Definitive Proxy Statement
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 x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
IMPERIAL SUGAR COMPANY
(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):
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. |
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(1) |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(2) |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(3) |
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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): |
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(4) |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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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. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2) |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
December 19, 2006
Dear Shareholder:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Tuesday, January 30,
2007, at 8:00 a.m., Central time, at the Marriott Town Square, 16090 City Walk, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. At the meeting we will elect three directors and act on the selection of auditors. You are cordially invited to attend.
Your Board of Directors joins me in urging you to attend the meeting to hear
a report on the Companys progress and to meet with members of management. However, even if you plan to attend the meeting in person, I hope you will sign, date and return your proxy as soon as possible. Your vote is always important.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Peiser
IMPERIAL SUGAR COMPANY
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To Be Held January 30, 2007
To the Shareholders of Imperial Sugar Company:
The 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Imperial Sugar Company (the Company) will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 8:00 a.m., Central time, at the Marriott Town Square, 16090 City Walk,
Sugar Land, Texas 77479, for the following purposes:
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to elect three directors; |
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to consider and act on a proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for its fiscal year
ending September 30, 2007; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 6, 2006 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting.
The By-Laws of the Company require that the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote be represented in person or by proxy at the meeting in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Therefore, regardless of the number of shares you hold, it
is important that your shares be represented at the meeting.
WHETHER OR NOT
YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
By order of the Board of Directors
William F. Schwer
Secretary
Sugar Land, Texas
December 19, 2006
IMPERIAL SUGAR COMPANY
P.O. Box 9
Sugar Land, Texas 77487-0009
PROXY STATEMENT
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Imperial Sugar Company (the Company) to be voted at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the foregoing notice. In addition to the original solicitation
by mail, certain regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by other electronic correspondence or in person. The Company has retained D. F. King & Co., Inc. on customary terms and at an estimated fee of
$5,000, plus reasonable expenses, to assist in soliciting proxies. All expenses of soliciting proxies, including the cost of preparing and mailing this proxy statement and the reimbursement of brokerage firms and other nominees for their reasonable
expenses in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners of stock, will be borne by the Company. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person if you wish, even though you have mailed in your proxy. This proxy statement and the accompanying
proxy are being mailed to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 6, 2006.
All duly executed proxies will be voted as indicated by the instructions on the proxies. However, shareholders who execute proxies retain the right to
revoke them at any time before they are voted. The revocation of a proxy will not be effective until written notice of the revocation has been given to the Secretary of the Company, unless the person granting the proxy votes in person.
Unless otherwise indicated on the proxy, shares will be voted by the
persons named in the accompanying proxy as follows:
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for the election of the three directors named below; and |
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for ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.
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The majority of the outstanding shares of common
stock, without par value, of the Company (Common Stock) entitled to vote must be present in person or by proxy at the meeting in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Shares underlying a proxy marked
Abstain on a matter will be considered to be represented at the meeting for quorum purposes.
Shares registered in the names of brokers or other street name nominees for which proxies are voted on, some but not all, matters will be
considered to be present at the meeting for quorum purposes, but will be considered to be voted only as to those matters actually voted, and will not be considered as voting for any purpose as to the matters with respect to which no vote is
indicated (commonly referred to as broker non-votes).
Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast; accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect in the election of directors. The affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present and entitled to vote
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on the matter is required for adoption of the remaining proposals; accordingly, abstentions applicable to shares represented at the meeting will have the
same effect as votes against the proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.
The persons named in the accompanying proxy may act with discretionary authority should any director nominee become unavailable for election, although
management is unaware of any circumstances likely to render any of the nominees unavailable. Management does not intend to bring any other matters before the meeting and has not been informed that any other matters are to be presented to the meeting
by others.
At the close of business on December 6, 2006,
the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, the Company had outstanding and entitled to vote 11,295,949 shares of Common Stock, which is the only class of stock of the Company outstanding and entitled to
vote at the meeting. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held and cumulative voting is not allowed in the election of directors.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR the election of the persons nominated herein.
The Companys Board of Directors is divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III, with staggered terms of office. The number
of directors in each of the three classes is to be as nearly equal as possible. After the election of directors at the 2007 Annual Meeting, the terms of office of Class II directors extend until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2010, and until
their successors are qualified. The terms of office of Class III directors extend until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2008 and the terms of office of Class I directors extend until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2009, and, in each
case, until their successors are qualified. The Company has determined the following directors to be independent under rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQ): Curtis G. Anderson; Gaylord O. Coan; James J. Gaffney; Yves-Andre
Istel; Robert J. McLaughlin; David C. Moran and John K. Sweeney.
Nominees
At the 2007 Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors of the
Company proposes to elect Curtis G. Anderson, James J. Gaffney and Yves-Andre Istel as Class II directors. All of the nominees currently serve as directors of the Company. Set forth below is certain information concerning the nominees, including the
business experience of each during the past five years and the age of each nominee on December 6, 2006.
Directors in Class II
(Terms expiring at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders)
Curtis G. Anderson, age 65, has been a director of the Company since
June 2002. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Anderson Capital Corporation, a Savannah, Georgia-based privately held investment company that he founded in 1986. From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Anderson served as President,
Chief Operating Officer and a director of Kuhlman Corporation, a diversified manufacturing company then listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
James J. Gaffney, age 66, has been a director of the Company since August 2001 and has served as Chairman since February 2003. From 1997 to June
2003, Mr. Gaffney served as a consultant to private
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investment funds affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in relation to investments by those funds in Viking Pacific Holdings Ltd. and Vermont
Investments Limited, both New Zealand-based diversified holding companies. Mr. Gaffney also is a director of Armstrong World Industries (a global leader in the design and manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets), SCP Pool Corporation and
Beacon Roofing Inc.
Yves-Andre Istel, age 70, has been
a director of the Company since August 2001. Mr. Istel is a Senior Advisor to Rothschild, Inc., and was Vice Chairman of Rothschild, Inc. from 1993 to April 2002. He is a director of Valeo S. A. (a company which designs, produces and sells
components, systems and modules for cars and trucks) and Richemont S.A. (the parent group owning luxury good companies, including Cartier and Montblanc). He was previously Chairman of Wasserstein Perella & Co. International and Managing
Director of Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc. from 1988 to 1992.
Continuing Directors
Set forth below is
certain information concerning the five directors of the Company whose present terms of office are scheduled to continue until 2008 or 2009, including the business experience of each during the past five years and the age of each director on
December 6, 2006.
Director in Class III
(Term expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders)
Gaylord O. Coan, age 71, has been a director of the Company since August 2001. Mr. Coan was Chairman of the Management Executive Committee and
Chief Executive Officer of Gold Kist Inc., the nations second largest poultry processing company, from 1995 until his retirement in 2001. He is also a director of Cotton States Life Insurance Company and Chairman of the Board of Golden Peanut
Company.
David C. Moran, age 48, has been a director
since in December 2005. Mr. Moran is presently the Executive Vice President of H.J. Heinz Company and the Chief Executive Officer and President of its North American U.S. Consumer Products division. Mr. Moran has been with the Heinz
companies since 1998 when he started as Vice President of Heinz, USA. He was with The Clorox Company from 1984 to 1998 in various sales related and executive positions.
Directors in Class I
(Terms expiring
at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders)
Robert J.
McLaughlin, age 73, has been a director of the Company since August 2001 and served as Chairman from August 2001 to February 2003. Mr. McLaughlin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from October 2001 to April
2002. He founded The Sutter Group in 1982, a management consulting company that focuses on enhancing stockholder value, and currently serves as its President. Previously, Mr. McLaughlin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Fibreboard Corporation, a manufacturer of lumber, plywood and paper products. Mr. McLaughlin is a director of Grubb & Ellis Company, a commercial real estate advisory firm.
Robert A. Peiser, age 58, joined the Company as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director in April 2002.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Peiser served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vitality
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Beverages, Inc. of Tampa, Florida, a privately owned beverage company, from July 1999 to February 2002. Mr. Peiser is a Director of Team, Inc., a
leading provider of specialty maintenance and construction services required in maintaining high temperature and high pressure piping systems and vessels.
John K. Sweeney, age 54, has been a director of the Company since August 2001. Mr. Sweeney is a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers Inc.,
where he is involved in high yield, distressed and special situation investments. He has been with Lehman Brothers and predecessor firms since 1974.
Board Meetings and Committees
The Companys Board of Directors met ten times during the year ended September 30, 2006. Each incumbent director attended at least 90% of the
aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees on which the director served except David C. Moran who attended 56% due to his responsibilities with his employer, H.J. Heinz and Company, which throughout much of 2006 was
involved in a proxy contest with a major shareholder. At intervals between formal meetings, members of the Board of Directors and each committee are provided with information regarding the operations of the Company and are consulted on an informal
basis with respect to pending business. Such consultation may lead to Board or committee action between meetings being taken by unanimous written consent.
The Board of Directors has three standing committees: Audit, Executive Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance. The membership and principal
responsibilities of the committees are described below.
Audit Committee
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Members: |
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Gaylord O. Coan, Chairman |
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Curtis G. Anderson |
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Yves-Andre Istel |
The Audit Committee
consists of members who are not officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries and who are independent under rules established by NASDAQ. The Audit Committee reviews with the Companys internal audit staff and independent registered
public accounting firm the scope and results of their audits; monitors the adequacy of the Companys system of internal controls and procedures; selects, subject to ratification by the shareholders, the independent registered public accounting
firm; and reviews and approves the fees paid for services rendered by such accountants. During the year ended September 30, 2006, the Audit Committee met four times. Additional information about the Audit Committee and its responsibilities is
included in the section of this proxy statement entitled Audit Committee Report and in the Audit Committee Charter, which is available free of charge on the Companys web site located at www.imperialsugar.com.
Executive Compensation Committee
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Members: |
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John K. Sweeney, Chairman |
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Gaylord O. Coan |
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James J. Gaffney |
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David C. Moran |
The Executive
Compensation Committee consists of members who are not officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries and who are independent under rules established by NASDAQ. The Committee
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establishes the salaries, bonuses and other compensation for the Companys directors, executive officers and certain other managerial and professional
personnel. The Committee reviews and approves or, in some cases, recommends to the Board the Companys compensation plans. The Executive Compensation Committee also administers the granting of incentives to eligible employees under the
Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan and administers the Companys incentive bonus plans. The Executive Compensation Committee met six times during the year ended September 30, 2006. Additional information about the Executive
Compensation Committee and its responsibilities is included in the section of this proxy statement entitled Executive Compensation Committee Report and in the Companys Executive Compensation Committee Charter, which is available
free of charge on the Companys web site located at www.imperialsugar.com.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
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Members: |
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Yves-Andre Istel, Chairman |
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Curtis G. Anderson |
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Robert J. McLaughlin |
The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of members who are not officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries and who are independent under rules established by NASDAQ. The Committees primary purpose is to provide oversight
on the broad range of issues surrounding the composition and operation of the Board of Directors, including identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, recommending director nominees to the Board and recommending to the Board a set of
corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company. The Committee also provides assistance to the Board in the areas of committee member selection, evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the Board and committees of the Board, and review
and consideration of corporate governance practices and regulatory policies. This Committee met two times during the year ended September 30, 2006. Additional information about the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is included in
the section of this proxy statement entitled Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Report and in the Companys Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, which is available free of charge on the Companys
web site located at www.imperialsugar.com.
Director Remuneration
Each director who is not an officer or employee of the
Company receives an annual retainer of $30,000 payable quarterly, $1,500 for each board meeting attended in person and $750 for each board meeting attended by telephone. The Chairman of the Board of Directors receives an annual retainer of $60,000
in lieu of the standard retainer. Additionally, each director who is not an officer or employee receives $1,000 for each committee meeting attended in person and $500 for each committee meeting attended by telephone. Each member of the Audit
Committee also receives an additional $5,000 annually in recognition of the additional time commitment due to its increased scope. Each committee chairman also receives an annual fee of $5,000. The Company reimburses each director for travel
expenses incurred in connection with his attendance at Board or committee meetings or other Company business meetings.
In addition to cash compensation described above, Mr. Gaffney was granted 4,000 shares of restricted stock and all other directors received 2,000
shares of restricted stock on February 10, 2006. Additionally, Mr. Moran was granted 5,000 shares of restricted stock on December 6, 2005, when he became a member of the Board of Directors. Restricted shares granted to directors in fiscal 2006
vest ratably over a four-year period with the initial vesting occurring on the first anniversary of the grant date.
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Executive Compensation
The following table presents the compensation for services rendered in all capacities of the chief executive officer and four other most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company serving as of September 30, 2006 (collectively, the named officers).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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Annual Compensation
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Long-term Compensation Awards
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Name and Principal Positions
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Fiscal Year
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Salary $
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Bonus $
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Other Annual Compensation (1) $
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Restricted Stock Awards (2) $
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Shares Underlying Options/SARs
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Robert A. Peiser |
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2006 |
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630,000 |
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1,234,800 |
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528,000 |
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President and Chief Executive |
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2005 |
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627,308 |
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173,722 |
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35,000 |
Officer |
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2004 |
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521,923 |
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578,177 |
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T. Kay Hastings |
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2006 |
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250,000 |
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243,750 |
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132,000 |
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Senior Vice President |
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2005 |
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247,769 |
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111,675 |
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22,500 |
Human Resources |
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2004 |
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204,385 |
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117,647 |
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66,369 |
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Patrick D. Henneberry |
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2006 |
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324,480 |
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324,480 |
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220,000 |
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Senior Vice President |
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2005 |
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331,600 |
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62,047 |
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12,500 |
Commodities |
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2004 |
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257,308 |
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210,538 |
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H. P. Mechler |
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2006 |
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250,000 |
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240,000 |
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220,000 |
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Senior Vice President and |
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2005 |
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230,288 |
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86,853 |
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17,500 |
Chief Financial Officer |
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2004 |
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178,625 |
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59,978 |
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William F. Schwer |
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2006 |
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331,664 |
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295,180 |
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132,000 |
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Senior Vice President, Secretary |
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2005 |
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342,240 |
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62,047 |
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12,500 |
and General Counsel |
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2004 |
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320,621 |
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178,318 |
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Amounts are less than $50,000 and 10% of the sum of salary and bonus, except Ms. Hastings in 2004, which represents moving expenses and a related tax gross-up.
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Value of restricted stock at grant date based on the closing price of $22.00 per share on February 10, 2006 and $14.89 per share on March 1, 2005. As of September 30,
2006, aggregate restricted stock holdings were 31,778 shares for Mr. Peiser, 11,000 shares for Ms. Hastings, 12,778 shares for Mr. Henneberry, 13,889 shares for Mr. Mechler and 8,778 shares for Mr. Schwer. The value of
aggregate restricted stock holdings as of September 30, 2006, based on a closing price on that day of $31.12 per share, was $988,931 for Mr. Peiser, $342,320 for Ms. Hastings, $397,651 for Mr. Henneberry, $432,226 for
Mr. Mechler and $273,171 for Mr. Schwer. |
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Stock Options
No stock options or SARs were granted to named officers during 2006. The following table sets forth information regarding stock option and SARs exercised
by the named officers during 2006, as well as unexercised options and SARs held at September 30, 2006 by the named officers.
AGGREGATE OPTIONS/SARs EXERCISED AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTIONS/SARs VALUES
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Name
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Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
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Value Realized ($)
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Number of Unexercised Options/SARs at September 30, 2006
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Value of Unexercised in-the- Money Options/SARs at September 30, 2006 (1)
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Exercisable
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Unexercisable
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Exercisable
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Unexercisable
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Options: |
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Robert A. Peiser |
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144,166 |
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3,086,165 |
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155,000 |
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23,334 |
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$ |
4,350,850 |
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$ |
439,613 |
T. Kay Hastings |
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20,000 |
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370,900 |
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27,497 |
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15,003 |
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667,643 |
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282,657 |
Patrick D. Henneberry |
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57,500 |
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1,361,797 |
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12,922 |
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8,335 |
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342,011 |
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157,031 |
H. P. Mechler |
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16,000 |
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343,680 |
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16,303 |
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11,669 |
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425,273 |
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219,844 |
William F. Schwer |
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115,000 |
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2,316,676 |
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9,165 |
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8,335 |
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218,694 |
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157,031 |
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SARs: |
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Robert A. Peiser |
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37,500 |
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157,500 |
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William F. Schwer |
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15,000 |
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63,000 |
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5,000 |
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21,000 |
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(1) |
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Based on the September 30, 2006 closing price per share of $31.12, as reported by NASDAQ. SAR values are based on a maximum value of $5.55 per unit less a base price of $1.35.
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The following table provides information
regarding shares covered by the Companys equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2006.
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Plan Category
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Number of Shares to be Issued on Exercise of Outstanding Options
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Weighted- average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options
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Number of Shares Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
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Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders |
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537,883 |
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$ |
6.50 |
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337,132 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders |
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Total |
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537,883 |
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337,132 |
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Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Company adopted the Imperial Sugar Company Long-Term
Incentive Plan which became effective in August 2001. The Plan was amended and restated with shareholder approval, effective February 2005, and reserves a total of 2,284,568 shares of Common Stock. The Long-Term Incentive Plan is designed to attract
and retain key employees and directors and to stimulate the active interest of key employees in the Companys financial success. Key employees who hold positions of responsibility and whose performance, in the judgment
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of the Executive Compensation Committee (or other committee designated by the Board of Directors), can
significantly affect the Companys success are eligible for awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Non-employee directors are also eligible under the Plan. In
addition, individuals expected to become employees within six months of the award date may receive awards conditioned on the individual actually becoming an employee during the six-month period.
The Companys Executive Compensation Committee, or another committee
designated by the Board of Directors, has the discretion to determine the types of awards to be made under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan may consist of one or more of the following:
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incentive options and nonqualified stock options with an exercise price not less than fair market value on the grant date; |
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stock, including restricted stock and conditional stock units; and |
An award also may be in the form of a performance award that may be based on one or more of the following: increased revenue; economic value added; cash flow measures; stock price; market share; return on equity or
capital; return on revenue measures; costs; and safety and environmental performance measures. The performance award need not be based on an increase or positive result, but may be based on maintaining the status quo or limiting economic losses, as
determined by the Executive Compensation Committee or another board designated committee.
The following limitations apply to any award made under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. In any one calendar year, the Company may not grant to any person:
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options or SARs that are exercisable for more than 300,000 shares of common stock; |
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stock awards covering or relating to more than 300,000 shares of common stock; or |
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cash awards or any other awards permitted by the Long-Term Incentive Plan (other than options, SARs and stock) having a value determined on the grant date in excess of $3,000,000.
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Annual Pension Benefits
Retirement Plan
The Companys Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan) is a
tax qualified benefit plan covering non-union employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, including Messrs. Mechler and Schwer. The Company has also adopted a Benefit Restoration Plan for certain participants (including Mr. Schwer) to
supplement the benefits payable under the Retirement Plan to the extent that the limitations on qualified plan benefits mandated by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), reduce retirement benefits that would otherwise
be payable under the Retirement Plan. The Company froze benefits under the Retirement Plan and benefit accruals and participation ceased under both the Retirement Plan and Benefit Restoration Plan as of March 31, 2003.
Benefits payable under the Retirement Plan are limited by various provisions
of the Code that restrict the amount of compensation that may be taken into account to calculate benefits under qualified plans and other
8
limits on the maximum benefit payable from qualified plans. To the extent the pension calculated pursuant to the Retirement Plan would exceed the maximum
amount permitted by the Code, the difference would be payable from the Benefit Restoration Plan as a discounted lump sum on the participants retirement.
Annual benefits under the Retirement Plan are based on a five-year average of base pay plus bonuses. Benefits equal 1% of average compensation plus
0.5% of such compensation in excess of social security covered compensation per each of the first 35 years of service, with service measured through March 31, 2003. Messrs. Mechler and Schwer are subject to certain grandfathered provisions
under the prior plan. Benefits are defined in terms of a five-year certain and life annuity; several other payment options are available to employees. The projected total annual benefits payable from the Retirement Plan and/or, as applicable, the
Benefit Restoration Plan to Mr. Schwer is $89,485 and $29,062 to Mr. Mechler. Messrs. Peiser and Henneberry and Ms. Hastings are not participants in either plan.
Deferred Compensation Plans
The Company agreed to provide lump sum supplemental retirement and death benefits to participants (including Mr. Schwer) in the Salary
Continuation Plan. The plan also provides for monthly salary continuation payments in the event of disability (as defined in the Salary Continuation Plan). If a participants employment terminates prior to retirement for any reason
other than death, disability or cause (as defined in the plan), the participant will be entitled to receive the actuarial equivalent (as defined in the Salary Continuation Plan) of the payment he would have received had he retired at age
62. No amounts will be due under the plan to a participant who is terminated for cause. The Salary Continuation Plan allows participants who are 100% vested and who have attained the age of 55 to receive their benefits without termination of
employment if approved by the Executive Compensation Committee. The estimated amount payable on retirement at or after age 62 to Mr. Schwer is $217,099.
Agreements with Certain Executive Officers
The Company has entered into employment, severance or change of control agreements with the following named officers, which as currently in effect provide
for the following annual salaries:
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
Salary
|
Robert A. Peiser |
|
$ |
630,000 |
T. Kay Hastings |
|
$ |
250,000 |
Patrick Henneberry |
|
$ |
324,480 |
H.P. Mechler |
|
$ |
250,000 |
William F. Schwer |
|
$ |
331,663 |
Messrs. Peiser and
Schwer have employment agreements with the Company that provide that those individuals will receive severance payments equal to two times their annual salary in the event of a termination by the Company without cause as defined therein.
Ms. Hastings and Mr. Henneberry have agreements that provide a severance payment equal to one-time their annual salary in the event of termination by the Company without cause as defined therein. The Company entered into Change of Control
Agreements (the Agreements) during December 2005 with each named officer. Each Agreement has a base term of 18 months, and will be automatically renewed and extended for successive one-year terms unless the Company provides notice
otherwise.
9
Each Agreement provides, among other things, for a lump sum payment within 30 days after the later of the
employees termination and the effectuation of the change in control (as defined therein) equal to the lesser of (i) a specified number of months (36 months for Mr. Peiser, 24 months for Mr. Schwer, 18 months for
Ms. Hastings and Messrs. Henneberry and Mechler) of the employees then current base salary amount or (ii) the maximum amount that the employee could receive pursuant to the change of control without becoming subject to excise taxes.
The Company is required to make such payments if during the protected period (which generally commences 90 days prior to and ends 18 months after a change in control) (a) the Company terminates the employees employment without
cause (as defined therein) or (b) the employee terminates his or her own employment for good reason which includes (1) a material reduction of the employees authority, duties or responsibilities, (2) a reduction in
the employees salary or bonus potential or a material reduction in other compensation or benefits, (3) a relocation of the employees primary office or (4) the failure by the Company to obtain the unconditional assumption of the
Companys obligations to the employee under the Agreement by any successor.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal 2006, the Executive Compensation Committee consisted of John K. Sweeney (Chairman), Gaylord O. Coan, James J. Gaffney and David C. Moran. There are no compensation committee interlocks and no insider
participation in compensation decisions that are required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
10
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
ownership as of December 6, 2006 of (1) Common Stock and (2) warrants to purchase Common Stock, of each director of the Company, each named officer, each person known to the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of Common Stock and
all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owners have sole voting and investment power, as applicable, over the shares of Common Stock and warrants listed below.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership of Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
|
|
|
Number of Shares (1)(2)(3)
|
|
Percentage of Class
|
|
|
Number of Warrants
|
|
Percentage of Class
|
Curtis G. Anderson |
|
74,986 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
Gaylord O. Coan |
|
23,666 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
James J. Gaffney |
|
7,612 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
T. Kay Hastings |
|
40,526 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick D. Henneberry |
|
26,827 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
Yves-Andre Istel |
|
58,539 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert McLaughlin |
|
6,166 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
H.P. Mechler |
|
31,769 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
David C. Moran |
|
12,000 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert A. Peiser |
|
186,778 |
|
1.63 |
% |
|
|
|
|
William F. Schwer |
|
20,077 |
|
* |
|
|
618 |
|
* |
John K. Sweeney (4)(5) |
|
43,666 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons) (4) |
|
540,840 |
|
4.63 |
% |
|
618 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
Lehman Brothers Inc. (5) |
|
3,317,992 |
|
29.37 |
% |
|
|
|
|
745 Seventh Avenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, New York 10019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (6) |
|
1,218,005 |
|
10.78 |
% |
|
|
|
|
45 Fremont St., 17th Floor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fidelity Management and Research (7) |
|
610,660 |
|
5.41 |
% |
|
|
|
|
82 Devonshire Street |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boston, MA 02109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Percentage of shares of Common Stock or warrants to
purchase Common Stock beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the applicable class.
(1) |
|
Includes shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days as follows: Mr. Anderson, 42,068 shares; Mr. Coan, 20,833 shares; Mr. Gaffney, 2,500 shares;
Ms. Hastings, 27,497 shares; Mr. Henneberry, 12,922 shares; Mr. Istel, 36,250 shares; Mr. McLaughlin, 3,333 shares; Mr. Mechler, 16,303 shares; Mr. Moran, 5,000 shares; Mr. Peiser 155,000 shares; Mr. Schwer
9,165 shares; Mr. Sweeney, 40,833 shares; all officers and directors as a group, 374,870 shares. |
(2) |
|
Includes shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants as shown in the warrants column. |
(3) |
|
Includes restricted stock which is not fully vested, for which the grantee has voting rights as follows: Mr. Anderson, 2,556 shares; Mr. Coan, 2,556
shares; Mr. Gaffney, 5,112 shares; Ms. Hastings, 11,000
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11
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shares; Mr. Henneberry, 12,778 shares; Mr. Istel, 2,556 shares; Mr. McLaughlin, 2,556 shares; Mr. Mechler, 13,889 shares; Mr. Moran,
5,334 shares; Mr. Peiser, 31,778 shares; Mr. Schwer, 8,778 shares; Mr. Sweeney, 2,556 shares; all officers and directors as a group, 106,061 shares. |
(4) |
|
Mr. Sweeney, a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers Inc., disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares owned by Lehman Brothers Inc., over which he does not have voting or
investment power. |
(5) |
|
As reported on Form 4 dated July 6, 2006, Lehman Brothers Inc. has sole voting and investment power for all 3,317,992 shares. |
(6) |
|
As reported on Form 13G dated November 9, 2006, Barclays Global Investors, N.A. has sole voting power for 1,174,057 shares. |
(7) |
|
As reported on Form 13F dated November 13, 2006, Fidelity Management and Research has sole investment power for all 610,660 shares and sole voting power for 960 shares.
|
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires officers and directors of the Company and beneficial owners of more than 10% of its Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than 10%
shareholders are required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based on a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto filed during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 and Forms 5 and amendments thereto,
or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes during the year ended September 30, 2006, its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing
requirements, with the exception of Schultze Asset Management, LLC which had a late-filed Form 4.
12
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH
On August 29, 2001, the Company emerged from bankruptcy and consummated its plan of reorganization under which all
outstanding shares of Common Stock existing prior to the reorganization were canceled. The Companys Common Stock issued in the reorganization did not begin trading until October 11, 2001.
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Common Stock to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index and the American Stock Exchange Consumer Staple Index (IXR) for the period from October 11, 2001 to September 30, 2006. The
graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Common Stock and each index was $1.00 at October 11, 2001 and that all dividends were reinvested on a quarterly basis.
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following report has been provided by the Executive Compensation
Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors. This report summarizes the Companys current overall compensation philosophy and program objectives. Descriptions of the Companys compensation programs are provided as well
as the basis for the Companys fiscal 2006 compensation for the Companys named executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Overall Objectives of the Executive Compensation Program
The Companys executive compensation philosophy and program objectives
primarily are directed by two guiding principles. First, the program is intended to provide competitive levels of compensation, at expected levels of performance, in order to attract, motivate and retain talented executives. Second, the program is
intended to create an alignment of interests between the Companys executives and shareholders so that a significant portion of each executives compensation is linked to maximizing stockholder value.
In support of this philosophy, the executive compensation program is designed
to reward performance that is directly relevant to the Companys short-term and long-term success. The Company attempts to provide both short-term and long-term incentive compensation that varies based on corporate and individual performance.
The executive compensation program has been structured with
three primary components: base salary, annual incentives (via a bonus plan), and long-term incentives (via stock options and restricted stock). The following sections of this report describe the Companys plans by component of compensation and
discuss how each component relates to the Companys overall executive compensation philosophy.
In this report, reference is made to the use of competitive market data as a criterion for establishing targeted compensation levels. The Company utilizes
published survey data and data obtained from independent consultants for general industry and food industry companies similar in size to the Company, but not necessarily to companies in the American Stock Exchange Consumer Staple Index. In 2006, the
Executive Compensation Committee engaged an independent consultant to advise the Committee on total director compensation and long-term incentive programs.
Base Salary Program
The Companys base salary program is based on a philosophy of providing base compensation levels at or near the market 50th percentile. The Company
periodically reviews its executive compensation levels to assure consistency with the external market since the Company believes it is important to provide competitive salaries over time in order to attract and retain talented executives.
Annual base salary adjustments for the Company are based on
several factors: general levels of market salary increases, individual performance, competitive base salary levels and the Companys overall financial results. For purposes of determining base salary adjustments, the Company reviews performance
qualitatively, the level of earnings, and each individuals contributions. These criteria are assessed qualitatively and are not weighted. All base salary adjustments are based on a philosophy of pay-for-performance and an individuals
value to the Company. As a result, employees with higher levels of performance sustained over time will be paid correspondingly higher salaries.
14
None of the Companys named executive officers received a base salary increase effective during
Fiscal 2006.
Management Incentive Plan
The Companys annual cash bonus plan is intended to (a) reward key
employees based on Company and individual performance, (b) motivate key employees and (c) provide competitive cash compensation opportunities to plan participants. Under the annual bonus plan, target award opportunities vary by individual
position and are expressed as a percent of base salary. The amount a particular executive may earn is directly dependent on the individuals position, responsibility and ability to impact the Companys financial success.
The Company has adopted Management Incentive Plans for Fiscal 2006 and 2007
for executive officers and certain other participants. The plans provide for cash bonuses based on achievement of a combination of individual performance goals and corporate profitability targets. The corporate profitability targets for Fiscal 2006
are based on the Companys attainment of certain EBITDA goals. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The achievement of individual performance goals and corporate profitability targets results in
an incentive payment based on a participants bonus opportunity, which is set at a percentage of the participants base salary, ranging from 10% to 100% at the target EBITDA level and based on participants responsibilities and position
within the Company.
Fiscal 2006 Plan
A specified portion of the target bonus opportunity is allocated to
individual performance goals which are quantifiable and result in payment only if the individual performance goals are reached and a profitability target based on EBITDA is achieved. Actual EBITDA must exceed a certain threshold amount to permit any
payment on individual performance goals; at that level, the bonus payment would be at 50% of the individual performance component, increasing ratably to 200% for officer participants if actual EBITDA reaches approximately 147% of the EBITDA target
and 250% for non-officer participants if actual EBITDA reaches approximately 220% of the EBITDA target.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Companys Long-Term Incentive Plan is designed to focus executive efforts on the long-term goals of the Company and to maximize total return to
shareholders. The long-term incentive device used by the Committee is stock options and restricted stock since they align the interests of employees and shareholders by providing value to the executive through stock price appreciation. Restricted
stock granted in fiscal 2006 vests ratably over four years.
Grants of restricted stock were made to executive officers in 2006, as described under Stock Options and SARs above, and it is anticipated that stock option awards and/or restricted stock grants will be made periodically at the discretion
of the Committee in the future. The number of options and shares of restricted stock granted to individual participants would be based on the individuals position and level of responsibility within the Company. These factors are assessed
subjectively and are not weighted.
Section 162(m)
Under Section 162(m) of the Code, public companies
are precluded from receiving a tax deduction on compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1,000,000 that does not meet the definition under
15
the Code of qualified performance based compensation. The Committees intent is to structure compensation awards that will be deductible
without limitation where doing so will further the purposes of the Companys executive compensation programs. The Committee also considers it important to retain flexibility to design compensation programs, even where compensation payable under
such programs may not be fully deductible, if such programs effectively recognize a full range of criteria important to the Companys success and result in a gain to the Company that would outweigh the limited negative tax effect.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
The Committee administers the compensation programs of the CEO, Robert A.
Peiser, consistent with the objectives enumerated for the other executive officers. Mr. Peiser joined the Company in April 2002 and since then his compensation has been targeted to be at or near the market average for the top-paid executive in
similarly capitalized companies in the food products and services industry. The Committee approved the total compensation package for Mr. Peiser after reviewing available compensation information regarding such top-paid executives at the time
Mr. Peiser joined the Company. Mr. Peisers current salary is $630,000 per year and he was granted a merit increase of 4% commencing January 2007. The Committee awarded Mr. Peiser a performance-based bonus for fiscal 2006 in the
amount of $1,234,800. The Committee granted 24,000 shares of restricted stock to Mr. Peiser during 2006.
Executive Compensation Committee
John K. Sweeney, Chairman
Gaylord O. Coan
James J. Gaffney
David C. Moran
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Report
The primary purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to provide oversight on the broad range of issues surrounding the composition
and operation of the Board of Directors, including identifying qualified individuals who might be nominated as a board member. This Committee has also been charged with the responsibility of monitoring the Companys corporate governance
profile, with the intent of seeking to maintain best practices in the area of corporate governance. To assist the Committee in fulfilling this responsibility, it has selected a Chief Governance Officer, William F. Schwer, who is a senior
executive and general counsel for the Company and whose duties include corporate governance matters. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met two times in fiscal 2006. The Charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as
adopted by the Board of Directors is available free of charge on the Companys website located at www.imperialsugar.com. The Board amended the Corporate Governance Guidelines (the Guidelines) on December 6, 2004, to
state a director must resign before the annual meeting following his or her 75th birthday. Mr. Schlindwein was
the only director over age 75 and he resigned from the Board, effective December 6, 2005. The Guidelines are posted on the Companys website.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that at least a majority of all of our directors meet the criteria for independence established by NASDAQ for
continued listing, including its listing standards, and all other legal requirements. Under NASDAQ listing standards, to be considered independent, a director must not have a relationship, which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would
interfere with the exercise of independent
16
judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In addition, certain specified relationships preclude a finding of independence. The standards
specify the criteria by which independence of directors will be determined.
The Board of Directors has determined that all of its non-management members are independent under NASDAQ listing standards. It has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee, Executive Compensation
Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent. The non-management directors meet in executive session without members of management present at every regular board meeting and the Chairman of the Board, James J.
Gaffney, presides at these executive sessions.
All directors
standing for election at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders are directors currently serving on the Board, were recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and were approved by all of the independent directors. The Committee
also considers qualified nominees recommended by shareholders; any recommendation for the 2008 election of directors should be submitted in writing to the Committee in care of the Secretary of the Company at P.O. Box 9, Sugar Land, Texas 77487.
Interested parties with questions or comments may communicate
with Mr. Gaffney and other non-management member of the Board by confidential email. The email address is accessible in the investor relations section of the Companys website under the caption, Contact the Board.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Yves-Andre Istel, Chairman
Curtis G. Anderson
Robert J. McLaughlin
17
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors unanimously
recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
The Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for its year ending
September 30, 2007. Deloitte & Touche LLP has served as auditors for the Company for over 25 years.
A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting and be available to respond to appropriate questions
raised during the meeting by shareholders. Such representative will also have an opportunity to make a statement during the meeting if he so desires.
Should the shareholders not ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Companys independent registered public accounting firm,
for fiscal 2005 and 2006 are noted in the following table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2006
|
|
Fiscal 2005
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
910,750 |
|
$ |
1,285,000 |
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
|
88,050 |
|
|
36,000 |
Tax Fees (3) |
|
|
83,194 |
|
|
126,000 |
(1) |
|
Includes audit fees related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2005 and 2006. |
(2) |
|
Fiscal 2006 includes USDA agreed upon procedures report, accounting consultation and SEC matters. |
(3) |
|
Includes tax compliance services and tax consulting related to strategic transactions. |
All audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, as provided
in its charter, delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals of permitted non-audit services, provided that such pre-approvals are presented to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit
Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services referenced above are compatible with maintaining Deloitte & Touche LLPs independence.
18
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee is composed of three independent directors. The general objectives of the Audit Committee are to monitor
(1) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, (2) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the compliance by the Company with the internal controls as found in Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (4) the independence and performance of the Companys internal and external auditors. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that it must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services of the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm and the specific duties of the Audit Committee are described in the Audit Committee Charter as adopted by the Board of Directors. The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics and the Audit Committee has
adopted a charter and both are available free of charge on the Companys web site located at www.imperialsugar.com. The Companys Code of Ethics requires management to make reports to the Audit Committee. The Companys
management is primarily responsible for the Companys financial statements and the quality and integrity of the reporting process. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible
for auditing those financial statements and for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial
reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and recommending to the Board of Directors that the Companys financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Companys Board of Directors does not have an audit committee
financial expert as defined by SEC Regulation S-K Item 401(h). The Company believes that the members of the Audit Committee, based on their respective experience as chief executive officers with financial oversight responsibilities or
investment bankers, are able to read and understand financial statements and have an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles. The Company also believes each member of the Audit Committee has experience evaluating financial
statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to those issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Companys financial statements.
The Audit Committee took a number of steps in fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities and making its recommendation for fiscal 2006. First, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for 2006, regarding those
matters that Deloitte & Touche LLP communicated to the Audit Committee as required by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61. These communications and discussions are intended to assist the Audit Committee in overseeing the financial
reporting and disclosure process. Second, the Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP their independence and received written disclosures and a letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding independence as required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. This discussion and disclosure assisted the Audit Committee in evaluating Deloitte & Touche LLPs independence. Finally, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with
Deloitte & Touche LLP (on some occasions with the Companys management present and sometimes in private sessions) the Companys audited financial statements. Based on discussions with Deloitte & Touche LLP concerning the
audit, the independence discussions, the financial statement review and other matters deemed relevant and appropriate by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included
in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006 for filing with the SEC.
Audit Committee
Gaylord O. Coan, Chairman
Curtis G. Anderson
Yves-Andre Istel
19
OTHER MATTERS
A copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial statements for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2006, accompanies this proxy statement but is not a part of the proxy soliciting material.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Companys 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and otherwise eligible, must be received by the Company (at the address indicated on the first page of
this proxy statement) no later than August 21, 2007 to be eligible for inclusion in the Companys proxy material relating to that meeting. Additionally, the proxy solicited by the Board of Directors for the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders will confer discretionary authority to vote on any shareholder proposal raised at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders that is not described in the proxy statement for that meeting unless the Company has received notice of the
proposal on or before November 5, 2007.
REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING, AND YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED TO SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
By order of the Board of Directors
WILLIAM F. SCHWER
Secretary
20
IMPERIAL SUGAR COMPANY
2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Proxy Solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Robert A. Peiser and
William F. Schwer and each of them, with full power of substitution, the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned to vote all of the shares of Common Stock, without par value, of Imperial Sugar Company (the Company) that the undersigned
would be entitled to vote, with all powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Imperial Sugar Company scheduled to be held on January 30, 2007 and at any adjournment or
postponement thereof, on the matters as designated herein and, in their discretion, on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or adjournments thereof, all as set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
This Proxy when properly executed will be voted as specified on the reverse
side. Unless otherwise specified, this Proxy will be voted FOR election as directors of all of the nominees listed on the reverse and FOR ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. A majority (or if only one, then that one) of the proxies or substitutes acting at the meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement, may exercise the
powers conferred by this Proxy. Receipt of the Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged. This Proxy revokes all prior proxies given by the undersigned.
(Continued, and to be signed and dated, on the reverse side.)
IMPERIAL SUGAR COMPANY
P.O. BOX 11110
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0110
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Ú DETACH PROXY CARD HERE Ú |
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Please Sign, Date and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope. |
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x Votes must be indicated (x) in Black or Blue ink. |
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1. Election of three directors to serve for the terms set forth in the proxy statement. |
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FOR all nominees listed below |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below |
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*EXCEPTIONS |
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Nominees: |
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Class II |
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Curtis G. Anderson |
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James J. Gaffney |
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Yves-Andre Istel |
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(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the Exceptions box and write that nominees name in the space provided
below.) |
*Exceptions
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for its fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. |
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To change your address,
please mark this box. ¨
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S C A N L I N E |
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Please sign exactly as name or names appear on the proxy. If stock is held jointly, each holder should sign. If signing as
attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, custodian, guardian, or corporate officer, please give full title: |
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Date |
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Share Owner sign here |
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Co-Owner sign here |