As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 26, 1996
Registration No. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
--------------------
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------------------
BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
---------------------------
California 94-3057566
(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1941 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131
(Address, including zip code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
---------------------------
1988 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN (As Amended Through May 23, 1996)
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (As Amended Through May 23, 1996)
(Full title of the plan)
---------------------------
W. Donald Bell
President and Chief Executive Officer
Bell Microproducts Inc.
San Jose, CA 95131
(408)451-9400
(Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Donna M. Petkanics, Esq.
Tor R. Braham, Esq.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(415) 493-9300
<TABLE>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Proposed Proposed
Maximum Maximum
Title of Each Class Amount Offering Aggregate Amount of
of Securities to to be Price Offering Registration
be Registered Registered(1) Per Share Price Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
To be issued under 1988 Incentive Stock Plan 300,000 shares(2) $7.375(4) $2,212,500 $762.93
To be issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan 145,000 shares(3) $6.375(5) $924,375 $318.75
TOTAL 445,000 shares $3,136,875 $1,081.68
=========================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1) For the sole purpose of calculating the registration fee, the number of
shares to be registered under this Registration Statement has been divided
into two categories.
(2) An additional 1,435,336 shares reserved for issuance under the 1988
Incentive Stock Plan were registered under the Registration Statements on
Form S-8 numbered 33-66580, 33-83398 and 33-95968 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on July 29, 1993, August 29,
1994, and August 17, 1995, respectively.
(3) The remaining 235,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan were registered under the Registration Statements on Form S-8
numbered 33-66580, 33-83398 and 33-95968 filed with the Commission on July
29, 1993, August 29, 1994, and August 17, 1995, respectively.
(4) Computed in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities
Act of 1933. Such computation is based on the estimated exercise price of
$7.375 per share, which represents the average of the high and low sales
prices per share of Bell Microproducts Inc. Common Stock as reported in the
Nasdaq National Market on August 21, 1996.
(5) The price of $6.375 per share, computed in accordance with Rule 457(c)
under the Securities Act of 1933, is 85% of the average of the high and low
sales prices per share of Common Stock as reported in the Nasdaq National
Market on July 1, 1996, the most recent Enrollment Date. Pursuant to
Section 2(o) of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, shares are sold at 85% of
the lesser of the fair market value of such shares on the Enrollment Date
or on the Exercise Date.
</FN>
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement the following documents and information heretofore filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):
1. The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in
the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
April 14, 1993, filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which
was declared effective by the Commission on June 14, 1993,
including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
2. The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
3. The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1996.
4. The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 1996.
5. The Registrant's Reports on Form 8-K dated January 11, 1996
and February 27, 1996, respectively, as filed with the
Commission on January 16, 1996 and March 1, 1996,
respectively.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed
to be incorporated by refer ence in this Registration Statement and to be part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law (the "CGCL")
allows for the indemnification of officers, directors, and other corporate
agents in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons under certain
circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred)
arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Article IV of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation and Article VI of the
Registrant's Bylaws provide for indemnification of the Registrant's directors,
officers, employees and other agents to the extent and under the circumstances
permitted by the CGCL. The Registrant has also entered into agreements with its
officers and directors that may require the Registrant, among other things, to
indemnify such officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise
by reason of their status or service as directors or
II-1
<PAGE>
officers (other than liabilities arising from any acts or omissions or
transactions from which a director may not be relieved of liability under the
CGCL), to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against
them as to which they could be indemnified, and to obtain directors' and
officers' insurance if available on reasonable terms. The Registrant has
obtained directors' and officers' insurance pursuant to said agreements.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Number Document
- -------- ------------------------------------
4.1 1988 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended through May 23, 1996.
4.2* The forms of Option Agreement used under the 1988 Incentive
Stock Plan.
4.3 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through May 23, 1996.
4.4* The forms of Option Agreement used under the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan.
5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation, with respect to the securities being registered.
23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants.
23.2 Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (contained in
Exhibit 5.1).
24.1 Power of Attorney (See page II-4).
- -------------------------
* Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-83398) filed on August
29, 1994.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement
to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or
any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to
II-2
<PAGE>
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each
filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on this 26th day of
August, 1996.
BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.
By: /s/ W. Donald Bell
-------------------------------------
W. Donald Bell
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints W. Donald Bell and Remo Canessa, and each
of them, jointly and severally, his attorney-in-fact, each with full power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said
attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed on August 26, 1996 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE
- ------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
/s/ W. Donald Bell
- ------------------------- President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
W. Donald Bell Executive Officer) and Director
/s/ Remo E. Canessa
- ------------------------- Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller
Remo E. Canessa and Secretary (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Glenn E. Penisten
- ------------------------- Director
Glenn E. Penisten
/s/ Gordon A. Campbell
- ------------------------- Director
Gordon A. Campbell
/s/ Jon H. Beedle
- ------------------------- Director
Jon H. Beedle
/s/ Edward L. Gelbach
- ------------------------- Director
Edward L. Gelbach
II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<CAPTION>
Sequentially
Exhibit Numbered
Number Description Page
- -------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
<S> <C> <C>
4.1 1988 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended through May 23, 1996.
4.2* The forms of Option Agreement used under the 1988 Incentive Stock
Plan.
4.3 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through May 23, 1996.
4.4* The forms of Option Agreement used under the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan.
5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
Corporation, with respect to the securities being registered.
23.1 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP, Independent Accountants.
23.2 Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1 Power of Attorney (See page II-4).
<FN>
- ---------------------
* Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-83398) filed on August
29, 1994.
</FN>
</TABLE>
BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.
1988 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
(As proposed to be amended as of May 23, 1996)
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Incentive Stock Plan are
to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to the Employees and Consultants
of the Company and to promote the success of the Company's business.
Options granted hereunder may be either Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options, at the discretion of the Administrator and as
reflected in the terms of the written option agreement. The Administrator may
also grant Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "Committee" shall mean a Committee appointed by the Board of
Directors in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(e) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.
(f) "Company" shall mean Bell Microproducts, Inc., California
corporation.
(g) "Consultant" shall mean any person who is engaged by the Company
or any Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting ser vices and is compensated
for such consulting services; provided that the term Consultant shall not
include directors who are not compensated for their services or are paid only a
director's fee by the Company.
(h) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" shall mean the
absence of any interruption or termination of
<PAGE>
service as an Employee or Consultant. Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick leave,
military leave, or any other leave of absence approved by the Board; provided
that such leave is for a period of not more than 90 days or reemployment upon
the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute.
(i) "Employee" shall mean any person, including officers and
directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
The payment of a director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.
(j) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an Option intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code.
(k) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" shall mean an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(l) "Option" shall mean a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(m) "Optioned Stock" shall mean the Common Stock subject to an
Option or Stock Purchase Right.
(n) "Optionee" shall mean an Employee who receives an Option or
Stock Purchase Right.
(o) "Parent" shall mean a "parent corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(p) "Plan" shall mean this 1988 Incentive Stock Plan.
(q) "Purchaser" shall mean an Employee or Consultant who exercises a
Stock Purchase Right.
(r) "Share" shall mean a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.
(s) "Stock Purchase Right" shall mean a right, other than an Option,
to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Plan.
(t) "Subsidiary" shall mean a "subsidiary corporation," whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
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<PAGE>
3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 12
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be optioned and/or
sold under the Plan is 1,737,670 shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be
authorized, but unis sued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason
without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject
thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become available for
future grant under the Plan. However, any shares sold under the Plan and
subsequently repur chased by the Company shall not be available for new issuance
pursuant to the Plan.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Composition of Administrator.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted by Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the
"Exchange Act") or any successor rule thereto, as in effect at the time that
discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan ("Rule 16b-3") and by the
legal requirements relating to the administration of incentive stock option
plans, if any, of California corporate and securities laws and the Code
(collectively, the "Applicable Laws"), the Plan may (but need not) be
administered by different bodies with respect to Directors, Officers who are not
Directors, and Employees who are neither Directors nor Officers.
(ii) Administration With Respect to Directors and Officers
Subject to Section 16(b). With respect to Option or Stock Purchase Right grants
made to Employees who are also Officers or Directors subject to Section 16(b) of
the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board, if the Board
may administer the Plan in compliance with the rules governing a plan intended
to qualify as a discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3, or (B) a committee
designated by the Board, which committee shall be constituted to comply with the
rules governing a plan intended to qualify as a discretionary plan under Rule
16b-3. Once appointed, such committee shall continue to serve in its designated
capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From time to time the Board may
increase the size of the committee and appoint additional members, remove
members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill vacancies
(however caused), and remove all members of the committee and thereafter
directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the rules governing
a plan intended to qualify as a discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3.
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<PAGE>
(iii) Administration With Respect to Other Persons. With respect
to Option or Stock Purchase Right grants made to Employees or Consultants who
are neither Directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan shall be
administered by (A) the Board of (B) a committee designated by the Board, which
committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such
committee shall serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the
Board. The Board may increase the size of the committee and appoint additional
members, remove members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill
vacancies (however caused), and remove all members of the committee and
thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by
Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to
grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase
Rights; (ii) to determine, upon review of relevant information and in accordance
with Section 8(b) of the Plan, the fair market value of the Common Stock; (iii)
to determine the exercise price per Share of Options or Stock Purchase Rights to
be granted, which exercise price shall be determined in accordance with Section
8(a) of the Plan; (iv) to determine the Employees or Consultants to whom, and
the time or times at which, Options or Stock Purchase Rights shall be granted
and the number of shares to be represented by each Option or Stock Purchase
Right; (v) to interpret the Plan; (vi) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan; (vii) to determine the terms and provisions of
each Option or Stock Purchase Right granted (which need not be identical) and,
with the consent of the holder thereof, modify or amend each Option or Stock Pur
chase Right; (viii) to accelerate or defer (with the consent of the Optionee)
the exercise date of any Option consistent with the provisions of Section 5 of
the Plan; (ix) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any
instrument required to effectuate the grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right
previ ously granted by the Administrator; and (x) to make all other
determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and
binding on all Optionees, Purchasers and any other holders of any Options or
Stock Purchase Rights granted under the Plan.
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<PAGE>
5. Eligibility.
(a) Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be
granted only to Employees or Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted
only to Employees. An Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option or
Stock Purchase Right may, if he is otherwise eligible, be granted additional
Options or Stock Purchase Rights, provided that:
(i) No Employee shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the
Company, Options and Stock Purchase Rights to purchase more than 200,000 Shares.
(ii) The limitation set forth in Section 5(a)(i) shall be
adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's
capitalization as described in Section 12; and
(iii) If an Option or Stock Purchase Right is cancelled (other
than in connection with a transaction described in Section 12), the cancelled
Option or Stock Purchase Right will be counted against the limit set forth in
Section 5(a)(i). For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of
the Option or Stock Purchase Right and the grant of a new Option or Stock
Purchase Right.
(b) Each Option shall be designated in the written option agreement
as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate fair market
value of the Shares with respect to which Options designated as Incentive Stock
Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar
year (under all plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be
treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(c) For purposes of Section 5(b), Options shall be taken into
account in the order in which they were granted, and the fair market value of
the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such
Shares is granted.
(d) The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee or Purchaser any
right with respect to continuation of employment or consulting relationship with
the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his right or the Company's
right to terminate his employment or consulting relationship at any time, with
or without cause.
-5-
<PAGE>
6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
shareholders of the Company as described in Sec tion 18 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under
Section 14 of the Plan.
7. Term of Option. The term of each Incentive Stock Option shall be ten
(10) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be
provided in the Incentive Stock Option Agreement. However, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is
granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of
the Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant thereof or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Incentive Stock Option Agreement. The
term of each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be determined by the Administrator.
8. Exercise Price and Consideration.
(a) The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued
pursuant to exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be such price as
is determined by the Administrator, but shall be subject to the following:
(i) In the case of any Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of
such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%)
of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the fair
market value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any Employee, the per Share exercise price
shall be no less than 100% of the fair market value per Share on the date of
grant.
(ii) In the case of any Nonstatutory Stock Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted to any person, the per Share exercise price shall be such
price as is determined by the Administrator.
For purposes of this Section 8(a), in the event that an Option is amended to
reduce the exercise price, the date of grant of such Option shall thereafter be
considered to be the date of such amendment.
-6-
<PAGE>
(b) The fair market value shall be determined by the Administrator
in its discretion; provided, however, that where there is a public market for
the Common Stock, the fair market value per Share shall be the mean of the bid
and asked prices (or the closing price per share if the Common Stock is listed
on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ")
National Market System) of the Common Stock for the date of grant, as reported
in The Wall Street Journal (or if not so reported, as otherwise reported by the
NASDAQ System) or, in the event the Common Stock is listed on a stock exchange,
the fair market value per Share shall be the closing price on such exchange on
the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal.
(c) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, includ ing the method of payment,
shall be determined by the Administrator and may consist entirely of: (i) cash,
(ii) check, (iii) promissory note, (iv) other shares of Common Stock which (a)
either have been owned by the Optionee or Purchaser for more than six (6) months
on the date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the
Company, and (b) have a fair market value on the date of surrender not greater
than the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option or Stock
Purchase Right shall be exercised, (v) delivery of a properly executed exercise
notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the
broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option or
Stock Purchase Right and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds
required to pay the exercise price, or (vi) any combination of such methods of
payment, or (vii) such other consideration and method of payment for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws.
9. Exercise of Option.
(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions
as determined by the Administrator, including performance criteria with respect
to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible under the terms
of the Plan.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment
-7-
<PAGE>
may, as authorized by the Administrator, consist of any consideration and method
of payment allowable under Section 8(c) of the Plan. Until the issuance (as
evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly
authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing
such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a
shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the
exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such
stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the Option. In the event that the
exercise of an Option is treated in part as the exercise of an Incentive Stock
Option and in part as the exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option pursuant to
Section 5(b), the Company shall issue a separate stock certificate evidencing
the Shares treated as acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and a
separate stock certificate evidencing the Shares treated as acquired upon
exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and shall identify each such
certificate accordingly in its stock transfer records. No adjustment will be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the
date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the
Plan.
Except as provided in Section 3 of the Plan, exercise of an
Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares which
thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under
the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(b) Termination of Status as an Employee or Consultant. In the event
of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant,
such Optionee may, but only within thirty (30) days (or such other period of
time, not exceeding three (3) months, as is determined by the Administrator)
after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the date of
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement),
exercise his Option to the extent that he was entitled to exercise it at the
date of such termination. To the extent that he was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of such termination, or if he does not exercise such Option
(which he was entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option
shall terminate.
(c) Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 9(b) above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of his total and permanent
disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), he may, but only within
three (3) months (or such other period of time not less than three (3) months
nor more
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<PAGE>
than twelve (12) months as is determined by the Administrator) after the date of
such termination (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise his Option to the
extent that he was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To
the extent that he was not entitled to exercise the Option (which he was
entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.
(d) Death of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
9(b) above, in the event of (i) the death of an Optionee during the term of his
Option, where such Optionee is at the time of his death an Employee or
Consultant of the Company and such Optionee shall at the date of death have been
in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of grant of the
Option, or (ii) the death of an Optionee within thirty (30) days after the
termination of such Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant,
then the Option may be exercised at any time within six (6) months (or such
other period of time not less than six (6) months nor more than twelve (12)
months as determined by the Administrator) following the date of death (but in
no event later than ten years from the date of grant of the Option), by the
Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option
by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option was vested as
of the date of termination of employment, and the Optionee was entitled to
exercise it at the date of ter mination of employment. To the extent that the
Option was not vested or the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option,
at the date of such termination of employment, or if the Optionee does not
exercise such Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.
10. Stock Purchase Rights.
(a) Rights to Purchase. After the Administrator determines that it
will offer an Employee or Consultant the right to purchase Shares under the
Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing of the terms, conditions and
restrictions relating to the offer, including the number of Shares that such
person shall be entitled to purchase, and the time within which such person must
accept such offer, which shall in no event exceed sixty (60) days from the date
upon which the Administrator made the determination to grant the Stock Purchase
Right. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.
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<PAGE>
(b) Issuance of Shares. Forthwith after payment therefore, the
Shares purchased shall be duly issued; provided, however, that the Administrator
may require that the Purchaser make adequate provision for any Federal and State
withholding obligations of the Company as a condition to such purchase.
(c) Repurchase Agreement and Repurchase Option. Unless the
Administrator determines otherwise, and subject to this Plan, a Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement shall govern the purchase of Shares pursuant to a Stock
Purchase Right and shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon
the voluntary or involuntary termination of the Purchaser's employment with the
Company for any reason (including death or disability). The purchase price for
Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be
the original price paid by the Purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any
indebtedness of the Purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse
at such a rate as the Administrator may determine.
(d) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator.
(e) Rights as a Shareholder. A Stock Purchase Right shall be deemed
to have been exercised when full payment for the Shares to be purchased
thereunder has been received by the Company. Until the issuance (as evidenced by
the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares,
no right to vote or to receive dividends or any other rights as a share holder
shall exist with respect to shares, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock
Purchase Right. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for
which the record date is prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.
(f) Shares Available Under the Plan. Exercise of a Stock Purchase
Right in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that
thereafter shall be available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under
the Stock Purchase Right provisions, by the number of Shares as to which the
Stock Purchase Right is exercised. Shares repurchased by the Company pursuant to
Section 10(c) hereof shall not be available for reissuance under the Plan.
11. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. Options
and Stock Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged,
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assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.
12. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger. Subject to
any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of
Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and
the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance
under the Plan but as to which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been
granted or which have been returned to the Plan pursuant to Section 3, as well
as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option
or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of
the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company;
provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company
shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration."
Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that
respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided
herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price
of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.
In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, the Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such
proposed action, unless otherwise provided by the Board. The Board may, in the
exercise of its sole discretion in such instances, declare that any Option shall
terminate as of a date fixed by the Board, and give each Optionee the right to
exercise his Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to
which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In the event of a proposed
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of
the Company with or into another corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an
equivalent option or right shall be substituted by such successor corporation or
a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless such successor or
corporation does not agree to assume the Option or to substitute an equivalent
option, in which the case the Board shall, in lieu of such assumption or
substitution, provide for the Optionee to have the right to exercise the Option
as to all of the
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<PAGE>
Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be
exercisable. If the Board makes an Option fully exercisable in lieu of
assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Board
shall notify the Optionee that the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully
exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and
the Option will terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes
of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered
assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option confers the right
to purchase, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock
Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in
the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on
the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received
in the merger or sale of assets was not solely common stock of the successor
corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the
successor corporation and the participant, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consider ation received by holders of Common Stock in the
merger or sale of assets.
13. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Option. Notice of the deter mination shall be given to each
Employee or Consultant to whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time
after the date of such grant.
14. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may amend or terminate the
Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable;
(b) Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or with Section 422 of the Code (or any
successor statute or rule or other applicable law, rule or regulation, including
the requirements of
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<PAGE>
any exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted).
Such shareholder approval, if required, shall be obtained in such a manner and
to such a degree as is required by the applicable law, rule or regulation.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amend ment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options or Stock Purchase Rights
already granted and such Options and Stock Purchase Rights shall remain in full
force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless
mutually agreed otherwise between the Board and the Optionee or Purchaser and
the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee or
Purchaser and the Company.
15. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the
exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of
such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the
requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect
to such compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase
Right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or Stock
Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that
the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present
intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for
the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned
relevant provisions of law.
16. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any
regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder,
shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or
sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been
obtained.
17. Option Agreement. Options shall be evidenced by written option
agreements in such form as the Administrator shall approve.
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<PAGE>
18. Shareholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained
in the degree and manner required under applicable state and federal law and the
rules of any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed.
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BELL MICROPRODUCTS INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(As proposed to be amended and
restated as of May 23, 1996)
The following constitute the provisions of the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan of Bell Microproducts Inc.
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the
Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common
Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention
of the company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
provisions of the Plan, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and
limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section
of the Code.
2. Definitions.
(a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the company.
(b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(c) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.
(d) "Company" shall mean Bell Microproducts Inc.
(e) "Compensation" shall mean all base straight time gross earnings,
exclusive of payments for overtime, shift premium, incentive compensation,
incentive payments, bonuses, commissions and other compensation.
(f) "Designated Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries which have
been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as
eligible to participate in the Plan.
(g) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an employee of the
Company or any Designated Subsidiary for purposes of tax withholding under the
Code whose customary employment with the Company or any Designated Subsidiary is
at least twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any
calendar year. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be
treated as continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other
leave of absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90
days and the individual's right to
<PAGE>
reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment
relationship will be deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave.
(h) "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each Offering
Period or Extended Offering Period.
(i) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last day of each Offering Period,
or with respect to an Extended Offering Period, the last day of each Purchase
Period.
(j) "Extended Offering Period" shall mean a period of approximately
twelve (12), eighteen (18) or twenty-four (24) months, commencing on the date or
dates so specified by the Board, during which options granted pursuant to the
Plan may be exercised. The duration, commencement and termination of Extended
Offering Periods may be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.
(k) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:
(1) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the National
Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale
price for the Common Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices, if
no sales were reported), as quoted on such exchange (or the exchange with the
greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) or system on the date of such
determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Board deems reliable, or;
(2) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ system (but not
on the National Market System thereof) or is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on
the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Board deems reliable, or;
(3) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Board.
(l) "Offering Period" shall mean a period of approximately six (6)
months, commencing on a date determined by the Board, during which an option
granted pursuant to the Plan may
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<PAGE>
be exercised. The duration, commencement and termination of Offering Periods may
be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.
(m) "Plan" shall mean this Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(n) "Purchase Price" shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date or on the
Exercise Date, whichever is lower.
(o) "Purchase Period" shall mean, with respect to an Extended
Offering Period, the approximately six (6) month period commencing after one
Exercise Date and ending with the next Exercise Date, except that the first
Purchase Period of any Extended Offering Period shall commence on the Enrollment
Date and end with the next Exercise Date. The duration, commencement and
termination of Purchase Periods may be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this
Plan.
(p) "Reserves" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the
number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under
the Plan but not yet placed under option.
(q) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign, of
which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a
Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized
or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.
3. Eligibility.
(a) Any Employee (as defined in Section 2(g)), who shall be employed
by the Company on a given Enrollment Date shall be eligible to participate in
the Plan.
(b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwith standing, no
Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent,
immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock
would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code)
would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to
purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined
voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of
any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent his or her rights to purchase stock under
all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries to accrue
at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) worth of stock
(determined
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<PAGE>
at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option is granted) for
each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time.
4. Offering Periods and Extended Offering Periods. The Plan shall be
implemented by Offering Periods and/or Extended Offering Periods which may be
consecutive and/or overlapping, as determined by the Board, commencing on such
dates as the Board shall determine, and continuing thereafter until terminated
in accordance with Section 19 hereof. The Board shall have the power to change
the duration, commencement and termination of Offering Periods, Extended
Offering Periods and/or Purchase Periods with respect to future offerings
without shareholder approval if such change is announced at least five (5) days
prior to the scheduled beginning of the first Offering Period, Extended Offering
Period or Purchase Period to be affected thereafter.
5. Participation.
(a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by
completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the form
of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's payroll office prior
to the applicable Enrollment Date.
(b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the first
payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in the
Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.
6. Payroll Deductions.
(a) At the time a participant files his or her subscription
agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day
during the Offering Period or Extended Offering Period in an amount not
exceeding fifteen percent (15%), or such lesser percentage as is determined by
the Board at least five days prior to the beginning of an Offering Period or
Extended Offering Period, of the Compensation which he or she receives on each
pay day during the Offering Period or Extended Offering Period, and the
aggregate of such payroll deductions during the Offering Period or Extended
Offering Period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%), or such lesser
percentage as is determined by the Board at least five days prior to the
beginning of an Offering Period or Extended Offering Period, of the partici
pant's Compensation during any such Offering Period or Extended Offering Period.
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<PAGE>
(b) All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be credited
to his or her account under the Plan and will be withheld in whole percentages
only. A participant may not make any additional payments into such account.
(c) A participant may discontinue his or her participa tion in the
Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, or may increase or decrease the rate of
his or her payroll deductions during the Offering Period or Extended Offering
Period by completing or filing with the Company a new subscription agreement
authorizing a change in payroll deduction rate. The Board may, in its
discretion, limit the number of participation rate changes during any Offering
Period or Extended Offering Period. The change in rate shall be effective with
the first full payroll period following five (5) business days after the
Company's receipt of the new subscription agreement unless the Company elects to
process a given change in partici pation more quickly. A participant's
subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods or
Extended Offering Periods unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply
with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Sec tion 3(b) hereof, a participant's
payroll deductions may be decreased to 0% at such time during any Offering
Period or Extended Offering Period which is scheduled to end during the current
calendar year (the "Current Offering Period or Extended Offering Period") that
the aggregate of all payroll deductions which were previously used to purchase
stock under the Plan in a prior Offering Period or Extended Offering Period
which ended during that calendar year plus all payroll deductions accumulated
with respect to the Current Offering Period or Extended Offering Period equal
$21,250. Payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate provided in such
participant' s subscription agreement at the beginning of the first Offering
Period or Extended Offering Period which is scheduled to end in the following
calendar year, unless terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10
hereof.
(e) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at
the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan is
disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's
federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon
the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time,
the Company may, but will not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's
compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding
obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company
any tax deductions or
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<PAGE>
benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by the
Employee.
7. Grant of Option. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period or
Extended Offering Period, each eligible Employee partici pating in such Offering
Period or Extended Offering Period shall be granted an option to purchase on the
Exercise Date(s) of such Offering Period or Extended Offering Period (at the
applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated
prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the
Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price; provided that in no event shall
an Employee be permitted to purchase during any Offering Period (or, with
respect to an Extended Offering Period, during any Purchase Period) more than a
number of Shares determined by dividing $12,500 by the Fair Market Value of a
share of the Company's Common Stock on the Enrollment Date, and provided further
that such purchase shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections
3(b) and 12 hereof. Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in Sec tion 8
hereof, unless the participant has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and
shall expire on the last day of the Offering Period or Extended Offering Period.
8. Exercise of Option. Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as
provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares will
be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of full
shares subject to option shall be purchased for such participant at the
applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her
account. No fractional shares will be purchased; any payroll deductions
accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a
full share shall be retained in the participant' s account for the subsequent
Offering Period or Extended Offering Period, subject to earlier withdrawal by
the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof. Any other monies left over in
a participant's account after the Exercise Date shall be returned to the
participant. During a participant's lifetime, a participant's option to purchase
shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her.
9. Delivery. As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on
which a purchase of shares occurs, the Company shall arrange the delivery to
each participant, as appropriate, of a certificate representing the shares
purchased upon exercise of his or her option.
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<PAGE>
10. Withdrawal; Termination of Employment.
(a) A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the payroll
deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or
her option under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Company in
the form of Exhibit B to this Plan. All of the participant's payroll deductions
credited to his or her account will be paid to such participant promptly after
receipt of notice of withdrawal and such participant's option for the Offering
Period or Extended Offering Period will be automa tically terminated, and no
further payroll deductions for the pur chase of shares will be made during the
Offering Period or Extended Offering Period or Extended Offering Period. If a
participant withdraws from an Offering Period or Extended Offering Period,
payroll deductions will not resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering
Period or Extended Offering Period unless the participant delivers to the
Company a new subscription agreement.
(b) Upon a participant's ceasing to be an Employee (as defined in
Section 2(g) hereof ), for any reason, including by virtue of him or her having
failed to remain an Employee of the Company for at least twenty (20) hours per
week during an Offering Period or Extended Offering Period in which the Employee
is a participant, he or she will be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the
Plan and the payroll deductions credited to such partici pant' s account during
the Offering Period or Extended Offering Period but not yet used to exercise the
option will be returned to such participant or, in the case of his or her death,
to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 14 hereof, and such
participant's option will be automatically terminated.
(c) A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period or Extended
Offering Period will not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to
participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or
in succeeding Offering Periods or Extended Offering Periods which commence after
the termination of the Offering Period or Extended Offering Period from which
the participant withdraws.
11. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a
participant in the Plan.
12. Stock.
(a) The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which
shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be 380,000 shares, subject
to adjustment upon changes in capital ization of the Company as provided in
Section 18 hereof. If on a
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<PAGE>
given Exercise Date the number of shares with respect to which options are to be
exercised exceeds the number of shares then available under the Plan, the
Company shall make a pro rata allo cation of the shares remaining available for
purchase in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall
determine to be equitable.
(b) The participant will have no interest or voting right in shares
covered by his option until such option has been exercised.
(c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan will be
registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant and
his or her spouse.
13. Administration.
(a) Administrative Body. The Plan shall be administered by the Board
or a committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The Board or its
committee shall have full and exclu sive discretionary authority to construe,
interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to
adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and
determination made by the Board or its committee shall, to the full extent
permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties. Members of the Board
who are eligible Employees are permitted to participate in the Plan, provided
that:
(1) Members of the Board who are eligible to participate in the
Plan may not vote on any matter affecting the administration of the Plan or the
grant of any option pursuant to the Plan.
(2) If a Committee is established to administer the Plan, no
member of the Board who is eligible to participate in the Plan may be a member
of the Committee.
(b) Rule 16b-3 Limitations. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Subsection (a) of this Section 13, in the event that Rule 16b-3 promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or
any successor provision ("Rule 16b-3") provides specific requirements for the
administra tors of plans of this type, the Plan shall be only administered by
such a body and in such a manner as shall comply with the appli cable
requirements of Rule 16b-3. Unless permitted by Rule 16b-3, no discretion
concerning decisions regarding the Plan shall be afforded to any committee or
person that is not "disinterested" as that term is used in Rule 16b-3.
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<PAGE>
14. Designation of Beneficiary.
(a) A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary
who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the participant's account
under the Plan in the event of such parti cipant's death subsequent to an
Exercise Date on which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such
participant of such shares and cash. In addition, a participant may file a
written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the
participant's account under the Plan in the event of such parti cipant's death
prior to exercise of the option. If a participant is married and the designated
beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such
designation to be effective.
(b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the
participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a
participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the
Plan who is living at the time of such parti cipant's death, the Company shall
deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate
of the participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed
(to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver
such shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or
relatives of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to
the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.
15. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a
participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or
to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and
distribution or as provided in Section 14 hereof) by the participant. Any such
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without
effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw
funds from an Offering Period or Extended Offering Period in accordance with
Section 10 hereof.
16. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the
Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and
the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.
17. Reports. Individual accounts will be maintained for each
participant in the Plan. Statements of account will be given to participating
Employees at least annually, which statements will set forth the amounts of
payroll deductions, the Purchase Price,
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<PAGE>
the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.
18. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization.
(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the Reserves as well as the price per share of
Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been
exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common
Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock
effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however,
that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
to have been "effected without receipt of consideration". Such adjustment shall
be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final,
binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the
Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares
of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject
to an option.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period or Extended
Offering Period will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such
proposed action, unless otherwise provided by the Board.
(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, each option under the Plan shall be assumed or
an equivalent option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a
parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless the Board deter
mines, in the exercise of its sole discretion and in lieu of such assumption or
substitution, to shorten the Offering Period(s) or Extended Offering Period(s)
then in progress by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date") or to
cancel each out standing right to purchase and refund all sums collected from
participants during the Offering Period(s) or Extended Offering Period(s) then
in progress. If the Board shortens the Offering Period(s) or Extended Offering
Period(s) then in progress in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of
a merger or sale of assets, the Board shall notify each participant in writing,
at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that
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<PAGE>
the Exercise Date for his option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and
that his option will be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless
prior to such date he has with drawn from the Offering Period(s) or Extended
Offering Period(s) as provided in Section 10 hereof. For purposes of this
paragraph, an option granted under the Plan shall be deemed to be assumed if,
following the sale of assets or merger, the option confers the right to
purchase, for each share of option stock subject to the option immediately prior
to the sale of assets or merger, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other
securities or property) received in the sale of assets or merger by holders of
Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held on the effective date of the
transaction (and if such holders were offered a choice of con sideration, the
type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration received
in the sale of assets or merger was not solely common stock of the successor
corporation or its parent (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code), the Board
may, with the consent of the successor corporation and the partici pant, provide
for the consideration to be received upon exercise of the option to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consid eration received by holders of Common Stock and
the sale of assets or merger.
The Board may, if it so determines in the exercise of its sole
discretion, also make provision for adjusting the Reserves, as well as the price
per share of Common Stock covered by each outstanding option, in the event the
Company effects one or more reorganiza tions, recapitalization, rights offerings
or other increases or reductions of shares of its outstanding Common Stock, and
in the event of the Company being consolidated with or merged into any other
corporation.
19. Amendment or Termination.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time and for
any reason terminate or amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 18 hereof,
no such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that an
Offering Period or Extended Offering Period may be terminated by the Board of
Direc tors on any Exercise Date if the Board determines that the termi nation of
the Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Except as
provided in Section 18 hereof, no amend ment may make any change in any option
theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any participant. To
the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 or under Section 423 of the Code
(or any successor rule or provision or any other applicable
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<PAGE>
law or regulation), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval in such a
manner and to such a degree as required.
(b) Without shareholder consent and without regard to whether any
participant rights may be considered to have been "adversely affected," the
Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods or
Extended Offering Periods, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the
amount withheld during an Offering Period or Extended Offering Period, establish
the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S.
dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a
participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company's
processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish reasonable
waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to
ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each
participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the participant's
Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Board
(or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable which are
consistent with the Plan.
20. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to
the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been
duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location,
or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.
21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with
respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and
delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable
provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements
of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require
the person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the shares are being pur chased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.
22. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its
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<PAGE>
approval by the shareholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a
term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 19 hereof.
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EXHIBIT 5.1
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August 26, 1996
Bell Microproducts Inc.
1941 Ringwood Avenue
San Jose, California 95131
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 26, 1996 (as such may
therafter be amended or supplemented, the "Registration Statement"), in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
of 445,000 shares of your Common Stock, $.001 par value (the "Shares"), of which
300,000 are to be issued pursuant to the 1988 Incentive Stock Plan and 145,000
have been issued pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As your legal
counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken, and are familiar with the
proceedings proposed to be taken, by you in connection with the sale and
issuance of the Shares.
It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings being taken
or contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares, the Shares, when issued and sold in the manner described in the
Registration Statement and in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company, will be legally and validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto.
Sincerely,
/s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 16, 1996 appearing on page
F-1 of Bell Microproducts Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
/s/ PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
San Jose, California
August 26, 1996
