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VISHAY PRECISION GROUP, INC.
3
GREAT VALLEY PARKWAY
SUITE
150
MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA
19355
April 19, 2012
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Vishay Precision Group, Inc., to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Liberty Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355. The Board of Directors looks forward to greeting you personally at the annual meeting.
During the annual meeting, we will discuss each item of business described in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement and provide a report on Vishay Precision Groups business operations. There will also be time for questions.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of Vishay Precision Group. We hope you will be able to attend the annual meeting. Whether or not you expect to attend the annual meeting, and regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important to us and to our business that your shares are represented and voted at the annual meeting. Therefore, you are encouraged to sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card in the return envelope provided so that your shares will be represented and voted at the annual meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ Marc Zandman
Marc
Zandman
Chairman of the Board of
Directors
VISHAY PRECISION GROUP, INC.
3
GREAT VALLEY PARKWAY
SUITE
150
MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA
19355
NOTICE OF 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY MAY 22, 2012
The 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Vishay Precision Group, Inc. will be held at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Liberty Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355, on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., local time. The meeting will be held to consider and act upon:
1. | The election of five directors to hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2013; | ||
2. | The ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2012; and | ||
3. | Such other business as may be brought properly before the meeting. |
Our stockholders of record at the close of business on April 13, 2012 will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting or at any adjournment thereof. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in person, we encourage you to read this proxy statement and submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the instructions under the heading How do I vote my shares? Can I vote electronically? on page 3 of this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Roland B. Desilets
Roland B.
Desilets
Corporate Secretary
Malvern,
Pennsylvania
April 19, 2012
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on May 22, 2012. The
Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and our 2011
Annual Report to
Stockholders are available for view on our proxy website: www.proxyvote.com |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION | PAGE | |
About the Meeting | 1 | |
Governance of the Company | 5 | |
Director Compensation | 9 | |
Proposal One Election of Directors | 10 | |
Report of the Audit Committee | 12 | |
Proposal Two Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 13 | |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 15 | |
Executive Compensation | 18 | |
Report of the Compensation Committee | 26 | |
Compensation Tables | 27 | |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 35 | |
Other Matters | 37 | |
Availability of Annual Report and Form 10-K to Stockholders | 37 | |
Stockholder Proposals for 2013 Annual Meeting | 37 |
VISHAY PRECISION GROUP, INC.
3
GREAT VALLEY PARKWAY
SUITE
150
MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA
19355
________________
PROXY STATEMENT
________________
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Vishay Precision Group, Inc. for use at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Liberty Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355 on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., local time, or any adjournments thereof.
ABOUT THE MEETING
Why did I receive these materials?
Pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, we are required to hold a meeting of stockholders annually. This years meeting will be held on May 22, 2012. There will be at least two items of business that must be voted on by our stockholders at the meeting, and our Board of Directors (the Board) is seeking your proxy to vote on these items. This proxy statement contains important information about Vishay Precision Group, Inc. and the matters that will be voted on at the meeting. Please read these materials carefully so that you have the information you need to make informed decisions. Throughout this proxy statement, we will refer to ourselves as Vishay Precision Group, Inc., VPG, we, our, or the Company.
We intend to begin mailing the proxy materials to stockholders on or about April 19, 2012. The proxy materials have also been posted on the Internet, at www.proxyvote.com.
What is a proxy?
A proxy is your legal designation of another person to vote the shares of stock that you own. The person you designate to vote your shares is also called a proxy. When you submit a proxy, the people named on the proxy card are required to vote your shares at the annual meeting in the manner you have instructed.
What is the record date and why is it important?
The record date is the date used by our Board to determine which stockholders are entitled to receive notice of, and vote on the items presented at, the annual meeting. Our Board established April 13, 2012 as the record date for the 2012 Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between Stockholders of Record and Beneficial Owners?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, you are considered to be the stockholder of record of those shares. The proxy statement, annual report and proxy card have been sent directly to you by the Company.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name. This proxy statement and annual report have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank, or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or nominee how to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card included in the mailing or by following their instructions for voting.
1
Who can attend the meeting?
All stockholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, are invited to attend the meeting.
What proposals will I be voting on and how does the Board of Directors recommend I vote?
The Boards recommendations are set forth together with the description of each proposal in this proxy statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote:
Does VPG have more than one class of stock outstanding?
We have two classes of stock outstanding, common stock and Class B common stock. On the record date, there were 12,336,688 shares of common stock and 1,025,176 shares of Class B common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
What are the voting rights of each class of stock?
Each share of common stock will be entitled to one vote and each share of Class B common stock will be entitled to 10 votes with respect to each matter to be voted on at the annual meeting.
A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available for examination by VPGs stockholders during ordinary business hours for a period of ten days prior to the annual meeting at our headquarters, 3 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 150, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. A stockholder list will also be available for examination at the annual meeting.
What constitutes a quorum?
A quorum is the minimum number of votes required to be present at the annual meeting to conduct business. As set forth in VPGs by-laws, the holders of a majority of the votes represented by the outstanding shares of common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting.
What vote is required to approve each proposal?
On each matter to be voted on at the 2012 Annual Meeting, the holders of common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class. Assuming a quorum is present, the vote required and method of calculation for the proposals to be considered at the annual meeting are as follows:
How are abstentions and broker non-votes considered?
Shares represented by proxies that are properly marked abstain will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the 2012 Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have no effect on the election of directors under Proposal One or on the vote under Proposal Two.
Brokers holding shares for beneficial owners in street name must vote those shares according to specific instructions they receive from the beneficial owners. If instructions are not received, brokers may only vote the shares, in their discretion, on matters for which they are not precluded from exercising their discretion by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Under the NYSE rules, a broker is permitted to vote shares on routine matters, which include ratifying the appointment of independent auditors, but do not include the election of directors. Accordingly, brokers may vote in their discretion only on Proposal Two. For your vote to be counted with respect to Proposal One, you will need to communicate your voting decisions to your bank, broker or other holder of record before the date of the annual meeting.
2
A broker non-vote occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Broker non-votes will be counted in determining whether there is a quorum at the annual meeting but will not be regarded as votes cast. Because the Company has a plurality voting standard for the election of directors and because the other proposal on the agenda will be determined by a majority of the votes cast, broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on any of the proposals.
How do I vote my shares? Can I vote electronically?
If you are a holder of record of our common stock as of the record date, there are four ways to vote:
The shares represented by your proxy, whether voted using the Internet, by phone, or mail, will be voted as directed with respect to each of the proposals set forth in the proxy statement, OR, if no direction is indicated by your proxy for a proposal, at the recommendation of the Board.
You may either vote for all or withhold your vote for the election of the director nominees under Proposal One, or you may vote for only some of the nominees. You may vote for, against or abstain on Proposal Two.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we strongly encourage you to vote by proxy prior to the meeting.
Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the 2012 Annual Meeting. In order to revoke your proxy, you may either:
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you must follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank, or nominee on how to revoke your proxy.
What will happen if I provide my proxy but do not vote on one or more proposals?
If you are the record holder of your shares, you should provide voting instructions for all proposals appearing on the proxy card. The persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card will vote your shares according to your instructions. However, if you fail to provide instructions on how you want your shares to be voted, properly signed and dated proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board.
If you hold your shares in street name, you should provide voting instructions for all proposals appearing on the proxy card to your broker, bank, or other holder of record. If you do not provide voting instructions for all proposals, your broker, bank, or other holder of record might not be authorized to vote your shares on certain matters, in which event they will be recorded as broker non-votes. See the discussion under the heading How are abstentions and broker non-votes considered? above.
3
What will happen if I do not provide my proxy?
If you are a stockholder of record, your shares will not be voted unless you attend the 2012 Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person.
If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, your broker, bank, or other holder of record might not be authorized to vote your shares on certain matters and they will be recorded as broker non-votes. See the discussion under the heading How are abstentions and broker non-votes considered? above.
Who paid to send me the proxy materials?
The cost of production and mailing of proxy materials, and the solicitation of proxies, is borne by VPG. The Board may use the services of VPGs directors, officers and other regular employees to solicit proxies personally or by telephone. Arrangements will be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such fiduciaries, and VPG will reimburse them for the reasonable expenses incurred by them in so doing.
4
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
How is VPG governed?
At VPG, day-to-day business activities are carried out by our employees under the direction and supervision of Ziv Shoshani, our Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Board oversees these activities. In doing so, each director is required to apply his or her business judgment in the best interests of VPG and its stockholders. The Boards primary responsibilities include:
Additional description of the Boards responsibilities is included in our Corporate Governance Principles document, which is available to stockholders on our website and in print upon request, as described herein.
Where can I find more information about the corporate governance practices of VPG?
Various corporate governance related documents are available on our website, including:
To view these documents, access http://ir.VishayPG.com and click on Corporate Governance. Any of these documents can be obtained in print by any stockholder upon written request to VPGs investor relations department.
We intend to post any amendments to, or any waivers from, a provision of our Code of Ethics Applicable to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer or Controller on our website.
What is the composition of our Board of Directors?
VPG has a single class of directors, all of whom are elected annually. The number of directors is fixed by the Board, subject to a maximum of nine directors as provided in the Companys charter documents. There are currently five members of the Board. As described in Proposal One, all five directors are nominated to serve for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2013. Biographical information on each of the directors is included in Proposal One.
How does the Board determine which directors are considered independent?
The Board has determined that, to be considered independent, an outside director may not have a direct or indirect material relationship with VPG. A material relationship is one which impairs or inhibits, or has the potential to impair or inhibit, a directors exercise of critical and disinterested judgment on behalf of VPG and its stockholders. The materiality standard applied by the Board includes, but is not limited to, the disqualifying relationships set forth in the governance listing standards of the NYSE.
Accordingly, the Board has concluded that Dr. Samuel Broydo, Saul Reibstein and Timothy Talbert qualify as independent directors. The Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Compensation Committee of the Board are composed entirely of independent directors.
5
How often did the Board meet during 2011?
The Board met six times during 2011. In 2011, each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and any Committee on which such director served. Each of our five directors attended the 2011 annual meeting stockholders. It is the policy of the Board that directors are expected to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting and all future annual meetings of stockholders.
What is the role of the Boards Committees?
Immediately following the spin-off, the Board established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, an Audit Committee, and a Compensation Committee, each of which is described herein.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee - The functions of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board; selecting, and recommending that the Board approve, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders; developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles for VPG; overseeing the evaluation of the Board and the management of VPG; administering VPGs Related Party Transactions Policy; and performing other related functions specified in the Committees charter. A copy of the Committees charter is available to stockholders on our website and in print upon request.
The chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is designated under our Corporate Governance Principles to preside at the executive sessions of the Boards non-management directors. The current chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is Mr. Talbert.
Audit Committee - The functions of the Audit Committee include overseeing VPGs accounting and financial reporting processes; overseeing the audits of our combined and consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; assisting the Board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independence and qualifications of our independent registered public accounting firm, and the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm; and performing other related functions specified in the Committees charter. The Audit Committee consists of three non-management directors, each of whom satisfies the independence requirements of the rules of the SEC and the governance listing requirements of the NYSE. All of the members of the Committee also satisfy the financial literacy requirements of the NYSE and the Board has determined that Mr. Reibstein, the chairman of the Committee, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the SEC. A copy of the Committees charter is available to stockholders on our website and in print upon request.
Compensation Committee - The functions of the Compensation Committee include evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and, based on this evaluation, determining and approving the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer; making recommendations to the Board with respect to compensation of our other executive officers; making recommendations to the Board with respect to compensation of non-management directors; making recommendations to the Board with respect to, and administering, our incentive compensation plans and equity based compensation plans; and performing other related functions specified in the Committees charter. The Compensation Committee is authorized, within the limits of the Companys 2010 Stock Incentive Program (the 2010 Program), to determine the individuals who are to receive awards; the type of awards, including stock, stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs), and the vesting requirements with respect to those awards, and to administer and interpret the 2010 Program. Dr. Broydo is the chairman of this Committee. A copy of the Committees charter is available to stockholders on our website and in print upon request.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The Board believes that it is important to retain the flexibility to combine or separate the responsibilities of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, as may be in the best interests of the Company from time to time. The Board separated the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer when the Company was spun off from Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (Vishay Intertechnology), effective July 6, 2010.
The significant experience of Mr. Marc Zandman, our Chairman, with the Companys business (as a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. prior to the spin-off) uniquely qualifies him to serve as the Boards non-executive Chairman as VPG develops as an independent public company. At the same time, the active membership of Mr. Ziv Shoshani, our Chief Executive Officer, on the Board assures our Board of the benefit of his comprehensive knowledge of the Companys business, day-to-day operations, industry and competitive challenges.
6
Management continually monitors the material risks facing the Company, including financial risk, strategic risk, operational risk, and legal and compliance risk. The Board is responsible for exercising oversight of managements identification and management of, and planning for, those risks. Although the Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at the Company, the Board has delegated to certain Committees oversight responsibility for those risks that are directly related to their respective areas of focus.
Each of these committees routinely reports to the Board on the management of these specific risk areas. To permit the Board and its committees to perform their respective risk oversight roles, individual members of management who supervise the Companys risk management report directly to the Board or the relevant committee of the Board responsible for overseeing the management of specific risks, as applicable. For this purpose, management has a high degree of access and communication with the Board and its committees.
The Board believes that open and constructive communication between management and the Board is essential for effective risk management and oversight. Members of the Companys senior management regularly attend Board and committee meetings and are available to address any questions or concerns raised on matters related to risk management. The Board and its Committees exercise their risk oversight function by carefully evaluating the reports they receive from management and by making inquiries of management with respect to areas of particular interest to the Board.
The following table summarizes the composition of these Committees:
Nominating & | ||||||
Corporate | ||||||
Governance | Compensation | |||||
Audit Committee | Committee | Committee | ||||
Marc Zandman | | | | |||
Samuel Broydo | * | * | ** | |||
Saul Reibstein | ** | * | * | |||
Timothy Talbert | * | ** | * | |||
Ziv Shoshani | | | | |||
Number of Meetings | ||||||
during 2011 | 10 | 2 | 4 |
* | | Member |
** | | Chairman |
How does the Board select nominees for the Board?
In selecting candidates for nomination at the annual meeting of our stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee begins by determining whether the incumbent directors whose terms expire at the meeting desire, and are qualified, to continue their service on the Board. We are of the view that the repeated service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity in the boardroom, giving us the benefit of the familiarity and insight into our affairs that our directors have accumulated during their tenure and contributing to the Boards ability to work as a collective body. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, absent special circumstances, to nominate qualified incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the Committees criteria for membership on the Board; who the Committee believes will continue to make important contributions to the Board; and who consent to stand for re-election and, if re-elected, to continue their service on the Board. If there are Board positions for which the Committee will not be re-nominating a qualified incumbent, the Committee will solicit recommendations for nominees from persons who the Committee believes are likely to be familiar with qualified candidates, including members of the Board and senior management.
7
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also engage a search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates. If such a search firm is engaged, the Committee sets the fees and scope of engagement. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review and evaluate each candidate who it believes merits serious consideration, taking into account all available information concerning the candidate, the qualifications for Board membership established by the Committee, the existing composition and mix of talent and expertise on the Board and other factors that it deems relevant. In conducting its review and evaluation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may solicit the views of management and other members of the Board and may, if deemed helpful, conduct interviews of proposed candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as candidates recommended by other persons, except that the Committee may consider, as one of the factors in its evaluation of stockholder-recommended candidates, the size and duration of the interest of the recommending stockholder or stockholder group in the equity of VPG and whether the stockholders intend to continue holding that interest through the annual meeting date.
What qualifications must a director have?
Under a policy formulated by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, we generally require that all candidates for director:
A limited exception to some of these requirements, other than the requirements of integrity and ethics and the absence of material conflict, may be made for a holder of substantial voting power. We also require that a majority of directors be independent; at least three of the directors have the financial literacy necessary for service on the audit committee and at least one of these directors qualifies as an audit committee financial expert; at least some of the independent directors have served as senior executives of public or substantial private companies; and at least some of the independent directors have general familiarity with the major industries in which we operate. Additionally, while the Company does not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity in identifying director candidates, the benefits of board diversity are considered in the nominations process, including diversity of background and experience.
Can I recommend a nomination for director?
Yes. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider recommendations for director nominations submitted by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Submissions must be made in accordance with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees procedures, as outlined herein and set forth on our website. For each annual meeting of our stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will accept for consideration only one recommendation per stockholder or affiliated group of stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will only consider candidates who satisfy our minimum qualifications for director, as summarized in this proxy statement and as set forth on our website. Stockholders should be aware, as discussed herein, that it is our general policy to re-nominate qualified incumbent directors and that, absent special circumstances, the Committee will not nominate other candidates when a qualified incumbent director consents to stand for re-election.
A stockholder wishing to recommend to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee a candidate for election as director must submit the recommendation in writing, addressed to the Committee, care of our Corporate Secretary, at Vishay Precision Group, Inc., 3 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 150, Malvern, PA 19355. Submissions must be made by mail, courier, or personal delivery. E-mailed submissions will not be considered. Submissions recommending candidates for election at an annual meeting of stockholders must generally be received no later than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior annual meeting of stockholders. However, in the event that the date of an annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days following the first anniversary date of the annual meeting of stockholders for the prior year, the submission must be made a reasonable time in advance of the mailing of our proxy statement for the current year. Each nominating recommendation must be accompanied by the information called for by our Procedures for Securityholders Submission of Nominating Recommendations, which is available upon request. This includes specified information concerning the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation and the proposed nominee, any relationships between the recommending stockholder or stockholders and the proposed nominee and the qualifications of the proposed nominee to serve as director. The recommendation must also be accompanied by the consent of the proposed nominee to serve if nominated and elected and the agreement of the nominee to be contacted by the Committee, if the Committee decides in its discretion to do so.
8
Stockholders are also entitled to nominate candidates for election to the Board at a meeting of stockholders, by providing the necessary information by the applicable deadlines. See the discussion under the heading Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders below.
How do stockholders and others communicate with the Board?
VPG stockholders may communicate with the Board, any Committee of the Board or any individual director, and any interested party may communicate with the non-management directors of the Board as a group, by delivering such communications either in writing addressed to our Corporate Secretary at Vishay Precision Group, Inc., 3 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 150, Malvern, PA 19355; or by e-mail to boardofdirectors@VishayPG.com. Communications should not exceed 1,000 words.
All communications must be accompanied by the following information: (i) if the person submitting the communication is a securityholder, a statement of the type and amount of the securities of VPG that the person holds; (ii) if the person submitting the communication is not a securityholder and is submitting the communication to the non-management directors as an interested party, the nature of the persons interest in VPG; (iii) any special interest, meaning an interest not in the capacity as a stockholder of VPG, of the person in the subject matter of the communication; and (iv) the address, telephone number and e-mail address, if any, of the person submitting the communication. Communications addressed to directors may, at the direction of the directors, be shared with VPGs management.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Concurrent with the annual meeting, each non-employee director receives an annual retainer fee of $30,000 for serving on the Board, excluding the Chairman. Concurrent with the annual meeting, Mr. Zandman receives an annual retainer fee of $75,000 for serving as non-executive Chairman of the Board. Directors who are also employees of VPG do not receive any additional compensation for their service as directors. See discussion herein under the heading Executive Compensation.
In March 2011, our Compensation Committee approved a grant of RSUs worth $10,000 to all of our non-employee directors, other than our Chairman, effective immediately after the 2011 Annual Meeting, and a grant of RSUs worth $25,000 to our Chairman effective immediately after the 2011 Annual Meeting. These grants were subject to each directors re-election at the 2011 Annual Meeting and will vest on the first anniversary of the 2011 Annual Meeting.
In March 2012, our Compensation Committee approved a grant of RSUs worth $10,000 to all of our non-employee directors, other than our Chairman, effective immediately after the 2012 Annual Meeting, and a grant of RSUs worth $25,000 to our Chairman effective immediately after the 2012 Annual Meeting. These grants are subject to each directors re-election at the 2012 Annual Meeting and will vest on the first anniversary of the 2012 Annual Meeting.
The following table provides information with respect to the compensation paid or provided to the Companys non-management directors during 2011:
Fees Earned | Stock | |||||||||
and | Awards | |||||||||
Name | Paid in Cash | (1) | Total | |||||||
Samuel Broydo | $ | 30,000 | $ | 10,000 | $ | 40,000 | ||||
Saul Reibstein | $ | 30,000 | $ | 10,000 | $ | 40,000 | ||||
Timothy Talbert | $ | 30,000 | $ | 10,000 | $ | 40,000 | ||||
Marc Zandman (2) | $ | 75,000 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 100,000 |
(1) | Each of the directors was granted RSUs in 2011 under the Vishay Precision Group, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Program. The RSUs vest on the first anniversary of the 2011 Annual Meeting. The grant-date fair value of RSUs is recognized over the vesting period. The amounts presented in the table represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of the RSUs computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. | |
(2) | Non-Executive Chairman. |
9
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
All five directors serving on the Board are nominated for re-election, with a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2013. Each of the nominees has consented to serve if elected.
If any nominee for director becomes unavailable for election, the proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee(s) as the Board may propose. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve if elected.
The following table summarizes the current directors:
Name | Age | Director Since: | |||
Samuel Broydo | 75 | 2010 | |||
Saul Reibstein | 63 | 2010 | |||
Ziv Shoshani | 45 | 2009 | |||
Timothy Talbert | 65 | 2010 | |||
Marc Zandman (1) | 50 | 2010 |
(1) | Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. |
Nominees for Election as Directors Terms Expiring 2013
Marc Zandman is the non-executive Chairman of our Board. Mr. Zandman was elected Executive Chairman of the board of directors of Vishay Intertechnology in 2011 after serving as Vice Chairman for Vishay Intertechnology since 2003; a director of Vishay Intertechnology since 2001; and President of Vishay Israel Ltd. since 1998. In addition to these positions, Mr. Zandman was appointed Chief Administration Officer of Vishay Intertechnology as of January 1, 2007, served as Group Vice President of Vishay Intertechnology Measurements Group from 2002 to 2004, and served in various other capacities with Vishay Intertechnology since 1984. He is the son of Dr. Felix Zandman, the founder and former executive chairman of Vishay Intertechnology. Mr. Marc Zandmans dedicated service to Vishay Intertechnology and extensive knowledge of our business give him valuable experience facing issues relevant to our Company.
Ziv Shoshani is our Chief Executive Officer and President, and also serves on the Board. Mr. Shoshani was Chief Operating Officer of Vishay Intertechnology from January 1, 2007 to November 1, 2009. During 2006, he was Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Vishay Intertechnology. Mr. Shoshani was Executive Vice President of Vishay Intertechnology from 2000 to 2009 with various areas of responsibility, including Executive Vice President of the Capacitors and the Resistors businesses, as well as heading the Measurements Group and Foil Divisions. Mr. Shoshani had been employed by Vishay Intertechnology since 1995. He continues to serve on the Vishay Intertechnology board of directors. Mr. Shoshani is a nephew of the late Dr. Felix Zandman, the founder of Vishay Intertechnology. Mr. Shoshanis long-standing dedication to our Company, exemplified by his extensive management experience and experience on the Vishay Intertechnology board of directors, provides him with valuable insight into the business and the operation of our Company and makes him a valuable advisor to the Board.
Samuel Broydo. In January 2004, Dr. Broydo retired as the Managing Director of Technology at Applied Materials Inc., a leading manufacturer of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Prior to joining Applied Materials, he served as the Vice President of Technology at ZyMOS Corporation, a semiconductor manufacturer that pioneered Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) design methodology, from March 1984 to May 1990. Before ZyMOS, Dr. Broydo served as the VLSI Technology Manager for the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, a computer technology innovator, from August 1979 to September 1983. Dr. Broydo was also the VLSI Technology Group Supervisor at Bell Telephone Laboratories (Bell Labs), which was then a leading communications and electronics research company, from May 1966 to August 1979. Dr. Broydo studied at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute and received a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Warsaw Polytechnic Institute; he later earned a Ph.D. in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, England. Dr. Broydos expertise in electronics and semiconductor technology enables him to understand our business and identify growth opportunities. Dr. Broydo also brings to our board the benefit of relevant management and infrastructure experience in solid state electronic research, design, engineering, manufacturing and problem solving.
Saul V. Reibstein. Since 2004, Mr. Reibstein has served as a member of the senior management team of CBIZ, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed professional services company, where, as Executive Managing Director, he manages nine business units in CBIZs Financial Services Group and is responsible for acquisitions of accounting firms for CBIZ on a national basis. Mr. Reibstein has over 35 years of public accounting experience, including 11 years serving as a partner in BDO Seidman, a national accounting services firm, where he was the partner in charge of the Philadelphia office from June 1997 to December 2001 and Regional Business Line Leader from December 2001 until September 2004. Mr. Reibstein is a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University. Mr. Reibstein qualifies as an audit committee financial expert satisfying the rules of the SEC. Mr. Reibsteins qualification as an audit committee financial expert as well as his extensive experience as a public accounting partner make him highly qualified to serve both as a director of our company and a financial expert on the Audit Committee. Mr. Reibstein also has relevant, long-standing experience as a manager of an NYSE-listed company that he will draw upon in advising us with respect to our listing and filing compliance.
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Timothy V. Talbert. Mr. Talbert has served as Senior Vice President of Credit and Originations for Lease Corporation of America (LCA), a national equipment lessor, since July 2000, and President of the LCA Bank Corporation, a bank that augments LCAs funding capacity, since its founding in January 2006. Previously, Mr. Talbert was Senior Vice President and Director of Asset Based Lending and Equipment Leasing of Huntington National Bank from 1997 to 2000; and prior to that, served in a variety of positions with Comerica Bank for more than 25 years. Mr. Talbert previously served on the board of directors and was a member of the audit committee of Siliconix Incorporated, a NASDAQ-listed manufacturer of power semiconductors of which Vishay Intertechnology owned an 80.4% interest, from 2001 until Vishay Intertechnology acquired the noncontrolling interests in 2005. Mr. Talbert received a Bachelors Degree in Economics from University of the Pacific and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Talberts previous service as a director and member of the audit and compensation committees of a publicly traded company allows him to bring an important perspective to the Board. Additionally, Mr. Talberts service as the president of a federally regulated institution gives him relevant understanding of compliance with complex regulations and current accounting rules adding invaluable expertise to our Board.
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and for preparing our combined and consolidated financial statements. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for, among other things, performing an independent audit of our combined and consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and issuing a report thereon. It is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to monitor and oversee these processes.
In fulfilling its oversight duties, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, (a) the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, (b) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and (c) the other matters required to be discussed under Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended and as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T. These required communications addressed, among other topics, the independent registered public accounting firms responsibility under the standards of the PCAOB; critical accounting policies and practices; judgments and accounting estimates; alternative accounting treatments; any significant audit adjustments; any disagreements or difficulties encountered in performing the audit; and other material communications between the independent registered public accounting firm and management. The Audit Committee received from the independent auditors written disclosures regarding the auditors independence required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with the independent auditors, the independent auditors independence. The Audit Committee also considered the compatibility of non-audit services provided to VPG by Ernst & Young LLP, and the fees and costs billed or to be billed for these services, with the maintenance of the independent registered public accounting firms independence. The Committee has concluded that the provision of the non-audit services by Ernst & Young LLP in 2011 did not impair the independent registered public accounting firms independence. Under the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy that was adopted by the Audit Committee in July 2010, the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided to VPG by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy sets forth the procedures and conditions for pre-approval of these services. All of the audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm since adoption of the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy were pre-approved by the Committee in accordance with such policy.
Based upon this review and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that our audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee has also appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2012, but the Committee has determined to submit the appointment for ratification by stockholders (see Proposal Two).
Respectfully submitted,
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Saul Reibstein, Chairman
Dr. Samuel
Broydo
Timothy Talbert
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act that might incorporate this proxy statement or future filings with the SEC, in whole or in part, the above report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or filed with the SEC and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filing.
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PROPOSAL TWO
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board is responsible for the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee has determined to reappoint the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, as well as to audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since the spin-off from Vishay Intertechnology. Although stockholder approval for the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm is not required, we are submitting the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to stockholders for their ratification.
Representatives of the firm of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the annual meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Under the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy that was adopted by the Audit Committee in July 2010, the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided to VPG by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy sets forth the procedures and conditions for pre-approval of these services. The Audit Committee has pre-approved generally the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for services relating to our filings with the SEC (including comfort letters, comment letters and consents for securities offerings); acquisition or disposition related diligence activities; internal control review and compliance; interpretation and compliance with accounting and accounting-related disclosure rules and standards; certain attest services; domestic and international tax planning and compliance; and risk management.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP for audit and non-audit services rendered to VPG in 2011 and 2010. These fees are categorized as audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees. The nature of the services provided in each category is described following the table.
2011 | 2010 | |||||
Audit fees | $ | 1,289,000 | $ | 1,242,000 | ||
Audit-related fees | - | - | ||||
Tax fees | 167,000 | 129,000 | ||||
All other fees | 2,000 | 3,000 | ||||
Total fees | $ | 1,458,000 | $ | 1,374,000 |
Audit fees. These fees generally consist of professional services rendered for the audits of the combined and consolidated financial statements of VPG, quarterly reviews, subsidiary or equity investment audits, issuance of consents, income tax provision procedures, and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.
Audit-related fees. These fees generally consist of assurance and other services related to the performance of the audit or review of VPGs financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, issuance of consents, and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
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Tax fees. These fees generally relate primarily to tax compliance, including review and preparation of corporate tax returns, assistance with tax audits, review of the tax treatment for certain expenses, extra-territorial tax analysis, and tax due diligence relating to acquisitions. They also include fees for state and local tax planning and consultations with respect to various domestic and international tax matters.
All other fees. These fees generally consist of reviews for compliance with various government regulations, risk management and treasury reviews and assessments and audits of various contractual arrangements.
VPG did not make use in 2011 of the rule that waives pre-approval requirements for non-audit services in certain cases if the fees for these services constitute less than 5% of the total fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm during the year.
The Board recommend that you vote
FOR
the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December
31, 2012.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
On April 9, 2012, VPG had outstanding 12,336,688 shares of common stock, each of which entitles the holder to one vote, and 1,025,176 shares of Class B common stock, each of which entitles the holder to 10 votes. Voting is not cumulative. The following table shows the number of shares of VPG common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by (a) each director and director nominee, (b) each Named Executive Officer identified under Executive Compensation, (c) the directors and executive officers of VPG as a group and (d) any person owning more than 5% of VPG common stock or the Class B common stock.
Common Stock | Class B Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||
Right to | |||||||||||||||||
Acquire | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted | Ownership | ||||||||||||||||
Stock Units | Under | ||||||||||||||||
Scheduled | Options | ||||||||||||||||
to vest | Exercisable | ||||||||||||||||
within 60 | within 60 | Percent | Shares | Percent of | Voting | ||||||||||||
Name | Shares of Stock (1) | days | days | of Class | of Stock | Class | Power (2) | ||||||||||
Directors and Executive Officers | |||||||||||||||||
Marc Zandman | 2,700 | 1,380 | - | * | 571,541 | (3) | 55.8 | % | 25.3 | % | |||||||
Ziv Shoshani | 25,851 | 1,255 | 15,688 | * | 571,435 | (4) | 55.7 | % | 25.5 | % | |||||||
Samuel Broydo | 862 | 552 | - | * | - | ||||||||||||
Saul V. Reibstein | 862 | 552 | - | * | - | ||||||||||||
Timothy V. Talbert | 933 | 552 | - | * | - | ||||||||||||
William M. Clancy | 3,020 | - | - | * | - | ||||||||||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | 4,761 | - | - | * | - | ||||||||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers | |||||||||||||||||
as a group (7 Persons) | 38,989 | 4,291 | 15,688 | * | 571,541 | 55.8 | % | 25.6 | % | ||||||||
c/o Vishay Precision Group, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||
3 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 150 | |||||||||||||||||
Malvern, PA 19355 | |||||||||||||||||
Mrs. Ruta Zandman | 3,010 | (5) | - | - | * | 787,096 | (6) | 76.8 | % | 34.9 | % | ||||||
c/o Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||
63 Lancaster Avenue | |||||||||||||||||
Malvern, PA 19355 | |||||||||||||||||
Fidelity Investments (7) | 1,330,606 | - | - | 10.8 | % | - | - | 5.9 | % | ||||||||
82 Devonshire Street | |||||||||||||||||
Boston, MA 02109 | |||||||||||||||||
Gates Capital Management, Inc. (8) | 1,212,384 | - | - | 9.8 | % | - | - | 5.4 | % | ||||||||
1177 Avenue of the Americas | |||||||||||||||||
New York, NY 10036 | |||||||||||||||||
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (9) | 963,887 | - | - | 7.8 | % | - | - | 4.3 | % | ||||||||
140 Broadway | |||||||||||||||||
New York, NY 10005 | |||||||||||||||||
Eugenia A. Ames (10) | - | - | - | * | 91,161 | 8.9 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||||||
c/o Mr. Leroy Rachlin | |||||||||||||||||
Janney Montgomery Scott | |||||||||||||||||
780 Route 37 West, Suite 130 | |||||||||||||||||
Toms River, NJ 08755 | |||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Inc. (11) | 794,084 | - | - | 6.4 | % | - | - | 3.5 | % | ||||||||
40 East 52nd Street | |||||||||||||||||
New York, NY 10022 | |||||||||||||||||
Southpoint Capital Advisors LLC (12) | 677,123 | - | - | 5.5 | % | - | - | 3.0 | % | ||||||||
623 Fifth Avenue | |||||||||||||||||
New York, NY 10022 | |||||||||||||||||
Deborah S. Larkin | - | - | - | * | 59,016 | 5.8 | % | 2.6 | % | ||||||||
c/o Mr. Bruce Auerbach | |||||||||||||||||
World Financial Center | |||||||||||||||||
270 Madison Avenue, Suite 1503 | |||||||||||||||||
New York, NY 10016 | |||||||||||||||||
Barbara J. Winslow | - | - | - | * | 51,873 | 5.1 | % | 2.3 | % | ||||||||
c/o Mr. Bruce Auerbach | |||||||||||||||||
World Financial Center | |||||||||||||||||
270 Madison Avenue, Suite 1503 | |||||||||||||||||
New York, NY 10016 |
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* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of such class or the total voting power, as the case may be.
(1) | In addition to the amounts shown, each share of Class B common stock held by such holder, if applicable, may be converted into one share of common stock upon the election of such holder. | |
(2) | The percentage of total voting power represents voting power with respect to all shares of common stock and Class B common stock, as a single class, calculated on the basis of 10 votes per share of Class B common stock and one vote per share of common stock. | |
(3) | Includes 571,435 shares of Class B common stock held in family trusts, of which Mrs. Ruta Zandman, Mr. Marc Zandman, and Mr. Ziv Shoshani are joint trustees and have shared voting power; 53 shares of Class B common stock directly owned by Mr. Zandman; and 53 shares of Class B common stock owned by Mr. Zandmans minor child. | |
(4) | Includes 571,435 shares of Class B common stock held in family trusts, of which Mrs. Ruta Zandman, Mr. Marc Zandman, and Mr. Ziv Shoshani are joint trustees and have shared voting power. | |
(5) | Includes 3,010 shares of common stock held by the estate of Dr. Felix Zandman, of which Ruta Zandman is the named executrix, and as such, exercises sole voting control. | |
(6) | Includes 571,435 shares of Class B common stock held in family trusts, of which Mrs. Ruta Zandman, Mr. Marc Zandman, and Mr. Ziv Shoshani are joint trustees and have shared voting power; 44,052 shares of Class B common stock held by the estate of Dr. Felix Zandman, of which Ruta Zandman is the named executrix, and as such, exercises sole voting control; and 171,609 shares of Class B common stock held by third parties and that are subject to a voting agreement pursuant to which Mrs. Zandman, as the Zandman Representative, may direct voting of such shares, to the extent that, and in the same manner as, a majority of shares of Class B Common Stock held by Mrs. Zandman, Dr. Zandmans estate, and their respective permitted transferees (as such term is defined in the Companys amended and restated certificate of incorporation) are voted on such matter. | |
(7) | Based on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2012 by Fidelity Investments. According to the Schedule 13G/A, Fidelity Investments may be deemed to have sole power to vote or direct the vote, and to dispose or direct the disposition, with respect to 1,330,606 shares of common stock. | |
(8) | Based on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2012 by Gates Capital Management, Inc. According to the Schedule 13G/A, Gates Capital Management, Inc. may be deemed to have sole power to vote or direct the vote, and to dispose or direct the disposition, with respect to, 1,212,384 shares of common stock. | |
(9) | Based on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 3, 2012 by Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 1818 Master Partners, Ltd., Richard H. Whitmer, and Timothy E. Hartch. According to the Schedule 13G/A, the Brown Brothers parties share power to vote or direct the vote, and to dispose or direct the disposition, with respect to, 963,887 shares of common stock. Each of Messrs. Whitmer and Hartch is a partner of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. | |
(10) | Includes 91,161 shares of Class B common stock that are subject to a voting agreement pursuant to which Mrs. Ruta Zandman, as the Zandman Representative, may direct the voting of such shares. | |
(11) | Based on information provided in a Schedule 13G filed on February 9, 2012 by BlackRock, Inc. According to the Schedule 13G, BlackRock, Inc. may be deemed to have sole power to vote or direct the vote, and to dispose or direct the disposition, with respect to 794,084 shares of common stock. | |
(12) | Based on information provided in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2012 by Southpoint Master Fund, LP, Southpoint Capital Advisors LP, Southpoint Capital Advisors LLC, Southpoint GP, LP, Southpoint GP, LLC and John S. Clark II. According to the Schedule 13G/A, the Southpoint Parties may be deemed to have shares power to vote or direct the vote, and to dispose or direct the disposition, with respect to 677,123 shares of common stock. Southpoint Capital Advisors LP serves as the investment manager, and Southpoint GP, LP serves as the general partner, for Southpoint Master Fund, LP. Southpoint Capital Advisors LLC serves as the general partner of Southpoint Capital Advisors LP and Southpoint GP, LLC serves as the general partner of Southpoint GP, LP. John S. Clark II serves as managing member of both Southpoint Capital Advisors LLC and Southpoint GP, LLC. |
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock to report their ownership of, and transactions in, our stock in filings with the SEC. Copies of these reports are also required to be supplied to VPG. VPG believes, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports received, that our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock complied with all applicable Section 16(a) reporting requirements during the year ended December 31, 2011, except that: Mr. Zandman filed one Form 4, reporting one transaction, late; Mr. Shoshani filed one Form 4, reporting five transactions, late; and Mr. Clancy filed one Form 4, reporting one transaction, late.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of the Compensation Committee was at any time during 2011 an officer or employee of VPG or any of the Companys subsidiaries nor was any such person a former officer of VPG or any of the Companys subsidiaries. In addition, no Compensation Committee member is an executive officer of another entity at which one of the Companys executive officers serves on the board of directors.
17
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview
Until July 6, 2010, when we were spun off as an independent public company, we were a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology. Prior to the spin-off, the compensation and strategic affairs committees of Vishay Intertechnologys board of directors (the VSH committees) developed our compensation framework, which was influenced by historical practices at Vishay Intertechnology as well as by recommendations from compensation consultants retained by the VSH committees in anticipation of the spin-off. Please see the discussion under the heading Role of the Compensation Consultant herein.
Since July 6, 2010, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with our Board, has been responsible for: reviewing and recommending to the Board employment agreements with our executive officers; reviewing and approving annual corporate goals and objectives for our executive officers; determining annual base salaries, performance bonuses and long-term incentive awards for our executive officers; and administering our equity-based plans.
Compensation Philosophy Generally
In formulating the compensation arrangements for our executive officers, the VSH committees were guided generally by the executive compensation philosophy adopted by the Vishay Intertechnology compensation committee. The Compensation Committee shares the VSH committees belief that VPGs compensation packages should combine base salary with an opportunity for annual cash bonuses and include long-term equity awards designed to align the interests of senior management with the long-term interests of our stockholders.
During 2011, the Compensation Committee reviewed the existing compensation arrangements for the executive officers. After taking into consideration the strong shareholder support for the Companys executive compensation reflected in the shareholders adoption of an advisory resolution approving executive compensation contained in the 2011 proxy statement, as well as the results of its on-going review of our executive compensation arrangements to ensure that they best reflect the Companys long-term business strategy, the Compensation Committee determined to maintain the base salary, performance bonus and other portions of the executive compensation program, while modifying the equity portion of our executive officers annual compensation to further align that component of compensation with the long-term interests of our shareholders. The amended executive employment agreements reflecting this change in equity compensation, which were approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board in December 2011, provide for annual long-term equity awards, beginning in January 2012, consisting of RSUs with 3-year cliff vesting periods, 75% of which are subject to satisfaction of additional performance criteria.
Our executive compensation packages, including severance benefits, are designed to assist us in recruiting, retaining and motivating key employees who can function effectively both in periods of recession and economic strength, and provide our executives with an appropriate level of job security, commensurate with their contributions to the Company and their tenure. The Compensation Committee believes that the elements of our executive compensation program, as well as the mix of these elements in relation to total compensation, reward intrinsically sound management decisions and do not encourage risk taking to enhance short-term profitability at the expense of the long-term health and viability of the enterprise. The Compensation Committee seeks to mitigate any compensation-related risk by:
In fiscal year 2011, each executive officers target long-term equity incentive compensation was equal to his target short-term performance bonus, with the exception of our CEO, whose target long-term equity incentive compensation exceeds his target performance bonus. Beginning with fiscal year 2012, each executive officers target long-term equity incentive compensation exceeds his target performance bonus. Please see the discussion below under the headings Performance Bonus and Equity Compensation for further detail regarding performance bonus and long-term equity incentive targets. The Compensation Committee believes that this mix of long-term equity incentive compensation and shorter-term performance bonus opportunity discourages excessive risk-taking in the short term and rewards appropriate focus on achievement of both short-term and long-term objectives.
Performance Philosophy
Our compensation philosophy is intended to dovetail with our philosophy regarding evaluation of operating performance.
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The performance bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards for our executive officers are based on achievement of objectives set forth in their respective employment agreements. Mr. Shoshanis and Mr. Clancys employment agreements provide that their 2011 performance bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards are determined based on two measures of Company performance: adjusted operating margin and adjusted EBITDA. Pursuant to Mr. Kieffers employment agreement, his annual performance bonus and long-term equity incentive award will be based on adjusted operating margin and adjusted EBITDA, as well as certain individual and financial performance goals approved by the Compensation Committee and relating to operations for which he is responsible.
Adjusted operating margin and adjusted EBITDA mean, respectively, operating margin and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, in each case determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and adjusted to exclude various items that management believes are not indicative of the intrinsic operating performance of our business, including restructuring and related severance costs, fixed asset or inventory write-downs and related purchase commitment charges, impairment charges for goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets, and individually material one-time gains or charges. The Board determined that there were no such adjustments to EBITDA or operating margin for 2011.
In 2012, the cash performance bonuses for Messrs. Shoshani and Clancy will continue to be based on adjusted operating margin and adjusted EBITDA, in accordance with the terms of their respective employment agreements. Pursuant to Mr. Kieffers employment agreement, his cash performance bonus will be based on adjusted operating margin and adjusted EBITDA, as well as certain individual and financial performance goals approved by the Compensation Committee and relating to operations for which he is responsible.
In 2012 and going forward, each officers long term equity incentive award will be subject to a three-year cliff vesting period beginning on January 1 of the year of grant. Further, the vesting of 75% of each executive officers long-term equity award will be subject to achievement of certain performance criteria determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant. Beginning in 2012, the relevant performance period for each long-term equity incentive award will be the three-year vesting period applicable to such award.
The Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, undertakes an annual review of the executive compensation program to ensure that it continues to encourage and reward satisfaction of our operational and financial objectives. The Compensation Committee also consults with our Chief Executive Officer regarding compensation of our other executive officers.
Role of the Compensation Consultant
To assist in formulating the initial compensation arrangements of our executive officers in connection with the spin-off, the VSH committees retained the services of two compensation consulting firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and Farient Advisors LLC (Farient). In the course of their engagement, these compensation consultants also met with Mr. Shoshani and members of the management of Vishay Intertechnology to obtain their input and views. In 2009 and early 2010, the consultants assisted the VSH committees in the formulation of the compensation arrangements for our executive officers, particularly for Mr. Shoshani. They assessed the reasonableness and interrelation of the individual elements of the compensation packages and provided input to the VSH committees with respect to then current compensation practices among comparable public companies and in comparable transactions. PwC had been previously engaged by the Vishay Intertechnology compensation committee to assist it in executive compensation matters. Farient was recommended to the VSH committees by management of Vishay Intertechnology.
Our Compensation Committee reviewed the executive compensation determinations of the VSH committees and ratified the executive compensation framework developed by them. The Compensation Committee continues to review our executive compensation packages and expects to engage independent compensation consultants as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.
Compensation Components
The primary components of the compensation packages for our executive officers, as prescribed by their employment agreements, are:
In addition to the foregoing, our executive officers are eligible to receive severance and customary welfare and retirement benefits. Each of the primary components of executive compensation, and the methodology used to determine the amounts and mix of such compensation, are discussed herein.
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Base Salaries
The base salaries of our executive officers were determined based on an analysis of executive compensation at comparable public companies identified by the compensation consultants identified herein. We believe that setting our executive officers base salaries within a market-competitive range of base salaries offered to similarly situated executives of comparable public companies will help us to retain our executive officers, while appropriately motivating them to fulfill their core responsibilities within VPG. Based on input from the compensation consultants in 2009 and early 2010, the market-competitive ranges were determined by the VSH committees as the 25th and 75th percentiles of compensation data for such comparable companies. These ranges were: $367,000 to $463,000 for the chief executive officer; $216,000 to $259,000 for the chief financial officer; and $192,000 to $307,000 for the chief technology officer. On March 15, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board approved the base salaries set forth below for our executive officers effective January 1, 2011 in recognition of their exceptional performance in preparing the Company for the spin-off from Vishay Intertechnology and in establishing VPG as an independent, public company. The variations in base salary of each of our executive officers reflect the differences in their respective positions, duties and responsibilities.
The base salaries approved for our executive officers for 2011 are as follows:
2011 Base | |||||
Name | Salary (1) | ||||
Ziv Shoshani | |||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | $ | 478,500 | (2) | ||
William M. Clancy | |||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 262,500 | ||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | |||||
Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer | 230,625 |
(1) | 2011 Base Salaries for our executive officers became effective on January 1, 2011. | |
(2) | Pursuant to Mr. Shoshanis employment agreement, his base salary is paid in New Israeli Shekels (NIS) based on a fixed exchange rate (based on the average exchange rate during the ten (10) month period ending on October 31, 2010) determined in accordance with his employment agreement. |
On January 16, 2012, the Compensation Committee of the Board approved the following base salaries for our executive officers, effective January 1, 2012: $478,500 (Mr. Shoshani); $270,000 (Mr. Clancy); and $236,600 (Mr. Kieffer).
Performance Bonus
Annual performance bonuses are designed to incent our executive officers to achieve certain predetermined objectives set by the Compensation Committee and the Board. Similar to base salary, the VSH committees believed that it would be appropriate and desirable to establish target performance bonuses within a market-competitive range of bonuses granted to similarly situated executives at comparable public companies. We believe that setting target performance bonuses in this fashion is necessary to attract and retain executive officers, as well as to appropriately motivate them to make meaningful contributions to our business.
The performance bonuses for Mr. Shoshani and Mr. Clancy for 2011 were based on achievement of two corporate objectives, consisting of our adjusted operating margin and our adjusted EBITDA. The performance bonus for Mr. Kieffer for 2011 was based on adjusted operating margin and adjusted EBITDA, as well as certain individual and financial performance goals approved by the Compensation Committee relating to operations for which he is responsible. The target levels of adjusted operating margin and EBITDA for 2011 were set at $16.0 million and $27.5 million, respectively, and 50% of the bonus potential for Mr. Shoshani and for Mr. Clancy was attributable to the achievement of each of these performance objectives. For Mr. Kieffer, 12.5% of the bonus potential was attributable to the achievement of each of these performance objectives, with the remaining 75% of his bonus potential attributable to certain individual and financial performance goals. These targets were intended to represent challenging, but reasonable, goals, the achievement of which will contribute meaningfully to long-term stockholder value creation as well as the short-term success of our business.
Each executive was eligible to receive a performance bonus, for each 2011 performance objective, if our performance with respect to that objective equaled at least 80% of the targeted amount. The table herein sets forth the payments that each executive officer would have been eligible to receive (expressed as a percentage of his base salary) pursuant to his respective employment agreement with respect to each 2011 performance objective, based upon various levels of actual performance.
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Potential Performance
Bonus Payments for Messrs. Shoshani and Clancy for Each Performance Objective,
in
Relation to Target Performance*
Percentage of Target Performance Objective | Maximum | ||||||||||
Achieved | Performance | ||||||||||
80% of | 80100% of | 100150% of | Bonus for | ||||||||
Target | Target | Target | Each | ||||||||
Performance | Performance | Performance | Performance | Performance | |||||||
Executive | Objective | Objective | Objective | Objective | Objective | ||||||
Ziv Shoshani | |||||||||||
President and Chief | Adjusted EBITDA | 25% | 2537.5% | 37.5100% | 100% | ||||||
Executive Officer | Adjusted Operating Margin | 25% | 2537.5% | 37.5100% | 100% | ||||||
William M. Clancy | |||||||||||
Executive Vice | Adjusted EBITDA | 13.35% | 13.3520% | 2040% | 40% | ||||||
President and Chief | Adjusted Operating Margin | ||||||||||
Financial Officer | 13.35% | 13.3520% | 2040% | 40% |
* | All performance bonus payments set forth in this table are expressed as a percentage of the applicable executive officers base salary and represent the potential payments to our executive officers with respect to each performance objective. |
Potential Performance
Bonus Payments for Mr. Kieffer for Each Performance Objective,
in Relation to
Target Performance*
Percentage of Target Performance Objective | Maximum | ||||||||
Achieved | Performance | ||||||||
80% of | 80100% of | 100150% of | Bonus for | ||||||
Target | Target | Target | Each | ||||||
Performance | Performance | Performance | Performance | ||||||
Objective | Objective | Objective | Objective | Objective | |||||
Personal Objectives | 10% | 1015% | 1530% | 30% | |||||
Divisional Operating Margin | 4% | 46% | 612% | 12% | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 2.5% | 2.53.75% | 3.757.5% | 7.5% | |||||
Adjusted Operating Margin | 2.5% | 2.53.75% | 3.757.5% | 7.5% | |||||
Divisional Inventory Turnover | 1.0% | 1.01.5% | 1.53.0% | 3.0% |
* | All performance bonus payments set forth in this table are expressed as a percentage of Mr. Kieffers base salary and represent the potential payments to him with respect to each category of 2011 performance objective shown above. |
The aggregate target performance bonuses for each of Messrs. Shoshani, Clancy and Kieffer, pursuant to their respective employment agreements and taking into account all 2011 performance objectives, were 75%, 40% and 30% of their respective base salaries. The maximum 2011 performance bonuses payable to Messrs. Shoshani, Clancy and Kieffer were 200%, 80% and 60% of their respective base salaries. We believe that the target and maximum performance bonus levels and the corresponding payouts are such that they do not encourage excessive risk-taking and represent appropriate compensation in light of each executive officers responsibilities.
21
The Board and the Compensation Committee determined that, in 2011, our adjusted operating margin was $16.3 million (or 101.65% of the target) and our adjusted EBITDA was $26.7 million (or 97.11% of the target). Pursuant to this determination (and upon review of Mr. Kieffers performance against certain individual and financial performance goals applicable to him), in March 2012, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved performance bonuses with respect to 2011 performance that are reflected under the Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Plan column of the Summary Compensation Table herein.
Equity Compensation
Our executive compensation framework uses the grant of long-term equity awards as the primary tool for aligning the interests of our executive officers with the long-term interests of our stockholders. In establishing the target and maximum values of long-term equity awards, the VSH committees used as a reference point the market-competitive range of long-term equity awards granted to similarly situated executive officers of comparable public companies. The long-term equity award targets for our executive officers were established to compensate each of them at the appropriate market-competitive median level according to their respective positions, duties and responsibilities, as well as to recognize their individual ability to affect stockholder value creation.
Like the performance bonuses described herein, the 2011 long-term equity incentive awards were based on achievement of the same two corporate objectives discussed herein with respect to 2011 performance bonuses for Mr. Shoshani and Mr. Clancy. For Mr. Kieffer, 12.5% of the 2011 long-term equity potential is attributable to the achievement of each of these performance objectives, with the remaining 75% of his 2011 long-term equity potential attributable to certain individual and financial performance goals. Each executive was eligible to receive a long-term equity award, payable in RSUs, for each 2011 performance objective, if actual performance with respect to that objective equaled at least 80% of the targeted performance. The table herein sets forth the awards that each executive officer was eligible to receive (expressed as a percentage of his base salary) with respect to each 2011 performance objective, based upon various levels of actual performance.
Potential Long-Term Equity Incentive Award for Each Performance Objective, in Relation to Target Performance*
Percentage of Target | |||||||||
Performance Objective | Maximum | ||||||||
Achieved | Performance | ||||||||
80% of | 80100% of | Bonus for | |||||||
Target | Target | Each | |||||||
Performance | Performance | Performance | Performance | ||||||
Executive | Objective | Objective | Objective | Objective | |||||
Ziv Shoshani | |||||||||
President and Chief | Adjusted EBITDA | 25% | 2550% | 50% | |||||
Executive Officer | Adjusted Operating Margin | 25% | 2550% | 50% | |||||
William M. Clancy | |||||||||
Executive Vice | |||||||||
President and Chief | Adjusted EBITDA | 10% | 1020% | 20% | |||||
Financial Officer | Adjusted Operating Margin | 10% | 1020% | 20% |
* | The long-term equity incentive awards set forth in this table are expressed as a percentage of the applicable executive officers base salary and represent the potential awards to such executive officers with respect to each performance objective. |
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Potential Long-Term
Equity Incentive Award for Mr. Kieffer for Each Performance Objective, in
Relation to Target
Performance*
Percentage of Target | |||||||
Performance Objective | Maximum | ||||||
Achieved | Performance | ||||||
80% of | 80100% of | Bonus for | |||||
Target | Target | Each | |||||
Performance | Performance | Performance | |||||
Performance Objective | Objective | Objective | Objective | ||||
Personal Objectives | 7.5% | 7.515.0% | 15.0% | ||||
Divisional Operating Margin | 3.0% | 3.06.0% | 6.0% | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 1.88% | 1.883.75% | 3.75% | ||||
Adjusted Operating Margin | 1.88% | 1.883.75% | 3.75% | ||||
Divisional Inventory Turnover | .75% | .751.5% | 1.5% |
* | The long-term equity incentive awards set forth in this table are expressed as a percentage of Mr. Kieffers base salary and represent the potential awards to Mr. Kieffer with respect to each category of 2011 performance objective shown above. |
Pursuant to each employment agreement, 25% of the RSUs granted in respect of any long-term incentive equity award will vest on the applicable grant date and the remaining RSUs will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to accelerated vesting upon a change of control of the Company, an event giving rise to a severance entitlement, death or disability.
The maximum aggregate long-term equity incentive awards payable to Messrs. Shoshani, Clancy and Kieffer for fiscal year 2011 pursuant to their respective employment agreements were equal to the target amounts of such awards: 100%, 40% and 30% of their respective base salaries. Pursuant to the Companys determination with respect to the levels of adjusted operating margin and adjusted EBITDA achieved in fiscal year 2011 (and upon review of Mr. Kieffers performance against certain individual and financial performance goals applicable to him), in March 2012, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved long-term equity incentive awards to the executive officers. These awards are included in the Stock Awards column in the Summary Compensation Table herein.
Employment Agreements
The Company entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Shoshani, Clancy, and Kieffer that provide for the specific targets and payment opportunities in connection with each element of our executive compensation package discussed herein under the heading Compensation Components.
Each employment agreement became effective on July 6, 2010 and has an initial term of three years. The employment agreements automatically renew for terms of one year unless earlier terminated by the Company or by the executive officer. Each of the employment agreements provides for certain severance payments to the executive officers in the event of termination of their employment as described in greater detail under the heading Potential Payments Upon a Termination or Change in Control.
The employment agreements also contain customary non-solicitation and non-competition covenants, which remain in effect for 24 months following termination of employment with respect to Mr. Shoshani and for 12 months following termination of employment with respect to Messrs. Clancy and Kieffer. The agreements also entitle the executives to additional perquisites and other personal benefits as the Board, through its Compensation Committee, determine are reasonable and consistent with the Companys overall compensation program.
The amended employment agreements with each of our executive officers, which were approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board in December 2011, provide for annual long-term equity awards, beginning in January 2012, consisting of RSUs with 3-year cliff vesting periods, 75% of which are subject to satisfaction of additional criteria measured over a 3-year performance period.
23
Deferred Compensation and Pension Plans
Vishay Intertechnology maintained, among other benefit plans, a non-qualified defined benefit plan (the Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan); a qualified defined contribution plan (the Vishay Employee Savings Plus Plan); and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the Vishay Key Employee Wealth Accumulation Plan or VSH KEWAP), for highly compensated employees, including executive officers. In anticipation of the spin-off, we formed parallel plans that provide for substantially similar benefits. In connection with the spin-off, Vishay Intertechnology caused the accounts and underlying assets and liabilities under the Vishay Intertechnology plans for our employees who were participating in those plans to be transferred to our corresponding plans or, in the case of Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan and VSH KEWAP assets, from a rabbi trust established by Vishay Intertechnology to a rabbi trust that we established. In addition, prior to the spin-off, Vishay Intertechnology, through a subsidiary, maintained the Measurements Group Inc. Tax Deferred Savings Plan (a qualified defined contribution plan) that was transferred in its entirety to us in connection with the spin-off.
With the exception of Mr. Clancy, none of our executive officers participated in the Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan. The Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan was frozen effective December 31, 2008, and no further benefits have accrued beyond that date. In connection with the spin-off, we established a corresponding plan, the VPG Non-Qualified Retirement Plan, to preserve the benefits accumulated by certain of our employees under the Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan. Only active employees who participated in the Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan as of December 31, 2008 are eligible to participate in the parallel VPG plan. In connection with the freezing of the Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan, Mr. Clancy became eligible to participate in a supplemental matching program under the Vishay Employee Savings Plus Plan, pursuant to which amounts were deposited in his VSH KEWAP account. This supplemental matching program continues under the corresponding VPG plans.
Every highly compensated employee (as such term is defined under ERISA), including our executive officers, is eligible to participate in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the VPG KEWAP). The VPG KEWAP permits eligible employees to make voluntary contributions. In addition, we are required to make contributions on behalf of Mr. Clancy to his VPG KEWAP account as described above.
Perquisites
We provide executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that VPG and the Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program. These perquisites are not intended, however, to constitute a material portion of the executives compensation packages. In general, the perquisites, while not integral to the performance of an executives duties, must bear some relationship to the executives employment and be of perceived benefit to VPG. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to named executive officers.
Individual Considerations
Compensation among the Companys senior executives reflects a general assessment of their contributions to the Companys current performance and its prospects for growth in the future. Our successes have always been fueled by the drivers of technological innovation, continuous efficiency improvement and synergistic acquisition. Mr. Shoshani leads in all these areas and his compensation reflects a perception by the Compensation Committee that the areas of his responsibility will continue to be the key drivers of our future performance.
Other Considerations Regarding Executive Compensation
Israeli benefits
Mr. Shoshani is employed by Vishay Advanced Technologies, Ltd., an Israeli subsidiary of VPG, and is a resident of Israel. As a result, he is entitled to certain benefits that are generally available to employees in Israel on a non-discriminatory basis, but are not afforded to the other named executive officers, including:
These benefits are required by Israeli law or employment practices generally, and were taken into account by the Compensation Committee in formulating the overall compensation package for Mr. Shoshani.
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Foreign currency considerations
Mr. Shoshanis base salary is denominated in U.S. dollars and paid in New Israeli Shekels at a pre-determined exchange rate calculated in accordance with his employment agreement. The Compensation Committee evaluates the effect of foreign currency conversion rates in formulating the overall compensation package for Mr. Shoshani.
Tax deductibility of executive compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits to $1 million the annual tax deduction for compensation paid to each of the Chief Executive Officer and any of the three highest paid other executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. However, compensation that qualifies as performance-based compensation is deductible even in excess of $1 million. As part of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. VPG believes that the compensation generally is fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. Our Chief Executive Officers compensation is paid by our Israeli subsidiary, Vishay Advanced Technologies, Ltd. However, a portion of that compensation is treated as compensation paid by VPG pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code; such portion of our Chief Executive Officers compensation is subject to Section 162(m) as described above. The portion of our Chief Executive Officers compensation that is paid by, and allocated to, Vishay Advanced Technologies, Ltd. is subject to Israeli tax laws, pursuant to which there is no limit on deductibility. All RSUs awarded by VPG, with the exception of the founders equity grants, also qualify as performance-based compensation, the receipt of which requires the Company to achieve performance targets of a type contemplated by a plan approved by stockholders.
In certain situations, the Compensation Committee may approve compensation that will not satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m), in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for its executive officers. The founders equity grants made in 2010 do not qualify as performance-based compensation. The Compensation Committee determined that the factors favoring granting these awards outweighed the tax considerations.
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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
To Our Stockholders:
We have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on that review and discussion, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Respectfully submitted,
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
Dr. Samuel Broydo,
Chairman
Saul Reibstein
Timothy Talbert
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act that might incorporate this proxy statement or future filings with the SEC, in whole or in part, the above report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or filed with the SEC and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filing.
26
COMPENSATION TABLES
Summary Compensation Table
Until the completion of our spin-off from Vishay Intertechnology on July 6, 2010, we were a wholly owned subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology. The information set forth in the following tables reflects compensation earned, held by, or paid to Mr. Ziv Shoshani, Mr. William M. Clancy, and Mr. Thomas P. Kieffer (each a named executive officer) based upon services rendered to Vishay Intertechnology through October 31, 2009 and services rendered to our company from November 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011. The services rendered to Vishay Intertechnology by the named executive officers through October 31, 2009 were different than the services being rendered to us in their current positions as executive officers. The information included herein for periods prior to July 6, 2010, including information regarding equity, reflect amounts paid, or equity granted, by Vishay Intertechnology.
The information included in the table should be read in conjunction with the footnotes which follow, the descriptions of the employment agreements with each named executive officer described in Compensation Discussion and Analysis, and the Grants of Plan Based Awards, Outstanding Equity Awards, Option Exercises and Stock Vested, Pension Benefits, and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation tables on the pages which follow.
Change in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Equity | Nonqualified | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incentive Plan | Deferred Comp. | All Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards | Option Awards | Compensation | Earnings | Comp. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) (5) | (6) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position | Year | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | |||||||||||||||||
(a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | (j) | |||||||||||||||||
Ziv Shoshani | 2011 | $ | 478,500 | $ | - | $ | 461,214 | $ | - | $ | 360,092 | $ | 27,320 | $ | 223,511 | $ | 1,550,637 | |||||||||
President and Chief | 2010 | $ | 359,074 | $ | 400,000 | $ | 1,726,206 | $ | 206,731 | $ | 410,229 | $ | 7,627 | $ | 287,819 | $ | 3,397,683 | |||||||||
Executive Officer | 2009 | $ | 305,359 | $ | - | $ | 69,700 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 8,957 | $ | 222,385 | $ | 606,401 | |||||||||
William M. Clancy | 2011 | $ | 262,500 | $ | - | $ | 101,207 | $ | - | $ | 104,321 | $ | 93,362 | $ | 49,374 | $ | 610,764 | |||||||||
Executive Vice President and | 2010 | $ | 226,208 | $ | - | $ | 200,000 | $ | - | $ | 115,444 | $ | 20,929 | $ | 43,837 | $ | 606,418 | |||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | 2009 | $ | 204,516 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 30,855 | $ | 49,308 | $ | 284,679 | |||||||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | 2011 | $ | 230,625 | $ | - | $ | 30,912 | $ | - | $ | 43,502 | $ | - | $ | 38,174 | $ | 343,213 | |||||||||
Senior Vice President and | 2010 | $ | 205,898 | $ | - | $ | 167,500 | $ | - | $ | 77,925 | $ | - | $ | 34,829 | $ | 486,152 | |||||||||
Chief Technology Officer | 2009 | $ | 188,455 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 35,285 | $ | 223,740 |
(1) | Column (c) reflects each executive officers base salary. Mr. Shoshanis employment agreement provides for his salary to be denominated in U.S. dollars, but the Company subsequently agreed to pay his salary in New Israeli Shekels at a fixed exchange rate (based on the average exchange rate during the ten (10) month period ending on October 31, 2010) determined in accordance with his employment agreement. | |
(2) | Column (e) represents the grant-date fair value of RSUs granted to each executive officer in connection with the long-term equity award component of his compensation and in accordance with his employment agreement, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For financial statement reporting purposes, the amount of compensation expense for RSUs is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the respective awards. The grant-date fair value does not necessarily reflect the value of shares actually received or which may be received in the future with respect to these awards. The value of these stock awards as set forth in our financial statements is subject to assumptions detailed in Note 13 to our combined and consolidated financial statements. | |
(3) | Column (g) represents performance-based cash bonuses that our executive officers received with respect to performance in the applicable year. See Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCompensation Components, Performance Bonus. | |
(4) | Column (h) reflects the change in the actuarial present value of the named executive officers pension and other post-employment benefits under respective defined benefit retirement plans, from the plan measurement date used in preparing the prior year combined and consolidated financial statements to the plan measurement date used in preparing the current year combined and consolidated financial statements, determined using the same interest rate, mortality, and other actuarial assumptions used in our consolidated financial statements. See the Pension Benefits table herein for more information on the benefits payable to the named executive officers under their respective pension plans. | |
(5) | Each executive officer was entitled to participate, as of January 1, 2011, in the VPG non-qualified deferred compensation plan, which is substantially similar to its predecessor plan sponsored by Vishay Intertechnology. Under the VPG non-qualified deferred compensation plan, deferred amounts are credited with earnings based on the performance of notional investment options available under the plan. No portion of the earnings credited during 2011 was above market or preferential. Consequently, no deferred compensation plan earnings are included in the amounts reported in Column (h). See the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation table for more information on the benefits payable under the VPG non-qualified deferred compensation plan. |
27
(6) | All other compensation includes amounts deposited on behalf of each named executive officer into Vishay Intertechnologys non-qualified deferred compensation plan, and the corresponding VPG plan, pursuant to the employment agreements with each named executive officer, personal use of company car, company match on 401(k) contributions, benefits generally available to employees in Israel, and other perquisites, as described herein: |
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Ziv Shoshani | $ | - | $ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | Vishay Intertechnology and Company contribution to nonqualified deferred compensation plan | ||||
20,162 | 14,678 | 15,638 | Personal use of Company car* | ||||||||
183,464 | 146,182 | 79,700 | Israeli employment benefits* | ||||||||
19,885 | 26,959 | 27,047 | Medical and prescription drug insurance premiums | ||||||||
$ | 223,511 | $ | 287,819 | $ | 222,385 | ||||||
William M. Clancy | $ | 7,554 | $ | 4,524 | $ | 4,697 | Vishay Intertechnology and Company contributions to nonqualified deferred compensation plan | ||||
13,910 | 13,883 | 13,855 | Personal use of Company car | ||||||||
9,800 | 9,049 | 9,346 | Company match to 401(k) plan | ||||||||
17,300 | 15,659 | 20,763 | Medical and prescription drug insurance premiums | ||||||||
810 | 722 | 647 | Group Term Life imputed income | ||||||||
$ | 49,374 | $ | 43,837 | $ | 49,308 | ||||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | $ | 6,042 | $ | 5,433 | $ | 6,063 | Personal use of Company car | ||||
14,700 | 12,354 | 11,307 | Company contribution to 401(k) plan | ||||||||
15,326 | 15,181 | 16,228 | Medical and prescription drug insurance premiums | ||||||||
2,106 | 1,861 | 1,687 | Group Term Life imputed income | ||||||||
$ | 38,174 | $ | 34,829 | $ | 35,285 |
* | Represents amounts paid in New Israeli Shekels (NIS) and translated at average exchange rates for the year. |
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Grants of Plan Based Awards
The following table provides information with regard to plan based awards granted to each named executive officer during 2011. The information included in the table should be read in conjunction with the footnotes which follow and the description of performance bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards described in Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCompensation Components.
The following table provides information concerning grants of plan-based awards to our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2011.
Estimated Future Payments Under Non- | Estimated Future Payments Under | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Grant | Maximum | Target | Maximum | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Date | Threshold | Target ($) | ($) | Threshold | ($) | ($) | |||||||||||||||
Ziv Shoshani | - | 358,875 | 957,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
- | 478,500 | 478,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||
William M. Clancy | - | 105,000 | 210,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
- | 105,000 | 105,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | - | 69,188 | 138,375 | |||||||||||||||||||
- | 69,188 | 69,188 |
(1) | For 2011, Mr. Shoshani and Mr. Clancy were each eligible to earn an annual performance bonus based on the achievement of certain adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating margin targets. Mr. Kieffer was eligible to earn 25% of his potential annual performance bonus based on the achievement of the same targets, with the remaining 75% of his potential annual performance bonus based on certain individual and financial performance goals. Each executive officers performance bonus package is further described under the heading Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCompensation Components, Performance Bonus. Performance bonuses relating to our executive officers 2011 performance were paid in March 2012. | |
(2) | For 2011, Mr. Shoshani and Mr. Clancy were each eligible to earn an annual long-term equity incentive award based on the achievement of certain adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating margin targets. Mr. Kieffer was eligible to earn 25% of his potential annual equity incentive award based on the achievement of the same targets, with the remaining 75% of his potential annual equity incentive award attributable to certain individual and financial performance goals. Each executive officers long-term equity award package is further described under the heading Compensation Discussion and AnalysisCompensation Components, Equity Compensation. Long-term equity incentive awards relating to our executive officers 2011 performance were granted in March 2012. |
29
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table provides information regarding (i) unexercised options and (ii) unvested stock awards and equity incentive plan awards held by our named executive officers and outstanding as of December 31, 2011.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
Number of | Number of | Number of | ||||||||||||||
Securities | Securities | Shares or | Market Value of | |||||||||||||
Underlying | Underlying | Option | Units of | Shares or Units | ||||||||||||
Unexercised | Unexercised | Exercise | Option | Stock That | of Stock That | |||||||||||
Options (#) | Options (#) | Price | Expiration | Have Not | Have Not Vested | |||||||||||
Name | Grant Date | (Exercisable) | (Unexercisable) | ($) | Date | Vested (#) | ($) | |||||||||
Ziv Shoshani | 12/14/2010 | 69,025 | (1) | 1,103,020 | ||||||||||||
3/15/2011 | 12,550 | (2) | 6,276 | $ | 18.92 | 2/27/2017 | ||||||||||
3/15/2011 | 19,466 | (3) | 311,067 | |||||||||||||
3/15/2011 | 2,510 | (4) | 40,110 | |||||||||||||
William M. Clancy | 7/21/2010 | 8,625 | (1) | 137,828 | ||||||||||||
3/15/2011 | 4,475 | (3) | 71,511 | |||||||||||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | 7/21/2010 | 8,625 | (1) | 137,828 | ||||||||||||
3/15/2011 | 3,020 | (3) | 48,260 |
(1) | Represents founders equity grant RSUs granted to each of our executive officers in connection with the spin-off from Vishay Intertechnology. The founders equity grant RSUs vest in full on July 6, 2013 (the third anniversary of the spin-off). | |
(2) | Represents options granted in replacement of corresponding options to purchase common stock of Vishay Intertechnology that were cancelled in connection with the Companys spin off from Vishay Intertechnology. 12,550 options vested on the date of grant, and the remaining 6,276 options vest in two equal annual installments on each of February 27, 2012 and February 27, 2013. | |
(3) | Represents annual equity incentive awards comprised of RSUs granted to each of our executive officers with respect to 2010 performance compensation. These RSUs will vest in three equal portions on each of March 15, 2012, March 15, 2013 and March 15, 2014. | |
(4) | Represents replacement grant RSUs granted to Mr. Shoshani to replace certain RSUs issued to him by Vishay Intertechnology that were cancelled in connection with the spin-off. These RSUs will vest in two equal portions on each of May 28, 2012 and May 28, 2013. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information with regard to amounts paid to or received by our named executive officers during 2011 as a result of the vesting of RSUs that were granted to the executive officers as part of their compensation agreements, as well as a result of the vesting of RSUs that were granted to our chief executive officer by Vishay Intertechnology prior to the spin-off.
Stock Awards | ||||||
Number of | ||||||
Shares | Value | |||||
Acquired on | Realized on | |||||
Name | Vesting (#) | Vesting | ||||
(a) | (d) | (e) | ||||
Ziv Shoshani | 1,255 | (1) | $ | 22,879 | ||
6,489 | (2) | $ | 106,939 | |||
William Clancy | 1,492 | (2) | $ | 24,588 | ||
Thomas Kieffer | 1,007 | (2) | $ | 16,595 |
(1) | Represents a portion of RSUs granted to Mr. Shoshani in connection with the spin-off to replace certain RSUs in Vishay Intertechnology stock that Mr. Shoshani forfeited at the time of the spin-off. These RSUs vest in two equal portions on each of May 28, 2012 and May 28, 2013. | |
(2) | Represents a portion of annual equity incentive awards comprised of RSUs granted to each of our executive officers with respect to 2010 performance. These RSUs vest in three equal portions on each of March 15, 2012, March 15, 2013 and March 15, 2014. |
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Pension Benefits
Prior to the spin-off, our pension benefits were administered by Vishay Intertechnology. Beginning in January 2010, we began adopting independent pension benefit plans with substantially similar terms as those maintained by Vishay Intertechnology to ensure continuity of benefits for those Vishay Intertechnology employees who became VPG employees at the spin-off. A description of legacy Vishay Intertechnology plans and the new plans that we adopted in their place follows.
In the United States, Vishay Intertechnology maintained a non-qualified pension plan which provided defined benefits to U.S. employees whose participation in the qualified pension plan could jeopardize the qualification of such plan under the Internal Revenue Code. The plan was contributory and, other than its non-qualified status under ERISA, provided substantially the same benefits that were available under Vishay Intertechnologys qualified retirement plan. Employees with five or more years of service were entitled to annual pension benefits beginning at normal retirement age on the first day of the month following the participants 65th birthday equal to the sum of 2.1% of the first $10,000 of earnings plus 2.64% of the annual earnings in excess of $10,000 with a new pension unit earned each year. The final pension was the sum of all units earned during the employees career. The plan permitted early retirement if the participant was at least age 55 and had at least five years of service. Employees could elect to receive their pension benefits in the form of a joint and survivor annuity or other contingent annuities. Employees were 100% vested immediately in their contributions. If employees terminated before rendering five years of service, they forfeited the right to receive the portion of their accumulated plan benefits attributable to the Company's contributions. Employees received the value of their accumulated benefits as a life annuity payable monthly from retirement. For each employee electing a life annuity, payments would not be less than the greater of (a) the employees accumulated contributions plus interest or (b) an annuity for five years. In connection with the spin-off, VPG adopted the VPG Non-Qualified Retirement Plan, which provides for substantially similar benefits to its Vishay Intertechnology counterpart. Like the Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan, the VPG Non-Qualified Retirement Plan is frozen with respect to participation and accrual of benefits.
The following table provides information regarding the present value of benefits accrued under these retirement benefit plans and arrangements for our named executive officers:
Number | Present Value | |||||||||
of Years | of | |||||||||
Credited | Accumulated | Payments During | ||||||||
Name | Plan Name | Service | Benefit (1) | Last Fiscal Year | ||||||
(a) | (b) | (#)(c) | ($)(d) | ($)(e) | ||||||
Ziv Shoshani | Individual contractual postemployment medical arrangement (2) | n/a | $ | 71,516 | $ | - | ||||
William M. Clancy | VPG Non-qualified Retirement Plan (3) | 11 | $ | 300,010 | $ | - |
(1) | These amounts have been calculated using interest rate, mortality, and other actuarial assumptions consistent with those used for financial reporting purposes set forth in Note 11 to VPGs combined and consolidated financial statements included in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. | |
(2) | Pursuant to Mr. Shoshanis employment agreement, the Company agreed to pay healthcare premiums to cover Mr. Shoshani, his spouse and his children under the age of 26 up to an aggregate amount of $15,000 annually. The amount set forth in the table above represents the present value of this benefit. | |
(3) | Mr. Clancy elected to begin participating in the Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2000 and subsequently transferred to the VPG Non-Qualified Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2010. The Vishay Non-Qualified Retirement Plan was frozen effective December 31, 2008, such that participants accrued no additional benefits. The VPG Non-Qualified Retirement Plan is similarly frozen. |
Non-qualified Deferred Compensation
The named executive officers participate in the VPG KEWAP (a non-qualified deferred compensation plan), which is available to all employees who meet certain criteria under the Internal Revenue Code. In addition to being eligible to participate in the VPG KEWAP, Mr. Clancy is entitled to receive Company contributions to his VPG KEWAP account. The named executive officers are also eligible to elect to defer additional amounts of compensation, subject to certain limitations. Only Mr. Kieffer elected to defer additional amounts of compensation during 2011.
While deferred, amounts are credited with earnings based on the performance of notional investment options available under the plan. No portion of the earnings credited during 2011 was above market or preferential.
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The following table sets forth information relating to the activity in the non-qualified deferred compensation plan accounts of the named executive officers during 2011 and the aggregate balance of the accounts as of December 31, 2011:
Executive | Registrant | Aggregate | Aggregate | |||||||||||||||
Contributions | Contributions | Earnings in | Aggregate | Balance at | ||||||||||||||
in Last Fiscal | in Last Fiscal | Last Fiscal | Withdrawals/ | Last Fiscal | ||||||||||||||
Name | Year | Year (1) | Year | Distributions | Year End | |||||||||||||
(a) | ($)(b) | ($)(c) | ($)(d) | ($)(e) | ($)(f) | |||||||||||||
Ziv Shoshani | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 5,739 | $ | - | $ | 788,233 | ||||||||
William M. Clancy | - | 7,554 | (2) | (192 | ) | (14,860 | ) | 169,713 | ||||||||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | 101,159 | - | 36,022 | - | 1,105,740 |
(1) | These amounts are included in Column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table as a component of All Other Compensation. No portion of the earnings credited during 2011 was above market or preferential. Accordingly, no amounts related to earnings on deferred compensation have been included in the Summary Compensation Table. | |
(2) | This amount was contributed by the Company; the Company has an on-going matching contribution obligation with respect to Mr. Clancy pursuant to the supplemental match arrangement described herein under Compensation Discussion and AnalysisDeferred Compensation and Pension Plans. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control
Our employment agreements with our named executive officers provide incremental compensation in the event of termination, as described herein. Generally, VPG does not provide any severance specifically upon a change in control, however, our RSU agreements with the named executive officers do provide for accelerated vesting upon a change in control. Termination of employment also impacts outstanding stock options, RSUs, and non-qualified deferred compensation balances.
If we terminate Mr. Shoshani without cause, or if Mr. Shoshani resigns with good reason (as such terms are defined in his employment agreement) he is entitled to a severance package consisting of:
If we terminate Messrs. Clancy or Kieffer without cause, or if they resign with good reason (as such terms are defined in their respective employment agreements) they are entitled to a severance package consisting of:
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The following table sets forth the compensation that would have been received by each of the Companys executive officers had they been terminated as of December 31, 2011.
Salary | Nonqualified | ||||||||||||||
Continuation | Bonus | Equity grants | Medical benefit/pension | deferred | |||||||||||
(1) | (2) | (3) | plan (4) | compensation (5) | |||||||||||
Ziv Shoshani | $ | 957,000 | $ | 358,875 | $ | 1,454,196 | $ | 72,401 | $ | 788,233 | |||||
William M. Clancy | 262,500 | 105,000 | 209,338 | 300,010 | 169,713 | ||||||||||
Thomas P. Kieffer | 230,625 | 69,188 | 186,087 | - | 1,105,740 |
(1) | Represents two years of 2011 base salary, paid over two years, for Mr. Shoshani, and one year of 2011 base salary, paid over one year, for Messrs. Clancy and Kieffer. Our executive officers are only entitled to receive salary continuation benefits if they are terminated without Cause or if they terminate their employment for Good Reason. | |
(2) | Represents the target performance bonus for each of our executive officers with respect to performance in 2011. Pursuant to the employment agreements with our executive officers, we are required to pay the target performance bonus for the year in which the executive officer was terminated (pro-rated based on when termination occurred). Our executive officers are only entitled to receive the pro-rated target performance bonus for the year in which the termination occurred if they are terminated without Cause or if they terminate their employment for Good Reason. | |
(3) | Represents the value of 91,001 shares for Mr. Shoshani, 13,100 shares for Mr. Clancy and 11,645 shares for Mr. Kieffer of otherwise unvested restricted stock, based on $15.98, the closing price of our Common Stock on December 30, 2011. The vesting of such shares accelerates in connection with (i) a change in control of the Company; (ii) termination without Cause, or by the executive officer with Good Reason; and (iii) death or disability. Unvested RSUs and options will be forfeited upon termination if such termination is for Cause. | |
(4) | For Mr. Shoshani, this amount reflects the estimated value of three years worth of medical coverage for Mr. Shoshani, his spouse and his children under the age of 26, based on the value of such coverage at December 31, 2011 and assuming 10% increases in annual premiums. For Mr. Clancy, this amount reflects the present value of the balance in his VPG Non-Qualified Retirement Plan account. | |
(5) | Represents each executive officers VPG KEWAP balance as of December 31, 2011, as set forth in the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table. |
Impact on Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Balances
As described herein, the named executive officers are eligible to participate in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Each participant in VPGs deferred compensation plan, or the VPG KEWAP, must elect, upon initial participation in the plan, the schedule of payments thereunder upon termination of such participants employment. In compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, Mr. Shoshani elected to receive a lump-sum distribution of the balance of his VPG KEWAP retirement account upon termination of his employment. Messrs. Clancy and Kieffer each elected to receive distributions from their respective retirement accounts over a ten-year period following termination of their employment.
Impact on Outstanding Stock Options
Pursuant to the 2010 Stock Program, upon termination by retirement, death, or disability, an optionee has up to 12 months to exercise any vested options (limited by the expiration date of the respective options). Upon voluntary termination, the optionee has up to 60 days to exercise any vested options.
Impact on Restricted Stock Units
Certain executive officers received grants of RSUs. In the event of a change in control, or in the event of termination without cause, a voluntary termination by the executive for good reason, or a termination due to death or disability, all unvested RSUs vest immediately. If such termination or change in control had occurred at December 31, 2011, Messrs. Shoshani, Clancy and Kieffer would have vested immediately in 91,001 RSUs, 13,100 RSUs, and 11,645 RSUs, respectively.
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Additional Information on Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides certain information concerning our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2011.
Number of shares of | |||||||
Number of shares | common stock remaining | ||||||
of common stock to be | Weighted average | for future issuance | |||||
issued upon exercise | exercise price of | under equity compensation | |||||
of outstanding options | outstanding options | plans (excluding shares | |||||
and rights | and rights | reflected in the first column) | |||||
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (1) | |||||||
2010 Stock Incentive Program (2) | |||||||
Stock options | 32,000 | $ | 18.03 | ||||
Restricted Stock Units | 143,636 | n/a | |||||
Total 2010 Stock Incentive Program | 175,636 | 324,364 | |||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders | - | - | |||||
Total equity compensation plans | 175,636 | 324,364 |
(1) | Additional information about these plans is presented in Note 12 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, which are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. | |
(2) | The 2010 Stock Incentive Program provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, and RSUs. Therefore the shares available for future issuance are presented only in total for the program. |
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
VPG maintains employment agreements with our Chief Executive Officer, and each of our other executive officers. See Executive Compensation herein. We historically have had significant agreements, transactions, and relationships with Vishay Intertechnology operations. See Note 3 to our combined and consolidated financial statements and Agreements with Vishay Intertechnology herein. For a more detailed discussion of these arrangements, see Agreements with Vishay Intertechnology in our information statement, dated June 22, 2010. The information statement was filed on June 22, 2010 as Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form 10.
Dubi Zandman is our Vice President responsible for Systems division operations. Mr. Dubi Zandman is a cousin of our former significant stockholder, Dr. Felix Zandman (deceased). For 2011, Mr. Dubi Zandman received salary and benefits of $243,006.
Steven C. Klausner is a Vice President and Treasurer of VPG. Mr. Klausner is the brother-in-law of Chairman Marc Zandman and the son-in-law of Dr. Felix Zandman. For 2011, Mr. Klausner received salary and benefits of $221,525.
Our Board has adopted a written Related Party Transaction Policy that governs the review, approval, or ratification of related party transactions between our Company and our directors and executive officers and their families; stockholders owning in excess of 5% of any class of our securities; and certain affiliates of these persons. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility to administer the policy. All related party transactions, including employment relationships and charitable contributions, must be approved or ratified by the Committee. Members of the Committee may not participate in any review, consideration, or approval of any transaction involving such member, any family member of such member, or any entity with which such member is affiliated. A copy of the Related Party Transaction Policy is available to stockholders in print upon request.
Our Related Party Transaction Policy requires that all new employment relationships with a family member of a director or executive officer be approved by the Committee. The Committee also must undertake an annual review of on-going employment relationships of family members of any director or executive officer.
Agreements with Vishay Intertechnology
In connection with the spin-off, we and Vishay Intertechnology entered into certain agreements which govern our relationship with Vishay Intertechnology and provide for the allocation of employee benefits, tax and other liabilities and obligations. The following are brief summaries of the terms of the material agreements we entered into with Vishay Intertechnology. Each summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the applicable agreement.
Master Separation Agreement
The master separation agreement governs our separation from Vishay Intertechnology, the distribution of shares of our common stock and Class B common stock to Vishay Intertechnology stockholders and other matters related to Vishay Intertechnologys relationship with us. References in this section to ancillary agreements refer to the tax matters agreement, the trademark license agreement, the employee matters agreement, the lease agreements, the transition services agreements, the secondment agreement, the patent license agreement, and the supply agreements, some of which are described herein, as well as other agreements between us and Vishay Intertechnology.
The Separation
In a series of transactions culminating on July 6, 2010, Vishay Intertechnology moved its precision measurement and foil resistor businesses to us, including assets and equity interests of certain subsidiaries of Vishay Intertechnology, and we moved a small amount of assets that we hold and that do not constitute part of our business to Vishay Intertechnology. Except as specified in the master separation agreement, we agreed to assume and perform all of the liabilities (including contingent liabilities) and obligations arising under or relating to the operation of the precision measurement and foil resistor businesses or the assets and equity interests that were transferred to us as part of the separation, whether incurred before or after the separation.
Exchangeable Notes and Warrants
In connection with the spin-off from Vishay Intertechnology, we were required to assume a portion of Vishay Intertechnologys indebtedness arising out of a 2002 exchangeable note and warrant financing. Accordingly, we issued notes with an initial principal amount of approximately $10.0 million, exchangeable for shares of our common stock to such persons, as required by the put and call agreement between Vishay Intertechnology and the holders of the corresponding 2002 Vishay Intertechnology notes due December 13, 2102. We also issued warrants to acquire 630,252 shares of our common stock to such persons, as required by the 2002 warrant agreement between Vishay Intertechnology and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company. We filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3, file no. 333-173461, to register for resale by the recipients of these securities the warrants and the shares of our common stock issuable upon exchange of the notes or upon exercise of the warrants.
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Tax Matters Agreement
In connection with the master separation agreement, we entered into a tax matters agreement with Vishay Intertechnology. This agreement (1) governs the allocation of U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign tax liability between us and Vishay Intertechnology, (2) provides for certain restrictions and indemnities in connection with the tax treatment of the distribution, and (3) addresses certain other tax-related matters.
The tax matters agreement also provides that we are liable for taxes incurred by Vishay Intertechnology that arise as a result of our taking or failing to take certain actions that result in the distribution failing to meet the requirements of a tax-free distribution under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. We therefore have agreed that, among other things, we will not take any actions that would result in any tax being imposed on the spin-off.
Transition Services Agreements
We entered into a transition services agreement pursuant to which Vishay Intertechnology, in its capacity as the provider, provides us, in our capacity as the recipient, with certain information technology and other services for a limited time to help ensure an orderly transition following the separation. In addition, we and Vishay Intertechnology entered into a reverse transition services agreement pursuant to which we, in our capacity as the provider, will provide to Vishay Intertechnology, in its capacity as the recipient, certain services for a limited time for Vishay Japan Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology. Other than the specific services to be provided and the costs associated with such services, the terms of the reverse transition services agreement will be the same as the terms of the transition services agreement.
Pursuant to the transition services agreement, Vishay Intertechnology, through its subsidiaries, provides to us certain information technology support services for our foil resistor business at costs set forth in the transition services agreement. Pursuant to the reverse transition services agreement, we, through our subsidiary, provide Vishay Japan Co., Ltd. certain information technology support services. The cost of the services provided may not necessarily be reflective of prices that could have been obtained for similar services from an independent third-party.
As of December 31, 2011, we had paid Vishay Intertechnology $0.6 million for services provided under the transition services agreement, and we do not expect to pay in excess of $0.1 million to Vishay Intertechnology during the remainder of the term of the agreement. Effective March 1, 2012, Vishay Intertechnology ceased providing services pursuant to this agreement.
Lease Agreements
We and Vishay Intertechnology, or our respective subsidiaries, entered into lease agreements for space in Beer Sheva, Israel; Malvern, Pennsylvania; and Akita, Japan. In each case, the lease is at a market rate and on customary terms for a lease of its nature. In the aggregate, we paid Vishay Intertechnology $152,000 during 2011 and Vishay Intertechnology paid us $39,000 during the same period. We intend to continue these lease arrangements for the foreseeable future.
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OTHER MATTERS
This proxy statement includes all of the business that the Board intends to present at the annual meeting. The Board is not aware of any other matters proposed to be presented at the meeting. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the person named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy on such matters in accordance with their judgment.
AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT AND FORM 10-K TO STOCKHOLDERS
Our Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2011 accompanies this proxy statement. VPG will provide to any stockholder, upon written request and without charge, a copy of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All requests for such reports should be directed to Investor Relations, Vishay Precision Group, Inc., 3 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 150, Malvern, PA 19355, telephone number (484) 321-5300.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholder proposals submitted to us pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by us no later than December 20, 2012 and must comply with the requirements of the proxy rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In accordance with our current bylaws, for a director nomination or a proposal of a stockholder to be raised from the floor and presented at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, other than a stockholder proposal intended to be included in our proxy statement and submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a stockholders notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices, together with all supporting documentation required by our bylaws, (A) not prior to February 21, 2013 nor later than March 25, 2013 or (B) in the event that the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held prior to April 22, 2013 or after July 21, 2013, notice by the stockholder must be so received not later than the 60th day prior to the annual meeting, or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, not later than the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us. A stockholders notice of intention to present a director nomination or a proposal should be addressed to our Secretary, Vishay Precision Group, Inc., 3 Great Valley Parkway, Suite 150, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Roland B. Desilets
Roland B.
Desilets
Corporate Secretary
April 19,
2012
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VISHAY PRECISION GROUP,
INC. 3 GREAT VALLEY PARKWAY SUITE 150 MALVERN, PA 19355 |
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For | Withhold | For All | ||||||||
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: |
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1. | Election of Directors | o | o | o | ||||||
Nominees |
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nominee(s) on the line below. |
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01 | Marc Zandman | 02 | Dr. Samuel Broydo | 03 | Saul Reibstein | 04 | Timothy Talbert | 05 | Ziv Shoshani |
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2 | To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Vishay Precision Group, Inc.s registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012. | o | o | o | ||
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