prer14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
þ Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12
Core Laboratories N.V.
(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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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to |
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Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and |
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state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Total fee paid: |
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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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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Filing Party: |
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Date Filed: |
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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
Herengracht 424
1017 BZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held June 14, 2006
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our 2006 annual meeting of shareholders which will be held
at the law offices of NautaDutilh N.V., Strawinskylaan 1999, 1077 XV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,
on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 9:30 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
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To elect two Class III Supervisory Directors to serve until our annual meeting in 2009
and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified; |
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To confirm and adopt our Dutch Statutory Annual Accounts in the English language for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005; |
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To approve and resolve the cancellation of our repurchased shares; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority of our Management Board to
repurchase up to 10% of our outstanding share capital until December 14, 2007; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority of our Supervisory Board to issue
shares and/or to grant rights (including options to purchase) with respect to our common
and preference shares until June 14, 2011; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority of our Supervisory Board to limit
or exclude the preemptive rights of the holders of our common shares and/or preference
shares until June 14, 2011; |
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To approve and resolve the amendment and restatement of the Core Laboratories N.V. 1995
Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended; |
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To approve and resolve amendments of the Core Laboratories N.V. articles of association
in order to make mandatory revisions to comply with recent changes in Dutch law, including
a capital increase as the result of the conversion of the par value of each share from
guilders (NLG 0.03) to euros (EUR 0.04); |
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To approve and resolve an amendment to the Core Laboratories N.V. articles of
association to amend certain provisions relating to indemnification of directors; |
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To approve and resolve a two-for-one stock split authorized by the Supervisory Board
and thereby reduce the par value of each share from EUR 0.04 to EUR 0.02; |
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To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our Companys independent public
accountants for the year ended December 31, 2006; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any
adjournment thereof. |
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Each of the matters 2 through 6 being presented at the annual meeting has been presented to
and approved by our shareholders at our prior annual meetings. In large measure, these matters are
presented to our shareholders each year as a result of our being organized under the laws of The
Netherlands. Copies of the Dutch statutory annual accounts, the report of the Management Board,
the proposed amendments to the articles of association and the list of nominees for the Supervisory
Board will be available for inspection at our offices in The Netherlands, located at Herengracht
424, 1017 BZ Amsterdam, Attention: Mr. Jacobus Schouten, by registered shareholders and other
persons entitled to attend our shareholder meetings. Such copies will be available for inspection
from the date of this notice until the close of our annual meeting.
It is important that your shares be represented at the annual meeting regardless of whether
you plan to attend. Therefore, please mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly.
If you are present at the annual meeting and wish to do so, you may revoke your proxy and vote in
person.
By Order of the Board of Supervisory Directors,
Jacobus Schouten
Supervisory Director
May [], 2006
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Audit Committee |
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Compensation Committee |
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Nominating and Governance Committee |
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David M. Demshur Employment Agreement |
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Richard L. Bergmark Employment Agreement |
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Monty L. Davis Employment Agreement |
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John D. Denson Employment Agreement |
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Base Salary |
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Annual Incentive Compensation |
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Deferred Compensation Plan |
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Stock Based Compensation |
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Audit Fees |
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Audit-Related Fees |
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Tax Fees |
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All Other Fees |
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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
Herengracht 424
1017 BZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
PROXY STATEMENT
ABOUT THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
WHY HAVE I RECEIVED THESE MATERIALS?
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being first mailed to shareholders
on or about May [], 2006 and are being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
and on behalf of the Board of Supervisory Directors of Core Laboratories N.V. (Core or the
Company) for use at our 2006 annual meeting of shareholders to be held at the law offices of
Nauta Dutilh N.V., Strawinskylaan 1999, 1077 XV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on Wednesday, June 14,
2006 at 9:30 a.m., local time for the purpose of voting on the proposals described in this proxy
statement.
WHAT AM I VOTING ON?
You will be voting on the following:
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To elect two Class III Supervisory Directors to serve until our annual meeting in 2009
and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified; |
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To confirm and adopt our Dutch Statutory Annual Accounts in the English language for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005; |
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To approve and resolve the cancellation of our repurchased shares; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority of our Management Board to
repurchase up to 10% of our outstanding share capital until December 14, 2007; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority of our Supervisory Board to issue
shares and/or to grant rights (including options to purchase) with respect to our common
and preference shares until June 14, 2011; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority of our Supervisory Board to limit
or exclude the preemptive rights of the holders of our common shares and/or preference
share until June 14, 2011; |
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To amend and restate and resolve the Companys 1995 Nonemployee Director Stock Option
Plan (as amended and restated effective as of May 29, 1997) (the Director Plan); |
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To approve and resolve amendments of the Core Laboratories N.V. articles of association
in order to make mandatory revisions to comply with recent changes in Dutch law, including
a capital increase as the result of the conversion of the par value of each share from
guilders (NLG 0.03) to euros (EUR 0.04); |
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To approve and resolve an amendment to the Core Laboratories N.V. articles of
association to amend certain provisions relating to indemnification of directors; |
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To approve and resolve a two-for-one stock split authorized by the Supervisory Board and
thereby reduce the par value of each share from EUR 0.04 to EUR 0.02; |
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To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our Companys independent public
accountants for the year ended December 31, 2006; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any
adjournment thereof. |
WHY IS THE COMPANY AMENDING AND RESTATING THE DIRECTOR PLAN?
The Board of Supervisory Directors is recommending that our shareholders approve the amendment
and restatement of our Director Plan to eliminate the automatic, formula grant of stock options
under the plan and to replace that formula approach with the discretionary right of the Supervisory
Board to grant stock options, restricted shares, or any combination thereof, to our nonemployee
directors. In light of recent changes in the accounting treatment of various equity incentives and
the possibility of further accounting or tax changes, the Company believes that it is advantageous
for it to have greater flexibility in the design and implementation of its future equity
compensation arrangements for its nonemployee directors.
WHY IS THE COMPANY AMENDING THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION?
Core Laboratories is incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands. The Netherlands recently
adopted certain revisions to its corporation law. In light of these revisions, we are requesting
that our shareholders vote in favor of the amendments to our articles of association, which are
described in Item 8.
WHY IS THE COMPANY EFFECTING A STOCK SPLIT?
The Supervisory Board monitors the trading price of the Companys common shares and believes
that it is important to maintain a relatively affordable trading price to promote the common shares
as an attractive investment opportunity. Further, the Company believes it may be beneficial to
have more shares outstanding as a way to improve the execution of trades in its shares.
Consequently, the Supervisory Board has approved a two-for-one stock split, subject to shareholder
approval.
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?
You, if you hold common shares at the close of business on March 9, 2006, the record date for
the determination of shareholders, are entitled to notice of and to vote at our annual meeting. On
March 9, 2006, there were 25,677,175 common shares outstanding (other than shares held by the
Company), each of which is entitled to one vote. Our common shares are the only class of our
capital stock outstanding and entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.
HOW DO I VOTE BEFORE THE MEETING?
If you are a registered shareholder, meaning that you hold your shares in certificate form or
through an account with our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, you can vote
by mail, by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card.
If you hold your shares through an account with a bank or broker, you must obtain a legal
proxy from the bank or broker in order to vote at the meeting. Please follow the directions that
your bank or broker provides.
MAY I VOTE AT THE MEETING?
You may vote your shares at the meeting if you attend in person. Even if you plan to attend
the meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares by proxy.
CAN I CHANGE MY MIND AFTER I VOTE?
You may change your vote at any time before the polls close at the conclusion of voting at the
meeting. You may revoke your proxy (1) by giving written notice to John D. Denson, Secretary, Core
Laboratories LP, 6316 Windfern Road, Houston, Texas 77040, at any time before the proxy is voted,
(2) by submitting a properly signed proxy card with a later date, or (3) by voting in person at the
annual meeting.
WHAT IF I RETURN MY PROXY CARD BUT DO NOT PROVIDE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS?
2
Proxies that are signed and returned but do not contain instructions will be voted FOR all
proposals and in accordance with the best judgment of the named proxies on any other matters
properly brought before the Meeting.
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED?
Under Dutch law, there is no specific quorum requirement for our annual meeting and, except as
described below, the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve each of
the proposals. In addition, Dutch law and our articles of association provide that, common shares
abstaining from voting, directions to withhold authority to vote for a Supervisory Director nominee
and broker non-votes will count as shares present at the annual meeting but will not
count for the purpose of determining the number of votes cast. A broker non-vote occurs if
you do not provide the record holder of your Shares (usually a bank, broker, or other nominee) with
voting instructions on a matter and the holder is not permitted to vote on the matter without
instructions from you under applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE.
Under Dutch law, the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast is required to approve
each proposal to amend our articles of association. In addition, the total vote cast in favor of
each proposal to amend to our articles of association must represent over 50 percent of all common
shares entitled to vote on the proposal.
Under the listing standards of the NYSE, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast
is required to approve the amendment and restatement of our Director Plan. In addition, to satisfy
the NYSE listing standards, the total vote cast with respect to the Director Plan must represent
over 50 percent of all common shares entitled to vote on the proposal.
WHO WILL BEAR THE EXPENSE OF SOLICITING PROXIES?
Core Laboratories will bear the cost of preparing and mailing proxy materials as well as the
cost of soliciting proxies and will reimburse banks, brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for their expenses in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of our common
shares. The solicitation of proxies by the Supervisory Board will be conducted by mail. In
addition, certain members of the Supervisory Board, officers and regular employees of our Company
may solicit proxies in person, by facsimile, by telephone or by other means of electronic
communication. Core Laboratories has retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications to assist in
the solicitation of proxies for a fee of $10,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses. In addition to
solicitation of proxies, Georgeson may provide advisory services as requested pertaining to the
solicitation of proxies.
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
Security Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The table below sets forth certain information, as of April 1, 2006, with respect to the
common shares beneficially owned by:
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each person known to us to own beneficially five percent or more of our outstanding common shares; |
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each Supervisory Director; |
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each nominee for election as Supervisory Director; |
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each of our executive officers; and |
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all Supervisory Directors and executive officers as a group. |
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Number of |
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Percentage of |
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Common Shares |
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Name of Beneficial Owner (1) |
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Beneficially Owned |
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Outstanding (2) |
CAM North America, LLC (3) |
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4,820,858 |
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18.90 |
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FMR Corp. (4) |
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2,584,344 |
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9.41 |
% |
David M. Demshur** |
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970,227 |
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3.72 |
% |
Richard L. Bergmark** |
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561,413 |
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2.17 |
% |
Monty L. Davis** |
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392,430 |
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1.52 |
% |
John D. Denson** |
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269,358 |
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1.05 |
% |
Joseph R. Perna** |
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131,644 |
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D. John Ogren** |
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101,100 |
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Rene R. Joyce** |
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71,000 |
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Alexander Vriesendorp** |
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51,000 |
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Michael C. Kearney** |
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22,000 |
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Jacobus Schouten** |
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20,000 |
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All Supervisory Directors and executive officers as a
group** |
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2,590,172 |
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9.50 |
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Represents less than 1%. |
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Includes the following common shares which may be acquired within 60 days of the date of this
proxy statement through the exercise of stock options: Mr. Demshur, 610,000; Mr. Bergmark,
366,000; Mr. Davis, 337,000; Mr. Denson, 173,536; Mr. Perna, 80,000; Mr. Ogren, 51,000; Mr.
Joyce, 51,000; Mr. Vriesendorp, 51,000; Mr. Kearney, 21,000; Mr. Schouten, 20,000; Total,
1,760,536. |
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Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting power and investment power with
respect to the common shares listed. |
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Based on 25,504,095 common shares outstanding as of April 1, 2006. |
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As reported on the Schedule 13G/A dated January 10, 2006, the common shares reported by Cam
North America, LLC, Smith Barney Fund Management LLC and Salomon Brothers Asset Management
Inc. have shared voting and dispositive power over 4,820,858 common shares. The business
address of these reporting persons is 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10043. |
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As reported on the Schedule 13G dated March 10, 2006, FMR Corp. has the sole power to vote
or direct the vote as to 138,700 common shares and sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of 2,550,044 common shares. Fidelity Management & Research Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of FMR Corp. and an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, is the beneficial owner of 2,550,044 common shares as a
result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under
Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Edward C. Johnson 3d, FMR Corp., through its
control of Fidelity Management & Research Company, and the funds each has the sole power to
dispose of the 2,550,044 common shares owned by the funds, but none have the sole power to
vote or direct the voting of such shares, which power resides with the funds. Fidelity
Management Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. and a bank as defined in
Section 3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is the beneficial owner of 34,300
common shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of the institutional
account(s). Mr. Johnson and FMR Corp., through its control of Fidelity Management Trust
Company, each has sole dispositive power over 34,300 common shares and sole power to vote or
direct the voting of such shares owned by the institutional accounts. Mr. Johnson is the
Chairman of FMR Corp and he along with other members of his family may be deemed to form a
controlling group with respect to FMR Corp. The business address of these reporting persons
is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. |
4
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Supervisory Directors, executive officers and
persons who own more than ten percent of our common shares to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership (Forms 3, 4 and 5) of our common shares with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Supervisory Directors,
executive officers and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to
furnish us with copies of all such forms that they file.
To our knowledge, based solely upon our review of the Section 16(a) filings that have been
received by us, we believe that during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, our Supervisory
Directors, executive officers and ten percent shareholders complied with the applicable Section
16(a) filing requirements.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
We have two main incentive plans, our Incentive Plan and our Director Plan, both of which have
been approved by our shareholders. The table below provides information regarding our equity
compensation plans as of December 31, 2005.
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Number of Common |
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Number of Common |
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Shares to be Issued |
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Weighted Average |
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Shares Remaining |
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Upon Exercise of |
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Exercise Price of |
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Available for Future |
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Outstanding Options, |
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Outstanding Options, |
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Issuance Under Equity |
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Warrants and Rights |
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Warrants and Rights |
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Compensation Plans |
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Equity compensation plans
approved by our shareholders |
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3,267,559 |
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$ |
11.34 |
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772,400 |
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Equity compensation plans not
approved by our shareholders (1) |
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Total |
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3,267,559 |
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$ |
11.34 |
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772,400 |
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(1) |
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We have assumed outstanding stock options in connection with certain of our acquisitions.
The aggregate number of our common shares to be issued upon exercise of such options on
December 31, 2005 was 57,409 shares and the weighted average exercise price of such
outstanding options was $2.23. These shares were granted under plans administered by the
companies acquired by us but we did not assume the stock option plans of these acquired
companies, and since the closing of the acquisitions, no additional stock options under these
plans have been granted, nor are any authorized to be granted under such plans. Because the
assumption of these options did not require shareholder approval, we did not obtain such
approval. |
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
The following performance graph compares the performance of our common shares to the Standard
& Poors 500 Index and the Standard & Poors Oil & Gas Equipment and Services Index (which has been
selected as our peer group) for the period beginning December 31, 2000 and ending December 31,
2005. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common shares and each index was
$100 at December 31, 2000 and that all dividends were reinvested.
5
Comparison of Yearly Cumulative Returns Among Core Laboratories N.V.,
Peer Group and the S&P 500 Index
There can be no assurance that our common share performance will continue into the future with
the same or similar trends depicted in the graph above. We will not make or endorse any
predictions as to future performance of our common shares.
6
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Board of Supervisory Directors
Set forth below as of April 15, 2006 are the names, ages and biographical information for our
Supervisory Directors, including individuals who have been nominated for reelection as a
Supervisory Director. You may vote for any one of the directors, for both directors, or for
neither.
Nominees for Class III Supervisory Directors (Term to Expire 2006)
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Richard L. Bergmark, 52.
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Mr. Bergmark joined Western Atlas
International, Inc. as Treasurer in
1987. From 1987 to 1994, our Company
was operated as a division of Western
Atlas. In 1991, Mr. Bergmark became the
Area Manager for Finance and
Administration for Europe, Africa and
the Middle East operations of Western
Geophysical, a division of Western
Atlas. From our separation with Western
Atlas in 1994 until 1999, he served as
our Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer and in 1999 he was appointed
Executive Vice President. Mr. Bergmark
presently serves as our Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer and as a Supervisory Director.
Mr. Bergmark has served as a
Supervisory Director since our initial
public offering in 1995. |
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Alexander Vriesendorp, 53.
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Mr. Vriesendorp has been a partner
since 1996 of Shamrock Partners B.V.
which serves as the manager for the
Vreedenlust venture capital funds. From
1998 until 2001, Mr. Vriesendorp served
as chief executive officer of RMI
Holland B.V., a valve manufacturer, in
The Netherlands. From 1991 until 1995,
he served as chief executive officer of
the Nienhuis Group, a manufacturer and
distributor of Montessori materials in
The Netherlands. Mr. Vriesendorp serves
on the supervisory boards of various
privately-held European companies. Mr.
Vriesendorp has served as a Supervisory
Director since 2000. |
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Continuing Class I Supervisory Directors (Term to Expire 2008) |
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David M. Demshur, 50.
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Mr. Demshur joined our Company in
1979 and presently serves as our
President and Chief Executive Officer and
as Chairman of our Supervisory Board.
Since joining our Company, Mr. Demshur
has held various operating positions,
including Manager of Geological Sciences
from 1983 to 1987, Vice President of
Europe, Africa and the Middle East from
1989 to 1991, Senior Vice President of
Petroleum Services from 1991 to 1994 and
Chief Executive Officer and President
from 1994 to the present time. Mr.
Demshur is a member of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers, the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists,
Petroleum Exploration Society of Great
Britain and the Society of Core Analysts
Section of the Society of Professional
Well Loggers Association. Mr. Demshur has
served as a Supervisory Director since
our initial public offering in 1995 and
as Chairman of our Supervisory Board
since May 2001. |
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Rene R. Joyce, 58.
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Mr. Joyce serves as the chief
executive officer of Targa Resources,
Inc. and as a member of its board of
directors since April 2004. Mr. Joyce
served as an independent consultant in
the energy industry from 2000 through
April 2004. Mr. Joyce served as
president of Energy Services of Coral
Energy, LLC from its acquisition by Shell
Oil Company in 1998 until the end of
1999. From 1980 until 1998, Mr. Joyce
served as president of the operating
companies of Tejas Gas Corporation,
Corals predecessor and a listed company
on the NYSE. Mr. Joyce is a member of
the Louisiana State Bar Association. Mr.
Joyce has served as a Supervisory
Director since 2000. |
7
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Michael C. Kearney, 57.
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Mr. Kearney serves as executive vice
president and chief financial officer of
Tesco Corporation, a Canadian-based oil
service company. From August 1998 until
March 2004, Mr. Kearney served as the
chief financial officer and vice
president administration of Hydril
Company, a manufacturer of products for
petroleum drilling and production. Mr.
Kearney has served as a Supervisory
Director since 2004. |
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Continuing Class II Supervisory Directors (Term To Expire 2007) |
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D. John Ogren, 62.
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Mr. Ogren, served as the president
of Production Operators, Inc. from 1994
until 1999. Production Operators was
listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market prior
to its acquisition by Camco International
in 1997 and Schlumbergers acquisition of
Camco International in 1998. From 1989
until 1991, Mr. Ogren served as senior
vice president of Conoco Inc. and from
1992 until 1994, as senior vice president
of E.I. duPont. Mr. Ogren is currently
the non-executive chairman of
WellDynamics, a Halliburton/Shell joint
venture company, an advisory director of
Intrepid Energy (U.K.) Ltd. and a
director of John Wood Group PLC. He is a
member of the Society of Petroleum
Engineers. Mr. Ogren has served as a
Supervisory Director since 2000. |
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Joseph R. Perna, 62.
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Mr. Perna joined our Company as
General Manager in 1985. In 1991, he was
promoted to Senior Vice President, with
responsibility for certain laboratory
services operations and the Technology
Products Division, a position he held
until his retirement on March 31, 1998.
Mr. Perna has served as a Supervisory
Director since our initial public
offering in 1995. |
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Jacobus Schouten, 51.
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Mr. Schouten serves on the board of
directors of various privately-held
European companies. He has been a
managing director of International
Mezzanine Capital B.V., a private equity
fund, since 1990. Mr. Schouten has
served as a Supervisory Director since
our initial public offering in 1995. |
Director Compensation
Each Supervisory Director who is not our full-time employee is paid:
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an annual retainer of $30,000, payable semiannually in arrears; or if the Audit
Committee chair, an annual retainer of $45,000, or if the chair of either the Compensation
Committee or Nominating and Governance Committee, an annual retainer of $35,000; |
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$1,500 per meeting of the Supervisory Board at which the individual is present in person; |
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$1,500 per meeting for each committee meeting at which the individual is present in person; and |
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reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any Supervisory Board
or committee meeting. |
Supervisory Directors who are our full-time employees receive no compensation for serving as
Supervisory Directors.
Our 1995 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended, which we refer to as the
Director Plan, provides for the issuance of up to 700,000 of our common shares to eligible
Supervisory Directors. Under the Director Plan, each nonemployee director is generally granted an
option to acquire 1,000 common shares on the date such individual first becomes an eligible
director. In addition, an option to acquire 10,000 common shares will be granted to each
nonemployee Supervisory Director (20,000 common shares if such nonemployee Supervisory Director is
the Chairman)
8
each year generally on the first date in the calendar year set by the Supervisory
Board for the issuance of stock options to more than ten employees under our 1995 Long-Term
Incentive Plan, as amended, which we refer to as the Incentive Plan. Supervisory Directors who
are also our employees receive no grants under the Director Plan. Options granted will be
exercisable for a period of up to ten years and will vest one year following the date of grant.
The exercise price of options granted under the Nonemployee Director Plan will be equal to the
market price of our common shares on the date of grant. The Board of Supervisory Directors has
approved the amendment and restatement of the Director Plan, which is described below as Item 7 for
your approval.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board Structure
The Company has a two-tier board structure consisting of a Management Board and a Supervisory
Board, each of which must consist of at least one member under the Companys articles of
association. Under Dutch law, the Supervisory Boards duties include supervising and advising the
Management Board in performing their management tasks. The Supervisory Board currently consists of
eight Supervisory Directors. The Supervisory Directors are expected to exercise oversight of
management with the Companys interests in mind. The Supervisory Board is divided into three
classes, with each class subject to re-election every third year by the shareholders at the annual
meeting.
The Management Boards sole member is Core Laboratories International B.V. As a Managing
Director, Core Laboratories International B.V.s duties include overseeing the management of the
Company, consulting with the Supervisory Board on important matters and submitting certain
important decisions to the Supervisory Board for its prior approval.
Supervisory Director Independence
In connection with determining the independence of each Supervisory Director of the Company,
the Board inquired as to any transactions and relationships between each Supervisory Director and
his or her immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries, and reviewed and discussed the
results of such inquiry. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such
relationships or transactions were material and, therefore, inconsistent with a determination that
a Supervisory Director is independent, under the standards set forth by the NYSE and, to the extent
consistent therewith, the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (the Dutch Code). Under the Dutch
Code, the Supervisory Board is to be composed of members who are able to act critically and
independently of each other and of the Management Board. As a result of this review, after finding
no material transactions or relationships, the board affirmatively determined that all of our
nonemployee Supervisory Directors, including the nonemployee Supervisory Director nominated by the
Nominating and Governance Committee for reelection, are independent under the applicable standards
described above.
Supervisory Board Meetings
The Supervisory Board held four meetings in 2005. Each Supervisory Director attended at least
75% of the meetings of the Supervisory Board and of all committees on which he serves, except that
Mr. Joyce attended four of six Audit Committee Meetings. Under our Corporate Governance
Guidelines, Supervisory Directors are expected to diligently fulfill their fiduciary duties to
shareholders, including preparing for, attending and participating in meetings of the Supervisory
Board and the committees of which the Supervisory Director is a member. We do not require our
Supervisory Directors to attend our annual meetings, which are held in The Netherlands. One of our
Supervisory Directors attended our 2005 annual meeting.
Our Nonemployee Supervisory Directors have met separately in executive session without any
members of management present. The Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee is the
presiding Supervisory Director at each such
session. If any of our Nonemployee Supervisory Directors were to fail to meet the applicable
criteria for independence, then our independent Supervisory Directors would meet separately at
least once a year in accordance with the rules of the NYSE.
9
Committees of the Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board has three standing committees, the identities, memberships and functions
of which are described below:
Audit Committee. The current members of the Audit Committee of our Supervisory Board are Messrs.
Kearney (Chairman), Joyce and Perna. The Audit Committees principal functions include making
recommendations concerning the engagement of the independent accountants, reviewing with the
independent accountants the plan and results of the auditing engagement, approving professional
services provided by the independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal
accounting controls. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as defined by Section 10A
of the Exchange Act and by the corporate governance standards set forth by the NYSE and, to the
extent consistent therewith, the Dutch Code. Each member of the Audit Committee is financially
literate and Mr. Kearney qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the rules
promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee held 6 meetings in 2005. See
Report of the Audit Committee below.
Compensation Committee. The current members of the Compensation Committee of our Supervisory Board
are Messrs. Ogren (Chairman), Joyce and Perna. The Compensation Committees principal functions
include a general review of our compensation and benefit plans to ensure that they are properly
designed to meet corporate objectives. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the
compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our senior executive officers, granting of awards
under our benefit plans and adopting and changing major compensation policies and practices. In
addition to establishing the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation
Committee reports its recommendations to the whole Supervisory Board for approval. On February 28,
2003, our Supervisory Board established an Options Subcommittee consisting of Messrs. Ogren
(Chairman) and Joyce, which was renamed the Equity Awards Subcommittee in 2006. The Equity Awards
Subcommittees principal function is to review and approve awards made pursuant to our Incentive
Plan. The Compensation Committee held 2 meetings in 2005. See Report of the Compensation
Committee on Executive Compensation below.
Nominating and Governance Committee. The current members of the Nominating and Governance
Committee are Messrs. Joyce (Chairman), Schouten and Vriesendorp. The Nominating and Governance
Committees principal functions include recommending candidates to the Supervisory Board for
election or appointment as Supervisory Director and advising about, and recommending to the
Supervisory Board, an appropriate set of corporate governance practices. Each member of the
Nominating and Governance Committee is independent as defined by the corporate governance standards
of the NYSE. The Nominating and Governance Committee held one meeting in 2005. See Report of the
Nominating and Governance Committee below.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2005, no executive officer served as:
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a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent
functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of
another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; |
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a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent
functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of
another entity, one of whose executive officers served as one of our Supervisory
Directors; or |
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a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our
Compensation Committee or the board of directors of one of our subsidiaries. |
Joseph R. Perna, a member of our Compensation Committee, was an officer of our Company until his
retirement on March 1, 1998, more than eight years ago.
Shareholder Communications; Website Access to Our Corporate Documents
Shareholders can contact any Supervisory Director or committee of the Board of Supervisory
Directors by directing correspondence to them in care of John D. Denson, Secretary, Core
Laboratories LP, 6316 Windfern Road, Houston, Texas 77040. Comments or complaints relating to the
Companys accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be referred to members
of the Audit Committee.
Our Internet address is www.corelab.com. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of
Ethics, our Code of Business Conduct and the charters of our Supervisory Board committees are
available on our website. We will also furnish copies of such information free of charge upon
written request to our Investor Relations department.
10
We file Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Current Reports on
Form 8-K with the SEC. These reports are available free of charge through our website as soon as
reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the SEC. We may from time to time
provide important disclosures to investors by posting them in the investor relations section of our
website, as allowed by SEC rules. Materials we file with the SEC may also be read and copied at
the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The
SEC also maintains an Internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements, and other information regarding our Company that we file electronically with the SEC.
Dutch Corporate Governance Code
On December 9, 2003, the Dutch Corporate Governance Committee presented its final corporate
governance code, containing principles of good corporate governance and best practice provisions.
The Dutch Code emphasizes the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability as the
primary means of achieving good corporate governance. The Dutch Code includes certain principles
of good corporate governance, supported by best practice provisions. Beginning on or after
January 1, 2004, companies listed in the Netherlands are required to disclose in their annual
report and accounts how they intend to incorporate the principles of the Dutch Code or, where
relevant, to explain why they do not. The Management Board has reviewed the Dutch Code and
generally agrees with its fundamental principles. As discussed above, the Company complies with
U.S. corporate governance rules and, to the extent consistent therewith, the corporate governance
principles of the Dutch Code. The Company intends to continue to monitor the developments in
corporate governance and shall take such steps as it considers appropriate to further implement the
provisions of the Dutch Code. Please see the report of the Management Board, a copy of which will
be available for inspection at our offices in the Netherlands, located at Herengracht 424, 1017 B Z
Amsterdam for a discussion of our compliance with the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Officers
Currently, our executive officers consist of David M. Demshur, Monty L. Davis, Richard L.
Bergmark, and John D. Denson. Biographical information regarding Messrs. Demshur and Bergmark is
set forth above. The following biographies describe the business experience of Messrs. Davis and
Denson. Our executive officers are not Managing Directors of our Company for purposes of Dutch
law.
Monty L. Davis, who is 51 years of age, joined Western Atlas International in 1977, holding
various management positions including Atlas Wireline Division Financial Controller for Europe,
Africa and the Middle East from 1983 to 1987, Core Laboratories Division Vice President of Finance
from 1987 to 1991, and Atlas Wireline Division vice president of finance and administration from
1991 to 1993. In 1993, Mr. Davis left our Company and joined Bovar Inc. of Calgary, Canada, an
environmental waste disposal company, as chief financial officer. From 1994 to 1995 he served as
chief operating officer and from 1995 to 1998 he served as president and chief executive officer of
Bovar Inc. Mr. Davis rejoined our Company as Senior Vice President in 1998, and in 1999 was promoted to Chief
Operating Officer, the position he currently holds.
John D. Denson, who is 48 years of age, joined our Company in 1992 and has served as our Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary since 1994. Mr. Denson is a member of the State Bar of
Texas.
11
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and each of our
other executive officers, information relating to the compensation earned for services rendered in
all capacities during fiscal years 2003 through 2005.
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Annual |
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Long-Term Compensation |
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Compensation(1) |
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Awards |
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Payouts |
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Securities |
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Underlying |
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All Other |
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Fiscal |
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Restricted Share |
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Options |
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Compensation |
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Name and Principal Position |
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Year |
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Salary |
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Bonus |
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Awards (2) |
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(Number) |
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LTIP Payouts |
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(6) |
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David M. Demshur |
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2005 |
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$ |
500,000 |
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$ |
710,000 |
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$ |
1,230,254 |
(3) |
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$ |
1,494,400 |
(5) |
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$ |
49,260 |
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President and Chief |
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2004 |
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490,639 |
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330,000 |
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793,100 |
(4) |
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934,000 |
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32,825 |
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Executive Officer |
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2003 |
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454,423 |
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140,000 |
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18,177 |
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Richard L. Bergmark |
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2005 |
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$ |
293,000 |
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$ |
281,000 |
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$ |
1,123,582 |
(3) |
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$ |
747,200 |
(5) |
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$ |
24,183 |
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Executive Vice President, |
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2004 |
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291,469 |
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130,000 |
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453,200 |
(4) |
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467,000 |
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16,859 |
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Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer |
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2003 |
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269,654 |
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80,000 |
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10,525 |
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Monty L. Davis |
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2005 |
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$ |
280,000 |
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$ |
265,000 |
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$ |
643,583 |
(3) |
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$ |
747,200 |
(5) |
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$ |
22,107 |
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Chief Operating Officer |
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2004 |
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275,039 |
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100,000 |
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113,300 |
(4) |
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467,000 |
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15,001 |
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and Senior Vice President |
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2003 |
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259,692 |
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80,000 |
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10,388 |
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John D. Denson |
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2005 |
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$ |
235,000 |
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$ |
150,000 |
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$ |
422,704 |
(3) |
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$ |
373,600 |
(5) |
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$ |
16,162 |
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Vice President, General |
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2004 |
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238,446 |
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90,000 |
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339,900 |
(4) |
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233,500 |
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13,138 |
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Counsel and Secretary |
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2003 |
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216,731 |
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60,000 |
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8,668 |
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(1) |
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During the years ending December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, perquisites for each individual
named in the table above did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual
salary and bonus reported for such individual. Accordingly, no such amounts are included in
the table. |
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(2) |
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Amounts set forth in the restricted share awards column represent the grant-date value of
restricted share awards. The aggregate number and year-end value of the restricted shares, if
they had been issued, for Messrs. Demshur, Bergmark, Davis and Denson were 100,000 shares
($3,736,000), 55,000 shares ($2,054,800), 55,000 shares ($2,054,800) and 25,000 shares
($934,000), respectively, based on the closing price of our shares on December 31, 2005 of
$37.36. These share totals include, with respect to Messrs. Demshur, Bergmark, Davis and
Denson, 80,000, 40,000, 40,000 and 20,000 performance shares, respectively. Holders of
restricted shares would receive the same cash dividends as other shareholders owning common
shares. |
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(3) |
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The amounts in this column for 2005 include a restricted share award on April 1, 2005 based
on a $26.80 per share price (the April Restricted Shares) and a restricted share award on
June 1, 2005 based on a $25.54 per share price (the June Restricted Shares). The April
Restricted Shares will generally vest upon the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
average closing stock price per common share attains a level equal to or above $28.00 per
share over a period of 20 consecutive trading days ending within a period beginning on the
twenty-first trading day after April 1, 2006 and ending on April 1, 2008, (ii) the average
closing price per common share attains a level equal to or greater than $32.00 per share over
a period of 20 consecutive trading days ending within the period beginning on the last trading
day after April 1, 2008 and ending April 1, 2010, (iii) a change in control of the Company,
(iv) the executive officer remains continuously employed by the Company until January 1, 2012,
or (v) the executive officers employment by the Company is terminated for any reason other
than by the Company for cause. The June
Restricted Shares will generally vest if the named executive officer remains in our employment
until June 1, 2007, and maintain continuous ownership until such date of (i) the equivalent
number of shares the participant initially purchased in order to receive the original restricted
matching share award plus (ii) a number of the shares received in the restricted matching share
award (which number of shares is generally equal to all of the shares included in the restricted
matching share award less a percentage of such shares surrendered by the participant to pay
applicable taxes upon their vesting). Some or all of the restricted shares may vest prior to
June 1, 2007 in the event of a change |
12
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in control or the termination of the participants
employment by reason of death, disability, an involuntary termination without cause, or after
attainting the age of 60 and completing 10 years of employment with us. |
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The table excludes the value of performance-based restricted share awards that are subject to
performance-based criteria, in addition to lapse of time and/or continued service. If such
performance-based restricted shares vest, then the dollar value of such vested shares will be
disclosed in the table as a payout of long-term incentive compensation. Please see Long-Term
Incentive Plan Table Awards in 2005. |
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(4) |
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The amounts in this column for 2004 include a restricted share award on September 1, 2004
based on a $22.66 per share price. Such restricted shares vested in September 2005 upon the
determination that the average closing price per common share was equal to or greater than
$25.00 over 20 consecutive trading days beginning on the twenty-first trading day after the
first anniversary of the date of grant. |
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(5) |
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Consists of vested performance share awards previously granted to Messrs. Demshur, Bergmark,
Davis and Denson for 40,000, 20,000, 20,000 and 10,000 performance shares, respectively. |
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(6) |
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Consists of matching contributions and contributions by the Company through our retirement
plans and amounts paid under certain insurance plans. |
2005 Option Exercises and Year-End Value Table
The following table sets forth for our executive officers information regarding options held
by them at December 31, 2005.
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Number of |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
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|
|
|
Securities Underlying Unexercised |
|
Value of Securities Underlying |
|
|
Underlying |
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|
|
|
|
Options Held at |
|
Unexercised Options Held at |
|
|
Options |
|
Value |
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
December 31, 2005 (2) |
Name |
|
Exercised |
|
Realized |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
David M. Demshur |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
787,500 |
(1) |
|
|
610,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
15,456,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
Richard L. Bergmark |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
525,000 |
(1) |
|
|
366,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9,563,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
Monty L. Davis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
337,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,088,610 |
|
|
|
|
|
John D. Denson |
|
|
52,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,254,240 |
|
|
|
173,538 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,256,441 |
|
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|
|
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(1) |
|
None of the common shares received upon exercise of these options were sold in the open
market. |
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(2) |
|
Computed based on the difference between aggregate fair market value and aggregate exercise
price. The fair market value of our common shares on December 30, 2005, the last trading day
of 2005 was based on $37.64, the average of the high and low sales prices on the NYSE on such
date. |
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|
No stock options were granted to our named executive officers during 2005. |
Long-Term Incentive Plans Awards in 2005
The following table sets forth performance restricted share awards granted in 2005 to our
executive officers:
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|
Performance or Other |
|
|
Number |
|
Period Until |
|
|
of Shares, Units |
|
Maturation or |
Name |
|
or Other Rights (1) |
|
Payout |
David M. Demshur |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Richard L. Bergmark |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Monty L. Davis |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
John D. Denson |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes contingent rights to acquire common shares awarded to Messrs. Demshur (40,000),
Bergmark (20,000), Davis (20,000) and Denson (10,000) that are subject to a performance goal
that is based on a calculated return on equity versus a pre-determined target return on equity
of 20%. The return on equity is calculated by dividing |
13
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|
earnings before interest and income tax
from continuing operations over the performance period by ending shareholders equity over the
performance period (ROE). Unless there is a change in control, none of these shares will be
issued if our ROE is less than 20% for the three-year performance period. If our ROE for the
performance period equals 20%, then 50% of the shares will be issued, and if our ROE for the
performance period equals or exceeds 24%, then 100% of the shares will be issued. If our ROE
for the performance period is greater than 20% but less than 24%, then the number of shares to
be issued would be interpolated based on the terms of the agreement. If we undergo a change in
control prior to the last day of the performance period and while the executive officer is
employed by us, then all of the executive officers performance shares will vest as of the
date of the change in control. |
Employment and Change of Control Agreements
David M. Demshur Employment Agreement. Mr. Demshur serves as our President and Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to an employment agreement that is currently set to expire in 2006. Unless either
party gives notice to terminate the agreement, the agreement will automatically renew each year on
the anniversary of the effective date for a successive three-year term. Mr. Demshurs employment
agreement entitles him to a base salary of $420,000, subject to increase at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee, and the opportunity to earn a yearly bonus of up to 150% of his then
current annual base salary dependent upon his reaching certain performance objectives established
by the Compensation Committee and described below under Executive Compensation Program Annual
Incentive Compensation. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Demshur is entitled to
participate in all of our Companys benefit plans and programs and also contains non-compete
provisions in the event Mr. Demshurs employment with our Company is terminated.
Mr. Demshurs employment agreement also includes provisions governing the payment of severance
benefits if his employment is terminated by him for any reason or by the Company for any reason
other than upon his death or disability, for cause or upon a material breach of a material
provision of his employment agreement. Any severance benefits shall be made as follows:
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the payment of a lump sum amount equal to the sum of: |
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200% of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the termination; and |
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|
two times 45% of the maximum annual incentive bonus he could have earned pursuant
to his employment contract; |
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|
the provision of a benefits package for Mr. Demshur and his dependants which includes
medical, hospital, dental, disability and life insurance plans and coverage at least as
favorable as those provided immediately prior to the termination for as long as Mr. Demshur
and his dependents are living; |
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|
the payment of a lump sum amount equal to the non-vested employer contributions
allocated to his account under our 401(k) Plan that are forfeited as a result of the
termination; |
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|
the full and immediate vesting of all of his outstanding stock options which options
shall remain exercisable for a period of three months following such termination; and |
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|
the provision of outplacement services at a cost not to exceed 100% of the his annual
base salary as in effect immediately prior to the termination. |
If Mr. Demshurs employment is terminated as a result of his death or disability, Mr. Demshur
(if living) and his dependents will be entitled to the benefits described under the second and
forth bullet points above.
If Mr. Demshurs employment is terminated for any reason within three years following a
change in control, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to the same
benefits described above except that (A) the options
vested pursuant to the fourth bullet point above shall remain exercisable for a period of one
year and (B) the lump sum payment described in the first bullet point above shall be equal to the
sum of:
|
|
|
300% of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the change in control; and |
14
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|
three times the higher of (A) 45% of the maximum annual incentive bonus he could have
earned pursuant to his employment contract or (B) the highest annual bonus he received in
the three years prior to the change of control. |
Additionally, if any of the payments or benefits described above would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, then Mr.
Demshur will be entitled to receive a gross-up payment equal the amount of excise tax imposed plus
all taxes imposed on the gross-up payment.
Richard L. Bergmark Employment Agreement. Mr. Bergmark serves as our Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer pursuant to an employment agreement that is currently set to expire in 2006. Mr.
Bergmarks employment agreement entitles him to a base salary of $236,250, subject to increase at
the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and the opportunity to earn a yearly bonus of up to
100% of his then current annual base salary dependent upon his reaching certain performance
objectives established by the Compensation Committee. The other terms of Mr. Bergmarks amended
and revised employment agreement are substantially identical to those contained in Mr. Demshurs
employment agreement described above.
Monty L. Davis Employment Agreement. Mr. Davis serves as our Chief Operating Officer pursuant to
an employment agreement that is currently set to expire in 2006. Mr. Davis employment agreement
entitles him to a base salary of $231,000, subject to increase at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee, and the opportunity to earn a yearly bonus of up to 100% of his then
current annual base salary dependent upon his reaching certain performance objectives established
by the Compensation Committee. The other terms of Mr. Davis amended and revised employment
agreement are substantially identical to those contained in Mr. Demshurs employment agreement
described above.
John D. Denson Employment Agreement. Mr. Denson serves as our General Counsel, Vice President and
Secretary pursuant to an employment agreement that is currently set to expire in 2006. Mr.
Densons employment agreement entitles him to a base salary of $199,500, subject to increase at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee, and the opportunity to earn a yearly bonus of up to 75%
of his then current annual base salary dependent upon his reaching certain performance objectives
established by the Compensation Committee. The other terms of Mr. Densons amended and revised
employment agreement are substantially identical to those contained in Mr. Demshurs employment
agreement described above.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
In 1998, we adopted the Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which we
refer to as the Group SERP, for the benefit of certain key employees and outside directors. The
Group SERP was established to provide additional retirement income to the participants and death
benefits to the participants designated beneficiaries as a reward for the participants
contributions to our success and growth. Richard L. Bergmark, David M. Demshur and Joseph R. Perna
participate in the Group SERP. Each participant is entitled to receive a retirement benefit of
$250,000 per year, which begins on the later of participants retirement date or attaining the age
of 65 years and is paid in annual installments until the participants death. If a participant
dies on or after his retirement date and prior to receiving 15 annual installments of his
retirement benefit, then the participants designated beneficiary is entitled to receive $250,000
each year until such payments have been made for an aggregate of 15 years to both the participant
and such designated beneficiary. If the participant dies before his retirement date, the
designated beneficiary of the deceased participant is entitled to receive $225,000 each year for 15
years. Each participants benefit under the Group SERP is fully vested and fully accrued.
Additionally, the participant may make a prior election to receive a lump sum payment upon a
change of control of our Company equal to the discounted present value of the retirement benefits
that would have been paid upon the participants retirement. Benefits under the Group SERP may be
forfeited only in the event of a participants termination for cause.
In 1999, we adopted the Core Laboratories Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for Monty L.
Davis and John D. Denson, which we refer to as the Individual SERPs. The terms of the Individual
SERPs are similar to that of the Group SERP except that the amount of the retirement benefit is
determined using a formula that takes into consideration the participants compensation, years of
employment, and a five year vesting schedule. The following table represents the total estimated
annual benefits payable to Messrs. Davis and Denson in fixed annual payments for life, subject to a
minimum of 15 annual payments, under the Individual SERPs.
15
Individual Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Table
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|
|
|
Years of Service |
Final Average Compensation |
|
10 |
|
15 |
|
20 |
|
25 |
|
30 |
|
35 |
$200,000 |
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
$225,000 |
|
$ |
45,000 |
|
|
$ |
67,500 |
|
|
$ |
90,000 |
|
|
$ |
112,500 |
|
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
157,000 |
|
$250,000 |
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
125,000 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
$275,000 |
|
$ |
55,000 |
|
|
$ |
82,500 |
|
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
137,500 |
|
|
$ |
165,000 |
|
|
$ |
192,500 |
|
$300,000 |
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
|
$ |
90,000 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
|
$ |
210,000 |
|
$325,000 |
|
$ |
65,000 |
|
|
$ |
97,500 |
|
|
$ |
130,000 |
|
|
$ |
162,500 |
|
|
$ |
195,000 |
|
|
$ |
227,000 |
|
$350,000 |
|
$ |
70,000 |
|
|
$ |
105,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
210,000 |
|
|
$ |
245,000 |
|
$375,000 |
|
$ |
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
112,000 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
187,500 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
262,500 |
|
Amounts shown as Final Average Compensation in this table represent the average annual
covered compensation paid for five consecutive calendar years immediately preceding the year in
which the individuals employment terminates. For 2005, covered compensation for Messrs. Davis and
Denson in the Summary Compensation Table on page 9 is the same as the total of their salary amounts
shown in that table. As of March 1, 2006, Messrs. Davis and Denson had 25 years and 14.5 years of
credited service with the Company, respectively. The benefits listed in the table are not subject
to any deduction for Social Security.
We have purchased insurance coverage on the lives of Messrs. Demshur, Bergmark, Perna, Davis
and Denson to assist us in providing benefits under the Group and Individual SERPs. We are the
owner and beneficiary of the insurance coverage for which all of the Group SERP and the Individual
SERP premiums are fully paid. Based on actuarial calculations (including a 12% earnings rate
assumption), we expect that the death benefits paid to us under the insurance policies will be
sufficient to cover the costs of the Group and Individual SERPs benefits for these individuals.
However, to the extent the death benefits under the policies are insufficient to cover those costs,
we are obligated to pay the remainder out of our other general assets to absorb any shortfall.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committees responsibilities are:
|
|
|
to establish the compensation program for our Chief Executive Officer and our other
senior executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
to oversee the administration of the incentive and stock option plans; and |
|
|
|
|
to oversee the development of the compensation program for our Supervisory Directors. |
Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Ogren, Joyce and Perna. The Company has
determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under the standards set
forth by the NYSE and, to the extent consistent therewith, the Dutch Code.
Executive Compensation Philosophy
The objective of the compensation program for officers and managers is to create strong
financial incentives for corporate and division officers and managers to increase profits, revenues
and operating efficiency, which we expect to lead to an increase in shareholder value. The
following objectives guide the Compensation Committee in its deliberations:
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|
|
provide a competitive compensation program that enables us to attract and retain key
executives and Supervisory Board members; |
|
|
|
|
ensure a strong relationship between our performance results and those of our divisions
and the total compensation received by an individual; |
|
|
|
|
balance our annual and longer term performance objectives; |
16
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|
|
encourage executives to acquire and retain meaningful levels of common shares; and |
|
|
|
|
work closely with our Chief Executive Officer to ensure that the compensation program
supports our management style, objectives and culture. |
In addition to normal employee benefits, the executive total compensation program includes
base salary, annual cash incentive compensation and longer term stock-based grants and awards.
Market Comparisons
Primary market comparisons for executive compensation are made to other oilfield service
companies, adjusted for size and job responsibilities. The companies used for market comparisons
in the development of the compensation program are broader than those used in the performance graph
presented elsewhere in this proxy statement and are used because they are more representative of
the market in which we compete for executive talent. Data sources include peer company proxy
disclosures, oilfield industry surveys, national survey databases and general trend data provided
by consultants.
Variable Incentives
Variable incentives, both annual and longer term, are major components of the program and are
used to link pay with performance results appropriate to each executive officer or manager.
Variable incentive awards and performance objectives are calibrated such that total compensation
will approximate the market 50th percentile when our performance plans are achieved and exceed the
50th percentile when our performance plans are exceeded.
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) imposes a $1,000,000 limit, with certain exceptions, on
the deductibility of compensation paid to each of our five highest paid executive officers. In
particular, compensation that is determined to be performance-based is exempt from this
limitation. To be performance based, incentive payments must use predetermined objective
standards, limit the use of discretion in making awards and be certified by the Compensation
Committee made up of outside directors. To date, we have not lost any tax deductions related to
the limitations of Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee will continue to monitor these
issues and will take appropriate action if it is warranted in the future.
Executive Compensation Program
The following is a discussion of each of the principal components of the executive total
compensation program.
Base Salary. The base salary program targets the median of the primary comparison group for
corporate and divisional officers and managers. Each executive is reviewed individually on an
annual basis. Salary adjustments are based on the individuals experience and background, the
individuals performance during the prior year, the general movement of salaries in the marketplace
and our financial position. As a result of these factors, an executives base salary may be above
or below the targeted median at any point in time.
Annual Incentive Compensation. We administer an annual incentive plan for our corporate and
divisional officers and managers. The goal of the plan is to reward participants based on our
performance as a whole, the performance of the division for which they have direct responsibility
and their individual contributions to our success. Under the plan, our executives have the
opportunity to earn yearly cash bonuses based on such executives achievement of certain
performance objectives. Please see Employment and Change of Control Agreements for more
information on the annual incentive plan.
For 2005, corporate participants were measured on earnings per share and earnings before
interest and taxes, or EBIT, while division participants were also measured on working capital
management. In addition, a discretionary component was included as part of the plan so that
outstanding effort and dedication could be recognized. The measures were weighted substantially
equally.
Deferred Compensation Plan. Core Laboratories LP, one of our principal subsidiaries, has adopted a
deferred compensation plan that allows certain officers, including all of our executive officers,
to defer a portion of their salary and bonus, as well as the amount of any reductions in their
deferrals under the 401(k) Plan, due to certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. The plan also provides for employer contributions to be made on behalf of
participants equal in amount to certain forfeitures of, and/or reductions in, employer
contributions that participants could have received under the 401(k) Plan in the absence of certain
limitations
17
imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. These employer contributions vest gradually over
a period of five years. Discretionary employer contributions may also be made on behalf of
participants in the plan and are subject to discretionary vesting schedules determined at the time
of such contributions. Vesting in all employer contributions is accelerated upon the death of the
participant or a change in control. Employer contributions under the plan are forfeited upon a
participants termination of employment to the extent they are not vested at that time.
Stock Based Compensation. Stock ownership by corporate and divisional management is encouraged
through the use of the Incentive Plan which provides for the award of our common shares and options
to buy our common shares. The Compensation Committee and management believe that widespread common
share ownership by key employees is an important means of encouraging superior performance and
employee retention. Common share option grants or grants of restricted share awards are considered
annually based on competitive multiples of base salary. Senior executives typically have a higher
multiple and, as a result, have a greater portion of their total compensation linked to our
long-term success. In determining the appropriate grant multiples, we target the market median
among publicly-held oilfield service companies of similar size. In 2005, each of Messrs. Demshur,
Bergmark, Davis and Denson received restricted share awards of 20,000, 15,000, 15,000 and 5,000
shares, respectively but received no stock option grants. Such restricted shares will generally
vest upon the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the average closing stock price per common
share attains a level equal to or above $28.00 per share over a period of 20 consecutive trading
days ending within a period beginning on the twenty-first trading day after April 1, 2006 and
ending on April 1, 2008, (ii) the average closing price per common share attains a level equal to
or greater than $32.00 per share over a period of 20 consecutive trading days ending within the
period beginning on the last trading day after April 1, 2008 and ending April 1, 2010, or (iii) in
their entirety on January 1, 2012.
In 2005, pursuant to the Executive Restricted Share Matching Program, each of Messrs. Demshur,
Bergmark, Davis and Denson received restricted share awards of 27,183, 28,253, 9,459 and 11,304
shares, respectively, (the Restricted Gross-Up Shares) to reimburse them for tax liabilities
resulting from the vesting of the original grant of restricted shares under the ESMP and their
eventual vesting in the Restricted Gross-Up Shares. In order to vest in the Restricted Gross-Up
Shares, each executive officer generally must remain in our employment until June 1, 2007, and
maintain continuous ownership until such date of (a) the equivalent number of shares the officer
initially purchased in order to receive the original restricted matching share award plus (b) a
number of the shares received in the restricted matching share award (which number of shares is
generally equal to all of the shares included in the restricted matching share award less a
percentage of such shares surrendered by the participant to pay applicable taxes upon their
vesting). A participant may become vested in some or all of the Restricted Gross-Up Shares prior to
June 1, 2007, in the event of a change in control or the termination of the participants
employment by reason of death, disability, an involuntary termination without cause, or after
attainting the age of 60 and completing 10 years of employment with us.
In 2005, our executive officers were also awarded contingent rights to acquire common shares
(Performance Shares) that are subject to a performance goal that is based on a calculated return
on equity versus a pre-determined target return on equity of 20%. Pursuant to the agreement,
return on equity is calculated by dividing earnings before interest and income tax from continuing
operations for the performance period by ending shareholders equity for the performance period
(ROE). Unless there is a change in control, none of these 90,000 shares will be issued if the
ROE for Core Laboratories is less than 20% for the three-year performance period. If our ROE for
the performance period equals 20%, then 50% of the shares will be issued, and if our ROE for the
performance period equals or exceeds 24%, then 100% of the shares will be issued. If our ROE for
the performance period is greater than 20% but less than 24%,
then the number of shares to be issued would be interpolated based on the terms of the
agreement. If a change in control of the Company occurs prior to the last day of the performance
period and while the executive officer is employed by the Company, then all of the executive
officers Performance Shares will vest as of the date of the change in control. In 2005, Messrs.
Demshur, Bergmark, Davis and Denson received Performance Shares of 40,000, 20,000, 20,000 and
10,000, respectively.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
Our Chief Executive Officer, David M. Demshur, participates in the executive compensation
program described above. In establishing the base salary for Mr. Demshur, our Compensation
Committee assessed the pay levels for chief
18
executive officers in similar companies in the oilfield
service industry and our profit performance. In 2005, Mr. Demshurs base salary was $500,000 and
his bonus was $710,000. As described in greater detail above, he received a restricted share award
of 20,000 shares, 27,183 Restricted Gross-Up Shares and a performance share award of 40,000 shares.
He received no stock options in 2005.
A copy of the Companys Compensation Committee charter may be found on the Companys website,
at http://www.corelab.com/governance.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Supervisory Directors.
Compensation Committee
D. John Ogren (Chairman)
Rene R. Joyce
Joseph R. Perna
REPORT OF THE NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The Nominating and Governance Committee currently consists of Messrs. Joyce, Schouten and
Vriesendorp. The Company has determined that each member of the Nominating and Governance
Committee is independent under the standards set forth by the NYSE and, to extent consistent
therewith, the Dutch Code.
The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies and recommends to the Supervisory Board
qualified candidates to serve as nominees for Supervisory Directors. Shareholders seeking to
recommend Supervisory Director candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Governance
Committee may do so by writing to the Companys Secretary at the address indicated on the cover
page of this proxy, giving the recommended candidates name, biographical data and qualifications.
The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider all candidates submitted by shareholders
within the time period set forth specified under Shareholder Proposals below.
Qualifications of Supervisory Directors. When identifying Supervisory Director nominees, the
Nominating and Governance Committee may consider, among other factors: the persons reputation,
integrity and independence (under applicable SEC, NYSE and Dutch Code standards); the persons
skills and business, government or other professional acumen, bearing in mind the composition of
the Board of Supervisory Directors and the current state of Core Laboratories and the industry
generally at the time of determination; and the number of other public companies for which the
person serves as director and the availability of the persons time and commitment to Core
Laboratories. In the case of current Supervisory Directors being considered for renomination, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also take into account the Supervisory
Directors tenure as a member of our Board of Supervisory Directors; the Supervisory Directors
history of attendance at meetings of the Board of Supervisory Directors and committees thereof; and
the Supervisory Directors preparation for and participation in such meetings.
Supervisory Director Nomination Process.
|
|
|
The Nominating and Governance Committee, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, the
Chief Executive Officer, or a Supervisory Director identifies a need to add a new board
member that meets specific criteria or to fill a vacancy on the board. The Nominating and
Governance Committee also reviews the candidacy of existing members of the Supervisory
Board whose terms are expiring and who may be eligible for reelection to
the Supervisory Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers
recommendations for nominees for directorships submitted by shareholders as provided below. |
|
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|
|
If a new board member is to be considered, the Nominating and Governance Committee
initiates a search by seeking input from other Supervisory Directors and senior management,
and hiring a search firm, if necessary. An initial slate of candidates that will satisfy
specific criteria and otherwise qualify for membership on the Supervisory Board are
identified by and/or presented to the Nominating and Governance Committee, which ranks the
candidates. Members of the Nominating and Governance Committee review the qualifications
of prospective candidate(s), and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, the Chief Executive
Officer, and all other Supervisory Board members have the opportunity to review the
qualifications of prospective candidate(s). |
19
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|
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The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Supervisory Board the
nominee(s) from among the candidate(s), including existing members of the Supervisory Board
whose terms are expiring and who may be eligible for reelection to the Supervisory Board,
and new candidates, if any, identified as described above. |
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The nominee(s) are nominated by the Supervisory Board. |
A copy of the Companys Nominating and Governance Committee Charter may be found on the
Companys website, at http://www.corelab.com/governance.
Submitted by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Supervisory Directors.
Nominating and Governance Committee
Rene R. Joyce (Chairman)
Jacobus Schouten
Alexander Vriesendorp
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Kearney, Perna, and Joyce. The Company has
determined that: (1) each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as defined in Section 10A
of the Exchange Act and under the standards set forth by the NYSE and, to extent consistent
therewith, the Dutch Code; and (2) all current Audit Committee members are financially literate.
In addition, Mr. Kearney qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the applicable
rules promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act and as defined in the Dutch Code.
During the last fiscal year, and earlier this year in preparation for the filing with the SEC
of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, the Audit
Committee:
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reviewed and discussed the Companys audited financial statements as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2005 with management and with the independent auditors; |
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considered the adequacy of the Companys internal controls and the quality of its
financial reporting, and discussed these matters with management, with the internal
auditors and with the independent auditors; |
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reviewed and discussed with the independent auditors (1) their judgments as to the
quality of the Companys accounting policies, (2) the written disclosures and the letter
from the independent auditors required by Independence Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Independence Standards Board, and the
independent auditors independence, and (3) the matters required to be discussed by
Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended,
by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; |
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discussed with management, with the internal auditors and with the independent auditors
the process by which the Companys chief executive officer and chief financial officer make
the certifications required by the SEC in connection with the filing with the SEC of the
Companys periodic reports, including reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q; |
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pre-approved all auditing services and non-audit services to be performed for the
Company by the independent auditors as required by the applicable rules promulgated
pursuant to the Exchange Act, considered whether the rendering of non-audit services was
compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers independence, and
concluded that PricewaterhouseCoopers independence was not compromised by the provision of
such services (details regarding the fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers in fiscal 2005 for
audit services, audit-related services, tax services and all other services, are set forth
at Audit Fee Summary below); and |
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based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, recommended to the Supervisory
Board that the financial statements referred to above be included in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. |
As recommended by the NYSEs corporate governance rules, the Audit Committee also considered
whether, to assure continuing auditor independence, it would be advisable to regularly rotate the
audit firm itself. The Audit
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Committee has concluded that the current benefits to the Company from
continued retention of PricewaterhouseCoopers warrant retaining the firm at this time. The
Committee will, however, continue to review this issue on an annual basis.
A copy of the Companys Audit Committees written charter may be found on the Companys
website, at http://www.corelab.com/governance.
Notwithstanding the foregoing actions and the responsibilities set forth in the Audit
Committees charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to
determine that the Companys financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Management is responsible for the Companys financial
reporting process including its system of internal controls, and for the preparation of
consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States. The independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on those
financial statements. Committee members are not employees of the Company or accountants or
auditors by profession. Therefore, the Committee has relied, without independent verification, on
managements representation that the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and
objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
and on the representations of the independent auditors included in their report on the Companys
financial statements.
The Committee meets regularly with management and the independent and internal auditors,
including private discussions with the independent auditors and the Companys internal auditors and
receives the communications described above. The Committee has also established procedures for (a)
the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by
the Companys employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
However, this oversight does not provide us with an independent basis to determine that management
has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or policies, or
appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting
standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, our considerations and discussions
with management and the independent auditors do not assure that the Companys financial statements
are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that the audit of the
Companys financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Supervisory Directors.
Audit Committee
Michael C. Kearney (Chairman)
Rene R. Joyce
Joseph R. Perna
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Audit Fee Summary
Set forth below is a summary of the total fees paid to our independent public accountants,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, for fiscal years 2005 and 2004. These fees consisted of:
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2005 |
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2004(1) |
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Audit Fees |
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$ |
3,140,353 |
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$ |
4,543,741 |
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Audit Related Fees |
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367,615 |
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135,062 |
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Tax Fees |
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123,933 |
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86,977 |
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All Other Fees |
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Total |
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$ |
3,631,901 |
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$ |
4,765,780 |
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(1) |
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Prior year fees have been restated to reflect actual fees paid. |
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Audit Fees. Audit fees consist primarily of the audit and quarterly reviews of the
consolidated financial statements, assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC, work
performed by tax professionals in connection with the audit and quarterly reviews, and the audit of
internal controls in order to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees consist primarily of statutory audits of subsidiaries
required by governmental or regulatory bodies and attestation services required by statute or
regulation; audit of a benefit plan; and certain agreed-upon procedures including accounting and
research work necessary to comply with generally accepted auditing standards.
Tax Fees. Tax fees include professional services provided for preparation of federal and state tax
returns, review of tax returns prepared by the Company, assistance in assembling data to respond to
governmental reviews of past tax filings, and tax advice, exclusive of tax services rendered in
connection with the audit.
All Other Fees. Other fees consist primarily of comfort letters, consents, research and
consulting, and work performed related to other SEC filings.
MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON
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Item 1. |
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Election of Supervisory Directors |
Our articles of association provide for one or more Supervisory Directors. Our Supervisory
Board currently has eight members who are divided into three classes of Supervisory Directors.
Each class is elected for a term of three years such that the term of one class of Supervisory
Director expires at the annual meeting each year. At this years annual meeting we will be
electing two Class III Supervisory Directors. The Supervisory Board is proposing the election of
Messrs. Richard L. Bergmark and Alexander Vriesendorp as Class III Supervisory Directors for a term
expiring at the annual meeting in 2009. All of the Class III nominees for Supervisory Director are
presently members of the Supervisory Board. Please see Information About Our Supervisory
Directors and Director Compensation Board of Supervisory Directors for biographical information
of our Supervisory Directors.
Candidates for Supervisory Director are recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee
to our Supervisory Board. Our Supervisory Board then nominates selected candidates, who are
elected at the annual meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the
meeting. You may vote for either nominee, both nominees, or for neither nominee. Under Dutch law
and our articles of association, common shares abstaining from voting and broker non-votes will not
count as votes cast at the annual meeting but will count for the purpose of determining the number
of shares represented at the meeting.
Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, the enclosed proxy will
be voted for the election of the nominees listed above. If at the time of, or prior to, the annual
meeting any of the nominees should be unable or decline to serve, the discretionary authority
provided in the proxy may be used to vote for a substitute or substitutes
designated by our Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board has no reason to believe that any
substitute nominees will be required. No proxy will be voted for a greater number of persons than
the number of nominees named herein. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes in the election of
Supervisory Directors.
The Supervisory Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the nominees for Supervisory
Director as set forth above, and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary
instructions are indicated thereon.
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Item 2. |
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Confirmation and Adoption of Annual Accounts |
At the annual meeting, as required under Dutch law and our articles of association our
shareholders will be asked to confirm and adopt our Dutch Statutory Annual Accounts (the Annual
Accounts) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, which are our audited consolidated
financial statements that are prepared in accordance with Dutch generally accepted accounting
principles. In accordance with Article 408, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, the Annual Accounts
are our annual accounts and our participation. However, the Annual Accounts do not represent the
consolidated accounts of our Company and subsidiaries as presented in our Consolidated Financial
Statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2005.
22
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to
confirm and adopt the Annual Accounts. Under Dutch law and our articles of association, common
shares abstaining from voting and broker non-votes will not count as votes cast at the annual
meeting.
The Supervisory Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the confirmation and adoption of
the Annual Accounts, and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary
instructions are indicated thereon.
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Item 3. |
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Cancellation of Our Repurchased Shares |
At the annual meeting, our shareholders will be asked to resolve to cancel all of the treasury
shares we have repurchased up to the date of our annual meeting. According to the Dutch Civil Code,
we can only hold 10% of our issued share capital at one time. This restriction is not typical for a
company domiciled in the United States but is imposed on us as a result of our being organized
under the laws of The Netherlands. As of December 31, 2005, we held approximately 1,023,015 of our
common shares as treasury shares, which equals approximately 3.8% of our issued share capital. If
our shareholders do not resolve to cancel the above described shares, we would only be able to
repurchase on the open market approximately an additional 1,445,905 common shares under our Share
Repurchase Program on the open market. Management believes it is in the best interest of our
shareholders for the Supervisory Board and management to have the flexibility to purchase
additional common shares in the open market should market conditions warrant. Upon the affirmative
vote of our shareholders, the shares will be cancelled in the manner described in Article 2:99(2)
and 2:100 of the Dutch Civil Code.
Core will post a copy of the minutes of the annual meeting of shareholders at the Dutch
commercial registry and will publish a notice of the deposit in a Dutch daily newspaper. If no
creditors oppose the capital reduction within two months after publication in a Dutch daily
newspaper, then the cancellation of the shares will become effective after this two-month waiting
period.
If our shareholders approve the amendments to the articles of association to convert the par
value of each share from NLG 0.03 to EUR 0.04 (Item 8 in this proxy statement) and to subsequently
effect a two-for-one stock split by reducing the par value of each share to EUR 0.02 (Item 10 in
this proxy statement), then the number of treasury shares on or about June 30, 2006, the expected
effective date of the stock split, will be doubled and each share will have a par value per share
of EUR 0.02 at the moment that the cancellation of shares becomes effective.
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to
cancel our repurchased shares if more than one-half of our issued share capital is represented at
the annual meeting. If less than one-half of our issued share capital is represented at the annual
meeting, then the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast at the annual meeting is
required to approve the cancellation of our repurchased shares. Under Dutch law and our articles
of association, common shares abstaining from voting and broker non-votes will not count as votes
cast at the annual meeting.
The Supervisory Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the cancellation of our
repurchased shares, and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions
are indicated thereon.
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Item 4. |
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Extension of Authority of Management Board Until December 14, 2007 To Repurchase Shares |
Under Dutch law and our articles of association, and subject to certain Dutch statutory
provisions, we may repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital in open market purchases at any
price that does not exceed $200.00 per share or its equivalent in other currencies. Any such
purchases are subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board and the authorization of our
shareholders at the annual meeting, which authorization must be renewed every 18 months. In
connection with our initial public offering in September 1995, our shareholders authorized our
Management Board to make such repurchases for a period of 18 months. At each annual meeting
subsequent to 1995, our shareholders have
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renewed that authorization such that the current period
is set to expire on December 1, 2006. In 2005, we repurchased approximately 1,317,600 of our
common shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $37.2 million. We believe that it
is in the best interest of our Company and shareholders to have the flexibility to repurchase
shares in the future if the Supervisory Board deems it advisable to do so. This authority is
similar to that generally afforded under state law to public companies domiciled in the United
States.
At the annual meeting, our shareholders will be asked to approve a further extension of this
authority for an additional 18-month period from the date of the annual meeting until December 14,
2007.
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to
extend the authorization of the Management Board to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share
capital for an additional 18-month period from the date of the annual meeting. Under Dutch law and
our articles of association, common shares abstaining from voting and broker non-votes will not
count as votes cast at the annual meeting.
The Supervisory Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the extension of the authority
of the Management Board to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital until December 14, 2007
at a price not to exceed $200.00 per share, and proxies executed and returned will be so voted
unless contrary instructions are indicated thereon.
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Item 5. |
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Extension of Authority of Supervisory Board To Issue Shares of Core Laboratories N.V. Until June 14, 2011 |
Our authorized share capital consists of 100 million common shares and 3 million preference
shares, each share with a current par value of NLG 0.03, which par value will be converted to EUR
0.04 (after execution of the proposed amendments of the articles of association under Item 8 and
Item 10). Under Dutch law and our articles of association, the Supervisory Board has the power to
issue shares of our authorized share capital as long as the Supervisory Board has been designated
and authorized by the shareholders to do so at the annual meeting. An authorization of the
Supervisory Board to issue shares may be effective for a period of up to five years and may be
renewed on an annual rolling basis. In connection with our initial public offering in September
1995, our shareholders authorized the Supervisory Board to issue shares and/or rights with respect
to our shares for a five-year period. At each annual meeting subsequent to 1995, our shareholders
have extended the period such that the current period is set to expire on April 15, 2010.
At the annual meeting, our shareholders will be asked to approve a further extension of this
authority to issue shares and/or to grant rights, including options to purchase, with respect to
our unissued common and preference shares up to the maximum number of common and preference shares
indicated by the authorized share capital for a five-year period from the date of the annual
meeting until June 14, 2011. This authority to issue shares is similar to that generally afforded
under state law to public companies domiciled in the United States. Management believes that
retaining the flexibility to issue shares for acquisition, financing or other business purposes in
a timely manner without first obtaining specific shareholder approval is important to our continued
growth. Furthermore, our common shares are listed on the NYSE and, accordingly, the issuance of
additional shares will remain subject to the rules of the NYSE. In particular, the NYSE requires
shareholder approval for the issuance of shares of common stock in excess of twenty percent of the
shares outstanding except for public offerings for cash or bona fide private offerings at a price
greater than both the book and market value of a companys common stock. The authority of the
Supervisory Board to issue shares as described in this proxy statement does not include the power
to increase the total number of authorized shares of Core Laboratories N.V.
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to
extend the authority of the Supervisory Board to issue shares and/or to grant rights (including
options to purchase) with respect to our common
and/or preference shares for a five-year period from the date of the annual meeting. Under
Dutch law and our articles of association, common shares abstaining from voting and broker
non-votes will not count as votes cast at the annual meeting.
The Supervisory Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the extension of the authority
of the Supervisory Board to issue shares and/or to grant rights (including options to purchase)
with respect to our common and/or preference shares until June 14, 2011, and proxies executed and
returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated thereon.
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Item 6. |
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Extension of Authority of Supervisory Board To Limit or Eliminate Preemptive Rights Until June 14, 2011 |
Holders of our common shares (other than our employees and employees of our subsidiaries who
are issued common shares pursuant to the exercise of options granted under the Incentive Plan and
the Nonemployee Director Plan) have a pro rata preemptive right of subscription to any of our
common shares issued for cash unless such right is limited or eliminated by our Supervisory Board.
Holders of our common shares have no pro rata preemptive subscription right with respect to any
common shares issued for consideration other than cash. If designated and authorized by our
shareholders at the annual meeting, the Supervisory Board has the power to limit or eliminate such
rights. Such an authorization may be effective for up to five years and may be renewed for
successive five-year periods. In connection with our initial public offering in September 1995,
our shareholders authorized the Supervisory Board to limit or eliminate the preemptive rights of
holders of our common shares for a five-year period. At each annual meeting subsequent to 1995,
our shareholders have extended this period such that the current period is set to expire on April
15, 2010.
At the annual meeting, our shareholders will be asked to approve a further extension of this
authority for a five-year period from the date of the annual meeting until June 14, 2011 to limit
or eliminate preemptive rights. Preemptive rights are uncommon for public companies domiciled in
the United States. Management believes that if the Supervisory Board is not granted the authority
to limit preemptive rights, the ability of our Company to engage in equity financing transactions
would be significantly affected. Any limits or waivers of preemptive rights would apply equally to
all holders of our common shares. Furthermore, as long as our common shares remain listed on the
NYSE, any issuance of common shares will remain subject to the rules of the NYSE, including
limitations on our ability to issue shares without shareholder approval. See Item 5 above for a
discussion of the NYSE rules regarding stock issuances.
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to
extend the authority of the Supervisory Board to limit or eliminate the preemptive rights of
holders of our common shares for a five-year period from the date of the annual meeting. However,
if less than 50 percent of all common shares entitled to vote on the proposal are present at the
meeting, then two-thirds of the votes cast will be required to extend this authority. Under Dutch
law and our articles of association, common shares abstaining from voting and broker non-votes will
not count as votes cast at the annual meeting.
The Supervisory Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the extension of the authority
of the Supervisory Board to limit or eliminate preemptive rights of holders of our common shares
until June 14, 2011, and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary
instructions are indicated thereon.
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Item 7. |
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Approval of the Amendment and Restatement of the Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Nonemployee
Director Stock Option Plan |
The Supervisory Board adopted an amendment and restatement of the Core Laboratories N.V. 1995
Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan on March 9, 2006, subject to approval by the shareholders of
the Company. The plan as amended and restated will be called the Core Laboratories N.V. 2006
Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan (the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan). The primary
change effected by the amendment and restatement of the plan is to eliminate the automatic, formula
grant of stock options under the plan and to replace that formula approach with the discretionary
right of the Supervisory Board to grant stock options, restricted shares, or any combination
thereof, to our nonemployee directors.
Prior to its amendment and restatement into the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan, the 1995
Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan provided only for the grant of stock options to our
nonemployee directors pursuant to a formula set forth in the plan. Pursuant to this formula, each
nonemployee director was generally granted (a) an option to acquire
1,000 common shares on the date such individual first became an eligible director and (b) an
option to acquire 10,000 common shares (20,000 common shares if such nonemployee director was the
Chairman of the Supervisory Board) each year generally on the first date in the calendar year set
by the Supervisory Board for the issuance of stock options to more than 10 employees under our 1995
Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended. In light of recent changes in the accounting treatment of
various equity incentives and the possibility of further accounting or tax changes, the Company
believes that it is advantageous for it to have greater flexibility in the design and
implementation of its future equity compensation arrangements for its nonemployee directors.
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Set forth below is a summary of the principal features of the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan
that is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2006 Nonemployee Director
Plan which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
General
The 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan is intended to provide an incentive to retain and attract
persons of training, experience, and ability to serve as independent directors on the Supervisory
Board, to encourage the sense of proprietorship of such persons, and to stimulate the active
interest of such persons in our development and financial success. These objectives are to be
accomplished by making awards under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan and thereby providing
participants with a proprietary interest in our growth and performance. Accordingly, the 2006
Nonemployee Director Plan provides for granting (a) stock options that do not qualify as incentive
stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Code and (b) restricted shares that are either
(1) common shares that are restricted or subject to forfeiture provisions or (2) a credit of units
to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company evidencing accrual to a participant of unsecured
and unfunded conditional rights to acquire common shares.
Number of Shares Subject to the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan
The aggregate maximum number of common shares authorized to be issued under the 2006
Nonemployee Director Plan pursuant to grants of stock options and restricted shares is 700,000 (or
1,400,000 if the stock split is approved by our shareholders) common shares (subject to adjustment
under certain circumstances, such as upon a reorganization, stock split, recapitalization, or other
change in the Companys capital structure). This number of shares was not increased in the
amendment and restatement of the plan. As of April 1, 2006,
approximately 254,000 common
shares authorized to be issued under the plan are subject to currently
outstanding stock options and 92,000 common shares remain available
for issuance under the plan. Common Shares related to awards under the 2006 Nonemployee Director
Plan that are forfeited or terminated or that expire unexercised will again become available for
the granting of awards under the plan.
Administration
The 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan will be administered by the Supervisory Board. The
Supervisory Board has full authority, subject to the terms of the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan,
to establish rules and regulations for the proper administration of the 2006 Nonemployee Director
Plan, to select the persons to whom awards are granted and to set the date of grant and the other
terms of the awards.
Eligibility
Any individual serving as a member of the Supervisory Board is eligible to participate in the
2006 Nonemployee Director Plan provided that such individual is not an employee of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries and has not been an employee since the date of the most recent annual
general meeting of our shareholders. As used in this summary of the 2006 Nonemployee Director
Plan, the term nonemployee director refers to the individuals described in the preceding
sentence. The selection of nonemployee directors, from among those eligible, who will receive
awards under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan is within the discretion of the Supervisory Board.
Effective Date; Amendment and Termination of the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan
The 1995 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan was originally effective as of September 1,
1995. It was subsequently amended and restated effective as of May 29, 1997. The amendment and
restatement of the plan into the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan is effective as of June 14, 2006.
No further awards may be granted under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan after April 20, 2016.
The Supervisory Board may from time to time amend, modify, suspend or terminate the 2006
Nonemployee Director Plan for any purpose except that (a) no amendment or alteration that would
impair the rights of a holder of an award under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan may be made
without the holders consent, (b) no amendment or alteration will be effective prior to approval of
the shareholders of the Company, to the extent such approval is then required pursuant to Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act or to the extent shareholder approval is otherwise required by
applicable law, and (c) no amendment to the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan that would require
shareholder approval pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or any exchange on
which the Company is listed will be effective prior to approval of the shareholders of the Company.
26
Stock Options
All options will be evidenced by a written contract containing provisions consistent with the
2006 Nonemployee Director Plan and such other provisions as the Supervisory Board deems
appropriate. An option granted under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan will not be treated as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. The term of each option will
be as specified by the Supervisory Board at the date of grant, and the effect of the termination of
a nonemployee directors service as a director will be controlled by the terms of the option
contract that evidences each option grant. The number of shares for which an option is granted to
a nonemployee director will be determined by the Supervisory Board. The purchase price of each
common share that is subject to an option will also be determined by the Supervisory Board, but
(subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, such as upon a reorganization, stock split,
recapitalization, or other change in the Companys capital structure) such purchase price will be
no less than the fair market value of a common share on the date that the option is granted. The
purchase price upon exercise may be paid in cash, or, at the discretion of the Supervisory Board,
in other common shares owned by the nonemployee director, by surrendering all or part of that or
any other award under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan, or by any combination thereof.
Restricted Shares
An award of restricted shares may consist of common shares or may be denominated in units of
common shares. All or part of any such award may be subject to conditions established by the
Supervisory Board and set forth in the written agreement evidencing such award, which conditions
may include, but are not limited to, (a) the attainment of one or more performance targets
established by the Supervisory Board, (b) the award recipients continued provision of services to
the Company and its subsidiaries, whether in the capacity as a nonemployee director or otherwise,
for a specified period of time, (c) the occurrence of any event or the satisfaction of any other
condition specified by the Supervisory Board in its sole discretion, or (d) a combination of any of
the foregoing. Each award of restricted shares may have different conditions and restrictions, in
the discretion of the Supervisory Board. Dividends or dividend equivalent rights may be extended
to and made part of any award denominated in common shares or units of common shares, subject to
such terms, conditions and restrictions as the Supervisory Board may establish.
Transferability
Unless otherwise determined by the Supervisory Board and provided in an award agreement,
awards under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan are generally not transferable except (a) by will
or the laws of descent and distribution, (b) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, or
(c) with the consent of the Supervisory Board.
Change in Control
The 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan provides that each stock option will become fully
exercisable and the restrictions on restricted shares will lapse upon a change in control of the
Company (as defined in the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan).
United States Federal Income Tax Aspects of the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan
Nonqualified Stock Options. As a general rule, no federal income tax is imposed on the
optionee upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option such as those granted under the 2006
Nonemployee Director Plan, and we are not entitled to a tax deduction by reason of such a grant.
Generally, upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the optionee will be treated as
receiving compensation taxable as ordinary income in the year of exercise in an amount equal to the
excess of the fair market value of the shares of stock on the date of exercise over the option
price paid for such shares. Upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option granted under the
2006 Nonemployee Director Plan, we may claim a deduction for compensation paid at the same time and
in the same amount as compensation income is recognized by the optionee, assuming any federal
income tax reporting requirements are satisfied. Upon a subsequent disposition of the shares
received upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, any difference between the fair market
value of the shares on the date of exercise and the amount realized on the disposition would be
treated as capital gain or loss. If the shares received upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock
option are transferred to the optionee subject to certain restrictions, then the taxable income
realized by the optionee, unless the optionee elects otherwise, and our tax deduction (assuming any
federal income tax reporting requirements are satisfied) should be deferred and should be measured
at the fair market value of the shares at the time the restrictions lapse. The restrictions
imposed on officers, directors and 10% shareholders
27
by Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act is such a
restriction during the period prescribed thereby if other shares have been purchased by such an
individual within six months of the exercise of a nonqualified stock option.
Restricted Shares. A nonemployee director who has been granted restricted shares under the
2006 Nonemployee Director Plan consisting of Common Shares that are subject to forfeiture
provisions will not realize taxable income at the time of grant, and we will not be entitled to a
deduction at that time, assuming that the forfeiture provisions constitute a substantial risk of
forfeiture for federal income tax purposes. Upon expiration of the forfeiture restrictions (i.e.,
as shares become vested), the nonemployee director will realize ordinary income in an amount equal
to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at such time over the amount, if any, paid for
such shares, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Dividends paid to the holder
during the period that the forfeiture restrictions apply will also be compensation to the
nonemployee director and deductible as such by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
recipient of such restricted shares may elect to be taxed at the time of grant of the restricted
shares based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of the award, in which case (a)
we will be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amount, (b) dividends paid to
the recipient during the period the forfeiture restrictions apply will be taxable as dividends and
will not be deductible by the Company and (c) there will be no further federal income tax
consequences when the forfeiture restrictions lapse.
A nonemployee director who has been granted restricted shares under the 2006 Nonemployee
Director Plan consisting of a credit of units to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company
evidencing accrual to such nonemployee director of unsecured and unfunded conditional rights to
acquire Common Shares will not realize taxable income at the time of grant, and we will not be
entitled to a deduction at that time. Upon expiration of the restrictions applicable to such
restricted shares, the nonemployee director will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the
excess of the fair market value of the property distributed to the nonemployee director by the
Company at that time over the amount, if any, paid by the nonemployee director for such property,
and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.
Section 162(m) of the Code. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Code
generally precludes a public corporation from taking a deduction for annual compensation in excess
of $1 million paid to its chief executive officer or any of its four other highest-paid officers.
Section 162(m) should not limit the deductibility of compensation paid under the 2006 Nonemployee
Director Plan to our nonemployee directors.
Section 409A of the Code. Section 409A of the Code provides that deferred compensation, as
defined therein, will be subject to an additional 20% tax unless it meets certain restrictions set
forth in Section 409A of the Code and the guidance promulgated thereunder. We intend for awards
issued under the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan to either be exempt from the application of, or to
comply with, Section 409A of the Code.
Section 401(a) of the Code. The 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan is not qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code.
The comments set forth in the above paragraphs are only a summary of certain of the United
States federal income tax consequences relating to the 2006 Nonemployee Director Plan. No
consideration has been given to the effects of foreign, state, local, or other tax laws on the 2006
Nonemployee Director Plan or award recipients, or the application of Dutch tax law to the Company.
Inapplicability of ERISA
Based upon current law and published interpretations, the Company does not believe the
Nonemployee Director Plan is subject to any of the provisions of ERISA.
New Plan Benefits
The benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to non-executive directors other
than executive officers, by reason of the amendment, are not yet determinable. Future awards are in
the discretion of the Compensation Committee (including, as applicable, the Equity Awards
Subcommittee), and cannot be determined at this time.
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the common shares present or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the proposed amendment and
restatement of the 1995 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan into the 2006 Nonemployee Director
Plan. In addition, the total vote cast with respect to this proposal must represent over 50
percent of all common shares entitled to vote on this proposal.
28
The Supervisory Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the
Amendment and Restatement of the Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan
and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated
thereon.
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Item 8. |
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Approval of Mandatory Amendments to the Companys Articles of Association |
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Core Laboratories is incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands. The Netherlands recently
adopted certain revisions to its corporation law.
In light of these revisions, we are requesting that our shareholders vote in favor of the
amendments to our articles of association, which are required in order to comply with these recent
changes.
The following summary of the principal changes to be effected by the proposed mandatory
amendments is subject to the specific text of the articles of association. This summary does not
purport to be complete. For complete information, you should read the full text of the amendment to
the articles of association included as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement. For purposes of
comparison, the full text of the old articles of association is included in this Proxy Statement as
Appendix C.
The amendments required by the revised Dutch law are as follows:
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Subject |
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Proposed Change |
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Reason for Change |
Article 4, Paragraph 1
Authorized Share Capital
and Par Value of each
share
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Change denomination
of authorized share
capital from The
Netherlands guilders
into euros and
revise all such
references contained
in the articles of
association.
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|
On January 1, 1999,
the euro became the
common currency of
The Netherlands. The
national currencies
remained legal
tender in the
participating
countries until
mid-year 2002. All
businesses in The
Netherlands conduct
all transactions in
euros and must
convert their
financial records
and reports to be
euro based. As the
result of the
conversion of the
par value per share
from NLG 0.03 to EUR
0.04 an increase in
share capital will
occur, which will be
charged to the
paid-in capital
account of the
Company.
If the shareholders
approve the
two-for-one stock
split (Item 10 on
the agenda), the par
value per share will
be converted to EUR
0.02 pursuant to the
second amendment to
the articles of
association and the
number of
outstanding shares
will be doubled. |
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29
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Subject |
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Proposed Change |
|
Reason for Change |
Article 11 Transfer of
Shares and Limited
Rights to Shares
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Amend and restate
this article in its
entirety to clarify
the manner in which
transfers of share
certificates are
conducted.
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This article has
been revised to
reflect that shares
may be held in
certificated or
non-certificated
form. |
|
Article 16, Paragraph 4
Approval of
Supervisory Director
Compensation
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Amend this provision
to stipulate that
shareholder approval
of future changes in
the compensation of
supervisory
directors is
required.
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Pursuant to Article
2:145 of the Dutch
Civil Code,
supervisory director
compensation must be
approved by the
shareholders. |
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Article 16, Paragraph 15
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Amend this provision
to remove the
designated age limit
of 72 years for
supervisory
directors.
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Article 2:142 of the
Dutch Civil Code has
been amended so as
to abolish the
statutory age limit
of 72 years for
members of the board
of Supervisory
Directors of
publicly listed
companies or private
companies with
limited liability.
The Board has
determined that
there should be no
arbitrary age limit
or mandatory
retirement age for
Board members.
Rather, a review of
the performance of
the Boards
performance will
help determine each
Board members
tenure. The Company
believes that such
limitations may
result in the
arbitrary loss of
experience and
talent. |
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Article 18, Paragraph 5
Notice of Meetings
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Amend this provision
to change the period
of notice from 14
days to 15 days as
is now required by
Dutch law.
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Article 2:115 of the
Dutch Civil Code has
been amended so as
to change the
required notice
period from 14 to 15
days. |
30
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Subject |
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Proposed Change |
|
Reason for Change |
Article 24, Paragraph 5
Confirmation of Dutch
Annual Accounts
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Amend paragraph 5 to
clarify that the
adoption of the
annual accounts does
not automatically
release the
management board and
the supervisory
board from
liability.
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Article 2:101(3) of
the Dutch Civil Code
previously provided
that the adoption of
the annual accounts
automatically
released the
management board and
the supervisory
board from liability
for legal acts
performed by a
management board or
supervisory board
member for matters
known by the
Shareholders Meeting
based on information
provided to that
meeting. However,
Article 2:101 of the
Dutch Civil Code has
been revised so that
adoption of the
annual accounts no
longer automatically
releases the
management board and
supervisory board
from liability. |
Furthermore, it is proposed to designate the managing director and each civil law notary,
junior civil law notary and notarial assistant working at NautaDutilh N.V. to apply for, or
instruct others to apply for, the declarations for the amendment of the articles of association
referred to in Article 2:125 of the Netherlands Civil Code and, after the declaration has been
obtained, to designate them and each lawyer, working at NautaDutilh N.V., to have the notarial deed
in relation to the amendment of the articles of association executed.
The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to
approve Item 8. In addition, the total votes cast in favor must represent over 50 percent of all
common shares entitled to vote on this proposal. Under Dutch law and our articles of association,
common shares abstaining from voting and broker non-votes will not count as votes cast at the
Annual Meeting.
If this proposal is not adopted, then the articles of association will not accurately reflect
current Dutch law as described above.
The Supervisory Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the
mandatory amendments to the Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Core Laboratories N.V.
and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated
thereon.
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Item 9: |
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Adoption of an Amendment to the Articles of Association that Amends the Provisions
Relating to Indemnification of Directors. |
In addition to the amendments proposed above in Item 8, the Supervisory Board has approved and
is submitting for shareholder approval an amendment to articles of association, which amends the
provisions of the Companys current articles of association relating to indemnification of
directors. The following summary of the amendment relating to indemnification should be read in
conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the amendments
to the articles of association included in this proxy statement as Appendix B.
Purpose.
The Board believes that it is important for the Company to continue to attract and retain
qualified directors. In order to do so, the Board believes that it is appropriate to protect its
directors and officers by indemnifying them in certain circumstances. The existing articles of
association contain a provision that authorizes the Company to indemnify its directors, officers,
employees and agents. However, the provision is very general in its terms. Accordingly, the
Supervisory Board desires to clarify who is entitled to indemnification, elaborate
31
the terms under
which indemnification may be obtained and describe the circumstances under which advanced expenses
must be provided. The following summary highlights the material differences between the current
articles of association and the proposed amendment:
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Current Articles |
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Proposed Articles |
Persons Entitled to
Indemnification
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The articles provide
that the Company
shall, to the
fullest extent
permitted by Dutch
law, as amended from
time to time,
indemnify, and
advance expenses to,
each of the acting
and former managing
directors, members
of the board of
supervisory
directors, officers,
employees and agents
of the Company or
any group company,
whenever any such or
former managing
director, member of
the board of
supervisory
directors, officer,
employee or agent is
made a party or
threatened to be
made a party in any
action, suit or
proceeding by reason
of his service as
such with the
Company or any group
company.
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|
The amendment
provides that an
indemnitee who was
or is made a party
or threatened to be
made a party to or
is involved in any
proceeding is
entitled to
indemnification in
the circumstances
described above, if
he or she, is or was
or has agreed to
become a supervisory
or managing director
of the Company or is
or was serving or
has agreed to serve
at the request of
the Company as a
supervisory or
managing director of
another company or
of a partnership,
joint venture, trust
or other enterprise,
including service
with respect to
employee benefit
plans, whether the
basis of such
proceeding is
alleged action in an
official capacity as
a supervisory or
managing director of
the Company or in
any other capacity
while serving or
having agreed to
serve as a
supervisory or
managing director.
This would allow an
indemnitee who
incurs costs by
appearing as a
witness, for
example, to be
indemnified, if such
person is acting in
one of the
capacities stated
above. |
32
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|
Current Articles |
|
Proposed Articles |
Standard of Conduct
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The current articles
do not contain any
such provisions.
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The amendment
provides that a
supervisory or
managing director
will not be entitled
to indemnification
if the damage was
caused by seriously
culpable conduct,
which is intended to
be functionally
equivalent to the
standards of gross
negligence or
willful misconduct
as applied under New
York state law,
subject to the
applicable
provisions of Dutch
law. |
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Advancement of Expenses
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The current articles
do not contain any
such provisions.
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The amendment
provides that the
right to
indemnification
includes the right
to be paid by the
company expenses in
advance of the final
disposition of the
proceeding. |
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Proceedings to Enforce
Rights to
Indemnification
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The current articles
do not contain any
such provisions.
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The amendment
requires the Company
to pay claims for
indemnification
within 90 days of
receipt of the claim
by the Company. If
the Company fails to
do so, the
indemnitee is
authorized to bring
suit against the
Company to recover
the unpaid amount of
such claim. If the
indemnitee is
successful in such
an action, or in a
suit brought by the
Company to recover
an advancement of
expenses, the
indemnitee will be
entitled to be
indemnified for the
expenses of bringing
or defending the
suit. |
33
The Supervisory Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the Amended
and Restated Articles of Association of Core Laboratories N.V. and proxies executed and returned
will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated thereon.
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Item 10. |
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Approval of a Two-for-One Stock Split Authorized by the Supervisory Board |
Background Information
On April 18, 2006, the Supervisory Board adopted a resolution declaring it advisable to issue
two-for-one stock split, subject to the approval by the shareholders of the Company. However, the
implementation of the stock split is contingent upon approval of Item 8. Specifically, if the
amendment to convert the Companys par value from guilders (NLG 0.03) to euros (EUR 0.04) is not approved by our shareholders, then under Dutch law the
Company will not be able to effect a 2-for-1 stock split. If Item 8 and this Item 10 are approved,
then the stock split would be accomplished by restating Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Companys
articles of association to read as follows:
1. The authorised share capital of the company amounts to four million one hundred twenty
thousand euros (EUR 4,120,000.), divided into two hundred million (200,000,000) ordinary
shares and six million (6,000,000) preference shares, each with a nominal value of two eurocents
(EUR 0.02).
In the event that shareholder approval of this proposal is obtained, the two-for-one stock
split will become effective upon the execution of the notarial deed of amendment to the articles of
association in the Netherlands. Thereafter, each shareholder of record at the close of business on
the record date for the stock split, June 30, 2006, will be entitled to receive one additional
common share for every common share so held. The Company expects that certificates representing the
additional shares will be mailed to shareholders on or about July 7, 2006, a few days after June
30, 2006 the effective date of the stock split.
Reasons for the Amendment
Generally, stock splits are intended to shift the market price range of shares of stock to a
level that will facilitate increased trading activity and will broaden the marketability of such
stock. The Supervisory Board monitors the trading price of the Companys common shares and believes
that it is important to maintain a relatively affordable trading price to promote the common shares
as an attractive investment opportunity. Consequently, the Supervisory Board has approved a
two-for-one stock split, subject to shareholder approval. In addition to doubling the number of
shares owned by each shareholder, the stock split is generally expected to have the effect of
reducing the trading price of the common shares by approximately one-half. This reduction, the
Supervisory Board believes, will place the trading price in a range that is more attractive to
investors, particularly individual investors.
This planned stock split would be effected by reducing the par value of each share from EUR
0.04 to EUR 0.02 (subject to our shareholders approving Item 8) and by converting each of the
authorized common shares into two common shares, so that the resulting post-split number of shares
in each account is twice the pre-split number of shares. The number of common shares issued as of
the record date for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders was 25,677,175, and the Company held
1,629,030 shares as treasury shares. There were also 146,195 shares subject to issuance for
outstanding awards or available for future grants under the benefit plans for employees and
directors.
Possible Effects of the Proposed Stock Split
34
Under the proposed stock split, each of the newly authorized common shares will have the same
rights and privileges as currently authorized common shares. Approval of the proposed stock split
will not affect the rights of the holders of currently outstanding common shares. The Company
intends to list the additional common shares resulting from the stock split on the New York Stock
Exchange.
Additionally, the stock split will affect all earnings per share amounts reflected on the
Consolidated Statements of Operations, since earnings per share will be stated for the periods
presented to reflect the increase in the number of common shares outstanding. Although earnings per
share is expected to decrease on a per share basis due to the stock split, the stock split itself
has no effect on the Companys earnings. The stock split will not otherwise affect the Companys
Consolidated Statements of Operations or the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, except to the
extent of additional costs to effectuate the amendment and the stock split, which are not expected
to be material to the Company.
The Companys shareholders do not have preemptive rights, which means they do not have the
right to purchase shares in connection with any new issuance of common shares in order to maintain
their proportionate interests in the Company. In addition, this issuance of additional common
shares will have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share.
Implementation of the Stock Split
If the proposed stock split is approved, it will become effective upon the execution of the
notarial deed of amendment to the articles of association in the Netherlands. As discussed under
Background Information above, each shareholder of record at the close of business on the record
date for the stock split will then be entitled to receive one additional common share for every
common share held. The effective date of the stock split may be deferred until a later date for
reasons of administrative convenience. The Company expects to declare the stock split effective on
or about July 1, 2006.
On or about July 7, 2006 or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Company expects to begin
mailing certificates to registered shareholders representing one additional common share for each
common share held on the record date for the stock split. Certificates that currently represent
outstanding common shares will continue to represent the same number of common shares after the
effective date of the stock split.
Accordingly, please do not destroy your existing stock certificates or return them to the
Company or its transfer agent. Shareholders whose shares are held in street name (through a
broker, bank or other nominee) will not receive certificates representing additional shares, but
will be credited with additional common shares in accordance with the procedures used by their
brokers or other nominees.
Furthermore, it is proposed to designate the managing director and each civil law notary,
junior civil law notary and notarial assistant working at NautaDutilh N.V. to apply for, or
instruct others to apply for, the declarations for the amendment of the articles of association
referred to in Article 2:125 of the Netherlands Civil Code and, after the declaration has been
obtained, to designate them and each lawyer, working at NautaDutilh N.V., to have the notarial deed
in relation to the amendment of the articles of association executed.
The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes present or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting and representing more than a majority of the issued shares is
required to approve the stock split to increase the outstanding shares.
The Supervisory Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the stock
split and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated
thereon.
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Item 11. |
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Ratification of Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers As Independent Public Accountants
of the Company For 2006 |
The Supervisory Board has appointed the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent
public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2006 subject to ratification by our
shareholders. PricewaterhouseCoopers has acted as our independent public accountants since April
2002. We have invited representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers to the annual meeting and we
expect one such representative to attend. If such representative should attend we expect that he
or she will be available to respond to questions.
35
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to
ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent public accountants for 2005.
Under Dutch law and our articles of association, common shares abstaining from voting and broker
non-votes will not count as votes cast at the annual meeting.
In the event the appointment is not ratified, our Supervisory Board will consider the
appointment of other independent accountants. Our Supervisory Board may terminate the appointment
of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent accountants without the approval of our shareholders
whenever our Supervisory Board deems such termination necessary or appropriate.
The Supervisory Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the ratification of
PricewaterhouseCoopers appointment as our independent public accountants for 2006 and proxies
executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated thereon.
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Item 12. |
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Other Matters To Be Voted On |
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The Supervisory Board does not know of any other matters that are to be presented for action
at the annual meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the annual meeting or
any adjournment thereof, it is intended that the enclosed proxy will be voted in accordance with
the judgment of the persons voting the proxy.
OTHER PROXY MATTERS
Information About Our 2007 Annual Meeting
Any shareholder who desires to submit a proposal for inclusion in the proxy material for
presentation at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders must forward such proposal to our Secretary
at the address indicated on the cover page of this proxy statement, so that the Secretary receives
it no later than December 1, 2006. Any notice of a proposal to be considered at the 2007 annual
meeting should also be submitted to our Secretary. Any such notice will be considered untimely if
not received by the Secretary on or before February 15, 2007.
Incorporation by Reference
The information contained in this proxy statement in the sections entitled Shareholder Return
Performance Presentation, Report of the Compensation Committee and Report of the Audit
Committee shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of
the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference
into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Other Information
A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, including the
financial statements, schedules and exhibits thereto, may be obtained without charge by written
request to John D. Denson, Secretary, Core Laboratories LP, 6316 Windfern Road, Houston, Texas
77040.
By Order of the Board of Supervisory Directors,
Jacobus Schouten
Supervisory Director
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May [], 2006
36
Appendix A
CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
2006 NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Objectives. The Core Laboratories N.V. 2006 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan (the
Plan) is intended to provide an incentive to retain and attract persons of training, experience,
and ability to serve as independent directors on the Board of Supervisory Directors of Core
Laboratories N.V. (the Company), to encourage the sense of proprietorship of such persons, and to
stimulate the active interest of such persons in the development and financial success of the
Company. These objectives are to be accomplished by making Awards under the Plan and thereby
providing Participants with a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company and
its Subsidiaries. The Plan as set forth herein constitutes an amendment and restatement of the
Core Laboratories N.V. 1995 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan as previously adopted and
amended by the Company (the Prior Plan), and shall supersede and replace in its entirety such
previously adopted plan. This amendment and restatement of the Prior Plan shall be effective as of
June 14, 2006, provided this amendment and restatement of the Prior Plan is approved by the
shareholders of the Company on such date at the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If
this amendment and restatement of the Prior Plan is not so approved by the shareholders, then this
amendment and restatement shall be void and of no effect. Notwithstanding any provisions herein to
the contrary, each stock option granted under the Prior Plan prior to the effective date of this
amendment and restatement shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the Prior Plan as in
effect prior to this amendment and restatement of the Prior Plan into the Plan.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the terms set forth below shall have the following respective
meanings:
Award means the grant of an Option or Restricted Shares, whether granted singly, in
combination or in tandem, to a Participant pursuant to any applicable terms, conditions, and
limitations as the Board may establish in order to fulfill the objectives of the Plan.
Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant that sets
forth the terms, conditions, and limitations applicable to an Award.
Board means the Board of Supervisory Directors of the Company.
Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Common Shares means the Common Shares, par value NLG .03 (U.S. $.05) per share, of the
Company.
Director means any individual serving as a member of the Board.
Exchange Act means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time
to time.
Fair Market Value means, as of a particular date, (i) if the Common Shares are listed on a
national securities exchange, the final closing sales price per Common Share on the consolidated
transaction reporting system for the principal such national securities exchange on that date, or,
if there shall have been no such sales so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on
which such a sale was so reported, (ii) if the Common Shares are not so listed but are quoted on
the Nasdaq National Market, the final closing sales price per Common Share on the Nasdaq National
Market on that date, or, if there shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the
last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported, (iii) if the Common Shares are not so
listed or quoted, the mean between the closing bid and asked price on that date, or, if there are
no quotations available for such date, on the last preceding date on which such quotations shall be
available, as reported by Nasdaq, or, if not reported by Nasdaq, by the National Quotation Bureau,
Inc. or (iv) if none of the above is applicable, such amount as may be determined by the Board, in
good faith, to be the fair market value per Common Share.
A - 1
Nonemployee Director means any Director who is not an employee of the Company or any
Subsidiary and has not been an employee since the date of the most recent annual general meeting of
shareholders of the Company.
Option means a nonqualified stock option within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code.
Participant means a Nonemployee Director to whom an Award has been made under the Plan.
Restricted Shares means (i) Common Shares that are restricted or subject to forfeiture
provisions or (ii) a credit of units to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company evidencing
accrual to a Participant of unsecured and unfunded conditional rights to acquire Common Shares.
Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor rule.
Subsidiary means any corporation, limited liability company, or other entity of which the
Company directly or indirectly owns shares or other interests representing more than 50% of the
voting power of all classes or series of equity securities of such entity, which have the right to
vote generally on matters submitted to a vote of the holders of equity interests in such entity.
3. Eligibility. All Nonemployee Directors are eligible for Awards under the Plan. The Board
in its sole discretion shall select the Participants in the Plan from time to time by the grant of
Awards under the Plan. The selection of Participants and the granting of Awards under the Plan
shall be entirely discretionary and nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Nonemployee
Director any right to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award.
4. Common Shares Available for Awards. There shall be available for Awards granted wholly or
partly in Common Shares (including rights or options which may be exercised for or settled in
Common Shares) during the term of the Plan an aggregate of 700,000 Common Shares (inclusive of the
shares that were available under the Prior Plan), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13.
The Board and the appropriate officers of the Company shall from time to time take whatever actions
are necessary to file required documents with governmental authorities and stock exchanges and
transaction reporting systems to make Common Shares available for issuance pursuant to Awards.
Common Shares related to Awards that are forfeited or terminated or that expire unexercised shall
immediately become available for Awards hereunder. The Board may from time to time adopt and
observe such procedures concerning the counting of shares against the Plan maximum as it may deem
appropriate under Rule 16b-3.
5. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board, which shall have full and
exclusive power to interpret the Plan and to adopt such rules, regulations, and guidelines for
carrying out the Plan as it may deem necessary or proper, all of which powers shall be exercised in
the best interests of the Company and in keeping with the objectives of the Plan. The Board may,
in its discretion, provide for the extension of the exercisability of an Award, accelerate the
vesting or exercisability of an Award, eliminate or make less restrictive any restrictions
contained in an Award, waive any restriction or other provision of the Plan or an Award, or
otherwise amend or modify an Award in any manner that is either (i) not adverse to the Participant
holding such Award or (ii) consented to by such Participant. The Board may correct any defect or
supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award in the manner and to
the extent the Board deems necessary or desirable to carry it into effect. Any decision of the
Board in the interpretation and administration of the Plan shall lie within its sole and absolute
discretion and shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all parties concerned. No member of the
Board shall be liable for anything done or omitted to be done by him or her or by any other member
of the Board in connection with the performance of any duties under the Plan, except for his or her
own willful misconduct or as expressly provided by statute.
6. Awards. The Board shall in its discretion determine the type or types of Awards to be made
to each Participant under the Plan. Each Award made hereunder shall be embodied in an Award
Agreement, which shall contain such terms, conditions, and limitations as shall be determined by
the Board in its sole discretion and shall be signed by the Participant and by the Managing
Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or any Vice President of the
Company for and on behalf of the Company. An Award Agreement may include provisions for the
repurchase by the Company of Common Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan and the repurchase of a
Participants option rights under the Plan. Awards may consist of those listed in this Section 6
and may be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem. Awards may also be made in combination or
in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to grants or
A - 2
rights (i) under the Plan or any other Nonemployee Director plan of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, including the plan of any acquired entity, or (ii) made to any Nonemployee Director
by the Company or any Subsidiary. An Award may provide for the granting or issuance of additional,
replacement or alternative Awards upon the occurrence of specified events, including the exercise
of the original Award.
(a) Stock Option. An Award may consist of a right to purchase a specified number of
Common Shares upon terms and conditions specified by the Board in the Award Agreement or
otherwise. An Option granted under the Plan shall not be treated as an incentive stock
option within the meaning of section 422(b) of the Code. The purchase price of each Common
Share that is subject to an Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be determined by the
Board but, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 13, such purchase price shall not be
less than the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date such Option is granted.
(b) Award of Restricted Shares. An Award of Restricted Shares may consist of Common
Shares or may be denominated in units of Common Shares. All or part of any such Award may
be subject to conditions established by the Board and set forth in the Award Agreement,
which conditions may include, but are not limited to, (i) the attainment of one or more
performance targets established by the Board, (ii) the Award recipients continued provision
of services to the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether in the capacity as a Nonemployee
Director or otherwise, for a specified period of time, (iii) the occurrence of any event or
the satisfaction of any other condition specified by the Board in its sole discretion, or
(iv) a combination of any of the foregoing. Each Award of Restricted Shares may have
different conditions and restrictions, in the discretion of the Board. Each such Award may
be based on Fair Market Value or other specified valuations. The certificates evidencing
Common Shares issued in connection with an Award of Restricted Shares shall contain
appropriate legends and restrictions describing the terms and conditions of the restrictions
applicable thereto. Dividends or dividend equivalent rights may be extended to and made
part of any Award denominated in Common Shares or units of Common Shares, subject to such
terms, conditions, and restrictions as the Board may establish.
(c) Change in Control. An Option shall become fully exercisable and restrictions on
Restricted Shares shall lapse upon a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) of the
Company. Change in Control shall mean (i) a merger of the Company with another entity, a
consolidation involving the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company to another entity if, in any such case, (A) the holders of equity securities
of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or event do not beneficially own
immediately after such transaction or event, in substantially the same proportions that they
owned the equity securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or event,
50% or more of the common equity of the resulting entity, (B) the holders of equity
securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or event do not beneficially
own immediately after such transaction or event, in substantially the same proportions that
they owned the equity securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or
event, equity securities of the resulting entity entitled to 50% or more of the votes then
eligible to be cast in the election of directors generally (or comparable governing body) of
the resulting entity, or (C) the persons who were members of the Board immediately prior to
such transaction or event shall not constitute at least a majority of the board of directors
of the resulting entity immediately after such transaction or event, (ii) shareholder
approval of a plan of dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (iii) when any person or
entity, including a group as contemplated by Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, (other
than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company or any affiliate of the Company), acquires or gains ownership or control (including,
without limitation, power to vote) of more than 30% of the combined voting power of the
outstanding securities of, (A) if the Company has not engaged in a merger or consolidation,
the Company, or (B) if the Company has engaged in a merger or consolidation, the resulting
entity, or (iv) a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a
majority of the supervisory directors are Incumbent Directors. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, (1) resulting entity in the context of a transaction or event that is
a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all assets shall mean the surviving
entity (or acquiring entity in the case of an asset sale) unless the surviving entity (or
acquiring entity in the case of an asset sale) is a subsidiary of another entity and the
holders of common equity of the Company receive capital stock of such other entity in such
transaction or event, in which event the resulting entity shall be such other entity, (2)
subsequent to the consummation of a merger or consolidation that does not constitute a
Change in Control, the term Company shall refer to the resulting entity and the term
Board shall refer to the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the
resulting entity, and (3) Incumbent Directors shall mean directors who
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either (x) were directors of the Company as of February 28, 2003, or (y) are elected,
or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of
the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination, but Incumbent Director
shall not include an individual whose election or nomination occurs as a result of either
(I) an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or (II) an actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.
7. Substitution of Awards. At the discretion of the Board, a Participant may be offered an
election to substitute an Award for another Award or Awards of the same or different type.
8. Option Exercise. The price at which Common Shares may be purchased under an Option shall
be paid in full at the time of exercise in cash or, if permitted by the Board, by means of
tendering Common Shares or surrendering all or part of that or any other Award, including
Restricted Shares, valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise, or any combination thereof.
The Board shall determine acceptable methods for tendering Common Shares or Awards to exercise an
Option as it deems appropriate. If permitted by the Board, payment may be made by successive
exercises by the Participant. The Board may provide for procedures to permit the exercise or
purchase of Awards by (i) loans from the Company (to the extent permissible under applicable law)
or (ii) use of the proceeds to be received from the sale of Common Shares issuable pursuant to an
Award. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event Restricted Shares
are tendered as consideration for the exercise of an Option, a number of the shares issued upon the
exercise of the Option, equal to the number of Restricted Shares used as consideration therefor,
shall be subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Shares so submitted as well as any
additional restrictions that may be imposed by the Board.
9. Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to deduct applicable taxes from any
Award payment and withhold, at the time of delivery or vesting of cash or Common Shares under the
Plan, an appropriate amount of cash or number of Common Shares or a combination thereof for payment
of taxes required by law or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the
Company to satisfy all obligations for withholding of such taxes. The Board may also permit
withholding to be satisfied by the transfer to the Company of Common Shares theretofore owned by
the holder of the Award with respect to which withholding is required. If Common Shares are used
to satisfy tax withholding, such shares shall be valued based on the Fair Market Value when the tax
withholding is required to be made.
10. Amendment, Modification, Suspension, or Termination. The Board may amend, modify,
suspend, or terminate the Plan for the purpose of meeting or addressing any changes in legal
requirements or for any other purpose permitted by law except that (i) no amendment or alteration
that would impair the rights of any Participant under any Award previously granted to such
Participant shall be made without such Participants consent, (ii) no amendment or alteration shall
be effective prior to approval by the Companys shareholders to the extent such approval is then
required pursuant to Rule 16b-3 in order to preserve the applicability of any exemption provided by
such rule to any Award then outstanding (unless the holder of such Award consents) or to the extent
shareholder approval is otherwise required by applicable legal requirements, and (iii) no material
amendment to the Plan shall be effective prior to approval by the Companys shareholders. For
purposes of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, a material amendment is any amendment that
would require shareholder approval pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or
any exchange on which the Company is then listed. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the
contrary, unless the Plan is terminated earlier pursuant to the preceding provisions of this
Section 10, no further Awards may be granted under the Plan after April 20, 2016. The Plan shall
remain in effect (at least for the purpose of governing outstanding Awards) until all Options
granted under the Plan have been exercised or expired and all Restricted Shares granted under the
Plan have vested or been forfeited.
11. Termination of Service as a Director. Upon the termination of a Nonemployee Directors
service as a Director, any unexercised, deferred, or unpaid Awards shall be treated as provided in
the specific Award Agreement evidencing the Award. In the event of such a termination, the Board
may, in its discretion, provide for the extension of the exercisability of any Award, accelerate
the vesting or exercisability of an Award, eliminate or make less restrictive any restrictions
contained in an Award, waive any restriction or other provision of the Plan or an Award, or
otherwise amend or modify the Award in any manner that is either (i) not adverse to such
Participant or (ii) consented to by such Participant.
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12. Assignability. Unless otherwise determined by the Board and provided in the Award
Agreement, no Award or any other benefit under the Plan shall be assignable or otherwise
transferable except (i) by will or the laws of descent and distribution, (ii) pursuant to a
qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the United States Employee
Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder, or (iii) with the consent of the Board.
The Board may prescribe and include in applicable Award Agreements other restrictions on transfer.
Any attempted assignment of an Award or any other benefit under the Plan in violation of this
Section 12 or the terms of an Award Agreement shall be null and void.
13. Adjustments.
(a) The existence of outstanding Awards shall not affect in any manner the right or
power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize (i) any or all adjustments,
recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the share capital of the Company or
its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company, (iii) any issue of bonds,
debentures, preferred or prior preference shares (whether or not such issue is prior to, on
a parity with or junior to the Common Shares), (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, (v) any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or (vi) any
other corporate act or proceeding of any kind, whether or not of a character similar to that
of the acts or proceedings enumerated above.
(b) In the event of any subdivision or consolidation of outstanding Common Shares or
declaration of a dividend payable in Common Shares or capital reorganization or
reclassification or other transaction involving an increase or reduction in the number of
outstanding Common Shares, the Board may adjust proportionally (i) the number of Common
Shares reserved under the Plan and the number of Common Shares covered by outstanding Awards
denominated in Common Shares or units of Common Shares, (ii) the exercise or other price in
respect of such Awards, and (iii) the appropriate Fair Market Value and other price
determinations for such Awards. In the event of any consolidation or merger of the Company
with another corporation or entity or the adoption by the Company of a plan of exchange
affecting the Common Shares or any distribution to holders of Common Shares of securities or
property (other than normal cash dividends or dividends payable in Common Shares), the Board
shall make such adjustments or other provisions to the Plan and outstanding Awards as it may
deem equitable, including adjustments to avoid fractional shares, to give proper effect to
such event. In the event of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or
stock, separation, reorganization, or liquidation, the Board shall be authorized, in its
discretion, (A) to issue or assume stock options, regardless of whether in a transaction to
which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, by means of substitution of new options for
previously issued options or an assumption of previously issued options, (B) to make
provision, prior to the transaction, for the acceleration of the vesting and exercisability
of, or lapse of restrictions with respect to, Awards and the termination of Options that
remain unexercised at the time of such transaction, or (C) to provide for the acceleration
of the vesting and exercisability of the Options and the cancellation thereof in exchange
for such payment as shall be mutually agreeable to the Participant and the Board.
14. Restrictions. No Common Shares or other form of payment shall be issued with respect to
any Award unless the Company shall be satisfied based on the advice of its counsel that such
issuance will be in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. It is the intent
of the Company that the Plan comply with Rule 16b-3 with respect to persons subject to Section 16
of the Exchange Act unless otherwise provided herein or in an Award Agreement, that any ambiguities
or inconsistencies in the construction of the Plan be interpreted to give effect to such intention
and that, if any provision of the Plan is found not to be in compliance with Rule 16b-3, such
provision shall be null and void to the extent required to permit the Plan to comply with Rule
16b-3. Certificates evidencing Common Shares delivered under the Plan may be subject to such stop
transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the rules,
regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities
exchange or transaction reporting system upon which the Common Shares are then listed, and any
applicable foreign and United States federal and state securities law. The Board may cause a
legend or legends to be placed upon any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such
restrictions.
15. Unfunded Plan. Insofar as it provides for Awards of Common Shares or rights thereto, the
Plan shall be unfunded. Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to
Participants who are entitled to Common Shares or rights thereto under the Plan, any such accounts
shall be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall not be required to segregate
any assets that may at any time be represented by Common Shares or
A - 5
rights thereto, nor shall the Plan be construed as providing for such segregation, nor shall
the Company or the Board be deemed to be a trustee of any Common Shares or rights thereto to be
granted under the Plan. Any liability or obligation of the Company to any Participant with respect
to a grant of Common Shares or rights thereto under the Plan shall be based solely upon any
contractual obligations that may be created by the Plan and any Award Agreement with such
Participant, and no such liability or obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by
any pledge or other encumbrance on any property of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Board
shall be required to give any security or bond for the performance of any obligation that may be
created by the Plan.
16. Rights as Shareholder. Unless otherwise provided under the terms of an Award Agreement, a
Participant shall have no rights as a holder of Common Shares with respect to Awards granted
hereunder, unless and until certificates for Common Shares are issued to such Participant.
17. Governing Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto, to
the extent not otherwise governed by mandatory provisions of the Code or the securities laws of the
United States, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Texas.
18. Effective Date of Plan. The Plan originally became effective on September 1, 1995. It
was subsequently amended and restated effective as of May 29, 1997. This amendment and restatement
of the Plan shall be effective as provided in Section 1.
19. Miscellaneous. The granting of any Award shall not impose upon the Company, the Board, or
any other Directors any obligation to nominate any Participant for election as a Director and the
right of the shareholders of the Company to remove any person as a Director of the Company shall
not be diminished or affected by reason of the fact that an Award has been granted to such person.
A - 6
Appendix B
Office (unofficial) translation of the proposed deed of amendment
of the articles of association
of Core Laboratories N.V.
In this translation an attempt has been made
to be as literal as possible,
without jeopardising the overall continuing.
Inevitably, differences may occur in translation, and
if so, the Dutch text will govern.
I. |
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Article 4 paragraph 1 will be: |
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1. The authorised share capital of the company amounts to four million
one hundred twenty thousand euros (EUR 4,120,000.), divided into one
hundred million (100,000,000) ordinary shares and three million
(3,000,000) preference shares, each with a nominal value of four
eurocents (EUR 0.04). |
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II. |
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Article 11 will be: |
TRANSFER OF SHARES AND LIMITED RIGHTS TO SHARES
Article 11.
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1. |
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The transfer of shares or the transfer or termination of usufruct on shares, or else the
establishment or renunciation of usufruct or a right of pledge on shares takes place with
consideration of that defined in article 2:86, or else article 2:86c of the (Dutch) Civil
Code. |
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2. |
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Transfers of shares shall be registered on the records maintained by or on behalf of the
company for such purpose upon (i) surrender to the company or its duly authorized transfer
agent of a certificate or certificates representing the shares requested to be transferred,
the transfer provisions on the certificate or certificates being duly completed or on a
separate accompanying transfer in such form as the company or transfer agent approves,
together with such evidence of the payment of transfer taxes and compliance with other
provisions of law as the company or its transfer agent may require, or (ii) if shares are not
represented by certificates, upon compliance with such transfer procedures as may be approved
by the company or such transfer agent or prescribed by applicable law. |
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III. |
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Article 16 paragraph 4 will be: |
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4. The general meeting of shareholders shall determine the remuneration
of the supervisory directors. Any reasonable expenses incurred by
supervisory directors in this capacity shall be refunded to them. The
notes to the annual accounts shall contain full and detailed
information on the amount and structure of the remuneration of
individual supervisory directors. No personal loans can be granted to
the member of the management board unless it is in the normal conduct
of the company and the supervisory board has given its approval. |
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IV. |
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Article 16 paragraph 15 will be: |
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15. A supervisory director may be appointed to the supervisory board for
a three-year term and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a
subsequent three-year term. The supervisory board shall draw up a
retirement rota in order to avoid, as far as possible, a situation in
which re-appointments occur simultaneously. The rota shall be made
available and shall, in any event, be put on the companys website. |
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A member of the supervisory board shall be re-appointed only after careful consideration. |
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INDEMNIFICATION
Article 17.
1. |
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Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved
in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(hereinafter a proceeding), by reason of the fact that he or she, is or was or has agreed to
become a supervisory or managing director of the company or is or was serving or has agreed to
serve at the request of the company as a supervisory or managing director of another company
or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect
to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an
official capacity as a supervisory or managing director of the company or in any other
capacity while serving or having agreed to serve as a supervisory or managing director, shall
be indemnified by the company against all expense, liability and loss (including without
limitation, attorneys fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or
to be paid in settlement) reasonably and actually incurred or suffered by such person in
connection therewith. |
2. |
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Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in the capacity
which initially entitled such person to indemnity hereunder and shall inure to the benefit of
his or her heirs, executors of his or her last will and testament, and the administrators of
his estate. |
3. |
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If the damage was caused by seriously culpable conduct (which the parties intend to be
functionally the same as gross negligence or wilful misconduct standards used in New York
state law which, while not superseding the Dutch law governing the relationship between Dutch
companies and the directors thereof, reflects the parties intent as to the principles which,
in the absence of clear Dutch law to the contrary, should be used for purposes of this
indemnity) on the part of the relevant supervisory director or managing director, no right to
indemnification shall exist. |
4. |
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The right to indemnification shall include the right to be paid by the company the expenses
incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The payment of
such expenses incurred by a current, former or proposed supervisory or managing director in
his or her capacity as a supervisory or managing director or proposed supervisory or managing
director in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery
to the company of a written undertaking, by or on behalf of such person seeking
indemnification, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that
such person seeking indemnification is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 17 or
otherwise. |
5. |
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The managing or supervisory director shall not accept any liability towards third parties and
not enter into a settlement agreement without the prior written consent of the company. The
company and the managing or supervisory director shall use all reasonable efforts, but at the
companys sole expense, to cooperate in order to agree on the defense against any action
against the managing or supervisory director unless such defense is not, in the opinion of
counsel to the person seeking indemnification, likely to be successful. |
6. |
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If a written claim received by the company from or on behalf of an indemnified party under
this Article 17 is not paid in full by the company within ninety days after such receipt, the
claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the company to recover the unpaid
amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to
be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. |
7. |
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The right to indemnification and the advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this
Article 17 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter
acquire under any law (common or statutory), provision of the Articles of Association of the
company, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested supervisory or managing
directors or otherwise. |
8. |
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The company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is
or was serving as a supervisory or managing director of the company or is or was serving at
the request of the company as a supervisory or managing director of another company,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to
employee benefit plans against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the |
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company would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or
loss under Dutch law. |
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9. |
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If this Article 17 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of
competent jurisdiction, then the company shall nevertheless indemnify each supervisory or
managing director of the company and any person who is or was serving at the request of the
company as a supervisory or managing director of another company, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, as to
costs, charges and expenses (including without limitation, attorneys fees, judgments,
penalties or fines, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) with respect to any action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the full
extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article 17 that shall not have been
invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. |
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10. |
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For purposes of this Article 17, reference to the company shall include, in addition to the
company, any constituent company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger prior to (or, in the case of an entity specifically designated in a
resolution of the board of supervisory directors, after) the adoption hereof and which, if
its separate existence had continued, would have had the power and authority to indemnify its
supervisory or managing directors of such constituent company and so that any person who is or
was a supervisory or managing director of such constituent company, or is or was serving at
the request of such constituent company as a supervisory or managing director of another
company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect
to employee benefit plans, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this
Article 17 with respect to the resulting or surviving company as he or she would have with
respect to such constituent company if its separate existence had continued. |
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11. |
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An amendment to this article shall not impair the rights of a person who was a supervisory
director or managing director after the introduction of this article but before the amendment.
The obligations of the company towards such persons shall remain in effect as if the article
had not been amended. |
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VI. |
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Article 18 paragraph 5 will be: |
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5. Notice of the meetings must be given to the persons
entitled to attend meetings, without prejudice to the
provisions of paragraph 3 of this article, by or on
behalf of the board of management or the board of
supervisory directors. The notice convening a general
meeting shall be published by advertisement which
shall at least be published in a nationally
distributed daily newspaper in The Netherlands. In
addition, the shareholders shall be |
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notified by means
of letters delivered through the mails; the period of
notice shall be at least fifteen days, not including
the day of the notice and the day of the meeting. |
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VII. |
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Article 24 paragraph 5 will be: |
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5. |
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The general meeting shall adopt the annual accounts.
Adoption of the annual accounts shall not serve to
discharge a managing director or a supervisory
director. |
FINAL PROVISION
Finally, the person appearing declared:
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that by this amendment to the articles of
association, the nominal value of each of the issued
ordinary and preference shares as laid down in these
articles, being three cents in Dutch guilders (NLG
0.03), will be converted into four eurocents (EUR
0.04); |
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that, as a result of the conversion referred to
above, the total issued share capital of the company
will increase by [...] euros (EUR [...]), which
amount will be charged to the share premium reserve
of the company; |
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that as a result of the conversion referred to above,
the total issued and paid-up share capital of the
company will amount to [...] euros (EUR [...]) upon the
execution of this deed; |
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that [he/she] has been designated by the above
shareholders resolution to apply for the declaration
referred to in Article 2:235 of the Civil Code, or to
cause it to be applied for, and after it has been
obtained to cause the notarial deed amending the
articles of association to be executed; |
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that the above declaration has been obtained, as is
evidenced by the ministerial declaration bearing the
number B.V. [...], dated [...] two thousand and six,
which is attached to this deed. |
The person appearing is known to me, civil law notary.
This Deed was executed in [...] on the date mentioned in its heading.
After I, civil law notary, had conveyed and explained the contents of the Deed in substance to the
person appearing, [he/she] declared that [he/she] had taken note of the contents of the Deed, was
in agreement with the contents and did not wish them to be read out in full. Following a partial
reading, the Deed was signed by the person appearing and by me, civil law notary.
B - 5
Appendix C
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
DEFINITIONS
Article 1.
The terms used in the Articles of Association of this company are defined below:
a. |
|
the company: the legal entity to which these Articles of Association appertain; |
|
b. |
|
the board of management: the management board of the company; |
|
c. |
|
the board of supervisory directors: the board of supervisory directors of the company; |
|
d. |
|
rights attached to depositary receipts for shares: the rights which the (Dutch) Civil Code
grants to holders of depositary receipts for shares which have been issued with the
cooperation of a company; |
|
e. |
|
persons entitled to attend meetings: the companys shareholders, usufructuaries and pledgees
holding the rights attached to depositary receipts for shares of the company; |
|
f. |
|
the general meeting: either the body that comprises the voting shareholders of the company
and other persons within the company entitled to vote or the meeting of persons entitled to
attend meetings of the shareholders of the company; |
|
g. |
|
the meeting of holders of shares of a special class: either the body that comprises the
persons holding the voting rights over shares of a special class or the meeting of persons
holding the voting rights over shares of a special class; |
|
h. |
|
distributable reserves: that part of the companys equity which exceeds the sum of the paid
and called-up capital and the reserves which have to be maintained by virtue of the law and/or
these Articles of Association; |
|
i. |
|
annual accounts: the balance sheet, the profit and loss account and explanatory notes to
these documents; |
|
j. |
|
subsidiary: a legal entity |
|
|
|
(a) in the general meeting of which the company or one or more of its subsidiaries can,
whether or not by virtue of an agreement with other persons entitled to vote, exercise on
its own or together with others more than half of the voting rights or |
|
|
|
(b) of which the company or one or more of its subsidiaries is or are a shareholder and in
which it or they can, whether or not by virtue of an agreement with other persons entitled
to vote, appoint or dismiss on its own or together with others more than half of the
managing or supervisory directors, even if all those entitled to vote do so, as well as
other legal entities which the law equates with subsidiaries, all the aforegoing within the
meaning of article 2:24a of the (Dutch) Civil Code; |
|
k. |
|
group company: a legal entity with which the company is structurally associated into an
economic unity. |
NAME, CORPORATE SEAT, DURATION
Article 2.
1. |
|
The name of the company is: Core Laboratories N.V. |
|
2. |
|
It has its corporate seat at Amsterdam. |
|
3. |
|
The company shall continue to exist for an indefinite period of time. |
C - 1
OBJECTS
Article 3.
The objects of the company are:
1. |
|
the acquisition, possession, administration, sale, exchange, transfer and investment in and
disposal of shares, bonds, funds, order documents, evidences of indebtedness and other
securities, the borrowing of money and the issuance of documents evidencing indebtedness
therefor, as well as the lending of money; |
2. |
|
the granting of suretyships for the fulfilment of obligations of the company or of third
parties; |
|
3. |
|
The acquisition of: |
|
|
|
a. income arising from the disposal or licensing of copyrights, patents, designs, secret
processes or formulae, trademarks and similar interests; |
|
|
|
b. royalties, including rentals, in respect of or relating to the use of industrial,
commercial or scientific equipment as well as in respect of the exploitation of a mine or
quarry or any other natural resource and other real properties; |
|
|
|
c. consideration for the rendering of technical assistance and scientific analyses and
related services; |
|
4. |
|
the acquisition, possession, disposal, administration, development, lease, letting,
mortgaging or in general the encumbrance of real property and any right to or interest in real
property; |
|
5. |
|
the trading in, including wholesale, distributive and future trade, the manufacturing, as
well as the import and export of raw materials, minerals, metals, organic materials,
semi-finished products and finished products of whatever nature and under whatever name; |
|
6. |
|
the acting as a holding company; |
|
7. |
|
the participation in and the management and joint management of other companies and
enterprises; and |
|
8. |
|
the performance of everything connected with the foregoing in the widest sense of the word. |
SHARE CAPITAL, SHARES, DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
Article 4.
1. |
|
The authorised share capital of the company amounts to three million ninety thousand Dutch
guilders (NLG 3,090,000), divided into one hundred million (100,000,000) ordinary shares and
three million (3,000,000) preference shares, each with a nominal value of three cents (NLG
0.03). |
|
2. |
|
The common shares and the preference shares shall be in registered form only. |
|
3. |
|
Where in these Articles of Association the terms shares and/or shareholders are used without
any further specification, these terms shall refer to the common shares and the preference
shares and holders of such shares respectively. |
|
4. |
|
The company shall not cooperate with the issuance of depositary receipts in respect of its
shares. |
|
5. |
|
Each outstanding preference share may be converted by the holder thereof into a common share
on such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the board of supervisory directors at
the time the preference shares are issued. At conversion, the preference share concerned shall
acquire all characteristics of a common share. Conversion shall not take place if and insofar
as the number of outstanding common shares would exceed the number of common shares referred
to in paragraph 1 of this article. |
C - 2
ISSUES OF SHARES
Article 5.
1. |
|
Shares that have not yet been issued shall, up to the amount of the authorized capital, with
due observance of the provisions of the (Dutch) Civil Code, be capable of being issued by
virtue of a resolution of the board of supervisory directors. The authority or the board of
supervisory directors, as referred to in the preceding sentence, shall terminate five years
after the date of execution of this deed, unless the general meeting has extended such
authority. |
2. |
|
In case the board of supervisory directors no longer has the authority referred to in
paragraph 1 of this Article, any resolution to issue shares shall require the prior approval
of the board of supervisory directors. |
|
3. |
|
Any resolution to issue shares shall stipulate the terms and conditions of issuance. |
PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS.
Article 6.
1. |
|
Except as provided below, in the event of the issue of new common shares, each holder of
common shares shall have a pre-emptive right to subscribe to such shares pro rata to his
existing holding of such shares. No pre-emptive rights are attached to shares issued to
employees of the company or employees of a group company. Shareholders shall furthermore have
no pre-emptive right in respect of shares issued for a non-cash contribution. |
|
|
|
The holders of preference shares shall have no pre-emptive rights to subscribe to shares,
whereas holders of common shares shall have no pre-emptive rights to subscribe to preference
shares. |
2. |
|
Pre-emptive rights can, with due observance of the relevant provisions of the (Dutch) Civil
Code, be restricted or excluded by virtue of a resolution of the board of supervisory
directors. The provisions in article 5, paragraph 1, second sentence, and article 5, paragraph
2 shall mutatis mutandis apply. |
3. |
|
The company shall announce the issue of shares to which pre-emptive rights are attached and
the period in which that right is capable of being exercised in a written notification to all
the shareholders sent to the addresses set forth in the register of shareholders within
fourteen days of such a resolution being passed. Pre-emption rights with respect to an issue
shall be capable of being exercised only during the four weeks after the day the announcement
relating to such issue has been sent out. |
4. |
|
The provisions in article 5 and in this article shall apply as well to the granting of rights
to subscribe for shares (other than rights granted to employees of the company or employees of
a group company) within the meaning of Article 2:96A of the (Dutch) Civil Code. |
|
|
|
Shareholders, however, shall have no pre-emptive rights for shares which are being issued to
a person who exercises a previously acquired right to subscribe for shares. |
PAYMENT FOR SHARES
Article 7.
1. |
|
The full nominal amount of the shares must be paid in on issue. It may be stipulated though
that a part of the nominal amount of the preference shares, not exceeding three quarters
thereof, needs only be paid after the company has called it in. If a share is subscribed for
at a higher price, the balance of these amounts must be paid in on issue. |
2. |
|
Payment for a share must be made in cash insofar as no other manner of payment has been
agreed on. Payment in foreign currency can be made only with the approval of the company,
which approval shall be deemed given upon acceptance of foreign currency by the company. |
C - 3
3. |
|
Neither the company, nor any of its subsidiaries, shall be allowed to make loans, grant
security, provide a quotation guarantee, to guarantee in any other way or to bind itself
jointly or severally with or for others with a view to the subscription or acquisition of
shares or depositary receipts for shares in the company by others. |
ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER BY THE COMPANY OF SHARES IN ITS OWN SHARE CAPITAL
Article 8.
1. |
|
Upon any issue of shares the company cannot subscribe for its shares. |
|
2. |
|
The company may acquire fully-paid shares in its own capital but only with due observance of
the provisions in Article 2:98 of the (Dutch) Civil Code and furthermore with the
authorization of the board of management for such acquisition by the general meeting. Such
authorization shall be valid for not more than eighteen months. The general meeting must
specify in the authorization the number of shares which may be acquired, the manner in which
they may be acquired and the limits within which the price must be set. |
|
3. |
|
No authorization, as referred to in paragraph 2, shall be required for any acquisition by the
company of its own shares for the purpose of transferring the same to employees of the company
or of a group company under a scheme applicable to such employees. The provision in article
2:98, paragraph 5 of the (Dutch) Civil Code shall be applicable to any such acquisition. |
|
4. |
|
Alienation of shares held by the company in its own capital shall be effected only in
pursuance of a resolution of the board of supervisory directors. Upon taking the resolution to
alienate such shares, the terms and conditions of such alienation shall also be determined by
the board of supervisory directors. |
REDUCTION OF THE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL
Article 9
1. |
|
The general meeting shall, upon a proposal thereto by the board of supervisory directors,
have power to pass a resolution to reduce the issued share capital either by cancelling shares
or by reducing the par value of the shares by means of an amendment to the companys Articles
of Association but only with due observance of the provisions in article 2:99 of the (Dutch)
Civil Code. |
2. |
|
A resolution to cancel shares may only relate (i) to shares which the company holds in its
own share capital or of which it holds the depositary receipts, (ii) to preference shares
which may be cancelled on redemption or (iii) to the balloted preference shares that may be
balloted for redemption by the board of management. |
3. |
|
Partial repayment on shares or exemption from the obligation to pay up shall only be allowed
in the event of implementing a resolution to reduce the amount of the shares. Such repayment
or exemption shall be allowed pro rata on all shares. The pro rata requirement may be
abandoned if all shareholders consent. |
4. |
|
The notice convening a meeting at which a resolution, as mentioned in this article, is to be
passed shall state the purpose of the reduction of share capital and the manner of
implementation. |
SHARE CERTIFICATES, SHAREHOLDERS REGISTER
Article 10.
1. |
|
At the request in writing of a shareholder, share certificates shall be issued in respect of
the shares held by such shareholder. The form and the contents of the share certificates shall
be determined by the board of supervisory directors. |
2. |
|
Share certificates for more than one share may be made available. Such plural share
certificates may at all times be exchanged for singular certificates and vice versa, free of
charge. |
3. |
|
The share certificates shall be signed by a member of the board of management or a transfer
agent duly authorized by it for this purpose, either by an original signature or by a
facsimile signature. |
C - 4
4. |
|
If share certificates are damaged, lost or missing, the board of management or a transfer
agent duly authorized by it for this purpose, may issue duplicates thereof and may establish
conditions for such issuance. As a result of the issuance of duplicates, the original
documents shall become null and void vis-à-vis the company. The new certificates will bear the
same numbers and letters of the documents they replace. |
|
5. |
|
The shares shall be consecutively numbered per class from 1 onwards. |
6. |
|
The board of management or a transfer agent duly authorized by it for this purpose, shall
keep a register at the office of the company containing the data referred to in article 2:85
of the (Dutch) Civil Code. The register may, at the discretion of the board of management, in
whole or in part, be kept in more than one copy and at more than one place. |
7. |
|
If a share, a usufruct or a right of pledge over a share forms part of undivided property to
which Title 7 of Book 3 of the (Dutch) Civil Code is applicable, then the persons jointly
entitled thereto whose names, moreover, must be recorded in the register shall only be capable
of being represented vis à vis the company by one person to be appointed by them for that
purpose in a written statement. |
|
|
|
The personal details of the representative thus appointed shall be entered into the
register, and all notifications and notices to the persons jointly entitled to that
undivided property shall be capable of being sent to the address, recorded in the register,
of the person thus appointed. |
TRANSFER OF SHARES AND LIMITED RIGHTS TO SHARES
Article 11.
1. |
|
The transfer of a share or of a limited right thereto shall require an instrument intended
for such purpose and, save where the company itself is a party to such legal act, the written
acknowledgement by the company of the transfer. |
2. |
|
The acknowledgement by the company of any transfer shall be made by a member of the board of
management or a transfer agent duly authorized by it for this purpose, in the instrument or by
a dated statement on the instrument or on a copy or extract thereof mentioning the
acknowledgement signed as a true copy by the civil-law notary or the transferor. If a share
certificate has been issued for a share, the surrender of the relative share certificate to
the company or to a transfer agent duly authorized by it for this purpose, shall also be
required for any transfer. If the share certificate is surrendered to the company or to a
transfer agent duly authorized by it for this purpose, the company or the transfer agent duly
authorized by it for this purpose, may alternatively acknowledge the transfer by making an
annotation on such share certificate as proof of the acknowledgement or by replacing the
surrendered certificate by a new certificate registered in the name of the transferee. |
3. |
|
Service of an instrument, as referred to in paragraph 2, or of a copy or extract thereof on
the company shall be considered to have the same effect as an acknowledgement. |
4. |
|
In the case of a transfer of shares not paid in full, the acknowledgement may be made only if
the instrument has a recorded, or otherwise fixed, date. |
THE RIGHT OF USUFRUCT AND THE RIGHT OF PLEDGE OVER SHARES
Article 12.
1. |
|
Each shareholder is entitled to create a right of usufruct or a right of pledge on or over
the shares held by him in whole or in part. The shareholder shall have the voting rights for
shares over which a right of usufruct or a right of pledge has been established. |
2. |
|
In deviation from the provision in the last sentence of the previous paragraph, the
usufructuary or pledgee shall have the voting rights if this was agreed upon when the limited
right was established and the usufructuary or pledgee is a person to whom the shares can
freely be transferred in compliance with the provisions in these Articles of Association. |
C - 5
3. |
|
If the usufructuary or pledgee is not such a person, he shall only be entitled to have the
voting rights where these rights were granted upon creation of the limited right and this has
been approved by the board of supervisory directors, which approval may be subject to
conditions which shall be stated in the resolution of the board of supervisory directors
whereby such granting is approved. |
4. |
|
If any other person, who is not at the same time a person to whom these Articles of
Association allow the shares to be freely transferred, acquires the rights of a pledgee who is
entitled to vote, he shall only be entitled to the right to vote if the transfer of the voting
right has been approved by the board of supervisory directors. |
5. |
|
The approval referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 hereof must be requested by registered letter
addressed to the board of supervisory directors. |
|
|
|
As promptly as practicable but at least within thirty days after a request for that approval
has been received, a meeting of the board of supervisory directors shall be called, to which
the request for that approval shall be submitted. If the board of supervisory directors
fails to hold the said meeting, then the person who made the request shall himself have
authority to call the meeting of the board of supervisory directors subject to due
observance of what has been provided thereon in these Articles of Association. |
6. |
|
Shareholders not entitled to vote and usufructuaries and pledgees entitled to vote shall have
the rights attached to depositary receipts for shares. |
MANAGEMENT
Article 13.
1. |
|
The company shall have a board of management, consisting of one or more members under the
supervision of a board of supervisory directors. |
2. |
|
The number of managing directors in office shall be fixed by the board of supervisory
directors. |
|
3. |
|
Natural as well as legal persons can hold the office of managing director. |
4. |
|
The general meeting shall appoint the managing directors for an unlimited period of time and
shall at all times have power to suspend or dismiss any managing director. A resolution to
appoint a managing director can only be passed upon recommendation by the board of supervisory
directors. Each managing director can at all times also be suspended by the board of
supervisory directors. A shareholders resolution to suspend or dismiss a managing director
must be passed by a two thirds majority of the valid votes cast representing more than half of
the issued share capital. The provision in article 2:120, paragraph 3, (Dutch) Civil Code
shall not be applicable. |
5. |
|
The appointment of the managing directors may result from a binding nomination, which
provides for at least two persons for each vacancy to be filled, made by the board of
supervisory directors within three months of such board being invited by means of a registered
letter to do so by the board of management. In case no binding nomination has been made within
the abovementioned period, the general meeting shall be free in its choice. The general
meeting shall also be free in its choice if it deprives any nomination of its binding
character in a resolution passed by at least two thirds of the valid votes cast at a meeting
where more than half of the issued share capital is present or represented. The provisions in
article 2:120, paragraph 3, (Dutch) Civil Code shall not be applicable. |
6. |
|
If, in the event of suspension of a managing director, after three months no resolution has
been passed by the general meeting to dismiss him, the suspension shall terminate. |
7. |
|
A managing director shall be given the opportunity to account for his actions in the general
meeting where his suspension or discharge is discussed and have an adviser assist him therein. |
8. |
|
The board of supervisory directors shall decide on the remuneration and the further terms and
conditions of employment for each of the managing directors. |
C - 6
DUTIES AND POWERS
Article 14.
1. |
|
The board of management shall, subject to the limitations contained in these Articles of
Association, be in charge of the management of the company. |
2. |
|
If the board of management consists of more than one board member, the board of management
shall appoint one of them chairman. In that case, it may also appoint a vice-chairman. |
3. |
|
The board of management shall meet whenever its chairman or two other members of that board
considers this necessary. Meetings can be held both in The Netherlands and abroad. Notice of
its meetings shall be given by the chairman of the board of management stating the matters to
be dealt with and in the event of his prevention or permanent, absence by one of the other
managing directors; the period of notice of the meeting being at least three days. The
managing directors shall be entitled to have themselves represented by any other member of the
board of management by means of an authorization in writing. |
4. |
|
The board of management shall have power to pass resolutions outside meetings as well,
provided this be done (i) by unanimous vote and further in writing, by telegraph, by telefax
or by telex messages or (ii) by telephone by a majority of the members of the board of
management then in office and provided that all the managing directors have been consulted on
the resolution to be passed and none of them objects against the applicable manner of passing
a resolution. |
5. |
|
The board of management shall pass all resolutions adopted at meetings with an absolute
majority of the votes of all the managing directors in office, excluding any suspended
managing directors. In the event of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the board of
management shall have the deciding vote. |
6. |
|
The ruling pronounced by the chairman of the board of management concerning the result of a
vote, as well as the ruling concerning the contents of a resolution that has been passed,
insofar as a vote was taken about a proposal other than in a written form, shall be decisive. |
|
|
|
If, however, immediately after a ruling as referred to in the previous sentence is
pronounced, its correctness is disputed, a new vote is taken provided that this is required
by a majority of votes, or if, in the event of the first vote not being taken by call or not
being a written one, one of those present and entitled to vote should wish so. This new vote
nullifies the legal consequences of the original vote. |
7. |
|
Without limiting the authority of the board of management otherwise provided for in this
article 14, the board of management is authorized specifically without the approval of the
board of supervisory directors to make decisions the purport of which is: |
|
a. |
|
to hire, to let, acquire, transfer or encumber registered property; |
|
|
b. |
|
to encumber movable property; |
|
|
c. |
|
to transfer or encumber debts; |
|
|
d. |
|
to bind the company or its property for debts of third parties by giving security or in
any other way; |
|
|
e. |
|
to establish and close down branch offices and/or branches, to extend the affaires of the
company into another field of business and to close down, in any way other than temporarily,
or to discontinue the business of the company or any part thereof and to transfer (the
beneficial use of) that business or any part thereof; |
|
|
f. |
|
to participate in or to accept or relinquish the management of affairs of other business
enterprises, to transfer or liquidate the aforesaid participations, to extend the affairs of
those enterprises into a new field of business and to close down, in any way other than
temporarily, or to discontinue the business of those enterprises or any part thereof and to
transfer (the beneficial use of) the business of those enterprises or any part thereof; |
C - 7
|
g. |
|
to exercise the voting rights attached to shares which the company holds in any other
companies and which are not quoted on a Stock Exchange; |
|
|
h. |
|
to make, terminate or alter any cooperation or pooling agreements; |
|
|
i. |
|
to acquire, encumber and transfer the rights attached to industrial and intellectual
property which includes granting and acquiring licences and sublicences; |
|
|
j. |
|
to supply moneys on loan and to contract loans of money, with the exception of the
drawing of moneys in current account on the banker(s) of the company, appointed by the board
of supervisory directors provided that the company does not become indebted to any such
banker for an amount in excess of that decided upon by the aforementioned board and notified
to the board of management; |
|
|
the board of supervisory directors shall have power at all times to alter the aforesaid
amount; |
|
|
k. |
|
to grant to officers of the company authorization to represent the company (in Dutch:
procuratie), to amend that authorization and to grant a title to a person so authorized (in
Dutch: procuratiehouder); |
|
|
l. |
|
to grant to a member of staff a fixed annual income higher than has been agreed upon by
the board of supervisory directors and notified to the board of management; the board of
supervisory directors shall have power at all times to alter that amount; |
|
|
m. |
|
to grant pension rights, other than in terms of a collective bargaining agreement or
other than for the purpose of complying with any legal obligation; |
|
|
n. |
|
to conduct legal proceedings, both as plaintiff and as defendant including the
collection of book debts, the taking of legal measures of a presservatory nature and such
other urgent legal measures, and to represent the company in summary proceedings (in Dutch:
kort geding), to acquiesce in claims made in legal proceedings instituted against the
company, to submit existing disputes for arbitration or for a binding advice; |
|
|
o. |
|
to acquire immovable business assets to an amount exceeding the maximum sum per
transaction as fixed by the board of supervisory directors and notified to the board of
management; |
|
|
the board of supervisory directors shall be empowered at all times to alter that amount; |
|
|
p. |
|
to obtain officers and directors liability insurance coverages; |
|
|
q. |
|
to do all acts that have legal consequences, other than the acts stated above, the
interest or the value of which exceeds an amount to be fixed by the board of supervisory
directors and to be made known to the board of management or whereby the company commits
itself for a period longer than one year; interdependent acts shall in this context be
regarded as one act; the board of supervisory directors shall have power at all times to
alter the aforesaid amount. |
8. |
|
The board of management shall need the approval of the general meeting for decisions relating
to the closing down including the transfer (of beneficial use) of all or substantially all of
the business of the company. |
9. |
|
Furthermore, the board of management shall need the approval of the board of supervisory
directors for such management decisions as the latter board shall have decided upon by means
of a resolution passed especially for this purpose of which it has informed the board of
management. |
10. |
|
The absence of the approval required in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 9 of this article
and paragraph 3 of article 15 shall not affect the powers of representation of the board of
management or of the managing directors. |
11. |
|
The board of management shall have the obligation to act in pursuance of the directions of
the board of supervisory directors regarding the general outlines of the financial, social and
economic policies and regarding personnel management within the company. |
C - 8
12. |
|
In the event of the prevention or permanent absence of one or more managing directors the
remaining managing director(s) shall be in charge of the entire management of the company; in
the event of the prevention or permanent absence of all the managing directors or of the sole
managing director there must at all times be a person, who has been appointed for that purpose
by the board of supervisory directors, to be in that event temporarily in charge of the
management of the company. |
13. |
|
The members of the board of management shall have the obligation to attend the general
meetings, unless the general meeting should decide otherwise; in the general meetings their
role will be an advisory one. |
REPRESENTATION
Article 15.
1. |
|
The board of management shall represent the company. The company can also be represented by
each managing director acting alone. |
|
|
|
The board of management may authorise each employee to represent the company solely within
limits to be laid down in such authorization. The board of management shall determine such
employees title. |
2. |
|
If a managing director has an interest that conflicts with that of the company, the board of
management as well as each managing director shall nevertheless be able to represent the
company, provided this is done in compliance with the provisions of these Articles of
Association. |
3. |
|
If the managing director who has an interest conflicting with that of the company is not at
the same time a shareholder of the company, the board of management shall need the approval of
the general meeting for a resolution to enter into any transaction where such conflict may
arise. |
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS
Article 16.
1. |
|
The company shall have a board of supervisory directors consisting of one or more natural
persons. |
2. |
|
The number of supervisory directors in office shall be fixed by the board of supervisory
directors. |
3. |
|
If the board of supervisory directors consists of three, four or five members, then the board
of supervisory directors itself may appoint one member of the board of supervisory directors.
If the board of supervisory directors consists of six or more members, the board of
supervisory directors itself may appoint two members. The board of supervisory directors shall
only be entitled to effect any of the appointments as described in the preceding two sentences
of this paragraph in case of death, resignation or dismissal of a member of the board of
supervisory directors without the general meeting having appointed a successor. Each of the
above appointments will lapse as soon as the general meeting has appointed a successing member
of the board of supervisory directors in accordance with the following provisions of this
paragraph. The board of supervisory directors shall at all times be empowered to suspend or
dismiss each member of the board of supervisory directors appointed by it. The general meeting
shall appoint all other supervisory directors with due observance of and in the way as
provided in article 13, paragraph 5 and shall at all times be empowered to suspend or dismiss
any such supervisory director with due observance of the provisions in article 13, paragraph
4. A resolution to appoint a supervisory director can only be passed upon recommendation by
the board of supervisory directors. |
4. |
|
The board of supervisory directors shall be empowered to grant to the supervisory directors
or to one or more of them a remuneration. Any reasonable expenses incurred by supervisory
directors in this capacity shall be refunded to them. |
5. |
|
It shall be the duty of the board of supervisory directors to exercise supervision over the
board of managements conduct of affairs and over the general course of business in the
company and the business enterprise connected with it. It shall offer advice to the board of
management. In discharging their duties the board of supervisory directors shall have regard
for the interests of the company and the business enterprise connected with it. |
C - 9
6. |
|
The board of management shall supply all such information regarding the affairs of the
company to any one of the supervisory directors who should require this. The board of
supervisory directors shall have power to examine all books, documents and correspondence of
the company and to take cognizance of all acts that have taken place; each supervisory
director shall have access to all buildings and sites that are being used by the company. |
7. |
|
The board of supervisory directors shall be entitled to ask the assistants of experts in the
exercise of its duties for account of the company. In addition, the board of supervisory
directors may appoint advisors to the company, without regard to any age limitation, and may
grant to such advisors the title of honorary member of the board of supervisory directors or
any other title it may resolve upon. The board of supervisory directors shall appoint a
secretary, who needs not be a member of such board, and make arrangements for his substitution
in case of his absences at meetings of such board. The secretary shall keep minutes of the
proceedings at meetings of the board of supervisory directors. The minutes shall be adopted at
the same or in a subsequent meeting and shall be signed by the chairman and the secretary as
evidence thereof. |
8. |
|
If the board of supervisory directors consists of more than one board member, the board of
supervisory directors shall appoint one of them chairman. In that case, it may also appoint a
vice-chairman. The board of supervisory directors shall furthermore be empowered to appoint
one or more of them to be primarily in charge of the day-to-day supervision of the board of
management. |
|
|
|
Subject to any limitations that may be imposed by applicable law, the board of supervisory
directors may delegate any of its powers to committees consisting of such member or members
of its body as it thinks fit; any committee as formed shall in the exercise of the power so
delegated conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the board of supervisory
directors. The board of supervisory directors may draw up its own charter, which will
regulate the formalities for meetings of the board of supervisory directors to be observed,
in addition to the foregoing provisions. |
9. |
|
The board of supervisory directors shall meet whenever its chairman or two other members of
that board considers this necessary. Meetings can be held both in The Netherlands and abroad.
Notice of its meetings shall be given by the chairman of the board of supervisory directors
stating the matters to be dealt with and in the event of his prevention or permanent absence
by one of the other supervisory directors; the period of notice of the meeting being at least
eight days. The supervisory directors shall be entitled to have themselves represented by any
other member of the board of supervisory directors by means of an authorization in writing. |
|
|
|
If asked to do so, the board of management shall attend the meetings of the board of
supervisory directors; in that event their role shall be an advisory one. |
10 |
|
The board of supervisory directors shall have power to pass resolutions outside meetings as
well, provided this be done (i) by unanimous vote and further in writing, by telegraph, by
telefax or by telex messages or (ii) by telephone by a majority of the members of the board of
supervisory directors then in office and provided that all the supervisory directors have been
consulted on the resolution to be passed and none of them objects against the applicable
manner of passing a resolution. |
11. |
|
The board of supervisory directors shall pass its resolutions adopted at meetings with an
absolute majority of the votes of all the supervisory directors in office, excluding any
suspended supervisory directors. |
|
|
|
In the event of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the board of supervisory
directors shall have the deciding vote. |
12. |
|
The ruling pronounced by the chairman of the board of supervisory directors regarding the
outcome of a vote as well as the ruling concerning the contents of a resolution passed by the
board of supervisory directors, provided that a vote has been held about a proposal not
recorded in writing, shall be decisive. |
|
|
|
If, however, the correctness of a ruling as referred to in the preceding sentence is
challenged immediately after the ruling has been pronounced, then a new vote shall be held,
whenever a majority of those present and entitled |
C - 10
|
|
to vote or, if the original vote was not taken by call or ballot papers, whenever any one of
those present and entitled to vote should wish so. This new vote shall nullify the legal
consequences of the original vote. |
13. |
|
All resolutions of the board of supervisory directors, including those passed outside
meetings, shall be entered into a register of minutes. |
14. |
|
When the company wants to establish proof of any resolution of the board of supervisory
directors, the signature of one member of that board on the document in which the resolution
is contained, shall suffice. |
15. |
|
Supervisory directors shall periodically resign in accordance with a schedule to be drawn up
by the board of supervisory directors. |
|
|
|
Each supervisory director who has resigned shall immediately be eligible for reappointment
for a subsequent three-year term, unless he has reached or will reach the age of seventy-two
in the financial year in which the meeting is held. A person who has reached the age of
seventy-two shall not be eligible for being appointed a supervisory director. A supervisory
director shall not resign later than on the day that the annual general meeting is held in
the financial year in which he reaches the age of seventy-two. |
16. |
|
If for any reason whatsoever one or more supervisory directors are permanently absent, then
the remaining supervisory directors shall, as long as at least one supervisory director is in
office, constitute a body capable of acting until the vacancy(ies) has/have been filled. |
17. |
|
If there is only one supervisory director, he shall have all the powers and obligations that
these Articles of Association confer and impose on the board of supervisory directors and its
chairman. |
18. |
|
The members of the board of supervisory directors shall have the obligation to attend the
general meetings of shareholders; in these meetings their role will be an advisory one. |
INDEMNIFICATION.
Article 17.
The company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Dutch law, as amended from time to time,
indemnify, and advance expenses to, each of the acting and former managing directors, members of
the board of supervisory directors, officers, employees and agents of the company or any group
company, whenever any such or former managing director, member of the board of supervisory
directors, officer, employee or agent is made a party or threatened to be made a party in any
action, suit or proceeding by reason of his service as such with the company or any group company.
GENERAL MEETINGS
Article 18.
1. |
|
At least once a year, a general meeting shall be held. |
|
|
|
Such general meeting shall be held within six months after the end of the financial year, at
which, among other issues, the following shall be dealt with: |
|
|
|
a. except in case a delay in drawing up the annual accounts has been approved, the
consideration of the annual accounts and, insofar as is required by law, of the annual
report and additional information as mentioned in Article 2:392 of the (Dutch) Civil Code; |
|
|
|
b. the confirmation and adoption of the annual accounts, except if a delay in drawing up the
annual accounts has been approved; |
|
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|
c. deciding upon the allocation of profits; |
|
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|
d. deciding upon any bonuses to be granted to managing directors and/or members of the board
of supervisory directors; |
C - 11
|
|
e. in addition to the above, doing everything required by law. |
|
2. |
|
Within three months after the board of management first had good reason to believe that the
shareholders equity of the company has decreased to an amount equal to or less than one half
of the paid-up and called parts of the share capital, a general meeting shall be acting held
for the purpose of discussing any measures that may have to be taken. |
|
|
|
Furthermore, general meetings shall be held as often as the majority of the managing
directors then in office or the majority of the members of the board of supervisory
directors then in office considers it necessary, without prejudice to the provisions in the
next paragraph hereof. |
|
3. |
|
General meetings can furthermore be convened by the shareholders with due observance of the
provisions in article 2:110 of the (Dutch) Civil Code. |
|
4. |
|
General meetings shall be held in the place where the company has its corporate seat as
contained in these Articles of Association, as well as in Delft, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht
or Haarlemmermeer. At a general meeting, held at a different place, valid resolutions shall
also be capable of being passed if the entire issued share capital is represented. |
|
5. |
|
Notice of the meetings must be given to the persons entitled to attend meetings, without
prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 3 of this article, by or on behalf of the board of
management or the board of supervisory directors. The notice convening a general meeting shall
be published by advertisement which shall at least be published in a nationally distributed
daily newspaper in The Netherlands. In addition, the shareholders shall be notified by means
of letters delivered through the mails; the period of notice shall be at least fourteen days,
not including the day of the notice and the day of the meeting. |
|
6. |
|
The notice of the meeting shall contain the agenda of the meeting. |
|
7. |
|
If a proposal to amend the companys Articles of Association is to be dealt with, a copy of
that proposal, in which the proposed amendments are stated verbatim, shall be made available
for inspection to the persons who are entitled to attend meetings inter alia at the office of
the company where it maintains its corporate seat, as from the day of the notice of the
meeting until after the close of that meeting, and each of them shall be entitled, upon his
request, to obtain a copy thereof, without charge unless such a copy is attached to the notice
of the meeting. |
|
8. |
|
If the provisions laid down by law or by these Articles of Association in relation to giving
notice of meetings, drawing up the agendas for such meetings and making available for
inspection those matters which are to be dealt with have not been complied with, then valid
resolutions shall nevertheless be capable of being passed, provided that the entire issued
share capital be represented at the meeting in question and provided that the resolution be
passed unanimously. |
Article 19.
1. |
|
The chairman of the board of supervisory directors shall chair the meeting. If such chairman
is not present at any such meeting, the general meeting shall itself decide who is to chair
the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may adopt rules and regulations relating to the
conduct of such meeting. |
2. |
|
The chairman shall appoint one of those present to act as secretary whose duty it shall be to
draw up the minutes of the meeting and the chairman shall, together with the secretary,
confirm and adopt the minutes, in proof of which they shall sign these. The minutes shall be
entered into a register of minutes. If an official notarial record is made of the matters
dealt with at a meeting then minutes need not be drawn up. |
3. |
|
Each of the persons entitled to attend meetings shall have the right to be represented at a
meeting by a proxy duly authorized in writing. |
C - 12
Article 20.
1. |
|
Each common share and each preference share entitles the holder thereof to cast one (1) vote. |
|
2. |
|
At general meetings the company shall not be capable of casting votes for shares in its own
share capital which are held by itself or by one of its subsidiaries; nor shall it be capable
of doing so for shares in its own share capital of which the company or one of its
subsidiaries holds the depositary receipts for shares. Usufructuaries and pledgees of shares
held by the company and its subsidiaries are not excluded from the right to vote, provided the
right of usufruct or the right of pledge was established over shares before they were held by
the company or one of its subsidiaries. The company or one of its subsidiaries shall not be
capable of casting votes for shares over which it has a right of usufruct or a right of
pledge. |
|
3. |
|
When determining whether a particular proportion of the share capital is represented, or
alternatively, whether a majority represents a particular proportion of the share capital, the
amount of shares to which no voting rights are attached shall be subtracted from the share
capital. |
|
4. |
|
Votes on matters of business shall be held verbally, those concerning persons by means of
unsigned closed ballot papers, unless in either case the chairman of the meeting should,
without objection from any of those present and entitled to vote, decide on or allow any other
manner of voting. If the vote concerns an election of persons, a person entitled to attend
meetings present at the relative meeting can also demand a vote by a secret ballot. |
|
5. |
|
All resolutions of the general meeting shall be passed with a two-thirds majority of the
valid votes cast representing more than half of the issued share capital, except without
prejudice to the provisions in article 13, paragraphs 4 and 5 and article 16, paragraph 3: |
|
|
|
(i) for the resolutions to be passed upon recommendation by the board of supervisory
directors, which resolutions (except as required in (ii) below) may be passed with an
absolute majority of the votes cast, without regard to the number of shares represented at
the meeting; |
|
|
|
ii) for the resolutions to amend the Articles of Association, which resolutions can only be
passed with a two-thirds majority of the valid votes cast representing more than half of the
issued share capital and further only on the proposal of the board of management, which
proposal must be approved by the board of supervisory directors. |
|
6. |
|
Blank votes and abstentions shall not be counted as votes cast. |
|
7. |
|
If there is an equal division of votes on a proposal about business matters, no decision
shall be taken. |
|
8. |
|
In the event a vote is taken to elect one of two candidates and there is an equal division of
votes, it shall be decided by drawing lots which of these has been elected, under the
restriction, however, that if persons from a binding nomination list are to be elected, then
the higher ranking nominee is elected. |
|
9. |
|
The ruling concerning voting results pronounced by the chairman during the meeting shall be
decisive. The same shall also apply to the contents of a resolution passed by the meeting,
provided that a vote has been held about a proposal not recorded in writing. |
|
10. |
|
If the correctness of a ruling as referred to in the preceding paragraph is challenged,
however, immediately after the ruling has been pronounced, then a new vote shall be held
whenever a majority of the general meeting should wish so, or, if the original vote was not
taken by call or by ballot papers, whenever any one of the person: entitled to vote should
wish so. |
|
|
|
This new vote shall nullify the legal consequences of the original vote. |
|
11. |
|
The board of management shall keep a record of the resolutions that have been passed. This
record shall be open to inspection by the persons entitled to attend meetings at the
registered office of the company. Upon request, each of them shall receive a copy of or an
extract from this record against payment of cost at most. |
C - 13
Article 21.
1. |
|
Except if the company has usufructuaries and pledgees entitled to vote, resolutions of
shareholders shall alternatively be capable of being passed in writing which shall include
telegraphic, telefax and telex messages instead of at a general meeting, provided that these
are passed with a unanimous vote of all persons who are entitled to vote. |
|
2. |
|
The board of management shall enter the resolutions that have been passed in the manner
specified in the preceding paragraph of this article, in the register of minutes of the
general meetings and shall mention this at the next general meeting. |
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SHARES OF A SPECIAL CLASS
Article 22.
1. |
|
Meetings of holders of shares of a special class shall be held in all instances, which by
virtue of these Articles of Association require a resolution of the meeting of holders of
shares of a special class and, furthermore, whenever the board of management and/or the board
of supervisory directors considers it necessary or whenever one or more persons holding the
voting rights over shares of a special class submit(s) a written request to this effect to the
board of management and/or the board of supervisory directors, stating exactly what is-sues
are to be dealt with. |
2. |
|
Article 18 paragraphs 4 to 8 inclusive, Article 19 paragraphs 2 and 3 and Article 20
paragraphs 1 to 11 inclusive shall mutatis mutandis be applicable to meetings of holders of
shares of a special class. |
3. |
|
If, after a request as mentioned at the end of paragraph 1, the board of management and/or
the board of supervisory directors fails to convene a meeting of holders of shares of a
special class, in the sense that it be held within four weeks of receipt of that request, the
requestors shall themselves be empowered to convene a meeting. |
4. |
|
A meeting of holders of shares of a special class shall itself decide who is to chair its
meetings. |
5. |
|
The chairman of a meeting of holders of shares of a special class shall decide upon allowing
other persons to attend the meeting, apart from those holding the voting rights over the
relative shares. |
6. |
|
Resolutions of a meeting of holders of shares of a special class shall alternatively be
capable of being passed in writing which shall include telegraphic, telefax and telex messages
provided these are passed unanimously by all the persons entitled to vote. |
EXAMINATION BY EXPERT
Article 23.
1. |
|
The general meeting shall have authority and if this is required by provision of law it shall
have the obligation to instruct an expert as referred to in Article 2:393 of the (Dutch) Civil
Code, whose duty it shall be to examine the annual accounts drawn up by the board of
management, to lay a report of their findings before the board of management and to make a
statement with regard thereto. |
2. |
|
If the general meeting fails to instruct the expert as referred to in paragraph 1 of this
article, this instruction shall be made by the board of management. |
3. |
|
The instruction shall be capable of being cancelled at all times by the general meeting and
by the person who instructed the expert. |
FINANCIAL YEAR, ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
Article 24.
1. |
|
The financial year of the company shall coincide with the calendar year. |
C - 14
2. |
|
The board of management shall close the books of the company as at the last day of every
financial year and shall within five months thereafter except if extension of that period to a
maximum of six months has been granted by resolution of the general meeting because of special
circumstances draw up annual accounts consisting of a balance sheet, a profit and loss account
and explanatory notes and within this period it shall make these documents available for
inspection by the shareholders at the office of the company. These documents will also be
submitted to the board of supervisory directors. Within this period the board of management
shall submit the annual report to the general meeting as well. The annual accounts shall be
signed by all the managing directors and members of the board of supervisory directors; if any
signature is missing, the reason therefore shall be stated in the annual accounts. |
3. |
|
The company shall ensure that the annual accounts that have been drawn up, the annual report
and the particulars that have to be added by virtue of paragraph 1 of Article 2:392 of the
(Dutch) Civil Code are available at its office as from the day of the notice of the general
meeting at which they are to be dealt with. |
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|
|
The persons entitled to attend meetings shall have the right to review these documents at
the companys office and to obtain copies thereof free of charge. |
4. |
|
What has been provided in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article in relation to the annual report
and the particulars to be added by virtue of paragraph 1 of Article 2:392 of the (Dutch) Civil
Code shall not be applicable if Article 2:396, paragraph 6, first sentence or Article 2:403 of
the (Dutch) Civil Code is applicable to the company. |
5. |
|
The general meeting shall confirm and adopt the annual accounts. This confirmation and
adoption shall constitute a full release from liability for the managing directors and the
members of the board of supervisory directors in relation to the exercise of their duties
during the financial year concerned, without prejudice to what has been or will be laid down
by law in this matter. |
6. |
|
The company shall proceed to publish the documents and data mentioned in this article, if and
to the extent and in the manner that this is stipulated in Articles 2:394 and following of the
(Dutch) Civil Code. |
DISTRIBUTIONS
Article 25.
1. |
|
From the profits appearing from the annual accounts as adopted, such an amount shall be
reserved by the company as shall be determined by the board of supervisory directors. |
|
|
|
The profits remaining thereafter shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of the
following paragraphs of this article. |
2. |
|
From the profits remaining, after application of the provisions in paragraph 1 above, and
available for distribution, first a non-cumulative cash dividend calculated on the basis of
the aggregate of the par value of the preference shares and any share premium paid thereon,
shall be made on the preference shares, less any interim distributions made in accordance with
paragraph 5 hereunder. The percentage of such dividend shall be determined by the board of
supervisory directors at the time of the first issuance of the relative preference shares.
This rate of dividend can be adjusted by unanimous resolution of all persons entitled to vote.
Any distribution on the preference shares shall not take place if all holders of the
preference shares, unanimously so decide. |
3. |
|
The profits remaining after the distribution referred to in paragraph 2 above are at the
disposal of the general meeting for distribution on the common shares equally and
proportionally and/or for reservation. |
4. |
|
The company can make distributions to its shareholders and other persons entitled to its
profits that are capable of being distributed, but only to the extent that its shareholders
equity exceeds the paid-up and called parts of its share capital increased by the reserves
that it must maintain by law or under the present Articles of Association. |
C - 15
5. |
|
With due observance of the provisions in paragraph 4 of article 2:105 of the (Dutch) Civil
Code and in paragraph 4 of this article, the supervisory board may resolve that an interim
dividend shall be paid. The supervisory board may resolve to pay interim dividend completely
or partly other than in cash. |
6. |
|
The general meeting may resolve that (interim) dividends shall wholly or partly be paid
otherwise than in cash. |
7. |
|
Unless the general meeting decides on a specific date dividends shall be made payable
promptly after they have been declared. |
8. |
|
Dividends that have not been collected within five years after they have become payable,
shall be forfeited to the company. |
LIQUIDATION AND WINDING UP
Article 26.
1. |
|
In the event of the company being liquidated it shall be wound up by the board of management
unless the general meeting decides otherwise. |
2. |
|
The general meeting shall decide on the remuneration of the liquidators and of those who have
been charged with the supervision of the winding up. |
3. |
|
During the winding up, these Articles of Association shall, in as far as possible, remain of
full force and effect. |
4. |
|
Out of the balance of the companys equity, after the expenses of liquidation and the
companys debts have been paid, to the holders of preference shares shall be distributed first
the amounts paid up on such preference shares. The balance remaining after application of the
immediately preceding sentence shall be distributed to the holders of common shares pro rata
to the amount of common shares each of such shareholders holds. No distribution upon
liquidation shall be made to the company itself for shares which the company holds in its own
share capital. |
5. |
|
After completion of the winding up the books and documents of the liquidated company shall
for ten years remain in the custody of a person who shall be capable of being appointed for
that purpose by the general meeting in their resolution to liquidate the company. If an
appointment as aforesaid has not been made by the general meeting, then the appointment shall
be made by the liquidators. |
C - 16
CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
This Proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Supervisory Directors of Core
Laboratories N.V. for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2006.
|
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P
R
O
X
Y
|
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The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Jacobus
Schouten and John D. Denson, and each or either of them, his true
and lawful attorneys and proxies with full power of substitution,
for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to attend
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Core Laboratories N.V. to be
held at the law offices of Nauta Dutilh N.V., Strawinskylaan 1999,
1077 XV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at
9:30 a.m., local time, and any adjournment(s) thereof, with all
powers the undersigned would possess if personally present and to
vote thereof, as provided on the reverse side of this card, the
number of shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote if
personally present. In accordance with their discretion, said
attorneys and proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
matters and issues as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof. |
THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS. THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED AS DIRECTED. IN THE ABSENCE OF DIRECTION, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE TWO NOMINEES FOR
SUPERVISORY DIRECTOR AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 AND 11.
(To be signed and continued on the reverse side.)
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x
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Please mark your vote as in this example. |
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FOR
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WITHHOLD
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1.
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Election of Supervisory
Directors.
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Richard L. Bergmark
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o
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o |
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Alexander Vriesendorp |
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o
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
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2.
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Confirmation and adoption of
Annual Accounts.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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3.
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Approval of cancellation of our
repurchased shares.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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4.
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Approval of extension of
authority of Management Board to
repurchase up to 10% of the issued
share capital of the Company until
December 14, 2007.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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5.
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Approval of extension of
authority of Supervisory Board to
issue shares and/or to grant
rights (including options to
purchase) with respect to our
common and/or preference shares
until June 14, 2011.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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6.
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Approval of extension of
authority of Supervisory
Board to limit or eliminate
preemptive rights of holders
of common shares
until June 14, 2011.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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7.
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Approval of the amendment and
restatement of the Core
Laboratories N.V.
1995 Nonemployee
Director Stock Option Plan.
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o
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o |
|
o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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8.
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Approval of the mandatory
amendments of the articles of
association, including a capital
increase.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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9.
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Approval of the amendment of
the indemnification provision
of the articles of
association.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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10.
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Approval of the two-for-one
stock split.
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o
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o |
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o |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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11.
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Ratification of appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
the Companys independent
public accountants for the
year ended December 31, 2006.
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o
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o |
|
o |
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NOTE: |
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Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof shall be voted in accordance with the
discretion of the attorneys and proxies appointed hereby. |
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SIGNATURE:
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DATE: |
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SIGNATURE:
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DATE: |
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NOTE: |
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Please sign exactly as name appears thereon. Joint owners
should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as
such. |