DEF 14A 1 d751160ddef14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT Definitive Proxy Statement

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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IXYS Corporation

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IXYS CORPORATION

1590 BUCKEYE DRIVE

MILPITAS, CA 95035-7418

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 28, 2014

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of IXYS Corporation, a Delaware corporation. The meeting will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. local time at our headquarters, which is located at 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, California 95035, for the following purposes:

 

  1. To elect seven directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors are elected;

 

  2. To approve an increase of 350,000 shares of our common stock under the Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

 

  3. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;

 

  4. To consider a stockholder proposal, if properly presented before the meeting;

 

  5. To ratify the selection of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2015; and

 

  6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

These items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.

Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on July 2, 2014 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at this Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

LOGO

Secretary

Milpitas, California

July 29, 2014

 

 

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING. A RETURN ENVELOPE (WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES) IS ENCLOSED FOR THAT PURPOSE. EVEN IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE RECORD HOLDER A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME.


IXYS CORPORATION

1590 BUCKEYE DRIVE

MILPITAS, CA 95035-7418

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

AUGUST 28, 2014

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY MATERIAL AND VOTING

Why am I receiving these materials?

We have sent you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because the Board of Directors of IXYS Corporation, or the Board, is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or Annual Meeting. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card.

We are distributing this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card on or about July 29, 2014 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Who can vote at the annual meeting?

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on July 2, 2014 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On this record date, there were 31,457,986 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on July 2, 2014 your shares were registered directly in your name with the transfer agent of IXYS Corporation, or IXYS, then you are a stockholder of record. Our transfer agent is Computershare Investor Services. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If on July 2, 2014 your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the annual meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

What am I voting on?

There are five matters scheduled for a vote:

 

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Election of seven directors;

 

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The approval of an increase of 350,000 shares of our common stock under the Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

 

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Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers;

 

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Voting on a stockholder proposal; and

 

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Ratification of BDO USA, LLP, or BDO, as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, or fiscal 2015.

 

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The Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of each nominee named in this proxy statement, a vote in favor of the increase of 350,000 shares of our common stock under the Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, a vote for the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, a vote against the stockholder proposal, and a vote in favor of the ratification of the selection of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2015.

How do I vote?

With respect to each nominee for director, you may either vote “For” the nominee or you may “Withhold” your vote for the nominee. You may vote “For,” “Against,” or “Abstain” with respect to each of the other proposals. The procedures for voting are fairly simple:

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.

 

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To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.

 

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To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

How many votes do I have?

On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of July 2, 2014.

What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?

If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted “For” the election of all seven nominees for director, “For” the approval of an increase of 350,000 shares of our common stock under the Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, “For” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, “Against” the stockholder proposal and “For” the ratification of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxyholder, who is one of the individuals named on your proxy card, will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these mailed proxy materials, our directors and employees and AST Phoenix Advisors will also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies, but AST Phoenix Advisors will be paid $7,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses to solicit proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

 

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

If you receive more than one proxy card, your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please complete, sign and return each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:

 

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You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date.

 

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You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to IXYS Corporation’s Secretary, Uzi Sasson, at 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, California 95035.

 

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You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.

If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting?

To be considered for possible inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, your proposal must be submitted in writing by March 31, 2015 to IXYS Corporation’s Secretary, Uzi Sasson, at 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, California 95035. If you wish to submit a proposal that is not intended to be included in next year’s proxy materials or you wish to nominate a director, you must do so no earlier than April 30, 2015 and no later than May 29, 2015. You are also advised to review our Bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.

How are votes counted?

Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who will separately count “For” and “Withhold” and, with respect to proposals other than the election of directors, “Against” votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for each proposal, and will have the same effect as “Against” votes. Broker non-votes have no effect on voting on proposals and will not be counted towards the vote total for any proposal.

How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?

 

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For the election of directors, Proposal No. 1, the seven nominees receiving the most “For” votes (from the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors) will be elected. Votes “Withheld” will not affect the outcome of voting for directors.

 

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To be approved, Proposal No. 2, the approval of an increase of 350,000 shares of our common stock under the Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares voting on the proposal either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.

 

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To be approved, Proposal No. 3, the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, must receive “For” votes from a majority of the shares voting on the proposal in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.

 

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To be approved, Proposal No. 4, the stockholder proposal, must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of the shares voting on the proposal either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.

 

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To be approved, Proposal No. 5, ratification of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending March 31, 2015, must receive “For” votes from the holders of a majority of the shares voting on the proposal either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an “Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.

What is the quorum requirement?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares as of the record date are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were 31,457,986 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.

Your shares will be counted towards the quorum if you submit a valid proxy or if you vote in person at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, the holders of a majority of shares present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date.

How can I obtain directions to be able to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person?

You will find directions to 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, California 95035 at the following website: http://www.ixys.com/locations/IXYS_us_corporate.html or you may send an email requesting directions to investorrelations@ixys.net or you may call 408-457-9000, extension 9000 or extension 9092 and ask for directions.

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board consists of seven directors. There are seven nominees for director to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Each director to be elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is elected, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Each of the nominees listed below is currently a director of our company who was previously elected by the stockholders. It is our policy to encourage nominees for director to attend the Annual Meeting. All seven of the nominees for election as a director at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders attended the meeting.

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. The seven nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the seven nominees named below. In the event that any nominee should be unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, such shares will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as management may propose. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected and our management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NAMED NOMINEE

 

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Nominees

The names of the nominees and certain information about them as of July 2, 2014 are set forth below:

 

            Principal Occupation/

Name

   Age     

Position Held With the Company

Nathan Zommer

     66       Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of IXYS Corporation

Donald L. Feucht

     80       Investor

Samuel Kory

     71       Consultant

S. Joon Lee

     74       Retired Executive

Timothy A. Richardson

     57       Director of Jupiter Research Foundation

James M. Thorburn

     58       Consultant

Kenneth D. Wong

     44       Investor

Nathan Zommer.    Dr. Zommer, founder of our company, has served as a Director since our inception in 1983, and has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since March 1993. From 1993 to 2009, Dr. Zommer served as President and, from 1984 to 1993, Dr. Zommer served as Executive Vice President. Prior to founding our company, Dr. Zommer served in a variety of positions with Intersil, Hewlett Packard and General Electric, including as a scientist in the Hewlett Packard Laboratories and Director of the Power MOS Division for Intersil/General Electric. As our founder, Dr. Zommer has the benefit of our company’s complete history. This, taken together with his technical skills, background as an executive and over three decades of experience in the semiconductor industry, makes him uniquely qualified to be on our Board. Dr. Zommer received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Physical Chemistry from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Donald L. Feucht.    Dr. Feucht has served as a Director since July 2000. From 1992 until his retirement in 1998, Dr. Feucht served as Vice President for Operations for Associated Western Universities. He was employed as a Program Management Specialist for EG&G Rocky Flats, Inc. from 1990 until 1992. Prior to 1990, Dr. Feucht served in several positions with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, including Deputy Director. Prior to joining the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, he served as Professor of Electrical Engineering and Associate Dean at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Feucht adds an extensive technical background in semiconductor design and solar energy, analytical skills and experience in managing research and scientific organizations to the Board’s set of skills and experience. Dr. Feucht received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Valparaiso University and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Samuel Kory.    Mr. Kory has served as a Director since November 1999. In 1988, he founded Samuel Kory Associates, a management consulting firm. Since founding the firm, Mr. Kory has served as the firm’s sole proprietor and principal, as well as a consultant for the firm. He has substantially retired from this business, limiting his work to occasional assignments. Mr. Kory previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sensor Technologies USA, Vice President for Business Development and Sales of our company, Division General Manager and Corporate Director of Marketing for Seiko Instruments USA, and an International Manager for Spectra Physics Inc. During his career, Mr. Kory worked in and consulted with a variety of companies in high technology businesses. His experience in business development and sales in the semiconductor industry, combined with his international background in managing operations, sales and marketing in customers of the semiconductor industry, permits him to bring a perspective on marketing and business development issues to the Board. Mr. Kory received his B.S.M.E. from Pennsylvania State University.

S. Joon Lee.    Dr. Lee has served as a Director since July 2000. From 1990 to March 2008, Dr. Lee served as President of Omni Microelectronics, a consulting and engineering company. Dr. Lee also served as President of Adaptive Logic, a semiconductor company, from 1991 until 1996. Previously, Dr. Lee served as President of Samsung Semiconductor. Dr. Lee’s technical expertise, combined with his operational experience running an international semiconductor manufacturer, adds depth to the Board’s understanding of the semiconductor business. Dr. Lee received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

 

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Timothy A. Richardson.    Mr. Richardson has served as a Director since June 2007. He is an electronics industry veteran who has been a director of the Jupiter Research Foundation since May 2003. Mr. Richardson also serves as a Strategic Advisor to the Georgia Tech Research Institute. From May 2007 to January 2011, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Liquid Robotics, the developer of a surface vessel that derives its energy from the surrounding environment. From May 2003 to January 2011, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Jupiter Research Foundation. At Sirenza Microdevices, Inc., a supplier of radio frequency components for electronics, he was the Chief Strategy Advisor from October 2006 to April 2007. From May 2002 to October 2006, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Micro Linear Corporation, an integrated circuit company specializing in wireless applications. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Vice President of Business Development of Bandwidth 9, a manufacturer of optical components for the telecommunications market, and as the President and co-founder of VeriFiber Technologies, an optical component and systems manufacturer. Mr. Richardson’s service as the chief executive officer and member of the board of directors of a public semiconductor company, as well as his service as a strategic officer of another semiconductor company and extensive experience in the semiconductor industry, enables him to provide operational, financial and business development expertise to apply on behalf of our company.

James M. Thorburn.    Mr. Thorburn has served as a Director since March 2007. Since April 2010, Mr. Thorburn has been consulting, principally to private equity and startup firms. In connection with his consulting work, Mr. Thorburn served as the interim Chief Financial Officer of Ener-Core, Inc., a manufacturer of gradual oxidizer power generators, from May 2013 to November 2013. Mr. Thorburn was an operator affiliate with Francisco Partners, a private equity firm, from August 2006 to February 2009 and served as the Chief Financial Officer of Fisker Automotive, Inc., a premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle manufacturer, from February 2009 to April 2010. He served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Zilog, Inc. from January 2002 until August 2006. Prior to being Chief Executive Officer at Zilog, Mr. Thorburn held various executive positions including Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ON Semiconductor, operating consultant with Texas Pacific Group, Chief Financial Officer at Zilog and management positions at National Semiconductor. Mr. Thorburn, through his background in private equity and executive experience in public and private companies, brings leadership skills, mergers and acquisition skills, and capital financing and financial reporting experience to the mix of skills on the Board. Mr. Thorburn holds a BSc. (Hons.) degree from University of Glasgow and is a qualified accountant with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the United Kingdom.

Kenneth D. Wong.    Mr. Wong has served as a Director since June 2011. Previously, he served as a director from 2004 to 2007. Since 2011, Mr. Wong has been a private investor. From 1997 to 2011, Mr. Wong was with Menlo Equities, a developer and owner-operator of commercial real estate in California. Mr. Wong served as its Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2011 and as its Chief Operating Officer from 2001 to 2011. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Wong served in several positions at Coopers & Lybrand, his last role being a Manager. Mr. Wong’s work in finance and accounting adds to the Board’s expertise in these fields. He received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley.

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Independence of the Board

Under The Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq, listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the board of directors. Under its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, determines the independence of our directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consults with our counsel to ensure that its determinations are consistent with all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independent,” including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of the Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.

 

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Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and our company, our senior management and our independent registered public accounting firm, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Feucht, Kory, Lee, Richardson, Thorburn and Wong are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. Dr. Zommer, our Chief Executive Officer, is not an independent director.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Board met five times during the last fiscal year. Each Board member attended 75% or more of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he served, held during the period for which he was a director or committee member. The Board reviews its own performance at meetings every third year. Independent directors meet regularly without other directors being present.

Information Regarding Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board has three committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Below is a description of each committee of the Board. Each of the committees has authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities. The Board has determined that each member of each committee meets the applicable Nasdaq rules and regulations regarding “independence.”

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board, or Audit Committee, was established by the Board in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to oversee our corporate accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements. For this purpose, the Audit Committee performs several functions. The Audit Committee evaluates the performance of and assesses the qualifications of the independent registered public accounting firm; determines and approves the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm; determines whether to retain or terminate the existing independent registered public accounting firm or to appoint and engage a new independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and approves the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any proposed permissible non-audit services; monitors the rotation of partners of the independent registered public accounting firm on our audit engagement team as required by law; reviews and approves or rejects transactions between our company and any related persons; confers with management and the independent registered public accounting firm regarding the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting; establishes procedures, as required under applicable law, for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and meets to review our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements. The Audit Committee is composed of four directors: Messrs. Feucht, Richardson, Thorburn and Wong. Mr. Wong is the current chairman. The Audit Committee met eight times during the fiscal year. The Audit Committee has adopted a written charter that is available to stockholders on our website, www.ixys.com, at the following address: http://www.ixys.com/Documents/InvestorRelations/auditcommitteecharter.pdf.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the Nasdaq listing standards definition of independence for Audit Committee members on an annual basis and has determined that all members of our Audit Committee are independent. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has also determined that each of Messrs. Richardson, Thorburn and Wong qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.

 

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Report of the Audit Committee of the Board1

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 with our management. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm that serves as our auditors, BDO USA, LLP, the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16 – Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding BDO’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with BDO its independence. Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report in Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Donald L. Feucht

Timothy A. Richardson

James M. Thorburn

Kenneth D. Wong

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of the Board, or the Compensation Committee, is composed of four directors: Messrs. Kory, Lee, Richardson and Thorburn. Mr. Thorburn is the current Chairman. All members of our Compensation Committee are independent under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation Committee met nine times during the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter that is available to stockholders on our website, www.ixys.com, at the following address: http://www.ixys.com/Documents/InvestorRelations/compensationcommitteecharter.pdf.

The Compensation Committee acts on behalf of the Board to review, adopt, recommend for adoption and oversee various elements of compensation for our company, including:

 

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establishment of corporate and individual performance objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers and evaluation of performance in light of these stated objectives;

 

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review and approval of the compensation and other terms of employment or service of the executive officers, including severance and change-in-control arrangements;

 

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review and recommend to the Board the elements of compensation for the directors; and

 

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administration of our equity compensation plans and other compensation plans and programs that may be adopted from time to time.

The Compensation Committee also reviews with management our Compensation Discussion and Analysis and considers whether to recommend that it be included in proxy statements and other filings. The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to one or more of its members, subject to such reporting to or ratification by the committee as it directs. The Compensation Committee’s philosophy and approach to executive compensation, as well as its specific determinations with respect to executive compensation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, or fiscal 2014, are described in greater detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the Compensation Committee who served as such during fiscal 2014 is, or was at the time of such service, an employee or officer of our company. During the 1980s, Mr. Kory was a vice president of a predecessor of our company. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving on the Board or Compensation Committee of our company.

 

1  The material in this Audit Committee Report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the 1933 or 1934 Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation by reference language in any such filing.

 

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Compensation Committee Report2

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained herein. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our proxy statement following the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and incorporated into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Samuel Kory

S. Joon Lee

Timothy A. Richardson

James M. Thorburn

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying, reviewing and evaluating candidates to serve as our directors, reviewing and evaluating incumbent directors, recommending to the Board for selection candidates for election to the Board, making recommendations to the Board regarding the membership of the committees of the Board and addressing corporate governance matters for us. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of five directors: Messrs. Feucht, Kory, Lee, Richardson and Thorburn. Mr. Richardson is the current Chairman. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times during the fiscal year. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a written charter that is available to stockholders on our website, www.ixys.com, at the following address: http://www.ixys.com/Documents/InvestorRelations/nominatingcommitteecharter.pdf.

Under its charter, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider individuals who are suggested by our stockholders as potential company nominees to serve on the Board in the same manner that the committee considers potential nominees identified through other channels. Stockholder recommendations for directors must be in writing and sent by U.S. mail to: General Counsel, IXYS Corporation, 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, California 95035. The General Counsel will forward any recommendation to the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Board Composition

As an international semiconductor manufacturer, our business involves an operational structure that operates on a global scale and includes research, manufacturing and marketing functions in a context characterized by evolving technologies, exposure to business cycles and significant competition. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and assessing with the Board the appropriate skills, experience, and background sought of Board members in light of our business and the existing membership on the Board. This assessment of Board skills, experience, and background includes numerous factors, such as age; understanding of and experience in manufacturing, technology, finance and marketing; international experience; and culture. The priorities and emphasis of the committee and of the Board with regard to these factors change from time to time to take into account changes in the company’s business and other trends, as well as the portfolio of skills and experience of current and prospective Board members.

 

2  The material in this Compensation Committee Report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the 1933 or 1934 Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation by reference language in any such filing.

 

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We do not expect or intend that each director will have the same background, skills, and experience; we expect that Board members will have a diverse portfolio of backgrounds, skills, and experiences. One goal of this diversity is to assist the Board in its oversight and advice concerning our business and operations. Listed below are key skills and experience that we consider important for our directors to have in light of our current business and structure. The directors’ biographies note each director’s relevant experience, qualifications, and skills relative to this list.

 

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Semiconductor industry experience

 

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Senior leadership experience

 

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Technical expertise

 

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Public company board experience

 

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Financial expertise

 

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Business development and mergers and acquisitions experience

 

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International business experience

Board members should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, informed judgment, and sound business experience, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. They must also have an inquisitive and objective perspective, the ability to make independent analytical inquiries, practical wisdom and mature judgment. These factors, and others considered useful by the Board, are reviewed in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at a particular point in time. Board members must be willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairs of our company and are expected to rigorously prepare for, attend, and participate in all Board and applicable committee meetings. Each Board member is expected to ensure that other existing and planned future commitments do not materially interfere with the member’s service as a director. These other commitments will be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board when reviewing Board candidates.

The Board’s Leadership Structure

The Board currently combines the role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that the Chief Executive Officer is best situated to serve as Chairman of the Board because he is the director most familiar with the Company’s business and industry and is therefore best able to identify the strategic priorities to be discussed by the Board. The Board believes that combining the role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer facilitates information flow between management and the Board and fosters strategic development and execution. The Board has not appointed a lead independent director; however, the Board maintains effective independent oversight through a number of governance practices, including open and direct communication with management, input on meeting agendas and regular executive sessions. Further, the small size of the Board, set at seven members, and the extensive overlap of the independent directors on the three standing committees obviates the need for a single individual to assume, and be compensated for, the communication and coordination function of a lead director.

Risk Oversight and the Board

One of the Board’s functions is oversight of risk management. “Risk” is inherent in business, and the Board seeks to understand and advise on risk in conjunction with the activities of the Board and the Board’s committees.

The Board and management consider “risk” for these purposes to be the possibility that an undesired event could occur that adversely affects the achievement of our objectives. Risks vary in many ways, including the ability of the company to anticipate and understand the risk, the types of adverse impacts that could occur if the undesired event occurs, the likelihood that an undesired event and a particular adverse impact would occur, and the ability of the company to control the risk and the potential adverse impacts. Examples of the types of risks faced by a company include:

 

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macroeconomic risks, such as inflation, reductions in economic growth or recession;

 

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political risks, such as restrictions on access to markets, confiscatory taxation or expropriation of assets;

 

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“event” risks, such as natural disasters; and

 

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business-specific risks related to strategic position, cybersecurity, operational execution, financial structure, legal and regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

Not all risks can be dealt with in the same way. Some risks may be easily perceived and controllable, and other risks are unknown; some risks can be avoided or mitigated by particular behavior and some risks are unavoidable as a practical matter. For some risks, the potential adverse impact would be minor, and, as a matter of business judgment, it may not be appropriate to allocate significant resources to avoid the adverse impact; in other cases, the adverse impact could be significant, and it is prudent to expend resources to seek to avoid or mitigate the potential adverse impact. In some cases, a higher degree of risk may be acceptable because of a greater perceived potential for reward. Our company engages in numerous activities seeking to align its voluntary risk-taking with company strategy, and understands that its projects and processes may enhance our business interests by encouraging innovation and appropriate levels of risk-taking.

Management is responsible for identifying risk and risk controls related to significant business activities; mapping the risks to company strategy; and developing programs and recommendations to determine the sufficiency of risk identification, the balance of potential risk to potential reward and the appropriate manner in which to control risk. The Board implements its risk oversight responsibilities by having management provide at least annual briefings on the significant voluntary and involuntary risks that the company faces and how the company is seeking to control risk if and when appropriate. Generally, risk oversight is addressed as part of the full Board’s engagement with the CEO and management. In some cases, a Board committee is responsible for oversight of specific risk topics. For example, the Audit Committee oversees issues related to internal control over financial reporting and the Compensation Committee oversees risks related to compensation programs, as discussed in greater detail in “Executive Compensation.” To address one risk, the Board has adopted a policy prohibiting hedging of our common stock by employees and directors.

Stockholder Communications with the Board

The Board believes that management speaks for our company. Individual Board members may, from time to time, meet or otherwise communicate with various constituencies that are involved with our company, but it is expected that Board members would do this with knowledge of management and, in most instances, only at the request of management.

In cases where stockholders wish to communicate directly with one or more of the independent directors, email messages can be sent to directorcom@ixys.net. The messages will be received by our General Counsel and forwarded to the Chairman of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, who will determine their distribution to the appropriate committee of the Board or independent director and facilitate an appropriate response.

PROPOSAL 2

APPROVAL OF 350,000 SHARES FOR ISSUANCE UNDER

THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

In January 1999, the Board adopted our 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which (including the subsequent amendments and restatements) is referred to in this proxy statement as the Purchase Plan. On November 19, 1999, our stockholders approved the Purchase Plan, reserving 250,000 shares of our common stock for issuance pursuant to the stock purchase rights awarded under the Purchase Plan. The initial 250,000 shares were later increased to 500,000 through a two-for-one stock split. On September 7, 2007, our stockholders approved an increase of 350,000 shares under the Purchase Plan, and an additional 350,000 shares under the Purchase Plan were approved by our stockholders on August 27, 2010, bringing the total shares authorized under the Purchase Plan to 1,200,000. Currently, about 37,000 shares of our common stock remain available for issuance under the Purchase Plan. At recent issuance rates, those shares are likely to be exhausted later this year. We desire to increase the total number of shares authorized for issuance by 350,000, which results in an aggregate of 1,550,000 shares of our common stock being authorized under the Purchase Plan. The Purchase Plan currently meets the requirements set forth in Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.

 

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In determining the size of the additional share reserve under the Purchase Plan, the Board considered that the issuance of the full additional 350,000 shares to be reserved under the Purchase Plan would dilute the holdings of stockholders. The amount of such dilution would be an additional 1.0% on a fully diluted basis, based on the number of shares of our common stock, and options for our common stock, outstanding as of July 2, 2014. The Board also considered the expected duration of the additional share reserve in light of the historical number of shares purchased under the Purchase Plan in recent years. In fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014, the number of shares purchased under the Purchase Plan was 103,888 shares, 115,516 shares and 98,865 shares, respectively. The actual number of shares that will be purchased under the Purchase Plan in any given year will depend on a number of factors, including the number of participants, the participant’s participation rates and our stock price. Based on usage in recent years, an additional 350,000 shares would meet our needs for three years, but the actual number of shares that will be purchased under the Purchase Plan will depend on the factors listed above. In light of these factors, the Board has determined that the size of the share reserve increase under the Purchase Plan is reasonable and appropriate at this time.

Stockholders are requested in this Proposal 2 to approve an increase of 350,000 shares for issuance under the Purchase Plan. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares voting on the proposal at the meeting, in person or by proxy, will be required to approve the 350,000 share increase. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been approved.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 2.

The essential features of the Purchase Plan, as amended, are outlined below:

Purpose

The purpose of the Purchase Plan is to provide a means by which our employees (and any parent or subsidiary designated by the Board to participate in the Purchase Plan) may be given an opportunity to purchase our common stock through payroll deductions, to assist us in retaining the services of our employees, to secure and retain the services of new employees, and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for our success. Approximately 314 of our approximately 1,016 employees (which number includes employees of our subsidiaries outside the United States) are eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

The rights to purchase our common stock granted under the Purchase Plan are intended to qualify as options issued under an “employee stock purchase plan” as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.

Administration

Our Board administers the Purchase Plan and has the final power to construe and interpret both the Purchase Plan and the rights granted under it. Our Board has the power, subject to the provisions of the Purchase Plan, to determine when and how rights to purchase our common stock will be granted, the provisions of each offering of such rights (which need not be identical), and whether employees of any parent or subsidiary will be eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

Our Board has the power to delegate administration of the Purchase Plan to a committee composed of not fewer than two members of the Board. As used herein with respect to the Purchase Plan, the “Board” refers to any committee the Board appoints as well as to the Board itself. In fact, the Board has granted the Compensation Committee coextensive authority in its charter.

Offerings

The Purchase Plan is implemented by offerings of rights to all eligible employees from time to time by the Board. The offering under the Plan shall begin on June 1 of each year and will last for one year. This one year offering period will be divided into two shorter “purchase periods” approximately six months long. Purchase dates under the Purchase Plan will generally be November 30 and May 31 of each year.

 

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Eligibility

Any person who is customarily employed at least 20 hours per week and five months per calendar year by us (or by any parent or subsidiary designated by the Board) on the first day of an offering is eligible to participate in that offering. Our officers who are “highly compensated” as defined in the Code are eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

However, no employee is eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan if, immediately after the grant of purchase rights, the employee would own, directly or indirectly, stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of our stock or of any parent or subsidiary (including any stock which such employee may purchase under all outstanding rights and options). In addition, no employee may purchase more than $25,000 worth of our common stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such rights are granted) under all our employee stock purchase plans and our affiliates in any calendar year.

Additionally, any person who is employed by any non-U.S. subsidiary is not eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan.

Participation in the Plan

Eligible employees enroll in the Purchase Plan by delivering to us, prior to the date selected by the Board as the offering date for the offering, an agreement authorizing payroll deductions of up to 15% of such employee’s compensation during the offering (or such lower percentage as specified in the offering document prior to the beginning of the offering).

Purchase Price

The purchase price per share at which shares of our common stock are sold in an offering under the Purchase Plan is the lower of (i) 85% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the first day of the offering or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the last day of the purchase period.

Payment of Purchase Price; Payroll Deductions

The purchase price of the shares is accumulated by payroll deductions over the offering. At any time during the offering, a participant may reduce or terminate his or her payroll deductions as the Board provides in the offering. A participant may not increase or begin such payroll deductions after the beginning of any purchase period, except, if the Board provides, in the case of an employee who first becomes eligible to participate as of a date specified during the purchase period. All payroll deductions made for a participant are credited to his or her account under the Purchase Plan and deposited with our general funds. A participant may not make additional payments into such account, unless specifically provided in the offering and unless the participant has not had the maximum amount withheld during the offering.

Purchase of Stock

By executing an agreement to participate in the Purchase Plan, the employee is entitled to purchase shares under the Purchase Plan. In connection with offerings made under the Purchase Plan, our Board can specify a maximum number of shares of our common stock an employee may be granted the right to purchase and the maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be purchased pursuant to such offering by all participants. Generally, the Board has permitted any participating individual to purchase up to the $25,000 and 15% limitations. The maximum aggregate number of shares available to be purchased by all eligible employees will be the number of shares remaining available under the Purchase Plan on the offering date. If the aggregate number of shares to be purchased upon exercise of rights granted in the offering would exceed the maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock available, the Board would make a pro rata allocation of available shares in a uniform and equitable manner. Unless the employee’s participation is discontinued, his or her right to purchase shares is exercised automatically at the end of the purchase period at the applicable price. See “Withdrawal” below.

 

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Withdrawal

While each participant in the Purchase Plan is required to sign an agreement authorizing payroll deductions, the participant may withdraw from a given offering by terminating his or her payroll deductions and by delivering to us a notice of withdrawal from the Purchase Plan. Such withdrawal may be elected at any time prior to the end of the applicable purchase period, except as provided by the Board.

Upon any withdrawal from an offering by the employee, we will distribute to the employee his or her accumulated payroll deductions without interest, less any accumulated deductions previously applied to the purchase of shares of our common stock on the employee’s behalf during such offering, and such employee’s interest in the offering will be automatically terminated. The employee is not entitled to again participate in that offering. However, an employee’s withdrawal from an offering will not have any effect upon such employee’s eligibility to participate in subsequent offerings under the Purchase Plan.

Termination of Employment

Rights granted pursuant to any offering under the Purchase Plan terminate immediately upon cessation of an employee’s employment for any reason, and we will distribute to such employee all of his or her accumulated payroll deductions, without interest.

Restrictions on Transfer

Rights granted under the Purchase Plan are not transferable and may be exercised only by the person to whom such rights are granted.

Duration, Amendment and Termination

The Board may suspend or terminate the Purchase Plan at any time.

The Board may amend the Purchase Plan at any time. Any amendment of the Purchase Plan must be approved by the stockholders within 12 months of its adoption by the Board if the amendment would (i) increase the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan, (ii) modify the requirements relating to eligibility for participation in the Purchase Plan, or (iii) modify any other provision of the Purchase Plan in a manner that would materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the Purchase Plan, if such approval is required in order to comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

Rights granted before amendment or termination of the Purchase Plan will not be altered or impaired by any amendment or termination of the Purchase Plan without consent of the employee to whom such rights were granted.

Effect of Certain Corporate Events

In the event of a dissolution, liquidation or specified type of merger, the surviving corporation either will assume the rights under the Purchase Plan or substitute similar rights, or the exercise date of any ongoing offering will be accelerated such that the outstanding rights may be exercised immediately prior to, or concurrent with, any such event.

Stock Subject to Purchase Plan

Subject to this proposal, an aggregate of 1,550,000 shares of our common stock is, or has been, reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan. If rights granted under the Purchase Plan expire, lapse or otherwise terminate without being exercised, the shares of common stock not purchased under such rights again become available for issuance under the Purchase Plan.

Federal Income Tax Information

Rights granted under the Purchase Plan are intended to qualify for favorable federal income tax treatment associated with rights granted under an employee stock purchase plan which qualifies under provisions of Section 423 of the Code.

 

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A participant will be taxed on amounts withheld for the purchase of shares of our common stock as if such amounts were actually received. Other than this, no income will be taxable to a participant until disposition of the acquired shares, and the method of taxation will depend upon the holding period of the acquired shares.

If the stock is disposed of at least two years after the beginning of the offering period and at least one year after the stock is transferred to the participant, then the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the stock at the time of such disposition over the exercise price or (ii) the excess of the fair market value of the stock as of the beginning of the offering period over the exercise price (determined as of the beginning of the offering period) will be treated as ordinary income.

If the stock is sold or disposed of before the expiration of either of the holding periods described above, then the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the exercise date over the exercise price will be treated as ordinary income at the time of such disposition. The balance of any gain will be treated as capital gain. Even if the stock is later disposed of for less than its fair market value on the exercise date, the same amount of ordinary income is attributed to the participant, and a capital loss is recognized equal to the difference between the sales price and the fair market value of the stock on such exercise date. Any capital gain or loss will be short-term or long-term, depending on how long the stock has been held.

There are no federal income tax consequences to us by reason of the grant or exercise of rights under the Purchase Plan. We are entitled to a deduction to the extent amounts are taxed as ordinary income to a participant (subject to the requirement of reasonableness and the satisfaction of tax reporting obligations). Any ordinary income that is required to be recognized will not be subject to income or payroll tax withholding.

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table is provided as additional information on our equity compensation plans. The information is as of March 31, 2014.

 

Plan Category

   (a)
Number of  Securities
to be Issued upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights
     (b)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
     (c)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance under
Equity Compensation
Plans (excluding
Securities
Reflected in Column (a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders (1)

     4,313,135       $ 10.01         1,865,974   

Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders (2)

     888,500       $ 11.23         —     
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

     5,201,635       $ 10.22         1,865,974   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(1) This row includes our 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, the 1999 Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan, the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Of these shares, 87,490 shares remain available as of March 31, 2014 for the grant of future rights under our Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Under our Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, participants are permitted to purchase our common stock at a discount on certain dates through payroll deductions within a pre-determined purchase period. Accordingly, these numbers are not determinable.

 

(2) This row represents the Zilog 2002 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and the Zilog 2004 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, which were assumed upon the acquisition of Zilog.

Zilog 2002 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

In connection with the acquisition of Zilog, the Board approved the assumption of the Zilog 2002 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or the Zilog 2002 Plan, with respect to the shares available for grant as stock options. Employees of Zilog and persons first employed by our company after the closing of the acquisition of Zilog were eligible to receive grants under the Zilog 2002 Plan. At the time of the assumption of the Zilog 2002 Plan by our company, up to 366,589 shares of our common stock were available for grant under the plan. Currently, there are no shares available under the Zilog 2002 Plan for the grant of new awards but the Zilog 2002 Plan remains in effect for the settlement of awards that were previously granted.

Zilog 2004 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

In connection with the acquisition of Zilog, the Board approved assumption of the Zilog 2004 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, or the Zilog 2004 Plan. Employees of Zilog and persons first employed by our company after the closing of the acquisition of Zilog were eligible to receive grants under the Zilog 2004 Plan. At the time of the assumption of the Zilog 2004 Plan by our company, up to 652,963 shares of our common stock were available for grant under the plan. The Zilog 2004 Plan expired for the grant of new awards on February 12, 2014. Currently, there are no shares available under the Zilog 2004 Plan for the grant of new awards but the Zilog 2004 Plan remains in effect for the settlement of awards that were previously granted.

 

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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules.

The compensation of our named executive officers subject to the vote is disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure contained in this proxy statement. As discussed in those disclosures, we believe that our compensation policies and decisions are aligned with our stockholders’ interests. Compensation of our named executive officers is designed to enable us to attract and retain talented and experienced executives to lead our company successfully in a competitive environment.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our named executive officers. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies, and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote “For” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the company’s Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the company, our Board or our Compensation Committee. Our Board and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will take into account the outcome of this vote in considering future compensation arrangements.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 3.

PROPOSAL 4

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Service of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (“Episcopal Church”) has advised the company that it intends to present the following stockholder proposal at the Annual Meeting. In a letter dated March 27, 2014, the Episcopal Church stated that it was the beneficial owner of 9,480 shares of our common stock. A separate statement from the record holder certified that the Episcopal Church held 10,160 shares of our common stock as of March 27, 2014.

The text of the stockholder proposal and supporting statement appear exactly as received by IXYS unless otherwise noted. All statements contained in the stockholder proposal and supporting statement are the sole responsibility of the proponent. The stockholder proposal may contain assertions about the company or other matters that we believe are incorrect, but we have not attempted to refute all of those assertions.

The stockholder proposal will be voted on at the Annual Meeting only if properly presented by or on behalf of the proponent.

The Board recommends a vote AGAINST the stockholder proposal based on the reasons set forth in our Statement of Opposition following the stockholder proposal.

 

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Episcopal Church’s Proposal (as received)

Board inclusiveness

WHEREAS:

In response to the recent corporate scandals, the U.S. Congress (Sarbanes-Oxley Act), the stock exchanges and the Securities and Exchange Commission each have taken actions to enhance the independence, accountability and responsiveness of corporate boards, including requiring greater board and committee independence. We believe that in order to achieve such independence it is necessary for corporations to abandon the insularity that has all too often characterized boards in the past.

As companies seek new board members to meet the new independence standards, there is a unique opportunity to enhance diversity on the board. A number of corporations have included their commitment to board diversity (by sex and race) in the Charter for their nominating committee (a charter now being required for NYSE and NASDAQ listed companies). We believe that the judgments and perspectives that woman and members of minority groups bring to board deliberations improve the quality of board decision making, are likely to reduce the insularity of the board, and will enhance business performance by enabling a company to respond more effectively to the needs of customers worldwide. Further, we believe that diverse boards will be more effective at responding to social issues and stakeholder concerns than non-diverse boards. The Council of Institutional Investors has stated that “board nominating committee charters, or the equivalent, should encourage consideration of diversity in terms of background, experience, age, race, gender, ethnicity and culture” (Source: http://www.cii.org/BoardDiversity, accessed 12/03/2010).

Underscoring the importance of this issue, the Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted a rule that requires “disclosure of whether, and if so, how, a nominating committee considers diversity in identifying nominees for director. If the nominating committee or the board has a policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, the final rules require disclosure of how this policy is implemented and how the nominating committee or the board assesses the effectiveness of its policy.” (Source: http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2009/2009-268.htm).

WHEREAS:

IXYS currently has a distinguished board of seven persons, all of whom are males;

We believe that our Board should take every reasonable step to ensure that both women and persons from minority racial groups are in the pool from which Board nominees are chosen; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the shareholders request the Board:

 

1. In connection with its search for suitable Board candidates to ensure that women and persons from minority racial groups are among those it considers for nomination to the Board.

 

2. To publicly commit itself to a policy of board inclusiveness by race and sex, including steps to be taken and a timeline for implementing that policy.

 

3. To report to shareholders, at reasonable expense, by September 2014:

 

  a. On its efforts to encourage diversified representation by race and sex on the board.

 

  b. Whether, in the nominating committee’s charter or its procedures, diversity by race and sex is included as a criterion in selecting the total membership of the Board.

Episcopal Church’s Supporting Statement (as received)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

We urge the Board to enlarge its search for qualified members by casting a wider net.

 

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IXYS’s Statement of Opposition

At IXYS, we endorse the concept of diversity on our Board of Directors. Our Board currently includes two minorities and three immigrants among its seven members. We believe in having the right board members at the right time, however. We think it inadvisable to make diversity by sex or race a primary objective for the composition of our Board or to require our company to conform to a diversity objective on a timetable. Consequently, our Board respectfully recommends that the stockholders vote against the proposal submitted by the Episcopal Church.

Our principal reasons are as follows:

 

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We believe that it is inadvisable to burden microcap public companies, which have limited resources in time, personnel and funds, with social activists’ agendas. Within the last 15 years, the number of companies meeting the requirements for inclusion in the Wilshire 5000 Total Market IndexSM has fallen from 6,639 in December 2000 to 3,686 in May 2014. If investors want microcap and small cap public companies to exist, then investors must draw a line on the burdens imposed on them.

 

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Our Board is composed of individuals who have executive or technical experience in designing, manufacturing or marketing semiconductors, with the exception of one member who has an auditing and financial background and who currently serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. We recognize that we have some industry-specific challenges in appointing women with relevant industry experience. In 2013, just 8.3% of the people employed as electrical and electronics engineers in the United States were women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Indeed, this dearth of women in the technology sector is reflected in the UC Davis study entitled Women Board Members: Race and Ethnicity, which reported that, among the 400 largest public companies based in California in 2013, only 4.8% of the directors of semiconductor companies were women. It would be challenging to identify one or more women with executive experience, a history in the semiconductor industry and a willingness to serve on the board of a microcap public company. While we are proud of our company, we suffer no illusion that we offer any candidate the compensation and reputational enhancement of serving on the board of an S&P 500® company or a “hot” technology startup headed for its initial public offering.

 

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There is a significant probability that we would have to engage a search firm to identify a female director candidate with both a semiconductor background and a willingness to serve. At smaller public companies, such as ours, placement fees for a retained search firm can represent a substantial expense. We have never engaged a search firm for the purpose of identifying directors or senior executives. It is an expense that microcap public companies can ill afford.

 

  Ÿ  

Right now, we believe that a board of directors composed of seven members is best for a company of our size. Adding additional board members to serve activist agendas will increase both the complexity of board operations and the annual cost.

 

  Ÿ  

The stockholder proposal seeks action in furtherance of diversity and a public report of actions to date by September 2014, when the Annual Meeting is scheduled for August 28, 2014. Clearly, this timetable is impractical.

We support diversity and hope that there will be a time when we can identify a female director candidate with appropriate experience and interest in our company, who can join our board and positively contribute to the profitable growth of our company. However, we do not believe that the Board and management should focus their efforts on this objective in order to meet an arbitrary timetable.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST PROPOSAL 4.

Wilshire 5000 Total Market IndexSM is a service mark of Wilshire Associates Incorporated. S&P 500® is a registered trademark of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

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PROPOSAL 5

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected BDO USA, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the audit for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 and has further directed that management submit the selection for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Neither our Bylaws nor other governing documents or law require stockholder ratification of the selection of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, the Audit Committee is submitting the selection of BDO to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of us and our stockholders.

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table shows the fees for audit and other services provided by BDO, our independent registered public accounting firm, for fiscal years 2014 and 2013. All figures are net of value added tax and other similar taxes assessed by non-U.S. jurisdictions on the amount billed by BDO, but include out-of-pocket expenses. All of the services described in the following fee table were approved in conformity with the Audit Committee’s pre-approval process.

 

     2014 Fees      2013 Fees  

Audit Fees

   $ 1,226,922       $ 1,183,858   

Audit-Related Fees

     —           —     

Tax Fees

     3,796         22,895   

All Other Fees

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,230,718       $ 1,206,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit Fees:    For fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014, this category includes the integrated audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, the review of financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and statutory audits required by non-US jurisdictions.

Tax Fees:    For fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014, this category consists of services for international tax compliance.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to 18 months, and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.

The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of non-audit services by BDO is compatible with maintaining its independence.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL 5.

 

20


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of July 2, 2014 by: (i) each director and nominee for director; (ii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table; (iii) all current executive officers and directors as a group; and (iv) all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of our common stock.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed stockholder is: c/o IXYS Corporation, 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, California 95035.

 

     Beneficial
Ownership (1)
 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Number of
Shares
     Percent
of Total
 

Directors and Executive Officers

     

Nathan Zommer (2)

     7,229,005         22.6

Uzi Sasson (3)

     841,474         2.6

Donald L. Feucht (4)

     144,553         *   

Samuel Kory (5)

     126,250         *   

S. Joon Lee (6)

     105,000         *   

Timothy A. Richardson (7)

     133,750         *   

James M. Thorburn (8)

     118,922         *   

Kenneth D. Wong (9)

     46,250         *   

All current directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons) (10)

     8,745,204         26.2

5% Stockholders

     

Guggenheim Capital, LLC (11)

     5,226,907         16.6

227 West Monroe Street

Chicago, IL 60606

     

Sharkz L.P. (12)

     2,000,000         6.4

Investment Counselors of Maryland, LLC (13)

     1,933,900         6.1

803 Cathedral Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201-5297

     

Blackrock, Inc. (14)

     1,754,440         5.6

40 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

     

Royce & Associates, LLC (15)

     1,595,785         5.1

745 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10151

     

 

* Represents less than 1%.

 

(1) This table is based upon information supplied by executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe that each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. Applicable percentages are based on 31,457,986 shares outstanding on July 2, 2014, adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC.

 

(2) Includes an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares held by Sharkz L.P., a partnership controlled by Dr. Zommer, and 12,410 shares held as custodian. Also includes 513,750 shares that Dr. Zommer has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014. 1,990,000 shares are pledged as security for a loan.

 

(3) Includes 805,000 shares that Mr. Sasson has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

(4) Includes an aggregate of 12,000 shares held by or on behalf of Mr. Feucht’s wife, as to which Mr. Feucht has shared investment power. Also includes 130,000 shares that Mr. Feucht has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

21


(5) Includes 115,000 shares that Mr. Kory has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

(6) Includes 95,000 shares that Mr. Lee has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

(7) Includes 133,750 shares that Mr. Richardson has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

(8) Includes 113,750 shares that Mr. Thorburn has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

(9) Includes 46,250 shares that Mr. Wong has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

(10) Includes 1,952,500 shares that current directors and executive officers have the right to acquire within 60 days of July 2, 2014.

 

(11) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2014. Each of Guggenheim Capital, LLC, Guggenheim Partners, LLC, GI Holdco II, LLC, GI Holdco, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC, Rydex Holdings, LLC and Security Investors, LLC has shared voting power over 5,226,907 shares and shared investment power over 5,226,907 shares. The address of Rydex Holdings, LLC and Security Investors, LLC is One SW Security Benefit Place, Topeka, Kansas 66636-0001. The address of GI Holdco II, LLC, GI Holdco, LLC and Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC is 330 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

 

(12) These shares are also included in the number of shares reported for Dr. Zommer. Dr. Zommer is the general partner of Sharkz L.P. and has sole voting and investment power over the shares of common stock it holds.

 

(13) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2014. Investment Counselors of Maryland, LLC has sole voting power over 1,268,500 shares and shared voting power over 665,400 shares and sole investment power over 1,933,900 shares.

 

(14) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2014. BlackRock Inc. has sole voting power over 1,691,231 shares and sole investment power over 1,754,440 shares.

 

(15) Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2014. Royce Associates, LLC has sole voting and investment power over the shares of common stock it holds.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the 1934 Act, requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other of our equity securities. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based on such forms, during fiscal 2014, all Section 16(a) reports were timely filed, except for one report of six transactions covering exercises of a stock option for an aggregate of 5,000 shares and corresponding sales over three consecutive days by Samuel Kory.

 

22


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Summary

 

  Ÿ  

Our annual executive compensation consists principally of salary, cash performance compensation, other cash bonuses and stock options.

 

  Ÿ  

Total compensation paid to all named executive officers during fiscal 2014, as set forth in our summary compensation table, was about $1.9 million.

 

  Ÿ  

In fiscal 2014, our CEO’s total compensation increased by 23.1% as compared to fiscal 2013, as reported in the summary compensation table.

 

  Ÿ  

Our CEO beneficially owns more than one-fifth of our company’s outstanding common stock. This ownership interest constitutes a significant performance-based incentive that is not included in current executive compensation.

 

  Ÿ  

Our CEO does not expect to receive additional equity compensation from our company, except in an amount commensurate with outside directors.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This discussion and analysis should be read along with the tables and text under “Executive Compensation” that follow hereafter. Throughout this discussion and analysis, the “Committee” refers to the Compensation Committee and “executives” refers to our executive officers. Generally, the Committee limits its deliberations to individuals determined by the Board to be executive officers under the rules of the SEC, except for equity compensation and except for compliance with the rules of the SEC. The compensation of other employees is determined under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer.

Our Compensation Philosophy

Our success begins with our culture of innovation, cooperation and efficiency. Our compensation programs are designed to support this culture by allowing us to:

 

  Ÿ  

Motivate and reward performance.    We believe that compensation should vary with performance, and that a significant portion of an executive’s pay should be linked to individual and corporate performance.

 

  Ÿ  

Align employee pay with stockholder objectives.    We believe that our pay program should connect executives’ interests with stockholders’ interests. In particular, we believe that pay should reward executives for growing the market value of our company’s stock.

 

  Ÿ  

Manage resources efficiently.    Compensation is a significant expense, which should be managed appropriately to achieve our executive reward and retention goals while also protecting stockholder interests.

 

  Ÿ  

Attract and retain personnel.    The semiconductor industry is a competitive landscape, where experienced and talented employees are in demand. Executive compensation must be competitive to attract and retain the individuals we need to lead our business.

Our Executive Compensation Program

Our executive compensation program consists of six components:

 

  Ÿ  

Salary

 

  Ÿ  

Cash performance compensation

 

  Ÿ  

Other cash bonuses

 

  Ÿ  

Equity compensation

 

  Ÿ  

Employee benefits

 

  Ÿ  

Severance and change of control compensation

 

23


Our philosophy is to offer competitive salaries to our executives and to provide significant rewards through incentive pay. Incentive cash opportunities are calibrated to be competitive when performance objectives are achieved and are primarily intended to reward for performance during the corresponding fiscal year. Exceptional rewards may be provided through equity compensation, but only to the degree that our stock price appreciation is strong. Equity compensation is intended to reward for long-term performance, in the expectation that is likely to constitute a significant sum in the event of long-term growth in the profitability of our company. In determining executive compensation, the Committee reflects on compensation in immediately preceding years, but considers every year to be a new page where goals and potential compensation could be substantially changed. In general, we place more emphasis on cash performance compensation and stock options than on salary. While we offer competitive salaries, we believe we can create a stronger link between pay and performance by directing executive pay towards incentive cash performance compensation and equity rewards.

Salaries

We provide salaries sufficient to attract and retain key executives. To determine the appropriate salary for an executive, the Committee considers a number of factors, including the executive’s responsibilities, experience, past performance, and expected future contribution to our company. The Committee also considers the salaries of executives in similar positions at comparable companies. Generally, in setting salaries the Committee seeks to pay competitive salaries and to provide the funds necessary for a current standard of living for the executive.

Cash Performance Compensation

Our cash performance compensation program is intended to provide economic incentives for executives to work for the achievement of objectives that the Committee believes will foster our growth and profitability. It rewards executives in light of their achievement of their performance objectives and for helping us achieve our annual financial goals. Each year, the Committee develops a cash performance compensation program for the two most senior executives. To establish these programs, the Committee considers the executive’s responsibilities and expected contributions to our company.

The cash performance compensation program is composed of a series of objectives, a set of weights for the objectives and three potential performance levels, consisting of a threshold level, a target level and a maximum level. Objectives are set in light of the Committee’s views on the goals and challenges for our company and the individual for the corresponding fiscal year.

Other Cash Bonuses

From time to time, the Committee has awarded cash bonuses outside of the cash performance compensation structure. These bonuses relate to circumstances unique to the individual and often to recognition for years of service to our company or for a specific level of achievement.

Equity

We believe equity-based compensation is critical to our overall pay program for executives. Equity-based compensation provides several significant advantages:

 

  Ÿ  

It allows us to provide exceptional potential rewards. Those exceptional rewards are realized, however, only if our growth is strong as evidenced by stock price appreciation and value is created for stockholders.

 

  Ÿ  

It creates a strong incentive for executives to improve financial results and take the right actions to increase our value over the long term. Because the ultimate value of the award varies with our stock price, which is in turn affected by our results, equity-based compensation creates a strong link between pay and performance.

 

  Ÿ  

It links executives’ interests directly with stockholders’ interests, since rewards depend on stock performance.

Currently, the Committee views stock options in various forms as the best method to motivate our executives. Stock options encourage executives to focus on value creation, since stock options provide rewards only

 

24


when our stock price increases. The vesting schedules we use delay rewards until the future, thereby maintaining incentives for our executives and helping us retain key talent.

Determining the Size of Individual Equity Incentive Awards

To determine the appropriate size of an executive’s equity incentive award, the Committee considers several factors, including the executive’s past performance and expected future contribution, the retention value of the executive’s prior unvested option grants and our growth and performance outlook.

Timing of Grants

Historically, executives generally received an equity incentive award following employment and, thereafter, a single equity incentive award each year. We do not grant re-load options, make loans to executives to exercise their stock options or grant stock options at a discount. The Committee generally grants equity incentives to our executives at regular quarterly meetings. The Committee does not have an express policy regarding the timing of grants to executives. The Board or the Committee may grant options when in possession of material non-public information.

Exercise Price

The exercise price of all stock option grants is at a minimum the closing price of a share of our common stock on Nasdaq on the date of grant.

Vesting

Equity incentive awards cannot be exercised until they vest. The principal purpose of vesting is to serve as an employee retention tool. Employees who leave before their awards vest lose any value in their unvested equity incentive awards. The vesting requirements for our executives are typically the same as those for our employees. Generally, our equity incentive awards for employees vest in equal annual installments over a four year period or, in other words, at the rate of 25% per year.

Dr. Nathan Zommer

Dr. Zommer has informed the Committee that henceforth he only wishes to receive equity compensation for his service as a director and, therefore, to be considered only for an equity incentive equivalent to the annual grant generally made for continuing directors. Currently, that is the grant of a stock option exercisable for 5,000 shares of our common stock. The Committee approves of this practice and expects to follow it in the future.

Other Benefits

We provide Dr. Zommer and Mr. Sasson with a limited number of benefits not generally made available to all employees. These benefits primarily consist of car allowances, term life insurance and reimbursement for tax planning and the preparation of tax returns. These benefits for senior executives are a longstanding practice by our company and the Committee has viewed them as immaterial in amount. These benefits are required by the terms of their employment agreements. See “Executive Compensation – Employment Agreement.” In addition, as a director, Dr. Zommer receives a benefit accorded directors, the reimbursement of estate planning expenses.

Like all of our full-time domestic employees, our executives are eligible to participate in our Purchase Plan, our 401(k) plan, and other health and welfare insurance programs, although Dr. Zommer is not eligible to participate in our Purchase Plan because of his stock ownership. We believe we offer a competitive package of health and welfare programs. To ensure our total compensation package remains competitive with other companies, we compare our health and welfare benefits with the packages offered by other companies.

Severance and Change of Control Provisions

We have severance and change of control agreements with Dr. Zommer and Mr. Sasson. See “Executive Compensation – Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.” The Committee believes that executive severance and change of control provisions are appropriate for our senior executives. These provisions are sometimes necessary to attract or retain key personnel and to assist executives in focusing on the best course

 

25


for our company. The Committee has selected a double trigger in the event of a change of control for the payment of compensation, in the belief that incremental compensation is appropriate only if there is a loss of, or material change in, a position after a change of control.

Determining Executive Pay

After the end of each fiscal year, the Committee reviews our executive compensation program. The review involves the analysis of market pay practices, the assessment of our existing pay practices and the consideration of our goals for the future. As a result of this review, the executive compensation program for the next fiscal year is formulated.

At the same time as establishing the compensation program for the current year, the process of evaluating individual performance and making incentive cash compensation decisions for the prior fiscal year is also occurring. The CEO reviews the pay and performance of each executive other than himself and makes pay recommendations to the Committee for each of those executives. The Committee reviews those recommendations, taking into account:

 

  Ÿ  

The CEO’s assessment of the performance of each executive other than himself;

 

  Ÿ  

Each executive’s pay history and unvested equity incentives;

 

  Ÿ  

The difficulty of the executive’s role; and

 

  Ÿ  

Periodically, but not annually, executive pay at comparable companies.

As necessary, the Committee discusses changes to the CEO’s recommendations with the CEO and then approves compensation actions for each executive.

The Committee makes compensation decisions for the CEO separately without the CEO’s participation. The Committee evaluates the CEO’s performance in light of its judgment of results achieved. Input on our CEO’s performance is also solicited from the other members of the Board.

At the end of this process, the Committee’s decisions included the following compensation actions for our two most senior executives:

 

  Ÿ  

Objectives, weights and performance levels for the cash performance compensation programs for the current fiscal year;

 

  Ÿ  

Any changes to salary; and

 

  Ÿ  

The amount of any equity incentive awards for the fiscal year.

The decisions of the Committee were then communicated to the executives by the Chairman of the Committee.

Stockholder Vote on Executive Compensation

At the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, more than 98% of the shares voted on the compensation of the named executive officers were voted in favor of such compensation. The Compensation Committee considered the result of that vote, concluded that the vote constituted general support for the company’s executive compensation policies and decisions and expects to continue on a similar path in the future.

Executive Compensation Consulting

From time to time, the Committee engages an executive compensation consulting firm. It is the Committee’s practice to request of its compensation consulting firm, Hay Group, Inc., that it provide advice on compensation issues identified by the Committee and, when requested by the Committee, gather and analyze third-party data about the compensation practices of peer companies against which we measure our compensation.

Hay Group, Inc. reports directly to the Committee and works solely for the Committee. Hay Group, Inc. did not perform any services for the Committee during fiscal 2014. Our company did not employ other compensation consultants during fiscal 2014.

 

26


Peer Group Assessment

In setting executive pay, we are mindful of the competitive market. To gauge our pay against our competitors and against the broader marketplace, the Committee has, from time to time, requested our compensation consultant to provide us with information on the pay practices generally occurring in the semiconductor industry. In fiscal 2012, to determine our peer companies, Hay Group, Inc. provided data on public companies in the business of manufacturing semiconductors, and in one instance equipment to manufacture semiconductors, that had annual revenues similar to ours, most of which were in the range of $150 million to $700 million. These companies were:

 

American Superconductor Corp.

   Intersil Corporation    Semtech Corporation

Applied Micro Circuits Corp.

   LTX-Credence Corporation    Silicon Laboratories

Cohu, Inc.

   Micrel, Inc.    SMART Modular Technologies
(WWH), Inc.

Diodes Incorporated

   Microsemi Corporation    Standard Microsystems Corp.

Entropic Communications, Inc.

   Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.    Trident Microsystems, Inc.

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.

   Power Integrations, Inc.    TriQuint Semiconductor

Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.

     

The Committee used the information provided by the compensation consultant as guidance that the decisions of the Committee were within the range of compensation at companies viewed as peers. In that context, the Committee exercised discretion regarding compensation decisions rather than adhering to any particular benchmark or formula. The Committee did not update this information in connection with executive compensation decisions made for fiscal 2014.

Executive Pay Decisions for Fiscal 2014

Under their employment agreements in effect during fiscal 2014, Dr. Zommer’s annual salary was at least $580,000 and Mr. Sasson’s annual salary was at least $355,000. As a part of its regular practice in setting the salaries of the two executives, the Committee considers the responsibilities of the executives beyond those typically associated with their roles; in particular, that Dr. Zommer serves as the senior technical executive of our company and that Mr. Sasson has significant operational responsibilities and serves as the senior sales executive of our company. For fiscal 2014, the salaries of Dr. Zommer and Mr. Sasson were paid at annual rates of $580,000 and $355,000, respectively. During fiscal 2014, in accordance with our general policy for employees, Mr. Sasson cashed out vacation days for payment of $13,654.

Cash Performance Compensation

In establishing the cash performance compensation program for fiscal 2014, the Committee set a target award for Dr. Zommer of $725,000 and a target award for Mr. Sasson of $443,750. The Committee established a maximum potential award for each executive of 2.0 times the amount of his target award and a potential threshold award of 0.2 times the amount of his target award. For both executives, the set of objectives consisted of three quantitative objectives and one qualitative objective. Each quantitative objective consisted of three numbers, with a number corresponding to each of the concepts of threshold, target and maximum.

The fiscal 2014 objectives, weights and performance levels were as follows:

 

Objective

   Weight     Threshold     Target     Maximum  
           (Dollars in millions)  

Net revenues

     25   $ 281      $ 341      $ 401   

Gross margin (1)

     25     28.9     31.9     34.9

Cash from operations

     25   $ 32      $ 40      $ 48   

Discretionary

     25  

 

(1) Gross margin was defined as gross profits divided by net revenues.

 

27


In reviewing performance in comparison to the quantitative objectives, the Committee concluded that the net revenues and gross margin had exceeded the threshold performance levels, but that the target performance levels had not been achieved. The Committee concluded that the objective for cash flow from operations had met the threshold level. For each executive, the Committee then went through the process of multiplying the weight for each objective against the target potential award payable to the executive, interpolating the quantitative performance achieved for an objective between the nearest performance levels and calculating an amount for the objective based on the interpolation. In evaluating the discretionary objective, the Committee decided to award amounts that constituted 70% of the target amount for the objective to Dr. Zommer and 100% of the target amount for the objective to Mr. Sasson. The Committee then added the calculated amounts to determine the award for each executive, and rounded the award amounts. Ultimately, through its quantitative and qualitative assessments, Dr. Zommer was awarded $412,000 and Mr. Sasson was awarded $285,000. For Dr. Zommer, the amount awarded constituted 57% of his target award. For Mr. Sasson, the amount awarded constituted 64% of his target award.

Equity

In fiscal 2014, consistent with practice, the Board granted an option for 5,000 shares to Dr. Zommer on the same terms as the options granted to nonemployee directors. The Committee granted Mr. Sasson an option for 40,000 shares. The size of the grant to Mr. Sasson reflected past individual and company performance and expected future contribution.

Tax and Accounting Implications

Section 162(m) of the Code places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that we may deduct from our taxes in a year with respect to our executive officers. Section 162(m) limits the types of compensation that are deductible resulting in some compensation that does not qualify as tax deductible. While the Committee is mindful of the benefit to our company performance of full deductibility of compensation, we believe the Committee must not be constrained by the requirements of Section 162(m) as those requirements could impair flexibility in compensating our executive officers in a manner that can best promote our corporate objectives. Therefore, the Committee has not adopted a policy that requires that all compensation be deductible. The Committee intends to continue to compensate our executive officers in a manner consistent with the best interests of our company and the stockholders.

The authoritative guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, requires employee stock options and rights to purchase shares under stock participation plans to be accounted for under the fair value method and requires the use of an option pricing model for estimating fair value. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the awards, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite employee service period. We use the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate the fair value of each award.

Compensation and Risk

Our Compensation Committee has discussed the concept of risk as it relates to our compensation of employees, reviewed the employee compensation used in our company and the Compensation Committee does not believe our employee compensation encourages excessive or inappropriate risk taking for the following reasons:

 

  Ÿ  

Our use of different types of compensation methods provides a balance of long and short-term incentives with fixed and variable components.

 

  Ÿ  

We grant equity-based awards with time-based vesting, which encourages participants to look to long-term appreciation in equity values.

 

  Ÿ  

The objectives used to determine the amount of an executive officer’s cash performance award address overall performance, which we believe promotes long-term value. In addition, an executive’s cash performance award cannot exceed a pre-established maximum amount, no matter how much financial performance exceeds the objectives established at the beginning of the year.

 

  Ÿ  

Our system of internal control over financial reporting, Code of Ethics, and whistleblower program, among other things, reduce the likelihood of manipulation of our financial performance to enhance incentive payments.

 

28


Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 compensation awarded to or paid to, or earned by, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, together referred to as our Named Executive Officers, at March 31, 2014.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year      Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Option
Awards
($) (1)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total ($)  

Nathan Zommer

    Chairman of the

    Board and Chief

    Executive Officer

    

 

 

2014

2013

2012

  

  

  

    

 

 

580,000

624,615

580,000

  

  

  

   

 

 

126,834

165,000

58,000

(2) 

  

  

   

 

 

24,675

25,056

126,804

(3) 

  

  

   

 

 

285,166

—  

463,788

  

  

  

    

 

 

20,651

27,846

30,856

(4) 

  

  

   
 
 
1,037,326
842,517
1,259,448
  
  
  

Uzi Sasson

    President and Chief     Financial Officer

    

 

 

2014

2013

2012

  

  

  

    

 

 

368,654

368,654

368,654

(5) 

  

  

   

 

 

110,458

180,000

35,500

(2) 

  

  

   

 

 

197,401

400,904

507,217

  

  

  

   

 

 

174,542

—  

283,872

  

  

  

    

 

 

23,734

17,687

12,107

(6) 

  

  

   
 
 
874,789
967,245
1,207,350
  
  
  

 

(1) Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014 discloses the assumptions made in valuing the rights.

 

(2) Consists of the sum awarded under the cash performance compensation program for the discretionary objective.

 

(3) Constitutes compensation for being a director.

 

(4) Includes car expense of $8,737, estate planning charges of $1,640, $7,650 in contributions by our company matching certain of Dr. Zommer’s 401(k) plan contributions and other compensation payments aggregating to $2,264. Other compensation payments include payments for medical exam and bill paying and bookkeeping services. For fiscal 2014, bill paying and bookkeeping services were valued based on an estimate of the hours involved and an assumed hourly rate.

 

(5) Includes vacation cash-out of $13,654.

 

(6) Includes car expense of $16,084 and $7,650 in contributions by our company matching certain of Mr. Sasson’s 401(k) plan contributions.

We provide or reimburse for car expense for Dr. Zommer and Mr. Sasson, including associated expenses such as insurance, registration, maintenance and gasoline. Our directors, including Dr. Zommer, are reimbursed for their estate planning and tax planning and return preparation expenses. Because Dr. Zommer spends significant time traveling to our worldwide locations and customers, we provide bill paying and bookkeeping services to Dr. Zommer.

Employment Agreements

Dr. Zommer and Mr. Sasson are the only executive officers who have employment agreements. Each agreement was executed in July 2012 and terminates July 31, 2015.

Dr. Zommer’s agreement provides that he will be paid an annual base salary of at least $580,000 and that he will be considered for an annual performance bonus, as determined by the Board in its discretion. He is to receive the benefits made available to senior executives generally, as well as the following specifically described in his agreement: an annual medical exam; term insurance in the amount of $2,000,000 on his life, payable to his designee; the services of a personal tax or investment advisor, in an amount not to exceed $2,000 per year; the use of a car, of make and model determined by Dr. Zommer and the Board, including maintenance, gas and insurance; 10 hours per month of bill paying and bookkeeping services; and annual vacation in an amount equal to 15 days plus one-half day for each full year of service after June 1, 2003. Additionally, Dr. Zommer is entitled

 

29


to the payments and benefits described in “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control,” upon the events described there. During fiscal 2007, Dr. Zommer caused the term life insurance provided pursuant to his agreement to be cancelled.

Mr. Sasson’s agreement provides that he will be paid an annual base salary of at least $355,000 and that he will be considered for an annual performance bonus, as determined by the Board in its discretion. He is to receive the benefits made available to senior executives generally, as well as the following specifically described in his agreement: an annual medical exam; term insurance in the amount of $2,000,000 on his life, payable to his designee; the services of a personal tax or investment advisor, in an amount not to exceed $2,000 per year; the use of a car, of make and model determined by Mr. Sasson and the Board, including maintenance, gas and insurance; and annual vacation in an amount equal to 15 days. Additionally, Mr. Sasson is entitled to the payments and benefits described in “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control,” upon the events described there.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table provides information regarding all incentive plan awards that were made to or earned by our Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2014.

 

          Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards (1)
    All Other Option
Awards: Number  of
Securities
Underlying

Options (#)
    Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Share)
    Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards ($)
 

Name

  Grant Date     Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
       

Nathan Zommer

      217,500        543,750        761,250         
    8/30/13              5,000        9.27        24,675   

Uzi Sasson

      133,125        332,813        465,938         
    8/30/13              40,000        9.27        197,401   

 

(1) These amounts constitute the threshold, target and maximum amounts applicable to the quantitative objectives under the cash performance compensation program for fiscal 2014.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2014 Year End

The following table shows for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 certain information regarding outstanding equity awards at fiscal year end for the Named Executive Officers.

 

      Option Awards  

Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise
Price

($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
 

Nathan Zommer

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

200,000

170,000

20,000

20,000

1,250

—  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

3,750

5,000

  

  

  

  

  

(1) 

(2) 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.81

10.30

12.65

9.37

12.25

9.45

9.27

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

06/02/15

06/07/17

09/05/18

08/27/20

09/16/21

08/24/22

08/30/23

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Uzi Sasson

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,000

120,000

75,000

20,000

120,000

120,000

150,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

—  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

20,000

40,000

60,000

40,000

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.65

9.15

14.37

9.35

9.36

11.50

6.53

8.64

12.25

9.45

9.27

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

08/20/14

11/23/14

06/02/15

05/31/17

06/07/17

09/05/18

11/13/18

05/21/20

09/16/21

08/24/22

08/30/23

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

30


 

(1) 1,250 shares vest on each anniversary of August 24.

 

(2) 1,250 shares vest on each anniversary of August 30.

 

(3) 20,000 shares vest on each anniversary of May 21.

 

(4) 20,000 shares vest on each anniversary of September 16.

 

(5) 20,000 shares vest on each anniversary of August 24.

 

(6) 10,000 shares vest on each anniversary of August 30.

Option Exercises in Fiscal Year 2014

 

Name

   Option Awards  
   Number
of  Shares
Acquired

on
Exercise
(#)
     Value
Realized
on
Exercise
($)
 

Nathan Zommer

     150,000         166,500   

Uzi Sasson

     —           —     

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control

Dr. Zommer

Dr. Zommer’s employment agreement provides for certain payments and benefits in connection with termination of his employment or a change of control. In the event he is terminated without cause he is entitled to a single payment equal to 18 months of salary, as well as a single lump sum equal to the amount payable for health insurance coverage under COBRA for 18 months. If he becomes disabled for three months in a six month period, his salary will continue to be paid, along with benefits, by us for a period of 18 months, after which his employment shall terminate. If his employment terminates, either without cause or for good reason, within one year of a change of control, he is entitled to a single payment from us equal to three times his average annual cash compensation over the last three years. Additionally, upon such event, he is entitled to a continuation of his benefits from us, both as provided to employees generally and as specifically described in his employment agreement, for a period of 18 months, as well as the immediate vesting of all unvested stock options. Payments and benefits in the event of his termination without cause, or in the event of his termination without cause or good reason within one year of change of control, are conditioned upon his execution and delivery of a release in favor of our company.

Under his employment agreement, cause means conviction of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty; participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against our company; willful breach of our policies; intentional damage to our property; or breach of the employment agreement or any other agreement with us. Change of control means any reorganization, consolidation or merger in which we are not the surviving corporation or where our voting stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger where our stockholders have the same proportionate ownership of voting stock after the merger; the sale, exchange or other transfer to an unaffiliated third party of at least a majority of our voting stock; or the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all, or substantially all, of our assets. Good reason means reduction of his rate of salary compensation as in effect immediately prior to the change of control by more than five percent; failure to provide a package of welfare benefit plans that, taken as a whole, provide substantially similar benefits to those in which he is entitled to participate immediately prior to the change of control, except that employee contributions may be raised to the extent of any cost increases imposed by third parties, or any action by us that would adversely affect his participation or reduce his benefits under any of such plans; change in his responsibilities, authority, titles or offices resulting in diminution of position, excluding insubstantial, inadvertent actions and noting that the fact the company is no longer public or the ultimate parent is not such a diminution; request that he relocate to a worksite that is more than 35 miles from his prior worksite; failure or refusal of the successor company to assume our obligations under his employment agreement; or material breach by us or any successor company of any of the material provisions of his employment agreement.

 

31


The following table sets forth estimates of the value of the payments and the benefits that would have been receivable by Dr. Zommer under his employment agreement in connection with termination or a change of control as of March 31, 2014.

 

Executive Benefits and

Payments upon Termination

or Change of Control

   Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause

($)
    Involuntary
Termination
For Cause

($)
     Disability
($)
    Termination
without Cause
or For Good
Reason within
One Year
after Change
of Control

($)
 

Cash payment

     870,000 (1)      —           870,000 (1)      2,883,403 (2) 

Vesting of option awards (3)

     —          —           9,950        17,525   

401(k) match (4)

     —          —           11,475        11,475   

Car expense (4)

     —          —           13,105        13,105   

Health insurance (4)

     18,226        —           18,226        18,226   

Other benefits (4)(5)

     —          —           10,784        10,784   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     888,226        —           933,540        2,954,518   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on the salary rate in effect at March 31, 2014.

 

(2) Based on the cash compensation paid during the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2014.

 

(3) Represents the fair market value of stock awards that would become vested due to termination or the value of the spread on options that would become exercisable due to termination, based on closing price of a share of our common stock on March 31, 2014, which was $11.35. For disability, assumes 18 months of vesting.

 

(4) Assumes 18 months of benefits for involuntary termination without cause, disability and termination after change of control. Benefits are estimated using fiscal 2014 data.

 

(5) Consists of dental insurance, group life insurance, tax or investment advisor reimbursement (estimated at $2,000 per year), annual medical exam reimbursement (estimated at $1,000 per year), and bill paying and bookkeeping services.

Mr. Sasson

Mr. Sasson’s employment agreement provides for certain payments and benefits in connection with termination of his employment or a change of control. In the event he is terminated without cause, he is entitled to a single payment equal to one month’s salary for each year of service (prorated for a partial year), but not more than 18 months of salary, as well as a single lump sum equal to the amount payable for health insurance coverage under COBRA for 18 months. If he becomes disabled for three months in a six month period, his salary will continue to be paid, along with benefits, by us for a period of 18 months, after which his employment shall terminate. If his employment terminates, either without cause or for good reason, within one year of a change of control, he is entitled to a single payment from us equal to two times his average annual cash compensation over the last three years. Additionally, upon such event, he is entitled to a continuation of his benefits from us, both as provided to employees generally and as specifically described in his employment agreement, for a period of 18 months, as well as the immediate vesting of all unvested stock options. Payments and benefits in the event of his termination without cause, or in the event of his termination without cause or good reason within one year of change of control, are conditioned upon his execution and delivery of a release in favor of our company. Cause, change of control and good reason have definitions identical to those in Dr. Zommer’s agreement.

 

32


The following table sets forth estimates of the value of the payments and the benefits that would have been receivable by Mr. Sasson under his employment agreement in connection with termination or a change of control as of March 31, 2014.

 

Executive Benefits and

Payments upon Termination

or Change of Control

   Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause

($)
    Involuntary
Termination
For Cause

($)
     Disability
($)
    Termination
without Cause
or For Good
Reason within
One Year
after Change
of Control

($)
 

Cash payment

     276,111 (1)      —           532,500 (1)      1,260,223 (2) 

Vesting of option awards (3)

     —          —           171,800        251,400   

401(k) match (4)

     —          —           11,475        11,475   

Car expense (4)

     —          —           24,125        24,125   

Health insurance (4)

     32,008        —           32,008        32,008   

Other benefits (4)(5)

     —          —           9,930        9,930   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     308,119        —           781,838        1,589,161   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on the salary rate in effect at March 31, 2014.

 

(2) Based on the cash compensation paid during the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2014.

 

(3) Represents the fair market value of stock awards that would become vested due to termination or the value of the spread on options that would become exercisable due to termination, based on closing price of a share of our common stock on March 31, 2014, which was $11.35. For disability, assumes 18 months of vesting.

 

(4) Assumes 18 months of benefits for involuntary termination without cause, disability and termination after change of control. Benefits are estimated using fiscal 2014 data.

 

(5) Consists of dental insurance, group life insurance, tax or investment advisor reimbursement (estimated at $2,000 per year) and annual medical exam reimbursement (estimated at $1,000 per year).

Director Compensation

The following table shows for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 certain information with respect to the compensation of all of our non-employee directors:

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2014

 

Name (1)

   Fees Earned  or
Paid in Cash ($)
     Option Awards
($) (1) (2)
     All Other
Compensation
($) (3)
     Total
($)
 

Donald Feucht

     81,000         25,264         4,833         111,097   

Samuel Kory

     79,500         25,264         1,473         106,237   

S. Joon Lee

     77,000         25,264         2,980         105,224   

Timothy Richardson

     86,000         25,264         —           111,264   

James Thorburn

     84,000         25,264         3,075         112,339   

Kenneth Wong

     87,500         25,264         —           112,764   

 

(1) These amounts reflect the value determined by us for accounting purposes for these awards and do not reflect whether each director has actually realized benefit from the awards. The value of the equity awards is based on the grant date fair value calculated in accordance with the amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes. Amounts reported for stock options are determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. See Note 10, to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a further discussion of the relevant valuation assumptions used in calculating grant date fair value.

 

33


(2) Each non-employee director listed in the table above was granted a stock option for 5,000 shares of our common stock on August 30, 2013. Each of these awards had a grant date fair value of $25,264. The following table sets forth the number of outstanding option awards at March 31, 2014:

 

Name

   Number of Shares
Underlying Unexercised
Options
 

Donald Feucht

     136,250   

Samuel Kory

     136,250   

S. Joon Lee

     101,250   

Timothy Richardson

     140,000   

James Thorburn

     120,000   

Kenneth Wong

     60,000   

 

(3) All other compensation represents reimbursements for expenses incurred in preparing the director’s personal income tax returns and in respect of estate planning matters.

Each of the non-employee directors currently receives an annual retainer of $70,000. Additionally, each non-employee director is also paid a retainer for each additional committee of the Board on which he serves. The Chairs of the standing committees of the Board are paid retainers as follows: Chair of the Audit Committee, $15,000; Chair of the Compensation Committee, $10,000; and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, $6,000. Other members of the standing committees are paid retainers as follows: Audit Committee member, $7,000; Compensation Committee member, $5,000; and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee member, $2,000. Additionally, each director is reimbursed for expenses incurred in preparing their personal income tax returns and estate planning matters. Meeting attendance fees are not paid.

The plan provides for the grant of options to non-employee directors pursuant to a discretionary grant mechanism administered by the Board. Under current practice, each director receives an option to acquire 5,000 shares annually. All non-employee director options will vest in full in connection with a change of control of our company. Each option has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of such common stock on the date of grant, based on the closing sales price reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the date of grant.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

Related Person Transactions Policy and Procedures

Section 4 of our Code of Ethics sets forth our policy regarding disclosure by an employee or director of a conflict of interest. A related party transaction may be a conflict of interest. Under Section 4 of our Code of Ethics, executive officers and directors are to disclose conflicts of interest to the Audit Committee. When transactions that fall within the coverage of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are identified, they are submitted to the Audit Committee for review, approval or ratification, excepting indemnity agreements, the form of which was previously approved by the stockholders. Evidence of the policy is set forth in Section 4 of our Code of Ethics and the charter of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee considers transactions on a case-by-case basis in light of the applicable facts and circumstances, and has not developed specific standards for such review, approval or consideration. Review, approval or ratification is evidenced in the minutes of the Audit Committee. The policies and procedures are not otherwise set forth in writing.

Related Person Transactions

We have entered into indemnity agreements with our executive officers and directors containing provisions that may require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or services as officers or directors.

 

34


HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

A number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single proxy statement and annual report will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your broker. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their addresses and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

LOGO

Uzi Sasson

Secretary

July 29, 2014

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on August 28, 2014.

Copies of the proxy statement and of our annual report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 are available at http://www.ixys.com/Documents/InvestorRelations/AnnualReport2014.pdf

You may also obtain such copies free of charge by writing to Uzi Sasson, Secretary, IXYS Corporation, 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035.

 

35


LOGO

 

IXYS IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

A Proposals — Management Recommends a Vote for the Nominees for Director Listed below, for Proposals 2, 3 and 5 and against Proposal 4.

1. To elect directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Nominees: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold

01 - Donald L. Feucht 02 - Samuel Kory 03 - S. Joon Lee

04 - Timothy A. Richardson 05 - James M. Thorburn 06 - Kenneth D. Wong

07 - Nathan Zommer

For Against Abstain

For Against Abstain

2. To approve an increase of 350,000 shares of common stock under the Amended and Restated 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

3. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers of the Company.

4. Stockholder proposal on board inclusiveness.

5. To ratify the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.

B Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print your new address below.

Comments — Please print your comments below.

Meeting Attendance

Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

C Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.

Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

1 U P X

01VG7B


LOGO

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on August 28, 2014. Copies of the proxy statement, form of proxy and our annual report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 are available at: http://www.ixys.com/Documents/InvestorRelations/AnnualReport2014.pdf.

PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

IXYS

Proxy — IXYS CORPORATION

1590 BUCKEYE DRIVE

MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA 95035

SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 28, 2014

The undersigned hereby appoints Nathan Zommer and Uzi Sasson or either of them, and each with the power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote all shares of common stock of IXYS Corporation (the “Company”) held of record by the undersigned on July 2, 2014 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 11:00 a.m. (local time) on August 28, 2014 at 1590 Buckeye Drive, Milpitas, California 95035 and at any and all postponements, continuations and adjournments thereof, with all powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present, upon and in respect of the following matters and in accordance with the following instructions, with discretionary authority as to any and all other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

UNLESS A CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 5, AND AGAINST PROPOSAL 4, AS MORE SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT. IF SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.

PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY, USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)