<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 Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying 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:
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<PAGE> 2
March 22, 1996
Dear Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 1996 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 1996, at the Sheraton Park
Central Hotel, 12720 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75251. Please refer to the
back of this letter for directions. The Meeting will be preceded by an
informal reception starting at 9:30 a.m., at which you will have an opportunity
to meet the Directors and Officers of the Company.
Enclosed with this letter is a Notice of the Annual Meeting, Proxy
Statement, and Proxy Card. I urge you to complete, sign, date, and mail the
enclosed Proxy Card at your earliest convenience. Regardless of the size of
your holding, it is important that your shares be represented. If you attend
the Meeting, you may withdraw your Proxy and vote in person.
I look forward with pleasure to seeing you at the Meeting on May 17,
1996.
Sincerely,
Robert F. Kizer,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Enclosures
<PAGE> 3
Directions to Annual Shareholders Meeting of
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
May 17, 1996 at 10:00 a.m.
[MAP]
Sheraton Park Central Hotel
12720 Merit Drive
Dallas, Texas 75251
(214) 233-4421
<PAGE> 4
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
12221 Merit Drive
Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75251
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 17, 1996
To the Shareholders of
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), will
be held on Friday, the 17th day of May, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., local time at the
Sheraton Park Central Hotel, 12720 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75251 (the
"Annual Meeting"), for the following purposes:
1. To elect seven directors to serve until the next annual
meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors
have been duly elected and qualified; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly be brought
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Information regarding the matters to be acted upon at the Annual
Meeting is contained in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 19,
1996 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. A complete list of such shareholders will be available for inspection
during usual business hours for ten days prior to the Annual Meeting at the
office of the Company in Dallas, Texas.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED, WHETHER OR NOT THEY PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING,
TO COMPLETE, SIGN, AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND TO RETURN IT
PROMPTLY IN THE POSTAGE-PAID RETURN ENVELOPE PROVIDED. If a shareholder who
has returned a Proxy Card attends the Annual Meeting in person, such
shareholder may revoke the Proxy and vote in person on all matters submitted to
the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
By the Order of the Board of Directors,
Timothy W. Byrne,
Secretary
Dallas, Texas
March 22, 1996
<PAGE> 5
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
12221 MERIT DRIVE
SUITE 500
DALLAS, TEXAS 75251
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 17, 1996
INTRODUCTION
The accompanying proxy (the "Proxy Card"), mailed together with this
proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement"), is solicited by and on behalf of the
Board of Directors of United States Lime & Minerals, Inc., a Texas corporation
(the "Company"), for use at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice (the "Annual Meeting"). The approximate date on which this
Proxy Statement and Proxy Card were first sent to shareholders of the Company
is March 22, 1996.
Shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the
"Company Stock"), represented by valid Proxies in the form enclosed, duly
signed, dated, and returned to the Company and not revoked, will be voted at
the Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions given. In the absence of
directions to the contrary, such shares will be voted:
FOR the election of the seven nominees named in the Proxy Card
to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of
Directors" or the "Board").
If any other matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting for
action at the Meeting, which is not currently anticipated, the Proxy holders
will vote the Proxies in accordance with their best judgment in such matters.
Any shareholder of the Company returning a Proxy Card has a right to
revoke the Proxy at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice of
such revocation to the Company addressed to Timothy W. Byrne, Secretary, United
States Lime & Minerals, Inc., 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas
75251; however, no such revocation shall be effective until such notice of
revocation has been received by the Company at or prior to the Annual Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on
March 19, 1996, the record date for the Annual Meeting, are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The presence
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock is
necessary to constitute a quorum. On the record date for the Annual Meeting,
there were issued and outstanding 3,861,853 shares of Common Stock. At the
Annual Meeting, each shareholder of record on March 19, 1996 will be entitled
to one vote for each share of Common Stock registered in such shareholder's
name on the record date.
<PAGE> 6
The following table sets forth, as of March 19, 1996, information with
respect to the only shareholder known to the Company to be the beneficial owner
of more than five percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Number of Shares Percent
of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned of Class
- ------------------- ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Inberdon Enterprises Ltd. 1,917,948 49.66 %
1020-789 West Pender Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 1H2 (1)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Inberdon Enterprises Ltd. ("Inberdon") is principally engaged in the
acquisition and holding of securities of aggregate producing companies
located in North America. All of the outstanding shares of Inberdon
are held, indirectly through a number of private companies, by Mr.
George M. Doumet.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Seven directors, constituting the entire Board of Directors, are to be
elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of
shareholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and
qualified. All of the nominees are currently directors of the Company.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders
of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at the Annual Meeting.
Cumulative voting for the election of directors is prohibited by the Company's
Restated Articles of Incorporation. All duly submitted and unrevoked Proxies
will be voted FOR the nominees selected by the Board of Directors except where
authorization so to vote is withheld. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not
counted in the election of directors.
The Board of Directors recommends that all shareholders vote FOR the
election of all such nominees. If any nominee should become unavailable for
election for any presently unforeseen reason, the persons designated as Proxy
holders will have full discretion to vote for another person.
The Company has a standing Executive Committee, Audit Committee, and
Compensation Committee, but does not have a standing nominating committee.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, the Board of Directors held
four meetings, and the Executive Committee held five meetings. The Audit
Committee held two meetings, and the Compensation Committee held two meetings.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, each director attended all
meetings held by the Board of Directors and the committees of the Board on
which he served.
The seven nominees for director are named below. Each has consented
to serve as a director if elected. Set forth below is pertinent information
with respect to each nominee:
JOHN J. BROWN
Mr. Brown, age 63, has served as a director of the Company since July
1993. Mr. Brown is the President of Pacific Opportunity Company, Ltd.
From 1990 to 1993, he served as a director and chief financial officer
of BTS Byers Transportation Systems Inc., an "LTL" Carrier in Western
Canada. From 1984 to 1990, Mr. Brown was an investment advisor at RBC
Dominion Securities. Formerly, he was a senior partner with the
public auditing firm of Deloitte & Touche, Chartered Accountants in
Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Brown is a director of several Canadian
companies and is currently a director and past Chairman of the British
Columbia Automobile Association, a director of the Canadian Automobile
Association, and a member of the Council of Governors of the Canadian
Automobile Association. The above are affiliated with the American
Automobile Association.
-2-
<PAGE> 7
TIMOTHY W. BYRNE
Mr. Byrne, age 38, has served as a director of the Company since
March 1991. Mr. Byrne also currently serves as Senior Vice
President-Finance & Administration, Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer, and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Byrne joined the Company
in August 1990 as Manager of Finance. From 1985 through 1989, Mr.
Byrne was a partner in a Washington, D.C. consulting and accounting
firm. From 1979 through 1984, Mr. Byrne worked for a "Big Six"
accounting firm.
ANTOINE M. DOUMET
Mr. Doumet, age 36, has served as a director of the Company since July
1993 in the capacity of Vice Chairman. He is a private businessman
and investor. From 1989 to 1995 he served as a director of MELEC, a
French electrical engineering and contracting company. From 1988 to
1992, Mr. Doumet served as vice president and a director of Lebanon
Chemicals Company. Mr. Doumet is the brother of Mr. George M. Doumet,
who indirectly owns all of the outstanding shares of Inberdon.
WALLACE G. IRMSCHER
Mr. Irmscher, age 73, has served as a director of the Company since
July 1993. He was a senior executive with 44 years of diversified
experience in the construction and construction materials industry.
Since 1995, he has served as a director of N-Viro International
Corporation, a company involved in the recycling of industrial waste.
From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Irmscher was a director and officer of
Newfoundland Resources & Mining Company Limited. In 1995, a petition
was filed against this company, and it was adjudged bankrupt. Mr.
Irmscher for the past five years has performed consulting services for
various companies in the cement, construction, and environmental
industries.
ROBERT F. KIZER
Mr. Kizer, age 61, has served as a director of the Company since
September 1993. Since that time, he has served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Kizer has more than 36 years
experience in the construction aggregate, concrete, and cement
industries, having served in various executive capacities. In
addition, Mr. Kizer is involved with the ownership of various
businesses.
EDWARD A. ODISHAW
Mr. Odishaw, age 60, has served as a director and Chairman of the
Board of the Company since July 1993. He has practiced law in
Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Canada since 1964 with emphasis on
commercial law, corporate mergers, acquisitions, and finance. Mr.
Odishaw has been a Barrister and Solicitor with the law firm of
Boughton Peterson Yang Anderson, located in Vancouver, Canada, since
February 1992. From 1972 to 1992, Mr. Odishaw was a Barrister and
Solicitor with the law firm of Swinton & Company, Vancouver, Canada.
Mr. Odishaw holds directorships in numerous companies in Canada. Mr.
Odishaw is a member in good standing of the Law Society of British
Columbia and the Canadian Bar Association and is a non-practicing
member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan.
ROBERT J. SMITH
Mr. Smith, age 69, has served as a director of the Company since July
1993. He has extensive operating and management experience in the
marine terminal business. Mr. Smith is the past chairman of the board
of Pacific Pilotage Authority and served in such position from 1987 to
1992. Prior to this, Mr. Smith served as president of Johnston Marine
Terminals Ltd., Fraser Surrey Docks Ltd., and Pacific Rim Stevedoring
Ltd.. Mr. Smith also has served as a director of numerous companies
in Canada.
-3-
<PAGE> 8
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
WHO ARE NOT ALSO DIRECTORS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
----------------- --- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Robert K. Murray 58 Vice President - Operations
Larry T. Ohms 35 Corporate Controller and Asst. Treasurer
</TABLE>
Mr. Murray joined the Company in November 1993 as Vice President -
Operations. From December 1990 until that time, Mr. Murray served as president
and general manager of Calco, Inc., a lime and limestone mining and
manufacturing business located in Colorado. Prior to that, Mr. Murray provided
legal and engineering consulting services to various mining, construction, and
related companies.
Mr. Ohms joined the Company in July 1994 as Corporate Controller and
Assistant Treasurer. From 1990 until that time, Mr. Ohms served as vice
president of finance for My Alarm, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of
two-way voice, home security systems. Prior to 1990, Mr. Ohms held positions
as plant controller for publicly traded companies, including Flowers Baking
Company and Weyerhauser Company.
SHAREHOLDINGS OF COMPANY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned, as of March 19, 1996, by all directors and named executive
officers of the Company individually and all directors and executive officers
as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1)
----------------------------------------
Name Number of Shares Percent of Class
- ---- -------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
John J. Brown - -
Timothy W. Byrne 46,145 (2) (3) (4) 1.18%
Antoine M. Doumet - (5) -
Wallace G. Irmscher 8,000 (6)
Robert F. Kizer 65,816 (2) (3) (4) 1.69%
Robert K. Murray 31,173 (3) (4) (6)
Edward A. Odishaw 900 (6)
Robert J. Smith - -
All Directors
and Executive Officers
as a Group (9 persons) 172,322 (2) (3) 4.33%
(4)
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) All shares are directly held with sole voting and dispositive power
unless otherwise indicated.
(2) The named individual serves as one of two members of the Company's
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") Administration Committee. The
number of shares shown as beneficially owned by the named individual
excludes shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the
ESOP Administration Committee, as to which the named individual
disclaims beneficial ownership.
(3) Includes 816, 6,145, 816, and 288 shares allocated to Messrs. Kizer,
Byrne, Murray, and Ohms, respectively, under the ESOP, as to which
they have sole voting power but no dispositive power.
(4) Includes 37,210, 35,000, 30,000, and 20,000 shares subject to stock
options exercisable within the next 60 days granted to Messrs. Kizer,
Byrne, Murray, and Ohms, respectively, under the Company's 1992 Stock
Option Plan.
(5) The named individual is the brother of Mr. George M. Doumet, who
indirectly owns all of the outstanding shares of Inberdon.
(6) Less than 1%.
-4-
<PAGE> 9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for
each of the last three fiscal years earned by the Chief Executive Officer and
each of the other executive officers of the Company whose salary and bonus
earned in 1995 exceeded $100,000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION ALL OTHER COMPENSATION
------------------- ------------ ------------------------
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
NAME AND BONUS OPTIONS (#) 401(K) ESOP OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
------------------ ---- ---------- ----------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert F. Kizer 1995 $206,667 $75,000 40,000 $3,080 $7,141 --
President and Chief 1994 $204,138 $20,000 -- $ 500 -- --
Executive Officer 1993 $ 51,856 -- 65,000 -- -- --
Timothy W. Byrne 1995 $157,500 $37,500 25,000 $3,080 $7,340 --
Senior Vice President - 1994 $154,190 $41,000 -- $1,547 $8,180 --
Finance & Administration 1993 $144,062 -- 40,000 $2,205 $8,865 $ 73,023
and Chief Financial
Officer
Robert K. Murray 1995 $154,166 $37,500 25,000 $3,080 $7,141 --
Vice President - 1994 $151,672 $14,000 -- $ 148 -- --
Operations 1993 $ 16,373 -- 30,000 -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Bonuses are accrued in the year of the Company's performance and paid
in the following year.
(2) Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan.
(3) Company contribution to defined contribution plan.
(4) ESOP share allocation, valued at year-end market price of the
Company's Common Stock.
(5) Change in control payment pursuant to an Executive Employment
Agreement.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth certain information concerning stock
options granted during 1995 under the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan to the
named executive officers:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
Annual Rates of Stock
Price Appreciation for
Individual Grants Option Term
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Number of % of Total
Securities Options
Underlying Granted to Exercise or
Options Employees in Base Price Expiration
Name Granted (1) Fiscal Year ($/Share) Date 0% ($) (2) 5% ($) 10% ($)
---- ----------- ----------- --------- ---- ----------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert F. Kizer 40,000 25.00% 8.25 2005 0 207,535 525,935
Timothy W. Byrne 25,000 15.63% 8.25 2005 0 129,710 328,709
Robert K. Murray 25,000 15.63% 8.25 2005 0 129,710 328,709
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) All grants were in the form of stock options granted at 100% of fair
market value of the Company's Common Stock at the date of the grant.
The options may be exercised after one year but no more than ten years
from the date of grant and only while in the employment of the Company
or within three months following termination of employment.
(2) No gain to optionees is possible without an increase in stock price,
which will benefit all shareholders commensurately. A 0% increase in
stock price will result in $0 gain for the optionees.
-5-
<PAGE> 10
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST YEAR AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
No stock options were exercised by the named executive officers during
1995. The following table sets forth the number and value of unexercised
options by such executive officers at year end:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options
Name Options at Year-End at Year-End
- --------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------
Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
(#) (#) ($) ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert F. Kizer 42,104 62,896 168,416 111,584
Timothy W. Byrne 40,000 25,000 160,000 12,500
Robert K. Murray 30,000 25,000 120,000 12,500
</TABLE>
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TERMINATION AGREEMENTS
The Company has employment agreements with Messrs. Kizer, Byrne, and
Murray. Such employment agreements are designed to ensure that the Company
will be able to attract, motivate, and retain highly qualified talent, which is
critical to both the short- and long-term success of the Company.
The agreements provide for an annual base salary to be reviewed
annually. In addition to the base salary, the agreements provide for a bonus
(to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors), use
of a Company car, reimbursement of business expenses, and participation in the
Company's 401(k) plan and ESOP. Under provisions of the 401(k) plan, Messrs.
Kizer and Murray were not eligible to participate in the plan until October and
December 1994, respectively. In case of termination of employment, including
upon a change in control, each employee would receive a severance payment equal
to one year's compensation in the cases of Messrs. Kizer and Murray, and
eighteen months' compensation in the case of Mr. Byrne. The agreements of
Messrs. Kizer and Byrne contain certain post-termination covenants not to
compete. Messrs. Kizer's and Murray's agreements expire in 1999 and 1996,
respectively, and Mr. Byrne's agreement has no expiration date.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER MATTERS
Directors who are not employees of the Company, other than the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, are paid an annual retainer of $6,000 plus
$600 per day on Company business. The Chairman of the Board is paid an annual
retainer of $35,000 plus $800 per day on Company business.
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules require the Company to
disclose any director, officer, or ten-percent shareholder who did not file
timely with the SEC required reports relating to transactions in the Company's
equity securities. Mr. Wallace G. Irmscher, a director of the Company, did not
report timely six acquisitions covering an aggregate of 8,000 shares of Common
Stock. Such transactions were subsequently reported on a Form 5.
-6-
<PAGE> 11
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
TO: The Shareholders of United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.
As members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
(the "Committee"), we have the responsibility for administering the executive
compensation program of the Company. The Compensation Committee reviews and
makes recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding the base
salaries and annual incentive compensation for executive officers and
administering the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee
is composed of Messrs. Odishaw, Doumet, and Smith.
COMPENSATION POLICIES
The principal executive compensation policy of the Company, which is
endorsed by the Committee, is to provide a compensation program that will
attract, motivate, and retain persons of high quality and will support a
long-standing internal culture of loyalty and dedication to the interests of
the Company and its shareholders. In administering the executive compensation
program, the Committee is mindful of the following principles and guidelines
which are supported by the full Board:
Base salaries for executive officers should be competitive. A
sufficient portion of annual compensation should be at risk in order to align
the interests of executives with those of the shareholders of the Company.
This variable part of annual compensation should reflect both individual and
corporate performance. As a person's level of responsibility increases, a
greater portion of total compensation should be at risk, and the mix of total
compensation should be weighted more heavily in favor of stock-based
compensation. Stock options provide executives long-term incentive and are
beneficial in better aligning the interests of executives and shareholders in
the enhancement of shareholder value.
As discussed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, the Company has
entered into employment agreements with Mr. Kizer and certain other executive
officers. These agreements provide for an annual base salary, bonus, the use
of a Company car, reimbursement of business expenses, participation in the
401(k) plan and ESOP, and severance arrangements. The Committee has determined
that such agreements are appropriate means to seek to achieve the Company's
overall compensation policies.
1995 COMPENSATION
The Company's executive compensation packages have three separate
elements, consisting of base salary, annual incentive compensation, and
long-term incentive compensation. The compensation packages of Mr. Kizer and
the other executive officers are designed to be competitive within the industry
and to provide incentives for both short- and long-term performance in line
with the financial interests of the shareholders.
BASE SALARIES. The Committee determined levels of the executive officers'
base salaries as set forth in their employment agreements so as to be
competitive with amounts paid to executives performing similar functions in
comparable size non-durable manufacturing companies. The salary of Mr. Kizer
is based on a study performed in 1992 by Towers Perrin. The amount of each
executive's annual increase in base salary, if any, will be based on a number
of largely subjective factors, including the personal performance of such
executive officer, the performance of the Company, cost-of-living increases,
and such other factors as the Committee deems appropriate, including the
individual's overall mix between fixed and variable compensation and between
cash and stock-based compensation. In 1995, those increases averaged 3.9%.
-7-
<PAGE> 12
ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. Each of the Company's executive officers is
eligible to receive annual cash bonus awards based on determinations made by
the Committee. The Company has not adopted a formal annual bonus plan.
Rather, the determination to pay a cash bonus, if any, in a given case is based
on the Committee's subjective judgment with respect to the past performance of
the individual, or on the individual's attainment of objective performance
goals set by the Committee. In either such case, the bonus may be based on the
specific accomplishments of the individual, or on the overall success of the
Company. In the last quarter of 1995, the Committee determined to award
bonuses to Messrs. Kizer, Byrne, and Murray of $75,000, $37,500, and $37,500,
respectively, based on the performance of the Company in 1995; in the view of
the Committee, such bonus awards were an appropriate means to reward the named
executive officers for the Company's success in 1995.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. The Committee also administers the Company's
1992 Stock Option Plan to provide long-term incentives to its key employees,
including executive officers. Currently, executive officers of the Company
hold options to purchase an aggregate of 212,210 shares of Common Stock. The
grants were based on each individual's position within the Company, level of
responsibility, past performance, and expectation of future performance. Based
on such subjective factors, in 1995 Mr. Kizer was granted an option to purchase
40,000 shares at $8.25 per share, the fair market value at the date of grant.
The Committee has not formally considered or adopted a policy with
regard to qualifying bonus awards for tax deductibility under Internal Revenue
Code Section 162(m), which generally limits the corporate tax deduction for
compensation paid to certain named executive officers to $1 million per year.
The Committee has not yet seen any need to address this issue, since current
Company cash compensation is well below the level at which this new tax
limitation would apply and the Company's stock option grants are not subject to
the limitation.
This report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any
general statement incorporating by reference the Proxy Statement into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this
information by reference. This report shall not otherwise be deemed to be
filed under such Acts.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Edward A. Odishaw
Antoine M. Doumet
Robert J. Smith
<PAGE> 13
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholders' return on
the Company's Common Stock with the cumulative total return on the Nasdaq
Market Index and a group of peer issuers selected on a line-of-business basis,
consisting of Dravo Corporation and A.P. Green Industries, Inc. The graph
assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's Common Stock and
each index was $100 on December 31, 1990, and that all dividends have been
reinvested.
[GRAPH]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================
12/31/90 12/31/91 12/31/92 12/31/93 12/31/94 12/31/95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
COMPANY $100 $125 $ 94 $125 $150 $219
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASDAQ $100 $ 76 $ 88 $121 $128 $133
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEER GROUP $100 $128 $130 $156 $163 $212
================================================================================
</TABLE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The firm of Ernst & Young LLP (a limited liability partnership)
audited the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting and to be available to respond to appropriate
questions. Such representatives will be given the opportunity to make a
statement at the Meeting if they so desire.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is currently composed of
Messrs. Brown, Smith, and Irmscher. The Audit Committee recommends the
appointment of the independent auditors to audit the Company's financial
statements, meets with the independent auditors and reviews the scope and
results of their audit, and reviews the fees charged by the independent
auditors.
Ratification of independent auditors by the shareholders is not
required by Texas law or the Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
the Company.
-9-
<PAGE> 14
On October 28, 1994, the Company dismissed the firm of Aronson,
Fetridge & Weigle, member of Moores Rowland International ("Aronson,
Fetridge"), as the Company's independent auditors. On that same date, the
Company appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditors of the Company
effective immediately. The decision to change the Company's auditors was
recommended by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and approved by
the full Board.
During the Company's two then most recent fiscal years and the
subsequent interim period preceding the dismissal of Aronson, Fetridge and the
appointment of Ernst & Young LLP on October 28, 1994: (i) there were no
disagreements with Aronson, Fetridge on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Aronson, Fetridge,
would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the
disagreement in connection with its reports; (ii) there were no "reportable
events" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K); and (iii) the
Company did not consult with Ernst & Young LLP regarding either the application
of accounting principles to a specified transaction or the type of audit
opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial statements, or on any
matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item
304(a)(1)(iv)) or a "reportable event" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v)). In
addition, Aronson, Fetridge's reports on the Company's financial statements for
the past two years did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of
opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope, or accounting principles.
The Company authorized Aronson, Fetridge to respond fully to any
inquiries from Ernst & Young LLP, and to make its workpapers available to Ernst
& Young LLP. The Company previously provided Aronson, Fetridge with a copy of
the foregoing statements, and, by letter to the SEC dated November 3, 1994,
Aronson, Fetridge stated that it had read such statements and that it agreed
with them.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not intend to present any other matters at
the Annual Meeting and knows of no other matters that will be presented.
However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the
persons named in the enclosed Proxy Card intend to vote thereon in accordance
with their best judgment.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals to be presented at next year's annual meeting of
shareholders must be received by the Company at its office in Dallas, Texas
addressed to Timothy W. Byrne, Secretary of the Company, not later than January
1, 1997.
The costs of solicitation of Proxies will be borne by the Company.
Solicitation may be made by mail, personal interview, telephone, and/or
telegraph by officers and regular employees of the Company who will receive no
additional compensation therefor. The Company may specifically engage a firm
to aid in the solicitation of Proxies, for which services the Company would
anticipate paying a standard reasonable fee plus out-of-pocket expenses. The
Company will bear the reasonable expenses incurred by banks, brokerage firms,
and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries in forwarding proxy materials
to beneficial owners.
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
TIMOTHY W. BYRNE,
Secretary
Dallas, Texas
March 22, 1996
-10-
<PAGE> 15
SHARES IN YOUR NAME
[X] Please mark your
votes as in this
example.
1. Election of FOR WITHHELD
Directors [ ] [ ]
(see reverse)
Nominees: John J. Brown, Timothy W. Byrne, Antoine M. Doumet, Wallace G.
Irmscher, Robert F. Kizer, Edward A. Odishaw, and Robert J. Smith
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly be brought before the Meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
------------------
Change
of [ ]
Address
Attend [ ]
Meeting
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
---------------------------- ---------------
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
---------------------------- ---------------
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such.
<PAGE> 16
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
P
The undersigned hereby appoints Robert F. Kizer and Timothy W. Byrne, and
R either of them, Proxies with power of substitution in each, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all shares
O of Common Stock of UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. (the "Company")
standing in the name of the undersigned on March 19, 1996, at the Annual
X Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 1996, at the Sheraton Park
Central Hotel, 12720 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas, and at any adjournment
Y thereof and especially to vote on the item of business specified below,
as more fully described in the Notice of the Meeting dated March 22, 1996,
and the Proxy Statement accompanying the same, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged.
Election of Directors, Nominees:
John J. Brown, Timothy W. Byrne, Antoine M. Doumet,
Wallace G. Irmscher, Robert F. Kizer, Edward A. Odishaw,
and Robert J. Smith
(change of address)
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
(If you have written in the
above space, please mark the
corresponding box on the reverse
side of this card.)
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICES BY MARKING THE APPROPRIATE BOXES,
SEE REVERSE SIDE, BUT YOU NEED NOT MARK ANY BOXES IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PROXIES CANNOT
VOTE YOUR SHARES UNLESS YOU SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS CARD.
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
