def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COHU
12367 Crosthwaite Circle
Poway, California 92064-6817
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 11, 2011
TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cohu, Inc. (Cohu) will be held at the Cohu corporate
offices, located at 12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, California 92064-6817 on Wednesday, May 11,
2011, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time, for the following purposes:
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To elect one director, for a term of three years. |
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To approve an advisory vote on executive compensation. |
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An advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive
compensation. |
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The reapproval of the performance-based compensation measures to be used under
the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as required by Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code. |
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To approve an amendment to the Cohu 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
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To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Cohus independent registered
public accounting firm for 2011. |
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To act upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Only stockholders of record of Cohu as of the close of business on March 16, 2011 will be
entitled to vote at the meeting.
Since the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Cohu entitled to
vote at the meeting must be represented to constitute a quorum, all stockholders are urged either
to attend the meeting in person or to vote by proxy.
A complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered
in the name of each stockholder, will be available at Cohus corporate offices, for the examination
of any stockholder during normal business hours for a period of ten days immediately prior to the
meeting.
Please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the envelope enclosed for your convenience.
Alternatively, stockholders may vote by telephone or electronically via the internet. Please
refer to the instructions included with the proxy for additional details. If you attend the
meeting you may revoke your proxy and vote in person. You may also revoke your proxy by delivering
a written notice to the Secretary of Cohu, or by submitting another duly signed proxy bearing a
later date.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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Jeffrey D. Jones |
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Secretary |
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Poway, California
April 5, 2011
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
IN ORDER TO INSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE,
SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE
PREPAID ENVELOPE OR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET.
Cohu, Inc.
12367 Crosthwaite Circle
Poway, California 92064-6817
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of
Directors of Cohu, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Cohu or the Company), of your proxy for use at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time
at the Cohu corporate offices, located at 12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, California 92064-6817
(the Meeting). This proxy statement, the accompanying proxy card and the Cohu 2010 Annual Report
are being mailed to all stockholders on or about April 5, 2011.
On March 16, 2011, the record date fixed by our Board of Directors (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the Board), Cohu had outstanding 24,035,275 shares of Common Stock. Only
stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 16, 2011 will be entitled to vote at
the Meeting and any adjournment thereof.
Voting Procedures
As a stockholder of Cohu, you have a right to vote on certain business matters affecting Cohu.
This Proxy Statement relates only to the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders with respect
to the election of one Class 1 director recommended by the board of directors, an advisory vote on
executive compensation, an advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive
compensation, reapproval of the performance-based compensation measures to be used under the Cohu,
Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as required by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code,
approval of an amendment to the Cohu 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and ratification of the
appointment of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. Each share of Cohus
Common Stock you own entitles you to one vote for each proposal. For the election of directors,
stockholders may cumulate their votes as described below.
Methods of Voting
You may vote by mail, by telephone, over the Internet or in person at the Meeting. Your shares
will be voted in accordance with the instructions you indicate. If you are a stockholder of record
and return a proxy card but do not specify how you want to vote your shares, your shares will be
voted FOR the named nominee for director, FOR approval of the advisory vote on executive
compensation, EVERY THREE YEARS for the advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory
vote on executive compensation, FOR the reapproval of the performance-based compensation measures
to be used under the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, FOR the approval of an amendment to
the Cohu 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst &
Young LLP as Cohus independent registered public accounting firm for 2011, and in the discretion
of the proxies (as defined below) as to other matters that may properly come before the Meeting.
Voting by Mail. By signing and returning the proxy card in the enclosed prepaid and addressed
envelope, you are authorizing the individuals named on the proxy card (known as proxies) to vote
your shares at the Meeting in the manner you indicate. We encourage you to sign and return the
proxy card even if you plan to attend the Meeting. In this way, your shares will be voted if you
are unable to attend the Meeting. If you receive more than one proxy card, it is an indication that
your shares are held in multiple accounts. Please sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that
all of your shares are voted.
Voting by Telephone. To vote by telephone, please follow the instructions included on your
proxy card. If you vote by telephone, you do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.
Voting over the Internet. To vote over the Internet, please follow the instructions included
on your proxy card. If you vote over the Internet, you do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.
Voting in Person at the Meeting. If you plan to attend the Meeting and vote in person, we will
provide you with a ballot at the Meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name, you
are considered the stockholder of record and you have the right to vote in person at the Meeting.
If your shares are held in the name of your broker or other nominee, you are considered the
beneficial owner of shares held in street name. If you wish to vote such shares at the Meeting,
you will need to bring with you to the Meeting a legal proxy from your broker or other nominee
authorizing you to vote such shares.
1
Revoking Your Proxy
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Meeting. In order to do this,
you must:
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enter a new vote over the Internet, by telephone or by signing and returning another
proxy card bearing a later date; |
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provide written notice of the revocation to Cohus Secretary; or |
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attend the Meeting and vote in person. |
Quorum Requirement
A quorum, which is a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote as of the record
date, March 16, 2011, must be present in order to hold the Meeting and to conduct business. Shares
are counted as being present at the Meeting if you appear in person at the Meeting or if you vote
your shares over the Internet, by telephone or by submitting a properly executed proxy card.
Proxies marked as abstaining on any matter and broker non-votes (as described below) will be
counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum.
Votes Required for the Proposals
For Proposal No. 1, the nominee receiving the highest number of votes, in person or by proxy,
will be elected as director. You may vote for the nominee for election as a director or you may
withhold your vote. In the election of directors, stockholders may, as provided for in the Cohu
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, cumulate their votes, giving one candidate a
number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to
which the stockholders shares are normally entitled, or distribute the stockholders votes on the
same principle among as many candidates as the stockholder thinks fit. A stockholder may not
cumulate his or her votes for a candidate unless a stockholder has given notice at the Meeting
(whether by proxy or in person) prior to the voting, of his or her intention to cumulate his or her
votes. If any stockholder gives such notice, all stockholders may then cumulate their votes.
Management of Cohu is hereby soliciting discretionary authority to cumulate votes represented by
proxies if cumulative voting is invoked.
The affirmative vote of a majority of Cohu common shares cast at the Meeting, in person or by
proxy, is required for approval of Proposal No. 2, Proposal No. 4, Proposal No. 5 and Proposal No.
6, as described herein. As it relates to Proposal No. 3, the option of one year, two years or three
years that receives the highest number of votes cast will be the frequency of the vote on the
compensation of our named executive officers that has been approved by stockholders on an advisory
basis. If you return a proxy card that withholds your vote or abstains from voting on a proposal,
your shares will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum, but will not be
counted in the vote on that proposal.
Broker Non-Votes
Broker non-votes are shares held by brokers or nominees for which voting instructions have not
been received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote those shares and for which
the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power under rules applicable to
broker-dealers. If your broker holds your shares in its name and you do not instruct your broker
how to vote, your broker will nevertheless have discretion to vote your shares on our sole
routine matter the ratification of the appointment of the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm (Proposal No. 6). Your broker will not have discretion to vote on any of the
other matters, which are non-routine matters, absent direction from you. Accordingly, shares subject to a
broker non-vote will not be considered entitled to vote with respect to these proposals, and will
not affect the outcome. We encourage you to provide instructions to your broker regarding the
voting of your shares.
Abstentions
Abstentions will have no effect on the election of directors (Proposal No.1) and the advisory
vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal No. 3).
Abstentions will be treated as being present and entitled to vote on the approval of the advisory
vote on executive compensation (Proposal No. 2), the reapproval of the performance based
compensation measures (Proposal No. 4), the approval of an amendment to the Cohu 1997 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal No. 5) and the ratification of the appointment of the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 6) and, therefore, will have the effect
of votes against these proposals.
Voting Confidentiality
Proxies, ballots and voting tabulations are handled on a confidential basis to protect your
voting privacy. Such information will not be disclosed except as required by law.
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Voting Results
Final voting results will be announced at the Meeting and will be posted shortly after the
Meeting on our website at www.cohu.com. Voting results will also be published in a Current
Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within four
business days of the annual meeting. We will report our determination about the frequency of the
advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal No. 3) in an amendment to a Form 8-K filed within
150 days following the annual meeting. After the reports are filed, you may obtain a copy by:
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visiting our website at www.cohu.com; |
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contacting our Investor Relations department at 858-848-8100; or |
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viewing our Form 8-K on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. |
Proxy Solicitation Costs
Cohu will bear the entire cost of proxy solicitation, including the preparation, assembly,
printing, mailing and distribution of the proxy materials. Cohus officers, directors and regular
employees will not receive additional compensation for such proxy solicitation services. Cohu has
not engaged an outside solicitor in connection with this proxy solicitation. We will reimburse
brokerage firms and other custodians for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding the
proxy materials to you.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 11, 2011
This Proxy Statement and Cohus Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Report are both available at
www.proxydocs.com/cohu.
3
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Cohu Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation divides the directors into three
classes whose terms expire at successive annual meetings over a period of three years. One class
of directors is elected for a term of three years at each annual meeting with the remaining
directors continuing in office. At the Meeting, the Class 1 director is to be elected for a term
expiring in 2014. The shares represented by proxies in the accompanying form will be voted by the
proxy holders for the election of the nominee named below. In the event the election of directors
is to be by cumulative voting, the proxy holders will vote the shares represented by proxies in
such proportions as the proxy holders see fit. Should the nominee decline or become unable to
accept nomination or election, which is not anticipated, the proxies will be voted for such
substitute nominee as may be designated by a majority of the Board of Directors. There is no family
relationship between the nominee, other directors or any of Cohus named executive officers.
The following paragraphs provide information as of the date of this proxy statement about each
member of our Board, including the nominee. The information presented includes information the
director has given us about his age, all positions he holds, his principal occupation and business
experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies on which he
currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years. In addition
to the information presented below regarding the nominees specific experience, qualifications,
attributes and skills that led our Board to the conclusion that he should serve as a director, we
also believe that our director nominee has a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to
high ethical standards. He has demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound
judgment, as well as a commitment of service to Cohu and our Board.
Required Vote
The nominee receiving the highest number of votes cast will be elected as Director. Brokers do
not have discretion to vote on this proposal without your instruction. If you do not instruct your
broker how to vote on this proposal, your broker will deliver a non-vote on this proposal.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominee named below.
Director Whose Term Expires in 2014 (if elected) Class 1
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Director |
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Principal Occupation |
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Robert L. Ciardella
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58 |
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Cofounder and retired President of Asymtek (a subsidiary of Nordson
Corporation) from 1983 until 2006. Asymtek designs, develops,
manufactures and sells semiconductor and circuit board assembly
equipment. We believe Mr. Ciardellas qualifications to sit on our
Board of
Directors include his more than 20 years of executive experience in the
semiconductor equipment industry, including his knowledge of
operations,
product development and business strategy. Mr. Ciardella was appointed
Lead Independent Director of the Board on March 12, 2010.
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INFORMATION CONCERNING OTHER DIRECTORS NOT STANDING FOR ELECTION
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2012 Class 2
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Director |
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Harry L. Casari
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74 |
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Retired Partner, Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Casari is also a director of
Orange 21 Inc. (since 2004). We believe Mr. Casaris qualifications to sit
on our Board of Directors include his background in public accounting,
auditing and his experience with financial accounting matters for complex
global organizations as well as his knowledge of business strategy. Mr.
Casari qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under SEC
guidelines.
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1995 |
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Harold Harrigian
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76 |
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Retired Partner and Director of Corporate Finance, Crowell, Weedon &
Co., a provider of financial services. Mr. Harrigian is also a former
partner,
Arthur Young & Company (predecessor of Ernst & Young LLP). We
believe Mr. Harrigians qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors
include his knowledge and experience with financial accounting matters,
finance, capital structure and his years of experience providing strategic
advisory services to complex organizations. Mr. Harrigian qualifies as an
audit committee financial expert under SEC guidelines.
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Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2013 Class 3
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Director |
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James A. Donahue
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62 |
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cohu since March 12,
2010; President and Chief Executive Officer of Cohu from June, 2000 to
March 2010; President and Chief Operating Officer of Cohu from October,
1999 to June, 2000; President of Delta Design, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Cohu, since May, 1983. Mr. Donahue is also a director of
Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMSC) (since 2003). We believe Mr.
Donahues qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his more
than thirty years of executive experience in the semiconductor equipment
industry and broad knowledge of business development and strategy,
corporate governance and operations.
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1999 |
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Steven J. Bilodeau
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52 |
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Chairman and retired President and Chief Executive Officer of SMSC, a
semiconductor manufacturer, from 1999 until October, 2008. Mr. Bilodeau
currently serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of SMSC and is a director
of Conexant Systems, Inc. (since 2004) and Gennum Corporation (since
2008). Mr. Bilodeau served as a director of NuHorizons Electronic Corp
from 2009 to January 2011. We believe Mr. Bilodeaus qualifications to sit
on our Board of Directors include his 25 years of executive experience in
the high technology and semiconductor industries and his knowledge of
international operations, business strategy and corporate governance.
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5
PROPOSAL NO. 2
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act)
and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as a matter of good corporate
governance, we are asking our stockholders to vote, on an advisory basis, on the compensation of
our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as
a say-on-pay proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the
compensation of our named executive officers.
Compensation Program and Philosophy
As described under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement,
the Compensation Committee has structured our executive compensation program to achieve the
following key objectives:
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pay for performance; |
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to attract, motivate and retain talented executive officers; |
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to motivate progress toward Company-wide financial and personal objectives while
balancing rewards for short-term and long-term performance; and |
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to align the interests of our executive officers with those of stockholders. |
We urge stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 29
of this proxy statement, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and
procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives, as well as the Summary
Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative, which provide detailed
information on the compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee and the
Board of Directors believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our
named executive officers reported in this proxy statement has contributed to the Companys recent
and long-term success.
Required Vote
A majority of the votes cast is required to approve Proposal No. 2. Brokers do not
have discretion to vote on this proposal without your instruction. If you do not instruct your
broker how to vote on this proposal, your broker will deliver a non-vote on this proposal.
Recommendation
For the above reasons, we are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the
compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement by voting in
favor of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, in a non-binding vote, the compensation of the
Companys named executive officers as disclosed pursuant to the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying
narrative disclosure set forth in the Proxy Statement relating to the Companys 2011 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders.
Even though this say-on-pay vote is advisory and therefore will not be binding on the Company,
the Compensation Committee and the Board value the opinions of our stockholders. Accordingly, to
the extent there is a significant vote against the compensation of our named executive officers, we
will consider our stockholders concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate what actions
may be necessary or appropriate to address those concerns.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR approval, on an advisory basis, of the
resolution on executive compensation.
6
PROPOSAL NO. 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF AN ADVISORY VOTE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, we also are asking our stockholders to provide their input
with regard to the frequency of future stockholder advisory votes on our executive compensation
programs, such as Proposal No. 2 located above in this Proxy Statement. In particular, we are
asking whether the advisory vote on executive compensation should occur once every year, every two
years or every three years.
After careful consideration, the Board of Directors recommends that future advisory votes on
executive compensation occur every three years (triennially). We believe that a triennial advisory
vote on executive compensation reflects the appropriate time frame to enable the Compensation
Committee and the Board of Directors to evaluate the results of the most recent advisory vote on
executive compensation, to discuss the implications of that vote with stockholders to the extent
needed, to develop and implement any adjustments to our executive compensation programs that may be
appropriate in light of a past advisory vote on executive compensation, and for stockholders to see
and evaluate any such adjustments to our executive compensation programs. A triennial vote is
consistent with the long-term performance focus of our executive compensation programs as it allows
stockholders to evaluate our executive compensation programs over a multi-year horizon in a
business that is cyclical.
The Board of Directors is aware of and took into account views that some have expressed in
support of conducting an annual advisory vote on executive compensation. We are aware that some
stockholders believe that annual advisory votes will enhance or reinforce accountability. However,
we have in the past and will in the future continue to be proactively engaged with our stockholders
on a number of topics and in a number of forums. Thus, we view the advisory vote on executive
compensation as an additional, but not exclusive, means for our stockholders to communicate with us
regarding their views on the Companys executive compensation programs.
Because our executive compensation programs have typically not changed materially from
year-to-year and are designed to operate over the long-term and to enhance long-term performance,
we are concerned that an annual or biannual advisory vote on executive compensation could lead to a
short-term perspective inappropriately bearing on our executive compensation programs. Although we
currently believe that holding an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years will
reflect the right balance of considerations in the normal course, we will periodically reassess
that view and can provide for an advisory vote on executive compensation on a more frequent basis
if changes in our compensation programs or other circumstances suggest that such a vote would be
appropriate.
We understand that our stockholders may have different views as to what is an appropriate
frequency for advisory votes on executive compensation, and we will carefully review the voting
results on this proposal. Stockholders will be able to specify one of four choices for this
proposal on the proxy card: one year, two years, three years or abstain. Stockholders are not
voting to approve or disapprove the Boards recommendation. This advisory vote on the frequency of
future advisory votes on executive compensation is not binding on the Board of Directors or Cohu in
any way. Notwithstanding the Boards recommendation and the outcome of the stockholder vote, the
Board may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less frequent basis and may
vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with stockholders and the adoption of
material changes to compensation programs.
Required Vote
The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of FOR
votes will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected
by stockholders. Brokers do not have discretion to vote on this proposal without your instruction.
If you do not instruct your broker how to vote on this proposal, your broker will deliver a
non-vote on this proposal.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote to conduct future advisory votes on executive
compensation every three years.
7
PROPOSAL NO. 4
REAPPROVAL OF THE PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION MEASURES USED UNDER
THE COHU, INC. 2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 162(m) OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will be asked to reapprove the Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity
Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan). We refer to this plan as the 2005 Plan in this proxy statement.
Stockholder reapproval of the performance-based compensation measures under the 2005 Plan is
required every five years in order to qualify the 2005 Plan under Section 162(m) of Internal
Revenue Code (the Code), thereby allowing the Company to deduct for federal income tax purposes
compensation paid under the 2005 Plan. If stockholders do not reapprove the performance-based
compensation measures, the Company will not be able to grant awards that are qualified as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. If that happens, we may not be
entitled to a tax deduction for some or all of the awards provided to our chief executive officer
and our named executive officers (other than the CFO).
The board of directors believes that the Company must offer a competitive equity incentive
program if it is to continue to successfully attract and retain the best possible candidates for
positions of responsibility within the Company. The board of directors expects that the 2005 Plan
will continue to be an important factor in attracting, retaining and rewarding the high-caliber
employees, consultants and directors essential to our success and in motivating these individuals
to strive to enhance our growth and profitability.
No amendments or changes to the 2005 Plan are being requested by the Company at this time.
Consequently, the reapproval of this proposal by the stockholders will not result in any increase
in the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Plan or result in any
amendment to the 2005 Plan.
Summary of the 2005 Plan
The following summary of the 2005 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the specific language
of the 2005 Plan, a copy of which is available to any stockholder upon request.
General. The purpose of the 2005 Plan is to advance the interests of the Company by providing
an incentive program that will enable the Company to attract and retain employees, consultants and
directors upon whose judgment, interest and efforts the Companys success is dependent and to
provide them with an equity interest in the success of the Company in order to motivate superior
performance. These incentives are provided through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), performance shares, performance units,
deferred stock, certain other stock-based awards and cash-based performance awards.
Authorized Shares. As of March 16, 2011, 1,178,200 shares are available for grant under the
2005 Plan. In addition, the 2005 Plan share reserve includes all of the outstanding stock options
and RSUs the Company had previously granted which, as of March 16, 2011, equaled 3,546,269 shares
(collectively the Prior Awards) to the extent any such Prior Award expires, lapses or otherwise
terminates for any reason without having been exercised or settled in full, or if any shares
subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company. However, no more
than two million five-hundred thousand (2,500,000) shares of this 2005 Plan reserve may be issued
upon the exercise or settlement of any restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares or performance
units. As of March 16, 2011, 854,148 RSU awards have been granted, resulting in 1,645,852 shares
available for future awards under the 2005 Plan. If any award granted under the 2005 Plan expires,
lapses or otherwise terminates for any reason without having been exercised or settled in full, or
if shares subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company, any such
shares that are reacquired or subject to such a terminated award will again become available for
issuance under the 2005 Plan. Upon any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split,
recapitalization or similar change in our capital structure, appropriate adjustments will be made
to the shares subject to the 2005 Plan, to the award grant limitations and to all outstanding
awards. However, shares shall not become re-available for issuance under the 2005 Plan if they
were (i) withheld or surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations, (ii) surrendered in
payment of stock option exercise prices (either by means of a cashless exercise, attestation or
actual surrender of shares) or (iii) subject to the grant of a stock appreciation right which were
not issued upon settlement of the stock appreciation right.
Administration. The 2005 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors duly appointed to administer the 2005 Plan, or, in the absence of such committee, by the
Board of Directors. In the case of awards intended to qualify for the performance-based
compensation exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code, administration must be by a compensation committee comprised solely of two or more outside
directors within the meaning of Section 162(m). (For purposes of this summary, the term
Committee will refer to either such duly appointed committee or the Board of Directors). Subject
to the provisions of the 2005 Plan, the
8
Committee determines in its discretion the persons to whom
and the times at which awards are granted, the types and sizes of such awards, and all of their
terms and conditions. The Committee may, subject to certain limitations on the exercise of its
discretion required by Section 162(m), amend, cancel, renew, or grant a new award in substitution
for, any award, waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any award, and accelerate,
continue, extend or defer the vesting of any award. However, the 2005 Plan forbids, without
stockholder approval, the repricing of any outstanding stock option and/or stock appreciation
right. In addition, the 2005 Plan forbids any restricted stock award to be granted, or
subsequently amended to provide, for (1) any acceleration of vesting for any reason other than upon
a Change in Control, as defined, or after a participants death or disability and (2) vesting of
one hundred percent (100%) of any such award prior to the passage of three years of service (unless
the award will vest after satisfying specified performance measurements). The 2005 Plan provides,
subject to certain limitations, for indemnification by the Company of any director, officer or
employee against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in connection with
any legal action arising from such persons action or failure to act in administering the 2005
Plan. The Committee will interpret the 2005 Plan and awards granted thereunder, and all
determinations of the Committee will be final and binding on all persons having an interest in the
2005 Plan or any award.
Eligibility. Awards may be granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company or
any present or future parent or subsidiary corporations of the Company. Incentive stock options
may be granted only to employees who, as of the time of grant, are employees of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company. As of March 16, 2011, the Company had
approximately 1,100 employees, including five named executive officers and four directors who are
eligible under the 2005 Plan.
Stock Options. Each option granted under the 2005 Plan must be evidenced by a written
agreement between the Company and the optionee specifying the number of shares subject to the
option and the other terms and conditions of the option, consistent with the requirements of the
2005 Plan. The exercise price of each option may not be less than the fair market value of a share
of Cohu Common Stock on the date of grant. However, any incentive stock option granted to a person
who at the time of grant owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company (a Ten
Percent Stockholder) must have an exercise price equal to at least 110% of the fair market value
of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of each indexed stock option,
and the terms and adjustments which may be made to such an option, will be determined by the
Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant. On March 16, 2011, the closing price of the
Companys Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $13.21 per share. Subject to
appropriate adjustment in the event of any change in the capital structure of the Company, no
employee may be granted in any fiscal year of the Company options which in the aggregate are for
more than five hundred thousand (500,000) shares, provided however, that the Company may make an
additional one-time grant to any newly-hired employee of a stock option for the purchase of up to
an additional two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) shares.
The 2005 Plan provides that the option exercise price may be paid in cash, by check, or in
cash equivalent, by the assignment of the proceeds of a sale with respect to some or all of the
shares being acquired upon the exercise of the option, to the extent legally permitted, by tender
of shares of Common Stock owned by the optionee having a fair market value not less than the
exercise price, by such other lawful consideration as approved by the Committee, or by any
combination of these. Nevertheless, the Committee may restrict the forms of payment permitted in
connection with any option grant. No option may be exercised unless the optionee has made adequate
provision for federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, relating to the exercise of the
option, including, if permitted or required by the Company, through the optionees surrender of a
portion of the option shares to the Company.
Options will become vested and exercisable at such times or upon such events and subject to
such terms, conditions, performance criteria or restrictions as specified by the Committee. The
maximum term of any option granted under the 2005 Plan is ten years, provided that an incentive
stock option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder must have a term not exceeding five years. The
Committee will specify in each written option agreement, and solely in its discretion, the period
of post-termination exercise applicable to each option.
Generally, stock options are nontransferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the optionees lifetime only by the
optionee. However, a nonstatutory stock option may be assigned or transferred to the extent permitted by the Committee in its sole
discretion.
9
Stock Appreciation Rights. Each stock appreciation right granted under the 2005 Plan must be
evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the participant specifying the number of
shares subject to the award and the other terms and conditions of the award, consistent with the
requirements of the 2005 Plan.
A stock appreciation right gives a participant the right to receive the appreciation in the
fair market value of Company Common Stock between the date of grant of the award and the date of
its exercise. The Company may pay the appreciation either in cash or in shares of Common Stock.
The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights under the 2005 Plan in tandem with a related
stock option or as a freestanding award. A tandem stock appreciation right is exercisable only at
the time and to the same extent that the related option is exercisable, and its exercise causes the
related option to be canceled. Freestanding stock appreciation rights vest and become exercisable
at the times and on the terms established by the Committee. The maximum term of any stock
appreciation right granted under the 2005 Plan is ten years. Subject to appropriate adjustment in
the event of any change in the capital structure of the Company, no employee may be granted in any
fiscal year of the Company stock appreciation rights which in the aggregate are for more than five
hundred thousand (500,000) shares, provided however, that the Company may make an additional
one-time grant to any newly-hired employee of a stock appreciation right for the purchase of up to
an additional two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) shares.
Stock appreciation rights are generally nontransferable by the participant other than by will
or by the laws of descent and distribution, and are generally exercisable during the participants
lifetime only by the participant.
Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee may grant restricted stock awards under the 2005 Plan
in the form of a restricted stock bonus, for which the participant furnishes consideration in the
form of services to the Company. Restricted stock awards may be subject to vesting conditions based
on such service or performance criteria as the Committee specifies, and the shares acquired may not
be transferred by the participant until vested. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a
participant will forfeit any shares of restricted stock as to which the restrictions have not
lapsed prior to the participants termination of service. Participants holding restricted stock
will have the right to vote the shares and to receive any dividends paid, except that dividends or
other distributions paid in shares will be subject to the same restrictions as the original award.
Subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any change in the capital structure of the
Company, no employee may be granted in any fiscal year of the Company more than two hundred
thousand (200,000) shares of restricted stock on which the restrictions are based on performance
criteria, provided however, that the Company may make an additional one-time grant to any
newly-hired employee of a restricted stock award of up to an additional one hundred thousand
(100,000) shares.
Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may grant restricted stock units (RSUs) under the 2005
Plan which represent a right to receive shares of Common Stock at a future date determined in
accordance with the participants award agreement. No monetary payment is required for receipt of
RSUs or the shares issued in settlement of the award, the consideration for which is furnished in
the form of the participants services to the Company. The Committee may grant RSU awards subject
to the attainment of performance goals similar to those described below in connection with
performance shares and performance units, or may make the awards subject to vesting conditions
similar to those applicable to restricted stock awards. Participants have no voting rights or
rights to receive cash dividends with respect to RSU awards until shares of Common Stock are issued
in settlement of such awards. However, the Committee may grant RSUs that entitle their holders to
receive dividend equivalents, which are rights to receive additional RSUs for a number of shares
whose value is equal to any cash dividends we pay. Subject to appropriate adjustment in the event
of any change in the capital structure of the Company, no employee may be granted in any fiscal
year of the Company more than two hundred thousand (200,000) RSUs on which the restrictions are
based on performance criteria, provided however, that the Company may make an additional one-time
grant to any newly-hired employee of a restricted stock award of up to an additional one hundred
thousand (100,000) shares.
10
Performance Awards. The Committee may grant performance awards subject to such conditions and
the attainment of such performance goals over such periods as the Committee determines in writing
and sets forth in a written agreement between the Company and the participant. These awards may be
designated as performance shares, performance units or cash-based performance bonuses. Performance
shares and performance units are unfunded bookkeeping entries generally having initial values,
respectively, equal to the fair market value determined on the grant date of a share of Common
Stock and a dollar amount per unit which may be determined by the Committee. Performance awards
will specify a predetermined amount of performance shares or performance units that may be earned
by the participant to the extent that one or more predetermined performance goals are attained
within a predetermined performance period. To the extent earned, performance awards may be settled
in cash, shares of Common Stock (including shares of restricted stock) or any combination thereof.
Subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any change in the capital structure of the
Company, for each fiscal year of the Company contained in the applicable performance period, no
employee may be granted performance shares that could result in the employee receiving more than
one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of Common Stock or performance units that could result in the
employee receiving more than one million dollars ($1,000,000). A participant may receive only one
performance award with respect to any performance period.
Any participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more performance-based awards
in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of performance goals that are established
by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods
determined by the Committee. Any such performance bonus award paid to a participant will be based
upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with the 2005 Plan. No
participant may be paid a performance cash bonus which is greater than $1,000,000 during any fiscal
year of the Company.
Prior to the beginning of the applicable performance period or such later date as permitted
under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee will establish one or more performance goals
applicable to the award. Performance goals will be based on the attainment of specified target
levels with respect to one or more measures of business or financial performance of the Company and
each parent and subsidiary corporation consolidated therewith for financial reporting purposes, or
such division or business unit of the Company as may be selected by the Committee.
The Committee, in its discretion, may base performance goals on one or more of the following
such measures: revenue, gross margin, operating margin, operating income, pre-tax profit, earnings
before interest, taxes and depreciation, net income, cash flow, expenses, the market price of the
stock, earnings per share, return on stockholder equity, return on capital, return on net assets,
economic value added, number of customers, market share, return on investment, profit after tax,
customer satisfaction, business divestitures and acquisitions, supplier awards from significant
customers, new product development and working capital. The target levels with respect to these
performance measures may be expressed on an absolute basis or relative to a standard specified by
the Committee. The degree of attainment of performance measures will, according to criteria
established by the Committee, be computed before the effect of changes in accounting standards,
restructuring charges and similar extraordinary items occurring after the establishment of the
performance goals applicable to a performance award.
Following completion of the applicable performance period, the Committee will certify in
writing the extent to which the applicable performance goals have been attained and the resulting
value to be paid to the participant. The Committee retains the discretion to eliminate or reduce,
but not increase, the amount that would otherwise be payable to the participant on the basis of the
performance goals attained. However, no such reduction may increase the amount paid to any other
participant. In its discretion, the Committee may provide for the payment to a participant awarded
performance shares of dividend equivalents with respect to cash dividends paid on the Companys
Common Stock. Performance award payments may be made in lump sum or in installments. If any payment
is to be made on a deferred basis, the Committee may provide for the payment of dividend
equivalents or interest during the deferral period.
Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, if a participants service terminates due to the
participants death, disability or retirement prior to completion of the applicable performance
period, the final award value will be determined at the end of the performance period on the basis
of the performance goals attained during the entire performance period but will be prorated for the
number of months of the participants service during the performance period. If a participants
service terminates prior to completion of the applicable performance period for any other reason,
the 2005 Plan provides that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the performance award
will be forfeited. No performance award may be sold or transferred other than by will or the laws
of descent and distribution prior to the end of the applicable performance period.
11
Deferred Stock Awards. The 2005 Plan provides that certain participants who are executives or
members of a select group of highly compensated employees may elect to receive, in lieu of payment
in cash or stock of all or any portion of such participants cash and/or stock compensation, an
award of deferred stock units. A participant electing to receive deferred stock units will be
granted automatically, on the effective date of such deferral election, an award (a Deferred Stock
Unit Award) for a number of stock units equal to the amount of the deferred compensation divided
by an amount equal to the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock as quoted by the
national or regional securities exchange or market system on which the Common Stock is listed on
the date of grant. A stock unit is an unfunded bookkeeping entry representing a right to receive
one share of our Common Stock in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deferred Stock
Unit Award. Participants are not required to pay any additional cash consideration in connection
with the settlement of a Deferred Stock Unit Award. A participants compensation not paid in the
form of a Deferred Stock Unit Award will be paid in cash in accordance with the Companys normal
payment procedures.
Each Deferred Stock Unit Award will be evidenced by a written agreement between the Company
and the participant specifying the number of stock units subject to the award and the other terms
and conditions of the Deferred Stock Unit Award, consistent with the requirements of the 2005 Plan.
Deferred Stock Unit Awards are fully vested upon grant and will be settled by distribution to the
participant of a number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of stock units subject
to the award on a date set forth in the participants written agreement in accordance with the
terms of the 2005 Plan at the time of his or her election to receive the Deferred Stock Unit Award.
A holder of a stock unit has no voting rights or other rights as a stockholder until shares of
Common Stock are issued to the participant in settlement of the stock unit. However, participants
holding stock units will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents with respect to any payment of
cash dividends on an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock. Such dividend equivalents will be
credited in the form of additional whole and fractional stock units determined by the fair market
value of a share of Common Stock on the dividend payment date. Prior to settlement, no Deferred
Stock Unit Award may be assigned or transferred other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.
Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may also grant one or more awards not specifically
identified by the terms of the 2005 Plan that would provide a participant with either: (i) a share
of stock; (ii) the right to purchase a share of stock; (iii) has a value derived from a share of
stock; or (iv) an exercise or conversion privilege related to a share of stock. Other stock-based
awards may be subject to vesting conditions based on such service or performance criteria as the
Committee specifies, and any such award may not be transferred by the participant until vested.
Change in Control. The 2005 Plan defines a Change in Control of the Company as any of the
following events upon which the stockholders of the Company immediately before the event do not
retain immediately after the event, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of
shares of the Companys voting stock immediately before the event, direct or indirect beneficial
ownership of a majority of the total combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company,
its successor or the corporation to which the assets of the Company were transferred: (i) a sale or
exchange by the stockholders in a single or series of related transactions of more than 50% of the
Companys voting stock; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party; (iii) the
sale, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iv) a
liquidation or dissolution of the Company. If a Change in Control occurs, the surviving,
continuing, successor or purchasing corporation or parent corporation thereof may either assume all
outstanding awards or substitute new awards having an equivalent value.
In the event of a Change in Control and the outstanding stock options and stock appreciation
rights are not assumed or replaced, then all unexercisable, unvested or unpaid portions of such
outstanding awards will become immediately exercisable, vested and payable in full immediately
prior to the date of the Change in Control.
Any award not assumed, replaced or exercised prior to the Change in Control will terminate.
The 2005 Plan authorizes the Committee, in its discretion, to provide for different treatment of
any award, as may be specified in such awards written agreement, which may provide for
acceleration of the vesting or settlement of any award, or provide for longer periods of
exercisability, upon a Change in Control.
12
Termination or Amendment. The 2005 Plan will continue in effect until the first to occur of
(i) its termination by the Board or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under
the 2005 Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such shares under the terms of the 2005 Plan
and the agreements evidencing awards granted under the 2005 Plan have lapsed. However, all
incentive stock options granted, if at all, must be granted within ten (10) years from the date the
2005 Plan was adopted by the Board. The Board may terminate or amend the 2005 Plan at any time,
provided that no amendment may be made without stockholder approval if the Board deems such
approval necessary for compliance with any applicable tax or securities law or other regulatory
requirements, including the requirements of any stock exchange or market system on which the Common
Stock of the Company is then listed. No termination or amendment may affect any outstanding award
unless expressly provided by the Board, and, in any event, may not adversely affect an outstanding
award without the consent of the participant unless necessary to comply with any applicable law,
regulation or rule.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is only a summary of the United States federal income tax consequences to
participants in the 2005 Plan and does not purport to be complete. Interested parties and
participants should refer to the applicable provisions of the Code. The summary does not address
other taxes such as state and local income taxes, federal and state estate, inheritance and gift
taxes and foreign taxes. Each participant should consult his or her own tax advisor concerning the
tax consequences of the 2005 Plan.
Incentive Stock Options. An optionee recognizes no taxable income for regular income tax
purposes as a result of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option qualifying under Section
422 of the Code. Optionees who neither dispose of their shares within two years following the date
the option was granted nor within one year following the exercise of the option will normally
recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the sale price and the
purchase price of the shares. If an optionee satisfies such holding periods upon a sale of the
shares, the Company will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. If an
optionee disposes of shares within two years after the date of grant or within one year after the
date of exercise (a disqualifying disposition), the difference between the fair market value of
the shares on the determination date (see discussion under Nonstatutory Stock Options below) and
the option exercise price (not to exceed the gain realized on the sale if the disposition is a
transaction with respect to which a loss, if sustained, would be recognized) will be taxed as
ordinary income at the time of disposition. Any gain in excess of that amount will be a capital
gain. If a loss is recognized, there will be no ordinary income, and such loss will be a capital
loss. Any ordinary income recognized by the optionee upon the disqualifying disposition of the
shares generally should be deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes, except to the
extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Code.
The difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on
the determination date of an incentive stock option (see discussion under Nonstatutory Stock
Options below) is treated as an adjustment in computing the optionees alternative minimum taxable
income and may be subject to an alternative minimum tax which is paid if such tax exceeds the
regular tax for the year. Special rules may apply with respect to certain subsequent sales of the
shares in a disqualifying disposition, certain basis adjustments for purposes of computing the
alternative minimum taxable income on a subsequent sale of the shares and certain tax credits which
may arise with respect to optionees subject to the alternative minimum tax.
Nonstatutory Stock Options and Indexed Stock Options. Options not designated or qualifying as
incentive stock options, or as an indexed stock option, will be nonstatutory stock options having
no special tax status. An optionee generally recognizes no taxable income as the result of the
grant of such an option. Upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, the optionee normally
recognizes ordinary income in the amount of the difference between the option exercise price and
the fair market value of the shares on the determination date (as defined below). If the optionee
is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment
taxes.
13
The determination date is the date on which the option is exercised unless the shares
are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as in the case where an optionee is permitted to
exercise an unvested option and receive unvested shares which, until they vest, are subject to the
Companys right to repurchase them at the original exercise price upon the optionees termination
of service) and are not transferable, in which case the determination date is the earlier of (i)
the date on which the shares become transferable or (ii) the date on which the shares are no longer
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. If the determination date is after the exercise date,
the optionee may elect, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code, to have the exercise date be the
determination date by filing an election with the Internal Revenue Service no later than 30 days
after the date the option is exercised. Upon the sale of stock acquired by the exercise of a
nonstatutory stock option, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the
fair market value on the determination date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss. No tax
deduction is available to the Company with respect to the grant of a nonstatutory stock option or
the sale of the stock acquired pursuant to such grant. The Company generally should be entitled to
a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee as a result of the
exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, except to the extent such deduction is limited by
applicable provisions of the Code.
Stock Appreciation Rights. No taxable income is reportable when a stock appreciation right is
granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an
amount equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any shares of our Common
Stock received. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares
would be capital gain or loss.
Restricted Stock Awards. A participant acquiring restricted stock generally will recognize
ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares on the determination date (as
defined above under Nonstatutory Stock Options). If the participant is an employee, such ordinary
income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. If the determination
date is after the date on which the participant acquires the shares, the participant may elect,
pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code, to have the date of acquisition be the determination date by
filing an election with the Internal Revenue Service no later than 30 days after the date the
shares are acquired. Upon the sale of shares acquired pursuant to a restricted stock award, any
gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the
determination date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss. The Company generally should be entitled
to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant on the
determination date, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the
Code.
Performance and Restricted Stock Units Awards. A participant generally will recognize no
income upon the grant of a performance share, performance units, and cash-based performance bonuses
or RSUs award. Upon the settlement and/or payment of such awards, participants normally will
recognize ordinary income in the year of receipt in an amount equal to the cash received and the
fair market value of any nonrestricted shares received. If the participant is an employee, such
ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. If the
participant receives shares of restricted stock, the participant generally will be taxed in the
same manner as described above (see discussion under Restricted Stock). Upon the sale of any
shares received, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair
market value on the determination date (as defined above under Nonstatutory Stock Options),
will be taxed as capital gain or loss. The Company generally should be entitled to a deduction
equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant on the determination date,
except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Code.
Deferred Stock Unit Awards. A participant generally will recognize no income upon the grant of
a Deferred Stock Unit Award. Upon the settlement of such an award, the participant normally will
recognize ordinary income in the year of settlement in an amount equal to the fair market value of
any unrestricted shares of our Common Stock received. Upon the sale of any shares received, any
gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the
determination date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss. The Company generally should be entitled
to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant on the
determination date, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the
Code.
Other Stock-Based Awards. A participant generally will recognize income with respect to any
other stock-based award at the time and in the manner required by the applicable provisions of the
Code and such taxation will depend upon the specifics of any such award. Upon the sale of any
shares received, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair
market value on the determination date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss. The Company
generally should be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by
the participant on the determination date, except to the extent such deduction is limited by
applicable provisions of the Code.
14
Historical Plan Benefits
Awards Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups. The number of options or other awards (if
any) that an individual may receive under the 2005 Plan is at the discretion of the Compensation
Committee and therefore cannot be determined in advance. Our executive officers are eligible to
receive awards under the 2005 Plan and, accordingly, our executive officers have an interest in
this proposal. The following table sets forth the total number of shares of the Companys common
stock subject to options or other awards (if any) granted under the 2005 Plan to the listed persons
and groups during the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 and the weighted average per share
exercise price of any such options. Target annual incentives under the cash-based performance bonus
plan for our named executive officers are reported in the 2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
included on page 40. Actual amounts received under our annual bonus program will depend on who
participates in the program, actual performance measured against the attainment of pre-established
performance goals and the Compensation Committees discretion to adjust such amounts.
Options and Restricted Stock Units Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups
During the Fiscal Year Ended December 25, 2010
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
Number of |
|
|
Number |
|
Average Per |
|
Shares of |
|
|
of |
|
Share Exercise |
|
Restricted |
|
|
Options |
|
Price of |
|
Stock Units |
Name and Position |
|
Granted(1) |
|
Options ($)(1) |
|
Granted |
James A. Donahue
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cohu, Inc |
|
|
94,750 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
32,417 |
|
Jeffrey D. Jones
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
Roger J. Hopkins
Vice President, Sales and Service |
|
|
13,750 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
5,417 |
|
James G. McFarlane
Senior Vice President |
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
James P. Walsh,
Vice President, Manufacturing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Current Executive Officers, as a Group (5 Persons) |
|
|
153,500 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
54,501 |
|
All Current Non-Employee Directors
who are not Executive Officers, as a Group (4 Persons) |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
All Other Employees, Including all Current Officers
who are not Executive Officers, as a Group |
|
|
206,250 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
248,429 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
All options were granted with an exercise price equal to 100 percent of the fair
market value on the date of grant. |
Required Vote
A majority of the votes cast is required to approve Proposal No. 4. Brokers do not have
discretion to vote on this proposal without your instruction. If you do not instruct your broker
how to vote on this proposal, your broker will deliver a non-vote on this proposal.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR reapproval of the
performance-based compensation measures used under the 2005 Plan.
15
PROPOSAL NO. 5
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COHU 1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The Cohu Board of Directors has approved and recommended for adoption an amendment to the Cohu
1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan). The amendment, if approved by Cohus
stockholders, will provide that the number of shares that may be issued under the Purchase Plan be
increased by 500,000 shares from 1,400,000 to 1,900,000. If the amendment is not approved by the
stockholders the share reserve will remain at 1,400,000.
As of March 16, 2011, a total of 1,142,406 shares of Cohu Common Stock have been issued under
the Purchase Plan, and only 257,594 shares are available for future issuances. The Purchase Plan is
otherwise generally unchanged since Cohu stockholders approved certain amendments to the Purchase
Plan at the Cohu 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We believe strongly that approval of the
amendment to the Purchase Plan is essential to our continued success. Our employees are our most
valuable assets. The Purchase Plan is vital to our ability to attract and retain outstanding and
highly skilled individuals in the extremely competitive labor markets in which we must compete. The
purchase of stock is also crucial to our ability to motivate employees to achieve Cohus long-term
goals and provides a source of capital.
Summary of the Purchase Plan
The following summary of the Purchase Plan is qualified in its entirety by the specific
language of the Purchase Plan, a copy of which is available to any stockholder upon request.
Purpose. The Board of Directors believes that the recruitment and retention of qualified
personnel are essential to the Companys continued growth and success and that an incentive plan
such as the Purchase Plan is necessary for the Company to remain competitive in its compensation
practices. The majority of high technology companies have purchase plans similar to the Purchase
Plan described herein. The Purchase Plan provides employees the opportunity to purchase Common
Stock of Cohu at a discount from market through payroll deductions.
Administration. The Purchase Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board
of Cohu. Such committee has full authority to adopt such rules and procedures as it may deem
necessary for proper plan administration and to interpret the provisions of the Purchase Plan. All
costs and expenses incurred in plan administration are paid by Cohu without charge to participants.
Eligibility and Participation. Any regular employee, including officers, who is employed by
Cohu (or any of its majority-owned subsidiaries) for more than 20 hours per week and more than five
months in a calendar year is eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan provided that the
employee is employed on the first day of an offering period and subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code. As of March 16, 2011, approximately 1,100 employees were eligible to
participate in the Purchase Plan. Eligible employees become participants in the Purchase Plan by
delivering to Cohu a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions prior to the applicable
offering date, or at such other time as may be determined by the Compensation Committee with
respect to a given offering. By executing a subscription agreement to participate in the Purchase
Plan, each employee is in effect granted an option to purchase shares of Cohus Common Stock. No
employee shall be permitted to subscribe for shares under the Purchase Plan if, immediately after
the grant of the option, the employee would own 5% or more of the voting stock of all classes of
stock of Cohu nor shall any employee be granted an option that would permit such employee to
purchase stock under the Purchase Plan at a rate that exceeds $25,000 worth of stock (determined at
the fair market value of the shares at the time the option is granted) for each calendar year in
which such option is outstanding at any time.
Offering Periods. The Purchase Plan is implemented in a series of successive offering periods
each with a duration of six months. Offering periods commence each November 1 and May 1. Shares are
purchased on the last business day of each offering period. The Board of Directors may alter the
duration of the offering periods without stockholder approval.
Purchase Price. The price per share at which shares are purchased under the Purchase Plan is
equal to the lower of (i) 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
commencement of the offering period and (ii) 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the last day of the offering period. The fair market value of the Common Stock on any relevant date
will be deemed to equal the closing price on such date on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
16
Payment of Purchase Price; Payroll Deductions. The purchase price of the shares is accumulated
by payroll deductions during the offering period. The deductions may not exceed 10% of a
participants eligible compensation, which is defined in the Purchase Plan to include regular
straight-time salary, exclusive of any payments for overtime, bonuses, commissions or incentive
compensation. Each participant has the right to purchase up to the number of whole shares arrived
at by dividing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500) by the fair market value of a share
of stock on the offering date. The Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Purchase Plan on
March 25, 2011 to limit each participants right to purchase shares to the lesser of (i) the number
of shares arrived at by dividing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500) by the fair market
value of a share of stock on the offering date or (ii) 3,000 shares. Payroll deductions commence on
the first payday following the commencement date of the offering and continue until the end of the
offering period unless sooner terminated as provided for in the Purchase Plan. All payroll
deductions are credited to the participants account under the Purchase Plan and are deposited with
the general funds of Cohu and until shares are purchased under the Purchase Plan such funds may be
used by Cohu for any corporate purpose.
Withdrawal. A participants interest in a given offering may be terminated in whole, but not
in part, by signing and delivering to Cohu a notice of withdrawal from the Purchase Plan. Such
withdrawal may be elected at any time prior to the end of the applicable six-month offering period
and will result in a refund of all payroll deductions for that offering period. Any withdrawal by
the participant of accumulated payroll deductions for a given offering automatically terminates the
participants interest in that offering. A participant who ceases to be an eligible employee
receives a refund of their payroll deductions for the offering period in which such loss of
eligibility status occurs. No interest is paid on such refunds.
Shares Reserved for Issuance; Capital Changes. Currently, a maximum of 1,400,000 shares of
Cohus Common Stock may be issued under the Purchase Plan. If the amendment is approved by the
stockholders, the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Purchase Plan will increase by
500,000 to 1,900,000. In the event any change is made in the capitalization of the Company, such as
stock splits or stock dividends, which results in an increase or decrease in the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding, appropriate adjustments will be made by Cohu in the shares subject to
purchase and in the purchase price per share. In the event Cohu is acquired by merger or asset sale
during an offering period, all outstanding purchase options shall be assumed or an equivalent
option shall be substituted by the successor corporation. If the successor corporation does not
agree to assume the option or to substitute an equivalent option, the Board shall provide for the
optionee to have the right to exercise the option immediately prior to the acquisition.
Nonassignability. No rights or accumulated payroll deductions of an employee under the
Purchase Plan may be pledged, assigned or transferred for any reason and any such attempt may be
treated by Cohu as an election to withdraw from the Purchase Plan.
Amendment and Termination. The Purchase Plan will continue in effect until the first to occur
of (i) its termination by the Board of Directors, (ii) the date on which all shares available for
issuance under the Purchase Plan have been issued or (iii) the date on which all outstanding
purchase options are exercised in connection with an acquisition of Cohu. The Board of Directors
may at any time amend or terminate the Purchase Plan, except that such termination shall not affect
options previously granted nor may any amendment make any change in an option granted prior thereto
which adversely affects the rights of any participant. No amendment may be made to the Purchase
Plan without the prior approval of the stockholders of Cohu if such amendment would increase the
number of shares reserved under the Purchase Plan, permit payroll deductions in excess of 10% of
the participants compensation, materially modify the eligibility requirements or materially
increase the benefits which may accrue under the Purchase Plan.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is only a summary of the United States federal income tax consequences to
participants in the Purchase Plan and does not purport to be complete. Interested parties and
participants should refer to the applicable provisions of the Code. The summary does not address
other taxes such as state and local income taxes, federal and state estate, inheritance and gift
taxes and foreign taxes. Each participant should consult his or her own tax advisor concerning the
tax consequences of the Purchase Plan.
The Purchase Plan is intended to qualify under the provisions of Sections 421 and 423 of the
Code. Under these provisions, no income will be taxable to a participant at the time of grant of
the option or when shares are purchased. Upon disposition of the shares, the participant will
generally be subject to tax and the amount of the tax will depend upon the holding period. If the
shares have been held by the participant for more than two years after the first day of the
offering period in which the shares were acquired and more than one year after the purchase
date of the shares then the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the
time of such disposition over the purchase price of
17
the shares, or (ii) 15% of the fair market
value of the shares on the first day of the offering period, will be treated as ordinary income,
and any further gain upon such disposition will be treated as long-term capital gain. If the shares
are disposed of before the expiration of the holding periods described above, the excess of the
fair market value of the shares on the last day of the offering period over the purchase price will
be treated as ordinary income, and any further gain or loss on such disposition will be long-term
or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period. Cohu is not entitled to a
deduction for amounts taxable to a participant, except to the extent of ordinary income reported by
participants upon disposition of shares prior to the expiration of the holding periods described
above.
New Plan Benefits
Because benefits under the Purchase Plan will depend on employees elections to participate
and to purchase shares under the Purchase Plan at various future dates, it is not possible to
determine the benefits that will be received by executive officers and other employees.
Non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.
Required Vote
A majority of the votes cast is required to approve Proposal No. 5. Brokers do not have
discretion to vote on this proposal without your instruction. If you do not instruct your broker
how to vote on this proposal, your broker will deliver a non-vote on this proposal.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR approval of the amendment to
the Purchase Plan.
PROPOSAL NO. 6
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as Cohus independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. Ernst & Young LLP
served as Cohus independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December
25, 2010 and also provided certain tax and other audit-related services. See Principal Accounting
Fees and Services on page 28. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to attend the
Meeting, where they will be available to respond to appropriate questions and, if they desire, to
make a statement.
Our Board recommends that the stockholders approve the ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as Cohus independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2011. If the appointment is not ratified, the Board will consider whether it
should select another independent registered public accounting firm.
Required Vote
A majority of the votes cast is required to approve Proposal No. 6. If you hold your shares
through a broker and you do not instruct the broker on how to vote on this routine proposal, your
broker will nevertheless have authority to vote your shares on this routine proposal in your
brokers discretion.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst &
Young LLP as Cohus independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2011.
18
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Director Independence
Cohu has adopted standards for director independence pursuant to NASDAQ listing standards and
SEC rules. An independent director means a person other than an officer or employee of Cohu or
its subsidiaries, or any other individual having a relationship that, in the opinion of the Board,
would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director. To be considered independent, the Board must affirmatively determine that neither the
director nor an immediate family member of the director has had any direct or indirect material
relationship with Cohu within the last three years.
The Board has considered relationships, transactions and/or arrangements with each of the
directors, and has concluded that none of the non-employee directors has any relationships with
Cohu that would impair his independence. The Board has determined that each member of the Board,
other than Mr. Donahue, is an independent director under applicable NASDAQ listing standards and
SEC rules. Mr. Donahue is an employee of Cohu and, as such, he did not meet the independence
standards. In addition, the Board has also determined that:
|
|
|
all directors who serve on the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and
Governance committees are independent under applicable NASDAQ listing standards, Internal
Revenue Code requirements and SEC rules, and |
|
|
|
|
all members of the Audit Committee meet the additional independence
requirement that they do not directly or indirectly receive compensation from Cohu other
than their compensation as directors. |
Board Structure and Committee Composition
As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board has five directors and the following three
committees: (1) Audit, (2) Compensation and (3) Nominating and Governance. The membership during
2010 and the function of each of the committees are described below. Each of the committees
operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. All of the committee charters are available
on Cohus website at www.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance. During 2010, the Board
held nine meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of all Board and applicable committee
meetings. Directors are encouraged to attend annual meetings of Cohu stockholders. All five
directors attended the last annual meeting of stockholders held on May 11, 2010.
The Cohu, Inc. Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that if the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer are the same person, the Cohu Nominating and Governance Committee shall
nominate an independent director to serve as the Lead Independent Director, the selection of whom
shall be subject to approval by a vote of the majority of the independent directors.
The table below breaks down 2010 committee membership for each committee and each director.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating and |
Name of Director |
|
Audit |
|
Compensation |
|
Governance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven J. Bilodeau
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Harry L. Casari
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Chair
|
|
|
X |
|
Robert L. Ciardella (1)
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Chair
|
Harold Harrigian
|
|
Chair
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Director: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James A. Donahue (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Meetings in 2010
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Appointed Lead Independent Director of the Board on March 12, 2010. |
|
(2) |
|
Appointed Chairman of the Board on March 12, 2010. |
19
Audit Committee
Cohu has a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with
Section 3(a)(58) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Audit Committee assists
the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight of the integrity of Cohus
financial statements, Cohus compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent
registered public accounting firms qualifications and independence, risk assessment and risk
management. Among other things, the Audit Committee prepares the Audit Committee report for
inclusion in the annual proxy statement; annually reviews the Audit Committee charter and the
committees performance; appoints, evaluates and approves the fees of Cohus independent registered
public accounting firm; reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit, the audit fee and the
financial statements; reviews Cohus disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls,
including such controls over financial reporting, information security policies and corporate
policies with respect to financial information and earnings guidance; oversees investigations into
complaints concerning financial matters; and reviews other risks that may have a significant impact
on Cohus financial statements. The Audit Committee works closely with management as well as
Cohus independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has the authority to
obtain advice and assistance from, and receive appropriate funding from Cohu for, outside legal,
accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary in order to carry out its
duties.
The report of the Audit Committee is included herein on page 27 and the charter of the Audit
Committee is available at www.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee discharges the Boards responsibilities relating to compensation of
Cohus executives and directors and, among other things, reviews and discusses the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis with management, and produces an annual compensation committee report for
inclusion in Cohus proxy statement; provides general oversight of Cohus compensation structure,
including Cohus equity compensation plans and benefits programs; and retains and approves the
terms of the retention of any compensation consultants and other compensation experts. Other
specific duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include reviewing and approving
objectives relevant to executive officer compensation, evaluating performance and determining the
compensation of executive officers in accordance with those objectives; approving employment
agreements for executive officers; approving and amending Cohus equity and non-equity incentive
compensation and related performance goals and measures and stock-related programs (subject to
stockholder approval, if required); approving any changes to non-equity based benefit plans
involving a material financial commitment by Cohu; recommending director compensation to the Board;
monitoring director and executive stock ownership; and annually evaluating its performance and its
charter.
The report of the Compensation Committee is included herein on page 38. The charter of the
Compensation Committee is available at www.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance.
Nominating and Governance Committee
The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to become Board
members and recommends to the Board candidates to be nominated for election as directors at Cohus
annual meeting consistent with criteria the Committee deems appropriate, as approved by the Board;
develops Cohus Corporate Governance Guidelines for approval by the Board, and reviews and
recommends updates to such Guidelines, as appropriate; oversees the organization of the Board to
discharge the Boards duties and responsibilities properly and efficiently; identifies best
practices; and recommends corporate governance principles, including giving proper attention and
making effective responses to stockholder concerns regarding corporate governance. Other specific
duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee include annual assessment of
the size and composition of the Board; developing membership qualifications for Board committees;
defining specific criteria for director independence; monitoring compliance with Board and Board
committee membership criteria; annually reviewing and recommending directors for continued service;
coordinating and assisting management and the Board in recruiting new members to the Board;
annually, and together with the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and the Lead Independent
Director, evaluating the performance of the Chairman of the Board and CEO and presenting the
results of the review to the Board and to the Chairman and CEO; reviewing and recommending proposed
changes to Cohus charter or Bylaws and Board committee charters; periodically assessing and
recommending action with respect to stockholder rights plans or other stockholder protections;
recommending Board committee assignments; reviewing and approving any employee director or
executive officer standing for election for outside for-profit boards of directors; reviewing
governance-related stockholder proposals and recommending Board responses; overseeing the
evaluation of the Board and management and conducting a
preliminary review of director independence and the financial literacy and expertise of Audit
Committee members. The Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives communications
directed to non-employee directors.
20
The charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee is available at www.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance.
Board Leadership Structure, Risk Oversight
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board is currently comprised of four independent directors and one employee director. Mr.
Donahue was appointed Chairman of the Board on March 12, 2010. Mr. Donahue has been a member of
our Board since 1999 and Chief Executive Officer since 2000. In connection with Mr. Donahues
appointment as Chairman, the Board has designated Mr. Ciardella as Lead Independent Director. We
believe that the number of independent, experienced directors that make up our Board, along with
the independent oversight by our Lead Independent Director, benefits Cohu and our stockholders.
We believe having a single leader for both the Company and the Board provides clear leadership
for Cohu and is optimal for us because it demonstrates to our employees, suppliers, customers, and
other stakeholders that Cohu is under strong leadership, with a single person setting the tone and
having primary responsibility for managing our operations. We believe Cohu, is well-served by this
leadership structure.
The Cohu, Inc. Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that if the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer are the same person, the Cohu Nominating and Governance Committee shall
nominate an independent director to serve as the Lead Independent Director, the selection of whom
shall be subject to approval by a vote of the majority of the independent directors. Although
annually elected, the Lead Independent Director is generally expected to serve for more than one
year.
The specific responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director include presiding at executive
sessions of directors and at board meetings where the Chairman is not present, calling meetings of
Independent Directors, serving as a liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman/CEO
and performing such other duties and responsibilities as the Board may determine.
Risk Oversight
Our Board oversees our risk management process. The Board focuses on general risk management
strategy, the most significant risks facing Cohu, and ensures that appropriate risk mitigation
strategies are implemented by management. The Board is also apprised of particular risk management
matters in connection with its general oversight and approval of corporate matters. Cohus
management is responsible for day-to-day risk management. This responsibility includes identifying,
evaluating, and addressing potential risks that may exist at the enterprise, strategic, financial,
operational, and compliance and reporting levels.
Stockholder Nominees
The policy of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to consider properly submitted
stockholder nominations for candidates for membership on the Board as described below under
Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors. In evaluating such nominations, the Nominating
and Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability on the
Board and to address the membership criteria set forth under Director Qualifications. Any
stockholder nominations proposed for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee
should include the nominees name and qualifications for Board membership and should be addressed
to:
Corporate Secretary
Cohu, Inc.
12367 Crosthwaite Circle
Poway, CA 92064-6817
In addition, the Bylaws of Cohu permit stockholders to nominate directors for consideration at
an annual stockholder meeting. For a description of the process for nominating directors in
accordance with Cohus Bylaws, see Stockholder Proposals 2012 Annual Meeting on page 46.
21
Director Qualifications
Cohus Corporate Governance Guidelines are available at
www.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance and contain Board membership criteria that apply
to nominees recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee for a position on Cohus Board.
Under these criteria, members of the Board should have the highest professional and personal ethics
and values, consistent with longstanding Cohu values and standards. They should have broad
experience at the policy-making level in business, government, education, technology and/or public
interest. They should also be committed to enhancing stockholder value and should have sufficient
time to carry out their duties and to provide insight and practical wisdom, based on their
experience. Their service on other boards of public companies should be limited to a number that
permits them, given their individual circumstances, to responsibly perform all director duties.
Each director must represent the interests of all stockholders.
Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors
Our Nominating and Governance Committee uses a variety of methods for identifying and
evaluating nominees for director. The Nominating and Governance Committee assesses the appropriate
size of the Board, and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or
otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the Nominating and
Governance Committee considers various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to
the attention of the Nominating and Governance Committee through current Board members,
professional search firms, stockholders or other persons. These candidates are evaluated at regular
or special meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee, and may be considered at any point
during the year. As described above, the Nominating and Governance Committee also considers
properly submitted stockholder nominations for candidates for the Board. Following verification of
the stockholder status of persons proposing candidates, recommendations are aggregated and
considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting. If any
materials are provided by a stockholder in connection with the nomination of a director candidate,
such materials are forwarded to the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and
Governance Committee also reviews materials provided by professional search firms or other parties
in connection with a nominee who is not proposed by a stockholder. In evaluating such nominations,
the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and
capability on the Board. While we do not have a formal diversity policy, the Board believes it is
important for the Board to have diversity of knowledge base, professional experience and skills,
and the Board and Nominating and Governance Committee takes these qualities into account when
considering director nominees.
Executive Sessions
Executive sessions of independent directors, without management present, are held at least
three times a year. The sessions may be scheduled or held on an impromptu basis, and are chaired by
the Lead Independent Director or in the absence of the Lead Independent Director the Chairman of
the Nominating and Governance Committee or another independent director. Any independent director
can request that an additional executive session be initiated or scheduled.
Communications with the Board
Individuals may communicate with the Board, including the non-employee directors, by
submitting an e-mail to Cohus Board at corp@cohu.com or by sending a letter to the Cohu
Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, Cohu, Inc., 12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway,
California 92064-6817.
22
Compensation of Directors
Cash Compensation
Directors who are employees of Cohu do not receive any additional compensation for their
services as directors. During fiscal 2010, non-employee directors received an annual retainer, and
Board committee Chairs and members received annual fees, all paid quarterly, as set forth below.
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|
Annual Retainer: |
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board (non-employee) |
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
Other Directors |
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
Lead Independent Director |
|
$ |
10,000 |
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|
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|
|
Annual Fees for Committee Chairs: |
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|
|
|
Audit Committee |
|
$ |
16,000 |
|
Compensation Committee |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Nominating and Governance Committee |
|
$ |
8,000 |
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|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fees for Other Committee Members: |
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee |
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
Compensation Committee |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
Nominating and Governance Committee |
|
$ |
4,000 |
|
In addition to the retainers and fees noted above, non-employee directors are reimbursed
for out-of-town travel and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to attendance at Board
and committee meetings.
Under the terms and conditions of the 2005 Plan members of the Board may make an annual
irrevocable election to defer receipt of all or a portion of their cash-based non-employee director
fees (including, as applicable, any annual retainer fee, committee fee and any other compensation
payable with respect to their service as a member of the Board). In the event that a director makes
such an election, the Company will grant deferred stock awards in lieu of cash, with an initial
value equal to the deferred cash, which will be settled at a future date through the issuance of
Cohu common stock.
Equity Compensation
Non-employee directors participate in the 2005 Plan that provides for grants of non-qualified
stock options or other forms of equity compensation to non-employee directors, as authorized by the
Board. Cohus stock ownership guidelines provide that independent directors should accumulate over
time a minimum of 10,000 shares of Cohu stock.
On March 12, 2010, the Compensation Committee, after examination of market data, including an
analysis prepared by the compensation consulting firm Compensia, recommended and the Board approved
the following equity compensation for non-employee directors:
Initial appointment to the Board:
10,000 Stock Options
3,300 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Annual grants:
5,000 Stock Options
5,000 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of Cohu Common Stock upon vesting.
The exercise price for all options granted to non-employee directors is 100% of the fair market
value of the shares on the grant date. Assuming continued service on the Board, the stock options
and RSUs granted to non-employee directors upon their initial appointment to the Board will vest
and become exercisable or shares are issued, as the case may be, in three equal annual installments
beginning one year after the date of grant. The annual option and RSU awards vest and become
exercisable or shares are issued, as applicable, upon the one-year anniversary of the award.
Exercisability of some or all options or RSUs may be accelerated upon a change in control, as
defined in the 2005 Plan. The options expire no later than ten years after the date of grant.
23
On May 11, 2010, stock options to purchase 5,000 shares of Cohu Common Stock and 5,000 RSUs
were awarded to each of Messrs. Bilodeau, Casari, Ciardella and Harrigian. The stock options vest
and become exercisable one-year after the grant date, have an exercise price of $15.89 per share,
the fair market value of Cohu Common Stock on the date of grant, and expire ten years from the
grant date. Cohu will issue to each recipient, assuming continued service as a director, shares of
Cohu Common Stock over the RSU vesting period.
Medical Benefits
Cohu directors who are retired officers of Cohu and certain other retired Cohu officers and
their spouses receive medical benefits consisting of reimbursement of health insurance premiums and
other medical costs not covered by insurance. These benefits are not offered to other retired Cohu
employees.
2010 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table provides information on compensation for Cohus non-employee directors for
fiscal 2010.
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Change in |
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Fees Earned or |
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Pension |
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Paid in Cash |
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Non-Equity |
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Value and |
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Deferred |
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Incentive |
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Non-qualified |
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in Form of |
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Stock |
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Option |
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Plan |
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Deferred |
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All Other |
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Paid in |
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Stock |
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Awards |
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Awards |
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Compensation |
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Compensation |
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Compensation |
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|
Name |
|
Cash ($) |
|
Units ($)(1) |
|
($)(2) |
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($)(3) |
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($) |
|
Earnings ($) |
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($)(4) |
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Total ($) |
Steven J. Bilodeau |
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57,000 |
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78,250 |
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30,295 |
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165,545 |
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Harry L. Casari |
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62,000 |
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78,250 |
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30,295 |
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170,545 |
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Robert L. Ciardella |
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26,750 |
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34,250 |
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78,250 |
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30,295 |
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169,545 |
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Harold Harrigian |
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65,000 |
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78,250 |
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30,295 |
|
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173,545 |
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Charles A. Schwan (5) |
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15,000 |
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|
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10,000 |
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|
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25,000 |
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|
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(1) |
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The amounts in this column represent the dollar amount of retainers and fees deferred
under the 2005 Plan, at the election of the Director, of 0%, 50% or 100% of such Directors
annual retainers and fees. The deferred amount is credited in the form of deferred stock unit
awards and ultimately payable in shares of Cohu common stock, if the Director ceases to be a
Director for any reason, or upon the occurrence of a change in control of Cohu. As of December
25, 2010, Messrs. Bilodeau and Ciardella had 4,112 and 2,468 deferred stock units,
respectively. |
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(2) |
|
Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the directors. Instead, the
amounts shown above are the grant date fair value for stock awards issued in the form of RSUs
granted in fiscal 2010. The assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of the
stock awards are set forth in Note 5, Employee Benefit Plans, included in Part IV, Item
15(a) of Cohus Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010 filed with the
SEC. The derived grant fair value for the stock award is recognized, for financial statement
purposes, over the number of days of service required for the award to vest in full. As of
December 25, 2010, Messrs. Bilodeau, Casari, Ciardella and Harrigian each had 5,000 RSUs
outstanding. |
|
(3) |
|
Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the directors. Instead, the
amounts shown above are the grant date fair value for stock awards issued in the form of
option awards granted in fiscal 2010. The assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair
value of the option awards are set forth in Note 5, Employee Benefit Plans, included in Part
IV, Item 15(a) of Cohus Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010 filed
with the SEC. The derived grant fair value for the stock options is recognized, for financial
statement purposes, over the number of days of service required for the option to vest in
full. As of December 25, 2010, Messrs. Bilodeau, Casari, Ciardella and Harrigian had options
to purchase 15,000, 50,000, 55,000, and 50,000 shares of Cohu Common Stock outstanding,
respectively. |
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(4) |
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Amount reflects estimated reimbursement of health insurance premiums and other medical costs
not covered by insurance. |
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(5) |
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Resigned from the Board on March 12, 2010. |
24
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Cohu has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines (the Guidelines) that outline, among other
matters, the role and functions of the Board, the responsibilities of various Board committees,
selection of new directors and director independence. The Guidelines are available, along with
other important corporate governance materials, on our website at
www.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance. As the operation of the Board is a dynamic
process, the Board regularly reviews new or changing legal and regulatory requirements, evolving
best practices and other developments, and the Board may modify the Guidelines, as appropriate,
from time to time.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
Cohu has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code). The Code applies to all
of Cohus directors and employees including its principal executive officer, principal financial
officer and principal accounting officer. The Code, among other things, is designed to promote:
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1. |
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Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent
conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; |
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2. |
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Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents
that Cohu files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by
Cohu; |
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3. |
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Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; |
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4. |
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The prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or
persons identified in the Code; and |
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5. |
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Accountability for adherence to the Code. |
The Code is available at www.cohu.com/investors/corporategovernance and is included as
Exhibit 14 to Cohus Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010.
25
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of Cohus
Common Stock as of February 18, 2011 by (i) each stockholder who has reported or is known by Cohu
to have beneficial ownership of more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) each director of Cohu; (iii)
each named executive officer included in the 2010 Summary Compensation Table; and (iv) all
directors and executive officers as a group.
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Beneficially owned |
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Common stock |
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|
|
|
Percent |
Name and address of beneficial owner |
|
common stock |
|
equivalents(1) |
|
Total |
|
of class(2) |
Franklin Resources, Inc. (3) |
|
|
3,000,855 |
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|
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3,000,855 |
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12.49 |
% |
One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403 |
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|
|
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BlackRock, Inc. (4) |
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1,920,829 |
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|
|
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1,920,829 |
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|
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7.99 |
% |
40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022 |
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Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (5) |
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1,876,557 |
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1,876,557 |
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|
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7.81 |
% |
6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78746 |
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T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (6) |
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1,375,400 |
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1,375,400 |
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|
|
5.72 |
% |
100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
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Nick Cedrone (7) |
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1,286,138 |
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|
|
|
1,286,138 |
|
|
|
5.35 |
% |
10 Hawthorne Road, Wellesley, MA 02481 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. (8) |
|
|
1,286,037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,286,037 |
|
|
|
5.35 |
% |
250 Park Ave South, Winter Park, FL 32789 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven J. Bilodeau |
|
|
5,212 |
(9) |
|
|
3,334 |
|
|
|
8,546 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Harry L. Casari |
|
|
9,600 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
54,600 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert L. Ciardella |
|
|
10,468 |
(10) |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
60,468 |
|
|
|
* |
|
James A. Donahue |
|
|
111,309 |
|
|
|
518,313 |
|
|
|
629,622 |
|
|
|
2.57 |
% |
Harold Harrigian |
|
|
20,608 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
65,608 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Roger J. Hopkins |
|
|
1,637 |
|
|
|
11,876 |
|
|
|
13,513 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
|
4,983 |
|
|
|
44,063 |
|
|
|
49,046 |
|
|
|
* |
|
James G. McFarlane |
|
|
23,858 |
|
|
|
114,875 |
|
|
|
138,733 |
|
|
|
* |
|
James P. Walsh |
|
|
4,293 |
|
|
|
39,875 |
|
|
|
44,168 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons) |
|
|
191,968 |
|
|
|
872,336 |
|
|
|
1,064,304 |
|
|
|
4.27 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1% |
|
(1) |
|
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options held by directors and executive officers
that were exercisable on or within 60 days of February 18, 2011. |
|
(2) |
|
Computed on the basis of 24,027,559 shares of Cohu Common Stock outstanding as of February
18, 2011, plus, with respect to each person holding options to purchase Cohu Common Stock
exercisable within 60 days of February 18, 2011, the number of shares of Cohu Common Stock
issuable upon exercise thereof. |
|
(3) |
|
According to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 3, 2011, Franklin Resources, Inc.
reported that Franklin Advisory Services, LLC had sole voting and dispositive power with
respect to 2,900,355 and 3,000,855 shares, respectively, and no shared voting or dispositive
power with respect to these shares. |
|
(4) |
|
According to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 3, 2011, BlackRock, Inc. reported
that its affiliated companies collectively had sole voting and dispositive power with respect
to 1,920,829 shares and no shared voting or dispositive power with respect to these shares. |
|
(5) |
|
According to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2011, Dimensional Fund
Advisors LP reported that it had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,815,074
and 1,876,557 shares, respectively, and no shared voting or dispositive power with respect to
these shares. |
|
(6) |
|
According to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2011, T. Rowe Price Associates,
Inc. reported that it had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 177,600 and
1,375,400 shares, respectively, and no shared voting or dispositive power with respect to
these shares. |
|
(7) |
|
According to Schedule 13G filed with the Securities SEC on January 25, 2011. |
|
(8) |
|
According to Schedule 13G filed with the Securities SEC on February 11, 2011, DePrince,
Race & Zollo, Inc. reported that it had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to
1,286,037 shares and no shared voting or dispositive power with respect to these shares. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 4,112 deferred stock unit awards issued pursuant to the 2005 Plan. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 2,468 deferred stock unit awards issued pursuant to the 2005 Plan. |
26
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or
filed with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) except to the extent that Cohu specifically incorporates it
by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act) or the Exchange Act.
Composition
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of four independent directors, as
defined in the NASDAQ listing standards, and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board
of Directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Harold Harrigian (Chairman), Steven
J. Bilodeau, Harry L. Casari and Robert L. Ciardella.
Responsibilities
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight
of the integrity of Cohus financial statements, Cohus compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, the independent registered public accounting firms qualifications and independence,
and risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee manages Cohus relationship with its
independent registered public accounting firm (who report directly to the Audit Committee). The
Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting or
other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and receive
appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from Cohu for such advice and
assistance.
Cohus management has primary responsibility for preparing Cohus financial statements and
Cohus financial reporting process. Cohus independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst &
Young LLP, is responsible for expressing an opinion on (i) the conformity of Cohus audited
financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and (ii)
the effectiveness of Cohus internal control over financial reporting.
Review with Management and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated
financial statements contained in Cohus Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25,
2010 and Cohus effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, together and
separately, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit
Committee also discussed with Ernst & Young LLP matters required to be discussed pursuant to
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
Ernst & Young LLP also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter
required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding
Ernst & Youngs communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit
Committee discussed with Ernst & Young LLP any relationships that may impact their objectivity and
independence, and satisfied itself as to Ernst & Youngs independence.
Summary
Based upon the Audit Committees discussions with management and Ernst & Young LLP and the
Audit Committees review of the representations of management, and the reports of Ernst & Young LLP
to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board
approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in Cohus Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010, for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP as Cohus independent registered public
accounting firm for fiscal 2011 and recommends to stockholders that they ratify the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as Cohus independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2011.
This report is submitted by the Audit Committee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harold Harrigian (Chairman)
|
|
Steven J. Bilodeau
|
|
Harry L. Casari
|
|
Robert L. Ciardella |
27
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The following table shows the fees billed to Cohu for the audit and other services provided by
Ernst & Young LLP for the years ended December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
849 |
|
|
$ |
839 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Compliance (3) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
Tax Planning and Advice |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
869 |
|
|
$ |
871 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Audit Committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures concerning the
engagement of Cohus independent registered public accounting firm to perform any services. These
policies require that all services rendered by Cohus independent registered public accounting firm
be pre-approved by the Audit Committee within specified, budgeted fee amounts. In addition to the
approval of all audit fees in 2010 and 2009, 100% of the non-audit fees were pre-approved by the
Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to
pre-approve audit-related and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be performed by Cohus
independent registered public accounting firm with associated fees up to a maximum of $10,000 for
any one such service, provided that the Chair shall report any decisions to pre-approve such
audit-related or non-audit services and fees to the full Audit Committee at its next regular
meeting.
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the
audit of Cohus financial statements and review of Cohus quarterly financial statements and
audit services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory filings. In
addition, audit fees include those fees related to Ernst & Young LLPs audit of the
effectiveness of Cohus internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
(2) |
|
Audit-related fees include accounting consultation services related to business acquisitions
and divestitures and other attestation services. No fees for such services were billed for
2010 or 2009. |
|
(3) |
|
Tax compliance fees consisted primarily of assistance with (i) review or preparation of
Cohus federal, state and foreign tax returns; (ii) tax return examinations and (iii)
expatriate tax return filings. |
28
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Executive Summary and Compensation Philosophy
Cohus operating results were much improved in 2010 with record sales, (increasing 88% to
$322.7 million, compared to $171.3 million in 2009) and orders. Pretax income in 2010 was $30.2
million compared to a pretax loss of $13.8 million in 2009. Cohus goals for 2010 included
achieving significantly improved sales and pretax income and certain management objectives. We
generally met or exceeded our sales and pretax income goals and some, but not all, of the
management objectives and, as a result, the incentive bonuses earned by our named executive
officers were significantly higher than those in 2009.
Despite the dramatic improvement in our financial performance we continued to operate the
business conservatively. The annual base salaries of four of our five named executive officers in
2010 were unchanged from 2008 levels. In January 2011 base salaries for three of the named
executive officers, but excluding our chief executive officer, were increased. We also managed our
equity compensation program conservatively, with a burn rate (burn rate is the number of equity
awards granted as a percentage of our total outstanding shares) over the last three years that is
below the mean for our peer group.
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) describes the principles of our executive
compensation program, how we applied those principles in compensating our most senior officers for
fiscal year 2010, and how we use our compensation program to drive performance. This CD&A
extensively discusses how we set the challenging performance goals that apply to annual incentive
bonuses. We believe that our actions in fiscal 2010 and in prior years show that we have closely
linked pay to performance.
Cohus compensation program is intended to meet three principal objectives: (1) attract,
reward and retain officers and other key employees; (2) motivate these individuals to achieve
short-term and long-term corporate goals that enhance stockholder value; and (3) support Cohus
core values and culture by promoting internal equity and external competitiveness. To meet these
objectives, Cohu has adopted the following overriding policies:
|
|
|
Pay compensation that is competitive with the practices of other leading high
technology companies; and |
|
|
|
|
Pay for performance by: |
|
|
|
setting challenging performance goals for our officers, and providing a
short-term incentive through an incentive compensation plan that is based upon
achievement of these goals; and |
|
|
|
|
providing long-term, significant incentives in the form of restricted stock
units (RSUs) and/or stock options in order to retain those individuals with the
leadership abilities necessary for increasing long-term stockholder value while,
aligning the interests of our officers with those of our stockholders. |
The above policies guide the Compensation Committee (the Committee) in assessing the proper
allocation between long-term compensation, current cash compensation and short-term incentive
compensation. Other considerations include Cohus business objectives, its fiduciary and corporate
responsibilities (including internal equity considerations and affordability), competitive
practices and trends and regulatory requirements.
In determining the particular elements of compensation that will be used to implement Cohus
overall compensation policies, the Committee takes into consideration a number of factors related
to Cohus performance, such as Cohus earnings per share, profitability, revenue growth and
business-unit-specific operational and financial performance, strategic initiatives as well as
competitive practices among our peer group.
Cohus executive compensation program is overseen and administered by the Committee, which is
comprised entirely of independent directors, as determined in accordance with applicable NASDAQ,
SEC and Internal Revenue Code (the Code) rules.
Throughout this CD&A, the individuals who served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer during fiscal 2010, as well as the other individuals who are included in the
2010 Summary Compensation Table below are referred to as the named executive officers.
29
Role of Compensation Consultant in Advising the Committee
The Committee has the authority to engage its own independent advisors to assist in carrying
out its responsibilities and has done so. Compensia, an independent compensation consulting firm,
has advised the Committee on various aspects of executive and director compensation, including base
salaries and annual and long-term incentives. The role of Compensia for fiscal 2010 was limited to
discussions with the Committee regarding base salaries for certain positions. Total fees and
expenses paid to Compensia in 2010 were $3,477.
Compensia reports to the Committee rather than to management, although they met with
management for purposes of gathering information on proposals that management made to the
Committee. The Committee is free to replace Compensia or hire additional consultants at any time.
Compensia does not provide any other services to Cohu and receives compensation only with respect
to the services provided to the Committee.
Role of Management in Setting Compensation
The Committee, on occasion, meets with Cohus President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Donahue, and/or other of Cohus executives to obtain feedback and recommendations with respect to
Company compensation programs, practices and packages for executives, other employees and
directors. Management makes recommendations to the Committee on the base salary, cash incentive
targets and equity compensation for the executive team and other employees. The Committee
considers, but is not bound by and does not always accept, managements recommendations with
respect to executive compensation. The Committee has changed several of managements compensation
proposals in recent years and periodically seeks input from its independent compensation consultant
prior to making any final determinations.
Mr. Donahue attends some of the Committees meetings, but the Committee also holds regular
executive sessions not attended by any members of management or non-independent directors. The
Committee discusses Mr. Donahues compensation package with him, but makes decisions with respect
to Mr. Donahues compensation without him present. The Committee has the ultimate authority to make
decisions with respect to the compensation of our named executive officers, but may, if it chooses,
delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees. The Committee has authorized Mr. Donahue to
make salary adjustments and short-term cash incentive (bonus) decisions for all employees other
than the named executive officers. The Committee has not delegated any of its authority with
respect to the compensation of named executive officers.
Elements of Compensation
There are six major elements that comprise Cohus compensation program: (i) base salary; (ii)
annual incentive opportunities, including bonuses; (iii) long-term incentives, such as equity
awards; (iv) deferred compensation benefits; (v) retirement benefits provided under a 401(k) plan;
and (vi) executive perquisites and other benefit programs generally available to all employees.
Cohu has selected these elements because each is considered useful and/or necessary to meet one or
more of the principal objectives of our compensation policy. For instance, base salary and bonus
target percentages are set with the goal of attracting employees and adequately compensating and
rewarding them on a day-to-day basis for the time spent and the services they perform, while our
equity programs are geared toward providing an incentive and reward for the achievement of
long-term business objectives and retaining key talent. Cohu believes that these elements of
compensation, when combined, are effective, and will continue to be effective, in achieving the
objectives of our compensation program.
The Committee reviews the compensation program on an annual basis, including each of the above
elements, other than deferred compensation and retirement benefits, which are reviewed from time to
time to ensure that benefit levels remain competitive but are not included in the annual
determination of an executives compensation package. In setting compensation levels for a
particular executive, the Committee takes into consideration the compensation package as a whole,
and each element individually, and the executives past and expected future contributions to our
business. With the exception of Mr. Donahue and Mr. Jones, Cohus Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer, Cohu does not have an employment or severance agreement with its executive
officers. Messrs. Donahues and Jones agreements are discussed below under the section entitled
Potential Payments Upon Termination Or Change In Control.
30
Base Salary and Annual Incentive Opportunities
Cohu makes base salaries and incentive bonuses a significant portion of the executive
compensation package in order to remain competitive in attracting and retaining executive talent.
Consistent with companies in our industry, during the first quarter of fiscal 2009, base salaries
were reduced as part of Cohus actions to reduce costs and conserve cash in light of the growing
global recession and deteriorating business conditions. These reduced salary levels were
maintained throughout fiscal 2009 and restored to 2008 levels in January 2010. Annual incentive
bonus objectives are structured in order to motivate the achievement of our business goals. The
Committee determines each officers target total annual cash compensation (salary and bonuses)
after reviewing comparable compensation information from a group of similarly sized technology
companies. This peer group is selected based on recommendations from our independent
compensation consultant with input from management and the Committee and includes a broad range of
companies in the high technology industry with whom Cohu may compete for executive talent. In prior
years, the Committee considered high technology competitors for executive talent and companies of
similar size and scope as Cohu, as measured by market capitalization, revenue and net income to be
an appropriate peer group. The peer group used in the last comparable compensation analysis that
was prepared in November 2009 by Compensia consisted of the following companies:
Advanced Energy Industries
ATMI
Axcelis Technologies
Brooks Automation
Cabot Microelectronics
Cymer
Electro Scientific Industries
FormFactor
Kulicke & Soffa
LTX Credence
Mattson Technology
MKS Instruments
Photronics
Rudolph Technologies
Semitool
Ultra Clean Holdings
Ultratech
Veeco Instruments
Verigy
For fiscal 2011, the Committee currently intends to re-establish the peer group
comparison process using, subject to modification, a similar group of companies as listed above.
Data on the compensation practices of the above-mentioned peer group is generally gathered
through searches of publicly available information, including publicly available databases. In
prior years, Cohu relied upon compensation surveys and information provided in various public
filings to benchmark target cash compensation levels against the above peer group. Peer group data
is gathered with respect to base salary, bonus targets and all equity awards (including stock
options, restricted stock and RSUs and long-term, cash-based awards). It does not include deferred
compensation benefits or generally available benefits, such as 401(k) plans or health care
coverage.
Cohus goal is to target base pay and total cash compensation near the median level (that is,
50th to 60th percentile) among its peer group. However, in determining base
salary, the Committee also considers other factors such as job performance, skill set, prior
experience, the executives time in his position and/or with Cohu, internal consistency regarding
pay levels for similar positions or skill levels within the Company, external pressures to attract
and retain talent, and market conditions generally. Base pay and target cash compensation are
analyzed by management to determine variances to our compensation targets using the combination of
publicly available information and survey data as described above. Mr. Donahue uses the market data
in making his recommendations to the Committee for the named executive officers.
The base salary reductions described above that were implemented in January 2009 were intended
as temporary measures and by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, orders for Cohus semiconductor
equipment products had increased 81% over the second quarter. Order improvement for Cohus products
coupled with industry growth forecasts for 2010 led the Committee, after consultation with Mr.
Donahue, to determine on December 29, 2009 that the temporary salary reductions for the
semiconductor equipment operations and the named executive officers should be lifted for fiscal
2010 and the base salaries returned to their fiscal 2008 levels. In March 2010 the Committee, based
on the recommendation of
Mr. Donahue and a review of market salary data, approved an increase in Mr. Hopkins, Vice
President Sales and Service, annual base salary from $180,000 to $200,000 and in January 2011
increased the annual base salaries of Messrs. Jones, Hopkins and McFarlane as noted below.
31
Effective January 31, 2011, the annual base salaries of the named executive officers are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
2011 |
Named Executive Officer |
|
Salary |
|
Salary |
James A. Donahue |
|
$ |
505,000 |
|
|
$ |
505,000 |
|
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
Roger J. Hopkins |
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
208,000 |
|
James G. McFarlane |
|
$ |
218,000 |
|
|
$ |
230,000 |
|
James P. Walsh |
|
$ |
215,000 |
|
|
$ |
215,000 |
|
Payment of bonus amounts, and therefore total cash compensation, depends on the
achievement of specified performance goals. Typically, achievement of the targeted goals would
result in total cash compensation at approximately the targeted 50th to 60th
percentile of Cohus peer group, which the Committee believes is an appropriate range to enable
Cohu to attract and retain key personnel and to motivate our executives to meet Cohus business
goals. As a result, the bonuses are targeted at a level that if achieved, and when combined with
base salary, would typically result in total cash compensation to the executive in the
50th to 60th percentile of Cohus peer companies. For fiscal 2010, Mr.
Donahue made recommendations to the Committee with respect to target bonus amounts, expressed as a
percentage of base salary, for each of the named executive officers. The recommended bonus amounts
were approved by the Committee as proposed.
Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
Cohu maintains an annual incentive bonus program for senior executives to encourage and award
achievement of Cohus business goals and to assist Cohu in attracting and retaining executives by
offering an opportunity to earn a competitive level of compensation. Based on these and the
objectives described above, the Committee developed and approved specific performance targets for
use during fiscal 2010 under our stockholder-approved 2005 Plan, in which certain of our named
executive officers listed in the 2010 Summary Compensation Table participated during fiscal 2010.
The 2005 Plan covers both cash and equity related compensation paid to officers and directors.
Incentive bonuses are paid under the 2005 Plan only if the performance goals established by
the Committee for the fiscal year are achieved. The Committee establishes a bonus formula that is
applied to the achieved performance. The bonus formula is based on the anticipated difficulty and
relative importance of achieving the performance goals. Accordingly, the bonuses paid, if any, for
any given fiscal year will vary depending on actual performance. To help achieve Cohus goal of
retaining key talent, an executive must remain an employee for the entire fiscal 2010 year in order
to be eligible for any bonus under the 2005 Plan that relates to fiscal 2010. To the extent
necessary to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee does not have discretion to
increase bonuses under the 2005 Plan, but retains the discretion to decrease bonuses paid even if
the performance goals are achieved.
Historically, bonuses have been payable in cash unless the executive has elected to defer all
or part of the bonus into the Cohu, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan.
The Committee can choose a range of performance measures as specified in the 2005 Plan.
Bonuses paid under the 2005 Plan are designed to reward progress toward and achievement of the
performance goals. For fiscal 2010, the Committee determined that it would be appropriate to choose
different performance measures for different executives. For fiscal 2010, the Committee chose three
primary measures each weighted at one-third (1/3): (1) sales; (2) non-GAAP pretax income; and (3)
certain other management objectives, which included, among other things, customer orders, business
development, operating and financial performance and new products. For Mr. Donahue and Mr. Jones,
the sales and non-GAAP pretax income target was based on Cohus consolidated results, and for the
other named executive officers the sales and non-GAAP pretax income target was for Cohus primary
business, Delta Design, with the exception of Mr. Hopkins whose sales and non-GAAP pretax income
target was Cohus semiconductor equipment group, which is comprised of both Delta Design and Rasco
GmbH.
32
In addition, to further motivate executives to help Cohu achieve its goals in light of
anticipated business conditions, the Committee determined that for the 2/3 portion of the bonus
related to sales and non-GAAP pretax income, no amount would be paid under the 2005 Plan for fiscal
2010 unless such sales and non-GAAP pretax income were at least 85% and 70% of fiscal 2010 plan
targeted sales and non-GAAP pretax income, respectively. To ensure that the bonuses serve the
objective of increasing stockholder value and because the Committee wanted to pay maximum bonuses
only upon achievement of aggressive targets, the Committee determined that the maximum bonus for
any officer would be payable only if actual performance significantly exceeded our targeted
operating results. The Committee intentionally set a high bar, which required very strong
performance to earn a maximum bonus under the 2005 Plan. Accordingly, to further reward executives
for achievement of Cohus overall goals, if the actual 2010 results exceeded the targeted sales and
pretax income amounts, the portion of the bonus related to these factors would increase up to a
maximum factor of 50%. The following table reflects the fiscal 2010 target bonus amount and the
range of the potential bonus, as a percentage of base salary, for which each named executive
officer was eligible under the executive incentive bonus plan for fiscal 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Range of |
|
|
Target |
|
Potential Fiscal |
Named Executive Officer |
|
2010 Bonus |
|
2010 Bonus |
James A. Donahue |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
Zero to 133% |
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
|
60 |
% |
|
Zero to 80% |
Roger J. Hopkins |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
Zero to 67% |
James G. McFarlane |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
Zero to 67% |
James P. Walsh |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
Zero to 67% |
Annual base salaries were used to compute the fiscal 2010 incentive bonus. The 2005 Plan
provides that no performance bonus may exceed $1 million in any fiscal year. As noted above, we
target total compensation to the 50th to 60th percentile of our peer group
companies. As a result, the target bonuses are generally determined such that the combination of
the bonus and base salary meet this targeted percentile.
The following table describes the applicable performance measures (including relative
weightings) under the executive incentive bonus plan for fiscal 2010.
Fiscal 2010 Incentive Bonus Plan Performance Measures
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2010 Performance Measures |
Named Executive Officer |
|
(and Relative Weightings) |
James A. Donahue
|
|
(1) Achieve Cohu sales and non-GAAP pretax income objective (weighted at 2/3); |
|
|
|
|
|
(2) Achieve objectives relating to (a) Cohu, Inc.
strategic plan, and (b) support achievement of
objectives by management team (weighted at 1/3). |
|
|
|
Jeffrey D. Jones
|
|
(1) Achieve Cohu sales and non-GAAP pretax income objective (weighted at 2/3); |
|
|
|
|
|
(2) Achieve objectives relating to (a) Cohu, Inc.
strategic plan, and (b) other financial and
operational objectives for Cohu (weighted at
1/3). |
|
|
|
Roger J. Hopkins
|
|
(1) Achieve Delta Design and Rasco sales and non-GAAP pretax income objective
(weighted at 2/3); |
|
|
|
|
|
(2) Achieve individual objectives relating to (a)
orders, (b) market share, and (c) other
operational objectives for Delta Design and
Rasco (weighted at 1/3). |
|
|
|
James G. McFarlane
|
|
(1) Achieve Delta Design sales and non-GAAP pretax income objective (weighted
at 2/3); |
|
|
|
|
|
(2) Achieve individual objectives relating to (a)
product gross margins (b) cost reductions, (c)
manufacturing capacity utilization, and (d)
other operational objectives for Delta Design
(weighted at 1/3). |
33
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2010 Performance Measures |
Named Executive Officer |
|
(and Relative Weightings) |
|
|
|
James P. Walsh
|
|
(1) Achieve Delta Design sales and non-GAAP pretax income objective (weighted at 2/3); |
|
|
|
|
|
(2) Achieve individual objectives relating to (a)
manufacturing transition to Asia, (b) product
gross margin, (c) product on-time delivery, and
(d) inventory reductions (weighted at 1/3) |
The performance measures and their respective weightings for fiscal 2010 were chosen to
reflect the named executive officers roles and responsibilities at Cohu. The Committee determined
that goals for Cohus sales and pretax income were appropriate for both Mr. Donahue and Mr. Jones
because these measures and the other performance measures applicable to them reflect the
company-wide scope of the positions held by them. The performance measures that applied to Messrs.
McFarlane and Walsh included strategic and financial objectives for the Delta Design business unit,
and the performance measures that applied to Mr. Hopkins included strategic and financial
objectives for Cohus semiconductor equipment group which consists of Delta Design and Rasco. The
Committee determined that business unit-specific measures were more appropriate for these officers
as they provided closer correlation between the executives performance and his reward as opposed
to performance measures based on company-wide performance.
Likelihood of Achieving Targets. Cohu did not undertake a detailed statistical analysis of
how difficult it would be for Cohu, Delta Design, Rasco and the named executive officers to achieve
the relevant target levels of performance for each performance measure. However, both the Committee
and management considered the likelihood of the achievement of target levels of performance when
recommending and approving the performance measures and target bonuses. At the time the performance
measures were set, the Committee believed that the goals would be challenging and difficult, but
achievable with significant effort and skill. For fiscal 2010, it was expected that the target
levels of performance would be particularly difficult to achieve because it would require delivery
of growth in challenging market conditions, adroitly executing Cohus strategy, the development and
acceptance by customers of new products, and successful entry into certain new markets in a highly
competitive and volatile environment.
Following the end of fiscal 2010, the Committee compared Cohus actual performance to the
targeted performance for the year as specified by the Committee in early fiscal 2010, and applied
the fiscal 2010 bonus formula under the 2005 Plan to this actual performance. In fiscal 2010, Cohu
and Rasco met specified performance targets for sales and non-GAAP pretax income while Delta Design
was slightly below its targets. Certain of the management objectives specified by the Committee
were met during fiscal 2010. Additionally, based on individual contributions during fiscal 2010 not
reflected in the management objectives, the Committee approved a discretionary bonus in addition to
amounts earned under the bonus formula described above of $30,000 for Mr. McFarlane. Bonuses paid
to our named executive officers under the 2005 Plan for fiscal 2010 were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Target |
|
Bonus |
|
Percentage of |
|
Percentage Below |
Named Executive Officer |
|
Bonus |
|
Earned |
|
Fiscal 2010 Salary |
|
Target Bonus |
Mr. Donahue |
|
$ |
505,000 |
|
|
$ |
498,680 |
|
|
|
99 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
Mr. Jones |
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
133,310 |
|
|
|
59 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
Mr. Hopkins |
|
$ |
90,000 |
|
|
$ |
91,155 |
|
|
|
46 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Mr. McFarlane |
|
$ |
109,000 |
|
|
$ |
75,389 |
|
|
|
35 |
% |
|
|
31 |
% |
Mr. Walsh |
|
$ |
107,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
Changes to Bonus Structure for Fiscal 2011. In March 2011, the Committee set the
bonus formula and performance goals that will be used to determine bonuses, if any, under the 2005
Plan for fiscal 2011, which differ from the fiscal 2010 formula. Whether any bonuses will be paid
depends on actual performance during fiscal 2011 versus the predetermined goals. The target bonus
for fiscal 2011, if all goals are met, was determined by the Committee for each individual. Mr.
Donahues target bonus is 100% of base salary; Mr. Jones target bonus is 60% of base salary; all
other named executive officer target bonuses are 50% of base salary.
34
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Cohu provides long-term incentive compensation through awards of stock options and RSUs that
generally vest over multiple years. Cohus equity compensation program is intended to align the
interests of our officers with those of our stockholders by creating an incentive for our officers
to maximize stockholder value over both the short and long run. The equity compensation program is
also designed to encourage our officers to remain employed with Cohu despite a very competitive
labor market. Cohu targets the value of its equity awards to be in the 50th percentile
of the peer group mentioned above, based on the information gathered from publicly available
sources.
Equity-based incentives are granted to our officers under Cohus stockholder-approved 2005
Plan. All stock option grants have a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of
Cohus Common Stock on the grant date. The Committee has not granted, nor does it intend in the
future to grant, equity compensation awards to executives in anticipation of the release of
material nonpublic information that is likely to result in changes to the price of Cohu Common
Stock, such as a significant positive or negative earnings announcement. Similarly, the Committee
has not timed, nor does it intend in the future to time, the release of material nonpublic
information based on equity award grant dates. Also, because equity compensation awards typically
vest over a four-year period, the value to recipients of any immediate increase in the price of
Cohus Common Stock following a grant will be minimized.
Our Committee regularly monitors the environment in which Cohu operates and makes changes to
our equity compensation program to help us meet our goals, including achieving long-term
stockholder value. In order to continue to attract and retain highly skilled employees, the
Committee, based in part on recommendations from Compensia, approved changes to Cohus equity
compensation program for fiscal 2006 and subsequent years that were designed to incentivize Cohus
employees for their hard work and commitment to the long-term success and growth of Cohu. Beginning
in fiscal 2006, both stock options and RSUs were granted. Cohu granted stock options because they
can be an effective tool for meeting Cohus compensation goal of increasing long-term stockholder
value by tying the value of the stock options to Cohus performance in the future. Employees are
able to profit from stock options only if the price of Cohus Common Stock increases in value over
the stock options exercise price. Cohu believes that options can provide effective incentives to
option holders to achieve increases in the value of Cohus Common Stock. In 2006, Cohu began
granting RSUs because they provide a more predictable value to employees than stock options, and
therefore are efficient tools in retaining and motivating employees, while also serving as an
incentive to increase the value of Cohus Common Stock. RSUs may also be efficient with respect to
the use of our equity plans share reserve because fewer RSU shares are needed to provide a
retention and incentive value similar to stock options. In granting options and RSUs, the Committee
generally uses a ratio of one RSU (resulting in the potential issuance of one share of Cohu Common
Stock) to stock options to purchase three shares of Cohu Common Stock. For purposes of determining
the total number of options and RSUs to be granted, the Committee considers the level of accounting
expense charged against Cohu earnings compared to other companies in Cohus peer group. The 2005
Plan provides the Committee with the discretion to determine whether grants in a particular year
will be options, RSUs or a combination thereof.
The number of options and RSUs our Committee grants to each named executive officer, and the
vesting schedule for each grant, is determined based on a variety of factors, including market data
collected regarding the equity grant ranges for the peer companies listed above and Cohus goal to
award grants in line with the 50th percentile of this group, as well as the officers
overall responsibilities.
On October 26, 2010, to maintain Cohus outstanding equity awards for the named executive
officers at the 50th percentile for their peer group, based on the recommendation of Mr.
Donahue, the Committee approved the granting of stock options and RSUs to our named executive
officers as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number |
|
Shares of |
|
|
of |
|
Restricted |
|
|
Options |
|
Stock Units |
Named Executive Officer |
|
Granted |
|
Granted |
Mr. Donahue |
|
|
94,750 |
|
|
|
32,417 |
|
Mr. Jones |
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
Mr. Hopkins |
|
|
13,750 |
|
|
|
5,417 |
|
Mr. McFarlane |
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
Mr. Walsh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The options to purchase shares of Cohu common stock have an exercise price of $13.77, the fair
market value of Cohu common stock on the date of grant. Consistent with other employee equity
awards, these stock options and RSUs vest at the rate of 25% per year.
35
The Committee periodically assesses the appropriateness of stock ownership guidelines for
executive officers, including whether and to what extent executives should be restricted from
selling stock acquired through equity compensation. Currently, Cohus stock ownership guidelines
provide that, over a reasonable period of time, (i) the chief executive officer should accumulate a
minimum of 40,000 shares of Cohu stock and (ii) all other executive officers 10,000 shares of Cohu
stock. The Committee determines the reasonable amount of time and monitors compliance with these
stock ownership guidelines.
Deferred Compensation Plan
Cohu maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, the Cohu, Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan (the Deferred Compensation Plan). Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, Cohus
executive officers or other employees designated by the Committee may elect to voluntarily defer up
to 25% of their base salary and/or up to 100% of their incentive bonus, thereby allowing the
participating employee to defer taxation on such amounts.
Cohu may match participant contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan on up to 4% of the
participants annual salary in excess of the specified annual compensation limit allowed under the
Code for contributions under our 401(k) plan. The annual limit, which is indexed, was $245,000 for
both 2010 and 2009. The Cohu matching contributions and any deemed investment earnings
attributable to these contributions will be 100% vested when the participant has two years of
service with Cohu. Prior to that time, such amounts are unvested. Participant contributions and
deemed investment earnings are 100% vested at all times. Due to the continuing global recession
and resulting deterioration of business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry, Cohu
did not match any participant contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan made for fiscal 2010.
For additional information on the Deferred Compensation Plan see 2010 Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation included below.
Retirement Benefits Under the 401(k) Plan, Executive Perquisites and Generally Available Benefits
The Cohu Employees Retirement Plan, a tax qualified 401(k) plan (the 401(k) Plan), was
implemented on January 1, 1978. The majority of Cohus employees, including the named executive
officers, who are at least 21 years of age, are eligible to enroll in the 401(k) Plan. The
participant may contribute a percentage of his or her annual compensation subject to maximum annual
contribution limitations. Cohu may match participant contributions on up to 4% of annual employee
compensation not to exceed specified annual limits. The amounts contributed by Cohu are vested 10%
after one year of participation, another 20% after two years, another 20% after three years and an
additional 50% after 4 years. In January 2009, Cohu suspended the employer matching contribution
under the 401(k) Plan for all employees due to the continuing global recession and resulting
deterioration of business conditions in the semiconductor equipment industry. The employer
matching contribution continued to be suspended and, as a result, no matching contributions were
made in 2010. Generally, the maximum annual amount that any participant could contribute to the
401(k) Plan in 2010 was $16,500 and the maximum employer matching contribution based on the 2010
Code compensation limitation of $245,000 was $9,800.
In fiscal 2010, the named executive officers were eligible to receive health care insurance
coverage and additional benefits that are generally available to other Cohu employees. These
benefit programs include the employee stock purchase plan, medical, dental and vision insurance,
long-term and short-term disability insurance, life and accidental death and dismemberment
insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, business travel insurance,
relocation/expatriate programs and services, educational assistance, employee assistance and
certain other benefits.
Commencing in 1989, Cohu began paying certain health care related costs of Cohus executive
officers and certain retired Board members, including insurance premiums and non-insurance covered
costs, such as prescription copays and other health care costs. In fiscal 2010, Cohu paid for Mr.
Donahue (i) the entire cost of his health care premiums and (ii) his out-of-pocket medical costs,
such as prescription copays and other non-insurance covered health care costs. These medical
benefits continue after retirement if certain length of service and age requirements are satisfied
at the time of retirement. In fiscal 2010, Cohu also provided Messrs. Donahue, Jones, Hopkins and
McFarlane with automobile expense allowances.
36
The 401(k) Plan and other generally available benefit programs allow Cohu to remain
competitive for employee talent and Cohu believes that the availability of the benefit programs
generally enhances employee productivity and loyalty to Cohu. The main objectives of Cohus
benefits programs are to give our employees access to quality healthcare, financial protection from
unforeseen events, assistance in achieving retirement financial goals, enhanced health and
productivity and to provide support for global workforce mobility, in full compliance with
applicable legal requirements. These generally available benefits typically do not specifically
factor into decisions regarding an individual executives total compensation or equity award
package.
On an informal, annual basis, Cohu benchmarks its overall benefits programs against its peers.
We also evaluate the competitiveness of our 401(k) Plan as related to similar plans of our peer
group members by analyzing the dollar value to an employee and the dollar cost to Cohu for the
benefits under the applicable plan using a standard population of employees. We analyze changes to
our benefits programs in light of the overall objectives of the program, including the
effectiveness of the retention and incentive features of such programs and our targeted percentile
range.
In 2010, Cohu provided certain benefits to Mr. McFarlane related to an extended overseas
assignment. This assignment was made at the request of Cohu. These benefits, that are generally
customary benefits provided to other employees on such assignments, included (i) housing,
transportation, moving and other living expense allowances; and (ii) assistance in preparation of
tax returns and tax equalization such that Mr. McFarlane will not pay any more (or less) income tax
had he not accepted the assignment.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
During fiscal 2010, Mr. Donahue received a salary of $505,003. In setting Mr. Donahues
salary and target bonus award, the Committee relies on market-competitive pay data and the strong
belief that the Chief Executive Officer significantly and directly influences Cohus overall
performance. The Committee also considers the overall compensation policies discussed above. As
explained under Executive Incentive Bonus Plan above, applying the bonus formula put into place
at the beginning of fiscal 2010 to Cohus actual performance for the year resulted in a bonus to
Mr. Donahue of $498,680.
Mr. Donahues compensation is higher than the compensation of other named executive officers
due to the nature and broad scope of a chief executive officers leadership responsibilities, the
unique accountability a chief executive officer carries with respect to the companys performance,
and the particularly competitive market for attracting and retaining highly talented chief
executive officers.
Accounting and Tax Considerations
In designing its compensation programs, Cohu takes into consideration the accounting and tax
effect that each element will or may have on Cohu and the executive officers and other employees as
a group. Cohu aims to keep the expense related to its compensation programs as a whole within
certain levels. When determining how to apportion between differing elements of compensation, the
goal is to meet Cohus objectives while maintaining cost neutrality. For instance, if Cohu
increases benefits under one program resulting in higher compensation expense, Cohu may seek to
decrease costs under another program in order to avoid compensation expense that is above the
desired level. As a further example, in determining whether to grant RSUs instead of stock options,
Cohu considers the accounting impact and has tried to keep the overall equity compensation cost
generally the same as when Cohu granted only stock options. Cohu recognizes a charge to earnings
for accounting purposes when either stock options or RSUs are granted. Since RSUs provide immediate
value to employees once vested, while the value of stock options is dependent on future increases
in the value of Cohu Common Stock, Cohu may be able to realize the same retention value from a
smaller number of RSUs, as compared to stock options. Cohu also considers that the 401(k) Plan and
the Deferred Compensation Plan provide tax-advantaged retirement planning vehicles for our
executives and takes into account that Cohu generally may not take a deduction with respect to
amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan until such amounts are paid out.
In addition, Cohu has not provided any executive officer or director with a gross-up or other
reimbursement for tax amounts the executive might pay pursuant to Section 280G or Section 409A of
the Code. Section 280G and related Code sections provide that executive officers, directors who
hold significant stockholder interests and certain other service providers could be subject to
significant additional taxes if they receive payments or benefits in connection with a change in
control of Cohu that exceeds certain limits, and that Cohu or its successor could lose a deduction
on the amounts subject to the additional tax.
37
In determining which elements of compensation are to be paid, and how they are weighted, Cohu
also takes into account whether a particular form of compensation will be considered
performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Under Section 162(m),
Cohu generally receives a federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to any of its named
executive officers only if the compensation is less than $1 million during any fiscal year or is
performance-based under Section 162(m). The 2005 Plan permits our Committee to pay compensation
that is performance-based and thus fully tax-deductible by Cohu. Our Committee currently intends
to continue seeking a tax deduction for all of Cohus executive compensation, to the extent we
determine it is in the best interests of Cohu. The stock options we grant to executives are
intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). However, RSUs that
vest based on continued employment including the RSUs granted by Cohu do not qualify as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
Compensation Committee Report
The Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis for fiscal 2010. Based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the
Board, and the Board has approved, that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in
Cohus Proxy Statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This report is submitted by the Committee.
|
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|
Harry L. Casari (Chairman)
|
|
Steven J. Bilodeau
|
|
Robert L. Ciardella
|
|
Harold Harrigian |
38
2010 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table shows compensation information for fiscal 2010 for the named executive
officers.
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Change in |
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Pension |
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Value and |
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Non-Equity |
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Nonqualified |
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Incentive |
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Deferred |
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Stock |
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Option |
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Plan |
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Compensation |
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All Other |
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|
|
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Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Awards |
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Awards |
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Compensation |
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|
Earnings |
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Compensation |
|
|
Total |
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($)(1) |
|
|
($)(2) |
|
|
($)(3) |
|
|
($)(4) |
|
|
($)(5) |
|
|
($)(6) (7) |
|
|
($) |
|
James A. Donahue |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
505,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
416,234 |
|
|
|
514,493 |
|
|
|
498,680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,222 |
|
|
|
1,975,632 |
|
President and |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
405,941 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
451,200 |
|
|
|
252,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,192 |
|
|
|
1,161,833 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
512,811 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
247,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,323 |
|
|
|
815,979 |
|
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
225,014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,350 |
|
|
|
128,963 |
|
|
|
133,310 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,272 |
|
|
|
605,909 |
|
Vice President, Finance and |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
202,942 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
117,500 |
|
|
|
72,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,275 |
|
|
|
399,217 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
231,074 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,235 |
|
|
|
300,522 |
|
Roger J. Hopkins (8) |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
197,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,554 |
|
|
|
74,663 |
|
|
|
91,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,083 |
|
|
|
439,656 |
|
Vice President, |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
162,377 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,500 |
|
|
|
51,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,974 |
|
|
|
295,851 |
|
Sales and Service |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
115,329 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
91,114 |
|
|
|
83,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,731 |
|
|
|
322,774 |
|
Delta Design/Rasco |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James G. McFarlane |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
218,504 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
101,654 |
|
|
|
115,388 |
|
|
|
75,389 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118,455 |
|
|
|
659,390 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
197,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,750 |
|
|
|
68,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,384 |
|
|
|
480,817 |
|
Delta Design |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
223,406 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121,256 |
|
|
|
411,085 |
|
James P. Walsh |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
215,010 |
|
|
|
3,101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
218,283 |
|
Vice President, Manufacturing |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
193,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,750 |
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
342,839 |
|
Delta Design |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
213,102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,147 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,163 |
|
|
|
275,412 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts included in this column represent discretionary cash bonuses not based on
predetermined performance criteria. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officers.
Instead, the amounts shown above are the grant date fair value for stock awards issued in the
form of RSUs granted in fiscal 2010 and 2008. The assumptions used to calculate the grant
date fair value of the stock awards are set forth in Note 5, Employee Benefit Plans,
included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of Cohus Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 25, 2010 filed with the SEC. The derived grant fair value for the stock award is
recognized, for financial statement purposes, over the number of days of service required for
the award to vest in full. |
|
(3) |
|
Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officers.
Instead, the amounts shown above are the grant date fair value for stock awards issued in the
form of option awards granted in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008. The assumptions used to
calculate the grant date fair value of the option awards are set forth in Note 5, Employee
Benefit Plans, included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of Cohus Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 25, 2010 filed with the SEC. The derived grant fair value for the stock
options is recognized, for financial statement purposes, over the number of days of service
required for the option to vest in full. |
|
(4) |
|
Amounts consist of performance-based incentive cash bonuses received by the named executive
officers earned for services rendered in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008. Such amounts were paid
under the 2005 Plan in February of the following fiscal year. |
|
(5) |
|
There are no nonqualified deferred compensation earnings reflected in this column as no named
executive officer received above-market or preferential earnings on such compensation during
2010, 2009 or 2008. For further information on 2010 activity in deferred compensation accounts
for named executive officers see 2010 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation included below. |
|
(6) |
|
The amounts shown in this column reflect the following for each named executive officer: |
|
(a) |
|
Cohus matching contributions in fiscal 2008 under the Cohu 401(k) Plan (which is more
fully described elsewhere herein under the heading Retirement Benefits Under the 401(k)
Plan, Executive Perquisites and Generally Available Benefits). There were no matching
contributions in fiscal 2010 or 2009. |
|
|
(b) |
|
The value attributable to life insurance benefits provided by Cohu (such amount is
taxable to the recipient). |
|
|
(c) |
|
Monthly automobile expense allowance paid by Cohu (such amount is taxable to the
recipient). |
|
|
(d) |
|
Payment of medical insurance premiums and non-covered medical expenses for Mr. Donahue. |
|
|
|
|
|
Except as noted above, the amount attributable to each such perquisite or benefit for each named
executive officer does not exceed the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of
perquisites and personal benefits received by such named executive officer. |
39
|
|
|
(7) |
|
In addition to the items noted in footnote (6) above, the amount in this column for Mr.
McFarlane includes certain relocation benefits, including an estimated tax gross-up, for a
foreign assignment. In fiscal 2010, these benefits included a living expense allowance of
$45,000, $33,266 for a home rental and $27,000 for estimated tax equalization. In fiscal
2009, these benefits included a living expense allowance of $45,000, $29,290 for a home rental
and $26,000 for tax equalization. In fiscal 2008 these benefits included a living expense
allowance of $45,000, $29,773 for a home rental and $26,171 for tax equalization. |
|
(8) |
|
Mr. Hopkins was hired by Delta Design on April 25, 2008. |
2010 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table shows all plan-based awards granted to the named executive officers during
fiscal 2010, which ended on December 25, 2010. The option and stock awards identified in the table
below are also reported in the Outstanding Equity Awards at December 25, 2010 table included
below.
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future |
|
|
Estimated Future |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Grant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payouts Under Non- |
|
|
Payouts Under |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
or Base |
|
|
Date Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Awards (1) |
|
|
Plan Awards (2) |
|
|
Shares of |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
of |
|
|
Stock and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thres- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maxi- |
|
|
Thres- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maxi- |
|
|
Stock or |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
hold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
mum |
|
|
hold |
|
|
Target |
|
|
mum |
|
|
Units |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Awards |
|
Name |
|
Date |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
(#)(3) |
|
|
(#)(4) |
|
|
($/sh)(5) |
|
|
($)(6) |
|
James
A. Donahue |
|
|
10/26/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,417 |
|
|
|
94,750 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
930,727 |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
505,000 |
|
|
|
672,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey
D. Jones |
|
|
10/26/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
241,313 |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
135,000 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roger
J. Hopkins |
|
|
10/26/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,417 |
|
|
|
13,750 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
144,217 |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
121,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
G. McFarlane |
|
|
10/26/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
217,042 |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
109,250 |
|
|
|
146,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
P. Walsh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
107,500 |
|
|
|
144,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts shown are estimated possible payouts for fiscal 2010 under the executive
incentive bonus plan. These amounts are based on the individuals fiscal 2010 base salary
amounts, and position. The maximum amount shown is 133% of the target amount for each of the
named executive officers. Actual bonuses received by the named executive officers for fiscal
2010 are reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the column entitled Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation. |
|
(2) |
|
The Company did not grant any equity awards where estimated future payouts are tied to
performance in fiscal 2010. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts reflect the number of RSUs awarded to each named executive officer under the 2005
Plan. |
|
(4) |
|
The amounts reflect the number of stock options awarded to each named executive officer under
the 2005 Plan. |
|
(5) |
|
The exercise price of all stock options granted to the named executive officers is 100% of
the fair market value of the shares on the grant date, which is the closing price of Cohu
common stock on the date of grant. |
|
(6) |
|
The amounts shown above are the grant date fair value for stock options issued in fiscal
2010. The assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of the awards are set forth
in Note 5, Employee Benefit Plans, included in Part IV, Item 15(a) of Cohus Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010, filed with the SEC. |
40
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 25, 2010
The following table shows all outstanding equity awards held by each named executive officer
at the end of fiscal 2010, which ended on December 25, 2010. The options with an expiration date
of October 26, 2020 are also reported in the 2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table included
elsewhere herein.
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCK AWARDS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Incentive |
|
Plan |
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|
Plan |
|
Awards: |
|
|
OPTION AWARDS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
Market |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
or Payout |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of |
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market |
|
Unearned |
|
Unearned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of |
|
Shares, |
|
Shares, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Shares or |
|
Units or |
|
Units or |
|
|
Number of |
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares |
|
Units of |
|
Other |
|
Other |
|
|
Securities |
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
or Units |
|
Stock |
|
Rights |
|
Rights |
|
|
Underlying |
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock |
|
That |
|
That |
|
That |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Options |
|
Unearned |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
That Have |
|
Have Not |
|
Have Not |
|
Have Not |
|
|
Options (#)(1) |
|
(#)(1) |
|
Options |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Not |
|
Vested |
|
Vested |
|
Vested |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
(#)(2) |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
|
Vested (#) |
|
($)(3) |
|
(#)(2) |
|
($)(2) |
James A. |
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.20 |
|
|
|
1/23/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donahue |
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.27 |
|
|
|
1/28/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.50 |
|
|
|
4/19/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.89 |
|
|
|
1/6/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.40 |
|
|
|
8/17/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,563 |
|
|
|
13,187 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.50 |
|
|
|
12/4/2017 |
|
|
|
4,604 |
|
|
|
73,572 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,000 |
|
|
|
144,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.32 |
|
|
|
3/20/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
10/26/2020 |
|
|
|
32,417 |
|
|
|
518,024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey D. |
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.40 |
|
|
|
8/17/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jones |
|
|
10,313 |
|
|
|
3,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.50 |
|
|
|
12/4/2017 |
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
21,637 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.32 |
|
|
|
3/20/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
10/26/2020 |
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
139,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roger J. |
|
|
6,876 |
|
|
|
6,874 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.75 |
|
|
|
5/5/2018 |
|
|
|
2,708 |
|
|
|
43,274 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hopkins |
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.32 |
|
|
|
3/20/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.15 |
|
|
|
4/21/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
10/26/2020 |
|
|
|
5,417 |
|
|
|
86,564 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James G. |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.68 |
|
|
|
10/2/2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
McFarlane |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.66 |
|
|
|
10/14/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.35 |
|
|
|
12/11/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.04 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.40 |
|
|
|
8/17/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,625 |
|
|
|
2,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.50 |
|
|
|
12/4/2017 |
|
|
|
1,166 |
|
|
|
18,633 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,250 |
|
|
|
33,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.32 |
|
|
|
3/20/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.77 |
|
|
|
10/26/2020 |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
|
|
126,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James P. |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.30 |
|
|
|
6/15/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walsh |
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.04 |
|
|
|
10/27/2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.40 |
|
|
|
8/17/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,625 |
|
|
|
2,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.50 |
|
|
|
12/4/2017 |
|
|
|
1,166 |
|
|
|
18,633 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.32 |
|
|
|
3/20/2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
All stock options listed above vest at a rate of 25% per year over the first four
years of the ten-year option term. |
|
(2) |
|
The Company has not granted any performance-based equity incentive awards. |
|
(3) |
|
Based on a closing price of Cohus Common Stock of $15.98 as reported on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market on December 23, 2010. All RSUs vest and shares are issued in four
equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant. |
41
2010 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table shows all stock options exercised and the value realized upon exercise and
all stock awards vested and the value realized upon vesting by the named executive officers during
fiscal 2010 which ended on December 25, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Value |
|
of Shares |
|
|
|
|
of Shares |
|
Realized |
|
Acquired |
|
Value |
|
|
Acquired on |
|
on Exercise |
|
on Vesting |
|
Realized on |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(2) |
|
Vesting ($)(3) |
James A. Donahue |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
111,600 |
|
|
|
10,041 |
|
|
|
135,312 |
|
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,291 |
|
|
|
31,817 |
|
Roger J. Hopkins |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
56,800 |
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
21,799 |
|
James G. McFarlane |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
36,297 |
|
|
|
2,521 |
|
|
|
34,007 |
|
James P. Walsh |
|
|
11,250 |
|
|
|
78,413 |
|
|
|
2,104 |
|
|
|
28,983 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Based on the difference between the market price of Cohus common stock on the date
of exercise and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares for which the option
was exercised. |
|
(2) |
|
Number of shares acquired on vesting is before reduction for shares withheld to cover
tax withholding. Cohu withheld the following number of shares for tax withholding: Mr.
Donahue, 3,684 shares; Mr. Jones, 841 shares; Mr. Hopkins, 497 shares; Mr. McFarlane, 926
shares; and Mr. Walsh, 842 shares. |
|
(3) |
|
The value realized equals the number of units that vested multiplied by the per-share
closing price of Cohus Common Stock on the vesting date. Amounts presented are gross
amounts before required tax withholding. |
2010 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The Deferred Compensation Plan, as summarized in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
above, permits eligible participants to defer compensation from salary and bonuses. The Deferred
Compensation Plan limits the amount of participant deferrals to 25% of salary and 100% of bonuses.
Cohu also makes matching contributions as summarized in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Participant and employer contributions, distributions and deemed investment earnings and
losses are accumulated in individual deferral investment accounts as established by the Deferred
Compensation Plan. The deemed investment gains or losses credited to a participants account are
based on investment elections made by the participant from prescribed mutual fund investment
options. The table below shows the current investment options selected by participants in the
Deferred Compensation plan and the annual rate of return for fiscal 2010, as reported by the
administrator of the Deferred Compensation Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Fund |
|
Rate of Return |
T. Rowe Price Large Cap Growth |
|
|
16.24 |
% |
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation |
|
|
8.92 |
% |
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income |
|
|
14.35 |
% |
Met/Artisan Mid Cap Value |
|
|
14.24 |
% |
Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth |
|
|
28.19 |
% |
T. Rowe Price Small Cap Growth |
|
|
33.96 |
% |
MFS Research International |
|
|
10.88 |
% |
General Account |
|
|
5.25 |
% |
Participants may elect to receive payment of their deferral account in ten or fifteen annual
installments upon retirement and in lump sum or five, ten or fifteen annual installments upon
disability, death, termination or change in control, as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan.
42
The following table shows certain information for fiscal 2010 for the named executive officers
under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
Registrant |
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Contributions |
|
Contributions |
|
Earnings |
|
Aggregate |
|
Balance |
|
|
In Last Fiscal |
|
in Last Fiscal |
|
in Last Fiscal |
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
at Last Fiscal |
Name |
|
Year ($)(1) |
|
Year ($)(1) |
|
Year ($)(2) |
|
Distributions ($) |
|
Year-End ($)(3) |
James A. Donahue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
249,097 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,684,984 |
|
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roger J. Hopkins |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James G. McFarlane |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James P. Walsh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Neither Cohu nor any participant made any contributions in fiscal 2010. |
|
(2) |
|
Aggregate earnings reflect the net gains and losses on mutual fund investment options as
provided for under the Cohu Deferred Compensation Plan. These amounts are not included in the
2010 Summary Compensation Table as such amounts are not deemed above-market or preferential
earnings. |
|
(3) |
|
The aggregate balance is included in accrued compensation and benefits in the Cohu December
25, 2010 Consolidated Balance Sheet included in the 2010 Cohu Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table summarizes information with respect to equity awards under Cohus equity
compensation plans at December 25, 2010 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
Number of securities |
|
Weighted average |
|
available for future |
|
|
to be issued upon |
|
exercise price of |
|
issuance under equity |
|
|
exercise of outstanding |
|
outstanding options, |
|
compensation plans |
|
|
options, warrants and |
|
warrants and rights |
|
(excluding securities |
Plan category |
|
rights(a)(1) |
|
(b)(2) |
|
reflected in column (a))(c) |
|
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders |
|
|
3,583 |
|
|
$ |
12.89 |
|
|
|
1,511 |
(3) |
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,583 |
|
|
$ |
12.89 |
|
|
|
1,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes options and RSUs outstanding under Cohus equity incentive plans, as no stock
warrants or other rights were outstanding as of December 25, 2010. |
|
(2) |
|
The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights does not take
RSUs into account as RSUs have a de minimus purchase price. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 257,594 shares of Cohu Common Stock reserved for future issuance under the Cohu 1997
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
None of the Compensation Committees members have, at any time, been an officer or employee of
Cohu. During fiscal 2010, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with Cohu
requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. None of Cohus executive officers serves, or
in fiscal 2010 has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any
entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving on Cohus Board or Compensation
Committee.
43
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Cohu has entered into Change in Control Agreements with Mr. Donahue and Mr. Jones pursuant to
which those executives would be entitled to a payment in the event of a termination of employment
for specified reasons following a change in control of Cohu. For this purpose, a change in control
of Cohu means the occurrence of any of the following, in one or a series of related transactions:
(i) Any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (Person) acquires ownership of
the Companys securities that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Companys then outstanding stock.
(ii) A change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority
of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by members of the Board
whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to
the date of the appointment or election; or
(iii) The closing of any transaction involving a change in ownership of a substantial portion
of the Companys assets which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during
any twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or
Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company
immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Change in Control shall not include a consolidation,
merger, or other reorganization if upon consummation of such transaction all of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by a holding company, and the holders
of the Companys common stock immediately prior to the transaction have substantially the same
proportionate ownership and voting control of such holding company after such transaction.
A transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a
change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and the final regulations
and any guidance promulgated thereunder (Section 409A).
Termination of employment for purposes of these agreements means a discharge of the executive
within twenty-four (24) months of the change in control event, other than for specified causes
including death, disability, wrongful acts, habitual intoxication, habitual neglect of duties or
normal retirement. Termination also includes resignation following the occurrence of an adverse
change in the executives position, duties, compensation or work conditions. The amount of the
payment, excluding any payment for accrued and unused vacation pay that would be paid to any
employee upon termination, is an amount equal to twenty-four (24) months of the executives base
salary rate (as in effect immediately prior to (1) the Change in Control, or (2) executives
termination, whichever is greater), an amount equal to two times the executives target annual
incentive established for the year prior to the year of executives termination of employment, plus
an amount equal to a pro-rated portion of the executives annual incentive for the year of the
executives termination of employment. The executive would also be entitled to receive
reimbursement of payments made for the continuation of the executives health coverage pursuant to
COBRA, for a period of up to twenty-four (24) months. The payment of such severance benefits,
including the reimbursement of payments for COBRA continuation coverage, is limited to that amount
which would not result in an Excess Parachute Payment under Code Section 280G. The amounts
payable under their Change in Control Agreements may change from year to year based on the
executives compensation at the time of termination.
In addition, all outstanding and unvested awards relating to Cohu common stock as of the
executives date of termination of employment (Equity Awards) will vest and be exercisable and
remain subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Equity Award and the post-termination
exercise period for any outstanding stock options shall be extended so as to terminate on the first
to occur of twelve (12) months or the stock options original term expiration.
Additionally, the 2005 Plan provides that in the event of a change in control, as defined in
the 2005 Plan, should the acquiring corporation not assume or substitute for the outstanding equity
awards of Cohu, the exercisability and vesting of all such equity awards will be accelerated,
effective as of a date prior to the change in control.
Further, the Deferred Compensation Plan provides that payment of the participants account
balance shall commence within thirty (30) days of a change in control, as defined in the Deferred
Compensation Plan. The
payment of the deferred compensation account balance would be in accordance with the payment
method selected by the participant (i.e. lump sum, or five, ten or fifteen annual installments).
44
In the event of the occurrence of both a Change in Control and the subsequent termination of
employment (as applicable) as of December 25, 2010 following a change in control, the amounts
payable to certain executive officers would have been as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
Medical |
|
Stock |
|
Restricted |
|
|
Total |
|
Severance |
|
Bonus |
|
Benefits |
|
Options |
|
Stock Units |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(2) |
|
($)(3) |
|
($)(4) |
James A. Donahue |
|
|
4,606,363 |
|
|
|
1,010,000 |
|
|
|
672,000 |
|
|
|
870,000 |
|
|
|
1,462,767 |
|
|
|
591,596 |
|
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
|
1,347,637 |
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
|
|
288,000 |
|
|
|
39,288 |
|
|
|
378,887 |
|
|
|
161,462 |
|
Roger J. Hopkins |
|
|
348,851 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
219,013 |
|
|
|
129,838 |
|
James G. McFarlane |
|
|
485,764 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
340,618 |
|
|
|
145,146 |
|
James P. Walsh |
|
|
312,288 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
293,655 |
|
|
|
18,633 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Reflects the cash severance benefits payable in the event of a qualifying termination under
the Change in Control Agreements for Messrs. Donahue and Jones. These amounts are based on
the individuals fiscal 2010 base salary. |
|
(2) |
|
Upon termination as of December 25, 2010, Messrs. Donahue and Jones would have been entitled
to receive reimbursement for continued health care benefits pursuant to COBRA for a period of
twenty-four (24) months. In addition, Mr. Donahue would have been entitled to receive medical
benefits pursuant to the Cohu Retiree Medical Benefit Plan, with the net present value of such
benefits for life included in the table above. |
|
(3) |
|
The 2005 Plan provides that in the event of a change in control, as defined in the 2005 Plan,
should the acquiring corporation not assume or substitute for the outstanding equity awards of
Cohu, the exercisability and vesting of all such equity awards will be accelerated, effective
as of a date prior to the change in control. Amounts presented above for stock options
represent the difference between the exercise price of the award and $15.98, the closing price
of Cohus Common Stock on December 23, 2010 (intrinsic value) of unexercisable in-the-money
awards, prior to the payment of associated taxes, held by Messrs. Donahue, Jones, Hopkins,
McFarlane, and Walsh as of December 25, 2010. |
|
(4) |
|
The 2005 Plan provides that in the event of a change in control, as defined in the 2005 Plan,
should the acquiring corporation not assume or substitute for the outstanding equity awards of
Cohu, the exercisability and vesting of all such equity awards will be accelerated, effective
as of a date prior to the change in control. Amounts presented above for RSUs have been
calculated based on the total unvested RSUs and the closing price of Cohus Common Stock on
December 23, 2010 of $15.98, prior to the payment of associated taxes, held by Messrs.
Donahue, Jones, Hopkins, McFarlane, and Walsh as of December 25, 2010. |
Other than as described above, there are no other benefits or payments that would be paid
to the named executive officers upon resignation, severance, retirement, termination or a change in
control.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Board is committed to upholding the highest legal and ethical conduct in fulfilling its
responsibilities and recognizes that related party transactions can present a heightened risk of
potential or actual conflicts of interest. Accordingly, as a general matter, it is Cohus
preference to avoid related party transactions.
Cohus Audit Committee Charter requires that members of the Audit Committee, all of whom are
independent directors, review and approve all related party transactions for which such approval is
required under applicable law, including SEC and NASDAQ rules. Current SEC rules define a related
party transaction to include any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which Cohu is a
participant and in which any of the following persons has or will have a direct or indirect
interest:
|
|
|
an executive officer, director or director nominee of Cohu; |
|
|
|
|
any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Cohus Common Stock; |
|
|
|
|
any person who is an immediate family member (as defined under Item 404 of
Regulation S-K) of an executive officer, director or director nominee or beneficial owner
of more than 5% of Cohus Common Stock; |
|
|
|
|
any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is
employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person,
together with any other of the foregoing persons, has a 5% or greater beneficial
ownership interest. |
45
In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and investigating any matters
pertaining to the integrity of management, including conflicts of interest and adherence to Cohus
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Under this Code, directors, officers and all other employees
are expected to avoid any relationship, influence or activity that would cause or even appear to
cause a conflict of interest. Cohus Corporate Governance Guidelines require a director to promptly
disclose to the Board any potential or actual conflict of interest. Under these Guidelines, the
Board will determine an appropriate resolution on a case-by-case basis. All directors must recuse
themselves from any discussion or decision affecting their personal, business or professional
interests.
All related party transactions will be disclosed in Cohus applicable filings with the SEC as
required under SEC rules.
Cohu has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and certain
executive officers. These agreements require Cohu to indemnify such individuals, to the fullest
extent permitted by Delaware law, for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a
result of their affiliation with Cohu.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that Cohus executive officers, directors and
persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of Cohus equity securities, file an initial
report of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or 5 with the SEC. Such officers,
directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish Cohu with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written
representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for such persons, Cohu
believes that during the year ended December 25, 2010 its executive officers, directors and 10%
stockholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is unaware of any other business to be presented for consideration at
the Meeting. If, however, such other business should properly come before the Meeting, the proxies
will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders. The shares represented by
proxies received in time for the Meeting will be voted and if any choice has been specified the
vote will be in accordance with such specification.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS 2012 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders are entitled to present proposals for action, including nominations for
candidates for membership on Cohus Board of Directors, at a forthcoming stockholders meeting if
they comply with the requirements of the proxy rules and Cohus Bylaws. Any proposals intended to
be presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cohu must be received at Cohus offices
on or before December 7, 2011 in order to be considered for inclusion in Cohus proxy statement and
form of proxy relating to such meeting.
If a stockholder intends to submit a proposal at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Cohu, which proposal is not intended to be included in Cohus proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to such Meeting, the stockholder should provide Cohu with appropriate notice no later than
December 7, 2011. If Cohu fails to receive notice of the proposal by such date, any such proposal
will be considered untimely, Cohu will not be required to provide any information about the nature
of the proposal in its proxy statement, and the proposal will not be submitted to the stockholders
for approval at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Cohu.
46
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Copies of Cohus Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010, as filed
with the SEC are available to stockholders without charge upon written request addressed to
Investor Relations, Cohu, Inc., 12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, California 92064. The Annual
Report on Form 10-K is also available at www.cohu.com and www.sec.gov.
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey D. Jones |
|
|
Secretary |
|
|
Poway, California
April 5, 2011
47
EXHIBIT
A
COHU, INC.
2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN.
1.1 Establishment. The Cohu, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) was originally
established effective as of May 10, 2005, the date of its approval by the stockholders of the
Company (the Effective Date), and was subsequently amended and restated, subject to
stockholder approval, by the Board on March 17, 2006, April 18, 2006 and on March 20, 2009.
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Participating Company
Group and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons
performing services for the Participating Company Group and by motivating such persons to
contribute to the growth and profitability of the Participating Company Group. The Plan seeks to
achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock and
Other Stock-Based Awards. After the Effective Date, the Company shall terminate, and no longer
issue any awards from under, the Companys 1998 Stock Option Plan, 1996 Outside Directors Stock
Option Plan and 1996 Stock Option Plan.
1.3 Term of Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier of its termination by
the Board or the date on which all of the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan
have been issued and all restrictions on such shares under the terms of the Plan and the agreements
evidencing Awards granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all Incentive Stock Options shall be
granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the Effective Date.
2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective
meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate means (i) an entity, other than a Parent Corporation, that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediary entities, controls the Company or (ii) an entity, other
than a Subsidiary Corporation, that is controlled by the Company directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediary entities. For this purpose, the term control (including the term
controlled by) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of the relevant entity, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise; or shall have such other meaning assigned such term
for the purposes of registration on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
(b) Award means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit,
Restricted Stock Unit, Deferred Stock or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c) Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant setting
forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award granted to the Participant. An Award
Agreement may be an Option Agreement, a SAR Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, a
Performance Share Agreement, a Performance Unit Agreement, a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement,
a Deferred Stock Unit Agreement, or an Other Stock-Based Award Agreement.
(d) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one or more Committees have been
appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, Board also means such Committee(s).
(e) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(f) Committee means the Compensation Committee or other committee of the Board duly
appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless
the powers of the Committee have been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the
powers of the Board granted herein, including, without limitation, the power to amend or terminate
the Plan at any
time, subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law.
(g) Company means Cohu, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
(h) Consultant means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than
as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating Company, provided that the identity of such
person, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not
preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in
reliance on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.
(i) Covered Employee means an Employee who is, or could be, a covered employee within the
meaning of Section 162(m).
(j) Deferred Stock means a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a Participant
pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Plan to receive a share of Stock on a date determined in accordance
with the Plan and the Participants Award Agreement.
(k) Director means a member of the Board or of the board of directors of any other
Participating Company.
(l) Disability means the inability of the Participant, in the opinion of a qualified
physician acceptable to the Company, to perform the major duties of the Participants position with
the Participating Company Group because of the sickness or injury of the Participant.
(m) Dividend Equivalent means a credit, made at the discretion of the Board or as otherwise
provided by the Plan, to the account of a Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid
on one share of Stock for each share of Stock represented by an Award held by such Participant.
(n) Employee means any person treated as an employee (including an Officer or a Director who
is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any
Incentive Stock Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of
the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a directors fee
shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan. The Company shall determine
in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased
to be an Employee and the effective date of such individuals employment or termination of
employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individuals rights, if any, under the Plan as
of the time of the Companys determination, all such determinations by the Company shall be final,
binding and conclusive, notwithstanding that the Company or any court of law or governmental agency
subsequently makes a contrary determination.
(o) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(p) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property
as determined by the Board, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such
determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:
(i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed on a national or regional securities exchange or
market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of
Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices of a share of Stock if the Stock is so
quoted instead) as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, The Nasdaq SmallCap Market or such other
national or regional securities exchange or market system constituting the primary market for the
Stock, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Company deems
reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such
securities exchange or market system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established
shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other
appropriate day as shall be determined by the Board, in its discretion.
(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange
or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Board
in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms,
will never lapse.
(q) Incentive Stock Option means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award
Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of
the Code.
(r) Indexed Option means an Option with an exercise price which either increases by a fixed
percentage over time or changes by reference to a published index, as determined by the Board and
set forth in the Option Agreement.
(s) Insider means an Officer, a Director of the Company or other person whose transactions
in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(t) Net-Exercise means a procedure by which the Participant will be issued a number of
shares of Stock determined in accordance with a formula X + Y(A-B) / A, where:
X = the number of shares of Stock to be issued to the Participant upon exercise of the Option;
Y = the total number of shares with respect to which the Participant has elected to exercise
the Option;
A = the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock;
B = the exercise price per share (as defined in the Participants Award Agreement).
(u) Nonstatutory Stock Option means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award
Agreement) or which does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(v) Officer means any person designated by the Board as an officer of the Company.
(w) Option means a right to purchase Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option or an Indexed
Option.
(x) Other Stock-Based Award means an Award granted or denominated in Stock or units of Stock
pursuant to Section 9.5 of the Plan.
(y) Parent Corporation means any present or future parent corporation of the Company, as
defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(z) Participant means any eligible person who has been granted one or more Awards.
(aa) Participating Company means the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary
Corporation or Affiliate.
(bb) Participating Company Group means, at any point in time, all corporations collectively
which are then Participating Companies.
(cc) Performance-Based Award means an Award granted to selected Covered Employees pursuant
to Sections 8 and 9, but which are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 10. All
Performance-Based Awards are intended to qualify as qualified performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m).
(dd) Performance Bonus Award means the cash award set forth in Section 9.6
(ee) Performance Goal means the criteria that the Committee uses to establish qualified
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) and the formulas for determining whether such
performance targets have been obtained. Such Performance Goals may be based upon one or more
Performance Measures, subject to the following: Performance Measures shall have the same meanings
as
used in the Companys financial statements, or, if such terms are not used in the Companys
financial statements, they shall have the meaning applied pursuant to generally accepted accounting
principles, or as used generally in the Companys industry. Performance Measures shall be
calculated with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary Corporation consolidated therewith for
financial reporting purposes or such division or other business unit as may be selected by the
Committee. For purposes of the Plan, the Performance Measures applicable to a Performance-Based
Award shall be calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, but
prior to the accrual or payment of any Performance-Based Award for the same Performance Period and
excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) of any change in accounting standards or any
extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring item, as determined by the Committee, occurring after the
establishment of the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance-Based Award. Performance
targets may include a minimum, maximum, target level and intermediate levels of performance, with
the final value of a Performance-Based Award determined under the applicable Performance-Based
Award formula by the level attained during the applicable Performance Period. A Performance target
may be stated as an absolute value or as a value determined relative to a standard selected by the
Committee.
(ff) Performance Measures may be one or more of the following, or a combination of the any
of the following, as determined by the Committee: (i) revenue; (ii) gross margin; (iii) operating
margin; (iv) operating income; (v) pre-tax profit; (vi) earnings before interest, taxes and
depreciation; (vii) net income; (viii) cash flow; (ix) expenses; (x) the market price of the Stock;
(xi) earnings per share; (xii) return on stockholder equity; (xiii) return on capital; (xiv) return
on net assets; (xv) economic value added; (xvi) number of customers; (xvii) market share; (xviii)
return on investment; (xix) profit after tax; (xx) customer satisfaction; (xxi) business
divestitures and acquisitions; (xxii) supplier awards from significant customers; (xxiii) new
product development and (xxiv) working capital.
(gg) Performance Period means a period established by the Committee pursuant to Section 10
of the Plan at the end of which one or more Performance Goals are to be measured.
(hh) Performance Share means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9.1, to
receive Stock, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals or other
performance based targets established by the Committee.
(ii) Performance Unit means a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a
Participant pursuant to Section 9.2 of the Plan to receive a payment equal to the value of a
Performance Unit, as determined by the Committee, based upon achieving certain Performance Goals or
other performance based targets.
(jj) Prior Plan Award means, any option or other award granted pursuant to the Companys
1998 Stock Option Plan, 1996 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan, 1996 Stock Option Plan or 1994
Stock Option Plan which is outstanding on or after the Effective Date.
(kk) Restricted Stock means Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan
that is subject to certain conditions (including any applicable Vesting Conditions), and may be
subject to risk of forfeiture.
(ll) Restricted Stock Unit or Stock Unit means a bookkeeping entry representing a right
granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 9.4 of the Plan to receive the value associated with a
share of Stock on a date determined in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the
Participants Award Agreement.
(mm) Restriction Period means the period established in accordance with Section 8 of the
Plan during which shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award are subject to Vesting Conditions.
(nn) Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or
any successor rule or regulation.
(oo) SAR or Stock Appreciation Right means a bookkeeping entry representing, for each
share of Stock subject to such SAR, a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 of the
Plan to
receive payment of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share
of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the exercise price.
(pp) Section 162(m) means Section 162(m) of the Code.
(qq) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(rr) Service means a Participants employment or service with the Participating Company
Group, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. A Participants Service
shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the
Participant renders Service to the Participating Company Group or a change in the Participating
Company for which the Participant renders such Service, provided that there is no interruption or
termination of the Participants Service. Furthermore, a Participants Service with the
Participating Company Group shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Participant takes any
military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company; provided,
however, that if any such leave exceeds ninety (90) days, on the ninety-first (91st) day of such
leave the Participants Service shall be deemed to have terminated unless the Participants right
to return to Service with the Participating Company Group is guaranteed by statute or contract.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company or required by law, a
leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the
Participants Option Agreement. The Participants Service shall be deemed to have terminated either
upon an actual termination of Service or upon the corporation for which the Participant performs
Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its
discretion, shall determine whether the Participants Service has terminated and the effective date
of such termination.
(ss) Stock means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in
accordance with Section 4.2.
(tt) Subsidiary Corporation means any present or future subsidiary corporation of the
Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(uu) Ten Percent Owner Participant means a Participant who, at the time an Option is granted
to the Participant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of a Participating Company (other than an Affiliate) within the
meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
(vv) Vesting Conditions mean those conditions established in accordance with the Plan prior
to the satisfaction of which shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit
Award, respectively, remain subject to forfeiture or a repurchase option in favor of the Company
upon the Participants termination of Service.
2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not
affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated
by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.
Use of the term or is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise.
3. ADMINISTRATION.
3.1 Administration by the Board. The Plan shall be administered by the Board. All
questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Award shall be determined by the Board, and such
determinations shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such
Award.
3.2 Authority of Officers. Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the
Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the
responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent
authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election. The Board may,
in its discretion, delegate to a committee comprised of one or more Officers the authority to grant
one or more Awards, without further approval of the Board or the Committee, to any Employee, other
than a person who, at the time of such grant, is an Insider; provided, however, that (a) such
Awards shall not be granted for shares in excess of the
maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock authorized for issuance pursuant to Section 4.1,
(b) the exercise price per share of each Option shall be not less than the Fair Market Value per
share of the Stock on the effective date of grant (or, if the Stock has not traded on such date, on
the last day preceding the effective date of grant on which the Stock was traded), and (iii) each
such Award shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the appropriate standard form of Award
Agreement approved by the Board or the Committee and shall conform to the provisions of the Plan
and such other guidelines as shall be established from time to time by the Board or the Committee.
3.3 Powers of the Board. In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to
the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have the full and final power and authority, in its
discretion:
(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted
and the number of shares of Stock or units to be subject to each Award;
(b) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options or Indexed
Options;
(c) to determine the type(s) of Other Stock-Based Awards, and their terms and conditions that
may be granted under the Plan;
(d) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other property;
(e) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need
not be identical) and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof, including, without limitation,
(i) the exercise or purchase price of shares purchased pursuant to any Award, (ii) the method of
payment for shares purchased pursuant to any Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax
withholding obligation arising in connection with the Award, including by the withholding or
delivery of shares of Stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability of the
Award or the vesting of any Award of any shares acquired pursuant thereto, (v) the Performance
Goals applicable to any Award and the extent to which such Performance Goals have been attained,
(vi) the time of the expiration of any Award, (vii) the effect of the Participants termination of
Service with the Participating Company Group on any of the foregoing, and (viii) all other terms,
conditions and restrictions applicable to any Award or shares acquired pursuant thereto not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;
(f) to determine whether an Award will be settled in shares of Stock, cash, or in any
combination thereof;
(g) to approve one or more forms of Award Agreement;
(h) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Award or to waive any restrictions or
conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto;
(i) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability of any Award or any shares
acquired pursuant thereto, including with respect to the period following a Participants
termination of Service with the Participating Company Group;
(j) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to
adopt sub-plans or supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without
limitation, as the Board deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws or regulations of, or
to accommodate the tax policy, financial accounting or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose
citizens may be granted Awards;
(k) to authorize, in conjunction with any applicable Company deferred compensation plan, that
the receipt of cash or Stock subject to any Award under this Plan, may be deferred under the terms
and conditions of such Company deferred compensation plan; and
(l) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or
any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect
to the Plan or any Award as the Board may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the
provisions of
the Plan or applicable law.
3.4 Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the
Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements,
if any, of Rule 16b-3.
3.5 Committee Complying with Section 162(m). If the Company is a publicly held corporation
within the meaning of Section 162(m), the Board may establish a Committee of outside directors
within the meaning of Section 162(m) to approve the grant of any Option which might reasonably be
anticipated to result in the payment of employee remuneration that would otherwise exceed the limit
on employee remuneration deductible for income tax purposes pursuant to Section 162(m).
3.6 No Repricing. Without the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Stock
cast in person or by proxy at a meeting of the stockholders of the Company at which a quorum
representing a majority of all outstanding shares of Stock is present or represented by proxy, the
Board shall not approve a program providing for either (a) the cancellation of outstanding Options
and/or SARs and the grant in substitution therefore of any new Awards, including specifically any
new Options and/or SARs having a lower exercise price or (b) the amendment of outstanding Options
and/or SARs to reduce the exercise price thereof. This paragraph shall not be construed to apply to
issuing or assuming a stock option in a transaction to which section 424(a) applies, within the
meaning of Section 424 of the Code.
3.7 No Restricted Stock Award Acceleration. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the
contrary, no Restricted Stock Award may be granted which provides, or subsequently amended to
provide, for (i) any acceleration of vesting for any reason other than upon a Change in Control or
after the Participants death or Disability and (ii) vesting of one hundred percent (100%) of any
such Restricted Stock Award prior to the passage of three (3) years of Service (unless such
Restricted Stock Award will vest in accordance with the satisfaction of any Performance Goal).
3.8 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as
members of the Board or officers or employees of the Participating Company Group, members of the
Board and any officers or employees of the Participating Company Group to whom authority to act for
the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable
expenses, including attorneys fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the
defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they
or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in
connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in
settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by
the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding,
except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding
that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties;
provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or
proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense
to handle and defend the same.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.
4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2,
the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be Five
Million Three Hundred and Eight Thousand Five Hundred and Thirty-five (5,308,535). This share
reserve shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination
thereof. However, the share reserve, determined at any time, shall be reduced by the number of
shares subject to (i) the Prior Plan Awards and (ii) Awards (which as of March 20, 2009 totaled
3,457,380). If any outstanding Award, including any Prior Plan Award, for any reason expires or is
terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if shares of Stock
acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase, including any Prior Plan Award,
are forfeited or repurchased by the Company, the shares of Stock allocable to the terminated
portion of such Award, including any Prior Plan Award, or such forfeited or repurchased shares of
Stock shall again be available for grant under the Plan. Shares of Stock shall not be deemed to
have been granted pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled
in cash. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.1, the following shares of
Stock shall not be available for reissuance under the Plan: (i) shares of Stock with respect to
which the Participant has received the benefits of ownership (other than voting rights), either in
the form of dividends, shares sold pursuant to a Cashless Exercise described in Section 6.3(a) or
otherwise; (ii) shares of Stock which are withheld from any Award or payment under the Plan to
satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 15.2; (iii) shares of Stock which are
surrendered by any Participant (through a Cashless Exercise, actual delivery of the shares or
attestation of ownership) to fulfill tax withholding obligations or to pay the applicable exercise
price for any Award; and (iv) shares of Stock subject to the grant of a SAR which are not issued
upon settlement of the SAR.
4.2 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. In the event of any stock dividend, stock
split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or similar change in
the capital structure of the Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class
of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, in the Section 162(m) Grant Limit set
forth in Section 5.4 and in the exercise price or purchaser price of any outstanding Awards. If a
majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding
Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to an
Ownership Change Event, as defined in Section 12.1) shares of another corporation (the New
Shares), the Board may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are
accurately reflected for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares
subject to, and the exercise price and/or purchase price per share of, the outstanding Awards (if
any) shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Board, in its
discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional share resulting from an adjustment
pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may
the exercise price and/or purchase price of any Award be decreased to an amount less than the par
value, if any, of the stock subject to the Award. The adjustments determined by the Board pursuant
to this Section 4.2 shall be final, binding and conclusive.
5. ELIGIBILITY AND AWARD LIMITATIONS.
5.1 Persons Eligible for Awards. Awards may be granted only to Employees, Consultants,
and Directors. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, Employees, Consultants and Directors
shall include prospective Employees, prospective Consultants and prospective Directors to whom
Awards are granted in connection with written offers of an employment or other service relationship
with the Participating Company Group; provided, however, that no Stock subject to any such Award
shall vest, become exercisable or be issued prior to the date on which such person commences
Service.
5.2 Participation. Awards are granted solely at the discretion of the Board. Eligible persons
may be granted more than one (1) Award. However, eligibility in accordance with this Section shall
not entitle any person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an
additional Award.
5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations.
(a) Persons Eligible. An Incentive Stock Option may be granted only to a person who, on the
effective date of grant, is an Employee of the Company, a Parent Corporation or a Subsidiary
Corporation (each being an ISO-Qualifying Corporation). Any person who is not an Employee of an
ISO-Qualifying Corporation on the effective date of the grant of an Option to such person may be
granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option granted to a prospective
Employee upon the condition that such person become an Employee of an ISO-Qualifying Corporation
shall be deemed granted effective on the date such person commences Service with an ISO-Qualifying
Corporation, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with Section 6.1.
(b) Fair Market Value Limitation. To the extent that options designated as Incentive Stock
Options (granted under all stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the
Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for stock
having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000), the portion of
such options which exceeds such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes
of this Section, options
designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they
were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with
respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from
that set forth in this Section, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein
effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such
amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section, the
Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the
absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock
Option portion of the Option first. Upon exercise, shares issued pursuant to each such portion
shall be separately identified.
5.4 Award Limits.
(a) Aggregate Limit on Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units. Subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, in no event shall more than Two-Million Five-Hundred
Thousand (2,500,000) shares of Stock in the aggregate be issued under the Plan pursuant to the
exercise or settlement of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and
Performance Units.
(b) Section 162(m) Award Limits. The following limits shall apply to the grant of any Award
if, at the time of grant, the Company is a publicly held corporation within the meaning of
Section 162(m).
(i) Options and SARs. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, no Employee shall be
granted within any fiscal year of the Company one or more Options or Freestanding SARs which in the
aggregate are for more than Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of Stock, provided, however,
that the Company may make an additional one-time grant to any newly-hired Employee of an Option
and/or SAR for the purchase of up to an additional Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand (250,000) shares
of Stock. An Option which is canceled (or a Freestanding SAR as to which the exercise price is
reduced to reflect a reduction in the Fair Market Value of the Stock) in the same fiscal year of
the Company in which it was granted shall continue to be counted against such limit for such fiscal
year.
(ii) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
4.2, no Employee shall be granted within any fiscal year of the Company one or more Restricted
Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units, subject to Vesting Conditions based on the attainment of
Performance Goals, for more than Two Hundred Thousand (200,000) shares of Stock, provided, however,
that the Company may make an additional one-time grant to any newly-hired Employee of a Restricted
Stock Award or Restricted Stock Units of up to an additional One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares
of Stock.
(iii) Performance Shares and Performance Units. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
4.2, no Employee shall be granted (A) Performance Shares which could result in such Employee
receiving more than One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares of Stock for each full fiscal year of the
Company contained in the Performance Period for such Award, or (B) Performance Units which could
result in such Employee receiving more than $1,000,000 for each full fiscal year of the Company
contained in the Performance Period for such Award. No Participant may be granted more than one
Performance Share or Performance Unit for the same Performance Period.
(iv) Performance Bonus Awards. No Employee shall be paid a Performance Bonus Award pursuant to
Section 9.6 which is greater than $1,000,000 for each full fiscal year of the Company contained in
the Performance Period for such award.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock
covered thereby, in such form as the Board shall from time to time establish. No Option or
purported Option shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully
executed Award Agreement. Award Agreements evidencing Options may incorporate all or any of the
terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
6.1 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion
of the Board; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share for an Option shall be not
less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option,
(b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner Participant shall have an exercise
price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of
Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option, and (c) notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Section 6.1, in the case of an Indexed Option, the Board shall determine the
exercise price of such Indexed Option and the terms and conditions that affect, if any, any
adjustments to the exercise price of such Indexed Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option
may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such
Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner
qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.
6.2 Exercisability and Term of Options. Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or
upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and
restrictions as shall be determined by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing
such Option; provided, however, that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten
(10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted
to a Ten Percent Owner shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the
effective date of grant of such Option, and (c) no Option granted to a prospective Employee,
prospective Consultant or prospective Director may become exercisable prior to the date on which
such person commences Service with a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, unless
otherwise specified by the Board in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder shall
terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated
in accordance with its provisions.
6.3 Payment of Exercise Price.
(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the
exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be
made (i) in cash, by check or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the
ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value not less than the
exercise price, (iii) by delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise together with
irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of
a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the
Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of
Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System) (a Cashless Exercise), (iv) by delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise
electing a Net-Exercise, (v) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Board from time
to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (vi) by any combination thereof. The Board
may at any time or from time to time, by approval of or by amendment to the standard forms of Award
Agreement described in Section 11, or by other means, grant Options which do not permit all of the
foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise
restrict one or more forms of consideration.
(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.
(i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be exercised by tender
to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or
attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement
restricting the redemption of the Companys stock. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, an
Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of
Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months
(and not used for another Option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired,
directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(ii) Cashless Exercise. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the
Companys sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program
or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise, including with respect
to one or more Participants specified by the Company notwithstanding that such program or
procedures may be
available to other Participants.
(iii) Net-Exercise. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Companys
sole and absolute discretion, to grant Incentive Stock Options, or to grant, or amend, any
Nonstatutory Options to provide that such Options may be exercised by the means of a Net-Exercise,
including with respect to one or more Participants specified by the Company notwithstanding that
such program or procedures may be available to other Participants. No Option will be granted (or
amended in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option) to permit a Net-Exercise prior to the
effectiveness of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123R.
6.4 Effect of Termination of Service. An Option shall be exercisable after a Participants
termination of Service to such extent and during such period as determined by the Board, in its
discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option.
6.5 Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the Participant, an Option shall be
exercisable only by the Participant or the Participants guardian or legal representative. Prior to
the issuance of shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option, the Option shall not be subject in
any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance,
or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent
permitted by the Board, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such
Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable
limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under
the Securities Act. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Board may permit further
transferability of any Option, on a general or specific basis, and may impose conditions and
limitations on any permitted transferability.
7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Stock Appreciation Rights shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of
shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Board shall from time to time establish.
No SAR or purported SAR shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by
a fully executed Award Agreement. Award Agreements evidencing SARs may incorporate all or any of
the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
7.1 Types of SARs Authorized. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or any portion of a
related Option (a Tandem SAR) or may be granted independently of any Option (a Freestanding SAR). A Tandem SAR may be granted either concurrently with the grant of the related Option or at
any time thereafter prior to the complete exercise, termination, expiration or cancellation of such
related Option.
7.2 Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Board, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will
have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of each SAR granted under the Plan;
provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share subject to a Tandem SAR shall be the
exercise price per share under the related Option and (b) the exercise price per share subject to a
Freestanding SAR shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective
date of grant of the SAR.
7.3 Exercise of SARs. SARs will be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Board, in
its sole and absolute discretion, will determine.
7.4 Award Agreement. Each SAR grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify
the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and
conditions as the Board, in its sole discretion, will determine.
7.5 Expiration of SARs. Each SAR grant under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by
the Board, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the requirements of Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 also will apply to SARs to the extent
not replaced or superseded by the terms of any Award Agreement.
8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
Restricted Stock Awards shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of
shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Board shall from time to time establish.
No Restricted Stock Award or purported Restricted Stock Award shall be a valid and binding
obligation of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Award Agreement. Award Agreements
evidencing Restricted Stock Awards may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference
and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. The Board is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock to
any Participant selected by the Board in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as
determined by the Board.
8.2 Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Stock Awards will be subject to such restrictions on
transferabilty and other restrictions as the Board may impose (including, without limitation,
limitations on the right to vote shares of Stock or the right to receive dividends on the Stock).
These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such
circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Board determines at the time of the grant
of the Award or thereafter. The minimum period for such restrictions shall be a period of three (3)
years. Notwithstanding the foregoing however, Restricted Stock Awards may become one hundred
percent (100%) vested earlier than after the passage of three (3) years upon (i) the occurrence of
a Change in Control, as provided in any applicable Award Agreement, or (ii) achievement of such the
Awards applicable Performance Goals.
8.3 Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Board at the time of grant of the Award
or thereafter, upon termination of Service during the applicable Restriction Period, Restricted
Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions will be forefeited; provided, however, that the
Board may (a) provide in any Restricted Stock Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture
conditions will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified
causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions.
8.4 Voting Rights; Dividends and Distributions. Except as may be provided in any Award
Agreement, during the Restriction Period applicable to shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award,
the Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding shares of
Stock, including the right to vote such shares and to receive all dividends and other distributions
paid with respect to such shares. However, in the event of a dividend or distribution paid in
shares of Stock or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the Company
as described in Section 4.2, then any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other
property (other than normal cash dividends) to which the Participant is entitled by reason of the
Participants Restricted Stock Award shall be immediately subject to the same Vesting Conditions as
the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such dividends or
distributions were paid or adjustments were made.
9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER TYPES OF AWARDS.
Other types of Awards, such as Performance Shares, Performance Units, Deferred Stock,
Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards and Performance Bonus Awards (collectively Other Types of Award) shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the type of Award and
the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Board shall from time to
time establish. No Other Type of Award or purported Award shall be a valid and binding obligation
of the Company unless evidenced by a fully executed Award Agreement. Award Agreements evidencing
any Other Type of Award may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall
comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
9.1 Performance Shares. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more
Performance Share awards which will be denominated in a number of shares of Stock and which may be
linked to any one or more of the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria
determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any
period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee will
consider (among other such factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of Award) the
contributions, responsibilities
and other compensation of the particular Participant.
9.2 Performance Units. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more
Performance Unit awards which will be denominated in units of value, which, without limitation, may
include the dollar value of shares of Stock, and which may be linked to any one or more of the
Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee,
in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the
Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee will consider (among other such factors as
it deems relevant in light of the specific type of Award) the contributions, responsibilities and
other compensation of the particular Participant.
9.3 Deferred Stock. Any Participant selected by the Board may be granted an award of Deferred
Stock in the manner determined from time to time by the Board. The number of shares of Deferred
Stock will be determined by the Board and may be linked to the Performance Goals or other specific
performance criteria determined to be appropriate by the Board, in each case on a specified date or
dates or over any period or periods determined by the Board. Stock underlying a Deferred Stock
award will not be issued until the Deferred Stock award has vested, pursuant to a vesting schedule
or performance criteria set by the Committee, or upon such settlement date as may be elected by the
Participant. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, a Participant awarded Deferred Stock will have
no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time as the Award
has vested and the Stock underlying such Award has been issued. In addition, Deferred Stock may be
granted automatically with respect to such number of shares of Stock and upon such other terms and
conditions as established by the Board in lieu of:
(a) cash or shares of Stock otherwise issuable to such Participant upon the exercise or
settlement of a Restricted Stock Award or Performance Award; or
(b) any cash to be otherwise paid to the Participant in the form of salary, bonus,
commissions, or such other compensation program maintained by the Company.
9.4 Restricted Stock Units. The Board is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock Units
to any Participant selected by the Board in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions
as determined by the Board. The number of Restricted Stock Units will be determined by the Board
and may be linked to the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria determined to be
appropriate by the Board, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods
determined by the Board. At the time of grant, the Board will specify the date or dates on which
the Restricted Stock Units will become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such
conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate. At the time of grant, the Board will specify the
settlement date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units which will be no earlier than
the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Participant. On
the settlement date, the Company will transfer to the Participant either (i) one unrestricted,
fully transferable share of Stock or (ii) cash equal to the value of one such share of Stock for
each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and which was not previously
forfeited. The Board will specify the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the Participant to the
Company for such shares of Stock.
9.5 Other Stock-Based Awards. Any Participant selected by the Board may be granted one or more
awards that provide Participants with shares of Stock or the right to purchase shares of Stock or
that have a value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a price
related to, or that are otherwise payable in shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or
more of the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the
Board, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the
Board. In making such determinations, the Board will consider (among such other factors as it deems
relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other
compensation to the particular Participant.
9.6 Performance Bonus Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or
more Performance-Based Award in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of
Performance Goals that are established by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or
dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Any such Performance Bonus Award
paid to a Covered Employee will be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established
in accordance with Section 10.
9.7 Term of Other Type Awards. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of any Other Type
Award will be set by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion and set forth in any applicable
Award Agreement.
9.8 Exercise or Purchase Price. The Board may establish the exercise or purchase price, if
any, of any Other Type Award; provided, however, that such price will not be less than the par
value of a share of Stock on the date of grant, unless otherwise permitted by applicable law.
9.9 Exercise Upon Termination of Service. Any Other Type of Award will only be exercisable or
payable while the Participant is an Employee, Consultant or Director, as applicable; provided,
however, that the Board in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that any Other Type of
Award may be exercised or paid subsequent to a termination of Service, as applicable, or following
a Change in Control, or because of the Participants retirement, death or disability, or otherwise;
provided, however, that any such provision with respect to Performance Shares, Performance Units or
Performance Bonus Awards will be subject to the requirements of Section 162(m) that apply to such
award and/or compensation.
9.10 Form of Payment. Payments with respect to any Other Type of Award will be made in cash,
in Stock or a combination of both, as determined by the Board and as set forth in any applicable
Award Agreement.
9.11 Award Agreement. All Other Types of Awards will be subject to such additional terms and
conditions as determined by the Board and will be evidenced by a written Award Agreement.
9.12 Voting Rights; Dividend Equivalent Rights and Distributions. Participants shall have no
voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by any Other Type of Award until the date
of the issuance of such shares, if any (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). However, the Board, in its
discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Other Type of Award that the
Participant shall be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalents with respect to the payment of cash
dividends on Stock having a record date prior to the date on which such shares of Stock underlying
any such award are settled or forfeited. Such Dividend Equivalents, if any, shall be credited to
the Participant in the form of additional whole shares of Stock, or such cash equivalent, depending
on the type of award, as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Stock. The number of
additional shares of Stock (rounded to the nearest whole number) to be so credited shall be
determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on such date with respect to the
number of shares of Stock represented by the shares of Stock underlying such award previously
credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date. Dividend
Equivalents may be paid currently or may be accumulated and paid to the extent that such award
becomes nonforfeitable, as determined by the Board. Settlement of Dividend Equivalents may be made
in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Board, and may be paid on
the same basis as settlement of the related award. In the event of a dividend or distribution paid
in shares of Stock or any other adjustment made upon a change in the capital structure of the
Company as described in Section 4.2, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the Participants
Other Type of Awards so that it represents the right to receive upon settlement any and all new,
substituted or additional securities or other property (other than normal cash dividends) to which
the Participant would be entitled by reason of the shares of Stock issuable upon settlement of the
award, and all such new, substituted or additional securities or other property shall be
immediately subject to the same Performance Goals as are applicable to the Award.
9.13 Nontransferability of Awards. Prior to settlement or payment of any Other Type of Award
in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, no such award shall be subject in any manner to
anticipation, alienation, sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment
by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, except transfer by will or by the
laws of descent
and distribution. All rights with respect to such award granted to a Participant hereunder
shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant or the Participants
guardian or legal representative.
10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARD.
10.1 Purpose. The purpose of this Section 10 is to provide the Committee the ability to
qualify Awards (other than Options and SARs) that are granted pursuant to Sections 8 and 9 as
qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). If the Committee, in its discretion,
decides to grant a Performance-Based Award subject to Performance Goals to a Covered Employee, the
provisions of this Section 10 will control over any contrary provision in the Plan; provided,
however, that the Committee may in its discretion grant Awards to such Covered Employees that are
based on Performance Goals or other specific criteria or goals but that do not satisfy the
requirements of this Section 10.
10.2 Applicability. This Section 10 will apply to those Covered Employees which are selected
by the Committee to receive any Award subject to Performance Goals. The designation of a Covered
Employee as being subject to Section 162(m) will not in any manner entitle the Covered Employee to
receive an Award under the Plan. Moreover, designation of a Covered Employee subject to Section
162(m) for a particular Performance Period will not require designation of such Covered Employee in
any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one Covered Employee will not require
designation of any other Covered Employee in such period or in any other period.
10.3 Procedures with Respect to Performance Based Awards. To the extent necessary to comply
with the performance-based compensation of Section 162(m), with respect to any Award granted
subject to Performance Goals, no later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of any
fiscal year in question or any other designated fiscal period or period of service (or such other
time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m)), the Committee will, in writing, (a)
designate one or more Participants who are Covered Employees, (b) select the Performance Goals
applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such
Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period, and (d) specify the
relationship between Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned
by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance
Period, the Committee will certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goals have been
achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amounts earned by a Covered Employee, the
Committee will have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a
given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem
relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.
10.4 Payment of Performance Based Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award
Agreement, a Covered Employee must be employed by the Participating Company Group on the day a
Performance-Based Award for such Performance Period is paid to the Covered Employee. Furthermore, a
Covered Employee will be eligible to receive payment pursuant to a Performance-Based Award for a
Performance Period only if the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.
10.5 Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any Award which
is granted to a Covered Employee and is intended to constitute qualified performance based
compensation under Section 162(m) will be subject to any additional limitations set forth in the
Code (including any amendment to Section 162(m) or any regulations and ruling issued thereunder
that are requirements for qualification as qualified performance-based compensation as described in
Section 162(m), and the Plan will be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such
requirements.
11. STANDARD FORMS OF AWARD AGREEMENT.
11.1 Award Agreements. Each Award shall comply with and be subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the appropriate form of Award Agreement approved by the Board and as
amended from time to time. Any Award Agreement may consist of an appropriate form of Notice of
Grant and a form of Agreement incorporated therein by reference, or such other form or forms as the
Board may
approve from time to time.
11.2 Authority to Vary Terms. The Board shall have the authority from time to time to vary the
terms of any standard form of Award Agreement either in connection with the grant or amendment of
an individual Award or in connection with the authorization of a new standard form or forms;
provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new, revised or amended standard form
or forms of Award Agreement are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
12. CHANGE IN CONTROL.
12.1 Definitions.
(a) An Ownership Change Event shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the following
occurs with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or
series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of more than fifty percent (50%)
of the voting stock of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party;
(iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
(other than a sale, exchange or transfer to one or more subsidiaries of the Company); or (iv) a
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) A Change in Control shall mean an Ownership Change Event or a series of related
Ownership Change Events (collectively, a Transaction) in which the stockholders of the
Company immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Companys voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the
Company or, in the case of an Ownership Change Event described in Section 12.1(a)(iii), the entity
to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the Transferee), as the case may be. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without
limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more
corporations or other business entities which own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may
be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The
Board shall have the right to determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting
securities of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and its determination
shall be final, binding and conclusive.
12.2 Effect of Change in Control on Options and SARs.
(a) Accelerated Vesting. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the
Board, in its sole discretion, may provide in any Award Agreement or, in the event of a Change in
Control, may take such actions as it deems appropriate to provide for the acceleration of the
exercisability and vesting in connection with such Change in Control of any or all outstanding
Options and SARs and shares acquired upon the exercise of such Options and SARs upon such
conditions and to such extent as the Board shall determine.
(b) Assumption or Substitution. In the event of a Change in Control, the Acquiring Corporation
may, without the consent of the Participant, either assume the Companys rights and obligations
under outstanding Options and SARs or substitute for outstanding Options and SARs substantially
equivalent options and stock appreciation rights for the Acquiring Corporations stock. In the
event that the Acquiring Corporation elects not to assume or substitute for outstanding Options and
SARs in connection with a Change in Control, or if the Acquiring Corporation is not a publicly
held corporation within the meaning of Section 162(m), the exercisability and vesting of each such
outstanding Option, SAR and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof held by a Participant
whose Service has not terminated prior to such date shall be accelerated, effective as of the date
ten (10) days prior to the date of the Change in Control. The exercise or vesting of any Option,
SAR and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof that was permissible solely by reason of this
Section 12.2 and the provisions of such applicable Award Agreement shall be conditioned upon the
consummation of the Change in Control. Any Options and SARs which are neither assumed or
substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised
as of the date of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of
the date of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of
an Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received
pursuant to the Change in
Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable
provisions of the applicable Award Agreement evidencing such Option or SAR except as otherwise
provided in such applicable Award Agreement. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
corporation the stock of which is subject to the outstanding Options and SARs immediately prior to
an Ownership Change Event described in Section 12.1(a)(i) constituting a Change in Control is the
surviving or continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than
fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of its voting stock is held by another
corporation or by other corporations that are members of an affiliated group within the meaning of
Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the
outstanding Options and SARs shall not terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its
discretion.
(c) Cash-Out. The Board may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any
Participant, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each or any Option or SAR
outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control shall be canceled in exchange for a payment
with respect to each vested share of Stock subject to such canceled Option or SAR in (i) cash, (ii)
stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control,
or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value
equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in
the Change in Control over the exercise price per share under such Option or SAR (the Spread). In the event such determination is made by the Board, the Spread (reduced by applicable
withholding taxes, if any) shall be paid to Participants in respect of their canceled Options and
SARs as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control.
12.3 Effect of Change in Control on Restricted Stock and Other Type of Awards. The Board may,
in its discretion, provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Restricted Stock or Other Type of
Award that, in the event of a Change in Control, the lapsing of any applicable Vesting Condition,
Restriction Period or Performance Goal applicable to the shares subject to such Award held by a
Participant whose Service has not terminated prior to the Change in Control shall be accelerated
and/or waived effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control to such
extent as specified in such Award Agreement. Any acceleration, waiver or the lapsing of any
restriction that was permissible solely by reason of this Section 12.3 and the provisions of such
Award Agreement shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Change in Control.
13. PROVISION OF INFORMATION.
Each Participant shall be given access to information concerning the Company equivalent to
that information generally made available to the Companys common stockholders.
14. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW.
The grant of Options and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of Options shall
be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with
respect to such securities. Options may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon
exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws
or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which
the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Option may be exercised unless (a) a registration
statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with
respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel
to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with
the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The
inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if
any, deemed by the Companys legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any
shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition
to the exercise of any Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any
qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law
or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested
by the Company.
15. TAX WITHHOLDING.
15.1 Tax Withholding in General. The Company shall have the right to deduct from any and
all payments made under the Plan, or to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash
payment or otherwise, including by means of a Cashless Exercise of an Option, to make adequate
provision for, the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld
by the Participating Company Group with respect to an Award or the shares acquired pursuant
thereto. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock, to release shares of
Stock from an escrow established pursuant to an Award Agreement, or to make any payment in cash
under the Plan until the Participating Company Groups tax withholding obligations have been
satisfied by the Participant.
15.2 Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
deduct from the shares of Stock issuable to a Participant upon the exercise or settlement of an
Award, or to accept from the Participant the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a
Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all or any part of the tax withholding
obligations of the Participating Company Group. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock
withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount
determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates.
16. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN.
The Board may terminate or amend the Plan at any time. However, subject to changes in
applicable law, regulations or rules that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the
Companys stockholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of
Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Section 4.2), (b)
no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other
amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Companys stockholders under any
applicable law, regulation or rule. No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any then
outstanding Option unless expressly provided by the Board. In any event, no termination or
amendment of the Plan may adversely affect any then outstanding Option without the consent of the
Participant, unless such termination or amendment is required to enable an Option designated as an
Incentive Stock Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any
applicable law, regulation or rule.
17. STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.
The Plan or any increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock issuable
thereunder as provided in Section 4.1 (the Authorized Shares) shall be approved by the
stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of the date of adoption thereof by the Board.
Options granted prior to stockholder approval of the Plan or in excess of the Authorized Shares
previously approved by the stockholders shall become exercisable no earlier than the date of
stockholder approval of the Plan or such increase in the Authorized Shares, as the case may be.
EXHIBIT
B
COHU, INC.
1997 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(as amended)
1. Establishment and Purpose
1.1 Establishment. The Cohu, Inc. 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Plan) was
originally established effective as of February 28, 1997 (the Effective Date) and was
subsequently amended and restated as of March 17, 2006 and March 25, 2011.
1.2 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan to provide Eligible Employees of the Participating
Company Group with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through the
purchase of Stock. The Company intends that the Plan shall qualify as an employee stock purchase
plan under Sections 421 and 423 of the Code (including any amendments or replacements of such
section), and the Plan shall be so construed.
2. Definitions and Construction.
2.1 Definitions. Any term not expressly defined in the Plan but defined for purposes of
Section 423 of the Code shall have the same definition herein. Whenever used herein, the following
terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:
(a) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one or more Committees have been
appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, Board also means such Committee(s).
(b) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(c) Committee means a committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and
having such powers as shall be specified by the Board. Unless the powers of the Committee have
been specifically limited, the Committee shall have all of the powers of the Board granted herein,
including, without limitation, the power to amend or terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the
terms of the Plan and any applicable limitations imposed by law.
(d) Company means Cohu, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.
(e) Compensation means, with respect to an Offering Period under the Plan, all amounts paid
in cash in the form of base salary, paid during such Offering Period before deduction for any
contributions to any plan maintained by a Participating Company and described in Section 401(k) or
Section 125 of the Code. Compensation shall not include payments of overtime, bonuses,
commissions, other incentive compensation, reimbursements of expenses, allowances, long-term
disability, workers compensation or any amount deemed received or any amounts directly or
indirectly paid pursuant to the Plan or any other stock purchase or stock option plan.
(f) Eligible Employee means an Employee who meets the requirements set forth in Section 5
for eligibility to participate in the Plan.
(g) Employee means any person treated as an employee (including an officer or a director who
is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and for purposes of
Section 423 of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a director nor payment of a
directors fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan.
(h) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) Fair Market Value means, as of any date, if there is then a public market for the Stock,
the closing price of a share of Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices of a share
of Stock if the Stock is so reported instead) as reported on the National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotation (Nasdaq) System, the Nasdaq National Market System or such other
national or regional securities exchange or market system constituting the primary market for the
Stock. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the
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Stock is trading on Nasdaq, the Nasdaq National Market System or other national or regional
securities exchange or market system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established
shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other
appropriate day as shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. If there is then no
public market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value on any relevant date shall be as determined by
the Board without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will
never lapse.
(j) Offering means an offering of Stock as provided in Section 6.
(k) Offering Date means, for any Offering Period, the first day of such Offering Period.
(l) Offering Period means a period determined in accordance with Section 6.1.
(m) Parent Corporation means any present or future parent corporation of the Company, as
defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(n) Participant means an Eligible Employee participating in the Plan.
(o) Participating Company means the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary
Corporation which the Board determines should be included in the Plan. The Board shall have the
sole and absolute discretion to determine from time to time what Parent Corporations or Subsidiary
Corporations shall be Participating Companies.
(p) Participating Company Group means, at any point in time, the Company and all other
corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.
(q) Purchase Date means, for any Offering Period, the last day of such Offering Period.
(r) Purchase Price means the price at which a share of Stock may be purchased pursuant to
the Plan, as determined in accordance with Section 9.
(s) Purchase Right means an option pursuant to the Plan to purchase such shares of Stock as
provided in Section 8 which may or may not be exercised at the end of an Offering Period. Such
option arises from the right of a Participant to withdraw such Participants accumulated payroll
deductions (if any) and terminate participation in the Plan or any Offering therein at any time
during a Offering Period.
(t) Stock means the common stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company, as adjusted from time to
time in accordance with Section 4.2.
(u) Subsidiary Corporation means any present or future subsidiary corporation of the
Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not
affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated
by the context, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and
use of the term or shall include the conjunctive as well as the disjunctive.
3. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board, including any duly
appointed Committee of the Board. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Purchase
Right shall be determined by the Board and shall be final and binding upon all persons having an
interest in the Plan or such Purchase Right. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board
shall determine all of the relevant terms and conditions of Purchase Rights granted pursuant to the
Plan; provided, however, that all Participants granted Purchase Rights pursuant to the Plan shall
have the same rights and privileges within the meaning of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code. All
expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.
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4. Shares Subject to Plan.
4.1 Maximum Number of Shares Issuable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the
maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be one million
four hundred thousand (1,400,000) and shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares
of the Stock, or any combination thereof. If an outstanding Purchase Right for any reason expires
or is terminated or canceled, the shares of Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of such
Purchase Right shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.
4.2 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. In the event of any stock dividend, stock
split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or similar change in
the capital structure of the Company, or in the event of any merger (including a merger effected
for the purpose of changing the Companys domicile), sale of assets or other reorganization in
which the Company is a party, appropriate adjustments shall be made to the number and class of
shares subject to the Plan, to the Per Offering Share Limit set forth in Section 8.1 and to each
Purchase Right and to the Purchase Price.
5. Eligibility.
5.1 Employees Eligible to Participate. Any Employee of a Participating Company is eligible to
participate in the Plan except the following:
(a) Employees who are customarily employed by the Participating Company Group for twenty (20)
hours or less per week;
(b) Employees who are customarily employed by the Participating Company Group for not more
than five (5) months in any calendar year; and
(c) Employees who own or hold options to purchase or who, as a result of participation in the
Plan, would own or hold options to purchase, stock of the Company or of any Parent Corporation or
Subsidiary Corporation possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or
value of all classes of stock of such corporation within the meaning of Section 423(b)(3) of the
Code.
5.2 Leased Employees Excluded. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any
individual performing services for a Participating Company solely through a leasing agency or
employment agency shall not be deemed an Employee of such Participating Company.
6. Offerings.
6.1 Offering Periods. Except as otherwise set forth below, the Plan shall be implemented by
sequential Offerings of six (6) months duration (an Offering Period). Subsequent Offerings shall
commence on the first days of November and May of each year and end on the last days of the first
April and October, respectively, occurring thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board
may establish a different term for one or more Offerings or different commencing or ending dates
for such Offerings; provided, however, that no Offering may exceed a term of twenty-seven (27)
months. An Employee who becomes an Eligible Employee after an Offering Period has commenced shall
not be eligible to participate in such Offering but may participate in any subsequent Offering
provided such Employee is still an Eligible Employee as of the commencement of any such subsequent
Offering. In the event the first or last day of an Offering Period is not a business day, the
Company shall specify the business day that will be deemed the first or last day, as the case may
be, of the Offering Period.
6.2 Governmental Approval; Stockholder Approval. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan to the contrary, any Purchase Right granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to (a)
obtaining all necessary governmental approvals or qualifications of the sale or issuance of the
Purchase Rights or the shares of Stock and (b) obtaining stockholder approval of the Plan.
3
7. Participation in the Plan.
7.1 Initial Participation. An Eligible Employee shall become a Participant on the first
Offering Date after satisfying the eligibility requirements of Section 5 and delivering to the
Companys payroll office or other office designated by the Company not later than the close of
business for such office on the last business day before such Offering Date (the Subscription
Date) a subscription agreement indicating the Employees election to participate in the Plan and
authorizing payroll deductions. An Eligible Employee who does not deliver a subscription agreement
to the Companys payroll or other designated office on or before the Subscription Date shall not
participate in the Plan for that Offering Period or for any subsequent Offering Period unless such
Employee subsequently enrolls in the Plan by filing a subscription agreement with the Company by
the Subscription Date for such subsequent Offering Period. The Company may, from time to time,
change the Subscription Date as deemed advisable by the Company in its sole discretion for proper
administration of the Plan.
7.2 Continued Participation. A Participant shall automatically participate in each subsequent
Offering Period until such time as such Participant (a) ceases to be an Eligible Employee, (b)
withdraws from the Plan pursuant to Section 13.2 or (c) terminates employment as provided in
Section 14. If a Participant automatically may participate in a subsequent Offering Period
pursuant to this Section 7.2, then the Participant is not required to file any additional
subscription agreement for such subsequent Offering Period in order to continue participation in
the Plan. However, a Participant may file a subscription agreement with respect to a subsequent
Offering Period if the Participant desires to change any of the Participants elections contained
in the Participants then effective subscription agreement.
8. Right to Purchase Shares.
8.1 Purchase Right. Except as set forth below, during an Offering Period each Participant
shall have a Purchase Right consisting of the right to purchase up to the lesser of (i) that number
of whole shares of Stock arrived at by dividing Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500) by
the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the Offering Date of such Offering Period or (ii)
3,000 shares. Shares of Stock may only be purchased through a Participants payroll deductions
pursuant to Section 10.
8.2 Pro Rata Adjustment of Purchase Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board shall
establish an Offering Period of less than five and one-half (51/2) months or more than six and
one-half (6 1/2) months in duration, the dollar amount in Section 8.1 shall be determined by
multiplying $2,083.33 by the number of months in the Offering Period and rounding to the nearest
whole dollar. For purposes of the preceding sentence, fractional months shall be rounded to the
nearest whole month.
9. Purchase Price. The Purchase Price at which each share of Stock may be acquired in
a given Offering Period pursuant to the exercise of all or any portion of a Purchase Right granted
under the Plan shall be set by the Board; provided, however, that the Purchase Price shall not be
less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock
on the Offering Date of the Offering Period, or (b) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on
the Purchase Date of the Offering Period. Unless otherwise provided by the Board prior to the
commencement of an Offering Period, the Purchase Price for that Offering Period shall be
eighty-five percent (85%) of the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the
Offering Date of the Offering Period, or (b) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the
Purchase Date of the Offering Period.
10. Accumulation of Purchase Price through Payroll Deduction. Shares of Stock which
are acquired pursuant to the exercise of all or any portion of a Purchase Right for an Offering
Period may be paid for only by means of payroll deductions from the Participants Compensation
accumulated during the Offering Period. Except as set forth below, the amount of Compensation to
be deducted from a Participants Compensation during each pay period shall be determined by the
Participants subscription agreement.
10.1 Commencement of Payroll Deductions. Payroll deductions shall commence on the first
payday following the Offering Date and shall continue to the end of the Offering Period unless
sooner altered or terminated as provided in the Plan.
10.2 Limitations on Payroll Deductions. The amount of payroll deductions with respect to the
Plan for any Participant during any pay period shall be in one percent (1%) increments not to
exceed ten percent (10%) of the Participants Compensation for such pay period. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Board may change the limits on payroll deductions effective as of a future
Offering Date, as determined by the Board. Amounts deducted from Compensation shall be reduced by any amounts contributed by the Participant and
applied
4
to the purchase of Company stock pursuant to any other employee stock purchase plan
qualifying under Section 423 of the Code.
10.3 Election to Increase, Decrease or Stop Payroll Deductions. During an Offering Period, a
Participant may elect to increase or decrease the amount deducted or stop deductions from his or
her Compensation by filing an amended subscription agreement with the Company on or before the
Change Notice Date. The Change Notice Date shall initially be the seventh (7th) day prior to
the end of the first pay period for which such election is to be effective; however, the Company
may change such Change Notice Date from time to time.
10.4 Participant Accounts. Individual Plan accounts shall be maintained for each Participant.
All payroll deductions from a Participants Compensation shall be credited to such account and
shall be deposited with the general funds of the Company. All payroll deductions received or held
by the Company may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose.
10.5 No Interest Paid. Interest shall not be paid on sums deducted from a Participants
Compensation pursuant to the Plan.
10.6 Company Established Procedures. The Company may, from time to time, establish or change
(a) a minimum required payroll deduction amount for participation in an Offering, (b) limitations
on the frequency or number of changes in the rate of payroll deduction during an Offering, (c) an
exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, (d) payroll
deduction in excess of or less than the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for
delays or mistakes in the Companys processing of subscription agreements, (e) the date(s) and
manner by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock is determined for purposes of
administration of the Plan, or (f) such other limitations or procedures as deemed advisable by the
Company in the Companys sole discretion which are consistent with the Plan and in accordance with
the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.
11. Purchase of Shares.
11.1 Exercise of Purchase Right. On each Purchase Date, each Participant who has not
withdrawn from the Offering or whose participation in the Offering has not terminated on or before
such Purchase Date shall automatically acquire pursuant to the exercise of the Participants
Purchase Right the number of whole shares of Stock arrived at by dividing the total amount of the
Participants accumulated payroll deductions for the Purchase Period by the Purchase Price;
provided, however, in no event shall the number of shares purchased by the Participant during an
Offering Period exceed the number of shares subject to the Participants Purchase Right. No shares
of Stock shall be purchased on a Purchase Date on behalf of a Participant whose participation in
the Offering or the Plan has terminated on or before such Purchase Date.
11.2 Return of Cash Balance. Any cash balance remaining in the Participants Plan account
shall be refunded to the Participant as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date. In the event
the cash to be returned to a Participant pursuant to the preceding sentence is an amount less than
the amount necessary to purchase a whole share of Stock, the Company may establish procedures
whereby such cash is maintained in the Participants Plan account and applied toward the purchase
of shares of Stock in the subsequent Offering Period.
11.3 Tax Withholding. At the time a Participants Purchase Right is exercised, in whole or in
part, or at the time a Participant disposes of some or all of the shares of Stock he or she
acquires under the Plan, the Participant shall make adequate provision for the foreign, federal,
state and local tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group, if any, which arise
upon exercise of the Purchase Right or upon such disposition of shares, respectively. The
Participating Company Group may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the Participants
compensation the amount necessary to meet such withholding obligations.
11.4 Expiration of Purchase Right. Any portion of a Participants Purchase Right remaining
unexercised after the end of the Offering Period to which such Purchase Right relates shall expire
immediately upon the end of such Offering Period.
12. Limitations on Purchase of Shares; Rights as a Stockholder.
12.1 Fair Market Value Limitation. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, no
Participant shall be entitled to purchase shares of Stock under the Plan (or any other employee
stock purchase plan
5
which is intended to meet the requirements of Section 423 of the Code sponsored
by the Company or a Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation at a rate which exceeds $25,000 in
Fair Market Value, which Fair Market Value is determined for shares purchased during a given
Offering Period as of the Offering Date (or such other limit as may be imposed by the Code), for
each calendar year in which the Participant participates in the Plan (or any other employee stock
purchase plan described in this sentence).
12.2 Pro Rata Allocation. In the event the number of shares of Stock which might be purchased
by all Participants in the Plan exceeds the number of shares of Stock available in the Plan, the
Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the remaining shares in as uniform a manner as shall be
practicable and as the Company shall determine to be equitable.
12.3 Rights as a Stockholder and Employee. A Participant shall have no rights as a
stockholder by virtue of the Participants participation in the Plan until the date of the issuance
of a stock certificate for the shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to the exercise of the
Participants Purchase Right. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or distributions or
other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.
Nothing herein shall confer upon a Participant any right to continue in the employ of the
Participating Company Group or interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company
Group to terminate the Participants employment at any time.
13. Withdrawal.
13.1 Withdrawal From an Offering. A Participant may withdraw from an Offering by signing and
delivering to the Companys payroll or other designated office a written notice of withdrawal on a
form provided by the Company for such purpose. Such withdrawal may be elected at any time prior to
the end of an Offering Period. Unless otherwise indicated, withdrawal from an Offering shall not
result in a withdrawal from the Plan or any succeeding Offering therein. A Participant is
prohibited from again participating in an Offering at any time following withdrawal from such
Offering. The Company may impose, from time to time, a requirement that the notice of withdrawal
be on file with the Companys payroll office or other designated office for a reasonable period
prior to the effectiveness of the Participants withdrawal from an Offering.
13.2 Withdrawal from the Plan. A Participant may withdraw from the Plan by signing and
delivering to the Companys payroll office or other designated office a written notice of
withdrawal on a form provided by the Company for such purpose. Withdrawals made after a Purchase
Date shall not affect shares of Stock acquired by the Participant on such Purchase Date. In the
event a Participant voluntarily elects to withdraw from the Plan, the Participant may not resume
participation in the Plan during the same Offering Period, but may participate in any subsequent
Offering under the Plan by again satisfying the requirements of Sections 5 and 7.1. The Company
may impose, from time to time, a requirement that the notice of withdrawal be on file with the
Companys payroll office or other designated office for a reasonable period prior to the
effectiveness of the Participants withdrawal from the Plan.
13.3 Return of Payroll Deductions. Upon a Participants withdrawal from an Offering or the
Plan pursuant to Sections 13.1 or 13.2, respectively, the Participants accumulated payroll
deductions which have not been applied toward the purchase of shares of Stock shall be returned as
soon as practicable after the withdrawal, without the payment of any interest, to the Participant,
and the Participants interest in the Offering or the Plan, as applicable, shall terminate. Such
accumulated payroll deductions may not be applied to any other Offering under the Plan.
14. Termination of Employment or Eligibility. Termination of a Participants
employment with a Participating Company for any reason, including retirement, disability or death
or the failure of a Participant to remain an Eligible Employee, shall terminate the Participants
participation in the Plan immediately. In such event, the payroll deductions credited to the
Participants Plan account since the last Purchase Date shall, as soon as practicable, be returned
to the Participant or, in the case of the Participants death, to the Participants legal
representative, and all of the Participants rights under the Plan shall terminate. Interest shall
not be paid on sums returned to a Participant pursuant to this Section 14. A Participant whose
participation has been so terminated may again become eligible to participate in the Plan by again
satisfying the requirements of Sections 5 and 7.1.
6
15. Transfer of Control.
15.1 Definitions.
(a) An Ownership Change Event shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the following
occurs with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or indirect sale or exchange in a single or
series of related transactions by the stockholders of the Company of more than fifty percent (50%)
of the voting stock of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party;
(iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or
(iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(b) A Transfer of Control shall mean an Ownership Change Event or a series of related
Ownership Change Events (collectively, the Transaction) wherein the stockholders of the Company
immediately before the Transaction do not retain immediately after the Transaction, in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Companys voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company or
the corporation or corporations to which the assets of the Company were transferred (the
Transferee Corporation(s)), as the case may be. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect
beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the
voting stock of one or more corporations which, as a result of the Transaction, own the Company or
the Transferee Corporation(s), as the case may be, either directly or through one or more
subsidiary corporations. The Board shall have the right to determine whether multiple sales or
exchanges of the voting stock of the Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and
its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
15.2 Effect of Transfer of Control on Purchase Rights. In the event of a Transfer of Control,
the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or parent corporation thereof, as
the case may be (the Acquiring Corporation), may assume the Companys rights and obligations
under the Plan or substitute substantially equivalent Purchase Rights for stock of the Acquiring
Corporation. If the Acquiring Corporation elects not to assume or substitute for the outstanding
Purchase Rights, the Board shall, notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary,
adjust the Purchase Date of the then current Offering Period to a date immediately before the date
of the Transfer of Control, but shall not adjust the number of shares of Stock subject to any
Purchase Right. All Purchase Rights which are neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring
Corporation in connection with the Transfer of Control nor exercised as of the date of the Transfer
of Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Transfer of
Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock of which is subject to the
outstanding Purchase Rights immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event described in Section
15.1(a)(i) constituting a Transfer of Control is the surviving or continuing corporation and
immediately after such Ownership Change Event less than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined
voting power of its voting stock is held by another corporation or by other corporations that are
members of an affiliated group within the meaning of section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to
the provisions of section 1504(b) of the Code, the outstanding Purchase Rights shall not terminate
unless the Board otherwise provides in its sole discretion.
16. Nontransferability of Purchase Rights. A Purchase Right may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable
during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. Any attempt to pledge, assign or
transfer such Purchase Rights or accumulated payroll deductions shall be treated as an election to
withdraw from the Plan. The Company, in its absolute discretion, may impose such restrictions on
the transferability of the shares purchasable upon the exercise of a Purchase Right as it deems
appropriate and any such restriction shall be set forth in the respective subscription agreement
and may be referred to on the certificates evidencing such shares.
17. Reports. Each Participant who exercised all or part of his or her Purchase Right
for an Offering Period shall receive, as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date, a report of
such Participants Plan account setting forth the total payroll deductions accumulated, the number
of shares of Stock purchased, the Purchase Price for such shares, the date of purchase and the
remaining cash balance to be refunded or retained in the Participants Plan account pursuant to
Section 11.2, if any. Each Participant shall be provided information concerning the Company
equivalent to that information generally made available to the Companys common stockholders.
18. Restriction on Issuance of Shares. The issuance of shares under the Plan shall be
subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of foreign, federal or state law with
respect to such securities. A Purchase Right may not be exercised if the issuance of shares upon
such exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable foreign, federal or state securities laws or other law or regulations. In addition, no
Purchase Right may
7
be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, shall at the time of exercise of the Purchase Right be in effect with respect to
the shares issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Right, or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to
the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Right may be issued in accordance
with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of said Act. The
inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if
any, deemed by the Companys legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any
shares under the Plan shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue
or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a
condition to the exercise of a Purchase Right, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy
any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable
law or regulation, and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be
requested by the Company.
19. Legends. The Company may at any time place legends or other identifying symbols
referencing any applicable foreign, federal or state securities law restrictions or any provision
convenient in the administration of the Plan on some or all of the certificates representing shares
of Stock issued under the Plan. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly
present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to a Purchase
Right in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section.
Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on such certificates may include but
shall not be limited to the following:
THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED
HOLDER UPON THE PURCHASE OF SHARES UNDER AN EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 423
OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES EVIDENCED
HEREBY SHALL NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY OF ANY TRANSFER OF THE SHARES BY THE REGISTERED
HOLDER HEREOF MADE ON OR BEFORE , 20 . THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL
HOLD ALL SHARES PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN IN THE REGISTERED HOLDERS NAME (AND NOT IN THE NAME OF
ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE.
20. Notification of Sale of Shares. The Company may require the Participant to give
the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares acquired by exercise of a Purchase Right
within two years from the date of granting such Purchase Right or one year from the date of
exercise of such Purchase Right. The Company may require that until such time as a Participant
disposes of shares acquired upon exercise of a Purchase Right, the Participant shall hold all such
shares in the Participants name (and not in the name of any nominee) until the lapse of the time
periods with respect to such Purchase Right referred to in the preceding sentence. The Company may
direct that the certificates evidencing shares acquired by exercise of a Purchase Right refer to
such requirement to give prompt notice of disposition.
21. Amendment or Termination of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the earliest to
occur of (i) the date on which all available shares are issued; or (ii) the date on which the
outstanding Purchase Rights are exercised in connection with a Transfer of Control. The Board may
at any time amend or terminate the Plan, except that (a) such termination shall not affect Purchase
Rights previously granted under the Plan, except as permitted under the Plan, and (b) no amendment
may adversely affect a Purchase Right previously granted under the Plan (except to the extent
permitted by the Plan or as may be necessary to qualify the Plan as an employee stock purchase plan
pursuant to Section 423 of the Code or to obtain qualification or registration of the shares of
Stock under applicable foreign, federal or state securities laws). In addition, an amendment to
the Plan must be approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of the
adoption of such amendment if such amendment would (a) authorize the sale of more shares than are
authorized for issuance under the Plan; or (b) change the definition of the corporations that may
be designated by the Board as Participating Companies; or (c) materially modify the eligibility
requirements of the Plan except as required by changes in the Code; or (d) permit payroll
deductions with respect to the Plan in excess of 10% of the Participants Compensation; or (e)
materially increase the benefits which may accrue under the Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Secretary of the Company certifies that the foregoing
Cohu, Inc. 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated, was duly adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company on March 25, 2011.
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/s/ Jeffrey D. Jones
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Jeffrey D. Jones |
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8
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.
We encourage you to take advantage of Internet or telephone voting.
Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time the day prior to May 11, 2011.
COHU, INC.
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WO#
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INTERNET
http://www.proxyvoting.com/cohu
Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when
you access the web site.
OR
TELEPHONE
1-866-540-5760
Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card
in hand when you call.
If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy
card.
To vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid
envelope.
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.
6 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 6
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THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, FOR ITEMS 2, 4, 5, AND 6, AND FOR EVERY 3 YEARS ON ITEM 3.
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Please mark your votes as
indicated in this example
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, 4, 5 AND 6 AND
3 YEARS FOR PROPOSAL 3.
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1.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Nominees: |
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01
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Robert L. Ciardella |
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AGAINST
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Proposal to approve the advisory
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1 year
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Proposal to recommend the
frequency of an advisory
vote on executive
compensation.
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Proposal to reapprove the
performance-based compensation measures
to be used under the Cohu, Inc. 2005
Equity Incentive Plan. |
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Proposal to approve an amendment to
the Cohu, Inc. 1997 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan |
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To ratify the appointment of Ernst &
Young LLP as Cohus independent
registered public accounting firm for
2011. |
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NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.
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Mark Here for
Address Change
or Comments
SEE REVERSE
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You can now access your Cohu, Inc. account online.
Access your Cohu, Inc. account online via Investor ServiceDirect® (ISD).
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, the transfer agent for Cohu, Inc., now makes it easy and
convenient to get current information on your shareholder account.
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View account status
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View payment history for dividends |
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View certificate history
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Make address changes |
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View book-entry information
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Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form |
Visit us on the web at http://www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess
For Technical Assistance Call 1-877-978-7778 between 9am-7pm
Monday-Friday Eastern Time
Investor ServiceDirect®
Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-800-370-1163
Choose MLinkSM for fast, easy and secure 24/7 online access to your
future proxy materials, investment plan statements, tax documents and more.
Simply log on to Investor ServiceDirect® at
www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess where step-by-step instructions will
prompt you through enrollment.
Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting
of shareholders. The Proxy Statement and the 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at:
http://www.cohu.com
Notice & Access site: www.proxydocs.com/cohu
6 FOLD AND DETACH HERE
6
PROXY
COHU, INC.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 11, 2011
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The undersigned hereby appoints JAMES A. DONAHUE and JEFFREY D. JONES, and each of
them, with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies and
attorneys-in-fact and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as provided on the other side,
all the shares of Cohu, Inc. Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote, and, in their
discretion, to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the company to be held May 11, 2011 or at any adjournment or postponement thereof,
with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Meeting.
Address Change/Comments
(Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)
BNY MELLON SHAREOWNER SERVICES
P.O. BOX 3550
SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606-9250
(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the
other side)
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