SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the registrant /x/
Filed by a party other than the registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary proxy statement / / Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as)
/x/ Definitive proxy statement permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/ / Definitive additional materials
/ / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Darling International Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
/x/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
-----------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
N/A
--------------------
/ / 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>
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
251 O'Connor Ridge Boulevard
Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held May 27, 1998
To the Stockholders of Darling International Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1998 annual meeting of stockholders of Darling
International Inc. will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 1998 at 10:00
a.m., at The Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas
for the following purposes:
(1) to elect five directors of Darling International Inc. to
serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders; and
(2) to consider and approve an amendment to the 1994 Employee
flexible Stock Option Plan of Darling International Inc.; and
(3) to transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
April 15, 1998 as the record date for determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and vote at the meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
The Annual Report of Darling International Inc. for the
fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 is enclosed for your convenience.
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO FILL IN, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS
PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Joseph R. Weaver, Jr.
---------------------------
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr.
Secretary
May 5, 1998
<PAGE>
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
251 O'Connor Ridge Boulevard
Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 27, 1998
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Darling
International Inc. (the "Company"). This Proxy Statement and the accompanying
form of proxy, Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and letter to
stockholders are first being mailed to stockholders of record of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), on or about May 5,
1998, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors
of the Company for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including any
adjournments or postponements thereof (the "Meeting") to be held at The Mansion
on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, May 27, 1998,
at 10:00 a.m.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The expense of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the
Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be
made by the directors, officers and employees of the Company by other means,
including telephone, telegraph or in person. No special compensation will be
paid to directors, officers or employees for the solicitation of proxies. To
solicit proxies, the Company also will request the assistance of banks,
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries, and, upon
request, will reimburse such organizations or individuals for their reasonable
expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners and in
obtaining authorization for the execution of proxies. The Company will also use
the services of the proxy solicitation firm of Corporate Investor
Communications, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of its proxies. For such
services the Company will pay a fee that is not expected to exceed $5,000, plus
out-of-pocket expenses.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
At the Meeting, action will be taken to (1) elect five directors to
hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their
successors shall have been elected and qualified and (2) amend the 1994 Employee
Flexible Stock Option Plan (the "1994 Plan") to increase the number of shares of
Common Stock, issuable thereunder from 2,052,198 shares to 2,552,198 shares. The
Board of Directors does not know of any other matter that is to come before the
Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for consideration, however,
the persons authorized by the enclosed proxy will have discretion to vote on
such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
<PAGE>
Stockholders are urged to sign the accompanying form of proxy,
solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, and, immediately
after reviewing the information contained in this Proxy Statement and in the
Annual Report outlining the Company's operations for the fiscal year ended
January 3, 1998, return it in the envelope provided for that purpose. If the
accompanying proxy card is properly signed and returned to the Company prior to
the Meeting, it will be voted at the Meeting and any adjournment or adjournments
thereof in the manner specified therein. If no directions are given but proxies
are executed in the manner set forth therein, such proxies will be voted FOR the
election of the nominees for director set forth in this Proxy Statement.
REVOCATION OF PROXY
Any stockholder returning the accompanying proxy may revoke such proxy
at any time prior to its exercise by giving written notice to the Secretary of
the Company of such revocation, voting in person at the Meeting, or executing
and delivering to the Secretary of the Company a later-dated proxy. Any such
later-dated proxy should be sent to the attention of Joseph R. Weaver, Jr.,
Darling International Inc., 251 O'Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300, Irving, TX
75038. Attendance at the Meeting will not by itself constitute a revocation of a
proxy.
QUORUM AND VOTING REQUIREMENTS
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 15,
1998 (the "Record Date") are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or
any adjournments thereof. As of the close of business on the Record Date, there
were 15,580,152 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to
vote. The Common Stock constitutes the only class of capital stock of the
Company issued and outstanding. Each stockholder of record on the Record Date is
entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held. A majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, represented in person or by proxy, will
constitute a quorum at the Meeting; however, if a quorum is not present or
represented at the Meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present
in person or represented by proxy, have the power to adjourn the Meeting from
time to time, without notice, other than by announcement at the Meeting, until a
quorum is present or represented. At any such adjourned Meeting at which a
quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have
been transacted at the original Meeting.
Each share of Common Stock may be voted to elect up to five individuals
(the number of directors to be elected) as directors of the Company. To be
elected, each nominee must receive a plurality of all votes cast with respect to
such position as director. It is intended that, unless authorization to vote for
one or more nominees for director is withheld, proxies will be voted FOR the
election of all of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement.
A vote of majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or
by proxy is required to approve the amendment to the 1994 Plan.
Votes cast by proxy or in person will be counted by two persons
appointed by the Company to act as inspectors for the Meeting. The election
inspectors will treat shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions as
shares that are present and entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the
presence of a quorum. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the
election of directors but will have the effect of a vote against the proposal to
amend the 1994 Plan.
<PAGE>
Broker non-votes occur where a broker holding stock in street name
votes the shares on some matters but not others. Brokers are permitted to vote
on routine, non-controversial proposals in instances where they have not
received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock but are not
permitted to vote on non-routine matters. The missing votes on non-routine
matters are deemed to be "broker non-votes." The election inspectors will treat
broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled to vote for the purpose
of determining the presence of a quorum. However, for the purpose of determining
the outcome of any matter as to which the broker or nominee has indicated on the
proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote, those shares will
be treated as not present and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter
(even though those shares are considered entitled to vote for quorum purposes
and may be entitled to vote on other matters).
<PAGE>
Proposal No. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The current Board of Directors consists of five members. At the
Meeting, five directors, to hold office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified, are to
be elected. Each of the nominees has consented to serve as a director if
elected. If any of the nominees shall become unable or unwilling to stand for
election as a director (an event not now anticipated by the Board of Directors),
proxies will be voted for such substitute as shall be designated by the Board of
Directors. The following table sets forth for each nominee for election as a
director of the Company, his age, principal occupation, position with the
Company, if any, and certain other information.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Principal Occupation Director Since
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fredric J. Klink 64 Mr. Klink has been a partner at the law firm April 1995
of Dechert Price & Rhoads for more than five
years. Mr. Klink's law practice
concentrates on mergers and acquisitions,
securities, and international work. He
received his LL.B. from Columbia Law School
in 1960.
Dennis B. Longmire 53 Dr. Longmire has served as Chairman of the March 1995
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since March 1995. Prior to that,
Dr. Longmire was President of Premiere
AgriTechnologies, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. ("A.D.M.").
From 1969 to January 1994, at which time
Central Soya Co., Inc. ("Central") was
acquired by A.D.M., Dr. Longmire was
employed by Central, where he held various
management positions, including Group Vice
President for Feed. Dr. Longmire also
serves as a director of Terra Nitrogen
Corporation.
Denis J. Taura 58 In October 1991, Mr. Taura founded D. Taura December 1993
& Associates, a management consulting firm,
of which Mr. Taura serves as chairman. From
January 1995 through October 1996, Mr. Taura
was also affiliated with Zolfo Cooper LLC, a
management consulting firm. From 1972 to
October 1991, Mr. Taura was a partner with
KPMG Peat Marwick. Mr. Taura serves as a
director of Best Products Co., Inc.;
Healthcare America Inc; and Geonex
Corporation.
<PAGE>
Bruce Waterfall 60 Mr. Waterfall is President and co-founder of March 1995
Morgens, Waterfall, Vintiadis & Company,
Inc., ("Morgens, Waterfall"). Mr. Waterfall
has been a professional money manager and
analyst for more than twenty-five years.
Mr. Waterfall serves as a director of Geonex
Corporation and Elsinore Corporation.
Entities controlled by Morgens, Waterfall
beneficially own approximately 46% of the
issued and outstanding Common Stock. See
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management."
William L. Westerman 66 Mr. Westerman is the Chairman of the Board June 1997
for both Riviera Holdings Corporation
("Riviera") and Riviera Operating
Corporation, and Chief Executive Officer,
President, Secretary and Treasurer of
Riviera Operating Corporation. He has
served as the Chairman of Riviera since
January 1992. Mr. Westerman previously
served as President and CEO of Cellu-Craft,
Inc. Entities controlled by Morgens,
Waterfall beneficially own in excess of 10%
of the outstanding capital stock of Riviera.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
During the fiscal year ended January 3, 1998, the Board of Directors
held five regular meetings and thirteen special meetings, eight of which were
teleconference meetings. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of all
meetings held by the Board of Directors and all meetings of each committee of
the Board of Directors on which such director served during the fiscal year
ended January 3, 1998.
The Board of Directors has an audit committee (the "Audit Committee")
and the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors does not have a
nominating committee or any other committees.
The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Taura (Chairman),
Klink and Westerman. The Audit Committee met three times during the fiscal year
ended January 3, 1998. The functions of the Audit Committee are (i) to review
the audit plans, scope, fees, and audit results of the Company's independent
auditors; (ii) to review internal audit reports on the adequacy of internal
audit controls; (iii) to review non-audit services and fees; and (iv) to review
the scope of the internal auditors' plans, the results of their audits, and the
effectiveness of the Company's program of correcting audit findings. The Audit
Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors the independent auditors to
perform the annual audit of the Company's financial statements.
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Westerman
(Chairman), Dr. Longmire (ex officio), Mr. Taura and Mr. Waterfall. The
Compensation Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended January 3,
1998. The functions of the Compensation Committee are (i) to review and
recommend to the Board of Directors the direct and indirect compensation and
employee benefits of the Company's executive officers; (ii) to review and
administer the Company's incentive, bonus, and employee benefit plans, including
the 1993 Plan, the 1994 Plan, and the Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan
(the "Directors Plan"); (iii) to review the Company's policies relating to
employee and executive compensation; and (iv) to review management's long-range
planning for executive development and succession. The Compensation Committee
also performs the functions of the nominating committee of the Board of
Directors.
Compensation of Directors
Non-employee members of the Board of Directors are paid a $40,000
annual retainer, plus a fee of $1,500 for each board meeting or committee
meeting personally attended after six board meetings have been personally
attended, and $500 for each meeting telephonically attended during a calendar
year after having attended six board or committee meetings, as applicable,
during such year.
Under the Directors Plan, each incumbent director who was a
disinterested person within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), was granted an option to
purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock on the tenth business day of July 1995
and will be granted an identical option on the tenth business day of July of
each year thereafter. New directors are granted an option to purchase 21,000
shares of Common Stock on the day they are first elected to and duly qualify as
a member of the Board of Directors. The per share exercise price of each option
granted under the Directors Plan is equal to the fair market value per share of
the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant of the options relating thereto.
Twenty-five percent of the shares subject to each option vest on the date that
is six months following the date of grant and 25% of the shares vest on each of
the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant thereafter
Options to purchase an aggregate of 450,000 shares of Common Stock may be
granted under the Directors Plan.
<PAGE>
If while unexercised options remain outstanding under the Directors
Plan, any of the following events occur, all options granted under the Directors
Plan become exercisable in full, whether or not they are otherwise exercisable:
(1) any entity other than the Company makes a tender or exchange offer for
shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to which purchases are made; (2)
the stockholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement to merge or
consolidate the Company with or into another corporation or to sell all or
substantially all of the assets or adopt a plan of liquidation; (3) the
beneficial ownership of securities representing more than 15% of the combined
voting power of the Company is acquired by any person; or (4) during any period
of two consecutive years, the individuals who at the start of such period were
members of the Board of Directors cease to constitute at least a majority
thereof, unless the election of each new director was approved by a vote of at
least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the
start of such period. In the case of a merger, where the Company is the
surviving entity and in which there is a reclassification of the shares of
Common Stock, each option shall become exercisable for the kind and amount of
shares of stock or other securities receivable upon such reclassification or
merger.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the
Board of Directors and are chosen annually by the Board at its first meeting
following the annual meeting of stockholders. The following table sets forth the
names and ages of the executive officers of the Company and all positions held
with the Company by each individual.
Name Age Title
Dennis B. Longmire......53 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Douglas P. Anderson.....51 Chief Operations Officer
John O. Muse............49 Chief Financial Officer
James A. Ransweiler.....55 President - Darling Rendering
John R. Witt............47 President - Restaurant Services
Robert E. McMullen.....52 President - International Processing Corp.
Omer A. Dreiling, II....44 Vice President - Western Region
Robert L. Willis........58 Vice President - Central Region
Neil Katchen............52 Vice President - Eastern Region
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr....51 General Counsel and Secretary
For a description of the business experience of Dr. Longmire, see "Election
of Directors."
Douglas P. Anderson has served as Chief Operations Officer since October
1997 and served as Executive Vice President from December 1995 to October 1997.
Prior to December 1995, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Operations
since August 1991. From June 1990 to August 1991, Mr. Anderson served as Vice
President of Operations. Mr. Anderson is a director of the National Renderers
Association and was Vice Chairman of the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation.
Omer A. Dreiling, II has served as Vice President of the Company's
Western Region since 1986. Mr. Dreiling is a past president of the Southwest
Meat Association and has served as a director of the Texas Renderers
Association.
<PAGE>
James A. Ransweiler has served as President - Darling Rendering since
October 1997. From August 1986 to October 1997, he served as Vice President of
the Company's Eastern Region, except for the period from January 1989 to June
1990 when he served as Special Projects Coordinator
Robert E. McMullen has served as President of International Processing
Corp. since February 1997. From 1991 to February 1997, he served as Regional
Manager of International Processing Corp. From 1982 to 1991, he worked in
management positions at International Bakerage.
Robert L. Willis has served as Vice President of the Company's Central
Region since August 1986. From August 1983 to August 1986, he served as
Assistant Division Manager of the Company's Midwest Division.
John R. Witt has served as President - Restaurant Services since October
1997. From January 1996 to October 1997 he served as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company. He served as Secretary of the Company from
June 1996 to April 1997. From March 1992 to May 1995, Mr. Witt served as Chief
Financial Officer of Intertrans Corporation, an international freight forwarding
company. From May 1995 to December 1995, he served as Chief Financial Officer of
Fritz Air Freight Division.
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr. has served as General Counsel of the Company since
March 1997 and as Secretary of the Company since April 1997. From May 1994 to
March 1997, he served as Secretary and General Counsel of AAF-McQuay, Inc. From
January 1990 to April 1994, Mr. Weaver served as Assistant General Counsel of
AAF-McQuay, Inc., then known as Snyder General Corporation.
John O. Muse has served as Chief Financial Officer since October 1997. From
1994 to October 1997 he served as Vice President and General Manager at
Consolidated Nutrition, L.C. Prior to serving at Consolidated Nutrition, Mr.
Muse was Vice President of Premiere Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company. From 1988 to 1994 he served as Group Director of
Finance and Administration at Central Soya Company, Inc.
Neil Katchen has served as Vice President of the Company's Eastern Region
since October 1997 and served as General Manager of the Company's Newark, New
Jersey facility from January 1990 to October 1997.
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities for fiscal
years 1997, 1996 and 1995 paid to Dennis B. Longmire, the Company's Chief
Executive Officer, and the other four most highly compensated executive officers
of the Company who were serving as such at January 3, 1998 (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Named Officers").
On November 7, 1997 the Company effected a three-for-one stock split of
the common stock outstanding as of October 28, 1997. All common stock and common
stock options' information contained herein reflects the three-for-one stock
split.
<TABLE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE (1)
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
------------------- Number of
Name and Securities All Other
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Underlying Options Compensation
------------------ ---- ------ ------ ------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dennis B. Longmire, 1997 $390,000 -- -- --
Chairman and Chief Executive 1996 390,000 $117,000 -- --
Officer 1995 292,500 261,495 540,000 --
Douglas P. Anderson, 1997 216,124 -- 93,507 $51,806 (3)
Chief Operations Officer 1996 206,500 51,625 -- --
1995 196,500 121,830 -- --
James A. Ransweiler, 1997 205,176 44,184 90,000 26,855 (3)
President - Darling Rendering 1996 184,000 28,646 -- --
1995 175,000 114,100 -- --
Omer A. Dreiling, II, 1997 193,654 -- -- --
Vice President - Western Region 1996 176,000 60,014 -- --
1995 160,000 112,000 -- --
Robert L. Willis 1997 187,538 44,149 -- 37,313 (2)
Vice President - Central Region 1996 184,000 46,000 -- 37,716 (2)
1995 175,000 92,786 -- --
- ---------------------
<FN>
(1) No information is provided for fiscal years 1996 and 1995 for any Named
Officer who was not an executive officer of the Company during the
applicable fiscal year.
(2) Amount represents payment of legal fees under a letter agreement between
Mr. Willis and the Company whereby the Company agreed to pay for legal
expenses for Mr. Willis in connection with a certain legal matter. However,
if it is determined under the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware that Mr. Willis was not entitled to this indemnification by the
Company for his legal expenses in connection with the matter, he is
required to reimburse the Company.
(3) Amounts represent moving expense allowances and reimbursements made by the
Company.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding options
granted to the Named Officers during the fiscal year ended January 3, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
Individual Grants
-------------------------------------------------------
Number of Percent of Potential Realizable Value at
Securities Total Options Exercise Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
Underlying Granted to Price Expiration Price Appreciation for Option
Options Employees in Per Share Date Term (1)
Granted Fiscal Year 5% 10%
--------------- ---------------- ----------- ------------ ---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dennis B. Longmire - - - - - -
Douglas P. Anderson 93,507 15.53% $9.50 12/03/07 $558,657 $1,415,748
James A. Ransweiler 90,000 14.94% $9.25 9/03/07 $523,555 $1,326,791
Omer A. Dreiling, II - - - - - -
Robert L. Willis - - - - - -
<FN>
(1)"Potential Realizable Value" is disclosed in response to Securities and
Exchange Commission rules, which require such disclosure for illustrative
purposes only, and is based on the difference between the potential market
value of shares issuable (based upon assumed appreciation rates) upon
exercise of such options and the exercise price of such options. The values
disclosed are not intended to be, and should not be interpreted by
investors as, representations or projections of future value of the
Company's stock or of the stock price.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Option Exercises and Year-End Options Values
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
options exercised during the fiscal year ended January 3, 1998 by each of the
Named Officers and the value of unexercised options held by each of the Named
Officers at January 3, 1998:
<TABLE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<CAPTION>
Options Exercised in Fiscal 1997 Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
-------------------------------- Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options
Shares Options at January 3, 1998 at January 3, 1998
Acquired on Exercisable (E) Exercisable (E)
Exercise Value Realized Unexercisable (U) Unexercisable(U)(1)
---------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dennis B. Longmire --- --- 540,000 (E) $2,047,680 (E)
0 (U) 0 (U)
Douglas P. Anderson --- --- 188,209 (E) 930,147 (E)
70,130 (U) 0 (U)
James A. Ransweiler --- --- 187,332 (E) 930,147 (E)
67,500 (U) 0 (U)
Omer A. Dreiling, II --- --- 164,832 (E) 930,147 (E)
0 (U) 0 (U)
Robert L. Willis --- --- 65,934 (E) 372,066 (E)
0 (U) 0 (U)
- --------------------
<FN>
(1) Based on the difference between the closing price of the Common Stock on
January 3, 1998 ($8.50 per share) and the exercise price of the option.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Employment Agreements
Dr. Longmire was party to an Employment Agreement with the Company
dated March 31, 1995 (the "Longmire Agreement") for an initial term expiring on
March 31, 1998. The Longmire Agreement was not renewed upon completion of the
initial term. Pursuant to the Longmire Agreement, Dr. Longmire received annual
base salary compensation of $390,000 and was entitled to receive incentive
compensation based on the Company's attaining or exceeding certain financial
performance goals. In addition, Dr. Longmire was entitled to receive such stock
options as may be approved by the Board of Directors. For fiscal year 1998, Dr.
Longmire continues to receive annual base salary compensation of $390,000 and is
entitled to receive incentive compensation based on the Company's attaining or
exceeding certain financial performance goals.
Severance Agreements
The Company has entered into severance agreements with Messrs.
Longmire, Anderson, Ransweiler, Dreiling, and Willis which provide for severance
compensation equal to one year's compensation to the officer in the event of a
termination of the officer's employment unless such termination is voluntary or
based upon cause as defined in the agreement.
Stock Option Plans
1993 Plan. The Board of Directors has suspended the 1993 Plan and no further
options are to be issued under such plan. Officers and other key employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries were eligible to receive options under the 1993
Plan. In December 1993, the Company granted options covering 1,483,500 shares of
Common Stock to seven members of the Company's management pursuant to the 1993
Plan. The exercise price of these options is $2.857 per share. These options
vested 20% on the date of grant and vest 20% on each anniversary date thereof.
The vesting schedule for the options granted under the 1993 Plan is accelerated
by one year upon the termination of a grantee's employment. The options granted
pursuant to the 1993 Plan are intended to be incentive stock options to the
maximum extent permissible under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") and nonqualified stock options to the extent not incentive stock
options. 184,066 of the shares covered by these options were transferred to the
1994 Plan prior to the three-for-one stock split, pursuant to shareholder
approval at the annual meeting of stockholders held May 20, 1997.
1994 Plan. The Compensation Committee may grant options under the 1994 Plan to
officers and other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The
purpose of the 1994 Plan is to attract, retain and motivate officers and key
employees of the Company, and to encourage them to have a financial interest in
the Company. In 1994, 500,000 options were authorized for the 1994 Plan and
pursuant to stockholder approval at the annual meeting of stockholder held May
20, 1997, 184,066 options forfeited or canceled under the 1993 Plan were
authorized as additional options available for grant under the 1994 Plan.
Therefore, after the effect of the three-for-one stock split, a total of
2,052,198 options were authorized to be granted under the 1994 Plan. The
exercise price of these options is the Fair Market Value of the stock on the
date of the grant of the option. Options granted pursuant to the 1994 Plan
typically vest 20% on the date of grant and 20% on each anniversary date therof.
Directors Plan. For a description of the Directors Plan, see the disclosure
set forth under Compensation of Directors herein.
<PAGE>
Annual Incentive Plan
The Annual Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee
and provides incentive cash bonuses to corporate and regional executives. In
1997, the Annual Incentive Plan was tied principally to actual levels of cash
flow at the corporate or division level relative to budgets established at the
beginning of the year.
The total amount of incentive compensation under the program is subject
to boundaries established by formula and expressed in terms of a percentage of
base salary. For 1997 and prior years, a "target" bonus was paid when corporate
or division objectives were achieved at the 100% level, no bonus was paid below
the 80% level and a maximum bonus was paid when 125% of the corporate or
division budget was achieved.
Pension Plan Table
The following table illustrates the approximate annual pension that the
Named Officers would receive under the Salaried Employee's Retirement Plan (the
"Retirement Plan") if the plan remains in effect and a Named Officer retired at
age 65. However, because of changes in the tax laws or future adjustments to
benefit plan provisions, actual pension benefits could differ significantly from
the amounts set forth in the table.
Estimated Annual Pension
--------------------------------------------------
(Years of Service)
Average Annual Salary
During the Last 5 Years 15 20 25 30 35
----------------------- -------- -------- ------- -------- --------
$150,000 $40,500 $54,000 $67,500 $71,250 $75,000
175,000 47,250 63,000 78,750 83,125 87,500
200,000 54,000 72,000 90,000 95,000 100,000
235,840 63,677 84,902 106,128 112,024 117,920
The above amounts do not reflect the compensation limitations for plans
qualified under the Code, effective January 1, 1994. Effective January 1, 1997,
annual compensation in excess of $160,000 ($235,840 for 1993) is not taken into
account when calculating benefits under the Retirement Plan. Such limitation
will not, however, operate to reduce plan benefits accrued as of December 31,
1993.
If the Named Officers remain employees of the Company until they reach
age 65, the years of credited service for Messrs. Longmire, Anderson,
Ransweiler, Dreiling and Willis will be as follows: Longmire, 13 years;
Anderson, 22 years; Ransweiler, 23 years; Dreiling, 35 years; and Willis, 29
years.
The Retirement Plan is a non-contributory defined benefit plan. Office
and supervisory employees of the Company, not covered under another plan,
automatically become participants in the plan on the earlier of January 1 or
July 1 following completion of 1,000 hours of service in a consecutive
twelve-month period. Upon meeting the eligibility requirement, employees are
recognized as a participant from the date of commencement of their service with
the Company. Eligible employees become fully vested in their benefits after
completing five years of service. Benefits under the Plan are calculated on
"average monthly pay" based upon the highest 60 consecutive months of the latest
120 months (and subject to the limitations discussed above) and the years of
service completed.
<PAGE>
The basic pension benefit is equal to 45% of the employee's average monthly
pay, reduced proportionally for years of service less than 25 years. The
multiple is increased 0.5% per year for years of service in excess of 25 years
to a maximum of 15 additional years.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Westerman (Chairman), Dr.
Longmire (ex officio) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr.
Taura and Mr. Waterfall, each of whom is a director of the Company.
The Company paid Mr. Taura fees and expenses of $63,368 related to
management consulting services provided to the Company with respect to the
Company's 1997 fiscal year.
<PAGE>
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following report of the Compensation Committee and the performance
graph that appears immediately after such report shall not be deemed to be
soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or
incorporated by reference in any document so filed.
The Company's executive compensation program is designed to attract,
motivate, reward and retain the executive officers needed to achieve the
Company's business objectives, to increase its profitability and to provide
value to its stockholders.
The program has been structured and implemented to provide competitive
compensation opportunities and various incentive awards based on Company and
individual performance.
The Company's executive compensation program is composed of three
principal components: base salary, short term incentive awards and long term
incentive awards.
Base Salaries
The base salaries of the Named Officers are set forth in the Summary
Compensation Table located on page 9 of the Proxy Statement.
The base salary of Dr. Longmire was originally established pursuant to
his employment agreement with the Company, which was established and reviewed by
the Compensation Committee.
Executive positions are grouped by grades which are part of the
Company's overall salary structure. The base salaries of senior executives,
except those established by employment agreements, are reviewed to determine if
adjustment is necessary based on competitive practices and economic conditions.
Salaries are adjusted within grade ranges based on individual performance and
changes in job content and responsibilities.
Short Term Incentive Awards
The short-term program, or Annual Incentive Plan, consists of an
opportunity for the award of an annual incentive cash bonus in addition to the
payment of base salary.
In 1997, the Company's Annual Incentive Plan for corporate and division
executives was tied principally to actual levels of cash flow at the corporate
or division level relative to budgets established at the beginning of the year.
The total amount of incentive compensation under the short-term program
is subject to boundaries established by formula and expressed in terms of a
percentage of base salary. A "target" bonus is paid when corporate or division
objectives are achieved at the 100% level, no bonus is paid below the 80% level
and a maximum bonus is paid when 125% of the corporate or division budget is
achieved.
<PAGE>
Under his employment agreement, Dr. Longmire was entitled to receive an
annual bonus of up to 90% of his annual base salary under terms consistent with
the Annual Incentive Plan. In fiscal 1997, the Company did not meet the
predetermined threshold established for the payment of cash incentive awards to
all employees participating in the Annual Incentive Plan. Under the Annual
Incentive Plan, other senior executives are entitled to receive annual bonuses
of up to 75% of their base salaries. Only certain senior executives and their
key employees received bonuses in 1997, as the Company as a whole did not meet
the predetermined threshold.
Long Term Incentive Awards
In connection with a Company financial restructuring consummated in
December 1993, long term incentive awards in the form of stock options were
granted to certain executive officers of the Company under the 1993 Plan. In
Fiscal 1997, the Board of Directors suspended the 1993 Plan and no further
options are to be issued under such plan.
Under the 1994 Plan, stock options are awarded based on an individual's
level of responsibility within his or her area, such individual's executive
development potential and competitive market norms. Options granted under the
1994 Plan are granted at 100% of the market value of the stock on the date of
grant. During fiscal 1997, 602,062 options were granted under the 1994 Plan.
May 5, 1998
William L. Westerman
Denis J. Taura
Bruce Waterfall
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the change in the cumulative
total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock with the cumulative total
return of the Nasdaq Stock Market - U.S. Index, AMEX Market Value Index, the Dow
Jones Industrial Pollution Control/Waste Management Index, and the Dain Bosworth
Food Index for the period from September 14, 1994 to January 3, 1998, assuming
the investment of $100 on September 14, 1994 and the reinvestment of dividends.
The stock price performance shown on the graph only reflects the change
in the Company's stock price relative to the noted indices and is not
necessarily indicative of future price performance.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
DARLING COMMON STOCK
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET- U.S.
DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION CONTROL/WASTE MANAGEMENT INDEX
DAIN BOSWORTH FOOD INDEX
AMEX MARKET VALUE INDEX
(in this space, paper proxy contains performance graph of cumulative total
return for above)
The Common Stock first became eligible for trading on the Nasdaq Stock
Market on September 8, 1994 and, accordingly, total return is measured from the
closing price on September 14, 1994, the first date on which the stock traded on
the Nasdaq Stock Market. On September 12, 1997, the Common Stock began trading
on the American Stock Exchange and ceased trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table and the notes thereto set forth certain information
with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, as of April
15, 1998, by each person or group within the meaning of Rule 13(d)-3 under the
Exchange Act who is known to the management of the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company
and is based upon information provided to the Company by such persons:
Amount and
Nature of
Name and Address Beneficial Percent
of Beneficial Owner Ownership (1) of Class
Phoenix Partners.............................. 260,940 1.67%
Betje Partners................................ 91,152 0.59%
Phaeton B.V.I................................. 182,349 1.17%
Morgens Waterfall Income Partners............. 233,187 1.50%
Morgens, Waterfall, Vintiadis & Company, Inc.. 273,501(2) 1.75%
Restart Partners L.P.......................... 884,193 5.67%
Restart Partners II, L.P...................... 1,746,980 11.18%
Restart Partners III, L.P..................... 1,445,937 9.25%
Restart Partners IV, L.P...................... 900,369 5.77%
Restart Partners V, L.P....................... 150,000 0.96%
MWV Employee Retirement Plan Group Trust...... 70,119 0.45%
Endowment Restart, L.L.C...................... 1,266,775 8.11%
Edwin H. Morgens.............................. 7,161,882(3) 45.36%
Bruce Waterfall .............................. 7,205,382(4) 45.51%
(collectively the "MW Group")
MW Group
10 East 50th Street
New York, NY 10022....................... 7,298,001(5) 46.10%
CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.
Oppenheimer Tower
World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281....................... 1,654,479 10.62%
Intermarket Corp.
667 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10021........................... 1,847,304 11.86%
----------------
<PAGE>
(1) Except as otherwise indicated in footnotes 2, 3, 4, and 5 hereto, the
entities named in this table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares of capital stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2) Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis & Company, Inc. does not directly own any of
the Common Stock or options described in footnote 5 hereto but may be
deemed to indirectly beneficially own 273,501 shares of Common Stock,
assuming exercise of the options, by virtue of contracts with Phaeton
B.V.I. and Betje Partners pursuant to which Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis &
Company, Inc. provides investment advisory services.
(3) Edwin H. Morgens does not have direct beneficial ownership of the Common
Stock or options described in footnote 5 hereto. Mr. Morgens may be deemed
to indirectly beneficially own 7,161,882 shares of Common Stock, assuming
exercise of the options described in the second to last sentence of
footnote 5 hereto, by virtue of his positions as managing member of each of
MW Management, L.L.C., MW Capital, L.L.C. and Endowment Prime, L.L.C., as
general partners of Phoenix Partners and Morgens Waterfall Income Partners
and managing member of Endowment Restart, L.L.C., respectively; as Chairman
of the Board of Directors and Secretary of Morgens Waterfall Vintiaids &
Company, Inc.; as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Secretary of
Prime, Inc., as general partner of each of Prime Group, L.P., Prime Group
II, L.P., Prime Group III, L.P., Prime Group IV, L.P. and Prime Group V,
L.P., as general partners of Restart Partners L.P., Restart Partners II,
L.P., Restart Partners III, L.P., Restart Partners IV, L.P. and Restart
Partners V, L.P., respectively.
(4) Bruce Waterfall does have direct beneficial ownership of options for 66,000
shares, of which 43,500 are presently exercisable. He may be deemed to
indirectly beneficially own 7,161,882 shares of Common Stock, assuming
exercise of the options described in footnote 5 hereto, by virtue of his
positions as managing member of each of MW Management, L.L.C., MW Capital,
L.L.C. and Endowment Prime, L.L.C., as general partners of Phoenix Partners
and Morgens Waterfall Income Partners and managing member of Endowment
Restart, L.L.C., respectively; as President, Assistant Secretary and a
Director of Morgens Waterfall Vintiadis & Company, Inc.; as President and a
Director of Prime, Inc. as general partner of each of Prime Group, L.P.,
Prime Group II, L.P., Prime Group III, L.P., Prime Group IV, L.P. and Prime
Group V, L.P., as general partners of Restart Partners L.P., Restart
Partners II, L.P., Restart Partners III, L.P., Restart Partners IV, L.P.
and Restart Partners V, L.P., respectively.
(5) Includes options, which are immediately exercisable, in the following
amounts for each entity: Phoenix Partners (6,498 options); Betje Partners
(2,322 options); Phaeton B.V.I. (4,620 options); Morgens Waterfall Income
Partners (7,014 options); Morgens, Waterfall, Vintiadis & Company, Inc.
(6,942 options); Restart Partners L.P. (26,603 options); Restart Partners
II, L.P. (52,562 options); Restart Partners III, L.P. (43,500 options);
Restart Partners IV, L.P. (27,087 options); MWV Employee Retirement Plan
Group Trust (1,680 options); Endowment Restart, L.L.C. (38,114 options),
Edwin H. Morgens may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership of
208,320 options. Bruce Waterfall has direct beneficial ownership of 66,000
options, of which 43,500 are presently exercisable, and may be deemed to
have indirect beneficial ownership of an additional 208,320 options.
<PAGE>
Security Ownership of Management
The following table and the notes thereto set forth certain information
with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock of the
Company, as of April 15, 1998, by each nominee for director, each Named Officer
and by all executive officers and directors as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Former Common Stock
Common Class A Unexercised Beneficially Percent of Common
Name of Individual Stock Owned Options (1) Plan Options (2) Owned (3) Stock Owned
------------------ ----------- ----------- ---------------- ----------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fredric J. Klink 90,000 0 43,500 133,500 *
Denis J. Taura 30,000 30,000 43,500 103,500 *
Douglas P. Anderson 12 0 188,209 188,221 1.19%
Omer A. Dreiling, II 0 0 164,832 164,832 1.05%
Dennis B. Longmire 300 0 540,000 540,300 3.35%
Robert E. McMullen 0 0 19,500 19,500 *
James A. Ransweiler 0 0 187,332 187,332 1.19%
Bruce Waterfall (4) 6,953,562 208,320 43,500 7,205,382 45.51%
Robert L. Willis 24,327 0 65,934 90,261 *
John R. Witt 0 0 56,250 56,250 *
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr. 0 0 17,550 17,550 *
William L. Westerman 0 0 9,000 9,000 *
John O. Muse 1,000 0 0 1,000 *
Neil Katchen 0 0 26,040 26,040 *
All executive officers and directors
as a group (14 persons) 7,101,201 238,320 1,405,147 8,744,668 50.77%
- ------------------
<FN>
* Represents less than one percent of the Common Stock outstanding.
(1) These Class A options were canceled and the numbers represent options to
purchase shares of Common Stock.
(2) Represents options that have vested and are exercisable as of June 15, 1998.
(3) Except as otherwise indicated in the columns "Former Class A Options" and
footnote 1 thereto and "Unexercised Plan Options" and footnote 2 thereto
and in footnote 4 hereto, the persons named in this table have sole voting
and investment power with respect to all shares of capital stock shown as
beneficially owned by them.
(4) Based on his management positions with the MW Group, Mr. Waterfall may be
deemed to indirectly beneficially own 7,227,882 of the securities listed,
assuming exercise of all of the options. See footnote 4 to "Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" table above.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Proposal No. 2
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT
TO THE 1994 PLAN
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends the approval of an
amendment to the Company's 1994 Plan to increase the number of shares of Common
Stock available thereunder from 2,052,198 to 2,552,198.
General
The Board adopted the 1994 Plan in July of 1994 and the Company's
Stockholders approved the 1994 Plan at the June 7, 1995 annual meeting of
stockholders. Under the 1994 Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant options
to officers and other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The
purpose of the 1994 Plan is to attract, retain and motivate officers and key
employees of the Company, and to encourage them to have a financial interest in
the Company.
The number of grantees and the number of shares of Common Stock subject
to options awarded to each grantee may vary from year to year. The maximum
number of shares of Common Stock for which an individual may receive awards of
options is limited to 200,000 shares of Common Stock over a one-year period. The
Company estimates that approximately 80 employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries will be eligible to receive options under the 1994 Plan, including
the Chief Executive Officer and the other most highly compensated current
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
The shares of Common Stock may be unissued shares or treasury shares.
If there is a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or other relevant
change affecting the Company's shares of Common Stock, appropriate adjustments
will be made by the Committee in the number of shares that may be issued in the
future and in the number of shares and price under all outstanding grants made
before the event. If shares of Common Stock under an option are not issued,
those shares of Common Stock will again be available for inclusion in future
grants. The awards authorized under the 1994 Plan are subject to applicable tax
withholding by the Company.
To exercise an option, an optionee may pay the exercise price in cash,
or if permitted by the Committee, by delivering other shares of Common Stock.
Grants Under the Plan
Options for Employees. The Committee may grant employees options
qualifying as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code and
non-qualified stock options. The exercise price of an incentive stock option
will be equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
With respect to any individual who owns 10% or more of the stock of the Company
(a "10% Owner") the exercise price for an incentive stock of the Company will be
equal to 110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
For purposes of the 1994 Plan, fair market value means, on any date, the closing
price for the Common Stock as reported on the American Stock Exchange on such
date. As of April 15, 1998, the fair market value of the Common Stock was $8.125
per share.
The term of each option will be fixed by the Committee but may not
exceed ten years from the date of grant. With respect to a 10% Owner, the term
of incentive stock options may not exceed five years from the date of grant. The
Committee will determine the time or times when each option may be exercised.
Options may be made exercisable in installments, and the exercisability of
options may be accelerated by the Committee.
<PAGE>
Termination of Employment. In the event of termination of employment by
reason of long-term disability or death, any option held by an employee may
thereafter be exercised in full for a period of one year or anytime prior to the
expiration date of the option, whichever is the shorter period, subject in each
case to the stated term of the option. In the event of an employee's termination
of employment for cause, any options held by him will be forfeited. In the event
of an employee's termination of employment for any reason other than long-term
disability, death or cause, any options held by him will be exercisable, to the
extent exercisable at the date of termination, for a period of three months.
Change in Control Provisions. If while unexercised options remain
outstanding under the 1994 Plan, any of the following events occur, all options
granted under the 1994 Plan become exercisable in full, whether or not they are
otherwise exercisable: (1) any entity other than the Company makes a tender or
exchange offer for shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to which
purchases are made; (2) the stockholders of the Company approve a definitive
agreement to merge or consolidate the Company with or into another corporation
or to sell all or substantially all of the assets or adopt a plan of
liquidation; (3) the beneficial ownership of securities representing more than
15% of the combined voting power of the Company is acquired by any person; or
(4) during any period of two consecutive years, the individuals who at the start
of such period were members of the Board of Directors cease to constitute at
least a majority thereof, unless the election of each new director was approved
by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were
directors at the start of such period. In the case of a merger, where the
Company is the surviving entity and in which there is a reclassification of the
shares of Common Stock, each option shall become exercisable for the kind and
amount of shares of stock or other securities receivable upon such
reclassification or merger.
Other Information. Awards under the 1994 Plan are not transferable
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised only
by the grantee during his or her lifetime. The Board may terminate or suspend
the 1994 Plan at any time but such termination or suspension will not affect any
options then outstanding under the 1994 Plan. The 1994 Plan may be terminated at
any time by action of the Board of Directors, but awards granted prior to such
termination will continue in effect until they expire in accordance with their
terms. The Board or the Committee may also amend the 1994 Plan as it deems
advisable; however, it is presently intended that all material amendments to the
1994 Plan will be submitted to the stockholders for their approval to the extent
required by Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as time to time in
effect, and under the Code. The Committee may amend the term of any award or
option theretofore granted retroactively or prospectively, but no such amendment
will adversely affect any such award or option without the holder's consent.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax
consequences to the Company and participants in the 1994 Plan based on federal
income tax laws currently in effect.
<PAGE>
Non-qualified Stock Options. An individual who receives a non-qualified
stock option will not recognize income upon its grant; however, such individual
may recognize ordinary income upon the exercise of such option, in which event
the Company will receive a tax deduction equal to the amount of income
recognized, provided that any applicable withholding requirements are satisfied.
Generally, the amount of such ordinary income and deduction is the excess, if
any, of the fair market value on the exercise date of the shares of Common Stock
acquired over the aggregate price paid. Any ordinary income recognized by an
individual upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option will increase his
tax basis for the shares of Common Stock received. Upon a subsequent sale or
exchange of such shares of Common Stock, the individual will recognize capital
gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the selling price of such
shares of Common Stock and his tax basis in such shares of Common Stock. Such
gain or loss will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on
the individual's holding period for such shares of Common Stock.
If the holder of a non-qualified stock option pays the exercise price,
in whole or in part, with previously acquired shares of Common Stock, the holder
will recognize ordinary income in the amount by which the fair market value of
the shares of Common Stock received exceeds the exercise price. The individual
will not recognize gain or loss with respect to the previously acquired shares
of Common Stock that are delivered to the Company. The shares of Common Stock
received by the holder equal in number to the previously acquired shares of
Common Stock exchanged therefor will have the same basis and holding period for
capital gain purposes as the previously acquired shares of Common Stock. Shares
of Common Stock received by the holder of the non-qualified stock option in
excess of the number of previously acquired shares of Common Stock will have a
basis equal to the fair market value of such additional shares as of the date
ordinary income is recognized. The holding period for such additional shares of
Common Stock will commence as of the date of exercise.
Incentive Stock Options. An employee will not receive income upon
either the grant of an incentive stock option or upon the exercise of the
incentive stock option. The employee will recognize gain or loss, depending on
his basis in the shares of Common Stock (which is generally equal to the
exercise price paid for the shares), upon the sale or other disposition of the
shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise. If certain statutory holding
periods are met, such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss and
the Company will not be entitled to any federal income tax deduction. If the
holding periods are not met, the employee may be required to recognize ordinary
income and the Company will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount
of ordinary income, if any, recognized, provided that applicable withholding
requirements are satisfied.
Incentive stock options will be treated as non-qualified stock options
to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of the shares of Common Stock
(determined at the time the options are granted) with respect to which incentive
stock options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during a
calendar year (whether as a result of acceleration of exercisability or
otherwise) exceeds $100,000.
An employee who exercises an incentive stock option may be subject to
an alternative minimum tax since, for purposes of the alternative minimum tax,
the option will be treated as a non-qualified stock option. Accordingly, the
taxable event for alternative minimum tax purposes will generally occur on the
exercise of the option.
<PAGE>
Other Matters. The 1994 Plan is intended to comply with Section 162(m)
of the Code which was enacted as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1993. Section 162(m) of the Code prohibits a publicly-held corporation, such
as the Company, from claiming a deduction on its federal income tax return for
compensation in excess of $1 million paid for a given fiscal year to the chief
executive officer (or person acting in that capacity) and the four most highly
compensated officers of the corporation, other than the chief executive officer,
at the end of the corporation's fiscal year. Upon approval of the proposed
amendment of the 1994 Plan by the Stockholders, options awarded under the 1994
Plan covering the additionally authorized shares of Common Stock will qualify as
performance-based compensation, as defined in Code Section 162(m) and the
regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury under this Section. As
such, the income attributable to such options will not be subject to the
deduction limit of Code Section 162(m).
Prior Grants Under 1994 Plan
A total of 500,000 shares of Common Stock was originally authorized for
issuance pursuant to the 1994 Plan. Subsequently, the Compensation Committee and
the Board of Directors of the Company recommended that an additional 184,066
shares of Common Stock be made available under the 1994 Plan. These shares of
Common Stock were those shares that remained unissued under the 1993 Plan under
which no further options will be granted. These recommended shares of Common
Stock for the 1994 Plan were approved by the Company's stockholders at the
regular annual meeting of stockholders held May 20, 1997. Therefore, taking into
account the three-for-one stock split effected November 7, 1997, there are a
total of 2,052,198 shares of Common Stock available for grant under the 1994
Plan. Options covering a total of 2,028,862 shares of Common Stock have been
granted under the 1994 Plan. During the Company's 1997 fiscal year, options
covering a total of 602,062 shares of Common Stock were granted under the 1994
Plan. Of those options covering the 602,062 shares of Common Stock, options
covering 413,607 shares were granted to executive officers (as a group) and
options covering 188,455 shares were granted to employees (as a group).
The following table sets forth all grants of options made under the
1994 Plan to executive officers and employees of the Company. No directors who
are not executive officers received options under the 1994 Plan.
<TABLE>
1994 Plan Awards
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares of Common Average Exercise Price Per
Stock Subject to Options Share of Options Received
Name of Individual or Group Received
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Dennis B. Longmire
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer............ 540,000 $4.708
Douglas P. Anderson
Chief Operations Officer......................... 93,507 $9.500
John O. Muse
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer....... 45,000 $10.875
James A. Ransweiler
President-Darling Rendering...................... 90,000 $9.250
Omer A. Dreiling, II
Vice President-Western Region.................... 0 -
Robert L. Willis
Vice President-Central Region................... 0 -
Robert E. McMullen
President-International Processing Corp........ 67,500 $9.042
Neil Katchen
Vice President-Eastern Region................. 73,800 $8.631
John R. Witt
President-Darling Restaurant Services.......... 135,000 $9.646
Joseph R. Weaver, Jr.
General Counsel and Secretary.................. 35,100 $8.417
All Current Executive Officers as a Group............ 1,079,907 $7.035
All Current Directors who are not Executive
Officers, as a Group............................ 0 -
All Employees, including all Current Officers who
are not Executive Officers, as a Group.......... 948,955 $7.136
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Reason for Proposal
Since only 23,336 more shares are available for issuance under the 1994
Plan, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company
believe it would be desirable to have more shares of Common Stock available
under the 1994 Plan for incentive purposes. They therefore recommend that the
Company's Stockholders approve an amendment to the 1994 Plan to make an
additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock (all of which are either unissued
shares or treasury shares) available for issuance thereunder. The Compensation
Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company have not specified any
grantees of the additional 500,000 proposed shares of Common Stock under the
1994 Plan. This amendment, which would amend Section 1.4 of the 1994 Plan
entitled "Stock Subject to the Plan" by striking the number "2,052,198" in the
second sentence and inserting in its place the number "2,552,198", will allow
the 1994 Plan to remain in effect and should address the need for available
shares for a number of years.
In all other respects, the provisions of the 1994 Plan will remain the same.
<PAGE>
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that Company directors,
executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of the Common Stock file
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and
stockholders who own more than 10% of the Common Stock are required by the
Securities and Exchange Commission to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) reports they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on the review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
were filed on a timely basis except for the following: The following forms were
not filed, although the transactions were subsequently reported on a Form 5: (1)
a Form 4 for the grant of options received by Fredric Klink; and (2) (a) a Form
3 for Neil Katchen and (b) a Form 3 for John Palazzo. Other than the
aforementioned late filings and late transactions, to the Company's knowledge
all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
10% stockholders were complied with.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of its Audit Committee, has
appointed KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending January 2, 1999. A representative of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
will be present at the Meeting to answer any appropriate questions and to make a
statement if he desires to do so.
PROPOSALS FOR STOCKHOLDER ACTION
I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The nominees for election as directors are Fredric J. Klink, Dennis B.
Longmire, Denis J. Taura, Bruce Waterfall and William L. Westerman. Information
concerning the nominees is set forth in the section captioned "Election of
Directors."
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES.
II. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT
TO THE DARLING 1994 PLAN
The Board of Directors recommends that the Company's Stockholders approve
an amendment to the 1994 Plan to make an additional 500,000 shares of Common
Stock available for issuance thereunder.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company is not aware of any other matters to be
presented for action at the Meeting; however, if any such matters are properly
presented for action, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
form of proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1999 annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company must be received by the Secretary of the
Company at the Company's principal executive office no later than January 1,
1999, in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy for such
meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Joseph R. Weaver, Jr.
---------------------------
JOSEPH R. WEAVER, JR.
Secretary
May 5, 1998
Irving, Texas
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OF THE COMPANY OWNED, TO DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY. YOUR
COOPERATION IN GIVING THESE MATTERS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND IN RETURNING
YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY IS APPRECIATED.
<PAGE>
PROXY
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 27, 1998
The undersigned hereby appoints Dennis B. Longmire and Joseph R. Weaver,
Jr., or either of them, his true and lawful agents and proxies with full power
of substitution in each to represent the undersigned at the annual meeting of
stockholders of Darling International Inc., to be held at The Mansion on Turtle
Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas 75219, on Wednesday, May 27, 1998, and
at any adjournments thereof, on all matters coming before said meeting.
You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate
boxes, SEE REVERSE SIDE, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in
accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Proxies cannot vote
your shares unless you sign and return this card.
(Continued, and to be signed on reverse side) SEE REVERSE SIDE
<PAGE>
/X/ Please mark votes as in this example.
1. Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors
Nominees: Fredric J. Klink, Dennis B. Longmire,
Denis J. Taura, Bruce Waterfall and
William L. Westerman
For / / Withheld / /
/ /
--------------------------------------
for all nominees except as noted above
2. Proposal No. 2: Amendment to increase the number of shares available under
the 1994 Employee Flexible Stock Option Plan.
For / / Withheld / / Abstain / /
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly coome before the meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
MARK HERE FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND NOTE AT LEFT / /
Sign, Date and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope.
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.
Signature: Date: Signature: Date:
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