MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During 2005, Bairncos Board
of Directors met seven times for regular meetings and had three regular telephonic meetings. Each director attended 100% of the meetings of the Board
of Directors and the committees of the Board on which he served.
Each non-employee director
received an annual retainer of $16,000 payable in four quarterly installments and a fee of $1,500 for each regular or special meeting attended in
person. Under this policy, attendance fees for all regular meetings, special meetings and committee meetings held on a single day and attended in
person are limited to $1,500. No fees are paid for meetings conducted via telephone. It is also the companys policy to grant to each non-employee
director an option to purchase 5,000 shares of Bairnco stock when they are initially elected to the Board and 1,000 shares of Bairnco stock annually
thereafter provided they remain a Board member. The exercise price of the option is set at the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
grant. One third of the options vest in each of the succeeding three years on the anniversary date of the grant. The options remain exercisable for ten
years from the date of vesting.
In addition, each director and
former director of Bairnco, who is not at the time an employee of Bairnco or any of its subsidiaries, is entitled to $1,500 per day when called upon by
Bairnco to perform extraordinary services (not incidental to attendance at directors meetings) on its behalf. No such payments were made during
2005.
Effective January 1, 2003, the
Board of Directors authorized an annual retainer of $3,000 for each Audit Committee member and $6,000 for the Audit Committee Chairman, payable in four
quarterly installments, in recognition of the increased education, time and workload commitment placed upon the committee as a result of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, changes in New York Stock Exchange regulations, and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements.
During 2005, Bairncos
outside directors received the following compensation: Gerald L. DeGood$32,500, Charles T. Foley$29,500, James A. Wolf$29,500,
William F. Yelverton$29,500. Also, in keeping with the policy above, each of the directors were granted options to purchase 1,000 shares of
Bairnco stock.
It is the present policy of
Bairnco that outside directors, upon retirement from the Board of Directors, shall receive annually for the number of years equal to the number of
years he or she has served on the Board of Directors of Bairnco as a non-employee director, an amount equal to the non-employee director annual
retainer in effect at the time of his or her retirement. Such amount shall be payable in quarterly installments. If the retired non-employee director
should die prior to receiving payments equal to the number of years served on the Board, the directors estate will have the choice of either
continuing to receive the remaining payments on a quarterly basis, or receiving in a lump sum the net present value of the remaining payments
discounted at the then current thirty year U.S. Government bond yield.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bairnco has standing Audit,
Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board of Directors. During 2005, the Audit Committee met seven times, the
-5-
Compensation Committee met seven
times, and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met two times. The non-employee directors who are members
of the Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees of Bairnco were entitled to receive a fee for each meeting attended in
person on a day during which the Board of Directors did not meet. During 2005, each of the Committees met only on days on which the Board of Directors
met and, accordingly, no additional fees were paid with respect to such meetings.
Audit Committee
On January 29, 2004, the Board of
Directors adopted a revised charter for the Audit Committee (the Audit Committee Charter). The Audit Committee Charter contains the Audit
Committees mandate, membership requirements, and duties and obligations and is posted on the Companys Internet site: www.bairnco.com. The
Audit Committee Charter complies with requirements established by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. The Audit
Committee reviews the Audit Committee Charter annually and, if appropriate, recommends revisions to the Board of Directors. Under the Audit Committee
Charter, the Audit Committee reviews and is responsible, among other tasks, for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the
independent auditors, reviewing with management and the independent auditors the Companys operating results and resolving any disagreements
between management and the Auditors, establishing procedures to handle complaints regarding the Company or its accounting, considering the adequacy of
the internal accounting and control procedures of the Company, and authorizing in advance the audit and non-audit services to be performed by the
independent auditors.
No member of the Companys
Audit Committee serves on the audit committees of more than three public companies including the Company. All members of the Audit Committee meet the
independence and experience requirements of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. DeGood is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors has also determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee satisfies the financial
literacy requirements of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. For additional information, see the discussion under
Proposal 2Ratification of Auditors beginning on page 19.
The Audit Committee Charter will
be provided to any shareholder without charge upon request; any such request should be made in writing to the Bairnco Secretary at 300 Primera
Boulevard, Suite 432, Lake Mary, Florida 32746.
Compensation Committee
On January 29, 2004, the Board of
Directors adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee (the Compensation Committee Charter). The Compensation Committee Charter
contains the Compensation Committees purpose, membership requirements, and duties and responsibilities and is posted on the Companys
Internet site: www.bairnco.com. The Compensation Committee reviews the Compensation Committee Charter annually and, if appropriate, recommends
revisions to the Board of Directors. Under the Compensation Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of
Directors the base salaries proposed to be paid to officers of Bairnco, presidents of its subsidiaries, presidents of divisions of its subsidiaries,
and other employees whose base salaries exceed $150,000. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves incentive
-6-
compensation programs, reviews
and administers the Stock Incentive Plan, and reviews management development and succession plans. All members of the Compensation Committee meet the
independent director requirements of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
The Compensation Committee
Charter will be provided to any shareholder without charge upon request; any such request should be made in writing to the Bairnco Secretary at 300
Primera Boulevard, Suite 432, Lake Mary, Florida 32746.
Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee
On January 29, 2004, the Board of
Directors adopted a charter for the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Charter). The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter contains the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees purpose,
membership requirements and duties and responsibilities and is posted on the Companys Internet site: www.bairnco.com. The Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee reviews the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter annually and, if appropriate, recommends revisions to the
Board of Directors. Each member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is independent within the meaning of the listing
standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Under the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter, the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors the appropriate size and
composition of the Board of Directors, the appropriate criteria for the selection of new directors, identifying and recommending candidates qualified
and suitable to become members of the Board of Directors, overseeing the system of corporate governance, and developing and recommending corporate
governance principles, which will be reviewed on an annual basis.
The Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee Charter will be provided to any shareholder without charge upon request; any such request should be made in writing to the Bairnco
Secretary at 300 Primera Boulevard, Suite 432, Lake Mary, Florida 32746.
Nomination Process
The Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee has not established any minimum qualification for candidates for election as directors. In identifying and evaluating candidates
for election as directors, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will identify and select candidates who can add value to the
Companys Board of Directors and advance the interests of the Company. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will not consider
recommendations from shareholders; the Board of Directors believes the Committee has sufficient resources and contacts to fulfill its obligations.
Neither the Board of Directors nor the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee employ any third party to identify or assist it in identifying or
evaluating potential candidates for election as directors but may choose to do so in the future as circumstances warrant.
-7-
Executive Sessions of Independent
Directors
In accordance with recent
corporate governance reforms, the independent directors meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. The responsibility for
presiding at each meeting of independent directors is rotated among all independent members of the Board of Directors on an alphabetical basis.
Interested parties who wish to make their concerns known by communicating directly with the presiding independent director or with the independent
directors as a group may do so by sending an email to auditcommittee@bairnco.com or by writing to the Presiding Non-Management Director in care of the
Bairnco Secretary.
Communication
with the Board of Directors
A shareholder may communicate
directly with the Board of Directors by sending an email to board@bairnco.com or by writing to the Board of Directors at c/o Bairnco Corporation, 300
Primera Boulevard, Suite 432, Lake Mary, Florida, 32746.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Board of Directors has
adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines in accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Corporate Governance Guidelines
are posted on the Companys Internet site: www.bairnco.com. The Corporate Governance Guidelines will be provided to any shareholder without charge
upon request; any such request should be made in writing to the Bairnco Secretary at 300 Primera Boulevard, Suite 432, Lake Mary, Florida,
32746.
Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics
The Board of Directors has
adopted the Bairnco Corporation Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on the Companys Internet site: www.bairnco.com. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be provided
to any shareholder without charge upon request; any such request should be made in writing to the Bairnco Secretary at 300 Primera Boulevard, Suite
432, Lake Mary, Florida, 32746.
Policy Regarding Attendance of
Directors as Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Directors are encouraged to
attend Bairncos Annual Meeting of the Shareholders. All of Bairncos directors attended the 2005 Annual Meeting of the
Shareholders.
-8-
COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth
information as of February 17, 2006, regarding the beneficial ownership of Bairnco Common Stock by the only persons known to Bairnco to be the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of Bairncos issued and outstanding Common Stock:
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock |
|
Percentage of Issued and Outstanding Common
Stock on February 17, 2006 |
Steel
Partners II, L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY
10022 |
|
|
|
|
1,110,200 (1) |
|
|
|
15.28% |
|
|
Marvin
Schwartz 605 Third Avenue New York, NY 10158 |
|
|
|
|
754,000 |
|
|
|
10.38% |
|
|
FMR Corp.
82 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02109 |
|
|
|
|
676,573 (2) |
|
|
|
9.32% |
|
|
Dimensional
Fund Advisors Inc. 1299 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90401 |
|
|
|
|
487,238 (3) |
|
|
|
6.71% |
|
|
Neuberger
Berman, LLC 605 Third Avenue New York, NY 10158 |
|
|
|
|
470,800 (4) |
|
|
|
6.48% |
|
(1) |
|
Based on Schedule 13D filed on 9/16/05. |
(2) |
|
Based on Schedule 13F filed on 2/14/06. |
(3) |
|
Based on Schedule 13G filed on 2/6/06. |
(4) |
|
Based on Schedule 13G filed on 2/15/06. |
The Company has retained the
services of Neuberger Berman, LLC to serve as investment manager with respect to a portion of the assets in the Bairnco Corporation Retirement Plan.
Neuberger Berman, LLC is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 and serves as investment advisor to numerous
individuals and retirement plans. Fees payable under this arrangement are customary for these services.
-9-
The following table presents
information regarding beneficial ownership of Bairnco Common Stock by each member of the Board of Directors, each nominee for election as a director,
each of the executive officers of Bairnco named in the summary compensation table below and by all directors and executive officers of Bairnco as a
group, as of February 17, 2006.
Name of Individual or Group
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock |
|
Percentage of Issued and Outstanding Common
Stock on February 17, 2006 |
Luke E.
Fichthorn III |
|
|
|
|
435,498(1) |
|
|
|
6.00 |
% |
Kenneth L.
Bayne |
|
|
|
|
20,000(2) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
Gerald L.
DeGood |
|
|
|
|
4,834(3) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
Charles T.
Foley |
|
|
|
|
255,102(4) |
|
|
|
3.51 |
% |
Lawrence C.
Maingot |
|
|
|
|
18,059(5) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
Larry D.
Smith |
|
|
|
|
39,442(6) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
James A.
Wolf |
|
|
|
|
8,001(7) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
William F.
Yelverton |
|
|
|
|
51,635(8) |
|
|
|
(10) |
|
All executive
officers and directors as a group (8 persons) |
|
|
|
|
832 ,571(9) |
|
|
|
11.46 |
% |
(1) |
|
Includes 2,000 shares owned by Mrs. Fichthorn and 1,500 shares
owned by two trusts of which Mr. Fichthorn is a co-trustee. Mr. Fichthorn disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. Also includes shares that
would be issued upon exercise of 83,334 vested unexercised stock options granted under the 1990 Bairnco Stock Option Plan, 37,500 vested unexercised
stock options granted under the 2000 Bairnco Stock Option Plan, and 42,000 restricted shares granted under the 2000 Bairnco Stock Option
Plan. |
(2) |
|
Includes 20,000 restricted shares under the 2000 Bairnco Stock
Option Plan. |
(3) |
|
Includes shares that would be issued upon the exercise of 4,334
vested unexercised stock options granted under the 2000 Bairnco Stock Option Plan. |
(4) |
|
Includes shares that would be issued upon the exercise of 6,001
vested unexercised stock options granted under the 1990 Bairnco Stock Option Plan and 4,001 vested unexercised stock options granted under the 2000
Bairnco Stock Option Plan. |
(5) |
|
Mr. Maingot indirectly owns 1,634 shares through ownership in
trust under the Bairnco Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan and 550 shares in a personal Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Also includes shares that
would be issued upon the exercise of 2,750 vested unexercised stock options granted under the 1990 Bairnco Stock Option Plan, and 1,125 vested
unexercised stock options and 12,000 restricted shares under the 2000 Bairnco Stock Option Plan. |
-10-
(6) |
|
Mr. Smith indirectly owns 2,442 shares through ownership in
trust under the Bairnco Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan. Also includes shares that would be issued upon exercise of 20,000 vested unexercised stock
options granted under the 1990 Bairnco Stock Option Plan and 17,000 restricted shares granted under the 2000 Bairnco Stock Option Plan. |
(7) |
|
Includes shares that would be issued upon the exercise of 7,001
vested unexercised stock options under the 2000 Bairnco Stock Option Plan. |
(8) |
|
Includes shares that would be issued upon the exercise of 6,001
vested unexercised stock options granted under the 1990 Bairnco Stock Option Plan and 4,001 vested unexercised stock options granted under the 2000
Bairnco Stock Option Plan. |
(9) |
|
Includes a total of 3,500 shares owned by the wives, children or
in trusts or custodial accounts for relatives of executive officers or directors but as to which each executive officer or director, respectively,
disclaims beneficial ownership. Also includes shares that would be issued upon the exercise of 201,419 vested unexercised stock options granted under
the 1990 Bairnco Stock Option Plan and 53,795 vested unexercised stock options and 91,000 restricted shares granted under the 2000 Bairnco Stock Option
Plan. |
(10) |
|
The percentage of shares owned by such executive officer or
director does not exceed 1% of the issued and outstanding Bairnco Common Stock. |
COMPENSATION OF MANAGEMENT
General
The following table sets forth
information regarding the compensation paid, distributed, or accrued for services rendered during 2003, 2004, and 2005 to the Chairman of the Board and
each of the three other most highly compensated executive officers of Bairnco (collectively the Named Executives).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation
|
|
|
|
Long Term Compensation Awards
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Securities Underlying Options/SARs
|
|
Restricted Stock Award (1)
|
|
All Other Compensation (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
Luke E.
Fichthorn III |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
454,817 |
|
|
$ |
90,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
10,080 |
|
Chairman of
the Board and
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
440,833 |
|
|
$ |
155,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
8,820 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
430,067 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
214,200 |
|
|
$ |
6,300 |
|
|
Kenneth L.
Bayne (3) |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
72,672 |
|
|
$ |
61,600 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
217,000 |
|
|
$ |
31,358 |
|
Vice
President/CFO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Larry D.
Smith |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
177,167 |
|
|
$ |
27,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
4,080 |
|
Vice President
Administration
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
173,167 |
|
|
$ |
48,360 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
3,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
169,167 |
|
|
$ |
20,400 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
86,700 |
|
|
$ |
2,550 |
|
|
Lawrence C.
Maingot |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
127,540 |
|
|
$ |
26,244 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
2,880 |
|
Corporate
Controller
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
119,917 |
|
|
$ |
47,430 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
2,520 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
116,292 |
|
|
$ |
18,630 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
61,200 |
|
|
$ |
1,800 |
|
-11-
(1) |
|
The amounts in the table reflect the market value on the date of
award of restricted shares of Common Stock (Restricted Stock) (based on the $5.10 per share closing price of the Common Stock on April 24,
2003 for all officers except Mr. Bayne who received 20,000 restricted shares on August 18, 2005, at a per share closing price of $10.85). Total number
and value of shares of Restricted Stock held as of December 31, 2005 (based on $8.72 per share closing price of the Common Stock on December 30, 2005)
for each Named Executive are: Luke E. Fichthorn III42,000 shares/$366,240; Kenneth L. Bayne 20,000 shares/$174,400; Larry D.
Smith17,000 shares/$148,240; and Lawrence C. Maingot12,000 shares/$104,640. Restricted Stock is contingent upon five continuous years of
employment, with cliff vesting of all shares upon the fifth anniversary of the date of the award. All shares are forfeited in the event of
termination of employment prior to the five years, for other than retirement, death, or disability. Restricted Stockholders receive voting power and
payment of dividends related to the shares during the vesting period. |
(2) |
|
The amounts in this column represent dividend payments on
restricted stock. In the case of Mr. Bayne, it represents $2,400 in dividends on restricted stock and $28,958 in reimbursed relocation
expenses. |
(3) |
|
Mr. Bayne began his employment with Bairnco on August 8, 2005,
with an annual base salary of $170,000. |
Stock Options
No stock options were granted to
Named Executives during 2005.
The following table sets forth
information for each Named Executive with regard to the value of stock options held as of December 31, 2005.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FY 2005
AND FY 2005
YEAR END OPTION VALUE
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Options at Year-End (#)
|
|
Value of Unexercised In-the- Money Options at
Year-End ($) (1)
|
|
Name
|
|
|
|
Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
|
Value Realized ($)
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
Luke E.
Fichthorn III |
|
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
120,834 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
$ |
369,294 |
|
|
$ |
45,875 |
|
Kenneth L.
Bayne |
|
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Larry D.
Smith |
|
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
46,900 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Lawrence C.
Maingot |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
$ |
2,706 |
|
|
|
3,875 |
|
|
|
1,375 |
|
|
$ |
9,015 |
|
|
$ |
1,189 |
|
(1) |
|
Value is determined by multiplying the number of unexercised
in-the-money options by the difference between the stock price on December 31, 2005 and the option grant price. |
-12-
Bairnco Retirement Plan
Bairnco maintains the Bairnco
Corporation Retirement Plan (the Bairnco Plan), a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, in which all salaried employees and
certain hourly employees of Bairnco and its U.S. subsidiaries, Kasco Corporation and Arlon, Inc., participate.
Remuneration covered by the
Bairnco Plan in a particular year includes that years base salary, overtime pay, commissions, stock purchase plan payments, other incentive
compensation and amounts that are deferred under a 401(k) plan that is at any time maintained by Bairnco, but excludes, among other items, compensation
received in that year under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan in excess of 50% of the participants basic pay rate as of the December 31
preceding the date of payment. The 2005 remuneration covered by the Bairnco Plan for each participant therefore includes management incentive
compensation (up to such 50% ceiling) paid during 2005 with respect to 2004 awards.
The following table presents
information regarding estimated annual benefits payable in the form of a straight life annuity upon retirement to persons in specified remuneration and
years of service classifications:
|
|
|
|
|
Years of Service at Retirement
|
Average Compensation At Retirement |
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
10
|
|
15
|
|
20
|
|
25 or More
|
|
$ 50,000 |
|
|
|
|
$3,292 |
|
$6,585 |
|
$9,877 |
|
$13,169 |
|
$16,461 |
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
|
5,730 |
|
11,460 |
|
17,189 |
|
22,919 |
|
28,649 |
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
8,167 |
|
16,335 |
|
24,502 |
|
32,669 |
|
40,836 |
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
13,042 |
|
26,085 |
|
39,127 |
|
52,169 |
|
65,211 |
|
210,000
or more |
|
|
|
|
18,892 |
|
37,785 |
|
56,677 |
|
75,569 |
|
94,461 |
|
In accordance with IRS
regulation, the maximum allowable compensation permitted in computing a benefit is $210,000 for 2005. However, employees will receive the greater of
the benefit outlined above or the accrued benefit as of December 31, 1993, which was based on compensation in excess of $210,000 plus a benefit based
on service after December 31, 1993 and final average compensation based on the $210,000 limit.
For each of the following, the
credited years of service under the Bairnco Plan as of December 31, 2005, and the remuneration received during 2005 covered by the Retirement Plan,
were, respectively, as follows: Mr. Fichthorn, 16 years and $210,000; Mr. Smith, 7 years and $210,000; Mr. Maingot, 14 years and
$177,850.
In addition, Bairnco sponsors a
non-qualified retirement plan such that retirement benefits as determined under the Bairnco Plan are supplemented to provide an aggregate pension
benefit based on adjusted dates of hire and remuneration. Pursuant to his employment agreement, this non-qualified retirement plan provides Mr.
Fichthorn an estimated annual benefit of $38,841 payable upon normal retirement date, based upon 25 projected years of credited service, and 2005
covered remuneration of $210,000.
-13-
On February 8, 2006, Bairnco
announced that it would freeze the Bairnco Corporation Retirement Plan effective March 31, 2006. As a result, no new participants will enter the plan
and the benefits of current participants will be frozen as of that date. Effective April 1, 2006, Bairnco will begin making company contributions to
the 401(k) accounts of all current and future employees who were affected by the freezing of this plan.
Executive Contracts
Employment Agreement with Mr. Fichthorn
On May 23, 1990, Bairnco entered
into an agreement with Mr. Fichthorn, Chairman of Bairnco, under which Mr. Fichthorn became an employee. The initial term of the agreement was for four
years, but the agreement generally automatically renews so that at no time will the term of the agreement be less than four years. Under the agreement,
Mr. Fichthorn presently receives a base salary of $460,000 and is entitled to participate in the Bairnco Headquarters Management Incentive Compensation
program, where he is entitled to receive 25% of an annual pool that is generated at the rate of $15,000 for each $.01 per share of net income of
Bairnco and its consolidated subsidiaries as reported to shareholders in excess of $.30 per share after reflecting the management incentive
compensation annual pool as a cost in arriving at pre-tax income.
In accordance with the agreement,
Mr. Fichthorn received, on the date when he became an employee of Bairnco, stock options for 350,000 shares of Bairnco Common Stock at an exercise
price equal to the book value of a share of stock determined on the last day of the month in which he became an employee ($5.94 per share). One hundred
thousand of the option shares became exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant and were exercised during 2001. Of the remaining 250,000
shares, 83,333 shares became exercisable on January 28, 1993 for earnings of $.70 per share for the calendar year 1992 and expired in 2003 without
being exercised; an additional 83,333 shares became exercisable on January 26, 1996 for earnings at $.75 per share for the calendar year 1995 and were
exercised in 2006; and the remaining 83,334 became exercisable on May 31, 2000, the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
All options remain exercisable
for ten years from the first date they become exercisable. Except in the case of a voluntary termination or a termination for cause, as defined in the
agreement, exercisable options will generally remain exercisable for three years following termination. The exercisability of all of the options
granted to Mr. Fichthorn generally will accelerate in the event of a change of control. Each option share is to be accompanied by a limited stock
appreciation right that will become exercisable for six months following a change of control. Upon exercise of such right, Mr. Fichthorn will receive
the excess of the fair market value per share (or, if greater, $10 per share) over the exercise price per share for the underlying option. In the event
that the payments received by Mr. Fichthorn with respect to his options and under any other provision of the agreement by reason of a change of control
are subject to the excise tax on excess parachute payments, Bairnco will pay Mr. Fichthorn such amounts as are necessary to place him in the same
position as he would have been in if no excise tax had been payable.
-14-
Mr. Fichthorn will also receive a
special retirement supplement that is intended to provide him a retirement benefit comparable to what he would have received under the Bairnco Plan
(described above) if his combined past service as a director of Bairncos former subsidiary, Keene Corporation, and Bairnco (25 years) were
treated as years of service under that plan. The supplemental, non-qualified benefit (as described above) is fully vested.
The Agreement provides that if
Mr. Fichthorn dies while an employee, his surviving spouse or estate will receive a death benefit equal to three times the sum of (i) his base salary,
and (ii) the highest bonus paid to him during the prior three years or the current year. If Mr. Fichthorns employment terminates due to
disability, he will receive 75% of his base salary for two years and 55% of such salary thereafter until the disability ends or his supplemental
retirement benefits commence.
If Bairnco terminates Mr.
Fichthorns employment without cause or breaches the agreement in a material fashion leading Mr. Fichthorn to terminate his employment, Bairnco
will pay Mr. Fichthorn a lump sum benefit equal to the sum of (i) four times his then base salary, and (ii) the highest bonus paid or payable to him
during the prior three years or the current year. Regardless of the reason for his termination, Bairnco will also provide Mr. Fichthorn and his spouse
with medical, health and hospitalization benefits following his termination until he attains age 65 (or, in the event of his death, until his spouse
attains age 65).
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions
The Compensation Committee
consisted of the following members during all of 2005: Messrs. Gerald DeGood, Charles Foley, James Wolf, and William Yelverton.
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation Philosophy
The executive compensation
program of the Company has been designed to motivate, reward, attract, and retain the management deemed essential to ensure the success of the Company.
The program seeks to align executive compensation with Company objectives, business strategy, and financial performance. In applying these principles,
the Compensation Committee seeks to:
|
|
Reward executives for long-term strategic management and the
enhancement of stockholder value; |
|
|
Support an environment that rewards performance with respect to
Company goals, as well as Company performance relative to industry competitors; |
|
|
Integrate compensation programs with the short and long-term
strategic plans of the Company; |
|
|
Attract and retain key executives critical to the long-term
success of the Company; and |
|
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Align the interests of executives with the long-term interests
of stockholders through award opportunities that can result in ownership of Common Stock. |
-15-
Compensation Program Components
The compensation programs of the
Company for its executive officers and key employees are generally administered by or under the direction of the Committee and are reviewed on an
annual basis to ensure that remuneration levels and benefits are competitive and reasonable using the guidelines described above. The particular
elements of the compensation programs for such persons are set forth in more detail below.
Base Salary Base
salary levels are primarily determined by the Committee at levels the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to attract the level of competence
needed for the position. Base salary levels are reviewed annually based on individual performance, industry conditions and market considerations. The
Committee believes that base salary levels for the Companys executive officers and key employees are competitive within a range that the
Committee considers to be reasonable and necessary.
Performance Bonus
The Company provides incentive compensation to its executive officers and key employees in the form of annual cash bonuses relating to financial
and operational achievements during the prior year through the Companys Management Incentive Compensation (MIC) Program. The amount and form of
such bonuses are determined by the Committee based primarily upon the analysis of the individuals job performance and the specific
accomplishments of the individual during the preceding calendar year. In the case of corporate administrative and financial officers, incentive
compensation decisions are made primarily on the basis of the assistance and performance of the officer in implementing corporate objectives within the
scope of his or her responsibilities. In the case of operational officers, incentive compensation decisions are made primarily on the basis of
operational results of the business operations for which the officer is responsible. Although the achievement of certain financial objectives as
measured by a business segments earnings are considered in determining incentive compensation, other subjective and less quantifiable criteria
are also considered. In this regard, the Committee takes into account specific achievements that are expected to affect future earnings and results or
that had an identifiable impact on the prior years results.
Stock Incentive Plan
The Company also provides long-term incentive compensation to its executive officers and key employees through stock options and restricted
shares. The 2000 Bairnco Stock Incentive Plan (the Stock Incentive Plan) was approved by shareholders at the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. As originally established, the Stock Incentive Plan provided for stock option awards. In April 2003, the Board of directors amended the
Stock Incentive Plan to add a restricted stock award program. The restricted stock award program permits the committee to grant to an employee an award
consisting of shares of Bairnco stock that are subject to specified forfeiture and transfer restrictions. Upon the lapse of these restrictions, the
restricted stock award becomes vested. Generally, a restricted stock award under the Stock Incentive Plan becomes vested if the recipient
remains employed until the fifth
anniversary of the date of the award. The restricted stock award recipient receives dividends and voting rights during the vesting period. Under the
terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, the Committee has complete discretion in determining eligibility for participation and the number of stock options
or restricted stock shares, if any, to be granted to a participant. Stock option and restricted stock awards may be made from the shares of Bairnco
Common Stock originally approved by the shareholders for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan. The Committee has established and follows guidelines
with respect to the granting of options and restricted stock awards under the Stock Incentive Plan to employees. The use of these instruments is
intended to provide incentives to the Companys executive officers and key employees to work toward the
-16-
long-term growth of the Company by
providing them with a benefit that will increase only to the extent the value of the Common Stock increases. Options and restricted shares are not
granted by the Committee as a matter of course as part of the regular compensation of any executive or key employee. The decision to grant options or
restricted shares is based on the perceived incentive that the grant will provide and the benefits that the grant may have on long-term stockholder
value. The determination of the number of shares granted is based on the level and contribution of the employee. Consideration is also given to the
anticipated contribution of the business operations for which the optionee has responsibility to overall stockholder value.
Compensation Earned by the Chief Executive
Officer
In considering the CEOs
base salary, the Committee reviewed Bairncos general financial performance and the progress in improving operating performance. The Committee
also reviewed the CEOs base salary against recent salary surveys. This information showed Mr. Fichthorns salary to be in the average range
for industrial companies the size of Bairnco. The Committee also considered the time period elapsed from Mr. Fichthorns date of last increase in
May 2004. On May 1, 2005, he received a salary increase of 3.5% resulting in a current salary for Mr. Fichthorn of $460,000. In accordance with his
contract, Mr. Fichthorn is eligible for 25% of an MIC pool generated by a formula in his contract. However, since 2001, Mr. Fichthorn has voluntarily
waived this portion of his contract on a year-to-year basis and has agreed to participate in the MIC pool that covers Bairncos officers. For
fiscal year 2005, Mr. Fichthorn received a bonus of $90,000.
162 (m) Disclosure
Based on current levels of
compensation, no executive officer is expected to receive compensation for 2006 services that would be non-deductible under Section 162 (m) of the
Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has not considered any revisions to its policies and programs in response to this
provision of law.
Respectfully submitted,
The Compensation
Committee
William F. Yelverton, Chairman
Gerald L. DeGood
Charles T. Foley
James A. Wolf
-17-
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Presented in the graph below is a
comparison of the five-year cumulative returns among Bairnco Common Stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the Dow Jones Electrical Components and Equipment
Index (DJELQ). The cumulative returns shown in the graph assume an initial investment of $100 as of December 31, 2000, and reinvestment of
all cash and cash equivalent dividends declared as of the ex-date of the dividend.
-18-
PROPOSAL 2. RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has voted
unanimously to retain the firm of Grant Thornton, LLP, independent certified public accountants, as auditors for Bairnco and its subsidiaries for the
2006 fiscal year. The Board of Directors is submitting its selection of Grant Thornton, LLP to shareholders for ratification. Representatives of Grant
Thornton, LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and to be available to respond to appropriate questions. These representatives will have
the opportunity to make a statement at the Annual Meeting if they desire to do so. Ratification of the Board of Directors selection of auditors
will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Bairnco Common Stock present at the Annual Meeting (assuming that a
quorum is present). The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of its selection of auditors.
Audit & Non-Audit Fees
The following table presents fees
charged for professional audit services rendered by Grant Thornton, LLP and Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of the Companys financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, and fees billed for other services during those years. Grant Thornton, LLP was the principal
accountant of the Company beginning in the second quarter of 2004. Ernst & Young, LLP was the principal accountant of the Company during the first
quarter of 2004.
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
Audit fees
(1) |
|
|
|
$ |
206,000 |
|
|
$ |
203,900 |
|
Audit related
fees (2) |
|
|
|
|
23,800 |
|
|
|
34,600 |
|
Tax fees
(3) |
|
|
|
|
17,400 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
All other
fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
247,200 |
|
|
$ |
246,500 |
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees consisted of audit work (including the tax accrual
review) performed in connection with the preparation of the quarterly and year end financial statements, European statutory audits and review of
documents filed with the SEC. |
(2) |
|
Audit related fees consisted of audits of employee benefit
plans. |
(3) |
|
Tax fees consisted of assistance related to tax compliance and
reporting. |
Pre-Approval of Audit &
Non-Audit Services Under the Companys Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (Audit
Committee) is required to pre-approve all auditing services and permissible non-audit services, including related fees and terms, to be performed
for the Company by the independent auditor, subject to de-minimus exceptions for non-audit services described under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The written pre-approval policy can be found in the Audit Committee
Charter, which is posted on the Companys internet site: www.bairnco.com.
The Audit Committee pre-approved
all audit services, audit related services and tax review and compliance services for the Company by Grant Thornton, LLP during 2005.
-19-
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In accordance with its written
charter adopted by the Board of Directors (Board), the Audit Committee monitors the financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. All
members of the Audit Committee are independent of management and the Company in accordance with the Companys Standards of Board Independence
which are based on the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
During 2005, the Audit Committee
met seven times, and the Committee chair, as representative of the Audit Committee, discussed the interim financial information contained in each
quarterly earnings announcement with the Corporate Controller and independent auditors prior to the filing of the Companys Form
10-Q.
The Audit Committee obtained from
the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and the Company that might bear on the
auditors independence consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,
and discussed with the auditors any relationships that might affect their objectivity and independence.
The Audit Committee discussed
with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, Communication with
Audit Committees and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors examination of
the quarterly and annual financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed the results of the internal audit examinations with the
Corporations internal audit department.
The Committee reviewed the
audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, with management and the independent auditors. Management has
the responsibility for the preparation of the Companys financial statements, and the independent auditors express an opinion on those financial
statements based on their audit.
Based on the reviews and
discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Companys audited financial statements be included in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also
recommended the reappointment, subject to shareholder approval, of Grant Thornton, LLP as independent auditors, and the Board concurred in such
recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
The Audit
Committee
Gerald L. DeGood, Chairman
Charles T. Foley
James
A. Wolf
William F. Yelverton
-20-
PROPOSALS BY HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
Any proposal that a shareholder
of Bairnco desires to have included in the Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by
Bairnco at its executive offices no later than November 15, 2006. Bairnco will not be required to include in its Proxy Statement or form of proxy a
shareholder proposal that is received after that date or which otherwise fails to meet the requirements for shareholder proposals established by
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. In addition, if a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
without the inclusion of that proposal in Bairncos proxy materials and written notice of the proposal is not received by Bairnco on or before
January 26, 2007, or if Bairnco meets other requirements of Securities and Exchange Commission rules, proxies solicited by the Board of Directors for
the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will confer discretionary authority to vote on the proposal at the meeting. The executive offices of Bairnco
currently are located at 300 Primera Boulevard, Suite 432, Lake Mary, Florida, 32746.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Based upon a review of filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and written representations from its directors and executive officers that no other reports were required,
the Company believes that all of the Companys directors and executive officers complied with the filing requirements of Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The Company is not aware of any beneficial holder of 10% of the
Companys common stock that has not complied with filing requirements.
-21-
EXPENSES AND OTHER MATTERS
Bairnco will pay the costs of
preparing, assembling, and mailing this Proxy Statement and the material enclosed herewith. Bairnco has requested brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and
other custodians who hold shares of Bairnco Common Stock in their names to solicit proxies from their clients who own such shares, and Bairnco has
agreed to reimburse them for their expenses in so doing.
In addition to the use of the
mails, certain officers, directors and regular employees of Bairnco, at no additional cost, may request the return of proxies by personal interview or
by telephone or telegraph.
Management does not intend to
present any further items of business at the Annual Meeting, and knows of no such items that will or may be presented by others. If, however, any other
matter properly comes before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy form will vote thereon in such manner as they may in their discretion
determine.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Larry D. Smith
Secretary
Lake Mary, Florida
March 13, 2006
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND
IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
-22-
APPENDIX A
BAIRNCO
CORPORATION
|
SUBJECT
STANDARDS OF BOARD INDEPENDENCE
|
NO.
CG-4
EFFECTIVE 1/29/04 |
PAGE 1 OF 2
DISTRIBUTION All |
POLICY
|
AFFECTS
Board
of Directors |
REVISES
DATED New ______________________________________________________ FILE UNDER SECTION CG Corporate Governance |
|
ISSUED BY Board of Directors |
APPROVED BY Board of Directors |
POLICY
As used in these Standards of Board Independence, the term
Company includes Bairnco Corporation and any of its subsidiaries. The term immediate family member includes the directors
spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and any other
person (other than domestic employees) who shares the directors home.
Disqualification. A director will not be
considered an independent director under any circumstances if: The director is or was employed by, or any immediate family member of the director is or
was an executive officer of, the Company at any time during the previous 3-year period;
The director or any of his or her immediate family members
receives or has received at any time during the previous 3-year period more than $100,000 per year in direct compensation from the Company, other than
fees for service on the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior
service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service);
The director is or has been at any time during the previous
3-year period affiliated with or employed by, or has an immediate family member who is or has been at any time during the previous 3-year period
affiliated with or employed in a professional capacity by, a present or former internal or external auditor of the Company;
The director or any of his or her immediate family members
is or has been, at any time during the previous 3-year period, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of the Companys
current executives serve or served on that companys compensation committee;
The director is or has been at any time during the previous
3-year period an executive officer or employee, or has an immediate family member who is or has been at any time during the previous 3-year period an
executive officer, of a company (other than a charitable organization in accordance with stock exchange listing standards) that either makes payments
to, or receives payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of (A)
$1,000,000 or (B) 2% of such other companys consolidated gross revenues; or
-23-
Board Determination. A director will not be considered
an independent director unless the Board of Directors makes an affirmative determination that the director, either directly or as a partner,
shareholder or officer of any organization that has a relationship with the Company, has no material relationship with the
Company.
For purposes of determining whether a director has a
material relationship with the Company, the Board of Directors will consider all relevant facts and circumstances. Material
relationships can include commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable, and familial relationships (among
others).
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A director will not be considered to have a material
relationship with the Company solely by virtue of the fact that: |
|
|
the director, or any of his or her immediate family members,
owns a significant amount of stock in the Company; or |
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the director, or any of his or her immediate family members,
receives consulting fees or other compensation from the Company not in excess of $100,000 per year; or |
|
|
the director, or any of his or her immediate family members,
serves on the Board of Directors of any other company on which another director of the Company serves as a director, employee or
contractor. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any
director, or any of his or her immediate family members, has relationships that fall within both of the foregoing categorical standards, the Board
shall consider the materiality of all such relationships, in the aggregate, to determine whether such director is independent.
The Company will disclose the categorical standards set
forth herein for the Boards determination of the independence of any director in the Companys annual proxy statement. If the Board makes a
determination that any director who does not meet these categorical standards is independent, the Company will disclose the basis of the
Boards determination in the Companys annual proxy statement.
-24-
PROXY
BAIRNCO CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS, April 20, 2006
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BAIRNCO CORPORATION
The undersigned hereby appoints
LUKE E. FICHTHORN III, LARRY D. SMITH, and LAWRENCE C. MAINGOT each of them, the proxies of the undersigned, with power of substitution in each, to
vote all stock of BAIRNCO CORPORATION that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of such Corporation to be held at
Bairncos corporate offices, 300 Primera Boulevard, Suite 432, Lake Mary, Florida, on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 9:00 A.M., local time, and at
any adjournment thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
FOLLOWING PROPOSALS:
[ ] |
|
FOR all nominees listed below (except as listed to the
contrary below) |
[ ] |
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed
below |
NOMINEES: |
|
Luke E. Fichthorn III, Gerald L. DeGood, Charles T. Foley, James
A. Wolf, William F. Yelverton |
(INSTRUCTIONS: |
|
to withhold your vote from any individual nominee or nominees,
check the FOR box above and write each such nominees name on the space provided below.) |
__________________________________________
2. |
|
RATIFICATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEES SELECTION OF
AUDITORS |
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. |
|
TO VOTE, IN THEIR DISCRETION, UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING |
If no contrary instructions are
indicated on this Proxy, this Proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1 and 2.
|
Dated: ________________________________________________
__________________________________________________ Signature
__________________________________________________ Signature
|
|
Please sign exactly
as name appears at left. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give
your full title as such.
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
|