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Foster Wheeler AG Omnibus Incentive Plan

Equity Incentive Plan Agreement

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This Equity Incentive Plan Agreement involves

FOSTER WHEELER AG

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Title: Foster Wheeler AG Omnibus Incentive Plan
Governing Law: New Jersey     Date: 8/5/2009
Industry: Construction Services     Sector: Capital Goods

Foster Wheeler AG Omnibus Incentive Plan, Parties: foster wheeler ag
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Exhibit 10.3

This document constitutes part
of a prospectus covering
securities that have been
registered under the Securities
Act of 1933.

Foster Wheeler AG Omnibus Incentive Plan

Restated Effective as of February 9, 2009
(Incorporating the First, Second, and Third Amendments)

 


 

Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Article 1. Establishment, Purpose, and Duration

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 2. Definitions

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 3. Administration

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 4. Shares Subject to This Plan and Maximum Awards

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 5. Eligibility and Participation

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 6. Stock Options

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 8. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 9. Performance Units/Performance Shares

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 10. Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 11. Forfeiture of Awards

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 12. Transferability of Awards

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 13. Performance Measures

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 14. Director Awards

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 15. Dividend Equivalents

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 16. Beneficiary Designation

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 17. Rights of Participants

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 18. Change in Control

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 19. Amendment, Modification, Suspension, and Termination

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 20. Withholding

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 21. Successors

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article 22. General Provisions

 

 

28

 

i


 

Foster Wheeler Ltd.
Omnibus Incentive Plan

Article 1. Establishment, Purpose, and Duration

      1.1 Establishment. Foster Wheeler Ltd., a Bermuda company, established an incentive compensation plan known as the Foster Wheeler Ltd. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan superseded and replaced the Foster Wheeler Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan, the Directors Stock Option Plan, the 2004 Stock Option Plan, and the Management Restricted Stock Plan (the “Prior Plans”), except that the Prior Plans shall remain in effect until the awards granted under such plans have been exercised, forfeited, are otherwise terminated, or any and all restrictions lapse, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of such awards. On February 9, 2009, Foster Wheeler AG became the ultimate parent company of Foster Wheeler Ltd. and its subsidiaries as a result of a redomestication effected pursuant to a scheme of arrangement under Bermuda law (the “Redomestication”), as described in Foster Wheeler Ltd.’s proxy statement dated December 19, 2008. In the Redomestication, all of the previously-outstanding common shares of Foster Wheeler Ltd. were cancelled and each holder of cancelled Foster Wheeler Ltd. common shares received registered shares of Foster Wheeler AG (or cash in lieu of any fractional shares). Effective upon the completion of the Redomestication, Foster Wheeler AG, a Swiss company (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) assumed the Plan, renamed it the “Foster Wheeler AG Omnibus Incentive Plan,” and made certain amendments to the Plan. This restated Plan incorporates three amendments, each of which was approved by Foster Wheeler Ltd.’s and/or the Company’s Board of Directors and/or Compensation Committee, as appropriate; it is effective as of February 9, 2009.

     This Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards.

     This Plan shall become effective upon shareholder approval (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3 hereof.

      1.2 Purpose of this Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to provide a means whereby designated Employees, Directors, and Third-Party Service Providers develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of the Company, and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to the business of the Company, thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its shareholders. A further purpose of this Plan is to provide a means through which the Company may attract able individuals to become Employees or serve as Directors or Third-Party Service Providers and to provide a means whereby those individuals upon whom the responsibilities of the successful administration and management of the Company are of importance, can acquire and maintain ownership of Shares, thereby strengthening their concern for the welfare of the Company.

      1.3 Duration of this Plan. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from the Effective Date, e.g. on the day before the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Effective Date. After this Plan is terminated, no Awards may be granted but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and this Plan’s terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than ten (10) years after the earlier of: (a) adoption of this Plan by the Board, or (b) the Effective Date.

Article 2. Definitions

     Whenever used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized:

 

(a)

 

“Affiliate” shall mean any corporation or other entity (including, but not limited to, a partnership or a limited liability company) that is affiliated with the Company through stock or equity ownership or otherwise, and is designated as an Affiliate for purposes of this Plan by the Committee.

 

 

(b)

 

“Annual Award Limit” or “Annual Award Limits” have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

 


 

 

(c)

 

“Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of equity plans or the issuance of share capital by a company, including under the laws of Switzerland, applicable U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and applicable state securities laws, other U.S. federal and state laws, the Code, any stock exchange rules and regulations that may from time to time be applicable to the Company, and the applicable laws, rules and regulations of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan, as such laws, rules, regulations, interpretations and requirements may be in place from time to time.

 

 

(d)

 

“Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under this Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash-Based Awards, or Other Stock-Based Awards, in each case subject to the terms of this Plan.

 

 

(e)

 

“Award Agreement” means either: (i) a written agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under this Plan, or (ii) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including in each case any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, Internet, or other non-paper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, Internet, or other non-paper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant.

 

 

(f)

 

“Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

 

 

(g)

 

“Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

 

(h)

 

“Cash-Based Award” means an Award, denominated in cash, granted to a Participant as described in Article 10.

 

 

(i)

 

“Cause” means, with respect to any Participant, unless otherwise specified in (a) an applicable employment or other written agreement between the Company and a Participant or (b) an applicable employment or other written agreement between an Affiliate or a Subsidiary (which Affiliate or Subsidiary is incorporated in the United States or Bermuda) and a Participant which has been approved by the Board or Committee or executed by the person who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company:

 

(i)

 

Conviction of a felony;

 

 

(ii)

 

Actual or attempted theft or embezzlement of Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate assets;

 

 

(iii)

 

Use of illegal drugs;

 

 

(iv)

 

Material breach of an employment agreement between the Company, Affiliate or Subsidiary, as the case may be, and the Participant that the Participant has not cured within thirty (30) days after the Company, Affiliate or Subsidiary, as applicable, has provided the Participant notice of the material breach which shall be given within sixty (60) days of the Company’s, Affiliate’s or Subsidiary’s, as applicable, knowledge of the occurrence of the material breach;

 

 

(v)

 

Commission of an act of moral turpitude that in the judgment of the Committee can reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the business, reputation, or financial situation of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate and/or the ability of the Participant to perform his or her duties;

2


 

 

(vi)

 

Gross negligence or willful misconduct in performance of the Participant’s duties;

 

 

(vii)

 

Breach of fiduciary duty to the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate; or

 

 

(viii)

 

Willful refusal to perform the duties of the Participant’s titled position.

 

(j)

 

“Change in Control” means, unless otherwise specified in (a) an applicable employment or other written agreement between the Company and a Participant or (b) an applicable employment or other written agreement between an Affiliate or a Subsidiary (which Affiliate or Subsidiary is incorporated in the United States or Bermuda) and a Participant which has been approved by the Board or Committee or executed by the person who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company,

 

 

(i)

 

The acquisition by any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) of Beneficial Ownership of voting securities of the Company where such acquisition causes such Person to own twenty percent (20%) or more of 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 paragraph (i), the following acquisitions shall not be deemed to result in a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company or any corporation or other legal entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (B) any acquisition by the Company or any corporation or other legal entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation or other legal entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (iii) below; and provided, further, that if any Person’s Beneficial Ownership of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities reaches or exceeds twenty percent (20%) as a result of a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above, and such Person subsequently acquires Beneficial Ownership of additional voting securities of the Company, such subsequent acquisition shall be treated as an acquisition that causes such Person to own twenty percent (20%) or more of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities;

 

 

(ii)

 

Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (such individuals, 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 the date hereof 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;

 

 

(iii)

 

The consummation of a reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (“Business Combination”) or, if consummation of such Business Combination is subject to the consent of any government or governmental agency, the obtaining of such consent (either explicitly or implicitly by consummation); excluding, however, such a Business Combination pursuant to which (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than sixty percent (60%) 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

3


 

 

 

 

from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that 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 ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, (B) no Person (excluding any (x) corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Beneficial Owner of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities as described in clause (A) immediately preceding, or (y) employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination, or any of their respective subsidiaries) Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of 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 (C) 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

 

(iv)

 

Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

 

(k)

 

“Change-in-Control Price” means the closing price of a Share on the last trading day before the Change in Control occurs.

 

 

(l)

 

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. For purposes of this Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provision, as well as any applicable interpretative guidance issued related thereto.

 

 

(m)

 

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, or any other committee designated by the Board to administer this Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time by and shall serve at the discretion of the Board. If the Committee does not exist or cannot function for any reason, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

 

 

(n)

 

“Company” means Foster Wheeler AG, a Swiss company, and any successor thereto as provided in Article 21 herein.

 

 

(o)

 

“Covered Employee” means any key Employee who is or may become a “Covered Employee,” as defined in Code Section 162(m), and who is designated, either as an individual Employee or class of Employees, by the Committee within the shorter of: (i) ninety (90) days after the beginning of the Performance Period, or (ii) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, as a “Covered Employee” under this Plan for such applicable Performance Period.

 

 

(p)

 

“Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and who is not an Employee.

 

 

(q)

 

“Disability” means, unless otherwise specified in (a) an applicable employment or other written agreement between the Company and a Participant or (b) an applicable employment or other written agreement between an Affiliate or a Subsidiary (which Affiliate or Subsidiary is incorporated in the United States or Bermuda) and a Participant which has been approved by the Board or Committee or executed by the person who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (i) in the case of an Employee, the Employee qualifying for long-term disability benefits under any long-term disability program sponsored by the Company, Affiliate or Subsidiary in which the Employee participates, and (ii) in the case of a Director or Third-Party Service Provider, the inability of the Director or Third-Party Service Provider to engage in any

4


 

 

 

 

substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as determined by the Committee, based upon medical evidence and in accordance with Code Section 22(e)(3).

 

(r)

 

“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

 

 

(s)

 

“Employee” means any individual who performs services for and is designated as an employee of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries on the payroll records thereof. An Employee shall not include any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary as an independent contractor, a consultant, or any employee of an employment, consulting, or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary, without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as a common-law employee of the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary during such period.

 

 

(t)

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.

 

 

(u)

 

“Fair Market Value” or “FMV” means the closing price of a Share on the most recent date on which Shares were publicly traded. In the event Shares are not publicly traded at the time a determination of their value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of their Fair Market Value shall be made by the Committee in such manner as it deems appropriate.

 

 

(v)

 

“Full-Value Award” means an Award other than in the form of an ISO, NQSO, or SAR, and which is settled by the issuance of fully paid Shares. A Full-Value Award shall require the Participant to pay at least the par value for each Share issued out of the Company’s conditional capital. The Company reserves the right to arrange for payment to be made on the Participant’s behalf as part of an Award or otherwise.

 

 

(w)

 

“Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee approves the grant of an Award by Committee action or such later date as specified in advance by the Committee.

 

 

(x)

 

“Grant Price” means the price established when the Committee approves the grant of an SAR pursuant to Article 7, used to determine whether there is any payment due upon exercise of the SAR. The Grant Price of any SAR will be at least the greater of the Fair Market Value of a Share or the par value of a Share.

 

 

(y)

 

“Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an Option to purchase Shares granted under Article 6 to an Employee and that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or any successor provision.

 

 

(z)

 

“Insider” means an individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer or Director of the Company, or a more than ten percent (10%) Beneficial Owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Board or Committee in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

(aa)

 

“Involuntary Termination” means the Company’s, Affiliate’s and/or Subsidiary’s termination of a Participant’s employment or service other than for Cause.

 

 

(bb)

 

“Nonqualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means an Option that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or that otherwise does not meet such requirements.

 

 

(cc)

 

“Non-Tandem SAR” means an SAR that is granted independently of any Option, as described in Article 7.

5


 

 

(dd)

 

“Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, as described in Article 6.

 

 

(ee)

 

“Option Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option. The Option Price will be at least the greater of the Fair Market Value of a Share or par value of a Share.

 

 

(ff)

 

“Other Stock-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan, granted pursuant to Article 10.

 

 

(gg)

 

“Participant” means any eligible individual as set forth in Article 5 to whom an Award is granted.

 

 

(hh)

 

“Performance-Based Compensation” means compensation under an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for certain performance-based compensation paid to Covered Employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Plan shall be construed to mean that an Award which does not satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) does not constitute performance-based compensation for other purposes, including Code Section 409A.

 

 

(ii)

 

“Performance-Based Exception” means the exception for Performance-Based Compensation from the tax deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).

 

 

(jj)

 

“Performance Measures” means measures as described in Article 13 on which the performance goals are based and which are approved by the Company’s shareholders pursuant to this Plan in order to qualify Awards as Performance-Based Compensation.

 

 

(kk)

 

“Performance Period” means the period of time during which the performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to an Award.

 

 

(ll)

 

“Performance Share” means an Award under Article 9 herein and subject to the terms of this Plan, denominated in fully paid Shares, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent to which corresponding performance criteria or Performance Measure(s), as applicable, have been achieved.

 

 

(mm)

 

“Performance Unit” means an Award under Article 9 herein and subject to the terms of this Plan, denominated in units, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent to which corresponding performance criteria or Performance Measure(s), as applicable, have been achieved.

 

 

(nn)

 

“Period of Restriction” means the period when Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) by the exercise of the Company’s right to repurchase such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, as provided in Article 8.

 

 

(oo)

 

“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

 

 

(pp)

 

“Plan” means the Foster Wheeler AG Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

 

(qq)

 

“Plan Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.

6


 

 

(rr)

 

“Prior Plans” mean, collectively: (i) the Foster Wheeler Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan; (ii) the Directors Stock Option Plan; (iii) the 2004 Stock Option Plan; and (iv) the Management Restricted Stock Plan.

 

 

(ss)

 

“Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8.

 

 

(tt)

 

“Resignation for Good Reason” means, unless otherwise specified in (x) an applicable employment or other written agreement between the Company and a Participant or (y) an applicable employment or other written agreement between an Affiliate or a Subsidiary (which Affiliate or Subsidiary is incorporated in the United States or Bermuda) and a Participant which has been approved by the Board or Committee or executed by the person who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a material negative change in the employment relationship without the Participant’s consent; provided (a) the Participant notifies the Company of the material negative change within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of such change, (b) the material negative change is not cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after receiving notice from the Participant, and (c) the material negative change is evidenced by any of the following:

 

(i)

 

material diminution in title, duties, responsibilities or authority;

 

 

(ii)

 

reduction of base salary and benefits except for across-the-board changes for Employees at the Participant’s level;

 

 

(iii)

 

exclusion from executive benefit/compensation plans;

 

 

(iv)

 

relocation of the Participant’s principal business location by the Participant’s employer (the Company, Affiliate, or Subsidiary, as the case may be) of greater than fifty (50) miles;

 

 

(v)

 

material breach of the Participant’s employment agreement with the Company, Affiliate or Subsidiary, as the case may be; or

 

 

(vi)

 

resignation in compliance with securities/corporate governance applicable law (such as the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or rules of professional conduct specifically applicable to such Participant.

 

 

(uu)

 

“Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8, except no Shares are actually awarded to the Participant on the Grant Date.

 

 

(vv)

 

“Retirement” means termination of employment by the Participant after the Participant has attained age 65.

 

 

(ww)

 

“Share” means a registered share of the Company, par value CHF 3.00 each, or such other par value as may be in effect from time to time. Effective upon the completion of the Redomestication, registered shares of the Company will be issued, held, made available, or used to measure benefits as appropriate under the Plan in lieu of Foster Wheeler Ltd. common shares with respect to all outstanding Awards issued prior to or after the completion of the Redomestication.

 

 

(xx)

 

“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, designated as an SAR, pursuant to the terms of Article 7 herein.

 

 

(yy)

 

“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

7


 

 

(zz)

 

“Tandem SAR” means an SAR that is granted in connection with a related Option pursuant to Article 7, the exercise of which shall require forfeiture of the right to purchase a Share under the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the Option, the Tandem SAR shall similarly be forfeited).

 

 

(aaa)

 

“Third-Party Service Provider” means any consultant, agent, advisor, or independent contractor who renders services to the Company, any Subsidiary, or an Affiliate that: (i) are not in connection with the offer or sale of the Company’s securities in a capital raising transaction; and (ii) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

Article 3. Administration

      3.1 General. The Committee shall be responsible for administering this Plan, subject to this Article 3 and the other provisions of this Plan. The Committee shall consist of not less than two (2) Directors who are both non-employee directors, within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and “outside directors,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27; provided, however, that if at any time any member of the Committee is not an outside director, as so defined, the Committee may establish a subcommittee, consisting of all members who are outside directors, for all purposes of any Award to a Covered Employee, unless the Committee determines that such an Award is not intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception. The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, agents, and other individuals, any of whom may be an Employee, and the Committee, the Company, and its officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions, or valuations of any such individuals. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Participants, the Company, and all other interested individuals.

      3.2 Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary power to interpret the terms and the intent of this Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or document ancillary to or in connection with this Plan, to determine eligibility for Awards and to adopt such rules, regulations, forms, instruments, and guidelines for administering this Plan as the Committee may deem necessary or proper. Such authority shall include, but not be limited to, selecting Award recipients, establishing all Award terms and conditions (including the terms and conditions set forth in Award Agreements), granting Awards as an alternative to or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under compensation plans or arrangements of the Company, construing any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, and, subject to Article 19, adopting modifications and amendments to this Plan or any Award Agreement, including without limitation, accelerating the vesting of any Award or extending the post-termination exercise period of an Award (subject to the limitations of Code Section 409A), and any other modifications or amendments that are necessary to comply with the laws of the countries and other jurisdictions in which the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries operate.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, members of the Board or the Committee who are either eligible for Awards or have been granted Awards may vote on any and all matters, including matters affecting the administration of the Plan or the grant of Awards pursuant to the Plan. However, no such member shall act upon the granting of a specific Award to himself or herself, but any such member may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board or the Committee during which action is taken with respect to the granting of an Award to him or her.

      3.3 Delegation. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company, and/or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any individuals to whom it has delegated duties or powers as aforesaid may employ one or more individuals to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such individuals may have under this Plan. The Committee may, by resolution, authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as can the Committee: (a) designate Employees to be recipients of Awards; (b) determine the size of any such Awards; provided, however, (i) the Committee shall not delegate such responsibilities to any such officer for Awards granted to an Employee who is considered an Insider; (ii) the resolution providing such authorization sets forth the total number of Awards such officer(s) may grant; and (iii) the officer(s) shall report periodically to the Committee regarding the nature and scope of the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.

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Article 4. Shares Subject to This Plan and Maximum Awards

      4.1 Number of Shares Available for Awards

 

(a)

 

Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4 herein, the maximum number of Shares available for grant to Participants under this Plan (the “Share Authorization”) shall be:

 

(i)

 

Eight million one hundred sixty thousand (8,160,000) Shares; plus

 

 

(ii)

 

(A) the number of Shares (not to exceed 1,400,000) which remained available for grant under the Company’s Prior Plans as of the Effective Date; and (B) the number of Shares (not to exceed 10,000,000) subject to outstanding awards as of the Effective Date under the Prior Plans that on or after the Effective Date cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and nonforfeitable Shares).

 

 

(b)

 

All Shares of the Share Authorization may be granted as Full-Value Awards.

 

 

(c)

 

The maximum number of Shares of the Share Authorization that may be issued pursuant to ISOs under this Plan shall be nine million five hundred sixty thousand (9,560,000) Shares.

 

 

(d)

 

The maximum number of Shares of the Share Authorization that may be granted to Directors shall be 1,000,000 Shares.

      4.2 Share Usage. Shares covered by an Award shall only be counted as used to the extent they are actually issued. Any Shares related to Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such Shares, are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or are exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of Shares, for Awards not involving Shares, shall be available again for grant under this Plan. Moreover, if the Option Price of any Option granted under this Plan is satisfied by tendering Shares to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation and subject to Section 6.6), or if an SAR is exercised, only the number of Shares issued, net of the Shares tendered, if any, will be delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery under this Plan. The Company will issue new Shares either based on the Company’s conditional or authorized capital or it may, in its full discretion, deliver treasury shares, shares available on the open market, or otherwise existing Shares.

      4.3 Annual Award Limits. Unless and until the Committee determines that an Award to a Covered Employee shall not be designed to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the following limits (each an “Annual Award Limit” and, collectively, “Annual Award Limits”) shall apply to grants of such Awards under this Plan:

 

(a)

 

Options. The maximum aggregate number of Shares subject to Options granted in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be 1,000,000, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2.

 

 

(b)

 

SARs. The maximum number of Shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights granted in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be 1,000,000, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2.

 

 

(c)

 

Restricted Stock Units or Restricted Stock. The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock Units or Restricted Stock that a Participant may receive in any one Plan Year shall be 600,000 Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2, or equal to the value of 600,000 Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2.

 

 

(d)

 

Performance Units or Performance Shares. The maximum aggregate Award of Performance Units or Performance Shares that a Participant may receive in any one Plan Year shall be 600,000 Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2, or equal to the value of 600,000 Shares,

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as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2, determined as of the date of vesting or payout, as applicable.

 

 

(e)

 

Cash-Based Awards. The maximum aggregate amount awarded or credited with respect to Cash-Based Awards to any one Participant in any one Plan Year may not exceed the greater of the value of $5,000,000 or 600,000 Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2, determined as of the date of vesting or payout, as applicable.

 

 

(f)

 

Other Stock-Based Awards. The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Other Stock-Based Awards pursuant to Section 10.2 in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be 600,000 Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 4.4 and/or 19.2.

      4.4 Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any corporate event or transaction (including, but not limited to, a change in the authorized number of Shares of the Company or the capitalization of the Company) such as an amalgamation, a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, partial or complete liquidation, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, division, consolidation or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, combination of Shares, exchange of Shares, dividend in kind, or other like change in capital structure, number of issued Shares or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to shareholders of the Company, or any similar corporate event or transaction, the Committee, in its sole discretion, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under this Plan, shall substitute or adjust, as applicable, the number and kind of Shares that may be issued under this Plan or under particular forms of Awards, the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, the Option Price or Grant Price applicable to outstanding Awards, the Annual Award Limits, and other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards.

     The Committee, in its sole discretion, may also make appropriate adjustments in the terms of any Awards under this Plan to reflect, or related to, such changes or distributions and to modify any other terms of outstanding Awards, including modifications of performance goals and changes in the length of Performance Periods. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.

     Subject to the provisions of Article 19 and notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, without affecting the number of Shares reserved or available hereunder, the Committee may authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under this Plan in connection with any amalgamation, merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate (including, but not limited to, a conversion of equity awards into Awards under this Plan in a manner consistent with paragraph 53 of FASB Interpretation No. 44 or subsequent accounting guidance), subject to compliance with the rules under Code Sections 422 and 424, as and where applicable. The Committee shall provide to Participants reasonable written notice (which may include, without limit, notice by electronic means) within a reasonable time of any such determinations it makes.

Article 5. Eligibility and Participation

      5.1 Eligibility. Individuals eligible to participate in this Plan include all Employees, Directors, and Third-Party Service Providers.

      5.2 Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all eligible individuals, those individuals to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine, in its sole discretion, the nature of, any and all terms permissible by law, and the amount of each Award.

      5.3 Leaves of Absence . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, for purposes of determining Awards granted hereunder, a Participant shall not be deemed to have incurred a termination of employment if such Participant is placed on military or sick leave or such other leave of absence which is considered as continuing intact the employment relationship with the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate. In such a case, the employment relationship shall be deemed to continue until the date when a Participant’s right to reemployment shall no longer be guaranteed either by law or contract.

10


 

      5.4 Transfer of Service . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, for purposes of determining Awards granted hereunder, a Participant shall not be deemed to have incurred a termination of employment if the Participant’s status as an Employee, Director, or Third-Party Service Provider terminates and the Participant is then, or immediately thereafter becomes, an eligible individual due to another status or relationship with the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate.

      5.5 Termination of Employment . For purposes of Awards granted under this Plan, the Committee shall have discretion to determine whether a Participant has ceased to be employed by (or, in the case of a Director or Third Party Service Provider, has ceased providing services to) the Company, Affiliate and/or any Subsidiary, and the effective date on which such employment (or services) terminated, or whether any Participant is on an authorized leave of absence. The Committee further shall have the discretion to determine whether any corporate event or transaction that results in the sale, spinoff or transfer of a Subsidiary, business group, operating unit, division, or similar organization constitutes a termination of employment (or services), and, if so, the effective date of such termination, for purposes of Awards granted under this Plan.

Article 6. Stock Options

      6.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion; provided that ISOs may be granted only to eligible Employees of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary corporation (as permitted under Code Sections 422 and 424).

      6.2 Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which an Option shall become vested and exercisable, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or a NQSO.

      6.3 Option Price. The Option Price for each grant of an Option under this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and shall be specified in the Award Agreement; provided, however, the Option Price must be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the FMV of the Shares as determined on the Grant Date. With respect to a Participant who owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate, the Option Price of Shares subject to an ISO shall be at least equal to one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the ISO’s Grant Date. In any event, the Option Price shall not be less than the aggregate par value of the Shares covered by the Option.

      6.4 Term of Options. Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine when the Committee approves the grant; provided, however, no Option shall be exercisable later than the day before the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to ISOs, in the case of a Participant who owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, any Subsidiary, or an Affiliate, no such ISO shall be exercisable later than the day before the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of the Grant Date.

      6.5 Exercise of Options. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which terms and restrictions need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fair Market Value of Shares to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Any ISOs that become exercisable in excess of such amount shall be deemed Nonqualified Stock Options to the extent of such excess. In addition, in order to exercise any ISOs granted under this Article 6, the Participant must be an Employee of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate from the Grant Date until at least three months before the date the ISO is exercised.

      6.6 Payment. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or an agent designated by the Company in a form specified or accepted by the Committee, or by complying with any alternative procedures which may be authorized by the Committee, setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares.

11


 

     A condition of the issuance of the Shares as to which an Option shall be exercised shall be the payment of the Option Price. The Option Price of any Option shall be payable, in full, to the Company, under any of the following methods as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion: (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) to the Company for repurchase previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Option Price together with an assignment of the proceeds of the Share repurchase to pay the Option Price (provided that any such repurchase of Shares shall be subject to the Swiss Code of Obligations); (c) by a cashless (broker-assisted) exercise; (d) by a combination of (a), (b) and/or (c); or (e) any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion.

     Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of written notification of exercise and full payment (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding), the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry Shares in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option(s).

     Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars.

      6.7 Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

      6.8 Termination of Employment, Service as a Director or Third-Party Service Provider. Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant’s employment or services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, subject to Sections 5.3 and 5.4. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to this Article 6, and may reflect distinctions based on, among other things, the reasons for termination, or reasons relating to breach or threatened breach of restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject, if any. Subject to Article 18, in the event a Participant’s Award Agreement does not set forth such provisions, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)

 

Involuntary Termination or Resignation for Good Reason. These termination events apply only to Participants who are Employees or Third-Party Service Providers. In the event that a Participant’s employment, or service as a Third-Party Service Provider with the Company, Affiliate and/or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of an Involuntary Termination or Resignation for Good Reason by the Participant, to the extent that an Option is not then exercisable, the Option shall immediately become vested and exercisable with respect to all Shares covered by the Participant’s Option, and the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of the Option, or (B) six (6) months (three (3) months for ISOs) after the date of such termination.

 

 

(b)

 

Death or Disability. These termination events apply to all Participants. In the event that a Participant’s employment, or service as a Director or Third-Party Service Provider with the Company, Affiliate and/or any Subsidiary terminates by reason of death or Disability, to the extent that an Option is not then exercisable, the Option shall immediately become vested and exercisable with respect to all Shares covered by the Participant’s Option, and the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of the Option, or (B) 12 months after the date of such termination. In the case of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s beneficiary or estate may exercise the Option.

 

 
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