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AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Change of Control Agreement

AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT | Document Parties: Sensient Technologies Corporation You are currently viewing:
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Sensient Technologies Corporation

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Title: AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Wisconsin     Date: 11/7/2008
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing     Sector: Basic Materials

AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT, Parties: sensient technologies corporation
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Exhibit 10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE OF CONTROL
EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

          AGREEMENT by and between Sensient Technologies Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”), and (the “Executive”), amended and restated as of the                      day of                      , 2008.

          WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.

          NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

     1.  Certain Definitions .

          (a) The “Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “ Effective Date ” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

          (b) The “Change of Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.

 


 

     2.  Change of Control . For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean:

          (a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (D) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or

          (b) Individuals who, as of September 10, 1998, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to September 10, 1998, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

          (c) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of another entity (a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Out standing Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their owner ship, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of

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common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

          (d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company taxed under Section 331 of the Code or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to Section 503(b)(1)(A) of Title II of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

          (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control as defined in this Section 2 shall not be treated as a Change of Control for purposes of this Agreement unless it constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) or results in a termination or liquidation of a plan within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(A) or (B) (as applicable).

     3.  Employment Period . The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”).

     4.  Terms of Employment .

          (a) Position and Duties .

     (i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office location less than 35 miles from such location.

     (ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment

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Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.

          (b) Compensation .

     (i) Base Salary . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base Salary”), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed and increased a minimum of 3% no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement and shall be commensurate with increases given to peer executives. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term “Annual Base Salary” as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.

     (ii) Annual Bonus . In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in cash at least equal to the greater of the highest bonus, if any, paid to the Executive under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan for Division Presidents or the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan for Elected Corporate Officers, or any comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, on: any one of the last five annual bonus payment dates immediately preceding the Effective Date; or any one annual bonus payment date coinciding with or following the date on which the Executive attains age 50 and preceding the Effective Date (the “Recent Annual Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than March 15 th of the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is earned.

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     (iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all qualified and nonqualified incentive (cash and stock related), savings and retirement plans, and/or comparable practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

     (iv) Welfare Benefit Plans . During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

     (v) Expenses . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

     (vi) Fringe Benefits . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial planning services, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,

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programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

     (vii) Office and Support Staff . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

     (viii) Vacation . During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

     (ix) Change of Control .

 

A.

 

In the event of a Change of Control, for purposes of calculating the Executive’s benefit under the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan A (effective January 1, 2005) and the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan B (effective as of January 1, 2005), each as amended from time to time (collectively, the “SERP”), if the Executive is a SERP participant, the Executive will be deemed to have received three additional years of base salary in amounts equal to the Executive’s Annual Base Salary as of the Effective Date as increased for purposes of this subparagraph in each of such three years by the percentage increase (if positive) in the Executive’s Annual Base Salary from the year prior to the year which the Effective Date occurs to the year in which the Effective Date occurs. Notwithstanding anything in the SERP or in the Company’s Executive Income Deferral Plan, as amended from time to time (the “EIDP”) to the contrary, in the event of a Change of Control, for purposes of determining the “annual bonus” amount for Final Compensation under the SERP, the measurement period shall be the greater of any one of the last five annual bonus

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payment dates immediately preceding the Effective Date or any one annual bonus payment date coinciding with or following the date on which the Executive attains age 50 and preceding the Effective Date as set forth in Section 4(b)(ii) of this Agreement and the lump sum distribution payments under the SERP and the EIDP shall be made as soon as administratively feasible, but no later than 5 business days after the Effective Date, subject to the 6-Month Delay Period (as defined under Section 12 below) only if and to the extent such delay is required under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

B.

 

If upon a Change of Control, the Executive vests in any of the Executive’s restricted stock grants under any of the Company’s equity plans or arrangements and becomes subject to income and/or employment taxes as a result of such vesting (the “Vesting Taxes”) and the executive’s restricted stock agreement provides for a tax gross-up payment, the Company shall pay to the Executive additional payments (a “Restricted Stock Reimbursement”) in amounts such that after payment by the Executive of all income, employment, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on such Restricted Stock Reimbursement, the Executive Retains an amount of the Restricted Stock Reimbursement equal to the Vesting Taxes. The Restricted Stock Reimbursement will be paid as soon as administratively feasible, but no later than 5 business days after the Effective Date, subject to the 6-Month Delay Period (as defined under Section 12 below) only if and to the extent such delay is required under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

     5.  Termination of Employment .

          (a) Death or Disability . The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the Disability determination date (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that , within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means that (i) the Executive is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; or (ii) the Executive is, by

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reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an accident and health plan covering the Executive. The determination of Disability shall be made by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.

          (b) Cause . The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:

     (i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness or following the Executive’s delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written demand for performance is delivered to the Executive by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or

     (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company during the Employment Period (other than a termination under Section 5(a)) shall be deemed to be a termination other than for Cause unless it meets all requirements of this Section 5(b).

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          (c) Good Reason . The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

     (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplate


 
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