<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
Peerless Systems Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Peerless Systems Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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<PAGE>
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
2381 ROSECRANS AVENUE
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 12, 1997
To the Stockholders of Peerless Systems Corporation:
Notice Is Hereby Given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Peerless
Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held on
Thursday, June 12, 1997, at 2:00 p.m. local time at the Manhattan Country Club
located at 1330 Park View Avenue, Manhattan Beach, California for the
following purpose:
1. To elect directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their
successors are elected.
2. To ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as independent
auditors of the Company for its fiscal year ending January 31, 1998.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 25, 1997, as
the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at this Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ HOSHI PRINTER
Hoshi Printer
Secretary
El Segundo, California
May 1, 1997
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN
AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR
REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING. A RETURN ENVELOPE (WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF
MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES) IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE
GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING.
PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK
OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE
RECORD HOLDER A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME.
<PAGE>
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
2381 ROSECRANS AVENUE
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JUNE 12, 1997
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
GENERAL
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Peerless Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for use
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 12, 1997 at 2:00 p.m.
local time (the "Annual Meeting"), or at any adjournment or postponement
thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Manhattan Country Club
located at 1330 Park View Avenue, Manhattan Beach, California. The Company
intends to mail this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card on or about
May 1, 1997, to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
SOLICITATION
The Company will bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including
preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this proxy statement, the proxy
and any additional information furnished to stockholders. Copies of
solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses,
fiduciaries and custodians holding in their names shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by others to forward to such beneficial owners. The Company
may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of Common Stock for their
costs of forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Original
solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or
personal solicitation by directors, officers or other regular employees of the
Company. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or
other regular employees for such services.
VOTING RIGHTS AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
Only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on April 25,
1997 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the
close of business on April 25, 1997, the Company had outstanding and entitled
to vote 10,516,338 shares of Common Stock.
Each holder of record of Common Stock on such date will be entitled to one
vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon at the Annual
Meeting.
All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the
meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes,
abstentions and broker non-votes. Abstentions will be counted towards the
tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will
have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a
quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether a matter
has been approved.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
Any person giving a proxy pursuant to this solicitation has the power to
revoke it at any time before it is voted. It may be revoked by filing with the
Secretary of the Company at the Company's principal executive office, 2381
Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo, California 90245, a written notice of revocation
or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or it may be revoked by
attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will
not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
1
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders that are intended to be presented at the Company's
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company not later
than December 31, 1997 in order to be included in the proxy statement and
proxy relating to that Annual Meeting. Stockholders are also advised to review
the Company's Bylaws, which contain additional requirements with respect to
advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
There are four nominees for the five Board positions presently authorized in
the Company's Bylaws. Lauren L. Shaw, after serving the Company for 14 years,
resigned from the Board in December, and has elected not to stand for
reelection. Each director to be elected will hold office until the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until his successor is elected and has qualified,
or until such director's earlier death, resignation or removal. Each nominee
listed below is currently a director of the Company, two of the directors,
Messrs. Gavaldon and Barrett, having been elected by the stockholders, and two
of the directors, Messrs. Levy and North, having been elected by the Board.
Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so
is not withheld, for the election of the four nominees named below. In the
event that any nominee should be unavailable for election as a result of an
unexpected occurrence, such shares will be voted for the election of such
substitute nominee as management may propose. Each person nominated for
election has agreed to serve if elected and management has no reason to
believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE.
NOMINEES
The names of the nominees and certain information about them as of January
31, 1997 are set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION/
NAME AGE POSITION HELD WITH THE COMPANY
---- --- ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Edward A. Gavaldon.......... 51 President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
Robert G. Barrett........... 52 General Partner, Battery Ventures
Paul D. Levy................ 41 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Rational Software Corporation
Robert L. North............. 61 Chief Executive Officer and Director of HNC
Software, Inc.
</TABLE>
Edward A. Gavaldon has served the Company as President, Chief Executive
Officer and a director since January 1995 and as Chairman of the Board since
July 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gavaldon worked at Xerox
Corporation for 23 years in various positions including: Manager, Strategy and
Programs for Printing Products; Chief Engineer, High Speed Laser Printers;
Vice President, Worldwide Marketing, Laser Printers; and most recently as Vice
President/General Manager in the Desktop Laser Printer Business Unit. Mr.
Gavaldon received a B.A. degree in economics from the University of California
at Los Angeles and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Southern
California.
2
<PAGE>
Robert G. Barrett has served the Company as a director since March 1991. He
is a founder and a Managing Partner of Battery Ventures, a venture capital
fund specializing in communication and software investment. Mr. Barrett serves
as a director of Brooktrout Technology, Inc. and several privately-held high
technology companies. Mr. Barrett received a B.A. degree in history and an
M.B.A. degree from Harvard University.
Paul D. Levy has served the Company as a director since August 1996. Mr.
Levy has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Rational
Software Corporation, a software products company since September 1996. Mr.
Levy was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Rational
Software Corporation from 1994 and was President and co-founder of one of its
predecessor corporations, Rational, from 1981. Mr. Levy received a B.S. degree
from the United States Air Force Academy and received an M.S. degree in
engineering-economic systems from Stanford University.
Robert L. North has served the Company as a director since July 1996. Mr.
North has been Chief Executive Officer and a director of HNC Software, Inc., a
neural network technology company, since June 1987. For 21 years prior to that
time he was employed by TRW, Inc. Electronic Systems Group, most recently as
Vice President and General Manager. Prior to that time, he was a member of the
technical staff for the Satellite Central Office of Aerospace Corporation. Mr.
North received B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford
University.
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997, the Board of Directors held
11 meetings. The Board has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee meets with the Company's independent auditors at least
annually to review the results of the annual audit and discuss the financial
statements; recommends to the Board the independent auditors to be retained;
and receives and considers the accountants' comments as to controls, adequacy
of staff and management performance and procedures in connection with audit
and financial controls. The Audit Committee is composed of two non-employee
directors: Messrs. Barrett and North. The Audit Committee, as previously
constituted, met informally prior to the time the Company completed its
initial public offering in September 1996 (the "Initial Public Offering"). The
Audit Committee, as presently constituted, will meet in connection with the
review of the fiscal 1997 financial results.
The Compensation Committee makes recommendations concerning salaries,
benefits and incentive compensation, administers the issuance of stock options
and other awards to employees and consultants under the Company's stock option
plans and otherwise determines compensation levels and performs such other
functions regarding compensation as the Board may delegate. The Compensation
Committee is composed of two non-employee directors: Messrs. Barrett and Levy.
The Compensation Committee, as presently constituted, met one time during the
fiscal year ended January 31, 1997.
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997, each Board member attended
75% or more of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and of the
committees on which he served, held during the period for which he was a
director or committee member, respectively.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has selected Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the
Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending January 31, 1998 and
has further directed that management submit the selection of independent
auditors for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P. has audited the Company's financial statements since 1990.
Representatives of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
3
<PAGE>
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the
Company's independent auditors is not required by the Company's Bylaws or
otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P. to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate
practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit
Committee and the Board will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm.
Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board in their
discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any
time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will
be required to ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership
of the Company's Common Stock as of February 28, 1997 by: (i) each nominee for
director; (ii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table; (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Company
as a group; and (iv) all those known by the Company to be beneficial owners of
more than five percent of its Common Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)
---------------------------
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES TOTAL
---------------- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Battery Ventures II, L.P.(2).................. 1,612,726 15.4%
Robert G. Barrett
Battery Ventures
200 Portland Street
Boston, MA 02114
Chancellor LGT Asset Management, Inc.(3)...... 597,700 5.7
1166 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Adobe Ventures L.P.(4)........................ 595,325 5.7
One Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Lauren L. Shaw and Barbara B. Renshaw(5)...... 583,417 5.6
c/o Bank of America
Attn: Rick Reisman, Trustee
2049 Century Park East, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.(3)......... 537,800 5.1
2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Stephen R. Butterfield(6)..................... 302,826 2.9
Edward A. Gavaldon(7)......................... 194,048 1.8
David R. Fournier(8).......................... 116,546 1.1
Thomas B. Ruffolo(9).......................... 50,888 *
Hoshi Printer(10)............................. 19,699 *
Reginald Cardin(11)........................... 16,530 *
Paul D. Levy.................................. -- --
Robert L. North............................... -- --
All directors and executive officers as a
group (9 persons)(12)........................ 2,313,263 22.0
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
- --------
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
(1) This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and
principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G, if any, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Unless otherwise
indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community
property laws where applicable, the Company believes that each of the
stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power
with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable
percentages are based on 10,505,806 shares outstanding on February 28,
1997, adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC.
(2) Robert G. Barrett, a director of the Company, is a Managing Partner of
ABF Partners II, L.P., the general partner of Battery Ventures. Mr.
Barrett may be deemed to have voting and investment power over the shares
held by Battery Ventures. He disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(3) Amounts shown are based on share ownership as of December 31, 1996, as
reported on Schedules 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(4) Adobe Systems Incorporated is the sole limited partner of Adobe Ventures
L.P. and H&Q Adobe Ventures Management L.P. is the sole general partner
of Adobe Ventures L.P.
(5) Represents (i) 120 shares held by Lauren L. Shaw, a former executive
officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company, and Barbara B. Renshaw
as community property; (ii) 291,648 shares held in the Lauren L. Shaw
1996 Trust; and (iii) 291,649 shares held in the Barbara B. Renshaw 1996
Trust. Mr. Shaw disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held in the
Barbara B. Renshaw 1996 Trust. Ms. Renshaw disclaims beneficial ownership
of shares held in the Lauren L. Shaw 1996 Trust. Mr. Shaw and Ms. Renshaw
are married.
(6) Includes 60 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
days of February 28, 1997.
(7) Includes 194,048 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within
60 days of February 28, 1997.
(8) Includes 113,513 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within
60 days of February 28, 1997.
(9) Includes 8,852 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
days of February 28, 1997.
(10) Includes 16,666 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
days of February 28, 1997.
(11) Includes 15,333 shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
days of February 28, 1997.
(12) Includes 348,472 shares issuable to all directors and executive officers
pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 1997.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), requires the Company's directors and executive officers, and
persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's
equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of
the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are
required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section
16(a) forms they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, during the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997, all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Directors currently do not receive any cash compensation from the Company
for their services as members of the Board of Directors, although they are
reimbursed for certain expenses in connection with attendance at Board of
Directors and Committee meetings. The Board of Directors has adopted
resolutions providing for the automatic grant, under the Company's 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan of: (i) an option to purchase 26,666 shares of
5
<PAGE>
Common Stock to each non-employee director who is first elected to the Board
of Directors after completion of the Company's initial public offering; and
(ii) an option to purchase 6,666 shares of Common Stock on the date of each
annual stockholder meeting, beginning in 1997, to each non-employee director
who has served continuously as a non-employee director for at least six months
immediately prior to such annual meeting. The options vest at a rate of 25% on
the first anniversary of the date of grant and 1/48th of the shares subject to
the option each month thereafter for the following three years. In July and
August 1996, the Board also approved grants of options to purchase an
aggregate of 26,666 shares of Common Stock to each of Mr. Shaw, Mr. Barrett,
Mr. North and Mr. Levy at a weighted average exercise price of $10.00, $10.00,
$9.63 and $11.00 per share, respectively, subject in each case to similar
vesting terms as those described above. Such options granted to Mr. Shaw were
terminated upon Mr. Shaw's resignation from the Board of Directors in December
1996.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth for the fiscal years ended January 31, 1997
and December 31, 1995, the compensation earned by the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and the Company's other five most highly compensated
executive officers at January 31, 1997, as well as a former executive officer
of the Company (the "Named Executive Officers"):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
-------------------------- ------------
OTHER ALL OTHER
ANNUAL SECURITIES COMPEN-
FISCAL BONUS COMPENSA- UNDERLYING SATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR(1) SALARY($) ($) TION($) OPTIONS ($)
- --------------------------- ------- --------- ------ --------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Edward A. Gavaldon...... 1997 166,154 50,000 -- 100,000 --
President, Chief 1995 153,211 18,125 -- 354,293 --
Executive
Officer and Chairman of
the Board
Hoshi Printer(2)........ 1997 83,462 16,667 -- 99,999 --
Vice President, Finance 1995 -- -- -- -- --
and Administration,
Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
Stephen R. Butterfield.. 1997 101,285 30,240 -- 66,666 --
Vice President, 1995 98,280 21,924 -- -- --
Advanced Technology
Reginald Cardin......... 1997 140,000 18,750 24,957(3) 30,000 --
Vice President, 1995 45,769 -- -- 76,666 --
Engineering
David R. Fournier....... 1997 123,874 25,200 12,000(4) 126,665 --
Vice President, Sales 1995 110,000 32,170 -- -- --
and Field Operations
Thomas B. Ruffolo....... 1997 103,058 22,500 -- 30,000 --
Vice President, 1995 102,308 14,063 -- -- --
Marketing
Lauren L. Shaw(5)....... 1997 243,671 21,750 -- 26,666 10,000(6)
Former Executive 1995 156,600 21,750 -- -- --
Officer
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The Company changed its fiscal year-end from December 31 to January 31,
effective in the year beginning February 1, 1996. Compensation information
for the one-month transition period ended January 31, 1996 is not
presented herein.
(2) Mr. Printer joined the Company as an executive officer in June 1996.
Amounts shown reflect compensation paid to Mr. Printer during the period
from June 1996 through January 1997.
(3) Reflects relocation expenses paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Cardin
during fiscal year 1997.
6
<PAGE>
(4 ) Reflects sales commissions paid to Mr. Fournier during fiscal year 1997.
(5) Mr. Shaw resigned as an executive officer of the Company in August 1996.
Amounts shown reflect all amounts paid under an employment agreement
between Mr. Shaw and the Company. See "Certain Transactions."
(6) Reflects legal fees paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Shaw during
fiscal year 1997.
STOCK OPTION GRANTS AND EXERCISES
The Company grants options to its executive officers under its 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan") and 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan")
(collectively, the "Plans").
The Plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and
nonstatutory stock options to employees, directors and consultants of the
Company. The Plans provide that they will be administered by the Board of
Directors, or a committee appointed by the Board, which determines recipients
and types of options to be granted, including the exercise price, number of
shares subject to the option and the exercisability thereof. Currently, the
Plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, and the
Compensation Committee has delegated authority to grant options in an amount
less than 10,000 shares to persons not subject to Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act to a special option committee comprised of Mr. Gavaldon.
The terms of stock options granted under the Plans generally may not exceed
ten years. The exercise price of options granted under the Plans is determined
by the Compensation Committee, provided that (i) the exercise price for a
nonstatutory stock option cannot be less than 85% of the fair market value of
the Common Stock on the date of the option grant and (ii) the exercise price
for an incentive stock option cannot be less than 100% of the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of the option grant.
Options granted under the Plans vest at the rate specified in each
optionee's option agreement. No stock option may be transferred by the
optionee other than by will or the laws of descent or distribution or, for a
nonstatutory stock option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order.
An optionee whose relationship with the Company or any affiliate ceases for
any reason (other than by death or permanent and total disability) may
exercise options in the period following such cessation as may be determined
by the Board of Directors (not to exceed three months for an incentive stock
option). Options may be exercised for up to twelve months after an optionee's
relationship with the Company and any affiliate ceases due to death or
disability.
No incentive stock option may be granted to any person who, at the time of
the grant, owns (or is deemed to own) stock possessing more than 10% of the
total combined voting power of the Company or any affiliate of the Company,
unless the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of
the stock subject to the option on the date of grant, and the term of the
option does not exceed five years from the date of grant. The aggregate fair
market value, determined at the time of grant, of the shares of Common Stock
with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first
time by an optionee during any calendar year (under all such plans of the
Company and its affiliates) may not exceed $100,000.
As of February 28, 1997, options to purchase a total of 1,480,026 shares
were outstanding under the Plans and options to purchase 627,767 shares
remained available for grant thereunder.
7
<PAGE>
The following tables show for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997 certain
information regarding options granted to, exercised by and held at year end by
the Named Executive Officers:
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
PRICE APPRECIATION
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS FOR OPTION TERM
--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED (#) FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5% ($)(2) 10% ($)(2)
- ---- ----------- ------------- ------------ ----------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Gavaldon............ 100,000 12.9 $ 3.30 5/08/06 207,900 524,700
Mr. Printer............. 99,999 12.9 $ 3.30 5/28/06 207,898 524,695
Mr. Butterfield......... 66,666 8.6 $ 3.30 5/08/06 138,599 349,797
Mr. Cardin.............. 30,000 3.9 $ 3.30 5/08/06 62,370 157,410
Mr. Fournier............ 126,665 16.4 $ 1.65 2/28/06 131,668 541,303
Mr. Ruffolo............. 30,000 3.9 $ 3.30 5/08/06 62,370 157,410
Mr. Shaw................ 13,333(1) 1.7 $ 9.00 7/23/96 -- (1) -- (1)
13,333(1) 1.7 $11.00 8/23/96 -- (1) -- (1)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Represents options granted to Mr. Shaw in connection with Mr. Shaw's
service on the Board of Directors. These options were terminated upon Mr.
Shaw's resignation from the Board in December 1996.
(2) Calculated on the assumption that the market value of the underlying stock
increases at the stated values, compounded annually, with the initial fair
market value equal to the exercise price.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR, AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE FY-END (#) AT FY-END ($)
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($)(1) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE (2) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE (2)(3)
- ---- ---------------- --------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Gavaldon............ 18,527 177,396 212,576/241,717 3,948,599/4,302,393
Mr. Printer............. -- -- 99,999/0 1,669,983/0
Mr. Butterfield......... -- -- 60/66,666 1,165/1,113,322
Mr. Cardin.............. -- -- 15,333/91,333 284,810/1,640,260
Mr. Fournier............ -- -- 187,647/0 3,482,529/0
Mr. Ruffolo............. 44,205 443,448 52,519/0 1,771,050/0
Mr. Shaw................ 60 657 0/0 0/0
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Calculated based on the fair market value of the underlying shares on the
date of exercise less the exercise price. For options exercised prior to
the Company's initial public offering, the fair market value at the date
of exercise is deemed to be the initial public offering price of $11.00
per share.
(2) Reflects vested options and unvested options that are subject to early
exercise.
(3) Calculated based on a price of $20.00 per share at the close of trading on
January 31, 1997.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Edward A.
Gavaldon. The agreement provides that Mr. Gavaldon will serve as Chief
Executive Officer and President and provides for payment of a base salary of
$175,000 with a bonus of up to $75,000 annually, and participation in the
Company's benefit plans. The agreement also provides that all of Mr.
Gavaldon's outstanding options will be accelerated in the event of the
acquisition or change in control of the Company or a sale of all or
substantially all of the Company's
8
<PAGE>
assets. In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Gavaldon without cause,
the Company will be required to pay Mr. Gavaldon his base salary and certain
benefits for an additional one-year period and will accelerate the vesting of
his options for at least an additional six months.
REPORT ON THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION(1)
The Company's executive compensation program presently is administered by
the two-member Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee") set forth below. These Committee members are not employees of the
Company. Prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering, the Compensation
Committee was comprised of Robert Barrett and Lauren Shaw. During this period,
executive compensation, including equity compensation, was reviewed by this
compensation committee and thereafter approved by the Board of Directors.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors, as then constituted, approved all
executive compensation for fiscal 1997, except for the granting of year-end
cash bonuses, which was determined by the Committee. As used herein, the term
"Board" refers to the entire board of directors, as then constituted, with
respect to decisions made prior to the Initial Public Offering, and the term
"Committee" refers to the Compensation Committee, as presently constituted,
with respect to decisions made thereafter and policies going forward.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), limits the Company to a deduction for federal income tax purposes of
no more than $1 million of compensation paid to certain Named Executive
Officers in a taxable year. Compensation above $1 million may be deducted if
it is "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of the Code. The
Committee believes that, with respect to the application of Section 162(m) of
the Code, at the present time it is highly unlikely that the cash compensation
paid to any Named Executive Officer in a taxable year will exceed $1 million.
However, options granted with exercise prices at least 100% of fair market
value are intended to qualify under the Plans as "performance-based
compensation."
The objectives of the Company's executive compensation policies are to
attract, retain and reward executive officers who contribute to the Company's
success, to align the financial interests of executive officers with the
performance of the Company, to strengthen the relationship between executive
pay and stockholder value, to motivate executive officers to achieve the
Company's business objectives and to reward individual performance. In
carrying out these objectives, the Committee considers the level of
compensation paid to executive officers in positions of companies similarly
situated in size and products, the individual performance of each executive
officer, corporate performance, and the responsibility and authority of each
position relative to other positions within the Company.
The Company's executive compensation package consists of three components:
base salary and related benefits; annual cash bonus incentives; and equity-
based compensation incentives. The Committee reviews each of these components
and develops an incentive compensation package for each of the Company's
executive officers based, in part, upon the review of competitive compensation
information, the recommendations of senior management and other information
available to the Committee.
BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS
The first component of the Company's executive compensation package is base
salary and related benefits. Each executive officer receives a base salary and
benefits based on competitive compensation information and his
responsibilities and performance. The Compensation Committee compares the
Company's compensation
- --------
(1) The material in this report is not "soliciting material," is not deemed
"filed" with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any
filing of the Company under the 1933 Act or 1934 Act, whether made before
or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation
language contained in such filing.
9
<PAGE>
levels with published surveys of executive compensation at comparable
companies, as well as with recent proxy data for publicly-traded companies
also involved in the information technology industry. In order to maximize the
incentive elements of the executive officers' total compensation packages, the
Committee sets the base salary and benefits component of these packages within
the competitive range of the salary and benefits levels of the executive
officers of the comparative companies. As noted above, base salaries and
benefits for fiscal 1997 were determined by the Board.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS
The second component of the Company's executive compensation package is an
annual incentive bonus. In the beginning of fiscal year 1997, the Board
established bonus compensation formulas for each executive officer based on
certain individual performance criteria. The arrangement provided each
executive officer with the opportunity to earn a cash bonus according to the
extent to which he met his particular individual performance criteria. The
Board established the formulas and criteria for fiscal 1997, and the Committee
determined realization of these criteria by the officers and approved the
final amounts of bonuses paid.
1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN AND 1996 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The third component of the Company's executive compensation package is stock
options, which the Company believes are becoming increasingly important as an
incentive tool designed to more closely align the interests of the executive
officers of the Company with the long-term interests of the Company's
stockholders and to encourage its executive officers to remain with the
Company. Generally, the Company grants stock options at fair market exercise
prices, as determined by the Committee at the time of grant.
The Company's Plans have been established to provide all employees of the
Company with an opportunity to share, along with the stockholders of the
Company, in the long-term performance of the Company. Periodic grants of stock
options are generally made annually to eligible employees, with additional
grants being made to certain employees upon commencement of employment and,
occasionally, following a significant change in job responsibilities, scope or
title. Stock options granted under the Plans generally have a non-statutory
four- to seven-year vesting schedule and generally expire ten years from the
date of grant. In addition, a portion of the options granted to the Company's
executive officers are performance-based options. These options provide for
deferred vesting generally over a seven-year period, with the acceleration of
a portion of the option in the event the executive meets designated
performance objectives in a given year. The Compensation Committee
periodically considers the grant of stock-based compensation to all executive
officers. Such grants are made on the basis of a qualitative analysis of
individual performance, the Company's financial performance and the
executive's existing options.
CEO COMPENSATION
The base salary, annual incentive bonus and stock options for Mr. Gavaldon
were determined in accordance with the terms of an employment agreement (the
"Employment Agreement") dated as of January 4, 1995 between Mr. Gavaldon and
the Company. The Employment Agreement was the result of negotiations to induce
Mr. Gavaldon to join the Company as its President and Chief Executive Officer
in January 1995. In recognition of Mr. Gavaldon's substantial contribution to
the growth and success of the Company and of competitive conditions in the
market for executive officers, and to encourage Mr. Gavaldon's continued
service to the Company, the Board approved an amendment to the Employment
Agreement in July 1996 to, among other things, increase Mr. Gavaldon's base
salary and annual incentive bonus. The Board also awarded a stock option to
Mr. Gavaldon in May 1996 concurrent with the granting of options to the
Company's other executive officers in connection with the annual review of
option grants for officers. A portion of these options were performance-based
options. Shortly after the end of fiscal 1997, the Committee evaluated Mr.
Gavaldon's performance in accordance with his previously-established goals and
awarded his bonus accordingly. See "Employment Agreement" and "Certain
Transactions."
10
<PAGE>
OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
At the beginning of fiscal 1997, the Board established the base salary of
each other executive officer based on data regarding executive compensation of
the Company's competitors, including published survey information, each
executive officer's base salary for the prior fiscal year, past performance,
the scope of such officer's responsibility and other information available to
the Board. In addition, at the beginning of fiscal 1997, the Board established
bonus compensation formulas for each officer based on certain individual
performance criteria. Mr. Printer's base salary, annual incentive bonus and
stock options were determined by the Board as part of negotiations to hire Mr.
Printer as the Company's Vice President, Finance and Administration, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary in June 1996. Shortly after the end of fiscal
1997, the Committee reviewed the performance of each executive relative to the
pre-determined objectives and awarded bonuses in various percentages to each
of the executive officers. The Board also awarded options to each of the
executive officers during the year as part of the annual review of option
grants for employees. A portion of these options were performance-based
options.
Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors
Robert G. Barrett
Paul D. Levy
11
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT COMPARISON(1)
The following charts show a comparison of cumulative returns for the
Company, the Nasdaq Stock Market (United States Companies) and the H&Q
Technology Stocks beginning after the close of trading on September 24, 1996,
when the Company's Common Stock was priced at $11.00 per share for sale in the
Company's initial public offering.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT
ACTUAL PRICES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BASE PERIOD
COMPANY/INDEX 24-SEP-96 30-SEP-96 31-OCT-96 30-NOV-96 31-DEC-96 31-JAN-97
- ------------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Peerless Systems
Corporation............ 11.00 11.50 10.63 13.00 17.00 20.00
Nasdaq U.S. Index
Composite.............. 404.60 405.34 400.90 425.74 425.26 455.47
H&Q Technology Index.... 890.02 880.39 865.38 950.86 929.94 1020.80
SCALED PRICES
<CAPTION>
BASE PERIOD
COMPANY/INDEX 24-SEP-96 30-SEP-96 31-OCT-96 30-NOV-96 31-DEC-96 31-JAN-97
- ------------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Peerless Systems
Corporation............ 100 104.55 96.59 118.18 154.55 181.82
Nasdaq U.S. Index
Composite.............. 100 100.18 99.09 105.23 105.11 112.57
H&Q Technology Index.... 100 98.92 97.23 106.84 104.49 114.69
</TABLE>
[PERFORMANCE CHART APPEARS HERE]
- --------
(1) The Section is not "soliciting material," is not deemed "filed" with the
SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the
Company under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, whether made before or after
the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language
contained in such filing.
12
<PAGE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
In September 1992 and June 1993, the Company entered into a Third Party
Development and License Agreement (the "Third Party Agreement") and a PCL
Development and License Agreement (the "PCL Agreement"), respectively, each of
which has been subsequently amended, with Adobe Systems Incorporated
("Adobe"), a principal stockholder of the Company. Under the Third Party
Agreement, the Company licenses (for internal development purposes) Adobe's
PostScript Software from Adobe so that the Company can port and support
versions of the Company's products that may be used in conjunction with
Adobe's PostScript Software by Adobe's OEMs. The Company has paid Adobe a fee
for this license and may pay Adobe additional fees for additional rights that
Adobe may grant to the Company. In addition, Adobe pays royalties to the
Company in connection with the distribution by Adobe's OEMs of products that
the Company has enabled to be used with Adobe's PostScript Software. The Third
Party Agreement has a term of five years and is renewable biannually
thereafter. Under the PCL Agreement, the Company develops versions of the
Company's PCL products that can be used with Adobe's PostScript Software, and
Adobe licenses these products for sublicense to its OEMs. In return for this
license, Adobe pays royalties to the Company for each such product that it
causes to be shipped or delivered to end-users. The PCL Agreement has a term
of 20 years and is renewable annually thereafter. During fiscal year 1997, the
Company recognized revenues of $2,244,000 arising from these license
agreements and engineering services arrangements with Adobe.
In July 1996, the Company and Battery Ventures II, L.P. agreed to amend a
warrant to purchase 66,666 shares of Common Stock. The amendment increased the
exercise price of the warrant from $3.75 to $4.50 per share, extended the term
of the warrant from March 29, 1996 to December 31, 1996 and included a limited
release in favor of the Company related to the exercise of the warrant.
In January 1995, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Lauren L. Shaw, a principal stockholder and former director and executive
officer of the Company. The Company amended this agreement in August 1996 in
connection with Mr. Shaw's resignation as an executive officer. In
consideration for, among other things, an agreement not to compete through
1998, the employment agreement, as amended, provides, among other things, (i)
that the Company will pay Mr. Shaw $9,080 every two weeks through the end of
1997, plus accrued and unpaid vacation and other items, (ii) that the Company
will pay Mr. Shaw $150 per hour for consulting services actually rendered to
the Company and (iii) that Mr. Shaw will have certain registration rights with
respect to the shares of the Company's Common Stock that he owns.
The Company has entered into an employment agreement with Edward A.
Gavaldon. See "Employment Agreement."
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors
and executive officers which provide, among other things, that the Company
will indemnify such officer or director, under the circumstances and to the
extent provided for therein, for expenses, damages, judgments, fines and
settlements that he may be required to pay in actions or proceedings in which
he is or may be made a party by reason of his position as a director, officer
or other agent of the Company, and otherwise to the full extent permitted
under Delaware law and the Company's Bylaws. In September 1996, the Company
entered into indemnity agreements with certain stockholders (the "Selling
Stockholders") who sold shares of Common Stock in the Initial Public Offering.
Pursuant to the agreements, the Company agreed to indemnify the Selling
Stockholders for certain liabilities and costs incurred in connection with the
Initial Public Offering, and the Selling Stockholders agreed to indemnify the
Company and its officers and directors for certain liabilities incurred in
connection with the Initial Public Offering.
13
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be presented for
consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought
before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best
judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ HOSHI PRINTER
Hoshi Printer
Secretary
May 1, 1997
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997 IS
AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO: CORPORATE SECRETARY,
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION, 2381 ROSECRANS AVENUE, EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA
90245.
14
<PAGE>
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 12, 1997
The undersigned hereby appoints Edward A. Gavaldon and Hoshi Printer, and
each of them, as attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of
substitution, to vote all of the shares of stock of Peerless Systems
Corporation which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders of Peerless Systems Corporation (the "Company") to be held at
the Manhattan Country Club located at 1330 Park View Avenue, Manhattan Beach,
California, on Thursday, June 12, 1997 at 2:00 p.m., local time and at any and
all postponements, continuations and adjournments thereof, with all powers that
the undersigned would possess if personally present, upon and in respect of the
following matters and in accordance with the following instructions, with
discretionary authority as to any and all other matters that may properly come
before the meeting.
UNLESS A CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL
NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSAL 2, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY
DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. IF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW.
PROPOSAL 1: To elect directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and until their successors are elected.
FOR all nominees listed below WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the to vote for all nominees
contrary below) [_] listed below. [_]
NOMINEES: Edward A. Gavaldon, Robert G. Barrett, Paul D. Levy, Robert L. North
To withhold authority to vote for any nominee(s),
write such nominee(s)' name(s) below:
---------------------------- ----------------------------
(CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE)
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM OTHER SIDE)
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2.
PROPOSAL 2: To ratify selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as independent
auditors of the Company for its fiscal year ending January 31, 1998.
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS HEREON. IF THE STOCK IS REGISTERED IN
THE NAMES OF TWO OR MORE PERSONS, EACH SHOULD SIGN. EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS,
TRUSTEES, GUARDIANS AND ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT SHOULD ADD THEIR TITLES. IF SIGNER IS
A CORPORATION, PLEASE GIVE FULL CORPORATE NAME AND HAVE A DULY AUTHORIZED OFFI-
CER SIGN, STATING TITLE. IF SIGNER IS A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP
NAME BY AUTHORIZED PERSON.
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S)
Dated: _____________________________, 1997
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN
THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE
WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES.
