<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
National Instruments Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
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previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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<PAGE> 2
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 12, 1998
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
National Instruments Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will
be held on May 12, 1998, at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the Holiday Inn Northwest
Plaza, 8901 Business Park Drive, Austin, Texas, for the following purposes as
more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice:
1. To elect two directors to the Board of Directors for a term of three
years;
2. To approve the amendment and restatement of Company's Certificate of
Incorporation for the purpose of increasing the authorized number of
shares of Common Stock by 120,000,000 shares;
3. To ratify the appointment of Price Waterhouse LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1998; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 1998, are
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.
However, to assure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to mark,
sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy card as promptly as possible in the
postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Stockholders attending the
meeting may vote in person even if they have returned a Proxy.
Sincerely,
DAVID G. HUGLEY
Secretary
Austin, Texas
April 3, 1998
<PAGE> 3
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
GENERAL
The enclosed Proxy is solicited on behalf of National Instruments
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for use at its 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on May 12, 1998, at
9:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the
purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Holiday
Inn Northwest Plaza, 8901 Business Park Drive, Austin, Texas. The Company's
principal executive offices are located at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin,
Texas 78730. The Company's telephone number is (512) 338-9119.
These proxy solicitation materials were mailed on or about April 3, 1998 to
all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
RECORD DATE; OUTSTANDING SHARES
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 1998 (the
"Record Date"), are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the meeting. On
the Record Date, 32,751,678 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par
value, were issued and outstanding. All share amounts in this Proxy Statement
have been restated to give effect to the 3-for-2 stock split which occurred as
of November 12, 1997. For information regarding holders of more than five
percent of the outstanding Common Stock, see "Election of Directors -- Security
Ownership."
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
Proxies given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked at any time
before they have been used. Revocation will occur by delivering a written notice
of revocation to the Company or by duly executing a proxy bearing a later date.
Revocation will also occur if the individual attends the meeting and votes in
person.
VOTING AND SOLICITATION
Every stockholder of record on the Record Date is entitled, for each share
held, to one vote on each proposal or item that comes before the meeting. In the
election of directors, each stockholder will be entitled to vote for two
nominees and the two nominees with the greatest number of votes will be elected.
The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company may
reimburse expenses incurred by brokerage firms and other persons representing
beneficial owners of shares in forwarding solicitation material to beneficial
owners. Proxies may be solicited by certain of the Company's directors, officers
and regular employees, without additional compensation, personally, by telephone
or by telefax.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals which are intended to be presented at the Company's
1999 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no later than December 4,
1998 in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy for that
meeting.
<PAGE> 4
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL
The Company's Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with the
term of office of one class expiring each year. The Company currently has seven
directors with one director in one class and three directors in two classes. The
term of office of director Gerald T. Olson expires at the 1998 Annual Meeting.
Mr. Olson is not standing for reelection at the 1998 Annual Meeting. Dr. James
J. Truchard and William C. Nowlin, Jr., whose terms of office expire at the 2000
and 1999 Annual Meetings, respectively, have tendered their resignations from
the Board of Directors to take effect immediately prior to the 1998 Annual
Meeting. Dr. Truchard and Mr. Nowlin will stand for re-election to the Board of
Directors at the 1998 Annual Meeting. The terms of office of directors L. Wayne
Ashby and Dr. Donald M. Carlton expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting, and the terms
of office of directors Jeffrey L. Kodosky and Dr. Ben G. Streetman expire at the
2000 Annual Meeting. At the 1998 Annual Meeting, stockholders will elect two
directors for a term of three years. After the election at the 1998 Annual
Meeting, there will be six directors, with two directors in each of the three
classes.
VOTE REQUIRED
The two nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and
entitled to vote on the election of directors shall be elected to the Board of
Directors. Votes withheld from any director are counted for purposes of
determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but have no legal effect under
Delaware law. While there is no definitive statutory or case law authority in
Delaware as to the proper treatment of abstentions and broker non-votes in the
election of directors, the Company believes that both abstentions and broker
non-votes should be counted for purposes of whether a quorum is present at the
Annual Meeting. In the absence of precedent to the contrary, the Company intends
to treat abstentions and broker non-votes with respect to the election of
directors in this manner. Cumulative voting is not permitted by the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation.
Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies
received by them for the Company's two nominees named below. If any nominee of
the Company is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the
Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who is designated by the
present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not expected that any
nominee will be unable or will decline to serve as a director. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
The following sets forth information concerning the nominees for election
as directors at the Annual Meeting, including information as to each nominee's
age as of the Record Date, position with the Company and business experience.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NAME OF NOMINEE AGE POSITION/PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION SINCE
--------------- --- ----------------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. James J. Truchard 54 Chairman of the Board of 1976
Directors and President of the
Company
William C. Nowlin, Jr.(1)(2)(3) 49 Director 1976
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of Nominating and Governance Committee
(2) Member of Compensation Committee
(3) Member of Audit Committee
James J. Truchard, Ph.D., co-founded the Company in 1976 and has served as
its President and Chairman of the Board of Directors since inception. From 1963
to 1976 Dr. Truchard was the Managing Director of the Acoustical Measurements
Division at the Applied Research Laboratories ("ARL"), The University of Texas,
Austin ("UT Austin"). Dr. Truchard received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering,
his MS in Physics and his BS in Physics, all from UT Austin.
2
<PAGE> 5
William C. Nowlin, Jr. co-founded the Company in 1976 and has served as a
director since inception. Mr. Nowlin served as the Company's Chief Quality
Officer and Secretary until January 1996. Prior to that time, his positions with
the Company included Treasurer, Vice President of Engineering, Sales Manager and
Vice President of Special Projects. Mr. Nowlin received his MS in Electrical
Engineering and his BS in Electrical Engineering, both from UT Austin.
INCUMBENT DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE CONTINUE AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING
The following sets forth information concerning the directors whose terms
of office continue after the Annual Meeting, including information as to each
director's age as of the Record Date, position with the Company and business
experience.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NAME OF DIRECTOR AGE POSITION/PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION SINCE
---------------- --- ----------------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Jeffrey L. Kodosky(1) 48 Director; Vice President, 1976
Research and Development of the
Company
Dr. Ben G. Streetman(1)(2)(3) 58 Dean, College of Engineering at 1997
The University of Texas at
Austin
L. Wayne Ashby 58 Director 1977
Dr. Donald M. Carlton(1)(3) 60 President and Chief Executive 1994
Officer of Radian International
LLC
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of Nominating and Governance Committee
(2) Member of Compensation Committee
(3) Member of Audit Committee
Jeffrey L. Kodosky co-founded the Company in 1976 and has been a director
since that time. He was appointed Vice President of the Company in 1978 and has
served as Vice President, Research and Development since 1980. Prior to 1976, he
was employed at ARL, UT Austin. Mr. Kodosky received his BS in Physics from
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ben G. Streetman, Ph.D., has been a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since 1997 and is the Dean of the College of Engineering at UT Austin,
as well as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dula D. Cockrell
Centennial Chair in Engineering, and Henry E. Singleton Research Fellow at IC2
Institute. From 1984 to 1996, Dr. Streetman served as Director of the
Microelectronics Research Center at UT Austin. Dr. Streetman received his BS,
MS, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, all from UT Austin. Dr. Streetman is
currently a director of Global Marine Corporation, a publicly traded company.
L. Wayne Ashby has been a member of the Company's Board of Directors since
1977. From January 1983 until August 1995, Mr. Ashby served as Program Manager
and as Division Head of the U.S. Navy's Electronic Warfare Programs at ARL, UT
Austin. From 1964 to 1980, Mr. Ashby worked at ARL in various positions
including Research Engineer, Project Leader and Division Head. Mr. Ashby was
Vice President, Special Projects at the Company from 1980 to 1983. Mr. Ashby
received his BS in Electrical Engineering and his MS in Electrical Engineering,
both from UT Austin.
Donald M. Carlton, Ph.D., has been a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since 1994. Since February 1996, Dr. Carlton has served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Radian International LLC, and from 1969
until January 1996, Dr Carlton served as President and Chairman of the Board of
Radian Corporation, both of which are environmental engineering firms. Dr.
Carlton received his BS in Chemistry from the University of St. Thomas and his
Ph.D. in Chemistry from UT Austin. Dr. Carlton is currently a director of the
following publicly traded companies: Central & Southwest Corporation and Concert
Investment Series Fund.
There is no family relationship between any director of the Company.
3
<PAGE> 6
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's
Common Stock as of the Record Date (i) by each of the executive officers named
in the table under "Executive Compensation -- Summary Compensation Table," (ii)
by each director and nominee, (iii) by all current directors and executive
officers as a group and (iv) by all persons known to the Company, based on
statements filed by such persons pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be the beneficial owners of more
than 5% of the Company's Common Stock:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPROXIMATE
NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
NAME OF PERSON OR ENTITY SHARES (1) VOTING POWER
------------------------ --------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Dr. James J. Truchard (2)................. 8,936,074 27.3%
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, Texas 78730
Jeffrey L. Kodosky (3).................... 3,969,410 12.1%
504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, Texas 78730
Gail T. Kodosky (4)....................... 3,237,410 9.9%
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, Texas 78730
William C. Nowlin, Jr (5)................. 1,787,904 5.5%
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, Texas 78730
L. Wayne Ashby (6)........................ 2,232,540 6.8%
5512 Cuesta Verde Drive
Austin, Texas 78746
Warburg Pincus Asset Management,
Inc.(7)................................. 1,740,199 5.3%
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Peter Zogas, Jr.(8)....................... 42,156 *
Carsten Thomsen (9)....................... 23,917 *
Timothy R. Dehne (10)..................... 35,336 *
Gerald T. Olson (11)...................... 364,583 1.1%
Dr. Donald M. Carlton (12)................ 10,005 *
Dr. Ben G. Streetman (13)................. 5,750 *
All executive officers and directors as a
group
(14 persons) (14)....................... 17,430,008 53.2%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
(1) Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in
the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares
of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community
property laws where applicable.
(2) Includes 810,000 shares held by a trust for which Dr. Truchard is the
trustee and 90,000 shares held by a corporation of which Dr. Truchard is
president.
(3) Includes an aggregate of 732,000 shares held in two trusts for the benefit
of Mr. Kodosky's daughters for which Mr. Kodosky is the trustee; includes
an aggregate of 226,500 shares held by a corporation of which Mr. Kodosky
is president and his wife, Gail T. Kodosky is secretary; includes 75,000
shares held by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Kodosky and his wife; and
includes 1,469,455 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Kodosky disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his wife.
4
<PAGE> 7
(4) Includes 226,500 shares held by a corporation of which Ms. Kodosky is
secretary and her husband, Jeffrey L. Kodosky is president; includes 75,000
shares held by a trust for the benefit of Ms. Kodosky and her husband; and
includes 1,466,455 shares owned by her husband. Ms. Kodosky disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares owned by her husband.
(5) Includes 39,000 shares held in trusts for the benefit of Mr. Nowlin's
daughters, all of which shares Mr. Nowlin disclaims beneficial ownership
of; includes 24,308 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Nowlin's
mother for which Mr. Nowlin is the trustee, all of which shares Mr. Nowlin
disclaims beneficial ownership of; includes 24,307 shares held by a trust
for the benefit of Mr. Nowlin and his sister; and includes 258 shares
subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998.
(6) Includes 651 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
(7) The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 1998, reflecting
its beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of January 13, 1998. The
Schedule 13G states that Warburg Pincus Asset Management, Inc. ("Warburg")
has sole dispositive power with respect to 1,740,199 shares of Common
Stock, sole voting power with respect to 1,271,499 shares of Common Stock
and shared voting power with respect to 412,100 shares of Common Stock.
(8) Includes 16,438 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
(9) Includes 17,304 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
(10) Includes 16,555 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
(11) Includes 37,915 shares held by a trust for which Mr. Olson is the trustee;
includes 651 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
(12) Includes 4,005 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
(13) Includes 5,000 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
(14) Includes 15,011 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19,
1998.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors of the Company held a total of ten meetings during
1997. During 1997, the Board of Directors had an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. In December 1997, the Board established a Nominating and
Governance Committee.
The Audit Committee, which currently consists of directors Donald M.
Carlton, William C. Nowlin, Jr., and Ben G. Streetman, met four times during
1997. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the engagement of
the company's independent accountants, reviews with such accountants the plan,
scope and results of their examination of the consolidated financial statements
and determines the independence of such accountants.
The Compensation Committee, which currently consists of directors Gerald T.
Olson, William C. Nowlin Jr., and Ben G. Streetman met seven times during 1997.
The Compensation Committee sets the level of compensation of executive officers
and advises management with respect to compensation levels for key employees.
The Compensation Committee also administers the Company's 1994 Incentive Plan
and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The Nominating and Governance Committee, which currently consists of
directors Donald M. Carlton, Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Gerald T. Olson, Ben G.
Streetman and William C. Nowlin, Jr., did not meet during 1997. The Nominating
and Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the selection
5
<PAGE> 8
criteria for board members, compensation of outside directors, appointment of
board committee members and committee chairmen and develops board governance
principles.
No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the
Board of Directors or the total number of meetings held by all committees of the
Board of Directors on which he served.
BOARD COMPENSATION
Non-employee directors are paid a $10,000 annual retainer ($12,000 for
committee chairs), $1,000 for each Board meeting attended in person, $750
($1,000 for committee chairs) for each committee meeting attended in person,
$150 for each Board or committee meeting attended telephonically, and
reimbursement of out-of-town travel expenses. Prior to March 1997, non-employee
directors were also entitled to receive options (exercisable at fair market
value of the date of grant) to purchase 1350 shares of Common Stock upon joining
the Board, and for 675 shares on June 1st of each year. As of the date of this
Proxy Statement, non-employee directors no longer receive automatic option
grants although they may still exercise options previously granted to them and
are currently eligible to receive discretionary option grants under the terms of
the Company's Amended and Restated 1994 Incentive Plan. Employee directors of
the Company do not receive any additional compensation for services provided as
a director.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following sets forth information concerning the persons currently
serving as executive officers of the Company, including information as to each
executive officer's age as of the Record Date, position with the Company and
business experience.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AGE POSITION
- ------------------------- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Dr. James J. Truchard 54 Chairman of the Board of Directors and
President
Jeffrey L. Kodosky 48 Vice President, Research and Development and
Director
Carsten Thomsen 48 Vice President, Engineering
Timothy R. Dehne 32 Vice President, Marketing
Peter Zogas, Jr. 37 Vice President, Sales
Mark A. Finger 40 Vice President, Human Resources
Ruben Reynoso-Mangin 50 Vice President, Manufacturing
Alexander M. Davern 31 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
David G. Hugley 34 Secretary, General Counsel
</TABLE>
See "Election of Directors" for additional information with respect to Dr.
Truchard and Mr. Kodosky.
Carsten Thomsen joined the Company in November 1993 as Director of
Engineering and became Vice President, Engineering in May 1994. Mr. Thomsen was
formerly employed by Bruel & Kjaer (Denmark), an instrumentation manufacturer,
from 1983 to 1993, serving as Engineering Manager from 1983 to 1991, Manager of
the Test Systems Division from 1991 to 1992 and as Manager of the Condition
Monitoring Systems Division from 1992 to 1993. Mr. Thomsen received his BA in
Math and Physics from Andrews University.
Timothy R. Dehne joined the Company in 1987 and is currently Vice
President, Marketing. He previously served as the Company's Vice President,
Strategic Marketing, Strategic Marketing Manager, GPIB Marketing Manager, GPIB
Product Manager and as an Applications Engineer. Mr. Dehne received his BS in
Electrical Engineering from Rice University.
Peter Zogas, Jr., joined the Company in 1985 and is currently Vice
President, Sales. He served as the Company's National Sales Manger from July
1992 until his appointment as Vice President, Sales in July 1996. Earlier
positions with the Company include Business Development Manager, Regional Sales
Manager, and Sales Engineer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Zogas worked as
an engineer at Texas
6
<PAGE> 9
Instruments and, prior to that, at AT&T. Mr. Zogas received his BS in Electrical
Engineering from Drexel University. He is co-holder of one patent on multichip
packaging issued in 1986.
Mark A. Finger joined the Company in August 1995 as Director of Human
Resources and became Vice President, Human Resources in December 1996. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Finger was employed by Rosemount Inc. and Fisher
Rosemount Systems Inc., from 1981 to 1995. Positions held at Rosemount include
Human Resources Manager, Staffing Manager, Senior Human Resources
Representative, Compensation and Benefits Specialist and Staffing Specialist.
Mr. Finger received his BS in Marketing from St. Cloud University.
Ruben Reynoso-Mangin joined the Company in February 1997 as Vice President
of Manufacturing. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Reynoso-Mangin was employed
by 3M Corporation from 1972 to 1997. Positions held at 3M Corporation include
Plant Manager, Plant Quality Manager, Technology Manager, and Product Manager.
Mr. Reynoso-Mangin received his BS in BSIE from the California State Polytechnic
University.
Alexander M. Davern joined the Company as International Controller in
February 1994 and served as Corporate Controller until July 1997, when he became
Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Davern was appointed Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer in December 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Davern worked
both in Europe and in the United States for the international accounting firm of
Price Waterhouse, LLP. Mr. Davern received his BBA and a master's degree in
professional accounting from University College in Dublin, Ireland.
David G. Hugley joined the Company in 1991 as General Counsel and currently
also serves as Secretary of the Company. Mr. Hugley received his BBA and JD from
UT Austin and is a licensed attorney in Texas.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table. The following table shows the compensation paid
by the Company during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000
(collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
SECURITIES
ANNUAL COMPENSATION UNDERLYING
-------------------- OPTIONS ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) (# OF SHARES) COMPENSATION(2)
--------------------------- ---- --------- -------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. James J. Truchard 1997 $195,797 $39,159 -- $5,050
Chairman of the Board and President 1996 195,797 53,299(3) -- 5,000
1995 195,797 29,291 -- 4,870
Jeffrey L. Kodosky 1997 $140,411 $28,082 -- $ 300
Vice President, Research and 1996 147,008 38,516 -- 2,150
Development 1995 143,051 21,400 -- 1,862
Carsten Thomsen 1997 $161,004 $32,950(4) 17,250 $5,050
Vice President, Engineering 1996 149,260 39,106 17,100 4,728
1995 140,676 21,405 16,950 3,596
Peter Zogas, Jr. 1997 $143,121 $28,624 16,950 $5,050
Vice President, Sales 1996 128,352 33,628 16,800 4,764
1995 149,290 14,559(5) 15,900 4,657
Timothy R. Dehne 1997 $127,250 $26,450(6) 16,800 $4,118
Vice President, Marketing 1996 111,524 29,219 16,500 3,570
1995 94,703 14,168 16,350 3,391
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Bonus amounts for 1997, 1996 and 1995 include bonus amounts paid in fiscal
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, for services rendered in fiscal 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively.
(2) Represents Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan on behalf of
the Named Executive Officers and the full dollar value of premiums paid by
the Company for term life insurance on behalf of
7
<PAGE> 10
the Named Executive Officers for 1997, 1996 and 1995. Mr. Kodosky did not
participate in the Company's 401(k) plan in 1997.
(3) Includes a non-cash bonus with a fair market value of $2,000 on the date
such bonus was paid.
(4) Includes an award of $750 paid to Mr. Thomsen upon issuance of a patent.
(5) Includes an award of $1,417 paid to Mr. Zogas upon his completion of ten
years of service with the Company.
(6) Includes an award of $1,000 paid to Mr. Dehne upon his completion of ten
years of service with the Company.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year. The following table sets forth each
grant of stock options made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 to
each Named Executive Officer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED
------------------------------------ ANNUAL RATES OF
% OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE
OPTIONS APPRECIATION
GRANTED TO EXERCISE FOR OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES OR BASE EXPIRATION ---------------------
NAME GRANTED IN FY97 PRICE DATE 5% ($) 10% ($)
---- ------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. James J. Truchard................. -- -- -- -- -- --
Jeffrey L. Kodosky.................... -- -- -- -- -- --
Carsten Thomsen....................... 2,250(2) 0.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $ 30,633 $ 77,707
15,000(3) 1.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $204,422 $518,046
Peter Zogas, Jr....................... 1,950(2) 0.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $ 26,575 $ 67,346
15,000(3) 1.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $204,422 $518,046
Timothy R. Dehne...................... 1,800(2) 0.1% $21.67 3/19/07 $ 24,531 $ 62,166
15,000(3) 1.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $204,422 $518,046
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at the
5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and
therefore are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any,
of the Company's stock price. The Company did not use an alternative formula
for a grant date valuation, as the Company does not believe that any formula
will determine with reasonable accuracy a present value based on future
unknown or volatile factors.
(2) These options vest as to 1/60th of the shares per month after the date of
grant.
(3) These options vest as to 1/120th of the shares per month after the date of
grant, subject to acceleration based upon Company financial performance.
Aggregate Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End
Values. The following table sets forth, for each of the Named Executive
Officers, the year-end value of unexercised options. No stock options were
exercised by any Named Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended December
31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE (1) OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE MONEY
OPTIONS AT YEAR-END: OPTIONS AT YEAR-END:
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE(#) UNEXERCISABLE(#) EXERCISABLE($) UNEXERCISABLE($)
---- -------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dr. James J. Truchard........... -- -- -- --
Jeffrey L. Kodosky.............. -- -- -- --
Carsten Thomsen................. 12,653 38,647 $211,769 $510,331
Peter Zogas, Jr................. 11,926 37,724 $198,638 $496,261
Timothy R. Dehne................ 12,046 37,604 $201,607 $496,192
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Based on a fair market value of $29.00, which was the closing price of the
Company's Common Stock on December 31, 1997, as reported on the NASDAQ Stock
Market.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
In 1997, the Compensation Committee consisted of Directors Gerald T. Olson,
Dr. Peter T. Flawn, Mr. William C. Nowlin, Jr. and Dr. Ben G. Streetman. Dr.
Flawn's term of office as a member of the Board
8
<PAGE> 11
expired on May 13, 1997 and, accordingly, Dr. Flawn's participation in the
Compensation Committee ceased as of that date. Dr. Streetman was appointed to
the Compensation Committee on June 18, 1997. Mr. Olson was an executive officer
of the Company from 1980 to 1983. Dr. Truchard may participate in the
deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation of
the Company's executive officers.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and
directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and
changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the SEC. Such officers, directors
and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the
copies of such forms received by it, the Company believes that, during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to its officers, directors and 10% stockholders were satisfied except
as described in the following paragraph.
Mr. Nowlin did not timely file three Forms 4 reporting an aggregate of
eight sales of the Company's common stock by trusts for the benefit of Mr.
Nowlin's daughters, all of which transactions were reported on a Form 5; Mr.
Ashby filed a late Form 4 reporting a sale of the Company's common stock. Dr.
Streetman filed a late Form 3 reporting his holdings of the Company's common
stock.
9
<PAGE> 12
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following line graph compares the cumulative total return to
stockholders of the Company's Common Stock from March 13, 1995 (the date of the
Company's initial public offering) to December 31, 1997 to the cumulative total
return over such period of (i) Nasdaq Composite Index and (ii) H&Q Total Return
Technology Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on March 13, 1995 in
the Company's common stock at its initial public offering price of $14.50 per
share and in each of the other two indices and the reinvestment of all
dividends, if any.
The information contained in the Performance Graph shall not be deemed to
be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC, nor shall such
information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into any such filing. The
graph is presented in accordance with SEC requirements. Stockholders are
cautioned against drawing any conclusions from the data contained therein, as
past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
National
Measurement Period Instruments Nasdaq Composite H&Q Total Return
(Fiscal Year Covered) Corporation Index Technology Index
<S> <C> <C> <C>
3/13/95 100 100 100
12/31/95 140 132 136
12/31/96 221 161 163
12/31/97 300 199 196
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE> 13
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee, comprised of directors Olson, Nowlin and
Streetman is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors the
compensation programs and levels of pay for executive officers. The Committee
also advises management on pay programs and levels for other employees. The
Committee regularly retains an independent compensation consulting firm to
provide analyses of competitive industry pay levels and practices, and to advise
the Committee on appropriate pay levels for the Company.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives. The Company's basic philosophy is
to align executive compensation with increases in stockholder value through
growth in sales and operating profits. Primarily, this is accomplished through
the use of stock options, which provide compensation in direct proportion to
increases in stockholder value, and profit sharing. In addition, the Company
believes it is important to emphasize teamwork and active participation by all
employees. This is accomplished through providing options to essentially all
full-time, exempt domestic employees and similarly situated international
employees, and through cash incentives, through which both executives and
employees receive cash bonuses based on company-wide financial goals. Finally,
it is the Company's philosophy that no special perquisites should be provided to
senior executives.
Executive Compensation Programs. The Company's executive compensation
programs consist of three principal elements: base salary, cash bonus and stock
options. The Company emphasizes incentive compensation in the form of stock
options and bonuses, rather than base salary. The Compensation Committee has
adopted a guideline that executives should be paid competitive base salaries.
The Board of Directors sets the annual base salary for executives after
consideration of the recommendations of the Compensation Committee. Prior to
making its recommendations, the Compensation Committee reviews historical
compensation levels of the executives, evaluations of past performance,
assessments of expected future contributions of the executives, competitive pay
levels and programs provided by other comparable companies, and pay practices in
general industry. In making its determinations, the Committee does not utilize
any particular indices or formulae to arrive at each executive's recommended pay
level.
For many years, the Company has maintained a cash bonus plan under which
executive officers participate. In recent years, this plan provided for a target
incentive to be paid based on achieving pre-determined levels of revenue growth
and profitability. For fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995 these goals were 40% revenue
growth and 18% operating profit as a percent of revenue, the same goals as for
all other employees. At the end of each year, actual results for the Company are
compared to these targets and executive bonuses are based on actual Company
performance in relation to these factors. If there is no growth or no
profitability, no cash bonuses are payable to executive officers. Individual
performance is not considered in determining the bonus of individual officers,
except for the Vice President, Sales, who is eligible for a separate sales
commission program. The growth and profitability performance measures were
approved by the Board of Directors.
Total compensation for executive officers also includes long-term
incentives in the form of stock options, which are generally provided through
initial stock option grants at the date of hire and periodic additional stock
option grants. Stock options are instrumental in promoting the alignment of
long-term interests between the Company's executive officers and stockholders
due to the fact that executives realize gains only if the stock price increases
over the fair market value at the date of grant and the executives exercise
their options. In determining the amount of such grants, the Committee evaluates
the job level of the executive, responsibilities of the executive, and
competitive practices in the industry. All options are granted at 100% of fair
market value at the date of grant. Options vest over a period of five years (in
the case of options awarded to all employees) to ten years, subject to
acceleration based on Company performance (in case of special option grants to
executives). The long-term value realized by executives through option exercises
can be directly linked to the enhancement of stockholder value.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. While the Board was highly pleased
with Dr. Truchard's performance in 1997, at his request, the Chief Executive
Officer's base salary was not changed during the fiscal year and he received no
stock options. Based on the same formula applied to other executive officers,
Dr. Truchard's bonus for 1997 was $39,399, based on the Company's revenue growth
of 20% and its profit
11
<PAGE> 14
percentage of 20.7%. Dr. Truchard is the Company's largest stockholder with an
ownership of 27.3% of the Company's stock.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), imposes a limit on tax deductions for annual compensation in excess of
one million dollars paid by a corporation to its chief executive officer and the
other four most highly compensated executive officers of a corporation. None of
the compensation paid by the Company in fiscal 1997 was subject to the
limitation on deductibility. The Compensation Committee will continue to assess
the impact of Section 162(m) of the Code on its compensation practices and
determine what further action, if any, is appropriate.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERALD T. OLSON
WILLIAM C. NOWLIN, JR.
BEN G. STREETMAN
12
<PAGE> 15
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES
GENERAL
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect (the
"Certificate"), provides that the Company is authorized to issue two classes of
stock, consisting of 60,000,000 shares designated as Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share, and 5,000,000 shares designated as Preferred Stock, $.01 par
value per share.
The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized amendment and
restatement of the Certificate, subject to stockholder approval, to increase the
authorized number of shares of Common Stock by 120,000,000 shares, bringing the
total authorized Common Stock up to 180,000,000 shares. Under the proposed
amendment and restatement, the first paragraph of Article Fourth of the
Certificate would be amended and restated to read as follows:
"Fourth: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation
shall have authority to issue is one-hundred and eighty-five million
(185,000,000) shares of capital stock, classified as (i) five million
(5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share ("Preferred
Stock"), and (ii) one-hundred and eighty million (180,000,000) shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock")."
The stockholders are being asked to approve such amendment. The proposed
amendment would give the Board the authority to issue additional shares of
Common Stock without requiring future stockholder approval of such issuances,
except as may otherwise be required by applicable law.
Of the 60,000,000 currently authorized shares of Common Stock, 32,751,678
shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of March 20, 1998 (the
Record Date for the 1998 Annual Meeting). In addition, as of such date,
approximately 3,916,959 shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of
outstanding options; and approximately 5,284,174 shares were reserved for future
grant under the Company's 1994 Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Accordingly, as of March 20, 1998, the Company had 18,047,189 shares of
authorized but unissued and unreserved Common Stock available for issuance.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT
The principal purpose of this proposed amendment and restatement of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of
Common Stock is to make such shares available for use by the Board of Directors
as it deems appropriate or necessary. For example, such shares may be needed in
connection with future stock dividends or splits, raising additional capital
through the sale of the Company's securities, providing options or other stock
incentives to the Company's employees, consultants or others, acquisition of
another company or its business or assets, or establishing a strategic
relationship with a corporate partner.
The Board of Directors has no present agreement, arrangement, plan or
understanding with respect to the issuance of any such shares of Common Stock.
If the amendment is approved by the stockholders, the Board of Directors does
not intend to solicit further stockholder approval prior to the issuance of any
additional shares of Common Stock, except as may be required by applicable law.
Holders of the Company's securities as such have no statutory preemptive rights
with respect to issuances of Common Stock.
The increase in authorized Common Stock will not have any immediate effect
on the rights of existing stockholders. To the extent that the additional
authorized shares are issued in the future, they will decrease the existing
stockholders' percentage equity ownership and, depending on the price at which
they are issued, could be dilutive to the existing stockholders.
POTENTIAL ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT
The increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock and the
subsequent issuance of such shares could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change-in-control of the Company without further
13
<PAGE> 16
action by the stockholders. Shares of authorized and unissued Common Stock could
(within the limits imposed by applicable law) be issued in one or more
transactions that would make a change-in-control of the Company more difficult,
and therefore less likely. Any such issuance of additional stock could have the
effect of diluting the earnings per share and book value per share of
outstanding shares of Common Stock, and such additional shares could be used to
dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain
control of the Company. The Company has previously adopted certain measures that
may have the effect of helping to resist an unsolicited takeover attempt,
including provisions in the Company's 1994 Incentive Plan permitting the
acceleration of exercisability of outstanding options in the event of a sale of
assets or merger and provisions of the Certificate authorizing the Board to
issue up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, the terms, provisions and
rights of which may be fixed by the Board without stockholder action or
approval.
VOTE REQUIRED
The affirmative votes of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date will be required to approve the
amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation. The effect of an
abstention is the same as that of a vote against the proposal. If the amendment
is not approved, the Company's authorized capital stock will not change.
RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE
AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
STOCK PRICE
The closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the Record Date, as
reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market, was $34.875.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Management has selected Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants to
audit the books, records and accounts of the Company for the current fiscal year
ending December 31, 1998. Price Waterhouse LLP has audited the Company's
financial statements since the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company's Common
Stock represented and voting at the meeting will be required to approve and
ratify the Board's selection of Price Waterhouse LLP. The Board of Directors
recommends voting "FOR" approval and ratification of such selection. In the
event of a negative vote on such ratification, the Board of Directors will
reconsider its selection.
A representative of Price Waterhouse LLP is expected to be available at the
Annual Meeting to make a statement if such representative desires to do so and
to respond to appropriate questions.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company knows of no other matters to be submitted to the meeting. If
any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote the shares they represent as
the Board of Directors may recommend.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DAVID G. HUGLEY
Secretary
Austin, Texas
April 3, 1998
14
<PAGE> 17
1389-PS-98
<PAGE> 18
ANNEX A
DETACH HERE
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 12, 1998
P The undersigned stockholder of NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the
R Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each
dated April 3, 1998, and 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and hereby
O appoints Dr. James J. Truchard and William C. Nowlin, Jr., and each of
them, proxies and attorneys-in- fact, with full power of substitution,
X on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the
undersigned at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NATIONAL
Y INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION to be held on May 12, 1998 at 9:00 a.m., local
time, at the Holiday Inn Northwest Plaza, 8901 Business Park Drive,
Austin, Texas 78730, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all
shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote
if then and there personally present, on the matters set forth below.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS
INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE
COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF
AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICE
WATERHOUSE LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS, AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON
SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
---------------------
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SEE REVERSE SIDE
---------------------
<PAGE> 19
DETACH HERE
[X] Please mark
votes as in
this example.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
Nominees: Dr. James J. Truchard, William C. Nowlin, Jr.
FOR WITHHELD
/ / / /
MARK HERE
FOR ADDRESS
CHANGE AND
/ / __________________________________ NOTE BELOW / /
(if you wish to withhold authority
to vote for any individual nominee,
please write that nominee's name on
the line above)
2. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES / / / / / /
OF COMMON STOCK BY 120,000,000 SHARES TO
180,000,000 SHARES:
3. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP AS THE
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE / / / / / /
COMPANY FOR FISCAL 1998:
4. TO TRANSACT SUCH OTHER BUSINESS, IN THEIR DISCRETION, AS MAY PROPERLY COME
BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
Either of such attorneys or substitutes shall have and may exercise all of the
powers of said attorneys-in-fact hereunder.
(This Proxy should be marked, dated and signed by the shareholder(s) exactly as
his, her or its name appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed
envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares
are held by joint tenants or as community property, both should sign).
Signature:___________________________ Date:______________
Signature:___________________________ Date:______________
<PAGE> 20
ANNEX B
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
National Instruments Corporation (hereinafter called the
"Corporation"), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:
1. That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined that
it is advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation that the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be hereby amended by deleting
the current text of the first paragraph of Article FOURTH in its entirety and by
substituting in lieu thereof the following:
"FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock which the
Corporation shall have the authority to issue is one-hundred and eighty-five
million (185,000,000) shares of capital stock, classified as (i) five million
shares (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
("Preferred Stock"), and (ii) one-hundred and eighty million (180,000,000)
shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock")."
2. That upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a majority of all the shares of
capital stock entitled to vote as a class voted in favor of such amendment.
3. The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation herein certified
has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of
Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the ____ day of
May, 1998.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
__________________________________________
Name:
Title:
