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:
/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/_/ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/_/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/_/ Definitive Additional Materials
/_/ Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12
SI HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
RONALD J. SEMANICK, CORPORATE SECRETARY
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
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 O-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 O-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) Total fee paid:
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/_/ 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>
SI HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC.
600 KUEBLER ROAD, EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA 18040
TELEPHONE (610) 252-7321
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of SI Handling Systems, Inc., a
Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the GPU Energy
Building, 2121 Sullivan Trail, Easton, Pennsylvania 18040 on Wednesday, July 16,
1997, at 11:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect five directors to the Board of Directors.
2. To amend the Company's Articles to increase the amount of the Company's
authorized Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Common Stock"),
from 5,000,000 to 20,000,000 shares.
3. To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the 1997 Equity
Compensation Plan.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
IF YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE
THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID
ENVELOPE.
June 13, 1997 RONALD J. SEMANICK
Easton, Pennsylvania Secretary
<PAGE>
SI HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC.
600 KUEBLER ROAD, EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA 18040
JUNE 13, 1997
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are being mailed on
or about June 13, 1997 to the shareholders of SI Handling Systems, Inc. (the
"Company"). They are being furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of proxies to be voted at the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at the GPU Energy Building, 2121 Sullivan Trail, Easton,
Pennsylvania 18040 on Wednesday, July 16, 1997 at 11:00 a.m., local time, and at
any adjournment thereof. The cost of such solicitation will be borne by the
Company.
Only the shareholders of record at the close of business on May 12, 1997,
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company will be entitled to
vote at the meeting. A shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time by
giving written notice of such revocation to the Secretary of the Company before
it is exercised. A proxy may also be revoked by executing a later proxy or by
attending the meeting and voting in person, provided written notice of such
actions are given to the Secretary of the Company before the enclosed proxy is
exercised.
At the close of business as of the above record date, there were
outstanding and entitled to vote 2,465,678 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
Each holder of shares entitled to vote has the right to one vote for each share
standing in the holder's name on the books of the Company.
The shares represented by each properly executed proxy will be voted in the
manner specified by the shareholder. If instructions are not given, the shares
will be voted in the election of directors as specified below, for adoption of
the amendment of the Company's Articles and for approval of the Company's 1997
Equity Compensation Plan.
Under Pennsylvania law and the Company's Bylaws, the presence, in person or
by proxy, of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that
all shareholders are entitled to cast will constitute a quorum for the purposes
of the Annual Meeting. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at
the meeting. Accordingly, directions to withhold authority will have no effect
on the outcome of the vote. For the adoption of the proposals to amend the
Company's Articles and approve the 1997 Equity Compensation Plan, the
affirmative votes of a majority of the votes cast on the proposals are required.
Abstentions and broker non- votes will be treated as present for purposes of
determining the presence of a quorum. Because directors are elected by a
plurality of votes, abstentions and broker non-votes will not have an impact on
their election. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes
cast and therefore will have no effect on the adoption of the amendment to the
Articles and 1997 Equity Compensation Plan proposals.
2
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of May 12, 1997
(unless otherwise noted) regarding the ownership of Common Stock (i) by each
person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent
of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii) by each director or nominee of the
Company, (iii) by the executive officers of the Company named in the Summary
Compensation Table included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, and (iv) by all
current executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. Unless
otherwise stated, the beneficial owners exercise sole voting and/or investment
power over their shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Right To
Acquire
Number of Ownership
Shares Under Options Phantom
Beneficially Exercisable Percentage Stock
Beneficial Owner Owned Within 60 Days of Class (1) Units (2)
- - ---------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Emerald Advisers, Inc. (3)..... 231,050 - 9.37% -
1857 William Penn Way
Lancaster, PA 17601
Kennedy Capital
Management, Inc. (4)........... 137,875 - 5.59% -
10829 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
Massachusetts Financial
Services Company ("MFS") (5)... 130,100 - 5.28% -
500 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
L. Jack Bradt (6).............. 241,909 - 9.81% -
10 Ivy Court
Easton, PA 18045
Edward J. Fahey................. 5,000 - 2,782
Leonard S. Yurkovic............. 44,856 4,125 1.98% -
Elmer D. Gates.................. - - 677
Michael J. Gausling............. - - 677
William J. Casey................ 2,853 4,225 -
James L. Thatcher............... 12,229 1,525 -
All current directors and
executive officers as a
group (11 persons) (6)...... 322,461 18,825 13.74% 4,136
- - ---------------------------
3
<PAGE>
<FN>
(1) The percentage for each individual, entity or group is based on the
aggregate number of shares outstanding as of May 12, 1997 (2,465,678) and
all shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options held by
each individual or group that are presently exercisable or exercisable
within 60 days after May 12, 1997. Percentages of less than one percent are
not shown.
(2) The Phantom Stock Units represent the investment of deferred directors'
fees in units equivalent to shares of Common Stock of the Company. Benefits
under the SI Handling Systems, Inc. Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan
may be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock of the Company at the
election of the directors upon retirement.
(3) This information is presented in reliance on information disclosed in a
Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February
7, 1997.
(4) This information is presented in reliance on information disclosed in a
Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February
10, 1997.
(5) This information is presented in reliance on information disclosed in a
Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February
12, 1997.
(6) Includes 37,842 shares held by members of Mr. Bradt's immediate family.
Mr. Bradt disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
</FN>
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the meeting, five nominees will stand for election as directors of the
Company to hold office for a period of one year or until their successors have
been elected and qualify.
If the enclosed proxy is duly executed and received in time for the
meeting, it is the intention of the persons named therein to vote the shares
represented thereby for the five persons nominated for election as directors
unless authority is withheld.
If any nominee should refuse or be unable to serve, the proxy will be voted
for such other person as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
Management has no knowledge that any of the nominees will refuse or be unable to
serve.
Information concerning the nominees for election as directors is set forth
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name, Other Positions Or Offices With The Company Director
and Principal Occupation For Past Five Years Since Age
------------------------------------------------- -------- ---
<S> <C> <C>
L. Jack Bradt............................................. 1958 69
Northampton County Human Services Director, former
Entrepreneur in Residence at Lehigh University,
and founder, former CEO and
Chairman of the Board of the Company.
Edward J. Fahey........................................... 1992 68
Chairman of the Board of the Company, former Vice
President of Engineered Systems Company (1989-1993),
manufacturers of aircraft arresting systems
and mid-air recovery equipment.
Elmer D. Gates............................................ 1996 67
Vice Chairman of Fuller Company, a company involved
in the design and manufacture of plants, machinery
and equipment used in the cement, paper, power
and processing industries. (1)
Michael J. Gausling....................................... 1995 39
President, CEO, and founder of STC Technologies, Inc.,
a manufacturer of clinical diagnostic products.
Leonard S. Yurkovic....................................... 1983 59
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
- - -----------------------------
<FN>
(1) Mr. Gates is a director of Pennsylvania Power and Light Company, an
electric utility providing service to various counties in Central Eastern
Pennsylvania, and Vice Chairman and a director of Ambassador Bank. He was
also Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and a director of Birdsboro
Ferrocast, Inc., a steel foundry located in Birdsboro, PA. In 1992,
Birdsboro Ferrocast filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy
Code.
</FN>
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING CERTAIN DIRECTORS
AND COMMITTEES
There are two standing committees of the Board of Directors: the Audit
Committee and the Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with the Company's external
auditors the scope of their annual audit and related fees as well as any other
services provided by them. It reviews with the auditors the results of the audit
and the year-end financial statements and recommends to the Board of Directors
matters related to the selection and engagement of the independent auditors. The
members of the Audit Committee during fiscal year 1997 were Mr. Bradt, Chairman,
and Messrs. Gates and Gausling.
The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors
matters with respect to the remuneration arrangements for officers and directors
of the Company including salaries and other direct compensation and incentive
stock option awards. The members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal
year 1997 were Mr. Gausling, Chairman, and Messrs. Bradt and Gates.
There were two meetings of the Audit Committee and one meeting of the
Compensation Committee during the recently ended fiscal year. The Board of
Directors met five times during the year. Each director attended all of the
meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors on
which he served.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional
remuneration for their services as directors. The Chairman of the Board of
Directors and other non-employee directors receive an annual retainer of $12,000
and $6,000, respectively; a fee of $1,200 for each Board meeting attended; a fee
of $600 or $300 for each special purpose informational meeting depending upon
the type of meeting attended; and a fee of $200 for each Board meeting held by
telephone conference. There are no additional directors' fees paid for serving
on the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors. Directors
are also reimbursed for their customary and usual expenses incurred in attending
Board and Committee Meetings including those for travel, food, and lodging.
The Company permits its directors, at their election, to defer receipt of
payment of directors' fees. During fiscal 1997, $33,600 of directors' fees was
deferred. Deferred directors' fees accrue interest at the prime rate of interest
charged by the Company's principal bank or may be invested in units equivalent
to shares of Common Stock of the Company. During fiscal 1997, distributions
under the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan totaled $14,913.
6
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Securities and Exchange Commission has promulgated regulations
requiring Proxy Statements to contain more detailed and uniform reporting of
executive compensation and an explanation of the philosophy and methods used in
determining executive compensation.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICES
It is the Company's policy to offer internally and externally competitive
compensation opportunities for its employees based on a combination of factors,
including corporate performance and individual contribution to the business
consistent with corporate needs and objectives.
The Compensation Committee of the Company, whose members are identified
above, annually reviews and recommends compensation for the Company's executive
officers to the Board of Directors. The annual compensation review permits an
ongoing evaluation of the link between the Company's performance and its
executive compensation in the context of the compensation programs of other
companies. A significant part of executive officers' compensation is dependent
upon the Company's annual financial performance and return on equity.
There are four basic elements to executive officer compensation: salary,
bonus, auto allowance, and stock options granted at market value vesting over a
period of time, typically four years. The stock option program rewards executive
officers for successful long-term strategic management and enhancement of
shareholder value by providing an opportunity to acquire equity ownership in the
Company stressing both annual and long-term performance and supporting a
performance-oriented environment which allows the Company to attract and retain
qualified management personnel. The Compensation Committee believes equity
ownership in the Company by management aligns the interest of shareholders and
management.
Salaries for executive officers are determined with reference to a position
rate for each officer. The position rates are determined annually by evaluating
the responsibilities of the position and taking into consideration, among other
things, salaries paid to other executives in comparable positions in
comparably-sized companies, levels of experience, and job responsibilities. The
Compensation Committee determines adjustments to executive officer salary based
on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. The salary adjustment
recommendations are based on performance criteria such as financial performance,
strategic decisions, personnel development, individual performance, and
potential of the individual in the job.
The Compensation Committee awards bonuses to the Company's executive
officers pursuant to an existing Executive Officer Incentive Plan. The bonus
amounts for executive officers is at risk and will vary from year to year. The
bonus pool is calculated based on a formula tied principally to the Company's
profitability and return on equity. The pool is allocated by the Compensation
Committee, on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, among the
executive officers, based on a series of factors, including financial
objectives, other business objectives, and assessment of personal contribution.
The financial objectives include a pre-tax earnings target and effective
management of the Company's operations to provide positive cash flow and backlog
adequacy.
The Compensation Committee may grant stock options each year to executive
officers and key employees based on a variety of factors, including the
financial performance of the
7
<PAGE>
Company and an assessment of personal contribution. The options are granted with
an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's Common Stock on the
date of grant, vest over a period of four years, and expire after five years.
The options provide value to the recipients as the price of the Company's stock
appreciates from the date when the options were granted. Historically, stock
options have been granted based on position rate. The size of previous option
grants held by an executive officer are considered in determining annual award
levels. The target is to provide executive officers with equity ownership in the
Company and align closely executive interests with the longer term interests of
shareholders.
CEO COMPENSATION
Salary and Stock Options
- - ------------------------
The Company's most highly compensated officer was Leonard S. Yurkovic,
President and CEO. Mr. Yurkovic's performance was reviewed by the Compensation
Committee and discussed with the Board of Directors and Mr. Yurkovic. The
Compensation Committee determined that a 6.25% increase in the Chief Executive
Officer's base salary for fiscal 1997 and the grant of 9,000 stock options to
him in such year was appropriate in light of the Company's strong balance sheet,
net earnings performance for the fiscal year ended March 3, 1996, backlog
adequacy, his significant role in the Company's operations, and also taking into
consideration salaries paid to other executives in comparable positions in
comparably-sized companies.
Bonus Plan
- - ----------
Fiscal 1997 was a year of several new records for the Company. Orders for
the year reached an all-time high, finishing at approximately $45,000,000 and
producing the highest fiscal year-end backlog in the Company's history, totaling
approximately $31,000,000. Despite lower sales, the Company's net earnings
reached a new annual high for the second consecutive year. These factors
increased the Company's visibility in the investment community and led to an
increase in share price during fiscal 1997 of the Company's Common Stock which
trades on the Nasdaq National Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Compensation Committee granted a bonus of $71,596 pertaining to the
Executive Officer Incentive Plan to Mr. Yurkovic for the fiscal year ended March
2, 1997. The bonus was predicated on the Company achieving its corporate
"performance hurdle" of planned pre-tax earnings, effective management of the
Company's operations to provide positive cash flow, and the attainment of new
records in order intake and the level of fiscal year-end backlog which positions
the Company well for the start of the 1998 fiscal year.
No officer or director of the Company has an employment contract with the
Company.
CONCLUSION
The Company's executive compensation program is designed to link the
performance of management to accomplishing both short and long-term earnings
goals and building shareholder value. The individual elements are understandable
and together provide compensation that is well suited for a Company of our size.
The management team understands the linkage of operating performance and their
own compensation.
The foregoing constitutes the report of the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors for the Company's fiscal year ended March 2, 1997.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: Michael J. Gausling, Chairman
L. Jack Bradt
Elmer D. Gates
8
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION
Set forth below is certain information relating to compensation received by
the Company's "Named Executive Officers" whose total annual salary and bonus for
the fiscal year ended March 2, 1997 exceeded $100,000. No other officer of the
Company received in excess of $100,000 in total annual salary and bonus for
fiscal 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long-Term
Comp.
---------
Fiscal Other Annual Stock All Other
Year Salary Bonus Compensation Options Compensation
Name and Position (1) ($)(2) ($) ($)(3) (#)(4) ($)(5)
- - -------------------- ------ -------- -------- ------------- ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Leonard S. Yurkovic 1997 $158,077 $ 71,596 $4,620 9,000 $11,289
President and Chief 1996 152,885 40,000 4,620 - 0 - 10,462
Executive Officer 1995 150,000 - 0 - 4,200 7,500 5,538
William J. Casey 1997 80,673 47,213 4,620 1,000 5,760
Vice President - 1996 76,193 22,819 4,620 1,200 5,171
Production & 1995 70,040 - 0 - 4,096 4,500 2,802
Assembly
Systems (6)
James L. Thatcher 1997 86,000 34,627 4,620 1,600 6,140
Vice President - 1996 87,654 22,566 4,620 - 0 - 5,999
Manufacturing 1995 86,000 - 0 - 4,200 1,500 3,440
& Assembly
Services and
Customer &
Software Services
- - --------------------------
<FN>
(1) The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest to the last day of
February. The fiscal years ended March 2, 1997, March 3, 1996 and February
26, 1995 were 52, 53, and 52 weeks, respectively.
(2) This column includes employee pre-tax contributions to the Company's 401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan.
(3) This column consists of an auto allowance of $385 per month for the
business usage of personal automobiles. Prior to March 1, 1995 the auto
allowance was $350 per month.
(4) Options become exercisable in increments of 25% on the anniversary date of
the grant. Thus at the end of four years the options are fully exercisable.
Currently, all options have a term of five years. All stock option figures
have been adjusted to reflect stock splits and dividends.
(5) This column includes the amounts expensed for financial reporting purposes
for Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
pertaining to basic, matching, and profit sharing contributions.
(6) Mr. Casey became Vice President - Sales of the Company on March 10, 1994.
His fiscal year 1995 remuneration above represents total compensation for
the entire fiscal year of 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED TO NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS DURING LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth certain information regarding options for
the purchase of the Company's Common Stock that were awarded to the Named
Executive Officers during fiscal 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 2, 1997
------------------------------------------------
Potential
Realizable
Value at Assumed
% of Total Annual Rates
Granted to of Stock Price
Options Employees Exercise Appreciation for
Granted in Fiscal Price Expiration Option Term (2)
----------------
Name (#)(1) Year ($/Share) Date 5%($) 10%($)
- - ------------------- ------- ---------- --------- ---------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Leonard S. Yurkovic 9,000 29.8% $9.50 5/09/01 $23,622 $52,199
William J. Casey 1,000 3.3% 9.50 5/09/01 2,625 5,800
James L. Thatcher 1,600 5.3% 9.50 5/09/01 4,199 9,280
- - --------------------------
<FN>
(1) Options vest in one-quarter increments over the four-year period following
the date of grant, with the first one-quarter of such options vesting on
May 9, 1997.
(2) The potential realizable value portion of the foregoing table illustrates
value that might be realized upon the exercise of the options immediately
prior to the expiration of the term, assuming the specified rates of
appreciation on the Company's Common Stock over the term of the options.
These numbers do not take into account provisions for termination of the
option following termination of employment or vesting over a period of four
years. The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of
calculations at the 5% and 10% rates required by the SEC and, therefore,
are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation of the stock
price.
10
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS EXERCISED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1997 AND HELD BY NAMED EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AS OF MARCH 2, 1997.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding options for
the purchase of the Company's Common Stock that were exercised and/or held by
the Company's Named Executive Officers during fiscal 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 2, 1997
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
Number of Value Of
Shares Covered Unexercised
# of By Unexercised In-The-Money
Shares Options At Options At
Acquired March 2, 1997 March 2, 1997
On Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise Realized Unexercisable Unexercisable
- - ------------------- -------- -------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Leonard S. Yurkovic 9,300 $60,782 0/12,750 $ 0/90,891
William J. Casey 3,403 22,797 2,822/4,150 23,702/33,791
James L. Thatcher 7,191 46,564 750/2,350 6,141/16,841
- - --------------------------
<FN>
(1) With approval from the Compensation Committee, on October 28, 1996, Mr.
Yurkovic delivered 5,016 shares of common stock with a market value of
$14.19 per share to the Company in order to exercise options to obtain
9,300 shares.
(2) With approval from the Compensation Committee, on May 22, 1996, Mr. Casey
delivered 301 shares of common stock with a market value of $10.19 per
share to the Company in order to exercise options to obtain 825 shares.
With approval from the Compensation Committee, on October 28, 1996, Mr.
Casey delivered 1,348 shares of common stock with a market value of $14.19
per share to the Company in order to exercise options to obtain 2,578
shares.
(3) With approval from the Compensation Committee, on May 22, 1996, Mr.
Thatcher delivered 2,621 shares of common stock with a market value of
$10.19 per share to the Company in order to exercise options to obtain
7,191 shares.
</FN>
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART
The following graph illustrates the cumulative total shareholder return on
the Company's (SIHS) Common Stock during the five fiscal years ended March 2,
1997 with comparison to the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Stock Market -
US Index and a Peer Group of Construction and Related Machinery Companies [SIC
Code 353]. This comparison assumes $100 was invested on February 28, 1992 in the
Company's Common Stock and in each of the foregoing indexes and assumes
reinvestment of dividends.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED - PERFORMANCE CHART]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
2/28/92 2/26/93 2/25/94 2/24/95 3/01/96 2/28/97
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SI Handling Systems, Inc. 100 70 113 81 90 225
(1) Peer Group - SIC Code 353 100 104 123 115 192 294
Nasdaq Stock Market -
US Index 100 105 122 125 176 212
- - --------------------------
<FN>
(1) The Peer Group of Construction and Related Machinery Companies [SIC Code
353] from the 1997 Nasdaq Fact Book & Company Directory includes: A.S.V.,
Inc., Dreco Energy Services Ltd., ERC Industries, Inc., Gardner Denver
Machinery Inc., Lufkin Industries, Inc., Bucyrus International, Inc.,
Champion Road Machinery, LTD., Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Tesco
Corporation, Quipp, Inc., The Raymond Corporation, Rexworks Inc., and SI
Handling Systems, Inc. The total returns of each member of the Peer Group
were determined in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission
regulations; i.e., weighted according to each such issuer's stock market
capitalization.
</FN>
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES
The Board of Directors has approved and recommended for submission to the
shareholders an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Articles which
would increase the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock authorized for
issuance from 5,000,000 to 20,000,000. The proposed amendment would amend the
first paragraph of Section 4 of the Articles to increase the total number of
shares which the Company is authorized to issue to 20,000,000 shares of Common
Stock. The proposal reads as follows:
"RESOLVED, that Section 4 of the Articles of the Company be amended to read
as follows:
'The authorized capital stock of this corporation shall be twenty million
shares of common stock par value $1.00 per share.'"
The Board of Directors recommends the proposed increase in the number of
shares of authorized Common Stock to ensure that Common Stock will be available
as needed for issuance in connection with stock splits, stock dividends or other
distributions, raising additional capital, completing acquisitions and for other
corporate purposes. The amendment will not be effective unless and until
shareholder approval is obtained.
If the recommended amendment to the Articles is approved, the Board of
Directors will have the authority to issue the additional shares of authorized
Common Stock or any part thereof without further action by the shareholders
except as required by applicable laws or regulations. The Board believes that
the availability of the additional shares of Common Stock for the purposes
stated without delay or the necessity for a special shareholders' meeting would
be beneficial to the Company.
The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock in certain transactions and
under certain circumstances could have the effect of discouraging an unfriendly
attempt to acquire control of the Company. For example, additional shares of
Common Stock could be sold to persons, groups or entities known to be favorable
to management or the Board of Directors. The issuance of additional shares of
Common Stock directly or as part of a so-called shareholders rights plan (which
the Company does not presently have), could also be used to dilute the stock
ownership of a person or entity seeking to obtain control of the Company should
the Board of Directors consider the action of such person or entity not to be in
the best interest of the shareholders and the Company. The Board of Directors is
not aware of any present effort by any person or entity to accumulate the
Company's securities or to obtain control of the Company.
Except as referred to above and as set forth below, the Company does not now
contemplate any such transaction, or have any commitments, arrangements or
understandings which would require the issuance of additional shares of Common
Stock. As of May 12, 1997, 2,465,678 shares of Common Stock were issued and
outstanding. An additional 67,950 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for
issuance pursuant to options outstanding at such date. The shareholders are also
being asked to approve at the Annual Meeting the authorization of 275,000 shares
that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 1997 Equity Compensation
Plan. See "Proposal to Approve the 1997 Equity Compensation Plan."
Each additional share of Common Stock authorized by the proposed amendment
will have the same rights and privileges as each share of Common Stock currently
authorized or outstanding. Shareholders will have no preemptive rights to
receive or purchase any of the Common Stock authorized by this proposed
amendment.
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<PAGE>
Required Vote of Shareholders
- - -----------------------------
The favorable vote of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal is
required for approval of the amendment. As soon as practicable after such
affirmative vote has been taken, the amendment will be filed with the Secretary
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES.
--------------------------------------------------------------
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE
1997 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
PROPOSAL
At the Annual Meeting, there will be presented to shareholders a proposal to
approve the SI Handling Systems, Inc. 1997 Equity Compensation Plan (the
"Plan"). The Board of Directors has adopted the Plan subject to shareholder
approval. The Board of Directors believes the Plan will help the Company
attract, retain and motivate employees, directors and key advisors, and will
encourage participants to devote their best efforts to the business and
financial success of the Company. The Board believes that, by providing
employees, directors and key advisors with the opportunity to acquire an equity
interest in the Company, stock options and other stock-based compensation will
serve to align their interests closely with other shareholders. The principal
terms of the Plan are discussed below.
THE PLAN IS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT A TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THE DESCRIPTION
OF THE PLAN CONTAINED HEREIN IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
EXHIBIT A.
DESCRIPTION OF THE 1997 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
The Plan provides for grants of stock options, restricted stock and stock
appreciation rights to selected employees (including employees who are also
directors) of the Company or its subsidiaries, key advisors (including
consultants) who perform valuable services to the Company or its subsidiaries
and non-employee directors of the Company. In addition, the Plan provides for
grants of performance units to employees and key advisors. Grants of stock
options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and performance units are
referred to collectively as "Grants." The Company intends to file a registration
statement on Form S-8 to register the shares of Common Stock issuable under the
Plan if the Plan is approved by the shareholders.
General. Subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as discussed below
and to shareholder approval of the Plan, the Plan authorizes up to 275,000
shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the terms of the Plan. If and to
the extent Grants under the Plan expire or are terminated for any reason without
being exercised, or the shares subject to a Grant are forfeited, the shares of
Common Stock subject to such Grant again will be available for grant under the
Plan.
Administration of the Plan. The Plan is administered and interpreted by a
committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors consisting of not less
than two persons appointed by the Board of Directors from among its members,
each of whom may be a "non-employee
14
<PAGE>
director" as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
an "outside director" as defined by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Committee has the authority to determine
(i) the persons to whom Grants may be made under the Plan, (ii) the type, size
and other terms and conditions of each Grant, (iii) the time when the Grants
will be made and the duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period,
including the criteria for vesting and the acceleration of vesting, and (iv) any
other matters arising under the Plan. The Committee has full power and authority
to administer and interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations and to
adopt or amend such rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for
implementing the Plan and for conduct of its business as it deems necessary or
advisable, in its sole discretion. The members of the Compensation Committee
currently serve as this Committee. See "Election of Directors--Additional
Information Concerning Certain Directors and Committees." Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Board of Directors may ratify or approve Grants, in which case
references to the "Committee" shall be deemed to include the Board of Directors.
Grants. Grants under the Plan may consist of (i) options intended to qualify
as incentive stock options ("ISOs") within the meaning of section 422 of the
Code, (ii) nonqualified stock options that are not intended to so qualify
("NQSOs"), (i) restricted stock, (ii) stock appreciation rights ("SARs") or
(iii) performance units.
Eligibility for Participation. Grants may be made to any employees (including
officers and directors) of, or key advisors (including consultants) to, the
Company or its subsidiaries and to non-employee directors of the Company. If the
Plan is approved by the shareholders, it is anticipated that, as of the
effective date, approximately 25 employees and 5 directors (including 4
non-employee directors) will be eligible for Grants under the Plan. During any
fiscal year, no participant may receive Grants under the Plan for more than
100,000 shares of Common Stock.
Options. The exercise price of any ISO granted under the Plan will not be
less than the fair market value of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the
date of grant, except that the exercise price of an ISO granted to an employee
who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the
stock of the Company or its subsidiaries may not be less than 110% of the fair
market value of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the date of grant. The
exercise price of an NQSO may be greater than, equal to or less than the fair
market value of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the date of grant. The
Committee will determine the term of each Option; provided, however, that the
exercise period may not exceed ten years from the date of grant, and the
exercise period of an ISO granted to an employee who owns more than 10% of the
total voting power of all outstanding stock of the Company or its subsidiaries
may not exceed five years from the date of grant. A participant may pay the
exercise price (i) in cash, (ii) with the approval of the Committee, by
delivering shares of Common Stock owned by the participant and having a fair
market value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price or (iii) by any
other method approved by the Committee. The Committee may permit a participant
to instruct the Company to deliver the shares of Common Stock due upon the
exercise to a designated broker instead of to the participant.
Restricted Stock. The Committee may issue shares of Common Stock to
participants pursuant to the Plan. Shares may be issued for cash consideration
or for no cash consideration, as the Committee determines. The number of shares
of Common Stock granted to each participant shall be determined by the
Committee, subject to the maximum limit described above. Grants of restricted
stock will be made subject to such performance requirements, vesting provisions,
transfer restrictions or other restrictions and conditions as the Committee may
determine.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant SARs alone or in tandem
with any stock option pursuant to the Plan. Unless the Committee determines
otherwise, the base price of an SAR will be the exercise price of the related
stock option or, if there is no related option, the fair market value of a share
of Common Stock on the date of grant of the SAR. When the
15
<PAGE>
participant exercises an SAR, the participant will receive the amount by which
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise exceeds the
base price of the SAR. The Committee shall determine whether the appreciation
will be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of the
two. To the extent a participant exercises a tandem SAR, the related option
shall terminate. Similarly, upon exercise of a stock option, the related SAR, if
any, shall terminate.
Performance Units. The Committee may grant performance units to employees or
key advisors. Performance units may be payable in cash or shares of Common Stock
at the end of a specified performance period. Payment will be contingent upon
achieving performance goals by the end of the performance period. The measure of
a performance unit may be based on the fair market value of a share of Common
Stock or such other measurement base as the Committee may determine. The
Committee will determine the performance criteria, the length of the performance
period, the maximum payment value of an award, and the minimum performance goals
required before payment will be made.
Section 162(m). Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company may be
precluded from claiming a federal income tax deduction for total remuneration in
excess of $1,000,000 paid to the chief executive officer or to any of the other
four most highly compensated officers in any one year. Total remuneration
includes amounts received upon the exercise of stock options granted under the
Plan and the value of shares received when the shares of restricted stock became
transferable (or such other time when income is recognized). An exception
exists, however, for "qualified performance-based compensation." The Plan is
intended to allow Grants to meet the requirements of "qualified
performance-based compensation."
Stock options and SARs should generally meet the requirements of "qualified
performance-based compensation," if the exercise price is at least equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and if the Committee
meets the Section 162(m) requirements. The Committee may grant performance units
and restricted stock that are intended to be "qualified performance-based
compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code. In that event, the Committee
shall establish in writing the objective performance goals that must be met and
other conditions of the award before the beginning of the performance period or
during a period permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code. The performance goals
may relate to the employee's business unit or the performance of the Company and
its subsidiaries as a whole, or any combination of the two. The Committee shall
use objectively determinable performance goals based on one or more of the
following criteria: stock price, earnings per share, net earnings, operating
earnings, return on assets, shareholder return, return on equity, growth in
assets, unit volume, sales, market share, or strategic business criteria
consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified revenue goals,
market penetration goals, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets or
goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures. The Committee shall not have
discretion to increase the amount of compensation that is payable upon
achievement of performance goals. If restricted stock or performance units
measured with respect to the fair market value of Common Stock are granted as
"qualified performance-based compensation," not more than 100,000 shares of
stock may be granted to an employee under the performance units or restricted
stock for any year of a performance period. If performance units are measured
with respect to other criteria, the maximum amount that may be paid to an
employee with respect to each year of a performance period is $200,000. At the
end of each performance period, the Committee shall certify the results of the
performance goals and the extent to which the performance goals have been met.
Transferability. Grants are generally not transferable by the participant,
except in the event of death. However, the Committee may grant NQSOs that allow
the participant to transfer the NQSOs on such terms as the Committee deems
appropriate.
16
<PAGE>
Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board of Directors may amend or
terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that the Board of Directors
may not, without shareholder approval, make any amendment that requires
shareholder approval pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code. The Plan will
terminate on the date immediately preceding the tenth anniversary of its
effective date, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors or extended
by the Board of Directors with approval of the shareholders.
Adjustment Provisions. In the event of certain transactions identified in the
Plan, the Committee may appropriately adjust: (i) the maximum number of shares
of Common Stock available for Grants and the individual share limits, (ii) the
number of shares covered by outstanding Grants, (iii) the kind of shares issued
under the Plan and (iv) the price per share or market value of Grants, and such
adjustments shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.
Change of Control of the Company. In the event of a change of control, unless
the Committee determines otherwise, all options, restricted stock and SARs will
become fully vested, and grantees holding performance units will receive payment
in settlement of the units based on the target payment for the performance
period and the portion of the performance period that precedes the change of
control.
A change of control shall occur if (i) any person becomes a beneficial owner
of more than 50% of the voting power of the Company's securities, (ii) a
liquidation or a sale of substantially all the Company's assets occurs, (iii)
the Company merges or consolidates with any other corporation where the
shareholders of the Company immediately before the transaction will not own more
than 50% of the voting power of all securities of the Company immediately after
the merger, or (iv) after the Plan is approved by the shareholders, directors
are elected such that a majority of the members of the Board shall have been
members of the Board for less than two years, unless the election or nomination
of each new director who is not a director at the beginning of the two year
period was approved by vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in
office who were directors at the beginning of such period.
Federal Income Tax Consequences: The current federal income tax treatment of
Grants under the Plan is generally described below. Local and state tax
authorities may also tax incentive compensation awarded under the Plan, and tax
laws are subject to change. Participants are urged to consult with their
personal tax advisors concerning the application of the general principles
discussed below to their own situations and the application of state and local
tax laws.
There are no federal income tax consequences to a participant or to the
Company upon the grant of an NQSO under the Plan. Upon the exercise of an NQSO,
a participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to
the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over
the exercise price of the NQSO, and the Company generally will be entitled to a
corresponding federal income tax deduction. Upon the sale of shares acquired by
the exercise of an NQSO, a participant will have a capital gain or loss
(long-term or short-term depending upon the length of time the shares were held)
in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale
and the participant's adjusted tax basis in the shares (the exercise price plus
the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant at the time of
exercise of the NQSO).
A participant who is granted an ISO will not recognize taxable income for
purposes of the regular income tax, upon either the grant or exercise of the
ISO. However, for purposes of the alternative minimum tax imposed under the
Code, in the year in which an ISO is exercised, the amount by which the fair
market value of the shares acquired upon exercise exceeds the exercise price
will be treated as an item of adjustment and included in the computation of the
recipient's alternative minimum taxable income in the year of exercise. A
participant who disposes of the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO after
two years from the date the ISO was granted and after one year from the date
such shares were transferred to him or her upon
17
<PAGE>
exercise of the ISO will recognize long-term capital gain or loss in the amount
of the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the exercise price
(or the participant's other tax basis in the shares), and the Company will not
be entitled to any tax deduction by reason of the grant or exercise of the ISO.
As a general rule, if a participant disposes of the shares acquired upon
exercise of an ISO before satisfying both holding period requirements (a
"disqualifying disposition"), his or her gain recognized on such a disposition
will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of the difference between the
fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price,
and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in that amount. The gain, if
any, in excess of the amount recognized as ordinary income on such a
disqualifying disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain,
depending upon the length of time the participant held his or her shares prior
to the disposition.
A participant normally will not recognize taxable income upon receiving
restricted stock, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction, until
such stock is transferable by the participant or no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture for federal tax purposes, whichever occurs
earlier. When the stock is either transferable or is no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant will recognize ordinary
compensation income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares
(less any amounts paid for such shares) at that time, and the Company will be
entitled to a deduction in the same amount. A participant may, however, elect to
recognize ordinary compensation income in the year the restricted stock is
awarded in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares subject to the
restricted stock Grant (less any amounts paid for such shares) at that time,
determined without regard to the restrictions. In such event, the Company
generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the same year. Any
gain or loss recognized by the participant upon subsequent disposition of the
shares will be capital gain or loss.
There are no federal income tax consequences to a participant or to the
Company upon the grant of an SAR under the Plan. Upon the exercise of an SAR, if
the participant receives the appreciation inherent in the SAR in cash, the
participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to
the cash received. If the participant receives the appreciation in shares, the
participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to
the fair market value of the shares received. The Company generally will be
entitled to a corresponding federal income tax deduction at the time of the
exercise of the SAR. Upon the sale of any shares acquired by the exercise of an
SAR, a participant will have a capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term
depending upon the length of time the shares were held) in an amount equal to
the difference between the amount realized upon the sale and the participant's
adjusted tax basis in the shares (the amount of ordinary income recognized by
the participant at the time of exercise of the SAR).
There are no federal income tax consequences to a participant or to the
Company upon the grant of performance units under the Plan. If the participant
receives payment of the performance units in cash, the participant will
recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the cash received.
If the participant receives payment of the performance units in shares, the
participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to
the fair market value of the shares received. The Company generally will be
entitled to a corresponding federal income tax deduction at the time of the
payment of the performance units. Upon the sale of any shares acquired upon
payment of the performance units, a participant will have a capital gain or loss
(long-term or short-term depending upon the length of time the shares were held)
in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale
and the participant's adjusted tax basis in the shares (the amount of ordinary
income recognized by the participant at the time of the payment of the
performance units).
The Company's income tax deduction in any of the foregoing cases may be
limited by the $1,000,000 limit of Section 162(m) of the Code if the Grant does
not qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m)
of the Code (see "Section 162(m)" above).
18
<PAGE>
Tax Withholding. The Company has the right to deduct from all Grants paid in
cash or from other wages paid to an employee of the Company, any federal, state
or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to Grants, and the
participant or other person receiving shares under the Plan will be required to
pay to the Company the amount of any such taxes which the Company is required to
withhold with respect to such shares. A participant may elect to satisfy the
Company's income tax withholding obligation by withholding shares received from
the exercise of a stock option or a restricted stock or performance unit Grant.
The shares withheld may not exceed the participant's maximum marginal tax rate
for federal, state and local tax liabilities.
Plan Benefits. Because Grants will be made from time to time by the Committee
to those persons whom the Committee determines in its discretion should receive
Grants, the benefits and amounts that may be received in the future by persons
eligible to participate in the Plan are not presently determinable. As of May
12, 1997, the closing market price of the Company's Common Stock as traded on
the Nasdaq National Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market was $18.25.
Required Vote of Shareholders
- - -----------------------------
The favorable vote of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal is
required for approval of the Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE 1997
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN.
--------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Company's independent public accountants beginning in 1968 and
thereafter have been KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, and such firm is expected to be the
Company's independent auditors for the current year. Representatives of that
firm are expected to be present at the shareholders' meeting and available for
questions and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they so
desire.
1998 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Appropriate shareholder proposals which are intended to be presented at the
1998 Annual Shareholders' Meeting must be received by the Company no later than
February 13, 1998, in order to be included in the 1998 proxy materials.
19
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
Georgeson & Company, Inc., Wall Street Plaza, New York, New York has been
employed to solicit proxies by mail, telephone, telegraph, telefax or by
personal solicitation for a fee of approximately $6,000 plus expenses. The
Company may also pay brokers, nominees, fiduciaries, or other custodians for
their reasonable expenses in sending proxy materials to, and obtaining
instructions from, persons for whom they hold stock of the Company. The Company
expects to solicit proxies primarily by mail, but directors, officers, and
regular employees of the Company may also solicit in person, by telephone,
telegraph, or telefax.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, management has no knowledge of any
matters to be presented at the meeting other than those referred to above. If
any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the
accompanying form of proxy intend to vote such proxy in accordance with their
best judgement.
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE, ON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY
SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 2, 1997. REQUESTS SHOULD
BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY, 600 KUEBLER ROAD, EASTON,
PENNSYLVANIA 18040.
20
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
SI HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC.
1997 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
The purpose of the SI Handling Systems, Inc. 1997 Equity Compensation Plan
(the "Plan") is to provide (i) designated employees of SI Handling Systems, Inc.
(the "Company") and its subsidiaries, (ii) certain Key Advisors and advisors who
perform services for the Company or its subsidiaries and (iii) non-employee
members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") with the
opportunity to receive grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock
options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance units. The
Company believes that the Plan will encourage the participants to contribute
materially to the growth of the Company, thereby benefitting the Company's
shareholders, and will align the economic interests of the participants with
those of the shareholders.
1. ADMINISTRATION
--------------
(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by a
---------
committee appointed by the Board (the "Committee"). The Committee shall consist
of two or more persons appointed by the Board, all of whom may be "outside
directors" as defined under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code") and related Treasury regulations, and "non-employee
directors" as defined under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). However, notwithstanding anything in the
Plan to the contrary, the Board may ratify or approve any grants under the Plan.
In that event, references in the Plan to the "Committee" shall be deemed to
include the Board.
(b) Committee Authority. The Committee shall have the sole authority to (i)
-------------------
determine the individuals to whom grants shall be made under the Plan, (ii)
determine the type, size and terms of the grants to be made to each such
individual, (iii) determine the time when the grants will be made and the
duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the
criteria for exercisability and the acceleration of exercisability and (iv) deal
with any other matters arising under the Plan.
(c) Committee Determinations. The Committee shall have full power and
-------------------------
authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations
and to adopt or amend such rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for
implementing the Plan and for the conduct of its business as it deems necessary
or advisable, in its sole discretion. The Committee's interpretations of the
Plan and all determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested
in it hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having any
interest in the Plan or in any awards granted hereunder. All powers of the
Committee shall be executed in its sole discretion, in the best interest of the
Company, not as a fiduciary, and in keeping with the objectives of the Plan and
need not be uniform as to similarly situated individuals.
2. GRANTS
------
Awards under the Plan may consist of grants of incentive stock options as
described in Section 5 ("Incentive Stock Options"), nonqualified stock options
as described in Section 5 ("Nonqualified Stock Options")(Incentive Stock Options
and Nonqualified Stock Options are collectively referred to as "Options"),
restricted stock as described in Section 6 (Restricted Stock"), stock
appreciation rights as described in Section 7 ("SARs"), and performance units as
described in Section 8 ("Performance Units") (hereinafter collectively referred
to as "Grants"). All Grants shall be subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein and to such
A-1
<PAGE>
other terms and conditions consistent with this Plan as the Committee deems
appropriate and as are specified in writing by the Committee to the individual
in a grant instrument (the "Grant Instrument") or an amendment to the Grant
Instrument. The Committee shall approve the form and provisions of each Grant
Instrument. Grants under a particular Section of the Plan need not be uniform as
among the grantees.
3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
--------------------------
(a) Shares Authorized. Subject to the adjustment specified below, the
------------------
aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company ("Company Stock") that
may be issued or transferred under the Plan is 275,000 shares. The maximum
aggregate number of shares of Company Stock that shall be subject to Grants made
under the Plan to any individual during any fiscal year shall be 100,000 shares.
The shares may be authorized but unissued shares of Company Stock or reacquired
shares of Company Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open
market for purposes of the Plan. If and to the extent Options or SARs granted
under the Plan terminate, expire, or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged or
surrendered without having been exercised or if any shares of Restricted Stock
or Performance Units are forfeited, the shares subject to such Grants shall
again be available for purposes of the Plan.
(b) Adjustments. If there is any change in the number or kind of shares of
-----------
Company Stock outstanding (i) by reason of a stock dividend, spinoff,
recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares, (ii) by
reason of a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the Company is the
surviving corporation, (iii) by reason of a reclassification or change in par
value, or (iv) by reason of any other extraordinary or unusual event affecting
the outstanding Company Stock as a class without the Company's receipt of
consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of Company Stock is
substantially reduced as a result of a spinoff or the Company's payment of an
extraordinary dividend or distribution, the maximum number of shares of Company
Stock available for Grants, the maximum number of shares of Company Stock that
any individual participating in the Plan may be granted in any year, the number
of shares covered by outstanding Grants, the kind of shares issued under the
Plan, and the price per share or the applicable market value of such Grants may
be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to reflect any increase or decrease
in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, issued shares of Company
Stock to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or dilution of
rights and benefits under such Grants; provided, however, that any fractional
shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated. Any adjustments
determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive.
4. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION
-----------------------------
(a) Eligible Persons. All employees of the Company and its subsidiaries
-----------------
("Employees"), including Employees who are officers or members of the Board, and
all members of the Board who are not Employees ("Non-Employee Directors") shall
be eligible to participate in the Plan. Key Advisors and consultants who perform
services to the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Key Advisors") shall be
eligible to participate in the Plan if the Key Advisors render bona fide
services and such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of
securities in a capital-raising transaction.
(b) Selection of Grantees. The Committee shall select the Employees,
----------------------
Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors to receive Grants and shall determine
the number of shares of Company Stock subject to a particular Grant in such
manner as the Committee determines. Employees, Key Advisors and Non-Employee
Directors who receive Grants under this Plan shall hereinafter be referred to as
"Grantees".
A-2
<PAGE>
5. GRANTING OF OPTIONS
-------------------
(a) Number of Shares. The Committee shall determine the number of shares of
----------------
Company Stock that will be subject to each Grant of Options to Employees,
Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.
(b) Type of Option and Price.
------------------------
(i) The Committee may grant Incentive Stock Options that are intended
to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of section 422 of the
Code or Nonqualified Stock Options that are not intended so to qualify or any
combination of Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options, all in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein. Incentive Stock
Options may be granted only to Employees. Nonqualified Stock Options may be
granted to Employees, Non-Employee Directors and Key Advisors.
(ii) The purchase price (the "Exercise Price") of Company Stock subject
to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and may be equal to, greater
than, or less than the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of a share of
Company Stock on the date the Option is granted; provided, however, that (x) the
Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be equal to, or greater than,
the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock on the date the Incentive
Stock Option is granted and (y) an Incentive Stock Option may not be granted to
an Employee who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10
percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company, unless the Exercise Price
per share is not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of Company Stock on the
date of grant.
(iii) If the Company Stock is publicly traded, then the Fair Market
Value per share shall be determined as follows: (x) if the principal trading
market for the Company Stock is a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq
National Market, the last reported sale price thereof on the relevant date or
(if there were no trades on that date) the latest preceding date upon which a
sale was reported, or (y) if the Company Stock is not principally traded on such
exchange or market, the mean between the last reported "bid" and "asked" prices
of Company Stock on the relevant date, as reported on Nasdaq or, if not so
reported, as reported by the National Daily Quotation Bureau, Inc. or as
reported in a customary financial reporting service, as applicable and as the
Committee determines. If the Company Stock is not publicly traded or, if
publicly traded, is not subject to reported transactions or "bid" or "asked"
quotations as set forth above, the Fair Market Value per share shall be as
determined by the Committee.
(c) Option Term. The Committee shall determine the term of each Option. The
-----------
term of any Option shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. However,
an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to an Employee who, at the time of
grant, owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company, or any parent or subsidiary of the
Company, may not have a term that exceeds five years from the date of grant.
(d) Exercisability of Options. Options shall become exercisable in
---------------------------
accordance with such terms and conditions, consistent with the Plan, as may be
determined by the Committee and specified in the Grant Instrument or an
amendment to the Grant Instrument. The Committee may accelerate the
exercisability of any or all outstanding Options at any time for any reason.
(e) Termination of Employment, Disability or Death.
----------------------------------------------
(i) Except as provided below, an Option may only be exercised while the
Grantee is employed by the Company as an Employee, Key Advisor or member of the
Board. In the event that a Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company for any
reason other than a "disability", death, or "termination for cause", any Option
which is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised
within 90 days after the date on which the Grantee
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ceases to be employed by the Company (or within such other period of time as may
be specified by the Committee), but in any event no later than the date of
expiration of the Option term. Any of the Grantee's Options that are not
otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed
by the Company shall terminate as of such date.
(ii) In the event the Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company on
account of a "termination for cause" by the Company, any Option held by the
Grantee shall terminate as of the date the Grantee ceases to be employed by the
Company.
(iii)In the event the Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company
because the Grantee is "disabled", any Option which is otherwise exercisable by
the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one year after the date on
which the Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company (or within such other
period of time as may be specified by the Committee), but in any event no later
than the date of expiration of the Option term. Any of the Grantee's Options
which are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee ceases
to be employed by the Company shall terminate as of such date.
(iv) If the Grantee dies while employed by the Company or within 90
days after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed on account of a
termination of employment specified in Section 5(e)(i) above (or within such
other period of time as may be specified by the Committee), any Option that is
otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within one
year after the date on which the Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company
(or within such other period of time as may be specified by the Committee), but
in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Any of the
Grantee's Options that are not otherwise exercisable as of the date on which the
Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company shall terminate as of such date.
(v) For purposes of this Section 5(e) and Sections 6, 7 and 8:
(A) The term "Company" shall mean the Company and its parent and
subsidiary corporations.
(B) "Employed by the Company" shall mean employment or service as
an Employee, Key Advisor or member of the Board (so that, for purposes of
exercising Options and SARs and satisfying conditions with respect to
Restricted Stock and Performance Units, a Grantee shall not be considered
to have terminated employment or service until the Grantee ceases to be an
Employee, Key Advisor and member of the Board), unless the Committee
determines otherwise.
(C) "Disability" shall mean a Grantee's becoming disabled within
the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(D) "Termination for cause" shall mean, except to the extent
specified otherwise by the Committee, a finding by the Committee that the
Grantee has breached his or her employment or service contract with the
Company, or has been engaged in disloyalty to the Company, including,
without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or
proven dishonesty in the course of his or her employment or service, or has
disclosed trade secrets or confidential information of the Company to
persons not entitled to receive such information. In the event a Grantee's
employment is terminated for cause, in addition to the immediate
termination of all Grants, the Grantee shall automatically forfeit all
shares underlying any exercised portion of an Option for which the Company
has not yet delivered the share certificates, upon refund by the Company of
the Exercise Price paid by the Grantee for such shares.
(f) Exercise of Options. A Grantee may exercise an Option that has become
-------------------
exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a notice of exercise to the
Company with payment of the Exercise Price. The Grantee shall pay the Exercise
Price for an Option as specified by the
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Committee (x) in cash, (y) with the approval of the Committee, by delivering
shares of Company Stock owned by the Grantee (including Company Stock acquired
in connection with the exercise of an Option, subject to such restrictions as
the Committee deems appropriate) and having a Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise equal to the Exercise Price or (z) by such other method as the
Committee may approve, including payment through a broker in accordance with
procedures permitted by Regulation T of the Federal Reserve Board. Shares of
Company Stock used to exercise an Option shall have been held by the Grantee for
the requisite period of time to avoid adverse accounting consequences to the
Company with respect to the Option. The Grantee shall pay the Exercise Price and
the amount of any withholding tax due (pursuant to Section 10) at the time of
exercise.
(g) Limits on Incentive Stock Options. Each Incentive Stock Option shall
---------------------------------
provide that, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the stock on the date of the
grant with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the
first time by a Grantee during any calendar year, under the Plan or any other
stock option plan of the Company or a parent or subsidiary, exceeds $100,000,
then the option, as to the excess, shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock
Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to any person who is not
an Employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary (within the meaning of
section 424(f) of the Code).
6. RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS
-----------------------
The Committee may issue or transfer shares of Company Stock to an Employee,
Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor under a Grant of Restricted Stock, upon
such terms as the Committee deems appropriate. The following provisions are
applicable to Restricted Stock:
(a) General Requirements. Shares of Company Stock issued or transferred
---------------------
pursuant to Restricted Stock Grants may be issued or transferred for
consideration or for no consideration, as determined by the Committee. The
Committee may establish conditions under which restrictions on shares of
Restricted Stock shall lapse over a period of time or according to such other
criteria as the Committee deems appropriate. The period of time during which the
Restricted Stock will remain subject to restrictions will be designated in the
Grant Instrument as the "Restriction Period."
(b) Number of Shares. The Committee shall determine the number of shares of
----------------
Company Stock to be issued or transferred pursuant to a Restricted Stock Grant
and the restrictions applicable to such shares.
(c) Requirement of Employment. If the Grantee ceases to be employed by the
-------------------------
Company (as defined in Section 5(e)) during a period designated in the Grant
Instrument as the Restriction Period, or if other specified conditions are not
met, the Restricted Stock Grant shall terminate as to all shares covered by the
Grant as to which the restrictions have not lapsed, and those shares of Company
Stock must be immediately returned to the Company. The Committee may, however,
provide for complete or partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems
appropriate.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer and Legend on Stock Certificate. During the
---------------------------------------------------------
Restriction Period, a Grantee may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge or
otherwise dispose of the shares of Restricted Stock except to a Successor
Grantee under Section 11(a). Each certificate for a share of Restricted Stock
shall contain a legend giving appropriate notice of the restrictions in the
Grant. The Grantee shall be entitled to have the legend removed from the stock
certificate covering the shares subject to restrictions when all restrictions on
such shares have lapsed. The Committee may determine that the Company will not
issue certificates for shares of Restricted Stock until all restrictions on such
shares have lapsed, or that the Company will retain possession of certificates
for shares of Restricted Stock until all restrictions on such shares have
lapsed.
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<PAGE>
(e) Right to Vote and to Receive Dividends. Unless the Committee determines
otherwise, during the Restriction Period, the Grantee shall have the right to
vote shares of Restricted Stock and to receive any dividends or other
distributions paid on such shares, subject to any restrictions deemed
appropriate by the Committee.
(f) Lapse of Restrictions. All restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock
shall lapse upon the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period and the
satisfaction of all conditions imposed by the Committee. The Committee may
determine, as to any or all Restricted Stock Grants, that the restrictions shall
lapse without regard to any Restriction Period.
7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
-------------------------
(a) General Requirements. The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights
--------------------
("SARs") to an Employee, Non-Employee Director or Key Advisor separately or in
tandem with any Option (for all or a portion of the applicable Option). Tandem
SARs may be granted either at the time the Option is granted or at any time
thereafter while the Option remains outstanding; provided, however, that, in the
case of an Incentive Stock Option, SARs may be granted only at the time of the
Grant of the Incentive Stock Option. The Committee shall establish the base
amount of the SAR at the time the SAR is granted. Unless the Committee
determines otherwise, the base amount of each SAR shall be equal to the per
share Exercise Price of the related Option or, if there is no related Option,
the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock as of the date of Grant of the
SAR.
(b) Tandem SARs. In the case of tandem SARs, the number of SARs granted to
-----------
a Grantee that shall be exercisable during a specified period shall not exceed
the number of shares of Company Stock that the Grantee may purchase upon the
exercise of the related Option during such period. Upon the exercise of an
Option, the SARs relating to the Company Stock covered by such Option shall
terminate. Upon the exercise of SARs, the related Option shall terminate to the
extent of an equal number of shares of Company Stock.
(c) Exercisability. An SAR shall be exercisable during the period specified
--------------
by the Committee in the Grant Instrument and shall be subject to such vesting
and other restrictions as may be specified in the Grant Instrument. The
Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding SARs at
any time for any reason. SARs may only be exercised while the Grantee is
employed by the Company or during the applicable period after termination of
employment as described in Section 5(e). A tandem SAR shall be exercisable only
during the period when the Option to which it is related is also exercisable.
(d) Value of SARs. When a Grantee exercises SARs, the Grantee shall receive
-------------
in settlement of such SARs an amount equal to the value of the stock
appreciation for the number of SARs exercised, payable in cash, Company Stock or
a combination thereof. The stock appreciation for an SAR is the amount by which
the Fair Market Value of the underlying Company Stock on the date of exercise of
the SAR exceeds the base amount of the SAR as described in Subsection (a).
(e) Form of Payment. The Committee shall determine whether the appreciation
---------------
in an SAR shall be paid in the form of cash, shares of Company Stock, or a
combination of the two, in such proportion as the Committee deems appropriate.
For purposes of calculating the number of shares of Company Stock to be
received, shares of Company Stock shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on
the date of exercise of the SAR. If shares of Company Stock are to be received
upon exercise of an SAR, cash shall be delivered in lieu of any fractional
share.
8. PERFORMANCE UNITS
-----------------
(a) General Requirements. The Committee may grant Performance Units to an
---------------------
Employee or Key Advisor. Each Performance Unit shall represent the right of the
Grantee to A-1
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<PAGE>
receive an amount based on the value of the Performance Unit, if performance
goals established by the Committee are met. A Performance Unit shall be based on
the Fair Market Value of a share of Company Stock or on such other measurement
base as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee shall determine the
number of Performance Units to be granted and the requirements applicable to
such Units.
(b) Performance Period and Performance Goals. When Performance Units are
------------------------------------------
granted, the Committee shall establish the performance period during which
performance shall be measured (the "Performance Period"), performance goals
applicable to the Units ("Performance Goals") and such other conditions of the
Grant as the Committee deems appropriate. Performance Goals may relate to the
financial performance of the Company or its operating units, the performance of
Company Stock, individual performance, or such other criteria as the Committee
deems appropriate.
(c) Payment With Respect To Performance Units. At the end of each
----------------------------------------------
Performance Period, the Committee shall determine to what extent the Performance
Goals and other conditions of the Performance Units are met and the amount, if
any, to be paid with respect to the Performance Units. Payments with respect to
Performance Units shall be made in cash, in Company Stock, or in a combination
of the two, as determined by the Committee.
(d) Requirement of Employment. If the Grantee ceases to be employed by the
-------------------------
Company (as defined in Section 5(e)) during a Performance Period, or if other
conditions established by the Committee are not met, the Grantee's Performance
Units shall be forfeited. The Committee may, however, provide for complete or
partial exceptions to this requirement as it deems appropriate.
9. QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION
----------------------------------------
(a) Designation as Qualified Performance-Based Compensation. The Committee
--------------------------------------------------------
may determine that Performance Units or Restricted Stock granted to an Employee
shall be considered "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section
162(m) of the Code. The provisions of this Section 9 shall apply to Grants of
Performance Units and Restricted Stock that are to be considered "qualified
performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(b) Performance Goals. When Performance Units or Restricted Stock that are
------------------
to be considered "qualified performance-based compensation" are granted, the
Committee shall establish in writing (i) the objective performance goals that
must be met in order for restrictions on the Restricted Stock to lapse or
amounts to be paid under the Performance Units, (ii) the Performance Period
during which the performance goals must be met, (iii) the threshold, target and
maximum amounts that may be paid if the performance goals are met, and (iv) any
other conditions, including without limitation provisions relating to death,
disability, other termination of employment or Change of Control, that the
Committee deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan and Section 162(m) of
the Code. The performance goals may relate to the Employee's business unit or
the performance of the Company and its subsidiaries as a whole, or any
combination of the foregoing. The Committee shall use objectively determinable
performance goals based on one or more of the following criteria: stock price,
earnings per share, net earnings, operating earnings, return on assets,
shareholder return, return on equity, growth in assets, unit volume, sales,
market share, or strategic business criteria consisting of one or more
objectives based on meeting specified revenue goals, market penetration goals,
geographic business expansion goals, cost targets or goals relating to
acquisitions or divestitures.
(c) Establishment of Goals. The Committee shall establish the performance
-----------------------
goals in writing either before the beginning of the Performance Period or during
a period ending no later than the earlier of (i) 90 days after the beginning of
the Performance Period or (ii) the date on which 25% of the Performance Period
has been completed, or such other date as
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<PAGE>
may be required or permitted under applicable regulations under Section 162(m)
of the Code. The performance goals shall satisfy the requirements for "qualified
performance-based compensation," including the requirement that the achievement
of the goals be substantially uncertain at the time they are established and
that the goals be established in such a way that a third party with knowledge of
the relevant facts could determine whether and to what extent the performance
goals have been met. The Committee shall not have discretion to increase the
amount of compensation that is payable upon achievement of the designated
performance goals.
(d) Maximum Payment. If Restricted Stock, or Performance Units measured
----------------
with respect to the fair market value of Company Stock, are granted, not more
than 100,000 shares of Company Stock may be granted to an Employee under the
Performance Units or Restricted Stock for any year in a Performance Period. If
Performance Units are measured with respect to other criteria, the maximum
amount that may be paid to an Employee with respect to each year of a
Performance Period is $200,000.
(e) Announcement of Grants. The Committee shall certify and announce the
-----------------------
results for each Performance Period to all Grantees immediately following the
announcement of the Company's financial results for the Performance Period. If
and to the extent that the Committee does not certify that the performance goals
have been met, the grants of Restricted Stock or Performance Units for the
Performance Period shall be forfeited.
10. WITHHOLDING OF TAXES
--------------------
(a) Required Withholding. All Grants under the Plan shall be subject to
---------------------
applicable federal (including FICA), state and local tax withholding
requirements. The Company shall have the right to deduct from all Grants paid in
cash, or from other wages paid to the Grantee, any federal, state or local taxes
required by law to be withheld with respect to such Grants. In the case of
Options and other Grants paid in Company Stock, the Company may require the
Grantee or other person receiving such shares to pay to the Company the amount
of any such taxes that the Company is required to withhold with respect to such
Grants, or the Company may deduct from other wages paid by the Company the
amount of any withholding taxes due with respect to such Grants.
(b) Election to Withhold Shares. If the Committee so permits, a Grantee may
---------------------------
elect to satisfy the Company's income tax withholding obligation with respect to
an Option, SAR, Restricted Stock or Performance Units paid in Company Stock by
having shares withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the Grantee's
maximum marginal tax rate for federal (including FICA), state and local tax
liabilities. The election must be in a form and manner prescribed by the
Committee and shall be subject to the prior approval of the Committee.
11. TRANSFERABILITY OF GRANTS
-------------------------
(a) Nontransferability of Grants. Except as provided below, only the
------------------------------
Grantee may exercise rights under a Grant during the Grantee's lifetime. A
Grantee may not transfer those rights except by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution or, with respect to Grants other than Incentive Stock Options,
if permitted in any specific case by the Committee, pursuant to a domestic
relations order (as defined under the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the regulations thereunder). When a
Grantee dies, the personal representative or other person entitled to succeed to
the rights of the Grantee ("Successor Grantee") may exercise such rights. A
Successor Grantee must furnish proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her
right to receive the Grant under the Grantee's will or under the applicable laws
of descent and distribution.
(b) Transfer of Nonqualified Stock Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
--------------------------------------
the Committee may provide, in a Grant Instrument, that a Grantee may transfer
Nonqualified Stock Options to family members or other persons or entities
according to such terms as the Committee may A-1
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<PAGE>
determine, provided that an Option shall not be transferred for consideration
(unless the Committee determines otherwise) and a transferred Option shall
continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to
the Option immediately before the transfer.
12. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
--------------------------------
As used herein, a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(a) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) becomes a "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
more than 50% of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
Company;
(b) The shareholders of the Company approve (or, if shareholder approval is
not required, the Board approves) an agreement providing for (i) the merger or
consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the shareholders of
the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not
beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares
entitling such shareholders to more than 50% of all votes to which all
shareholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of
directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect
directors by a separate class vote), (ii) the sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (iii) a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company; or
(c) After the date this Plan is approved by the shareholders of the
Company, directors are elected such that a majority of the members of the Board
shall have been members of the Board for less than two years, unless the
election or nomination for election of each new director who was not a director
at the beginning of such two-year period was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the
beginning of such period.
13. CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL
-----------------------------------
(a) Notice and Acceleration. Upon a Change of Control, unless the Committee
-----------------------
determines otherwise, (i) the Company shall provide each Grantee with
outstanding Grants written notice of such Change of Control, (ii) all
outstanding Options and SARs shall automatically accelerate and become fully
exercisable, (iii) the restrictions and conditions on all outstanding Restricted
Stock shall immediately lapse, and (iv) Grantees holding Performance Units shall
receive a payment in settlement of such Performance Units, in an amount
determined by the Committee, based on the Grantee's target payment for the
Performance Period and the portion of the Performance Period that precedes the
Change of Control.
(b) Assumption of Grants. Upon a Change of Control where the Company is not
--------------------
the surviving corporation (or survives only as a subsidiary of another
corporation), unless the Committee determines otherwise, all outstanding Options
and SARs that are not exercised shall be assumed by, or replaced with comparable
options or rights by, the surviving corporation.
(c) Other Alternatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to
-------------------
subsection (d) below, in the event of a Change of Control, the Committee may
take one or both of the following actions: the Committee may (i) require that
Grantees surrender their outstanding Options and SARs in exchange for a payment
by the Company, in cash or Company Stock as determined by the Committee, in an
amount equal to the amount by which the then Fair Market Value of the shares of
Company Stock subject to the Grantee's unexercised Options and SARs exceeds the
Exercise Price of the Options or the base amount of the SARs, as applicable, or
(ii) after giving Grantees an opportunity to exercise their outstanding Options
and SARs, terminate any or all unexercised Options and SARs at such time as the
Committee deems
A-9
<PAGE>
appropriate. Such surrender or termination shall take place as of the date of
the Change of Control or such other date as the Committee may specify.
(d) Limitations. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in
-----------
the event of a Change of Control, the Committee shall not have the right to take
any actions described in the Plan (including without limitation actions
described in Subsection (c) above) that would make the Change of Control
ineligible for pooling of interests accounting treatment or that would make the
Change of Control ineligible for desired tax treatment if, in the absence of
such right, the Change of Control would qualify for such treatment and the
Company intends to use such treatment with respect to the Change of Control.
14. REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER OF SHARES
-----------------------------------------------
No Company Stock shall be issued or transferred in connection with any
Grant hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the
issuance or transfer of such Company Stock have been complied with to the
satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to condition
any Grant made to any Grantee hereunder on such Grantee's undertaking in writing
to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of such
shares of Company Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable as a
result of any applicable law, regulation or official interpretation thereof, and
certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect any such
restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Company Stock issued or
transferred under the Plan will be subject to such stop-transfer orders and
other restrictions as may be required by applicable laws, regulations and
interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon.
15. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
-------------------------------------
(a) Amendment. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time;
---------
provided, however, that the Board shall not amend the Plan without shareholder
approval if such approval is required by Section 162(m) of the Code.
(b) Termination of Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the day immediately
-------------------
preceding the tenth anniversary of its effective date, unless the Plan is
terminated earlier by the Board or is extended by the Board with the approval of
the shareholders.
(c) Termination and Amendment of Outstanding Grants. A termination or
--------------------------------------------------
amendment of the Plan that occurs after a Grant is made shall not materially
impair the rights of a Grantee unless the Grantee consents or unless the
Committee acts under Section 21(b). The termination of the Plan shall not impair
the power and authority of the Committee with respect to an outstanding Grant.
Whether or not the Plan has terminated, an outstanding Grant may be terminated
or amended under Section 21(b) or may be amended by agreement of the Company and
the Grantee consistent with the Plan.
(d) Governing Document. The Plan shall be the controlling document. No
-------------------
other statements, representations, explanatory materials or examples, oral or
written, may amend the Plan in any manner. The Plan shall be binding upon and
enforceable against the Company and its successors and assigns.
16. FUNDING OF THE PLAN
-------------------
This Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish
any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to
assure the payment of any Grants under this Plan. In no event shall interest be
paid or accrued on any Grant, including unpaid installments of Grants.
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17. RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS
----------------------
Nothing in this Plan shall entitle any Employee, Key Advisor, Non-Employee
Director or other person to any claim or right to be granted a Grant under this
Plan. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as
giving any individual any rights to be retained by or in the employ of the
Company or any other employment rights.
18. NO FRACTIONAL SHARES
--------------------
No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant
to the Plan or any Grant. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other
awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional
shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be
forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
19. HEADINGS
--------
Section headings are for reference only. In the event of a conflict between
a title and the content of a Section, the content of the Section shall control.
20. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN
--------------------------
Subject to the approval of the Company's shareholders, the Plan shall be
effective on July 16, 1997.
21. MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
(a) Grants in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise. Nothing
--------------------------------------------------------------
contained in this Plan shall be construed to (i) limit the right of the
Committee to make Grants under this Plan in connection with the acquisition, by
purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business or assets
of any corporation, firm or association, including Grants to employees thereof
who become Employees of the Company, or for other proper corporate purposes, or
(ii) limit the right of the Company to grant stock options or make other awards
outside of this Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may make a
Grant to an employee of another corporation who becomes an Employee by reason of
a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or property,
reorganization or liquidation involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries
in substitution for a stock option or restricted stock grant made by such
corporation. The terms and conditions of the substitute grants may vary from the
terms and conditions required by the Plan and from those of the substituted
stock incentives. The Committee shall prescribe the provisions of the substitute
grants.
(b) Compliance with Law. The Plan, the exercise of Options and SARs and the
-------------------
obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Company Stock under
Grants shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any
governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. With respect to persons
subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that
the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. The Committee
may revoke any Grant if it is contrary to law or modify a Grant to bring it into
compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The Committee may
also adopt rules regarding the withholding of taxes on payments to Grantees. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this
Section.
(c) Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of
-------------
the Plan and Grant Instruments issued under the Plan shall exclusively be
governed by and determined in accordance with the law of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
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<PAGE>
SI HANDLING SYSTEMS, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Edward J. Fahey and Ronald J. Semanick,
or either of them acting in the absence of the other, as proxyholders, each with
the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and
to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all shares of Common Stock of SI
Handling Systems, Inc., held of record by the undersigned on May 12, 1997, at
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on July 16, 1997, at 11:00 A.M.,
local time, or at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
on the reverse side. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR
PROPOSALS 1, 2, and 3. This proxy may be voted, in the discretion of the
proxyholders, upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors does
not presently know of any other matters to be presented at the meeting.
Please vote and sign on the other side. No postage is required if this
proxy is returned in the enclosed envelope and mailed in the United States.
SEE
(To Be Signed On Reverse Side) REVERSE
SIDE
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/X/ Please mark your votes
as in this example.
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors. Management recommends a
vote FOR the Directors nominated and FOR Proposals 2. and 3.
FOR WITHHELD
1. ELECTION OF /_/ /_/
DIRECTORS
NOMINEES: L. Jack Bradt, Edward J. Fahey, Elmer D. Gates,
Michael J. Gausling, and Leonard S. Yurkovic
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote
for any individual nominee, print that nominee's
name on the line below.)
------------------------------------------------
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. To approve the amendment of the Company's /_/ /_/ /_/
Articles to increase the amount of authorized
Common Stock.
3. To approve the Company's 1997 Equity /_/ /_/ /_/
Compensation Plan.
4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
matters as may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournments
thereof.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
I plan to attend the meeting. /_/
SIGNATURE(S) ____________________________ DATE__________________________________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such.
