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
Filed
by
the Registrant [x]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy
Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission
Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy
Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material under ss. 240.14a-12
Crown
Holdings, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as
Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1)
|
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
|
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(2)
|
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
|
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(3)
|
Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
|
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
[ ] Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] |
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) Amount
Previously Paid:
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2) Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
|
Crown
Holdings, Inc.
One
Crown Way
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19154
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
2006
NOTICE
IS
HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of CROWN HOLDINGS, INC.
(the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s office located at One Crown Way,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the 27th day of April 2006 at 9:30 a.m. to
elect
Directors; to ratify the appointment of independent auditors for the fiscal
year
ending December 31, 2006; to consider and act upon a resolution to adopt
the
2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan, which resolution the Board
of
Directors unanimously recommends; and to transact such other business as
may
properly come before the Meeting.
The
stock
transfer books of the Company will not be closed prior to the Meeting. Only
Shareholders of Common Stock of record as of the close of business on March
14,
2006 will be entitled to vote.
By
Order of the Board of Directors
WILLIAM
T. GALLAGHER
Senior
Vice President, Secretary &
General
Counsel
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
March
24,
2006
WE
CORDIALLY INVITE YOU AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL ATTEND THE
MEETING
IN PERSON, BUT, IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND,
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REQUESTS THAT YOU SIGN THE PROXY
AND
RETURN IT, WITHOUT DELAY, IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
OR
REGISTER YOUR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR THROUGH THE
INTERNET
AS DESCRIBED ON THE PROXY CARD.
(THIS
PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
Crown
Holdings, Inc.
One
Crown Way
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19154
PROXY
STATEMENT - MEETING, April 27, 2006
TO
ALL
SHAREHOLDERS:
The
accompanying Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company
for use
at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 27, 2006, and,
if
properly executed, shares represented thereby will be voted by the named
Proxies
at such Meeting. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company.
The Company has engaged D.F. King & Co., Inc. (“King”) to assist in the
solicitation of proxies for a fee of $9,000 plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket
expenses and certain additional fees for services rendered by King in connection
with such solicitation. Certain Officers and employees of the Company may
also
solicit proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile or in person without any extra
compensation. Any Shareholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it at
any
time before it is voted by giving written notice of revocation to the Secretary
of the Company, by executing and delivering a later-dated Proxy or by voting
in
person at the Meeting.
The
persons named as Proxies were selected by the Board of Directors of the Company,
and all are Officers of the Company.
The
Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005, containing audited financial
statements, is being mailed to Shareholders contemporaneously with this Proxy
Statement and accompanying Proxy, i.e., on or about March 24, 2006.
On
March
3, 2006, there were 167,534,780 outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value
$5.00 per share (“Common Stock”).
Shareholders
of Common Stock of record as of March 14, 2006 are entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Shareholders
may be represented by proxy at the Meeting by completing and returning the
Proxy
or voting by telephone or by Internet. The presence, in person or by proxy,
of
Shareholders entitled to cast a majority of votes will be necessary to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Proxies solicited herein
will be voted, and if the person solicited specifies by means of the ballot
provided in the Proxy a choice with respect to matters to be acted upon,
the
shares will be voted in accordance with such specification. Votes withheld
from
Director nominees, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in
determining the presence of a quorum. Under Pennsylvania law and the Company’s
By-Laws, votes withheld from Director nominees, abstentions and broker non-votes
are not considered to be “votes” and, therefore, will not be given effect either
as affirmative or negative votes. Directors are elected by plurality vote.
Other
matters are determined by a majority of the votes cast.
The
Company has, to its knowledge, no beneficial owner of more than 5 percent
of the
Common Stock outstanding as of March 3, 2006.
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
persons named in the Proxy shall vote the shares for the nominees listed
below,
all of whom are now Directors of the Company, to serve as Directors for the
ensuing year or until their successors shall be elected. None of the persons
named as a nominee for Director has indicated that he or she will be unable
or
will decline to serve. In the event that any of the nominees are unable or
decline to serve, which the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
of the
Board of Directors does not believe will happen, the persons named in the
Proxy
will vote for the remaining nominees and others who may be selected by the
Board
of Directors.
The
By-Laws of the Company provide for a variable number of Directors from 10
to 18.
The Board of Directors has currently fixed the number of Directors at 12.
It is
intended that the Proxies will be voted for the election of the 12 nominees
named below as Directors, and no more than 12 will be nominated by the Company.
The principal occupations stated below are the occupations which the nominees
have had during at least the last five years.
One
of
the Company’s current Directors, Jim L. Turner, has not previously been elected
by the Shareholders. Mr. Turner was recommended by the Company’s Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The
Board
of Directors recommends that Shareholders vote FOR election of each of the
nominees named below. The names of the nominees and information concerning
them
and their associations as of March 3, 2006, as furnished by the nominees,
follow.
Name
|
Age
|
Principal
Occupation
|
Year
Became
Director
|
Jenne
K. Britell (b)
|
63
|
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Structured Ventures; former Executive
Officer of several General Electric financial services companies;
also a
Director of Lincoln National Corporation, Aames Investment Corporation,
U.S.-Russia Investment Fund, Quest Diagnostics and West Pharmaceutical
Services
|
2000
|
John
W. Conway (a)
|
60
|
Chairman
of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer; also a Director
of
PPL Corporation
|
1997
|
|
|
|
|
Arnold
W. Donald (c)
|
51
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer of The Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation International; former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of
Merisant Company; also a Director of Oil-Dri Corporation of America,
Carnival Corporation, The Scotts Company, The Laclede Group and
Russell
Corporation
|
1999
|
|
|
|
|
Marie
L. Garibaldi (d)
|
71
|
Former
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey
|
2000
|
|
|
|
|
William
G. Little (b), (d)
|
63
|
Former
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of West Pharmaceutical Services;
also
a Director of Constar International and Ligocyte
Pharmaceuticals
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
Age
|
Principal
Occupation
|
Year
Became
Director
|
Hans
J. Löliger (c), (d)
|
63
|
Vice
Chairman of Winter Group; former Chief Executive Officer of SICPA
Group;
also a Director of Fritz Meyer Holding, Cronat Holding and Bühler
Holding
|
2001
|
Thomas
A. Ralph
|
65
|
Partner,
Dechert LLP
|
1998
|
Hugues
du Rouret (b)
|
67
|
Chairman
of Beaulieu Patrimoine; former Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Shell France; also a Director of Gras Savoye and Banque
Saint-Olive
|
2001
|
Alan
W. Rutherford (a)
|
62
|
Vice
Chairman of the Board, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
|
1991
|
Harold
A. Sorgenti (a), (c), (d)
|
71
|
General
Partner of Sorgenti Investment Partners; former Chief Executive
Officer of
Arco Chemical and former Chairman of Freedom Chemical; also a Director
of
Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation
|
1990
|
Jim
L. Turner (c)
|
60
|
Principal
of JLT Beverages L.P.; former Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group; also Treasurer of
American
Beverage Association and a Director of Baylor Health Care System,
Baylor
University and Dean Foods
|
2005
|
William
S. Urkiel (b)
|
60
|
Former
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of IKON Office
Solutions
|
2004
|
-------------------------------------------------------
(a) Member
of the Executive Committee
|
(c)
|
Member
of the Compensation Committee
|
(b) Member
of the Audit Committee
|
(d)
|
Member
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee
|
-------------------------------------------------------
COMMON
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
following table shows, as of March 3, 2006, the number of shares of Common
Stock
beneficially owned by each Director, the Company’s five Executive Officers who
were the highest paid during 2005 and all Directors and Executive Officers
as a
group. The Directors and Executive Officers of the Company have sole voting
and
investment power with respect to the securities of the Company listed in
the
table below.
Name
|
|
Amount
of Securities
of
the Company
Owned
Beneficially, Directly or Indirectly
|
|
Percentage
of
Outstanding
Shares
|
|
William
R. Apted(1)
|
|
|
382,628
|
|
|
*
|
|
Jenne
K. Britell
|
|
|
62,946
|
|
|
*
|
|
John
W. Conway(2)(3)
|
|
|
2,142,472
|
|
|
1.28
|
%
|
Arnold
W. Donald
|
|
|
61,753
|
|
|
*
|
|
Marie
L. Garibaldi
|
|
|
43,753
|
|
|
*
|
|
William
G. Little
|
|
|
10,627
|
|
|
*
|
|
Hans
J. Löliger
|
|
|
41,225
|
|
|
*
|
|
Frank
J. Mechura(4)
|
|
|
589,894
|
|
|
*
|
|
Thomas
A. Ralph
|
|
|
42,453
|
|
|
*
|
|
Hugues
du Rouret
|
|
|
30,730
|
|
|
*
|
|
Alan
W. Rutherford(3)(5)
|
|
|
1,487,224
|
|
|
*
|
|
Harold
A. Sorgenti
|
|
|
57,503
|
|
|
*
|
|
Jim
L. Turner
|
|
|
841
|
|
|
*
|
|
William
S. Urkiel
|
|
|
4,560
|
|
|
*
|
|
William
H. Voss(6)
|
|
|
431,369
|
|
|
*
|
|
Directors
and Executive Officers as a Group of 17(3)(7)
|
|
|
5,784,280
|
|
|
3.45
|
%
|
_______________________________________
*Less
than
1%.
(1)
|
Includes
264,250 shares of Common Stock subject to presently exercisable
options
held by Mr. Apted.
|
(2)
|
Includes
1,591,000 shares of Common Stock subject to presently exercisable
options
held by Mr. Conway.
|
(3)
|
Excludes
5,740,815 shares of Common Stock held in the Crown Cork & Seal
Company, Inc. Master Retirement Trust on behalf of various Company
pension
plans (the “Trust Shares”). Messrs. Conway and Rutherford are each members
of the Benefits Plan Investment Committee of the trust, which has
sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to the Trust Shares,
but
disclaim beneficial ownership of the Trust Shares.
|
(4)
|
Includes
452,750 shares of Common Stock subject to presently exercisable
options
held by Mr. Mechura.
|
(5)
|
Includes
1,248,000 shares of Common Stock subject to presently exercisable
options
held by Mr. Rutherford.
|
(6)
|
Includes
375,500 shares of Common Stock subject to presently exercisable
options
held by Mr. Voss.
|
(7)
|
Includes
4,274,000 shares of Common Stock subject to presently exercisable
options
held by certain Directors and Executive
Officers.
|
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Meetings
of the Board of Directors.
In 2005,
there were seven meetings of the Board of Directors. Each incumbent Director
of
the Company attended at least 75% of the aggregate meetings held by the Board
of
Directors and by the Committees on which he or she served.
Attendance
at the Annual Meeting. Under
the
Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, members of the Board of Directors are
expected to attend the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Last year, each
of the Directors serving on the Board at the time attended the Annual Meeting
of
Shareholders.
Director
Independence. The
Board
of Directors has determined that Jenne K. Britell, Arnold W. Donald, Marie
L.
Garibaldi, William G. Little, Hans J. Löliger, Hugues du Rouret, Harold A.
Sorgenti, Jim L. Turner and William S. Urkiel are “independent” under the
listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Board made this
determination based on the absence of any of the express disqualifying criteria
set forth in the listing standards and in compliance with the Company’s By-Laws,
which require that a majority of the Board nominees be “Independent Directors.”
A person is an “Independent Director” under the Company’s By-Laws if the
Director is a person who: (1) is not and has not been employed by the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries in an executive capacity within the five years
immediately prior to such person’s nomination; (2) is not (and is not affiliated
with a company or a firm that is) a regular advisor or consultant, for
compensation, to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (3) is not affiliated
with a regular and significant customer or supplier of the Company or any
of its
subsidiaries; (4) does not have a personal services contract with the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries; (5) is not affiliated with a tax-exempt entity that
receives significant contributions from the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
and (6) is not a spouse, parent, sibling or child of any person described
in (1)
through (5), above. Of the remaining Directors, John W. Conway and Alan W.
Rutherford are Executive Officers of the Company, and Thomas A. Ralph is
a
partner in the law firm of Dechert LLP, which performed services for the
Company
in 2005.
Director
Compensation. Directors
who are also employees of the Company receive no additional compensation
for
services as a Director. Directors who are not employees of the Company receive
cash base Director’s fees, annual grants of Company Common Stock and cash
Committee fees and attendance fees. Cash base Director’s fees are $40,000
annually, and cash meeting attendance fees are $1,500 per meeting. Annual
grants
of Company Common Stock consist of $60,000 of Company Common Stock under
the
current Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. Cash Committee
fees
are as follows: for the Audit Committee, $15,000 annually for the Chairperson
and $10,000 annually for the other members; for other Committees, $10,000
annually for the Chairperson and $7,500 annually for the other members; for
the
Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, an additional
$10,000 annually for services as Presiding Director; and for all Committee
members, an attendance fee of $1,500 per Committee meeting. In addition,
each
Non-Employee Director first elected to the Board of Directors on or before
April
26, 2001 has been granted 3,000 shares of Company Common Stock subject to
certain restrictions which lapse as to one-fifth of such shares each year
over a
five-year period. The Company discontinued the Pension Plan for Outside
Directors as to Directors elected after July 24, 1997. Non-employee Directors
first elected to the Board of Directors on or before July 24, 1997 also
participate in the Company’s Pension Plan for Outside Directors, which provides
monthly retirement benefits equal to 1/12 of the sum of (x) 50% of the base
annual Director’s fee and (y) 10% of the base annual Director’s fee for each
full year of service in excess of five, up to an annual maximum benefit of
100%
of the base annual Director’s fee. Directors may defer receipt of all, or any
part, of their Director’s fees through participation in the Company’s Deferred
Compensation Plan for Directors.
Director
Stock Ownership. After
four years of service on the Board of Directors, Non-Employee Directors are
required to hold Company Common Stock having a market value of at least
$200,000.
Audit
Committee. In
2005,
the Audit Committee had nine meetings. The Audit Committee provides assistance
to the Board of Directors in discharging its responsibilities in connection
with
the oversight of the financial accounting practices of the Company and the
internal controls related thereto and represents the Board of Directors in
connection with the services rendered by the Company’s independent auditors. The
current members of the Audit Committee are Dr. Britell and Messrs. Little,
du
Rouret and Urkiel. Dr. Britell serves as Chairperson of the Committee. The
Board
of Directors has determined that the Directors who serve on the Audit Committee
are all “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock
Exchange and that Dr. Britell is an “audit committee financial expert” within
the meaning of SEC regulations. The Board of Directors has adopted a written
Audit Committee Charter.
Compensation
Committee. In
2005,
the Compensation Committee met three times. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for the review of the executive compensation program. The current
members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Donald, Löliger, Sorgenti and
Turner, each of whom is “independent” under the listing standards of the New
York Stock Exchange. Mr. Löliger serves as Chairperson of the Compensation
Committee. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Compensation Committee
Charter.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee. There
were two meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in
2005.
The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
are
Justice Garibaldi and Messrs. Little, Löliger and Sorgenti, each of whom is
“independent” under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr.
Sorgenti serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee Charter.
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for leading
the
search for individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors
and
recommending individuals to the Board as Director nominees. The Committee
also
oversees the annual self-evaluation of the Board of Directors and its committees
and the annual evaluation of management by the Board of Directors, makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the membership of committees
of the Board of Directors and performs other corporate governance functions.
Consistent with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Committee
seeks nominees committed to upholding the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and representing the interests of all shareholders,
not
particular shareholder constituencies. The Committee identifies nominees
for
Director by first evaluating the current members of the Board willing to
continue in service. In addition, the Committee regularly assesses the
appropriate size of the Board, whether any vacancies on the Board are expected
because of retirement or otherwise and whether the Board needs Directors
with
particular skills or experience. To identify and evaluate potential candidates
for the Board, the Committee solicits ideas for possible nominees from a
number
of sources, which may include current Board members, senior-level Company
executives and professional search firms. The Committee will also consider
candidates properly submitted by Company Shareholders. Candidates for the
Board
are evaluated through a process that may include background and reference
checks, personal interviews with members of the Committee and a review of
the
candidate’s qualifications and other relevant characteristics.
Shareholders
who wish to suggest qualified candidates may write, via Certified Mail-Return
Receipt Requested, to the Office of the Secretary, Crown Holdings, Inc.,
One
Crown Way, Philadelphia, PA 19154, stating in detail the qualifications of
the
persons they recommend. Shareholders must include a letter from each nominee
affirming that he or she will agree to serve as a Director of the Company
if
elected by Shareholders. However, through its own resources, the Committee
expects to be able to identify an ample number of qualified candidates. See
“Proposals of Shareholders” for information on bringing nominations for the
Board of Directors at the 2007 Annual Meeting.
Executive
Sessions. Under
the
Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Non-Management Directors of the
Company meet periodically at regularly scheduled executive sessions without
Management Directors. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, currently Mr. Sorgenti, serves as the Presiding Director at such
meetings.
Communications
with the Board of Directors. Shareholders
and other interested parties who wish to send communications on any topic
to the
Presiding Director, the Non-Management Directors or the Board as a whole
may do
so by writing to Harold A. Sorgenti, Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, c/o Office of the Secretary, Crown Holdings, Inc.,
One
Crown Way, Philadelphia, PA 19154. Communications will be forwarded to all
Directors if they relate to substantive matters and include information,
suggestions or comments that the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, with the assistance of the Corporate Secretary, deems
appropriate for consideration by the full Board.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics.
The
Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all Directors
and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the
Company’s website at www.crowncork.com/Investors/Corporate_Governance.html and
is also available in print to any Shareholder who requests it. The Company
intends to disclose amendments to and waivers of the Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics on the Company’s website.
Company
Website. The
Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Charters of the Audit,
Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are available
on the Company’s website at
www.crowncork.com/Investors/Corporate_Governance.html. These documents are
also
available in print to any Shareholder who requests them.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation earned
during each of the Company’s last three fiscal years by the Company’s five
Executive Officers who were the highest paid during 2005:
Summary
Compensation Table
|
|
Annual
Compensation
|
|
Long
Term Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
Name
& Principal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compen-
|
|
Stock
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Compen-
|
|
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
sation(1)(2)
|
|
Awards(3)
|
|
Options
|
|
sation(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
|
|
John
W. Conway
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
1,075,000
|
|
|
3,708,750
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,575,752
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
18,461
|
|
-
Chairman of the Board,
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
900,000
|
|
|
1,710,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
650,000
|
|
|
18,386
|
|
President
and
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
900,000
|
|
|
1,282,500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
18,311
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan
W. Rutherford
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
|
1,890,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,169,998
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
—
|
|
-
Vice Chairman of the Board,
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
545,000
|
|
|
872,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
Executive
Vice President and
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
545,000
|
|
|
654,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
—
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
R. Apted
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
550,000
|
|
|
1,402,500
|
|
|
250,901
|
|
|
907,497
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
—
|
|
-
President - European
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
675,000
|
|
|
230,041
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
Division
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
492,458
|
|
|
184,854
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
—
|
|
Frank
J. Mechura
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
550,000
|
|
|
1,402,500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
907,497
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
11,672
|
|
-
President - Americas
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
675,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
11,597
|
|
Division
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
|
386,438
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
11,522
|
|
William
H. Voss
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
|
787,500
|
|
|
115,031
|
|
|
450,003
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
23,354
|
|
-
President - Asia-Pacific
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
310,000
|
|
|
465,000
|
|
|
141,309
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
23,323
|
|
Division
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
310,000
|
|
|
552,002
|
|
|
173,933
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
23,248
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------
(1)
|
The
amount of perquisite and other personal benefits for Messrs. Conway,
Rutherford and Mechura did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or
10% of the
total of annual salary plus bonus.
|
(2)
|
Nearly
all of the amounts listed for Messrs. Apted and Voss were paid
in respect
of their overseas service in Paris and Singapore, respectively,
including
overseas housing expense allowances to Mr. Apted of $73,858 in
2005,
$72,867 in 2004 and $61,954 in 2003 and to Mr. Voss of $46,810
in 2005,
$46,611 in 2004 and $64,357 in 2003 and also including Canadian
tax
equalization payments by the Company for Mr. Apted of $137,914
in 2005,
$105,110 in 2004 and $76,467 in 2003 and U.S. tax equalization
payments by
the Company for Mr. Voss of $0 in 2005, $34,750 in 2004 and $37,172
in
2003.
|
(3)
|
The
amounts shown are the value of the restricted stock awards on the
date of
grant. Each award vests over time and is subject to the executive’s
continued employment with the Company. On January 7, 2005, the
Named
Executive Officers were awarded the following number of shares
of
restricted stock: Mr. Conway - 274,004, Mr. Rutherford - 89,655,
Mr. Apted
- 69,540, Mr. Mechura - 69,540 and Mr. Voss - 34,483. The awards
vest
one-third per year on each of the first, second and third anniversaries
of
the grant date.
|
(4)
|
The
amounts shown in this column for Mr. Conway represent $15,311 of
life
insurance premiums in each of 2005, 2004 and 2003 and $3,150, $3,075
and
$3,000 contributed to the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan in such
years,
for Mr. Mechura represent $8,522 of life insurance premiums in
each of
2005, 2004 and 2003 and $3,150, $3,075 and $3,000 contributed to
the
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan in such years and for Mr. Voss represent
$20,248 of life insurance premiums in each of 2005, 2004 and 2003
and
$3,106, $3,075 and $3,000 contributed to the 401(k) Retirement
Savings
Plan in such years. Any benefits paid pursuant to the above-referenced
insurance policies are credited against amounts payable to the
Executive
Officer under the Senior Executive Retirement
Plan.
|
Effective
January 3, 2000, the Company entered into employment agreements with John
W.
Conway and Alan W. Rutherford. Effective July 22, 2004, the Company entered
into
employment agreements with William R. Apted, Frank J. Mechura and William
H.
Voss. The agreements for Messrs. Conway and Rutherford are each for a five-year
term, and the agreements for Messrs. Apted, Mechura and Voss are each for
a
three-year term. All of the agreements provide for automatic one-year extensions
each year and terminate when the executive reaches age 65. The agreements
provide for a base salary that is periodically reviewed and may be increased
in
accordance with the Company’s regular compensation review policy. In addition,
each of the executives has the opportunity to receive an annual bonus under
the
Company’s executive bonus plans and awards under the Company’s Stock-Based
Incentive Compensation Plans commensurate with each executive’s position with
the Company. The agreements also entitle each of the executives to participate
in the Company’s qualified retirement plans, Senior Executive Retirement Plan
and other employee benefit plans and programs in accordance with the terms
of
those plans and programs.
Messrs.
Conway and Rutherford have agreed that, during their employment and for two
years thereafter, they shall not compete with the Company or solicit Company
employees to terminate employment with the Company. Messrs. Apted, Mechura
and
Voss are all subject to a similar non-competition provision which is limited
to
a one year post-employment period.
Under
the
agreements, if an executive’s employment is terminated because of death or
disability, the Company will pay the executive (or his estate, if applicable)
his base salary through the date of termination and any vested retirement,
incentive or other benefits. In addition, Messrs. Conway and Rutherford (or
their estates, if applicable) are entitled to salary continuation through
the
end of the calendar year in which their death or disability occurs. If an
executive’s employment terminates because of his retirement, the Company will
pay to the executive his base salary through his date of retirement and any
vested retirement, incentive or other benefits. If an executive’s employment
with the Company is terminated for “Cause,” the Company will pay to the
executive only the base salary owed through his date of termination and his
vested retirement, incentive or other benefits.
Under
the
agreements for Messrs. Conway and Rutherford, if the employment of the executive
is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the executive for “Good Reason”
prior to a “Change in Control,” in addition to the executive’s base salary
through the date of termination, the Company will pay to the executive a
lump
sum payment equal to the sum of (i) his expected annual bonus payment, (ii)
any
previously earned bonus payment and (iii) an amount equal to three times
the sum
of the executive’s base salary and his average bonus over the prior three years.
Under the agreements for Messrs. Apted, Mechura and Voss, upon the termination
of the executive under such circumstances, the Company will pay to the executive
(i) his base salary through the date of termination, (ii) salary
continuation for a one year period in accordance with the Company’s normal
payroll practice, and (iii) a lump sum equal to the executive’s target bonus for
the year of termination. In all such cases, the Company will also pay to
the
executive any vested retirement, incentive or other benefits.
If
the
employment of Mr. Conway or Mr. Rutherford is terminated by the Company without
Cause or by the executive for Good Reason during the one year period following
a
Change in Control, such executive will be entitled to the same payments and
benefits described in the preceding paragraph, and all stock options and
restricted stock granted to such executive by the Company will become fully
vested and, in the case of stock options, immediately exercisable. Upon the
termination of Mr. Apted, Mr. Mechura or Mr. Voss by the Company without
Cause
or by such executive for Good Reason during the one year period following
a
Change in Control, the Company will pay to such executive (i) his
base
salary
though the date of termination, (ii) a lump sum equal to two times the sum
of the executive’s base salary and his average bonus over the prior three years,
(iii) a lump sum equal to such executive’s target bonus for the year of
termination, and (iv) all stock options and restricted stock granted to such
executive by the Company will become fully vested and, in the case of stock
options, immediately exercisable.
If
an
executive voluntarily terminates his employment without Good Reason, the
Company
will pay to the executive his base salary through his date of termination,
a
pro-rated annual bonus for the year of termination, and any vested retirement,
incentive or other benefits.
To
the
extent an executive would be subject to the excise tax under Section 4999
of the
Internal Revenue Code on the amounts or benefits to be received from the
Company
and required to be included in the calculation of parachute payments for
purposes of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company
will pay to the executive an additional amount so that the executive will
receive the full amount owed to him under his employment agreement, without
regard to the excise tax or any other taxes imposed on the additional
payment.
Mr.
Mechura borrowed $50,000 on June 19, 1997 and $65,000 on June 3, 2002 from
the
Company in connection with relocation and housing. The loans were payable
on
demand and accrued interest at the prime rate. Mr. Mechura repaid $148,538,
the
full amount of principal and accrued interest on these loans, on February
28,
2005.
Option
Grants In Last Fiscal Year
The
Company’s Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plans are administered by a
committee of the Board of Directors. Options were available for grant under
only
the 2001 and 2004 Plans. The Company did not grant any Stock Options under
these
plans in the last fiscal year to the five Named Executive Officers.
Aggregated
Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option
Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
Value
of Unexercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
Unexercised
|
|
In-The-Money
Options
|
|
|
|
Shares
Acquired
|
|
Value
|
|
Options
at 12/31/05
|
|
at
12/31/05 (2)
|
|
|
|
Upon
Exercise
|
|
Realized
(1)
|
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable
|
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable
|
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
|
|
|
John
W. Conway
|
|
|
1994
Plan
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
87,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1997
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
666,500
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
2,780,700
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
2001
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
885,000
/
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
|
12,817,800
/
|
|
|
808,500
|
|
2004
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
375,000
/
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
4,098,750
/
|
|
|
1,366,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan
W. Rutherford
|
|
|
1994
Plan
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
110,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1997
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
463,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
2,176,200
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
2001
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
360,000
|
|
|
5,245,200
|
|
|
350,000
/
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
4,808,000
/
|
|
|
539,000
|
|
2004
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
300,000
/
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
3,279,000
/
|
|
|
1,093,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
R. Apted
|
|
|
1990
Plan
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
15,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1994
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
7,500
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1997
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000
|
|
|
657,300
|
|
|
193,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
2,134,500
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
2001
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
682,500
|
|
|
37,500
/
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
|
404,250
/
|
|
|
404,250
|
|
2004
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
150,000
/
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
1,639,500
/
|
|
|
546,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank
J. Mechura
|
|
|
1990
Plan
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
20,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1994
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
24,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1997
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
202,500
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
2,618,100
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
2001
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
|
827,200
|
|
|
37,500
/
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
|
404,250
/
|
|
|
404,250
|
|
2004
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
150,000
/
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
1,639,500
/
|
|
|
546,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
H. Voss
|
|
|
1990
Plan
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
71,500
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1994
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
41,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
1997
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
218,000
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
2,027,500
/
|
|
|
0
|
|
2001
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
570,900
|
|
|
30,000
/
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
323,400
/
|
|
|
323,400
|
|
2004
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,500
|
|
|
1,118,250
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
|
0
/
|
|
|
409,875
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------
(1)
|
Value
Realized is the difference between the price of the Company Common
Stock
on the date exercised and the option exercise price.
|
(2)
|
Value
of the Unexercised Options is the difference between the closing
market
price on December 31, 2005 of the Company Common Stock and the
option
exercise price.
|
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides information as of December 31, 2005 with respect
to
shares of the Company’s Common Stock that may be issued under its equity
compensation plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining
Available for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future
Issuance under
|
|
|
|
to
Be Issued upon
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
Equity
Compensation |
|
|
|
Exercise
of
|
|
Exercise
Price of
|
|
Plans
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
Options,
|
|
Outstanding
Options,
|
|
(Excluding
Securities
|
|
Plan
Category
|
|
Warrants
and Rights
|
|
Warrants
and Rights
|
|
Reflected
in Column (a))
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
approved
by security holders
|
|
|
12,137,048
|
(1)
|
$
|
15.01
|
|
|
1,385,053
|
(2)
|
Equity
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
not
approved by security holders
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
0
|
|
Total
|
|
|
12,137,048
|
|
$
|
15.01
|
|
|
1,385,053
|
|
(1)
|
Includes
the 1990, 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2004 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation
Plans.
|
(2)
|
Includes
203,125, 986,554 and 195,374 shares available for issuance at December
31,
2005 under the 2001 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan, the
2004
Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan and the Company’s Stock Purchase
Plan, respectively. The table does not include any shares available
for
issuance under the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors
in
effect in 2005 because the number of shares issuable under the
Plan is
determined by a formula based on the market price of the Common
Stock of
the Company at the time of grant. In 2005, 35,308 shares of Common
Stock,
representing quarterly grants to each Non-Employee Director, worth
$12,500
in the first quarter and $15,000 in the second, third and fourth
quarter,
were granted under that Plan.
|
Retirement
Programs
The
Company maintains a Pension Plan (“Pension Plan”) for certain eligible employees
in the United States meeting minimum eligibility requirements in which four
Named Executive Officers (Messrs. Conway, Rutherford, Mechura and Voss)
participate. The Pension Plan is designed and administered to qualify under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Pension
Plan provides normal retirement benefits at age 65 based on the average of
the
five highest consecutive years of earnings in the last ten years. For purposes
of the Pension Plan, earnings consist of salary excluding any bonus. These
average earnings are multiplied by 1.25%. This result is then multiplied
by
years of service, which yields the annual Company-funded pension benefit.
Under
federal law for 2006, benefits from a qualified retirement plan are limited
to
$175,000 per year and may be based only on the first $220,000 of an employee’s
annual earnings. The benefits payable under the Pension Plan are generally
not
subject to reduction for Social Security or other offset
amounts.
For
illustration purposes, the following table shows estimated maximum annual
Company-funded retirement benefits payable from the Pension Plan to employees
who retire at age 65, assuming the employees receive their benefit as a single
life annuity, without survivor benefits:
Final
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
Years
of Service
|
|
Earnings
|
25
|
30
|
35
|
40
|
45
|
$ 50,000
|
$15,625
|
$18,750
|
$21,875
|
$
25,000
|
$
28,125
|
100,000
|
31,250
|
37,500
|
43,750
|
50,000
|
56,250
|
150,000
|
46,875
|
56,250
|
65,625
|
75,000
|
84,375
|
220,000
|
68,750
|
82,500
|
96,250
|
110,000
|
123,750
|
and
above
|
|
|
|
|
The
Company also maintains the Senior Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) in which
eleven key executives, including the five Named Executive Officers, participate.
In general, the annual benefit for executives eligible to participate in
the
SERP is based upon a formula equal to (i) 2.25% of the average of the five
highest consecutive years of earnings (determined without regard to the limits
imposed on tax qualified plans) times years of service up to twenty years
plus
(ii) 1.67% of such earnings for the next fifteen years plus (iii) at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee, 1% of such earnings for years of
service beyond thirty-five less (iv) Social Security old-age benefits and
the
Company-funded portion of the executive’s Pension Plan benefits and 401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan benefits. Based upon the above, the annual benefit,
estimated as of December 31, 2005, under the SERP at the retirement age of
65,
assuming each executive’s current base salary for 2006, annual salary increases
of 5% and that the executive achieves the current target bonus under the
Company’s executive bonus plan, would be $1,945,069 for Mr. Conway, $1,002,522
for Mr. Rutherford, $472,548 for Mr. Apted, $756,087 for Mr. Mechura and
$400,230 for Mr. Voss.
Participants
in the SERP may elect to take all or part of their annual retirement benefit
in
a lump sum at retirement, the amount of which is determined by present valuing
the actuarially determined future annual payments. The SERP also provides
a
lump-sum death benefit of five times the annual retirement benefit and
subsidized survivor benefits.
SERP
participants vest in their benefits at the earliest of five years of
participation, specified retirement dates, total disability or employment
termination (other than for cause) after a change in control of the Company.
A
“change in control” under the SERP occurs if: 1) a person (other than a Company
employee benefit plan) becomes the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the
voting
power of the Company; 2) over a two year period Directors at the beginning
of
the period and new Directors approved by such Directors cease to constitute
a
majority of the Board; or 3) the Shareholders approve certain mergers or
consolidations, a sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets or a
complete liquidation of the Company.
Years
of
service credited under the Pension Plan and the SERP for the above-Named
Executive Officers are: Mr. Conway - 31 years, Mr. Rutherford - 32 years,
Mr.
Apted - 9 years, Mr. Mechura - 38 years and Mr. Voss - 36 years.
COMPARATIVE
STOCK PERFORMANCE
Comparison
of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return (a)
Crown
Holdings, S&P 500 Index, Dow Jones “U.S. Containers & Packaging” Index
(b)
(a)
|
Assumes
that the value of the investment in Crown Holdings Common Stock
and each
index was $100 on December 31, 2000 and that all dividends were
reinvested.
|
(b)
|
Industry
index is weighted by market capitalization and is comprised of
Crown
Holdings, Aptargroup, Ball, Bemis, Chesapeake, Jarden, MeadWestvaco,
Owens-Illinois, Packaging Corp. of America, Pactiv, Sealed Air,
Smurfit-Stone Container, Sonoco Products and
Temple-Inland.
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed entirely of
Directors who are independent under New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
The Committee is responsible for establishing and administering the Company’s
executive compensation program. This report describes both the principles
under
which the program is administered and the decisions that directly impacted
the
Chief Executive Officer during 2005.
Principles
Our
guiding principle is to provide a program that enables the Company to retain
and
motivate a team of high quality executives who will create long-term value
for
the Shareholders. We do this by:
• Developing
an ownership-oriented program that rewards for long-term improvement in total
Shareholder return;
• Integrating
all facets of the executive compensation program, including benefits available
under employment contracts and the Company’s retirement plans with the Company’s
short and long-term objectives and strategies;
• Regularly
commissioning studies of competitive pay practices within the container industry
and other manufacturing companies to ensure pay opportunities are generally
within competitive norms; and
• Working
with independent management consultants to monitor the effectiveness of the
entire program.
In
order
to improve the Company’s performance and Shareholder value, we must continue to
motivate existing management as well as attract and retain experienced managers
at all levels in the Company. The specific components of the program are
described below.
Base
Salaries -
In order
to attract and retain high quality executives, we endeavor to maintain senior
executive salaries within the competitive market rates as defined by the
container and manufacturing industries. This peer group includes, but is
not
limited to, firms of the Company’s size in the container, non-durable
manufacturing and general industry segments.
Annual
Incentive Bonus - The
Company has an Economic Profit Incentive Plan under which executives are
eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus, up to a designated maximum
annual
bonus amount for each executive, upon the achievement of specific targets.
The
bonus targets are based on quantitative and qualitative elements as generally
follows:
• 50%
is
based on the Company’s economic profit for the year (defined generally as net
profit after tax less cost of capital employed, as adjusted for currency
exchange rates and acquisitions/divestitures);
• 30%
is
based on the Company’s cash flow for the year (defined generally as modified
operating cash flow as adjusted for average working capital variances); and
• 20%
is
based on qualitative factors (such as achievement of key strategic goals,
business unit goals, and agreed-upon personal business goals in helping the
Company to improve operations, efficiency and work procedures).
Long
Term Incentives - The
Committee believes that stock options and other stock-based incentives are
an
important link between the executive and Shareholder interests, and it is
for
that reason that option grants and, more recently, restricted stock grants
have
been a part of the executive compensation program. The program administered
by
the Committee under the Company’s stock-based plans offers annual grants that
vary in size based on the Company’s and the executive’s performance. As part of
its ongoing review of the competitiveness and effectiveness of the Company’s
executive compensation programs, the Committee annually evaluates the components
of the compensation system as well as the desired mix of compensation among
these components. The Committee believes that a substantial portion of the
compensation paid to the Company’s executives should be at risk contingent on
the Company’s operating and market performance. Consistent with this philosophy,
the Committee will continue to place significant emphasis on stock-based
compensation and performance measures, in an effort to more closely align
compensation with Shareholder interests and to increase executives’ focus on the
Company’s long-term performance.
In
summary, the Committee believes that its role in administering the executive
compensation program is critical to the objective of driving performances
to the
ultimate benefit of the Shareholders. Base salaries need to be within
competitive norms so that executives will be attracted, retained and motivated
to fulfill their roles and responsibilities over the long-term. Annual incentive
bonus awards deliver the message that a significant portion of compensation
is
received only when earnings and other strategic goals are achieved. In addition,
benefits realized from long-term incentives, in the form of annual stock-based
incentive grants, require continuous improvement in value created for the
Shareholders.
Specific
Decisions Impacting Compensation for the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Mr.
Conway’s implementation of plans initiated in 2001 and 2002 continues to realize
positive results for the Company. In 2004 and 2005, gross profits improved
over
the prior year by 18% and 12%, respectively. In 2005, the Company successfully
divested its Global Plastic Closure business and refinanced its credit facility
and substantially all of its second and third priority secured notes. In
so
doing, the Company expects to reduce its future interest expense substantially
and improve the future maturity profile of the Company’s outstanding debt. Mr.
Conway also continued to promote investment in emerging markets, particularly
in
Asia and the Middle East, as well as product development to ensure the Company
can continue to offer customers brand enhancing products in the
future.
After
consultation with independent management consultants based on 2004 peer group
results, the Committee decided to move Mr. Conway’s base compensation
(consisting of base salary and annual bonus) to the 62.5 percentile and total
compensation (consisting of base compensation and long-term incentive grants
of
stock options or restricted stock) to the 50th percentile of the peer group.
Mr.
Conway’s base salary was increased from $900,000 to $1,075,000 on January 1,
2005. Mr. Conway earned a bonus in 2005, payable in 2006, of $3,708,750 under
the Economic Profit Incentive Plan, $3,461,500 of which was based upon meeting
the economic profit and cash flow targets. On January 7, 2005, Mr. Conway
was
also granted 274,004 shares of restricted Common Stock, which vest ratably
over
the next three anniversaries of the grant date.
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a deduction for annual
compensation to a public company’s chief executive officer and any of the four
other most highly compensated officers in excess of $1,000,000, unless such
compensation is “performance based” as defined under Section 162(m). All stock
options granted to Crown Executive Officers are “performance based.” A portion
of Messrs. Conway’s, Rutherford’s, Apted’s and Mechura’s 2005 compensation
exceeded the threshold. Because the Company’s cost in realizing tax benefits
under Section 162(m) may outweigh those benefits, the Committee intends to
maintain flexibility to pay compensation that is not entirely deductible
when
sound direction of the Company would make that advisable.
This
report is respectfully submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee
of
the Board of Directors.
|
Hans
J. Löliger, Chairperson
|
|
Arnold
W. Donald
|
|
Harold
A. Sorgenti
|
|
Jim
L. Turner
|
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The
firm
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accountants,
is the
independent auditors for the most recently completed fiscal year. The Audit
Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors
to
audit and report on the Company’s financial statements for 2006.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP performs annual audits of the Company’s financial
statements and assists the Company in the preparation of various tax returns
around the world. A representative or representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. Such representatives
are also expected to be available to respond to questions raised orally at
the
Meeting or submitted in writing to the Office of the Secretary of the Company
before the Meeting.
The
Audit
Committee reviewed the fees of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the fiscal
years
ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004. (1)
Audit Fees
totaled
$7,510,000 and $8,580,000 for the years 2005 and 2004, respectively. These
fees
represent professional services rendered for the audits of the internal controls
and consolidated financial statements of the Company, including the US
integrated financial statement and internal controls audit, statutory audits,
issuance of comfort letters, consents and assistance with review of documents
filed with the SEC. (2) Audit
Related Fees
totaled
$1,639,000 and $208,000 for the years 2005 and 2004, respectively. The fees
were
for an audit of our divested plastic closures business performed during 2005
and
other services for employee benefit plan audits and accounting consultations.
(3) Tax
Fees
totaled
$485,000 and $537,000 for the years 2005 and 2004, respectively. The fees
were
for tax compliance, including the preparation of tax returns and claims for
refunds. (4) Tax
Advisory Services
totaled
$986,000 and $1,064,000 for the years 2005 and 2004, respectively. These
fees
represent tax planning and advice related to divestitures. (5) All
Other Fees totaled
$119,000 and $58,000 for the years 2005 and 2004, respectively, and were
for
services rendered for translation and other assistance provided primarily
in
non-US subsidiaries. There were no fees associated with financial information
systems design and implementation for 2005 and 2004.
All
of
the services described above were approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. The
Audit Committee also evaluated whether the non-audit fees paid to
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are compatible with maintaining their independence
as
auditors. The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permitted non-audit
services, and related fees, to be performed by its independent auditors.
Under
the Audit Committee Charter, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee has the
authority to review and approve all such proposed fees and reports back to
the
full Audit Committee. Pursuant to this authority, during 2005 the Chairperson
reviewed and approved fees totaling less than $150,000 in the
aggregate.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Audit
Committee provides assistance to the Board of Directors by its oversight
of the
financial accounting practices of the Company and the internal controls related
thereto and represents the Board of Directors in connection with the services
rendered by the Company’s independent auditors, who report directly to the Audit
Committee.
In
fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed
with the Company’s management and its independent auditors the audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and the Company’s system
of internal controls and its effectiveness. Management is responsible for
the
financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal
controls, and has represented to the Committee that such financial statements
were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The
Company’s independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, are responsible for
expressing an opinion as to whether the financial statements fairly present
in
all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash
flows of the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
in the United States. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has informed the Committee
that
they have given such an opinion with respect to the audited financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
The
Audit
Committee discussed with the independent auditors the matters required by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees,
as
amended. In addition, the Committee discussed with the independent auditors
the
auditors’ independence from the Company and its management, including the
matters in the written disclosures and letter which were received by the
Committee from the independent auditors as required by Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as
amended.
Based
on
the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended
to the
Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005.
This
report is respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit Committee of
the
Board of Directors.
|
Jenne
K. Britell, Chairperson
|
|
William
G. Little
|
|
Hugues
du Rouret
|
|
William
S. Urkiel
|
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENTOF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The
Audit
Committee has appointed the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
registered public accountants, as independent auditors to audit and report
on
the Company’s financial statements for 2006.
Although
the submission to Shareholders of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
is not required by law or the Company’s By-Laws, the Audit Committee believes it
is appropriate to submit this matter to Shareholders to allow a forum for
Shareholders to express their views with regard to the Audit Committee’s
selection. In the event Shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit
Committee may reconsider the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A
VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS
LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
2006
STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATIONPLAN
The
Board
of Directors has adopted and recommends that the Shareholders approve the
Crown
Holdings, Inc. 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan. The general
purpose
of the Plan is to assist the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates in
attracting and retaining valued employees, by offering them a greater stake
in
the Company’s success and a closer identity with it and to encourage ownership
of the Company’s stock by such employees. The Plan will accomplish these goals
by allowing eligible employees of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates
to receive awards of deferred stock, restricted stock, options or stock
appreciation rights and cash payments. The number of shares of Company Common
Stock available for awards under the terms of the Plan is 7,500,000 (subject
to
adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and the like) which equals
approximately 4.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company
as
of March 3, 2006. No individual employee may receive more than 750,000 shares
under the Plan during any calendar year. The closing sales price of Company
Common Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange for March 3, 2006 was
$19.39 per share.
Summary
of the Plan
The
following general description of certain features of the Plan is qualified
in
its entirety by reference to the Plan.
General.
The
Plan
authorizes the grant of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock
and
deferred stock (collectively called “Awards”). Options granted under the Plan
may be either “incentive stock options,” as defined in section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), or nonqualified stock options, as determined
by the Committee.
Eligibility.
The
Plan
provides that Awards may be granted to any employee of the Company, its
subsidiaries or affiliates (including a Director of the Company who is such
an
employee).
Administration.
A
committee appointed by the Board (the “Committee”) which will consist of at
least two non-employee outside directors will administer the Plan. Subject
to
the other provisions of the Plan, the Committee has the authority to:
• interpret
the Plan;
• establish
and amend rules and regulations relating to the Plan;
• select
the participants and determine the type of Awards to be made to participants,
the number of shares subject to Awards and the terms, conditions, restrictions
and limitations of Awards; and
• make
all
other determinations it deems necessary or advisable for the administration
of
the Plan.
Each
Award granted under the Plan will be evidenced by a written award agreement
between the participant and the Company, which will describe the Award and
state
the terms and conditions to which the Award is subject. The principal terms
and
conditions of each particular type of Award are described below.
If
any
Award is forfeited, or if any option terminates, expires or lapses without
being
exercised, shares of Common Stock subject to such Award will again be available
for future grant. In addition, any shares under the Plan that are used to
satisfy award obligations under the plan of another entity that
is
acquired
by the Company will not count against the remaining number of shares available.
Finally, if there is any change in the Company’s corporate capitalization, the
Committee in its sole discretion may cancel and make substitutions of Awards
or
may adjust the number of shares available for award under the Plan, the number
and kind of shares covered by Awards then outstanding under the Plan and
the
exercise price of outstanding options and stock appreciation
rights.
Performance
Goals
The
Committee may condition the grant and vesting or exercise of options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock and deferred stock on the achievement
of
performance objectives, including:
— the
price
of Common Stock,
— the
market share of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business
unit thereof),
— sales
by
the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business unit thereof),
— earnings
per share of Common Stock,
— return
on
shareholder equity of the Company,
— costs
of
the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business unit thereof),
— cash
flow
of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business unit thereof),
— return
on
total assets of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business
unit thereof),
— return
on
invested capital of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business
unit thereof),
— return
on
net assets of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business
unit
thereof),
— operating
income of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business unit
thereof),
— net
income of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business unit
thereof), or
— any
other
financial or other measurement relating to the operations of the Company,
its
subsidiaries or affiliates (or any business unit thereof).
Deferred
Stock and Restricted Stock
An
Award
of deferred stock is an agreement by the Company to deliver to the recipient
a
specified number of shares of Common Stock at the end of a specified deferral
period, subject to the fulfillment of conditions specified in the Award
agreement.
An
Award
of restricted stock is a grant to the recipient of a specified number of
shares
of Common Stock which are subject to forfeiture upon specified events during
the
restriction period. Each grant of restricted stock will specify the length
of
the restriction period and will include restrictions on transfer to third
parties during the restriction period. During the restriction period, the
recipient has the right to receive dividends on, and to vote, the shares
of
restricted stock. In the discretion of the Committee, an Award of restricted
stock may provide for a tax reimbursement cash payment in connection with
the
tax consequences resulting from such Award.
Options
An
option
is the right to purchase shares of Common Stock for a specified period of
time
at a fixed price (the “exercise price”). Each option agreement will specify the
exercise price, the type of option, the term of the option, the date when
the
option will become exercisable and any applicable performance
goals.
Exercise
Price.
The
Committee will determine the exercise price of an option at the time the
option
is granted. The exercise price under an option will not be less than 100%
of the
fair market value of Common Stock on the date the option is
granted.
Consideration.
The
means
of payment for shares issued upon exercise of an option will be specified
in
each option agreement and generally may be made in cash, through a broker
or
bank from the proceeds of the sale of the shares purchased through the exercise
of the option (a “cashless exercise”), or, with the Committee’s consent, with
certain other shares of Common Stock owned by the optionee (including restricted
stock). If an option is exercised with restricted stock that has not yet
vested,
the shares received upon exercise of the option will be subject to the same
restrictions as the restricted stock.
Term
of the Option. The
term
of an option granted under the Plan will be no longer than ten years from
the
date of grant.
Stock
Appreciation Rights
A
stock
appreciation right (“SAR”) entitles the recipient to receive, upon exercise of
the SAR, the increase in the fair market value of a specified number of shares
of Common Stock from the date of the grant of the SAR and the date of exercise,
payable in cash, shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof. Any
grant
may specify a waiting period or periods before the SAR may become exercisable
and permissible dates or periods on or during which the SAR shall be
exercisable. No SAR may be exercised more than ten years from the grant date.
General
Provisions
Vesting.
Each
grant of deferred stock shall specify the deferral period and any other
conditions to which future delivery of shares to the recipient is subject,
including any applicable performance goals. Each grant of restricted stock
shall
specify the duration of the restriction period and any other conditions under
which the restricted stock would be forfeitable to the Company, including
any
applicable performance goals. Each grant of options or SARs shall specify
the
length of service and/or any applicable performance goals that must be achieved
before it becomes exercisable.
Nontransferability
of Awards. In
general, during a participant’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable
only by the participant and shall not be transferable other than by will
or the
laws of descent and distribution. However, the Committee may provide for
limited
lifetime transfers of Awards, other than incentive stock options.
Effective
Date, Amendments and Termination of the Plan. The
Plan
will be effective upon its approval by Company shareholders. The Board of
Directors has the authority to amend or terminate the Plan at any time;
provided, however, that shareholder approval is required for any amendment
which
(i) increases the number of shares available for Awards under the Plan (other
than to reflect a change in the Company’s capital structure); (ii) results in
the repricing of any option or SAR; or (iii) is otherwise required by applicable
law or regulation. Finally, the Plan will terminate automatically ten years
after it is approved by shareholders.
Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations
The
following discussion is a summary of certain federal income tax considerations
that may be relevant to participants in the Plan. The discussion is for general
informational purposes only and does not purport to address specific federal
income tax considerations that may apply to a participant based on his or
her
particular circumstances, nor does it address state or local income tax or
other
tax considerations that may be relevant to a participant.
Deferred
Stock. A
participant realizes no taxable income and the Company is not entitled to
a
deduction when deferred stock is awarded. When the deferral period for the
award
ends and the participant receives shares of Common Stock, the participant
will
realize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares at that
time, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. A
participant’s tax basis in shares of Common Stock received at the end of a
deferral period will be equal to the fair market value of such shares when
the
participant receives them. Upon sale of the shares, the participant will
realize
short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon whether at the
time
of sale the shares have been held for more than one year following the end
of
the deferral period. Such gain or loss will be equal to the difference between
the amount realized upon the sale of the shares and the tax basis of the
shares
in the participant’s hands.
Restricted
Stock. Restricted
stock received pursuant to awards will be considered subject to a substantial
risk of forfeiture for federal income tax purposes. If a participant who
receives such restricted stock does not make the election described below,
the
participant realizes no taxable income upon the receipt of restricted stock,
and
the Company is not entitled to a deduction at such time. When the forfeiture
restrictions with respect to the restricted stock lapse the participant will
realize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares at that
time, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. A
participant’s tax basis in restricted stock will be equal to the fair market
value of such shares when the forfeiture restrictions lapse, and the
participant’s holding period for the shares will begin when the forfeiture
restrictions lapse. Upon sale of the shares, the participant will realize
short-term or long-term gain or loss, depending upon whether at the time
of sale
the shares have been held for more than one year following the lapse of the
restrictions. Such gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the
amount realized upon the sale of the shares and the tax basis of the shares
in
the participant’s hands.
Participants
receiving restricted stock may make an election under Section 83(b) of the
Code
with respect to the shares. By making a Section 83(b) election, the participant
elects to realize compensation income with respect to the shares when the
shares
are received rather than at the time the forfeiture restrictions lapse. The
amount of such compensation income will be equal to the fair market value
of the
shares when the participant receives them (valued without taking the
restrictions into account), and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding
deduction at that time. By making a Section 83(b) election, the participant
will
realize no additional compensation income with respect to the shares when
the
forfeiture restrictions lapse and will instead recognize gain or loss with
respect to the shares when they are sold. The participant’s tax basis in the
shares with respect to which a Section 83(b) election is made will be equal
to
the fair market value of such shares when received by the participant, and
the
participant’s holding period for such shares begins at that time. If, however,
the shares are subsequently forfeited to the Company, the participant will
not
be entitled to claim a loss with respect to the shares to the extent of the
income realized by the participant upon the making of the Section 83(b)
election. To make a Section 83(b) election, a participant must file an
appropriate form of election with the Internal Revenue Service and with the
Company, each within 30 days after shares of restricted stock are received,
and
the participant must also attach a copy of his or her election to his or
her
federal income tax return for the year in which the shares are
received.
Generally,
during the restriction period, dividends and distributions paid with respect
to
restricted stock will be treated as compensation income (not dividend income)
received by the participant. Dividend payments received with respect to shares
of restricted stock for which a Section 83(b) election has been made generally
will be treated as dividend income.
Non-Qualified
Options. A
participant realizes no taxable income and the Company is not entitled to
a
deduction when a non-qualified option is granted. Upon exercise of a
non-qualified option, a participant will realize ordinary income equal to
the
excess of the fair market value of the shares received over the exercise
price
of the non-qualified option, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding
deduction. A participant’s tax basis in the shares of Common Stock received upon
exercise of a non-qualified option will be equal to the fair market value
of
such shares on the exercise date, and the participant’s holding period for such
shares will begin at that time. Upon sale of the shares of Common Stock received
upon exercise of a non-qualified option, the participant will realize short-term
or long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon whether the shares have
been
held for more than one year. The amount of such gain or loss will be equal
to
the difference between the amount realized in connection with the sale of
the
shares and the participant’s tax basis in such shares.
Under
the
Plan, non-qualified options may, with the consent of the Committee, be exercised
in whole or in part with shares of Common Stock or restricted stock held
by the
participant. Payment in Common Stock or restricted stock will be treated
as a
tax-free exchange of the shares surrendered for an equivalent number of shares
of Common Stock received, and the equivalent number of shares received will
have
a tax basis equal to the tax basis of the surrendered shares. In the case
of
payment in restricted stock, however, the equivalent number of shares of
Common
Stock received shall be subject to the same risks of forfeiture or restrictions
on transfer as those that applied to the restricted stock surrendered. The
fair
market value of shares of Common Stock received in excess of the number of
shares surrendered will be treated as ordinary income and such shares have
a tax
basis equal to their fair market value on the date of the exercise of the
non-qualified option.
Incentive
Stock Options. A
participant realizes no taxable income and the Company is not entitled to
a
deduction when an incentive stock option is granted or exercised. Provided
the
participant meets the applicable holding period requirements for the shares
received upon exercise of an incentive stock option (two years from the date
of
grant and one year from the date of exercise), gain or loss realized by a
participant upon sale of the shares received upon exercise will be a long-term
capital gain or loss, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction.
If,
however, the participant disposes of the shares before meeting the applicable
holding period requirements (a “disqualifying disposition”), the participant
will realize ordinary income at that time equal to the excess of the fair
market
value of the shares on the exercise date over the exercise price of the
incentive stock option. Any amount realized upon a disqualifying disposition
in
excess of the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date of the
incentive stock option will be treated as capital gain and will be treated
as
long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year.
If
the sales price is less than the sum of the exercise price of the incentive
stock option and the amount included in ordinary income due to the disqualifying
disposition, this amount will be treated as a short-term or long-term capital
loss, depending upon whether the shares have been held for more than one
year.
Under
the
Plan, incentive stock options may, with the consent of the Plan Committee,
be
exercised in whole or in part with shares of Common Stock or restricted stock
held by the participant. Such an exercise will be treated as a tax-free exchange
of the shares of Common Stock or restricted stock surrendered (assuming the
surrender of the previously-owned shares does not constitute a disqualifying
disposition of those shares) for an equivalent number of shares of Common
Stock
received, and the equivalent number of shares received will have a tax basis
equal to the tax basis of the surrendered shares. In the case of payment
in
restricted stock, however, the equivalent number of shares of Common Stock
received shall be subject to the same risks of forfeiture or restrictions
on
transfer as those that applied to the restricted stock surrendered. Shares
of
Common Stock received in excess of the number of shares surrendered will
have a
tax basis of zero.
SARs. A
participant realizes no taxable income and the Company is not entitled to
a
deduction when a SAR is granted. Upon exercising a SAR, a participant will
realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash or the fair market
value
of the shares received minus any amount paid for the shares, and, subject
to
Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company will be entitled to a corresponding
deduction. A participant’s tax basis in the shares of Common Stock received upon
exercise of a SAR will be equal to the fair market value of such shares on
the
exercise date, and the participant’s holding period for such shares will begin
at that time. Upon sale of the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise
of
a SAR, the participant will realize short-term or long-term capital gain
or
loss, depending upon whether the shares have been held for more than one
year.
The amount of such gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the
amount realized in connection with the sale of the shares and the participant’s
tax basis in such shares.
Withholding
The
Company is entitled to deduct from the payment of any Award (whether made
in
stock or in cash) all applicable income and employment taxes required by
federal, state, local or foreign law to be withheld or may require the
participant to pay such withholding taxes to the Company as a condition of
receiving payment of the Award. The Committee may allow a participant to
satisfy
his or her withholding obligations by directing the Company to retain the
number
of shares necessary to satisfy the withholding obligation, or by delivering
shares held by the participant to the Company in an amount necessary to satisfy
the withholding obligation.
New
Plan Benefits
There
have been no grants made under the Plan. Because benefits under the Plan
will
depend on the actions of the Committee and the value of the Company’s Common
Stock, it is not possible to determine the benefits that will be received
if the
Plan is approved by Shareholders.
Requisite
Vote
To
be
adopted, the Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
cast
by all Shareholders entitled to vote thereon.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR
THE ADOPTION OF THE 2006 STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
PLAN.
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s Directors,
Executive Officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class
of
the Company’s equity securities to file initial reports of ownership and reports
of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”)
and the New York Stock Exchange. Such persons are required by SEC regulation
to
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based
solely on the review of the copies of SEC forms received by the Company with
respect to fiscal year 2005, or written representations from reporting persons,
the Company believes that its Directors and Executive Officers have complied
with all applicable filing requirements.
PROPOSALS
OF SHAREHOLDERS
In
order
to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2007
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, any Shareholder proposal intended to be
presented at the meeting, in addition to meeting the shareholder eligibility
and
other requirements of the SEC rules governing such proposals, must be received
in writing, via Certified Mail - Return Receipt Requested, by the Office
of the
Secretary, Crown Holdings, Inc., One Crown Way, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19154
not later than November 24, 2006. In addition, the Company’s By-Laws currently
provide that a Shareholder of record at the time that notice of the meeting
is
given and who is entitled to vote at the meeting may bring business before
the
meeting or nominate a person for election to the Board of Directors if the
Shareholder gives timely notice of such business or nomination. To be timely,
and subject to certain exceptions, notice in writing to the Secretary must
be
delivered or mailed, via Certified Mail-Return Receipt Requested, and received
at the above address not less than 120 days, which is November 24, 2006,
nor
more than 150 days, which is October 25, 2006, prior to the first anniversary
of
the date on which the Company’s Proxy Statement for its previous Annual Meeting
of Shareholders was first released to Shareholders. The notice must describe
various matters regarding the nominee or proposed business. Any Shareholder
desiring a copy of the Company’s By-Laws will be furnished one copy without
charge upon written request to the Secretary.
OTHER
MATTERS
The
Board
of Directors knows of no other matter that may be presented for Shareholders’
action at the Meeting, but if other matters do properly come before the Meeting,
or if any of the persons named above to serve as Directors are unable to
serve,
it is intended that the persons named in the Proxy or their substitutes will
vote on such matters and for other nominees in accordance with their best
judgment.
The
Company filed its 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006. A copy of the Report, including the
financial statements and schedules thereto and a list describing all the
exhibits not contained therein, may be obtained without charge by any
Shareholder. Requests for copies of the Report should be sent to: Senior
Vice
President - Finance, Crown Holdings, Inc., One Crown Way, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19154.
|
WILLIAM
T. GALLAGHER
|
|
Senior
Vice President, Secretary &
|
|
General
Counsel
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19154
|
|
March
24, 2006
|
CROWN
HOLDINGS, INC.
2006
STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
CROWN
HOLDINGS, INC.
2006
STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
1. Purpose
of the Plan
The
purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates
in
attracting and retaining valued Employees by offering them a greater stake
in
the Company's success and a closer identity with it, and to encourage ownership
of the Company's stock by such Employees.
2. Definitions
As
used
herein, the following definitions shall apply:
2.1. “Affiliate”
means any entity other than the Subsidiaries in which the Company has a
substantial direct or indirect equity interest, as determined by the
Board.
2.2. “Award”
means a grant of Deferred Stock, Restricted Stock, Options or SARs under
the
Plan.
2.3. “Award
Agreement” means the written agreement, instrument or document evidencing an
Award.
2.4. “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5. “Change
in Control” means any of the following events:
(a) a
“person” (as such term in used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934
Act), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
employee benefit plan of the Company or a corporation owned, directly or
indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13D-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent
(25%)
or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
securities; or
(b) during
any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of
such
period constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director
designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company
to
effect a transaction described in Section 2.5(a), Section 2.5(c) or
Section 2.5(d) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for
election by the Company’s stockholders 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 of whose election or nomination for election
was
previously approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof;
or
(c) the
Company merges or consolidates with any other corporation, other than in
a
merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either
by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(d) the
stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company or the Company sells or otherwise disposes of all or substantially
all
of the Company’s assets.
2.6. “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A reference to any
provision of the Code shall include reference to any successor provision
of the
Code.
2.7. “Common
Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $5.00 per share, or such
other class or kind of shares or other securities resulting from the application
of Section 10.
2.8. “Company”
means Crown Holdings, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, or any successor
corporation.
2.9. “Committee”
means the committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan under
Section
4. The Committee shall have at least two members and each member of the
Committee shall be a Non-Employee Director and an Outside Director.
2.10. “Deferred
Stock” means Common Stock to be delivered at the end of a Deferral Period and
awarded by the Committee under Section 6 of the Plan.
2.11. “Deferral
Period” means the period during which the receipt of a Deferred Stock Award
under Section 6 of the Plan will be deferred.
2.12. “Employee”
means an individual, including officers and directors, who is employed by
the
Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
2.13. “Fair
Market Value” means the fair market value of Common Stock determined by such
methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee
in good faith and in accordance with applicable law. Unless otherwise determined
by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Common Stock shall mean, on any
given
date, the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the principal national
securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed on such date or,
if
Common Stock was not traded on such date, on the last preceding day on which
the
Common Stock was traded.
2.14. “Incentive
Stock Option” means an Option or a portion thereof intended to meet the
requirements of an incentive stock option as defined in section 422 of the
Code
and designated as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.15. “1934
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A reference to any
provision of the 1934 Act or rule promulgated under the 1934 Act shall include
reference to any successor provision or rule.
2.16. “Non-Employee
Director” means a member of the Board who meets the definition of a
“non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the 1934 Act.
2.17. “Non-Qualified
Option” means an Option or a portion thereof not intended to be an Incentive
Stock Option and designated as a Non-Qualified Option.
2.18. “Option”
means a right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock at
a
specified price awarded by the Committee under Section 8 of the
Plan.
2.19. “Outside
Director” means a member of the Board who meets the definition of an “outside
director” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
2.20. “Participant”
means any Employee who receives an Award.
2.21. “Performance
Cycle” means the period selected by the Committee during which the performance
of the Company, any Subsidiary, any Affiliate or any business unit thereof,
or
any individual is measured for the purpose of determining the extent to which
a
Performance Goal has been achieved.
2.22. “Performance
Goal” means a goal that must be met by the end of a period specified by the
Committee (but that is substantially uncertain of being met before the grant
of
the Award) based upon: (i) the price of Common Stock, (ii) the market share
of
the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any business unit thereof),
(iii) sales by the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any business
unit
thereof), (iv) earnings per share of Common Stock, (v) return on shareholder
equity of the Company, (vi) costs of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates
(or any business unit thereof), (vii) cash flow of the Company, its Subsidiaries
or Affiliates (or any business unit thereof), (viii) return on total assets
of
the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any business unit thereof),
(ix)
return on invested capital of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates
(or
any business unit thereof), (x) return on net assets of the Company, its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any business unit thereof), (xi) operating
income
of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any business unit thereof),
(xii) net income of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (or any business
unit thereof) or (xiii) any other financial or other measurement deemed
appropriate by the Committee, as it relates to the results of operations
or
other measurable progress of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates
(or any
business unit thereof). The Committee shall have discretion to determine
the
specific targets with respect to each of these categories of Performance
Goals.
2.23. “Plan”
means the Crown Holdings, Inc. 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan
herein set forth, as amended from time to time.
2.24. “Restricted
Stock” means Common Stock awarded by the Committee under Section 7 of the
Plan.
2.25. “Restriction
Period” means the period during which Restricted Stock awarded under Section 7
of the Plan is subject to forfeiture.
2.26. “SAR”
means a stock appreciation right awarded by the Committee under Section 9
of the
Plan.
2.27. “Subsidiary”
means any corporation (other than the Company), partnership, joint venture
or
other business entity of which 50% or more of the outstanding voting power
is
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
2.28. “Ten
Percent Shareholder” means a person who on any given date owns, either directly
or indirectly (taking into account the attribution rules contained in section
424(d) of the Code), stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined
voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or a Subsidiary.
3. Eligibility
Any
Employee is eligible to receive an Award.
4. Administration
and Implementation of Plan
4.1. The
Plan
shall be administered by the Committee. Any action of the Committee in
administering the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons,
including the Company, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, their Employees,
Participants, persons claiming rights from or through Participants and
stockholders of the Company.
4.2. Subject
to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority
in its discretion (a) to select the Employees who will receive Awards pursuant
to the Plan, (b) to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to
each
Participant, (c) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to which
an
Award will relate, the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the
Plan
(including, but not limited to, restrictions as to vesting, transferability
or
forfeiture, exercisability or settlement of an Award and waivers or
accelerations thereof, and waivers of or modifications to performance conditions
relating to an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee
shall determine) and all other matters to be determined in connection with
an
Award; (d) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances
an
Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered; (e) to determine whether,
and
to certify that, Performance Goals to which the settlement of an Award is
subject are satisfied; (f) to correct any defect or supply any omission or
reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, and to adopt, amend and rescind
such
rules and regulations as, in its opinion, may be advisable in the administration
of the Plan; and (g) to construe and interpret the Plan and to make all other
determinations as it may deem necessary or advisable for the administration
of
the Plan.
4.3. The
Committee's powers shall also include responsibility to determine the effect,
if
any, of a Change in Control of the Company upon outstanding Awards. Upon
a
Change in Control, the Committee may, at its discretion, (i) fully vest any
or
all Awards made under the Plan, (ii) cancel any outstanding Awards in exchange
for a cash payment of an amount (including zero) equal to the difference
between
the then Fair Market Value of the Award less the option or base price of
the
Award, (iii) after having given the Participant a reasonable chance to exercise
any outstanding Options or SARs, terminate any or all of the Participant’s
unexercised Options or SARs, (iv) where the Company is not the surviving
corporation, cause the surviving corporation to assume all outstanding Awards
or
replace all outstanding Awards with comparable awards, or (v) take such other
action as the Committee shall determine to be appropriate.
4.4. The
Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of
grant
or thereafter, such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions
of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring
forfeiture of Awards in the event of the Participant’s termination of employment
with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; provided, however, that
the
Committee shall retain full power to accelerate or waive any such term or
condition as it may have previously imposed. All Awards shall be evidenced
by an
Award Agreement. The right of a Participant to exercise or receive a grant
or
settlement of any Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such
Performance Goals as may be specified by the Committee.
5. Shares
of Stock Subject to the Plan
5.1. Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 10, the total number of shares of Common
Stock available for Awards under the Plan shall be 7,500,000
shares.
5.2. Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 10, the maximum number of shares of
Common
Stock available for Awards that may be granted to any individual Employee
shall
not exceed 750,000 during any calendar year (the “Individual
Limit”).
5.3. If
any
shares subject to an Award are forfeited or such Award otherwise terminates
or
is settled for any reason whatsoever without an actual distribution of shares
to
the Participant, any shares counted against the number of shares available
for
issuance pursuant to the Plan with respect to such Award shall, to the extent
of
any such forfeiture, settlement, or termination, again be available for Awards
under the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may adopt procedures
for
the counting of shares relating to any Award to ensure appropriate counting,
avoid double counting, and provide for adjustments in any case in which the
number of shares actually distributed differs from the number of shares
previously counted in connection with such Award. SARs to be settled in shares
of Common Stock shall be counted in full against the number of shares available
for award under the Plan, regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock
issued upon settlement of the SAR.
5.4. Any
shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and
unissued shares or treasury shares. Any shares issued by the Company through
the
assumption or substitution of outstanding grants in connection with the
acquisition of another entity shall not reduce the maximum number of shares
available for delivery under the Plan.
6. Deferred
Stock
An
Award
of Deferred Stock is an agreement by the Company to deliver to the Participant
a
specified number of shares of Common Stock at the end of a specified Deferral
Period or Periods. Such an Award shall be subject to the following terms
and
conditions:
6.1. Upon
the
Award of Deferred Stock, the Committee shall direct that the number of shares
subject to such Award be credited to the Participant’s account on the books of
the Company but that issuance and delivery of the same shall be deferred
until
the date or dates provided in the Award Agreement. Prior to issuance and
delivery of the Deferred Stock, the Participant shall have no rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares of Deferred Stock credited to the
Participant's account.
6.2. Amounts
equal to any dividends declared during the Deferral Period with respect to
the
number of shares covered by a Deferred Stock Award will be paid to the
Participant currently, or deferred and deemed to be reinvested in additional
Deferred Stock, or otherwise reinvested on such terms as are determined at
the
time of the Award by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and specified
in the
Award Agreement.
6.3. The
Deferral Period may consist of one or more installments. Provided that the
Deferred Stock has not been previously forfeited, at the end of the Deferral
Period or any installment thereof the shares of Deferred Stock applicable
to
such installment, shall be issued and delivered to the Participant (or, where
appropriate, the Participant’s legal representative) in accordance with the
terms of the Award Agreement.
7. Restricted
Stock
An
Award
of Restricted Stock is a grant by the Company of a specified number of shares
of
Common Stock to the Participant, which shares are subject to forfeiture upon
the
happening of specified events. Such an Award shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions:
7.1. Upon
the
Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may direct that a certificate or
certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
such
Award be issued to the Participant or placed in a restricted stock account
(including an electronic account) with the transfer agent and in either case
designating the Participant as the registered owner. The certificate(s)
representing such shares shall be physically or electronically legended,
as
applicable, as to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other encumbrances
during the Restriction Period and if issued to the Participant, returned
to the
Company, to be held in escrow during the Restriction Period. In all cases,
the
Participant shall sign a stock power endorsed in blank to the Company to
be held
in escrow during the Restriction Period.
7.2. During
the Restriction Period the Participant shall have the right to receive dividends
from and to vote the shares of Restricted Stock.
7.3. Provided
that the Restricted Stock has not been previously forfeited, at the end of
the
Restriction Period the restrictions imposed under the Award Agreement shall
lapse with respect to the number of shares specified thereunder, and the
legend
imposed hereunder shall be removed and such number of shares delivered to
the
Participant (or, where appropriate, the Participant's legal representative).
7.4. In
the
sole discretion of the Committee, an Award Agreement regarding Restricted
Stock
may provide for a tax reimbursement cash payment to be made by the Company
to
any Participant in connection with the tax consequences resulting from an
Award
of Restricted Stock, the lapse of restrictions on any Restricted Stock or
the
payment by a Participant of any taxes related thereto, subject to such
conditions as the Committee may specify.
8. Options
Options
give a Participant the right to purchase a specified number of shares of
Common
Stock from the Company for a specified time period at a fixed price. Options
may
be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. The grant
of
Options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
8.1. Option
Price: The price per share at which Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise
of an Option shall be determined by the Committee, but shall be not less
than
the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant, unless
the Option was granted through the assumption of, or in substitution for,
outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company
or
any Subsidiary or Affiliate or with which the Company or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate combines.
8.2. Term
of
Options: The term of an Option shall in no event be greater than ten years
(five
years in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent
Shareholder).
8.3. Incentive
Stock Options: Each provision of the Plan and each Award Agreement relating
to
an Incentive Stock Option shall be construed so that each Incentive Stock
Option
shall be an incentive stock option as defined in section 422 of the Code,
and
any provisions of an Award Agreement that cannot be so construed shall be
disregarded. In no event may a Participant be granted an Incentive Stock
Option
which does not comply with the grant and vesting limitations prescribed by
section 422(b) of the Code. Incentive Stock Options may not be granted to
Employees of Affiliates.
8.4. Payment
of Option Price: The option price of the shares of Common Stock received
upon
the exercise of an Option shall be paid within three days of the date of
exercise: (i) in cash, or (ii) with the proceeds received from a broker-dealer
whom the Participant has authorized to sell all or a portion of the Common
Stock
covered by the Option, or (iii) with the consent of the Committee, in whole
or
in part in Common Stock held by the Participant and valued at Fair Market
Value
on the date of exercise. With the consent of the Committee, payment upon
the
exercise of a Non-Qualified Option may be made in whole or in part by Restricted
Stock held by the Participant and valued at Fair Market Value on the date
the
Option is exercised. In such case, the Common Stock to which the Option relates
shall be subject to the same forfeiture restrictions originally imposed on
the
Restricted Stock exchanged therefor. An Option may be exercised only for
a whole
number of shares of Common Stock.
9. Stock
Appreciation Rights
SARs
give
the Participant the right to receive, upon exercise of the SAR, the excess
of
(i) the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise
over (ii) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee, but
which
may never be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on
the
date of grant. The grant of SARs shall be subject to the following terms
and
conditions:
9.1. The
term
of a SAR shall in no event be greater than ten years.
9.2. The
Committee shall determine the time or times at which a SAR may be exercised
in
whole or in part, the method of exercise, the method of settlement, form
of
consideration payable in settlement, method by which Common Stock will be
delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not a SAR
shall
be in tandem with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of
any
SAR.
10. Adjustments
upon Changes in Capitalization
10.1. In
the
event that the Committee shall determine that any stock dividend,
recapitalization, forward stock split or reverse stock split, reorganization,
division, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase or share
exchange, extraordinary or unusual cash distribution or other similar corporate
transaction or event, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment is
appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of
Participants under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as
it may
deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares of
Common
Stock which may thereafter be issued in connection with Awards, (ii) the
number
and kind of shares of Common Stock issuable in respect of outstanding Awards,
(iii) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Common Stock available under
the Plan, and (iv) the exercise or grant price relating to any Award or,
if
deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment with respect to any
outstanding Award; provided, however, in each case, that no adjustment shall
be
made that would cause the Plan to violate Section 422 of the Code with respect
to Incentive Stock Options or that would adversely affect the status of any
Award that is “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the
Code.
10.2. In
addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and
conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards, including any Performance
Goals, in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without
limitation, events described in Section 10.1) affecting the Company, any
Subsidiary or Affiliate, or in response to changes in applicable laws,
regulations, or accounting principles. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
adjustment shall be made in any outstanding Awards to the extent that such
adjustment would adversely affect the status of the Award as “performance-based
compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
11. Termination
and Amendment
11.1. The
Board
may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan without the
consent of the Company’s stockholders or Participants, except that any such
amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination shall
be
subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders if (i) such action would
increase the number of shares subject to the Plan, (ii) such action results
in
the “repricing” of any Option or SAR, or (iii) such stockholder approval is
required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock
exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock may then
be
listed or quoted; provided, however, that without the consent of an affected
Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or
termination of the Plan may materially and adversely affect the rights of
such
Participant under any Award theretofore granted and any Award Agreement relating
thereto. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend,
alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate, any Award theretofore granted
and any
Award Agreement relating thereto; provided, however, that without the consent
of
an affected Participant, no such amendment, alteration, suspension,
discontinuation, or termination of any Award may materially and adversely
affect
the rights of such Participant under such Award.
11.2. The
foregoing notwithstanding, any Performance Goal or other performance condition
specified in connection with an Award shall not be deemed a fixed contractual
term, but shall remain subject to adjustment by the Committee, in its discretion
at any time in view of the Committee’s assessment of the Company’s strategy,
performance of comparable companies, and other circumstances, except to the
extent that any such adjustment to a performance condition would adversely
affect the status of an Award as “performance-based compensation” under Section
162(m) of the Code.
12. No
Right to Award, Employment or Service
Neither
the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any
Employee any right to be retained in the employ of the Company, any Subsidiary
or Affiliate. For purposes of this Plan, transfer of employment between the
Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall not be deemed a termination
of
employment.
13. Taxes
The
Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any payment
relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Common
Stock or any payroll or other payment to a Participant amounts of withholding
and other taxes due in connection with any transaction involving an Award,
and
to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the
Company, the Subsidiary or Affiliate and Participants to satisfy obligations
for
the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any
Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Common
Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in
satisfaction of a Participant’s tax obligations. Withholding of taxes in the
form of shares of Common Stock from the profit attributable to the exercise
of
any Option shall not occur at a rate that exceeds the minimum required statutory
federal and state withholding rates.
14. Limits
on Transferability; Beneficiaries
No
Award
or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged,
encumbered, or hypothecated to, or in favor of, or subject to any lien,
obligation, or liability of such Participant to, any party, other than the
Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or assigned or transferred by such
Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution,
and
such Awards and rights shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the
Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal
representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its
discretion, provide that Awards or other rights or interests of a Participant
granted pursuant to the Plan (other than an Incentive Stock Option) be
transferable, without consideration, to immediate family members (i.e.,
children, grandchildren or spouse), to trusts for the benefit of such immediate
family members and to partnerships in which such family members are the only
partners. The Committee may attach to such transferability feature such terms
and conditions as it deems advisable. In addition, a Participant may, in
the
manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary (which may be
a
person or a trust) to exercise the rights of the Participant, and to receive
any
distribution, with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant.
A
beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any
rights
under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms
and
conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant,
except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional
restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.
15. No
Rights to Awards; No Stockholder Rights
No
Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan,
and
there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. No Award
shall confer on any Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the
Company unless and until Common Stock is duly issued or transferred to the
Participant in accordance with the terms of the Award.
16. Foreign
Nationals.
Without
amending the Plan, Awards may be granted to Employees who are foreign nationals
or employed outside the United States or both, on such terms and conditions
different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the
Committee, be necessary or desirable to further the purpose of the
Plan.
17. Securities
Law Requirements
17.1. No
Award
granted hereunder shall be exercisable if the Company shall at any time
determine that (a) the listing upon any securities exchange, registration
or
qualification under any state or federal law of any Common Stock otherwise
deliverable upon such exercise, or (b) the consent or approval of any regulatory
body or the satisfaction of withholding tax or other withholding liabilities,
is
necessary or appropriate in connection with such exercise. In any of the
events
referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) above, the exercisability of such
Awards
shall be suspended and shall not be effective unless and until such withholding,
listing, registration, qualifications or approval shall have been effected
or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company in its sole
discretion, notwithstanding any termination of any Award or any portion of
any
Award during the period when exercisability has been suspended.
17.2. The
Committee may require, as a condition to the right to exercise any Award
that
the Company receive from the Participant, at the time any such Award is
exercised, vests or any applicable restrictions lapse, representations,
warranties and agreements to the effect that the shares are being purchased
or
acquired by the Participant for investment only and without any present
intention to sell or otherwise distribute such shares and that the Participant
will not dispose of such shares in transactions which, in the opinion of
counsel
to the Company, would violate the registration provisions of the Securities
Act
of 1933, as then amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. The
certificates issued to evidence such shares shall bear appropriate legends
summarizing such restrictions on the disposition thereof.
18. Termination
Unless
the Plan shall theretofore have been terminated, the Plan shall terminate
on the
10-year anniversary of the effective date, and no Awards under the Plan shall
thereafter be granted.
19. Fractional
Shares
The
Company will not be required to issue any fractional shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the Plan. The Committee may provide for the elimination of fractions
and for the settlement of fractions in cash.
20. Governing
Law
To
the
extent that Federal laws do not otherwise control, the validity and construction
of the Plan and any Award Agreement entered into thereunder shall be construed
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
but without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.
21. Effective
Date
The
Plan
shall be effective as of the date approved by the Company’s
shareholders.