<PAGE>
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
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
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
CSP INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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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] 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:
Reg. (S) 240.14a-101.
SEC 1913 (3-99)
<PAGE>
CSP INC.
(A Massachusetts Corporation)
---------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
---------------------
January 9, 2001
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of CSP Inc.
(the "Company") will be held at the executive offices of the Company, 43
Manning Road, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821 on Tuesday, January 9, 2001,
beginning at 9:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect one Class II Director, for a three-year term.
2. To act upon a proposal to approve and adopt a 2000 Stock Option Plan.
3. To transact such further business as may properly come before the
Meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 17, 2000
as the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, said Meeting and any adjournment thereof. Only
stockholders of record on such date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
said Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Gary W. Levine
Clerk
November 29, 2000
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY,
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
<PAGE>
CSP INC.
(A Massachusetts Corporation)
---------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------------
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
January 9, 2001
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of CSP Inc. ("CSPI" or the "Company") of proxies for use at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on January 9, 2001 (the
"Meeting") and at any adjournment thereof. A form of proxy is enclosed. Any
stockholder executing such a proxy may revoke it at any time insofar as it has
not been exercised. All properly executed proxies that are received by the
Company before the Meeting and that are not revoked will be voted at the
Meeting in accordance with the stockholder's direction. The principal executive
offices of the Company are located at 43 Manning Road, Billerica, Massachusetts
01821. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the form of proxy
will be sent to stockholders is November 30, 2000.
ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
The Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000
accompanies this Proxy Statement, but is not incorporated herein and is not to
be deemed a part hereof.
Item 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company, as a Massachusetts corporation with a class of voting stock
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), has a Board of Directors divided into three classes, as nearly equal in
size as practicable, referred to as Class I, Class II and Class III. The
Directors in each class serve for a term of three years and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. As the term of one class expires, a
successor class is elected at the annual meeting of stockholders for that year.
There is currently one Class II Director, whose term will expire at the Annual
Meeting to be held on January 9, 2001; two Class I Directors, who were elected
or appointed to serve until the annual meeting to be held with respect to the
end of the 2001 fiscal year; and two Class III Directors, who were elected to
serve until the annual meeting to be held with respect to the end of the 2002
fiscal year.
Pursuant to the by-laws of the Company, the Board of Directors has fixed the
number of Directors that will constitute the entire Board of Directors at five,
and has nominated one Class II Director for election at the Annual Meeting to
be held January 9, 2001.
Unless authority is withheld, proxies in the accompanying form will be voted
in favor of electing J. David Lyons as a Class II Director, to hold office
until the annual meeting to be held with respect to the end of the 2003 fiscal
year and until his respective successor is elected and qualified, one Class II
nominee identified in the table below. If the proxy is executed in such a
manner as to withhold authority to vote for the nominee for Director, such
instructions will be followed by the persons named in the proxy.
Under the by-laws of the Company, a majority of the shares of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote will constitute a quorum for the Meeting. If a quorum is
present at the Meeting, the vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
present or represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote is required to elect
the Director. If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time for the Meeting,
the persons named in the proxy will vote to adjourn the Meeting until a
1
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later date when a quorum can be obtained. Pursuant to the Company's by-laws, if
it is necessary to adjourn the Meeting for that purpose, no notice of the time
and place of the adjourned meeting is required to be given to stockholders.
In general, votes withheld from any nominee for election as Director,
abstentions, and broker "non-votes" are counted as present or represented for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the meeting. A
"non-vote" occurs when a broker or nominee holding shares for a beneficial
owner does not vote on a proposal because, in respect of such proposal, the
broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power and has not received
instructions from the beneficial owner. The vote on each matter submitted to
stockholders is tabulated separately. Abstentions are included in the number of
shares present or represented and voting on each matter. Broker "non-votes" are
not so included.
Mr. Lyons is currently a member of the Board of Directors. Although the
Company expects Mr. Lyons to accept nomination and to serve if elected, if he
is unable to serve at the time of election, then proxies will be voted for some
other person or the Board of Directors may fix the number of Directors at a
lesser number.
Nominee
Listed below is the nominee showing his age, the year he was first elected a
Director of the Company, and his business affiliations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name, Age and Class Business Affiliations
------------------- ---------------------
<C> <S>
J. David Lyons (62).............. Director of CSPI since March 1997;
Class II President of Aubin International, Inc., an
executive search firm, from 1996 to
present; Executive Vice President at
National Data Corp. from 1993 to 1996;
Executive Vice President Sales and
Marketing, Syncordia from 1991 to 1993.
</TABLE>
Directors
Listed below are the continuing Directors of the Company, with information
showing the age of each, the year each was first elected a Director of the
Company, and the business affiliations of each. Messrs. Lupinetti and James are
Class III Directors, whose terms expire in 2002. Messrs. Smith and Williams,
are Class I Directors whose terms expire in 2003.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name, Age and Class Business Affiliations
------------------- ---------------------
<C> <S>
Sandford D. Smith (53)........... Director of CSPI since 1993; President of
Class I Therapeutics International of Genzyme
Corp., a biopharmaceutical company, since
February 1997; President of Specialty
Therapeutics of Genzyme Corp., from April
1996 to February 1997; President and Chief
Executive Officer of Repligen Corporation
from 1987 to 1996; Director of Ariad
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Chemex
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Robert M. Williams (62).......... Director of CSPI since July 1998; from 1995
Class I to his retirement in March 1999 served as
Vice President for Asia, Africa and the
Near East of International Executive Corps,
a company that directs technology and
business programs as a contractor for the
US Foreign Aid Program; consultant to RM
Williams Associates Technology, from 1993
to 1995; Vice President of Worldwide
Development, Industrial Sector Division for
International Business Machine Corp., and
served in various positions from 1963 to
1993.
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name, Age and Class Business Affiliations
------------------- ---------------------
<C> <S>
C. Shelton James (60)............ Director of CSPI since 1994; from 1993
Class III until his retirement in July, 2000,
President of Fundamental Management
Corporation; Director of Cyberguard Corp.
until March 2000; Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board of Elcotel from
May 1991 until February, 2000; Director of
DRS Technologies, Concurrent Computer
Corporation, and S.K. Technologies; Trustee
of Clarkson University.
Alexander R. Lupinetti (55)...... Director of CSPI since 1996; Chairman of
Class III the Board of Directors since January 1998;
Chief Executive Officer and President of
CSPI since October 1996; President and
Chief Executive Officer of each of TCAM
Systems Inc., Shared Systems Corporation
and SoftCom Systems Inc. subsidiaries of
Stratus Computer Inc., from 1987 to 1996.
</TABLE>
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Mr. Lyons as Director
listed in this Proxy Statement.
Committees and Meetings of the Board of Directors
The Company's Board of Directors met five times during the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2000 ("fiscal 2000"). Each Director has attended at least 75% of all
meetings of the Board and committees which he is a member.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee,
but does not have a nominating committee or other committee performing similar
functions. The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. James and Williams. The
Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2000. The Compensation Committee
consists of Messrs. Lyons, James and Smith. The Compensation Committee met
twice during fiscal 2000.
Compensation of Directors
Each Director who is not an employee of the Company receives a quarterly fee
of $440 to serve as a Director, a quarterly fee of $138 for each committee of
the Board of which he is a member and a fee of $550, plus expenses, for each
meeting of the Board which he attends.
In addition, each non-employee Director receives 200 restricted shares of
CSP Inc. Common Stock annually as additional compensation. These shares cannot
be sold for one year from the date of issuance. Each non-employee Director also
receives an annual non-discretionary grant of a non-statutory option to
purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock on the last business day of January in
each year. The aggregate number of shares that may be issued to all non-
employee Directors pursuant to this arrangement is 26,620. These non-
discretionary options have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, are not exercisable until after
six months following such date, have a term of three years and are fully vested
after six months.
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table. The following Summary Compensation Table sets
forth certain information regarding compensation paid or accrued by the Company
with respect to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's most
highly compensated officers other than the Chief Executive Officer who served
as executive officers during fiscal 2000 and whose annual compensation exceeds
$100,000 for fiscal 2000:
3
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Long Term
Compensation Compensation
----------------- -------------------
Name and Principal Position Fiscal Option All Other
(at August 31, 2000) Year Salary Bonus Grants Compensation
--------------------------- ------ -------- -------- ------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alexander R. Lupinetti........... 2000 $267,968 $102,695 75,000 $63,127(1)
Chairman, President and 1999 $251,125 $ 63,393 60,500 $60,861(2)
Chief Executive Officer 1998 $240,960 $200,000 53,240 $ 7,535(3)
Gary W. Levine................... 2000 $133,135 $ 30,520 10,000 $35,564(4)
Vice President of Finance 1999 $125,271 $ 18,253 6,050 $34,809(5)
and Chief Financial Officer 1998 $118,486 $ 60,000 -- $ 4,659(6)
William Bent..................... 2000 $114,782 $ 2,842 4,000 $ 4,329(7)
Vice President and General
Manager 1999 $106,392 $ 8,110 2,420 $ 4,286(7)
of CSP Multicomputer Division 1998 $103,537 $ 42,484 2,662 $ 3,669(7)
</TABLE>
--------
(1) This amount is comprised of a $7,422 contribution by the Company to Mr.
Lupinetti's 401(k) plan and $55,705 for a split dollar life insurance
policy for the benefit of Mr. Lupinetti.
(2) This amount is comprised of a $5,000 contribution by the Company to Mr.
Lupinetti's 401(k) plan and $55,861 for a split dollar life insurance
policy for the benefit of Mr. Lupinetti.
(3) This amount represents contributions by the Company to Mr. Lupinetti's
401(k) plan.
(4) This amount is comprised of a $4,744 contribution by the Company to Mr.
Levine's 401(k) plan and $30,820 for a split dollar life insurance policy
for the benefit of Mr. Levine.
(5) This amount is comprised of a $3,763 contribution by the Company to Mr.
Levine's 401(k) plan and $31,046 for a split dollar life insurance policy
for the benefit of Mr. Levine.
(6) This amount represents contributions by the Company to Mr. Levine's 401(k)
plan.
(7) These amounts represent contributions by the Company to Mr. Bent's 401(k)
plan.
Option Grants Table. The following table sets forth certain information
regarding stock options granted during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000 by
the Company to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table:
OPTIONS GRANTED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Individual Grants
------------------------------
Potential
Realized
Value at Assumed
Annual Rates of
Stock
Price
% of total Appreciation for
options granted Exercise price Option Terms(2)
Option employees in Per share Expiration -----------------
Grants fiscal year ($/SH)(1) Date 5% 10%
------ --------------- -------------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alexander Lupinetti..... 75,000 63.9% $5.00 10/19/09 $235,835 $597,653
Gary W. Levine.......... 10,000 9.1% $5.00 10/19/09 $ 31,445 $ 79,687
William Bent............ 4,000 3.6% $5.00 10/19/09 $ 12,578 $ 31,875
</TABLE>
--------
(1) Stock options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of the grant. The stock
options expire ten years from the date of grant.
(2) Amounts reported in these columns represent amounts that may be realized
upon exercise of the options immediately prior to the expiration of their
term assuming the specified compounded rates of appreciation of the
Company's Common Stock over the term of the options. These numbers are
calculated based on rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and do not reflect the Company's estimates of future stock
price growth. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises and Common
Stock holdings are dependent on the timing of such exercise and sale of
the shares and the future performance of the Company's Common Stock. There
can be no assurances that the rates of appreciation assumed in this table
can be achieved or that the amount shown will be received by the
individual.
4
<PAGE>
Messrs. Lupinetti, Levine and Bent were also granted options to acquire
25,000, 4000 and 4,000 shares, respectively, at a per share exercise price of
$4.25, being the fair market value of a share of the Common Stock on October
18, 2000, the date of the grant.
Fiscal Year-End Option Table. The following Fiscal Year-End Option Table
sets forth certain information regarding stock options held as of August 31,
2000 by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value of Unexercised
Number of Unexercised In-the-Money Options
Shares Options at Fiscal Year-End at Fiscal Year-End(1)
Acquired Value ------------------------------ -------------------------
Name on Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- -------- ------------- -------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alexander R. Lupinetti.. -- -- 137,940 148,660 $3,516 $15,234
Gary W. Levine.......... -- -- 17,441 14,537 $9,621 $ 2,500
William Bent............ -- -- 5,763 6,647 $1,727 $ 1,000
</TABLE>
--------
(1) Value is based on the last sales price of Common Stock $5.25 on August 31,
2000, the last day prior to the end of fiscal 2000 for which a trade in
the Common Stock was reported by the NASDAQ National Market, less the
applicable option exercise price. These values have not been and may never
be realized. Actual gains, if any, will depend on the value of the Common
Stock on the date of the sale of the shares.
401(k) Plan
The Company has a defined contribution profit-sharing plan pursuant to
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for the benefit of its employees,
including officers. The Board of Directors of the Company determines from year
to year whether and to what extent the Company will contribute to the 401(k)
plan by making matching contributions to the plan or by making profit-sharing
contributions to the plan, allocated in proportion to each eligible employee's
compensation, as a percentage of the compensation of all eligible employees.
During fiscal year 2000, the matching contribution by the Company was set at
50% of contributions by eligible employees up to a maximum of 6% of salary.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company has an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the
Internal Revenue Code pursuant to which participating employees may utilize
payroll deductions to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock at a
discount from fair market value
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee of the Board is composed of three Directors,
Messrs. Lyons, James and Smith. The Compensation Committee also administers the
Company's stock option plans. This Committee is charged with the responsibility
of reviewing and approving executive officers' compensation and approving all
discretionary grants of stock options under the Company's stock option plan.
The following describes the compensation programs in effect during fiscal 2000.
Compensation Policy
The Company's compensation policies are designed to pay executives an annual
salary that is industry competitive and an annual bonus that is based both on
the performance of the Company and on individual goals established for each of
the executives for the fiscal year. The Company also has longer term incentives
based on stock options. All three components of compensation are reviewed
annually by the committee to
5
<PAGE>
ensure salaries remain competitive, bonuses reward performance and stock
options provide continued incentives.
Salaries for executive officers are based on the duties and responsibilities
of the position held by the executive compared with executive officers of other
companies in the industry. Salaries are reviewed and established annually.
Various industry salary surveys are reviewed and provided to the Committee to
review in establishing the new compensation. Each executive has a performance
review prepared by the Chief Executive Officer. During this review the
officer's performance over the prior year is assessed and goals are established
for the next year. This information is communicated to the Compensation
Committee and, based on this review and salary surveys, the annual salary for
the executive is established for next year.
Executive officers and key management employees participate in the bonus
plan. Payments under the plan are contingent on the Company meeting its sales
and net earnings objectives for the fiscal year. Based on the extent to which
the Company achieves those objectives, each participant other than the Chief
Executive Officer receives an executive bonus of up to 30%, and the Chief
Executive Officer receives up to 50%, of his regular annual salary if the
Company meets the revenue and profit goals and he has met his individual
objectives. If Company exceeds the sales and profit goals, the bonus percentage
increases. If, in addition, the officer or employee achieves his individual
goals established by the Company, the balance of the bonus will be paid. The
Committee reviews both the individual and Company goals annually. In fiscal
2000, Messrs. Lupinetti, Levine and Bent received bonuses of $102,695, $30,520,
and $2,842 respectively, based on the sales and profits of Company and the
attainment of individual objectives. Approximately 19.3% of the Company's
compensation to executives in fiscal 2000 was in the form of bonuses.
The Company from time to time grants stock options to some or all of its
executives and key employees as a means of creating a long-term incentive and
benefit. Such stock options are generally granted at the fair market value of
shares of Common Stock on the date of grant. Thus, no benefit will accrue to
the executive or key employee from the stock option grant until the Common
Stock appreciates. This creates a long-term goal for appreciation of the Common
Stock which coincides with the interests of the stockholders.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Lupinetti dated September
12, 1996 (the "Employment Agreement"), pursuant to which Mr. Lupinetti became
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company effective
October 1, 1996. Under the terms of Mr. Lupinetti's contract, if the Company is
acquired by a way of sale of substantially all of its assets or by merger, all
Mr. Lupinetti's stock options will fully vest at the time of such acquisition.
The Company also has provided Mr. Lupinetti with an automobile. In the event
Mr. Lupinetti's employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause
(as defined), Mr. Lupinetti is entitled to 12 months of severance pay at his
then effective annual salary per month. Mr. Lupinetti participated in the
Executive and Key Management Bonus Plan. Payments under the plan are contingent
on the Company meeting its sales and net earnings objective for the year. Based
on the Company meeting objectives in fiscal 2000, Mr. Lupinetti received 38% of
his annual compensation as a bonus. Mr. Lupinetti's base compensation was
increased from $267,500 to $284,500, effective October 18, 2000 and his base
salary was last increased in October, 1999. Mr. Lupinetti was also granted
25,000 options to acquire Common Stock under the Company's 1997 Stock Option
Plan at an exercise price per share of $4.25, the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of the grant. Mr. Lupinetti had stock options of
268,600 as of August 31, 2000, all granted at the fair market value of stock on
the date of the grant. Subsequently, he will again be eligible for the bonus
plan which is based on achieving revenue and earning objectives.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
J. David Lyons
C. Shelton James
Sandford D. Smith
6
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
J. David Lyons, C. Shelton James, and Sandford D. Smith served on the
Compensation Committee during fiscal 2000. Persons serving on the Compensation
Committee had no relationships with the Company other than their relationship
to the Company as Directors entitled to the receipt of standard compensation as
Directors and members of certain committees of the Board and their relationship
to the Company as stockholders. No person serving on the Compensation Committee
or on the Board of Directors is an executive officer of another entity for
which an executive officer of the Company serves on the board of directors or
on that entity's compensation committee.
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's
previous or future filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act that
might incorporate this Proxy Statement or future filings with the SEC, in whole
or in part, the following report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into any such filing.
Membership and Role of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of the following members of the Company's Board
of Directors: C. Shelton James, Sandford Smith and Robert Williams. Each of the
members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined under the National
Association of Securities Dealers' listing standards. The Audit Committee
operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors which is
included in this proxy statement as Appendix A.
The primary function of the Audit Committee is to provide advice with
respect to the Corporation's financial matters and to assist the Board of
Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding finance,
accounting, tax and legal compliance. The Audit Committee's primary duties and
responsibilities are to: (1) serve as an independent and objective party to
monitor the Corporation's financial reporting process and internal control
system; (2) review and appraise the audit efforts of the Corporation's
independent accountants; (3) evaluate the corporations quarterly financial
performance as well as its compliance with laws and regulations; (4) oversee
management establishment and enforcement of financial policies and business
practices; and (5) provide an open avenue of communication among the
independent accountants, financial and senior management, counsel and the Board
of Directors.
Review of the Company's Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year ended
August 31, 2000.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000 with the
Company's management. The Audit Committee has discussed with KPMG LLP, the
Company's independent public accountants, the matters required to be discussed
by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit
Committees).
The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter
from KPMG required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence
Discussion with Audit Committees) and the Audit Committee has discussed the
independence of KPMG LLP with that firm.
Based on the Audit Committee's review and discussions noted above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited
financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000 for filing with the SEC.
Submitted by: C. Shelton James
Sandford Smith
Robert Williams
7
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONCERNING AUDITORS
The Board of Directors selected the firm KPMG LLP to audit the Company's
financial statements for the past fiscal year. The Company's Board of Directors
has not yet selected the Company's independent public accountant for the
current fiscal year. A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be present at
the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if such
representative desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Performance Graph
The following Performance Graph compares the performance of the Company's
cumulative stockholder return with that of a broad market index (the NASDAQ
Stock Market Index) and a published industry index (the NASDAQ Computer
Manufacturers' Index) for each of the most recent five fiscal years. The
cumulative stockholder return for shares of Common Stock and each of the
indices is calculated assuming that $100 was invested on August 31, 1995. The
Company paid no cash dividends during the periods shown. The performance of the
indices is shown on a total return (dividends reinvested) basis. The graph
lines merely connect year-end dates and do not reflect fluctuations between
those dates.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
-------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/95 11/30/95 2/29/96 5/31/96 8/30/96 11/30/96
------- -------- ------- ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CSP INC. 100.00 102.13 112.06 109.22 88.65 97.87
RUSSELL 2000 100.00 101.32 107.12 119.68 110.82 118.05
NASDAQ
COMPUTER &
DATA PROCESSING 100.00 109.27 113.40 130.29 115.43 134.80
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
-------------------------------------------------------------
2/28/97 3/31/97 8/29/97 11/30/97 2/28/98 5/31/98
------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CSP INC. 85.11 83.69 90.78 89.36 104.96 126.77
RUSSELL 2000 120.57 128.02 142.91 145.69 156.69 155.21
NASDAQ
COMPUTER &
DATA PROCESSING 133.43 155.05 170.24 173.97 199.62 202.57
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
-------------------------------------------------------------
8/28/98 11/30/98 2/28/99 5/31/99 8/29/99 11/30/99
------- -------- ------- ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CSP INC. 106.10 106.41 109.84 105.72 94.40 71.74
RUSSELL 2000 115.19 136.04 134.53 151.04 147.86 157.36
NASDAQ
COMPUTER &
DATA PROCESSING 187.97 252.57 312.99 325.98 362.82 475.86
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
-----------------------------
2/29/00 5/31/00 8/30/00
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CSP INC. 215.23 92.51 83.07
RUSSELL 2000 181.02 149.65 169.47
NASDAQ
COMPUTER &
DATA PROCESSING 671.00 426.93 524.32
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE>
Item 2. APPROVAL OF THE 2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Reasons for the 2000 Plan
The Company's 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "2000 Plan"), which authorizes the
grant of options to acquire up to 250,000 shares of Common Stock, was adopted
by the Board of Directors on October 10, 2000. The Company is proposing that
stockholders approve the 2000 Plan, so that the Company will be able to
continue to grant incentive stock options to its employees after no options are
available for grant under the existing Stock Option Plan. As of November 3,
2000, only 51,291 options remained available for grant under the 1997 Stock
Option Plan. Approval of the 2000 Plan is being submitted to a vote of the
stockholders for two reasons. First, stockholder approval is required by the
incentive stock option provisions of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). Second, the Company believes that stockholder approval
may be required by regulations of the National Association of Securities
Dealers applicable to issuers of securities in connection with option plans.
If a quorum is present at the Meeting, the vote of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock present or represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote is
necessary to approve the 2000 Plan.
A copy of the 2000 Plan is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit B.
Description of the 2000 Plan
The purpose of the 2000 Plan is to provide additional incentive to present
and future executives and key employees of the Company and of its subsidiaries
by affording them an opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary
interest in the Company through the acquisition of shares of its Common Stock.
By encouraging stock ownership by such executives and key employees, the
Company seeks to attract and retain in its employ persons of exceptional
competence and seeks to furnish an added incentive for them to increase their
efforts on behalf of the Company. Options granted under the 2000 Plan may be
either "incentive stock options" as defined in Section 422 of the Code or non-
statutory stock options.
The 2000 Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or by the
Compensation Committee (the "Committee"), the members of which are appointed
from time to time by the Board of Directors. All questions of interpretation
and application of the Plan, of options granted thereunder and of the value of
shares of Common Stock subject to an option, are subject to the determination,
which is final and binding, of a majority of the Board or the Committee, as the
case may be. The Board of Directors (but not the Committee) may, in its
discretion, modify, revise or terminate the 2000 Plan at any time, but the
aggregate number of shares issuable under the 2000 Plan may not be increased
(except in the event of certain changes in the Company's capital structure)
without the consent of the stockholders. Unless sooner terminated by the Board,
the 2000 Plan will terminate when all of the Common Stock with respect to which
options may be granted under the Plan has been issued upon the exercise of such
options. No options may be granted under the 2000 Plan after October 9, 2010.
The 2000 Plan authorizes the grant of options for the purchase of up to
250,000 authorized and unissued or treasury shares of Common Stock to employees
(including officers, whether or not they are Directors, and Directors who are
also employees) of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company.
Incentive stock options may be granted only to officers and other employees.
Non-statutory options may be granted to officers and other employees, to
members of the Board or the board of any subsidiary, and to other persons
providing services to the Company or any subsidiary. No incentive stock option
may be granted under the 2000 Plan to a greater than ten percent stockholder,
unless the purchase price per share is not less than 110% of the fair market
value of the stock at the time such option is granted, and unless the option is
not exercisable more than five years after the date it is granted.
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<PAGE>
The exercise price for each stock option is determined by the Board or the
Committee. However, the exercise price of an incentive stock option may not be
less than 100% (110% in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a
greater than ten percent stockholder) of the fair market value of the Common
Stock at the time the option is granted. Payment of the exercise price may be
made in cash or, with the consent of the Board or the Committee, by delivery of
issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company having a fair
market value equal to or less than the option price of the shares being
acquired, with the balance, if any, to be paid in cash. Common Stock must have
been owned by the optionee for a period of six months.
Under the 2000 Plan, the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time
the option is granted) of stock for which incentive stock options are
exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any parent or subsidiary corporations of the
Company) is limited to $100,000, but the value of stock for which incentive
stock options may be granted to an employee in a given year may exceed
$100,000.
No option granted under the 2000 Plan may extend for a period exceeding ten
years from the date of grant, and the Board of the Committee determines the
rate at which an option may be exercised. No incentive stock option issued
under the Plan may be transferred other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and each option is exercisable, during the lifetime of the
optionee, by him/her only.
Except in the case of death or retirement for reasons of age or disability,
options granted under the 2000 Plan will terminate prior to their expiration
dates 60 days after termination of the optionee's employment without cause and
immediately upon termination of employment for cause, as defined in the Plan.
Under the 2000 Plan, options terminate before their expiration dates 180 days
after the optionee's death while in the employ of the Company or 90 days after
the optionee's retirement for reasons of age or disability. Shares of Common
Stock subject to an option (or the unexercised portion thereof) that expires or
terminates under the Plan without being exercised may again be subject to an
option under the Plan.
Each non-employee Director will receive an annual non-discretionary grant of
a non-statutory option to purchase 1,000 shares of Common Stock on the last
business day of January in each year commencing in 2001. No options will be
granted under this plan until all options have been granted under the
corresponding provisions of the 1997 Plan. The aggregate number of shares that
may be issued is 20,000, however, Directors may also be granted options other
wise pursuant to the Plan. These non-discretionary options will have an
exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date of grant, will not be exercisable until after six months following
such date, will have a term of three years and will be fully vested after six
months.
Options granted under the 2000 Plan may, in the discretion of the Board or
the Committee, provide that shares purchased upon the exercise of such options
will be subject to a right of repurchase in favor of the Company, upon such
terms and conditions as determined by the Board or the Committee. The
repurchase price per share, or a formula for the determining the repurchase
price per share, is fixed by the Board or the Committee at the time the option
is granted.
Under the 2000 Plan, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, specify
upon the granting of an option that as a condition of exercise the optionee
agrees that upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing any
underwritten offering of the Company's securities the optionee will not, for up
to 180 days from the effective date of any registration of securities of the
Company, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares issued pursuant to the
exercise of such options without the prior written consent of the Company or
such underwriters.
The grantee of a non-statutory option recognizes no income for federal
income tax purposes on the grant thereof. On the exercise of such an option,
the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the
shares purchased under the option at the time of such purchase will be
recognized by the option holder in the year of exercise as ordinary income, and
the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise will
10
<PAGE>
be the tax basis thereof for coputing gain or loss on any subsequent sale. The
Company may reduce its taxable income by an amount equal to the amount
recognized by the option holder as ordinary income upon exercise of a non-
statutory option.
Generally, the grantee of the incentive stock option recognizes no income
for federal income tax purposes at the time of grant or exercise of the option.
Rather, the holder ordinarily will recognize taxable income upon subsequent
disposition of the shares purchased under the option. If no disposition of
shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option is made by the
optionee within two years of the date of grant or within one year after
exercise of the option, any gain realized by the optionee on the subsequent
sale of such shares is treated, for federal income tax purposes as a capital
gain. The price paid for the shares purchased upon the exercise of the option
will be the tax basis for computing any gain. If the shares are sold prior to
the expiration of such periods (a "disqualifying disposition"), the difference
between the lesser of the value of the stock at the date of exercise or the
date of sale and the exercise price of the stock is treated as compensation
taxable to the grantee as ordinary income and the excess gain, if any, is
treated as capital gain (which will be mid-term capital gain if the shares were
held for more than twelve months but not more than eighteen months and long-
term capital gain if the shares were held for more than eighteen months). The
amount by which the fair market value of shares at the time of preference item
and is included in "alternative minimum taxable income" for the purpose of
computing the "alternative minimum tax." The Company does not withhold any tax
in connection with the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option and, in
the usual circumstances, the Company is not entitled to any tax deduction in
connection with the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option.
The Company believes that, under current federal tax law, options granted
under the 2000 Plan will not, at the time of grant, have a readily
ascertainable fair market value. Accordingly, under the applicable provisions
of the Code, even if options do not qualify as incentive stock options, the
grantee of such a non-statutory option would recognize no income for federal
income tax purposes on the grant thereof. The 2000 Plan is not subject to the
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
As of October 31, 2000, no options had been granted under the 2000 Plan.
Based on the closing price per share of the Company's Common Stock as reported
on NASDAQ at that date, the total market value of the 250,000 shares issuable
under the 2000 Plan was $1,200,000;.
If the 2000 Plan is approved by the stockholders, the Company intends to
file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering the
250,000 shares thus authorized. The Board of Directors has not determined what
action it will take in the event that the stockholders do not approve the
proposal.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to approve
and adopt the 2000 Stock Option Plan described in this Proxy Statement.
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control
Arrangements
The Company has an employment agreement with Alexander Lupinetti dated
September 12, 1996 (the "Employment Agreement"), pursuant to which Mr.
Lupinetti became Director, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company
effective October 1, 1996. Under the terms of the agreement Mr. Lupinetti's
initial base salary was $200,000 and has been increased to $275,0000 and an
executive bonus based on the attainment of certain financial objectives. The
Company granted Mr. Lupinetti options to acquire up to 79,860 shares of Common
Stock under the Company's 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan at an exercise price
of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Mr.
Lupinetti has received stock options annually since his initial employment. He
currently holds 293,600 stock options. Such options vest quarterly over a
period of four years from date of grant. However, if the Company is acquired by
a way of sale of substantially all of its assets or by merger, such options
will fully vest at the time of such acquisition. The Company also has provided
Mr. Lupinetti with an automobile. Finally, in the event Mr. Lupinetti's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause (as defined) Mr.
Lupinetti is entitled to 12 months of severance pay at his then effective per
month salary.
11
<PAGE>
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The Company's only issued and outstanding class of voting securities is its
Common Stock. Holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share of
such stock held by them of record at the close of business on November 27, 2000
upon each matter which may come before the Meeting. At the close of business on
November 27, 2000, there were 3,569,659 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding.
Principal Stockholders
The following table sets forth certain information as of November 27, 1999
regarding each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of
the Company's Common Stock, each Director and nominee for Director of the
Company, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and all
Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares
Beneficially Percent
Name Owned(1) of Class(2)
---- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc...................... 308,313(3) 8.2%
1299 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Royce Advisory Corp................................ 202,104(4) 5.4%
1414 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
Alexander R. Lupinetti............................. 152,003(5) 4.0%
C. Shelton James................................... 6,873(6) **
J. David Lyons*.................................... 3,973(7) **
Sandford D. Smith.................................. 6,532(8) **
Robert M. Williams................................. 3,974(9) **
Gary W. Levine..................................... 23,035(10) **
William Bent....................................... 5,763(11) **
All Directors and executive officers as a group (9
persons).......................................... 201,349(12) 5.4%
</TABLE>
--------
* Nominee for Director
** Owns less than one percent.
(1) Except as otherwise noted, all person and entities have sole voting and
investment power over their shares. All amounts shown in this column
include shares obtainable upon exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days of the date of this Proxy Statement.
(2) Computed pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(3) Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), DFA Investment Dimensions
Group Inc. (the "Fund") and The DFA Investment Trust Company (the "Trust")
have furnished the Company with a joint report on Schedule 13G dated
February 11, 2000, in which Dimensional has advised the Company that it is
a registered investment advisor and that Dimensional has sole dispositive
power with respect to 308,313 shares of the Company's Common Stock and
sole voting power with respect to 308,313 of those shares, and that
persons who are officers of Dimensional are also officers of the Fund and
the Trust (each an open-end investment company registered under The
Investment Company Act of 1940).
(4) Royce and Associates Inc. ("Royce") and Charles M. Royce have furnished
the Company with a joint report on Schedule 13G dated February 11, 2000,
in which it is stated that Royce is a registered
12
<PAGE>
investment advisor and that Royce has sole voting and investment power with
respect to 202,104 of these shares. The report also states that Mr. Charles
M. Royce may be deemed to be a controlling person and as such may be deemed
to own beneficially all of the shares covered by the report. Mr. Royce
disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.
(5) Includes shares obtainable upon exercise of stock options.
(6) Includes 3,342 shares owned by Mr. James and 3,531 shares obtained upon
exercise of stock options.
(7) Includes 443 shares owned by Mr. Lyons and 3,531 shares obtainable upon
exercise of stock options.
(8) Includes 3,001 shares owned by Mr. Smith and 3,531 shares obtainable upon
exercise of stock options.
(9) Includes 420 shares owned by Mr. Williams and 2,200 shares obtainable upon
exercise of stock options.
(10) Includes 17,441 shares obtainable upon exercise of stock options.
(11) These shares are obtainable upon exercise of stock options.
(12) Includes 188,549 shares obtainable upon exercise of stock options.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class
of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the Securities Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and
greater-than-10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4, 5 and amendments thereto furnished
to the Company during fiscal 2000, and written representations that Form 5 was
required and duly filed with the commission, the Company believes that all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater-than-10% shareholders were fulfilled in a timely manner.
SOLICITATION
No compensation will be paid by any person in connection with the
solicitation of proxies. Brokers, banks and other nominees will be reimbursed
for their out-of-pocket expenses and other reasonable clerical expenses
incurred in obtaining instructions from beneficial owners of the Common Stock.
In addition to the solicitation by mail, special solicitation of proxies may,
in certain circumstances, be made personally or by telephone by Directors,
officers and certain employees of the Company, or by American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, the Company's transfer agent. It is expected that the expense of
such special solicitation will be nominal. All expenses incurred in connection
with this solicitation will be borne by the Company.
DATE WHEN STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS ARE REQUIRED TO BE FURNISHED
TO THE COMPANY FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and
form of proxy for the annual meeting scheduled to be held in January 2001,
stockholder proposals must comply with SEC Rule 14a-8 and any other applicable
rules and must be delivered to the Company's principal executive offices at
least 120 days prior to the anniversary date of mailing of this Proxy
Statement. This Proxy Statement was sent on or about November 30, 2000, so the
date by which proposals were required to be received under Rule 14a-8 will be
August 2, 2001.
In addition, Section 5 of Article II of the Company's by-laws requires that
a stockholder who wishes to bring an item of business before the annual meeting
must provide notice of such item of business to the Company at its principal
executive offices not less than 90 days before the date for such meeting. For
next
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<PAGE>
year's scheduled annual meeting, the deadline for submission of notice is
October 10, 2001. Section 4 of Article III of the by-laws imposes the same
deadline on the nomination by a stockholder of a candidate for election to the
Board of Directors. Any proposal or nomination submitted after October 10, 2001
will be untimely. The by-laws contain a number of other substantive and
procedural requirements which should be reviewed by any interested stockholder.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Board does not intend to present at the Meeting any business other than
the proposals listed herein, and the Board was not aware, a reasonable time
before mailing this Proxy Statement to stockholders, of any other business
which may be properly presented for action at the Meeting. No stockholder
proposals or stockholder nominees were submitted timely to the Company. If any
other business should come before the Meeting, the persons present will have
discretionary authority to vote the shares they own or represent by proxy in
accordance with their judgment.
14
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
CSPI AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
There shall be a committee of the board of directors to be known as the
audit committee. The audit committee shall be composed of directors who are
independent of the management of the corporation and are free of any
relationship that, in the opinion of the board of directors, would interfere
with their exercise of independent judgment as a committee member.
Statement of Policy
The audit committee shall provide assistance to the corporate directors in
fulfilling their responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders,
and investment community relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices
of the corporation, and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of
the corporation. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the audit committee
to maintain free and open means of communication between the directors, the
independent auditors and the financial management of the corporation.
Responsibilities
In carrying out its responsibilities, the audit committee believes its
policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to
changing conditions and to ensure to the directors and shareholders that the
corporate accounting and reporting practices of the corporation are in
accordance with all requirements and are of the highest quality.
In carrying out these responsibilities, the audit committee will:
. Review and recommend to the directors the independent auditors to be
selected to audit the financial statements of the corporation and its
divisions and subsidiaries.
. Meet with the independent auditors and financial management of the
corporation to review the scope of the proposed audit for the current
year and the audit procedures to be utilized, and at the conclusion
thereof review such audit, including any comments or recommendations of
the independent auditors.
. Review with the independent auditor and financial controls of the
corporation, and elicit any recommendations for the improvement of such
internal control procedures or particular areas where new or more
detailed controls or procedures are desirable. Particular emphasis
should be given to the adequacy of such controls to expose any payments,
transactions, or procedures that might be deemed illegal or otherwise
improper. Further, the committee periodically should review company
policy statements to determine their adherence to the code of conduct.
. Review the financial statements contained in the annual report to
shareholders with management and the independent auditors to determine
that the independent auditors are satisfied with the disclosure and
content of the financial statements to be presented to the shareholders.
Any changes in accounting principles should be reviewed.
. Provide sufficient opportunity for the independent auditors to meet with
the members of the audit committee without members of management
present. Among the items to be discussed in these meetings are the
independent auditors' evaluation of the corporation's financial,
accounting, and auditing personnel, and the cooperation that the
independent auditors received during the course of the audit.
. Review accounting and financial human resources and succession planning
within the company.
. Submit the minutes of all meetings of the audit committee to, or discuss
the matters discussed at each committee meeting with, the board of
directors.
. Investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its
duties, with the power to retain outside counsel for this purpose if, in
its judgment, that is appropriate.
A-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
CSP INC.
2000 Stock Option Plan
SECTION 1. Purpose
This 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is intended to attract and retain
highly qualified and competent employees and directors, to serve as a
performance incentive for officers and employees of CSP Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation (the "Company"), or its Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined), and
for certain other individuals providing services to or acting as directors of
the Company or its Subsidiaries, to encourage persons to whom options are
granted (a "Grantee" or "Grantees") to acquire or increase a proprietary
interest in the success of the Company and to maintain and enhance the
Company's long-term performance and profitability. The Company intends that
this purpose will be effected by the granting of incentive stock options
("Incentive Options") as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code") and other stock options ("Non-Statutory Options")
under the Plan. The term "Subsidiaries" means any corporations in which stock
possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of any such corporation or corporations is owned directly or indirectly
by the Company.
SECTION 2. Options to be Granted and Administration
2.1 Options to be Granted. Options granted under the Plan may be either
Incentive Options or Non-Statutory Options.
2.2 Administration by and Power of the Committee. This Plan shall be
administered by either the Board or a committee consisting of at least two
members of the Company's board of directors (the "Board") or by the
"Committee". It is the intention of the Company that the Plan generally shall
be administered by "Non-Employee Directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), but the
authority and validity of any act taken or not taken by the Committee shall not
be affected if any person administering the Plan is not a Non-Employee
Director. Except as specifically reserved to the Board under the terms of the
Plan, and subject to Section 4.2 hereof, the Committee shall have full and
final authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan on behalf of the
Company. This authority shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the power to
grant, modify and amend options conditionally or unconditionally; (ii) the
power to prescribe the form or forms of the instruments evidencing options
granted under the Plan; (iii) the power to interpret the Plan; (iv) the power
to provide regulations for the operation of the incentive features of the Plan,
and otherwise to prescribe regulations for interpretation, management and
administration of the Plan; (v) the power to delegate to other persons the
responsibility for performing ministerial acts in furtherance of the Plan's
purpose; and (vi) the power to engage the services of persons or organizations
in furtherance of the Plan's purpose, including but not limited to banks,
insurance companies, brokerage firms and consultants.
In addition, as to each option, except for options granted pursuant to
Section 4.2, the Committee shall have full and final authority in its
discretion: (i) to determine the number of shares subject to each option; (ii)
to determine the time or times at which options will be granted; (iii) to
determine the price for the shares subject to each option, which price shall be
subject to the applicable requirements, if any, of Section 5 (c) hereof;
(iv) to determine the duration of the exercise period of each option, which
shall not exceed the limitations specified in Section 5 (a) hereof; and (v) to
determine the time or times when each option shall become exercisable. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion and on a case by case basis, accelerate
the schedule of the time or times when options granted hereunder may be
exercised.
No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination
made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any option granted hereunder.
B-1
<PAGE>
2.3 Appointment and Proceedings of Committee. The Board may from time to
time appoint members of the committee in substitution for or in addition to
members previously appointed, and subject to Section 2.2 hereof may fill
vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall select one of
its members as its chairman and shall hold its meetings at such times and
places as it shall deem advisable. A majority of its members shall constitute a
quorum, and all actions of the Committee shall require the affirmative vote of
a majority of its members. Any action may be taken by a written instrument
signed by all of the members, and any action so taken shall be fully effective
as if it had been taken by a vote of majority of the members at a meeting duly
called and held.
SECTION 3. Stock
3.1 Shares Subject to Plan. The stock subject to options granted under the
Plan shall be shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value ("Common
Stock"), either authorized by unissued or held in treasury. The total number of
shares that may be issued pursuant to options granted under the Plan shall not
exceed an aggregate of 250,000 shares of Common Stock, of which not more than
20,000 shares may be issued pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof. Such numbers of
shares shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 7.
3.2 Lapsed or Unexercised Options. Whenever any outstanding option under the
Plan expires, is canceled or is otherwise terminated (other than by exercise),
the shares of Common Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of such option
shall be restored to the Plan and shall again become available for the grant of
other options under the Plan.
SECTION 4. Eligibility
4.1 Eligible Grantees. Incentive Options may be granted only to officers and
other employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including members of the
Board who are also employees of the Company or Subsidiary. Non-Statutory
Options may be granted to officers or other employees of the Company or its
Subsidiaries, including members of the Board, members of the board of directors
of any Subsidiary, and to certain other individuals providing services to the
Company or its Subsidiaries. Non-Statutory Options may be granted to members of
the Board who are not employees of the Company or any Subsidiary ("Outside
Directors") only as provided in Section 4.2 hereof.
4.2 Non-Discretionary Option Grants to Outside Directors. Any other
provision of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, Outside Directors shall
not be eligible to receive options under the Plan except pursuant to this
Section 4.2. On the last business day of January in each year ( the "Grant
Date"), each Outside Director shall without any action of the Committee be
granted a Non-Statutory Option to purchase 1,000 shares of the Common Stock of
the Company; provided, that no such options will be granted until no options
are available to be granted under Section 4.2 of the Company's 1997 Stock
Option Plan. Options shall be granted pursuant to this Section 4.2 only to
persons who are serving as Outside Directors on the Grant Date. The option
grant referred to in this Section shall be subject to adjustment in accordance
with Section 7 hereof. The purchase price per share of the Common Stock under
each option granted pursuant to this Section shall be equal to the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted. Each such option
shall expire on the third anniversary of the date of grant and shall not be
exercisable until after the expiration of six months following the date of
grant, becoming fully exercisable at that time.
4.3 Limitations of 10% Stockholders. No Incentive Option shall be granted to
an individual who, at the time the Incentive Option is granted, owns (including
ownership attributed pursuant to Section 424 of the Code) more than 10% of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
parent or Subsidiary of the Company (a "greater-than-10% stockholder"), unless
such Incentive Option provides that (i) the purchases price per share shall not
be less than 110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time such
Incentive Option is granted, and (ii) such Incentive Option shall not be
exercisable to any extent after the expiration of five years from the date it
is granted.
B-2
<PAGE>
4.4 Limitation on Exercisable Options. The aggregate fair market value
(determined at the time the Incentive Option is granted) of the Common Stock
with respect to which Incentive Options are exercisable for the first time by
any person during any calendar year under the Plan and under any other option
plan of the Company (or a parent or subsidiary as defined in Section 424 of the
Code) shall not exceed $100,000. Any option granted in excess of the foregoing
limitation shall be specifically designated as being a Non-Statutory Option.
SECTION 5. Agreements Evidencing Stock Options
Each option agreement (each, a "Plan agreement") shall contain such
provisions as the Committee shall from time to time deem appropriate. Plan
agreements need not be identical, but each such agreement by appropriate
language shall include the substance of all of the following provisions:
(a) Expiration. Subject to Section 4.2 hereof, notwithstanding any other
provision of the Plan or of any Plan agreement, each option shall expire on the
date specified in the Plan agreement, which date shall not be later than the
tenth anniversary of the date on which the option was granted (fifth
anniversary in the case of an Incentive Option granted to a greater-than-10%
stockholder).
(b) Exercise. Subject to Sections 4.2 and 6.3 hereof, each option shall be
exercisable in full or in installments (which need not be equal) and at such
times as designated by the Committee. To the extent not exercised, installments
shall accumulate and be exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time after
becoming exercisable, but not later than the date the option expires.
(c) Purchase Price. The purchase price per share of the Common Stock under
each Incentive Option shall be not less than the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date the option is granted. Except as provided in Section
4.2 hereof, the price at which shares may be purchased pursuant to Non-
Statutory Options shall be specified by the Committee at the time the option is
granted (110% of the fair market value in the case of the a greater-than-10%
stockholder) and will be the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on
the date such Non-Statutory Option is granted. For the purpose of the Plan, the
fair market value of the Common Stock shall be the closing price per share on
the date of grant of the option as reported by a nationally recognized stock
exchange, or, if the Common Stock is not listed on such an exchange, as
reported by the NASDAQ National Market System, or, if the Common Stock is not
quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System, the fair market value as
determined by the Committee.
(d) Transferability of Options. Options granted under the Plan and the
rights and privileges conferred thereby may not be transferred, assigned,
pledged or hypothecated in any manner (whether by operation of law or
otherwise) other than by will or by applicable laws of descent and
distribution, and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar
process. Upon any attempt so to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or
otherwise dispose of any option under the Plan or any right or privilege
conferred hereby, contrary to the provisions of the Plan, or (if the Committee
shall so determine) upon any levy or any attachment or similar process upon the
rights and privileges conferred hereby, such option shall thereupon terminate
and become null and void.
(e) Termination of Employment or Death of Grantee. Except as may be
otherwise expressly provided in the terms and conditions of the Plan
agreements, options granted hereunder shall terminate on the earlier to occur
of:
(i) the date of expiration thereof; or
(ii) other than in the case of death of the Grantee or retirement in good
standing of the Grantee from the employ of the Company for reasons of age
or disability under the then established rules of the Company, immediately
upon termination of the employment or other relationship between the
Company and the Grantee for cause as determined by the Committee, or 60
days after termination of the employment or other relationship between the
Company and the Grantee without cause.
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An employment relationship between the Company and the Grantee shall be
deemed to exist during any period during which the Grantee is employed by the
Company or by any Subsidiary. Whether an authorized leave of absence or absence
on military government service shall constitute termination of the employment
relationship between the Company and the Grantee shall be determined by the
Committee at the commencement thereof, and the Committee shall promptly notify
the Grantee of such determination.
As used herein, "cause" shall mean (x) any material breach by the Grantee of
any agreement to which the Grantee and the Company are both parties, (y) any
act or omission to act by the Grantee which may have a material and adverse
effect on the Company's business or on the Grantee's ability to perform
services for the Company, including, without limitation, the commission of any
crime (other than ordinary traffic violations), or (z) any material misconduct
or material neglect of duties by the Grantee in connection with the business or
affairs of the Company or any affiliate of the Company.
In the event of the death of a Grantee while in an employment or other
relationship with the Company and before the date of expiration of an option
held by such Grantee, such option shall terminate on the earlier of such date
of expiration or 180 days following the date of such death. After the death of
the Grantee, the Grantee's executors, administrators or any person or persons
to whom his option may be transferred by will or by laws of descent and
distribution shall have the right, at any time prior to such termination, to
exercise the option to the extent the Grantee was entitled to exercise such
option immediately prior to the Grantee's death.
If, before the date of expiration of the option, the Grantee shall be
retired in good standing from the employ of the Company for reasons of age or
disability under the then established rules of the Company, the option shall
terminate on the earlier of such date of expiration or 90 days after the date
of such retirement. In the event of such retirement, the Grantee shall have the
right prior to the termination of such option to exercise the option to the
extent to which the Grantee was entitled to exercise such option immediately
prior to such retirement.
(f) Rights of Grantees. No Grantee shall be deemed for any purpose to be the
owner of any shares of Common Stock subject to any option unless and until (i)
the option shall have been exercised pursuant to the terms thereof and (ii) the
Company shall have issued and delivered the shares to the Grantee.
(g) Repurchase Right. The Committee may in its discretion provide upon the
grant of any option hereunder that the Company shall have an option to
repurchase, upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee, all
or any number of shares purchased upon exercise of such option. The repurchase
price per share payable by the Company shall be such amount or be determined by
such formula as is fixed by the Committee at the time the option for the shares
subject to repurchase is granted. In the event the Committee shall grant
options subject to the Company's repurchase option, the certificates
representing the shares purchased pursuant to such option shall carry a legend
satisfactory to counsel for the Company referring to the Company's repurchase
option.
(h) "Lockup" Agreement. The Committee may in its discretion specify upon
granting an option that the Grantee shall agree for a period of time (not to
exceed 180 days) from the effective date of any registration of securities of
the Company (upon request of the Company or the underwriters managing any
underwritten offering of the Company's securities), not to sell, make any short
sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of
any shares issued pursuant to the exercise of such option, without the prior
written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be.
SECTION 6. Method of Exercise and Payment
6.1 Notice of Exercise. Any option granted under the Plan may be exercised
by the Grantee by delivering to the Company on any business day a written
notice (the "Notice") specifying the number of shares of Common Stock with
respect to which the Grantee then desires to exercise the option, specifying
the address to which the certificates for such shares are to be mailed and
accompanied by payment for such shares.
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6.2 Exercise of Options. Payment for the shares of Common Stock purchased
pursuant to the exercise of an option shall be made either (i) in cash equal to
the option price for the number of shares specified in the Notice (the "Total
Option Price"), or (ii) if authorized by the applicable Plan agreement, in
shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal to or less than the
Total Option Price, plus cash in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the
Total Option Price over the fair market value of such shares of Common Stock.
The Common Stock must have been owned by the optionee for at least six months.
For the purpose of the preceding sentence, the fair market value of the shares
of Common Stock so delivered to the Company shall be determined in the manner
specified in Section 5(c) hereof. As promptly as practicable after receipt of
such Notice and payment, the Company shall deliver to the Grantee certificates
for the number of shares with respect to which such option has been so
exercised, issued in the Grantee's name; provided, however, that such delivery
shall be deemed effected for all purposes when the Company or a stock transfer
agent of the Company shall have deposited such certificates in the United
States mail, addressed to the Grantee, at the address specified pursuant to
Section 6.1.
SECTION 7. Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization
7.1 No Effect of Options upon Certain Corporate Transactions. The existence
of outstanding options shall not affect in any way the right or power of the
Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments,
recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the Company's capital
structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or
any issue of Common Stock, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or
prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock or the rights
thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or
transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate
act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
7.2 Stock Dividends, Recapitalizations, Etc. If the Company shall effect a
subdivision or consolidation of shares or other capital readjustment, the
payment of a stock dividend, or other increase or reduction of the number of
shares of the Common Stock outstanding, without receiving compensation therefor
in money, services or property, then (i) the number, class and per share price
of shares of stock subject to outstanding options hereunder shall be
appropriately adjusted in such a manner as to entitle a Grantee to receive upon
exercise of an option, for the same aggregate cash consideration, the same
total number and class of shares that the owner of an equal number of
outstanding shares of Common Stock would own as a result of the event requiring
the adjustment; and (ii) the number and class of shares that may be issued
under, and with respect to which options may be granted pursuant to, the Plan
shall be adjusted by substituting for the total number of shares of Common
Stock then reserved for issuance under, and with respect to which options may
be granted pursuant to, the Plan that number and class of shares of stock that
the owner of an equal number of outstanding shares of Common Stock would own as
the result of the event requiring the adjustment.
7.3 Determination of Adjustments. Adjustments under this Section 7 shall be
determined by the Committee and such determinations shall be conclusive. The
Committee shall have the discretion and power in any such event to determine
and to make effective provision for acceleration of the time or times at which
any option or portion thereof shall become exercisable. No fractional shares of
Common Stock shall be issued under the Plan on account of any adjustment
specified above.
7.4 No Adjustment in Certain Cases. Except as herein before expressly
provided, the issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property
or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of
rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or
obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities,
shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to the number of price of shares of Common Stock then subject to
outstanding options.
SECTION 8. Effect of Certain Transactions
8.1 Merger without Change of Control. After a merger of one or more
corporations into the Company, or after a consolidation of the Company and one
or more corporations, in each case as a result of which (i) the
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<PAGE>
Company shall be the surviving corporation, and (ii) the stockholders of the
Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation own after such merger
or consolidation shares representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting
power of the Company, each holder of an outstanding option shall, at no
additional cost, be entitled upon exercise of such option to receive (subject
to any required action by stockholders), instead of the number of shares as to
which such option shall then be so exercisable, the number and class of shares
of stock or other securities to which such holder would have been entitled
pursuant to the terms of the agreement of merger or consolidation if,
immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, such holder had been the
record holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of
shares as to which such option was exercisable.
8.2 Sale or Merger with Change of Control. If the Company is merged into or
consolidated with another corporation under circumstances in which the Company
is not the surviving corporation, or if there is a merger or consolidation
where the Company is the surviving corporation but the stockholders of the
Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not own after such
merger or consolidation shares representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the
voting power of the Company, or if unexercised options remain outstanding under
the Plan: (i) subject to the provisions of clause (iii) below, after the
effective date of such merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or disposition,
as the case may be, each holder of an outstanding option shall be entitled,
upon exercise of such option, to receive, in lieu of shares of Common Stock,
shares of such stock or other securities, cash or property as the holders of
shares of Common Stock received pursuant to the terms of the merger,
consolidation, liquidation, sale or disposition; (ii) the Committee may
accelerate the time for exercise of all unexercised and unexpired options to a
date prior to the effective date of such merger, consolidation, liquidation,
sale or disposition, as the case may be, specified by the Committee; or (iii)
all outstanding options may be cancelled by the Committee as of the effective
date of such merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or disposition, provided
that (x) notice of such cancellation shall be given to each holder of an option
and (y) each holder of an option shall have the right to exercise such option
to the extent that the same is then exercisable or, if the Committee shall have
accelerated the time for exercise of all of the unexercised and unexpired
options, in full during the 30-day period preceding the effective date of such
merger, consolidation, liquidation, sale or disposition.
SECTION 9. Amendment of the Plan
The Board may terminate the Plan and may amend the Plan at any time, and
from time to time, subject to the limitation that, except as provided in
Sections 7 and 8 hereof, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the
stockholders of the Company in accordance with applicable law and regulations,
at an annual or special meeting held within 12 months before or after the date
of adoption of such amendment, in any instance in which such amendment would;
(i) increase the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under, or
as to which options may be granted pursuant to, the Plan; or (ii) change in
substance the provisions of Section 4 hereof relating to eligibility to
participate in the Plan; or (ii) change in substance the provisions of Section
4 hereof relating to eligibility to participate in the Plan. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Board is expressly authorized to amend the
Plan, at any time and from time to time, to conform it to the provisions of
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as that Rule may be amended from time to
time.
Except as provided in Section 7 and 8 hereof, rights and obligations under
any option granted before any amendment of the Plan shall not be altered or
impaired by such amendment, except with the consent of the Grantee.
SECTION 10. Non-Exclusivity of the Plan; Non-Uniform Determinations
Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the approval of the Plan
by the stockholders of the Company shall be construed as creating any
limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive
arrangements as it may deem desirable, including without limitation the
granting of options otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be
either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
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<PAGE>
The Committee's determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be
made by it selectively among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive,
awards under the Plan (whether or not such persons are similarly situated).
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be
entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations,
and to enter into non-uniform and selective Plan agreements, as to (i) the
persons to receive awards under the Plan, (ii) the terms and provisions of
awards under the Plan, (iii) the exercise by the Committee of its discretion in
respect of the exercise of options pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and (iv)
the treatment of leaves of absence pursuant to Section 5(e) hereof.
SECTION 11. Government and Other Regulations; Tax Withholding
The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares of Common Stock
with respect to options granted under the Plan shall be subject to all
applicable laws, rules and regulations, including all applicable federal and
state securities laws, and the obtaining of all such approvals by government
agencies as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. All shares
sold under the Plan shall bear appropriate legends. The Company may, but shall
in no event be obligated to, register or qualify any securities covered hereby
under applicable federal and state securities laws; and in the event any shares
are so registered or qualified the Company may remove any legend on
certificates representing such shares. The Company shall not be obligated to
take any other affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an option
or the issuance of shares pursuant thereto to comply with any law or regulation
of any governmental authority. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
Whenever under the Plan shares are to be delivered upon exercise of an
option, the Company shall be entitled to require as a condition of delivery
that the Grantee remit an amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and
other governmental tax requirements related thereto.
SECTION 12. Effective Date of Plan
The effective date of the Plan is October 18, 2000, the date on which it was
approved by the Board. No option may be granted under the Plan after October
18, 2010. Subject to the foregoing, options may be granted under the Plan at
any time subsequent to its effective date; provided, however, that (a) no such
option shall be exercised or exercisable unless the stockholders of the Company
shall have approved the Plan no later than on year from such effective date,
and (b) all options issued prior to the date of such stockholders' approval
shall contain a reference to such condition.
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<PAGE>
PROXY CSP INC. PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder of CSP Inc. hereby appoints Alexander Lupinetti
and Gary Levine, and each or either of them, proxies (with power of substitution
to each and to each substitute appointed pursuant to such power) of the
undersigned to vote all shares of stock of the Corporation held by the
undersigned or which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation to be held on Tuesday,
January 9, 2001, and at any and all adjournments thereof, with all powers the
undersigned would possess if personally present, as indicated below and on the
reverse side hereon upon the matters set forth herein and more fully described
in the Notice and Proxy Statement for said Meeting and in their discretion upon
all other matters which may properly come before said Meeting. The undersigned
herby revokes all proxies, if any, hitherto given by him to others for said
Meeting.
IF THIS PROXY IS PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED
HEREBY WILL BE VOTED. IF A CHOICE IS SPECIFIED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF BY THE
STOCKHOLDER WITH RESPECT TO A MATTER TO BE ACTED UPON, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED
UPON SUCH MATTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATION SO MADE. IN THE ABSENCE OF
ANY SPECIFICATION, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL
LISTED NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
(Continued and to be signed on the other side)
<PAGE>
Please date, sign and mail your
proxy card back as soon as possible!
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
CSP INC.
January 9, 2001
Please Detach and Mail in the Envelope Provided
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A [X] Please mark your
votes as in this
example.
FOR WITHHOLD
the nominee, AUTHORITY
except as marked for the
to the contrary below nominee.
Item 1. [_] [_] Nominee: J. David Lyons
Election of
Director:
CLASS II
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for
any individual nominee(s), print the name(s) of such
nominee(s) in the space provided below. To vote for
or to withhold authority for the nominee, see above.)
-------------------------------
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Item 2. To approve and adopt a 2000 [_] [_] [_]
Stock Option Plan.
Check here if you wish to receive information and press releases [_]
on the company via email.
Email address:
--------------------------------
Check here if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. [_]
SIGNATURE(S) DATE 2000 DATE 2000
------------------ -------- ----------------- ---------
IF HELD JOINTLY
NOTE: Please date, sign exactly as name appears hereon and return promptly. If
the shares are registered in the names of two or more persons, both should sign.
Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, attorneys and corporate officers
should add their titles.
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