-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, CjHgbO9vGvx1o2o2zvsc8GeVdbUrBGWkpvfx0q7TvvHh8wk8GGiArzCY3u74SIsI xnZkKBpLykhPjGJUXUYFmg== 0000950136-99-000537.txt : 19990427 0000950136-99-000537.hdr.sgml : 19990427 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950136-99-000537 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEFA14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990426 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SEALED AIR CORP/DE CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001012100 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNSUPPORTED PLASTICS FILM & SHEET [3081] IRS NUMBER: 650654331 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEFA14A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-12139 FILM NUMBER: 99601005 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: PARK 80 EAST CITY: SADDLE BROOK STATE: NJ ZIP: 07663 BUSINESS PHONE: 2017917600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: PARK 80 EAST CITY: SADDLE BROOK STATE: NJ ZIP: 07663 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: WR GRACE & CO/DE DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19961015 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GRACE HOLDING INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19960805 DEFA14A 1 DEFINITIVE ADDITIONAL PROXY MATERIALS [SEALED AIR CORPORATION LOGO] SEALED AIR CORPORATION - ---------------------- PARK 80 EAST/SADDLE BROOK, NEW JERSEY 07663-5291 April 26, 1999 Dear Fellow Stockholder: We have previously distributed our proxy material in connection with the upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Sealed Air Corporation to be held on May 21, 1999. In addition to the proposals to elect members of your Board of Directors and to ratify the selection of auditors, you are being asked to repeal three provisions in the Company's Charter that were inherited from W.R. Grace & Co. when the Sealed Air and Cryovac businesses were merged in March 1998. THESE PROVISIONS LIMIT YOUR ABILITY AS A STOCKHOLDER TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS OTHERWISE PERMITTED UNDER DELAWARE LAW. YOUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE REPEAL OF THESE PROVISIONS: a) Provisions requiring a classified board and removal of directors only for cause (item 3 on your proxy card): Repeal of these provisions will restore to stockholders the right to elect the entire board at each annual meeting of stockholders thereby enhancing the accountability of the Board of Directors to the stockholders. The election of directors is the primary avenue for stockholders to influence corporate policies and to hold management accountable for its implementation of those policies. WE BELIEVE THAT THE BEST INTERESTS OF STOCKHOLDERS ARE SERVED BY ELECTING ALL DIRECTORS ANNUALLY. b) A provision prohibiting stockholder action by written consent (item 4 on your proxy card): Repeal of this provision will enable stockholders to take action by written consent -- that is, stockholders would have the right to take action by obtaining the necessary number of signed written consents without waiting for the next annual meeting of the stockholders. REPEAL OF THIS PROVISION WOULD GIVE STOCKHOLDERS ADDITIONAL MEANS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS THROUGH THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS. c) A provision requiring 80% stockholder vote to amend the Company's by-laws (item 5 on your proxy card): The requirement to obtain the affirmative vote of 80% of the voting power of the Company's stock in order to amend the Company's by-laws presents a high hurdle for stockholders. As a practical matter, the Company never receives the vote of 100% of the voting power on any issue. This means that more than 80% of stockholders voting on an issue must agree before a proposal can pass. THE COMPANY RECOMMENDS THAT THE 80% REQUIREMENT BE REMOVED TO ENABLE AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANY'S BY-LAWS TO BE MORE READILY APPROVED BY THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THESE PROVISIONS ARE NOT IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS AND THAT YOU SHOULD VOTE TO REPEAL THESE PROVISIONS. The repeal of these inherited provisions requires the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the combined voting power of the Company's stock, so it is particularly important that you vote in favor of these amendments. The Company strongly believes in the stockholder's right to influence the Company's future. At this year's Annual Meeting, the Company again seeks your support to repeal these inherited provisions. Regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock you own, it is important that they be represented and voted at the meeting. PLEASE PROMPTLY SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE PROVIDED OR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTING SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED PROXY STATEMENT AND ON YOUR PROXY CARD. Your prompt cooperation is appreciated. Should you need an additional copy of the Company's Proxy Statement or 1998 Annual Report, please contact the Shareholder Relations Line at EquiServe on 201-324-1225. On behalf of your Board of Directors, we thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, /s/ T. J. DERMOT DUNPHY T. J. DERMOT DUNPHY Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer PLEASE VOTE YOUR PROXY TODAY YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT [SEALED AIR CORPORATION LOGO] 1999 ANNUAL MEETING PROXY-ELECTRONIC VOTING ALTERNATIVES - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's your choice: fast, convenient - and your vote is immediately confirmed and posted [X] VOTE BY TELEPHONE Using a touch-tone phone call the toll-free number shown on the voting instruction form. JUST FOLLOW THESE 4 EASY STEPS: 1. Read the previously mailed Proxy Statement and accompanying voting instruction form. Keep it handy as a reference while you vote. 2. Call the toll-free number shown on your voting instruction form. 3. Enter your 12-digit Control Number located on your voting instruction form. 4. Follow the recorded instructions. or [X] VOTE VIA THE INTERNET WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM JUST FOLLOW THESE 4 EASY STEPS: 1. Read the previously mailed Proxy Statement and accompanying voting instruction form. Keep it handy as a reference while you vote. 2. Go to website WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM 3. Enter your 12-digit Control Number located on your voting instruction form. 4. Follow the instructions. - ------------------------------------------------------------------ YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! o VOTE 24 HOURS A DAY It is not necessary to return the printed Voting Instruction Form if you vote by telephone or via the Internet. If you have already voted, thank you for voting! - ------------------------------------------------------------------ [SEALED AIR CORPORATION LOGO] 1999 ANNUAL MEETING PROXY-ELECTRONIC VOTING ALTERNATIVES - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's your choice: fast, convenient - and your vote is immediately confirmed and posted [X] VOTE BY TELEPHONE Using a touch-tone phone call the toll-free number shown on the proxy card. JUST FOLLOW THESE 4 EASY STEPS: 1. Read the previously mailed Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card. Keep it handy as a reference while you vote. 2. Call the toll-free number shown on your proxy card. 3. Enter your Control Number located on your proxy card. 4. Follow the recorded instructions. or [X] VOTE VIA THE INTERNET WWW.VOTE-BY-NET.COM JUST FOLLOW THESE 4 EASY STEPS: 1. Read the previously mailed Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy card. Keep it handy as a reference while you vote. 2. Go to website www.vote-by-net.com 3. Enter your Control Number located on your proxy card. 4. Follow the instructions. - ------------------------------------------------------------------ YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! o VOTE 24 HOURS A DAY It is not necessary to return the printed proxy card if you vote by telephone or via the Internet. If you have already voted, thank you for voting! - ------------------------------------------------------------------ -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----