14-AScheduleProxy Def.2014
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
|
| | | |
Filed by the Registrant x | | |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o | | |
Check the appropriate box: | | |
o | Preliminary Proxy Statement | o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
o | Definitive Additional Materials | | |
o | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 | | |
|
|
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY |
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
|
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
|
|
| | |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
x | No fee required. |
o | Fee Computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| (1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
| (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
| (3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
| (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
| (5) | Total fee paid: |
o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
o | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
| (1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
| (2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
| (3) | Filing Party: |
| (4) | Date Filed: |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September 8, 2014
___________
To the Stockholders of Century Aluminum Company:
We cordially invite you to attend our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting this year will be held on September 8, 2014, at 8:00 a.m., Central European Time, at the Van der Valk Hotel Middelburg, Paukenweg 3, 4337 WH Middelburg, the Netherlands. At the meeting, we will:
|
| |
1. | Hold a vote on the election of Jarl Berntzen, Michael Bless, Andrew Caplan, Errol Glasser, Daniel Goldberg, Andrew Michelmore and Terence Wilkinson to our Board of Directors; |
2. | Hold a vote to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014; |
3. | Hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers; and |
4. | Transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. |
You may vote at the meeting if you owned our common stock at the close of business on July 14, 2014. Please note, there are three ways that you can vote before the meeting - by telephone, by the Internet or by mailing the proxy card.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
Jesse E. Gary |
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Chicago, Illinois
July 18, 2014
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
If you do not plan to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting, or if you do plan to attend but wish to vote by proxy, please follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to vote by the Internet or to request a paper copy of the proxy materials and a proxy card. You may also vote by telephone.
Proxy Summary
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting. For more complete information regarding the Company's 2013 performance, please review the Company's 2013 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K with the SEC.
2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Time and Date: 8:00 a.m. Central European Time, September 8, 2014
Place: Van der Valk Hotel Middelburg, Paukenweg 3, 4337 WH Middelburg, the Netherlands
Record Date: July 14, 2014
Voting: Stockholders as of the record date are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the other proposals to be voted on.
Admission: An admission ticket is required to enter Century's 2014 Annual Meeting. Please follow the instructions under "How do I vote?" on page 2 of the proxy statement.
|
| |
Voting Proposals | Board Vote Recommendation |
Item 1 - Election of Seven Director Nominees to Serve a One-Year Term Expiring 2015 | FOR each Director Nominee |
Item 2 - Ratification of Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014 | FOR |
Item 3 - Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation | FOR |
Board Nominees (page 4)
Century has nominated seven directors for election to its Board of Directors (the "Board"). Directors are elected for one-year terms. The following table provides summary information about each nominee standing for election to the Board for a one-year term expiring in 2015.
|
| | | | |
Name | Age | Director Since | Principal Occupation | Committee Memberships |
Jarl Berntzen | 47 | 2006 | Senior Director, Corporate Development at Dolby Laboratories, Inc. | A, H, G |
Andrew Caplan | 44 | 2012 | Head of the Aluminum and Alumina Department at Glencore Plc | |
Errol Glasser | 60 | Nominee | Partner and co-founder of Triangle Capital LLC | |
Daniel Goldberg | 36 | 2011 | Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department of Glencore Plc | |
Andrew Michelmore | 61 | 2010 | CEO of MMG Limited | C, H |
Terence Wilkinson | 68 | 2011 | Chairman of the Board of Century | A, C, G |
Michael Bless | 49 | 2012 | President and CEO of Century | |
A = Audit, C = Compensation, G = Governance and Nominating, H = Health, Safety and Sustainability
Executive Compensation Highlights (page 19)
Strong Pay for Performance Alignment
| |
• | Strong alignment between management's and our stockholders' interests; for example, 57% of the CEO's 2013 compensation was performance based. |
| |
• | Bonus awards granted in 2013 under the Company's annual incentive plan were heavily weighted (50%) on EBITDA performance. |
| |
• | Performance unit awards granted under the 2013-2015 LTIP were based 100% on the Company's total stockholder return. |
Key Features of Our Executive Compensation Program
|
| | | |
What We Do
| What We Don't Do
|
| We pay for performance | | We do not pay dividend equivalents on stock options and unvested restricted share units |
| We consider peer groups in establishing compensation | | We do not allow share recycling |
| We have robust Company stock ownership guidelines | | We do not allow for repricing of underwater stock options (including cash-outs) |
| We have double-trigger equity vesting in the event of a change-in-control | | We do not have employment agreements with our officers, all of whom are at-will employees |
| We have clawback policies incorporated into our incentive plans | | We do not allow executives to profit from short-term speculative swings in Company stock (i.e., no hedging) |
| We pay reasonable salaries and provide appropriate benefits to our senior executives | | We do not allow pledging of Company stock |
| We have a conservative compensation risk profile | | |
| We retain an independent compensation consultant | | |
Our executive compensation practices are described in greater detail in the "Executive Compensation" section on page 19.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Century Aluminum Company
1 South Wacker Drive
Suite 1000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
___________
PROXY STATEMENT
___________
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September 8, 2014
Our Board of Directors is soliciting proxies for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2014 Annual Meeting”) of Century Aluminum Company (“Century” or the “Company”). This proxy statement contains information about the items you will vote on at the 2014 Annual Meeting. Further information and instructions on how to vote online, or in the alternative, request a paper copy of these proxy materials and a proxy card, will be as set forth in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) as described below.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2014
We are pleased this year to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that permit companies to furnish proxy materials to stockholders over the Internet. On or about July 30, 2014, we will begin mailing the Notice. The Notice contains instructions on how to vote online, or in the alternative, request a paper copy of the proxy materials and a proxy card. By furnishing a Notice and access to our proxy materials by the Internet, we are lowering the costs and reducing the environmental impact of the 2014 Annual Meeting. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a paper copy of the proxy materials unless you request such materials by following the instructions contained on the Notice. Your vote is important no matter the extent of your holdings.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. When and where is the Annual Meeting of Stockholders being held?
A. The 2014 Annual Meeting is being held on September 8, 2014, at 8:00 a.m., Central European Time, at the Van der Valk Hotel Middelburg, Paukenweg 3, 4337 WH Middelburg, the Netherlands.
If you plan to attend the meeting, you will need an admission ticket. To obtain an admission ticket, please write to: Century Aluminum Company, 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attention: Admission Ticket or email admissionticket@centuryaluminum.com.
Q. Who is entitled to vote and how many votes do I have?
A. You may vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on July 14, 2014. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held.
Q. How many shares are available to vote in the Annual Meeting?
A. On July 14, 2014, the record date for the 2014 Annual Meeting, there were 88,807,215 shares of Century common stock outstanding.
Q. What constitutes a quorum for the meeting?
A. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Century's common stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the 2014 Annual Meeting. Only shares of Century common stock that are present at the 2014 Annual Meeting, either in person or represented by proxy (including shares that the holder abstains from voting or does not vote with respect to one or more of the matters present for stockholder approval), will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the meeting.
Q. How do I vote?
A. There are four ways that you can vote your shares:
Internet. The website for voting is http://www.ProxyVote.com. To vote on the Internet, please follow the instructions provided in the Notice and have the Notice available when accessing the Internet. The voting system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, September 7, 2014.
Telephone. If you are located in the United States or Canada, you can vote your shares by calling 1-800-690-6903. This is a toll-free number available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, September 7, 2014. Please have your Notice available and follow the voice prompts to vote your shares.
Mail. To vote by mail, please follow the instructions on your Notice to request a paper copy of the proxy card and proxy materials, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided with the proxy materials. If you mail your proxy card, we must receive it before 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 5, 2014.
In Person. If you are the stockholder of record, you may vote by attending the 2014 Annual Meeting on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 8:00 a.m., Central European Time, at the Van der Valk Hotel Middelburg, Paukenweg 3, 4337 WH Middelburg, the Netherlands. If your shares are held in “street name,” please include with your request a copy of the legal proxy from your bank, broker or other holder of record that authorizes you to vote the shares that the record holder holds for you in its name. Please contact your bank or broker for information on obtaining a legal proxy if your shares are held in “street name.”
If you plan to attend the meeting, you will need an admission ticket. To obtain an admission ticket, please write to: Century Aluminum Company, 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60606, Attention: Admission Ticket or email admissionticket@centuryaluminum.com.
Q. What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
A. Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a stock broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some differences between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
Stockholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services LLC, you are considered the stockholder of record of those shares. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the 2014 Annual Meeting.
Beneficial Owner. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name.” The Notice is being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee, who is considered to be the stockholder of record for those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote. Your broker or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing your broker or nominee as to how to vote your shares. As a beneficial holder, you are invited to attend the 2014 Annual Meeting; however, because you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the 2014 Annual Meeting unless you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder giving you the right to vote the shares.
Q. How do I vote my shares that are held in a Century 401(k) plan?
A. If you participate in one of Century's 401(k) plans, you must provide the trustee of the 401(k) plan with your voting instructions in advance of the meeting. You may do this by returning your voting instructions by mail, or submitting them by telephone or the Internet. You cannot vote shares held in a Century 401(k) plan in person at the 2014 Annual Meeting; only the plan trustee can directly vote your shares. The trustee will vote your shares as you have instructed. If the trustee does not receive your instructions, your shares generally will be voted in proportion to the way the other plan participants voted. To allow sufficient time for voting by the trustee, your voting instructions must be received before Thursday, September 4, 2014.
Q. May I change my vote?
A. Yes. If you are the stockholder of record, you may revoke a proxy or change your voting instructions by:
|
| |
| delivering a written notice of revocation or later-dated proxy to our Secretary at or before the taking of the vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting; |
| changing your vote instructions via the Internet up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 5, 2014 (the Friday before the 2014 Annual Meeting); |
| changing your vote instructions via the telephone up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 5, 2014; or |
| voting in person at the 2014 Annual Meeting. |
If you hold your shares in one of Century's 401(k) plans, notify the plan trustee in writing prior to September 5, 2014, that your voting instructions are revoked or should be changed.
If your shares are held in “street name,” you must follow the specific instructions provided to you to change or revoke any instructions that you may have already provided to your bank, broker or other nominee.
Q. What are the voting requirements to elect the directors and to approve each of the proposals discussed in this proxy statement?
A. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes, which means that the nominee that receives the highest number of votes will be elected as a director, even if a nominee does not receive a majority of the votes cast. Proposals No. 2 (ratification of auditors) and No. 3 (advisory vote on executive compensation) require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast.
Your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. Abstentions will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum for a matter, but will not be counted as a vote in favor of such matter. Accordingly, an abstention from voting on a matter will not be counted for the purposes of electing directors and will have the same effect as a vote against other matters.
Q. Why is it important to instruct my broker how to vote?
A. Under SEC rules, if you own shares in “street name” through a broker and do not instruct your broker how to vote, your broker may not vote your shares on proposals determined to be “non-routine.” Of the proposals included in this proxy statement, only the proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014 is considered to be “routine.” The other proposals are considered to be “non-routine” matters. Therefore, if you do not provide your bank, broker or other nominee holding your shares in “street name” with voting instructions, those shares will count for quorum purposes, but will not be counted as shares present and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Therefore, it is important that you provide voting instructions to your broker.
Q. What is “householding”?
A. In addition to furnishing proxy materials over the Internet, the Company takes advantage of the SEC's “householding” rules to reduce the delivery cost of materials. Under such rules, only one Notice or, if paper copies are requested, only one Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Form 10-K are delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. If a stockholder sharing an address wishes to receive a separate Notice or copy of the proxy materials, he or she may so request by contacting Broadridge Householding Department by phone at 1-800-542-1061 or by mail to Broadridge Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717. A separate copy will be promptly provided following receipt of a stockholder's request, and such stockholder will receive separate materials in the future. Any stockholder currently sharing an address with another stockholder but nonetheless receiving separate copies of the materials may request delivery of a single copy in the future by contacting Broadridge Householding Department at the number or address shown above.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board has nine members. Three members of the Board, Peter Jones, Steven Kalmin and John O’Brien, have notified the Board that they will not stand for re-election at the 2014 Annual Meeting and will no longer serve on the Board following the 2014 Annual Meeting. In connection with the departure of Messrs. Jones, Kalmin and O’Brien, the Board has elected to decrease the size of the Board from nine to seven directors, effective as of the date of the 2014 Annual Meeting if Mr. Glasser is elected to the Board at the 2014 Annual Meeting.
The Board, upon the recommendation of the Governance and Nominating Committee, has nominated the following directors to stand for election to the Board for a one-year term: JARL BERNTZEN, MICHAEL BLESS, ANDREW CAPLAN, ERROL GLASSER, DANIEL GOLDBERG, ANDREW MICHELMORE and TERENCE WILKINSON. Each of these nominees has indicated his willingness to serve if elected and the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that he will not be available to serve.
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications set out by the Board of Directors, each of these nominees bring strong and unique backgrounds and skills to the Board, giving the Board, as a whole, competence and experience in a wide variety of areas, including board service, corporate governance, compensation, executive management, finance, metals and mining, operations, manufacturing, marketing, government, international business and health, safety, environmental and social responsibility.
Set forth below is background information for each nominee (as of the date of this proxy statement), including the qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Board to conclude that such person should be nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF MESSRS. BERNTZEN, BLESS, CAPLAN, GLASSER, GOLDBERG, MICHELMORE AND WILKINSON TO THE BOARD FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING IN 2015.
|
| | | |
DIRECTOR NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO A TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2015 |
| | | |
Name | Age | Business Experience and Principal Occupation or Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships | Director Since |
| | | |
Jarl Berntzen | 47 | Senior Director, Corporate Development at Dolby Laboratories, Inc. since 2011; Director, Corporate Development of Rambus, Inc. from November 2010 to August 2011; Founder, B!Global Strategic Advisers, LLC from March 2009 to October 2010; Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Interlachen Capital Group from August 2008 through February 2009; Partner-Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, ThinkEquity Partners LLC from March 2006 to August 2008.
Mr. Berntzen has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), financial restructurings and corporate development activities, having served in senior M&A advisory positions at several international investment banks and advisory firms, including more than 10 years with Goldman, Sachs & Co., in addition to ThinkEquity Partners LLC and Barrington Associates. Mr. Berntzen's financial acumen and expertise, investment banking experience and international M&A and restructuring experience provides insight to the Board when considering Century's operational restructuring and growth and development objectives. In addition, Mr. Berntzen is a citizen of Norway and provides international perspective and diversity to the Board. | 2006 |
|
| | | |
Name | Age | Business Experience and Principal Occupation or Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships | Director Since |
| | | |
Michael A. Bless | 49 | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Century Aluminum Company since December 2012; President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2012; Acting President and Chief Executive Officer from November 2011 to February 2012; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from January 2006 to October 2011.
Mr. Bless was elected to our Board of Directors in December 2012. As the only management representative on our Board, Mr. Bless provides a unique perspective in Board discussions about the business and strategic direction of the Company. Mr. Bless has an expansive knowledge of the aluminum industry and global financial conditions. Prior to joining Century, Mr. Bless held a number of senior management positions at both public and private companies and investment banks. The Board benefits from his business insights and knowledge of the Company and the markets it serves.
| 2012 |
Andrew J. Caplan | 44 | Head of the Aluminum and Alumina Department of Glencore since June 2013; Manager of the Bauxite and Alumina Department of Glencore from 2007 to 2013. Director of the International Aluminum Institute.
Mr. Caplan has extensive knowledge of the aluminum and alumina industries through his position as the Head of Glencore's Aluminum and Alumina Department and his many years of experience in the industry. | 2012 |
Errol Glasser | 60 | Partner and co-founder of Triangle Capital LLC since March 2005.
Mr. Glasser adds extensive expertise to the Board of Directors in financial restructurings and corporate development activities by virtue of his having served in the financial sector for over 20 years. In addition, Mr. Glasser is a citizen of South Africa and provides international perspective and diversity to the Board.
|
|
Daniel Goldberg | 36 | Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department of Glencore since February 2005.
Mr. Goldberg adds valuable expertise to our Board of Directors in the metals and mining industry by virtue of his experience as Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department at Glencore. Mr. Goldberg provides extensive experience in all stages of aluminum production from alumina to aluminum production and marketing. In addition, as a South African citizen and a resident of Switzerland, Mr. Goldberg provides international perspective and diversity to the Board. | 2011 |
|
| | | |
Name | Age | Business Experience and Principal Occupation or Employment During Past 5 Years; Other Directorships | Director Since |
| | | |
Andrew G. Michelmore | 61 | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of MMG Limited since December 2010; Chief Executive Officer of Minerals and Metals Group from June 2009 to December 2010; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of OZ Minerals LTD from June 2008 to June 2009; Chairman of the Minerals Council of Australia since June 2013; Chairman of the International Zinc Association since October 2011; Deputy Chairman of the International Council on Mining and Metals since May 2013; Chairman of the Jean Hailes Foundation since 1996; and Chairman of the Counsel of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne since 2003.
Mr. Michelmore adds valuable metals and mining expertise to the Board by virtue of his experience as Chief Executive Officer of MMG Limited and previous experience as Chief Executive Officer of Zinifex, OZ Minerals, EN+ Group and WMC Resources. Mr. Michelmore also adds valuable engineering and international business experience to the Board by virtue of his positions as a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institution of Engineers Australia and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a member of the Business Council of Australia. In addition, as an Australian citizen and having lived and worked in a number of different countries, Mr. Michelmore provides international diversity and perspective to the Board. | 2010 |
Terence A. Wilkinson | 68 | Our Chairman of the Board since June 2011; Director of Triland Metals Ltd. since 1998; Senior Independent Director of Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Plc from May 2012 until October 2013 and Independent Director from September 2011 until October 2013; Chief Executive Officer of Ridge Mining Plc from November 2000 to August 2009; Director of Angara Mining Plc from June 2008 to August 2009.
Mr. Wilkinson has valuable metals and mining experience by virtue of the many leadership positions he has held in the metals and mining industry, including as Chief Executive Officer of Ridge Mining Plc, Chief Executive Officer of the Lonrho Group's South African division and Director and Chief Operating Officer of Lonmin Plc. In addition, as a dual-citizen of South Africa and the United Kingdom, Mr. Wilkinson provides international perspective and diversity to the Board.
| 2011 |
Corporate Governance and Other Board Matters
Our Board of Directors is responsible for supervision of the overall business affairs of Century. The Board sets strategic direction and oversees management, which is responsible for Century's day-to-day operations. A copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which sets out the Board's mandate, its responsibilities and the duties of its members, can be found on our website at www.centuryaluminum.com under "Investors - Corporate Governance." The Board met six times during 2013.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board of Directors selects the Chairman of the Board in the manner and upon the criteria that it deems best for the Company at the time of selection. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to have Mr. Wilkinson, an independent director, serve as the non-executive Chairman of the Board at this time. The Board of Directors has not adopted a policy regarding whether the roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separate or combined, but recognizes the value to the Company of the separation of these positions and having an independent director serve as Chairman. We believe that this structure is appropriate for the Company because it allows our independent Chairman to lead the Board in its fundamental role of governing the Company and providing advice to management, while also providing for effective independent oversight and allowing our President and Chief Executive Officer to focus on the execution of our business strategy, growth and development. The Board will continue to evaluate whether this leadership structure is in the best interests of our stockholders on a regular basis.
Our Chairman, Mr. Wilkinson, presides over each Board meeting and independent directors meeting. The Chairman serves as liaison between the Chief Executive Officer and the other directors, approves meeting agendas and schedules and notifies other members of the Board of Directors regarding any significant concerns of stockholders or interested parties of which he becomes aware. The Chairman presides over stockholders meetings and provides advice and counsel to the Chief Executive Officer.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Board of Directors is engaged in company-wide risk management oversight. The Board of Directors relies upon the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and other executive officers of the Company to supervise day-to-day risk management and to bring material risks to the Board's attention. Each of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel provides reports directly to the Board of Directors and certain Board committees, as appropriate. Directors may also from time to time rely on the advice of our outside advisors and auditors provided they have a reasonable basis for such reliance.
The Board of Directors also delegates certain oversight responsibilities to its Board committees. Descriptions of the various Board Committees are set forth below. The full Board considers strategic risks and opportunities and regularly receives detailed reports from the committees regarding risk oversight in their areas of responsibility. For example, while the primary responsibility for financial and other reporting, internal controls, compliance with laws and regulations and ethics rests with the management of the Company, the Audit Committee provides risk oversight with respect to the Company's financial statements, the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and corporate policies and controls related to the financial statements, the independent auditor's selection, retention, qualifications, objectivity and independence, and the performance of the Company's internal audit function. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers risks related to director nominations, corporate governance matters, succession planning and oversees the appropriate allocation of responsibility for risk oversight among the committees of the Board. The Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee provides oversight of risks relating to Century's policies and management systems with respect to health, safety and sustainability matters. The Compensation Committee reviews and reports on risks related to our compensation policies and practices.
Board Committees and Meeting Attendance
To assist it in carrying out its duties, the Board has established various standing committees. Each standing committee of the Board and its current members are listed in the table below. The following table shows the directors who are currently members or chairmen of each of the standing Board committees. The Board will review committee appointments following the 2014 Annual Meeting.
|
| | | | |
Name | Audit | Compensation | Governance & Nominating | Health, Safety & Sustainability |
Jarl Berntzen | X | | X | X* |
Daniel Goldberg | | |
| |
Peter Jones | | |
| X |
Andrew Michelmore | | X* | | X |
John O'Brien | X* | |
| |
Terence Wilkinson | X | X | X* | |
| | | | |
*Committee Chair | | | |
The Board designates the members of each committee and the committee chair annually based on the recommendations of the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Board has adopted written charters for each of its committees, which are available in the “Investors” section of our website, www.centuryaluminum.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance.” During 2013, overall attendance at Board and committee meetings was 95%.
Independent Directors
The Board has determined that, of its current directors, each of Messrs. Berntzen, Jones, Michelmore, O'Brien and Wilkinson are “Independent Directors” under the criteria established by the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) for membership on the Board and that each of these directors is independent under applicable SEC rules and the NASDAQ listing standards for service on the various committees of the Board on which they serve.
Messrs. Jones, Kalmin and O’Brien, have notified the Board that they will not stand for re-election at the 2014 Annual Meeting and will no longer serve on the Board following the 2014 Annual Meeting. In connection with the departure of Messrs. Jones, Kalmin and O’Brien, the Board has elected to decrease the size of the Board from nine to seven directors, effective as of the date of the 2014 Annual Meeting, subject to Mr. Glasser’s election at the 2014 Annual Meeting. The Board has nominated Mr. Glasser to the Board and has also determined that Mr. Glasser meets the criteria for independence under applicable SEC rules and the NASDAQ listing standards. If Mr. Glasser is elected to the Board at the 2014 Annual Meeting, 57% of the Board immediately following the 2014 Annual Meeting will be independent directors as determined by the Board.
Our Independent Directors are scheduled to meet in executive session without the presence of management no fewer than two times each year. Our Chairman leads these sessions. The Independent Directors met three times in 2013.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, among other things:
| |
• | Oversees the financial reporting process for which management is responsible; |
| |
• | Appoints and oversees the engagement of the independent auditors for audit and non-audit services; |
| |
• | Monitors the qualifications and independence of the independent auditors; |
| |
• | Reviews and approves all audit and non-audit services and fees; |
| |
• | Reviews the scope and results of the audit with the independent auditors; |
| |
• | Reviews the scope and results of internal audit procedures with our internal auditors; |
| |
• | Evaluates and discusses with the independent auditors and management the adequacy and effectiveness of our system of internal accounting controls and assessment of fraud risk; |
| |
• | Appoints and oversees the engagement of the Company's internal audit function, including internal audit plan and results; |
| |
• | Reviews current and pending material litigation with management; |
| |
• | Conducts or directs investigations of any allegations of material violations of securities laws, fiduciary duties or similar allegations; |
| |
• | Reviews and oversees the Company's risk management assessment and procedures; |
| |
• | Reviews and approves related party transactions pursuant to our Statement of Company Policy Regarding Related Party Transactions; and |
| |
• | Makes inquiries into other matters within the scope of its duties. |
During 2013, Messrs. Berntzen, O'Brien and Wilkinson served on the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that all current members of the Audit Committee are independent under the criteria established by NASDAQ and applicable SEC rules and that, of our current directors, Messrs. Berntzen and O'Brien are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. The Board has also determined that Mr. Glasser is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of applicable SEC rules should he be appointed to the Audit Committee following the 2014 Annual Meeting.
Mr. O'Brien has served as Chair of the Audit Committee since 2011 and previously served as Chair of the Audit Committee from 2001 to 2008. Mr. O’Brien has notified the Board that he will not stand for re-election at the 2014 Annual Meeting and will step down from the Board, and as a member of the Audit Committee, following the 2014 Annual Meeting. The Board will review committee appointments following the 2014 Annual Meeting.
In 2013, the Audit Committee held four meetings. The Audit Committee also meets with management and our independent auditors at least quarterly to review our financial results prior to the filing of our quarterly and annual reports and related earnings announcements.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews and establishes the compensation for our executive officers and is responsible for administering and awarding grants of equity awards under our existing stock incentive plans. During 2013, Messrs. Michelmore, Goldberg (through June 2013) and Wilkinson served on the Compensation Committee. Mr. Michelmore has served as Chair of the Compensation Committee since 2011. The Compensation Committee held four meetings in 2013.
The Board has determined that, with the exception of Mr. Goldberg, all such members of the Compensation Committee are independent under the criteria established by NASDAQ and applicable SEC rules. Although Mr. Goldberg was not determined to be “independent,” he served on the Compensation Committee for a portion of 2013 under a NASDAQ exception because the Board determined that Mr. Goldberg's membership on the Committee was in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders due to his unique and extensive knowledge of the aluminum industry. Because a member appointed under this exception may not serve longer than two years, Mr. Goldberg stepped down as a member of the Compensation Committee effective June 2013.
Governance and Nominating Committee
The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other things:
•Evaluating the size and composition of the Board;
•Assessing risks related to succession planning;
•Identifying, recruiting and recommending candidates for election to the Board and its committees;
•Overseeing corporate governance matters; and
•Reviewing and making periodic recommendations concerning our corporate governance policies and procedures.
During 2013, Messrs. Goldberg, Jones and O'Brien served on the Governance and Nominating Committee. In 2013, the Governance and Nominating Committee held four meetings. The Board has determined that, with the exception of Mr. Goldberg, all such members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are independent under the criteria established by NASDAQ and the applicable SEC rules. Although Mr. Goldberg was not determined to be “independent,” he served on the Governance and Nominating Committee for 2013 and a portion of 2014 under a NASDAQ exception because the Board determined that Mr. Goldberg's membership on the Committee was in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders due to his unique and extensive knowledge of the aluminum industry. Because a member appointed under this exception may not serve longer than two years, Mr. Goldberg stepped down as a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee effective March 2014. As a result, the size of the committee decreased to two members.
In June 2014, the Board reviewed the committee appointments for the Governance and Nominating committee and, following such review, decided to appoint Messrs. Berntzen and Wilkinson to the Committee, with Wilkinson as Chair. In connection with their appointment to the committee, the Board also determined that each of Berntzen and Wilkinson are independent under the criteria established by NASDAQ and the applicable SEC rules.
The Governance and Nominating Committee solicits recommendations for potential Board nominees from a variety of sources, including directors, officers, other individuals with whom the Governance and Nominating Committee members are familiar, through its own research, and third-party research. The Governance and Nominating Committee also considers nominees recommended by stockholders who submit such recommendations in writing to our Corporate Secretary. The qualifications and standards the Governance and Nominating Committee will apply in evaluating any recommendations for nomination to the Board include, but are not limited to:
•significant business or public company experience;
| |
• | a willingness and ability to make a sufficient time commitment to Century's affairs to perform effectively the duties of a director, including regular attendance at Board and committee meetings; |
•skills in finance, international business and knowledge about Century's business or industries;
•personal qualities of leadership, character, judgment and integrity; and
•requirements relating to composition of the Board under applicable law and listing standards.
The Governance and Nominating Committee also strongly considers diversity when evaluating any recommendations for nominations to the Board. The Governance and Nominating Committee takes into consideration each potential nominee's diverse attributes and variety of experiences and viewpoints but does not make decisions to include or exclude a potential nominee solely or largely based on race, ethnicity, gender, national origin or sexual orientation. While the Board has not adopted a formal policy with respect to diversity, the Governance and Nominating Committee believes that diversity is an important aspect in Board composition. In selecting a director nominee, the Governance and Nominating Committee focuses on skills, education, experience and qualities that would complement the existing Board, recognizing our diverse global business structure. Reflecting this diversity, our Board consists of directors who are citizens of six different nations. Our directors come from diverse business backgrounds including financial, industrial, non-profit and governmental.
Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee
The Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee (the “HSS Committee”) was formed to assist the Board with regard to oversight of Century's policies and management systems with respect to health, safety and sustainability matters and related practices, assessments, performance, compliance and reporting. The HSS Committee must meet at least twice a year and provide recommendations to the Board. During 2013, Messrs. Berntzen, Jones and Michelmore served on the HSS Committee. Mr. Berntzen has served as Chair of the HSS Committee since 2011.
As noted above, Mr. Jones has notified the Board that he will not stand for reelection at the 2014 Annual Meeting and will step down from the Board, and as a member of the HSS Committee, following the 2014 Annual Meeting. The Board will review committee appointments following the 2014 Annual Meeting.
The HSS Committee held four meetings in 2013 and holds regular update calls with Company management between meetings.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
Stockholders may communicate with the Board, our independent or non-management directors as a group, or any individual director(s) by sending a written communication in an envelope addressed to the Board or the appropriate director(s) in care of our Corporate Secretary, addressed to: Corporate Secretary, Century Aluminum Company, 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and other employees. A copy of the code of ethics is available on our website at www.centuryaluminum.com and a copy will be mailed to any person, without charge, upon written request addressed to: Corporate Secretary, Century Aluminum Company, 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of our code of ethics on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller and persons performing similar functions on our website at www.centuryaluminum.com.
Director Compensation and Stock Ownership Guidelines
Directors who are full-time salaried employees of Century are not compensated for their service on the Board. The Board believes that compensation for independent directors should be a mix of cash and equity-based compensation and for non-employee, non-independent Board members compensation should be only in cash. Paying non-employee, non-independent directors only in cash avoids indirectly increasing the beneficial ownership of any stockholder at whose direction a member of our Board serves. The Compensation Committee evaluates the appropriate level and form of compensation for non-employee directors at least annually and recommends changes to the Board when appropriate. The Board reviews the committee's recommendations and determines the amount of director compensation.
Equity Awards, Meeting Fees and Retainers. In 2013, each independent director continuing in office after the Annual Meeting of stockholders received an annual grant of time-based performance share units valued at $75,000. Subject to earlier vesting in the event of a change in control or the director's having attained the age of 65, these time-based performance share units vest 100% on the one year anniversary of the grant date. The shares were granted on the business day following the 2013 annual meeting based on the average closing price of Century's common stock for the 30 trading days preceding the grant date. In addition, each newly elected independent director receives a one-time grant of 1,000 time-based performance share units that vest 50% following 12 months of service and 50% following 24 months of service. Vesting of time-based performance share unit awards are subject to acceleration under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of the award agreement.
During 2013, non-employee directors (other than Messrs. Caplan, Goldberg and Kalmin, who waived their rights to receive compensation, and Chairman Wilkinson, who received the amount noted below) received an annual retainer of $45,000 for their services. Mr. Wilkinson, as Chairman of the Board, received an annual retainer of $110,000 (which Mr. Wilkinson opted to receive in the form of the equivalent amount of Century common stock based on the average closing price over the previous 30 trading days preceding the grant date). The Chairs of the Audit and Compensation Committees each received an additional $10,000 and the Chairs of the Governance and Nominating and Health, Safety and Sustainability Committees each received an additional $5,000 annual retainer. In addition, each independent director received a fee of $2,000 for each Board or Board committee meeting attended. The Chair of the Audit Committee received an additional $1,000 per Audit Committee meeting attended.
The Board and the Compensation Committee annually review the adequacy and form of our directors' compensation. The equity awards, meeting fees and retainers above, were initially set in 2009 based on a competitive assessment of director pay practices among the peer companies used for our executive compensation benchmarking. In 2013, the Compensation Committee reviewed Century's director pay practices and determined to leave them unchanged for 2013.
Expense Reimbursement. All directors are reimbursed for their travel and other expenses incurred in attending Board and Board committee meetings, other than Messrs. Caplan, Goldberg and Kalmin, who waived their right to receive expense reimbursement.
Independent Director Stock Ownership Guidelines. Under our stock ownership guidelines, each independent director is required to accumulate, within five years of election to the Board, 20,000 shares of our common stock. Non-employee, non-independent directors are not subject to these guidelines, although they are urged to follow them. The guidelines are based on a fixed number of shares, which was established after giving consideration to the value of the fixed share guidelines as a percent of pay (salary for executives and cash retainer for independent directors). The guidelines of peers and, on a broader basis, industry practices were considered in developing this policy. As of the date of this filing, each of our independent directors is in compliance with our stock ownership guidelines.
2013 Director Compensation. The following table sets forth the compensation paid to each director in 2013.
2013 Director Compensation
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Director (a) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (b) | Stock Awards (c) | Total |
Jarl Berntzen | $ | 82,000 |
| $ | 75,814 |
| | $ | 157,814 |
|
Andrew Caplan | — |
| — |
| | — |
|
Daniel Goldberg | — |
| — |
| | — |
|
Peter Jones | 80,000 |
| 75,814 |
| | 155,814 |
|
Steven Kalmin | — |
| — |
| | — |
|
Andrew Michelmore | 79,000 |
| 75,814 |
| | 154,814 |
|
John O'Brien | 89,000 |
| 75,814 |
| (d) | 164,814 |
|
Terence Wilkinson | 85,000 |
| 186,077 |
| (e) | 271,077 |
|
|
| | | | |
(a) | Represents all non-employee directors who served on the Board during 2013. Mr. Bless did not receive compensation for serving as a Board member. |
(b) | Represents retainer and meeting fees paid to each non-employee director during 2013 (other than Messrs. Caplan, Goldberg and Kalmin, who waived their right to receive compensation). |
(c) | Represents the September 24, 2013 grant of time based performance units awarded to Board members (other than Messrs. Caplan, Goldberg and Kalmin who waived their right to receive compensation), calculated in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation. |
(d) | Mr. O'Brien elected to defer the vesting of all time based performance share units awarded to him in 2013 until his service on the Board terminates. |
(e) | Represents the September 24, 2013 grant of time based performance share units awarded to Board members and September 25, 2013 grant of 13,221 shares for his annual retainer as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Wilkinson elected to defer the vesting of all time based performance share units awarded to him in 2013 until his service on the Board terminates. |
The following table sets forth the number of outstanding options and stock awards held by current non-employee directors as of December 31, 2013:
|
| | | | | | |
Name | Number of Options Outstanding as of 12/31/2013 (a) | Number of Stock Awards Outstanding as of 12/31/2013 (b) |
Jarl Berntzen | 16,000 |
| | 20,082 |
| |
Andrew Caplan | — |
| | — |
| |
Daniel Goldberg | — |
| | — |
| |
Peter Jones | 13,000 |
| | 18,398 |
| |
Steven Kalmin | — |
| | — |
| |
Andrew Michelmore | — |
| | 13,569 |
| |
John O'Brien | 12,000 |
| | 45,212 |
| |
Terence Wilkinson | — |
| | 22,225 |
| |
(a) All options were fully vested as of December 31, 2013.
|
(b) Represents time-vested performance shares held by the named director that have not yet vested or for which settlement has been deferred.
|
OWNERSHIP OF CENTURY COMMON STOCK
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common stock, as of the dates noted below, by each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of five percent or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The percent of class shown below is based on 88,807,215 shares of common stock outstanding as of July 15, 2014.
|
| | | | | |
Name | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (a) | Percent of Class |
Glencore AG (b) | 37,095,394 |
| 41.8 | % |
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (c) | 7,209,759 |
| 8.1 | % |
| |
(a) | Each entity has sole voting and dispositive power, except as otherwise indicated. |
| |
(b) | Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13D/A filing dated July 11, 2014, by Glencore AG, Glencore International AG and Glencore Plc. Glencore's principal business address is Baarermattstresse 3, P.O. Box 666, CH-6341 Baar, V8, Switzerland, In addition, the above information as to Glencore's beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock includes 8,077,447 shares acquired through the automatic conversion of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and excludes the 7,922,553 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned by Glencore AG, which are convertible only upon the occurrence of events that have not transpired and that are outside of the control of Glencore AG, or in circumstances that would not result in an increase in the percentage of the outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Glencore. In addition, Glencore has entered into cash-settled total return swaps that give Glencore economic exposure to an additional 9,129,302 shares of our common stock. |
| |
(c) | Based on information set forth in a Schedule 13G/A filing dated February 10, 2014, by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional”). Dimensional is an investment advisor and furnishes investment advice to four investment companies and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (“Funds”). As an investment advisor, sub-advisor and/or manager, Dimensional possesses voting and/or investment power over these shares, and it may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares. However, these shares are owned by the Funds and Dimensional specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities. The principal business address of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746. |
Security Ownership of Directors and Named Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of July 15, 2014 by: (i) each of our current directors, (ii) each of our named executive officers, and (iii) all of our directors and named executive officers as a group. No director or executive officer beneficially owned more than 1% of our outstanding common stock. All of our directors and named executive officers as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of our outstanding common stock.
|
| | | | | | | |
| Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (a) |
Name | Common Stock | Exercisable Stock Options (b) |
Jarl Berntzen | 37,255 |
| (c) | 16,000 |
| |
Michael Bless | 30,211 |
|
| 57,618 |
| |
Andrew Caplan | — |
| (d) | — |
| |
Rick Dillon | — |
|
| — |
|
|
Jesse Gary | 9,192 |
| | — |
| |
Daniel Goldberg | — |
| (d) | — |
| |
Michelle Harrison | 24,080 |
| (e) | 22,998 |
| |
John Hoerner | 17,622 |
| | — |
| |
Peter Jones | 46,852 |
| (f) | 13,000 |
| |
Steven Kalmin | — |
| (d) | — |
| |
Andrew Michelmore | 20,051 |
| (g) | — |
| |
John O'Brien | 64,259 |
| (h) | 12,000 |
| |
Terence Wilkinson | 35,544 |
| (i) | — |
| |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (13 persons) | 285,066 |
| | 121,616 |
| |
| |
(a) | Each individual has sole voting and dispositive power except as otherwise noted. |
(b) | Represents shares that are subject to options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2014. |
(c) | Includes 11,078 shares held by the named director that have vested or for which settlement has been deferred. |
(d) | Excludes 37,069,481 shares owned by Glencore, for which Mr. Kalmin serves as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Goldberg serves as the Asset and Investment Manager of the Aluminum and Alumina Department and Mr. Caplan serves as the Head of the Aluminum and Alumina Department. |
(e) | Represents shares that are jointly owned or held in a trust and subject to shared voting and dispositive power. |
(f) | Includes 18,398 shares held by the named director that have vested or for which settlement has been deferred. |
(g) | Includes 4,565 shares held by the named director that have vested or for which settlement has been deferred. |
(h) | Includes 45,212 shares held by the named director that have vested or for which settlement has been deferred. |
(i) | Includes 22,225 shares held by the named director that have vested or for which settlement has been deferred. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons owning more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC reports of ownership and changes in ownership of our equity securities. These same persons are also required to furnish us with copies of all such forms. Based solely on a review of the copies of the forms furnished to us, or written representations that no Form 5 filings were required, we believe that, with respect to the 2013 fiscal year, all required Section 16(a) filings were timely made, with the exception of a Form 4 for Glencore AG reporting shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of an option to acquire 3,000 shares of common stock, which was filed late.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Equity Compensation Plan Information (a)
|
| | | | | | | |
Plan Category | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | Weighted-average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans |
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders | 1,062,570 |
| $24.77 | (b) | 7,190,072 |
|
| |
(a) | As of December 31, 2013. |
(b) | Represents the weighted-average exercise price of 619,833 options outstanding under our Stock Incentive Plan. There is no exercise price associated with 442,737 service-based share awards also outstanding under our Stock Incentive Plan. |
PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP to act as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. We are requesting our stockholders to ratify such appointment. If no direction is given to the contrary, all proxies received by the Board of Directors will be voted “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for the current fiscal year. Neither the Board nor the Audit Committee is required to take any action as a result of the outcome of the vote on this proposal. However, if the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may investigate the reasons for such rejection. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may direct the appointment of a different independent auditor at any time.
In addition to performing the audit of our consolidated financial statements, Deloitte & Touche LLP provided various other services for us during the last two fiscal years. The aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years are set forth below:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| 2013 | 2012 |
Audit Fees(a) | $ | 2,235,000 |
| $ | 1,806,000 |
|
Audit - Related Fees(b) | 5,000 |
| 97,000 |
|
Tax Fees(c) | 92,000 |
| 70,000 |
|
All Other Fees(d) | 228,000 |
| 85,000 |
|
Total Fees | $ | 2,560,000 |
| $ | 2,058,000 |
|
| | | |
| |
(a) | Audit Fees. Audit Fees include professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements, audit of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, statutory audits, reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, consultation on accounting matters, and review of documents filed with the SEC. |
(b) | Audit-Related Fees. Audit-Related Fees include an audit of the Sebree employee benefit plan in 2013 and audits of our other employee benefit plans in 2012. |
(c) | Tax Fees. Tax Fees include the preparation of federal and state tax returns, and consultation related to tax planning, tax advice, tax compliance and acquisitions.
|
(d) | All Other Fees. All Other Fees include due diligence, registration statements and consultation on accounting matters. |
All services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP are pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Committee's pre-approval procedures. Under those procedures, the terms and fees of annual audit services, and changes thereto, must be approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also pre-approves the scope of audit-related, tax and other non-audit services that may be performed by our independent auditors during the fiscal year, subject to dollar limitations set by the Committee. The foregoing pre-approval procedures are subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to completion of the audit.
Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are not expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, but will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available should any matter arise requiring their presence or to otherwise respond to questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The following report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall this information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that Century specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing.
During 2013, Messrs. Berntzen, O'Brien and Wilkinson served on the Audit Committee for the entire year with Mr. O'Brien serving as the Chairman of the Committee. All members of the Audit Committee are Independent Directors, as that term is defined under NASDAQ rules. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of Century.
The Audit Committee's job is one of oversight. Century's management is responsible for the preparation of Century's financial statements and the independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements. The Audit Committee and the Board recognize that management (including the internal audit staff) and the independent auditors have more resources and time, and more detailed knowledge and information regarding Century's accounting, auditing, internal control and financial reporting practices than the Audit Committee does; accordingly, the Audit Committee's oversight role does not include providing any expert or special assurance as to the financial statements and other financial information provided by Century to its stockholders and others.
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and Century that might bear on the auditors' independence, consistent with “Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence, including the performance of non-audit services, and satisfied itself as to the auditors' independence. The Audit Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors, the quality and adequacy of Century's internal controls, the processes for assessing and monitoring risk, and the internal audit function's organization, responsibilities, budget and staffing. The Audit Committee reviewed with both the independent and the internal auditors their audit plans, audit scope, and identification of audit risks. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice from outside legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and receives appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from Century for such advice and assistance.
The Audit Committee met with and discussed with the independent auditors all matters required to be discussed under generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in “Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,” and, with and without management present, reviewed and discussed the results of the independent auditors' examination of the financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed the quality and adequacy of Century's internal controls and the results of the internal audit examinations.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the interim financial information contained in each quarterly earnings announcement in 2013 prior to its public release and the audited financial statements of Century as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Based on the above mentioned review and discussions with management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that Century's audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, for filing with the SEC.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Audit Committee
|
| | |
Jarl Berntzen | John O'Brien (Chair) | Terence Wilkinson |
PROPOSAL NO. 3: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) enables our stockholders to have an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. Although the vote is advisory and is not binding on the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors or the Company, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements. We refer to this non-binding advisory vote as the “say-on-pay” vote.
You are asked to vote for or against, or to abstain from voting, on the following resolution on an advisory basis:
“Resolved, that the stockholders approve on an advisory basis the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company's proxy statement pursuant to the rules of the SEC, including the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the compensation tables, and any related tables and disclosure.”
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis is designed to provide our shareholders with an understanding of our compensation program and to discuss the compensation earned for 2013 by our named executive officers. Our Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) oversees our executive compensation program. The Committee reviews and establishes the compensation for our executive officers and is responsible for administering and awarding grants of equity awards under our existing stock incentive plans.
Our 2013 executive compensation program:
| |
• | Aligns the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders through long-term stock-based awards and cash payouts linked to pre-established Company performance targets; |
| |
• | Ties a significant portion (75% in the case of the CEO) of long-term incentive awards to the Company’s total shareholder return relative to its peers; |
| |
• | Links compensation to share price appreciation by awarding additional long-term incentive awards in the form of time-vested performance shares; and |
| |
• | Awards annual incentive bonuses based on the achievement of pre-established Company performance targets (70% weighting) and the executive’s individual performance (30% weighting). |
2014 Key Compensation Actions
While we believe that the core elements of our executive compensation program support our business strategy and encourage the creation of shareholder value, the Committee is also committed to continued improvement in response to executive compensation trends and regulatory developments. As a result, in June 2014 we implemented the following changes to our executive compensation program:
| |
• | Amended and restated our Executive Severance Plan to remove excise tax gross-ups and to adjust severance and change in control payments to be more in-line with current executive compensation trends; and |
| |
• | In connection with the amended and restated Executive Severance Plan and participation in such plan by each of our executive officers, terminated all employment and severance protection agreements with our executives, thereby eliminating tax gross-ups, moving all severance and change-in-control benefits to plan documents and creating only at-will employment relationships with our executives. |
Named Executive Officers
For 2013, our named executive officers were:
| |
• | Michael Bless, President and Chief Executive Officer; |
| |
• | Jesse Gary, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; |
| |
• | John Hoerner, Senior Vice President, North American Operations; |
| |
• | Michelle Harrison, Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer; and |
| |
• | William Leatherberry, former Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary. |
Our Philosophy on Executive Compensation
Our compensation program is designed to enable Century and its subsidiaries to provide competitive compensation packages that attract, retain and motivate talented executives and managers while aligning management's and stockholders' interests in the enhancement of Company performance and stockholder value. Consistent with this philosophy, cash bonuses awarded for 2013 under our annual incentive plan were heavily weighted (50%) on EBITDA performance to more closely link executive compensation with the near-term business goal of increasing the Company's operating profitability, and performance unit awards granted under our long-term incentive plan were based 100% on total stockholder return in order to incentivize management to increase the Company's share price performance over the long-term.
Our compensation programs are structured as a balanced portfolio using multiple elements to deliver a total package consisting of base salary, annual incentive awards, long-term incentive awards, and retirement benefits. In addition, the Committee retains discretion to make adjustments necessary to balance the overall performance of Century and the individual performance of our executive officers and to pay for performance.
The size of previous equity-based grants and current equity holdings do not affect future grants and are not considered by the Committee when making long-term incentive award decisions. The Committee does, however, consider the combination of the major compensation and benefit offerings when making compensation decisions. The Committee generally applies its compensation philosophy and policies consistently in determining the compensation of each of our senior executives, while being mindful of individual differences such as experience, level of responsibility, potential contributions to future growth opportunities and individual performance, as well as the practical implications of arms-length negotiations at the time each executive is hired or promoted.
Consideration of Say-on-Pay Results
At the Company's annual meeting of stockholders held in September 2013, over 82% of the votes cast on the advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers were voted in favor of the proposal. The Committee believes this affirms our stockholders' support for the Company's approach to executive compensation and therefore we have not implemented any changes to our executive compensation program as a direct result of the advisory vote.
Our Process for Executive Compensation
The Committee oversees our executive compensation program. Each Committee member is an independent non-employee director with significant experience in executive compensation matters. The Committee develops and approves the overall compensation package for our Chief Executive Officer and, with the additional assistance of our Chief Executive Officer, for each of our other executive officers. Although objective criteria are used, the Committee retains final discretion in determining the compensation of our executive officers. In general, the Committee makes its final determination of both annual incentive awards and awards earned based on long-term performance in the first quarter following the end of each performance period.
In implementing and administering the Company's compensation philosophy, the Committee, in consultation with its independent executive compensation consultant, regularly:
| |
• | Reviews market data to assess the competitiveness of the Company’s compensation policies; |
| |
• | Evaluates the Company’s compensation policies compared to its peers and in the context of the broader economy; |
| |
• | Reviews Company performance against the Company’s plans and budgets and considers the degree of attainment of pre-established performance goals; |
| |
• | Reviews the individual performance of each executive officer; and |
| |
• | Considers the results of the advisory "say-on-pay" vote of the Company's shareholders and regularly engages with the Company's largest shareholder regarding the Company's compensation program. |
The Committee maintains an annual agenda to help ensure that it discharges its duties in a thoughtful and timely manner. As a general practice, the Committee makes significant decisions over multiple meetings, discussing conceptual matters, reviewing preliminary recommendations and reviewing final recommendations before acting. The Committee also holds special meetings as necessary in order to perform its duties.
The Committee dedicated significant time and attention to management compensation in 2013, including holding four meetings.
Benchmarking Executive Compensation
Our philosophy emphasizes competitive objectives for executive pay, while being mindful of individual differences such as tenure and performance, as well as the practical implications of pay, on occasion, being the product of an arms-length negotiation at the time an executive is hired or promoted. Elements of compensation that are benchmarked, separately and in the aggregate, include base salary, annual incentive, long-term incentive and retirement benefits.
Our incentive plans are designed to allow the Committee the discretion to reward outstanding performance significantly above the targeted range in the case of outstanding performance; conversely, when performance is below expectations, our plans are designed to deliver compensation that is below the targeted range and to allow the Committee the discretion to reduce or eliminate certain compensation elements. Generally, the Committee targets total compensation (annual base salaries, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation and retirement benefits) at or near the midpoint of the compensation ranges for comparable positions at similarly situated companies.
For purposes of setting 2013 compensation, the Committee, with input from management and its independent executive compensation consultant, reviewed the practices of a group of comparably-sized, asset-intensive, metals and other industrial companies. The Committee chose these parameters, and ultimately the companies noted below, to permit pay to be evaluated in a context that considers businesses with similar exposure to economic forces and business cycles. The composition of this group is reviewed regularly, and at least annually, and the group is refined to ensure its relevance in light of Century's position, as well as mergers, acquisitions, growth, etc. among the companies. Following this analysis, the Committee decided that, for purposes of fiscal 2013 compensation matters, it would use the same peer group as it had used for 2012.
For purposes of fiscal 2013 compensation matters, the following companies were included in the Company's peer group:
|
| | | |
● | AM Castle & Co. | ● | Minerals Technologies Inc. |
● | Buckeye Technologies Inc. | ● | Mueller Industries, Inc. |
● | Carpenter Technology Corp | ● | Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. |
● | Eagle Materials Inc. | ● | Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. |
● | Genesee & Wyoming Inc. | ● | Stillwater Mining Co. |
● | Gibraltar Industries Inc. | ● | Texas Industries Inc. |
● | Kaiser Aluminum Corp. | ● | Valmont Industries, Inc. |
● | Koppers Holdings Inc. | ● | Worthington Industries |
● | Martin Marietta Materials Inc. | | |
Role of the Chief Executive Officer
As part of its review and determination of Century's compensation objectives, philosophy, programs and decisions, the Committee works with and receives advice and recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own compensation). The Committee's charter formalizes the working relationship with our Chief Executive Officer and includes the following actions to be taken by the Chief Executive Officer:
| |
• | Working with the Committee regarding the approval of all general compensation plans and policies, including pension, savings, incentive and equity-based plans; |
| |
• | Reviewing and determining the respective corporate and individual goals and objectives for the other named executive officers relevant to their compensation; |
| |
• | Providing the Committee an evaluation of the performance of the other named executive officers in light of their respective corporate and individual goals and objectives; and |
| |
• | Recommending to the Committee the compensation levels of the other named executive officers. |
The Committee considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer, together with the review by its independent compensation consultant, in making independent determinations regarding executive compensation.
Our Chief Executive Officer attends all Committee meetings, other than those portions that are held in executive session, and he is not present during voting or deliberations on matters involving his compensation in accordance with the Committee's charter.
Role of Compensation Committee Consultants
The Committee has authority under its charter to retain its own advisers, including compensation consultants. To assist in its review and oversight of our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee has engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Frederic Cook”) as its independent compensation consultant. The Committee consults with Frederic Cook regularly throughout the year. Frederic Cook advised the Committee in connection with designing and implementing the Company's executive compensation program for 2013, including with respect to compensation philosophy, objectives, annual and long-term plan designs and market pay levels. In compliance with SEC rules, the Committee has assessed the independence of Frederic Cook and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent Frederick Cook from independently representing the Committee. Frederic Cook did not provide any services to the Company in 2013 other than the services provided directly to the Committee.
Overview of Compensation Elements
The list below summarizes the general elements and characteristics of our executive compensation programs. Detailed narratives of these compensation elements are provided below under "Compensation Program Details."
| |
• | Base salary: Base salary is determined by our philosophy, the position (skills, duties, responsibilities, etc.), market pay levels and trends, individual performance and prior salary; |
| |
• | Annual incentive awards: Variable compensation payable in cash (or at the discretion of the Committee, shares or stock options) following the fiscal year the pay is earned; payment is based on the Committee's review of achievement of pre-set performance goals; |
| |
• | Long-term incentives: Variable compensation payable in cash (based 100% on total stockholder return over the measurement period) and/or time-vested performance shares; and |
| |
• | Retirement benefits: Tax qualified defined benefit and defined contribution plans apply to salaried employees of our U.S. companies who meet eligibility requirements. In addition, our nonqualified defined benefit plan provides a select group of participants with benefits above the level permitted under a qualified plan. |
Compensation Program Details
Base Salary
Base salary provides a secure fixed level of compensation in an amount that recognizes the role and responsibility of the executive officer, as well as experience, performance and contributions. The Committee typically reviews the salaries of our named executive officers annually (in the fourth quarter or early the following year). The amount of any increase is based primarily on the named executive officer's performance, the level of his responsibilities and the external competitiveness of his base salary and overall total compensation. In addition, the Committee may review the salaries of our named executive officers in connection with a promotion or other change in responsibility. The Committee's review of these factors is subjective and no fixed value or weight is assigned to any specific factor when making salary decisions.
Annual Incentive Awards
Our Annual Incentive Plan (the "AIP") is designed to motivate and reward our executive officers for achieving the Company's short-term financial and operational objectives. Under the AIP, our named executive officers are eligible to receive an award, which has historically been paid in cash, but may be paid, at the discretion of the Committee, in cash, shares or stock options. Mr. Leatherberry did not participate in the 2013 AIP.
Target Awards
For fiscal 2013, the target annual incentive award that would be paid to the named executive officers was based on the achievement of pre-established corporate and individual goals, as described below. For our named executive officers, 70% of their award is based on the degree to which corporate performance goals are achieved and 30% is based on their individual performance and achievements. For fiscal 2013, the two metrics used to measure corporate performance for determining payouts were: (i) EBITDA, which had a 50% weighting and (ii) safety performance, which had a 20% weighting. These metrics and their assigned weights reflect our near-term business goals of increasing operating profitability and improving the safety of our workplaces.
For purposes of this program, EBITDA is defined as the Company's net income excluding, as applicable: (i) income tax expense/benefit, (ii) net gain/(loss) on forward contracts, (iii) interest expense/income and (iv) depreciation. For each of our named executive officers other than Mr. Hoerner, the Committee considered EBITDA for the Company on a consolidated basis. Because Mr. Hoerner’s responsibilities relate primarily to the Company’s North American operations, for purposes of determining Mr. Hoerner’s payout under the AIP, 50% of Mr. Hoerner's payout on this factor was based on EBITDA specific to the Company’s North American operations and the other 50% was based on EBITDA for the Company on a consolidated basis.
For each of our named executive officers other than Mr. Hoerner, the 2013 safety targets were to achieve a combined weighted average (based on total headcount) at our Hawesville and Grundartangi facilities of a: (i) total recordable case incident rate ("TCIR") of 1.43 and (ii) days away, restrictions and job transfers rate ("DART") of 1.06. With respect to Mr. Hoerner, 50% of his safety target was based solely on safety performance at our Hawesville facility, with targets of (i) TCIR of 1.75 and (ii) DART of 1.37. The other 50% of Mr. Hoerner's safety target was based on performance at Hawesville and Grundartangi on a consolidated basis. Each of TCIR and DART had a 10% weighting.
The following table summarizes the performance range and payout for these performance metrics:
|
| | | | | | |
Performance Metric | | Threshold | Target | | | Maximum |
EBITDA (50% weighting) | Performance Range | 90% of target | 100% of target | 110% of target | 120% of target | 130% of target |
Payout Level | 50% | 100% | 125% | 160% | 200% |
| | | | | | |
TCIR (10% weighting) | Performance Range | 10% below target | 100% of target | 8% above target | 16% above target | 23% above target |
Payout Level | 50% | 100% | 133% | 167% | 200% |
| | | | | | |
DART (10% weighting) | Performance Range | 10% below target | 100% of target | 6% above target | 13% above target | 19% above target |
Payout Level | 50% | 100% | 133% | 167% | 200% |
The Committee reviews and approves the performance metrics and target levels of performance annually. The Committee sets targets that it believes are challenging but reasonably attainable. In general, payouts may be above or below target depending on performance above or below the targeted levels based on a straight line interpolation. If the Company achieved its targeted performance for each of the metrics, the payout percentage for the Company portion of the target bonus would be 100%. The maximum payout percentage for the Company portion of the target bonus was 200%. If the threshold amounts were not achieved for a particular metric, no amount is to be paid for that metric. However, in each case, the Committee retains absolute discretion to modify or eliminate any incentive awards if the Committee determines such actions are warranted. The following table summarizes the Company's achievements with respect to the AIP EBITDA and safety performance metrics for 2013:
|
| | | |
Operating Result | % of Aggregate Award If Target Achieved | Targets | Achievement |
| | | |
EBITDA | 50% | We consider the EBITDA targets to be confidential, and the disclosure of those targets would cause competitive harm to Century. The EBITDA targets are based on business plan assumptions that may allow our competitors to be able to predict our pricing strategies or our ability to match certain prices. | Performance of this factor was above target for the measurement period on a consolidated basis, which resulted in a 102.3% payout of target for this factor for each of Mr. Bless, Mr. Gary and Ms. Harrison. Because North American Operations EBITDA was below target, Mr. Hoerner received a 50% payout of target. |
| | | |
Safety | 20% (10% weighted to each of TCIR and DART) | For each named executive officer other than Mr. Hoerner, (i) consolidated TCIR of 1.43 and (ii) consolidated DART of 1.06. For Mr. Hoerner, (i) Hawesville TCIR of 1.75 and (ii) DART of 1.37 | Consolidated TCIR was 2.06, which was higher than the threshold amount and resulted in a 0% payment for this factor. Hawesville TCIR was 2.43, which resulted in a 0% payout for this factor for Mr. Hoerner. |
| | | Consolidated DART was 1.53, which was higher than the threshold amount and resulted in a 0% payment for this factor. Hawesville DART was 2.05, which resulted in a 0% payout for this factor for Mr. Hoerner. |
As explained above, 30% of an executive officer's target annual incentive relates to individual job performance. In assessing each executive's individual performance, the Committee considers the officer's personal achievements, as well as his individual contributions to the management team, leadership and management of his business or function. The Committee's evaluation of individual contributions is based, in part, on individual performance goals established at the beginning of each period and the Committee's subjective evaluation of the achievement thereof.
Target annual incentive opportunities for 2013 were based on a percentage of base salary: Mr. Bless 100%; Mr. Gary 70%; Mr. Hoerner 70%; and Ms. Harrison 50%. Mr. Leatherberry did not receive any awards under the AIP in 2013. The Committee determined these target annual incentive opportunities as part of its total compensation program to provide Century's named executive officers total compensation (including annual base salaries, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation and retirement benefits) that, assuming success in meeting or surpassing criteria under the Company's various incentive plans, was positioned, on average, around the midpoint of the compensation ranges for comparable positions at similarly situated companies.
2013 Payout
The annual incentives paid to Messrs. Bless, Gary, Hoerner and Ms. Harrison for 2013 were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Name | Target Non-Equity Incentive Compensation pursuant to the 2013 Annual Incentive Plan | Actual Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Paid pursuant to the 2013 Annual Incentive Plan (a) |
Mr. Bless | $ | 751,900 |
| | $ | 745,500 |
| |
Mr. Gary | 262,500 |
| | 244,500 |
| |
Mr. Hoerner | 245,000 |
| | 260,000 |
| |
Ms. Harrison | 137,500 |
| | 120,000 |
| |
(a) | Mr. Leatherberry did not receive any awards under the 2013 AIP. |
Long-Term Incentive Awards
We also grant annual long-term incentive awards to our executives under our Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"). The LTIP is designed to align executive compensation with the interests of the Company's stockholders by linking compensation to share price appreciation and total stockholder return over a multi-year period and supporting the retention of our management team. We provide two types of LTIP awards: time-vested performance share units and performance units.
Time-vested performance share units are stock-settled awards (which do not contain any performance-based vesting requirements) that are granted at the beginning of the performance period. Performance units are generally cash-settled awards (although the Committee retains the discretion to settle these awards in stock) and vest based on the achievement of pre-determined Company performance metrics, subject to the discretion of the Committee. Both the performance units and time-vested performance share units vest, in their entirety, after three years.
2013-2015 LTIP. In 2013, the Committee approved annual target grants of long-term incentive awards to the Company’s named executive officers expressed as a percentage of base salary: Mr. Bless 200%, Mr. Gary 100%, Mr. Hoerner 80% and Ms. Harrison 50%. Mr. Leatherberry did not participate in the 2013-2015 LTIP.
For each of the Company’s named executive officers receiving such awards, other than Mr. Bless, two-thirds of the awards granted under the 2013-2015 LTIP were granted in the form of performance units and one-third were granted in the form of time-vested performance share units. Three-fourths of Mr. Bless’ 2013-2015 LTIP awards were granted in the form of performance units and one-fourth in the form of time-vested performance share units. The high proportion of performance-based awards reflects our commitment to the pay-for-performance philosophy. The time-based stock awards also align our named executive officers interests with our shareholders as the value of the award increases with the Company's stock price.
In March 2013, the Committee reviewed the vesting schedule and performance metrics used for the 2012 performance unit grants and decided to utilize the same performance metric for the 2013 grants. The 2013 performance units vest 100% at the end of a three-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2013 and ending on December 31, 2015 (the “Performance Period”) based 100% upon the Company's total stockholder return ("TSR") relative to the average TSR of the following peer group of aluminum industry companies for the Performance Period: Alcoa Inc., Alumina Limited, Aluminum Corp. of China Limited, Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, Norsk Hydro ASA and United Co Rusal PLC.
The Committee established the following range of targets and achievement percentages with respect to TSR for the Performance Period:
|
| | | | |
| TSR Percentile Ranks | Achievement Percentage |
Maximum | 150% of Peer Average | 200% |
Target | 100% of Peer Average | 100% |
Threshold | 70% of Peer Average | 50% |
Below Threshold | <70% of Peer Average | 0 |
The Committee believes that basing the 2013-2015 LTIP performance unit awards 100% on TSR aligns management's and the Company's stockholders' interests by incentivizing management to increase the Company's long-term share price performance. TSR is defined as the change in value of the applicable stock price for the Performance Period, with any dividends during such period being reinvested. For purposes of determining TSR, the applicable stock price shall be calculated based on the average closing stock price for the 20 trading days immediately prior to the beginning and end of the Performance Period. TSR is calculated by the Committee.
The time-vested performance share units granted to our named executive officers in 2013 also vest at the conclusion of the three-year Performance Period. The Committee believes that awarding some portion of our long-term incentive awards in the form of time-vested equity compensation encourages retention and, more importantly, considered together with our stock ownership guidelines, ensures that our executives own a minimum number of shares of our common stock, thus aligning the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders and creating incentives for long-term value creation.
Results for 2011-2013 LTIP Awards. Performance unit awards under the Company's 2011-2013 LTIP vest at the conclusion of the three-year performance period based on the achievement of strategic objectives, free cash flow goals, and the Company's total stockholder return in relation to its peer group over a three-year period, subject to the Committee’s discretion to decide otherwise. The time-vested performance share units granted to our named executive officers under the 2011-2013 LTIP also
vest at the conclusion of the three-year performance period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee previously determined that the election of three directors designated by Glencore to our Board of Directors in 2011 resulted in the accelerated vesting (but not settlement) of these awards at target. The table below reflects the actual cash payments made and shares issued in 2013 under the 2011-2013 LTIP:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | Target Value of Performance Units Under 2011-2013 LTIP | Cash Settlement Value of Performance Unit Paid Pursuant to 2011-2013 LTIP | Shares Vested Pursuant to 2011-2013 LTIP |
Mr. Bless | $ | 166,125 |
| | $ | 166,125 |
| | 10,093 |
| |
Mr. Gary | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| |
Mr. Hoerner | 64,520 |
| | 64,520 |
| | 3,920 |
| |
Ms. Harrison | 52,650 |
| | 52,650 |
| | 3,199 |
| |
Stock Options
Option grants are made on a case-by-case basis to executive officers in connection with hiring awards and to recognize promotions and under other circumstances where deemed appropriate in the Committee's discretion. It has been the Committee's practice to approve all option grants at Committee meetings. For initial option grants to our executives made in connection with their employment by Century, the Committee approves the options at the time it approves the executive's overall compensation arrangement and the terms of his or her employment agreement, if any. Option grants are a high-risk, high return component of the executive total compensation program because stock options deliver value to an executive only if the share price is above the grant price after the date of vesting. Therefore, the stock options directly align executive officer and stockholder interests. No option grants to named executive officers have been made since 2009.
Retirement Benefits
The Century Aluminum 401(k) Plan is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan pursuant to which our U.S. based salaried employees, including our named executive officers, are able to contribute a percentage, up to the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, of their annual compensation on a pre-tax basis. In 2011, the Company reinstituted a matching contribution equal to 100% of eligible employees' pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to 4% of eligible compensation, and 50% of eligible employees' pre-tax contributions equal to the next 2% of eligible compensation. Generally, “eligible compensation” used for purposes of calculating contributions under the Plan is the amount paid to an employee as base salary plus bonuses (excluding certain gifts, awards, severance pay, relocation pay, performance shares and amounts realized from the exercise of certain stock awards) up to $255,000 in 2013. Each named executive officer was eligible to participate in these benefits in 2013.
We also maintain a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for our U.S. based salaried employees who meet certain eligibility requirements, which we refer to as our Qualified Plan, and a Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan, or “SERP.” On selective occasions we have also provided enhanced retirement benefits, in the form of an “Enhanced SERP,” which is designed to enhance the total retirement income level, when, due to the executive's age and potential years of service at normal retirement age, benefits under the Qualified Plan and the SERP are projected to be less than a specified percentage of the executive's estimated final average annual compensation. None of the current named executive officers participate in the Enhanced SERP.
Benefits triggered by retirement are valued and described below under the caption “Post Employment Compensation; Pension Benefits” and “Executive Compensation; Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control.”
Policies & Other Considerations
Stock ownership guidelines
We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our executives and independent directors. We adopted these guidelines to further underscore our belief that management's interests should be aligned with those of our stockholders.
The current guidelines for Century's officers are summarized in the table below. The guidelines are based on a fixed number of shares, which was established after giving consideration to the value of the fixed share guidelines as a percent of pay
(salary for executives and cash retainer for independent directors). The guidelines of peers and, on a broader basis, industry practices were considered in developing this policy.
|
| |
Category | Share Guideline |
Chief Executive Officer | 150,000 |
Executive Vice Presidents | 48,000 |
Senior Vice Presidents | 18,000 |
Vice Presidents | 6,000 |
Officers have five years from the later of the date of hire or the effective date of the guidelines to meet these ownership guidelines. Officers who are subsequently promoted to a higher category of participant level will have five years from the date of promotion to achieve their increased share guideline. Due to recent promotions, each of our current named executive officers falls within the five-year grace period to satisfy these guidelines.
Hedging Policy
The Company has a policy that prohibits our officers, directors and all other employees from engaging in transactions in which they may profit from short-term speculative swings in the value of the Company's securities. This includes “short sales” (selling borrowed securities which the seller hopes can be purchased at a lower price in the future), “put” and “call” options and other derivatives. In addition, this policy is designed to ensure compliance with all insider trading rules relating to the Company's securities.
Clawback
We maintain an Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy. Under this policy, our Board will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in all appropriate cases, require reimbursement of any bonus or incentive compensation paid to an employee after January 1, 2008, cause the cancellation of restricted or deferred stock awards and outstanding stock options, and seek reimbursement of any gains realized on the exercise of stock options attributable to such awards, if and to the extent that: (a) the amount of incentive compensation was calculated based upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently reduced due to a restatement; (b) our Board or an appropriate committee determines that the employee engaged in any fraud or misconduct which caused or contributed to the need for the restatement; and (c) the amount of the bonus or incentive compensation that would have been awarded to the employee had the financial results been properly reported would have been lower than the amount actually awarded.
Timing of Equity Awards
Generally, the Committee makes incentive pay decisions at regularly scheduled Committee and Board meetings. The Committee may also make compensation determinations at other times during the year for newly-hired executives or in connection with the promotion of existing employees. The Committee does not time any form of compensation award, including equity-based awards, to coincide with the release of material non-public information.
Income Tax Consequences
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") generally disallows a tax deduction for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain executive officers; however, compensation above $1 million is deductible if such compensation is “performance-based” and meets other criteria as specified under Section 162(m) of the Code.
The Committee agrees with the premise of pay for performance and it has considered the impact of Section 162(m) on the design of our compensation program. However, the nature of our business, not the least of which is the impact of metal prices on our results, limits the ability to pre-determine meaningful goals without substantial subsequent discretionary adjustments. The Committee believes that such discretion is necessary and would not be available as a compensation management tool if incentive payments were to be “performance-based” as defined and required under Section 162(m). Accordingly, it is not the Committee's goal for all compensation to be deductible by us under Section 162(m).
The Committee will continue to consider and weigh the potential loss of expense deductions against its need for discretion in designing programs for the named executive officers. The Committee does not expect the loss of any such deductions to have a significant impact on Century.
Compensation Risk Assessment
The Compensation Committee reviews the relationship between our risk management policies and practices and the incentive compensation we provide to our named executives to confirm that our incentive compensation does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risks. The Compensation Committee also reviews the relationship between risk management policies and practices, corporate strategy and senior executive compensation. Our compensation programs are discretionary, balanced and focused on the long-term. Under this structure, management can achieve the highest amount of compensation through consistent superior performance over extended periods of time. This incentivizes management to manage the Company for the long term and to avoid excessive risk-taking in the short-term. Goals and objectives reflect a balanced mix of quantitative and qualitative performance measures to avoid excessive weight on a single performance measure and the elements of compensation are similarly balanced among cash, time-vested performance share units (which do not contain any performance-based vesting requirements and settle in Century stock), and cash-settled performance-based awards. With limited exceptions, the Compensation Committee retains absolute discretion to modify or eliminate any incentive awards if the Committee determines such actions are warranted. Based on its assessment of our compensation policies and practices, the Compensation Committee has determined that it is not reasonably likely that Century's compensation and benefit plans would have a material adverse effect on Century.
Employment Agreements
We do not currently have employment agreements with any of our executive officers, each of whom is an at-will employee of the Company. We previously had employment agreements with each of Mr. Bless and Mr. Leatherberry. Mr. Bless’ employment agreement was terminated in June 2014. Mr. Leatherberry’s employment agreement was terminated and superseded by that certain separation agreement entered into between Mr. Leatherberry and the Company in February 2013. Certain material provisions of the now terminated employment agreement of Mr. Bless and the separation agreement of Mr. Leatherberry are described below under the caption “Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grant of Plan Based Awards Table; Employment and Separation Agreements.”
Severance and Change in Control Benefits
Our policy is to provide certain severance and change in control protections to our named executive officers based on competitive practice in the industry. We believe that providing our executives with specified benefits in the event of termination of employment under certain circumstances (such as by the Company without cause or upon the death or disability of the executive) or in connection with a change in control of the Company helps us to retain executives and maintain leadership stability. Furthermore, we believe the change in control protections serve to maximize stockholder value by creating incentives for named executive officers to explore strategic transactions and work to bring such transactions to fruition if appropriate.
Historically, we have provided for such protections under our Stock Incentive Plan, our Long-Term Incentive Plan, our Executive Severance Plan, severance protection agreements and employment agreements. These arrangements have been intended to attract and retain qualified executives that could have other job alternatives that may appear to them to be less risky absent these arrangements, particularly given the significant level of acquisition activity in the metals and mining sectors.
In June 2014, we terminated our Executive Severance Plan in effect since 2009 (the “Previous Severance Plan") and adopted an Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan (the “A&R Executive Severance Plan") to provide for benefits that we believe are more consistent with current executive compensation trends. We also amended and restated our Stock Incentive Plan and our Long-Term Incentive Plan to conform these plans to the A&R Executive Severance Plan. Following the adoption of our A&R Executive Severance Plan, and in consideration for Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison being named as participants in the A&R Executive Severance Plan, we entered into agreements with each of Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison pursuant to which we terminated the employment agreement with Mr. Bless and the severance protection agreements with each of Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison, thereby moving all severance and change-in-control benefits to plan documents and creating at-will employment relationships with all of our executives. We are no longer party to any employment agreement or severance protection agreement with any of our executive officers.
Severance benefits under both the previous and new arrangements following a change in control are only provided on a “double trigger” basis, meaning that payment of the benefit is not awarded unless the executive's employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the executive upon certain enumerated changes in his or her employment terms (as specified in the applicable agreement or plan) within an agreed period following the transaction.
We believe the double trigger vesting structure strikes a balance between the incentives and the executive hiring and retention effects described above, without providing these benefits to executives who continue to enjoy employment with an acquiring company in the event of a change in control transaction. We also believe this structure is more attractive to potential acquiring companies, who may place significant value on retaining members of our executive management and who may perceive this goal to be undermined if executives receive significant acceleration payments in connection with such a transaction and are no longer required to continue employment to earn these payments.
Provisions of these arrangements for our named executive officers that relate to severance pay and termination benefits (including upon a change in control) are described below in further detail below in the section entitled "Potential Payments and Benefits Upon Termination."
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this proxy statement with Century management and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to Century's Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Century's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Century's 2014 proxy statement.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Compensation Committee
|
| |
Andrew Michelmore (Chair) | Terence Wilkinson |
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the compensation of our named executive officers during the 2013, 2012 and 2011 fiscal years. In accordance with SEC rules, 2012 and 2011 compensation is not presented for Mr. Gary because he was not a named executive officer in those years and 2011 compensation is not provided for Mr. Hoerner because he was not a named executive officer in that year.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($)(a) | Stock Awards ($)(b) | Option Awards ($)(c) | Non- Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(d) | Change in Pension Value and Nonquali- fied Deferred Compensation ($)(e) | All Other Compensation ($)(f) | Total ($) |
Michael Bless | 2013 | 750,988 | — | 375,995 | — | 911,625 | 145,087 | 78,692 | 2,262,387 |
President and Chief Executive Officer | 2012 | 730,000 | — | 365,855 | — | 845,280 | 246,940 | 855 | 2,188,930 |
2011 | 471,645 | — | 173,902 | — | 544,640 | 240,962 | 765 | 1,431,914 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Jesse Gary | 2013 | 375,000 | — | 124,890 | — | 244,500 | — | 139,934 | 884,324 |
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
John Hoerner | 2013 | 350,000 | — | 93,251 | — | 324,520 | 33,614 | 12,750 | 814,135 |
Senior Vice President, North American Operations | 2012 | 330,000 | — | 88,113 | — | 260,000 | 58,697 | 6,355 | 743,165 |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Michelle Harrison | 2013 | 275,000 | — | 45,793 | — | 172,650 | — | 13,040 | 506,483 |
Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer | 2012 | 240,000 | — | 40,053 | — | 164,100 | 82,796 | 13,611 | 540,560 |
2011 | 234,000 | — | 55,119 | — | 220,365 | 143,243 | 13,305 | 666,032 |
| | | | | | | | | |
William Leatherberry | 2013 | 183,760 | — | — | — | — | — | 2,129,886 | 2,313,646 |
Former Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Secretary
| 2012 | 383,500 | — | — | — | 412,200 | 174,597 | 13,770 | 984,067 |
2011 | 374,000 | — | 146,817 | — | 489,200 | 215,492 | 13,430 | 1,238,939 |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | There were no discretionary bonuses paid to the named executive officers in 2013, 2012 or 2011. |
(b) | Represents the grant date fair value of stock awards granted to the named executive officer in the respective fiscal year, calculated in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation, for awards granted pursuant to our Stock Incentive Plan. |
(c) | There were no awards of options to the named executive officers in 2013, 2012 or 2011. |
(d) | Represents the fair value of amounts earned by the named executive officer under the 2013 AIP and the 2011-2013 LTIP (performance units). Amount vested as of December 31, 2013 and was paid in April 2014. |
(e) | Represents the change in the actuarial present value of accumulated retirement benefits. For Mr. Gary, Ms Harrison and Mr. Leatherberry, the actual change was $(711), $(63,671) and $(96,880), respectively. |
(f) | Amounts presented in the “All Other Compensation” column for 2013 include: for Mr. Bless, relocation benefits of $78,692 in connection with the office relocation to Chicago; for Mr. Gary, relocation benefits of $127,184 and Company contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan of $12,750; for each of Mr. Hoerner and Ms. Harrison, Company contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan of $12,750; and for Mr. Leatherberry, a severance payment of $2,121,097 and Company contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan of $8,789. |
2013 GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS
The following table sets forth information regarding the long-term incentive awards granted to our named executive officers for 2013.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Number of Non-Equity Incentive Plan Units (#) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards($)
| All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock(#) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options(#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards (#/Sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Award($) (e) |
Name (a) | Grant Date | Threshold | Target | Maximum |
| | | | | | | | | |
Michael Bless | | | | | | | | | |
AIP (b) | | | 375,950 | 751,900 | 1,503,800 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (c) | 3/18/2013 | 1,127,850 | 563,925 | 1,127,850 | 2,255,700 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (d) | 3/18/2013 | | | | | 45,246 | | | 375,995 |
Jesse Gary | | | | | | | | | |
AIP(b) | | | 131,250 | 262,500 | 525,000 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (c) | 3/18/2013 | 250,125 | 125,063 | 250,125 | 500,250 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (d) | 3/18/2013 | | | | | 15,029 | | | 124,890 |
John Hoerner | | | | | | | | | |
AIP (b) | | | 122,500 | 245,000 | 490,000 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (c) | 3/18/2013 | 186,760 | 93,380 | 186,760 | 373,520 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (d) | 3/18/2013 | | | | | 11,222 | | | 93,251 |
Michelle Harrison | | | | | | | | | |
AIP (b) | | | 68,750 | 137,500 | 275,000 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (c) | 3/18/2013 | 91,713 | 45,857 | 91,713 | 183,425 | | | | |
2013-2015 LTIP (d) | 3/18/2013 | | | | | 5,511 | | | 45,793 |
| | | | | | | | |
(a) | Mr. Leatherberry did not receive any long-term incentive awards in 2013. |
(b) | Represents the threshold, target and maximum potential cash payments under the 2013 AIP. Subject to the discretion of the Committee, if the minimum performance criteria are not achieved for the threshold level, no cash payments will be awarded. Targeted performance bonus potential payout for 2013 was 100% of base salary for Mr. Bless, 70% of base salary for each of Mr. Gary and Mr. Hoerner and 50% of base salary for Ms. Harrison. The actual amounts earned for 2013 are included in the amounts reflected in the Non-Equity Incentive Payments column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
(c) | Represents the threshold, target and maximum potential cash payments under the 2013-2015 Long Term Incentive Plan. Subject to the discretion of the Committee, if the minimum performance criteria are not achieved for the threshold level, no cash payments will be awarded. Awards will be paid in 2016 after consideration by the Committee. |
(d) | Represents the number of time-vested performance share units granted to the named executive officer under the 2013-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
(e) | The values represent the grant date fair value of the stock awards determined in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation. |
Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan Based Awards Table
Employment and Separation Agreements
We do not currently have employment agreements with any of our officers, each of whom is an at-will employee of the Company. We previously had an employment agreement with Mr. Bless, which agreement was terminated with Mr. Bless’ consent in June 2014. Mr. Bless' now terminated employment agreement provided for automatic extensions on each January 1 for an additional one-year period unless timely notice of termination was delivered by a party pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement. Mr. Bless' agreement provided for a minimum base salary of not less than the immediately preceding year subject to review and increase from time to time at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Bless' employment agreement also provided that Mr. Bless was eligible for an annual performance bonus and to participate in our long-term incentive compensation plans, subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and in the SERP. Provisions of Mr. Bless’ employment agreement that related to severance pay and termination benefits (including upon a change in control) are described below in further detail in the section entitled "Potential Payments and Benefits Upon Termination or Change of Control."
Effective as of February 1, 2013, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release (the "Separation Agreement") with Mr. Leatherberry. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Leatherberry resigned as an executive officer of the Company effective as of February 1, 2013. The Separation Agreement supersedes both Mr. Leatherberry's employment agreement and his severance protection agreement with the Company that were in effect at the time of his resignation. Mr. Leatherberry was employed as a non-executive employee of the Company until June 21, 2013 (the “Termination Date”). For his service during the transition period, Mr. Leatherberry received a base salary at a rate equal to his then current base salary and participated in all employee benefit and welfare plans in which he previously participated.
Under the terms of his Separation Agreement, Mr. Leatherberry agreed to a general release of claims with respect to the Company (including any claims arising under his employment agreement or severance protection agreement) and is subject to non-disparagement, cooperation and confidentiality provisions. In consideration for his agreement to the general release and these restrictive covenants and subject to compliance with the terms of his Separation Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Leatherberry (i) aggregate cash severance and other payments equal to $1,675,475, (ii) payouts or share settlements of previously vested performance units and performance share units and (iii) a lump sum pension benefit calculated in the manner provided in his severance protection agreement, with the calculation based on the Termination Date. Mr. Leatherberry also received reimbursement of legal fees and will receive reimbursement of COBRA premiums for continued COBRA group health and dental coverage for a period of 24 months from the Termination Date. With the exception of the COBRA premiums, all payments due to Mr. Leatherberry under the terms of his Separation Agreement were paid as of December 31, 2013.
2013 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AS OF FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2013.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Option Awards | | Stock Awards | |
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) | Equity Incentive Plans: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($) (f) |
Michael Bless | 30,000 | — | — | 29.92 | 1/23/2016 | | 83,080 | (a) | 869,017 | |
| 27,618 | — | | 6.55 | 5/4/2019 | | — |
| — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Jesse Gary | — | — | — | — | | | 23,029 | (b) | 240,883 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
John Hoerner | — | — | — | — | | | 20,334 | (c) | 212,689 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Michelle Harrison | 3,600 | — | — | 24.70 | 12/8/2015 | | 9,653 | (d) | 100,970 | |
| 5,000 | — | — | 37.31 | 6/9/2016 | | — | | — | |
| 14,398 | — | — | 6.55 | 5/4/2019 | | — | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
William Leatherberry | 5,000 | — | — | 64.39 | 2/22/2018 | | — | | — | |
| 20,228 | — | | 6.55 | 5/4/2019 | | | | | |
(a) | The amount represents (1) 45,246 time-vested performance share units granted under the 2013-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which vest on December 31, 2015 and (2) 37,834 of time-vested performance share units granted under the 2012-2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which vest on December 31, 2014. | |
(b) | The amount represents (1) 15,029 time-vested performance share units granted under the 2013-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which vest on December 31, 2015, (2) 3,000 time-vested performance share units granted under the 2011 non-officer restricted stock awards grant, which vest on March 22, 2014, and (3) 5,000 time-vested performance share units granted under the 2012-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, of which 2,500 shares vested on April 16, 2014 and 2,500 shares vest on April 16, 2015. | |
(c) | The amount represents (1) 11,222 time-vested performance share units granted under the 2013-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which vest on December 31, 2015 and (2) 9,112 time-vested performance share units granted under the 2012-2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which vest on December 31, 2014. | |
(d) | The amount represents the remaining number of unvested share units granted to the officer in an initial equity grant on September 1, 2011, which vested on February 28, 2014. | |
(e) | The amount represents (1) 5,511 of time-vested performance share units granted under the 2013-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which vest on December 31, 2015 and (2) 4,142 of time-vested performance share units granted under the 2012-2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which vest on December 31, 2014. | |
(f) | Based on the closing market price for shares of our common stock of $10.46 on December 31, 2013. | |
2013 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table sets forth information regarding option exercises and vesting and settlement of performance shares for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2013.
|
| | | | | |
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting(#) | | Value Realized on Vesting($) |
Michael Bless | — | | — |
Jesse Gary | 5,500 | (a) | 44,550 |
| 3,000 | (b) | 24,120 |
John Hoerner | 10,000 | (c) | 81,000 |
Michelle Harrison | — | | — |
William Leatherberry | — | | — |
| | | | |
(a) | Shares received pursuant to an initial equity grant that vested and settled on February 25, 2013. |
(b) | Shares received pursuant to the 2011 non-officer restricted stock awards grant that settled on March 22, 2013. |
(c) | Shares received pursuant to an initial equity grant vested and settled on February 28, 2013. |
Deferred Compensation
The following table provides information regarding contributions, earnings, withdrawals, distributions and balances related to certain awards made under the 2011-2013 LTIP which awards were deemed to have vested (but not settled) on an accelerated basis in connection with the election of three directors designated by Glencore to our Board of Directors in June 2011 but which awards settled in 2013.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Name | | Executive Contributions in Fiscal 2013($) | | Registrant Contributions in Fiscal 2013($) | | Aggregate Earnings in Fiscal 2013($)(a)(b) | | Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions($)(a) | | Aggregate Balance at December 31, 2013($) |
| Michael Bless | | — | | — | | 17,158 | | (271,698) | (c) | | — |
| Jesse Gary | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | — |
| John Hoerner | | — | | — | | 6,664 | | (105,523) | (d) | | — |
| Michelle Harrison | | — | | — | | 5,438 | | (86,111) | (e) | | — |
| William Leatherberry | | — | | — | | 6,391 | | (221,285) | (f) | | — |
| (a) | Based on the closing market price for shares of our common stock of $10.46 on December 31, 2013 for all executives with the exception of Mr. Leatherberry for whom the amounts are based on the closing market price of $9.51 on December 21, 2013, the day Mr. Leatherberry's awards settled pursuant to the terms of his Separation Agreement. |
| (b) | Reflects the increase in value of the Time-Vested Performance Units resulting from an increase in the Company's stock price year-over-year from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013. The number of units awarded was unchanged. |
| (c) | Represents the market value as of December 31, 2013 of 10,093 Time-Vested Performance Units and 166,125 Cash-settled Performance Units that settled on December 31, 2013 under the 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
| (d) | Represents the market value as of December 31, 2013 of 3,920 Time-Vested Performance Units and 64,520 Cash-settled Performance Units that settled on December 31, 2013 under the 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
| (e) | Represents the market value as of December 31, 2013 of 3,199 Time-Vested Performance Units and 52,650 Cash-settled Performance Units that settled on December 31, 2013 under the 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
| (f) | Represents the market value as of December 21, 2013 of 8,521 Time-Vested Performance Units and 140,250 Cash-settled Performance Units that settled on December 21, 2013 under the 2011-2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
Post Employment Compensation
Pension Benefits
As discussed above under the heading “Retirement Benefits,” we maintain both the Qualified Plan and the SERP as retirement plans for our U.S. based salaried employees. The Qualified Plan provides lifetime annual benefits starting at age 62 equal to 12 multiplied by the greater of: (i) 1.5% of final average monthly compensation multiplied by years of credited service (up to 40 years), or (ii) $22.25 multiplied by years of credited service (up to 40 years), less the total monthly vested benefit payable as a life annuity at age 62 under predecessor plans which we acquired. We determine final average monthly
compensation under the Qualified Plan as the highest monthly average for 36 consecutive months in the 120-month period ending on the last day of the calendar month completed at or prior to a termination of service. Participants' pension rights vest after a five-year period of service, or earlier if the participant has reached the age of 62. An early retirement benefit (actuarially reduced beginning at age 55) and a disability benefit are also available. The compensation covered by the plan includes all compensation, subject to certain exclusions, before any reduction for 401(k) contributions, subject to the maximum limits under the Code.
The SERP provides selected senior executive officers with an additional retirement benefit equal to the amount that would normally be paid under our Qualified Plan if there were no limitations under Sections 415 and 401(a)(17) of the Code. Final average monthly compensation for purposes of calculating the supplemental benefit will be based on the greater of (a) projected final annual compensation, assuming specified annual increases until retirement age, or (b) the average of the highest three years' annual compensation over the last 10 years of employment. Each named executive officer, excluding Mr. Hoerner and Mr. Gary, was eligible to participate in the SERP in 2013.
The following table sets forth the present value, as of December 31, 2013, of accumulated benefits payable to each of our current named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each such named executive officer, under the Qualified Plan and the SERP, determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in our consolidated financial statements.
|
| | | | | | |
2013 Pension Benefits Table |
Name | Plan Name | Number of Years of Credited Service | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit |
Michael Bless | Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan | 7.92 | 395,051 |
| |
| Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP) | | | 523,750 |
| |
| | | | | |
Jesse Gary | Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan | 3.83 | 50,177 |
| |
| | | | | |
John Hoerner | Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan | 2.33 | 92,311 |
| |
| | | | | |
Michelle Harrison | Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan | 13.67 | 257,211 |
| |
| Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP) | | | 69,412 |
| |
| | | | | |
William Leatherberry | Non-Contributory Defined Pension Plan | 8.42 | 198,253 |
| |
| Supplemental Retirement Income Benefit Plan (SERP) | | | 253,674 |
| |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Severance Protection Agreements
As noted above, in June 2014, we terminated the severance protection agreements with each of Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison. We are no longer party to any severance protection agreement with any of our executive officers and all executive severance and change in control benefits are now provided pursuant to our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, our Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan and our Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan.
Under Mr. Bless' and Ms. Harrison’s now terminated severance protection agreements, if within 36 months after we experienced a change in control the executive's employment was terminated either (i) by us for any reason other than cause or disability, or (ii) by such executive for good reason, then such executive would have received: (x) a lump sum payment equal to three times for Mr. Bless, and two times for Ms. Harrison, the aggregate of the highest base salary and the highest annual cash bonus received by such executive in any of the most recent five years, (y) all accrued compensation through the date of termination and (z) a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination equal to the highest annual cash bonus received by such executive in any of the most recent five years pro-rated for the year of termination. In the event the executive’s employment was terminated within 36 months of a change in control either (i) by us for cause or disability, (ii) upon the executive’s death, or (iii) by the executive other than for good reason, then such executive would have received: (x) all accrued compensation through the date of termination and, if the termination is other than by us for cause, (y) a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination equal to the highest annual cash bonus received by such executive in any of the most recent five years pro-rated for the year of termination.
Upon termination of employment in connection a change in control as described in the previous paragraph, unvested stock options, performance units and time-vested performance share units held by such executives would have vested assuming that all performance targets were achieved at the 100% level.
The agreements also provided that we would continue to provide benefits for a period of three years for Mr. Bless and two years for Ms. Harrison, after the date of termination. In addition, the executive would have received a lump sum cash payment equal to the difference between the actuarial equivalent of (a) what the executive is entitled to under our retirement plans and (b) what the executive would have been entitled to receive under our retirement plans if he or she had been credited with an additional two or three years of service at the executive’s highest base salary and highest annual cash bonus, assuming the executive is 100% vested in the increase benefit under the retirement plans. The agreements were for a set period of time, but subject to automatic one-year extensions on each January 1, unless the executive's employment was terminated prior to a change in control or the agreements were otherwise terminated.
Employment Agreements
As noted above, we do not currently have employment agreements with any of our officers, each of whom is an at-will employee of the Company. We previously had an employment agreement with Mr. Bless, which agreement was terminated with Mr. Bless’ consent in June 2014. All of Mr. Bless' severance and change in control benefits are now provided pursuant to Company plan documents.
Mr. Bless’ now terminated employment agreement provided that upon termination of employment for any reason other than voluntary resignation without cause, death, disability or by the Company “for cause,” Mr. Bless would have been entitled to receive termination payments equal to 100% of his base salary and bonus (based on the highest annual bonus payment within the prior three years) for the remainder of the term of the agreement (with a minimum of one year's salary plus bonus) paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll and bonus payment policies; provided, however, that no such payments would have been made if, in connection with a change in control of the Company, we made all payments to Mr. Bless due under Mr. Bless’ severance protection agreement.
In addition, in the event Mr. Bless’ employment was terminated due to voluntary resignation for good reason, death, disability or involuntarily by the Company without “cause,” Mr. Bless was entitled to (i) his pro-rated target annual bonus for the period prior to his termination and (ii) an amount equal to his target long-term cash incentive compensation award (assuming achievement at target level of performance goals for the performance period).
Furthermore, upon termination of employment in the event of death, disability or for any reason other than voluntary resignation without cause, or by the Company “for cause,” all unvested options and, other than in the case of retirement, performance units and time-vested performance share units would have immediately vested with such performance units and time-vested performance share units valued and awarded at the times and in the manner awarded to other plan participants. In the event of a change in control (as defined in Mr. Bless’ now terminated severance protection agreement) such performance units and performance share units would have vested assuming that all performance targets were achieved at the 100% level.
If Mr. Bless was terminated as a result of a disability, Mr. Bless was also entitled to termination payments equal to 100% of his base salary and bonus (based on the highest annual bonus payment within the prior three years) for the remainder of the term of the agreement (with a minimum of one year's salary plus bonus) reduced by any payments he receives under our disability plans.
We also had an employment agreement with Mr. Leatherberry, which was superseded by his Separation Agreement as described above under the caption “Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grant of Plan Based Awards Table; Employment and Separation Agreements.
Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan
As noted above, in June 2014, the Committee approved the termination of the Previous Severance Plan and the adoption of the A&R Executive Severance Plan. The material differences between the A&R Executive Severance Plan and the Previous Severance Plan are the removal of excise tax gross-ups, the provision of tiered severance benefits based on the circumstances of the termination of employment and revisions to the definitions of “change in control” and “good reason.” Each of our named executive officers is a participant in the A&R Executive Severance Plan.
Under the terms of the A&R Executive Severance Plan, upon a termination of employment outside of a Change in Control Protection Period or an Acquisition Protection Period (each as defined below) either (1) by the Company other than “for cause” or (2) by the executive for “good reason,” the executive is entitled to receive termination payments equal to: (i) 18 months, for a Tier 1 participant, 12 months, for a Tier 2 participant, or 6 months, for a Tier 3 participant, of the executive’s base salary as of the date of
termination; and (ii) a pro-rata portion of the executive’s annual incentive bonus for the year of termination, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. The A&R Executive Severance Plan does not provide for accelerated vesting of outstanding equity unless termination occurs during an Acquisition Protection Period or a Change in Control Protection Period.
Upon termination of employment during an Acquisition Protection Period (defined generally as the 6 months preceding and the 24 month period following the date of any acquisition by the Company of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power or all of the assets or employees of another entity) either (1) by the Company other than “for cause” or (2) by the executive for “good reason” and the executive’s title or responsibilities are assumed by an employee of the acquired company, the executive is entitled to receive termination payments equal to (i) and (ii) above (except that the pro-rata portion of the executive’s annual incentive bonus is calculated using the target bonus) plus 1.5 times, for a Tier 1 participant, 1 times, for a Tier 2 participant, or 0.5 times, for a Tier 3 participant, of the executive’s target bonus for the year of termination. Upon termination of employment during an Acquisition Protection Period, the executive shall also be entitled to receive a pro-rata portion of outstanding incentive awards at target.
Upon termination of employment during a Change in Control Protection Period (defined generally as the 6 months preceding and the 24 month period following the date of any “change in control” of the Company) either (1) by the Company other than “for cause” or (2) by the executive for “good reason,” the executive is entitled to receive termination payments equal to: (i) in the case of termination on or prior to December 31, 2015, 2.5 times, for a Tier 1 participant, 2 times, for a Tier 2 participant, or 1.5 times, for a Tier 3 participant, or, in the case of termination after December 31, 2015, 2 times, for a Tier 1 participant, 1.5 times, for a Tier 2 participant, or 1 times, for a Tier 3 participant, the sum of the executive’s base salary plus his or her target bonus for the year in which termination occurs and (ii) a pro-rata portion of the executive’s target annual incentive bonus for the year of termination. Upon termination of employment during a Change in Control Protection Period, the executive shall also be entitled to receive all outstanding incentive awards at target.
Following the adoption of our A&R Executive Severance Plan, and in consideration for Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison being named as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 participant, respectively, in the A&R Executive Severance Plan, we entered into agreements with each of Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison pursuant to which we terminated the employment agreement with Mr. Bless and the severance protection agreements with each of Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison, thereby moving all severance and change-in-control benefits to plan documents and creating at-will employment relationships with all of our executives. We are no longer party to any employment agreement or severance protection agreement with any of our executive officers. All of the Company’s other named executive officers have also been approved by the Committee as Tier 2 participants in the A&R Executive Severance Plan.
Messrs. Gary and Hoerner and Ms. Harrison also participated in the now terminated Executive Severance Plan. Pursuant to this plan, upon termination for any reason other than voluntary resignation without cause, death, disability or “for cause,” Messrs. Gary and Hoerner and Ms. Harrison were entitled to receive termination payments equal to (i) in the case of Mr. Gary, two times weekly pay for each year of service (with a minimum of 13 years of service), in the case of Mr. Hoerner, 100% of base salary, and in the case of Ms. Harrison, 200% of her base salary, (ii) in the case of Messrs. Gary and Hoerner, 100%, and in the case of Ms. Harrison, 200%, of the greater of (x) their respective target annual bonus on their respective termination date or (y) their respective target annual bonus for the most recently completed fiscal year and (iii) their respective pro-rated target annual bonus for the period prior to their termination. In addition, all unvested incentive awards would have immediately vested.
Equity Awards
In the event of termination due to death, disability or retirement after age 62, performance units and time-vested performance share units vest pro-rata based on the number of days of the plan period which have passed prior to termination due to retirement, death or disability, or in such greater amount as shall be determined by the Committee in its discretion. Performance units will be paid out after determination by the Committee of the achievement of the applicable performance measures.
Unless otherwise provided in an agreement between the Company and the executive, in the event of termination of employment for any other reason, all outstanding options and unvested performance units and time-vested performance shares are forfeited.
409A and other tax considerations
Any amounts payable to each officer by reason of his termination of employment that are determined to constitute payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation,” as that term is used for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, shall be payable, together with interest thereon, on the first business day of the seventh month following his termination of employment; and, for our officers that have employment agreements, require that the executive receive any severance at the same time and in the same form as required under the
executive's employment agreement in lieu of single lump sum severance payments under certain circumstances and added a covenant on the part of the executive to maintain the confidentiality of information the executive received in the course of his employment.
The Code imposes certain excise taxes on, and limits the deductibility of, certain compensatory payments made by a corporation to or for the benefit of certain individuals if such payments are contingent upon certain changes in the ownership or effective control of the corporation or the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation, provided that such payments to the individual have an aggregate present value in excess of three times the individual's annualized includible compensation for the base period, as defined in the Code. The now terminated severance protection agreements with each of Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison also provided for additional payments in order to fully offset any excise taxes payable by such executives as a result of the payments and benefits provided in the agreements. All benefits afforded the named executive officers under the severance compensation agreements are included in the amounts set forth in the “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control” table below.
Estimated Severance and Change in Control Payments
The following table sets forth the amount of compensation payable to each of our current named executive officers upon termination following a change of control, involuntary termination for cause, involuntary termination not-for-cause, death, disability, retirement and voluntary resignation. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2013. The actual amount to be paid can only be determined at the time of such executive's termination.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change of Control Table |
Named Executive Officer | Voluntary | | By Company without Cause or by Officer with Good Reason | | By Company with Cause | | Retirement | | Disability | | Death | | Following a Change in Control | |
Michael Bless | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salary | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,503,800 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,503,800 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,255,700 |
| |
Bonus | — |
| | 2,241,988 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,241,988 |
| | 750,988 |
| | 2,982,000 |
| |
Qualified Retirement Benefits | 395,051 |
| (a) | 395,051 |
| (a) | 395,051 |
| (a) | 395,051 |
| (a) | 395,051 |
| (a) | 197,526 |
| (b) | 395,051 |
| (a) |
SERP | 523,750 |
| (a) | 523,750 |
| (a) | 523,750 |
| (a) | 523,750 |
| (a) | 523,750 |
| (a) | 261,875 |
| (b) | 746,934 |
| (c) |
Performance Shares | — |
| | 869,017 |
| (d) | — |
| | — |
| | 869,017 |
| (d) | 869,017 |
| (d) | 869,017 |
| (d) |
Performance Units | — |
| | — |
| (j) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| (j) | — |
| (j) | 2,222,850 |
| (e) |
Excise Tax Gross-Up | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4,482,627 |
| |
Insurance Continuation | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 80,694 |
| |
Total | $ | 918,801 |
| | $ | 5,533,606 |
| | $ | 918,801 |
| | $ | 918,801 |
| | $ | 5,533,606 |
| | $ | 2,079,406 |
| | $ | 14,034,873 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Jesse Gary | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salary | $ | — |
| | $ | 187,500 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 187,500 |
| |
Bonus | — |
| | 525,000 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| (i) | — |
| (i) | 525,000 |
| |
Qualified Retirement Benefits | 50,177 |
| (a) | 6,531 |
| (c) | 50,177 |
| (a) | 50,177 |
| (a) | 50,177 |
| (a) | 25,089 |
| (b) | 6,531 |
| (c) |
Performance Shares | — |
| | 240,883 |
| (d) | — |
| | — |
| | 52,401 |
| (f) | 52,401 |
| (f) | 240,883 |
| (d) |
Performance Units | — |
| | 83,375 |
| (g) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 250,125 |
| (e) |
Excise Tax Gross-Up | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| |
Insurance Continuation | — |
| | 13,449 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 13,449 |
| |
Total | $ | 50,177 |
| | $ | 1,056,738 |
| | $ | 50,177 |
| | $ | 50,177 |
| | $ | 102,578 |
| | $ | 77,490 |
| | $ | 1,223,488 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
John Hoerner | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salary | $ | — |
| | $ | 350,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 350,000 |
| |
Bonus | — |
| | 490,000 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| (i) | — |
| (i) | 490,000 |
| |
Qualified Retirement Benefits | 92,311 |
| (a) | 39,619 |
| (c) | 92,311 |
| (a) | 92,311 |
| (a) | 92,311 |
| (a) | 46,156 |
| (b) | 39,619 |
| (c) |
Performance Shares | — |
| | 317,294 |
| (d) | — |
| | — |
| | 102,667 |
| (h) | 102,667 |
| (h) | 317,294 |
| (d) |
Performance Units | — |
| | 179,645 |
| (g) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| — |
|
| 362,848 |
| (e) |
Excise Tax Gross-Up | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| |
Insurance Continuation | — |
| | 26,898 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 26,898 |
| |
Total | $ | 92,311 |
| | $ | 1,403,456 |
| | $ | 92,311 |
| | $ | 92,311 |
| | $ | 194,978 |
| | $ | 148,823 |
| | $ | 1,586,659 |
| |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Named Executive Officer | Voluntary | | By Company without Cause or by Officer with Good Reason | | By Company with Cause | | Retirement | | Disability | | Death | | Following a Change in Control | |
Michelle Harrison | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Salary | $ | — |
| | $ | 275,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 275,000 |
| |
Bonus | — |
| | 302,500 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| (i) | — |
| (i) | 302,500 |
| |
Qualified Retirement Benefits | 257,211 |
| (a) | 257,211 |
| (a) | 257,211 |
| (a) | 257,211 |
| (a) | 257,211 |
| (a) | 128,606 |
| (b) | 257,211 |
| (a) |
SERP | 69,412 |
| (a) | 60,668 |
| (c) | 69,412 |
| (a) | 69,412 |
| (a) | 69,412 |
| (a) | 34,706 |
| (b) | 60,668 |
| (c) |
Performance Shares | — |
| | 100,970 |
| (d) | — |
| | — |
| | 48,097 |
| (f) | 48,097 |
| (f) | 100,970 |
| (d) |
Performance Units | — |
| | 84,171 |
| (g) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 171,753 |
| (e) |
Excise Tax Gross-Up | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| |
Insurance Continuation | — |
| | 54,376 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 54,376 |
| |
Total | $ | 326,623 |
| | $ | 1,134,896 |
| | $ | 326,623 |
| | $ | 326,623 |
| | $ | 374,720 |
| | $ | 211,409 |
| | $ | 1,222,478 |
| |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | Amount shown will not be paid to named executive as a lump sum. Rather, the amount represents the actuarial calculated present value of benefits that will be received upon obtaining normal retirement age (62). |
(b) | Amount shown will not be paid to named executive as a lump sum. Rather, amount represents the actuarial calculated present value of benefits that will be paid to a surviving spouse as an annuity upon named executive obtaining death. |
(c) | Represents the amount the named executive will receive as a lump sum payment of the actuarial equivalent of the difference between the retirement benefits the named executive is currently entitled to receive under our qualified pension plan and a “recalculated” retirement benefit that includes additional 6, 12, 24 or 36 months, as applicable, of credited service. In addition, the named executive is entitled to the remainder of the retirement benefits upon obtaining normal retirement age. |
(d) | Represents the value of 2012-2014 and 2013-2015 Plan periods. Time Vested Performance Share Units will vest fully upon termination without cause, termination by officer for good cause or upon change of control. Value is based on our December 31, 2013 closing stock price. |
(e) | Represents the value of Performance Units at 100% of target award, under our 2012-2014 and 2013-2015 LTIP Performance Unit programs that will vest immediately upon a change in control. Performance Units are valued at $1 per unit. |
(f) | Represents the value of 2012-2014 and 2013-2015 Plan periods. Time Vested Performance Share Units which will vest on a pro-rata basis due to disability or death. Value is based on our December 31, 2013 closing stock price. |
(g) | Represents the value of Performance Units on a pro-rata basis of target award, under our 2012-2014 and 2013-2015 LTIP Performance Unit programs. Performance Units are valued at $1 per unit. |
(h) | Represents the value of 2012-2014 and 2013-2015 Plan periods as well as initial equity grant on September 1, 2011. Time Vested Performance Share Units which will vest on a pro-rata basis due to disability or death. Value is based on our December 31, 2013 closing stock price. |
(i) | Final award determination will be made by the Committee under the Company's AIP. |
(j) | Final Award determination will be made by the Committee at the end of the applicable plan period. |
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions
Related Person Transaction Policy
We have a written policy and written procedures for the review, approval and monitoring of transactions involving Century or its subsidiaries and “related persons.” For the purposes of the policy, “related persons” include executive officers, directors and director nominees and their immediate family members, and stockholders owning five percent or greater of our outstanding stock and their family members. A copy of our Related Person Transaction Policy is available in the Investor section of our website, www.centuryaluminum.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance.”
Our Related Person Transaction Policy applies to all related person transactions entered into after its adoption. This policy applies, subject to certain specific exclusions, to any transaction, arrangement or relationship or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which Century or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a participant and where any related person had or will have a direct or indirect interest. The policy defines certain ordinary course transactions with Glencore that are not material and not subject to review and approval under the policy, although those transactions are otherwise reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee. Pursuant to the policy, the Audit Committee is responsible for
reviewing related person transactions. However, all transactions with Glencore for new long-term supply agreements and any other transaction the Audit Committee Chair determines is material are reviewed by the independent directors, acting as a separate body of our Board of Directors. Based on its consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, whether the transaction is on terms that are fair and reasonable to Century and whether the transaction is in the business interests of Century, the Audit Committee or independent directors, as the case may be, will decide whether or not to approve or ratify such transaction. If a related person transaction is submitted for approval after the commencement of the transaction, the Audit Committee or independent directors, as the case may be, will evaluate all options available, including the ratification, rescission or termination of such transaction, if appropriate.
Recent Related Party Transactions with Glencore
Approval of Transactions with Glencore
All transactions with Glencore, our largest stockholder, are subject to our approval policy described above and were approved by the Audit Committee or by a special committee comprised solely of independent directors.
Sales to Glencore
We sell primary aluminum and alumina to Glencore both at spot and on a long-term contract basis.
In 2013, we sold primary aluminum to Glencore under three long-term contracts at prices (i) based on the LME price for primary aluminum, as adjusted to reflect the Midwest Premium (a premium typically added for deliveries of aluminum within the U.S.); (ii) based on the LME, adjusted by a negotiated premium with a cap and floor as applied to the current Midwest Premium (which contract expired on December 31, 2013) and (iii) based on the LME price for primary aluminum and the European Duty Paid premium.
We also sold primary aluminum in 2013 to Glencore on a spot basis at variable prices based on the LME, plus Midwest delivery and product premiums.
In addition, we received tolling fees from Glencore under tolling agreements that provide for delivery of primary aluminum produced at our Grundartangi facility. The fee paid by Glencore under these tolling agreements is based on the LME price for primary aluminum, as adjusted to reflect the exemption from the European Duty Paid premium for Icelandic primary aluminum.
Hedging with Glencore
In the past, we have entered into primary aluminum forward financial purchase contracts with Glencore. We entered into these forward contracts to manage our primary aluminum price risk exposure. While we currently are not party to any forward contracts with Glencore, we may enter into certain forward financial contracts with Glencore in future periods.
During 2011, we entered into primary aluminum put option contracts with Glencore that settled in 2012. We paid cash premiums to enter into these contracts. We believe that the cash premiums paid to Glencore under these contracts were purchased at prices that approximate market.
Purchases from Glencore
We purchase alumina from Glencore on both a spot and long-term contract basis.
For alumina purchased from Glencore on a spot basis, we determined the market price for the spot alumina we purchased based on a survey of suppliers at the time that had the ability to deliver spot alumina on the specified terms. Based on this survey, we believe that all of the alumina purchased on a spot basis from Glencore was purchased at prices that approximate market.
We are party to multiple long-term alumina supply agreements with Glencore. Pricing for alumina under our long-term contracts with Glencore has been indexed to the LME price for primary aluminum, except that approximately half of the purchases under one agreement for 2014 will be priced based on a published alumina index. We believe that all of the alumina purchased under these long-term contracts was purchased at prices that approximate market
Transactions with BHH
We own a 40% stake in Baise Haohai Carbon Co., Ltd. (“BHH”), a carbon anode and cathode facility located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of south China. We have a long-term agreement with BHH to provide carbon anodes to Grundartangi through December 31, 2014. This agreement is renewable through December 31, 2017 at our option. We believe that the carbon anodes purchased from BHH were purchased at prices that approximate market.
Summary
A summary of the aforementioned related party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
|
| | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
Net sales to Glencore | $511,051 | $552,299 | $564,431 |
Purchases from Glencore | 173,693 | 145,589 | 187,691 |
Purchases from BHH | 86,678 | 39,337 | 19,543 |
Cash premium to Glencore for put option contracts | — | — | 2,106 |
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors does not know of any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting, nor have we received notice of any matter by the deadline prescribed by Rule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the accompanying proxy confers discretionary authority with respect to any such matters, and the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters. All expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies will be borne by us. In addition to this solicitation, officers, directors and regular employees of Century, without any additional compensation, may solicit proxies by mail, telephone or personal contact. Morrow & Co., Inc. has been retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of $4,750 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage houses and other nominees for their reasonable expenses in sending proxy materials to their principals.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholder proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting in 2015 should be addressed to our Corporate Secretary, 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60606 and must be received by the deadline prescribed by Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act (provided that the 2015 Annual Meeting is not held more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the 2014 Annual Meeting, the applicable deadline will be May 11, 2015). In addition, our Bylaws currently require that for business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder, regardless of whether included in our proxy statement, the stockholder must give written notice of his or her intention to propose such business to our Corporate Secretary, which notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices no later than the close of business on the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the first anniversary of our prior year's Annual Meeting; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 70 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the day of such meeting is first made . Upon certain circumstances, different notice periods may apply and anyone seeking to bring business at an Annual Meeting should carefully review our Bylaws and comply with all rules and procedures included therein.
Notice of stockholder proposals must set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting the information required by our Bylaws, which includes, among other things: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (ii) the name and address of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares which are beneficially owned by the stockholder (including any derivatives, short interests or other similar instruments held by the stockholder), (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such proposal or any arrangements entered into with third parties with respect to such proposal and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other
filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies. The Bylaws further provide that the Chairman of the Annual Meeting may refuse to permit any business to be brought before an Annual Meeting that does not comply with the foregoing procedures. Any stockholder seeking to bring business at an Annual Meeting should carefully review our Bylaws and comply with all rules and procedures included therein.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
Jesse E. Gary |
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Chicago, Illinois
July 18, 2014
We will provide without charge to each person solicited hereby, upon the written request of any such person, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (without exhibits). Requests should be made to Office of the General Counsel, 1 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on September 8, 2014
|
| | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY | | Meeting Information |
| Meeting Type: | Annual Meeting |
| | For holders as of: | July 14, 2014 |
| | Date: | September 8, 2014 | Time: | 8:00 a.m., Central European Time |
| | Location: | Van der Valk Hotel Middelburg
|
| | | | Paukenweg 3
|
| | | | 4337 WH Middelburg, the Netherlands |
| | | | |
| | You are receiving this communication because you held shares in Century Aluminum Company common stock on July 14, 2014. This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or request a paper copy (see reverse side for additional information). We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
|
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY 1 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE SUITE 1000 CHICAGO, IL 60606
| |
| | See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions. |
--------- Before You Vote ---------
How to Access the Proxy Materials
|
| | | | | |
Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE: | | |
1. | Annual Report on Form 10-K | 2. Notice & Proxy Statement | 3. Letter to Shareholders |
How to View Online: | | | |
Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow à | XXXX XXXXX XXXX | (located on the |
following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com. | |
How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy: |
If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for |
requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request: |
| | 1) BY INTERNET: | www.proxyvote.com | |
| | 2) BY TELEPHONE: | 1-800-579-1639 | |
| | 3) BY E-MAIL*: | sendmaterial@proxyvote.com | |
* If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked |
by the arrow à | XXXX XXXX XXXX | available and follow the instructions. | |
Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card. |
--------- How To Vote ---------
Please Chose One of the Following Voting Methods
|
| | | |
Vote In Person: May shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to the possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares. |
|
Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked |
by the arrow à | XXXX XXXX XXXX | available and follow the instructions. |
|
Vote By Phone: To vote now by Phone, dial 1-800-690-6903. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the |
arrow à | XXXX XXXX XXXX | available and follow the instructions. |
|
Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Voting Items | | |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ITEMS 1, 2, and 3. |
| | | |
1. | Election of Directors |
| Nominee: | | |
| 01) | JARL BERNTZEN | 04) | ERROL GLASSER | 07) | TERENCE WILKINSON | | | |
| 02) | MICHAEL BLESS | 05) | DANIEL GOLDBERG | | | | | |
| 03) | ANDREW CAPLAN | 06) | ANDREW MICHELMORE | | | | | |
| | | |
2. | Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. |
| | | |
3. | Proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, a resolution on executive compensation . |
| | | |
|
| | |
| | VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717
|
| |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY 1 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE SUITE 1000 CHICAGO, IL 60606
| |
|
| |
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
| DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY | | | | | | | |
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3. | | | | | | | |
| | | For All | Withhold All | For All Except | | To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
1. | Election of Directors | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | | | | |
| Nominee | | | | | | | | |
| 01) Jarl Berntzen | 05) | Daniel Goldberg | | | | | |
| 02) Michael Bless | 06) | Andrew Michelmore | | | | | |
| 03) Andrew Kaplan | 07) | Terence Wilkinson | | | | | |
| 04) Errol Glasser | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The Board recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3. | | For | Against | Abstain |
| | | | | | | | |
2. | Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. | | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| | | | | | | | | | |
3. | Proposal to approve on an advisory basis, a resolution on executive compensation. | | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
| | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE: By execution of this Proxy Card, the undersigned hereby authorizes the proxies to vote, in their discretion, on any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting or any postponement thereof.
| | | |