<PAGE> 1
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 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
LAFARGE CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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 transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
LAFARGE CORPORATION
11130 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE
RESTON, VIRGINIA 20191
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 6, 1997
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders of Lafarge
Corporation (the "Company") will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 1997 at 9:00 a.m.,
local time, at the Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20007, for the following purposes:
(1) To elect a Board of Directors for the ensuing year;
(2) To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as auditors to
audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997; and
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only holders of record of the Voting Stock and Common Stock of the Company
at the close of business on March 7, 1997 are entitled to notice of and to vote
at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Holders of record of Exchangeable
Preference Shares of Lafarge Canada Inc. ("LCI"), a subsidiary of the Company,
are entitled to voting rights in the Company through a trust that holds shares
of the Voting Stock of the Company.
A record of the Company's activities and consolidated financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 are contained in the enclosed 1996
Annual Report.
Dated: March 24, 1997
By Order of the Board of Directors,
DAVID C. JONES
Vice President--Legal
Affairs and Secretary
---------------------
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND
DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. IF
YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN
PERSON.
<PAGE> 3
LAFARGE CORPORATION
11130 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE
RESTON, VIRGINIA 20191
PROXY STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Lafarge
Corporation ("Lafarge Corp." or the "Company") for use at the annual meeting of
stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at the time and place and
for the purposes set forth in the foregoing notice.
Shares represented by a proxy in the form enclosed, duly signed, dated and
returned to the Company and not revoked, will be voted at the meeting in
accordance with the directions given, but in the absence of directions to the
contrary, such shares will be voted for the election of the Board's nominees for
director and in favor of the other proposals set forth in the foregoing notice.
Any stockholder of the Company may revoke his or her proxy, at any time before
it has been exercised, by notice in writing to the Secretary of the Company. Any
holder of exchangeable preference shares (the "Exchangeable Shares") of Lafarge
Canada Inc. ("LCI"), a subsidiary of the Company, may revoke his or her voting
instructions to the Montreal Trust Company (the "Trustee"), at any time before
the Trustee has acted upon such instructions, by notice in writing to the
Trustee.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to
solicitation by mail, certain officers and employees of the Company, who will
receive no additional compensation for their services, may solicit proxies in
person or by telephone or telefax.
The approximate date on which this proxy statement and the form of proxy
are first being sent to stockholders is March 24, 1997.
VOTING SECURITIES
The securities with voting rights in the Company which were outstanding at
March 7, 1997, the record date, consisted of 63,434,237 shares of common stock
(the "Common Shares") and 7,300,482 shares of voting stock (the "Voting Stock")
of the Company. The Company has deposited shares of Voting Stock in trust under
an arrangement which entitles each holder (other than LCI and the Company) of
Exchangeable Shares to vote at meetings of stockholders of the Company on the
basis of one vote in the Company for each whole Common Share for which the
Exchangeable Shares held by such holder are then exchangeable. Exchangeable
Shares are presently exchangeable, at the option of the holder, into Common
Shares on a one for one basis. Each holder of record of Common Shares or
Exchangeable Shares (collectively, the "Voting Securities") is entitled to one
vote for each such share of capital stock so held, with all stockholders voting
together as a single class.
Each holder of shares of any class of Voting Securities is entitled to one
vote for each share owned of record on the record date; provided, however, that
any bona fide transferee of Exchangeable Shares after the close of business on
such record date shall be entitled to instruct the Trustee with respect to the
exercise of the voting rights pertaining to such shares or to attend the annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company and to personally exercise such voting
rights if, not later than ten business days prior to such meeting, such
transferee delivers written notice to the Trustee of his or her intention to so
instruct the Trustee or to so attend and vote and, within five business days of
such meeting, produces for inspection by the Trustee at its principal corporate
trust office in Montreal, Quebec, properly endorsed certificates for such
shares, or otherwise establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee that he or
she is the bona fide owner of such shares.
<PAGE> 4
The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes cast at a meeting at
which a quorum is present is necessary for the election of a director. For
purposes of the election of directors, abstentions will not be counted as votes
cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.
The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes cast at a meeting at
which a quorum is present is necessary for ratification of the appointment of
independent auditors. For purposes of the vote regarding independent auditors,
abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have
no effect on the result of the vote.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth, as of March 7, 1997, information with
respect to stockholders who were known to be beneficial owners of more than five
percent of any class of Voting Securities.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE
OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT
TITLE OF CLASS NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
- ---------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock(1) Lafarge S.A. 37,515,271(2) 53.0%
61-63 rue des Belles Feuilles
76116 Paris France
Common Stock Vanguard/Windsor Fund, Inc.(3) 5,471,500(3) 7.7%
Post Office Box 2600
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19482-2600
Common Stock FMR Corp.(4) 5,109,410(4) 7.2%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a
"beneficial owner" is defined generally as any person who, directly or
indirectly, has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to a
security, and a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if
that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security
within 60 days. Accordingly, the table includes Exchangeable Shares, which
are presently exchangeable at the option of the holder into Common Shares on
a one for one basis. In addition, any securities not outstanding but which
may be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
the percentage of outstanding securities of the class owned by such person
but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage of the class owned by any other person. Holders of Exchangeable
Shares (other than LCI and the Company) have voting rights in the Company
through a trust holding shares of the Voting Stock and are entitled to
direct the voting of one share of Voting Stock for each Exchangeable Share
held.
(2) Includes 22,353,797 Common Shares held of record by Lafarge (U.S.) Holdings,
a New York trust in which Lafarge S.A. owns 100% of the beneficial interest
("Lafarge Holdings"), 14,599,396 Common Shares held of record by
Paris-Zurich Holdings, a New York trust in which the beneficial owners are
Lafarge Holdings and Cementia Holding A.G., a Swiss corporation and a
majority-owned subsidiary of Lafarge S.A. and additional Voting Securities
held by certain other affiliates of Lafarge S.A.
(3) This information is based on a Schedule 13G dated February 7, 1997 filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and received by the
Company. The Schedule 13G reports beneficial ownership by Vanguard/Windsor
Fund, Inc. of 5,471,500 shares with sole power to vote or direct the vote
for all of these shares, and with shared power to dispose or direct the
disposition of all of these shares. The Company also received a Schedule 13G
dated January 24, 1997 reporting beneficial ownership of these same
5,471,500 shares by Wellington Management Company LLP of Boston,
Massachusetts which holds these shares in its capacity as investment advisor
to Vanguard/Windsor Fund, Inc.
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<PAGE> 5
(4) This information is based on a Schedule 13G dated February 14, 1997 filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and received by the
Company. The Schedule 13G reports beneficial ownership by FMR Corp. of
5,109,410 shares, with sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of
all of these shares, and with sole power to vote or direct the vote for
185,200 of these shares. The Schedule 13G further reports that various
persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of
dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, these shares, and that the
interest of one person, Fidelity Magellan Fund, an investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, in the Common Shares
beneficially owned by FMR Corp. amounted to 4,882,510 shares.
On November 1, 1993, Lafarge S.A. and the Company entered into an option
agreement (the "Option Agreement") intended to enable Lafarge S.A. to maintain
its existing margin of voting control in the event of future issuances by the
Company of its voting securities. The Option Agreement grants the Lafarge S.A.
Group the right, until October 31, 2003, to purchase from the Company additional
voting securities. The Option Agreement is essentially a renewal of an option
agreement between Lafarge S.A. and the Company dated October 31, 1983 and which
expired on October 31, 1993. The Option Agreement was approved by the vote of
the independent directors of the Company (being those directors who have no
affiliation with Lafarge S.A.) based upon the business advantages for the
Company which result from Lafarge S.A.'s majority ownership of the Company.
Lafarge S.A. has informed the Company that it presently intends to maintain
ownership of a majority of the outstanding Voting Securities and to control the
election of the Board of Directors.
Lafarge S.A. is a public company whose voting securities are traded on
various European securities exchanges (in 1995, its name was changed from
Lafarge Coppee S.A. to Lafarge S.A.). In the opinion of Lafarge S.A.'s directors
and its management, Lafarge S.A. is controlled by its Board of Directors. The
Lafarge Group is principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of cement,
concrete, aggregates, gypsum products and specialty materials. The activities of
the Lafarge Group are carried out in numerous countries in Western Europe, North
America, South America, Africa, Eastern Europe and China.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of March 7, 1997, the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Shares by each of the Company's current
directors who are standing for reelection, nominees for directors,
3
<PAGE> 6
each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, and all
directors and executive officers as a group, based upon information obtained
from such persons:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
OF THE COMPANY'S OF LAFARGE S.A.
COMMON SHARES(1) COMMON STOCK(2)
---------------------- ----------------------
NUMBER PERCENT NUMBER PERCENT
NAME POSITION OF SHARES OF CLASS OF SHARES OF CLASS
- -------------------- ------------------------------ --------- -------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Thomas A. Buell Current director and nominee 8,500(3) * 0 *
Marshall A. Cohen Current director and nominee 8,000(4) * 0 *
Bertrand P. Collomb Current director and nominee 134,101(5) * 89,570(6) *
Philippe P. Dauman Nominee 0 * 0 *
Bernard L. Kasriel Current director and nominee 6,000(7) * 44,992(8) *
Jacques Lefevre Current director and nominee 7,100(3) * 46,305(9) *
Paul W. MacAvoy Current director and nominee 7,250(10) * 0 *
Claudine B. Malone Current director and nominee 3,750(11) * 0 *
Alonzo L. McDonald Current director and nominee 8,500(12) * 0 *
Robert W. Murdoch Current director and nominee 9,100(3) * 1,536 *
Bertin F. Nadeau Current director and nominee 8,000(13) * 0 *
John D. Redfern Current director and nominee 22,730(3) * 559 *
Joe M. Rodgers Current director and nominee 8,500(14) * 0 *
Michel Rose Current director and nominee 83,500(7) * 7,432(15) *
Ronald D. Southern Current director and nominee 8,130(16) * 0 *
Edward H. Tuck Current director and nominee 7,500(3) * 0 *
John M. Piecuch Current director and nominee; 81,024(17) * 10,040(18) *
executive officer
Edward T. Balfe Executive officer 73,374(19) * 2,200(7) *
Peter H. Cooke Executive officer 34,039(20) * 0 *
Duncan S. Gage Executive officer 60,078(21) * 2,200(7) *
Thomas W. Tatum Executive officer 48,747(22) * 2,200(7) *
Share ownership of all 29 directors and executive 771,013(23) * 219,306(24) *
officers of the Company as a group
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are directly owned. Under the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a "beneficial
owner" is defined generally as any person who, directly or indirectly, has
or shares voting power or investment power with respect to a security, and
a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if that person
has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such security within 60
days. Accordingly, the table includes (a) Exchangeable Shares which are
presently exchangeable at the option of the holder into Common Shares on a
one for one basis; and (b) Common Shares and Exchangeable Shares covered by
stock options that were exercisable on the record date or within 60 days
thereafter. In addition, any securities not outstanding but which may be so
acquired are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage of outstanding securities of the class owned by such person but
are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage of the class owned by any other person. Holders of Exchangeable
Shares have voting rights in the Company through a trust holding shares of
the voting Stock and are entitled to direct the voting of one share of
Voting Stock for each Exchangeable Share held.
(2) Lafarge S.A. is the Company's "parent" as that term is defined in
regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(3) Includes 7,000 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(4) Includes 7,000 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options and 1,000 shares are owned by Adroit Investments Ltd., which is
controlled by Mr. Cohen.
4
<PAGE> 7
(5) Includes 132,500 shares not outstanding but subject to currently
exercisable options.
(6) Includes 87,400 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(7) These shares are not outstanding but are subject to currently exercisable
options.
(8) Includes 43,360 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(9) Includes 43,360 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(10) Includes 5,250 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(11) Includes 3,500 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options and 250 shares are owned by Financial & Management Consulting, Inc.
which is controlled by Ms. Malone.
(12) Includes 500 shares owned by the McDonald Agape Foundation and 1,000 shares
owned by the Alonzo L. McDonald Jr. Trust, both of which are controlled by
Mr. McDonald, and 7,000 shares not outstanding but subject to currently
exercisable options.
(13) Includes 7,000 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options and 1,000 shares are owned by La Financiere Nadeau Ltd. which is
controlled by Mr. Nadeau.
(14) Includes 7,000 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options and 1,500 shares are owned by JMR Investments which is controlled
by Mr. Rodgers and his wife.
(15) Includes 7,400 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options and 32 shares owned by Mr. Rose's wife.
(16) Includes 7,000 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options and 1,130 shares are owned by Sentgraf Enterprises Ltd., which is
controlled by Mr. Southern.
(17) Includes 79,500 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(18) Includes 9,930 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(19) Includes 71,750 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(20) Includes 32,500 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(21) Includes 59,500 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(22) Includes 47,500 shares not outstanding but subject to currently exercisable
options.
(23) Includes 731,625 shares not outstanding but subject to currently
exercisable options.
(24) Includes 209,690 shares not outstanding but subject to currently
exercisable options.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of
the Board of Directors, which exercises all corporate powers of the Company
and establishes broad corporate policies. When the Board is not in session, the
executive committee may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the Company with specified
limitations. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is presently
composed of Bertrand P. Collomb, Bernard L. Kasriel, John D. Redfern and John M.
Piecuch. The Board of Directors held five meetings in 1996.
As permitted by the by-laws of the Company, the Board of Directors has also
designated several other committees from its members, including a Board
Governance Committee, a Management Development and Compensation Committee and an
Audit Committee. One of the functions of the Board Governance Committee is to
recommend nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting of
stockholders and to recommend candidates for election to fill vacancies on the
Board if they occur. The Board of Directors considers and takes action upon the
recommendations of the Board Governance Committee. Although this committee has
no formal policy on the subject, the Board believes that any nominee recommended
by a stockholder in writing to the Secretary of the Company with complete
biographical data regarding the nominee would be considered by the Board
Governance Committee. The Board Governance Committee is
5
<PAGE> 8
presently composed of Thomas A. Buell, Marshall A. Cohen, Bertrand P. Collomb,
Claudine B. Malone, John D. Redfern and Edward H. Tuck. The Board Governance
Committee met three times in 1996.
At the annual meeting of stockholders, 17 directors are to be elected to
serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors
have been elected and qualified. Holders of Voting Securities having the right
to vote shall be entitled to vote each share of stock held on the record date
for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected. Cumulative voting
is not permitted.
All duly submitted and unrevoked proxies will be voted for the nominees for
director selected by the Board of Directors, except where authorization so to
vote is withheld. If any nominee should become unavailable for election for any
presently unforeseen reason, the persons designated as proxies will have full
discretion to cast votes for another person designated by the Board. Certain
background information regarding the 17 nominees of the Board for directors of
the Company is set forth below. Each of the nominees has consented to serve as a
director if elected. All of the nominees except for Philippe P. Dauman are
currently directors of the Company.
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION, OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AND AGE
THOMAS A. BUELL, Director/Consultant of Weldwood of Canada Limited (diversified
manufacturer of paper products). Mr. Buell has served in such capacity since May
1996. Mr. Buell, age 65, was Chairman of the Board of Weldwood of Canada Limited
from January 1979 to April 1996 and President and Chief Executive Officer of
such company from August 1975 to December 1992. He is also a director of Placer
Dome Inc., B.C. Gas, Inc., Swiss Bank Corporation (Canada), Trans Mountain Pipe
Line Company Ltd. and Air Liquide Canada Inc. He has served as a director of the
Company since January 1, 1993.
MARSHALL A. COHEN, Counsel, Cassels, Brock & Blackwell, Barristers and
Solicitors. Mr. Cohen, age 61, has served in such capacity since October 1996.
From November 1988 to September 1996, he was President and Chief Executive
Officer and a director of The Molson Companies Limited. From October 1985 to
October 1988, he was President of Olympia & York Enterprises Corporation and
from October 1986 to October 1988 he was also Chairman of Gulf Canada Resources
Limited, part of the Olympia & York group. He is also a director of Barrick Gold
Corporation and American International Group, Inc. He has served as a director
of the Company since 1991.
BERTRAND P. COLLOMB, Chairman of the Board of the Company and Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge S.A. Mr. Collomb, age 54, has
served as Chairman of the Board of the Company since January 1989 and as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge S.A. since August
1, 1989. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of
Lafarge S.A. from January 1989 to August 1, 1989. He was Vice Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Senior Executive Vice
President of Lafarge S.A. from 1987 until January 1989. He served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of General Portland Inc. (a former subsidiary of the
Company) ("GPI") from 1985 until January 1988, Executive Vice President of the
Company from 1986 until 1987, and Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A. from
1982 to 1987. He is also a director of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
He has served as a director of the Company since 1985.
PHILIPPE P. DAUMAN, Deputy Chairman and Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of Viacom, Inc. (entertainment). Mr.
Dauman, age 43, has served as Deputy Chairman since January 1996 and as
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer since
March 1994. He was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of such company
from January 1993 to March 1994. Previously Mr. Dauman was a partner of the law
firm Shearman & Sterling from 1987 to 1993. He is also a director of Viacom's
parent company, National Amusements, Inc. as well as Spelling Entertainment and
Discovery Zone. He has not previously served as a director of the Company.
BERNARD L. KASRIEL, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company and Vice Chairman
and Chief Operating Officer of Lafarge S.A. Mr. Kasriel, age 50, has served as
Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company since May 7, 1996 and as Vice Chairman
and Chief Operating Officer of Lafarge S.A. since January 1, 1995. He was
Managing Director of Lafarge S.A. from 1989 to 1994, was Senior Executive Vice
6
<PAGE> 9
President of Lafarge S.A. from March 1987 to August 1, 1989 and was Executive
Vice President of Lafarge S.A. from 1982 until March 1987. He was also President
and Chief Operating Officer of National Gypsum Company from June 1987 to July
1989 and was a director of that company from October 1993 to September 1995. Mr.
Kasriel is also a director of Sonoco Products Company. He has served as a
director of the Company since 1989.
JACQUES LEFEVRE, Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of
Lafarge S.A. Mr. Lefevre, age 58, has served as Vice Chairman and Chief
Operating Officer of Lafarge S.A. since January 1, 1995 and as Managing Director
since August 1, 1989. He served as Senior Executive Vice President of Lafarge
S.A. from 1987 to August 1, 1989 and as Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A.
from 1983 to 1987. He has served as a director of the Company since 1983.
PAUL W. MACAVOY, Williams Brothers Professor of Management Studies, Yale School
of Management ("SOM"). Mr. MacAvoy, age 62, has been Williams Brothers Professor
since 1991. He served as Dean of the Yale SOM from 1992 to 1994, as McLaughlin
Visiting Professor of Business Administration, Amos Tuck School, Dartmouth
College in 1991, as Lester Crown Visiting Professor, Yale SOM from 1990 to 1991
and as Dean and John M. Olin Professor of Public Policy, W.E. Simon Graduate
School of Business Administration, University of Rochester from 1983 to 1991.
Mr. MacAvoy is also a director of Alumax Inc. He has served as a director of the
Company since 1993.
CLAUDINE B. MALONE, President of Financial & Management Consulting, Inc. Ms.
Malone, age 60, has served in such capacity since 1982. Ms. Malone is also a
director of Dell Computer Corp., Hannaford Bros. Co., Hasbro, Inc., Houghton
Mifflin Company, The Limited Inc., Lowe's Companies, Mallinckroot Group Inc.,
SAIC Corp. and Union Pacific Resources Corporation. She has served as a director
of the Company since May 1994.
ALONZO L. MCDONALD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Avenir Group, Inc.
(development bankers). Mr. McDonald has served in such capacity for more than
five years. Mr. McDonald, age 68, is a director of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. and
C.A.E. Industries Ltd. He has served as a director of the Company since 1984.
ROBERT W. MURDOCH, Corporate Director. Mr. Murdoch, age 55, was formerly
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 1989 to August
1992, President and Chief Executive Officer of LCI from 1985 to 1992 and Senior
Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A. from August 1989 to 1992. He served as
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 1987 to 1989, as
Executive Vice President of the Company from 1983 to 1987 and as Executive Vice
President of Lafarge S.A. from 1983 to August 1, 1989. Mr. Murdoch is also a
director of Lafarge S.A., LCI, Usinor Sacilor S.A., Graymont Limited and Power
Corporation International Limited. He has served as a director of the Company
since 1987.
BERTIN F. NADEAU, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of GescoLynx
Inc. (a private holding company). Mr. Nadeau has served in such capacity since
September 30, 1994. He was also Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Unigesco Inc. from 1982 to September 1994 and Chairman of
the Board of Unigesco's affiliate, Univa Inc. (a marketer and distributor in the
food sector) from October 1989 to July 1993. Mr. Nadeau, age 56, is also a
director of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. He has served as a director of
the Company since 1988.
JOHN M. PIECUCH, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Group
Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A. Mr. Piecuch, age 48, has served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 1, 1996 and
as Group Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A. since July 1, 1994. He served
as Senior Executive Vice President of the Company from 1992 to June 30, 1994 and
as Executive Vice President of the Company from 1989 to 1992. He has served as a
director of the Company since August 1, 1994.
JOHN D. REDFERN, Chairman of the Board of LCI. Mr. Redfern has served as
Chairman of the Board of LCI since 1984. Mr. Redfern served as Vice Chairman of
the Board of the Company from January 1989 to May 1996, as Chairman of the Board
of the Company from 1985 until January 1989, as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company from 1983 until 1985 and as Chief Executive Officer of
LCI from 1977 to
7
<PAGE> 10
1985. Mr. Redfern, age 61, is also a director of LCI and Montreal Trust Company.
He has served as a director of the Company since 1983.
JOE M. RODGERS, Chairman, The JMR Group (investment company). Mr. Rodgers, age
63, served as the United States Ambassador to France from 1985 until 1989. He is
also a director of AMR Corporation/American Airlines, Inc., Gaylord
Entertainment Company, Gryphon Holdings Inc., SunTrust Bank, Nashville, N.A.,
Thomas Nelson, Inc., Tractor Supply Company and Willis Corroon Group plc. He has
served as a director of the Company since 1989.
MICHEL ROSE, Group Senior Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A. Mr. Rose has
served as Senior Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A. since 1989. Mr. Rose,
age 54, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from
September 1, 1992 until September 30, 1996. He served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Orsan S.A., a subsidiary of Lafarge S.A., from 1987 to
1992. From 1985 to 1987, he was Vice Chairman of Orsan. He has served as a
director of the Company since 1992.
RONALD D. SOUTHERN, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of ATCO
Ltd. (a diversified industrial company) and Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Canadian Utilities Limited (a utility company). Mr.
Southern has served ATCO Ltd. as Chairman of the Board since May 1990 and as CEO
since 1968. He was also President of such company from June 1988 until the end
of 1993. He has been Chairman of the Board of Canadian Utilities Limited since
1980 and he became CEO of such company in January 1994. Mr. Southern, age 66, is
also a director of Canadian Pacific Limited, Canadian Airlines Corporation,
Fletcher Challenge Limited, Fletcher Challenge Canada Limited, Royal Insurance
Company Limited, Xerox Canada Inc., Chrysler Canada Ltd., and Imasco Limited. He
has served as a director of the Company since 1985.
EDWARD H. TUCK, Counsel to the law firm Shearman and Sterling. Mr. Tuck, age 69,
served as President of the French-American Foundation from 1987 to March 1,
1995. He was a partner of Shearman and Sterling from 1962 to 1987. He is a
director of Commercial Bank (New York). He has served as a director of the
Company since 1987.
There is no family relationship between any of the nominees or between any
of the nominees and any executive officer of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. For information regarding certain business relationships between
certain nominees and the Company, see "Executive Compensation -- Transactions
with Management and Others".
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the
Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Compensation Committee") and, with respect to stock-based compensation, the
Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Stock Option Committee").
In 1996, the Compensation Committee and Stock Option Committee were both
comprised of the same directors, none of whom is an employee of the Company. All
decisions made by the Compensation Committee relating to the compensation of the
Company's executive officers are reviewed by the full Board. In accordance with
applicable U.S. securities laws, all decisions relating to awards to employees
under the Company's Stock Option Plan are made solely by the Stock Option
Committee.
The following is a report submitted by members of the Compensation
Committee and Stock Option Committee, addressing the Company's compensation
policy as it related to the executive officers for fiscal 1996.
8
<PAGE> 11
REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS BY THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE STOCK OPTION
COMMITTEE OF THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF LAFARGE CORPORATION:
COMPENSATION POLICY
The goal of the Company's executive compensation policy is to ensure that
an appropriate relationship exists between executive pay and the creation of
shareholder value, while at the same time motivating and retaining key
employees. To achieve this goal, the Company's executive compensation policies
integrate competitive levels of annual base compensation with bonuses based upon
corporate performance and individual initiatives and performance. This annual
cash compensation, together with the payment of equity-based, incentive
compensation, is designed to attract and retain qualified executives and to
ensure that such executives have a continuing stake in the long-term success of
the Company. All executive officers and certain key managers participate in the
Company's incentive compensation plans.
For 1996, the Company's executive compensation program consisted primarily
of (i) base salary adjusted from the prior year, (ii) a bonus opportunity, based
upon the performance measurements described below, and (iii) options granted
under the Company's Stock Option Plan.
Base Salary. In establishing base salaries for executive officers of the
Company, the Company participates in executive compensation surveys with other
construction materials and cement companies in the United States and Canada,
reviews market data of general industry companies of similar size, and utilizes
Hay & Associates, independent compensation consultants. The comparison group
utilized by Hay & Associates for the Company for cash compensation matters
generally includes industrial companies with annual sales in excess of $1
billion, that employ more than 1,000 full time employees, with a unionized labor
force, which have been profitable over the most recent two to three year period
and which participate in the Hay & Associates compensation survey. Individual
performance among the companies included in the comparison group is not
separately evaluated. None of the six companies in the peer group index
constructed by the Company for the performance graph which appears on page 16 of
this proxy statement is a participant in the Hay & Associates survey and
therefore none of them is included in the comparison group utilized by Hay &
Associates for the Company.
The Company annually sets base salary targets, or midpoints, for each of
its executives, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, at levels
within the range of those persons holding comparably responsible positions at
other companies in the Company's comparison group. Such midpoints are
established based upon a point system devised by the Company's consultants to
assign a value for each executive office, taking into account the various
responsibilities and duties of the specific position. Due to Lafarge's long-term
approach to compensation and the cyclical nature of the Company's business,
historically a greater percentage of the annual compensation (base salary plus
bonus) paid to executive officers has been represented by the salary component.
Consequently, the Company has paid slightly higher base salaries and lower
annual bonuses than other companies in its comparison group. However, the annual
cash compensation targets for the Company's executive officers have generally
been set at the middle point of the range for annual cash compensation totals in
the comparison group.
Salaries for executive officers are reviewed by the Board's Management
Development and Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") in the
first quarter of each year and may be increased at that time on the basis of the
individual performance of the executive, as evaluated by senior management, the
Company's expected financial performance, and changes in competitive pay levels.
An annual overall budget of salary increases for the year is prepared, based
upon the Company's expected financial performance and taking into consideration
the expected pay increases, if any, indicated by the various industry surveys
and the Company's compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee then
utilizes this budget in establishing salaries based upon management's evaluation
of each officer's prior year's performance. In 1996, in view of the Company's
long-term compensation objectives and improvements in the Company's financial
results, the
9
<PAGE> 12
budgeted salary increases were comparable to projected salary increases for the
comparison group utilized by Hay & Associates for the Company.
The base salary of $475,000 for Michel Rose (who served as the President
and Chief Executive Officer until October 1, 1996) was established in accordance
with the policies established for all executive officers and was slightly above
the midpoint of the range for persons holding comparable positions at other
companies in the comparison group. The Chairman of the Board reviews on an
annual basis the Chief Executive Officer's performance and makes a salary
recommendation which is acted upon by the Compensation Committee. The increase
in Mr. Rose's salary for 1996 was based upon Mr. Rose's performance during 1995,
including his leadership role with respect to the Company's improved financial
performance in 1995 and the Company's strategic repositioning that commenced in
1993 and continued throughout 1996. The base salary of $425,000 for John M.
Piecuch, who was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer effective
October 1, 1996, was established by taking into account his employment history
with the Company and his qualifications for the position. The 1996 salaries of
the other executive officers of the Company listed in the Summary Compensation
Table on page 12 of this proxy statement (the "named executive officers") ranged
from approximately 82% to 105% of the midpoints established with respect to each
of such positions.
Annual Incentives. The Company has an annual bonus plan that provides for
the payment of bonuses to certain executive officers and key managers contingent
upon the achievement of certain financial targets and/or individual objectives.
The bonus plan is intended to reward the accomplishment of corporate objectives,
reflect the Company's priority on maximizing earnings, and provide a fully
competitive compensation package which will attract, reward and retain quality
individuals. Under the plan, one-half of the total bonus opportunity for a
participant is based upon the attainment of financially based Company
performance objectives and one-half of the total bonus opportunity is based upon
the achievement of individual objectives. If both the Company and individual
performance objectives are attained or surpassed, participants will be eligible
to receive maximum amounts ranging from 15% to 70% of their base salary,
depending upon their position with the Company.
Financially based performance objectives measure the Company's performance
for the year against certain return on equity and return on net asset criteria.
Subjective performance criteria are used to evaluate each officer's individual
performance with respect to the individual objectives defined for such officer
at the beginning of each year. Individual objectives may include the performance
of a specific division or product line for which an officer is responsible, the
reduction of Company or division expenses or debt, or other specific tasks or
goals, and typically include a series of non-quantifiable objectives.
Annual incentives are paid only upon the achievement of either financial
performance objectives or individual performance objectives for the year.
Because of the Company's improved earnings performance, financial performance
bonuses were paid with respect to 1996 in amounts in the range of 18% to 24% of
the salaries of the Chief Executive Officer and the named executive officers.
The individual performance bonuses paid to these persons with respect to 1996
were in the range of 20% to 27% of such salaries.
Mr. Rose's total bonus amount was equal to approximately 55% of his salary
for the nine months of 1996 during which he served as President and Chief
Executive Officer. The Company performance objective on which a portion of such
bonus was based was the achievement by the Company of return on equity targets
specified by the Compensation Committee. The factors considered by the
Compensation Committee in determining the portion of the bonus based on
individual objectives included his leadership role with respect to the Company's
improved financial performance in 1996.
Mr. Piecuch's bonus amount was equal to approximately 52% of his salary for
the three months of 1996 during which he served as President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Long-Term Incentives. Long-term incentive awards strengthen the ability of
the Company to attract, motivate and retain executives of superior capability
and more closely align the interests of management with those of shareholders.
Long-term awards granted in 1996 consisted of non-qualified stock options
granted under the Company's Stock Option Plan. Unlike cash, the value of a stock
option will not be immediately realized and does not result in a current expense
to the Company. Stock options are granted at the prevailing
10
<PAGE> 13
market value and will have value only if the Company's stock price increases,
resulting in a commensurate benefit for the Company's shareholders. Generally,
grants may vest in equal amounts over four years. Executives generally must be
employed by the Company or an affiliate of the Company at the time of vesting.
The Board's Stock Option Committee (the "Stock Option Committee") considers
on an annual basis the grant of options to executive officers and key managers.
The number of options granted is generally based upon the position held by a
participant and the Stock Option Committee's subjective evaluation of such
participant's contribution to the Company's future growth and profitability. In
accordance with the policy maintained by the Stock Option Committee, the total
number of options granted annually under the Company's stock option program
represents less than 1% of the approximately 71,000,000 outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company (including LCI Exchangeable Shares). Generally, the
grant of options is an annual determination, but the Stock Option Committee may
consider the size of past awards and the total amounts outstanding in making
such a determination. In 1996 the Stock Option Committee granted to Mr. Rose
options to purchase 35,000 shares of the Company's common stock and to Mr.
Piecuch options to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company's common stock based
upon the foregoing factors.
Lafarge S.A., the Company's principal shareholder, has advised the Company
that it intends to grant to certain executive officers of the Company options to
purchase shares of Lafarge S.A. stock from time to time, in recognition of their
contributions to the overall performance of Lafarge S.A. and its affiliated
companies. Options granted by Lafarge S.A. are not considered by the Stock
Option Committee in determining the number of options to be granted by the
Company.
The Compensation Committee and the Stock Option Committee believe that
linking executive compensation to corporate performance results in a better
alignment of compensation with corporate goals and shareholder interests. As
performance goals are met or exceeded, resulting in increased value to
shareholders, executives are rewarded commensurately. The Committees believe
that compensation levels during 1996 adequately reflect the Company's
compensation goals and policies.
March 1, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
<S> <C>
ALONZO L. MCDONALD, Chairman ALONZO L. MCDONALD, Chairman
THOMAS A. BUELL THOMAS A. BUELL
CLAUDINE B. MALONE CLAUDINE B. MALONE
JOHN D. REDFERN JOHN D. REDFERN
RONALD D. SOUTHERN RONALD D. SOUTHERN
</TABLE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Of the five directors who constitute both the Compensation Committee and
the Stock Option Committee, only John D. Redfern has been an officer of the
Company and of LCI. Mr. Redfern's current and previous positions with the
Company and LCI are described under "Election of Directors".
Mr. Buell is a director of B.C. Gas, Inc. from which LCI purchased natural
gas ($3,862,000) in 1996. Mr. Southern is Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of ATCO Ltd. from which LCI purchased natural gas ($1,047,000)
in 1996 and he is also a director of Canadian Pacific Limited from which LCI
purchased railroad transportation ($5,520,000) in 1996. All of these purchases
were made in the ordinary course of business.
The Company maintains pension management and trust relations with Montreal
Trust Company of which Mr. Redfern is a director.
11
<PAGE> 14
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Chief
Executive Officer, the former Chief Executive Officer and the four executive
officers of the Company who were the most highly compensated for the year ended
December 31, 1996 who were serving as executive officers at year end.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
------------
SECURITIES
ANNUAL COMPENSATION UNDERLYING
------------------------------------------------ STOCK
NAME AND OTHER ANNUAL OPTIONS ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(1) (SHARES) COMPENSATION(1)
- ------------------------- ---- -------- -------- --------------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John M. Piecuch(2) 1996 $148,095(3) $ 47,260(3) $14,331(8) 10,000 $150,282(4)(5)
President and Chief 1995 73,352(6) 25,397(6) 10,000 38,682(4)(5)
Executive Officer of 1994 207,600(7) 87,360(7) 20,000 40,875(4)(5)
Lafarge Corp.;
President and Chief
Executive Officer of
LCI
Michel Rose(9) 1996 267,188(10) 145,650(10) 22,248(8) 35,000 29,569(11)(12)
Former President and 1995 337,500(10) 185,025(10) 35,000 13,624(11)
Chief Executive Officer 1994 318,750(10) 154,275(10) 35,000 16,537(11)
of Lafarge Corp.;
Former President and
Chief Executive Officer
of LCI
Edward T. Balfe 1996 246,400 120,700 467(8) 20,000 27,430(13)
Executive Vice 1995 228,000 98,600 20,000 28,994(13)
President and 1994 198,428 94,800 15,000 73,893(13)(14)
President, Construction
Materials
Duncan S. Gage 1996 237,967 114,900 20,000 27,986(15)
Executive Vice 1995 217,000 80,000 15,000 39,562(15)(16)
President and 1994 200,000 76,000 15,000 213,074(15)(17)
President, U.S. Cement
Operations
Peter H. Cooke 1996 173,168 79,647 20,000 5,913(18)
Executive Vice 1995 150,486 53,589 10,000 5,777(18)
President and 1994 143,160 53,868 10,000 5,536(18)
President, Canadian
Cement Operations
Thomas W. Tatum 1996 181,700 68,500 15,000 19,421(19)
Senior Vice President, 1995 173,900 68,100 10,000 19,284(19)
Human Resources 1994 168,000 55,600 15,000 17,519(19)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Excludes perquisites and other benefits, unless the aggregate amount of
such benefits exceeded the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the total
annual salary and bonus reported for the named executive officer.
(2) Mr. Piecuch was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer effective
October 1, 1996.
(3) The salary amount in the table reflects the Company's payment of 20% of Mr.
Piecuch's salary from January 1 through September 30, 1996 (during which
time Mr. Piecuch was primarily working for Lafarge S.A. and was based in
Paris, France) and 85% of Mr. Piecuch's salary (based on an annual salary
rate of $425,000) from October 1 through December 31, 1996, which are the
respective percentages of time and effort devoted to the Company during
such periods. The bonus amount in the table reflects the Company's payment
of 85% of his total bonus amount of $55,600. The portion of Mr. Piecuch's
aggregate salary and bonus paid by Lafarge S.A. for services rendered to
Lafarge S.A. is not included in the table.
(4) Includes $11,513 (1996), $11,215 (1995) and $13,613 (1994) contributed or
allocated by the Company to Mr. Piecuch's account under the Company's
Thrift Savings Plan and Thrift Savings Restoration Plan (including interest
earned); $587 (1996), $2,229 (1995) and $2,380 (1994) in term life
insurance premiums paid by the Company; and $10,501 (1996), $12,068 1995
and $10,480 (1994) of interest that would have been payable by him on his
interest free loan if the Company did require interest payments (calculated
at the average prime rate for the year).
(5) Includes expenses of $127,681 (1996) in connection with Mr. Piecuch's
relocation from France to the United States and $13,170 (1995) and $14,402
(1994) in connection with Mr. Piecuch's relocation from the United States
to France.
12
<PAGE> 15
(6) During all of 1995, Mr. Piecuch was serving as Group Executive Vice
President of Lafarge S.A. and was based in Paris, France; however, during
this time he devoted approximately 20% of his time and effort to the
Company. Therefore, the amounts in the table reflect the Company's payment
of 20% of Mr. Piecuch's salary and bonus for 1995.
(7) The salary amount in the table reflects the Company's payment of 100% of
Mr. Piecuch's salary from January 1 through June 30, 1994 (during which
time he served as Senior Executive Vice President of the Company) and 20%
of his salary from July 1 through December 31, 1994 (during which time he
served as Group Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A.), which are the
respective percentages of his time and effort devoted to the Company during
such periods. The bonus amount in the table reflects the Company's payment
of 60% of his total bonus amount (based on 100% service to the Company
during the first half of the year and 20% during the second half of the
year). The portion of Mr. Piecuch's aggregate salary and bonus paid by
Lafarge S.A. for services rendered to Lafarge S.A. is not included in the
table.
(8) This amount was paid as a tax equalization payment to reimburse the
indicated officer for taxes and related expenses which he paid to the
Canadian revenue authorities as a result of his performance of services in
Canada (such payment being equal to the difference between the total tax
paid in both the U.S. and Canada and the tax that would have been paid if
only a U.S. tax return had been required, plus tax return preparation
fees).
(9) Effective October 1, 1996, Mr. Rose ceased serving as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company and returned to France to serve as Group
Executive Vice President of Lafarge S.A.
(10) The salary and bonus amounts in the table for 1996 reflect the Company's
payment of 75% of Mr. Rose's salary (based on an annual salary rate of
$475,000) from January 1 through September 30, 1996 and 75% of his total
bonus amount of $194,200. The salary and bonus amounts in the table for
1995 and 1994 reflect the Company's payment of 75% of Mr. Rose's salary and
bonuses. The portion of Mr. Rose's aggregate salary and bonuses paid by
Lafarge S.A. for services rendered to Lafarge S.A. is not included in the
table.
(11) Includes $11,630 (1996), $11,284 (1995) and $13,613 (1994) contributed or
allocated by the Company to Mr. Rose's account under the Company's Thrift
Saving Restoration Plan (including interest earned); $1,863 (1996), $2,340
(1995) and $2,924 (1994) in term life insurance premiums paid by the
Company.
(12) Includes moving expenses of $16,076 in connection with Mr. Rose's
relocation from the United States to France.
(13) Includes $11,148 (1996), $10,794 (1995) and $4,722 (1994) contributed by
the Company to Mr. Balfe's account under the Company's Thrift Savings Plan
and Thrift Savings Restoration Plan (including interest earned); $1,360
(1996), $1,423 (1995) and $1,402 (1994) in term life insurance premiums
paid by the Company; and 14,922 (1996), $16,777 (1995) and $9,125 (1994) of
interest that would have been payable by him on his interest free loan if
the Company did require interest payments (calculated at the average prime
rate for the year).
(14) Includes moving expenses of $58,644 in connection with Mr. Balfe's
relocation from Canada to corporate headquarters in Virginia.
(15) Includes $11,463 (1996), $11,125 (1995) and $13,613 (1994) contributed or
allocated by the Company to Mr. Gage's account under the Company's Thrift
Savings Plan and Thrift Savings Restoration Plan (including interest
earned); $1,325 (1996), $1,354 (1995) and $1,376 (1994) in term life
insurance premiums paid by the Company; and $15,198 (1996), $17,071 (1995)
and $4,743 (1994) of interest that would have been payable by him on his
interest free loan if the Company did require interest payments (calculated
at the average prime rate for the year).
(16) Includes moving expenses of $10,012 relating to Mr. Gage's relocation in
1994.
(17) Includes moving expenses of $193,342 in connection with Mr. Gage's two
relocations in 1994, the first from Texas to corporate headquarters in
Virginia and the second from Virginia to the U.S. cement region
headquarters in Michigan.
(18) Includes $1,325 (1996), $939 (1995) and $892 (1994) in term life insurance
premiums paid by the Company; $4,295 (1996), $4,838 (1995) and $4,244
(1994) of interest that would have been payable by him on his interest free
loan if the Company did require interest payments (calculated at the
average prime rate for the year); and $293 (1996), and $400 (1994) in
personal financial services paid for by the Company.
(19) Includes $11,935 (1996), $10,675 (1995) and $9,884 (1994) contributed or
allocated by the Company to Mr. Tatum's account under the Company's Thrift
Savings Plan and Thrift Savings Restoration Plan (including interest
earned); $1,003 (1996), $1,086 (1995) and $1,048 (1994) in term life
insurance premiums paid by the Company; and $6,483 (1996), $7,523 (1995)
and $6,587 (1994) of interest that would have been payable by him on his
interest free loan if the Company did require interest payments (calculated
at the average prime rate for the year).
OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR END VALUES
The following table shows information with respect to stock options
exercised during 1996 and unexercised options to purchase the Company's Common
Stock granted under the Company's Stock Option
13
<PAGE> 16
Plan to the Chief Executive Officer, the former Chief Executive Officer and the
other named executive officers and held by them at December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES OPTIONS AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 AT DECEMBER 31, 1996(1)
ACQUIRED VALUE ------------------------------- -------------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------ ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John M. Piecuch 20,000 82,500 64,500 32,500 $210,938 $ 50,313
Michel Rose 2,500 20,625 53,750 81,250 198,906 110,469
Edward T. Balfe -- -- 55,500 45,000 223,750 67,813
Duncan S. Gage -- -- 44,500 41,250 154,063 59,844
Peter H. Cooke -- -- 20,000 35,000 70,625 51,875
Thomas W. Tatum 10,000 73,750 33,750 33,750 117,656 51,094
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of the Company's
Common Stock on December 31, 1996 ($20.125).
OPTION GRANTS
The following table shows information with respect to grants of stock
options pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan during 1996 to the
Chief Executive Officer, the former Chief Executive Officer and the other named
executive officers. No stock appreciation rights were granted under the Plan
during 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
NUMBER OF AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
SECURITIES OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR OF STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING --------------------------------------------- APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS PERCENTAGE OF OPTION TERM(2)
GRANTED(1) TOTAL OPTIONS EXERCISE EXPIRATION ---------------------------
NAME (#) GRANTED IN 1996 PRICE ($/SH) DATE 5% 10%
- --------------------------- ------------- --------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John M. Piecuch 10,000 2.0% $18.875 2-09-06 $118,750 $ 300,850
Michel Rose 35,000 7.1 18.875 2-09-06 415,625 1,052,975
Edward T. Balfe 20,000 4.1 18.875 2-09-06 237,500 601,700
Duncan S. Gage 20,000 4.1 18.875 2-09-06 237,500 601,700
Peter H. Cooke 20,000 4.1 18.875 2-09-06 237,500 601,700
Thomas W. Tatum 15,000 3.0 18.875 2-09-06 178,125 451,275
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) All of the options granted become exercisable in annual increments of 25%
beginning one year after the date of grant.
(2) These assumed 5% and 10% rates of stock price appreciation are specified by
the proxy rules and do not reflect expected actual appreciation. The amounts
shown represent the assumed value of the stock options (less exercise price)
at the end of the ten year period beginning on the date of grant and ending
on the option expiration date. Based on a ten year period beginning February
9, 1996 with the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of the
Company's Common Stock of $18.875, a share of the Company's Common Stock
would have a value on February 9, 2006 of approximately $30.75 at an assumed
appreciation rate of 5% and approximately $48.96 at an assumed appreciation
rate of 10%.
14
<PAGE> 17
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative
total shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock with the cumulative total
return of the Wilshire 5000 Index (a broad market equity index) and with the
cumulative total return of a group of peer companies in the construction
materials and cement industry selected by the Company for the period of five
years commencing December 31, 1991 and ended December 31, 1996. The companies in
the peer group index constructed by the Company are as follows: St. Lawrence
Cement, Inc., Texas Industries, Inc., Southdown, Inc., Vulcan Materials Company,
CalMat Co. and Medusa Corporation.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG LAFARGE CORPORATION, WILSHIRE 5000 INDEX AND PEER GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) LAFARGE WILSHIRE 5000 PEER GROUP**
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1991 100.00 100.00 100.00
1992 123.15 108.97 119.38
1993 194.29 121.26 160.24
1994 153.21 121.15 148.90
1995 164.20 165.35 182.24
1996 181.30 200.43 209.93
</TABLE>
* Assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1991 in Lafarge Corporation Common
Shares, Wilshire 5000 Index and Peer Group Index (constructed by the Company
as described above). Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
** Includes St. Lawrence (converted to U.S. currency at a constant rate),
Southdown, Medusa, TXI, Vulcan and CalMat.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company has a trusteed noncontributory defined benefit pension plan for
salaried U.S. employees. The normal retirement age of participants is 65. The
amount of retirement income available to participants under the plan is based
upon the years of credited service (not in excess of 35) and final average
earnings, which is defined to be the average of the highest annual earnings
(which includes salary, bonus and overtime payments) for any 60 consecutive
months during the last 120 months of employment. The annual retirement income
for each year of credited service is equal to 1.50% of the final average
earnings, less 1.50% of annual primary social security benefits. A participant's
accrued benefit under the plan is fully vested on the date on which such
participant completes five years of service under the plan.
15
<PAGE> 18
Certain U.S.-domiciled executives of the Company are participants in a
supplemental executive retirement plan (the "SERP") which supplements their
benefits under the Lafarge Corp. retirement plan. Except as described below, the
SERP will not be funded in advance for payment of future benefits; the general
assets of the Company are the source of funds for the SERP. Pursuant to the
SERP, the annual retirement income for each year of credited services for
selected executives will be increased from that stated above to 1.75% of final
average earnings, less 1.5% of annual primary social security benefits. Further,
under the SERP, pension payments will be permitted in excess of the limit of
$90,000 per year (as increased annually according to U.S. Internal Revenue
Service rules) applicable under the Lafarge Corp. retirement plan. Mr. Piecuch
and Mr. Tatum are participants in the SERP.
In October 1996, the Company established a trust to securitize SERP
benefits upon a change of control of the Company or of Lafarge S.A. The trust
will remain unfunded until a change in control is imminent, at which time the
trust would become irrevocable and would be funded with cash sufficient to pay
the benefits under the SERP. Also, the SERP was amended to provide that in the
event of a change of control, the eligibility for SERP benefits will be expanded
to cover SERP participants who are vested upon termination of employment but who
are not otherwise eligible for retirement under the Company's retirement plan.
The Board of Directors also adopted a resolution requiring the Company, in the
event of a change of control, to make contributions to the Company's retirement
plan to the maximum extent allowable as a current deduction for federal income
tax purposes.
The table set forth below illustrates the amount of combined annual pension
benefits payable under the Lafarge Corp. retirement plan and the SERP to
participants in specified average annual earnings and years-of-service
classifications, without taking into account offsets for primary social security
benefits.
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIVE-YEAR ANNUAL PENSION
AVERAGE COVERED YEARS OF SERVICE AT AGE 65
ANNUAL ----------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS 15 YEARS 20 YEARS 25 YEARS 30 YEARS 35 YEARS
- -------------------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$50,000..................................... $ 13,125 $ 17,500 $ 21,875 $ 26,250 $ 30,625
100,000..................................... 26,250 35,000 43,750 52,500 61,250
150,000..................................... 39,375 52,500 65,625 78,750 91,875
200,000..................................... 52,500 70,000 87,500 105,000 122,500
250,000..................................... 65,625 87,500 109,375 131,250 153,125
300,000..................................... 78,750 105,000 131,250 157,500 183,750
350,000..................................... 91,875 122,500 153,125 183,750 214,375
400,000..................................... 105,000 140,000 175,000 210,000 245,000
450,000..................................... 118,125 157,500 196,875 236,250 275,625
500,000..................................... 131,250 175,000 218,750 262,500 306,250
550,000..................................... 144,375 192,500 240,625 288,750 336,875
600,000..................................... 157,500 210,000 262,500 315,000 367,500
</TABLE>
The years of service credited under the plan at March 1, 1997 to each
individual named in the compensation table above who is a participant in the
plan were as follows: Mr. Piecuch -- 18 years and Mr. Tatum -- 29 years.
Compensation of Directors. Directors of the Company who are also full-time
employees of the Company or any subsidiary thereof receive no fees or
remuneration for services as members of the Board of Directors or any committee
of the Board. All other directors receive annual fees of $30,000 each, payable
in quarterly installments, for their services as directors. In addition, such
other directors receive an annual fee of $3,000 for each committee of the Board
on which they serve (and an additional $3,000 per year for being chairperson of
a committee), payable in quarterly installments. The Company also reimburses
directors for travel, lodging and related expenses they may incur attending
Board and committee meetings.
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<PAGE> 19
The Company has adopted a plan which permits directors to defer the payment
of directors' fees until the termination as members of the Board. Elections must
be made prior to the date of the annual meeting of stockholders in each year and
must specify the settlement option in the event of such termination (lump sum or
annual installments over a period not to exceed 10 years). Deferred directors'
fees under the plan bear interest computed quarterly at the average prime rate
for the quarter.
The Company has a retirement plan for directors of the Company who are not
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Under the plan, an eligible
director who is 70 years of age or older (or, with the approval of the Board
Governance Committee, between the ages of 65 and 69) and has seven or more years
of credited service as a director is entitled to receive upon his or her
retirement from the Board of Directors an annual payment of $15,000 for the
remainder of his or her life, and his or her surviving spouse is entitled to
receive $7,500 per year for the remainder of his or her life following such
director's death. Any nonemployee director who retires from the Board prior to
age 70, who is 55 years of age or older and has three or more years of credited
service is entitled under the plan to receive at retirement an annual payment of
$15,000 per year for a period of time equal to his or her period of credited
service as a director and, in the event of death prior to the end of such
period, his or her surviving spouse shall be entitled to receive $7,500 per year
for the balance of such period.
Directors of LCI who are also full-time employees of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries receive no fees or remuneration for services as members of the
Board of Directors or any committee of the Board. All other directors of LCI are
compensated for their services by payment of a retainer of Cdn. $12,000 per
annum, payable semi-annually, plus Cdn. $800 for each meeting attended. In
addition, such other directors receive Cdn. $800 for each committee meeting
attended. Directors are reimbursed for costs of travel, meals and lodging
incurred in connection with attendance at meetings. LCI does not provide any
pension plan or plan of deferred compensation for directors. LCI has four
directors who are not full-time employees of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
In 1996, Bertrand Collomb received a salary of $205,000 for serving as
Chairman of the Board of the Company; John D. Redfern received a fee of $4,000
for serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company (he ceased serving in
that position on May 7, 1996) and a fee of Cdn. $31,000 for serving as Chairman
of the Board of LCI; and Bernard Kasriel, who began serving as Vice Chairman of
the Board of the Company on May 7, 1996, received a salary at the annual rate of
$75,000 for serving in that position.
Directors who are not officers or employees of the Company or any
subsidiary are entitled to receive certain automatic grants of stock options
under the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan ("Director Options"). Nonemployee
directors each were granted an option for 5,000 shares in February, 1995 and
each nonemployee director subsequently elected or appointed to the Board of
Directors automatically receives a one-time grant of an option for 5,000 shares.
In February of each year, each nonemployee director automatically is granted an
option for 1,000 shares. A nonemployee director may not be granted Director
Options for more than 20,000 shares. The exercise price per share is 100% of the
per share fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the option grant
date.
The vesting schedule for Director Options is based on the years of service
by the director on the Board of Directors. If a nonemployee director has served
on the Board continuously for more than four years at the time of option grant,
then the Director Option will be fully vested on the date of grant. If the
nonemployee director has served on the Board for less than four years at the
time of option grant, then the Director Option will be vested at the date of
grant with respect to one-fourth of the shares for each continuous full year of
service on the Board prior to the grant date and will vest with respect to
one-fourth of the shares on each subsequent anniversary of the date of
commencement of the nonemployee director's service on the Board, so that the
option will be fully vested as to all of the underlying shares on the date which
is four years from such date of commencement. A Director Option will expire and
become null and void no later than the first to occur of (i) 10 years from the
grant date, (ii) three years from the date of termination of the director's
service on the Board of Directors by reason of death or retirement under the
normal or early retirement provisions of any retirement plan maintained by the
Company for nonemployee directors or (iii) three months from the date of
termination of the director's service on the Board of Directors for any reason
other than death or retirement as
17
<PAGE> 20
described in clause (ii). If, however, the director's service is terminated by
reason of his (i) fraud or intentional misrepresentation or (ii) embezzlement,
misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any
affiliate, his or her Director Options will expire and become null and void
immediately.
INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT
The Company and LCI have extended non-interest bearing loans to certain of
their officers for the purpose of assisting in the purchase of housing in the
course of relocations. With respect to loans with an outstanding balance in
excess of $60,000 at any time during 1996, the largest aggregate amount of such
indebtedness outstanding during 1996 and the amount thereof outstanding as of
December 31, 1996, respectively, were as follows with respect to the following
individuals: Bertrand P. Collomb, Chairman of the Board -- $91,328, $83,444;
John M. Piecuch, President and Chief Executive Officer -- $131,677, $121,667;
Edward T. Balfe, Executive Vice President and President, Construction
Materials -- $185,000, $175,000; Duncan S. Gage, Executive Vice President and
President -- U.S. Cement Operations, $188,333, $178,333; Larry J. Waisanen,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, $100,000, $95,000; Thomas W.
Tatum, Senior Vice President -- Human Resources, $81,700, $74,704; John C.
Porter, Vice President and Controller, $74,166, $69,166.
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
The Company, LCI, and Lafarge S.A. are parties to four agreements
concerning the sharing of costs for research and development, strategic
planning, human resources, communications activities, specialty products,
marketing and technical assistance (for the gypsum wallboard division), and the
use of certain trademarks. In 1996, the Company and LCI recorded expenses under
these agreements for the approximate sums of $3,096,000 and Cdn. $3,609,000,
respectively. The Company and LCI have entered into agreements with Lafarge S.A.
under which Lafarge S.A. pays for certain services provided to Lafarge S.A. by
the Company and LCI. In 1996, charges to Lafarge S.A. totaled approximately
$398,000.
During 1996, the Company and LCI purchased products from the Lafarge S.A.
Group in the ordinary course of business. These purchases totaled approximately
$51,346,000 and Cdn. $1,073,000 for the Company and LCI, respectively.
During 1996, the Company borrowed $50 million from Lafarge S.A. and its
subsidiaries at a more favorable interest rate than the Company would have
obtained from commercial banks.
Messrs. Collomb, Kasriel, Lefevre, Murdoch, Piecuch and Rose are also
directors or officers of Lafarge S.A.
Mr. Buell is a director of B.C. Gas, Inc. from which LCI purchased natural
gas ($3,862,000) in 1996. Mr. Southern is Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of ATCO Ltd. from which LCI purchased natural gas ($1,047,000)
in 1996 and he is also a director of Canadian Pacific Limited from which LCI
purchased railroad transportation ($5,520,000) in 1996. All of these purchases
were made in the ordinary course of business.
One of the banks with which the Company maintains banking and borrowing
relations is the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Mr. Collomb is a director
of the bank. The Company maintains pension management and trust relations with
Montreal Trust Company. Mr. Redfern is a director of Montreal Trust Company. Mr.
Nadeau is a director of Sun Life Assurance Company which is an insurance
provider to LCI. Mr. Cohen is a director of American International Group, Inc.
which is an insurance provider to the Company.
AUDITORS
The firm of Arthur Andersen LLP audited the consolidated financial
statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. Upon the
recommendation of the Audit Committee, Arthur Andersen LLP has been appointed by
the Board of Directors to audit the consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, and stockholder approval
of such appointment is requested. While there is no legal requirement that this
proposal be submitted to stockholders, it will be submitted at the meeting
nonetheless, as the Board believes that the selection of auditors to audit the
18
<PAGE> 21
consolidated financial statements of the Company is of sufficient importance to
seek stockholder approval. In the event the proposal is defeated, the Board will
reconsider its appointment of auditors of the Company. It is expected that one
or more representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP will be present at the meeting
and available to respond to appropriate questions. Such representatives will
also have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is presently composed of
Edward H. Tuck, Thomas A. Buell, Marshall A. Cohen, Bertin F. Nadeau and Joe M.
Rodgers. The Audit Committee makes an annual recommendation to the Board of
Directors as to the appointment of auditors of the Company for the ensuing
fiscal year. The Audit Committee also reviews the results and scope of and the
fees for the annual audit, reviews the financial statements and any significant
transactions or events and any changes in accounting principles and practices
with the auditors and reviews the internal controls and internal audit
procedures and programs of the Company. The Audit Committee held three meetings
in 1996.
OTHER MATTERS
Management of the Company does not intend to present any other matters at
the meeting and knows of no other matters which will be presented. However, if
any other matters come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons
named in the enclosed proxy to vote in accordance with their judgment on such
matters.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The 1998 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company is scheduled to be
held during the first week of May 1998. In order to be considered for inclusion
in the proxy material for that meeting, stockholder proposals must be received
at the Company's principal executive office not later than November 26, 1997.
FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
The Company will provide without charge to each person from whom a proxy is
solicited by this proxy statement, upon the written request of any such person,
a copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial
statements and the schedules thereto, required to be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a)(2) under the Exchange Act for
the Company's most recent fiscal year. Requests should be directed to David C.
Jones, Vice President -- Legal Affairs and Secretary, Lafarge Corporation, P.O.
Box 4600, Reston, Virginia 20195.
19
<PAGE> 22
LAFARGE CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Bertrand P. Collomb, John D. Redfern and John M.
Piecuch (acting by majority or, if only one be present, by that one alone), and
each of them, proxies with power of substitution in each, and hereby authorizes
them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all shares of
Common Stock of Lafarge Corporation (the "Company") standing in the name of the
undersigned on March 7, 1997, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
on May 6, 1997 in Washington D.C., and at any adjournment thereof, and
especially to vote on the items of business specified on the reverse side, as
more fully described in the Notice of the meeting dated March 24, 1997, and the
proxy statement accompanying the same, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This proxy should be signed exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. Joint
owners should both sign. If signed as attorney, executor, guardian, or in some
other representative capacity, or as officer of a corporation, please indicate
your capacity or title.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED? DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
<PAGE> 23
[X]PLEASE MARK VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
------------------------------ With- For All
LAFARGE CORPORATION For held Except
------------------------------ 1. Election of Directors. [ ] [ ] [ ]
The nominees are:
THOMAS A. BUELL PAUL W. MACAVOY JOHN D. REDFERN
RECORD DATE SHARES: MARSHALL A. COHEN CLAUDINE B. MALONE JOE M. RODGERS
BERTRAND P. COLLOMB ALONZO L. MCDONALD MICHEL ROSE
PHILIPPE P. DAUMAN ROBERT W. MURDOCH RONALD D. SOUTHERN
BERNARD L. KASRIEL BERTIN F. NADEAU EDWARD H. TUCK
JACQUES LEFEVRE JOHN M. PIECUCH
NOTE: If you do not wish your shares voted "For" a particular nominee, mark the "For
All Except" box and strike a line through the nominee's(s') name(s). Your shares will
be voted for the remaining nominee(s).
For Against Abstain
2. Approval of appointment of Arthur Andersen [ ] [ ] [ ]
LLP as auditors of the Company.
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote on such other
----------------- business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Please be sure to Date
sign and date this ----------------- Mark box at right if an address change or comment has been [ ]
Proxy.
noted on the reverse side of this card.
- ---------------------------------------
Stockholder sign here Co-owner sign here
- -----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
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