UNITED STATES
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WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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Novanta Inc.
125 Middlesex Turnpike
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
(781) 266-5700
April 3, 2024
Dear Shareholder:
It is my pleasure to invite you to the annual meeting of shareholders of Novanta Inc. to be held virtually at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Shareholders may attend the annual meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024. You will be able to vote and ask questions online as you would if you were to attend the meeting in person.
The purposes of the meeting are to: (i) elect the Board of Directors; (ii) approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive compensation; and (iii) appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Information regarding the above matters is contained in the formal notice of meeting and management proxy circular on the following pages. The Novanta Inc. Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 accompanies this management proxy circular. We urge you to read the proxy materials in their entirety and to consider them carefully.
It is important that your shares be represented at the annual meeting, regardless of the size of your holdings. Accordingly, whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote promptly by returning the enclosed proxy form or by submitting your proxy via telephone or online as soon as possible.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for your participation.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Matthijs Glastra
Matthijs Glastra
Chair of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Novanta Inc.
125 Middlesex Turnpike
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
(781) 266-5700
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of shareholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) of Novanta Inc., a New Brunswick corporation, which we refer to in this notice and in the attached management proxy circular as the “Company”, will be held online at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024. All shareholders and any other persons entitled to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting may attend online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024. You will be able to vote and ask questions online as you would if you were to attend the meeting in person.
The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on Monday, March 25, 2024 will be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting and at any postponement, continuation or adjournment thereof, provided that a subsequent transferee of shares may vote at the meeting if the transferee establishes ownership of the shares and requests not later than ten (10) days before the meeting to be added to the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
All shareholders are requested to complete, sign, date and return the form of proxy in the enclosed envelope to Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., Data Processing Centre, P.O. Box 3700, STN Industrial Park, Markham, ON L3R 9Z9, Canada before 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, May 6, 2024, or, if the meeting is postponed, continued or adjourned, prior to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the last business day prior to the date fixed for the postponed, continued or adjourned meeting. If you are a shareholder of record, you may also vote by telephone or on the Internet by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy form, no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, May 6, 2024, or, if the meeting is postponed, continued or adjourned, prior to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the last business day prior to the date fixed for the postponed, continued or adjourned meeting. Shareholders who vote by telephone or the Internet should not return a proxy form.
A copy of the management proxy circular and a proxy form accompany this notice. This notice, the management proxy circular, the proxy form and the Company’s 2023 Annual Report will be forwarded on or about Monday, April 8, 2024 to the holders of the Company’s common shares as of the close of business on Monday, March 25, 2024.
All monetary amounts listed in the proxy circular are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
DATED at Bedford, Massachusetts this 3rd day of April, 2024.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Matthijs Glastra
Matthijs Glastra
Chair of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Table of Contents
Novanta Inc.
125 Middlesex Turnpike
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
(781) 266-5700
Management Proxy Circular
Information concerning voting and solicitation
Novanta Inc., a New Brunswick corporation, which, together with its subsidiaries, we refer to in this management proxy circular as the “Company”, will hold its annual meeting of shareholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) online at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024. You will be able to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024 and logging in using the 16-digit control number included in your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. You will be able to vote and ask questions online as you would if you were to attend the meeting in person.
This management proxy circular and the enclosed proxy form are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company for use at the meeting. The solicitation will be made by mail, but proxies may also be solicited personally, by telephone or by email or other electronic means by directors, officers or other employees of the Company. The cost of solicitation has been or will be borne by the Company. The Company may also pay brokers or nominees holding common shares of the Company in their names or in the names of their principals for their reasonable expenses in sending solicitation material to their principals.
The notice of the meeting, this management proxy circular, the proxy form and a copy of the Company’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”) will be forwarded on or about Monday, April 8, 2024 to the holders of the Company’s common shares as of the close of business on Monday, March 25, 2024 (the “Record Date”).
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 8, 2024
The Company’s Management Proxy Circular and 2023 Annual Report
are available at https://investors.novanta.com/financials/annual-reports
The following proxy materials are available for review at: https://investors.novanta.com/financials/annual-reports
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Matters to Be Voted On
At the meeting, you will be entitled to vote on the following proposals:
We are not aware of any other business to be brought before the meeting. If any additional business is properly brought before the meeting, the designated officers serving as proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment.
Board Recommendations
The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:
Attending the 2024 Annual Meeting
The 2024 Annual Meeting will be held virtually. All shareholders and any other persons who are entitled to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting may attend online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024 and logging in using the 16-digit control number included either on your proxy form or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. If your shares are held in “street name,” as described below, you should contact your broker or other nominee to obtain your 16-digit control number or otherwise vote through the broker or other nominee. The 2024 Annual Meeting platform is expected to be fully supported across browsers and devices running the most updated version of applicable software plug-ins. You should ensure you have a strong, preferably high-speed, internet connection wherever you intend to participate in the 2024 Annual Meeting. The webcast 2024 Annual Meeting allows you to attend the meeting live, submit questions and, if you are a shareholder of record, submit your vote during the 2024 Annual Meeting if you have not done so in advance of the 2024 Annual Meeting. Please note that only holders of record will be able to vote during the 2024 Annual Meeting. If you lose your 16-digit control number, you may join the 2024 Annual Meeting as a “Guest”. Guests will be able to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting by joining the webcast as a guest at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024. Guests will not be able to submit questions or vote during the 2024 Annual Meeting. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at 2:50 p.m. Eastern Time on May 8, 2024, and you should allow ample time for check-in procedures.
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Appointment and Revocation of Proxies
The persons named in the enclosed proxy form are officers of the Company. A shareholder may appoint a person, other than the persons already named in the enclosed proxy form, to represent the shareholder at the meeting by inserting the name of such other person in the blank space provided in the proxy form, online at www.proxyvote.com or by completing another proper form of proxy. Such person need not be a shareholder. The completed proxy form must be mailed in the enclosed business reply envelope to and deposited with Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Data Processing Centre, P.O. Box 3700, STN Industrial Park, Markham, ON L3R 9Z9, Canada no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, May 6, 2024, or, if the meeting is postponed, continued or adjourned, prior to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the last business day prior to the date fixed for the postponed, continued or adjourned meeting.
If you are a shareholder of record, you may also vote by telephone or on the Internet by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy form, no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, May 6, 2024, or, if the meeting is postponed, continued or adjourned, prior to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the last business day prior to the date fixed for the postponed, continued or adjourned meeting. You will need your 16‐digit control number located on the form of proxy/voting instruction form. Shareholders who vote by telephone or on the Internet should not return a proxy form by mail.
The shareholder executing the proxy form may revoke it as to any matter on which a vote has not already been cast pursuant to the authority conferred by such proxy: (a) by delivering another properly executed proxy form bearing a later date and depositing it in the manner and by the deadline described above; (b) by delivering an instrument in writing revoking the proxy, executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the date of the meeting, or at any reconvened meeting following its postponement, continuation or adjournment; (c) by voting during the 2024 Annual Meeting, if you are a shareholder of record; or (d) in any other manner permitted by law.
Voting of Proxies
The officers named in the proxy form enclosed with this management proxy circular will vote or withhold from voting the common shares of the Company in respect of which they are appointed proxy in accordance with the directions of the shareholder appointing them and, if a shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted accordingly. In the absence of such direction, the shares will be voted:
Voting and Ownership of Shares
At the close of business on the Record Date, the Company had 35,890,859 common shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share is entitled to one vote. The failure of any shareholder to receive a notice of meeting of shareholders does not deprive the shareholder of a vote at the meeting.
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The following votes are required to approve each of the proposals at the meeting.
No votes may be taken at the meeting, other than a vote to adjourn, unless a quorum has been constituted consisting of the representation of at least thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the outstanding shares as of the Record Date. Votes will be tabulated by a representative of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., which is also serving as the inspector of election or scrutineer for the meeting.
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority on the persons named therein with respect to amendments to or variations of matters identified in the notice of meeting and such other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any postponement, continuation or adjournment thereof. As of the date of this management proxy circular, the management of the Company knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to be presented at the meeting.
Voting for the Election of Directors
Section 65(1) of the Business Corporations Act (New Brunswick) provides for cumulative voting for the election of directors so that each shareholder entitled to vote at an election of directors has the right to cast an aggregate number of votes equal to the number of votes attached to the shares held by such shareholder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and may cast all such votes in favor of a single candidate or distribute them among the candidates in any manner the shareholder decides. The statute further provides, in section 65(2), that a separate vote of shareholders shall be taken with respect to each candidate nominated for director unless a resolution of the shareholders is passed unanimously permitting two or more persons to be elected by a single resolution. Where a shareholder has voted for more than one candidate without specifying the distribution of votes among such candidates, the shareholder shall be deemed to have divided the votes equally among the candidates for whom such shareholder voted. If a shareholder desires to distribute votes other than equally among the nominees for whom such shareholder has directed the persons in the enclosed form of proxy to vote, such shareholder must do so at the meeting or by another form of proxy. On any ballot for the election of directors, the persons named in the proxy will be deemed to have cast their votes equally among all the proposed nominees, unless: (a) any nominee is excluded by the shareholder in their proxy; or (b) the shareholder has directed that the shares be withheld from voting for the election of directors.
Directors will be elected by a majority of the votes cast in the manner described above in an uncontested election. If the number of candidates nominated for director exceeds the number of positions to be filled, the candidates who receive the least number of votes shall be eliminated until the number of candidates remaining equals the number of positions to be filled.
Counting of Votes
For purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present. With respect to the approval of any particular proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes
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will not be counted in determining the number of votes cast. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy form with respect to common shares held in a fiduciary capacity (typically referred to as being held in “street name”) but declines to vote on a particular matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Brokers will return your proxy as a broker non-vote if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you and if, under applicable stock exchange or other rules, the broker does not have the discretion to vote those shares on the applicable matter(s) that come before the meeting.
Virtual Meeting Considerations
We believe a virtual meeting enables increased shareholder attendance and participation because shareholders can participate from any location around the world. In addition, as part of our efforts to minimize the negative environmental impact from physical travels, we believe that holding our annual shareholder meeting via remote participation is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. You will be able to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024. If you are a shareholder of record, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically and submit questions at the 2024 Annual Meeting by joining the meeting following the instructions above.
As part of the 2024 Annual Meeting, we will hold a live Q&A session, during which we intend to answer appropriate questions submitted by shareholders during the meeting that are pertinent to the Company and the meeting matters, for up to 30 minutes after the completion of the 2024 Annual Meeting. Only shareholders that have accessed the 2024 Annual Meeting as a shareholder (rather than a “Guest”) by following the procedures outlined above in “Attending the 2024 Annual Meeting” will be permitted to submit questions during the 2024 Annual Meeting. Each shareholder is limited to no more than two questions. Questions should be succinct and only cover a single topic. We will not address questions that are, among other things:
Additional information regarding the Q&A session will be available in the “Rules of Conduct” available on the 2024 Annual Meeting webpage for shareholders that have accessed the 2024 Annual Meeting as a shareholder (rather than a “Guest”) by following the procedures outlined above in “Attending the 2024 Annual Meeting.”
We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties that you may have accessing the virtual meeting website. The information for assistance will be located on www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NOVT2024.
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Item 1–Election of Directors
The Articles of the Company provide that our Board is to be comprised of a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of fifteen (15) directors, as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. The Board has resolved that the entire Board shall consist of nine (9) directors.
Each nominee presented below, if elected, will serve as a director until the next annual meeting of shareholders, until his or her successor is elected or appointed, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. All of the nominees listed below have given their consent to be named as nominees for election and have indicated their intention to serve if they are elected. The Board does not anticipate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director, but in the event that a nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the Board may either propose an alternate nominee, in which case the proxies will be voted for the alternative nominee unless directed to withhold from voting, or elect to reduce the size of the Board.
The names of the nominees presented for election as directors at the 2024 Annual Meeting are listed below, along with information regarding when they joined the Board, their present principal occupation, recent business experience and their service on other companies’ boards of directors.
All of the nominees, except for R. Matthew Johnson, currently serve on the Board. There are no family relationships between any of the nominees or between the nominees and any of the Company’s officers. R. Matthew Johnson was recommended by a third-party search firm to serve on the Board and further evaluated and recommended to the Board for consideration by the Environmental, Social, and Governance Committee ("ESG Committee").
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Director Nominees
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BELOW.
Name and Municipality of Primary Residence |
Director Since |
Age |
|
Independent? |
Principal Employment |
Position with Novanta |
|
Lonny J. Carpenter |
2018 |
|
62 |
|
Yes |
Former Group President of Stryker Corporation, a medical technologies company |
Director |
Matthijs Glastra |
2016 |
|
55 |
|
No |
Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Novanta |
Same as Principal Employment |
Barbara B. Hulit |
2022 |
|
57 |
|
Yes |
Former Senior Vice President of Fortive Corporation, a diversified industrial technology growth company, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortive’s Advanced Healthcare Solutions segment |
Director |
R. Matthew Johnson |
- |
|
48 |
|
Yes |
President and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Labs, a global semiconductor technology company |
- |
Maxine L. Mauricio |
2020 |
|
53 |
|
Yes |
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of EMCOR Group, Inc., a provider of facilities construction and industrial services |
Director |
Katherine A. Owen |
2021 |
|
53 |
|
Yes |
Former Vice President and Advisor to the CEO of Stryker Corporation, a medical technologies company |
Director |
Thomas N. Secor |
2012 |
|
53 |
|
Yes |
Managing Director of Morningside Heights Capital, an investment firm |
Director |
Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D. |
2022 |
|
65 |
|
Yes |
Former Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Agilent Technologies, Inc., a global leader in the life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets |
Director |
Frank A. Wilson |
2021 |
|
65 |
|
Yes |
Former Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of PerkinElmer, Inc., a life sciences diagnostics, discovery and analytical solutions company |
Director |
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Lonny J. Carpenter
Lead Director
Mr. Carpenter has been a Director of the Company since May 10, 2018 and has served as Lead Director since May 13, 2021. Mr. Carpenter served as the Group President, Global Quality and Business Operations for Stryker Corporation (“Stryker”), a medical technologies company, from January 2016 to March 2019. In this role, Mr. Carpenter was responsible for setting company-wide direction for quality, manufacturing, procurement and logistics strategies, as well as the oversight of Stryker’s commercial business operations in Europe, Canada, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Latin America and Africa. Mr. Carpenter served at Stryker as the Group President, Global Quality and Operations from 2011 to 2016, as the Group President, Instruments and Medical from 2008 to 2011, and as the President, Medical Division from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Carpenter began his career with Stryker in 1989, serving in multiple roles including as the Vice President, Global Operations. Mr. Carpenter has served since 2020 on the board of directors of Merit Medical Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company that manufactures and markets proprietary disposable medical devices, since 2019 on the board of directors of The Boler Company, a privately owned auto part manufacturing company, and since 2019 on the board of directors of Orchid Orthopedics Solutions, a privately owned medical device solutions company. Mr. Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mr. Carpenter’s significant executive operating and commercial experience in the medical technology industry, as well as his broad business background in global manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs, provides the Board with greater insight into the healthcare industry.
Matthijs Glastra
Chair of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Glastra was appointed Chair of the Company’s Board of Directors on May 13, 2021 and has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and as a Director since September 1, 2016. Mr. Glastra joined Novanta in 2012 as a Group President and was appointed the Company’s Chief Operating Officer in February 2015. Prior to Novanta, Mr. Glastra led and grew global technology businesses in advanced industrial and medical end markets during an 18-year career with Philips, both in Europe and in Silicon Valley. At Philips, Mr. Glastra served as Chief Executive Officer of Philips Entertainment Lighting in 2012 and as Chief Operating Officer of Philips Lumileds from 2007 to 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Glastra held multiple General Manager and Vice President positions at the Philips Healthcare, Semiconductor and Lighting divisions from 1994 to 2007. Mr. Glastra also served as Director of Corporate Strategy in the Philips corporate headquarters. Mr. Glastra holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from Delft University of Technology in Delft, Netherlands, an Advanced Engineering Degree from ESPCI in Paris, France, and an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. Mr. Glastra’s more than 25 years of leadership and executive operating experience in Original Equipment Manufacturer-based technology businesses in advanced industrial and medical end markets, and his intimate knowledge of the Company’s businesses provide valuable insight to the Board in formulating and executing the Company’s strategy.
Barbara B. Hulit
Director
Ms. Hulit has been a Director of the Company since July 26, 2022. She served as CEO and President of the Advanced Healthcare Solutions segment of Fortive Corporation, an industrial technology company, from July 2021 until her retirement in January 2023 and as a Senior Vice President at Fortive from June 2016 to July 2021. While at Fortive, she also had company-wide responsibility for the Fortive Business System office, IT, procurement, and high growth markets. Prior to the 2016 spin-off of Fortive from Danaher Corporation, Ms. Hulit
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held both line and staff roles at Danaher. She led the Danaher Business System Office from 2012 to 2016 and was the President of Fluke Corporation from 2005 to 2012. Ms. Hulit started her post-graduate career with The Boston Consulting Group where she worked primarily on growth strategies. Ms. Hulit holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Ms. Hulit was named one of the top women in STEM for her role in establishing the Washington STEM Center and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Graduate School of the Kellogg School of Management. She also has served as a member of the board of directors at Envista Holdings Corporation, a global dental business, since 2021 and on the board of directors of PACCAR, a design, manufacture and customer support company for light, medium and heavy duty trucks, since 2023. Ms. Hulit brings to the Company’s Board of Directors extensive experience in business strategy, operations, innovation, M&A and IT. Ms. Hulit’s presence on the Board also enhances the Board’s gender diversity.
R. Matthew Johnson
Nominee for Director
Mr. Johnson is a nominee for election as Director of the Company. Mr. Johnson has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Labs, a global semiconductor technology company, since 2022. Prior to this position, Mr. Johnson served as President of Silicon Labs from 2021 to 2022 and as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Silicon Lab's Internet of Things Products from 2018 to 2021. Prior to joining Silicon Labs, Mr. Johnson, held various leadership positions at NXP Semiconductors, N.V., Freescale Semiconductors, Inc., and Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from the University of Maine and has completed executive courses at Harvard Business School and Stanford University. Mr. Johnson is currently serving on the boards of Dell Children's Foundation, the Global Semiconductor Alliance and the Semiconductor Industry Alliance. Mr. Johnson will bring to the Company's Board of Directors extensive experience in business operations, strategic planning, and corporate governance.
Maxine L. Mauricio
Director
Ms. Mauricio has been a Director of the Company since May 26, 2020. Ms. Mauricio has served as General Counsel and Secretary of EMCOR Group Inc.(“EMCOR”), a provider of facilities construction and industrial services, since January 2016 and Chief Administrative Officer since January 2024. Ms. Mauricio has been an Executive Vice President of EMCOR since February 2021 and was a Senior Vice President from January 2016 to February 2021. From January 2012 to December 2015, Ms. Mauricio was Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of EMCOR, and from May 2002 to December 2011, she served as EMCOR’s Assistant General Counsel. Prior to joining EMCOR, Ms. Mauricio was an associate at Ropes & Gray LLP. Ms. Mauricio received her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Dartmouth College and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School. Currently, Ms. Mauricio is a member of the Native American Visiting Committee of Dartmouth College and the Board of Visitors of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences. At EMCOR, in addition to legal and compliance matters, Ms. Mauricio has the oversight responsibility for sustainability, diversity and inclusion, human resources, cybersecurity, safety and marketing. In May 2022, Ms. Mauricio received a certificate from MIT Management Executive Education in Cybersecurity Leadership for Non-Technical Executives. Ms. Mauricio brings to the Company’s Board of Directors extensive corporate governance, legal, cybersecurity leadership and compliance expertise acquired at a global Fortune 500 company. Ms. Mauricio’s presence on the Board also enhances the Board’s gender and ethnic diversity.
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Katherine A. Owen
Director
Ms. Owen has been a Director of the Company since February 24, 2021. Ms. Owen served as Vice President and Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of Stryker Corporation, a medical technologies company, from June 2020 to March 2021 and served as Vice President of Strategy and Investor Relations at Stryker from 2007 to 2020, where she was responsible for overseeing the strategic planning and business development processes, as well as investor relations. Prior to that, Ms. Owen served as a medical technology analyst at Merrill Lynch. She previously served as a medical technology analyst at Cowen & Co./SG Cowen. Ms. Owen also worked as a corporate lending analyst at State Street Bank and an underwriter at Chubb Insurance Corporation. Ms. Owen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an MBA from Boston College. Ms. Owen brings to the Company’s Board of Directors extensive experience and valuable insights on corporate development, strategy, and investor relations. Ms. Owen’s presence on the Board also enhances the Board’s gender diversity.
Thomas N. Secor
Director
Mr. Secor has been a Director of the Company since June 14, 2012. Mr. Secor has been Managing Director of Morningside Heights Capital, an investment firm, since March 2012. From April 2007 until March 2012, Mr. Secor was employed by Goldman Sachs & Co, where he worked with Liberty Harbor, an absolute-return investment fund. While at Liberty Harbor, Mr. Secor focused on the fund’s fundamental investment strategies, including debt and equity transactions. From 2005 until March 2007, Mr. Secor was a director and member of the legal group at Amaranth Advisors, an investment advisor. From 1998 until 2005, Mr. Secor was an attorney with Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton where he specialized in corporate and securities law. Mr. Secor received his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Pomona College and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Secor brings to the Company’s Board of Directors more than 20 years of experience in strategic transactions, corporate finance and profit management across a wide range of industries, as well as extensive corporate governance experience.
Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D.
Director
Dr. Solomon has been a Director of the Company since June 28, 2022. She served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Agilent Technologies, Inc., a global leader in the life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, from 2006 until July 2023. Prior to 2006, Dr. Solomon served as Vice President and Director of Agilent Laboratories, Agilent's centralized advanced research organization. She joined Agilent in 1999 and served in a dual capacity as the director of the Life Sciences Technologies Laboratory and as the senior director, research and development/technology for Agilent’s Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis business. She received her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Stanford University and her Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from MIT. Dr. Solomon is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and serves on multiple academic and government advisory boards focused on science, technology, and innovation. Dr. Solomon has also served on the Board of Directors at Materion Corporation, a leader in advanced materials, since 2011. With extensive knowledge and experience in markets important to Novanta and leading innovation in a diversified global technology enterprise, Dr. Solomon brings to the Company’s Board of Directors valuable insight on research and development, strategy, sustainability, and additional operational challenges faced by companies focused on commercialization of technology innovations. Dr. Solomon’s presence on the Board also enhances the Board’s gender diversity.
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Frank A. Wilson
Director
Mr. Wilson has been a Director of the Company since May 13, 2021. Mr. Wilson served most recently as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of PerkinElmer, Inc. (“PerkinElmer”), a life sciences diagnostics, discovery and analytical solutions company, from 2009 until his retirement in 2018. Prior to joining PerkinElmer, Mr. Wilson held key business development and finance roles for over 12 years at Danaher Corporation, a global science and technology conglomerate, including the position of Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations. Earlier in his career, Mr. Wilson worked for several years at AlliedSignal, Inc., now Honeywell International Inc., where he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the Commercial Avionics Systems division. Prior to Allied Signal, he held financial and controllership positions of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo Inc., as well as roles at E.F. Hutton and Company and KPMG LLP. Mr. Wilson has also served as a member of the board of directors of Alkermes plc, a public fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company, since 2019 and Cabot Corporation, a public global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, since 2018. From 2015 to early 2019, Mr. Wilson served as a member of the board of directors of Sparton Corporation, a provider of complex and sophisticated electromechanical devices, where he also served as the chair of the audit committee and chair of the board. Mr. Wilson is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Wilson brings to the Company’s Board of Directors extensive experience and expertise in financial management and business growth strategy from a variety of global industries.
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Item 2–Advisory Vote on the
Company’s Executive Compensation
Background
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 provides our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”), which currently consist of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and Chief Human Resources Officer, as disclosed in this management proxy circular in accordance with the SEC’s rules. The Company has held a “say-on-pay” advisory vote every year since 2013 and following the advisory vote regarding the frequency of future “say-on-pay” votes held in 2019, the Company has determined to continue to hold the “say-on-pay” advisory vote every year until the next such advisory “say-on-pay” frequency advisory vote. The next “say-on-pay” advisory vote following this one will occur at the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders.
Summary
In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we are asking our shareholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as such compensation is described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation and the accompanying narrative disclosure set forth in this management proxy circular, beginning on page 35.
Motivating and retaining our talented and experienced leadership team is a critical component of our long-term success. We maintain an effective executive compensation program that incorporates best practices, sound governance policies and delivers the majority of our named executive officers’ annual compensation through performance-based incentives that focus on both short-term and long-term sustainable performance. Our executive compensation program is designed to align with both shareholder interests and company performance through a combination of base salary, cash incentive awards and long-term equity-based incentive awards in the form of both service-based vesting options to purchase our common shares and performance-based vesting restricted stock units (“performance stock units” or “PSUs”). The following is a summary of some of the key points of our executive compensation program. We urge our shareholders to review the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this management proxy circular and the tabular disclosures following such section for more information.
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Independent Compensation Committee |
Yes |
Independent Compensation Advisor |
Yes |
Stock Ownership Guidelines |
Yes |
No Section 280G Excise Tax Gross-Ups |
Yes |
No Single-Trigger Equity Vesting upon Change of Control |
Yes |
No Stock Option Repricing Without Shareholder Approval |
Yes |
Claw-back Policy for Incentive Compensation |
Yes |
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies |
Yes |
Formal Succession Plan Review |
Yes |
Compensation Risk Assessment |
Annual |
Shareholder Vote to Approve Executive Compensation on an Advisory Basis |
Annual |
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The Compensation Committee believes that the policies and procedures articulated in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section are effective in achieving the Company’s goals and that the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers reported in this management proxy circular reflects and supports these compensation policies and objectives. We encourage shareholders to review the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section beginning on page 35 of this management proxy circular.
Recommendation
Our Board of Directors believes that the information provided above and within the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this management proxy circular demonstrates that our executive compensation program was designed appropriately to support long-term value creation and aligns the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our shareholders.
The following resolution will be submitted for a shareholder vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Novanta Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, compensation tables and narrative discussion set forth in this management proxy circular.
This vote on our executive compensation is advisory and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. However, the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for the named executive officers.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in respect of this matter at the 2024 Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining the number of votes cast, and thus will not affect the voting results of this proposal.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COMPANY’S COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
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Item 3–Appointment of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
At the 2024 Annual Meeting, the shareholders will be asked to approve the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLC (“Deloitte”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to serve until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, or until such firm’s earlier resignation or removal. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (“PwC”) served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
The Audit Committee of the Board completed a competitive process to recommend the engagement of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024. Multiple firms were invited to participate in this process, including PwC, which has served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since 2013. As a result of this process, and in order for Deloitte to assume office immediately and to comply with the requirements of the Business Corporations Act (New Brunswick), on March 13, 2024, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, requested that PwC resign as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Effective as of March 14, 2024, the Board approved the engagement of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm.
PwC’s reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through March 13, 2024, there were no “disagreements” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and related instructions, between the Company and PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, any of which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused PwC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports on the financial statements for such years. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through March 13, 2024, there were no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company provided PwC with a copy of the disclosures included in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2024 (the “Current Report”). The Company requested that PwC furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agreed with the statements made in the Current Report. A copy of PwC’s letter dated March 15, 2024 was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Current Report.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the subsequent interim period through March 14, 2024, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with Deloitte with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that Deloitte concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” or “reportable event” as those terms are defined in Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K.
We expect a representative of Deloitte to be present at the meeting to answer appropriate questions and to have an opportunity to make a statement if desired. A representative of PwC will not be present at the meeting.
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Required Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the common shares represented and cast in respect of this matter at the 2024 Annual Meeting is required to approve the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to serve until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Abstentions will not be counted in determining the number of votes cast, and thus will not affect the voting results of this proposal. Because brokers have discretionary authority to vote on the appointment of Deloitte, we do not expect any broker non-votes in connection with this proposal.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THIS APPOINTMENT.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services
The Board engaged Deloitte as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. The Company did not pay Deloitte any fees in connection with the audits of its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Set forth below are the fees paid by the Company to its former independent registered public accounting firm, PwC, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
||
Audit Fees (1) |
$ |
2,455,000 |
|
$ |
2,480,000 |
|
Tax Fees (2) |
|
390,000 |
|
|
296,000 |
|
All Other Fees (3) |
|
2,000 |
|
|
1,000 |
|
Total |
$ |
2,847,000 |
|
$ |
2,777,000 |
|
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. This policy generally provides that the Company will not engage its independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the Audit Committee specifically approves the services in advance, or the engagement is entered into pursuant to the pre-approval procedure described below.
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to an individual member of the Audit Committee. The decisions of any individual Audit Committee member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the committee the authority to pre-approve any audit, non-audit or other services provided to the Company by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, except for the annual audit engagement and fees, which must be approved by the full Audit Committee. The pre-approval of the Audit Committee or the pre-approval of the Chair of the Audit Committee was obtained for all services provided by PwC in fiscal year 2023.
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Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee reviews non-audit services proposed to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to determine whether they would be compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. The Audit Committee has established policies and procedures for the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm to provide non-audit services. Specifically:
Report of the Audit Committee
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
In conjunction with the specific activities performed by the Audit Committee in its oversight role, it issued the following report:
Based on the review and discussions referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC.
Mr. Frank A. Wilson (Chair)
Ms. Katherine A. Owen
Mr. Thomas N. Secor
The foregoing Report is not soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
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Executive Officers
Set forth below is information regarding the Company’s current executive officers who are not also directors. Information concerning Matthijs Glastra, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), may be found above in the section entitled “Item 1–Election of Directors” on page 6 of this management proxy circular.
Robert J. Buckley
Chief Financial Officer
Age: 49
Executive Officer since March 2011
Mr. Buckley was appointed the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on March 31, 2011. Prior to joining the Company in February 2011, Mr. Buckley had a ten-year career with PerkinElmer, Inc. (“PerkinElmer”), a provider of technology and services to the diagnostics, research, environmental, safety and security, industrial and laboratory services markets, where he served in several financial management positions of increasing responsibilities. From September 2008 to February 2011, Mr. Buckley served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PerkinElmer’s Environmental Health business. From September 2005 to September 2008, Mr. Buckley was Chief Financial Officer of PerkinElmer’s Asian operations. From April 2001 to August 2005, Mr. Buckley served in various financial management roles at PerkinElmer. Prior to joining PerkinElmer, Mr. Buckley held management positions with Honeywell International, Inc., a diversified technology and manufacturing company, and Georgeson & Company, Inc. Mr. Buckley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Manhattanville College and an M.B.A. from University of California at Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.).
Michele D. Welsh
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Age: 50
Executive Officer since July 2022
Ms. Welsh joined the Company in July 2022 as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. She brings to Novanta many years of experience working with global, public companies across multiple industries. Prior to joining Novanta, Ms. Welsh was the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel & Legal Compliance at Carlisle Companies Incorporated, a diversified, global manufacturing company from May 2018 to May 2022. At Carlisle, Ms. Welsh managed M&A and strategic transactions, commercial and corporate matters and oversaw compliance functions. Before Carlisle, Ms. Welsh had a variety of increasingly senior legal roles at Aon plc, a global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, reinsurance, retirement and health solutions, from September 2007 to April 2018. Prior to her time at Aon, Ms. Welsh practiced law in the corporate and securities practices of the law firms of Neal, Gerber and Eisenberg LLP and Thompson Coburn LLP, where she represented public and private companies in multiple industries on a wide variety of corporate governance, securities and M&A matters. Ms. Welsh holds a B.S.B.A. from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.
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Brian S. Young
Chief Human Resources Officer
Age: 55
Executive Officer since December 2016
Mr. Young joined the Company in April 2015 as Vice President of Human Resources and was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer by the Board of Directors in December 2016. Mr. Young brings more than 20 years of human resources leadership experience in both public and private companies serving Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) of Class I, II & III medical devices, industrial control technologies and advanced materials. From July 2014 to March 2015, Mr. Young served as Global Human Resource Leader for Hollingsworth & Vose Company, a global manufacturing company. From September 2011 to November 2013, Mr. Young served as Vice President & Human Resource Officer for CIRCOR International, Inc. (“CIRCOR”), a global environmental products manufacturing company. From September 2010 to August 2011, Mr. Young served as Director of Total Rewards for CIRCOR. In addition, from June 2003 to August 2010, Mr. Young served in various leadership roles with Lake Region Medical (formerly Accellent, Inc.), a medical device manufacturing company. Mr. Young’s early career experience was in General Human Resource Management with a specialization in training and development. Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Pennsylvania State University.
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Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) represents the interests of our shareholders and oversees the Company’s business and affairs pursuant to our governing documents. Members of the Board oversee the Company’s business and affairs by, among other things, participating in Board and Committee meetings, reviewing materials provided to them, engaging with the Chair of the Board and CEO and with key members of management and associates, bringing in outside experts, and discussing feedback from shareholders and other stakeholders.
The Board is elected annually and each of our directors stands for re-election every year. The size of the Board has been set by resolution of the Directors at nine directors and the Board is currently comprised of eight directors. All current directors, except Mr. Glastra, have been determined by the Board to be independent under the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). In addition, R. Matthew Johnson, a nominee for election as director, has also been determined by the Board to be independent under the Nasdaq rules.
Please see the biography of each director and director nominee under the section entitled “Item 1–Election of Directors” for the public company boards on which each director nominee serves.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board is responsible for the overall stewardship of the Company. The Board discharges this responsibility directly and through delegation of specific responsibilities to its committees, including the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Committee, as well as the Chair of the Board and officers of the Company. Each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and ESG Committee has a charter defining its responsibilities. The Board does not have an executive committee.
The Company’s By-Laws require the Chair of the Board to be a director and provide the Board with the ability to appoint the CEO of the Company as the Chair of the Board. This approach gives the Board the necessary flexibility to determine whether these positions should be held by the same person or by separate persons based on the leadership needs of the Company at any particular time. We recognize that different board leadership structures may be appropriate for companies in different situations.
The ESG Committee and the Board have determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to combine the roles of the Chair of the Board and the CEO. Accordingly, Mr. Glastra has served as our Chair of the Board since the 2021 annual and special meeting of shareholders (the "2021 Annual Meeting"). The ESG Committee and the Board also recognize the importance of providing additional, independent oversight of the Board and are committed to upholding the strongest principles in corporate governance for the benefit of all shareholders. Accordingly, the independent directors of the Board appointed Lonny J. Carpenter as the Company’s independent Lead Director ("Lead Director"). Mr. Carpenter has served in this role since the conclusion of the 2021 Annual Meeting.
The ESG Committee and the Board believe that the combination of the roles of the Chair of the Board and the CEO is appropriate at this time because Mr. Glastra has a deep understanding of the Company’s business since his appointment as CEO in 2016 and Mr. Glastra is best positioned to lead the Company and provide strategic direction to the Company and the Board. This structure also facilitates the flow of information and communications between the Board and the Company’s senior management, while providing for effective
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oversight by an independent Board through a strong independent Lead Director acting in accordance with the Company’s robust corporate governance practices and policies.
Our Lead Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
If in the future the Chair of the Board is an independent director, that person will assume the responsibilities set forth above of the Lead Director while serving as the Chair of the Board. The Board may modify its leadership structure in the future as it deems appropriate.
Director Independence
The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that an independent director is a director who meets the criteria for independence as required by Nasdaq, as affirmatively determined by the Board. This definition is included in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available at www.novanta.com under “Investors” — “Governance.” In making a determination of whether a director has any relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including but not limited to the director’s commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships. Ownership of a significant amount of the Company’s stock may or may not preclude the Board from concluding that a director is independent. In evaluating and determining the independence of the directors, the Board considered that in the ordinary course of business, transactions may occur between the Company and entities with which some of the directors are or have been affiliated and that the Company may have other relationships with its directors.
Consistent with these considerations, the Board has affirmatively determined that all of our non-management directors are independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq rules. The independent directors are Lonny J. Carpenter, Barbara B. Hulit, Maxine L. Mauricio, Katherine A. Owen, Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D., Thomas N. Secor, and Frank A. Wilson. In addition, the Board has determined that the director nominee, R. Matthew Johnson, is independent under the rules of Nasdaq. Mr. Glastra is not independent because he is the Company’s CEO.
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Corporate Governance Highlights
The following table summarizes our current Board structure and key elements of our corporate governance framework:
|
Prior to the 2024 Annual Meeting |
Size of the Board |
Eight Directors |
Number of Independent Directors |
Seven Directors |
Percentage of Independent Directors |
88% |
Percentage of Directors That Are Women and/or Members of Underrepresented Groups |
50% |
Number of Directors That Are Women |
Four Directors |
Board Self-Evaluation |
Annual |
Review of Independence of the Board |
At Least Annually |
Independent Directors Meet Without Management Present |
Yes |
All Directors Elected Annually |
Yes |
Voting Standard for Election of Directors |
Majority of Votes Cast* |
Corporate Governance Guidelines |
Yes |
Diversity (as to background, experience and skills) |
Yes |
Prohibition on Hedging Company Stock |
Yes |
*For uncontested elections. See page 4 for additional information.
Board Committees and Meetings
The Board has a responsibility for establishing broad corporate policies and reviewing the overall performance, rather than the day-to-day operations of the Company. The Board’s primary responsibility is to oversee the management of the Company and, in so doing, the Board serves the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board selects, evaluates and provides for the succession of our executive officers. It reviews and approves corporate objectives and strategies and evaluates significant policies and major proposed commitments of corporate resources. It participates in decisions that have a potential major economic impact on the Company. Management keeps the directors informed of the Company’s business activities through regular written reports and presentations at Board and committee meetings.
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The Board maintains an Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and ESG Committee, whose functions are described below. All members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and ESG Committee are independent directors. The following table sets forth the membership of these committees:
Name |
Audit |
Compensation |
ESG Committee |
Lonny J. Carpenter |
|
CHAIR |
X |
Barbara B. Hulit |
|
|
X |
Maxine L. Mauricio |
|
|
CHAIR |
Katherine A. Owen |
X |
|
|
Thomas N. Secor |
X |
|
X |
Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D. |
|
X |
|
Frank A. Wilson |
CHAIR |
X |
|
Each of the Board committees maintains a written charter detailing its authority and responsibilities. These charters are reviewed and updated periodically as legislative and regulatory developments and business circumstances warrant. The committee charters are available in their entirety on the Investors page of our website at https://investors.novanta.com under the Governance tab.
Meetings
The Board and the following committees met as follows during the year ended December 31, 2023:
Name |
Number of Meetings |
Board of Directors |
7 |
Audit Committee |
4 |
Compensation Committee |
2 |
ESG Committee |
3 |
The independent directors also meet routinely in executive sessions in connection with regular meetings of the Board. Mr. Carpenter presides over all executive sessions at which he is present.
During 2023, each director attended 100% of the Board meetings, and 100% of the meetings of committees of which such director is a member. Members of the Board of Directors are strongly encouraged to attend the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. In 2023, all of the directors attended the annual meeting of shareholders.
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The Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of Ms. Owen, Mr. Secor and Mr. Wilson, with Mr. Wilson serving as Chair. All members of the Audit Committee meet the membership requirements of Nasdaq, including the requirements regarding financial literacy and financial sophistication, and the Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq and the rules of the SEC regarding audit committee membership. The Board further determined that Mr. Wilson is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC.
The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm and is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee also reviews the independence and quality control procedures of the independent registered public accounting firm, reviews management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls, and discusses with management the Company’s policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including cybersecurity risks.
The Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Carpenter, Dr. Solomon and Mr. Wilson, with Mr. Carpenter serving as Chair. All members of the Compensation Committee meet the membership requirements of Nasdaq, and each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq regarding compensation committee membership.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary duties with respect to the oversight of the Company’s compensation plans, policies and programs, including assessing the overall compensation structure, reviewing all executive compensation programs, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and determining executive compensation. Specifically, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits of the CEO and the other officers, oversees the performance evaluation of the CEO and the other officers, and reviews and approves the Senior Management Incentive Plan (including grants of equity compensation and annual cash incentive compensation for the officers and certain other key employees).
The Compensation Committee has the authority under its charter to directly retain and cause the Company to pay reasonable compensation for compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate. In 2023, the Compensation Committee retained Aon plc, as its independent compensation consultant to assist the Compensation Committee with benchmarking and design advice related to the Company’s 2023 executive compensation programs.
Finally, the Company sought to maintain the strong governance of its executive compensation program. In particular, during the fiscal year 2023, the Compensation Committee:
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In addition, the Compensation Committee continually evaluates the Company’s compensation policies and practices to ensure that they are consistent with good governance principles. Below are highlights of what we do and what we do not do:
What We Do |
What We Do Not Do |
||
|
Pay for Performance. We place significant weight on performance-based, at-risk, long-term compensation. |
|
No Excise Tax Gross-Ups. We do not provide any compensation-related tax gross-ups (except in connection with relocation expenses). |
|
Robust Performance Goals. We deliver rewards that are based on the achievement of long-term objectives and the creation of shareholder value. |
|
No Excessive Perks. We do not provide significant perquisites. |
|
Options Granted at Fair Market Value. Annual stock options awarded to Named Executive Officers are approved by the Compensation Committee at an exercise price not less than the fair market value of Novanta common stock on the date of grant. |
|
No Excessive Risks or Short-Term Results to the Detriment of Long-Term Results. Compensation practices and pay mix heavily weighted toward long-term incentives aligned with the interests of shareholders and designed to dis-incentivize excessive risk taking. |
|
Clawback Practices. We maintain a clawback policy with respect to incentive-based cash and equity compensation consistent with Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act and the corresponding listing standard adopted by the Nasdaq. |
|
Ban on Hedging. We do not allow employees, officers or directors to hedge Company stock. |
|
Robust Stock Ownership Requirements. We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our CEO and other Named Executive Officers. |
|
No Replacement Awards. We do not reprice or replace out-of-the-money stock options. |
|
Double Trigger in the Event of a Change-in-Control. We have double-trigger vesting of cash severance payments and equity awards upon a change in control. |
|
No Guaranteed Employment. We do not have contracts that guarantee employment with any executives (all employment is terminable at will). |
|
Maximum Payout Caps for Incentive Plans. We have a cap on cash incentive compensation at 200% and performance-based equity incentive compensation at 260% of target number of shares. |
|
No Dividends on Unvested Awards. We do not pay dividends on unvested stock awards. |
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For a discussion of the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for considering and determining compensation for our officers, please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section.
The Environmental, Social and Governance Committee
The Environmental, Social and Governance Committee (the “ESG Committee”) consists of Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Hulit, Ms. Mauricio, and Mr. Secor, with Ms. Mauricio serving as Chair. All members of the ESG Committee meet the membership requirements of Nasdaq.
The ESG Committee is responsible for: (a) identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommending such individuals to the Board as director nominees; (b) overseeing the Company’s corporate governance policies and practices, including a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; (c) reviewing the qualifications of directors eligible to become members of the different committees of the Board and recommending to the Board director nominees for each committee; (d) overseeing annual performance reviews of the Board and its committees; (e) overseeing the Company’s sustainability strategy, initiatives, policies and risks, including regarding climate change, environmental stewardship and social issues; (f) overseeing the Company’s programs and policies regarding diversity and inclusion; (g) evaluating and making recommendations to the Board regarding compensation of non-management directors; and (h) overseeing the Company's enterprise cybersecurity program.
Selection and Evaluation of Director Candidates
In searching for qualified director candidates for election to the Board and to fill vacancies on the Board, the ESG Committee solicits current directors for the names of potentially qualified candidates and may ask directors to pursue their own business contacts for the names of potentially qualified candidates and to conduct due diligence on director candidates. In addition, the ESG Committee may from time to time retain an outside search firm to assist in the search for qualified candidates. In the event there is or will be a vacancy on the Board, the ESG Committee will consider suggestions from shareholders for nominees for election as directors and evaluate such suggested nominees on the same terms as candidates identified by directors, officers, outside advisors or search firms selected by the ESG Committee.
The criteria that the ESG Committee has established for selecting members of the Board are contained in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on the Investors page of the Company’s website at https://investors.novanta.com, under the Governance tab. The criteria include a consideration of the candidate’s independence, demonstrated ethical standards, experience at the policy-making level, ability to work constructively with the other directors and the CEO, capacity to evaluate strategy and reach sound conclusions, motivation and time to devote themselves to Company matters, and ability to take into account and balance the legitimate needs of all shareholders and other stakeholders in reaching decisions. In addition, the Board is committed to seeking out highly qualified women and minority candidates as well as candidates with diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences as part of each Board search that the Company undertakes.
The ESG Committee assesses the effectiveness of this policy as part of its annual self-evaluation.
Once potential candidates are identified, the ESG Committee reviews the backgrounds of those candidates, conducts interviews of candidates and establishes a list of final candidates. To the extent practicable, final candidates are then interviewed by each member of the ESG Committee and the Chair of the Board and CEO. Reasonable efforts are made to have all remaining directors interview the final candidate or candidates.
The ESG Committee and the Board have not established a formal policy with regards to the consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders. This is due to the following factors: (i) the limited number of
Page 26
such recommendations, (ii) the need to evaluate such recommendations on a case-by-case basis, and (iii) the expectation that recommendations from shareholders would be considered in the same manner as recommendations by directors, officers, outside advisors or search firms in the event of a vacancy on the Board.
Any shareholder who intends to recommend a candidate to the ESG Committee for nomination as a director should deliver a written notice to the Company with the following information: (a) the suggested candidate’s biographical data (including business experience, service on other boards, and academic credentials); (b) all transactions and relationships, if any, between the recommending shareholder or such candidate, on the one hand, and the Company or its management, on the other hand, as well as any relationships or arrangements, if any, between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other transactions or relationships of which the Board should be aware in order to evaluate such candidate’s potential independence as a director; (c) details of whether the candidate or the recommending shareholder is involved in any on-going litigation adverse to the Company or is associated with an entity which is engaged in such litigation; and (d) whether the candidate or any company for which the candidate serves or has served as an officer or director is, or has been, the subject of any bankruptcy, SEC or criminal proceedings or investigations, any civil proceedings or investigations related to fraud, accounting or financial misconduct, or any other material civil proceedings or investigations. The notice must also contain a written consent confirming that (a) the candidate consents to be nominated and named in the Company’s management proxy circular and, if elected, to serve as a director of the Company, and (b) the candidate agrees to be interviewed by the ESG Committee and submit additional information if requested to do so. Any such notice should be delivered to the Company sufficiently in advance of the Company’s annual meeting to permit the ESG Committee, in the event that there is or will be a vacancy on the Board, to complete its review in a timely fashion.
Board Diversity Matrix
The following matrices discloses the gender and demographic backgrounds of our Board as self-identified by its current members as of April 3, 2024 in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5606.
Board Diversity Matrix (As of April 3, 2024) |
||||
Total Number of Directors |
8 |
|||
|
Female |
Male |
Non-Binary |
Did Not Disclose Gender |
Part I: Gender Identity |
|
|
|
|
Directors |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
Part II: Demographic Background |
|
|
|
|
African American or Black |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Alaskan Native or Native American |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Asian |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hispanic or Latinx |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
White |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
LGBTQ+ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Page 27
Communications With the Board
The Board has not established a formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board and/or individual directors due to the limited number of such communications historically. However, the Board will give appropriate attention to written communications on issues that are submitted by shareholders and other interested parties and will respond if and as appropriate. The names of all directors are available to shareholders in this management proxy circular and on the Company’s website. If the Company receives any shareholder communication intended for the full Board or any individual director, the Company will forward all such communications to the full Board or such individual director, unless the communication is clearly of a marketing nature or is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly inappropriate. Any shareholder communications should be sent to: Novanta Inc., Attention: Lead Director, 125 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730, USA.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Board recognizes the importance of appropriate oversight of potential business risks in running a successful operation and meeting its fiduciary obligations to our business, our shareholders, and our other stakeholders. While our senior executives, including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain & NGS, and two other business Group Presidents have the responsibility for the day-to-day assessment and management of business risks, the Board maintains a responsibility for creating an appropriate culture of risk management and setting a proper “tone at the top.” The Board has taken an active role in overseeing risks that could affect the Company, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, cybersecurity, strategic and reputational risks. The oversight of these risks is conducted primarily through the Audit Committee, which has been assigned the oversight responsibility for enterprise risk management and reports regularly to the full Board on such matters. Senior management, with the assistance of the Company’s outsourced Internal Audit service provider, carries out enterprise risk assessment activities. This process includes periodic reporting by management to the Audit Committee in order to systematically identify, analyze, prioritize and document potential business risks, their potential impact on the Company’s performance, and the Company’s ability to detect, manage, control and prevent these risks. When the Audit Committee receives a report from senior management, the Chair of the Audit Committee reports on the discussion to the full Board during the next Board meeting to the extent that all of the directors were not present at the Audit Committee meeting. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the overall risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk areas that may potentially impact more than one committee of the Board.
In particular, the Board of Directors recognizes the need for continually monitoring the Company’s information security risks and cybersecurity initiatives. Cybersecurity risks and information security matters are primarily overseen by the Audit Committee. The Chief Information Officer (“CIO”), who is also the Company's Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”), briefs the Audit Committee on information and cyber security matters at each quarterly meeting of the Audit Committee.
In addition to the role the Audit Committee plays in overseeing enterprise risk management activities and cybersecurity risks, the ESG Committee reviews and oversees the Company’s enterprise cybersecurity program, including its strategy and processes, and is updated by the CIO/CISO at each of the ESG Committee meetings on the status and developments of the cybersecurity program. The ESG Committee also oversees the Company’s environmental sustainability and social issues, including climate-related risks and opportunities, environmental stewardship, diversity and inclusion, as well as the Company’s governance framework. This oversight includes periodic reporting by management to the ESG Committee on potential sustainability risks and their potential impact on the Company’s performance as well as progress made on environmental sustainability initiatives and goals. The ESG Committee periodically reports to the Board on these matters.
Page 28
In addition, the Compensation Committee monitors the design and implementation of our compensation programs to ensure that these programs include the elements needed to motivate executives to take a long-term view of the business and to avoid encouraging inappropriate risk taking. Based on a functional review of our compensation policies and practices as performed by senior management in consultation with the Company’s independent compensation consultant and the Compensation Committee, the Company does not believe that any risks arising from its executive compensation programs are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Board believes that its leadership structure that is described above and under the heading "Board Leadership Structure" provides an effective framework for the Board's oversight of the Company's risks.
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
All of the Company’s directors, officers and employees must act in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which has been adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. A copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available on the Company’s website at https://novanta.com on the Corporate Citizenship page, under the About Us tab, with the title “Code of Business Conduct - English”. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Nasdaq rules regarding waivers for directors or executive officers or under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding disclosure of an amendment to, or waiver from, any provision of this Code of Ethics and Business Conduct with respect to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on the Company’s website discussed above, unless a Form 8-K is otherwise required by law or applicable listing rules.
Anti-Hedging Policy
Our Board of Directors has adopted an Insider Trading Policy, which applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. The policy prohibits our directors, officers and employees and their family members from engaging in hedging transactions with respect to the Company’s securities. This includes transactions involving financial instruments, such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds, or other transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of the Company’s equity securities.
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors are expected to participate in an orientation program within six months of the annual meeting at which new directors are elected or the date on which new directors are appointed. In addition, the Company may periodically make available to its directors continuing educational opportunities designed to assist them in performing their Board and committee functions.
Page 29
Assessments
The ESG Committee is responsible for annually overseeing a review of the performance of the Board, and each of the ESG Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee is responsible for annually reviewing such committee’s own performance. In December 2023, the ESG Committee sent a self-evaluation questionnaire for the Board and each of the Board’s standing committees. All directors completed a questionnaire evaluating the performance of the Board as a whole and each committee on which the director served, and a summary of the results of these self-evaluations was discussed by the Board at its February 22, 2024 meeting.
Additional Governance Matters
The Board of Directors (acting on the recommendation of the ESG Committee) has approved the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, which include, among other items (in addition to those items described elsewhere in this proxy):
Page 30
Director Compensation
In general, the Company uses a combination of cash and equity-based compensation to attract and retain candidates to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company does not compensate directors who are also employees for their service on the Board. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Glastra, who served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and as the Chair of the Board, did not receive any compensation for his service on the Board. Compensation for the Board is overseen by the ESG Committee rather than the Compensation Committee, which focuses on employee compensation. The ESG Committee periodically reviews the cash and equity-based compensation for non-employee directors and makes recommendations to the full Board for any adjustments.
The Board of Directors approves the policy pursuant to which the compensation of the non-employee directors is provided. Under this policy (the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, in effect as of January 1, 2019 and amended on May 13, 2021 and February 25, 2023), the non-employee directors receive the following compensation:
In 2023, $62,500 of the non-employee directors' annual equity retainers was in the form of deferred stock units ("DSUs") and the remainder $112,500 was in the form of restricted stock units ("RSUs"). The DSUs vest upon grant and are converted into the Company’s common shares upon retirement, resignation or termination of directorship. The RSUs vest upon grant and are converted into the Company’s common shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Beginning in 2024, all annual grants of equity to the Board of Directors will be in the form of RSUs that vest upon grant and will be converted into the Company's common shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
Page 31
Any non-employee director who is initially elected to the Board on any date other than the first business day of an applicable calendar year receives a pro-rated cash retainer and grant of equity based on their date of election to the Board.
As of December 31, 2023, each director was also a party to an indemnification agreement with the Company. Such indemnification agreements generally provide, among other things, that each director shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such director in connection with any proceeding by reason of his or her relationship with the Company. In addition, such indemnification agreements provide for the advancement of expenses incurred by such director in connection with any proceeding covered by such indemnification agreements, subject to the conditions set forth therein and to the extent such advancement is not prohibited by law.
Director Stock Ownership Guidelines
In accordance with the Company’s Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Guidelines in place during 2023, which were revised in February 2023, each non-employee director is required to achieve and maintain a stock ownership threshold equal to five (increased from three) times the amount of his or her annual cash retainer for service on the Board. The Company uses the average closing price per share of the Company’s common shares (as adjusted for stock splits and similar changes to the Common Shares) on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the most recently completed fiscal year to determine the number of shares required to meet the retainer thresholds. For purposes of this requirement, compliance date shall mean the later of the fifth (increased from the third) anniversary of the following date (later to occur being the “Compliance Date”): (i) the effective date or (ii) the date of such non-employee director’s initial appointment or election to the Board.
Securities that qualify in determining whether a non-employee director has satisfied the shareholding requirements include: (i) issued and outstanding shares of common shares held beneficially or of record by the non-employee director that are not subject to transfer or other restrictions; (ii) issued and outstanding shares of common shares held by a trust created for the benefit of the non-employee director, the non-employee director’s spouse, or members of the non-employee director’s immediate family; (iii) issued and outstanding shares of common shares held by a 401(k) or other qualified pension or profit-sharing plan for the benefit of the non-employee director (whether denominated in shares or units); and (iv) shares of common shares underlying vested restricted stock units and vested deferred stock units.
All directors were in compliance with the current policy as of December 31, 2023.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 by the Company’s non-employee directors.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash |
|
Stock |
|
Total |
|
|||
Lonny J. Carpenter |
|
112,500 |
|
|
180,062 |
|
|
292,562 |
|
Barbara B. Hulit |
|
72,500 |
|
|
175,073 |
|
|
247,573 |
|
Maxine L. Mauricio |
|
77,500 |
|
|
180,062 |
|
|
257,562 |
|
Katherine A. Owen |
|
77,500 |
|
|
175,073 |
|
|
252,573 |
|
Thomas N. Secor |
|
82,500 |
|
|
175,073 |
|
|
257,573 |
|
Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D. |
|
77,500 |
|
|
175,073 |
|
|
252,573 |
|
Frank A. Wilson |
|
95,000 |
|
|
182,624 |
|
|
277,624 |
|
Page 32
The following table sets forth the aggregate outstanding deferred stock units and restricted stock units held by each director as of December 31, 2023:
Name |
Deferred Stock |
|
Restricted Stock |
|
Total |
|
|||
Lonny J. Carpenter |
|
3,794 |
|
|
742 |
|
|
4,536 |
|
Barbara B. Hulit |
|
651 |
|
|
742 |
|
|
1,393 |
|
Maxine L. Mauricio |
|
1,790 |
|
|
742 |
|
|
2,532 |
|
Katherine A. Owen |
|
1,208 |
|
|
742 |
|
|
1,950 |
|
Thomas N. Secor |
|
32,077 |
|
|
742 |
|
|
32,819 |
|
Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D. |
|
721 |
|
|
742 |
|
|
1,463 |
|
Frank A. Wilson |
|
1,223 |
|
|
742 |
|
|
1,965 |
|
Total |
|
41,464 |
|
|
5,194 |
|
|
46,658 |
|
Page 33
Grant Date |
Mr. Carpenter |
Ms. Hulit |
Ms. Mauricio |
Ms. Owen |
Mr. Secor |
Dr. Solomon |
Mr. Wilson |
July 2, 2012 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2,982 |
— |
— |
January 1, 2013 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
7,218 |
— |
— |
January 1, 2014 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
5,561 |
— |
— |
January 1, 2015 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
4,246 |
— |
— |
January 1, 2016 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
4,589 |
— |
— |
January 1, 2017 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
2,977 |
— |
— |
January 1, 2018 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1,250 |
— |
— |
May 10, 2018 |
635 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
October 1, 2018 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
21 |
— |
— |
January 2, 2019 |
992 |
— |
— |
— |
1,071 |
— |
— |
January 2, 2020 |
682 |
— |
— |
— |
737 |
— |
— |
May 26, 2020 |
— |
— |
374 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
July 1, 2020 |
23 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
January 4, 2021 |
573 |
— |
531 |
— |
573 |
— |
— |
February 24, 2021 |
— |
— |
— |
385 |
— |
— |
— |
May 13, 2021 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
304 |
January 3, 2022 |
388 |
— |
359 |
359 |
388 |
— |
359 |
April 5, 2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
40 |
May 12, 2022 |
— |
— |
25 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
June 28, 2022 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
257 |
— |
July 26, 2022 |
— |
187 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
January 3, 2023 |
501 |
464 |
501 |
464 |
464 |
464 |
520 |
Total |
3,794 |
651 |
1,790 |
1,208 |
32,077 |
721 |
1,223 |
Grant Date |
Mr. Carpenter |
Ms. Hulit |
Ms. Mauricio |
Ms. Owen |
Mr. Secor |
Dr. Solomon |
Mr. Wilson |
January 3, 2023 |
464 |
464 |
464 |
464 |
464 |
464 |
464 |
July 3, 2023 |
278 |
278 |
278 |
278 |
278 |
278 |
278 |
Total |
742 |
742 |
742 |
742 |
742 |
742 |
742 |
Page 34
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following discussion and analysis contains statements regarding individual and Company performance targets and goals. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context of the Company’s compensation programs and should not be understood to be statements of management’s expectations or estimates of results or other guidance. The Company specifically cautions investors not to apply these statements to other contexts.
The following discussion and analysis details the Company’s philosophy and policies regarding executive compensation, the process that is used to set executive compensation within the Company, the elements of the executive compensation program, and the roles of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and the executive staff in setting executive compensation. In this section, the terms, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to the Company, and the “Board” and “Board of Directors” refer to the Board of Directors of Novanta Inc., unless otherwise specified.
The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Organic Revenue Growth, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS, to evaluate its operating performance, communicate financial results to the Board of Directors, benchmark results against historical performance and the performance of peers, and to determine incentive compensation for senior management and employees. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as substitutes for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. They are limited in value because they exclude charges that have a material effect on the Company’s reported results and, therefore, should not be relied upon as the sole financial measures to evaluate the Company’s financial results. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as provided in the tables at the end of the Company’s annual report for the fiscal year 2023.
The following table shows the Company’s named executive officers (collectively, the “named executive officers” or “NEOs”) for the fiscal year 2023:
Executive |
Title |
Officer Since |
Matthijs Glastra |
Chief Executive Officer |
2012 |
Robert J. Buckley |
Chief Financial Officer |
2011 |
Michele D. Welsh |
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
2022 |
Brian S. Young |
Chief Human Resources Officer |
2016 |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Creating Shareholder Value
The creation of shareholder value is the foundation and driver of the Company’s executive compensation program. The compensation of the NEOs is closely aligned with the long-term interests of the shareholders.
Page 35
Returns for Novanta Shareholders
The following graph compares the cumulative total return to shareholders for the Company’s common shares for the period from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023 with the Nasdaq Composite Index and Russell 2000 Index. The comparison assumes that the same investment of $100 each is made in the Company’s common shares, the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Russell 2000 Index, respectively, on December 31, 2018 and, in the case of each of the indices, it also assumes reinvestment of all dividends.
The past performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
||||||
Novanta Inc. |
$ |
100.00 |
|
$ |
140.38 |
|
$ |
187.65 |
|
$ |
279.89 |
|
$ |
215.67 |
|
$ |
267.32 |
|
Nasdaq Composite Index |
$ |
100.00 |
|
$ |
139.95 |
|
$ |
198.10 |
|
$ |
242.03 |
|
$ |
163.28 |
|
$ |
236.17 |
|
Russell 2000 Index |
$ |
100.00 |
|
$ |
125.53 |
|
$ |
150.58 |
|
$ |
172.90 |
|
$ |
137.56 |
|
$ |
160.85 |
|
Page 36
2023 Business and Compensation Highlights
In fiscal year 2023, the Company achieved a record $882 million in revenue and adjusted EBITDA of $196 million. In addition, we successfully negotiated the acquisition of Motion Solutions Parent Corp., which enhances our portfolio and further expands our presence in the highly attractive medical and precision medicine space. We executed on our strategy, continued our investments in research and development to drive new product launches, and accomplished the following:
Financial Highlights (in millions) |
Year Ended |
|
Year Ended |
|
||
Revenue |
$ |
881.7 |
|
$ |
860.9 |
|
Consolidated Net Income |
$ |
72.9 |
|
$ |
74.1 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
196.2 |
|
$ |
184.1 |
|
Operating Cash Flow |
$ |
120.1 |
|
$ |
90.8 |
|
Total Shareholder Return |
Year Ended |
|
Year Ended |
|
||
Novanta Inc. |
|
24 |
% |
|
-23 |
% |
Russell 2000 Index |
|
17 |
% |
|
-20 |
% |
The Company’s executive compensation program results for the fiscal year 2023 reflected our financial performance. The total payout of the cash component of the Senior Management Incentive Plan (“SMIP”) was 63.4% of the target bonus amounts for the NEOs for the fiscal year 2023.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Company is a trusted technology partner to leading global OEMs. We provide core technology solutions that give medical and advanced industrial OEMs a competitive advantage. The Company operates in an ever-evolving and fast-paced environment and is moving aggressively to position itself as a leading supplier to OEMs in targeted high-growth medical and advanced industrial applications. Our ability to compete in this environment depends, to a large extent, on our success in identifying, recruiting, developing and retaining management talent.
The goal of our Executive Compensation Program is to attract and retain a best-in-class team of talented executives who will provide leadership to develop and sustain the Novanta Way Culture and deliver superior results for our employee, customers, and investors. In support of our goals, we have designed an executive compensation program that is robust, highly performance-driven, and intended to generate both long-term sustainable shareholder value and near-term focus on financial performance, operational excellence, quality and innovation.
Page 37
The following graphs depict the average target pay mix of base salary, short-term cash incentives, and long-term equity-based incentives for our Chief Executive Officer and for our other NEOs.
THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DECISION MAKING PROCESS
Compensation Committee Members and Independence
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Carpenter, Dr. Solomon, and Mr. Wilson. None of the Compensation Committee members were, at any time, officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Board has determined that each member is an independent director under the applicable Nasdaq rules.
Role of the Compensation Committee, Management and Outside Advisors
The Compensation Committee is responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating the Company’s executive compensation plans and policies. Among its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee:
Page 38
In performing the responsibilities above, the Compensation Committee receives advice and input, as applicable, from the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Company's General Counsel and outside compensation consultants, on compensation issues and regarding general compensation policies, including the appropriate level and mix of the compensation for executive officers.
The Compensation Committee meets in executive sessions and, where appropriate, with members of management, including the CEO, Chief Human Resources Officer and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, outside consultants and the Company’s outside legal counsel. Although the CEO is generally present during the non-executive sessions of the Compensation Committee meetings and provides input to the Compensation Committee with regards to compensation for his direct reports, the Compensation Committee makes all decisions with regards to CEO compensation in executive sessions and the CEO has no vote in the actual approval of compensation for any executive officer.
Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees of the Compensation Committee, to the extent consistent with the Company’s Articles of Continuance, Bylaws, Corporate Governance Guidelines, applicable law and Nasdaq rules, except that it may not delegate its responsibilities for any matters that involve executive compensation or any matters where it has determined that such compensation is intended to comply with the grandfather provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”), by virtue of being approved by a committee of “outside directors” or is intended to be exempt from Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 by virtue of being approved by a committee of “non-employee directors.”
Executive Compensation and Comparable Company Data
Generally, the Compensation Committee reviews each named executive officer’s total compensation each year and, in connection therewith, considers market data for similar positions at other public companies and other relevant sources. The Compensation Committee may retain the services of advisors and has the budgetary authority to hire such advisors as it deems necessary for its compensation review. In 2023, the Compensation Committee worked directly with Aon to design the fiscal year 2023 executive compensation plans. Aon helped the Compensation Committee assess whether the total compensation paid to the NEOs is fair, reasonable and competitive. The Company has assessed the independence of Aon and its representatives and has determined that no conflicts of interest exist. To avoid any conflict of interest, Aon did not provide consulting services other than services related to executive and director compensation to the Company during 2023.
Generally, the types of compensation and benefits provided to the NEOs are intended to be similar to those provided to executive officers at other public companies. While the Compensation Committee does not believe it is appropriate to set executive compensation levels based exclusively on compensation surveys and comparable company data, the Compensation Committee uses publicly available surveys and comparable company data as tools for assessing whether the Company’s executive compensation program is, in the aggregate, reasonable in scope, market-competitive, and consistent from year to year.
In early 2023, Aon was asked to develop a compensation report that identifies market-based compensation structures, pay practices and rates of compensation for targeted positions at the Company as compared to the
Page 39
Company’s peer group. The peer group is selected based on relevant factors, including industry, fiscal year or trailing twelve-month revenue, market capitalization, total shareholder return and EBITDA. The peer group used in this compensation report prepared by Aon in February 2023, which was used in establishing the 2023 compensation of our NEOs, was comprised of the following companies:
Azenta, Inc. |
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. |
Cognex Corporation |
MKS Instruments, Inc. |
CONMED Corporation |
National Instruments Corporation |
Globus Medical, Inc. |
Omnicell, Inc |
Integra LifeSciences |
Penumbra, Inc. |
IPG Photonics Corporation |
QuidelOrtho Corporation |
Masimo Corporation |
Teradyne, Inc. |
Mercury System, Inc. |
|
Aon also provided compensation data from market survey results published by third parties regarding companies outside of the peer group, for use as a general indicator of relevant market conditions and pay practices and as a broader reference point.
Other Factors Influencing Compensation
When making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee also considers other important factors that drive compensation decisions, including individual qualifications and expertise, responsibilities, particular industry and market conditions, complexity of position and specific market factors in the locations in which the NEOs are employed. In addition, the individual’s performance against individual goals, the individual’s expected future contributions to the Company’s success, the current and expected financial and operational results of the Company, any retention concerns, and the CEO’s recommendations are also taken into consideration. In looking at historical compensation, the Compensation Committee looks at the progression of salary increases over time and looks at the unvested and vested value of outstanding equity awards. The Compensation Committee uses the same factors in evaluating the CEO’s performance and compensation that it uses for the other named executive officers.
Page 40
Shareholder Say-On-Pay Advisory Vote
At the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders, the Company provided the shareholders with the opportunity to cast an annual advisory vote to approve the Company’s executive compensation. Approximately 97% of the votes cast on the “2023 say-on-pay advisory vote” were voted in favor of the proposal. We have considered the 2023 say-on-pay advisory vote and believe that the overwhelming support of our shareholders for the 2023 say-on-pay advisory vote indicates that our shareholders are generally supportive of our approach to executive compensation. The Company considered the outcome of the say-on-pay advisory votes when making compensation decisions regarding its NEOs for 2024 and plans to continue to consider input from shareholders in future years.
The following chart presents the voting results for the say-on-pay advisory vote for the last three years:
Executive Compensation Program Elements
Executive compensation at the Company includes base salary, short-term cash incentives, long-term equity-based incentives, employee benefits and, in certain situations, severance and other compensation. These elements (and the amounts of compensation and benefits thereunder) were selected because the Compensation Committee believes they are necessary to help us attract and retain executive talent which is fundamental to our success. The elements of compensation may vary among executives based on the Compensation Committee’s determination as to what is appropriate under the policies set forth above. Below is a summary of the components of our current executive compensation program as they relate to our NEOs.
Base Salary
Base salary levels for the NEOs are generally determined based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of the named executive officer’s position, experience, qualifications, prior employment (including historical compensation), current and individual performance, industry knowledge, quality of leadership, scope of responsibilities (including potential growth in responsibilities), internal pay equity, tax deductibility, cost of living, and competitive external market data (which includes peer group information as described above). No specific weighting is applied to the factors. Generally, the Compensation Committee refers to the median of the relevant
Page 41
competitive market for the position as part of the base salary evaluation, but any individual named executive officer may have a base salary above or below the median of the market. The Compensation Committee’s philosophy is that base salaries are the minimum payment for satisfactory performance and should meet the objective of attracting and retaining the executive talent needed to run a complex business.
The annual base salaries for each of our NEOs, effective on and after April 1, 2023 and April 1, 2022, respectively, are listed below:
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
||
Mr. Glastra |
$ |
800,000 |
|
$ |
742,014 |
|
Mr. Buckley |
$ |
528,675 |
|
$ |
503,500 |
|
Ms. Welsh |
$ |
367,500 |
|
$ |
350,000 |
|
Mr. Young |
$ |
361,735 |
|
$ |
344,510 |
|
Short Term Cash Incentives
The Senior Management Incentive Plan (“SMIP”) includes cash incentives that are designed to motivate and reward the Company’s key management team members for driving short-term performance within their respective organizations and across the Company. The cash incentives pursuant to the 2023 SMIP plan for the NEOs are earned based on the achievement against 2023 Organic Revenue Growth rate and Adjusted EBITDA target (the “Financial Objectives”), approved by the Compensation Committee in February 2023. The target levels of the Financial Objectives (provided below) are correlated with the Company’s annual growth and profitability objectives. Although the target financial metrics for cash incentives are intended to be achievable, a maximum bonus payout would require very high levels of performance. Actual performance against the Financial Objectives must be within an established range of the targets to result in any payout, and each objective is measured and achievement is calculated independently as described in more detail below.
Each of the NEOs had an established bonus incentive target, which is based on a percentage of current annual base salary. Pursuant to the SMIP, the target bonus would be payable upon 100% achievement of the applicable Financial Objectives for fiscal year 2023. The table below summarizes the target cash incentive bonus along with the minimum and maximum payouts for each NEO under the SMIP, including the annual target as a percentage of base salary and the annual bonus target in dollars.
|
Cash Incentive Annual Target |
Cash Incentive |
Cash Incentive |
Cash Incentive |
Mr. Glastra |
150% |
$1,200,000 |
— |
$2,400,000 |
Mr. Buckley |
90% |
$475,808 |
— |
$951,616 |
Ms. Welsh |
65% |
$238,875 |
— |
$477,750 |
Mr. Young |
65% |
$235,128 |
— |
$470,256 |
The cash incentives are eligible to be earned annually. Payouts for all NEOs are calculated as the achievement against the Financial Objectives multiplied by the target bonus percentage and base salary for the applicable period for each NEO. The cash incentives earned in the current year are paid in March of the following year.
Page 42
Amounts earned based on the Financial Objectives will vary depending upon the level of achievement of the Financial Objectives and are calculated using payout curves. The threshold, target and maximum payouts pursuant to the 2023 Financial Objectives are presented below. There is no payout when the threshold 2023 Financial Objectives are not met.
Fiscal Year 2023 |
Adjusted EBITDA |
Organic Revenue Growth |
Range of Payouts |
Threshold |
$180 million |
3.0% |
50% of target payout |
Target |
$200 million |
5.0% |
100% of target payout |
Maximum |
$220 million |
7.0% |
200% of target payout |
Actual Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year 2023 was $196.2 million and Organic Revenue Growth was 1.3%, which resulted in cash incentives earned by the NEOs of a blended 63.4% payout of their target bonuses.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company uses equity-based compensation to align executive compensation with long-term goals that enhance shareholder value and to promote executive retention with the Company by extending vesting periods over several years. Accordingly, the Company makes equity-based compensation a significant portion of our NEO compensation, as demonstrated by the grants made to the NEOs in 2023. Further, we are committed to granting a majority of the long-term incentive compensation for our NEOs in the form of performance-based equity instruments.
The following table presents the equity grants awarded to the NEOs in 2023:
|
Performance Stock Units Awards |
|
Option Awards (#) |
|
Exercise Price of |
|
Grant Date Fair Value of |
|
||||||||||
|
Threshold (#) |
|
Target (#) |
|
Maximum (#) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Mr. Glastra |
|
13,400 |
|
|
26,799 |
|
|
69,677 |
|
|
29,156 |
|
$ |
156.72 |
|
$ |
6,662,770 |
|
Mr. Buckley |
|
5,025 |
|
|
10,050 |
|
|
26,130 |
|
|
10,933 |
|
$ |
156.72 |
|
$ |
2,498,576 |
|
Ms. Welsh |
|
1,619 |
|
|
3,238 |
|
|
8,419 |
|
|
3,524 |
|
$ |
156.72 |
|
$ |
805,107 |
|
Mr. Young |
|
1,932 |
|
|
3,864 |
|
|
10,046 |
|
|
4,203 |
|
$ |
156.72 |
|
$ |
960,616 |
|
Our 2023 annual grants of equity-based compensation for the NEOs consisted of (i) service-based stock options that vest ratably over three years, subject to continued employment, and (ii) performance stock units that vest on the first day following the end of the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2025, subject to continued employment through the date of vesting and achievement of the applicable performance targets.
The 2023 performance stock unit grants consisted of two parts. Fifty percent (50%) of the PSU grant achievement will be measured based on the cumulative revenue during the three-year period from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. Fifty percent (50%) of the PSU grant achievement will be measured based on the cumulative adjusted EBITDA during the three-year period from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. There is also a multiplier ranging from 1.0x to 1.3x on both of these financial performance payouts based on the percentile ranking of Novanta's total shareholder return ("TSR") relative to the TSR of the Russell 2000 Index companies over the three-year performance period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. The final payout of these performance stock units could be between 0% and 260% of target number of shares.
We do not publicly disclose our specific performance measure targets and the corresponding minimums and maximums before the conclusion of the three-year performance period, because of the potential for competitive harm from such disclosure. These targets are competitively sensitive and would reveal information about our view of our anticipated trajectory, which is not otherwise public. The Compensation Committee believes that it has set the performance goals at a rigorous and challenging level such that significant effort will be required for our executive officers to achieve them, and that such goals have been established in light of the macroeconomic
Page 43
and industry environments, as well as our internal forecast. After the end of the performance period, the targets and achievement relative to such targets will be disclosed.
Employee Benefits and Other Compensation
In addition to the elements of compensation discussed above, the Company offers the NEOs contributions towards health and dental insurance premiums consistent with the Company’s contribution levels offered to all other employees of the Company. The Company does not offer a deferred compensation program, nor does it offer retirement benefits other than a 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan. This plan provides for Company matching contributions of 100% of the first four percent of compensation and 50% of the next two percent of compensation up to the maximum amount allowed under the Code.
The Company provides life and disability insurance benefits to the NEOs in excess of those available to all other employees after considering the market data for similar positions of other public companies. The cost of such life and disability insurance benefits in 2023 totaled $31,132, $18,081, $3,597 and $10,854 for Mr. Glastra, Mr. Buckley, Ms. Welsh and Mr. Young, respectively.
Severance and Change of Control Benefits
The Company has certain obligations to its NEOs in specified circumstances, including termination of employment or a change of control of Novanta Inc., pursuant to the terms of individualized employment agreements. See “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” for a description of the employment agreements and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control” for a description of the severance and change of control obligations in such agreements.
Clawback Policy
We have adopted a compensation recovery policy as required by Rule 10D-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the corresponding listing standards of the Nasdaq, which provides for the mandatory recovery, from current and former officers, of incentive-based compensation that was erroneously awarded during the three fiscal years preceding the date the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, including to correct an error that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period. The amount required to be recovered is the excess of the amount of incentive-based compensation received over the amount that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the restated financial statements.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We believe the NEOs should have a significant equity interest in the Company. To promote equity ownership and further align the interests of the NEOs with those of the shareholders, the Company adopted share ownership guidelines for the NEOs. The guidelines vary based upon the NEO’s position and are expressed as a multiple of their respective salary.
Shares owned separately by the NEO, owned by the NEO either jointly with or separately by an immediate family member residing in the same household, and/or held in trusts for the benefit of the NEO or the NEO’s immediate family members, issued and outstanding shares of common stock held by a 401(k) or other qualified pension or profit-sharing plan for the benefit of the NEO (whether denominated in shares or units) and the NEO’s
Page 44
vested restricted stock and deferred stock units and unvested restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units shall be included as shares for determining compliance with these stock ownership guidelines.
Our stock ownership guideline requirements are expressed as the fair market value of the shares held by the NEO as a multiple of the NEO’s annual base salary. The stock ownership guidelines for our NEOs are as follows:
Officer Position |
Salary Multiple Used to Determine Ownership Threshold |
Chief Executive Officer |
3x |
Chief Financial Officer |
2.5x |
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
2x |
Chief Human Resources Officer |
2x |
NEOs generally are expected to comply with these stock ownership guidelines within five years of becoming subject to these guidelines. Once achieved, ownership of the guideline amounts must be maintained for as long as the individual is subject to these guidelines.
As of December 31, 2023, all of our NEOs were in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines. Ms. Welsh, who joined the Company on July 11, 2022, has until the fifth anniversary of her start date to meet the stock ownership requirement under the stock ownership guidelines.
At 31.3x and 29.3x base pay, the value of shareholdings of Mr. Glastra and that of our other NEOs, except our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, substantially exceed the stock ownership requirements. The high levels of stock ownership of our NEOs reflect the long-term focus and commitment of the Company’s executive team.
*The average for Other NEOs in the table above does not include the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
Page 45
Tax and Accounting Implications
In 2023, the Company’s compensation programs were affected by each of the following:
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, and based on such review and discussions, has recommended to the board of directors that the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this management proxy circular.
Mr. Lonny J. Carpenter (Chair)
Dr. Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D.
Mr. Frank A. Wilson
Page 46
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned by each of the Company’s named executive officers during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company’s NEOs consisted of: (i) the individual who served as the Chief Executive Officer (Matthijs Glastra), (ii) the individual who served as the Chief Financial Officer (Robert J. Buckley), (iii) the individual who served as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (Michele D. Welsh), and (iv) the individual who served as the Chief Human Resources Officer (Brian S. Young).
Name and |
Year |
Salary |
Bonus |
Stock Awards |
Option Awards |
Non-Equity |
All Other |
Total |
Matthijs Glastra |
2023 |
784,391 |
— |
4,862,679 |
1,800,091 |
760,809 |
54,148 |
8,262,118 |
Chief Executive Officer |
2022 |
730,703 |
— |
3,428,932 |
1,251,099 |
1,853,358 |
37,943 |
7,302,035 |
|
2021 |
690,299 |
— |
9,970,028 |
— |
1,680,031 |
35,332 |
12,375,690 |
Robert J. Buckley |
2023 |
521,898 |
— |
1,823,573 |
675,003 |
301,666 |
40,582 |
3,362,722 |
Chief Financial Officer |
2022 |
495,827 |
— |
1,263,328 |
460,879 |
670,727 |
31,315 |
2,922,076 |
|
2021 |
466,646 |
— |
4,544,005 |
— |
760,000 |
29,017 |
5,799,668 |
Michele D. Welsh |
2023 |
362,789 |
— |
587,535 |
217,572 |
151,449 |
27,850 |
1,347,195 |
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
2022 |
154,808 |
30,000 |
1,321,553 |
— |
349,684 |
157,343 |
2,013,388 |
Brian S. Young |
2023 |
357,098 |
— |
701,123 |
259,493 |
149,073 |
34,027 |
1,500,814 |
Chief Human Resources Officer |
2022 |
339,259 |
— |
541,507 |
197,519 |
344,198 |
27,681 |
1,450,164 |
|
2021 |
321,414 |
— |
1,861,819 |
— |
390,011 |
22,450 |
2,595,694 |
Page 47
|
Mr. Glastra |
|
Mr. Buckley |
|
Ms. Welsh |
|
Mr. Young |
|
||||
Defined Contribution Plan Company Match |
$ |
16,500 |
|
$ |
16,500 |
|
$ |
16,500 |
|
$ |
16,500 |
|
Life Insurance |
|
6,035 |
|
|
3,205 |
|
|
1,650 |
|
|
2,400 |
|
Disability Insurance |
|
25,097 |
|
|
14,876 |
|
|
1,947 |
|
|
8,454 |
|
Executive Physical |
|
5,436 |
|
|
4,921 |
|
|
6,774 |
|
|
4,709 |
|
Taxable Fringe |
|
1,080 |
|
|
1,080 |
|
|
979 |
|
|
964 |
|
Other |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
1,000 |
|
Total |
$ |
54,148 |
|
$ |
40,582 |
|
$ |
27,850 |
|
$ |
34,027 |
|
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table sets forth information regarding all plan-based awards granted to the Company’s NEOs during the year ended December 31, 2023.
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
|
|
|
||||
Name |
Type |
Grant |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
All Other Option Awards: |
Exercise Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Fair |
Matthijs Glastra |
Cash Incentive |
|
600,000 |
1,200,000 |
2,400,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
6,700 |
13,399 |
34,837 |
|
|
2,431,249 |
|
Revenue-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
6,700 |
13,400 |
34,840 |
|
|
2,431,430 |
|
Stock Options |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,156 |
156.72 |
1,800,091 |
Robert J. Buckley |
Cash Incentive |
|
237,904 |
475,808 |
951,616 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
2,513 |
5,025 |
13,065 |
|
|
911,786 |
|
Revenue-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
2,513 |
5,025 |
13,065 |
|
|
911,786 |
|
Stock Options |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,933 |
156.72 |
675,003 |
Michele D. Welsh |
Cash Incentive |
|
119,438 |
238,875 |
477,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
810 |
1,619 |
4,209 |
|
|
293,768 |
|
Revenue-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
810 |
1,619 |
4,209 |
|
|
293,768 |
|
Stock Options |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,524 |
156.72 |
217,572 |
Brian S. Young |
Cash Incentive |
|
117,564 |
235,128 |
470,256 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
966 |
1,932 |
5,023 |
|
|
350,561 |
|
Revenue-PSUs (4) |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
966 |
1,932 |
5,023 |
|
|
350,561 |
|
Stock Options |
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,203 |
156.72 |
259,493 |
Page 48
Historical Achievement of Performance Stock Units
The following table sets forth the actual percentage achievement of the Company's past performance stock awards by grant year.
|
|
Actual Achievement |
||
Year of Grant |
Year of Vesting |
Non-GAAP EPS-PSU |
TSR-PSU |
Weighted Average Payout |
2018 |
2021 |
120% |
200% |
160% |
2019 |
2022 |
0% |
200% |
100% |
2020 |
2023 |
83% |
200% |
142% |
2021 |
2024 |
N/A |
165% |
165% |
Page 49
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The material terms of the equity and non-equity incentive plan compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and the 2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table are discussed above under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” as well as in the footnotes to the applicable tables. Certain other elements of the NEOs’ compensation are provided for in their employment agreements, described below.
Matthijs Glastra
In connection with the appointment of Mr. Glastra as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in 2016, the Company and Mr. Glastra entered into an employment agreement, which was then subsequently amended and restated on April 21, 2017 (the “Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement”). The initial term of Mr. Glastra’s employment as the Chief Executive Officer under the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement was a three-year period ending on July 27, 2019, and has been extended annually pursuant to an “evergreen” provision providing for automatic extensions for successive one-year periods absent prior notice of non-renewal from either the Company or Mr. Glastra.
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement, Mr. Glastra is entitled to a base salary of at least $515,000 per year and, beginning with respect to fiscal year 2017, an annual performance-based cash incentive with a target bonus opportunity of at least 100% of his annual base salary. Mr. Glastra is entitled to receive an annual equity award (the “Annual Equity Awards”) with a grant-date fair value equal to 200% of his base salary or, at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, a higher amount as determined by market based benchmarks. Since the commencement of Mr. Glastra's employment in 2016, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and adjusted Mr. Glastra's compensation on an annual basis.
Additional discussion of Mr. Glastra’s compensation and certain termination benefits pursuant to the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement is provided in sections entitled “Executive Compensation Program Elements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.”
Robert J. Buckley
In 2011, the Company and Mr. Buckley entered into an employment agreement providing for the employment of Mr. Buckley in an advisory capacity prior to March 31, 2011, and as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer beginning on March 31, 2011. On April 21, 2017, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement (the “Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement”) extending the term of Mr. Buckley’s employment through February 22, 2018, which term has been extended pursuant to an “evergreen” provision providing for automatic extensions for successive one-year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Mr. Buckley gives 90 days’ notice of non-extension to the other party. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement, Mr. Buckley is entitled to a base salary of at least $407,724 per year, an annual performance-based cash incentive opportunity with a minimum target of 75% of his annual base salary and an annual equity compensation award with a grant date fair value equal to 150% of his annual base salary or, at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, a higher amount as determined by market based benchmarks. Since the commencement of Mr. Buckley’s employment in 2011, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and adjusted Mr. Buckley’s compensation on an annual basis.
Additional discussion of Mr. Buckley’s compensation and certain termination benefits pursuant to the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement is provided in sections entitled “Executive Compensation Program Elements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.”
Page 50
Michele D. Welsh
On July 11, 2022, the Company and Ms. Welsh entered into an employment agreement (the “Welsh Employment Agreement”). The Welsh Employment Agreement provides that Ms. Welsh will serve as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company until the agreement’s one year anniversary, which term was then extended pursuant to an “evergreen” provision providing for automatic extensions for successive one-year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Ms. Welsh gives 90 days’ notice of non-extension to the other party. Pursuant to the Welsh Employment Agreement, Ms. Welsh is entitled to a base salary of at least $350,000 per year, an annual performance-based cash incentive opportunity with a minimum target of 60% of her annual base salary and an annual equity compensation award as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Solely for fiscal year 2023, the Welsh Employment Agreement states that it would be recommended to the Compensation Committee that Ms. Welsh’s annual equity award have a $640,000 minimum dollar value.
In connection with Ms. Welsh joining the Company, the Welsh Employment Agreement also provided for a one-time cash bonus of $30,000 (subject to reimbursement if she voluntarily leaves or is terminated for cause before the first anniversary of her start date) and that certain relocation expenses incurred in connection with Ms. Welsh’s move to the Company’s headquarters in Bedford, Massachusetts be reimbursed to her. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Ms. Welsh was eligible for the full year of cash incentives under the SMIP plan. In addition, Ms. Welsh was also granted a one-time equity-based compensation award with an aggregate value equal to $1,250,000 pursuant to the Welsh Employment Agreement (with, upon Compensation Committee’s approval, approximately $610,000 of the award being granted in three-year pro rata vesting restricted stock units and $640,000 of the award being granted in performance stock units with a three-year performance period).
Since the commencement of Ms. Welsh’s employment in 2022, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and adjusted Ms. Welsh’s compensation as part of its annual review of compensation.
Additional discussion of Ms. Welsh’s compensation and certain termination benefits pursuant to the Welsh Employment Agreement is provided in sections entitled “Executive Compensation Program Elements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.”
Brian S. Young
On March 9, 2015, the Company and Mr. Young entered into an offer letter, which was then superseded by an employment agreement dated April 21, 2017 (the “Young Employment Agreement”). The Young Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Young will continue to serve as the Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company through December 8, 2017, which term has been extended pursuant to an “evergreen” provision providing for automatic extensions for successive one-year periods thereafter unless either the Company or Mr. Young gives 90 days’ notice of non-extension to the other party. Pursuant to the Young Employment Agreement, Mr. Young is entitled to a base salary of at least $272,208 per year, an annual performance-based cash incentive opportunity with a minimum target of 50% of his annual base salary and an annual equity compensation award as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Since the commencement of Mr. Young’s employment in 2015, the Compensation Committee has reviewed and adjusted Mr. Young’s compensation on an annual basis.
Additional discussion of Mr. Young’s compensation and certain termination benefits pursuant to the Young Employment Agreement is provided in sections entitled “Executive Compensation Program Elements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.
Page 51
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information for each of the Company’s NEOs regarding stock awards that had not yet vested, or in the case of stock options, had vested but not yet been exercised, as of December 31, 2023.
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|||||||||||
Name |
Grant Date |
Number |
Number of |
Option |
|
Option |
|
Number of |
Market Value of |
|
Equity |
Equity |
|
|||
Matthijs Glastra |
2/20/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,649 (2) |
|
446,118 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,235 (3) |
|
1,218,446 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,341 (3) |
|
731,068 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,703 (4) |
|
3,655,002 |
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,512 (5) |
|
3,622,836 |
|
||
|
2/24/2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,474 (6) |
|
4,121,666 |
|
||
|
2/24/2022 |
8,740 |
17,483 (7) |
|
135.86 |
|
2/24/2029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,799 (10) |
|
4,513,220 |
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
29,156 (11) |
|
156.72 |
|
2/24/2030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Robert J. Buckley |
3/30/2016 |
43,911 |
|
|
14.13 |
|
3/30/2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/20/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
935 (2) |
|
157,463 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,618 (3) |
|
609,307 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,689 (3) |
|
284,444 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,851 (4) |
|
1,827,417 |
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,366 (5) |
|
1,408,918 |
|
||
|
2/24/2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,017 (6) |
|
1,518,553 |
|
||
|
2/24/2022 |
3,219 |
6,441 (7) |
|
135.86 |
|
2/24/2029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,050 (10) |
|
1,692,521 |
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
10,933 (11) |
|
156.72 |
|
2/24/2030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Michele D. Welsh |
8/15/2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,659 (8) |
|
447,802 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
8/15/2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,184 (9) |
|
704,627 |
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,238 (10) |
|
545,312 |
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
3,524 (11) |
|
156.72 |
|
2/24/2030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Brian S. Young |
2/20/2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
351 (2) |
|
59,112 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,448 (3) |
|
243,858 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
724 (3) |
|
121,929 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,341 (4) |
|
731,068 |
|
||
|
2/24/2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,585 (5) |
|
603,750 |
|
||
|
2/24/2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,865 (6) |
|
650,905 |
|
||
|
2/24/2022 |
1,379 |
2,761 (7) |
|
135.86 |
|
2/24/2029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,864 (10) |
|
650,736 |
|
||
|
2/24/2023 |
|
4,203 (11) |
|
156.72 |
|
2/24/2030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Page 52
Page 53
Stock Vested
The following table sets forth information regarding restricted stock unit awards that vested during the year ended December 31, 2023.
|
Stock Awards |
|
||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired |
|
Value Realized on Vesting |
|
||
Matthijs Glastra |
|
51,823 |
|
|
7,591,908 |
|
Robert J. Buckley |
|
19,460 |
|
|
2,862,648 |
|
Michele D. Welsh |
|
1,328 |
|
|
204,459 |
|
Brian S. Young |
|
7,501 |
|
|
1,105,438 |
|
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
The following table sets forth estimated compensation that the Company would be obligated to provide to each of the Company’s NEOs upon termination of employment or change of control pursuant to the terms of individualized employment agreements or other contractual obligations. Further information regarding these agreements or other obligations is provided under “Employment and Severance Agreements” immediately following the table. Other than these agreements and the standard change of control provisions in the Company’s grant agreements related to restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards applicable to all
Page 54
award recipients, there are no other plans or other contractual obligations triggered upon termination of employment or change of control related to the Company’s NEOs. The amounts reflected in the following table assume that the termination of employment and/or, if applicable, change of control occurred on December 31, 2023. Further, the amounts do not reflect any reductions as a result of any Section 280G “cutback” that may apply to the NEOs.
Name |
Event |
Salary |
Bonus |
Vesting of |
Health Insurance Benefits ($) |
Total |
Matthijs Glastra |
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason |
1,200,000 (1) |
2,560,809 (2) |
10,293,881 (5) |
26,765 |
14,081,455 |
|
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason within 12 months following a change of control |
1,600,000 (1) |
3,160,809 (3) |
19,503,133 (6) |
35,686 |
24,299,628 |
|
Termination due to death or by the Company due to disability |
— |
760,809 (4) |
15,848,130 (7) |
— |
16,608,939 |
|
Change of control |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Robert J. Buckley |
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason |
793,013 (1) |
1,015,378 (2) |
4,019,089 (8) |
27,011 |
5,854,491 |
|
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason within 12 months following a change of control |
1,057,351 (1) |
1,253,281 (3) |
7,940,818 (9) |
36,015 |
10,287,465 |
|
Termination due to death or by the Company due to disability |
— |
301,666 (4) |
6,113,401 (10) |
— |
6,415,067 |
|
Change of control |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Michele D. Welsh |
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason |
551,250 (1) |
509,762 (2) |
786,846 (11) |
31,060 |
1,878,918 |
|
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason within 12 months following a change of control |
735,000 (1) |
629,199 (3) |
1,738,937 (12) |
41,413 |
3,144,549 |
|
Termination due to death or by the Company due to disability |
— |
151,449 (4) |
1,738,937 (13) |
— |
1,890,386 |
|
Change of control |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Brian S. Young |
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason |
542,603 (1) |
501,765 (2) |
1,677,015 (14) |
30,606 |
2,751,989 |
|
Termination without cause or by employee for good reason within 12 months following a change of control |
723,470 (1) |
619,329 (3) |
3,245,220 (15) |
40,808 |
4,628,827 |
|
Termination due to death or by the Company due to disability |
— |
149,073 (4) |
2,514,152 (16) |
— |
2,663,225 |
|
Change of control |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Page 55
Page 56
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
Employment and Severance Agreements
Employment Agreement with Mr. Glastra
On April 21, 2017, the Company and Mr. Glastra entered into the CEO Employment Agreement. The initial term of the CEO Employment Agreement continued through July 27, 2019, following which the term automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice of non-extension no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement, the Company has certain obligations that become due in the event of termination.
Upon termination of Mr. Glastra’s employment for any reason, Mr. Glastra or Mr. Glastra’s estate is entitled to receive: (i) any portion of Mr. Glastra’s annual base salary through the date of termination not theretofore paid, (ii) any business expenses owed to Mr. Glastra, and (iii) any amount arising from Mr. Glastra’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements (together referred to as “CEO Accrued Amounts”).
If Mr. Glastra’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as described below) or by Mr. Glastra for Good Reason (as described below), then in addition to the payment of the CEO Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Mr. Glastra an amount equal to 150% (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, as defined in the CEO Employment Agreement, 200%) of the sum of his base salary and his target bonus opportunity in substantially equal installments over 18 months (or 24 months if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control) in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices; (ii) pay Mr. Glastra a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which he would have been entitled had he remained employed by the Company; (iii) continue to provide Mr. Glastra and his eligible dependents with coverage under the Company’s group health plans for up to 18 months (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, 24 months) following termination at the same levels and the same cost to Mr. Glastra as would have applied if his employment had not been terminated; (iv) cause a pro rata portion of all annual equity awards granted to Mr. Glastra (the “CEO Annual Equity Awards”) subject to service-based vesting (which include his outstanding annual restricted stock units and stock options, if any) to become vested; and (v) cause a pro rata portion of any CEO Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting (which include his outstanding performance stock units) to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such termination occurs while Mr. Glastra is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity that may reasonably be expected to
Page 61
result in Disability (as defined in the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement), the Company will cause all CEO Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to be fully vested and all CEO Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Further, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, the Company will cause all unvested equity awards held by Mr. Glastra to become vested, deeming that the Company will attain “target” performance levels (or such higher performance level as expressly contemplated by the applicable award agreement in the event of such termination) for purposes of awards subject to performance-based vesting. For further discussion of the treatment of Mr. Glastra’s equity awards upon a Change in Control or certain terminations of employment following a Change in Control, see the section entitled “Equity Awards” below.
If Mr. Glastra’s employment is terminated due to death or by the Company due to Disability, then in addition to the payment of the CEO Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Mr. Glastra a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which he would have been entitled had he remained employed by the Company, (ii) cause all CEO Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to become fully vested, and (iii) cause all CEO Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance.
Mr. Glastra is not entitled to any tax gross-up in the event that any payments due to him pursuant to the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement or otherwise would be subject to an excise tax under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. Instead, Mr. Glastra is subject to a Section 280G “cutback” whereby any amounts subject to any such excise tax will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise tax if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax payment amount to Mr. Glastra.
The severance payments and benefits provided for in the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement are subject to Mr. Glastra’s compliance with a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant through the date that is 18 months following termination and an indefinite confidentiality covenant. No severance payments will be made and no acceleration of vesting will occur following the date of any violation of any such covenants, unless Mr. Glastra cures such violation within 30 days of written notice thereof.
The severance payments and benefits are also subject to Mr. Glastra’s execution of a release of claims against the Company.
For purposes of the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement, “Cause” is generally defined as (a) his willful failure to substantially perform the duties (other than any such failure resulting from disability or any inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity that could reasonably be expected to result in disability) which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such failure; (b) his willful failure to carry out or comply with, in any material respect, any lawful and reasonable directive of the Board of Directors of the Company not inconsistent with the terms of his employment agreement, which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such failure; (c) his commission at any time of any act or omission that results in, or may reasonably be expected to result in, a conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of unadjudicated probation for any felony or crime involving moral turpitude; or (d) his unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs on the Company’s premises or while performing his duties and responsibilities under his employment agreement. For purpose of the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement, “Good Reason” is generally defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following conditions without his consent: (a) a material diminution in his responsibilities, duties or authority or a material diminution in his title; (b) failure of the Company to make any material payment or provide any material benefit under his employment agreement; (c) the Company’s material breach of his employment agreement; or (d) a material relocation of his place of employment.
Page 62
Employment Agreement with Mr. Buckley
On April 21, 2017, the Company and Mr. Buckley entered into the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement, under which the term of Mr. Buckley’s employment continued through February 22, 2018, following which the term automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either party gives notice of non-extension no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement, there are certain obligations of the Company that become due in the event of termination.
Upon termination of Mr. Buckley’s employment for any reason, Mr. Buckley or Mr. Buckley’s estate is entitled to receive: (i) any portion of Mr. Buckley’s annual base salary through the date of termination not theretofore paid, (ii) any business expenses owed to Mr. Buckley, and (iii) any amount arising from Mr. Buckley’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements (together referred to as “CFO Accrued Amounts”).
If Mr. Buckley’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as described below) or by Mr. Buckley for Good Reason (as described below), then in addition to the payment of the CFO Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Mr. Buckley an amount equal to 150% of the sum of his base salary and his target bonus opportunity in substantially equal installments over 18 months following termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, provided that if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control (as defined in the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement), then, in lieu of the foregoing amounts, the Company will pay Mr. Buckley a lump sum equal to 200% of the sum of his base salary and his target bonus opportunity; (ii) pay Mr. Buckley a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which he would have been entitled had he remained employed by the Company; (iii) continue to provide Mr. Buckley and his eligible dependents with coverage under the Company’s group health plans for up to 18 months (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, 24 months) following termination at the same levels and the same cost to Mr. Buckley as would have applied if his employment had not been terminated; (iv) cause a pro rata portion of all annual equity awards granted to Mr. Buckley (the “CFO Annual Equity Awards”) subject to service-based vesting (which include his outstanding annual restricted stock units and stock options, if any) to become vested; and (v) cause a pro rata portion of any CFO Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting (which include his outstanding performance stock units) to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such termination occurs while Mr. Buckley is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity that may reasonably be expected to result in Disability (as defined in the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement), the Company will cause all CFO Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to be fully vested and all CFO Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Further, if such termination of employment occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, the Company will cause all unvested equity awards held by Mr. Buckley to become vested, deeming that the Company will attain “target” performance levels (or such higher performance level as expressly contemplated by the applicable award agreement in the event of such termination) for purposes of awards subject to performance-based vesting. For further discussion of the treatment of Mr. Buckley’s equity awards upon a Change in Control or certain terminations of employment following a Change in Control, see the section entitled “Equity Awards” below.
If Mr. Buckley’s employment is terminated due to death or by the Company due to Disability, then in addition to the payment of the CFO Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Mr. Buckley a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which he would have been entitled had he remained employed by the Company, (ii) cause all CFO Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to become fully vested, and
Page 63
(iii) cause all CFO Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance.
Mr. Buckley is not entitled to any tax gross-up in the event any payments due to him pursuant to the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement or otherwise would be subject to an excise tax imposed by Section 280G and 4999 of the Code. Instead, Mr. Buckley is subject to a Section 280G “cutback” whereby any amounts subject to any such excise tax will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise tax if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax payment amount to Mr. Buckley.
The severance payments and benefits provided for in the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement are subject to Mr. Buckley’s compliance with a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant through the date that is 18 months following termination and an indefinite confidentiality covenant. No severance payments will be made and no acceleration of vesting will occur following the date of any violation of any such covenants, unless Mr. Buckley cures such violation within 30 days of written notice thereof.
The severance payments and benefits are also subject to Mr. Buckley’s execution of a release of claims against the Company.
As used in the Amended and Restated CFO Employment Agreement, “Cause”, “Change in Control” and “Good Reason” have substantially the same meaning as used in the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement.
Employment Agreement with Ms. Welsh
On July 11, 2022, the Company and Ms. Welsh entered into the Welsh Employment Agreement, under which the term of Ms. Welsh’s employment was set at an initial one-year term, with automatic extensions for successive one-year periods thereafter unless either party gives notice of non-extension no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term. Pursuant to the terms of the Welsh Employment Agreement, there are certain obligations of the Company that may become due in the event of termination.
Upon termination of Ms. Welsh’s employment for any reason, Ms. Welsh or Ms. Welsh’s estate is entitled to receive: (i) any portion of Ms. Welsh’s annual base salary through the date of termination not theretofore paid, (ii) any business expenses owed to Ms. Welsh, and (iii) any amount arising from Ms. Welsh’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements (together referred to as “Welsh Accrued Amounts”).
If Ms. Welsh’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as described below) or by Ms. Welsh for Good Reason, then in addition to the payment of the Welsh Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Ms. Welsh an amount equal to 150% (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, 200%) of the sum of her base salary and her target bonus opportunity in substantially equal installments over 18 months (or 24 months if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, as defined in the Welsh Employment Agreement) in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices; (ii) pay Ms. Welsh a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which she would have been entitled had she remained employed by the Company; (iii) continue to provide Ms. Welsh and her eligible dependents with coverage under the Company’s group health plans for up to 18 months (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, 24 months) following termination at the same levels and the same cost to Ms. Welsh as would have applied if her employment had not been terminated; (iv) cause a pro rata portion of all annual equity awards granted to Ms. Welsh (the “Welsh Annual Equity Awards”) subject to service-based vesting (which include her outstanding annual restricted stock units and stock options, if any) to become vested; and (v) cause a pro rata portion of any Welsh Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting (which
Page 64
include her outstanding performance stock units) to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such termination occurs while Ms. Welsh is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity that may reasonably be expected to result in Disability (as defined in the Welsh Employment Agreement), the Company will cause all Welsh Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to be fully vested and all Welsh Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Further, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, the Company will cause all unvested equity awards held by Ms. Welsh to become vested, deeming that the Company will attain “target” performance levels (or such higher performance level as expressly contemplated by the applicable award agreement in the event of such termination) for purposes of awards subject to performance-based vesting. For further discussion of the treatment of Ms. Welsh’s equity awards upon a Change in Control or certain terminations of employment following a Change in Control, see the section entitled “Equity Awards” below.
If Ms. Welsh’s employment is terminated due to death or by the Company due to Disability, then in addition to the payment of the Welsh Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Ms. Welsh a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which she would have been entitled had she remained employed by the Company, (ii) cause all Welsh Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to become fully vested, and (iii) cause all Welsh Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance.
Ms. Welsh is not entitled to any tax gross-up in the event that any payments due to her pursuant to the Welsh Employment Agreement or otherwise would be subject to an excise tax under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. Instead, Ms. Welsh is subject to a Section 280G “cutback” whereby any amounts subject to any such excise tax will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise tax if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax payment amount to Ms. Welsh.
The severance payments and benefits provided for in the Welsh Employment Agreement are subject to Ms. Welsh’s compliance with a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant through the date that is 12 months following termination and an indefinite confidentiality covenant. No severance payments will be made and no acceleration of vesting will occur following the date of any violation of any such covenants, unless Ms. Welsh cures such violation within 30 days of written notice thereof.
The severance payments and benefits are also subject to Ms. Welsh’s execution of a release of claims against the Company. As used in the Welsh Employment Agreement, “Cause” and “Good Reason” have substantially the same meaning as used in the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement.
Employment Agreement with Mr. Young
On April 21, 2017, the Company entered into the Young Employment Agreement, under which the term of Mr. Young’s employment was extended to December 8, 2017, with automatic extensions for successive one-year periods thereafter unless either party gives notice of non-extension no later than 90 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term. Pursuant to the terms of the Young Employment Agreement, there are certain obligations of the Company that become due in the event of termination.
Upon termination of Mr. Young’s employment for any reason, Mr. Young or Mr. Young’s estate is entitled to receive: (i) any portion of Mr. Young’s annual base salary through the date of termination not theretofore paid, (ii) any business expenses owed to Mr. Young, and (iii) any amount arising from Mr. Young’s participation in, or benefits under, any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements (together referred to as “Young Accrued Amounts”).
Page 65
If Mr. Young’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as described below) or by Mr. Young for Good Reason, then in addition to the payment of the Young Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Mr. Young an amount equal to 150% (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, 200%) of the sum of his base salary and his target bonus opportunity in substantially equal installments for 18 months (or 24 months if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, as defined in the Young Employment Agreement) in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices; (ii) pay Mr. Young a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which he would have been entitled had he remained employed by the Company; (iii) continue to provide Mr. Young and his eligible dependents with coverage under the Company’s group health plans for up to 18 months (or, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, 24 months) following termination at the same levels and the same cost to Mr. Young as would have applied if his employment had not been terminated; (iv) cause a pro rata portion of all annual equity awards granted to Mr. Young (the “Young Annual Equity Awards”) subject to service-based vesting (which include his outstanding annual restricted stock units and stock options, if any) to become vested; and (v) cause a pro rata portion of any Young Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting (which include his outstanding performance stock units) to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such termination occurs while Mr. Young is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity that may reasonably be expected to result in Disability (as defined in the Young Employment Agreement), the Company will cause all Young Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to be fully vested and all Young Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance. Further, if such termination occurs within 12 months after a Change in Control, the Company will cause all unvested equity awards held by Mr. Young to become vested, deeming that the Company will attain “target” performance levels (or such higher performance level as expressly contemplated by the applicable award agreement in the event of such termination) for purposes of awards subject to performance-based vesting. For further discussion of the treatment of Mr. Young’s equity awards upon a Change in Control or certain terminations of employment following a Change in Control, see the section entitled “Equity Awards” below.
If Mr. Young’s employment is terminated due to death or by the Company due to Disability, then in addition to the payment of the Young Accrued Amounts, the Company will: (i) pay Mr. Young a pro rata portion of any performance-based cash incentive to which he would have been entitled had he remained employed by the Company, (ii) cause all Young Annual Equity Awards subject to service-based vesting to become fully vested, and (iii) cause all Young Annual Equity Awards subject to performance-based vesting to continue to be eligible to become vested in accordance with their terms based on actual performance.
Mr. Young is not entitled to any tax gross-up in the event that any payments due to him pursuant to the Young Employment Agreement or otherwise would be subject to an excise tax under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. Instead, Mr. Young is subject to a Section 280G “cutback” whereby any amounts subject to any such excise tax will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise tax if such reduction would result in a greater after-tax payment amount to Mr. Young.
The severance payments and benefits provided for in the Young Employment Agreement are subject to Mr. Young’s compliance with a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant through the date that is 18 months following termination and an indefinite confidentiality covenant. No severance payments will be made and no acceleration of vesting will occur following the date of any violation of any such covenants, unless Mr. Young cures such violation within 30 days of written notice thereof.
The severance payments and benefits are also subject to Mr. Young’s execution of a release of claims against the Company. As used in the Young Employment Agreement, “Cause” and “Good Reason” have substantially the same meaning as used in the Amended and Restated CEO Employment Agreement.
Page 66
Equity Awards
Restricted Stock Units
Pursuant to the restricted stock unit award agreements under the Equity Plan (including, for avoidance of doubt, the one-time retention awards granted in 2021), the unvested restricted stock units under such agreements held by the NEOs on the date of a Change in Control that are not assumed or substituted by the successor entity will vest (or be exchanged for a cash payment) upon such Change in Control, subject to the executive’s continued employment through the date of such Change in Control. If the RSUs are assumed by the successor entity in a Change in Control, such assumed RSUs will remain unvested and will vest in accordance with their terms, subject to accelerated vesting upon a termination of employment without Cause or for Good Reason (as defined in the relevant employment agreement) within 12 months following a Change in Control.
Stock Options
Pursuant to the stock option agreements under the Equity Plan, all outstanding unvested stock options held by the NEOs on the date of a Change in Control that are not assumed or substituted by the successor entity will vest (or be exchanged for a cash payment) upon such Change in Control, subject to the executive’s continued employment through the date of such Change in Control. If such stock options are assumed by the successor entity in a Change in Control, such assumed stock options will remain unvested and will vest in accordance with their terms, subject to accelerated vesting upon a termination of employment without Cause or for Good Reason (as defined in the relevant employment agreement) within 12 months following a Change in Control.
Performance Stock Units
Pursuant to the performance stock unit award agreements under the Equity Plan (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the one-time retention awards granted in 2021), all outstanding performance stock units held by the NEOs will vest upon a termination of employment without Cause or for Good Reason (as defined in the relevant employment agreement) within 12 months following a Change in Control, subject to the terms of the NEOs employment agreements. See the section entitled “Employment and Severance Agreements” above for more information.
Page 67
CEO Pay Ratio
Our CEO to median employee pay ratio is calculated in accordance with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K. The Company identified the median employee by using a consistently applied compensation measure of “total gross compensation” for our employee population as of October 31, 2023, excluding our CEO. “Total gross compensation” includes regular earnings, overtime pay and overtime premium, equity compensation, commission, bonus and other cash incentive compensation, and allowances (car, housing, travel, meal, etc.) that are considered compensation. The Company did not make any assumptions, adjustments, or estimates with respect to total gross compensation, and did not annualize the compensation for any full-time employees that were not employed by the Company for the full year in 2023. The Company included all employees, whether employed on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis. As of October 31, 2023, our employee population consisted of approximately 2,900 individuals, with 42% of these individuals located in the United States, 50% located in Europe and 8% located in Asia. Using this methodology, the Company determined that our median employee was a full-time employee working in the United States.
As illustrated in the table below, our CEO to median employee pay ratio is 163:1.
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Stock |
|
Option Awards |
|
Non-Equity |
|
All Other |
|
Total ($) |
|
Ratio |
|
||||||||
CEO |
|
784,391 |
|
|
— |
|
|
4,862,679 |
|
|
1,800,091 |
|
|
760,809 |
|
|
54,148 |
|
|
8,262,118 |
|
|
163 |
|
Median Employee |
|
50,492 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
113 |
|
|
50,605 |
|
|
1 |
|
Page 68
Pay Versus Performance Disclosure
Pay Versus Performance Table
In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we provide the following disclosure regarding executive compensation for our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and our other named executive officers (the “Non-PEO NEOs”) and Company performance for the fiscal years listed in the table below (the "Pay Versus Performance Table"). The Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its executive compensation decisions for any of the years presented in this management proxy circular.
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Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on: |
|
|
|
Year |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs |
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs |
Total Shareholder Return |
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return |
Net Income |
Adjusted EBITDA |
2023 |
||||||||
2022 |
||||||||
2021 |
||||||||
2020 |
||||||||
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Robert J. Buckley |
Robert J. Buckley |
Robert J. Buckley |
Robert J. Buckley |
Brian S. Young |
Brian S. Young |
Brian S. Young |
Brian S. Young |
|
|
Michele D. Welsh |
Michele D. Welsh |
Year |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO |
|
Exclusion of Stock Awards for PEO |
|
Inclusion of Equity Values for PEO |
|
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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2020 |
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Page 69
Year |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
Average Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
Inclusion of Average Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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2020 |
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||||
The amounts in the Inclusion of Equity Values in the tables above are derived from the amounts set forth in the following tables, using the fair market values of equity awards as of the end of the year for all outstanding unvested awards and as of the date of vesting for awards that vested during the year:
Year |
Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Current Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Current Year for PEO |
|
Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Current Year of Unvested Equity Awards for PEO |
|
Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Equity Awards That Vested During Current Year for PEO |
|
Fair Value as of Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Current Year for PEO |
|
Total - Inclusion of Equity Values for PEO |
|
|||||
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
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|
||||
2022 |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
( |
) |
|
— |
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||
2021 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
— |
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||||
2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
||||
Year |
Average Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Current Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Current Year for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Current Year of Unvested Equity Awards for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Equity Awards That Vested During Current Year for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
Average Fair Value as of Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Current Year for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
Total - Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs |
|
|||||
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
||||
2022 |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
( |
) |
|
— |
|
|
|
||
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
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||||
2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
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||||
Page 70
Comparison of Compensation Actually Paid and Company Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”)
The following chart illustrates the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and the Company’s cumulative TSR over the four most recently completed fiscal years.
Page 71
Comparison of Compensation Actually Paid and Company Net Income
The following chart illustrates the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our Net Income during the four most recently completed fiscal years.
Page 72
Comparison of Compensation Actually Paid and Company Adjusted EBITDA
The following chart illustrates the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and Adjusted EBITDA during the four most recently completed fiscal years.
Page 73
Comparison of Company TSR and Peer Group TSR
The following chart compares the cumulative TSR for Novanta Inc. over the four most recently completed fiscal years to that of the Russell 2000 Index over the same period.
Tabular List of Most Important Financial Performance Measures
The following table presents the financial performance measures that the Company considers to have been the most important in linking Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs for 2023 to Company performance. The measures in this table are not ranked.
Performance Measures |
Page 74
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common shares for: (1) each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common shares; (2) each of the Company’s current directors and director nominee; (3) each of the Company’s executive officers; and (4) all current directors (including the director nominee) and executive officers of the Company as a group. The beneficial ownership of common shares with respect to both our 5% shareholders, our directors, executive officers and all our directors and executive officers as a group is based on information available to the Company as of March 25, 2024.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, the Company believes, based on the information furnished to it, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all common shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws. All rights to acquire common shares within 60 days of March 25, 2024 are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the persons holding those rights for the purpose of computing the number of shares beneficially owned and the percentage ownership of that person. They are not, however, deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Percentage ownership of outstanding shares is based on 35,890,859 common shares outstanding as of March 25, 2024.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) |
Amount and Nature of |
Percentage of |
5% Shareholders |
|
|
BlackRock, Inc. (3) |
4,444,220 |
12.4% |
The Vanguard Group (4) |
3,815,479 |
10.6% |
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (5) |
1,932,196 |
5.4% |
Directors, Director Nominee and Executive Officers |
|
|
Matthijs Glastra (6) |
176,039 |
* |
Robert J. Buckley (7) |
174,413 |
* |
Brian S. Young (8) |
37,273 |
* |
Thomas N. Secor (9) |
34,005 |
* |
Lonny J. Carpenter (10) |
6,822 |
* |
Maxine L. Mauricio (11) |
3,518 |
* |
Katherine A. Owen (12) |
2,416 |
* |
Frank A. Wilson (13) |
2,350 |
* |
Darlene J.S. Solomon, Ph.D. (14) |
1,442 |
* |
Barbara B. Hulit (15) |
1,302 |
* |
Michele D. Welsh (16) |
1,913 |
* |
R. Matthew Johnson (director nominee) (17) |
— |
— |
All directors, director nominee and executive officers as a group (12 persons) (18) |
441,493 |
1.2% |
\
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
Page 75
Page 76
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s common shares that may be issued upon the exercise of rights under all of its existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023:
Plan Category |
Number of Securities to Be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Rights |
Weighted-Average |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation |
Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders |
|
|
|
2010 Incentive Award Plan |
751,424 (1) |
$102.86 (2) |
1,900,581 (3) |
Page 77
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted written related party transaction policies and procedures, setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related party transactions. This policy covers, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which the Company (including any of its subsidiaries) are or will be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 in any fiscal year and a related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Under the policy, the Company’s Corporate Accounting Department is responsible for maintaining a list of related parties and distributing the list to responsible persons throughout the Company and its subsidiaries. Any potential related party transaction that is proposed to be entered into by an executive officer, director or nominee for election as director of the Company, or by any person or entity that is a related party by virtue of its relationship with the executive officer, director or director nominee, must be reported to the Chief Accounting Officer or the Chief Financial Officer by such executive officer, director or director nominee. In addition, any potential related party transaction that is proposed to be entered into by the Company must be reported to the Chief Accounting Officer or the Chief Financial Officer by the person at the Company responsible for such potential related party transaction. Any identified potential related party transactions are reviewed first by the Chief Accounting Officer or the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Accounting Officer or the Chief Financial Officer must then determine, based on the facts and circumstances, whether such potential related party transactions do, in fact, constitute related party transactions requiring compliance with the policy. Should it be determined that a transaction or relationship is a related party transaction, the Chief Accounting Officer or the Chief Financial Officer will present to the Audit Committee each such related party transaction. The Audit Committee will review the material facts of all related party transactions and either approve or disapprove of the entry into the related party transaction. Where advance Audit Committee review of a related party transaction is not feasible, the transaction may be preliminarily entered into by management upon prior approval of the transaction by the Chair of the Audit Committee, subject to ratification of the transaction by the Audit Committee at the Audit Committee’s next regularly scheduled meeting; provided that, if ratification does not occur, management must take all reasonable efforts to terminate, unwind, cancel or annul the transaction. In connection with its review of a related party transaction, the Audit Committee will take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. If a related party transaction will be ongoing, the Audit Committee may establish guidelines for the Company’s management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related party. Thereafter, the Audit Committee will periodically review and assess ongoing relationships with the related party. Any material amendment, renewal or extension of a transaction, arrangement or relationship previously reviewed under the policy will also be subject to subsequent review under the policy.
Page 78
Other Matters
Delinquent 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of the Company’s common shares to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on a review of copies of Forms 3, 4 or 5 filed by the Company on behalf of its directors and officers, the Company believes that during and with respect to the year ended December 31, 2023, its officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
At December 31, 2023, the Company maintained an entity and directors and officers liability insurance policy in the aggregate principal amount of $70 million plus $30 million of additional A-side coverages for non-indemnifiable claims for current officers and directors. The policy is subject to a $2,000,000 deductible for each indemnifiable securities related loss, a $1,000,000 deductible for all other indemnifiable related losses and a $2,000,000 deductible for each merger objection related loss. For claims that are not indemnifiable, there is no deductible. The Company is obligated to pay all deductibles. The policy expires in July 2024. The annual premium for this policy was approximately $815,558. This policy does not cover any actions or claims that occurred prior to July 23, 2010.
Indebtedness of Directors and Officers
Since the beginning of the year ended December 31, 2023, there has been no indebtedness to the Company by any director or officer or the family members or associates of any such person, other than amounts owing for purchases, subject to usual trade terms, and for other transactions in the ordinary course of business.
Shareholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting
We intend to file a proxy statement and WHITE proxy card with the SEC in connection with our solicitation of proxies for our 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Shareholders may obtain our proxy statement (and any amendments and supplements thereto) and other documents as and when filed with the SEC without charge from the SEC’s website at: www.sec.gov or from our website at: https://investors.novanta.com/financials/annual-reports.
Rule 14a-8 Proposals
Shareholder proposals intended for inclusion in next year’s management proxy circular pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders must be received at the Company’s principal executive offices on or before December 9, 2024. Unless otherwise required by law, shareholder proposals received after this date will not be included in next year’s management proxy circular.
Page 79
Proposals Not Intended for Inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Materials
Shareholder proposals not intended for inclusion in next year’s management proxy circular or notice of meeting, but which instead are sought to be presented directly at next year’s annual meeting, will be considered untimely if received later than February 22, 2025. Proxies will confer discretionary authority with respect to such untimely proposals. In order to curtail controversy as to the date upon which such written notice is received by the Company, it is suggested that such notice be submitted by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested.
Nominations of Individuals for Election of Directors Using Proxy Access
Under the Company’s Articles, a shareholder may propose a director candidate for inclusion in the Company’s notice of meeting if the proposal is signed by one or more holders of shares representing in the aggregate not less than 5% of the common shares of the Company entitled to vote at the shareholders’ meeting at which the nomination is to be presented. Any shareholder, as described in the preceding sentence, wishing to propose a director candidate for inclusion in the Company’s notice of meeting must provide notice to the Company by February 7, 2025.
Nominations of Individuals for Election of Directors Not Intended for Inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Materials under SEC Rule 14a-19
Notice of solicitation of proxies in support of director nominees not intended for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-19 must be provided to the Company by March 9, 2025. The notice must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19.
Change in the Date of the 2025 Annual Meeting
In the event that the date of the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders is changed by more than 30 days from the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting, the Company will inform shareholders of such change and will indicate the new dates by which shareholder proposals must be received.
Householding
The Company’s 2023 Annual Report, including audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, is being mailed to you along with this management proxy circular. In order to reduce printing and postage costs, Broadridge Investor Communication Services has undertaken an effort to deliver only one annual report and one management proxy circular to multiple shareholders sharing an address. This delivery method, called “householding,” is not being used, however, if Broadridge has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders sharing an address. If your household has received only one annual report and one management proxy circular, the Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of the annual report and the management proxy circular to any shareholder who sends a written request to Novanta Inc., 125 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730, USA, Attention: Investor Relations or who calls our Investor Relations staff at 781-266-5137.
You can also notify Broadridge that you would like to receive separate copies of the Company’s annual report and management proxy circular in the future by writing or calling your bank or broker. Even if your household has received only one annual report and one management proxy circular, a separate proxy form or voting instruction form, as applicable, should have been provided for each shareholder account. Each proxy form or voting instruction form, as applicable, should be signed, dated, and returned in the enclosed self-addressed envelope. If your household has received multiple copies of the Company’s annual report and management proxy circular, you can request the delivery of single copies in the future by completing the enclosed consent, if applicable, or writing or calling Broadridge directly.
Page 80
Information Concerning the Company
You may request, without charge, copies of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, including the financial statements and excluding exhibits, by writing to Investor Relations, Novanta Inc., 125 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730, USA, or by calling 781-266-5137. A reasonable fee will be charged for copies of exhibits. You may also access the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 at the Company’s website at https://www.novanta.com. You may also obtain such documents and additional information about the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. This information is not incorporated by reference into this management proxy circular.
Other Business
The Board of Directors knows of no business to be brought before the 2024 annual meeting other than as described in this management proxy circular. If other matters properly come before the shareholders at the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy form to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their judgment.
Directors’ Approval
The contents and the sending of this management proxy circular have been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Matthijs Glastra
Matthijs Glastra
Chair of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
|
Bedford, Massachusetts
April 3, 2024
Page 81
Annual Meeting Novanta Inc. WHEN: WHERE: PROXY FORM CONTROL NO.:➔ SCAN TO VIEW MATERIAL AND VOTE NOW REVIEW YOUR VOTING OPTIONS STEP 1 BY TELEPHONE: YOU MAY ENTER YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS BY TELEPHONE AT: ENGLISH: 1-800-474-7493 OR FRENCH: 1-800-474-7501 BY MAIL: THIS PROXY FORM MAY BE RETURNED BY MAIL IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. REMINDER: PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION / PROXY CIRCULAR BEFORE VOTING. ONLINE: VOTE AT PROXYVOTE.COM USING YOUR COMPUTER OR MOBILE DATA DEVICE. YOUR CONTROL NUMBER IS LOCATED BELOW. G-V502122020 PROXY DEPOSIT DATE: May 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm EDT The control number has been assigned to you to identify your shares for voting. You must keep your control number confidential and not disclose it to others other than when you vote using one of the voting options set out on this form. Should you send this form or provide your control number to others, you are responsible for any subsequent voting of, or subsequent inability to vote, your shares. INSTRUCTIONS: 1.This Form of Proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors and management of the issuer. 2.You have the right to appoint a person, who need not be a shareholder, other than the person(s) specified on the other side of this form to attend and act on your behalf at the Meeting. If you wish to appoint a person: • Write the name of your designate on the “Appointee” line and provide a unique APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER for your Appointee to access the Virtual Meeting in the space provided on the other side of this form, sign and date the form, and return it by mail, or • Go to ProxyVote.com and insert the name of your designate in the “Change Appointee(s)” section and provide a unique APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER on the voting site for your Appointee to access the Virtual Meeting. You MUST provide your Appointee the EXACT NAME and EIGHT CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER to access the Virtual Meeting. Appointees can only be validated at the Virtual Meeting using the EXACT NAME and EIGHT CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER you enter. IF YOU DO NOT CREATE AN EIGHT CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND PROVIDE IT TO YOUR APPOINTEE, YOUR APPOINTEE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE VIRTUAL MEETING. 3.This Form of Proxy confers discretionary authority to vote on amendments or variations to the matters identified in the notice of the Meeting and with respect to other matters that may properly be brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. This Form of Proxy will not be valid and not be acted upon or voted unless it is completed and delivered as outlined herein. 4.If the shares are registered in the name of more than one owner (for example, joint ownership, trustees, executors, etc.), then all those registered should sign this Form of Proxy. If you are voting on behalf of a corporation or another individual, documentation evidencing your power to sign this Form of Proxy with signing capacity stated may be required. 5.In order to expedite your vote, you may use the Internet or a touch-tone telephone, and entering the control number noted above. The Internet or telephone voting service is not available on the day of the Meeting. The telephone system cannot be used if you designate another person to attend on your behalf. If you vote by Internet or telephone, do not mail back this Form of Proxy. 6.If the Form of Proxy is not dated, it will be deemed to bear the date on which it was mailed to the shareholder. 7.This Form of Proxy will be voted as directed by the shareholder. If no voting preferences are indicated on the reverse, this Form of Proxy will be voted as recommended on the reverse of this form or as stated in the management proxy circular, except in the case of your appointment of an Appointee. 8.Unless prohibited by law or you instruct otherwise, your Appointee(s) will have full authority to attend and otherwise act at, and present matters to the Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof, and vote on all matters that are brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, even if these matters are not set out in this form or in the management proxy circular. 9.If these voting instructions are given on behalf of a body corporate, set out the full legal name of the body corporate, and the name and position of the person giving voting instructions on behalf of the body corporate. 10.If the items listed in the management proxy circular are different from the items listed on the other side of this form, the management proxy circular will be considered correct. 11.This Form of Proxy should be read in conjunction with the accompanying management proxy circular. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm EDT WWW.VIRTUALSHAREHOLDERMEETING.COM/NOVT2024 PLEASE SEE OVER
THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED STEP 4 MMDDYY SIGNATURE(S)*INVALID IF NOT SIGNED* COMPLETE YOUR VOTING DIRECTIONS STEP 3 HIGHLIGHTED TEXT ITEM(S): CONTROL NO.: ➔ ACCOUNT NO: CUSIP: CUID: RECORD DATE: PROXY DEPOSIT DATE: MEETING DATE: MEETING TYPE: APPOINT A PROXY (OPTIONAL) STEP 2 APPOINTEE(S): E-R4 MAXIMUM 22 CHARACTERS - PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY PLEASE PRINT APPOINTEE NAME INSIDE THE BOX CREATE AN EIGHT (8) CHARACTER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FOR YOUR APPOINTEE ➔ ➔ MUST BE EIGHT CHARACTERS IN LENGTH - PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Change Appointee If you wish to designate another person to attend, vote and act on your behalf at the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, other than the person(s) specified above, go to www.proxyvote.com or print your name or the name of the other person attending the Meeting in the space provided herein and provide a unique APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER USING ALL BOXES for your Appointee to access the Virtual Meeting. You may choose to direct how your Appointee shall vote on matters that may come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Unless you instruct otherwise your Appointee will have full authority to attend, vote, and otherwise act in respect of all matters that may come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, even if these matters are not set out in the proxy form or the circular for the Meeting. You can also change your Appointee online at www.proxyvote.com. You MUST provide your Appointee the EXACT NAME and an EIGHT (8) CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER to access the Virtual Meeting. Appointees can only be validated at the Virtual Meeting using the EXACT NAME and EIGHT (8) CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER you enter below. March 25, 2024 May 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm EDT Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm EDT Annual Meeting FOR FOR WITHHOLD FOR WITHHOLD FOR WITHHOLD FOR WITHHOLD FOR WITHHOLD FOR WITHHOLD FOR WITHHOLD FOR WITHHOLD WITHHOLD Robert Buckley, or failing him, Matthijs Glastra with full power of substitution Novanta Inc. PROXY FORM Election of Director: Matthijs Glastra 1B Election of Director: Barbara B. Hulit 1C Election of Director: R. Matthew Johnson 1D Election of Director: Maxine L. Mauricio 1E Election of Director: Katherine A. Owen 1F Election of Director: Thomas N. Secor 1G Election of Director: Darlene J.S. Solomon 1H Election of Director: Frank A. Wilson 1I Approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the Company’s executive compensation. 02 Election of Director: Lonny J. Carpenter 1A ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INDICATED BYOVER THE BOXES (FILL IN ONLY ONE BOX “ ” PER ITEM IN BLACK OR BLUE INK) FOR WITHHOLD To appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 03 90 FOR ABSTAIN AGAINST