<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
National Steel Corporation
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
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Yutaka Tanaka National Steel
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Corporation
4100 Edison Lakes
Parkway
Mishawaka, IN 46545
Telephone: (219)
273-7000
Facsimile: (219)
273-7868
March 31, 2000
To All National Steel Corporation Stockholders:
It is a pleasure to invite you to our Annual Meeting of Stockholders which
will be held at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts on Monday, May 8, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Your
continued interest in our Company is appreciated, and I hope that as many of
you as possible will attend the Annual Meeting.
At the meeting you will be asked to elect nine directors to terms ending at
the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to ratify the appointment of Ernst
& Young LLP as National Steel's independent auditors for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2000.
Regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that they are
represented and voted at the meeting, whether or not you plan to attend.
Accordingly, you are requested to sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy at
your earliest convenience.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your cooperation and
continued support.
Sincerely,
[SIGNATURE OF YUTAKA TANAKA]
Yutaka Tanaka
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF NATIONAL STEEL CORPORATION]
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NATIONAL STEEL CORPORATION
4100 Edison Lakes Parkway
Mishawaka, Indiana 46545
NOTICE OF 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of National Steel Corporation (the
"Company") will be held at the The Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James
Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts on Monday, May 8, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern
Daylight Time.
The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
1. To elect nine directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and
qualified;
2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000; and
3. To transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting.
March 17, 2000 has been designated as the date of record for the
determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Ronald J. Werhnyak
Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
March 31, 2000
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please mark, date
and sign the enclosed form of proxy and return it promptly in the envelope
which has been provided. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it
is voted by written notice to such effect, by submitting a subsequently
dated proxy or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR STOCKHOLDERS
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of National Steel Corporation (the "Company") of proxies to
be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be
held on May 8, 2000 and at any and all adjournments of such Annual Meeting. As
of March 17, 2000, the record date for the Annual Meeting, there were issued
and outstanding 22,100,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, all of which are
owned by NKK U.S.A. Corporation, and 19,188,240 shares of Class B Common Stock.
Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to two votes per share while
holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. Except as
otherwise required by law or the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the
holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock vote together,
without regard to class, on all matters upon which the stockholders are
entitled to vote. The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are
sometimes referred to collectively herein as the "Common Stock" of the Company.
This Proxy Statement and form of proxy were initially mailed to stockholders
on or about March 31, 2000. In addition to solicitation by mail, the Company
will request security dealers, banks, fiduciaries and nominees to furnish proxy
materials to beneficial owners of the Class B Common Stock of whom they have
knowledge and will reimburse them for their expenses for doing so. Additional
solicitation may be made by letter, telephone or facsimile by officers and
employees of the Company. In addition, the annual report of the Company for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 and the Company's 1999 Annual Report on
Form 10-K have been mailed to each stockholder of record and provided to
security dealers, banks, fiduciaries and nominees for mailing to beneficial
owners at the Company's expense.
All duly executed proxies received by management prior to the Annual Meeting
will be voted in accordance with the choices specified by stockholders on their
proxies. If no choice is specified by a stockholder, the shares of such
stockholder will be voted FOR the election of the nine nominees for directors
listed in this Proxy Statement and FOR the ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditors of the Company. Stockholders who
execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are voted by filing
with the Company a written notice of revocation, by delivering a duly executed
proxy bearing a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in
person. Notice of revocation should be sent to the Secretary of the Company at
4100 Edison Lakes Parkway, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545.
It is the policy of the Company that proxies that identify the vote of
specific stockholders are kept confidential until the final vote is tabulated,
except in a contested proxy or consent solicitation or to meet applicable legal
requirements.
The Bylaws of the Company provide that, except as otherwise provided by law
or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present
in person or represented by proxy, but in no event less than one-third of the
shares entitled to vote at the meeting, shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. The Bylaws also provide that (i)
directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting, and (ii) except as required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation
or the Bylaws, any other matter brought before the Annual Meeting shall be
decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the
capital stock represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the persons appointed
by the Company to act as inspectors of election for the Annual Meeting. The
inspectors of election will treat shares of voting stock represented by a
properly signed and returned proxy as present at the Annual Meeting for
purposes of
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determining a quorum, without regard to whether the proxy is marked as casting
a vote or abstaining. Likewise, the inspectors of election will treat shares
of voting stock represented by "broker non-votes" as present for purposes of
determining a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes as to particular
proposals, however, will be deemed shares not having voting power on such
proposals, will not be counted as votes for or against such proposals and will
not be included in calculating the number of votes necessary for approval of
such proposals. "Broker non-votes" are proxies with respect to shares of
voting stock held in record name by brokers or nominees, as to which (i)
instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons
entitled to vote, (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary
voting power under applicable New York Stock Exchange rules or the instrument
under which it serves in such capacity and (iii) the record holder has
indicated on the proxy card or otherwise notified the Company that it does not
have authority to vote such shares on that matter. As a result of the
foregoing, shares not voted, whether by abstention, broker non-votes or
otherwise, will have no effect on the election of directors. However,
abstentions as to other proposals will have the same effect as a vote against
the proposal.
The expense of this solicitation will be paid by the Company. Brokers and
certain other holders for beneficial owners will be reimbursed for out-of-
pocket expenses incurred in the solicitation of proxies from the beneficial
owners of shares held in their names. The Company has retained the services of
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. to assist in the solicitation of
proxies for a fee not expected to exceed in the aggregate $2,500 plus
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nine directors are to be elected to hold office for terms expiring on the
date of the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are
duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation, retirement,
death or removal. All of the nominees have been designated by the Board of
Directors and are members of the present Board. Each nominee has consented to
being named in the Proxy Statement as a nominee for director and has agreed to
serve as a director if elected. The proxies appointed by name in the enclosed
proxy form will vote as instructed by the stockholder for the election of the
nominees listed below. The proxies, however, reserve full discretion to cast
votes for any other person if any nominee shall be unable to serve, or for
good cause will not serve, except where authority is withheld by the
stockholder.
Information Concerning Nominees for Directors
Set forth below for each nominee is his name and age; the date on which he
first became a director of the Company; the names of other companies of which
he serves as a director; and his principal occupation during at least the last
five years.
Charles A. Bowsher
Mr. Bowsher, age 68, has been a director of the Company since April 21,
1997. From 1981 to 1996, he served as Comptroller General of the United States
and head of the General Accounting Office. Mr. Bowsher was associated with
Arthur Andersen & Co. from 1956 to 1967 and 1971 to 1981, and served as
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management from 1967 to 1971.
Mr. Bowsher also serves as a director of American Express Bank, Ltd., Newport
News Shipbuilding, Inc. and DeVry Inc. Mr. Bowsher is a member of the
Compensation Committee and Audit Committee.
Edsel D. Dunford
Mr. Dunford, age 64, has been a director of the Company since April 27,
1998. Mr. Dunford has held a variety of management and technical positions
with TRW, Inc., a manufacturer of products for the automotive, space and
defense and information systems industries. He served as President of TRW from
1991 until his retirement in 1994. Mr. Dunford also serves as a director of
Cordant Technologies, Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and Howmet
International. Mr. Dunford is a member of the Audit Committee.
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Mitsuoki Hino
Mr. Hino, age 52, has been a director of the Company since October 27,
1998. Since 1971, Mr. Hino has served in various capacities with NKK
Corporation ("NKK"), a Japanese steel manufacturer and the parent company of
NKK U.S.A. Corporation (the holder of all of the outstanding shares of the
Company's Class A Common Stock). His most recent positions have been Director
of Human Resources from 1993 to 1995 and General Manager, Sales and Production
Planning from 1995 to the present. He served as a Director of the Board of NKK
from June 1999 until March 2000. On April 1, 2000, Mr. Hino will assume the
position of Vice President, Planning, Logistics and Information Technology of
NKK.
Frank J. Lucchino
Mr. Lucchino, age 61, has been a director of the Company since January 30,
1995. Since January 3, 2000, he has served as a judge of the Court of Common
Pleas in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. From 1980 to 2000 he served as
Controller of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and was a Partner with the law
firm of Grogan, Graffam, McGinley & Lucchino, P.C. Mr. Lucchino was nominated
to serve on the Board of Directors pursuant to a collective bargaining
agreement with the United Steelworkers of America. Mr. Lucchino is Chairman of
the Audit Committee.
Bruce K. MacLaury
Mr. MacLaury, age 68, has been a director of the Company since April 30,
1996. From 1977 to 1995, Mr. MacLaury served as President of The Brookings
Institution which is engaged in public policy research and education. Mr.
MacLaury also serves as a director of American Express Bank, Ltd., the St.
Paul Companies Inc. and the Vanguard Funds. Mr. MacLaury is Chairman of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Nominating Committee.
Mineo Shimura
Mr. Shimura, age 48, has been a director of the Company since April 21,
1997. Mr. Shimura has served as a senior executive for various U.S. affiliates
of NKK and presently holds the following positions with NKK affiliates:
President of NUF LLC (a finance company), President of NKK America, Inc. (a
service company), President of NKK U.S.A. Corporation (a holding company),
President of NKK Windsor Corporation (a finance company) and President of
Galvatek Ontario Corporation (a holding company). Mr. Shimura is Chairman of
the Nominating Committee.
Hisashi Tanaka
Mr. Tanaka, age 52, has been a director of the Company since April 27,
1998. Mr. Tanaka has served in various capacities with NKK since 1971. His
most recent positions have been Director, Steelmaking Technology from 1994 to
1995, Director, Technical & Engineering Planning from 1995 to 1996, General
Manager, Steelmaking Technology from 1996 to 1998 and General Manager
Technology Planning and Coordination from 1998 to the present. He served as a
Director of the Board of NKK from June 1999 until March 2000. On April 1,
2000, Mr. Tanaka will assume the position of Vice President, Technology
Planning and Coordination of NKK.
Yutaka Tanaka
Mr. Tanaka, age 63, has been a director of the Company since April 1, 1998.
Mr. Tanaka was elected Vice Chairman of the Company in April 1998 and Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in September 1998. Mr. Tanaka served
as President of Adchemco Corporation, a manufacturer of chemical products and
a wholly owned subsidiary of NKK, from June 1996 to March 1998. Prior thereto,
he was employed in various capacities by NKK, where he most recently served as
Managing Director from June 1992 to June 1996.
Sotaro Wakabayashi
Mr. Wakabayashi, age 50, has been a director of the Company since December
16, 1998. Mr. Wakabayashi has served in various capacities with NKK since
1974. His most recent positions have been Senior Manager,
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International Legal Affairs from 1993 to 1994, Senior Counselor from 1994 to
1998 and Chief Senior Counselor from 1998 to the present. Mr. Wakabayashi is a
member of the Compensation Committee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors held seven meetings during 1999.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Company has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a
Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has been established to assist the Board of Directors
in fulfilling its oversight responsibility by monitoring and reviewing the
effectiveness of the Company's (i) financial reporting process, (ii) system of
internal controls over financial operations and (iii) audit process. It has
responsibility for recommending to the Board of Directors a firm of
independent certified public accountants to serve as auditors to be appointed
by the Board, subject to ratification by the stockholders at the Annual
Meeting. In addition, the Audit Committee approves the scope of, and fees
related to, the annual audit and reviews the results and recommendations of
the independent auditors upon completion of the annual audit. The Audit
Committee also reviews the Company's compliance with its Code of Ethical
Business Conduct. The Committee has the authority to meet and confer with the
Company's independent accountants, internal auditors, officers and employees
in connection with carrying out its responsibilities. The Audit Committee is
presently comprised of Mr. Lucchino, Chairman, Mr. Bowsher and Mr. Dunford.
The Audit Committee held 12 meetings during 1999.
Compensation Committee
The duties of the Compensation Committee are to review and approve a
compensation philosophy and guidelines for the Company's executive officers
and directors. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews and recommends
for approval by the Board of Directors base salaries, employment agreements,
stock option and stock appreciation right grants and any severance payments
for any of the Company's executive officers. The Committee also establishes,
administers, amends and terminates plans, policies and procedures regarding
incentive compensation and other performance based compensation arrangements;
reviews the executive officer succession program; and oversees compliance with
all Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable laws and
regulations pertaining to the disclosure of compensation paid to executive
officers and directors. The Compensation Committee is presently comprised of
Mr. MacLaury, Chairman, Mr. Bowsher and Mr. Wakabayashi. The Compensation
Committee held five meetings during 1999.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee has the authority to develop candidate
specifications for Board membership and to make recommendations as to
candidates for election to the Board of Directors and as to candidates to fill
vacancies on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will consider
nominees for election to the Board of Directors recommended by stockholders of
the Company. Suggestions for candidates, accompanied by biographical material
and material regarding the candidate's qualifications to serve as a director,
should be sent to the Secretary of the Company. The Nominating Committee is
also responsible for reviewing the qualifications of the candidate nominated
to serve as a director by the United Steelworkers of America pursuant to their
collective bargaining agreement with the Company. The Nominating Committee is
presently comprised of Mr. Shimura, Chairman and Mr. MacLaury. The Nominating
Committee held one meeting during 1999.
Attendance
All of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the Board and
committee meetings held in 1999 during the period they were members of the
Board or of a committee.
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Compensation of Directors
Directors who are not employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
receive an annual fee of $30,000 plus a fee of $1,000 for attendance at each
meeting of the Board of Directors and at each meeting of a committee of the
Board of Directors. The chairman of each standing committee receives an
additional annual payment of $3,000. All directors are reimbursed for expenses
incurred in attending Board and committee meetings. In addition, any non-
employee director who, at the request of the Chairman of the Board, performs
special services or assignments on behalf of the Board, receives compensation
of $1,000 per day plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Each non-employee
director also receives, upon his initial election to the Board of Directors, a
stock option grant of 2,500 shares of Class B Common Stock at the then market
price pursuant to the terms of the 1993 National Steel Corporation Non-
Employee Directors Stock Option Plan ("Directors Plan"). Up until February 14,
2000, an additional stock option grant of 500 shares of Class B Common Stock
was granted to each non-employee director pursuant to the Directors Plan at
each anniversary of Board service. Effective as of February 14, 2000, the
amount of this annual grant was increased from 500 shares to 1,000 shares. All
stock options granted pursuant to the Directors Plan vest in one-third annual
increments commencing on the first anniversary date of the initial grant.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee")
reviews and approves the philosophy and guidelines for compensation programs
and develops recommendations for the Board of Directors regarding compensation
levels for the Company's executive officers and directors. The Committee also
administers the Company's annual Management Incentive Compensation Plan
("MICP"). The Committee is composed exclusively of independent directors who
are not eligible to participate in any of management's compensation programs.
The Committee presents the following report on compensation for the Company's
executive officers for 1999.
Overview and Philosophy
The Committee has adopted a written statement of executive compensation
purposes, guiding principles and objectives which guide its evaluation and
determination of executive compensation programs. This statement was developed
by the Committee with the assistance of an independent compensation consulting
firm familiar with compensation policies within the industry and at other
major corporations. The statement provides that the purposes of executive
compensation are to:
. attract, motivate and retain outstanding team members;
.align their success with the Company's stockholders; thereby
. motivating them to enhance stockholder value by attaining the Company's
short and long term performance objectives.
Components of Executive Officer Compensation
Individual executive officer compensation includes base salary, annual
incentive bonus and long term incentive compensation. With the assistance of
an independent consulting firm, the Committee determines the median amount of
base salary, annual incentive bonus and long term incentive compensation which
are appropriate for each executive officer position. These median amounts are
based upon compensation practices for comparable positions, as disclosed in
certain compensation surveys reviewed by the Committee, including surveys of
companies in the steel industry and surveys of general industrial companies.
In making its determination of median compensation amounts, the Committee
focuses on the salary, annual incentive bonus and long term incentive
compensation disclosed in these surveys for companies of comparable size and
scope of
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operations, including the largest public integrated steel companies with which
the Company competes. However, since duties, responsibilities and experience
of an executive officer may differ from survey norms in both content and
scope, adjustments are made by the Committee, in its judgment, for those
factors. Therefore, compensation paid to some executive officers may be lower,
while compensation paid to other executive officers may be higher, than median
levels. All of the companies included in the Company's peer group shown in the
Performance Graph on page 17 of this Proxy Statement, and many of the
companies included in the Standard & Poor's Composite 500 stock index,
participate in the surveys reviewed by the Committee.
Base Salary
An increase in base salary for an executive officer is based on individual
performance, business performance and the median base salary amount for such
position, as disclosed in compensation surveys reviewed by the Committee. The
Committee does not rely on any specific formula nor does it assign specific
weights to the factors used in determining base salaries. Mr. Tanaka's base
salary was increased from $500,000 to $525,000 in March 1999. The base salary
of Mr. Tanaka was below the median salary level for his position, as disclosed
in the compensation surveys reviewed by the Committee.
Annual Incentives
The 1999 MICP approved by the Compensation Committee established the basis
for determining the amount of annual incentive bonus paid to each executive
officer. Under the MICP, each executive officer is given an annual incentive
target, equal to a percentage of base salary. This target is based upon
compensation surveys reviewed by the Committee which establish the median
annual incentive compensation amount for comparable positions. The annual
incentive target may be adjusted by the Committee in its discretion, based
upon its evaluation of a particular executive officer's responsibilities and
performance. Mr. Tanaka's annual incentive target is 50% of his base salary.
The 1999 MICP provided that each executive officer could earn a percentage
of his target amount, depending upon the extent to which the Company achieved
the net income and other performance goals established by the Committee. This
percentage could also be adjusted by the Committee, in its discretion, in the
event of exceptional Company performance or if other important business or
strategic objectives were met. Based upon these factors, no 1999 MICP payout
was made to executive officers.
Long Term Incentives
The Company's long term incentive compensation awards for executive
officers are made pursuant to the 1993 National Steel Corporation Long Term
Incentive Plan ("Long Term Incentive Plan") and are designed to link executive
compensation to the performance of the Company's Class B Common Stock share
price. These awards also provide a retention incentive for participants.
Effective as of March 17, 1999, the Committee and the Board of Directors
granted long term incentive awards in the form of nonqualified stock options
under the Long Term Incentive Plan to certain of the Company's executive
officers. The amount of these awards was based primarily upon the median level
of the long term incentive award for each executive officer position, as
disclosed in compensation surveys reviewed by the Committee. The Committee
also took into account its evaluation of the particular officer's
responsibilities and performance. These stock options vest in one-third annual
increments commencing on the first anniversary date of the initial grant. The
exercise price for all options was equal to the market price of the Company's
Class B Common Stock on the date of the grant. Thus, these awards reward
executives only to the extent that the Company's Class B Common Stock share
price increases over that market price. Mr. Tanaka was awarded options to
purchase 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $8 9/32 per share. Mr. Tanaka's
stock option award was below the median grant value of long term incentive
awards for his position, as disclosed in the compensation surveys reviewed by
the Committee.
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Benefits
The Company's executive officers also participate in pension, perquisite,
deferred compensation and other executive benefit programs. These programs are
designed to be within competitive standards as defined by the practices of
other major corporations.
Tax Treatment
One factor which the Committee considers in establishing its compensation
policies is the expected tax treatment to the Company and its executive
officers of the various forms of compensation. Among other things, the
Committee considers the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), on the corporate deduction for
compensation paid to executive officers. The deductibility of certain types of
compensation may depend upon factors which are beyond the Committee's control,
such as the timing of the executive officer's exercise of stock options or
SARs and changes in law. Consequently, the Committee may not, in all cases,
limit executive compensation to that amount which is deductible under Section
162(m) of the Code. The Committee will, however, consider methods of
preserving the deductibility of compensation benefits to the extent that it is
reasonably practicable and to the extent that it is consistent with the
Committee's other compensation goals and objectives. In 1999, the Company was
not affected by the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code.
The Committee believes the Company's executive compensation policies and
programs serve the interests of the stockholders and the Company. As the
Company moves forward in its efforts to create stockholder value in the years
ahead, the Committee will continue to review, monitor and evaluate the
Company's policies and programs regarding executive compensation. The
Committee intends to insure that these compensation policies and programs
continue to support the Company's strategy, continue to be competitive in the
marketplace to attract, retain and motivate the talent needed to succeed and
appropriately reward the creation of value on behalf of the Company's
stockholders.
Compensation Committee
Bruce K. MacLaury, Chairman
Charles A. Bowsher
Sotaro Wakabyashi
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Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth separately, for the fiscal years indicated,
each component of compensation paid or awarded to, or earned by, each
individual who served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company during the
last fiscal year, and each of the other four most highly compensated executive
officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of the last fiscal
year (collectively referred to herein as the "Named Executive Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
--------------------------------- ------------
Securities
Underlying
Other Annual Options/ All Other
Name and Principal Compensation SARs Compensation
Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) ($)(1) (#)(2) ($)(3)
------------------ ---- ---------- --------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Yutaka Tanaka........... 1999 520,834 0 18,751 50,000 22,872
Chairman of the Board
and 1998 333,338 125,000 18,302 45,000 22,872
Chief Executive Officer
(4) 1997 -- -- -- -- --
John A. Maczuzak........ 1999 395,830 0 12,287 45,000 36,529
President and 1998 372,916 95,000 -- 45,000 28,729
Chief Operating Officer 1997 347,909 275,000 12,115 40,000 34,863
Glenn H. Gage........... 1999 297,750 0 136,427 30,000 26,056
Senior Vice President
and 1998 118,750 57,000 7,391 30,000 16,519
Chief Financial Officer
(5) 1997 -- -- -- -- --
John F. Kaloski......... 1999 250,008 0 5,192 20,000 20,643
Senior Vice President 1998 104,170 50,000 5,192 30,000 9,801
Regional Division (5) 1997 -- -- -- -- --
David L. Peterson....... 1999 234,996 0 6,750 20,000 20,258
Senior Vice President,
Business 1998 234,996 40,730 6,860 30,000 22,634
Development, Production
Planning 1997 233,746 125,000 6,860 15,000 22,542
and Technical Support
(6)
James H. Squires........ 1999 234,996 0 8,360 20,000 23,106
Senior Vice President
and 1998 211,666 50,000 8,360 25,000 18,104
General Manager 1997 180,000 125,000 -- 15,000 7,272
Granite City Division
</TABLE>
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(1) The amount shown represents amounts paid to the Named Executive Officer
for reimbursement of taxes, except for Mr. Gage in 1999, where the amount
shown represents $66,227 for reimbursement of taxes and $70,200 for
certain relocation benefits.
(2) All grants shown were made pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan. In
addition to the stock options shown in the table above, in February 1998,
each of Messrs. Maczuzak, Peterson and Squires were granted SARs pursuant
to the Long Term Incentive Plan in exchange for cancellation of an
identical number of non-statutory stock options previously granted to him.
The SARs had the same exercise price, exercise date and expiration date as
the stock options which they replaced. Also, in October 1998, each of
Messrs. Maczuzak, Peterson and Squires were granted non-statutory stock
options pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan in exchange for
cancellation of all remaining SARs previously granted to him. The stock
options have the same exercise price, exercise date and expiration date as
the SARs which they replaced.
8
<PAGE>
(3) The amount shown for 1999 includes (a) the Company's contribution to the
National Steel Retirement Savings Program for Messrs. Maczuzak, Gage,
Kaloski, Peterson and Squires in the amounts of $8,308, $7,695, $5,625,
$7,395 and $7,487, respectively; (b) the dollar value of life insurance
premiums paid by the Company on behalf of the Named Executive Officer for
Messrs. Tanaka, Maczuzak, Gage, Kaloski, Peterson and Squires in the
amounts of $22,872, $14,988, $10,581, $7,518, $8,234 and $10,619,
respectively; and (c) the Company's contribution to the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan for Messrs. Maczuzak, Gage, Kaloski, Peterson and
Squires in the amounts of $13,233, $7,780, $7,500, $4,629 and $5,000,
respectively.
(4) Mr. Tanaka was appointed Vice Chairman of the Company on April 1, 1998 and
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 1998.
(5) Mr. Gage and Mr. Kaloski became executive officers of the Company on
August 1, 1998.
(6) Mr. Peterson ceased being an executive officer as of December 31, 1999.
Stock Option/SAR Tables
The following table contains information relating to stock options and SARs
which were granted to the Named Executive Officers in 1999.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of
Securities Percent of Total Options Exercise or Base
Underlying Options Granted To Employees Price Expiration Grant Date Present
Name Granted (#)(1) in Fiscal Year ($/Share)(2) Date Value ($)(3)
- ---- ------------------ ------------------------ ---------------- ---------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Yutaka Tanaka........... 50,000 16.4% $8 9/32 3/17/09 $214,635
John A. Maczuzak........ 45,000 14.8 8 9/32 3/17/09 193,171
Glenn H. Gage........... 30,000 9.9 8 9/32 3/17/09 128,781
John F. Kaloski......... 20,000 6.6 8 9/32 3/17/09 85,854
David L. Peterson....... 20,000 6.6 8 9/32 3/17/09 85,854
James H. Squires........ 20,000 6.6 8 9/32 3/17/09 85,854
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) These grants represent nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of
the Company's Class B Common Stock which were granted under the Long Term
Incentive Plan. The options become exercisable in annual one third
increments commencing one year from the date of the initial grant. The
options can be exercised only while the optionee is in the employ of the
Company; however, in the event that termination of employment is by reason
of retirement, permanent disability or death, the options may be exercised
in whole or in part within 24 months of the date of any such occurrence,
to the extent they have vested as described in the Long Term Incentive
Plan. In the event of a change in control, as defined in the Long Term
Incentive Plan, all options become immediately exercisable unless provided
otherwise at the time of grant of such options.
(2) The exercise price for these stock option grants was equal to the fair
market value of the Class B Common Stock on the grant date.
(3) The grant date present value was determined using the Black-Scholes
valuation methodology. The Company does not advocate or necessarily agree
that the Black-Scholes model can properly determine the value of an option
or SAR. The actual value, if any, a Named Executive Officer may realize
will depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on
the date the option or SAR is exercised so that there is no assurance the
value realized by an individual will be at or near the value estimated by
the Black-Scholes model. The following assumptions were made when applying
the Black-Scholes valuation methodology to these grants: (a) expected
volatility: 0.5728; (b) expected dividend yield: 2.77%; (c) expected risk
free rate of return: 5.50%; (d) expected timing of exercise: 10 years; and
(e) Black-Scholes ratio: 0.518360.
9
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth certain information concerning options to
purchase the Company's Class B Common Stock and SARs which were exercised by
the Named Executive Officers during 1999 and the value of unexercised options
and SARs held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 1999.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN 1999 AND
DECEMBER 31, 1999 OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
December 31, 1999 (#)(1) December 31, 1999 ($)(2)
Shares Acquired Value ------------------------- -------------------------
Name on Exercise (#) Realized ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---- --------------- ------------ ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Yutaka Tanaka........... 0 0 15,000 80,000 0 0
John A. Maczuzak........ 0 0 56,666 88,334 0 0
Glenn H. Gage........... 0 0 10,000 50,000 0 0
John F. Kaloski......... 0 0 10,000 40,000 0 0
David L. Peterson....... 0 0 19,999 38,335 0 0
James H. Squires........ 0 0 13,333 41,667 0 0
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) All unexercised instruments are stock options.
(2) There were no in-the-money stock options held by the Named Executive
Officers at December 31, 1999 because the exercise prices of all
unexercised stock options exceeded the market price of the Company's Class
B Common Stock of $7.4375 per share on December 31, 1999.
Pension Plans
The following table shows the annual benefits payable under the Company's
qualified defined benefit retirement plan along with the non-qualified
retirement plans, which provide for the payment of retirement benefits in
excess of certain maximum limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, to
eligible employees in various earnings groups and with various periods of
service. Benefits shown are computed at the plan's normal retirement age of 65
based on a straight life annuity.
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Annual Years of Service
Eligible Compensation -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preceding Retirement 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
--------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 100,000.............. $ 13,500 $ 20,000 $ 26,500 $ 33,500 $ 40,000 $ 46,500 $ 52,500 $ 58,500
150,000.............. 20,500 30,500 41,000 51,000 61,500 71,500 80,500 90,500
200,000.............. 27,500 41,500 55,500 69,000 83,000 97,000 110,500 124,500
250,000.............. 35,000 52,500 70,500 88,000 105,500 123,000 140,500 158,000
300,000.............. 42,500 64,000 85,500 106,500 128,000 149,500 170,500 192,000
350,000.............. 50,000 75,000 100,500 125,500 150,500 175,500 200,500 225,500
400,000.............. 57,500 86,500 115,500 144,000 173,000 202,000 230,500 259,500
450,000.............. 65,000 97,500 130,500 163,000 195,500 228,000 260,500 293,000
500,000.............. 72,500 109,000 145,500 181,500 218,000 254,500 290,500 327,000
600,000.............. 87,500 131,500 175,500 219,000 263,000 307,000 350,500 394,500
700,000.............. 102,500 154,000 205,500 256,500 308,000 359,500 410,500 462,000
800,000.............. 117,500 176,500 235,500 294,000 353,000 412,000 470,500 529,500
900,000.............. 132,500 199,000 265,500 331,500 398,000 464,500 530,500 597,000
1,000,000.............. 147,500 221,500 295,500 369,000 443,000 517,000 590,500 664,500
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
Eligible compensation covered by the Company's retirement plans includes
the eligible employee's base salary, before reduction for any salary deferral
agreements, and MICP awards paid for the sixty highest consecutive months
during the last ten years of employment. Benefits paid under the Company's
plans are not subject to reduction for social security payments received by
the Company's executive officers.
MICP awards are shown in the bonus column of the Summary Compensation Table
in the year in which they were earned. Eligible compensation under the
retirement plans includes the bonus in the year in which the payment was made
and, as such, MICP awards earned in a particular year are included in the
following year as eligible compensation under the retirement plans.
The table below shows for each of the Named Executive Officers (a) the
years of service under the retirement plans as of December 31, 1999, and (b)
the amount of eligible compensation under the retirement plans for 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years of
Name Service Eligible Compensation
---- -------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Yutaka Tanaka.............................. 1.75 $645,834
John A. Maczuzak........................... 3.67 $490,830
Glenn H. Gage.............................. 1.42 $354,500
John F. Kaloski............................ 1.42 $300,008
David L. Peterson (1)...................... 5.58 $275,726
James H. Squires........................... 43.25 $288,908
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Peterson will
receive credit for 23 years of service with a previous employer for the
purpose of determining his pension benefit from the Company. The benefits
of Mr. Peterson under the Company's qualified defined benefit retirement
plan and non-qualified retirement plans will be reduced by the amount of
his pension benefits from the previous employer. See discussion below
under the caption "Employment Contracts".
Employment Contracts
The Company has entered into employment contracts ("Contracts") with
certain executives, including the Named Executive Officers identified below.
Set forth below is a summary of certain terms of the Contracts applicable to
such Named Executive Officers.
The Contract with Mr. Tanaka provides for (i) non-competition for a period
of two years subsequent to termination of employment by Mr. Tanaka without
"good reason"; and (ii) other post termination covenants including non-
disclosure, non-solicitation of employees, cooperation during a transition
period and release of employment claims. The term of the Contract with Mr.
Tanaka expires on August 31, 2001. The Contract provides that (i) the annual
base salary of Mr. Tanaka under the Contract shall be equal to the base salary
in effect on the date of the Contract, subject to adjustment from time to time
and (ii) Mr. Tanaka's annual target incentive compensation opportunity shall
be equal to at least 50% of base salary. The Contract further provides that
any reduction in Mr. Tanaka's then current base salary or target incentive
opportunity constitutes "good reason" for termination of the Contract by Mr.
Tanaka.
The Contract with Mr. Tanaka provides for certain payments and benefits
upon termination of Mr. Tanaka's employment. If Mr. Tanaka's employment
terminates due to death or disability, he will receive a payment equal to the
average incentive compensation paid to him in the three preceding years or, if
greater, his target incentive compensation percentage multiplied by his then
current base salary, in each case pro-rated to reflect the part of the year
completed before termination. If his employment is terminated by the Company
without "cause" or by Mr. Tanaka for "good reason", he would be entitled to
special termination benefits consisting of: (i) a severance payment equal to
50% of his annual base salary; (ii) a pro-rata incentive compensation payment
for the year of termination, based on the formula applied in the case of death
or disability; (iii) continued stock option vesting
11
<PAGE>
and exercisability for a five year period; and (iv) a two year continuation of
health care and certain other employee benefits on the same basis as if he had
remained an employee for such period. During the benefit continuation period,
Company provided employee benefits would be secondary to any benefits provided
under an NKK sponsored benefit plan, or any Japanese government benefit plan
or other available benefit plan. If Mr. Tanaka is age 69 at the time of a
qualifying termination, the benefit continuation period is reduced to one
year. If termination occurs on or after age 70, there is no benefit
continuation period. After expiration of his Contract term, Mr. Tanaka would
be entitled to the special termination benefits described above in the event
he terminates his employment with or without "good reason", or if the Company
terminates his employment without "cause". The Contract also provides that the
Company will reimburse Mr. Tanaka for expenses incurred in seeking in good
faith to enforce his Contract.
The Contracts with Mr. Maczuzak and Mr. Peterson also provide for non-
competition subsequent to termination of employment by the executive without
"good reason" for a period of two years. The Contracts with Mr. Maczuzak and
Mr. Peterson also provide other post termination covenants including non-
disclosure, non-solicitation of employees, cooperation during a transition
period and release of employment claims. The Contracts had an initial term
ending July 1, 1998 and are subject to automatic month-to-month extensions
unless either party elects not to extend the term. Prior to the date the
executive reaches age 65, an election by the Company not to extend the term of
the Contracts will automatically result in a termination of employment without
"cause". The Contracts provide that (i) the executive's annual base salary
under his Contract shall be equal to the base salary in effect on the date of
the Contract, subject to adjustment from time to time, (ii) his annual target
incentive compensation opportunity shall be equal to at least 40% of his base
salary and (iii) any reduction in the executive's then current base salary or
target incentive opportunity constitutes "good reason" for termination of the
Contract by the executive.
The Contract with Mr. Peterson also provides that, for purposes of
determining his pension benefits with the Company, he will receive credit for
his years of service with his previous employer, and his pension benefits from
the Company will be reduced by his pension benefits from his previous
employer. The Company has also agreed to provide Mr. Peterson with retiree
health care under certain circumstances.
The Contracts with Mr. Maczuzak and Mr. Peterson provide for certain
payments and benefits upon termination of employment. If employment terminates
for any reason on or after age 65, or due to death or disability, the
executive will receive a payment equal to the average incentive compensation
paid to the executive in the three preceding years or, if greater, the
executive's target incentive compensation percentage multiplied by his then
current base salary, in each case pro-rated to reflect the part of the year
completed before termination. If employment is terminated by the Company
without "cause" or by the executive for "good reason" before the executive
reaches age 64, Mr. Maczuzak and Mr. Peterson would be entitled to special
termination benefits consisting of: (i) a severance payment equal to two times
the executive's annual base salary, a pro-rata incentive compensation payment
for the year of termination plus, if such termination follows a change of
control, an additional amount equal to two times the average incentive
compensation paid to the executive in the three preceding years or, if
greater, the executive's target incentive compensation amount based on the
formula applied in the case of death or disability; (ii) continued stock
option vesting and exercisability for a two year period; (iii) outplacement
services; and (iv) a two year continuation of health care and certain other
employee benefits on the same basis as if the executive had remained an
employee for such period. During the benefit continuation period, Company
provided health care benefits would be secondary to any health care benefits
provided under another employer provided plan. If a qualifying termination
occurs after Mr. Maczuzak or Mr. Peterson reaches age 64, the two year
severance and two year benefit continuation periods are reduced to one year,
and if a qualifying termination occurs after the executive reaches age 65,
there is no severance payment and no benefit continuation period.
The Contracts with Mr. Maczuzak and Mr. Peterson also provide that, in the
event of a change of control, the benefits provided under the various Company
plans and programs may not be less favorable than those provided at any time
during the 120 day period immediately preceding the change of control. If a
termination by
12
<PAGE>
the Company without "cause" or by the executive for "good reason" follows a
change of control, then, in addition to the special termination benefits
described above, a lump sum cash payment equal to the actuarially equivalent
value of non-qualified unfunded retirement benefits will be paid to the
executive. If payments under the Contracts following a change in control are
subject to excise tax, the Company will make a "gross-up" payment sufficient
to ensure that the net after-tax amount retained by the executive (taking into
account all taxes, including those on the gross-up payment) is the same as
would have been the case had such excise tax not applied. The Contracts also
provide that the Company will reimburse the executive for expenses incurred in
seeking in good faith to enforce his Contract. The Contract with Mr. Peterson
was terminated without "cause", effective as of December 31, 1999, and Mr.
Peterson will receive the payments and benefits called for by his Contract.
The Contracts with Mr. Gage and Mr. Kaloski also provide for non-
competition for a period of one year subsequent to a voluntary termination of
employment by the executive under circumstances that do not constitute a
"constructive discharge". The Contracts with Mr. Gage and Mr. Kaloski also
provide other post termination covenants including non-disclosure, non-
solicitation of employees, no unfavorable publicity and cooperation during a
transition period. The Contracts have an initial term ending July 31, 2000, in
the case of Mr. Gage, and July 31, 2002, in the case of Mr. Kaloski. Mr.
Gage's contract also provides for extension by agreement between him and the
Company. The Contracts provide that (i) the executive's annual base salary
under his Contract shall be equal to at least $285,000, in the case of Mr.
Gage, and $250,000 in the case of Mr. Kaloski, and (ii) his annual target
incentive compensation opportunity shall be equal to at least 40% of his base
salary.
The Contracts with Mr. Gage and Mr. Kaloski provide for certain payments
and benefits upon termination of employment. If employment is terminated by
the Company without "cause" or by the executive due to a "constructive
discharge", or, in the case of Mr. Gage, if the Agreement is not extended at
its expiration date, the executive would be entitled to receive: (i) a lump
sum payment equal to the executive's annual base salary (two times the annual
base salary if the executive executes a Release of any claims against the
Company); (ii) outplacement services; and (iii) a one year continuation of
health care benefits on the same basis as if the executive had remained an
employee for such period.
The Contracts with Mr. Gage and Mr. Kaloski also provide that, in the event
of a change of control, the benefits provided under the various Company plans
and programs may not be less favorable than those provided at any time during
the 120 day period immediately preceding the change of control. If, within two
years following a change of control, the executive's employment is terminated
by the Company without "cause" or by the executive due to a "constructive
discharge", or, in the case of Mr. Gage, if the Agreement is not extended at
its expiration date, the executive is entitled to receive, in addition to the
payments and benefits described in the preceding paragraph, (i) an amount
equal to the average incentive compensation paid to the executive in preceding
years during the Contract term or, if greater, the executive's target
incentive compensation percentage multiplied by his then current base salary
(two times either such amount if the executive executes a Release of any
claims against the Company); and (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the
actuarially equivalent value of non-qualified unfunded retirement benefits to
which the executive is entitled. If payments under the Contracts following a
change in control are subject to excise tax, the Company will make a "gross-
up" payment sufficient to ensure that the net after-tax amount retained by the
executive (taking into account all taxes, including those on the gross-up
payment) is the same as would have been the case had such excise tax not
applied. The Contracts also provide that disputes will be resolved through
arbitration, and the Company will be responsible for all of the fees and
expenses of the arbitration (including the executive's reasonable attorney's
fees) if the executive prevails on any material issue which is the subject of
the arbitration.
13
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the number of shares of the Company's Class
B Common Stock and the number of shares of common stock of NKK beneficially
owned by each of the Company's directors, nominees for director and Named
Executive Officers and by the Company's directors and executive officers as a
group as of March 1, 2000 in the case of the Company's Class B Common Stock
and as of December 31, 1999 in the case of NKK common stock. None of the
Company's directors, nominees for director or Named Executive Officers
beneficially owned any shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock. Except as
otherwise indicated, each director, nominee for director or Named Executive
Officer had sole voting and investment power with respect to any shares
beneficially owned.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class B Common Stock of
NKK Corporation Stock Company
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Number of Shares Percent of Number of Shares Percent of
Name Beneficially Owned (1) Class Beneficially Owned (2) Class
- ---- ---------------------- ---------- ---------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charles A. Bowsher...... 0 0 3,001 *
Edsel D. Dunford........ 0 0 16,833 *
Mitsuoki Hino........... 25,000 * 833 *
Frank J. Lucchino....... 0 0 4,101 *
Bruce K. MacLaury....... 0 0 3,501 *
Mineo Shimura........... 11,000 * 3,001 *
Hisashi Tanaka.......... 11,000 * 1,833 *
Yutaka Tanaka........... 37,104 * 46,667 *
Sotaro Wakabayashi...... 5,200 * 833 *
John A. Maczuzak........ 0 0 107,288(3)(4) *
Glenn H. Gage........... 0 0 30,000(5) *
John F. Kaloski......... 0 0 19,667 *
David L. Peterson....... 0 0 40,333(6) *
James H. Squires........ 0 0 33,333 *
All directors and
executive officers
as a group (20
persons)............... 89,304 * 403,889*(3) 2.10%
</TABLE>
- --------
*Less than 1% of the outstanding shares on March 1, 2000 in the case of the
Company's Class B Common Stock and on December 31, 1999 in the case of NKK
common stock.
(1) NKK Corporation stock can be voted in units of 1,000 shares only, and
units of less than 1,000 shares have no voting power. In addition, Messrs.
Hino, Hisashi Tanaka and Wakabayashi have no voting power with respect to
2,658, 2,659 and 4,511 shares of NKK Corporation stock, respectively,
owned by them which are held by the trustee of NKK Corporation's employee
stock ownership program.
(2) Includes shares which the individual has the right to acquire through the
exercise of stock options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 1,
2000 in the following amounts: for Mr. Bowsher 3,001 shares; for Mr.
Dunford 1,833 shares; for Mr. Hino 833 shares; for Mr. Lucchino 4,001
shares; for Mr. MacLaury 3,501 shares; for Mr. Shimura 3,001 shares; for
Mr. Hisashi Tanaka 1,833 shares; for Mr. Yutaka Tanaka 46,667 shares; for
Mr. Wakabyashi 833 shares; for Mr. Maczuzak 100,000 shares; for Mr. Gage
20,000 shares; for Mr. Kaloski 16,667 shares; for Mr. Peterson 38,333
shares; for Mr. Squires 33,333 shares; and for all directors and executive
officers as a group 362,468 shares.
(3) Includes shares held by the trustee of the Company's Salaried Employees
Retirement Savings Program as of December 31, 1999 in the following
amounts: for Mr. Maczuzak 3,788 shares and for all directors and executive
officers as a group 5,021 shares.
(4) Includes 3,500 shares owned by Mr. Maczuzak's spouse.
(5) Includes 5,000 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Gage and his spouse
are co-trustees and Mr. Gage's spouse is the beneficiary and 5,000 shares
owned by a trust of which Mr. Gage and his spouse are co-trustees and Mr.
Gage is the beneficiary.
14
<PAGE>
(6) Includes 1,000 shares owned by a trust, the beneficiary and trustee of
which is Mr. Peterson's spouse. Mr. Peterson ceased to be an executive
officer of the Company as of December 31, 1999, and the information
regarding his stock ownership is based upon the most recent information
available to the Company.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's executive officers and directors and persons who owned greater
than 10% of a class of the Company's equity securities to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission an initial statement of beneficial
ownership and certain statements of changes in beneficial ownership of equity
securities of the Company. Based solely upon a review of the copies of the
forms furnished to the Company, or written representations from certain
reporting persons that Forms 5 were not required, the Company believes that
all Section 16(a) filing requirements with respect to its executive officers
and directors were met, except that two Forms 4 were filed late--one to report
an acquisition of shares of the Company stock by Edsel D. Dunford, Director,
and a second to report an acquisition of shares of the Company stock by John
F. Kaloski, Senior Vice President, Regional Division.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO VOTING SECURITIES
The following table sets forth the only holders known to the Company to
beneficially own more than 5% of the Company's Class A Common Stock or Class B
Common Stock as of March 1, 2000, unless otherwise indicated. The information
contained in this table is based upon the statements filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13(d) and 13(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent of Total
Name and Address of Number of Shares Class of Percent of Class Common Stock
Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Common Stock Outstanding Outstanding
- ------------------- ------------------ ------------ ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NKK U.S.A. Corporation
...................... 22,100,000(1) Class A 100.00% 53.53%
1013 Centre Road
Wilmington, Delaware
19805-1297
Donald Smith & Co.,
Inc. ................. 2,692,400(2) Class B 14.03% 6.52%
East 80, Rte. 4
Paramus, New Jersey
07652
Dimensional Fund
Advisors Inc. ........ 1,409,675(3) Class B 7.35% 3.41%
1299 Ocean Avenue
11th Floor
Santa Monica,
California 90401
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) NKK has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
Class A Common Stock. As reported in a Schedule 13D dated February 13,
1995 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, NKK had sole
voting and investment power with respect to 22,100,000 shares of Class B
Common Stock listed as beneficially owned as a result of its ownership of
Class A Common Stock convertible into an equal number of shares of Class B
Common Stock.
(2) According to a Schedule 13G dated February 9, 2000 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Donald Smith & Co., Inc. reported that
it had sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to
2,692,400 shares.
(3) According to a Schedule 13G dated February 4, 2000 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.
reported that it had sole voting power and sole dispositive power with
respect to 1,409,675 shares.
15
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Effective May 1, 1995, the Company entered into an Agreement for the
Transfer of Employees with NKK, which supersedes a prior arrangement. The
Agreement was unanimously approved by all directors of the Company who were
not then, and never have been, employees of NKK. Pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, technical and business advice is provided through NKK employees who
are transferred to the employ of the Company. The Agreement further provides
that the term can be extended from year to year after expiration of the
initial term, if approved by NKK and a majority of the directors of the
Company who were not then, and never have been, employees of NKK. The
Agreement has been extended through the calendar year 2000 in accordance with
this provision. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company is
obligated to reimburse NKK for the costs and expenses incurred by NKK in
connection with the transfer of these employees, subject to an agreed upon
cap. The cap was $7 million during 1999 and 2000. The Company incurred
expenditures of approximately $6.3 million under this Agreement during 1999.
In addition, the Company paid approximately $0.3 million to NKK for various
other engineering services provided by NKK during 1999.
On October 23, 1998, the Company entered into a Turnkey Engineering and
Construction Contract with NKK Steel Engineering, Inc. ("NKK SE"), a
subsidiary of NKK. The Agreement was unanimously approved by all directors of
the Company who were not then, and never have been, employees of NKK. Pursuant
to this agreement, NKK SE will design, engineer, construct and install a
continuous galvanizing facility at the Company's Great Lakes Division in
Ecorse, Michigan. The purchase price payable by the Company to NKK SE for the
facility is approximately $139.7 million. During 1999, $98.4 million was paid
to NKK SE relating to this contract, and $6.5 million was included in accounts
payable, net of a $9.3 million retention, as of December 31, 1999.
During 1999, the Company purchased from a trading company, in arms' length
transactions at competitively bid prices, approximately $22.6 million of slabs
produced by NKK. The Company has committed to purchase an additional $3.8
million of slabs produced by NKK during the first quarter of 2000. Effective
as of February 16, 2000, the Company also entered into a Steel Slab Products
Supply Agreement with NKK, the initial term of which extends through December
31, 2000 and will continue on a year to year basis thereafter until terminated
by either party on six months notice. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement,
the Company will purchase steel slabs manufactured by NKK at a price
determined in accordance with a formula set forth in the Agreement. The
quantity of slabs to be purchased is negotiated on a quarterly basis. This
Agreement was unanimously approved by all directors of the Company who were
not then, and never have been, employees of NKK.
During 1999, the Company purchased from a trading company, in arms' length
transactions at competitively bid prices, approximately $24.8 million of
finished coated steel produced by NKK of which $0.6 million is included in
accounts payable at December 31, 1999. The Company entered into this Agreement
in order to fulfill the delivery requirements of a contract with a major
automotive customer at a fixed price. During 1999, the Company recorded a loss
of $5.4 million relating to these agreements. The Company anticipates that
approximately $5.8 million of finished coated steel produced by NKK will be
purchased during 2000 so that the Company can fulfill its obligations to this
customer. Of this amount, approximately $3.2 million of product has been
received during the first two months of 2000.
During 1999, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.28 per share on both the
Class A Common Stock owned by NKK USA Corporation and on its Class B Common
Stock. Aggregate dividends paid to NKK USA Corporation during 1999 were
approximately $6.2 million.
16
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF TOTAL RETURN
The chart below compares the Company's total stockholder return on its
Class B Common Stock for the period beginning December 31, 1994 and ending
December 31, 1999, with the cumulative return of (i) the Standard & Poor's
Composite 500 stock index and (ii) a peer group consisting of the U.S. Steel
Group of USX Corporation, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, LTV Corporation and AK
Steel Holding Corporation ("Peer Group"). The Peer Group consists of the four
largest domestic integrated steel producers with which the Company competes.
The comparisons in this graph assume an investment of $100 on December 31,
1994 in Class B Common Stock of the Company, the Standard & Poor's Composite
500 stock index and the Peer Group. Cumulative total returns are calculated
assuming reinvestment of dividends, and the peer group indexes are weighted to
reflect the market capitalization of the index members. These comparisons are
required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to
forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of the Company's
stock.
TOTAL RETURN TO STOCKHOLDERS
NATIONAL STEEL CORPORATION: 12/31/94-12/31/99
[LINE GRAPH]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Company/Index 12/31/94 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99
------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
National Steel..... 100 87.29 62.71 78.39 49.72 53.92
S&P 500............ 100 137.58 169.17 225.60 290.08 351.12
Peer Group......... 100 87.02 80.99 77.69 68.43 76.47
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE>
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
On February 14, 2000, the Board of Directors appointed Ernst & Young LLP to
serve as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2000, subject to ratification of such appointment at the 2000
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Ratification of the appointment requires the favorable vote of a majority
of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present at the
meeting and constituting a quorum. If the stockholders do not ratify this
appointment, the selection of the independent auditors will be reconsidered by
the Board of Directors.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting
and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as auditors.
PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS
In order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement
and proxy for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2001, proposals
of stockholders pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14a-8
intended to be presented at the 2001 Annual Meeting must be received in
writing by the Secretary of the Company no later than December 1, 2000 and
otherwise meet the requirements of that rule.
Written notice of shareholder proposals submitted outside the process of
Rule 14a-8 for consideration at the 2001 Annual Meeting must be received by
the Company on or before February 14, 2001 in order to be considered timely
for purposes of Rule 14a-4. The persons designated in the Company's proxy
statement shall be granted discretionary authority to vote with respect to any
shareholder proposal of which the Company does not receive timely notice.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be presented at the
Annual Meeting other than those set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting.
However, if any other matters do come before the Annual Meeting, it is
intended that the holders of proxies will vote thereon in their discretion.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Ronald J. Werhnyak
Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
March 31, 2000
Mishawaka, Indiana
18
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY
FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TRUST COMPANY
If I sign and return this proxy to you, you are instructed to cause all National
Steel Corporation Common Stock in my National Steel Retirement Savings Plan or
National Steel Represented Employee Retirement Savings Plan Account to be voted
at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of National Steel Corporation, to be held
on May 8, 2000, and any adjournment thereof, as follows:
As indicated by me on the reverse side, but, if I make no indication as to a
particular matter, then unless otherwise indicated, as recommended by management
on such matters, and, on such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting. The Trustee will keep the vote completely confidential.
If the Trustee does not receive a properly executed proxy by May 3, 2000 the
Trustee shall vote the shares represented by this proxy in the same proportion
as it votes those shares for which it does receive a properly executed proxy.
(OVER)
(Please sign on reverse side)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.FOLD AND DETACH HERE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Please mark
your vote as
indicated in
this example [X]
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD
listed to the right AUTHORITY
(except as marked to vote for all nominees
to the contrary) listed to the right
[_] [_]
2. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
as the Company's independent auditors for 2000
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[_] [_] [_]
NOMINEES: Charles A. Bowsher Edsel D. Dunford Mitsuoki Hino
Frank J. Lucchino Bruce K. MacLaury Mineo Shimura
Hisashi Tanaka Yutaka Tanaka Sotaro Wakabayashi
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name on the space provided below.)
______________________________________________________________________________
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
Please sign exactly as name appears. When shares are
held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. 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.
Dated _____________________________________________, 2000
_________________________________________________________
(Signature)
_________________________________________________________
(Signature if held jointly)
PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. FOLD AND DETACH HERE .
ADMISSION TICKET
Annual Meeting
of
National Steel Corporation Stockholders
Monday, May 8, 2000
10:00 a.m.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza
138 St. James Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts
Agenda
. Election of Directors
. Ratification of the appointment of independent auditors
. Discussion on matters of current interest
. Question and Answer Session
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY
NATIONAL STEEL CORPORATION
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints John A. Maczuzak and Ronald J. Werhnyak the
proxies, each with power to act alone and with power of substitution, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and vote, all shares of Class B Common Stock of
National Steel Corporation which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting to be held May 8, 2000 or any adjournment thereof as designated
herein and, in their discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting.
(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.FOLD AND DETACH HERE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Please mark
your vote as
indicated in
this example [X]
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD
listed to the right AUTHORITY
(except as marked to vote for all nominees
to the contrary) listed to the right
[_] [_]
2. Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
as the Company's independent auditors for 2000
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[_] [_] [_]
NOMINEES: Charles A. Bowsher Edsel D. Dunford Mitsuoki Hino
Frank J. Lucchino Bruce K. MacLaury Mineo Shimura
Hisashi Tanaka Yutaka Tanaka Sotaro Wakabayashi
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name on the space provided below.)
______________________________________________________________________________
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
Please sign exactly as name appears. When shares are
held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. 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.
Dated _____________________________________________, 2000
_________________________________________________________
(Signature)
_________________________________________________________
(Signature if held jointly)
PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. FOLD AND DETACH HERE .
ADMISSION TICKET
Annual Meeting
of
National Steel Corporation Stockholders
Monday, May 8, 2000
10:00 a.m.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza
138 St. James Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts
Agenda
. Election of Directors
. Ratification of the appointment of independent auditors
. Discussion on matters of current interest
. Question and Answer Session
