SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. ______________)
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 statment
/ / Definitive additional materials
/ / Soliciting material pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or Sec. 240.14a-12
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) or 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.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transactions applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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):
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
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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.
(1) Amount previously paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing party:
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(4) Date filed:
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<PAGE>
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
1000 ALFRED NOBEL DRIVE
HERCULES, CALIFORNIA 94547
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
TO BE HELD APRIL 25, 1995
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.:
The annual meeting of the stockholders of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
("Bio-Rad" or the "Company") will be held at the Company's corporate offices,
1000 Alfred Nobel Drive, Hercules, California on Tuesday, April 25, 1995 at 4:00
p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, to consider and act on:
(1) The election of two directors of the Company by the holders of
outstanding Class A Common stock and five directors of the Company by the
holders of outstanding Class B Common stock;
(2) A proposal to ratify the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the
Company's independent auditors; and
(3) Such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on
March 3, 1995, as the record date for the determination of the stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at this annual meeting and at any adjournment
or postponement thereof. The stock transfer books of the Company will not be
closed.
All stockholders are invited to attend the annual meeting in person, but
those who are unable to do so are urged to execute and return promptly the
enclosed Proxy in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Since a majority of the
outstanding shares of each class of common stock of the Company must be present
or represented at the annual meeting to elect directors and conduct the other
business matters referred to above, your promptness in returning the enclosed
Proxy will be greatly appreciated. Your Proxy is revocable and will not affect
your right to vote in person in the event you attend the meeting and revoke your
Proxy.
All stockholders who attend the annual meeting in person are invited to join
the Company for dinner immediately following the meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
SANFORD S. WADLER, Secretary
Hercules, California
March 24, 1995
<PAGE>
BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
1000 ALFRED NOBEL DRIVE
HERCULES, CALIFORNIA 94547
PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION REGARDING PROXIES
The enclosed Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Bio-Rad" or the "Company"),
in connection with the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held
on Tuesday, April 25, 1995, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Solicitation of Proxies will be by mail at the expense of the Company. Copies of
this Proxy Statement and the accompanying notice and Proxy were mailed to
stockholders on or about March 24, 1995.
Shares for which a properly executed Proxy in the enclosed form is returned
will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the directions on such Proxy. If
no voting instructions are indicated with respect to one or more of the
proposals, the Proxy will be voted in favor of the proposal(s). Any Proxy may be
revoked by the record owner of the shares at any time prior to its exercise by
filing with the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or duly executed
Proxy bearing a later date or by attending the meeting in person and announcing
such revocation.
VOTING SECURITIES
The securities of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting consist of
shares of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, both $1.00 par
value (collectively, "Common Stock"). 6,326,488 shares of Class A Common Stock
and 1,787,907 shares of Class B Common Stock were issued and outstanding at the
close of business on March 3, 1995. Only stockholders of record at the close of
business on March 3, 1995 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting. The presence, in person or by Proxy, of the holders of a majority of
the voting power will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Each
share of Class A Common Stock is entitled to one-tenth of a vote and each share
of Class B Common Stock is entitled to one vote, except in the election of
directors and any other matter requiring the vote of one or both classes of
Common Stock voting separately. The sum of one-tenth the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock
constitutes the "Voting Power" of the Company.
The holders of Class A Common Stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled
to elect two directors. The holders of Class B Common Stock, also voting as a
separate class, are entitled to elect the other five directors. The affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of each class of Common Stock present in
person or represented by Proxy is necessary for the election of directors by
that class. The stockholders do not have any right to vote cumulatively in any
election of directors.
On all other matters submitted to a vote at the annual meeting (except
matters requiring the vote of one or both classes voting separately), the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Power present in
person or represented by Proxy is necessary for approval. The Board of Directors
is not aware of any matters that might come before the meeting other than those
mentioned in this Proxy Statement. If, however, any other matters properly come
before the annual meeting, it is intended that the proxies will be voted in
accordance with the judgement of the person or persons voting such proxies.
Under the Company's bylaws and Delaware law: (1) shares represented by
proxies that reflect abstentions or "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares held by a
broker or nominee which are represented at the meeting, but with respect to
which such broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a particular proposal)
will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum; (2) the director nominees receiving the
highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are
elected and, accordingly, abstentions, broker non-votes and withholding of
authority to vote will not affect the election of directors; and (3) proxies
that reflect abstentions as to a particular proposal will be treated as voted
for purposes of determining the approval of that proposal and will have the same
effect as a vote against that proposal, while proxies that reflect broker
non-votes will be treated as unvoted for purposes of determining approval of
that proposal and will not be counted as votes for or against that proposal.
1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL AND MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS
The following table presents certain information as of March 3, 1995, with
respect to Class A and Class B Common Stock owned by: (i) any person who is
known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the
outstanding Common Stock of either class, (ii) each director of Bio-Rad, (iii)
certain executive officers of Bio-Rad named in the "Summary Compensation Table"
of this Proxy Statement, and (iv) all directors and executive officers of
Bio-Rad as a group.
CLASS A COMMON STOCK((1)) CLASS B COMMON STOCK
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NAME AND, WITH RESPECT TO NUMBER OF SHARES AND PERCENT NUMBER OF SHARES AND PERCENT
OWNER OF 5% OR MORE, ADDRESS NATURE OF OWNERSHIP((2)) OF CLASS NATURE OF OWNERSHIP((2)) OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------ -------------------------- ------------ -------------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Bernard A. Egan 577,279 of record 9.1% 80,875 of record 4.5%
1900 Old Dixie Highway and beneficially and beneficially
Fort Pierce, FL 33450
FMR Corporation 523,300 of record 8.3% no shares owned of --
82 Devonshire Street and beneficially record or beneficially
Boston, MA 02109
David and Alice N. Schwartz 1,073,958 of record 17.0% 1,090,510 of record 60.2%
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and beneficially((3)) and beneficially((3)(6))
1000 Alfred Nobel Drive
Hercules, CA 94547
David Schwartz 29,800 in trust((5)) 0.5% no shares owned of --
record or beneficially
Norman Schwartz((4)) 62,685 of record 1.0% 131,677 of record 7.4%
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and beneficially((6)) and beneficially
1000 Alfred Nobel Drive
Hercules, CA 94547
Steven Schwartz((4)) 54,116 of record 0.9% 92,274 of record 5.2%
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. and beneficially and beneficially
1000 Alfred Nobel Drive
Hercules, CA 94547
James J. Bennett 39,692 of record 0.6% 15,818 of record 0.9%
and beneficially((6)) and beneficially
Thomas L. Braje 4,792 of record 0.1% no shares owned of --
and beneficially((6)) record or beneficially
Albert J. Hillman 2,970 of record 0.0% 2,745 of record 0.2%
and beneficially and beneficially
Philip L. Padou no shares owned of -- no shares owned of --
record or beneficially record or beneficially
Sanford S. Wadler 3,367 of record 0.1% no shares owned of --
and beneficially((6)) record or beneficially
Burton A. Zabin 24,879 of record 0.4% 43,678 of record 2.4%
and beneficially((6)) and beneficially
All directors and executive 1,214,168 of record 19.2% 1,284,428 of record 70.9%
officers as a group (10 persons) and beneficially((6)) and beneficially((6))
29,800 in trust((5)) 0.5% no shares owned of --
record or beneficially
<FN>
- ----------
((l)) Excludes Class A shares that may be acquired on conversion of Class B
shares. Class B shares may be converted to Class A shares on a one for one basis
which, if fully converted, would result in the following percentage ownerships
of Class A shares: Bernard A. Egan, 8.1%; FMR 6.4%; David and Alice N. Schwartz,
26.6%; Norman Schwartz, 2.4%; Steven Schwartz, 1.8%; David Schwartz in trust,
0.4%; James J. Bennett, 0.7%; Thomas L. Braje, 0.1%; Albert J. Hillman, 0.1%;
Sanford S. Wadler, 0.0%; Burton A. Zabin, 0.8% and all directors and executive
officers as a group, 30.7%. Management considers any substantial conversions by
the executive officers or directors listed in the table to be highly unlikely.
((2)) Except as otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community
property and similar statutes, the persons listed as beneficial owners of the
shares have voting and investment power with respect to such shares.
((3)) As spouses, David and Alice N. Schwartz, each have a one-half community
property interest in these shares.
((4)) Norman Schwartz and Steven Schwartz are sons of David and Alice N.
Schwartz.
((5)) These shares are owned by the Company's profit sharing plan for which
David Schwartz as co-trustee shares the power to vote but does not exercise any
dispositive powers.
((6)) Includes shares with respect to which such persons have the right to
acquire beneficial ownership under the Company's employee stock purchase plan
and stock option agreements, as follows: James J. Bennett, 4,388 shares; Thomas
L. Braje, 1,425 shares; Norman Schwartz, 1,800 shares; Sanford S. Wadler, 1,687
shares; Burton A. Zabin, 2,500 shares; and all directors and executive officers
as a group, 12,725 Class A Common shares; and David Schwartz, 22,525 Class B
Common shares.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has seven members. Management has nominated the seven
persons listed in the following table as the candidates of the respective class
of Common Stock indicated. All are currently directors of the Company, with
terms expiring as of the date of the annual meeting of stockholders or on
election and qualification of their successors. No family relationship exists
among any of the nominees, except that David Schwartz and Alice N. Schwartz are
husband and wife; and Norman Schwartz is their son. As husband and wife, David
and Alice Schwartz share equally in all remuneration and other benefits accorded
to either of them by the Company.
The directors elected at this meeting will serve until the next annual
meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and
qualified. It is the intention of the persons named in the Proxy to vote the
shares subject to such Proxy for the election as directors of the persons listed
in the following table. Although it is not contemplated that any nominee will
decline or be unable to serve as a director, in the event that at the meeting or
any adjournment or postponement thereof any nominee declines or is unable to
serve, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy will, in their discretion, vote
the shares subject to such Proxy for another person selected by them for
director.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS OF
COMMON STOCK PRESENT PRINCIPAL EMPLOYMENT DIRECTOR
NAME TO ELECT AGE AND PRIOR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE SINCE
- ----------------- -------------- ----- ------------------------------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James J. Bennett Class B 66 Vice President and Chief Operating 1977
Officer of the Company since 1993;
Vice President and Group Manager,
Clinical Diagnostics from 1985 to
1993; Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company
from 1977 to 1985.
Albert J. Hillman Class A 63 Of counsel in the law firm of 1980
Townsend and Townsend Khourie
and Crew ("Townsend and
Townsend") since 1965, which
firm serves as patent counsel
for the Company.
Philip L. Padou Class A 60 Retired since 1991; Vice President 1980
and Chief Financial Officer of
Ozier Perry and Associates from
1987 to 1991.
Alice N. Schwartz Class B 68 Retired since 1979; Research 1967
Associate, University of
California, from 1972 to 1978.
David Schwartz Class B 71 President of the Company since 1957
1957.
Norman Schwartz Class B 45 Vice President of the Company 1995
since 1989, and Group Manager,
Clinical Diagnostics since 1993.
Burton A. Zabin Class B 59 Vice President of the Company 1968
Group Manager, Life Science since
1982.
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
In addition to Messrs. James J. Bennett, David Schwartz, Norman Schwartz
and Burton A. Zabin, the following persons are also executive officers of the
Company: Thomas L. Braje, James L. Viglienzone and Sanford S. Wadler. Thomas
L. Braje (age 51) has been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since
1989. James L. Viglienzone (age 41) has been Treasurer since 1989. Sanford S.
Wadler (age 48) has been General Counsel and Secretary since 1989.
The above named individuals also serve in various management capacities with
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Bio-Rad. David Schwartz, by virtue of his Common
Stock ownership (see "Principal and Management Stockholders") and his position
as a director and the President of Bio-Rad, may be deemed to be a control person
of the Company.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors has no nominating committee or
other committees performing similar functions. During 1994, the Board of
Directors held a total of 11 meetings (including regularly scheduled and special
meetings) and no director attended fewer than 90% of such meetings.
The Audit Committee is composed of Philip L. Padou and met twice in 1994.
The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the firm to be employed
by the Company as its independent auditors and is primarily responsible for
approving the services performed by the Company's independent auditors and for
reviewing and evaluating the Company's accounting policies and its system of
internal accounting controls.
In December, 1993, the Compensation Committee was formed consisting of two
non-employee directors, Albert J. Hillman and Philip L. Padou. The Compensation
Committee met twice in 1994. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the
Company's executive compensation policies. A more complete discussion is
provided in the "Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors"
of this Proxy Statement.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
In 1994, Townsend and Townsend, the patent law firm of which Mr. Hillman is
of counsel, rendered legal services to the Company. The Board of Directors has
relied upon the Company's General Counsel to determine that the services of
Townsend and Townsend were provided on terms at least as fair to the Company as
if they had been provided by a non-affiliate. The General Counsel is responsible
for the management of all of the Company's relationships with providers of legal
services.
Pursuant to the policy of the Board of Directors of Bio-Rad, directors who
are not also employees of Bio-Rad are paid for serving as directors a fee of
$1,000 per month plus $100 for any meetings in excess of 16 per year. Audit
Committee members are paid $500 per month.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ABOVE-NAMED
DIRECTOR NOMINEES FOR THE CLASS OR CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK THAT YOU HOLD.
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
The following Summary Compensation Table presents compensation paid or
accrued by the Company for services rendered during 1994, 1993 and 1992 for the
CEO and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company
("Named Executive Officers") whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded
$100,000 in 1994.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION((2))
---------------
ANNUAL SECURITIES
NAME AND COMPENSATION((1)) UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS OPTIONS (#) COMPENSATION((3))
- ----------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David Schwartz 1994 $453,506 $116,887 24,000 $ 9,000
President 1993 $417,605 $ 0 24,000 $ 9,400
1992 $413,804 $ 70,338 24,000 $11,400
James J. Bennett 1994 $350,060 $ 92,481 5,000 $ 9,000
Vice President and 1993 $296,692 $ 0 5,000 $ 9,400
Chief Operating Officer 1992 $246,036 $ 29,454 3,000 $11,400
Burton A. Zabin 1994 $222,066 $ 33,953 2,500 $ 9,000
Vice President and 1993 $219,620 $ 0 2,500 $ 8,800
Group Manager, 1992 $192,223 $ 14,392 2,500 $ 9,600
Life Science
Thomas L. Braje 1994 $219,768 $ 48,861 2,000 $ 9,000
Vice President and 1993 $205,332 $ 0 1,500 $ 8,200
Chief Financial Officer 1992 $197,218 $ 4,928 1,100 $ 9,900
Sanford S. Wadler 1994 $206,940 $ 71,032 2,000 $ 9,000
General Counsel and 1993 $200,034 $ 35,400 1,500 $ 9,400
Secretary 1992 $197,950 $ 37,442 1,100 $11,400
<FN>
((1)) All Other Annual Compensation amounts for each of the Named Executive
Officers were less than the amounts required for separate reporting and are
included in salary.
((2)) There were no Restricted Stock awards.
((3)) Amounts reported are contributions made pursuant to the Company's profit
sharing plan. A more complete discussion is provided in the section titled
"Profit Sharing Plan Contributions" of the "Report of the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors" in this Proxy Statement.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following table presents certain information regarding stock options
granted to the Named Executive Officers in 1994.
OPTION GRANTS IN 1994
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
SECURITIES OPTIONS FOR OPTION TERM((2))
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE ASSUMED ASSUMED
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES PRICE EXPIRATION APPRECIATION APPRECIATION
NAME GRANTED((1)) IN 1994 ($/SHARE) DATE OF 5% OF 10%
- ----------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- ------------ -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David Schwartz 15,500 16.2% $11.75 02/02/99 $50,318 $111,189
8,500 8.9% $12.93 02/02/99 $30,365 $ 67,098
James J. Bennett 5,000 5.2% $11.06 02/02/99 $15,278 $ 33,761
Burton A. Zabin 2,500 2.6% $11.06 02/02/99 $ 7,639 $ 16,881
Thomas L. Braje 2,000 2.1% $11.06 02/02/99 $ 6,111 $ 13,504
Sanford S. Wadler 2,000 2.1% $11.06 02/02/99 $ 6,111 $ 13,504
<FN>
((1)) All stock options granted in 1994 are incentive stock options with the
exception of a nonqualified stock option for 15,500 shares granted to David
Schwartz. The exercise price reflects not less than 100% of the fair market
value of the underlying securities at the time such options were granted. All
shares subject to the above options are Class A shares with the exception of the
options granted to David Schwartz which were for Class B shares. All stock
options have a term of five years and become exercisable at a rate not greater
than 25% per annum commencing one year after the date of grant. In 1994, options
to purchase 39,000 shares were granted to all executive officers as a group, and
options to purchase 57,000 shares were granted to all other employees.
((2)) Potential realizable value is based on an assumption that the stock price
of the Common Stock appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded annually)
from the date of grant until the end of the five year option term. These numbers
are calculated based on the requirements promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and do not reflect the Company's estimate of future stock
price growth.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
None of the Named Executive Officers exercised stock options in 1994. The
following table presents the number of exercisable and unexercisable options at
December 31, 1994 for the Named Executive Officers.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1994 AND
DECEMBER 31, 1994 OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES AT DECEMBER 31, 1994 AT DECEMBER 31, 1994((1))
ACQUIRED VALUE ----------------------------- -----------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David Schwartz -- -- 13,850 58,150 $134,139 $745,361
James J. Bennett -- -- 2,750 10,250 $ 31,485 $148,835
Burton A. Zabin -- -- 1,875 5,625 $ 20,588 $ 79,263
Thomas L. Braje -- -- 925 3,675 $ 10,415 $ 53,965
Sanford S. Wadler -- -- 925 3,675 $ 10,415 $ 53,965
<FN>
((1)) The market prices of Class A and Class B Common Stock at December 31,
1994 were $27.75 and $27.00 per share, respectively.
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION DECISIONS
The Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Hillman and Padou. The
Company currently has no interlocking relationships involving any of its
Compensation Committee members and no executive officer of the Company serves on
the Compensation Committee. Messrs. Bennett, D. Schwartz, N. Schwartz and Zabin
participate in general Board of Directors' discussions of compensation, bonuses
and stock options. David, Norman and Alice Schwartz were absent from and did not
participate in the discussions or decisions concerning the President's
compensation.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has furnished the
following report on executive compensation. The Compensation Committee was
formed in December, 1993. The report also refers to decisions made by Mr. Padou,
Mr. Hillman and other members of the Board of Directors prior to the formation
of the Compensation Committee. The function of the Compensation Committee is to
review and approve the compensation arrangements for the Company's senior
management and any compensation plans in which the executive officers and
directors are eligible to participate.
OBJECTIVES AND OVERVIEW
The overall objectives of the Company's executive compensation programs are to:
o Attract, retain and motivate key executive talent;
o Reward key executives based on business performance;
o Align executive incentives with the interests of stockholders; and
o Encourage the achievement of Company objectives.
Executive compensation consists of four components: 1) base salary; 2) annual
and special incentive bonus payments; 3) long-term incentives in the form of
stock options; and 4) contributions to the Company's profit sharing plan. The
Company strives to provide a competitive total compensation package to senior
management based on professionally compiled surveys of broad groups of companies
of comparable size within related industries.
BASE SALARY
Each year, the Company obtains studies of compensation trends, practices and
levels from at least four independent compensation surveys in order to determine
the competitiveness of the pay structure for its senior managers. Within the
comparative groups of companies surveyed, the Company sets executive base
salaries and total compensation near the arithmetic mean of the surveys. Each
executive's base salary is determined by an assessment of the executive's job
description and current salary in relation to the salary range designated for
the position in the compensation surveys. Adjustments are made when necessary to
reflect changes in responsibilities or competitive industry pressures. Each
executive's performance is evaluated annually to determine individual merit
increases within the overall guidelines established in each year's budget
process. For 1994, the Company merit increase guideline was 3.0% and was based
on the compensation surveys.
INCENTIVE BONUS PAYMENTS
Executive officers of the Company, including the President, are eligible for
an annual incentive bonus and special bonuses, determined as a percentage of the
officers' eligible wages. Annual bonuses are awarded to executive officers,
including the President and other key employees of the Company and its operating
units, who meet certain annual Company and operating unit goals which are
previously established by senior management. The performance factors used in
calculating bonuses include: sales growth rates, operating profitability and
return on assets as measured against annual objectives. Performance
7
<PAGE>
goals have been established for the Company as a whole and for each operating
unit. Bonuses are determined using these performance factors and comparisons to
industry competitive standards. The bonus calculation is weighted between
Company performance and operating unit performance according to the
responsibilities of each executive. In addition to the annual incentive bonuses,
special bonuses are awarded by the Board of Directors in recognition of other
specific business actions taken during the year which contributed to the
strategic growth, profitability or competitiveness of the Company. In the past,
these bonuses have been awarded for special achievements such as successfully
completing acquisitions or divestitures and settling legal disputes. Such
bonuses may be distributed over several years. Incentive bonuses may be awarded
in cash and/or stock.
Bonuses for performance in 1994 were awarded in March, 1995 and ranged from
7.6% to 31.5% of base salaries. There were no bonuses awarded in 1994 for 1993
performance. Because bonuses are based on growth and profitability, trends in
bonus awards generally track operating unit and Company performance. Special
bonuses are awarded only on completion of specific projects or transactions.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
The Company provides its executive officers and other key employees with
long-term incentive compensation through the granting of stock options. The
Company believes that stock options provide the Company's key employees with the
opportunity to purchase and maintain an equity interest in the Company and to
share in the appreciation of the value of the stock. Stock options are intended
to align executive interests with the interests of stockholders and therefore
directly motivate senior management to maximize long-term stockholder value. The
stock options also create an incentive to remain with the Company for the
long-term because the options are vested over a four-year period. Because all
options are granted at no less than the fair market value of the underlying
stock on the date of grant, stock options provide value to the recipients only
when the price of Bio-Rad Common Stock increases over time.
The Board of Directors has delegated certain responsibilities of
administration of the Company's stock option plans to the Stock Option Award
Committee in order for the option plans to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Stock Option Award Committee is
composed of Messrs. Hillman and Padou and is responsible for determining the
timing and distribution of grants subject to the terms of the current option
plans. The Stock Option Award Committee also determines the total number of
shares granted and the allocation of shares to individual executive officers and
key employees. Recommendations from senior management and other factors are
considered including: the responsibility level, individual performance and
contribution to the Company's business of each officer and key employee. Except
as may be otherwise required by Rule 16b-3, the option grants are submitted to
the Board of Directors for ratification and the date of grant is the date of the
Board of Directors meeting. In 1994, the Company granted approximately 96,000
options to a group of about 200 executive officers and key employees.
PROFIT SHARING PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS
The Company's employees who are directors or officers are entitled to
participate in the Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Employees' Deferred Profit Sharing
Retirement Plan ("Profit Sharing Plan") on the same basis as all other Company
employees. The Profit Sharing Plan covers all full-time employees of the
Company, or any of its participating subsidiaries, who have completed one year
of service. Contributions to the Profit Sharing Plan are determined each year by
the Board of Directors in its sole discretion and are allocated among each
participant based on the ratio his or her compensation bears to the aggregate
compensation of all participants. For 1994, the Board of Directors approved a
contribution of 6% of eligible compensation. Participants are vested 100% after
five years of service, but funds are not distributed until retirement or
termination of employment with the Company.
PRESIDENT'S COMPENSATION
For 1994, the Compensation Committee was primarily responsible for
determining and approving the President's compensation. The President's
compensation was compared with compensation of other CEOs in the above mentioned
surveys and proxy statements for comparable companies. The salary of
8
<PAGE>
David Schwartz is normally set near the arithmetic mean of the salaries surveyed
for comparable companies. In July 1994, the salary of Mr. Schwartz was increased
by 19%. There were no increases to his base salary in 1993 or 1992.
The President's annual bonus is based on the achievement of the Company's
financial goals. The same performance criteria are used to calculate his annual
bonus as those established for other eligible executive officers. These criteria
are discussed above under Incentive Bonus Payments. In March 1995, Mr. Schwartz
received a bonus of 26.5 % of base salaray based on achievement of previously
established growth and profitability targets for 1994. The bonus awarded to Mr.
Schwartz was in the mid-range of bonuses awarded to CEOs of other comparable
companies.
In 1994, Mr. Schwartz was granted an incentive stock option to purchase 8,500
shares of Class B Common Stock and a nonqualified stock option to purchase
15,500 shares of Class B Common Stock. As a holder of more than 10% of the
Company's Common Stock, the exercise price of the shares underlying the
incentive stock option was fixed at 110% of the market price on the date of
grant. The exercise price of the nonqualified option was 100% of the market
price on the date of grant. Pursuant to the general restrictions of the Option
Plan, vesting of incentive stock options granted to Mr. Schwartz is limited to
$100,000 per year which results in vesting at a slower rate than other
optionees. These option grants were comparable with options granted to CEOs of
similar size companies.
Compensation Committee,
Albert J. Hillman
Philip L. Padou
9
<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative stockholder returns over the past
five years for the Company's Class A Common Stock, the American Stock Exchange
Market Value Index and a selected peer group, assuming $100 invested on December
31, 1989 and reinvestment of dividends:
(The following descriptive data is supplied in accordance with Rule 304(d) of
Regulation S-T)
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Bio-Rad $100.00 $115.62 $123.44 $107.03 $ 62.50 $173.43
Peer Group(1) $100.00 $114.60 $123.89 $138.64 $144.74 $170.18
Amex Market
Value Index $100.00 $ 81.51 $104.51 $105.62 $126.23 $114.73
- ----------
((1)) The peer group consists of the following public companies: Beckman
Instruments; Becton Dickinson; Bio-Rad; Diagnostic Products; KLA Instruments;
Life Technologies; Millipore; and Perkin-Elmer. Companies in the peer group were
chosen to reflect Bio-Rad's participation in three different markets: life
science research products, analytical instruments and clinical diagnostics. No
single public or private company has a comparable mix of products which serve
the same markets. In many cases, only one division of a peer group company
competes in the same markets as Bio-Rad. Collectively, the peer group reflects
products and markets similar to Bio-Rad's.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than
ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities
("Insiders"), to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock
of the Company. Insiders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company
with copies of all Section 16(a) reports which they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely upon its review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company and written representations from certain
Insiders that no other reports were required, during fiscal year ended December
31, 1994 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to Insiders were
complied with.
10
<PAGE>
II. RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has selected Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, to serve as Bio-Rad's auditors for the fiscal year ending December
31, 1995. A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be present at
the annual meeting of stockholders to make a statement if he or she desires to
do so and to respond to appropriate questions.
Although it is not required to do so, Bio-Rad wishes to provide stockholders
with the opportunity to express their opinion on the selection of auditors, and
accordingly is submitting a proposal to ratify the selection of Arthur Andersen
LLP. If the stockholders should fail to ratify this proposal, the Board of
Directors will consider the selection of another auditing firm.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF ARTHUR
ANDERSEN LLP TO SERVE AS THE COMPANY'S AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 1995.
III. OTHER MATTERS
At the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors does not know of
any business to be presented for consideration at the meeting other than that
described above. If any other business should properly come before the meeting,
the shares represented by Proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment
of the persons named in such Proxies.
The annual report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1994,
including financial statements, has been mailed, or is being mailed concurrently
with this Proxy Statement, to all stockholders of the Company as of the record
date for the annual meeting.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals intended to be presented by stockholders at the 1996 annual meeting
must be received by the Company for inclusion in the 1996 Proxy Statement not
later than November 24, 1995.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
SANFORD S. WADLER, Secretary
Hercules, California
March 24, 1995
11
<PAGE>
CLASS A FRONT OF CARD:
APPENDIX A
P CLASS A STOCK
R BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
O Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the
X Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Y
April 25, 1995
The undersigned does hereby appoint DAVID SCHWARTZ and SANFORD S. WADLER and
each of them, attorneys-in-fact and agents with full powers of substitution for
and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to vote as proxies or proxy
all the shares of Class A Common Stock of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
("Bio-Rad"), to be held at the Company's corporate offices, 1000 Alfred Nobel
Drive, Hercules, California, on Tuesday, April 25, 1995 at 4:00 P.M., Pacific
Daylight Time, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof:
CLASS A BACK OF CARD:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Please mark votes as in this example using dark ink only. / /
This proxy will be voted as specified below. If no voting instructions are
indicated with respect to one or more of the proposals, the proxy will be voted
in favor of the proposal(s). The Board of Directors recommends a Vote FOR items
1, 2 and 3.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 2. PROPOSAL to ratify the selection of
Arthur Andersen LLP to serve as the
ALBERT J. HILLMAN, Company's Independent auditors.
PHILIP L. PADOU
3. In their discretion as to such other
------------------------------- matters as properly may come before
(Instruction: To withhold the meeting or any adjournment or
authority to vote for any postponement thereof.
nominee(s), write the name(s)
of such nominee(s) above.)
Receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and proxy
statement is hereby confirmed.
Please sign exactly as your name
appears hereon or on the stock
certificate. Executors,
administrators or trustees should
indicate their capacities. If stock
is held in joint names, both
registered holders should sign. No
witness or notarization is
necessary.
Date: _____________________________
Signature:_________________________
Signature:_________________________
<PAGE>
CLASS B FRONT OF CARD:
APPENDIX B
P CLASS B STOCK
R BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
O Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the
X Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Y
April 25, 1995
The undersigned does hereby appoint DAVID SCHWARTZ and SANFORD S. WADLER and
each of them, attorneys-in-fact and agents with full powers of substitution for
and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to vote as proxies or proxy
all the shares of Class B Common Stock of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
("Bio-Rad"), to be held at the Company's corporate offices, 1000 Alfred Nobel
Drive, Hercules, California, on Tuesday, April 25, 1995 at 4:00 P.M., Pacific
Daylight Time, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof:
CLASS B BACK OF CARD:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Please mark votes as in this example using dark ink only. / /
This proxy will be voted as specified below. If no voting instructions are
indicated with respect to one or more of the proposals, the proxy will be voted
in favor of the proposal(s). The Board of Directors recommends a Vote FOR items
1, 2 and 3.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 2. PROPOSAL to ratify the selection of
Arthur Andersen LLP to serve as the
JAMES J. BENNETT, ALICE N. Company's Independent auditors.
SCHWARTZ, DAVID SCHWARTZ,
NORMAN SCHWARTZ, BURTON A. ZABIN
3. In their discretion as to such other
------------------------------- matters as properly may come before
(Instruction: To withhold the meeting or any adjournment or
authority to vote for any postponement thereof.
nominee(s), write the name(s)
of such nominee(s) above.)
Receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and proxy
statement is hereby confirmed.
Please sign exactly as your name
appears hereon or on the stock
certificate. Executors,
administrators or trustees should
indicate their capacities. If
stock is held in joint names, both
registered holders should sign. No
witness or notarization is
necessary.
Date: _____________________________
Signature:_________________________
Signature:_________________________
