DEF 14A 1 proxy06.htm ANADIGICS PROXY ANADIGICS Proxy

 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A
 
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
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[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[  ] Definitive Additional Materials
[  ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section §240.14a−12
 
ANADIGICS, INC.
 
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
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ANADIGICS
141 Mt. Bethel Road
Warren, NJ 07059
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 18, 2006
 
 
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:
 
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ANADIGICS, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ANADIGICS”), will be held on May 18, 2006 at 10:00 o’clock a.m. (E.S.T.), at the Somerset Hills Hotel, 200 Liberty Corner Road (Route 525), Warren, New Jersey 07059, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:
 
 
1)
The election of two Class II Directors of ANADIGICS to hold office until 2009.
 
 
2)
To approve an amendment to the 2005 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan to increase the maximum number of shares issuable thereunder from 2,700,000 to 5,450,000 and make other changes to comply with recent regulatory requirements and current practices.
 
 
3)
The ratification of the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as independent registered public accountants of ANADIGICS for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.
 
 
4)
The transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 3, 2006 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Admission to the Annual Meeting will be by ticket only. If you are a registered stockholder planning to attend the meeting, please check the appropriate box on the proxy card (“the Proxy”) and retain the bottom portion of the card as your admission ticket. If your shares are held through an intermediary such as a bank or broker, follow the instructions in the Proxy Statement to obtain a ticket. For at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting, a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open for the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, during ordinary business hours at the office of ANADIGICS.
 
Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, whether or not a stockholder plans to attend, each stockholder is urged to sign, date, and return promptly the enclosed Proxy in the accompanying envelope.
 
The Annual Report, Proxy Statement and Proxy are enclosed with this notice and were mailed from New York, NY on or about April 18, 2006.
 
By order of the Board of Directors
 
/s/ Thomas C. Shields
 
Secretary
 
IMPORTANT: Please sign, date, and return the enclosed Proxy immediately whether or not you plan to attend the meeting. A return envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States, is enclosed for that purpose.
 



ANADIGICS
 
141 Mt. Bethel Road
 
Warren, NJ 07059
 
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
This Proxy Statement, which is being mailed to stockholders on or about April 18, 2006, is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of ANADIGICS, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ANADIGICS” or the “Company”), of proxies for use at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Thursday, May 18, 2006, at 10:00 o’clock a.m. (E.S.T.), at the Somerset Hills Hotel, 200 Liberty Corner Road (Route 525), Warren, New Jersey 07059, and at any adjournment of the Annual Meeting.
 
Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 3, 2006, their authorized representatives and guests of the Company. Admission will be by ticket only. For registered stockholders, the bottom portion of the proxy card enclosed with the Proxy Statement is their Annual Meeting ticket. Beneficial owners with shares held through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, should request tickets in writing from Investor Relations, ANADIGICS, Inc., 141 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, New Jersey 07059, and include proof of ownership, such as a bank or brokerage firm account statement or a letter from the broker, trustee, bank or nominee holding their stock, confirming beneficial ownership. Stockholders who do not obtain tickets in advance may obtain them upon verification of ownership at the Registration Desk on the day of the Annual Meeting. Admission to the Annual Meeting will be facilitated if tickets are obtained in advance. Tickets may be issued to others at the discretion of the Company.
 
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to (i) elect two Class II Directors, (ii) approve an amendment to the 2005 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder from 2,700,000 to 5,450,000 and make other changes to comply with recent regulatory requirements and current practices, and (iii) ratify the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Because many of our stockholders are unable to personally attend the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors solicits the enclosed proxy so that each stockholder is given an opportunity to vote. This proxy enables each stockholder to vote on all matters which are scheduled to come before the meeting. When the proxy card is returned properly executed, the stockholder’s shares will be voted according to the stockholder’s directions. Stockholders are urged to specify their choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the enclosed proxy card. If no choice has been specified, the shares will be voted (i) FOR the election of the Director−nominees listed below, (ii) FOR the amendment of the 2005 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan, and (iii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm. Proxies marked as abstaining (including proxies containing broker non−votes) on any matter to be acted upon by the stockholders will be treated as present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be counted as votes cast on such matters.
 
The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If, however, other matters are properly presented, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
 
A proxy may be revoked by giving the Secretary of ANADIGICS written notice of revocation at any time before the voting of the shares represented by the proxy. A stockholder who attends the meeting may cancel a proxy at the meeting.






ANNUAL MEETING QUORUM REQUIREMENTS
 
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), entitled to vote (exclusive of shares held by or for the account of the Company) is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Abstentions and broker non−votes shall be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on April 3, 2006, the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
As of April 3, 2006 the Company had issued and outstanding approximately 47,185,294 shares of Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote upon each matter to be voted upon.

Share Ownership by Management and Directors
 
The following table sets forth as of April 3, 2006 certain information about beneficial stock ownership of (i) each Director, (ii) the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, infra, and (iii) all Directors and executive officers as a group. To the Company’s knowledge, as of April 3, 2006, there were no beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Common Stock of the Company. Unless specifically stated in the footnotes below, each executive officer and Director listed below has sole voting and investment power as to the shares of common stock listed beside his name.
 
In addition, unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed is c/o ANADIGICS, Inc. 141 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, New Jersey 07059.
 
 
Name
   
Common Stock Beneficially Owned
   
% Beneficial
Ownership**
 
Paul Bachow
   
246,044
 (1)  
*
 
Bami Bastani
   
1,312,346
 (2)  
2.7
%
Charles Huang
   
914,709
 (3)  
1.9
%
Garry McGuire
   
40,000
 (4)  
*
 
Harry Rein
   
157,000
 (5)  
*
 
Ronald Rosenzweig
   
454,051
 (6)  
*
 
Thomas C. Shields
   
310,378
 (7)  
*
 
Lewis Solomon
   
157,000
 (8)  
*
 
Dennis Strigl 
   
137,500
 (9)  
*
 
All Directors and executive officers as a group
   
3,729,028
   
7.5
%

(1)
Includes 137,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
(2)
Includes 941,668 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
(3)
Includes 492,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
(4)
Includes 30,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days
 
(5)
Includes 137,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
(6)
Includes 265,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
(7)
Includes 166,251 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
(8)
Includes 137,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
(9)
Includes 117,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options, currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
 
*
Less than 1%.
 
**
Calculated using shares outstanding as of April 3, 2006.
 

PROPOSAL I: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
The Company’s by-laws provide that the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III with each class consisting as nearly as possible of one third of the total number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors; provided, however, that in no case will a decrease in the number of Directors shorten the term of any incumbent Director. The Board of Directors is presently comprised of seven members each of whom is independent within the NASDAQ listing standards except for Ronald Rosenzweig and Dr. Bami Bastani.
 
The term of office for each Director in Class I expires at the Annual Meeting in 2008; the term of office for each Director in Class II expires at the Annual Meeting in 2006; and the term of office for each Director in Class III expires at the Annual Meeting in 2007. At each annual meeting of stockholders, Directors will be elected for full terms of three years to succeed those Directors whose terms are expiring.
 
The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve if elected. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election, then those shares voted for such nominee will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee selected by the persons named in the enclosed proxy.
 
The nominees for Class II Director, Messrs. Paul Bachow and Dr. Bami Bastani, will be elected to a term of office expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2009 if they receive the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the Class II Director nominees listed below:
 
PAUL BACHOW (Age 54)
 
Mr. Bachow has served as a Director of the Company since January 1993. He has been President of Bachow & Associates, Inc., a private investment firm, since he founded the firm in 1989. Bachow & Associates serves as the manager of Bachow Market Direction Fund, a private hedge fund. Bachow & Associates also serves as the manager of Paul S. Bachow Co−Investment Fund, L.P. and Bachow Investment Partners III, L.P., private equity investment funds. Mr. Bachow has a B.A. from American University, a J.D. from Rutgers University, and a Masters Degree in tax law from New York University, and is a C.P.A.
 

 



BAMI BASTANI (Age 52)
 
Dr. Bastani has served as a Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 1998. Prior to joining ANADIGICS, Dr. Bastani served as Executive Vice President, System LSI Group for Fujitsu Microelectronics, Inc., from 1996 to 1998. Dr. Bastani held various positions at National Semiconductor including Vice President and General Manager − Embedded Technology Division, Vice President and General Manager − Memory Products Division, and Vice President − Technology Development from 1985 to 1996. Dr. Bastani served on the board of directors of Globespan Virata in 2003, and is a national member of the AEA Board of Directors. Dr. Bastani received a B.S.E.E. from the University of Arkansas and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Ohio State University.
 
The following Directors will continue to serve in accordance with their existing terms:
 
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL 2007
 
(Class III Directors)
 
RONALD ROSENZWEIG (Age 68)
 
Mr. Rosenzweig, a co−founder of ANADIGICS in 1985, has served as a Director of the Company since its inception and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1998. From the Company’s inception in 1985 until 1998, Mr. Rosenzweig served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. He was a co−founder of Microwave Semiconductor Corp. and served as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and director from 1968 to 1983. Mr. Rosenzweig received his Bachelor Degree in Chemical Engineering from City College of New York.
 
LEWIS SOLOMON (Age 72)
 
Mr. Solomon has served as a Director of the Company since September 1994 and, previously, from 1985 to 1989. Mr. Solomon has been Chairman of G&L Investments, a consulting firm specializing in technology, since 1990 in addition to serving as a director on the boards of Harmonic Inc., Artesyn Technologies Inc., Terayon Communications Inc. and several private companies. Prior to joining G&L Investments, Mr. Solomon was an Executive Vice President with Alan Patricof Associates from 1983 to 1986, and a Senior Vice President of General Instrument from 1967 to 1983. Mr. Solomon received a Bachelor Degree in Physics from St. Joseph’s College and a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering from Temple University.
 
GARRY McGUIRE (Age 59)
 
Mr. McGuire was elected as a Director by the Board of Directors in March 2005. He has served as the Chief Financial Officer for AVAYA, a global leader in communication systems and applications since its formation in October 2000 and since 2003 has been Chief Financial Officer & Senior Vice President Corporate Development. Previously, Mr. McGuire served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Williams Communications Solutions LLC. Prior to that, he served in a number of senior positions at Nortel Networks. Mr. McGuire has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton School of Business.
 

 



DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE UNTIL 2008
 
(Class I Directors)
 
HARRY T. REIN (Age 61)
 
Mr. Rein has served as a Director of the Company since 1985. He is a General Partner with Foundation Medical Partners. Mr. Rein was the principal founder of Canaan Partners in 1987, a venture capital investment firm and served as its managing general partner until 2002. Prior to that, he was President and CEO of GE Venture Capital Corporation. Mr. Rein joined General Electric Company in 1979 and directed several of GE’s lighting businesses as general manager before joining the venture capital subsidiary. Mr. Rein attended Emory University and Oglethorpe College and holds an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
 
DENNIS F. STRIGL (Age 59)
 
Mr. Strigl has served as a Director since January 2000. He has served as President and CEO of Verizon Wireless, one of the largest wireless communications providers in the US, since its formation in April 2000, and is an Executive Vice President of Verizon Communications. Previously, Mr. Strigl served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Atlantic Mobile, Group President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Wireless Group of Bell Atlantic, Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of Bell Atlantic New Jersey, Inc. (formerly New Jersey Bell Telephone Company) and served on its Board of Directors. He also served as President and CEO of Applied Data Research Inc. Mr. Strigl currently serves on the board of directors of PNC Financial Services Group and PNC Bank. Mr. Strigl holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Canisius College and an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
 
INFORMATION REGARDING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND COMPENSATION
 
BOARD MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
 
During fiscal 2005, the Board of Directors met six times. The non−employee Directors meet on a regular basis in executive sessions without management present. The Chairperson of the Governance and Nominating Committee presides at the executive sessions. Each of the Directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings held by the Board and the committees on which he served other than Garry McGuire, who attended a majority of such meetings. Although there is no policy requiring Board members to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, all Board members are invited and encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Last year, three Directors attended the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
 
The standing committees of the ANADIGICS, Inc. Board of Directors are as follows:
 
The Governance and Nominating Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to (i) assist the Board of Directors in identifying individuals qualified to become Directors and to recommend to the Board of Directors the director nominees; (ii) recommend members of the Board of Directors to serve on the committees of the Board of Directors; (iii) recommend to the Board of Directors individuals qualified to be elected as officers of the Company; (iv) recommend to the Board of Directors the corporate governance and business ethics policies, principles, guidelines, and codes of conduct applicable to the Company, and (v) lead the Board of Directors in its annual review of the Board’s performance. During fiscal 2005, the Governance and Nominating Committee was comprised of three Directors, Messrs. Strigl (Chair), Solomon and McGuire, each of whom is independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards, and operates under a written charter posted on the Company’s website at www.anadigics.com. The Governance and Nominating Committee met one time during the 2005 fiscal year.
 

The Audit Committee is a separately−designated standing committee of the Board of Directors established in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors and is responsible for (i) determining the adequacy of the Company’s internal accounting and financial controls, (ii) reviewing the results of the audit of the Company performed by the independent public accountants, and (iii) recommending the selection of independent public accountants. Messrs. Bachow (Chair), Rein and McGuire were members of the Audit Committee during fiscal 2005 and are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that two members of the Audit Committee, Messrs. Bachow and McGuire, are audit committee financial experts as described in Item 401(h) of Regulation S−K. The Audit Committee met six times during the 2005 fiscal year. Messrs. Bachow’s and McGuire’s qualifications as audit committee financial experts are set forth in their profiles, as Directors set forth above.
 
The Compensation & HR Committee determines matters pertaining to the compensation of certain executive officers of the Company and administers the Company’s stock option, incentive compensation, and employee stock purchase plans. Messrs. Solomon (Chair), Strigl and McGuire, who are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards, were members of the Compensation & HR Committee during fiscal 2005, which met four times during the 2005 fiscal year.
 
The Executive Committee has authority to act for the Board on most matters during intervals between Board meetings. Messrs. Rein and Bachow were members of the Executive Committee during fiscal 2005. The Executive Committee met two times during the 2005 fiscal year.
 
The Strategic Planning Committee was formed as an ad hoc committee of the Board in January 2005 to assist the Board in reviewing the Company’s long term strategic plan and objectives, propose acquisition or joint venture candidates and possible divestitures, with a view toward enhancing stockholder values. The committee members are Messrs. Solomon (Chair), Bachow, McGuire, Rein and Strigl. The Strategic Planning Committee met two times during the 2005 fiscal year.
 
DIRECTOR NOMINATION
 
In its assessment of each potential nominee, the Governance and Nominating Committee will review the nominee’s integrity, independence, intelligence and understanding of the Company’s or other related industries and such other factors as the Governance and Nominating Committee determines are pertinent in light of the current needs of the Board of Directors. The Governance and Nominating Committee will also take into account the ability of a potential nominee to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company.
 
When seeking to identify nominees for membership on the Board of Directors, the Governance and Nominating Committee may solicit suggestions from incumbent Directors, management, stockholders or others. While the Governance and Nominating Committee has the authority to retain any search firm for this purpose, no such firm was utilized in 2005. After conducting an initial evaluation of a potential nominee, the Governance and Nominating Committee will interview that nominee if it believes such nominee may be a suitable Director. The Committee may also ask the potential nominee to meet with management. If the Governance and Nominating Committee believes a potential nominee would be a valuable addition to the Board of Directors, it will recommend that nominee’s election to the full Board of Directors.
 
Pursuant to its charter, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees for membership on the Board of Directors recommended by stockholders of the Company and submitted in accordance with the Company’s by−laws to the attention of the Secretary of the Company at 141 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ 07059. The Company did not receive any nominations for membership on its Board of Directors from stockholders in connection with the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 

COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
 
The Board of Directors has adopted procedures that provide that security holders of the Company and other interested parties may communicate with one or more of the Company’s Directors by mail, care of Thomas Shields, Secretary, 141 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, New Jersey 07059. Such communications should specify the intended recipient or recipients. All such communications, other than unsolicited commercial solicitations or communications, will be forwarded to the appropriate Director or Directors for review.
 
CODE OF ETHICS
 
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct and Business Ethics that applies to Directors, Officers and employees, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer and has posted such code on its website at (www.anadigics.com). Changes to and waivers granted with respect to the Company’s Code of Conduct and Business Ethics for Officers and Directors that are required to be disclosed pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations will be filed on a current report on Form 8-K and posted on the Company website.
 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
Based solely on a review of copies of reports furnished to the Company or written representations that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), applicable to its executive officers and Directors were complied with.
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE−APPROVAL POLCIES AND PROCEDURES
 
The Audit Committee’s policy provides that the Company’s independent registered public accountants may provide only those services pre−approved by the Audit Committee or its designated subcommittee. The Audit Committee annually reviews and pre−approves the audit, review, attest and permitted non−audit services to be provided during the next audit cycle by the independent accountants. To the extent practicable, at the same meeting the Audit Committee also reviews and approves a budget for each of such services. The term of any such pre−approval is for the period of the annual audit cycle, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period.
 
Services proposed to be provided by the independent accountants that have not been pre−approved during the annual review and the fees for such proposed services must be pre−approved by the Audit Committee or its designated subcommittee. Additionally, fees for previously approved services that are expected to exceed the previously approved budget must also be pre−approved by the Audit Committee or its designated subcommittee.
 
All requests or applications for the independent accountants to provide services to the Company must be submitted to the Audit Committee or its designated subcommittee by the independent accountants and the Chief Financial Officer and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to auditor independence. In the event that any representative of the Company or the independent accountants becomes aware that any services are being, or have been, provided by the independent accountants to the Company without the requisite pre−approval, such individual must immediately notify the Chief Financial Officer, who must promptly notify the Chairman of the Audit Committee and appropriate senior management so that prompt action may be taken to the extent deemed necessary or advisable.
 

The Audit Committee may form and delegate to a subcommittee, composed of one or more of its members, the authority to grant specific pre−approvals under its policy with respect to audit, review, attest and permitted non−audit services, provided that any such grant of pre−approval shall be reported to the full Audit Committee no later than its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee may not delegate its responsibilities to pre−approve services performed by the audit firm to management.
 
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
 
The Company changed its independent registered public accounting firm and auditors during fiscal year 2005 from Ernst & Young LLP to J.H. Cohn LLP. The aggregate fees billed by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and auditors, J.H. Cohn LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, for professional services rendered to the Company for the two fiscal years ending December 31, 2005 were as follows:
 
 
 
Fee Category
 
   
Fiscal Year 2005
 
 
% of Total
 
 
Fiscal Year 2004
 
 
% of Total
 
Audit Fees
 
$
375,000
   
99.7
%
$
697,450
   
92.7
%
Audit−Related Fees (1)
   
   
   
   
 
Tax Fees (2)
 
$
1,300
   
0.3
%
$
42,800
   
7.1
%
All Other Fees (3)
   
   
   
   
0.2
%
Total Fees
 
$
376,300
   
100
%
$
741,750
   
100
%

 
(1) Audit Related Fees: The Company incurred no credit related fees during its 2004 and 2005 fiscal years.
 
(2) Tax Fees: Aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered during 2004 and 2005 related to domestic tax assistance.
 
(3) All Other Fees: Fees billed for services rendered during 2004 related to license for accounting research software.
 
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether provision of the services described above is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accountant’s independence and has determined that such services have not adversely affected Ernst & Young LLP’s or J.H. Cohn LLP's independence.
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
 
The Audit Committee, among other things, assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities to oversee the Company’s financial reporting process and monitors the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and the independence and performance of the Company’s auditors. In this context, we have reviewed and discussed the Company’s financial statements with Company management and the independent auditors, J.H. Cohn LLP, including matters raised by the independent auditors pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed such other matters as we deemed appropriate.
 
The Company’s independent auditors provided the Audit Committee with written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independent Discussions with Audit Committees), and we discussed J.H. Cohn LLP’s independence with them.
 
We have considered whether the provision of services by J.H. Cohn LLP not related to the audit of the Company’s financial statements and to the review of the Company’s interim financial statements is compatible with maintaining the independent accountant’s independence and have determined that such services have not adversely affected J.H. Cohn LLP’s independence.
 

Based on the foregoing review and discussions, and relying on the representation of Company management and the independent auditor’s report to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10−K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ANADIGICS, INC.
 
Paul Bachow
Garry McGuire
Harry Rein

 

 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
The current executive officers of the Company are as follows:
 
Name
 
Age
Position
Bami Bastani
52
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Ronald Rosenzweig
68
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director
Charles Huang
58
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
Thomas C. Shields
47
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Set forth below is certain information with respect to the Company’s executive officers. Executive officers are appointed to serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships between executive officers or Directors of the Company. Information with respect to Dr. Bastani and Mr. Rosenzweig is listed in each such Director’s respective profile above.
 
Dr. Huang, a co−founder of the Company in 1985, has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since its inception. In addition, he served as a Director until April of 1999. He was director of GaAs research and development and wafer fabrication services at Avantek from 1980 to 1984. Dr. Huang received his Ph.D.E.E. at the University of California, Berkeley.
 
Mr. Shields has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since January 2006; he has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since July 1999. He served as Senior Vice President of the Company from July 1999 through January 2006. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Shields served as Vice President and Controller of Fisher Scientific Company from 1997 to 1999. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Shields served as Vice President and Controller for Harman Consumer Group. From 1986 to 1994, Mr. Shields served in various positions with Baker & Taylor, Inc. Mr. Shields received his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
 

 



Compensation
 
Shown below is information concerning the annual compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the last three fiscal years of those persons who at December 31, 2005, were the Company’s executive officers:
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
   
Annual Compensation
 
 
Long Term Compensation Awards
 
 
Name and Principal Position
 
 
 
Year
 
 
 
Salary
 
 
 
Bonus(1)
 
Other
Annual
Compensation(2)
 
Restricted Share
 Awards(3)
 
Securities Underlying Options(4)
 
                                       
Bami Bastani
   
2005
 
$
445,536
   
   
 
$
1,222,883
   
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
2004
 
$
445,536
 
$
116,000
   
 
$
486,705
   
266,668
(5)
     
2003
 
$
445,536
 
$
287,418
   
   
   
150,000
 
Ronald Rosenzweig
   
2005
 
$
100,000
   
   
 
$
66,400
   
 
Chairman of the Board
   
2004
 
$
87,500
 
$
37,500
   
 
$
34,200
   
15,000
 
     
2003
 
$
75,000
 
$
20,700
 
$
13,433
   
   
45,000
 
Charles Huang
   
2005
 
$
230,000
   
   
 
$
376,947
   
 
Executive Vice President
   
2004
 
$
230,000
 
$
61,000
   
 
$
165,033
   
57,500
(5)
     
2003
 
$
165,000
 
$
120,000
   
   
   
45,000
 
Thomas C. Shields
   
2005
 
$
233,846
   
   
 
$
486,550
   
 
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
   
2004
 
$
225,000
 
$
59,000
   
 
$
217,795
   
121,251
(5)
 
   
2003
 
$
225,000
 
$
170,000
   
   
   
45,000
 

(1)
Represents bonuses earned in the fiscal years presented.
 
(2)
While the named executive officers received some perquisites from the Company, the dollar value of such perquisites did not meet or exceed in any of the reported years (except with respect to Mr. Rosenzweig in 2003) the reporting threshold of $50,000 or ten percent of total annual salary and bonus of such executive officers set forth in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(3)
The restricted share awards for 2005 reflect the Company’s January 31, 2006 grant of 1,395,336 restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the “2005 Plan”), including 172,000 shares issued to Dr. Bastani (97,334 shares vesting on February 22, 2007; 37,333 shares vesting on February 22, 2008 and 37,333 shares vesting on February 22, 2009), 10,000 shares issued to Mr. Rosenzweig (10,000 vesting on February 22, 2007), 66429 shares issued to Mr. Shields (38,873 vesting on February 22, 2007); 13,778 shares vesting on February 2008 and 13,778 shares vesting on February 22, 2009) and 50,333 shares issued to Dr. Huang (30,111 shares vesting on February 22, 2007; 10,111 shares vesting on February 22, 2008 and 10,111 shares vesting on February 22, 2009).
 
 
The restricted share awards for 2005 also reflect the Company’s August 4, 2005 grant of 271,036 restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the 2005 Plan, including 31,078 shares issued to Dr. Bastani vesting on August 4, 2006, 17,485 shares issued to Mr. Shields vesting on August 4, 2006 and 16,437 shares issued to Dr. Huang vesting on August 4, 2006.
 

 
The restricted share awards for 2004 were granted on July 23, 2004 (vesting on July 23, 2005), on January 21, 2005 (vesting on February 17, 2006) and on January 25, 2007 (vesting on February 17, 2006).
 
 
The dollar amounts shown equal the number of shares of restricted stock granted multiplied by the stock price on the grant date. On December 31, 2005, Messrs. Bastani, Rosenzweig, Huang and Shields held 143,578, 11,250, 47,187 and 64,985 shares, respectively, of restricted shares of Common Stock having a market value based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on such date of $861,468, $67,5000, $283,122 and $389,910 respectively. Dividends, if any, are paid on restricted shares of common stock at the same rate as paid on unrestricted Common Stock.
 
(4)
No options were granted to the named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
 
(5)
Includes options granted on February 4, 2004 to Messrs. Bastani (116,668 shares), Huang (12,500 shares) and Shields (71,251 shares) pursuant to the Company’s July 2003 voluntary stock option exchange program described in the Company’s annual proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 19, 2005 under “Report on Repricing of Options”.
 
Current Annual Base Salary
 
Set forth below is the annual base salary for our executive officers effective as of January 30, 2006:
 
 
Name
   
Annual Base
Salary
 
Bami Bastani
 
$
490,000
 
Ronald Rosenzweig
 
$
100,000
 
Charles Huang
 
$
234,830
 
Thomas C. Shields
 
$
250,040
 


Equity Compensation Plan Disclosure
 
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2005, about securities issued or authorized for future issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans.
 
 
   
 
 
B
 
 
 
C
 
Plan Category
   
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
   
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
   
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column A)
 
Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders (1)
   
2,627,869
 
$
8.16
   
3,155,188
 
Equity Compensation Plans not Approved by Security Holders (2)
   
3,315,555
 
$
7.29
   
 
Total
   
5,943,424
   
   
3,155,188
 


(1)
These plans include the Company’s 1995 Long−Term Incentive and Share Award Plan for Officers and Directors, which terminated on February 28, 2005; the 2005 Plan; and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
 
(2)
For a description of the material provisions of the Company’s 1997 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan, please refer to footnote 13 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
 
Stock Options
 
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year−End Option Values
 
Stock Price at December 31, 2005 − $6.00

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name
 
   
Shares
Acquired On
Exercise
 
 
Value
Realized
 
 
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options at Fiscal Year End 
 
Value of Unexercised In−the−money
Options at Fiscal Year End
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable 
    Unexercisable      Exercisable     
 Unexercisable 
 
Bami Bastani
 
   
   
   
929,168
   
12,500
 
$
1,395,250
 
$
39,500
 
Ronald Rosenzweig
 
   
   
   
265,000
   
10,000
   
320,508
 
$
31,100
 
Charles Huang
 
   
   
   
488,750
   
3,750
   
230,850
 
$
11,850
 
Thomas C. Shields
 
   
   
   
162,501
   
3,750
   
130,350
 
$
11,850
 
 
 
 



COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
Each non-employee Director receives an initial grant upon joining the Board of Directors of options to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. Each option will become exercisable in three equal installments, commencing one year from the date of grant and annually thereafter, and will expire ten years from the date of grant.
 
Each non-employee Director receives an annual retainer of $10,000, payable in quarterly installments, for Board services, $1,000 for each committee meeting attended (with a cap of $2,500 per day), and reimbursement for ordinary expenses incurred in connection with attendance at such meeting. Each committee chairperson also currently receives a $500 fee per meeting. In 2005, each non-employee Director received a grant of options to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.68 which vested on January 2, 2006. On January 31, 2006, each non-employee Director received, in lieu of the annual grant of options to purchase 15,000 shares, a grant of 10,000 shares of restricted stock vesting on February 22, 2007.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
The current members of the Compensation & HR Committee are Messrs. McGuire, Solomon and Strigle, none of whom are employees of the Company and all of whom are considered "independent" Directors under the applicable NASDAQ rules. There were no interlocks or insider participation between any member of the Board of Directors or the Compensation & HR Committee and any member of the Board of Directors or the compensation committee of another company.
 
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
Chief Executive Officer. In September 1998, Dr. Bami Bastani, President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors, entered into an employment agreement with the Company pursuant to which he was to receive an annual base salary, bonus, stock options, restricted stock, and executive benefits based upon the Compensation & HR Committee's determination of the Company's success in meeting certain of the operational, strategic, and financial goals approved by the Board of Directors.
 
If the Company terminates Dr. Bastani without cause or Dr. Bastani terminates his employment for good reason or for any reason following a change in control, he shall be entitled to (A) an amount equal to 299% of the sum of (i) the highest annualized rate of his base salary in effect at any point during the twelve months preceding the date of termination of employment, plus (ii) his bonus at a target of 110% of the highest annualized rate of his base salary in effect at any point during the twelve months preceding the date of termination of employment, (B) health benefits for a maximum of twenty−four months, and (C) immediate vesting of (i) all stock options and (ii) all restricted stock granted prior to termination of employment. In exchange for these benefits, Dr. Bastani agreed (x) not to solicit employees to leave the Company for twenty−four months after termination of his employment and (y) not to solicit customers or interfere with Company suppliers for twelve months following termination of his employment.
 
Chairman of the Board. In June 1999, Ronald Rosenzweig, Chairman of the Board of Directors, entered into an employment agreement with the Company pursuant to which he was to receive an annual base salary, bonus, stock compensation, and executive benefits. The employment agreement, as amended, terminates on July 2, 2006. For the period from July 2, 2005 through July 1, 2006 his annualized base salary is $100,000.
 
If the Company terminates Mr. Rosenzweig without cause, he shall be entitled to (A) an amount equal to the sum of his then annual base salary plus his bonus, if any, earned during the immediately preceding calendar year, (B) health benefits for a maximum of twenty−four months, and (C) immediate vesting of all non−qualified stock options.
 

Other Executive Officers. During 2000 the Company entered into employment agreements with Charles Huang, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. The terms of the agreement provide that if the employee is terminated by the Company following a change in control or if the employee terminates employment with the Company as a result of a reduction in responsibilities and duties or a reduction in compensation following a change in control, the employee shall be entitled to receive (A) up to 12 months of base salary and bonus, (B) payment of the annual bonus (at 100% of target) prorated for the number of months worked, (C) health benefits for a maximum of 12 months, and (D) immediate vesting of all stock options, and (E) executive outplacement services for six months.
 
In 2000, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Thomas Shields, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Under the terms of the agreement, as amended, if the Company terminates Mr. Shields without cause or in the event of a "Change of Control" which results in either the involuntary termination without "Cause" of his employment with the Company or Mr. Shields' voluntary resignation from the Company due to a reduction in the responsibilities and duties associated with his position, or reduction in compensation (base salary, plus bonus at target (without the prior express written consent of Mr. Shields, he shall be entitled to (A) an amount equal to 250% of the sum of (i) the highest annualized rate of his base salary in effect at any point during the twelve months preceding the date of termination of employment, plus (ii) his bonus at a target of 110% of the highest annualized rate of his base salary in effect at any point during the twelve months preceding the date of termination of employment, (B) health benefits for a maximum of twenty-four months, and (C) immediate vesting of (i) all stock options and (ii) all restricted stock granted prior to termination of employment.
 
In exchange for these benefits, the employees agreed (X) after termination of employment, not to hire or solicit for hire the employees of the Company for 12 months, and (Y) to keep confidential information about the Company.
 
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION & HR COMMITTEE
 
The objectives of the Company’s compensation program are to enhance the Company’s ability to recruit and retain qualified management, motivate executives and other employees to achieve established performance goals and ensure an element of congruity between the financial interests of the Company’s management and its stockholders.
 
In fiscal year 2005, the Compensation & HR Committee considered the following factors in setting the compensation of the Company’s executive officers:
 
·  
The overall operating performance of the Company as well as the Company performance in relation to its industry competitors.
 
·  
The compensation packages for executives who have similar positions and levels of responsibility at other publicly held U.S. manufacturers of integrated circuits and other relevant products in related appropriate markets.
 
The Compensation & HR Committee believes that competition for qualified executives in the broadband and wireless integrated circuit industries is extremely strong and that to attract and retain such persons, the Company must maintain an overall compensation package that is competitive with those offered by its peer companies.
 
Compensation arrangements under the Company’s current compensation program may include up to four components: (a) a base salary, (b) a discretionary short-term cash bonus program, (c) the grant of equity incentives in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock awards and (d) other compensation and employee benefits generally available to all employees of the Company, such as health insurance and participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan. The Chief Executive Officer’s salary, bonus and equity incentive awards are established by the Compensation & HR Committee, subject to Dr. Bastani’s Employment Agreement. Recommendations regarding the base salary, bonuses and stock option or other equity awards of the Company’s executive officers, other than Dr. Bastani, are made to the Compensation & HR Committee by Dr. Bastani but are subject to Compensation & HR Committee review, modification and approval.
 

To assist it in overseeing compensation practices, the Compensation & HR Committee periodically requests Company Human Resource Department personnel to gather compensation data for Compensation & HR Committee review. The Company also is a member of certain human resources−focused industry groups that accumulate detailed data regarding position descriptions, responsibilities and compensation for all levels of employees within the semiconductor industry. This information is one of the factors applied in setting the overall base salary, bonus and other performance−based compensation levels for all Company executive officers.
 
Base Salaries
 
Subject to existing employment agreements, individual salaries for executive officers are annually reviewed and established by the Compensation & HR Committee. In determining individual salaries, the Compensation & HR Committee considers the scope of job responsibilities, individual contributions, labor market conditions, peer data and the Company’s overall annual budget guidelines for merit and performance increases. The Company’s objective is to deliver base compensation levels for each executive officer at the 70% percentile for the comparable position of the Company’s peer group. For fiscal year 2005, the Compensation & HR Committee believes that base salaries for the Company’s named executive officers were, as an average for the group, slightly below the median base salaries of the peer group comparable positions.
 
Annual Cash Incentive
 
A large part of each executive officer’s potential total cash compensation is intended to be variable and dependent upon semi−annual Company performance. Annual bonus awards are determined directly from three objective performance−based measures: (a) revenues, (b) the level of operating profit (EBITDA), and (c) achievement of specific operation goals. During fiscal year 2005, each executive officer was eligible for a short-term bonus computed using a formula based on these three objective performance−based measures and the individual’s pay tier. Adjustments may be made to operating profit to eliminate the effects of generally non−recurring, one−time events that may include but are not limited to the sale of investments in securities of other companies, acquisition−related expenses and sale or disposal of assets no longer in service. The same criteria are used for executive officers as for all other employees.
 
Equity Incentive Awards
 
The Compensation & HR Committee believes that substantial equity ownership encourages management to take actions favorable to the long−term interests of the Company and its shareholders. Accordingly, equity−based compensation makes up a significant portion of the overall compensation of executive officers. The Company grants unvested equity−based awards to most of its newly hired, full−time employees, and many employees are periodically eligible thereafter for additional awards based on management’s evaluation of their performance.
 
Additional Awards
 
The Compensation & HR Committee may grant, and has done so in the past, additional short−term or long−term cash or equity awards to recognize increased responsibilities or special contributions to the Company, attract new employees to the Company or retain key employees.
 

Chief Executive Officer Compensation
 
The Compensation & HR Committee establishes the compensation of Dr. Bastani, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, using the same criteria applicable to other executive officers of the Company subject to Dr. Bastani’s employment agreement. In addition, in setting Dr. Bastani’s compensation for fiscal year 2005, the Compensation & HR Committee focused on Dr. Bastani’s ability to communicate effectively with the Board and the Company’s key customers and suppliers, as well as his leadership effectiveness with the other members of the executive management team. During fiscal year 2005, Dr. Bastani earned a base salary of $445,536. Dr. Bastani was awarded restricted stock awards as detailed under the heading “Summary Compensation Table”. The Compensation & HR Committee believes, based on its review of publicly available information concerning the Company’s public competitors, as well as the use of the extensive data available from the compensation surveys referred to above, that Dr. Bastani’s compensation is well within the range of compensation provided to executives of similar rank and responsibility in the Company’s industry.
 
Code Section 162(m)
 
In general, compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to any of the named executive officers may be subject to limitations on deductibility by the Company under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”). The limits on deduction do not apply to performance−based compensation that satisfies certain requirements. The Company designs its compensation programs to preserve the tax deductibility of compensation paid to its executive officers to the extent possible, consistent with the need to attract and retain high−caliber executive officers.
 
SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION & HR COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ANADIGICS, INC.
 
Garry McGuire
 
Lewis Solomon
 
Dennis Strigl
 

 




PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock from December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2005 with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Stock Market Index and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, considered to be an index of the Company’s peer group, during the same period. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2000 in the Company’s Common Stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends. The Company did not declare, nor did it pay any cash dividends during the comparison period. Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary in any of the Company’s previous or future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the graph shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.
 

PROPOSAL II: AMEND THE 2005 LONG TERM INCENTIVE AND SHARE AWARD PLAN
 
On April 6, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the 2005 Long Term Incentive and Share Award Plan (the “2005 Plan”), subject to stockholder approval which was granted on May 19, 2005. The 2005 Plan replaced the Company’s 1995 Plan which terminated on February 28, 2005. The Board of Directors believes that the growth and profitability of the Company depend in large part on its ability to maintain a competitive position in the industry by attracting, retaining and motivating key employees with experience and ability. ANADIGICS believes that its stock-based compensation programs are important to its achieving this objective.
 
The Company is currently authorized to issue up to a maximum of 2,700,000 shares of Common Stock, pursuant to its 2005 Plan, subject to anti-dilution adjustments; provided that the maximum number of shares available to be issued in the form of awards other than stock options not exceed 2,400,000 shares. As of February 28, 2006, there were approximately 995,096 shares remaining available for future award under the 2005 Plan. The Company anticipates that the number of shares currently available under the 2005 Plan is insufficient to meet the Company’s needs beyond this calendar year, thereby impairing its ability to attract and retain key employees. Accordingly, on April 7, 2006, the Board of Directors adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to the 2005 Plan that (i) increased the maximum number of shares available for grants from 2,700,000 shares to 5,450,000 shares and the number of such shares available to be issued in the form of awards other than stock options, from 2,400,000 shares to 5,150,000 shares, subject to anti-dilution in accordance with the terms of the 2005 Plan and (ii) made other changes to comply with recent regulatory requirements and current practices.
 

The following describes the material terms of the 2005 Plan. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2005 Plan as amended and restated subject to stockholder approval, which is marked to show the proposed amendments and attached hereto as Appendix A.
 
PURPOSE
 
The 2005 Plan is intended to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing a means to attract, retain and motivate employees, consultants, and Directors of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, to provide for competitive compensation opportunities, to encourage long-term service, to recognize individual contributions and reward achievement of performance goals, and to promote the creation of long term value for stockholders by aligning the interests of such persons with those of stockholders.
 
ADMINISTRATION
 
The 2005 Plan will be administered by the Compensation & HR Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors or such other Board committee (which may include the entire Board) as may be designated by the Board. However, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist of two or more Directors of the Company, each of whom is a “non−employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b−3 under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, and each of whom is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, to the extent applicable.
 
The Committee shall have full and final authority to take the following actions, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the 2005 Plan, including, without limitation: (i) select eligible persons to whom awards may be granted; (ii) designate affiliates; (iii) determine the type or types of awards to be granted to each eligible person; (iv) determine the type and number of awards to be granted, the number of shares to which an award may relate, the terms and conditions of any award granted under the 2005 Plan; and (v) make all other decisions and determinations as may be required under the terms of the 2005 Plan or as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2005 Plan. The Committee may delegate to other members of the Board or officers or managers of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform administrative functions and, with respect to awards granted to persons not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to perform such other functions as the Committee may determine, to the extent permitted under Rule 16b−3 (if applicable) and applicable law.
 
SHARES AVAILABLE
 
Under the 2005 Plan, the number of shares that may be made subject to awards under the 2005 Plan currently may not exceed 2,700,000 shares, provided that the total amount of shares that may be issued for awards of stock or stock units, including awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units and awards of stock appreciation rights (“SARS”) may not exceed an aggregate of 2,400,000 shares (the amendment to the 2005 Plan would increase these numbers to 5,450,000 and 5,150,000, respectively). In addition, during a calendar year (i) the maximum number of shares with respect to which options and SARs may be granted to a participant under the 2005 Plan will be 500,000 shares, and (ii) the maximum number of shares which may be granted to a participant under the 2005 Plan with respect to awards intended to qualify as performance−based compensation under the Internal Revenue Code (other than options and SARs) will be 500,000 shares. These share amounts are subject to anti−dilution adjustments in the event of certain changes in the Company’s capital structure, as provided in the 2005 Plan. Shares to be delivered under the 2005 Plan may be either authorized, but unissued, shares of Common Stock or treasury shares.
 
Shares covered by the unexercised or undistributed portion of any terminated, expired or forfeited award made under the 2005 Plan will be available for further awards under the 2005 Plan. No awards may be made under the 2005 Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date that it is approved by the Board.
 

AWARDS
 
Awards may be granted to employees, consultants, and Directors of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates on the terms and conditions set forth in the 2005 Plan. The following types of awards may be granted under the 2005 Plan:
 
Stock Options. Stock options may be non−qualified stock options or incentive stock options that comply with Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. Only employees of the Company or a subsidiary may be granted incentive stock options. The exercise price for any stock option will be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, but exercise price per share shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant of the option. The 2005 Plan limits the term of any stock option to ten years from the date of grant of the option. The Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter the time or times at which an stock option may be exercised in whole or in part.
 
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant SARs to eligible persons independently of any stock option or in tandem with all or any part of a stock option granted under the 2005 Plan. Upon exercise, each SAR entitles a participant to receive an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over (ii) the exercise price per share of Common Stock of the SAR as determined by the Committee on the date the SAR is granted. The exercise price of a SAR will not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. The SARs may be settled in shares of Common Stock or in cash, as determined by the Committee.
 
Restricted Shares. The Committee may grant restricted shares to eligible persons that may not be sold or otherwise disposed of, and are subject to forfeiture, during a restricted period as determined by the Committee except as otherwise provided by the Committee. During the applicable restricted period, restricted stock may be voted by the recipient and the recipient will be entitled to receive dividends thereon.
 
Restricted Share Units. The Committee may grant restricted share units to eligible persons. Such restricted share units may be subject to restrictions as determined by the Committee at the date of grant. An award of a restricted share unit is an award of the right to receive a share of Common Stock after expiration of the restricted period determined by the Committee. The recipient of a restricted share unit shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalents thereon, as determined by the Committee.
 
Performance Shares and Performance Units. Performance shares and performance units are awards of a fixed or variable number of shares or of dollar−denominated units that are earned by achievement of performance goals in the performance period established by the Committee. If the applicable performance criteria are met, the shares are earned and become unrestricted with respect to performance shares or an amount is payable with respect to performance units. Amounts earned under performance shares or performance units originally awarded may be paid in shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination of both.
 
Dividend Equivalents. The Committee is authorized to grant dividend equivalents to eligible persons. The Committee may provide, at the date of grant or thereafter, that dividend equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares, or other investment vehicles, as the Committee may specify.
 
Other Share−Based Awards. The Committee may grant other types of awards which may be based in whole or in part by reference to shares of Common Stock or upon the achievement of performance goals on such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe.
 

PERFORMANCE AWARDS
 
If the Committee determines that an award of restricted shares, restricted share units, performance shares, performance units or other share−based awards should qualify under the performance−based compensation exception to the $1,000,000 cap on deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the grant, vesting, exercise and/or settlement of such awards shall be contingent upon achievement of pre−established performance goals based on one or more of the following business criteria for the Company and/or for specified subsidiaries or affiliates or other business units or lines of business of the Company: (1) earnings per share (basic or fully diluted); (2) revenues; (3) earnings, before or after taxes, from operations (generally or specified operations), or before or after interest expense, depreciation, amortization, incentives, or extraordinary or special items; (4) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital; (5) return on net assets, return on assets, return on investment, return on capital, or return on equity; (6) economic value added; (7) operating margin or operating expense; (8) net income; (9) share price or total stockholder return; and (10) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates or joint ventures. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such business criteria may be established at such levels and in such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods, or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies. The maximum amount payable upon settlement of cash−settled performance units or other cash−settled awards granted under the 2005 Plan for any calendar year to any participant that is intended to satisfy the requirements of performance−based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code shall not exceed $1,000,000.
 
NONTRANSFERABILITY
 
Unless otherwise set forth by the Committee in an award agreement, awards shall not be transferable by an eligible person except by will or the laws of descent and distribution (except pursuant to a beneficiary designation) and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of an eligible person only by such eligible person or his guardian or legal representative.
 
AMENDMENT
 
The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the 2005 Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant awards under the 2005 Plan without the consent of stockholders of the Company or participants, except that any such amendment or alteration shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders (i) to the extent such stockholder approval is required under the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares may then be listed or quoted, or (ii) as it applies to incentive stock awards, to the extent such stockholder approval is required under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code; provided, however, that, without the consent of an affected participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination of the 2005 Plan may materially and adversely affect the rights of such participant under any award theretofore granted to him or her. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate, any award theretofore granted, prospectively or retrospectively; provided, however, that, without the consent of a participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination of any award may materially and adversely affect the rights of such participant under any award theretofore granted to him or her.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is a summary of the federal income tax consequences of the 2005 Plan, based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, and does not address the consequences under any state, local or foreign tax laws.
 

STOCK OPTIONS
 
In general, the grant of an option will not be a taxable event to the recipient and it will not result in a deduction to the Company. The tax consequences associated with the exercise of an option and the subsequent disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired on the exercise of such option depend on whether the option is a nonqualified stock option or an incentive stock option.
 
Upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary taxable income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise over the exercise price. The Company will generally be able to claim a deduction in an equivalent amount. Any gain or loss upon a subsequent sale or exchange of the shares of Common Stock will be capital gain or loss, long−term or short−term, depending on the holding period for the shares of Common Stock.
 
Generally, a participant will not recognize ordinary taxable income at the time of exercise of an incentive stock option and no deduction will be available to the Company, provided the option is exercised while the participant is an employee or within three months following termination of employment (longer, in the case of disability or death). If an incentive stock option granted under the 2005 Plan is exercised after these periods, the exercise will be treated for federal income tax purposes as the exercise of a nonqualified stock option. Also, an incentive stock option granted under the 2005 Plan will be treated as a nonqualified stock option to the extent it (together with other incentive stock options granted to the participant by the Company) first becomes exercisable in any calendar year for shares of Common Stock having a fair market value, determined as of the date of grant, in excess of $100,000.
 
If shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option are sold or exchanged more than one year after the date of exercise and more than two years after the date of grant of the option, any gain or loss will be long−term capital gain or loss. If shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option are disposed of prior to the expiration of these one−year or two−year holding periods (a “Disqualifying Disposition”), the participant will recognize ordinary income at the time of disposition, and the Company will generally be entitled to a deduction, in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock at the date of exercise over the exercise price. Any additional gain will be treated as capital gain, long−term or short−term, depending on how long the shares of Common Stock have been held. Where shares of Common Stock are sold or exchanged in a Disqualifying Disposition (other than certain related party transactions) for an amount less than their fair market value at the date of exercise, any ordinary income recognized in connection with the Disqualifying Disposition will be limited to the amount of gain, if any, recognized in the sale or exchange, and any loss will be a long−term or short−term capital loss, depending on how long the shares of Common Stock have been held.
 
If an option is exercised through the use of shares of Common Stock previously owned by the participant, such exercise generally will not be considered a taxable disposition of the previously owned shares and, thus, no gain or loss will be recognized with respect to such previously owned shares upon such exercise. The amount of any built−in gain on the previously owned shares generally will not be recognized until the new shares acquired on the option exercise are disposed of in a sale or other taxable transaction.
 
Although the exercise of an incentive stock option as described above would not produce ordinary taxable income to the participant, it would result in an increase in the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income and may result in an alternative minimum tax liability.
 
RESTRICTED SHARES
 
A participant who receives restricted shares will generally recognize ordinary income at the time that they “vest”, i.e., when they are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The amount of ordinary income so recognized will generally be the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time the shares vest, less the amount, if any, paid for the shares. This amount is generally deductible for federal income tax purposes by the Company. Dividends paid with respect to Common Stock that is non−vested will be ordinary compensation income to the participant (and generally deductible by the Company). Any gain or loss upon a subsequent sale or exchange of the shares of Common Stock, measured by the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the date the shares vest, will be capital gain or loss, long−term or short−term, depending on the holding period for the shares of Common Stock. The holding period for this purpose will begin on the date following the date the shares vest.
 

In lieu of the treatment described above, a participant may elect immediate recognition of income under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. In such event, the participant will recognize as income the fair market value of the restricted shares at the time of grant (determined without regard to any restrictions other than restrictions which by their terms will never lapse), and the Company will generally be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Dividends paid with respect to shares as to which a proper Section 83(b) election has been made will not be deductible to the Company. If a Section 83(b) election is made and the restricted shares are subsequently forfeited, the participant will not be entitled to any offsetting tax deduction.
 
SARS AND OTHER AWARDS
 
With respect to SARs, restricted share units, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and other awards under the 2005 Plan not described above, generally, when a participant receives payment with respect to any such award granted to him or her under the 2005 Plan, the amount of cash and the fair market value of any other property received will be ordinary income to such participant and will be allowed as a deduction for federal income tax purposes to the Company.
 
PAYMENT OF WITHHOLDING TAXES
 
The Company may withhold, or require a participant to remit to it, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax requirements associated with awards under the 2005 Plan.
 
DEDUCTIBILITY LIMIT ON COMPENSATION IN EXCESS OF $1 MILLION
 
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally limits the deductible amount of annual compensation paid (including, unless an exception applies, compensation otherwise deductible in connection with awards granted under the 2005 Plan) by a public company to each “covered employee” (i.e., the chief executive officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company) to no more than $1 million. The Company currently intends to structure stock options granted under the 2005 Plan to comply with an exception to nondeductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
OTHER
 
Approval of the Amendment to the 2005 Plan, as reflected in the Amended and Restated 2005 Plan set forth in Appendix A hereto, requires the receipt of the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the proposal to amend the 2005 Plan.
 

 



PROPOSAL III: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Audit Committee has retained J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2006. Although stockholder ratification is not required by the Company’s bylaws or under any other applicable legal requirement, the Audit Committee is asking the stockholders for ratification of the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as a matter of good corporate governance. If the stockholders do not ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of J.H. Cohn LLP, the Audit Committee will take such determination into account in its future selection of an independent registered public accounting firm. J.H. Cohn LLP will have a representative present at the Annual Meeting who will have the opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the independent registered public accountants of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2006.
 
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2007 ANNUAL MEETING
 
If a stockholder of the Company wishes to have a proposal included in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must be received at the Company’s principal executive offices by December 19, 2006 and must otherwise comply with rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy material for the 2007 Annual Meeting. If a stockholder desires to bring business before the meeting which is not the subject of a proposal complying with the SEC proxy rule requirements for inclusion in the proxy statement, the stockholder must follow procedures outlined in the Company’s by−laws in order to personally present the proposal at the meeting. A copy of these procedures is available upon request from the Secretary of the Company.
 
One of the procedural requirements in the Company’s by−laws is timely notice in writing of the business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting. Notice of business proposed to be brought before the 2007 Annual Meeting or notice of a proposed nomination to the Board must be received by the Secretary of the Company no later than January 18, 2007, to be presented at the meeting. If, however, the date of next year’s Annual Meeting is earlier than April 18, 2007, or later than June 17, 2007, the earliest date will be determined by the Board of Directors. Any such notice must provide the information required by the Company’s by−laws with respect to the stockholder making the proposal, the nominee (if any) and the other business to be considered (if any). Under rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company, acting through the persons named as proxies in the proxy materials for such meeting, may exercise discretionary voting authority with respect to any proposals that do not comply with the procedures described above. Proposals may be mailed to the Company, to the attention of the Secretary, 141 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ 07059.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented at the meeting. If, however, other matters are properly presented, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their judgment on such matters.