr.
Lilleness to replace certain obligations of the Company to Mr. Lilleness that will be lost upon the
termination of his employment agreement on April 30, 2006.
Mr. Paul J.M. Bennett. On June 16, 1996, the Companys subsidiary, Universal Electronics B.V.
(formerly known as One For All, B.V.), entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Bennett. The
Company believes that the agreement contains terms and provisions that are typical of these types
of agreements in The Netherlands. Mr. Bennetts compensation is split among the various Universal
Electronics B.V. subsidiaries for which Mr. Bennett devotes his time. By the agreement, Mr.
Bennett receives a base salary (paid in euros), which may be increased as determined and set by the
Compensation Committee in accordance with plans and policies established by that committee. Mr.
Bennetts 2005 base salary of 213,480 was not increased for 2006. By the agreement, Mr.
Bennett is entitled to earn an annual bonus payable at or near the end of the Companys fiscal year
in an amount equal to a
14
percentage of his base salary, provided that certain earnings targets are
met. Mr. Bennett did not receive an annual bonus for 2005. The agreement further entitles Mr.
Bennett to receive use of a Company-paid automobile, participate in benefit plans of the Company
in effect from time to time and for other customary benefits. Mr. Bennett has also received a
salary continuation agreement from the Company (see Salary Continuation Agreements below).
Salary Continuation Agreements. Messrs. Lilleness, Bennett, Firehammer and certain other officers
of the Company have salary continuation agreements with the Company (each, an SCA). Each SCA
takes effect upon the occurrence of certain triggering events (as defined in the agreements). When
effective, each SCA operates as an employment agreement providing for a term of employment with the
Company for a period ranging from twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months (twenty-four (24) to
thirty-six (36) months in the event of a hostile acquisition). In addition, each SCA provides that
the executive or other officer would receive increases in salary and bonuses during the term of the
SCA in accordance with the Companys standard policies and practices; however, in no event would
such base salary and bonus be less than the base salary and bonus such executive or other officer
received in the year immediately preceding the effective date of the SCA. Further, each SCA
provides that the executive or other officer will be entitled to receive stock option grants and to
otherwise participate in the Companys incentive compensation and benefits plans and other
customary benefits programs in effect from time to time, but in no event would such participation
be less than that provided such executive or other officer immediately prior to the effective date
of the SCA.
Under each SCA, if the Company terminates the executives or other officers employment for reasons
other than the executives or officers death or disability or for cause (as such term is defined
in each SCA) or the executive or officer resigns for good reason (as such term is defined in each
SCA, which definition includes resigning in connection with the occurrence of a change in control),
the executive or other officer would receive, in one lump sum, an amount equal to salary, bonus and
other incentive compensation (including the cash value of all options held by such executive or
other officer, as options become immediately fully vested on the executives or officers
termination or resignation date) and to continue all health, disability and life insurance benefits
for periods ranging from twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months (twenty-four (24) to thirty-six (36)
months in the event of a hostile acquisition) following such termination or resignation.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
See Employment Agreements Mr. Arling above for a discussion of his indebtedness to the Company.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) requires any person who
is a director or officer of the Company, or the beneficial owner of more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Companys equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and The Nasdaq Stock
Market. Such persons are further required to furnish the Company with copies of all such forms they
file. Based solely on the Companys review of the copies of such forms it has received, the Company
has determined that all of the filings required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) have been
filed, except that Messrs. Arling and Firehammer each was delinquent with one Form 4 filing with
respect to reporting one stock option grant from the Company; Mr. Lilleness was delinquent with two
Form 4 filings, one with respect to reporting one stock option grant from the Company and the other
pertaining to two cashless exercises
and sales of Company stock pursuant to stock option exercises; Messrs. Chahil, Mulligan and
Sparkman each was delinquent with one Form 4 filing with respect to reporting one stock issuance
from the Company pursuant to the Companys 2004 Directors Compensation Plan; and Mr. Henderson was
delinquent with five Form 4 filings with respect to reporting one stock issuance from the Company
pursuant to the Companys 2004 Directors Compensation Plan and eight sales or transfers of Company
stock. These delays were the result of failures in receiving pricing and sales/transfer
information from the Company and from the respective reporting persons in a timely manner. The
Company believes that it has rectified the problems causing these delays by distributing
informative documentation regarding filing requirements of Section 16(a) reports to each of the
reporting persons.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee members in 2005 were Messrs. Sparkman (Chairman), Henderson and Chahil,
none
15
of whom was an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the last
completed fiscal year or formerly an officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. During
2005, none of these directors had any business or financial relationships with the Company
requiring disclosure in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors met four times in 2005. The members of the
Committee were Mr. Sparkman (Chairman of the Committee), Mr. Chahil and Mr. Henderson. The
Committee recommends compensation arrangements for the Companys directors and executive officers
and administers its various stock incentive plans.
The Compensation Committee will review the compensation policies of the Company throughout the
coming year, particularly in light of the requirements surrounding expensing equity-based
components of executive compensation packages. All compensation actions taken during 2005 were
consistent with principles previously established by the Board of Directors. These principles
include building a strong relationship between stockholder return and executive and Director
compensation, providing incentives to achieve both near and long-term goals, and providing an
overall level of remuneration that is fair and reflective of performance. The chief executive
officer and other executive officers are not present at the meetings unless requested by the
Committee. Further, consistent with past practice, the Board has decided that management of the
Company should make decisions with respect to the compensation of all employees, other than the
chief executive officer and other executive officers of the Company.
Compensation Philosophy and Program. In administering executive officer compensation, the
Compensation Committees objective is to establish a total pay program for the Company that
appropriately balances compensation costs with salaries and incentives sufficient to retain and
motivate key executives. The chief executive officer presents proposals and recommendations on
executive officer compensation to the Committee for its review and evaluation. During its
discussions regarding the Companys executive compensation programs, the Compensation Committee
concluded that executive and director compensation matters are experiencing broad and far-reaching
reforms that will impact how companies leaders will be compensated for years to come. As such,
for 2006, the Committee has decided to hold off on making changes to the compensation programs for
the Companys executive officers until they have been able to obtain, review and act upon data and
advice from an independent compensation consultant. As such the Committee has commissioned an
independent compensation consultant to provide the Committee with a report prior to the end of June
2006 regarding current practices in executive compensation, particularly tailored to the Company
taking into consideration internal information and criteria from other independent sources to
establish a comprehensive compensation program that will be reflective of current practices and
directions as well as overall and individual executive officer compensation history, and the
Companys recent and planned performance. Until a new compensation program is established, which it
expects to do shortly after receiving the consultants report and advice, except for increases in
the base salary of two of the named executives as explained elsewhere in this report, the stay
bonus for Mr. Arling, and the approval of a new stock incentive program, the Committee has decided
to (i) hold executive officer base salaries at their current level, (ii) not award annual bonuses
to the executive officers for 2005 performance, and (iii) not grant any equity based compensation
to any of the executive officers.
Base Salary. Base salaries have historically been determined from an assessment of various factors
including position, tenure, experience, salary history and individual performance. This assessment
has generally been subjective, not subject to weightings or formulas and only considers external
data to the extent available and believed by the Compensation Committee to be helpful. Individual
base salary increases has historically reflected what the Compensation Committee believed to be
fair and appropriate after considering the subjective factors, an assessment of the Companys
current and projected labor costs and the data it receives from independent sources. In keeping
with its stated plan to reassess the Companys overall executive compensation program, the
Committee decided that each of Messrs. Arling, Lilleness and Bennett, each of whom has an
employment agreement with the Company and is paid in accordance with
the provisions of such employment agreements, would not receive an increase in their per annum base
salaries until the Committee has reviewed and acted upon the advice of its independent compensation
consultant with respect to establishing a new executive compensation program reflective of current
trends and practices. The Committee did however decide to increase the base salaries of the other
two Named Executive Officers for 2006 of between 10% and 29%. This decision was made after considering the efforts made by each of them during 2005 and
concluding that such increases were necessary to retain such officers and that such increases were
within market constrains.
16
Annual Bonus Incentives. The Committee has always believed that incentives help motivate the
attainment of annual objectives, including the Companys performance relative to that years plan
and the individual performance of each executive officer. Based in part on data provided by the
Company that was obtained from internal and independent sources, the Compensation Committee
established a method for determining bonuses for the Companys executive officers, including the
chief executive officer, utilizing a combination of financial and strategic goals. These goals
contain both objective and subjective components and, based upon the level at which those goals are
achieved, each executive officer will be paid a bonus equal to a percentage of the executives base
salary. For the chief executive officer, the percentage ranges between 30% and 120% of his base
salary as of year-end. For each other executive officer, the percentage ranges between 20% and
100% of the executives base salary as of year-end. In certain circumstances, an additional bonus
may be awarded if the Compensation Committee determines that an executive officers individual
performance warrants such award. Based on the financial performance of the Company during 2005,
neither Mr. Arling nor the other Named Executive Officers received bonuses for 2005, nor did any of
them receive a discretionary bonus for 2005. However, as a part of the October 2005 amendment to
his employment agreement, Mr. Arling was provided a $200,000 stay bonus to be paid in December 2007
or such other date as specified in the amendment to his employment agreement. The Compensation
Committee has established the criteria for 2006 bonuses consistent with its past practices,
however, it has concluded that such bonus program for the executive officers could change if
warranted by the report and advice received from the independent compensation consultant.
Common Stock Incentives. In addition to its 401K and Profit Sharing Plan, the Company has provided
various stock incentive plans, pursuant to which it may grant options to purchase Company Common
Stock, stock appreciation rights and phantom stock awards to executive officers and employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries with a view toward providing the executive officers and employees
a stake in the Companys future and compensation directly aligned with the creation of stockholder
value. The Compensation Committee has also issued stock options to attract new executive officers
to the Company. The Compensation Committee has generally established the terms and conditions of
such grants in a manner consistent with previous grants. Individual awards have been based on
subjective assessments of individual performance, contribution and potential. In addition, the
Compensation Committee has retained the discretion to make individual grants that it has deemed
appropriate under the circumstances, including to any or all of the Named Executive Officers. In
keeping with this past practice, the Committee has determined it appropriate to establish a new
stock incentive plan, which, when approved by the Companys stockholders, will be available for
grants of options to purchase Company Common Stock, stock appreciation rights and phantom stock
awards to executive officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Committee has,
however, determined to hold off making any grants under this new plan (any other existing
plan) to the executive officers until it has reviewed the report and advice received from the
independent compensation consultant.
Messrs. Arling and Lilleness are the trustees of the Companys 401K and Profit Sharing Plan. No
changes in the plan were made during 2005.
Perquisites. The Company offers very few perquisites or special benefits to executive officers.
In general, the Compensation Committee believes that the benefits offered are less than those
offered at typical companies of similar size and are not material when considering total
compensation.
Deductibility. The Compensation Committee does not believe that the provisions of Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), will limit the deductibility of
compensation expected to be paid by the Company during 2006. Section 162(m) generally limits the
deductibility for federal tax purposes of certain types of executive compensation in excess of $1.0
million dollars per year. The Compensation Committee will continue, however, to evaluate the
impact of Section 162(m) of the Code and any such other provisions and take any action deemed
appropriate to maximize the deductibility for federal tax purposes of all elements of compensation.
The Company, however, may from time to time
pay or award compensation to its executive officers that may not be deductible. Further, because
of the ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and
the regulations issued thereunder, no assurance can be given, notwithstanding the efforts of the
Company in this area, that compensation intended by the Company to satisfy the requirements for
deductibility under Section 162(m) does in fact do so.
It is the view of the Compensation Committee that the compensation programs of the Company are well
structured to encourage the attainment of objectives, offer opportunities for a total level of
compensation that is consistent with other companies of similar size, and foster a stockholder
perspective in management. The Compensation Committee believes that the overall levels of
compensation provided by these programs are fair and appropriate for the year just ended and that
they serve stockholders long-term interests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
J.C. Sparkman Chairman
Satjiv S. Chahil
Bruce A. Henderson
|
|
|
17
Performance Chart
The following line graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return with respect to Company
Common Stock versus the cumulative total return of the Companys Peer Group Index (the Peer Group
Index) and the Nasdaq Composite Index (the Nasdaq Composite Index) for the five (5) year period
ended December 31, 2005. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 31, 2000 in
each of Company Common Stock, the Peer Group Index and the Nasdaq Composite Index and that all
dividends were reinvested (although no dividends were declared on Company Common Stock during the
period). The graph depicts year-end values based on actual market value increases and decreases
relative to the initial investment of $100, based on information provided for each calendar year by
the Nasdaq Stock Market and the New York Stock Exchange.
The Company believes that the information provided in this performance chart has only limited
relevance to an understanding of the Companys compensation policies during the indicated periods
and does not reflect all matters appropriately considered by the Company in developing its
compensation strategy. This information shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any
general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
Comparison of Stockholder Returns Among Universal Electronics Inc.,
the Peer Group
Index(1) and the NASDAQ Composite Index
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/31/00 |
|
|
12/31/01 |
|
|
12/31/02 |
|
|
12/31/03 |
|
|
12/31/04 |
|
|
12/31/05 |
|
Universal Electronics Inc. |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
111 |
|
|
$ |
63 |
|
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
$ |
114 |
|
|
$ |
112 |
|
Peer Group Index |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
114 |
|
|
$ |
212 |
|
|
$ |
315 |
|
|
$ |
270 |
|
NASDAQ Composite Index |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
79 |
|
|
$ |
54 |
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
89 |
|
(1) |
|
Companies in the Peer Group Index are as follows: Harman International Industries,
Inc.; Koss Corporation; and Interlink Electronics. |
|
|
|
Recoton Corporation, which was included in the Peer Group Index in prior years, was not
included in the Peer Group Index for the disclosure above. On April 8, 2003, Recoton
Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy protection under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The terms of the Bankruptcy required
Recoton to sell its remaining businesses and all related assets. |
|
|
|
AMX Corporation, which was included in the Peer Group Index in prior years, was not
included in the Peer Group Index for the disclosure above. On February 15, 2005, AMX
Corporation (AMX), Thrall Omni Company, Inc. (Parent), and Amherst Acquisition Co.
(Subcorp) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger that allowed, among other
things, Subcorp to purchase all of the outstanding shares of AMXs common stock.
Following the completion of the purchase of AMXs common stock, Subcorp was merged with and into AMX, with AMX surviving as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Parent. |
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston Acoustics Inc., which was included in the Peer Group Index in prior years, was
not included in the Peer Group Index for the disclosure above. On June 8, 2005, Boston
Acoustics, Inc. (BA) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger
Agreement), with D&M Holdings U.S. Inc. (the Buyer) and Allegro Acquisition Corp., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer (the Merger Sub). The Merger Agreement provided
that the Merger Sub be merged with and into BA. As a result of the merger, BA became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer. |
PROPOSAL TWO: APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of its Audit Committee, has appointed Grant
Thornton LLP, a firm of independent registered public accountants, as auditors, to examine and
report to the Board and to the Companys stockholders on the consolidated financial statements of
the Company and its subsidiaries for 2006. The Board of Directors is requesting stockholder
ratification of such appointment. Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP will be present at the
Annual Meeting, will be given an opportunity to make a statement, and will respond to appropriate
questions.
Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them FOR the
ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Companys independent registered
public accountants for 2006. Stockholder ratification of the appointment requires an affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of shares of Company Common Stock present in person or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. While stockholder ratification is not required, and
thus the stockholder vote is not binding, the Board of Directors may reconsider its selection if
the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accountants for 2006.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF SUCH APPOINTMENT.
PROPOSAL THREE: APPROVAL OF THE UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC. 2006 STOCK
INCENTIVE PLAN
Background
As of March 31, 2006, options to acquire, in the aggregate, 3,150,550 available shares of Company
Common Stock have been granted and are outstanding under the Companys existing stock incentive
plans, leaving, in the aggregate, 147,747 shares available for future grants under the various
plans. As a result, the Board of Directors, believing that the remaining number of shares available
for future grants under the various plans would be insufficient to attract and retain key
directors, officers and employees, authorized the adoption of a new Universal Electronics Inc. 2006
Stock Incentive Plan (the 2006 Plan) to make an additional 1,000,000 shares of Company Common
Stock (approximately 7.28% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock as of April 14, 2006,
the Annual Meeting Record Date) available for grants to the Companys directors, officers and
employees. All three outside directors serving after the Annual
Meeting, 17 officers and
approximately 312 employees will be eligible to participate in the 2006 Plan.
The stockholders are being asked at the Annual Meeting to vote on a proposal to approve the
adoption of the 2006 Plan. The 2006 Plan was adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors on March 3, 2006 and will be approved by the full Board of Directors on April 27, 2006.
19
New Plan Benefits
The Board of Directors believes that substantial benefits will accrue to the Company from the
granting of stock awards under the 2006 Plan to its directors, officers and employees. Stock
awards encourage such persons to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through stock
ownership and thereby afford them a greater incentive to enhance the value of the Company Common
Stock through their own efforts in improving the Companys business. The granting of awards under
the 2006 Plan also will assist in obtaining and attracting competent personnel who will contribute
to the Companys success by their ability, ingenuity and industry will provide incentive to the
participating personnel which will inure to the benefit of all stockholders of the Company. For
these reasons, the Board adopted the 2006 Plan. Accordingly, the Board of Directors and management
believes that ratification of the adoption of the 2006 Plan is in the best interests of the Company
and recommends that stockholders vote in favor of the proposal. Unless otherwise instructed, the
proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them FOR the ratification and approval of the 2006
Plan. No awards will be granted under the 2006 Plan prior to stockholder ratification of the 2006
Plan. Thereafter, Awards under the 2006 Plan will be granted at the discretion of the Committee
and will depend on a number of factors, including the fair market value of the Company Common Stock
on future dates and actual performance against performance goals. Consequently it is not possible
to determine the benefits that might be received by participants under the 2006 Plan in 2006 or the
benefits that would have been received in 2005, if the 2006 Plan had been in effect in that year.
The following is a summary of the material features of the 2006 Plan, which is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the copy of the 2006 Plan attached hereto as Appendix C.
General
The 2006 Plan provides for the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance
stock units, restricted stock units or any combination thereof (each an Award). Stock options may
be granted to Eligible Participants (as such term is defined in the 2006 Plan). Certain of the
Eligible Participants may be granted incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422A
of the Code and non-qualified (for federal income tax purposes) stock options.
Stock appreciation rights, which may be granted to Eligible Participants, give the grantee of a
stock option the right to elect an alternative payment equal to the appreciation of the stock value
instead of exercising a stock option. Payment of the stock appreciation right may be made in cash,
shares of Company Common Stock or a combination thereof.
Performance stock units and restricted stock units may be granted to certain of the Eligible
Participants, each unit represents the right to receive one share of Company Common Stock. In the
case of performance stock units, Company Common Stock would be received upon the attainment of
certain Company performance objectives. Such performance objectives would be set by the
Compensation Committee (the Committee). In the case of restricted stock units, Company Common
Stock would be received upon completion of a restriction period, the duration of which would be
determined by the Committee.
In all cases, Awards are subject to the terms and provisions of the 2006 Plan described below. The
maximum number of shares of Company Common Stock reserved and available for issuance under the 2006
Plan is 1,000,000 shares, which constitutes approximately 7.28% of the outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock as of April 14, 2006, the Annual Meeting Record Date.
Duration and Administration of the 2006 Plan
The 2006 Plan will terminate on June 13, 2016, unless sooner terminated by resolution of the Board
of Directors (the 2006 Plan Termination Date). Initially, the 2006 Plan will be administered by
the Committee. The Committee must be composed solely of two or more directors who are non-employee
Directors. The current members of the Committee are Mr. Sparkman (Chairman of the Committee), Mr.
Chahil and Mr. Henderson (see THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD). Subject to
the terms and conditions of the 2006 Plan, the Committee has full and final authority in its
absolute discretion to, without limitation: (i) determine the terms and conditions of the Awards;
(ii) construe and interpret the 2006 Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into thereunder;
(iii) adopt, amend, or rescind rules and regulations that may be advisable in the
20
administration of the 2006 Plan; (iv) establish, amend or waive the rules and regulations and the
instruments evidencing Awards granted under the 2006 Plan; and (v) make all other determinations
deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2006 Plan. Any decision made or action
taken by the Committee in connection with the administration, interpretation and implementation of
the 2006 Plan and of its rules and regulations will be, to the extent permitted by law, conclusive
and binding upon all Eligible Participants and upon any person claiming under or through any of
them. Neither the Committee nor any of its members is liable for any action taken by the Committee
pursuant to the 2006 Plan. No member of the Committee is liable for the act of any other member.
Securities Subject to the 2006 Plan
Not more than 1,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock may be issued pursuant to the 2006 Plan in
the aggregate, except that in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, exchanges
of shares or similar capital adjustments, the Committee must make an appropriate adjustment in the
stock subject to the 2006 Plan. If any Award expires without having been fully exercised, the
shares with respect to which such Award has not been exercised will be available for further Awards
but in no event beyond the 2006 Plan Termination Date.
Grant and Method of Exercise of Awards
Subject to certain conditions, the duration of each Award granted under the 2006 Plan will be
determined by the Committee, provided that no Award shall be granted after the 2006 Plan
Termination Date, and no Award shall be exercisable or vest, as applicable, later than the tenth
anniversary of the date the Award was granted.
Each stock option granted under the 2006 Plan will have an exercise price of no less than the fair
market value at the date of grant which will be determined by averaging the highest and lowest
sales prices for the Company Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of the grant. A
stock option granted under the 2006 Plan will become exercisable in equal increments of twenty-five
percent (25%) of the shares of Company Common Stock which are covered by the stock option on each
of the first four anniversary dates of the grant.
Shares of the Company Common Stock shall be deliverable upon the vesting of performance stock unit
Awards or restricted stock units Awards for no consideration other than services rendered or, in
the Committees sole discretion, the minimum amount of consideration other than services required
to be received by the Company in order to assure compliance with applicable state law, which amount
shall not, in any case, exceed 10% of the fair market value of such shares of Company Common Stock
on that date of issuance.
Awards may be exercised by the giving of written notice to the Company of the exercise of the Award
accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (if applicable) in cash or, in the Committees
discretion, its equivalent. The Committee also may allow cashless exercises.
Exercise of Stock Options upon Termination of Employment
Termination due to Death or Disability. If an Eligible Employees employment with the Company and
all subsidiaries ceases because of death or disability, the option may be exercised by the Eligible
Employee (or, in the event of death, such persons estate or personal representative) until the
earlier of either (i) the first anniversary of such termination of employment or (ii) the
expiration of the option, but only to the extent the option was exercisable at the date of such
termination of employment.
Termination without cause or due to Constructive Termination. If an Eligible Employees employment
with the Company and all subsidiaries is terminated by the Company without cause or in the event
of Constructive Termination (including a Change In Control) (as all such terms are defined in
the 2006 Plan) the options become immediately and fully vested without further action by any party
and may be exercised by the Eligible Employee (or, in the event of death, such persons estate or
personal representative) until the expiration of the option.
Termination for any other reason. If an Eligible Employees employment with the Company and all
subsidiaries ceases for any reason other than death, disability, without cause or Constructive
Termination, the option may be exercised by the Eligible Employee (or, in the event of death, such
persons estate or personal representative) until
21
the earlier of either (i) the 90th day following such termination of employment or (ii) the
expiration of the option, but only to the extent the option was exercisable at the date of such
termination of employment.
Subject to certain limitations set forth in the 2006 Plan, the Committee may waive any restrictions
or conditions set forth in an option agreement concerning an Eligible Employees right to exercise
any stock option and/or the time and method of exercise.
Cancellation of Restricted Stock Units Awards or Performance Stock Units Awards
If an Eligible Employees employment with the Company and all subsidiaries terminates for any
reason, the unvested portion of any restricted stock unit. Award or performance stock unit Award
will be canceled and the Eligible Employee shall not be entitled to receive any consideration in
respect of such cancellation; provided, however, that the Committee, subject to certain limitations
set forth in the 2006 Plan, may waive any restrictions or conditions relating to the vesting of
restricted stock unit Awards and performance stock unit Awards.
Income Tax Treatment
The Company has been advised that under current law certain of the income tax consequences under
the laws of the United States to the Eligible Participants and the Company of Awards granted under
the 2006 Plan generally should be as set forth in the following summary. This summary only
addresses income tax consequences for Eligible Participants and the Company.
An Eligible Participant who is granted an incentive stock option which qualifies under Section 422
of the Code will not recognize income at the time of grant or exercise of such Award. No federal
income tax deduction will be allowable to the Company upon the grant or exercise of such Award.
Upon the exercise of an incentive option, however, special alternative minimum tax rules apply for
the Eligible Participant. When the Eligible Participant sells such shares more than one year after
the date of exercise of the Award and more than two years after the date of grant of the incentive
option, the participant will normally recognize a long-term capital gain or loss equal to the
difference, if any, between the sales price of such shares and the option exercise price. If the
Eligible Participant does not hold such shares for this period, when the participant sells such
shares, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income and possibly capital gain or
loss in such amounts as are prescribed by the Code and the regulations thereunder. Subject to
applicable provisions of the Code and regulations, the Company generally will be entitled to a
federal income tax deduction in the amount of such ordinary compensation income.
An Eligible Participant to whom a non-qualified option (an option which is not an incentive stock
option) is granted will not recognize income at the time of grant of such option. When the Eligible
Participant exercises such non-qualified option, such person will recognize ordinary compensation
income equal to the difference, if any, between the option exercise price and the fair market
value, as of the date of the option exercise, of the shares such person receives. The tax basis of
such shares to such person will be equal to the option price paid and the holding period for such
shares will commence on the day on which such person recognized taxable income with respect to such
shares. Subject to applicable provisions of the Code and regulations, the Company generally will
be entitled to a federal income tax deduction with respect to non-qualified options in the amount
of such ordinary compensation income recognized by the Eligible Participant.
An Eligible Participant to whom a restricted stock unit Award or a performance stock units Award is
granted will not recognize income at the time of grant of such Award. When such Eligible
Participant receives the Company Common Stock, the Eligible Participant will recognize ordinary
compensation income equal to the fair market value of any shares of Company Common Stock received.
Subject to applicable provisions of the Code and regulations thereunder, the Company generally will
be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in respect of the Award of Company Common Stock in an
amount equal to the ordinary compensation income recognized by the Eligible Participant.
The discussion set forth above does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax
consequences relevant to recipients of Awards or to describe tax consequences based on particular
circumstances. It is based on United States federal income tax law and interpretational
authorities as of the date of this Proxy Statement, which are subject to change at any time. This
discussion does not address state or local income tax consequences or income tax consequences for
taxpayers who are not subject to taxation in the United States.
22
The following summarizes the Companys equity compensation plans at December 31, 2005.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
for future issuance |
|
|
|
Securities to be |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
under equity |
|
|
|
issued upon |
|
|
Weighted-average |
|
|
compensation plans |
|
|
|
exercise of |
|
|
exercise price of |
|
|
(excluding |
|
|
|
outstanding |
|
|
outstanding |
|
|
securities |
|
|
|
options, warrants |
|
|
options, warrants |
|
|
reflected in column |
|
Plan Category |
|
and rights |
|
|
and rights |
|
|
(a)) |
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
1,708,326 |
|
|
$ |
13.76 |
|
|
|
99,750 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
1,442,224 |
|
|
$ |
13.63 |
|
|
|
47,997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
3,150,550 |
|
|
$ |
13.70 |
|
|
|
147,747 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vote Required
The action of the Board of Directors in adopting the 2006 Plan requires ratification by an
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of Company Common Stock present in person
or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC. 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Stockholder Proposals for 2006 Annual Meeting
If a stockholder desires to have a proposal included in the Companys proxy statement and form of
proxy for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must conform to the requirements of
Exchange Act Rule 14a-8 and other applicable proxy rules and interpretations of the Commission
concerning the submission and content of proposals, must be submitted in writing by notice
delivered or mailed by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the
Company, Universal Electronics Inc., 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630 and must be
received no later than the close of business on December 29, 2006. Any such notice shall set
forth: (a) the name and address of the stockholder and the text of the proposal to be introduced;
(b) the number of shares of stock held of record, owned beneficially and represented by proxy by
such stockholder as of the date of such notice; and (c) a representation that the stockholder
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to introduce the proposal specified in the
notice. In order for a stockholders proposal outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 to be considered
timely within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 14a-4(c)(1), the proposal must be received by the
Company at the same address no later than March 14, 2007.
Proxy holders will use their discretion in voting proxies with respect to any stockholder proposal
properly presented from the floor and not included in the Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual
Meeting, unless the Company had notice of the proposal and received specific voting instructions
with respect thereto by March 14, 2007.
Procedures for stockholder nominations are discussed above under the caption Corporate Governance
Stockholder Nominations for Director.
23
Solicitation of Proxies
Proxies will be solicited by mail, telephone, or other means of communication. Solicitation also
may be made by directors, officers and other employees of the Company not specifically employed for
this purpose. The Company will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries in
accordance with the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., for reasonable
expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to the beneficial owners of shares. The entire
cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company.
Form 10-K Annual Report
Any stockholder may obtain a copy of the Companys 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, with or without exhibits, by addressing a request to
Investor Relations, Universal Electronics Inc., 6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630. A
charge equal to the reproduction cost will be made if exhibits are requested.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Richard A. Firehammer, Jr.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
April 26, 2006
24
Appendix A
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
BY-LAWS, ARTICLE IV
STOCKHOLDER NOMINATION OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the
Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nominations for the election of directors may be
made by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors or by any
stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally. However, any stockholder
entitled to vote in the election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons for
election as directors at a meeting only if written notice of such stockholders intent to make such
nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail,
postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (i) with respect to an election
to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of the
date of the Proxy Statement released to stockholders in connection with the previous years annual
meeting of stockholders, and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors, a reasonable time in advance of the meeting. For
purposes of this Section, a reasonable time in advance of the meeting is at least fifteen (15)
days before the date that the Proxy Statement in connection with such meeting is to be mailed to
the stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the stockholder who
intends to make the nomination and of the person and persons to be nominated; (b) a representation
that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such
meeting and intends to appear in person or at the meeting to nominate the by proxy person or
persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between
the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons)
pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (d) such other
information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included
in a Proxy Statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; and (e) the
consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected. The presiding
officer at the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in
compliance with the foregoing procedure.
Appendix B
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee reviews the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of
Directors and while management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the
reporting process, the Companys independent registered public accountants are responsible for
expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Companys audited financial statements to generally
accepted accounting principles, in all material respects.
In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent
registered public accountants the Companys audited financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2005. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public
accountants the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61
(Communication with Audit Committees), as amended by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90. In
addition, the Audit Committee has received from the independent registered public accountants the
written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussion with Audit Committees) and discussed with them their independence from the Company and
its management. Finally, the Audit Committee has considered whether the independent registered
public accountants provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with the
registered public accountants independence.
Relying on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the financial statements of the Company for
the year ended December 31, 2005 as presented to the Audit Committee be included in the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the
rules and regulations promulgated there under.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce A. Henderson Chairman |
|
|
|
|
William C. Mulligan |
|
|
|
|
J.C. Sparkman |
|
|
Appendix C
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
EFFECTIVE JUNE 13, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF PLAN; DEFINITIONS
|
|
C-3 |
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION
|
|
C-4 |
SECTION 3. NUMBER OF SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
|
|
C-5 |
SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY
|
|
C-5 |
SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS
|
|
C-6 |
SECTION 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
|
|
C-8 |
SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AND PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
|
|
C-9 |
SECTION 8. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
|
|
C-10 |
SECTION 9. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN
|
|
C-11 |
SECTION 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
|
C-11 |
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
|
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C-12 |
SECTION 12. TERM OF PLAN
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C-12 |
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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF PLAN; DEFINITIONS.
The name of this Plan is the Universal Electronics Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan). The
purpose of this Plan is to enable the Corporation (as hereinafter defined) and its Subsidiaries (as
hereinafter defined) to obtain and retain competent personnel who will contribute to the
Corporations success by their ability, ingenuity and industry and to provide incentives to the
participating directors, officers and other employees which are related to increases in stockholder
value and will therefore inure to the benefit of all stockholders of the Corporation.
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(a) |
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Award means any grant under this Plan in the form of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units or any combination of the foregoing. |
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(b) |
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Board means the Board of Directors of the Corporation. |
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(c) |
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Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto. |
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(d) |
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Committee means the Compensation Committee or any other committee that the Board may subsequently
appoint to administer this Plan. The Committee shall be composed entirely of directors who meet the
qualifications referred to in Section 2 of this Plan. |
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(e) |
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Corporation means Universal Electronics Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State
of Delaware (or any successor corporation), including, where applicable, any and all of its subsidiaries
or related entities. |
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(f) |
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Disability means an event of illness or other incapacity of Optionee resulting in Optionees failure
or inability to discharge Optionees duties as a director (a Director) or employee of the Corporation,
any Subsidiary or any Related Entity for ninety (90) or more days during any period of 120 consecutive
days. |
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(g) |
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Eligible Employee means an employee of the Corporation, any Subsidiary or any Related Entity as
described in Section 4 of this Plan. |
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(h) |
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Fair Market Value means, as of any given date, with respect to any Awards granted hereunder, the mean
of the high and low trading price of the Stock on such date as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market or if
the Stock is not then traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, on such other national securities exchange on
which the Stock is admitted to trade or, if none, on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System if the Stock is admitted for quotation thereon; provided, however, that if
any such system, exchange or quotation system is closed on any day on which Fair Market Value is to be
determined, Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the first day immediately proceeding such day on
which such system, exchange or quotation system was open for trading; provided, further, that in all
other circumstances, Fair Market Value means the value determined by the Committee after obtaining an
appraisal by one or more independent appraisers meeting the requirements of regulations issued under
Section 170(a)(1) of the Code. |
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(i) |
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Incentive Stock Option means any Stock Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. |
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(j) |
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Non-Employee Director shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3 (Rule 16b-3), as promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time
to time (the Exchange Act), or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission. |
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(k) |
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Nonqualified Stock Option means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option. |
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(l) |
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Optionee means a Participant granted a Stock Option pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan which remains
outstanding. |
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(m) |
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Participant means any Director or Eligible Employee selected by the Committee, pursuant to the
Committees authority in Section 2 of this Plan, to receive Awards. |
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(n) |
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Performance Stock Unit means the right to receive one share of Stock as set forth in an Award granted
pursuant to Section 7 of this Plan. |
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(o) |
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Related Entity means any corporation, joint venture or other entity, domestic or foreign, other than a
Subsidiary, in which the Corporation owns, directly or indirectly, a substantial equity interest. |
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(p) |
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Restricted Stock Unit means the right to receive one share of Stock as set forth in an Award granted
pursuant to Section 7 of this Plan. |
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(q) |
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Retirement means (i) retirement from active employment under a retirement plan of the Corporation, any
Subsidiary or Related Entity or under an employment contract with any of them or (ii) termination of
employment at or after age 55 under circumstances which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems
equivalent to retirement. |
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(r) |
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Stock means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation. |
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(s) |
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Stock Appreciation Right means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 6 of this Plan,
(i) in the case of a Related Stock Appreciation Right (as defined in Section 6 of this Plan), to
surrender to the Corporation all or a portion of the related Stock Option and receive an amount equal to
the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock as of the date such Stock Option or portion
thereof is surrendered over the option price per share specified in such Stock Option, multiplied by the
number of shares of Stock in respect of which such Stock Option is being surrendered and (ii) in the
case of a Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right (as defined in Section 6 of this Plan), receive an
amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock as of the date of exercise
over the price per share specified in such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right, multiplied by the
number of shares of Stock in respect of which such Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right is being
exercised. |
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(t) |
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Stock Option means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan. |
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(u) |
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Subsidiary means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation,
if each of the corporations (other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain) owns stock
possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in the chain. |
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION.
This Plan shall be administered by the Committee, composed solely of two or more directors who are
Non-Employee Directors, who shall be appointed by the Board and who shall serve at the pleasure of
the Board. In the event that a Committee has not been appointed or in the Boards sole discretion,
this Plan shall be administered by the Board which shall have all of the power and authority of the
Committee set forth below. The Committee shall have the power and authority in its sole discretion
to grant Awards pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Plan.
In particular, the Committee shall have the full authority, not inconsistent with this Plan:
(a) |
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to select Participants; |
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(b) |
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to determine whether and to what extent Awards are to be granted to Participants hereunder; |
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(c) |
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to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by each such Award granted hereunder, but in
no case shall such number be in the aggregate greater than that allowed under this Plan; |
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(d) |
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to approve or ratify transactions by Participants involving acquisitions from the Corporation or
dispositions to the Corporation of equity securities of the Corporation made pursuant to the terms of
this Plan; |
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(e) |
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to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder (including, without limitation,
(i) the restrictive periods applicable to Restricted Stock Unit Awards and (ii) the performance
objectives and periods applicable to Performance Stock Unit Awards); |
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(f) |
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to waive compliance by a Participant with any obligation to be performed by such Participant under any
Award and to waive any term or condition of any such Award (provided, however, that no such waiver
shall detrimentally affect the rights of the Participant without such Participants consent); and |
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(g) |
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to determine the terms and conditions which shall govern all written agreements evidencing the Awards. |
The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules,
guidelines and practices governing this Plan as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to
interpret the provisions of this Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award issued, expired,
terminated, canceled or surrendered under this Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to
otherwise supervise the administration of this Plan.
All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Plan and as to the terms and
conditions of any Award (and any agreements relating thereto) shall be final and binding on all
persons, including the Corporation and any Optionee.
SECTION 3. NUMBER OF SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.
One million (1,000,000) shares of Stock are reserved and available for issuance under this Plan.
Such shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or issued shares
reacquired by the Corporation from time to time, as the Board may determine.
Subject to Section 12 of this Plan and to the extent that (a) a Stock Option expires or is
otherwise terminated, canceled or surrendered without being exercised (including, without
limitation, in connection with the grant of a replacement option) or (b) any Restricted Stock Unit
Award or Performance Stock Unit Award granted hereunder expires or is otherwise terminated or is
canceled, the shares of Stock underlying such Stock Option or subject to such Restricted Stock Unit
Award or Performance Stock Unit Award shall again be available for issuance in connection with
future Awards under this Plan. Upon the exercise of a Related Stock Appreciation Right, the Stock
Option, or the part thereof to which such Related Stock Appreciation Right is related, shall be
deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the limitation on the number of shares of Stock in
respect of which the Related Stock Appreciation Right was exercised.
In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend,
spin-off, or other change in corporate structure or capitalization affecting the Stock, the
Committee shall make an equitable adjustment or substitution in the number and class of shares
reserved for issuance under this Plan, the number and class of shares covered by outstanding Awards
and the option price per share of Stock Options or the applicable price per share specified in
Stock Appreciation Rights to reflect the effect of such change in corporate structure or
capitalization on the Stock; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from such
adjustment shall be eliminated; provided further, however, that if by reason of any such change in
corporate structure or capitalization a Participant holding a Restricted Stock Unit Award or
Performance Stock Unit Award shall be entitled, subject to the terms and conditions of such Award,
to additional or different shares of any security, the issuance of such additional or different
shares shall thereupon be subject to all of the terms and conditions (including restrictions and
performance
criteria) which were applicable to such Award prior to such change in corporate structure or
capitalization; and, provided, further, however, that unless the Committee in its sole discretion
determines otherwise, any issuance by the Corporation of shares of stock of any class or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class shall not affect, and no such adjustment or
substitution by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or class of shares
reserved for issuance under this Plan, the number or class of shares covered by outstanding Awards
or any option price or applicable price.
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SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY.
Directors, officers and other employees of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries and its Related
Entities who are responsible for or contribute to the management, growth or profitability of the
business of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries or its Related Entities, as determined by the
Committee, shall be eligible to be granted Awards; provided however, with respect to an employee of
a Related Entity, that such person was an employee of the Corporation, a Subsidiary or, if
originally an employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, of another Related Entity immediately
prior to becoming employed by such Related Entity and accepted employment with such Related Entity
at the request of the Corporation or a Subsidiary. The Participants under this Plan shall be
selected, from time to time, by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from among those Directors
and Eligible Employees.
SECTION 5. STOCK OPTIONS.
(a) |
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Grant and Exercise. Stock Options may be granted
either alone or in addition to other Awards granted
under this Plan. Any Stock Option granted under this
Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may,
from time to time, approve, and the terms and
conditions of Stock Option Awards need not be the
same with respect to each Optionee. Each Optionee
shall enter into a Stock Option agreement (Stock
Option Agreement) with the Corporation, in such
form as the Committee shall determine, which
agreement shall set forth, among other things, the
exercise price of the Stock Option, the term of the
Stock Option and conditions regarding exercisability
of the Stock Option granted thereunder. |
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(i) |
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Nature of Options. The Committee
shall have the authority to grant
any Participant either Incentive
Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock
Options or both types of Stock
Options (in each case with or
without Stock Appreciation Rights),
except that the Committee shall not
grant any Incentive Stock Options to
an employee of a Related Entity. Any
Stock Option which does not qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option, or the
terms of which at the time of its
grant provide that it shall not be
treated as an Incentive Stock
Option, shall constitute a
Nonqualified Stock Option. |
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(ii) |
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Exercisability. Subject to such
terms and conditions as shall be
determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion at or after the time
of grant, Stock Options shall be
exercisable from time to time (a) to
the extent of twenty-five percent
(25%) of the number of shares of
Stock covered by the Stock Option,
on and after the first anniversary
and before the second anniversary of
the date of grant of the Stock
Option, (b) to the extent of fifty
percent (50%) of the number of shares of Stock covered by the Stock
Option, on and after the second
anniversary and before the third
anniversary of the date of grant of
the Stock Option, (c) to the extent
of seventy-five percent (75%) of the
number of shares of Stock covered by
the Stock Option, on and after the
third anniversary and before the
fourth anniversary of the date of
grant of the Stock Option and (d) to
the extent of one hundred percent
(100%) of the number of shares of
Stock covered by the Stock Option,
on and after the fourth anniversary
of the date of grant of the Stock
Option and before the expiration of
the stated term of the Stock Option
(or to such lesser extent as the
Committee in its sole discretion
shall determine at the time of grant
or to such greater extent as the
Committee in its sole discretion
shall determine at or after the time
of grant). |
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(iii) |
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Method of Exercise. Stock Options
may be exercised by giving written
notice of exercise delivered in
person or by mail as required by the
terms of any Stock Option Agreement
at the Corporations principal
executive office, specifying the
number of shares of Stock with
respect to which the Stock Option is
being exercised, accompanied by
payment in full of the option price
in cash or its equivalent as
determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion. If requested by the
Committee, the Optionee shall
deliver to the Corporation the Stock
Option Agreement evidencing the
Stock Option being exercised for
notation thereon of such exercise
and return thereafter of such
agreement to the Optionee. As
determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion at or after the time
of grant, payment of the option
price in full or in part may also be
made in the form of shares of
unrestricted Stock already owned by
the Optionee (based on the Fair
Market Value of the Stock on the
date the Stock Option is exercised);
provided, however, that in the case
of an Incentive Stock Option, the
right to make payment of the option
price in the form of already owned shares of Stock may be authorized
only at the time of grant. The
Committee also may allow cashless
exercise as permitted under Federal
Reserve Boards Regulation T,
subject to applicable securities law
restrictions, or by any other means
which the Committee determines to be
consistent with this Plans purpose
and applicable law. An Optionee
shall generally have the rights to |
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dividends or other rights of a
stockholder with respect to shares
of Stock subject to the Stock Option
when the Optionee has given written
notice of exercise, has paid in full
for such shares of Stock, and, if
requested, has made representations
described in Section 10(a) of this
Plan. |
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Terms and Conditions. Stock Options granted under
this Plan shall be subject to the following terms
and conditions and shall contain such additional
terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem
desirable. |
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(i) |
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Option Price. The option price per
share of Stock purchasable under a
Stock Option shall be determined by
the Committee at the time of grant,
but shall be not less than 100% of
the Fair Market Value of the Stock
on the date of the grant; provided,
however, that if any Participant
owns or is deemed to own (by reason
of the attribution rules of Section
424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of
the combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Corporation
or any Subsidiary when an Incentive
Stock Option is granted to such
Participant, the option price of
such Incentive Stock Option (to the
extent required by the Code at the
time of grant) shall be not less
than 110% of the Fair Market Value
of the Stock on the date such
Incentive Stock Option is granted. |
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(ii) |
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Option Term. The term of each Stock
Option shall be fixed by the
Committee at the time of grant, but
no Stock Option shall be exercisable
more than ten years after the date
such Stock Option is granted;
provided, however, that if any
Participant owns or is deemed to own
(by reason of the attribution rules
of Section 424(d) of the Code) more
than 10% of the combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary when
an Incentive Stock Option is granted
to such Participant, such Stock
Option (to the extent required by
the Code at time of grant) shall not
be exercisable more than five years
from the date such Incentive Stock
Option is granted. |
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(iii) |
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Transferability of Options. Except
as otherwise determined by the
Committee, no Stock Option shall be
transferable by the Optionee
otherwise than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution
and, during the Optionees lifetime,
all Stock Options shall be
exercisable only by the Optionee, or
in the case of Optionees legal
incompetency, only by Optionees
guardian or legal representative. |
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(iv) |
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Option Exercise After Termination by
Reason of Death or Disability. If an
Optionees directorship or
employment with the Corporation, any
Subsidiary or any Related Entity
terminates by reason of death or
Disability, any Stock Option held by
such Optionee may thereafter be
exercised for a period of one year
(or such shorter or longer period as
the Committee in its sole discretion
shall specify at or such longer
period as the Committee in its sole
discretion shall specify after the
time of grant) from the date of such
termination or until the expiration
of the stated term of such Stock
Option, whichever period is shorter,
to the extent to which the Optionee
would on the date of termination
have been entitled to exercise the
Stock Option (or to such greater or
lesser extent as the Committee in
its sole discretion shall determine
at the time of grant or to such
greater extent as the Committee in
its sole discretion shall specify
after the time of grant). In the
event of a termination of
directorship or employment by reason
of death or Disability, if an
Incentive Stock Option is exercised
after the expiration of the exercise
period that applies for purposes of
Section 422 of the Code, such Stock
Option will thereafter be treated as
a Nonqualified Stock Option. |
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(v) |
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Option Exercise After Termination
Without Cause or Constructive
Termination. If an Optionees
directorship or employment with the
Corporation, any Subsidiary, or any
Related Entity is terminated, by the
Corporation or such Subsidiary or
such Related Entity, without Cause
(as such term is defined in the
Stock Option Agreement) or in the
event of Constructive Termination
(as such term is defined in the
Stock Option Agreement), the
Committee, in its sole discretion,
may permit the Optionee to exercise
any Stock Option held by such
Optionee, to the extent not
theretofore exercised, in whole or
in part with respect to all
remaining shares covered by the
Stock Option at any time prior to
the expiration of the Stock Option
(or such shorter period as the
Committee in its sole discretion
shall specify at the time of grant),
or to such greater or lesser extent
as the Committee in it sole
discretion shall determine at the
time of grant or to such greater
extent as the Committee in its sole
discretion shall specify after the
time of grant. An Optionees
acceptance of a directorship or
employment, at the request of the |
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Corporation or a Subsidiary, with a
Related Entity (or acceptance of a
directorship or employment, at the
request of the Corporation or a
Subsidiary, with any other Related
Entity), shall not be deemed a
termination of directorship or
employment hereunder and any Stock
Option held by Optionee may be
exercised thereafter to the extent
that the Optionee would on the date
of exercise have been entitled to
exercise such Stock Option if such
Optionee had continued to be a
director or an employee of the
Corporation or such Subsidiary (or
such initial Related Entity),
provided that the Optionee has been
a director or an employee of the
Related Entity to which such
Optionee has moved from the date of
acceptance of such directorship or
employment therewith until the date
of exercise. In the event of
termination of the directorship or
employment by the Corporation, any
Subsidiary or any Related Entity
without Cause or in the event of
Constructive Termination of the
Optionees directorship or
employment or the acceptance of the
directorship or employment with a
Related Entity, if an Incentive
Stock Option is exercised after the
expiration of the exercise period
that applies for purposes of Section
422 of the Code, such Stock Option
will thereafter be treated as a
Nonqualified Stock Option. |
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(vi) |
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Option Exercise After Termination To
Resignation. If an Optionees
directorship or employment with the
Corporation, any Subsidiary, or any
Related Entity terminates as a
result of Optionees voluntary
resignation, other than a voluntary
resignation due to a Constructive
Termination (as defined in the Stock
Option Agreement), the Committee, in
its sole discretion, may permit the
Optionee to exercise any Stock
Option held by such Optionee to the
extent such Option was exercisable
on the date of such termination (or
to such greater or lesser extent as
the Committee in its sole discretion
shall determine at or after the time
of grant) for a period of time equal
to the shorter of (i) ninety (90)
days from the date of such
termination (or such shorter period
as the Committee in its sole
discretion shall specify at or after
the time of grant) or (ii) the
expiration of the stated term of
such Stock Option. |
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(vii) |
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Other Termination. Except as
otherwise provided in this Section 5
of this Plan, or as determined by
the Committee in its sole
discretion, if an Optionees
directorship or employment with the
Corporation, any Subsidiary or any
Related Entity terminates, all Stock
Options held by the Optionee will
terminate immediately without the
necessity of any further action by
the Corporation, the Committee or
the Optionee. |
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(viii) |
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Annual Limit on Incentive Stock
Options. To the extent required for
incentive stock option treatment
under Section 422 of the Code, the
aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the date of
Incentive Stock Option is granted)
of the shares of Stock with respect
to which Incentive Stock Options
granted under this Plan and all
other option plans of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary become
exercisable for the first time by an
Optionee during any calendar year
shall not exceed $100,000; provided,
however, that if the aggregate Fair
Market Value (so determined) of the
shares of Stock covered by such
options exceeds $100,000 during any
year in which they become
exercisable, such options with a
Fair Market Value in excess of
$100,000 will be Nonqualified Stock
Options. |
SECTION 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) |
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Grant and Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights may be
granted either in conjunction with all or part of any Stock
Option granted under this Plan (Related Stock Appreciation
Rights) or alone (Freestanding Stock Appreciation
Rights) and, in either case, in addition to other Awards
granted under this Plan. Participants shall enter into a
Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement with the Corporation if
requested by the Committee, in such form as the Committee
shall determine. |
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(i) |
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Time of Grant. Related Stock Appreciation Rights
related to a Nonqualified Stock Option may be
granted either at or after the time of the grant
of such Nonqualified Stock Option. Related Stock
Appreciation Rights related to such an Incentive
Stock Option may be granted only at the time of
the grant of such Incentive Stock Option.
Freestanding Stock Appreciation Rights may be
granted at any time. |
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(ii) |
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Exercisability. Related Stock Appreciation
Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or
times and to the extent that the Stock Options
to which they relate shall be exercisable in
accordance with the |
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provisions of Section
5(a)(ii) of this Plan and Freestanding Stock
Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable,
subject to such terms and conditions as shall be
determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion at or after the time of grant, from
time to time, to the extent that Stock Options
are exercisable in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5(a)(ii) of this Plan. A
Related Stock Appreciation Right granted in
connection with an Incentive Stock Option may be
exercised only if and when the Fair Market Value
of the Stock subject to the Incentive Stock
Option exceeds the option price of such Stock
Option. |
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(iii) |
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Method of Exercise. Stock Appreciation Rights
shall be exercised by a Participant by giving
written notice of exercise delivered in person
or by mail as required by the terms of any
agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation
Right at the Corporations principal executive
office, specifying the number of shares of Stock
in respect of which the Stock Appreciation Right
is being exercised. If requested by the
Committee, the Participant shall deliver to the
Corporation the agreement evidencing the Stock
Appreciation Right being exercised and, in the
case of a Related Stock Appreciation Right, the
Stock Option Agreement evidencing any related
Stock Option, for notation thereon of such
exercise and return thereafter of such
agreements to the Participant. |
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(iv) |
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Amount Payable. Upon the exercise of a Related
Stock Appreciation Right, an Optionee shall be
entitled to receive an amount in cash or shares
of Stock equal in value to the excess of the
Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the
date of exercise over the option price per share
specified in the related Stock Option,
multiplied by the number of shares of Stock in
respect of which the Related Stock Appreciation
Rights shall have been exercised, with the
Committee having in its sole discretion the
right to determine the form of payment. Upon the
exercise of a Freestanding Stock Appreciation
Right, a Participant shall be entitled to
receive an amount in cash or shares of Stock
equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market
Value of one share of Stock on the date of
exercise over the price per share specified in
the Freestanding Stock Appreciation Right, which
shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of the Stock on the date of Grant,
multiplied by the number of shares of Stock in
respect of which the Freestanding Stock
Appreciation Rights shall have been exercised,
with the Committee having in its sole discretion
the right to determine the form of payment. |
(b) |
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Terms and Conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights under this
Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions
and shall contain such additional terms and conditions not
inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee
shall deem desirable. |
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(i) |
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Terms of Stock
Appreciation
Rights. The term of
a Related Stock
Appreciation Right
shall be the same
as the term of the
related Stock
Option. A Related
Stock Appreciation
Right or applicable
portion thereof
shall terminate and
no longer be
exercisable upon
the exercise,
termination,
cancellation or
surrender of the
related Stock
Option, except
that, unless
otherwise provided
by the Committee in
its sole discretion
at or after the
time of grant, a
Related Stock
Appreciation Right
granted with
respect to less
than the full
number of shares of
Stock covered by a
related Stock
Option shall
terminate and no
longer be
exercisable if and
to the extent that
the number of
shares of Stock
covered by the
exercise,
termination,
cancellation or
surrender of the
related Stock
Option exceeds the
number of shares of
Stock not covered
by the Related
Stock Appreciation
Right. The term of
each Freestanding
Stock Appreciation
Right shall be
fixed by the
Committee, but no
Freestanding Stock
Appreciation Right
shall be
exercisable more
than ten years
after the date such
right is granted. |
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(ii) |
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Transferability of Stock
Appreciation Rights. Stock
Appreciation Rights shall be
transferable only when and to the
extent that a Stock Option would be
transferable under Section
5(b)(iii) of this Plan. |
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Termination of Directorship or
Employment. In the event of the
termination of the directorship or
employment of an Optionee holding a
Related Stock Appreciation Right,
such right shall be exercisable to
the same extent that the related
Stock Option is exercisable after
such termination. In the event of
the termination of the directorship
or employment of the holder of a
Freestanding Stock Appreciation
Right, such right shall be
exercisable to the same extent that
a Stock Option with the same terms
and conditions as such Freestanding
Stock Appreciation Right would have
been exercisable in the event of
the termination of the directorship
or employment of the holder of such
Stock Option. |
C-9
SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AND PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS.
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Grant. Awards of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units may be granted either alone or
in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. Each Restricted Stock Unit or Performance
Stock Unit represents the right to receive, subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan and
any agreements evidencing such Awards, one share of Stock. If the Committee in its sole
discretion so determines at the time of grant, a Participant to whom a Restricted Stock Unit
Award or Performance Stock Unit Award has been granted may be credited with an amount equivalent
to all cash dividends (Dividend Equivalents) that would have been paid to the holder of such
Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance Stock Unit Award if one share of Stock for every
Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Stock Unit awarded had been issued to the holder on the date
of grant of such Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance Stock Unit Award. The Committee shall
determine the terms and conditions of each Restricted Stock Unit Award and Performance Stock
Unit, including without limitation, the number of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock
Units to be covered by such Awards, the restricted period applicable to Restricted Stock Unit
Awards and the performance objectives applicable to Performance Stock Unit Awards. The Committee
in its sole discretion may prescribe terms and conditions applicable to the vesting of such
Restricted Stock Unit Awards or Performance Stock Unit Awards in addition to those provided in
this Plan. The Committee shall establish such rules and guidelines governing the crediting of
Dividend Equivalents, including the timing, form of payment and payment contingencies of Dividend
Equivalents, as it may deem desirable. The Committee in its sole discretion may at any time
accelerate the time at which the restrictions on all or any part of a Restricted Stock Unit Award
lapse or deem the performance objectives with respect to all or any part of a Performance Stock
Unit Award to have been attained. Restricted Stock Units Awards and Performance Stock Unit Awards
shall not be transferable otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Shares of Stock shall be deliverable upon the vesting of Restricted Stock Unit Awards and
Performance Stock Unit Awards for no consideration other than services rendered or, in the
Committees sole discretion, the minimum amount of consideration other than services (such as the
par value of Stock) required to be received by the Corporation in order to assure compliance with
applicable state law, which amount shall not exceed 10% of the Fair Market Value of such shares
of Stock on the date of issuance. Each such Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit
Award agreement (Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement) or Performance Stock Unit Award
agreement (Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement). |
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Terms and Conditions. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion: |
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a breach of any term or condition provided in
this Plan, the Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement or the Performance Stock Unit Award
Agreement established by the Committee with
respect to such Restricted Stock Unit Award
or Performance Stock Unit Award will cause a
cancellation of the unvested portion of such
Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance
Stock Unit Award (including any Dividend
Equivalents credited in respect thereof) and
the Participant shall not be entitled to
receive any consideration in respect of such
cancellation; and |
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termination of such holders directorship or
employment with the Corporation, any
Subsidiary or any Related Entity prior to the
lapsing of the applicable restriction period
or attainment of applicable performance
objectives will cause a cancellation of the
unvested portion of such Restricted Stock
Unit Award or Performance Stock Unit Award
(including any Dividend Equivalents credited
in respect thereof) and the Participant shall
not be entitled to receive any consideration
in respect of such cancellation. |
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Completion of Restriction Period and Attainment of Performance Objectives. To the extent that
restrictions with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit Award lapse or performance objectives with
respect to any Performance Stock Unit Award are attained and provided that other applicable terms
and conditions have been satisfied: |
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such of the Restricted Stock Units or
Performance Stock Units as to which
restrictions have lapsed or performance
objectives have been attained shall become
vested and the Committee shall cause to be
issued and delivered to the Participant a
stock certificate representing a number of
shares of Stock equal to such number of
Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock
Units, and, subject to Section 10(a) hereof,
free of all restrictions; and |
C-10
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any Dividend Equivalents credited in respect
of such Restricted Stock Units or Performance
Stock Units shall become vested to the extent
that such Restricted Stock Units or
Performance Stock Units shall have become
vested and the Committee shall cause such
Dividend Equivalents to be delivered to the
Participant. |
Any such Restricted Stock Unit Award or Performance Stock Unit Award (including any Dividend
Equivalents credited in respect thereof) that shall not have become vested at the end of the
applicable restricted period or the period given for the attainment of performance objectives shall
expire, terminate and be canceled and the Participant shall not thereafter have any rights with
respect to the Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units (or any Dividend Equivalents
credited in respect thereto) covered thereby.
SECTION 8. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
The Board may amend, alter, or discontinue this Plan, but no amendment, alteration, or
discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of a Participant under any Award
theretofore granted without such Participants consent, or which, without the approval of the
stockholders of the Corporation (where such approval is necessary to satisfy then applicable
requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., any Federal tax
law relating to Incentive Stock Options or any applicable state law), would:
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except as provided in Section 3 of this Plan, increase the total number of shares of Stock
which may be issued under this Plan; |
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except as provided in Section 3 of this Plan, decrease the option price of any Stock Option
to less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of the grant of the Option; |
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change the class of Directors or Eligible Employees eligible to participate in this Plan; or |
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extend (i) the period during which Stock Options may be granted or (ii) the maximum period of
any Award under Sections 5(b)(ii) or 6(b)(i) of this Plan. |
Except as restricted herein with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Committee may amend or
alter the terms and conditions of any Award theretofore granted, and of any agreement evidencing
such Award, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment or alteration shall impair the
rights of any Optionee under such Award or agreement without such Optionees consent.
SECTION 9. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN.
This Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded plan. With respect to any payments not yet made
and due to a Participant by the Corporation, nothing contained herein shall give any such
Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the
Corporation.
SECTION 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
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The Committee may require each Optionee purchasing shares of Stock
pursuant to a Stock Option to represent to and agree with the
Corporation in writing that such Optionee is acquiring the shares of
Stock without a view to distribution thereof. All certificates for
shares of Stock delivered under this Plan and, to the extent
applicable, all evidences of ownership with respect to Dividend
Equivalents delivered under this Plan, shall be subject to such
stock-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem
advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the
Stock is then listed or quotation system on which the Stock is
admitted for trading and any applicable Federal or state securities
law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any
such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. |
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Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting
other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder
approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be
either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The
adoption of this Plan shall not confer upon |
C-11
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any director or employee
of the Corporation, any Subsidiary or any Related Entity any right to
continued directorship or employment with the Corporation, any
Subsidiary or any Related Entity as the case may be, nor shall it
interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation, any Subsidiary
or any Related Entity to terminate the directorship or employment of
any of its directors or employees at any time. |
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Each Participant shall be deemed to have been granted an Award on the
date the Committee took action to grant such Award under this Plan or
such later date as the Committee in its sole discretion shall
determine at the time such grant is authorized. |
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Unless the Committee otherwise determines, each Participant shall, no
later than the date as of which the value of an Award first becomes
includable in the gross income of the Participant for federal income
tax purposes, pay to the Corporation, or make arrangements
satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any federal, state
or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect
to the Award. The obligations of the Corporation under this Plan shall
be conditional on such payment or arrangements and the Corporation
(and, where applicable, its Subsidiaries and its Related Entities)
shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any
such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the
Participant. A Participant may elect to have such tax withholding
obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by (i) authorizing the
Corporation to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued upon the
exercise of a Stock Option or upon the vesting of any Restricted Stock
Unit Award or the Performance Stock Unit Award a number of shares of
Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value that would satisfy the
withholding amount due, or (ii) transferring to the Corporation shares
of Stock owned by the Participant with an aggregate Fair Market Value
that would satisfy the withholding amount due. With respect to any
Participant who is a director or an executive officer, the election to
satisfy the tax withholding obligations relating to the exercise of a
Stock Option or to the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit Award or
Performance Stock Unit Award in the manner permitted by this
subsection (d) shall be made during the window period as described
within the Corporation Insider Trading Policy unless otherwise
determined in the sole discretion of the Committee of the Board. |
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(e) |
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No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or employee
of the Corporation acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee,
shall be personally liable for any action, failure to act,
determination or interpretation taken or made in good faith with
respect to this Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee
and each and any officer or employee of the Corporation acting on
their behalf shall, to the extent permitted by law and by the
Corporations Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, and its Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended, be fully
indemnified and protected by the Corporation in respect of any such
action, failure to act, determination or interpretation. |
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(f) |
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This Plan is intended to satisfy the conditions of Rule 16b-3 under
the Exchange Act, and all interpretations of this Plan shall, to the
extent permitted by law, regulations and rulings, be made in a manner
consistent with and so as to satisfy the conditions of Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act. The term executive officer as used in this
Plan means any officer who is subject to the provisions of Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act. Any provisions of this Plan or the
application of any provision of this Plan inconsistent with Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act shall be inoperative and shall not affect the
validity of this Plan. |
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(g) |
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In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Plan, any Stock
Option granted as an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to this Plan
shall, to the extent permitted by law, regulations and rulings be
construed as, and any ambiguity shall be resolved in favor of
preserving its status as, an incentive stock option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Once an Incentive Stock Option has
been granted, no action by the Committee that would cause such Stock
Option to lose its status under the Code as an incentive stock
option shall be effective as to such Incentive Stock Option unless
taken at the request of or with the consent of the Participant.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Plan or in any
Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to this Plan, if any change in
law or any regulation or ruling of the Internal Revenue Service shall
have the effect of disqualifying any Stock Option granted under this
Plan which is intended to be an incentive stock option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code, the Stock Option granted shall
nevertheless continue to be outstanding as and shall be deemed to be a
Nonqualified Stock Option under this Plan. |
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(h) |
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Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the
maximum number of shares with respect to which Awards may be granted
to the same Participant under this Plan may not exceed, in the
aggregate, 266,666 shares of Stock, except to the extent of
adjustments authorized by Section 3 of this Plan. |
C-12
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
This Plan shall be effective June 13, 2006.
SECTION 12. TERM OF PLAN.
No Award shall be granted under this Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the effective date
of this Plan; provided, however, that the exercisability of Awards granted prior to such tenth
anniversary may extend beyond that date.
C-13
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Mark this box with an X if you have made |
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changes to your name or address details above. |
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
A Election of Directors
1. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees.
The election of Paul D. Arling as a Class I director to
serve on the Board of Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2007 or until the
election and qualification of his successor, and the election of Bruce A. Henderson, William C. Mulligan
and J.C. Sparkman as Class II directors to serve on the Board of Directors until the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held in 2008, or until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
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For |
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01 Paul D. Arling |
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03 William C. Mulligan |
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02 Bruce A. Henderson |
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04 J.C. Sparkman |
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B Issues
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following proposals.
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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2. Ratification of the appointment of |
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Grant Thornton
LLP, a firm of Independent Registered Public Accountants, as the Companys auditors for
the year ending December 31, 2006. |
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For
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Abstain
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3. Approval of the Universal Electronics Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. |
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To consider and act upon such other matters as
may properly come before the meeting or any and
all postponements or adjournments thereof. |
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C Authorized Signatures Sign Here This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed.
NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders
must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate
officer, please provide your FULL title.
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Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box
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Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy) |
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Proxy Universal Electronics Inc.
Meeting Details
6101 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California 90630
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006
The undersigned hereby appoints Paul D.
Arling and Robert P. Lilleness and each of them, as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his
substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote as designated on the
reverse side, all the shares of common stock of Universal Electronics Inc. held of record by the
undersigned on April 14, 2006 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, June
13, 2006 at 4:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATIONS, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS AND TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.