t60765_def14a.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934 (Amendment No. _________ )
Filed
by the Registrant
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x
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Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant
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o
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Check
the
appropriate box:
o
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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o
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
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ACETO
CORPORATION
(Name
of
registrant as specified in its charter)
(Name
of
Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x
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No
fee required.
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o
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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(2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3)
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
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Total
fee paid:
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o
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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o
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1)
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Amount
Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3)
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Filing
Party:
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(4)
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Date
Filed:
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ACETO
CORPORATION
One
Hollow Lane
Lake
Success, New York 11042-1215
Tel.
(516) 627-6000
October
18, 2007
Dear
Fellow Shareholder:
I
take pleasure in inviting each of you
to attend Aceto Corporation’s annual meeting of shareholders to be held on
Thursday, December 6, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at the
Company’s offices, One Hollow Lane, Lake Success, New York. I am
pleased to provide you with your Company’s annual report and the proxy statement
attached to this letter.
Please
use this opportunity to take
part in our affairs by voting on the business to come before this
meeting. You may vote your shares at the annual meeting by marking
your votes on the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it, and mailing it
in
the enclosed envelope.
I
look forward to seeing you at the
annual meeting and thank you for your continued support.
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Sincerely,
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Leonard
S. Schwartz
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Chairman
of the Board, President and
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Chief
Executive Officer
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ACETO
CORPORATION
One
Hollow Lane
Lake
Success, New York 11042-1215
Tel.
(516) 627-6000
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To
the
Shareholders of Aceto Corporation:
We
hereby
notify you that the annual meeting of shareholders of Aceto Corporation, a
New
York corporation (the “Company”), will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, at the Company’s offices indicated above for
the following purposes:
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·
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to
elect six directors to the board of directors to hold office for
the
following year and until their successors are elected;
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to
approve the Aceto Corporation 2007 Long-Term Performance Incentive
Plan;
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·
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to
ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June
30,
2008; and
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·
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to
transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournment thereof.
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The
matters listed in this notice of meeting are described in the accompanying
proxy
statement. The Company’s board of directors has fixed the close of
business on October 12, 2007 as the record date for this year’s annual
meeting. You must be a shareholder of record at that time to be
entitled to notice of the annual meeting and to vote at the annual
meeting.
YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Even
if
you plan to attend the meeting, please promptly complete, sign, date and return
the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided so that your vote will be
counted if you later decide not to attend the meeting. No postage is required
if
the proxy card is mailed in the United States.
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By
order of the board of directors,
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Douglas
Roth
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Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate
Secretary
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Lake
Success, New York
October
18, 2007
ACETO
CORPORATION
ONE
HOLLOW LANE
LAKE
SUCCESS, NEW YORK 11042-1215
Tel.
(516) 627-6000
PROXY
STATEMENT
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Information
About Proxy Solicitation
This
proxy statement is being furnished to holders of shares as of the record date
of
the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of Aceto Corporation, a New York
corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s annual meeting to
be held on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time,
at
the Company’s offices. We sent you this proxy statement because our
board of directors is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the annual
meeting and at any adjournment. This proxy statement summarizes
information that we are required to provide to you under the rules of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Global Select Market,
which information is designed to assist you in voting your
shares. The purposes of the meeting and the matters to be acted on
are stated in the accompanying notice of annual meeting of shareholders. At
present, the board of directors knows of no other business that will come before
the meeting.
We
will
begin mailing these proxy materials on or about October 26, 2007. The Company
will bear the cost of its solicitation of proxies. The original solicitation
of
proxies by mail may be supplemented by personal interview, telephone, and
facsimile by the directors, officers and employees of the Company. Arrangements
will also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners
of stock held by such persons, and the Company may reimburse those custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
them
in doing so.
Information
About Voting
Q:
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Why
am I receiving these materials?
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A:
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The
board of directors is providing these proxy materials to you in connection
with the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, which will take place
on December 6, 2007. As a shareholder, you are invited to attend
the
annual meeting and to vote on the items of business described in
this
proxy statement.
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Q:
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What
information is contained in these
materials?
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A:
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The
information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals
to
be voted on at the annual meeting, the voting process, the compensation
of
directors and the most highly paid executive officers, and certain
other
required information. A copy of our annual report is also
enclosed.
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Q:
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What
items of business will be voted on at the annual
meeting?
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A:
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The
three items of business scheduled to be voted on at the annual meeting
are
the election of directors, the approval of the Aceto Corporation
2007
Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan and the ratification of the
Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm. We will also
consider any other business that properly comes before the annual
meeting.
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Q:
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How
does the board of directors recommend that I
vote?
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A:
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The
board of directors recommends that you vote your shares FOR each
of the
nominees to the board, FOR the approval of the Aceto
Corporation 2007 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, and FOR
the ratification of the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm on the proxy card included with this proxy
statement.
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Q:
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What
shares can I vote?
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A:
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You
may vote all shares owned by you as of the close of business on October
12, 2007, the record date. These shares include: (1) shares held
directly
in your name as a shareholder of record; and (2) shares held for
you, as
the beneficial owner, through a broker or other nominee, such as
a
bank.
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Q:
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What
is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record
and as
a beneficial owner?
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A:
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Most
shareholders of the Company hold their shares through a broker or
other
nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below,
there
are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned
beneficially.
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If
your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s
transfer agent, The Bank of New York, you are considered, with respect
to
those shares, the shareholder of record and these proxy materials
are
being sent directly to you by the Company. As the shareholder of
record,
you have the right to grant your proxy directly to the board of directors
or to vote in person at the meeting. The board of directors has enclosed
or sent a proxy card for you to use.
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If
your shares are held in a brokerage account or by another nominee,
you are
considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and these
proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee
together with a voting instruction card. As the beneficial owner,
you have
the right to direct your broker or nominee how to vote and are also
invited to attend the annual meeting. However, since you are not
the
shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at
the
meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker or nominee that
holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares. Your
broker or
nominee has enclosed or provided voting instructions for you to use
in
directing the broker or nominee how to vote your
shares.
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Q:
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How
can I attend the annual meeting?
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A:
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You
are entitled to attend the annual meeting only if you were a shareholder
of the Company or joint holder as of the close of business on October
12,
2007, or you hold a valid proxy for the annual meeting. You should
be
prepared to present photo identification for admittance. If you are
not a
record holder but hold shares through a broker or nominee (that is,
in
“street name”), you should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the
record date, such as your most recent account statement prior to
October
12, 2007, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your
broker or
nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide
photo identification or comply with the other procedures outlined
above
upon request, you will not be admitted to the annual meeting. The
annual
meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Check-in
will begin at 9:00 a.m., and you should allow ample time for the
check-in
procedures.
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Q:
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How
can I vote my shares in person at the annual
meeting?
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A:
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You
may vote in person at the annual meeting any shares that you hold
as the
shareholder of record. You may only vote in person shares held in
street
name if you obtain from the broker or nominee that holds your shares
a
“legal proxy” giving you the right to vote the shares.
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Q:
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How
can I vote my shares without attending the annual
meeting?
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A:
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Whether
you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or beneficially
in
street name, you may without attending the meeting direct how your
shares
are to be voted. If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote
by
granting a proxy. If you hold shares in street name, you may vote
by
submitting voting instructions to your broker or nominee. Each record
holder of Company common stock may submit a proxy by completing,
signing,
and dating a proxy card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed
envelope. Each shareholder who holds shares in street name may vote
by
mail by completing, signing, and dating a voting instruction card
provided
by the broker or nominee and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed
envelope.
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Q:
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Can
I change my vote?
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A:
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You
may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the annual
meeting.
For shares held directly in your name, you may accomplish this by
granting
a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the
earlier
proxy) or by attending the annual meeting and voting in person. Attendance
at the meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be
revoked
unless you specifically so request. For shares you hold beneficially,
you
may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your
broker
or nominee or, if you have obtained a “legal proxy” from your broker, or
nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the
meeting
and voting in person. You may also change your vote by sending a
written
notice of revocation to Mr. Douglas Roth, Chief Financial Officer
and
Corporate Secretary, Aceto Corporation, One Hollow Lane, Lake Success,
New
York 11042.
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Q:
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Who
can help answer my questions?
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A:
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If
you have any questions about the annual meeting or how to vote or
revoke
your proxy, you should contact Mr. Terry Steinberg, Vice President,
Administration and Assistant Corporate Secretary, by mail to Aceto
Corporation, One Hollow Lane, Lake Success, New York 11042 or by
phone at
516-627-6000. Also, if you need additional copies of this proxy
statement or voting materials, you should contact Mr.
Steinberg.
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Q:
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How
are votes counted?
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A:
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In
the election of directors, you may vote FOR all of the six nominees
or you
may direct your vote to be WITHHELD with respect to one or more of
the six
nominees. In the approval of the Aceto Corporation 2007
Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, you may vote FOR approval of
the
plan, AGAINST approval or you may ABSTAIN from voting with respect
to
approval of the plan. In the ratification of the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm, you may vote FOR
ratification, AGAINST ratification or you may ABSTAIN from voting
with
respect to ratification. If you provide specific instructions,
your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you sign your proxy
card or
voting instruction card with no further instructions, your shares
will be
voted in accordance with the recommendations of the board of directors
FOR
all of the Company’s nominees, FOR the approval of the Aceto Corporation
2007 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, FOR ratification of the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in the
discretion of the proxy holders, on any other matters that properly
come
before the meeting. If any other matters properly arise at the meeting,
your proxy, together with the other proxies received, will be voted
at the
discretion of the proxy holders.
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Q:
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What
is a quorum and why is it necessary?
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A:
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Conducting
business at the meeting requires a quorum. The presence, either in
person
or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the Company’s shares of
common stock outstanding on October 12, 2007 is necessary to constitute
a
quorum. Under the New York Business Corporation Law, and the Company’s
articles of incorporation and by-laws, abstentions are treated as
present
for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
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Q:
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What
is the voting requirement to approve each of the
proposals?
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A:
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In
the election of directors, the six persons receiving the highest
number of
FOR votes at the annual meeting will be elected. Accordingly, abstentions
and broker non-votes do not have the effect of a vote for or against
the
election of any nominee. You do not have the right to cumulate your
votes. Any other matters that might properly arise at the
meeting require the affirmative “FOR” vote of a majority of those shares
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on
that
proposal at the annual meeting. Accordingly, abstentions on other
proposals will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal.
In
addition, where brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary
authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions
(commonly referred to as “broker non-votes”), those shares will not be
included in the vote totals. Broker non-votes will not have the
effect of a vote for or against other proposals. A list of
shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available
at
the annual meeting for examination by any shareholder.
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Q:
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What
should I do if I receive more than one set of voting
materials?
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A:
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You
may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple
copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting
instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than
one
brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction
card for
each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a shareholder
of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you
will
receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date, and
return
each proxy card and voting instruction card that you
receive.
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Q:
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Where
can I find the voting results of the annual
meeting?
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A:
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We
intend to announce preliminary voting results at the annual meeting
and
publish final results in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for our
fiscal
quarter ending December 31, 2007.
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Q:
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What
happens if additional matters are presented at the annual
meeting?
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A:
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Other
than the three items of business described in this proxy statement,
we are
not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the annual meeting.
However, if you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders,
Leonard
S. Schwartz, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer, and Douglas Roth, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional
matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting. If for any
unforeseen reason any of our nominees is not available as a candidate
for
director, the persons named as proxy holders will vote your proxy
for any
one or more other candidates nominated by the board of
directors.
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Q:
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What
shares are entitled to be voted?
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A:
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Each
share of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of the close
of business on October 12, 2007, the record date, is entitled to
be voted
on all items being voted at the annual meeting, with each share being
entitled to one vote. On the record date, 24,345,785 shares of the
Company’s common stock were issued and outstanding.
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Q:
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Who
will count the votes?
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A:
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One
or more inspectors of election will tabulate the votes.
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Q:
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Is
my vote confidential?
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A:
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Proxy
instructions, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual
shareholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy.
Your vote will not be disclosed, either within the Company or to
anyone
else, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements;
(2)
to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote;
or (3)
to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
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Q:
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Who
will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the annual
meeting?
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A:
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The
board of directors is making this solicitation and will pay the entire
cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing
these
proxy materials. Certain of our directors, officers and employees,
without
any additional compensation, may also solicit your vote in person,
by
telephone or by electronic communication. On request, we will also
reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy
and
solicitation materials to shareholders.
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Q:
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May
I propose actions for consideration at next year’s annual meeting of
shareholders?
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A:
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You
may submit proposals for consideration at future shareholder meetings.
However, in order for a shareholder proposal to be considered for
inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for the annual meeting next
year, the written proposal must be received by the corporate secretary
of
the Company no later than June 23, 2008. Such proposals also
will need to comply with United States Securities and Exchange Commission
regulations under Proxy Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of shareholder
proposals in company-sponsored proxy
materials.
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ACTIONS
TO BE TAKEN AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSAL
ONE
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
THE
NOMINEES
The
Company’s board of directors is proposing a slate of directors that consists of
six incumbent directors. Mr. Ira S. Kallem will not be standing for
reelection.
The
nominees are set forth in the table below.
NAME
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AGE
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POSITION
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DIRECTOR
SINCE
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Leonard
S. Schwartz
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61
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Chairman,
President and CEO
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1991
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Robert
A. Wiesen (1)(5)
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56
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Director
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1994
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Stanley
H. Fischer
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64
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Director
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2000
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Albert
L. Eilender (2)(3)(5)
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64
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Director
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2000
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Hans
C. Noetzli (2)(5)
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66
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Director
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2002
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William
N. Britton (4)(5)
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62
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Director
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2006
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(1)
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This
director is designated the lead compensation director.
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(2)
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This
director is a member of the audit committee.
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(3)
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This
director is designated the lead independent director.
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(4)
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We
currently plan to appoint Mr. Britton a member of the audit committee
immediately following the annual meeting if he is elected a
director.
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(5)
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This
director is a member of the compensation
committee.
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It
is the
intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy card to vote all shares
of common stock for which they have been granted a proxy for the election of
the
nominees, each to serve as a director until the next annual meeting of
shareholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and
qualified. All the nominees have consented to being named in this
proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected.
At
the
time of the annual meeting, if any of the nominees named above is not available
to serve as director (an event that the board of directors does not currently
have any reason to anticipate), all proxies will be voted for any one or more
other persons that the board of directors designates. The board of
directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company to elect
the
above-described slate of directors.
INFORMATION
ABOUT THE NOMINEES
No
director or executive officer of the Company is related to any other director
or
executive officer. None of the Company’s officers or directors hold
any directorships in any other public company, except for Mr. Noetzli, who
is a
member of the board of directors of Synthetech, Inc. A majority of
our board members are independent.
Set
forth
below is the principal occupation of the nominees, the business experience
of
each for at least the past five years and certain other information relating
to
the nominees.
Leonard
S. Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz has served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since July 1, 1997 and President since July
1,
1996. After joining the Company in 1969, Mr. Schwartz, a chemist by
training, developed the Company’s industrial chemicals business and had a key
role in the management of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Robert
A. Wiesen. Mr. Wiesen is an attorney and partner in the law
firm of Clifton Budd & DeMaria. He joined this law firm in 1979
subsequent to his employment with the National Labor Relations
Board. He has handled matters for the Company relating to labor and
employment law for over twenty years and he has written and lectured on labor
law.
Stanley
H. Fischer. Mr. Fischer is President
of Fischer and Burstein P.C., a law firm. Mr. Fischer received a J.D.
degree from New York University School of Law. He has been a
practicing attorney for more than 30 years and has advised and represented
corporate entities in matters relative to internal matters, mergers,
acquisitions, real estate and litigation. He is a member of the
American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Association
of
the Bar of the City of New York, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America,
New York State Trial Lawyers and the Nassau County Bar Association. He is a
member of various professional committees including the International Law
Section of the New York State Bar.
Albert
L. Eilender. Mr. Eilender is the sole owner of Waterways
Advisory Services, a firm specializing in advising companies on developing
and
evaluating options relative to mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships
in the chemical industry. He has more than 30 years of diverse senior
level experience in the specialty chemicals and pharmaceutical industry and
has
had direct financial responsibility for managing businesses up to $300 million
in revenues, with significant experience in mergers, acquisitions and joint
ventures, both domestically and internationally. He has also served
on the boards of numerous industry trade associations during his
career.
Hans
C. Noetzli. Mr. Noetzli is the former Chairman of
Schweizerhall, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Schweizerhall Holding AG,
Basel, Switzerland. Mr. Noetzli holds a degree in Business
Administration. He has more than 30 years of experience in the fine
chemicals industry. Prior to his role as Chairman of Schweizerhall,
Inc., he served in many executive functions of the Alusuisse-Lonza Group, among
them as Chief Executive Officer of Lonza Inc. for 16 years and he was a member
of the executive committee of the worldwide Alusuisse-Lonza Group located in
Zurich, Switzerland. Mr. Noetzli also served on the board of
directors of the Chemical Manufacturing Association, the Swiss-American Chamber
of Commerce, New York, as well as other industry
associations. Currently, he is a member of the board of directors of
IRIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately owned developer and manufacturer of
active pharmaceutical ingredients and he is a member of the board of directors
of Synthetech, Inc., a fine chemicals company specializing in organic synthesis,
biocatalysis and chiral technologies.
William
N. Britton. Mr. Britton is the sole owner of TD AIM, LLC
through which he is involved in a variety of activities surrounding financial
consulting and private equity investing. Previously, Mr. Britton was
a Senior Vice President with JP Morgan Chase. He has over 30 years of
commercial lending experience ranging from large syndicated financings with
Fortune 500 companies to privately owned businesses, with significant experience
in private equity related transactions, asset based lending arrangements,
leasing and many other forms of secured lending. He is a former Vice
President-Finance for the Boy Scouts of America (Manhattan Council) and is
on
the board of the Rutgers Business School.
INFORMATION
ABOUT THE COMPANY’S COMMITTEES
Audit
Committee
The
audit
committee is currently comprised of Albert L. Eilender, Ira S. Kallem (Chairman)
and Hans C. Noetzli. We currently plan to appoint Mr. Britton a
member of the audit committee immediately following the annual meeting if he
is
elected a director. The audit committee is responsible for recommending the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing management
actions in matters relating to audit functions. The committee reviews
with the Company’s independent public accounting firm the scope and results of
its audit engagement and the Company’s system of internal controls and
procedures. The committee also reviews the effectiveness of
procedures intended to prevent violations of laws. The committee also
reviews, prior to publication, our quarterly earnings releases and reports
to
the SEC on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. The report of the audit committee
for fiscal year 2007 can be found below.
The
audit
committee, consistent with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules adopted
thereunder, also meets with management and the auditors prior to the filing
of
officers’ certifications with the SEC to request information concerning, among
other things, significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls, if any.
Our
board
has determined that all audit committee members are independent under applicable
SEC regulations, and as defined by Rule 4200 (a)(14) of the Nasdaq Marketplace
Rules. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Kallem qualifies as an
“audit committee financial expert” as that term is used in Section 407 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The audit committee operates under a
formal charter that governs its duties and conduct and is published on the
Company’s corporate website – www.aceto.com.
The
audit
committee has adopted a Non-Retaliation Policy and a Complaint Monitoring
Procedure to enable confidential and anonymous reporting regarding financial
irregularities, if any.
Board
Nominations
The
Company’s board of directors does not have a nominating
committee. Instead, the Company’s independent directors make
recommendations to the full board, which nominates directors on an annual
basis. The board believes this process is preferable because it
wishes to involve all of its independent directors in the nomination process
rather than a select number of committee members.
The
independent directors perform the following functions with respect to nomination
decisions:
|
·
|
They
consider and recommend to the board of directors individuals for
election
as directors.
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
They
make recommendations to the board of directors regarding any changes
to
the size of the board of directors or any committee.
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
They
report to the board of directors on a regular basis, not less than
once a
year.
|
The
Company’s independent directors and board of directors have determined that
candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including
being able to understand basic financial statements, being over 21 years of
age,
having relevant business experience, and having high moral character. The board
of directors retains the right to modify these minimum qualifications from
time
to time.
In
evaluating an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the
independent directors and the board of directors review that director’s overall
service to the Company during that director’s term, including the number of
meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance, and any
transactions with the Company engaged in by that director during his or her
term.
When
selecting a new director nominee, the independent directors and the board of
directors first determine whether the nominee must be independent for Nasdaq
purposes or whether the candidate must qualify as an “Audit Committee Financial
Expert,” as that term is used in section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. The board then uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential
candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search
firm. Each director then has an opportunity to privately interview
each nominee if he or she deems it necessary. The board then meets to consider
the candidates’ qualifications and chooses candidates by a unanimous
vote.
Shareholders
wishing to directly recommend candidates for election to the board of directors
at an annual meeting must do so by giving notice in writing to Leonard S.
Schwartz, Chairman, Aceto Corporation, One Hollow Lane, Lake Success, New York
11042. Any such notice must, for any given annual meeting, be delivered to
the
Chairman not less than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year's
annual meeting. The notice must state (1) the name and address of the
shareholder making the recommendations, (2) the name, age, business
address, and residential address of each person recommended, (3) the
principal occupation or employment of each person recommended, (4) the
class and number of shares of Aceto shares that are beneficially owned by each
person recommended and by the recommending shareholder, (5) any other
information concerning the persons recommended that must be disclosed in nominee
and proxy solicitations in accordance with Regulation 14A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, and (6) a signed consent of each person recommended
stating that he or she consents to serve as a director of the Company if
elected.
The
board
of directors will consider and vote on any recommendations so submitted. In
considering any person recommended by a shareholder, the committee will look
for
the same qualifications that it looks for in any other person that it is
considering for a position on the board of directors.
Any
shareholder nominee proposed by the board of directors for election at the
next
annual meeting of shareholders will be included in the company's proxy statement
for that annual meeting.
The
compensation committee, comprised of four independent directors, conducts
reviews of the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other senior
executive officers of the Company including evaluating and approving that
officer’s benefits, bonus, incentive compensation, severance, equity-based
compensation, and other compensation arising from other programs of the
Corporation. Each member of the committee meets the independence requirements
specified by the Nasdaq Global Select Market, by Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and for purposes of Rule 16b-3
under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The committee meets as often
as the committee determines, but not less frequently than
annually.
The
compensation committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties
and conduct. The charter is published on the Company’s corporate
website – www.aceto.com.
Board
and Committee Meetings
During
the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, the board of directors held four
meetings and acted by unanimous written consent three times. Each director
attended 100% of the board meetings and meetings of the board committees on
which he served.
At
each
scheduled meeting of the board of directors, the independent members of the
board of directors meet separately in executive session without management
being
present. A lead director elected by the independent directors is
responsible for chairing such executive sessions. Currently the lead
director is Albert L. Eilender.
During
the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, the audit committee met eight
times and the compensation committee met seven times.
Director
Attendance at Annual Meetings
Our
directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend the annual meeting of
shareholders. All of our directors attended the 2006 annual meeting of
shareholders.
Communications
by our Shareholders to the Board of Directors
Our
board
of directors recommends that shareholders direct to the Company’s corporate
secretary any communications intended for the board of directors. Shareholders
can send communications by e-mail to droth@aceto.com, by facsimile to (516)
627-6093, or by mail to Douglas Roth, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary,
Aceto Corporation, One Hollow Lane, Lake Success, New York 11042.
This
centralized process will assist the board in reviewing and responding to
shareholder communications in an appropriate manner. If a shareholder wishes
to
direct any communication to a specific board member, the name of that board
member should be noted in the communication. The board of directors has
instructed the corporate secretary to forward shareholder correspondence only
to
the intended recipients, but the board has also instructed the corporate
secretary to review all shareholder correspondence and, in his discretion,
not
forward any items that he deems to be of a commercial or frivolous nature or
otherwise inappropriate for the board's consideration. Any such items may be
forwarded elsewhere in the Company for review and possible
response.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
The
Company operates within a comprehensive plan of corporate governance for the
purpose of defining responsibilities, setting high standards of professional
and
personal conduct and assuring compliance with those responsibilities and
standards. In July 2002, Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 which, among other things, establishes, or provides the basis for, a number
of new corporate governance standards and disclosure requirements. In
addition, the Nasdaq Global Select Market has recently made changes to its
corporate governance and listing requirements. The board of directors
has initiated numerous actions consistent with these new rules and will continue
to regularly monitor developments in the area of corporate
governance.
Code
of Ethics for Worldwide Financial Management
The
Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Worldwide Financial Management that
sets forth standards of ethics for the Company’s principal executive officer and
senior financial officers, violations of which are reported to the audit
committee. This Code of Ethics is published on the Company’s
corporate website – www.aceto.com.
Code
of Business Conduct for all Aceto Employees
The
Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct for all Aceto Employees that
includes provisions ranging from restrictions on gifts to conflicts of interest.
All employees are required to affirm in writing their acceptance of the
code. The Code of Business Conduct is published on the Company’s
corporate website – www.aceto.com.
NASDAQ
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The
Company also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all Aceto
directors and employees in accordance with Nasdaq Qualitative Listing
Requirement 4350(n). This Code of Conduct is published on the
Company’s corporate website – www.aceto.com.
Disclosure
Committee
The
Company has formed a disclosure committee, comprised of senior management,
including senior financial personnel, to formalize processes to ensure accurate
and timely disclosure in Aceto’s periodic reports filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission and to implement certain disclosure controls
and procedures. The disclosure committee operates under a formal
charter that governs its duties and conduct. The charter is published
on the Company’s corporate website – www.aceto.com.
Personal
Loans to Executive Officers and Directors
The
Company’s policy has always been to not extend personal loans or other terms of
personal credit to its directors and officers, and is in compliance with the
legislation prohibiting such personal loans and other forms of personal
credit.
SECTION
16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant
to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Company's directors and executive
officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock
are required to file certain reports, within specified time periods, indicating
their holdings of and transactions in the Common Stock and derivative
securities. Based solely on a review of such reports provided to the
Company and written representations from such persons regarding the necessity
to
file such reports, the Company is not aware of any failures to file reports
or
report transactions in a timely manner during the Company's fiscal year ended
June 30, 2007.
The
executive officers of Aceto, and their ages, as of October 12, 2007, are as
follows:
Name
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Leonard
S. Schwartz
|
61
|
|
Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Douglas
Roth
|
50
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Vincent
Miata
|
54
|
|
Senior Vice
President
|
Frank
DeBenedittis
|
53
|
|
Senior Vice
President
|
Michael
Feinman
|
59
|
|
President,
Aceto Agricultural Chemicals
Corp.
|
Leonard
S. Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz has served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since July 1, 1997 and President since July
1,
1996. After joining the Company in 1969, Mr. Schwartz, a chemist by
training, developed the Company’s industrial chemicals business and had a key
role in the management of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Douglas
Roth. Mr. Douglas Roth has been Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer since joining the Company in May, 2001. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Roth was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CitySprint 1-800
Deliver from September 1998 through April 2001.
Vincent
Miata. Mr. Miata has served as Senior Vice President of the Company
since 2001. Mr. Miata joined the Company in 1979 as a sales/marketing
representative and held various positions within the Company including product
manager, Group Vice President and Vice President.
Frank
DeBenedittis. Mr. DeBenedittis has served as Senior Vice
President of the Company since 2001. Mr. DeBenedittis joined the
Company in 1979 as a marketing assistant and held various positions within
the
Company including assistant product manager, product manager, Assistant Vice
President and Group Vice President.
Michael
Feinman. Mr.
Feinman has served as President of Aceto Agricultural Chemicals Corp. since
August 2000. Mr. Feinman joined the Company in 1973 as a sales representative
and held various positions within the Company including assistant product
manager, product manager, Assistant Vice President and Vice
President.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Our
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our
executive
compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate superior
executive talent and to align their interests with those of our shareholders
and
support our growth and profitability. Consistent with those purposes, our
compensation philosophy embodies the following principles:
|
•
|
the
compensation program should reward the achievement of our strategic
initiatives and short- and long-term operating and financial goals,
and
provide for consequences for underperformance;
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
compensation
should reflect differences in position and
responsibility;
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
compensation
should be comprised of a mix of cash and equity-based compensation
that
aligns the short- and long-term interests of our executives with
those of
our shareholders; and
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
the
compensation program should be understandable and
transparent.
|
In
structuring a compensation program that implements these principles, we have
developed, with the assistance of an executive compensation consulting firm,
Hay
Group, Inc. (“Hay Group”), the following objectives for our executive
compensation program:
|
•
|
overall
compensation levels should be competitive and should be set at levels
necessary to attract and retain talented leaders and motivate them
to
achieve superior results;
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
a
portion of total compensation should be contingent on, and variable
with,
achievement of objective corporate performance goals;
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
total
compensation should be higher for individuals with greater responsibility
and greater ability to influence our achievement of operating and
financial goals and strategic initiatives;
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
the
number of different elements in our compensation program should be
limited, and those elements should be understandable and effectively
communicated to executives and shareholders; and
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
compensation
should be set at levels that promote a sense of equity among all
employees
and appropriate stewardship of corporate resources, while giving
due
regard to our industry and any premiums that may be necessary in
order to
attract top talent at the executive
level.
|
Our
Analysis
Our
compensation committee engaged Hay Group to assist it in assessing whether
the
pay-for-performance objectives of our executive compensation program were
effective and in modifying our compensation program to the extent necessary
to
improve enhanced implementation of our compensation philosophy and principles.
Our compensation committee also engaged the Hay Group to assist it in
ascertaining where our historical compensation practices have been when compared
to market levels.
Our
compensation committee compared the compensation we have paid in recent years
to
our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and our three other most
highly compensated executive officers to two peer groups. One peer group
consisted of 22 similarly sized companies in the chemical industry and the
second peer group was the Hay Group’s 2006 Chemical Industry Database, which
consists of 78 companies that are also in the chemical industry but are of
varying size. The peer group companies were recommended by Hay Group and
selected by the committee because the committee believed that these companies
best reflect the competitive market for executive talent in the chemical and
pharmaceutical industries. The peer group companies included American
Vanguard Corporation, Axcan Pharma, Inc., Cambrex Corporation, Quaker Chemical
Corporation, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Macdermid, Inc., Idexx Laboratories,
Inc., Compass Minerals International, Inc., Lesco, Inc., Celgene Corporation,
Abraxis Bioscience, Inc., Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., KV Pharmaceutical
Co., Cabot Microelectronics Corp., Penford Corp., Sciele Pharma, Inc., Martek
Biosciences Corp., Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Inc., Landec Corp., NL
Industries, Inc., Albany Molecular Research, Inc. and Hawkins, Inc.. The
compensation committee’s benchmarking criteria for these purposes included
comparisons of executive base salary compensation, total cash compensation
(base
salary plus bonus), and total direct compensation (total cash compensation
plus
long-term incentive awards).
Our
compensation committee focused
on our executive compensation levels and our compensation pay mix as compared
to
the two peer groups. Compensation pay mix refers to the proportion of
compensation in base or “guaranteed” compensation, incentive or “at risk” annual
compensation and long-term incentive compensation.
Our
compensation committee concluded that our historical compensation program,
which
included pay-for-performance objectives, was effective and comparable to
industry practices but could be improved. Specifically, our compensation
committee found, based in part on Hay Group’s report to the committee, that our
compensation mix has historically been weighted towards annual compensation
as
opposed to long-term incentive compensation relative to the two peer
groups.
Our
compensation committee therefore recommended that we alter our
compensation mix to include a greater proportion of long-term incentive
compensation, and that we gradually alter the nature of the long-term incentive
grants from exclusively stock option grants to a portfolio that includes stock
option grants, restricted stock awards and grants of performance stock. Our
compensation committee also recommended that we establish performance based
objective criteria to be used in determining our performance based annual cash
bonuses beginning with our current fiscal year that ends on June 30,
2008.
While
Hay
Group provided data and advice regarding our compensation practices, our
compensation committee makes all the decisions regarding our compensation
practices. These decisions must then be ratified by our full board of
directors.
Elements
of Our Executive Compensation
Our
executive
compensation program has historically been comprised of base salary,
performance-based annual cash bonuses, long-term equity incentive awards and
perquisites. These elements of compensation have been supplemented by the
opportunity for all our eligible employees to participate in benefit plans
that
include employer contributions, including our 401(k) plan and our supplemental
retirement plan, as well as life insurance premiums paid by the Company for
employee life insurance policies.
Based
in part
on Hay Group’s report to the committee, we have decided to retain these elements
of compensation, but to change their relative mix. Specifically, our
compensation committee recommended that if the shareholders approve the Aceto
Corporation 2007 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), proposed to
be adopted at this year’s annual meeting of our shareholders, our long-term
incentive compensation component will be increased for our executive officers,
making a larger portion of their annual total direct compensation dependent
on
long-term stock appreciation and long-term company financial and operating
performance. We have concluded that gradually shifting a larger share of
executive compensation to equity incentives and other long-term incentive
compensation will further align our executive officers’ goals with those of our
shareholders and encourage long-term retention and operational and financial
success.
Additionally,
in order to provide us with increased flexibility with respect to the long-term
incentive component of our executive compensation, we have included in the
Plan
the opportunity to grant long-term incentive awards that our prior incentive
plans have generally not included, including stock appreciation rights, shares
of restricted stock, shares of performance stock, performance incentive units
and restricted stock units.
Base
Salary
We
provide
our executive officers with base salary to provide them with a fixed base amount
of compensation for services rendered during a fiscal year. We believe this
is
consistent with competitive practices and will help assure our retention of
qualified leadership in those positions. We intend to maintain base salaries
at
competitive levels in the marketplace for comparable executive ability and
experience, taking into consideration changes from time to time in the consumer
price index and whether competitive adjustments are necessary to assure
retention. Consideration is also given in each case to the historical results
achieved by each executive and the Company during each executive’s tenure, to
whether each executive is enhancing the team oriented nature of the executive
group, the potential of each executive to achieve future success, and the scope
of responsibilities and experience of each executive. In addition, evaluations
are made regarding the competencies of each executive officer that are
considered essential to our success.
The
compensation committee evaluated the historical performance of our executive
officers and considered the compensation levels and programs at the peer group
companies included in the Hay Group report before it made its most recent
compensation recommendations to the full board. The committee currently desires
that the compensation levels for each of our executive officers be in the third
quartile (50% to 75%) of the compensation levels for the executive officers
in
the peer group companies. The committee therefore recommended, and our board
of
directors approved, an increase in the base salaries of our named executive
officers effective October 1, 2007 of 3.5% except for a recommended and approved
increase in the base salary of our chief financial officer of approximately
10%.
Performance-Based
Annual Cash Bonuses
We
pay
performance-based cash bonuses on an annual basis in an effort to encourage
achievement of goals established for our short- and long-term financial and
operating results, and to reward our executive officers for consistent
performance in assisting us in achieving those goals.
Historically,
the performance-based cash bonuses paid to our executive officers has been
based
on an assessment by our chief executive officer of the Company’s overall
performance, business unit performance and individual performance, without
any
pre-determined annual performance measures. These bonus recommendations made
by
our chief executive officer have historically been approved by our board of
directors after review and possible adjustment. However, based in part on the
recommendations of Hay Group, the compensation committee has recommended that
pre-determined annual performance measures be utilized, beginning with bonuses
paid in connection with our current fiscal year which ends on June 30,
2008.
For
our
fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, the performance-based objective bonus criteria
as established by our compensation committee, and approved by our board of
directors, will be based upon results obtained with respect to the following
three financial factors: (1) company sales; (2) company net income; and (3)
company earnings per share, except that with respect to our three executives
that oversee our three business segments, the performance-based objective bonus
criteria will also include results obtained with respect to sales and adjusted
pre-tax income for their respective business segments. The bonus criteria will
also include results obtained with respect to certain business related
non-financial goals that are tailored for each executive officer and that is
approved by our board of directors. Although these businesses related
non-financial goals have not yet been finalized, we expect that they will
include identifying business opportunities for us and successfully executing
on
those opportunities as well as development of personnel and succession
planning.
The
precise
criteria that we will use to determine the bonuses for our executive officers
will vary depending on each officer’s specific responsibilities. However, in
order to provide an example of the criteria and the relative weight that we
plan
to give them, the following is the chart that we plan to use when determining
our chief financial officer’s performance-based cash bonus for our fiscal year
ending June 30, 2008:
|
THRESHOLD
BONUS
($82,500;
representing
75%
of prior
fiscal-year
bonus)
|
BASE
BONUS
($99,000;
representing
90%
of prior
fiscal-year
bonus)
|
TARGET
BONUS
($110,000;
representing
100%
of prior
fiscal-year
bonus)
|
MAXIMUM
BONUS
($165,000;
representing
150%
of prior
fiscal-year
bonus)
|
RELATIVE
WEIGHT
|
Company
Sales
|
$235,104,750;
representing
75%
of prior fiscal-year
|
$313,473,000;
representing
100%
of prior fiscal-year
|
$344,820,300;
representing
110%
of prior fiscal-year
|
$391,841,250;
representing
125%
of prior fiscal-year
|
10%
|
Company
Net Income
|
$7,659,000;
representing
75%
of prior fiscal-year
|
$10,212,000;
representing
100%
of prior fiscal-year
|
$11,233,200;
representing
110%
of prior fiscal-year
|
$12,765,000;
representing
125%
of prior fiscal-year
|
25%
|
Company
EPS
|
$0.31;
representing 75%
of
prior fiscal year
|
$.41;
representing 100%
of
prior fiscal-year
|
$.45;
representing 110%
of
prior fiscal-year
|
$.51;
representing 125%
of
prior fiscal-year
|
15%
|
Non-Financial
Goal 1
|
|
|
|
|
20%
|
Non-Financial
Goal 2
|
|
|
|
|
20%
|
Non-Financial
Goal 3
|
|
|
|
|
10%
|
Additionally,
while we have historically paid our annual performance-based cash bonus in
four
installments based on each executive officer’s prior year cash bonus, we now
intend to pay the bonus at the end of each of our fiscal years after the bonus
is determined and approved by our board of directors. This transition from
four
payments to one annual payment will be phased in over a five year period for
our
five most highly compensated officers beginning with our fiscal year ending
on
June 30, 2008.
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation
We
intend to
place increasing emphasis on compensation tied to the market price of our common
stock and to the Company’s long-term financial and operating performance. We
believe that these incentives further align management’s interest with the
interests of our shareholders. We are therefore asking our shareholders to
approve the Plan and allow the compensation committee to make long-term
incentive awards to our executive officers and other employees. The terms of
the
Plan were approved by our compensation committee and our board of directors
based in part on the recommendations of Hay Group.
The
Plan
allows for the grant of: (i) options to purchase shares of our common stock
at
the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of the grant
of
the options; (ii) stock appreciation rights which give the participant the
right
to appreciation in the value of our common stock between the date of grant
and
the date of exercise; (iii) restricted stock which is common stock that vests
upon achievement of performance goals (referred to as performance stock) or
upon
the passage of time and/or other conditions such as continued
employment for a stated period (referred to as restricted stock); (iv)
performance incentive units which represent the right to receive cash on
achievement of performance goals; and (v) restricted stock units, which are
grants valued in terms of common stock but the common stock is not issued at
the
time of the grant.
We
also
intend to make annual grants of long-term incentive awards on an annual basis
rather than once every three years as we have historically done, and in smaller
numbers than in previous years, in order to retain more flexibility in our
annual compensation packages.
Our
compensation committee has recommended to our board of directors that if our
shareholders approve the Plan, then the board should consider making grants
during our fiscal year ending on June 30, 2008 to certain of our employees,
including our executive officers, which consist of stock options, awards of
restricted stock and awards of restricted stock units.
Other
Compensation
Our
executive
officers may also participate in our 401(k) plan on the same terms that the
rest
of our eligible employees can participate. We currently make a non-elective
contribution on behalf of each of our participating employees equal to 3% of
the
participant’s compensation, including base salary and bonus, up to a maximum of
$220,000 of compensation. We also have historically made discretionary
contributions to each of our participating employees on an annual basis up
to
approximately 8% of the participant’s compensation. Our participating
employees are fully vested in both their salary deferrals and non-elective
contributions, but they are vested in Company discretionary contributions at
the
rate of 20% per year with 100% vesting after five years of
participation.
We
also
maintain a supplemental retirement plan, commonly called a “SERP”. This plan is
a non-qualified deferred compensation plan intended to provide management
employees whose eligible annual compensation is in excess of $100,000 with
supplemental benefits beyond the Company’s 401(k) plan. Annual contributions by
the Company to the SERP are fixed by our board of directors with annual vesting
in the account balances being 20% per year of service over five consecutive
years. In addition to Company contributions, participants can elect to defer
some or all of their bonus compensation into their SERP account for the
following year.
Perquisites
We
allow certain of our executive officers to use a Company automobile as a
perquisite to enhance our compensation package and make it more attractive
relative to our competition. The financial value of the use of a Company
automobile for each of these executive officers for our fiscal year ended June
30, 2007 is set forth in footnote five to the All Other Compensation column
of
the Executive Compensation table contained in this proxy statement.
No
Post-Employment Compensation
All
of our
executive officers are employed on an “at will” basis, meaning we, or any
executive officer, may terminate employment at any time. None of our executive
officers have employment agreements with us and therefore there is no
contractual notice period required prior to termination of employment and there
is no requirement to pay severance following any termination.
Stock
Ownership Requirements
Our
compensation committee established, and our board of directors approved, stock
ownership requirements for our chief executive officer, our chief financial
officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers. These
stock ownership requirements provide that our chief executive officer
must own shares of our common stock valued at four times his base
salary and our chief financial officer and our three other most highly
compensated executive officers must own shares of our common stock valued
at two times his base salary within five years of the date of this year’s annual
meeting of our shareholders, or any adjournment thereof, assuming the approval
by our shareholders of the Aceto Corporation 2007 Long-Term Performance
Incentive Plan. The stock ownership program also includes as a guideline, but
not a requirement, that all our other officers and managers that earn at least
$100,000 per year own shares of our common stock valued at one time his or
her
base salary within the same five year period. Shares of our restricted stock
that are granted but not yet vested count toward these stock ownership
guidelines.
Management’s
Role in Establishing Our Executive Compensation
Our
chief
executive officer plays an important role in assisting our compensation
committee in establishing the compensation for our executive officers. Important
aspects of this role include:
|
•
|
evaluating
employee performance;
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
suggesting
to the compensation committee business performance targets and objectives;
and
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
recommending
salary and bonus levels and equity
awards.
|
During
this
process, the compensation committee may ask our chief executive officer and
other executive officers to provide guidance to the compensation committee
regarding background information for our strategic objectives, an evaluation
of
the performance of our executive officers, and compensation recommendations
as
to the executive officers. Members of the compensation committee met informally
with our chief executive officer throughout the year to discuss compensation
matters and compensation policies in order to obtain insight regarding the
day
to day performance of each of our executive officers.
With
respect
to the compensation of our chief executive officer, we will continue to accept
our chief executive officer’s personal review of his annual accomplishments, but
will not consider recommendations from him regarding his compensation, including
base salary, annual cash bonuses and long-term incentive
compensation.
Tax
Implications of Executive Compensation
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provides that
compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to named executive officers is
not
deductible unless it is performance-based and satisfies the conditions of the
exemption. While our compensation committee and board of directors considers
all
compensation paid to our named executive officers to be performance-based,
historically not all of the compensation paid to them meets the definition
of
“performance-based” compensation in Section 162(m). Equity compensation awarded
to our named executive officers is designed to qualify as performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m), but the historical cash bonuses paid to
them
may not qualify. With the exception of our chief executive officer in our past
five fiscal years, relevant annual executive compensation has not exceeded
the
$1.0 million threshold for any of our named executive officers so the exemption
was unnecessary for us to fully deduct such compensation payments. Our
compensation committee believes that retaining discretion in determining some
bonus awards within the parameters of the performance goals that the committee
is now putting in place is essential to their overall responsibilities. While
the compensation committee will continue to consider the impact of Section
162(m) on our compensation program, it reserves the right to pay nondeductible
compensation in the future if it determines that it is appropriate to do so.
It
is our policy to review all compensation plans and policies against tax,
accounting, and SEC regulations, including Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m),
Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, and FAS 123(R).
Conclusion
While
we
believe that our historical compensation program was effective and comparable
to
industry practices, we concluded that it could be improved. We therefore plan
to
gradually increase the relative portion of our compensation pay mix that is
long-term incentive compensation and to establish performance based objective
bonus criteria for determining the annual incentive cash bonuses that we expect
to pay to our executives beginning with our current fiscal year that ends on
June 30, 2008.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
compensation committee has reviewed and discussed with management the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement. Based
on
that review and discussion, the compensation committee recommended to the board
of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this
proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the Company’s annual report on
Form 10-K for its last completed fiscal year.
Robert
A. Wiesen (Chairman)
Albert
L.
Eilender
Hans
C. Noetzli
William
N. Britton
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of
our
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and our three next most
highly compensated executive officers for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007. Except as set forth below, no other compensation was paid to
these individuals during the year.
Name
and
Principal
Position
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus(1)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
(2)
|
|
|
Option
Awards(2)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
(3)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compen-
sation
(5)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Leonard
S. Schwartz
|
2007
|
|
$ |
410,226
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$ |
-
|
|
|
$ |
1,020,000
|
|
|
$ |
95,013
|
|
|
$ |
1,525,239
|
|
President,
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas
Roth
|
2007
|
|
|
242,461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
110,000 |
(4) |
|
|
48,154
|
|
|
|
400,615
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vincent
Miata
|
2007
|
|
|
239,420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
270,000
|
|
|
|
52,007
|
|
|
|
561,427
|
|
Senior
Vice President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank
DeBenedittis
|
2007
|
|
|
245,126
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
228,000
|
|
|
|
46,339
|
|
|
|
519,465
|
|
Senior Vice
President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Feinman, President
|
2007
|
|
|
195,909
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
39,429
|
|
|
|
370,338
|
|
Aceto
Agricultural
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Per
SEC rules, performance bonuses paid during 2007 pursuant to the Company’s bonus
plan are reflected under the column entitled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation.” The Company did not pay discretionary bonuses during 2007;
all bonuses were performance-based.
(2) No
amounts were recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, in accordance with FAS 123(R), as no options
or
stock awards were granted to the executive officers in fiscal 2007 or
2006.
(3) Reflects
cash bonuses paid under the Company’s bonus plan. Bonuses listed for
a particular year represent bonuses earned and paid with respect to such year
even though all or part of such bonuses may have been paid during the first
quarter of the subsequent year.
(4) The
bonus amount for Mr. Roth includes $22,000 of restricted stock, which was
received by Mr. Roth in lieu of a portion of his bonus.
(5) All
Other Compensation consists of the use of a Company owned automobile,
contributions to retirement plans and compensation recognized from the issuance
of premium shares on restricted stock as
follows:
Name
|
|
Company
Automobile
($)
|
|
|
Company
Contributions to Retirement
Plans ($)
|
|
|
Issuance
of
premium
shares
of
restricted
stock
($)
(6)
|
|
|
Total
Other Compensation ($)
|
|
L.
Schwartz
|
|
|
3,904
|
|
|
|
91,109
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
95,013
|
|
D.
Roth
|
|
|
7,563
|
|
|
|
37,221
|
|
|
|
3,370
|
|
|
|
48,154
|
|
V.
Miata
|
|
|
6,938
|
|
|
|
45,069
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
52,007
|
|
F.
DeBenedittis
|
|
|
3,085
|
|
|
|
43,254
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
46,339
|
|
M.
Feinman
|
|
|
3,286
|
|
|
|
36,143
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
39,429
|
|
(6) Eligible
employees have the right to purchase restricted stock with a portion of their
annual bonus (up to 20%). Each restricted stock grant is entitled to a premium
equal to 25% of the number of shares of the purchase, paid on the third
anniversary of the purchase, only if the employee is still employed with the
Company.
2007
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
There
were no grants of plan-based awards for the year ended June 30, 2007 to the
named executive officers.
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The
following table discloses information regarding outstanding equity awards as
of
June 30, 2007 for each of our named executive officers.
|
|
|
Number
of Securities
|
|
Number
of Securities
|
|
|
Option
|
|
Option
|
Name
and |
|
|
Underlying
Unexercised
|
|
Underlying
Unexercised
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Expiration
|
Principal
Position |
|
|
Options/Exercisable
|
|
Options/Un-exercisable
|
|
|
Price
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard
Schwartz, President, Chairman
|
|
|
101,250
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.66
|
|
12/31/2012
|
|
|
|
101,250
|
|
|
|
|
2.66
|
|
12/31/2013
|
|
|
|
101,250
|
|
|
|
|
2.66
|
|
12/31/2014
|
|
|
|
101,250
|
|
|
|
|
2.66
|
|
12/31/2015
|
|
|
|
33,750
|
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
12/06/2011
|
|
|
|
121,500
|
|
|
|
|
4.28
|
|
12/05/2012
|
|
|
|
27,000
|
|
|
|
|
8.22
|
|
08/05/2013
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
|
10.94
|
|
09/09/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas
Roth, Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
19,650
|
|
|
|
|
4.28
|
|
12/05/2012
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
|
8.22
|
|
08/05/2013
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
10.94
|
|
09/09/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vincent
Miata, Senior Vice President
|
|
|
8,438
|
|
|
|
|
2.88
|
|
10/25/2010
|
|
|
|
13,500
|
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
12/06/2011
|
|
|
|
40,500
|
|
|
|
|
4.28
|
|
12/05/2012
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
|
8.22
|
|
08/05/2013
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
10.94
|
|
09/09/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank
DeBenedittis, Senior Vice President
|
|
|
40,500
|
|
|
|
|
4.28
|
|
12/05/2012
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
|
8.22
|
|
08/05/2013
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
10.94
|
|
09/09/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Feinman, President - Aceto Agricultural
|
|
|
40,500
|
|
|
|
|
4.28
|
|
12/05/2012
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
|
8.22
|
|
08/05/2013
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
10.94
|
|
09/09/2014
|
OPTIONS
EXERCISES DURING 2007
There
were no exercises of stock options by the named executive officers during the
year ended June 30, 2007.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table states certain information with respect to our equity
compensation plans at June 30, 2007:
Plan
category
|
Number
of securities
to
be issued upon
exercise
of outstanding
options
|
Weighted-average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options
|
Number
of securities
remaining
available for
future
issuance under
equity
compensation plans
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
2,700,000
|
$7.58
|
161,000
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
2,700,000
|
$7.58
|
161,000
|
NON-QUALIFIED
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The
following table shows the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation amounts earned
by
the named executive officers during fiscal 2007:
|
|
|
Executive
|
|
|
|
Registrant
|
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
|
Earnings
in
|
|
|
|
Withdrawals/
|
|
|
|
Balance
at
|
|
Name |
|
|
In
Last FY ($)
|
|
|
|
in
Last FY ($)
|
|
|
|
Last
FY ($)
|
|
|
|
Distributions
($)
|
|
|
|
Last
FY($)
|
|
Leonard
S. Schwartz
|
|
$ |
200,000
|
|
|
$ |
66,324
|
|
|
|
85,481
|
|
|
$ |
-
|
|
|
$ |
2,397,284
|
|
Douglas
Roth
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
12,436
|
|
|
|
2,186
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
80,034
|
|
Vincent
Miata
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
20,284
|
|
|
|
7,384
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
213,934
|
|
Frank
DeBenedittis
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
18,469
|
|
|
|
10,720
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
322,943
|
|
Michael
Feinman
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
11,358
|
|
|
|
3,856
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
113,419
|
|
Of
the
totals in this column, the following amounts have previously been reported
in
the Summary Compensation Table, as follows:
Name |
|
|
Fiscal
2007
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2006
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
2005
|
|
Leonard
S. Schwartz
|
|
$ |
66,324
|
|
|
$ |
60,741
|
|
|
$ |
234,233
|
|
Douglas
Roth
|
|
|
12,436
|
|
|
|
11,255
|
|
|
|
7,417
|
|
Vincent
Miata
|
|
|
20,284
|
|
|
|
18,194
|
|
|
|
17,939
|
|
Frank
DeBenedittis
|
|
|
18,469
|
|
|
|
18,121
|
|
|
|
17,667
|
|
Michael
Feinman
|
|
|
11,358
|
|
|
|
10,680
|
|
|
|
11,328
|
|
Deferred
Compensation Plan
On
March
14, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Aceto Corporation
Supplemental Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation
Plan”). The Deferred Compensation Plan is a non-qualified deferred
compensation plan intended to provide certain qualified executives with
supplemental benefits beyond the Company’s 401(k) plan, as well as to permit
additional deferrals of a portion of their compensation. The Deferred
Compensation Plan is intended to comply with the provisions of section 409A
of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Substantially all compensation
deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan, as well as Company contributions,
is held by the Company in a grantor trust, which is considered an asset of
the
Company. The assets held by the grantor trust are in life insurance
policies.
COMPENSATION
OF DIRECTORS
The
following table documents the compensation of our directors for the fiscal
year
ended June 30, 2007.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid
in Cash (1)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
(2)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
A. Wiesen
|
|
$ |
45,000
|
|
|
$ |
40,432
|
|
|
$ |
85,432
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stanley
H. Fischer
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
40,432
|
|
|
|
80,432
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Albert
L. Eilender
|
|
|
63,500
|
|
|
|
40,432
|
|
|
|
103,932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hans
Noetzli
|
|
|
58,500
|
|
|
|
40,432
|
|
|
|
98,932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ira
S. Kallem
|
|
|
67,000
|
|
|
|
40,432
|
|
|
|
107,432
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
N. Britton |
|
|
42,500
|
|
|
|
40,432
|
|
|
|
82,932
|
|
Directors
also receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with meeting
attendance.
(1) Includes
payments made in fiscal 2007 for attendance at certain meetings held at the
end
of fiscal 2006 and does not include payments for attendance at certain meetings
held at the end of fiscal 2007 for which payments were made in fiscal
2008.
(2) Reflects
a grant of 9,281 stock options to each director on December 7, 2006 and 13,000
stock options to each director on January 3, 2006, which grants vest over
a
one-year service period. In accordance with SEC rules and FAS 123(R), the
amounts shown reflect the value of the award amortized over the portion of
the
service period which lapsed during the year. The financial value of
each option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and
the
assumptions disclosed in Note 10 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10, 2007.
The
following is a list of the outstanding options held by each director as of
June
30, 2007:
Robert
A. Wiesen |
45,906
|
Stanley
H. Fischer |
50,656
|
Albert
L. Eilender |
62,781
|
Hans
Noetzli |
52,656
|
Ira
S. Kallem |
52,656 |
William
N. Britton |
22,281 |
|
|
All
directors have been granted stock options for their board
service. All such options were granted at the fair market value
determined on the date of grant. |
Limits
on Liability and Indemnification
The
Company's Articles of Incorporation eliminate the personal liability of its
directors to the Company and its shareholders for monetary damages for breach
of
the directors' fiduciary duties in certain circumstances. The articles of
incorporation further provide that the Company will indemnify its officers
and
directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company believes that
such
indemnification covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part
of
the indemnified parties. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons
of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Company
has been advised that in the opinion of the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Executive
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
None
of
the independent directors (who are responsible for compensation matters) have
ever served as officers or employees of the Company or any of our
subsidiaries. During the last fiscal year, none of our senior
executives served on the board of directors or committee of any other entity
whose officers served either on our board of directors or executive compensation
committee.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The
audit
committee acts under a written charter adopted by the audit committee and
approved by the board of directors. The audit committee charter is
available on the Company’s corporate website.
The
audit
committee is currently comprised of Albert L. Eilender, Ira S. Kallem (Chairman)
and Hans C. Noetzli. Each of these directors meets the independence
and expertise requirements of the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Select
Market. The audit committee recommends the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm, approves the scope of the audit
plan, and reviews and approves the fees of the independent
accountants. The audit committee met regularly with the Company’s
independent accountants during the past fiscal year, both with and without
management present, to review the scope and results of the audit engagement,
the
Company’s system of internal controls and procedures, the effectiveness of
procedures intended to prevent violations of laws and regulations, and the
implementation of internal financial controls required by the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act
of 2002. In compliance with the SEC rules regarding auditor
independence, and in accordance with the Company’s Audit Committee Charter, the
audit committee reviewed all services performed by BDO Seidman, LLP for the
Company within and outside the scope of the quarterly review and annual auditing
functions.
The
audit
committee also:
|
·
|
Met
to discuss the quarterly unaudited and the annual audited financial
statements with management and BDO Seidman, LLP prior to the statements
being filed with the SEC;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
the Company’s disclosures in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis
sections of such filings;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
management’s program, schedule, progress and accomplishments for
maintaining financial controls and procedures to assure compliance
with
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
quarterly earnings releases prior to their publication;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
and approved in advance in accordance with the Company’s Audit Committee
Pre-Approval Policy all proposals and fees for any work to be performed
by
BDO Seidman, LLP;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
and revised the committee’s charter as necessary in order to comply with
newly enacted rules and regulations;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Monitored
the Company’s “whistleblower” program under which any complaints are
forwarded directly to the Committee, to be reviewed in accordance
with an
established procedure for all such matters;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Reviewed
the audit, tax and audit-related services the Company had received
from
BDO Seidman, LLP and determined that the providing of such services
by BDO
Seidman, LLP was compatible with the preservation of their independent
status as our independent registered public accounting
firm.
|
The
audit
committee also reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for
the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 with management and discussed with BDO Seidman,
LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards
No.
61, as amended by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90. The audit
committee also received during the past fiscal year the written disclosures
and
the letter from BDO Seidman, LLP required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1 and have discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP their
independence. Based on the discussions referred to above, the audit
committee recommended that the audited financial statements be included in
the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the SEC.
Respectfully
submitted by the members of the audit committee.
Albert
L.
Eilender
Ira
S.
Kallem (Chairman)
Hans
C.
Noetzli
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The
following table sets forth, as of October 12, 2007, the number and percentage
of
shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock owned by each named executive
officer, each director and each person that, to the best of the Company’s
knowledge, owns more than 5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common
stock, and all named executive officers and directors as a
group. Unless indicated otherwise the business address of each person
is c/o Aceto Corporation, One Hollow Lane, Lake Success, New York
11042.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned
(excluding
stock
options) (1)
|
|
|
Exercisable
Stock
Options(2)
|
|
|
Total
Beneficial Ownership
|
|
|
Percent(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard
S. Schwartz
|
|
|
180,290
|
|
|
|
887,250
|
|
|
|
1,067,540
|
|
|
|
4.2%
|
|
Douglas
Roth
|
|
|
15,137
|
|
|
|
58,650
|
|
|
|
73,787
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Vincent
Miata
|
|
|
30,812
|
|
|
|
101,438
|
|
|
|
132,250
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Frank
DeBenedittis
|
|
|
32,357
|
|
|
|
79,500
|
|
|
|
111,857
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Michael
Feinman
|
|
|
20,199
|
|
|
|
79,500
|
|
|
|
99,699
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Robert
A. Wiesen
|
|
|
4,547
|
|
|
|
45,906
|
|
|
|
50,453
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Stanley
H. Fischer
|
|
|
5,375
|
|
|
|
50,656
|
|
|
|
56,031
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Albert
L. Eilender
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
62,781
|
|
|
|
77,781
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Hans
Noetzli
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
52,656
|
|
|
|
58,656
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Ira
S. Kallem
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
52,656
|
|
|
|
57,656
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
William
N. Britton
|
|
|
4,950
|
|
|
|
22,281
|
|
|
|
27,231
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T.
Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (4)
100
East Pratt Street
Baltimore,
MD 21202
|
|
|
1,450,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,450,000
|
|
|
|
6.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royce
& Associates, LLC
1414
Avenue of the Americas
New
York, NY 10019
|
|
|
2,175,321
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,175,321
|
|
|
|
8.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dimension
Fund Advisors, Inc.
1299
Ocean Avenue
Santa
Monica, CA 90401
|
|
|
2,110,769
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,110,769
|
|
|
|
8.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAK
Capital One L.L.C
590
Madison Avenue
New
York, NY 10022
|
|
|
1,440,068
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,440,068
|
|
|
|
5.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
named executive officers and directors as a group (11
persons)
|
|
|
319,667
|
|
|
|
1,493,274
|
|
|
|
1,812,941
|
|
|
|
7.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Less
than 1%.
|
(1)
|
Unless
otherwise indicated, each person has, or shares with his spouse,
sole
voting and dispositive power over the shares shown as owned by
him.
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
For
purposes of the table, a person is deemed to have “beneficial ownership”
of any shares which such person has the right to acquire within 60
days after the record date. Any share which such person has the
right to acquire within those 60 days is deemed to be outstanding
for the
purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person, but
is not
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person.
|
|
(3)
|
Based
on 24,345,785 shares issued and outstanding as of the record
date.
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
Based
on information provided by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., these
shares
are held by T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund, Inc, which T. Rowe
Price
Associates, Inc. serves as investment advisor with power to direct
investments and/or power to vote the securities. For purposes
of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
T.
Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial owner
of such
securities; however, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. disclaims beneficial
ownership of these shares in accordance with Rule 13d-4 of the Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Stanley
H. Fischer, a director of the Company, is President of Fischer and Burstein,
P.C., a law firm which serves as counsel to the Company on various corporate
matters. During fiscal 2007, the Company paid $216,000 to Fischer and
Burstein, P.C. for legal services rendered to the Company.
Robert
A.
Wiesen, a director of the Company, is a partner in Clifton, Budd & DeMaria,
a law firm which serves as labor and employment counsel to the
Company. During fiscal 2007, the Company paid $113,000 to Clifton,
Budd & DeMaria for legal services rendered to the Company.
THE
BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE SIX NOMINEES
FOR
DIRECTOR.
PROPOSAL
TWO
We
are asking
you to approve the Aceto Corporation 2007 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan
(the “Plan”). The Plan was approved by the Board of Directors on October 15,
2007, and is subject to shareholder approval. As of today’s date, the Company
has not granted any awards under the Plan. The Board of Directors believes
that
the Plan is necessary for the Company to attract, retain and motivate employees,
non-employee directors and consultants. The Board of Directors recommends that
you vote FOR approval of the Plan so that the Company may continue to attract,
retain and motivate employees, non-employee directors and consultants through
the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock
(including performance stock), restricted stock units (including performance
stock units) and performance incentive units.
General
Summary
of
Terms. The following is a summary of the terms of the Plan and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Plan, which
is set forth in Appendix A.
Types
of
Awards. There are five types of awards that may be
granted under the Plan:
|
·
|
options
to purchase common stock;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
stock
appreciation rights which give the participant the right to appreciation
in the value of common stock between the date of grant and the date
of
exercise;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
restricted
stock which is common stock that vests on achievement of performance
goals
(referred to as performance stock) or other times and/or conditions
such
as continued employment for a stated period (referred to as restricted
stock); and
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
restricted
stock units which give the participant the right to receive shares
of
common stock that vest on achievement of performance goals (referred
to as
performance stock units) or other times and/or conditions such as
continued employment for a stated period (referred to as restricted
stock
units); and
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
performance
incentive units which represent the right to receive cash on achievement
of performance goals.
|
Common
Stock
Available. The Company has reserved 700,000 shares of common stock
for issuance under the Plan.
During
any
calendar year, no employee may be granted:
|
·
|
stock
options covering more than 200,000 shares of common
stock;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
stock
appreciation rights representing appreciation on more than 200,000
shares
of common stock; or
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
performance
stock for more than 200,000 shares of common
stock.
|
In
addition,
there are limits on the total number of shares of common stock available for
certain types of awards over the life of the Plan: non-performance based stock
appreciation rights (350,000 shares), non-performance based restricted stock
(350,000 shares) and non-performance based restricted stock units (350,000
shares). Each of the above limits is subject to adjustment for certain changes
in the Company’s capitalization such as stock dividends, stock splits,
combinations or similar events.
Administration.
The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors (the “Committee”), provided that any decision made by the Committee
shall be subject to the subsequent approval of a majority of the Company’s
Independent Directors.
Eligibility.
Certain employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company, as
defined in the Plan (hereinafter referred to as “Eligible Participants”) are
eligible to receive awards under the Plan. Non-employee directors, non-United
States based employees and consultants are not eligible to receive incentive
stock options. The Committee selects the Eligible Participants who will receive
awards under the Plan, subject to the approval of a majority of the Company’s
Independent Directors. Generally, the employees selected to receive awards
will
be those employees who hold positions that enable them to have an impact on
the
long-term success of the Company. There are approximately 175 employees and
six
non-employee directors currently eligible to receive awards under the Plan.
There are currently no consultants eligible to receive awards under the
Plan.
Performance
Program Target. An Eligible Participant’s right to
receive a Performance Award, as defined in the Plan ( Performance Stock,
Performance Stock Units or Performance Incentive Units) depends on achievement
of certain specified annual or long-term performance goals, referred to as
“Performance Program Targets” (as defined in the Plan). Performance Program
Targets may be described in terms of Corporation-wide objectives or objectives
that are related to the performance of the individual Eligible Participant
or of
the subsidiary, division, department or function within the Corporation in
which
the Eligible Participant is employed. Possible Performance Program Targets
include numerous business criteria, including profit before taxes, stock price,
market share, gross revenue, net revenue, pre-tax income, earnings per share
and
return on equity.
Awards
under
the Plan. As of today’s date, the Company has not granted any
awards under the Plan.
Stock
Options
The
Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent
Directors, may award incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options.
Incentive stock options offer employees certain potential tax advantages that
are not available with non-qualified stock options. The Committee determines
the
terms of the options, including the number of shares of common stock subject
to
the option, the exercise price and when the option becomes exercisable, subject
to the approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors. However,
the per share exercise price of an option may not be less than the fair market
value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted, and the
option term may not exceed ten years.
When
an
Eligible Participant terminates service, his or her options may expire before
the end of the otherwise applicable option term. If an Eligible Participant
terminates employment because of disability, death, or retirement, his or her
options remain exercisable for one year after termination of service, or the
original expiration date, whichever is earlier. If the Eligible Participant’s
termination of service is involuntary by the Company, his or her options
terminate immediately. If the Eligible Participant’s termination of service is
because of a voluntary resignation (other than retirement), his or her options
remain exercisable for ninety (90) days after termination of service, or the
original expiration date, whichever is earlier. Options that are not exercisable
at the time of termination are forfeited.
An
Eligible
Participant may pay the exercise price of an option in cash or its equivalent.
The Committee may also permit an optionee to pay the exercise price by
surrendering previously acquired shares of common stock, through a so-called
“broker-financed transaction,” or in any combination of such
methods.
Stock
Appreciation Rights
The Committee may award stock appreciation rights to Eligible Participants,
subject to the approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors. A
stock appreciation right entitles the grantee to receive an amount equal to
the
excess of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise
over
the fair market value on the date of grant (the “Spread”). Such excess will be
paid in shares of Common Stock (having a Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise equal to the Spread). The Committee determines the terms and conditions
of stock appreciation rights, such as when the stock appreciation right becomes
exercisable, subject to the approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent
Directors. The stock appreciation right term may not exceed ten
years.
When
an
Eligible Participant terminates service, his or her stock appreciation rights
may expire before the end of the otherwise applicable stock appreciation right
term. If an Eligible Participant terminates employment because of disability,
death, or retirement, his or her stock appreciation rights remain exercisable
for one year after termination of service, or the original expiration date,
whichever is earlier. If the Eligible Participant’s termination of service is
involuntary by the Company, his or her stock appreciation rights terminate
immediately. If the Eligible Participant’s termination of service is because of
a voluntary resignation (other than retirement), his or her stock appreciation
rights remain exercisable for ninety (90) days after termination of service,
or
the original expiration date, whichever is earlier. Stock appreciation rights
that are not exercisable at the time of termination are forfeited.
Restricted
Stock Awards (including Performance Stock Awards)
The
Committee
may make restricted stock awards to Eligible Participants, subject to the
approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors. A restricted
stock award is an award of common stock that is subject to certain restrictions
during a specified period, such as an employee’s continued employment with the
Company or the achievement of certain performance goals. Restricted stock awards
in which the lapse of restrictions is based on achievement of certain
performance goals (“Performance Program Targets,” as defined in the Plan) are
called performance stock awards. The Committee may determine that the Company
holds the common stock during the restriction period and the grantee cannot
transfer the shares before the end of that period. The grantee is, however,
generally entitled to vote the common stock and receive any cash dividends
declared and paid on the Company’s common stock during the restriction
period.
The
restrictions lapse for restricted stock awards that are not performance stock
awards on the earliest of (i) the date or event determined by the
Committee, (ii) the participant’s termination of service due to death or
disability, retirement, or involuntary termination of service without
cause or (iii) a change of control (as defined in the
Plan). If the Eligible Participant’s termination of service occurs
prior to the date that the restriction would lapse for restricted stock awards
that are not performance stock awards and is because of a voluntary
resignation (other than retirement) or an involuntary termination for cause,
he
or she forfeits all restricted stock in that period. Generally,
the participant forfeits all restricted stock awards that are
performance stock awards if the participant incurs a termination of
service prior to the date that the restriction period would lapse,
with certain exceptions in the event of death, disability, retirement or other
circumstances determined by the Committee.
Restricted
Stock Units (including Performance Stock Units)
The
Committee
may make awards of restricted stock units to Eligible Participants, subject
to
the approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors. A restricted
stock unit is an award that gives the participant the right to receive shares
of
common stock or cash equivalent to the fair market value of common stock or
a
combination thereof and is subject to certain restrictions during a specified
period, such as an employee’s continued employment with the Company or the
achievement of certain performance goals. Restricted stock units in which the
lapse of restrictions is based on achievement of certain performance goals
(“Performance Program Targets,” as defined in the Plan) are called performance
stock units. The common stock is not issued until the restrictions lapse;
however, the participant is entitled to dividend equivalent rights during the
restriction period.
The
restrictions lapse for restricted stock awards that are not performance stock
awards on the earliest of (i) the date or event determined by the
Committee, (ii) the participant’s termination of service due to death or
disability, retirement, involuntary termination of service without cause or
(iii) a change of control. Restricted stock units that are not performance
stock
awards that have not vested shall be forfeited upon the participant’s
voluntary termination of service (other than retirement) or
termination for service for cause, as determined by the Committee n a
majority of the independent directors.
Generally,
the participant forfeits all performance stock units if the
participant incurs a termination of service prior to the date that the
performance stock unit would otherwise vest, with certain exceptions in the
event of death, disability, retirement or other circumstances determined by
the
Committee.
Performance
Incentive Units
Performance
incentive units provide Eligible Participants with an opportunity to receive
cash payments based on the achievement of objective, pre-established criteria
and performance targets.
At
the
beginning of each performance period, the Committee will determine the Eligible
Participants who will receive performance incentive units and each participant’s
target award, subject to the approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent
Directors. The Committee will also establish a schedule of one or more
performance criteria and performance targets for each participant (or group
of
participants) which will show the percentage of the target award payable under
various levels of achieved performance, subject to the approval of a majority
of
the Company’s Independent Directors. The Committee may select one or more
performance criteria for each participant (or group of participants) from the
Performance Program Targets, as defined in the Plan.
At
the end of
the performance period, the Committee will determine the extent of achievement
of the pre-established performance targets for each criterion, subject to the
approval of a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors. The level of
achievement attained will be applied to the schedule or matrix to determine
the
percentage (if any) of the participant’s target award earned for the performance
period. Performance incentive units will be paid as soon as practicable after
the close of the performance period for which they are earned, but in no event
later than the 15th day of the third month following the close of the
performance period. Generally, no payment will be made to any participant who
is
not an employee on the date payment is scheduled to be made, with certain
exceptions in the event of death, disability, retirement or other circumstances
determined by the Committee. In addition, if a participant terminates employment
after the last day of the performance period but before payment is made, the
Committee has the discretion to make the payment, based on actual performance
for the performance period.
The
maximum
amount that may be paid to any individual with respect to performance incentive
units in any year is five times the participant’s base salary, or $5,000,000, if
less.
Miscellaneous
Transferability.
Awards generally are not transferable, except by will or under the laws of
descent and distribution or pursuant to a QDRO.
Acceleration
of Vesting. The Committee may, subject to the approval of a
majority of the Independent Directors of the Company, accelerate the date on
which options or stock appreciation rights may be exercised, and may accelerate
the date of termination of the restrictions applicable to restricted stock
(other than performance stock), if it determines that to do so would be in
the
best interests of the Company and the participants in the Plan. Upon a Change
in
Control of the Company (as defined in the Plan), all outstanding options and
stock appreciation rights become exercisable, all outstanding restricted
stock and restricted stock units (other than performance stock and
performance stock units) become vested. In addition, for the performance period
in which the Change in Control occurs, the Eligible Participant will receive
a
pro rata payment for all of his or her performance stock and performance
incentive units, based on the target for each award for that performance
period.
Change
in
Capitalization/Certain Corporate Transactions. If there is a
change in the Company’s capitalization that affects its outstanding common
stock, the Committee will adjust the kind and aggregate number of shares of
common stock subject to awards, together with the option exercise price and
amount over which appreciation of stock appreciation rights is
measured.
Effective
Date. The Plan was approved by the Company’s board of directors on
October 15, 2007, and will become effective on the date of approval by the
Company’s shareholders, if the Proposal is passed.
Amendment/Termination.
The Committee may, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent
Directors, amend the Plan. However, shareholder approval is required for any
material amendment to the Plan as well as for certain amendments of which the
Plan requires shareholder approval, such as an increase in the number of shares
of common stock authorized for issuance of awards and a change in the class
of
employees who may receive incentive stock options under the Plan. Requisite
shareholder approval is also required for any amendment that would require
shareholder approval under the exchange or market on which the Company’s common
stock is listed or traded or that modifies the Plan in a manner that would
cause
an award to fail to meet the requirements to be treated under
Section 162(m) of the Code as performance- based compensation, to the
extent compliance with this section is desired. In addition, no performance
stock or performance incentive units will be granted for performance periods
beginning after the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders, unless shareholder
approval is obtained at that meeting or an earlier meeting, as required by
Section 162(m) of the Code.
The
Plan will
remain in effect for 10 years from the date of approval by the Company’s
shareholders. However, the Committee may terminate the Plan at any time and
for
any reason subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
No awards will be granted under the Plan after the Plan is terminated or
expires.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences—Options
The
Company
has been advised that the Federal income tax consequences of granting and
exercising options under the Plan are as follows (based on Federal tax laws
and
regulations, as of January 1, 2007).
The
grant of
an option does not result in Federal income tax consequences for the optionee
or
a deduction for the Company.
When
an
option is exercised, the Federal income tax consequences depend on whether
the
option is an incentive stock option or a non-qualified stock option. An optionee
exercising a non-qualified stock option will recognize ordinary income equal
to
the difference between the fair market value of the stock exercised (on the
date
of exercise) and the exercise price. An employee will not recognize taxable
income as a result of acquiring stock by exercising an incentive stock option.
The difference between the fair market value of the exercised stock on the
date
of exercise and the exercise price will, however, generally be treated as an
item of adjustment for purposes of alternative minimum taxable income. If the
employee holds the stock he receives on exercise of an incentive stock option
for a required period of time, the employee will have capital gain (or loss)
when the stock is later disposed of. If the employee does not hold the stock
for
the required period of time, the employee will generally have ordinary income
when the stock is disposed of.
When
an
optionee recognizes ordinary income on the exercise of a non-qualified stock
option or the sale of stock acquired on exercise of an incentive stock option,
the Company is generally entitled to a deduction in the same amount. Certain
requirements, such as reporting the income to the IRS, must be met for the
deduction to be allowable.
INTEREST
OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Executive
officers and directors of the Company have an interest in the proposal being
presented for shareholder approval. Upon shareholder approval of the Plan,
executive officers and directors of the Company will be eligible for, and may
be
granted, awards pursuant to the Plan. The following table sets forth the
awards that the Company’s board of directors currently plans to make to the
Company’s executive officers and the approximate awards that the board plans to
make to the Company’s non-executive officer employees, as a group, during its
fiscal year ending on June 30, 2008 if the Plan is approved by the Company’s
shareholders.
New
Plan Benefits
Name
and
Principal
Position
|
Dollar
Value
|
Number
of
Stock
Options
|
Number
of Restricted
Stock
Awards
|
Number
of Restricted
Stock
Units
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard
S. Schwartz
|
(1)
|
25,000
|
10,000
|
-
|
President,
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas
Roth
|
(1)
|
5,000
|
3,500
|
-
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vincent
Miata
|
(1)
|
5,000
|
3,500
|
-
|
Senior
Vice President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank
DeBenedittis
|
(1)
|
5,000
|
3,500
|
-
|
Senior
Vice President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Feinman
|
(1)
|
5,000
|
3,500
|
-
|
President,
Aceto
|
|
|
|
|
Agricultural
Chemicals Corp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Executive
Officer Employee Group
|
(1)
|
115,000
|
35,000
|
15,000
|
|
(1)
|
The
dollar value is not determinable at this time because the dollar
value
will be based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at
the time of each grant.
|
The
affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast by the Company’s shareholders at
the meeting is required for approval of this Proposal. Abstentions or broker
non-votes will not be counted as votes cast.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE ACETO
CORPORATION 2007 LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN.
PROPOSAL
THREE
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
Based
on
the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors has appointed
BDO Seidman, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to examine
the financial statements of the Company for the year ending June 30, 2008.
BDO Seidman, LLP has been employed as the independent registered public
accounting firm of the Company since 2005.
The
Company anticipates that representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP will attend the
annual meeting for the purpose of responding to appropriate
questions. At the annual meeting, the representatives of BDO Seidman,
LLP will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement if they so
desire.
The
aggregate fees for professional services rendered by BDO Seidman, LLP for the
years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 were:
|
|
Fiscal
2007
|
|
|
Fiscal
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
fees
|
|
$ |
912,000
|
|
|
$ |
854,000
|
|
Audit
related fees
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Tax
fees
|
|
|
19,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
fees
|
|
$ |
935,000
|
|
|
$ |
869,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
fees are fees for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements
included on Form 10-K, including the audits of internal control over financial
reporting, reviews of the quarterly financial statements and statutory
audits.
Audit
related fees consisted of fees for accounting consultations.
Tax
fees
are fees for tax services, including tax compliance, tax advice and
planning.
SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS
All
shareholder proposals which are intended to be presented at the 2008 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of the Company must be received by the Company no later
than June 23, 2008, for inclusion in the board of directors' proxy statement
and
form of proxy relating to the meeting.
OUR
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE
DOCUMENTS
If
you
own our common stock, you can obtain copies of our annual report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 as filed with the SEC, including the
financial statements, our committee charters, and our codes of conduct, all
without charge, by writing to Mr. Douglas Roth, Chief Financial Officer and
Corporate Secretary, Aceto Corporation, One Hollow Lane, Lake Success, New
York
11042. You can also access our 2007 Form 10-K on our website at
www.aceto.com by clicking on “Corporate Governance” and then on “SEC
Filings”. You can also access our committee charters at our website
by clicking on “Corporate Governance”.
OTHER
BUSINESS
The
board
of directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the meeting.
However, if any other business properly comes before the meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote on such matters
in
accordance with their best judgment.
The
prompt return of the proxy will be appreciated and helpful in obtaining the
necessary vote. Therefore, whether or not you expect to attend the meeting,
please sign the proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope.
|
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas
Roth
|
|
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer and
|
|
|
|
Corporate
Secretary
|
|
Dated:
October 18, 2007
Appendix
A
ACETO
CORPORATION
2007
LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE
OF
THE PLAN
This
2007
Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is being established to (a)
provide incentives and awards to non-employee directors, consultants and those
employees largely responsible for the long-term success of Aceto Corporation
and
its subsidiaries (the “Company”), (b) enable the Company to attract and retain
executives, non-employee directors and consultants in the future, and (c)
encourage employees, non-employee directors and consultants to acquire a
proprietary interest in the performance of the Company by owning shares of
the
Company’s Common Stock.
The
adoption
of the Plan is subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s shareholders
and shall not become effective until so approved.
2. GENERAL
PROVISIONS
2.1
Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the
following meanings unless otherwise required by the context:
|
(a)
|
“Act”
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
“Award”
means an Equity Award granted to an Employee, Non-employee Director
or
Consultant. |
|
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
“Board
of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company. |
|
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
“Change
in Control” means, except as provided in Section 10.3, the date on
which: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
any person (a “Person”), as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Act (other than (A) the Company and/or its wholly owned
subsidiaries; (B) any “employee stock ownership plan” (as that term is
defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) or other employee benefit plan
of the
Company and any trustee or other fiduciary in such capacity holding
securities under such plan; (C) any corporation owned, directly or
indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the
same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or (D) any
other
Person who, within the one year prior to the event which would otherwise
be a Change in Control, is an executive officer of the Company or
any
group of Persons of which he or she voluntarily is a part), is or
becomes
the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more
of
the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or
such lesser percentage of voting power, but not less than 15%, as
determined by the Independent Directors (as defined
below).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii)
during any two-year period after the effective date of the Plan,
Directors
of the Company in office at the beginning of such period plus any
new
Director (other than a Director designated by a Person who has entered
into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction within
the
purview of subsections (i) or (iii) hereof) whose election by the
Board of
Directors or whose nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders
was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then
still
in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the period
or
whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved,
shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board
of Directors;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iii)
the consummation of (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company
in
which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation
or
pursuant to which the Company’s Common Stock would be converted into cash,
securities, and/or other property, other than a merger of the Company
in
which holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have
the
same proportionate ownership of voting securities of the surviving
corporation immediately after the merger as they had in the Common
Stock
immediately before; or (B) any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer
(in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or
substantially all the assets or earning power of the Company;
or
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iv)
the Company’s shareholders or the Company’s Board of Directors shall
approve the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company.
|
(e) “Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(f) “Committee”
means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
(g) “Common
Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
Company.
(h) “Consultant”
shall mean an individual who is not an Employee or a Non-employee Director
and
who has entered into a consulting arrangement with the Company to provide
substantial bona fide services that (i) are not in connection with the
offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (ii) do not
directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s
securities.
(i) “Covered
Employee” means each person who is either the chief executive officer of the
Company or whose total compensation is required to be reported to shareholders
of the Company under the Act by reason of being among the four highest
compensated officers (other than the chief executive officer) of the Company.
The intent of this definition is to identify those persons who are “covered
employees” for purposes of the applicable provisions of Code Section 162(m) and
this definition is to be interpreted consistent with this intent. The provisions
of the Plan that specifically apply only to Covered Employees shall apply to
a
Participant if he or she is reasonably expected to be a Covered Employee with
respect to the taxable year in which the Performance Period begins, or the
taxable year in which the Performance Award is to be paid.
(j) “Employee”
means an individual who is employed by the Company.
(k) “Equity
Award” means a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Restricted Stock grant
made under the Plan.
(l) “Fair
Market
Value” means, with respect to the applicable date, the last reported sales price
for a share of Common Stock as quoted on the principal stock exchange on which
the common stock is traded for that date; provided, however, if no
such sales are made on such date, then on the next preceding date on which
there
are such sales. If for any day the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
is not determinable by any of the foregoing means, then the Fair Market Value
for such day shall be determined in good faith by the Committee, subject to
the
approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, under a method that
complies with Code Sections 422 and 409A.
(m) “Incentive
Stock Option” means an option granted under the Plan which is intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option under Code Section 422.
(n) “Independent
Directors” means the members of the Board of Directors who qualify as an
independent director under the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, as an “outside
director” (as that term is used for purposes of Code Section 162(m)) and as a
“non-employee director” (as that term is used for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under
the Act) with respect to the Plan.
(o) “Non-employee
Director” means a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.
(p) “Non-Qualified
Stock
Option” means an option granted under the Plan which is not an Incentive Stock
Option.
(q) “Participant”
means an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant to whom an Award has
been
granted under the Plan.
(r) “Performance
Award” means Performance Stock and Performance Incentive Units.
(s) “Performance
Incentive Unit” means a unit granted pursuant to Article 7.
(t) “Performance
Period” means a period of one or more consecutive calendar years or other
periods as set by the Committee, and approved by a majority of the Independent
Directors. Nothing herein shall prohibit the creation of multiple Performance
Periods which may overlap with other Performance Periods established under
the
Plan. In no event, however, shall a Performance Period begin on or after the
first shareholder meeting that occurs in 2012 unless shareholder approval is
obtained as required under Code Section 162(m).
(u) “Performance
Program Target” means a performance program target set by the Committee, and
approved by a majority of the Independent Directors, for a particular
Performance Period as provided in Article 7.
(v) “Performance
Stock” means a type of Restricted Stock, where the lapse of restrictions is
based on achievement of one or more Performance Program Targets.
(w) “Restricted
Stock” means Common Stock granted pursuant to Article 5 subject to restrictions
determined by the Committee and approved by a majority of the Independent
Directors.
(x) “Restricted
Stock Unit” means a unit granted pursuant to Article 6 subject to restrictions
determined by the Committee and approved by a majority of the Independent
Directors.
(y) “Retirement”
means Termination of Service after attainment of “Normal Retirement Age” or
“Early Retirement Age” as defined in the Company’s 401(k) Plan when the
Participant does not intend to continue gainful employment.
(z) “Short-Term
Deferral Date” means, with respect to a Performance Incentive Unit, the 15th day of
the third
month following the end of the Performance Period for which such Award was
made,
payment shall be treated as made on the Short-Term Deferral Date if payment
is
made on such Date or on a later date that is as soon as practicable after such
Date and within the same calendar year, and a Participant shall have no right
to
interest as a result of payment on such later date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, for purposes of determining the date payment “would otherwise be
made” with respect to a Performance Incentive Unit under Sections 7.3 and 8.4,
the date payment is actually made to similarly situated Participants with
respect to the Performance Period shall be determinative, and not the Short-Term
Deferral Date (if the actual payment date is not the Short-Term Deferral
Date).
(aa) “Stock
Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Article 4.
(bb) “Stock
Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option granted
pursuant to Article 3.
(cc) “Subsidiary”
means any corporation or other entity, the equity of which is more than 50%
owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
(dd) “Termination
of Service” shall mean (i) with respect to an Award granted to an Employee, the
termination of the employment relationship between the Employee and the Company
and all Subsidiaries; (ii) with respect to an Equity Award granted to a
Non-employee Director, the cessation of the provision of services as a Director
of the Company; and (iii) with respect to an Equity Award granted to a
Consultant, the termination of the consulting arrangement between the Consultant
and the Company; provided, however, that if a Participant’s status
changes from Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant to any other status
eligible to receive an Award under the Plan, the Committee may provide, subject
to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, that no Termination
of Service occurs for purposes of the Plan until the Participant’s new status
with the Company and all Subsidiaries terminates. For purposes of this
paragraph, if a Participant is an Employee of a Subsidiary and not the Company,
the Participant shall incur a Termination of Service when such corporation
ceases to be a Subsidiary, unless the Committee and a majority of the
Independent Directors determine otherwise.
(ee) “Total
Disability” shall mean the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last
for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months. Such determination
shall be made by a physician selected by the Committee and a majority of the
Independent Directors which is reasonably acceptable to the Participant or
the
Participant’s legal representative. However, if the condition constitutes total
disability under the federal Social Security Acts, the Administrator may rely
on
such determination for the purposes of this Plan.
2.2
Administration of the Plan.
(a) The
Plan
shall be administered by the Committee, provided that any decisions made by
the
Committee shall be subject to the subsequent approval and consent of a majority
of the Independent Directors. The Committee and the Independent Directors
together shall have the full power, subject to and within the limits of the
Plan, to interpret and administer the Plan and Awards granted under it, make
and
interpret rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, and make
changes in and revoke such rules and regulations. The Committee and the
Independent Directors together also shall have the authority to adopt
modifications, amendments, procedures, sub-plans and the like, which may be
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as are necessary to comply with
the laws and regulations of other countries in which the Company operates in
order to assure the viability of Awards granted under the Plan to individuals
in
such other countries. The Committee and the Independent Directors, in the
exercise of these powers, shall (i) generally determine all questions of policy
and expediency that may arise and may correct any defect, omission, or
inconsistency in the Plan or any agreement evidencing the grant of an Award
in a
manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to make the Plan fully
effective; (ii) determine those Employees, Non-employee Directors and
Consultants to whom Awards shall be granted, the type of Award to be granted
and
the number of Awards to be granted, consistent with the provisions of the Plan;
(iii) determine the terms of Awards granted consistent with the provisions
of
the Plan; and (iv) generally, exercise such powers and perform such acts in
connection with the Plan as are deemed necessary or expedient to promote the
best interests of the Company.
(b) The
Committee
and the Independent Directors shall further be permitted, in connection with
the
granting of Equity Awards to Employees who are not Covered Employees and who
are
not subject to Section 16(b) of the Act, to delegate authority under the Plan
to
determine any individual grants to such Employees to a subcommittee which may
include members of senior management of the Company, provided that the total
amount of Equity Awards available for grant by any such subcommittee, and the
pricing of such Equity Awards, shall be fixed exclusively by the Committee
and a
majority of the Independent Directors, and any Equity Awards thereafter made
by
the subcommittee shall be subject in all respects to the provisions of the
Plan
(c) The
Board of
Directors may, at its discretion, select one or more of its Independent
Directors who are eligible to be members of the Committee as alternate members
of the Committee who may take the place of any absent member or members of
the
Committee at any meeting of the Committee. The Committee may act only by a
majority vote of its members then in office; the Committee may authorize any
one
or more of its members or any officer of the Company to execute and deliver
documents on behalf of the Committee.
2.3
Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of the date the Plan is
approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and ratified by the Company’s
shareholders at a duly authorized meeting (Special or Annual) of the Company’s
shareholders. No awards may be granted hereunder unless and until all such
approvals are obtained. If the Plan is not so approved by the Company’s
shareholders, the Plan will become null and void.
2.4
Duration. If approved by the shareholders of the Company as provided in
Section 2.3, unless sooner terminated by the Committee subject to the approval
of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Plan shall remain in effect
for
10 years from the date of that approval.
2.5
Shares Subject to the Plan; Equity Award Limits. The maximum aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Equity Awards granted
under the Plan shall be 700,000 (which is also the maximum aggregate number
of
shares that may be subject to Incentive Stock Options under the Plan), subject
to the following limits:
(a) No
Employee
shall be granted during any one calendar year Stock Options entitling such
Employee to purchase more than two hundred thousand (200,000) shares of Common
Stock;
(b) No
Employee shall be granted during any one calendar year Stock Appreciation Rights
entitling such Employee to appreciation with respect to more than two hundred
thousand (200,000) shares of Common Stock;
(c) The
aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock subject to Performance Stock granted to an
Employee during any one calendar year shall not exceed two hundred thousand
(200,000) shares;
(d) No
more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) shares of Common Stock shall
be
available for the granting of non-performance based Restricted Stock under
the
Plan;
(e) No
more than
three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) shares of Common Stock shall be available
for the granting of non-performance based Restricted Stock Units under the
Plan;
(f) No
more than
three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) shares of Common Stock shall be available
for the granting of non-performance based Stock Appreciation Rights under the
Plan;
Each
limit in the preceding sentence shall be subject to adjustment in accordance
with Section 10.2.
2.6 Amendments
and Termination. The Plan may be suspended, terminated, or reinstated, in
whole or in part, at any time by the Committee, subject to the approval of
a
majority of the Independent Directors. The Committee, subject to the approval
of
a majority of the Independent Directors, may from time to time make such
amendments to the Plan as it may deem advisable, and/or may amend any
outstanding Award at any time (including an amendment that applies to a
Participant who has incurred a Termination of Service); provided,
however, that, without the approval of the Company’s shareholders, no
amendment shall be made which:
(a) Increases
the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Awards granted
under the Plan (other than as provided in Section 10.2);
(b)
Materially modifies the requirements as to eligibility for participation in
the
Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options;
(c) To
the extent
compliance with Code Section 162(m) is desired, modifies the Plan in a manner
that would cause any Award to fail to meet the requirements to be treated under
Code Section 162(m) as “performance-based compensation”
(d) Requires
shareholder approval under the rules of the exchange or market on which the
Common Stock is listed or traded;
or
(e) Reduces
the
exercise price of, or otherwise reprices, an Award.
No
amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or amendment of an outstanding
Award shall affect the Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award or cause
the modification (within the meaning of Code Section 424(h)) of any Award,
without the consent of the Participant affected thereby. The foregoing
limitation on amendments, suspension and termination shall not apply to any
amendment, suspension or termination (i) pursuant to Section 10.2, or (ii)
that
the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors determine is necessary
or appropriate to avoid the additional tax under Code Section
409A(a)(1)(B).
2.7 Participants
and Grants. The Committee may recommend the grant of one or more Awards to
Non-employee Directors, Consultants and Employees, which grants shall be subject
in all respects to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
In
determining the number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Equity Award
and
the number of Performance Incentive Units to be granted to an Employee, the
Committee (and the Independent Directors) shall consider the Employee’s base
salary, his or her expected contribution to the long-term performance of the
Company, and such other relevant facts as the Committee (and the Independent
Directors) shall deem appropriate. More than one Award may be granted to any
Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant, and terms and conditions of
Awards and types of Awards need not be consistent from Participant to
Participant nor from year to year.
3.
STOCK OPTIONS
3.1 General.
Each Stock Option granted under the Plan to an Employee, Non-employee Director
or Consultant shall be granted by the Committee, subject in all cases, however,
to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. The granting of
any
such Stock Option, including the terms thereof in accordance with Sections
3.2
to 3.7, shall be evidenced by an agreement which shall state the number of
shares of Common Stock which may be purchased upon the exercise thereof and
shall contain such investment representations and other terms and conditions
as
the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors may from time to
time
determine that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, Code Section
409A and, for Incentive Stock Options, Code Section 422.
3.2 Price.
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.6(d), the purchase price per share of
Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall not be less than one hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date
the Stock Option is granted.
3.3 Period.
The duration or term of each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be for
such period as the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors shall
determine but in no event more than ten (10) years from the date of grant
thereof.
3.4
Exercise. A Stock Option shall be exercisable in such installments,
upon fulfillment of such conditions (such as performance-based requirements),
or
on such dates as the Committee may specify. Once exercisable, a Stock Option
shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivery of a notice of exercise
to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company at the principal office
of the Company or to the Company’s designated administrator specifying the
number of shares of Common Stock as to which the Stock Option is then being
exercised together with payment of the full purchase price for the shares being
purchased upon such exercise. Until the shares of Common Stock as to which
a
Stock Option is exercised are paid for in full and issued, the Participant
shall
have none of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to such
Common Stock.
3.5 Payment.
The Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent
Directors, shall determine from the alternatives set forth in subsections (a)
through (d) the methods by which the exercise price may be paid.
(a) In
United
States dollars in cash, or by check, bank draft, or money order payable in
United States dollars to the order of the Company;
(b) By
the delivery by the Participant to the Company of whole shares of Common Stock
having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the
aggregate of the purchase price of Common Stock as to which the Stock Option
is
then being exercised;
(c) In
United
States dollars in cash, or by check, bank draft, or money order payable in
United States dollars to the order of the Company delivered to the Company
by a
broker in exchange for its receipt of stock certificates from the Company in
accordance with instructions of the Participant to the broker pursuant to which
the broker is required to deliver to the Company the amount required to pay
the
purchase price; or
(d) By
a combination of any number of the foregoing.
The
Committee may impose limitations, conditions, and prohibitions on the use by
a
Participant of shares of Common Stock to pay the purchase price payable by
such
Participant upon the exercise of a Stock Option, subject to the approval of
such
limitations, conditions, and prohibitions by a majority of the Independent
Directors.
3.6 Special
Rules for Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provision of
the Plan, the following provisions shall apply to Incentive Stock Options
granted under the Plan:
(a) Incentive
Stock Options shall only be granted to Participants who are United States based
Employees.
(b) To
the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date of grant) of
Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable
for
the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under this Plan and
under any other plan of the Company or a Subsidiary under which “incentive stock
options” (as that term is defined in Code Section 422) are granted exceeds
$100,000, such Stock Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock
Options.
(c) Any
Participant who disposes of shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise
of
an Incentive Stock Option by sale or exchange either within two (2) years after
the date of the grant of the Incentive Stock Option under which the shares
were
acquired or within one (1) year of the acquisition of such shares, shall
promptly notify the Assistant Secretary of the Company at the principal office
of the Company of such disposition, the amount realized, the purchase price
per
share paid upon exercise, and the date of disposition.
(d) No
Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to a Participant who, at the time of
the
grant, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock either of the Company or any parent or
Subsidiary of the Company, unless the purchase price of the shares of Common
Stock purchasable upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option is at least
one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value (at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted) of the Common Stock and the Incentive Stock Option
is
not exercisable more than five (5) years from the date it is
granted.
3.7
Termination of Service.
(a) In
the event
a Participant incurs a Termination of Service because of involuntary termination
by the Company while a Participant holds Stock Options under the Plan, all
Stock
Options held by the Participant shall expire immediately upon such Termination
of Service.
(b) Except
as otherwise provided in subsection (a) , if a Participant, while
holding exercisable Stock Options, (i) incurs a Termination of
Service because of Total Disability, (ii) dies prior to Termination of Service,
or (iii) incurs a Termination of Service because of Retirement, then each such
exercisable Stock Option held by the Participant shall be exercisable by the
Participant (or, in the case of death, by the executor or administrator of
the
Participant’s estate or by the person or persons to whom the deceased
Participant’s rights thereunder shall have passed by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution) until the earlier of (A) its stated expiration date
or
(B) the date occurring one (1) year after the date of such Termination of
Service or death, as the case may be.
(c) If
a
Participant while holding exercisable Stock Options incurs a Termination of
Service because of a voluntary resignation, other than Retirement, then each
such exercisable Stock Option held by the Participant shall be exercisable
by
the Participant until the earlier of (A) its stated expiration date or (B)
ninety (90) days after such Termination of Service.
(d) The
Committee may accelerate the date as of which a Stock Option becomes
exercisable, if the Committee in its discretion deems such acceleration to
be
desirable and a majority of the Independent Directors consent to
same.
(e) To
the extent
a Stock Option held by a Participant is not exercisable at the time of (or
as a
result of) his or her Termination of Service, such Stock Option shall
terminate.
3.8 Effect
of Leaves of Absence. It shall not be considered a Termination of Service
when a Participant is on military or sick leave or such other type of leave
of
absence which is considered as continuing intact the relationship of the
Participant with the Company or its Subsidiaries. In case of such leave of
absence, the relationship shall be continued until the later of the date when
such leave equals ninety (90) days, the date when the Participant’s right to
reemployment shall no longer be guaranteed either by statute or contract, or
the
date when the Participant incurs a Termination of Service.
4.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
4.1 General.
Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan to an Employee,
Non-employee Director or Consultant shall be granted by the Committee. The
granting of any Stock Appreciation Right, including the terms thereof in
accordance with Sections 4.2 to 4.6, shall be subject in all respects to the
approval of a majority of a majority of the Independent Directors and shall
be
evidenced by an agreement which shall state the number of shares of Common
Stock
with respect to which appreciation shall be measured and shall contain such
investment representations and other terms and conditions as the Committee
may
from time to time determine that are not inconsistent with the provisions of
the
Plan and Code Section 409A.
4.2 Amount
Payable on Exercise. A Stock Appreciation Right entitles the Participant to
receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock to which the Stock
Appreciation Right is exercised, the excess of the Fair Market Value of the
share on the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value of the share on the
date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted (the “Spread”). Such excess will be
paid in shares of Common Stock (having a Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise equal to the Spread).
4.3 Period.
The duration or term of each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan
shall be for such period as the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority
of the Independent Directors, shall determine but in no event more than ten
(10)
years from the date of grant thereof.
4.4 Exercise.
A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable in such installments, upon
fulfillment of such conditions (such as performance-based requirements), or
on
such dates as the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the
Independent Directors, may specify. Once exercisable, a Stock Appreciation
Right
shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivery of a notice of exercise
to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company at the principal office
of the Company or to its designated administrator specifying the number of
shares of Common Stock as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is then being
exercised.
4.5 Termination
of Service. For purposes of determining the extent to which, and the period
during which, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised following a
Participant’s Termination of Service, Section 3.7 shall be applied by replacing
the terms “Stock Option” and “Stock Options” in each place such terms appear in
Section 3.7, with the terms “Stock Appreciation Right” and “Stock Appreciation
Rights,” respectively.
4.6 Effect
of Leaves of Absence. It shall not be considered a Termination of Service
when a Participant is on military or sick leave or such other type of leave
of
absence which is considered as continuing intact the relationship of the
Participant with the Company or its Subsidiaries. In case of such leave of
absence, the relationship shall be continued until the later of the date when
such leave equals ninety (90) days, the date when the Participant’s right to
reemployment shall no longer be guaranteed either by statute or contract, or
the
date when the Participant incurs a Termination of Service.
5.
RESTRICTED STOCK
5.1 Grant.
Restricted Stock may be granted by the Committee to an Employee, Non-employee
Director or Consultant under this Article for no consideration in the form
of an
award of Common Stock subject to restrictions. At the time Restricted Stock
is
granted, the Committee shall determine whether the Restricted Stock is
Performance Stock (where the lapse of restrictions is based on Performance
Program Targets), or Restricted Stock that is not Performance Stock (where
the
lapse of restrictions is based on times and/or conditions determined by the
Committee). The period beginning on the date of grant and ending on the date
the
restrictions lapse is the “Restriction Period.” The granting of any Restricted
Stock, including the terms thereof in accordance with this Section 5.1 and
Sections 5.2 to 5.5, shall be subject in all respects to the approval of a
majority of the Independent Directors.
5.2 Restrictions.
Except as otherwise provided in this Article, Restricted Stock shall not be
sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, or otherwise
encumbered or disposed of during the Restriction Period.
5.3 Lapse
of Restrictions.
(a) Restricted
Stock
Other Than Performance Stock. With respect to Restricted Stock that is not
Performance Stock, the restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse at
the
earliest of (i) such time or times, and on such conditions, as shall have been
specified at the time of grant, (ii) the Participant’s death prior to
Termination of Service, (iii) the Participant’s Total Disability prior to
Termination of Service, (iv) the Participant’s Retirement, (v) the Participant’s
involuntary Termination of Service without cause, or (vi) a Change in
Control. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service because of
voluntary resignation (other than Retirement) or involuntary termination for
cause, as determined by the Committee and a majority of the
Independent Directors, prior to the date the Restriction Period would otherwise
lapse, the Participant shall forfeit all Restricted Stock that is still within
Restriction Period. The Committee, subject to the approval of a
majority of the Independent Directors, may at any time accelerate the time
at
which the restrictions on all or any part of the shares of Restricted Stock
(other than Performance Stock) will lapse.
(b) Performance
Stock. With respect to Performance Stock granted to a Participant, the
restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse after the end of the relevant
Performance Period based on the Performance Program Targets established in
accordance with Article 8 and achieved for such Period. As promptly as
practicable after the end of the Performance Period, the Committee shall, in
accordance with Article 8 and subject to the approval of a majority of the
Independent Directors, determine the extent to which the Performance Program
Targets have been achieved. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4,
the extent to which such restrictions lapse shall be based solely on the
achievement of Performance Program Targets, in accordance with Article 8; the
Committee shall not have the discretion to increase the extent to which such
restrictions lapse. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4, if a
Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any reason prior to the date
the
Restriction Period would otherwise lapse with respect to Performance Stock,
the
Participant shall forfeit all Performance Stock granted with respect to such
Performance Period. The Restriction Period with respect to Performance Stock
shall end on the date the Committee and the Independent Directors make their
determination regarding achievement of Performance Program Targets in accordance
with Article 8, but only to the extent such targets are achieved.
(c) In
General. Upon the lapse of restrictions in accordance with this Section 5.3
with respect to a share of Restricted Stock, the Restriction Period shall end
and such share of Common Stock shall cease to be Restricted Stock for purposes
of the Plan. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Article 9, any Restricted
Stock with respect to which the Restriction Period has not lapsed at the time
of
(or as a result of) the Participant’s Termination of Service, shall be
forfeited.
5.4 Custody
of Shares. The Committee may require under such terms and conditions as it
deems appropriate or desirable that the certificates for shares of Restricted
Stock be held in custody by a bank or other institution or that the Company
may
itself hold such certificates in custody until the lapse of restrictions under
Section 5.3 and may require additional documents as it deems necessary. The
shares of Common Stock that cease to be Restricted Stock under Section 5.3(c)
shall be issued promptly after the conclusion of the Restriction Period and
the
satisfaction of any applicable withholding requirements.
5.5 Shareholder
Rights. Each Participant who receives Restricted Stock shall have all of
the rights of a shareholder with respect to such shares, subject to the
restrictions set forth in Section 5.2, including the right to vote the shares
and receive dividends and other distributions. Any shares of Common Stock or
other securities of the Company received by a Participant with respect to a
share of Restricted Stock, as a stock dividend, or in connection with a stock
split or combination, share exchange or other recapitalization, shall have
the
same status and be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted
Stock.
6.
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
6.1 Nature
of Restricted Stock Units. A Restricted Stock Unit entitles the Participant
to receive one share of Common Stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of
a
share of Common Stock on the date of vesting, or a combination thereof, with
respect to each Restricted Stock Unit that vests in accordance with
Section 6.3; any fractional Restricted Stock Unit shall be payable in cash.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the medium of
payment.
6.2 Grant
of Restricted Stock Units. At the time of grant, the Committee shall
determine (a) the Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant receiving
the grant, (b) the number of Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award,
(c) whether the Restricted Stock Unit is a Performance Stock Unit (where
vesting is based on Performance Program Targets), or a Restricted Stock Unit
that is not a Performance Stock Unit (where vesting is based on times and/or
conditions determined by the Committee), and (d) when such Restricted Stock
Units shall vest in accordance with Section 6.3. The Company shall
establish a bookkeeping account in the Participant’s name which reflects the
number and type of Restricted Stock Units standing to the credit of the
Participant.
6.3 Vesting.
(a) Restricted
Stock
Units Other Than Performance Stock Units. With respect to Restricted Stock
Units that are not Performance Stock Units, the Committee shall determine the
time period and conditions (such as continued employment or performance
measures) that must be met in order for such Restricted Stock Units to
vest. Restricted Stock Units that are not Performance Stock Units and
have not vested shall vest in full upon the earliest of (i) the Participant’s
death prior to Termination of Service, (ii) the Participant’s Total Disability
prior to Termination of Service, (iii) the Participant’s Retirement, (iv) the
Participant’s involuntary Termination of Service without cause, or (v) a Change
in Control. Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall be
forfeited upon the Participant’s voluntary Termination of Service (other than
Retirement) or the Participant’s involuntary Termination of Service for cause,
as determined by the Committee and a majority of the Independent
Directors.
(b) Performance
Stock Units. The Committee shall determine the extent to which a
Participant’s Performance Stock Units vest after the end of the relevant
Performance Period, based on the Performance Program Targets established in
accordance with Article 8 and achieved for such Period. As promptly as
practicable after the end of the Performance Period, the Committee shall, in
accordance with Article 8, determine the extent to which the Performance Program
Targets have been achieved. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4,
the extent to which Performance Stock Units vest shall be based solely on the
achievement of Performance Program Targets, in accordance with Article 8; the
Committee shall not have the discretion to increase the extent to which such
Performance Stock Units vest. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and
Section 9.4, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any
reason prior to the date Performance Stock Units would otherwise vest, the
Participant shall forfeit all Performance Stock Units granted with respect
to
such Performance Period. Performance Stock Units shall vest on the date the
Committee makes its determinations regarding achievement of Performance Program
Targets in accordance with Article 8, but only to the extent such targets are
achieved.
(c) Payment.
Except as otherwise provided in the agreement evidencing the Participant’s
Restricted Stock Unit grant, payment with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit
shall be made on the Short-Term Deferral Date.
6.4 Dividend
Equivalent Rights. The Company shall credit to the Participant’s
bookkeeping account, on each date that the Company pays a cash dividend to
holders of Common Stock generally, an additional number of Restricted Stock
Units equal to the total number of Restricted Stock Units credited to the
Participant’s bookkeeping account on such date, multiplied by the dollar amount
of the per share cash dividend, and divided by the Fair Market Value of a share
of Common Stock on such date. Restricted Stock Units attributable to such
dividend equivalent rights shall be subject to the same terms and conditions
as
the Restricted Stock Units to which such dividend equivalent rights
relate.
7.
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE UNITS
7.1 Grants.
The Committee may grant Performance Incentive Units to an Employee with respect
to a Performance Period. However, no Participant shall receive, under the terms
of the Plan, compensation payable in cash attributable to his or her Performance
Incentive Units during any one calendar year in an amount in excess of the
lesser of five (5) times the Participant’s base salary, or five million dollars
($5,000,000). The granting of any Performance Incentive Unit, including the
terms thereof in accordance with Sections 6.2 and 6.3, shall be subject in
all
respects to the approval of a majority of the Independent
Directors.
7.2 Stated
Value and Change in Performance Targets.
(a) Stated
Value. Within the period set forth in Section 8.2, and subject to the
approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Committee shall
establish the value (which shall be expressed in dollars) of Performance
Incentive Units (the “Stated Value”) to be granted to a Participant with respect
to a Performance Period, and shall fix the percentage, if any, of the Stated
Value to be earned upon the achievement of the Performance Program Targets
established for the relevant Performance Period. In no event, however, shall
the
percentage of Stated Value to be earned upon achievement of the maximum
Performance Program Target established with respect to a Performance Period
exceed 200% of Stated Value fixed for that Performance Period.
(b) Change
in Performance Targets. If the Committee determines that an unforeseen
change during a Performance Period in the Company’s business operations,
corporate structure, capital structure, or manner in which it conducts business
is significant, nonrecurring and material and that the Performance Program
Targets established for the Performance Period are no longer suitable, the
Committee may, but only with the approval of a majority of the Independent
Directors, modify the Performance Program Targets as it deems appropriate and
equitable; provided, however, that no such modification shall
increase the Performance Program Targets in effect for any Performance Period
(i.e., establish a target that is more difficult to achieve than the
original Performance Program Target); and provided, further, that no such
modification shall be made that would cause the benefits payable to a Covered
Employee with respect to such Performance Program Target to fail to qualify
as
“performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section
162(m).
7.3 Payment.
As promptly as practicable after the end of each Performance Period, the
Committee shall determine, subject to completion of any necessary audits and
the
approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, its determination of the
earned percentage of Stated Value of the Performance Incentive Units granted
with respect to such completed Performance Period. The Company shall, on the
Short-Term Deferral Date, pay to each Participant holding Performance Incentive
Units granted with respect to such completed Performance Period, for each such
Performance Incentive Unit held by him or her, an amount equal to the product
obtained by multiplying Stated Value by the earned percentage of Stated Value;
provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8.4 and
Section 9.4, no amounts shall be due or payable with respect to any Performance
Incentive Units if the Participant to whom such Performance Incentive Units
have
been granted incurs a Termination of Service for any reason prior to the date
the payment would otherwise be made with respect to such Performance Incentive
Units.
8.
COMMON RULES FOR PERFORMANCE AWARDS
8.1 In
General. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, this
Article 8 shall apply to Performance Awards. This Article 8 is intended to
ensure that Performance Awards granted to any Participant who is a Covered
Employee shall qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code
Section 162(m). All discretionary actions taken under the Plan with respect
to
such Performance Awards shall be exercised by the Committee, subject at all
times to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
8.2 Committee
Determinations. With respect to Performance Awards, the Committee shall
determine and make a recommendation to the Independent Directors:
(a) The
Employee
to whom the Award shall be granted;
(b) The
type of
Award to be granted;
(c) The
Performance Period applicable to the Award;
(d) The
Performance Program Target(s) applicable to the Award; and
(e) Other
terms
and conditions of the Award consistent with the terms of the Plan.
All
such
determinations shall be made within the first ninety (90) days of the
Performance Period or, if shorter, within the first 25% of such Performance
Period, provided in either case that the outcome is substantially uncertain
when
the Performance Program Targets are established. Each of the above
determinations shall be made by the Committee, subject to the approval of a
majority of the Independent Directors, without any requirement for consistency
among, for example, (i) the types of Awards granted to Participants, and (ii)
the Performance Periods or Performance Program Targets applicable to
Participants or to different types of Awards.
8.3 Performance
Program Targets.
(a) The
Performance Program Targets shall provide an objective method for determining
whether the Performance Program Targets have been achieved, and an objective
method for computing the amount to be paid, or the number of shares of Common
Stock which shall vest or be distributed, to the Participant based on the
attainment of one or more goals included in the Performance Program
Targets.
(b) Performance
Program Targets shall be based upon one or more of the following business
criteria (which may be determined for these purposes by reference to (i) the
Company as a whole, (ii) any of the Company’s subsidiaries, operating divisions,
regional business units or other operating units, or (iii) any combination
thereof): profit before taxes, stock price, market share, gross revenue, net
revenue, pre-tax income, operating income, cash flow, earnings per share, return
on equity, return on invested capital or assets, cost reductions and savings,
return on revenues or productivity, or any other business criteria the Committee
deems appropriate that are approved by a majority of the Independent Directors,
which may be modified at the discretion of the Committee to take into account
significant nonrecurring items or which may be adjusted to reflect such costs
or
expense as the Committee deems appropriate, provided that any modifications
are
approved by majority of the Independent Directors; provided,
however, that with respect to Performance Awards granted to a Covered
Employee, any such modification or adjustment shall be established not later
than the end of the period stated in Section 8.2. Performance Program Targets
may also be based upon a Participant’s attainment of personal objectives with
respect to any of the foregoing business criteria or implementing policies
and
plans, negotiating transactions and sales, developing long-term business goals
or exercising managerial responsibility, or any other criteria the Committee
deems appropriate that are approved by majority of the Independent Directors;
provided, however, that with respect to a Covered Employee, such
objectives and criteria are consistent with the goal of providing for
deductibility under Code Section 162(m).
(c) Measurements
of actual performance against the Performance Program Targets shall be
objectively determinable and shall, to the extent applicable, be determined
according to generally accepted accounting principles as in existence on the
date on which the Performance Program Targets are established and, without
regard to any changes in such principles after such date, except where the
Committee has specified that such changes shall be taken into account and,
with
respect to Covered Employees, such specification is made not later than the
end
of the period set forth in Section 8.2. The Committee may provide for
appropriate adjustments to any business criteria used in connection with
measuring attainment of Performance Program Targets to take into account
fluctuations in exchange rates, where relevant, provided that the adjustments
are approved by the Independent Directors.
8.4
Termination of Service Prior to End of Restriction Period, Vesting or
Payment Date.
(a) Employment
Requirement. Except as provided in Section 9.4, no Performance Award shall
be payable under the Plan to any Participant who incurs a Termination of Service
prior to the date the Restriction Period ends (with respect to Performance
Stock), or the date the Performance Period ends (with respect to Performance
Incentive Units) unless the Participant incurs a Termination of Service prior
to
such date, but after one-half of the Performance Period has elapsed, on account
of his or her death or Total Disability, or after attainment of his or her
“normal retirement age” or “early retirement age” as such terms are defined in
the Aceto Corporation 401(k) Plan, or under such other circumstances as the
Committee shall determine and the Independent Directors shall approve; except
as
provided in Section 9.4, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Service prior
to the date the Restriction Period ends (with respect to Performance Stock),
the
date of vesting (with respect to Performance Stock Units), or the date the
payment would otherwise be made (with respect to Performance Incentive Units)
under any circumstances other than those described above or
unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, specifically provides
for payment of the Participant’s Performance Award if the Participant incurs a
Termination of Service after the end of the Performance Period but before such
date payment would otherwise be made, the Performance Award shall be forfeited
on the date of such Termination of Service.
(b) Proration
of Performance Award.
(i) If
a
Participant is on a leave of absence during a Performance Period, the
Participant’s Performance Award shall be prorated based on active service during
the Performance Period, except as provided in Section 9.4.
(ii) If
a Participant incurs a Termination of Service under the circumstances set forth
in Section 8.4(a), any Performance Award payable shall be prorated based on
active service during the Performance Period, except as provided in Section
9.4.
8.5 Conditions
to Payment or Vesting. No Participant may receive any payment (of
unrestricted Common Stock or cash) with respect to a Performance Award unless
and until (A) the Plan is approved by the Company’s shareholders, and (B) except
as provided in Section 9.4, the Committee has certified in writing that the
Performance Program Target or Targets for a Performance Period have been
achieved and the Independent Directors have approved the Performance Program
Target or Targets set by the Committee.
9.
CHANGE IN CONTROL
9.1 Stock
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon the occurrence of a Change in
Control, all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted and outstanding
under the Plan to such Participant shall become immediately exercisable in
full
regardless of any terms of such an Award to the contrary; provided,
however, that the extent to which a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation
Right is exercisable shall not be increased under this Section if the
Participant incurred a Termination of Service before the Change in
Control.
9.2 Restricted
Stock other than Performance Stock. Upon the occurrence of a Change in
Control, the restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse with respect
to
all Restricted Stock other than Performance Stock outstanding on the date of
the
Change in Control; provided,however, that this section shall not
apply and the provisions of Section 5.3 shall apply to a participant
who before the Change in Control incurred a Termination of Service because
of a
voluntary resignation (other than a Retirement) or an involuntary termination
for cause as determined by the Committee and a majority of the Independent
Directors .
9.3 Restricted
Stock Units other than Performance Stock Unit. Upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control, the restrictions described in Section 6.2 shall lapse with
respect to all Restricted Stock Units other than Performance Stock Units
outstanding on the date of the Change in Control;
provided,however, that this section shall not apply and the
provisions of Section 6.3 shall apply to a participant who before the Change
in
Control incurred a voluntary Termination of Service (other than a
Retirement) or an involuntary termination for cause as determined by the
Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors.
9.4
Performance Awards.
(a) In
General. This Section 9.4 shall apply in the case of a Performance Award to
a Participant who is an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant on the
day
before the Change in Control.
(b) Performance
Stock. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the
event of a Change in Control, (i) with respect to Performance Stock that is
(A)
held by a Participant described in subsection (a), and (B) relates to a
Performance Period that ended before the date of the Change in Control, the
restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse on the date of such Change
in
Control based on achievement during the applicable Performance Period, and
(ii)
the Company (or any successor thereto as a result of the Change in Control)
shall pay (in cash or unrestricted Common Stock) to each Participant described
in subsection (a) (or his or her beneficiary) the pro rata portion of the
Participant’s Performance Stock with respect to any Performance Period in which
such Change in Control occurs, such payment to be made on as soon as
practicable, but in no event later than the 15th day of
the third
month following such Change in Control. The pro rata portion shall be calculated
on the fractional portion (the numerator of the fraction being the number of
days between the first day of the applicable Performance Period and the date
of
such Change in Control, and the denominator being the total number of days
in
the applicable Performance Period) of the Performance Stock for which the
restrictions described in Section 5.2 would have lapsed had the Change in
Control not occurred, and the target level of performance been achieved for
the
applicable Performance Period.
(c) Performance
Stock
Units. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the
event of a Change in Control, (i) with respect to a Performance Stock Unit
that
is (A) held by a Participant described in subsection (a), and (B) relates to
a
Performance Period that ended before the date of the Change in Control, the
restrictions described in Section 6.2 shall lapse on the date of such Change
in
Control based on achievement during the applicable Performance Period, and
(ii)
the Company (or any successor thereto as a result of the Change in Control)
shall pay (in cash or unrestricted Common Stock) to each Participant described
in subsection (a) (or his or her beneficiary) the pro rata portion of the
Participant’s Performance Stock with respect to any Performance Period in which
such Change in Control occurs, such payment to be made on as soon as
practicable, but in no event later than the 15th day of
the third
month following such Change in Control. The pro rata portion shall be calculated
on the fractional portion (the numerator of the fraction being the number of
days between the first day of the applicable Performance Period and the date
of
such Change in Control, and the denominator being the total number of days
in
the applicable Performance Period) of the Performance Stock Unit for which
the
restrictions described in Section 6.2 would have lapsed had the Change in
Control not occurred, and the target level of performance been achieved for
the
applicable Performance Period.
(d) Performance
Incentive Units. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary,
this subsection (d) shall apply in the event of a Change in Control;
provided, however, that in the event any payment under this
subsection (d) on account of a Change in Control would not qualify as a
short-term deferral (within the meaning of regulations under Code Section 409A),
this subsection (d) shall apply to such payment only in the event such Change
in
Control is also a change in control within the meaning of regulations issued
under Code Section 409A:
(i) Performance
Incentive Units that are (A) held by a Participant described in subsection
(a),
and (B) relate to a Performance Period that ended before the date of the Change
in Control, shall be paid to such Participant on the date of such Change in
Control (or as soon as practicable thereafter), based on achievement during
the
applicable Performance Period; and
(ii)
The Company (or any successor thereto as a result of the Change in Control)
shall pay to each Participant described in subsection (a) (or his or her
beneficiary) the pro rata portion of the Participant’s Performance Incentive
Units (in cash) with respect to any Performance Period in which such Change
in
Control occurs, such payment to be made on the as soon as practicable, but
in no
event later than the 15th day of
the third
month following such Change in Control. The pro rata portion shall be calculated
on the fractional portion (the numerator of the fraction being the number of
days between the first day of the applicable Performance Period and the date
of
such Change in Control, and the denominator being the total number of days
in
the applicable Performance Period) of the amount that would have been payable
had the Change in Control not occurred, and the target level of performance
been
achieved for the applicable Performance Period.
10.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
10.1 Agreement.
Each Equity Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an agreement
between the Company and the Participant which shall set forth the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to the Equity Award, and such terms and
conditions of the Equity Award as the Committee may determine that are not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, Code Section 409A and, for Incentive
Stock Options, Code Section 422, subject in all respects to the approval of
a
majority of the Independent Directors.
10.2 Adjustments
Upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of changes to the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company through reorganization, merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock splits, stock dividend,
spin-off, stock consolidation or otherwise, or in the event of a sale of all
or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, an appropriate and proportionate
adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares as to which Awards
may
be granted. A corresponding adjustment changing the number and kind of shares
issuable upon exercise or vesting of outstanding Stock Options, Stock
Appreciation Rights and/or Restricted Stock Units (as well as the exercise
price
of outstanding Stock Options and the amount over which appreciation of
outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights is measured) shall likewise be made.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
in lieu of adjustments as aforesaid, the Committee, subject to the approval
of a
majority of the Independent Directors, may in its discretion accelerate the
date
after which a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right may or may not be
exercised or the stated expiration date thereof and may accelerate the
termination date of any Award or Performance Period then in effect;
provided, however, that not fewer than seven (7) days’ advance
notice shall be provided to each Participant whose Award is to be so terminated.
Subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, adjustments
or changes under this Section shall be made by the Committee, which
determination, as so approved, as to what adjustments or changes shall be made,
and the extent thereof, shall be final, binding, and conclusive;
provided, however, that no such adjustment or change shall cause
the modification (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) of an
outstanding Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
10.3 Non-Transferability.
No Incentive Stock Option, Restricted Stock, or Performance Incentive Unit
shall
be assignable or transferable by the Participant except by will or the laws
of
descent and distribution or pursuant to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order
(QDRO). No Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable during the Participant’s
lifetime by any person other than the Participant or his or her guardian or
legal representative. Except as provided in the agreement evidencing a
Participant’s Award, such limits on assignment, transfer and exercise shall also
apply to Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
10.4 Withholding.
The Company’s obligations in connection with this Plan shall be subject to
applicable Federal, state, and local tax withholding requirements. If the
Participant shall either fail to pay, or make arrangements satisfactory to
the
Committee and the Independent Directors for the payment, to the Company of
all
such Federal, state, and local taxes required to be withheld by the Company,
then the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct
from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant an amount equal
to any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required to be withheld by
the
Company. The amount of this withholding shall not exceed the minimum tax
withholding.
10.5 Compliance
with Law and Approval of Regulatory Bodies. No Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right shall be exercisable and no shares will be delivered under
the Plan except in compliance with all applicable Federal and state laws and
regulations including, without limitation, compliance with all Federal and
state
securities laws and withholding tax requirements and with the rules of The
Nasdaq Stock Market and of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Common
Stock may be listed. Any share certificate issued to evidence shares for which
a
Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right is exercised or for which an Award
has
been granted may bear legends and statements that the Committee, upon the advice
of counsel, shall deem advisable to assure compliance with Federal and state
laws and regulations. No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be
exercisable and no shares will be delivered under the Plan, until the Company
has obtained consent or approval from regulatory bodies, Federal or state,
having jurisdiction over such matters. In the case of a payment (in cash or
Common Stock) with respect to an Award to a person or estate acquiring the
right
to payment as a result of the death of the Participant, the Committee and/or
the
Independent Directors may require reasonable evidence as to the ownership of
the
Award and may require consents and releases of taxing authorities that it may
deem advisable.
10.6 No
Right to Employment. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor its operation,
nor any document describing or referring to the Plan, or any part thereof,
nor
the granting of any Award shall confer upon any Participant under the Plan
any
right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, or shall
in
any way affect the right and power of the Company to terminate the employment
of
any Participant at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor, to
the
same extent as might have been done if the Plan had not been
adopted.
10.7 Exclusion
from Pension Computations. By acceptance of a grant of an Award under the
Plan, the recipient shall be deemed to agree that any income realized upon
the
receipt, exercise, or vesting thereof or upon the disposition of the shares
received upon exercise will not be taken into account as “base remuneration,”
“wages,” “salary,” or “compensation” in determining the amount of any
contribution to or payment or any other benefit under any pension, retirement,
incentive, profit-sharing, or deferred compensation plan of the Company, except
to the extent any such amount is taken into consideration under the express
terms of any such plan.
10.8 Interpretation
of the Plan. Headings are given to the Articles and Sections of the Plan
solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings, numbering,
and
paragraphing shall not in any case be deemed in any way material or relevant
to
the construction of the Plan or any provision hereof. The use of the masculine
gender shall also include within its meaning the feminine. The use of the
singular shall also include within its meaning the plural and vice
versa.
10.9 Use
of Proceeds. Funds received by the Company upon the exercise of Stock
Options granted under the Plan shall be used for the general corporate purposes
of the Company.
10.10 Construction
of Plan. The place of administration of the Plan shall be in the State of
New York, and the validity, construction, interpretation, administration, and
effect of the Plan and of its rules and regulations, and rights relating to
the
Plan, shall be determined solely in accordance with the laws of the State of
New
York (without reference to principles of conflicts of laws) to the extent
Federal law is not applicable.
10.11 Successors.
The provisions of the Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Company
and its successors and assigns. The term “successors” as used herein shall
include any corporate or other business entity which shall, whether by merger,
consolidation, share exchange, purchase or otherwise, acquire all or
substantially all of the business and assets of the Company.
10.12 Unfunded
Plan. Except as provided in Article 5, the Plan shall be unfunded and the
Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time
be
represented by Awards under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person
with respect to any Award under this Plan shall be based solely upon any
contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to the Plan. No such
obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or
other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.
10.13 No
Warranty of Tax Effect. Except as may be contained in any Award Agreement,
no opinion shall be deemed to be expressed or warranties made as to the effect
of foreign, federal, state or local tax on any awards.
[This
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ACETO
CORPORATION
ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned, revoking all previous proxies, hereby constitutes and appoints
Leonard S. Schwartz and Douglas Roth, and each of them, proxies with full power
of substitution to vote for the undersigned all shares of Aceto Corporation’s
Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally
present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on December 6, 2007
at
the Company’s offices, One Hollow Lane, Suite 201, Lake Success, New York 11042,
at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, and at any adjournment thereof, upon
the
matters described in the accompanying Proxy Statement and upon any other
business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Said proxies are directed to vote or refrain from voting as checked on the
reverse side upon the matters listed on the reverse side, and otherwise in
their
discretion.
PLEASE
INDICATE HOW YOUR SHARES ARE TO BE VOTED. IF NO SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
ARE
GIVEN, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS RECOMMENDED BY
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR
ALL” IN ITEM 1 AND “FOR” ITEMS 2 AND 3.
ACETO
CORPORATION
P.O.
BOX
11199
NEW
YORK,
N.Y. 10203-0199
Item
1: Election of Directors
Nominees: Leonard
S. Schwartz, Robert A. Wiesen, Stanley H. Fischer, Albert L. Eilender, Hans
C.
Noetzli and William N. Britton.
FOR
ALL: ____
|
WITHOLD
FOR ALL: ____
|
*EXCEPTIONS: ____
|
(INSTRUCTIONS:
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the “Exceptions”
box above and write that nominee’s name in the space provided
below.)
*Exceptions
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Item
2: To approve the Aceto Corporation 2007 Long-Term Performance
Incentive Plan.
FOR: ____
|
AGAINST:
____
|
ABSTAIN: ____
|
Item
3: Ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal
year.
FOR: ____
|
AGAINST:
____
|
ABSTAIN: ____
|
Item
4: In their discretion with respect to such other business as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Change
of
Address Mark Here-
(Please
sign, date and return this proxy in the enclosed postage prepaid
envelope.)
NOTE: Please
sign exactly as your name appears on this proxy. If shares are held
jointly, each joint owner should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as
such. Proxies executed by a corporation must be signed with the full
corporate name by a duly authorized officer.
___________________________________
|
___________________________________
|
___________________________________
|
Date
|
Share
Owner sign here
|
Co-Owner
sign here (if applicable)
|