SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12
WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________________
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee
is calculated and state how it was determined):
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
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WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2002 SOUTH 5070 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84104-4726
_________________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999
_________________________
To the Stockholders of Weider Nutrition International, Inc.:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "1999 ANNUAL MEETING") of Weider
Nutrition International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), will be
held at the Company's executive offices located at 2002 South 5070 West, Salt
Lake City, Utah, 84104 on November 17, 1999, at 2:00 p.m., local time, for the
following purposes:
1. To elect the Company's Board of Directors;
2. To approve amendments to the Company's 1997 Equity Participation Plan,
as amended (the "EQUITY PLAN"), to:
o increase the number of shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock
available for issuance under the Equity Plan from 2,496,000 to
3,500,000 shares; and
o increase the maximum number of shares which may be subject to
options or awards to any individual in any fiscal year from 300,000
to 600,000 shares; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the 1999
Annual Meeting or at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on
October 15, 1999 as the record date (the "RECORD DATE") for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 1999 Annual Meeting or
any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only stockholders of record at the
close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the 1999 Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE
NOMINEES NAMED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT AND FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE
AMENDMENTS TO THE EQUITY PLAN.
Whether or not you plan to attend the 1999 Annual Meeting, please
complete, sign, date and return promptly the enclosed form of proxy. A return
envelope is enclosed for your convenience and requires no postage for mailing in
the United States.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Daniel A. Thomson
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL
COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
Salt Lake City, Utah
October 21, 1999
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WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
2002 SOUTH 5070 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84104-4726
_________________________
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 17, 1999
_________________________
INTRODUCTION
This proxy statement is furnished to the stockholders of Weider Nutrition
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), in connection with
the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Company's Board of Directors to be
voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "1999 ANNUAL MEETING") to be
held on November 17, 1999 at 2:00 p.m., local time, at the Company's executive
offices located at 2002 South 5070 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104, or at such
other time and place to which the 1999 Annual Meeting may be adjourned, for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This proxy statement and Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the
related proxy card are first being mailed to stockholders on or about October
25, 1999.
RECORD DATE
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 15, 1999
as the record date (the "RECORD DATE") for the 1999 Annual Meeting. Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the 1999 Annual Meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof.
PROXIES
The proxies named on the enclosed proxy card were appointed by the Board
of Directors to vote the shares represented by the proxy card. Upon receipt by
the Company of a properly signed and dated proxy card, the shares represented
thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions on the proxy card. If
a stockholder does not return a signed proxy card, his or her shares cannot be
voted by proxy. Stockholders are urged to mark the boxes on the proxy card to
show how their shares are to be voted. If a stockholder returns a signed proxy
card without marking the boxes, the shares represented by the proxy card will be
voted FOR the election of the persons named under "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" as
nominees for election as directors of the Company (each a "NOMINEE" and,
collectively, the "NOMINEES") and FOR the proposal to approve the amendments to
the Company's 1997 Equity Participation Plan, as amended (the "EQUITY PLAN"), as
recommended by the Board of Directors herein and on the proxy card. The proxy
card also confers discretionary authority on the proxies to vote on any other
matter not presently known to the management that may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Any proxy delivered pursuant to this solicitation is revocable at the
option of the person(s) executing the same:
o upon receipt by the Company, before the proxy is voted, of a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date;
o by written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company received
before the proxy is voted; or
o by such person(s) voting in person at the 1999 Annual Meeting.
Duly executed proxies in the form enclosed, unless properly revoked, will
be voted at the 1999 Annual Meeting.
The expenses incidental to the preparation and mailing of this proxy
material are being paid by the Company. The Company will reimburse banks,
brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable
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expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to stockholders. No
solicitation currently is planned beyond the mailing of this proxy material to
stockholders and to brokerage firms, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries, who
may be requested to forward the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of
shares held of record by them.
VOTING SHARES AND QUORUM REQUIRED
On the Record Date, the Company had outstanding 9,226,739 shares of Class
A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "CLASS A STOCK"), and 15,687,432
shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "CLASS B STOCK",
and together with the Class A Stock, the "COMMON STOCK"). Holders of Class A
Stock on the Record Date (the "CLASS A STOCKHOLDERS") are entitled to one vote
per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and holders of
Class B Stock on the Record Date (the "CLASS B STOCKHOLDERS," and together with
the Class A Stockholders, the "STOCKHOLDERS") are entitled to ten votes per
share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Thus, an aggregate of
166,101,059 votes (the "VOTING SHARES") may be cast by the Stockholders at the
1999 Annual Meeting.
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the
issued and outstanding Voting Shares entitled to vote at the 1999 Annual
Meeting, excluding Common Stock held by the Company, is necessary to constitute
a quorum at the 1999 Annual Meeting. "Broker non-votes" (I.E., shares held by
brokers or nominees that are represented at the 1999 Annual Meeting, but with
respect to which the broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a particular
proposal) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
The affirmative vote of a plurality of Voting Shares represented in person
or by proxy and entitled to vote at the 1999 Annual Meeting is required to elect
the directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Voting Shares
represented and entitled to vote is required to approve the proposal to amend
the Equity Plan.
Pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware, the inspectors of the
election will not count shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions
or broker non-votes as votes cast with respect to the election of directors, and
therefore, neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will affect the outcome of
the election of the Nominees. With respect to the Equity Plan and any other
proposals that properly come before the 1999 Annual Meeting, abstentions with
respect to such proposal will have the effect of a vote against such proposal.
Broker non-votes, however, will be treated as not entitled to vote and thus
unvoted for purposes of determining approval of such proposal. Thus, broker
non-votes will not be counted as votes for or against such proposal.
MATTERS TO BE VOTED UPON
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The eight Nominees set forth below have been duly nominated to stand for
election as directors of the Company to serve for a term of one year, or until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR each of the Nominees. Each of the Nominees has indicated a
willingness to serve as a member of the Board of Directors if elected. If any of
the Nominees should become unable or unwilling to serve prior to the 1999 Annual
Meeting, the proxy will be voted for a substituted nominee or nominees
designated by the Board of Directors. The information provided below with
respect to the Nominees is as of the Record Date.
The Company's Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will consist of
from three to 15 directors. The number of directors is currently fixed at eight.
Each of the Company's eight Nominees for election to the Board of Directors is
currently serving as a director of the Company and was elected to his present
term of office by the stockholders of the Company, except for David J. Gustin
and Bruce J. Wood, who were appointed as directors in March 1999 and June 1999,
respectively, by the Board pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company. In June 1999
and July 1999, Richard B. Bizzaro and Robert K. Reynolds, respectively, resigned
their positions as directors of the Company.
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Directors to be elected at the 1999 Annual Meeting are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Eric Weider ............ 36 Chairman of the Board
George F. Lengvari ..... 57 Vice Chairman of the Board
Bruce J. Wood .......... 49 Chief Executive Officer, President
Ronald L. Corey ........ 60 Director
Donald G. Drapkin ...... 51 Director
David J. Gustin ........ 48 Director
Roger H. Kimmel ........ 53 Director
Glenn W. Schaeffer ..... 46 Director
ERIC WEIDER has been a director of the Company since June 1989, Chairman
of the Board of Directors since August 1996, and since June 1, 1997 has been
President and Chief Executive Officer of Weider Health and Fitness, a major
stockholder of the Company. Mr. Weider also serves as a member of the board of
directors of a number of public and private companies in the United States and
Canada, including Weider Health and Fitness, Enutrition, LLC and Weider
Publications, a publisher of health and fitness magazines. Mr. Weider is also
the President of the Joe Weider Foundation.
GEORGE F. LENGVARI has been a director of the Company since August 1996
and serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Lengvari has been
Vice Chairman of Weider Health and Fitness since June 1995 and Chairman of
Weider Publications U.K. since September 1994. Prior to joining Weider Health
and Fitness, Mr. Lengvari was a partner for 22 years in the law firm Lengvari
Braman and is currently of counsel to the law firm LaPointe Rosenstein.
BRUCE J. WOOD has been Chief Executive Officer, President and a director
of the Company since June 1999. From January 1998 to December 1998, Mr. Wood was
the President and a founder of All Stick Label LLC, a manufacturer of custom
pressure sensitive labels. From 1973 to December 1997, Mr. Wood held various
management positions with divisions of Nabisco, Inc., a manufacturer and
marketer of packaged food, including President and Chief Executive Officer of
Nabisco, Ltd., President of Planters Lifesavers Company, and Senior Vice
President, Marketing of both Nabisco Biscuit Company and Del Monte USA. Mr. Wood
also serves as a director of Payge International Ltd., Montreal, a private
company which manufactures injection molded plastic industrial and advertising
products.
RONALD L. COREY has been a director of the Company since August 1996. Mr.
Corey served as President of the Club de Hockey Canadien Inc. (the Montreal
Canadiens) and the Molson Center Inc. from 1982 through July 1999. In addition,
between 1985 and 1989, Mr. Corey held the position of Chairman of the Board and
director of the Montreal Port Corporation. Mr. Corey has previously served as
director of numerous companies, including Banque Laurentienne, Reno-Depot Inc.
and Transamerica Life Companies, an insurance and financial services company.
DONALD G. DRAPKIN has been a director of the Company since October 1997.
Mr. Drapkin has been a director and Vice Chairman of MacAndrews & Forbes
Holdings, Inc. and various of its affiliates since March 1987. Prior to joining
MacAndrews & Forbes, Mr. Drapkin was a partner in the law firm of Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York for more than five years. Mr. Drapkin is also
a director of Algos Pharmaceutical Corporation, a developer of analgesic and
anesthetic drugs, Anthracite Capital, Inc., a financial services company, The
Molson Companies Limited, a manufacturer and distributor of Molson products,
Nexell Therapeutics Inc., a cell therapy company, Playboy Enterprises, Inc., a
publishing and entertainment company, Revlon Consumer Products Corporation, a
developer and marketer of cosmetics, Revlon, Inc. and The Warnaco Group, Inc., a
designer, manufacturer and marketer of women's apparel.
DAVID J. GUSTIN has been a director of the Company since March 1999. From
March 1999 until June 1999, Mr. Gustin served as Chief Executive Officer and
President of the Company. From 1992 to June 1998, Mr. Gustin held various senior
management positions within ConAgra, Inc., including President of ConAgra
Grocery Products Companies, Hunt-Wesson Grocery Products Companies,
LaChoy/Rosarita Company and Orville Redenbacher/ Swiss Miss Company. Prior to
joining ConAgra, Inc., Mr. Gustin held various management positions with
Frito-Lay, Inc. and General Foods Corporation.
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ROGER H. KIMMEL has been a director of the Company since August 1996. Mr.
Kimmel has been a partner at the law firm of Latham & Watkins for more than five
years. Mr. Kimmel is also a director of Algos Pharmaceutical Corporation, TSR
Wireless, LLC, a provider of wireless messaging products and services, and U.S.
Dermatologics, Inc., a pharmaceutical research company.
GLENN W. SCHAEFFER has been a director of the Company since October 1997.
Mr. Schaeffer has been President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of
Mandalay Resort Group, an owner and operator of casino-hotel properties, since
April 1995 and a member of the Board of Directors of Mandalay since March 1996.
Prior to joining Mandalay, Mr. Schaeffer was involved in an executive capacity
in the management and operation of Gold Strike Resorts.
VOTE AND RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the Voting Shares represented in
person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the 1999 Annual Meeting is required
to elect each Nominee. Neither broker non-votes nor abstentions will be treated
as shares entitled to vote with respect to such approval and, thus, neither
broker non-votes nor abstentions will affect the outcome of the election of the
Nominees (e.g., will not count as votes for or against any Nominee). Unless
instructed to the contrary, the shares represented by the proxies will be voted
FOR election of each Nominee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES. PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES
UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY CARD.
PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE EQUITY PLAN
The 1997 Equity Participation Plan, as amended (the "EQUITY PLAN"), was
originally adopted by the Board of Directors on April 1, 1997. The Board of
Directors approved amendments to the Equity Plan on September 8, 1998. The
Stockholders approved the Equity Plan, as amended, on October 29, 1998 at the
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. On June 1, 1999, the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Equity Plan, subject to
Stockholder approval, setting the maximum number of shares of Class A Stock
which may be subject to options or awards to any individual at 600,000. A
Stockholder representing in excess of a majority of the outstanding Voting
Shares entered into a voting agreement with the Company, pursuant to which the
Stockholder agreed to vote in favor of this amendment to the Equity Plan at the
1999 Annual Meeting. On September 27, 1999, the Board of Directors approved an
additional amendment to the Equity Plan, subject to Stockholder approval,
increasing the maximum number of shares of Class A Stock available for issuance
under the Equity Plan from 2,496,000 to 3,500,000 shares, an increase of
1,004,000 shares.
At the 1999 Annual Meeting, the Stockholders are asked to consider and
vote upon the approval of the amendments to the Equity Plan to:
o set the maximum number of shares which may be subject to options or
awards to any individual in any fiscal year at 600,000 shares; and
o increase the maximum number of shares of Class A Stock available for
issuance under the Equity Plan from 2,496,000 to 3,500,000 shares.
REASONS FOR THE AMENDMENTS
INCREASE IN THE AWARD LIMIT. Under the terms of the Equity Plan as
originally adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Stockholders,
the maximum number of shares which may be subject to options or other awards
granted under the Equity Plan (collectively, "AWARDS") to any individual in any
fiscal year was limited to 300,000 (the "AWARD LIMIT"). This limit is necessary
to ensure that any gain realized upon the exercise of certain options granted
under the Equity Plan are deductible by the Company under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE"). In connection with the
recruitment of a Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, the
Compensation Committee determined that, in order to attract and retain a
qualified person to undertake the duties and
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responsibilities of such positions, the Company would need to grant such person
a number of options exceeding the existing Award Limit. Accordingly, in June
1999 the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to the Equity Plan setting
the Award Limit at 600,000 shares. In connection with the hiring of Bruce J.
Wood, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President, in June 1999, the
Board of Directors granted Mr. Wood an Award of 600,000 options subject to the
terms of the Equity Plan and certain vesting and exercise provisions. A
Stockholder representing in excess of a majority of the outstanding Voting
Shares entered into a voting agreement with the Company, pursuant to which the
Stockholder agreed to vote in favor of this amendment to the Equity Plan at the
1999 Annual Meeting.
INCREASE IN ISSUABLE SHARES. Prior to the Board of Director's September
1999 action, the Equity Plan provided that the maximum number of shares of Class
A Stock which may be subject to options or other awards granted under the Equity
Plan may not exceed 2,496,000. As of the Record Date, only approximately 424,567
shares of Class A Stock were available for issuance under the Equity Plan. The
principal purposes of the Equity Plan are to attract and retain qualified
personnel by providing incentives to officers, employees and consultants of the
Company through the granting of Awards, thereby stimulating their personal and
active interest in the Company's development and financial success and inducing
them to remain in the Company's employ. The Board of Directors believes that it
is necessary and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to
increase the maximum number of shares issuable under the Equity Plan so that the
Company can continue to retain its key officers, employees and consultants and
attract qualified individuals to join the Company.
DESCRIPTION OF THE 1997 EQUITY PARTICIPATION PLAN
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Equity Plan, as
proposed to be amended.
ADMINISTRATION. The Compensation Committee administers the Equity Plan
with respect to grants to employees or consultants of the Company and the full
Board of Directors administers the Equity Plan with respect to options granted
to Independent Directors. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Equity
Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to select the employees and
consultants to whom Awards are to be made, to determine the number of shares to
be subject thereto and the terms and conditions thereof (including
exercisability and vesting), and to make all other determinations and to take
all other actions necessary or advisable for the administration of the Equity
Plan with respect to grants or awards made to employees or consultants. The
Compensation Committee (and the Board of Directors) is also authorized to adopt,
amend and rescind rules relating to the administration of the Equity Plan.
ELIGIBILITY. Options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and
other Awards under the Equity Plan may be granted to individuals who are
employees or consultants of the Company (or any Subsidiary) selected by the
Compensation Committee for participation in the Equity Plan. In addition, the
Equity Plan provides for automatic grants of non-qualified stock options to
Independent Directors. The maximum number of shares which may be subject to
Awards granted under the Equity Plan, as proposed to be amended, to any
individual in any fiscal year of the Company cannot exceed 600,000.
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS. The Equity Plan provides for (i) grants of
non-qualified stock options to purchase 20,000 shares of Class A Stock to each
Independent Director at the time of appointment or election to the Board of
Directors (the date of the Company's initial public offering with respect to
Independent Directors then serving as such), and (ii) subject to the Independent
Director's continuing service as such, grants of non-qualified stock options to
purchase 7,000 shares of Class A Stock to each Independent Director upon the
date of each annual meeting of the Company's stockholders that follows the first
anniversary of the initial grant. The exercise price of options granted to
Independent Directors is the fair market value of a share of Class A Stock on
the date of grant. Options granted to Independent Directors prior to July 22,
1998 are exercisable in equal annual installments on each of the first five
anniversaries of the date of the grant so long as the Independent Director
continues to serve as a director of the Company; options granted to Independent
Directors after such date shall become exercisable in equal annual installments
on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of the grant so long as the
Independent Director continues to serve as a director of the Company; provided,
however, to the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3, the Board of Directors may
accelerate the exercisability of options upon the occurrence of certain
specified extraordinary corporate transactions or events. No portion of an
option granted to any Independent Director shall be exercisable after the eighth
anniversary of the date of grant, and in the event of the Independent Director's
earlier termination of directorship, his or her options shall expire 60 days
after such termination of directorship; provided, however, that if the
termination of directorship is by reason of death or disability, his or her
options shall not expire until the first anniversary of such termination of
directorship.
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AWARDS UNDER THE EQUITY PLAN. Each Award will be set forth in a separate
agreement with the person receiving the Award and will indicate the type, terms
and conditions of the Award.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS ("NQSOs"). NQSOs provide for the right to
purchase Class A Stock at a specified price which, except with respect to NQSOs
intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of
the Code, may be less than fair market value on the date of grant (but not less
than par value), and usually become exercisable (as determined by the
Compensation Committee) in one or more installments after the grant date,
subject to the participant's continued employment with the Company and/or
subject to the satisfaction of individual or Company performance targets
established by the Compensation Committee. NQSOs may be granted for any term
(not exceeding eight years) specified by the Compensation Committee.
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS ("ISOs"). ISOs are designed to comply with certain
restrictions contained in the Code. Among such restrictions, ISOs must have an
exercise price not less than the fair market value of a share of Class A Stock
on the date of grant, may only be granted to employees, must expire within a
specified period of time following the Optionee's termination of employment; but
may be subsequently modified to disqualify them from treatment as ISOs. In the
case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns (or is deemed to own) at least
10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company,
the Equity Plan provides that the exercise price must be at least 110% of the
fair market value of a share of Class A Stock on the date of grant and the ISO
must expire upon the fifth anniversary of the date of its grant. Subject to
certain Code limitations, ISOs become exercisable as determined by the
Compensation Committee.
RESTRICTED STOCK. Restricted Stock may be sold to employees and
consultants at various prices (but not below par value) and made subject to such
restrictions as may be determined by the Compensation Committee. Restricted
stock, typically, may be repurchased by the Company at the original purchase
price if the specified conditions or restrictions are not met. In general,
restricted stock may not be sold, or otherwise transferred or hypothecated,
until restrictions are removed or expire. Purchasers of restricted stock, unlike
recipients of options, have voting rights and receive dividends prior to the
time when the restrictions lapse.
DEFERRED STOCK. Deferred Stock may be awarded to employees and
consultants, typically without payment of consideration, but subject to vesting
conditions based on continued employment or on performance criteria established
by the Compensation Committee. Like restricted stock, deferred stock may not be
sold, or otherwise transferred or hypothecated, until vesting conditions are
removed or expire. Unlike restricted stock, deferred stock will not be issued
until the deferred stock award has vested, and recipients of deferred stock
generally will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time when vesting
conditions are satisfied.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS ("SARs"). SARs may be granted to employees and
consultants in connection with stock options or other Awards, or separately.
SARs granted in connection with stock options or other Awards typically provide
for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of the Company's
Class A Stock over the exercise price of the related option or other Award, but
alternatively may be based upon criteria such as book value. Except as required
by Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to an SAR intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation, there are no restrictions specified in the
Equity Plan on the amount of gain realizable from the exercise of SARs, although
restrictions may be imposed by the Compensation Committee in the SAR agreements.
The Compensation Committee may elect to pay SARs in cash or in Class A Stock or
in a combination of both.
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. Dividend Equivalents represent the value of the
dividends per share paid on Class A Stock and may be granted to employees and
consultants in connection with any number of shares subject to another Award
(such as an option or SAR) held by such individual. The Compensation Committee
may elect to pay Dividend Equivalents in cash or in Class A Stock or in a
combination of both.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS. Performance Awards may be granted by the Compensation
Committee to employees and consultants on an individual or group basis.
Generally, these Awards will be based upon specific performance targets and may
be paid in cash or in Class A Stock or in a combination of both. The value of
Performance Awards may be linked to market value, book value, net profits or
other measure of the value of Class A Stock, or other performance criteria over
a predetermined period.
STOCK PAYMENTS. Stock payments may be awarded by the Compensation
Committee to employees and consultants in the form of shares of Class A Stock or
an option or other right to purchase Class A Stock as part of a deferred
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compensation arrangement or otherwise in lieu of or in addition to all or any
part of compensation, including bonuses, that would otherwise be payable in cash
to the employee or consultant.
OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER EQUITY PLAN SUBJECT TO STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS
On June 3, 1999, the Compensation Committee awarded 600,000 options to
Bruce J. Wood, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. No other Awards were granted
subject to stockholder approval of the amendments to the Equity Plan.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The tax consequences of the Equity Plan under current federal law are
summarized in the following discussion which deals with the general tax
principles applicable to the Equity Plan, and is intended for general
information only. In addition, the tax consequences described below are subject
to the limitation of the 1993 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("OBRA"), as
discussed in further detail below. Alternative minimum tax and state and local
income taxes are not discussed, and may vary depending on individual
circumstances and from locality to locality.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS. For United States income tax purposes, the
recipient of NQSOs granted under the Equity Plan will not have taxable income
upon the grant of the option, nor will the Company then be entitled to any
deduction. Generally, upon exercise of NQSOs the optionee will realize ordinary
income, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction, in an amount equal to
the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of
the stock at the date of exercise. An optionee's basis for the stock for
purposes of determining his gain or loss on his subsequent disposition of the
shares generally will be the fair market value of the stock on the date of
exercise of the NQSO.
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. There is no taxable income to an employee when an
ISO is granted to him or when that option is exercised; however, the amount by
which the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise exceeds the
option price will be an "item of tax preference" for the optionee. Gain realized
by an optionee upon sale of stock issued on exercise of an ISO is taxable at
capital gains rates, and no tax deduction is available to the Company, unless
the optionee disposes of the shares within two years after the date of grant of
the option or within one year of the date the shares were transferred to the
optionee. In such event the difference between the option exercise price and the
fair market value of the shares on the date of the option's exercise will be
taxed at ordinary income rates, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction
to the extent the employee must recognize ordinary income. An ISO exercised more
than three months after an optionee's retirement from employment, other than by
reason of death or disability, will be taxed as an NQSO, with the optionee
deemed to have received income upon such exercise taxable at ordinary income
rates. The Company will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the ordinary
income, if any, realized by the optionee.
RESTRICTED STOCK AND DEFERRED STOCK. An employee to whom restricted or
deferred stock is issued will not have taxable income upon issuance and the
Company will not then be entitled to a deduction, unless, in the case of
restricted stock, an election is made under Section 83(b) of the Code. However,
when restrictions on shares of restricted stock lapse, such that the shares are
no longer subject to repurchase by the Company, the employee will realize
ordinary income and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in an amount
equal to the fair market value of the shares at the date such restrictions
lapse, less the purchase price therefor. Similarly, when deferred stock vests
and is issued to the employee, the employee will realize ordinary income and the
Company will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the fair market
value of the shares at the date of issuance. If an election is made under
Section 83(b) with respect to restricted stock, the employee will realize
ordinary income at the date of issuance equal to the difference between the fair
market value of the shares at that date less the purchase price therefor and the
Company will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount. The Code does not
permit a Section 83(b) election to be made with respect to deferred stock.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. No taxable income is realized upon the receipt
of an SAR, but upon exercise of the SAR the fair market value of the shares (or
cash in lieu of shares) received must be treated as compensation taxable as
ordinary income to the recipient in the year of such exercise. The Company will
be entitled to a deduction for compensation paid in the same amount which the
recipient realized as ordinary income.
7
<PAGE>
DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. A recipient of a dividend equivalent award will not
realize taxable income at the time of grant, and the Company will not be
entitled to a deduction at that time. When a dividend equivalent is paid, the
participant will recognize ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to
a corresponding deduction.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS. A participant who has been granted a performance award
will not realize taxable income at the time of grant, and the Company will not
be entitled to a deduction at that time. When an award is paid, whether in cash
or Common Stock, the participant will have ordinary income, and the Company will
be entitled to a corresponding deduction.
STOCK PAYMENTS. A participant who receives a stock payment in lieu of a
cash payment that would otherwise have been made will be taxed as if the cash
payment has been received, and the Company will have a deduction in the same
amount.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION. Participants who defer compensation generally will
recognize no income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes when NQSOs are
granted in lieu of amounts otherwise payable, and the Company will not be
entitled to a deduction at that time. When and to the extent options are
exercised, the ordinary rules regarding nonqualified stock options outlined
above will apply.
EFFECT OF 1993 OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT ON THE AMENDED PLAN.
Under OBRA, which became law in August 1993, income tax deductions of
publicly-traded companies may be limited to the extent total compensation
(including base salary, annual bonus, stock option exercises and non-qualified
benefits paid in 1996 and thereafter) for certain executive officers exceeds $1
million (less the amount of any "excess parachute payments" as defined in
Section 280G of the Code) in any one year. However, under OBRA, the deduction
limit does not apply to certain "performance-based" compensation established by
an independent compensation committee which is adequately disclosed to, and
approved by, stockholders. In particular, stock options and SARs will satisfy
the performance-based exception if the awards are made by a qualifying
compensation committee, the plan sets the maximum number of shares that can be
granted to any particular employee within a specified period and the
compensation is based solely on an increase in the stock price after the grant
date (i.e., the option exercise price is equal to or greater than the fair
market value of the stock subject to the award on the grant date).
The Company's policy is generally to design its compensation programs to
conform with the OBRA legislation and related regulations so that total
compensation paid to any employee will not exceed $1 million in any one year,
except for compensation payments in excess of $1 million which qualify as
"performance-based." Accordingly, the Board of Directors is asking stockholders
to approve the amendments to the Equity Plan in compliance with OBRA
requirements.
VOTE AND RECOMMENDATION
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Voting Shares present
or represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote at the 1999 Annual Meeting is
required to approve this Proposal 2. Broker non-votes will be treated as not
entitled to vote with respect to such approval and, thus, unvoted for purposes
of determining approval of this Proposal 2 (i.e.., will not count as a vote for
or against the proposal). Abstentions, however, will have the effect of a vote
against this Proposal 2. Unless instructed to the contrary, the shares
represented by the proxies will be voted FOR this Proposal 2.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO
THE EQUITY PLAN. PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED FOR
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE EQUITY PLAN UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE
ON THE PROXY CARD.
8
<PAGE>
VOTING SECURITIES AND CERTAIN HOLDERS THEREOF
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, the amount and
percentage of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock which, according to the
information supplied to the Company, are beneficially owned by:
o each of the current directors of the Company (all of whom are Nominees
for re-election);
o each of the Named Officers (as defined on page 11);
o all current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group;
and
o each person or entity who is known to the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock.
Except to the extent indicated in the footnotes to the following table,
each of the persons or entities listed has sole voting and sole investment power
with respect to the shares which are deemed beneficially owned by such person or
entity.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED (1)
---------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT PERCENT OF
----------------------- -------------------- TOTAL
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B VOTING
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER STOCK(2) STOCK STOCK STOCK SHARES
- ------------------------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DIRECTORS AND NAMED OFFICERS:
Eric Weider (3) ............................... 3,600 0 * 0 *
Bruce J. Wood ................................. 0 0 0 0 0
Ronald L. Corey ............................... 67,760 0 * 0 *
Donald G. Drapkin ............................. 14,333 0 * 0 *
David J. Gustin ............................... 0 0 0 0 0
Roger H. Kimmel (4) ........................... 12,333 0 * 0 *
George F. Lengvari (5) ........................ 0 0 0 0 0
Glenn W. Schaeffer ............................ 12,333 0 * 0 *
Richard B. Bizzaro ............................ 499,078 0 5.4 0 *
Robert K. Reynolds ............................ 420,530 0 4.5 0 *
Richard A. Blair .............................. 126,222 0 1.4 0 *
Stephen D. Young (6) .......................... 90,815 0 1.0 0 *
Directors and executive officers as a
group (13 persons)(3)(4)(5)(7) ............... 234,764 0 2.5 0 *
OTHER PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS:
Weider Health and Fitness (8) ................. 0 15,687,432 0 100 94.4
21100 Erwin Street
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
SAFECO Corporation (9) ........................ 927,200 0 10.0 0 *
601 Union Street, Suite 2500
Seattle, WA 98101
AMVESCAP PLC (10) ............................. 501,800 0 5.4 0 *
11 Devonshire Square
London EC2M 4YR, England
Wellington Management Company, LLP (11) ....... 746,400 0 8.1 0 *
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
The TCW Group, Inc. (12) ...................... 581,000 0 6.3 0 *
865 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Represents less than 1%.
9
<PAGE>
(1) Except for information based on Schedules 13G, as indicated in the
footnotes hereto, beneficial ownership is stated as of the Record Date, and
includes shares exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by each
person, as if such shares were outstanding on the Record Date.
(2) Includes 10,333, 10,333, 10,333, 10,333, 90,000, 44,000, 36,000 and 110,332
shares of Class A Stock which may be purchased upon the exercise of stock
options by Messrs. Corey, Drapkin, Kimmel, Schaeffer, Reynolds, Blair and
Young and all current directors and executive officers as a group,
respectively.
(3) Does not include 15,687,432 shares of Class B Stock held by Weider Health
and Fitness. Mr. Weider is President and Chief Executive Officer of Weider
Health and Fitness. Mr. Weider disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares.
(4) Does not include 2,000 shares of Class A Stock held in trust for the
benefit of the children of Mr. Kimmel, as to which shares Mr. Kimmel has
neither the power of disposition nor the power to vote. Mr. Kimmel
disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(5) Does not include 222,426 shares of Class A Stock held by Bayonne
Settlement, a trust organized under the laws of Jersey (U.K.), of which
family members of George F. Lengvari are included among the beneficiaries.
Bayonne Settlement is administered by an independent trustee and Mr.
Lengvari has neither the power of disposition nor the power to vote the
shares. Mr. Lengvari disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(6) Excludes 27,407 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(7) Does not include shares held by Messrs. Bizzaro, Reynolds or Blair, who, as
of the Record Date, no longer serve as executive officers or directors of
the Company.
(8) Based on Schedule 13G filed on July 9, 1997 by Weider Health and Fitness.
(9) Based on Schedule 13G filed on October 8, 1999 by SAFECO Corp. SAFECO
Common Stock Trust, an entity affiliated with SAFECO Corporation,
beneficially owns 560,040 of these shares of Class A Stock. SAFECO Common
Stock Trust has shared power to vote and dispose of such shares. SAFECO
Asset Management Company, a subsidiary of SAFECO Corporation, beneficially
owns 927,200 shares of Class A Stock as a result of its affiliation with
SAFECO Corporation and certain registered investment companies for which
SAFECO Asset Management Company serves as investment adviser. SAFECO Asset
Management Company has shared power to vote and dispose of such shares.
(10) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on October 9, 1998 by AMVESCAP PLC. Each of
AVZ, Inc., AIM Management Group Inc., AMVESCAP Group Services, Inc.,
INVESCO, Inc., INVESCO North American Holdings, Inc., INVESCO Capital
Management, Inc., INVESCO Funds Group, Inc., INVESCO Management & Research,
Inc., INVESCO Realty Advisers, Inc. and INVESCO (NY) Asset Management, Inc.
beneficially own an aggregate of 501,800 shares of Class A Stock and have
shared power to vote and dispose of such shares.
(11) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 10, 1999 by Wellington Management
Company, LLP.
(12) Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 12, 1999 by The TCW Group, Inc.
Through his affiliation with The TCW Group, Inc., Robert Day beneficially
owns 581,000 shares of Class A Stock. Mr. Day has shared power to vote and
dispose these shares.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table set forth the names, ages and titles of executive
officers of the Company as of the Record Date.
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Bruce J. Wood 49 Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Jerome J. Bock 59 Executive Vice President-- Operations
Stephen D. Young 46 Executive Vice President -- International
Joseph W. Baty 43 Senior Vice President-- Finance
James P. Lacey 40 Senior Vice President-- Sales
Daniel A. Thomson 35 Senior Vice President -- Legal Affairs, General
Counsel and Secretary
10
<PAGE>
David J. Gustin, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, resigned from his service as an officer of the Company effective June
2, 1999. However, Mr. Gustin remains a member of the Company's Board of
Directors and is a Nominee for re-election. See "PROPOSAL--ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS."
Richard A. Blair served as an executive officer of the Company until July
26, 1999. Richard B. Bizzaro, a former President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, and Robert K. Reynolds, the former Chief Operating Office and
Executive Vice President of the Company, both resigned from the employ of the
Company effective October 8, 1998 and July 15, 1999, respectively, and are no
longer affiliated with the Company.
Set forth below are descriptions of the backgrounds of the current
executive officers of the Company. For a description of the background of Mr.
Wood, see "PROPOSAL 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS." The Company is not aware of any
family relationships among any of its directors and executive officers.
JEROME J. BOCK has served as Executive Vice President--Operations of the
Company since July 1999. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bock served as Vice
President of Operations for the Hunt-Wesson Division of ConAgra, Inc. from 1993
to February 1999. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Bock was the President of the Rolling
Pin Business Unit of Shato Holdings, Inc., an investment holding company. From
1962 to 1989, Mr. Bock held various operations and management positions with The
Pillsbury Company, a manufacturer and distributor of grocery products.
STEPHEN D. YOUNG has served as an Executive Vice President--International
of the Company since July 1999. From January 1994 to July 1999, Mr. Young served
as an Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
Prior to joining the Company in 1993, Mr. Young served as Vice President Finance
at First Health Strategies, a health care cost management company, which he
joined in 1983. Mr. Young is a certified public accountant.
JOSEPH W. BATY has served as Senior Vice President--Finance of the Company
since January 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Baty was a partner at KPMG
LLP, an accounting firm, which he joined in 1984. Mr. Baty is a certified public
accountant.
JAMES P. LACEY has served as Senior Vice President--Sales of the Company
since July 1999. From January 1998 to July 1999, Mr. Lacey served as Chief
Operating Officer of Everlast Nutritional Products, a marketer of sports
nutrition products. From July 1996 to December 1997, Mr. Lacey was Vice
President of Sales at Powerbar, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of energy
and protein bars. Prior to joining Powerbar, Mr. Lacey held various sales,
marketing and management positions from 1982 to 1996 with Oral B Laboratories, a
manufacturer and distributor of consumer dental products, Nestle Food
Corporation, a U.S. subsidiary of Nestle S.A., a manufacturer of food,
pharmaceutical, dermatological and cosmetic products, Carnation Company, a U.S.
subsidiary of Nestle S.A., and SmithKline Beecham, a manufacturer of consumer
products.
DANIEL A. THOMSON has served as Senior Vice President--Legal Affairs and
General Counsel of the Company since July 1998 and Secretary since July 1999.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Thomson was in private law practice from 1993
to July 1998 in the corporate and securities departments of Latham & Watkins and
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae. Mr. Thomson, a certified public accountant, was
an accountant and consultant with the firm of Price Waterhouse LLP from 1988 to
1990.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the annual
and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the
fiscal years ended May 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997 of those persons who were
either:
o the chief executive officer during the last completed fiscal year; or
o each of the Company's other most highly compensated executive officers
as of the end of the last completed fiscal year whose annual salary and
bonuses exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "NAMED OFFICERS").
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
OTHER AWARDS
ANNUAL RESTRICTED OF STOCK ALL OTHER
COMPEN- STOCK OPTIONS COMPEN-
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS SATION(1) AWARDS(2) (SHARES) SATION(3)
- --------------------------- ---- -------- -------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David J. Gustin(4).................. 1999 $120,000 $120,000 $ 0 $ 0 750,000 $ 0
Chief Executive Officer and
President
Richard B. Bizzaro (5) ............. 1999 123,956 0 0 0 7,000 310,417
Chief Executive Officer 1998 325,000 140,000 0 0 0 4,000
and President 1997 300,000 356,146 1,363,000 5,452,092 220,000 4,000
Robert K. Reynolds (6) ............. 1999 275,000 0 0 0 90,000 4,000
Chief Operating Officer, Executive 1998 250,000 125,000 0 0 0 4,000
Vice President and Secretary 1997 230,000 237,430 909,000 3,634,730 120,000 4,000
Richard A. Blair (7) ............... 1999 225,000 25,000 0 0 60,000 4,000
Executive Vice President - Sales 1998 210,000 55,000 0 0 0 4,000
1997 175,000 118,715 172,000 904,442 80,000 4,000
Stephen D. Young ................... 1999 185,000 0 0 0 20,000 4,000
Executive Vice President - 1998 165,000 45,000 0 0 0 4,000
Operations and Chief Financial 1997 133,333 106,844 172,000 904,442 80,000 4,000
Officer
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Represents cash payments made pursuant to management incentive agreements
(the "MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS") existing at the time of the
Company's initial public offering in 1997 (the "IPO"). Pursuant to the terms
of the Management Incentive Agreements, certain employees of the Company
were granted performance units ("PERFORMANCE UNITS") as incentive
compensation, which entitled the recipients to a cash payment or, at the
option of the Company, shares of Class A Stock upon the conversion of the
vested Performance Units upon consummation of the IPO. The unvested
Performance Units at the time of the Company's IPO were converted into Class
A Restricted Stock (See footnote 2).
(2) At May 31, 1999, Mr. Young held 27,407 shares of unvested Class A Restricted
Stock, valued at approximately $143,887. The Class A Restricted Stock was
issued at the time of the Company's IPO upon conversion of unvested
Performance Units pursuant to the Management Incentive Agreements, and vests
20% per year. See footnote 1 above and "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS--MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS."
(3) Represents matching contributions by the Company under the Company's 401(k)
plan in fiscal 1999. Also includes separation payments in the aggregate
amount of $306,417 for Mr. Bizzaro. Excludes separation payments of
$654,750, $931,000 and $300,000 for Messrs. Bizzaro, Reynolds and Gustin,
which are payable in future fiscal years.
(4) Mr. Gustin became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
effective March 1, 1999 and resigned from the employ of the Company
effective June 2, 1999. Includes all compensation paid to Mr. Gustin from
March 1, 1999 through May 31, 1999. In connection with his resignation, Mr.
Gustin and the Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which Mr.
Gustin is entitled to a payment of $300,000. Mr. Gustin remains a member of
the Board of Directors of the Company. All 750,000 options granted to Mr.
Gustin were cancelled in connection with his resignation.
(5) Mr. Bizzaro resigned from the employ of the Company effective October 8,
1998. His compensation for fiscal 1999 includes compensation paid to him
through such date.
(6) Mr. Reynolds resigned from the employ of the Company effective July 15,
1999.
12
<PAGE>
(7) As of July 1999, Mr. Blair no longer serves as an executive officer of the
Company.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants
of options to purchase shares of Class A Stock under the Equity Plan to the
Named Officers during fiscal year 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1999(1)
PERCENTAGE POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
OF TOTAL AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
OPTIONS OF STOCK PRICE
GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR APPRECIATION
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES BASE FOR OPTION TERM(2)
GRANTED IN FISCAL PRICE PER EXPIRATION --------------------------
NAME (SHARES) YEAR SHARE DATE 5% 10%
- ---- -------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David J. Gustin(3)...... 750,000 54.9% $ 6.375 2/10/07 $1,036,231 $3,659,131
Richard B. Bizzaro...... 7,000 * $ 5.0625 10/29/06 18,859 43,339
Robert K. Reynolds...... 50,000 3.7 $ 4.9375 11/2/06 140,957 315,817
40,000 2.9 $ 5.750 12/11/06 80,266 220,154
Richard A. Blair........ 20,000 1.5 $ 4.9375 11/2/06 56,383 126,327
40,000 2.9 $ 5.750 12/11/06 80,266 220,154
Stephen D. Young........ 20,000 1.5 $ 5.750 12/11/06 40,133 110,077
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Represents less than 1%.
(1) All options were granted under the Equity Plan and become exercisable in
five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary date of
grant, except that Mr. Gustin's options become exercisable in three equal
annual installments. Under the terms of the Equity Plan, the Compensation
Committee retains discretion, subject to certain restrictions, to modify the
terms of outstanding options and to reprice outstanding options. Options are
granted for a term of eight years, subject to earlier termination in certain
events. The exercise price is equal to the closing price of the Common Stock
on The New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant.
(2) Potential gains are net of the exercise price, but before taxes associated
with the exercise. Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be
achieved for the respective options if exercised at the end of the option
term. The assumed 5% and 10% rates of stock price appreciation are provided
in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
do not represent the Company's estimate or projection of the future Common
Stock price. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent
upon the future financial performance of the Company, overall market
conditions and the option holders' continued employment through the vesting
period. This table does not take into account any appreciation in the price
of the Common Stock from the date of grant to the date the of this Proxy
Statement other than the columns reflecting assumed rates of appreciation of
5% and 10%.
(3) Each of the options awarded to Mr. Gustin by the Company were cancelled in
connection with his resignation on June 2, 1999.
The table below sets forth certain information with respect to the
unexercised options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by the Named
Officers as of May 31, 1999. No Named Officer exercised any options during
fiscal 1999.
13
<PAGE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDELYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AS OF IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AS OF
MAY 31, 1999 MAY 31, 1999(1)
--------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David J. Gustin(2) ......... 0 750,000 0 0
Richard B. Bizzaro ......... 2,333 0 438 0
Robert K. Reynolds ......... 58,000 152,000 0 0
Richard A. Blair ........... 4,000 56,000 1,250 0
Stephen D. Young ........... 0 100,000 0 0
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------
(1) Based on the closing price of the Class A Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on May 28, 1999 ($5.25), the last trading day of the Class A Stock
in fiscal 1999, minus the exercise price of the option.
(2) Each of the options awarded to Mr. Gustin by the Company were cancelled in
connection with his resignation on June 2, 1999.
EMPLOYMENT AND SEPARATION AGREEMENTS
The Company entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Blair
and Young in June 1994. Mr. Blair's employment agreement was subsequently
amended. Messrs. Blair and Young are entitled to annual bonuses in an amount
based upon the annual performance and profitability of the Company. In addition,
under their employment agreements, Messrs. Blair and Young are entitled to
certain severance benefits in the event they are terminated by the Company. In
the event Mr. Blair's employment is terminated by the Company without cause or
by Mr. Blair upon a breach of the employment agreement by the Company, he is
entitled to a severance payment in an amount equal to 100% of the base salary
and bonus he received during the 24 months immediately preceding his
termination. In the event Mr. Young is terminated, or his employment ceases, for
any reason other than cause, death, incapacity or resignation, he is entitled to
a severance payment in an amount equal to a minimum of 100% of the base salary
he received during the nine months immediately preceding his termination, and a
maximum of 100% of the base salary he received during the 12 months immediately
preceding his termination. If Mr. Young is terminated due to incapacity, he is
entitled to 50% of the total compensation he received during the nine months
immediately preceding his termination.
In connection with their resignation of employment with the Company, the
Company entered into a separation agreement with each of Messrs. Bizzaro and
Reynolds on October 8, 1998, and July 15, 1999, respectively. Under their
separation agreements, Messrs. Bizzaro and Reynolds are entitled to separation
payments in an aggregate amount of $965,167 and $931,000, respectively. Of the
227,000 stock options granted to Mr. Bizzaro, 2,333 were exercised and the
remaining options were cancelled. As of the Record Date, Mr. Reynolds has the
right to exercise 90,000 stock options granted to him during his employment. The
separation agreements supplement the employment agreements with these executives
which contain customary general release and confidentiality provisions. Mr.
Reynolds' employment agreement also provides that a portion of certain loans
made to him by the Company in connection with his purchase of Class A Restricted
Stock may be forgiven by the Company depending upon the performance of the Class
A Stock. See "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS--MANAGEMENT
INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS." In addition, so long as he is indebted to the Company for
at least $100,000, Mr. Reynolds has the right to cause the Company to repurchase
some or all of the Class A Stock held by him at a purchase price equal to the
then market price of the Class A Stock.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company or
any subsidiary or parent corporation of the Company (the "INDEPENDENT
DIRECTORS") receive an annual fee of $12,000. In addition to the annual fee,
effective July 26, 1999, each Independent Director is entitled to receive $1,500
for each Board meeting attended and $500 for each committee meeting attended on
a day the Board is not otherwise meeting. The Company will also reimburse all
directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their
activities as directors of the Company. Each Independent Director receives
options to purchase 20,000 shares of Class A Stock upon appointment or election
to the Board of Directors and options to purchase 7,000 shares of Class A Stock
upon each annual meeting of the Company's stockholders following the first
anniversary of the date of appointment or election to the Board of Directors,
14
<PAGE>
provided the Independent Director is then still serving as a director of the
Company. Messrs. Corey, Drapkin, Gustin, Kimmel and Schaeffer are currently
Independent Directors of the Company. Directors who are not Independent
Directors receive no compensation for serving on the Board of Directors.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
From June 1, 1998 to August 14, 1999, Eric Weider, Roger H. Kimmel and
George F. Lengvari were members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. Effective August 15, 1999, Glenn W. Schaeffer and Ronald L. Corey
were appointed as the entire membership of the Compensation Committee. Messrs.
Schaeffer and Corey are not employees of, or otherwise affiliated with (other
than in their capacity as director), the Company.
Pursuant to a sublicense agreement dated December 1, 1996 with Mariz
Gestao E Investimentos Limitada ("Mariz"), the Company obtained the exclusive
worldwide right to use the Weider name and trademarks, except in the following
countries: the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Australia, New Zealand,
Japan and South Africa. Mariz is a company incorporated under the laws of
Portugal and owned by a trust of which the family members of George F. Lengvari,
a director of the Company, are included among the beneficiaries. Mariz obtained
its exclusive international rights to use the Weider name and trademarks
pursuant to a license agreement, effective June 1, 1994, among Mariz and Joe
Weider, Ben Weider, Weider Sports Equipment and Weider Health and Fitness.
Pursuant to the license agreement with Mariz, the Company is required to make
annual royalty payments to Mariz commencing on December 1, 1998 on sales of the
Company's brands in existence on December 1, 1996 in countries covered by the
agreement. In addition, the sublicense agreement with Mariz includes an
irrevocable buy-out option exercisable by the Company after May 31, 2002 for a
purchase price equal to the greater of $7.0 million or 6.5 times the aggregate
royalties paid by the Company in the fiscal year immediately preceding the date
of the exercise of the option. In fiscal 1999, the Company made royalty payments
to Mariz totaling approximately $196,000.
Latham & Watkins, of which Roger H. Kimmel, a director of the Company, is
a partner, performed legal services for the Company during the fiscal year ended
May 31, 1999.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
From June 1, 1998 to August 14, 1999, the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors (the "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE") was comprised of Eric Weider,
Roger H. Kimmel and George F. Lengvari. Effective August 15, 1999, Glenn W.
Schaeffer and Ronald L. Corey comprise the entire membership of the Compensation
Committee. The Committee provides guidance and overview for all executive
compensation and benefit programs, including basic strategies and policies. The
Committee evaluates the performance of the executive officers and determines
their compensation levels in terms of salary, bonuses, stock options and other
benefits, all subject to approval of the Board of Directors. In accordance with
rules established by the Commission, the Company is required to provide certain
data and information in regard to the compensation provided to the Company's
Chief Executive Officer and the Named Officers. The Compensation Committee has
prepared the following report for inclusion herein.
COMPENSATION POLICY AND COMPANY PERFORMANCE. The executive compensation
program's overall objective is to reward and retain executives with the level of
talent and ability required to prudently guide the Company's growth, maximize
the link between executive and stockholder interests through a stock option
plan, recognize individual contributions as well as overall business results and
maintain the Company's position as a leader in the nutritional supplements
market. To achieve these objectives, the Company has developed an overall
compensation strategy and specific compensation plans that tie a substantial
portion of an executive's compensation to performance.
The key elements of the Company's compensation program consist of fixed
compensation in the form of base salary and variable compensation in the forms
of bonus payments and stock option awards under the Equity Plan. An executive's
annual base salary represents the fixed component of such executive's total
compensation and variable compensation is intended to comprise a substantial
portion of an executive's total annual compensation. The Compensation
Committee's policies with respect to each of these elements, including the bases
for the compensation awarded to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, are
discussed below. In addition, while the elements of compensation described below
are considered separately, the Compensation Committee takes into account the
full
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compensation package afforded by the Company to the individual, including
pension benefits, insurance and other benefits, as well as the programs
described below.
BASE SALARIES. A competitive base salary is necessary to the development
and retention of capable management and is consistent with the Company's
long-term goals. Base salaries for executives are determined based upon the
Compensation Committee's evaluation of the responsibilities of the position held
and the experience of the individual, and by reference to historical levels of
salary paid by the Company and general economic conditions.
BONUS PAYMENTS. Targeted cash bonus payments are awarded to executives in
recognition of contributions to the business during the prior year. An
executive's contributions to the business are measured, in part, by his or her
success in meeting certain goals established by such executive and the
Compensation Committee in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. The
aggregate amount of the bonuses awarded in any calendar year is determined by
reference to the terms of the executive employment agreements, the Company's
competitive position, assessment of progress in attaining long-term goals and
business performance considerations.
The specific cash bonus an executive receives is dependent on individual
performance and level of responsibility. Assessment of an individual's relative
performance is made annually based on a number of factors, including initiative,
business judgment, knowledge of the industry and management skills.
AWARDS UNDER THE EQUITY PLAN. The other principal component of executives'
compensation is stock options, which are intended as a tool to attract, provide
incentive to and retain those executives who make the greatest contribution to
the business, and who can have the greatest effect on the long-term
profitability of the Company. The exercise price of the stock options is set at
a price equal to the market price of the Class A Stock at the time of the grant.
The options therefore do not have any value to the executive unless the market
price of the Class A Stock rises. The Compensation Committee believes that these
stock options more closely align the executives' interests with those of its
stockholders, and focus management on building profitability and long-term
stockholder value.
POLICY ON THE DEDUCTIBILITY OF COMPENSATION. Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "CODE"), limits a public
company's federal income tax deduction for compensation paid in excess of
$1,000,000 to any of its five most highly compensated executive officers.
However, certain performance-based compensation, including awards of stock
options, is excluded from the $1,000,000 limit if specific requirements are met.
While the tax impact of any compensation arrangement is one factor which
is considered by the Compensation Committee, such impact is evaluated in light
of the compensation policies discussed above. The Compensation Committee's
compensation determinations have generally been designed to maximize the
Company's federal income tax deduction for possible application in future years.
However, from time to time compensation may be awarded which is not fully
deductible if it is determined that such award is consistent with the overall
design of the compensation program and in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION. The salaries of Messrs. Bizzaro and
Gustin were determined based upon their respective employment agreements and the
competitive salary framework described under "--BASE SALARIES" above. The
minimum base salary and annual increases set forth in Messrs. Bizzaro's and
Gustin's employment agreements were determined based on the Board of Directors'
judgment concerning their individual contributions to the business, level of
responsibility and career experience. Although none of these factors were given
a specific weight, primary consideration was given, in the case of Mr. Bizzaro,
to his individual contributions to the business, and, in the case of Mr. Gustin,
to his level of responsibility and career experience. No particular formulas or
measures were used.
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Bruce J. Wood, its
current Chief Executive Officer and President, on June 3, 1999. Pursuant to his
employment agreement, the Company granted Mr. Wood stock options exercisable for
600,000 shares of Class A Stock and agreed to pay Mr. Wood an annual base salary
of $400,000. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2000, Mr. Wood is guaranteed a
bonus at least equal to his base salary.
CONCLUSION. The Company has had, and continues to have, an appropriate and
competitive compensation program. The balance of a competitive base salary,
bonus payments and significant emphasis on long-term incentives is a
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foundation designed to build stability and to support the Company's continued
growth. This report is submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee.
Date: August 14, 1999 The Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors
Eric Weider
Roger H. Kimmel
George F. Lengvari
THE PRECEDING "REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION" AND THE "STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART" THAT APPEARS IMMEDIATELY
HEREAFTER SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE SOLICITING MATERIAL OR TO BE FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
OR THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN ANY DOCUMENTS SO FILED.
STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART
As part of the executive compensation information presented herein, the
Commission requires a comparison of stock performance for the Company with stock
performance of a broad equity market index and an appropriate industry index.
The following chart compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Class A Stock during the period from May 1, 1997 to May 31, 1999 (the Company's
fiscal year end) with the cumulative total return on The New York Stock Exchange
and a peer group index of nutritional supplement companies. The comparison
assumes $100 was invested on May 1, 1997 (the first day of trading in the Class
A Stock) in the Class A Stock or in each of the foregoing indices and assumes
reinvestment of dividends, if any. The peer group used in the below stock
performance chart consists of the following companies: Natrol Inc., NBTY Inc.,
Nutraceutical International Corp. and Rexall Sundown Inc. The peer group no
longer includes Amrion, Inc. since it is no longer a publicly traded company.
The returns of each of the peer group companies have been weighted according to
the respective company's stock market capitalization at the beginning of each
period for which a return is indicated. The stock performance shown on the
following chart is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
[LINEAR GRAPH PLOTTED FROM DATA IN TABLE BELOW]
Weider Nutrition Intl Inc (WNI)
CUMMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
----------------------------------
5/1/97 5/31/97 5/31/98 5/31/99
WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC ........ 100 115 142 49
PEER GROUP ................................. 100 133 321 148
S & P 500 .................................. 100 106 139 168
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The business of the Company is managed under the direction of the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors meets on a regularly scheduled basis during
the year to review significant developments affecting the Company and to act on
matters requiring approval by the Board of Directors. It also holds special
meetings when an important matter requires action by the Board of Directors
between scheduled meetings. During fiscal 1999, the Board of Directors met eight
times (including three held by written consent). Each director attended at least
75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors
held during fiscal 1999 and the total number of meetings held during fiscal 1999
by all committees of the Board of Directors on which that director served.
The Company has established a standing Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors which met four times (including three held by written consent) during
fiscal 1999. From June 1, 1998 to August 14, 1999, the Audit Committee was
comprised of Roger H. Kimmel, Ronald L. Corey and Glenn W. Schaeffer. Effective
August 15, 1999, Ronald L. Corey, Glenn W. Schaeffer and Donald G. Drapkin
comprised the entire membership of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee's
responsibilities include:
o recommending the selection of the Company's independent public auditors
to the Board of Directors;
o consulting with the independent auditors with regard to the plan and
scope of audit;
o reviewing in consultation with the independent auditors, their report
of audit or proposed report of audit and the accompanying management
letter, if any;
o reviewing the impact of new or proposed changes in accounting
principles or regulatory requirements; and
o consulting with the independent auditors with regard to the adequacy of
internal controls, and if need be, consulting with management regarding
the same.
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee. The functions
customarily attributable to a nominating committee are performed by the Board of
Directors as a whole. The Company will consider nominees recommended by
stockholders, although it has not actively solicited recommendations from
stockholders for nominees. Stockholders wishing to recommend a person for
consideration as a nominee for election to the Board of Directors can do so by
giving timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company. See "OTHER
MATTERS--STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING."
The Company has established a standing Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee's responsibilities include:
o reviewing the compensation policy for executive officers and directors
of the Company and such other officers of the Company as directed by
the Board of Directors;
o reviewing all forms of compensation to be provided to the executive
officers of the Company;
o reviewing general compensation goals and guidelines for the Company's
employees and the criteria by which bonuses to the Company's employees
are determined;
o acting as administrator of the Equity Plan;
o reviewing other plans that are proposed for adoption or adopted by the
Company for the provision of compensation to employees of, directors
of, and consultants to, the Company;
o preparing the Compensation Committee Report, which is included in this
proxy statement; and
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o authorizing the repurchase of shares and severance compensation from
terminated employees.
From June 1, 1998 to August 14, 1999, the Compensation Committee was comprised
of Eric Weider, Roger H. Kimmel and George F. Lengvari. Effective August 15,
1999, Glenn W. Schaeffer and Ronald L. Corey comprised the entire membership of
the Committee. During fiscal 1999, the Compensation Committee met three times
(including two held by written consent).
The Company has established a standing Executive Committee. The Executive
Committee has the authority to determine questions of general policy with regard
to the business of the Company, lawfully delegated to it by the Board from time
to time, and not in conflict with specific powers conferred by the Board upon
any other committee appointed by it. From July 30, 1997 to August 14, 1999, the
Executive Committee was comprised of Eric Weider, Richard B. Bizzaro (who served
through October 8, 1998) and George F. Lengvari. Effective August 15, 1999, Eric
Weider, Bruce J. Wood and George F. Lengvari comprised the entire membership of
the Executive Committee. During fiscal 1999, the Executive Committee met once.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
ADVERTISING AGREEMENT
The Company and Weider Publications, Inc., a subsidiary of Weider Health
and Fitness, are parties to an Advertising Agreement dated December 1, 1996 (the
"Advertising Agreement") under which the Company is obligated (pursuant to an
annually updated notification in connection with the Company's budget) to
purchase a minimum number of advertising pages in certain of the publications of
Weider Publications each month at a price below that charged to unaffiliated
third party advertisers. The Advertising Agreement has a ten-year term and is
subject to termination by either party if certain specified events occur,
including a change of control of Weider Health and Fitness or an initial public
offering of Weider Publications. During fiscal 1999, the Company paid Weider
Publications a total of approximately $1,873,000 for services rendered under the
Advertising Agreement. Weider Health and Fitness owns all of the Company's Class
B Stock. Eric Weider, the Chairman of the Board of the Company, is a director of
Weider Publications and George Lengvari, a director of the Company, is Chairman
of Weider Publications U.K.
TRANSFER OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
In July 1985, Weider Health and Fitness and Joe Weider entered into an
agreement pursuant to which Weider Health and Fitness was granted all rights,
title and interest in and to a system of weight training known as "The Weider
System" and the exclusive right to use of the name "Joe Weider" within the
continental United States. As consideration for such grants, Weider Health and
Fitness has agreed to pay Joe Weider approximately $450,000 per year for the
rest of his lifetime (of which $250,000 is paid by the Company). Weider Health
and Fitness' right to use the "The Weider System" and "Joe Weider" survives the
death of Joe Weider. Effective September 1, 1996, Weider Health and Fitness
assigned to the Company substantially all such intellectual property. Weider
Health and Fitness retained three trademarks used in both the Company's
nutritional supplements business and Weider Health and Fitness' body building
and exercise equipment divisions; however, Weider Health and Fitness entered
into a Trademark and License Agreement granting to the Company a perpetual,
royalty-free, fully paid license to use such trademarks for its nutritional
supplements business. Weider Health and Fitness owns all of the Company's Class
B Stock. Mr. Eric Weider, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company,
is the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Weider Health and
Fitness. Mr. Lengvari, a director of the Company, is a director of Weider Health
and Fitness.
For a discussion of an intellectual property licensing agreement in which
Mr. Lengvari has an interest, see "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION--COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION."
MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS
Prior to the Company's IPO, the Company entered into Management Incentive
Agreements pursuant to which key employees were granted Performance Units as
incentive compensation. The Company's IPO triggered conversion of the vested
Performance Units and, as a result, the Company paid an aggregate of
approximately $2.96 million in cash and issued 972,247 shares of Class A Stock
to such employees. The unvested portion of the Performance Units (represented
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by 182,716 unvested shares of Class A Stock as of the date of the Company's IPO)
were converted to Class A Restricted Stock that vest, contingent upon continued
employment and/or other factors, over a five-year period at 20% per year from
May 31, 1998 through May 2002. In connection with certain resignations, certain
shares of the unvested Class A Restricted Stock were accelerated and certain
shares cancelled. The number of unvested shares of Class A Restricted Stock at
the Record Date were 27,407 shares.
To facilitate the payment of individual income taxes incurred in
connection with the conversion of the Performance Units, the Company makes loans
available to each recipient. These loans bear interest at a rate of 8.0% per
annum, are repayable five years from the borrowing date and are secured by the
recipient's Class A Stock received upon conversion. During fiscal 1999, the
Company had loans outstanding to Messrs. Bizzaro, Blair, Reynolds and Young, who
had outstanding principal loan and interest balances at August 31, 1999 of
approximately $2,389,077, $282,844, $1,582,658 and $136,318, respectively, which
amounts were the largest amounts owed by these officers or former officers, as
applicable, during fiscal 1999. Portions of the loans outstanding to Messrs.
Bizzaro and Reynolds may be forgiven over time by the Company and Weider Health
and Fitness.
SPONSORSHIPS
Effective June 1, 1998, as part of its marketing strategy, the Company
agreed to participate in the sponsorship of certain body builders under contract
with Weider Health and Fitness. The Company paid a total of $200,000 in
connection with its sponsorship in fiscal 1999.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, officers and persons
who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of stock of the Company
to file initial reports of ownership (Form 3) and reports of changes in
beneficial ownership (Forms 4 and 5) with the Securities Exchange Commission
("COMMISSION") and The New York Stock Exchange. Such persons are also required
under the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the
Company, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended May 31, 1999 the
Company's directors, officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied
with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements, except that (i) Messrs.
Reynolds and Blair filed Forms 5 late (each reporting two transactions), (ii)
Mr. Lengvari reported two transactions (one Form 4 and one Form 5) late, (iii)
Messrs. Young and Blair each filed amendments to Forms 3, and (iv) Messrs.
Drapkin and Schaeffer filed Forms 3 late.
OTHER MATTERS
OTHER BUSINESS FOR MEETING
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters that will be presented
for action at the 1999 Annual Meeting other than those described above and
matters incident to the conduct of the meeting. If, however, any other matters
not presently known to management should come before the 1999 Annual Meeting, it
is intended that the shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted
on such matters in accordance with the discretion of the holders of such proxy.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
Any stockholder of the Company who wishes to present a proposal at the
next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the "2000 ANNUAL MEETING"),
and who wishes to have such proposal included in the Company's proxy statement
for that meeting, must in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act,
deliver a copy of such proposal to the Company at 2002 South 5070 West, Salt
Lake City, Utah 84104-4726, Attention: Secretary, no later than June 28, 2000.
However, if the 2000 Annual Meeting is held on a date more than 30 days before
or after the corresponding date of the 1999 Annual Meeting, any stockholder who
wishes to have a proposal included in the Company's proxy statement and proxy
card for that meeting must deliver a copy of the proposal to the Company within
a reasonable time before the
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proxy solicitation is made. The Company reserves the right to decline to include
in the Company's proxy statement and proxy card any stockholder's proposal that
does not comply with the rules of the Commission for inclusion therein.
New Commission rules regarding stockholder proposals became effective on
June 29, 1998. Pursuant to these new rules, if the Company has not received
notice no later than September 10, 2000 of any matter a stockholder intends to
propose for a vote at the 2000 Annual Meeting, then a proxy solicited by the
Board of Directors may be voted on such matter in the discretion of the proxy
holder, without discussion of the matter in the proxy statement soliciting such
proxy and without such matter appearing as a separate item on the proxy card.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF,
WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
October 21, 1999
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WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
THE 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 17, 1999
The undersigned hereby appoints each of Bruce J. Wood and Daniel A.
Thomson as attorneys and proxies, each with power of substitution, to vote all
shares of Class A Common Stock (the "CLASS A STOCK") and Class B Common Stock
(the "CLASS B STOCK," and together with the Class A Stock, the "COMMON STOCK")
of Weider Nutrition International, Inc. (the "COMPANY") held by the undersigned
on October 15, 1999, at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") of the Company to be held November 17, 1999, at 2:00 p.m., local time,
at the Company's executive offices located at 2002 South 5070 West, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84104, on the proposals set forth on the reverse side hereof and on
such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment
or postponement thereof.
The proxy holders will vote the shares represented by this proxy in the
manner indicated on the reverse side hereof. Unless a contrary direction is
indicated, the proxy holders will vote such shares FOR the proposals set forth
on the reverse side hereof. If any further matters properly come before the
Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named above to vote such
proxies in accordance with their best judgment.
(Continued and to be dated and signed on the reverse side)
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following proposals:
1. Election as directors of the Company until the next annual meeting and until
their successors are duly elected and qualified.
FOR ALL nominees WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
listed below for ALL nominees listed below *EXCEPTIONS
[ ] [ ] [ ]
Nominees: Eric Weider, George F. Lengvari, Bruce J. Wood, Ronald L. Corey,
Donald G. Drapkin, David J. Gustin, Roger H. Kimmel and Glenn W.
Schaeffer
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority for any individual nominee, mark the
"Exceptions" box and write that nominee's name in the space provided below.)
*Exceptions:_________________________________________________________________
2. Approval of the amendments to the Company's 1997 Equity Participation Plan,
as amended
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
Date:_________________________________, 1999
Signature: _________________________________
Signature:__________________________________
Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. If a joint account, each joint
owner must sign. If signing for a corporation or partnership or as agent,
attorney or fiduciary, indicate the capacity in which you are signing.
(Please sign, date and return this proxy in the enclosed postage prepaid
envelope.)
