pre14a
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 (Amendment No. )
Filed by
the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §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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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
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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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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 April 28, 2008
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our 2008 annual meeting of shareholders which will be held
at the law offices of Nauta Dutilh N.V., Strawinskylaan 1999, 1077 XV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,
on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
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To elect three Class I Supervisory Directors to serve until our annual meeting in 2011
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, 2007; |
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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 to repurchase up to 10% of our
issued share capital until October 28, 2009; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority to issue shares and/or to grant
rights (including options to purchase) with respect to our common and preference shares
until April 28, 2013; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority to limit or exclude the
preemptive rights of the holders of our common shares and/or preference shares until April
28, 2013; |
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7. |
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To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our Companys independent public
accountants for the year ended December 31, 2008; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any
adjournment thereof. |
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 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 accompanying 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
February , 2008
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CORE LABORATORIES N.V.
Herengracht 424
1017 BZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
ABOUT THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
WHY HAVE I RECEIVED THESE MATERIALS?
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are first being made available to you on
the Internet or, upon your request, mailed to you on or about , 2008 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 2008
annual meeting of shareholders to be held at the law offices of Nauta Dutilh N.V., Strawinskylaan
1999, 1077 XV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., local time for
the purpose of voting on the proposals described in this proxy statement.
WHY DID I RECEIVE A ONE-PAGE NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF A FULL SET OF PROXY MATERIALS?
As permitted by rules recently adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are
making this proxy statement and our annual report available on the Internet. On ,
2008, we mailed a notice to shareholders containing instructions on how to access the proxy
statement and annual report and vote online. In addition, shareholders may request to receive proxy
materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis.
Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing and
mailing documents to you. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will
receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the
proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until
you terminate it.
WHAT AM I VOTING ON?
You will be voting on the following:
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To elect three Class I Supervisory Directors to serve until our annual meeting in 2011 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, 2007; |
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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 to repurchase up to 10% of our issued
share capital until October 28, 2009; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority to issue shares and/or to grant
rights (including options to purchase) with respect to our common and preference shares until
April 28, 2013; |
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To approve and resolve the extension of the authority to limit or exclude the preemptive
rights of the holders of our common shares and/or preference share until April 28, 2013; |
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To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our Companys independent public
accountants for the year ended December 31, 2008; and |
1
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any
adjournment thereof. |
WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?
If you hold common shares at the close of business on February 29, 2008, the record date for
the determination of shareholders, you are entitled to notice of and to vote at our annual meeting.
On February 29, 2008, there were 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 accompanying 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, in
care of 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?
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.
WHO WILL BEAR THE EXPENSE OF SOLICITING PROXIES?
We 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, as well as our officers and regular employees may solicit proxies
in person, by facsimile, by telephone or by other means of electronic communication. We have
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.
2
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
Security Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The table below sets forth certain information, as of February 29, 2008, with respect to the
common shares beneficially owned by:
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each person known to us to own beneficially 5% 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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Common Shares |
Name of Beneficial Owner (1) |
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Beneficially Owned |
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Outstanding (2) |
Clearbridge Advisors, LLC (3) |
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3,268,861 |
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Capital World Investors(4) |
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1,197,700 |
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David M. Demshur |
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599,842 |
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Richard L. Bergmark |
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206,070 |
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Monty L. Davis |
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162,264 |
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John D. Denson |
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121,301 |
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Joseph R. Perna |
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49,994 |
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D. John Ogren |
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50,000 |
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Rene R. Joyce |
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28,000 |
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Alexander Vriesendorp |
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943 |
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Michael C. Kearney |
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7,016 |
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Jacobus Schouten |
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All Supervisory Directors and executive officers as a group |
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2,301,651 |
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Represents less than 1%. |
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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 common shares outstanding as of February 29, 2008. |
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Based upon an Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2008,
(i) ClearBridge Advisors, LLC has shared voting power with respect to 2,954,292 shares and
shared dispositive power with respect to 3,200,761 shares; and (ii) Smith Barney Fund
Management LLC has shared voting and share dispositive power with respect to 68,100 shares. |
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Based upon Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2008. Capital World Investors
is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,197,700 shares as a result of CRMC acting as
investment adviser to various investment companies registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. |
3
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Supervisory Directors,
executive officers and persons who own more than 10% 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 NYSE. Supervisory Directors, executive officers
and greater than 10% 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, 2007, our Supervisory
Directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders complied with all applicable Section 16(a)
filing requirements.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
We have two main incentive plans, our 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which we refer to as our
LTIP, 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, 2007.
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Number of Common |
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Number of Common |
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Shares to be Issued Upon |
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Weighted Average |
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Shares Remaining |
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Exercise of Outstanding |
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Exercise Price of |
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Available for Future |
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Options, Warrants and |
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Outstanding Options, |
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Issuance Under Equity |
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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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592,824 |
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$ |
11.25 |
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884,004 |
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Equity compensation
plans not approved
by our shareholders
(1) |
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Total |
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592,824 |
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$ |
11.25 |
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884,004 |
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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, 2007 was 41,465 shares and the weighted average exercise price of such
outstanding options was $0.01. 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. |
4
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, 2002 and ending December 31,
2007. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common shares and each index was
$100 at December 31, 2002 and that all dividends were reinvested.
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.
5
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Board of Supervisory Directors
Set forth below as of February 29, 2008 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 of the nominees, for all nominees, or for none of the
nominees.
Nominees for Class I Supervisory Directors (Term to Expire 2011)
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David M. Demshur, 52
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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, 60
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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 has also served
as a member of the board of directors of
the general partner of Targa Resource
Partners LP since February 2007. 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 1990 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. |
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Michael C. Kearney, 59
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Mr. Kearney has served as the chief
financial officer of Deepflex Inc., a
Texas-based oilfield service company,
since January 2008. He served as
executive vice president and chief
financial officer of Tesco Corporation, a
Canadian based oil-service company from
October 2004 to January 2007. From 1998
until 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 2010) |
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D. John Ogren, 64
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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, 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, 64
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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, 53
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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. |
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Continuing Class III Supervisory Directors (Term to Expire 2009) |
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Richard L. Bergmark, 54
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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. |
|
|
|
Alexander Vriesendorp, 55
|
|
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. |
7
Non-Employee Director Compensation
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation we paid to our non-employee
Supervisory Directors in 2007. Supervisory Directors who are our full-time employees receive no
compensation for serving as Supervisory Directors.
Director Compensation for Year Ended December 31, 2007
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Change in |
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Pension Value |
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and |
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Nonqualified |
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Fees Earned or |
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Deferred |
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Paid in Cash |
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Stock Awards |
|
Compensation |
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Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
Earnings |
|
($) |
Rene R. Joyce |
|
|
48,500 |
|
|
|
68,768 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
117,268 |
|
Michael C. Kearney |
|
|
57,000 |
|
|
|
68,768 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,768 |
|
D. John Ogren |
|
|
42,500 |
|
|
|
68,768 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111,268 |
|
Joseph R. Perna |
|
|
43,500 |
|
|
|
68,768 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
140,268 |
|
Jacobus Schouten |
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
68,768 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,768 |
|
Alexander Vriesendorp |
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
68,768 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104,768 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Each of our non-employee Supervisory Directors had the following aggregate number of stock
awards outstanding as of December 31, 2007: Joyce, 4,000; Kearney, 4,000 Ogren, 4,000; Perna,
4,000 Schouten, 4,000 and Vriesendorp, 4,000. The amounts included in the Stock Awards
column include the dollar amount of compensation expense we recognized for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2007 in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 123R (FAS 123R). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in
Note 13 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
included in our annual report on Form 10-K. The grant date fair value of each directors
award as computed in accordance with FAS 123R is $207,260. None of our non-employee
Supervisory Directors had any option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2007. |
Retainer/Fees.
Each non-employee Supervisory Director was paid the following amounts during
fiscal 2007:
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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; |
|
|
$1,500 per meeting of the Supervisory Board at which the individual is present in person; |
|
|
$1,500 per meeting for each committee meeting at which the individual is present in person;
and |
|
|
reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any Supervisory Board or
committee meeting. |
Equity-based Compensation. On August 15, 2007, we awarded 2,000 restricted performance shares
to each of our non-employee directors under our 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan. A
restricted performance share is an unvested right to receive a share of our common stock at such
time or times described below. Each award is subject to the terms of our 2006 Non-Employee
Director Stock Incentive Plan and an award agreement, the terms of which are materially identical
for each award recipient.
The restricted performance shares are unvested and may not be sold, assigned, or otherwise
transferred by an award recipient until such time as, and then only to the extent that, the
restricted performance shares have vested. Subject to certain exceptions described below, the
restricted performance shares will vest based on our return on equity, which is defined in the
award agreement as a percentage determined by dividing (1) one-third of our aggregate earnings
before interest and income taxes for the performance period that begins on September 15, 2006 and
ends on September 15, 2009, by (2) total shareholders equity as of the last day of the performance
period. Specifically: (a) if our return on equity for the performance period equals or exceeds two
hundred percent (200%), the award recipients will fully vest in their restricted performance
shares; (b) if our return on equity for the
8
performance period is less than two hundred percent (200%) but equal to or greater than one
hundred sixty percent (160%), the award recipients will vest in twenty-percent (20%) of their
restricted performance shares, plus two percent (2%) for each one percent by which the return on equity exceeds one hundred sixty percent (160%); and (c) if our
return on equity for the performance period is less than one hundred sixty percent (160%), the
award recipients will not vest in the restricted performance shares.
In the event of an award recipients death prior to the last day of the performance period,
his or her restricted performance shares will vest as described above. If an award recipients
service with us terminates (other than for death) prior to the last day of the performance period,
his or her restricted performance shares will be immediately forfeited to the extent not then
vested. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock
Incentive Plan) prior to the last day of the performance period and while the award recipient is in
our service (or in the event of a termination of the award recipients service upon such change in
control), all of the award recipients restricted performance shares will vest as of the effective
date of such change in control.
Other Arrangements. Mr. Perna was one of our officers until his retirement on March 1, 1998.
He participates in the Group SERP. Please see Information About Our Executive Officers and
Executive Compensation Pension Benefit Plans Group SERP for a discussion of the terms of
that plan.
2008 Non-Employee Director Compensation. The aggregate compensation received by our
non-employee Supervisory Directors during fiscal 2008 (based on our
current stock price) will be reduced from the compensation
received during fiscal 2007. During fiscal 2008 and future years, we intend to award each of our
non-employee directors an amount of restricted performance shares equal to approximately $100,000
based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The terms of the restricted
performance shares are described above under Equity-based Compensation. In addition, each
non-employee Supervisory Director shall receive the following amounts during fiscal 2008:
|
|
an annual retainer of $40,000, payable semiannually in arrears; or if the Audit Committee
chair, an annual retainer of $55,000; or if the chair of the Compensation Committee, an annual
retainer of $50,000; or if chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, an annual
retainer of $49,000; |
|
|
$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 |
|
|
reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any Supervisory Board or
committee meeting. |
9
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 its 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 each of Messrs.
Joyce, Kearney, Ogren, Perna, Schouten and Vriesendorp are independent under the applicable
standards described above.
Supervisory Board Meetings
The Supervisory Board held four meetings in 2007. Each Supervisory Director attended at least
75% of the meetings of the Supervisory Board and of all committees on which he serves. 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. As such, none of our Supervisory Directors attended our 2007 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.
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
public accountants, reviewing with the
independent public accountants the plan and results of the engagement, approving professional
services provided by the independent public 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
10
pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee held five meetings in 2007. 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 LTIP. The
Compensation Committee held two meetings in 2007 and the Equity Awards Subcommittee held two
meetings in 2007.
The Compensation Committee periodically retains a consultant to provide independent advice on
executive compensation matters and to perform specific project-related work. The consultant reports
directly to the committee, which preapproves the scope of the work and the fees charged. The
Committee indicates to the consultant the role that management has in the analysis of executive
compensation, such as the verification of executive and Company information that the consultant
requires. In 2007 the Compensation Committee retained Stone Partners, Inc. to advise it on various
compensation matters. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis Role of Consultant below.
The Committee operates under a written charter. A copy of the Compensation Committee charter
may be found on the Companys website, at www.corelab.com/governance. See Report of the
Compensation Committee 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 2007. A copy of the
Nominating and Governance Committee Charter may be found on the Companys website, at
www.corelab.com/governance.
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 the Company 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 the Company. 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. |
|
|
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 |
11
|
|
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). |
|
|
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
Other Proxy Matters Information About Our 2009 Annual Meeting below. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
The nominee(s) are nominated by the Supervisory Board. |
Related Person Transactions
Related person transactions have the potential to create actual or perceived conflicts of
interest between the Company and its directors and executive officers or their immediate family
members. Under its charter, the Audit Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing
with management and the independent public accountants (together and/or separately, as appropriate) insider
and affiliated party transactions and potential conflicts of interest. The Audit Committee has
delegated authority to review transactions involving employees, other than our executive officers,
to our general counsel. We identify such transactions by distributing questionnaires annually to
each of our directors, officers and employee.
In deciding whether to approve a related person transaction the following factors may be
considered:
|
|
information about the goods or services proposed to be or being provided by or to the
related party or the nature of the transactions; |
|
|
the nature of the transactions and the costs to be incurred by the Company or payments to
the Company; |
|
|
an analysis of the costs and benefits associated with the transaction and a comparison of
comparable or alternative goods or services that are available to the Company from unrelated
parties; |
|
|
the business advantage the Company would gain by engaging in the transaction; and |
|
|
an analysis of the significance of the transaction to the Company and to the related party. |
To receive approval, the related person transaction must be on terms that are fair and
reasonable to the Company, and which are as favorable to the Company as would be available from
non-related entities in comparable transactions. The Audit Committee requires that there is a
Company business interest supporting the transaction and the transaction meets the same Company
standards that apply to comparable transactions with unaffiliated entities. The Audit Committee
has adopted a written policy that governs the approval of related person transactions.
There were no transactions that occurred during fiscal year 2007 in which, to our knowledge,
the Company was or is a party, in which the amount involved exceeded
$120,000, and in which any
director, director nominee, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of our common shares or any
member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or
indirect material interest.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2007, no executive officer served as:
12
|
|
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; |
|
|
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 ten years ago.
Communications with Directors; Website Access to Our Corporate Documents
Shareholders or other interested parties 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, in care of 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 printed copies of such information free of charge
upon written request to our Investor Relations department.
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.
Our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K included the required Section 302 certifications.
Dutch Corporate Governance Code
The Dutch Code contains 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. Listed Dutch N.V. companies
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 BZ Amsterdam and on our Internet site at
www.corelab.com for a discussion of our compliance with the Dutch Code.
13
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
Our executive compensation program is designed to create strong financial incentive for our
officers to increase revenues, profits, operating efficiency and returns, which we expect to lead
to an increase in shareholder value. Our Compensation Committees principal functions include
conducting periodic reviews of the compensation and benefits programs to ensure that they are
properly designed to meet corporate objectives, overseeing of the administration of the cash
incentive and equity-based plans and developing the compensation program for the Supervisory
Directors. Our executive compensation program includes five primary elements. Three of the
elements are performance-oriented and taken together, all constitute a flexible and balanced method
of establishing total compensation for our senior executive officers. The elements are a) base
salary, b) annual incentive plan awards, c) stock-based compensation, d) benefits and e)
severance/change-in-control compensation.
Role of Consultant
Our Compensation Committee periodically retains a consultant to provide independent advice on
executive compensation matters and to perform specific project-related work. In fiscal 2007, the
Compensation Committee retained Stone Partners, Inc., a compensation consulting firm, to advise the
Committee regarding analysis of cash compensation for our executives. The Compensation Committee
requested that Stone Partners assess the proposed base salaries and target annual incentive
compensation for each executive officer. Stone Partners advised the Compensation Committee that,
based on our current revenues and the level and responsibilities of each position, the proposed
base salaries and targeted annual cash compensation were consistent with the external market median
of the benchmarked data. See Benchmarking below.
Role of our Executive Officers in Establishing Compensation
Our Chief Executive Officer provides recommendations to the Compensation Committee in its
evaluation of our executive officers, including recommendations of individual cash and equity
compensation levels for executive officers. Mr. Demshur relies on his personal experience serving
in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer with respect to evaluating the contribution of our other
executive officers as well as publicly available information for comparable compensation guidance
as the basis for his recommendations to the Compensation Committee. Mr. Denson, our Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, attended the Compensation Committees 2007 meetings and
acted as secretary of those meetings for the purpose of keeping minutes. However, Mr. Denson was
not present during Compensation Committee deliberations and voting pertaining to the determination
of his own compensation.
Compensation Philosophy
The following objectives guide the Compensation Committee in its deliberations regarding
executive compensation matters:
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|
Provide a competitive compensation program that enables us to retain key executives and
Supervisory Board members; |
|
|
Ensure a strong relationship between our performance results and those of our segments and
the total compensation received by an individual; |
|
|
Balance annual and longer term performance objectives; |
|
|
Encourage executives to acquire and retain meaningful levels of common shares; and |
|
|
Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that the compensation program
supports our objectives and culture. |
We believe that the overall compensation of executives should be competitive with the market
in which we compete for executive talent. This market consists of both the oilfield services
industry and other service-based industries in which we compete for executive talent. In
determining the proper amount for each compensation element, we review publicly available
compensation data, as well as the compensation targets for comparable
14
positions at similar corporations within these industries. We also consider the need to
maintain levels of compensation that are fair among our executive officers given differences in
their respective responsibilities, levels of accountability and decision authority. The
Compensation Committee generally focuses on compensation structures designed to reflect the market
median. We believe that maintaining compensation at or near the median of our peer group minimizes
competitive disadvantage while at the same time fairly compensating our executive officers for
meeting our corporate goals. The Compensation Committee uses a range of compensation targets so as
to respond better to changing business conditions, manage salaries and incentives more evenly over
an individuals career, and minimize potential for automatic increases in salaries and incentives
that could occur with inflexible and narrow competitive targets. The Compensation Committee links
a significant portion of each executives total compensation to accomplishing specific, measurable
results based on both company and individual performance intended to create value for shareholders
in both the short and long-term. Only executives with performance exceeding established targets
may significantly exceed the market median in total compensation due to incentive compensation.
Benchmarking
The Compensation Committee determined that we would retain Stone Partners as compensation
consultant to assist in the Compensation Committees compensation determinations in 2007. Stone
Partners reports to, and acts at the direction of, the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee reviews several sources as a reference for determining competitive total compensation
packages. These include published data from Watson Wyatt Top Management, Mercer-Executive, Economic
Research Institute Executive Assessor and Stone Partners Executive Oilfield Manufacturing and
Services Industry compensation surveys. Watson Wyatts survey includes 2,567 US companies, 154 of
which are in the Utilities and Energy industry. Mercers survey includes 2,258 companies, 101 of
which are in the Energy/Mining industry. Watson Wyatt, Mercer-Executive and Economic Research
Institute are nationally known, highly respected sources for data. Stone Partners survey (industry
survey data available to participants only) includes 57 oilfield manufacturing and service
companies; 2007 was the 11th year of publication for this survey. In addition, the Compensation
Committee reviews proxy statement data from a peer group of companies.
Selecting the Peer Group
In 2004, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of Stone Partners, developed a peer
group of companies to be used for compensation purposes, consisting of 12 publicly traded oilfield
services companies comparable in size to our company in terms of annual revenues and the value of
ongoing operations. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the composition of our
compensation peer group and reviews the compensation paid at these companies, as well as their
corporate performance, and other factors in determining the appropriate compensation levels for our
executives. The companies comprising our compensation peer group for the fiscal year ended 2007
were:
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|
Cal-Dive International, Inc. (substantially owned by Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.) |
|
|
Global Industries, Ltd. |
|
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National Oilwell Varco, Inc. |
|
|
Oceaneering International, Inc. |
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|
Pride International, Inc. |
|
|
Smith International, Inc. |
|
|
Tetra Technologies, Inc. |
|
|
W-H Energy Services, Inc. |
|
|
Weatherford International Ltd. |
15
In February 2008, the Compensation Committee reviewed the peer companies based on industry,
revenue, market cap and assets; the following companies were added to our peer group for future
peer comparisons:
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Basic Energy Services, Inc. |
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Complete Production Services, Inc. |
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Ion Geophysical Corporation |
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Oil States International, Inc. |
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Superior Energy Services, Inc. |
Veritas DGC Inc. (now CGGVeritas) was removed from the peer group because it is no longer
subject to U.S. reporting requirements.
Elements of Compensation
Base Salary. Base salary is the fixed annual compensation we pay to an executive for
performing specific job responsibilities. It represents the minimum income an executive may
receive in any given year. We target base salaries to result in annual salaries at approximately
the market median of our peer group for executives having similar responsibilities. The
Compensation Committee may adjust salaries based on its annual review of the following factors:
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the individuals experience and background; |
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the individuals performance during the prior year; |
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the benchmark salary data; |
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the general movement of salaries in the marketplace; and |
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|
our financial and operating results. |
As a result of these factors, a particular executives base salary may be above or below the
targeted median at any point in time. Messrs. Bergmark, Davis and Denson received an average 10%
and 15% merit increase in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and Mr. Demshur received a 22% merit
increase in 2007, in each case, as a result of our financial performance and the returns
experienced by our shareholders.
Mr. Demshurs salary did not change in 2006 as a result of his request to the Compensation
Committee that his salary not be increased. On February 12, 2008, the Compensation Committee
approved merit increases for our named executive officers so that their 2008 base salary amounts
will be: Mr. Demshur, $656,000; Mr. Bergmark, $400,000; Mr. Davis, $390,000; and Mr. Denson,
$328,000.
Non-Equity Incentive Compensation. The Compensation Committee determines the terms under
which the annual incentive compensation will be paid to executive officers. The purpose of these
awards is to:
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Share our success with employees; |
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Provide a financial incentive to focus on specific performance targets; |
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Reward employees based on individual and team performance; |
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Promote a sense of shared accomplishment among employees; and |
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Encourage employees to continually improve our financial and operating performance and
thereby create shareholder value. |
16
Under our annual incentive plan, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to set goals
and objectives that it believes are consistent with creating shareholder value, including financial
measures, operating objectives, growth goals and other measures. The Compensation Committee also
considers individual achievement. The Compensation Committee designs these awards so that cash
incentive compensation will approximate the market median when individual and corporate strategic
objectives are achieved and will exceed the market median when performance plans are exceeded.
Annual incentive awards are designed to put a significant portion of total compensation at risk.
For fiscal 2007, the following performance measures were selected and weighted by the
Compensation Committee to give emphasis to performance for which participants have the most direct
control:
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50% of the annual incentive payout was based on an earnings per share target; |
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25% of the annual incentive payout was based on an earnings before interest and taxes,
or EBIT, target; and |
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25% of the annual incentive payout was based on a discretionary component, which allows
for recognition of outstanding effort and dedication. |
Company performance goals include a threshold level below which no award will be payable.
Threshold performance is generally set at 85% of budget and over a normal business cycle, we expect
to achieve our threshold performance level 80% of the time. Target performance is generally set at
the budgeted level for the year and we generally expect to achieve our target performance level
50-60% of the time. Maximum performance is generally set at 115% of budget and we expect to
achieve or exceed this level 20% of the time. Since this plan began ten years ago, we have
achieved performance in excess of the target five times and have achieved the maximum level four
times.
Under the annual incentive plan, a target award opportunity is established as a percentage of
salary for each executive officer based upon a review of the competitive data for that officers
position, level of responsibility and ability to impact our financial success. The target award
opportunity for each of Messrs. Demshur, Bergmark, Davis and Denson is 75%, 50%, 50% and 37.5%,
respectively. Under their employment agreements, each of Messrs. Demshur, Bergmark, Davis and
Denson is entitled to receive amounts of up to 150%, 100%, 100% and 75%, respectively. These
percentages result in two times our target amounts, which we believe are consistent with amounts
provided to similarly situated executives by companies in our peer group.
Execution of our business strategy in 2007 led to growth in revenues, earnings and return on
invested capital ultimately providing industry leading shareholder returns. As a result, our
diluted earnings per share and EBIT were $4.96 and $183.8 million, respectively, which exceeded our
maximum performance targets for 2007, which were $4.54 and $161.0 million, respectively. Each
executive officer received a cash incentive payment as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table,
which amounts represent for Mr. Demshur, 112.5% of his year-end base salary; Mr. Bergmark, 75% of
his year-end base salary; Mr. Davis, 75% of his year-end base salary; and Mr. Denson, 56.3% of his
year-end base salary.
Equity Incentive Compensation. We currently administer long-term incentive compensation
awards through our LTIP. Specifically, we encourage share ownership by awarding long-term equity
incentive awards under programs, consisting of the Performance Share Award Program, or PSAP,
and the Restricted Share Award Program, or RSAP. We believe that widespread common share ownership by key employees is an important means
of encouraging superior performance and employee retention. Our equity-based compensation programs
encourage performance and retention by providing additional incentives for executives to further
our growth, development and financial success by personally benefiting through the ownership of our
common shares and/or rights, which recognize growth, development and financial success over a
longer time horizon.
We use restricted share grants as our primary form of equity compensation, which we believe
are a stronger motivational tool for our employees. Restricted share awards provide some value to
an employee during periods of stock market volatility, whereas other forms of equity compensation,
such as stock options, may have limited perceived value and may do little to retain and motivate
employees when the current value of the companys stock is less than the option price. Currently,
our long-term equity incentive compensation is exclusively in the form of restricted shares and
performance restricted shares.
17
The Equity Awards Committee, a subcommittee of our Compensation Committee, based on
recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer, determines the amount and terms of our long-term
incentive awards by periodically reviewing competitive market data and each executives long-term
past performance, ability to contribute to our future success, and time in the current job. The
subcommittee takes into account the risk of losing the executive to other employment opportunities
and the value and potential for appreciation in our shares. The number of shares previously
granted or vested pursuant to prior grants is not typically a factor that is used when determining
subsequent grants to an executive officer. The subcommittee considers the foregoing factors
together and subjectively determines the appropriate magnitude of the award. In 2007, equity-based
compensation comprised approximately 43% of total direct compensation for the three executive
officers receiving equity awards.
The subcommittee awards restricted shares and performance restricted shares that vest over a
period of years. Restricted share awards vest based on an employees continued employment over a
period of time. The subcommittee determines the appropriate length of the vesting period which for
most restricted shares is at a rate of 1/6 per year over a period of six years. Performance
restricted shares vest if we achieve certain performance goals generally over a three-year period,
which allow us to compensate our employees as we meet or exceed our business objectives.
We have no program, plan or practice to time the grant of restricted shares or performance
shares to executives in coordination with material non-public information.
Restricted Share Award Program. In March 2007, 6,600 restricted shares were granted to each
of Messrs. Bergmark and Davis and 4,800 restricted shares were granted to Mr. Denson, which we
believe are in line with awards made by companies in our peer group based on a multiple of salary.
At his request, Mr. Demshur was not granted an award. Subject to continued employment, one-sixth
of the shares vest each year for six years on the anniversary of the date of grant. Full vesting
will occur if an executive officers employment is terminated because of death or disability or
upon the occurrence of a change in control if the executive officer has been continuously employed
by us from the date of the grant until the change in control. No performance accelerators for
early vesting exist within this award. Compensation expense relating to these awards, which we
recognized for financial accounting purposes during fiscal 2007, is reflected in footnote 1 to the
Summary Compensation Table.
The 18,000
restricted shares granted to our executive officers represented about
24.0% of the
approximately 74,900 shares of restricted stock awarded to
approximately 117 employees. Restricted
stock awards may also be made to new hires as an inducement to attract candidates.
Performance Share Award Program. Under the PSAP, our executive officers were awarded rights
to receive a pre-determined number of common shares if certain performance targets were met, as
defined in the applicable agreements for the respective three-year performance period. The
following discussion relates to a PSAP awards granted in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
In January 2007, the subcommittee determined that the performance target criteria had been met
relating to both tranches of the 2004 performance shares, which covered an aggregate (equally
divided between the two tranches) for both tranches of 120,000 performance shares, of which awards
with respect to 90,000 shares were granted to our executive officers, and we issued the common
shares on January 31, 2007. With respect to the performance shares under the first tranche of this
award, the performance target criteria for full vesting required our common shares to perform at or
above the 75th percentile of the companies comprising the OSX at the end of the three-year period.
The other half of the performance shares under these awards fully vested if we achieved a return on
equity of 18% or more during the performance period. Compensation expense relating to these
awards, which we recognized for financial accounting purposes during fiscal 2006, is reflected in
footnote 1 to the Summary Compensation Table.
In February 2008, the subcommittee determined that the performance target criteria for full
vesting had been met relating to the 2005 performance shares and we issued the common shares on
February 12, 2008. Compensation expense relating to these PSAP awards which we recognized for
financial accounting purposes during fiscal 2006, in footnote 1 to the Summary Compensation Table,
which covers an aggregate of 120,000 performance shares, of which awards with respect to 90,000
shares were granted to our executive officers. The performance target criteria for full vesting
required that our return on equity for the three-year performance period that began on January 1,
2005 equals or exceeds 24%.
Executive
Restricted Share Matching Program. The Executive Restricted
Share Matching Program was implemented in June 2002 to
encourage personal investment in our common shares by executive
officers. The program concluded on June 1, 2007 and no further
awards are contemplated under the program. Under the program, we
matched on a one-for-one
18
basis each share that an executive purchased on the open market or held in his/her deferred
compensation, 401(k) or other retirement account as of June 1, 2002, up to a maximum of 50,000
shares per participant. The shares purchased or held by the executives for matching purposes were
47,394, 49,259, 16,492 and 19,708 for Messrs. Demshur, Bergmark, Davis and Denson, respectively.
Pursuant to the ESMP, in June 2005, we issued additional restricted shares (the Restricted
Gross-up Shares) to reimburse them for tax liabilities resulting from the vesting of the original
grant in June 2002 of 132,853 restricted shares under the ESMP and their eventual vesting in the
Restricted Gross-up Shares provided the participant maintained their share ownership through June
1, 2007. The restrictions on the additional 76,200 shares lapsed on June 1, 2007. Compensation
expense relating to these awards, which we recognized for financial accounting purposes during
fiscal 2007, is reflected in footnote 1 to the Summary Compensation Table. For more information
about this program, please read Information About Our Executive Officers and Executive
Compensation Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards
Table Executive Restricted Share Matching Program.
Health and Welfare Benefits. We offer a standard range of health and welfare benefits to all
employees, including our executive officers. These benefits include medical, prescription drug, and
dental coverages, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability
insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Our plans do not discriminate in favor of our executive
officers.
401(k). We offer a defined contribution 401(k) plan to substantially all of our employees in
the United States. We provide this plan to assist our employees in saving some amount of their
cash compensation for retirement in a tax efficient manner. Participants may contribute up to 60%
of their base and cash incentive compensation, subject to the current limits under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). We match employee contributions under this plan up
to the first 4% of the participants contribution and may make additional discretionary
contributions. For plan year 2007, we contributed an additional 3% of the admissible compensation
for each eligible employee, including our executive officers, into the plan to acknowledge the
outstanding efforts of our employees. We have not yet determined the amount of such discretionary
contributions for 2008.
Deferred Compensation Plan. Through our subsidiary, Core Laboratories LP, we have adopted a
nonqualified deferred compensation plan that permits certain employees, including all executive
officers, to elect to defer all or a part of their cash compensation (base, annual incentives
and/or commissions) from us until the termination of their status as an employee. Participating
employees are eligible to receive a matching deferral under the nonqualified deferred compensation
plan that compensates them for contributions they could not receive from us under the 401(k) plan
due to the various limits imposed on 401(k) plans by the U.S. federal income tax laws.
The employer matching contributions vest at a rate of 20% per year over a period of 5 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.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans. In 1998, based on our review of post-retirement
compensation provided by various companies in the oilfield services industry, we adopted a
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, referred 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 for certain of our then-executive officers and death benefits to the officers
designated beneficiaries as a reward for the executive officers prior contributions and future
efforts to our success and growth. Richard Bergmark, David Demshur and Joseph Perna, a former
officer and current director, participate in the Group SERP. Please read Information About Our
Executive Officers and Executive Compensation Pension Benefit Plans Group SERP for more
information about the Group SERP.
In 1999, based on our review of post-retirement compensation provided by various companies in
the oilfield services industry, we adopted Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for Monty L.
Davis and John D. Denson, which are referred 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. Please read Information About Our
Executive Officers and Executive Compensation Pension Benefit Plans Individual SERPs for more
information about the Individual SERPs.
Other Perquisites and Personal Benefits. We do not offer any perquisites or other personal
benefits to any executive with a value over $10,000 beyond those discussed above.
19
We believe in the importance of providing attractive intangible benefits to all employees such
as open and honest communications, ethical business practices, and a safe work environment.
Executive Compensation Policies
Share Retention Guidelines. We suggest that each executive and senior manager own our common
shares equal in value to at least one times that persons annual base salary. Alignment with
shareholder interests is reflected in current stock ownership among the named executive officers,
the value of which ranges from approximately 48 to 120 times annual base salary based on the
closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2007, as reflected in the beneficial ownership
table provided in Ownership of Securities Securities Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management. They reflect a significant personal investment in us by the same executives
responsible for determining the future success of the organization and the return to shareholders.
Securities Trading Policy. We prohibit officers and certain other managers from trading our
securities on the basis of material, non-public information or tipping others who may so trade on
such information and from trading in our securities without obtaining prior approval from our
General Counsel. If the manager does not have inside information that is material to the business,
the officer or manager may trade immediately following quarterly earnings press releases during an
Allowed Trading Window. Any exceptions must be requested in writing and signed by one of the
following persons: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer or
General Counsel. Any derivative transaction which effectively shifts the economic risk of ownership
to a third party is not allowed at any time by these officers and certain other managers unless
approved by the Compensation Committee.
Deductibility of Compensation over $1 million. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
imposes a limit of $1 million, unless compensation is performance based or another exception
applies, on the amount that a publicly held corporation may deduct in any year for the compensation
paid or accrued with respect to its chief executive officer and each of its four other most highly
compensated executive officers. Although we have not yet finalized our 2007 tax return, we expect
that this limit may apply to certain deductions in the 2007 tax return.
Employment Agreements and Change in Control Agreements
We maintain employment agreements with our four executive officers to ensure they will perform
their roles for an extended period of time. These agreements are described in more detail elsewhere
in this proxy statement. Please read Information About Our Executive Officers and Executive
Compensation Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards
Table Employment Agreements. These agreements provide for severance compensation to be paid if
the employment of the executives is terminated under certain conditions, such as following a change
in control, termination by him for any reason or termination by us 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, each as defined in the agreements.
The employment agreements between us and our named executive officers and the related
severance provisions are designed to meet the following objectives:
Change in Control. As part of our normal course of business, we engage in discussions with
other companies about possible collaborations and/or other ways in which the companies may work
together to further our respective long-term objectives. In addition, many larger, established
companies consider companies at similar stages of development to ours as potential acquisition
targets. In certain scenarios, the potential for merger or being acquired may be in the best
interests of our shareholders. We provide severance compensation if an executives employment is
terminated following a change in control transaction to promote the ability of our senior
executives to act in the best interests of our stockholders even though their employment could be
terminated as a result of the transaction.
Termination without Cause. If we terminate the employment of an executive officer without
cause as defined in the applicable agreement, we are obligated to continue to pay him certain
amounts as described in greater detail in Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in
Control. We believe these payments are appropriate because the terminated executive is bound by
confidentiality, nonsolicitation and non-compete provisions covering two years after termination
and because we and the executive have a mutually agreed to severance package that is in place prior
to any termination event. This provides us with more flexibility to make a change in senior
management if such a change is in our and our shareholders best interests.
20
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 can
be found in Information About Our Supervisory Directors and Director Compensation Board of
Supervising Directors. 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 53 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 Western Atlas International 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 50 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.
21
Summary Compensation
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 2006 and 2007.
Summary Compensation for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2007
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Change in |
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Pension Value |
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and Nonqualified |
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Non-Equity |
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Deferred |
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Stock |
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Incentive Plan |
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Compensation |
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All Other |
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Name and Principal |
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Salary |
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Awards |
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Compensation |
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Earnings |
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Compensation |
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Total |
Position |
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Year |
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($) |
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($)(1) |
|
($) |
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($) |
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($)(4) |
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($) |
David M. Demshur
President and Chief |
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2007 |
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625,000 |
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449,041 |
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937,500 |
(2) |
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352,000 |
(3) |
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9,164 |
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2,372,705 |
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Executive Officer |
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2006 |
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504,569 |
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1,088,559 |
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766,200 |
(2) |
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(3 |
) |
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8,953 |
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2,368,281 |
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Richard L. Bergmark
Executive Vice
President, Chief
Financial Officer |
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2007 |
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380,000 |
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420,728 |
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380,000 |
(2) |
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354,000 |
(3) |
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9,183 |
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1,543,911 |
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and Treasurer |
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2006 |
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324,569 |
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799,096 |
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330,800 |
(2) |
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(3 |
) |
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8,944 |
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1,463,409 |
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Monty L. Davis |
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Chief
Operating Officer |
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2007 |
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370,000 |
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320,728 |
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370,000 |
(2) |
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214,000 |
(3) |
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9,177 |
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1,283,905 |
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and Senior
Vice President |
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2006 |
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314,569 |
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559,097 |
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320,800 |
(2) |
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(3 |
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8,940 |
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1,203,406 |
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John D. Denson
Vice President,
General |
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2007 |
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312,000 |
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237,047 |
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234,000 |
(2) |
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208,000 |
(3) |
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9,160 |
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1,000,207 |
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Counsel and Secretary |
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2006 |
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264,569 |
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363,581 |
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176,250 |
(2) |
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(3 |
) |
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8,933 |
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813,333 |
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(1) |
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The amounts included in the Stock Awards column include the dollar amount of compensation
expense we recognized for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 in accordance with FAS 123R.
Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 13 to our audited
financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 included in our
annual reports on Form 10-K. The awards for which compensation expense was recognized consist
of (1) performance shares granted in 2005 (2006$684,900, 2007$684,900); (2) restricted
shares granted in 2006 (2006$101,624; 2007$337,197); and (3) Restricted Gross-up Share
awards granted in 2002 (2006, $973,074; 2007$405,447). See Narrative Disclosure to Summary
Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for a description of the material
features of these awards. No options were awarded to our named executive officers in 2007. |
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(2) |
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Calculated based on 2006 and 2007 year-end base salaries of: Demshur$510,800, $625,000;
Bergmark$330,800, $380,000; Davis$320,800, $370,000; and Denson$270,800, $312,000. |
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(3) |
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The change in pension value during 2006 and 2007 for each of our named executive officers
was: Demshur$(48,000), $352,000; Bergmark$(44,000), $354,000; Davis$(30,000), $214,000; and
Denson$(35,000), $208,000. No amounts are attributable to
nonqualified deferred compensation earnings. |
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(4) |
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No executive officer received perquisites in excess of $10,000 in fiscal 2006 or 2007. |
22
All Other Compensation from Summary Compensation Table
The following table contains a breakdown of the compensation and benefits included under All
Other Compensation in the Summary Compensation table above.
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Company- |
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Core 401(k) |
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Owned Life |
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Contributions |
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Insurance(1) |
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Total |
Name |
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Year |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
David M. Demshur |
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2007 |
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9,000 |
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164 |
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9,164 |
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2006 |
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8,800 |
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153 |
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8,953 |
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Richard L. Bergmark |
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2007 |
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9,000 |
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183 |
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9,183 |
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2006 |
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8,800 |
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144 |
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8,944 |
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Monty L. Davis |
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2007 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
177 |
|
|
|
9,177 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
8,940 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John D. Denson |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
160 |
|
|
|
9,160 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
8,933 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts shown reflect premiums we pay for life insurance coverage for
our executive officers, which insurance payments will be used to assist us with
providing death benefits under the deferred compensation plan. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides information concerning each grant of an award made to our Chief
Executive Officer and each of our other executive officers in the last completed fiscal year under
any plan, including awards that have been transferred.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non- |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
All Other |
|
Date Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards: |
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Stock and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of Stock |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approval |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
or Units |
|
Awards |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Date(1) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
David M. Demshur |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
492,000 |
|
|
|
984,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard L. Bergmark |
|
|
03/01/2007 |
|
|
|
03/01/2007 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
6,600 |
|
|
|
518,496 |
|
Monty L. Davis |
|
|
03/01/2007 |
|
|
|
03/01/2007 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
|
390,000 |
|
|
|
6,600 |
|
|
|
518,496 |
|
John D. Denson |
|
|
03/01/2007 |
|
|
|
03/01/2007 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
123,000 |
|
|
|
246,000 |
|
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
|
377,088 |
|
23
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following is a discussion of material factors necessary to an understanding of the
information disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.
Employment Agreements.
David M. Demshur. Mr. Demshur serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
an employment agreement entered into on August 1, 1998, restated as of December 31, 2001, and
amended as of February 28, 2003. 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 an original 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 above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis Non-Equity Incentive Compensation.
The employment agreement provides that Mr. Demshur is entitled to participate in all of our benefit
plans and programs that are available to our other executive employees.
Richard L. Bergmark. Mr. Bergmark serves as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
pursuant to an employment agreement entered into on August 1, 1998, restated as of December 31,
2001, and amended as of February 28, 2003. 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. Bergmarks employment agreement entitles him to an
original 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 and described above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis Non-Equity Incentive
Compensation. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Bergmark is entitled to participate in
all of our benefit plans and programs that are available to our other executive employees.
Monty L. Davis. Mr. Davis serves as our Chief Operating Officer pursuant to an employment
agreement entered into on August 1, 1998, restated as of December 31, 2001, and amended as of
February 28, 2003. 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. Davis employment agreement entitles him to an original 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 and described above under
Compensation Discussion and Analysis Non-Equity Incentive Compensation. The employment
agreement provides that Mr. Davis is entitled to participate in all of our benefit plans and
programs that are available to our other executive employees.
John D. Denson. Mr. Denson serves as our General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary
pursuant to an employment agreement entered into on August 1, 1998, restated as of December 31,
2001, and amended as of February 23, 2003. 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. Densons employment agreement entitles him to an
original 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 and described above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis Non-Equity Incentive
Compensation. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Denson is entitled to participate in all
of our benefit plans and programs that are available to our other executive employees.
Restricted Share Award Program. On March 1, 2007, the subcommittee granted approximately
70,300 restricted shares to key employees under the RSAP program. On May 15, 2006, the
subcommittee granted approximately 218,000 restricted shares to key employees under the RSAP
program. Subject to continued employment with us, these shares vest in the amount of 1/6th of each
grant on each of the six annual anniversaries of the date of grant. Full vesting will occur,
however, if an employees employment with us is terminated by reason of death or disability or if
an employee continues in our employment until the date upon which a change in control occurs.
24
Executive Restricted Share Matching Program. In order to vest in the Restricted Gross-up
Shares, a participant generally must have remained in our employment until June 1, 2007 and
maintain continuous ownership until such date of (a) the equivalent number of shares the
participant 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). At June 1, 2007 all of the Restricted Gross-up Shares vested pursuant to the terms of
the Executive Restricted Share Matching Program.
Performance Share Award Program. Under the PSAP, our executive officers were awarded rights
to receive a pre-determined number of common shares if certain performance targets were met, as
defined in the applicable agreements for the respective three-year performance period. The PSAP
awards reflected in the Summary Compensation and Outstanding Equity Awards table were granted in
2005.
2005 PSAP Awards. We granted 90,000 performance shares to our executive officers in 2005.
These awards vested at the end of a three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2007.
Unless there was a change in control, none of these shares would have been issued if our return on
equity was less than 20% for the three-year performance period. If our return on equity for the
performance period equaled 20%, then 50% of the shares would have been issued, and if our return on
equity for the performance period equaled or exceeded 24%, then 100% of the shares would have been
issued. If our return on equity for the performance period was greater than 20% but less than 24%,
then the number of shares to be issued would have been interpolated based on the terms of the
agreement. Our return on equity for the performance period was greater than 24%, therefore 100% of
the shares were issued on February 12, 2008.
Pension Benefit Plans. For a description of our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans,
please read Pension Benefit Plans below.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table provides information concerning stock that has not vested, and equity
incentive plan awards for our Chief Executive Officer and each of our other executive officers as
of the end of our last completed fiscal year. None of our executive officers held unexercised
options as of the end of our last completed fiscal year.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan |
|
Awards: Market or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Value of |
|
Awards: Number of |
|
Payout Value of |
|
|
Number of Shares or |
|
Shares or Units of |
|
Unearned Shares, |
|
Unearned Shares, |
|
|
Units of Stock That |
|
Stock That Have Not |
|
Units or Other Rights |
|
Units or Other Rights |
|
|
Have Not Vested |
|
Vested |
|
That Have Not Vested |
|
That Have Not Vested |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
David M. Demshur |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
(2) |
|
|
4,988,800 |
|
Richard L. Bergmark |
|
|
11,600 |
(1) |
|
|
1,446,752 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
(2) |
|
|
2,494,400 |
|
Monty L. Davis |
|
|
11,600 |
(1) |
|
|
1,446,752 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
(2) |
|
|
2,494,400 |
|
John D. Denson |
|
|
9,800 |
(1) |
|
|
1,222,256 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
(2) |
|
|
1,247,200 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consist of 5,000 restricted shares remaining unvested which were granted to each named
executive officer in 2006 and grants of restricted shares granted in 2007. See Narrative
Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan Based Awards Table Restricted
Share Award Program and Executive Restricted Share Matching Program for a description
of the vesting terms of these awards. |
|
(2) |
|
Consist of performance share awards granted in 2005. Please see Narrative Disclosure to
Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards TablePerformance Share Award
Program for a description of the vesting terms of these awards. |
25
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information concerning each exercise of stock option and each
vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar instruments during
the last completed fiscal year on an aggregated basis with respect to each of our executive
officers.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for the Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value Realized on |
|
Number of Shares |
|
Value Realized on |
|
|
Exercise |
|
Exercise (1) |
|
Acquired on Vesting |
|
Vesting (2) |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
David M. Demshur |
|
|
555,000 |
|
|
|
44,017,050 |
|
|
|
67,183 |
|
|
|
5,802,273 |
|
|
Richard L. Bergmark |
|
|
270,000 |
|
|
|
21,413,700 |
|
|
|
49,253 |
|
|
|
4,345,727 |
|
|
Monty L. Davis |
|
|
297,000 |
|
|
|
23,555,070 |
|
|
|
30,459 |
|
|
|
2,612,920 |
|
|
John D. Denson |
|
|
113,080 |
|
|
|
8,968,375 |
|
|
|
22,304 |
|
|
|
1,959,029 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
None of the common shares received upon exercise of these options were sold in 2007 in the
open market. |
|
(2) |
|
None of the common shares received upon vesting of these stock awards were sold in 2007 in
the open market. |
Pension Benefit Plans
The following table provides information on our executive officers pension benefit plans as
of December 31, 2007, including, with respect to each executive officer, the number of years
credited under the applicable plan, the actuarial present value of the accumulated pension benefit
and the dollar amount of any payments received during the year ended December 31, 2007.
Pension Benefit Plans as of December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Years |
|
Present Value of |
|
Payments During |
|
|
|
|
Credited Service |
|
Accumulated Benefit |
|
2007 |
Name |
|
Plan Name |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
David M. Demshur |
|
Group SERP |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
2,248,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Richard L. Bergmark |
|
Group SERP |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
2,337,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Monty L. Davis |
|
Individual SERP |
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
1,369,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
John D. Denson |
|
Individual SERP |
|
|
15.3 |
|
|
|
1,220,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Group SERP. 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 subsequently amended in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003. 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 Perna, a former employee and
current director, participate in the Group SERP. Each participant is entitled to receive a
retirement benefit of $250,000 per year, which begins on the participants retirement date (which
is the later of the participants termination of employment 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. Each participant has made an
irrevocable election to receive a lump sum payment if a change in control occurs. The lump sum
amount will be equal to the actuarially equivalent 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
26
of a participants termination for cause (defined as the participants conviction of a felony
or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude).
Individual SERPs. 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
Individual SERPs provide participants an annual retirement benefit, which begins on the
participants retirement date (which is the later of the participants termination of employment or
attaining the age of 65 years) and is paid in annual installments until the participants death.
The annual retirement benefit is equal to 2% of the participants final average pay (defined below)
for each year of credited service (not to exceed 25 years of credited service). In the event of a
change in control while the executive is employed by us or the involuntary termination of the
executives employment without cause within six months prior to a change in control, Messrs. Davis
and Denson will receive an annual retirement benefit in the amount equal to the greater of the
amount determined above or $150,000. 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 the retirement benefit described above each year until such
payments have been made for an aggregate of 15 years to both the participant and his designated
beneficiary. In the event that a participant dies before his retirement date, his designated
beneficiary will receive an annual retirement benefit in the amount equal to the greater of the
amount determined above or $150,000 for 15 years. Additionally, the participants have made an
irrevocable election to receive a lump sum payment if a change in control occurs. The lump sum
amount would be equal to the actuarially equivalent value of the retirement benefits that would
have been paid upon the participants retirement. A participant will forfeit his interest in an
Individual SERP if he is terminated for cause (defined as the participants conviction of a felony
or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude).
A participants final average pay for purposes of calculating the annual retirement benefit
under an Individual SERP is the average of the participants annual base salary for the five
consecutive calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which occurs the earlier of
the participants death or termination of employment. In the event a change in control occurs (as
defined in the Individual SERP), final average pay is the greater of (x) the amount determined
above, and (y) the participants annual base salary for the five consecutive calendar years
immediately preceding the calendar year in which the change in control occurs.
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), the benefits paid to us under the insurance policies should 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 other general assets to absorb any shortfall.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The following table provides information relating to our executive officers benefits in the
nonqualified deferred compensation plans, including, with respect to each executive officer, the
aggregate contributions made by such executive officer during the year ended December 31, 2007, the
aggregate contributions made by the company during the year ended December 31, 2007, on behalf of
the executive officer, the aggregate interest or other earnings accrued during the year ended
December 31, 2007, the aggregate value of withdrawals and distributions to the executive officer
during the year ended December 31, 2007 and balance of account as of December 31, 2007.
27
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for the Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Executive |
|
Registrant |
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Balance at |
|
|
Contributions |
|
Contributions in |
|
Aggregate |
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
December 31, |
|
|
in 2007 |
|
2007 |
|
Earnings in 2007 |
|
Distributions |
|
2007 |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
David M. Demshur |
|
|
122,571 |
|
|
|
46,468 |
|
|
|
957,015 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
3,050,550 |
|
Richard L. Bergmark |
|
|
8,319 |
|
|
|
19,446 |
|
|
|
115,535 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
387,747 |
|
Monty L. Davis |
|
|
39,763 |
|
|
|
18,632 |
|
|
|
141,623 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
599,204 |
|
John D. Denson |
|
|
9,982 |
|
|
|
7,988 |
|
|
|
57,512 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
229,876 |
|
Since 2006, the employer has made matching contributions on all participant salary reduction
deferrals to the plan. The plan also provides for employer contributions 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 imposed by the Code.
Distributions of a participants plan benefits can only be made under certain prescribed
circumstances, such as termination of employment or upon a specified date as elected by the
participant. In the event of a termination of employment (other than by death or disability) of a
key employee, distributions must be delayed for six months. A participants plan benefits
include the participants deferrals, the vested portion of the employers contributions, and deemed
investment gains and losses on such amounts. In the case of a participant who dies while employed
with the employer, an additional $50,000 life insurance benefit will also be paid under the plan to
the participants beneficiary. The plan may be amended if necessary to comply with the American
Jobs Creation Act of 2004 to reflect certain statutorily mandated requirements applicable to the
plan, which amendments, if any, are anticipated to occur in 2008. For additional information, see
Elements of Compensation Deferred Compensation Plan.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
We have entered into certain agreements and maintain certain plans that will require us to
provide compensation and/or benefits to our named executive officers in the event of a termination
of employment or a change in control of the Company. The compensation and benefits described below
assume that any termination of employment was effective as of December 31, 2007, and thus includes
amounts earned through that date. The tables below provide estimates of the compensation and
benefits that would be provided to the executives upon their termination of employment; however, in
the event of an executives separation from the Company, any actual amounts will be determined
based on the facts and circumstances in existence at that time.
Employment Agreements
Our executive employment agreements include provisions governing the payment of severance
benefits if employment is terminated by the executive for any reason or by the Company for any
reason other than (1) death or disability, (2) for cause, or (3) the executives material breach of
a material provision of the employment agreement. In such event, our executive severance benefits
will be comprised of:
(a) the payment of a lump-sum amount equal to the sum of:
|
|
|
200% of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the termination; and |
|
|
|
|
two times 45% of the maximum annual incentive bonus he could have earned pursuant to
his employment agreement; |
(b) provision of a benefits package for the executive and his spouse and dependent children
consisting of medical, hospital, dental, disability and life insurance benefits at least as
favorable as those benefits provided to the executive and his spouse and dependent children
immediately prior to termination, for as long as the executive and his spouse or dependent children
are living;
(c) the provision of outplacement services at a cost not to exceed 100% of the executives
annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the termination;
28
(d) the full and immediate vesting and exercisability of all of his outstanding stock options,
which options shall remain exercisable for the greater of (1) three months following such
termination, or (2) the period provided in the plan or plans pursuant to which such stock options
were granted.
For purposes of calculating the lifetime medical benefits, we assume the following:
|
|
|
a discount rate of 6%; |
|
|
|
|
mortality under the 1994 Group Annuity Reserving Table projected to 2002; |
|
|
|
|
a medical trend of 5% per annum; |
|
|
|
|
that medical benefits are to be coordinated with Medicare such that premiums will be
reduced by 50% for ages 65 and older; and |
|
|
|
|
that the health plan is fully insured and community rated and will continue to be so
in the future. |
For purposes of calculating the welfare benefits, we assume the following:
|
|
|
the basic life insurance benefit was valued as a whole life premium a discount rate of
5%; |
|
|
|
|
mortality under the 1994 Group Annuity Reserving Table projected to 2002; |
|
|
|
|
the accidental death and disability coverage was valued as 11.5% of the value of basic
life insurance benefit, per the current premium ratio and this benefit was assumed to
continue beyond age 65; and |
|
|
|
|
the long-term disability premium was escalated at 4% to age 65, reflecting the
age-related incidence of disability as well as increased administrative costs; no value
is attributed to the benefit beyond age 65, as long-term disability coverage is rarely
available once employment ends. |
If the executives employment is terminated as a result of death or disability, the executive
(if living), his spouse, and/or his dependent children, as applicable, will be entitled to the
benefits described under clause (b) and (d) above.
If the executives employment is terminated for any reason within three years following a
change in control, the executive will be entitled to the same benefits described above except that
certain outstanding stock options shall remain exercisable for the greater of (i) one year
following such termination, or (ii) the period provided in the plan or plans pursuant to which such
stock options were granted the lump-sum payment described in clause (a) above shall be equal to
three times the sum of:
|
|
|
his base salary as in effect immediately prior to his termination of employment; and |
|
|
|
|
the greater of (A) 45% of the maximum annual incentive bonus he could have earned
pursuant to his employment contract for the year in which his employment terminates or
(B) the highest annual bonus he received in the three fiscal years ending prior to the
fiscal year in which occurred the change in control. |
Upon a change in control, our executive officers may be subject to certain excise taxes
pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code (which imposes a 20% excise tax on certain excess parachute
payments). In such case, we have agreed to pay each of our executive officers a gross-up payment
such that, after the payment of any income, excise or other tax on the gross-up payment, the
executive officer retains an amount sufficient to pay all excise taxes pursuant to Section 4999 of
the Code.
The calculation of the Section 4999 gross-up amounts described above is based upon an excise
tax rate under Section 4999 of 20%, a 35% federal income tax rate and a 1.45% medicare tax rate.
For purposes of the gross-up calculations, we have assumed that (1) no amounts will be discounted
as attributable to reasonable compensation, (2) all cash severance payments are contingent on a
change in control (although we believe there may be a viable position to the contrary with respect
to at least a portion of the cash severance payments), and (3) we could rebut the presumption
required under applicable regulations that the restricted shares granted in 2007 were contingent
upon a change in control.
29
The tax gross-up payment described above will be payable to the executive for any excise tax
incurred under Section 4999 of the Code regardless of whether his employment is terminated.
However, the amount of the gross-up payment will change based upon whether the executives
employment with us is terminated because the amount of compensation subject to the Section 4999
excise tax will change.
Each executives employment agreement contains a standard confidentiality and nonsolicitation
provision and requires that the executive not compete with the business conducted by the Company at
any time during the period that he is employed by the Company and for the two-year period
thereafter unless his employment with the Company is terminated by him for good reason, or by the
Company for cause. Notwithstanding, the post-employment noncompetition and nonsolicitation
restrictions terminate upon a change in control of the Company.
The employment agreements generally use the following terms:
Cause means the executive has been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude.
Change in Control means 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 if
(i) the holders of equity securities of the Company immediately prior to the transaction do not
beneficially own immediately after the transaction 50% or more of the common equity of the
resulting entity, (ii) the holders of equity securities of the Company immediately prior to the
transaction do not beneficially own immediately after the transaction 50% of the voting securities
of the resulting entity, or (iii) the persons who were members of the Supervisory Board of
Directors immediately prior to the transaction are not the majority of the board of the resulting
entity immediately after the transaction. A Change in Control also occurs when (i) there is
shareholder approval of a plan of dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) any person or
entity acquires or gains ownership of control of more than 30% of the combined voting power of
outstanding securities of the Company or resulting entity, or (iii) a change in the composition of
the Board of Directors the results of which are that fewer than a majority of the supervisory
directors are incumbent directors.
The tables below reflect the amount of compensation that would be payable to each of the named
officers in various scenarios involving termination of the named officers employment, including
following a change in control. The amount of compensation payable to each named officer upon
voluntary termination, involuntary not-for-cause termination (non-change in control), voluntary
termination for good cause or involuntary termination following a change in control, involuntary
for cause termination, and termination in the event of death or disability of each named officer is
shown below. The amounts shown assume that the termination was effective on December 31, 2007 and
thus includes amounts earned through that time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid
out to the officers upon their termination. The amounts payable upon termination following a
change in control assume that the change in control occurred on December 31, 2007 and the
termination was effective the same day. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined
at the time of the officers separation from us. The officer would also have available the value of
exercisable options reflected in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End table.
David M. Demshur
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not For |
|
|
|
|
|
|
related to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
Early |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
For Cause |
|
|
Change-in- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Control on |
|
|
Disability on |
|
|
Death on |
|
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
Compensation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance |
|
$ |
1,250,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,250,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,250,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,875,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term Incentive |
|
$ |
562,500 |
|
|
$ |
562,500 |
|
|
$ |
562,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,265,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term Incentives: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value of
Unvested and Accelerated
Stock Options |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Restricted Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Performance Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4,988,800 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Benefits & Perquisites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and Welfare Benefits |
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not For |
|
|
|
|
|
|
related to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
Early |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
For Cause |
|
|
Change-in- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Control on |
|
|
Disability on |
|
|
Death on |
|
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
Outplacement Services |
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
625,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,565,618 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,715,400 |
|
|
$ |
2,090,700 |
|
|
$ |
2,715,400 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
12,597,943 |
|
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
|
$ |
277,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard L. Bergmark
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not For |
|
|
|
|
|
|
related to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
Early |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
For Cause |
|
|
Change-in- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Control on |
|
|
Disability on |
|
|
Death on |
|
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
Compensation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance |
|
$ |
760,000 |
|
|
$ |
760,000 |
|
|
$ |
760,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,140,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term Incentive |
|
$ |
342,000 |
|
|
$ |
342,000 |
|
|
$ |
342,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
540,048 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term Incentives: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value of
Unvested and Accelerated
Stock Options |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Restricted Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,446,752 |
|
|
$ |
1,446,752 |
|
|
$ |
1,446,752 |
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Performance Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,494,400 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Benefits & Perquisites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and Welfare Benefits |
|
$ |
273,700 |
|
|
$ |
273,700 |
|
|
$ |
273,700 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
273,700 |
|
|
$ |
273,700 |
|
|
$ |
273,700 |
|
Outplacement Services |
|
$ |
380,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
380,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
380,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,793,426 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,755,700 |
|
|
$ |
1,375,700 |
|
|
$ |
1,755,700 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
8,068,326 |
|
|
$ |
1,720,452 |
|
|
$ |
1,720,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monty L. Davis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not For |
|
|
|
|
|
|
related to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
Early |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
For Cause |
|
|
Change-in- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Control on |
|
|
Disability on |
|
|
Death on |
|
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
Compensation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance |
|
$ |
740,000 |
|
|
$ |
740,000 |
|
|
$ |
740,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,110,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term Incentive |
|
$ |
333,000 |
|
|
$ |
333,000 |
|
|
$ |
333,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
499,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term Incentives: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value of
Unvested and Accelerated
Stock Options |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Restricted Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,446,752 |
|
|
$ |
1,446,752 |
|
|
$ |
1,446,752 |
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Performance Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,494,400 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Benefits & Perquisites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and Welfare Benefits |
|
$ |
297,800 |
|
|
$ |
297,800 |
|
|
$ |
297,800 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
297,800 |
|
|
$ |
297,800 |
|
|
$ |
297,800 |
|
Outplacement Services |
|
$ |
370,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
370,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
370,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,946,901 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,740,800 |
|
|
$ |
1,370,800 |
|
|
$ |
1,740,800 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
8,165,353 |
|
|
$ |
1,744,552 |
|
|
$ |
1,744,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
John D. Denson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not For |
|
|
|
|
|
|
related to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary |
|
|
Early |
|
|
Cause |
|
|
For Cause |
|
|
Change-in- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Termination |
|
|
Control on |
|
|
Disability on |
|
|
Death on |
|
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
on 12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
|
12/31/2007 |
|
Compensation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance |
|
$ |
624,000 |
|
|
$ |
624,000 |
|
|
$ |
624,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
936,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term Incentive |
|
$ |
280,800 |
|
|
$ |
280,800 |
|
|
$ |
280,800 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
315,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term Incentives: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value of
Unvested and Accelerated
Stock Options |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Restricted Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,222,256 |
|
|
$ |
1,222,256 |
|
|
$ |
1,222,256 |
|
Unvested and Accelerated
Performance Share Award
Program |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,247,200 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Benefits & Perquisites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and Welfare Benefits |
|
$ |
297,500 |
|
|
$ |
297,500 |
|
|
$ |
297,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
297,500 |
|
|
$ |
297,500 |
|
|
$ |
297,500 |
|
Outplacement Services |
|
$ |
312,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
312,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
312,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,514,300 |
|
|
$ |
1,202,300 |
|
|
$ |
1,514,300 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4,330,856 |
|
|
$ |
1,519,756 |
|
|
$ |
1,519,756 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
See the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table and subsequent narrative discussion for a
description of the benefits payable to the named executive officers under the Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan upon death or separation from service, and in connection with a change in
control.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans.
Please see the Pension Benefits Table and narrative that follows the table for a discussion of
the benefits payable to the named executive officers under the Group SERP or Individual SERPs upon
death or separation from service, and in connection with a change in control. As described in the
Pension Benefits Table, if a participant in the Group SERP or an Individual SERP made a timely
election, he would be entitled to receive a lump sum payment upon a change in control of the
Company equal to the actuarially equivalent value of the retirement benefits that would have been
paid upon the participants retirement. Assuming they so elect and assuming a change in control of
the Company occurred on December 31, 2007, Messrs. Bergmark, Demshur, Davis, and Denson would have
been entitled to receive a lump-sum payment as set forth in the tables above. These figures were
determined by our actuary based on information we provided and assume, among other things: (a) an
interest rate of 4.64%, and (b) the applicable mortality table under section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(l) of
the Code.
Restricted Share Award Program and Performance Share Award Program.
Awards under our RSAP will vest in full in the event an executive officers service is
terminated by reason of his death or disability or upon the occurrence of a change in control. As
a result, assuming such event occurred on December 31, 2007, Messrs. Bergmark, Davis, and Denson
would have each become vested in $1,446,752, $1,446,752, and
$1,222,256 worth of common shares, respectively. Mr. Demshur did not have any
outstanding RSAP awards at December 31, 2007.
Awards under our PSAP will vest in full if we undergo a change in control prior to the last
day of the applicable three-year performance period and the executive officer is in our employ at
such time. As a result, assuming such event occurred on December 31, 2007, Messrs. Demshur,
Bergmark, Davis, and Denson would have become vested in $4,988,800, $2,494,400, $2,494,400, and
$1,247,200 worth of common shares, respectively.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
During the last fiscal year, and this year in preparation for the filing of this proxy
statement with the SEC, the Compensation Committee:
|
|
reviewed and discussed the Companys disclosure set forth herein below the heading
Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management; and |
|
|
|
based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, recommended to the Supervisory
Board that the disclosure set forth herein below the heading Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into our annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. |
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Supervisory Directors.
Compensation Committee
D. John Ogren (Chairman)
Rene R. Joyce
Joseph R. Perna
33
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, 2007, the Audit
Committee:
|
|
reviewed and discussed the Companys audited financial statements as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2007 with management and with the independent auditors; |
|
|
|
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; |
|
|
|
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; |
|
|
|
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; |
|
|
|
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 2007 for audit services, audit-related services, tax
services and all other services, are set forth at Audit Fee Summary below); and |
|
|
|
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, 2007. |
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 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 Audit Committees written charter may be found on the Companys website, at
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.
34
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
35
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Audit Fee Summary
Set forth below is a summary of the total fees paid to our independent registered public
accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, for fiscal years 2007 and 2006. These fees consisted of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 (1) |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
2,455,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,645,000 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
836,604 |
|
|
|
604,951 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
401,865 |
|
|
|
137,905 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
11,852 |
|
|
|
198,306 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
3,705,321 |
|
|
$ |
3,586,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Prior year fees have been restated to reflect actual fees paid. |
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; 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.
36
MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON
Item 1. 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 three Class I Supervisory Directors. The Supervisory Board is proposing the election of
Messrs. David M. Demshur, Rene R. Joyce and Michael C. Kearney as Class I Supervisory Directors for
a term expiring at the annual meeting in 2011. All of the Class I 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 any of the nominees, all of the nominees, or for none of the nominees.
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 accompanying 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.
Item 2. 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, 2007, 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, 2007.
Companies domiciled in the United States are not generally required to obtain shareholder
confirmation and adoption of annual accounts.
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.
37
Item 3. Cancellation of Our Repurchased Shares
At the annual meeting, our shareholders will be asked to resolve to cancel:
|
a. |
|
all of the treasury shares we have repurchased up to the date of our annual meeting; and |
|
|
b. |
|
as soon as we will have repurchased 5% of our issued share capital from time to time
during the 18-month period from the date of the annual meeting until October 28, 2009, all
such repurchased shares. |
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,
2007, we held approximately 1,071,307 of our common shares as
treasury shares, which equal approximately 4% 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 1,319,400 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. This authority is similar to that generally afforded under state
law to public companies domiciled in the United States. Upon the affirmative vote of our
shareholders, (i) the shares held on the date of the general meeting of shareholders and (ii) as
soon as we will have repurchased 5% of our issued share capital from time to time during the
18-month period from the date of the annual meeting until October 24, 2009, all such repurchased
shares will be cancelled in the manner described in Article 2:99(2) and 2:100 of the Dutch Civil
Code.
After the general meeting of shareholders and as soon as we will have repurchased 5% of our
issued share capital from time to time during the 18-month period from the date of the annual
meeting until October 28, 2009, we will post a copy of the minutes of the annual meeting of
shareholders at the Dutch commercial registry and will subsequently publish a notice of each
deposit in a Dutch daily newspaper. If no creditors oppose the capital reduction within two months
after each respective publication in a Dutch daily newspaper, then the cancellation of the shares
will become effective after this two-month waiting period.
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.
Item 4. Extension of Authority to Repurchase Shares Until October 28, 2009
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. It is proposed to authorize
our Management Board to repurchase up to 10% of the issued share capital and to determine the price
of shares at any price in the open market that does not exceed $300.00 per share or its equivalent
in other currencies. The authorization of our Management Board must be renewed every 18 months.
In connection with our initial public offering in September 1995, our shareholders authorized such
repurchases for a period of 18 months. At each annual meeting subsequent to 1995, our shareholders
have renewed that authorization such that the current period is set to expire on October 2, 2008.
In 2007, we repurchased approximately 1,211,000 of our common shares for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $133.2 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 the
authority to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital from time to time for an additional
18-month period from the date of the annual meeting until October 28, 2009. The exact number of
shares which can be repurchased in this period will depend on the number of repurchased shares that
will be cancelled pursuant to the proposal under item 3. After
38
the cancellation of repurchased shares, we will again be able to repurchase up to 10% of the
then outstanding issued share capital, which can be subsequently be cancelled, and the cycle of
cancellation and repurchase may continue.
The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is required to
extend the authorization to repurchase up to 10% of our issued share capital from time to time 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 from time to time until
October 28, 2009 at a price not to exceed $300.00 per share, and proxies executed and returned will
be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated thereon.
Item 5. Extension of Authority to Issue Shares of Core Laboratories N.V. Until April 28, 2013
Our authorized share capital consists of 100 million common shares and 3 million preference
shares, each share with a current par value of EUR 0.04. 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 2, 2012.
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 April 28, 2013. 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 20% 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 April 28, 2013, and proxies executed and
returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated thereon.
|
|
|
Item 6. |
|
Extension of Authority of Supervisory Board to Limit or Eliminate Preemptive Rights Until
April 28, 2013 |
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 LTIP and the
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
39
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 2, 2012.
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 April 28, 2013 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% 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 April 28, 2013, and proxies executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary
instructions are indicated thereon.
|
|
|
Item 7. |
|
Ratification of Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as Our Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm for 2008 |
The Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board has recommended and the Supervisory Board has
approved the appointment of the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent public
accountants for the year ending December 31, 2008 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.
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 2008.
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.
The Supervisory Board recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the ratification of
PricewaterhouseCoopers appointment as our independent public accountants for 2008 and proxies
executed and returned will be so voted unless contrary instructions are indicated thereon.
Item 8. Other Matters to Be Voted On
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 accompanying proxy will be voted in accordance
with the judgment of the persons voting the proxy.
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OTHER PROXY MATTERS
Information About Our 2009 Annual Meeting
Any shareholder who desires to submit a proposal for inclusion in the proxy material for
presentation at the 2009 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, 2008. Any notice of a proposal to be considered at the 2009 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, 2009.
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, 2007, including the
financial statements, schedules and exhibits thereto, may be obtained without charge by written
request to John D. Denson, Secretary, in care of Core Laboratories LP, 6316 Windfern Road, Houston,
Texas 77040.
By Order of the Board of Supervisory Directors,
Jacobus Schouten
Supervisory Director
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
February , 2008
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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 Monday, April 28, 2008.
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P
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The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints John D. Denson, Mark
Elvig, Jan Willem Sodderland, Jaap Stoop, and T. Mark Kelly 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 Monday,
April 28, 2008 at , 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 THREE NOMINEES
FOR SUPERVISORY DIRECTOR AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, AND 8.
(To be signed and continued on the reverse side.)
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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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Election of Supervisory Directors. |
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David M. Demshur
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Rene R. Joyce
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Michael C. Kearney
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For, except vote withheld from the following nominee:
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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Confirmation and adoption of Annual
Accounts.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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Approval of cancellation of our
repurchased shares.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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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 October 28, 2009.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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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 April 28,
2013.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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Approval of extension of authority of
Supervisory Board to limit or eliminate
preemptive rights of holders of common
shares until April 28, 2013.
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FOR
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ABSTAIN |
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Ratification of appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
Companys independent public accountants
for the year ended December 31, 2008.
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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: 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.