-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, FkoJFyxxyDfM3kFMJvaxJzBQaDn+3xXvFhmXVZmx8xNTjT5yGQOLBVLFHBeSAP6E 54JK27eDDVWFS5hCsU6nbg== 0001193125-10-066464.txt : 20100325 0001193125-10-066464.hdr.sgml : 20100325 20100325085404 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-10-066464 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEFA14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100325 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100325 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20100325 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CORNING INC /NY CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000024741 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: DRAWING AND INSULATING NONFERROUS WIRE [3357] IRS NUMBER: 160393470 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEFA14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-03247 FILM NUMBER: 10703399 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE RIVERFRONT PLAZA CITY: CORNING STATE: NY ZIP: 14831 BUSINESS PHONE: 6079749000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE RIVERFRONT PLAZA CITY: CORNING STATE: NY ZIP: 14831 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CORNING GLASS WORKS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19890512 DEFA14A 1 ddefa14a.htm DEFINITIVE ADDITIONAL PROXY MATERIALS Definitive Additional Proxy Materials

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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March 24, 2010

Dear Shareholder:

We are soliciting your support for: (1) nominees for election to the Board of Directors; (2) adoption of the 2010 Variable Compensation Plan; (3) adopting the 2010 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors; (4) amending the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board; as well as (5) opposing a shareholder resolution that seeks elimination of supermajority voting, all to be voted on at Corning’s Annual Meeting on April 29, 2010. We wanted to summarize the following items as you consider your vote:

AGENDA

 

   

Update

 

   

Declassification of Board of Directors

 

   

Shareholder Proposal to end Super-Majority Votes

 

   

Compensation

UPDATE

 

   

Retail sales of LCD TVs in Q1 have been in line with our expectations:

 

   

Japan up 79% in January; 65% in February

 

   

China up 53% and Europe up 12% in January, respectively

 

   

February not available yet

 

   

U.S. “flat” for first two months

 

   

In line with expectations

 

   

Last January: digital conversion, Circuit City liquidation

 

   

Panel prices continue to be firm

 

   

Indication panel demand is strong

 

   

Suggests strength further down the supply chain

 

   

Glass demand is strong

 

   

We are shipping everything we can make

DECLASSIFICATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

   

Currently each class of directors stands for election every three years

 

   

Four to five directors’ terms expire each year

 

   

11 of the 14 directors are independent (external)

 

   

Our Proposal:

 

   

Terms for nominees elected at this annual meeting will expire in 2013…then be eligible for re-election annually

 

   

Nominees with terms expiring in 2011 or 2012 will serve the remainder of their terms…then be eligible for re-election annually

 

   

Any new director appointed to the Board will stand for re-election annually


SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL TO END SUPER-MAJORITY VOTES

 

   

By-Laws/Certificate now require 80% of outstanding shares to approve a few important governance/structure matters:

 

   

Changing number, class, removal, or nomination of directors, and general Board powers

 

   

Approving a merger or business combination that is not first approved by Board

 

   

If at least 2/3 of Board agrees any such change is advisable, then 80% super-majority shareholder vote is NOT required

 

   

Shareholder proposal seeks to eliminate By-Law/Certificate of Incorporation sections currently requiring super-majority 80% shareholder vote

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL TO END SUPER-MAJORITY VOTES

 

   

We believe higher voting level for key changes to the Company’s corporate structure & governance best serves long-term interests of Corning and stockholders

 

   

Unlike others, Board has legal fiduciary duties to act in best interests of the Company and stockholders

 

   

Super-majority voting safeguards against a stockholder group acting in its self-interest to detriment of other stockholders

 

   

Higher voting test encourages potential acquirers to deal directly with the Board

 

   

Provides greater leverage to negotiate best possible return for stockholders

COMPENSATION (AS OF 2010)

Corning compensates named executives through:

 

   

Base salary

 

   

Annual cash bonus

 

   

Target Adjusted NPAT

 

   

Performance cash units

 

   

Target EPS and operating cash flow

 

   

2 year vesting post earned

 

   

Time-based restricted stock units

 

   

No performance targets

 

   

3 year vesting period

 

   

Stock options

 

   

Granted same time every year

 

   

Benefits = All other USA employees

 

   

Limited perquisites

 


COMPENSATION (AS OF 2010)

 

   

CEO targeted at median of peer comparison group

 

   

Peer companies are listed in the CD&A

 

   

Named executives

 

   

Target ~33% in equity (options and restricted stock units)

 

   

Target ~50% on annual performance (annual cash bonus + cash performance units)

 

   

Compensation system aligned with performance

 

   

Annual cash bonus = 15% of target total compensation

 

   

Cash performance units = 35% of target total compensation

 

   

Stock options tied to stock price performance

I hope you will join our Board in opposing the shareholder proposal. I also hope you will join in electing the five nominees to the Board of Directors, in voting for the Variable Compensation Plan and the new Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors, and amending Corning’s Certificate to declassify the Board of Directors.

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ James B. Flaws

James B. Flaws
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer
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