<PAGE> 1
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 [ ]
<TABLE>
Check the appropriate box:
<S> <C> <C>
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential for use of the Commission
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or Sec. 240.14a-12
</TABLE>
FOSTER WHEELER CORPORATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
FOSTER WHEELER CORPORATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), or 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying valve of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] 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:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Filing Party:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Date Filed
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT
Foster Wheeler Corporation
PERRYVILLE CORPORATE PARK
CLINTON, NEW JERSEY 08809-4000
------------------------------
NOTICE OF 1995 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
April 25, 1995
------------------------------
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Foster Wheeler Corporation will be
held in the Grand Ballroom of The Governor Morris Hotel, Two Whippany Road,
Morristown, New Jersey, on Tuesday, April 25, 1995, at two oclock in the
afternoon for the following purposes:
1. To elect four Directors.
2. To act upon a proposal to approve the 1995 Stock Option Plan.
3. To ratify the selection of independent auditors.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 10,
1995, as the record date for determination of Stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting or adjournments thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
JACK E. DEONES
Vice President & Secretary
March 17, 1995
IT WILL GREATLY ASSIST MANAGEMENT IN REDUCING EXPENSES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE MEETING IF YOU PROMPTLY RETURN YOUR SIGNED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE WHETHER YOU OWN FEW OR MANY SHARES. STOCKHOLDERS WHO EXPECT TO ATTEND
THE MEETING IN PERSON SHOULD CHECK THE APPROPRIATE SPACE ON THE PROXY CARD. A
RESERVATION CARD WILL BE SENT TO YOU UPON RECEIPT OF THE PROXY CARD SO MARKED.
<PAGE> 3
Foster Wheeler Corporation
PERRYVILLE CORPORATE PARK
CLINTON, NEW JERSEY 08809-4000
-----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
-----------------
For the 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held April 25, 1995
-----------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
This statement is furnished in connection with solicitation by the
Board of Directors of Foster Wheeler Corporation (hereinafter the "Corporation"
or "Foster Wheeler") of proxies to be used at the 1995 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Corporation, to be held at the time, place and for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of 1995 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. This solicitation will begin on the date of mailing, March 17,
1995.
Shares represented by valid proxies will be voted in accordance with
instructions contained therein or, in the absence of such instructions, in
accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. A proxy may be
revoked by a Stockholder by written notice of such revocation, or by a
later-dated proxy, delivered to the Inspectors of Election at any time prior to
the shares represented by such earlier proxy being voted.
A copy of the 1994 Annual Report to Stockholders, including financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 1994, has been sent to each
Stockholder.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 10,
1995, as the record date for determination of Stockholders entitled to notice
of and to vote at the meeting or adjournments thereof. As of March 10, 1995,
the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation consist of 35,810,519
shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, holders of which are entitled to one
vote per share.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to an Amendment to the Corporations Certificate of
Incorporation adopted by Stockholders at the 1983 Annual Meeting which
provided, among other things, for the classification of Directors with respect
to the term for which they shall severally hold office, the number of Directors
to be elected at this meeting is four. With the exception of Mr. David J.
Roberts, each is to be elected for a three-year term. Mr. Roberts is to be
elected for a two-year term. The proxy agents of the Board of Directors intend
to vote for the election of the nominees below named, unless instructed
otherwise. With the exception of Mr. Eugene D. Atkinson, all nominees were
previously elected by the Stockholders and have served as Directors since the
years stated after their names. Mr. Atkinson was elected a Director by the
Board as of February 28, 1995, to fill a vacancy on the Board. All terms of
office of nominees, other than Mr. Roberts, if elected, will
<PAGE> 4
expire at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or when their successors are
duly elected and qualified. Mr. Roberts term will expire at the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. If any eligible nominee becomes unable to accept
nomination or election, proxies will be voted for those remaining, and the Board
of Directors will either reduce the size of the Board, or select substitute
nominees after identifying suitable candidates. A resolution adopted by the
Board of Directors on January 31, 1995, provides for a Board of 15 Directors,
which is the number currently serving on the Board.
The following table of Director nominees is based upon information
furnished by the nominees and speaks as of the date hereof:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of
First Principal Occupation Common Stock
Year During Past Five Years Owned
Name Age Elected and Other Directorships Beneficially(1)
---- --- ------- ----------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Eugene D. Atkinson....... 50 1995 Partner, Goldman, Sachs & Co. since 1984, 2,000
and Chairman of Goldman Sachs (International)
since 1990. Formerly held several executive
positions with Goldman, Sachs & Co.
(Investment Banking).
Joseph J. Melone......... 63 1988 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 9,500
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of (8,000)
the United States and President and Chief
Operating Officer, The Equitable
Companies Incorporated (Insurance and
Financial Services). Prior to November
1990, President of The Prudential
Insurance Company of America. Director--
The Equitable Companies Incorporated,
AT&T Capital.
David J. Roberts......... 51 1994 Vice Chairman, since April 1, 1994, and 27,837
Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, (25,816)
since April 1987. Formerly held several
financial positions with the Corporation
and its subsidiaries.
Richard J. Swift......... 50 1993 Chairman, President and Chief Executive 77,804
Officer of the Corporation since April (70,555)
1994. Formerly held several executive
positions with the Corporation and its
subsidiaries. Director--Public Service
Enterprises Group Incorporated.
</TABLE>
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the above-named
nominees.
- -------------------
(1) The tabulation of the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially
includes shares which the named individuals have options to acquire within 60
days pursuant to the Corporation's 1984 Stock Option Plan and/or The Directors'
Stock Option Plan. Of the total number of shares owned beneficially, the number
of such shares which are under options exercisable within 60 days is indicated
in parentheses. Virtually all shares are owned with sole voting and sole
investment power.
2
<PAGE> 5
Similar information on the remaining Directors is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of
First Principal Occupation Common Stock
Year During Past Five Years Owned
Name Age Elected and Other Directorships Beneficially(1)
---- --- ------- ----------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Louis E. Azzato.......... 64 1978 Retired, formerly Chairman and Chief 104,765
(Term ends 1996) Executive Officer of the Corporation; (55,416)
Director--First Fidelity Bancorporation,
First Fidelity Bank, Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of New Jersey.
Leland E. Boren(2)....... 71 1977 Chairman and President, Avis Industrial 70,000
(Term ends 1995) Corporation, also director, partner and (8,000)
principal owner of several industrial
companies (Industrialist); Chairman, State
of Indiana Pollution Prevention Board.
Kenneth A. DeGhetto...... 70 1972 Retired, formerly Chairman of the Board 18,547
(Term ends 1996) of the Corporation; Director--Brandon (2,000)
Systems Corp., Cali Realty Corp.
E. James Ferland......... 52 1993 Chairman of the Board, President and 8,000
(Term ends 1996) Chief Executive Officer of Public (4,000)
Service Enterprise Group Incorporated
and Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Public Service
Electric and Gas Company. Director--The
Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and
Insurance Company, First Fidelity
Bancorporation and First Fidelity Bank,
N.A., N.J.
Martha Clark Goss........ 45 1994 Senior Vice President, The Prudential 2,400
(Term ends 1997) Insurance Company of America. Since (2,000)
1981 an officer of various Prudential
companies (Financial Services); Director--
Dexter Corporation.
John A. Hinds............ 58 1990 Executive Vice President, VeriFone, Inc. 7,700
(Term ends 1997) (Transaction Automation). Prior to March (7,000)
1993, executive with AT&T International;
Director--Liberty Technologies, Inc.
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1) The tabulation of the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially
includes shares which the named individuals have options to acquire within 60
days pursuant to the Corporation's 1984 Stock Option Plan and/or The Directors'
Stock Option Plan. Of the total number of shares owned beneficially, the number
of such shares which are under options exercisable within 60 days is indicated
in parentheses. Virtually all shares are owned with sole voting and sole
investment power.
(2) Because of a Director age restriction in the By-Laws, Mr. Boren will retire
on April 2, 1995.
3
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of
First Principal Occupation Common Stock
Year During Five Years Owned
Name Age Elected and Other Directorships Beneficially(1)
---- --- ------- ----------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harold E. Kennedy........ 67 1987 Retired, formerly Vice Chairman and 12,506
(Term ends 1995) General Counsel of the Corporation; (10,000)
Trustee--Compass Capital Group (Mutual
Funds).
Frank E. Perkins......... 61 1981 Dean of the Graduate School, Professor of 8,200
(Term ends 1996) Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute (8,000)
of Technology (Educator).
John Timko, Jr........... 71 1967 Retired, formerly Chairman of the Board 4,175
(Term ends 1997) of Directors and Executive Vice President, (2,000)
Finance and Administration of the
Corporation; Director--J.F.K. Health
Systems, Inc.
Charles Y. C. Tse........ 68 1982 Retired, formerly Vice Chairman and 8,200
(Term ends 1997) President, International Operations, (8,000)
Warner-Lambert Company (Health Care);
Director--Brandon Systems Corp.,
Transcell Technologies, Inc.,
Robert Van Buren......... 70 1988 Chairman, Financial Facilities 12,863
(Term ends 1997) Management, Inc. (Property Management); (8,000)
1978-1991, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Midlantic Corporation (Banking);
Chairman, Smith Corona Corp.; former
Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey.
</TABLE>
Following is stock ownership information for Messrs. N. William Atwater,
Henry E. Bartoli and Robert A. Whittaker, Officers of the Corporation who are
listed in the compensation tables that follow, but who are not included in the
Director tabulations above.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of
Common Stock
Owned
Name Title Beneficially(1)
---- ----- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
H. William Atwater Executive Vice President-- 29,520
Engineering & Construction Group (26,160)
Henry E. Bartoli Vice President-- 7,996
Power Systems Group (7,500)
Robert A. Whittaker Vice President-- 9,109
Energy Equipment Group (7,500)
All persons, constituting a group of 26, who were Directors or Officers of the 529,451
Corporation at any time during the last fiscal year.............................. (359,381)
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1) The tabulation of the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially
includes shares which the named individuals and the group have options to
acquire within 60 days pursuant to the Corporation's 1984 Stock Option Plan
and/or The Directors' Stock Option Plan. Of the total number of shares owned
beneficially, the number of such shares which are under options exercisable
within 60 days is indicated in parentheses. Virtually all shares are owned with
sole voting and investment powers. No individual Director, Director nominee or
Officer of the Corporation owns 1% or more of the Corporation's Common Stock.
The 26 members of the group who were Directors and Officers of the Corporation
at any time during the last fiscal year own less than 1% of the Corporation's
Common Stock.
4
<PAGE> 7
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has established standing
committees to consider various matters and to make recommendations to the full
Board as to proposed courses of action for the Board. Among the standing
committees that have been established are the Audit Committee, the Committee on
Nominees for Directors and Officers, the Compensation Committee, the Finance
Committee and the Retirement Plan Committee.
The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Charles Y. C. Tse, Chairman;
Mr. Leland E. Boren; Ms. Martha Clark Goss; Mr. E. James Ferland; Mr. John A.
Hinds; Mr. Joseph J. Melone; Dr. Frank E. Perkins; and Mr. Robert Van Buren.
During the last fiscal year, this Committee met four times. The functions of
this Committee are to review Management's recommendations for the engagement or
discharge of independent auditors; to review the audit programs planned by the
independent auditors and the internal auditors, and to monitor program
progress; to review compliance with Corporate policies; to review, in
connection with the independent auditors, the results of the audit, the
Corporation's financial statements and the Corporation's system of internal
accounting control; to review fees of the independent auditors; and to report
the Committee's findings to the full Board of Directors.
The members of the Committee on Nominees for Directors and Officers are
Mr. Leland E. Boren, Chairman; Mr. Louis E. Azzato; Mr. Joseph J. Melone; Dr.
Frank E. Perkins; Mr. Richard J. Swift and Mr. Charles Y. C. Tse. During the
last fiscal year, this Committee held two meetings. The functions of this
Committee are to recommend to the Board the nominees for election as Directors
and Officers, and to consider performance of incumbent Directors and Officers
to determine whether to nominate them for reelection. The Committee will
consider Director nominees recommended by Stockholders. Such recommendations
should be made by letter, including a description of the proposed nominee's
qualifications, biographical information and willingness to serve, sent to the
attention of the Secretary, Foster Wheeler Corporation, Perryville Corporate
Park, Clinton, New Jersey 08809-4000.
The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Joseph J. Melone, Chairman;
Mr. Leland E. Boren; Mr. E. James Ferland; Dr. Frank E. Perkins; Mr. John
Timko, Jr.; Mr. Charles Y. C. Tse and Mr. Robert Van Buren. During the last
fiscal year, this Committee held six meetings. The functions of this Committee
are to recommend to the Board compensation arrangements for Directors and
Officers, and to approve specific benefits under such arrangements.
Following are the members of the Finance Committee: Mr. John Timko, Jr.,
Chairman; Ms. Martha Clark Goss; Messrs. Leland E. Boren; E. James Ferland;
John A. Hinds; Joseph J. Melone; Frank E. Perkins; David J. Roberts; Charles Y.
C. Tse; and Robert Van Buren. Four meetings of this Committee were held during
the last fiscal year. This Committee reviews the consolidated financial results
of the Corporation; establishes payment schedules for dividends; and reviews
matters that may have an impact on the Corporation's financial statements,
including cash flows.
The members of the Retirement Plan Committee are: Mr. John Timko, Jr.,
Chairman; Ms. Martha Clark Goss; Messrs. Louis E. Azzato; Leland E. Boren;
Robert D. Iseman; E. James Ferland; John A. Hinds; Harold E. Kennedy; David J.
Roberts; James E. Schessler; and Robert Van Buren. During the last fiscal year,
three meetings of the Retirement Plan Committee were held. The Committee's
authority is to recommend the allocation of pension fund assets to the Board of
Directors; recommend qualified investment managers and/or trustees for pension
fund assets to the Board of Directors; monitor the results of the investment
managers and/or trustees and meet during the year to discuss their performance;
and set investment manager guidelines and objectives and recommend appropriate
action to the Board if guidelines and objectives are not being met.
5
<PAGE> 8
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Ten regular meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the
last fiscal year. During this period, each incumbent Director, with exception
of Ms. Goss, attended at least 83.3% of the aggregate of (i) the total number
of meetings of the Board of Directors while a Director, and (ii) the total
number of meetings held by all Committees of the Board while a member. Ms. Goss
attended 68.4% of such meetings. Directors who are employees of the Corporation
receive no additional compensation for their services as Directors. Nonemployee
Directors receive an annual retainer of $20,000 and $1,200 for each Directors'
meeting attended. In addition, each nonemployee Director receives $1,200 for
each meeting of a Committee of the Board attended; the Committee Chairman
receives $2,000 for each such meeting.
Effective October 15, 1994, for a term of one year, the Corporation has
obtained insurance policies through National Union Fire Insurance Company of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Continental Casualty Corporation in respect of
indemnification of Directors and Officers. The scope of these policies is
similar to coverage under prior policies held by the Corporation. The annual
premium for this coverage is $340,000.
The Corporation's Shareholders, at the 1990 Annual Meeting, approved
The Directors' Stock Option Plan. Pursuant to The Directors' Plan, each
Director who is not an employee of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries
shall receive, following the Annual Meeting each year, a nonqualified option to
purchase 2,000 shares of the Corporation's Common Stock. Such options have
ten-year terms and become exercisable beginning one year after the date of
grant at an option exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares
on the date of grant.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Executive Compensation Plan for executives of the Corporation was
originally designed in 1987 by an independent consultant. It was reviewed,
modified, and in 1988 approved and adopted by the Compensation Committee and
the Board of Directors. Since then, it has been regularly reviewed and modified
by the Committee and the Board. The Plan is intended to meet two primary
objectives: to attract and retain highly-qualified executives to manage the
Corporation's business and to reward those executives if their performance and
the Corporation's results so warrant. The Compensation Committee, subject to
review by the Board, is responsible for the implementation and administration
of all aspects of the Plan. Any payments made under this Plan are ultimately at
the discretion of the Board. The Committee has considered the effects of the
newly enacted provisions of the federal income tax laws relative to the
deductibility of compensation to executive officers exceeding $1,000,000. The
Committee has determined that there is no material impact on the Company at
this time as a result of these provisions.
Base Salary
The first component of each executive's compensation is base salary. As
part of its consideration relative to salary, the Committee reviews data for
executives in similar positions in comparable companies as provided by an
independent consultant and by the Corporation's staff, and in consultation with
the Chief Executive Officer establishes a salary range for each executive.
Comparable companies are those of similar size as well as those providing
similar services and products to similar markets and customers. The Chief
Executive Officer then proposes to the Committee a specific salary, within that
range, for each executive. The Committee considers that proposal, and then
recommends a salary for each executive to the Board for its consideration and
approval. The Committee similarly recommends a salary within the appropriate
range for the Chief Executive Officer, but without the participation of the
Chief Executive Officer. In determining such salaries, the performance of each
such executive, his or her experience and
6
<PAGE> 9
the performance of the business unit for which he or she is responsible, as well
as performance of the Corporation as a whole, are all taken into account. The
Corporation does not have a policy to predetermine specific compensation
relative to the compensation paid by other companies. Actual salaries of the
Chief Executive Officer and other officers were neither the highest nor lowest
of salaries paid to officers of comparable companies.
Annual Incentive
The second component of each executive's compensation is an annual
incentive payment. At the beginning of each year, corporate and business-unit
earnings targets are formulated by the Chief Executive Officer, then reviewed
by the Compensation Committee and, as proposed or modified, are recommended to
the Board for its consideration and approval. The actual incentive payment is
solely determined by measurement of actual performance of the Corporation and
each business unit against the established targets. This payment can range from
zero to 75 percent of annual salary in the case of the Chief Executive Officer
and from zero to 60 percent of annual salary in the case of other officers
depending upon the extent to which earnings targets are deficient, achieved, or
exceeded.
Long-Term Incentives
The Plan also provides for long-term incentives comprised of long-term
performance units and stock options. Under the Plan, each executive is assigned
long-term performance units which are valued and payable at the end of a
three-year period. The value of a long-term unit is performance-based and is
determined by the growth in earnings and return on equity during the three-year
period. The number of performance units were determined in a manner such that
certain growth in earnings and returns on equity would result in an incentive
to the executives which together with salary and annual incentives would
provide competitive total compensation.
The Plan also provides for long-term incentives to executives in the
form of assigned stock options annually. Such options are exercisable in
installments over three-year periods at the per-share market price of the
Corporation's stock on the date of the award and, of course, become valuable
only if the market price of the Corporation's stock increases. The actual payout
was determined by the achievement of considerable earnings growth combined with
a reasonable return on equity over a three-year cycle.
-------------------
Mr. Azzato was Chief Executive Officer until April 25, 1994, and
retired effective May 1, 1994. Mr. Swift became Chief Executive Officer on
April 25, 1994.
As outlined above, pursuant to the Plan, the 1994 base salaries for Mr.
Azzato and Mr. Swift were determined by the Committee within a range of
salaries paid to chief executive officers of comparable companies, based on
data provided by an independent consultant and by the Corporation's staff, and
then recommended to the Board for its consideration and approval. Target annual
incentive payment, target long-term incentive payment and stock option grants
were likewise determined by the Committee and recommended to the Board for its
consideration and approval. The actual incentive awards were based, as the Plan
provides, on the Corporation's performance in 1994 and on the Corporation's
performance over the three-year period ended December 31, 1994, and were thus
tied directly to factors tending to enhance shareholder values. In addition, in
accordance with the Plan, the Committee recommended, and the Board approved, a
stock option grant to Mr. Azzato of 15,000 shares at the market price on
January 3, 1994, exercisable in installments over a three-year period. An award
of 50,000 shares at the market price on April 25, 1994, was granted to Mr.
Swift.
The Committee and the Board considered that Mr. Azzato's performance as
Chief Executive Officer and the results achieved by the Corporation as of May
1, 1994, and over the 28 month period ended April 30, 1994, well supported the
salary, incentive payments and stock options awarded him since the salary was
in range with industry executives of similar responsibility, since the Company
performed satisfactorily with respect to its earnings targets and since
long-term earnings growth and return on equity were substantial and resulted in
a payout per the Plan.
7
<PAGE> 10
The salary incentive payments and stock options paid to Mr. Swift in
1994 reflect his performance as Chief Operating Officer to April 24, 1994, and
as Chief Executive Officer thereafter according to the criteria as outlined
above.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:
Joseph J. Melone, Chairman Frank E. Perkins Charles Y. C. Tse
Leland E. Boren John Timko, Jr. Robert Van Buren
E. James Ferland
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The following Directors served on the Compensation Committee during the
last fiscal year: Messrs. Joseph J. Melone, Chairman; E. James Ferland; Leland
E. Boren; Frank E. Perkins; George Rowe, Jr.; John Timko, Jr.; Charles Y.C.
Tse; and Robert Van Buren. Mr. Timko is a retired Officer of Foster Wheeler. He
retired in May 1978. Mr. Rowe has since retired from the Board of Directors.
Mr. Swift serves on the Board of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated.
Mr. Ferland is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of that
company.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total shareholder
return of Foster Wheeler Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index and the S&P
Engineering/Construction Index. In the preparation of the graph, the following
assumptions have been used: (i) $100 was invested on December 31, 1989 in
Foster Wheeler Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index and the S&P
Engineering/Construction Index, and (ii) Dividends were reinvested. Foster
Wheeler Common Stock was trading at $20.75 at year-end in 1989 and at $29.75 at
year-end in 1994.
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
OF FOSTER WHEELER CORPORATION, S&P 500 INDEX AND S&P
ENGINEERING/CONSTRUCTION INDEX
[FIGURE 3]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Measurement Period
YEARS ENDING Foster Wheeler S&P 500 S&P E&C
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1989 100 100 100
1990 110.08 96.90 102.14
1991 132.85 126.42 123.38
1992 147.80 136.05 121.57
1993 175.06 149.76 127.40
1994 158.57 151.74 122.30
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE> 11
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following is a tabulation of compensation paid or set aside by the
Corporation and its subsidiaries during each of the Corporations last three
fiscal years for both individuals that served as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO")
during the last fiscal year and the four most highly-compensated executive
officers of the Corporation, other than the CEO, who were serving as executive
officers at the end of the last fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation
------------------- --------------------------
Awards Payouts
---------- -------------
Securities All
Underlying Long-Term Other
Name and Bonus Options/ Incentive Compen-
Principal Position Year Salary($) ($) SARs (#) Payouts($)(2) sation($)(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard J. Swift 1994 $490,449 $223,109 64,167 $301,891 $4,500
Chairman, President 1993 $375,000 $151,950 12,500 $216,996 $4,497
& CEO 1992 $289,336 $165,600 7,500 $ 43,700 $4,364
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis E. Azzato 1994 $216,667 $ 98,780 15,000 $328,953 $1,500
Former Chairman 1993 $600,000 $303,900 15,000 $296,100 $4,497
& CEO 1992 $552,000 $281,500 15,000 $246,000 $4,364
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David J. Roberts 1994 $325,288 $120,120 9,167 $209,880 $4,500
Vice Chairman 1993 $300,000 $121,560 7,500 $162,000 $4,497
1992 $278,339 $114,200 7,500 $123,000 $4,364
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N. William Atwater 1994 $315,000 $ 99,540 7,500 $215,460 $4,500
Executive Vice 1993 $300,000 $147,390 7,500 $212,610 $4,497
President 1992 $280,000 $154,500 7,500 $195,500 $4,364
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry E. Bartoli 1994 $260,000 $117,260 7,500 $111,750 $4,500
Vice President(3) 1993 $250,008 $137,825 7,500 $ 13,500 $4,497
1992 $ 13,461 -- -- -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert A. Whittaker 1994 $260,000 $ 99,008 7,500 $160,992 $4,500
Vice President(3) 1993 $250,008 $137,825 7,500 $ 88,500 $4,497
1992 $ 13,461 -- -- -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Company match on Employee 401 (k) contribution. (2) Based on earnings
before impact of adoption of FASB 106. No specified performance target, goal or
condition to payout was waived with respect to any amount included in this
column. (3) Messrs. Bartoli and Whittaker joined the Corporation on
December 14, 1992.
9
<PAGE> 12
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS-AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
As part of the long-term incentive portion of the Corporations Executive
Compensation Plan, "performance units", which ultimately may pay out in cash
upon completion of a three-year cycle, are awarded annually to Corporate
Officers. The following table sets forth awards in 1995 to the named
individuals, along with the assumed values of the awards at the end of the
three-year Plan cycle. The ultimate value of the award will be based upon the
Corporation's earnings growth rate and return on equity. For a discussion of
award criteria see the Long-Term Incentives section of the Compensation
Committee Report on Executive Compensation which appears earlier in this Proxy
Statement.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Stock Price-Based Plans
Number of Performance or Other ---------------------------------
Shares, Units or Period Until Threshold Target Maximum
Name Other Rights (#) Maturation or Payout ($) ($) ($)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
R.J. Swift 300 3 Years 0 $300,000 $600,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L.E. Azzato 0 -- -- -- --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D.J. Roberts 200 3 Years 0 $200,000 $400,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.W. Atwater 150 3 Years 0 $150,000 $300,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.E. Bartoli 150 3 Years 0 $150,000 $300,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R.A. Whittaker 150 3 Years 0 $150,000 $300,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
Following is a table dealing with stock option grants which were made to the
named individuals during the last completed fiscal year. The options were
granted pursuant to the terms of the Corporations Executive Compensation Plan
and the 1984 Stock Option Plan, which provides that ten-year term options are to
be awarded at market value on the date of the award. One-third of an option
becomes exercisable after one year, two-thirds after two years and the entire
option is exercisable after three years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Securities % of Total
Underlying Options Granted Exercise or Grant Date
Options to Employees in Base Price Expiration Present Value
Name Granted (#) Fiscal Year ($/Share) Date $ (1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
R.J. Swift 14.167 8.9% $32.94 1/1/04 $184,313
50,000 31.6% $40.06 4/25/04 $926,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L.E. Azzato 15,000 9.5% $32.94 1/1/04 $195,150
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D.J. Roberts 9,167 5.8% $32.94 1/1/04 $119,263
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.W. Atwater 7,500 4.7% $32.94 1/1/04 $ 97,575
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.E. Bartoli 7,500 4.7% $32.94 1/1/04 $ 97,575
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R.A. Whittaker 7,500 4.7% $32.94 1/1/04 $ 97,575
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model, using the following
assumptions for the $32.94 options: (1) the stock price on the day the
options were issued was $32.94; 2) the option exercise price is $32.94 per
share, the price of the stock on the date of option issue; 3) the dividend
yield of the stock was 2.07%. This was based upon the actual dividend yield
as of January 3, 1994; 4) the term of the options is ten years; 5) the risk
free rate of return on the issuance date for the term of the option was 5.75%
(the interest rate on the ten-year Treasury bond as of January 3, 1994); and
6) the volatility of the stock was calculated empirically to be .3026, using
Foster Wheeler stock pricing data for the 90 trading-days immediately
preceding the date of issuance of the options. The following assumptions were
used for the $40.06 option: 1) the stock price on the day the options were
issued was $40.06; 2) the option exercise price is $40.06 per share, the
price of the stock on the date of option issue; 3) the dividend yield of the
stock was 1.93%. This was based upon the actual dividend yield as of April
25, 1994; 4) the term of the options is ten years; 5) the risk free rate of
return on the issuance date for the term of the option was 7.09% (the
interest rate on the ten-year Treasury bond as of April 25, 1994); and 6) the
volatility of the stock was calculated empirically to be .3411, using Foster
Wheeler stock pricing data for the 90 trading-days immediately preceding the
date of issuance of the options.
10
<PAGE> 13
PENSION PLAN TABLE
The following table shows estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement
(including amounts attributable to any defined benefit supplementary or excess
pension award plans) in specified compensation and years of service
classifications.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years of Service After April 1, 1976
--------------------------------------------------------------
15 20 25 30 35
-- -- -- -- --
Remuneration
- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 300,000......... $ 54,000 $ 72,000 $ 90,000 $108,000 $126,000
$ 400,000......... $ 72,000 $ 96,000 $120,000 $144,000 $168,000
$ 500,000......... $ 90,000 $120,000 $150,000 $180,000 $210,000
$ 600,000......... $108,000 $144,000 $180,000 $216,000 $252,000
$ 700,000......... $126,000 $168,000 $210,000 $252,000 $294,000
$ 800,000......... $144,000 $192,000 $240,000 $288,000 $336,000
$ 900,000......... $162,000 $216,000 $270,000 $324,000 $378,000
$1,000,000......... $180,000 $240,000 $300,000 $360,000 $420,000
$1,100,000......... $198,000 $264,000 $330,000 $396,000 $462,000
$1,200,000......... $216,000 $288,000 $360,000 $432,000 $504,000
$1,300,000......... $234,000 $312,000 $390,000 $468,000 $546,000
</TABLE>
The Corporation's current pension plan was amended as of April 1, 1993,
and is now solely noncontributory. For service after April 1, 1976, the
retirement benefit is based on average monthly earnings (which would include
amounts in the "Salary", "Bonus" and "Long-Term Incentive Payouts" columns in
the Summary Compensation Table which appears above) during the 60 highest
consecutive months in the last 120 months of employment. The benefits in the
foregoing table are not subject to any deduction for Social Security or other
offset amounts. The following tabulation shows (i) credited years of service
after April 1, 1976, assuming retirement at the normal retirement age of 65
(with the exception of Mr. Azzato, which shows years to his actual retirement
date), and (ii) the amount of annual "frozen benefits" earned prior to the
current plan (which would be additive to benefit under the current plan) for
those individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual
Years of Service Frozen Benefits
Executive After April 1, 1976 Under Prior Plans
<S> <C> <C>
R.J. Swift 31 1/2 $399
L.E. Azzato 19 $67,702
D.J. Roberts 21 $427
N.W. Atwater 23 1/2 $10,259
H.E. Bartoli 18 1/2 --
R.A. Whittaker 19 --
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE> 14
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth, for the named individuals, the number of
shares of Foster Wheeler Common Stock acquired upon option exercise during 1994,
the value realized (spread between the market price on the date of exercise and
the option price) as the result of such option exercises, and the number and
value of unexercised options (both exercisable and unexercisable) as of December
31, 1994.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value
Underlying of Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options at Options at
FY-End (#) FY-End ($)
Shares Acquired on Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise (#) Realized ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
R.J. Swift 9,160 $167,261 9,167/75,000 $15,730/$14,114
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L.E. Azzato 33,432 $967,373 40,416/30,000 $231,323/$21,563
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D.J. Roberts 0 0 17,760/16,667 $95,006/$10,781
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.W. Atwater 11,747 $315,093 18,660/15,000 $102,600/$10,781
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.E. Bartoli 0 0 2,500/12,500 $2,500/$5,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
R.A. Whittaker 0 0 2,500/12,500 $2,500/$5,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
In 1987, the Board of Directors adopted a revised Executive Severance Plan.
The Corporation has entered into agreements (the "Agreements") with eleven of
its Officers, including the Officers listed in the preceding tables. The
Agreements provide that if, within three years of a "change in control," an
Executive is involuntarily terminated from employment by the Corporation or
resigns following a substantial diminution in his duties, responsibilities or
status or change in workplace or a decrease in his compensation of 15% or more,
in each case which is not corrected following notice of objection by the
Executive, the Executive will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment in an
amount equal to the sum of: (i) 2.25 times the higher of (a) his annual salary
immediately prior to the change in control, or (b) his annual salary on the date
his employment is terminated, and (ii) all unpaid compensation and payments for
earned but unused vacation and sick or personal leave time. The Agreements also
provide for a five-year continuation of certain benefits, contingent on
continued contributions by the Executive, and, under certain circumstances, an
additional three-years service and contributions credit under the Corporation's
Contributory Retirement Plan. However, if any payments to the Executive, whether
under the Agreement or otherwise, would be subject to the "golden parachute"
excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
the payment to the Executive under (i) above will be reduced by the amount
necessary to avoid the incurrence of such excise tax. The Agreements permit
discharge of an Officer for cause.
In addition to the Executive Severance Plan, there are other contracts and
arrangements whereunder the executives listed in the foregoing tables will
receive payments from the Corporation in the event of a "change-in-control."
Under the Executive Compensation Plan, which is discussed in detail in the
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation above, individual
participant accruals are paid to the participants within ten days after a change
in control. This Plan also provides that transfer restrictions on Corporation
Common Stock received by an executive, at his option in lieu of a cash incentive
payment, lift upon a change in control. "Units" (limited stock appreciation
rights) which may have been granted under the 1984 Stock Option Plan of Foster
Wheeler Corporation become exercisable
12
<PAGE> 15
upon a change in control. The Management Incentive Life Program ("Incentive
Program") and the Senior Executive Retirement Program ("SERP") are annuity
contracts between the Corporation and employees that contain change in control
provisions. The Incentive Program allows continuation in the Program until
retirement age in the event of a change in control, with a subsequent
termination of employment within three years. A participant in SERP receives the
equivalent actuarial value of his benefit immediately upon a change in control.
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN SUMMARY
It is the judgment of the Board of Directors that the award of stock
options pursuant to stock option plans previously approved by the stockholders
has been worthwhile in attracting and retaining desirable key employees. The
last stock option plan to be approved by Stockholders was approved on April
30,1984. Less than 30,000 shares are available for grant under that plan, which
is not adequate for a broad based grant to key employees. A new plan, the 1995
Stock Option Plan of Foster Wheeler Corporation (the "Plan"), has therefore
been adopted by the Board of Directors, and is to be submitted to Stockholders
for approval. The plan adopted in 1984 will continue in effect for the grant of
options and for the purpose of administering the exercise of options granted
under that plan.
A copy of the Plan is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A.
The following is a description of the material features of the Plan, which is
qualified in its entirety by Exhibit A.
The Plan is to be administered and interpreted by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors ("Committee"), consisting of Directors not
eligible to receive options under the Plan. If the Committee shall cease or
become unable to act, all administrative and interpretive functions shall be
performed by the Board of Directors.
The Plan authorizes granting of options on 1,500,000 shares of the
Corporation's authorized but unissued or reacquired common stock to key
employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, estimated as 600 employees,
including Officers and such Directors as are employees. Except as specifically
limited by the terms of the Plan, the terms of individual options are to be
determined by the Committee. Options intended to qualify as "incentive stock
options" ("ISO") pursuant to Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code") and "non-qualified" options under Section 83 of the
Code can be issued under the Plan. The maximum number of options that can be
granted under the Plan in one calendar year to one individual is 250,000.
Options to be granted under the Plan are not exercisable within one
year of the date of grant, have an option price equal to 100% of the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of option grant, and must be
exercised within 10 years of the date of grant. All options are
nontransferable, other than by will or the laws of descent. Stock purchased
upon the exercise of an option must be paid for in full at the time of exercise
in U.S. dollars or in shares of common stock of the Corporation. If, during any
period in which an option is not exercisable there is a "change of control" as
defined in Exhibit A, the optionee shall have the right to surrender his option
to the Company and receive, in cash, the difference between the fair market
value of the shares covered by the option and the exercise price of the option.
In addition to the foregoing provisions, ISO options must have been
granted under the Plan prior to January 31, 2005, and, with limited exceptions,
must be exercised while the optionee is an employee of the Corporation or its
Subsidiaries, or within three months thereafter. The aggregate exercise value
of ISO option grants in one year to one individual cannot exceed $100,000.
Non-qualified options terminate at the stated option expiration date in
the event of retirement or death, and after three months with termination of
employment for any other reason.
The Plan will continue in effect until all options under the Plan have
been exercised or expire. Although the Board of Directors may at any time
suspend, discontinue or abandon the Plan, or from time to time revise or amend
it, no action of the Board of Directors may increase the number of shares
subject to the Plan or decrease the price at which options may be granted
(except to reflect adjustments made necessary by stock dividends, split-ups and
reorganization) without stockholder approval.
13
<PAGE> 16
The persons to whom options will be granted and the amounts of
individual grants have not been determined but it is anticipated that, among
others, all present Officers of the Corporation, including the individuals
named in the Compensation Table, will receive options. Options which will be
granted under the Executive Compensation Plan will be from the Plan.
Neither Foster Wheeler nor the optionee will recognize taxable income
or loss pursuant to the grant of the options. With regard to ISO options, any
gain or loss recognized upon subsequent disposition of the stock will be
taxable to the optionee as a capital gain or loss for the difference between
the sales price and the option price, provided that the optionee (i) has held
the option stock for a period of at least two years from the date of the option
award, (ii) has held the stock for a least one year from the date of the
exercise of the option, and (iii) was an employee of Foster Wheeler or its
Subsidiaries continuously during the period from the date of grant until three
months before the date of exercise. Foster Wheeler is not entitled to any
deduction where the optionee has fully complied with these requirements.
When the optionee disposes of the stock acquired pursuant to the
exercise of his ISO option under the Plan, but fails to meet the applicable
holding period, he must recognize ordinary income based on the difference
between the option exercise price and the lesser of the fair market value of
the shares on the date of exercise or the proceeds of sale. Any excess of sales
proceeds over the fair market value of the stock on the exercise date will be
taxable to the optionee as a capital gain. In this event, Foster Wheeler will
be entitled to a corresponding deduction on its federal income tax return for
the year of disposition equal to the ordinary income reportable by the
optionee.
Upon the exercise of a non-qualified option, the difference between the
market price on the day of option exercise and the option price will be taxed
as ordinary income and Foster Wheeler will receive a corresponding deduction on
its federal income tax return for that year.
The following table sets forth the numbers of stock options which are
currently to be granted annually to the named individuals and groups under the
long-term segment of The Executive Compensation Plan. The number of options to
be awarded to all other employees has not yet been determined.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Position Stock Options (Number of Shares)
<S> <C>
Richard J. Swift 50,000
Chairman, President & CEO
L.E. Azzato --
Former Chairman & CEO
David J. Roberts 25,000
Vice Chairman
N. William Atwater 25,000
Executive Vice President
Robert A. Whittaker 25,000
Vice President
Henry E. Bartoli 25,000
Vice President
All eleven current executive officers as a group 198,500
All current directors who are not executive
officers as a group --
Each nominee for election as a director --
Each associate of any of such directors
executive officers or nominees --
</TABLE>
The closing price of the Corporation's Common Stock on The New York
Stock Exchange on February 28, 1995 was $32.75.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the 1995 Stock
Option Plan.
14
<PAGE> 17
SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has selected Coopers & Lybrand as auditors of the
Corporation for 1995, subject to the approval of the Stockholders. Coopers &
Lybrand is a firm of independent certified public accountants, with broad
international practice, which has no direct or indirect financial interest in
the Corporation or its subsidiaries. Coopers & Lybrand was first selected as
auditors of the Corporation for the year 1977.
With exception of tax-related matters, the services provided by the auditors
to Foster Wheeler and its subsidiaries for 1994 were substantially audit
related. These audit functions included review of the financial statements for
the year 1994, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, the Annual Report to
Stockholders and special reports required by loan agreements. Coopers & Lybrand
was paid $1,104,000 for audit-related services for 1994.
A member of Coopers & Lybrand will attend the Annual Meeting and will be
available to answer questions of the Stockholders present, and to make a
statement if he desires to do so.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
selection of auditors.
VOTING PROCEDURE
In 1992, the Corporation adopted a confidential voting policy in connection
with Annual Meetings of Stockholders. In essence, the policy provides for
independent vote tabulations and inspectors, and that, with exceptions,
Stockholder votes not be disclosed to the Corporation.
Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, boxes and a designated blank
space are provided on the proxy card for Stockholders to mark if they wish
either to vote "for", "against" or "abstain" on one or more of the proposals, or
to withhold authority to vote for one or more of the nominees for Director. New
York law and the Corporation's By-Laws require the presence of a quorum for the
Annual Meeting, which is defined as a majority of the votes entitled to be cast
at the Meeting. Votes withheld from Director nominees and abstentions will be
counted in determining whether a quorum has been reached. Broker-dealer
non-votes, which are defined in the second paragraph below, are not counted for
quorum purposes.
Assuming a quorum has been reached, a determination must be made as to the
results of the vote on each matter submitted for shareholder approval: (1) The
election of Directors, (2) The approval of the 1995 Stock Option Plan and (3)
The ratification of auditors. The adoption of the 1995 Stock Option Plan and the
selection of the Corporation's auditors must be approved by a majority of the
votes cast on each matter. Abstentions are not counted in determining the number
of votes cast in connection with these two items. Director nominees must receive
a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting, which means that a vote withheld
from a particular nominee or nominees will not affect the outcome of the
meeting.
Like abstentions, broker-dealer "non-votes" are not counted in calculating
the number of votes cast on the above-noted matters. The New York Stock Exchange
has advised the Company that the election of Directors, approval of the Stock
Option Plan and selection of auditors are considered "routine" items upon which
broker-dealers holding shares in street name for their customers may vote, in
their discretion, on behalf of any customers who do not furnish voting
instructions within 10 days of the Annual Meeting.
None of the items being voted upon is such as to afford a right of appraisal
or similar right to Stockholders who fail to vote or dissent as to any action
taken with respect thereto.
15
<PAGE> 18
1996 ANNUAL MEETING
The 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on April 30, 1996. The
location has not yet been determined. Stockholder proposals must be received by
the Secretary of the Corporation on or before November 17, 1995, to be included
in the proxy material for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
OTHER MATTERS
The expense of preparing, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement and the
accompanying material will be borne by the Corporation. Solicitation of
individual Stockholders may be made by mail, personal interviews, telephone, fax
and telegraph by Officers and regular employees of the Corporation who will
receive no additional compensation therefor. In addition, the Corporation has
engaged Georgeson & Company, Inc. to solicit proxies from brokers and nominees
at a cost of $5,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Corporation will reimburse
brokers and other nominees for their expenses in forwarding soliciting material
to beneficial owners.
The Board of Directors of Foster Wheeler knows of no other business to be
presented at the meeting, but if matters other than those referred to above do
properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the
proxy will vote with respect thereto in accord with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
JACK E. DEONES
Vice President and Secretary
March 17, 1995
16
<PAGE> 19
EXHIBIT A
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN OF FOSTER WHEELER CORPORATION
1. Purpose
The 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is intended to increase incentive and
encourage stock ownership on the part of certain key executive employees of
FOSTER WHEELER CORPORATION (the "Company") or of other corporations which are or
become subsidiaries of the Company (the "Subsidiaries"). It is also the purpose
of the Plan to increase the proprietary interest of such employees in the
success of the Company and Subsidiaries, and to encourage them to remain in the
employ of the Company or of the Subsidiaries. Options intended to qualify as
"incentive stock options" ("ISO") pursuant to Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") and "non-qualified" options under
Section 83 of the Code can be issued under the Plan.
2. Stock
The stock subject to the options shall be shares of the Company's
authorized but unissued or reacquired common stock (the "Common Stock"). The
total amount of the Common Stock on which options may be granted is 1,500,000
shares.
In the event that any outstanding option under the Plan expires or is
terminated, shares of Common Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of such
option may again become subject to an option under the Plan.
3. Administration
The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Committee").
Granting options and all matters relating to the Plan and options granted
pursuant thereto are hereby delegated to the Committee except such as are
expressly herein reserved to the Board of Directors or to Stockholders of the
Company. Any determination reduced to writing and signed by a majority of the
Committee shall be fully effective as if made by a majority vote at a meeting
thereof duly called and held. The Committee may make such other rules and
regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable. The
interpretation and construction by the Committee of provisions of the Plan or of
options granted pursuant thereto shall be final and conclusive. No member of the
Committee or of the Board of Directors shall be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any option granted
pursuant thereto.
If no Committee be appointed by the Board of Directors, or if the Committee
shall cease or be unable to act, all functions of the Committee shall be
exercised by the Board of Directors.
4. Eligibility
The persons eligible to receive options shall be key executive employees
(including Officers and such Directors as are employees) of the Company or
Subsidiaries, as the Committee shall determine from time to time. An optionee
may hold more than one option. The maximum number of shares with respect to
which options may be granted to any executive during a calendar year is 250,000.
5. General Terms and Conditions of Options
Stock options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by agreements
(which need not be identical) in such form as the Committee from time to time
shall determine, which agreements shall contain the following terms and
conditions:
(a) Exercise of Options
An option may not be exercised within one year from the date of grant of
such option, or if in the opinion of counsel for the Company exercise of this
option or delivery of shares pursuant thereto
A-1
<PAGE> 20
might result in a violation of any law or regulation of an agency of
government or have an adverse effect on the listing status or qualification
of the Company shares on any securities exchange.
(b) Option Price
The option shall state the option price which shall be 100% of the fair
market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of the granting of the
option. The mean of the high and low sale prices of the Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange on the day an option is granted may be taken by the
Committee as the fair market value.
(c) Medium and Time of Payment
The option price shall be paid upon exercise (i) in U.S. dollars, or (ii)
in shares of Common Stock of the Company owned of record by the employee.
Such stock shall be valued at the mean of the high and low sale prices of
such stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the day of exercise.
(d) Term of Options
No option shall be exercisable after ten years from the date granted.
(e) Continuation of Employment
So long as the optionee shall continue to be an employee of the Company
or a Subsidiary, the option shall not be affected by (i) any change of duties
or position, or (ii) any temporary leave of absence approved by each
employing corporation and by the Committee. Nothing in this Plan or in any
option agreement hereunder shall confer upon any employee any right to
continue in the employ of the Company or such Subsidiary or interfere in any
way with the right of the Company or such Subsidiary to terminate his
employment at any time, with or without cause.
For the purposes of this section of the Plan, a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company, so long as he remains on the Board, shall not be
deemed to have terminated his employment by reason of his retirement as an
employee of the Company. Upon termination as a member of the Board, or death,
the Board member, a legatee or legatees, or his personal representative or
distributees shall have the same time period to exercise an option as
provided for a retired or deceased employee.
(f) Assignability
No option shall be assignable or transferable by the optionee except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of an
optionee, the option shall be exercisable only by him or a court appointed
guardian.
(g) Rights as a Stockholder
An optionee shall have no rights as a Stockholder with respect to any
shares covered by his option until the date of the issuance of a stock
certificate to him for such shares.
(h) Change of Control
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, during the 60-day period
from and after a Change of Control (the "Exercise Period"), unless the
Committee shall determine otherwise at the time of grant, an optionee shall
have the right, whether or not the option is fully exercisable and in lieu of
the payment of the exercise price for the shares of Common Stock being
purchased under the option and by giving notice to the Company, to elect
(within the Exercise Period) to surrender all or part of the option to the
Company and to receive cash, within 30 days of such notice, in an amount
equal to the amount by which the Change of Control Price per share of Common
Stock on the date of such election shall exceed the exercise price per share
of Common Stock under the option (the "Spread") multiplied by the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to the option as to which the right granted
under this Section 5(h) shall have been exercised; provided, however, that if
the Change of Control is within six months of the date of grant of a
particular option held by an optionee who is an officer or director of the
Company and is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, no such election
shall be made by such optionee with respect to such option prior to six
months from the date of grant. However, if the end of such 60-day period from
and after a Change of Control is within six months of the date of grant of an
option held by an optionee who is an officer or director of the Company and
is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, such option shall be
A-2
<PAGE> 21
canceled in exchange for a cash payment to the optionee, effected on the day
which is six months and one day after the date of grant of such option, equal
to the Spread multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
the option.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the
event of a Change of Control, any options outstanding as of the date such
Change of Control is determined to have occurred and not then exercisable and
vested shall become fully exercisable and vested to the full extent of the
original grant.
A "change of control" shall mean: (a) The acquisition by any individual,
entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (a "Person")
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act) of voting securities of the Company where such acquisition
causes such person to own 20% or more of the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not be deemed to result in a Change of Control: (i) any
acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company,
(iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the
Company, or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction
that complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) below; and
provided, further, that if any Person's beneficial ownership of the
Outstanding Company Voting Securities reaches or exceeds 20% as a result of a
transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above, and such Person
subsequently acquires beneficial ownership of additional voting securities of
the Company, such subsequent acquisition shall be treated as an acquisition
that causes such Person to own 20% or more of the Outstanding Company Voting
Securities; or
(b) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by
the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as
though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding,
for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office
occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect
to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than
the Board; or
(c) The approval by shareholders of the Company of a reorganization,
merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company ("Business Combination") or, if consummation
of such Business Combination is subject, at the time of such approval by
shareholders, to the consent of any government or governmental agency, the
obtaining of such consent (either explicitly or implicitly by consummation);
excluding, however, such a Business Combination pursuant to which (i) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60%
of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly
or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Company Voting Securities, (ii) no Person (excluding any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting
from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of
the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation
except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of
A-3
<PAGE> 22
directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were
members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business
Combination; or
(d) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
For purposes of the Plan, "Change of Control Price" means the higher of
(i) the highest reported sales price, regular way, of a share of Common Stock
in any transaction reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or
other national exchange on which such shares are listed during the 60-day
period prior to and including the date of a Change of Control, or (ii) if the
Change of Control is the result of a tender or exchange offer or a Business
Combination, the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in such tender
or exchange offer or Business Combination; provided, however, that (x) in the
case of an option which (A) is held by an optionee who is an officer or
director of the Company and is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act
and (B) was granted within 240 days of the Change of Control, the Change of
Control Price for such option shall be the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date such option is exercised or deemed exercised and (y) in the
case of an ISO option, the Change of Control Price shall be in all cases the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such option is exercised.
To the extent that the consideration paid in any such transaction described
above consists in whole or in part of securities or other non-cash
consideration, the value of such securities or other non-cash consideration
shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board.
6. Additional Terms and Conditions of ISO Options
In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in Article 5, the following
provisions shall be included in all ISO options:
(a) Term
All ISO options granted pursuant to the Plan must be granted prior to
January 31, 2005.
(b) Termination of Employment
In the event that the employment of an optionee shall be terminated
(otherwise than by reason of the optionee's death), the option may be
exercised at any time after one year from the date of grant, but within three
months after such termination, and not later than the expiration date of the
option.
If an optionee shall die while employed by the Company or a Subsidiary,
or within three months after the termination of his employment, the option
may be exercised by a legatee or legatees of the optionee under his last
will, or by his personal representatives or distributees, at any time one
year after the date of grant, but before the expiration date of the option.
(c) Limitations of Option Grants
The aggregate annual fair market value of option stock with respect to
which ISO's may become exercisable for the first time in a calendar year per
employee, determined at the time of grant, shall not exceed $100,000.
7. Additional Terms and Conditions of Non-Qualified Options
In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in Article 5, the following
provisions shall be included in all non-qualified stock options.
(a) Termination of Employment
If an optionee retires under a pension plan of the Company or a
Subsidiary, becomes disabled and is unable to continue to work, or is
terminated for the convenience of the Company, the option may be exercised at
any time after one year from the date of grant, but prior to the expiration
date of the option.
A-4
<PAGE> 23
If an optionee dies while employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, or
dies while retired, disabled or terminated as set forth in the preceding
paragraph, the option may be exercised by a legatee or legatees of the
optionee under his last will, or by his personal representatives or
distributees, at any time one year after the date of grant, but prior to the
expiration date of the option.
In the event that the employment of an optionee shall be terminated,
other than for the reasons set forth above, the option may be exercised at
any time one year after the date of grant, but within three months after such
termination, but not later than the expiration date of the option.
8. Term of Plan
Subject to Articles 10 and 6 (a), the Plan shall remain in effect until all
options granted under the Plan have been exercised or expire.
9. Recapitalization
In the event of changes in the Common Stock by reason of stock dividends,
split-ups or combination of shares, reclassifications, recapitalizations,
mergers, consolidations, reorganizations or liquidations, appropriate
adjustments shall be made by the Committee in (a) the number and class of shares
available under the Plan in the aggregate, (b) the option price provided for by
the Plan, (c) the number and class of shares to which optionees will thenceforth
be entitled upon exercise of their options, and (d) the price which optionees
shall be required to pay upon such exercise.
Whether any adjustment or modification is required as a result of the
occurrence of any of the events heretofore specified, and the amount thereof,
shall be determined by the Committee, which determination shall be final,
binding and conclusive.
10. Amendment of the Plan
The Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time suspend,
discontinue or abandon the Plan or revise or amend it in any respect whatsoever
except that (a) without approval of the Stockholders of the Company, the number
of shares subject to the Plan shall not be increased and the price at which
options may be granted shall not be decreased, other than appropriate
adjustments necessary to reflect stock dividends, split-ups, or combinations of
shares, reclassifications, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations,
reorganizations or liquidations, and (b) an outstanding option shall not be
amended in any respect without the consent of the optionee to whom granted.
11. Adoption of Plan
The Plan shall become effective when adopted by the Board of Directors, which
was done on January 31, 1995, and approved by the Stockholders of the Company at
a duly held Stockholders' meeting by favorable vote of holders of shares
representing a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on matters submitted to
Stockholders. Adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors and approval of the
Plan by Stockholders shall not affect the stock option plans of the Company
previously adopted by the Stockholders or options outstanding under such plans.
A-5
<PAGE> 24
PROXY
FOSTER WHEELER CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS--TUESDAY APRIL 25, 1995
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned stockholder of Foster Wheeler Corporation hereby appoints
Richard J. Swift, Thomas R. O'Brien, and Jack E. Deones, and each with the full
power of substitution, to vote as designated on the reverse side, all the shares
of common stock of Foster Wheeler Corporation held of record in the name of the
undersigned as of March 10, 1995, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held in the Grand Ballroom of The Governor Morris Hotel, Two Whippany Road,
Morristown, New Jersey at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 1995 or any
adjournments thereof.
Please Mark, Sign, Date and promptly return this proxy card using the
enclosed envelope.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein
by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be
voted for Proposals 1, 2 and 3.
(Continued, and to be dated and signed, on other side)
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote "FOR" Items 1, 2 and 3
------------------
I Plan to attend
the meeting.
/ /
1. ELECTION OF FOUR DIRECTORS -----------------
Nominees are Messrs. Eugene D. Atkinson, Joseph J. Melone, David J. Roberts
and Richard J. Swift
FOR WITHHELD (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any
/ / / / individual nominee, line through the nominees name in the
list above.)
2. Act upon a proposal to approve 3. Ratify selection of Coopers &
the 1995 Stock Option Plan. Lybrand as independent auditors.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Signatures(s) should be exactly as
name(s) appear on this proxy. If
stock is held jointly, each holder
should sign. If signing is by
attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give
full title.
Dated , 1995
------------------------
------------------------------------
Signature
------------------------------------
Signature
------------------------------------------
PLEASE MARK INSIDE BLUE BOXES SO THAT DATA
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT WILL RECORD YOUR VOTE
------------------------------------------
