DEF 14A 1 select131459_def14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.   )


 

 

 

 

Filed by the Registrant

þ

 

Filed by a party other than the Registrant

¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

¨

Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

þ

Definitive Proxy Statement

¨

Definitive Additional Materials

¨

Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

þ

No fee required.

¨

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

 

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

…………………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

…………………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

 

…………………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

 

 

…………………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

Total fee paid:

 

 

 

…………………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

¨

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

 

 

 

……………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

 

 

……………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

Filing Party:

 

 

 

……………………………………

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

Date Filed:

 

 

 

……………………………………

 


 

Table of Contents

(SLEEP NUMBER LOGO)

9800 59th Avenue North
Plymouth, Minnesota 55442

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 14, 2013

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION:

          Select Comfort Corporation will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders at 1:00 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at the Marriott Minneapolis Northwest located at 7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428. The purposes of the meeting are to:

 

 

 

 

1.

Elect three persons to serve as directors for three-year terms;

 

 

 

 

2.

Vote on a proposed amendment to the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 4,500,000 shares;

 

 

 

 

3.

Cast an advisory vote on executive compensation; and

 

 

 

 

4.

Cast an advisory vote on the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013.

          Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 2013 will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournments thereof. A Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be mailed to certain shareholders beginning on or about April 4, 2013. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and Annual Report and how to vote your shares. All other shareholders will receive the proxy materials by mail. Please be sure to vote your shares in time for our May 14, 2013 meeting date.

          Your attention is directed to the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice for a more complete statement of the matters to be considered at the meeting. A copy of the Annual Report for the year ended December 29, 2012 also accompanies this Notice.

 

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

 

 

-s- Mark A. Kimball

 

Mark A. Kimball

 

Senior Vice President,

 

Chief Legal and Risk Officer and Secretary

 

April 4, 2013

 

Plymouth, Minnesota

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

 

1

 

 

 

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

 

7

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 1 − ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

9

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

25

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 2 − PROPOSAL TO APPROVE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AMENDED AND RESTATED 2010 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE BY 4,500,000 SHARES

 

58

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 3 − ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

83

 

 

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

85

 

 

 

PROPOSAL 4 − RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

87

 

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

88

As used in this Proxy Statement, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “company” and “Select Comfort” mean Select Comfort Corporation and its subsidiaries and the term “common stock” means our common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

i


Table of Contents


(SLEEP NUMBER LOGO)

9800 59th Avenue North
Plymouth, Minnesota 55442

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

May 14, 2013

INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

          This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Select Comfort Corporation for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. Central Time, at the Marriott Minneapolis Northwest located at 7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428.

How can I receive proxy materials?

          We are furnishing proxy materials to our shareholders primarily via the Internet, instead of mailing a full set of printed proxy materials to each shareholder. On or about April 4, 2013, we began mailing to certain of our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Shareholder Notice”), which includes instructions on (i) how to access our Proxy Statement and Annual Report on the Internet, (ii) how to request that a printed copy of these proxy materials be forwarded to you, and (iii) how to vote your shares. If you receive the Shareholder Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request a printed copy by following the instructions in the Shareholder Notice. All other shareholders will be sent the proxy materials by mail beginning on or about April 4, 2013.

          Requests for printed copies of the proxy materials can be made by Internet at http://www.proxyvote.com, by telephone at 1-800-579-1639 or by email at sendmaterial@proxyvote.com by sending a blank email with your control number in the subject line.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or Shareholder Notice?

          It generally means you hold shares registered in more than one account. If you received a paper copy of the proxy statement and you choose to vote by mail, sign and return each proxy card. If you choose to vote by Internet or telephone, vote once for each proxy card and/or Shareholder Notice you receive. If you have received more than one Shareholder Notice, vote once for each Shareholder Notice that you receive.

1


Table of Contents


What are shareholders being asked to vote on?

 

 

 

 

There are four items to be voted on at the meeting:

 

 

 

 

The election of three persons to serve as directors for three-year terms;

 

 

 

 

A proposal to amend the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 4,500,000 shares;

 

 

 

 

An advisory vote on executive compensation; and

 

 

 

 

An advisory vote on the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013.

Who is entitled to vote?

          Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 19, 2013 will be entitled to vote at the meeting. As of that date, there were 55,635,685 outstanding shares of common stock. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting rights.

What constitutes a quorum?

          The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote (i.e., at least 27,817,843 shares) will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. In general, shares of common stock represented by a properly signed and returned proxy card or properly voted by telephone or via the Internet will be counted as shares represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, without regard to whether the card reflects abstentions (or is left blank) or reflects a “broker non-vote” on a matter.

What is the vote required to approve each proposal?

          Proposal 1 (election of directors) will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote in person or by proxy on such action.

          Proposal 2 (amendment of the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan), proposal 3 (the advisory vote on executive compensation) and proposal 4 (the advisory vote on ratification of the selection of independent auditors) will each require the affirmative vote of holders of the greater of: (i) a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote in person or by proxy on such matter, or (ii) a majority of the minimum number of shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy that would constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting, in order to be considered approved by shareholders.

2


Table of Contents


          Please note that each of proposals 3 and 4 are “advisory” votes, meaning that the shareholder votes on these items are for purposes of enabling shareholders to express their point of view or preference on these proposals, but are not binding on the company or its board of directors and do not require the company or its board of directors to take any particular action in response to the shareholder vote. The Board intends to consider fully the votes of our shareholders in the context of any future action with respect to these proposals.

How are votes counted?

          You may vote “For,” “Against” or “Abstain” on each of proposal 1 (election of directors), proposal 2 (amendment of the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan), proposal 3 (the advisory vote on executive compensation) and proposal 4 (the advisory vote on ratification of the selection of independent auditors).

          If you are a shareholder of record and grant a proxy by telephone or Internet without voting instructions, or sign and submit your proxy card without voting instructions, your shares will be voted “For” each director nominee, “For” proposal 2 (amendment of the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan), “For” proposal 3 (the advisory vote on executive compensation) and “For” proposal 4 (the advisory vote on ratification of the selection of independent auditors).

          Proxies marked “Abstain” on proposal 1 (election of directors), proposal 2 (amendment of the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan), proposal 3 (the advisory vote on executive compensation) or proposal 4 (the advisory vote on ratification of the selection of independent auditors) will be counted in determining the total number of shares “entitled to vote” on such proposals and will have the effect of a vote “Against” a director or a proposal.

          If you hold your shares in “street name,” such as through a broker, you generally cannot vote your shares directly and must instead instruct the broker how to vote your shares using the voting instruction form provided by the broker. If a street name holder does not provide timely instructions, the broker will not have the authority to vote on any non-routine proposals at the Annual Meeting, which includes proposals 1, 2 and 3. Brokers will have discretionary authority to vote on proposal 4 because the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors is considered a routine matter. If the broker votes on proposal 4 (the advisory vote on ratification of the selection of independent auditors), but does not vote on another proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting authority and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner, this results in a “broker non-vote” with respect to proposals 1, 2 and 3.

          Broker non-votes on a matter may be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum for the meeting, but are not considered entitled to vote on that particular matter. Consequently, broker non-votes generally will have no effect on the outcome of the matter. However, if and to the extent that broker non-votes are required to establish the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting, then any broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “Against” any matter that requires approval of a majority of the minimum number of shares required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.

3


Table of Contents


How does the Board recommend that I vote?

 

 

 

 

Select Comfort’s Board recommends that you vote your shares:

 

 

 

 

“For” the election of each of the nominees for director;

 

 

 

 

“For” the proposal to amend the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan;

 

 

 

 

“For” the advisory vote on executive compensation; and

 

 

 

 

“For” the advisory vote on the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013.

How do I vote my shares without attending the meeting?

          If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote by granting a proxy. For shares held in street name, such as through a brokerage account or through a bank, trust or other nominee, you may vote by submitting voting instructions to your broker or nominee. In most circumstances, you may vote:

 

 

 

 

By Internet or Telephone — If you have Internet or telephone access, you may submit your proxy by following the voting instructions on the proxy card or Notice no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on May 13, 2013. If you vote by Internet or telephone, you do not need to return your proxy card.

 

 

 

 

By Mail — If you received a paper copy of the proxy statement, you may vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing your proxy card in the envelope provided. You should sign your name exactly as it appears on the proxy card. If you are signing for jointly held shares, all joint owners should sign. If you are signing in a representative capacity (for example, as guardian, executor, trustee, custodian, attorney or officer of a corporation), you should indicate your name and title or capacity.

          Street name holders should be aware that brokers are not permitted to vote shares on non-routine matters, including the election of directors or matters related to executive compensation without instructions from the beneficial owner. As a result, brokers are not permitted to vote shares on proposal 1 (election of directors), proposal 2 (amendment of the Select Comfort Corporation 2010 Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan) or proposal 3 (the advisory vote on executive compensation), without instructions from the beneficial owner. Therefore, street name holders are advised that if they do not timely provide instructions to their broker or other nominee, their shares will not be voted in connection with proposals 1, 2 and 3. Proposal 4 (the advisory vote on ratification of the selection of independent auditors) is considered a routine matter and, as such, brokers will still be able to vote shares held in brokerage accounts with respect to proposal 4, even if they do not receive instructions from the beneficial owner.

4


Table of Contents


          Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote your shares in time for our May 14, 2013 meeting date.

How do I vote my shares in person at the meeting?

          If you are a shareholder of record and prefer to vote your shares at the meeting, bring the accompanying proxy card (if you received a paper copy of the proxy statement) or proof of identification. If your shares are held in “street name,” such as through a brokerage account, bank, trust or other nominee, you may vote the shares only if you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder (i.e., the broker or other nominee who is the record holder of the shares) giving you the right to vote the shares.

          Even if you plan to attend the meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares in advance by Internet, telephone or mail so that your vote will be counted in the event you are unable to attend.

May I revoke a proxy and change my vote?

          Yes. Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its use at the Annual Meeting by:

 

 

 

 

Delivering written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary before 6:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on May 13, 2013;

 

 

 

 

Submitting to the Corporate Secretary before 6:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on May 13, 2013, a properly signed proxy card bearing a later date than the prior proxy card;

 

 

 

 

Voting again by Internet or telephone before 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on May 13, 2013; or

 

 

 

 

Appearing at the Annual Meeting as a shareholder of record or with a legal proxy (for shares held in street name) and filing written notice of revocation with the Corporate Secretary.

          Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. For shares you hold in street name, such as through a brokerage account, bank, trust or other nominee, you would need to obtain a legal proxy from your broker or nominee and bring it to the meeting in order to revoke a prior proxy and to vote those shares at the Annual Meeting. Prior to the meeting, you may revoke your proxy by contacting your broker or nominee and following their instructions for revoking your proxy.

Can I receive future proxy materials electronically?

          Yes. If you are a shareholder of record and you have received a paper copy of the proxy materials, you may elect to receive future proxy statements and annual reports online as described in the next paragraph. If you elect this feature, you will receive an email message notifying you when the materials are available, along with a web address for viewing the

5


Table of Contents


materials. If you received this proxy statement electronically, you do not need to do anything to continue receiving proxy materials electronically in the future.

          Whether you hold shares registered directly in your name or through a broker or bank, you can enroll for future electronic delivery of proxy statements and annual reports by following these steps:

 

 

 

 

Go to our website at www.sleepnumber.com;

 

 

 

 

Click on About Us;

 

 

 

 

In the Investor Relations section, click on Electronic Fulfillment;

 

 

 

 

Click on the check-marked box next to the statement “Shareholders can register for electronic delivery of proxy-related materials.”; and

 

 

 

 

Follow the prompts to submit your request to receive proxy materials electronically.

          Generally, brokers and banks offering this choice require that shareholders vote through the Internet in order to enroll. Street name shareholders whose broker or bank is not included in this website are encouraged to contact their broker or bank and ask about the availability of electronic delivery. As is customary with Internet usage, the user must pay all access fees and telephone charges. You may view this year’s proxy materials at www.proxyvote.com.

What are the costs and benefits of electronic delivery of Annual Meeting materials?

          There is no cost to you for electronic delivery of annual meeting materials. You may incur the usual expenses associated with Internet access as charged by your Internet service provider. Electronic delivery ensures quicker delivery, allows you to view or print the materials at your computer and makes it convenient to vote your shares online. Electronic delivery also conserves natural resources and saves the company significant printing, postage and processing costs.

Who bears the proxy solicitation costs?

          The cost of soliciting proxies, including the furnishing of proxy materials on the Internet and mailing of proxy materials to shareholders who request them will be borne by Select Comfort. Our directors, officers and regular employees may, without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by telephone or personal conversation. We may reimburse brokerage firms and others for expenses in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our common stock.

6


Table of Contents


STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table shows the beneficial ownership of Select Comfort common stock as of February 23, 2013 (unless another date is indicated) by (a) each director and each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 42 of this Proxy Statement, (b) all directors and executive officers as a group and (c) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Select Comfort common stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned (1)

 

Name

 

 

Amount

 

Percent of
Class

 

Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. (2)(3)

 

 

115,529

 

 

 

*

 

 

Michael J. Harrison (2)(3)

 

 

3,722

 

 

 

*

 

 

Shelly R. Ibach (4)

 

 

197,479

 

 

 

*

 

 

Mark A. Kimball (5)

 

 

287,492

 

 

 

*

 

 

David T. Kollat (2)

 

 

203,425

 

 

 

*

 

 

Brenda J. Lauderback (2)(3)

 

 

101,535

 

 

 

*

 

 

William R. McLaughlin (6)

 

 

1,473,327

 

 

 

2.6

%

 

Kathleen L. Nedorostek (2)(3)

 

 

11,047

 

 

 

*

 

 

Michael A. Peel (2)

 

 

99,925

 

 

 

*

 

 

Karen R. Richard (7)

 

 

111,247

 

 

 

*

 

 

Kathryn V. Roedel (8)

 

 

128,014

 

 

 

*

 

 

Wendy L. Schoppert (9)

 

 

234,336

 

 

 

*

 

 

Ervin R. Shames (10)

 

 

182,409

 

 

 

*

 

 

Jean-Michel Valette (2)

 

 

266,022

 

 

 

*

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons) (11)

 

 

2,030,642

 

 

 

3.6

%

 

BlackRock, Inc. (12)

 

 

4,164,935

 

 

 

7.5

%

 

State Street Corporation (13)

 

 

3,916,797

 

 

 

7.0

%

 

Disciplined Growth Investors, Inc. (14)

 

 

3,672,828

 

 

 

6.6

%

 

AllianceBernstein L.P. (15)

 

 

3,624,643

 

 

 

6.5

%

 

The Vanguard Group, Inc. (16)

 

 

3,226,561

 

 

 

5.8

%

 

FMR LLC (17)

 

 

2,870,784

 

 

 

5.1

%

 


 

 

 

 

 

* Less than 1% of the outstanding shares.

 

 

(1)

The shares shown include the following shares that directors and executive officers have the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of stock options: Mr. Gulis (58,626 shares); Mr. Harrison (970 shares); Ms. Ibach (73,032 shares); Mr. Kimball (118,460 shares); Dr. Kollat (84,876 shares); Ms. Lauderback (81,126 shares); Mr. McLaughlin (965,201 shares); Ms. Nedorostek (3,376 shares); Mr. Peel (39,489 shares); Ms. Richard (51,578 shares); Ms. Roedel (58,689 shares); Ms. Schoppert (114,094 shares); Mr. Shames (45,876 shares) and Mr. Valette (84,876 shares).

 

 

(2)

Includes 1,337 shares held under a restricted stock grant that have not vested.

 

 

(3)

The Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Plan (the Plan) permits non-employee directors to receive director fees in the form of common stock in lieu of cash, and to defer receipt of such shares. In addition, the Plan permits non-employee directors to defer receipt of shares of the company’s common stock under an Incentive Award granted under the Plan (referred to as Restricted Stock Units or RSUs). The directors are entitled to the deferred shares and fully-vested RSUs upon

7


Table of Contents



 

 

 

separation of service from the company. Mr. Gulis’s amount includes 49,746 shares that were deferred in lieu of director fees and 2,195 RSUs that were deferred. Mr. Harrison’s amount includes 784 shares that were deferred in lieu of director fees. Ms. Lauderback’s amount includes 2,195 RSUs that were deferred. Ms. Nedorostek’s amount includes 4,139 shares that were deferred in lieu of director fees.

 

 

(4)

Includes 71,709 shares held under restricted or performance stock grants that have not vested.

 

 

(5)

Includes 41,254 shares held under performance stock grants that have not vested.

 

 

(6)

On February 27, 2012, Mr. McLaughlin announced his resignation as Chief Executive Officer and from the company’s Board of Directors effective June 1, 2012. Effective February 23, 2012, the Management Development and Compensation Committee approved the modification of Mr. McLaughlin’s then unvested stock options and restricted stock awards to provide for acceleration of vesting of these awards upon his retirement at any time. Mr. McLaughlin’s beneficial ownership includes 965,201 stock options which are fully vested and expire on June 1, 2013. Also includes 68,544 shares held under performance stock grants that are fully vested where the performance period has not been completed. Mr. McLaughlin’s beneficial ownership also includes 229,851 shares held indirectly by various family trusts of which Mr. McLaughlin or a family member is a trustee.

 

 

(7)

Includes 48,320 shares held under restricted or performance stock grants that have not vested.

 

 

(8)

Includes 54,615 shares held under performance stock grants that have not vested.

 

 

(9)

Includes 49,542 shares held under performance stock grants that have not vested.

 

 

(10)

Includes 71,688 shares held by Mr. Shames’ Family Trust and 42,155 shares held in a GRAT. Includes 1,337 shares held under a restricted stock grant that have not vested.

 

 

(11)

Includes an aggregate of 848,162 shares that directors and executive officers as a group have the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of stock options. Includes an aggregate of 322,672 shares held under restricted or performance stock grants that have not vested. Also includes 54,669 shares that were deferred by non-employee directors in lieu of director fees and 4,390 RSUs that were deferred by non-employee directors. These totals do not include Mr. McLaughlin’s holdings because he is not a current director or executive officer of the Company.

 

 

(12)

BlackRock, Inc. reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2013 that as of December 31, 2012 it beneficially owned 4,164,935 shares of Common Stock of Select Comfort Corporation and had sole power to vote or to direct the vote on 4,164,935 shares and sole dispositive power on 4,164,935 shares. The business address of BlackRock, Inc. is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022.

 

 

(13)

State Street Corporation reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2013 that as of December 31, 2012 it beneficially owned 3,916,797 shares of Common Stock of Select Comfort Corporation and had shared voting power on 3,916,797 shares and shared dispositive power on 3,916,797 shares. The business address of State Street Corporation is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.

 

 

(14)

Disciplined Growth Investors, Inc. reported in a Schedule 13F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2013 that as of December 31, 2012 it beneficially owned 3,672,828 shares of Common Stock of Select Comfort Corporation. According to the Schedule 13F, Disciplined Growth Investors, Inc. had sole dispositive power with respect to 3,672,828 shares, sole voting power with respect to 3,027,266 shares, no voting power with respect to 645,562 shares and no shared voting power. The business address of Disciplined Growth Investors, Inc. is 150 South Fifth Street, Suite 2550, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402.

 

 

(15)

AllianceBernstein L.P. reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2013 that as of December 31, 2012 it beneficially owned 3,624,643 shares of Common Stock of Select Comfort Corporation and had sole power to vote or direct the vote on 3,108,371 shares, sole dispositive power on 3,539,899 shares and shared dispositive power on 84,744 shares. The business address of AllianceBernstein L.P. is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

 

(16)

The Vanguard Group, Inc. reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2013 that as of December 31, 2012 it beneficially owned 3,226,561 shares of Common Stock of Select Comfort Corporation and had sole power to vote or to direct the vote on 80,794 shares, shared dispositive power on 77,894 shares and sole dispositive power on 3,148,667 shares. The business address of The Vanguard Group, Inc. is 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355.

 

 

(17)

FMR LLC reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2013 that as of December 31, 2012 it beneficially owned 2,870,784 shares of Common Stock of Select Comfort Corporation and had sole power to vote or to direct the vote on 48,810 shares and sole dispositive power on 2,870,784 shares. The business address of FMR LLC is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109.

8


Table of Contents


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(Proposal 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nomination

          Article XIV of our Articles of Incorporation provides that the number of directors must be at least one but not more than 12 and must be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. The exact number of directors is determined from time-to-time by the Board of Directors. The term of each class is three years and the term of one class expires each year in rotation.

          The Board currently consists of nine members, with the terms of three of our directors expiring at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The Board has determined to nominate Michael J. Harrison, Shelly R. Ibach and David T. Kollat to serve as directors, each for a term of three years expiring at the 2016 Annual Meeting, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Mr. Harrison has served on our Board since 2011; Ms. Ibach has served on our Board since 2012; and Dr. Kollat has served on our Board since 1994. One of our currently serving directors, Ervin R. Shames, who was first appointed to our Board in 1996, has determined to retire from our Board following the 2013 Annual Meeting. Following Mr. Shames’ retirement, the size of the Board will be reduced to eight members.

Vote Required

          The election of each nominee for director requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote on the election of directors at the Annual Meeting. Any broker non-votes on the election of each nominee for director will be treated as shares not entitled to vote on that matter, and thus will not be counted in determining whether the director has been elected.

Board Recommendation

          The Board recommends a vote “For” the election of each of Mr. Harrison, Ms. Ibach and Dr. Kollat. In the absence of other instructions, properly signed and delivered proxies will be voted “For” the election of each of these nominees.

          If prior to the Annual Meeting the Board should learn that any nominee will be unable to serve for any reason, the proxies that otherwise would have been voted for such nominee will be voted for such substitute nominee as selected by the Board. Alternatively, the proxies, at the Board’s discretion, may be voted for such fewer number of nominees as results from the inability of any such nominee to serve. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve.

9


Table of Contents


Information about Nominees and Other Directors

          The following table sets forth certain information, as of March 1, 2013, that has been furnished to us by each director and each person who has been nominated by the Board to serve as a director of our company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Nominee

 

Age

 

Principal Occupation

 

Director
Since

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nominees for election this year to three-year terms expiring in 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael J. Harrison (1)

 

52

 

Independent business and management consultant; Former Chief Brand Officer of Timberland, a leading brand of outdoor footwear, apparel and gear; Also formerly held various marketing, operations and general management positions with Proctor & Gamble in Europe, the U.S., Australia and Asia.

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelly R. Ibach

 

53

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of Select Comfort Corporation.

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David T. Kollat (2)(3)

 

74

 

President of 22 Inc.; Former Executive Vice President of Marketing for The Limited and former President of Victoria’s Secret Catalogue; Also a director of Limited Brands, Inc. and Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

 

1994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors not standing for election this year whose terms expire in 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathleen L. Nedorostek (1)

 

60

 

Group President, Global Footwear and Accessories at the Jones Group, Inc.; Former President, U.S. Wholesale division of Coach Inc.; Former President and Chief Operating Officer of Natori, a privately owned lingerie and accessories company.

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael A. Peel (2)(3)

 

63

 

Vice President for Human Resources and Administration of Yale University; Former Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Global Business Services at General Mills, Inc.; Also formerly served in various executive capacities with PepsiCo, Inc.

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jean-Michel Valette (1)*

 

52

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Select Comfort Corporation; Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Inc.; Also a director of The Boston Beer Company.

 

1994

10


Table of Contents



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors not standing for election this year whose terms expire in 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. (1)(3)

 

55

 

Independent financial, operations and management advisor; Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Wolverine World Wide, Inc.; Also a director of Independent Bank Corporation.

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda J. Lauderback (2)(3)

 

62

 

Former President of the Retail and Wholesale Group for Nine West Group, Inc.; Also a director of Big Lots, Inc., Denny’s Corporation and Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ervin R. Shames (1)(2)

 

72

 

Former Chairman of the Board (non-executive) of Select Comfort Corporation; Former Chief Executive Officer of Borden, Inc. and Stride Rite Corporation; Also a director of Choice Hotels International, Inc. Mr. Shames has announced plans to retire from the Board following the 2013 Annual Meeting.

 

1996


 

 


 

 

(1)

Member of the Audit Committee

(2)

Member of the Management Development and Compensation Committee

(3)

Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

*

In his capacity as non-executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Valette may attend and vote at any Committee meeting.

Additional Information about Nominees and Other Directors

          Michael J. Harrison was appointed to our Board of Directors in December 2011. Since November 2012, Mr. Harrison has served as an independent business and management consultant. From 2003 through November of 2012, Mr. Harrison served in a variety of executive positions for Timberland, a leading brand of outdoor footwear, apparel and gear, including as the Chief Brand Officer from July 2009 through November 2012. Mr. Harrison joined Timberland in 2003 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Timberland’s international business and his role was subsequently expanded in 2005 to Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing. In 2006, Mr. Harrison became President of Timberland’s CasualGear division and in 2007, was appointed Co-President of the Timberland brand. Prior to joining Timberland, Mr. Harrison was a consultant at Telos Partners Ltd. Prior to his service with Telos, Mr. Harrison served in various marketing, operations and general management capacities with Procter & Gamble - in Europe, U.S., Australia and Asia, including as President of Max Factor KK (Japan) and Vice President of Western Europe Cosmetics & Skin Care products.

          We believe Mr. Harrison is qualified to serve on our Board due to his extensive experience in marketing, retailing and general management with various branded consumer products companies, as well as due to his extensive international business experience.

11


Table of Contents


          Shelly R. Ibach was appointed to our Board of Directors in February 2012 and has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2012. From June 2011 to June 2012, Ms. Ibach served as the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and from October 2008 to June 2011, she served as Executive Vice President, Sales & Merchandising. Ms. Ibach joined the company in April 2007 as Senior Vice President of U.S. sales for company-owned channels. Before joining the company, Ms. Ibach was Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Macy’s home division. From 1982 to 2005, Ms. Ibach held various leadership positions within Marshall Field’s Department Stores – Target Corporation.

          We believe Ms. Ibach is qualified to serve on our Board because of her experience in leadership positions with the company as well as her extensive executive management experience with prominent national retail companies. Ms. Ibach also brings to our Board intimate knowledge of our company’s operations gained during her six years in executive management positions with the company.

          David T. Kollat has served as a member of our Board of Directors since February 1994. Dr. Kollat has served as President and Chairman of 22 Inc., a research and consulting company for retailers and consumer goods manufacturers, since 1987. From 1976 until 1987, he served in various management capacities for Limited Brands, a women’s apparel retailer, including Executive Vice President of Marketing and President of Victoria’s Secret Catalogue. Dr. Kollat also serves as a director of Limited Brands, Inc. and Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Dr. Kollat served as a director of Big Lots, Inc. until 2012.

          We believe Dr. Kollat is qualified to serve on our Board because he provides our Board with many years of experience in management and board service with branded consumer goods manufacturers and retailers. Dr. Kollat also brings insight into best practices in corporate governance and board processes from his extensive experience in board and board Committee service with other publicly traded companies.

          Kathleen L. Nedorostek has served as a member of our Board of Directors since May 2011. Since October 2012, Ms. Nedorostek has served as the Group President, Global Footwear and Accessories at the Jones Group, Inc., a leading global designer, marketer and wholesaler of brands in apparel, footwear and accessories. Prior to joining The Jones Group, Ms. Nedorostek served as President of the North American Wholesale and Global Licensing divisions of Coach Inc. from 2003 to 2012, with responsibility for Coach’s department and specialty store businesses throughout North America and licensed businesses worldwide. Ms. Nedorostek joined Coach from Natori, a privately owned lingerie company, where she held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer from 1998 to 2003. Before joining Natori, Ms. Nedorostek was President of cK Calvin Klein Handbags and Footwear, a division of Nine West, from 1995 to 1998. Previously, Ms. Nedorostek was Chief Operating Officer for Judith Leiber and has held senior management positions at Saks Fifth Avenue.

          We believe Ms. Nedorostek is qualified to serve on our Board due to her extensive practical and strategic experience in general management of high-end, multi-national branded consumer products companies.

12


Table of Contents


          Michael A. Peel has served as a member of our Board of Directors since February 2003. In October 2008, Mr. Peel was named an Officer of Yale University and is currently Vice President for Human Resources and Administration. Previously Mr. Peel spent 17 years at General Mills, a manufacturer and marketer of consumer food products, where he was last Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Global Business Services; Mr. Peel originally joined General Mills as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Human Resources in 1991. From 1977 to 1991, Mr. Peel served in various capacities for PepsiCo, Inc., including as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for PepsiCo Worldwide Foods from 1987 to 1991, and as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group from 1984 to 1987.

          We believe Mr. Peel is qualified to serve on our Board because he brings to our Board extensive experience in senior executive management positions with large, consumer-oriented, publicly traded companies, including particularly deep expertise in human resources management, talent development and succession planning, and executive compensation matters.

          Jean-Michel Valette has served as a member of our Board of Directors since October 1994 and was elected Chairman of our Board in May 2010. Mr. Valette is an independent adviser to branded consumer companies. From January 2004 to October 2012, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Inc. Mr. Valette also served as non-executive Chairman of the Robert Mondavi Winery from April 2005 to October 2006 and was its President and Managing Director from October 2004 to April 2005. From August 1998 to May 2000, Mr. Valette was President and Chief Executive Officer of Franciscan Estates, Inc., a premium wine company. He was a Managing Director of Hambrecht & Quist LLC, an investment banking firm, from October 1994 to August 1998 and served as a Senior Analyst at Hambrecht & Quist LLC from November 1992 to October 1994. Mr. Valette also serves as a director of The Boston Beer Company.

          We believe Mr. Valette is qualified to serve on our Board because he has extensive experience in executive management and in board service and leadership with multiple leading branded consumer growth companies. Mr. Valette also brings significant financial industry experience as well as knowledge of and experience in financial reporting and related processes and corporate governance.

          Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. joined our Board of Directors in July 2005. From April 1996 to October 2007, Mr. Gulis was the Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer of Wolverine World Wide, Inc., a global marketer of branded footwear, apparel and accessories (WWW). From October 2007 until his retirement in July of 2008, he served as Executive Vice President and President of Global Operations for WWW. From 1988 to 1996, Mr. Gulis served in various other management capacities with WWW, including CFO, Vice President of Finance, and Vice President Finance and Administration of the Hush Puppies Company. Prior to joining WWW, he served six years on the audit staff of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Gulis also serves as a director for Independent Bank Corporation and on the Board of Trustees for Northern Michigan University. In addition to his board positions, Mr. Gulis serves as an independent financial, operations and management advisor to several privately held organizations.

13


Table of Contents


          We believe Mr. Gulis is qualified to serve on our Board because he brings to our Board extensive senior executive experience with a publicly traded consumer products company, including in particular experience as a chief financial officer in financial auditing and reporting and internal controls. Mr. Gulis also brings to our Board experience in the management of information technology, human resources and product sourcing and quality directives.

          Brenda J. Lauderback has served on our Board of Directors since February 2004. Ms. Lauderback served as President of the Retail and Wholesale Group for the Nine West Group, Inc., a designer and marketer of women’s footwear and accessories, from May 1995 until January 1998. Prior to Nine West, Ms. Lauderback was President of Wholesale and Manufacturing for US Shoe Corporation, where she was responsible for sales, product design and offices in China, Spain and Italy. Ms. Lauderback served 18 years with the Department Store Division of Target Corporation in a variety of capacities, including 13 years as Vice President and General Manager for Shoes, Accessories, Cosmetics, Intimate Apparel and Children’s. Ms. Lauderback also serves as a director of Big Lots, Inc., Denny’s Corporation and Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Ms. Lauderback also served as a director of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation until May 2005 and Irwin Financial Corporation until September 2009.

          We believe Ms. Lauderback is qualified to serve on our Board because she has extensive executive management experience with prominent national retailers. Ms. Lauderback’s experience on other boards of directors and board Committees of publicly traded companies also provides our Board with insight into best practices in corporate governance and board processes.

          Ervin R. Shames has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 1996 and has announced his plans to retire from the Board following the 2013 Annual Meeting. Mr. Shames previously served as Chairman of our Board from April 1996 to April 1999 and again from February 2008 to May 2010. From May 2004 until February 2008, Mr. Shames assumed the role of Lead Director under our Corporate Governance Principles. Since January 1995, Mr. Shames has served as an independent management consultant to consumer goods and services companies, advising on management and marketing strategy. From 1996 until 2008, he was a Lecturer at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business. From December 1993 to January 1995, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Borden, Inc. and was President and Chief Operating Officer of Borden, Inc. from July 1993 until December 1993. From June 1990 to June 1992, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Stride Rite Corporation and from June 1992 to July 1993 he was Stride Rite’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. From 1967 to 1989, Mr. Shames was employed by General Foods/Altria Companies in varying capacities including the presidencies of General Foods International, General Foods USA and Kraft USA. Mr. Shames also serves as a director of Choice Hotels International, Inc., and several privately held companies.

          We believe Mr. Shames is qualified to serve on our Board because he brings to our Board extensive experience as a senior executive of several national or multi-national branded consumer companies, as well as experience on other publicly traded boards and board committees. Mr. Shames provides our Board with extensive knowledge and experience in general management and consumer marketing as well as insightful leadership in corporate governance.

14


Table of Contents


Corporate Governance

Information about the Board of Directors and its Committees

          The Board of Directors has determined that each of the following directors is an “independent director” as defined by applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.

 

Michael J. Harrison

 

David T. Kollat

 

Brenda J. Lauderback

 

Kathleen L. Nedorostek

 

Michael A. Peel

 

Ervin R. Shames

 

Jean-Michel Valette

 

 

          The Board maintains three standing committees, including an Audit Committee, a Management Development and Compensation Committee and a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Each of the committees of the Board has a charter and each of these charters is included in the investor relations section of the company’s Web site at http://www.sleepnumber.com/eng/aboutus/corporategovernance.cfm. The information contained in or connected to our Web site is not incorporated by reference into or considered a part of this Proxy Statement.

          The current members of each of the Board committees are identified in the table below. In his capacity as non-executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Valette may attend and vote at any committee meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

 

Audit
Committee

 

Management
Development and
Compensation
Committee

 

Corporate
Governance and
Nominating
Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.

 

Chair

 

 

 

X

Michael J. Harrison

 

X

 

 

 

 

David T. Kollat

 

 

 

X

 

X

Brenda J. Lauderback

 

 

 

X

 

Chair

Kathleen L. Nedorostek

 

X

 

 

 

 

Michael A. Peel

 

 

 

Chair

 

X

Ervin R. Shames

 

X

 

X

 

 

Jean-Michel Valette

 

X

 

 

 

 

          The Board has determined that each member of the Board committees meets the independence requirements applicable to those committees prescribed by applicable rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market, the SEC, and the Internal Revenue Service.

          The Board of Directors has further determined that two members of the Audit Committee, Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. and Jean-Michel Valette, meet the definition of “audit committee financial expert” under rules and regulations of the SEC and meet the qualifications of “financial sophistication” under the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. These designations related to our Audit Committee members’ experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters are disclosure requirements of the SEC and the

15


Table of Contents


NASDAQ Stock Market and do not impose upon any of them any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than those generally imposed on a member of our Audit Committee or of our Board of Directors.

          The Board of Directors met in person four times during 2012. The Audit Committee met in person or by telephone conference eight times during 2012. The Management Development and Compensation Committee met in person or by telephone conference four times during 2012. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met in person or by telephone conference five times during 2012. All of the current members of our Board of Directors attended 75% or more of the meetings of the Board held during the period that he or she served on the Board and all committees on which they served during fiscal 2012.

          Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors, currently including Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. (Chair), Michael J. Harrison, Kathleen L. Nedorostek, Ervin R. Shames and Jean-Michel Valette. The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in satisfying its fiduciary responsibilities relating to accounting, auditing, operating and reporting practices of our company. The Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight with respect to our company’s accounting and financial reporting functions, internal and external audit functions, and systems of internal controls regarding financial matters and legal, ethical and regulatory compliance. The responsibilities and functions of the Audit Committee are further described in the Audit Committee Report beginning on page 85 of this Proxy Statement.

          Management Development and Compensation Committee. The Management Development and Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors, currently including Michael A. Peel (Chair), David T. Kollat, Brenda J. Lauderback and Ervin R. Shames. The principal function of the Management Development and Compensation Committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the Board relating to compensation of the company’s executive officers. The responsibilities and functions of the Management Development and Compensation Committee are further described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 25 of this Proxy Statement.

          Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors, currently including Brenda J. Lauderback (Chair), Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., David T. Kollat and Michael A. Peel. The primary functions of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are to develop and recommend to the Board corporate governance principles to govern the Board, its committees, and our executive officers and employees in the conduct of the business and affairs of our company; to identify and recommend to the Board individuals qualified to become members of the Board and its committees; and to develop and oversee the annual Board and Board committee evaluation process.

Board Leadership Structure

          Our Board is currently comprised of eight independent directors and one executive director, Shelly R. Ibach, who has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2012. Since February 2008, the Board has determined to separate the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Based on its ongoing review of best

16


Table of Contents


practices in corporate governance, and to enable the President and Chief Executive Officer to focus all of her time and energy in leadership of the day-to-day operations of the company and its growth and profitability initiatives, the Board continues to believe it is best for the company to separate these positions. Jean-Michel Valette, an independent director, has served as Chairman of the Board since May 2010.

          Consistent with the company’s Corporate Governance Principles, the Board retains the right to review this determination and to either continue to maintain these positions as separated positions or to combine the positions, as the Board determines to be in the best interests of the company at the time. Under the company’s Corporate Governance Principles, during any period in which the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are combined, the Board would appoint a Lead Director from among the independent members of the Board, who would have certain Board leadership responsibilities specified in our Corporate Governance Principles.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

          Our Board is generally responsible for overseeing the company’s policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management, and has delegated to the Audit Committee the responsibility of assisting the Board in fulfilling this role. Among its duties and processes, the Audit Committee (a) reviews and discusses with management the company’s policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management; (b) oversees the company’s internal audit function and processes; (c) establishes and oversees procedures for receiving and addressing complaints regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters; (d) reviews, with the company’s counsel, legal compliance and other legal matters; and (e) reports to the full Board with respect to matters within its area of responsibility.

          The Audit Committee oversees the company’s internal audit function, which is responsible for undertaking an annual risk assessment process and reporting to the Audit Committee with respect to this assessment and related risk management strategies. The Audit Committee reviews and approves, at least annually, the company’s internal audit plan and receives quarterly reports with respect to the results of internal audits. The leader of the company’s internal audit function reports directly to the Audit Committee with respect to internal audit matters, and the Audit Committee has authority to review and approve the appointment, replacement or dismissal of the leader of this function. The leader of the internal audit function meets regularly in executive session with the Audit Committee without any members of the company’s management team present.

          In addition to the Audit Committee’s role, each of the other committees considers risks within its respective areas of responsibility. We believe our current Board leadership structure helps ensure proper risk oversight, based on the allocation of duties among committees and the role of our independent directors in risk oversight.

17


Table of Contents


Director Nominations Process

          The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “CGNC”) administers the process for nominating candidates to serve on our Board of Directors. The CGNC recommends candidates for consideration by the Board as a whole, which is responsible for appointing candidates to fill any vacancy that may be created between meetings of the shareholders and for nominating candidates to be considered for election by shareholders at our Annual Meeting.

          Consistent with the company’s Corporate Governance Principles, the CGNC periodically reviews with the Board the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the current membership of the Board and the strategic direction of the company.

          The Board has established selection criteria to be applied by the CGNC and by the full Board in evaluating candidates for election to the Board. These criteria include general characteristics, areas of specific expertise and experience, and considerations of diversity. The general characteristics include:

 

 

 

 

Independence;

 

 

 

 

Integrity;

 

 

 

 

Subject matter expertise and sound judgment in areas relevant to our business;

 

 

 

 

A proven record of accomplishment;

 

 

 

 

Willingness to speak one’s mind;

 

 

 

 

Understanding of, and ability to commit sufficient time to, Board responsibilities and duties;

 

 

 

 

The ability to challenge and stimulate management; and

 

 

 

 

Belief in and passion for our mission and vision.

          The specific areas of expertise and experience sought by the CGNC and the Board from time to time will vary depending on the composition of the Board and the strategic direction of the company at the time, but will generally include CEO experience, executive level experience with analogous businesses and industries, and functional expertise relevant to the strategic direction of the company or the needs of the committees of the Board.

          The director nomination process specifically includes consideration of diversity, such as diversity of age, gender, race and national origin, educational and professional experience and differences in viewpoints. The CGNC does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity; however, the Board and the CGNC believe that it is essential that Board members represent diverse perspectives.

18


Table of Contents


          The CGNC reviews these selection criteria and the overall director nomination process at least annually in connection with the nomination of directors for election at the company’s annual meeting for consistency with best practices in corporate governance and effectiveness in meeting the needs of the Board from time-to-time.

          The CGNC may use a variety of methods for identifying potential nominees for election to the Board, including consideration of candidates recommended by directors, officers or shareholders of the company. The CGNC also has the authority under its charter to engage professional search firms or other advisors to assist the CGNC in identifying candidates for election to the Board, or to otherwise assist the CGNC in fulfilling its responsibilities.

          Shareholder nominations of candidates for membership on the Board submitted in accordance with the terms of our Bylaws will be reviewed and evaluated by the CGNC in the same manner as for any other nominations. Any shareholder who wishes the CGNC to consider a candidate should submit a written request and related information to our Corporate Secretary. Under our Bylaws, if a shareholder intends to nominate a person for election to the Board of Directors at a shareholder meeting, the shareholder is required to give written notice of the proposed nomination to the Corporate Secretary at least 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date that the company first released or mailed its proxy materials to shareholders in connection with the preceding year’s regular or annual meeting. The shareholder’s notice must include, for each nominee whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the company that are beneficially owned by the nominee, and (iv) any other information concerning the nominee that would be required under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee. The shareholder’s notice must also include: (i) the name and address of the nominating shareholder, as they appear on the company’s books, and (ii) the class and number of shares of the company that are owned beneficially and of record by the shareholder. The shareholder’s notice must also be accompanied by the proposed nominee’s signed consent to serve as a director of the company.

Shareholder Communications with the Board

          Shareholders may communicate with the Board of Directors, its Committees or any individual member of the Board of Directors by sending a written communication to our Corporate Secretary at 9800 59th Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55442. The Corporate Secretary will promptly forward any communication so received to the Board, any Committee of the Board or any individual Board member specifically addressed in the communication. In addition, if any shareholder or other person has a concern regarding any accounting, internal control or auditing matter, the matter may be brought to the attention of the Audit Committee, confidentially and anonymously, by calling 1-800-835-5870, inserting the I.D. Code of AUDIT (28348) and following the prompts from the recorded message. The company reserves the right to revise this policy in the event that the process is abused, becomes unworkable or otherwise does not efficiently serve the purposes of the policy.

19


Table of Contents


Policy Regarding Director Attendance at Annual Meeting

          Our policy is to require attendance by all of our directors at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, except for absences due to causes beyond the reasonable control of the director. All of the directors then serving on our Board were in attendance at our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Corporate Governance Principles

          Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Principles that were originally developed and recommended by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. These Corporate Governance Principles are available in the investor relations section of the company’s Web site at http://www.sleepnumber.com/eng/aboutus/corporategovernance.cfm. The information contained in or connected to our Web site is not incorporated by reference into or considered a part of this Proxy Statement. Among these Corporate Governance Principles are the following:

          Independence. A substantial majority of the members of the Board should be independent, non-employee directors. It is the responsibility of the Board to establish the standards for independence and the Board has followed the independence standards for companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. All of our directors are independent except for Shelly R. Ibach. All Committees of the Board are composed entirely of independent directors.

          The Audit Committee charter requires that the Audit Committee must review and approve any proposed or actual related party transaction that would be required to be disclosed by the company pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Federal securities laws.

          Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Positions. At the present time, the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders for the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer to be separated, and for the position of Chairman of the Board to be held by a non-executive, independent member of the Board. The Board retains the right to review this determination and to either continue to maintain these positions as separated positions or to combine the positions, as the Board determines to be in the best interests of the company at the time. During any period in which the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are combined, the Board will appoint a Lead Director from among the independent members of the Board.

          Classified Board Structure. Our Articles of Incorporation provide for a classified Board serving staggered terms of three years each. The Board will periodically review its classified Board structure in the context of other provisions and measures applicable to unsolicited takeover proposals with the objective of positioning the Board and the company to maximize the long-term value of our company for all shareholders.

          Requirement of Incumbent Directors who do not Receive a Majority Vote in an Uncontested Election to Tender Resignation. If a nominee for Director who is an incumbent Director is not elected at a meeting of shareholders and no successor to the incumbent Director is elected at the meeting of shareholders, the incumbent Director shall promptly offer to tender his

20


Table of Contents


or her resignation to the Board. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the offer, or whether other action should be taken. The Board shall act on whether to accept the Director’s offer, taking into account the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s recommendation, and publicly disclose (by press release, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other broadly disseminated means of communication) its decision and the supporting rationale within 90 days after the date of the certification of the election results. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, in making its recommendation, and the Board, in making its decision, may each consider any factors or other recommendations that it considers relevant and appropriate. The incumbent Director who offers to tender his or her resignation shall not participate in the Board’s decision. If such incumbent Director’s offer to tender his or her resignation is not accepted by the Board, such Director shall continue to serve until the next meeting of shareholders at which Directors are elected and until his or her successor is duly elected, or his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

          Approach to Term and Age Limits. The Board has determined to not adopt specific term or age limits in order to not arbitrarily lose important contributors to the Board. In order to ensure an appropriate balance between new perspectives and experienced Directors, if the median tenure of the Board exceeds 8.5 years or if the majority of the Directors are 60 years of age or older, then the Board may consider alternatives to achieve an appropriate balance of new perspectives and experienced directors on the Board over the ensuing years. Such alternatives may be considered in the context of an evaluation of the Board’s needs at the time and into the future and individual Directors’ contributions to the Board.

          Change in Responsibilities. The Board does not believe that Directors who retire or who have a change in their principal employment or affiliation after joining the Board should necessarily leave the Board. There should, however, be an opportunity for the Board, through the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, to review the qualifications of the director for continued Board membership. Any Director who undergoes a material change in principal employment or affiliation is required to promptly notify the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the change.

          Other Board or Audit Committee Service. The Board recognizes that service on other boards can in some circumstances limit the time that Directors may have to devote to fulfilling their responsibilities to the company. It is the Board’s guideline that no Director shall serve on more than a total of six public company boards (including the Select Comfort Board), and that no member of the company’s Audit Committee shall serve on more than a total of three public company audit committees (including the Select Comfort Audit Committee). If any Director exceeds or proposes to exceed these guidelines, the Director is required to promptly notify the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the committee will review the facts and circumstances and determine whether such service would interfere with the Director’s ability to devote sufficient time to fulfilling the Director’s responsibilities to the company.

          Chief Executive Officer Service on Other Boards. The Chief Executive Officer shall not serve on more than two public company boards other than the Board of Directors of the company.

21


Table of Contents


          Board and Committee Evaluations. The Board believes that the company’s governance and the Board’s effectiveness can be continually improved through evaluation of both the Board as a whole and its committees. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for annually evaluating effectiveness in these areas and reviewing the results and recommendations for improvement with the full Board.

          Board Executive Sessions. Executive sessions or meetings of independent directors without management present will be held at least twice each year. At least one session will be to review the performance criteria applicable to the Chief Executive Officer and other senior managers, the performance of the Chief Executive Officer against such criteria, and the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and other senior managers. Additional executive sessions or meetings of outside directors may be held from time-to-time as required. The Board’s practice has been to meet in executive session for a portion of each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. Any member of the Board may request at any time an executive session without the presence of management.

          Paid Consulting Arrangements. The Board believes that the company should not enter into paid consulting arrangements with independent directors.

          Board Compensation. Board compensation should encourage alignment with shareholders’ interests and should be at a level equitable to comparable companies. The Management Development and Compensation Committee is responsible for periodic assessments to assure these standards are being met.

          Share Ownership Guidelines for Executive Officers and Directors. The Board has established the stock ownership guidelines described below for executive officers and directors. For purposes of these guidelines, stock ownership includes the fair market value of (1) all shares of common stock owned (without regard to restrictions on transfer and including shares allocated to Directors’ accounts under the company’s non-employee director equity plan) and (2) vested stock options after taxes at an assumed individual effective tax rate of 40%. The fair market value of stock options shall mean the then-current market price less the exercise price.

 

 

 

 

Executive Officer Ownership Guidelines. Within five years of assuming the position, the Chief Executive Officer is expected to achieve and maintain stock ownership equal to five times the Chief Executive Officer’s base salary and each of the other executive officers is expected to achieve and maintain stock ownership equal to three times the executive officer’s base salary.

 

 

 

 

Board Ownership Guidelines. Within five years of joining the company’s Board of Directors, each director is expected to achieve and maintain stock ownership equal to five times the director’s annual cash retainer.

 

 

 

 

Restrictions on Sale Pending Achievement of Ownership Objectives. Any director or executive officer who has not achieved the foregoing ownership objective by the required time period will not be permitted to sell any shares except to the extent required to pay the exercise price, transaction costs and taxes applicable to the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares. Exceptions to these

22


Table of Contents



 

 

 

 

 

restrictions on sale of shares may be granted by the Board in its sole discretion for good cause shown by any director or executive officer.

          Prohibition of Hedging or Pledging of Shares. Under our policy with respect to trading in the company’s securities, directors, officers and other employees whose duties regularly bring them into contact with confidential or proprietary information (“insiders”) are prohibited from engaging in any form of hedging or monetization transactions involving the company’s securities. In addition, insiders are prohibited from engaging in short sales of the company’s securities and from trading in any form of publicly traded options, puts, calls or other derivatives of the company’s securities. Insiders are also prohibited from engaging in any form of pledging of the company’s securities, including (i) purchasing company securities on margin; (ii) holding company securities in any account which has a margin debt balance; (iii) borrowing against any account in which company securities are held; or (iv) pledging company securities as collateral for a loan.

          Conflicts of Interest. Directors are expected to avoid any action, position or interest that conflicts with an interest of the company, or that gives the appearance of a conflict. If any member of the Board becomes aware of any such conflicting or potentially conflicting interest involving any member of the Board, the director should immediately bring such information to the attention of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and the General Counsel of the company.

          Performance Goals and Evaluation. The Management Development and Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing the procedures for setting annual and long-term performance goals for the Chief Executive Officer and for the evaluation by the full Board of his or her performance against such goals. The Committee meets at least annually with the Chief Executive Officer to receive his or her recommendations concerning such goals. Both the annual goals and the annual performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer are reviewed and discussed by the outside directors at a meeting or executive session of that group. The Committee is also responsible for setting annual and long-term performance goals and compensation for the direct reports to the Chief Executive Officer. These decisions are approved by the outside directors at a meeting or executive session of that group.

          Compensation Philosophy. The Board supports and, through the Management Development and Compensation Committee, oversees employee compensation programs that are closely linked to business performance and emphasize equity ownership.

          Senior Management Depth and Development. The Chief Executive Officer reports to the Board, at least annually, on senior management depth and development, including a discussion of assessments, leadership development plans and other relevant factors.

          Provisions Applicable to Unsolicited Takeover Attempts or Proposals. The Board will periodically review (not less often than every three years) the company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and various provisions that are designed to maximize shareholder value in the event of an unsolicited takeover attempt or proposal. Such review includes consideration of matters such as the company’s state of incorporation, whether the company should opt in or out of applicable control share acquisition or business combination statutes, and provisions such as the company’s classified Board structure. The objective of this review is to

23


Table of Contents


maintain a proper balance of provisions that will not deter bona fide proposals from coming before the Board, and that will position the Board and the company to maximize the long-term value of our company for all shareholders.

          Shareholder Approval of Equity-Based Compensation Plans. Shareholder approval will be sought for all equity-based compensation plans.

Code of Conduct

          We have developed and circulated to all of our employees a Code of Business Conduct addressing legal and ethical issues that may be encountered by our employees in the conduct of our business. Among other things, the Code of Business Conduct requires that our employees comply with applicable laws, engage in ethical and safe conduct in our work environment, avoid conflicts of interests, conduct our business with integrity and high ethical standards, and safeguard our company’s assets. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct is included in the investor relations section of our Web site at http://www.sleepnumber.com/eng/aboutus/corporategovernance.cfm. We intend to disclose any amendments to and any waivers from a provision of our Code of Business Conduct on our Web site. The information contained in or connected to our Web site is not incorporated by reference into or considered a part of this Proxy Statement.

          Employees are required to report any conduct that they believe in good faith violates our Code of Business Conduct. The Code of Business Conduct also sets forth procedures under which employees or others may report through our management team and, ultimately, directly to our Audit Committee (confidentially and anonymously, if so desired) any questions or concerns regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.

          All of our employees are required to periodically certify their commitment to abide by our Code of Business Conduct. We also provide training in key areas covered by the Code of Business Conduct to help our employees to comply with their obligations.

24


Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

          This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the key principles and approaches used to determine the compensation of the named executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table. All compensation paid to the named executive officers is determined by the Management Development & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), which is composed solely of independent non-employee Directors who meet regularly each fiscal year. The Committee has retained Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC (“Semler Brossy”) as its outside compensation consultant.

          Select Comfort’s long-term goal is to consistently grow sales and earnings faster than its industry peers and to out-perform a broader peer group of similarly sized companies involved in development, manufacturing and/or retailing of home furnishings and other consumer durable products. Our compensation programs are largely performance-oriented — only base salary and certain benefit programs do not vary with financial performance, and the actual value realized from long-term incentive awards depends upon long-term stock price performance. As a result, total compensation for named executive officers and other senior leaders varies from below median (when performance is below expectations) to the top quartile of the market (when performance exceeds expectations).

          After incurring an operating loss in the wake of the recession in 2008, Select Comfort’s financial performance in 2009 through 2012 has been at or near the top of the performance of both industry peers and the broader peer group. Compensation for our named executive officers over this period reflects this turn-around in business performance and the strong “pay for performance” design of the company’s executive compensation programs.

 

 

Base Salaries: The Committee seeks to set base salaries near the median of the market for comparable positions. Annual merit increases in base salaries were suspended as a consequence of disappointing financial performance in 2007 and 2008 and were resumed following 2009 as the company began its current growth trajectory.

 

 

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation: The annual cash incentives paid to named executive officers are totally performance-based and represent a significant percentage of each individual’s total compensation. Annual cash incentives were paid out at target for 2009 after no incentive payouts for either 2007 or 2008. Incentives were paid at 217% of target for 2010, 250% of target for 2011, and at 128% of target for 2012 on the strength of annual net operating gains which significantly exceeded both internal and external expectations.

 

 

Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Compensation: Stock-based awards granted in 2007 and 2008 were significantly reduced based on the company’s failure to achieve its performance goals. Annual grants made in 2009 were on target as the company met its financial performance objectives. The awards of both stock options and restricted stock in 2010 were enhanced above target due to the company’s achievement of stretch

25


Table of Contents



 

 

 

performance goals. Restricted stock awards granted in 2011 and 2012 are subject to adjustment based on actual performance versus targets over the three years ending with fiscal years 2013 and 2014, respectively.

          The Board of Directors and management of Select Comfort are highly committed to building on the outstanding performance achieved over the last several fiscal years and to achieving its long-term goal to consistently grow sales and earnings faster than its industry peers and to out-perform a broader peer group of similarly sized companies involved in development, manufacturing and/or retailing of home furnishings and other consumer durable products.

          The following discussion provides (1) an overview of the Management Development and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, (2) a discussion of the philosophy and objectives of our compensation programs for senior management, and (3) a discussion of each material element of these compensation programs and the process used to determine the amounts of these elements.

Overview of the Management Development and Compensation Committee

          The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) is comprised entirely of independent, non-employee directors. The primary purpose of the Committee is to discharge the responsibilities of our Board relating to executive compensation and development of current and future leadership resources. The responsibilities of the Committee include:

 

 

Establishment of compensation strategies, processes, and programs for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers designed to motivate and reward superior company performance.

 

 

Leadership of the Board of Directors’ annual process to evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

Review and approval of all compensation elements for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers including base salaries, annual cash incentive awards, equity-based awards, benefits, and perquisites.

 

 

Oversight of the annual cash incentive plan, long-term equity-based incentive plans, and major employee benefit programs.

 

 

Review of management development progress, organizational strategy, succession planning for key leadership positions, and overall talent depth to assure that talent formation processes are consistent with the company’s aggressive growth goals.

 

 

Establishment of the structure and amount of non-employee director compensation.

          The Committee has the authority under its charter to retain and consult with independent advisors to assist the Committee in fulfilling these responsibilities and duties. To maintain the independence of these advisors, the charter also provides that the use by the company of any of these advisors for work other than that expressly commissioned by the Committee must be approved in advance by the Committee.

26


Table of Contents


          Since 2010, the Committee has engaged Semler Brossy as the Committee’s independent compensation consultant. In the course of its engagement, Semler Brossy has:

 

 

Conducted, and reported to the Committee with respect to, a general assessment of each of the principal elements of the company’s executive compensation program;

 

 

Worked with the Committee and representatives of senior management to assess and refine the company’s peer group for ongoing comparative analysis purposes;

 

 

Advised the Committee in connection with the design of both the annual cash incentive plan and the long-term equity incentive program;

 

 

Provided the Committee with market data and trends and related analysis from both a general industry survey and an industry peer group relative to each of the principal elements of the company’s executive compensation program; and

 

 

Provided advice and guidance to the Committee on pay actions for executives.

          The Committee considered Semler Brossy’s independence in light of new SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. At the Committee’s request, Semler Brossy provided information addressing the independence of both the individual compensation advisors and the consulting firm, including the following factors: (1) any other services provided by the consulting firm to the company; (2) fees paid by the company as a percentage of the consulting firm’s total revenue; (3) policies and procedures adopted by the consulting firm to prevent conflicts of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships between the individual compensation advisors and a member of the Committee; (5) any company stock owned by the individual compensation advisors; and (6) any business or personal relationships between our executive officers and the individual compensation advisors or consulting firm. The Committee assessed these factors and concluded that Semler Brossy’s work did not raise any conflict of interest.

          The Committee usually meets four to six times per year in person or by telephone conference as needed. The Chairman of the Committee works with members of our senior management team and with the Committee’s independent compensation consultant to determine the agenda for each meeting. Following the development of the agenda, members of senior management and our human capital department, along with the Committee’s independent compensation consultant, prepare materials for each meeting of the Committee. These materials are typically reviewed with the Chair of the Committee in advance of distribution to the entire Committee.

          Our Chief Executive Officer, other members of our management team involved in the development and administration of our compensation programs and the Committee’s independent compensation consultant may be invited to attend all or a portion of a Committee meeting, depending on the nature of the agenda. The Committee also typically meets in executive session without any members of management present.

          Neither our Chief Executive Officer nor any other member of our management team votes on any matters before the Committee. The Committee, however, solicits the views of our Chief Executive Officer on compensation matters generally, and particularly with respect to the

27


Table of Contents


compensation of members of the senior management team reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee also solicits the views of other members of senior management and our human capital department with respect to key compensation elements and broad-based employee benefit plans.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

          Our compensation philosophy and objectives may be summarized as follows:

 

 

Competitive Compensation. As a growth-oriented company, we need to attract, retain and motivate executives and key employees with the capability to enable us to achieve significantly greater scale.

 

 

Performance-Based Compensation. We favor variable compensation tied to company results over fixed compensation. We target total direct compensation near the market median, with the opportunity to earn total compensation above the market median when company and/or individual performance exceeds objectives.

 

 

Reward both Company-Wide and Individual Achievement. In determining short-term and long-term incentive awards, emphasis is placed on company performance. However, significant differentiation can occur, primarily with respect to merit increases in base salaries and in long-term equity awards, based on individual performance and potential.

 

 

Emphasize Stock Ownership. We believe that employee stock ownership is a valuable tool to align the interests of employees with those of shareholders. The company has established specific stock ownership objectives for company officers as well as for members of the Board of Directors. The company has historically provided a variety of means for broader stock ownership by employees at all levels, including through our long-term incentive plans and our 401(k) savings plan.

Corporate Governance Framework

          In order to meet the key objectives of our executive compensation program and to mitigate risk from our compensation practices and principles, the company has adopted a strong corporate governance framework that includes the components described below.

 

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines. We have established stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers to further align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. Within five years of assuming the position, executive officers are expected to achieve and maintain equity ownership at the following levels:


 

 

 

 

o

CEO: five times base salary

 

o

All other executive officers: three times base salary


 

 

 

For purposes of these guidelines, stock ownership includes the fair market value of (1) all shares of common stock owned and (2) vested stock options after taxes at an estimated effective tax rate of 40%.

28


Table of Contents



 

 

Share Retention Requirement. Any executive officer who has not achieved the foregoing ownership objective by the required time period will not be permitted to sell any shares except to the extent required to pay the exercise price, transaction costs and taxes applicable to the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares. Exceptions to these restrictions on sale of shares may be granted by the Board in its sole discretion for good cause shown by any executive officer.

 

 

Clawback Provision. Our Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which governs both our annual cash incentive program as well as our long-term equity incentive program, includes a “clawback” provision. Under this provision, the Committee may cause any rights or awards under the plan to be terminated or forfeited, and may cause a participant to return to the company any shares received, any profits or any other economic value realized by the participant in connection with any awards or any shares issued upon the exercise or vesting of any awards, if a participant has taken any action that would constitute “cause” or an “adverse action.” In addition, the plan incorporates the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 automatic forfeiture standard for certain participants in connection with material noncompliance, as a result of misconduct, resulting in an accounting restatement. In addition, all awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be subject to forfeiture or other penalties pursuant to any clawback or forfeiture policy of the company, as in effect from time to time, and such forfeiture and/or penalty conditions or provisions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable award agreement.

 

 

Double-Trigger Vesting. Under the Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, an executive’s unvested equity awards will vest upon a change in control only if the executive also experiences a qualifying termination of employment.

 

 

No Stock Option Re-Pricing. The company’s equity incentive plans do not permit us to reprice stock options without shareholder approval or to grant stock options with an exercise price below fair market value.

 

 

No Tax Gross-Ups. The Company does not provide tax gross-ups on any benefits or perquisites, including severance payments and benefits received following a change in control.

 

 

No Hedging or Pledging of Company Stock. Directors, officers and other employees whose duties regularly bring them into contact with confidential or proprietary information are prohibited from engaging in (i) any form of hedging or monetization transactions involving the company’s securities, (ii) short sales of the company’s securities, (iii) trading in options, puts, calls or other derivatives of the company’s securities, and (iv) any form of pledging of the company’s securities.

 

 

Independent Compensation Consultant. Our Compensation Committee retains an independent compensation consultant who performs services only for the Compensation Committee.

29


Table of Contents


Consideration of 2012 Say on Pay Advisory Vote

          At our 2012 Annual Meeting, our shareholders had the opportunity to provide an advisory vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers, or a “say on pay” vote. Over 97% of the votes cast by our shareholders were in favor of the “say on pay” vote. The Committee generally believes that these voting results affirmed shareholder support of our approach to executive compensation and did not believe it was necessary to, and therefore did not, make any changes to our executive compensation program in response to the shareholder vote.

Compensation Program Elements

          Our executive compensation program currently consists of (1) base salary, (2) annual cash incentive compensation, (3) long-term equity-based incentive compensation, (4) severance compensation upon termination of employment under certain circumstances, (5) broad-based benefit plans available to other employees generally, and (6) limited perquisites. Each of these elements, and in particular the first four elements listed above, are essential in our efforts to attract, motivate, reward and retain the senior management talent required to achieve our corporate objectives and drive long-term value for our shareholders. In addition, we have stock ownership requirements for senior management, described further below. We do not have employment agreements with any of our executive officers that provide for continued employment for any period of time.

          The Committee annually reviews the total compensation program for each of the company’s executive officers. The independent compensation consultant provides relevant market data and trends for the Committee to consider, and the Committee compares each element of total compensation against this market data as it makes compensation decisions relative to the company’s executive officers.

          The market data and trends are developed from both the Towers Watson Compensation Data Bank (CDB), General Industry Executive Compensation Survey Report and an industry peer group. The Committee, in consultation with the independent compensation consultant, annually reviews the composition of the industry peer group, which generally consists of our industry peers, as well as a broader peer group of similarly sized companies involved in development, manufacturing and/or retailing of home furnishings and other consumer durable products, with which we compete for talent and for shareholder investments. Our peer group used in 2011 and 2012 includes the following companies:

 

 

 

 

Callaway Golf Company

Libbey Inc.

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Furniture Brands International, Inc.

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.

Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.

hhgregg, Inc.

Sealy Corporation

Kid Brands, Inc.

Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.

Kirkland’s Inc.

Tempur-Pedic International Inc.

La-Z-Boy Incorporated

 

 

30


Table of Contents


          In the course of the annual review of the industry peer group in 2012, the Committee observed that a number of the companies included in the peer group were significantly smaller than Select Comfort in terms of both revenue and market cap due to Select Comfort’s significantly faster growth in recent years. As a result, the Committee made changes to create a group that appropriately represents Select Comfort’s revenue, earnings and market cap. The Committee has a preference to focus the peer group on household and consumer durable product companies, but has also expanded the peer group to include other retailers in order to ensure an appropriate number of companies for benchmarking purposes. As a result, at the end of 2012, for use in 2013 and thereafter, the Committee adopted a new peer group including the following companies:

 

 

 

 

Ann Inc.

lululemon athletica inc.

Chico’s FAS Inc.

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.

Columbia Sportswear Co.

Mattress Firm Holding Corp.

Deckers Outdoor Corp.

Pier 1 Imports, Inc.

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

Polaris Industries Inc.

Express Inc.

Sealy Corp.

Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.

Steven Madden Ltd.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc.

Tempur-Pedic International Inc.

Kirkland’s Inc.

Williams-Sonoma Inc.

La-Z-Boy Incorporated

 

 

          With the assistance of the independent compensation consultant, the Committee values the total compensation of the executive officers in two ways, including the targeted compensation opportunity and the current actual compensation. The targeted compensation opportunity includes current base salary, targeted annual incentive compensation, and targeted annual equity award values. The current actual pay includes current base salary, the most recent actual bonus payout and the most recent equity awards reflecting any performance-based adjustments and valued at the average of the most recent 20 trading days for full share awards and at the Black-Scholes valuation for options. The competitive position of the compensation for the executive officers is considered from both of these perspectives. This competitive analysis is just one factor considered when making compensation decisions.

          Base Salary. Base salaries for executive officers are reviewed after the end of each fiscal year. When making decisions on base salaries, the Committee considers both the external market data noted above as well as a variety of internal criteria, including: (1) each executive officer’s scope of responsibilities; (2) each executive officer’s qualifications, skills and experience; (3) internal pay equity among senior executives; and (4) individual job performance, including both impact on current financial results and contributions to building longer-term competitive advantage and shareholder value. No specific formula or weight is applied to the various criteria considered. Annual increases in base salary are primarily driven by evaluations of individual performance and where each executive stands in relation to internal and external comparators.

          No increases in base salaries were approved following operating losses incurred in 2007 and 2008. Following the improvement in performance that began in 2009, the Committee has annually reviewed base salaries for senior executives in accordance with the standards noted

31


Table of Contents


above, and for consistency with the company’s overall compensation objectives, and has approved modest merit increases for named executive officers. In early 2012, the Committee approved merit increases for named executive officers ranging from 3.0% to 6.0% based on individual performance ratings and also approved market adjustments for Wendy L. Schoppert and Mark A. Kimball to bring their base salaries closer to the market median. Effective as of April 1, 2013, the Committee approved a 13% increase in Ms. Ibach’s base salary to $680,000 in order to position her target direct total compensation slightly above the 25th percentile for the company’s peer group. Merit increases for other named executive officers effective as of April 1, 2013 range from 3.5% to 6% based on the external and internal criteria noted above and in order to bring their salary levels approximately to the median of the market.

          Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. The annual cash incentive, or “bonus,” plan is designed to drive company-wide performance for the relevant fiscal year at or above the company’s stated long-term growth and profitability objectives. Consistent with the company’s performance-based compensation philosophy, the annual cash incentive program is designed to deliver compensation near the market median for achievement of targeted financial objectives, and total compensation can exceed the median for above-target performance or fall below median for below-target performance.

          At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Committee determines the four principal elements of the annual bonus plan for the coming fiscal year, including: (1) the performance goals, (2) the split between company-wide performance goals and individual performance goals (if any), (3) the target bonus levels, and (4) the leverage curve for bonus payouts which are above or below target.

 

 

Performance Goals. The Committee determines both the type and the specific targets of the performance goals for each fiscal year. Since 2001, the Committee has selected annual Net Operating Profit (“NOP”) as the primary company performance measure based on its belief that this single goal provides a balanced focus on both revenue growth and improved profitability. The NOP target is always after deduction of all bonus payments. In some years, the Committee has added a secondary performance goal aligned with a key strategy or initiative for the year. For example, the Committee added a secondary performance goal of operating free cash flow in 2009.

 

 

Split between Company-Wide Goals and Individual Goals. The Committee is authorized to use both company-wide performance goals and individual performance goals in the annual bonus plan design. In order to unite the executive officers and all other employees to focus on the urgency of company-wide objectives, the Committee has typically chosen to base the annual bonus plan entirely on company-wide performance goals for all participants, and this has been the case in each of the recent fiscal years.

 

 

Target Bonus Levels. The target bonus level for the CEO had been set at 75% of base salary for each year from 2002 through 2010 and was increased to 100% in mid-2011 in recognition of the CEO’s tenure and the strength of recent performance. In June of 2011, Shelly R. Ibach was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and her bonus target was increased to 65% of base salary. When Ms. Ibach was promoted to President and CEO in

32


Table of Contents



 

 

 

June of 2012, her bonus target was increased to 75% of base salary. For 2013, Ms. Ibach’s target bonus level was increased to 100% of base salary in order to position her target direct total compensation slightly above the 25th percentile for the company’s peer group. In 2008, two executives were promoted to Executive Vice President, and the Committee established a bonus target of 60% of base salary for this level. The target bonus level for Senior Vice Presidents has been set at 55% of base salary for each year since 2003. These target bonus levels are reviewed annually in comparison with the peer group and general industry market data identified above, and are designed to deliver compensation consistent with our stated philosophy.

 

 

Leverage Curve of the Bonus Payout. The Committee seeks to set the leverage curve of the bonus payout, or the percentage of incremental NOP that is used to fund the overall bonus pool, in a manner that both provides a strong incentive for achievement of stretch performance objectives and a reasonable sharing rate of incremental NOP. For 2010 and 2011, the leverage curve of the bonus plan was 33% (i.e., 1/3rd of incremental NOP above target was included in the bonus pool up to the potential cap of 250% of target payout). For 2012 and 2013, the leverage curve of the bonus plan has been reduced to 30% of incremental NOP.

          The actual incentive payouts over the last several fiscal years, as well as the design of the incentive program for 2013, demonstrate how these annual incentive mechanics actually function and the strong relationship between company performance and incentive payments:

          For 2010, the Committee determined to base the annual bonus plan exclusively on company-wide NOP goals, with threshold bonus payments earned only for exceeding the company’s planned NOP goal. In order to maintain focus on near-term, critical business objectives, bonus payments were based in part on quarterly performance versus targets derived from the annual operating plan, with the opportunity to realize up to 50% of pro-rated target bonus levels for achievement of quarterly performance objectives over the first three fiscal quarters. To maintain a strong continuing incentive, if a quarterly target was not achieved, the opportunity remained to earn the full-year bonus if the full-year target was achieved. Above the target level, approximately 33% of incremental NOP was added to the bonus plan and employees had the opportunity to earn up to 250% of target levels for significantly exceeding the planned NOP goal.

          Following achievement of $20.7 million in NOP for 2009, the Board established an operating plan calling for $28.4 million in NOP for 2010 (an increase of 37% versus 2009). The Committee established a bonus plan with a threshold payout of 50% of target for achievement of this planned NOP level and 100% of target payout for achievement of $35.6 million in NOP, an increase of more than 25% over planned NOP (and an increase of 72% versus 2009). The company achieved $52.4 million in NOP for 2010, which exceeded planned NOP by 85% and exceeded 2009 NOP by 153%, resulting in bonus payments at 217% of target level. The Committee believes that the annual cash incentive plan was an important element in motivating performance that significantly exceeded both internal and external expectations for 2010.

33


Table of Contents


          For 2011, the Committee maintained the annual bonus plan design essentially similar to the 2010 plan, with bonus payments based exclusively on company-wide NOP goals and continuing with quarterly payments of up to 50% of pro-rated target levels in order to maintain the focus on near-term, critical business objectives, with the opportunity remaining to earn the full-year bonus if the full-year target was achieved. Above the target level, approximately 33% of incremental NOP was added to the bonus plan and employees had the opportunity to earn up to 250% of target levels for significantly exceeding the planned NOP goal. In order to preserve flexibility to recognize and reward extraordinary individual performance, the Committee reserved discretionary authority to pay up to 20% of target levels even if the company-wide threshold performance target was not achieved.

          Following achievement of $52.4 million in NOP for 2010, the Board established an operating plan calling for $66.0 million in NOP for 2011 (an increase of 26% versus 2010). The Committee established a bonus plan with a threshold payout of 20% of target payout for achievement of $53.4 million in NOP and 100% of target payout for achievement of planned NOP at 26% above the prior year. The company achieved $90.5 million in NOP for 2011, which exceeded planned NOP by 37% and exceeded 2010 NOP by 73%, resulting in bonus payments at 250% of target level. As in 2010, the Committee believes that the annual cash incentive plan was an important element in motivating performance that significantly exceeded both internal and external expectations for 2011.

          For 2012, the Committee maintained the annual bonus plan design essentially similar to the 2011 plan, with bonus payments based exclusively on company-wide NOP goals and continuing with quarterly payments of up to 50% of pro-rated target levels in order to maintain the focus on near-term, critical business objectives, with the opportunity remaining to earn the full-year bonus if the full-year target was achieved. For 2012, the leverage curve of the bonus payout as a percentage of incremental NOP was reduced to 30% of incremental NOP versus 33% in 2011, which was designed to provide additional flexibility to invest in the company’s growing business while still providing significant upside potential for stretch performance. Consistent with 2011, employees had the opportunity to earn up to 250% of target levels for significantly exceeding the planned NOP goal. Also consistent with 2011, the Committee reserved discretionary authority to pay up to 20% of target levels to recognize and reward extraordinary individual performance, even if the company-wide threshold performance target was not achieved.

          Following achievement of $90.5 million in NOP for 2011, the Board established an operating plan calling for $119.5 million in NOP for 2012 (an increase of 32% versus 2011). The Committee established a bonus plan with a threshold of 20% of target payout for achievement of $103.1 million in NOP and 100% of target payout for achievement of planned NOP at 32% above the prior year. In connection with the CEO transition in June of 2012, the company incurred incremental non-cash compensation expense in the amount of $5.6 million, which the Committee determined to exclude from the NOP calculations for purposes of the annual cash incentive payout. The company achieved $125.4 million in adjusted NOP for 2012 (excluding the non-cash CEO transition costs of $5.6 million), which exceeded planned NOP by 4.9% and exceeded 2011 NOP by 39%, resulting in bonus payments at 128% of target level. As in prior years, the Committee believes that the annual cash incentive plan was an important

34


Table of Contents


element in motivating performance that exceeded both internal and external expectations for 2012.

          For 2013, the Committee plans to maintain the annual bonus plan design essentially similar to the 2012 plan.

          Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Compensation. The company makes long-term, equity-based incentive compensation grants to its executive officers and other employees in order to align their interests with those of our shareholders, as well as to provide total compensation which is competitive in the marketplaces in which the company competes for top talent. The Committee seeks to grant equity awards designed to provide total direct compensation that is near the market median, with the potential for upside or downside earning opportunity for over or under achievement of long-term performance targets. As the company offers no pension plan, this equity-based pay component is an important enabler of retirement security for executives and other employees who have dedicated a significant portion of their working career to our business.

          Executive officers and other key employees are eligible for equity-based grants upon joining the company and thereafter on an annual basis. In determining the economic value of equity awards to be granted to executive officers, the Committee considers primarily the competitive position of each executive officer’s targeted total direct compensation, including the current value of proposed equity awards, in relation to market data. The Committee also considers a variety of other factors, including (i) recent organizational performance relative to the peer group, (ii) individual performance, including levels of responsibility, and the individual’s impact on current results and our long-term competitive position, (iii) prior awards, including the number of shares awarded and the accumulated “holding power” of unvested equity to motivate both performance and retention, and (iv) the dilutive impact of equity awards in relation to market data. Our long-term equity-based incentive grants have generally been one of the means to provide differentiation in rewards based on the Committee’s assessment of overall performance.

          The company has historically granted both (i) standard stock option awards with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant, typically vesting ratably over a period of years, and (ii) “full value” restricted stock awards, typically vesting 100% at the end of a period of years from the date of grant. In recent years, consistent with the company’s emphasis on performance-based compensation, the full value restricted stock awards granted to executive officers have generally been “performance shares” subject to adjustment based on actual performance versus targets established at the date of grant.

          In 2011, the Committee modified the company’s long-term incentive compensation program in three fundamental respects:

 

 

The weighting of full value restricted stock awards was increased to a 50%/50% mix of stock option awards and performance-based restricted stock awards from the historical norm of a 75%/25% mix of options and full value awards. The reduced emphasis on stock options was designed in part to reduce the potential negative impact of stock price volatility as stock options can place undue emphasis on the grant date stock price, and options that

35


Table of Contents



 

 

 

may become significantly underwater would incur overhang expense but provide little or no retention or motivation incentive for executives.

 

 

The additional performance adjustment attached to stock option awards was eliminated as stock options are inherently performance-oriented and attaching additional performance criteria was not common among the company’s peer group or among other publicly traded companies.

 

 

New performance criteria to be applied to the restricted stock awards were introduced. Rather than the annual NOP target used in prior years (which already receives strong company-wide focus under the annual cash incentive program), the Committee sought performance criteria that were both more strategic and longer term in focus, as well as a mix of relative and absolute performance criteria that would balance revenue growth and profitability objectives. The Committee ultimately determined that the performance-adjusted restricted stock awards granted in 2011 will be adjusted upward or downward based on the company’s actual performance versus both market share and free cash flow performance targets over the three years ending with the 2013 fiscal year, which the Committee believes to be challenging but achievable.

          In 2012 the long-term incentive program was maintained essentially similar to the program implemented in 2011, except that, as market share growth represents the company’s primary growth opportunity over the next several years, the Committee determined to tie the performance-adjusted restricted stock awards solely to three-year market share performance objectives over the period of 2012 through the end of 2014. The free cash flow performance objective used in 2011 was eliminated for 2012 grants as cash flow was determined to be less important due to the significant recent improvement in the company’s cash position and the overall strength of the company’s balance sheet.

          Also, in mid-2012, the Committee approved incremental equity awards to Shelly R. Ibach in connection with her promotion to President and Chief Executive officer, and to Kathryn V. Roedel as a special retention grant.

          The Summary Compensation Table for 2012 also reflects a total of $9,386,711 in compensation expense related to stock awards granted to William R. McLaughlin in prior periods that were modified in 2012 in connection with the CEO transition described in greater detail below. Under applicable rules, the amount included in the Summary Compensation Table for 2012 with respect to these modified awards includes the incremental fair value of the awards as of the date of the modification, even though the awards had been granted in prior periods. In connection with the modification of these prior period awards, the company incurred incremental non-cash compensation expense of approximately $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012.

          For the 2013 long-term incentive program, the Committee has maintained a 50%/50% mix of stock option awards and performance-based restricted stock awards. The performance-based restricted stock awards will be subject to adjustment based on the company’s performance versus its publicly stated objective to achieve $1.5 billion in annual sales and a 15% operating margin by the end of 2015.

36


Table of Contents


          In May of 2010, shareholders approved the Select Comfort Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which governs not only our annual cash incentive program, but also our long-term equity incentive program for grants in 2010 and subsequent years. Our equity plans in place prior to the adoption of the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan included a “single trigger” change in control provision whereby the vesting of outstanding equity awards would be accelerated upon a change in control of the company. The 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, however, incorporated a “double-trigger” change in control provision whereby acceleration of equity awards granted under the plan will occur only upon (i) the termination of the employee’s service, (ii) a material reduction in an employee’s base salary, (iii) a discontinuation of participation in certain long-term cash or equity benefits provided to comparable employees, or (iv) a significant change in job responsibilities or the need to relocate, provided one of these events occurs within 2 years following a change in control. With this “double trigger” change in control provision, tying accelerated vesting to both a change in control and a subsequent material adverse impact on the employment relationship, we believe we are striking an appropriate balance between the interests of our shareholders and the interests of our employees.

CEO Transition

          Given the company’s clear strategy and outstanding performance momentum, as well as the development of a strong internal successor in Shelly R. Ibach, the Board and then-CEO William R. McLaughlin decided in February 2012 that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 2012 would be the ideal time to execute the CEO succession plan that had been discussed and evolved over the past several years. Accordingly, Mr. McLaughlin elected to retire effective June 1, 2012 and the Board determined that Ms. Ibach would assume the CEO role at that time.

          Upon Ms. Ibach’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, the Committee increased Ms. Ibach’s annual base salary to $600,000 and her target annual cash incentive compensation to 75% of base salary. The actual amount of the annual cash incentive compensation may vary between 0% and 250% of the targeted amount, depending on the company’s performance versus net operating profit targets established by the Committee. Also in connection with her appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, the Committee approved total long-term incentive grants to Ms. Ibach for 2012 with a target value of $967,000. The ultimate value of these grants will depend on the performance of the company and its stock price over time. The Committee determined these elements of Ms. Ibach’s compensation program in her new role as President and Chief Executive Officer in consultation with the company’s independent compensation consultant based on Ms. Ibach’s recent and expected future contributions to the success of the company and based on analysis of compensation levels for similar positions among the company’s peer group.

          During Mr. McLaughlin’s tenure, the company created over $1.3 billion in market value, and total return to shareholders exceeded the 95th percentile of both the then-current peer group and the S&P 500. In recognition of this performance led by Mr. McLaughlin, effective as of February 23, 2012 the Committee approved:

 

 

A final annual stock award to Mr. McLaughlin of (i) stock options to purchase an aggregate of 46,080 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $28.99 (the fair market value as of the date of grant) and (ii) 24,653 shares of performance-adjusted restricted stock. The

37


Table of Contents



 

 

 

stock option and performance-adjusted restricted stock awards became fully vested upon Mr. McLaughlin’s retirement. The performance-adjusted restricted stock awards are subject to applicable performance adjustments based on the company’s actual market share growth versus performance targets over the three-year period ending with fiscal year 2014.

 

 

The modification of Mr. McLaughlin’s then unvested stock options and restricted stock awards to provide for acceleration of vesting of these awards upon his retirement.

 

 

The elongation of the exercisability of the 562,500 stock options originally granted to Mr. McLaughlin in March of 2006 (the “March 2006 Options”), and also the 112,500 stock options granted to him in February of 2004, to provide that these options may be exercised over a period of up to one year following retirement, consistent with the terms of all of Mr. McLaughlin’s other option awards.

 

 

The modification of then outstanding performance-adjusted restricted stock awards to provide that these awards fully vest subject to the applicable performance criteria.

 

 

A pro rata payment to Mr. McLaughlin under the company’s 2012 annual cash incentive plan, with the ultimate amount of such payment dependent upon the company’s actual performance in 2012. The company would deduct from such payment any amount required to pay for continuing coverage for Mr. McLaughlin under the company’s health and dental plans for up to 18 months.

          As a result of the foregoing modifications to outstanding equity awards, the company incurred incremental non-cash compensation expense of approximately $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012.

          The foregoing decisions were based on the Committee’s belief that Mr. McLaughlin should be able to share in the value his leadership has created and will continue to create for shareholders after his retirement. These decisions by the Committee will also motivate and facilitate a smooth transition in leadership to Ms. Ibach. These decisions will also help to compensate Mr. McLaughlin for prior actions initiated by him in the interest of the company, including his decision to forego salary for the vast majority of 2008 and his decision to extend the vesting of the March 2006 Options in April of 2008. A portion of the non-cash compensation expense incurred in the first quarter of 2012 as noted above relates to the acceleration of the March 2006 Options, and these options would have vested in the ordinary course as of March of 2011 in the absence of Mr. McLaughlin’s prior decision to extend the vesting.

          Though the Committee made these modifications close to Mr. McLaughlin’s planned retirement, the Committee was advised by the independent compensation consultant that the accelerated vesting and extended exercise terms are consistent with competitive precedents often included in similar agreements at the time of grant, as a significant percentage of companies allow for accelerated vesting in their equity grants and almost half allow for terms of two years or more for post-retirement exercise, versus the one year provided to Mr. McLaughlin.

38


Table of Contents


          Severance Compensation. In February of 2007, the Committee adopted the Select Comfort Corporation Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). The Severance Plan establishes severance benefits payable to the CEO and other executive officers upon termination of their employment by the company without cause. Under the Severance Plan, upon termination of employment by the company without cause, the CEO would be entitled to a base amount of severance pay equal to (a) two times the sum of (i) annual base salary and (ii) annual target bonus, plus (b) a pro rata target bonus for the year of termination. Each of the other named executive officers, upon termination of employment by the company without cause, would be entitled to a base amount of severance pay equal to (a) one times the sum of (i) annual base salary and (ii) annual target bonus, plus (b) a pro rata target bonus for the year of termination. None of the amounts payable under the Severance Plan are subject to any “gross-up” for tax purposes in the event of the applicability of any excise or similar taxes.

          In addition to the base severance compensation described above, the Severance Plan provides for reimbursement of the cost of “COBRA” medical and dental continuation coverage, less the amount paid by an active full-time employee for the same level of coverage, until the earlier of: (i) the end of the period of time reflected in the base severance compensation (i.e., two years for CEO and one year for the other named executive officers); (ii) the end of the participant’s eligibility for COBRA continuation coverage; or (iii) the date the participant becomes eligible to participate in another group medical plan or dental plan, as the case may be. The Severance Plan also provides for outplacement services in an amount up to $15,000 for the CEO and up to $10,000 for other senior executives.

          Severance benefits are only payable following the eligible employee’s termination of employment by the company without cause or by the employee for “good reason” as defined by the Severance Plan. No severance payment would be triggered solely by a change-in-control of the company. The Severance Plan does provide, however, that during a 24-month period following a change-in-control of the company, the company may not terminate the Severance Plan and may not reduce the severance benefits payable to participants who are employed by the company immediately prior to the change-in-control. The Severance Plan does not provide for any “gross-up” of severance benefits for tax purposes.

          The Severance Plan was adopted in order to establish consistent severance benefits for senior executives and to establish a plan that would comply with anticipated new regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A applicable to deferred compensation. Prior to the adoption of the Severance Plan, some but not all of our senior executives were entitled to severance benefits pursuant to their employment offer letters. The Severance Plan provides more uniform benefits across the senior management team. No participant would receive less under the Severance Plan than he or she would be entitled to under his or her individual offer letter, and any such payment under an individual offer letter would be deducted from the amount payable under the Severance Plan.

          In developing the Severance Plan and determining the benefits payable under the Severance Plan, the Committee considered broad-based data received from an independent compensation consultant relative to typical severance benefits and concluded that the benefits payable under the Severance Plan were generally at or below the broad-based data.

39


Table of Contents


          Benefits and Perquisites. Our executive officers generally receive the same menu of benefits as are available to other full-time employees, including but not limited to the following:

 

 

401(k) Plan. All of our full-time employees age 21 and older are eligible to participate in our 401(k) savings plan. The 401(k) plan includes company stock as an investment option, providing another opportunity for our senior executives and other employees to build stock ownership in our company. The company has historically provided a discretionary match of a portion of employee contributions, at levels that have fluctuated.

 

 

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Our director-level and above employees may defer a portion of their compensation under a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that offers a range of investment options similar to those available under our 401(k) plan. The company does not contribute any compensation to this plan.

 

 

          As the company provides no pension plan, we believe the 401(k) plan and the non-qualified deferred compensation plan are important elements in retirement planning for executives and other employees.

 

          We generally avoid special executive perquisites. We do offer two executive benefits to senior management that are designed to address specific corporate purposes:

 

Annual Physical Exam. Members of our senior management team are encouraged to annually undergo a comprehensive physical examination. The company offers several options to satisfy this request, which generally range in cost from $2,300 to $4,000. These costs, after insurance coverage, are paid by the company and constitute taxable wages to the executive that are not “grossed up” for tax purposes. This benefit is designed to promote preventive care, enhance the health and wellness of senior management and to catch potential health issues at an early stage.

 

 

Tax and Financial Planning. Members of our senior management team are eligible for reimbursement of expenses for tax and financial planning services up to $7,500 per year for the CEO and up to $4,000 per year for executive or senior vice presidents. Amounts reimbursed under this benefit represent taxable wages that are not “grossed up” for tax purposes. This benefit is designed to enhance financial planning, to avoid distraction of members of the senior management team and to promote tax compliance.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

          Under stock ownership guidelines established by the Board, within five years of assuming the position, the CEO is expected to achieve and maintain stock ownership equal to five times base salary and all other executive officers are expected to achieve and maintain stock ownership equal to three times their base salaries. For purposes of these guidelines, stock ownership includes the fair market value of (1) all shares of common stock owned (without regard to restrictions on transfer) and (2) vested stock options after taxes at an estimated effective tax rate of 40%. The fair market value of stock options shall mean the then-current market price less the exercise price.

40


Table of Contents


          Any executive officer who has not achieved the foregoing ownership objective by the required time period will not be permitted to sell any shares except to the extent required to pay the exercise price, transaction costs and taxes applicable to the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares. Exceptions to these restrictions on sale of shares may be granted by the Board in its sole discretion for good cause shown by any executive officer.

Tax and Accounting Implications

          Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code requires that we meet specific criteria, including shareholder approval of certain stock and incentive plans, in order to deduct, for federal income tax purposes, compensation over $1 million per individual paid to our Chief Executive Officer and each of our three other most highly compensated executives (other than the Chief Financial Officer). Our equity-based incentive plans and our annual cash bonus plan are designed to permit the grant and payment of equity or cash incentive awards that are fully deductible as performance-based compensation under the Internal Revenue Code. In reviewing and adopting other executive compensation programs, the Committee plans to continue to consider the impact of Section 162(m) limitations in light of the materiality of the deductibility of potential benefits and the impact of such limitations on other compensation objectives. Because the Committee seeks to maintain flexibility in accomplishing the company’s compensation goals, however, it has not adopted a policy that all compensation must be fully deductible.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

          The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the preceding Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

The Management Development and Compensation Committee

Michael A. Peel, Chair
David T. Kollat
Brenda J. Lauderback
Ervin R. Shames

          The foregoing Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate future filings, in whole or in part, the foregoing Compensation Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

41


Table of Contents


Summary Compensation Table

          The following table summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by each of the named executive officers for the 2012 fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 (and for the 2011 and 2010 fiscal years). The details of our named executive officers’ compensation are discussed in detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 25.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name
And Principal
Position

 

 

Year

 

 

Salary
($)

 

 

Bonus
($)

 

 

Stock
Awards(1)
($)

 

 

Option
Awards(1)
($)

 

 

Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan Compensa-
tion(2)

($)

 

 

All Other
Compensa-
tion(3)
($)

 

 

Total
($)

 

Shelly R. Ibach(4)
President and CEO

 

 

2012

 

 

$

522,061

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

466,316

 

 

$

501,126

 

 

$

473,170

 

 

$

11,436

 

 

$

1,974,109

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

$

385,579

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

258,328

 

 

$

155,996

 

 

$

604,153

 

 

$

10,957

 

 

$

1,415,013

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

$

358,683

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

143,872

 

 

$

276,540

 

 

$

458,241

 

 

$

11,308

 

 

$

1,248,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy L. Schoppert
EVP and CFO

 

 

2012

 

 

$

346,461

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

211,627

 

 

$

229,260

 

 

$

264,987

 

 

$

10,250

 

 

$

1,062,585

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

$

303,027

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

142,916

 

 

$

140,894

 

 

$

437,691

 

 

$

9,141

 

 

$

1,033,669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Kathryn V. Roedel
EVP, Chief Services
and Fulfillment Officer

 

 

2012

 

 

$

352,379

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

255,038

 

 

$

272,924

 

 

$

269,697

 

 

$

8,456

 

 

$

1,158,494

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

$

334,157

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

149,037

 

 

$

146,950

 

 

$

500,964

 

 

$

8,067

 

 

$

1,139,175

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

$

325,292

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

143,872

 

 

$

276,540

 

 

$

423,370

 

 

$

8,569

 

 

$

1,177,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark A. Kimball
SVP, Chief Legal and
Risk Officer

 

 

2012

 

 

$

320,738

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

179,738

 

 

$

194,118

 

 

$

224,887

 

 

$

6,250

 

 

$

925,731

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

$

295,995

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

126,651

 

 

$

124,870

 

 

$

406,802

 

 

$

5,415

 

 

$

959,733

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

$

287,404

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

112,171

 

 

$

215,608

 

 

$

342,672

 

 

$

4,900

 

 

$

962,755

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen R. Richard
SVP, Chief Human
Capital Officer

 

 

2012

 

 

$

261,377

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

147,849

 

 

$

158,976

 

 

$

183,425

 

 

$

8,735

 

 

$

760,362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William R. McLaughlin(5)
Former President and
CEO

 

 

2012

 

 

$

375,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

3,686,890

 

 

$

6,785,741

 

 

$

497,293

 

 

$

14,245

 

 

$

11,359,169

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

$

743,077

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

950,405

 

 

$

750,376

 

 

$

1,626,202

 

 

$

4,900

 

 

$

4,074,960

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

$

706,538

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

1,621,025

 

 

$

500,760

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

 

$

4,900

 

 

$

3,833,223

 


 

 

(1)

Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of stock and option awards granted during fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 8, Shareholders’ Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts.

 

 

(2)

Represents annual incentive compensation earned in 2012 under the Select Comfort Corporation Executive and Key Employee Incentive Plan.

 

 

(3)

In 2012, all other compensation includes the costs of (i) reimbursement for personal financial planning and tax advice; (ii) company sponsored physical exam; and (iii) company contribution to the executive’s 401(k) account.

 

 

(4)

Ms. Ibach assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer for the company effective June 1, 2012.

 

 

(5)

Mr. McLaughlin ceased to be employed with the company effective June 1, 2012. The 2012 data includes a total of $9,386,711 in incremental fair value related to stock awards granted to Mr. McLaughlin in prior periods that were modified in 2012 in connection with the CEO transition described in greater detail on page 37. Under applicable rules, the amount included in the Summary Compensation Table for 2012 with respect to these modified awards represents the incremental fair value of the awards as of the date of the modification, even though the awards had been granted in prior years. In connection with the modification of these prior period awards, the company incurred incremental non-cash compensation expenses of approximately $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012.

42


Table of Contents


Grant of Plan-Based Awards

          The following table summarizes grants of equity and non-equity plan-based awards to each of the named executive officers during the 2012 fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)

 

 

 

 

 

All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Under-
lying
Options
(#)(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thresh-
old
($)

 

 

 

 

Maxi-
mum
($)

 

 

Thresh-
old
(#)

 

 

 

 

Maxi-
mum
(#)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant
Date

 

 

 

Target
($)

 

 

 

 

Target
(#)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelly R. Ibach(5)

 

 

 

 

 

$

185,266

 

$

370,532

 

$

926,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

9,600

 

 

14,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

278,304

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,900

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

$

299,544

 

 

 

6/1/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

7,234

 

 

10,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

188,012

 

 

 

6/1/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,526

 

 

$

25.99

 

 

$

201,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy L. Schoppert

 

 

 

 

 

$

103,754

 

$

207,508

 

$

518,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

7,300

 

 

10,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

211,627

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,700

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

$

229,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn V. Roedel(6)

 

 

 

 

 

$

105,598

 

$

211,196

 

$

527,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

6,800

 

 

10,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

197,132

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,600

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

$

210,852

 

 

 

6/1/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

2,228

 

 

3,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

57,906

 

 

 

6/1/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,165

 

 

$

25.99

 

 

$

62,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark A. Kimball

 

 

 

 

 

$

88,053

 

$

176,105

 

$

440,263

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

6,200

 

 

9,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

179,738

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,600

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

$

194,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen R. Richard

 

 

 

 

 

$

71,819

 

$

143,638

 

$

359,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

5,100

 

 

7,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

147,849

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,500

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

$

158,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William R. McLaughlin(7)

 

 

 

 

 

$

194,712

 

$

389,423

 

$

973,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

24,653

 

 

36,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

714,690

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,080

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

$

371,230

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

562,500

 

 

$

24.65

 

 

$

5,518,800

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

219

 

 

$

9.75

 

 

$

4,285

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,593

 

 

$

17.34

 

 

$

683,268

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

106,467

 

 

$

16.57

 

 

$

196,996

 

 

 

2/23/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,033

 

 

$

16.57

 

 

$

11,163


 

 

(1)

This represents the annual cash incentive opportunity for 2012 under the Select Comfort Corporation Executive and Key Employee Incentive Plan. The actual amounts paid out under this plan for 2012 are reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table. The threshold reflects the amount that would be payable under the plan if the minimum performance level is achieved for company-wide performance goals. If the minimum performance level for payment of the threshold amount is not achieved, then no bonus would be payable under the plan.

 

 

(2)

These awards represent performance stock awards described in greater detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the heading, “Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Compensation.” The target number of shares is adjusted between the threshold and the target/maximum based on company performance over a three year performance period. Any adjustments in the number of shares would be reflected at the end of the performance period. The adjusted amount of the award then fully vests after four years from the grant date. If any dividends are paid on our common stock, the holders of the performance stock awards would receive dividends at the same rate as paid to other shareholders if and when the performance stock award becomes fully vested.

43


Table of Contents



 

 

(3)

These awards represent stock options described in greater detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the heading, “Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Compensation.” These stock options have an exercise price equal to the closing trading prices of the company’s common stock on the grant date. The options become exercisable at the rate of 25% each year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. These options remain exercisable for up to 10 years from the grant date, subject to earlier termination upon certain events related to termination of employment.

 

 

(4)

Reflects the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB Accounting ASC Topic 718. The valuation on performance-based awards reflects the target payout as the performance criteria has not yet been achieved.

 

 

(5)

On June 1, 2012, Ms. Ibach was promoted to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer and received an additional stock award and option grant. These awards are described in greater detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the heading, “Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Compensation” and also in Footnote (2) and (3) above.

 

 

(6)

On June 1, 2012, Ms. Roedel received additional special retention grants in her role of Executive Vice President and Chief Services and Fulfillment Officer. These awards are described in greater detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the heading, “Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Compensation” and also in Footnote (2) and (3) above.

 

 

(7)

Mr. McLaughlin ceased to be employed with the company effective June 1, 2012. The 2012 data includes stock options and awards granted to Mr. McLaughlin in 2012 and stock options granted in prior years that were modified on February 23, 2012 in connection with the CEO transition described in greater detail on page 37. Under applicable rules, the amount included in the Grant of Plan Based Awards table for 2012 with respect to these modified stock options represents the incremental fair value of the awards as of the date of the modification, even though the awards had been granted in prior years.

44


Table of Contents


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

          The following table summarizes the total outstanding equity awards for each of the named executive officers as of December 29, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

 

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) 
Unexercisable

 

 

Option
Exercise
Price
($)

 

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

 

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

 

 


Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelly R. Ibach

 

 

 

14,500

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

18.22

 

 

 

4/2/2017

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

10.63

 

 

 

11/27/2017

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

6,610

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

3.76

 

 

 

3/7/2018

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

6,250(1)

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

6/1/2019

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

12,500(2)

 

 

$

306,375

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

7,500(3)

 

 

$

0.79

 

 

 

6/18/2019

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

15,000(4)

 

 

$

367,650

 

 

 

 

 

18,938

 

 

 

16,875(5)

 

 

$

9.75

 

 

 

6/4/2020

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

11,250(6)

 

 

$

275,738

 

 

 

 

 

3,509

 

 

 

10,529(7)

 

 

$

17.34

 

 

 

5/11/2021

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

9,125(8)

 

 

$

223,654

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

7,000(9)

 

 

$

171,570

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

17,900(10)

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

 

2/23/2022

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

9,600(11)

 

 

$

235,296

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

13,526(12)

 

 

$

25.99

 

 

 

6/1/2022

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

7,234(13)

 

 

$

177,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy L. Schoppert

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

12.56

 

 

 

4/18/2015

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

22,500

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

24.65

 

 

 

3/2/2016

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

19.97

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

3.76

 

 

 

3/7/2018

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

12,500(1)

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

6/1/2019

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

25,000(2)

 

 

$

612,750

 

 

 

 

 

21,000

 

 

 

13,500(5)

 

 

$

9.75

 

 

 

6/4/2020

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

9,000(6)

 

 

$

220,590

 

 

 

 

 

3,169

 

 

 

9,510(7)

 

 

$

17.34

 

 

 

5/11/2021

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

8,242(8)

 

 

$

202,011

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

13,700(10)

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

 

2/23/2022

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

7,300(11)

 

 

$

178,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn V. Roedel

 

 

 

11,400

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

24.65

 

 

 

3/2/2016

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

5,376(1)

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

6/1/2019

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

11,661(2)

 

 

$

285,811

 

 

 

 

 

13,458

 

 

 

6,542(3)

 

 

$

0.79

 

 

 

6/18/2019

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

14,081(4)

 

 

$

345,125

 

 

 

 

 

27,375

 

 

 

16,875(5)

 

 

$

9.75

 

 

 

6/4/2020

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

11,250(6)

 

 

$

275,738

 

 

 

 

 

3,306

 

 

 

9,918(7)

 

 

$

17.34

 

 

 

5/11/2021

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

8,595(8)

 

 

$

210,663

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

12,600(10)

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

 

2/23/2022

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

6,800(11)

 

 

$

166,668

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

4,165(12)

 

 

$

25.99

 

 

 

6/1/2022

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

2,228(13)

 

 

$

54,608

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45


Table of Contents


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End, continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable

 

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) 
Unexercisable

 

 

Option
Exercise
Price
($)

 

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

 

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

 

 


Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)

 

Mark A. Kimball

 

 

 

30,001

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

16.57

 

 

 

2/12/2014

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

13.49

 

 

 

2/24/2015

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

25,500

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

24.65

 

 

 

3/2/2016

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

6,250

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

19.97

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

9,375(1)

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

6/1/2019

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

18,750(2)

 

 

$

459,563

 

 

 

 

 

21,000

 

 

 

13,500(5)

 

 

$

9.75

 

 

 

6/4/2020

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

9,000(6)

 

 

$

220,590

 

 

 

 

 

2,809

 

 

 

8,428(7)

 

 

$

17.34

 

 

 

5/11/2021

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

7,304(8)

 

 

$

179,021

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

11,600(10)

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

 

2/23/2022

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

6,200(11)

 

 

$

151,962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen R. Richard

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

3,750(14)

 

 

$

91,913

 

 

 

 

 

2,250

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

13.49

 

 

 

2/24/2015

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

2,475

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

24.65

 

 

 

3/2/2016

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

875

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

19.97

 

 

 

2/22/2017

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

20,500

 

 

 

12,500(1)

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

6/1/2019

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

25,000(2)

 

 

$

612,750

 

 

 

 

 

21,000

 

 

 

13,500(5)

 

 

$

9.75

 

 

 

6/4/2020

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

9,000(6)

 

 

$

220,590

 

 

 

 

 

2,103

 

 

 

6,312(7)

 

 

$

17.34

 

 

 

5/11/2021

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

5,470(8)

 

 

$

134,070

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

9,500(10)

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

 

2/23/2022

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

5,100(11)

 

 

$

125,001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William R. McLaughlin(15)

 

 

 

58,427

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

6.03

 

 

 

2/24/2013

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

106,467

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

16.57

 

 

 

6/1/2013

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

112,500

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

13.49

 

 

 

6/1/2013

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

562,500

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

24.65

 

 

 

6/1/2013

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

80,128

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

9.75

 

 

 

6/1/2013

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

67,526

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

17.34

 

 

 

6/1/2013

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

43,891(8)

 

 

$

1,075,768

 

 

 

 

 

46,080

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

28.99

 

 

 

6/1/2013

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

24,653(11)

 

 

$

604,245

 


 

 

(1)

These performance stock options were granted on June 1, 2009 and vest 25% each year on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(2)

These performance stock awards were granted on June 1, 2009 and vest 100% on June 1, 2013, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(3)

These performance stock options were granted on June 18, 2009 and vest 25% each year on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(4)

These performance stock awards were granted on June 18, 2009 and vest 100% on June 18, 2013, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(5)

These stock options were granted on June 4, 2010. A portion is subject to performance and vests 25% each year on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continuing employment. The remaining portion, not subject to performance, vests 50% each year on each of the first two anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continuing employment.

46


Table of Contents



 

 

(6)

These restricted stock awards were granted on June 4, 2010. A portion of the award is subject to performance and vests 100% on June 4, 2014, subject to continuing employment. The remaining portion, not subject to performance, vests 100% on June 4, 2012, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(7)

These stock options were granted on May 11, 2011 and vest 25% each year on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(8)

These performance stock awards were granted on May 11, 2011 and vest 100% on May 11, 2015, subject to continuing employment. See note (15) regarding the continued vesting of Mr. McLaughlin’s award.

 

 

(9)

This stock award was granted on June 13, 2011 and vests 100% on June 13, 2015, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(10)

These stock options were granted on February 23, 2012 and vest 25% each year on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(11)

These performance stock awards were granted on February 23, 2012 and vest 100% on February 23, 2016, subject to continuing employment. See note (15) regarding the continued vesting of Mr. McLaughlin’s award.

 

 

(12)

These stock options were granted on June 1, 2012 and vest 25% each year on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(13)

These performance stock awards were granted on June 1, 2012 and vest 100% on June 1, 2016, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(14)

This restricted stock award was granted on February 24, 2003 and vests 100% on February 24, 2013, subject to continuing employment.

 

 

(15)

As disclosed on a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2012, and described in more detail in this proxy statement under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – CEO Transition,” the company’s Compensation Committee approved the modification of Mr. McLaughlin’s unvested stock options and restricted stock awards to provide for acceleration of vesting of these awards upon his retirement. The Compensation Committee also approved the modification of the expiration date of two stock option grants. Stock options to purchase an aggregate of 562,500 shares at an exercise price of $24.65 per share originally granted in March of 2006, and an aggregate of 112,500 shares at an exercise price of $16.57 per share originally granted in February of 2004, were modified to provide that these options may be exercised over a period of up to one year following retirement. Outstanding performance restricted stock awards will be subject to the applicable performance criteria.

47


Table of Contents


Option Exercises and Stock Vested

          The following table summarizes the stock options exercised and restricted stock awards vested for each of the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

 

Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
(#)

 

 

Value
Realized
on Exercise
($)(1)

 

 

Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
(#)

 

 

Value
Realized on
Vesting
($)(2)

 

Shelly R. Ibach

 

 

35,937

 

 

 

$

897,239

 

 

7,906

 

 

 

$

222,121

 

Wendy L. Schoppert

 

 

62,250

 

 

 

$

1,051,470

 

 

8,125

 

 

 

$

232,969

 

Kathryn V. Roedel

 

 

123,909

 

 

 

$

2,139,309

 

 

9,781

 

 

 

$

278,352

 

Mark A. Kimball

 

 

65,438

 

 

 

$

1,647,230

 

 

27,469

 

 

 

$

702,895

 

Karen R. Richard

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

$

237,719

 

 

5,500

 

 

 

$

154,245

 

William R. McLaughlin

 

 

54,271

 

 

 

$

1,015,410

 

 

269,076

 

 

 

$

7,173,285

 


 

 

(1)

The value realized on the exercise of stock options for purposes of this table is based on the difference between the fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the stock option.

 

 

(2)

The value realized on the vesting of stock awards for purposes of this table is based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of vesting of the award.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Category

 

Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights(1)

 

Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in the first
column)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

2,889,000

 

$

15.92

 

 

1,130,000

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

None

 

 

Not applicable

 

 

None

 

Total

 

 

2,889,000

 

$

15.92

 

 

1,130,000

 


 

 

 

(1)

Includes the Select Comfort Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, the Select Comfort Corporation 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and the Select Comfort Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

48


Table of Contents


Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

          The following table summarizes the aggregate earnings and balances for each of the named executive officers under the Select Comfort Executive Investment Plan, the company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan (described in greater detail below), for the 2012 fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

Executive
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year
($)

 

 

Registrant
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year(1)

($)

 

 

Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Fiscal
Year(1)
($)

 

 

Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)

 

 

Aggregate
Balance
at Last
Fiscal
Year-End(1)
($)

 

Shelly R. Ibach

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

Wendy L. Schoppert

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

Kathryn V. Roedel

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

2,233

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

92,398

 

 

Mark A. Kimball

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

Karen R. Richard

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

William R. McLaughlin

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

233,186

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

1,048,610

 

 


 

 

(1)

Among the named executive officers, only Mr. McLaughlin and Ms. Roedel had account balances under the plan as of December 29, 2012. Neither Mr. McLaughlin nor Ms. Roedel elected to make additional contributions (salary or bonus deferrals) to the plan in fiscal year 2012.

          As determined by the plan administrator each year, certain executive employees (for example, director level and above) may be eligible to participate in the Select Comfort Executive Investment Plan, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Under this plan, eligible employees may defer up to 50% of base salary and up to 75% of bonus compensation on a pre-tax basis. These voluntary employee salary and bonus deferrals are credited to the participant’s “savings account.” (Elective deferrals made by eligible employees prior to January 1, 2009 could have been credited to a “fixed period account.”) No employees were eligible to make deferrals of base salary or bonus during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 plan years and the first six months of the 2012 plan year.

          In addition to deferrals made by eligible employees, the company may elect to credit eligible employees with discretionary employer credits to a “retirement account.” The company has not elected to make any discretionary employer credits under this plan.

          A participant’s account under the plan is also credited with earnings credits which are based on deemed investment in a variety of funds made available by the plan administrator and which are currently similar to the investment fund options available under the company’s 401(k) plan. The participant selects the funds into which the account balance is deemed to be invested and these allocations may be changed by the participant at any time.

          Amounts credited to savings and retirement accounts are paid out no later than 90 days (or six months for executive officers) after the participant’s “termination date” (which means the date the participant separates from service as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A). Payment of the fixed period account depends on the date (or dates) of distribution elected by the participant at the time he or she made the election to defer salary or bonus to a

49


Table of Contents


fixed period account. Distributions to the participant may be made in a lump sum payment or in annual installment payments. Prior to the termination date (or the fixed payment date of a fixed period account), a participant may be allowed to receive a lump sum distribution from his or her account in the event of certain unforeseeable emergencies. The participant’s account (if any) upon his or her date of death is paid in a lump sum to the participant’s plan beneficiary or beneficiaries.

Employment Letter Agreements, Severance Plan and Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Employment Offer Letters. All Select Comfort employees, including all executive officers, are “at will” employees, meaning that the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship with or without cause and with or without notice, at any time at the option of either the employee or the company. No executive officer of the company has any contractual or other right to employment for any term or period of time. The company has issued employment offer letters to the named executive officers as described below.

          Shelly R. Ibach. Under an employment offer letter extended to Ms. Ibach, upon termination of her employment without cause, she is entitled to receive six months base salary as severance compensation, and if such termination occurs more than half-way through a fiscal year of the company, she is entitled to receive a pro rata portion of any bonus payment that is ultimately earned for such fiscal year, payable at the time such bonus payments are paid to other eligible employees. Any severance compensation payable under this offer letter would be subject to a standard release of claims and would also reduce by the same amount any amount payable under the company’s severance plan.

          Wendy L. Schoppert. Under an employment offer letter extended to Ms. Schoppert, upon the involuntary termination of her employment following a change in control, or upon a termination without cause, she is entitled to one year’s salary as severance compensation, and if such termination occurs more than half-way through a fiscal year of the company, she is entitled to receive a pro rata portion of any bonus payment that is ultimately earned for such fiscal year, payable at the time such bonus payments are paid to other eligible employees. Any severance compensation payable under this offer letter would be subject to a standard release of claims and would also reduce by the same amount any amount payable under the company’s severance plan.

          Kathryn V. Roedel. Under an employment offer letter extended to Ms. Roedel, upon the involuntary termination of Ms. Roedel’s employment following a change in control, or upon a termination without cause, she is entitled to one year’s salary as severance compensation, and if such termination occurs more than half-way through a fiscal year of the company, she is entitled to receive a pro rata portion of any bonus payment that is ultimately earned for such fiscal year, payable at the time such bonus payments are paid to other eligible employees. Any severance compensation payable under this offer letter would be subject to a standard release of claims and would also reduce by the same amount any amount payable under the company’s severance plan.

50


Table of Contents


          Mark A. Kimball. Under an employment offer letter extended to Mr. Kimball, upon termination of his employment without cause, he is entitled to one year’s salary as severance compensation. Any payment of severance compensation under this offer letter would reduce by the same amount any amount payable under the company’s severance plan.

Severance Plan

          Effective as of February 22, 2007, our Board of Directors adopted the Select Comfort Corporation Executive Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”), establishing severance benefits payable to the CEO and other executive officers upon termination of their employment by the company without cause or upon a resignation for “good reason” as defined by the plan. Prior to the adoption of the Severance Plan, some but not all of the senior executives were entitled to severance benefits pursuant to employment offer letters negotiated at the time of hire. The Severance Plan was adopted in order to (i) provide consistent severance benefits for the company’s senior executives and (ii) establish a plan that would comply with anticipated new regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A applicable to deferred compensation.

          Compensation would only be payable under the Severance Plan upon termination of employment without “cause,” as defined in the plan, or in the event of a resignation for “good reason,” as defined by the plan. No compensation would be payable under the Severance Plan upon (i) termination of employment for cause, (ii) termination of employment due to the resignation, retirement or death of the employee, or (iii) a change in control of the company.

          Benefits under the Severance Plan are conditioned upon execution and delivery to the company of a general release of claims and return of any company property. In addition, any severance compensation remaining to be paid would be terminated in the event the release described above is declared invalid or is revoked or attempted to be revoked, or in the event of a violation by the employee of a non-compete or confidentiality agreement with the company. Each of the named executive officers has signed a non-compete agreement extending for one year following termination of employment and a confidentiality agreement of indefinite duration.

          For the CEO, the base severance compensation is equal to (a) two times the sum of (i) annual base salary and (ii) annual target bonus, plus (b) a pro rata target bonus for the year of termination. For each of the other named executive officers, the base severance compensation is equal to (a) one times the sum of (i) annual base salary and (ii) annual target bonus, plus (b) a pro rata target bonus for the year of termination. The base severance compensation would be paid in a lump sum within a reasonable time following the employee’s termination of employment and in no event later than March 1 of the year following the year during which the termination of employment occurs.

          In addition to the base severance compensation, the Severance Plan provides for reimbursement of the cost of “COBRA” medical and dental continuation coverage, less the amount paid by an active full-time employee for the same level of coverage, until the earlier of: (i) the end of the period of time reflected in the base severance compensation (i.e., two years for CEO, one year for Executive or Senior Vice Presidents); (ii) the end of the participant’s

51


Table of Contents


eligibility for COBRA continuation coverage; or (iii) the date the participant becomes eligible to participate in another group medical plan or dental plan, as the case may be. The Severance Plan also provides for outplacement services in an amount up to $15,000 for the CEO and up to $10,000 for other senior executives.

Change in Control Provisions – 1997 and 2004 Stock Incentive Plans

          Under our company’s 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1997 Plan”) and 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”), if a “change in control” of our company occurs, then, unless the Compensation Committee decides otherwise either at the time of grant of an incentive award or at any time thereafter, all outstanding stock options will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the participant to whom such options have been granted remains in the employ or service of our company or any subsidiary.

          In addition, under the 1997 Plan and the 2004 Plan, if a “change in control” of our company occurs, then, unless the Compensation Committee decides otherwise either at the time of grant of an incentive award or at any time thereafter:

 

 

 

 

All outstanding stock appreciation rights will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the participant to whom such stock appreciation rights have been granted remains in the employ or service of our company or any subsidiary;

 

 

 

 

All outstanding restricted stock awards will become immediately fully vested and non-forfeitable; and

 

 

 

 

All outstanding performance units, stock bonuses and performance stock awards will vest and/or continue to vest in the manner determined by the Compensation Committee and set forth in the agreement evidencing such performance units or stock bonuses.

          There are presently no outstanding stock appreciation rights, performance units or stock bonuses.

          In the event of a change in control, the Compensation Committee may pay cash for all or a portion of the outstanding options. The amount of cash the participants would receive will equal (a) the fair market value of such shares immediately prior to the change in control minus (b) the exercise price per share and any required tax withholding. The acceleration of the exercisability of options under the 1997 Plan may be limited, however, if the acceleration would be subject to an excise tax imposed upon “excess parachute payments.”

52


Table of Contents


          Under the 1997 Plan and the 2004 Plan, a “change in control” will include any of the following:

 

 

 

 

The sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of our company to a corporation not controlled by our company;

 

 

 

 

The approval by our shareholders of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of our company;

 

 

 

 

Any change in control that is required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be reported;

 

 

 

 

Any person who was not a shareholder of our company on the effective date of the Plan becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the voting power of our company’s outstanding common stock; or

 

 

 

 

The “continuity” directors (directors as of the effective date of the Plan and their future nominees) ceasing to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.

          The foregoing provisions applicable to changes in control under our 1997 Plan and 2004 Plan apply equally to all employees holding incentive awards under these plans.

Change in Control Provisions – 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan

          While the events that are considered a change in control under our 1997 Plan, 2004 Plan, and 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) are identical, our 2010 Plan, which governs incentive awards granted in 2010 and future years, contains a “double-trigger” change in control provision. Under this provision, if the company is the surviving company, or the surviving or acquiring company assumes our outstanding incentive awards or provides for their equivalent substitutes, then vesting of incentive awards is accelerated only upon the termination of the employee’s service, a material reduction in an employee’s base salary, a discontinuation of participation in certain long-term cash or equity benefits provided to comparable employees, a significant change in job responsibilities or the need to relocate, provided these events occur within two years following a change in control.

53


Table of Contents


Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers

          The following table summarizes the amount of compensation and benefits payable to each named executive officer in the event of (i) any voluntary termination or resignation or termination for cause, (ii) an involuntary termination without cause, (iii) a change in control, (iv) a qualifying change in control termination, and (v) termination by reason of an executive’s death or disability. The amounts shown assume that the applicable triggering event occurred on December 29, 2012 (fiscal year-end). As Mr. McLaughlin ceased to be employed by the company effective June 1, 2012, he is not included in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Events

Name

 

 

Type of Payment

 

Voluntary/For
Cause
Termination
($)

 

 

Involuntary
Termination
without Cause
($)

 

 

Change in
Control
($)

 

 

Qualifying
Change in
Control
Termination
($)

 

 

Death or
Disability
($)

 

Shelly R. Ibach

 

 

Cash Severance(1)

 

 

---

 

 

$

2,550,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

2,550,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Option Award Acceleration(2)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

325,213

 

 

$

649,780

 

 

$

649,780

 

 

 

 

Stock Award Acceleration(3)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

674,025

 

 

$

1,757,588

 

 

$

1,757,588

 

 

 

 

Benefit Continuation(4)

 

 

---

 

 

$

15,539

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

15,539

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Outplacement

 

 

---

 

 

$

15,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

15,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

---

 

 

$

2,580,539

 

 

$

999,238

 

 

$

4,987,907

 

 

$

2,407,368

 

Wendy L. Schoppert

 

 

Cash Severance(1)

 

 

---

 

 

$

774,400

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

774,400

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Option Award Acceleration(2)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

294,625

 

 

$

562,072

 

 

$

562,072

 

 

 

 

Stock Award Acceleration(3)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

612,750

 

 

$

1,214,274

 

 

$

1,214,274

 

 

 

 

Benefit Continuation(4)

 

 

---

 

 

$

13,636

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

13,636

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Outplacement

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

---

 

 

$

798,036

 

 

$

907,375

 

 

$

2,574,382

 

 

$

1,776,346

 

Kathryn V. Roedel

 

 

Cash Severance(1)

 

 

---

 

 

$

782,877

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

782,877

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Option Award Acceleration(2)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

281,889

 

 

$

602,076

 

 

$

602,076

 

 

 

 

Stock Award Acceleration(3)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

674,025

 

 

$

1,381,702

 

 

$

1,381,702

 

 

 

 

Benefit Continuation(4)

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,329

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,329

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Outplacement

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

---

 

 

$

803,206

 

 

$

955,914

 

 

$

2,786,984

 

 

$

1,983,778

 

Mark A. Kimball

 

 

Cash Severance(1)

 

 

---

 

 

$

683,873

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

683,873

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Option Award Acceleration(2)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

220,969

 

 

$

480,658

 

 

$

480,658

 

 

 

 

Stock Award Acceleration(3)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

459,563

 

 

$

1,011,136

 

 

$

1,011,136

 

 

 

 

Benefit Continuation(4)

 

 

---

 

 

$

11,496

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

11,496

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Outplacement

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

---

 

 

$

705,369

 

 

$

680,532

 

 

$

2,197,163

 

 

$

1,491,794

 

Karen R. Richard

 

 

Cash Severance(1)

 

 

---

 

 

$

553,014

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

553,014

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Option Award Acceleration(2)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

294,625

 

 

$

539,142

 

 

$

539,142

 

 

 

 

Stock Award Acceleration(3)

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

704,663

 

 

$

1,184,323

 

 

$

1,184,323

 

 

 

 

Benefit Continuation(4)

 

 

---

 

 

$

13,447

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

13,447

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Outplacement

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

$

10,000

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

---

 

 

$

576,461

 

 

$

999,288

 

 

$

2,299,926

 

 

$

1,723,465

 


 

 

(1)

For the CEO, the cash severance compensation is equal to (a) two times the sum of (i) annual base salary and (ii) annual target bonus, plus (b) a pro rata target bonus for the year of termination. For each of the other named executive officers, the cash severance compensation is equal to (1) one times the sum of (i) annual base salary and (ii) annual target bonus, plus (b) a pro rata target bonus for the year of termination.

 

 

(2)

The value of the automatic acceleration of the vesting of unvested stock options held by a named executive officer is based on the difference between: (i) the fair market value of our common stock as of December 28, 2012 ($24.51), and (ii) the per share exercise price of the options held by the executive. The range of exercise prices of unvested stock options held by our named executive officers included in the table as of December 29, 2012 was $0.94 to $17.34.

 

 

(3)

The value of the automatic acceleration of the vesting of stock awards held by a named executive officer is based on: (i) the number of unvested stock awards held by the executive as of December 29, 2012, multiplied by (ii) the fair market value of our common stock on December 28, 2012 ($24.51).

 

 

(4)

Represents the cost of “COBRA” medical and dental continuation coverage, less the amount paid by an active full-time employee for the same level of coverage.

54


Table of Contents


Director Compensation

          The following table summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by each of the non-employee members of our Board of Directors for the 2012 fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)

 

 

Stock Awards(1)
($)

 

 

Option
Awards(2)
($)

 

 

All Other
Compensation
($)

 

 

Total
($)

 

Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.(3)

 

 

$

70,500

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

146,537

 

Michael J. Harrison(4)

 

 

$

56,833

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

$  8,320

 

 

 

$

141,190

 

David T. Kollat

 

 

$

59,917

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

135,954

 

Brenda J. Lauderback(3)

 

 

$

65,500

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

141,537

 

Kathy Nedorostek(5)

 

 

$

56,833

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

132,870

 

Michael A. Peel

 

 

$

65,500

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

141,537

 

Ervin R. Shames

 

 

$

62,417

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

138,454

 

Jean-Michel Valette

 

 

$

156,833

 

 

 

$

36,701

 

 

 

 

$

39,336

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

$

232,870

 


 

 

(1)

Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted during fiscal year 2012, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 8, Shareholders’ Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts. As of December 29, 2012, each director had 1,337 restricted stock awards or units outstanding. In addition, Mr. Gulis and Ms. Lauderback each have 2,195 restricted stock units that are outstanding and have been deferred.

 

 

(2)

Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards granted during fiscal year 2012, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 8, Shareholders’ Equity, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating these amounts. As of December 29, 2012, each director had the following number of stock options outstanding: Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., 61,125; Michael Harrison, 3,469; David T. Kollat, 87,375; Brenda J. Lauderback, 83,625; Kathy Nedorostek, 5,875; Michael A. Peel, 52,488; Ervin R. Shames, 48,375; and Jean-Michel Valette, 87,375.

 

 

(3)

Under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan approved by shareholders at the 2010 Annual Meeting, non-employee directors may elect to defer receipt of any shares of the Company’s common stock under an Incentive Award granted to non-employee directors under the Plan. For fiscal 2012, the following Directors have elected to defer receipt of their 2012 Incentive Award: Mr. Gulis, 1,337 shares and Ms. Lauderback, 1,337 shares.

 

 

(4)

Mr. Harrison was appointed to the Board of Directors effective December 21, 2011. The amount listed in the All Other Compensation column relates to company product received by Mr. Harrison after joining the Board of Directors.

 

 

(5)

Ms. Nedorostek was appointed to the Board of Directors effective May 11, 2011. Effective June 2011, this Director elected to receive all director fees in the form of common stock under the company’s 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, and to defer receipt of such shares. The number of shares paid is determined by dividing the amount of the director’s fees to be deferred by the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date the fees otherwise would have been payable in cash. The number of shares to be received by this director in lieu of cash compensation for fiscal 2012 is 1,995.27 shares.

55


Table of Contents


          Annual Retainer. Effective as of May 2012, all of our non-employee directors are entitled to receive an annual cash retainer of $55,000. The Chair of the Audit Committee receives additional compensation of $17,000 per year, and each of the members of the Audit Committee (other than the Chair) receives additional compensation of $8,500 per year. The Chairs of each of the other committees receives additional compensation of $12,000 per year, and each of the members of the other committees (other than the Chairs) receives additional compensation of $6,000 per year. The non-executive Chairman of the Board receives an additional retainer of $100,000 per year.

          Meeting Fees. In March of 2009, the Committee approved the payment of meeting fees for Board and Committee meetings beyond the normal number of regular or typical meetings for the Board and each Committee in a fiscal year. Pursuant to this approval, non-employee directors (other than the Chairman of the Board) are entitled to (i) Board meeting fees of $1,000 per in-person meeting and $500 per telephonic meeting after a minimum of four Board meetings for the fiscal year, and (ii) Committee meeting fees of $750 per in-person Committee meeting and $500 per telephonic Committee meeting after a minimum of eight Audit Committee meetings and after a minimum of four meetings of each other Committee for the fiscal year.

          Equity Compensation. Coincident with the annual meeting of shareholders, non-employee directors are eligible to receive equity compensation in amounts determined by the Management Development and Compensation Committee, of which generally one-half would be paid in the form of restricted stock and one-half in stock options, based on Black-Scholes valuation, with the grants to vest on the earlier of one year from the date of grant or the date of the next annual meeting at which directors are elected to the Board, so long as the director continues to serve on our Board of Directors. All options granted to directors have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and remain exercisable for a period of up to 10 years, subject to continuous service on our Board of Directors.

          Reimbursement of Expenses. All of our directors are reimbursed for travel expenses for attending meetings of our Board or any Board committee and for attending director continuing education programs.

          No Director Compensation for Employee Directors. Any director who is also an employee of our company does not receive additional compensation for service as a director.

56


Table of Contents


Assessment of Risk Related to Compensation Programs

          The company has established an annual process designed to assess whether any of the company’s compensation programs are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company. This process has included (1) formation of a cross-functional team including representatives from the legal, human capital and risk management functions within the company; (2) compilation of a comprehensive inventory of the company’s compensation programs; (3) identification of potential areas of risk; (4) review of the company’s compensation programs by members of the cross-functional team in light of the identified potential areas of risk; (5) identification and review of design and control mechanisms in place to mitigate potential risks; (6) review of the assessment process and the cross-functional team’s conclusions with the Management Development and Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, Semler Brossy Consulting Group, LLC; and (7) the Management Development and Compensation Committee’s review and consideration of the assessment process and the conclusions of the cross-functional team with members of the senior management team and with representatives of the independent compensation consultant. Based on this assessment, the company has determined that none of its compensation programs is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.

57


Table of Contents


APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE
SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION AMENDED AND RESTATED
2010 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

(Proposal 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

          On May 19, 2010, our shareholders approved the Select Comfort Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which we refer to in this section as the “prior 2010 plan,” at our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. On March 14, 2013, the Management Development and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Committee”) adopted the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, or “Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.” Subject to shareholder approval, the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan increases the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the plan by 4,500,000 shares, from 3,000,000 to 7,500,000 shares, plus (as was the case under the prior 2010 plan) the number of shares subject to awards outstanding under the existing stock plans in place as of the date of shareholder approval of the prior 2010 plan, but only to the extent that such outstanding awards are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without the issuance of such shares.

          The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan includes certain additional immaterial amendments to the prior 2010 plan that are not subject to approval by our shareholders. These additional amendments include (i) the addition of certain minimum vesting and minimum performance period requirements; (ii) the expansion of the “clawback” provision to include any clawback policy of the company that may be in effect from time to time and any clawback provision that may be included in an award agreement; and (iii) changes designed to conform to regulations related to deferred compensation.

          The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan permits the Committee, or a subcommittee thereof, to grant to eligible employees, directors and consultants of Select Comfort non-statutory and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (also known as SARs), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, annual performance cash awards, non-employee director awards, other cash-based awards and other stock based awards.

          The purpose of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan is to advance the interests of the company and its shareholders by enabling the company and its subsidiaries to (i) attract and retain qualified individuals to perform services, (ii) provide incentive compensation for such individuals that is linked to the growth and profitability of the company and enhancement of shareholder value, and (iii) provide opportunities for equity participation that align the interests of key employees and board members with those of our shareholders. In order for the company to continue to advance those interests, we are asking our shareholders to approve the amendment to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan so we are able to continue the operation of the plan for the benefit of new participants and to allow for additional awards to current participants.

58


Table of Contents


          The Board of Directors is asking our shareholders to approve the amendment to increase the number of authorized shares under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan (which we refer to in this section as the “amendment”) in order to qualify certain awards under the plan as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”) and to qualify stock options for treatment as incentive stock options for purposes of Section 422 of the IRC. In addition, since our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, the NASDAQ listing rules require shareholder approval of the amendment. If our shareholders do not approve the amendment, our Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will remain effective, but the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the plan will not be increased.

Determination of Additional Shares Requested Under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan

          When approving, subject to shareholder approval, the amendment to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the plan by an additional 4,500,000 shares, the Committee considered the following:

          •     When we asked our shareholders to approve our prior 2010 plan at our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we explained that we expected the number of shares authorized for issuance under the prior 2010 plan would last approximately three to four years, at which time we expected to ask our shareholders to approve an additional share authorization;

          •     Based on our average annual net share deductions from the shares reserved under the prior 2010 plan in recent years, we expect that the additional 4,500,000 shares would last approximately five to seven years, at which time we anticipate asking our shareholders to approve an additional share authorization;

          •     The additional 4,500,000 shares represent approximately 8.1% of our outstanding shares of common stock as of March 19, 2013;

          •     As of March 19, 2013, without taking into account the proposed 4,500,000 additional shares, there were a total of 959,523 shares of our common stock remaining available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan; Effective as of April 1, 2013, we completed additional grants that reduced the number of shares of our common stock remaining available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan to approximately 462,088; and

          •     The total number of shares represented by awards outstanding under existing grants (commonly referred to as the “overhang”) and how the value of those shares compares to the market value of the company.

          We do not currently have any specific plans for the issuance of the newly authorized shares, if approved by our shareholders, but intend to continue to grant awards consistent with our past practice. All awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will continue to be made at the discretion of the Committee.

59


Table of Contents


Reasons Why You Should Vote in Favor of the Proposed Amendment

          Our Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of the proposed amendment as the Board believes the continued operation of the plan and its ability to make additional grants under the plan is in the best interests of our company and our shareholders for the following reasons:

          The plan will advance company and shareholder interests by allowing us to attract and retain key talent. Talented, motivated and effective employees, non-employee directors and consultants are essential to executing our business strategies. Stock-based and annual cash incentive compensation has been an important component of total compensation for our key employees for many years because such compensation enables us to effectively recruit and retain qualified individuals while encouraging them to think and act like owners of the company. If our shareholders approve the amendment, we believe we will maintain our ability to offer competitive compensation packages to both attract new talent and retain our best performers.

          The plan is consistent with our pay-for-performance compensation philosophy to increase shareholder value. We believe that stock-based compensation, by its very nature, is performance-based compensation. Over time, the most significant component of total compensation for our executives is incentive compensation in the form of both stock-based and cash-based incentives that are tied to the achievement of business results. We use incentive compensation both to reinforce desired business results for our key employees and to motivate them to achieve those results.

          The plan will better enable us to align the interests of our directors and key employees with those of our shareholders. We currently provide long-term incentives primarily in the form of stock option grants and restricted stock awards to our non-employee directors and stock option grants and performance restricted stock awards, which are paid out in shares of our common stock, as well as annual cash incentives, to certain key employees. We believe that our stock-based compensation programs, along with our stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors and executives, and our annual cash incentive programs for employees, help align the interests of our non-employee directors and employees with those of our shareholders. We believe that our long-term stock-based incentives help promote long-term retention of our employees and encourage significant ownership of our common stock. We believe our annual cash incentives reinforce achievement of our business performance goals by linking a significant portion of participants’ compensation to the achievement of these performance goals. If the amendment is approved, we will be able to maintain these important means of aligning the interests of our non-employee directors and employees with those of our shareholders.

          The plan protects shareholder interests and embraces sound stock-based compensation practices. As described in more detail below, the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan includes a number of features that are consistent with protecting the interests of our shareholders and sound corporate governance practices.

60


Table of Contents


Summary of Sound Governance Features of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan

          The Board and Committee believe that the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan contains several features that are consistent with protecting the interests of our shareholders and sound corporate governance practices, including the following:

          No “evergreen” provision. The number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan is fixed and will not adjust based upon the number of outstanding shares of our common stock. If the amendment is approved by our shareholders, we currently expect the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will last approximately five to seven years, at which time we expect to ask our shareholders to approve an additional share authorization.

          Will not be excessively dilutive to our shareholders. Subject to adjustment, if our shareholders approve the amendment, the maximum number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be 7,500,000 shares, plus (as was the case under the prior 2010 plan) the number of shares subject to awards outstanding under the existing stock plans in place as of the date of shareholder approval of the prior 2010 plan, but only to the extent that such outstanding awards are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without the issuance of such shares.

          Accounting for full value awards. The total number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be reduced by 1.15 shares for each share issued pursuant to a “full value” award or potentially issuable pursuant to a “full value” award, which are awards other than stock options or SARs that are settled by the issuance of shares of our common stock.

          No “recycling” of shares from exercised stock options or SARs. Shares withheld to satisfy tax-withholding obligations on awards or to pay the exercise price of awards and any shares not issued or delivered because of a “net exercise” of a stock option or settlement of a SAR in shares of common stock will not become available for issuance as future award grants under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          No reload stock options or SARs. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan does not authorize reload stock options or SARs.

          Stock option exercise prices and SAR grant prices will not be lower than the fair market value on the grant date. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan prohibits granting stock options with exercise prices and SARs with grant prices lower than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date. The plan does allow for the subsequent adjustment of the exercise prices of outstanding awards in connection with certain corporate transactions, such as a recapitalization or stock split, as may be necessary in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants.

61


Table of Contents


          No re-pricing or exchange of “underwater” options or SARs without shareholder approval. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan prohibits the re-pricing of outstanding stock options or SARs without shareholder approval, except in connection with certain corporate transactions, such as a recapitalization or stock split, as may be necessary in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan defines “re-pricing” broadly to include amendments or modifications to the terms of outstanding stock options or SARs to lower the exercise or grant price, canceling “underwater” stock options or SARs in exchange for cash, replacement awards having a lower exercise price or other awards, or repurchasing “underwater” stock options or SARs and granting new awards.

          Stock options, SARs and unvested performance awards are not entitled to dividend equivalent rights. Stock option, SAR and unvested performance award holders have no rights as shareholders with respect to the shares underlying their awards until such awards are exercised or vested and shares are issued. As a result, stock options, SARs and unvested performance awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan have no dividend equivalent rights associated with them.

          Shareholder approval is required for material revisions to the plan. Consistent with NASDAQ listing rules, the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan requires shareholder approval of material revisions to the plan. The plan also requires shareholder approval of certain additional revisions to the plan that would not otherwise require shareholder approval under the NASDAQ listing rules.

          Members of the committee administering the plan are non-employee, independent and outside directors. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be administered by the Committee, or by a subcommittee thereof, or any other committee designated by the Board in accordance with the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. All members of any committee administering the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, “independent” under the NASDAQ listing rules, the rules and regulations of the SEC and other applicable laws, and “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the IRC.

          “Clawback” provisions. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan contains “clawback” provisions. If the committee determines that a participant has taken any action that would constitute “cause” or an “adverse action,” as the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan defines such terms, while providing services to the company, or after termination of such services, all rights of the participant under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan and any agreements evidencing an incentive award the participant then holds will terminate and be forfeited. In addition, the Committee may require the participant to return to the company any shares received, any profits or any other economic value realized by the participant in connection with any awards or any shares issued upon the exercise or vesting of any awards. In addition, the plan incorporates the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 automatic forfeiture standard for certain participants in connection with material noncompliance, as a result of misconduct, resulting in an accounting restatement. In addition, all awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be subject to forfeiture or other penalties pursuant to any clawback or forfeiture policy of the company, as in effect from

62


Table of Contents


time to time, and such forfeiture and/or penalty conditions or provisions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable award agreement.

          “Double-Trigger” vesting following change in control. If the surviving or acquiring company in a change in control assumes our outstanding incentive awards or provides for their equivalent substitutes, our Amended and Restated 2010 Plan provides for accelerated vesting of incentive awards following a change in control only upon the termination of the employee’s service, a material reduction in an employee’s base salary, a discontinuation of participation in certain long-term cash or equity benefits provided to comparable employees, a significant change in job responsibilities or the need to relocate, provided these events occur within two years of a change in control. By using a so-called “double trigger” change in control, and thereby tying accelerated vesting to a change in control and a subsequent event, rather than the mere consummation of a change in control transaction, the company believes that it is better able to balance the employee’s need for certainty with the interests of our shareholders.

          Minimum vesting and performance period requirements. No more than 375,000 shares of common stock, in the aggregate, may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan on or after March 14, 2013 (not taking into account awards granted prior to March 14, 2013) subject to (a) SARs, restricted stock awards or restricted stock units granted to employees that vest solely based on continued service of the employees and that become exercisable more rapidly than ratably over a three year period after the date of grant, except in connection with the death, disability or retirement of an employee or a change in control; or (b) performance awards granted to employees with a performance period of less than one year, except in connection with the death or disability of an employee or a change in control.

Equity Compensation Plan Information as of March 19, 2013 and Burn Rate Information

          Under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” on page 48, as required by SEC rules, we provide information about shares of our common stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans as of December 29, 2012, our most recent fiscal year-end date. To facilitate the approval of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, set forth below is certain additional information as of March 19, 2013.

          •     As of March 19, 2013, there were 55,635,685 shares of our common stock outstanding.

          •     The market value of one share of our common stock on March 19, 2013, as determined by reference to the closing price of our common stock, as reported by NASDAQ, was $19.80.

          •     The number of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options as of March 19, 2013, under each of our equity compensation plans that provides for the issuance of stock options (which includes the prior 2010 plan) was 2,144,289.

          •     The weighted average exercise price of all outstanding stock options as of March 19, 2013, was $16.30.

63


Table of Contents


          •     The weighted average remaining term for all outstanding stock options as of March 19, 2013, was 4.95 years.

          •     The total number of unvested full value awards outstanding as of March 19, 2013, was 782,884.

          Additionally, the following table sets forth information regarding awards granted and earned, the run rate for each of the last three fiscal years and the average run rate over the last three years.

 

 

 

 

 

2012

2011

2010

Stock options granted

249,617

227,445

224,128

Performance-based options awarded

---

---

407,064

Restricted stock awarded*

56,623

99,342

143,787

Performance-based restricted stock awarded*

143,549

164,079

332,194

Non-employee director stock options awarded

17,493

21,226

35,000

Non-employee director restricted stock/units awarded*

10,763

15,871

20,125

Non-employee director stock units awarded in lieu of director cash compensation*

1,995

1,360

---

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding during the fiscal year

55,516,201

55,080,757

54,005,301

Run rate

0.86%

0.96%

2.15%

 

 

*

Pursuant to the Plan, each Full Value Award share will reduce the shares available for issuance by 1.15 shares. The numbers in the table above reflect the shares removed from the Plan at this increased factor.

Summary of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan Features

          Below is a summary of the major features of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, a copy of which may be obtained upon request to Investor Relations at 9800 59th Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55422 or by telephone at 763-551-7498. We have also filed a copy of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan electronically with the SEC as an appendix to this proxy statement, available through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

          Purpose. The purpose of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan is to advance the interests of the company and its shareholders by enabling the company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals to perform services, provide incentive compensation for such individuals in a form that is linked to the growth and profitability of the company and increases in shareholder value, and provide opportunities for equity participation that align the interests of recipients with those of our shareholders.

          Plan Administration. The Committee, or a subcommittee thereof, will administer the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. All members of the Committee will be “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, “independent” under the NASDAQ listing rules, the rules and regulations of the SEC and other applicable laws, and “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the IRC.

64


Table of Contents


          Under the terms of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, subject to certain limitations, the Committee will have the authority to, among other things:

          •     Select eligible participants to whom awards are granted;

          •     Determine the types and amounts of awards to be granted and when;

          •     Determine the provisions of such awards, including the applicable performance measures, if any, and the duration, restrictions and conditions of such incentive awards;

          •     Subject to shareholder approval requirements for some amendments, determine whether and under what circumstances and terms to amend the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan or any outstanding incentive award agreement;

          •     Interpret the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan and any instrument evidencing an incentive award under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan and establish rules and regulations pertaining to its administration;

          •     Determine fair market value in accordance with the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan;

          •     Adopt subplans or special provisions applicable to incentive awards regulated by the laws of jurisdictions other than the United States;

          •     Authorize any person to execute on behalf of the company an incentive award agreement or other instrument required to effect a grant;

          •     Determine whether incentive awards will be settled in shares of common stock, cash or in any combination thereof;

          •     Determine whether an incentive award will be adjusted for dividend equivalents;

          •     Impose restrictions, conditions or limitations on resales and subsequent transfers; and

          •     Make any other determination and take any other action that the committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          Delegation. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the company such administrative duties or powers, as it may deem advisable. The Committee may authorize one or more directors or officers of the company to designate employees, other than officers, directors, or 10% shareholders of the company, to receive awards under the plan and determine the size of any such awards, subject to certain limitations.

65


Table of Contents


          No Re-pricing or Exchange. The Committee may not, except as described below under the heading “Adjustments,” without prior approval of our shareholders, seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted, “underwater” option or SAR by: (i) amending or modifying the terms of the option or SAR to lower the exercise price; (ii) canceling the underwater option or SAR in exchange for (A) cash; (B) replacement options or SARs having a lower exercise price; or (C) other incentive awards; or (iii) repurchasing the underwater options or SARs and granting new incentive awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. An option or SAR will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the fair market value of the common stock is less than the exercise price of the option or SAR.

          Shares Authorized. Subject to adjustment (as described below), if our shareholders approve the amendment, the maximum number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be 7,500,000 shares, plus (as was the case under the prior 2010 plan) the number of shares subject to awards outstanding under the existing stock plans in place as of the date of shareholder approval of the prior 2010 plan, but only to the extent that such outstanding awards are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without the issuance of such shares. No more than 7,500,000 shares may be granted as incentive stock options and the total number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be reduced by 1.15 shares for each share issued pursuant to a “full value” award or potentially issuable pursuant to a “full value” award.

          Shares of our common stock that are issued under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan or that are subject to outstanding incentive awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of our common stock remaining available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan only to the extent they are actually used. However, the full number of shares of our common stock subject to SARs granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan that are settled by the issuance of shares of our common stock will be counted against the shares authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, regardless of the number of shares actually issued upon settlement of such SARs. Furthermore, any shares of our common stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on incentive awards issued under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, any shares of our common stock withheld to pay the exercise price of incentive awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan and any shares of our common stock not issued or delivered as a result of the “net exercise” of an outstanding option will be counted against the shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. Any shares of our common stock repurchased by us on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an incentive award will not increase the number of shares available for future grant of incentive awards. Any shares of our common stock related to incentive awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of the shares, or are settled in cash in lieu of shares, or are exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of shares, for incentive awards not involving shares, will be available again for grant under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan (with such increase in connection with full value awards based on the ratio of 1.15 shares for each terminated share).

66


Table of Contents


          Annual Award Limits. The annual limits listed below apply to grants that are intended to qualify as of awards of performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the IRC. These limits are per “participant,” per “year,” as the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan defines such terms.

 

 

 

 

1,000,000 shares subject to stock options and SARs;

 

1,000,000 shares subject to restricted stock awards and restricted stock units;

 

$5,000,000 or 1,000,000 shares of common stock in performance awards;

 

$5,000,000 in annual performance cash awards;

 

$5,000,000 in other cash-based awards; and

 

1,000,000 shares granted under other stock-based awards.

          Minimum Vesting and Performance Period Requirements. No more than 375,000 shares of common stock, in the aggregate, may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan on or after March 14, 2013 (not taking into account awards granted prior to March 14, 2013) subject to (a) SARs, restricted stock awards or restricted stock units granted to employees that vest solely based on continued service of the employees and that become exercisable more rapidly than ratably over a three year period after the date of grant, except in connection with the death, disability or retirement of an employee or a change in control; or (b) performance awards granted to employees with a performance period of less than one year, except in connection with the death or disability of an employee or a change in control.

          Adjustments. In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a spin off) or other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of the company, the Committee will make the appropriate adjustment. These adjustments may be to the number and kind of securities and property that may be available for issuance under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. In order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants, the Committee may also adjust the number, kind, and exercise price of securities or other property subject to outstanding awards.

          Participation. Incentive awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the company or any of its subsidiaries. A “consultant” is one who renders services that are not in connection with the offer and sale of our securities in a capital raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for our securities. As of December 29, 2012, approximately 320 employees and eight non-employee directors were eligible to participate in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          Types of Awards. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will permit us to grant non-statutory and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (also known as SARs), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, annual performance cash awards, non-employee director awards, other cash-based awards and other stock based awards. Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other type of award.

67


Table of Contents


          Non-Statutory and Incentive Stock Options. Stock options entitle the holder to purchase a specified number of shares of our common stock at a specified price, which is called the exercise price, subject to the terms and conditions of the stock option grant. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan permits the grant of both non-statutory and incentive stock options. Each stock option granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan must be evidenced by an incentive award agreement that specifies the exercise price, the term, the number of shares underlying the stock option, the vesting and any other conditions. Other than the non-employee director options described below, each stock option will vest and become exercisable at such time or times as determined by the Committee. The exercise price of each stock option granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock as of the date the award is granted to a participant. Fair market value is the closing price of our common stock, as reported by NASDAQ. The closing price of our common stock, as reported by NASDAQ, on March 19, 2013, was $19.80 per share. The Committee will fix the terms and conditions of each stock option, subject to certain restrictions. The Committee will fix the term of each stock option, but stock options granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will not be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the stock option is granted. Stock options may be exercised, in whole or in part, by payment in full of the exercise price in cash or its equivalent. In the discretion of the Committee, payment may also be made by the delivery of common stock already owned by the participant prior to such delivery or to be issued upon the exercise of the option being exercised, by broker-assisted cashless exercise, by “net exercise,” or by a combination of such methods; or such other method as may be permitted by the Committee. In the case of a “net exercise” of a stock option, we will not require payment of the exercise price or any required tax withholding obligations related to the exercise, but will reduce the number of shares issued upon the exercise by the largest number of whole shares that has a fair market value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares underlying the stock option and any required tax withholding obligations.

          Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right, or SAR, is a right granted to receive payment of cash, stock or a combination of both, equal to the difference between the fair market value of shares of our common stock and the exercise price of such shares. Each SAR granted must be evidenced by an incentive award agreement that specifies the exercise price, the term, and such other provisions as the Committee may determine. The exercise price of a SAR must be at least 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The Committee will fix the term of each SAR, but SARs granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will not be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the SAR is granted. Each SAR granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will vest and become exercisable at such time or times as determined by the Committee.

          Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock awards and/or restricted stock units may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. A restricted stock award is an award of common stock that is subject to restrictions on transfer and risk of forfeiture upon certain events, typically including termination of service. Restricted stock units are similar to restricted stock awards except that no shares are actually awarded to the participant on the grant date. The Committee shall determine, and set forth in an incentive award agreement, the period of restriction, the number of shares of restricted stock awards or the number of restricted stock units granted, and other such conditions or restrictions. Participants holding shares of restricted stock awards may be granted voting rights with respect to their

68


Table of Contents


shares, but participants holding restricted stock units will not have voting rights with respect to their restricted stock units. After all conditions and restrictions applicable to restricted stock awards and/or restricted stock units have been satisfied or have lapsed (including the satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding obligations), shares of restricted stock awards will become freely transferable (except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan) and restricted stock units will be paid in cash, shares of our common stock, or some combination of cash and shares of our common stock as determined by the Committee. The Committee may provide that restricted stock award is conditioned upon the participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the award under Section 83(b) of the IRC.

          Performance Awards. Performance awards, in the form of cash, shares of common stock or a combination of both, may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine. The Committee shall determine, and set forth in an incentive award agreement, the amount of cash and/or number of shares, the performance goals, the performance periods and other terms and conditions. The extent to which the participant achieves his or her performance goals during the applicable performance period will determine the amount of cash and/or number of shares earned by the participant.

          Annual Performance Cash Awards. Annual performance cash awards may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine, based on the achievement of specified performance goals for annual periods or other time periods as determined by the Committee. The Committee will determine the target amount that may be paid with respect to an annual performance award, which will be based on a percentage of a participant’s actual annual base compensation at the time of grant, up to 150% for any participant. The Committee may establish a maximum potential payout amount with respect to an annual performance award of up to 300% of the target payout in the event performance goals are exceeded by an amount established by the Committee at the time performance goals are established. The Committee may establish measurements for prorating the amount of payouts for achievement of performance goals at less than or greater than the target payout but less than the maximum payout.

          Non-Employee Director Awards. The Committee at any time and from time to time may approve resolutions providing for the automatic grant to non-employee directors of non-statutory stock options, SARs or full value awards. The Committee may also at any time and from time to time grant on a discretionary basis to non-employee directors non-statutory stock options, SARs or full value awards. In either case, any such awards may be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem, and may be granted pursuant to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion consistent with the provisions of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan permits non-employee directors to elect to receive shares of our common stock in lieu of their director fees otherwise payable in cash. The election to receive our common stock in lieu of cash must be made in the calendar quarter preceding the date any such fees are payable. The number of shares to be issued is determined by dividing the dollar amount of reserved fees by the fair market value of our common stock on the date such fees would otherwise have been payable.

69


Table of Contents


          Any awards granted to non-employee directors under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan must be made by a Committee consisting solely of directors who are “independent directors” within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing rules.

          Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Cash-based awards that are not annual performance cash awards may be granted to participants in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine. These other cash-based awards will be paid in cash only. Other stock-based awards (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares of our common stock or the payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares of our common stock) may be granted in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions (including performance goals) as determined by the Committee. These other stock-based awards shall be expressed in terms of shares of our common stock or units based on shares of our common stock, as determined by the Committee. Other stock-based awards will be paid in cash or shares of our common stock, as determined by the Committee.

          Performance Measures. If the Committee intends to qualify an incentive award under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the IRC, the performance goals selected by the Committee must be based on the achievement of specified levels of one, or any combination, of the following performance measure elements:

          •     Sales and revenue measure elements, including gross revenue or sales, sales allowances, net revenue or net sales, invoiced revenue or sales, collected revenue or sales, revenues from new products, and bad debts;

          •     Expense measurement elements, including direct material costs, direct labor costs, indirect labor costs, direct manufacturing costs, indirect manufacturing costs, cost of goods sold, sales, general and administrative expenses, operating expenses, non-cash expenses, tax expense, non-operating expenses, and total expenses;

          •     Profitability and productivity measure elements, including gross margin, net operating income, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes), net operating income after taxes (NOPAT), net income, net cash flow, and net cash flow from operations;

          •     Asset utilization and effectiveness measure elements, including cash, excess cash, accounts receivable, inventory (WIP and/or finished goods), current assets, working capital, fixed assets, total assets, standard hours, plant utilization, purchase price variance, and manufacturing overhead variance;

          •     Debt and equity measure elements, including accounts payable, current accrued liabilities, total current liabilities, total debt, debt principal payments, net current borrowings, total long-term debt, credit rating, retained earnings, total preferred equity, total common equity, and total equity;

70


Table of Contents


          •     Shareholder and return measure elements, including earnings per share (diluted and fully diluted), stock price, dividends, shares repurchased, total return to shareholders, debt coverage ratios, return on assets, return on equity, return on invested capital, and economic profit (for example, economic value added);

          •     Customer and market measure elements, including dealer/channel size/scope, dealer/channel performance/effectiveness, order fill rate, customer satisfaction, customer service/care, brand awareness and perception, market share, warranty rates, product quality, and channel inventory; and

          •     Organizational and employee measure elements, including headcount, employee performance, employee productivity, standard hours, employee engagement/satisfaction, employee turnover, and employee diversity.

          Any of the above performance measure elements can be used in an algebraic formula (e.g., averaged over a period), combined into a ratio, compared to a budget or standard, compared to previous periods or other formulaic combinations based on the performance measure elements to create a performance measure. Any of the performance measures specified in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan may be used to measure the performance of the company or any subsidiary, as a whole, or any division or business unit, product or product group, region or territory, or any combination thereof, as the Committee deems appropriate. Performance measures may be compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies or a published or special index that the Committee deems appropriate or, with respect to share price, various stock market indices. The Committee also may provide for accelerated vesting of any incentive award based on the achievement of performance goals.

          Any incentive award that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the IRC will be granted, and performance goals for such an incentive award will be established, by the Committee in writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the performance period to which the performance goals relate, or such other period required under Section 162(m) of the IRC; provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the Committee establishes the performance goal; and provided further that in no event will a performance goal be considered to be pre-established if it is established after 25% of the performance period (as scheduled in good faith at the time the performance goal is established) has elapsed. Before any payment is made in connection with any award intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the IRC, the Committee must certify in writing that the performance goals established with respect to such award have been achieved.

          The Committee may provide in any such incentive award that includes performance goals that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the following events that occur during a performance period: items related to a change in accounting principles; items relating to financing activities; expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; other non-operating items; items related to acquisitions; items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the company during the performance period; items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business; items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under applicable accounting standards; items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the performance period;

71


Table of Contents


any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments; items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; items that are outside the scope of the company’s core, on-going business activities; items related to acquired in-process research and development; items relating to changes in tax laws; items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; items relating to asset impairment charges; items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; foreign exchange gains and losses; or items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting principles or business conditions.

          The Committee may amend or modify the vesting criteria (including any performance goals, performance measures or performance periods) of any outstanding awards based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the company (or any subsidiary or division, business unit or other sub-unit thereof) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the company or the financial statements of the company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent unintended dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          The Committee may adjust the amount payable pursuant to an incentive award under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the IRC downwards but not upwards. In the event that applicable tax or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing performance measures without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee will have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval.

          Dividend Equivalents. With the exception of stock options, SARs and unvested performance awards, awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan may, in the Committee’s discretion, earn dividend equivalents with respect to the cash or stock dividends or other distributions that would have been paid on the shares of our common stock covered by such award had such shares been issued and outstanding on the dividend payment date. Such dividend equivalents will be converted to cash or additional shares of our common stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as determined by the Committee.

          Termination of Service. Except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan or an incentive award agreement, in the event a participant’s employment or other service with the company or any of our subsidiaries is terminated by reason of death or disability, then:

 

 

 

 

All outstanding stock options (including non-employee director options) and SARs held by the participant will become immediately exercisable and will remain exercisable for a period of one year after such termination, but not later than the date the stock options or SARs expires;

 

 

 

 

All outstanding shares of restricted stock held by the participant will become fully vested;

72


Table of Contents



 

 

 

 

All outstanding, but unpaid, restricted stock units, performance awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards held by the participant will terminate and be forfeited. However, with respect to any incentive awards that vest based on the achievement of performance goals, if a participant’s employment or other service with our company or any subsidiary is terminated by death or disability prior to the end of the performance period of such award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the performance period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause shares to be delivered or payment made with respect to the participant’s award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire performance period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable performance period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on full fiscal years only and no shares to be delivered for partial fiscal years; and

 

 

 

 

If the effective date of such termination is before the end of the time period to which an annual performance cash award relates, then any such annual performance cash award held by a participant will terminate and be forfeited, but if the effective date of such termination is on or after the end of the time period to which an annual performance cash award relates, then any such annual performance cash award held by a participant will be paid to the participant in accordance with the payment terms of such award.

 

 

 

          Except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan or an incentive award agreement, in the event a participant’s employment or other service with the company or any of our subsidiaries is terminated by reason of retirement (except with respect to non-employee directors), then:

 

 

All outstanding stock options (other than non-employee director options) and SARs held by the participant that then are exercisable will remain exercisable for one year after the date of such retirement, but will not be exercisable later than the date the stock options or SARs expires;

 

 

 

 

All stock options, SARs and all outstanding shares of restricted stock held by the participant that then have not vested will terminate and be forfeited;

 

 

 

 

All outstanding, but unpaid, restricted stock units, performance awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards held by the participant will terminate and be forfeited. However, with respect to any incentive awards the vesting of which is based on the achievement of performance goals, if a participant’s employment or other service with our company or any subsidiary, as the case may be, is terminated by reason of retirement prior to the end of the performance period of such incentive award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the performance period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause shares to be delivered or payment made with respect to the participant’s award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire performance period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable performance period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on full fiscal years only and no shares to be delivered for partial fiscal years; and

73


Table of Contents



 

 

 

 

If the effective date of such retirement is before the end of the performance period to which an annual performance cash award relates, then any such annual performance cash award held by a participant will terminate and be forfeited, but if the effective date of such retirement is on or after the end of the performance period to which an annual performance cash award relates, then any such annual performance cash award held by a participant will be paid to the participant in accordance with the payment terms of such award.

          Except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan or an incentive award agreement, if a plan participant’s employment or other service with the company or any subsidiary of the company is terminated for any reason other than death, disability or retirement, then:

 

 

 

 

All outstanding stock options (including non-employee director options) and SARs held by the participant that then are exercisable will remain exercisable for three months after the date of termination, but those that are not exercisable will terminate and be forfeited;

 

 

 

 

All stock options, SARs and outstanding shares of restricted stock held by the participant that then have not vested will terminate and be forfeited;

 

 

 

 

All outstanding, but unpaid, restricted stock units, performance awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards held by the participant will terminate and be forfeited; and

 

 

 

 

All outstanding annual performance cash awards held by a participant will terminate and be forfeited.

          It is important to note that the foregoing terms are the standards that will be applicable to awards to the extent that the award agreement does not provide for different terms. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, and consistent with other terms of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, provide for different termination, forfeiture, vesting and exercisability provisions, whether more or less restrictive than the foregoing standard terms, in any agreement evidencing an incentive award granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          Modification of Rights upon Termination. Upon a participant’s termination of employment or other service with the company or any subsidiary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the grant date, including following such termination) cause stock options or SARs (or any part thereof) held by such participant as of the effective date of such termination to terminate, become or continue to become exercisable or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service, and restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, annual performance cash awards, non-employee director awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards held by such participant as of the effective date of such termination to terminate, vest or become free of restrictions and conditions to payment, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee; provided, however, that (a) no stock option or SAR may remain exercisable beyond its expiration date; (b) the Committee may not adjust the amount payable pursuant to an incentive award under the Amended and Restated 2010

74


Table of Contents


Plan that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the IRC upwards but may adjust the amount payable under such an awards downwards (unless the applicable tax or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing performance measures without obtaining shareholder approval, in which case the Committee will have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval); (c) the Committee taking any such action relating to non-employee director awards will consist solely of “independent directors” as defined by NASDAQ (or other applicable exchange or market on which the common stock may be traded or quoted); and (d) any such action by the Committee adversely affecting any outstanding incentive award will not be effective without the consent of the affected participant, except to the extent the Committee is authorized by the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan to take such action.

          Determination of Termination. The change in a participant’s status from an employee to a consultant will be deemed a termination unless the Committee determines otherwise, in its sole discretion. The change in a participant’s status from a consultant to an employee will not be deemed a termination of the participant’s service as a consultant. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, a participant’s termination date will be deemed to be the date recorded on personnel or other records of the company or any subsidiary. If the payment of an incentive award that is subject to Section 409A of the IRC is triggered by termination of a participant’s employment or other service, the termination must also constitute a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the IRC, and any change in employment status that constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the IRC will be treated as a termination of employment or service, as the case may be.

          Forfeiture and Recoupment. If a participant is determined by the Committee to have taken any action while providing services to the company or after termination of such services, that would constitute “cause” or an “adverse action,” as such terms are defined in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, all rights of the participant under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan and any agreements evidencing an incentive award then held by the participant will terminate and be forfeited. The Committee has the authority to rescind the exercise, vesting, issuance or payment in respect of any incentive awards of the participant that were exercised, vested, issued or paid, and require the participant to pay to the company, within 10 days of receipt of notice, any amount received or the amount gained as a result of any such rescinded exercise, vesting, issuance or payment. The company may defer the exercise of any stock option or SAR for up to six months after receipt of notice of exercise in order for the Committee to determine whether “cause” or “adverse action” exists. The company is entitled to withhold and deduct future wages to collect any amount due. In addition, if the company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will reimburse the company for the amount of any award received by such individual under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be, of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement. In addition, all awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be subject to forfeiture or other penalties pursuant to any clawback or forfeiture policy of the company, as in effect from time to time, and such forfeiture

75


Table of Contents


and/or penalty conditions or provisions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable award agreement.

          Change in Control and Acceleration of Vesting. Generally, a change in control will mean:

 

 

 

 

The sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the company (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) to a corporation that is not controlled by the company,

 

 

 

 

The approval by our shareholders of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the company, or

 

 

 

 

A change in control of a nature that would currently be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of SEC Form 8-K, whether or not the company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

          Such a change in control will be deemed to have occurred at such time as (x) any person becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors or (y) individuals who constitute the Board of Directors of the company on the effective date of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the effective date of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan whose election, or nomination for election by our shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors comprising the Board of Directors on the effective date of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) will be considered as though such person were a member of the Board of Directors on the effective date of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          Without limiting the authority of the Committee to adjust incentive awards as discussed under the headings “Plan Administration” and “Adjustments,” if a change in control of the company occurs, then, unless otherwise provided in the incentive award agreement, if the company is not the surviving corporation or the acquiring corporation does not assume the outstanding incentive awards or substitute equivalent awards, then:

 

 

 

 

All outstanding stock options and SARs will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the participant to whom such stock options or SARs have been granted remains in employment or service with the company or any subsidiary;

 

 

 

 

All restrictions and vesting requirements applicable to any incentive award based solely on the continued service of the participant will terminate; and

 

 

 

 

All incentive awards the vesting or payment of which are based on performance goals will vest as though such performance goals were fully achieved at target and will become immediately payable.

76


Table of Contents


          However, no incentive award that provides for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the IRC will be cashed out upon the occurrence of a change in control unless the event or circumstances constituting the change in control also constitute a “change in the ownership” of the company, a “change in the effective control” of the company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the company, in each case as determined under Section 409A of the IRC. The treatment of any other incentive awards in the event of a change in control will be as determined by the Committee in connection with the grant thereof, as reflected in the applicable incentive award agreement. The Committee is given the power under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan to alternatively provide that upon a change in control any or all outstanding stock-based awards will be canceled and terminated and the holders will receive a payment of cash or stock equal to the difference, if any, between the consideration received by shareholders in respect of a share of common stock in connection with the change in control and the purchase price per share, if any, under the award, multiplied by the number of shares subject to such award, provided that if such product is zero or less, or the award is not exercisable, the award may be canceled and terminated without payment for such award.

          If a participant’s employment or other service with the company is terminated without “cause” or “adverse action” or by the participant for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan), in either case within two years following a change in control, and the company is the surviving corporation following such change in control, or the acquiror assumes the outstanding incentive awards or substitutes equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such acquiror or its affiliates for such incentive awards, then:

 

 

 

 

All outstanding options and SARs will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the participant to whom such options or SARs have been granted remains in employment or service with the company;

 

 

 

 

All restrictions and vesting requirements applicable to any incentive award based solely on the continued service of the participant will terminate; and

 

 

 

 

All incentive awards the vesting or payment of which are based on performance goals will vest as though such performance goals were fully achieved at target and will become immediately payable.

          However, no incentive award that provides for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the IRC will be cashed out upon the occurrence of a change in control unless the event or circumstances constituting the change in control also constitute a “change in the ownership” of the company, a “change in the effective control” of the company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the company, in each case as determined under Section 409A of the IRC. The treatment of any other incentive awards in the event of a change in control will be as determined by the Committee in connection with the grant thereof, as reflected in the applicable award agreement.

77


Table of Contents


          Term, Termination and Amendment. Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will terminate at midnight on May 19, 2020. No incentive award will be granted after termination of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, but incentive awards outstanding upon termination of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          Subject to certain exceptions, the Board has the authority to terminate and the Committee has the authority to amend the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan or any outstanding award agreement at any time and from time to time provided that any amendment to the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will not become effective without shareholder approval (i) to increase the maximum number of shares of our common stock which may be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, (ii) to increase any limitation set forth in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan on the number of shares of our common stock which may be issued, or the aggregate value of award which may be made, in respect of any type of award to any single participant during any specified period, (iii) to change the class of individuals eligible to participate in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, (iv) to reduce the minimum exercise price of any option or grant price of any SAR, or (v) if such approval is otherwise required to comply with applicable laws, rules or regulations. No termination or amendment of the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan or an incentive award agreement shall adversely affect in any material way any award previously granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan without the written consent of the participant holding such award.

          No amendments to the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be effective without approval of the company’s shareholders if: (a) shareholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the IRC, the rules of the primary stock exchange on which the common stock is then traded, applicable U.S. state and federal laws or regulations and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where incentive awards are, or will be, granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan; or (b) such amendment would: (i) modify the restrictions on re-pricing; (ii) materially increase benefits accruing to participants; (iii) increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued or issuable under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan; (iv) increase any limitation set forth in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan on the number of shares of common stock which may be issued or the aggregate value of incentive awards which may be made, in respect of any type of incentive award to any single participant during any specified period; (v) modify the eligibility requirements for participants in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan; or (vi) reduce the minimum exercise price as set forth in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          Future Plan Benefits. It is not presently possible to determine the benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to participants under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan because awards under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan will be made at the discretion of the Committee.

78


Table of Contents


          Incentive Awards under the Plan. The following table sets forth information with respect to options and other awards previously granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan and the current 2010 plan since its inception upon shareholder approval on May 19, 2010 through March 19, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Principal Position

 

 

Number of Shares
Covered by Awards

 

Shelly R. Ibach, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

137,423

 

Wendy L. Schoppert, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

87,921

 

Kathryn V. Roedel, Executive Vice President, Chief Services and Fulfillment Officer

 

 

 

106,612

 

Mark A. Kimball, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal and Risk Officer

 

 

 

82,341

 

Karen R. Richard, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Capital Officer

 

 

 

74,485

 

William R. McLaughlin, former President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

407,729

 

All executive officers as a group*

 

 

 

1,128,607

 

All non-employee directors as a group*

 

 

 

123,786

 

All employees as a group (excluding executive officers)

 

 

 

803,759

 

* Includes current and former executives or non-employee directors

Federal Income Tax Information

          The following is a general summary, as of the date of this proxy statement, of the federal income tax consequences to participants and the company of transactions under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. This summary is intended for the information of shareholders considering how to vote at the annual meeting and not as tax guidance to participants in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan, as the consequences may vary with the types of grants made, the identity of the participant and the method of payment or settlement. The summary does not address the effects of other federal taxes or taxes imposed under state, local or foreign tax laws. Participants are encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of participation in the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan.

          Incentive Stock Options. With respect to incentive stock options, generally, the stock option holder is not taxed, and we are not entitled to a deduction, on either the grant or the exercise of an incentive stock option so long as the requirements of Section 422 of the IRC continue to be met. If the stock option holder meets the employment requirements and does not dispose of the shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option until at least one year after date of the exercise of the stock option and at least two years after the date the stock option was granted, gain or loss realized on sale of the shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. If the shares of our common stock are disposed of before those periods expire, which is called a disqualifying disposition, the stock option holder will be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) if the disposition is a taxable sale or exchange, the amount of gain realized. Upon a

79


Table of Contents


disqualifying disposition, we will generally be entitled, in the same tax year, to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the stock option holder.

          Non-Statutory Stock Options. The grant of a stock option that does not qualify for treatment as an incentive stock option, which is generally referred to as a non-statutory stock option, is generally not a taxable event for the stock option holder. Upon exercise of the stock option, the stock option holder will generally be required to recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock acquired upon exercise (determined as of the date of exercise) over the exercise price of the stock option, and we will be entitled to a deduction in an equal amount in the same tax year. At the time of a subsequent sale or disposition of shares obtained upon exercise of a non-statutory stock option, any gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, which will be either a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the shares have been held.

          SARs. The grant of an SAR will not cause the participant to recognize ordinary income or entitle us to a deduction for federal income tax purposes. Upon the exercise of an SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the amount of the cash or the value of shares payable to the participant (before reduction for any withholding taxes), and we will receive a corresponding deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the IRC.

          Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock-Based Awards. The federal income tax consequences with respect to restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance stock units, and other stock unit and stock-based awards depend on the facts and circumstances of each award, including, in particular, the nature of any restrictions imposed with respect to the awards. In general, if the award granted to the participant is subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” (e.g., the award is conditioned upon the future performance of substantial services by the participant) and is nontransferable, a taxable event occurs when the risk of forfeiture ceases or the awards become transferable, whichever first occurs. At such time, the participant will recognize ordinary income to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the award on such date over the participant’s cost for such award (if any), and the same amount is deductible by us, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the IRC. Under certain circumstances, the participant, by making an election under Section 83(b) of the IRC, can accelerate federal income tax recognition with respect to an award that is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability restrictions, in which event the ordinary income amount and our deduction will be measured and timed as of the grant date of the award. If the award granted to the participant is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or transferability restrictions, the participant will recognize ordinary income with respect to the award to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the award at the time of grant over the participant’s cost, if any, and the same amount is deductible by us, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the IRC. If a stock or stock unit award is granted but no stock is actually issued to the participant at the time the award is granted, the participant will recognize ordinary income at the time the participant receives stock free of any substantial risk of forfeiture and the amount of such income will be equal to the fair market value of the stock at such time over the participant’s cost, if any, and the same amount is then deductible by us.

80


Table of Contents


          Annual Performance Cash Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards. Annual performance cash awards and other cash-based awards will be taxable as ordinary income to the participant in the amount of the cash received by the participant (before reduction for any withholding taxes), and we will receive a corresponding deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant, assuming that a deduction is allowed under Section 162(m) of the IRC.

          Withholding Obligations. We are entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the participant, to make other arrangements for the collection of, or to require the recipient to pay to us, an amount necessary for us to satisfy the recipient’s federal, state or local tax withholding obligations with respect to incentive awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Plan. Withholding for taxes will be limited to the minimum required tax withholding rates or such other rate that will not trigger a negative accounting impact on the company. The Committee may permit a participant to satisfy a tax obligation by withholding shares of common stock underlying an award, tendering previously acquired shares, delivery of a broker exercise notice or a combination of these methods.

          Code Section 409A. A grant may be subject to a 20% penalty tax, in addition to ordinary income tax, at the time the grant becomes vested, plus interest, if the grant constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the IRC and the requirements of Section 409A of the IRC are not satisfied.

          Code Section 162(m). Pursuant to Section 162(m) of the IRC, the annual compensation paid to an individual, who on the last day of the taxable year was the Chief Executive Officer or otherwise covered by this provision because his or her compensation was reported in the Summary Compensation Table, may not be deductible to the extent that it exceeds $1 million unless the compensation qualifies as “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the IRC. The Amended and Restated 2010 Plan has been designed to permit the Committee to grant awards that qualify as “performance-based” for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m) of the IRC.

          Excise Tax on Parachute Payments. Unless otherwise provided in a separate agreement between a participant and the company, if, with respect to a participant, the acceleration of the vesting of an incentive award or the payment of cash in exchange for all or part of an incentive award, together with any other payments that such participant has the right to receive from the company, would constitute a “parachute payment” then the payments to such participant will be reduced to the largest amount as will result in no portion of such payments being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the IRC. Such reduction, however, will only be made if the aggregate amount of the payments after such reduction exceeds the difference between the amount of such payments absent such reduction minus the aggregate amount of the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the IRC attributable to any such excess parachute payments. If such provisions are applicable and if an employee will be subject to a 20% excise tax on any “excess parachute payment” pursuant to Section 4999 of the IRC, we will be denied a deduction with respect to such excess parachute payment pursuant to Section 280G of the IRC.

81


Table of Contents


Board Recommendation

          The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” approval of the amendment to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Vote Required

          The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present and entitled to vote in person or by proxy on this matter at the Annual Meeting, and at least a majority of the minimum number of votes necessary for a quorum, is necessary for approval of the amendment to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted “FOR approval the amendment to the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

82


Table of Contents



 

 

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

(Proposal 3)

 

 

 

Background

          In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), we are submitting a non-binding, advisory resolution on executive compensation, or “Say-on-Pay” vote, for shareholder consideration.

          We believe that our executive compensation program delivers strong alignment between pay and performance and is strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders. Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, reward and retain the senior management talent required to achieve our corporate objectives and drive long-term value for our shareholders.

          Each of the principal elements of our executive compensation program - other than base salaries and certain benefit programs - is performance-oriented, resulting in total compensation for executive officers that is closely aligned with company performance and shareholder returns. This is clearly reflected in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 25 of this Proxy Statement.

          Fiscal years 2007 and 2008 were extremely challenging for both the company and the entire mattress industry, and company performance did not meet internal or external expectations. The company’s performance began to improve significantly in 2009 and was accelerated in 2010 through 2012 as the company substantially exceeded both internal and external expectations. These performance results were reflected in the principal elements of our executive compensation program:

 

 

 

 

Base Salaries in 2008 were largely frozen (or almost entirely foregone, in the case of our CEO) and merit increases were foregone. Modest merit increases and market adjustments were restored following the company’s performance in each of the years 2009 through 2012.

 

 

 

 

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation was not paid for either 2007 or 2008; was paid at target level for 2009; was paid at significantly above target level for 2010 and 2011; and was paid modestly above target level for 2012.

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Compensation has been subject to significant performance adjustments, resulting in stock-based awards that were substantially reduced in both 2007 and 2008; awards in 2009 were made at more modest levels in comparison with prior years and were not adjusted downward as the company exceeded its performance objectives; 2010 awards were adjusted upward based on achievement of stretch objectives that were well above plan; awards granted in 2011 and 2012 are subject to performance adjustment based on actual performance versus targets over the three years ending with fiscal years 2013 and 2014, respectively.

83


Table of Contents


          We urge shareholders to carefully consider the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 25 of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying tables, which provide detailed information regarding key elements of our executive compensation program and our compensation philosophy and objectives.

Proposal

          The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders approve the following advisory resolution at the 2013 annual meeting:

 

 

 

          RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Select Comfort Corporation approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s executive officers described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table, and the related compensation tables and narrative in the Proxy Statement for the company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

          Because this vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the company or the Board of Directors. However, the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors will take the outcome of the vote into account in determining future executive compensation arrangements.

Board Recommendation

          The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote “For” approval of the foregoing resolution in favor of the company’s executive compensation program.

Vote Required

          The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present and entitled to vote in person or by proxy on this matter at the Annual Meeting, and at least a majority of the minimum number of shares necessary for a quorum, is necessary for approval of the foregoing resolution. Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted “For” approval of the foregoing resolution.

84


Table of Contents


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

          The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight with respect to our company’s accounting and financial reporting functions, internal and external audit functions, and systems of internal controls regarding financial matters and legal, ethical and regulatory compliance. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of the charter is available at the investor relations section of the company’s Web site at http://www.sleepnumber.com/eng/aboutus/corporategovernance.cfm.

          The Audit Committee is currently composed of five directors, each of whom is independent as defined by the National Association of Securities Dealers’ listing standards. Throughout 2012, the Audit Committee included Stephen L. Gulis, Jr. (Chair), Michael J. Harrison, Kathleen L. Nedorostek, Ervin R. Shames and Jean-Michel Valette.

          Management is responsible for our company’s financial reporting processes and internal control over financial reporting. Deloitte & Touche LLP, our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, is responsible for auditing our company’s consolidated financial statements for the 2012 fiscal year. This audit is to be conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

          In connection with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee met in person or by telephone conference eight times during 2012. These meetings involved representatives of management, internal audit and the independent auditors. At each of its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Audit Committee meets in executive session and also meets separately with representatives of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, the executive who leads our internal audit function, and representatives of the senior management team.

          Management represented to the Audit Committee that our company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements, together with the results of management’s assessment of the company’s internal control over financial reporting, with management and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee discussed with the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm the matters required to be discussed with the auditors under Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 “Communication with Audit Committees” (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380). The Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm provided the Audit Committee with written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the Public company Accounting Oversight Board, and the Audit Committee discussed with the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm that firm’s independence.

85


Table of Contents


          Based upon the Audit Committee’s discussions with management, internal audit and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, and the Audit Committee’s review of the representations of management and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          This Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Stephen L. Gulis, Jr., Chair
Michael J. Harrison
Kathleen L. Nedorostek
Ervin R. Shames
Jean-Michel Valette

86


Table of Contents



 

 

 

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION

OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

(Proposal 4)

 

 

 

 

Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

          The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors selected Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm (“Independent Auditors”) for the 2013 fiscal year ending December 28, 2013. Deloitte has served as our Independent Auditors since the 2010 fiscal year.

          Although the Board is not required to submit the selection of Independent Auditors to shareholders for ratification, and the Board would not be bound by shareholder ratification or failure to ratify the selection, the Board wishes to submit the selection of Deloitte to serve as our Independent Auditors for the 2013 fiscal year ending December 28, 2013 to our shareholders for ratification consistent with best practices in corporate governance.

          If shareholders do not ratify the selection of Deloitte as our Independent Auditors, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain Deloitte and may determine to retain that firm or another firm without resubmitting the matter to shareholders. Even if the selection of Deloitte is ratified by shareholders, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different firm of Independent Auditors at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the company and our shareholders.

          Representatives of Deloitte will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to questions from shareholders.

Audit and Other Fees

          The aggregate fees billed for professional services by the independent auditors in 2012 and 2011 were:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

Audit fees

 

$

326,093

 

$

355,800

Audit-related fees (1)

 

 

2,200

 

2,200

Audit and audit-related fees

 

$

328,293

 

$

358,000

Tax fees (2)

 

 

94,455

 

 

223,976

All other fees

 

 

---

 

---

Total

 

$

422,748

$

581,976


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

These fees related to access to an online accounting research tool.

 

(2)

These fees are primarily for tax compliance services based on time and materials.

87


Table of Contents


          Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding auditor independence, the engagement of the company’s Independent Auditors to provide audit or non-audit services for the company must either be approved by the Audit Committee before the engagement or entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee has not established any pre-approval policies or procedures and therefore all audit or non-audit services performed for the company by the Independent Auditors must be approved in advance of the engagement by the Audit Committee. Under limited circumstances, certain de minimus non-audit services may be approved by the Audit Committee retroactively. All services provided to the company by the Independent Auditors in 2012 were approved in advance of the engagement by the Audit Committee and no non-audit services were approved retroactively by the Audit Committee pursuant to the exception for certain de minimus services described above.

Board Recommendation

          The Board recommends a vote “For” ratification of the selection of Deloitte as our Independent Auditors for the 2013 fiscal year ending December 28, 2013. Unless a contrary choice is specified, proxies solicited by the Board will be voted “For” the ratification of the selection of Deloitte as Independent Auditors.

 

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

 

 

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

          Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and executive officers and all persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are also required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based upon a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us during the 2012 fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 and written representations by such persons, all reports were filed on a timely basis, other than one report related to Andrew P. Carlin which was originally filed on June 5, 2012 and amended on March 22, 2013 due to an adjustment in the originally reported direct holdings of the reporting person.

Shareholder Proposals for 2014 Annual Meeting

          Any shareholder proposal requested to be included in the proxy materials for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must (i) be received by our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary on or before December 5, 2013 and (ii) satisfy all of the requirements of, and not otherwise be permitted to be excluded under, Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the SEC and our Bylaws.

88


Table of Contents


          Our Bylaws require advance written notice to our company of shareholder-proposed business or of a shareholder’s intention to make a nomination for director at an annual meeting of shareholders. They also limit the business which may be conducted at any special meeting of shareholders to business brought by the Board.

          Specifically, the Bylaws provide that business may be brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder only if the shareholder provides written notice to the Secretary of our company not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date that we first released or mailed our proxy materials to shareholders in connection with the preceding year’s annual meeting. Under these provisions, notice of a shareholder proposal to be presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (but that is not requested to be included in the proxy materials) must be provided to the Secretary of our company on or before December 5, 2013. In the event, however, that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later of the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

          A shareholder’s notice must set forth:

 

 

 

 

A description of the proposed business and the reasons for it,

 

 

 

 

The name and address of the shareholder making the proposal,

 

 

 

 

The class and number of shares of common stock owned by the shareholder, and

 

 

 

 

A description of any material interest of the shareholder in the proposed business.

          Our Bylaws also provide that a shareholder may nominate a director at an annual meeting only after providing advance written notice to the Secretary of our company within the time limits described above. The shareholder’s notice must set forth all information about each nominee that would be required under SEC rules in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee, as well as the nominee’s business and residence address. The notice must also set forth the name and record address of the shareholder making the nomination and the class and number of shares of common stock owned by that shareholder. The required procedures for a shareholder to nominate a director are described in more detail above under the heading “Corporate Governance – Director Nominations Process.”

Other Business

          Management of our company does not intend to present other items of business and knows of no items of business that are likely to be brought before the Annual Meeting except those described in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have discretionary authority to vote such proxy in accordance with the best judgment on such matters.

89


Table of Contents


Copies of 2012 Annual Report

          We will furnish to our shareholders without charge a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K (without exhibits) for the 2012 fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 upon receipt from any such person of a written request for such an Annual Report. Such request should be sent to:

 

Select Comfort Corporation

 

Investor Relations Department

 

9800 59th Avenue North

 

Plymouth, Minnesota 55442

Householding Information

          Some banks, brokers and other record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that you and other holders of our company’s common stock in your household may not receive separate copies of our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, Proxy Statement or Annual Report. We will promptly deliver an additional copy of any of these documents to you if you call us at (763) 551-7498 or write us at the following address:

 

Select Comfort Corporation

 

Investor Relations Department

 

9800 59th Avenue North

 

Plymouth, Minnesota 55442

 

 

          Any shareholder who is receiving multiple copies of these documents and would like to receive only one copy per household should contact the shareholder’s bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or the shareholder may contact us at the above address or phone number.

 

 

          Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote your shares of common stock promptly by mail, telephone, or Internet as instructed on your proxy card.


 

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

-s- Mark A. Kimball

 

 

 

Mark A. Kimball

 

Senior Vice President,

 

Chief Legal and Risk Officer and Secretary

 

 

April 4, 2013

 

Plymouth, Minnesota

 

90


Table of Contents


(SLEEP NUMBER LOGO)


Table of Contents


APPENDIX

SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
AMENDED and RESTATED
2010 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

Originally Effective May 19, 2010

Amended and Restated Effective March 14, 2013


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

 

 

 

1.

Purpose of Plan

1

2.

Definitions

1

3.

Plan Administration

7

4.

Shares Available for Issuance

10

5.

Participation

12

6.

Options

12

7.

Stock Appreciation Rights

14

8.

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

15

9.

Performance Awards

17

10.

Annual Performance Cash Awards

18

11.

Non-Employee Director Awards

19

12.

Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

19

13.

Performance Measures

20

14.

Dividend Equivalents

24

15.

Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service

24

16.

Payment of Withholding Taxes

29

17.

Change in Control

29

18.

Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability

34

19.

Securities Law and Other Restrictions

35

20.

Deferred Compensation; Compliance with Section 409A

35

21.

Amendment, Modification and Termination

36

22.

Effective Date and Duration of this Plan

37

23.

Miscellaneous

37



Table of Contents


SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
2010 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

1.

Purpose of Plan.

          The purpose of this Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders by enabling the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals to perform services for the Company and its Subsidiaries, providing incentive compensation for such individuals that is linked to the growth and profitability of the Company and increases in shareholder value and aligning the interests of such individuals with the interests of its shareholders through opportunities for equity participation in the Company.

 

 

2.

Definitions.

          The following terms will have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly otherwise requires. Terms defined elsewhere in this Plan will have the same meaning throughout this Plan.

          2.1          “Adverse Action” means any action or conduct by a Participant that the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to be injurious, detrimental, prejudicial or adverse to the interests of the Company or any Subsidiary, including: (a) disclosing confidential information of the Company or any Subsidiary to any person not authorized by the Company or Subsidiary to receive it, (b) engaging, directly or indirectly, in any commercial activity that in the judgment of the Committee competes with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or (c) interfering with the relationships of the Company or any Subsidiary and their respective employees, independent contractors, customers, prospective customers and vendors.

          2.2          “Annual Award Limit” or “Annual Awards Limits” have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.

          2.3          “Annual Performance Cash Awards” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1 of this Plan.

          2.4          “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          2.5          “Broker Exercise Notice” means a written notice pursuant to which a Participant, upon exercise of an Option, irrevocably instructs a broker or dealer to sell a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock or loan a sufficient amount of money to pay all or a portion of the exercise price of the Option or any related withholding tax obligations and remit such sums to the Company and directs the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise directly to such broker or dealer or their nominee.

          2.6          “Cause” means (a) dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, embezzlement or deliberate injury or attempted injury, in each case related to the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) any unlawful or criminal activity of a serious nature, (c) any intentional and deliberate breach of a duty or duties that, individually or in the aggregate, are material in relation to the Participant’s overall duties, or (d) any material breach by a Participant of any employment, service,


Table of Contents


confidentiality, non-compete or non-solicitation agreement entered into with the Company or any Subsidiary.

          2.7          “Cash-Based Award” means an Incentive Award made pursuant to this Plan that is denominated and paid in cash.

          2.8          “Change in Control” means an event described in Section 17.1 of this Plan.

          2.9          “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be deemed to include a reference to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or amended section of the Code.

          2.10          “Committee” means the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, or any other committee comprised solely of directors designated by the Board to administer this Plan who are (a) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, (b) “independent directors” as defined in the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or other applicable exchange or market on which the Common Stock may be traded or quoted) and (c) “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The members of the Committee will be appointed from time to time by and will serve at the discretion of the Board. If the Committee does not exist or cannot function for any reason, the Board may take any action under this Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee, except as otherwise provided in this Plan.

          2.11          “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, or the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which such Common Stock may be changed in accordance with Section 4.5 of this Plan.

          2.12          “Company” means Select Comfort Corporation, a Minnesota corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in Section 23.6 of this Plan.

          2.13          “Consultant” means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to the Company or any Subsidiary that: (a) are not in connection with the offer and sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction and (b) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

          2.14          “Covered Employee” means any Employee who is or may become a “Covered Employee,” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code, and who is designated, either as an individual Employee or class of Employees, by the Committee within the shorter of: (a) ninety (90) days after the beginning of any Performance Period, or (b) twenty-five percent (25%) of any Performance Period has elapsed, as a “Covered Employee” under this Plan for such applicable Performance Period.

          2.15          “Director” means a member of the Board.

          2.16          “Director Fees” means any compensation payable by the Company in the form of cash to a Non-Employee Director for service as a Non-Employee Director on the Board or any committee of the Board as may be approved from time to time by the Board, excluding expense

2


Table of Contents


allowances, reimbursements and insurance premiums paid to or on behalf of such Non-Employee Directors.

          2.17          “Disability” means the disability of the Participant such as would entitle the Participant to receive disability income benefits pursuant to the long-term disability plan of the Company or Subsidiary then covering the Participant or, if no such plan exists or is applicable to the Participant, the permanent and total disability of the Participant within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

          2.18          “Effective Date” means May 19, 2010 or such later date as this Plan is initially approved by the Company’s shareholders.

          2.19          “Eligible Recipients” means all Employees, all Non-Employee Directors and all Consultants.

          2.20          “Employee” means any individual performing services for the Company or a Subsidiary and designated as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary on the payroll records thereof. An Employee will not include any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company or Subsidiary as an independent contractor, a consultant, or any employee of an employment, consulting or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company or Subsidiary, without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as a common-law employee of the Company or Subsidiary during such period. An individual will not cease to be an Employee in the case of: (a) any leave of absence approved by the Company, or (b) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company or any Subsidiaries. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable, is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave, any Incentive Stock Option held by a Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a Director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

          2.21          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Exchange Act herein will be deemed to include a reference to any applicable rules and regulations thereunder and any successor or amended section of the Exchange Act.

          2.22          “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to the Common Stock, as of any date: (a) the closing sale price of the Common Stock as of such date at the end of the regular trading session, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed (or, if no shares were traded on such date, as of the next preceding date on which there was such a trade); (b) if the Common Stock is not so listed, admitted to unlisted trading privileges or reported on any national exchange, the closing sale price as of such date at the end of the regular trading session, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board or the Pink Sheets LLC, or other

3


Table of Contents


comparable service (or, if no shares were traded or quoted on such date, as of the next preceding date on which there was such a trade or quote); or (c) if the Common Stock is not so listed or reported, such price as the Committee determines in good faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, and consistent with the definition of “fair market value” under Section 409A of the Code. If determined by the Committee, such determination will be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, including the Company, the shareholders of the Company, the Participants and their respective successors-in-interest. No member of the Committee will be liable for any determination regarding the fair market value of the Common Stock that is made in good faith.

          2.23          “Full Value Award” means an Incentive Award other than in the form of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, and which is settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock.

          2.24          “Good Reason” has the meaning set forth in Section 17.2 of this Plan.

          2.25          “Grant Date” means the date an Incentive Award is granted to a Participant pursuant to this Plan and as determined pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan.

          2.26          “Incentive Award” means, individually or collectively, an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Annual Performance Cash Award, Non-Employee Director Award, Other Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award, in each case granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to this Plan.

          2.27          “Incentive Award Agreement” means either: (a) a written or electronic (as provided in Section 23.8) agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Incentive Award granted under this Plan, including any amendment or modification thereof, or (b) a written or electronic (as provided in Section 23.8) statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such an Incentive Award, including any amendment or modification thereof.

          2.28          “Incentive Stock Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Employee pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan that is designated as and intended to meet the requirements of an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

          2.29          “Individual Performance Goals” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4 of this Plan.

          2.30          “Individual Performance Participants” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4 of this Plan.

          2.31          “Maximum Payout” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3 of this Plan.

          2.32          “Non-Statutory Stock Option” means a right to purchase Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan that is not intended to meet the requirements of or does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

          2.33          “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

4


Table of Contents


          2.34          “Non-Employee Director Award” means any Non-Statutory Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Full Value Award granted, whether singly, in combination, or in tandem, to an Eligible Recipient who is a Non-Employee Director, pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions and limitations as the Board or Committee may establish in accordance with this Plan, including any Non-Employee Director Option.

          2.35          “Non-Employee Director Option” means a Non-Statutory Stock Option granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 11.1 of this Plan.

          2.36          “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option, including a Non-Employee Director Option.

          2.37          “Other Cash-Based Award” means an Incentive Award, denominated and paid in cash, not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan, granted pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan.

          2.38          “Other Stock-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Incentive Award not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan, granted pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan.

          2.39          “Participant” means an Eligible Recipient who receives one or more Incentive Awards under this Plan.

          2.40          “Participation Factor” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2 of this Plan.

          2.41          “Performance Award” means a right granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 9 of this Plan to receive an amount of cash, number of shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both, contingent upon and the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent of the achievement of one or more Performance Goals during a specified Performance Period or the achievement of other objectives during a specified period.

          2.42          “Performance-Based Compensation” means compensation under an Incentive Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for certain performance-based compensation paid to Covered Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Plan will be construed to mean that an Incentive Award which does not satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code does not constitute performance-based compensation for other purposes, including Section 409A of the Code.

          2.43          “Performance Goals” mean with respect to any applicable Incentive Award, one or more targets, goals or levels of attainment required to be achieved in terms of the specified Performance Measures during the specified Performance Period, as set forth in the related Incentive Award Agreement.

          2.44          “Performance Measure Element” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 of this Plan.

5


Table of Contents


          2.45          “Performance Measures” mean: (a) with respect to any Incentive Award intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, any one or more of the measures described in Section 13.1 of this Plan on which the Performance Goals are based and which measures are approved by the Company’s shareholders pursuant to this Plan in order to qualify Incentive Awards as Performance-Based Compensation; and (b) with respect to any other Incentive Award, any performance measures as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the applicable Incentive Award Agreement for purposes of determining the applicable Performance Goal.

          2.46          “Performance Period” means the period of time, as determined by the Committee, during which the Performance Goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout or vesting with respect to an Incentive Award.

          2.47          “Plan” means the Select Comfort Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time.

          2.48          “Plan Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.

          2.49          “Previously Acquired Shares” means shares of Common Stock that are already owned by the Participant or, with respect to any Incentive Award, that are to be issued to the Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of such Incentive Award.

          2.50          “Prior Plans” mean the Select Comfort Corporation 1990 Omnibus Stock Option Plan (As Amended and Restated), the Select Comfort Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated), the Select Comfort Corporation 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2007) and the Select Comfort Corporation Executive and Key Employee Incentive Plan.

          2.51          “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan that is subject to the restrictions on transferability and the risk of forfeiture imposed by the provisions of such Section 8.

          2.52          “Restricted Stock Unit” means an award denominated in shares of Common Stock granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan.

          2.53          “Retirement,” unless otherwise defined in the Incentive Award Agreement or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Subsidiary, means “Retirement” as defined from time to time for purposes of this Plan by the Committee or by the Company’s chief human resources officer or other person performing that function or, if not so defined, means voluntary termination of employment or service by the Participant on or after the date the Participant reaches age fifty-five (55) with the present intention to leave the Company’s industry or to leave the general workforce.

          2.54          “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Securities Act herein will be deemed to include a reference to any applicable rules and regulations thereunder and any successor or amended section of the Securities Act.

6


Table of Contents


          2.55          “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted to an Eligible Recipient pursuant to Section 7 of this Plan to receive a payment from the Company, in the form of shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination of both, equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of one or more shares of Common Stock and the exercise price of such shares under the terms of such Stock Appreciation Right.

          2.56          “Stock-Based Award” means any equity-based or equity-related Incentive Award made pursuant to this Plan, including Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards denominated or payable in shares of Common Stock and Other Stock-Based Awards.

          2.57          “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, an interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

          2.58          “Target Payout” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2 of this Plan.

          2.59          “Tax Date” means the date any withholding tax obligation arises under the Code for a Participant with respect to an Incentive Award.

 

 

3.

Plan Administration.

          3.1          The Committee. The Plan will be administered by the Committee. The Committee will act by majority approval of the members at a meeting or by unanimous written consent, and a majority of the members of the Committee will constitute a quorum. The Committee may exercise its duties, power and authority under this Plan in its sole discretion without the consent of any Participant or other party, unless this Plan specifically provides otherwise. The Committee will not be obligated to treat Participants or Eligible Recipients uniformly, and determinations made under this Plan may be made by the Committee selectively among Participants or Eligible Recipients, whether or not such Participants and Eligible Recipients are similarly situated. Each determination, interpretation or other action made or taken by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Plan will be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes and on all persons, and no member of the Committee will be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Incentive Award granted under this Plan.

          3.2          Authority of the Committee. In accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee will have full and exclusive discretionary power and authority to take such actions as it deems necessary and advisable with respect to the administration of this Plan, including the following:

 

 

 

               (a)          To designate the Eligible Recipients to be selected as Participants;

 

 

 

               (b)          To determine the nature and extent of the Incentive Awards to be made to each Participant, including the amount of cash or number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each Incentive Award, any exercise price, the manner in which Incentive Awards will vest or become exercisable and whether Incentive Awards will be granted in

7


Table of Contents



 

 

 

tandem with other Incentive Awards, and the form of Incentive Award Agreement, if any, evidencing such Incentive Award;

 

 

 

               (c)          To determine the time or times when Incentive Awards will be granted;

 

 

 

               (d)          To determine the duration of each Incentive Award;

 

 

 

               (e)          To determine the restrictions and other conditions to which the payment or vesting of Incentive Awards may be subject;

 

 

 

               (f)          To construe and interpret this Plan and Incentive Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration and in so doing, to correct any defect, omission, or inconsistency in this Plan or in an Incentive Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make this Plan fully effective;

 

 

 

               (g)          To determine Fair Market Value in accordance with Section 2.22 of this Plan;

 

 

 

               (h)          To amend this Plan or any Incentive Award Agreement, as provided in this Plan;

 

 

 

               (i)          To adopt subplans or special provisions applicable to Incentive Awards regulated by the laws of a jurisdiction other than, and outside of, the United States, which subplans or special provisions may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan;

 

 

 

               (j)          To authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any Incentive Award Agreement or any other instrument required to effect the grant of an Incentive Award previously granted by the Committee;

 

 

 

               (k)          To determine whether Incentive Awards will be settled in shares of Common Stock, cash or in any combination thereof;

 

 

 

               (l)          Subject to Section 14, to determine whether Incentive Awards will be adjusted for “dividend equivalents,” meaning a credit, made at the discretion of the Committee, to the account of a Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one share of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock represented by an Incentive Award held by such Participant; and

 

 

 

               (m)         To impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any shares of Common Stock, including restrictions under an insider trading policy, restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers and other restrictions designed to increase equity ownership by Participants or otherwise align the interests of Participants with the Company’s shareholders.

8


Table of Contents


          3.3          Delegation. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company or any Subsidiary or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any individuals to whom it has delegated duties or powers as aforesaid may employ one or more individuals to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such individuals may have under this Plan. The Committee may, by resolution, authorize one or more directors of the Company or one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as can the Committee: (a) designate Eligible Recipients to be recipients of Incentive Awards pursuant to this Plan; and (b) determine the size of any such Incentive Awards; provided, however, that (x) the Committee will not delegate such responsibilities to any such director(s) or officer(s) for any Incentive Awards granted to an Eligible Recipient who is considered a Covered Employee or who is subject to the reporting and liability provisions of Section 16 under the Exchange Act; (y) the resolution providing such authorization will set forth the type of Incentive Awards and total number of each type of Incentive Awards such director(s) or officer(s) may grant; and (z) such director(s) or officer(s) will report periodically to the Committee regarding the nature and scope of the Incentive Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.

          3.4          No Re-pricing. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan other than Section 4.5, the Committee may not, without prior approval of the Company’s shareholders, seek to effect any re-pricing of any previously granted, “underwater” Option or Stock Appreciation Right by: (i) amending or modifying the terms of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right to lower the exercise price; (ii) canceling the underwater Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for (A) cash; (B) replacement Options or Stock Appreciation Rights having a lower exercise price; or (C) other Incentive Awards; or (iii) repurchasing the underwater Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and granting new Incentive Awards under this Plan. For purposes of this Section 3.4, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be deemed to be “underwater” at any time when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock is less than the exercise price of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

          3.5          Participants Based Outside of the United States. In addition to the authority of the Committee under Section 3.2(i) and notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of this Plan or Incentive Awards with respect to Participants resident outside of the United States or employed by a non-U.S. Subsidiary in order to comply with local legal requirements, to otherwise protect the Company’s or Subsidiary’s interests or to meet objectives of this Plan, and may, where appropriate, establish one or more sub-plans (including the adoption of any required rules and regulations) for the purposes of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws. The Committee will have no authority, however, to take action pursuant to this Section 3.5: (i) to reserve shares of Common Stock or grant Incentive Awards in excess of the limitations provided in Section 4.1; (ii) to effect any re-pricing in violation of Section 3.4; (iii) to grant Options or Stock Appreciation Rights having an exercise price less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date in violation of Section 6.3 or Section 7.3; or (iv) for which shareholder approval would then be required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code or the rules of any stock exchange on which shares of Common Stock may be listed for trading.

9


Table of Contents


          3.6          Incentive Award Grants to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, all grants of Non-Employee Director Awards will only be granted and administered by a Committee comprised solely of members of the Board who are “independent directors” within the meaning of the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or other applicable exchange or market on which the Common Stock may be traded or quoted).

 

 

4.

Shares Available for Issuance.

          4.1          Maximum Number of Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.5 of this Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under this Plan will be the sum of:

 

 

 

               (a)          7,500,000 shares; and

 

 

 

               (b)          the number of shares of Common Stock subject to Incentive Awards outstanding under the Prior Plans as of the Effective Date but only to the extent that such outstanding Incentive Awards are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without the issuance of such shares of Common Stock.

          4.2          Restrictions on Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.5 of this Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options under this Plan will be 7,500,000 shares.

          4.3          Accounting for Incentive Awards. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under this Plan or that are subject to outstanding Incentive Awards will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under this Plan only to the extent they are used; provided, however, that (a) the total number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under this Plan will be reduced by 1.15 shares for each share issued pursuant to a Full Value Award or potentially issuable pursuant to a Full Value Award; and (b) the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Appreciation Right granted that are settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock will be counted against the shares authorized for issuance under this Plan, regardless of the number of shares actually issued upon settlement of such Stock Appreciation Right. Furthermore, any shares of Common Stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on Incentive Awards issued under this Plan, any shares of Common Stock withheld to pay the exercise price of Incentive Awards under this Plan and any shares of Common Stock not issued or delivered as a result of the “net exercise” of an outstanding Option pursuant to Section 6.5 or settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right in shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 7.7 will be counted against the shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under this Plan and will not be available again for grant under this Plan. Any shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Company on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an Incentive Award will not increase the number of shares available for future grant of Incentive Awards. Any shares of Common Stock related to Incentive Awards granted under this Plan or under any Prior Plans that terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of the shares of Common Stock, or are settled in cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock, or are exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of shares of Common Stock, for Incentive

10


Table of Contents


Awards not involving shares of Common Stock, will be available again for grant under this Plan and correspondingly increase the total number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this Plan under Section 4.1 (with such increase in connection with Full Value Awards based on the same ratio specified in clause (a) of the proviso to the first sentence of this Section 4.3).

          4.4          Annual Awards Limits. The following limits (each an “Annual Award Limit” and, collectively, “Annual Award Limits”), as adjusted pursuant to Section 4.5, will apply to grants of Incentive Awards unless the Committee specifically determines at the time of grant that an Incentive Award is not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation under this Plan:

 

 

 

               (a)          The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any one Participant in any one Plan Year will be 1,000,000 shares.

 

 

 

               (b)          The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units granted to any one Participant in any one Plan Year will be 1,000,000 shares.

 

 

 

               (c)          The maximum aggregate dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock granted with respect to Performance Awards to any one Participant in any one Plan Year may not exceed $5,000,000 or 1,000,000 shares, determined as of the date of payout.

 

 

 

               (d)          The maximum aggregate dollar amount granted with respect to Annual Performance Cash Awards to any one Participant in any one Plan Year may not exceed $5,000,000, determined as of the date of payout.

 

 

 

               (e)          The maximum aggregate dollar amount granted with respect to Other Cash-Based Awards to any one Participant in any one Plan Year may not exceed $5,000,000, determined as of the date of payout.

 

 

 

               (f)          The maximum aggregate amount of shares of Common Stock granted with respect to Other Stock-Based Awards to any one Participant in any one Plan Year may not exceed 1,000,000 shares, determined as of the date of payout.


 

 

 

          4.5          Adjustments to Shares and Incentive Awards.


 

 

 

               (a)          In the event of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, rights offering, divestiture or extraordinary dividend (including a spin off) or any other similar change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Committee (or, if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) will make appropriate adjustment (which determination will be conclusive) as to: (i) the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) available for issuance or payment under this Plan, including the sub-limits set forth in Section 4.2(a) and (b) and the Annual Award Limits set forth in Section 4.4, and (ii) in


11


Table of Contents



 

 

 

order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants, the number and kind of securities or other property (including cash) subject to outstanding Incentive Awards and the exercise price of outstanding Incentive Awards. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, will be final, conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.

 

 

 

               (b)          Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, without affecting the number of shares of Common Stock reserved or available hereunder, the limits in Section 4.2(a) and (b) and the Annual Award Limits in Section 4.4, the Committee may authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under this Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, subject to compliance with the rules under Sections 422 and 424 of the Code, as and where applicable.

          4.6          Restrictions on Vesting. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, no more than 375,000 shares of Common Stock, in the aggregate, may be granted under this Plan on or after March 14, 2013 (not taking into account awards granted prior to March 14, 2013) subject to (a) Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units granted to Employees under this Plan solely based on continued service of the Employees that become exercisable more rapidly than ratably over a three (3) year period after the Grant Date, except in connection with the death, Disability or Retirement of an Employee or a Change in Control; or (b) Performance Awards granted to Employees under this Plan with a Performance Period of less than one year, except in connection with the death or Disability of an Employee or a Change in Control.

 

 

5.

Participation.

          Participants in this Plan will be those Eligible Recipients who, in the judgment of the Committee, have contributed, are contributing or are expected to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Eligible Recipients may be granted from time to time one or more Incentive Awards, singly or in combination or in tandem with other Incentive Awards, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Incentive Awards will be deemed to be granted as of the date specified in the grant resolution of the Committee, which date will be the Grant Date of any related Incentive Award Agreement with the Participant.

 

 

6.

Options.

          6.1          Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Options under this Plan, and such Options will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee may designate whether an Option is to be considered an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option. To the extent that any Incentive Stock Option (or portion thereof) granted under this Plan ceases for any reason to qualify as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Incentive Stock Option (or portion thereof) will continue to be outstanding for purposes of this Plan but will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Statutory Stock Option. Options may be granted to an Eligible Recipient for services provided to

12


Table of Contents


a Subsidiary only if, with respect to such Eligible Recipient, the underlying shares of Common Stock constitute “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii).

          6.2          Incentive Award Agreement. Each Option grant will be evidenced by an Incentive Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price of the Option, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which an Option will become vested and exercisable, and such other provisions as the Committee will determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan. The Incentive Award Agreement also will specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Statutory Stock Option.

          6.3          Exercise Price. The per share price to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of an Option granted pursuant to this Section 6 will be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of the Option grant; provided, however, that such price will not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date (one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Participant owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company).

          6.4          Exercisability and Duration. An Option will become exercisable at such times and in such installments and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant, including (i) the achievement of one or more of the Performance Goals; or that (ii) the Participant remain in the continuous employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period; provided, however, that no Option may be exercisable after ten (10) years from the Grant Date (five (5) years from the Grant Date in the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Participant who owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of an Option that is exercisable in accordance with its terms is prevented by the provisions of Section 19, the Option will remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, but in any event no later than the expiration date of such Option.

13


Table of Contents



 

 

 

 

6.5

Payment of Exercise Price.


 

 

 

          (a)          The total purchase price of the shares to be purchased upon exercise of an Option will be paid entirely in cash (including check, bank draft or money order); provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, may allow such payments to be made, in whole or in part, by (i) tender of a Broker Exercise Notice; (ii) by tender, either by actual delivery or attestation as to ownership, of Previously Acquired Shares; (iii) a “net exercise” of the Option (as further described in paragraph (b), below); (iv) by a combination of such methods; or (v) any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

 

 

          (b)          In the case of a “net exercise” of an Option, the Company will not require a payment of the exercise price of the Option from the Participant but will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise by the largest number of whole shares that has a Fair Market Value on the exercise date that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price for the shares exercised under this method. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under an Option (and will therefore not thereafter be exercisable) following the exercise of such Option to the extent of (i) shares used to pay the exercise price of an Option under the “net exercise,” (ii) shares actually delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise and (iii) any shares withheld for purposes of tax withholding pursuant to Section 16 of this Plan.

 

 

 

          (c)          For purposes of such payment, Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued at their Fair Market Value on the exercise date of the Option.

          6.6     Manner of Exercise. An Option may be exercised by a Participant in whole or in part from time to time, subject to the conditions contained in this Plan and in the Incentive Award Agreement evidencing such Option, by delivery in person, by facsimile or electronic transmission or through the mail of written notice of exercise to the Company at its principal executive office in Plymouth, Minnesota (or to the Company’s designee as may be established from time to time by the Company and communicated to Participants) and by paying in full the total exercise price for the shares of Common Stock to be purchased in accordance with Section 6.5 of this Plan.

 

 

7.

Stock Appreciation Rights.

          7.1     Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Stock Appreciation Rights under this Plan, and such Stock Appreciation Rights will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to an Eligible Recipient for services provided to a Subsidiary only if, with respect to such Eligible Recipient, the underlying shares of Common Stock constitute “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii).

14


Table of Contents


          7.2          Incentive Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right will be evidenced by an Incentive Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price of the Stock Appreciation Right, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, and such other provisions as the Committee will determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

          7.3          Exercise Price. The exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right will be determined by the Committee, in its discretion, at the Grant Date; provided, however, that such price may not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date.

          7.4          Exercisability and Duration. A Stock Appreciation Right will become exercisable at such times and in such installments as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at the time of grant; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right may be exercisable after ten (10) years from its Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the exercise of an SAR that is exercisable in accordance with its terms is prevented by the provisions of Section 19, the SAR will remain exercisable until thirty (30) days after the date such exercise first would no longer be prevented by such provisions, but in any event no later than the expiration date of such SAR.

          7.5          Manner of Exercise. A Stock Appreciation Right will be exercised by giving notice in the same manner as for Options, as set forth in Section 6.6, subject to any other terms and conditions consistent with the other provisions of this Plan as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

          7.6          Settlement. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

 

 

               (a)          The excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the per share exercise price; by

 

 

 

               (b)          The number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

          7.7          Form of Payment. Payment, if any, with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right settled in accordance with Section 7.6 will be made in accordance with the terms of the applicable Incentive Award Agreement, in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as the Committee determines.

 

 

8.

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units.

          8.1          Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units under this Plan, and such awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Restricted Stock Units will be similar to Restricted Stock Awards except that no shares of Common Stock are actually awarded to the Participant on the Grant Date of the Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units will be denominated in shares of Common Stock but paid in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and

15


Table of Contents


shares of Common Stock as the Committee, in its sole discretion, will determine, and as provided in the Incentive Award Agreement.

          8.2          Incentive Award Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Incentive Award Agreement that will specify the type of Incentive Award, the period(s) of restriction, the number of shares of restricted Common Stock, or the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other provisions as the Committee will determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

          8.3          Conditions and Restrictions. The Committee will impose such restrictions or conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, to the vesting of such Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units as it deems appropriate, including (a) the achievement of one or more of the Performance Goals; or that (b) the Participant remain in the continuous employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period.

          8.4          Rights as a Shareholder. Except as provided in Sections 8.1, 8.5, 8.6 and 18.3 of this Plan, upon a Participant becoming the holder of record of shares of Common Stock issued under a Restricted Stock Award pursuant to this Section 8, the Participant will have all voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to such shares (other than the right to sell or transfer such shares) as if such Participant were a holder of record of shares of unrestricted Common Stock. A Participant will have no voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder.

          8.5          Dividends and Distributions. Unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion (either in the Incentive Award Agreement evidencing the Restricted Stock Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of the Restricted Stock Award), any dividends or distributions (other than regular quarterly cash dividends) paid with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to the unvested portion of a Restricted Stock Award will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate. The Committee will determine in its sole discretion whether any interest will be paid on such dividends or distributions.

          8.6          Enforcement of Restrictions. To enforce the restrictions referred to in this Section 8, the Committee may place a legend on the stock certificates representing Restricted Stock Awards referring to such restrictions and may require the Participant, until the restrictions have lapsed, to keep the stock certificates, together with duly endorsed stock powers, in the custody of the Company or its transfer agent, or to maintain evidence of stock ownership, together with duly endorsed stock powers, in a certificateless book entry stock account with the Company’s transfer agent. Alternatively, Restricted Stock Awards may be held in non-certificated form pursuant to such terms and conditions as the Company may establish with its registrar and transfer agent or any third-party administrator designated by the Company to hold Restricted Stock Awards on behalf of Participants.

          8.7          Lapse of Restrictions; Settlement. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award will become freely transferable by the Participant after all conditions and restrictions applicable to such shares have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding obligations). Upon

16


Table of Contents


the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Restricted Stock Unit will be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Incentive Award Agreement, (a) in cash, based upon the Fair Market Value of the vested underlying shares of Common Stock, (b) in shares of Common Stock or (c) a combination thereof, as provided in the Incentive Award Agreement, except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer income that may be attributable to a Restricted Stock Unit under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement.

          8.8          Section 83(b) Election for Restricted Stock Award. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant must file, within thirty (30) days following the Grant Date of the Restricted Stock Award, a copy of such election with the Company and with the Internal Revenue Service, in accordance with the regulations under Section 83 of the Code. The Committee may provide in the Incentive Award Agreement that the Restricted Stock Award is conditioned upon the Participant’s making or refraining from making an election with respect to the award under Section 83(b) of the Code.

 

 

9.

Performance Awards.

          9.1          Grant. An Eligible Recipient may be granted one or more Performance Awards under this Plan, and such awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, including the achievement of one or more Performance Goals.

          9.2          Incentive Award Agreement. Each Performance Award will be evidenced by an Incentive Award Agreement that will specify the amount of cash, shares of Common Stock or combination of both to be received by the Participant upon payout of the Performance Award, any Performance Goals upon which the Performance Award is subject, any Performance Period during which any Performance Goals must be achieved and such other provisions as the Committee will determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

          9.3          Vesting. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, to the vesting of such Performance Awards as it deems appropriate, including the achievement of one or more of the Performance Goals.

          9.4          Form and Timing of Performance Award Payment. Subject to the terms of this Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Awards will be entitled to receive payment on the value and number of Performance Awards earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals have been achieved. Payment of earned Performance Awards will be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the Incentive Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Awards in the form of cash or in shares of Common Stock (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the earned Performance Awards at the close of the applicable Performance Period. Payment of any Performance Award will be made as soon as practicable after the Committee has determined the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved and not later than the March 15th immediately following the end of the performance period, or earlier than the January 1st preceding such March 15, except to the extent

17


Table of Contents


that a Participant has properly elected to defer payment that may be attributable to a Performance Award under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payment of Performance Awards will be set forth in the Incentive Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the award. Any shares of Common Stock issued in payment of earned Performance Awards may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, including that the Participant remain in the continuous employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary for a certain period.

 

 

10.

Annual Performance Cash Awards.

          10.1          Grant. Subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant to Participants Incentive Awards denominated in cash in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine, based on the achievement of specified Performance Goals for annual periods or other time periods as determined by the Committee (the “Annual Performance Cash Awards”).

          10.2          Target Payout. The target amount that may be paid with respect to an Annual Performance Cash Award (the “Target Payout”) will be determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 13.2 and will be based on a percentage of a Participant’s actual annual base compensation at the time of grant (“Participation Factor”), within the range established by the Committee for each Participant and subject to adjustment as provided in the second to last sentence of this paragraph. The Participation Factors, which are intended to reflect a Participant’s level of responsibility, may be up to 150% for any Participant. The Chief Executive Officer may approve modifications to the Participation Factor for any Participant who is not a Covered Employee, if such modification is based on level of responsibility. The Committee may establish curves, matrices or other measurements for prorating the amount of payments for achievement of Performance Goals at less or greater than the Target Payout.

          10.3          Maximum Payout. The Committee also may establish a maximum potential payout amount (the “Maximum Payout”) with respect to an Annual Performance Cash Award of up to 300% of the Target Payout in the event Performance Goals are exceeded by an amount established by the Committee at the time Performance Goals are established. The Committee may establish curves, matrices or other measurements for prorating the amount of payments for achievement of Performance Goals at greater than the Target Payout but less than the Maximum Payout.

          10.4          Individual Performance Goals. At the time an Annual Performance Cash Award is made, the Committee may provide for an increase in the Target Payout and the Maximum Payout (as either may be prorated in accordance with Sections 10.2 and 10.3) for selected Participants (“Individual Performance Participants”) to reflect the achievement of individual performance goals (“Individual Performance Goals”) established at that time by the Committee. The Committee will have the discretion to reduce by an amount up to 100% the amount that would otherwise be paid under the payout formula to an Individual Performance Participant based on the Committee’s evaluation of the individual’s achievement of the Individual Performance Goals.

18


Table of Contents


          10.5          Payment. Payment of any earned Annual Performance Cash Awards will be made as soon as possible after the Committee has determined the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals and Individual Performance Goals have been achieved and not later than the March 15th immediately following the end of the performance period or earlier than the January 1st preceding such March 15th, except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer payment that may be attributable to an Annual Performance Cash Award under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement.

 

 

11.

Non-Employee Director Awards.

          11.1          Automatic and Non-Discretionary Awards to Non-Employee Directors. The Committee at any time and from time to time may approve resolutions providing for the automatic grant to Non-Employee Directors of Non-Employee Director Awards granted under this Plan and may grant to Non-Employee Directors such discretionary Non-Employee Director Awards on such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement.

          11.2          Shares in Lieu of Director Fees. A Non-Employee Director may elect to receive shares of Common Stock in lieu of Director Fees by giving written notice of such election to the Company in a form approved by the Committee. Such an election shall be effective with respect to any such Director Fees payable commencing with the next calendar quarter following the date of the election. An election to receive payment of Director Fees in the form of shares of Common Stock may be revoked only by a subsequent election to receive payment of Director Fees in cash or to defer such Director Fees pursuant to Section 11.3. Such an election shall be effective with respect to Director Fees payable commencing with the next calendar quarter following the date of the election. The number of shares of Common Stock to be paid to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be determined by dividing the amount of Director Fees payable by the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date such Director Fees would have been paid in cash but for the Participant’s election to receive payment of such Director Fees in the form of Common Stock. The amount of any fractional share shall be paid in cash.

          11.3          Deferral of Incentive Award Payment. The Committee may permit a Non-Employee Director the opportunity to defer the grant or payment of an Incentive Award pursuant to such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe from time to time.

          11.4          Composition of Committee. For purposes of this Section 11, all references to “Committee” in this Section 11 will mean a Committee that consists solely of directors who are “independent directors” as defined in the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or other applicable exchange or market on which the Common Stock may be traded or quoted).

 

 

12.

Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards.

          12.1          Other Cash-Based Awards. Subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion,

19


Table of Contents


the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Other Cash-Based Awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine.

          12.2          Other Stock-Based Awards. Subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of this Plan, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Committee may grant Other Stock-Based Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares of Common Stock) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee will determine. Such Incentive Awards may involve the transfer of actual shares of Common Stock to Participants or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of shares, and may include Incentive Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions other than the United States.

          12.3          Value of Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Other Cash-Based Award will specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee. Each Other Stock-Based Award will be expressed in terms of shares of Common Stock or units based on shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may establish Performance Goals in its discretion for any Other Cash-Based Award or any Other Stock-Based Award. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish Performance Goals for any such Incentive Awards, the number or value of Other Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the Performance Goals are met.

          12.4          Payment of Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to an Other Cash-Based Award or an Other Stock-Based Award will be made in accordance with the terms of the Incentive Award, in cash for any Other Cash-Based Award and in cash or shares of Common Stock for any Other Stock-Based Award, as the Committee determines, except to the extent that a Participant has properly elected to defer payment that may be attributable to an Other Cash-Based Award or Other Stock-Based Award under a Company deferred compensation plan or arrangement.

 

 

13.

Performance Measures.

          13.1          Performance Measures. The Performance Goals upon which the payment or vesting of an Incentive Award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation will be limited to one or more specified objective Performance Measures that are based on the following Performance Measure elements (each, a “Performance Measure Element”):

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Sales and Revenue Measure Elements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Gross Revenue or Sales

 

 

(ii)

Sales Allowances

 

 

(iii)

Net Revenue or Net Sales

 

 

(iv)

Invoiced Revenue or Sales

 

 

(v)

Collected Revenue or Sales

 

 

(vi)

Revenues from New Products

20


Table of Contents



 

 

(vii)

Bad Debts

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Expense Measure Elements:

 

 

(i)

Direct Material Costs

 

 

(ii)

Direct Labor Costs

 

 

(iii)

Indirect Labor Costs

 

 

(iv)

Direct Manufacturing Costs

 

 

(v)

Indirect Manufacturing Costs

 

 

(vi)

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

(vii)

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

(viii)

Operating Expenses

 

 

(ix)

Non-cash Expenses

 

 

(x)

Tax Expense

 

 

(xi)

Non-operating Expenses

 

 

(xii)

Total Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

Profitability and Productivity Measure Elements:

 

 

(i)

Gross Margin

 

 

(ii)

Net Operating Income

 

 

(iii)

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)

 

 

(iv)

EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes)

 

 

(v)

Net Operating Income After Taxes (NOPAT)

 

 

(vi)

Net Income

 

 

(vii)

Net Cash Flow

 

 

(viii)

Net Cash Flow from Operations

 

 

 

 

(d)

Asset Utilization and Effectiveness Measure Elements:

 

 

(i)

Cash

 

 

(ii)

Excess Cash

 

 

(iii)

Accounts Receivable

 

 

(iv)

Inventory (WIP or Finished Goods)

 

 

(v)

Current Assets

 

 

(vi)

Working Capital

 

 

(vii)

Total Capital

 

 

(viii)

Fixed Assets

 

 

(ix)

Total Assets

 

 

(x)

Standard Hours

 

 

(xi)

Plant Utilization

 

 

(xii)

Purchase Price Variance

 

 

(xiii)

Manufacturing Overhead Variance

 

 

 

 

(e)

Debt and Equity Measure Elements:

 

 

(i)

Accounts Payable

 

 

(ii)

Current Accrued Liabilities

 

 

(iii)

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

(iv)

Total Debt

21


Table of Contents



 

 

 

 

 

 

(v)

Debt Principal Payments

 

 

(vi)

Net Current Borrowings

 

 

(vii)

Total Long-term Debt

 

 

(viii)

Credit Rating

 

 

(ix)

Retained Earnings

 

 

(x)

Total Preferred Equity

 

 

(xi)

Total Common Equity

 

 

(xii)

Total Equity

 

 

 

 

(f)

Shareholder and Return Measure Elements:

 

 

(i)

Earnings per Share (diluted and fully diluted)

 

 

(ii)

Stock Price

 

 

(iii)

Dividends

 

 

(iv)

Shares Repurchased

 

 

(v)

Total Return to Shareholders

 

 

(vi)

Debt Coverage Ratios

 

 

(vii)

Return on Assets

 

 

(viii)

Return on Equity

 

 

(ix)

Return on Invested Capital

 

 

(x)

Economic Profit (for example, economic value added)

 

 

 

 

 

(g)

Customer and Market Measure Elements:

 

 

(i)

Dealer/Channel Size/Scope

 

 

(ii)

Dealer/Channel Performance/Effectiveness

 

 

(iii)

Order Fill Rate

 

 

(iv)

Customer Satisfaction

 

 

(v)

Customer Service/Care

 

 

(vi)

Brand Awareness and Perception

 

 

(vii)

Market Share

 

 

(viii)

Warranty Rates

 

 

(ix)

Product Quality

 

 

(x)

Channel Inventory

 

 

 

 

 

(h)

Organizational and Employee Measure Elements:

 

 

(i)

Headcount

 

 

(ii)

Employee Performance

 

 

(iii)

Employee Productivity

 

 

(iv)

Standard Hours

 

 

(v)

Employee Engagement/Satisfaction

 

 

(vi)

Employee Turnover

 

 

(vii)

Employee Diversity

          Any Performance Measure Element can be a Performance Measure. In addition, any of the Performance Measure Element(s) can be used in an algebraic formula (e.g., averaged over a period, combined into a ratio, compared to a budget or standard, compared to previous periods or other formulaic combinations) based on the Performance Measure Elements to create a Performance Measure. Any Performance Measure(s) may be used to measure the performance

22


Table of Contents


of the Company or Subsidiary as a whole or any division or business unit of the Company, product or product group, region or territory, or Subsidiary, or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate. Any Performance Measure(s) can be compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Company may select any Performance Measure(s) above as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Incentive Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to any Performance Measure(s) specified in this Section 13.1.

          13.2          Establishment of Performance Goals. Any Incentive Award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation will be granted, and Performance Goals for such an Incentive Award will be established, by the Committee in writing not later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of the Performance Period to which the Performance Goals relate, or such other period required under Section 162(m) of the Code; provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the Committee establishes the Performance Goal; and provided further that in no event will a Performance Goal be considered to be pre-established if it is established after twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period (as scheduled in good faith at the time the Performance Goal is established) has elapsed.

          13.3          Certification of Payment. Before any payment is made in connection with any Incentive Award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee must certify in writing, as reflected in the minutes, that the Performance Goals established with respect to such Incentive Award have been achieved.

          13.4          Evaluation of Performance. The Committee may provide in any such Incentive Award Agreement including Performance Goals that any evaluation of performance may include or exclude any of the following events that occurs during a Performance Period: (a) items related to a change in accounting principles; (b) items relating to financing activities; (c) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (d) other non-operating items; (e) items related to acquisitions; (f) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (g) items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business; (h) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under applicable accounting standards; (i) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the Performance Period; (j) any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (k) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments; (l) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (m) items that are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going business activities; (n) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (o) items relating to changes in tax laws; (p) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (q) items relating to asset impairment charges; (r) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; (s) foreign exchange gains and losses; or (t) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting principles or business conditions. To the extent such inclusions or exclusions affect Incentive Awards to Covered Employees, they will be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for deductibility.

23


Table of Contents


          13.5          Adjustment of Performance Goals, Performance Periods or other Vesting Criteria. Subject to Section 13.6, the Committee may amend or modify the vesting criteria (including any Performance Goals, Performance Measures or Performance Periods) of any outstanding Awards based in whole or in part on the financial performance of the Company (or any Subsidiary or division, business unit or other sub-unit thereof) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including the events described in Sections 3.6 or 4.5(a) hereof) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent unintended dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be final, conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.

          13.6          Adjustment of Performance-Based Compensation. Incentive Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may not be adjusted upward. The Committee will retain the discretion to adjust such Incentive Awards downward, either on a formula or discretionary basis or any combination, as the Committee determines.

          13.7          Committee Discretion. In the event that applicable tax or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Measures without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee will have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval. In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Incentive Awards that will not qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and base vesting on Performance Measures other than those set forth in Section 13.1.

 

 

14.

Dividend Equivalents.

          Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted dividend equivalents based on the dividends declared on shares of Common Stock that are subject to any Incentive Award, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Incentive Award is granted and the date the Incentive Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such dividend equivalents will be converted to cash or additional shares of Common Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not grant dividend equivalents based on the dividends declared on shares of Common Stock that are subject to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right and further, no dividend or dividend equivalents will be paid out with respect to any unvested Incentive Awards, the vesting of which is based on the achievement of Performance Goals.

 

 

15.

Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Service.

          15.1          Termination Due to Death or Disability. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in an Incentive Award Agreement, and subject to Sections 15.4 and 15.5 of this Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of death or Disability:

24


Table of Contents



 

 

 

            (a)          All outstanding Options (including Non-Employee Director Options) and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will become immediately exercisable and will remain exercisable for a period of one year after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option or Stock Appreciation Right);

 

 

 

            (b)          All outstanding Restricted Stock Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will become fully vested;

 

 

 

            (c)          All outstanding but unpaid Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; provided, however, that with respect to any such Incentive Awards the vesting of which is based on the achievement of Performance Goals, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, is terminated by reason of death or Disability prior to the end of the Performance Period of such Incentive Award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the Performance Period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause shares of Common Stock to be delivered or payment made with respect to the Participant’s Incentive Award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire Performance Period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable Performance Period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on full fiscal years only and no shares to be delivered for partial fiscal years. The Committee will consider the provisions of Section 15.6 of this Plan and will have the discretion to consider any other fact or circumstance in making its decision as to whether to deliver such shares of Common Stock or other payment, including whether the Participant again becomes employed; and

 

 

 

            (d)          If the effective date of such termination is before the end of the Performance Period to which an Annual Performance Cash Award relates, then any such Annual Performance Cash Award held by a Participant will be terminated and forfeited; if the effective date of such termination is on or after the end of the Performance Period to which an Annual Performance Cash Award relates, then any such Annual Performance Cash Award held by a Participant will be paid to the Participant in accordance with the payment terms of such Award.

          15.2     Termination Due to Retirement. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in an Incentive Award Agreement, and subject to Sections 15.4 and 15.5 of this Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated by reason of Retirement (other than with respect to a Non-Employee Director):

 

 

 

            (a)          All outstanding Options (excluding Non-Employee Director Options) and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant as of the effective date of such Retirement will, to the extent exercisable as of the date of such Retirement, remain exercisable for a period of one year after the date of such Retirement (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option or Stock Appreciation Right) and Options

25


Table of Contents



 

 

 

and Stock Appreciation Rights not exercisable as of the date of such Retirement will be terminated and forfeited;

 

 

 

            (b)          All outstanding Restricted Stock Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such Retirement that have not vested as of the date of such Retirement will be terminated and forfeited;

 

 

 

            (c)          All outstanding but unpaid Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such Retirement will be terminated and forfeited; provided, however, that with respect to any such Incentive Awards the vesting of which is based on the achievement of Performance Goals, if a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, is terminated by reason of Retirement prior to the end of the Performance Period of such Incentive Award, but after the conclusion of a portion of the Performance Period (but in no event less than one year), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause shares of Common Stock to be delivered or payment made with respect to the Participant’s Incentive Award, but only if otherwise earned for the entire Performance Period and only with respect to the portion of the applicable Performance Period completed at the date of such event, with proration based on full fiscal years only and no shares to be delivered for partial fiscal years. The Committee will consider the provisions of Section 15.6 of this Plan and will have the discretion to consider any other fact or circumstance in making its decision as to whether to deliver such shares of Common Stock or other payment, including whether the Participant again becomes employed; and

 

 

 

            (d)          If the effective date of such Retirement is before the end of the Performance Period to which an Annual Performance Cash Award relates, then any such Annual Performance Cash Award held by a Participant will be terminated and forfeited; if the effective date of such Retirement is on or after the end of the Performance Period to which an Annual Performance Cash Award relates, then any such Annual Performance Cash Award held by a Participant will be paid to the Participant in accordance with the payment terms of such Award.

          15.3     Termination for Reasons Other than Death, Disability or Retirement. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Committee in its sole discretion in an Incentive Award Agreement, and subject to Sections 15.4 and 15.5 of this Plan, in the event a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement:

 

 

 

            (a)          All outstanding Options (including Non-Employee Director Options) and Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will, to the extent exercisable as of such termination, remain exercisable for a period of three months after such termination (but in no event after the expiration date of any such Option or Stock Appreciation Right) and Options and Stock Appreciation Rights not exercisable as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited.

26


Table of Contents



 

 

 

            (b)          All Restricted Stock Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination that have not vested as of such termination will be terminated and forfeited;

 

 

 

            (c)          All outstanding unpaid Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards held by the Participant as of the effective date of such termination will be terminated and forfeited; and

 

 

 

            (d)          All outstanding Annual Performance Cash Awards held by a Participant as of the effective date of such termination will be terminated and forfeited.

          15.4     Modification of Rights upon Termination. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 15, upon a Participant’s termination of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (which may be exercised at any time on or after the Grant Date, including following such termination) cause Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (or any part thereof) held by such Participant as of the effective date of such termination to terminate, become or continue to become exercisable or remain exercisable following such termination of employment or service, and Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Annual Performance Cash Awards, Non-Employee Director Awards, Other Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards held by such Participant as of the effective date of such termination to terminate, vest or become free of restrictions and conditions to payment, as the case may be, following such termination of employment or service, in each case in the manner determined by the Committee; provided, however, that (a) no Option or Stock Appreciation Right may remain exercisable beyond its expiration date; (b) the Committee may not take any action not permitted pursuant to Section 13.6; (c) the Committee taking any such action relating to Non-Employee Director Awards will consist solely of “independent directors” as defined in the Listing Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market (or other applicable exchange or market on which the Common Stock may be traded or quoted); and (d) any such action by the Committee adversely affecting any outstanding Incentive Award will not be effective without the consent of the affected Participant (subject to the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Section 4.5, 15.6, 17 or 21).

          15.5     Determination of Termination of Employment or Other Service.

 

 

 

            (a)           The change in a Participant’s status from that of an Employee to that of a Consultant will, for purposes of this Plan, be deemed to result in a termination of such Participant’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries, unless the Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion.

 

 

 

            (b)          The change in a Participant’s status from that of a Consultant to that of an Employee will not, for purposes of this Plan, be deemed to result in a termination of such Participant’s service as a Consultant, and such Participant will thereafter be deemed to be an Employee until such Participant’s employment is terminated, in which event such Participant will be governed by the provisions of this Plan relating to termination of employment or service (subject to paragraph (a) above).

27


Table of Contents



 

 

 

          (c)          Unless the Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion, a Participant’s employment or other service will, for purposes of this Plan, be deemed to have terminated on the date recorded on the personnel or other records of the Company or the Subsidiary for which the Participant provides employment or other service, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion based upon such records.

 

 

 

          (d)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, if payment of an Incentive Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code is triggered by a termination of a Participant’s employment or other service, such termination must also constitute a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and any change in employment status that constitutes a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code will be treated as a termination of employment or service, as the case may be.


 

 

 

 

15.6

Additional Forfeiture Events.


 

 

 

          (a)          Effect of Actions Constituting Cause or Adverse Action. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary and in addition to the other rights of the Committee under this Section 15.6, if a Participant is determined by the Committee, acting in its sole discretion, to have taken any action that would constitute Cause or an Adverse Action during or after the termination of employment or other service with the Company or a Subsidiary, irrespective of whether such action or the Committee’s determination occurs before or after termination of such Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary and irrespective of whether or not the Participant was terminated as a result of such Cause or Adverse Action, (i) all rights of the Participant under this Plan and any Incentive Award Agreements evidencing an Incentive Award then held by the Participant will terminate and be forfeited without notice of any kind, and (ii) the Committee in its sole discretion will have the authority to rescind the exercise, vesting or issuance of, or payment in respect of, any Incentive Awards of the Participant that were exercised, vested or issued, or as to which such payment was made, and to require the Participant to pay to the Company, within ten (10) days of receipt from the Company of notice of such rescission, any amount received or the amount of any gain realized as a result of such rescinded exercise, vesting, issuance or payment (including any dividends paid or other distributions made with respect to any shares subject to any Incentive Award). The Company may defer the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right for a period of up to six (6) months after receipt of the Participant’s written notice of exercise or the issuance of share certificates upon the vesting of any Incentive Award for a period of up to six (6) months after the date of such vesting in order for the Committee to make any determination as to the existence of Cause or an Adverse Action. The Company will be entitled to withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the Participant from the Company or a Subsidiary) or make other arrangements for the collection of all amounts necessary to satisfy such payment obligations. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an applicable Incentive Award Agreement, this Section 15.6(a) will not apply to any Participant following a Change in Control.

 

 

 

          (b)          Forfeiture of Incentive Awards. If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of

28


Table of Contents



 

 

 

misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any Participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will reimburse the Company for the amount of any Incentive Award received by such individual under this Plan during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be, of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement. In addition, all Awards under this Plan will be subject to forfeiture or other penalties pursuant to any clawback or forfeiture policy of the Company, as in effect from time to time, and such forfeiture and/or penalty conditions or provisions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award agreement.


 

 

16.

Payment of Withholding Taxes.

          16.1          General Rules. The Company is entitled to (a) withhold and deduct from future wages of the Participant (or from other amounts that may be due and owing to the Participant from the Company or a Subsidiary), or make other arrangements for the collection of, all legally required amounts necessary to satisfy any and all federal, foreign, state and local withholding and employment related tax requirements attributable to an Incentive Award, including the grant, exercise, vesting or settlement of, or payment of dividends with respect to, an Incentive Award or a disqualifying disposition of stock received upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, or (b) require the Participant promptly to remit the amount of such withholding to the Company before taking any action, including issuing any shares of Common Stock, with respect to an Incentive Award. When withholding for taxes is effected under this Plan, it shall be withheld only up to the minimum required tax withholding rates or such other rate that will not trigger a negative accounting impact on the Company.

          16.2          Special Rules. The Committee may, in its sole discretion and upon terms and conditions established by the Committee, permit or require a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, any withholding or employment related tax obligation described in Section 16.1 of this Plan by withholding shares of Common Stock underlying an Award, by electing to tender, or by attestation as to ownership of, Previously Acquired Shares, by delivery of a Broker Exercise Notice or a combination of such methods. For purposes of satisfying a Participant’s withholding or employment-related tax obligation, shares of Common Stock withheld by the Company or Previously Acquired Shares tendered or covered by an attestation will be valued at their Fair Market Value.

 

 

17.

Change in Control.

          17.1          Change in Control. For purposes of this Section 17, a “Change in Control” of the Company will mean (a) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) to a corporation that is not controlled by the Company, (b) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (c) a change in control of a nature that would be required to be reported (assuming such event has not been “previously reported”) in response to Item 5.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the Effective Date of this Plan, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, whether or not

29


Table of Contents


the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided that, without limitation, such a Change in Control will be deemed to have occurred at such time as (x) any Person becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors or (y) individuals who constitute the Board on the Effective Date of this Plan cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date of this Plan whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors comprising the Board on the Effective Date of this Plan (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) will be, for purposes of this clause (y), considered as though such person were a member of the Board on the Effective Date of this Plan.

          17.2     Good Reason. For purposes of this Section 17, with respect to any Participant, “Good Reason” will be defined as set forth in any individual agreement applicable to such Participant or, in the case of a Participant who does not have an individual agreement that defines Good Reason, then Good Reason will mean any refusal to accept:

 

 

 

            (a)          a material diminution in the Participant’s base compensation, which for purposes of this Plan will mean a reduction of 10% or more in the Participant’s salary plus target bonus;

 

 

 

            (b)          discontinuation of eligibility to participate in a material long-term cash or equity award or equity-based grant program (or in a comparable substitute program) in which other Participants at a comparable level are generally eligible to participate;

 

 

 

            (c)          any material diminution of authority, duties or responsibilities, including any change in the authority, duties or responsibilities of the Participant that is inconsistent in any material and adverse respect with the Participant’s then-current position(s), authority, duties and responsibilities with the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that “Good Reason” will not be deemed to exist pursuant to this clause (c) solely on account of the Company no longer being a publicly traded entity or solely on account of a change in the reporting relationship of the Participant; or

 

 

 

            (d)          a material change in the geographic location at which the Company requires the Participant to be based as compared to the location where the Participant was based immediately prior to the change, which for purposes of this Plan will mean:


 

 

 

 

 (i)

a relocation that results in an increase in the commuting distance from the Participant’s principal residence to his or her new job location of more than 50 miles, or

 

 

 

 

 (ii)

a relocation that requires the Participant to relocate his or her principal residence;


 

 

 

provided, however, that no Incentive Award will be cashed out upon the occurrence of Good Reason event or circumstances as defined under the terms of any individual

30


Table of Contents



 

 

 

agreement applicable to such Participant or as defined in this Section 17.2, unless the event or circumstances constituting Good Reason also constitute “good reason” as determined under Section 409A of the Code. The payment of any other Incentive Awards in the event of a Participant’s termination for Good Reason will be as determined by the Committee in connection with the grant thereof, as reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, “Good Reason” will not be deemed to exist as a result of any of the actions stated in clauses (a) or (b) above to the extent that such actions are in connection with an across-the-board change or termination that equally affects at least ninety-five percent (95%) of all Participants. An act or omission will not constitute a “Good Reason” unless the Participant gives written notice to the Company of the existence of such act or omission within ninety (90) days of its initial existence, the Company fails to cure the act or omission within thirty (30) days after the notification, and actual termination of employment or services occurs within two (2) years of the initial existence of the act or omission.

          17.3     Acceleration of Vesting. Without limiting the authority of the Committee under Sections 3.2 and 4.5 of this Plan, if a Change in Control of the Company occurs, then, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in its sole discretion either in the Incentive Award Agreement evidencing an Incentive Award at the time of grant or at any time after the grant of an Incentive Award the following provisions will apply:

 

 

 

          (a)          If the Company is not the surviving corporation following a Change in Control, and the surviving corporation following such Change in Control or the acquiring corporation (such acquiring corporation or acquiring corporation is hereinafter referred to as the “Acquiror”) does not assume the outstanding Incentive Awards or does not substitute equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Incentive Awards, then (a) all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the Participant to whom such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights have been granted remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary; (b) all restrictions and vesting requirements applicable to any Incentive Award based solely on the continued service of the Participant will terminate; and (c) all Incentive Awards the vesting or payment of which are based on Performance Goals will vest as though such Performance Goals were fully achieved at target and will become immediately payable; provided, however, that no Incentive Award that provides for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code will be cashed out upon the occurrence of a Change in Control unless the event or circumstances constituting the Change in Control also constitute a “change in the ownership” of the Company, a “change in the effective control” of the Company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company, in each case as determined under Section 409A of the Code. The treatment of any other Incentive Awards in the event of a Change in Control will be as determined by the Committee in connection with the grant thereof, as reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

31


Table of Contents



 

 

 

          (b)          If the Company is the surviving corporation following a Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the outstanding Incentive Awards or substitutes equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Incentive Awards, then all such Incentive Awards or such substitutes therefore shall remain outstanding and be governed by their respective terms and the provisions of the Plan.

 

 

 

          (c)          If (i) a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated (A) without Cause or Adverse Action or (B) by the Participant for Good Reason, in either case within two (2) years following a Change in Control, and (ii) the Company is the surviving corporation following such Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the outstanding Incentive Awards or substitutes equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Incentive Awards, then (x) all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights will become immediately exercisable in full and will remain exercisable for the remainder of their terms, regardless of whether the Participant to whom such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights have been granted remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary; (y) all restrictions and vesting requirements applicable to any Incentive Award based solely on the continued service of the Participant will terminate; and (z) all Incentive Awards the vesting or payment of which are based on Performance Goals will vest as though such Performance Goals were fully achieved at target and will become immediately payable; provided, however, that no Incentive Award that provides for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code will be cashed out upon the occurrence of a Change in Control unless the event or circumstances constituting the Change in Control also constitute a “change in the ownership” of the Company, a “change in the effective control” of the Company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company, in each case as determined under Section 409A of the Code. The treatment of any other Incentive Awards in the event of a Change in Control will be as determined by the Committee in connection with the grant thereof, as reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

 

 

          (d)          If (i) a Participant’s employment or other service with the Company and all Subsidiaries is terminated for Cause or Adverse Action within two (2) years following a Change in Control, and (ii) the Company is the surviving corporation following such Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the outstanding Incentive Awards or substitutes equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Incentive Awards, then all rights of the Participant under this Plan and any Incentive Award Agreements evidencing an Incentive Award then held by the Participant will terminate and be forfeited without notice of any kind.

          17.4     Alternative Treatment of Stock-Based Awards. In connection with a Change in Control, the Committee in its sole discretion, either in an Incentive Award Agreement at the time of grant of a Stock-Based Award or at any time after the grant of such an Incentive Award, may determine that any or all outstanding Stock-Based Awards granted under this Plan, whether or not exercisable or vested, as the case may be, will be canceled and terminated and that in connection with such cancellation and termination the holder of such Stock-Based Award will

32


Table of Contents


receive for each share of Common Stock subject to such Incentive Award a cash payment (or the delivery of shares of stock, other securities or a combination of cash, stock and securities with a fair market value (as determined by the Committee in good faith) equivalent to such cash payment) equal to the difference, if any, between the consideration received by shareholders of the Company in respect of a share of Common Stock in connection with such Change in Control and the purchase price per share, if any, under the Incentive Award, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Incentive Award (or in which such Incentive Award is denominated); provided that if such product is zero ($0) or less or to the extent that the Incentive Award is not then exercisable, the Incentive Award may be canceled and terminated without payment therefor; provided, however, that no Stock-Based Award that provides for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code will be cashed out upon the occurrence of a Change in Control unless the event or circumstances constituting the Change in Control also constitute a “change in the ownership” of the Company, a “change in the effective control” of the Company or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company, in each case as determined under Section 409A of the Code. The treatment of any other Stock-Based Awards in the event of a Change in Control will be as determined by the Committee in connection with the grant thereof, as reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. If any portion of the consideration pursuant to a Change in Control may be received by holders of shares of Common Stock on a contingent or delayed basis, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine the fair market value per share of such consideration as of the time of the Change in Control on the basis of the Committee’s good faith estimate of the present value of the probable future payment of such consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock-Based Award that immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Change in Control are subject to no further restrictions pursuant to this Plan or an Incentive Award Agreement (other than pursuant to the securities laws) will be deemed to be outstanding shares of Common Stock and receive the same consideration as other outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control.

          17.5          Limitation on Change in Control Payments. Notwithstanding anything in Section 17.3 or 17.4 to the contrary, if, with respect to a Participant, the acceleration of the vesting of an Incentive Award as provided in Section 17.3 or the payment of cash in exchange for all or part of a Stock-Based Award as provided in Section 17.4 (which acceleration or payment could be deemed a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), together with any other “payments” that such Participant has the right to receive from the Company or any corporation that is a member of an “affiliated group” (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code without regard to Section 1504(b) of the Code) of which the Company is a member, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then the “payments” to such Participant pursuant to Section 17.3 or 17.4 will be reduced (or acceleration of vesting eliminated) to the largest amount as will result in no portion of such “payments” being subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code; provided, that such reduction will be made only if the aggregate amount of the payments after such reduction exceeds the difference between (a) the amount of such payments absent such reduction minus (b) the aggregate amount of the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code attributable to any such excess parachute payments; and provided further that such payments will be reduced (or acceleration of vesting eliminated) in the following order: (i) options with an exercise price above fair market value that have a positive value for purposes of Section 280G of the Code, (ii) pro rata among Incentive Awards that constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of

33


Table of Contents


the Code, and (iii) finally, among the Incentive Awards that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if a Participant is subject to a separate agreement with the Company or an Affiliate or Subsidiary that expressly addresses the potential application of Section 280G or 4999 of the Code, then this Section 17.5 will not apply and any “payments” to a Participant pursuant to Section 17.3 or 17.4 will be treated as “payments” arising under such separate agreement.

 

 

18.

Rights of Eligible Recipients and Participants; Transferability.

          18.1          Employment. Nothing in this Plan or an Incentive Award Agreement will interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of any Eligible Recipient or Participant at any time, nor confer upon any Eligible Recipient or Participant any right to continue employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary.

          18.2          No Rights to Awards. No Participant or Eligible Individual will have any claim to be granted any Incentive Award under this Plan.

          18.3          Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant will have no rights as a shareholder with respect to shares of Common Stock covered by any Stock-Based Award unless and until the Participant becomes the holder of record of such shares.

 

 

18.4

Restrictions on Transfer.


 

 

 

                 (a)          Except pursuant to testamentary will or the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise expressly permitted by subsections (b) and (c) below, no right or interest of any Participant in an Incentive Award prior to the exercise (in the case of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) or vesting, issuance or settlement of such Incentive Award will be assignable or transferable, or subjected to any lien, during the lifetime of the Participant, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

 

 

                 (b)          A Participant will be entitled to designate a beneficiary to receive an Incentive Award upon such Participant’s death, and in the event of such Participant’s death, payment of any amounts due under this Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 15 of this Plan) may be made by, such beneficiary. If a deceased Participant has failed to designate a beneficiary, or if a beneficiary designated by the Participant fails to survive the Participant, payment of any amounts due under this Plan will be made to, and exercise of any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 15 of this Plan) may be made by, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs and legatees. If a deceased Participant has designated a beneficiary and such beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before complete payment of all amounts due under this Plan or exercise of all exercisable Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, then such payments will be made to, and the exercise of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be made by, the legal representatives, heirs and legatees of the beneficiary.

34


Table of Contents



 

 

 

                 (c)          Upon a Participant’s request, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a transfer of all or a portion of a Non-Statutory Stock Option, other than for value, to such Participant’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, any person sharing such Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which any of the foregoing have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interests, a foundation in which any of the foregoing (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests. Any permitted transferee will remain subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to the Participant prior to the transfer. A permitted transfer may be conditioned upon such requirements as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine, including execution or delivery of appropriate acknowledgements, opinion of counsel, or other documents by the transferee.

          18.5     Non-Exclusivity of this Plan. Nothing contained in this Plan is intended to modify or rescind any previously approved compensation plans or programs of the Company or create any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such additional or other compensation arrangements as the Board may deem necessary or desirable.

 

 

19.

Securities Law and Other Restrictions.

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Incentive Award Agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under this Plan, and a Participant may not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Incentive Awards granted under this Plan, unless (a) there is in effect with respect to such shares a registration statement under the Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of a state or foreign jurisdiction or an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (b) there has been obtained any other consent, approval or permit from any other U.S. or foreign regulatory body which the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable. The Company may condition such issuance, sale or transfer upon the receipt of any representations or agreements from the parties involved, and the placement of any legends on certificates representing shares of Common Stock, as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company in order to comply with such securities law or other restrictions.

 

 

20.

Deferred Compensation; Compliance with Section 409A.

          It is intended that all Incentive Awards issued under the Plan be in a form and administered in a manner that will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, or the requirements of an exception to Section 409A of the Code, and the Incentive Award Agreements and this Plan will be construed and administered in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to such intent. The Committee is authorized to adopt rules or regulations deemed necessary or appropriate to qualify for an exception from or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 20 to the contrary, with respect to any Incentive Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, no

35


Table of Contents


amendment to or payment under such Incentive Award will be made except and only to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code.

 

 

21.

Amendment, Modification and Termination.

          21.1          Generally. Subject to other subsections of this Section 21 and Sections 3.4 and 21.3, the Board at any time may suspend or terminate this Plan (or any portion thereof) or terminate any outstanding Incentive Award Agreement and the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may amend this Plan or amend or modify the terms of an outstanding Incentive Award. The Committee’s power and authority to amend or modify the terms of an outstanding Incentive Award includes the authority to modify the number of shares or other terms and conditions of an Incentive Award, extend the term of an Incentive Award, accelerate the exercisability or vesting or otherwise terminate any restrictions relating to an Incentive Award, accept the surrender of any outstanding Incentive Award or, to the extent not previously exercised or vested, authorize the grant of new Incentive Awards in substitution for surrendered Incentive Awards; provided, however that the amended or modified terms are permitted by this Plan as then in effect and that any Participant adversely affected by such amended or modified terms has consented to such amendment or modification.

          21.2          Shareholder Approval. No amendments to this Plan will be effective without approval of the Company’s shareholders if: (a) shareholder approval of the amendment is then required pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, the rules of the primary stock exchange or stock market on which the Common Stock is then traded, applicable U.S. state corporate laws or regulations, applicable U.S. federal laws or regulations, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Incentive Awards are, or will be, granted under this Plan; or (b) such amendment would: (i) modify Section 3.4; (ii) materially increase benefits accruing to Participants; (iii) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under this Plan; (iv) increase any limitation set forth in this Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued or the aggregate value of Incentive Awards which may be made, in respect of any type of Incentive Award to any single Participant during any specified period; (v) modify the eligibility requirements for Participants in this Plan; or (vi) reduce the minimum exercise price as set forth in Sections 6.3 and 7.3.

          21.3          Incentive Awards Previously Granted. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no termination, suspension or amendment of this Plan may adversely affect any outstanding Incentive Award without the consent of the affected Participant; provided, however, that this sentence will not impair the right of the Committee to take whatever action it deems appropriate under Sections 3.4, 4.5, 13.5, 15, 17, 20 or 21.4 of this Plan.

          21.4          Amendments to Conform to Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may amend this Plan or an Incentive Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming this Plan or an Incentive Award Agreement to any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature, and to the administrative regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder. By accepting an Incentive Award under this Plan, a Participant agrees to any amendment made pursuant to this Section 21.4 to any Incentive Award granted under this Plan without further consideration or action.

36


Table of Contents


          21.5          Non-Employee Director Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no action may be taken with respect to any outstanding Non-Employee Director Award other than by the Committee, which for such actions will consist solely of “independent directors” as defined in the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or other applicable exchange or market on which the Common Stock may be traded or quoted).

 

 

22.

Effective Date and Duration of this Plan.

          The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date. The Plan will terminate at midnight on May 19, 2020, and may be terminated prior to such time by Board action. No Incentive Award will be granted after termination of this Plan, but Incentive Awards outstanding upon termination of this Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.

 

 

23.

Miscellaneous.

          23.1          Usage. In this Plan, except where otherwise indicated by clear contrary intention, (a) any masculine term used herein also will include the feminine, (b) the plural will include the singular, and the singular will include the plural, (c) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term, and (d) “or” is used in the inclusive sense of “and/or”.

          23.2          Unfunded Plan. Participants will have no right, title or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Company or its Subsidiaries may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under this Plan. Nothing contained in this Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal representative, or any other individual. To the extent that any individual acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Subsidiary under this Plan, such right will be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company or the Subsidiary, as the case may be. All payments to be made hereunder will be paid from the general funds of the Company or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, and no special or separate fund will be established and no segregation of assets will be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in this Plan.

          23.3          Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under this Plan will be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare, or benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary unless provided otherwise in such plan.

          23.4          Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued or delivered under this Plan or any Incentive Award. The Committee will determine whether cash, other Incentive Awards or other property will be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether such fractional shares of Common Stock or any rights thereto will be forfeited or otherwise eliminated by rounding up or down.

          23.5          Governing Law. Except to the extent expressly provided herein or in connection with other matters of corporate governance and authority (all of which will be governed by the laws of the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation), the validity, construction, interpretation,

37


Table of Contents


administration and effect of this Plan and any rules, regulations and actions relating to this Plan will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, notwithstanding the conflicts of laws principles of any jurisdictions. Unless otherwise provided in an Incentive Award Agreement, recipients of an Incentive Award under this Plan are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal or state courts of the State of Minnesota to resolve any and all issues that may arise out of or relate to this Plan or any related Incentive Award Agreement.

          23.6          Successors. All obligations of the Company under this Plan with respect to Incentive Awards granted hereunder will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.

          23.7          Construction. Wherever possible, each provision of this Plan and any Incentive Award Agreement will be interpreted so that it is valid under the applicable law. If any provision of this Plan or any Incentive Award Agreement is to any extent invalid under the applicable law, that provision will still be effective to the extent it remains valid. The remainder of this Plan and the Incentive Award Agreement also will continue to be valid, and the entire Plan and Incentive Award Agreement will continue to be valid in other jurisdictions.

          23.8          Delivery and Execution of Electronic Documents. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company may: (a) deliver by email or other electronic means (including posting on a Web site maintained by the Company or by a third party under contract with the Company) all documents relating to this Plan or any Incentive Award hereunder (including prospectuses required by the Securities and Exchange Commission) and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including annual reports and proxy statements), and (b) permit Participants to use electronic, internet or other non-paper means to execute applicable Plan documents (including Incentive Award Agreements) and take other actions under this Plan in a manner prescribed by the Committee.

38


Table of Contents











SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
9800 59TH AVENUE NORTH
PLYMOUTH, MN 55442

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.










 

 

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

 

 

 

KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH

 

 

AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

 

 

 

 

 

(IMAGE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Election of Directors

 

For

Against 

Abstain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01

Michael J. Harrison

 

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

02

Shelly R. Ibach

 

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

03

David T. Kollat

 

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4.

 

For

Against 

Abstain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Vote on a proposed amendment to the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 4,500,000 shares.

 

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

 

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Advisory vote on the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013.

 

o

o

o

 

 

 





Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]

 Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature (Joint Owners)

 Date

0000171044_1   R1.0.0.51160


Table of Contents


SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
1:00 p.m. Local Time

Marriott Minneapolis Northwest
7025 Northland Drive North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428












Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Combined Document is/are available at www.proxyvote.com.


 

Select Comfort Corporation
9800 59th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55442

 

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Select Comfort Corporation for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 14, 2013

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Shelly R. Ibach and Mark A. Kimball (collectively, the “Proxies”), and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies, to vote the shares which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Select Comfort Corporation to be held on May 14, 2013, at the Marriott Minneapolis Northwest, 7025 Northland Drive North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Such shares will be voted as directed with respect to the proposals listed on the reverse side hereof and, in the Proxies’ discretion, as to any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or
at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the reverse side. WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ON THE REVERSE SIDE, “FOR” EACH OF PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4 SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE SIDE and in the discretion of management with respect to such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.


See reverse for voting instructions.


0000171044_2   R1.0.0.51160


Table of Contents


*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on May 14, 2013



     SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION





SELECT COMFORT CORPORATION
9800 59TH AVENUE NORTH
PLYMOUTH, MN 55442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Information

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting Type: Annual Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

For holders as of:

 March 19, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 14, 2013

Time: 1:00 PM CDT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location:

Marriott Minneapolis Northwest
7025 Northland Drive North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the above named company.

This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side).

We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

 

See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.




0000171043_1  R1.0.0.51160


Table of Contents



 

 

 

 

 

 Before You Vote 

 

 

 

How to Access the Proxy Materials

 

 

 

 

Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:

 

1. Combined Document

 

How to View Online:

 

Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow     XXXX XXXX XXXX   (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com.

 

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:

 

If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:

 

 

1) BY INTERNET:

www.proxyvote.com

 

 

2) BY TELEPHONE:

1-800-579-1639

 

 

3) BY E-MAIL*:

sendmaterial@proxyvote.com

 

*    If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow
 XXXX XXXX XXXX       (located on the following page) in the subject line.

 

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before April 30, 2013 to facilitate timely delivery.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 How To Vote 

 

 

 

Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods

 

 

 

 

Vote In Person: Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares.

 

 

 

Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow  XXXX XXXX XXXX     available and follow the instructions.

 

 

 

Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card.

 

 

 

0000171043_2    R1.0.0.51160


Table of Contents



 

 

 

Voting items

 

 

 

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

 


 

 

1.

Election of Directors

 

 

 

    Nominees

 

 

01

Michael J. Harrison

 

 

02

Shelly R. Ibach

 

 

03

David T. Kollat

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4.

 

 

2.

Vote on a proposed amendment to the Select Comfort Corporation Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance by 4,500,000 shares.

 

 

3.

Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.

 

 

4.

Advisory vote on the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013.


0000171043_3    R1.0.0.51160


Table of Contents
























0000171043_4    R1.0.0.51160