<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
(Rule 14a-101)
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
[x] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC 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
[BOSTON SCIENTIFIC LOGO]
Natick, Massachusetts
April 1, 1999
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend Boston Scientific Corporation's Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, May 4, 1999, beginning at 10:00
A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, at BankBoston Corporate Headquarters, 100 Federal
Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
This year you are being asked to elect three directors to the Company's
Board of Directors. Your Board of Directors urges you to read the accompanying
proxy statement and recommends that you vote "FOR" the nominees proposed.
At the meeting, management will also report on the Company's performance
and an opportunity will be provided for stockholders to ask questions.
The Board of Directors appreciates and encourages stockholder participation
in the Company's affairs. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, it is
important that your shares be represented. Accordingly, we request that you
sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided at your
earliest convenience. Record holders may also vote electronically or
telephonically by following the instructions printed on the enclosed proxy card.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Very truly yours,
PETE M. NICHOLAS
Chairman of the Board
<PAGE> 3
[Boston Scientific LOGO]
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Natick, Massachusetts
April 1, 1999
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Boston Scientific Corporation will be
held at BankBoston Corporate Headquarters, 100 Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts on Tuesday, May 4, 1999, beginning at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight
Time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect three directors; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 1999 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
Stockholders are requested to complete, sign, date and mail the enclosed
proxy card in the envelope provided. No postage is required if mailed in the
United States. Record holders may also vote electronically or telephonically by
following the instructions printed on the enclosed proxy card.
By Order of the Board of Directors
PAUL W. SANDMAN
Secretary
<PAGE> 4
[Boston Scientific LOGO]
ONE BOSTON SCIENTIFIC PLACE
NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760
APRIL 1, 1999
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
------------------------
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
THE ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Boston Scientific Corporation (the
"Company") will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 1999, beginning at 10:00 A.M. Eastern
Daylight Time, at BankBoston Corporate Headquarters, 100 Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts. At this meeting, stockholders will be asked to elect three
directors and to transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting. Management of the Company will also report on the Company's performance
during fiscal 1998 and respond to questions from stockholders.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO ATTEND AND VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 1999 are
entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of common stock is
entitled to one vote. The proxy card provided with this proxy statement
indicates the number of shares of Boston Scientific common stock that you own
and are entitled to vote.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM AT THE MEETING?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on March 15, 1999, the record
date, will constitute a quorum for purposes of this meeting. As of the record
date, 394,872,509 shares of Boston Scientific common stock were outstanding. For
purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, proxies received but marked
"withhold" or "abstain" and broker non-votes (described below) will be counted.
HOW DO I VOTE BY PROXY?
Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting,
we urge you to complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in
the envelope provided. No postage is required if your proxy card is mailed in
the United States.
<PAGE> 5
If you properly fill in your proxy card and our transfer agent receives it
in time to vote at the meeting, your "proxy" (one of the individuals named on
your proxy card) will vote your shares as you have directed. If you sign the
proxy card but do not make specific choices, your proxy will vote your shares as
recommended by the Board, as follows:
- FOR the election of all three nominees for director.
If any other matter is presented, your proxy will vote your shares in
accordance with his best judgment. At present, the Board knows of no other
business which is intended to be acted on at the Annual Meeting.
CAN I VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONICALLY?
If you are a registered stockholder (that is, if you hold your stock in
your own name), you may vote by telephone or electronically through the Internet
by following the instructions printed on your proxy card.
HOW DO I VOTE IF MY SHARES ARE HELD BY MY BROKER?
If your shares are held by your broker in "street name", you will need to
instruct your broker concerning how to vote your shares in the manner provided
by your broker.
WHAT DISCRETION DOES MY BROKER HAVE TO VOTE MY SHARES HELD IN "STREET NAME"?
New York Stock Exchange rules allow your broker to vote your shares with
respect to the election of directors even if it does not receive instructions
from you, so long as it holds your shares in its name. There are, however,
certain matters with respect to which brokers do not have such discretionary
authority. Should such a matter come to a vote at the Annual Meeting, your
shares will not be voted on that matter. Shares represented by such "broker
non-votes" will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.
CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I RETURN MY PROXY CARD?
Yes. You may change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised. To
change your vote, you may:
- file with the Secretary of the Company a written notice "revoking"
your earlier vote;
- submit to our transfer agent a properly completed and signed proxy
card with a later date; or
- vote in person at the meeting.
HOW DO I VOTE IN PERSON?
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, we will give
you a ballot or a new proxy card when you arrive. However, if your shares are
held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring an
account statement or letter from the nominee indicating that you were the
beneficial owner of the shares on March 15, 1999, the record date for voting.
HOW DO I VOTE MY 401(K) AND OUS GESOP SHARES?
If you participate in the Boston Scientific Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan
or live outside of the United States and participate in the Company's Global
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("GESOP"), you will receive a single proxy card
that covers both shares credited to your plan account(s) and shares that you own
of record that are registered in the same name. If any of your plan accounts are
not registered in the same name as your shares of record, you will receive
separate proxy cards for your record and plan holdings. Properly completed and
signed proxy cards will serve to instruct the trustees and fiduciaries of the
Company's 401(k) Plan and GESOP on how to vote any Company shares held by the
401(k) Plan or GESOP on your behalf.
2
<PAGE> 6
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH PROPOSAL?
- FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. The three nominees for director who
receive the most votes from those shares present or represented at the
Annual Meeting will be elected. If you do not vote for a particular
nominee, or you withhold authority for one or all nominees, your vote
will not count either "for" or "against" the nominee, although it will be
counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum.
- OTHER MATTERS. Generally, the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares present or represented at the Annual Meeting and which
have actually voted is required for all other matters which may properly
come before the meeting. At present, the Board knows of no other matters
to be presented for stockholder action at the meeting.
IS VOTING CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes. Proxy cards, ballots and voting tabulations are treated as
confidential. Generally, only the inspectors of election and certain employees
associated with processing proxy cards and counting the vote have access to
these documents.
HOW IS THE COMPANY SOLICITING PROXIES?
Proxies will be solicited chiefly by mail, but additional solicitations may
be made by telephone or other media by the officers or employees of the Company.
The Company may enlist the assistance of brokerage houses, fiduciaries,
custodians and other third parties in soliciting proxies. All solicitation
expenses, including costs of preparing, assembling and mailing proxy material,
will be borne by the Company.
PROPOSAL TO BE VOTED UPON
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
You are being asked to vote for three directors at this Annual Meeting. The
Board is nominating Pete M. Nicholas and James R. Tobin for re-election and is
nominating Ray J. Groves to serve as a new Board member. Mr. Groves, if elected,
would fill one of the Board seats currently occupied by Charles J. Aschauer, Jr.
and Randall F. Bellows. The Board expects to eliminate the remaining seat by
reducing the Company's Board membership to nine at a vote immediately following
the Annual Meeting. Proxies may not be voted for a greater number of persons
than the three nominees named.
The Board of Directors recently adopted a Corporate Governance Manual which
provides that Directors will retire at the first Annual Meeting following their
seventieth birthday. Mr. Aschauer and Mr. Bellows, who are both 70 years old,
are retiring pursuant to this policy. The Board is grateful for their
significant contributions to the Company.
The Company knows of no reason why any of the nominees would be unable to
serve as a Director. Should, however, such a situation arise, the Board may
designate a substitute nominee or, alternatively, reduce the number of Directors
to be elected. If a substitute nominee is selected, the persons named as proxies
will vote for that substitute nominee. Any vacancies not filled at the Annual
Meeting may be filled by the Board.
3
<PAGE> 7
THE NOMINEES
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Pete M. Nicholas..................... Pete M. Nicholas, a co-founder of the Company, has been the
Age 57 Chairman of the Board of the Company since 1995. He has been
a Director since 1979 and served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer from 1979 to March 1998 and Co-Chairman of
the Board from 1979 to 1995. Prior to joining Boston
Scientific, he was corporate director of marketing and
general manager of the Medical Products Division at
Millipore Corporation, a medical device company, and served
in various sales, marketing and general management positions
at Eli Lilly and Company. He is also a trustee of Duke
University. Mr. Nicholas received a B.A. degree from Duke
University, and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania. He is also the brother of N.J.
Nicholas, Jr., a Director of the Company.
James R. Tobin....................... James R. Tobin joined the Company on March 17, 1999 as
Age 54 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to
joining Boston Scientific, Mr. Tobin served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Biogen, Inc. from 1997 to 1998
and Chief Operating Officer of Biogen from 1994 to 1997.
From 1972 to 1994, Mr. Tobin was a career executive with
Baxter International, rising from financial analyst to
President and Chief Operating Officer in 1992. Before
becoming Baxter's President and Chief Operating Officer, he
served as Managing Director in Japan, Managing Director in
Spain, President of Baxter's I.V. Systems Group and Execu-
tive Vice President, responsible for running Baxter's
worldwide business groups and then its U.S. manufacturing
and distribution operations. Mr. Tobin currently serves on
the Board of Directors of Creative Biomolecules, Inc. and
PathoGenesis Corporation. Mr. Tobin received an A.B. from
Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Tobin also served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from
1968 to 1972.
Ray J. Groves........................ Mr. Groves is Chairman of Legg Mason Merchant Banking, Inc.
Age 63 He retired in 1994 from Ernst & Young where he held numerous
positions for 37 years, including the last 17 years as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He is a director of
Allegheny Teledyne Incorporated, American Water Works
Company, Inc., Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Electronic
Data Systems Corporation, LAI Worldwide, Inc., Marsh &
McLennan Companies, Inc. and RJR Nabisco, Inc. Mr. Groves is
a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York Public
Policy Institute. He is also a managing director, treasurer
and secretary of the Metropolitan Opera Association and Vice
Chairman of The Ohio State University Foundation. Mr. Groves
received a B.S. degree from Ohio State University.
</TABLE>
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL THREE NOMINEES
FOR DIRECTOR.
4
<PAGE> 8
STOCK OWNERSHIP
WHO ARE THE LARGEST OWNERS OF THE COMPANY'S STOCK?
Four stockholders beneficially own more than 5% of the Company's common
stock. In general, "beneficial ownership" includes those shares a person or
entity has the power to vote or transfer, and stock options or warrants that are
exercisable currently or within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons
and entities named have sole voting and investment power over the shares listed.
The table below sets forth information, as of March 1, 1999, regarding the
beneficial ownership of these individuals and entities. As of March 1, 1999,
there were 394,699,948 shares of Company common stock outstanding.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT OF SHARES PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES OUTSTANDING
------------------------ ------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
John E. Abele(1)........................................... 28,825,628 7.3%
c/o Boston Scientific Corporation
One Boston Scientific Place
Natick, MA 01760
Robert M. Dombroff(2)...................................... 35,740,246 9.1%
as Trustee of The Abele Children's Irrevocable
Trust Dated October 29, 1979
c/o Bingham, Dana LLP
100 Pearl Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Pete M. Nicholas(3)........................................ 54,739,456 13.9%
c/o Boston Scientific Corporation
One Boston Scientific Place
Natick, MA 01760
Promerica, L.P.(4)......................................... 52,117,340 13.2%
Pete M. Nicholas, General Partner
c/o Bingham, Dana LLP
1550 M Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes 1,300,000 shares of common stock held by a corporation of which Mr.
Abele is the sole stockholder and director. Excludes 35,740,246 shares of
common stock held by Robert M. Dombroff as Trustee of The Abele Children's
Irrevocable Trust dated October 29, 1979, an irrevocable trust for the
benefit of Mr. Abele's children, 933,600 shares held by John E. Abele, Mary
S. Abele, Alexander T. Abele, Christopher S. Abele and Jennifer L. Abele as
Trustees of The Argosy Foundation, an irrevocable charitable trust, and
200,000 shares held by Mary S. Abele, the spouse of Mr. Abele, with respect
to all of which Mr. Abele disclaims beneficial ownership.
(2) Mr. Dombroff serves as Trustee of The Abele Children's Irrevocable Trust
dated October 29, 1979, and disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(3) Excludes 13,013,094 shares of Common Stock held by Robert M. Dombroff and N.
J. Nicholas, Jr. as Trustees of The Peter M. Nicholas 1979 Irrevocable
Family Trust dated October 29, 1979, an irrevocable trust for the benefit of
Mr. Pete Nicholas' children, 170,954 shares of common stock held by Ruth V.
Lilly Nicholas and N. J. Nicholas, Jr. as Trustees of The Peter M. Nicholas
1993 Irrevocable Family Trust dated February 1, 1993, an irrevocable trust
for the benefit of Mr. Pete Nicholas' children and spouse, and 76,000 shares
held by Mr. Pete M. Nicholas and Anastasios Parafestas as Trustees of The
NJN 1997 Family Trust dated October 28, 1997, an irrevocable trust for the
benefit of Mr. N.J. Nicholas, Jr.'s children, with respect to all of which
Mr. Pete Nicholas disclaims beneficial ownership. Also excludes two shares
owned by Mr. Pete Nicholas' daughter, with respect to which Mr. Pete
Nicholas disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 52,117,340 shares of
common stock held by Promerica, L.P., a family limited partnership of which
Mr. Pete Nicholas is general partner, separately presented, with respect to
which Mr. Pete Nicholas is deemed to have beneficial ownership, and 126,693
shares subject to exercisable options granted pursuant to the Company's 1992
and 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plans.
(4) These shares are also included in the shares held by Pete M. Nicholas,
separately presented, because as general partner of Promerica, L.P., Mr.
Nicholas is deemed to have beneficial ownership of these shares.
5
<PAGE> 9
HOW MUCH STOCK DO THE COMPANY'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OWN?
The following table shows, as of March 1, 1999, the amount of common stock
of the Company beneficially owned by:
- the Company's directors;
- the executive officers of the Company named in the Summary
Compensation Table below; and
- all of the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
AS OF MARCH 1, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES PERCENTAGE
NAME BENEFICIALLY OWNED OWNED
---- ------------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
John E. Abele(1)............................................ 28,825,628 7.3%
Charles J. Aschauer, Jr.(2)................................. 10,399 *
Randall F. Bellows(3)....................................... 77,551 *
Joseph A. Ciffolillo(4)..................................... 669,653 *
Joel L. Fleishman(5)........................................ 46,499 *
Lawrence L. Horsch(6)....................................... 58,238 *
N.J. Nicholas, Jr.(7)....................................... 70,049 *
Pete M. Nicholas(8)......................................... 54,739,456 13.9%
Dale A. Spencer(9).......................................... 1,502,418 *
Lawrence C. Best(10)........................................ 1,867,400 *
Michael Berman(11).......................................... 459,386 *
Philip P. Le Goff(12)....................................... 20,690 *
Paul W. Sandman(13)......................................... 203,430 *
All directors and executive officers as a group(14)......... 125,001,274 31.4%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Reflects beneficial ownership of less than one percent (1%) of the
outstanding common stock of the Company.
(1) Includes 1,300,000 shares of common stock held by a corporation of which
Mr. Abele is the sole stockholder and director. Excludes 35,740,246 shares
of common stock held by Robert M. Dombroff as Trustee of The Abele
Children's Irrevocable Trust dated October 29, 1979, an irrevocable trust
for the benefit of Mr. Abele's children, 933,600 shares held by John E.
Abele, Mary S. Abele, Alexander T. Abele, Christopher S. Abele and Jennifer
L. Abele as Trustees of The Argosy Foundation, an irrevocable charitable
trust, and 200,000 shares held by Mary S. Abele, the spouse of Mr. Abele,
with respect to all of which Mr. Abele disclaims beneficial ownership.
(2) Includes one share of common stock subject to an exercisable option granted
pursuant to the Company's 1992 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.
(3) Includes 27,400 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options
granted pursuant to the SCIMED Life Systems, Inc. 1991 Directors' Stock
Option Plan, 34,152 shares of common stock subject to exercisable warrants
granted by SCIMED Life Systems, Inc. to certain non-employee directors and
6,999 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options granted
pursuant to the Company's 1992 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.
(4) Excludes 1,324,550 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Ciffolillo's spouse
and children are trustees and beneficiaries, with respect to which Mr.
Ciffolillo disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 205,200 shares of
common stock subject to exercisable options granted pursuant to the
Company's 1992 and 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plans and 1,333 shares of
common stock subject to exercisable options granted pursuant to the
Company's 1992 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.
(5) Includes 6,999 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options
granted pursuant to the Company's 1992 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option
Plan.
(6) Includes 49,476 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options
granted pursuant to the SCIMED Life Systems, Inc. 1991 Directors' Stock
Option Plan and 7,000 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options
granted pursuant to the Company's 1992 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option
Plan, as well as 1,762 shares owned jointly with Mr. Horsch's wife, with
respect to which Mr. Horsch shares voting and investment power.
6
<PAGE> 10
(7) Excludes 13,013,094 shares of common stock held by Robert M. Dombroff and
N. J. Nicholas, Jr. as Trustees of The Peter M. Nicholas 1979 Irrevocable
Family Trust dated October 29, 1979, an irrevocable trust for the benefit
of Mr. Pete Nicholas' children, 170,954 shares of common stock held by Ruth
V. Lilly Nicholas and N. J. Nicholas, Jr. as Trustees of The Peter M.
Nicholas 1993 Irrevocable Family Trust dated February 1, 1993, an
irrevocable trust for the benefit of Mr. Pete Nicholas' children and
spouse, 9,600 shares owned by Mr. N.J. Nicholas, Jr.'s daughter and 76,000
shares held by Pete M. Nicholas and Anastasios Parafestas as Trustees of
The NJN 1997 Family Trust dated October 28, 1997, an irrevocable trust for
the benefit of Mr. N.J. Nicholas, Jr.'s children, with respect to all of
which Mr. N.J. Nicholas, Jr. disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 6,999
shares of common stock subject to exercisable options granted pursuant to
the Company's 1992 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan and 3,050
common stock equivalents acquired pursuant to the Company's Deferred
Compensation Program.
(8) Excludes 13,013,094 shares of common stock held by Robert M. Dombroff and
N. J. Nicholas, Jr. as Trustees of The Peter M. Nicholas 1979 Irrevocable
Family Trust Dated October 29, 1979, an irrevocable trust for the benefit
of Mr. Pete Nicholas' children, 170,954 shares of common stock held by Ruth
V. Lilly Nicholas and N. J. Nicholas, Jr. as Trustees of The Peter M.
Nicholas 1993 Irrevocable Family Trust dated February 1, 1993, an
irrevocable trust for the benefit of Mr. Pete Nicholas' children and
spouse, and 76,000 shares held by Pete M. Nicholas and Anastasios
Parafestas as Trustees of The NJN 1997 Family Trust dated October 28, 1997,
an irrevocable trust for the benefit of Mr. N.J. Nicholas, Jr.'s children,
with respect to all of which Mr. Pete Nicholas disclaims beneficial
ownership. Also excludes two shares owned by Mr. Pete Nicholas' daughter,
with respect to which Mr. Pete Nicholas disclaims beneficial ownership.
Includes 52,117,340 shares of common stock held by Promerica, L.P., a
family limited partnership of which Mr. Pete Nicholas is general partner,
with respect to which Mr. Pete Nicholas is deemed to have beneficial
ownership, and 126,693 shares subject to exercisable options granted
pursuant to the Company's 1992 and 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plans.
(9) Excludes 43,710 shares held by Mr. Spencer as custodian for his children,
with respect to which Mr. Spencer disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes
474,304 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options granted
pursuant to certain SCIMED Life Systems, Inc. employee incentive plans and
30,000 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options granted
pursuant to the Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(10) Includes 1,728,000 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options
granted to Mr. Best pursuant to certain Stock Option Agreements dated June
22, 1992 and the Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(11) Includes 307,370 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options
granted pursuant to certain SCIMED Life Systems, Inc. employee incentive
plans and 106,000 shares of common stock granted pursuant to the Company's
1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(12) Includes 20,000 shares of common stock subject to exercisable options
granted pursuant to the Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(13) Excludes 1,500 shares held by Mr. Sandman as custodian for his children to
which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 198,000 shares of common
stock subject to exercisable options granted pursuant to the Company's 1992
and 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plans. The balance (except two shares) is held
jointly by Mr. Sandman and his spouse, with whom he shares voting and
investment power.
(14) Please refer to footnotes 1 through 13 above. Also, these amounts do not
reflect stock ownership of James M. Corbett, former Senior Vice
President -- International and President -- Boston Scientific
International. As of March 1, 1999. Mr. Corbett owned two shares.
7
<PAGE> 11
INFORMATION ABOUT DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WHO SITS ON THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
The Board of Directors consists of ten members, divided into three
approximately equal classes. Each class serves three years, with the terms of
office of the respective classes expiring in successive years. The term of
office of the Company's Class I directors expires at this Annual Meeting.
Messrs. Charles J. Aschauer, Jr., Randall F. Bellows, Pete M. Nicholas and James
R. Tobin currently serve in this class.
James R. Tobin was elected to the Board as a new Class I Director on March
17, 1999, increasing the number of the Company's Board members to ten. At the
same time, the Board appointed Mr. Tobin as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. Promptly following the Annual Meeting, the Board expects
to reduce the size of the Company's Board to nine, with three members serving in
each class.
The following Directors hold the Company's remaining Board seats:
INCUMBENT BOARD MEMBERS
CLASS II DIRECTORS (TERM EXPIRES 2000)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR
FIRST
BECAME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME AGE DIRECTOR DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS
---- --- -------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John E. Abele.......................... 62 1979 Director and Founder since 1979, Founder Chairman since
1996, Co-Chairman, 1979-1995, and Treasurer, 1979-1992, of
the Company.
Joel L. Fleishman...................... 64 1992 President, The Atlantic Philanthropic Service Company, Inc.,
since 1993, and Professor of Law and Public Policy, together
with other administrative positions, Duke University, since
1971; Mr. Fleishman is also Vice Chairman of the Urban
Institute, director of the Samuel and Ronnie Heyman Center
for Ethics, Public Policy and the Professions and a director
of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Lawrence L. Horsch..................... 64 1995 Acting Chief Financial Officer, 1994-1995, Chairman of the
Board, 1977-1994, and Director, 1977-1995, SCIMED Life
Systems, Inc.; Chairman since 1990, Eagle Management &
Financial Corp.; and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
1987-1990, Munsingwear, Inc.
CLASS III DIRECTORS (TERM EXPIRES 2001)
Joseph A. Ciffolillo................... 60 1992 Private Investor; Executive Vice President, Office of the
Chairman, 1995-1996, and Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, 1989-1995, of the Company; President,
Microvasive, Inc., 1988; President, Medi-Tech, Incorporated,
1983-1988 (each, a former subsidiary merged into the
Company); Mr. Ciffolillo also serves as a trustee of
Bucknell University and as a director of CompDent
Corporation and Innovasive Devices, Inc.
N.J. Nicholas, Jr...................... 59 1994 Private Investor; Co-Chief Executive Officer, Time-Warner,
Inc., 1990-1992; President, Time, Inc., 1986-1990; Mr.
Nicholas also serves as a director of Xerox Corporation and
Bankers Trust Corporation. He is the brother of Pete
Nicholas, Chairman of the Board of the Company.
Dale A. Spencer........................ 53 1995 Executive Vice President, Office of the Chairman, 1995-1996,
of the Company; Chairman of the Board, 1994-1995, Chief
Executive Officer, 1986-1995, and President, 1982-1995,
SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE> 12
WHAT COMMITTEES HAS THE BOARD ESTABLISHED?
The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Executive Compensation and Human
Resources, and Governance Committees.
BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
AS OF MARCH 1, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
AND HUMAN RESOURCES GOVERNANCE
AUDIT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE
--------------- ---------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Charles J. Aschauer, Jr...................... * * *
Randall F. Bellows........................... * *
Joel L. Fleishman............................ * * *
Lawrence L. Horsch........................... * *
Pete M. Nicholas............................. *
</TABLE>
Audit Committee. The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to
provide assistance to the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities
relating to corporate accounting and reporting practices and to maintain, by way
of regularly scheduled meetings, a direct line of communication among the
directors, the Company's internal auditors and the Company's independent
auditors. The Audit Committee is also responsible for monitoring the Company's
adherence to established corporate policies, codes and practices. Finally, the
Audit Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors the
appointment of the Company's independent auditors and reviewing the performance
of non-audit services provided by the Company's independent auditors. The Audit
Committee met six times during fiscal year 1998.
Executive Compensation and Human Resources Committee. The Executive
Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the "Compensation Committee") is
responsible for granting stock options and other awards to the Company's key
employees, administering the Company's incentive plans and reviewing and
recommending the compensation of the Company's executive officers. The Committee
is also responsible for overseeing the process of succession planning and
management development within the Company. The Compensation Committee met five
times during fiscal year 1998.
Governance Committee. In February of this year, the Board voted to
establish a Governance Committee. This Committee has responsibility for
recommending nominees for election and re-election to the Board, recommending
Board committee assignments, reviewing and recommending Board policies and
procedures, assessing Board performance, evaluating the performance of the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and developing an ongoing succession plan
for the Chief Executive Officer. The Board has recently adopted a Corporate
Governance Manual, which is intended to be fully implemented prior to the
Company's 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
HOW OFTEN DID THE BOARD MEET IN 1998?
The Board met in person or telephonically 14 times and acted one time by
written consent in fiscal year 1998. Each director attended more than 75% of the
Board meetings and the Committee meetings on which he served, except for Joseph
Ciffolillo who was unable to attend all of the Board's telephonic meetings in
1998.
HOW ARE THE COMPANY'S DIRECTORS COMPENSATED?
Employee Directors. Directors who are also employees of the Company
receive no additional compensation for serving on the Board or its
Committees.
9
<PAGE> 13
Non-employee Directors. Non-employee directors are compensated as
follows:
- an annual retainer of $25,000;
- a fee of $1,000 for each Board and Committee meeting attended, plus
reimbursement for travel and out-of-pocket costs; and
- an annual option grant of 4,000 shares of Company Common Stock.
(The option exercise price is the fair market value on the date of
the grant, normally the date of the Company's Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. The options become exercisable in three equal
installments, commencing on the first anniversary of the date of
grant, and have a ten year term.)
Non-employee directors may defer receipt of the annual retainer and
meeting fees under the Company's Deferred Compensation Program, which
allows such moneys to be invested in common stock equivalents as well as
other investment options.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Under the Company's merger agreement with SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.
("SCIMED"), the number of directors of the Company was increased from six to
nine and Lawrence L. Horsch, Randall F. Bellows and Dale A. Spencer were elected
to the Board of Directors of the Company as of February 24, 1995, the effective
date of the SCIMED merger. In connection with the execution of the SCIMED merger
agreement, certain principal stockholders of the Company entered into voting
agreements with SCIMED, pursuant to which these stockholders agreed to vote
Company common stock beneficially owned by them in favor of the election of Dale
A. Spencer as a Class III director of the Company at the February 23, 1995
Special Meeting.
Also in connection with the SCIMED merger agreement, Dale A. Spencer, then
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SCIMED, entered into an
employment agreement with the Company and SCIMED. Under his agreement, Mr.
Spencer received certain change-in-control payments in 1995 in the amount of
approximately $1.6 million. In 1996, Mr. Spencer's agreement was amended to
change his employment status to that of a regular part-time employee of the
Company, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer or his designee. Under that
agreement, Mr. Spencer is periodically assigned such duties and responsibilities
as are consistent with his expertise, experience and previous services to the
Company. Mr. Spencer's term as a regular part-time employee extends through
March 1, 2004. During the period of regular part-time employment, Mr. Spencer
will be entitled to compensation equal to his base salary as a full-time
employee, and will be entitled to continued health, life insurance and
disability benefits, but will not be entitled to receive a bonus. As a part-time
employee, Mr. Spencer may provide consulting services to other companies,
provided such services do not unreasonably interfere with his obligations under
his employment agreement with the Company. In addition, so long as Mr. Spencer
is an employee of the Company, he will be subject to various nonsolicitation and
noncompetition restrictions.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION WITH DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
The Company leased property at 135 Forbes Boulevard, Mansfield,
Massachusetts, from the 135 Forbes Boulevard Trust, of which Mr. Pete Nicholas
is the sole trustee and Mr. Pete Nicholas and his wife are the beneficiaries.
This lease was allowed to lapse in mid-1998. During 1998, the Company paid an
aggregate of approximately $273,000 to the 135 Forbes Boulevard Trust in rental
payments. In connection with its lease of this property, the Company also agreed
to guarantee the obligations of the 135 Forbes Boulevard Trust under an
industrial development loan due February 2001 issued with respect to the
property. At December 31, 1998, the outstanding balance on this loan was
approximately $162,000.
10
<PAGE> 14
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
WHO ARE THE COMPANY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICERS?
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME TITLE
---- -----
<S> <C>
Pete M. Nicholas....................... Director, Chairman of the Board
James R. Tobin......................... Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer
John E. Abele.......................... Director, Founder Chairman
Michael Berman......................... Senior Vice President and Group President -- Cardiology
Businesses and President -- SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.
Lawrence C. Best....................... Senior Vice President -- Finance & Administration and
Chief Financial Officer
Paul A. LaViolette..................... Senior Vice President -- International and President
Boston Scientific International
Philip P. Le Goff...................... Senior Vice President and Group President -- Vascular
and Nonvascular Businesses
Robert G. MacLean...................... Senior Vice President -- Human Resources
Arthur L. Rosenthal.................... Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Paul W. Sandman........................ Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
</TABLE>
Biographical information concerning the Company's executive officers can be
found under the caption "Directors and Executive Officers of the Company"
included in the Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated
by reference in this Proxy Statement. Stockholders may obtain a copy of this
report, without charge, from the Company at Boston Scientific Corporation, One
Boston Scientific Place, Natick, Massachusetts 01760-1537, Attention: Investor
Relations.
HOW WERE THE COMPANY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICERS COMPENSATED IN 1998?
The following tables show salaries, bonuses, options and other compensation
paid during the last three years, options granted in 1998 and options exercised
in 1998 for the Chief Executive Officer, the next four most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company, who were executive officers as of December
31, 1998, and James M. Corbett, former Senior Vice President -- International
and President of Boston Scientific International. Compensation information for
James R. Tobin is not presented below because his term as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company did not commence until March of 1999.
11
<PAGE> 15
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
------------
SHARES
ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1) UNDERLYING
NAME AND ---------------------------- STOCK ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS OPTIONS(2) COMPENSATION(3)
------------------ ---- -------- -------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Pete M. Nicholas(4)(5)........... 1998 $725,000 $ 400 15,000 $ 98,561
Founder, Chairman, President and 1997 725,000 300 508,000 131,012
Chief Executive Officer 1996 650,000 500,000 0 22,260
Michael Berman................... 1998 $290,000 $ 0 15,000 $ 20,071
Senior Vice President and 1997 246,000 0 208,000 20,940
Group President -- Cardiology 1996 211,000 178,333 10,000 3,462
Businesses and President --
SCIMED Life Systems, Inc.
Lawrence C. Best................. 1998 $380,000 $ 0 515,000 $ 5,861
Senior Vice President -- Finance 1997 365,000 0 328,000 4,172
& Administration and Chief 1996 350,000 225,000 0 3,972
Financial Officer
Philip P. Le Goff(6)............. 1998 $350,000 $ 0 15,000 $ 95,225
Senior Vice President and Group 1997 350,000 125,000 200,000 6,923
President Vascular and 1996 -- -- -- --
Nonvascular Businesses
Paul W. Sandman.................. 1998 $297,000 $ 0 15,000 $ 34,356
Senior Vice President, Secretary 1997 286,000 0 188,000 38,012
and General Counsel 1996 275,000 140,000 0 3,891
James M. Corbett(7).............. 1998 $338,000 $ 0 0 $ 22,816
Former Senior Vice President -- 1997 325,000 0 228,000 19,157
International and President -- 1996 277,500 200,000 0 3,898
Boston Scientific International
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The Company annually provides executive officers an executive benefit
package, in addition to regular employee benefits such as contributory
health insurance, consisting of:
- executive life insurance; and
- an allowance in the amount of $25,000 for other benefits such as
company cars, medical examinations and financial, estate and tax
planning services.
In addition, the Company annually provides for transportation services as an
executive benefit for Mr. Pete Nicholas.
(2) Shares underlying stock options for the years ended 1997 and 1996 have been
adjusted to reflect the Company's "2 for 1" split of its common stock which
became effective on November 30, 1998 and paid in the form of a stock
dividend to stockholders of record on November 13, 1998.
(3) The table below presents the major components of this column for 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXECUTIVE
LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY MATCH CASH-SURRENDER PREMIUM PAID
(401(K) PLAN) VALUE (LIFE INSURANCE) RELOCATION
------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Pete M. Nicholas.................. $ 0 $91,224 $7,337 --
Michael Berman.................... 3,200 15,073 1,799* --
Lawrence C. Best.................. 3,200 --** 2,661 --
Philip P. Le Goff................. 3,200 27,446 1,472 $63,107
Paul W. Sandman................... 3,200 29,044 2,111 --
James M. Corbett.................. 3,200 18,743 873 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Premiums paid by the Company in 1998 on behalf of Mr. Berman include $718
for a split-dollar life insurance policy and $1,081 for a term life
insurance policy for which there is no cash-surrender value.
** Life insurance premiums paid on behalf of Mr. Best represent premiums for a
term life insurance policy for which there is no cash-surrender value.
12
<PAGE> 16
(4) The amounts reflected in Mr. Pete Nicholas' bonus column include awards of
$400 in 1998 and $300 in 1997 to Mr. Pete Nicholas in connection with the
issuance of patents in his name pursuant to an established employee
recognition program.
(5) On March 17, 1999, Mr. James Tobin succeeded Mr. Pete Nicholas as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Pete Nicholas continues to
serve as a Director and Chairman of the Board of the Company.
(6) In connection with a letter agreement between the Company and Mr. Le Goff
dated September 24, 1997, the Company guaranteed a one-time bonus payment in
the amount of $125,000, payable to Mr. Le Goff at year-end 1997. The Company
also reimbursed $63,107 of Mr. Le Goff's relocation expenses in 1998 and
$6,923 in 1997. The base salary reflected for Mr. Le Goff in 1997 is
annualized. Mr. Le Goff joined the Company in late 1997; his actual base
salary received in 1997 was $47,115.
(7) Mr. Corbett's responsibilities as an executive officer ceased as of October
21, 1998, and his employment with the Company terminated as of December 31,
1998. Excludes certain amounts payable in 1999 to Mr. Corbett pursuant to
his separation agreement with the Company described on page 14 of this Proxy
Statement.
1998 OPTION/SAR GRANTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER PERCENT OF ANNUAL RATES OF
OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE
SHARES OPTIONS APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR OPTION TERM(3)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION -------------------------
NAME GRANTED(1) 1998(2) PER SHARE DATE 5% 10%
---- ----------- ------------ ----------- ---------- -- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Pete M. Nicholas...... 15,000 .23% $24.8750 12/23/08 $ 234,656 $ 594,665
Michael Berman........ 15,000 .23% $24.8750 12/23/08 $ 234,656 $ 594,665
Lawrence C. Best...... 500,000 7.58% $37.5313 7/21/08 $11,801,616 $29,907,613
15,000 .23% $24.8750 12/23/08 $ 234,656 $ 594,665
Philip P. Le Goff..... 15,000 .23% $24.8750 12/23/08 $ 234,656 $ 594,665
Paul W. Sandman....... 15,000 .23% $24.8750 12/23/08 $ 234,656 $ 594,665
James M. Corbett...... 0 -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock which were granted to
executive officers in lieu of cash bonuses vest over a period of one year
and have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of common stock on
the date of grant. The option to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock
vests over five years and has an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of common stock on the date of grant.
(2) In 1998, options to purchase 6,600,240 shares of the Company's common stock
were granted to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company.
(3) These columns represent hypothetical future values of the Company's common
stock obtainable upon exercise of stock options, net of the option's
exercise price, assuming that the market price of the Company's common stock
appreciates at a five and ten percent compound annual rate over the ten-year
term of the options. The five and ten percent rates of stock price
appreciation are presented as examples pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not necessarily reflect
management's assessment of the Company's future stock price performance.
TOTAL 1998 OPTION/SAR EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES
ACQUIRED ON VALUE NUMBER NUMBER VALUE VALUE
NAME EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE(1) UNEXERCISABLE(1)
---- ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Pete M. Nicholas........ 421,307 $7,977,996 126,693 745,000 $ 1,445,714 $4,223,438
Michael Berman.......... 0 0 413,370 277,000 $ 7,332,163 $1,402,250
Lawrence C. Best........ 0 0 1,728,000 1,015,000 $35,193,874 $3,216,563
Philip P. Le Goff....... 0 0 20,000 195,000 $ 70,624 $ 664,679
Paul W. Sandman......... 0 0 198,000 285,000 $ 2,889,499 $1,762,188
James M. Corbett........ 0 0 72,000 310,000 $ 434,246 $1,063,432
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) These values reflect the difference between the exercise price per share of
in-the-money options and the last reported sales price ($26.8125) of the
Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 1998,
the last trading day of 1998, multiplied by the applicable number of shares
underlying the options.
13
<PAGE> 17
DO THE COMPANY'S EXECUTIVE OFFICERS HAVE ANY SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT, TERMINATION OF
EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS?
James R. Tobin serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company pursuant to a letter agreement dated March 17, 1999. The agreement
provides for an initial base salary of $700,000 and an option grant of 1,000,000
shares of common stock. The option vests over a period of five years and
provides for accelerated vesting if Mr. Tobin is terminated without cause by the
Company. The exercise price of the option is the market price on the date of the
grant.
Lawrence C. Best serves as Senior Vice President -- Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to a letter
agreement dated June 22, 1992. The agreement establishes the principal
responsibilities of Mr. Best and provides for minimum annual base salary of
$300,000 and minimum annual bonus of $25,000. In addition, the agreement
provides for the grant of stock options to Mr. Best generally consistent with
the terms of the Company's 1992 Long-Term Incentive Plan, but providing for
accelerated vesting upon termination without cause or following a material
reduction in position, salary or responsibilities. Mr. Best is entitled to
receive as annual retirement benefits $150,000, commencing at age 58 and
continuing for not more than twenty years. The Company, however, will have no
obligation to pay annual retirement benefits if the realizable value of
applicable stock options exceeds the gross realizable value of the retirement
benefits.
Philip P. Le Goff serves as Senior Vice President and Group President --
Vascular and Nonvascular businesses pursuant to a letter agreement dated
September 24, 1997. The agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of
$350,000 and a guaranteed bonus of up to $125,000 for fiscal year 1997. The
agreement also provides for the grant of stock options and for coverage of
relocation expenses.
Pursuant to a separation agreement with the Company dated January 4, 1999,
C. Michael Mabrey's responsibilities as Senior Vice President -- Operations
ceased as of December 31, 1998. Mr. Mabrey continues to serve the Company on a
part-time basis, effective January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000, subject to
possible earlier termination. As a part-time employee, Mr. Mabrey will continue
to perform certain of his former responsibilities as well as help to orient his
ultimate successor. Under his separation agreement, Mr. Mabrey will continue to
receive his regular base salary for fiscal year 1999, and $5,000 per quarter in
2000. The Company has also agreed to pay the employer's portion of COBRA
insurance premiums for health insurance coverage elected by Mr. Mabrey through
June 30, 2000. To defray the cost of securing health insurance coverage after
that date, the Company has agreed to pay Mr. Mabrey a one-time payment of
$70,000. As part of his separation agreement, Mr. Mabrey also agreed to certain
noncompetition, nonsolicitation and release provisions.
James M. Corbett, former Senior Vice President -- International and
President of Boston Scientific International, entered into a separation
agreement with the Company dated December 31, 1998. Mr. Corbett's
responsibilities as a Senior Vice President of the Company and President of
Boston Scientific International ceased effective October 21, 1998, and his
employment with the Company terminated effective December 31, 1998. Under his
separation agreement, Mr. Corbett received his regular base compensation through
the end of 1998 and a one-time payment equal to one year's base salary on or
about January 15, 1999, in exchange for his agreement to two-year
non-competition and non-solicitation provisions as well as a general release.
In addition to these agreements, key executives of the Company, including
the officers named in the compensation charts above, have retention agreements
with the Company. These agreements were recommended by the Compensation
Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. In general, the retention
agreements entitle key executives to a lump sum payment of three times the
executive's base salary and assumed on-plan incentive bonus (or prior year's
bonus, if higher), if either the executive's employment is terminated (other
than for cause) or his duties are diminished following a change in control. The
executive
14
<PAGE> 18
will also be entitled to continuation of health and other welfare benefits for
three years. In addition, the Company will compensate the executive for any
excise tax liability he may incur by reason of payments made under the
agreement.
The retention agreements also provide for the rollover of options in
certain transactions accounted for as a pooling-of-interests rather than their
being cashed out, and the acknowledgment that options granted under the
Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan would become immediately exercisable
upon a change in control.
Additionally, under certain circumstances all stock options granted to
executive officers, including the executive officers named in the compensation
tables above, under (i) the Company's 1992 Long-Term Incentive Plan, will become
immediately vested and exercisable in full in the event of a "change in control"
and the value of all outstanding stock options will be cashed out (other than in
certain transactions accounted for as a pooling-of-interests), and (ii) the
Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan will, unless otherwise determined by the
Compensation Committee, become immediately exercisable and be automatically
converted into an option or other award which covers shares of stock or other
securities equivalent in kind and value to the option held as if exercised
immediately prior to the change in control. In the event of a merger,
consolidation or substantial asset sale where the Company is not the surviving
entity, Mr. Best's initial stock option agreements authorize the Board of
Directors to either make his options exercisable in full prior to a change of
control or to have the surviving corporation grant replacement options.
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FOR 1998 BY THE EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
WHAT IS THE COMPANY'S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY?
The Company's compensation programs are designed to motivate, reward and
retain executive talent of the caliber necessary to provide long-term growth
opportunities for the Company's stockholders.
Executives are principally compensated through base salary,
performance-based annual bonus and periodic long-term option grants. This
three-part compensation approach enables the Company to remain competitive with
its industry peers while ensuring that executive officers are appropriately
incentivized to create long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee
has chosen to put a significant portion of the Company's executives' pay "at
risk," with targets consistent with those typically established by other high
performing organizations with which the Company competes and the Company's
strategic plan.
In evaluating and establishing rates of base, bonus and long-term incentive
pay, the Compensation Committee has periodically sought the assistance of an
independent compensation consultant who, among other things, has assembled
information concerning compensation levels and philosophies adopted by companies
in the same market for executive talent. In particular, the independent
consultant has compared the Company's base salary, annual bonus pay, long-term
performance incentives, perquisites and executive benefits with those offered by
other companies of comparable size and employee populations in the medical
device, high technology and biotechnology businesses. The consultant also has
looked at compensation levels and programs established by general industrial
companies with similar corporate revenues.
Fiscal 1998 executive compensation levels were set giving due consideration
to comparative compensation information as well as to the effect of the
Company's acquisition programs and increased strategic mass on the scope of
executive responsibilities.
15
<PAGE> 19
HOW WERE EXECUTIVE BASE SALARIES DETERMINED FOR 1998?
Salaries paid to executive officers (other than the Chief Executive
Officer) are based upon recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer presented
to the Committee for approval or modification. In general, base salaries are set
at levels consistent with the average rate paid by the Company's competitors. To
remain competitive in the industry and to acknowledge individual officer's
contributions and objectives, modest base salary increases for executive
officers (other than Chief Executive Officer) were approved for 1998 by the
Committee, as recommended by the Chief Executive Officer.
DID EXECUTIVE OFFICERS RECEIVE A PERFORMANCE-BASED ANNUAL BONUS FOR 1998?
The Company's Performance Bonus Award Program for salaried personnel seeks
to provide pay for performance by linking bonus awards to both Company and
individual performance through a range of award opportunities which depend upon
the level of achievement of annual company and individual objectives. Corporate
achievement is measured against sales and profitability goals through a matrix
of revenue and net income objectives to create a range of bonus award
opportunities. Individual achievement for an executive officer is measured by
comparing the performance of the strategic corporate functions for which each
executive officer is responsible against the business plan of the Company.
Generally, annual bonus pay at the executive level is heavily weighted toward
overall corporate performance in accordance with the Committee's belief that a
principal function of executive personnel is to increase overall stockholder
value.
At the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, the potential bonus
opportunity for eligible executive officers was increased by the Committee for
1998 in recognition of the challenges created by the increased strategic mass of
the Company. At the same time, the Committee set high revenue and net income
targets for executives to meet in 1998. The Company fell short of these revenue
and net income targets. As a result, the Company's Chief Executive Officer
recommended that no cash bonuses be granted to executive officers for 1998. Yet,
the Company did much in 1998 to improve its future strategic position, including
the acquisition of Schneider Worldwide. For this reason, the Chief Executive
Officer recommended that special stock option grants be made to executive
officers (similar to those granted in 1997) under which value would be
realizable if the strategic and operational programs implemented in 1998
ultimately result in increased stockholder value. The Company's Compensation
Committee approved this program and at year end granted 15,000 stock options
which vest after one year to each of the executive officers having an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of common stock on the date of grant.
WERE LONG-TERM INCENTIVE GRANTS MADE TO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN 1998?
The Company's broad-based stock option program is intended to attract,
retain and motivate key employees for the long term. The Company has sought to
coordinate and strengthen its stock incentive program in light of its recent
acquisitions and mergers to eliminate conflicts among the various programs
previously in place and to establish common objectives for all eligible
employees. The Compensation Committee has approved, upon management
recommendation, option grants deep into the organization and across businesses
in amounts appropriate for each individual's level of responsibility and ability
to affect overall corporate objectives. Options are typically granted at fair
market value as of the date of grant and vest over a period of four to five
years. They are exercisable until the tenth anniversary of the date of grant or
until the expiration of various limited time periods following termination of
employment.
Based on the structure established for grants throughout the Company, no
options to purchase shares of common stock were granted to the Company's
executive officers in 1998 pursuant to the Company's normal program for key
management level personnel. As discussed above, limited option grants were made
to executive officers at year end in lieu of cash bonuses. In addition, the
Committee approved a grant of 500,000
16
<PAGE> 20
options to Mr. Lawrence Best, the Company's Senior Vice President -- Finance
and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. These options were granted
pursuant to an earlier understanding between Mr. Best and the Chief Executive
Officer that, upon the full vesting of his initial option grant, Mr. Best would
receive additional options which would vest based on his continued employment
with the Company. The exercise price of these options is the market price of the
Company's common stock on the date of the grant.
HOW WAS THE COMPANY'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATED IN 1998?
The base salary of the Chief Executive Officer did not increase from 1997
to 1998. Mr. Pete Nicholas recommended that he receive no raise in base
compensation for 1998 because the Company did not meet its internal revenue and
net income targets for 1997. The Committee did grant Mr. Nicholas 15,000 stock
options at year end in lieu of his 1998 cash bonus, consistent with the grants
given to other executive officers.
HOW IS THE COMPANY ADDRESSING INTERNAL REVENUE CODE LIMITS ON DEDUCTIBILITY OF
COMPENSATION?
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax
deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million paid to the
corporation's chief executive officer and four other most highly compensated
executive officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to
the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. In 1996, the Company
modified certain portions of the performance-based components of the
compensation paid to its executive officers in a manner intended to satisfy
these requirements without negatively affecting the Company's overall
compensation strategy. One example of the Company's efforts to comply with the
statute in those circumstances where such compliance can be achieved consistent
with the Company's overall compensation philosophy is the amendment to the
Company's 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan, approved by the Board of Directors and
shareholders of the Company in 1996, limiting aggregate awards to individual
executive officers. For 1998, the Company elected to implement the compensation
and performance bonus award program described above taking into account the
limitations imposed by Section 162(m) but without specific attempts to comply
with the statute.
This Report on Executive Compensation does not constitute soliciting
material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any
other Company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except to the
extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report by reference into
another Company filing.
Members of the Executive
Compensation and Human
Resources Committee
CHARLES J. ASCHAUER, JR.,
Chairman
JOEL L. FLEISHMAN
RANDALL F. BELLOWS
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION.
No member of the Compensation Committee is a former or current officer or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. To the Company's knowledge,
there were no other relationships involving members of the Compensation
Committee or other directors of the Company which require disclosure in this
Proxy Statement.
17
<PAGE> 21
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below compares the five-year total return to stockholders on the
Company's common stock with the return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index
and the Standard & Poor's Healthcare (Medical Products and Supplies) Index. The
graph assumes $100 was invested in the Company's common stock and in each of the
named indices on January 1, 1994, and that all dividends were reinvested.
[STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HEALTHCARE (MEDICAL S&P 500 INDEX
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTS AND SUPPLIES) -------------
CORPORATION INDEX
----------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dec. 93 100.00 100.00 100.00
Dec. 94 139.01 118.58 101.32
Dec. 95 394.00 200.42 139.40
Dec. 96 480.00 230.03 171.40
Dec. 97 367.01 286.78 228.59
Dec. 98 429.01 413.36 293.91
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE> 22
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP has been the independent auditors for the Company and
will serve in that capacity for the 1999 fiscal year. A representative of Ernst
& Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to
make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company's directors,
its executive officers and any persons holding more than ten percent of the
Company's common stock are required to report their ownership of the Company's
common stock and any changes in that ownership to the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Specific due dates for these reports have been established and the
Company is required to report in this Proxy Statement any failure to file by
these dates during 1998. To the best knowledge of the Company, all of these
filing requirements were timely satisfied by its directors, officers and ten
percent holders, except that Mr. Charles J. Aschauer, Jr., a Director of the
Company, inadvertently failed to timely report an exempt exercise of certain
in-the-money stock options. In making these statements, the Company has relied
upon the written representations of its directors, officers and ten percent
holders and copies of the reports that have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
If you wish to submit proposals to be included in the Company's year 2000
Proxy Statement, we must receive them on or before December 3, 1999. Please
address your proposals to the Company's Secretary at Boston Scientific
Corporation, One Boston Scientific Place, Natick, Massachusetts 01760-1537.
Proposals must satisfy the procedures set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Company's By-laws. A copy of the
relevant portion of the Company By-laws may be obtained upon request from the
Secretary of the Company at Boston Scientific Corporation, One Boston Scientific
Place, Natick, Massachusetts 01760-1537.
DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
The Governance Committee of the Board will consider qualified nominees for
director recommended by stockholders of the Company. Recommendations should be
sent to the Secretary of the Company at the address listed above. Proposals must
satisfy the procedures set forth in the Company's By-laws. A copy of the
relevant portion of the Company's By-laws may be obtained upon request from the
Secretary of the Company at Boston Scientific Corporation, One Boston Scientific
Place, Natick, MA 01760-1537.
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) WILL
BE SENT WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER REQUESTING IT IN WRITING FROM: BOSTON
SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION, ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS, ONE BOSTON SCIENTIFIC PLACE,
NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS 01760-1537.
19
<PAGE> 23
1127-PS-99
<PAGE> 24
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC
CORPORATION
C/O EQUISERVE
P.O. BOX 8040
BOSTON, MA 02266-8040
- -----------------
Vote by Telephone
- -----------------
It's fast, convenient, and immediate!
Call Toll-Free on a Touch-Tone Phone
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683).
- -------------------------------------------------
Follow these four easy steps:
1. Read the accompanying Proxy Statement and Proxy Card.
2. Call the toll-free number
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683). For
stockholders residing outside the United
States call collect on a touch-tone phone
1-201-536-8073.
3. Enter your 14-digit Control Number located on
your Proxy Card above your name.
4. Follow the recorded instructions.
- -------------------------------------------------
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Call 1-877-PRX-VOTE anytime!
- ----------------
Vote by Internet
- ----------------
It's fast, convenient, and your vote is immediately
confirmed and posted.
- -------------------------------------------------
Follow these four easy steps:
1. Read the accompanying Proxy Statement and Proxy Card.
2. Go to the Website
http://www.eproxyvote.com/bsx
3. Enter your 14-digit Votes Control Number
located on your Proxy Card above your name.
4. Follow the instructions provided.
- -------------------------------------------------
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Go to http://www.eproxyvote.com/bsx anytime!
DO NOT RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE VOTING BY TELEPHONE OR
INTERNET
DETACH HERE
[X] Please mark
votes as in
this example.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL BELOW.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Election of Directors.
NOMINEES: (01) Pete M. Nicholas, (02) James R.
Tobin and (03) Ray J. Groves
FOR WITHHELD
ALL [ ] [ ] FROM ALL
NOMINEES NOMINEES
[ ]
--------------------------------------
For all nominees except as noted above
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
MARK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING [ ]
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT [ ]
Sign exactly as your name appears on this Proxy. If the shares are registered in
the names of two or more persons, each should sign. Executors, administrators,
trustees, partners, custodians, guardians, attorneys and corporate officers
should add their full titles.
Signature: Date: Signature: Date:
-------------- --------- -------------- --------
<PAGE> 25
PROXY
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints PETE M. NICHOLAS, PAUL W. SANDMAN and
LAWRENCE J. KNOPF, and each of them acting solely, proxies, with full power of
substitution and with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present, to represent and vote, as designated hereon, all of the shares of
Common Stock of Boston Scientific Corporation (the "Company"), par value $.01
per share, and, if applicable, hereby directs the trustees and fiduciaries of
the employee benefit plans shown on the reverse side hereof to vote all of the
shares of Common Stock allocated to the account of the undersigned, which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Company to be held at BankBoston Corporate Headquarters, 100 Federal Street,
Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday, May 4, 1999, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight
Time), and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REVOKES ANY PROXY PREVIOUSLY GIVEN AND ACKNOWLEDGES
RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF AND PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
"FOR" PROPOSAL 1.
- ------------- -------------
SEE REVERSE (PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN SEE REVERSE
SIDE PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE) SIDE
- ------------- -------------
