SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY
STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.
)
Filed by the Registrant
x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
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o Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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x Definitive Proxy Statement
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o Definitive
Additional Materials
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o Soliciting
Material under Rule 14a-12
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Sun Hydraulics Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which
transaction applies:
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Per unit price or other underlying value of
transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined):
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(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1) |
Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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May 5, 2006
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Sun
Hydraulics Corporation. The Meeting will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at 2:00 p.m.,
Eastern Daylight Savings Time, at the Companys manufacturing facility located at 701
Tallevast Road, Sarasota, Florida 34243. A tour of the plant will follow the Meeting.
The Notice of the Meeting and the Proxy Statement on the following pages cover the formal
business of the Meeting, which includes the election of Directors. We also will report on the
progress of the Company and comment on matters of current interest.
It is important that your shares be represented at the Meeting. We ask that you promptly
sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided, even if you plan to attend
the Meeting. Returning your proxy card to us will not prevent you from voting in person at the
Meeting if you are present and choose to do so.
If your shares are held in street name by a bank, brokerage or other nominee, that person will
supply you with a proxy to be returned to it. It is important that you return the form to the
nominee as quickly as possible so that the nominee may vote your shares. You may not vote your
shares in person at the Meeting unless you obtain a power of attorney or legal proxy from your
nominee authorizing you to vote the shares, and you present this power of attorney or proxy at the
Meeting.
The Board of Directors and employees look forward to greeting you personally at the Meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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CLYDE G. NIXON |
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Chairman of the Board |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Notice hereby is given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Sun Hydraulics Corporation,
a Florida corporation, will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight
Savings Time, at the Companys manufacturing facility, located at 701 Tallevast Road, Sarasota,
Florida 34243, for the following purposes:
1. To elect three Directors to serve until the Annual Meeting in 2009, and until their
successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal from office
or death; and
2. To transact such other business as properly may come before the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Your attention is directed to the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice for a more complete
description of the matters to be acted upon at the Meeting. The 2005 Annual Report of the Company
is enclosed. Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 7, 2006, are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting. Whether or not you expect to
attend, please sign and return the enclosed Proxy promptly in the envelope provided to assure the
presence of a quorum. You may revoke your Proxy and vote in person at the Meeting if you desire.
If your shares are held in street name by a brokerage, your broker will supply you with a proxy to
be returned to the brokerage. It is important that you return the form to the brokerage as quickly
as possible so that the brokerage may vote your shares. You may not vote your shares in person at
the Meeting unless you obtain a power of attorney or legal proxy from your broker authorizing you
to vote the shares, and you present this power of attorney or proxy at the Meeting.
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By order of the Board of Directors, |
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GREGORY C. YADLEY |
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Secretary |
Sarasota, Florida
May 5, 2006
SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
1500 West University Parkway
Sarasota, Florida 34243
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished by the Board of Directors of Sun Hydraulics Corporation (the
Company) in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at the Companys 2006 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern
Daylight Savings Time, at the Companys manufacturing facility, located at 701 Tallevast Road,
Sarasota, Florida 34243 (the Meeting).
Any proxy delivered pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked, at the option of the person
executing the proxy, at any time before it is exercised by delivering a signed revocation to the
Company, by submitting a later-dated proxy, or by attending the Meeting in person and casting a
ballot. If proxies are signed and returned without voting instructions, the shares represented by
the proxies will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the
mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by regular employees of the Company.
The Company does not expect to pay any compensation for the solicitation of proxies, but may
reimburse brokers and other persons holding stock in their names, or in the names of nominees, for
their expense in sending proxy materials to their principals and obtaining their proxies. The
approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and enclosed form of proxy first has been mailed to
shareholders is May 5, 2006.
The close of business on April 7, 2006, has been designated as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of
April 7, 2006, 10,933,889 shares of the Companys Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, were
issued and outstanding. Each shareholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common
Stock registered in his or her name on the books of the Company on the close of business on April
7, 2006, on all matters that come before the Meeting. Abstentions will be counted as shares that
are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Shares
held by nominees for beneficial owners will also be counted for purposes of determining whether a
quorum is present if the nominee has the discretion to vote on at least one of the matters
presented, even though the nominee may not exercise discretionary voting power with respect to
other matters and even though voting instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner
(a broker non-vote). Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted in determining whether a
proposal has been approved.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company currently consists of nine members. The Board is
divided into three classes of Directors serving staggered three-year terms. Directors hold their
positions until the annual meeting of shareholders in the year in which their terms expire, and
until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation,
removal from office or death.
The term of office of three of the Companys current nine Directors, Allen J. Carlson, John
Kahler and Robert E. Koski, will expire at the Meeting. The Nominating Committee of the Board of
Directors has selected each of such Directors as nominees to stand for reelection to the Board at
the Meeting.
Shareholders may vote for up to three nominees for the class of Directors who will serve until
the Companys annual meeting in 2009. If a quorum is present at the meeting, Directors will be
elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Shareholders may not vote cumulatively in the election
of Directors. In the event any of the nominees should be unable to serve, which is not
anticipated, the proxy committee, which consists of Clyde G. Nixon and David N. Wormley, will vote
for such other person or persons for the office of Director as the Nominating Committee of the
Board of Directors may recommend.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the reelection of Messrs.
Carlson, Kahler and Koski to serve until the Companys annual meeting in 2009. Executed proxies in
the accompanying form will be voted at the Meeting in favor of the election as directors of the
nominees named above, unless authority to do so is withheld.
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the names and ages of the Companys Directors, nominees for
Director, and executive officers and the positions they hold with the Company. Executive officers
serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
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Name |
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Position |
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Clyde G. Nixon
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70 |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors (term expiring in 2007) |
Allen J. Carlson
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55 |
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (term
expiring in 2006) Nominee for Director (term expiring in
2009) |
Jeffrey Cooper
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65 |
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Engineering Manager |
Tricia L. Fulton
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39 |
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Chief Financial Officer |
Peter G. Robson
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61 |
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General Manager, Sun Hydraulics Limited |
Marc Bertoneche
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59 |
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Director (term expiring in 2007) and a member of the
Audit Committee |
John S. Kahler
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66 |
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Director (term expiring in 2006), Nominee for Director
(term expiring in 2009) and a member of the Audit,
Compensation and Nominating Committees |
Christine L. Koski
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48 |
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Director (term expiring in 2008) |
Robert E. Koski
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77 |
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Director (term expiring in 2006)
Nominee for Director (term expiring in 2009) |
Ferdinand E. Megerlin
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67 |
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Director (term expiring in 2007), and a member of the
Audit and Compensation Committees |
Hirokatsu Sakamoto
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62 |
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Director (term expiring in 2008) and a member of the
Nominating Committee |
David N. Wormley
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66 |
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Director (term expiring in 2008) and a member of the
Compensation and Nominating Committees |
Mr. Nixon joined the Company in January 1988, and served as its President and Chief Executive
Officer from November 1988 until May 2000, at which time he was named Chairman of the Board. From
September 1985 to January 1988, he served as Vice President of Cross & Trecker Corporation and was
President of Warner & Swasey Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary. From 1964 to 1985, he served in
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various management capacities with Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Corporation, most recently as Vice
President of its fluid power division and President of Double A Products Company, its wholly-owned
subsidiary. Mr. Nixon is a graduate of Cornell University and the Harvard Business School, and is
Past Chairman of the Board of the National Fluid Power Association. Mr. Nixon has over 35 years
experience in the fluid power industry.
Mr. Carlson joined the Company in March 1996 in the manufacturing operations area and was
named President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2000. From October 1977 to March 1996, Mr.
Carlson held various engineering, marketing and management positions for Vickers Incorporated, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinova Corporation. He is a graduate of the Milwaukee School of
Engineering and the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. Mr. Carlson serves
on the board of regents to the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is a National Fluid Power
Association board member. Mr. Carlson has over 35 years experience in the fluid power industry.
Mr. Cooper joined the Company in December 1990 and has provided engineering leadership since
1991. From August 1987 to December 1990, he was Engineering Manager, Mobile Valves, of Vickers,
Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinova Corporation, and from September 1979 to August
1986, he served as Vice President of Engineering for Double A Products Company. Mr. Cooper is an
engineering graduate of Willesden College of Technology, London, England. Mr. Cooper has over 34
years experience in the fluid power industry.
Ms. Fulton joined the Company in March 1997 and held positions of increasing responsibility in
the finance and accounting area prior to her appointment as Chief Financial Officer on March 4,
2006. From July 1995 to March 1997, Ms. Fulton served as the Director of Accounting for Plymouth
Harbor. From November 1991 to July 1995, she served in various financial capacities for Loral Data
Systems. From September 1989 to September 1991, Ms. Fulton was an auditor with Deloitte & Touche.
Ms. Fulton is a graduate of Hillsdale College.
Mr. Robson has served as a Director of Sun Hydraulics Limited, Coventry, England, since May
1993 and provides marketing and operations leadership. He has been employed by the Company since
1982 and is a Chartered Engineer and a graduate of Coventry University. Mr. Robson has over 40
years experience in the fluid power industry.
Dr. Bertoneche holds a chair as Professor in Business Administration at the University of
Bordeaux in France, and was on the Faculty of INSEAD, the European Institute of Business
Administration in Fontainebleau, France, for more than 20 years. He is a Visiting Professor at the
Harvard Business School and an Associate Fellow at the University of Oxford. He is a graduate of
University of Paris and earned his MBA and PhD from Northwestern University. Dr. Bertoneche has
served as a Director of the Company since August 2001.
Mr. Kahler retired as the President, CEO and a Director of Cincinnati Incorporated as of
February 28, 2005. Mr. Kahler served in various management positions with Cincinnati Incorporated
since 1989. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and the Harvard Business School. Mr.
Kahler has served as a Director of the Company since May 1998.
Ms. Koski founded Koski Consulting Group, Inc. in June 2001 to work with start-up companies in
the area of business strategy and marketing. In May 2001, Ms. Koski completed an Executive MBA
degree from Southern Methodist University. From 1980 through 2000, Ms. Koski held various positions
in sales, product management, purchasing, sales management, and international marketing management
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with Celanese A.G. or its former affiliates, including Celanese Ltd., Hoechst AG and Hoechst
Celanese Chemical Group Ltd. Ms. Koski has served as a Director of the Company since May 2000.
Mr. Koski is a co-founder of the Company and served as its Chairman of the Board from the
Companys inception in 1970 until his retirement as an executive officer in May 2000. He was also
its President and Chief Executive Officer from 1970 until November 1988. He is a graduate of
Dartmouth College and past Chairman of the Board of the National Fluid Power Association. Mr. Koski
has over 40 years experience in the fluid power industry, and has served as Chairman of the Fluid
Power Systems and Technology Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and as a
member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers.
Dr. Megerlin retired in March 2003 as a member of the Executive Board of Linde AG and Chairman
and Managing Director of the Linde Material Handling Division of Aschaffenburg, Germany. Prior to
such time, he also was Chairman of Lindes U.S. subsidiaries Linde Hydraulics Corp., Canfield,
Ohio, and Linde Lift Truck Corp., Sommerville, South Carolina. Within VDMA, Germanys association
for mechanical and plant engineering, Dr. Megerlin formerly was Chairman and now serves as a member
of the Executive Board of the German Fluid Power Association. He is a mechanical engineer and
received his Dipl-Ing (M.S.) degree from the Technical University of Karlsruhe, Germany, and his
Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D.) from TH Aachen, Germany. Dr. Megerlin has over 31 years of experience in the fluid
power industry. Dr. Megerlin has served as a Director of the Company since May 1998.
Mr. Sakamoto has been the President of Kawasaki Precision Machinery, Ltd. since October 2002.
From April 2000 to September 2002, he served as the General Manager of the Precision Machinery
Division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., and from July 1998 through March 2000, he was Deputy
General Manager of the Precision Machinery Division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. Mr. Sakamoto
has served in various management positions with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. since entering its
engineering department in April 1968. He is a graduate of Kyoto Institute of Technology, and an
executive board member of The Japan Fluid Power System Society since April 2002. Mr. Sakamoto has
over 37 years of experience in the fluid power industry. Mr. Sakamoto has served as a Director of
the Company since June 2003.
Dr. Wormley is the Dean of the Engineering School at Pennsylvania State University, where he
has taught since 1992. He previously was a member of the engineering faculty at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Dr. Wormley has served as a Director of the Company since December 1992.
He is an engineer and earned his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Independence and Committees of the Board of Directors
Independence of Directors. At its meeting in March 2005, and again in March 2006, the Board
undertook a review of Director independence and considered transactions and relationships between
each Director or any member of his or her immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, including those reported under Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. The
purpose of this review was to determine whether any relationships or transactions were inconsistent
with a determination that a Director is independent within the meaning of the rules of
the Nasdaq Stock Market and, for audit committee members, also independent within the meaning of
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board determined that a
majority of the Directors of the Company (Messrs. Bertoneche, Kahler, Megerlin, Sakamoto and
Wormley) qualify as independent and that none of them has any material relationship with the
Company that might interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment.
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The Board of Directors has the standing committees listed below.
Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee, which consists of John Kahler, Ferdinand Megerlin, and Marc Bertoneche,
held nine meetings in 2005. The Board of Directors has determined, under applicable SEC and NASDAQ
rules, that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent and that Dr. Bertoneche meets
the qualifications as an Audit Committee Financial Expert and he has been so designated. The
functions of the Audit Committee are to select the independent public accountants who will prepare
and issue an audit report on the annual financial statements of the Company, to establish the scope
of and the fees for the prospective annual audit with the independent public accountants, to review
the results thereof with the independent public accountants, to review and approve non-audit
services of the independent public accountants, to review compliance with existing major accounting
and financial policies of the Company, to review the adequacy of the financial organization of the
Company, to review and discuss with management and the Companys independent accountants their
reviews and reports on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting
in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to review compliance with federal and
state laws relating to accounting practices and to review and approve transactions, if any, with
affiliated parties. The Audit Committee also is responsible for review of managements monitoring
of the Companys compliance with its code of ethics and the periodic review and update of the code.
The code of ethics is available on the Investor Relations page of our Web site
www.sunhydraulics.com and from the Company upon written request sent to Corporate Secretary, 1500
West University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243.
The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. The
charter is available on the Investor Relations page of our Web site
www.sunhydraulics.com and from
the Company upon written request sent to the Corporate Secretary, 1500 West University Parkway,
Sarasota, Florida 34243.
Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee, which consists of David Wormley, Ferdinand Megerlin, and John
Kahler, reviews, approves and recommends to the Board of Directors the terms and conditions of all
employee benefit plans or changes thereto, administers the Companys restricted stock and stock
option plans and carries out the responsibilities required by the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Committee met four times during 2005.
The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter approved by the Board of
Directors. The charter is available on the Investor Relations page of our Web site
www.sunhydraulics.com and from the Company upon written request sent to the Corporate Secretary,
1500 West University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243.
Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee, which consists of John Kahler, Hirokatsu Sakamoto, and David Wormley
held four meetings in 2005. The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying individuals
qualified to become members of the Board of Directors, consistent with criteria approved by the
Board, and for selecting the director nominees to stand for election at each annual meeting of
shareholders.
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In March 2004, the Board adopted a Statement of Policy Regarding Director Nominations, setting
forth qualifications of Directors, procedures for identification and evaluation of candidates for
nomination, and procedures for recommendation of candidates by shareholders. As set forth in the
Statement of Policy, a candidate for Director should meet the following criteria:
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must, above all, be of proven integrity with a record of substantial achievement; |
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must have demonstrated ability and sound judgment that usually will be based on
broad experience; |
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must be able and willing to devote the required amount of time to the Companys
affairs, including attendance at Board and committee meetings and the annual
shareholders meeting; |
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must possess a judicious and somewhat critical temperament that will enable
objective appraisal of managements plans and programs; and |
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must be committed to building sound, long-term Company growth. |
Other than the foregoing, the Board does not believe there is any single set of qualities or
skills that an individual must possess to be an effective Director or that it is appropriate to
establish any specific, minimum qualifications for a candidate for election as a Director. Rather,
the Committee will consider each candidate in light of the strengths of the other members of the
Board of Directors and the needs of the Board and the Company at the time of the election.
The Committee will take whatever actions it deems necessary under the circumstances to
identify qualified candidates for nomination for election as a member of the Board of Directors,
including the use of professional search firms, recommendations from Directors, members of senior
management and security holders. All such candidates for any particular seat on the board shall be
evaluated based upon the same criteria, including those set forth above and such other criteria as
the Committee deems suitable under the circumstances existing at the time of the election.
Shareholder recommendations for Nomination as a Director. In order for the Committee to
consider a candidate recommended by a shareholder, the shareholder must provide to the Corporate
Secretary, at least 120, but not more than 150, days prior to the date of the shareholders meeting
at which the election of Directors is to occur, a written notice of such security holders desire
that such person be nominated for election at the upcoming shareholders meeting; provided, however,
that in the event that less than 120 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the
meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received
not later than the close of business on the tenth business day following the day on which such
notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever first
occurs.
A shareholders notice of recommendation must set forth:
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as to each person whom the shareholder proposes be considered for nomination
for election as a Director, |
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the name, age, business address and residence address of the
person, |
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the principal occupation or employment of the person during the
past five years, |
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the number of shares of Company common stock beneficially
owned by the person, |
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any other information relating to the person that is required
to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of Directors pursuant
to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and |
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the consent of the person to serve as a Director, if so
elected; and |
(b) as to the shareholder giving the notice
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the name and record address of shareholder, |
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the number of shares of Company common stock beneficially owned
by the shareholder, |
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a description of all arrangements or understandings between
the shareholder and each proposed nominee and any other person pursuant to
which the nominations are to be made, and |
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a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) named. |
The Nominating Committee is governed by a written charter approved by the Board of Directors,
and the Statement of Policy Regarding Director Nominations described above. The charter and policy
statement are available on the Investor Relations page of our Web
site www.sunhydraulics.com and
from the Company upon written request sent to the Corporate Secretary, 1500 West University
Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243.
Director Compensation, Participation and Relationships
Directors who are not officers of the Company are paid $4,000 for attendance at each meeting
of the Board of Directors, as well as each meeting of each Board Committee on which they serve when
the committee meeting is not held within one day of a meeting of the Board of Directors. In 2004,
the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved the Nonemployee Director Equity and
Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) pursuant to which $1,500 of the $4,000 Director fee is paid
in shares of Company stock under the Plan. Directors also may elect under the Plan to receive all
or part of the remainder of their fees in Company stock and to defer receipt of their fees until a
subsequent year. Directors also are reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with their
attendance at such meetings.
The Board of Directors held four meetings during 2005. Each Director attended at least 75% of
the meetings of the Board and of each committee of which he or she was a member in 2005.
The Board of Directors, in March 2004, adopted a policy stating that it is in the best
interests of the Company that all Directors and nominees for Director attend each annual meeting of
the shareholders of the Company. The policy provides that the Board, in selecting a date for the
annual shareholders meeting, will use its best efforts to schedule the meeting at a time and place
that will allow all Directors and nominees for election as Directors at such meeting to attend the
meeting. The policy further provides that an unexcused absence under the policy should be
considered by the Nominating Committee in determining whether to nominate a Director for
re-election at the end of his or her term of office. All of the Directors attended last years
annual meeting of shareholders.
No family relationships exist between any of the Companys Directors and executive officers,
except that Ms. Koski is the daughter of Mr. Koski. There are no arrangements or understandings
between Directors and any other person concerning service as a Director.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys Directors,
officers and holders of more than 10% of the Companys Common Stock to file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common
Stock and any other equity securities of the Company. To the Companys knowledge, based solely upon
a review of the forms, reports and certificates filed with the Company by such persons, all of them
complied with the Section 16(a) filing requirements in 2005, except the following:
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Marc Bertoneche filed late one Form 4 statement reporting the issuance of 3.63 stock units. |
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Richard J. Dobbyn filed late one Form 4 statement reporting a sale of 4 shares. |
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John Kahler filed late one Form 4 statement reporting the issuance of 1.36 stock units. |
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Ferdinand E. Megerlin filed late one Form 4 statement reporting the issuance of 1.81
stock units. |
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Peter Robson filed late one Form 4 statement reporting receipt of a cash payment
pursuant to the vesting and cancellation of phantom shares. |
Communications with the Board of Directors
Shareholders and other parties interested in communicating with our Board of Directors may do
so by writing to the Board of Directors, Sun Hydraulics Corporation, 1500 West University Parkway,
Sarasota, Florida 34243. Under the process for such communications established by the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board reviews all such correspondence and regularly forwards it, or
a summary of the correspondence, to all of the other members of the Board. Directors may at any
time review a log of all correspondence received by the Company that is addressed to the Board or
any member of the Board and request copies of any such correspondence. Additionally,
correspondence that, in the opinion of the Chairman, relates to concerns or complaints regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters is forwarded to the Chair of the
Audit Committee.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
None.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee appointed Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) to report upon the
financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005. Those audited financial
statements are included in the Companys annual report to shareholders that has been provided to
the shareholders along with this Proxy Statement. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the
Audit Committee has not engaged an auditor to audit and report on the financial statements of the
Company for the year ended December 30, 2006. The Audit Committee anticipates that it will engage
Grant Thornton for such audit work; however, it and Grant Thornton have not reached agreement on
fees for such work. It is expected that a representative from Grant Thornton will be in attendance
at the Meeting. Such representative will have the opportunity to make a statement if desired, and
will be available to respond to any questions from those in attendance.
- 8 -
Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Thornton LLP |
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
505,000 |
|
|
$ |
197,286 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
23,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company incurred aggregate audit fees of $528,625 and $197,286 to Grant Thornton during fiscal
years 2005 and 2004, respectively. These fees were for professional services rendered for the audit
of the Companys consolidated financial statements, the reviews of the financial statements
included in the Companys Forms 10-Q for fiscal years 2005 and 2004, respectively, and the
statutory audit of Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited, Sun Hydraulics Corporations wholly-owned
subsidiary for its European market operations, and Sun Hydraulics Limited and Sun Hydraulik GmbH,
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sun Hydraulik Holdings Limited. The Audit Committee has not adopted
any pre-approval policies and approves all engagements with the Companys auditors prior to the
performance of services by them. As a matter of policy, the Audit Committee has determined
generally not to request any new non-audit services from its auditors.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The following report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filings made
by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to
the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference, or to be soliciting
material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulations
14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Management is responsible for the Companys internal controls, financial reporting process and
compliance with laws and regulations and ethical business standards. The independent accountants
are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial
statements and an evaluation of managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting in accordance with auditing standards established by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board and to issue reports thereon. The primary purpose of the Audit
Committee is to oversee the Companys financial reporting activities, as more fully described on
page 5 of this Proxy Statement. The Audit Committee selects the Companys independent accountants
and meets regularly with them to review and approve the scope of their audit, report,
recommendations and fees. The Audit Committee met nine times during 2005.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements
of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, with the Companys management and with
Grant Thornton LLP, the Companys independent accountants (Grant Thornton). Management
represented to the Committee that the Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee also reviewed and
discussed with the Companys management and Grant Thornton managements report and assessment, and
Grant Thorntons report and attestation, on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control
over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as of December
31, 2005.
- 9 -
The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees).
The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant
Thornton required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussion with
Audit Committees) and discussed with Grant Thornton its independence. The Audit Committee has
considered the provision of services by Grant Thornton covered in Audit Fees and Tax Services above
and has determined that such services are compatible with the firm maintaining its independence
from the Company.
The Audit Committee monitors the Companys program of ethics and compliance. It invites and
investigates reports regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing irregularities
or other matters. No waivers of the Companys code of ethics were requested or granted during the
year ended December 31, 2005.
Based on the Audit Committees review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, the inclusion of the audited
financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
John S. Kahler, Chairman
Marc Bertoneche
Ferdinand E. Megerlin
- 10 -
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of April 7, 2006, information as to the beneficial ownership
of the Companys Common Stock by (i) each person or entity known by the Company to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each Director,
(iii) Each Named Executive Officer of the Company, and (iv) all Directors and executive officers of
the Company as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature |
|
|
|
|
of Beneficial |
|
Percent of |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
Ownership (2) |
|
Class |
Robert E. Koski(3)(4)(5) |
|
|
3,340,747 |
|
|
|
30.6 |
% |
Beverly Koski(3)(4)(5) |
|
|
3,340,747 |
|
|
|
30.6 |
% |
Christine L. Koski(3)
3525 Turtle Creek Boulevard #19B
Dallas, TX 75219 |
|
|
3,167,625 |
|
|
|
29.2 |
% |
Robert C. Koski(3)(5)
24 Lenox Pointe
Atlanta, GA 30324 |
|
|
3,099,175 |
|
|
|
28.5 |
% |
Koski Family Limited Partnership
3525 Turtle Creek Boulevard #19B
Dallas, TX 75219 |
|
|
3,070,309 |
|
|
|
28.3 |
% |
Thomas L. Koski(3)
100 Seaview Avenue #1F
East Norwalk, CT 06855 |
|
|
3,070,309 |
|
|
|
28.3 |
% |
Royce & Associates, LLC(6)
1414 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019 |
|
|
589,593 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
% |
Clyde G. Nixon |
|
|
66,726 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Peter G. Robson(7) |
|
|
3,251 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jeffrey Cooper(8) |
|
|
31,156 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Tricia L. Fulton (9) |
|
|
7,997 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Allen J. Carlson(10) |
|
|
53,147 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Hirokatsu Sakamoto |
|
|
874 |
|
|
|
* |
|
David N. Wormley |
|
|
7,076 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John S. Kahler(11) |
|
|
3,565 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ferdinand E. Megerlin |
|
|
1,190 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Marc Bertoneche |
|
|
2,381 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All Directors and Executive Officers
as a Group (12 persons) |
|
|
3,615,426 |
|
|
|
33.0 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons listed who own more than 5% of
the Companys Common Stock is 1500 West University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243. |
|
(2) |
|
This column sets forth shares of the Companys Common Stock which are deemed to be
beneficially owned by the persons named in the table under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and |
- 11 -
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock owned by them, except to the
extent such power may be shared with a spouse. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 3,070,309 shares owned by the Koski Family Limited Partnership, over which Christine
L. Koski, Robert C. Koski, Thomas L. Koski, Robert E. Koski and Beverly Koski share voting and
investment power as the general partners in the Partnership. Christine L. Koski, Robert C.
Koski and Thomas L. Koski are the adult children of Robert E. Koski and Beverly Koski. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 141,216 shares owned by Beverly Koski and 100,356 shares owned by Robert E. Koski.
Beverly Koski is the spouse of Robert E. Koski. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 28,866 shares owned by the Koski Family Foundation, Inc., over which Robert E.
Koski, Beverly Koski and Robert C. Koski share voting and investment power. |
|
(6) |
|
According to the Schedule 13G, filed February 1, 2006, by Royce & Associates, LLC (Royce),
Royce has sole voting and investment power with respect to the 589,593 shares. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 3,251 shares of unvested restricted stock. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 1,500 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 9,321 shares of unvested
restricted stock. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 3,462 shares of unvested restricted stock. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 3,000 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 19,378 shares of unvested
restricted stock. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 1,923 shares owned by Mr. Kahlers spouse. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation
The following table is a summary of the compensation paid or accrued by the Company for the
last three fiscal years for services in all capacities to the Companys Chief Executive Officer and
each of its four most highly compensated executive officers who earned more than $100,000 from the
Company in 2005 under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Named Executive
Officers).
- 12 -
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Other Annual |
Name and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted |
|
Underlying |
|
Compen- |
Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Stock |
|
Options/SARs (#) |
|
sation (1) |
Clyde G. Nixon |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
133,333 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22,930 |
(2) |
Chairman of the |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,472 |
(2) |
Board of Directors |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
200,250 |
|
|
|
105,815 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,560 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allen J. Carlson
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
260,000 |
|
|
$ |
90,025 |
|
|
|
4,498 |
|
|
$ |
30,890 |
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
201,000 |
|
|
|
59,996 |
|
|
|
7,287 |
|
|
|
32,326 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
180,250 |
|
|
|
105,613 |
|
|
|
14,400 |
|
|
|
11,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey Cooper |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
152,000 |
|
|
$ |
15,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
20,252 |
|
Engineering Manager |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
148,000 |
|
|
|
16,673 |
|
|
|
2,025 |
|
|
|
24,460 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
143,250 |
|
|
|
69,989 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
9,082 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Dobbyn (3) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
160,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
21,138 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
23,329 |
|
|
|
2,834 |
|
|
|
24,086 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
140,250 |
|
|
|
74,092 |
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
9,814 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter G. Robson |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
143,912 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
3,788 |
|
|
$ |
21,984 |
|
General Manager, |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
143,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,264 |
|
Sun Hydraulics Limited |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
131,818 |
|
|
|
48,165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,064 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Except as otherwise noted, reflects primarily contributions made by the Company on
behalf of the employee to the Companys 401(k) plan and excess life insurance premiums. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes dues of $750. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Dobbyn retired as Chief Financial Officer on March 4, 2006. |
Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Grants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Percent of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
underlying |
|
Options/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
options/ |
|
SARs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SARs |
|
Granted to |
|
Exercise or |
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates |
|
|
granted |
|
Employees in |
|
Base Price |
|
Expiration |
|
Of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
Fiscal Year |
|
($/sh) |
|
Date |
|
5% ($) |
|
10% ($) |
|
0% ($) |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
(f) |
|
(g) |
|
(h) |
|
Clyde G. Nixon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allen J. Carlson(1) |
|
|
4,498 |
|
|
|
32.09 |
% |
|
$ |
18.41 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
33,711 |
|
|
$ |
78,562 |
|
Jeffrey Cooper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Dobbyn(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter G. Robson(3) |
|
|
2,429 |
|
|
|
19.13 |
% |
|
$ |
10.83 |
|
|
|
10/15/2007 |
|
|
$ |
26,313 |
|
|
$ |
30,453 |
|
|
$ |
35,013 |
|
|
|
|
1,359 |
|
|
|
9.70 |
% |
|
$ |
18.41 |
|
|
|
12/9/2008 |
|
|
$ |
25,019 |
|
|
$ |
28,963 |
|
|
$ |
33,301 |
|
- 13 -
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Options were granted on December 9, 2005, at an exercise price of $18.41, the
closing price for the shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on that
date. The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of stock price appreciation are provided in
compliance with Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company
does not necessarily believe that these appreciation calculations are indicative of
actual future stock option values or that the price of Common Stock will appreciate at
such rates. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Dobbyn retired as Chief Financial Officer on March 4, 2006. |
|
(3) |
|
Stock appreciation rights were granted on January 17, 2005 and December 9,
2005, at base prices of $10.83 and $18.41, respectively, the closing price for the
shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on such dates. The 5% and 10%
assumed annual rates of stock price appreciation are provided in compliance with
Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company does not
necessarily believe that these appreciation calculations are indicative of actual
future stock values or that the price of Common Stock will appreciate at such rates. |
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
in-the-Money |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
Options/SARs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options/SARs at Fiscal |
|
at Fiscal |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Year-End (#) |
|
Year-End ($) |
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value |
|
Exercisable/ |
|
Exercisable/ |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
Realized ($) |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Unexercisable (1) |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
Clyde G. Nixon |
|
|
118,172 |
|
|
|
510,554 |
|
|
|
/ |
|
|
$ |
/ |
|
Allen J. Carlson |
|
|
109,177 |
|
|
|
486,966 |
|
|
|
/20,156 |
|
|
$ |
/211,044 |
|
Jeffrey Cooper |
|
|
44,400 |
|
|
|
226,979 |
|
|
|
8,625/2,775 |
|
|
$ |
116,630/38,294 |
|
Richard J. Dobbyn
(2) |
|
|
9,744 |
|
|
|
130,590 |
|
|
|
5,391/ |
|
|
$ |
72,105/ |
|
Peter G. Robson |
|
|
2,310 |
|
|
|
42,008 |
|
|
|
/2,978 |
|
|
$ |
/57,565 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Based upon the December 31, 2005, closing stock price of $19.33 per share, as
reported on the Nasdaq National Market. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Dobbyn retired as Chief Financial Officer on March 4, 2006. |
- 14 -
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes the Companys equity compensation plan information as of
December 31, 2005. Information is included for both equity compensation plans approved by the
Companys shareholders and equity compensation plans not approved by the shareholders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
Number of securities to |
|
Weighted-average |
|
future issuance under |
|
|
be issued upon exercise |
|
exercise price of |
|
equity compensation plans |
|
|
of outstanding options, |
|
outstanding options, |
|
(excluding securities |
|
|
warrants, and rights |
|
warrants, and rights |
|
reflected in column (a)) |
Plan category |
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
Equity
compensation plans
approved by
shareholders |
|
|
106,515 |
|
|
$ |
6.36 |
|
|
|
1,075,061 |
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
450 |
|
Total |
|
|
106,515 |
|
|
$ |
6.36 |
|
|
|
1,075,511 |
|
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders include the 1996 Stock Option Plan,
the 2001 Restricted Stock Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the 2004 Nonemployee Director
Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan. All shares to be issued upon exercise in column (a) and the
weighted average exercise price in column (b) represent shares issued under the 1996 Stock Option
Plan. The number of securities available for future issuance in column (c) were: 382,593 shares
under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, 411,931 shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 156,192
shares under the 2001 Restricted Stock Plan, and 112,327 shares under the 2004 Nonemployee Director
Equity and Deferred Compensation Plan.
The only equity compensation plan not approved by shareholders was the 1999 Stock Award Plan.
4,500 shares were authorized for grant under the 1999 Stock Award Plan, which was approved by the
Board of Directors on May 21, 1999. The general purpose of the Plan is to recognize and acknowledge
extraordinary contributions of employees through the grant of shares of common stock, thereby
providing them with a more direct stake in the future welfare of the Company and encouraging them
to continue to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the Company. Subject to supervision by the
Board and the provisions of the Plan, the Companys president has the authority to determine the
employees to whom awards shall be granted and the number of shares of common stock to be the
subject of each award. As of December 31, 2005, there were 450 shares remaining for future grants,
and there were no outstanding options, warrants, or rights associated with this plan.
In December 2005, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.0
million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2007. The stock purchases will
be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Market purchases will be
made subject to restrictions relating to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the
impact of the purchases on the market for the Companys securities. The amount of the stock
repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that will be required to fund the
Companys ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2006. As of December 31,
2005, the Company had repurchased 82,500 shares on the open market at an average cost of $18.87 per
share. Of the 82,500 shares purchased, 65,000 were retired prior to December 31, 2005.
- 15 -
Subsequent to December 31, 2005, the Company repurchased 12,700 shares on the open market at
an average cost of $19.16 per share. Total purchases under the plan have amounted to $1.8 million.
In November 2004, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5
million of Company stock, to be completed no later than January 15, 2006. The amount of the stock
repurchases was set based upon the anticipated number of shares that were required to fund the
Companys ESOP, and employee stock purchase plan, through fiscal year 2005. The Company purchased
8,700 shares at an average cost of $9.52 per share and 2,700 shares at an average cost of $9.80 per
share for the periods ending December 25, 2004 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The stock
purchases were made in the open market. Market purchases were made subject to restrictions relating
to volume, price and timing in an effort to minimize the impact of the purchases on the market for
the Companys securities. All shares were retired during the year purchased.
The following Compensation Committee Report and the information under the heading Performance
Graph below shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by
reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (together, the Acts), except to the extent that the Company
specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed
under the Acts, or to be soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or subject to Regulations 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Pursuant to the Compensation Committee Charter approved by the Board of Directors on March 3,
2001, the Compensation Committee oversees the Companys compensation program. The goals of the
Companys compensation program are to attract and retain highly qualified management personnel,
providing them attractive long-term career opportunities. The Companys compensation philosophy is
to provide its executives with a competitive total compensation package which motivates superior
job performance, the achievement of the Companys business objectives, and the enhancement of
shareholder value.
Compensation of the Companys executive officers is reviewed annually by the Compensation
Committee. Changes proposed for these employees are evaluated and approved by the Compensation
Committee on an individual basis. The Companys general approach to compensating executive
officers is to pay cash salaries which generally are competitive within ranges of salaries paid to
executives of other manufacturing companies. The Committee sets overall compensation at a level it
believes to be fair, based upon a subjective analysis of the individual executives experience and
past and potential contributions to the Company. To assist in determining appropriate overall
compensation, the Compensation Committee reviews information regarding revenues, income, and
executive compensation for other public manufacturing companies and for other businesses operating
in Florida and the southeast United States. The Committee also considers selected information
regarding compensation practices, including employee benefits, from manufacturing companies in
other countries in which the Company operates in an effort to ensure that the Company maintains
competitiveness locally in all its markets.
During 2005, the Committee determined that the use of restricted shares for domestic employees
under the long-term compensation program implemented in 2003 better satisfied the purposes for
which such awards were intended than stock options. Therefore, the only stock options granted
during 2005 were 4,498 options to the Companys Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, the General
Manager of the
Companys subsidiary, Sun Hydraulics Limited, was granted an aggregate of 2,978 stock appreciation
rights during 2005.
- 16 -
Stock option grants and restricted stock awards to employees of the Company, including the
Chief Executive Officer, are made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee pursuant to the
Companys 1996 Stock Option Plan and 2001 Restricted Stock Plan, respectively. Criteria used by
the Compensation Committee in the award of stock options and restricted stock include individual
responsibilities and individual performance.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax deduction to $1.0 million for
compensation paid to a corporations key executive officers unless certain requirements are met,
including that the compensation qualify as performance-based compensation. While the Compensation
Committee may from time to time approve awards which would vest upon the passage of time or other
compensation which would not result in qualification of those awards as performance-based
compensation, it is not anticipated that compensation realized by any executive officer under any
of the Companys plans now in effect will result in a material loss of tax deductions.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
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David N. Wormley, Chairman |
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John S. Kahler |
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Ferdinand E. Megerlin |
Performance Graph
The following graph compares cumulative total return among Sun Hydraulics Corporation, the
Russell 2000 Index and the Value Line Machinery Industry Stock Index, from December 30, 2000, to
December 31, 2005, assuming $100 invested in each on December 30, 2000. Total return assumes
reinvestment of any dividends for all companies considered within the comparison. The stock price
performance shown in the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
- 17 -
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION, THE RUSSELL 2000 INDEX
AND THE VALUE LINE INDUSTRY GROUP
* $100 invested on 12/30/00 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends.
Index calculated on month-end basis.
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Cumulative Total Return |
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12/00 |
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12/01 |
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12/02 |
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12/03 |
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12/04 |
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12/05 |
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SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION |
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100.00 |
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117.95 |
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128.17 |
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139.03 |
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315.11 |
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580.19 |
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RUSSELL 2000 |
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100.00 |
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102.49 |
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81.49 |
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120.00 |
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142.00 |
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148.46 |
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VALUE LINE MACHINERY INDUSTRY GROUP |
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100.00 |
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95.95 |
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81.61 |
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138.61 |
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153.35 |
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377.65 |
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OTHER BUSINESS
Management of the Company does not know of any other business that may be presented at the
Meeting. If any matter not described herein should be presented for shareholder action at the
Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in
accordance with their best judgment.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2007 PROXY STATEMENT
AND PRESENTATION AT THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING
Under SEC Rule 14a-8, in order for a shareholder proposal to be included in the Companys
Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting, and under the Companys Bylaws, for a matter to be
considered at such meeting (other than the election of Directors), the shareholder proposal,
together with certain other information specified in the Bylaws, must be submitted no later than
January 5, 2007. Accordingly, notice to the Company of a shareholder proposal submitted after
January 5, 2007, will be considered untimely, and the matter will not be considered at the 2007
Annual Meeting.
Shareholder proposals should be submitted in writing to Gregory C. Yadley, Secretary, at 1500
West University Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34243. A copy of the Companys Bylaws will be provided
upon request in writing to the Secretary.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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GREGORY C. YADLEY |
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Secretary |
Dated: May 5, 2006
- 19 -
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sun hydraulics
c/o Stock Transfer Department
Post Office Box 105649
Atlanta, GA 30348 |
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Vote By Telephone
Have your proxy card
available when you call Toll-Free
1-888-693-8683 using a touch-tone
phone and follow the simple
instructions to record your
vote.
Vote By Internet
Have your proxy card
available when you access the
website www.cesvote.com and follow
the simple instructions to record
your vote.
Vote By Mail
Please mark, sign and date
your proxy card and return it in
the postage-paid envelope provided
or return it to: Corporate
Election Services, P.O. Box 3230,
Pittsburgh, PA 15230
Vote by Telephone
Call Toll-Free using a
touch-tone telephone:
1-888-693-8683
Vote by Internet
Access the Website and
cast your vote:
www.cesvote.com
Vote by Mail
Return your proxy
in the postage-paid
envelope provided
Vote 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
If you vote by telephone or over the Internet, do not mail your proxy card.
Proxy card must be signed and dated below.
ò
Please fold and detach card at perforation before
mailing. ò
SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
1500 West University Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34243
PROXY
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD JUNE 13, 2006.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned, having received notice of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Sun
Hydraulics Corporation to be held at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight
Savings Time, on Tuesday,
June 13, 2006, hereby designates and appoints Clyde G. Nixon and David N. Wormley,
and each of them with authority to act without the other, as attorneys and proxies for the
undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share, of Sun Hydraulics Corporation that the undersigned is entitled to vote at such
Meeting or at any adjournment thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if
personally present, such proxies being directed to vote as specified on the reverse and in
their discretion on any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.
The undersigned reserves the right to revoke this Proxy at any time prior to the Proxy being
voted at the Meeting. The Proxy may be revoked by delivering a signed revocation to the
Company at any time prior to the Meeting, by submitting a later-dated Proxy, or by attending
the Meeting in person and casting a ballot. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy
previously given to vote such shares at the Meeting.
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Date
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, 2006 |
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Signature |
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Signature |
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NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint
owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian or corporate officer,
please give full title as such. |
Please mark, date and sign and return the proxy card promptly in the enclosed envelope
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, you can be sure your
shares are represented at the meeting by promptly returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope.
Proxy card must be signed and dated below.
ò
Please fold and detach card at perforation before
mailing. ò
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SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
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PROXY |
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the
undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of
each of the Directors listed below. |
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Election as Directors for a three-year term ending in 2009: |
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(1) Allen J. Carlson
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(2) John S. Kahler
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(3) Robert E. Koski |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO |
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ABOVE (except as marked to the
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VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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contrary below)
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LISTED ABOVE |
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominees
name on the space provided below.)
In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.
(See reverse side)