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 Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
ADAGE, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
ADAGE, INC.
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or Item
22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3)
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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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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<PAGE>
ADAGE, INC.
625 WILLOWBROOK LANE
WEST CHESTER, PA 19382
---------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
---------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Adage,
Inc. will be held at The Holiday Inn West Chester (formerly The West Chester
Inn), Route 202, West Chester, Pennsylvania on Wednesday June 14, 1995 at 9:00
A.M. for the following purposes:
1. To elect seven (7) directors.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Only holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on May 4,
1995 are entitled to notice of and to vote at said meeting and any adjournments
thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Robert T. Holland
Secretary
West Chester, PA
May 17, 1995
IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN
AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>
ADAGE, INC.
625 WILLOWBROOK LANE
WEST CHESTER, PA 19382
------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 14, 1995
------------------------------
The accompanying proxy is being solicited by the management of Adage, Inc.,
a Pennsylvania corporation (the 'Company'), for use at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at The Holiday Inn West Chester (formerly The West
Chester Inn), Route 202, West Chester, Pennsylvania at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
June 14, 1995. Each shareholder giving such a proxy has the power to revoke the
same, by any method which notifies the Company that the proxy is being revoked,
at any time before it is voted. All expenses in connection with the solicitation
will be borne by the Company.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are being first
mailed or given to the holders of the Company's Common Stock on or about May 17,
1995.
VOTING SECURITIES
The Company, at the close of business on May 4, 1995, the record date for
determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, had outstanding
5,098,555 shares of Common Stock of the par value of $.60 each (the 'Common
Stock'). Each share of Common Stock outstanding on such date is entitled to one
vote.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
The accompanying proxy will be voted in favor of the election as directors
of the persons named below, to serve subject to the provisions of the By-Laws,
until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are
duly elected and qualified. If any of such nominees does not remain a candidate
at the time of the forthcoming meeting (a situation which the management does
not now anticipate), proxies solicited hereunder will be voted in favor of those
nominees who do remain as candidates and for such other persons as shall be
designated by the Board of Directors to replace such nominees. Directors shall
be elected by a majority of the votes present, in person or by proxy, and each
share has the right to one vote. Directors need not be elected by a majority of
all votes eligible to be cast, but by a majority of those present after a quorum
has been established. Approval of amendments to the Company's stock option plan
shall be determined in the same manner.
1
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the information concerning the ownership of
the Company's securities by nominees for directors and management of the
Company. The table also sets forth the only persons who, to the Company's
knowledge, are the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding voting
securities of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK
BENEFICIALLY
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OWNED AS OF
NAME AGE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS DIRECTORSHIPS MARCH 5, 1995
- - -------------------------- --- -------------------------- -------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald F.U. Goebert 58 Chairman of the Board of Progress Financial 1,700,945(1)(3)
625 Willowbrook Lane Directors of Adage Corporation, Investors 31.8%*
West Chester, PA 19382 (formerly GBIC) since Insurance Group, Inc.
March 1968; President of
GBIC from March 1968 to
October 1988 and President
of Adage since April,
1993.
Buck Scott 65 Vice President of 11,167(2)
*** ** Electrical Energy 0.21%*
Enterprises, Inc.; 1994 to
January 1995. President of
Electrical Energy
Enterprises, Inc. from
1990 to 1993; Director of
Adage (formerly GBIC) from
1980 to Present.
Robert L. MacDonald 66 Retired -- Director of 4,167(2)
*** ** Financial Aid Wharton 0.08%*
Graduate Division and
Lecturer in Management,
Wharton School, University
of Pennsylvania 1953 to
1993. Director of Adage,
Inc. since 1991.
Ralph R. Whitney, Jr. 60 Principal of Hammond IFR Systems, Inc., Excel 46,187(2)
*** ** Kennedy Whitney & Co., Industries, Inc., Baldwin 0.86%*
Inc., a private investment Technology Corporation,
banking firm with offices Keene Corporation, and
at 230 Park Avenue, New Selas Corporation of
York, New York. Director America.
of Adage, Inc. since
January 1992.
Robert T. Holland 46 Vice President, Secretary 132,087(1)(3)
and Chief Financial 2.5%*
Officer of Adage, Inc.
(formerly GBIC) since July
1989. Director of Adage,
Inc. since January 1992.
James C. Gale 44 Managing Director of Prins Recycling 4,167(2)
*** ** Gruntal & Co., Inc. Corporation, Latshaw 0.08%
from 1989 to present. Enterprises, Inc.
Managing Director of
Maiden Lane Associates,
Inc., New York, NY 1989 to
1992.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK
BENEFICIALLY
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OWNED AS OF
NAME AGE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS DIRECTORSHIPS MARCH 5, 1995
- - -------------------------- --- -------------------------- -------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Joel A. Schleicher 42 Self employed since Nextel Communications, 4,166(2)
*** ** January, 1995; Chief Inc. 0.08%
Operating Officer of
Nextel Communications,
Inc. from October, 1989
until January, 1995.
</TABLE>
- - ------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
*** Member of Compensation Committee.
** Member of Audit Committee.
(1) Includes incentive stock options as disclosed under the Stock Option section of this proxy statement.
(2) Includes 4,166 director stock options.
(3) Includes 21,866 shares held in a custodian account for the Adage Employee Stock Purchase Program.
(4) As stated in Form 4 dated February 8, 1995 filed by Mr. Goebert, he is the direct owner of 1,232,326 shares
and has beneficial ownership through Chester County Fund, Inc. of 85,942 shares, Investors Insurance Group,
Inc., of 188,971 shares, Donald Goebert Partnership of 60,000 shares and Trusts for his minor children of
11,840 shares.
* The class of Common Stock consists of 5,098,555 shares issued and outstanding plus 258,379 shares which may
be acquired through exercise of options.
</TABLE>
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
As described below, options granted under the Corporation's 1988
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan are in addition to non-employee
directors' fees. Directors' compensation consists of a $6,000 annual retainer
plus $1,000 per meeting.
Additionally, non-employee directors are paid $500 for each committee
meeting which is held on a day other than the regular director's meeting.
ADAGE DIRECTOR PLAN
The Adage Director Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 7,
1988, and approved by Adage's shareholders on July 28, 1988. A total of 33,333
shares of Adage Common Stock (subject to adjustment in certain events) may be
issued under the Adage Director Plan. The Adage Director Plan is administered by
the Board of Directors. Options are granted pursuant to the Adage Director Plan
only to non-employee members of the Board of Directors who are not officers of
Adage. As of April 6, 1995, options for an aggregate of 20,832 shares with an
exercise price of $4.75 to $7.875 per share are outstanding. During the period
January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1994 no directors options were exercised.
3
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
Beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of
The Company who are not nominees for directors or management of the Company:
NONE
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STANDING COMMITTEES
During 1994 the Board of Directors held six meetings. In addition, certain
members of the Board are members of Standing Committees (see 'Nominees for
Election as Directors').
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Audit Committee...................................... During 1994 there was one meeting of the Audit
Committee.
Compensation Committee............................... During 1994 there were two meetings of the
Compensation Committee.
</TABLE>
The Company does not have an Executive or Nominating Committee.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Corporation's compensation program for officers, which is administered
by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, is designed to align
officer compensation with the Corporation's business objectives and performance.
The Compensation Committee consists of five outside directors, Robert MacDonald,
Buck Scott, James Gale, Joel Schleicher, and Ralph Whitney, Chairman, none of
whom has ever been an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.
The Corporation's officer compensation is comprised of base salary,
potential annual cash incentive compensation and long-term incentive
compensation in the form of stock options. Officers are also covered under
medical, life insurance, non-contributory 401K and other plans generally
available to employees of the Corporation or the business units managed by the
officer.
Through the use of data on comparable companies and its evaluation of
officer performance, against goals, the Compensation Committee's objective is to
recommend to the Board of Directors the setting of total base salary and
potential incentive compensation for Mr. Donald Goebert, Chairman and President;
Mr. Robert Holland, Vice President and Secretary; and other officers, at levels
designed to achieve the Corporation's objective of attracting, retaining,
motivating, and rewarding talented executives. In recent years, a substantial
portion of the officers' total potential compensation has been in the form of
salaries and stock options. This is based on the Committee's philosophy that a
significant portion of the compensation of senior executives should be leveraged
to be dependent upon the degree of the Corporation's financial success in a
particular year, and its stock price. It is the continuing philosophy of the
Compensation Committee to include corporate goals, stock price, and financial
results measured by return on shareholder equity as determinants of total
executive compensation. Incentive compensation of other subsidiary officers may
be based on other factors, including performance of their business units.
The Corporation's stock option plan is its long-term incentive plan for
officers and key employees. The stock option plan is designed further to align
the interests of the Corporation's executives and its shareholders by creating a
direct link between long-term executive compensation and long-term increases in
shareholder values. Since all options are granted at fair market value at the
time of the grant, there is no built-in profit and, thus, the value of the
option is tied solely to increases in value of the Corporation's Common Shares.
Stock options are granted to the Corporation's officers from time to time as
deemed appropriate by the Committee based on various factors, but heavily
influenced by the executive's ability to influence the Corporation's long-term
growth and profitability.
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<PAGE>
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the base compensation of
the Corporation's officers. The Compensation Committee continued Mr. Goebert's
and Mr. Holland's salaries at the 1993 rate for 1994. In March 1994 the
Compensation Committee granted 100,000 options to Mr. Goebert and 50,000 options
to Mr. Holland each at $4.625 per share.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total return on the
Common Stock to the total returns on the NASDAQ Stock Index (U.S) and the NASDAQ
non-financial stocks index (the 'Composite Group Index').
CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN COMPARISON
[ STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH ]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NASDAQ MKT 100 84.9 136.3 158.6 180.9 176.92
COMPOSITE 100 88 141.7 154.9 177.6 170.3
ADAGE, INC. 100 63.2 80.7 71.9 80.7 68.4
</TABLE>
In each case, a $100 investment made on January 1, 1990 and reinvestment of
all dividends are assumed. Returns are at December 31 of each year.
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<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation
incurred during each of the past three years to the Company's Executive
Officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
---------------------------------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS
--------------------------- --------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Donald F.U. Goebert................................................... 1994 $ 150,000 --
President 1993 $ 150,000 --
Robert T. Holland..................................................... 1994 $ 192,600 --
Vice President & Secretary 1993 $ 192,600 --
1992 $ 192,600 $ 20,000
Ernest C. Guerri...................................................... 1994 $ 160,385 --
Former Chairman of RELM Communications, Inc.
</TABLE>
Other compensation is not included in the summary compensation table
because it does not equal the lesser of $50,000 or 10% individually or in the
aggregate of the annual salary and bonus reported for the executive officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS HELD AT IN THE MONEY OPTIONS
DECEMBER 31, 1994(1) AT DECEMBER 31, 1994
------------------------- ----------------------------------
EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
----------- ------------ --------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald F.U. Goebert........................................ -- 100,000 -0- -0-
Robert T. Holland.......................................... 37,500 62,500 -0- -0-
</TABLE>
- - ------------------
(1) The options held by Mr. Holland expired in 1995 (25,000) and 1997 (25,000)
and 1999 (50,000). The options held by Mr. Goebert expire in 1999.
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<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
STOCK OPTIONS
The Adage 1988 Stock Plan was adopted by Adage's Board of Directors on
January 28, 1988 and approved by Adage's shareholders on July 28, 1988. A total
of 500,000 shares of Adage Common Stock (subject to adjustment in certain
events) may be issued under the Adage 1988 Stock Plan pursuant to the exercise
of options or in connection with awards of authorizations to make direct
purchases of Adage Common Stock. The shareholders approved an increase in the
number of shares authorized to be issued under the 1988 Stock Plan from 250,000
to 500,000 at the 1994 annual meeting.
There have been 37,500 shares of Adage common stock issued pursuant to the
exercise of options granted under the 1988 Stock Plan.
The following table sets forth, as to each of Adage's executive officers
whose aggregate cash compensation exceeded $60,000, as to all current executive
officers as a group and as to all employees as a group (i) the number of shares
of Adage Common Stock subject to options granted pursuant to the 1988 Stock Plan
from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1994, (ii) the average per share options
granted from January 1, 1992 to December 31, 1994 the average per share option
exercise price thereof, (iii) the number of shares of Adage Common Stock
purchased upon the exercise of options during that period, (iv) the net value
realized upon such exercise, and (v) the number of shares of Adage Common Stock
subject to options at April 1, 1995. Except as described above for the Adage
Director Plan, no directors who were not also employees of Adage were granted or
exercised any stock options during the period. None of the options are subject
to stock appreciation or other tandem rights.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS GRANTED FROM JANUARY
1, 1992 THROUGH DECEMBER 31,
1994 OPTIONS EXERCISED FROM JANUARY 1, 1992
---------------------------- THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1994
AVERAGE -------------------------------------- OPTIONS
NUMBER OF EXERCISE PRICE NUMBER OF NET VALUE REALIZED UPON OUTSTANDING
SHARES PER SHARE SHARES EXERCISE OF OPTIONS(1) APRIL 1, 1995
----------- --------------- ------------- ----------------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald F.U. Goebert......................... 100,000 $ 4.625 0 $ 0 100,000
Robert T. Holland........................... 75,000 $ 4.833 0 $ 0 75,000
All current executive officers as a group (2
persons).................................. 175,000 $ 4.714 0 $ 0 175,000
All employees as a group (other than current
executive officers)....................... 42,547 $ 4.122 0 $ 0 62,547
</TABLE>
- - ------------------
(1) The net value realized upon exercise of options is the difference between
the market value of the shares received and the exercise price thereof.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Representatives of MacDade, Abbott & Co., the Company's independent
certified public accountants, are expected to be present at the meeting with the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and such representatives
are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
PROPOSALS FOR 1995 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholder proposals for the 1995 Annual Meeting must be received at the
principal executive offices of the Company, 625 Willowbrook Lane, West Chester,
PA 19382, no later than December 31, 1995, for inclusion in the 1996 Proxy
Statement and form of Proxy.
7
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
It is not intended that any matters except as mentioned above will be
brought before the meeting, and the management is not aware of any matters
proposed to be presented at the meeting by any other person. However, if any
other business should properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the
accompanying proxy may be voted on such other matters in accordance with the
best judgment of the person or persons voting such proxy.
A copy of the annual report outlining the Company's operations during the
year ended December 31, 1994 accompanies this Proxy Statement.
The company will provide to each person who requests it a copy of the
Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any such request should be in writing
and addressed to the Company at 625 Willowbrook Lane, West Chester, PA 19382,
attention: Elizabeth Soldwisch or by calling (610) 430-3900.
For the Board of Directors,
Donald F. U. Goebert
President and Chairman
West Chester, PA
May 17, 1995
8
<PAGE>
PROXY
ADAGE, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THE PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Donald F.U. Goebert and Robert T. Holland,
and each of them, proxies, with power of substitution, to vote all the shares
of common stock of Adage, Inc., which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Adage, Inc., to be held on Wednesday, June 14,
1995, at 9:00 A.M. at The Holiday Inn West Chester (formerly the West Chester
Inn), Rt. 202, West Chester, PA, and any adjournment thereof, upon matters set
forth in the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement
Prospectus dated May 17, 1995, a copy of which has been received by the
undersigned.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
<PAGE>
[X] Please mark your
votes as in this
example.
FOR WITHHELD
1. To elect all 7 directors (or if any nominee is [ ] [ ]
not available for election, such substitute as
the Board of Directors may designate).
For, all nominees except as noted above
___________________________________________________________________________
Nominees: Donald F.U. Goebert
Robert L. MacDonald
Buck Scott
Ralph R. Whitney, Jr.
Robert T. Holland
James C. Gale
Joel A. Schleicher
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL IN ITEM 1, AND IN THE
JUDGEMENT OF THE HOLDER OF THIS PROXY FOR ALL OTHER MATTERS.
MARK HERE [ ]
FOR ADDRESS
CHANGE AND
NOTE AT LEFT
SIGNATURE _______________ DATE _____ SIGNATURE _______________ DATE _____
IF HELD JOINTLY
Note: (If signing as attorney, executor, administrator trustee or guardian,
please give your full title as such. If stock is held jointly, each one should
sign.)
