DEF 14A 1 fy2018_def14axproxydoc.htm DEF 14A Document
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.     )
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Soliciting Material pursuant to §240.14a‑12
 
 
KEMET CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
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KEMET Corporation

101 NE 3rd Avenue, Suite 1700
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of KEMET Corporation (the “Corporation”) will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., local time, at KEMET Corporation, KEMET Tower, One East Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to consider and take action with respect to the following matters:
1)
The election of three directors, each for a three-year term or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
2)
The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.
3)
Advisory approval of the compensation paid to the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers.
4)
The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Date of mailing and Stockholders of Record: On or about June 13, 2018, we will mail a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials ("Notice") to the holders of record of the Corporation's Common Stock as of the close of business on May 29, 2018 (the “Record Date”). On the date of the mailing of the Notice, all such stockholders and beneficial owners will have the ability to access the proxy, proxy statement and annual report on a website referred to in the Notice. Holders of record of the Corporation’s Common Stock on the Record Date are entitled to vote on all matters presented at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Your vote is extremely important. We appreciate you taking the time to vote promptly. After reading the Proxy Statement, please vote, at your earliest convenience. Your shares cannot be voted unless you (i) vote by Internet, (ii) vote by phone, (iii) request that proxy materials be sent to you by mail that will include a proxy card that you can use to vote by completing, signing and returning the proxy card by mail or (iv) attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. In addition, your proxy is revocable at any time before it is voted by written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation or by delivery of a later-dated proxy.

By order of the Board of Directors,
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R. James Assaf Secretary
June 13, 2018





Table of Contents
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




KEMET Corporation
101 N.E. 3rd Avenue, Suite 1700
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
PROXY STATEMENT
2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
July 25, 2018

GENERAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement is being furnished to the holders of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of KEMET Corporation (the “Corporation” or “KEMET”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on July 25, 2018, at KEMET Corporation, KEMET Tower, One East Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Internet Access to Proxy Materials / How to Vote
In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to each stockholder of record, the Corporation furnishes proxy materials on the Internet. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of our proxy materials other than as described herein. Instead, the Notice will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. The Notice also instructs you as to how you may submit your proxy over the Internet or by phone. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting proxy materials included in the Notice.
It is anticipated that the Notice will be sent to stockholders on or about June 13, 2018 to holders of record of Common Stock as of the close of business on May 29, 2018. This proxy statement, the form of proxy relating to the Annual Meeting and our annual report will be made available via the Internet to stockholders on the date that the Notice is first sent.
All shares represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation, and not revoked before they are exercised, will be voted in the manner specified therein. If no direction is indicated, the proxies will vote the shares represented thereby FOR the election of each of the directors described herein, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, FOR the advisory approval of the compensation paid to the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers and, as to any other business as may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof, in accordance with the recommendation of the Corporation’s management.
Voting your proxy by Internet or telephone or by returning your completed proxy by mail will not prevent you from voting in person at the Annual Meeting should you be present and wish to do so. In addition, you may revoke your proxy any time before it is voted by written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation prior to the Annual Meeting or by submission of a later-dated proxy.
Voting Rights    
Each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote. On May 29, 2018, the record date, there were 57,252,739 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The presence in person or by proxy of a majority of such shares of Common Stock shall constitute a quorum. Pursuant to Delaware law, abstentions are treated as present and entitled to vote, and therefore are counted in determining the existence of a quorum. Under Delaware law, broker “non-votes” are considered present

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but not entitled to vote, and thus will be counted in determining the existence of a quorum but will not be counted in determining whether a matter requiring approval of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote has been approved.
Each director nominee shall be elected to the Board of Directors by vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that director nominee’s election at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. The Amended and Restated By-laws of the Corporation provide that a majority of the votes cast means the number of shares voted “for” a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director nominee. The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019 and to approve on an advisory basis the compensation paid to the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers.
Abstentions will have no effect on the election of directors because abstentions do not count as votes cast. Abstentions will be counted as votes against the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm and the advisory approval of the compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers, since abstentions represent shares entitled to vote and thus are included in the denominator in determining the approval percentage.
When a matter is not routine and the brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from the stockholder, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that matter. This is called a broker “non-vote.” The ratification of the selection of independent auditors is considered a routine matter. The election of directors and the advisory approval of the compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers are not considered routine matters, and as such, broker non-votes will have no effect on these proposals because they are not “entitled to vote” on such proposals.


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PROPOSAL TO ELECT THREE DIRECTORS
The Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Board of Directors will consist of not more than nine nor fewer than three directors with the number of directors to be established from time to time by the Board of Directors by resolution.
The Board of Directors is currently comprised of nine directors divided into three classes (Dr. Backes and Messrs. Bedi and Loof—2018; Messrs. Kotzubei and Paul and Ms. Matsumoto—2019; and Messrs. Brandenberg and Maddrey and Ms. Rogge—2020). The term of each class expires in different years. The nominees for election to the Board of Directors this year are Dr. Wilfried Backes, Gurminder S. Bedi and Per-Olof Loof, each of whom are currently directors of the Corporation, and have been nominated to serve for a three-year term or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors expects the nominees named above to be available for election. In case the nominees are not available, the proxy holders may vote for a substitute, unless the Board of Directors reduces the number of directors.
Provided that a quorum is present, each director nominee will be elected at the Annual Meeting by a majority of the votes cast with respect to that director nominee’s election, provided that if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the director nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation provide that a majority of the votes cast means the number of shares voted “for” a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director nominee. There is no right to cumulative voting as to any matter, including the election of directors.
The following sets forth, among other matters, information as to each continuing director and each nominee for director: (i) their age, as of May 29, 2018; (ii) all positions and offices with the Corporation; (iii) principal occupation and employment during the past five years; (iv) current directorships of publicly-held companies or registered investment companies; (v) other previous directorships of publicly-held companies or registered investment companies during the past five years; (vi) period of service as a director of the Corporation; and (vii) particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, beyond those described above, which led to the Corporation’s Board of Directors to conclude that such director or nominee for director should serve as a director of the Corporation.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the re-election of each of each of Dr. Wilfried Backes, Gurminder S. Bedi and Per-Olof Loof to the Board of Directors, each to serve for a three-year term or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.



Nominees for Board of Directors














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Age: 75
Director since 2008
____________________

Board Committees        • Audit • Compensation
____________________

Other Public Company Boards
• None
Dr. Wilfried Backes 
Biographical Information: Dr. Wilfried Backes, Director, was named such in March 2008. Dr. Backes served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of EPCOS AG, a major publicly-traded passive electronic components company headquartered in Germany, from 2002 through his retirement in 2006. Dr. Backes previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Osram Sylvania, Inc. from 1992 to 2002. Prior to that time, Dr. Backes held various senior management positions with Siemens AG including the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Components, Inc. from 1989 to 1992. He received Diplom-Volkswirt and Dr. rer. pol. Degrees from Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn, Germany.
Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from Dr. Backes’ fifteen years of international experience within the electronic passive components industry, as well as his experience in the industrial/lighting industry, the Corporation’s largest market segment into which it sells its products. In addition, Dr. Backes’ strong financial background adds accounting expertise to both the Corporation’s Board of Directors and its Audit Committee.






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Age: 70
Director since 2006
____________________

Board Committees         • NCG (Chair) • Compensation
____________________

Other Public Company Boards
• Blue Bird Corporation
Gurminder S. Bedi
Biographical Information: Gurminder S. Bedi, Director, was named such in May 2006. Mr. Bedi served as Vice President of Ford Motor Company from October 1998 through his retirement in December 2001. Mr. Bedi served in a variety of other managerial positions at Ford Motor Company for more than thirty years. He is currently on the board of directors of Blue Bird Corporation, and previously served as a director of Compuware Corporation from 2002 until December 2014 (including Chairman from April 2013 through December 2014) and Actuant Corporation from 2008 until March 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from George Washington University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Detroit.
Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from Mr. Bedi’s strong technical background, as well as his extensive experience with Ford Motor Company, a global leader in the automotive industry, a key market segment into which the Corporation sells its products. The Corporation also benefits from Mr. Bedi’s previous public company board experience.

4







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Age: 67
Chief Executive Officer Director since 2005
____________________
                                      
Board Committees   • None
____________________
                        
Other Public Company Boards
• None


Per-Olof Loof
Biographical Information: Per-Olof Loof, Chief Executive Officer and Director, was named such in April 2005. Mr. Loof was previously the Managing Partner of QuanStar Group, LLC, a management consulting firm and had served in such capacity since December 2003. Prior thereto, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Sensormatic Electronics Corporation and in various management roles with Andersen Consulting, Digital Equipment Corporation, AT&T and NCR. Mr. Loof serves on several charity boards including the Boca Raton Regional Hospital and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. He received a “civilekonom examen” degree in economics and business administration from the Stockholm School of Economics. Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from Mr. Loof’s successful management experience with leading global companies, including his leadership of Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange company until its acquisition by Tyco International Ltd. in 2001. These experiences and Mr. Loof’s ongoing leadership of the Corporation and interaction with the Corporation’s customers and suppliers provide the Board of Directors with industry expertise and a deep understanding of the Corporation’s business and operations and the economic environment in which it operates.


Continuing Directors





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Age: 71
Chairman Director since 2003
____________________

Board Committees        • None
____________________
 
Other Public Company Boards
• None
Frank G. Brandenberg
Biographical Information: Frank G. Brandenberg,  Chairman and Director, was named such in October 2003. Before his retirement in 2003, Mr. Brandenberg was a Corporate Vice President and Sector President of Northrop Grumman Corporation from July 2001 to December 2003. Prior to joining Northrop, he previously spent 28 years at Unisys where his last position was Corporate Vice President and President, Client/Server Systems, and then later served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of EA Industries, Inc. Mr. Brandenberg served as Senior Vice President and Group Executive with Litton Industries, Inc. from November 1999 until its acquisition by Northrop in April 2001. In addition, from January 2012 through February 2018, Mr. Brandenberg served as the Chief Executive Officer of Auto-Lab, LLC, a private company and franchiser of automotive repair and maintenance facilities. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Operations Research from Wayne State University and completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School.
Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from Mr. Brandenberg’s experience in high-tech component businesses as well as with leading companies in the military/aerospace and computer‑related industries, significant market segments into which the Corporation sells its products. The Corporation also benefits from Mr. Brandenberg’s previous public company board experience.

5








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Age:49
Director since 2011
____________________

Board Committees           • NCG
____________________
              
Other Public Company Boards
• Ryerson Holding • Corporation and Key • Energy Services, Inc.
Jacob T. Kotzubei
Biographical Information: Jacob T. Kotzubei, Director, was named such in October 2011. Mr. Kotzubei joined Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC (“Platinum Equity”), a private equity firm, in 2002 and is a Partner at the firm. Mr. Kotzubei serves as a director of a number of Platinum Equity’s portfolio companies. Prior to joining Platinum Equity in 2002, Mr. Kotzubei worked for 4½ years for Goldman Sachs’ Investment Banking Division in New York City. Previously, he was an attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York City, specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Kotzubei serves on the board of directors for Ryerson Holding Corporation and Key Energy Services, Inc., and served on the board of directors of Ryerson Inc. until its merger into a subsidiary of Ryerson Holding Corporation in December 2014. Mr. Kotzubei received a Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law where he was elected a member of the Columbia Law Review.
Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from Mr. Kotzubei’s experience in executive management oversight, private equity, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and related transactional matters.








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Age: 77
Director since 1992
____________________

Board Committees        • Audit (Chair) • NCG
____________________

Other Public Company Boards
• None
E. Erwin Maddrey, II
Biographical Information: E. Erwin Maddrey, II,  Director, was named such in May 1992. Mr. Maddrey is President of Maddrey and Associates, a personal investments vehicle, and has served in such capacity since July 2000. Mr. Maddrey was President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of Delta Woodside Industries, a textile manufacturer, from 1984 through June 2000. Prior thereto, Mr. Maddrey served as President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Riegel Textile Corporation. Mr. Maddrey also serves on the board of directors for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of South Carolina as well as several non-profit organizations. Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from the broad expertise acquired by Mr. Maddrey as an officer and director in a variety of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including extensive financial experience which allows Mr. Maddrey to serve effectively as the Chairman of the Corporation’s Audit Committee. The Corporation also benefits from Mr. Maddrey’s previous public company board experience.

6







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Age: 54
Director since 2017
____________________

Board Committees        • None
____________________

Other Public Company Boards
• Nippon Avionics Co., Ltd. (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange)

Yasuko Matsumoto
Biographical Information: Yasuko Matsumoto, Director, was named such in June 2017. Ms. Matsumoto is currently employed as Executive Specialist, Corporate Strategy Division of NEC Corporation ("NEC"). She joined NEC in 1986 and served in a variety of managerial positions with NEC and its subsidiaries. In April 2013 Ms. Matsumoto was appointed Department Manager, Energy Service Department, Smart Energy Business Unit; and in February 2014 she was named General Manager, Affiliated Company Department, Corporate Strategy Division, prior to her appointment in March 2018 to her current position. Ms. Matsumoto currently serves on the board of directors of Nippon Avionics Co., Ltd. (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange) and three wholly-owned subsidiaries of NEC, Netcracker Technology Corporation, NEC Energy Devices, Ltd. and Takasago Ltd. Ms. Matsumoto served as a director of NEC TOKIN Corporation from 2011 until its acquisition by the Corporation on April 19, 2017. Ms. Matsumoto received a Bachelor of Economics degree from Sophia University and is a graduate of the Executive Management Program of the University of Tokyo.
Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from Ms. Matsumoto’s financial and mergers and acquisitions expertise, her experience with the automotive industry and with the Asian electronics components market, and her experience with, and access to, the Asian financial market.








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Age: 76
Director since 2006
____________________

Board Committees 
• Compensation (Chair)
• NCG
____________________

Other Public Company Boards
• Comtech Telecommunications Corp
Robert G. Paul
Biographical Information: Robert G. Paul, Director, was named such in July 2006. Mr. Paul is the former President of the Base Station Subsystems Unit of Andrew Corporation, a global designer, manufacturer, and supplier of communications equipment, services, and systems, from which he retired in March 2004. From 1991 through July 2003, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Allen Telecom Inc. which was acquired by Andrew Corporation during 2003. Mr. Paul joined Allen Telecom in 1970 where he built a career holding various positions of increasing responsibility including Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Paul currently serves on the board of directors of Comtech Telecommunications Corp., and previously served on the board of directors of Rogers Corporation from April 2000 through May 2016. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.
Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors believes that it benefits from Mr. Paul’s extensive experience in the communications industry, one of the primary market segments into which the Corporation sells its products. Mr. Paul’s strong financial background adds accounting expertise to both the Corporation’s Board of Directors and its Compensation Committee. In addition, Mr. Paul’s experience running a public company with markets throughout the world and manufacturing plants in Europe, Asia and the Americas provides a strong fit with the Corporation’s global markets and operations. The Corporation also benefits from Mr. Paul’s previous public company board experience.

7








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Age: 63
Director since 2018
____________________

Board Committees   • Audit
____________________

Other Public Company Boards • None

Karen M. Rogge
Biographical Information: Karen M. Rogge,  Director, was named such in May 2018. Ms. Rogge is President of the RYN Group LLC, a management consulting business, which she founded in 2010. She served as the Interim Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, a global semi-conductor company, from August 2015 to January 2016. Previously, Ms. Rogge served as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Extreme Networks, Inc., a computer network company, from April 2007 to July 2009. Earlier in her career, she held executive financial and operations management positions at Hewlett Packard Company, Seagate Technology, and Inktomi Corporation. Ms. Rogge served as an independent Board Director for AeroCentury Corporation, a publicly traded aircraft leasing company, from June 2017 to May 2018. She received a Master of Business Administration degree from Santa Clara University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an accounting concentration, from California State University, Fresno.
Specific Qualifications and Experience Relevant to the Corporation: The Corporation’s Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Rogge should serve as a director based on her extensive experience in the technology industry, and her experience as a financial and operations executive in publicly traded companies.

There are no family relationships among the Corporation’s directors or executive officers.


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Information about the Board of Directors
On May 30, 2018 the Board of Directors appointed Karen M. Rogge to fill a vacancy on the Board created by the retirement of Joseph V. Borruso. Ms. Rogge was identified to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through a search for potential Board candidates conducted at the direction of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by the National Association of Corporate Directors.
  
The Board of Directors held five meetings (exclusive of committee meetings) during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. Each current director attended at least 75% of the number of meetings that he or she was eligible to attend during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 of the Board of Directors and all committees on which such director served. The Corporation has not adopted a formal policy with respect to directors’ attendance at annual meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation. The Corporation encourages, but does not require, directors to attend. Of the Corporation’s nine directors at such time, eight were in attendance at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In accordance with the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Frank G. Brandenberg, as Chairman of the Board, presided over all Board meetings and all regularly scheduled executive sessions of the non-management directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors has established the following permanent committees, the functions and current members of which are noted below. All of the committees of the Board of Directors operate under charters, current copies of which can be found on our website at http://ir.kemet.com where you can click on the “Corporate Governance” link for each of the committee charters.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors currently consists of: Mr. Maddrey (Chairman of the Audit Committee), Dr. Backes and Ms. Rogge. All members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, as amended (“Exchange Act”), and the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Board of Directors has determined that each of the three members of the Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert” serving on the Audit Committee within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules and regulations. Mr. Maddrey has served as president of current and prior companies and on audit committees with other companies; Dr. Backes has served at various times as president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and treasurer in prior companies; and Ms. Rogge has served at various times as chief financial officer and in other financial management positions with prior public technology companies. The Audit Committee, among other duties, employs the independent auditors, pre-approves all services performed by the independent auditors, reviews the internal and external financial reporting of the Corporation, reviews the scope of the independent audit, considers comments by the auditors regarding internal controls and accounting procedures and management’s response to those comments, and reviews services provided by the independent auditors and other disclosed relationships as they bear on the independence of the independent auditors. The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee met seven times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors currently consists of Mr. Paul (Chairman of the Compensation Committee), Dr. Backes and Mr. Bedi. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing rules of the NYSE. The Compensation Committee, among other duties, establishes the total compensation package provided to the Chief Executive Officer and the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers, and reviews and/or approves the actual compensation (including base pay adjustments and any annual and long-term incentive payouts) paid to all senior executive officers of the Corporation, including all direct reports of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as the Compensation Committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. The Compensation Committee met eight times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Messrs. Bedi (Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee), Kotzubei, Maddrey and Paul, all of whom are independent within the meaning of the listing rules of the NYSE. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, among other duties, is authorized to review the Corporation’s governance practices, including the composition of the Board, and to make recommendations to the Board concerning nominees for election as directors, including nominees recommended by stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.

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A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for the Board should notify the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary in writing with supporting material that the stockholder considers appropriate. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider whether to nominate any person nominated by a stockholder pursuant to the provisions of the Corporation’s By-laws relating to stockholder nominations. Once the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has identified a prospective nominee, it makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate. This initial determination is based on whatever information is provided to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with the recommendation of the prospective candidate, as well as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s own knowledge of the prospective candidate, which may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making the recommendation or others. The preliminary determination is based primarily on the need for additional Board members to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood that the prospective nominee can satisfy the evaluation factors described below. If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines that additional consideration is warranted, it will engage a third-party search firm to gather additional information about the prospective nominee’s background and experience and to report its findings to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then evaluates the prospective nominee against certain standards and qualifications. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee selects individuals as director nominees who have the highest personal and professional integrity, who have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment and who will be most effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to the Board, in collectively serving the long-term interests of the Corporation’s stockholders. In addition, pursuant to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the prospective nominee against a set of criteria for Board membership which includes factors relating to business experience, diversity, occupation, and personal skills in technology, finance, marketing, international business, financial reporting and other areas that are expected to contribute to an effective Board. Pursuant to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee periodically reviews the director recruitment and selection process to ensure that diversity remains a component of any director search. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the current composition of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors, the need for Audit Committee expertise and the evaluations of other prospective nominees. In connection with this evaluation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines whether to interview the prospective nominee, and if warranted, one or more members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and others as appropriate, interview prospective nominees in person or by telephone. After completing this evaluation and interview, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines the nominees who it will recommend to the Board.
Director Independence. The Board undertook its annual review of director independence in May 2018. During this review, the Board inquired about transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his or her immediate family and the Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Board also inquired about transactions and relationships between directors or their affiliates and members of the Corporation’s senior management or their affiliates. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent.
Two of the directors determined to be independent by the Board have or had a relationship with the Corporation other than as a director. In evaluating the independence of Mr. Kotzubei, the Board considered that (i) Mr. Kotzubei is a Partner of Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC and (ii) K Equity, LLC (“K Equity”), an affiliate of Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC, had a warrant representing the right to purchase 8.4 million shares of Common Stock through September 11, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, K Equity does not have any outstanding warrants for shares of the Company’s common stock. In determining that Mr. Kotzubei is independent, the Board favorably considered that (i) Mr. Kotzubei meets the NYSE independence tests, (ii) the NYSE does not view ownership of even a significant amount of stock, by itself, as a bar to an independence determination, (iii) the loans with K Equity have been extinguished, (iv) the term of the Corporate Advisory Services Agreement with Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC, as well as the advisory fee payable thereunder, were both fixed as of its May 5, 2009 effective date, and the term expired on June 30, 2013, and (v) the prior warrant rights of K Equity closely aligned K Equity’s interests with the Corporation’s stockholders.
In evaluating the independence of Ms. Matsumoto, the Board considered that Ms. Matsumoto (i) previously served on the board of directors of NEC TOKIN Corporation (“TOKIN”) prior to its acquisition by the Company on April 19, 2017, and (ii) previously served as an employee of NEC Corporation, with which the Company had been a joint venture partner in TOKIN. In

10


determining that Ms. Matsumoto is independent, the Board favorably considered that (i) Ms. Matsumoto meets the NYSE independence tests, (ii) Ms. Matsumoto no longer serves on the board of directors of TOKIN, (iii) Ms. Matsumoto is no longer employed by NEC, with which the Corporation no longer has any material business relationship and (iv) Ms. Matsumoto had served on TOKIN’s board of directors upon the direction of NEC, as one of NEC’s representatives, and had therefore not served upon the direction of the Corporation or its management.
As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that all of the current directors, and any other directors serving during the past year, including the Chairman, Frank G. Brandenberg, are independent of the Corporation and its management within the meaning of the SEC’s rules and regulations and the NYSE rules and regulations, with the exception of Mr. Per-Olof Loof, who is considered to be a non-independent director because he is a member of the Corporation’s management.
Board Leadership Structure. Currently, the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation are held by separate individuals, with Mr. Loof serving as CEO and Mr. Brandenberg serving as Chairman of the Board. The Board believes that at the current time this structure is best for the Corporation, as it allows Mr. Loof to focus on the Corporation’s strategy, business and operations, while enabling Mr. Brandenberg to assist with Board matters and serve as a liaison between the Board and the Corporation’s management.
Role in Risk Oversight. As the Corporation’s principal governing body, the Board of Directors has the ultimate responsibility for overseeing the Corporation’s risk management practices. According to the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board of Directors’ risk responsibilities include assessing major risks facing the Corporation, including those relating to cybersecurity, and reviewing options for their mitigation; monitoring ethical behavior; monitoring compliance with laws and regulations, the Corporation’s Global Code of Conduct (“Code of Conduct”), auditing and accounting principles and the Corporation’s own governing documents; assessing its own effectiveness in fulfilling these and other Board responsibilities; and overseeing the procedures in place to ensure the integrity of the Corporation’s financial statements. The Board of Directors believes it has in place effective processes to identify and oversee the material risks facing the Corporation and that these processes are consistent with, and provide additional support for, the current leadership structure of the Board of Directors. Certain risk management functions have been delegated to committees of the Board of Directors.
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, one of the primary roles and responsibilities of the Audit Committee is to monitor the integrity of the Corporation’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and associated legal compliance. Under the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee will, among other responsibilities and duties:
Consider and review with management, the internal audit group and the independent public accountants the effectiveness or weakness of the Corporation’s internal controls. Develop in consultation with management a timetable for implementing recommendations to correct identified weaknesses.
Review the coordination between the independent public accountants and internal auditors; review the risk assessment processes, scope and procedures of the Corporation’s internal audit work and whether such risk assessment process, scope and procedures are adequate to attain the internal audit objectives as determined by the Corporation’s management and approved by the committee; and review the quality and composition of the Corporation’s internal audit staff.
Review management’s monitoring of the Corporation’s compliance with laws and the Corporation’s Code of Conduct and ensure that management has proper review systems in place to ensure that the Corporation’s financial statements, reports and other information disseminated to governmental organizations and the public satisfy legal requirements.
The Corporation’s Chief Compliance Officer provides reports to the Audit Committee concerning activities related to the Corporation’s whistleblower hotline and other compliance issues.
The Compensation Committee reviews the Corporation’s compensation policies and practices to ensure that no such practices or policies create a reasonable likelihood of a material adverse effect on the Corporation. Additional information on the

11


process and procedures for executive compensation determinations, including the role of management and compensation consultants, is contained in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, the Compensation Committee determined that none of the Corporation’s compensation policies or practices were reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation. In addition, pursuant to the Compensation Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee provides oversight of the Corporation’s safety, health and environmental programs, including a periodic review of accident frequency and severity statistics, programs to promote safe work habits, serious statutory violations or resulting citations, and any potential legal and/or financial liabilities in excess of $100,000 that may exist due to noncompliance with any safety, health or environmental law or regulation.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of our Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Corporation, and no executive officer of the Corporation served on the Compensation Committee or board of directors of any entity that employed any member of the Corporation’s Compensation Committee or Board of Directors. In addition, no other “compensation committee interlocks” existed during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.

Compensation of Directors
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, the compensation of the non-employee members of our Board of Directors was as follows (employee directors are not compensated for their service on our Board of Directors):
Each director was paid a director’s fee at the annual rate of $70,000.
The Chairman received an annual retainer of $35,000.
The Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board received an annual retainer of $15,000, and each other member of the Audit Committee received an annual retainer of $10,000.
The Chairman of the Compensation Committee received an annual retainer of $15,000, and each other member of the Compensation Committee received an annual retainer of $10,000.
The Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee received an annual retainer of $10,000, and each other member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee received an annual retainer of $5,000.
All directors were reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings.
No additional fees were paid for attendance at meetings of the Board or a Committee of the Board.
Each non-employee director received an annual grant of 10,000 restricted stock units (“Director RSUs”), which vest, based on the director’s continued service, one day prior to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the fiscal year in which they are issued. Upon settlement, each Director RSU is converted into a share of restricted Common Stock and delivered to the director. Prior to the grant date, each director can elect to defer the settlement of his Director RSUs beyond the vesting date to a specific later date or to the termination date of his service on the Board. Restricted shares of Common Stock that have been converted from Director RSUs are 100% vested on the date of settlement; however they are restricted and cannot be sold until 90 days after the director resigns from his position as a member of the Board.
Because Ms. Matsumoto was elected to the Board mid-year on June 13, 2017, she received a pro rata director fee of $55,962 and received a pro rata grant of 7,972 Director RSUs.


12


The Corporation uses a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. Periodically the Board of Directors approves changes to non-employee director compensation after review of recommendations from the Compensation Committee.  In recommending the levels of director cash and equity compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Corporation as well as the skill-level required by the Corporation of members of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee also examines compensation of directors at manufacturing companies with revenues comparable to the Corporation.  None of the non-employee directors participate in a defined benefit plan or non-qualified deferred compensation plan sponsored or contributed to by the Corporation.

13


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
The table below provides information concerning the compensation of the Corporation’s non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. The table below does not include information with respect to the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Loof, as he is also a Named Executive Officer of the Corporation. As an employee-director, Mr. Loof is not compensated for his service as a director of the Corporation. Because Ms. Rogge was not a director during fiscal year 2018, she did not receive any compensation for fiscal year 2018 and is not listed in the tables below.
Name
 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
 
Stock Awards ($)(1)
 
Total ($)
Dr. Wilfried Backes
 
90,000

 
167,100

 
257,100

Gurminder S. Bedi
 
90,000

 
167,100

 
257,100

Joseph V. Borruso (2)
 
90,000

 
167,100

 
257,100

Frank G. Brandenberg
 
105,000

 
167,100

 
272,100

Jacob T. Kotzubei
 
71,250

 
167,100

 
238,350

E. Erwin Maddrey, II
 
90,000

 
167,100

 
257,100

Yasuko Matsumoto
 
55,962

 
133,212

 
189,174

Robert G. Paul
 
90,000

 
167,100

 
257,100

(1)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”) for the following restricted stock unit grants: (a) 10,000 Director RSUs with a grant date fair value of $167,100 granted on August 2, 2017 to each of Dr. Backes and Messrs. Bedi, Borruso, Brandenberg, Kotzubei, Maddrey and Paul, and (b) 7,972 Director RSUs with a grant date fair value of $133,212 granted on August 2, 2017 to Ms. Matsumoto.
(2)
Mr. Borruso retired from the Board on May 30, 2018.


Stock Ownership Guidelines
To directly align the interests of the directors with the interests of the stockholders, the Compensation Committee established guidelines stipulating that each director should maintain a minimum ownership interest in the Corporation. Mr. Loof as a member of management has a target to own and retain a minimum number of shares totaling in value five times his annual base salary (discussed further in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis). Non-employee directors have a target to own and retain a minimum number of shares totaling in value three times their annual cash retainer ($70,000 in fiscal year 2018). The time period during which such minimum number of shares is to be acquired and retained is targeted five years from the year in which such director was first elected. The following represents each non-employee director’s attainment of his or her targeted Corporation share ownership, based on the number of shares beneficially owned and the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock on March 29, 2018, the last trading day during the 2018 fiscal year:

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Name
 
Attainment of Targeted Corporation Share Ownership
Dr. Wilfried Backes
 
590.0
%
Gurminder S. Bedi
 
518.0
%
Frank G. Brandenberg
 
518.0
%
Jacob T. Kotzubei
 
485.5
%
E. Erwin Maddrey, II
 
622.4
%
Yasuko Matsumoto
 
68.8
%
Robert G. Paul
 
729.5
%

As persons with access to material non-public information regarding the Corporation, our directors are restricted in their ability to trade our securities in accordance with applicable law and the guidelines contained in our insider trading policy.

Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors
Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the entire Board of Directors, with the Chairman, with the non-management directors as a group or with individual directors may do so by writing to the Board of Directors, KEMET Corporation, 101 N.E. 3rd Avenue, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Any correspondence sent in this manner will be forwarded accordingly. If no specific addressee is provided, the communication will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Corporation’s executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of the Corporation’s equity securities to file reports of securities ownership and changes in such ownership with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners also are required by rules promulgated by the SEC to furnish the Corporation with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Corporation, or written representations that no Form 5 filings were required, the Corporation believes that during the period from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018, all the Corporation’s officers, directors and greater than ten-percent beneficial owners complied with the Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them, with the following exception: a Form 4 relating to a stock sale by former director Joseph Borruso was filed one day after the two business day filing requirement due to a delay in receiving trade details.

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
Our directors and executive officers (and other employees) are expected to adhere to the Corporation’s Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct is available free of charge on the Corporation’s website at http://ir.kemet.com where you can click on the link to “Corporate Governance,” then “Global Code of Conduct.” In the event that any action arises or is proposed that would require a waiver of or a deviation from our Code of Conduct, or in the event that any actual or potential conflict of interest arises involving any of our directors or executive officers, our policy requires that the matter be reported to the Corporation’s management. Thereafter, the Audit Committee makes the final decision, acting in its discretion, as to whether a waiver of or deviation from our Code of Conduct will be made, or a transaction involving a conflict of interest will be permitted. In the event of such conflicts, the director(s) or officer(s) involved, if any, shall recuse themselves from any decision affecting their personal interests.

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The Board has reviewed the following transactions, including, without limitation, for the purpose of determining the independence of Mr. Kotzubei, a Partner at Platinum Equity, within the meaning of the SEC’s rules and regulations and the NYSE rules and regulations.
On May 5, 2009, the Corporation entered into a credit facility with K Financing, LLC (the “Amended and Restated Platinum Credit Facility”), an affiliate of Platinum Equity Capital Partners II, L.P. The Amended and Restated Platinum Credit Facility consisted of a term loan (the “Platinum Term Loan”), a line of credit loan (the “Platinum Line of Credit Loan”) and a working capital loan (“Platinum Working Capital Loan”) among K Financing, LLC (“K Financing”), the Corporation and certain of the Corporation’s subsidiaries. On May 5, 2010, the Platinum Term Loan, the Platinum Line of Credit Loan and the Platinum Working Capital Loan were extinguished.
In connection with the Amended and Restated Platinum Credit Facility, the Corporation granted K Financing a warrant to purchase up to 26,848,484 shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, representing up to 49.9% of the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock; the Warrant was subsequently transferred to K Equity, an affiliate of K Financing. As a result, K Equity and certain of its affiliates were deemed to be beneficial owners of the Corporation’s securities as well as “related persons” as holders of securities covered by Item 403(a) of Regulation S-K.
On December 20, 2010, in connection with a secondary offering in which K Equity was the selling security holder, K Equity sold a portion of the Warrant representing the right to purchase 10.9 million shares of Common Stock to the underwriters of the secondary offering, who exercised their full portion of the warrant at a price of $12.80 per share in a cashless exercise and received a net settlement of 10.0 million shares of Common Stock. These shares were sold as part of a secondary offering and KEMET did not receive any of the proceeds from the transaction. On May 31, 2011, K Equity sold a portion of the Closing Warrant to Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., in connection with the offering of a total of 7 million shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, at a public offering price of $14.60 per share.
On September 11, 2017, K Equity sold the remaining portion of the Platinum Warrant to UBS Securities LLC (the “Underwriter”), in connection with the offering of 8,416,814 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a public offering price of $21.57 per share. The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the offer and resale by K Equity of the shares. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares in the Offering, but received approximately $8.8 million from the Underwriter in connection with the cash exercise of the Platinum Warrant for all 8,416,814 shares underlying the Platinum Warrant at an exercise price of $1.05 per share.
As of September 30, 2017, K Equity does not have any outstanding warrants for shares of the Company’s common stock.

16


PROPOSAL TO RATIFY APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to examine the financial statements of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019 and to perform other appropriate accounting services.
A proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm. One or more members of that firm are expected to be available at the Annual Meeting to respond to questions and to make a statement if they desire to do so. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, Ernst & Young LLP served as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm and also provided other audit-related services. See “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” on page 53. If the stockholders do not ratify this appointment by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, other independent registered public accounting firms will be considered by the Audit Committee. Even if the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is ratified, the Audit Committee may in its sole discretion terminate the engagement of the firm and direct the appointment of another independent auditor at any time during the year if it determines that such an appointment would be in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.


17



PROPOSAL CONCERNING ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE CORPORATION’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (“SAY-ON-PAY” VOTE)
General Information
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation paid to our “NEOs” as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules (commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal).
In a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay proposal held at our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, we recommended, and our stockholders voted in favor of, an annual say-on-pay vote. In light of this result and other factors considered by the Board, the Board determined that the Corporation would hold advisory say-on-pay votes on an annual basis until the next required advisory vote on such frequency. A new advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote is required every 6 years.
Summary
We are asking our stockholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation paid to our “NEOs,” which consist of our “principal executive officer,” our “principal financial officer” and our “next three highest paid-executive officers” at the end of our last fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 (“fiscal year 2018”), as described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” (“CD&A”) section of this Proxy Statement (beginning on page 22) and the compensation tables and narrative disclosures following the CD&A.
This advisory vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and our compensation philosophy, policies and practices, as described in this Proxy Statement.
Our Strong 2018 Performance
As a result of the hard work of our management team and our employees, we completed the purchase of the remaining 66% economic interest in TOKIN that we did not already own and our financial performance improved significantly in 2018 in the following key metrics:
Our revenues improved by $442 million;
Our gross margins improved by 370 basis points;
Our Adjusted EBITDA(1) improved by $86 million;
Our cash on hand increased by $177 million; and
Our stock price increased by 51.1%.
(1)
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See pages 58-59 of our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 25, 2018 for additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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Our Compensation Philosophy
As described in detail under CD&A, our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate superior executive talent, including our NEOs, who are critical to our success. The Corporation’s executive compensation program focuses on closely aligning compensation paid to its NEOs with the performance of the Corporation. We have designed the Corporation’s compensation program to exemplify the following tenets of our overall compensation philosophy:
Key Philosophy Tenets
Stockholder Alignment
NEOs should be compensated through pay components (base salaries, annual- and long-term incentives) designed to create long-term value for our stockholders, as well as foster a culture of ownership.
Pay for Performance
A large portion of a NEO’s total compensation should be variable (“at risk”) and tied to the achievement of the organization’s financial performance, as well as team and individual contributions.
Competitiveness
Provide a structure that is internally fair and equitable for the skills and knowledge required to perform each individual role; and provide an externally competitive compensation structure for positions of similar skill, responsibilities, and geographic location.
Attraction and Retention
The executive compensation program should enable the organization to attract executives with a technical background, international experience and the broader skills necessary for the management of a global corporation.
Consistent with our philosophy, and as further discussed in the CD&A, we believe the Compensation Committee has designed an executive compensation program that: (i) strongly aligns the compensation of our NEOs with the interests and concerns of stockholders and our overall business strategy by linking significant portions of our NEOs’ compensation to our performance, (ii) is competitive and reasonable as compared to compensation programs adopted by the Corporation’s peer group and based on a review of broader public company and industry survey data, (iii) includes best-practice compensation governance features that are in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders, and (iii) is cost-effective with limited perquisites and other personal benefits.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the say-on-pay proposal, as stated by the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the Corporation’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the NEOs, as disclosed in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the CD&A, the fiscal year 2018 Summary Compensation Table, and the other related tables and disclosures.”
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Corporation, our Board of Directors or our Compensation Committee. Our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will take into account the outcome of this vote in considering future compensation arrangements.
Vote Required
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote.


19


SECURITY OWNERSHIP
As of May 29, 2018, the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Stock consisted of 57,252,739 shares of Common Stock. The following information with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each nominee for director of the Corporation, each continuing director, each “Named Executive Officer,” the directors and executive officers as a group, and all beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Common Stock known to the Corporation is furnished as of May 29, 2018. Except as otherwise indicated below, each of the persons named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by it, him or her as set forth opposite its, his or her name.
 
 
 
 
 
Directors, Named Executive Officers and 5% Stockholders
 
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
 
Percent of Class
Per-Olof Loof
 
865,590

(1
)
1.51
%
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
139,730

(2
)
*
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
61,594

(3
)
*
Shigenora Oyama

2,953

(4
)
*
R. James Assaf

74,326

(5
)
*
Dr. Wilfried Backes
 
68,334

(6
)
*
Gurminder S. Bedi
 
60,002

(7
)
*
Frank G. Brandenberg
 
60,001

(8
)
*
Jacob T. Kotzubei
 
56,230

(9
)
*
E. Erwin Maddrey, II
 
72,096

(10
)
*
Yasuko Matsumoto
 
7,972

(11
)
*
Robert G. Paul
 
84,501

(12
)
*
Karen M. Rogge


(13
)
*
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (15 persons)
 
1,701,448

(14
)
2.95
%
BlackRock, Inc.
 
6,546,264

(15
)
11.43
%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
 
3,063,455

(16
)
5.35
%
Renaissance Technologies LLC
 
2,880,200

(17
)
5.03
%
The Vanguard Group
 
4,010,624

(18
)
7.01
%
*
Percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed one percent of class.
(1)
Includes 779,590 restricted shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Shares”). Restricted Shares cannot be sold until 90 days after termination of service with the Corporation or until the director or officer achieves the targeted ownership under the Corporation’s stock ownership guidelines, and only to the extent that such ownership exceeds the target. 86,000 unrestricted shares are pledged as security in a margin account. Mr. Loof purchased these in the open market prior to the Corporation’s adoption of its current anti-pledging policy, described on page 34 below.
(2)
Represents 139,730 Restricted Shares.
(3)
Includes 59,094 Restricted Shares.
(4)
Represents 2,953 Restricted Shares.
(5)
Represents 74,326 Restricted Shares.
(6)
Represents 8,333 Restricted Shares, 50,001 vested RSUs and 10,000 RSUs that vest within 60 days of May 29, 2018.

20


(7)
Includes 50,001 vested RSUs and 10,000 RSUs that vest within 60 days of May 29, 2018.
(8)
Represents 50,001 vested RSUs and 10,000 RSUs that vest within 60 days of May 29, 2018.
(9)
Represents 46,230 vested RSUs and 10,000 RSUs that vest within 60 days of May 29, 2018.
(10)
Includes 10,762 Restricted Shares, 50,001 vested RSUs and 10,000 RSUs that vest within 60 days of May 29, 2018.
(11)
Represents 7,972 RSUs that vest within 60 days of May, 29, 2018.
(12)
Includes 10,000 Restricted Shares, 50,001 vested RSUs and 10,000 RSUs that vest within 60 days of May 29, 2018.
(13)
Ms. Rogge joined the Board of Directors of the Corporation on May 30, 2018.
(14)
The amount shown includes 1,232,907 Restr10icted Shares, 296,235 vested RSUs and 67,972 RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 29, 2018.
(15)
According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 19, 2018 by BlackRock, Inc., as of December 31, 2017, BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power for 6,453,911 shares and sole dispositive power for 6, 546,264 shares. The address for this reporting person is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.
(16)
According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2018 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, as of December 31, 2017, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP has sole voting power for 2,927,390 shares and sole dispositive power for 3,063,455 shares. The address for this reporting person is Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78746.
(17)
According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018 by Renaissance Technologies LLC, as of March 23, 2017, Renaissance Technologies LLC has sole voting and sole dispositive power for 2,880,200 shares. The address for this reporting person is 800 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
(18)
According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 8, 2018 by The Vanguard Group, as of December 31, 2017, The Vanguard Group has sole voting power for 106,100 shares, sole dispositive power for 3,905,642 shares, shared voting power for 3,600 shares, and shared dispositive power for 104,982 shares. The address for this reporting person is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.


21


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes our executive compensation program. It explains the decision-making process used by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, and the actions the Compensation Committee took related to the compensation of the Corporation’s executive officers listed below (we refer to these persons as our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”) for our fiscal year ended March 31, 2018:
NEO
Position
Per-Olof Loof
Chief Executive Officer and Director
William M. Lowe, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Shigenori Oyama
Executive Vice President, Magnetics, Sensors, & Actuators
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
Executive Vice President, Solid Capacitor
R. James Assaf
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Financial Performance and Business Highlights
As evidenced by our financial results set forth below, our performance during the last fiscal year was strong and showed significant improvement year-over year, especially in the context of the overall industry challenges faced by us and our peer companies. As noted below, we completed our acquisition of TOKIN last year which represented an important strategic objective and enhanced our already improved financial results. We believe these financial metrics are important reflections of our Corporation’s health in that we made gains in our revenues, gross margin, GAAP net income, Adjusted EBITDA¹, earnings per share and cash on hand. These metrics are commonly used to evaluate a company’s financial position among investors and we believe that our marked improvement in each is indicative of the Corporation’s strong performance.
(1)
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See pages 58-59 of our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 25, 2018 for additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP.
2018 – A Year of Strong Results
ü Revenue increase of over 58%
ü Gross Margin increase of 82% and Gross Margin percentage increase of 370 basis points
ü Adjusted EBITDA increase of approx. 82%
ü Cash on Hand jumped by over 160%
 
Significant gains in every key financial metric!


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chart-1a9a1618cf9c5411817.jpg chart-12fb288ea8315973b62.jpg chart-dc1dd8915fee57c195c.jpg
The above figures for fiscal year 2017 and through April 19, 2017 in fiscal year 2018 do not include financial results of TOKIN (except to the extent that US GAAP Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share were impacted by the Corporation’s 34% ownership interest in TOKIN). For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, TOKIN’s consolidated revenues increased to $328.8 million, compared to consolidated revenues of $303.5 million for the prior fiscal year (excluding additional same-period revenues of $177.5 million and $157.0 million, respectively, from TOKIN’s EMD division, which was sold in April, 2017). The Compensation Committee believes that any review of management performance should take into account the financial performance of TOKIN, because of the nature of the involvement of our management in the oversight and operations of TOKIN through our membership on the Board of Directors of TOKIN and the provision of certain management services to TOKIN under, and as required by, the Stockholder’s Agreement with NEC Corporation.
Say-on-Pay Results and Stockholder Engagement
At the 2017 Annual Meeting, stockholders had the opportunity to approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our NEOs. This is referred to as a “say-on-pay” proposal. Approximately 97.5% of the total votes cast supported our executive compensation decisions for 2017. Since the institution of say-on-pay advisory (non-binding) votes, the Corporation has generally received strong support for our compensation program, with stockholders

23


typically reporting a 90% or more favorable vote.
As our financial performance results show, we believe the Corporation is on a strong footing as a result of much hard work on the part of our management team and employees generally. As always, we will continue to monitor the feedback received from our stockholders, including responses to this year’s say on pay advisory (non-binding) proposal and will consider this information as we evaluate our executive compensation programs.
2017/2018 Compensation Decisions/Highlights
The compensation decisions made by the Compensation Committee for the NEOs were related to our fiscal year beginning April 1, 2017 and ending March 31, 2018.
Base Salaries: With the following exceptions, all of the NEOs received modest base salary increases of between 2.0% and 4.0%. Mr. Loof received a 5.1% increase to his base salary, effective January 1, 2018; in determining the increase, the Compensation Committee considered that Mr. Loof’s last increase was January 2016. Mr. Oyama received a 37.5% increase to his base salary, reflecting his appointment as an executive officer of KEMET, his new global responsibilities following the Corporation's acquisition of TOKIN, and his alignment to the compensation structure of KEMET's top Leadership Team.
KEMET Annual Incentive Program (“KAIP”): Based on the Corporation’s performance, individual performance and in certain cases business group performance, the Compensation Committee awarded the NEOs between 100% and 200% of their respective target award opportunities. For more information, please refer to page 29.
2018/2019 Long-Term Incentive Program (“LTIP”): The Compensation Committee granted target awards to our NEOs, 60% of which are performance-based and 40% of which are time-based. For more information, please refer to page 32.
On September 6, 2017, in recognition of the successful completion of the TOKIN acquisition, the Board granted Mr. Loof a special RSU Award of 100,000 RSUs. The TOKIN acquisition was consummated following over four years of the Corporation's management of TOKIN as a joint venture with NEC Corporation. The TOKIN acquisition was immediately accretive to the Corporation's earnings, and transformed the Corporation's balance sheet, adding additional cash (after acquisition costs) of $42 million in addition to acquiring TOKIN's cash on hand (resulting in a combined KEMET-TOKIN cash balance of approximately $265 million, up from the Corporation's cash balance of $110 million just prior to the acquisition), and immediately lowering the Corporation's net debt from $273 million to $118 million.
Best Compensation Governance Practices & Policies
Our executive compensation program is grounded in the following policies and practices, which we believe promote sound compensation governance, enhance our executive compensation philosophy and further align NEOs’ interests with those of our stockholders:
What We Do
What We Do Not Do
ü Place a heavy emphasis on variable compensation
× Provide “single trigger” change in control severance
     benefits
ü Require significant stock ownership
× Offer significant perquisites
ü Maintain a ‘clawback’ policy
× Allow excise tax gross up upon a change in control
ü Conduct annual compensation risk assessments
× Permit short selling of our stock
ü Use an independent compensation consultant
× Guarantee base salaries
ü Set meaningful performance goals that incentivize
       strong performance without encouraging undue risk
       taking
× Allow hedging or pledging of our stock held by executives

24


Our Executive Compensation Program
Overview of our Executive Compensation Program
After reviewing our performance and the corresponding executive compensation awards, the Compensation Committee believes the Corporation’s compensation strategy continues to serve our Corporation and stockholders well. We will continue to rely on a balance of the following compensation and benefit programs to attract and retain executive talent and to ensure a strong connection between executive compensation and financial performance:
Base salary (fixed compensation);
Annual bonus incentives (cash bonuses);
Long-term incentive compensation that, if earned, is paid in the form of cash and restricted stock;
Limited perquisites and other personal benefits; and
Retirement programs (broad-based and executive-level) and health and welfare benefits that are available to other employees.
Our Compensation Philosophy
Our executive compensation program closely aligns compensation paid to the NEOs with the Corporation's performance. The program is designed to exemplify the following tenets of our overall compensation philosophy:
Key Philosophy Tenets
Stockholder Alignment
NEOs should be compensated through pay components (base salaries, annual- and long-term incentives) designed to create long-term value for our stockholders, as well as foster a culture of ownership.
Pay for Performance
A large portion of a NEO’s total compensation should be variable (“at risk”) and tied to the achievement of the organization’s financial performance, as well as team and individual contributions.
Competitiveness
Provide a structure that is internally fair and equitable for the skills and knowledge required to perform each individual role; and provide an externally competitive compensation structure for positions of similar skill, responsibilities, and geographic location.
Attraction and Retention
The executive compensation program should enable the organization to attract executives with a technical background, international experience and the broader skills necessary for the management of a global corporation.
Compensation Components and Mix
Our executive compensation philosophy is supported by the following core components of our program:
Compensation Component
How It Is Paid
Purpose
Base salary
Cash
(Fixed)
Provide a base level of compensation that fairly accounts for the external market value, skills and responsibilities of a specific position and that provides our NEOs with a stable amount of compensation.
KAIP
(annual incentive)
Cash
(Variable)
Reward NEOs based on the Corporation’s achievement of pre-determined annual financial goals, as well as team and individual contributions to annual performance results.
LTIP
(long-term incentive)
Cash and Equity
(Variable)
Based in part on achievement of pre-determined financial goals over a two-year measurement period, provide NEOs with significant additional incentive to promote the long-term financial success of the Corporation, and create stockholder value, as well as support our leadership retention objectives.

25


Pay Mix
The graphs below show the mix between base salary, and target KAIP (annual incentive) opportunity and target 2018/2019 LTIP (long-term incentive) opportunity by our CEO and all other NEOs during our last fiscal year. We believe our compensation program strikes an appropriate balance of fixed pay versus at-risk pay that encourages executive performance and provides compensation commensurate with our Corporation’s results.
ceoa01.jpg capturea35.jpg
How Decisions Are Made
The Compensation Committee oversees the executive compensation program for our NEOs. The Committee is comprised of independent non-employee members of the Board. The Committee works closely with its independent consultant and management to examine the effectiveness of the Corporation's executive compensation program throughout the year. Details of the Committee's authority and responsibilities are specified in the Committee's charter; please see page 55 for ways to view the Committee charter.
The Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee’s goal is to award compensation that is reasonable and consistent with the Corporation’s executive compensation philosophy and objectives. In making decisions with respect to any element of a NEO’s compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the total compensation (base salary, annual and long-term incentives) that may be awarded.
In reviewing each component of compensation, the Compensation Committee uses data provided by its outside advisors to review not only the level of compensation provided by the Corporation and its competition, but also the mix of compensation ("pay mix"). The pay mix refers to the percentage of compensation which is allocated to each component of compensation. This allows the Compensation Committee another means of assessing the competitiveness and structure of executive compensation and ensures that the philosophies and objectives of the Corporation are being achieved.
The Compensation Committee does not strive to set executive compensation opportunities and payments at a specific market position, nor provide a mix of compensation as compared to market data. Rather, the Compensation Committee considers market data in making informed decisions regarding levels and the mix of total compensation.
Other factors considered when making compensation decisions include individual performance, objective performance criteria, responsibilities within the organization, skills required to meet position specifications and the Corporation’s need for a flexible and adaptable workforce. We believe that these factors allow us to attract and retain the executives with the skills needed to manage a multinational corporation. Incentive compensation rewards may be team or individual performance based. Award criteria are directly tied to the Corporation’s business and strategic plan. All compensation components reflect the Corporation’s international focus.
The Role of Management
In making its determinations with respect to executive compensation, the Compensation Committee is supported by the Corporation’s Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.

26


The Compensation Committee frequently requests the CEO to be present at Compensation Committee meetings where executive compensation and corporate performance are discussed and evaluated. The CEO is free to provide insight, suggestions or recommendations regarding executive compensation if present during these meetings or at other times. However, only independent Compensation Committee members are allowed to vote on decisions made regarding executive compensation.
The Compensation Committee meets with the CEO to discuss his own compensation package, but ultimately, decisions regarding the CEO’s compensation are made by the Compensation Committee, meeting in executive session, without the CEO or any other executive officer present, solely based upon the Compensation Committee’s deliberations. Decisions regarding other executives who report directly to the CEO are made by the Compensation Committee after considering recommendations from the CEO and Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
The Role of the Independent Compensation Consultant
The Compensation Committee has historically engaged the services of an independent compensation consultant. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Pearl Meyer & Partners (“Pearl Meyer”) to assist with its review of the compensation package of the CEO and other executives. In addition, Pearl Meyer was retained to assist the Compensation Committee with several special projects, including monitoring trends in executive compensation.
The Compensation Committee retains Pearl Meyer directly, although in carrying out assignments Pearl Meyer also interacts with Corporation management when necessary and appropriate. Specifically, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer interacts with the consultant to provide compensation data. In addition, Pearl Meyer may, in its discretion, seek input and feedback from the executives regarding its consulting work product prior to presentation to the Compensation Committee to confirm its alignment with the Corporation’s business strategy, determine what additional data may need to be gathered, or identify other issues, if any, prior to presentation to the Compensation Committee. Pearl Meyer does not provide any services to the Corporation other than its consulting services to the Compensation Committee related to executive and director compensation.
The Role of Peer Groups
Every two years, or on an as needed basis, the Compensation Committee reviews external market data compiled by Pearl Meyer to examine the total cash and incentive compensation components of the compensation package that the Corporation provides to its NEOs and non-employee directors to determine if such compensation is competitive. The information provided by Pearl Meyer is analyzed by the Compensation Committee while reviewing the competitive nature of compensation provided to the NEOs and non-employee directors.
In making compensation decisions with respect to staff salaries, including the NEOs, the Compensation Committee maintains a standard pay range structure based on an external market analysis provided by Pearl Meyer. Pay ranges are reviewed periodically and adjustments made, as needed and within the financial capabilities of the Corporation and based on market conditions. No adjustments were made in fiscal year 2018.
Historically, the Compensation Committee has reviewed data provided by Pearl Meyer from a variety of peer organizations. Based on a review by Pearl Meyer, in July 2016 the Committee approved changes to the Corporation’s peer group list to better align the peer group companies with the Corporation’s revenues and business/product mix. Peer group companies generally report annual sales .5X to 2X the Corporation's annual sales, with median annual revenues of $1.2 billion. The companies in our peer group are considered peer companies of the Corporation because they either manufacture capacitors or other electronic components, compete in the same market segments or actively recruit each other’s employees due to similar skill requirements. The table below lists the Company's current peer group.

27


                          Company
Ticker
Business Description
TTM Technologies Inc.
TTM
TTM Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures printed circuit boards (PCBs) worldwide.
Vishay Intertechnology Inc.
VSH
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. manufactures and supplies discrete semiconductors and passive components in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Teradyne Inc.
TER
Teradyne, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells automatic test equipment worldwide.
National Instruments Corporation
NATI
National Instruments Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells systems to engineers and scientists worldwide.
AVX Corp.
AVX
AVX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and supplies various passive electronic components, interconnect devices, and related products worldwide.
Integer Holdings Corporation
ITGR
Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer worldwide.
Littelfuse Inc.
LFUS
Littelfuse, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells circuit protection devices for use in the automotive, electronics, and industrial markets worldwide.
Viavi Solutions Inc.
VIAV
Viavi Solutions Inc. provides network test, monitoring, and assurance solutions to communications service providers, and enterprises and their ecosystems worldwide.
Diodes Incorporated
DIOD
Diodes Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and supplies application-specific standard products in the discrete, logic, and analog and mixed semiconductor markets primarily in Asia, North America, and Europe.
Methode Electronics, Inc.
MEI
Metode Electronics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets component and subsystem devices in the United States and internationally.
Rogers Corporation
ROG
Rogers Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and sells engineered materials and components worldwide.
Intersil Corporation
ISIL
Intersil Corporation designs and develops power management and precision analog integrated circuits (ICs) for applications in the infrastructure, industrial, automotive, military, aerospace, computing, and consumer markets.
CTS Corporation
CTS
CTS Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells a range of sensors, electronic components, and actuators primarily to original equipment manufacturers for the transportation, communications, defense and aerospace, medical, industrial, and information technology markets.
KEMET Corp.
KEM
KEMET Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells passive electronic components under the KEMET brand worldwide.
In developing our peer group, the Compensation Committee took into account the consolidated revenue of the Corporation, as well as the consolidated revenue of TOKIN, because of the nature of the involvement of our management in the oversight and operations of TOKIN through our membership on the Board of Directors of TOKIN and the provision of certain management services to TOKIN under, and as required by, the Stockholder's Agreement with NEC Corporation. The Compensation Committee also considered the complexity of both the Corporation's and TOKIN's multinational operations in establishing the peer group.
Compensation Decisions for Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2018
Base Salary
Base salary represents annual fixed compensation and is a standard element of compensation necessary to attract and retain talent. Base salary levels are reviewed annually. When making adjustments, the Compensation Committee considers the Corporation’s overall performance; the NEO’s individual performance, experience, career potential, compensation data and competitive market practices. The Compensation Committee determines base salary adjustments (if any) for our NEOs during the third quarter (ending December 31) of the fiscal year, effective January 1. For fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee made the following adjustments to the NEOs’ base salaries:
 
 
Executive
 
Calendar Year 2017 Base Salary $
 
Calendar Year 2018 Base Salary $
 
Adjustment $
 
Adjustment %
Per-Olof Loof
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
875,000

 
920,000

 
45,000

 
5.1
%
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
562,277

 
573,523

 
11,246

 
2.0
%
Shigenori Oyama
 
Executive Vice President, Magnetics, Sensors, & Actuators
 
218,162

 
300,000

 
81,838

 
37.5
%
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
Executive Vice President, Solid Capacitor
 
424,360

 
437,091

 
12,731

 
3.0
%
R. James Assaf
 
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
322,140

 
335,026

 
12,886

 
4.0
%
Based on its review, the Compensation Committee determined that the modest base salary increases of between 2.0% and 4.0% were appropriate for all of our NEOs, other than Messrs. Loof and Oyama, to ensure that their fixed compensation

28


remained market competitive. In determining Mr. Loof's 5.1% increase, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the Corporation's successful financial performance, CEO compensation data and the fact that Mr. Loof's most recent salary increase had been January 2016. Mr. Oyama received a 37.5% increase to his base salary, reflecting his appointment as an executive officer of KEMET and his new global responsibilities following the Corporation's acquisition of TOKIN.
KEMET Annual Incentive Program (KAIP)
The KAIP is intended to reward executives based on a combination of the Corporation’s annual financial performance, individual performance and in the case of Messrs. Meeks and Oyama, segment performance. The Compensation Committee has established targets, thresholds and maximum opportunities generally consistent with market data. Our NEOs had the following cash opportunities (and opportunity as a percentage of base salary as of March 31, 2018, which salaries were approved in October of 2017) under the KAIP.
The table below shows the incentive opportunities at threshold, target and maximum for each NEO (as a percentage of base salary) for fiscal year 2018. In general, the Compensation Committee believes that our CEO’s KAIP potential performance payouts should be larger than that of our other NEOs to reflect his responsibility for the Corporation’s overall performance.
 
 
Threshold Performance
 
Target Performance
 
Maximum Performance
NEO
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
 
($)
 
(%)
Per-Olof Loof
 
460,000

 
50

 
920,000

 
100

 
1,840,000

 
200

William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
200,733

 
35

 
401,466

 
70

 
802,932

 
140

Shigenori Oyama
 
105,000

 
35

 
210,000

 
70

 
420,000

 
140

Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
152,982

 
35

 
305,964

 
70

 
611,927

 
140

R. James Assaf
 
100,508

 
30

 
201,016

 
60

 
402,031

 
120

Performance Objectives and Weightings
In general, the KAIP is weighted 70% based on company financial performance metrics (or in the case of Messrs. Meeks and Oyama, 30% company and 40% segment) to reflect the importance of achieving measurable and meaningful goals that are key drivers and indicators of our Corporation’s performance.
For all NEOs, 30% of their 2018 KAIP was determined by their individual performance as evaluated by the CEO (for all NEOs other than the CEO, who is evaluated by the Compensation Committee) and approved by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee believes linking a portion of a NEO’s annual bonus to the achievement of individual performance goals provides an appropriate balance between financial goals and such individual’s performance in determining total annual variable compensation. Individual performance is evaluated holistically following the end of the performance period and the Compensation Committee considers the achievement of individual performance goals in the context of the Corporation's performance and determines an appropriate level of payout.
As noted above, 40% of the annual bonus opportunity for Messrs. Meeks and Oyama, who are segment leaders, are based on the achievement of performance goals specifically tailored to their business group. The Compensation Committee believes this mix of company-wide and business group specific performance measures appropriately reflects Messrs. Meeks' and Oyama's impact on the segments they manage and the Corporation’s overall performance.
Each component of the KAIP operates independently of each other; therefore, a NEO may become entitled to receive a bonus solely based on the Corporation’s performance, individual performance, or in the case of Mr. Meeks and Mr. Oyama, segment performance. Moreover, a portion of the corporate performance component of the KAIP may be attained by achievement of the Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow or revenue performance goals described below.

29


The table below summarizes the relative weighting of each performance component applicable to the 2018 KAIP for each of our NEOs.
Executive
 
Corporate Performance
 
Business Segment Performance
 
Individual Performance
Per-Olof Loof
 
70%
 
N/A
 
30%
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
70%
 
N/A
 
30%
Shigenori Oyama
 
30%
 
40% MSA Business Segment
 
30%
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
30%
 
40% Tantalum Business Segment
 
30%
R. James Assaf
 
70%
 
N/A
 
30%
The Compensation Committee has the right to exercise discretion to adjust the KAIP payout relating to the achievement of personal performance goals to ensure that payouts produce their desired result. Individual performance is evaluated holistically following the end of the performance period and the Compensation Committee considers these personal performance goals in the context of the Corporation’s performance and determines an appropriate level of payout.
Financial Performance Measures
The Compensation Committee established the following performance measures under the KAIP for measuring the Corporation’s performance in fiscal year 2018 (amounts are in millions, except percentages). As shown below, the Corporation’s strong 2018 performance exceeded each of the various target Corporate financial performance metrics.
Weighting (% of Corporate Performance)
 
Performance Measure
 
Threshold ($)
 
Target ($)
 
Maximum ($)
 
Actual Results ($)
40%
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
109.4
 
136.8
 
164.2
 
191.3
15%
 
Free Cash Flow
 
61.5
 
76.9
 
92.3
 
106.1
15%
 
Revenue
 
961.8
 
1,068.7
 
1,175.6
 
1,199.9
For Mr. Meeks, the Compensation Committee established the following performance measures under the KAIP for measuring the Corporate and Tantalum Performance in fiscal year 2018 (amounts are in millions, except percentages):
% of Corporate & Business Group Performance
 
Performance Measure
 
Threshold ($)
 
Target ($)
 
Maximum ($)
 
Actual Results ($)
25%
 
TA Adjusted EBITDA
 
85.0
 
106.2
 
127.4
 
158.2
15%
 
TA Revenue
 
384.2
 
426.9
 
469.6
 
495.1
15%
 
Corporate Adjusted EBITDA
 
109.4
 
136.8
 
164.2
 
191.3
10%
 
Corporate Free Cash Flow
 
61.5
 
76.9
 
92.3
 
106.1
5%
 
Corporate Revenue
 
961.8
 
1,068.7
 
1,175.6
 
1,199.9
As illustrated above, Mr. Meeks exceeded each of his target performance metrics and surpassed his stretch maximum performance goals, demonstrating the solid performance of the business segment for which he is primarily responsible.
For Mr. Oyama, the Compensation Committee established the following performance measures under the KAIP for measuring the Corporate and Magnetics, Sensors & Actuators Performance in fiscal year 2018 (amounts are in millions, except percentages):

30


% of Corporate & Business Group Performance
 
Performance Measure
 
Threshold ($)
 
Target ($)
 
Maximum ($)
 
Actual Results ($)
25%
 
MSA Adjusted EBITDA
 
18.8
 
23.5
 
28.2
 
25.5
15%
 
MSA Revenue
 
189.0
 
210.0
 
231.0
 
227.0
15%
 
Corporate Adjusted EBITDA
 
109.4
 
136.8
 
164.2
 
191.3
10%
 
Corporate Free Cash Flow
 
61.5
 
76.9
 
92.3
 
106.1
5%
 
Corporate Revenue
 
961.8
 
1,068.7
 
1,175.6
 
1,199.9

For the fiscal year 2018 KAIP, the Compensation Committee selected the corporate and segment performance measures described above because they reflect the corresponding financial and operating targets in the Corporation’s annual business budget for the fiscal year. In order for a minimum bonus payout to occur, the threshold is set at 90% of target for the revenue performance targets and 80% of target for all other performance targets. At the time the measures were established, the Compensation Committee believed that it would require a high degree of difficulty to reach the maximum bonus payout which is set at 110% of target for the revenue performance targets and 120% of target for all other performance targets.
For purposes of the KAIP, we define the various performance metrics as follows:
Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as net income/loss before income tax expense; interest expense, net; and depreciation and amortization; adjusted to exclude the following: write down of long-lived assets; restructuring charges; plant start-up costs; plant shut-down costs; net foreign exchange gain/loss; stock-based compensation expense; net loss on sales and disposals of assets; ERP integration costs/IT transition costs; TOKIN investment related expenses; equity income (loss) from TOKIN; change in value of TOKIN options; pension plan adjustment; and legal expenses related to antitrust class actions.
Free Cash Flows” is defined as Adjusted EBITDA (defined above) adjusted for the change in working capital (change in inventories, net; accounts receivable, net; and accounts payable), and less cash capital expenditures.
Revenue” is defined as net sales in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure that we use in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC. The Compensation Committee has historically used Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flows in evaluating the Corporation’s performance and believes such measures are appropriate as the committee seeks to measure the performance of the underlying business operations of the Corporation and the items referenced below that are excluded from those measures are of the type that do not generally relate to the underlying business operations and make it difficult to compare results from period to period.
Within 90 days after completion of the fiscal year, the Compensation Committee reviews the Corporation’s performance and determines each participant’s bonus award. Payments of awards are paid in one or more cash installments, with the first payment occurring shortly after the Compensation Committee’s approval.
Individual Performance Measures
Following the end of the performance year, the Compensation Committee reviews each NEO’s performance and assesses his performance holistically in the context of our Corporation’s overall performance rather than based on predetermined individual performance goals. The Compensation Committee’s ultimate determination of each NEO’s personal performance for purposes of the KAIP is discretionary in nature.

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KAIP - Fiscal Year 2018 Results
Based on the Corporation’s performance, the NEO’s individual performance and, where applicable, the NEO’s business group performance, the NEOs earned the awards below under the KAIP. Achievement was at 200% of the Corporate financial measures, 200% for Tantalum, and 162% for MSA. The Compensation Committee also approved the discretionary individual performance component of the KAIP in amounts ranging from 100% to 200% of target. The amounts below show the total payout of KAIP as a percentage of target, including corporate, segment where applicable, and individual performance.
    
Executive
 
Target KAIP ($)
 
Actual KAIP ($)
 
Actual KAIP as a % of Target (%)
Per-Olof Loof
 
920,000

 
1,840,000

 
200
%
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
401,466

 
742,712

 
185
%
Shigenori Oyama
 
210,000

 
331,558

 
158
%
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
305,964

 
584,390

 
191
%
R. James Assaf
 
201,016

 
371,878

 
185
%
The Long-Term Incentive Program (LTIP)
The Compensation Committee believes the LTIP provides NEOs with significant additional incentive to drive the long-term financial success of the Corporation and attract and retain talented leadership. The Compensation Committee further believes that by structuring a significant amount of the LTIP to provide our NEOs with equity-based incentives that are subject to our stock ownership guidelines, the plan appropriately aligns their interests with our stockholders.
LTIP Fiscal 2018/2019 Performance Period
In May 2017, the 2018/2019 LTIP was established which consisted of a performance component and time-based cash and unit award structure. As described further below, the performance based portion (60%) of the 2018/2019 LTIP vests based on the Corporation’s achievement of a two-year cumulative Adjusted EBITDA target (the “2018/2019 Performance LTIP”) and is paid in cash based on actual performance. The remaining time-based portion (40%) of the LTIP award consists of time-vesting RSUs settled in Restricted Shares which vest in three equal annual installments beginning May 2018 (the “2018/2019 Time LTIP”).
In general, the total incentive opportunity under the 2018/2019 LTIP is measured as a percentage of a participant’s base salary and increases according to the individual’s seniority within the Corporation, such that a larger portion of senior executives’ compensation is contingent upon the Corporation’s success. This offers the NEOs the opportunity to earn above median total compensation upon the achievement of outstanding results (based on market data reviewed by the Compensation Committee).

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The NEOs were granted the following 2018/2019 LTIP opportunity as a percentage of base salary:
NEO
 
2018/2019 Performance LTIP
 
2018/2019 Time LTIP
 
 
% of Base Salary (at Target)
 
% of Base Salary (at Target)
 
 
Minimum
 
Target
 
Maximum
 
Per-Olof Loof
 
30%
 
60%
 
160
%
(1)
 
40%
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
30%
 
60%
 
90%
 
40%
Shigenori Oyama
 
30%
 
60%
 
90%
 
40%
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
30%
 
60%
 
90%
 
40%
R. James Assaf
 
22.5%
 
45%
 
67.5%
 
30%
(1) If Adjusted EBITDA equals 125% of target Mr. Loof would receive 120% of his base salary, if Adjusted EBITDA equals 135% of target Mr. Loof would receive 160% of his base salary.
The performance portion of the 2018/2019 LTIP is earned based on the Corporation’s achievement of an Adjusted EBITDA performance goal (calculated in the same manner as under the KAIP) for the two-year period ending March 31, 2019. The Compensation Committee continues to believe Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate and effective measure of the Corporation’s overall performance. The threshold level of performance was set at 75% of target and was, at the time it was established, believed to be an achievable goal. At the time the Compensation Committee determined the target level of performance, the goal was believed to be aggressive, but obtainable. The maximum level of performance was set based on 125% of target and was believed to be realizable, but only with exceptional performance. As discussed earlier, the Compensation Committee designated that the entire performance portion of the 2018/2019 LTIP be payable in cash, as opposed to a mix of cash and Restricted Shares as was the case in prior LTIPs. This supports the Compensation Committee’s objective to provide long-term incentive opportunities, while balancing share reserve considerations under the Corporation’s existing equity incentive plan.
LTIP - Results for 2017/2018 Period Ended March 31, 2018

The threshold, target and maximum of the Adjusted EBITDA performance goals for the 2017/2018 LTIP are set forth below. As shown, the Corporation’s performance over the two-year performance period ending March 31, 2018 exceeded our stretch maximum performance goals and paid at 150% of the Performance LTIP target. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated under the 2017/2018 LTIP in the same manner as under the KAIP. 

Performance Measure
 
Threshold ($)
 
Target ($)
 
Maximum ($)
 
Actual Results ($)
Adjusted EBITDA (in millions)
 
157.5

 
210.0

 
262.5

 
296.5

    
Based on the Corporation’s performance, the NEOs earned the Performance LTIP awards below:
NEO
Performance Cash Award ($)
 
Performance Shares Granted (#)
Per-Olof Loof
$1,050,000
 

William M. Lowe, Jr.
$491,310
 

Shigenori Oyama
$0
(1)

Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
$370,800
 

R. James Assaf
$209,081
 


(1)     Mr. Oyama was not eligible to participate in the FY 17/18 LTIP.

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Other Policies, Practices and Guidelines
Stock Ownership Guidelines
To directly align the interests of the NEOs with the interests of the stockholders, the Compensation Committee established guidelines stipulating that each NEO should maintain a minimum ownership interest in the Corporation. The amount to be retained varies depending upon the NEO’s position:
NEO
Stock Ownership Guideline
Per-Olof Loof
Five (5) times base salary
William M. Lowe, Jr.
Three (3) times base salary
Shigenori Oyama
Three (3) times base salary
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
Three (3) times base salary
R. James Assaf
Two (2) times base salary
The time period during which such minimum number of shares is to be acquired and retained was initially targeted five years from the later of (i) April 1, 2006 or (ii) the year in which such executive officer was hired or promoted to executive officer status. All of our NEOs have achieved their targeted share ownership. Under these guidelines, our NEOs may not sell shares of our Common Stock acquired through grant from the Corporation that would result in them falling below the applicable ownership level. As persons with access to material non-public information regarding the Corporation, our NEOs, like all of our employees and directors, are restricted in their ability to trade our securities in accordance with applicable law, the guidelines contained in our Code of Conduct and our Trading Policy which, among other things, limits trading in KEMET stock to certain quarterly trading periods.
Stock Holding Requirements
Any profit shares, defined as net shares after paying taxes, must be held until the grantee’s targets under the Corporation’s stock ownership guidelines are met. The Compensation Committee determined that requiring NEOs to hold all Restricted Shares and other performance- based equity awards until their employment terminates does not provide individuals with an opportunity to benefit from performance-based equity grants and that the stock ownership guidelines were appropriate for ensuring NEO’s hold an appropriate level of shares of the Corporation’s common stock.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Polices
We have adopted anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies that prohibit covered persons, including our NEOs, from holding securities in a margin account, pledging securities as collateral for a loan or entering into hedging or monetization transactions. The policy prohibiting pledging relates to all shares acquired in any manner after the date of the adoption of the policy and all shares acquired pursuant to any equity compensation arrangement regardless of when acquired. The anti-hedging policy applies to any shares held by covered persons regardless of when or how they are acquired.
Retirement, Health and Welfare Benefits
Our NEOs participate in the same retirement, health and welfare benefits as other employees, based on their country regulations. Other than the supplemental retirement savings plans described below, no supplemental programs are provided.
Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Managers
The NEOs, in addition to certain other U.S.-based eligible executives, are entitled to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Managers (the “DCP”). The DCP offers its NEOs an opportunity to save on a tax-advantaged basis

34


for their retirement. Participants in the DCP can defer up to 75% of their total compensation on a pre-tax basis during any fiscal year. If a participant elects to defer a portion of their compensation, the Corporation will match an amount equal to 100% of the first six percent of compensation that a participant elects to defer. Benefits under the DCP are paid no earlier than at the beginning of the year following the executive’s retirement or termination of employment. NEOs can participate in either the DCP or the Corporation’s 401(k) retirement savings plan or both; however, the aggregate match provided by the Corporation under both plans and the Executive Secured Benefit Plan (described below) cannot exceed six percent of compensation in any given calendar year.
Executive Secured Benefit Plan
The KEMET Executive Secured Benefit Plan (the “Secured Benefit Plan”) is an after-tax non-qualified retirement plan available to certain U.S.-based eligible executives, including the NEOs. The Secured Benefit Plan supplements the Corporation’s two existing pre-tax deferred compensation plans—the DCP and the 401(k) retirement savings plan.
The Secured Benefit Plan allows participants to make after-tax contributions that are placed in an institutional life insurance policy that is owned by the participant with investment options in a variety of mutual funds. Each participant may elect to make contributions to the Secured Benefit Plan in an amount not to exceed 50% of his or her base salary plus 50% of his or her KAIP incentive compensation; provided, however, the participant’s initial contribution must equal at least $5,000. There are no minimum contributions in subsequent years. The Corporation will match an amount equal to 100% of the first six percent of compensation that a participant elects to contribute to the Secured Benefit Plan, though this amount is reduced to account for any contributions made to the DCP or 401(k) retirement savings plan. The participant’s contributions to the Secured Benefit Plan are made on an after-tax basis and any Corporation matching contributions are taxable income to the participant for the year in which such contributions are made on behalf of the participant. Each participant is responsible for all federal, state and local taxes on such contributions. In addition, all policy premiums and fees are paid by the participant.
Unlike the DCP or 401(k) retirement savings plan, the Secured Benefit Plan allows participants to withdraw up to 100% of their contributions in the life insurance policy, subject to minor fees, while actively employed or following termination of employment. Upon death, the estate of the participant will receive a death benefit equal to the amount of the original life insurance policy, minus any distributions.
Perquisites
The Corporation believes that setting appropriate levels of base and variable pay are of greater importance to motivating key talent and increasing stockholder return than any package of non-cash perquisites. In fiscal year 2018, Mr. Loof received reimbursement for spousal travel and home office phone expenses. Mr. Lowe received reimbursement for spousal travel expenses. There were no other significant recurring perquisites granted to any of our NEOs.
Executive Agreements
With the exception of our CEO, none of our NEOs were employed pursuant to employment agreements during fiscal year 2018. On June 29, 2015, the Corporation and Mr. Loof entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Loof Agreement”) which extended his employment term as Chief Executive Officer through March 31, 2018. Subsequent to fiscal year 2018, the Loof Agreement was further amended, extending Mr. Loof's employment term through March 31, 2021. The Compensation Committee believes continuing Mr. Loof's employment with the Corporation through March 31, 2021 provides important continuity through an important phase of the Corporation's growth.
The material terms of the Loof Agreement, as amended, are described below in the narrative description to the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.

35


Change in Control Severance Agreements
In fiscal year 2018, the Compensation Committee approved and the Corporation entered into Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreements (the “Change in Control Severance Agreements”) with each of its NEOs that are currently scheduled to expire on July 27, 2020. The Corporation has historically provided these double-trigger change in control protections for its named executive officers and the Compensation Committee continues to believe that the Change in Control Severance Agreements are in the Corporation’s best interests in order to ensure that in the event of a possible change in control of the Corporation, the stability and continuity of management would continue unimpaired, free of the distractions incident to any such change in control. The material terms of the Change in Control Severance Agreements are set forth in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
Agreements with Messrs. Lowe and Meeks
On December 1, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved and the Corporation entered into an Incentive Award, Severance and Non-Competition Agreement with Mr. Lowe (the “Lowe Agreement”) and an Incentive Award and Non-Competition Agreement with Mr. Meeks (the “Meeks Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Lowe Agreement, we granted Mr. Lowe 275,000 RSUs on December 1, 2014. On each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, 25,000 RSUs vest and the remaining 200,000 RSUs vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, in all cases, contingent on Mr. Lowe remaining employed through the applicable vesting date. As discussed in greater detail in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control,” all of the RSUs awarded to Mr. Lowe under the Lowe Agreement vest upon his death, disability, termination without cause, resignation for good reason or termination by the Corporation within 24 months following a change in control. Further, the Lowe Agreement provides that Mr. Lowe may receive severance benefits upon his termination without cause or resignation for good reason, as described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.” Mr. Lowe’s agreement also requires that he abide by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants (with respect to both employees and customers) for (i) one year after his termination in the event he resigns without good reason or is terminated for cause, or (ii) the severance period (generally 24 months) in the event his employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason.
Similarly, we granted Mr. Meeks 160,000 RSUs on December 1, 2014 pursuant to the Meeks Agreement. On each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, 20,000 RSUs vest and the remaining 100,000 RSUs vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, in all cases, contingent on Mr. Meeks remaining employed through the applicable vesting date. As discussed in greater detail in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control,” all of the RSUs awarded to Mr. Meeks under the Meeks Agreement vest upon his death, disability, termination without cause, resignation for good reason or termination by the Corporation within 24 months following a change in control. Mr. Meeks’ agreement also requires he abide by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants (with respect to both employees and customers) for one year after his termination of employment with the Corporation, whether by the Corporation or by Mr. Meeks. The Meeks Agreement does not provide Mr. Meeks with any additional severance protections.
As noted above, the Compensation Committee believes it was important to enter into these agreements to incentivize Messrs. Lowe and Meeks to retain their employment with the Corporation for the four-year period ending in 2018 and to provide a powerful incentive for the executives to work to create additional stockholder value that they may realize upon settlement. In addition, the Corporation secured important non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants that are designed to protect the Corporation’s interests in the event the executives’ employment terminates.
Management of Executive Compensation-Related Risk
The executive compensation program is designed to create incentives for our NEOs to achieve the Corporation’s annual and longer-term business objectives. The Compensation Committee considers how the individual elements of executive compensation and the executive compensation program as a whole could potentially encourage our NEOs, either individually or

36


as a group, to make excessively risky business decisions at the expense of long-term stockholder value. In order to address this potential risk, the Compensation Committee annually reviews the risk characteristics of the Corporation’s executive compensation programs and considers methods for mitigating such risk. For fiscal 2018, the Compensation Committee concluded that the executive compensation program and its policies do not encourage excessive risk-taking and that any risks arising from the Corporation’s compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation.
Tax and Accounting Implications
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Reform Act"), which was enacted on December 22, 2017, significantly alters the Corporation's ability to deduct for federal income tax purposes compensation paid to certain of its executives. Prior to its passage, Section 162(m) of the Code limited the Corporation's ability to deduct compensation paid to its named executive officers (other than the chief financial officer) in excess of $1 million per year, unless the compensation was "performance based," as described in the regulations under Code Section 162(m). In general, the Tax Reform Act eliminated the exception from Code Section 162(m)'s deduction limits for performance-based compensation, clarified that chief financial officers are covered by the deduction limitation, and made certain other changes, including providing for transition relief for written binding contracts in effect on November 2, 2017.
It is not yet clear the degree to which the Corporation may rely on this transition relief with respect to prior awards made under our various incentive compensation arrangements. As in the past, the Compensation Committee expects to continue to take into consideration the tax deductibility of compensation, but reserves the right to authorize payments that may not be deductible if it believes that the payments are appropriate and consistent with our compensation philosophy.
Significant Executive Compensation Actions Occurring After Fiscal Year End
As discussed above, we entered into a new employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer in April 2018 that secures his services with the Corporation through fiscal year 2021. For more information regarding the new employment agreement, please see page 41.

    

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

We have reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on such review and discussions with management, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.

Submitted by:    Robert G. Paul, Chairman
Gurminder S. Bedi
Dr. Wilfried Backes
Members of the Committee

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The table below summarizes the total compensation earned by each of the Named Executive Officers for each of the last three fiscal years.
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary ($)
 
Bonus ($)(1)
 
Stock Awards ($)(2)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3)
 
All-Other Compensation ($)(5)
 
Total ($)
Per-Olof Loof
 
2018
 
886,250

 
552,000

 
2,657,001

 
2,338,000

 
177,039

 
6,610,290

   Chief Executive Officer
 
2017
 
875,000

 
525,000

 
350,000

 
1,072,381

 
191,344

 
3,013,725

 
 
2016
 
856,250

 

 
595,000

 
844,301

 
135,733

 
2,431,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
2018
 
565,088

 
180,660

 
224,911

 
1,053,363

 
13,614

 
2,037,636

   Executive Vice President and
 
2017
 
549,995

 
236,156

 
218,360

 
518,703

 
19,030

 
1,542,244

   Chief Financial Officer
 
2016
 
533,975

 

 
371,000

 
403,728

 
13,409

 
1,322,112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shigenori Oyama
 
2018
 
292,376

 
65,104

 
2,752,500

 
266,453

 
6,372

 
3,382,805

   Executive Vice President,
 
2017
 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnetics, Sensors & Actuators
 
2016
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
2018
 
427,542

 
156,041

 
169,744

 
799,149

 
49,290

 
1,601,766

   Executive Vice President,
 
2017
 
415,090

 
125,653

 
164,800

 
398,361

 
43,973

 
1,147,877

   Solid Capacitor
 
2016
 
403,000

 

 
280,000

 
213,999

 
26,352

 
923,351

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R. James Assaf
 
2018
 
325,361

 
90,457

 
96,642

 
490,503

 
37,006

 
1,039,969

   Senior Vice President,
 
2017
 
312,848

 
115,970

 
92,925

 
245,124

 
36,034

 
802,901

   General Counsel and Secretary
 
2016
 
298,688

 

 
162,750

 
183,565

 
22,613

 
667,616

(1)
Amounts reflected under the “Bonus” column for 2017 and 2018 represent the discretionary portion of each NEO’s KAIP payable on account of the NEO’s individual performance.
(2)
Amounts reflected under the “Stock Awards” column for 2017 and 2018 represent the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of the time-vesting RSUs. Includes special Award granted by the Board to Mr. Loof on September 6, 2017, in recognition of the successful completion of the TOKIN acquisition of 100,000 RSUs, and the special Award to Mr. Oyama reflecting his appointment as an executive officer of KEMET and his new global responsibilities.
(3)
The amounts shown in this column for 2017 and 2018 reflect awards under the KAIP on account of the Corporation’s performance and, if applicable, the applicable business group’s performance (as noted above, the individual performance component of the KAIP is included in the “Bonus” column) and the portion of the LTIP payable in cash. The table below summarizes the breakdown between KAIP and LTIP received by each NEO. Non-equity incentive plan compensation for each of our NEOs for fiscal 2018 consists of the following:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Named Executive Officer
 
Non-Discretionary
KAIP ($)
 
2017/2018 LTIP ($)(a)
 
Non-Discretionary
KAIP ($)
 
2016/2017 LTIP ($)(b)
 
KAIP ($)
 
2015/2016 LTIP ($)(c)
Per-Olof Loof
 
1,288,000

 
1,050,000

 
863,281

 
209,100

 
635,201

 
209,100

William M. Lowe
 
562,053

 
491,310

 
388,323

 
130,380

 
279,498

 
124,230

Shigenori Oyama
 
266,453

 

 

 

 

 

Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
428,349

 
370,800

 
299,961

 
98,400

 
205,529

 
8,470

R. James Assaf
 
281,422

 
209,081

 
190,696

 
54,428

 
121,649

 
52,583


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(a)
The amount shown reflects the total amount of cash paid in May 2018 under the cash portion of the 2017/2018 LTIP due to the Corporation’s performance.
(b)
The amount shown reflects the total amount of cash paid in May 2017 under the cash portion of the 2016/2017 LTIP due to the Corporation’s performance.
(c)
The amount shown reflects the total amount of cash paid in May 2016 under the cash portion of the 2015/2016 LTIP due to the Corporation’s performance.
(4)
With respect to amounts paid to Mr. Oyama in Japanese Yen, the amounts shown in the table are based on the exchange rate at the end of the applicable fiscal year. Specifically, Mr. Oyama’s compensation paid in Japanese Yen between April 18, 2017 and March 31, 2018 is converted using the exchange factor as of March 31, 2018 (.00909).
(5)
All other compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2018 consists of the following:
    
Name
Year
 
Corporate Contributions to Retirement and 401(k) Plans
($)(a)
 
Other
($)
 
Total
($)
Per-Olof Loof
2018
 
157,763

 
19,276

(b)
177,039

William M. Lowe, Jr.
2018
 
11,963

 
1,651

(c)
13,614

Shigenori Oyama
2018
 
6,372

 

 
6,372

Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
2018
 
49,290

 

 
49,290

R. James Assaf
2018
 
37,006

 

 
37,006

(a)
Includes company match contributions (the aggregate of which is not to exceed 6% of base salary and bonus) for the deferred compensation plan, Key Executive Secured Benefit Plan, and defined contribution retirement plan.
(b)
Represents amounts for spousal travel in connection with attendance at Corporation events and events sponsored by Corporation-supported charitable organizations, as well as amounts paid for home office phone expenses, and supplies.
(c)
Represents amounts for spousal travel in connection with attendance at Corporation events.
 
.





40


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
The table below summarizes the total of each grant of an award made to a Named Executive Officer in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
 
 
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
 
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock of Units
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards ($)
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
 
Grant Date
 
Threshold ($)
 
Target ($)
 
Maximum ($)
 
 
 
Threshold ($)
 
Target ($)
 
Maximum ($)
Per-Olof Loof
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018/2019 LTIP (1)
5/18/2017
 
262,500

 
525,000

 
1,400,000

 
126,100

 
2,657,001

 

 

 

     2018 KAIP (2)
 
 
460,000

 
920,000

 
1,840,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018/2019 LTIP (1)
5/18/2017
 
168,683

 
337,366

 
506,049

 
16,772

 
224,911

 

 

 

     2018 KAIP (2)
 
 
200,733

 
401,466

 
802,932

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shigenori Oyama
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018/2019 LTIP (1)
5/18/2017
 
90,000

 
180,000

 
270,000

 
158,949

 
2,752,500

 

 

 

     2018 KAIP (2)
 
 
105,000

 
210,000

 
420,000

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018/2019 LTIP (1)
5/18/2017
 
127,308

 
254,616

 
381,923

 
12,659

 
169,744

 

 

 

     2018 KAIP (2)
 
 
152,982

 
305,964

 
611,927

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R. James Assaf
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018/2019 LTIP (1)
5/18/2017
 
72,482

 
144,963

 
217,445

 
7,207

 
96,642

 

 

 

     2018 KAIP (2)
 
 
100,508

 
201,016

 
402,031

 

 

 

 

 

(1)
Represents the estimated possible payout under the 2018/2019 LTIP.  As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, participants in the 2018/2019 LTIP receive Performance Awards that are payable in cash. Participants also receive time-based RSUs, which are shown as Stock Awards.
(2)
The 2018 KAIP allowed the Named Executive Officers to earn a cash bonus based on the fiscal year 2018 performance of the Corporation, the officer’s business group (if applicable), and the officer’s individual performance, as further described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the heading, “Annual Bonus Incentives for Named Executive Officers.” The threshold, target and maximum performance levels reflected in this table represent the range of amounts each of the Named Executive Officers was eligible to earn based on fiscal year 2018 performance. Actual payouts under the 2018 KAIP were above target for each of the NEOs and are reported in the Summary Compensation Table above.
Employment Agreements and Other Individual Agreements with Named Executive Officers
Loof Agreement
Mr. Loof, our CEO, is employed pursuant to the Loof Agreement. The Board believes that the Loof Agreement benefits the Corporation by providing continuity for the Corporation’s senior executive and setting up a timetable for orderly succession planning. Key terms of the Loof Agreement are as follows:

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The Loof Agreement in effect during fiscal year 2018, as amended, had a term of June 29, 2015 through March 31, 2018.  
During the term of the Loof Agreement, Mr. Loof is paid an annual base salary of $850,000, subject to increases or decreases at the discretion of the Board.
Mr. Loof is eligible to participate in the Corporation’s health and insurance coverage plan, existing short-term incentive compensation program, long-term incentive compensation program, and the Corporation’s deferred compensation plans (described below), in each case as such plans are generally available to other executive officers of the Corporation.
Mr. Loof is entitled to participate in a final 24-month long long-term incentive compensation program covering the period April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2019.
Mr. Loof was granted 250,000 RSUs with a June 29, 2015 grant date with the following vesting schedule (subject to Mr. Loof’s continued employment with the Corporation): 35,000 RSUs on March 31, 2017, 40,000 RSUs on March 31, 2018, and the balance of 175,000 RSUs on March 31, 2019.  Vested RSUs are settled as Restricted Shares.
The Loof Agreement will terminate (i) immediately upon Mr. Loof’s resignation, death or disability or (ii) upon notice of termination by the Corporation at any time, with or without “cause” (as defined in the Loof Agreement).
Mr. Loof will be entitled to certain severance payments upon his termination of employment under certain circumstances, including a termination without cause or resignation for good reason in connection with a change in control. Please refer to the section titled “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” for a description of these payments.
The Loof Agreement contains a standard confidentiality provision as well as non-competition and non-solicitation agreements for the term of Mr. Loof’s employment and for a minimum of twelve months after any termination thereof.
As noted earlier, the Loof Agreement was amended and restated on April 18, 2018, extending Mr. Loof’s employment term through March 31, 2021. In addition, the 2018 Loof Agreement provides that upon at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the end of the term, upon the agreement of the Board and Mr. Loof, the agreement may be extended for additional one-year periods. Below is a summary of the material terms of Mr. Loof’s extended employment agreement:

During the term of the 2018 Loof Agreement, Mr. Loof is paid an annual base salary of $920,000, subject to increases or decreases at the discretion of the Board.
Mr. Loof is entitled to participate in the KAIP and LTIP programs which are based on 24-month long-term incentive performance periods (April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2020, April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2021). If Mr. Loof is employed as Chief Executive Officer on April 1, 2020, and has been continuously so employed by the Corporation through April 1, 2020, he is entitled to participate in a special 12-month long-term incentive compensation program covering the period April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 (“Special LTIP”) that will be based upon the same plan being provided to the other top executive officers for the two-year period that ends on March 31, 2022, but adjusted to take into account the March 31, 2021 expiration of his employment term. Any amounts to be paid under the Special LTIP will only be determined at the end of the entire period (after March 31, 2022) and shall be a pro-rated amount (50%) of the amount that would have been payable as a two-year payment and fully vested in accordance with the LTIP.
Upon execution of the April 18, 2018 amendment, certain RSUs previously granted to Mr. Loof on June 29, 2015, totaling 175,000 shares, and on September 6, 2017, totaling 100,000 shares, both of which were scheduled to vest over time, became fully vested.  

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The Loof Agreement contains a standard confidentiality provision as well as non-competition and non-solicitation agreements for the term of Mr. Loof’s employment and for a minimum of 24 months after any termination thereof.  As partial consideration for the non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, if Mr. Loof is terminated by the Corporation without “cause” or voluntarily resigns with “good reason,” the vesting periods under any restricted stock grants, restricted stock units or any other equity-related grants then-held by Mr. Loof shall continue to run for up to two years following the date of such termination, subject to compliance by Mr. Loof with the non-competition provisions of the Agreement.
Other Agreements with Named Executive Officers
The Corporation has entered into Change in Control Severance Compensation Agreements with each of its Named Executive Officers. Please refer to the section titled “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” for information concerning these agreements.
The Corporation has also entered into the Lowe Agreement with Mr. Lowe and the Meeks Agreement with Mr. Meeks. Please refer to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the section titled “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” for information concerning these agreements.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE
The table below summarizes the awards under the Corporation’s equity incentive plans for each Named Executive Officer outstanding as of March 31, 2018.
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
 
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
 
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 ($)(8)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(9)
Name
 
Exercisable
 
Unexercisable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Olof Loof
 

 

 

 

 
(1)
 
100,000

 
1,813,000

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
(2)
 
175,000

 
3,172,750

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)
 
60,481

 
1,096,521

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4)
 
63,868

 
1,157,927

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5)
 
26,100

 
473,193

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)
 
37,712

 
683,719

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4)
 
39,846

 
722,408

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5)
 
16,772

 
304,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(6)
 
200,000

 
3,626,000

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shigenori Oyama
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5)
 
8,949

 
162,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(7)
 
150,000

 
2,719,500

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)
 
28,463

 
516,034

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4)
 
30,076

 
545,278

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5)
 
12,659

 
229,508

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
R. James Assaf
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)
 
25,743

 
466,721

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4)
 
16,957

 
307,430

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5)
 
7,207

 
130,663

 
 
 
 
(1)
On September 6, 2017, the corporation granted Mr. Loof 100,000 RSUs that settle as Restricted Shares. RSUs will vest in annual installments of 33%, 33%, and 34% over a three year period ending September 6, 2020.

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Upon Mr. Loof and the Board Agreement of Mr. Loof's new employment contract with a vesting acceleration clause, all of these RSUs vested on April 18, 2018.
(2)
On June 29, 2015, the Corporation granted Mr. Loof 250,000 RSUs that settle as Restricted Shares. The RSUs vest as follows (subject to Mr. Loof’s continued employment with the Corporation): 35,000 RSUs vested on March 31, 2017, 40,000 RSUs vested on March 31, 2018, and the balance of 175,000 RSUs vest on March 31, 2019. Per Mr. Loof's new employment contract with a vesting acceleration clause, the remaining unvested shares of this grant vested on April 18, 2018.
(3)
In May 2015, the 2016/2017 LTIP was established; 40% of the LTIP award takes the form of a grant of RSUs that will vest in annual installments of 33%, 33%, 34% over a three-year period ending May 18, 2018 (subject to continued employment with the Corporation); 60% of the LTIP award takes the form of Performance-based RSUs, the vesting of which are subject to the Corporation’s achievement of a two-year performance target for the period ending March 31, 2017. These RSUs were vested based on 82% achievement of the target.
(4)
In May 2016, the 2017/2018 LTIP was established; 40% of the LTIP award takes the form of a grant of RSUs that will vest in annual installments of 33%, 33%, 34% over a three-year period ending May 18, 2019 (subject to continued employment with the Corporation).
(5)
In May 2017, the 2018/2019 LTIP was established; 40% of the LTIP award takes the form of a grant of RSUs that will vest in annual installments of 33%, 33%, 34% over a three-year period ending May 18, 2020 (subject to continued employment with the Corporation).
(6)
On December 1, 2014, the Corporation granted 275,000 and 160,000 RSUs to Mr. Lowe and Mr. Meeks, respectively.   For Mr. Lowe, 25,000 RSUs will vest on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date, respectively, and the remaining 200,000 RSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date (subject to Mr. Lowe’s continued employment with the Corporation). For Mr. Meeks, 20,000 RSUs will vest on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date, respectively, and the remaining 100,000 RSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date (subject to Mr. Meeks’ continued employment with the Corporation)
(7)
On August 4, 2017, the Corporation granted 150,000 RSUs to Mr. Oyama that will vest in annual installments of 25%, 25%, 50% over a three year period ending August 4, 2020. (subject to continued employment with the Corporation)
(8)
Based on the closing price of the Corporation’s Common Stock on March 29, 2018, the last trading day of March 2018 ($18.13).

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OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE
The table below summarizes exercises of stock options and vesting of stock awards for the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
 
Options Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
 
Value Realized on Exercise ($)
 
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)
 
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(1)
Per-Olof Loof
83,334

 
718,063

 
220,386

 
3,068,052

William M. Lowe, Jr.
53,333

 
459,893

 
105,154

 
1,433,670

Shigenori Oyama

 

 

 

Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
15,000

 
192,489

 
78,819

 
1,078,499

R. James Assaf
9,334

 
111,018

 
33,756

 
441,092

(1)
Based on the closing price of the Corporation’s Common Stock on the various vesting dates that pertain to the NEO.
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE
The table below provides information with respect to each defined contribution or other plan that provides for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified. Contributions made to the Secured Benefit Plan on behalf of Named Executive Officers are not included as this plan is an after-tax nonqualified retirement plan that does not provide for a deferral of compensation.
Name
 
Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)
 
Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)
 
Aggregate Earnings / (Losses) in Last Fiscal Year ($)
 
Aggregate Withdrawals / Distributions ($)
 
Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End ($)
 
Per-Olof Loof
 
76,948

(1)
145,400

(1)
99,895

 

 
1,696,765

(2)
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Shigenori Oyama
 

 

 

 

 

 
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 

 

 

 

 

 
R. James Assaf
 

 

 

 

 

 
(1)
Amount represents the annual base for calendar year 2017, and the annual bonus match for fiscal year 2018, each of which will be credited to Mr. Loof’s account under the DCP in June 2018. Executive contributions in Last Fiscal Year, and Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year are reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Salary” and “All Other Compensation” columns, respectively.        
(2)
The Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End contains Executive Contributions and Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year previously included in the Summary Compensation Table which totaled $222,348 and earnings on contributed amounts of $1,696,765 which was reported in prior years, since 2006.
    

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Change in Control Severance Agreements
The Corporation has entered into Change in Control Severance Agreements with each of its Named Executive Officers to ensure that in the event of a possible change in control of the Corporation, the stability and continuity of management would continue unimpaired, free of the distractions incident to any such change in control. Only in the event his employment is terminated under certain circumstances following a change in control, the Change in Control Severance Agreements provide each NEO with certain severance benefits. Absent a “change in control” (as defined below), the Change in Control Agreements will expire on July 27, 2020. In the event a change in control occurs prior to July 27, 2020, the Change in Control Agreements will expire on the two year anniversary of the change in control. In addition, the Change in Control Agreements will automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
The Named Executive Officer’s death or termination due to disability;
The Named Executive Officer’s attainment of his “retirement date” (age 70 ½ or the date the executive has informed the Corporation he intends to retire after age 55 but before age 70 ½), or
The determination by the Board that the Named Executive Officer is no longer eligible to receive the benefits provided under the Change in Control Agreement, provided such determination is made prior to a change in control and not the result of negotiations in connection with a change in control.
Under the Change in Control Agreements, only in the event their employment with the Corporation is terminated under certain circumstances following a change in control, the Named Executive Officers are entitled to severance benefits and accelerated vesting of performance awards. The Change in Control Agreements do not provide for a “gross-up” for any excise tax imposed by operation of Code Section 4999 on amounts that constitute “excess parachute payments” under Code Section 280G. However, a Named Executive Officer’s payment under his Change in Control Agreement may be reduced to an amount such that it does not constitute an excess parachute payment under Code Section 280G, if such reduction would result in the NEO receiving a greater after-tax payment. If the NEO would receive a greater after-tax payment absent a reduction and payment of applicable taxes, including excise taxes, no reduction will be made.
Under the Change in Control Agreements, a “change in control” is deemed to have occurred in the event of certain significant changes to the ownership of the Corporation, including when:
(1)    the percentage of ownership by an acquiring entity or group equals or exceeds 25% of the (a) then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, or (b) combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of the Corporation’s directors,
(2)    a replacement of the majority of the incumbent members of the Corporation’s Board, or
(3)    a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets, unless following such event (a) beneficial stockholders prior to the event own more than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock and voting power of outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of the Corporation’s directors, (b) no person owns 25% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities, and (c) at least a majority of the incumbent members of the Board continue to serve on the Board following the transaction.

Our Named Executive Officers will only receive severance benefits under the Change in Control Agreements if they are terminated without “cause” or if they resign for “good reason” following the change in control. The Change in Control Agreements define “good reason” as the occurrence of any of the following events:

46


The assignment of any duties inconsistent with the Named Executive Officer’s position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Corporation, or any removal of the Named Executive Officer from, or any failure to reelect to, any such position;
A reduction by the Corporation in the Named Executive Officer’s base salary;
The failure of the Corporation to continue in effect any compensation, welfare or benefit plan in which the Executive is participating at the time of a change in control, without substituting or providing a substantially similar benefit at substantially the same cost;
Any purported termination for “cause” or “disability” (as defined in the Change in Control Agreements) without grounds; and/or
The relocation of the Named Executive Officer’s primary work location to a location that is more than 20 miles from the current work location immediately prior to the change in control.
“Cause,” as defined in the Change in Control Agreements, means (i) the willful and continued failure by the Named Executive Officer for a significant period of time substantially to perform his duties with the Corporation (other than any such failure resulting from his disability), after a demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Named Executive Officer in writing by the Board or its designee which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or its designee believes that the Named Executive Officer has not substantially performed his duties, or (ii) the willful engaging by the Named Executive Officer in gross misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Corporation. No act, or failure to act, on the Named Executive Officer’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Named Executive Officer, not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Corporation.
Pursuant to the Change in Control Agreements, upon his qualifying termination each Named Executive Officer is entitled to receive a lump sum payment on his termination date equal to twenty-four times the sum of (a) monthly base salary and (b) the monthly amount of the annual target incentive bonus due each executive following a qualifying termination after a change in control. In addition, under the Change in Control Agreements, the Corporation must:
Maintain all life insurance, medical plans and programs in which such Named Executive Officers participate for 18 months following the date of the qualifying termination or until such time as the executive first becomes eligible for the same type of coverage under another employer’s plan, whichever is earlier;
Pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by such Named Executive Officer as a result of his termination; and
Pay the costs of reasonable outplacement services, up to a maximum of $15,000, until such Named Executive Officer is employed on a full-time basis.
The Named Executive Officers are not entitled to the benefits described above if their termination is for cause, they resign without good reason, or they die, become disabled or retire.
Additionally, the Change in Control Agreements provide for accelerated vesting of LTIP awards such that LTIP awards are payable in an amount equal to the greater of: (1) the actual performance of the Corporation through the end of the fiscal year during which the change in control occurs compared to the plan target, up to the maximum amount payable under the plan or (2) the target amount payable under the plan for such period. The actual amount paid for such LTIP awards will be pro-rated for each outstanding LTIP award based on the number of fiscal years from the grant date through the fiscal year in with the change in control occurs divided by the total number of fiscal years in the performance period. 

47


Loof Agreement
Mr. Loof’s Agreement also entitles him to certain severance payments upon his termination without “cause” or his resignation for “good reason.” In such event, Mr. Loof will be entitled to continue to receive full base salary, target bonus and benefits, as such may be adjusted during the Additional Employment Period, for the period from the date of termination to the earlier to occur of (i) March 31, 2019 or (ii) two years from the date of termination. Under such circumstances, Mr. Loof’s short-term incentive plan bonus for each year following the year in which his employment was terminated will be the same as the target bonus opportunity in the year of the termination, or if not yet established for such year, for the immediately preceding year. Mr. Loof’s severance payments are subject to his execution of a release of claims against the Corporation, his not breaching the restrictive covenants in his Agreement and his not applying for unemployment compensation chargeable to the Corporation during the severance period. Mr. Loof’s Agreement also provides that if he becomes entitled to payments under both his Agreement and his Change in Control Agreement, he is entitled to the greater of the two payments, but may not receive payment under both agreements. If Mr. Loof is terminated by the Corporation for cause or if Mr. Loof resigns (other than for “good reason”), he will be entitled to receive only his base salary through the date of termination or resignation and will not be entitled to receive any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Corporation or its subsidiaries, except as set forth below or as specifically provided for under the Corporation’s employee benefit plans or as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. In the event of Mr. Loof’s disability or death, Mr. Loof or his heirs, as applicable, will be entitled to receive only his base salary through the date of such an event and any annual bonus for a completed fiscal year that has not yet been paid.
As consideration for the non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, if Mr. Loof is terminated without “cause” or voluntarily resigns with or without “good reason,” Mr. Loof will be entitled to receive one year of his base salary in effect at the time of termination plus one year of the annual short-term incentive bonus which shall be determined based on the target bonus for Mr. Loof’s last year of employment.
The definition of “cause” under Mr. Loof’s Agreement is substantially similar to the definition found in the Change in Control Agreements. Mr. Loof’s Agreement defines “good reason” as (i) the assignment of duties inconsistent with Mr. Loof’s position or a change in Mr. Loof’s title or offices or his removal from, or failure of the Board to reelect Mr. Loof to any such employment positions (except due to a termination for cause, death, disability or Mr. Loof’s attainment of retirement age), and (ii) a material reduction of Mr. Loof’s base salary below that in effect on the effective date of his Agreement, other than a reduction reflecting a material reduction in the size or complexity of the Corporation’s business.
Lowe and Meeks Agreements
Both the Lowe Agreement and the Meeks Agreement provide that Messrs. Lowe and Meeks will become vested in the RSUs granted to them under their respective agreements upon their death disability, termination without cause, resignation for good reason or termination by the Corporation within 24 months following a change in control. Both agreements define “cause” and “change in control” substantially similar to the Change in Control Agreements and define “good reason” like the Change in Control Agreements but only with respect to assignment of inconsistent duties or a reduction in base salary.
Mr. Lowe’s Agreement also provides that he will receive severance compensation in the event his employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason in the form of 24 monthly payments, each equal to one-twelfth of the sum of (i) Mr. Lowes’ annual base salary, plus (ii) his target annual bonus. Mr. Lowe’s severance payments are subject to his execution of a release of claims against the Corporation, his not breaching the restrictive covenants in his Agreement and his not applying for unemployment compensation chargeable to the Corporation during the severance period. Mr. Lowe’s Agreement also provides that if he becomes entitled to payments under both his Agreement and his Change in Control Agreement, he is entitled to the greater of the two payments, but may not receive payment under both agreements.

48


General Information
The table below describes the compensation and benefits payable to each of our Named Executive Officers in the following circumstances:
termination without cause or for resignation good reason in the absence of a change of control;
termination without cause or resignation for good reason in connection with a change of control;
voluntary resignation;
death; or
disability.
The amounts shown below assume that termination of employment or a change in control occurred as of March 31, 2018, and estimate certain amounts which would be paid to our Named Executive Officers upon the specified event. Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amounts of compensation and benefits provided upon the events discussed below, the actual amounts estimated to be paid or distributed may be different. A factor that could affect these amounts is the financial performance of the Corporation through the date of any such event.
The table quantifies and the accompanying footnotes describe the compensation and benefits that are paid in addition to compensation and benefits generally available to salaried employees. Examples of compensation and benefits generally available to salaried employees, and thus not included below, are distributions under the Corporation’s 401(k) retirement savings plan, accrued vacation pay, vested nonqualified deferred compensation and vested equity. The table assumes that all outstanding equity awards would be assumed by an acquirer in the event of a change in control, as is the common practice. In the event such awards were not assumed, they would become fully vested as a result of the change in control.
 
 
Before Change in Control
 
After Change in Control
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Termination w/o Cause or Resignation for Good Reason (1)(5)($)
 
Termination w/o Cause or Resignation for Good Reason (2)(3)($)
 
Voluntary Termination ($)
 
Death (4)(5)($)
 
Disability (5)($)
Per-Olof Loof
 
3,680,000

 
11,436,109

 
1,840,000
 
153,333

 
William M. Lowe, Jr.
 
5,575,978

 
7,346,341

 
 
3,721,587

 
3,626,000
Shigenori Oyama
 
300,000

 
3,928,663

 
 
50,000

 
Charles C. Meeks, Jr.
 
2,250,091

 
2,837,089

 
 
1,885,849

 
1,813,000
R. James Assaf
 
335,026

 
2,034,063

 
 
55,838

 
(1)
This benefit is payable pursuant to the KEMET Corporation Severance Pay Plan; our NEOs receive twelve months’ base salary as severance, except for Mr. Loof and Mr. Lowe, whose payment is paid pursuant to the Loof and Lowe Agreements, respectively.
(2)
Pursuant to the accelerated vesting provision of the Change in Control Severance Agreements, these amounts shown include (a) the target payout under the Performance component of the 2017/2018 LTIP grant date of May 18, 2016, (b) 50% of the target payout under the Performance component of the 2018/2019 LTIP grant date of May 18, 2017, and (c) unvested RSUs, calculated based on the closing price of the Corporation’s Common Stock on March 29, 2018, the last trading day during the 2018 fiscal year. Pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control Severance Agreements, if any of these amounts are considered excess parachute payments under Code Section 280G, they may be reduced if such reduction would result in the NEO receiving a greater after-tax payment.

49


(3)
These amounts include the benefit payable pursuant to the Change in Control Severance Agreements, which is (a) twenty four multiplied by the sum of (i) the NEO’s monthly base salary plus (ii) the monthly value of the NEO’s target annual bonus (Mr. Loof—100% of base salary, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Meeks, and Mr Oyama—70% of base salary, Mr. Assaf — 60% of base salary), (b) accelerated LTIP (as described above) (c) eighteen months of COBRA premiums, and (d) reasonable outplacement services. As described above, the Corporation does not pay any Code Section 280G “gross-up” payments. Pursuant to the terms of the Change in Control Severance Agreements, if any of these amounts are considered excess parachute payments under Code Section 280G, they may be reduced if such reduction would result in the NEO receiving a greater after-tax payment.
(4)
This benefit is payable pursuant to historical practice of the Corporation and is equal to two months of salary. The intention is to provide the family of a deceased NEO with income while the life insurance application process is taking place.
(5)
Pursuant to the accelerated vesting provision of Mr. Lowe’s and Mr. Meek’s Agreements these amounts shown include unvested RSUs, calculated based on the closing price of the Corporation’s Common Stock on March 29, 2018, the last trading day during the 2018 fiscal year.

50


CEO PAY RATIO

CEO Pay Ratio
As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our CEO and the annual total compensation of our employees through the end of our fiscal year (our “CEO pay ratio”). Our CEO pay ratio information is a reasonable good faith estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.
Excluding a one-time special RSU grant to our CEO described below, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO calculated to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees for this past fiscal year is 409 to 1. This ratio is based on the following:
the annual total compensation of our CEO, determined as described above, was $4,303,290; and
the median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than our CEO), determined in accordance with SEC rules, was $10,531.
Including the one-time special RSU grant to our CEO, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO calculated to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees for this past fiscal year is 628 to 1. This ratio is based on fiscal year 2018 total compensation of our CEO of $6,610,290, comprised of the following:
the CEO's annual compensation of $4,303,290 noted above; and
the value of a one-time special RSU grant that was awarded in September 2017 to the CEO in recognition of the successful completion of the TOKIN acquisition. The award consisted of 100,000 RSUs valued at $2,307,000, based on the FMV at the time of grant.
Methodology for Determining Our Median Employee. For purposes of the above CEO pay ratio disclosure, we are required to identify a median employee based on our worldwide workforce, without regard to their location, compensation arrangements, or employment status (full-time versus part-time). The median employee is determined by identifying the employee whose compensation is at the median of the compensation of our employee population (other than our CEO). Accordingly, to identify the median of the compensation of our employee population, the methodology and the material assumptions and estimates that we used were as follows:
Employee Population
Total Global Population. We determined that, as of January 31, 2018, the date we selected to identify the median employee, our employee population consisted of approximately 12,900 individuals working for KEMET Corporation.
Compensation Measure Used to Identify the Median Employee
Given the geographical distribution of our employee population, we use a variety of pay elements to structure the compensation arrangements of our employees. Consequently, for purposes of measuring the compensation of our employees to identify the median employee, rather than using annual total compensation, we selected base salary / wages and overtime pay paid through January 31, 2018 as the compensation measure.
We annualized the compensation of employees to cover the full calendar year, and also annualized any employees newly hired after April 1, 2017 as if they were hired at the beginning of the fiscal year, as permitted by SEC rules, in identifying the median employee.
We did not make any cost-of-living adjustments in identifying the median employee.
Using this methodology, we estimated that the median employee was an employee with base salary / wages and overtime paid for the year ended March 31, 2018 of $6,188.
Annual Total Compensation of Median Employee. In order to determine the annual total compensation of the median employee, we identified and calculated the elements of that employee’s compensation through March 31, 2018 in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, resulting in annual total compensation in the amount of $10,531.
Annual Total Compensation of Chief Executive Officer. With respect to the annual total compensation of our CEO, in accordance with SEC rules, we included the amount reported for Mr. Loof in the “Total” column for the most recent fiscal year in the Summary Compensation Table included in this proxy statement.



51


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee oversees the Corporation’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the internal controls over financial reporting. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The Audit Committee also reviewed with the independent registered public accounting firm, who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of audited financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, its judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Corporation’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee has received from the independent registered public accounting firm the written disclosures and the letter required by the PCAOB’s Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence from the Corporation. The Audit Committee also has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the Corporation is compatible with the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 audit, the Audit Committee discussed with the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for its audit. The Audit Committee meets with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of its audit, its evaluation of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting and the overall quality of the Corporation’s financial reporting.
Based upon the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 for filing with the SEC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
E. Erwin Maddrey, II, Chairman
Wilfried Backes



52


Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table sets forth fees billed for professional audit services and other services rendered to the Corporation by Ernst & Young LLP for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (amounts in thousands):
 
Fiscal Year 2018
 
Fiscal Year 2017
Audit Fees (1)
3,227

 
2,623

Audit-related Fees (2)
874

 
37

Tax Fees

 

All other fees

 

Total
4,101

 
2,660

(1)
The aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Corporation’s annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Corporation’s Forms 10-Q for the quarters within the fiscal years then ended.
(2)
For fiscal year 2018, audit‑related fees consisted of services related to the TOKIN acquisition, FASB ASC 606 implementation, and a potential offering. For fiscal year 2017, audit-related fees consisted of services related to a potential offering.
All audit-related services, tax services and other services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by Ernst & Young LLP were compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. The Audit Committee’s Audit Policies provide for pre-approval of all audit, audit-related and tax services. These policies authorize the Audit Committee to delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services.


OTHER BUSINESS
At the date of this proxy statement, the Corporation has no knowledge of any business other than that described above that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other business should come before the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Corporation’s management.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2019 ANNUAL MEETING
From time to time, stockholders present proposals which may be proper subjects for consideration at the Annual Meeting. To be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy, proposals must be submitted on a timely basis. Proposals for the 2019 Annual Meeting, which is expected to be held on July 31, 2019, must be received by the Corporation no later than February 13, 2019 and must otherwise comply with the SEC’s rules, to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting.
In addition, the Corporation’s Amended and Restated By-Laws establish advance notice procedures as to (1) business to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than by or at the direction of the Board of Directors and (2) the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, of candidates for election as directors, in each case, not included in the proxy statement. Any stockholder who wishes to submit a proposal to be acted upon at next year’s annual meeting or who proposes to nominate a candidate for election as a director must submit such notice in compliance with such procedures.
Any such proposals, as well as any questions related thereto, should be timely submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation at the address below. The Secretary must receive this notice no later than April 26, 2019.

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Notice of a proposal must include:
(i)
as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and
(ii)
(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (C) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to solicit or participate in the solicitation of proxies in favor of such proposal or nominee or nominees.
Notice of a nomination must include:
(i)
as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominees as directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and such person’s written consent to serving as a director if elected; and
(ii)
(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (C) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to solicit or participate in the solicitation of proxies in favor of such proposal or nominee or nominees.
You may contact our Secretary at our principal executive offices for a copy of the relevant provisions of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated By-Laws regarding the requirements for making stockholder proposals and nominating director candidates.


54


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This solicitation is being made by the Corporation. All expenses of the Corporation in connection with this solicitation will be borne by the Corporation. In addition to the solicitation by mail or electronic delivery, proxies may be solicited by directors, officers and other employees of the Corporation by telephone, in person or otherwise, without additional compensation. The Corporation may request brokerage firms, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons and will reimburse such persons and the Corporation’s transfer agent for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding such materials.
The Corporation will furnish without charge to each person whose proxy is being solicited, upon the written request of any such person, a copy of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC, including the financial statements and schedules thereto. Requests for copies of such Annual Report on Form 10-K should be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at the address below. In addition, copies of the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Global Code of Conduct, are available for viewing at the Corporation’s website at http://www.kemet.com under “About Us/Investor Relations” where you can click on the link to “Corporate Governance” for a link to these documents or upon written request directed to the Secretary of the Corporation. Please review the proxy materials and vote your shares by Internet or phone, or, if you have requested that proxy materials be sent to you by mail, by completing, signing and returning by mail the proxy card enclosed therewith as soon as possible.
By order of the Board of Directors,proxyfy2013withed_29a06.gif
R. James Assaf Secretary
KEMET CORPORATION
101 N.E. 3rd Avenue, Suite 1700
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
June 13, 2018


55


a0180601proxybackcover.jpg
kemeta04.jpg
Electronic Voting Instructions
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 24, 2018.
 
 
 
 
Vote by Internet
 
 
l Go to www.investorvote.com/KEM
 
 
l Or scan the QR code with your smartphone
 
 
l Follow the steps outlined on the secure website
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vote by telephone
 
 
 
l Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
boxwxa01a06.jpg
 
l Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message
        
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

n
Election of Directors – The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed (term expires in 2021).
1. Nominees:
For
Against
Abstain
 
For
Against
Abstain
 
For
Against
Abstain
 
  01 - Dr. Wilfried Backes
o
o
o
02 - Gurminder S. Bedi
o
o
o
03 - Per-Olof Loof
o
o
o
 
n
Proposals – The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
 
 
 
 
 
For
Against
Abstain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP
    as the Company’s independent registered public
    accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.
o
o
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For
Against
Abstain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Advisory approval of the compensation paid to the
    Company's Named Executive Officers.
o
o
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
n
Non-Voting Items
 
 
Change of Address - Please print new address below
 
 
 
Comments - Please print your comments below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
n
Authorized Signatures - This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. - Date and Sign Below
 
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. If the securities are jointly owned, both owners should sign. Full title of one signing in representative capacity should be clearly designated after signature.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) - Please print date below
 
Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box.
 
Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box.
 
         / /
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to Be Held on July 25, 2018:
The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at http://www.kemet.com/proxymaterials












IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


Proxy - KEMET Corporation
 
 
 
 
101 N.E. 3rd Ave., Ste. 1700
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Attn: General Counsel & Secretary

2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned hereby appoints PER-OLOF LOOF and R. JAMES ASSAF, and each of them, proxies, with full power of substitution in each, to represent and vote the common stock of KEMET Corporation which the undersigned is entitled to vote, at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held July 25, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., EDT, at KEMET Corporation, KEMET Tower, One East Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if present, with respect to the matters on the reverse side, each of which are proposed by the Board of Directors.

Your shares will be voted as directed herein and in the discretion of the proxies on all other matters that properly come before the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment or postponement thereof. If the proxy is signed and no direction is given for any item, your shares will be voted FOR each of the nominees listed under "Election of Directors" and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.

PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.