<PAGE>
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SCHEDULE 14A (Rule 14a-101)
Information Required in Proxy Statement
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 4(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
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
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BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
and
(Name of Person Filing Proxy Statement)
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1) or 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-
6(i)(3)
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11
[ ] 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 with which the offsetting fee was previously
paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the
Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid: N/A
(2) Form or Registration No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC.
One Electronics Drive
P.O. Box 3151
Trenton, New Jersey 08619
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To The Shareholders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Base Ten Systems, Inc. will be held at the
Four Seasons Hotel, 57 East 57th Street, New York City, New York 10022 on March
26, 1996 at 4:00 p.m. for the following purposes:
(1) To elect one director to the Board for a term of three years by the holders
of Class A Common Stock;
(2) To consider and act upon a new Incentive Stock Option Plan for 750,000
shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock, 420,050 of which have been
granted, subject to shareholder approval of the plan, to employees of the
Company, including members of management who are also directors.
(3) To act upon any other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Shareholders at the close of business on February 9, 1996 will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
EDWARD J. KLINSPORT
Executive Vice President and
Secretary
February 16, 1996
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT,
REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN.
TO VOTE YOUR SHARES, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE
THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY
IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>
BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
on behalf of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Base Ten Systems, Inc.
("Base Ten" or the "Company"), to be voted at the Company's Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on March 26, 1996. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of
proxy are first being mailed to shareholders on or about February 16, 1996.
Upon request, additional copies of the proxy materials will be furnished without
cost to brokers and other nominees for forwarding to beneficial owners of shares
held in their names.
There are two matters to be considered at the meeting. Proposal 1 is the
election of one director of the Company, and Proposal 2 is the approval of the
1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 9, 1996 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. As of that date, 7,247,315
shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock and 458,254 shares of its Class B
Common Stock were issued and outstanding. The holders of Class A Common Stock
are entitled to elect 25% of Base Ten's directors (rounded to the next highest
whole number), and the holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to elect the
remaining directors. The holders of Class B Common Stock elected two directors
for terms expiring in 1998 and three directors for terms expiring in 1997. Each
share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one vote in the election of one
director in 1996 and one-tenth of a vote on any other matter properly presented
at the meeting. Each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to one vote on
any matter, other than the 1996 election of a director, properly presented at
the meeting. Cumulative voting is not allowed in the election of directors or
for any o6ther purpose. A majority of the outstanding shares of the Company
entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at
the meeting, and a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock,
represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the election of
the director.
Holders of record of Class A Common Stock on the Record Date are entitled to
vote on both Proposal 1 and Proposal 2. Holders of record of Class B Common
Stock on the Record Date are entitled to vote on Proposal 2. When voting on
Proposal 1, each share of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote.
When voting on Proposal 2, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock will vote together as a single class, with holders of Class A
Common Stock entitled to one-tenth (1/10) of one vote per share and holders of
Class B Common Stock entitled to one vote per share. The holders of Class A
Common Stock will be entitled to an aggregate of 7,247,315 votes on Proposal 1
and 724,731 votes on Proposal 2, and the holders of Class B Common Stock will be
entitled to 458,254 votes on Proposal 2. Thus, the total number of votes that
may be cast on Proposal 1 will be 7,247,315, and the total number of votes that
may be cast on Proposal 2 will be 1,182,985.
All properly executed proxies received prior to the meeting will be voted in
accordance with the instructions marked on the proxy cards. If no instructions
are made, proxies will be voted for approval of the 1995 Incentive Stock Option
Plan, and if the proxy is for Class A Common Stock, also for the election of the
one nominee for director. If any other matter is properly presented at the
meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote
in accordance with their best judgment. A shareholder giving a proxy may revoke
it at any time by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company before
it is voted, or by executing and delivering to the Company prior to the meeting
a proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
Shares that abstain from voting on a matter and shares for which votes are
withheld on a matter are considered shares entitled to vote on those matters and
are included for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the
meeting, but abstentions and withheld votes are not counted as votes cast "for"
or "against" a matter.
2
<PAGE>
The cost of soliciting of proxies will be borne by the Company. Base Ten
expects to reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial
owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial
owners. Proxies may be solicited by the Company's directors, officers and
regular employees, without additional compensation, in person or by telephone or
telecopier.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL. The Board is divided into three classes, each with a three-year term
of office. The term of two directors elected in 1993 by the holders of Class A
Common Stock will expire in 1996. Only one of those directors will be available
for reelection, and the number of directors in the class to be elected has been
reduced to one. Under the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the
holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled, as a class, to vote on the
election of the one director at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
VOTE REQUIRED. Each share of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one vote
per share in the election of the director at the 1996 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. To be elected the nominee must receive a plurality of the votes
cast by the holders of the Class A Common Stock present in person or by proxy at
the meeting.
NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR. Myles M. Kranzler has been nominated to serve as a
director for a three-year term expiring at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until his successor shall be elected and qualified.
Mr. Kranzler has been Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Base Ten since the Company's inception in 1966.
If the nominee becomes unavailable for election, proxies will be voted for a
substitute nominated by the Board. The Company has no reason to believe that the
nominee will be unavailable for election.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOLDERS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK VOTE FOR THE
REELECTION OF MR. KRANZLER TO THE BOARD.
PROPOSAL 2: ADOPTION OF 1995 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
GENERAL. The Board has proposed that the shareholders of the Company approve
the 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), which has been adopted by the
Board, subject to shareholder approval. The Board has recommended the Plan in
order to provide supplemental and flexible noncash incentive compensation to the
Company's employees, including officers and directors who are employees. A copy
of the Plan is attached as Appendix A and the summary of the Plan set forth
below is subject to the terms of the Plan.
EXISTING STOCK OPTION PLANS. The Company's 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as
amended in 1990, continues to cover outstanding options granted thereunder,
although no additional options may be granted. Under the Company's 1992 Stock
Option Plan, only incentive stock options ("ISO"), as defined in Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), are available for grant. All of the
Company's employees, including officers and directors who are employees of the
Company, are eligible to receive options under the 1992 Stock Option Plan. No
further shares are avaliable for grants of options under such plan. The Company
also has a Discretionary Deferred Compensation Plan that remains in effect to
provide supplemental noncash incentives including stock options to key
managerial employees of the Company.
3
<PAGE>
1995 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN. Under the Plan, only ISOs to purchase shares
of Class A Common Stock are available for grant. The Plan is to be administered
by a Stock Option Committee composed of nonmanagement directors (currently,
Messrs. Poole and Daniels). Under the Plan, the Committee has the authority to
determine the employees to whom options will be granted, the number of shares
covered by each option, the price per share specified in each option, the time
or times at which options will be granted and the terms and provisions of the
instruments by which options will be evidenced. An aggregate of 750,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock are available for issurance under the Plan, subject to
certain adjustments as set forth in the Plan. The closing price per share of
Class A Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market System on February 9, 1996
was $10 3/8. The Plan permits the granting of ISOs to employees at an exercise
price not less than the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the
date of grant (or 110% of the fair market value in the case of ISOs granted to
employees holding more than 10% of the voting stock of the Company). Under the
Plan, the aggregate fair market value of the shares for which a recipient's ISO
becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year may not exceed
$100,000. The term of each ISO cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant
(or five years for options granted to employees holding 10% or more of the
voting stock of the Company). Options become exercisable in such installments
and at such times as the Stock Option Committee may determine. Options may not
be assigned or transferred except by will or by operation of the laws of descent
and distribution. Unless terminated sooner, the Plan will terminate on
September 6, 2005. All employees of the Company, including officers and
directors who are also employees, are eligible to receive options under the
Plan. The Company currently has approximately 170 employees. The maximum
number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options which may be granted
under the Plan to an employee who is also a director is 100,000 shares or
350,000 in the aggregate for all such management directors.
Option holders seeking to exercise their option are to deliver to the Company a
written exercise notice along with payment of the exercise price. Payment of
the exercise price shall be in cash or shares of the Company's Class A or Class
B Common Stock valued at fair market value at the time of exercise. The Stock
Option Committee may permit the voluntary surrender of all or a portion of any
option granted under the Plan to be conditioned upon the granting to the
optionee of a new option for the same or different number of shares of Common
Stock as the option surrendered, or may require such voluntary surrender as a
condition to a grant of a new option to such optionee. Such new option shall be
exercisable at the price, during the period, and in accordance with any other
terms or conditions specified by the Committee at the time the new option is
granted, all determined in accordance with the provisions of the Plan without
regard to the price, period of exercise, or any other terms or conditions of the
option surrendered.
The Board of Directors may make such changes in and additions to the Plan as it
may deem proper and in the best interest of the Company; provided, however, that
no such change or addition shall, without the consent of the optionee, impair
any option theretofore granted under the Plan and provided further that, without
the approval of the shareholders of the Company, (1) the total number of shares
which may be purchased under the Plan shall not be increased except as provided
in the Plan; (2) the option price shall not be reduced below the limits set
forth in the Plan; (3) the option period with respect to any option shall not be
extended beyond the maximum periods permitted by the Plan; (4) the class of
employees eligible to receive the options shall not be varied; and (5) no such
change or addition shall be made as shall cause any option issued or issuable
under the Plan to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option.
The Company has the right at any time to reacquire and cancel, without the
consent of the optionee, any outstanding option in consideration of the payment
to the optionee of an amount equal to the difference between the option price
and the fair market value (as of the date of reacquisition) of the shares
subject to the option. The shares subject to a reacquired and canceled option
for which such payment has been made shall not again be available for the grant
of ISOs under the Plan.
4
<PAGE>
The Company believes the supplemental and flexible noncash incentive
compensation that is provided by the Plan will be necessary and useful in
enabling the Company to attract and retain qualified executives and other
employees who can make a material contribution to the Company's business
endeavors.
PRINCIPAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. The following is a general summary
of the federal income tax consequences to the Company and the optionee of the
issuance and exercise of ISOs.
Neither the grant nor the exercise of an ISO will have immediate tax
consequence to an optionee or the Company. If an optionee exercises an ISO and
does not dispose of the acquired stock within two years after the date of the
grant of the option or within one year after the purchase of the stock by the
optionee, the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction, the optionee will
realize no ordinary income and any gain or loss that is realized on a subsequent
sale or taxable exchange of the stock will be treated as a long term capital
gain or loss. The exercise of an ISO gives rise to alternative minimum taxable
income that may subject the optionee to the alternative minimum tax.
If an optionee exercises an ISO and disposes of the acquired stock within two
years after the date of the grant of the option or within one year after the
date of the purchase of the stock by the optionee, the optionee will recognize
ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value
of the shares on the date of exercise over the option price or (ii) the excess
of the amount realized on the disposition over the option price. The Company
will be entitled to a corresponding income tax deduction equal to the amount of
ordinary income so recognized by the optionee. Further, if the amount realized
on the disposition exceeds the fair market value of the stock on the date of
exercise, the excess will be treated as a long or short term capital gain,
depending on the holding period of the stock.
OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER THE PLAN. Subject to shareholder approval of the Plan,
the Board has granted options to purchase an aggregate of 420,050 shares of
Class A Common Stock at prices ranging from $10.875 to $11.965 per share to
employees of the Company, including officers and directors who are employees.
5
<PAGE>
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC.
1995 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
DOLLAR NUMBER OF
NAME VALUE (1) UNITS (2)
- --------------------------------------- --------- ---------
Myles M. Kranzler, President and
Chief Executive Officer 5.156 25,000
Edward J. Klinsport, Executive Vice
President 7.479 25,000
Alan J. Eisenberg, Vice President 7.479 25,000
Richard J. Farrelly, Vice President 7.479 25,000
Frank W. Newdeck, Vice President 7.479 10,000
Executive Group N/A 120,000
Non-Executive Director Group N/A N/A
Non-Executive Officer
Employee Group 7.479 300,050
(1) Dollar value is shown on a per-share basis, calculated using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model adapted for use in valuing executive stock options.
The options were granted October 16, 1995 and the valuation thereof assumes a
standard deviation of return of the Company's Class A Common Stock of 6.0% and
6.2% used for five-year and ten-year respectively. All options were valued
using volatility calculated over 180 trading days prior to date of grant,
without discount for vesting and without shortening the expected life of the
option. There is no assurance that the value realized will be at or near the
values estimated by the Black-Scholes model, which are based on a number of
arbitrary assumptions. The actual value, if any, an individual may realize will
depend on the excess of the market price over the exercise price on the date the
option is exercised.
(2) Options to purchase Class A Common Stock.
REQUIRED VOTE. For purposes of voting on the Plan, a quorum shall be comprised
of the presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the voting
power of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock
counted together as a single class. Each share of Class A Common Stock will be
entitled to one-tenth (1/10) of one vote, and each share of Class B Common
Stock will be entitled to one vote. Approval of the Plan requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by holders of
the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock represented in person or
by proxy voting as a single class.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOLDERS OF THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK
AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK VOTE TO APPROVE THE ADOPTION OF THE PLAN.
6
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
STOCK OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth information as of January 2, 1996 with respect to
the Company's Common Stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by each
of the Company's directors, by each of the named executive officers set forth in
the Summary Compensatoin Table and by all directors and executive officers as a
group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF VOTING
POWER
REPRESENTED
SHARES OF COMMON % OF BY CLASS A EXPIRATION OF
STOCK BENEFICIALLY OUTSTANDING AND CLASS B CURRENT TERM
NAME AGE OWNED (1) SHARES OWNED (1) COMBINED (2) AS A DIRECTOR
- --------------------------------- ----- ---------------------- ------------------ -------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Myles M. Kranzler (3)(4) 67 Class A - 475,628 6.24% 15.91% 1996
Class B - 160,144 34.93
James A. Eby (3)(4) 66 Class A - 113,942 1.55 5.26 1996
Class B - 56,723 12.37
Edward J. Klinsport (3)(4) 48 Class A - 167,486 2.26 1.92 1997
Class B - 7,136 1.54
Alan J. Eisenberg (3)(4) 54 Class A - 135,146 1.83 1.15 1998
Class B - 283 0.06
Frank W. Newdeck (4) 50 Class A - 34,480 0.47 0.29 N/A
Class B - -- --
Richard G. Kandrac 54 Class A - 79,395 1.09 0.85 N/A
Class B - 2,395 0.52
Richard J. Farrelly 64 Class A - 56,520 0.77 0.48 N/A
Class B - -- --
Donald M. Daniels 64 Class A - 10,000 0.14 0.08 1998
Class B - -- --
Alexander M. Adelson(3) 61 Class A - 369,416 4.90 3.05 1997
Class B - -- --
Alan S. Poole 68 Class A - 10,000 0.14 0.08 1997
Class B - -- --
Directors and executive officers Class A - 1,452,013 17.06 27.03
as a group (11 persons) (3)(4) Class B - 226,681 48.91
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Ownership of shares of Class A Common Stock reflected in the table includes
shares issuable upon (a) conversion of Class B Common Stock, (b) exercise
of options granted under the 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 1992 Stock
Option Plan, and Discretionary Deferred Compensation Plan, (c) conversion
of Class B Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options granted under the
1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and (d) exercise of options granted under
the 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan which are exercisable over a three
year period. Ownership of Class B Common Stock reflected in the table
includes shares issuable upon the exercise of options to purchase Class B
Common Stock granted under the 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
7
<PAGE>
(2) Assumes exercises of options and warrants exercisable as of March 2, 1996,
but not the conversion of Class B Common shares to Class A Common Stock.
(3) Includes as to (a) Mr. Kranzler, 50,100 and 62,823 shares of Class A and
Class B Common Stock, respectively, owned by Mr. Kranzler's wife, (b) Mr.
Eby, 1,669 and 532 shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock,
respectively, owned by Mr. Eby's wife, (c) Mr. Klinsport, 10 and 10,600
shares of Class A Common Stock and options to purchase Class A Common
Stock, respectively, owned by Mr. Klinsport's wife, (d) Mr. Eisenberg,
1,700 shares of Class A Common Stock and 283 shares of Class B Common Stock
owned by the wife and adult children of Mr. Eisenberg and (e) Mr. Adelson,
297,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
and warrants granted or sold to Mr. Adelson pursuant to his consulting
agreement with the Company.
(4) Includes as to (a) Mr. Kranzler, 221,823 shares; (b) Mr. Eby, 50,549
shares; (c) Mr. Klinsport, 160,340 and 4,946 shares, (d) Mr. Eisenberg,
133,163 shares; (e) Mr. Newdeck, 34,480 shares; and (f) all directors and
executive officers as a group, 1,041,345 and 4,946, shares of Class A
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively, issuable upon the
exercise of options or warrants.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
Based on a review of reporting forms filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by officers and directors of the Company, and persons beneficially
owning more than 10% of any class of common stock of the Company, none of such
officers, directors of Base Ten or holders of more then 10% failed to file any
such required reports on a timely basis during fiscal 1995.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Biographical information about the Company's executive officers and directors is
set forth below.
MR. KRANZLER has been Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Base Ten since the Company's inception in 1966.
MR. EBY has been a director and Chief Engineer of the Company since February
1966. He became a Vice President in 1974 and a Senior Vice President in 1982.
MR. KLINSPORT has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1978.
He became President of the Company's Government Technology Division in November
1994 and has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since October
1992. He was elected a director of the Company in December 1985.
MR. EISENBERG has been employed by the Company since 1980 and became President
of the Company's Medical Technology Division in November 1994. He has been a
Vice President of the Company since 1983 and is responsible for the Company's
software activities. Mr. Eisenberg was elected a director of the Company in
August 1992.
MR. NEWDECK has been employed by the Company since 1990 and became a Vice
President in 1991, with responsibilities in the Company's Government Technology
Division. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Newdeck was General Manager of the
Network and Information Security Division of Unisys Corporation.
MR. KANDRAC has been employed by the Company since 1969 and became a Vice
President in 1983, responsible for manufacturing and purchasing.
MR. FARRELLY has been employed by the Company since June 1988 and became a Vice
President in June 1992, responsible for corporate development. Mr. Farrelly was
formerly General Manager of the Reentry Systems Division of General Electric
Aerospace Company.
8
<PAGE>
MR. DANIELS has been the Chief Executive Officer of The Daniels Group, a
consulting firm, since April 1991. Mr. Daniels was employed from 1949 to 1991
at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey, where he served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer from 1987 to 1991. He was elected a director of the Company in
August 1992.
MR. ADELSON has served as a director of Base Ten since August 1992. Since 1974
he has been the Chief Executive Officer of RTS Research Labs Inc., a consulting
company concentrating in high technology fields. From 1977 to 1989, Mr. Adelson
was Chief Technical Consultant with Symbol Technologies, Inc. Since February
1992, Mr. Adelson has been providing consulting services to Base Ten under a
consulting agreement with the Company. Additional information regarding the
consulting agreement is set forth below under "Compensation Committee Interlocks
and Insider Participation."
MR. POOLE has served as a director of Base Ten since March 1994. Since 1960, he
has held executive positions with Johnson & Johnson, including Vice President of
Ortho Diagnostics, Inc. from 1975 through 1982 and International Vice President
of Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutica in Belgium for the last ten years,
responsible for the Janssen Companies in various countries. Mr. Poole is a
member of the California Bar.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Company has an Audit Committee consisting of Messrs. Adelson and Poole, who
are directors of the Company, and Owen B. Freeman, Chairman of the Board of
Commonwealth State Bank and Penncore Financial Services Corp. This Committee had
one meeting in the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995. The Committee's purpose
is to confer with the Company's independent auditor, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, and
its Chief Financial Officer to evaluate the financial controls and practices of
Base Ten and the plans for and results of the audit engagement.
The Company has a Compensation Committee presently consisting of all the members
of the Board except Mr. Kranzler. This Committee had two meetings in the 1995
fiscal year. The function of the Compensation Committee is to establish the
compensation and benefits of all employees of the Company, including its
officers.
The Company has a Stock Option Committee comprised of Messrs. Daniels and Poole.
This Committee met three times in the 1995 fiscal year. This Committee's purpose
is to administer the Company's 1981 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 1992 Stock
Option Plan, Discretionary Deferred Compensation Plan and the 1995 Incentive
Stock Option Plan.
The Company has a Finance Committee consisting of Messrs. Kranzler, Klinsport,
Adelson and Bruce D. Cowen, a consultant to the Company. The purpose of the
Committee is to explore various financial alternatives relating to improved
fiscal performance. The Committee met four times during the 1995 fiscal year.
The Board held five meetings during the 1995 fiscal year. Each member of the
Board participated in at least 80% of all board and applicable committee
meetings held during the period for which he was a director or committee member.
The Company does not have a nominating committee.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Directors who are not also officers, with the exception of Messrs. Adelson and
Daniels, are paid a per meeting fee for services as a member of the Board. Mr.
Poole received $500 per meeting, as nonmanagement director fees during fiscal
1995. Mr. Adelson is not paid for his services as a director, and directors who
are also officers do not receive separate remuneration for their services as a
director. In April 1995, Messrs. Daniels and Poole received options to purchase
10,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at the prevailing market price of $7.8125
as compensation for their services as directors.
9
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION. The Company's
Compensation Committee consisted in fiscal year 1995 of all of the members of
the Board except Mr. Kranzler. Of these members, Messrs. Eby, Klinsport and
Eisenberg are officers of the Company, and Mr. Adelson rendered consulting
services to the Company pursuant to a consulting agreement described below.
Mr. Adelson has a consulting agreement with the Company (the "Consulting
Agreement") under which he renders consulting services other than as a director.
Under the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Adelson transferred to Base Ten intellectual
property relating to radio tag technology and is required to provide various
services, including consulting on the Company's business, technical, marketing
and related strategies, preparation of business plans and other specialized
services that the Company may request from time to time. In addition, Mr.
Adelson is required to assist in presenting Base Ten to the investment community
and selecting between various strategic alternatives to enhance long term
financial performance by means such as providing guidance and participating in
presentations, public relations and market research. Mr. Adelson is required to
perform services under the agreement for at least 150 days per year, including
35 days at the Company's corporate headquarters.
The Company granted Mr. Adelson a five-year non-transferable option to purchase
36,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock at $4.00 per share (the
market price on the date of grant) as compensation under the Consulting
Agreement. In April 1995 the Consulting Agreement was renewed for a three year
period. At renewal the Company granted Mr. Adelson a five-year non-
transferrable option to purchase 36,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common
Stock at $7.8750 per share (the market price on the date of grant) as
compensation and provides for consulting fees of $50,000 on each of May 30,
1995, March 16, 1996, March 15, 1997 and monthly payments of $10,000 in August
1995 and $15,000 monthly from September 1995 through May 31, 1997. Mr. Adelson
is also entitled to 2 1/2% of the Company's net proceeds from sales of radio tag
devices incorporating technology supplied by him. For services relating to the
Company's Series A Rights (which expired November 9, 1992), Mr. Adelson
received a five-year warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company's Class A
Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 and a five-year warrant to purchase
125,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of
$5.00 per share, exercisable as of May 1, 1995. The full amounts paid to Mr.
Adelson pursuant to the Consulting Agreement (excluding expenses) in fiscal 1995
and 1994 were $207,000 and $174,000, respectively.
In addition, Messrs. Adelson and Cowen are entitled to receive a success fee
which would be earned for any acquisition or equity financing which they
initiate and complete. The fee is based on the size and success of such project
and would be payable as a combination of warrants and cash consideration. The
warrant portion of any acquisition fee would be determined on the basis of one
warrant for each $100 of annual revenues of the acquired entity averaged over
the two years preceding and estimated for the one year succeeding the
acquisition, multiplied by a factor equal to such average annual revenues
divided by the acquisition consideration paid by the Company. The cash
component would be equal to 3% of any pretax profits earned by the acquired
entity over the three years following the acquisition plus 1% of the acquisition
consideration paid by the Company. In connection with any equity financing, the
success fee would be a cash component of 2% of the face value of the offering
and one warrant for each $100 of the face value of the offering, determined
before expenses and underwriting fees. Any success fee earned would be shared
by Messrs. Adelson and Cowen. (See "Certain Transactions.")
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE. The Summary Compensation Table set forth below shows
certain compensation information for the Company's chief executive officer and
the four other most highly compensated executive officers for services rendered
in all capacities during the fiscal years ended 1995, 1994 and 1993. This
information includes the dollar value of base salaries, bonus awards and long
term incentive plan payouts, the number of stock options granted, and certain
other compensation, if any, whether paid or deferred.
10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
------------------- ----------------------
AWARDS
-----------------------------
SECURITIES
RESTRICTED UNDERLYING
NAME AND OTHER ANNUAL STOCK OPTIONS/ ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARD(S) SARs COMPENSATION
- ---------------------- ----- -------- ------- --------------- ------------ --------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Myles M. Kranzler, 1995 $123,310 -- -- -- 25,000 $42,308 (1)
President and Chief 1994 52,000 $9,000 -- -- 21,000 --
Executive Officer 1993 139,800 31,700 -- -- 140,000 --
James A. Eby, 1995 108,751 1,584 -- -- -- 36,044 (1)
Sr. Vice President, 1994 161,000 4,376 -- -- 29,460 4,201 (2)
Engineering 1993 161,000 13,739 -- -- -- 5,329 (2)
Edward J. Klinsport, 1995 105,002 -- -- -- 30,000 39,363 (1)
Executive Vice 1994 164,000 3,310 -- -- 44,740 4,523 (2)
President 1993 164,000 17,431 -- -- -- 4,149 (2)
Alan J. Eisenberg, 1995 103,386 -- -- -- 30,000 33,183 (1)
Vice President 1994 148,000 6,670 -- -- 43,280 --
1993 148,000 10,000 -- -- -- --
Frank W. Newdeck, 1995 101,993 4,620 -- -- 15,000 --
Vice President 1994 128,000 7,120 -- -- 19,480 --
1993 128,000 10,000 -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Includes interest paid on balance on individuals' deferred
compensation, vacation entitlement payout and commissions. As to (i)
Mr. Kranzler, represents vacation entitlement; (ii) Mr. Eby,
represents $32,295 vacation entitlement and the balance represents
interest on deferred compensation; (iii) Mr. Klinsport, represents
$35,769 vacation entitlement and the balance represents interest on
deferred compensation; (iv) Mr. Eisenberg, represents $30,705 vacation
entitlement and the balance represents commissions.
(2) Interest paid on individuals' deferred compensation.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR. The following table below shows
information regarding grants of stock options made to the named executive
officers during the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995. Grants were made under
the Company's Discretionary Deferred Compensation Plan and, subject to
shareholder approval, under the proposed 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
The amounts shown for each of the named executive officers as potential
realizable values are based on assumed annualized rates of stock price
appreciation of five percent and ten percent over the full ten-year term of the
options. These potential realizable values are based solely on arbitrarily
assumed rates of appreciation required by applicable SEC regulations. Actual
gains, if any, on option exercises and common stockholdings are dependent on the
future performance of the Company's Class A Common Stock and overall stock
market conditions. There can be no assurance that the potential realizable
values shown in this table will be achieved.
11
<PAGE>
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN FISCAL 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES OF
STOCK PRICE
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL APPRECIATION FOR
SECURITIES OPTIONS/SARS OPTION TERM
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO ------------------
OPTIONS/SARS EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR BASE EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED (1) FISCAL YEAR PRICE ($/SH) DATE 5% 10%
- ---- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------ -- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Myles M. Kranzler 25,000 4.70% $ 11.965 10/15/00 $381,768 $481,744
James A. Eby -- -- -- -- -- --
Edward J. Klinsport 5,000 5.70% 8.50 2/27/05 69,228 110,234
25,000 10.875 10/15/05 442,856 705,174
Alan J. Eisenberg 5,000 5.70% 8.50 2/27/05 69,228 110,234
25,000 10.875 10/15/05 442,856 705,174
Frank W. Newdeck 5,000 2.8% 8.50 2/27/05 69,228 110,234
10,000 10.875 10/15/05 177,142 282,069
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Class A Common Stock.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION/SAR VALUES. The following table summarizes for each of the named
executive officers the number of stock options, if any, exercised during the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1995, the aggregate dollar value realized upon
exercise, the total number of securities underlying unexercised options, if any,
held at October 31, 1995 and the aggregate dollar value of in-the-money,
unexercised options, if any, held at October 31, 1995. Value realized upon
exercise is the difference between the fair market value of the underlying stock
on the exercise date and the exercise or base price of the option. Value of
unexercised, in-the-money options at fiscal year end is the difference between
the exercise or base price and the fair market value of the underlying stock on
October 31, 1995. On that date, the last sale prices of the Class A and Class B
Common Stock were $11 5/8 and $11 1/2, respectively. The values in the column
"Value of Unexercised In-The-Money Options/SARs at Fiscal Year End" have not
been, and may never be, realized. The underlying options have not been, and may
not be, exercised, and actual gains, if any, on exercise will depend upon the
value of the underlying stock on the date of exercise. There can be no assurance
that these values will be realized.
12
<PAGE>
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
Shares FY-End FY-End
Acquired on Value ------------------------------ -----------------------------
Name Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ------ -------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Myles M. Kranzler
Class A Common 35,000 $ 231,000 189,623 32,200 $ 770,081 $52,020
Class B Common -- -- -- -- -- --
James A. Eby
Class A Common 23,911 73,530 50,549 -- 256,445 --
Class B Common -- -- -- -- -- --
Edward J. Klinsport
Class A Common -- -- 129,686 25,000 729,120 18,750
Class B Common 5,000 31,875 4,946 -- 42,041 --
Alan J. Eisenberg
Class A Common 5,000 34,375 108,663 25,000 633,940 18,750
Class B Common -- -- -- -- -- --
Frank W. Newdeck
Class A Common 3,000 16,125 24,480 10,000 78,834 7,500
Class B Common -- -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS. Under their respective 1992 employment agreements, Messrs.
Kranzler, Klinsport, Eby and Eisenberg (the "Key Employees") are entitled to
their respective salaries and benefits to the date of their termination if they
are terminated for cause or if they voluntarily terminate their employment prior
to the expiration of the term of their agreement, which is twelve months,
automatically extended one month at the end of each month thereafter and
terminable (unless otherwise terminated) by either party on twelve month's
notice. If terminated without cause, the Key Employee is entitled to his salary
and benefits to the date of termination and a termination payment equal to the
highest annual combination of his base salary plus any bonus paid to the Key
Employee during the five fiscal years ending before the date of termination.
Mr. Eby's employment agreement has been amended as of September 1995 to provide
that if he retires subsequent to November 1, 1996 he will receive a lump sum
retirement benefit of $150,000 in lieu of any other compensation arrangement
with the Company. If the Key Employee is also entitled to payment upon
termination pursuant to the change in control agreement described below, the
termination provisions of the change in control agreement prevail.
The Company has entered into change in control agreements with Messrs. Kranzler,
Eisenberg and Klinsport. In September 1995, the Company gave notice of
termination of the change in control agreement to Mr. Eby. The agreements
provide that if, within three years after certain "changes of control" of the
Company, the executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the
Company other than for "cause," "death" or "disability" or by the executive for
"good reason" (as defined in the change in control agreements), the executive
will be entitled to receive, subject to certain limitations, a lump sum cash
payment and hospital, medical and dental insurance benefits for three years
following termination of employment, having an aggregate value equal to 2.99
times the total of average annual compensation and cost of employee benefits for
the executive for the five years prior to the "change of control," subject to a
maximum equal to the amount of the Company's permitted deduction under Section
280G of the Code. Each
13
<PAGE>
agreement is extended automatically from year to year unless the Company gives
at least fifteen months' prior notice of its election not to extend the term.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. The Company's executive
compensation program is designed to retain and fairly compensate its executives
and to motivate them to maximize Base Ten's profitability. The compensation
program consists of three key elements: a base salary, an annual incentive bonus
and periodic grants of stock options.
Base Ten's compensation policies for its executive officers are administered by
two committees of the Board. The Compensation Committee determines base salary
and annual incentive bonuses, and the Stock Option Committee administers the
Company's stock option plans.
BASE SALARY. Base salaries paid to executive officers, including the chief
executive officer (the "CEO"), are established at the beginning of each fiscal
year based upon the Compensation Committee's assessment of (i) the
recommendations of the CEO on officers, other then himself, (ii) the nature of
the position and responsibilities of the individual, (iii) the contribution,
experience and relative importance of the executive officer to the Company, (iv)
executive salaries at comparable public and private manufacturing companies
(without survey or similar data, and because the Company's most direct
competitors for executive talent are not the companies included in the industry
index used to compare the Company's shareholder returns, without reference to
salaries at those companies), and (v) the Company's financial performance and
success in meeting its strategic plans. In making its determinations, the
Compensation Committee does not assign any specific weight to any of the
foregoing factors, but rather considers the entire mix of factors in the
aggregate and makes a subjective determination of what it considers to be the
appropriate salary level.
In fiscal 1995, the executive officers' base salaries were increased by
percentages ranging from 6% to 24%, depending on the officer and his then
current base salary. In establishing the base salary for the CEO and the other
executive officers for fiscal 1995, the Committee considered management's
progress in adjusting for the decline of the Company's traditional defense
business and in emphasizing new commercial product development programs,
particularly medical screening and pharmaceutical manufacturing execution
software. Base salaries for the executive officers for fiscal 1995 are set
forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading "Salary."
As part of its efforts to improve financial performance pending growth in
revenue from the Company's Medical Technology Division, Base Ten implemented a
cost reduction plan in fiscal 1995. Under the plan, each officer of the Company
and its divisions worked for the minimum wage during a three month period
beginning May 15, 1995. The top five executive officers other than the CEO
received three year loans equal to their relinquished salary with interest at
6.5% annually. The CEO and the Presidents of the Company's two divisions
continued to work for the minimum wage for the balance of the fiscal year and
the two Presidents of the Company's divisions received loans for the additional
relinquished salary, repayable from 1998 through 2001. All of the loans will be
repayable either in cash or as an offset against future compensation. Depending
upon the financial ability and performance of the Company, future compensation
increases may reflect the salary foregone during fiscal 1995. Fiscal 1995 base
salaries for the top five executive officers set forth in the Summary
Compensation Table reflect these mid-year reductions.
ANNUAL BONUS. The annual incentive bonus portion of the Company's executive
compensation program has been in effect in its present form since the beginning
of fiscal 1992. Each executive officer, including the CEO, is eligible for an
annual incentive bonus equal to a specified percentage of the Company's pre-tax
profit, subject to minimum payments. The Committee believes that this favorably
aligns the interests of management with the Company's shareholders by linking
this portion of executive compensation directly with the Company's financial
performance.
The particular percentage and minimum bonus awarded each executive officer
including the CEO are established by the Compensation Committee at the beginning
of each fiscal year based upon the Committee's assessment of (i) the factors
employed to determine base salaries and (ii) the Compensation Committee's
general view (determined without survey data) of the competitveness of the
executive officer's total compensation, including both base salary and stock
options. In making its determination,
14
<PAGE>
the Compensation Committee does not assign any specific weight to any of the
foregoing factors, but rather subjectively considers the entire mix of factors
in the aggregate. Accordingly, the annual incentive bonus awarded to an
executive officer may vary from year to year. Annual incentive bonuses for
fiscal 1995 were awarded only to two executive officers, set forth in the
Summary Compensation Table under the heading "Bonus."
STOCK OPTIONS. Like annual incentive bonuses, awards of stock options to
executive officers, including the CEO, are intended to align an officer's
interests with shareholder returns and the Company's stock market performance.
Options are granted from time to time, but not necessarily annually, by the
Stock Option Committee based on its assessment of (i) the factors employed to
determine annual incentive bonuses but without regard to cost containment
considerations and (ii) the amount and terms of stock options already held by
the executive officer. In making awards, the Stock Option Committee does not
assign any specific weight to any of the foregoing factors, but rather considers
the entire mix of factors in the aggregate. Stock Options granted to executive
officers during fiscal 1995 are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table
under the heading "Awards - Securities underlying Options/SARs" and in the above
table captioned "Option/SARs Granted in Fiscal 1995."
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. In establishing the base salary for the CEO for
fiscal 1995, the Committee subjectively considered management's progress in
adjusting for the decline of the Company's traditional defense business and in
new commercial product development programs, particularly medical screening and
pharmaceutical manufacturing execution software. To improve financial
performance pending growth in revenue from the Company's Medical Technology
Division and as part of the Company's fiscal 1995 cost reduction plan, the CEO
worked for minimum wage from May 15, 1995 through the balance of the 1995 fiscal
year.
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 162(m). Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a deduction to publicly traded
companies to the extent of compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to the
chief executive officer or to any of the four other most highly compensated
executive officers. Based on compensation levels at the Company, all such
persons are significantly below such limit and accordingly the Compensation
Committee has not been required to consider the impact of such limit.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
---------------------- ----------------------
James A. Eby Alan S. Poole
Edward J. Klinsport Donald M. Daniels
Alan J. Eisenberg
Alexander M. Adelson
Alan S. Poole
Donald M. Daniels
PERFORMANCE GRAPH. The following graph shows changes over the past five years in
the value of $100 invested on November 1, 1990 in the Company's Class A Common
Stock, the NASDAQ National Market System Index and MG Industry Group 403. MG
Industry Group 403, Electronic Controls and Instruments, is published by Media
General Financial Services, P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, Virginia 23293 and is
accessible through publications such as Industriscope and computer data bases
such as Dialog and Dow Jones News Retrieval. MG Industry Group 403 includes both
the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
15
<PAGE>
[GRAPH]
COMPANY 10/9 10/91 10/92 10/93 10/94 10/95
Base Ten Systs CLA 100.00 220.00 285.00 750.00 635.00 930.00
Industry Index 100.00 139.33 150.54 189.84 214.59 302.96
Broad Market 100.00 127.20 123.22 161.70 171.91 203.93
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
As of December 31,1995, the following shareholders were, to the knowledge of the
Company, the only beneficial owners, other than directors, of more than five
percent of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AMOUNT OF AND NATURE OF PERCENTAGE
TITLE OF CLASS BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1) OF CLASS
- -------------- ---------------- ------------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class B Common Stock Mildred Kranzler 62,823 13.7% (2)
173 Rolling Hill Rd.
Skillman, NJ 08558
Class B Common Stock Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc. 28,895 6.3%
26 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Class A Common Stock Bruce D. Cowen 606,250 8.4%
117 Knob Hill Road
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Class B Common Stock Bruce D. Cowen 69,800 15.2%
117 Knob Hill Road
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Class A Common Stock Jesse L. Upchurch 1,000,000 13.8%
Upchurch Corporation
500 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Class B Common Stock Jesse L. Upchurch 53,900 11.8%
16
<PAGE>
Upchurch Corporation
500 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Information in this table is based on Statements on Schedule 13D or 13G
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2) Mrs. Kranzler is the spouse of Myles M. Kranzler, Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Base Ten and a nominee for
reelection as a director. Excludes shares owned by Mr. Kranzler.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In October 1994, the Company completed a sale and leaseback of its headquarters
and related real estate in Trenton, New Jersey with CKR Partners, L.L.C., an
investment concern ("CKR"). The principals of CKR include Myles M. Kranzler,
the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Base Ten, and Bruce D. Cowen, chairman of
the Company's Finance Committee. See "Information Concerning Directors and
Executive Officers." The Company received $3.6 million for the property, of
which $550,000 was retained by CKR as a security deposit due at the end of the
15-year lease term. The lease provides for annual rent of $560,000 for the
first five years, $615,00 for the second five years and $690,00 for the last
five years, with the Company retaining a repurchase option at amounts declining
to $3.5 million during the last five years of the lease. The Company received
an opinion from The Talman Realty Group, independent financial advisors, that
the terms of the transaction were fair to the Company and its shareholders from
a financial point of view. Proceeds from the transaction were applied by Base
Ten primarily to prepay its mortgage debt of approximately $2.8 million on the
property.
Base Ten maintains a consulting arrangement and success fee agreement with
Alexander M. Adelson, a director of Base Ten. See "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation" above.
Messrs. Klinsport and Eisenberg, the Presidents of the Company's two divisions,
each have loans outstanding from the Company in the amount of $66,800 and
$78,140, respectively. The loans are for three years equal to relinquished
salary during the year, with interest at 6.5% annually. See "Report of
Committee on Executive Compensation" above.
The Company has two agreements with Mr. Cowen, who is chairman of the Company's
finance committee and a consultant to the Company. The first agreement is for
one year ending March, 1996 calling for quarterly payments of $25,000 plus
20,000 options on Class A Common Stock. In addition he is reimbursed for normal
expenses. Mr. Cowen's duties include financial consulting services and other
specialized services requested by the Company. Under the second agreement, Mr.
Cowen would be entitled to receive a success fee for any acquisition or equity
financing achieved by the Company which Messrs. Cowen and Adelson initiated and
completed during the term of the agreement, which can be modified or terminated
at the discretion of the Company. The fee is based upon the size and success of
such project and is payable in a combination of cash and warrants. See
"Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" above for a
description of such success fee arrangement.
It is the Company's policy to structure any transactions between Base Ten and
its officers, directors, principal shareholders or other affiliates on terms no
less favorable to the Company than terms that could be obtained on an arm's
length basis from unrelated parties and only upon approval by a majority of the
Company's independent and disinterested directors.
17
<PAGE>
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has designated Deloitte & Touche, LLP, independent
certified public accountants, as the Company's auditors for the 1996 fiscal
year. This firm, the successor of Touche Ross & Co., has been the Company's
auditors for many years, will be represented at the shareholders' meeting, may
make a statement if it desires to do so, and is expected to respond to
appropriate questions.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be presented for action
at the Annual Meeting other than those listed in the Notice of Meeting and
referred to herein. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it
is intended that the proxy solicited hereby will be voted in accordance with the
recommendation of the Board of Directors.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
SHAREHOLDERS, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC.,
ONE ELECTRONICS DRIVE, P.O. BOX 3151, TRENTON, NJ 08619, MAY RECEIVE, WITHOUT
CHARGE, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K INCLUDING THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES THERETO, REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE COMPANY'S FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER
31, 1995.
Any shareholder proposals meeting the requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission proxy rules and intended to be included in proxy material
for consideration at the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, must be
received by the Secretary of the Company not later than October 18, 1996.
By order of the Board of Directors,
EDWARD J. KLINSPORT,
Executive Vice President and
Secretary
February 16, 1996
18
<PAGE>
Appendix A
1995 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN
OF
BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC.
1. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, unless the context otherwise
requires, "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of Base Ten Systems,
Inc.; "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time; " Committee" means the Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors;
"Company" means Base Ten Systems, Inc.; "employees" means officers and other
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, but excludes the members of the
Board of Directors who are not also employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries; "fair market value" means fair market value as determined by, or
in a manner prescribed by, the Committee; "Common Stock" means Class A Common
Stock of the Company, par value $1.00 per share; "incentive stock option" means
an option which qualifies as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the
Code; "Plan" means this plan, which is known as the 1995 Incentive Stock Option
Plan of Base Ten Systems, Inc.; "subsidiary" includes each corporation which is
and only for such period as it is, a subsidiary corporation of the Company
(within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code), whether now owned or
hereafter acquired.
2. PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to provide an incentive, in
the form of a proprietary interest in the Company, to employees who are in a
position to contribute materially to the successful operation of the business of
the Company or its subsidiaries, to increase their interest in the Company's
welfare, and to provide a means through which the Company can attract and retain
employees of outstanding abilities. It is intended that the foregoing purpose
will be achieved through the granting of options, as provided herein, each of
which is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option.
3. PERIOD OF THE PLAN. The Plan has been adopted by the Board of
Directors on September 6, 1995. The Plan shall expire on September 6, 2005
after which date no options may be granted under the Plan; provided however,
that, subject to the limitation on exercisability contained in paragraphs 8 and
9 of the Plan, any option granted under the Plan prior to such date may continue
to be exercised by the holder thereof after such date until such time as the
option expires by its terms.
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. The Plan shall be administered by
the Committee which shall be composed of not fewer than two members of the Board
of Directors to be appointed from time to time by such Board, which committee
members shall be "disinterested persons" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition to such other authority which
is granted to the Committee under the Plan, the Committee shall have the
authority to (a) establish the terms and conditions of each option, (b) approve
the form of instrument by which each option is granted, (c) adopt rules and
regulations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and (d)
interpret and construe provisions of the Plan and of each option granted. The
maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to stock options which may be
granted under the Plan to an employee who is also a director of the Company
shall be 100,000, and shall be 350,000 to all such management directors as a
group. The actions taken by the Committee pursuant to the foregoing authority
shall be final and conclusive; provided, however, that the Committee shall
exercise such authority and shall administer the Plan in a manner consistent
with the provisions of the Plan and with the qualification of each such option
as an incentive stock option. Notwithstanding the provision contained in the
preceding sentence, the Committee shall not be required to prohibit
disqualifying dispositions (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(2) of the Code)
of shares of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of options under the Plan.
A-1
<PAGE>
5. SHARES OF STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. The stock that may be
issued and sold pursuant to options granted under the Plan shall not exceed, in
the aggregate, 750,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, subject to adjustment as
provided in paragraph 18 of the Plan. Such shares may be authorized and
unissued shares, or shares purchased or to be purchased by the Company. Any
shares of stock subject to an option under the Plan which for any reason expires
or is terminated unexercised as to such shares, or reacquired by the Company
under paragraph 13(a) of the Plan without payment therefor to the optionee, may
not again be subject to an option under the Plan.
6. ELIGIBILITY. Options shall be granted under the Plan only to
employees designated by the Committee.
7. OPTION PRICE. The purchase price under each option shall be not
less than the fair market value of the shares of stock subject to the option at
the time of the grant thereof.
8. PERIOD OF OPTION. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 9 of
the Plan, the option period for each option shall be fixed in each case by the
Committee in its discretion, subject only to the limitation that, by its terms,
no option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date
the option is granted.
9. OPTIONS GRANTED TO 10 PERCENT STOCKHOLDERS. An option may be
granted under the Plan to an employee who, at the time such option is granted,
owns (within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code, including the
applicable attribution provisions of the code) stock possessing more than 10
percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or of any parent corporation or subsidiaries of the Company, only if (i)
at the time such option is granted, the purchase price under such option is not
less than 110 percent of the fair market value of the shares of stock subject to
such option, and (ii) such option by its terms is not exercisable after the
expiration of five years from the date such option is granted.
10. NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO AN OPTION. The number of shares of
stock subject to each option under the Plan shall be determined in each case by
the Committee in its discretion, subject to the limitations inherent in
paragraph 5 of the Plan and subject to the further limitation that no option may
be granted to an employee if, as the result of such grant, the aggregate fair
market value (determined at the time each option was granted) of the shares of
stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the
first time by such employee during any calendar year (under all such plans of
the Company and any parent and subsidiary) shall exceed one hundred thousand
dollars ($100,000).
11. CONDITION TO EXERCISE OF OPTION. Any exercise of all or any
portion of an option granted under the Plan shall be contingent on the following
condition existing at the time of exercise: the optionee shall have been an
employee of the Company or any subsidiary during the entire period beginning on
the date of the granting of the option being exercised, and ending on a day no
more than three months before the date of such exercise (excluding in each case
breaks in employment due to military leave or sick leave which are approved by
the committee); provided, however, in the case of an employee who is disabled
(within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), such period of continuous
employment may end on a day no more than one year before the date of exercise.
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<PAGE>
12. MANNER OF EXERCISE OF OPTION. Any option granted pursuant to the
Plan may be exercised only in the following manner:
(a) the optionee (or any person entitled to exercise pursuant to
paragraph 17 of the Plan) shall deliver to the Company a signed statement of
exercise, accompanied, if then required by the Committee, by a representation
that at the time of such exercise it is his then intention to acquire the shares
then being purchased for investment and for resale; and
(b) accompanying such statement of exercise shall be either (i) cash
or check drawn on a bank and payable to the order of the Company in an amount
equal to the full purchase price under the option of the shares of stock then
being purchased or (ii) certificates representing such number of shares of the
Class A or Class B Common Stock of the Company as shall have, at the time of
exercise, a fair market value equal to the full purchase price under the option
of the shares of stock being purchased, which certificates shall be duly
endorsed or accompanied by duly executed stock powers transferring such shares
to the Company.
13. REACQUISITION, REPLACEMENT AND REISSUANCE OF OPTIONS.
(a) The Committee, with or without the consent of the optionee, may
at any time cause the Company to reacquire and cancel any outstanding and
unexercised option, or any portion thereof. In such event, the company shall
pay to such Optionee an amount in cash equal to the excess (if any) of (i) the
fair market value of the shares of stock subject to such option, or portion
thereof, at the time of reacquisition, over (ii) the option price of such
option, or portion thereof. The Company may withhold from any such payment
applicable taxes and other amounts. The shares of stock subject to such option,
or portion thereof, reacquired and canceled in consideration for a cash payment
to an optionee shall not again be available for option under the Plan. In the
event that the exercise price of such option, or portion thereof, exceeds the
fair market value of the shares of stock subject to such option, or portion
thereof, at the time of reacquisition, such option may be reacquired and
canceled by the Company without payment therefor. The shares of stock subject
to such option, or portion thereof, reacquired and canceled without payment
therefor to the optionee, may not again be subject to an option under the Plan.
(b) The Committee may permit the voluntary surrender of all or a
portion of any option granted under the Plan to be conditioned upon the granting
to the optionee of a new option for the same or different number of shares of
Common Stock as the option surrendered, or may require such voluntary surrender
as a condition to a grant of a new option to such optionee. Such new option
shall be exercisable at the price, during the period, and in accordance with any
other terms or conditions specified by the Committee at the time the new option
is granted, all determined in accordance with the provisions of the Plan without
regard to the price, period of exercise, or any other terms or conditions of the
option surrendered.
14. INTEREST PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF SHARES. No optionee or his legal
representative, legatees, or distributees, as the case may be, will be, or will
be deemed to be, a holder of any shares of stock subject to an option unless and
until certificates for such shares are issued to him or them pursuant to the
exercise of an option granted under the Plan.
15. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION. No option granted to an employee
pursuant to the Plan shall be transferable by him otherwise than by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution, and such option shall be exercisable
during his lifetime only by him.
A-3
<PAGE>
16. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph 17 of the Plan, if an optionee shall cease to be an employee of the
Company or any subsidiary for any reason whatever (other than death) any
unexercised portion of his option shall terminate; provided, however, he may,
but only within three months after the cessation of employment, or, in the case
of an employee who is disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code), within one year after the cessation of employment, exercise his option to
the extent that he was entitled to exercise it as of the date of such cessation
of employment. The Plan will not confer upon any optionee or his representative
any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any
subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with his right, or the right of the
Company or such subsidiary, to terminate his employment at any time. Absence on
military or sick leave, approved by the Committee, shall not be considered an
interruption of employment for any purpose under the Plan.
17. DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an optionee
while employed with the Company or any subsidiary, or within three months after
termination of such employment, and prior to the complete exercise of any option
granted to him pursuant to the Plan, such option shall be exercisable only prior
to the expiration of the term of the option or within the period of three months
next succeeding his death, which ever shall first occur and then only (i) by his
estate or by or on behalf of such person or persons to whom the optionee's
rights under the option shall have passed by the optionee's will or by the laws
of descent and distribution, and (ii) if and only to the extent that he was
entitled to exercise the option at the date of his death.
18. DILUTION OR OTHER ADJUSTMENTS. In the event that there is any
change in the stock subject to being optioned under the Plan or to options
granted under the Plan, through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or combination, the Board of
Directors shall make such adjustments in the aggregate number of shares of stock
subject to the Plan and the number of shares of stock and price per share
subject to outstanding options in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of
shares of stock subject to the Plan and of option rights.
19. EXPIRATION AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. Options may be granted
under the Plan at any time, or from time to time, as long as the total number of
shares of Common Stock optioned or purchased under this Plan does not exceed
750,000 shares subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph 18 of the Plan.
The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Board of Directors except with
respect to any options then outstanding under the Plan.
20. RESERVATION OF STOCK. So long as the Plan is in effect the
Company shall reserve and keep available such number of shares of its Common
Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy all options which may be granted under
the Plan and shall pay all original issue taxes required by the issue of any
Company stock or the exercise of any such option and all other fees and expenses
necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith.
21. APPLICATION OF FUNDS. The proceeds received by the Company from
the sale of its Common Stock pursuant to options granted under this Plan shall
be used for the Company's general corporate purposes.
22. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors of the Company may
make such changes in and additions to the Plan as it may be proper, and in the
best interest of the Company; provided, however, that no such change or addition
shall, without the consent of the optionee, impair any option theretofore
granted under the Plan and provided further that, without such approval of the
shareholders of the Company as may be required under applicable law for the
approval of a stock option plan, (1) the total number of shares which may be
purchased under the Plan shall not be increased except as provided in paragraph
18 of the Plan; (2) the option price shall not be reduced below the limits set
forth in paragraphs 7 and 9 of the Plan; (3) the option period with respect to
any option shall not be extended beyond the maximum periods permitted by
paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Plan; (4) the class of employees eligible to receive
the options
A-4
<PAGE>
shall not be varied; and (5) no such change or addition shall be made as shall
cause any option issued or issuable under the Plan to fail to qualify as an
incentive stock option.
A-5
<PAGE>
CLASS A BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC. CLASS A
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MARCH 26, 1996
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints EDWARD J. KLINSPORT and
ALAN J. EISENBERG, and each of them, his or her true and lawful agents and
proxies, with full power of substitution in each, to represent the undersigned
at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Base Ten Systems, Inc. to be held at
Four Seasons Hotel, 57 East 57th St., New York City, NY 10022 on Tuesday, March
26, 1996, and at any adjournments thereof, on all matters coming before said
meeting.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICE BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES, SEE
REVERSE SIDE, BUT YOU NEED NOT MARK ANY BOXES IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS. YOUR SHARES CANNOT BE VOTED BY THE
PERSONS NAMED ABOVE AS PROXIES UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD.
(continued, and to be signed on other side) SEE REVERSE
SIDE
<PAGE>
/ X / Please mark your
votes as in this
example.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF
DIRECTOR AND FOR PROPOSAL 2. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO
VOTE ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
<TABLE>
<S><C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election / / / / Nominee: Myles M. Kranzler 2. To authorize, approve and adopt the / / / / / /
of Base Ten Systems, Inc. 1995 Incentive
Director: Stock Option Plan as recommended
by the Board of Directors, to become
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee: effective on the date shareholder approval is obtained.
THE SIGNER HEREBY REVOKES ALL PROXIES HERETOFORE GIVEN BY THE
SIGNER TO VOTE AT SAID MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
- -------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(s) DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
CLASS B BASE TEN SYSTEMS, INC. CLASS B
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS MARCH 26, 1996
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints EDWARD J. KLINSPORT and ALAN
J. EISENBERG, and each of them, his or her true and lawful agents and proxies,
with full power of substitution in each, to represent the undersigned at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Base Ten Systems, Inc. to be held at Four
Seasons Hotel, 57 East 57th St., New York City, NY 10022 on Tuesday, March 26,
1996, and at any adjournments thereof, on all matters coming before said
meeting.
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICE BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES, SEE
REVERSE SIDE, BUT YOU NEED NOT MARK ANY BOXES IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS. YOUR SHARES CANNOT BE VOTED BY THE
PERSONS NAMED ABOVE AS PROXIES UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD.
SEE REVERSE
(continued, and to be signed on other side) SIDE
<PAGE>
/X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR
VOTE AS IN THIS
EXAMPLE
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN.
IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 2. IN THEIR
DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY
COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
Only holders of Class A Common Stock will vote on Proposal 1, for the election
of a director.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. To authorize, approve and adopt the Base Ten Systems, / / / / / /
Inc. 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan as recommended
by the Board of Directors, to become effective on the
date shareholder approval is obtained.
The signer hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by the signer to vote at
said meeting or any adjournments thereof.
SIGNATURE(s):_________________________________________________ DATE __________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign.
When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such.
