SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive proxy statement
Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
(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:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11. (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined.)
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] 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>
[LOGO]
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
14000 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2290
Telephone 612-937-4000
Fax 612-937-4515, Telex 29-0521
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 22, 1999
Dear MTS Shareholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we want to invite you to attend your
Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. at the Company's headquarters in Eden
Prairie, Minnesota.
We would like all our shareholders to be represented at the Annual Meeting,
in person or by proxy. To that end, our staff works earnestly to follow up on
proxies which are not returned. Last year approximately 89% of the shares were
voted and we thank our shareholders for that response. Please help us by taking
the next few minutes to complete the enclosed proxy card and then drop it in the
mail even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who attend the
Annual Meeting may revoke their proxies and vote in person if they desire. Your
promptness is much appreciated.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Sidney W. Emery, Jr.
Sidney W. Emery, Jr.
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JANUARY 25, 2000
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of MTS Systems Corporation (the
"Company") will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2000 at the Company's
headquarters located at 14000 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344.
The meeting will convene at 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time for the following
purposes:
1. To elect seven directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting
of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected;
2. To ratify and approve an amendment to the MTS Systems Corporation 1997
Stock Option Plan to increase the total number of shares of Common
Stock available for issuance under such Plan from 1,500,000 to
4,000,000 shares;
3. To ratify and approve the appointment of independent public
accountants for the Company for the current fiscal year; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on December 1, 1999
as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
For the Board of Directors,
/s/ John R. Houston
John R. Houston
SECRETARY
MTS Systems Corporation
14000 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344
December 22, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL SHAREHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN
PERSON. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE
OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE, AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE
YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING. A POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE IS
ENCLOSED FOR THIS PURPOSE. THE PROXY IS SOLICITED BY MANAGEMENT AND
MAY BE REVOKED OR WITHDRAWN BY YOU AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS EXERCISED.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
---------------
PROXY STATEMENT
---------------
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of MTS Systems
Corporation (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
the Board of Directors of the Company to be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2000 (the "Annual Meeting") at
5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Company will bear the entire cost of the solicitation of proxies,
including the preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this Proxy
Statement and any additional information furnished to shareholders. In addition
to solicitation by mail, officers, directors and employees of the Company may
solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or in person. The Company may also
request banks and brokers to solicit their customers who have a beneficial
interest in shares registered in the names of nominees and will reimburse such
banks and brokers for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Company's
principal offices are located at 14000 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
55344, its telephone number is (612) 937-4000 and its facsimile number is (612)
937-4515.
The Company intends to mail this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy
card on or about December 22, 1999 to all holders of the Common Stock of the
Company as of the record date of December 1, 1999, who are entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting.
Any proxy may be revoked by request in person at the Annual Meeting or by
written notice mailed or delivered to the Secretary of the Company at any time
before it is voted. If not revoked, proxies will be voted as specified by the
shareholders. The shares represented by proxies that are signed but which lack
any such specification will be voted in favor of the proposals set forth in the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and in favor of the slate of directors
proposed by the Board of Directors in this Proxy Statement.
Each item of business presented at this meeting of shareholders must be
approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on that
item of business. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders will be tabulated to determine whether or not a quorum is present.
Abstentions will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and in tabulating votes cast on
proposals presented to shareholders for a vote, but as not voted for purposes of
determining the approval of the matter on which the shareholder abstains.
Consequently, an abstention will have the same effect as a negative vote. If a
broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as
to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will not be
considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter.
1
<PAGE>
OUTSTANDING SECURITIES AND VOTING RIGHTS
The Company has outstanding only one class of stock, $.25 par value common
stock (the "Common Stock"), of which 20,879,821 shares were issued and
outstanding on December 1, 1999. Each share is entitled to one vote on all
matters presented to shareholders.
Shareholders have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. If
any shareholder gives proper written notice to any officer of the Company before
the meeting, or to the presiding officer at the meeting, that shareholder may
cumulate votes for the election of directors by multiplying the number of votes
to which the shareholder is entitled by the number of directors to be elected
and casting all such votes for one nominee or distributing them among any two or
more nominees.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 1999
will be entitled to vote at the meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of
the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
business.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of the close of business on December 1,
1999, the number and percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company beneficially owned (i) by each person who is known to the Company to
beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of the Common Stock of the Company,
(ii) by each director of the Company, (iii) by each executive officer named in
the Summary Compensation Table below, and (iv) by all directors and executive
officers of the Company as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------ ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Mairs and Power Growth Fund, Inc. 1,598,400(1) 7.7%
332 Minnesota Street, Suite W-2062
Saint Paul, MN 55101
E. Thomas Binger 1,143,000(1)(2) 5.5%
5575 Wayzata Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55412
Charles A. Brickman 189,000(2) *
Keith D. Zell 146,034(2)(3) *
William G. Beduhn 98,892(2)(4) *
Sidney W. Emery, Jr. 81,238(2)(5) *
Mauro G. Togneri 59,832(2)(6) *
Thomas E. Holloran 37,013(2) *
Bobby I. Griffin 25,000(2)(7) *
Russell A. Gullotti 17,000(2) *
Steven M. Cohoon 14,765(2)(8) *
Linda Hall Whitman 9,374(2) *
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------ ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Jean-Lou Chameau 7,000(2) *
Brendan C. Hegarty 7,000(2) *
All directors and executive officers 1,011,246(2)(9) 4.8%
as a group (18 persons)
</TABLE>
- ----------
*Less than 1%.
(1) Based upon information provided to the Company.
(2) Includes the following number of shares which could be purchased under
stock options exercisable within sixty (60) days of December 1, 1999: Mr.
Binger, 7,000 shares; Mr. Brickman, 15,000 shares; Mr. Zell, 76,282 shares;
Mr. Beduhn, 42,266 shares; Mr. Emery, 40,000; Mr. Togneri, 43,832 shares;
Mr. Holloran, 15,000 shares; Mr. Griffin, 15,000 shares; Mr. Gullotti,
15,000 shares; Mr. Cohoon, 12,466 shares; Dr. Whitman, 7,000 shares; Dr.
Chameau, 7,000 shares; Dr. Hegarty, 7,000 shares; and by all directors and
executive officers as a group, 385,631 shares.
(3) Includes 40,018 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Zell's
children for which Mr. Zell serves as trustee.
(4) Includes 9,770 shares owned jointly with his spouse. The voting and
investment discretion over those shares are shared accordingly. Includes
46,856 shares held by his spouse, the beneficial ownership of such shares
is disclaimed.
(5) Includes a restricted stock grant of 24,000 shares issued on March 17, 1998
in connection with his employment with the Company.
(6) Includes 3,840 shares owned jointly with his spouse. The voting and
investment discretion over those shares are shared accordingly.
(7) Includes 8,000 shares held by his spouse, the beneficial ownership of such
shares is disclaimed.
(8) Includes 2,299 shares owned jointly with his spouse. The voting and
investment discretion over those shares are shared accordingly.
(9) Includes 199,041 shares owned jointly with a spouse, 54,856 shares owned
directly by a spouse and 44,020 shares which are held in trust.
3
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL #1)
Seven directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. The Board of
Directors has nominated for election the seven persons named below and each has
consented to being named a nominee. Each of the nominees is currently a director
of the Company and will, if elected, serve until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders or until a successor is elected. If any nominee is unable to serve
as a director, the persons named in the proxies have advised that they will vote
for the election of such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors may
propose. It is intended that proxies will be voted for such nominees. The
proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than seven.
Mr. Holloran is retiring and will not be standing for re-election at the
Annual Meeting. He has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since 1971. The Board acknowledges Mr. Holloran's valued service to the Company
and expresses its gratitude.
The names of the nominees, their principal occupations for at least the
past five years and other information is set forth below:
[PHOTO]
CHARLES A. BRICKMAN Age 67
DIRECTOR SINCE 1968
President of Pinnacle Capital Corporation (a venture capital company) since
1990; with Kidder Peabody & Co., Inc., an investment banking firm, from 1960
to 1990 (Vice President from 1964 to 1990 and a director from 1975 to 1990);
a director of a number of small, privately-held companies.
[PHOTO]
JEAN-LOU CHAMEAU Age 46
DIRECTOR SINCE 1998
Dean of the College of Engineering and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent
Scholar at the Georgia Institute of Technology since 1997; Vice Provost for
Research and Dean of Graduate Studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology
from 1995 to 1997; President of Golder Associates, Inc. from 1994 to 1995;
Director of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Georgia
Institute of Technology from 1991 to 1994; Professor and Head of the
Geotechnical Engineering Program at Purdue University from 1980 to 1991; a
director of a number of privately-held companies and non-profit
organizations.
4
<PAGE>
[PHOTO]
SIDNEY W. EMERY, JR. Age 53
DIRECTOR SINCE 1998
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since January, 1999; Chief
Executive Officer and President of the Company since March, 1998; management
and executive positions with Honeywell, Inc. (manufacturer of control
systems) from 1985 to 1997 (Area Vice President, Western and Southern Europe
from 1994 to 1997; Group Vice President, Military Avionics Systems from 1989
to 1994; Vice President and General Manager, Space Systems Division from 1988
to 1989; Vice President, Operations, Process Controls Division from 1985 to
1988); a director of the Minnesota Business Partnership.
[PHOTO]
BOBBY I. GRIFFIN Age 62
DIRECTOR SINCE 1993
Independent Investor; formerly President of Medtronic Pacing Business
(manufacturer of pacing arrhythmia products and the largest business unit
within Medtronic, Inc.) from 1993 to 1998; Executive Vice President of
Medtronic, Inc. (medical technology company) from 1988 to 1998; held various
management positions in the pacing business since joining Medtronic in 1973;
involved in bio-medical research and development since 1961; a director of
Lutheran Brotherhood Corporation (a fraternal life insurance services and
investment products company), Urologix, Inc. (a medical device company) and a
number of early stage, development companies in the biomedical industry; a
member of the Board of Trustees, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota; a
member of the Board of Directors of The Redeemer Center for Life, a
nonprofit, faith-based community development agency.
[PHOTO]
RUSSELL A. GULLOTTI Age 57
DIRECTOR SINCE 1995
Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Computer Systems, Inc. (NCS)
(provider of data collection systems and services) since May, 1995; President
and Chief Executive Officer since October, 1994; management and executive
positions with Digital Equipment Corporation from 1977 to 1994 (President
Sales/Service for Americas from 1992 to 1994 and Vice President Digital
Services from 1988 to 1992); a director of GenRad, Inc. and the Minnesota
Business Partnership.
5
<PAGE>
[PHOTO]
BRENDAN C. HEGARTY Age 57
DIRECTOR SINCE 1998
Consultant; formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of
Recording Head Group of Seagate Technology (manufacturer of computer disk
drives), from 1993 to 1998; Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
since 1989; Vice President of Thin Film Operations for Control Data
Corporation (computer hardware and software company) from 1988 to 1989;
management and executive positions with IBM (computer hardware and software
company) from 1967 to 1987.
[PHOTO]
LINDA HALL WHITMAN Age 51
DIRECTOR SINCE 1995
President of Ceridian Performance Partners, Ceridian Corporation since 1996;
management and executive positions with Honeywell, Inc. from 1980 to 1996
(Vice President, Business Integration from 1995 to 1996; Vice President,
Consumer Business Group from 1993 to 1995); consultant, psychologist, social
worker and special education teacher in Minnesota and Michigan schools from
1969 to 1980; a member of the Minnesota Women's Economic Roundtable, the
Committee of 200, the Minnesota Science Museum Board of Trustees, the
Visiting Nurse Association Board of Directors, and the 9th District Federal
Reserve Bank Board of Directors.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the holders of shares of Common Stock
of the Company represented at the meeting in person or by proxy is required for
the election of the above nominees.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" EACH NOMINEE
LISTED.
6
<PAGE>
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD
MEETINGS. The Board of Directors met in person five times during fiscal
year 1999, which ended September 30, 1999. None of the directors attended fewer
than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of Board meetings and Committee
meetings on which he or she served during the fiscal year ended 1999. The Board
of Directors also took action in writing in lieu of a meeting six times during
fiscal 1999, which all of the directors signed, and held two telephone meetings,
which all of the directors attended.
BOARD COMMITTEES. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is
currently composed of Mr. Brickman (Chair), Dr. Hegarty and Dr. Chameau met
three times during fiscal 1999. Among other duties, the Audit Committee reviews
and evaluates significant matters relating to the audit and internal controls of
the Company, reviews and approves management's processes to ensure compliance
with laws and regulations, reviews the scope and results of the audits by, and
the recommendations of, the Company's independent auditors and approves services
provided by the auditors. The Audit Committee also reviews the audited financial
statements of the Company.
The Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors, which is currently
composed of Messrs. Griffin (Chair), Holloran and Dr. Whitman, met three times
and took four actions in writing during fiscal 1999. The Human Resources
Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the
employment practices and policies of the Company and the compensation paid to
Company officers and administers the Company's stock option and retirement
plans.
The Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, which is currently
composed of Messrs. Gullotti (Chair), Griffin, Holloran and Dr. Whitman, met one
time during fiscal 1999. The responsibilities of the Governance Committee
include Board evaluation, Board membership recommendations and chief executive
officer succession planning.
7
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table shows, for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1999,
1998, and 1997, the cash compensation paid by the Company, as well as certain
other compensation paid or accrued for those years, to Sidney W. Emery, Jr.,
the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and each of
the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company as
determined in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules
(together with Mr. Emery, the "Named Executives"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------- ------------
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
SALARY BONUS AWARD(S) OPTIONS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($)(1) ($) (#)(2) ($)(3)
- --------------------------- ---- --- ------ --- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sidney W. Emery, Jr. 1999 $302,081 $ -0- $ -0- 97,250 $10,564
Chairman, Chief Executive 1998 160,097 84,000 351,000(4) 120,000(5) 10,684
Officer and President 1997 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
Keith D. Zell 1999 199,593 10,745 -0- 65,000 10,564
Executive Vice President 1998 187,790 85,484 -0- 13,000 10,684
1997 178,420 163,830 -0- 17,700 9,492
William G. Beduhn 1999 166,506 104,053 -0- 43,250 10,564
Vice President 1998 150,315 108,110 -0- 8,500 10,684
1997 148,326 115,690 -0- 7,800 9,492
Steven M. Cohoon 1999 148,329 66,437 -0- 43,250 10,564
Vice President 1998 135,259 36,549 -0- 5,500 10,684
1997 129,812 114,751 -0- 7,800 9,492
Mauro G. Togneri 1999 165,338 20,675 -0- 27,500 10,564
Vice President 1998 160,334 67,791 -0- 6,500 10,684
1997 161,117 37,179 -0- 11,500 9,492
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Represents earnings under the Management Variable Compensation Plan. The
amounts listed were earned in the fiscal year shown and were paid or will
be paid in the following year, unless deferred by the Named Executive.
(2) Options granted prior to February 1, 1998 have been adjusted to reflect the
Company's two-for-one stock split occurring on that date.
(3) Represents contributions by the Company to the Company's Profit Sharing
Retirement Plan and the Company's 401(k) Plan on behalf of the Named
Executives.
(4) Represents a restricted stock grant of 24,000 shares issued on March 17,
1998 in connection with his employment with the Company. The value of the
restricted stock grant is based upon the last reported sale price for
shares of the Company's Common Stock on March 17, 1998, which was $14.625
per share. The restricted stock vests in full in three years from the date
of issuance unless the Company terminates Mr. Emery's employment. In the
event that the Company terminates Mr. Emery's employment before the second
anniversary thereof, 12,000 shares of the restricted stock will vest. If
the termination occurs after the second anniversary of his employment
16,000 shares will vest. The restricted stock will also vest in full in the
8
<PAGE>
event of a change in control of the Company that occurs at any time within
three years from the date of grant. The aggregate value of the restricted
stock grant at the end of fiscal 1999 was $10.375 per share or $249,000.
Mr. Emery will be entitled to receive dividends on the shares of restricted
stock in the event that the Board of Directors authorizes a distribution of
dividends to holders of Common Stock of the Company.
(5) Represents a non-qualified stock option grant of 120,000 shares issued to
Mr. Emery on March 17, 1998 in connection with his employment with the
Company.
STOCK OPTIONS
The following table contains information concerning grants of stock options
under the Company's Stock Option Plans to the Named Executives during the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1999:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
SECURITIES TOTAL
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED GRANT DATE
OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES EXERCISE PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT VALUE
NAME GRANTED(1) IN FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE $(2)
- ---- ---------- -------------- ------ ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S. W. Emery, Jr. 97,250 11.4% $13.125 1/26/06 $470,233
K. D. Zell 65,000 7.6% 13.125 1/26/06 314,295
W. G. Beduhn 43,250 5.0% 13.125 1/26/06 209,127
S. M. Cohoon 43,250 5.0% 13.125 1/26/06 209,127
M. G. Togneri 27,500 3.1% 13.125 1/26/06 132,971
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Represents options granted pursuant to the Company's Long-Range Incentive
Plan which will become fully vested on January 26, 2002.
(2) Based upon a Black-Scholes valuation method. Assumptions used include
expected average option life (2.6 years), risk-free interest rate (5.8%),
dividend yield (2.3%) and historical volatility (.49).
9
<PAGE>
OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Named
Executives concerning the exercise of options during fiscal year ending
September 30, 1999 and unexercised options held as of September 30, 1999:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
SHARES VALUE OPTIONS AT FY-END (#) OPTIONS AT FY-END ($)(1)
ACQUIRED ON REALIZED --------------------- ------------------------
NAME EXERCISE (#) ($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ------------ --- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S. W. Emery, Jr. -0- -0- 40,000 177,250 -0- -0-
K. D. Zell -0- -0- 66,181 79,435 $151,342 -0-
W. G. Beduhn -0- -0- 36,833 51,517 87,580 -0-
S. M. Cohoon -0- -0- 8,032 49,518 625 -0-
M. G. Togneri -0- -0- 37,832 35,668 91,124 -0-
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Based on closing price of $10.375 per share of the Company's Common Stock
on September 30, 1999.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This is the report of the Company's Human Resources Committee, which is
composed of the undersigned Board members. Messrs. Griffin and Holloran and Dr.
Whitman are non-employee directors of the Company, serving 6, 27 and 4 years,
respectively. This report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any
filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.
The Human Resources Committee is responsible for executive compensation,
employment contracts and the Management Variable Compensation and Stock Option
Plans, and certain other employee benefit plans such as the Company's Profit
Sharing/Retirement Plans. The compensation philosophy of the Company is to be
competitive with comparable and directly competitive companies to attract and
motivate highly qualified employees.
The Company uses various compensation surveys -- international, national
and local -- to develop its compensation strategy and plans. This practice is
also used by the Human Resources Committee for executive compensation. In
general, the Committee does not use outside consultants to prepare specific
studies for it unless it judges the available survey data to be incomplete or
unsuitable.
There are four components to the Company's executive compensation program
upon which executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table are
compensated: (1) base salary; (2) management variable compensation (referred to
in the Summary Compensation Table above as "Bonus"); (3) stock options; and (4)
profit sharing/retirement. The Committee may adjust the mix of these components
from year to year according to survey data. In general, the Company's
compensation programs are competitive with average survey data.
BASE SALARY. Executive base salary is adjusted annually in January based on
performance against developmental objectives the Committee believes are critical
to the Company's long-term progress.
10
<PAGE>
These objectives include, but are not limited to, progress on the Company's
current business plan's objectives, longer-term strategies and staff
development.
MANAGEMENT VARIABLE COMPENSATION. The Human Resources Committee annually
approves the Management Variable Compensation Plan, which includes executives,
managers, and key functional and technical leaders. It also recommends to the
full Board of Directors the corporate earnings and growth objectives upon which
the Chief Executive Officer's variable compensation is principally based. These
objectives are a mix of per share earnings, return on average net assets and
other measures as deemed appropriate.
Variable compensation is paid to each recipient by December 30 following
the close of the fiscal year unless the executive elects to defer a portion in
the Company's non-qualified, non-secured compensation deferral plan.
STOCK OPTIONS. The Company's current Stock Option Plans include directors,
executives, managers, consultants and key functional and technical leaders.
Stock options are priced and granted annually on the date of the January Board
of Directors' meeting. In addition, Company officers from time to time recommend
to the Human Resources Committee for its approval at regular Board of Directors'
meetings stock option grants to employees who have shown exceptional service.
These discretionary stock options do not exceed 15% of the number of shares that
are granted annually and are priced as of the date of approval. Options
outstanding under current plans typically fully vest in three years and all
options expire in seven years or less.
PROFIT SHARING/RETIREMENT. The Company sponsors an all employee Profit
Sharing/Retirement Plan for U.S. employees. All of the executives listed in the
above tables are included in this Profit Sharing Plan.
The Company also has a 401(k) Plan for U.S. employees, including
executives, under which the Company partially matches employee contributions at
a proportion set by the Company. The Human Resources Committee annually approves
the corporate matching formula for all employees.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION. Mr. Emery has served as Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since March 17, 1998 and is compensated on the
same basis as the other executive officers as described above. He received an
annual base salary of $302,081 during fiscal year ending September 30, 1999. Mr.
Emery received no bonus for fiscal year 1999 as the Company did not meet its
financial objectives. In addition, Mr. Emery receives reimbursements and certain
fringe benefits available to executive officers of the Company. The Human
Resources Committee believes that Mr. Emery has managed the Company well in a
highly competitive industry. The Committee strongly endorses Mr. Emery's
decisions and actions to strengthen the Company's internal operating performance
and enhance the Company's potential for profitable growth in the future.
BOARD ACTION. The full Board of Directors approves new stock option plans
for submission to shareholder vote and approves the annual corporate earnings
and growth objectives for inclusion in the Management Variable Compensation
Plan. The full Board reviews all components of executive compensation and the
Profit Sharing/Retirement Plan every two to three years.
SUBMITTED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Bobby I. Griffin, Chairman
Thomas E. Holloran
Linda Hall Whitman
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<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE
The graph below sets forth a comparison of the cumulative shareholder
return of the Company's Common Stock over the last five fiscal years with the
cumulative total return over the same periods for the Nasdaq Market Index and
the Laboratory Apparatus and Analytical, Optical, Measuring, and Controlling
Instruments Index (the "Analytical Instruments Index") (SIC Code 382, which
includes 181 companies). The graph below compares the cumulative total return of
the Company's Common Stock over the last five fiscal years assuming a $100
investment on September 30, 1994 and assuming reinvestment of all dividends.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION $100.00 $119.1 $169.1 $317.6 $260.5 $186.9
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX 100.00 138.1 163.8 225.0 228.8 371.5
ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
INDEX 100.00 158.0 164.5 278.2 177.7 302.3
</TABLE>
The Company's Common Stock closed at $10.375 per share on September 30,
1999.
EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS
Sidney W. Emery, Jr., Keith D. Zell, Mauro G. Togneri, Steven M. Cohoon and
William G. Beduhn, individually, have agreements with the Company under which,
upon the termination of their employment with the Company other than for cause,
such executive officers will receive monthly payments over periods ranging from
six to eighteen months or until age 65, whichever occurs first, based upon their
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<PAGE>
highest annual salaries and the average management variable compensation and
benefits they received during the previous three years. As of the date hereof,
the maximum aggregate amounts of such payments to each of Messrs. Emery, Zell,
Togneri, Cohoon and Beduhn are $518,416, $371,457, $220,977, $175,371 and
$286,739, respectively. As a condition of the receipt of such payments, Mr.
Emery and the executive officers of the Company have agreed not to render
services to any competing entity concerning any similar or competing product for
periods ranging from nine to twelve months and agreed to maintain the
confidentiality of certain information deemed by the Company to be proprietary.
In 1998, the Company also entered into change-in-control agreements with
Messrs. Emery, Zell, Togneri, Cohoon and Beduhn. In the event of a change in
control, these executive officers will be entitled to receive upon the
termination of their employment by the Company without cause or by the executive
for good reason at any time within three years of such change in control, a
lump-sum payment equal to (a) six to eighteen months of the highest annual
compensation they received during the previous three years, or (b) twelve to
thirty-six months of such officers' compensation in the event of an unfriendly
takeover. The executive officers may also, within a period beginning thirty days
and ending one hundred and eighty days following a change in control, resign for
any reason and receive the aforementioned payments.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Directors who served during fiscal 1999 and were not otherwise directly or
indirectly compensated by the Company were each paid directors' fees in the form
of a retainer. The retainers for Messrs. Brickman, Holloran, Griffin, Gullotti
and Drs. Hegarty, Chameau and Whitman, who served the entire fiscal year, were
$17,600 each. The payment of retainers is not dependent upon Board meeting
attendance. In addition, non-employee directors who attended over a total of
five Board or committee meetings not held on the same day as a regular Board
meeting were compensated at the rate of $750 per half day meeting and $1,500 per
full day meeting. Messrs. Griffin, Holloran and Dr. Whitman each attended two
committee meetings on different days than the Board meetings during 1999 and
each received $1,500. Messrs. Brickman and Gullotti attended one such committee
meeting and received $750. Messrs. Brickman and Gullotti each received $1,000,
Mr. Holloran received $750 and Mr. Griffin received $250 in connection with
their service as Committee Chairs.
Each of the non-employee directors who were elected at last year's Annual
Meeting of Shareholders (Messrs. Brickman, Holloran, Griffin and Gullotti and
Drs. Hegarty, Chameau and Whitman) were granted non-qualified options to
purchase 4,000 shares each of Common Stock upon their re-election to the Board
of Directors at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders for fiscal year
1999. Each non-employee director will be granted a non-qualified option to
purchase up to 4,000 shares of Common Stock upon their re-election to the Board
of Directors at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on
January 25, 2000 at the fair market value of the Common Stock on such date. Mr.
Brickman and Dr. Chameau were also reimbursed for travel expenses to Board of
Directors' meetings in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
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<PAGE>
PROPOSAL TO RATIFY AND APPROVE AN AMENDMENT
TO THE COMPANY'S 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN
(PROPOSAL #2)
INTRODUCTION
On November 22, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the MTS
Systems Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan") and the 1997 Plan
was ratified and approved by the shareholders of the Company on January 28,
1997. The purpose the 1997 Plan is to enable the Company and its subsidiaries to
retain and attract executives, managers, key technical and functional employees,
directors and consultants who contribute to the Company's success by their
ability, ingenuity and industry, and to enable such individuals to participate
in the long-term success and growth of the Company by giving them a proprietary
interest in the Company. The 1997 Plan authorizes the granting of awards in the
form of stock options.
PROPOSED PLAN AMENDMENT
The Plan originally authorized the issuance of 1,500,000 shares of Common
Stock pursuant to awards granted under the 1997 Plan (as adjusted to reflect a
two-for-one stock split effected on February 1, 1998). On November 30, 1999, the
Board of Directors amended the 1997 Plan (in addition to each of the Company's
other plans) to require approval by the shareholders prior to any repricing of
outstanding options under the 1997 Plan (as well as options outstanding under
each of the other option plans) and, subject to ratification and approval of the
shareholders, to increase the total number of shares available under the 1997
Plan by 2,500,000 shares to a total of 4,000,000 shares. There were outstanding
on December 1, 1999 options to purchase an aggregate of 2,806,191 shares under
all of the Company's stock option plans (including 1,365,332 shares under the
1997 Plan). Therefore, absent shareholder approval of this amendment to the 1997
Plan, an aggregate of 370,473 shares remain available for awards under all of
the Company's stock option plans (including 134,668 shares under the 1997 Plan).
The Board of Directors has deemed it prudent to increase the shares available
for grant under the 1997 Plan by 2,500,000 shares in order to facilitate future
grants of stock options.
SUMMARY OF THE PLAN
NUMBER OF SHARES. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock currently
reserved for awards under the 1997 Plan, after accounting for the amendment by
the Board on November 30, 1999 and subject to shareholder approval of this
amendment to the 1997 Plan, is 4,000,000 shares (subject to adjustment in the
event of possible future stock splits or similar changes in the Common Stock).
Shares of Common Stock covered by expired or terminated stock options may be
used for subsequent awards under the 1997 Plan.
ELIGIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION. Executives, managers, key technical and
functional employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and non-employee
directors and consultants are eligible to be granted stock options under the
1997 Plan. Approximately 577 officers, consultants and other key employees and
seven non-employee directors are currently eligible to participate in the 1997
Plan. The 1997 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or by a Committee
appointed by the Board, consisting of at least two directors, all of whom are
"Outside Directors" and "Non-employee Directors" as defined in the 1997 Plan.
Currently, the Human Resources Committee administers the 1997 Plan. The
Committee has the power to make awards, determine the number of shares covered
by each award and other terms and
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<PAGE>
conditions of such awards, construe the 1997 Plan, and prescribe, amend and
rescind the rules and regulations with respect to the administration of the 1997
Plan.
STOCK OPTIONS. The Committee may grant stock options that qualify as
"incentive stock options" under the Internal Revenue Code or as "non-qualified
stock options" in such form and upon such terms as the Committee may approve
from time to time. Stock options granted under the 1997 Plan may be exercised
during their respective terms as determined by the Committee. The purchase price
may be paid by tendering a certified or bank check, or by any other form of
legal consideration deemed sufficient by the Committee and consistent with the
1997 Plan's purpose and applicable law, including promissory notes and
unrestricted stock already owned by the optionee. No stock option shall be
transferable by the optionee or exercised by anyone else during the optionee's
lifetime; except the Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a
portion of the options to be granted on terms which permit the transfer of such
options by the optionee to immediate family members, a trust established for the
exclusive benefit of immediate family members or a partnership in which such
immediate family members are the only partners provided, among other things,
that there is no consideration for any such transfer.
Stock options may be exercised during varying periods of time after an
optionee's termination of employment by the Company and any subsidiary or parent
corporation, dependent upon the reason for the termination. Following an
optionee's death or disability, the optionee's stock options may be exercised,
to the extent exercisable at such time (or on such accelerated basis as the
Committee shall determine at or after grant), for a period of three years from
the date of death or disability or until the expiration of the stated term of
the option, whichever is less. If the optionee's employment terminates by reason
of retirement after age 55 and the option was granted prior to December 1, 1998,
the optionee's stock options may be exercised in full for a period of three
years from the date of retirement or until the expiration of the stated term of
the option, whichever is less. The 1997 Plan was amended on December 1, 1998 to
permit the recipient of an option grant during or after that date who retires
from the Company to exercise his option, to the extent it was exercisable, until
the expiration of the stated term of the option. If the optionee's employment
terminates for any reason other than the optionee's death, disability or
retirement, any stock option may be immediately exercised to the extent it was
exercisable at the time of such termination, but may not be exercised after
ninety days after such termination, or the expiration of the stated term of the
option, whichever period is shorter. If the optionee's employment is terminated
for "Cause," as defined in the 1997 Plan, all unexercised stock options granted
to the optionee shall immediately terminate.
No incentive stock options shall be granted under the 1997 Plan after
November 22, 2006. The term of an incentive stock option may not exceed seven
years (or five years if issued to an optionee who owns or is deemed to own more
than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company,
any subsidiary or parent corporation). The aggregate fair market value at the
time of grant of the Common Stock with respect to which an incentive stock
option is exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year
shall not exceed $100,000. The exercise price under an incentive stock option
granted under the 1997 Plan many not be less than the fair market value of
Common Stock on the date the option is granted (or, in the event the participant
owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any subsidiary or parent corporation, the option price shall not be
less than 110% of the fair market value of the stock on the date the option is
granted).
The 1997 Plan provides for the annual, automatic granting of options to
non-employee directors. Such options are granted to each person who (i) not an
employee of the Company, any subsidiary or parent corporation and (ii) is
elected or re-elected as a director by the Board or the shareholders at any
15
<PAGE>
annual or special meeting. Each such person shall, as of the date of such
election or re-election, automatically receive a non-qualified option to
purchase up to a maximum of 4,000 shares of Common Stock (the actual number to
be determined by the Committee upon such election or re-election) with the
option price equal to the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on
such date. The term of such options shall be five years after the date of grant.
The options shall become exercisable as to all or any part of the shares subject
to the options beginning six months after the date granted. All provisions of
the 1997 Plan not inconsistent with the foregoing shall apply to the options
granted non-employee directors. The maximum number of shares as to which options
may be granted to all non-employee directors shall be 180,000 shares (as
adjusted to reflect a two-for-one stock split effected on February 1, 1998).
RIGHT OF REPURCHASE. The Committee may, at the time of any grant under the
Plan, provide that the shares of Common Stock received under the Plan shall be
subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company in the event of optionee's
termination of employment. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, the
repurchase price will be the fair market value of the stock, or in the case of a
termination for cause, the amount equal to the consideration paid for the stock.
The Committee may also, at the time of grant, provide the Company with similar
repurchase rights, or require the forfeiture of, shares of stock acquired under
the 1997 Plan by any optionee who, at any time within two years after
termination of employment with the Company or any subsidiary or parent
corporation, directly or indirectly competes with, or is employed by, a
competitor of the Company or any subsidiary or parent corporation.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
An optionee will not realize taxable compensation income upon the grant of
an incentive stock option. In addition, an optionee generally will not realize
taxable compensation income upon the exercise of an incentive stock option if he
or she exercises it as an employee or within three months after termination of
employment (or within one year after termination if the termination results from
a permanent and total disability). At the time of exercise, the amount by which
the fair market value of the shares purchased exceeds the aggregate option price
shall be treated as alternative minimum taxable income for purposes of the
alternative minimum tax. If the stock acquired pursuant to an incentive stock
option is not disposed of prior to the date two years from the option grant date
or prior to one year from the option exercise date, any gain or loss realized
upon the sale of such shares will be characterized as a capital gain or loss. If
the applicable holding periods are not satisfied, then any gain realized in
connection with the disposition of such stock will generally be taxable as
compensation income in the year in which the disposition occurred, to the extent
of the difference between the fair market value of such stock on the date of
exercise and the option exercise price. The Company is entitled to a tax
deduction to the extent, and at the time, that the participant realizes
compensation income. The balance of any gain will be characterized as a
long-term or short-term capital gain depending on whether the shares were held
for more than one year.
An optionee will not realize taxable compensation income upon the grant of
a non-qualified stock option. When an optionee exercises a non-qualified stock
option, he or she will realize taxable compensation income at the time of
exercise equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares
purchased exceeds the aggregate option price. The Company is entitled to a tax
deduction to the extent, and at the time, that the participant realizes
compensation income.
The 1997 Plan requires each participant, no later than the date of which
any part of the value of an award first becomes includible as compensation in
the gross income of the participant, to pay the
16
<PAGE>
Company any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to the award. The Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have
the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the
participant. With respect to any award under the 1997 Plan, if the terms of the
award so permit, a participant may elect to satisfy part or all of the
withholding tax requirements associated with the award by (i) authorizing the
Company to retain from the number of shares of stock which would otherwise be
deliverable to the participant, or (ii) delivering to the Company from shares of
the Company Common Stock already owned by the participant that number of shares
having an aggregate fair market value equal to part or all of the tax payable by
the optionee. In such event, the Company would pay the tax liability from its
own funds.
REGISTRATION WITH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Upon approval of the amendment to the 1997 Plan by the shareholders, the
Company intends to file a registration statement covering the offering of the
additional 2,500,000 shares issuable under the 1997 Plan with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended.
VOTE REQUIRED
The approval of the amendment to the MTS Systems Corporation 1997 Stock
Option Plan requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock represented at the meeting and entitled to vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF
THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S 1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN.
APPROVAL OF AUDITORS
(PROPOSAL #3)
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent certified public accountants, have been
the auditors for the Company since 1966. They have been reappointed by the Board
of Directors, on recommendation of its Audit Committee, as the Company's
auditors for the current fiscal year and shareholder approval of the appointment
is requested. In the event the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP should not be
approved by the shareholders, the Board of Directors will make another
appointment to be effective at the earliest feasible time.
A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, will have an opportunity to make a statement if
he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL
TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit
shareholders of a company, after timely notice to the company, to present
proposals for shareholder action in the Company's Proxy Statement where such
proposals are consistent with applicable law, pertain to matters appropriate for
shareholder action and are not properly omitted by action of the Company in
accordance with the proxy
17
<PAGE>
rules. In order for a shareholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the
Proxy Statement for the January 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the
proposal must be received by the Secretary of the Company in writing no later
than August 24, 2000. In addition, if the Company receives notice of a
shareholder proposal after November 7, 2000, such proposal will be considered
untimely pursuant to Rules 14a-4 and 14a-5(e) and the persons named in proxies
solicited by the Board of Directors for its fiscal 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to such
proposal.
GENERAL
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers and directors to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports and written
representations from the Company's executive officers and directors, the Company
notes that all such reports have been filed in a timely manner, except that late
forms were filed for Messrs. Brickman, Holloran and Griffin in connection with
the exercise of previously granted stock options.
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company knows of no matters other than the foregoing
to be brought before the meeting. However, the enclosed proxy gives
discretionary authority in the event that any additional matters should be
presented.
The Annual Report of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1999 is enclosed herewith.
18
<PAGE>
PROXY
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - JANUARY 25, 2000
The undersigned hereby appoints Sydney W. Emery, Jr. and John R. Houston
(the "Proxies"), each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of
Common Stock of MTS Systems Corporation, held of record by the undersigned on
December 1, 1999, at the ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS to be held on January
25, 2000, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
(1) ELECTION OF [ ] FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
DIRECTORS: (except as marked below) to vote for nominees listed
</TABLE>
CHARLES A. BRICKMAN, JEAN-LOU CHAMEAU, SIDNEY W. EMERY, JR., BOBBY I. GRIFFIN,
BRENDAN C. HEGARTY, RUSSELL A. GULLOTTI, LINDA HALL WHITMAN
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee mark
the FOR box and write that nominee's name on the space provided below.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) The proposal to ratify and approve an amendment to the MTS Systems
Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan to increase the total number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under such Plan from
1,500,000 shares to 4,000,000 shares.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
(3) The proposal to ratify and approve the appointment of Arthur Andersen
LLP as independent public accountants for the Company.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
(4) In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other business as may properly come before the meeting.
(CONTINUED, AND TO BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM THE OTHER SIDE)
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH PROPOSAL.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL
BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS (1), (2) AND (3).
Dated:
----------------------------------------
Signed:
----------------------------------------
Signature of Shareholder
Signed:
----------------------------------------
Signature of Shareholder
Please vote, date and sign this Proxy Statement as
your name is printed hereon. When signing as
attorney, executory administrator, trustee,
guardian, etc. give full title as such. If the
stock is held jointly, each owner should sign. If
a corporation, please sign in full corporate name
by President or other authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
