ENERGY
RESEARCH
CORPORATION 3 Great Pasture Road, Danbury, CT 06813 203-825-6000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
TO BE HELD MARCH 30, 1999
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TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Shareholders' Meeting of Energy
Research Corporation (the "Company") will be held at The American Stock
Exchange, Boardroom-13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, NY 10006 on March
30, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time for the following purposes:
1. To elect ten (10) directors to serve for the ensuing year and until
their successors are duly elected and qualified.
2. Such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 5, 1999 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
Your attention is directed to the attached Proxy Statement. If you do not
expect to be present at the meeting, please fill in, sign, date and mail the
enclosed Proxy as promptly as possible in order to save the Company further
solicitation expense. There is enclosed with the Proxy an addressed envelope for
which no postage is required if mailed in the United States.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOSEPH G. MAHLER
CORPORATE SECRETARY
Danbury, Connecticut
February 26, 1999
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant |X|
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |_|
Check the appropriate box:
|_| Preliminary Proxy Statement
|_| Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
|X| Definitive Proxy Statement
|_| Definitive Additional Materials
|_| Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
ENERGY RESEARCH 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 filingfor 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>
ENERGY
RESEARCH
CORPORATION 3 Great Pasture Road, Danbury, CT 06813 203-825-6000
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PROXY STATEMENT
ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MARCH 30, 1999
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This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of Energy
Research Corporation (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company to be voted at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") and at any adjournments thereof.
The Annual Meeting will be held on March 30, 1999 at The American Stock
Exchange, Boardroom-13th Floor, 86 Trinity Place, New York, NY 10006 at 10:00
a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. The Company is a New York corporation with
its principal executive offices at 3 Great Pasture Road, Danbury, CT 06813.
The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying
proxy card are first being sent or given to shareholders is February 26, 1999.
VOTING
General
The securities which can be voted at the Annual Meeting consist of
Common Stock of the Company, $.0001 par value per share, with each share
entitling its owner to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders.
The record date for determining the holders of Common Stock who are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting is February 5, 1999. On the record
date, 4,166,873 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and eligible to be voted
at the Annual Meeting.
Quorum and Vote Required
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company is necessary to constitute a quorum at the
Annual Meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares
of Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is
required to elect the directors. Abstentions, including broker non-votes, will
have no effect on the outcome of this matter.
Voting by Proxy
In voting by proxy with regard to the election of directors,
shareholders may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold their votes as to all
nominees or withhold their votes as to specific nominees. Shareholders should
specify their choices on the accompanying proxy card. All properly executed
proxy cards delivered by shareholders to the Company and not revoked will be
voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions given. If no
specific instructions are given with regard to the matters to be voted upon, the
shares represented by a signed proxy card will be voted "FOR" the election of
all directors. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the
persons named as proxies will vote upon such matters according to their best
judgment.
Any shareholder delivering a proxy has the power to revoke it at any
time before it is voted by giving written notice to the Secretary of the
Corporation, by executing and delivering to the Secretary a proxy card bearing a
later date or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
In addition to soliciting proxies through the mail, the Company may
solicit proxies through its directors and employees in person and by telephone.
Brokerage firms, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries also may be requested to
forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by
them. All expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies will
be borne by the Company.
-1-
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Ten directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting, each to hold
office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until a successor is
elected and qualified. It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
form of proxy to vote, if authorized, the proxies for the election as directors
of the ten persons named below as nominees. All of the nominees are at present
directors of the Company. If any nominee declines or is unable to serve as a
director (which is not anticipated), the persons named as proxies reserve full
discretion to vote for any other person who may be nominated.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL TO
ELECT THE TEN NOMINEES LISTED BELOW AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
The following table sets forth certain information for each nominee for
election as a director.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NAME AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION SINCE
- ---- --- -------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Jerry D. Leitman 56 Jerry D. Leitman has been President and Chief 1997
Executive Officer of the Company since August
1997. Mr. Leitman was previously President of ABB,
Asea Brown Boveri's global air pollution control
businesses from 1992 to 1995. Prior to joining ABB
Mr. Leitman was Group Executive Vice President of
FLAKT AB, a Swedish multinational, responsible for
FLAKT`s worldwide industrial businesses from 1989
to 1992. Mr. Leitman is also a Director and a
member of the Audit Committee of Esterline
Technologies, Inc.Mr. Leitman received both a BS
and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia
Institute of Technology in 1965 and 1967,
respectively.
Bernard S. Baker 62 Dr. Baker joined the Company in 1970 and was 1970
President from 1973 to August 1997 when he became
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.
He was also a part-time employee of the Company
from August 1997 to May 31, 1998. From May 31,
1998 to December 31, 1998 he was a consultant to
the Company. He was Chief Executive Officer of the
Company from March 1992 to August 1997. He
received a Ph.D from the Illinois Institute of
Technology in 1969, and was a Fulbright Fellow at
the Laboratory for Electrochemistry at the
University of Amsterdam subsequent to his receiving
his Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from
the University of Pennsylvania in 1959.
Hansraj C. Maru 54 Dr. Maru has been Executive Vice President since 1992
December 1992. Dr. Maru was Chief Operating Officer
from December 1992 through December 1997. Dr.
Maru joined the Company in 1977. Dr. Maru received
a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois
Institute of Technology in 1975.
Christopher R. Bentley 56 Mr. Bentley has been Executive Vice President since 1993
joining the Company in September 1990. Mr. Bentley
was President of Fuel Cell Manufacturing
Corporation from September 1990 to December 1997.
From 1985 through 1989 he was Director of
Manufacturing (1985), Vice President and General
Manager (1985-1988) and President (1988-1989) of
the Turbine Airfoils Division of Chromalloy Gas
Turbine Corporation, a major manufacturer of gas
turbine hardware. Mr. Bentley received a BSME from
Tufts University in 1966.
-2-
<PAGE>
Thomas L. Kempner 71 Thomas Kempner was the Chairman of the Board of 1988
Directors of the Company from March 1992 to August
1997. He has been Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Loeb Partners Corporation since 1979 and
a general partner of Loeb Investors Co. LXXV, an
affiliate of Loeb Partners Corporation and an
investment partnership. Mr. Kempner is a director
of Alcide Corporation, IGENE Biotechnology, Inc,
Intermagnetics General Corporation, CCC Information
Services Group, Inc. and Roper Starch Worldwide,
Inc. and director emeritus of Northwest Airlines,
Inc.
William A. Lawson 65 William Lawson has been President since 1987 of 1988
W.A. Lawson Associates, an industrial and financial
consulting firm. Mr. Lawson has been Chairman of
the Board of Directors of Newcor, Inc. since March
1991. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Bernal International Inc. since March 1997
(formerly Atlantic Eagle Inc.). Mr. Lawson was a
director of Old Kent-Central Bank from 1981 to 1997.
Warren D. Bagatelle 60 Warren Bagatelle has been a Managing Director of 1988
Loeb Partners Corporation since 1988. Mr.
Bagatelle is a director of Genisys Reservation
Systems, Inc. (formerly Corporate Travel Link,
Inc.) which owns and operates an internet travel
business.
Richard M.H. Thompson 64 From November 1991 through December 1997, Richard 1988
Thompson was the President and Director of Rotary
Power International, Inc., a company that designed
and built rotary engines for military and
commercial uses. Mr. Thompson has been Chairman of
the Executive Committee of the Company since
January 1988. Since March 1987, he has been
President of Richard M.H. Thompson & Associates,
Inc., a private investment company and financial
advisor serving a variety of technology and
emerging growth companies.
Michael Bode 53 Michael Bode joined Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH 1993
in 1974, where he had held a variety of positions
since that time. He became Vice President and
Director of the New Technology group of the Space
Transportation and Propulsion Systems division of
Deutsche Aerospace AG, a subsidiary of Daimler-Benz
Corp. in 1990. Since July 1993, Mr. Bode has been
Vice President and Director of the New Technology
group of Daimler Benz affiliate MTU-Friedrichshafen
GmbH.
James D. Gerson 55 Since March 1993, Mr. Gerson has been Senior Vice 1992
President of Fahnestock & Co., Inc. and is
currently Portfolio Manager of the Hudson Capital
Appreciation Fund, a mutual fund. From January 1992
to March 1993, Mr. Gerson was Senior Vice President
and Managing Director of Corporate Finance of Reich
& Co., Inc. Mr. Gerson also serves as a director of
Ag Services of America, Inc., American Power
Conversion Corp., Arguss Holdings, Inc., Computer
Outsourcing Services, Inc. and Hilite Industries,
Inc.
</TABLE>
Jerry D. Leitman has been nominated as a director pursuant to his employment
agreement. See "Employment Agreement." Michael Bode has been nominated as a
director at the request of MTU-Friedrichshafen GmbH ("MTU"). Certain
shareholders of the Company have agreed to vote their shares in favor of a
nominee of MTU for so long as MTU owns at least 10% of the Common Stock of the
Company. See "Certain Transactions.
-3-
<PAGE>
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors held six meetings during the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1998. All incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the meetings
of the Board of Directors and Board committees of which they were members. The
Company does not have a standing nominating committee.
Executive Committee
The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee comprised of Richard
Thompson (Chairman), Warren Bagatelle, William Lawson, Jerry Leitman and Bernard
Baker, which held one meeting during fiscal 1998. The Executive Committee has
and exercises the powers of the Board in monitoring the management of the
business of the Company between meetings of the Board of Directors.
Audit Committee
The Company has an Audit Committee consisting of Messrs. Bagatelle
(Chairman), Thompson and Lawson. The Audit Committee had one meeting in fiscal
1998 and has responsibility for consulting with the Company's officers regarding
the appointment of independent public accountants as auditors, discussing the
scope of the auditors' examination and reviewing annual financial statements.
Compensation Committee
The Company has a Compensation Committee consisting of Messrs. Lawson
(Chairman), Thompson and Bagatelle. The Compensation Committee had four meetings
in fiscal 1998. The functions of the Compensation Committee are to review,
approve and recommend to the Board of Directors the terms and conditions of
incentive bonus plans applicable to corporate officers and key management
personnel, to review and approve the annual salary of the chief executive
officer, and to administer the Energy Research Corporation Section 423 Stock
Purchase Plan, the Energy Research Corporation 1988 Stock Option Plan, as
amended (the "1988 Plan"), and the Energy Research Corporation 1998 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "1998 Plan").
Director Compensation
The Company currently pays a director fee of $1,250 per month to Warren
Bagatelle in connection with his duties as Chairman of the Audit Committee. The
Company also pays a director fee of $1,250 per month to Thomas Kempner. The
Company also pays a director's fee of $1,500 per month to William Lawson in
connection with his duties as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and his
activities on the Audit and Executive Committees. Mr. Gerson is currently paid
$1,000 each month in connection with his duties as a director of the Company.
Mr. Thompson is currently paid $2,000 each month in connection with his duties
as Chairman of the Executive Committee, and his activities on the Audit and
Compensation Committees. The Company reimburses certain directors for reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as
directors.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as ofFebruary 5, 1999 by each
person or group that is known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of its outstanding Common Stock, each director of the Company, each of
the executive officers named under the heading "Executive Compensation" below
and all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (11 persons).
This information is based upon information received from or on behalf of the
named individuals.
-4-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL
NAME OWNERSHIP (1) PERCENT OF CLASS
- ---- ------------------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Warren D. Bagatelle 501,284 (2) 12.03
c/o Loeb Partners Corp.
61 Broadway
New York, NY 10006
Thomas L. Kempner 361,667 (2) 8.68
c/o Loeb Partners Corp.
61 Broadway
New York, NY 10006
Loeb Investors Co., LXXV 361,667 (2) 8.68
61 Broadway
New York, NY 10006
James D. Gerson 210,333 (3) 5.05
c/o Fahnestock and Co.
780 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Jerry D. Leitman 100,000 (4) 2.40
Bernard S. Baker 42,299 (5) 1.02
Richard M.H. Thompson 72,750 (6) 1.75
William A. Lawson 55,666 1.34
Christopher R. Bentley 44,824 (7) 1.08
Hansraj C. Maru 29,950 (8) *
Louis P. Barth 17,650 *
Michael Bode -- (9) *
Daimler Benz affiliate 457,758 10.98
MTU-Friedrichshafen
GmbH ("MTU")
Abt. VC, Gebaude 6.1
Zimmer 102A D-85521 Ottobrunn
Germany
All Directors and Executive 1,057,106 (10) 25.37
Officers as a Group
(11 persons)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Less than one percent.
</TABLE>
(1) Unless otherwise noted, each person identified possesses sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares listed.
(2) Warren Bagatelle and Thomas L. Kempner, by virtue of being general
partners of Loeb Investors Co. LXXV, may each be deemed to beneficially
own the shares of Loeb Investors Co. LXXV. Each of Mr. Kempner and Mr.
Bagatelle is a member of a group, as that term is used in Section 13(d)
of the Exchange Act, which group, in the aggregate, owns 501,284 shares
of Common Stock.
(3) Mr. Gerson's shareholdings include 36,400 shares held by his wife,
Barbara Gerson, as Custodian for two minor children and also includes
15,800 shares held by a private foundation, of which Mr. Gerson is
President and a Director. Mr. Gerson disclaims beneficial ownership of
the securities held by his wife and by the private foundation.
(4) Mr. Leitman's shareholdings include currently exercisable options to
purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock.
(5) Includes 6,900 shares owned by Dr. Baker's wife, Cornelia Baker. Also
includes currently exercisable options to purchase 20,000 shares of
Common Stock.
(6) Mr. Thompson's shareholdings are held jointly with his wife, Elizabeth
Thompson. Mr. Thompson's shareholdings do not include (i) 2,777 shares
owned beneficially by Intervalora Investments Inc. ("Intervalora"), a
company owned by a trust, the sole beneficiaries of which are Mr.
Thompson's children or (ii) 96,000 shares owned beneficially by Malbena
Foundation Vaduz ("Malbena"), a trust, the sole beneficiaries of which
are Mr. Thompson's children. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson disclaim beneficial
ownership in the Common Stock owned by Intervalora and Malbena.
(7) Mr. Bentley's shareholdings include currently exercisable options to
purchase 41,899 shares of Common Stock.
(8) Dr. Maru's shareholdings include currently exercisable options to
purchase 14,500 shares of Common Stock.
(9) Michael Bode is an executive officer of MTU.
(10) Includes currently exercisable options to purchase 176,399 shares of
Common Stock. Does not include the shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by Louis P. Barth, who is no longer an executive officer of the
Company.
-5-
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation during the last three
fiscal years of the Chief Executive Officer and each of the executive officers
of the Company whose annual salary and bonus, if any, exceeded $100,000 for
services in all capacities to the Company during the last fiscal year (the"named
executive officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
----------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
---------------------------------------- ----------------------
NAME AND SECURITIES ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS UNDERLYING OPTIONS COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR ($) ($) # ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jerry D. Leitman (1) 1998 320,008 -0- -0- $6,217
President, Chief Executive 1997 73,848 -0- 250,000 -0-
Officer
Hansraj C. Maru 1998 171,885 27,000 -0- 16,105 (2)
Executive Vice President, 1997 163,220 27,000 -0- 14,400
Chief Operating 1996 152,221 31,000 6,000 13,631
Officer
Christopher R. Bentley 1998 205,536 32,000 -0- 17,190 (3)
Executive Vice 1997 195,514 32,000 -0- 14,400
President 1996 185,246 36,000 6,000 13,500
Louis P. Barth (4) 1998 148,013 26,000 -0- 14,305 (5)
Senior VP, 1997 148,171 26,000 -0- 13,993
Chief Financial Officer, 1996 138,174 29,000 6,000 14,455
Treasurer, Corporate
Secretary
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Leitman joined the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer on
August 4, 1997.
(2) Represents employer contributions to the Defined Contribution Pension Plan
of $6,400, employer contributions to the Section 401(k) Plan of $8,000 and
life insurance premiums of $1,705.
(3) Represents employer contributions to the Defined Contribution Pension Plan
of $6,400, employer contributions to the Section 401(k) Plan of $8,000 and
life insurance premiums of $2,790.
(4) Mr. Barth was employed by the Company in the capacities indicated until
October 1, 1998.
(5) Represents employer contributions to the Defined Contribution Pension Plan
of $5,852, employer contributions to the Section 401(k) Plan of $7,315 and
life insurance premiums of $1,138.
-6-
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
aggregated number and value of options exercisable and unexercisable by the
named executive officers as of October 31, 1998. The Company did not grant any
options to the named executive officers of the Company during the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1998.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SECURITIES UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONEY
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT
SHARES OPTIONS AT 10/31/98 10/31/98
ACQUIRED ON EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
EXERCISE VALUE REALIZED UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE (1)
NAME (#) ($) (#) ($)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jerry D. Leitman -0- -0- 100,000 (2) 337,500 (2)
150,000 (3) 506,250 (3)
Hansraj C. Maru -0- -0- 13,000 (2) 38,000 (2)
3,000 (3) 3,000 (3)
Christopher R. Bentley 2,601 22,759 40,399 (2) 330,241 (2)
3,000 (3) 3,000 (3)
Louis P. Barth -0- -0- 3,000 (2) 3,000 (2)
3,000 (3) 3,000 (3)
</TABLE>
(1) Based upon the closing price of $13.25 on October 31, 1998 of the
Company's Common Stock on The American Stock Exchange minus the
respective option exercise price.
(2) Exercisable.
(3) Unexercisable.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
In August 1997, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Leitman upon hiring him as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Under
the agreement, which is terminable by either party upon 30 days notice, Mr.
Leitman is entitled to a minimum annual salary of $320,000 and a bonus based
upon an incentive compensation plan to be developed by Mr. Leitman with the
Compensation Committee. In addition, upon entering into the agreement, the
Company granted Mr. Leitman options to purchase 250,000 shares of Common Stock.
The agreement also provides Mr. Leitman with the opportunity to participate in
insurance plans and other employment benefits as may be generally available to
other employees of the Company. In certain circumstances, if Mr. Leitman's
employment is terminated during the first five years of his employment,
including a termination by Mr. Leitman upon a change of control, Mr. Leitman
will be entitled to a severance benefit equal to (i) two times his then base
salary, plus (ii) an amount equal to Mr. Leitman's bonus from the Company for
the immediately preceding year. The agreement also contains non-disclosure
provisions and prohibits Mr. Leitman from competing with the Company during the
term of his employment and for a period of two years thereafter. Under the
Agreement, the Company has agreed to use its best efforts to cause Mr. Leitman
to be elected to the Board of Directors and to appoint Mr. Leitman as a member
of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Decisions regarding certain executive compensation are made by the
Compensation Committee, which is composed of Warren D. Bagatelle, Richard M.H.
Thompson and William A. Lawson. Decisions with respect to the salary and bonus
of the Chief Executive Officer are made by the Compensation Committee. The Chief
Executive Officer is responsible for the salary administration of the remaining
executive officers. The Company has an informal incentive compensation plan. The
Compensation Committee is responsible for approval of the incentive awards with
significant reliance on the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer.
-7-
<PAGE>
Stock option awards under the 1988 Plan and the 1998 Plan are approved
by either the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors with reliance
upon the recommendations of the Compensation Committee. No member of the
Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of the Company during the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1998 and no member is a former officer of the
Company.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Loeb Partners
Corporation pursuant to which Loeb Partners Corporation will serve as the lead
standby underwriter for the rights offering currently being conducted by
Evercel, Inc., a former subsidiary of the Company ("Evercel"). The Company
recently effected a spin-off of Evercel by means of a distribution to its
stockholders of 100% of the shares of Common Stock of Evercel. Mr. Bagatelle, a
member of the Compensation Committee of the Company, is a Managing Director of
Loeb Partners Corporation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's primary objectives in developing executive compensation
policies are to attract, motivate and retain superior talent to enable the
Company to achieve its business objectives and to align the financial interests
of the executive officers with the shareholders of the Company.
The compensation of executive officers consists of base compensation,
bonus, periodic grants of options and participation in benefit plans generally
available to employees. In setting compensation, the Compensation Committee and
the Chief Executive Officer strive to maintain base compensation for the
Company's executive officers at levels which the Compensation Committee and the
Chief Executive Officer, based on their experience, believe are competitive with
the compensation of comparable executive officers in similarly situated
companies while relying upon stock options and the informal bonus plan to
provide significant performance incentives.
Executive officers are eligible to participate in an informal bonus
plan. Awards under the informal bonus plan are determined by the Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee relies significantly upon the
recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer with respect to the bonus to be
awarded to the other executive officers. The executive officers, as well as
other key employees, may receive discretionary bonuses based upon a subjective
evaluation of the performance of the Company and their contributions to the
Company. The incentive compensation plan is currently being re-evaluated by the
Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee.
The development of a new incentive compensation plan is in process.
Each of the executive officers and certain key employees are eligible
to receive awards under the 1998 Plan. The 1998 Plan will be used to align a
portion of the officers' compensation with the shareholders' interest and the
long-term success of the Company. In determining the number of options to be
granted to each executive officer, the Compensation Committee reviews the
recommendations provided by the Chief Executive Officer with respect to the
executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and makes a subjective
determination regarding those recommendations.
The compensation paid by the Company to its chief executive officer for
fiscal 1998 was based upon an employment agreement negotiated with Mr. Leitman.
The Compensation Committee has not conducted any surveys of compensation
packages of chief executive officers in comparable companies, but believes,
based upon the individual experience of its members, that the compensation
package for Mr. Leitman for fiscal 1998 was reasonable based upon Mr. Leitman's
experience, his level of responsibility and the contributions made and expected
to be made by him to the Company. See "Employment Agreement" for a description
of Mr. Leitman's employment agreement.
Compensation Committee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William Lawson
Warren D. Bagatelle
Richard M.H. Thompson
-8-
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the annual change in Energy Research
Corporation's cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock
for the five fiscal years ended October 31 1998 with the cumulative total return
on the Russell 2000 and a peer group consisting of SIC Group Code 369 companies
listed on The American Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Stock Market and New York Stock
Exchange for that period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------FISCAL YEAR ENDING------------------------------
COMPANY/INDEX/MARKET 10/29/93 10/31/94 10/31/95 10/31/96 10/31/97 10/30/98
-------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Energy Research Corp. 100.00 80.00 91.00 97.00 128.00 106.00
Misc Electric Equip, Supplies 100.00 135.71 157.64 168.26 298.66 212.37
Russell 2000 Index 100.00 99.70 117.97 137.69 178.04 156.96
</TABLE>
SECTION 16 (a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's executive
officers and directors, and any persons owning more than 10% of a class of the
Company's stock to file certain reports of ownership and changes in ownership
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). All filings for 1998
were made on a timely basis except (i) Richard M. H. Thompson failed to file a
form 4 with respect to two transactions which he later reported on Form 5 (ii)
William Lawson failed to file a form 4 with respect to one transaction which he
later reported on Form 5.
The above information is to the Company's knowledge, based solely on a
review of copies of reports furnished to the Company and representations of
certain officers, directors and shareholders owning more than 10% of the
Company's Common Stock.
-9-
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During fiscal year 1998, the Company sold to Daimler Benz affiliate
MTU-Friedrichshafen GmbH ("MTU") fuel cell components for approximately $74,000.
In November, 1989 the Company entered into a license agreement with
MTU, which license was originally with Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH, that
granted to MTU an exclusive license, with certain exceptions, to develop the
Company's carbonate fuel cell technology in Europe, and a non-exclusive license
for the Middle East, Africa and South America. Pursuant to the MTU Agreement,
the Company receives annual license fees and has the right to receive royalties
upon commercial sales. Concurrent with the entering into of the MTU Agreement,
MTU purchased 360,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company at a purchase price
of $7.00 per share and made loans to the manufacturing subsidiary of the
Company, which were secured by the stock of that subsidiary, in the aggregate
principal amount of $1,980,000. During fiscal 1996, $877,000 of this loan was
converted into 97,397 shares of common stock of the Company. MTU extended the
maturity of $630,000 of the loan to November 30, 1997 with the right to convert
principal and accrued interest to common stock of the Company at $9 per share.
During December 1996 and December 1997, the Company paid to MTU $1,296,000 and
$673,000, respectively, of principal and interest in full repayment of the loans
from MTU. The Subscription Agreement between the Company and MTU also grants to
all shareholders of the Company preemptive rights on sales of the Common Stock
of the Company at a price less than $7.00 per share. As a condition to MTU
entering into its agreements with the Company, substantially all of the then
shareholders of the Company agreed to vote their shares in favor of one nominee
of MTU to the Board of Directors of the Company for so long as MTU owns at least
10% of the Common Stock of the Company.
In July 1998, the Company entered into a Cross-Licensing and
Cross-Selling Agreement with MTU pursuant to which MTU and the Company have
granted to each other the right to manufacture and sell each other's stationary
power fuel cell products in their respective regions. Each company will pay the
other royalties based upon sales.
The Company believes that the terms of its transactions with MTU are no
less favorable to the Company than it could have obtained from an unaffiliated
third party.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Loeb Partners
Corporation pursuant to which Loeb Partners Corporation will serve as the lead
standby underwriter for the rights offering currently being conducted by
Evercel, as described under "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION". Mr. Bagatelle and Mr. Kempner, directors of the Company, are the
Managing Director and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, respectively, of
Loeb Partners Corporation. Loeb Investors Co. LXXV, a principal stockholder of
the Company, is affiliated with Loeb Partners Corporation.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed KPMG LLP, certified public
accountants to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for
the fiscal year ending October 31, 1999.
A representative of KPMG LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to
make a statement if such representative desires to do so and to respond to
appropriate questions.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholders who may wish to present proposals for inclusion in the
Company's proxy materials and for consideration at the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders should submit the proposals in writing to the Secretary of the
Company in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC no
later than October 29, 1999. A proposal by a shareholder submitted outside the
processes of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 must be received
by the Company on or before January 12, 2000 or it will be considered untimely.
-10-
<PAGE>
ANNUAL REPORT AND FORM 10-K
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND COPIES OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION ARE AVAILABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN
REQUEST ADDRESSED TO: ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION, 3 GREAT PASTURE ROAD,
DANBURY, CONNECTICUT 06813 ATTN: SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors knows of no
matters which will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other
than the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters
properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the
proxy will act in respect thereof in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Joseph G. Mahler
Corporate Secretary
Danbury, CT
February 26, 1999
-11-
<PAGE>
ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
3 GREAT PASTURE ROAD
DANBURY, CT 06813
PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Jerry D. Leitman and Bernard S. Baker as
Proxies, and each of them, each with full power to appoint his substitute, and
hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all of the
shares of Common Stock of Energy Research Corporation (the "Company") held by
the undersigned of record on February 5, 1999, at the annual meeting of the
shareholders of the Company to be held on March 30, 1999 and at any and all
adjournments thereof, and hereby revokes all former proxies:
1. Election of ten directors.
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Jerry D.Leitman Warren D.Bagatelle Bernard S.Baker Richard M.H.Thompson
Hansraj C. Maru Michael Bode Christopher R.Bentley James D. Gerson
Thomas L. Kempner William A. Lawson
</TABLE>
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee or
nominees, write that nominee's name(s) in the space provided below.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
(sign on reverse side)
<PAGE>
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
Dated _______________________, 1999
------------------------------------
Signature
------------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
Please sign exactly as name appears on
this card. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When
signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full
corporate name by president or other
authorized officer. If a partnership,
please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>
