UNITED STATES |
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SCHEDULE 14A |
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PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF |
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Filed by the registrant [X] |
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Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ] |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary proxy statement. |
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Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)). |
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Definitive proxy statement. |
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Definitive additional materials. |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 |
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LaBarge, Inc. |
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) |
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant) |
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Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box): |
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[X] No fee required. |
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[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies. |
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed |
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pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the |
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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(5) Total fee paid: |
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act |
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Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was |
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paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement |
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number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
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(1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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(4) Date Filed: |
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING
AND PROXY STATEMENT
NOVEMBER 17, 2010
LaBarge, Inc.
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
NOVEMBER 17, 2010
To the Stockholders:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of LaBarge, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the offices of the Company, 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri, on November 17, 2010, at 4:00 P.M., St. Louis time. Stockholders who
do not attend the Annual Meeting in person are invited to listen to an audio recording of the meeting, which will be accessible on the Internet at http://www.labarge.com.
At the Annual Meeting, Common Stockholders will be asked:
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To elect two Class C Directors for a term ending in 2013; |
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To consider and act upon the ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accountants for fiscal 2011; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Only Stockholders whose names appear of record at the Company’s close of business on September 24, 2010, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
We encourage you to vote via Internet or telephone, or you may mail your proxy.
If you receive more than one proxy card because you own shares registered in different names or at a different address, please vote each proxy as soon as possible by following the instructions on the proxy card regarding
voting by Internet, telephone or mail.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Donald H. Nonnenkamp |
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Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
October 15, 2010
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT, PLEASE VOTE YOUR PROXY. STOCKHOLDERS CAN HELP THE COMPANY AVOID UNNECESSARY EXPENSE AND DELAY BY PROMPTLY VOTING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. THE
PRESENCE, IN PERSON OR BY PROPERLY SUBMITTED PROXY, OF A MAJORITY OF THE COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING ON THE RECORD DATE IS NECESSARY TO CONSTITUTE A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
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LaBarge, Inc. |
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9900 Clayton Road |
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St. Louis, Missouri 63124 |
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PROXY STATEMENT |
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Annual Meeting of Stockholders |
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to be held on November 17, 2010 |
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting To Be Held on November 17, 2010. |
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This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being furnished to the Common Stockholders of LaBarge, Inc. (the “Company”) on or about October 15, 2010, in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on November 17, 2010, at the time, place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting, and at any adjournment of that meeting. |
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Holders of shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company at its close of business on September 24, 2010, (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 15,958,839 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record on the Record Date on each matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. |
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Directors will be elected by a plurality of the voting power represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The passage of any other proposal will be determined by the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. In the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome except in determining the presence of a quorum; they will not be counted toward the number of votes required for any nominee’s election. An instruction to “abstain” from voting on any other proposal will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes will not be considered as present and entitled to vote on the proposals. Therefore, under applicable Delaware law, broker non-votes will have no effect on the number of affirmative votes required to adopt such proposal. |
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Stockholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to cast their votes in person or by properly submitted proxy at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders wishing to vote their shares by proxy may do so either by (i) completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope, (ii) voting via the Internet, or (iii) voting via telephone. Instructions for voting by Internet or telephone are contained on the proxy card. For additional information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, please write to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at LaBarge, Inc., 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124 or call (314) 997-0800. The presence, in person or by properly submitted proxy, of a majority of the Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present at the time the Annual Meeting is convened, the Company may adjourn the Annual Meeting. |
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All Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting by properly submitted proxies received prior to or at the Annual Meeting and not properly revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If no instructions are indicated, such proxies will be voted FOR election of the Board’s nominees as directors, FOR ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP, and, at the discretion of the named proxies, on any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors of the Company does not know of any matters other than the matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting attached to this Proxy Statement that will come before the Annual Meeting. |
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Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by (i) filing with the Secretary of the Company, at or before the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a date later than the date of the proxy, (ii) submitting a new proxy with a later date, including a proxy given via the Internet or by telephone, or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy). Any written notice revoking a proxy should be sent to: Corporate Secretary, LaBarge, Inc., 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124. |
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The proxies are solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. In addition to the use of the Internet, telephone and mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by facsimile transmission by directors, officers or regular employees of the Company. The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. |
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A copy of the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2010, is being mailed to each Stockholder along with this Proxy Statement. |
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The date of this Proxy Statement is October 15, 2010. |
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Class C Nominees |
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Mr. Thomas became a Director in 1997 and serves as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors. Since 1982, he has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Coin Acceptors, Inc., a world leader in the design and manufacture of coin mechanisms, bill validators, control systems and vending machines. Mr. Thomas is a Director of U.S. Bank, N.A., and of Maritz, Inc. He also serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Vendors, Inc., and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Money Controls, Ltd. Mr. Thomas’ professional background in various manufacturing companies brings valuable industry knowledge and experience to the Board. Mr. Thomas’ legal education and experience also assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities related to the oversight of the Company’s legal and regulatory compliance. |
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Continuing Class A Directors |
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Mr. Corcoran became a Director in 2005 and serves as a member of the Audit Committee, Human Resources Committee and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Corcoran is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Corcoran Enterprises, LLC, a private management-consulting firm, and serves as senior advisor to The Carlyle Group, a Washington, D.C.-based private equity firm. Prior to joining The Carlyle Group, Mr. Corcoran served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Gemini Air Cargo, Inc., and Allegheny Teledyne Inc. He previously spent 32 years at Lockheed Martin Corporation and its predecessor companies, where he held various senior management positions, including President and Chief Operating Officer for the corporation’s Space and Strategic Missiles and Electronics Systems sectors. Mr. Corcoran is a Director of L-3 Communications Holding LLC, GenCorp, Inc., AR Inc., Aer Lingus, PLC and Serco, PLC. Because of his service in senior management positions, Mr. Corcoran brings significant senior leadership experience to the Board. This provides the Board with experience and perspective in analyzing, shaping and overseeing the execution of important operational and policy issues at a senior level. In addition, Mr. Corcoran adds significant industry experience to the Board. Also, because of Mr. Corcoran’s service on other public company boards of directors, Mr. Corcoran is able to offer advice and insights regarding the dynamics and operation of a board of directors, the relationship between a board and executive management, and oversight of a changing mix of strategic, operational and compliance-related matters. |
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Mr. Helmkamp has been a Director since 1998 and serves as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. He retired from the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Illinois State Bank and Trust in 1996, where he served in those capacities for more than five years. Mr. Helmkamp brings significant business, leadership and management insights into many aspects of the business. He also brings financial expertise to the Board, including through his service as a member of the audit committee of Magna Group, Inc., and as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Illinois State Bank and Trust. |
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Mr. LeGrand became a Director in 1998 and serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. He has been Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Plancorp, Inc., a financial planning and investment advisory firm, since July 2010. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President of Plancorp, Inc. since 2001. Mr. LeGrand served as Executive Vice President of LMI Aerospace, Inc. from 1998 to 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. LeGrand was a partner of KPMG LLP for more than 20 years. Mr. LeGrand’s extensive experience gained during his employment LMI Aerospace, Inc. brings the Board valuable industry expertise. In addition, Mr. LeGrand’s background as a Certified Public Accountant, combined with his service as Chief Financial Officer and his experience as a partner of KPMG LLP, provide the Board with significant financial insight. Mr. LeGrand’s knowledge of financial markets, financing and funding operations and accounting and financial reporting processes helps the Board in understanding, advising and overseeing the Company’s capital structure, financing and investing activities, financial reporting and internal control of such activities. |
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The Board of Directors Recommends that You Vote “FOR” Election of its Nominees for Director. |
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Meetings of the Board of Directors and Fees
The Board of Directors of the Company held six meetings in fiscal year 2010. Each Director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and its Committees on which he served. It is the Company’s policy that Directors are expected to attend the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and at the last Annual Meeting, held on November 11, 2009, all Directors except Messrs. Clark and Corcoran were in attendance.
Members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company receive $1,500 for each Board meeting attended, $1,000 for each Audit Committee meeting attended, $750 for each Human Resources Committee and Nominating Committee meeting attended, and $500 for
attendance at the Company’s Annual Meeting. All Directors who are not employees receive a quarterly retainer of $2,500, with Committee Chairs receiving an additional quarterly retainer of $1,000. In addition, in recognition of the Directors’
contribution to fiscal 2010 record sales and earnings, the independent Directors were paid an additional $15,000. The following table discloses our non-employee Directors’ compensation for fiscal year 2010:
2010 Director Compensation
Pursuant to its charter, the Human Resources Committee has the responsibility of recommending to the Board of Directors the compensation for Board members, such as retainers, committee Chairman fees, stock options and other similar items, as appropriate. In
performing this task, the Human Resources Committee considers recommendations by the Company’s Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers as to Director compensation. The Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers evaluate the compensation paid to directors
of other regional public company boards in forming their recommendation and make adjustments given the relative size of the Company as compared with others. The Human Resources Committee does not engage the services of any third-party consultants in determining the
Director compensation.
Board Leadership Structure
Craig LaBarge, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board believes that combining the role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer provides the most efficient and
effective leadership model for the Company, as the Chief Executive Officer is most familiar with the Company’s business and industry. To strengthen the Company’s governance structure and assure independent oversight of the Board, the Board has
appointed Lawrence LeGrand as Lead Independent Director of the Board. The Lead Independent Director leads executive sessions of the independent directors after every Board meeting, conducts an annual performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer
together with the other independent directors, etc.
The Board believes that its current structure provides a balance between strategic development of the Company and independent supervision of management. The Board recognizes, however, that depending on the circumstances, other leadership structures may be
appropriate. As such, the Board periodically reviews its leadership structure.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors and its committees have an active role in overseeing the management of the Company’s risks. Management regularly presents to the Board information regarding the risks associated with the Company’s operations. In addition, each of
the Board committees considers the risks within its areas of responsibility. The Audit Committee, along with members of management, presents to the Board information with respect to the Company’s financial risks, including internal controls, liquidity and other
financial matters, as well as potential conflicts of interest. The Nominating Committee, together with the full Board, oversees risks relating to corporate governance matters of the Board and the Company as a whole. The Human Resources Committee is responsible for
evaluating the risks relating to the Company’s executive and Director compensation programs, as well as the Company’s overall compensation practices and benefit plans.
Committees
The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Human Resources and Nominating Committees. The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Corcoran, Helmkamp and LeGrand (Chairman). The Human Resources Committee is composed of Messrs. Clark, Corcoran and Thomas
(Chairman). The Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Clark, Corcoran and Thomas (Chairman).
The Board has determined in its business judgment that each of the following Directors and Director nominees is independent, as such term is defined in the NYSE Amex listing standards as set forth in the NYSE Amex Company Guide: Messrs. Clark, Corcoran, Helmkamp,
LeGrand and Thomas. In addition, each of the members of the Audit Committee meets the more stringent independence standards and the financial literacy standards set forth in the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the
NYSE Amex listing standards. The Board has made an affirmative determination as to each independent Director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities
of a Director. In making these determinations, the Directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the Directors and the Company with regard to each Director’s business and personal activities as they may relate to the Company and management.
Audit Committee |
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The Audit Committee, which met four times in fiscal 2010, oversees the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes, audits of the Company’s financial statements and internal control matters, and appoints the independent registered public accountants to audit the Company’s financial statements. The Committee’s report on its activities for fiscal 2010 is on pages 19 and 20. Fees paid to the independent registered public accountants in fiscal 2010 are provided on page 18. The Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s Web site at http://www.labarge.com. |
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Nominating Committee |
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The Nominating Committee, which met one time in fiscal 2010, is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors, recommending Director nominees for each Annual Meeting and nominees to fill Board vacancies, and to address related matters. The Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s Web site at http://www.labarge.com. |
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Human Resources Committee |
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The Human Resources Committee, which met three times in fiscal 2010, serves as the Board’s compensation committee. The Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s Web site at
http://www.labarge.com. |
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation |
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During the 2010 fiscal year, Messrs. Clark, Corcoran and Thomas served as members of the Human Resources Committee. None of the Company’s executive officers serves as a director or member of the compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent function, for any other entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors or the Human Resources Committee. None of Messrs. Clark, Corcoran or Thomas has ever been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. |
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Communication with the Board of Directors |
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Stockholders may communicate with any and all members of the Company’s Board of Directors by transmitting correspondence by mail addressed to one or more Directors by name (or to the Chief Executive Officer, for a communication addressed to the entire Board of Directors) at the following address and fax number: Name of the Director(s), c/o Corporate Secretary, LaBarge, Inc., 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124; fax number: 314-812-9438. Communications from the Company’s Stockholders to one or more Directors will be monitored by the Company’s Corporate Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer, who will bring any significant issues to the attention of the appropriate Board members. |
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Director Nominations |
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Director candidates are nominated by the Board. The Nominating Committee recommends Director nominees to the Board. The Nominating Committee investigates and assesses the background and skills of potential candidates for Directors. The Committee does not have specific minimum qualifications that must be met by a candidate for election to the Board of Directors in order to be considered for nomination by the Committee, nor does the Committee have a formal policy with respect to the diversity of a Board member or candidate. When the Committee reviews a potential new candidate, the Committee looks specifically at the candidate’s qualifications in light of the needs of the Board and the Company at that time given the current mix of Director attributes. |
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The Nominating Committee seeks to create a Board that will bring a broad range of experience, knowledge and judgment to the Company. The Committee considers the entirety of each candidate’s credentials, including his or her professional background and experiences, education, skill set and expertise, and the extent to which he or she would fill a current or anticipated need on the Board. With respect to the nomination of continuing directors for re-election, the Committee also considers the individual’s past contributions to the Board. |
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Upon identifying a candidate for serious consideration, one or more members of the Nominating Committee initially interview the candidate. If a candidate merits further consideration, all other Committee members (individually or as a group) interview the candidate, and the candidate meets the Company’s executive officers and ultimately meets many of the other Directors. The Nominating Committee elicits feedback from all persons who met the candidate and then determines whether or not to nominate the candidate. The process is the same whether the candidate is recommended by a Stockholder, another Director, management or otherwise. The Company does not pay a fee to any third party for the identification or evaluation of candidates. |
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Stockholders who wish to recommend Director candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee for the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders should notify the Nominating Committee no later than March 18, 2011. Submissions are to be addressed to the Nominating Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, LaBarge, Inc., 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124, which submissions will then be forwarded to the Committee. The Nominating Committee would then evaluate the possible nominee using the criteria established by it and would consider such person in comparison to all other candidates. The Nominating Committee is not obligated to nominate any such individual for election. No Stockholder nominations have been received by the Company for this year’s Annual Meeting. Accordingly, no rejections or refusals of such candidates have been made by the Company. |
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The following table sets forth certain information, as of September 24, 2010, with respect to the executive officers of the Company. |
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Position(s) with the Company |
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Craig E. LaBarge |
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59 |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
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Randy L. Buschling |
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50 |
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
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Donald H. Nonnenkamp |
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58 |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
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William D. Bitner |
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55 |
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Vice President, Operations |
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Teresa K. Huber |
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47 |
Vice President, Operations |
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John R. Parmley |
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56 |
Vice President, Business Development |
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Mr. LaBarge — For biographical information, see “Proposal 1: Election of Directors” beginning on page 2. |
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Mr. Buschling joined the Company in 1998. He is currently Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, serving in this capacity since 2002. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Buschling was General Manager of Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company’s Systems Division for more than five years. |
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Mr. Nonnenkamp joined the Company in 1999 and currently serves as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. Previously, he was Vice President and Treasurer for Esco Technologies, Inc. from 1993 to 1999. Prior to joining Esco, Mr. Nonnenkamp served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Clark Oil and Refining Corporation. |
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Mr. Bitner joined the Company in 2007 serving as Vice President, Operations. Prior to joining LaBarge, Mr. Bitner was Vice President and General Manager of Burger Boat Company, designer and builder of custom motor yachts, from 2005 to 2006. Previously, he was employed by Rolls-Royce Corporation, an aerospace manufacturing company, in various management positions from 2000 to 2005. |
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Ms. Huber joined the Company in 2004 through the acquisition of Pinnacle Electronics LLC, a contract manufacturing company, in 2004 and became Vice President, Operations in 2005. Prior to joining LaBarge, Ms. Huber was Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Electronics from 2002 to 2004. Previously, Ms. Huber was employed by Sony Electronics, Inc. in various management positions from 1992 to 2002. |
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Mr. Parmley joined the Company in 1997 and became Vice President, Business Development in September 2010. Prior to that he has served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing since 1999. He was Account Manager, Aerospace and Defense Business Unit from 1997 to 1999. Previously, Mr. Parmley was employed by Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., where he served in various sales and management positions from 1991 to 1997. |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Executive Compensation Objectives and Philosophy
The fundamental objectives of our executive compensation program are to attract and retain talented executives; align executive compensation with the interests of our stockholders; foster and promote the short-term and long-term
financial success of the Company; materially increase stockholder value by motivating performance through incentive compensation; and encourage executive ownership in the Company. These objectives are furthered by a compensation philosophy that is based on the
following:
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Competition with peer companies: Compensation packages should be competitive and consistent with the general market. As such, the Human Resources Committee works with its compensation and benefits consultant to design compensation packages that fall within certain ranges, compared with competitive companies, with sufficient flexibility to address individual responsibilities and performance. |
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Accountability and recognition for individual and Company performance: Compensation should depend, in part, on each executive officer’s performance in order to motivate and reward success. The Committee has provided for a sizeable portion of the overall compensation packages to be tied to performance through the payment of short-term incentive awards in the form of cash bonuses and the grant of long-term incentive awards in the form of performance units that are settled in restricted Common Stock. |
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Alignment of Stockholder interests: Certain elements of the compensation packages should be tied to stock performance to align our executive officers’ interests with those of our Stockholders. In order to create this tie, a portion of the compensation packages include stock-based awards in the form of performance units that are settled in restricted Common Stock. |
Compensation Determination Process
Our Human Resources Committee serves as our compensation committee and is responsible for considering and approving the annual salary, incentive compensation and other benefits of our Chief Executive Officer and other members
of executive management. The Committee is made up of independent Directors and typically meets following each fiscal year-end to: (i) consider and approve salary changes and annual incentive bonuses, if any; (ii) determine and approve long-term incentive
awards, if any; and (iii) establish goals for both the annual and long-term incentive programs.
To assist the Committee in evaluating and determining executive compensation, the Company, at the direction of the Committee, utilizes the services of Hay Group, a highly regarded international independent compensation and benefits consulting firm. Hay Group
periodically evaluates the executive officer positions, measuring each position on the practical and technical skills required; problem-solving environment and challenges faced; and accountability and decision-making impact. The evaluation of all of these
factors results in a point total for each executive officer position (“Hay Points”), which allows the Committee and Hay Group to rank the positions and measure the distance between jobs within the Company.
Hay Group uses the Hay Points to compare the compensation of the Company’s executive officers with the compensation of officers who hold positions with similar Hay Points in companies comprising the Hay General Industry Market, a group of approximately 800
industrial companies throughout the United States, 40% of which are manufacturing companies. The names of the companies comprising the Hay General Industry Market are included as Appendix A to this proxy statement. Using this comparison, Hay Group
constructs ranges of base salaries, base salaries plus annual incentive bonus opportunities (“Total Cash Compensation”) and total compensation, which includes Total Cash Compensation and long-term incentives, for each of the Company’s executive
officer positions. The actual compensation of the Company’s executive officers, and the relative position within the ranges, is dependent on individual performance, Company performance versus established goals and other factors, as described herein.
The Committee believes that base salaries, Total Cash Compensation and total compensation should approximate the median of the Hay General Industry Market for performance at target levels, in furtherance of our compensation principles noted above. Other than
the specific Company performance criteria considered in determining the annual and long-term incentive payments, our compensation programs are flexible, although we do rely on the Hay Group market analyses to ensure that our compensation practices remain equitable
and competitive. For example, individual performance, expertise and experience are all considered when determining each element of total compensation.
Annual and long-term incentive compensation is awarded primarily based on the Company’s achievement of certain performance objectives, as later discussed. Goals relating to the Company’s annual and long-term incentives are set at levels the
Committee believes are appropriately aggressive and balanced between short-term and long-term while not encouraging the named executive officers to take undue risk in their responsibilities and decision-making with respect to the Company and its operations. These
goals, individually or together, are designed to be challenging and, as such, the Committee believes that the Company’s goals would not be achieved all of the time. Historically, this has been true. Furthermore, the Committee believes that reaching maximum
levels, and therefore the maximum payout, would be achieved less often than reaching the target performance levels, but recognizes that the payout should be appropriate for the performance, regardless of how often it may happen.
The mix of our cash and non-cash compensation, and short- and long-term compensation, is not subject to a specific policy. Instead, the Committee considers the current trends in the market based on the Hay Group data in light of our compensation philosophies
and objectives outlined above, and makes gradual changes over time as necessary to further these compensation goals.
Each year, taking into account the evaluations of Hay Group, current performance and the Company’s compensation objectives, the Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Committee regarding proposed salary changes, annual incentive bonuses and
long-term incentive awards, if any, for each executive officer. The Chief Executive Officer also assists the Committee in setting Company performance goals on which part of each officer’s total compensation is based. The Committee considers this
input from the Chief Executive Officer and the recommendations of the Hay Group, as well as other factors it believes are relevant, and determines the compensation packages of the executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer.
Elements of Compensation
Base Salaries:
In line with the Company’s philosophy that compensation should be competitive, the Committee aims for base salaries to approximate the median of the Hay General Industry Market. As such, changes in executive
officer salaries are, in part, market-driven. However, salaries are also dependent on individual evaluations conducted each year by the Committee. During this process, the Chief Executive Officer provides input to the Committee. As relating to base
salaries, no specific individual performance criteria are or have been established by the Committee. Rather, each executive officer, including the Chief Executive Officer, is evaluated based on (i) general individual performance over the past year; (ii) the
scope of each officer’s duties and responsibilities; and (iii) experience and expertise.
Fiscal 2010 salaries for the named executive officers are disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table later in this proxy statement. The salaries of the executive officers approximated the median of the Hay General
Industry Market. In response to the economic downturn, effective May 4, 2009, the Company reduced the salaries of all executive officers by 5% together with the implementation of other Company cost savings initiatives. These reduced salaries remained in
effect throughout fiscal 2010.
At the end of fiscal 2010, the Committee established the fiscal 2011 salaries for the named executive officers. The fiscal 2011 salaries are as follows:
Table 1
2011 Salaries:
Annual Incentives:
Executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, have the opportunity to earn annual incentive bonuses in the form of cash payments following the end of each fiscal year. Annual incentive bonuses depend, in part, on each executive officer’s individual performance during the fiscal year and other circumstances considered during the annual evaluation, as discussed above.
The main consideration of the Committee in awarding annual incentive bonuses is the achievement of certain Company performance goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year. The measurements used may vary among the executive officers and relate to each
officer’s specific job responsibilities, changing each year as the Committee, with the input of the Chief Executive Officer, sees fit. Annually, goals and correlating annual incentive bonus opportunities are established at the threshold, target and
maximum levels. The Committee’s goal is that, for performance at the target level, Total Cash Compensation will approximate the median of the Hay General Industry Market. However, such levels serve as a guide rather than strict payout formulas, as
payouts vary depending on individual circumstances. In any case, payout will be zero if threshold performance levels are not met and will not exceed the maximum payout, or 150% of the payout for target performance.
The Company’s annual incentive bonus arrangements provide that all bonus payouts are conditioned upon the Company’s achievement of a base net income level. While the bonuses for the named executive officers are tied to the achievement of other
goals, as later discussed, no bonuses are paid unless the Company meets a net income of at least the base level. For fiscal 2010, the base net income level was $12.75 million.
Once the Company reaches its base net income level, the Committee looks to the specific goals for each named executive officer in order to determine annual bonus payouts. Each specific performance goal is weighted differently and correlates independently to a
threshold, target and maximum cash bonus payout. For example, using Mr. LaBarge’s goals below in Table 2, he would be eligible to receive the corresponding threshold, target or maximum bonus tied to bookings as long as he meets the required bookings
threshold, target or maximum goal, even if no other performance goal is met, as long as the Company has reached its base net income level. The Committee, in its discretion, evaluates those goals that are not quantitatively measured. Also, adjustments to the
bonus payouts are made by the Committee from time to time.
Table 2
Criteria used for bonus payouts for fiscal 2010:
Table 2 continued on page 10.
**No quantitative measurement.
1) |
|
Includes evaluating and updating, where appropriate, the Company’s investor relations strategy. |
|
|
|||
2) |
Includes the definition, development and implementation of a marketing and promotion strategy. |
||
|
|
||
3) |
Goal is tied to the performance of those Company plants over which Ms. Huber has supervisory responsibility only. |
The Committee believes these performance targets are appropriate to motivate the named executive officers but does not believe they encourage such officers to take undue risk with respect to their responsibilities and
decision-making relating to the Company and its operations.
Long-Term Incentives:
Executive officers are eligible to earn long-term incentive awards pursuant to the Company’s 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the terms of which are more fully described later in this proxy
statement. Under the terms of the Plan, the Company has the flexibility to utilize a variety of vehicles in designing appropriate long-term incentives. Since the Plan was approved in 2004, the Committee has elected to utilize performance units, which pay
out in shares of restricted Common Stock. The number of shares of restricted Common Stock, if any, that each executive officer will receive is tied to the Company’s fiscal year net income performance and the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the
last trading day of the fiscal year.
The Committee meets following each fiscal year-end to approve net income goals at threshold, target and maximum levels for three years hence (the “Performance Period”). At this meeting, the Committee also
enters into performance unit award agreements with each executive officer, pursuant to which each executive officer is granted a specified number of performance units, the value of which will be determined based on the Company’s actual net income performance
for the Performance Period. The number of performance units granted to each named executive officer is based on comparisons of the long-term incentive awards granted to named executive officers of companies within the Hay General Industry Market. The
Committee aims for the number of performance units to approximate the median of long-term incentive awards of the Hay General Industry Market.
As noted above, the value of the performance units is dependent on the Company’s actual net income results for the Performance Period. If actual net income results are less than the threshold goal for the Performance Period, the value of each performance unit will be zero. If actual net income results are at threshold, the value of each performance unit will be $0.50. If actual net income results are at target, the value of each performance unit will be $1.00. If actual net income results are at or above maximum, the value of each performance unit will be $1.50. If actual results are greater than threshold but less than target, or greater than target but less than maximum, the value of each performance unit will be adjusted proportionately. Target long-term incentive opportunities are designed to approximate the median of the Hay General Industry Market for target net income performance and also take into account the individual circumstances considered in the annual evaluations.
Following the end of the Performance Period, the Committee meets to determine the value of each performance unit (the “Unit Value”) based upon the net income results for the Performance Period. Each executive officer is issued a number of shares of
restricted Common Stock equal to the Unit Value times the number of performance units granted to him or her for the Performance Period, divided by the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as of the last trading day of the Performance Period. The
restricted Common Stock then vests upon the first to occur of: (i) two additional years of employment; (ii) death or Disability; or (iii) a Change in Control (all as defined in the Plan).
The design of the Company’s long-term incentive program provides that each executive officer will have three outstanding grants of performance units at all times. For example, the Committee met following the end of
fiscal 2010 to establish threshold, target and maximum net income goals for fiscal 2012 and grant each executive officer performance units, the value of which will be determined based on the Company’s net income results for fiscal 2012. Therefore, in the
current fiscal year (fiscal 2011), each executive officer has outstanding performance units for fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013. These performance units will be valued, and restricted stock will be issued, once the net income results for these fiscal years are
calculated. The Committee believes that the practice of setting three-year rolling grants is appropriate for the business, as it provides incentive for the executive officers to focus on the long-term health of the Company and serves as a retention tool.
The Committee further believes that converting performance units to restricted Common Stock has certain advantages, including: (i) encouraging ownership of the Company’s Common Stock by executive officers; (ii) providing a retention incentive through the
two-year vesting period; and (iii) allowing for lower dilution, as compared to the granting of stock options.
The number of performance units to be awarded to each named executive officer for fiscal year 2010 were granted in fiscal 2007 and were valued based on fiscal year 2010 net income performance, pursuant to the process described
above. The Company’s net income performance goals for fiscal 2010 were as follows:
|
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
||||||||
Adjusted Net Income |
$ |
13,000,000 |
$ |
15,000,000 |
$ |
17,000,000 |
|||||
As is customary, the Committee met following the end of fiscal year 2010 to determine the value of performance units based on fiscal 2010 actual results. The Company exceeded its target net income goal for fiscal 2010 long-term incentive awards. As such, the value of each performance unit was prorated between $1.00 and $1.50. The following table discloses the number of shares of restricted Common Stock issued to each named executive officer based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2010, which was $12.30.
Perquisites and Other Benefits
Our executive officers receive the following benefits in addition to the compensation discussed above: (i) eligibility to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan; (ii) Company-paid interest on deferred compensation; (iii)
life insurance policies; (iv) use of Company-leased vehicles, or a vehicle allowance; (v) club dues; and (vi) limited financial planning services. The Committee believes these perquisites are reasonable and competitive and considers the value to be
modest. As such, the Committee has not given significant weight to the value of perquisites when designing executive compensation packages.
Executive officers are eligible to receive the same health, dental, disability and group life insurance benefits, and participate in the 401(k) on the same terms, as are available to all other full-time employees of the Company.
As part of the Company’s cost savings initiatives, the Company temporarily suspended its 401(k) matching contributions in April 2009. This suspension applies to employees company wide, including the named executive officers. This suspension was reversed
effective with the beginning of fiscal year 2011.
Retirement and Other Post-Termination Benefits
We maintain Executive Severance Agreements with each of our named executive officers. Each Executive Severance Agreement and the Plan contain Change in Control provisions, pursuant to which executive officers receive the
benefits more fully described below.
Both the Executive Severance Agreements and the Plan define “Change in Control” as the first to occur of any of the following events: (i) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other combination or reorganization involving the Company, irrespective
of which party is the surviving entity, excluding any merger, consolidation, share exchange, or other combination involving the Company solely in connection with the acquisition by the Company of any other entity; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (iii) any acquisition (other than pursuant to will, the laws of descent and distribution, gift to a parent, child, spouse or descendant, or pursuant to an employee benefit plan) or agreement to
acquire by any person or entity, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Company; (iv) during any period of two consecutive years during the term hereof, individuals who at the date of the Agreement, in the
case of Executive Severance Agreements, or the Plan, in the case of the 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the
election of each director at the beginning of such director’s term has been approved by at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office; any such director so approved shall thereafter be an Incumbent Director; (v) a majority of the Board or a
majority of the stockholders of the Company approve, adopt, agree to recommend, or accept any agreement, contract, offer, or other arrangement providing for any of the transactions described above; (vi) any series of transactions resulting in any of the transactions
described above; or (vii) any other set of circumstances which the Board of Directors deems to constitute a Change in Control.
Executive Severance Agreements
Each Executive Severance Agreement provides that, following a Change in Control, the Company will continue to employ the executive officer for a period not less than one year at his or her place of employment immediately prior
to the Change in Control or within 50 miles thereof.
During the Change in Control payment period, the executive officer would be entitled to a base salary in the amount not less than the annualized base salary paid or payable to him or her during the month immediately preceding
the month in which the Change in Control occurs. He or she would also be entitled to an annual bonus equal to the same percentage of his or her base salary as the average bonuses paid to the executive officer in each of the five fiscal years most recently ended were
to his or her base salary in those years, after disregarding the highest and lowest of such percentages. The executive officer would also be entitled, during such one-year period, to all pension, welfare and other employee benefits, fringe benefits and
perquisites in amounts and on terms no less favorable than those to which he or she was entitled on the date of the Change in Control. The Agreements also provide that, in the event of termination of the executive officer’s employment during such one-year
period for reasons other than death, Disability, or Cause (as defined by the Agreements) or voluntarily by the executive officer without Good Reason (as defined by the Agreements), the executive officer would be entitled to a lump sum payment from the Company equal
to the sum of: (i) his or her salary and other compensation not yet paid by the Company through the date of termination; (ii) a bonus prorated for the portion of the year through the date of termination; (iii) the product of three times the sum of (x) the executive
officer’s salary plus (y) the bonus to which he or she would have been entitled for the full fiscal year; plus (iv) accrued vacation pay. The Company would also be required to provide to the executive officer for three years after termination all medical,
hospitalization, disability and certain other benefits in amounts and on terms not less favorable than those to which he or she was entitled at the time of termination. If the foregoing amounts were not paid when due, they would bear interest at the rate of 15%
per annum. The Agreements provide for appropriate adjustments of such payments if they would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2004 Long Term Incentive Plan
As noted above, executive officers receive performance units to be settled in restricted Common Stock, pursuant to the 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan, as part of the Company’s long-term incentive portion of compensation
packages. Once issued, the restricted Common Stock vests upon the first to occur of: (i) two additional years of employment; (ii) death or Disability; or (iii) a Change in Control, as defined above. If a Change in Control occurs at any time prior to
the end of the second fiscal year following the Performance Period (as defined above), the restricted Common Stock shall become fully vested and immediately transferable. If a Change in Control occurs at any time before the end of the Performance Period, the
net income goals with respect to the Performance Period shall be deemed to have been achieved at the maximum level as of the date of the Change in Control, whether or not the Performance Period is complete, and the performance units shall be distributable at the end
of the twelve-month period immediately following the Change in Control, subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment other than Retirement, death, Disability or for Good Reason, as defined in the Plan.
Deferred Compensation Plan
Executive officers are also eligible to participate in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows them to defer payments of portions of their salaries and annual bonuses until post-retirement. If an executive
officer retires from the Company and has participated in the deferred compensation plan for at least five years, is at least 50 years old and has a deferred compensation balance of at least $50,000, he or she will receive monthly payments from the Company over a
three- or fifteen-year period, at the individual’s option, the amount of which depends on his or her balance. If all of the above criteria are not met, the executive officer will receive his or her plan balance in one lump sum upon retirement.
Impact of Accounting and Tax Treatments of Executive Compensation
Accounting Treatment:
The Committee has taken into account certain accounting consequences and rules when determining the types of awards that executive officers should receive as part of their long-term incentive components of compensation
packages. As such, the Committee makes awards of performance units under the Plan that are settled in shares of restricted Common Stock that the executive officers receive upon vesting.
Tax Treatment:
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally imposes a $1.0 million limit on the amount that public companies may deduct from compensation paid to the named executive officers. In
fiscal 2010, no executive officer received compensation that triggered the applicability of Section 162(m).
Report of the Human Resources Committee
The Company’s Human Resources Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K. Based upon such review and discussions, the
Human Resources Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Committee Members: |
|
Jack E. Thomas, Jr., Chairman |
|
Robert G. Clark |
|
|
Thomas A. Corcoran |
|
|
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of the named executive officers for the fiscal years ended June 27, 2010, June 28, 2009, and June 29, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|||||||||
Craig E. LaBarge |
|
2010 |
527,306 |
305,000 |
--- |
--- |
30,960 |
863,266 |
||||||||||
Randy L. Buschling |
2010 |
356,278 |
247,500 |
--- |
--- |
29,441 |
633,219 |
|||||||||||
Donald H. Nonnenkamp |
2010 |
299,286 |
155,000 |
|
--- |
--- |
26,167 |
480,453 |
||||||||||
John R. Parmley |
2010 |
247,000 |
142,500 |
--- |
--- |
27,057 |
416,557 |
|||||||||||
Teresa K. Huber |
2010 |
218,530 |
118,500 |
--- |
--- |
12,405 |
349,435 |
|||||||||||
(a) |
|
Bonus amounts are earned in the fiscal year shown and paid in the subsequent fiscal year. |
|
|
|
(b) |
Amounts shown equal the grant-date fair values of awards granted under the Company’s 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan calculated in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). See Note 17 to the audited financial statements included as part of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2010, for a discussion of the achievement and recognition of these amounts under FASB ASC Topic 718. |
|
|
|
|
(c) |
Represents the above-market or preferential earnings on compensation that is deferred on a basis that is not tax-qualified, including such earnings on non-qualified defined contribution plans. Amounts shown represent interest earned at a rate that exceeded 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate. Mr. LaBarge and Ms. Huber do not defer any portion of their compensation. |
|
|
||
(d) |
Amounts shown include 401(k) employer match, use of auto, club dues, financial planning and life insurance premiums. |
2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth additional information about plan-based awards granted in the fiscal year ended June 27, 2010:
|
|
|
As discussed above and in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, performance units granted under the Company’s 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan are paid out in restricted Common Stock depending on the achievement of net income levels and the closing price of
the Company’s Common Stock on the last day of the fiscal year during which net income performance is measured. Any restricted Common Stock that is issued is subject to a two-year vesting schedule as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. During
the restriction period, executive officers may exercise full voting rights and are entitled to dividends and other distributions paid with respect to the shares on the same terms as those of the Company’s Common Stockholders.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2010 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information on outstanding options and stock awards held by the named executive officers as of June 27, 2010, including the number of shares underlying both exercisable and unexercisable portions of each stock option, as well as the
exercise price and the expiration date of each outstanding option, and the market value of stock awards:
2010 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth the exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards during fiscal 2010 for the named executive officers.
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|||||||||||
|
Number of Shares |
Value Realized on |
Number of |
Value Realized |
||||||||||
Craig E. LaBarge |
--- |
--- |
|
51,923 |
638,652 |
|||||||||
Randy L. Buschling |
--- |
--- |
34,615 |
425,764 |
||||||||||
Donald H. Nonnenkamp |
--- |
--- |
23,077 |
283,847 |
||||||||||
John R. Parmley |
126,890 |
1,371,681 |
11,538 |
141,917 |
||||||||||
Teresa K. Huber |
--- |
--- |
10,385 |
127,735 |
||||||||||
(a) |
|
All shares reported in this column vested on June 27, 2010, the last day of fiscal 2010. Because June 27, 2010, was not a trading day, the shares were valued using the closing stock price of $12.30 on June 25, 2010, the last trading day of fiscal 2010. |
2010 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation
The following table discloses contributions, earnings and balances under the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan for each of the named executive officers as of June 27, 2010:
|
Executive |
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Craig E. LaBarge (b) |
--- |
|
--- |
|
--- |
|
|||||
Randy L. Buschling |
--- |
11,994 |
375,590 |
||||||||
Donald H. Nonnenkamp |
14,964 |
7,389 |
238,334 |
||||||||
John R. Parmley |
24,700 |
15,382 |
493,144 |
||||||||
Teresa K. Huber (b) |
--- |
--- |
--- |
||||||||
(a) |
|
Includes interest paid by the Company at a rate equal to prime. None of the earnings represent above-market or preferential earnings (in excess of 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate). |
(b) |
Mr. LaBarge and Ms. Huber do not participate in the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan. |
|
|
|
|
(c) |
Amounts included for Messrs. Buschling, Nonnenkamp and Parmley include the following amounts reported in the Summary Compensation table in prior fiscal years: Mr. Buschling, $6,325 in fiscal 2008; Mr. Nonnenkamp, $3,160 in fiscal 2008; and Mr. Parmley, $6,006 in fiscal year 2008. |
Employment Agreements and Other Post-Termination Agreements with Executive Officers |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
To identify and address any concerns regarding related party transactions and ensure their proper disclosure, the Company requires such transactions to be reported in its questionnaires distributed to Directors and officers each year and
mandates that all employees and Directors report to the Corporate Secretary all transactions presenting potential conflicts of interest pursuant to its Policy on Business Conduct & Ethics. As stated in its charter, the Company’s Audit Committee reviews and
approves all transactions with related persons requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
The Audit Committee will take into account any factors it deems relevant in determining whether to approve a transaction. Such factors may include:
During fiscal 2010, no related party transactions were entered into or proposed that require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
PROPOSAL 2: |
|
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS |
|
KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) has been appointed independent registered public accountants for the Company, for the fiscal year ending July 3, 2011, by the Audit Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors. KPMG has been the Company’s independent accountants since 1980. Although the appointment of the independent registered public accountants does not require the approval of Common Stockholders, the Board of Directors believes Common Stockholders should participate in the appointment through ratification. A representative of KPMG is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if he so desires, and he is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions raised at the Annual Meeting.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock casting a vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary for the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accountants. In the event that a majority of
the shares are not voted in favor of ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection.
Independent Registered Public Accountants’ Fees |
|
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the Company by KPMG for such fiscal years were: |
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
|||||||||
|
June 27, |
|
June 28, |
|
||||||||||
Audit fees |
$ |
592,325 |
|
$ |
576,000 |
|
||||||||
Audit-related fees |
|
--- |
--- |
|
|
|||||||||
Tax fees |
--- |
--- |
|
|||||||||||
All other fees |
--- |
12,000 |
|
|||||||||||
Total |
$ |
592,325 |
$ |
588,000 |
|
|||||||||
Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the audits of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the review of documents filed by the Company with the SEC. These fees include the audit of internal controls in compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
Other fees in fiscal 2009 were for professional services rendered to assist the Company in acquisition due diligence. |
|
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by the Company’s independent registered public accountants. These policies generally provide that the Company will not engage the independent registered public accountants to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has granted the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer the authority to engage KPMG for audit-related and tax services not exceeding $25,000. Such engagements are then formally approved by the Audit Committee at its next meeting. All fees billed for fiscal years 2010 and 2009 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. |
The Board of Directors Recommends That You Vote |
|
|
Report of the Audit Committee |
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|
|||
The primary role of the Audit Committee is oversight of the Company’s financial reporting process, public financial reports, internal accounting and financial controls, and the independent audit of the annual
consolidated financial statements. The Board, in its business judgment, has determined that the members of the Audit Committee are “independent” and “financially literate” as required by the NYSE Amex. In addition, the Board has
determined, in its business judgment, that Lawrence J. LeGrand qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by the SEC. The Committee acts under a charter. A current copy of the charter is available on the
Company’s website, www.labarge.com. The Committee reviews the adequacy of the charter at least annually. |
|||
|
|||
In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee meets at least each quarter with management to review the Company’s quarterly financial results and with the independent auditors to review the results of their quarterly review before the publication of the Company’s earnings press releases. The Audit Committee assists the Board in establishing procedures for receipt and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal controls and other matters, including the confidential anonymous submission by the Company’s employees, received through established procedures, of any concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the Company’s fiscal 2010 audited consolidated financial statements. Management and the independent auditors told the Audit Committee that the Company’s financial statements were fairly stated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee also has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T, relating to communication with audit committees. In addition, the Audit Committee has received from the independent auditors the written disclosures and letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee has considered whether the independent auditors’ provision of non-audit services to the Company is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence. |
|||
|
|||
The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Audit Committee met with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. |
|||
|
|||
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management its assessment and report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 27, 2010, which it made using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. The Audit Committee has also reviewed and discussed with the independent auditors its report on internal control over financial reporting. The Company published these reports in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2010. |
|||
|
|||
The Audit Committee pre-approved all services provided by the independent auditors in fiscal 2010. Pre-approval includes audit services and other services. In some cases, the full Audit Committee provides pre-approval for up to a year, related to a particular defined task or scope of work and subject to a specific budget. In other cases, the Chairman of the Audit Committee has the delegated authority from the Audit Committee to pre-approve additional services, and the Chairman then communicates such pre-approvals to the full Audit Committee. To avoid certain potential conflicts of interest, the law prohibits a publicly traded company from obtaining certain non-audit services from its independent registered public accountants. The Company obtains these services from other service providers as needed. See “Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants” for more information regarding fees paid to the independent auditor. |
|||
|
|||
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the Company’s fiscal 2010 audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2010 for filing with the SEC. |
|||
|
|||
The Audit Committee has retained KPMG to audit the Company’s financial statements for fiscal 2011. |
|||
|
|||
|
Committee Members: |
|
Lawrence J. LeGrand, Chairman |
Thomas A. Corcoran |
|||
John G. Helmkamp, Jr. |
Voting Securities and Ownership Thereof By Management and Certain Beneficial Owners |
Set forth below is information, as of September 24, 2010, concerning all persons known to the Company to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date, and beneficial ownership of
Common Stock by each Director and nominee for Director of the Company, each named executive officer of the Company and all executive officers and directors as a group (unless otherwise indicated, such ownership represents sole voting and sole investment power). |
Name and Address of |
Amount and Nature of |
Percent |
||||
|
|
|
||||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
||||||
|
|
|
||||
Randy L. Buschling |
212,285 - (3) (4) (5) |
1.3% |
||||
Robert G. Clark |
8,385 |
* |
||||
Thomas A. Corcoran |
1,500 |
|||||
John G. Helmkamp, Jr. |
365,196 - (6) |
2.3% |
||||
Teresa K. Huber |
53,225 - (3) (4) (5) |
* |
||||
Craig E. LaBarge |
1,785,114 - (3) (4) (5) (7) |
11.0% |
||||
Lawrence J. LeGrand |
1,218,485 - (8) (9) |
7.6% |
||||
Donald H. Nonnenkamp |
212,913 - (3) (4) (5) |
1.3% |
||||
John R. Parmley |
73,519 - (3) (4) (5) |
* |
||||
Jack E. Thomas, Jr. |
3,685 |
* |
||||
All executive officers and directors as a group |
3,754,502 - (4) |
|
||||
5% Stockholders: |
|
|
||||
Joanne V. Lockard |
1,217,335 - (9) (10) |
7.6% |
||||
Leo V. Garvin, Jr. |
1,208,485 - (9) |
7.5% |
||||
Wentworth, Hauser & Violich, Inc. |
854,300 - (11) |
5.3% |
||||
* Less than 1%.
(1) |
|
The address of each named executive officer and Director is c/o LaBarge, Inc., 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124. |
|
|
|
(2) |
Percent of class is calculated on the basis of 15,958,839 Common Shares outstanding on September 24, 2010. |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Includes the following number of shares awarded under the 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan that are restricted until July 1, 2012: Mr. Buschling, 28,100; Ms. Huber, 9,484; Mr. LaBarge, 43,906; Mr. Nonnenkamp, 18,880; and Mr. Parmley, 9,484. |
|
|
||
(4) |
Includes options exercisable within 60 days for the following number of shares under the 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan and the 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan: Mr. Buschling, 20,000; Ms. Huber, 15,000; Mr. LaBarge, 220,452; Mr. Nonnenkamp, 68,600; Mr. Parmley, 24,500. All executive officers and Directors as a group – 348,552 shares. |
|
|
||
(5) |
Includes the following number of shares held in employee contribution accounts, Company unrestricted match accounts and Company restricted match accounts, respectively, of the Company’s 401(k) Benefit Plan: Mr. Buschling: -0-, 6,788 and -0-; Ms. Huber: -0-, 1,671 and -0-; Mr. LaBarge: 105,019, 126,835 and -0-; Mr. Nonnenkamp: -0-, 5,876 and -0-; and Mr. Parmley: -0-, 6,742 and -0-. The named persons have sole voting power with respect to all shares held in their accounts, and have sole dispositive power with respect to the shares held in their Company unrestricted match accounts. Except as noted below, the named persons have no dispositive power with respect to shares held in their Company restricted match accounts. In addition, Messrs. LaBarge and Nonnenkamp as administrators of the Company 401(k) Benefit Plan have shared dispositive power and no voting power (except for shares in their own accounts) as to 780 shares held in the Company restricted match accounts. Messrs. LaBarge and Nonnenkamp disclaim beneficial ownership of all shares held in the Company restricted match accounts of employees other than themselves. |
|
|
|
|
(6) |
Includes 2,600 shares held by Mr. Helmkamp’s spouse in her name, 3,911 shares in her IRA and 22,000 shares held in a trust, of which she acts as trustee. Also includes 45,300 shares held in three trusts for the benefit of Mr. Helmkamp’s children and 43,500 shares held in a charitable remainder trust. Mr. Helmkamp is trustee of the aforesaid trusts. Mr. Helmkamp disclaims beneficial ownership of all these shares. |
|
|
|
|
(7) |
Includes 74,548 shares held by Mr. LaBarge’s spouse in her name, 34,000 shares held in her IRA and 14,702 shares as custodian for their two children. Mr. LaBarge disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. Also includes 18,172 shares held by a trust for two children of Mr. LaBarge. Mr. LaBarge is a co-trustee of the trusts and disclaims beneficial ownership. Also includes 913,944 shares owned in Mr. LaBarge’s individual capacity and 20,000 shares held in his IRA. Also includes 212,756 shares held in a generation skipping trust for the benefit of Mr. LaBarge’s two children, of which Mr. LaBarge disclaims beneficial ownership. |
|
|
|
|
(8) |
Includes 5,000 shares held in Mr. LeGrand’s individual capacity and 5,000 shares held by Mr. LeGrand’s spouse. |
|
|
|
|
(9) |
Includes 1,208,485 shares of Common Stock held by various trusts, the beneficiaries of which are generation skipping trusts for the benefit of the children of the late Pierre L. LaBarge, Jr. Ms. Lockard and Messrs. Garvin and LeGrand, as personal representatives of Pierre L. LaBarge, Jr.’s estate, each has shared voting and shared dispositive power of the these trusts. |
|
|
|
|
(10) |
Includes 1,406 shares owned jointly with Ms. Lockard’s spouse of which she has shared voting and dispositive power and 7,444 shares held in her IRA as to which she has sole voting power. |
|
|
|
|
(11) |
Based on information submitted on Form 13G/A filed on February 16, 2010. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that the Company’s directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock file reports
on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC and the NYSE Amex to report their beneficial holdings of the Company’s shares and changes thereto.
Based solely on its review of copies of such forms received by it and written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required to be filed by those persons, the Company believes that during fiscal 2010, all filing requirements were timely
complied with, except as discussed in this paragraph. Ms. Lockard filed one late Form 4 during fiscal 2010. This report related to one transaction.
OTHER MATTERS |
|
Stockholder Proposals for Next Year
Any Stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the next Annual Meeting, which is expected to be held in November 2011, must be received by the Company in writing at its principal office at
the address listed on page 1 hereof no later than June 17, 2011. The deadline for written notice of a proposal for which the Stockholder will conduct his or her own solicitation is August 31, 2011.
SEC Form 10-K
Stockholders may obtain a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2010, without charge by writing to the Corporate Secretary at the address listed on page 1, or by visiting the Company’s
Web site at http://www.labarge.com.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Policy on Business Conduct & Ethics applicable to its employees, including officers, and Directors. This Policy on Business Conduct & Ethics can be viewed on the Company’s Web site at
http://www.labarge.com. Any future amendments of the Policy on Business Conduct and Ethics will be promptly disclosed on the Company’s Web site. The Company will disclose on its Web
site any waiver from a provision of the Policy on Business Conduct & Ethics that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and that
relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K.
Other Matters and Householding
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of the Company does not intend to present, nor has it been informed that other persons intend to present, any matters for action at the Annual Meeting, other than those specifically
referred to herein. If, however, any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy card to vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their judgment as to the best interest of the
Company on such matters.
The Company and some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may participate in the practice of householding proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of this proxy statement may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your
household unless you provide us with contrary instructions. A separate copy of this proxy statement or the annual report will be delivered to you if you write to the Secretary at the address listed on page 1 or call (314) 997-0800.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
Donald H. Nonnenkamp |
|
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
St. Louis, Missouri
October 15, 2010
Appendix A
Hay General Industry Market
7-Eleven |
|
CIGNA |
|
Hilti -- US |
|
Pantry |
Abercrombie & Fitch |
City of Philadelphia -- Philadelphia Gas Works |
HMS Host |
Papa Gino's |
|||
Ace Hardware |
CKE Restaurants |
Hoffman Roche Group |
Papa John's International |
|||
ACUITY |
CKE Restaurants -- Hardee's |
Hollister-Stier Laboratories |
Par Pharmaceuticals |
|||
Advance Auto Parts |
Claim Jumper Restaurants |
Home Depot, The |
Patheon Pharmaceuticals |
|||
Aeropostale |
Clariant |
Honeywell -- Specialty Materials |
Patina Restaurant Group |
|||
AES |
Clement Pappas |
Hooters of America |
Penn National Insurance |
|||
Aetna |
CNH Global |
Horace Mann Insurance |
Penske Truck Leasing |
|||
AFC Enterprises |
Coach |
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey |
Perfetti Van Melle USA |
|||
Agfa -- Agfa Materials |
Cognis |
Hormel Foods |
PERI USA |
|||
Ahold USA |
Colgate-Palmolive |
Hot Topic |
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery |
|||
Ahold USA -- Giant Food Stores |
Collective Brands |
Howden Buffalo |
Pernod Ricard SA -- Pernod Ricard USA |
|||
Ahold USA -- Stop & Shop Supermarket |
Collin County, TX |
Huhtamaki |
PETCO |
|||
Air Liquide America |
Columbia Insurance |
Huntsman -- Textile Effects |
Petrobras Americas |
|||
Air Products and Chemicals |
Comcast Cable Communications |
Hyundai -- Hyundai Motor America |
PETsMART |
|||
AK Steel |
Community Options, Inc. |
ICL Industrial Products |
Pfizer |
|||
Akzo Nobel -- National Starch |
Compass Group -- NAD |
ICON |
PG&E -- Pacific Gas and Electric |
|||
Alcon Laboratories |
Compass Group -- Wolfgang Puck |
Ilitch Holdings -- Little Caesar Enterprises |
Pharmacy Onesource, Inc. |
|||
Alex Lee |
Connecticut Hospital Association |
Ilitch Holdings -- Little Caesar Enterprises Restaurants |
Philip Morris International |
|||
Alex Lee -- Institution Food House |
Constellation Brands |
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund |
Phillips-Van Heusen |
|||
Alex Lee -- Lowes Foods Stores |
Constellation Brands - Constellation Services |
Illinois Tool Works |
Physicians Mutual Insurance |
|||
Alex Lee -- Merchants Distributors |
Constellation Brands -- Constellation Wines US |
Independence Blue Cross |
Piedmont Natural Gas |
|||
Alexander & Baldwin |
Constellation Brands - Fusion |
Ineos |
Pier 1 Imports |
|||
Alexander & Baldwin -- Agribusiness |
Constellation Brands - North America IT |
Infineum USA |
Pilkington |
|||
Alexander & Baldwin -- Matson Navigation |
Continental Automotive Systems |
Innophos |
Pinnacol Assurance |
|||
Alexander & Baldwin -- Property Development & Management |
Cooper Industries |
In-N-Out Burger |
Pioneer Hi-Bred International |
|||
Alfa Mutual Insurance Company |
Cooper Industries -- B-Line |
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations |
PJM Interconnection |
|||
Alkermes |
Cooper Industries -- Bussmann |
International Dairy Queen |
Ply Gem Siding Group |
|||
Allianz Life Insurance of North America |
Cooper Industries -- Cooper Tools |
International Flavors & Fragrances |
PNM Resources |
|||
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association |
Cooper Industries -- Crouse-Hinds ECM |
INVISTA |
Polo Ralph Lauren |
|||
Amazon.com |
Cooper Industries -- Lighting |
Iroquois Pipeline |
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
|||
Amcor Limited |
Cooper Industries -- Power Systems |
Isuzu Motors -- Isuzu Commercial Truck of America |
Powersouth |
|||
Amcor Limited -- Amcor PET Packaging |
Cooper Industries -- Wiring Devices |
Isuzu Motors -- Isuzu North America |
PPG Industries |
|||
American Crystal Sugar |
Cosi |
Isuzu Motors Limited -- Isuzu Motors America |
PPG Industries -- Chemicals |
|||
American Eagle Outfitters |
Costco Wholesale |
J. C. Penney |
PPG Industries -- Coatings & Resins |
|||
American Enterprise Group |
COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services |
J.Crew |
PPG Industries -- Glass |
|||
American Express -- CM |
COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services -- MiddleOak |
Jack in the Box |
PRA International |
|||
American Family Insurance Group |
Coventry Health Care |
Jack in the Box -- Jack in the Box |
Praxair |
|||
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) |
Covidien - Mallinckrodt |
Jack in the Box -- Qdoba Restaurant Group |
Premera Blue Cross |
|||
American Transmission |
CSN |
Jacmar -- Shakey's USA |
Premier |
|||
Americas Styrenics |
Culinary Institute of America |
Japan Tobacco -- JT International USA |
Principal Financial Group |
|||
Amerigroup |
CUNA Mutual |
Jewelers Mutual Insurance |
Procter & Gamble |
|||
AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies |
Curtiss-Wright |
Joe's Crab Shack |
Public Works Commission of Fayetteville, North Carolina |
|||
AmerisourceBergen Corporation |
Curtiss-Wright -- Metal Improvement |
Johnny Rockets Group |
Quiznos Master |
|||
Amsted Industries |
Curtiss-Wright--Controls |
Johnson County Government |
QVC |
|||
Amsted Industries -- Amsted Rail |
Curtiss-Wright--Flow Control |
Joy Global |
Real Mex Restaurants |
|||
Amsted Industries -- Baltimore Aircoil |
CVS/Caremark |
Joy Global -- Joy Mining Machinery |
Recreational Equipment |
|||
Amsted Industries -- Burgess Norton |
Cytec Industries |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan |
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers |
|||
Amsted Industries -- Consolidated Metco |
Daiichi Sankyo |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- Colorado |
Remy Cointreau USA |
|||
Amsted Industries -- Diamond Chain |
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan - Georgia |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
|||
Amsted Industries -- Griffin Pipe |
Danfoss |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- Hawaii |
Restaurants Unlimited |
|||
Amsted Industries -- Means Industries |
Darden Restaurants |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- Mid-Atlantic States |
Restoration Hardware |
|||
Amway -- Alticor |
Darden Restaurants |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- Northern California |
RGA Reinsurance |
|||
Andersons, The |
Darden Restaurants -- Bahama Breeze |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- Northwest Region |
Rhodia |
|||
Andersons, The |
Darden Restaurants -- Olive Garden |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- Ohio |
Rochester Institute of Technology |
|||
Anheuser-Busch InBev -- Anheuser-Busch |
Darden Restaurants -- Red Lobster |
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- Southern California |
Rock Bottom Restaurants |
|||
Ann Taylor Stores |
Dave & Buster's |
Kansas City Life Insurance |
Roquette America |
|||
AnnTaylor Stores -- AnnTaylor Loft |
Day & Zimmermann |
Kellogg |
Ross Stores |
|||
AnnTaylor Stores -- AnnTaylor Stores |
Deere |
Kendle |
Ruby Tuesday |
|||
Anonymous Industrial Company |
Deere -- John Deere Credit |
Kenneth Cole Productions |
rue21 |
|||
Apple |
Del Monte Foods |
Keygene |
Ruth's Chris Steak House |
|||
Aramark |
Delaware North |
Kforce |
SABIC Innovative Plastics US |
|||
ArcelorMittal |
Delta Dental Plan of Colorado |
King Pharmaceuticals |
SABMiller -- Miller Brewing |
|||
ArcelorMittal Tubular Products |
Denny's |
Knowledge Learning Corporation |
Safe Auto Insurance |
|||
ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Mechanical |
Denso Manufacturing |
Kohl's |
Safeway |
|||
Arch Chemicals |
Diageo North America |
Konica Minolta Graphics Imaging, Inc |
Saint-Gobain |
|||
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield |
DiaSorin, Inc. USA |
Kraft Foods -- Cadbury Adams |
Saks |
|||
Arkema |
Dick's Sporting Goods |
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts |
Saks -- Off 5th |
|||
Armacell |
DineEquity |
Kruger Products |
Saks -- Saks Direct |
|||
Ashland |
DineEquity -- Applebee's |
Krystal |
Sanofi Pasteur |
|||
Ashland -- Hercules Water Technologies |
DineEquity - IHOP |
KV Pharmaceutical |
Sanofi-Aventis |
|||
Ashland--Aqualon Functional Ingredients |
Dollar General |
L.L. Bean |
Sanofi-Aventis - Puerto Rico |
|||
Associated Materials |
Dollar Tree Stores |
L/B Water Service |
Sasol North America |
|||
Atmos Energy |
Dominion Resources |
La Madeleine de Corps |
Sazerac |
|||
AutoZone |
Dominion Resources -- Dominion Energy |
Lanxess |
Sears Holdings |
|||
AvMed Health Plan |
Dominion Resources -- Dominion Generation |
LaRosa's |
Sears Holdings -- Lands' End |
|||
Avon Products |
Dominion Resources -- VA Power |
Laureate Education |
Securian |
|||
Axcan Pharma |
Domino's Pizza |
Legal Sea Foods |
Sepracor |
|||
Bacardi Limited -- Bacardi USA |
Dow Chemical |
Lehigh Hanson |
Severstal--Severstal North America |
|||
Baker Petrolite |
Dow Chemical--Dow AgroSciences |
Lehigh Hanson -- Building Products |
Shelter Insurance |
|||
Ball |
Dow Corning |
Lehigh Hanson - North Region |
Shippensburg University Foundation |
|||
Bal-Seal Engineering |
DPL |
Lehigh Hanson - South Region |
Shire US |
|||
Barclaycard US |
Dr Pepper Snapple Group |
Lehigh Hanson - West Region |
ShopKo Stores -- ShopKo Stores |
|||
Barilla Pasta US |
DSM Resins -- DSM Chemicals |
LifeWay Christian Resources |
Sierra Southwest Co-Op Services |
|||
Barnes Group Inc. |
DSM Resins--DSM Nutritional Products |
Limited Brands |
Skyy Spirits |
|||
BASF |
DSW |
Limited Brands -- Bath & Body Works |
Sleep Innovations |
|||
BASF--Ciba Specialty Chemicals |
Duke and King Acquisition |
Limited Brands -- Henri Bendel |
Smithfield Foods |
|||
Baxter International |
Duke and King Acquisition -- bd's Mongolian Grill |
Limited Brands -- Victoria's Secret Direct |
Smokey Bones |
|||
Bayer MaterialScience |
Dunkin' Brands |
Limited Brands -- Victoria's Secret Stores |
Sodexo -- Sodexo |
|||
BCS Insurance Company |
Dunkin' Brands -- Baskin-Robbins |
Limited Stores |
Solvay America |
|||
Bebe Stores, Inc. |
Dunkin' Brands -- Dunkin' Donuts |
LIMRA International |
Solvay America -- Solvay Advanced Polymers |
|||
Beiersdorf |
Duquesne Light |
Linde Group, North America Inc. |
Solvay America -- Solvay Chemicals |
|||
Belden |
E & J Gallo Winery |
Liz Claiborne |
Solvay America -- Solvay Solexis |
|||
BELIMO Americas |
E. I. du Pont de Nemours |
Liz Claiborne - Juicy Couture |
Sonic Automotive |
|||
Belk |
E.ON U.S. |
Liz Claiborne - Kate Spade |
Sonic Restaurants |
|||
Benteler North America |
Eagle Ottawa |
Liz Claiborne - Liz Claiborne |
Sonoco Products |
|||
Best Buy |
Eastman Chemical |
Liz Claiborne - Lucky Brand |
South Jersey Industries |
|||
Bethpage Federal Credit Union Inc |
Eat'n Park Hospitality Group |
Logan's Roadhouse |
South Jersey Industries -- Energy Solutions |
|||
Bic Corporation |
Eaton |
LOMA |
South Jersey Industries -- South Jersey Gas |
|||
Big Lots |
Einstein Noah Restaurant Group |
Lonza |
Southern Company |
|||
Biogen |
EKR Therapeutics |
Lopez Foods |
Southern Company -- Georgia Power |
|||
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida |
El Pollo Loco |
Lord & Taylor |
Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency |
|||
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas |
Electric Reliability Council of Texas |
L'Oreal USA |
Southern Star Concrete |
|||
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, MO |
ElectriCities of North Carolina |
Louisiana Workers' Compensation |
Southwest Gas |
|||
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts |
EmblemHealth |
Lowe's |
Sports Authority |
|||
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island |
EmblemHealth -- ConnectiCare |
LSG Sky Chefs |
SRA International |
|||
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware |
Embraer |
Lubrizol |
Stage Stores |
|||
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska |
EMD Chemicals |
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton -- Moet Hennessy USA |
Stage Stores -- Peebles |
|||
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina |
EMD Serono |
LyondellBasell Chemical |
Staples |
|||
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina |
Energy Future Holdings |
MacDermid |
Starbucks |
|||
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina |
Energy Future Holdings -- TXU Energy |
Macy's |
Summa Health System -- SummaCare |
|||
Blue Shield of California |
Enza Zaden North America, Inc. |
Maidenform Brands |
Sunoco -- Chemical Division |
|||
Bluestar Silicones |
Erie Insurance Group |
Main Street America Group, The |
SuperValu |
|||
BMW Manufacturing |
Evonik Degussa |
Marmon Group -- Union Tank Car |
Symcor |
|||
Bob Evans Farms |
Express |
Mars -- Masterfoods USA |
T.D. Williamson |
|||
Boddie-Noell Enterprises |
Family Dollar Stores |
Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants |
Taco John's International |
|||
BoJangles' Restaurants |
Famous Dave's of America |
Matthews International |
Taco Time |
|||
Bon-Ton Stores |
Fazoli's System Management |
Mazda North American Operations |
Tait Electronics |
|||
Borders Group |
FBL Financial Group |
Mazzio's |
Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. |
|||
Boston Beer |
FedEx -- FedEx Express |
McCormick & Company |
Talbots |
|||
Boston Market |
FedEx -- FedEx Office and Print Services |
McDonald's |
Target |
|||
Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan |
Ferrero USA |
MeadWestvaco |
Tarrant County |
|||
Brambles |
Ferro Corporation |
MeadWestvaco -- Calmar |
Tate & Lyle Americas |
|||
Bravo Health |
Fired Up |
MeadWestvaco -- Community Development & Land Management |
Tate & Lyle Americas -- Custom Ingredients |
|||
Bridgestone Americas |
Firmenich, Incorporated |
MeadWestvaco -- Consumer & Office Products |
Tate & Lyle Americas -- Ingredients Americas |
|||
Brinker International |
First Data |
MeadWestvaco -- Consumer Solutions |
Tate & Lyle Americas -- Tate & Lyle Sucralose |
|||
Brinker International -- Chili's |
FirstEnergy |
MeadWestvaco -- Global Business Services |
Tech Data |
|||
Brinker International -- Maggiano's |
FM Global |
MeadWestvaco -- Packaging Resource Group |
Texas Mutual Insurance |
|||
Bristol-Myers Squibb |
FMC |
MeadWestvaco -- Specialty Chemicals |
Texas Roadhouse |
|||
Brown-Forman |
FMC Corporation - Agricultural Products Group |
Medco Health Solutions |
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants |
|||
Buckman Laboratories |
FMC Corporation - Industrial Chemicals Group |
Medical Mutual of Ohio |
The Holland, Inc. |
|||
Buffalo Wild Wings |
FMC Corporation - Specialty Chemicals Group |
Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation |
TJX Companies |
|||
Buffet Partners |
Focused Health Solution |
Meijer |
Tomtom |
|||
Buffet Partners -- Furr's Family Dining |
Fonterra |
Memphis Light, Gas & Water |
TOTAL S.A. -- Total Petrochemicals USA |
|||
Buffets |
Foot Locker |
Merchants Insurance Group |
Toyota Motor North America -- TEMA |
|||
Bunge North America |
Foot Locker, Inc. - Team Edition |
Merz Pharmaceuticals |
Toyota Motor North America -- Toyota Motor Sales, USA |
|||
Bupa |
Footlocker.com/Eastbay |
MetLife |
Toys R Us |
|||
Burger King |
Forbo Flooring |
Michaels Stores |
Tractor Supply |
|||
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway |
Ford Motor |
Michaels Stores -- Aaron Brothers Stores |
Travis County Human Resources Management Department |
|||
Cabela's |
Foresters |
Michelin North America |
Tronox |
|||
Cabot |
Fortune Brands -- Beam Global Spirits & Wine |
Michelman |
Trustmark Insurance |
|||
Calgon Carbon |
Foster's Group -- Foster's Wine Estates Americas |
Millennium Inorganic Chemicals |
Tufts Associated Health Plans |
|||
California Independent System Operator |
Friendly Ice Cream |
Mirant |
Tween Brands |
|||
California State Compensation Insurance Fund |
Frisch's Restaurants |
Mitsubishi International |
Tyson Foods |
|||
Canexus |
Galderma Laboratories |
Modine Manufacturing |
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance |
|||
Career Education Corporation |
Gap |
Molson Coors Brewing |
Umicore |
|||
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield |
Gap -- Banana Republic |
MonierLifetile |
Union Pacific |
|||
Caribou Coffee |
Gap -- Gap Direct |
Moog |
United States Steel |
|||
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide |
Gap -- Gap International |
Morton's Restaurant Group |
UnitedHealth Group |
|||
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide -- Pick Up Stix |
Gap -- Gap Outlet |
Mosaic |
Unitil |
|||
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide -- TGI Friday's |
Gap -- Gap Stores |
Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans |
Universal Parks & Resorts |
|||
Carter's |
Gap -- Old Navy |
Multiplan |
University of Dayton |
|||
Caterpillar |
Garden Fresh Restaurants |
Munich American Reassurance Company |
Uno Restaurant Holding |
|||
CBC Restaurant |
GDF SUEZ Energy -- United Water |
MVP Health Care |
V.F. Corporation |
|||
CBRL Group |
GDF SUEZ Energy North America |
NACCO Materials Handling |
Valley Services |
|||
CBRL Group -- Cracker Barrel Old Country - Retail |
GDF SUEZ Energy--SUEZ Energy Generation North America |
Neighborhood Health Plan |
Valmont Industries |
|||
CEC Entertainment |
GDF SUEZ Energy--SUEZ Energy LNG North America |
Nestle USA |
Valmont Industries -- International |
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Centene |
GDF SUEZ Energy--SUEZ Energy Marketing North America |
New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange |
Valmont Industries -- Irrigation |
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CenterPoint Energy |
GDF SUEZ Energy--SUEZ Energy Retail North America |
New York City Department of Education |
Vicorp Restaurants |
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Central Bancompany |
GE Aviation |
New York Power Authority |
VICORP Restaurants -- Village Inn |
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Central Bancompany -- Boone County National Bank |
General Electric -- GE Eqp Svcs, Trailer Fleet Svcs |
Newark InOne |
Visa USA |
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Central Bancompany -- Central Bank |
GEO Specialty Chemicals |
Newman's Own |
Voith -- Voith Hydro |
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Central Bancompany -- Central Mortgage Company |
Georgia Baptist Foundation |
NewMarket |
Voith -- Voith Paper Fabric & Roll Systems Inc |
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Central Bancompany -- Central Technology Services |
Georgia Gulf |
Nissan North America |
Vopak North America |
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Central Bancompany -- Central Trust and Investment Company |
Gerdau AmeriSteel |
Nitto Denko America -- Permacel Automotive |
Wal-mart Stores |
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Central Bancompany -- City Bank and Trust |
Gilead Sciences |
Noodles |
Wal-Mart Stores -- Sam's Club |
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Central Bancompany -- Empire Bank |
GL Industrial Services |
Noranda Aluminum |
Wal-Mart Stores -- Stores and Super Stores |
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Central Bancompany -- First Central Bank |
Glatfelter |
Noranda Aluminum - Gramercy |
Walt Disney -- Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts |
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Central Bancompany -- First National Bank Audrain County |
Global Cash Access |
Noranda Aluminum -- Noranda Primary |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield |
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Central Bancompany -- First National Bank of St. Louis |
GNC |
Noranda Aluminum -- Norandal |
WellPoint |
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Central Bancompany -- Jefferson Bank of Missouri |
Golden Corral |
Nordstrom |
Wendy's / Arby's Group |
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Central Bancompany -- Metcalf Bank |
Goodrich |
Nordstrom, Inc. - Nordstrom Rack |
Wendy's / Arby's Group -- Arby's |
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Central Bancompany -- ONB Bank |
GrafTech International |
NOVA Chemicals |
Wendy's / Arby's Group -- Wendy's |
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Central Bancompany -- Ozark Mountain Bank |
Griffith Laboratories USA |
Novo Nordisk |
West Ed |
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Central Bancompany -- Third National Bank |
Group Health Cooperative |
NPC |
Western Union |
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Central Vermont Public Service |
Groupe SEB |
NuStar Energy L.P. |
Westlake Chemical |
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Champion Technologies |
GSI Commerce, Inc. |
Occidental Petroleum -- Occidental Chemical |
Whataburger |
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Champion Technologies -- Corsicana Technologies |
Guest Services |
O'Charley's |
White Castle System |
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Champs Sports |
Gulfstream |
O'Charley's -- Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub |
Wienerberger -- General Shale Brick |
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Charles Schwab |
Gymboree |
O'Charley's -- O'Charley's |
William Grant & Sons |
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Charming Shoppes |
H.B. Fuller |
O'Charley's -- Stoney River |
Williams-Sonoma |
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Charming Shoppes - Catherine's |
Hallmark Cards |
Octapharma |
Williams-Sonoma -- Pottery Barn |
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Charming Shoppes - Fashion Bug |
Hallmark Cards - Retail |
Office Depot |
Williams-Sonoma -- Pottery Barn Kids |
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Charming Shoppes - Lane Bryant |
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Handy & Harman |
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OfficeMax |
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Williams-Sonoma -- West Elm |
Charming Shops - outlets |
Hard Rock Cafe |
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative |
Williams-Sonoma -- Williams-Sonoma Stores |
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Checkers Drive-In Restaurants |
Harris Teeter |
Olin -- Chlor Alkali |
Wills Group |
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Cheesecake Factory |
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care |
optionsXpress |
WireCo |
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Chemtura |
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates |
Orlando Utilities Commission |
Workers Compensation Fund |
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Cheniere Energy, Inc. |
Health Care Service Corporation |
OSI Restaurant Partners |
Workforce Safety Insurance |
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Chester County Intermediate Unit |
Health Net |
OSI Restaurant Partners -- Bonefish Grill |
Yum! -- KFC |
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Chevron Phillips Chemical |
Health New England |
OSI Restaurant Partners -- Carrabba's Italian Grill |
Yum! -- Long John Silver's |
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Chicago Mercantile Exchange |
Health Partners |
OSI Restaurant Partners -- Fleming's Prime Steakhouse |
Yum! -- Pizza Hut |
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Chico's FAS |
HealthPartners |
OSI Restaurant Partners -- Outback Steakhouse |
Yum! -- Taco Bell |
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Chico's FAS -- Chico's |
HealthSpring |
OSI Restaurant Partners -- Roy's |
Zale |
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Chico's FAS - Soma Intimates |
Heineken USA |
OSI Restaurant Partners, Inc. - Outback Steakhouse Internati |
Zep Inc. |
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Chico's FAS -- White House/Black Market |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. |
Otsuka |
ZF Group -- North American Operations |
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Children's Place |
Helzberg Diamonds |
P.F. Chang's China Bistro |
||||
Chipotle Mexican Grill |
Hershey Foods |
P.F. Chang's China Bistro -- P.F. Chang's |
||||
Chiquita Brands International |
Hexagon Metrology |
P.F. Chang's China Bistro -- Pei Wei |
||||
Chrysler |
Hexion Specialty Chemicals |
Paddock Laboratories |
||||
CHS |
hhgregg |
Panda Restaurant Group |
||||
CHS -- Energy |
Hillsborough County Civil Service Board |
Panera Bread |
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Hillwood Development |
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LaBarge, Inc.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
November 17, 2010
4:00 P.M.
The undersigned hereby appoints Craig E. LaBarge and Donald H. Nonnenkamp, or either of them acting in the absence of the other, proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of the
undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of LaBarge, Inc. to be held at the offices of the Company, located at 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri, on November 17, 2010, at 4:00 P.M. St. Louis time, and at any adjournments thereof, in accordance with the
instructions on the reverse side of this form, and with discretionary authority with respect to such other matters not known or determined at the time of the solicitation of this proxy, as may properly come before said meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Stockholders who do not attend the Annual Meeting in person are invited to listen to an audio recording of the meeting, which will be accessible through the Company’s Web site at http://www.labarge.com.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxies heretofore given in connection with the Annual Meeting and directs said persons to use this proxy to act or vote as follows:
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN, AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE OR PROVIDE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTE VIA THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE.
(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
LaBarge, Inc.— ANNUAL MEETING, NOVEMBER 17, 2010
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Annual Meeting Materials are available online at:
http://www.cfpproxy.com/5197
You can vote in one of three ways:
1. |
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Call toll free 1-866-860-0411 on a Touch-Tone Phone. There is NO CHARGE to you for this call. |
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or |
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2. |
Via the Internet at https://www.proxyvotenow.com/lbi and follow the instructions. |
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or |
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3. |
Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope. |
5197
REVOCABLE PROXY
LaBarge, Inc.
X |
PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE |
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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
For |
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With-hold |
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For All |
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All |
Except |
Proposal 1. |
Election of Directors: |
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Class C — |
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(01) Robert G. Clark |
(02) Jack E. Thomas, Jr. |
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INSTRUCTION: |
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write that nominee’s name in the space provided below. |
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The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the nominees listed above.
For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
Proposal 2. |
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Proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered Public Accountants for the fiscal year ending July 3, 2011 |
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP. |
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full title as such.
Please be sure to date and sign this instruction card in the box below. |
Date: |
Sign above |
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IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
FOLD AND DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE VOTING BY MAIL
Stockholders of records have three ways to vote: |
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1. |
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By Mail; or |
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2. |
By Telephone (using a touch-tone phone); or |
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3. |
By Internet. |
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A telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and retuned this proxy. Please note telephone and Internet votes must be cast prior to 3 A.M.
Eastern Time on November 17, 2010. It is not necessary to return this proxy if you vote by telephone or Internet. |
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Please note that the last vote received, whether by telephone, Internet or mail, will be the vote counted.
ON-LINE ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS: http://www.cfpproxy.com/5197
Your vote is important!