SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
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[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-12
Nautica Enterprises, Inc.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
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previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
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NAUTICA ENTERPRISES, INC.
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
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New York, New York
June 7, 2002
To the Stockholders of
NAUTICA ENTERPRISES, INC.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Nautica Enterprises, Inc. will be
held on July 10, 2002 at the offices of the Company, 40 West 57th Street, New
York, New York, at 10:00 a.m. for the following purposes:
(1) To elect directors to serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
(2) To approve an amendment to the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan to permit the
Company to offer a one-time opportunity to non-executive employees to
exchange certain "underwater" options;
(3) To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent
certified public accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ended
March 1, 2003; and
(4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
and any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 29, 2002 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment or
adjournments thereof.
STOCKHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, BUT WISH
THEIR STOCK TO BE VOTED ON MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE MEETING, ARE URGED TO
REVIEW THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT PROMPTLY AND THEN COMPLETE AND RETURN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID, ADDRESSED ENVELOPE, OR VOTE BY
TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTING SET FORTH
IN THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT AND ON THE PROXY CARD. IF YOU ATTEND THE
MEETING, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES PERSONALLY.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
HARVEY SANDERS,
Chairman
NAUTICA ENTERPRISES, INC.
40 WEST 57TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished with respect to the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Nautica Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company")
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at 10:00 a.m.
on July 10, 2002 and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, at 40 West 57th
Street, 7th floor, New York, New York. The approximate date on which the Proxy
Statement and form of proxy were first sent or given to stockholders was June 7,
2002.
As of the close of business on May 29, 2002, the date for determining the
stockholders of record entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting
and any adjournment or adjournments thereof, there were issued and outstanding
33,616,990 shares of the Company's Common Stock, the holders thereof being
entitled to one vote per share. The presence at the Annual Meeting of a majority
of such shares, in person or by proxy, are required for a quorum. All shares
that have been properly voted, whether by telephone, Internet or mail, and not
revoked, will be treated as being present for the purpose of determining the
presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting and will be voted at the Annual
Meeting.
The form of proxy solicited by the Board of Directors affords stockholders
the ability to specify a choice among approval of, disapproval of, or abstention
with respect to, each matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Shares
represented by the proxy will be voted and, where the solicited stockholder
indicates a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will
be voted as specified. If any other matters are properly presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will have
the discretion to vote on those matters.
The expense of the solicitation of proxies for the meeting, including the
cost of mailing, will be borne by the Company. In addition to mailing copies of
the enclosed proxy materials to stockholders, the Company may request persons,
and reimburse them for their expenses with respect thereto, who hold stock in
their names or custody or in the names of nominees for others to forward copies
of such materials to those persons for whom they hold stock of the Company and
to request authority for the execution of the proxies. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by mail, it is expected that some of the officers,
directors, and regular employees of the Company, without additional
compensation, may solicit proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors by
telephone, telefax, and personal interview.
Stockholders of record may vote by telephone, via the Internet or by mail.
A toll-free telephone number and web site address are included on the proxy
card. For stockholders who choose to vote by mail, a postage-paid envelope is
provided.
Voting by Telephone. Stockholders of record may vote by using the
toll-free number listed on the proxy card. Telephone voting is available 24
hours a day. Easy-to-follow voice prompts allow stockholders to vote their
shares and confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. The
Company's telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders
by using individual control numbers provided on each proxy card. Stockholders
who vote by telephone need not return the proxy card. Please see the proxy card
for specific instructions.
Voting via the Internet. Stockholders of record may also vote via the
Internet as instructed on the proxy card. Internet voting is available 24 hours
a day. As with telephone voting, stockholders will be given the opportunity to
confirm that votes have been properly recorded. The Company's Internet voting
procedures are designed to authenticate stockholders by using individual control
numbers provided on each proxy card. Stockholders who vote via the Internet need
not return the proxy card. Please see the proxy card for specific instructions.
Voting by Mail. If a stockholder chooses to vote by mail, the proxy card
should be signed, dated and returned in the postage-paid envelope provided. If a
proxy card is signed, dated and mailed without indicating how it should be
voted, it will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote for the election
as directors the eight nominees listed herein. All of the nominees have
consented to serve if elected. All directors will be elected to hold office
until the next annual meeting of stockholders, and, in each case, each director
will serve until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier
resignation or removal. If a nominee should be unable to act as a director,
which is not anticipated, the persons named in the proxy will vote for any
nominee who shall be designated by the present Board of Directors to fill the
vacancy. Each of the nominees presently serves as a director.
Set forth below is biographical information for each of the nominees.
Unless otherwise indicated, each has served in his stated capacity for the last
five years:
Robert B. Bank, age 55, has been a Director of the Company since 1989. He
is President of Robert B. Bank Advisory Services, a private capital investment
and consulting firm.
David Chu, age 47, joined the Company in 1984 and has been a Director since
1987. He was elected Vice Chairman of the Company in 2001. Mr. Chu served as
Executive Vice President of the Company from 1989 until 2001, and served as
President of Nautica International, Inc. and Nautica Apparel, Inc., each wholly-
owned subsidiaries of the Company, from 1984 until 2001.
Israel Rosenzweig, age 54, has been a Director of the Company since 1990.
He is a Senior Vice President of BRT Realty Trust and has served in this
capacity since April 1, 1998. On March 31, 2000, Mr. Rosenzweig became President
of GP Partners, Inc., a corporation which renders advice to a private fund
engaged in investing in securities of real estate investment trusts. He was a
Director of Bankers Federal Savings FSB, a savings and loan association from
1993 through April 1997, and was its Executive Vice President and Chief Lending
Officer from November 1994 through April 30, 1997. From May 1, 1997 to March 31,
1998, Mr. Rosenzweig was associated on a full-time basis with Gould Investors,
L.P., a limited partnership which owns a diverse real estate portfolio, and he
is currently a Vice President of the managing general partner of such limited
partnership. He was a Trustee of BRT Realty Trust from 1984 to December 1996,
and Vice Chairman of its Board from March 1996 to December 1996.
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Harvey Sanders, age 52, has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of the Company since 1977 and Chairman of the Board since October 1993.
Charles H. Scherer, age 58, has been a Director of the Company since May
1994. He is managing partner of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, an international law
firm that provides legal services to the Company.
Steven H. Tishman, age 45, became a Director of the Company in September
2001. He has been a Managing Director of Robertson Stephens since November 1999.
Prior to November 1999, Mr. Tishman was a Senior Managing Director of Bear,
Stearns & Co., Inc. Mr. Tishman is also a Director of Claire's Stores, Inc.
John Varvatos, age 47, has been a Director of the Company since April 2000.
He has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since September 1998 and
President of John Varvatos Company since October 1999. From July 1994 to August
1998, he was Senior Vice President of Men's Design for Polo/Ralph Lauren.
Ronald G. Weiner CPA, age 56, has been a Director of the Company since
October 1995. He is President of Perelson Weiner LLP, a certified public
accounting firm based in New York City.
Shares represented by proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will,
unless contrary instructions are given, be voted in favor of the election as
Directors of the nominees named above. If a stockholder wishes to withhold
authority to vote for any nominee, such stockholder can do so by following the
directions set forth on the form of proxy solicited by the Board of Directors or
on the ballot distributed at the Annual Meeting if such stockholder wishes to
vote in person. Directors shall be elected by a plurality vote of the shares of
Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not have the effect of votes in opposition
to a person nominated as a director.
During fiscal year 2002, the Board of Directors held eight meetings. The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of Messrs. Bank,
Tishman and Weiner. The Compensation Committee reviews the Company's
compensation policies and practices and develops recommendations with respect to
compensation for the Company's senior executives. The Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors is comprised of Messrs. Bank, Rosenzweig, Tishman and Weiner.
The Audit Committee reviews the audit plan with the Company's independent
accountants, the scope and results of their audit and other related audit and
accounting issues. All of the members of the Audit Committee and the
Compensation Committee are "independent directors" as independence is defined in
the Marketplace Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. During fiscal year 2002, the
Compensation Committee held one meeting and the Audit Committee held three
meetings. In 2002, the Board of Directors established a Nominating Committee
consisting of Messrs. Bank, Rosenzweig, Tishman and Weiner. The Nominating
Committee identifies candidates for election to the Board of Directors. The
committee will consider nominations from stockholders, provided they are made in
accordance with the Company's By-laws. Each of the incumbent directors attended
at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees to which the
director was assigned, with the exception of Mr. Varvatos, whose schedule
resulted in his attending fewer meetings.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is comprised
of four independent directors and operates under a written charter annually
adopted by the Board of Directors.
In the performance of its oversight responsibility, the Audit Committee has
reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the
fiscal year ended March 2, 2002 with management of the Company. The Audit
Committee also has discussed with the independent certified public accountants
the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No.
61, as amended (Communication with Audit Committees).
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter
from the independent certified public accountants required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees),
and has discussed with the independent certified public accountants the
independent certified public accountants' independence.
Based on the review and discussions described above with management and the
independent certified public accountants, and subject to the limitations of our
role, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
financial statements referred to above be included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 2, 2002 and filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Submitted by the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors.
Ronald G. Weiner, Chairman
Robert B. Bank
Israel Rosenzweig
Steven H. Tishman
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding ownership of
the Company's Common Stock as of May 24, 2002 by each nominee for director, by
each of the executive officers of the Company included in the Summary
Compensation Table below, by all directors and executive officers as a group
and, as of the dates set forth in footnotes 4, 5 and 6 below, by all
stockholders known to the Company to have been beneficial owners of more than
five percent of its Common Stock.
AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) OWNED(2)(3) CLASS(%)
--------------------------- ------------------- ----------
Robert B. Bank........................................... 32,000 *
Alexander Cannon......................................... 12,000 *
David Chu................................................ 1,715,392 4.9
Paulette McCready........................................ 137,000 *
Israel Rosenzweig........................................ 20,000 *
Harvey Sanders........................................... 4,618,440 13.3
Charles H. Scherer....................................... 21,000 *
Steven H. Tishman........................................ 2,000 *
John Varvatos............................................ 87,000 *
Ronald G. Weiner......................................... 27,500 *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group.......... 6,672,332 18.3
FMR Corp. and related parties(4)......................... 3,600,000 10.7
Royce & Associates, Inc.(5).............................. 2,340,200 7.0
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(6)........................ 1,916,600 5.7
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* Indicates holdings of less than 1%.
(1) The address for each of the individuals named in the table above is c/o
Nautica Enterprises, Inc., 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019.
(2) Directly and indirectly. The inclusion of securities owned by others as
beneficially owned by the respective nominees and officers does not
constitute an admission that such securities are beneficially owned by them.
All of the named individuals have, except as set forth in Note 3 below, sole
voting and investment powers with respect to the aforesaid shares.
(3) Includes the following shares which may be acquired pursuant to existing
stock options which are exercisable on or before July 23, 2002: Robert B.
Bank -- 32,000; Alexander Cannon -- 12,000; David Chu -- 1,278,940; Paulette
McCready -- 137,000; Israel Rosenzweig -- 20,000; Harvey Sanders --
1,214,500; Charles H. Scherer -- 20,000; John Varvatos -- 87,000; and Ronald
G. Weiner -- 20,000. With respect to Mr. Sanders, includes 1,200,000 shares
owned by the Harvey Sanders Grantor Retained Income Trust. Such trust has
sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.
(4) Information is based upon statements filed under Section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reporting shareholdings as of December 31,
2001. In addition to FMR Corp., related parties on the filing are Fidelity
Low Priced Stock Fund, Fidelity Management and Research Company, Edward C.
Johnson
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3d (Chairman of FMR Corp.) and Abigail P. Johnson (Director of FMR Corp.)
The reporting persons have sole dispositive power with respect to all
3,600,000 shares. The address for FMR Corp. and related parties is 82
Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
(5) Information is based upon statements filed under Section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reporting shareholdings as of December 31,
2001. Royce & Associates, Inc. is deemed to have sole voting and dispositive
power with respect to all 2,340,2000 shares. The address for Royce &
Associates, Inc. is 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019.
(6) Information is based upon statements filed under Section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reporting shareholdings as of December 31,
2001. Includes 1,750,000 shares beneficially owned by T. Rowe Price New
Horizons Fund, Inc. ("Horizons"). T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
("Associates") serves as an investment advisor to Horizons. Associates is
deemed to have sole voting power with respect to 98,400 shares of the
Company and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,916,600 shares, and
Horizons is deemed to have sole voting power with respect to 1,750,000
shares. The address for Horizons and Associates is 100 East Pratt Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended March 2, 2002, March
3, 2001 and March 4, 2000 the cash compensation paid by the Company and its
subsidiaries, to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the four most
highly compensated executive officers of the Company other than the Company's
Chief Executive Officer as of March 2, 2002.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AWARDS
----------------- ------------ ALL OTHER
SALARY BONUS OPTIONS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) (#) ($)(1)
--------------------------- ---- ------- ------- ------------ ------------
Harvey Sanders............................... 2002 943,115 162,800 -- 2,001
Chairman of the Board, 2001 915,971 526,800 -- 2,956
Chief Executive Officer and President 2000 906,907 756,000 200,000 2,601
David Chu.................................... 2002 834,418 130,200 -- 5,231
Vice Chairman 2001 811,115 421,400 -- 6,251
2000 802,750 604,800 200,000
5,797
Alexander Cannon(2).......................... 2002 618,500 -- -- --
President -- Merchandising, 2001 619,694 384,500 -- --
Nautica International, Inc., a wholly- 2000 601,000 300,000 100,000 --
owned subsidiary of the Company
Paulette McCready............................ 2002 553,739 398,500 -- 1,530
President -- Nautica Jeans Company and 2001 531,388 110,000 -- 2,550
Nautica Children's Company, wholly-owned 2000 441,538 225,000 100,000 2,250
subsidiaries of the Company
John Varvatos................................ 2002 736,346 -- -- 3,135
President -- John Varvatos Company, 2001 728,885 330,000 -- 3,135
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company 2000 663,500 330,000 125,000 --
---------------
(1) "All Other Compensation" is comprised of contributions made by the Company
to the named executives pursuant to the Company's 401(k) Plan and, with
respect to Messrs. Sanders and Chu in 2002, 2001 and 2000, and Mr. Varvatos
in 2002 and 2001, the following additional amounts representing the economic
value attributable to each of them for split-dollar life insurance,
respectively: Mr. Sanders -- $471, $406 and $351; Mr. Chu -- $3,701, $3,701
and $3,547; and, Mr. Varvatos -- $3,135 and $3,135.
(2) Effective as of April 10, 2002, Mr. Cannon ceased working for the Company.
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OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Company's
executives listed in the Summary Compensation Table above, concerning the
exercise of options during the last fiscal year and unexercised options held as
of the end of the 2002 fiscal year:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES OPTIONS AT FY-END(#) AT FY-END($)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE ------------------------- -------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- ----------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Harvey Sanders................. -- -- 1,437,000/235,000 7,471,185/313,200
David Chu...................... -- -- 1,163,940/235,000 5,634,389/313,200
Alexander Cannon............... 40,000 108,800 12,000/ 68,000 0/156,600
Paulette McCready.............. -- -- 105,300/ 78,400 125,460/156,600
John Varvatos.................. -- -- 62,000/ 83,000 130,500/195,750
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
During fiscal year 2002, each non-employee director received compensation
of $2,000 for each Board and committee meeting attended, and an annual fee of
$20,000. No fees are payable to officers and employees of the Company who serve
as directors.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company and Messrs. Sanders and Chu have entered into an agreement that
provides that upon the death of either of them, the Company will purchase a
portion of the shares of Common Stock of such stockholder. The Company has
obtained policies of life insurance on the lives of such stockholders for the
purpose of utilizing the proceeds from such insurance for the purchase of the
shares. The agreement provides for the Company to purchase the shares of the
deceased stockholder at a value which is equal to the average of the last sale
price as reported on the National Market List of the Nasdaq (or the closing
price if the shares are listed on a national securities exchange) for the thirty
trading days prior to the date of death of the deceased stockholder. The
Company's obligation to purchase the Common Stock of the deceased stockholder is
limited to the life insurance proceeds received by the Company on the death of
such stockholder. The agreement also provides, as soon after the death of the
stockholder as is practicable, for the filing of a registration statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission for a secondary offering to provide for
the sale of the balance of the shares owned by the deceased stockholder.
Mr. David Chu, Vice Chairman of the Company, is entitled to receive 50% of
the net income Nautica Apparel, Inc. receives from all royalty income earned
with respect to the Nautica name and trademarks. For the year ended March 2,
2002, Mr. Chu earned net royalty income of $7,859,651. Through a separate
arrangement, Mr. Chu was entitled to receive, subject to certain conditions, a
design fee of up to 1.5% of the
8
net sales of certain new products. On January 9, 2002, this agreement was
cancelled by the Company for a payment of $5,630,123.
During fiscal year 2002, the Company paid $1,351,565 to the law firm of
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP for professional services rendered to the Company.
Samuel Sultanik, Esq., the brother-in-law of Harvey Sanders, Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, is a partner of
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and Charles H. Scherer, Esq., a director of the
Company, is managing partner of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP.
During fiscal year 2002, the Company paid $105,445 to the firm of
Chu/Pettersen Interior Design, Inc. for interior design and related services
provided to the Company. Mr. Peter Chu, the brother of David Chu, Vice Chairman
of the Company, is a stockholder and Vice President in such firm.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of
its Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Officers, directors and
greater than ten percent stockholders are required by the Commission to furnish
the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
The Company believes that, based solely on its review of the copies of such
forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons
that no reports on Form 5 were required for those persons, during fiscal year
2002 all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater
than ten percent stockholders were complied with.
EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has entered into agreements with Messrs. Sanders, Chu and
Varvatos providing that in the event of a change in control of the Company, as
defined in the agreements, each has the right to receive a lump sum payment upon
termination of employment other than for cause, for permanent disability or for
resignation for good reason within three years after the change in control. At
March 2, 2002, the maximum amount payable to Mr. Sanders, Mr. Chu and Mr.
Varvatos under such agreements was $3,342,400, $2,933,500 and $2,272,300,
respectively.
The Company has entered into split-dollar agreements with trusts
established by each of Mr. Sanders and Mr. Chu, and with Mr. Varvatos. Pursuant
to each of the agreements, the Company pays the annual premium on specified life
insurance policies owned by each of the trusts and by Mr. Varvatos, net of the
amount of the "economic benefit" attributable to each of the employees. The
amount of the premiums paid by the Company constitutes indebtedness from each of
the trusts and Mr. Varvatos to the Company and is secured by collateral
assignments of each of the insurance policies to the Company. The annual premium
payable by the Company for the benefit of Mr. Sanders' trust is $57,232, for Mr.
Chu's trust, $48,113 and for Mr. Varvatos, $89,336. Upon termination of each of
the agreements, the Company is entitled to receive from each of the trusts the
amount equal to the aggregate premiums which it has paid. The face value of the
policy for Mr. Sanders' trust is $5,000,000, for Mr. Chu's trust, $4,950,000 and
for Mr. Varvatos, $5,000,000.
9
The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Varvatos
which provides for continued service by Mr. Varvatos in his present position as
President of John Varvatos Company ("JVC") until February 28, 2002, subject to
extension for additional three year segments unless either the Company or Mr.
Varvatos provides notice of non-extension. As neither party has delivered such a
notice of non-extension, the term of Mr. Varvatos's employment agreement has
been extended until February 28, 2005. During fiscal year 2002, Mr. Varvatos was
entitled to receive a salary of $735,000. Thereafter, any increases are
determined by the Board of Directors, subject to a minimum increase of no less
than 5%. Mr. Varvatos is entitled to annual bonuses in accordance with the
Company's policies in effect from time to time. The employment agreement
includes the change in control provisions set forth above and provides that if
during the term of employment Mr. Sanders is no longer employed by the Company
then the Company shall exercise one of the following options: (i) spin-off to
the Company's shareholders the shares of JVC with Mr. Varvatos serving as its
Chief Executive Officer; (ii) sell JVC to Mr. Varvatos at fair market value, or
(iii) pay to Mr. Varvatos an annual amount equal to 10% of JVC's net income
(after taxes) for so long as he remains JVC's Chief Executive Officer. The
Company can elect to cease making the annual payments provided for in clause
(iii) above by making a lump sum payment to the executive in an amount equal to
two times the JVC average annual net income (after taxes) for the prior three
years; provided, however, such sum shall not exceed $50 million. Mr. Varvatos
has assigned to the Company all of his right, title and interest in and to the
names John Varvatos, Varvatos and John Varvatos Company, and any derivations
thereof.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Robert B. Bank, Steven H. Tishman and Ronald G. Weiner serve as members of
the compensation committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the Board of
Directors.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of three
independent non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee reviews the
Company's executive compensation policies and practices and develops
recommendations to the Board with respect to compensation for the Company's
senior executives. An executive compensation program adopted by the Board
provides a framework for administering the Company's executive compensation
program. The Committee also administers the Company's Incentive Compensation
Plan and the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
The goals of the Company's compensation policies are as follows:
- to attract, retain, reward and motivate executive officers and employees
by establishing compensation levels generally competitive with the
marketplace;
- to align executive compensation with the Company's business objectives;
- to position compensation to reflect the individual's performance as well
as the level of responsibility, skill and strategic value of the
executive; and
- to align the interests of the Company's employees with those of its
stockholders.
In setting compensation, the Compensation Committee reviews, with the
assistance of independent compensation consultants from time to time, available
information for similar positions or levels at comparable
10
companies. Such companies include a diverse range of apparel manufacturers with
sales within, below and above the range of sales of the Company. The
Compensation Committee has adopted a policy to seek to maintain executive
compensation within the deduction cap of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
The Company's executive compensation program consists of three main
components: base salary, cash bonus or incentive awards, and long-term
stock-based incentives. Base salaries are determined with reference to a
competitive norm and job grades with consideration given to the executive's
strategic value, experience, proficiency and performance. Ranges of salary are
assigned to each grade with a minimum salary representing the lowest entry
level, a midpoint salary representing a market value of experienced good
performers and a maximum salary representing the highest value for the most
experienced and proficient employees. Cash bonuses to eligible employees are
based upon a formula to provide a direct "pay-for-performance" vehicle. The
annual bonus also serves to focus executives on those activities that most
directly affect shareholder value which are within their control and for which
they are held accountable. At the beginning of the fiscal year, specific
performance measures and goals are established based upon corporate and/or
business unit profitability and individual performance. Each participant is
assigned a target bonus award opportunity that relates to his or her level. That
target award level represents the level of bonus payment the participant can
expect to earn in the event all performance goals are achieved at 100% during
the ensuing fiscal year. When performance levels exceed or fall below
expectations, actual awards are proportionately increased or decreased from the
target, with bonuses "at risk." In fiscal year 2002, the target levels
established at the corporate and business unit levels were based upon earnings
before income taxes.
With respect to certain senior executives, including Harvey Sanders, the
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
David Chu, the Vice Chairman of the Company, and John Varvatos, President of
John Varvatos Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, annual
incentive award opportunities are set in accordance with the Company's Incentive
Compensation Plan (the "Plan"). At the start of each fiscal year, the
Compensation Committee, in consultation with management, establishes target
levels of either earnings before income taxes, net earnings and/or return on
equity for the Company or a business unit. In fiscal year 2002, threshold levels
of earnings were established. If the designated minimum level of earnings was
not achieved, the participants would have received no incentive award for fiscal
year 2002 performance under the Plan (although in its discretion, the
Compensation Committee may authorize awards outside of the Plan). During such
year, certain of the Company's business units exceeded the minimum threshold
level, and the participants received an incremental proportionately greater
payment than the minimum. Other business units did not exceed the minimum and
participants received no bonuses, while others received discretionary bonuses.
The Compensation Committee has established target levels for fiscal year 2003
and has granted incentive award opportunities for such year to each of Messrs.
Sanders, Chu and Varvatos.
The Company's senior executives are eligible to receive stock options
and/or restricted stock in accordance with the Company's 1996 Stock Incentive
Plan. The objectives of such participation are to align executive and
stockholder long term interests and to enable executives to develop a stock
ownership position in the Company. The Compensation Committee has the
responsibility of granting stock options and restricted stock awards to
executive and management employees. In granting stock options, the Compensation
Committee takes into account Company performance, subsidiary performance and
individual performance,
11
utilizing the same factors as those used in the determination of cash
compensation. The Compensation Committee also takes into account the number of
options held by an individual and the total number of stock options outstanding.
No stock options were granted to the executive officers listed in the Summary
Compensation table above in fiscal year 2002.
The Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company is Harvey Sanders. The criteria by which the Compensation Committee
determines salary, bonus and the grant of stock options for senior executives,
as set forth above, is also utilized by the Compensation Committee in
determining cash compensation and stock awards for Mr. Sanders.
Compensation Committee
Robert B. Bank
Steven H. Tishman
Ronald G. Weiner
PROPOSAL TWO
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN TO PERMIT
THE COMPANY TO OFFER A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO NON-EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYEES TO EXCHANGE CERTAIN "UNDERWATER" OPTIONS
The Company's Board of Directors has determined that it would be in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders to amend the 1996 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan") to permit the Company to offer a one-time
opportunity to employees holding certain options granted under the 1996 Plan to
surrender such options to the Company for cancellation in exchange for a future
grant of replacement options (the "Exchange Offer"). The executive officers
named in the Summary Compensation Table above and members of the Board of
Directors will not be eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer.
The Exchange Offer would permit employees to surrender certain of their
"underwater" options to the Company for cancellation in exchange for a future
grant of replacement options. The replacement options would entitle the employee
to purchase 0.70 shares of the Company's Common Stock for each share that could
have been purchased under the cancelled option. The replacement options would be
granted no earlier than six (6) months and one (1) day following the
cancellation date of the cancelled options, and would have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the grant date
of the replacement option. The Company believes that the value of the
replacement options (as determined under a Black-Scholes valuation model) will
be equal to the value of the "underwater" options being cancelled (as similarly
determined). Because the 1996 Plan limits the Company's ability to reprice
"underwater" options, the stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment
to the 1996 Plan to permit the Exchange Offer. The Board of Directors believes
that the Exchange Offer would serve the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
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BACKGROUND
The Company considers stock options to be a critical component of employee
compensation. The Company believes that stock options provide incentive to its
employees to promote increased stockholder value and are a major factor in the
Company's ability to attract and retain key personnel responsible for the
continued development and growth of the Company's business. The Company has
granted stock options under the 1996 Plan and earlier stock option plans to
certain of its employees from time to time, in each case with an exercise price
equal to the market price of the Company's Common Stock on the date of the
grant.
Recent adverse economic and other conditions have had a negative effect on
the retail markets in which the Company operates. The slowdown in the economy
and other factors have adversely impacted the Company's businesses and the
market price of the Company's Common Stock, as is the case for a number of
companies in the apparel industry. In response to the current situation, the
Company has implemented a number of strategic initiatives, including appointing
new members to the senior management team, implementing a new inventory
management program, developing and extending brands and product lines, and
opening a new distribution center.
One consequence of the decrease in the Company's stock price is that a
number of options currently held by employees have an exercise price which is
considerably higher than the current trading price of the Company's Common
Stock. Employees holding such "underwater" options will be unable to recognize
any gain from exercising their options unless the price of the Company's Common
Stock returns to its previous levels. As a result, these "underwater" options no
longer provide the incentives that they were originally intended to create,
eliminating many of the advantages that the Company has historically been able
to derive from its option programs. With a low likelihood of achieving gain from
these "underwater" stock options, employees holding these options may have an
incentive to seek alternative employment with competitors of the Company. The
loss of key employees could have a detrimental effect on the Company's business
and financial results. The Exchange Offer is intended to realign the exercise
price of certain previously granted options with the current trading price of
the Company's Common Stock and thereby better enable the Company to motivate and
retain its employees and achieve the Company's business goals. However, each
"underwater" option which is exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will
entitle the holder to a replacement option for only 0.70 shares for each share
that was subject to the "underwater" option.
As of May 31, 2002, the closing sale price of the Company's Common Stock as
quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System was $12.98 per share, and options to
purchase an aggregate of 5,144,670 shares of the Company's Common Stock were
outstanding under the Company's existing stock incentive plans. Also as of May
31, 2002, there were 537,060 shares available for future awards under the 1996
Plan. If the proposed amendment authorizing the Exchange Offer is approved by
the stockholders, the Exchange Offer will be made for an aggregate of 442,600
options issued under the 1996 Plan having an exercise price in excess of $24.00
per share. As of May 31, 2002, executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table and directors held options to purchase 840,500 shares at an
exercise price exceeding $24.00, which options are not eligible for the Exchange
Offer.
The Company believes that the Exchange Offer will achieve a critical
corporate objective, restoring the incentive value of the Company's stock
options and thereby reducing the risk of loss of key employees who are essential
to the future growth of the Company.
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PROPOSED AMENDMENT
For the reasons discussed above, in May 2002 the Company's Board of
Directors determined that it would be in the best interest of the Company and
its stockholders to amend the 1996 Plan to permit a one-time opportunity for
employees holding certain high-priced options to surrender such options to the
Company for cancellation in exchange for a future grant of replacement options.
Accordingly, the Board has adopted, subject to the approval of the Company's
stockholders, an amendment to the 1996 Plan that authorizes the Exchange Offer
as a one-time exception to the 1996 Plan's limitation on repricing of options.
The basic terms of the Exchange Offer are outlined below.
Grant of Replacement Options. Under the Exchange Offer, eligible holders
of options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock having an exercise
price in excess of $24.00 will be able to elect to surrender such options to the
Company for cancellation in exchange for a future grant of replacement options
to purchase 0.70 shares of Common Stock for each share that was issuable under
the cancelled option. The Exchange Offer will provide that a participant may
elect to exchange his or her eligible options on a grant by grant basis. For
example, if an employee had two eligible grants of 1,000 shares each, such
employee could elect to participate in the program with respect to one or both
1,000 share grants, but could not elect to participate with respect to a
fraction of a grant. The replacement options would be granted no earlier than
six (6) months and one (1) day following the cancellation date of the cancelled
options, and would have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the
Company's Common Stock on the grant date of the replacement options. Each
replacement option will be granted under the 1996 Plan.
Persons Eligible to Participate in the Exchange Offer. All employees and
officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except for the executive
officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above, will be eligible to
participate in the Exchange Offer. Members of the Board of Directors of the
Company will not be eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer. Participation
in the Exchange Offer by eligible participants will be voluntary.
Options Eligible for Exchange under the Exchange Offer. Options granted
under the 1996 Plan prior to the date of this Proxy Statement having an exercise
price in excess of $24.00 will be eligible for exchange under the Exchange
Offer. Underwater options with exercise prices below the threshold outlined
above will not be eligible for exchange under the Exchange Offer.
Term and Vesting of Replacement Options. Each replacement option granted
under the Exchange Offer will have a term equal to the remaining term of the
cancelled option, subject to earlier termination in the event of termination of
employment. Each replacement option granted under the Exchange Offer will have
the same vesting schedule as the cancelled option it replaces, except that all
replacement options replacing cancelled options that either (i) were vested on
or before the date on which such options are cancelled by the Company under the
Exchange Offer or (ii) were scheduled to vest before the six-month anniversary
of the grant date of the replacement option, will vest on the six-month
anniversary of the grant date of the replacement option. Consequently, all
replacement options will vest no earlier than six months after the date of their
grant. All replacement options will be exercisable upon vesting.
14
Information Regarding Eligible Options. The following table provides
certain information regarding options currently held by employees which would be
eligible for inclusion in the Exchange Offer, if the Exchange Offer had been
commenced on May 31, 2002.
NUMBER OF LENGTH OF TERM
DATE OF GRANT OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE REMAINING
------------- --------- -------------- --------------
September 3, 1996 7,100 $26.00 4 years
March 5, 1997 200,400 $24.50 5 years
April 28, 1998 235,100 $25.31 6 years
Accounting Treatment of Exchange Offer. Under current accounting rules,
the Exchange Offer will not cause the Company to incur any variable accounting
compensation charges against its earnings.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The Exchange Offer should be
treated as a non-taxable exchange and no taxable income should be recognized
upon the grant of a replacement option.
Implementation of the Exchange Offer. If the Company's stockholders
approve the Exchange Offer at the Annual Meeting, the Company expects to
commence the Exchange Offer at a future date to be determined by the Board of
Directors in its sole discretion. The Board of Directors may determine not to
proceed with the Exchange Offer even if the stockholders approve the amendment
authorizing the Exchange Offer.
The Board of Directors believes that the Exchange Offer is in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders in order to retain and provide
incentive to the Company's employees in light of recent adverse economic
conditions. The Company has a limited number of shares reserved for issuance
under the 1996 Plan. By undertaking an exchange of old "underwater" options for
new options having an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of their grant, the Company avoids the potential
additional dilution to its stockholders that could result from simply granting
additional options to employees. Given that the total number of replacement
options granted will be less than the total number of cancelled options, the
Exchange Offer will result in less potential dilution to the Company's
stockholders than if the options were exchanged at a one-for-one rate. Moreover,
the Exchange Offer will be structured in such a way that the Company will avoid
any variable accounting compensation charges against its earnings.
TEXT OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO 1996 PLAN
The following is the text of Section 3.2 of the 1996 Plan, as proposed to
be amended (with the new language shown in italics):
"Section 3.2. . . . In particular, and without limiting its authority and
powers, except with respect to Outside Directors, the Committee shall have the
authority: . . . (k) to substitute new awards with more favorable terms and
conditions for previously granted awards under the Plan, or for stock options or
awards granted under other plans or agreement, provided, however, in no case
shall the Committee reprice "underwater" Stock Options. NOTWITHSTANDING THE
FOREGOING LIMITATION, THE COMMITTEE IS AUTHORIZED, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO
OFFER EMPLOYEES (OTHER THAN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS NAMED IN THE SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE OF THE COMPANY'S PROXY STATEMENT FOR ITS 2002 ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS) HOLDING STOCK OPTIONS HAVING AN EXERCISE PRICE IN EXCESS OF
$24.00 PER SHARE A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO SURRENDER SUCH OPTIONS FOR
15
CANCELLATION IN RETURN FOR A FUTURE GRANT OF REPLACEMENT OPTIONS. EACH
REPLACEMENT OPTION SHALL ENTITLE THE HOLDER TO PURCHASE 0.70 SHARES OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK FOR EACH SHARE THAT WAS ISSUABLE UNDER THE CANCELLED
OPTION. THE REPLACEMENT OPTIONS SHALL BE GRANTED NO LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AND ONE
DAY FOLLOWING THE CANCELLATION OF THE CANCELLED OPTIONS, WITH AN EXERCISE PRICE
EQUAL TO THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK ON SUCH DATE OF
GRANT. EACH REPLACEMENT OPTION SHALL HAVE A TERM EQUAL TO THE REMAINING TERM OF
THE CANCELLED OPTION AND THE SAME VESTING SCHEDULE AS FOR THE CANCELLED OPTION
WHICH IT REPLACES, EXCEPT THAT NO REPLACEMENT OPTION SHALL VEST OR BE
EXERCISABLE ANY EARLIER THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ITS GRANT. THE
FOREGOING EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITY SHALL BE STRUCTURED SO THAT THE COMPANY AVOIDS
INCURRING VARIABLE ACCOUNTING COMPENSATION CHARGES, AND MAY CONTAIN SUCH OTHER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMITTEE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH
THE FOREGOING.
REQUIRED VOTE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is
required for approval of the proposed amendment to the 1996 Plan. The effect of
an abstention is the same as a vote against approval of the amendment. Broker
non-votes will not have the effect of votes against approval of the amendment.
Should such stockholder approval not be obtained, then the 1996 Plan will remain
unchanged, no Exchange Offer for "underwater" options will occur, and option
grants and other awards will continue to be made pursuant to the provisions of
the 1996 Plan in effect prior to the amendment summarized in this proposal.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Amendment to the 1996
Stock Incentive Plan.
NEW BENEFITS UNDER THE 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The following table sets forth the benefits that will be received or
allocated to all eligible non-executive employees of the Company, as a group,
under the 1996 Plan, assuming that the stockholders approve the amendment to the
1996 Plan described above and assuming that each of such persons elects to
participate in the Exchange Offer as described above. Pursuant to the Exchange
Offer, for each cancelled option, the optionee shall receive 0.70 replacement
options at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on a date which is no sooner than six months and one day following
the cancellation. Had the replacement options been granted on May 31, 2002, they
would have been granted at an exercise price of $12.98 per share, the closing
price of the Company's Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market System on such
date.
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NEW PLAN BENEFITS
1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
NUMBER OF
NAME AND POSITION(1) STOCK OPTIONS(2)
-------------------- ----------------
Non-Executive Officer Employees (86 persons)................ 309,820
---------------
(1) The Company's Chief Executive Officer, the other individuals listed in the
Summary Compensation Table above and the directors of the Company are not
eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer.
(2) Reflects the aggregate number of replacement options which would be issuable
no earlier than six months and one day following the cancellation of an
aggregate of 442,600 options pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer.
The Company believes that the value of the replacement options (as
determined under a Black-Scholes valuation model) will be equal to the value
of the cancelled options (as similarly determined).
DESCRIPTION OF THE 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
PRINCIPAL PROVISIONS OF THE 1996 PLAN
The following summary of the 1996 Plan is qualified by reference to the
full text of the Plan, which will be available at the Annual Meeting and may
also be obtained by written request to the Company's Vice President -- Investor
Relations. A copy of the 1996 Plan (without the proposed amendment) is available
on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, www.sec.gov, as
Exhibit 10(iii)(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 2, 2002.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
The 1996 Plan authorizes the granting of awards to employees (including
officers) of the Company and certain related companies in the form of any
combination of (1) options to purchase shares of Common Stock, (2) stock
appreciation rights ("SARs"), (3) shares of restricted Common Stock ("restricted
stock"), (4) shares of deferred Common Stock ("deferred stock"), (5) bonus
stock, (6) cash bonuses, (7) loans, and (8) tax-offset payments with respect to
any of such awards. The 1996 Plan also provides for the automatic grant to
directors who are not employees or officers of the Company ("Outside Directors")
of options to purchase shares of the Common Stock and related limited SARs and
tax-offset payments.
Administration. The 1996 Plan is administered by a committee of the
Company's Board of Directors, which consists of at least two Outside Directors.
The Committee has authority to interpret the 1996 Plan, adopt administrative
regulations, and determine and amend the terms of awards to employees; however,
the Committee has no authority to vary the amount or terms of awards to Outside
Directors from those set forth in the 1996 Plan.
Eligibility. The Committee may make awards under the 1996 Plan to
employees (including officers) of the Company or of any entity in which the
Company owns at least a 20% interest. All employees are eligible to receive
awards under the 1996 Plan. All Outside Directors of the Company are
automatically granted stock
17
options and related limited SARs having the terms specified in the 1996 Plan,
but are not eligible to receive any other awards under the 1996 Plan.
Limitations on Awards. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
which may be issued under the 1996 Plan is 4,000,000. Such shares may consist of
authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The exercise of a SAR for
cash or the settlement of any other award in cash will not count against this
share limit. Shares subject to lapsed, forfeited or canceled awards, including
options canceled upon the exercise of tandem SARs for cash, will not count
against this limit and can be regranted under the 1996 Plan. If the exercise
price of an option is paid in Common Stock or if shares are withheld from
payment of an award to satisfy tax obligations with respect to the award, such
shares also will not count against the above limit. No employee may be granted
stock options, SARs, restricted stock, deferred stock, or bonus stock under the
1996 Plan with respect to more than 600,000 shares of Common Stock in any fiscal
year. No employee may be granted tax-offset payments with respect to more than
the number of shares of Common Stock covered by awards held by such employee. No
employee may be paid a cash bonus in any fiscal year of the Company in excess of
(i) 5% of the Company's operating profit, if the bonus relates to a single
fiscal year, or (ii) 2% of the Company's cumulative operating profit for each
fiscal year to which the cash bonus relates, if the bonus relates to more than
one fiscal year. Tax-offset payments and cash settlements of other awards will
not count against this cash bonus limit.
AWARDS TO EMPLOYEES
The 1996 Plan authorizes the Committee to grant the following types of
awards to eligible employees, including officers. The Company has authority to
determine the terms and conditions of the award and to waive any such conditions
in its discretion.
1. Stock Options. The Committee is authorized to grant incentive stock
options ("ISOs") and non-qualified stock options to purchase such number of
shares of Common Stock as the Committee determines. (ISOs may not be
granted under the 1996 Plan after March 31, 2006.) An option will be
exercisable at such times, over such term and subject to such terms and
conditions as the Committee determines, and at an exercise price determined
by the Committee, which may be less than the fair market value of the
Common Stock at the date of grant of the option, except that ISOs are
subject to certain restrictions as set forth in the 1996 Plan.
2. Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon exercise of a SAR the holder is
entitled to receive, for each share with respect to which the SAR is
exercised, an amount (the "appreciation") equal to the excess of the fair
market value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date over the "base
amount" determined by the Committee. The appreciation is payable in cash,
Common Stock, or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.
3. Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to award restricted
stock subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine
in its sole discretion. The Committee has authority to determine the number
of shares of restricted stock to be awarded, the price, if any, to be paid
by the recipient of the restricted stock, and the date or dates on which,
or the conditions upon the satisfaction of which, the restricted stock will
vest. The Committee also has authority to determine whether the employee
will have the right to vote and/or receive dividends on shares of
restricted stock, and whether
18
the certificates for such shares will be held by the Company or delivered
to the employee bearing legends to restrict their transfer. If a holder of
restricted stock terminates employment before the shares have vested, the
unvested shares will be forfeited and any purchase price paid for the stock
will be returned to the employee.
4. Deferred Stock. An award of deferred stock is a promise to deliver
stock (or its cash equivalent) in the future. In making an award of
deferred stock the Committee will determine the periods, if any, during
which and/or the conditions on which the award is subject to forfeiture,
and may provide for the issuance of stock pursuant to the award without
payment therefor. Upon vesting, the award will be settled in shares of
Common Stock, cash equal to the fair market value of such stock, or a
combination thereof, as provided by the Committee. During the deferral
period set by the Committee, the employee may not sell, transfer, pledge or
assign the deferred stock award.
5. Bonus Stock and Cash Bonuses. The Committee may award bonus stock
and/or cash bonuses subject to such terms and conditions as it may
determine. Such awards may be conditioned upon attainment of specific
performance goals or such other criteria as the Committee may determine.
6. Loans. The Committee may provide that the Company will make, or
arrange for, a loan to an employee with respect to the exercise of any
stock option granted under the 1996 Plan, with respect to the payment of
the purchase price, if any, of any restricted stock awarded under the 1996
Plan, and/or with respect to any taxes arising from an award under the 1996
Plan, provided that the Company will not loan to an employee more than the
sum of (i) the excess of the purchase or exercise price of an award over
the par value of any shares awarded, plus (ii) the amount of any taxes
arising from such award. The Committee will determine the terms of any such
loan.
7. Tax-Offset Payments. The Committee is authorized to provide for a
tax-offset payment by the Company to an employee not in excess of the
amount necessary to pay the federal, state, local, and other taxes payable
with respect to any award and the receipt of the tax-offset payment,
assuming the employee is taxed at the maximum tax rate applicable to such
income.
8. Performance Awards. The Committee can designate any awards under
the 1996 Plan as "Performance Awards," and the 1996 Plan provides that
awards so designated are to be granted and administered so as to qualify as
"performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The grant or vesting of a
Performance Award will be subject to the achievement of performance
objectives (the "Performance Objectives") established by the Committee
based on one or more of the following criteria, which the Committee may
apply to the Company on a consolidated basis and/or to a business unit, and
which the Committee may use either as an absolute measure or as a measure
of comparative performance relative to a peer group of companies: sales,
operating profits, operating profits before interest expense and taxes, net
earnings, earnings per share, return on equity, return on assets, return on
invested capital, cash flow, debt to equity ratio, market share, stock
price, economic value added, and market value added.
9. Deferral of Awards. The Committee may permit an employee to defer
receipt of any award for a specified period or until a specified event.
19
AWARDS TO OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
The 1996 Plan provides for the automatic grant of stock options to Outside
Directors on the following terms. Each person who first becomes an Outside
Director on or after April 1, 1996 will be granted, on the date of his or her
initial election (or the first trading day thereafter), an option to purchase
2,000 shares of Common Stock.
The option price will be equal to the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock on the date of option grant, and may be paid using cash, Common
Stock owned for at least six months, "cashless exercise" or a combination
thereof, in the discretion of the option holder. Each option has a ten-year
term, and becomes exercisable in two equal installments on the first and second
anniversaries of the date of grant, assuming continued service on the Board of
Directors. Following an Outside Director's termination of service, the options
which have previously become exercisable will remain exercisable for the
remainder of their 10-year term (or, in the event of the optionee's termination
of service as a result of death, for the longer of one year from the date of
death or the remainder of the 10-year term).
Each option to Outside Directors is granted in tandem with a limited SAR
which may be exercised only within the 60-day period following a Change of
Control, as defined below. Upon exercise of the limited SAR, the appreciation
will be paid in cash based on the Change of Control Price, as defined below.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO A CHANGE OF CONTROL
As a general matter, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (1) all
outstanding stock options, SARs, and limited SARs, including those held by
Outside Directors, will become fully exercisable and vested, (2) all
restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to outstanding restricted stock
and deferred stock awards under the 1996 Plan will lapse, and such shares and
awards will be deemed fully vested, and (3) to the extent the cash payment of
any award is based on the fair market value of stock, such fair market value
will be the Change of Control Price. The Committee may provide exceptions from
the above rule with respect to grants to employees, but not Outside Directors.
A "Change of Control" is deemed to occur on the date (1) any person or
group (with certain exceptions) acquires beneficial ownership of securities
representing 20% or more of the Company's total voting power, (2) individuals
who constitute the "Incumbent Directors" (as defined in the 1996 Plan) fail to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors, (3) the stockholders
approve a merger or consolidation unless following such transaction (a) the
beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock before the transaction own
securities representing more than 50% of the total voting power of the company
resulting from the transaction, and (b) at least a majority of members of the
board of directors of the company resulting from the transaction were members of
the Company's Board of Directors at the time the Board approved the transaction,
or (4) the stockholders of the Company approve a liquidation of the Company or a
sale of substantially all of its assets.
The Change of Control Price is the highest price per share of Common Stock
paid in any open market transaction, or paid or offered to be paid in any
transaction related to a Change of Control, during the 90-day period ending with
the Change of Control, except that for a SAR granted in tandem with an ISO, such
price is the highest price paid on the date the SAR is exercised.
20
OTHER PROVISIONS
Tax Withholding. The Committee may permit employees to satisfy all or a
portion of their federal, state, local or other tax liability with respect to
awards under the 1996 Plan by delivering previously-owned shares or by having
the Company withhold from the shares otherwise deliverable to such employee
shares having a value equal to the tax liability to be so satisfied.
Adjustments. In the event of specified changes in the Company's capital
structure, the Committee or the Board will have the power to adjust the number
of shares reserved for issuance under the 1996 Plan, the number of shares as to
which awards may be granted to any individual in any fiscal year, the number of
shares subject to outstanding awards and the amounts to be paid by award holders
or the Company, as the case may be, with respect to outstanding awards, provided
that no such adjustment may increase the aggregate value of outstanding awards.
Amendments. The Board of Directors may amend the 1996 Plan without
stockholder approval except as required to satisfy Rule 16b-3, Section 162(m) of
the Code, or other regulatory requirements. Amendment or discontinuation of the
1996 Plan cannot adversely affect any award previously granted without the
holder's written consent.
The Committee is authorized to accelerate the exercisability of options or
awards, or extend the period in which an option may be exercised, on a case by
case basis. The Committee may amend any grant under the 1996 Plan (other than
grants to Outside Directors), except that no award can be modified in a manner
unfavorable to the holder without the written consent of the holder. In
addition, the Committee may, without stockholder approval, cancel an option or
other award granted to an employee and grant a new option or award to the
employee on more favorable terms and conditions than the canceled award,
however, the Committee may not reprice "underwater" options (except pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, if the proposed amendment to the 1996 Plan is approved by
the stockholders).
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of certain federal income tax aspects of stock
options which may be granted under the 1996 Plan, based upon the laws in effect
on the date hereof.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. No income is recognized by the optionee at
the time a non-qualified option is granted. Upon exercise of the option, the
optionee recognizes ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option price. At
disposition of the shares, any appreciation after the date of exercise is
treated capital gain
Incentive Stock Options. An optionee generally will not recognize income
upon the grant of an ISO or upon the exercise of an ISO during the period of his
or her employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries or within three
months after termination of employment. (The optionee also will not recognize
income upon the exercise of an ISO within 12 months after the optionee's
termination of employment by reason of permanent and total disability, or within
the remaining term of the option following the optionee's death.) However, the
exercise of an ISO may result in an alternative minimum tax liability to the
participant. If an ISO is exercised after the time periods specified above, it
will be treated in the same manner as the exercise of a non-qualified option. If
the optionee continues to hold the shares acquired upon exercise of an
21
ISO for at least two years from the date of grant and one year from the date of
exercise, the optionee will recognize capital gain or loss upon the disposition
of the shares. Such gain or loss will be measured by the difference between the
exercise price and the amount received for the shares at the time of the
disposition.
If Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an ISO is disposed of prior
to the expiration of the one-year and two-year holding periods described above,
the optionee will generally recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the
lesser of (i) the excess of the value of the shares on the option exercise date
over the exercise price or (ii) the excess of the amount received upon
disposition of the shares over the exercise price. Any further gain recognized
by the optionee on such disposition will be taxed as capital gain.
Company Deductions. As a general rule, the Company will be entitled to a
deduction for federal income tax purposes at the same time and in the same
amount that an employee or Outside Director recognizes ordinary income from
awards under the 1996 Plan, to the extent such income is considered reasonable
compensation under the Code. The Company will not, however, be entitled to a
deduction to the extent compensation in excess of $1 million is paid to an
executive officer named in the proxy statement who was employed by the Company
at year-end, unless the compensation qualifies as "performance-based" under
Section 162(m) of the Code or certain other exceptions apply. In addition, the
Company will not be entitled to a deduction with respect to payments to
employees which are contingent upon a change of control if such payments are
deemed to constitute "excess parachute payments" under Section 280G of the Code
and do not qualify as reasonable compensation pursuant to that Section; such
payments will subject the recipients to a 20% excise tax.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation
plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance
as of the end of the 2002 fiscal year:
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
REMAINING AVAILABLE
FOR FUTURE ISSUANCE
NUMBER OF SECURITIES WEIGHTED-AVERAGE UNDER EQUITY
TO BE ISSUED UPON EXERCISE PRICE OF COMPENSATION PLANS
EXERCISE OF OUTSTANDING (EXCLUDING
OUTSTANDING OPTIONS, OPTIONS, WARRANTS SECURITIES REFLECTED
WARRANTS AND RIGHTS AND RIGHTS IN COLUMN (A))
-------------------- ----------------- --------------------
PLAN CATEGORY COLUMN (A) COLUMN (B) COLUMN (C)
------------- -------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders*..................... 5,292,390 $15.44 505,200
Equity compensation plans not approved
by security holders**................. 281,940 $ 0.87 --
---------------
* Represents options granted under the 1996 Plan, the 1989 Employee Incentive
Stock Plan and the Executive Incentive Stock Option Plan. The number reflected
in Column (c) represents additional options
22
available for issuance under the 1996 Plan. No additional options may be
granted under the 1989 Employee Incentive Stock Plan or the Executive
Incentive Stock Option Plan.
** Represents options granted on July 1, 1987 to the Vice Chairman of the
Company. The Option Agreement representing such grant provided, as adjusted
for stock splits (and subject to future adjustments), for the Vice Chairman
to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,262,064 shares of the Company's Common
Stock at a purchase price of $0.87 per share. The options expire 60 days
after the earlier of (i) July 1, 2007, or (ii) 10 months following the date
that the Vice Chairman ceases to be employed by the Company. At March 2,
2002, 281,940 options exercisable at $0.87 per share remain outstanding.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph assumes $100 invested in Nautica
Enterprises, Inc. Common Stock, the Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S.) and S&P Textiles
Index on March 1, 1997. Where applicable, it assumes reinvestment of dividends.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG
NAUTICA ENTERPRISES, INC., NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) AND
S&P TEXTILES INDEX
FOR THE FIVE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2002
[PERFORMANCE CHART]
23
PROPOSAL THREE
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors proposes the ratification by the stockholders at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company of the appointment of the
accounting firm of Grant Thornton LLP as independent certified public
accountants who will make an examination of the accounts of the Company for the
year ending March 1, 2003. Grant Thornton LLP served as the Company's
independent certified public accountants for the years ending March 2, 2002 and
March 3, 2001. Stockholder ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP
as the Company's independent certified public accountants is not required by the
Company's by-laws or otherwise. If the stockholders fail to ratify the
selection, the Board of Directors will consider whether to retain that firm.
Even if the selection is ratified, the Board of Directors in its discretion may
direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time
during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders. A representative of Grant
Thornton LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting to respond to
appropriate questions and to make a statement if that representative so desires.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the
ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company's
independent certified public accountants.
AUDIT AND OTHER FEES:
For fiscal 2002, Grant Thornton LLP billed the Company for various audit
and non-audit services, as follows:
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed by Grant Thornton LLP for
professional services rendered in connection with such firm's audit of the
Company's fiscal 2002 financial statements, including the review of the
financial statements included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for such fiscal year, were $296,000.
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees. During the
2002 fiscal year, Grant Thornton LLP did not perform any professional services
for the Company relating to financial information systems design and
implementation.
All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed by Grant Thornton LLP for all
other services rendered to the Company in connection with the 2002 fiscal year
were $1,102,449, which included fees for tax-related services and special
projects. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether
provision of these non-audit services by Grant Thornton LLP is compatible with
maintaining the independent public accountants' independence.
PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS-2003 ANNUAL MEETING
All proposals by stockholders intended to be presented at the next annual
meeting of stockholders (scheduled to be held in July 2003) must be received by
the Company at its office at 40 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019, no
later than February 12, 2003 in order to be included in the Proxy Statement
24
and form of proxy relating to such meeting. All such proposals must comply with
applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management is not aware of any matters to be presented at the meeting other
than those set forth in this Proxy Statement. However, should any other business
properly come before the meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof,
the enclosed proxy confers upon the persons entitled to vote the shares
represented by such proxies, discretionary authority to vote the same in respect
to any such other business in accordance with their best judgment in the
interest of the Company.
MANAGEMENT UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE ITS STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON
WRITTEN OR VERBAL REQUEST BY ANY SUCH STOCKHOLDER BY FIRST CLASS MAIL WITHIN ONE
BUSINESS DAY OF RECEIPT OF SUCH REQUEST, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT
ON FORM 10-K, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE FILED THEREWITH.
WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH REPORT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO NAUTICA ENTERPRISES,
INC., 40 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019, ATTENTION: INVESTOR
RELATIONS. VERBAL REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE BY TELEPHONE TO NAUTICA ENTERPRISES,
INC. AT (212) 541-5757.
Stockholders are urged to vote the enclosed proxy, solicited on behalf of
the Board of Directors, or vote by telephone or via the Internet. Unless a
contrary direction is indicated, proxies will be voted for the election as
directors of the nominees listed in this Proxy Statement and for Proposals Two
and Three. The proxy does not affect the right to vote in person at the meeting
and may be revoked by the stockholder any time prior to its being voted.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
HARVEY SANDERS,
Chairman
June 7, 2002
25
Appendix A
NAUTICA ENTERPRISES, INC.
1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN*
(Amended and Restated)
SECTION 1. PURPOSES
The purpose of the Nautica Enterprises, Inc. 1996 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan") are (i) to enable Nautica Enterprises, Inc. (the
"Company") and its Related Companies (as defined below) to attract, retain and
reward employees and strengthen the existing mutuality of interests between such
employees and the Company's stockholders by offering such employees an equity
interest in the Company, (ii) to enable the Company to offer incentives to
employees of entities which are acquired or established by the Company from time
to time as incentives and inducements for employment, and (iii) to enable the
Company to pay part of the compensation of its Outside Directors (as defined in
Section 5.2) in options to purchase the Company's common stock, thereby
increasing such directors' proprietary interests in the Company. For purposes of
the Plan, a "Related Company" means any corporation, partnership, joint venture
or other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, at least a
20% beneficial ownership interest.
SECTION 2. TYPES OF AWARDS
2.1 Awards under the Plan to employees may be in the form of
(i) Stock Options; (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights; (iii) Limited Stock
Appreciation Rights; (iv) Restricted Stock; (v) Deferred Stock; (vi) Bonus
Stock; (vii) Cash Bonuses; (viii) Loans; and/or (ix) Tax Offset Payments.
2.2 An eligible employee may be granted one or more types of
awards, which may be independent or granted in tandem. If two awards are granted
in tandem, the employee may exercise (or otherwise receive the benefit of) one
award only to the extent he or she relinquishes the tandem award.
2.3 Outside Directors may receive only Stock Options and
Limited Stock Appreciation Rights.
SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION
3.1 The Plan shall be administered (i) by the Committee (as
defined below) in the case of awards to employees, and (ii) by the Company's
Board of Directors (the "Board") in the case of awards to Outside Directors. The
Committee shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other
committee of directors as the Board shall designate, which shall consist of not
less than two directors each of whom is (a) a nonemployee director, as such term
is defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any
successor rule, and (b) an outside director satisfying the requirements of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor thereto (the "Code"). The members of the Committee shall serve at the
pleasure of the Board.
3.2 The Committee shall have the following authority with
respect to awards under the Plan other than awards to Outside Directors: to
grant awards to eligible employees under the Plan; to adopt, alter and repeal
such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it
shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any
award granted under the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of
the Plan. In particular, and without limiting its authority and powers, the
Committee shall have the authority:
(a) to determine whether and to what extent any award or
combination of awards will be granted hereunder, including whether any awards
will be granted in tandem with each other;
(b) to select the employees to whom awards will be
granted;
* As proposed to be amended by the bolded text on page 2.
(c) to determine the number of shares of the common
stock of the Company (the "Stock") to be covered by each award granted hereunder
subject to the limitations contained herein;
(d) to determine the terms and conditions of any award
granted hereunder, including, but not limited to, any vesting or other
restrictions based on such performance objectives (the "Performance Objectives")
and such other factors as the Committee may establish, and to determine whether
the Performance Objectives and other terms and conditions of the award are
satisfied;
(e) to determine the treatment of awards upon an
employee's retirement, disability, death, termination for cause or other
termination of employment;
(f) to determine pursuant to a formula or otherwise the
fair market value of the Stock on a given date; provided, however, that if the
Committee fails to make such a determination, fair market value of the Stock on
a given date shall be the mean between the highest and lowest quoted selling
price, regular way, of the Stock on the NASDAQ National Market (or the principal
exchange upon which the Stock is listed) on such date, or if no such sale of
Stock occurs on such date, the weighted average of the high and low prices on
the nearest trading dates before and after such date;
(g) to determine that amounts equal to the amount of any
dividends declared with respect to the number of shares covered by an award (i)
will be paid to the employee currently or (ii) will be deferred and deemed to be
reinvested or (iii) will otherwise be credited to the employee, or that the
employee has no rights with respect to such dividends;
(h) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what
circumstances Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an award will be
deferred either automatically or at the election of an employee, including
providing for and determining the amount (if any) of deemed earnings on any
deferred amount during any deferral period;
(i) to provide that the shares of Stock received as a
result of an award shall be subject to a right of first refusal, pursuant to
which the employee shall be required to offer to the Company any shares that the
employee wishes to sell, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee
may specify;
(j) to amend the terms of any award, prospectively or
retroactively; provided, however, that no amendment shall impair the rights of
the award holder without his or her written consent; and
(k) to substitute new awards with more favorable terms
and conditions for previously granted awards under the Plan, or for stock
options or awards granted under other plans or agreements; provided, however, in
no case shall the Committee reprice "underwater" Stock Options. NOTWITHSTANDING
THE FOREGOING LIMITATION, THE COMMITTEE IS AUTHORIZED, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION,
TO OFFER EMPLOYEES (OTHER THAN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS NAMED IN THE SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE OF THE COMPANY'S PROXY STATEMENT FOR ITS 2002 ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS) HOLDING STOCK OPTIONS HAVING AN EXERCISE PRICE IN EXCESS OF
$24.00 PER SHARE A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO SURRENDER SUCH OPTIONS FOR
CANCELLATION IN RETURN FOR A FUTURE GRANT OF REPLACEMENT OPTIONS. EACH
REPLACEMENT OPTION SHALL ENTITLE THE HOLDER TO PURCHASE 0.70 SHARES OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK FOR EACH SHARE THAT WAS ISSUABLE UNDER THE CANCELLED
OPTION. THE REPLACEMENT OPTIONS SHALL BE GRANTED NO LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AND ONE
DAY FOLLOWING THE CANCELLATION OF THE CANCELLED OPTIONS, WITH AN EXERCISE PRICE
EQUAL TO THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK ON SUCH DATE OF
GRANT. EACH REPLACEMENT OPTION SHALL HAVE A TERM EQUAL TO THE REMAINING TERM OF
THE CANCELLED OPTION AND THE SAME VESTING SCHEDULE AS FOR THE CANCELLED OPTION
WHICH IT REPLACES, EXCEPT THAT NO REPLACEMENT OPTION SHALL VEST OR BE
EXERCISABLE ANY EARLIER THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ITS GRANT. THE
FOREGOING EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITY SHALL BE STRUCTURED SO THAT THE COMPANY AVOIDS
INCURRING VARIABLE ACCOUNTING COMPENSATION CHARGES, AND MAY CONTAIN SUCH OTHER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE COMMITTEE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH
THE FOREGOING.
2
3.3 The Committee shall have the right to designate awards as
"Performance Awards." Awards so designated shall be granted and administered in
a manner designed to preserve the deductibility of the compensation resulting
from such awards in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. The grant or
vesting of a Performance Award shall be subject to the achievement of
Performance Objectives established by the Committee based on one or more of the
following criteria, in each case applied to the Company on a consolidated basis
and/or to a business unit, and which the Committee may use either as an absolute
measure or as a measure of comparative performance relative to a peer group of
companies: sales, operating profits, operating profits before interest expense
and taxes, net earnings, earnings per share, return on equity, return on assets,
return on invested capital, cash flow, debt to equity ratio, market share, stock
price, economic value added, and market value added.
The Performance Objectives for a particular Performance Award
relative to a particular fiscal year of the Company shall be established by the
Committee in writing no later than 90 days after the beginning of such year. The
Committee's determination as to the achievement of Performance Objectives
relating to a Performance Award shall be made in writing. The Committee shall
have discretion to modify the Performance Objectives or vesting conditions of a
Performance Award only to the extent that the exercise of such discretion would
not cause the Performance Award to fail to quality as "performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
3.4 With respect to awards to Outside Directors, the Board
shall have authority to grant and amend awards subject to the limitations of
Sections 2.3, 6, and 7.2; to interpret the Plan and grants to Outside Directors
pursuant to the Plan; to adopt, amend, and rescind administrative regulations to
further the purposes of the Plan; and to take any other action necessary to the
proper operation of the Plan. Subject to any express limitations set forth in
the Plan, the Board shall have the same powers with respect to awards to Outside
Directors as are set forth for the Committee with respect to awards to
employees. However, the Board shall have no discretion to vary the terms of
awards granted pursuant to Section 15, except as provided in Section 4.4.
3.5 All determinations made by the Committee or the Board
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on all
persons, including the Company and Plan participants.
3.6 The Committee may from time to time delegate to one or
more officers of the Company any or all of its authorities granted hereunder
except with respect to awards granted to persons subject to Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Performance Awards. The Committee shall
specify the maximum number of shares that the officer or officers to whom such
authority is delegated may award.
SECTION 4. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
4.1 The total number of shares of Stock reserved and available
for distribution under the Plan shall be 4,000,000 (subject to adjustment as
provided below). Such shares may consist of authorized but unissued shares or
treasury shares. The exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right for cash or the
payment of any other award in cash shall not count against this share limit.
4.2 To the extent a Stock Option terminates without having
been exercised, or an award terminates without the employee having received
payment of the award, or shares awarded are forfeited, the shares subject to
such award shall again be available for distribution in connection with future
awards under the Plan. If the exercise price of an option is paid in Stock or if
shares of Stock are withheld from payment of an award to satisfy tax obligations
with respect to such award, such shares will also not count against the Plan
limits and shall again be available for distribution in connection with future
awards under the Plan.
4.3 No employee shall be granted Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock and/or Bonus Stock, or any
combination of the foregoing with respect to more than 600,000 shares of Stock
in any fiscal year of the Company (subject to adjustment as provided in Section
4.4). No employee shall be granted Tax Offset Payments with respect to more than
the number of shares of Stock covered by awards held by such employee. No
employee shall be paid a Cash Bonus in any fiscal year in excess of (i) 5% of
the Company's operating profit for the Company's fiscal year, if the Cash Bonus
relates to a single fiscal year, or (ii) 2% of the Company's cumulative
operating profit for each fiscal year to which the Cash Bonus relates, if the
Cash Bonus relates to more than one fiscal year. An employee's Cash Bonus
permitted under the preceding sentence shall be in addition to the employee's
Stock awards and
3
Tax Offset Payments permitted under this Section 4.3.
4.4 In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation,
sale of substantially all assets, recapitalization, Stock dividend, Stock split,
spin-off, split-up, split-off, distribution of assets or other change in
corporate structure affecting the Stock, a substitution or adjustment, as may be
determined to be appropriate by the Committee or the Board in its sole
discretion, shall be made in the aggregate number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Plan, the number of shares as to which awards may be granted
to any individual in any fiscal year, the number of shares subject to
outstanding awards and the amounts to be paid by award holders or the Company,
as the case may be, with respect to outstanding awards; provided, however, that
no such adjustment shall increase the aggregate value of any outstanding award.
In the event any change described in this Section 4.4 occurs and an adjustment
is made in the outstanding Stock Options granted to participants other than
Outside Directors, a similar adjustment shall be made in the number and terms of
Stock Options (and related Limited Stock Appreciation Rights) previously granted
to Outside Directors and to be granted under Section 15, provided that any such
adjustment shall be equitable and shall not increase the aggregate benefits of
such Stock Options to Outside Directors.
SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY
5.1 Employees of the Company or a Related Company, including
employees who are officers and/or directors of the Company, are eligible to be
granted awards under the Plan, other than under Section 15. The employee
participants under the Plan shall be selected from time to time by the
Committee, in its sole discretion, from among those eligible.
5.2 Initial grants to Outside Directors shall be made
automatically pursuant to Section 15. Subsequent grants to Outside Directors
shall be made by the Board, in its discretion, in accordance with the provisions
of Sections 2.3, 6 and 7.2. For purposes of the Plan, the term "Outside
Director" shall mean any director of the Company other than one who is an
employee of the Company or a Related Company.
SECTION 6. STOCK OPTIONS
6.1 The Stock Options awarded to employees under the Plan may
be of two types: (i) Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 422
of the Code or any successor provision thereto; and (ii) Non-Qualified Stock
Options. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option. All Stock
Options awarded to Outside Directors shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.
6.2 Subject to the following provisions, Stock Options awarded
to employees by the Committee and Stock Options awarded to Outside Directors by
the Board shall be in such form and shall have such terms and conditions as the
Committee or Board, as the case may be, may determine. All references to the
Committee in the following paragraphs of this Section 6.2 shall be deemed to
refer to the Board with respect to awards to Outside Directors.
(a) Option Price. The option price per share of Stock
purchasable under a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee, and may
be less than the fair market value of the Stock on the date of the award of the
Stock Option.
(b) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be
fixed by the Committee.
(c) Exercisability. Stock Options shall be exercisable
at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be
determined by the Committee. The Committee may waive such exercise provisions or
accelerate the exercisability of the Stock Option at any time in whole or in
part.
(d) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised
in whole or in part at any time during the option period by giving written
notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares to be
purchased, accompanied by payment of the purchase price. Payment of the purchase
price shall be made in such manner as the Committee may provide in the award,
which may include cash (including cash equivalents), delivery of shares of Stock
already owned by the optionee or subject to awards hereunder, "cashless
exercise", any other manner permitted
4
by law determined by the Committee, or any combination of the foregoing. If the
Committee determines that a Stock Option may be exercised using shares of
Restricted Stock, then unless the Committee provides otherwise, the shares
received upon the exercise of a Stock Option which are paid for using Restricted
Stock shall be restricted in accordance with the original terms of the
Restricted Stock award.
(e) No Stockholder Rights. An optionee shall have
neither rights to dividends or other rights of a stockholder with respect to
shares subject to a Stock Option until the optionee has given written notice of
exercise and has paid for such shares.
(f) Surrender Rights. The Committee may provide that
options may be surrendered for cash upon any terms and conditions set by the
Committee.
(g) Transferability. Stock Options shall not be
transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and during the optionee's lifetime, all Stock Options shall be
exercisable only by the optionee or by his or her guardian or legal
representative; provided, however, the Committee may, in its discretion,
authorize all or a portion of the Stock Options to be granted to an optionee to
be on terms which permit transfer by such optionee to (i) the spouse, children,
stepchildren or grandchildren (including relationships arising from legal
adoption) of the optionee ("Immediate Family Members"), (ii) a trust or trusts
for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (iii) a
partnership in which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners,
provided that (x) there shall be no consideration for any such transfer (other
than interests in the transferee partnership), (y) the instrument pursuant to
which such options are transferred must be approved by the Committee, and must
expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section
as well as any additional conditions on transfer and restrictions on the rights
of the transferee, as may be required by the Committee, and (z) subsequent
transfers of transferred options shall be prohibited except those by will or the
laws of descent and distribution. Following any such transfer, the Stock Options
shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable
immediately prior to transfer.
(h) Termination of Employment. Following the termination
of an optionee's employment (or Board service) with the Company or a Related
Company, the Stock Option shall be exercisable to the extent determined by the
Committee. The Committee may provide different post-termination exercise
provisions with respect to termination of employment or service for different
reasons. The Committee may provide that, notwithstanding the option term fixed
pursuant to Section 6.2(b), a Stock Option which is outstanding on the date of
an optionee's death shall remain outstanding for an additional period after the
date of such death.
6.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2, no
Incentive Stock Option shall (i) have an option price which is less than 100% of
the fair market value of the Stock on the date of the award of the Incentive
Stock Option, (ii) be exercisable more than ten years after the date such
Incentive Stock Option is awarded, or (iii) be awarded after March 31, 2006. No
Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who owns more than 10% of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its
parent or subsidiary corporations, as defined in Section 424 of the Code, shall
(A) have an option price which is less than 110% of the fair market value of the
Stock on the date of award of the Incentive Stock Option or (B) be exercisable
more than five years after the date such Incentive Stock Option is awarded.
SECTION 7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS AND LIMITED STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
7.1 A Stock Appreciation Right awarded to an employee shall
entitle the holder thereof to receive payment of an amount, in cash, shares of
Stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee, equal in value
to the excess of the fair market value of the number of shares of Stock as to
which the award is granted on the date of exercise over an amount specified by
the Committee. Any such award shall be in such form and shall have such terms
and conditions as the Committee may determine. The grant shall specify the
number of shares of Stock as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.
7.2 The Committee (or the Board with respect to Outside
Directors), may grant a Stock Appreciation Right which may be exercised only
within the 60-day period following occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined
in Section 17.2) (such Stock Appreciation Right being referred to herein as a
Limited Stock Appreciation Right). Unless the Committee (or the Board with
respect to Outside Directors) provides otherwise, in the event of a
5
Change of Control the amount to be paid upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation
Right or Limited Stock Appreciation Right shall be based on the Change of
Control Price (as defined in Section 17.3).
SECTION 8. RESTRICTED STOCK
Subject to the following provisions, all awards of Restricted
Stock to employees shall be in such form and shall have such terms and
conditions as the Committee may determine:
(a) The Restricted Stock award shall specify the number
of shares of Restricted Stock to be awarded, the price, if any, to be paid by
the recipient of the Restricted Stock and the date or dates on which, or the
conditions upon the satisfaction of which, the restricted Stock will vest. The
grant and/or the vesting of Restricted Stock may be conditioned upon the
completion of a specified period of service with the Company or a Related
Company, upon the attainment of specified Performance Objectives or upon such
other criteria as the Committee may determine.
(b) Stock certificates representing the Restricted Stock
awarded to an employee shall be registered in the employee's name, but the
Committee may direct that such certificates be held by the Company on behalf of
the employee. Except as may be permitted by the Committee, no share of
Restricted Stock may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise
encumbered by the employee until such share has vested in accordance with the
terms of the Restricted Stock award. At the time Restricted Stock vests, a
certificate for such vested shares shall be delivered to the employee (or his or
her designated beneficiary in the event of death), free of all restrictions.
(c) The Committee may provide that the employee shall
have the right to vote or receive dividends on Restricted Stock. Unless the
Committee provides otherwise, Stock received as a dividend on, or in connection
with a stock split of, Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same
restrictions as the Restricted Stock.
(d) Except as may be provided by the Committee, in the
event of an employee's termination of employment before all of his or her
Restricted Stock has vested, or in the event any conditions to the vesting of
Restricted Stock have not been satisfied prior to any deadline for the
satisfaction of such conditions set forth in the award, the shares of Restricted
Stock which have not vested shall be forfeited, and the Committee may provide
that (i) any purchase price paid by the employee shall be returned to the
employee or (ii) a cash payment equal to the Restricted Stock's fair market
value on the date of forfeiture, if lower, shall be paid to the employee.
(e) The Committee may waive, in whole or in part, any or
all of the conditions to receipt of, or restrictions with respect to, any or all
of the employee's Restricted Stock, other than Performance Awards whose vesting
was made subject to satisfaction of one or more Performance Objectives (except
that the Committee may waive conditions or restrictions with respect to
Performance Awards if such waiver would not cause the Performance Award to fail
to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code).
SECTION 9. DEFERRED STOCK AWARDS
Subject to the following provisions, all awards of Deferred
Stock to employees shall be in such form and shall have such terms and
conditions as the Committee may determine:
(a) The Deferred Stock award shall specify the number of
shares of Deferred Stock to be awarded to any employee and the duration of the
period (the "Deferral Period") during which, and the conditions under which,
receipt of the Stock will be deferred. The Committee may condition the grant or
vesting of Deferred Stock, or receipt of Stock or cash at the end of the
Deferral Period, upon the attainment of specified Performance Objectives or such
other criteria as the Committee may determine.
(b) Except as may be provided by the Committee, Deferred
Stock awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise
encumbered during the Deferral Period.
(c) At the expiration of the Deferral Period, the
employee (or his or her designated beneficiary in the event of death) shall
receive (i) certificates for the number of shares of Stock equal to the number
of shares covered by the Deferred Stock award, (ii) cash equal to the fair
market value of such Stock, or (iii) a combination
6
of shares and cash, as the Committee may determine.
(d) Except as may be provided by the Committee, in the
event of an employee's termination of employment before the Deferred Stock has
vested, his or her Deferred Stock award shall be forfeited.
(e) The Committee may waive, in whole or in part, any or
all of the conditions to receipt of, or restrictions with respect to, Stock or
cash under a Deferred Stock award, other than with respect to Performance Awards
(except that the Committee may waive conditions or restrictions with respect to
Performance Awards if such waiver would not cause the Performance Award to fail
to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code).
SECTION 10. BONUS STOCK AND CASH BONUSES
The Committee may award Bonus Stock and/or a Cash Bonus to any
eligible employee subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall
determine. The grant of Bonus Stock and /or a Cash Bonus may be conditioned upon
the attainment of specified Performance Objectives or upon such other criteria
as the Committee may determine. The Committee may waive such conditions in whole
or in part other than with respect to Performance Awards (except that the
Committee may waive conditions or restrictions with respect to Performance
Awards if such waiver would not cause the Performance Award to fail to qualify
as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code). The Committee shall also have the right to eliminate or reduce the amount
of Cash Bonus otherwise payable under an award. Unless otherwise specified by
the Committee, no money shall be paid by the recipient for the Bonus Stock.
Alternatively, the Committee may offer eligible employees the opportunity to
purchase Bonus Stock at a discount from its fair market value. The Bonus Stock
award shall be satisfied by the delivery of the designated number of shares of
Stock which are not subject to restriction. Cash Bonus awards shall be paid in
cash.
SECTION 11. LOANS
The Committee may provide that the Company shall make, or
arrange for, a loan or loans to an employee with respect to the exercise of any
Stock Option awarded under the Plan, with respect to the payment of the purchase
price, if any, of any Restricted Stock awarded hereunder or with respect to any
taxes arising from an award hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall
not loan to an employee more than the sum of (i) the excess of the purchase or
exercise price of an award over the par value of any shares of Stock awarded
plus (ii) the amount of any taxes arising from such award. The Committee shall
have full authority to decide whether a loan will be made hereunder and to
determine the amount, term and provisions of any such loan, including the
interest rate to be charged, whether the loan will be with or without recourse
against the borrower, any security for the loan, the terms on which the loan is
to be repaid and the conditions, if any, under which the loan may be forgiven.
SECTION 12. TAX OFFSET PAYMENTS
The Committee may provide for a Tax Offset Payment by the
Company to an employee with respect to one or more awards granted under the
Plan. The Tax Offset Payment shall be in an amount specified by the Committee,
which shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay the federal, state, local and
other taxes payable with respect to the applicable award and the receipt of the
Tax Offset Payment, assuming that the employee is taxed at the maximum tax rate
applicable to such income. The Tax Offset Payment shall be paid solely in cash.
SECTION 13. ELECTION TO DEFER AWARDS
The Committee may permit an employee to elect to defer receipt
of an award for a specified period or until a specified event, upon such terms
as are determined by the Committee.
SECTION 14. TAX WITHHOLDING
14.1 Each employee shall, no later than the date as of which
the value of an award first becomes includible in such person's gross income for
applicable tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory
to the Committee regarding payment of, any federal, state, local or other taxes
of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the award. The
obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such
7
payment or arrangements, and the Company (and, where applicable, any Related
Company), 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 employee.
14.2 To the extent permitted by the Committee, and subject to
such terms and conditions as the Committee may provide, an employee may elect to
have the withholding tax obligation, or any additional tax obligation with
respect to any awards hereunder, satisfied by (i) having the Company withhold
shares of Stock otherwise deliverable to such person with respect to the award
or (ii) delivering to the Company shares of unrestricted Stock. Alternatively,
the Committee may require that a portion of the shares of Stock otherwise
deliverable be applied to satisfy the withholding tax obligations with respect
to the award.
SECTION 15. STOCK OPTIONS AND LIMITED STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS TO OUTSIDE
DIRECTORS
15.1 Each person who first becomes an Outside Director on or
after April 1, 1996, shall be granted, on the first trading day coincident with
or immediately following the date of his or her initial election as an Outside
Director, a Stock Option to purchase 2,000 shares of Stock. For purposes of this
Section, the term trading day shall mean a day on which the Stock is traded on a
National Securities Exchange, on the NASDAQ National Market, or in the
over-the-counter market.
15.2 Stock Options granted to Outside Directors pursuant to
Section 15 shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options, and shall have the following
terms and conditions:
(a) Option Price. The option price per share of Stock
purchasable under the Stock Option shall be equal to the mean between the
highest and lowest quoted selling price, regular way, of the Stock on the NASDAQ
National Market (or the principal exchange upon which the Stock is listed) on
the date of grant, or if no such sale of Stock occurs on such date, the weighted
average of the high and low prices on the nearest trading dates before and after
such date.
(b) Option Term. Except as provided in Section 15.2(e),
the term of the Stock Option shall be ten years. To the extent it has become
exercisable pursuant to Section 15.2(c), the Stock Options shall remain
exercisable for the remainder of its term following the termination of the
optionee's status as an Outside Director.
(c) Exercisability. Each Stock Option shall become
exercisable with respect to 50% of the underlying shares on the first
anniversary of the date of grant, and the remaining 50% on the second
anniversary of the date of grant, provided that the optionee is a director of
the Company on the respective date. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in
the event of a Change of Control (as defined in Section 17), each Stock Option
shall become fully exercisable and vested.
(d) Method of Exercise. The Stock Options may be
exercised in whole or in part at any time during the option period by giving
written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares to be
purchased, accompanied by payment of the purchase price. Payment of the purchase
price shall be made in cash (including cash equivalents) or by delivery of
shares of Stock already owned by the optionee for at least six months, by
"cashless exercise" or by any combination of the foregoing. Shares delivered as
payment of the exercise price shall be valued at the mean between the highest
and lowest quoted selling price, regular way, of the Stock on the NASDAQ
National Market (or the principal exchange upon which the Stock is listed) on
the day before the date of exercise, or if no such sale of Stock occurs on such
date, the weighted average of the high and low prices on the nearest trading
date before such date.
(e) Death of Director. If the optionee's service as a
director of the Company is terminated by reason of death, such optionee's Stock
Options shall become immediately exercisable, and may be exercised for the
remaining term of the Stock Option, or for one year after the optionee's death,
if longer.
(f) Non-transferability. No Stock Option award shall be
transferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. During the optionee's lifetime, all Stock Options shall be
exercisable only by the optionee or by his or her guardian or legal
representative.
8
(g) No Stockholder Rights. An optionee shall have
neither rights to dividends nor other rights of a stockholder with respect to
shares subject to a Stock Option until the optionee has given written notice of
exercise and has paid for such shares.
15.3 Limited Stock Appreciation Rights in Tandem with Options.
Each Stock Option granted to an Outside Director under this Section 15 shall be
granted in tandem with a Limited Stock Appreciation Right which may be exercised
only within the 60-day period following a Change of Control (as defined in
Section 17.2). Upon exercise of the Limited Stock Appreciation Right, the holder
shall receive, for each share with respect to which the Limited Stock
Appreciation Right is exercised, an amount in cash equal to the excess of the
Change of Control Price (as defined in Section 17.3) over the exercise price of
the related Stock Option. The Limited Stock Appreciation Right shall be paid
within 30 days of the exercise of the Limited Stock Appreciation Right.
SECTION 16. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
The Board may discontinue the Plan at any time and may amend
it from time to time. No amendment or discontinuation of the Plan shall
adversely affect any award previously granted without the award holder's written
consent. Amendments may be made without stockholder approval except as required
to satisfy Rule 16b-3, Section 162(m) of the Code, or other regulatory
requirements.
SECTION 17. CHANGE OF CONTROL
17.1 In the event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise
provided in the grant or by amendment (with the holder's consent) of such grant:
(a) all outstanding Stock Options and all outstanding
Stock Appreciation Rights (including Limited Stock Appreciation Rights) awarded
under the Plan shall become fully exercisable and vested;
(b) the restrictions and deferral limitations applicable
to any outstanding Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock awards under the Plan
shall lapse and such shares and awards shall be deemed fully vested; and
(c) to the extent the cash payment of any award is based
on the fair market value of Stock, such fair market value shall be the Change of
Control Price.
17.2 A "Change of Control" means the happening of any of the
following:
(a) When any "person," as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and as used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act, but excluding the Company and any Subsidiary and any employee
benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary (including
any trustee of such plan acting as trustee), or any person, entity or group
specifically excluded by the Board, directly or indirectly, becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended
from time to time) of Securities of the Company representing 20 percent or more
of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities;
(b) When, during any period of 24 consecutive months
during the existence of the Plan, the individuals who, at the beginning of such
period, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason
other than death to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided, however,
that a director who was not a director at the beginning of such 24-month period
shall be deemed to have satisfied such 24-month requirement (and be an Incumbent
Director) if such director was elected by, or on the recommendation of, or with
the approval of, at least two- thirds of the directors who then qualified as
Incumbent Directors, either actually (because they were directors at the
beginning of such 24-month period) or by prior operation of this Section
17.2(b);
(c) the date of approval by the stockholders of the
Company of an agreement providing for the merger or consolidation of the Company
with another corporation where (i) the stockholders of the Company, immediately
prior to the merger or consolidation, would not beneficially own, immediately
after the merger or
9
consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to 50% or more of all votes
(without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by
a separate class vote) to which all stockholders of the corporation issuing cash
or securities in the merger or consolidation would be entitled in the election
of directors, or (ii) where the members of the Board, immediately prior to the
merger or consolidation, would not, immediately after the merger or
consolidation, constitute a majority of the board of directors of the
corporation issuing cash or securities in the merger; or
(d) the date of approval by the stockholders of the
Company of the liquidation of the Company or the sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
17.3 "Change of Control Price" means the highest price per
share paid in any transaction reported in the NASDAQ National Market or on any
national securities exchange where the Stock is traded, or paid or offered in
any transaction related to a Change of Control at any time during the 90-day
period ending with the Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing
sentence, in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with
Incentive Stock Options, the Change of Control Price shall be the highest price
paid on the date on which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
SECTION 18. GENERAL PROVISIONS
18.1 Each award under the Plan shall be subject to the
requirement that, if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the
listing, registration or qualification of the Stock subject or related thereto
upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or (ii) the
consent or approval of any government regulatory body or (iii) an agreement by
the recipient of an award with respect to the disposition of Stock is necessary
or desirable (in connection with any requirement or interpretation of any
federal or state securities law, rule or regulation) as a condition of, or in
connection with, the granting of such award or the issuance, purchase or
delivery of Stock thereunder, such award shall not be granted or exercised, in
whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent,
approval or agreement shall have been effected or obtained free of any
conditions not acceptable to the Committee.
18.2 Nothing set forth in this Plan shall prevent the Board
from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements. Neither the
adoption of the Plan nor any award hereunder shall confer upon any employee of
the Company, or of a Related Company, any right to continued employment, and no
award under the Plan shall confer upon any Outside Director any right to
continued service as a director.
18.3 Determinations by the Committee or the Board under the
Plan relating to the form, amount, and terms and conditions of awards need not
be uniform, and may be made selectively among persons who receive or are
eligible to receive awards under the Plan, whether or not such persons are
similarly situated.
18.4 No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer
or employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall
be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation taken or
made with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee and
all officers or employees of the Company acting on their behalf shall, to the
extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in
respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.
SECTION 19. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan shall be effective on April 1, 1996, subject to
approval by the Company's stockholders at the 1996 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Any grants made under the Plan before shareholder approval of the
Plan shall be made subject to such shareholder approval. The Plan was adjusted
effective May 28, 1996 to reflect the Company's two-for-one stock split
effective as of such date, and amended and restated on January 9, 1997.
10
PROXY PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
NAUTICA ENTERPRISES, INC.
PROXY -- ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, JULY 10, 2002
The undersigned hereby appoints Harvey Sanders and David Chu,
and each of them, proxies and attorneys-in-fact of the undersigned, with the
power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to
vote, as designated below, all the shares of common stock of Nautica
Enterprises, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on May 29, 2002 at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 10, 2002 or any adjournment
thereof.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
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-FOLD AND DETACH HERE-
YOU CAN NOW ACCESS YOUR NAUTICA ENTERPRISES, INC. ACCOUNT ONLINE.
Access your Nautica Enterprises shareholder account online via Investor
ServiceDirect(SM) (ISD).
Mellon Investor Services LLC, agent for Nautica Enterprises, now makes it easy
and convenient to get current information on your shareholder account. After a
simple, and secure process of establishing a Personal Identification Number
(PIN), you are ready to log in and access your account to:
- View account status - Make address changes
- View certificate history - Establish/change your PIN
VISIT US ON THE WEB AT HTTP://WWW.MELLONINVESTOR.COM AND FOLLOW
THE INSTRUCTIONS SHOWN ON THIS PAGE.
STEP 1: FIRST TIME USERS - ESTABLISH A PIN
You must first establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) online by
following the directions provided in the upper right portion of the web screen
as follows. You will also need your Social Security Number (SSN) available to
establish a PIN.
INVESTOR SERVICEDIRECT(SM) IS CURRENTLY ONLY AVAILABLE FOR DOMESTIC INDIVIDUAL
AND JOINT ACCOUNTS.
- SSN
- PIN
- Then click on the Establish PIN button
Please be sure to remember your PIN, or maintain it in a secure place for future
reference.
STEP 2: LOG IN FOR ACCOUNT ACCESS
You are now ready to log in. To access your account please enter your:
- SSN
- PIN
- Then click on the Submit button
If you have more than one account, you will now be asked to select the
appropriate account.
STEP 3: ACCOUNT STATUS SCREEN
You are now ready to access your account information. Click on the appropriate
button to view or initiate transactions.
- Certificate History
- Issue Certificate
- Address Change
FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CALL 1-877-978-7778 BETWEEN
9AM-7PM MONDAY-FRIDAY EASTERN TIME
For Withhold
All All
[ ] [ ]
1. Election of Directors
Nominees:
01 Robert B. Bank 02 David Chu
03 Israel Rosenzweig 04 Harvey Sanders
05 Charles H. Scherer 06 Steven H. Tishman
07 John Varvatos 08 Ronald G. Weiner
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for
any individual nominee, write that nominee's
name in the blank space below.
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
PLEASE MARK
YOUR VOTES AS
INDICATED IN [X}
THIS EXAMPLE
2. Approval of an amendment to the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan to permit a FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
one-time "six months and one day" Exchange Offer (as described in the Proxy
Statement) of certain underwater options held by non-executive employees. [ ] [ ] [ ]
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
3. Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent [ ] [ ] [ ]
certified public accountants.
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR PROPOSALS "1", "2" AND "3".
CHECK HERE IF CHANGE OF ADDRESS [ ]
Signature Signature Date
----------------------------- ----------------------------- -----------
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear hereon. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full name as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized
officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-FOLD AND DETACH HERE-
Vote by Internet or Telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Internet and telephone voting is available
through 4PM Eastern Time the business
day prior to annual meeting day.
YOUR INTERNET OR TELEPHONE VOTE AUTHORIZES THE NAMED PROXIES TO VOTE YOUR SHARES
IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF YOU MARKED, SIGNED AND RETURNED YOUR PROXY CARD.
Internet Telephone Mail
http://www.eproxy.com/naut 1-800-435-6710 Mark, sign and date
Use the Internet to vote your Use any touch-tone telephone to your proxy card
proxy. Have your proxy card in vote your proxy. Have your proxy and
hand when you access the web OR card in hand when you call. You will OR return it in the
site. You will be prompted to enter be prompted to enter your control enclosed postage-paid
your control number, located in number, located in the box below, envelope.
your control number, located in and then follow the directions given.
the box below, to create and
submit an electronic ballot.
IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET, DO NOT MAIL BACK
THIS PROXY CARD. PROXIES SUBMITTED BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET MUST BE
RECEIVED BY 4:00 PM EASTERN TIME,
ON JULY 9, 2002.