<PAGE>
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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 Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(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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Notes:
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March 25, 1999
Dear Fellow Colgate Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on
Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. in the Broadway Ballroom of the Marriott
Marquis Hotel, 1535 Broadway, between 45th and 46th Streets, New York, New York
10036.
At the meeting, we will ask you to elect nine directors, ratify the
selection of auditors and reapprove the Company's Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an amended and updated form, as required every five years
to satisfy certain federal tax requirements. We will also review the progress
of the Company during the past year and answer your questions.
This booklet includes the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. The
Proxy Statement describes the business we will conduct at the meeting and
provides information about the Company that you should consider when you vote
your shares.
This year's Proxy Statement is written in a new, simplified format. We hope
you like the new format and welcome any comments you may have.
It is important that your stock be represented at the meeting. Whether or
not you plan to attend the meeting in person, we hope that you will vote on the
matters to be considered by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card in
the return envelope.
Very truly yours,
Reuben Mark William S. Shanahan
Chairman of the Board and President and Chief
Chief Executive Officer Operating Officer
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page No.
--------
<S> <C>
VOTING PROCEDURES 1
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY 3
The Board of Directors 3
Committees of the Board of Directors 7
Compensation of Directors 8
STOCK OWNERSHIP 9
Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers 10
Compliance with Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting 11
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPHS 11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 14
Summary Compensation Table 14
Stock Options 17
Retirement Plan 19
Executive Severance Plan and Other Arrangements 21
Compensation Committee Interlocks 22
P&O Committee Report on Executive Compensation 23
PROPOSALS REQUIRING YOUR VOTE 29
Proposal 1: Election of Directors 29
Proposal 2: Ratification of Selection of Auditors 29
Proposal 3: Reapproval of the Company's Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan 29
OTHER INFORMATION 33
Future Stockholder Proposals 33
Nominations for Director 33
Cost and Methods of Soliciting Proxies 33
Other Business 34
APPENDIX A A-1
</TABLE>
i
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March 25, 1999
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Colgate-Palmolive Company will be
held in the Broadway Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, 1535 Broadway,
between 45th and 46th Streets, New York, New York 10036, on Wednesday, May 5,
1999, at 10:00 a.m., for the following purposes:
1. To elect the Board of Directors;
2. To ratify the selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants for 1999;
3. To reapprove the Company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, in an
amended and updated form; and
4. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before
the meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 1999 are
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Please complete and mail the enclosed proxy card to us in the return
envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the U.S. Mailing us your proxy
card will not limit your right to vote in person or to attend the meeting.
Andrew D. Hendry
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Colgate-Palmolive Company
300 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
Colgate-Palmolive Company (referred to in this Proxy Statement as "we" or
"the Company") is sending you this Proxy Statement in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors of proxies to be voted at the 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We are mailing this Proxy Statement, a proxy card and the 1998 Annual Report
of Colgate-Palmolive Company to stockholders beginning March 25, 1999. Although
the Annual Report is being mailed with the Proxy Statement, it is not part of
the proxy soliciting material.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Who Can Vote
The Company has three classes of voting stock: Common Stock, $4.25 Preferred
Stock and Series B Convertible Preference Stock. If you were the record owner
of any of these classes of stock on March 8, 1999, the record date for voting
at the Annual Meeting, then you are entitled to vote at the meeting.
Determining the Number of Votes You Have
Your proxy card indicates the number of shares of each class of stock that
you own. Each share of Common Stock and $4.25 Preferred Stock has one vote, and
each share of Series B Convertible Preference Stock has four votes.
How To Vote
You can vote your shares in two ways: either by using the enclosed proxy
card or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting by written ballot. Each of
these procedures is more fully explained below. Even if you plan to attend the
meeting, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote by proxy.
Voting by Proxy
To vote your shares by proxy, complete and return the enclosed proxy card to
us before the Annual Meeting. We will vote your shares as you direct on your
proxy card. You can specify on your proxy whether your shares should be voted
for all, some or none of the nominees for director. You can also specify
whether you approve, disapprove or abstain from voting on the other proposals
being brought to a stockholder vote.
If you sign and return the proxy card but do not specify how to vote, we
will vote your shares in favor of our nominees for director, the ratification
of the selection of auditors and the reapproval of the Company's Executive
Incentive Compensation Plan, in an amended and updated form, as required every
five years to satisfy certain federal tax requirements.
If any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting for
consideration, the Company directors named on your proxy card will have
discretion to vote for you on those matters. At the time this Proxy Statement
was printed, we knew of no other matters to be raised at the Annual Meeting.
1
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Voting at the Annual Meeting
Written ballots will be available from the ushers at the Annual Meeting. If
your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record,
you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the holder of record to
be able to vote at the meeting. Voting by proxy will not limit your right to
vote at the Annual Meeting if you decide to attend in person. Of course, if you
send in your proxy card and also attend the meeting, there is no need to vote
again at the meeting unless you wish to change your vote.
Revocation of Proxies
You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised at the Annual
Meeting by taking any one of the following actions: (1) you can deliver a valid
proxy with a later date, (2) you can notify the Secretary of the Company in
writing that you have revoked your proxy (see address in the Notice of Annual
Meeting above) or (3) you can vote in person by written ballot at the Annual
Meeting.
Quorum
To carry on the business of the meeting, a minimum number of shares,
constituting a quorum, must be present. The quorum for the Annual Meeting is a
majority of the votes represented by the outstanding stock of the Company. This
majority may be present in person or by proxy. Abstentions and "broker non-
votes" (which are explained below) are counted as present to determine whether
there is a quorum.
Broker Non-Votes
A "broker non-vote" occurs when your broker submits a proxy for your shares
but does not indicate a vote for a particular proposal because the broker does
not have discretionary authority to vote on that proposal and has not received
voting instructions from you. Under the rules of The New York Stock Exchange,
however, if your broker holds shares in your name and delivers this Proxy
Statement to you, the broker is entitled to vote your shares on Proposals 1, 2
and 3 if it does not receive instructions from you.
"Broker non-votes" count as shares present for quorum purposes but are not
counted either as no-votes, abstentions or as part of the voting power present
for the particular proposal where the shares have not been voted because the
broker was not entitled to do so.
Required Vote
Proposal 1: Election of Directors. The nine nominees for director who
receive the most votes of all the votes cast for directors will be elected.
This means that if you do not vote for a particular nominee, or if you indicate
you want to withhold authority to vote for a particular nominee on your proxy
card, your vote will not count for or against the nominee. Similarly, "broker
non-votes" will not count for or against the nominee.
Proposal 2: Ratification of Selection of Auditors. The affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes represented at the meeting, either in person or by proxy,
and entitled to vote on this proposal is required to ratify the selection of
the auditors. This means that if you abstain from voting on the selection of
auditors, it will have the same effect as if you voted against this proposal.
"Broker non-votes," however, are not counted as votes against this proposal or
abstentions or as shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of approving
this matter.
2
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Proposal 3: Reapproval of the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes represented at the meeting, either
in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on this proposal is required to
reapprove the Company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, in an amended
and updated form, as required every five years to satisfy federal tax
requirements. An abstention is treated as a vote against this proposal. "Broker
non-votes," however, are not counted as votes against this proposal or
abstentions or as shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of approving
this matter.
Confidential Voting
All proxies, ballots and vote tabulations that identify stockholders are
confidential. The return envelope for your proxy card is addressed to an
independent tabulator, who will receive, inspect and tabulate the proxies. Your
vote will not be disclosed to anyone other than the independent tabulator
without your consent, except if proxies are being solicited for a change of
control of the Company or if doing so is necessary to meet legal requirements.
Voting by Employees Participating in the Colgate-Palmolive Savings and
Investment Plan
If you are a Colgate employee who participates in the Company's U.S. Savings
and Investment Plan, the trustee for the Plan will send you a voting
instruction card prior to the Annual Meeting. This card will indicate the
aggregate number of shares of Series B Convertible Preference Stock and Common
Stock credited to your account under the Savings and Investment Plan as of
March 8, 1999, the record date for voting at the meeting.
. If you sign and return the card on time, the trustee will vote the shares
as you have directed.
. If you do not return the card, the trustee will vote your shares in the
same proportion as the shares voted by employees who return their cards
to the trustee.
Voting by Employees Participating in a Global Stock Ownership Plan
If you are an employee who participates in one of our Global Stock Ownership
Plans, you will receive separate voting instructions from your local Human
Resources Department.
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors oversees the business, assets, affairs and
performance of the Company. In accordance with the Company's long-standing
practice, the Board of Directors is independent, consisting of a majority of
outside directors. Currently, the Board has nine directors, consisting of eight
outside, non-employee directors and one employee director, Mr. Mark, who is the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
The Board of Directors met nine times during 1998. At five of these meetings
the outside directors met without Mr. Mark present for a portion of the
meeting. All directors attended at least 79%, and on average 93%, of the
meetings of the Board and the committees on which they served in 1998.
3
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The name, age, principal occupation and length of service of each director,
together with certain other biographical information, is set forth below.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr.
Mark joined the Company in 1963 and has held a series of
Reuben Mark, significant positions in the United States and abroad. He
60 was appointed Vice President and General Manager of the
Household Products Division in 1975. From March 1979 to
March 1981, he was Group Vice President of domestic
operations. In March 1981, he was elected Executive Vice
President and became President and a director of the
Company on March 1, 1983. Mr. Mark was elected Chief
Executive Officer in May 1984 and Chairman in May 1986. Mr.
Mark is also a director of Citigroup, Pearson, plc and Time
Warner, Inc.
Director since 1983
Visiting Scholar, Program in Science, Technology and
Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology since 1985.
Jill K. Mrs. Conway was President of Smith College from 1975 to
Conway, 64 1985. She was Vice President, Internal Affairs, University
of Toronto, from 1973 to 1975 and a member of its graduate
faculty from 1971 to 1975. She has served as a member of
the Harvard University Board of Overseers and The
Conference Board and as a trustee of Hampshire College,
Adelphi University, Northfield Mt. Hermon School and The
Clarke School for the Deaf. Mrs. Conway is a member of the
boards of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Arthur D. Little,
Inc., Nike, Inc., the Allen Group and Lend Lease
International. She is also a trustee of Mt. Holyoke
College, The Knight Foundation, The Enterprise Foundation,
The Kresge Foundation and Lifespan Inc.
Director since 1984
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Re
Corporation since 1987. Mr. Ferguson has been with General
Ronald E. Re since 1969. Prior to joining General Re, Mr. Ferguson
Ferguson, 57 worked for the Kemper Insurance Group from 1965 to 1969 and
served with the U.S. Public Health Service from 1966 to
1968. Mr. Ferguson is a director of Insurance Service
Offices, Inc. and the Insurance Institute of America. He is
a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and the American
Academy of Actuaries.
Director since 1987
4
<PAGE>
President and Chief Executive Officer of Exodus
Ellen M. Communications, Inc., a computer network and Internet
Hancock, 55 systems company. From July 1996 to July 1997, Ms. Hancock
was Executive Vice President, Research and Development,
Chief Technology Officer of Apple Computer Inc. She
previously was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, National Semiconductor. Prior to joining National
Semiconductor in 1995, she was Senior Vice President and
Group Executive at IBM. Ms. Hancock is on the Board of
Directors of Aetna. She is also on the Board of Trustees of
Marist College.
Director since 1988
Chairman of Campbell Soup Company. Mr. Johnson began his
business career as a management trainee at Colgate
David W. Australia in 1959 and received a series of promotions at
Johnson, 66 the Company, becoming General Manager of Colgate's South
African subsidiary in 1967. He then held several positions
with Warner-Lambert from 1972 to 1982, including President
of its Asian Management Center, President of its Personal
Products Division and President of American Chicle
Division. In 1982, Mr. Johnson became President and Chief
Executive Officer of Entenmann's, Inc. From 1987 to 1989,
he served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Gerber Products Company, and from 1989 to 1990
he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Gerber. Mr. Johnson was elected Chairman of Campbell Soup
Company in 1993 and was its President and Chief Executive
Officer from January 1990 to July 1997. Mr. Johnson is a
member of the Board of Directors of Duane Reade, Inc. and
serves on the Advisory Council for the University of Notre
Dame College of Business Administration as well as the
University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.
Director since 1991
Officer, Faneuil Hall Associates, Inc., a private investment
company, since 1973. Mr. Kendall is a former Chairman of
John P. The Kendall Company, which he joined in 1956. He held a
Kendall, 70 series of significant positions with The Kendall Company in
the United States and abroad. He is President of the Henry
P. Kendall Foundation and a former director of the Shawmut
Bank of Boston, N.A. He has served a number of educational
and scientific organizations as president, chairman and
trustee.
Director since 1972
5
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Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Schering-
Richard J. Plough Corporation. Mr. Kogan joined Schering-Plough as
Kogan, 57 Executive Vice President, Pharmaceutical Operations in 1982
and became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1986,
President and Chief Executive Officer in 1996 and Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer in 1998. Mr. Kogan is also a
director of The Bank of New York Company. He serves on the
boards of St. Barnabas Corporation & Medical Center and New
York University, and is a member of the Business Round
Table and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Director since 1996
Former Chief Executive Officer and President, National
Public Radio, 1993 to 1998. From 1988 through 1993, Mr.
Delano E. Lewis was the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Lewis, 60 Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company. From 1973 through
1988, Mr. Lewis held positions of increasing responsibility
with that company, including Vice President responsible for
External Affairs. Mr. Lewis has also served on the Peace
Corps staff in Africa and on the staff of the United States
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the United
States Department of Justice. Mr. Lewis is also a director
of Halliburton Co., Eastman Kodak Co. and Black
Entertainment Television and has served on the boards of
many civic, educational and public service organizations,
including Catholic University, the United Negro College
Fund, the Washington Performing Arts Society and the
Greater Washington Board of Trade.
Director since 1991
Former Chairman of Tambrands Inc., June 1993 to September
1996. Prior to becoming Chairman, Mr. Wentz had been a
Howard B. director of Tambrands. Previously, he was Chairman of
Wentz, Jr., 69 ESSTAR Incorporated and Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Amstar Company. Mr. Wentz joined
Amstar in 1969 as Vice President of Operations for its
subsidiary, Duff-Norton Company, Inc. He was elected
President of Duff-Norton in 1970, Vice President of Amstar
in 1972, a director in 1976 and Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer in 1979. He assumed the
additional responsibilities of President in 1981, Chief
Executive Officer in 1982 and Chairman in 1983. In 1984,
Mr. Wentz was appointed President and a director of Amstar
Holdings, Inc.
Director since 1982
6
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Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has four standing committees: the Audit Committee,
the Committee on Directors, the Finance Committee and the Personnel and
Organization Committee (the "P&O Committee"). The members and responsibilities
of these committees are set forth below.
Committee Membership (* indicates Chair and ** indicates Deputy Chair)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Audit
Committee Committee on Directors Finance Committee P&O Committee
- ----------- ---------------------- --------------------- ------------------
Jill K.
Conway Jill K. Conway Ronald E. Ferguson Jill K. Conway*
Ronald E.
Ferguson* David W. Johnson Ellen M. Hancock** Ronald E. Ferguson
Ellen M.
Hancock John P. Kendall John P. Kendall David W. Johnson**
John P.
Kendall** Delano E. Lewis* Richard J. Kogan John P. Kendall
Howard B.
Wentz, Jr. Howard B. Wentz, Jr Reuben Mark Delano E. Lewis
Howard B. Wentz, Jr.*
</TABLE>
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee oversees management's fulfillment of its financial
reporting and disclosure responsibilities and its maintenance of an appropriate
internal control system. It also recommends the appointment of the Company's
independent public accountants and oversees the activities of the Company's
internal audit function and the Global Business Practices function. The Audit
Committee has a charter which specifies its responsibilities and the Committee
believes it fulfills its charter. All members of the Audit Committee are non-
employee directors.
The Audit Committee met three times during 1998. To ensure independence, the
Company's independent public accountants, internal auditor and general counsel
meet with the Audit Committee with and without representatives of management
present.
Committee on Directors
The Committee on Directors recommends nominees for the Board of Directors
and reviews the performance of the Board of Directors in accordance with a
formal procedure. It also makes recommendations to the Board regarding Board
and committee structure, corporate governance and director compensation. The
Committee on Directors met three times during 1998. All members of the
Committee on Directors are non-employee directors.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee oversees the financial policies and practices of the
Company, reviews the budgets of the Company and makes recommendations to the
Board on financial and strategic matters. It also oversees the Company's
finance, treasury and related functions. The Finance Committee met six times
during 1998. With the exception of Reuben Mark, all members of the Finance
Committee are non-employee directors.
Personnel and Organization Committee
The P&O Committee oversees the organizational, personnel, compensation and
benefits policies and practices of the Company. It reviews the compensation of
executive officers and recommends to
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the Board the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. It also administers
the stock option plans of the Company, the Executive Incentive Compensation
Plan and the Executive Severance Plan and oversees the Company's charitable
giving and other social responsibility programs. The P&O Committee met seven
times during 1998. All members of the P&O Committee are non-employee directors.
Compensation of Directors
In 1998, each non-employee director (that is, all directors except Mr. Mark)
received the following compensation:
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
Annual Fee 1,300 shares of Common Stock./1/
$1,000 for each Board or committee meeting
Meeting Fees attended.
Committee Chairperson Fees $3,000 for the chair of each committee.
$1,500 for the deputy chair of each committee.
Stock Option Grant Options to purchase 2,000 shares of Common
Stock.
Expenses and Benefits Reimbursement of travel and related expenses
incurred in attending meetings.
Life and travel/accident insurance.
Matching Gifts Program to schools and other
qualified organizations.
</TABLE>
Mr. Mark did not receive any compensation or fees for serving on the Board
of Directors or any Board committee.
Deferral of Fees
Pursuant to the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Stock Plan"),
directors may elect to defer all or a part of their annual stock compensation.
Deferred stock compensation is credited to a stock unit account, which is
adjusted to reflect changes in the market price of the Common Stock and
dividends paid. The directors also may elect to receive cash in lieu of up to
25% of the shares of Common Stock granted and not deferred under the Stock Plan
solely for the purpose of satisfying related tax obligations.
Directors may also elect to defer all or a part of their cash compensation
for committee chairperson and attendance fees under the Restated and Amended
Deferred Compensation Plan for
- --------
/1/The Director Pension Plan was terminated on December 31, 1996. An annual
grant of 250 shares of Common Stock under the Stock Plan for Non-Employee
Directors, effective as of January 1, 1997, replaced the benefits of the
Director Pension Plan. Directors who were then within five years of the
mandatory retirement age were eligible to elect to remain in the Director
Pension Plan. Mr. Kendall made this election and, as a result, in 1998 he
received 1,050 shares of Common Stock rather than 1,300 shares of Common
Stock.
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Non-Employee Directors. As with the Stock Plan, deferred fees are credited to a
stock unit account, which is adjusted to reflect changes in the market price of
the Common Stock and dividends paid. Distributions are made in shares of Common
Stock after the retirement or resignation of the director. Distributions are
made in annual installments or by lump sum.
The table included in "Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers"
on page 10 includes information concerning directors who have elected to defer
their fees.
Election to Purchase Stock
Directors may elect to purchase Common Stock with all or a portion of their
cash compensation for committee chairperson and attendance fees. Shares of
Common Stock that represent committee chairperson fees are purchased at the
beginning of the year, and shares that represent attendance fees are purchased
after the end of the year. In both cases, directors purchase shares on the
third business day following the Company's annual public earnings release.
During 1998, Ellen M. Hancock purchased 199 shares of Common Stock, and David
W. Johnson purchased 250 shares of Common Stock using this procedure.
STOCK OWNERSHIP
At the close of business on March 8, 1999, there were 292,143,867 shares of
Common Stock, 122,620 shares of $4.25 Preferred Stock and 5,554,632 shares of
Series B Convertible Preference Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
9
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Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
The following table shows the "beneficial ownership" of Common Stock and
Series B Convertible Preference Stock of each director, each of the Named
Officers appearing in the Summary Compensation Table on page 14 and the
directors and executive officers (including the Named Officers) as a group. No
director or executive officer owns any $4.25 Preferred Stock.
"Beneficial ownership" as used above means more than "ownership" as that
term is commonly used. For example, you "beneficially" own Colgate stock if you
hold it directly or if you have (or share) the power to vote or sell the stock
indirectly (for example, through a relationship, a position as a director or
trustee or a contract or understanding). Beneficial ownership also includes
shares you have the right to acquire within 60 days, for example through the
exercise of a stock option.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock
------------
Series B Convertible
Amount and Nature of Preference
Beneficial Ownership/1/,/2/ Stock (ESOP)
---------------------------------------------------------
Name of Directly Exercisable Common Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Owner Owned/3/ Options/4/ Stock Units/5/ Beneficial Ownership/2/,/6/
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark 2,092,104 3,430,000 -- 3,796
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William S. Shanahan 401,128 411,880 -- 2,444
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lois D. Juliber 98,786 233,933 -- 936
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David A. Metzler 219,054 -- -- 2,316
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen C. Patrick 20,338 112,755 -- 1,046
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jill K. Conway 13,050 4,673 5,399 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ronald E. Ferguson /7/ 21,415 7,999 13,038 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ellen M. Hancock /8/ 12,416 5,867 5,628 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David W. Johnson 12,501 7,999 3,082 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John P. Kendall 327,389 7,999 10,277 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard J. Kogan 6,356 3,999 -- --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delano E. Lewis 7,365 6,666 5,616 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howard B. Wentz, Jr. 30,430 3,745 7,911 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All directors and
executive officers
as a group (27 persons) 4,271,433 5,212,025 50,951 32,181
</TABLE>
/1/Information about Common Stock holdings is as of March 12, 1999, except for
shares held in the Savings and Investment Plan, which are shown as of March 2,
1999. Unless stated otherwise in these footnotes, each person named in the
table owns his or her shares directly and has sole voting and investment power
over such shares.
/2/Each person named in the table owns less than 1% of the outstanding Common
Stock and Series B Convertible Preference Stock, except for Mr. Mark, who
owns 1.87% of the outstanding Common Stock. The directors and executive
officers as a group own 3.20% of the outstanding Common Stock and less than
1% of the outstanding Series B Convertible Preference Stock.
/3/This column includes shares of restricted stock that were outstanding as of
December 31, 1998 and that vested on March 1, 1999.
(Footnotes continue on following page.)
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/4/As of March 8, 1999, the record date for the Annual Meeting, a total of
19,648,820 options were outstanding under the Company's stock option plans
and 17,609,985 shares were available for future grant.
/5/Includes Common Stock units credited to one or more of the following
accounts: (i) a deferred account under the Stock Plan for Non-Employee
Directors, (ii) a deferred account under the Restated and Amended Deferred
Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors or (iii) an account representing
the accrued value under the Director Pension Plan that was terminated as of
December 31, 1996. In each case, the holder of Common Stock units has no
voting or investment power over such units.
/6/Information about holdings of Series B Convertible Preference Stock is as of
March 2, 1999. The Company issues Series B Convertible Preference Stock to a
trustee acting on behalf of the Company's Savings and Investment Plan.
Employees who participate in this plan, including the Named Officers
appearing in the table above, have sole voting power over such shares,
subject to the right of the plan trustee to vote shares if a participant
fails to do so. Participants have no investment power over such shares until
they are distributed in accordance with the terms of the plan.
/7/In the ordinary course of business, General Re Corporation makes portfolio
investments and may from time to time hold securities of the Company. Mr.
Ferguson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of General Re
Corporation, disclaims any beneficial ownership of these securities.
/8/Mrs. Hancock's holdings include 400 shares of Common Stock owned jointly
with her spouse.
Compliance With Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's directors,
executive officers and any persons owning more than 10% of a class of the
Company's stock to file reports with the SEC and The New York Stock Exchange
regarding their ownership of the Company's stock and any changes in such
ownership. Based on our review of copies of these reports and certifications
given to us, we believe that the Company's executive officers and directors
complied with their filing requirements for 1998.
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
The graphs shown on the following page compare cumulative total stockholder
returns on the Common Stock against the S&P Composite-500 Stock Index and a
peer company index for a ten-year and a five-year period each ending December
31, 1998.
11
<PAGE>
[Performance Graph Charts]
12
<PAGE>
The 1998 return for the Common Stock shown on these graphs is based on a
closing price per share on December 31, 1998 of $92.875.
The companies included in the peer company index compete with the Company in
one or more of its primary businesses. The companies are as follows: Avon
Products, Inc., Clorox Company, Dow Chemical Company (Dow Brands), Gillette
Company, Ralston Purina Company (Pet Foods Division), The Procter & Gamble
Company, and Unilever (N.V. and PLC). These are the same companies that were
included in last year's Proxy Statement except for Quaker Oats Company, which,
as it has divested the line of business that competes with the Company, has
been taken out of the peer company index. The Comparison Group discussed in the
P&O Committee Report, which appears later in this Proxy Statement, includes
other industrial companies and consumer products companies for reasons
discussed in the report.
13
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company
(the "Named Officers") for 1998, 1997 and 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long Term Compensation
---------------------------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Restricted Securities All
Annual Stock Underlying Other
Name and Compen- Awards Options LTIP Compen-
Principal Position Year Salary($) Bonus($)/1/ sation($)/2/ ($)/3/ (#)/4/ Payouts($) sation($)/5/
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark 1998 1,200,250 2,256,084 -- 6,999,503 153,505 -- 178,466
Chairman of the 1997 1,122,500 2,724,055 -- 3,379,485 2,600,000/6 -- 141,305
Board and Chief 1996 1,021,000 1,656,302 -- 2,416,800 / -- -- 130,802
Executive Officer
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William S. Shanahan 1998 840,000 1,414,229 -- 1,016,532 765,381 -- 142,212
President and Chief 1997 756,167 1,503,000 -- 1,233,085 251,479 -- 116,472
Operating Officer 1996 716,917 859,478 -- 415,160 88,000 -- 94,488
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lois D. Juliber 1998 500,000 676,454 -- 441,694 75,907 -- 76,655
Executive Vice 1997 450,000 607,500 -- 804,051 107,731 -- 33,936
President, Chief of 1996 388,958 350,097 -- 188,660 73,172 -- 25,540
Operations, Developed
Markets
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David A. Metzler 1998 500,000 632,229 -- 441,694 175,447 -- 95,355
Executive Vice 1997 450,000 607,500 -- 804,051 91,214 -- 73,091
President, Chief of 1996 391,000 269,037 -- 188,660 40,000 -- 47,459
Operations, High Growth
Markets
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen C. Patrick 1998 397,500 518,842 -- 796,828 65,209 -- 63,705
Chief Financial Officer 1997 332,000 504,563 -- 206,996 36,430 -- 27,087
1996 260,000 225,000 -- 128,113 30,000 -- 21,621
</TABLE>
/1/Amounts include bonuses earned for the years indicated, paid on or before
March 15 of the following year, consistent with past practice.
/2/None of the Named Officers received perquisites or other personal benefits
in an amount large enough to require reporting in this column, nor did any
of them receive any other compensation required to be reported in this
column.
/3/The Company's practice is to make restricted stock awards earned in a
particular year on or before March 15 of the following year. In the table,
we show restricted stock awards granted for the current bonus year, even
though they may have been earned over a multi-year performance period.
Restricted stock awards vest over a minimum period of three years. Dividend
equivalents accrue on the restricted stock during the vesting period. As of
December 31, 1998, the Named Officers as a group held an aggregate of
402,099 shares of restricted stock, with a value of $37,344,944 based on the
closing market price of the Common Stock on December 31, 1998. As of March
8, 1999, the record date for the Annual Meeting, all employees as a group,
including the Named Officers, held an aggregate of 632,707 shares of
restricted stock.
(Footnotes continue on following page.)
14
<PAGE>
The number and value of the shares of restricted stock held by the Named
Officers at December 31, 1998, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Named Officer # of Shares $ Value
------------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark............................................ 269,852 25,062,504
William S. Shanahan.................................... 77,267 7,176,173
Lois D. Juliber........................................ 21,142 1,963,563
David A. Metzler....................................... 21,142 1,963,563
Stephen C. Patrick..................................... 12,696 1,179,141
</TABLE>
/4/Amounts include options granted pursuant to the Accelerated Ownership
Feature of the 1997 Stock Option Plan. This feature promotes increased
employee share ownership by encouraging the early exercise of options and the
retention of shares. Under this feature, if an employee surrenders shares he
or she already owns to pay the exercise price of a stock option or the
related tax withholding, he or she receives a new option for the same number
of shares surrendered. The exercise price of the new option is set at the
then-current market price, and the new option has the same expiration date as
the original option. Because the new, or reload, option is for the same
number of shares as those surrendered, the Accelerated Ownership Feature does
not increase the total number of shares and options held by an employee prior
to the original option exercise. The shares received upon exercise of the
original stock option in excess of the number of shares surrendered to pay
the exercise price may not be sold for two years.
The number of reload options included in the amounts shown in column (g) for
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Named Officer 1998 1997 1996
------------- ------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark............................................ 153,505 -- --
William S. Shanahan.................................... 635,381 169,479 --
Lois D. Juliber........................................ 25,907 25,731 35,172
David A. Metzler....................................... 125,447 9,214 --
Stephen C. Patrick..................................... 14,209 -- --
</TABLE>
See also 1998 Individual Grants table on page 17.
/5/With the exception of the Supplemental Savings & Investment Plan Match and
the Bonus Savings Account, amounts shown in All Other Compensation, column
(i), are paid pursuant to programs available to all employees. The amount
paid under each such program to the Named Officers in 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Supplemental Value of
Savings & Savings & Company-
Investment Investment Paid
Plan Retiree Success Plan Life Bonus
Company Insurance Sharing Company Insurance Savings
Named Officer Match Account Account Match Premiums Account
------------------------ ---------- --------- ------- ------------ --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark............. 6,720 22,308 3,125 108,547 16,716 21,050
William S. Shanahan..... 6,720 22,308 3,125 62,843 26,166 21,050
Lois D. Juliber......... 6,720 6,197 3,125 28,769 3,954 27,890
David A. Metzler........ 6,720 22,308 3,125 25,139 17,013 21,050
Stephen C. Patrick...... 6,720 8,675 3,125 16,649 4,066 24,470
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
The amounts shown as Savings & Investment Plan Company Match, Retiree
Insurance Account, Success Sharing Account and Bonus Savings Account represent
the value (at the time of allocation) of shares of Series B Convertible
Preference Stock allocated to the Named Officers' accounts under the Savings
and Investment Plan measured at the time of allocation. Premium payments for
life insurance were not made pursuant to split-dollar life insurance
arrangements.
/6/Mr Mark's 1997 stock option grant was a multi-year grant intended to cover
the seven years from 1997 to 2003. Thus Mr. Mark did not receive any options
other than reload options in 1998. The exercise prices of the 1997 options
were set at premiums ranging from 10% to 70% over the market price of the
Common Stock at the date of grant. In addition, the options were made
subject to early expiration if the price of the Common Stock did not exceed
certain market levels.
16
<PAGE>
Stock Options
The following table shows information about stock options granted to the
Named Officers in 1998. The table includes both new options granted in 1998 and
reload options granted under the Accelerated Ownership Feature of the Company's
1997 Stock Option Plan described on page 15 in footnote 4. The Accelerated
Ownership Feature does not increase the total combined number of shares and
options held by an employee. The Company did not grant any stock appreciation
rights during 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 Individual Grants
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of
Total
Options
Number of Granted
Securities to
Underlying Employees Exercise Or Grant Date
Options in Fiscal Base Exp. Present
Executive Officer Granted Year Price ($/SH) Date Value ($)/8/
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark
07/98 Reload Options 153,505 2.45% 95.8125 03/08/99 1,438,465
------- ----- ---------
TOTAL 153,505 2.45% 1,438,465
------- ----- ---------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
William S. Shanahan
10/98 Reload Options 338,414 5.40% 85.8750 (2) 4,236,892
09/98 Grant (1) 130,000 2.07% 67.4687 09/10/08 1,610,818
03/98 Reload Options 50,000 0.80% 79.0313 03/05/08 725,723
02/98 Reload Options 246,967 3.94% 78.2500 (3) 2,797,724
------- ----- ---------
TOTAL 765,381 12.21% 9,371,157
------- ----- ---------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lois D. Juliber
09/98 Grant (1) 50,000 0.80% 67.4687 09/10/08 619,546
02/98 Reload Options 25,907 0.41% 77.9375 (4) 281,160
------- ----- ---------
TOTAL 75,907 1.21% 900,706
------- ----- ---------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
David A. Metzler
09/98 Grant (1) 50,000 0.80% 67.4687 09/10/08 619,546
02/98 Reload Options 125,447 2.00% 79.3750 (5) 1,502,040
------- ----- ---------
TOTAL 175,447 2.80% 2,121,586
------- ----- ---------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen C. Patrick
10/98 Reload Options 11,241 0.18% 85.8750 (6) 149,909
09/98 Grant (1) 36,000 0.56% 67.4687 09/10/08 446,072
06/98 Grant (1) 15,000 0.24% 88.2500 06/11/08 328,768
02/98 Reload Options 2,968 0.06% 79.1875 (7) 35,034
------- ----- ---------
TOTAL 65,209 1.04% 959,783
------- ----- ---------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(Footnotes on the following page.)
17
<PAGE>
- --------
/1/The 1998 option grants (other than reload options granted pursuant to the
Accelerated Ownership Feature) become exercisable in increments of one-third
annually commencing on the first anniversary date of the option grant and
become fully exercisable on the third anniversary date of the grant.
/2/Includes the following options received pursuant to the Accelerated
Ownership Feature: 53,179 expiring on 09/13/99; 45,241 expiring on 09/12/00;
41,674 expiring on 10/10/01; 47,780 expiring on 09/03/02; 46,030 expiring on
09/01/03; 46,526 expiring on 09/07/04; 16,506 expiring on 09/06/05; 19,129
expiring on 09/05/06; and 22,349 expiring on 09/11/07.
/3/Includes the following options received pursuant to the Accelerated
Ownership Feature: 26,610 expiring on 09/07/98; 56,490 expiring on 09/13/99;
48,404 expiring on 09/12/00; 42,611 expiring on 09/03/02; 18,414 expiring on
09/07/04; 34,416 expiring on 09/06/05; and 20,022 expiring on 09/05/06.
/4/Includes the following options received pursuant to the Accelerated
Ownership Feature: 5,410 expiring on 09/07/98; 12,585 on 06/09/04; and 7,912
expiring on 09/07/04.
/5/Includes the following options received pursuant to the Accelerated
Ownership Feature: 13,787 expiring on 09/13/99; 16,753 expiring on 09/12/00;
14,266 expiring on 10/10/01; 19,387 expiring on 09/03/02; 18,790 expiring on
09/01/03; 22,798 expiring on 09/07/04; 15,761 expiring on 09/06/05; and 3,905
expiring on 09/05/06.
/6/Includes the following options received pursuant to the Accelerated
Ownership Feature: 7,593 expiring on 10/10/01; and 3,648 expiring on
09/03/02.
/7/Includes the following options received pursuant to the Accelerated
Ownership Feature: 2,968 expiring on 09/13/99.
/8/Amounts shown are estimates of the value of the options calculated using a
Black-Scholes based option valuation model. The material assumptions and
adjustments incorporated into the model include the exercise price of the
option, the option term until exercise (ranging from two to four years), an
interest rate factor based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the option term
(ranging from 5.0% to 6.2%), a volatility factor based on the standard
deviation of the price of the Common Stock (ranging from 17% to 30%) and a
dividend rate based on the annualized dividend rate per share of Common
Stock. The actual value of the options, if any, will depend on the extent to
which the market value of the Common Stock exceeds the price of the option on
the date of exercise. Management believes that the Black-Scholes model was
not developed for the purpose of valuing employee stock options, particularly
those having rights such as the Accelerated Ownership Feature. There can be
no assurance that this Black-Scholes based model will approximate the value
the executive will actually realize.
18
<PAGE>
The following table contains information about the Named Officers' exercises
of stock options during 1998 and the number and value of any unexercised stock
options they held as of December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 Option Exercises And Year-End Values
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Shares Unexercised In-The-Money
Acquired Options at Options at
on Value FY-End (#) FY-End ($)
Exercise Realized Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Executive Officer (#) ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark 545,758 42,247,620 4,525,808/ 188,799,061/
1,323,505 4,599,075
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
William S. Shanahan 819,773 24,453,623 56,800/ 830,984/
554,290 9,060,630
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Lois D. Juliber 46,090 2,014,929 233,933/ 11,038,899/
130,667 4,296,691
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
David A. Metzler 218,749 10,394,012 172,944/ 3,956,856/
131,334 4,331,545
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen C. Patrick 29,734 1,830,691 101,514/ 5,590,215/
93,575 2,212,556
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Board of Directors has approved repurchases of Common Stock by the
Company, at its discretion, from officers and directors of the Company,
primarily as a vehicle for satisfying their tax obligations related to stock
option exercises. Since March 1998, the Company has purchased Common Stock from
the Named Officers and 12 other officers and directors of the Company pursuant
to such authorization. In most cases, these purchases were made for tax payment
purposes in connection with stock option exercises under the Accelerated
Ownership Feature, the use of which by an officer or director results in an
increase in his or her share ownership. The Stock Repurchase Subcommittee of
the P&O Committee, comprised of two non-employee directors (Jill K. Conway and
David W. Johnson, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the P&O Committee), approves
all such purchases.
Retirement Plan
Eligible employees receive retirement benefits under the Colgate-Palmolive
Company Employees' Retirement Income Plan (the "Retirement Plan"). Under this
plan, benefits are determined in accordance with one of two formulas: (i) the
"final average earnings" formula, the original formula under the plan; or (ii)
the Colgate Personal Retirement Account ("PRA") formula, which was added to the
Retirement Plan on July 1, 1989.
All salaried employees of the Company employed at June 30, 1989 were offered
a one-time election to maintain the Retirement Plan's benefit under the "final
average earnings" formula by making monthly contributions of 2% of recognized
earnings (described below in Table A, footnote 1) up to the Social Security
wage base and 4% of recognized earnings in excess of the wage base.
19
<PAGE>
Employees who made this election are entitled at retirement to receive the
greater of the benefit under the "final average earnings" benefit formula or
the benefit under the PRA formula. Employees who did not make this election are
entitled at retirement to receive the benefit under the PRA formula. All of the
Named Officers made this one-time election in 1989.
The tables below show the estimated annual retirement benefit payable using
these two formulas. Both tables include payments under the Supplemental
Employees' Retirement Plan in excess of limitations under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. Benefits payable under the Supplemental Employees'
Retirement Plan are subject to a maximum of 70% of the sum of an individual's
base salary at retirement and bonus for the calendar year immediately preceding
retirement, less benefits payable under the basic Retirement Plan. Benefits are
subject to an offset for Social Security and certain other benefits.
Final Average Earnings Formula
Table A shows the estimated maximum annual retirement benefit payable to
employees (including the Named Officers) retiring in 1999 under the "final
average earnings" formula of the Retirement Plan. Benefits under this formula
are computed by multiplying "final average earnings" by the product of years of
service and 1.8%.
TABLE A
(Expressed in $)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years of Service
-----------------------------------------------------
Remuneration/1/,/2/ 15 20 25 30 35 40
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
500,000 135,000 180,000 225,000 270,000 315,000 360,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
750,000 202,500 270,000 337,500 405,000 472,500 540,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,250,000 337,500 450,000 562,500 675,000 787,500 900,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,750,000 472,500 630,000 787,500 945,000 1,102,500 1,260,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,250,000 607,500 810,000 1,012,500 1,215,000 1,417,500 1,620,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,750,000 742,500 990,000 1,237,500 1,485,000 1,732,500 1,980,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
/1/Remuneration equals "final average earnings," which is the average of an
individual's highest "recognized earnings" for any three consecutive years
during the ten years immediately preceding retirement. For the Named
Officers, "recognized earnings" is the sum of (i) the higher of the salary
earned during the prior year (column (c) in the Summary Compensation Table on
page 14) or the salary as of January 1 and (ii) the bonus paid during the
prior year (column (d) in the Summary Compensation Table on page 14).
/2/The years of service credited under the Retirement Plan as of January 1,
1999 for the Named Officers are: Mr. Mark--35 years 7 months; Mr. Shanahan--
33 years 5 months; Ms. Juliber--10 years 5 months; Mr. Metzler--33 years 11
months; and Mr. Patrick--16 years 2 months.
20
<PAGE>
PRA Formula
Table B shows the estimated annual retirement benefit payable under the PRA
formula for each of the Named Officers based on 1999 recognized earnings. These
estimates assume no future increases in such earnings and an annuity rate of
9%.
TABLE B
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount of
Year Level
Reaching Annuity
Named Officer Age 65 ($)
----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Reuben Mark 2004 1,299,365
----------------------------------------
William S. Shanahan 2005 782,431
----------------------------------------
Lois D. Juliber 2014 350,720
----------------------------------------
David A. Metzler 2007 492,127
----------------------------------------
Stephen C. Patrick 2014 391,121
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Benefits under the PRA formula are determined as follows: On July 1, 1989,
an account was established for each eligible person employed on June 30, 1989,
with an opening balance equal to the greater of (i) the value of the pension
then accrued under the "final average earnings" formula or (ii) an amount equal
to the sum of the monthly pay-based credits that would have been made to the
employee's account had the PRA always been in effect. Thereafter, monthly pay-
based credits accumulate in the employee's account. These credits equal a
percentage of the employee's monthly recognized earnings determined in
accordance with the following formula:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Up to 1/4 of Over 1/4 of
Years of Service Social Security Social Security
---------------- Wage Base Wage Base
--------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
0-9.......................................... 2.50% 3.75%
10-14........................................ 3.00% 4.50%
15-19........................................ 4.00% 6.00%
20-24........................................ 5.35% 8.00%
25 or more................................... 7.50% 11.25%
</TABLE>
The employee's account receives a monthly credit for interest at an annual
rate of 2% over the current six-month Treasury bill rate, adjusted quarterly.
The Company also establishes PRA accounts for all eligible employees hired on
or after July 1, 1989, which receive monthly credits as described above.
Executive Severance Plan and Other Arrangements
The Company has an Executive Severance Plan (the "Severance Plan"), which
the Board of Directors adopted effective September 14, 1989, and last amended
as of June 11, 1998. The Severance Plan, which is administered by the P&O
Committee, is designed to provide participants with reasonable compensation if
their employment is terminated in certain defined circumstances, primarily
following a change of control of the Company. The P&O Committee selects
participants from among the executive officers and other key personnel of the
Company and has selected the Named Officers, among others, as participants. In
addition to the Severance Plan, the Company has incorporated other arrangements
relating to a change of control in its benefit plans.
21
<PAGE>
Severance Plan
Under the Severance Plan, at any time within two years of a change of
control of the Company (as defined in the Severance Plan), if a participant
terminates employment due to an adverse change in the conditions of employment
or the Company terminates the participant's employment, the participant is
entitled to receive an amount equal to (i) between 12 and 36 months of
compensation, plus (ii) a prorated cash bonus under the Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan for the period prior to termination. This amount is paid in a
lump sum, unless an outside accounting firm determines that a lump sum payment
under the Severance Plan would subject the participant to tax under Section
4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In such event, the
participant may elect to receive a reduced amount that results in net after-tax
payments that are equal to or greater than the amount that would have been
received following payment of the lump sum. No severance payments are required
if a participant is terminated for cause, which is defined as serious willful
misconduct likely to result in material economic damage to the Company. For
purposes of (i) above, compensation means the participant's base salary as of
the termination date plus his or her highest cash award under the Executive
Incentive Compensation Plan within the last five years.
In addition, whether or not a change of control has occurred, if the Company
terminates the employment of a Severance Plan participant at its convenience,
the Company must continue to pay the participant's base salary and certain
benefits for a period ranging from nine to 36 months. The Company is not
required to make these payments if it terminates the participant's employment
for cause or if the participant voluntarily terminates his or her employment.
The period during which the Company continues salary and benefits payments ends
when the participant turns 65 or attains 85 years of combined age and service
with the Company.
Other Arrangements
Other arrangements relating to a change of control in the Company's benefit
plans are as follows. Under the Company's stock option plans, stock options
held by employees that are not yet exercisable immediately become exercisable
upon a change of control. Under the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan,
stock options held by non-employee directors that are not yet exercisable
immediately become exercisable upon a change in control. Alternatively, non-
employee directors may surrender their options to the Company in exchange for a
payment equal to the difference between the exercise price of the options and
the Common Stock's current value. Restricted stock awards granted to employees
under the current Executive Incentive Compensation Plan vest upon a change of
control. (The vesting of restricted stock awards under the proposed updated
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan is discussed on page 32.) With respect to
the Supplemental Salaried Employees' Retirement Plan, which is an unfunded
plan, the Company has arranged for a letter of credit that requires the issuing
bank to fund the accrued benefits payable under such plan if the Company
refuses to pay these benefits after a change of control. Funding is to be made
by payments to a trust, which currently is subject to the claims of the
Company's creditors if the Company becomes insolvent.
Compensation Committee Interlocks
As discussed above, the members of the P&O Committee during 1998 were Mrs.
Conway and Messrs. Ferguson, Johnson, Kendall and Lewis. None of these
directors is an employee of the Company, and none has any direct or indirect
material interest in or relationship with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, other than stockholdings as discussed above and as related to his
or her
22
<PAGE>
position as director. None of the executive officers of the Company has served
on the board of directors or compensation committee of another company at any
time during which an executive officer of such other company served on the
Company's Board of Directors or the P&O Committee.
P&O Committee Report on Executive Compensation
Overview of Compensation Philosophy and Program
The Company's executive compensation programs are designed to:
. Support the Company's business goals of fostering profitable growth and
increasing shareholder value.
. Align the interests of executives and stockholders through the use of
stock-based compensation plans.
. Attract, retain and motivate high-caliber executives.
. Pay for performance by linking compensation to achievement of established
goals and objectives.
. Pay competitively with other leading consumer products and industrial
companies.
The P&O Committee, which is made up entirely of non-management directors,
oversees the Company's compensation practices. It reviews and recommends the
compensation of Reuben Mark, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, subject
to the approval of the other non-management directors of the Board. In
addition, the P&O Committee reviews and approves, and the Board ratifies, the
compensation of the other executive officers of the Company.
To help it in its role of overseeing compensation practices, the P&O
Committee makes use of Company resources and also periodically retains the
services of independent compensation consultants. Services rendered by
independent consultants during the past several years include:
. A 1994 review by Towers Perrin to enhance the deductibility of the
Company's executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
. A 1995 review by Towers Perrin of the Company's long-term incentive
program, including the appropriateness of the performance measures,
payout levels relative to performance and the competitiveness of the
program's design features.
. A 1996 review by Hewitt & Associates and Towers Perrin of the
competitiveness of the Company's executive salary and bonus and long-term
incentive programs, including the Chief Executive Officer's annual
compensation.
. A 1997 review by Towers Perrin of the long-term incentive compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer.
The Company also has designed its compensation programs to maximize the tax
deductibility of compensation paid to executive officers, to the extent
possible consistent with the need to attract and retain high-caliber
executives.
23
<PAGE>
The Company measures the competitiveness of its compensation programs
against a comparison group of other leading companies, referred to in this
report as the "Comparison Group". The Comparison Group consists primarily of
consumer products companies but also includes other kinds of industrial
companies to better represent the market for executive talent in which the
Company competes. The P&O Committee reviews and approves the companies in the
Comparison Group, which are selected and updated periodically by the Company's
Human Resources department based on the recommendations of independent
compensation consultants.
The key components of compensation used by the Company are:
. Base salary
. Performance-based incentives including annual incentives, which are paid
in the form of cash bonuses, and long-term incentives, which include
stock options and restricted stock grants.
This report discusses each of these components of compensation as applied to
the executive officers generally and then concludes with a separate discussion
of Mr. Mark's compensation in particular.
Base Salary
The Company sets the midpoint of the salary range for executive officers at
the median of the Comparison Group, with salaries above the median available to
exceptional performers and key contributors to the success of the Company. The
direct manager of each officer recommends whether to grant the officer an
annual salary increase based on the following factors:
. Individual performance
. Business unit performance, where applicable
. Assumption of new responsibilities
. The Company's overall annual salary budget guidelines
. Other performance measures, such as improvements in customer service,
faster product development, improvements in market share of Colgate
brands, global expansion and productivity increases
. Competitive data from the Comparison Group
In 1998, salaries for executive officers as a group were slightly above the
median of the Comparison Group for similar jobs.
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Performance-Based Incentives
Annual Cash Bonus
Executive officers are eligible for cash bonuses under the Company's
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan currently in effect ("EICP"). The
guidelines for bonus awards to certain designated executives and other
executive officers are as follows.
Designated Executives
The "Designated Executives" for EICP cash bonuses are the Chief Executive
Officer, the four executive officers who report directly to him, the two
Executive Vice Presidents/Chiefs of Operation
and the Chief Technological Officer. Designated Executives' annual EICP cash
bonuses are paid only if the Company attains one or more specific performance
measures established by the P&O Committee no later than the 90th day of the
applicable year. In 1998, the pre-established performance measure was an
earnings-per-share goal. The EICP cash bonus for each Designated Executive is
set by a formula that takes into account the extent to which the Company has
achieved the earnings-per-share goal. The P&O Committee has discretion only to
adjust awards downward.
Each Designated Executive is assigned threshold, target and maximum bonus
award opportunities for his or her EICP bonus. The targets are set generally at
the median of the Comparison Group.
In 1998 the Company exceeded its earnings-per-share goal. EICP cash bonuses
granted to the Designated Executives were limited to two times target, except
in the case of one Designated Executive who received a special cash award in
recognition of outstanding achievement.
Other Executive Officers
Bonuses for executive officers other than Designated Executives are
determined by a formula that is based on:
. The financial performance of the Company as a whole or the business unit
to which an executive is assigned.
. The achievement of individual and team goals.
Financial performance measures are based on the budgetary process.
Adjustments are permitted to take account of unusual items beyond the control
of the Company or business unit involved. For 1998, the Company-wide financial
performance measure was an earnings-per-share goal, which applied to all
executive officers with corporate-wide responsibilities. The business unit
financial measures were sales and profit, which applied to all officers with
specific business unit responsibilities.
Executive officers other than the Designated Executives are also assigned
threshold, target and maximum bonus award opportunities based on their grade
levels. Target award opportunities are set generally at the median of the
Comparison Group. If the Company or business unit exceeds its earnings-per-
share or sales and profit goals, above-target bonuses may be granted. If the
minimum financial goals are not met, bonuses, if any, may be below the target
level.
During 1998, the Company exceeded its earnings-per-share goal, and most
business units exceeded their sales and profit goals. EICP cash bonuses for
these executive officers were generally above target.
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Long-Term Performance-Based Incentives
The Company uses two types of long-term performance-based incentives: stock
options and restricted stock awards under the Long-Term Global Growth Program
of the EICP. The purpose of these grants is to encourage the long-term growth
and performance of the Company. In addition, from time to time, the Company
grants stock options and restricted stock awards for special recognition and
retention purposes. The Company does not take into account the amount or terms
of existing stock holdings of executive officers in making decisions to award
stock options or restricted stock.
Stock Option Awards
Stock option awards are granted under the 1997 Stock Option Plan. The number
of stock options granted is based on factors similar to those used to determine
salary and bonus, including a review of the practices of the Comparison Group.
Since the Company and the P&O Committee view the granting of stock options as a
way to obtain competitive compensation advantage, the Company's strategy is to
set target award levels at the 75th percentile of the Comparison Group. Actual
awards may vary from the target based on individual performance, business unit
performance or the assumption of increased responsibilities.
Generally, the Company grants stock options on an annual basis. If the
Company performs poorly during a given year, however, the P&O Committee may
decide not to grant stock options.
The key terms of the stock options granted annually by the Company are:/2/
. The exercise price of the options is equal to the market price of the
Common Stock on the date of grant.
. The options have a ten-year term.
. The options vest in equal annual installments over three years.
During 1998, stock option awards to executive officers as a group were
consistent with the Comparison Group target award levels.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards are made under the Long-Term Global Growth Program
of the EICP to Designated Executives and other executive officers. Generally,
these awards vest three years from the date of the award and are forfeited if
the recipient terminates his or her employment with the Company prior to the
end of the three-year vesting period.
Guidelines for restricted stock awards to certain Designated Executives and
other executive officers are as follows.
- --------
/2/ With respect to the Chief Executive Officer, see footnote 6 to the Summary
Compensation Table on page 16.
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Designated Executives
For purposes of the Long-Term Global Growth Program, the term "Designated
Executives" includes Division Presidents as well as the executives listed as
Designated Executives under the Annual Cash Bonus section above. Restricted
stock awards for Designated Executives are granted based on whether the Company
achieves targeted levels of growth in compounded global annual net sales and
earnings-per-share over a three-year measurement period.
Each year a Designated Executive is assigned a threshold, target and maximum
award opportunity that is realizable if the Company meets or exceeds the
targeted net sales and earnings-per-share growth over the following three
years. The target award opportunities are set in dollars as a percentage of
salary, except for the Chief Executive Officer's target, which is expressed as
a specific number of shares. Target awards range from approximately the median
to the seventy-fifth percentile of the Comparison Group.
At the end of the measurement period, if the performance targets are met,
awards are made in the form of restricted stock based on the fair market value
of the Common Stock on the date the award is made. As noted, these awards
generally vest after three years and are conditioned on the employee's
continued employment by the Company. Grants of awards are subject to the
discretion of the P&O Committee.
Designated Executives received restricted stock awards under the Long-Term
Global Growth Program for 1998 based on sales and earnings-per-share growth
over the 1996 through 1998 measurement period, which exceeded the applicable
goals. These awards were above target.
In addition, as a separate award, the Board of Directors granted
discretionary restricted stock awards to certain Designated Executives to
recognize properly the contributions of these executives to the Company's
outstanding 1998 results despite significant economic challenges in many parts
of the world and to help ensure the retention of these executives.
Other Executive Officers
Restricted stock awards are granted to other executive officers under the
Long-Term Global Growth Program in accordance with the procedures for the
Designated Executives described above, except that supplemental measures
relating to the Company's business fundamentals may be taken into account from
time to time. The performance measures under this program for these executives
may be adjusted for unusual items beyond the control of the Company.
The P&O Committee granted restricted stock awards to executive officers
other than the Designated Executives under the Long-Term Global Growth Program
for 1998 based on sales and earnings-per-share growth over the 1996 through
1998 measurement period, which exceeded the applicable goals. These awards were
above target.
1998 Chief Executive Officer Compensation
The P&O Committee reviews and recommends the compensation of Reuben Mark,
the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, subject to the
approval of the directors of the Company other than Mr. Mark, all of whom are
non-management directors.
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Salary
As discussed in the Base Salary section above, the midpoint of the salary
range for executive officers is set at the median of the Comparison Group, with
salaries above the median available to exceptional performers and key
contributors to the success of the Company. In setting Mr. Mark's base salary
for 1998, the P&O Committee considered the following key factors: the Company's
pre-established guidelines for determining salary increases, the Company's
success in exceeding its sales and profit goals in 1997 and Mr. Mark's
individual performance and contributions to the continuing success and
increased value of the Company. During 1998, the P&O Committee increased Mr.
Mark's annual salary by 5.5%. Mr. Mark's salary is at approximately the fifty-
third percentile of the Comparison Group.
Annual Cash Bonus
As discussed above in the Cash Bonus section, the Chief Executive Officer's
annual EICP bonus, like that of the other Designated Executives, is payable
based upon the successful attainment of specific performance measures
established in advance by the P&O Committee, subject to the P&O Committee's
discretion to adjust the award downward. During 1998, the pre-established
performance measure was an earnings-per-share goal. Mr. Mark was awarded a
formula-driven EICP bonus award of $2,256,084, a 17.2% reduction from the prior
year. Total cash awards for the Chief Executive Officer and executive officers
as a group exceeded median bonus levels of the Comparison Group.
Restricted Stock Award
Mr. Mark is also eligible for restricted stock awards under the Company's
Long-Term Global Growth Program described above. Mr. Mark's target award
opportunity under this program is established in shares of Common Stock rather
than cash. For the measurement period 1996 through 1998, it was 48,600 shares.
As discussed above, the P&O Committee granted restricted stock awards to
executive officers under the Long-Term Global Growth Program for 1998 based on
sales and earnings-per-share growth over the 1996 through 1998 measurement
period. Mr. Mark was granted 62,986 shares of restricted stock for the 1996
through 1998 measurement period. As a separate grant, the Board of Directors
granted Mr. Mark 11,875 shares of restricted stock in order to recognize
properly his contribution to the Company's outstanding 1998 results. The Chief
Executive Officer and all executive officers as a group received an award above
target based on a pre-established formula relating sales and earnings-per-share
growth to target.
Stock Options
Mr. Mark did not receive a stock option grant in 1998 (other than options
granted under the Accelerated Ownership Feature described on page 15 in
footnote 4). (See footnote 6 on page 16 for a description of a multi-year grant
of premium-priced stock options made to Mr. Mark in 1997.)
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Conclusion
In summary, the P&O Committee believes that executive performance
significantly influences Company performance. Therefore the P&O Committee's
approach to executive compensation is guided by the principle that executives
should have the potential for increased earnings when performance objectives
are exceeded, provided that there is appropriate downside risk if performance
targets are not met.
The foregoing report has been furnished by Mrs. Conway (Chair) and Messrs.
Ferguson, Johnson, Kendall and Lewis.
PROPOSALS REQUIRING YOUR VOTE
The following three proposals will be presented at the meeting for your
vote. Space is provided in the accompanying proxy card to approve, disapprove
or abstain from voting on each of the proposals.
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
The Board has nominated nine people for election as directors at the Annual
Meeting. All of the nominees are currently serving as directors of the Company
and were elected at the 1998 Annual Meeting. If you re-elect them, they will
hold office until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors have been
elected and qualified.
The nominees are Jill K. Conway, Ronald E. Ferguson, Ellen M. Hancock,
David W. Johnson, John P. Kendall, Richard J. Kogan, Delano E. Lewis, Reuben
Mark and Howard B. Wentz, Jr. Biographical information regarding the nominees
appears on pages 4 - 6 of this Proxy Statement.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees for director
listed above.
Proposal 2: Ratification of Selection of Auditors
We are asking you to ratify the Board's selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as
our independent auditors for 1999. The Audit Committee recommended the
selection of Arthur Andersen to the Board. Arthur Andersen has audited the
accounts of the Company since its incorporation. The Board considers it
desirable to continue the services of Arthur Andersen.
Representatives of Arthur Andersen are expected to be present at the
meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement and will be
available to respond to questions. If the stockholders should fail to ratify
the selection of auditors, the Board of Directors will designate auditors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as auditors.
Proposal 3: Reapproval of the Company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan,
in an Amended and Updated Form
The key features of the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended
and restated (the "EICP Plan" or the "Plan"), are summarized below. This
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual plan attached
as Appendix A.
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<PAGE>
Introduction
Federal law requires the Company to seek shareholder approval of certain
features of the EICP Plan every five years in order to maximize the tax
deductibility of awards under the Plan. The Plan, originally adopted in 1962,
was amended and approved by stockholders in 1994, and therefore must be
resubmitted for stockholder approval to satisfy these federal tax requirements.
In addition, the existing language in the plan requires updating to incorporate
modern design and legal standards.
Background and Purpose of Plan
The EICP Plan is an important part of the Company's overall compensation
program. It allows the Company to make annual and long-term awards to the
Company's officers and employees. The purpose of the Plan is to enhance the
Company's ability to attract, retain and motivate officers and employees and to
provide them with incentives that are directly linked to the Company's future
growth and profitability and future increases in stockholder value. Employees
who are responsible for or contribute to the Company's management, growth and
profitability are eligible for awards under the Plan. This Plan is also
designed to enable the Company to meet its objective of maximizing the tax
deductibility of awards to the Company's senior management.
If approved by stockholders, the Plan will be effective as of March 11,
1999.
Section 162(m) Exemption
One purpose for stockholder approval of the Plan is to allow awards granted
under the Plan to be made in compliance with the requirements for exemption
from the limits on tax deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code ("Section 162(m)"). The Company intends to maximize the
deductibility of awards under the Plan, to the extent possible consistent with
its goal of attracting and retaining high-caliber executives.
Section 162(m) imposes certain requirements to maintain the tax
deductibility to the Company of compensation in excess of $1 million per year
to a "Covered Employee." In general, "Covered Employees" for a given year are
those employees whose names are required to be set forth in the Summary
Compensation Table of the Company's annual proxy statement. (See page 14 for
this year's Summary Compensation Table.) To be exempt under Section 162(m),
compensation, whether based on an individual award or a pool award (as
described below), must be based on the attainment of one or more objective
performance goals, the material terms of which are approved by stockholders.
The aggregate exempt awards that a Designated Executive (as defined in the P&O
Committee Report beginning on page 23) may receive in any one year under the
Plan are subject to the same share limit previously approved by stockholders of
100,000 shares (the "Share Limit") and a cash limit of $4 million, adjusted for
inflation (the "Cash Limit").
The performance goals that the P&O Committee may use to determine awards may
be based on one or more of the following measures: earnings per share, net
income, sales, revenues, non-variable expenses, unit volume, gross profit, pre-
tax profit, net profit after tax, operating profit, cash generation, return on
equity, return on capital, working capital or shareholder return. These
measures may be applied against the performance of the Company or any of its
affiliates, divisions or units, and in relation to other companies, indices,
targets, prior performance or otherwise.
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<PAGE>
Annual bonuses and long-term incentive awards for Designated Executives
under the Plan generally will be payable only to the extent the pre-established
performance goals set by the P&O Committee are met. Awards may be based on
achievement of goals during performance periods of one year or longer.
The Plan authorizes the P&O Committee to make pool awards ("Pool Awards")
from an incentive pool consisting of a total dollar amount for a particular
measurement period that is determined based upon the achievement of one or more
performance goals during the applicable period (an "Incentive Pool"). The
Company intends that all Pool Awards under the Plan will qualify for tax
deductibility under Section 162(m).
At the beginning of each measurement period, the P&O Committee will
determine whether Pool Awards will be made available for that period and, if
so, the terms and conditions of the Incentive Pool, including without
limitation, the applicable performance period, the performance goals, the
formula for determining the Incentive Pool, the participants who will be
eligible to receive Pool Awards, the maximum percentage of the Incentive Pool
each participant is eligible to receive (up to an aggregate total of 100% for
all eligible participants) and whether each participant's Pool Award will be
subject to the Share Limit, the Cash Limit or a combination thereof.
Following the end of each period for which Pool Awards have been granted,
the P&O Committee will determine the amount of the Incentive Pool and the
maximum Pool Award for each participant, based upon the degree of performance
against the pre-established performance goals. The P&O Committee will then
determine, based on factors it deems relevant, whether to award each
participant the maximum Pool Award for which each participant is eligible or a
lesser amount.
Each Pool Award that is earned and vested under the Plan may be paid in
cash, by an award of common stock (which may be legended)/3/ or restricted
stock/4/, or by a combination thereof, as the P&O Committee may determine.
Awards of restricted stock generally will earn dividend credits during deferral
periods.
In addition to the above described awards, the P&O Committee may make
separate awards to Designated Executives of cash, common stock (which may be
legended) and restricted stock, or a combination thereof. The P&O Committee may
also take appropriate steps to qualify these awards for tax deductibility under
Section 162(m). Awards under the Plan may be paid immediately or deferred, as
determined by the P&O Committee at the time of the award.
- --------
3 Legended stock is stock that is issued in the name of the participant but is
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and is not transferable.
4 Restricted stock is stock that will be issued to the participant in the
future, subject to the fulfillment of any applicable conditions.
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<PAGE>
Annual and long-term awards for Designated Executives approved in 1999 will
be granted, as in prior years, based upon achievement against pre-established
performance objectives.
Total Shares Available for Issuance Under the Plan
The total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the
Plan during a calendar year is 0.25% of the total number of shares outstanding
as of the first day of the year, reduced from a total of 0.4% under the
existing EICP.
The Plan has a ten-year term.
Administration by P&O Committee
The P&O Committee will administer the EICP Plan. The P&O Committee will have
the authority to select participants who are eligible for awards under the Plan
and to determine the form and amount of awards granted under the Plan. The P&O
Committee may grant awards under the Plan in the form of cash, common stock and
restricted stock. The P&O Committee will determine or approve the terms and
conditions of all awards granted under the Plan, including the number of shares
of stock or amount of cash covered by each award and any vesting, acceleration
or forfeiture provisions and performance goal requirements.
The P&O Committee will have authority to adopt administrative rules
governing the Plan and to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan. The
full Board may act in place of the P&O Committee, except when to do so would
disqualify awards for the Section 162(m) exemption discussed above. The P&O
Committee may delegate to officers the authority to grant awards to
participants other than certain executive officers. Company management will be
responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Plan.
Treatment of Awards Upon Termination of Employment and Change in Control
Under the EICP Plan, the P&O Committee will have the authority to adopt
rules and regulations with respect to the treatment of awards upon termination
of employment.
In the event of a change of control of the Company (as defined in the Plan),
(i) in the case of restricted stock and legended stock awarded pursuant to the
Company's Long-Term Global Growth Program (or other performance-based program),
the restricted stock will vest immediately and the restrictions on the sale of
legended stock will be immediately removed, and (ii) in the case of all other
restricted stock and legended stock held by an individual, the same will occur
only upon the individual's Qualified Termination of Employment (as defined in
the Executive Severance Plan) within two years following a change of control.
Amendment of the Plan
Generally, the Plan may be amended or discontinued at any time by the Board
of Directors, but not in a way that would impair the rights of a participant
under any award previously granted, without the participant's consent.
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<PAGE>
New Plan Benefits
It is not possible to determine the awards that would have been made to any
individual or group had the Plan been in effect in 1998. However, it is
expected that this Plan will be administered in a manner consistent with the
Company's existing compensation practices and that awards paid in future years
will be consistent with awards in prior years, taking into account changes in
the Company's business and competitive practices. (See discussion in the P&O
Committee Report beginning on Page 23.) Bonus awards to Covered Employees in
1998 are as shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 14.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR reapproval of the Plan. A vote
in favor of the Plan also will constitute approval, for purposes of the
exemption from Section 162(m), of each of the material terms of the Plan,
including the performance goals described above.
OTHER INFORMATION
Future Stockholder Proposals
If you wish to submit a proposal to be included in the proxy statement for
next year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we must receive it no later than
November 26, 1999.
Under the Company's By-Laws, you may submit a proposal for consideration at
the Company's Annual Meeting. The Secretary of the Company must receive your
proposal at least 60 days but not more than 90 days prior to the meeting. In
addition, your proposal must comply with certain other requirements of the
Company's By-Laws, a copy of which you may obtain from the Secretary. These
requirements apply to any matter that a stockholder wishes to raise at the
Annual Meeting other than pursuant to the procedures set forth in Rule 14a-8 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The deadline for receiving proposals for
consideration at this year's Annual Meeting was March 6, 1999.
Nominations for Director
The Committee on Directors will consider nominees recommended by
stockholders for election as directors. Nominations by stockholders must be in
writing and made in accordance with the information and timely notice
requirements of the Company's By-Laws, a copy of which you may obtain from the
Secretary of the Company. For consideration at this year's Annual Meeting, the
Secretary must have received such nominations by March 6, 1999.
Cost and Methods of Soliciting Proxies
We pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the meeting. Proxies may be
solicited in person by our employees, or by mail, courier, telephone or
facsimile. In addition, we have retained D.F. King & Co. Inc. to solicit
proxies by mail, courier, telephone and facsimile and to request brokerage
houses and other nominees to forward soliciting material to beneficial owners.
We will pay a fee of approximately $22,000 to D.F. King & Co. plus expenses for
these services.
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Other Business
As of the date of this Proxy Statement's printing, we do not intend to
submit any matters to the meeting other than those set forth herein, and we
know of no additional matters that will be presented by others. However, if any
other business should come before the meeting, the directors designated in the
enclosed proxy have discretionary authority to vote your shares with respect to
such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
By order of the Board of Directors.
Andrew D. Hendry
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
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APPENDIX A
EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
Amended and Restated
as of March 11, 1999
SECTION 1. Purpose
The purposes of the Plan are to give the Company a competitive advantage in
attracting, retaining and motivating officers and employees and to provide the
Company and its Affiliates with a compensation plan providing incentives
(including long-term incentives) directly linked to the future growth and
profitability of the Company's businesses and future increases in shareholder
value. This Plan is also designed to enable the Company to meet its objective
of maximizing the tax deductibility of awards to the Company's senior
executives.
SECTION 2. Definitions
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms are defined as set forth
below:
"Affiliate" means a corporation or other entity (i) controlled by the
Company or in which the Company has a 50% or more ownership interest or (ii)
otherwise designated by the Committee from time to time as such for purposes
of this Plan.
"Applicable Maximum Percentage" means, with respect to any Participant who
is designated to receive a Pool Award pursuant to any Incentive Pool, the
maximum percentage of such Incentive Pool that such Participant may receive.
"Award" means an award under the Plan (as defined herein), whether taking
the form of a Pool Award, a Cash-Based Award, Stock or Restricted Stock.
"Award Cycle" means a period of time designated by the Committee over which
an Award is to be earned.
"Award Letter" means a written letter addressed to a Participant evidencing
an Award and the terms and conditions thereof.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Cash-Based Award" means Awards denominated in dollar amounts, which may,
but need not, be Qualified Performance-Based Awards.
"Cash Limit" has the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
"Cause" means, with respect to any Participant, (1) "cause" as defined in
any employment agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the
Participant that is in effect at the time of such Participant's Termination of
Employment, or (2) if there is no such employment agreement or if such
employment agreement does not define "cause," (A) conviction of the
Participant for committing a felony under federal law or the law of the state
in which such action occurred, (B) the Participant's dishonesty in the course
of fulfilling his or her employment duties, (C) a willful and deliberate
failure on the part of a Participant to perform his or her employment duties
in any material respect, or (D) such other events as shall be determined by
the Committee. The Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine
whether "Cause" exists, and its determination shall be final.
<PAGE>
"Change in Control" has the meaning set forth in Section 12(b).
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time, and any successor thereto.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor
agency.
"Committee" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
"Committee Determination Date" means, with respect to any Qualified
Performance-Based Award, the date on which the Committee determines and
certifies the extent to which the Award has been earned based upon the
applicable Performance Goals and such other factors as the Committee may take
into account, as more fully set forth in the Plan.
"Company" means Colgate-Palmolive Company, and any successor thereto.
"Corporate Transaction" has the meaning set forth in clause (iii) of Section
12(b).
"Designated Executives" means the Chairman of the Company, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, and each other officer, executive or other
key employee designated as such by the Committee from time to time.
"Disability" means permanent and total disability as determined under
Company procedures in effect at the time of such determination or as otherwise
established by the Committee for purposes of the Plan.
"Effective Date" of this Plan means the date the Plan is duly approved by
the Company's shareholders.
"ESOP" means the employee stock ownership plan component of the Company's
Employees' Savings and Investment Plan.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, and any successor thereto.
"Fair Market Value" of any security means, as of any given date, the mean
between the highest and lowest reported sales prices of such security on the
New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or, if it is not listed on such
exchange, on any other national securities exchange on which such security is
listed or on NASDAQ. The Fair Market Value of any other property, or of any
security for which there is no regular public trading market, shall be
determined by the Committee in good faith.
"Incentive Pool" means an Annual Incentive Pool or a Long-term Incentive
Pool described in Section 6(b)(i) and 6(b)(ii).
"Legended Stock" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d).
"Maximum Pool Award" has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(iii).
"Participant" means an individual who is eligible to receive Awards as set
forth in Section 5.
"Performance Goals" means the performance goals established by the Committee
in connection with Qualified Performance-Based Awards. Such goals shall be
based on the attainment of specified levels of, or rates of change or relative
changes in, one or more of the following measures by the Company, any
Affiliate, or a division or other unit of the Company or an Affiliate, in
relation to
A-2
<PAGE>
specified other companies, indices, targets, prior performance or otherwise:
earnings per share, net income, sales, revenues, margins, non-variable
expenses, pre-tax profit, net profit after tax, gross profit, operating
profit, cash generation, unit volume, return on equity, change in working
capital, return on capital or shareholder return. Such Performance Goals shall
be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of
the Code and related regulations.
"Plan" means the Colgate-Palmolive Company Executive Incentive Compensation
Plan, amended and restated as of March 11, 1999, as set forth herein and as
amended from time to time.
"Pool Award" means an Award from an Incentive Pool described in Section
6(b)(i) or 6(b)(ii).
"Qualified Performance-Based Award" means (i) an Award characterized as
such by the Committee at the time of designation, based upon a determination
that the Participant receiving such Award is or may be a "covered employee"
within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code in the year in which the
Company would expect to be able to claim a tax deduction with respect to such
Award and the Committee wishes such Award to qualify for the Section 162(m)
Exemption, or (ii) a Pool Award.
"Qualified Termination of Employment" has the meaning set forth in the
Colgate-Palmolive Company Executive Severance Plan, as amended and restated,
as such plan may be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
"Restricted Stock" means hypothetical shares of Stock, also known as
"phantom" stock.
"Restrictions" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d).
"Retirement" means retirement from active employment with the Company or
any Affiliate at or after age 65 or pursuant to the early retirement
provisions of the applicable pension plan of such employer.
"Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3, as promulgated by the Commission under
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision thereto.
"Section 16 Exemption" means exemptions available under the rules
promulgated by the Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or any
successor provision thereto.
"Section 162(m) Exemption" means the exemption from the limitation on
deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code that is set forth in
Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, as amended from time to time, or any
successor provision thereto.
"Share Limit" has the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
"Stock" means the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company,
or any common stock issued by the Company or any successor to or parent of the
Company.
"Stock-Based Awards" means Awards denominated in Stock, including Legended
Stock or Restricted Stock, or Awards otherwise related to the value of Stock,
which may, but need not, be Qualified Performance-Based Awards.
"Termination of Employment" means the termination of the Participant's
employment with the Company or any Affiliate. A Participant employed by an
Affiliate shall also be deemed to incur a Termination of Employment if the
Affiliate ceases to be such an Affiliate and the Participant does not
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become an employee of the Company or another Affiliate in connection therewith.
Temporary absences from employment because of illness, vacation or leave of
absence and transfers among the Company and its Affiliates shall not be
considered Terminations of Employment.
SECTION 3. Administration
(a) In General. The Plan shall be administered by the Personnel and
Organization Committee or such other committee of the Board as the Board may
from time to time designate (the "Committee"). The Committee shall have plenary
authority with respect to Awards pursuant to the terms of the Plan; provided
that such plenary authority and the specific powers given to the Committee
pursuant to Section 3(b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), in each case with respect to
Awards that are not Qualified Performance-Based Awards and that are made to
Participants other than Designated Executives or to executives who are
considered "insiders" for the purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, may
be delegated to, and exercised by, any of the elected officers of the Company
in accordance with such rules, guidelines and practices as may be prescribed
from time to time by the Committee. Awards under the Plan may (but need not) be
evidenced by Award Letters.
(b) Specific Powers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, among
other things, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole discretion,
subject to the terms of the Plan:
(i) To select the Participants who are eligible for and may receive Awards
from time to time;
(ii) To determine the form and amount of each Award;
(iii) To determine the terms and conditions of any Award (including, but
not limited to, any vesting condition, restriction or limitation
(which may be related to the performance of the Participant, the
Company, any Affiliate or any division or operating unit of the
Company or any Affiliate)); and
(iv) Subject to Section 13, to modify, amend or adjust the terms and
conditions of any Award, at any time or from time to time, including,
but not limited to, Performance Goals; provided, however, that the
number of shares or the amount payable with respect to a Qualified
Performance-Based Award may not be adjusted upwards and the
Performance Goals associated therewith may not be waived or altered
in a manner that would cause such Award not to qualify for, or to
cease to qualify for, the Section 162(m) Exemption.
(c) Procedures. The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and
repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan
as it shall deem advisable from time to time and to interpret the terms and
provisions of the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the
officers of the Company shall have responsibility for the day-to-day
administration of the Plan, consistent with such rules, guidelines and
practices. The Committee may act only by a majority of its members then in
office, except that the members thereof may (i) delegate authority in
accordance with Section 3(a) above or (ii) authorize any one or more of their
number or any elected officer of the Company to execute and deliver documents
on behalf of the Committee.
(d) Board Action. Any authority granted to the Committee may also be
exercised by the Board, except to the extent that the grant or exercise of such
authority would cause any Award that is a Qualified Performance-Based Award not
to qualify for, or to cease to qualify for, the Section
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162(m) Exemption or the Section 16 Exemption. To the extent that any permitted
action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Committee, the
Board action shall control.
SECTION 4. Stock Subject to Plan; Limits on Awards
(a) General Limitations on Stock. The total number of shares of Stock
reserved and available for Awards under the Plan during any given calendar year
shall be one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the total number of shares of
Stock outstanding as of the first day of such calendar year; provided that any
shares of Stock available for grant in a particular calendar year that are not
actually granted in such year shall be added to the number of shares of Stock
available for grant in the subsequent calendar year. Shares of Stock subject to
an Award under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or may be
treasury shares. If any shares of Legended Stock are forfeited, such shares
shall be available again for Awards under the Plan.
(b) Adjustments. In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split or
stock dividend, in each case relating to the Stock, the number of shares
reserved for issuance under the Plan, the Share Limit set forth in Section
6(d), and the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards under the Plan
shall all automatically be adjusted to reflect such event. In the event of any
other change in corporate capitalization or a corporate transaction, such as
any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other
distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether
or not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section
368 of the Code) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the
Committee may make such substitution or adjustments in the aggregate number and
kind of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, in the Share Limit set
forth in Section 6(d), in the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding
Awards under the Plan and/or such other equitable substitution or adjustments
as it may determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion.
SECTION 5. Eligibility
Employees of the Company and its Affiliates who are responsible for or
contribute to the operation or business of the Company or its Affiliates are
eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.
SECTION 6. Qualified Performance-Based Awards
(a) In General. The Committee may make Qualified Performance-Based Awards,
which may be Cash-Based Awards or Stock-Based Awards.
(b) Incentive Pool Awards
(i) Annual Incentive Pool. The Committee may determine, in its discretion, to
make available Awards for an Award Cycle consisting of a fiscal year of
the Company beginning after the Effective Date of this Plan, and to have
available for Awards under this Section 6(b)(i) (such an Award, an
"Annual Pool Award") a total dollar amount (the "Annual Incentive Pool")
determined based upon the achievement of one or more Performance Goals
over the Award Cycle. All Annual Pool Awards shall be Qualified
Performance-Based Awards. Within 90 days after the beginning of each
fiscal year, the Committee may determine whether Annual Pool Awards in
fact will be designated for that fiscal year, and if so, the terms and
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conditions of the Annual Incentive Pool and Annual Pool Awards,
including, without limitation, the following: (A) the Performance Goal
or Goals; (B) the formula whereby the dollar amount of the Annual
Incentive Pool will be determined; (C) the Participants who will be
eligible to receive Annual Pool Awards from that Annual Incentive Pool;
(D) the amount of each such Participant's Applicable Maximum Percentage
for such Annual Incentive Pool; provided that the total of such
Applicable Maximum Percentages shall not exceed 100 percent; and (E)
for each Participant, whether his or her Annual Pool Award will be
subject to the Share Limit, the Cash Limit, or a combination thereof.
(ii) Long-term Incentive Pools. The Committee may determine, in its
discretion, also to make available Awards for an Award Cycle consisting
of more than one fiscal year of the Company (as determined by the
Committee) and to have available for Awards under this Section 6(b)(ii)
(such an Award, a "Long-term Pool Award") a total dollar amount (the
"Long-term Incentive Pool") determined based upon achievement of one or
more Performance Goals over the Award Cycle. All Long-term Pool Awards
shall be Qualified Performance-Based Awards. Within 90 days after the
beginning of each fiscal year, the Committee may determine whether
Long-term Pool Awards in fact will be designated for an Award Cycle
beginning that fiscal year, and if so, the terms and conditions of the
Long-term Incentive Pool and Long-term Pool Awards, including, without
limitation, the following: (A) the Performance Goal or Goals; (B) the
formula whereby the dollar amount of the Long-term Incentive Pool will
be determined; (C) the duration of the Award Cycle; (D) the
Participants who will be eligible to receive Long-term Pool Awards from
that Long-term Incentive Pool; (E) the amount of each such
Participant's Applicable Maximum Percentage for such Long-term
Incentive Pool; provided that the total of such Applicable Maximum
Percentages shall not exceed 100 percent; and (F) for each Participant,
whether his or her Long-term Pool Award will be subject to the Share
Limit, the Cash Limit, or a combination thereof.
(iii) Determination of Pool Awards. Following the end of each Award Cycle
for which Pool Awards have been designated, the Committee shall
determine and certify the amount of the Incentive Pool for the Award
Cycle and the maximum Pool Award for each Participant ("Maximum Pool
Award"), which shall equal the lesser of (A) the Participant's
Applicable Maximum Percentage multiplied by the amount of the
Incentive Pool and (B) the amount permitted after applying the Share
Limit and/or the Cash Limit, as applicable. For purposes of applying
the Share Limit, if applicable, the number of shares of Stock
represented by a particular Maximum Pool Award (or portion thereof)
shall be determined by dividing the cash amount of such Maximum Pool
Award (or portion thereof) by the Fair Market Value of a share of
Stock on the Committee Determination Date. The Committee then shall
determine for each Participant, based upon such factors (including,
without limitation, the amounts allocated to the Participant's
account under the ESOP) as the Committee in its sole discretion
shall determine, whether he or she shall be awarded an amount equal
to his or her Maximum Pool Award or a lesser amount.
(c) Other Qualified Performance-Based Awards
(i) The Committee may determine, in its discretion, to make other Qualified
Performance-Based Awards in addition to or in place of Pool Awards. The
terms and conditions of such Awards shall be designated by the
Committee in accordance with the requirements of the Section 162(m)
Exemption, including, without limitation, the timely establishment of
Performance
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Goals and Award Cycle, the determination of whether such Award is
subject to the Share Limit or the Cash Limit, and when and how the Share
Limit or Cash Limit, as applicable, will be applied.
(ii) Following the end of the Award Cycle applicable to each Award
designated under Section 6(c)(i), the Committee shall determine and
certify the extent to which the Performance Goals have been achieved
and the amount of such Award that has been earned based upon such
achievement and shall determine, based upon such factors as the
Committee in its sole discretion shall determine (including, without
limitation, the amounts allocated to the Participant's account under
the ESOP), whether the Participant for whom such Award was designated
shall be awarded an amount equal to the amount so determined or a
lesser amount.
(d) Share Limit and Cash Limit Defined. For purposes of this Section 6, the
"Share Limit" shall be 100,000 shares of Stock per Participant per calendar
year, taking into account all Qualified Performance-Based Awards of the
Participant that are subject to the Share Limit. The "Cash Limit" shall be $4
million per calendar year per Participant, increased for each calendar year
after 1999 by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for
All Urban Consumers (or any successor thereto designated by the Committee)
from the prior calendar year, taking into account all Qualified Performance-
Based Awards of the Participant that are subject to the Cash Limit. The Share
Limit or Cash Limit, as applicable, shall apply regardless of the form in
which an Award is actually paid.
SECTION 7. General Awards
The Committee also may make Awards other than Qualified Performance-Based
Awards (any such Award, a "General Award"). General Awards may be Cash-Based
Awards or Stock-Based Awards. The terms and conditions of General Awards,
including, without limitation, the requirements, if any, for vesting thereof,
and the time and form of payment thereof shall be determined by the Committee
in its sole discretion at the time of designation or thereafter.
SECTION 8. Payment of Awards
(a) In General. Each Award that is to be paid in accordance with this Plan
(including, without limitation, any Qualified Performance-Based Award), shall
be paid in cash, in the form of Stock (which may be Legended Stock),
Restricted Stock, or by a combination thereof, as the Committee shall in its
sole discretion determine.
(b) Cash-Based Awards Paid in Stock or Restricted Stock. If all or a
portion of a Cash-Based Award is paid in the form of Stock or Restricted
Stock, the number of shares of Stock or Restricted Stock so paid shall be
determined based on the number of shares of Stock or Restricted Stock having a
Fair Market Value, on the Committee Determination Date, if applicable, and
otherwise on the business day immediately preceding the date of payment, equal
to the amount of the portion of the Cash-Based Award being paid therewith.
(c) Stock-Based Awards Paid in Cash. If all or a portion of a Stock-Based
Award is paid in cash, the amount of cash so paid shall be the Fair Market
Value, on the Committee Determination
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Date, if applicable, and otherwise on the business day immediately preceding
the date of payment, of a share of Stock or Restricted Stock multiplied by the
number of shares of Stock or Restricted Stock being paid therewith.
(d) Legended Stock. If a Stock-Based Award is subject to forfeiture and/or
restrictions on transfer (collectively, "Restrictions"), it shall be considered
to consist of "Legended Stock". Except as specifically provided in this Plan,
the terms and conditions of Legended Stock, including, without limitation, the
requirements for the lapse of the Restrictions applicable thereto, shall be
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
SECTION 9. Evidence of and Rights Relating to Certain Awards
(a) Evidence of Awards and Certificates. Shares of Stock and Legended Stock
shall be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate,
including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock
certificates. Any certificate issued in respect of shares of Stock or Legended
Stock shall be registered in the name of the Participant and, in the case of
Legended Stock, shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms,
conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Legended Stock, substantially
in the following form:
"The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including
forfeiture) of the Colgate-Palmolive Company Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, and any applicable Award
Letter. Copies of such Plan and Award Letter, if applicable, are on file at
the offices of Colgate-Palmolive Company at 300 Park Avenue, New York, NY
10022."
(b) Custody Accounts. The Committee may require that the certificates
evidencing Legended Stock and dividends paid with respect thereto be held in
custody by the Company until the Restrictions applicable thereto shall have
lapsed and that, as a condition of any Award of Legended Stock, the Participant
shall have delivered a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock
covered by such Award. If and when the Restrictions applicable to shares of
Legended Stock lapse without a prior forfeiture of the Legended Stock,
unlegended certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant
upon surrender of the legended certificates (if applicable).
(c) Rights of Holders of Legended Stock. Except as specifically provided
otherwise in this Plan and any applicable Award Letter or resolution of the
Committee designating the Award, the Participant shall have, with respect to
Legended Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding the
class or series of Stock that is the subject of the Legended Stock, including,
if applicable, the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any and
all dividends and distributions with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, with respect to Legended Stock, unless otherwise determined by the
Committee: (i) dividends and distributions shall be automatically deferred;
(ii) such deferred dividends and distributions that are in cash shall, if the
applicable Award Letter or resolution of the Committee designating the Award
provides, and there are sufficient shares of Stock available for grant as
additional Legended Stock pursuant to the aggregate limit of Section 4(a), be
reinvested in additional Legended Stock; and (iii) such deferred dividends or
distributions or additional Legended Stock, as applicable, shall be held
subject to the vesting of the underlying Legended Stock, or held subject to
meeting separate Performance Goals.
(d) Forfeited Shares of Legended Stock. All shares of Legended Stock and all
dividends and distributions on Legended Stock that are forfeited by a
Participant shall revert to the Company.
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(e) Dividend Equivalents on Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise determined by
the Committee, an Award of Restricted Stock shall be increased to reflect
deemed reinvestment in additional Restricted Stock of the dividends that would
be paid and distributions that would be made with respect to the Award of
Restricted Stock if it consisted of actual shares of Stock. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if an adjustment to an Award of Restricted Stock is made pursuant to
Section 4(b) above as a result of any dividend or distribution, no increase to
such Award shall be made under this Section 9(e) as a result of the same
dividend or distribution.
SECTION 10. Effect of Termination of Employment
The consequences of a Participant's Termination of Employment with respect
to Awards shall be determined by the Committee; provided that such
determination shall not be made in a manner that would cause any Qualified
Performance-Based Award to fail to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption;
and provided, further, that, with respect to Awards that are not Qualified
Performance-Based Awards and that are made to Participants other than
Designated Executives or to executives who are considered "insiders" for the
purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, such authority may be delegated to,
and exercised by, any of the elected officers of the Company in accordance with
such rules, guidelines and practices as may be prescribed from time to time by
the Committee.
SECTION 11. Deferral; Transferability
(a) Deferral. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the
Committee may establish programs and procedures pursuant to which Participants
may be permitted to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of any Award
under this Plan, including Qualified Performance-Based Awards, whether paid in
cash, Stock or Restricted Stock.
(b) Transferability. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Committee,
no Award may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered
except and to the extent that it has been paid or the Restrictions applicable
thereto have lapsed, as applicable.
SECTION 12. Change in Control Provisions
(a) Impact of Event. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the
contrary, except as otherwise provided in any applicable Award Letter or
resolution of the Committee designating the Award, in the event of a Change in
Control: (i) all Awards of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to a performance-
based award program of the Company (including, without limitation, Qualified
Performance-Based Awards) that have not yet vested shall be considered earned
in full and nonforfeitable and, except to the extent otherwise expressly
provided in any deferral arrangement pursuant to Section 11(a) or any other
plan, program or agreement applicable to the Participant, shall be paid
pursuant to Section 8; and (ii) all Restrictions applicable to Awards of
Legended Stock granted pursuant to a performance-based award program of the
Company (including, without limitation, Qualified Performance-Based Awards)
shall lapse; and (iii) all other Awards of Restricted Stock and Legended Stock
held by a Participant who experiences a Qualified Termination of Employment
within two years following a Change in Control shall so vest, and such
restrictions shall lapse, as applicable, at the time of such Qualified
Termination of Employment.
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(b) Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, a "Change in
Control" shall mean the happening of any of the following events:
(i) An acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a "Person") of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (A) the then-
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding
Company Common Stock") or (B) the combined voting power of the then-
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities"); excluding, however, the following: (1) any acquisition
directly from the Company, other than an acquisition by virtue of the
exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so
converted itself was acquired directly from the Company, (2) any
repurchase by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
entity controlled by the Company, or (4) any acquisition pursuant to a
transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection
(iii) of this Section 12(b); or
(ii) A change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who,
as of the Effective Date of the Plan, constitute the Board (such Board
shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Incumbent Board") cease for
any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided,
however, that, for purposes of this Section 12(b), any individual who
becomes a member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date of the
Plan, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of those
individuals who are members of the Board and who were also members of
the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this proviso)
shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the
Incumbent Board; provided, further, that any such individual whose
initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or
threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a
Person other than the Board shall not be so considered as a member of
the Incumbent Board; or
(iii) The consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company ("Corporate Transaction"); excluding, however, such a
Corporate Transaction pursuant to which (A) all or substantially all
of the individuals and entities who are the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
Corporate Transaction will beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than 60% of, respectively, the outstanding shares of common
stock, and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate
Transaction (including, without limitation, a corporation that as a
result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially
all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (other than the
Company, any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company
or such corporation resulting
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from such Corporate Transaction) will beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the outstanding shares of
common stock of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction
or the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
except to the extent that such ownership derives from ownership of a 20%
or more interest in the Outstanding Company Common Stock and/or
Outstanding Company Voting Security that existed prior to the Corporate
Transaction, and (C) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board
will constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction;
or
(iv) the approval by shareholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution
of the Company.
SECTION 13. Term, Amendment and Termination
(a) Plan. The Plan will terminate on May 31, 2009. Awards outstanding as of
the date of such termination shall not be affected or impaired thereby. The
Board may amend, alter, or discontinue this Plan at any time, but no
amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made that would impair the
rights of a Participant under any Award theretofore designated without the
Participant's consent.
(b) Awards. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore
designated, prospectively or retroactively, but no such amendment may be made
if it would cause a Qualified Performance-Based Award not to qualify, or to
cease to qualify, for the Section 162(m) Exemption, nor shall any such
Amendment impair the rights of any holder without the holder's consent.
SECTION 14. Unfunded Status of Plan
It is presently intended that the Plan constitute an "unfunded" plan for
incentive and deferred compensation. The Committee may authorize the creation
of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan
to deliver Stock or make payments; provided, however, that unless the
Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other
arrangements is consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan.
SECTION 15. General Provisions
(a) Restrictions. The Committee may require each person purchasing or
receiving Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the
Company in writing that such person is acquiring the Stock without a view to
the distribution thereof. The certificates for such Stock may include any
legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on
transfer. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or agreements made
pursuant thereto, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any
certificate or certificates for shares of Stock under the Plan prior to
fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(i) Listing or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such shares
on The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., or such other securities exchange
as may be at the time the principal market for the Stock;
(ii) Any registration or other qualification of such shares of the Company
under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in
effect of any such registration or other
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qualification that the Committee, in its absolute discretion upon the
advice of counsel, shall deem necessary or advisable; and
(iii) Obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or
federal governmental agency that the Committee, in its absolute
discretion after receiving the advice of counsel, shall determine to
be necessary or advisable.
(b) Other Compensation. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the
Company or any Affiliate from adopting other or additional compensation
arrangements for its employees.
(c) No Right to Employment. Adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any
employee any right to continued employment, nor shall it interfere in any way
with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of
any employee at any time.
(d) Taxation. No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes
includible in the gross income of the Participant for federal income tax
purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, the Participant shall pay
to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the
payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by
law to be withheld with respect to such amount. Unless otherwise determined by
the Company, withholding obligations may be settled with Stock, including
Stock that is part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding
requirement. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be
conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its
Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any
such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the Participant. The Committee
may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making
irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with
Stock.
(e) Beneficiaries. The Committee shall establish such procedures as it
deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any
amounts payable in the event of the Participant's death are to be paid or by
whom any rights of the Participant, after the Participant's death, may be
exercised; provided that if there is no valid beneficiary designation in
effect at the time of a Participant's death for any reason (including, without
limitation, a lack of such procedures or a failure by the Participant to make
a designation), then such Participant's estate shall be the Participant's
beneficiary.
(f) Affiliates. In the case of an Award to any employee of an Affiliate,
the Company may, if the Committee so directs, issue or transfer the shares of
Stock, if any, covered by the Award to the Affiliate, for such lawful
consideration as the Committee may specify, upon the condition or
understanding that the Affiliate will transfer the shares of Stock to the
employee in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Committee
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
(g) Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards made and actions taken
thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.
SECTION 16. Shareholder Approval
This amendment and restatement of the Plan shall be void and of no force or
effect unless it is duly approved by the Company's shareholders.
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[LOGO] COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENT
[LOGO] Printed on Recycled Paper
<PAGE>
4061
[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 in accordance with the
Board's recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
In its discretion the Proxy Committee is authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
ANNUAL MEETING
OF
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS
Wednesday, May 5, 1999
Marriott Marquis
10:00 a.m.
Broadway Ballroom
1535 Broadway
(45th Street and Broadway)
New York, NY 10036
Your vote is important to us. Please detach the above proxy card, and sign, date
and mail it using the enclosed reply envelope at your earliest convenience. Your
vote is held in confidence by our outside tabulator, First Chicago Trust Company
of New York.
If you plan to attend the meeting, please fill out and mail separately the
enclosed ticket request.
<PAGE>
PROXY
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
300 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Proxy Solicited by the Board of Directors
for Annual Meeting on May 5, 1999
The undersigned hereby appoints as proxies, with full power of
substitution to each, REUBEN MARK, JILL K. CONWAY and HOWARD B.
WENTZ, JR. (the Proxy Committee) to vote as designated on the
reverse side all shares that the undersigned would be entitled to
vote at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be
held in New York, New York on May 5, 1999 or at any adjournments
thereof. Action hereunder may be taken by a majority of said
proxies or their substitutes who are present or if only one be
present, then by that one.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. The Proxy Committee cannot vote your
shares unless you sign and return this card.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
Proxy (0935)
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE, S.A. DE C.V.
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
AND SENIORITY PRMIUM
To: Plan Participants
As a participant in the above Plan, you may direct the manner in which
shares of Company Common Stock allocable to your interest in the funds
established under such Plan shall be voted by the Trustee at the annual meeting
of stockholders to be held in New York, New York on May 5, 1999 or at any
adjournments thereof.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. If a signed card is not returned,
shares allocable to your interest in the Plan will not be voted.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
0935
[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 by the Trustee in
accordance with the Board's recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE GERMANY
STOCK/SAVINGS PLAN
To: Plan Participants
As a participant in the above Plan, you may direct the manner in which
shares of Company Common Stock allocable to your interest in Funds established
under such Plan shall be voted by the Trustee at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in New York, New York on May 5, 1999 or at any
adjournments thereof.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. If a signed card is not returned,
shares allocable to your interest in the Plan will be voted by the Custodian in
accordance with the instructions of the Trustee.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
1956
[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 by the Trustee in
accordance with the Board's recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE U.K.
STOCK/SAVINGS PLAN
To: Plan Participants
As a participant in the above Plan, you may direct the manner in which
shares of Company Common Stock allocable to your interest in the funds
established under such Plan shall be voted by the Trustee/Custodian at the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held in New York, New York on May 5, 1999
or at any adjournments thereof.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. If a signed card is not returned,
shares allocable to your interest in the Plan will not be voted.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
1957
[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 and this proxy is executed and returned, this proxy will
be voted by the Trustee/Custodian in accordance with the Board's
recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE PHILS., INC.
STOCK/SAVINGS PLAN
To: Plan Participants
As a participant in the above Plan, you may direct the manner in which
shares of Company Common Stock allocable to your interest in Funds "C" and "D"
of the CPPI Employees' Retirement Plan shall be voted by the Trustee/Custodian
at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in New York, New York on May 5,
1999 or at any adjournments thereof.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. If a signed card is not returned,
shares allocable to your interest in the Plan will be voted by the Custodian in
accordance with the instructions of the Trustee.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
1958
[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 and this proxy is executed and returned, this proxy will
be voted by the Trustee/Custodian in accordance with the Board's
recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE CHILE
STOCK/SAVINGS PLAN
To: Plan Participants
As a participant in the above Plan, you may direct the manner in which
shares of Company Common Stock allocable to your interest in the funds
established under such Plan shall be voted by the Trustee at the annual meeting
of stockholders to be held in New York, New York on May 5, 1999 or at any
adjournments thereof.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. If a signed card is not returned,
shares allocable to your interest in the Plan will be voted in the same
proportion as shares for which instruction cards are received.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
3843
[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 and this proxy is executed and returned, this proxy will
be voted by the Trustee in accordance with the Board's recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
4061
[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 in accordance with the
Board's recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
ANNUAL MEETING
OF
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS
Wednesday, May 5, 1999
Marriott Marquis
10:00 a.m.
Broadway Ballroom
1535 Broadway
(45th Street and Broadway)
New York, NY 10036
Your vote is important to us. Please detach the above proxy card, and sign, date
and mail it using the enclosed reply envelope at your earliest convenience. Your
vote is held in confidence by our outside tabulator, First Chicago Trust Company
of New York.
If you plan to attend the meeting, please fill out and mail separately the
enclosed ticket request.
<PAGE>
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE FRANCE
STOCK/SAVINGS PLAN
To: Plan Participants
As a participant in the above Plan, you may direct the manner in which
shares of Company Common Stock allocable to your interest in the funds
established under such Plan shall be voted by the Trustee at the annual meeting
of stockholders to be held in New York, New York on May 5, 1999 or at any
adjournments thereof.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. If a signed card is not returned,
shares allocable to your interest in the Plan may be voted in the same
proportion as shares for which instruction cards are received.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
5605
[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 by the Trustee in
accordance with the Board's recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE PR
SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN
To: Plan Participants
As a participant in the above Plan, you may direct the manner in which
shares of Company Common Stock allocable to your interest in the
Colgate-Palmolive Stock Fund established under such Plan shall be voted by the
Trustee at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in New York, New York
on May 5, 1999 or at any adjournments thereof.
You are encouraged to specify your choices 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. If a signed card is not returned,
shares allocable to your interest in the Colgate-Palmolive Stock Fund will be
voted in the same proportion as shares for which instruction cards are received.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
<PAGE>
5607
[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 and this proxy is executed and returned, this proxy will
be voted by the Trustee in accordance with the Board's recommendations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of [ ] [ ] Election of Directors, Nominees: 2. Ratify selection of Arthur [ ] [ ] [ ]
Directors. J.K. Conway, R.E. Ferguson, E.M. Hancock, Andersen LLP as Auditors.
D.W. Johnson, J.P. Kendall, R.J. Kogan,
D.E. Lewis, R. Mark, H.B. Wentz, Jr.
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s): 3. Reapprove adoption of the [ ] [ ] [ ]
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan, in an
- ------------------------------------------------------ amended and updated form.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
If voting by proxy, the Trustee is directed to authorize the Proxy
Committee to vote, in its discretion, upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
* FOLD AND DETACH HERE *
</TABLE>
