SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 17, 1999
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MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-13828 56-1505767
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(State or other (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Identification
incorporation) No.)
501 Pearl Drive, St. Peters, Missouri 63376
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314) 279-5000
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(Not Applicable)
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events
MEMC Board Appoints Klaus von Horde as President and Chief Executive Officer
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. issued a news release on February 18, 1999
announcing that MEMC's Board appointed Klaus von Horde as President and Chief
Executive Officer effective February 17, 1999 and that Ludger Viefhues would
retire but continue as a director. This news release is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
C. Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
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10-xx(1) Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated as of February
17, 1999 between the Company and Ludger H. Viefhues
99.1 News release issued by MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
dated February 18, 1999
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
Date: March 1, 1999 /s/ James M. Stolze
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James M. Stolze
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
These Exhibits are numbered in accordance with the Exhibit Table of Item
601 of Regulation S-K:
Exhibit No. Description
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10-xx(1) Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated as of
February 17, 1999 between the Company and Ludger
H. Viefhues
99.1 News Release issued by MEMC Electronic Materials,
Inc. dated February 18, 1999
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT
THIS SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 17, 1999 (the
"Agreement"), by and between MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. of St. Peters,
Missouri, a Delaware corporation ("MEMC"), and Ludger H. Viefhues (the
"Executive").
WHEREAS, MEMC and the Executive have mutually agreed that the Executive
will resign from service as Chief Executive Officer of MEMC, and as an employee
of MEMC and a member of the Board of Directors (the "Board") at certain mutually
agreeable dates;
WHEREAS, the parties intend that this Agreement will set forth the terms
regarding the Executive's resignation and will supercede the Executive's
employment agreement with MEMC, dated as of September 3, 1996;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
1. Effective Date; Transition Date. The Executive shall resign from service
as Chief Executive Officer of MEMC effective as of February 17, 1999 (the
"Effective Date"). The Executive shall continue to serve as an employee of MEMC
and as a member of the Board until August 17, 1999 (the "Transition Date"), on
which date he shall resign his employment with the Company and retire from the
Board (it being understood that the Executive shall retire from the Board prior
to that date upon request by the Chairman of the Board). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Agreement shall not be effective until it is approved by the
Board.
2. Term. The term of the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate on the Transition Date (the
"Transition Term"). During the Transition Term, the Executive shall assist in
the orderly transition in MEMC's leadership, including, without limitation,
meeting with MEMC's employees and customers, and the Executive agrees to serve
MEMC faithfully and to the best of his ability under the direction of the Chief
Executive Officer. The Executive shall make himself available on a reasonable
basis from time to time to perform such services, but there shall be no
established schedule for the Executive's services and he shall not be required
to devote any minimum number of days to the performance of such services. During
the Transition Term, the Executive also agrees to continue to serve as a member
of the Board as a non-executive director at no compensation in addition to that
provided for in this Agreement. During the Transition Term, the Executive shall
receive compensation and benefits as set forth in Part I below.
From the Transition Date through August 17, 2000 (the "Severance Term"),
the Executive shall receive compensation and benefits set forth in Part II
below.
Part I: Arrangements During the Transition Term
3. Compensation and Benefits. In consideration of the Executive's agreement
to continue to be employed by MEMC under the terms and provisions of this
Agreement, MEMC shall provide the Executive with the following compensation and
benefit arrangements during the Transition Term.
3.1 Compensation. During the Transition Term, the Executive shall
continue to receive his annual base salary at the present annual rate of
$520,000, payable in accordance with MEMC's regular payroll practices. In
addition to continued payments of base salary, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive (i) the full amount of his annual incentive payment in
respect of 1998, as has been determined by the Compensation Committee, to
be paid in a lump sum at the time the payments in respect of the 1998 plan
year are made to other executives and (ii) in respect of 1999, a grant of
options under the MEMC 1995 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive
Plan") in an amount to be determined by the Compensation Committee of the
Board in its sole discretion. The Executive shall also receive a pro rata
annual incentive payment in respect of 1999, calculated by multiplying
.71237 by the amount of the Executive's full bonus in respect of 1999,
which bonus amount shall be determined based on the Compensation
Committee's review of MEMC's actual performance for 1999, and which shall
be paid in a lump sum at the time that payments in respect of the 1999 plan
year would ordinarily be made under the terms of the MEMC annual incentive
plan (it being understood that such pro rata bonus shall not be considered
compensation for the purpose of calculating the Executive's pension
benefits or any other such benefits he may receive from MEMC).
3.2 Other Employee Benefits and Perquisites. During the Transition
Term, the Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in all
welfare and pension benefit plans and programs of MEMC applicable to senior
executives, including, without limitation, medical, dental, life insurance,
disability income, the MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. Pension Plan for
Salaried Employees (the "MEMC Pension Plan") and the MEMC Electronic
Materials, Inc. Supplemental Executive Pension Plan (the "MEMC SEPP"), on
the same terms as in effect on the Effective Date, and shall continue to
enjoy all other executive perquisites afforded to the Executive on the
Effective Date.
3.3 Use of Office Space. During the Transition Term, MEMC shall
continue to provide the Executive with suitable office space and
secretarial support in order to facilitate his performance of services
hereunder.
Part II: Arrangements During the Severance Term
4. Severance Benefits. Effective as of the Transition Date, the Executive
shall begin receiving the following payments and benefits:
4.1 Severance Pay. The Executive shall receive a supplemental
severance benefit in an amount equal to $520,000, payable in a single lump
sum within 10 business days of the Transition Date.
4.2 Pension Credit. As of the Transition Date, the Executive shall
receive an additional year of credit for service under the MEMC Pension
Plan and the MEMC SEPP. MEMC acknowledges that as of the Transition Date,
the combination of the Executive's age and years of service is at least
eighty, and therefore the Executive will be eligible for the "Combo 80"
early retirement income benefits under the MEMC Pension Plan.
4.3 Stock Options. Effective as of the Transition Date, all unvested
options granted to Executive under the Equity Incentive Plan shall vest and
the Executive shall be permitted to exercise all stock options granted
under the Equity Incentive Plan until the earlier of (A) three years
following the Transition Date and (B) the expiration of the option's term.
4.4 Repatriation Expenses. MEMC shall pay the Executive a lump sum
amount equal to $45,455 in order to defray the expense of repatriating the
Executive and his family to Germany.
4.5 Other Employee Benefits and Perquisites. Effective as of the
Transition Date, the Executive shall continue to participate in the welfare
benefit plans of MEMC on the same terms as other executive officers until
the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Severance Term and (ii) the date
that the Executive returns to Germany. In addition, MEMC agrees that it
will provide the Executive with reasonable and customary tax preparation
services and financial planning assistance for the 1999 tax year.
Part III: Provisions Applicable to both the Transition Term
and the Severance Term
5. Restrictive Covenants.
5.1 Non-Compete; Confidentiality. For a period of two years following
the Effective Date (the "Restricted Period"), the Executive will not accept
employment nor engage in business, directly or indirectly, as a sole
proprietor, member of a partnership, stockholder or investor (other than a
stockholder or investor owning not more than a 5% interest), officer or
director of a corporation, or as an employee, associate, consultant or
agent for any person, partnership, corporation or other business
organization or entity other than MEMC or any of its subsidiaries which
competes with MEMC without the express written consent of MEMC. In
addition, the terms of the standard confidentiality agreement between MEMC
and the Executive are incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Section 5 to the contrary, the period of
applicability of this Section 5 shall be extended an additional day for
each day on which the Executive is in breach of this Section 5.
5.2 Injunctive Relief. Without intending to limit the remedies
available to the parties hereto, the parties acknowledge that a breach of
any of the covenants contained in this Section 5 may result in material and
irreparable injury to MEMC or the Executive, as the case may be, for which
there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure
damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of such a breach
or threat thereof, the injured party shall be entitled to seek a temporary
restraining order and/or a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining
the other party from engaging in activities prohibited by this Section 5 or
such other relief as may be required specifically to enforce any of the
covenants in this Section 5. If, for any reason, it is held that the
restrictions under this Section 5 are not reasonable or that consideration
therefor is inadequate, such restrictions shall be interpreted or modified
to include as much of the duration and scope identified in this Section 5
as will render such restrictions valid and enforceable.
5.3 No Public Comment. The Executive hereby agrees now and at any time
in the future to refrain from making any comments or statements to the
press, the employees of MEMC or any individual or entity with whom MEMC has
a business relationship or others, (i) which would be likely to adversely
affect the conduct of the business of MEMC or any of its affiliates, or any
of their plans or prospects, or their business reputations, or the business
reputations of any of their representatives or members of their respective
boards of directors, or (ii) which would disparage in any way or cast a
negative light on MEMC or any of its affiliates, or any of their respective
directors, officers, agents or employees. MEMC hereby agrees now and at any
time in the future to refrain from making any comments or statements to the
press or any individual or entity with whom the Executive has a business
relationship or others, (i) which would be likely to adversely affect the
business reputation of the Executive, or (ii) which would disparage in any
way or cast a negative light on the Executive.
6. Successors. MEMC will require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the business and/or assets of MEMC to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that MEMC would be required
to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement,
"MEMC" shall mean MEMC as defined above and any successor to its business and/or
assets which by reason hereof assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.
7. General Release. In consideration of the payments provided this
Agreement, the Executive hereby agrees to enter into a release and waiver in
substantially the form attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement as of the
Transition Date. In consideration of the willingness of the Executive to enter
into this Agreement, MEMC hereby releases the Executive and his heirs, personal
representatives, successors, and assigns from any and all claims of every nature
and description, whether known or unknown, that arose prior to the date hereof.
This does not release the Executive from any claim which may be made as a
consequence of his future breach of any provision of this Agreement.
8. Press Release. In connection with the Executive's retirement from
service as Chief Executive Officer of MEMC as of the Transition Date, the
Executive agrees that MEMC shall issue a press release substantially in the form
of Exhibit B to this Agreement.
9. Miscellaneous.
9.1 Severability. Each provision of this Agreement shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to
the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the
remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
9.2 Disputes. Any disputes between the parties to this Agreement shall
be settled by arbitration in St. Louis, Missouri under the auspices of the
American Arbitration Association in accordance with the National Rules for
the Resolution of Employment Disputes promulgated by the Association. The
decision in such arbitration shall be final and conclusive on the parties
and judgment upon such decision may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof.
9.3 Entire Agreement; Amendment.
(i) Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement
represents the entire agreement of the parties concerning the subject
matter hereof and shall supersede any and all previous contracts,
arrangements or understandings between MEMC and the Executive,
including, without limitation, the employment agreement between MEMC
and the Executive, dated as of September 3, 1996 (the "Prior
Agreement"). The parties hereto acknowledge that they have no further
claims or rights under the Prior Agreement.
(ii) This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual written
agreement of the parties hereto.
9.4 Withholding. The payment of any amount pursuant to this Agreement
shall be subject to applicable withholding and payroll taxes, and such
other deductions as may be required under MEMC's employee benefit plans, if
any.
9.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.
MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
By: /s/ Helmut Mamsch
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Name: Helmut Mamsch
Title: Chairman of the Board
/s/ Ludger H. Viefhues
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Ludger H. Viefhues
<PAGE>
Exhibit A
Waiver and Release
This Waiver and Release (the "Release") is entered into as of August 17,
1999, by and between MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC. of St. Peters, Missouri, a
Delaware corporation ("MEMC"), and Ludger H. Viefhues (the "Executive").
(a) General Release. In consideration of the payments, covenants and
benefits (collectively, the "Payments") provided to Executive by the Company
pursuant to that certain Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of February
17, 1999, Executive hereby releases and forever discharges MEMC and its
respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the "Group") and
their respective officers, employees, directors and agents from any and all
claims, actions and causes of action (collectively, "Claims"), including,
without limitation, any Claims arising under any applicable federal, state,
local or foreign law, that Executive may have, or in the future may possess,
arising out of (x) Executive's employment relationship with and service as a
director, employee or officer of any member of the Group, and the termination of
such relationship or service, or (y) any event, condition, circumstance or
obligation that occurred, existed or arose on or prior to the date hereof;
provided, however, that the release set forth in this Section (a) will not apply
to any of the obligations of MEMC under the Supplemental Retirement Agreement.
Executive further agrees that the Payments will be in full satisfaction of any
and all claims for payments or benefits, whether express or implied, that
Executive may have against any member of the Group arising out of Executive's
employment relationship, his service as a director, employee or officer of any
member of the Group and the termination thereof.
(b) Specific Release of ADEA Claims. In consideration of the Payments,
Executive hereby releases and forever discharges each member of the Group and
their respective officers, employees, directors and agents from any and all
claims, actions and causes of action that Executive may have as of the date he
signs this Release arising under the U.S. Federal Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the applicable rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder ("ADEA"). By signing this Release, Executive hereby
acknowledges and confirms the following: (i) he was advised by the Company in
connection with his termination to consult with an attorney of his choice prior
to signing this Release and to have such attorney explain to him the terms of
this Release, including, without limitation, the terms relating to his release
of claims arising under ADEA; (ii) he has been given a period of not fewer than
21 days to consider the terms of this Release and to consult with an attorney of
his choosing with respect thereto; and (iii) he is providing the release and
discharge set forth in this Section (b) only in exchange for consideration in
addition to anything of value to which he is already entitled.
(c) Revocation. This Release may be revoked by Executive within the 7-day
period commencing on the date he signs this Release (the "Revocation Period").
In the event of any such revocation by Executive, all obligations of the Company
to provide the Payments to Executive will terminate and be of no further force
and effect as of the date of such revocation. No such revocation will be
effective unless it is in writing and signed by Executive and received by the
Company prior to the expiration of the Revocation Period.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Release effective as of
the day and year first written above.
MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
By:____________________________________
Name:
Title:
_______________________________________
Ludger H. Viefhues
<PAGE>
Exhibit B
PRESS RELEASE
MEMC BOARD ELECTS
KLAUS VON HORDE CEO,
REPLACING LUDGER VIEFHUES
Viefhues to Remain on Board
Dusseldorf, Germany, February 17, 1999 -- The Board of Directors of MEMC
Electronic Materials Inc. announced that Ludger Viefhues has elected to retire
as Chief Executive Officer with effect of today and that Klaus von Horde, now
President and Chief Operating Officer, will become President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Mr. Helmut Mamsch, Chairman, said "MEMC has been involved in an active program
to restructure its operations and staff to respond to the difficult conditions
which confront the silicon wafer industry throughout the world. We also thought
it appropriate to strengthen the Company's leadership by combining the CEO and
President's roles. Mr. Viefhues, who has served as CEO since 1996 and has been a
key employee with HULS AG and VEBA AG for more than 30 years indicated to the
Board his willingness to retire early and turn over the reins of leadership to
Mr. von Horde who joined MEMC in 1997 and is presently President and Chief
Operating Officer. The Board of Directors ratified this change at its meeting in
Dusseldorf on February 17. The Board is pleased to announce that Mr. Viefhues
has agreed to remain a Director to assist in an orderly transition. We thank him
for his years of loyal service and effective leadership, and wish him and his
family well in the future."
Mr. Ludger Viefhues said, "After the extensive restructuring program MEMC is
well positioned to play a stronger role in the competitive silicon wafer
business and serve its worldwide customers better with advanced products and
services. Klaus von Horde has the right background we need to lead the Company
at this time, and I am pleased the Board selected him to succeed me."
Mr. von Horde, 56, brings 30 years of management experience in the engineering
business to the CEO position at MEMC. Since he joined MEMC in 1997 he has led
the transformation effort to improve the operating performance of the Company.
Previously, Mr. von Horde was CEO and Chairman of the Management board of Carl
Schenck AG, a German engineering and equipment manufacturing company with sales
of over $500 million and over 5,000 employees. Before that, Mr. von Horde served
as Member of the Management Board of Asea Brown Boveri Industrie AG after 15
years of management experience at General Electric.
In commenting upon his election as CEO, Mr. Von Horde said, "MEMC has to thank
Ludger Viefhues for his contribution and dedication to the development of this
company. Today, there are still many challenges ahead of us, but with the
direction given we will come out strong."
MEMC is the second-largest producer of silicon wafers in the world. The silicon
wafer is the fundamental building block of semiconductors, which in turn, are
found in every type of microelectronics application, including computer systems,
telecommunications equipment, automobiles, consumer electronics products,
industrial automation and control systems, and analytical and defense systems.
Headquartered in St. Peters, MO, MEMC operates manufacturing facilities directly
or through joint ventures in Italy, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the
United States. MEMC is the leading worldwide producer of silicon wafers outside
of Japan and is the only non-Japanese silicon wafer manufacturer with
manufacturing and research facilities in Japan.
News releases and other information about MEMC are available on the Internet via
the World Wide Web at www.memc.com.
CONTACT: Janine Orf
Director, Investor Relations
(314) 279-5443
Michele Katz/Connie Bienfait/
Elric Martinez
Morgan-Walke Associates
Press: Lee Foley/Frank Domondon
(212) 850-5600
MEMC Board Elects Klaus von Horde CEO
Viefhues to Continue on as Director, Following Retirement
St. Peters, MO, February 18, 1999 - The Board of Directors of MEMC Electronic
Materials INC. (NYSE:WFR) announced that Ludger Viefhues has elected to retire
as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately and that Klaus von Horde, now
President and Chief Operating Officer, will become President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Mr. Helmut Mamsch, Chairman of MEMC Electronic Materials, said "MEMC has been
involved in an active program to restructure its operations and staff to respond
to the difficult conditions which confront the silicon wafer industry throughout
the world. We also thought it appropriate to strengthen the Company's leadership
by combining the CEO and President's roles. Mr. Viefhues, who has served as CEO
since 1996 and has been a key employee with HULS AG and VEBA AG for more than 30
years, indicated to the Board his willingness to retire early and turn over the
reins of leadership to Mr. Klaus von Horde who joined MEMC in 1997 and is
presently President and Chief Operating Officer. The Board is pleased to
announce that Mr. Viefhues has agreed to remain a Director to assist in an
orderly transition. We thank him for his years of loyal service and effective
leadership, and wish him and his family well in the future."
Mr. Ludger Viefhues said, "After the extensive restructuring program, MEMC is
well positioned to play a stronger role in the competitive silicon wafer
business and serve its worldwide customers better with advanced products and
services. Klaus von Horde has the right background we need to lead the Company
at this time, and I am pleased the Board selected him to succeed me."
Mr. von Horde, 56, brings 30 years of management experience in the engineering
business to the CEO position at MEMC. Since he joined MEMC in 1997 he has led
the transformation effort to improve the operating performance of the Company.
Previously, Mr. von Horde was CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Carl
Schenck AG, a German engineering and equipment manufacturing company with sales
of over $500 million and over 5,000 employees. Before that, Mr. von Horde served
as Member of the Management Board of Asea Brown Boveri Industrie AG after 15
years of management experience at General Electric.
In commenting upon his election as CEO, Mr. Von Horde said, "MEMC is grateful
for Ludger's contribution and dedication to the development of this company.
Today, there are still many challenges ahead of us, but I believe we are moving
in the right direction."
MEMC is the second-largest producer of silicon wafers in the world. The silicon
wafer is the fundamental building block of semiconductors, which in turn, are
found in every type of microelectronics application, including computer systems,
telecommunications equipment, automobiles, consumer electronics products,
industrial automation and control systems, and analytical and defense systems.
Headquartered in St. Peters, MO, MEMC operates manufacturing facilities directly
or through joint ventures in Italy, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the
United States. MEMC is the leading worldwide producer of silicon wafers outside
of Japan and is the only non-Japanese silicon wafer manufacturer with
manufacturing and research facilities in Japan.
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