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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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Campbell Soup Company
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October 8, 2003
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareowners
Friday, November 21, 2003
AGENDA
1. Elect Directors.
2. Ratify Appointment of Auditors.
3. Approve the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
4. Transact any other business properly brought before the meeting.
Shareowners of record at the close of business on September 23, 2003 will be entitled to vote.
Your vote is important. In order to have as many shares as possible represented, kindlySIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED OR VOTE BY PHONE OR THE INTERNET(see instructions on the proxy card).
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
John J. Furey | ||
Vice President and | ||
Corporate Secretary |
Important
Please note that a ticket is required for admission to the meeting. If you plan to attend and shares are registered in your name as of September 23, 2003, please check the appropriate box on your proxy card or when voting on the Internet or indicate when prompted if voting by telephone. A ticket of admission will be forwarded to you. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, please follow the instructions on page 33 to obtain an admission ticket.
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* | Item 1 — Election of Directors | 1 | ||||
Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers | 5 | |||||
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners | 6 | |||||
Director Attendance | 8 | |||||
Director Compensation | 8 | |||||
Board Committees | 9 | |||||
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 11 | |||||
Corporate Governance | 11 | |||||
Audit Committee Report | 12 | |||||
Independent Auditors Fees and Services | 13 | |||||
Compensation of Executive Officers | 14 | |||||
l Compensation and Organization Committee’s Report on Executive Compensation | 14 | |||||
l Compensation and Organization Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation | 17 | |||||
l Summary Compensation Table | 18 | |||||
l Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year | 20 | |||||
l Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values | 20 | |||||
l Return to Shareowners Performance Graph | 21 | |||||
l Pension Plans | 22 | |||||
l Employment Agreements and Termination Arrangements | 22 | |||||
* | Item 2 — Ratification of Appointment of Auditors | 23 | ||||
* | Item 3 — Approval of 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan | 24 | ||||
Equity Compensation Plan Information | 30 | |||||
Submission of Shareholder Proposals | 31 | |||||
Directors and Executive Officers Stock Ownership Reports | 31 | |||||
Other Matters | 32 | |||||
Proxies and Voting at the Meeting | 32 | |||||
Information About Attending the Meeting | 33 | |||||
Appendix A — Corporate Governance | A-1 | |||||
Appendix B — 2003 Long-Term Incentive | B-1 |
(1) | writing to Investor Relations, Campbell Soup Company, One Campbell Place, Camden, NJ 08103-1799; |
(2) | calling 1-888-SIP-SOUP (1-888-747-7687); or |
(3) | leaving a message on Campbell’s home page at www.campbellsoup.com. |
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ITEM 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote “For” ALL Nominees
The Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to the By-Laws, has determined that the number of Directors of the Company shall be sixteen. The directors are to be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of the Shareowners and until their successors are elected and shall have qualified. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Except as otherwise specified in the proxy, proxies will be voted for election of the nominees named below.
In accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Standards, Mr. Thomas Field will retire as of November 20, 2003 because he has reached age 70. Dr. David Li has decided to retire from the Board. The remaining 14 current Directors of the Company are standing for reelection, along with two new nominees, Paul Charron and Les Vinney.
If a nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve, proxies will be voted for election of such person as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. Management knows of no reason why any nominee shall be unable or unwilling to serve.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the nominees at September 23, 2003:
(1) Principal Occupation or Employment | Director | |||||||||
Name | (2) Other Business Affiliations | Age | Since | |||||||
Edmund M. Carpenter | (1) President and Chief Executive Officer of Barnes Group, Inc. since December 1998. Previously Senior Managing Director of Clayton Dubilier & Rice. Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Signal Corporation. (2) Director of Barnes Group, Inc., and Dana Corporation. | 61 | 1990 | |||||||
Paul R. Charron | (1) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Liz Claiborne, Incorporated since 1996. (2) Director of Liz Claiborne, Incorporated | 61 | New Nominee | |||||||
Douglas R. Conant | (1) President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell Soup Company since January 2001. Previously President of Nabisco Foods Company. (2) Director of Applebee’s International, Inc. | 52 | 2001 |
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(1) Principal Occupation or Employment | Director | |||||||||
Name | (2) Other Business Affiliations | Age | Since | |||||||
Bennett Dorrance | (1) Private investor and Chairman and Managing Director of DMB Associates in Phoenix, Arizona. | 57 | 1989 | |||||||
Kent B. Foster | (1) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ingram Micro, Inc. since May 2000. Previously President of GTE Corp. (2) Director of Ingram Micro, Inc., J.C. Penney Company, Inc. and New York Life Insurance Company. | 60 | 1996 | |||||||
Harvey Golub | (1) Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Express Company (1993-2001). (2) Director of Dow Jones & Company, Inc. | 64 | 1996 | |||||||
Randall W. Larrimore | (1) Non-executive Chairman of Olin Corporation since April 2003. Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of United Stationers Inc. (1997-2003). (2) Director of Olin Corporation. | 56 | 2002 | |||||||
Philip E. Lippincott | (1) Former Chairman of Campbell Soup Company (1999-2001). Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scott Paper Company (1983-1994). (2) Director of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Trustee of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. | 67 | 1984 |
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(1) Principal Occupation or Employment | Director | |||||||||
Name | (2) Other Business Affiliations | Age | Since | |||||||
Mary Alice D. Malone | (1) Private investor and President of Iron Spring Farm, Inc. | 53 | 1990 | |||||||
David C. Patterson | (1) Founder and Chairman, Brandywine Trust Company since 1989. | 55 | 2002 | |||||||
Charles R. Perrin | (1) Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Avon Products, Inc. (1998-1999). Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Duracell International, Inc. (1994-1996). (2) Director of Warnaco Group, Inc. | 58 | 1999 | |||||||
George M. Sherman | (1) Chairman of Campbell Soup Company since August 2001. Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Danaher Corporation (1990-2001). | 62 | 1995 | |||||||
Donald M. Stewart | (1) President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Community Trust since June 2000. Previously Senior Program Officer of the Carnegie Corporation (1999-2000). Previously President and Chief Executive Officer of The College Board. (2) Director of The New York Times Company and Sotheby’s Holdings, Inc. | 65 | 1992 |
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(1) Principal Occupation or Employment | Director | |||||||||
Name | (2) Other Business Affiliations | Age | Since | |||||||
George Strawbridge, Jr. | (1) Private investor and President of Augustin Corporation. | 65 | 1988 | |||||||
Les C. Vinney | (1) President and Chief Executive Officer of STERIS Corporation since 2000. Previously Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations, of STERIS. Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the B.F. Goodrich Company. (2) Director of STERIS Corporation | 54 | New Nominee | |||||||
Charlotte C. Weber | (1) Private investor and President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Oak Properties. | 60 | 1990 |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of Campbell’s Capital Stock, as of September 23, 2003, of each Director, the Company’s five most highly compensated Executive Officers and the Directors and Executive Officers as a group, and also sets forth Campbell stock units credited to the individual’s deferred compensation account. The account reflects the election of the individuals to defer previously earned compensation and pending awards of restricted stock into Campbell stock units. The individuals are fully at risk as to the price of Campbell stock in their deferred stock accounts. Additional stock units are credited to the accounts to reflect accrual of dividends. The stock units do not carry any voting rights. Unrestricted deferred Campbell stock units are included in calculating the stock ownership required by the Company for directors and executives.
Vested | Aggregate | |||||||||||||||||||||
Options | Number of | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
As of | Shares | Campbell | Number of | |||||||||||||||||||
November 23, | Beneficially | Stock | Shares and | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Shares | 2003 | Owned(a) | Deferred | Deferred Stock | |||||||||||||||||
Edmund M. Carpenter | 9,102 | 28,079 | 37,181 | 13,125 | 50,306 | |||||||||||||||||
Paul R. Charron | 1,000 | — | 1,000 | — | 1,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Douglas R. Conant | 10,575 | 1,561,500 | 1,572,075 | 164,259 | 1,736,334 | |||||||||||||||||
Bennett Dorrance | 51,206,730 | 22,990 | 51,229,720 | 9,683 | 51,239,403 | |||||||||||||||||
Thomas W. Field, Jr. | 32,480 | 18,248 | 50,728 | 31,232 | 81,960 | |||||||||||||||||
Kent B. Foster | — | 26,649 | 26,649 | 14,460 | 41,109 | |||||||||||||||||
Harvey Golub | 4,000 | 16,707 | 20,707 | 20,169 | 40,876 | |||||||||||||||||
Randall W. Larrimore | 2,650 | — | 2,650 | — | 2,650 | |||||||||||||||||
David K.P. Li | 6,402 | 21,407 | 27,809 | 18,103 | 45,912 | |||||||||||||||||
Philip E. Lippincott | 22,429 | 50,487 | 72,916 | 4,719 | 77,635 | |||||||||||||||||
Mary Alice D. Malone | 53,170,376 | 18,248 | 53,188,624 | 15,040 | 53,203,664 | |||||||||||||||||
David C. Patterson | 42,602,708 | — | 42,602,708 | — | 42,602,708 | |||||||||||||||||
Charles R. Perrin | 10,000 | 10,887 | 20,887 | 7,248 | 28,135 | |||||||||||||||||
George M. Sherman | 17,468 | 25,665 | 43,133 | 23,322 | 66,455 | |||||||||||||||||
Donald M. Stewart | 6,702 | 18,248 | 24,950 | 12,718 | 37,668 | |||||||||||||||||
George Strawbridge, Jr. | 8,124,114 | 29,083 | 8,153,197 | 3,860 | 8,157,057 | |||||||||||||||||
Les C. Vinney | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Charlotte C. Weber | 22,019,319 | 18,248 | 22,037,567 | 8,158 | 22,045,725 | |||||||||||||||||
Mark A. Sarvary | 21,475 | 25,500 | 46,975 | 0 | 46,975 | |||||||||||||||||
Ellen O. Kaden | 40,030 | 186,325 | 226,355 | 29,581 | 255,936 | |||||||||||||||||
M. Carl Johnson, III | 18,300 | 164,700 | 183,000 | 10,586 | 193,586 | |||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Schiffner | 22,706 | 144,075 | 166,781 | 545 | 167,326 | |||||||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (28 persons) | 177,442,909 | 2,941,997 | 180,384,906 | 480,437 | 180,865,343 | |||||||||||||||||
(a) | The shares shown include shares of Capital Stock as to which Directors and Executive Officers can acquire beneficial ownership because of stock options that are currently vested or that will vest as of |
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November 23, 2003. All persons listed own less than 1% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Capital Stock, except: |
% of Outstanding | ||||
Shares | ||||
Bennett Dorrance | 12.5% | |||
Mary Alice D. Malone | 13.0% | |||
David C. Patterson | 10.4% | |||
George Strawbridge, Jr. | 2.0% | |||
Charlotte C. Weber | 5.4% |
All Directors & Executive Officers (28 persons) as a group beneficially own 44% of the outstanding shares. |
(b) | Bennett Dorrance is a grandson of John T. Dorrance, the brother of Mary Alice D. Malone, and a cousin of George Strawbridge and Charlotte C. Weber. Share ownership shown does not include 1,084,734 shares held by trusts for his children, as to which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership. Does not include 1,380,242 shares held by the Dorrance Family Foundation. See also “Principal Shareowners” below. |
(c) | Mary Alice D. Malone is a granddaughter of John T. Dorrance, the sister of Bennett Dorrance and a cousin of George Strawbridge and Charlotte C. Weber. Share ownership shown does not include 1,079,476 shares held by trusts for her children, as to which shares she disclaims beneficial ownership. See also “Principal Shareowners” below. |
(d) | Share ownership shown for David C. Patterson includes 42,128,914 shares held by the Voting Trust (defined in “Principal Shareowners” below) over which he, as a Trustee, has shared voting power. Reference is also made to “Principal Shareowners.” In 2002 the Voting Trust described below requested the Company’s Governance Committee to nominate David C. Patterson as a candidate for election as a director. |
(e) | George Strawbridge is a grandson of John T. Dorrance and a cousin of Charlotte C. Weber, Bennett Dorrance and Mary Alice D. Malone. Share ownership shown does not include 14,374,979 shares held by various trusts, of which he is a trustee, for the benefit of his sister and her children, as to which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership. Does not include 2,355,844 shares held by trusts for the benefit of his descendants, as to which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership. |
(f) | Charlotte C. Weber is a granddaughter of John T. Dorrance and a cousin of George Strawbridge, Bennett Dorrance and Mary Alice D. Malone. Share ownership shown includes 22,019,319 shares held by two trusts of which she is a co-trustee for which she has shared voting and dispositive power. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
At the close of business on September 23, 2003, the record date for the meeting, there were outstanding and entitled to vote 410,347,337 shares of Campbell Capital Stock, all of one class and each having one vote. The holders of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, constitute a quorum for the meeting.
PRINCIPAL SHAREOWNERS
Information concerning the owners of more than 5% of the outstanding Campbell Capital Stock as of the record date for the meeting follows:
Percent of | ||||||||
Amount/Nature of | Outstanding | |||||||
Name/Address | Beneficial Ownership | Stock | ||||||
Bennett Dorrance | 51,229,720 Note(1) | 12.5% | ||||||
DMB Associates, 7600 E. Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, AZ 85258 |
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Percent of | ||||||||
Amount/Nature of | Outstanding | |||||||
Name/Address | Beneficial Ownership | Stock | ||||||
Mary Alice D. Malone | 53,170,376 Note(2) | 13% | ||||||
Iron Spring Farm, Inc. 75 Old Stottsville Road Coatesville, PA 19320 | ||||||||
Charlotte C. Weber | 22,019,319 Note(3) | 5.4% | ||||||
Live Oak Properties, P.O. Box Drawer 2108 Ocala, FL 34478 | ||||||||
John A. van Beuren and David C Patterson, Voting Trustees under the Major Stockholders’ Voting Trust dated as of June 2, 1990 (“Voting Trust”) and related persons, | 50,233,043 Note(4) | 12.3% | ||||||
P.O. Box 4098 Middletown, RI 02842 Note(5) |
(1) | A director nominee. See note (b) on page 6. The shares shown include 22,990 shares of Capital Stock with respect to which Bennett Dorrance has the right to acquire beneficial ownership because of vested stock options. |
(2) | A director nominee. See note (c) on page 6. The shares shown include 18,248 shares of Capital Stock with respect to which Mary Alice D. Malone has the right to acquire beneficial ownership because of vested stock options. |
(3) | A director nominee. See note (f) on page 6. The shares shown include 18,248 shares of Capital Stock with respect to which Charlotte Weber has the right to acquire beneficial ownership because of vested stock options. |
(4) | David C. Patterson is a director nominee. See note (d) on page 6. Includes 42,128,914 shares (10.3% of the outstanding shares) held by the Voting Trustees with sole voting power and 7,631,335 shares held by participants outside the Voting Trust or by persons related to them, for a total of 49,760,249 shares (12.1% of the outstanding shares). Includes 6,007,933 shares with sole dispositive power held by Hope H. van Beuren and 5,369,135 shares with sole dispositive power held by her husband, John van Beuren, P.O. Box 4098, Middletown, RI 02842. John and Hope van Beuren also hold 15,132,810 shares with shared dispositive power, including shares held by family partnerships and a family trust for a total of 6.5% of the outstanding shares. David C. Patterson, as Chairman of Brandywine Trust Company, a corporate trustee, has shared dispositive power over 472,760 shares. Participants in the Voting Trust have certain rights to withdraw shares deposited with the Voting Trustees, including the right to withdraw these shares prior to any annual or special meeting of the Company’s shareowners. Dispositive power as used above means the power to direct the sale of the shares; in some cases it does not include the power to direct how the proceeds of a sale can be used. The Voting Trust was formed by certain descendants (and spouses, fiduciaries and a related foundation) of the late John T. Dorrance. The participants have indicated that they formed the Voting Trust as a vehicle for acting together as to matters which may arise affecting the Company’s business, in order to obtain their objective of maximizing the value of their shares. The Trustees will act for participants in communications with the Company’s Board of Directors. Participants believe the Voting Trust may also facilitate communications between the Board and the participants. |
(5) | Under the Voting Trust Agreement, all shares held by the Voting Trust will be voted by the Trustees, whose decision must be approved by two Trustees if there are two Trustees then acting. The Voting Trust continues until June 1, 2008, unless it is sooner terminated or extended. |
The foregoing information relating to Principal Shareowners is based upon the Company’s stock records and data supplied to the Company by the holders as of the record date for the meeting.
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DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE
During fiscal 2003 (ended August 3, 2003), the Board of Directors met seven times. Directors meet their responsibilities by attending Board and Committee meetings and through communication with the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and other members of management on matters affecting the Company. All directors attended at least 75% of scheduled Board meetings and meetings held by Committees of which they were members, except David Li, who is not standing for reelection.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Company’s director compensation program is designed to deliver annual compensation at the median of a group of 13 food companies, including Campbell’s key competitors, with the potential for enhanced value from future stock price appreciation, and to link compensation closely to returns to shareowners. Under the program, annual compensation is delivered 50% in stock options (based on the Black-Scholes valuation model and the mean between the high and low stock prices on the last trading day of each calendar year); 30% in Campbell stock (based on the closing stock price on the last trading day of each calendar year); and approximately 20% in cash (depending on meeting attendance fees). Directors may elect to receive additional stock options in lieu of the cash payments and/or annual stock grant. They may also elect to defer all or a portion of compensation. Directors are also reimbursed for actual travel expenses.
For calendar year 2003, the Board determined that median annual director compensation should be approximately $129,000. The components of compensation were as follows:
Annual Stock Grant* | 1,650 shares of stock | |
Annual Option Grant** | 8,135 options | |
Annual Retainer for Committee Chair | $4,000 | |
Board Attendance Fee (per in-person meeting) | $1,250 | |
Board Attendance Fee (per conference call meeting) | $625 | |
Committee Attendance Fee (per in-person meeting) | $1,000 | |
Committee Attendance Fee (per conference call meeting) | $500 | |
* | Campbell shares were issued on January 1, 2003 based on a price of $23.47 (the closing price on December 31, 2002). |
** | Options were granted on January 1, 2003, at an exercise price of $23.27 (the mean between the high and low prices of Campbell stock on December 31, 2002). Options are granted at the market price on the grant date and may not be repriced. |
George Sherman, who was the non-executive Chairman during all of fiscal 2003, received a retainer of $450,000 in addition to the regular retainer and fees paid to all non-employee directors. The retainer was paid $225,000 in cash and $225,000 in stock options. Mr. Sherman received 29,645 options with an exercise price of $22.32. The options had a value of $225,000 based on the Black-Scholes valuation model and the stock price on September 26, 2002, the date of the grant.
Benefits
The Company does not provide pensions, medical benefits or other benefit programs to directors.
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BOARD COMMITTEES
Pursuant to the By-Laws, the Board had established four standing committees as of the record date. The Committees are Audit, Compensation and Organization, Finance and Corporate Development, and Governance. The Company formerly also had an Executive Committee, which was abolished effective July 24, 2003 (See p. 11 for additional information). Membership in the standing committees as of the record date was as follows:
Compensation | ||
Audit | and Organization | |
Edmund M. Carpenter, Chair Thomas W. Field, Jr. Kent B. Foster Randall W. Larrimore Charles R. Perrin George Strawbridge, Jr. | Harvey Golub, Chair Bennett Dorrance Randall W. Larrimore Philip E. Lippincott Charles R. Perrin George M. Sherman Donald M. Stewart Charlotte C. Weber |
Finance and | ||
Corporate Development | Governance | |
Bennett Dorrance, Co-Chair Philip E. Lippincott, Co-Chair Edmund M. Carpenter Douglas R. Conant Harvey Golub David K.P. Li Mary Alice D. Malone David C. Patterson | George Strawbridge, Jr., Chair Thomas W. Field, Jr. Kent B. Foster Mary Alice D. Malone David C. Patterson Donald M. Stewart Charlotte C. Weber |
AUDIT COMMITTEE | 11 meetings in fiscal 2003 |
l | Reviews the performance of and selects the Company’s independent auditors, subject only to ratification by the shareowners; | |
l | Reviews the scope and results of the audit plans of the independent auditors and the internal auditors; | |
l | Oversees the scope and adequacy of the Company’s internal accounting control and record-keeping systems; | |
l | Reviews the objectivity, effectiveness and resources of the internal audit function, which reports directly to the Committee; | |
l | Confers independently with the internal auditors and the independent auditors; | |
l | Reviews the audited financial statements to be included in the annual report; | |
l | Approves all permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditors and all relationships the independent auditors have with the Company; and | |
l | Determines the appropriateness of fees for audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors. |
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COMPENSATION AND ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE | 7 meetings in fiscal 2003 |
l | Develops and recommends to the Board an annual performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer; | |
l | Reviews and approves the salary and incentive compensation, including bonus, stock options and restricted stock, for the Chief Executive Officer; | |
l | Reviews and approves the salaries and incentive compensation for senior executives; | |
l | Reviews and approves the short-term and long-term incentive compensation programs, including the performance goals; | |
l | Reviews the salary structure and the apportionment of compensation among salary and short-term and long-term incentive compensation; | |
l | Reviews and approves the total incentive compensation to be allocated annually to employees; | |
l | Reviews and recommends to the Board significant changes in the design of employee benefit plans; | |
l | Reviews, prior to becoming effective, any major organization change that the Chief Executive Officer intends to implement; and | |
l | Reviews executive organization and principal programs for executive development, and annually reports to the Board on management development and succession planning. |
FINANCE AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT | 4 meetings in fiscal 2003 |
l | Reviews and recommends to the Board all issuances, sales or repurchases of equity and long-term debt; | |
l | Reviews and recommends changes in the Company’s capital structure; | |
l | Reviews and recommends the capital budget and capital expenditure program; | |
l | Reviews and recommends acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, partnerships or combinations of business interests; | |
l | Recommends proposed appointments to the Administrative Committee of the pension plans; and | |
l | Oversees the administration and the investment policies and practices of the Company’s retirement and pension plans. |
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE | 6 meetings in fiscal 2003 |
Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding:
l | The organization and structure of the Board; | |
l | Qualifications for director candidates; | |
l | Candidates for election to the Board; | |
l | Evaluation of the Chairman’s performance; | |
l | Candidate for the position of Chairman of the Board; | |
l | Chairpersons and members for appointment to the Board Committees; | |
l | Remuneration for Board members who are not employees; and | |
l | The role and effectiveness of the Board, the respective Board Committees and the individual Directors in the Company’s corporate governance process. |
The Governance Committee seeks potential nominees for Board membership in various ways and will consider suggestions submitted by shareowners. Such suggestions, together with appropriate biographical information, should be submitted to the Corporate Secretary of the Company.
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Actions taken by any of the foregoing committees are reported to the Board and all members of the Board receive copies of the minutes of all Committee meetings.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
There are no reportable transactions pursuant to this requirement.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the business of the Company, and the competence and integrity of its management, to serve the long-term interests of the shareowners. The Board believes that sound corporate governance is essential to diligent and effective fulfillment of its oversight responsibilities.
Corporate Governance Standards and Committee Charters
Campbell first published Corporate Governance Standards in its proxy statement in 1992. The Standards are reviewed annually by the Governance Committee and approved by the Board. In 2003 the Governance Committee and the Board undertook a comprehensive review of the Corporate Governance Standards, the charters of the standing committees, and the overall governance structure of the Company, in light of new statutory and regulatory requirements, proposed new rules and recommendations of the New York Stock Exchange, and the ongoing debate regarding the proper governance of public companies. Revised Corporate Governance Standards and committee charters that were developed and approved by the Board in the course of this review are set forth in Appendix A.
With respect to the Company’s governance structure, the Board decided that it is no longer necessary to have an Executive Committee of the Board. That committee, which was authorized to exercise substantially all of the powers of the Board when the Board was not in session, was originally intended as a mechanism to enable the Board to act between regular meetings. Advances in technology, such as the convenient availability of telephone conference calls, have made it possible to convene the full Board, with appropriate notice to all directors, when such action is necessary or desirable. The Board believes that this is preferable, from the standpoint of sound governance practice, to broad delegation of authority to a standing committee. Accordingly, the Board decided to abolish the Executive Committee, effective July 24, 2003.
The revised Corporate Governance Standards approved in 2003 codify many pre-existing policies and practices of the Company, and also address issues relevant to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the proposed rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Appendix A contains a statement of standards the Board has adopted to assist it in determining the independence of Directors. The Board has determined that all the Director nominees except Mr. Conant meet the standards set forth in that statement and are independent. Also set forth in Appendix A are procedures by which interested persons can communicate concerns to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee.
Evaluations of Board Performance
Since 1995, the Board’s Governance Committee has led annual evaluations of Board performance. The evaluation process was designed to facilitate ongoing, systematic examination of the Board’s effectiveness and accountability, and to identify opportunities for improving its operations and procedures. In the past, on a rotating basis, the annual evaluations focused on assessments of (a) the Board as a whole, (b) the individual directors, and (c) the Board Committees, with follow-up on the recommendations emerging from each step in the program cycle in the year following its completion.
In 2001, the Board’s evaluation process focused on assessment of the performance of its individual members. Each director completed a self-evaluation form, developed by the Governance Committee,
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In 2002, the Board’s evaluation process focused on assessment of the procedures and performance of its Committees. Each director completed an evaluation form that elicited numerical ratings of and written comments on the structure of the Board’s Committee system, the effectiveness of Committee assignments and Committee chair assignments, the effectiveness of Committee operations and decision-making, and the relationship between the Committees and the Board. Following completion of the forms and the discussion of the composite report by the Governance Committee, the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Governance Committee met with each Chairman of the other standing Committees to discuss the results of the evaluations and the recommendations to improve Committee operations.
In 2003, the Board’s evaluation process focused on assessment of the performance of the Board as a whole. A Board evaluation form was approved by the Governance Committee which requested directors’ comments and numerical ratings on 25 questions related to Board performance, corporate governance, monitoring of management and the organization, and monitoring of business performance, and included feedback on subjects that were identified as areas for improvement in the last Committee system evaluation and the last individual director evaluation. The Chairman of the Governance Committee then prepared and presented to the Board a report that provided recommendations to enhance Board effectiveness based upon the responses received in this process.
In 2004, as required by the proposed New York Stock Exchange listing standards, the Board will complete an evaluation process focusing on an assessment of Board operations as a whole, and each of the standing committees will conduct a separate evaluation of its own performance and of the adequacy of its charter. The Governance Committee will coordinate the evaluation of Board operations and will review and report to the Board on the annual self-evaluations completed by the standing committees. These evaluations will be completed on an annual basis in the future.
Governance Committee
George Strawbridge, Jr., Chairman | David C. Patterson | |
Thomas W. Field, Jr. | Donald M. Stewart | |
Kent B. Foster | Charlotte C. Weber | |
Mary Alice D. Malone |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee is comprised of the six directors named below. The Board has determined that each member of the Committee meets the requirements as to independence, experience and expertise established by the New York Stock Exchange and applicable rules and regulations. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that Edmund M. Carpenter is an audit committee financial expert as defined by SEC rules. The Committee revised its charter, which was then approved by the Board of Directors on September 25, 2003. The revised charter is attached to this proxy statement to Appendix A.
One of the Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities is to assist the Board in its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and financial reporting process. To fulfill these oversight responsibilities, the Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
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Based on the review and discussions described in this report, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that Campbell’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in Campbell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 3, 2003, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors for the Company for fiscal 2004.
The Audit Committee | |
Edmund M. Carpenter, Chairman | |
Thomas W. Field, Jr. | |
Kent B. Foster | |
Randall W. Larrimore | |
Charles R. Perrin | |
George W. Strawbridge, Jr. |
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FEES AND SERVICES
The aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), Campbell’s independent auditor, for professional services in Fiscal 2003 and 2002 were as follows:
Services Rendered | Fiscal 2003 | Fiscal 2002 | ||||||
Audit Fees | $ | 1,909,000 | $ | 1,686,000 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees | $ | 75,000 | $ | 197,000 | ||||
Tax Fees | $ | 1,925,000 | $ | 2,302,000 | ||||
All Other Fees | $ | 55,000 | $ | 666,000 |
The Audit Committee’s Charter provides that the Committee will pre-approve all audit services and all permissible non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditors. (See Appendix A) From time to time, the Committee may delegate its authority to pre-approve non-audit services to one or more Committee members. Any such approvals shall be reported to the full Committee at the next Audit Committee meeting.
The audit fees for the years ended August 3, 2003 and July 28, 2002 include fees for professional services rendered for the audits of the consolidated financial statements of the Company, statutory audits and the issuance of comfort letters and consents.
The audit related fees for the years ended August 3, 2003 and July 28, 2002 include fees for assurance and services related to employee benefit plan audits, accounting consultations, due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions and additional attest services.
Tax fees for the years ended August 3, 2003 and July 28, 2002 include fees for services related to tax compliance, including the preparation of tax returns and expatriate tax assistance, and tax planning and advice including tax assistance with tax audits.
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All other fees for the years ended August 3, 2003 and July 28, 2002 include fees for employee benefit communications assistance, financial information systems implementation assistance and an information technology review not performed in connection with the audit.
In fiscal 2003, 100% of the audit related fees, tax fees and all other fees were approved either by the Audit Committee or its designee.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Compensation and Organization Committee’s Report on Executive Compensation
The Compensation and Organization Committee is comprised of the eight directors named below. The Board has determined that all members of the Committee are independent directors as defined by proposed New York Stock Exchange rules. The revised charter for this Committee adopted in 2003 is set forth in Appendix A. The Committee establishes and administers the Company’s executive compensation program and reviews major organization changes and the Company’s succession planning and leadership development processes. The Committee evaluates and establishes the Company’s compensation strategy annually, including the apportionment of pay between fixed compensation elements and incentive compensation, and the design of incentive compensation programs. The Committee establishes and regularly reviews the compensation levels of officers and other key managers, and authorizes their incentive awards. The Committee reviews and approves all compensation actions for the Chief Executive Officer and approximately the top 25 executives in the Company. In fiscal 2003 the Committee engaged a consultant to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the executive compensation policies and programs, including an assessment based on competitive practices.
The objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program are to:
l | Align the financial interests of the Company’s executives with those of its shareowners, both in the short and long term; | |
l | Provide incentives for achieving and exceeding the Company’s short-term and long-term goals; and | |
l | Retain and attract highly competent executives by providing total compensation that is competitive with compensation at other well-managed companies in the food and consumer products industries. |
The Committee compares total compensation levels with a 26-company Compensation Peer Group, consisting of companies with which Campbell competes for attraction and retention of talent. Campbell’s programs are designed to deliver fixed compensation elements, including salary, benefits, and perquisites, at the median of the Compensation Peer Group, and incentive compensation at the seventy-fifth (75th) percentile if performance goals are exceeded. When there is consistent growth in earnings and revenue and stock price appreciation over the long term, total compensation of Campbell’s executives will be above the median of the Compensation Peer Group.
There are three major elements of Campbell’s compensation program: base salary, annual incentive, and long-term incentives.
Base Salary — Salary ranges for senior executives are reviewed annually. Individual salaries for senior executives are reviewed on a 24-month cycle. In determining individual salaries, the Committee considers the scope of job responsibilities, individual contributions, business performance, labor market conditions, the Company’s salary budget guidelines and current compensation as compared to market practice.
Annual Incentive — Campbell’s annual incentive payments are based on individual performance goals and objective measures of financial performance. These measures may include sales, earnings, reduction of working capital, special goals for achievement of new product sales or cost savings, performance as compared to peer companies or other measures of financial or strategic achievement at the individual, business unit or total Company level.
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At the beginning of each year, a target annual incentive amount is set for each participating executive, and an annual Operating Plan is approved by the Board of Directors which sets specific financial performance measures for the Company as a whole and separately for its major business units. At the end of the year, actual results are compared with each performance goal, and incentive awards are calculated. By the terms of the annual incentive plan, extraordinary events such as major restructuring and accounting changes are excluded.
Beginning in fiscal 2002, the Committee included an additional step in the evaluation of financial performance and calculation of incentive awards. In addition to reviewing the results on each performance goal, the Committee separately assesses the quality of the results of each business unit and the total Company, taking into consideration such factors as the ease or difficulty of attaining the measures due to market and competitive conditions, growth or decline in market share, and the presence or absence of expenditures to build the long-term value of the business. Based on this assessment the Committee may adjust the portion of bonus based on financial measures either upward or downward.
In fiscal 2003, the objective financial performance measures selected by the Committee were sales, operating earnings, operating working capital, and earnings per share. For senior executives, these measures determined 70% of each executive’s annual incentive. Individual performance goals, which determined 30% of each executive’s incentive, were based upon the executive’s performance in fulfilling job accountabilities, achieving specific individual goals and contributing to the Company’s success. Actual incentive payments could vary from zero to 175% of the target incentive amount based on individual, business unit, and total Company performance. For fiscal 2003 only, for executives other than the CEO, annual bonus targets were increased to provide additional incentive to achieve the Company’s performance goals. A corresponding reduction was made in the value of long-term incentive targets (see Long-Term Incentives section below).
At the end of the year, results were evaluated for each performance goal set for fiscal 2003. Total Company net sales met the goal, earnings per share were above the goal, and reductions in operating working capital were below the goal. The Committee assessed the quality of the results of the total Company and each major business unit and adjusted downward the portion of bonus based on financial measures for the total Company and one business unit. Four business units were adjusted upward. Incentive bonus payments to executive officers for fiscal 2003 ranged from 90.7% to 124.4% of target incentive amount with an average of 102.1%.
Long-Term Incentives — For the past several years, Campbell has used two long-term incentive programs for its executives, a full value restricted stock program and a stock option program. The value intended to be delivered through each program is approximately 50% of total competitive long-term incentive value. For fiscal 2003 only, the value of the restricted stock portion of the long-term incentive program was reduced to offset the aforementioned increase in annual bonus targets (see Annual Incentive section above).
In fiscal 2002, the Committee approved a special long-term incentive award in place of a new three-year restricted share program. This award was designed to ensure that the Company’s long-term incentive opportunity remained competitive as the Committee reevaluated the design of the long-term incentive compensation program for future years. The special award was made in September 2001 and 100% vested in September 2003 for participants who remained with the Company. Senior executives could elect to receive the value of the award either 100% in stock options or in a combination of 50% options and 50% cash. Individual awards varied based upon performance and retention needs.
In fiscal 2003 the company implemented a new restricted stock program covering approximately 300 executives. This program replaced the special long-term incentive award made in fiscal 2002. Under this new program, a pool of restricted shares will be authorized by the Company each year, with the number of shares adjusted by the Committee based on an overall assessment of the Company’s performance and such other factors as the Committee deems relevant. These factors may include performance against financial goals of the Annual Operating Plan, market share changes, quality of Plan execution, progress against strategic initiatives, the need to retain executives or other factors. After the total restricted share
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The total value of the restricted share pool, before adjustments by the Committee, is normally intended to represent 50% of competitive long-term incentive value delivered to senior executives. As described above, for fiscal 2003 only, the value of the pool was reduced to offset the increase in annual bonus targets (see Annual Incentive section above).
In fiscal 2004 the target value of the restricted share pool will be restored to 50% of long-term incentive value (and bonus targets will be commensurately reduced). The Committee has determined that the restricted share pool should be set at 100% of the competitive guideline based upon its judgment of Company performance through the end of fiscal 2003. This will result in an average restricted stock award at approximately 100% of target. These awards are granted in the beginning of fiscal 2004 and will be reported in next year’s proxy statement.
For the annual stock option program, the Committee sets option guidelines based on current competitive practice and scope of responsibility of each position. In determining the number of options awarded to each executive, the Committee considered the guideline for the executive’s position and his or her performance, sustained contribution to the Company, and future leadership potential. The exercise price of stock options is the average of the high and low trading prices on the grant date, and options may not be repriced. Options have a 10-year term and become exercisable over the first three years following the grant date. All shares used in the executive compensation program are shares which were previously issued and outstanding and were reacquired by the Company.
Additional Awards
The Committee may grant additional short-term or long-term awards to recognize increased responsibilities or special contributions, to attract new hires to the Company, to retain executives, or to recognize other special circumstances.
Other Programs
The Company also provides its officers and key managers with life and medical insurance; pension, savings and compensation deferral programs; and perquisites and other benefits that are competitive with market practices.
Executive Stock Ownership
Approximately the top 85 executives are required to achieve an ownership stake in the Company that is significant in comparison with the executive’s salary. Until the ownership level is achieved, executives must retain at least half of the after-tax value of each equity award (vesting of restricted stock or exercise of options). There are additional limitations on the amount of shares that may be sold by executive officers of the Company in a twelve-month period. The ownership requirements expressed in terms of the value of shares to be owned are as follows:
Position | ||||||||||
Required Ownership | ||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | $ | 5,750,000 | ||||||||
Executive Vice Presidents | $ | 1,000,000 | to | $ | 1,700,000 | |||||
Senior Vice Presidents | $ | 1,000,000 | to | $ | 1,700,000 | |||||
Vice Presidents | $ | 350,000 | to | $ | 1,500,000 | |||||
Other Executives | $ | 300,000 | to | $ | 850,000 |
Executives may count toward these requirements the value of shares owned and shares which are deferred and fully vested in the Company’s savings and deferred compensation programs. Restricted shares and unexercised stock options are not counted in calculating ownership.
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Policy on Deductibility of Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax deduction to $1 million for compensation paid to the executive officers listed on page 18 (named executive officers), unless certain requirements are met. The Committee’s policy is to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) except where the Committee determines that compliance is not in the best interests of the Company and its shareowners. The Company’s stock option grants currently meet the performance-based requirements under Section 162(m). In fiscal 2003, the Committee decided it was in the best interests of the Company for the Committee to retain the discretion to adjust the portion of annual bonus based on financial results either upward or downward depending upon whether the results were achieved in a manner that supports the long-term growth of the Company and whether there were significant unanticipated changes in the business environment in which the Company or one of its business units competes. The Committee believed that it was important to retain this discretion as the Company continued a major transformation plan. As a result of this discretion, if in fiscal 2003 a named executive officer’s compensation exceeded $1 million, the amount related to any bonus that is not deferred will not be deductible. For fiscal 2004, the Committee has modified the annual bonus program to set a maximum bonus payable to executive officers based upon specific performance goals. The maximum amount may be negatively adjusted by the Committee based on an overall assessment of business results and individual performance. This modification of the annual bonus program is intended to meet the performance-based requirements under Section 162(m). Therefore, if in fiscal 2004 a named executive officer’s compensation exceeds $1 million, the amount related to any bonus will be deductible.
CEO Compensation and Evaluation
On January 8, 2001 Douglas R. Conant was appointed President and CEO. At that time his annual salary was set at $900,000 and incentive targets were determined based upon independent survey data. On October 1, 2001 his annual salary was increased to $950,000 and has not been increased since that time. His bonus earned in fiscal 2003 was $1,679,820. This bonus was based on Company performance compared to the goals for the annual incentive plan set forth on pages 14 and 15, and his performance compared to his individual objectives. His portion of bonus related to individual objectives was determined based upon measures relating to market shares, consumption trends, quality improvements, product innovations, new products, trade spending management, acquisitions, breakthrough projects, cost savings, productivity improvements, information technology improvements, organizational vitality, management development, succession planning and development of sound strategic and operating plans. Unlike other executives, the CEO’s annual bonus target was not increased in fiscal 2003 and the value of his long-term incentive targets was not reduced (see page 15).
Compensation and Organization Committee
Harvey Golub, Chairman | Charles R. Perrin | |
Bennett Dorrance | George M. Sherman | |
Randall W. Larrimore | Donald M. Stewart | |
Philip E. Lippincott | Charlotte C. Weber |
COMPENSATION AND ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
None
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the cash compensation awarded, paid to, or earned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly paid Executive Officers.
Annual | Long-Term | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation | Compensation Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name and | Fiscal | Other Annual | Stock | Underlying | All Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Compensation | Awards(1) | Options(#) | Compensation(2) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Douglas R. Conant (3) | 2003 | $ | 950,000 | $ | 1,679,820 | $ | 130,874 | $ | 1,644,480 | — | $ | 61,100 | ||||||||||||||||
President and Chief | 2002 | $ | 941,667 | $ | 1,987,095 | $ | 235,512 | — | 1,705,000 | $ | 73,219 | |||||||||||||||||
Executive Officer | 2001 | $ | 508,269 | $ | 1,077,038 | $ | 150,140 | — | 1,000,000 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Mark A. Sarvary (4) | 2003 | $ | 445,000 | $ | 686,617 | $ | 32,000 | $ | 328,896 | — | $ | 333,832 | ||||||||||||||||
Vice President of | 2002 | — | — | — | $ | 230,600 | 85,000 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Campbell Soup | 2001 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Company and President of Pepperidge Farm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ellen Oran Kaden (5) | 2003 | $ | 467,167 | $ | 653,535 | $ | 64,795 | $ | 411,120 | — | $ | 29,995 | ||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President — | 2002 | $ | 450,000 | $ | 407,610 | $ | 70,265 | $ | — | 194,250 | $ | 21,440 | ||||||||||||||||
Law and Government | 2001 | $ | 431,667 | $ | 353,604 | — | $ | 543,059 | — | $ | 19,632 | |||||||||||||||||
Affairs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Carl Johnson, III (6) | 2003 | $ | 393,333 | $ | 533,250 | $ | 32,000 | $ | 383,712 | — | $ | 132,518 | ||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President | 2002 | $ | 383,333 | $ | 383,046 | $ | 32,000 | $ | — | 213,000 | $ | 75,434 | ||||||||||||||||
and Chief Strategy | 2001 | $ | 109,375 | $ | 79,962 | — | $ | 296,500 | 48,000 | $ | 4,733 | |||||||||||||||||
Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Schiffner (7) | 2003 | $ | 401,667 | $ | 513,152 | $ | 56,000 | $ | 411,120 | — | $ | 22,344 | ||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President | 2002 | $ | 383,333 | $ | 407,610 | $ | 56,000 | $ | — | 194,250 | $ | 19,744 | ||||||||||||||||
and Chief Financial | 2001 | $ | 160,577 | $ | 162,069 | — | $ | 389,002 | 65,000 | $ | 8,066 | |||||||||||||||||
Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | The Restricted Stock Awards listed in the above table include awards of time-lapse restricted shares (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “RS”) for retention purposes or forfeiture repair for new hires who give up unvested stock and options at their previous employers; (ii) awards of RS under incentive compensation programs; and (iii) awards of restricted performance shares (hereinafter referred to as “RPS”). |
Awards of restricted stock in fiscal 2003 were made pursuant to the new restricted stock program that is described on page 15. The shares were awarded on September 26, 2002 and will vest on July 31, 2005. The following shares were awarded under this program: |
Douglas R. Conant | 72,000 | |||
Mark A. Sarvary | 14,400 | |||
Ellen Oran Kaden | 18,000 | |||
M. Carl Johnson | 16,800 | |||
Robert A. Schiffner | 18,000 |
Awards of RS for retention or forfeiture repair included: 10,000 RS awarded to M. Carl Johnson in fiscal 2001 which vested 50% on April 16, 2002 and 50% on April 16, 2003; and 10,000 RS awarded to Mark A. Sarvary in fiscal 2002 which vested on August 1, 2003. The awards of restricted stock are valued in the above table based on the market price of Campbell shares on the date of the grant. Dividends are paid on all restricted stock awards. Pursuant to the program authorized by the Compensation Committee in fiscal 2001 under which holders of stock options granted in calendar years 1997, 1998 and 1999 could elect to exchange those options for RS, 16,938 RS were awarded to Ellen Oran Kaden in fiscal 2001. Other awards shown in fiscal 2001 were RPS granted to executives pursuant to the prior long-term incentive program. |
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The aggregate amount of restricted stock held by the persons listed in the table at the end of the fiscal year (August 3, 2003), and valued based on the closing price as of that date ($23.87), were as follows:
Name | Restricted Shares | Value | ||||||
Douglas R. Conant | 72,000 | $ | 1,718,640 | |||||
Mark A. Sarvary | 14,400 | $ | 343,728 | |||||
Ellen Oran Kaden | 28,688 | $ | 684,782 | |||||
M. Carl Johnson | 16,800 | $ | 401,016 | |||||
Robert A. Schiffner | 18,000 | $ | 429,660 | |||||
(2) | “All other compensation” consists of Company contributions or allocations to 401(k) savings plans (both tax qualified and supplemental) as well as, if applicable, additional compensation that is explained in the footnotes for the various individuals. |
(3) | Mr. Conant was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2001. Other annual compensation in fiscal 2003 consisted of: $30,064 for temporary living expenses, $52,810 for car and driver expenses, and $48,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program; in fiscal 2002 consisted of $102,039 for temporary living expenses, $85,473 for car and driver expenses and $48,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program; and in fiscal 2001 consisted of $50,000 for reimbursement of expenses related to his employment contract negotiations, $37,193 for temporary living expenses, $38,947 for car and driver expenses and $24,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program. The Company’s Personal Choice Program provides quarterly cash payments to executives in lieu of the Company providing reimbursements for items such as tax or estate planning services or financial planning services. Unlike other executives, the CEO’s annual bonus target was not increased in fiscal 2003 and the value of his long-term incentive targets was not reduced (see p. 15). |
(4) | Mr. Sarvary joined the Company in August 2002. All other compensation in fiscal 2003 included $150,000 for a signing bonus and $166,667 for forfeiture of a mortgage interest subsidy provided by his former employer. Other annual compensation consisted of $32,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program. |
(5) | Ms. Kaden joined the Company in April 1998. In fiscal 2003 other annual compensation consisted of $32,795 for driver expenses and $32,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program; in fiscal 2002 other annual compensation consisted of $38,265 for driver expenses and $32,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program. |
(6) | Mr. Johnson joined the Company in April 2001. All other compensation in fiscal 2003 included $110,687 in relocation expenses; and in fiscal 2002 $56,275 in relocation expenses. Other annual compensation in fiscal years 2003 and 2002 consisted of $32,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program. |
(7) | Mr. Schiffner joined the Company in February 2001. Other annual compensation in fiscal 2003 consisted of $24,000 in commuting expenses and $32,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program; and in fiscal 2002 other annual compensation consisted of $24,000 in commuting expenses and $32,000 under the Company’s Personal Choice Program. |
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OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
In fiscal 2003 (ended August 3) the executives listed on page 18 did not receive any option grants. The annual option grant for 2002 was made in July 2002, which was in fiscal 2002. This option grant was reported in last year’s proxy statement. The annual option grant for 2003 was made in September 2003, which is in fiscal 2004. This option grant will be reported in next year’s proxy statement.
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
and Fiscal Year-End Option Values | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities Underlying | Value of Unexercised | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Unexercised | In-the-Money Options at | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Options at FY-End(#) | FY-End($)(2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquired on | Realized | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Exercise(#) | ($)(1) | Exercisable | Unexercisable | Exercisable | Unexercisable | ||||||||||||||||||
Douglas R. Conant | 0 | 0 | 976,500 | 1,728,500 | $ | 222,180 | $ | 518,420 | ||||||||||||||||
Mark A. Sarvary | 0 | 0 | 25,500 | 59,500 | $ | 18,615 | $ | 43,435 | ||||||||||||||||
Ellen Oran Kaden | 0 | 0 | 128,725 | 146,775 | $ | 23,805 | $ | 55,545 | ||||||||||||||||
M. Carl Johnson, III | 0 | 0 | 71,100 | 189,900 | $ | 19,044 | $ | 44,436 | ||||||||||||||||
Robert A. Schiffner | 0 | 0 | 86,475 | 172,775 | $ | 23,805 | $ | 55,545 | ||||||||||||||||
(1) | Value realized equals pretax market value of the stock on date of exercise, less the exercise price, times the number of shares acquired. Shares may be used to pay withholding taxes. |
(2) | Value of unexercised options equals fair market value of a share into which the option could have been converted at August 3, 2003 (market price $23.87), less exercise price, times the number of options outstanding. |
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RETURN TO SHAREOWNERS* PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total Shareowner return on the Company’s Capital Stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s Packaged Foods Index (the “S&P Packaged Foods Group”) and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (the “S&P 500”). The graph assumes that $100 was invested on July 31, 1998, in each of Campbell stock, the S&P Packaged Foods Group and the S&P 500, and that all dividends were reinvested.
* Stock Appreciation + Dividend Reinvestment
1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||
CAMPBELL | 100 | 83 | 51 | 55 | 46 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||
S&P 500 INDEX | 100 | 120 | 131 | 112 | 86 | 95 | ||||||||||||||||||
S&P PACKAGED FOODS INDEX | 100 | 97 | 84 | 104 | 109 | 112 |
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PENSION PLANS
The following table illustrates the approximate annual pension that may become payable to an employee in the higher salary classifications under the Company’s regular and supplementary pension plans.
Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
in Highest | ||||||||||||||||||||||
5 Years of | ESTIMATED ANNUAL PENSIONS | |||||||||||||||||||||
Last 10 | Years of Service | |||||||||||||||||||||
Years of | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Employment | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||
$ | 600,000 | $ | 226,260 | $ | 226,260 | $ | 226,260 | $ | 265,498 | $ | 280,678 | |||||||||||
800,000 | 301,260 | 301,260 | 301,260 | 355,163 | 375,343 | |||||||||||||||||
1,000,000 | 376,260 | 376,260 | 376,260 | 445,163 | 470,343 | |||||||||||||||||
1,200,000 | 451,260 | 451,260 | 451,260 | 535,163 | 565,343 | |||||||||||||||||
1,400,000 | 526,260 | 526,260 | 526,260 | 625,163 | 660,343 | |||||||||||||||||
1,600,000 | 601,260 | 601,260 | 601,260 | 715,163 | 755,343 | |||||||||||||||||
1,800,000 | 676,260 | 676,260 | 676,260 | 805,163 | 850,343 | |||||||||||||||||
2,000,000 | 751,260 | 751,260 | 751,260 | 895,163 | 945,343 | |||||||||||||||||
2,200,000 | 826,260 | 826,260 | 826,260 | 985,163 | 1,040,343 | |||||||||||||||||
2,400,000 | 901,260 | 901,260 | 901,260 | 1,075,163 | 1,135,343 |
Compensation covered for executive officers named in the table on page 18 is the same as the total salary and bonus shown in that table. These estimated amounts assume retirement at age 62 with a straight-life annuity without reduction for a survivor annuity or for optional benefits. They are not subject to deduction for Social Security benefits or other offsets. The estimated pensions reflect a supplemental plan designed to help the Company attract executives in the middle of their careers. Under this supplemental pension plan executives accrue benefits rapidly to allow them to reach a defined target benefit within a relatively short period after date of hire. Executives covered by this plan are eligible for supplemental pension benefits if they retire from the Company after age 55 and have been employed for at least five years. The rapid accrual rate is the reason the pension benefits listed above for 15, 20 and 25 years of service are the same. Such arrangements are a necessary part of the recruitment and retention package for senior executives in order to compensate them for pension benefits that would have accrued had they remained at their previous employers. As of the end of fiscal 2003, the full years of employment for the individuals named in the compensation table on page 19 were as follows: Douglas R. Conant — 2 years; Mark A. Sarvary — 1 year; Ellen O. Kaden — 5 years; M. Carl Johnson, III — 2 years and Robert A. Schiffner — 2 years.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND TERMINATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Conant on January 8, 2001 to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company for five years. The agreement provides for a base salary of $900,000 and an initial grant of 1,000,000 stock options. After fiscal 2001, Mr. Conant participates in the regular executive compensation programs of the Company. In the event of termination of his employment without cause, as defined in the agreement, Mr. Conant is entitled to the following: (i) his base salary and continuation of life insurance and medical benefits for a period of two years; (ii) his supplemental pension benefit provided he has at least three years of employment with the Company; and (iii) the vesting of his stock options and restricted stock in accordance with the standard provisions of those programs. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company he is entitled to the standard benefits for senior executives set forth below.
The Company has entered into Special Severance Protection Agreements (“Special Severance Agreements”) with the executive officers named on page 18 as well as all other executive officers. The Special Severance Agreements provide for severance pay and continuation of certain benefits should a
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Generally, a “Change in Control” will be deemed to have occurred in any of the following circumstances:
(i) | the acquisition of 25% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Company by any person or entity, with certain exceptions for Dorrance family members; | |
(ii) | the persons serving as directors of the Company as of September 28, 2000, and those replacements or additions subsequently approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board, cease to make up more than 50% of the Board; | |
(iii) | a merger, consolidation or share exchange in which the shareowners of the Company prior to the merger wind up owning 50% or less of the surviving corporation; or | |
(iv) | a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. |
Under the Special Severance Agreements with the named executive officers, severance pay would equal two and one half years’ base salary and bonus. Medical, life and disability benefits would be provided at the expense of the Company for the lesser of (i) 30 months or (ii) the number of months remaining until the executive’s 65th birthday. The Company would pay in a single payment an amount equal to the value of the benefit the executive would have accrued under the Company’s pension plans had the executive remained in the employ of the Company for an additional 30 months or until his or her 65th birthday, if earlier.
Upon a Change in Control and termination of employment, (a) all options outstanding on the date of such termination of employment would become immediately and fully exercisable and (b) all restrictions upon any restricted shares (other than “Performance Restricted Shares” which are subject to performance related restrictions) would lapse immediately and all such shares would become fully vested. An executive officer would become vested in, and restrictions would lapse on, the greater of (i) fifty percent (50%) of the Performance Restricted Shares or (ii) a pro rata portion of such Performance Restricted Shares based on the portion of the performance period that has elapsed to the date of the Change in Control.
During any fiscal year in which a Change in Control occurs, each participant (a) whose employment is terminated prior to the end of such year or (b) who is in the employ of the Company on the last day of such year would be entitled to receive, within thirty (30) days thereafter, a cash payment equal to the greater of (i) his or her target bonus award for such year or (ii) the average of the awards paid or payable to him or her under the Management Worldwide Incentive Plan for the two most recent fiscal years ended prior thereto. Any amount to be paid to a participant who is not employed for the entire fiscal year would be prorated. Such payment would be made whether or not the Company has paid any cash dividend in the fiscal year.
ITEM 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “for” this proposal
The proxy, unless otherwise directed thereon, will be voted for a resolution ratifying action of the Audit Committee, reappointing the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) Certified Public Accountants, as independent auditors to perform an audit of the accounts of the Company for fiscal 2004. The names of the Directors serving on the Audit Committee are indicated on page 9, under the heading “Board Committees.” The vote required for ratification is a majority of shares voting. If the
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Representatives of PwC will be at the 2003 Annual Meeting to make a statement if they desire to do so and to answer questions.
For fiscal 2003 PwC also examined the separate financial statements of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and provided other audit services to the Company in connection with SEC filings, review of quarterly financial statements and audits of certain employee benefit plans.
ITEM 3
APPROVAL OF THE 2003 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “for” this proposal
Background
In order to allow the Compensation Committee to continue to make regular equity compensation grants to provide incentives to recruit, reward and retain key employees, the Board recommends that the Campbell Soup Company 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2003 Long-Term Plan”) be approved by shareowners. Campbell’s equity-compensation plans have been submitted to shareowners for approval since 1959.
The Campbell Soup Company 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“1994 Long-Term Plan”) was approved by shareowners at the 1994 Annual Meeting and authorized the issuance of 25 million shares to satisfy awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock (including restricted performance stock), unrestricted stock and performance units granted under the 1994 Long-Term Plan. An amendment to the 1994 Long-Term Plan was approved by shareowners in 1999 to increase the number of shares that may be issued to 50 million. The 1994 Long-Term Plan terminates on November 17, 2004. Approximately 47 million shares have been used to grant stock options or restricted stock under the 1994 Long-Term Plan. As of September 30, 2003, approximately 39 million stock options were outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $27.90 and with a weighted average remaining life of 7.5 years. On September 30, 2003, the closing price of Campbell stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $26.50. Also as of September 30, 2003, there were approximately 3 million shares available for issuance under the 1994 Long-Term Plan. Unless a new long-term plan is approved by shareowners in November 2003, there will be insufficient shares available in September 2004 for new equity compensation grants. The executive compensation program approved by the Compensation Committee in May 2003 contemplates an equity compensation grant in September 2004.
The 2003 Long-Term Plan provides for the same type of awards as the 1994 Long-Term Plan (i.e., stock options, SARs, restricted stock (including restricted performance stock) unrestricted stock and performance units) and requires that the awards continue to be satisfied using only treasury shares. Such a requirement results in the need to maintain a sufficient number of treasury shares to provide for outstanding options and restricted stock grants. The use of treasury shares for options and restricted shares helps to maintain the stability of proportionate ownership interests in the Company and prevents dilution of existing shareowners’ interests. The use of the treasury shares exclusively eliminates the ability of the Company to use authorized but unissued shares, a less costly vehicle for issuing shares, to satisfy options and stock appreciation rights and to grant restricted stock. Since 1984, the Company has not used authorized but unissued shares to satisfy options or to grant restricted shares.
The proposed 2003 Long-Term Plan has essentially the same features as the 1994 Long-Term Plan. A summary of the material features of the proposed 2003 Long-Term Plan appears below. The full text of the 2003 Long-Term Plan is set forth in Appendix B and should be referenced for a complete description of its provisions. The vote required for approval is a majority of shares voting.
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Principal Features of the 2003 Long-Term Plan
l | Effective Date and Expiration |
The 2003 Long-Term Plan would become effective on November 21, 2003, and would terminate on November 21, 2013. No award may be made under the 2003 Long-Term Plan after its expiration date, but awards made prior thereto may extend beyond that date.
l | Administration |
The 2003 Long-Term Plan will be administered by the Compensation and Organization Committee (“Committee”) of the Board of Directors. The Committee has full authority to interpret the 2003 Long-Term Plan and to establish rules for its administration. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the date on which an option or SAR may be exercised, the date of termination of restrictions applicable to a restricted stock award, or the end of a performance period under a performance unit award, if the Committee determines that to do so would be in the best interests of the Company and the participants in the 2003 Long-Term Plan.
Subject to certain limitations, the Committee may delegate its authority under the plan to one or more members of the Committee or one or more officers of the Company. The Committee may not delegate its authority to make awards to those key employees who are subject to the reporting rules under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or whose compensation may be subject to the limit on deductible compensation pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
l | Eligibility for Awards |
Awards can be made to any key employee who is a management salaried employee. The current eligible group consists of approximately 1,200 persons. Non-employee directors are also eligible to receive awards.
l | Determination of Amount and Form of Award |
The amount of individual awards to key employees will be determined by the Committee, subject to the limitations of the 2003 Long-Term Plan. In determining the amount and form of an award, consideration will be given to the functions and responsibilities of the key employee, his or her potential contributions to the success of the Company, and other factors deemed relevant by the Committee.
l | Shares Subject to the Plan; Other Limitations on Awards |
Subject to certain adjustments, the number of shares of Campbell stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2003 Long-Term Plan shall be 28,000,000 shares plus any unused shares that remain available for issuance under the 1994 Long-Term Plan as of the date the 2003 Long-Term Plan is approved by the shareowners of the Company, which is estimated to be approximately another 3,000,000 shares. Any shares of Campbell stock subject to awards outstanding under the 1994 Long-Term Plan which lapse, expire or terminate without the issuance of Campbell stock will also be available for awards under the 2003 Long-Term Plan.
For purposes of calculating available shares of Campbell stock under the 2003 Long-Term Plan, any shares of Campbell stock that are subject to options and SARs will be counted against the limit as one share for every one share subject to the option or SAR. Shares subject to performance unit awards and restricted and unrestricted stock will be counted against the limit as four shares for every one share subject to the award.
Shares subject to awards under the 2003 Long-Term Plan will again be available for future awards upon the occurrence of specified events that result in fewer than the total number of shares subject to the award being delivered to the participants. In particular, the limit shall be increased by shares of Campbell stock that are (i) tendered in payment of the exercise price of the awards; (ii) subject to an award which
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A maximum of five million options may be issued in one year to any one participant. A maximum of $5 million for each year in a performance period or restricted period may be awarded in the form of restricted stock or performance units to any one participant.
l | Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”) |
The Committee may grant non-qualified options and options qualifying as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Committee generally determines the terms and conditions of all options granted, subject to the terms of the 2003 Long-Term Plan. Options vest in accordance with a vesting schedule determined by the Committee and the Committee may impose additional conditions, restrictions or terms on the vesting of any option, including the full or partial attainment of performance goals. The term of an option cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant. The option price must be not less than the fair market value of a share of Campbell stock on the date of grant.
Stock options may not be “repriced.” This means that the Committee may not take any of the following actions:
• | amend a stock option to reduce its exercise price; | |
• | cancel a stock option and regrant a new stock option with a lower exercise price than the original exercise price of the cancelled stock option; or | |
• | take any other action (whether in the form of an amendment, cancellation or replacement grant) that has the effect of repricing. |
The Committee may also grant a SAR in connection with a stock option granted under the Plan or a SAR unrelated to any option. If a participant exercises a SAR, the participant would receive an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date the SAR is exercised over the option price of the shares, or, with respect to a SAR granted unrelated to an option, over the fair market value of a share of Campbell stock on the date the SAR was awarded. Payment would be in cash, in shares or a combination of the two as the Committee determines.
l | Restricted Stock Awards |
The Committee may also issue or transfer shares of Campbell stock to a participant under a restricted stock award. Awards are subject to certain conditions and restrictions during a specific period of time, such as the participant remaining in the employment of the Company and/or the attainment by the Company of certain pre-established performance goals, as discussed below. The shares cannot be transferred by the participant prior to the lapse of the restriction period or the attainment of the performance goals. The participant is, however, entitled to vote the shares and in most cases is entitled to receive the dividends currently. The Committee may, in its discretion, establish rules pertaining to the restricted stock in the event of a termination of employment of a participant prior to the end of the restricted period, provided that in the event of a termination for “cause” any non-vested restricted stock awards will be forfeited immediately.
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l | Unrestricted Stock Awards |
The Committee may also issue or transfer shares of Campbell stock to a participant under an outright grant of unrestricted Campbell stock that could be transferred immediately.
l | Performance Unit Awards |
The Committee may grant performance unit awards payable in cash or stock at the end of a specified performance period. Payment will be contingent upon achieving pre-established performance goals (as discussed below) by the end of the performance period. The Committee will determine the length of the performance period, the maximum payment value of an award, and the minimum performance goals required before payment will be made. Subject to Committee discretion, a performance unit award will terminate for all purposes if the participant is not continuously employed by the Company at all times during the applicable performance period.
l | Performance Goals |
The 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan contains provisions intended to enable compensation paid to those executive officers whose compensation is subject to the deduction limitations of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code to qualify as “performance-based compensation” that will be fully deductible by the Company. Prior to the beginning of a performance period, the Committee may establish performance goals for the Company and its various operating units. The goals will be comprised of specified levels of one or more of the following performance criteria as the Committee may deem appropriate: earnings per share, net earnings, operating earnings, unit volume, net sales, market share, balance sheet measurements, revenue, economic profit, cash flow, cash return on assets, shareowner return, return on equity, return on capital or other value-based performance measures. In addition, for any awards not intended to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Committee may establish goals based on other performance criteria as it deems appropriate. The Committee may disregard or offset the effect of any special charges or gains or cumulative effect of a change in accounting in determining the attainment of performance goals. Awards may also be payable when Company performance, as measured by one or more of the above criteria, as compared to peer companies meets or exceeds an objective criterion established by the Committee. Performance units and restricted performance stock will be earned solely on the partial or full attainment of these performance goals.
l | Director Compensation |
The 2003 Long-Term Plan gives the Board the discretion to set the number of options and shares of Campbell stock that are awarded to non-employee Directors each year. The Board may give non-employee Directors the opportunity to receive an option grant in lieu of future cash compensation or other types of awards. The non-employee Directors may elect to receive all or a portion (in 10% increments) of any cash compensation in shares of Campbell Stock.
l | Deferral of Payments |
A participant may elect to defer all or a portion of any related earned performance units, restricted or unrestricted stock or gain on any exercised option or SAR pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan.
l | Adjustments on Capitalization |
In case of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, distribution, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, or any other changes in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the Committee may make appropriate adjustments in deferred accounts and in the aggregate number and kind of shares subject to the Plan, and the number and kind of shares and the price per share subject to outstanding awards.
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l | Change in Control |
For purposes of the 2003 Long-Term Plan, “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following events:
(i) | the acquisition of 25% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Company by any person or entity, with certain exceptions for Dorrance family members and the Company’s employee benefit plans; |
(ii) | the persons serving as directors of the Company as of November 21, 2003, and those replacements or additions subsequently approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board, cease to make up more than 50% of the Board; |
(iii) | a merger, consolidation or share exchange in which the shareowners of the Company prior to the merger wind up owning 50% or less of the surviving corporation; or | |
(iv) | a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. |
Upon a Change in Control, the following vesting provisions will apply:
1. | If the Company is not the surviving corporation and the surviving or acquiring corporation does not assume the outstanding options, SARs, time-lapse restricted stock, restricted performance stock and performance units (collectively “Awards”), or fails to substitute equivalent awards, then all outstanding stock options, SARs and time-lapse restricted stock will vest 100% and restricted performance stock and performance units will vest as follows: the greater of (i) 50% or (ii) a pro rata portion based on the time elapsed to the change in control. | |
2. | If the Company is the surviving corporation or the surviving or acquiring corporation assumes the outstanding Awards or substitutes equivalent awards, then they will remain outstanding and vest pursuant to the provisions of the 2003 Long-Term Plan. | |
3. | If, within 24 months following a Change in Control, the employment of a participant is terminated without Cause (as defined below) or by the participant for Good Reason (as defined below), and the Company is the surviving corporation or the surviving or acquiring corporation assumes the outstanding Awards or substitutes equivalent awards, then all outstanding stock options, SARs and time-lapse restricted stock will vest 100% and restricted performance stock and performance units will vest as follows: the greater of (i) 50% or (ii) a pro rata portion based on the time elapsed to the termination of employment. | |
4. | If, within 24 months following a Change in Control, the employment of a participant is terminated for Cause and the Company is the surviving corporation or the surviving or acquiring corporation assumes the outstanding Awards or substitutes equivalent awards, then all stock options and SARs will expire and all unvested restricted stock and performance units will be forfeited, and all rights under such Awards will terminate. |
“Good Reason” is defined as (1) a reduction in the participant’s base salary or a failure to pay compensation or benefits when due, (2) requiring the participant to be based more than 50 miles from his workplace prior to a change in control, (3) failure to continue compensation or employee benefit plans that, in the aggregate, are substantially equivalent to those provided prior to the change in control, (4) any purported termination of the participant for “Cause” which does not comply with the definition of “Cause” set forth in the 2003 Long-Term Plan and (5) the Company’s failure to obtain an agreement from any successor to assume the 2003 Long-Term Plan.
“Cause,” for purposes of the Change in Control provision only, is defined as termination of a Participant’s employment within 24 months following a Change in Control by reason of his or her (1) conviction of a felony or (2) engaging in conduct, which constitutes willful gross misconduct, which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company.
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l | Amendment |
The Board of Directors can amend, suspend or terminate the 2003 Long-Term Plan, but cannot, without the shareowners’ approval, do any of the following:
l | Increase the number of shares of Campbell stock which may be issued under the 2003 Long-Term Plan (except in the case of recapitalization, stock split, or other changes in the corporate structure in which event the Committee may make appropriate adjustments); | |
l | Expand the type of awards available to participants; | |
l | Materially expand the class of employees eligible to participate in the Plan; | |
l | Materially change the method of determining the exercising price of options; | |
l | Delete or limit the provision prohibiting repricing of options; or | |
l | Extend the term of the Plan. |
The Committee may amend or modify any outstanding awards in any manner to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority under the Plan initially to make such awards as so modified or amended.
l | Federal Income Tax Consequences of Stock Options and SARs |
The grant of an incentive stock option, a nonqualified stock option or a SAR, does not result in income for the grantee or in a deduction for the Company. The exercise of a nonqualified stock option or a SAR does result in ordinary income for the optionee and a deduction for the Company measured by the difference between the option price and the fair market value of the shares received at the time of exercise. Income tax withholding is required.
Neither the grant nor the exercise of an incentive stock option results in taxable income for the grantee. The excess of the market value on the exercise date over the option price of the shares, however, is an “item of adjustment” for alternative minimum tax purposes. When a grantee disposes of shares acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option, the grantee’s gain (the difference between the sales proceeds and the price paid by the grantee for the shares) upon the disposition will be taxed as long-term capital gain provided the grantee (i) does not dispose of the shares within two years after the date of grant nor within one year after the transfer of shares upon exercise, and (ii) exercises the option while an employee of the Company or a subsidiary or within three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death or disability. If the shares are disposed of before the expiration of either period, the grantee generally will realize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition.
Plan Benefits
Because awards under the 2003 Long-Term Plan are determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Company cannot determine the benefits or amounts that will be received or allocated in the future under the 2003 Long-Term Plan.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information about the Company’s stock that may be issued under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of August 3, 2003:
Number of Securities Remaining | ||||||||||||
Number of Securities to be | Weighted-Average | Available For Future Issuance | ||||||||||
Issued Upon Exercise of | Exercise Price of | Under Equity Compensation Plans | ||||||||||
Outstanding Options, | Outstanding Options, | (Excluding Securities Reflected in | ||||||||||
Plan Category | Warrants and Rights(a) | Warrants and Rights(b) | the First Column)(c) | |||||||||
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders (1) | 28,862,378 | $ | 28.29 | 14,285,601 | ||||||||
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders (2) | 1,138,438 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||
Total | 30,000,816 | N/A | 14,285,601 | |||||||||
(1) | Column (a) represents stock options granted under the 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 1984 Long-Term Incentive Plan. No additional awards can be made under the 1984 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Column (c) represents the maximum amount of future equity awards that can be made under the 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which may take the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance unit awards, restricted stock or stock awards. |
(2) | The Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Plan”) allows participants the opportunity to invest in various book accounts, including a book account that tracks the performance of Campbell stock (the “Stock Account”). Upon distribution, participants may receive the amounts invested in the Stock Account in the form of shares of Campbell stock. Column (a) represents the maximum number of shares that could be issued upon a complete distribution of all amounts in the Stock Account. This calculation is based upon the amount of funds in the Stock Account as of August 3, 2003 and a $23.87 share price, which was the closing price of a share of Campbell stock on the New York Stock Exchange on August 1, 2003 (the last business day before August 3, 2003). 898,544 of the total phantom stock units in the Deferred Plan are fully vested and 239,894 units are subject to restrictions. |
Deferred Compensation Plan
The Deferred Plan was approved by the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Board of Directors. The Deferred Plan is an unfunded plan maintained for the purpose of providing the Company’s directors and certain of its executives the opportunity to defer a portion of their previously earned compensation. Deferred Plan participants may defer a portion of their base salaries and all or a portion of their annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive awards, certain stock option gains and director retainers and fees. The Deferred Plan was not submitted for shareowner approval because it does not provide compensation to executives. It is a vehicle for executives to defer previously earned compensation and phantom stock units are credited to executives’ accounts based upon the full current market value of Campbell stock.
Each participant’s contributions to the Deferred Plan are credited to an investment account in the participant’s name. Gains and losses in the participant’s account are based on the performance of the investment choices the participant has selected. Four investment choices are available, including the Stock Account. In addition to the Stock Account, participants also generally have the opportunity to invest in (i) a book account that tracks the performance of Fidelity’s Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund, (ii) a book account that tracks the performance of Fidelity’s Puritan Fund, and (iii) a book account that
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A participant may reallocate his or her investment account at any time among the four investment choices, except that (i) stock option gains must be invested in the Stock Account, (ii) restricted stock awards must be invested in the Stock Account during the restriction period and (iii) reallocations of the Stock Account must be made in compliance with the Company’s policies on trading Company stock. Dividends on amounts invested in the Stock Account may be reallocated among the four investment accounts.
The Company credits a participant’s account with an amount equal to the matching contribution that the Company would have made to the participant’s 401(k) Plan account if the participant had not deferred compensation under the Deferred Plan. In addition, for those individuals whose base salary and annual incentive compensation exceed the Internal Revenue Service indexed compensation limit for the 401(k) Plan, the Company credits such individual’s account with an amount equal to the contribution the company would have made to the 401(k) Plan but for the compensation limit. These Company contributions vest in 20% increments over the next five (5) years. Except as described above, there is no Company match on deferred compensation.
For terminations and retirements, a participant’s account is generally paid out in accordance with the last valid distribution election made by the participant. The applicable elections include: (i) a lump sum, (ii) 5 annual installments, (iii) 10 annual installments, (iv) 15 annual installments (not available to participants terminated prior to their 55th birthday), and (v) 20 annual installments (not available to participants terminated prior to their 55th birthday). For distributions upon death, if a participant’s beneficiary is his or her spouse, the account is generally paid out in accordance with the last valid death distribution election (or, if there is no death distribution election, the regular distribution election). If a participant’s beneficiary is not his or her spouse, then the account is generally paid out in a lump sum. The Deferred Plan administrator has also established procedures for hardship withdrawals and unplanned withdrawals (with a penalty). The current penalty for unplanned withdrawals is 10%. In the event of a change in control of the Company, the Stock Account is automatically converted into cash based upon a formula provided in the Deferred Plan.
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under Rule 14a-8(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, shareholder proposals intended for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement must be submitted in writing to the Company to the Corporate Secretary at Campbell Place, Camden, New Jersey 08103-1799, and must be received by June 12, 2004.
Any shareholder proposal submitted for consideration at next year’s annual meeting but not submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement that is received by the Company after August 27, 2004, will not be considered filed on a timely basis with the Company under Rule 14a-4(c)(1). For such proposals that are not timely filed, the Company retains discretion to vote proxies it receives. For such proposals that are timely filed, the Company retains discretion to vote proxies it receives provided 1) the Company includes in its proxy statement advice on the nature of the proposal and how it intends to exercise its voting discretion; and 2) the proponent does not issue a proxy statement.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS STOCK OWNERSHIP REPORTS
The federal securities laws require the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of the Company’s capital stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of any securities of the Company.
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To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended August 3, 2003, all the Company’s Executive Officers, Directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners made all required filings.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented for action at the meeting. If other matters come before the meeting, it is the intention of the Directors’ proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with his or her best judgment.
PROXIES AND VOTING AT THE MEETING
This statement and the accompanying proxy card are being mailed on or about October 8, 2003, for solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of Campbell Soup Company called to be held on November 21, 2003. The mailing address of the Company’s World Headquarters is 1 Campbell Place, Camden, New Jersey 08103-1799.
Proxies marked as abstaining (including proxies containing broker non-votes) on any matter to be acted upon by Shareowners will be treated as present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be counted as votes cast on such matters.
This solicitation of proxies is made on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company with authorization of the Board, and the Company will bear the cost. Copies of proxy solicitation material will be mailed to Shareowners, and employees of the Company may communicate with Shareowners to solicit their proxies. Brokers, banks and others holding stock in their names, or in names of nominees, may request and forward copies of the proxy solicitation material to beneficial owners and seek authority for execution of proxies, and the Company will reimburse them for their expenses in so doing at the rates approved by the New York Stock Exchange.
When a proxy is returned properly dated and signed, the shares represented thereby, including any shares held under the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan, will be voted by the person named as the Directors’ proxy in accordance with each Shareowner’s directions. Proxies will also be considered to be confidential voting instructions to the applicable Trustee with respect to shares held in accounts under the Campbell Soup Company Savings and 401(k) Plan for Salaried Employees, the Campbell Soup Company Savings and 401(k) Plan for Hourly-Paid Employees, and the Campbell Soup Company Ltd Employee Savings and Stock Bonus Plan. If participants in these Plans are also Shareowners of record under the same account information, they will receive a single proxy that represents all shares. If the account information is different, then the participants will receive separate proxies. Shareowners of record and participants in savings plans may cast their vote by:
(1) | using the toll-free phone number listed on the proxy solicitation/voting instruction card; | |
(2) | using the Internet and voting at the website listed on the proxy card; or | |
(3) | signing, dating and mailing the proxy card in the enclosed postage paid envelope. |
The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by use of a personal identification number. The procedure allows shareowners to appoint a proxy and the savings plan participants to instruct a plan fiduciary to vote their shares and to confirm their instructions have been properly recorded. Specific instructions to be followed are set forth on the enclosed proxy solicitation/ voting instruction card.
Shareowners are urged to cast their votes. If a proxy card is dated, signed and returned without specifying choices, the shares will be voted as recommended by the Directors (or, in the case of participants in the Plans referred to above, may be voted at the discretion of the applicable Trustee). This
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A Shareowner giving a proxy may revoke it by notifying the Corporate Secretary in writing any time before it is voted. If a Shareowner wishes to give a proxy to someone other than the Directors’ proxy, all three names appearing on the enclosed proxy may be crossed out and the name of another person inserted. The signed proxy card must be presented at the meeting by the person representing the Shareowner.
Each Shareowner who plans to attend the meeting in person is requested to so indicate in the space provided on the proxy card or as directed when voting by telephone or the Internet. The Company will then be able to mail an admission card to the Shareowner in advance of the meeting. Shareowners who do not have admission cards will need to register at the door.
INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Shareowners will be held this year at the Sheraton Hotel at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks Ballroom, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 06096 that is approximately 10 miles from the Company’s new facility in Bloomfield, Connecticut. A map and directions appear at the back of this booklet. Doors to the meeting room will open at 10:00 a.m.
To obtain an admission ticket by mail in advance and avoid registration lines at the door, simply indicate that you plan to attend the meeting by marking the appropriate box on the proxy card and return it in the envelope provided. If you do not wish to send the proxy card, you may obtain an admission card by sending a written request in the envelope. Shareowners who do not have admission cards will need to register at the door.
If you do not own shares in your own name, you should have your broker or agent in whose name the shares are registered call (856) 342-6122, fax (856) 342-3889, or write to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at Campbell Place, Camden, NJ 08103-1799 to request a ticket before November 11, 2003. Otherwise you must bring proof of ownership (e.g., broker’s statement) in order to be admitted to the meeting.
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Please fill out, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card or vote by phone or via the Internet as soon as possible, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors, | |
John J. Furey Vice President and Corporate Secretary |
Camden, New Jersey
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Appendix A for 2003 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
Item | Page | |||
Corporate Governance Standards | A-2 | |||
Standards for the Determination of Director Independence | A-6 | |||
Communicating Concerns to the Board of Directors | A-7 | |||
Charter of the Audit Committee | A-8 | |||
Charter of the Compensation and Organization Committee | A-11 | |||
Charter of the Finance and Corporate Development Committee | A-13 | |||
Charter of the Governance Committee | A-14 |
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CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
September 25, 2003
Composition of the Board and Qualifications of Directors
1. | Pursuant to the Company’s By-Laws, the Board currently consists of 16 directors. A substantial majority of the Board shall be composed of directors who meet the requirements for independence established by the New York Stock Exchange. The Board shall make a determination at least annually as to the independence of each director, in accordance with standards that are disclosed to the shareowners. | |
2. | All directors should be persons of the highest integrity, who abide by exemplary standards of business and professional conduct. Directors should possess the skills and judgment, and the commitment to devote the time and attention, necessary to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. | |
3. | Directors are elected by the shareowners at the Annual Meeting of Shareowners for a one-year term, to serve until the next Annual Meeting. In the event of vacancies on the Board, the Board may elect directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting. | |
4. | The Chief Executive Officer is currently the only employee of the Company nominated by the directors to serve on the Board. The Board believes that, as a general rule, former Campbell executives should not serve as directors of the Company. | |
5. | The Board believes that service on the boards of other companies, and of civic and charitable organizations, enhances the experience and perspective of directors, but may also limit their time and availability. To ensure that all members of the Board have sufficient time to devote proper attention to their responsibilities as directors of the Company, the Governance Committee shall annually review the other board commitments of each director on a case-by-case basis. | |
6. | No person may serve as a director if he or she is employed by a major supplier, customer or competitor of Campbell. In addition, no person may serve as a director if he or she, or a member of his or her immediate family, is an officer of another company for which a Campbell officer serves on the board of directors, or a director, officer or trustee of a non-for-profit organization that receives substantial contributions from Campbell or the Campbell Soup Foundation. | |
7. | A director shall notify the Chair of the Governance Committee prior to accepting an invitation to serve on the board of another company or a not-for-profit organization. The Governance Committee shall evaluate and advise the Board whether, by reason of conflicts in regular meeting schedules or business or competitive considerations, simultaneous service on the other board may impede the director’s ability to fulfill his or her responsibilities to Campbell. | |
8. | A director who changes his or her principal employment, position, or professional role or affiliation following election or re-election to the Board shall tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Governance Committee and decision by the Board. | |
9. | Directors are required to own at least 2,000 Campbell shares within one year of election, and 6,000 shares within three years of election. |
10. | The Board believes that the judgment as to the tenure of an individual director should rest on an assessment by the Governance Committee of his or her performance and contributions to the Board. Accordingly, there is no predetermined limit on the number of one-year terms to which a director may be re-elected prior to his or her 70th birthday. No person may stand for election to the Board after age 70. |
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Responsibilities of Directors
11. | The Board believes that the primary responsibilities of directors are to exercise their business judgment in good faith, to act in what they reasonably believe to be in the best interest of all shareowners, and to ensure that the business of the Company is conducted so as to further the long-term interests of its shareowners. | |
12. | Directors shall receive and review appropriate materials in advance of meetings relating to matters to be considered or acted upon by the Board and its committees. Directors are expected to prepare for, attend and participate actively and constructively in all meetings of the Board and of the committees on which they serve. | |
13. | Directors are expected to become and remain well informed about the business, performance, operations and management of the Company; general business and economic trends affecting the Company; and principles and practices of sound corporate governance. | |
14. | In consultation with the Governance Committee, management shall provide programs for director orientation in which all new directors are expected to participate, and information to all directors about programs for continuing director education in areas of importance to the Company. | |
15. | A director shall not participate in the discussion of or decision on any matter in which he or she has a personal, business or professional interest other than his or her interest as a shareowner of the Company. Directors shall promptly inform the Chairman of the Board regarding any actual or potential conflict of interest. |
Composition of Board Committees
16. | The Board shall establish such standing committees as it deems appropriate and in the best interests of the Company. The current standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Organization Committee, the Finance and Corporate Development Committee, and the Governance Committee. | |
17. | The Governance Committee shall recommend and the Board shall appoint, annually and as vacancies or new positions occur, the members of the standing committees and the committee chairs. The Governance Committee shall annually review the membership of the committees, taking account of both the desirability of periodic rotation of committee members and the benefits of continuity and experience in committee service. | |
18. | All members of the Audit, Governance, and Compensation and Organization Committees shall meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange. | |
19. | Directors who serve on the Audit Committee shall also meet the requirements as to independence, experience and expertise for audit committee members established by the New York Stock Exchange and applicable laws and regulations. At least one member of the Audit Committee shall be an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. | |
20. | No member of the Audit Committee shall simultaneously serve on the audit committees of more than two other public companies. |
Board Operations
21. | The Board shall hold at least 7 regular meetings per year, and shall meet more frequently as circumstances may require. | |
22. | The Governance Committee shall recommend and the Board shall appoint, annually and as vacancies occur, a Chairman of the Board. When the Chief Executive Officer of the Company also holds the position of Chairman of the Board, the Chair of the Governance Committee will |
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serve as the Lead Director to preside at executive sessions of non-management directors and provide oversight for the effective functioning of the Board. | ||
23. | Upon consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman shall annually establish an agenda of the matters that are expected to be considered and acted upon by the Board during the following year. The annual schedule shall be provided to the full Board for review and comment. In addition, the CEO shall review with the Chairman of the Board, prior to each Board meeting, the agenda for the meeting and the nature and scope of the materials that will be furnished to the directors in advance of the meeting. | |
24. | The Board will conduct an executive session of non-management directors (as defined by of the New York Stock Exchange) at every regularly scheduled Board meeting, at which the Chairman of the Board, or, when appropriate, the Chair of the Governance Committee, acting in the capacity of Lead Director, shall preside. | |
25. | Directors shall have unfettered access to management and employees of the Company and to its inside and outside counsel and auditors. Executive officers and other senior management are expected to be present at Board meetings at the invitation of the Board. | |
26. | The Board shall establish methods by which interested parties may communicate directly with the Chairman or Lead Director, or with the non-management directors as a group, and shall cause such methods to be disclosed in the proxy statement. | |
27. | The Board and each of its committees are authorized to retain such independent legal, financial or other advisors as they may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out their duties. | |
28. | Directors’ fees (including, in the case of a non-executive Chairman of the Board, the Chairman’s annual retainer and any additional compensation approved by the Board) will be the sole compensation that any director who is not an employee of Campbell receives, directly or indirectly, from the Company. The form and amount of director compensation shall be based on principles recommended by the Governance Committee and adopted by the Board, and shall be reviewed annually by the Governance Committee. | |
29. | The Governance Committee shall be furnished annually with a report identifying any charitable contributions or pledges made by the Company during the last year, in the aggregate amount of $25,000 or more, to any entity for which a director or executive officer, or a member of his or her immediate family, serves as a director, officer or trustee or as a member of such entity’s fund-raising organization or committee. |
Committee Operations
30. | Each standing committee of the Board will have a charter that is approved by the Board and sets forth the purposes, duties and responsibilities of the committee. At least annually, the members of each committee will evaluate the adequacy of the committee’s charter, and will conduct an evaluation of its performance and effectiveness in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities set forth in the charter. | |
31. | The chair of each standing committee, in consultation with management, shall annually establish agendas of the matters that are expected to be considered and acted upon by the committee during the following year. The annual schedule shall be provided to committee members for review and comment. Management will review with the chair of each committee, prior to each meeting, the agenda for the meeting and the nature and scope of the materials that will be furnished to the committee members in advance of the meeting. | |
32. | The chair of each committee shall report to the Board following each meeting of the committee on the principal matters reviewed or approved by the committee and its recommendations as to actions to be taken by the Board. All directors will receive copies of all minutes of standing committee meetings. |
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33. | The Audit Committee shall have the sole authority and responsibility to select, appoint, evaluate and replace the Company’s independent auditors, subject only to ratification by the shareowners, and to approve audit engagement fees and terms. The Audit Committee shall approve in advance all audit services and all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors. | |
34. | The Audit Committee shall meet periodically with senior management, the internal auditors, and the Company’s independent auditors, in separate executive sessions. | |
35. | The Governance Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any search firm used to assist in the identification of director candidates, and any compensation consultant retained to assist in the design or evaluation of director compensation, including sole authority to approve their fees and other retention terms. | |
36. | The Governance Committee shall lead the Board in an annual self-evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of the Board and its committees, and shall report the results of the evaluation to the shareowners in the proxy statement. The Governance Committee shall also assess, on the basis of established criteria, the performance of each director standing for re-election at the next Annual Meeting of Shareowners. | |
37. | The Compensation and Organization Committee shall have sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant used to assist in the design or evaluation of executive compensation for the Chief Executive Officer or senior management, including sole authority to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. |
Oversight of the Business and Management
38. | The Board shall annually review and approve a long-term strategic plan for the Company and an annual operating plan that integrates strategic plan milestones, and regularly evaluate business performance and results in light of the operating and strategic plans. | |
39. | The Board shall develop principles and policies for the selection of the Chief Executive Officer and the assessment of his or her performance. The Compensation and Organization Committee shall lead the Board at least annually in an evaluation of the performance of the CEO. The results of the evaluation shall be reviewed in one or more meetings of non-management directors at which the CEO is not present. | |
40. | The Compensation and Organization Committee shall recommend to the Board plans and policies regarding the succession of the CEO in the event of an emergency or the CEO’s retirement. The CEO shall provide to the Board, on an ongoing basis, recommendations regarding a successor to be appointed in such an event. | |
41. | The Chief Executive Officer will report at least annually to the Compensation and Organization Committee his or her evaluation of the senior management of the Company. | |
42. | The Chief Executive Officer will report annually to the Compensation and Organization Committee on the Company’s executive organization and principal programs for management development and planning for executive succession. The Committee will evaluate and report annually to the Board on the effectiveness of these processes. | |
43. | The Board shall approve a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to directors, officers and employees of the Company, which prohibits retaliation in any form against anyone who reports suspected violations. Any amendments to the Code or waivers of its provisions for directors or executive officers shall be approved by the Audit Committee and promptly disclosed to shareowners. |
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Executive Compensation
44. | With input from the full Board, the Compensation and Organization Committee shall annually approve the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. The CEO will report to the Board on progress in achieving these goals. The Compensation and Organization Committee shall determine the CEO’s compensation based on an evaluation of his or her performance in light of these goals and objectives. | |
45. | All equity-based compensation plans shall be approved by the shareowners. | |
46. | Incentive compensation plans will be based on principles and policies for executive compensation recommended by the Compensation and Organization Committee and approved by the Board. | |
47. | By the terms of the shareowner-approved incentive plan, stock options may not be repriced. | |
48. | Pursuant to the Company’s program relating to ownership of Campbell stock by executives, approximately the 85 most senior executives of the Company must retain a portion of the equity compensation they receive until they own Campbell stock valued at varying amounts ranging from $300,000 to $5,750,000, depending upon their positions. Restricted stock and stock options, including vested stock options, do not count toward satisfaction of this requirement. |
Shareowners
49. | All shareowners have equal voting rights. | |
50. | The Board will develop, approve and annually review Corporate Governance Standards that are disclosed each year to shareowners in the proxy statement. |
STANDARDS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF
A director shall be considered independent if the Board determines that the director does not have, directly or indirectly, any material relationship with the Company. In making this determination the Board shall broadly consider all relevant facts and circumstances.
Under the Company’s Corporate Governance Standards, directors’ fees are the sole compensation that any director who is not an employee of Campbell may receive, directly or indirectly, from the Company. The Board has established the following additional standards to assist it in determining director independence. For the purposes of these standards, the term “immediate family member” shall have the meaning given in the Listing Standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
1. | A director will not be considered independent if, within the preceding five years: |
(a) | the director or an immediate family member of the director was employed by the Company; | |
(b) | the director or an immediate family member of the director received direct compensation from the Company exceeding $100,000 per year, other than directors’ fees or pension or other forms of deferred compensation that are not contingent on prior service; | |
(c) | the director was employed by or affiliated with the Company’s present or former independent auditor; | |
(d) | an immediate family member of the director was employed in a professional capacity by, or affiliated with, the Company’s present or former independent auditor; | |
(e) | an officer of Campbell served on the board of directors of another company that employed the director or a member of the director’s immediate family as an officer; | |
(f) | the director is an employee or executive officer of, or an immediate family member of the director is an executive officer of, another company that does business with Campbell, and the annual sales to or purchases from that company account for the greater of $1 million or 2% of either company’s gross revenues; or |
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(g) | the director is an executive officer of another company that is indebted to Campbell, or to which Campbell is indebted, and the total amount of either company’s indebtedness to the other exceeds 1% of the total consolidated assets of the company where the director serves as an executive officer. |
2. | A director who serves as an officer, director or trustee of a not-for-profit entity, or as a member of that entity’s fund-raising organization or committee, shall not be considered to have a material relationship with the Company if the discretionary contributions made to the entity by Campbell or the Campbell Soup Foundation (excluding matching grants) are less than $25,000 or 1% (whichever is greater) of the entity’s most recent publicly available operating budget. | |
3. | With respect to any relationship that is not covered by the guidelines in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, the members of the Board who satisfy the standards for independence set forth in those guidelines shall make a determination, based on all relevant facts and circumstances, as to whether or not the relationship is material, and therefore whether the director who has the relationship shall be considered independent. The Company will disclose and explain the basis for any determination that such a relationship is not material in its next proxy statement. The Company will also disclose and explain the basis for any determination of independence for a director who does not satisfy the guidelines in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. |
Pursuant to the requirements of U.S. law, the Company does not make any personal loans or extensions of credit to any director, or any arrangements for the extension of credit to any director.
The Company’s conflicts of interest policy requires the disclosure of any personal interest, influence, relationship or other situation that might constitute or be perceived as a potential conflict of interest. Each director is required annually to submit a signed statement attesting to his or her awareness of and compliance with this policy. In addition, under the Company’s Corporate Governance Standards, directors are required promptly to inform the Chairman of the Board regarding any actual or potential conflict of interest.
COMMUNICATING CONCERNS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Any person who has a concern about Campbell’s governance, corporate conduct, business ethics or financial practices may communicate that concern to the Board of Directors. Concerns may be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Board or to the non-management directors as a group in care of the Office of the Corporate Secretary at the Company’s headquarters, or by email to Directors@campbellsoup.com. Concerns may also be communicated to the Board by calling a toll-free Hotline telephone number that is published on the Company’s website. Any concern relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be referred both to the Chairman and to the Chair of the Audit Committee.
Campbell policy prohibits the Company and any of its employees from retaliating in any manner, or taking any adverse action, against anyone who raises a concern or helps to investigate or resolve it. However, anyone who prefers to raise a concern in a confidential, anonymous manner may do so by calling the Hotline.
Concerns communicated to the Board will be addressed through the Company’s regular procedures for addressing such matters. Depending upon the nature of the concern, it may be referred to the Company’s Internal Audit Department, the Legal or Finance Department, or other appropriate departments. As they deem necessary or appropriate, the Chairman of the Board or the Chair of the Audit Committee may direct that certain concerns communicated to them be presented to the Audit Committee or the full Board, or that they receive special treatment, including the retention of outside counsel or other outside advisors.
The status of concerns communicated to the Board will be reported periodically to the Chairman and/or the Chair of the Audit Committee, as appropriate.
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CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
September 25, 2003
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and consists of four or more independent directors. All members of the Committee meet the requirements as to independence, experience and expertise established by the New York Stock Exchange and applicable laws and regulations. At least one member of the Committee is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). No member of the Committee simultaneously serves on the audit committees of more than two other public companies.
The Committee meets at least six times per year, and more frequently as circumstances require. The Committee meets periodically with management, the internal auditors, and the Company’s independent auditors, in separate executive sessions.
The Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board in its oversight of (1) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and financial reporting process, (2) the qualifications and independence of the independent auditors, (3) the performance of the independent auditors and of the Company’s internal audit function, and (4) compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Committee has the sole authority and responsibility to select, appoint, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the Company’s independent auditors, and to approve all audit engagement fees and terms. It is directly responsible for the oversight of the work of the independent auditors, including resolution of any disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting. The independent auditors report directly to the Audit Committee.
The responsibilities of the Committee include the following:
Engagement and Oversight of the Independent Auditors
1. | To evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the Company’s independent auditors, and to select the independent auditors for the forthcoming fiscal year, subject only to ratification by the shareowners. | |
2. | To review at least annually a report from the independent auditors delineating the independent auditors’ internal quality-control procedures and any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, by peer review of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years, relating to any audit conducted by the firm, and the response of the firm, including any steps taken to deal with any such issues. | |
3. | To review at least annually all relationships between the Company and the independent auditors, as part of its evaluation of the auditors’ objectivity and independence. | |
4. | To review and evaluate the senior members of the independent audit team, and consider whether and when members of the team should be rotated so as to assure their continuing independence. | |
5. | To pre-approve all audit services and all permissible non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditors. From time to time, the Committee may delegate its authority to pre-approve non-audit services to one or more Committee members. Any such approvals shall be reported to the full Committee at the next Audit Committee meeting. |
Oversight of Financial Statements and Disclosure |
6. | To review and discuss with management and the independent auditors the annual audited financial statements of the Company, including disclosures made in Management’s Discussion |
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and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and all matters required to be discussed under generally accepted auditing standards, listing standards and applicable law, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Report on Form 10-K. | ||
7. | To review and discuss with management and the independent auditors the interim financial statements to be included in the Company’s quarterly reports to be filed with the SEC, including disclosures made in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and all matters required to be discussed under generally accepted auditing standards, listing standards and applicable law. | |
8. | To discuss generally with management the types of information to be disclosed and the type of presentation to be made in earnings press releases, as well as the nature of the financial information and earnings guidance to be provided to analysts and rating agencies. | |
9. | To review the Company’s financial reporting and accounting principles and standards, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of such principles and standards; analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditors setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements; and the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as any off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company. |
10. | To review at least quarterly a report from the independent auditors on (a) all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, (b) all alternative GAAP accounting treatments related to material items discussed with management, and (c) other material written communications between the independent auditors and the Company. | |
11. | To review and discuss with the independent auditors the scope and results of the audit of the Company’s financial statements; significant reports to management prepared by the independent auditors; and any problems or difficulties the independent auditors encountered in the course of the audit work, and management’s response. |
Oversight of Internal Audit Function and Risk Management |
12. | To review at least annually the organization, performance, responsibilities, budget and staffing of the internal audit function, and to review and concur in the appointment and termination of the executive in charge of that function. | |
13. | To review at least annually the internal audit plan; the results of the internal audit; significant reports to management prepared by the internal auditors or summaries thereof; and any problems or difficulties the internal auditors encountered in the course of their work, and management’s response. | |
14. | To review the Company’s policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including its major financial risk exposures, and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. |
Oversight of Compliance |
15. | To review with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors, as appropriate, the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls, including any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of such controls, any special audit steps or corrective action taken, and any fraud involving management or other employees with a significant role in such controls. |
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16. | To review with the CEO and CFO the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, and management’s conclusions as to the adequacy and effectiveness of such disclosure controls and procedures. | |
17. | To review significant legal and regulatory exposures, and to review with the independent auditors any information coming to their attention indicating that an illegal act has or may have occurred that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. | |
18. | To review at least annually the Company’s legal compliance program, and compliance with the Company’s conflicts of interest program. | |
19. | To review annually, recommend any proposed changes to, and oversee compliance with, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and to approve any amendments to or waivers of the Code for directors or executive officers. | |
20. | To establish procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submissions by Campbell employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. | |
21. | To set policies for the hiring of employees or former employees of the Company’s independent auditors. |
Report |
22. | To prepare the report that is required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. |
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements are complete and accurate and are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This is the responsibility of management and the independent auditors.
* * *
l | The Chair reports to the Board following each meeting of the Committee on the principal matters reviewed or approved by the Committee and its recommendations as to actions to be taken by the Board. | |
l | The Committee conducts an annual evaluation of its own performance and of the adequacy of its charter, and reports to the Governance Committee of the Board on the results of these evaluations. | |
l | The Committee has the sole authority and necessary funding to retain and obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting, or other advisors, as the Committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion, including sole authority to approve the advisors’ fees and other retention terms. |
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CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
September 25, 2003
The Compensation and Organization Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and consists of five or more independent directors. All members of the Committee meet the requirements as to independence established by the New York Stock Exchange, and qualify as “non-employee directors” (for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and as “outside directors” (for the purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). The Committee normally meets six times per year, and more frequently as circumstances require.
The Committee’s purposes are to oversee compensation and organization matters affecting the Company, including compensation and benefits policies, performance and compensation of the Company’s senior executives, management development and succession planning, and major organization changes; to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of the Company’s executives; and to prepare the report on executive compensation that is included in the Company’s annual proxy statement in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The responsibilities of the Committee include the following:
1. | To review and approve annually the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, and to conduct an annual evaluation of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer in light of those goals and objectives. | |
2. | To determine the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, including base salary, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation (including stock options and restricted stock), and any other compensation, perquisites or special or supplemental benefits. In determining compensation of the CEO, the Committee considers, among other factors, the annual performance evaluation of the CEO, the Company’s performance and relative shareowner return, the value of similar incentive compensation awards to CEOs at comparable companies, the awards given to the CEO in prior years, and the quality of earnings. | |
3. | To develop and recommend to the Board, and periodically review, the Company’s principles and policies for determining the form and amount of executive compensation. | |
4. | To review and approve the compensation of the Company’s executive officers and other selected senior executives individually, including base salary, annual incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation (including stock options and restricted stock), and any other compensation, perquisites or special or supplemental benefits (approximately 25 executives). | |
5. | To review and approve any employment agreements, severance arrangements and change in controls agreements or provisions relating to the Company’s executives. | |
6. | To recommend to the Board adoption of or amendments to incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and to discharge the responsibilities of the Board under such plans, including the administration, review, approval and modification of awards; provided, however, that all equity-based compensation plans must be approved by the shareowners. | |
7. | To review and approve the Company’s compensation policies and programs, including the apportionment of pay among base salary and short-term and long-term incentive compensation; the design of incentive compensation programs (including the performance goals and measures); and the aggregate amount of incentive compensation to be allocated annually to employees. | |
8. | To review the Company’s principal benefits policies and recommend to the Board significant changes in the design of employee benefit plans, including pension and 401(k) plans. |
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9. | To develop and recommend to the Board, and monitor compliance with, the Company’s requirements with respect to stock ownership by executives. |
10. | To review and evaluate the Company’s executive organization and principal programs for executive development and succession planning, including plans and policies for CEO succession, and report annually to the Board on the adequacy and effectiveness of these processes. | |
11. | To review major organizational changes. | |
12. | To prepare the report on executive compensation that is required to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. |
* * *
l | The Chair reports to the Board following each meeting of the Committee on the principal matters reviewed or approved by the Committee and its recommendations as to actions to be taken by the Board. |
l | The Committee conducts an annual evaluation of its own performance and of the adequacy of its charter, and reports to the Governance Committee of the Board on the results of these evaluations. |
l | The Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to be used to assist in the design or evaluation of CEO or senior executive compensation, including authority to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. The Committee also has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors. |
l | Subject to the requirements of applicable laws, regulations and shareowner-approved plans, the Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees, as it deems appropriate. |
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CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
September 25, 2003
The Finance and Corporate Development Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and consists of five or more directors. The Chair of the Committee and a majority of its members meet the requirements as to independence established by the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee normally meets four times per year, and more frequently as circumstances require.
The Committee’s purposes are to oversee the Company’s capital structure, capital budget and capital expenditures, issuance and repurchase of equity and debt, and acquisitions and divestitures, and to recommend the appointment of the named fiduciaries of the Company’s savings and pension plans and monitor the administration of those plans.
The responsibilities of the Committee include the following:
1. | To review and make recommendations to the Board regarding the Company’s capital structure and all issuances, sales or repurchases of equity or long-term debt. | |
2. | To review and recommend to the Board the capital budget for each fiscal year, and to approve or recommend, as appropriate, capital expenditures in excess of amounts to be determined by the Committee. | |
3. | To approve or review and recommend to the Board, as appropriate, acquisitions, divestitures, partnerships and combinations of business interests (“principal portfolio transactions”) valued in excess of amounts to be determined by the Committee. | |
4. | To review at least annually the results and effectiveness of significant recent capital expenditures and principal portfolio transactions. | |
5. | To review and recommend to the Board proposed appointments to the Administrative Committees of the Company’s savings and pensions plans, who shall serve as the named fiduciaries of those plans. | |
6. | To monitor the administration of the savings and pension plans, including the retention of investment managers by the Administrative Committees and the investment policies and practices of the plans, and report periodically to the Board with respect to these matters. |
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l | The Chair reports to the Board following each meeting of the Committee on the principal matters reviewed or approved by the Committee and its recommendations as to actions to be taken by the Board. |
l | The Committee conducts an annual evaluation of its own performance and of the adequacy of its charter, and reports to the Governance Committee of the Board on the results of these evaluations. |
l | The Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any outside financial or other consultants to assist it in carrying out its duties, including authority to approve the consultants’ fees and other retention terms. The Committee also has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, financial or other advisors. |
l | Subject to the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, the Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees, as it deems appropriate. |
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CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
September 25, 2003
The Governance Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and consists of three or more directors, all of whom meet the requirements as to independence established by the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee normally meets four times per year, and more frequently as circumstances require.
The Committee’s purpose is to oversee matters relating to the composition, organization and effectiveness of the Board and its committees, including the identification of persons qualified to become Board members, recommendation of director nominees for approval by the Board and nomination for election at the Annual Meeting of Shareowners, and development, recommendation and review of corporate governance standards for the Company.
The responsibilities of the Committee include the following:
1. | To make recommendations regarding the composition, organization, structure and operations of the Board and its committees. | |
2. | To recommend to the Board criteria for the selection of new directors and oversee their recruitment. | |
3. | To recommend ongoing qualification standards for directors, including standards for determination of director independence, criteria for evaluation of director performance, and policies regarding director tenure, retirement and succession. | |
4. | To investigate, review and evaluate the qualifications of candidates for membership on the Board and to assess the contributions and performance of directors eligible for re-election. | |
5. | To recommend director nominees for approval by the Board and nomination for election at the Annual Meeting of Shareowners, or, in the event of vacancies on the Board between meetings of shareowners, nominees for election by the Board until the next Annual Meeting. | |
6. | To recommend the functions and monitor the operations of the Board committees, and recommend criteria for committee membership. | |
7. | To recommend directors for appointment to committees and as committee chairs. | |
8. | To recommend candidates for the position of Chairman of the Board, and investigate, review and evaluate the qualifications of candidates for Chairman. | |
9. | To make recommendations regarding the compensation of directors who are not employees of the Company, including principles for determining the form and amount of director compensation and for reviewing those principles as appropriate. |
10. | To oversee and make recommendations regarding matters of corporate governance, including orientation of new directors and continuing education of directors, and the respective roles of the Board, the Board committees and the individual directors in the Company’s governance process. | |
11. | To review annually, and recommend any proposed changes to, the Company’s Corporate Governance Standards. | |
12. | To develop and recommend to the Board processes for annual self-evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of the Board and its committees and for annual evaluation of the Chairman of the Board, and oversee and report to the Board on the results of these evaluations. |
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13. | To review and report to the Board on the annual self-evaluations of the other standing committees. |
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l | When the Chief Executive Officer of the Company also holds the position of Chairman of the Board, the Chair of the Governance Committee has the additional title and duties of Lead Director. |
l | The Chair reports to the Board following each meeting of the Committee on the principal matters reviewed or approved by the Committee and its recommendations as to actions to be taken by the Board. |
l | The Committee conducts an annual evaluation of its own performance and of the adequacy of its charter, and reports to the Board on the results of these evaluations. |
l | The Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any search firm to be used to assist in the identification of director candidates, and any compensation consultant to be used to assist in the evaluation of director compensation, including sole authority to approve the search firm’s or compensation consultant’s fees and other retention terms. The Committee also has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from other internal or external advisors. |
l | The Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees, as it deems appropriate. |
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CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan
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CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article | Page | |||||||
I | Purpose and Effective Date | B-3 | ||||||
II | Definitions | B-3 | ||||||
III | Administration | B-5 | ||||||
IV | Awards | B-6 | ||||||
V | Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights | B-7 | ||||||
VI | Restricted Stock | B-10 | ||||||
VII | Awards for Non-Employee Directors | B-11 | ||||||
VIII | Unrestricted Campbell Stock Awards for Key Employees | B-11 | ||||||
IX | Award of Performance Units | B-11 | ||||||
X | Deferral of Payments | B-12 | ||||||
XI | Miscellaneous Provisions | B-12 | ||||||
XII | Change in Control of the Company | B-14 |
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ARTICLE I
PURPOSE AND EFFECTIVE DATE
§ 1.1 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide financial incentives for selected Key Employees of the Campbell Group and for the non-employee Directors of the Company, thereby promoting the long-term growth and financial success of the Campbell Group by (1) attracting and retaining employees and Directors of outstanding ability, (2) strengthening the Campbell Group’s capability to develop, maintain, and direct a competent management team, (3) providing an effective means for selected Key Employees and non-employee Directors to acquire and maintain ownership of Campbell Stock, (4) motivating Key Employees to achieve long-range Performance Goals and objectives, and (5) providing incentive compensation opportunities competitive with those of other major corporations.
§ 1.2 Effective Date and Expiration of Plan. The Plan is subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting of Shareowners to be held on November 21, 2003, or at any adjournment thereof by the holders of shares of Campbell stock entitled to vote thereon, and, if so approved, should be effective as of such date. Unless earlier terminated by the Board pursuant to Section 11.3, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of its Effective Date. No Award shall be made pursuant to the Plan after its termination date, but Awards made prior to the termination date may extend beyond that date.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases, as used in the Plan, shall have these meanings:
§ 2.1 “Administrator” means the individual or individuals to whom the Committee delegates authority under the Plan in accordance with Section 3.3.
§ 2.2 “Award” means, individually or collectively, any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Restricted Performance Stock, unrestricted Campbell Stock or Performance Unit Award.
§ 2.3 “Award Statement” means a written confirmation of an Award under the Plan furnished to the Participant.
§ 2.4 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
§ 2.5 “Campbell Group” means the Company and all of its Subsidiaries on and after the Effective Date.
§ 2.6 “Campbell Stock” means Capital Stock of the Company.
§ 2.7 “Cause” except for purposes of Article XII, with respect to any Participant, means (i) the definition of “Cause” as set forth in any individual employment agreement applicable to such Participant, or (ii) in the case of a Participant who does not have an individual employment agreement that defines Cause, then “Cause” means the termination of a Participant’s employment by reason of his or her (1) engaging in gross misconduct that is injurious to the Campbell Group, monetarily or otherwise, (2) misappropriation of funds, (3) willful misrepresentation to the directors or officers of the Campbell Group, (4) gross negligence in the performance of the Participant’s duties having an adverse effect on the business, operations, assets, properties or financial condition of the Campbell Group, (5) conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (6) entering into competition with the Campbell Group. The determination of whether a Participant’s employment was terminated for Cause shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion.
§ 2.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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§ 2.9 “Committee” means the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof.
§ 2.10 “Company” means Campbell Soup Company and its successors and assigns.
§ 2.11 “Deferred Account” means an account established for a Participant under Section 10.1.
§ 2.12 “Deferred Compensation Plan” means the Campbell Soup Company Deferred Compensation Plan.
§ 2.13 “Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
§ 2.14 “Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is approved by the shareowners of the Company, as provided in Section 1.2.
§ 2.15 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
§ 2.16 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any specified date, an amount equal to the mean between the reported high and low prices of Campbell Stock on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape on the specified date or, if no shares of Campbell Stock have been traded on any such dates, the mean between the reported high and low prices of Campbell Stock on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape as reported on the first day prior thereto on which shares of Campbell Stock were so traded. If shares of Campbell Stock are no longer traded on the New York Stock Exchange, “Fair Market Value” shall be determined in good faith by the Committee using other reasonable means.
§ 2.17 “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company, which is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Sunday closest to July 31.
§ 2.18 “Incentive Stock Option” means an option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
§ 2.19 “Key Employee” means a salaried employee of the Campbell Group who is in a management position.
§ 2.20 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an option granted under the Plan other than an Incentive Stock Option.
§ 2.21 “Option” means either a Nonqualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option to purchase Campbell Stock.
§ 2.22 “Option Price” means the price at which Campbell Stock may be purchased under an Option as provided in Section 5.4, or in the case of a SAR granted under Section 5.8, the Fair Market Value of Campbell Stock on the date the SAR is awarded.
§ 2.23 “Participant” means a Key Employee or a non-employee Director to whom an Award has been made under the Plan or a Transferee.
§ 2.24 “Performance Goals” means goals established by the Committee pursuant to Section 4.5.
§ 2.25 “Performance Period” means a period of time over which performance is measured.
§ 2.26 “Performance Unit” means the unit of measure determined under Article IX by which is expressed the value of a Performance Unit Award.
§ 2.27 “Performance Unit Award” means an Award granted under Article IX.
§ 2.28 “Personal Representative” means the person or persons who, upon the death, disability, or incompetency of a Participant, shall have acquired, by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or by other legal proceedings, the right to exercise an Option or SAR or the right to any Restricted Stock Award or Performance Unit Award theretofore granted or made to such Participant.
§ 2.29 “Plan” means Campbell Soup Company 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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§ 2.30 “Predecessor Plan” means The Campbell Soup Company 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended.
§ 2.31 “Restricted Performance Stock” means Campbell Stock subject to Performance Goals.
§ 2.32 “Restricted Stock” means Campbell Stock subject to the terms and conditions provided in Article VI and including Restricted Performance Stock.
§ 2.33 “Restricted Stock Award” means an Award granted under Article VI.
§ 2.34 “Restriction Period” means a period of time determined under Section 6.2 during which Restricted Stock is subject to the terms and conditions provided in Section 6.3.
§ 2.35 “SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted under Section 5.8.
§ 2.36 “Shareowners” means the Shareowners of the Company.
§ 2.37 “Subsidiary” means a corporation or other entity the majority of the voting stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by the Company.
§ 2.38 “Transferee” means a person to whom a Participant has transferred his or her rights to an Award under the Plan in accordance with Section 11.1 and procedures and guidelines adopted by the Company.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
§ 3.1 Committee to Administer. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at any meeting. The Committee shall act by majority vote of the members present at a duly convened meeting, which may include a meeting by conference telephone call held in accordance with applicable law. Action may be taken without a meeting if written consent thereto is given in accordance with applicable law.
§ 3.2 Powers of Committee.
(a) The Committee shall have full power and authority to interpret and administer the Plan and to establish and amend rules and regulations for its administration. The Committee’s decisions shall be final and conclusive with respect to the interpretation of the Plan and any Award made under it.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority, in its discretion, to determine those Key Employees who shall receive an Award, the time or times when such Award shall be made, the vesting schedule, if any, for the Award and the type of Award to be granted, the number of shares to be subject to each Option and Restricted Stock Award, and the value of each Performance Unit.
(c) The Committee shall determine and set forth in an Award Statement the terms of each Award, including such terms, restrictions, and provisions as shall be necessary to cause certain Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Statement, in such manner and to the extent the Committee shall determine in order to carry out the purposes of the Plan. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate (i) the date on which any Option or SAR may be exercised, (ii) the date of termination of the restrictions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award, or (iii) the end of a Performance Period under a Performance Unit Award, if the Committee determines that to do so will be in the best interests of the Company and the Participants in the Plan.
§3.3 Delegation by Committee.The Committee may, but need not, from time to time delegate some or all of its authority under the Plan to an Administrator consisting of one or more members of the Committee or of one or more officers of the Company;provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority (i) to make Awards to Key Employees (A) who are subject on the date of the Award to the reporting rules under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, (B) whose compensation for
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ARTICLE IV
AWARDS
§4.1 Awards.Awards under the Plan shall consist of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Performance Stock, unrestricted Campbell Stock and Performance Units. All Awards shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and to such other terms and conditions consistent with the Plan as the Committee deems appropriate. Awards under a particular section of the Plan need not be uniform and Awards under two or more sections may be combined in one Award Statement. Any combination of Awards may be granted at one time and on more than one occasion to the same Key Employee. Awards of Performance Units and Restricted Performance Stock shall be earned solely upon attainment of Performance Goals and the Committee shall have no discretion to increase such Awards.
§4.2 Eligibility for Awards.An Award may be made to any Key Employee selected by the Committee. In making this selection and in determining the form and amount of the Award, the Committee may give consideration to the functions and responsibilities of the respective Key Employee, his or her present and potential contributions to the success of the Campbell Group, the value of his or her services to the Campbell Group, and such other factors deemed relevant by the Committee. Non-employee Directors are eligible to receive Awards pursuant to Article VII.
§4.3 Shares Available Under the Plan.
(a) The Campbell Stock to be offered under the Plan pursuant to Options, SARs, Performance Unit Awards, and Restricted Stock and unrestricted Campbell Stock Awards must be Campbell Stock previously issued and outstanding and reacquired by the Company. Subject to adjustment under Section 11.2, the number of shares of Campbell Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan (the“Section 4.3 Limit”) shall not exceed, in the aggregate:
(i) | 28,000,000 shares; plus |
(ii) | the number of shares of Campbell Stock that remain available for issuance under the Predecessor Plan as of the date this Plan is approved by Shareowners (increased by any shares of Campbell Stock subject to any award (or portion thereof) outstanding under the Predecessor Plan on such date which lapses, expires or is otherwise terminated without the issuance of such Campbell Stock or is settled by delivery of consideration other than Campbell Stock). |
(b) Any shares of Campbell Stock subject to Options and SARs shall be counted against the Section 4.3 Limit as one share for every one share subject thereto. Any shares of Campbell Stock subject to Performance Unit Awards, Restricted Stock and unrestricted Campbell Stock Awards shall be counted against the Section 4.3 Limit as four shares for every one share subject thereto.
(c) The Section 4.3 Limit shall be increased by shares of Campbell Stock that are (i) tendered in payment of the Option Price of Options or the exercise price of other Awards; (ii) subject to an Award
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§4.4 Limitation on Awards.The maximum aggregate dollar value of Restricted Stock and Performance Units awarded to any Key Employee with respect to a Performance Period or Restriction Period may not exceed $5 million for each fiscal year included in such Performance Period or Restriction Period. The maximum number of shares for which Options may be granted to any Participant in any one fiscal year shall not exceed five million.
§4.5 General Performance Goals.Prior to the beginning of a Performance Period the Committee will establish in writing Performance Goals for the Company and its various operating units. The goals will be comprised of specified levels of one or more of the following performance criteria as the Committee may deem appropriate: earnings per share, net earnings, operating earnings, unit volume, net sales, market share, balance sheet measurements, revenue, economic profit, cash flow, cash return on assets, shareowner return, return on equity, return on capital or other value-based performance measures. In addition, for any Awards not intended to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may establish goals based on other performance criteria as it deems appropriate. The Committee may disregard or offset the effect of any special charges or gains or cumulative effect of a change in accounting in determining the attainment of Performance Goals. Awards may also be payable when Company performance, as measured by one or more of the above criteria, as compared to peer companies meets or exceeds an objective criterion established by the Committee.
§4.6 Awards in Lieu of Salary or Bonus.The Committee may, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe, give Participants the opportunity to receive Awards in lieu of future salary, bonus or other compensation.
ARTICLE V
STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
§5.1 Award of Stock Options.The Committee may, from time to time, and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe, award Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options to any Key Employee.
§5.2 Period of Option.
(a) An Option granted under the Plan shall be exercisable only in accordance with the vesting schedule approved by the Committee. The Committee may in its discretion prescribe additional conditions, restrictions or terms on the vesting of an Option, including the full or partial attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 4.5. After the Option vests, the Option may be exercised at any time during the term of the Option, in whole or in installments, as specified in the related Award Statement. Subject to Section 5.6, the duration of each Option shall not be more than ten years from the date of grant.
(b) Except as provided in Section 5.6, a Participant may not exercise an Option unless such Participant is then, and continually (except for sick leave, military service, or other approved leave of absence) after the grant of the Option has been, an employee or Director of the Campbell Group.
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§5.3 Award Statement or Agreement.Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Statement or an option agreement.
§5.4 Option Price, Exercise and Payment.The Option Price of Campbell Stock under each Option shall be determined by the Committee but shall be a price not less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value of Campbell Stock at the date such Option is granted, as determined by the Committee.
Subject to Section 11.2, the Committee may not (i) amend an Option to reduce its Option Price, (ii) cancel an Option and regrant an Option with a lower Option Price than the original Option Price of the cancelled Option, or (iii) take any other action (whether in the form of an amendment, cancellation or replacement grant) that has the effect of repricing an Option.
Vested Options may be exercised from time to time by giving written notice to the Treasurer of the Company, or his or her designee, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. The notice of exercise shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price in cash or the Option Price may be paid in whole or in part through the transfer to the Company of shares of Campbell Stock in accordance with procedures established by the Committee from time to time. In addition, in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Committee for this purpose, an Option may also be exercised through a “cashless exercise” procedure involving a broker or dealer, that affords Participants the opportunity to sell immediately some or all of the shares underlying the exercised portion of the Option in order to generate sufficient cash to pay the Option Price and/or to satisfy withholding tax obligations related to the Option.
In the event such Option Price is paid in whole or in part, with shares of Campbell Stock, the portion of the Option Price so paid shall be equal to the value, as of the date of exercise of the Option, of such shares. The value of such shares shall be equal to the number of such shares multiplied by the Fair Market Value of such shares on the trading day coincident with the date of exercise of such Option (or the immediately preceding trading day if the date of exercise is not a trading day). The Company shall not issue or transfer Campbell Stock upon exercise of an Option until the Option Price is fully paid. The Participant may satisfy any minimum amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable federal, state and local tax laws in effect from time to time, by electing to have the Company withhold a portion of the shares of Campbell Stock to be delivered for the payment of such taxes.
§5.5 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options.Each provision of the Plan and each Award Statement relating to an Incentive Stock Option shall be construed so that each Incentive Stock Option shall be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code, and any provisions of the Award Statement thereof that cannot be so construed shall be disregarded.
§5.6 Termination of Employment.Subject to Article XII, the following provisions will govern the ability of a Participant to exercise any outstanding Options or SARs following the Participant’s termination of employment with the Campbell Group unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to any individual Option or SAR.
(a) If the employment of a Participant with the Campbell Group is terminated for reasons other than (i) death, (ii) discharge for Cause, (iii) retirement, or (iv) resignation, such Participant’s outstanding SARs or Options may be exercised at any time within three years after such termination, to the extent of the number of shares covered by such Options or SARs which were exercisable at the date of such termination; except that an Option or SAR shall not be exercisable on any date beyond the expiration date of such Option or SAR. | |
(b) If the employment of a Participant with the Campbell Group is terminated for Cause, any Options or SARs of such Participant (whether or not then exercisable) shall expire and any rights thereunder shall terminate immediately. |
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(c) If the employment of a Participant is terminated due to resignation, such Participant’s outstanding Options or SARs may be exercised at any time within three months of such resignation to the extent that the number of shares covered by such Options or SARS were exercisable at the date of such resignation, except that an Option or SAR shall not be exercisable on any date beyond the expiration date of such Option or SAR. | |
(d) Should a Participant, who is not eligible to retire under the Company’s pension plan or a pension plan of any affiliated company, die either while in the employ of the Campbell Group or after termination of such employment (other than discharge for Cause), the SARs or Options of such deceased Participant may be exercised by his or her Personal Representative at any time within three years after the Participant’s death to the extent of the number of shares covered by such Options or SARs which were exercisable at the date of such death, except that an Option or SARs shall not be exercisable on any date beyond the expiration date of such Option or SAR. | |
(e) Should a Participant who is eligible to retire under the Company’s pension plan or a pension plan of any affiliated company die prior to the vesting of his or her outstanding Options or SARs, any installment or installments not then exercisable shall become fully exercisable as of the date of the Participant’s death and the SARs or Options may be exercised by the Participant’s Personal Representative at any time prior to the expiration date of such Options or SARs. | |
(f) Should a Participant who has retired die prior to exercising all of his or her outstanding Options or SARs, then such SARs and Options may be exercised by the Participant’s Personal Representative at any time prior to the expiration date of such Options or SARs. | |
(g) If a Participant who was granted an Option or SAR dies within 180 days of the expiration date of such Option or SAR, and if on the date of death the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR, including Options and SARs vested pursuant to Section 5.6(e), and if the Option or SAR expired without being exercised, the Personal Representative of the Participant shall receive in settlement a cash payment from the Company of a sum equal to the amount, if any, by which the Fair Market Value (determined on the expiration date of the Option or SAR) of Campbell Stock subject to the Option or SAR exceeds the Option Price. | |
(h) In the event the Participant’s employment with the Campbell Group terminates (except for a termination for Cause which is governed by Section 5.6(b)) prior to the vesting of all Options and SARs, and if the Participant is eligible to retire under the Company’s pension plan or a pension plan of any affiliated company at the date of such termination, any installment or installments not then exercisable shall become fully exercisable as of the effective date of such termination and may be exercised at any time prior to the expiration date of such Options or SARs. If the Participant receives severance payments from the Company or any affiliated company and becomes eligible to retire during the severance payment period, all of the Participant’s Options and SARs shall become fully exercisable as of the date of such Participant’s retirement eligibility date and may be exercised at any time prior to the expiration date of such Options or SARs. |
§5.7 Shareowner Rights and Privileges.A Participant shall have no rights as a Shareowner with respect to any shares of Campbell Stock covered by an Option until the issuance of such shares to the Participant.
§5.8 Award of SARs.
(a) The Committee may award to the Participant a SAR related to the Option. The Committee may also award SARs that are unrelated to any Option.
(b) The SAR shall represent the right to receive payment of an amount equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of one share of Campbell Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of exercise of the SAR exceeds the Option Price multiplied by the number of shares covered by the SAR.
(c) SARs awarded under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Statement or agreement between the Company and the Participant.
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(d) The Committee may prescribe conditions and limitations on the exercise or transferability of any SAR. SARs may be exercised only when the value of a share of Campbell Stock exceeds the Option Price. Such value shall be determined in the manner specified in Section 5.8(b).
(e) A SAR shall be exercisable only by written notice to the Treasurer of the Company or his or her designee.
(f) To the extent not previously exercised, all SARs shall automatically be exercised on the last trading day prior to their expiration, so long as the value of a share of Campbell Stock exceeds the Option Price, unless prior to such day the holder instructs the Treasurer otherwise in writing. Such value shall be determined in the manner specified in Section 5.8(b).
(g) Payment of the amount to which a Participant is entitled upon the exercise of a SAR shall be made in cash, Campbell Stock, or partly in cash and partly in Campbell Stock at the discretion of the Committee. The shares shall be valued in the manner specified in Section 5.8(b).
(h) Each SAR shall expire on a date determined by the Committee at the time of grant.
ARTICLE VI
RESTRICTED STOCK
§6.1 Award of Restricted Stock.The Committee may make a Restricted Stock Award to any Key Employee, subject to this Article VI and to such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe.
§6.2 Restriction Period.At the time of making a Restricted Stock Award, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. The Committee may establish different Restriction Periods from time to time and each Restricted Stock Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. Restriction Periods, when established for a Restricted Stock Award, shall not be changed except as permitted by Section 6.3.
§6.3 Other Terms and Conditions.Campbell Stock, when awarded pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, will be represented in a book entry account in the name of the Participant who receives the Restricted Stock Award, unless the Participant has elected to defer pursuant to Section 10.1. The Participant shall be entitled to receive dividends during the Restriction Period and shall have the right to vote such Restricted Stock and shall have all other Shareowner’s rights, with the exception that (i) the Participant will not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate during the Restriction Period, (ii) the Company will retain custody of the Restricted Stock during the Restriction Period, and (iii) a breach of a restriction or a breach of the terms and conditions established by the Committee pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award will cause a forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Award. The Participant may satisfy any amounts required to be withheld by the Company under applicable federal, state and local tax laws in effect from time to time, by electing to have the Company withhold a portion of the Restricted Stock Award to be delivered for the payment of such taxes. The Committee may, in addition, prescribe additional restrictions, terms, or conditions upon or to the Restricted Stock Award including the attainment of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 4.5.
§6.4 Restricted Stock Award Statement or Agreement.Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Award Statement or an agreement.
§6.5 Termination of Employment.Subject to Article XII, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish rules pertaining to the Restricted Stock Award in the event of termination of employment (by retirement, disability, death, or otherwise) of a Participant prior to the expiration of the Restriction Period. If the employment of a Participant with the Campbell Group is terminated for Cause, any non-vested Restricted Stock Awards of such Participant shall immediately be forfeited and any rights thereunder shall terminate.
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§6.6 Payment for Restricted Stock.Restricted Stock Awards may be made by the Committee under which the Participant shall not be required to make any payment for the Campbell Stock or, in the alternative, under which the Participant, as a condition to the Restricted Stock Award, shall pay all (or any lesser amount than all) of the Fair Market Value of the Campbell Stock, determined as of the date the Restricted Stock Award is made. If the latter, such purchase price shall be paid in cash as provided in the Award Statement.
ARTICLE VII
AWARDS FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
§7.1 Award to Non-Employee Directors. The Board will approve the compensation of non-employee Directors and such compensation may consist of Awards under the Plan. The Board retains the discretionary authority to make Awards to non-employee Directors. All such Awards shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and to such other terms and conditions consistent with the Plan as the Board deems appropriate. The Board may, in its sole discretion, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, give non-employee Directors the opportunity to receive an Option Award in lieu of future cash compensation or other types of Awards.
§7.2 Election by Non-employee Directors to Receive Campbell Stock. Each non-employee Director may elect to receive all or a portion (in 10% increments) of any cash compensation in shares of Campbell Stock, which will be issued quarterly. Only whole numbers of shares will be issued. For purposes of computing the number of shares earned and their taxable value each quarter, the value of each share shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Campbell Stock on the last business day of the quarter. If a Participant dies prior to payment of all shares earned, the balance due shall be payable in full to the Participant’s designated beneficiary under the Deferred Compensation Plan, or, if none, to the Participant’s estate, in cash.
§7.3 No Right to Continuance as a Director. None of the actions of the Company in establishing the Plan, the actions taken by the Company, the Board, the Committee or the Administrator under the Plan, or the granting of any Award under the Plan shall be deemed (i) to create any obligation on the part of the Board to nominate any Director for reelection by the Company’s Shareowners or (ii) to be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the Director has a right to continue as a Director for any period of time or at any particular rate of compensation.
ARTICLE VIII
UNRESTRICTED CAMPBELL STOCK AWARDS FOR KEY EMPLOYEES
§8.1 The Committee may make awards of unrestricted Campbell Stock to Key Employees in recognition of outstanding achievements or as an additional award for Key Employees who receive Restricted Stock Awards when Performance Goals are exceeded.
ARTICLE IX
AWARD OF PERFORMANCE UNITS
§9.1 Award of Performance Units. The Committee may award Performance Units to any Key Employee. Each Performance Unit shall represent the right of a Participant to receive an amount equal to the value of the Performance Unit, determined in the manner established by the Committee at the time of Award.
§9.2 Performance Period. At the time of each Performance Unit Award, the Committee shall establish, with respect to each such Award, a Performance Period during which performance shall be measured. There may be more than one Performance Unit Award in existence at any one time, and Performance Periods may differ.
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§9.3 Performance Measures. Performance Units shall be awarded to a Participant and earned contingent upon the attainment of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 4.5.
§9.4 Performance Unit Value. Each Performance Unit shall have a maximum dollar value established by the Committee at the time of the Award. Performance Units earned will be determined by the Committee in respect of a Performance Period in relation to the degree of attainment of Performance Goals. The measure of a Performance Unit may, in the discretion of the Committee, be equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Campbell Stock.
§9.5 Award Criteria. In determining the number of Performance Units to be granted to any Participant, the Committee shall take into account the Participant’s responsibility level, performance, potential, cash compensation level, other incentive awards, and such other considerations as it deems appropriate.
§9.6 Payment. (a) Following the end of Performance Period, a Participant holding Performance Units will be entitled to receive payment of an amount, not exceeding the maximum value of the Performance Units, based on the achievement of the Performance Goals for such Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.
(b) Payment of Performance Units shall be made in cash, whether payment is made at the end of the Performance Period or is deferred pursuant to Section 10.1, except that Performance Units which are measured using Campbell Stock shall be paid in Campbell Stock. Payment shall be made in a lump sum or in installments and shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee.
§9.7 Termination of Employment. (a) Subject to Article XII, a Performance Unit Award shall terminate for all purposes if the Participant does not remain continuously in the employ of the Campbell Group at all times during the applicable Performance Period, except as may otherwise be determined by the Committee.
(b) In the event that a Participant holding a Performance Unit ceases to be an employee of the Campbell Group following the end of the applicable Performance Period but prior to full payment according to the terms of the Performance Unit Award, payment shall be made in accordance with terms established by the Committee for the payment of such Performance Unit.
§9.8 Performance Unit Award Statements or Agreements. Each Performance Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Statement or agreement.
ARTICLE X
DEFERRAL OF PAYMENTS
§10.1 Election to Defer. A Participant may elect to defer all or a portion of any related earned Performance Units, Restricted Stock, unrestricted Campbell Stock or gain on any exercised Option or SAR pursuant to the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plan. The value of the Performance Units, Restricted Stock, unrestricted Campbell Stock or Option or SAR gain so deferred shall be allocated to a Deferred Account established for the Participant under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
§11.1 Limits as to Transferability.
(a) The Committee, may, in its discretion, permit a Nonqualified Stock Option to be transferred by the Participant, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall specify. Any Nonqualified Stock Option so transferred may not be subsequently transferred by the Transferee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Such transferred Nonqualified Stock Option shall continue to be
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(b) Incentive Stock Options shall not be transferable by the Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Committee may in its discretion permit the transfer of an Incentive Stock Option by the Participant to a trust if, under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law, the Participant is the sole beneficial owner of such Incentive Stock Option while it is held in trust.
(c) Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, no SAR (except for any SAR issued in tandem with an Option), share of Restricted Stock, or Performance Unit under the Plan shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
(b) Any transfer contrary to this Section 11.1 will nullify the Option, SAR, Performance Unit, or share of Restricted Stock.
§11.2 Adjustments Upon Changes in Stock. In case of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, distribution, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, or any other changes in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, appropriate adjustments may be made by the Committee (or if the Company is not the surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of directors of the surviving corporation) in Deferred Accounts and in the aggregate number and kind of shares subject to the Plan, and the number and kind of shares and the price per share subject to outstanding Options or which may be issued under outstanding Restricted Stock Awards or pursuant to unrestricted Campbell Stock Awards. Appropriate adjustments may also be made by the Committee in the terms of any Awards under the Plan, subject to Article XII, to reflect such changes and to modify any other terms of outstanding Awards on an equitable basis, including modifications of Performance Goals and changes in the length of Performance Periods. Any such adjustments made by the Committee pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes under the Plan.
§11.3 Amendment, Suspension, and Termination of Plan.
(a) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, and may amend the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable in order that any Awards thereunder shall conform to any change in applicable laws or regulations or in any other respect the Board may deem to be in the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no such amendment shall, without Shareowner approval, (i) except as provided in Section 11.2, increase the number of shares of Campbell Stock which may be issued under the Plan, (ii) expand the types of awards available to Participants under the Plan, (iii) materially expand the class of employees eligible to participate in the Plan, (iv) materially change the method of determining the exercise price of Options; (v) delete or limit the provision in Section 5.4 prohibiting the repricing of Options; or (vi) extend the termination date of the Plan. No such amendment, suspension, or termination shall materially adversely alter or impair any outstanding Options, SARs, shares of Restricted Stock, or Performance Units without the consent of the Participant affected thereby.
(b) The Committee may amend or modify any outstanding Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, or Performance Unit Awards in any manner to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority under the Plan initially to award such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, or Performance Unit Awards as so modified or amended, including without limitation, to change the date or dates as of which such Options or SARs may be exercised, to remove the restrictions on shares of Restricted Stock, or to modify the manner in which Performance Units are determined and paid.
§11.4 Nonuniform Determinations. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan, including without limitation, (i) the determination of the Key Employees to receive Awards, (ii) the form, amount, and timing of such Awards, (iii) the terms and provisions of such Awards and (iv) the Award Statements evidencing the same, need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Key Employees who
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§11.5 General Restriction. Each Award under the Plan shall be subject to the condition that, if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the listing, registration, or qualification of the shares of Campbell Stock subject or related thereto upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law (ii) the consent or approval of any government or regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement by the Participant with respect thereto, is necessary or desirable, then such Award shall not become exercisable in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval, or agreement shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.
§11.6 No Right To Employment. None of the actions of the Company in establishing the Plan, the action taken by the Company, the Board, the Committee or the Administrator under the Plan, or the granting of any Award under the Plan shall be deemed (i) to create any obligation on the part of the Company to retain any person in the employ of the Campbell Group, or (ii) to be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the person has a right to continue as an employee for any period of time or at any particular rate of compensation.
§11.7 Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan shall take precedence over any conflicting provision contained in an Award Statement. All matters relating to the Plan or to Awards granted hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.
§11.8 Trust Arrangement. All benefits under the Plan represent an unsecured promise to pay by the Company. The Plan shall be unfunded and the benefits hereunder shall be paid only from the general assets of the Company resulting in the Participants having no greater rights than the Company’s general creditors; provided, however, nothing herein shall prevent or prohibit the Company from establishing a trust or other arrangement for the purpose of providing for the payment of the benefits payable under the Plan.
ARTICLE XII
CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
§12.1 Contrary Provisions. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XII shall govern and supersede any inconsistent terms or provisions of the Plan.
§12.2 Definitions.
(a) Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following events:
(i) The acquisition in one or more transactions by any “Person” (as the term person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (the “Voting Securities”), provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 12.2(a), the Voting Securities acquired directly from the Company by any Person shall be excluded from the determination of such Person’s Beneficial Ownership of Voting Securities (but such Voting Securities shall be included in the calculation of the total number of Voting Securities then outstanding); or | |
(ii) The individuals who, as of November 21, 2003, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute more than fifty percent of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s Shareowners, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of the Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding for this |
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purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or | |
(iii) The consummation of a merger or consolidation involving the Company if the Shareowners of the Company, immediately before such merger or consolidation, do not own, directly or indirectly immediately following such merger or consolidation, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such merger or consolidation; or | |
(iv) Approval by Shareowners of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or | |
(v) Acceptance of Shareowners of the Company of shares in a share exchange if the Shareowners of the Company, immediately before such share exchange, do not own, directly or indirectly immediately following such share exchange, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the corporation resulting from such share exchange in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities outstanding immediately before such share exchange. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the then outstanding Voting Securities is acquired by (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the Shareowners of the Company in the same proportion as their ownership of stock in the Company immediately prior to such acquisition, (iii) any “Grandfathered Dorrance Family Shareowner” (as hereinafter defined) or (iv) any Person who has acquired such Voting Securities directly from any Grandfathered Dorrance Family Shareowner but only if such Person has executed an agreement which is approved by two-thirds of the Board and pursuant to which such Person has agreed that he (or they) will not increase his (or their) Beneficial Ownership (directly or indirectly) to 30% or more of the outstanding Voting Securities (the “Standstill Agreement”) and only for the period during which the Standstill Agreement is effective and fully honored by such Person. For purposes of this Section, “Grandfathered Dorrance Family Shareowner” shall mean at any time a “Dorrance Family Shareowner” (as hereinafter defined) who or which is at the time in question the Beneficial Owner solely of (v) Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by such individual on January 25, 1990, (w) Voting Securities acquired directly from the Company, (x) Voting Securities acquired directly from another Grandfathered Dorrance Family Shareowner, (y) Voting Securities which are also Beneficially Owned by other Grandfathered Dorrance Family Shareowners at the time in question, and (z) Voting Securities acquired after January 25, 1990 other than directly from the Company or from another Grandfathered Dorrance Family Shareowner by any “Dorrance Grandchild” (as hereinafter defined) provided that the aggregate amount of Voting Securities so acquired by each such Dorrance Grandchild shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the Voting Securities outstanding at the time of such acquisition. A “Dorrance Family Shareowner” who or which is at the time in question the Beneficial Owner of Voting Securities which are not specified in clauses (v), (w), (x), (y) and (z) of the immediately preceding sentence shall not be a Grandfathered Dorrance Family Shareowner at the time in question. For purposes of this Section, “Dorrance Family Shareowners” shall mean individuals who are descendants of the late Dr. John T. Dorrance, Sr. and/or the spouses, fiduciaries and foundations of such descendants. A “Dorrance Grandchild” means as to each particular grandchild of the late Dr. John T. Dorrance, Sr., all of the following taken collectively: such grandchild, such grandchild’s descendants and/or the spouses, fiduciaries and foundations of such grandchild and such grandchild’s descendants.
Moreover, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted
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Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, if a Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause within one year prior to a Change in Control and such termination (i) was at the request of a third party who effectuates a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise occurred in connection with or in anticipation of, a Change in Control, then for purposes of this Article XII only, the date of a Change in Control shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such Participant’s termination of employment.
(b) Cause. For purposes of this Article XII only, with respect to any Participant, (i) “Cause” shall be defined as set forth in any individual agreement applicable to a Participant, or (ii) in the case of a Participant who does not have an individual agreement that defines Cause, then Cause shall mean the termination of a Participant’s employment by reason of his or her (A) conviction of a felony or (B) engaging in conduct which constitutes willful gross misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Campbell Group, monetarily or otherwise. No act, nor failure to act, on the Participant’s part, shall be considered “willful” unless he or she has acted, or failed to act, with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his or her action or failure to act was in the best interest of the Campbell Group.
(c) Good Reason. For purposes of this Article XII, with respect to any Participant, (i) “Good Reason” shall be defined as set forth in any individual agreement applicable to a Participant, or (ii) in the case of a Participant who does not have an individual agreement that defines Good Reason, then Good Reason shall mean any of the following events or conditions:
(A) a reduction in the Participant’s base salary or any failure to pay the Participant any compensation or benefits to which he or she is entitled within thirty (30) days of the date due; | |
(B) the Campbell Group’s requiring the Participant to be based at any place outside a 50-mile radius from his or her site of employment prior to the Change in Control, except for reasonably required travel on the Campbell Group’s business which is not greater than such travel requirements prior to the Change in Control; | |
(C) the failure by the Campbell Group to provide the Participant with compensation and benefits, in the aggregate, substantially equivalent (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under compensation or employee benefit plans, programs and practices as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control (or as in effect following the Change in Control, if greater); | |
(D) any purported termination of the Participant’s employment for Cause which does not comply with the requirements of the definition of “Cause” as set forth in Section 12.2(b); or | |
(E) the failure of the Company to obtain an agreement from any successor or assign of the Company to assume and agree to perform the Plan. |
§12.3 Effect of Change in Control on Certain Awards.
(a) If the Company is not the surviving corporation following a Change in Control, and the surviving corporation following such Change in Control or the acquiring corporation (such surviving corporation or acquiring corporation is hereinafter referred to as the “Acquiror”) does not assume the outstanding Options, SARs or Restricted Stock (other than Restricted Performance Stock) or does not substitute equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Awards, then all such Awards shall become immediately and fully exercisable (or in the case of Restricted Stock, fully
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(b) If the Company is the surviving corporation following a Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the outstanding Options, SARs or Restricted Stock (other than Restricted Performance Stock) or substitutes equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Awards, then all such Awards or such substitutes therefore shall remain outstanding and be governed by their respective terms and the provisions of the Plan.
(c) If (i) the employment of a Participant with the Campbell Group is terminated (A) without Cause (as defined in Section 12.2(b)) or (B) by the Participant for Good Reason, in either case within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, and (ii) the Company is the surviving corporation following such Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the outstanding Options, SARs or Restricted Stock (other than Restricted Performance Stock) or substitutes equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Awards, then all outstanding Options, SARs or Restricted Stock (other than Restricted Performance Stock) shall become immediately and fully exercisable (or in the case of Restricted Stock, fully vested and all restrictions will immediately lapse).
(d) If (i) the employment of a Participant with the Campbell Group is terminated for Cause within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control and (ii) the Company is the surviving corporation following such Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the outstanding Options, SARs or Restricted Stock (other than Restricted Performance Stock) or substitutes equivalent equity awards relating to the securities of such Acquiror or its affiliates for such Awards, then any Options or SARs of such Participant shall expire, and any non-vested Restricted Stock shall be forfeited, and any rights under such Awards shall terminate immediately.
(e) Outstanding Options or SARs which vest in accordance with Section 12.3, may be exercised by the Participant in accordance with Section 5.6; provided, however, that a Participant whose Options or SARs become exercisable in accordance with Section 12.3(c) may exercise a SAR or an Option at any time within three years after such termination, except that an Option or SAR shall not be exercisable on any date beyond the expiration date of such Option or SAR, provided, further that any Participant who is eligible to retire at the date of such termination (or during any period during which such Participant receives severance payments) may exercise his or her Options or SARs in accordance with Section 5.6(h)), and provided, further, that in the event of a Participant’s death after such termination the exercise of Options and SARs shall be governed by Sections 5.6(d)(f) or (g), as the case may be.
§12.4 Effect of Change in Control on Restricted Performance Stock and Performance Units. (a) If the Company is not the surviving corporation following a Change in Control, and the Acquiror does not assume the Restricted Performance Stock or the Performance Units or does not substitute equivalent awards (including, in the case of equity or equity-related Awards, equivalent equity awards) for such Awards, then the Participant shall (i) become vested in, and restrictions shall lapse on, the greater of (A) fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Performance Stock or Performance Units or (B) a pro rata portion of such Restricted Performance Stock or Performance Units based on the portion of the Performance Period that has elapsed to the date of the Change in Control and the aggregate vesting percentage determined pursuant to this clause (B) shall be applied to vesting first such Awards granted the farthest in time preceding the Change in Control and (ii) be entitled to receive (A) in respect of all Performance Units which become vested and with respect to which the restrictions lapse as a result of such Change in Control, a cash payment within thirty (30) days after such Change in Control equal to the product of the then current value of a Performance Unit multiplied by the number of Performance Units which become vested and with respect to which restrictions lapse in accordance with this
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(b) If the Company is the surviving corporation following a Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the Restricted Performance Stock or the Performance Units or substitutes equivalent awards (including, in the case of equity or equity-related Awards, equivalent equity awards), then all such Awards or such substitutes therefor shall remain outstanding and be governed by their respective terms and the provisions of the Plan.
(c) If (i) the employment of a Participant with the Campbell Group is terminated (A) without Cause or (B) by the Participant for Good Reason, in either case within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, and (ii) the Company is the surviving corporation following such Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the Restricted Performance Stock or the Performance Units or substitutes equivalent awards (including, in the case of equity or equity-related Awards, equivalent equity awards), then the Participant shall (i) become vested in, and restrictions shall lapse on, the greater of (A) fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Performance Stock or Performance Units or (B) a pro rata portion of such Restricted Performance Stock or Performance Units based on the portion of the Performance Period that has elapsed to the date of the termination of employment and the aggregate vesting percentage determined pursuant to this clause (B) shall be applied to vesting first such Awards granted the farthest in time preceding the termination of employment and (ii) be entitled to receive (A) in respect of all Performance Units which become vested and with respect to which the restrictions lapse as a result of such termination of employment, a cash payment within thirty (30) days after such termination of employment equal to the product of the then current value of a Performance Unit multiplied by the number of Performance Units which become vested and with respect to which restrictions lapse in accordance with this subparagraph (c) and (B) in respect of all shares of Performance Restricted Stock which become vested and with respect to which restrictions lapse as a result of such termination of employment, the prompt delivery of such shares.
(d) If (i) the employment of a Participant with the Campbell Group is terminated for Cause within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control and (ii) the Company is the surviving corporation following such Change in Control, or the Acquiror assumes the Restricted Performance Stock or the Performance Units or substitutes equivalent awards (including, in the case of equity or equity-related Awards, equivalent equity awards), then any non-vested Performance Restricted Stock or non-vested Performance Units of such Participant shall immediately be forfeited and any rights thereunder shall terminate.
(e) With respect to any shares of Performance Restricted Stock or Performance Units which do not become vested under Section 12.4(a) (the “Continuing Awards”), such shares or units (or the proceeds thereof) shall continue to be outstanding for the remainder of the applicable Performance Period (as if such shares or units were the only shares or units granted in respect of each such Performance Period) and subject to the applicable Performance Goals as modified in accordance with the provisions hereof.
§12.5 Amendment or Termination. (a) This Article XII shall not be amended or terminated at any time if any such amendment or termination would adversely affect the rights of any Participant under the Plan.
(b) For a period of twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Plan shall not be terminated (unless replaced by a comparable long-term incentive plan) and during such period the Plan (or such replacement plan) shall be administered in a manner such that Participants will be provided with long-term incentive awards producing reward opportunities generally comparable to those provided prior
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(c) Following a Change in Control, the Plan shall be amended as necessary to make appropriate adjustments to the Performance Goals for the Continuing Awards for (i) any negative effect that the costs and expenses incurred by the Campbell Group in connection with the Change in Control may have on the achievement of Performance Goals under the Plan and (ii) any changes to the Company and/or its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, changes in corporate structure, capitalization and increased interest expense as a result of the incurrence or assumption by the Company of acquisition indebtedness) following the Change in Control so as to preserve the reward opportunities and Performance Goals for comparable performance under the Plan as in effect on the date immediately prior to the Change in Control.
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DIRECTIONS AND MAP
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x | Please mark your votes as this example |
Your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors (or, in the case of shares held in a Savings Plan, will be voted at the discretion of the trustee) unless you otherwise indicate in which case they will be voted as marked. |
The Board recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.
FOR ALL NOMINEES,EXCEPT THOSE LISTED BELOW | WITHHELD FROM ALL NOMINEES | FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | |||||||||||||||||||
1. | Election of Directors (see reverse) | o | o | 2. | Ratification of Appointment of Auditors | o | o | o | 3. | Approval of the 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan | o | o | o |
FOR, except vote withheld from list the following nominee(s) – numbers:
MARK THIS BOX TO OBTAIN A TICKET OF ADMISSION TO THE MEETING. | o | CHANGE OF ADDRESS: MARK THIS BOX AND SEE THE REVERSE SIDE. | o | |||||||
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. | ||||||||||
SIGNATURE(S) | DATE |
wFOLD AND DETACH HEREw
Annual Meeting of Shareowners — Friday, November 21, 2003 — 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time
Windsor Locks Ballroom — Sheraton Hotel at Bradley International Airport —
Windsor Locks, Connecticut 06096
VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET
QUICK • EASY • IMMEDIATE
Campbell Soup Company encourages you to take advantage of two cost-effective and convenient ways to vote your shares. | ||
You may now vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, either using a touch-tone telephone or through the Internet.Your telephone or Internet vote must be received by 12:00 midnight New York time on November 20, 2003. | ||
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the proxies named on the reverse side of the above proxy card to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, and returned your proxy card. |
VOTE BY PHONE: | ON A TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE DIAL 1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683) FROM THE U.S. AND CANADA OR DIAL 201-536-8073 FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. | ||
Follow the recorded instructions. | |||
OR | |||
VOTE BY INTERNET: | POINT YOUR BROWSER TO THE WEB ADDRESS: | ||
http://www.eproxyvote.com/cpb | |||
Follow the instructions provided. If you would like to receive Campbell Soup Company annual meeting materials on-line in the future, please access the Consent Site from the web address above, or go to the Consent Site directory at http://www.econsent.com/cpb. | |||
OR | |||
VOTE BY MAIL: | Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope.If you are voting by telephone or the Internet, please do not mail your proxy card. |
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PROXY
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
for the Annual Meeting on November 21, 2003
The undersigned hereby appoints Douglas R. Conant, or, in his absence, Ellen O. Kaden or, in the absence of both of them, John J. Furey, and each or any of them, proxies with full power of substitution in each, to vote all shares the undersigned is entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Shareowners of Campbell Soup Company to be held at Windsor Locks Ballroom, Sheraton Hotel at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 06096, at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and at any adjournments thereof, on all matters coming before the meeting, including the proposals referred to on the reverse side hereof. If the undersigned is a participant in one of the Campbell Soup Company Savings and 401(k) Plans or in the Campbell Soup Company Ltd Employee Savings and Stock Bonus Plan (any of such plans, a “Savings Plan”), then the undersigned hereby directs the respective trustee of the applicable Savings Plan to vote all shares of Campbell Soup Company Capital Stock in the undersigned’s Savings Plan account at the aforesaid Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof, on all matters coming before the meeting, including the proposals referred to on the reverse side hereof.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | (Change of Address/Comments) | |
Nominees: 01) Edmund M. Carpenter, 02) Douglas R. Conant, 03) Paul R. Charron, 04)Bennett Dorrance, 05) Kent B. Foster, 06) Harvey Golub, 07) Randall W. Larrimore, 08) Philip E. Lippincott, 09) Mary Alice D. Malone, 10) David C. Patterson, 11) Charles R. Perrin, 12) George M. Sherman, 13) Donald M. Stewart, 14) George Strawbridge, Jr., 15) Les C. Vinney and 16) Charlotte C. Weber. Directors recommend a voteFOR | ||
(If you have written in the above space, please mark the corresponding box on the reverse side of this card) |
To vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations just sign the reverse side; no boxes need to be marked. If you do not vote by phone or over the Internet, please return proxy card promptly using the enclosed envelope | SEE REVERSE SIDE |
Location | Directions: | |
The Sheraton Hotel is located between B r a d l e y I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t ’ s passenger terminals. The “Hotel inside the Airport” offers direct pedestrian access to the terminals via an enclosed elevated walkway. The hotel is the t a l l e s t c o m p o n e n t o f t h e a i r p o r t complex and is immediately visible when entering the airport. | From Boston: The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90W); Exit 4 to I-91 South, Exit 40 to Route 20. From Hartford: Route I-91 North; Exit 40 to Route 20. From New York: Route 95 North to Route I-91 North; Exit 40 to Route 20. From Springfield: Route I-91 South; Exit 40 to Route 20. |