SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: March 13, 2012 (Date of earliest event reported)
LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL S.A.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number: 0-29174
Canton of Vaud, Switzerland | None | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Logitech International S.A.
Apples, Switzerland
c/o Logitech Inc.
6505 Kaiser Drive
Fremont, California 94555
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(510) 795-8500
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers |
Appointment of Executive Officer
On March 14, 2012, Logitech International S.A. (Logitech) issued a press release in which it announced that Bracken P. Darrell will join Logitech as President on April 9, 2012, reporting to Guerrino De Luca, Logitechs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with Mr. Darrells appointment as President, Mr. De Luca will no longer serve as President of Logitech.
Mr. Darrell, age 49, served as President of Whirlpool EMEA and Executive Vice President of Whirlpool Corporation, a home appliance manufacturer and marketing company, from 2009 to March 2012. Previously, he had been Senior Vice President, Operations of Whirlpool EMEA from 2008 to 2009. From 2002 to 2008, Mr. Darrell was with The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), a consumer brand company, most recently as the President of its Braun GmbH subsidiary. Prior to rejoining P&G in 2002, Mr. Darrell served in various executive and managerial positions with the General Electric Company, P&G and PepsiCo Inc. since 1987. Mr. Darrell currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Hendrix College and holds a BA degree from Hendrix College and an MBA from Harvard University.
Compensatory Arrangements
The terms of Mr. Darrells employment with Logitech Inc. are set forth in an employment offer letter dated March 13, 2012. A copy of the offer letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The following summary of the offer letter does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the attached offer letter.
The material compensatory terms of the offer letter are as follows:
| Mr. Darrells annual base salary will be $750,000, and he will be eligible to participate in Logitechs Management Performance Bonus Plan with a discretionary target bonus percentage equal to 100% of his annual base salary. |
| Mr. Darrell will be granted the following equity incentives: |
| Stock options to purchase 500,000 Logitech shares that will vest at a rate of 25% on each annual anniversary date of the grant date, for a total vesting period of 4 years. |
| Restricted stock units for 100,000 Logitech shares that will vest at a rate of 25% on each annual anniversary date of the grant date, for a total vesting period of 4 years. |
| 400,000 premium-priced stock options with an exercise price of 1.75 times Logitechs closing share price on the day of grant; 400,000 premium-priced stock options with an exercise price of 2 times Logitechs closing share price on the day of grant; and 400,000 premium-priced stock options with an exercise price of 2.5 times Logitechs closing share price on the day of grant. Each premium priced option grant will vest in full if and only when Logitechs average closing share price, over a consecutive ninety-day trading period, meets or exceeds the exercise price of the grant. |
The grants will be made pursuant to an inducement grant plan and forms of agreement to be adopted by the Logitech Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee of the Board.
| Logitech expects to enter into a Change of Control Severance Agreement and Indemnification Agreements with Mr. Darrell, each in substantially the form entered into with other Logitech |
executive officers and as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), except that the Change of Control Severance Agreement will contain a best-of determination with respect to section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), as described below. Logitech filed the form of Change of Control Severance Agreement with the SEC on Form 10-K on May 30, 2008 and filed the forms of indemnification agreements with the SEC on Form 20-F on May 21, 2003. The terms of the Change of Control Severance Agreements with Logitechs executive officers are summarized in Logitechs definitive proxy statement as filed with the SEC on July 28, 2011, and that summary is incorporated herein by reference. |
| Mr. Darrell will receive relocation assistance to move him and his family from Switzerland to the United States, including payments for certain relocation costs and expenses such as airfare, house purchase and sale assistance (including reimbursement for a qualified home purchase of up to 2% of the purchase price and reimbursement for qualified home sales expenses of up to 1% of the home sale price), tax advice assistance, moving costs and temporary living benefits including lodging, meals and auto rental. |
| Mr. Darrell will also receive a one-time relocation bonus of $125,000. |
| If Mr. Darrell is terminated by Logitech without cause, or resigns for good reason, he will be entitled to receive severance benefits as follows: |
| If the termination occurs within one year after his employment start date, he will be eligible to receive an amount equal to 24 months of his then-current base salary plus 200 percent (200%) of his then-current annual targeted bonus amount, less applicable withholdings. In addition, 25% of his initial stock option grant for 500,000 Logitech shares and 25% of his initial restricted stock unit grant for 100,000 shares will accelerate and vest. |
| If the termination occurs more than one year but within two years after his employment start date, he will receive an amount equal to 18 months of his then-current base salary plus 150 percent (150%) of his then-current annual targeted bonus amount, less applicable withholdings. |
| If the termination occurs more than two years after his employment start date, he will receive an amount equal to 12 months of his then-current base salary plus 100 percent (100%) of his then-current annual targeted bonus amount, less applicable withholdings. |
Mr. Darrell will also be entitled to participate in the compensation and benefit programs generally available to Logitechs executive officers in the United States.
If amounts payable to Mr. Darrell under any arrangement or agreement with Logitech are payable as a result of a change of ownership or control of Logitech (collectively, the Payments) and exceed the amount allowed under section 280G of the Code, and would be subject to the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code, then, prior to the making of any Payments to Mr. Darrell, a best-of calculation will be made comparing (1) the total benefit to Mr. Darrell from the Payments after payment of the excise tax, to (2) the total benefit to Mr. Darrell if the Payments are reduced to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the excise tax, and Mr. Darrell will be entitled to the Payments under the more favorable outcome.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
Exhibit No. | Description | |
10.1 | Offer Letter between Logitech Inc. and Bracken Darrell dated March 13, 2012. | |
99.1 | Press Release issued by Logitech International S.A. dated March 14, 2012. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Logitech International S.A. | ||
/s/ Catherine Valentine | ||
Catherine Valentine General Counsel, Vice President, Legal and Secretary |
March 14, 2012
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
10.1 | Offer letter between Logitech Inc. and Bracken Darrell dated March 13, 2012. | |
99.1 | Press Release issued by Logitech International S.A. dated March 14, 2012. |
Exhibit 10.1
March 12, 2012
Bracken Darrell
Via Sart 8A
Montagnola 6926
Switzerland
Dear Bracken,
On behalf of Logitech Inc. (Logitech), we are pleased to offer you employment with Logitech as President reporting directly to me, as Chief Executive Officer of Logitech International S.A. (Logitech International). It is expected you will assume the additional duties of Chief Executive Officer, reporting directly to the Board of Logitech International, on January 1, 2013.
Your bi-weekly base salary will be $28,846.15, payable every two weeks (annualized this amount is $750,000). You will also be eligible to participate in Logitech Internationals Management Performance Bonus Plan, targeted at 100% of your base salary for a potential annual targeted total cash compensation of $1,500,000.
In addition, you will receive grants of 500,000 stock options and 100,000 restricted stock units. These grants will vest over a four-year period, with 25% vesting annually on the anniversary of the grant date. The exercise price for the stock options will be based on Logitechs closing share price on the day of grant.
You will also receive the following premium priced stock option grants: 400,000 stock options with an exercise price of 1.75 times Logitechs closing price on the day of grant; 400,000 stock options with an exercise price of 2 times Logitechs closing share price on the day of grant; and 400,000 stock options with an exercise price of 2.5 times Logitechs closing share price on the date of grant. Each grant will vest in full if and only when Logitechs average closing share price, over a consecutive ninety-day trading period, meets or exceeds the exercise price of the grant.
The above new hire grants will be submitted for grant by Logitech Internationals Compensation Committee on the next grant approval cycle after your start date with Logitech. For your information, our typical grant approvals are sought on the 15th day of each month, or the first business day thereafter. All of your equity grants will be subject to the terms and conditions of a Logitech International inducement stock plan and forms of agreement for executives.
Logitech offers medical, dental and vision plans (effective on your date of hire), company-paid life insurance, voluntary life insurance, a Section 125 flexible spending plan, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a deferred compensation plan, short term disability, long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, as well as 20 days per year of combined accrued vacation and sick leave and 11 paid holidays.
Bracken Darrell
March 12, 2012
Page 2
Logitech is pleased to offer you a relocation package to assist you in your familys move from Switzerland to the San Francisco Bay Area. Logitech will pay relocation costs and provide reimbursement for specified moving expenses as outlined in Logitechs International Relocation Policy. This relocation package includes assistance with the movement of your household from Switzerland to your new residence in the United States, lease-breaking assistance, support in finding a new residence in the United States, including a home search trip to the United States, and reimbursement for qualified home purchase expenses of up to 2% of your home purchase price. Once you have arrived in the United States, some of the benefits include temporary housing and transport, temporary storage of your household goods, and a relocation bonus of $125,000. You will also be eligible to receive assistance in selling your current permanent residence, including the reimbursement of qualified home sale expenses of up to 1% of your home sale price. You will also receive tax preparation assistance for your first year of employment in the United States. Please note that your work and residence must be in the San Francisco Bay Area within 6 months of hire. Benefits associated with this relocation package must be used by March 15, 2013.
In addition, the Compensation Committee of Logitech Internationals Board of Directors has approved the entry into a Change of Control Severance Agreement with you, in the form that accompanies this letter agreement. Anything in any equity or other long-term incentive award or any other agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, as may be entered into at any time during your employment, the terms of Section 5 (Limitation on Payments) of the enclosed Change of Control Agreement shall govern the treatment thereunder unless the parties otherwise agree by specific reference to such Section 5.
For your information, Logitechs compensation plans and programs are reviewed each year and may be subject to change. Logitech reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees, including its executive officers, at any time. Any adjustment to your base salary or your target incentive bonus and other compensation shall be in the sole discretion of the Logitech International Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board. In addition, you will be subject to Logitechs Executive Clawback Policy, a copy of which is enclosed.
While it is our sincere hope and belief that our working relationship will be mutually beneficial, we also want to advise you that Logitech is an at-will employer. Consequently, either Logitech or you can terminate the employment relationship at-will, at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice. However it is understood that if a separation from service (as defined in the regulations under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), occurs because your employment is terminated by Logitech without cause, and not as a result of your death or disability (meaning that you are unable to perform your duties for any 90 days in any one-year period as a result of a physical and/or mental impairment), or if you resign for good reason, and in either case if you sign a general release of known and unknown claims in form satisfactory to Logitech, you will receive severance payments and benefits as follows:
| If such separation from service occurs within one year after your employment start date, you will receive an amount equal to 24 months of your then-current base salary plus 200 percent (200%) of your then-current annual targeted bonus amount, less applicable withholdings. In addition, 25% of your initial stock option grant for 500,000 Logitech shares and 25% of your initial restricted stock unit grant for 100,000 units shall accelerate and vest. |
Bracken Darrell
March 12, 2012
Page 3
| If such separation from service occurs more than one year but within two years after your employment start date, you will receive an amount equal to 18 months of your then-current base salary plus 150 percent (150%) of your then-current annual targeted bonus amount, less applicable withholdings. |
| If such separation from service occurs more than two years after your employment start date, you will receive an amount equal to 12 months of your then-current base salary plus 100 percent (100%) of your then-current annual targeted bonus amount, less applicable withholdings. |
Logitech will deliver the form of release to you within 30 days after your separation from service. You must execute and return the release within 60 days after the date that the form is delivered to you. The severance payments will commence within 30 days after you return the release unless the delay of your severance pay and/or benefits is required by Code Section 409A as described below. Severance payments will be made periodically over the applicable severance period in accordance with Logitechs normal payroll schedule.
During the applicable severance period, and subject to any maximum length of coverage limits under applicable law, Logitech will pay the premiums to continue your group health insurance coverage under COBRA if you are eligible for COBRA and have elected continuation coverage under the applicable rules. However, Logitechs COBRA obligations shall immediately cease to the extent you become eligible for benefits from a subsequent employer.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this letter, if some or all the severance payments or benefits outlined above are considered deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and the final regulations and official guidance thereunder (the Deferred Payments), then the Deferred Payments which are otherwise due to you on or within the 6 month period following your separation from service will accrue, to the extent required, during such 6 month period and will become payable in a lump sum payment, without interest, on the date 6 months and 1 day following the date of your separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under this offer letter is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.
For purposes of this offer letter, a separation from service for cause occurs if you are terminated for any of the following reasons: (i) theft, dishonesty, misconduct or falsification of any employment or Logitech records; (ii) improper disclosure of Logitechs confidential or proprietary information; (iii) your failure or inability to perform any assigned duties after written notice from Logitech to you of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (iv) your conviction (including any plea of guilty or no contest) of a felony, or of any other criminal act if that act impairs your ability to perform your duties; or (v) your failure to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of Logitech or its directors, officers or employees, if Logitech has requested your cooperation. For purposes of this paragraph only, Logitech shall mean Logitech International and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
Bracken Darrell
March 12, 2012
Page 4
In addition, for purposes of this offer letter, good reason means, without your written consent, and other than as a result of a separation from service for cause, death or disability (i) a material reduction of your authority, duties or responsibilities, or (ii) if, by January 31, 2013, you are not reporting directly to the Logitech International Board of Directors as Chief Executive Officer. A condition shall not be considered good reason unless you give the Company written notice of such condition within ninety (90) days after such condition comes into existence and the Company fails to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days after receiving your written notice. If the Company so fails to remedy such condition, any resignation by you for good reason must be made by written notice within a further thirty (30) days.
In the event any payments under your Change of Control Severance Agreement are triggered, the aggregate amount of any amounts payable to you under this offer letter in the event of a separation from service will be reduced, but only to the extent necessary so as to prevent the duplication of severance payments to you.
Federal regulations require us to verify your legal eligibility to work in the United States. Enclosed is the employment eligibility verification form, which lists the acceptable types of identification. Please bring one type from List A, or one each from List B and List C with you on your first day.
Enclosed with this letter is Logitechs New Hire Orientation Packet. We look forward to sitting down with you on your first day to gather all the necessary documents from you. Also, please be aware that your acceptance of employment with Logitech requires your signature on our Employee Agreement Regarding Proprietary Information and Inventions, a copy of which is enclosed.
This offer is valid through the end of the business day, Friday, March 30, 2012 and conditional upon a start date no later than April 9, 2012.
We encourage you to discuss this offer with your own lawyer. We will provide you with a lump sum of $15,000, less applicable withholdings, for this purpose.
Bracken, the single most important factor of our success is our people and we look forward to having you on, and leading the Logitech team. If you have any questions, or need clarification on any information contained in this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please sign and return both pages of the offer letter to Martha Tuma, Vice President of Human Resources.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Guerrino De Luca
Guerrino De Luca
Chairman, and CEO
***********************************
I accept the position of President, and will begin work Monday, April 9, 2012. I further acknowledge that the terms and conditions specified in this letter are the only commitments
Bracken Darrell
March 12, 2012
Page 5
Logitech is making relative to my employment and that all other promises, either verbal or written, are null and void.
/s/ Bracken Darrell | March 13, 2012 | |||
Bracken Darrell | Date |
Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
Editorial Contacts:
Joe Greenhalgh, Vice President, Investor Relations USA (510) 713-4430
Nancy Morrison, Vice President, Corporate Communications USA (510) 713-4948
Laura Scorza, Sr. Public Relations Manager Europe +41-(0) 21-863-5336
Logitech Names Bracken P. Darrell President
FREMONT, Calif. March 14, 2012 and MORGES, Switzerland, March 15, 2012 Logitech International (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI) today announced that Whirlpool EMEA leader Bracken P. Darrell will join Logitech as president, effective April 9, 2012. Reporting to Guerrino De Luca, Logitech chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Darrell will assume responsibility for research and development, sales and marketing, manufacturing, supply chain, IT, human resources and legal functions. The companys finance organization and LifeSize division will continue to report to Mr. De Luca until January 1, 2013, at which time Mr. Darrell will succeed Mr. De Luca as chief executive officer.
Bracken Darrell and Logitech are an excellent match, said Guerrino De Luca. Bracken has a proven track record in highly successful global companies, with experience in operations, product innovation, marketing, service and brand management. He is a change agent, having driven innovation and transformation for iconic consumer brands. Bracken brings a passion for keeping the consumer at the heart of decisions as well as a fresh perspective on our business. The board of directors and I believe that Bracken is the right individual to drive our company to renewed profitable growth, and I am thrilled to work with him on his transition from president to CEO.
Bracken Darrell, age 49, joins Logitech from Whirlpool Corporation, where he has been serving as executive vice president of Whirlpool Corporation and president of Whirlpool EMEA. Prior to joining Whirlpool in 2008, Mr. Darrell was with Procter & Gamble, most recently as president of Braun globally, based in Germany. In addition to serving in Procter & Gamble for twelve years, Mr. Darrell spent five years with General Electric Company, most recently as general manager of Consumer Home Service for GE Appliances. Mr. Darrell previously held positions with PepsiCo and Arthur Anderson. He received an M.B.A. degree from Harvard University in 1991 and a B.A. degree from Hendrix College in 1985.
Logitech Names Bracken P. Darrell President Page 2
Im very excited to take on this role, said Bracken Darrell. Logitechs strong history of innovation, design, and leadership in this space makes it extremely compelling to me. Ive been a fan of Logitech products for years, so Im eager to join Guerrino in driving the company toward renewed growth and increased profitability.
Teleconference and Webcast
Logitechs chairman and chief executive officer, Guerrino De Luca, will hold a webcast to discuss Mr. Darrells appointment on March 15, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time and 15:30 Central European Time. A live webcast of the call will be available on the Logitech corporate website at http://ir.logitech.com.
About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitechs combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
# # #
Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are registered in Switzerland and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the companys Web site at www.logitech.com.
(LOGI IR)