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SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Termination Severance Agreement

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT | Document Parties: LUFKIN INDUSTRIES INC You are currently viewing:
This Termination Severance Agreement involves

LUFKIN INDUSTRIES INC

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Title: SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Governing Law: Texas     Date: 5/13/2008
Industry: Constr. and Agric. Machinery     Sector: Capital Goods

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT, Parties: lufkin industries inc
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SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
 
THIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February 12, 2008, by and between LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC., a Texas corporation (the “Company”) and Terry L. Orr of Lufkin, Texas (the “Executive”).
 
WHEREAS, the Company currently employs the Executive as a Vice President of the Company; and
 
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 provide certain terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment upon the occurrence of a “Change in Control”, as defined below;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, and for other consideration mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (the “Parties”) agree as follows:
 
1.   Term .
 
The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on the date first set forth above (the “Start Date”), and shall continue through December 31, 2010; provided, however, that on December 31, 2009 and on each succeeding December 31, the Term shall automatically extend for one calendar year, unless either party gives written notice to the contrary at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the Agreement would otherwise be extended.  Notwithstanding the above, if the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason prior to a Change in Control then, except as provided in Section 2(c), this Agreement shall terminate.
 
2.   Employment .
 
(a)   If, during the Term, a Change in Control occurs while the Executive is employed by the Company, the Company shall continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive shall remain in employment, subject to this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date (as defined below) and ending on the earlier of (A) the second anniversary of such date, or (B) the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the Executive’s Normal Retirement Date (the “Protection Period”).
 
(b)   For purposes of this Agreement, the Effective Date shall be the date on which occurs the earliest of the following events, each of which is hereinafter referred as a “Change in Control”:
 
(i)   any “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an executive benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) together with its “Affiliates” and “Associates”, as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the Company’s common stock or of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
 
(ii)   during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i) , (iii) or (iv) of this definition) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;
 
(iii)   the shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other company other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 65% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company (or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no “person” (as hereinabove defined) acquires more than 25% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or
 
(iv)   the shareholders of the Company adopt a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or approve an agreement for the sale, exchange or disposition by the Company of  “all or a significant portion of the Company’s assets,” which for this purpose shall mean a sale or other disposition transaction or series of related transactions involving assets of the Company or any subsidiary (including the stock of any subsidiary) in which the value of the assets or stock being sold or otherwise disposed of (as measured by the purchase price being paid therefor or by such other method as the Board determines is appropriate in a case where there is no readily ascertainable purchase price) constitutes more than 35% of the fair market value of the Company (as hereinafter defined).  For purposes of the preceding sentence, the “fair market value of the Company” shall be the aggregate market value of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (on a fully diluted basis) plus the aggregate market value of the Company’s other outstanding equity securities.  The aggregate market value of the shares of common stock of the Company shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of the Company’s common stock (on a fully diluted basis) outstanding on the date of the execution and delivery of a definitive agreement with respect to the transaction or series of related transactions (the “Transaction Date”) by the market value per share immediately preceding the Transaction Date or by such other method as the Board shall reasonably determine is appropriate.  The aggregate market value of any other equity securities of the Company shall be determined in a manner similar to that prescribed in the immediately preceding sentence for determining the aggregate market value of the shares of common stock of the Company or by such other method as the Board shall reasonably determine is appropriate.
 
(c)   If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated other than for Cause prior to a date on which a Change in Control occurs or if the Executive’s employment with the Company is affected prior to the date on which a Change in Control occurs in a way which if occurring after a Change in Control would constitute Good Reason (as defined in Section 4.4(b) of this Agreement), and it is reasonably demonstrated that such termination or effect (1) was at the request of a third party who had taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (2) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control, then both the Change in Control and the Effective Date shall be deemed to have occurred on the date immediately prior to such termination of employment or effect upon the Executive’s employment and the Executive’s rights shall be as determined under Section 4.4 below on such basis.
 
3.   Terms of Employment .
 
(a)   Position and Duties .
 
(i)   During the Protection 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 90-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 or location less than thirty-five (35) miles from such location.
 
(ii)   During the Protection 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 Protection 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 executive 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 Protection Period the Executive shall receive a base salary (“Base Salary”) at a monthly rate at least equal to the highest monthly base salary paid or payable to the Executive by the Company during the thirty-six month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs.  During the Protection Period, the Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased at any time and from time to time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base salary awarded in the ordinary course of business to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.  Any increase in Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.  Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase.
 
(ii)   Annual Bonus .  In addition to Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year during the Protection Period, an annual bonus (an “Annual Bonus”) in cash at least equal to the highest bonus payable to the Executive from the Company and its subsidiaries in respect of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs.
 
(iii)   Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans .  In addition to Base Salary and Annual Bonus payable as hereinafter provided, the Executive shall be entitled to participate during the Protection Period in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case providing benefits which are the economic equivalent to those in effect or as subsequently amended.  Such plans, practices, policies and programs, in the aggregate, shall provide the Executive with compensation, benefits and reward opportunities at least as favorable as the most favorable of such compensation, benefits and reward opportunities provided by the Company for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
(iv)   Welfare Benefit Plans .  During the Protection 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 subsidiaries, at least as favorable as the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
(v)   Expenses .  During the Protection 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 subsidiaries in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
(vi)   Fringe Benefits .  During the Protection Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
(vii)   Office and Support Staff .  During the Protection Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishing and other appointments, and to secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its subsidiaries at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
(viii)   Vacation .  During the Protection 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 subsidiaries as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter with respect to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
4.   Termination of Employment .
 
The Executive’s employment is subject to termination during the Protection Period only as provided in this Section 4.
 
4.1            Death or Disability .
 
If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to his death or total disability, as determined under the Company’s applicable long-term disability plan, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive or in the case of the Executive’s death to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than those obligations accrued or earned and vested (if applicable) by the Executive as of the date of termination of employment (the “Termination Date”), including, for this purpose (i) the Executive’s full Base Salary through the Termination Date at the rate in effect on the Termination Date or, if higher, at the highest rate in effect at any time from the 90-day period preceding the Effective Date through the Termination Date (the “Highest Base Salary”), (ii) the product of (A) the Annual Bonus, if any, paid to the Executive for the last full fiscal year and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is 365, and (iii) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or other earnings thereon), and not yet paid by the Company and any accrued vacation pay not yet paid by the Company (such amounts specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are hereinafter referred to as “Accrued Obligations”).  All such Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive or in the event of the Executive’s death to the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of the Termination Date.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive, or the Executive’s family as appropriate, shall be entitled to receive benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and any of its subsidiaries under all plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability or family death benefits, as applicable, if any, in accordance with the most favorable plans, programs, practices and policies of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect on the date of the Executive’s disability or death with respect to other key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries and their families.
 
4.2            Termination by the Company for Cause .
 
If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, as defined below, the Executive shall be entitled only to Highest Base Salary and benefits accrued as of the effective date of such termination plus the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with accrued interest or other earnings thereon).  Any other benefits shall be determined under applicable plans, programs or other coverages maintained by the Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall mean:
 
(i)   an act or acts of personal dishonesty taken by the Executive and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Executive at the expense of the Company;
 
(ii)   repeated violations by the Executive of the Executive’s obligations under Section 3 of this Agreement which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Executive’s part and which are not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company; or
 
(iii)   the conviction of the Executive of, or plea of nolo contendere by the Executive to, a felony.
 
The Executive must be notified in writing of any termination of his employment for Cause, which writing shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances reli

 
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