The following table contains information, as of the Record Date, about the number of shares of Caraco’s common stock beneficially owned by incumbent directors, the executive officers and by all current directors, nominees and executive officers as a group. The number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each individual includes shares of common stock which the individual can acquire by November 20, 2009 through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless indicated otherwise, each individual has sole investment and voting power (or shares those powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the shares of common stock listed in the table.
(6) | Includes stock options that are currently exercisable to purchase 1,666 shares of common stock. |
(7) | Includes 1,800 shares held in the name of his wife and stock options that are currently exercisable to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock. |
(8) | Mr. Desai’s mailing address is c/o Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Acme Plaza, Andheri-Kurla Road, Bombay 400 059 India. |
(9) | Mr. Manney’s mailing address is c/o Synova, Inc., 1000 Town Center, Suite 700, Southfield, Michigan 48075. |
(10) | Includes stock options that are currently exercisable to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock. |
(11) | Mr. Reddy’s mailing address is c/o HTC Global Services, Inc., 3270 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084. |
(12) | Includes stock options that are currently exercisable to purchase 3,500 shares of common stock. |
(13) | Mr. Valia’s mailing address is c/o Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Acme Plaza, Andheri-Kurla Road, Andheri (East), Bombay 400 059 India. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan category | | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights. | | | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights. | | | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in first column) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | | 227,000 | | | $ | 11.81 | | | | 988,000 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | | 200,000 | | | $ | 3.50 | | | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | (see discussion below) | |
Total | | | 427,000 | | | $ | 7.92 | | | | 988,000 | |
The equity compensation plans approved by security holders consists of the 2008 Equity Participation Plan and the 1999 Equity Participation Plan (the “Plans”). The above referenced options under the Plans were granted to employees, officers and directors. The equity compensation plans not approved by security holders consist of options granted to an unaffiliated generic drug company with respect to sign-up options for products. With respect to the formula for one product, the Company has determined it is different from the formula approved by the FDA and manufactured and introduced by the Company.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that Caraco’s directors, executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Caraco’s equity securities file reports of stock ownership and any subsequent changes in stock ownership with the SEC not later than specified deadlines. To Caraco’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to Caraco, all directors, executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of Caraco’s equity securities complied with applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements for Fiscal 2009, except as follows: Messrs. Kurkiewicz, Rathi and Sachdeva each filed a late report with respect to one transaction.
TRANSACTIONS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL HOLDERS OF CARACO
The following discloses transactions during Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, and proposed transactions between Caraco and several of the incumbent and nominee directors, executive officers and security holders who beneficially hold in excess of five percent of our outstanding shares:
On November 21, 2002, we entered into a products agreement with Sun Global. Under the agreement, which was approved by our independent directors, Sun Global agreed to provide us with 25 new generic drugs over a 5-year period. In exchange for each new generic drug transferred to us by Sun Global which passed bioequivalency studies, we issued Sun Global 544,000 shares of Series B preferred stock. During Fiscal 2008 and 2007, Sun Global earned 10,088,000 and 1,632,000 shares of Series B preferred stock for two product transfers and three product transfers, respectively, as provided under the November 2002 products agreement. Sun Global has provided us with all 25 generic drugs all of which have passed their bioequivalency studies through Fiscal 2008. The products agreement was completed in Fiscal 2008 and all shares of Series B preferred stock were issued to Sun Global under the agreement.
During Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, we purchased approximately $8.4 million, $498.5 million and $38.8 million, respectively, of our raw materials and finished goods formulations from Sun Pharma. We intend to continue to purchase raw materials and formulations from Sun Pharma in Fiscal 2010.
During Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, Caraco purchased at Sun Pharma and its affiliates’ cost, approximately $46 thousand, $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of machinery and equipment from Sun Pharma and its affiliates. We intend to continue to purchase machinery and equipment from Sun Pharma and its affiliates in Fiscal 2010.
Caraco entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement and a distribution and sale agreement in December 2004 with respect to one product with an affiliate of Sun Pharma, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. Caraco entered into another distribution and sales agreement with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. in January 2005 with respect to another product.
In Fiscal 2007 Caraco entered into a three-year marketing agreement with Sun Pharma, which was reviewed and approved by the Independent Committee. Under the agreement, the Company purchases selected product formulations offered by Sun Pharma, and
markets and distributes them as part of its current product offerings in the U.S., its territories and possessions, including Puerto Rico. Sun Pharma is not obligated to offer Caraco Products under this Agreement, however, Caraco has the exclusive right to market in the U.S., its territories and possessions, including Puerto Rico, any products offered by Sun Pharma and accepted by Caraco.
During Fiscal 2008, the Corporation entered into a three-year distribution and sale agreement with Sun Pharma, which was reviewed and approved by the Independent Committee. Under this agreement, the Company purchases selected formulations which have been filed under the Paragraph IV certification process with the FDA by Sun Pharma and offered for distribution. Paragraph IV (“Para IV) certified products may face litigation challenges with respect to claims of patent infringement. Under the agreement, the Company shares in the sales opportunity and shares the litigation risks. The Company is indemnified by Sun Pharma of any risks beyond the percentage agreed to as its profit percentage, thereby limiting the Company’s exposure. Sun Pharma is not obligated to offer Caraco products under this agreement, however, Caraco has the exclusive right to market in the U.S., its territories and possessions, including Puerto Rico, any products offered by Sun Pharma and accepted by Caraco. The Company markets and distributes the same as part of its current product offerings in the U.S., its territories and possessions, including Puerto Rico. The license granted with respect to a product terminates upon the end of an exclusivity period or 180 days or a non-appealable court decision, or until a third generic manufacturer launches the product, whichever is later, or until a settlement is reached, at which time the product will become part of the standard Caraco-Sun Pharma marketing agreement disclosed above. The Company currently receives a fixed margin of 8%, or such other percentages that shall be mutually agreed upon. Under the agreement, Sun Pharma and Caraco mutually indemnify each other, capped by the fixed margin percentage with respect to damages from infringement.
The Corporation has also obtained technical and scientific services, including bio-equivalency studies, with respect to certain mutually agreed upon products, from the Clinical Research Organization operated by Sun Pharma. During Fiscal 2009, the Corporation incurred $0.3 million related to these services. No fees for these services were incurred during Fiscal 2008 and Fiscal 2007.
During Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company had net sales of $225.4 million, $225.1 million, and $4.6 million of the marketed products under the aforesaid agreements, respectively.
During Fiscal 2010, Caraco entered into an agreement with Alkaloida Chemical Company ZRT, a Hungarian corporation (“Alkaloida”) and indirect subsidiary of Sun Pharma, which was reviewed and approved by the Independent Committee, pursuant to which Alkaloida will provide for certain products mutually agreed to an exclusive, non-transferable license to Caraco to manufacture and market the products in the United States, its territories and possessions, including Puerto Rico. The license for a product is for a period of five (5) years from the commencement of marketing of the product, however, Caraco may extend the license for a further five (5) year period. Caraco is responsible, among other things, for the costs of all product tests, including bioequivalency studies, and the costs of manufacturing and marketing each product. Alkaloida shall receive royalties on the net sales of each product
The Independent Committee reviews related party transactions on the basis that they shall not generally be less favorable in the aggregate than would be usual and customary in similar transactions between unrelated parties dealing at arm’s length.
Jitendra N. Doshi was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company following the resignation of Daniel H. Movens as Chief Executive Officer and Director effective at the close of business on July 28, 2009. The following table provides current information about Caraco’s executive officers who are not directors.
Name | | Age | | Five-Year Business Experience | | Executive Officer Since |
| | | | | | |
Mukul Rathi | | 36 | | Interim Chief Financial Officer (since January 2007); previously, Controller (from December 2005 to July 2007). From May 1999 to December 2005, he was Sr. Executive-Accounts and Manager-Accounts with Sun Pharma. He also served as Officer-Accounts for Century Enka, Ltd. from August 1997 to May 1999. Mr. Rathi graduated from the University of Calcutta in India and subsequently qualified to be a member of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India. | | 2007 |
| | | | | | |
Robert Kurkiewicz | | 58 | | Senior Vice President – Regulatory (since October 2006); previously, Senior Vice President – Technical (October 1998 to October 2006) and Vice President – Quality Assurance (November 1993 to October 1998). | | 1993 |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion & Analysis (“CD&A”) outlines our compensation philosophy, objectives and processes for our executive officers. It explains how we make executive compensation decisions, the data we use and the reasoning behind the decisions that we make.
Following the CD&A are tables and other information that explain the compensation for our executive officers, including discussion of the potential compensation of our executive officers following termination of employment under different situations.
These tables and narratives assist us in communicating our compensation plans to our stockholders.
Compensation Philosophy
Our compensation philosophy extends to all employees, including executive officers, and is designed to align employee and stockholder interests. The philosophy’s objective is to pay fairly based upon the employee’s position, experience, individual performance and Company performance. Employees may be rewarded through additional compensation when the Company meets or exceeds targeted business objectives. Generally, under our compensation philosophy, as an employee’s level of responsibility increases, a greater portion of his or her total potential compensation becomes contingent upon annual performance.
The principles of our compensation philosophy are described below:
| • | Market-driven. Compensation programs are structured to be competitive both in their design and in the total compensation that they offer. |
| • | Stockholder-aligned. Certain full-time employees have some portion of their incentive compensation aligned with our financial performance. |
| • | Performance-based. Certain full-time employees have some portion of their incentive compensation linked to a combination of Company, departmental, and/or individual performance. The application of performance measures as well as the form of the reward may vary depending on the employee’s position and responsibilities. A formal performance evaluation process is used to objectively assess individual performance. |
Review of Executive Officer Compensation
The Compensation Committee (the “Committee” with respect to this section of the proxy statement) determines the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and delegates to him the responsibility to determine the base salaries and bonuses of all officers other than the Chief Executive Officer under the constraints of an overall limitation on the total amount of compensation to be paid to them.
Our current policy is that the various elements of the compensation package are not interrelated in that gains or losses from past equity incentives are not factored into the determination of other compensation. For instance, if options that are granted in a previous year become underwater the next year, the Committee does not take that into consideration in determining the amount of the bonus, options or restricted stock to be granted the next year. Similarly, if the options or restricted shares granted in a previous year become extremely valuable, the Committee does not take that into consideration in determining the bonus, options or restricted stock to be awarded for the next year. In addition, the amount of a cash bonus does not affect the number of options or restricted stock that is granted during a particular year. A subcommittee of the Committee, comprised of independent directors, determines grants of options and stock to our executive officers.
We have no policy with regard to the adjustment or recovery of awards or payments if our relevant performance measures upon which they are based are restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would reduce the size of an award or payment.
Components of Compensation—Executive Officers
Our executive officers are compensated through the following four components:
| • | Annual Incentive Compensation |
| • | Long-Term Incentives (stock options and/or grants of stock) |
These components provide a balanced mix of base compensation and compensation that is contingent upon each executive officer’s individual performance and Company performance. A goal of the compensation program is to provide executive officers with a reasonable level of security through base salary and benefits, while rewarding them through incentive compensation to achieve business objectives and create stockholder value. We want to ensure that our compensation programs are appropriately designed to encourage executive officer retention and motivation to create stockholder value.
Base salaries, benefits and incentive compensation opportunities are generally targeted between the median and 75th percentile of general survey market data derived from indices covering these same components for generic pharmaceutical companies of various sizes. Included in this review were direct competitor companies. The companies represented may have brand segments within its business to complement its generic pharmaceutical segments. Others within the group may solely be generic pharmaceutical companies. The companies include Actavis Group, Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited, Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc., Forest Laboratories, Inc., King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Lannett Company, Inc., Mylan Inc., Paddock Laboratories, Inc., Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., Sandoz, Inc.(a division of Novartis AG), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Wyeth. We have not used third party consultants to provide us with recommendations or reports. We have utilized the survey data to reach our target compensation objectives.
Base Salaries
Base salaries are targeted to be competitive when compared to the salary levels of persons holding similar positions in other pharmaceutical companies and other publicly traded companies of comparable size. Each executive officer’s respective responsibilities, experience, expertise and individual performance are considered.
In Fiscal 2009, our Compensation Committee did not increase the base salary of our Chief Executive Officer from the Fiscal 2008 base salary. Effective Fiscal 2009, the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to delegated authority from the Compensation Committee, increased the base salaries for Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva, Senior Vice President – Business Strategies, Robert Kurkiewicz, Senior Vice President – Regulatory and Mukul Rathi, interim Chief Financial Officer as follows: Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva from $225,096 to $243,104; Robert Kurkiewicz from $161,522 to $167,983 and Mukul Rathi from $88,400 to $110,000. Other than the interim Chief Financial Officer who had his based salary increased to $125,000 in June 2009, none of the other executive officers have had their base salaries increased in Fiscal 2010.
Annual Cash Bonus Recognition Program
Our annual cash bonus recognition program is specifically designed to provide at-risk and contingent cash awards based on the achievement of performance goals which are linked directly to individual, business and strategy objectives for each participant. This linkage, particularly when combined with a market-based base salary program, provides our officers with a competitive level of compensation when objectives are achieved.
Annual Cash Bonus Recognition Award for our Chief Executive Officer
On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee determines whether to award a cash bonus to our Chief Executive Officer based on the Company's performance and his individual performance contributions during the Fiscal year. Annually, the targets and the percentages allocated to each are determined by the Compensation Committee. However, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to change or eliminate the bonus award whether or not the performance criteria are satisfied.
In Fiscal 2009, our Chief Executive Officer was eligible to receive a targeted cash bonus of up to 50% of his base salary, or $214,968. The Fiscal 2009 performance parameters for the Chief Executive Officer (with the percentage of targeted cash bonus included in parentheses) included:
| ● | achieving net sales target of $461 million (15%); |
| ● | maintaining gross profit of 46% or above for manufactured products (20%); |
| ● | lowering overall SG&A percentage excluding Sun related SG&A expenses (15%); |
| ● | increasing product development filings (15%); |
| ● | reducing incidences by 50% (20%); and |
| ● | increasing productivity in quality and manufacturing (15%). |
As a result of the Company’s overall performance, no cash bonus was awarded by the Compensation Committee to the Chief Executive Officer.
Annual Cash Bonus Recognition Awards for our Named Executive Officers other than our Chief Executive Officer
Each year, the Compensation Committee adopts a program, based on the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer, that provides specific achievement targets and weighting of those achievements as part of the overall target bonus. The attainment level of these goals is used to calculate the annual cash bonus recognition portion of the total compensation of our executive officers. The target bonus percentage is a standard percentage for each position and that position's contribution to the overall operation of the Company. However, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to change or eliminate the bonus award whether or not the performance criteria are satisfied.
The targets for each of such named executive officers for Fiscal 2009 (with the percentage of targeted cash bonus included in parentheses) were as follows:
| ● | Our Interim Chief Financial Officer’s targeted 2009 bonus was up to 15% of his base salary, predicated on the level of attainment of the following targets: transition to monthly close of financials (20%), achievement of the Company’s overall sales goals (25%), improved reporting of accounts receivable activity on a periodic basis with action steps and resolution time line (20%), improved costing information and analysis (20%), and the balance (15%) based on individual development goals and at the discretion of our Chief Executive Officer. |
| ● | Our Senior Vice President - Business Strategies had a targeted bonus was up to 27% of his base salary predicated on the level of attainment of the following targets: achievement of the Company's overall sales goals (25%), achievement of sales of a certain product (10%), maintaining gross profit of 46% or above for manufactured products (20%), obtain target market share for Sun Pharma products (20%) and the balance (25%) based on individual development goals and at the discretion of our Chief Executive Officer. The target allocated for achievement of sales of a certain product was set at a very high threshold. While there was no assurance of its success, we believed that a substantial part of the bonus for this parameter would be earned based on his motivated performance, but that extraordinary efforts would be necessary to achieve the entire bonus for such parameter. |
| ● | Our Senior Vice President - Regulatory had a targeted bonus of up to 27% of his base salary, predicated on the level of attainment of the following targets: submit all ANDAs in electronic format (20%), improve HIPAA program and trainings (10%), develop comprehensive safety manual (10%), review and revise adverse drug effects reporting procedures (25%), evaluate and determine solutions necessary for electronic DEA processing (15%), and the balance (20%) based on individual development goals and at the discretion of our Chief Executive Officer. |
As a result of the Company’s overall performance in Fiscal 2009, the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, determined that no cash bonuses be paid to the named executive officers set forth above.
Long-Term Incentives
Long-term incentives are used to balance the short-term focus of the annual bonus program with performance over multi-year periods. Stock grants and option grants help to align the interests of our employees with those of our stockholders.
We believe that grants of equity-based compensation:
| • | Enhance the link between the creation of stockholder value and long-term executive incentive compensation; |
| • | Provide focus, motivation and retention incentive; and |
| • | Provide competitive levels of total compensation. |
We made limited option grants in Fiscal 2009 to certain executive officers, as reflected in the tables below. The subcommittee of the Compensation Committee (comprised only of independent directors) received recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer, based on the Chief Executive Officer’s subjective judgment of an executive officer’s performance, of the appropriate number of options to be granted to an executive officer other than the Chief Executive Officer, and the subcommittee makes the final determination of the grants to all executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement of the then Chief Executive Officer required that he be granted options to purchase no less than 40,000 shares of common stock each year during the term of his agreement based on Company performance in light of pre-established mutually agreed upon Company goals and objectives. During Fiscal 2009, the subcommittee did not award any options to the Chief Executive Officer. Options are granted with exercise prices equal to the closing price of our common stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant, with pro rata vesting at the end of each of the following three years. On July 25, 2008, the interim Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President – Business Strategies and the Senior Vice President – Regulatory were awarded options to purchase 4,000, 15,000 and 5,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, by the subcommittee. On May 2, 2008, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, the Chief Executive Officer was awarded 10,000 shares of our common stock.
Treatment of Dividends
We have not historically paid cash dividends.
Benefits
In addition to cash and equity compensation programs, executive officers participate in the retirement, health and welfare benefit programs generally available to other employees. In a few limited circumstances, we provide other benefits to certain executive officers, such as car allowances, disability and life insurance premiums, as set forth in the tables below.
All executive officers are eligible to participate in the company’s 401(k) plan on the same basis as our other employees. With the exception of those employees deemed “highly compensated,” eligible employees are permitted to defer between 1% and 90% of their salary on a pre-tax basis through bi-weekly payroll deductions. The company matches $0.50 of each $1.00 of each employee’s contribution up to the first 4% of his or her salary.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
As noted, Mr. Dilip S. Shanghvi is the Chairman of our Compensation Committee and the Chairman of the Board of Caraco, a non-executive position. Mr. Shanghvi is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Pharma. As disclosed above, Sun Pharma and its affiliates engage in a number of transactions with Caraco. See “Transactions with Directors, Executive Officers, and certain Beneficial Holders of Caraco” above.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation paid to or earned by our Chief Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer and our two most highly compensated executive officers whose total compensation for Fiscal 2009 exceeded $100,000. For additional information on the compensation summarized below and other benefits, please refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” above.
2009 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal | | | | | | | | | | Stock Awards | | | Option Awards | | | All Other Compensation | | | Total | |
Position | | Year | | Salary ($) | | | Bonus ($) | | | ($) (1) | | | ($) (2) | | | ($) (3) | | | ($) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Daniel H. Movens – | | 2009 | | | 429,936 | | | | - | | | | 179,838 | | | | 153,552 | | | | 1,500 | | | | 764,826 | |
Chief Executive Officer (4) | | 2008 | | | 427,596 | | | | 150,478 | | | | 119,250 | | | | 176,894 | | | | 1,500 | | | | 875,718 | |
| | 2007 | | | 405,600 | | | | 200,772 | | | | 119,250 | | | | 86,727 | | | | 1,500 | | | | 813,849 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mukul Rathi – Interim | | 2009 | | | 111,163 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7,732 | | | | 8,616 | | | | 127,511 | |
Chief Financial Officer– | | 2008 | | | 88,335 | | | | 9,945 | | | | - | | | | 2,895 | | | | 7,200 | | | | 108,375 | |
| | 2007 | | | 78,231 | | | | 11,399 | | | | - | | | | 1,930 | | | | 1,200 | | | | 92,760 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva | | 2009 | | | 242,688 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 18,140 | | | | 13,116 | | | | 273,944 | |
– Senior Vice President | | 2008 | | | 224,345 | | | | 51,660 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 11,288 | | | | 287,293 | |
–Business Strategies | | 2007 | | | 186,030 | | | | 36,392 | | | | - | | | | 650 | | | | 7,128 | | | | 230,200 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Robert Kurkiewicz - | | 2009 | | | 167,834 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,047 | | | | 8.839 | | | | 182,720 | |
Senior Vice President | | 2008 | | | 161,432 | | | | 35,216 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 9,314 | | | | 205,962 | |
- Regulatory | | 2007 | | | 156,818 | | | | 37,578 | | | | - | | | | 650 | | | | 6,245 | | | | 201,291 | |
(1) | The amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123(R)”) of stock awards and thus include amounts from a stock award of 10,000 shares on May 2, 2008 which vested immediately and 45,000 shares of common stock granted on May 2, 2005 and which vested at a rate of 15,000 shares on each anniversary date until fully vested on May 2, 2008. Disclosure of the assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in note 7 to our audited financial statements, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009. |
(2) | The amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) of stock options granted under our 2008 Equity Participation Plan and our 1999 Equity Participation Plan and thus may include amounts from awards granted in and prior to 2009, 2008 and 2007. We calculated the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Disclosure of the assumptions used for grants are included in footnote 8 to the Notes to financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009. |
(3) | The amount shown reflects for each executive officer, other than Mr. Movens, matching contributions to 401(k) and a car allowance, The amount shown for Mr. Movens reflects a life insurance premium. |
(4) | Resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Director effective at the close of business on July 28, 2009. |
Fiscal 2009 Chief Executive Officer and Executive Officer Compensation
In Fiscal 2009, our Compensation Committee did not increase the base salary of our Chief Executive Officer from his Fiscal 2008 base salary. Effective Fiscal 2009, the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to delegated authority from the Compensation Committee, increased the base salaries for Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva, Senior Vice President – Business Strategies, Robert Kurkiewicz, Senior Vice President – Regulatory and Mukul Rathi, interim Chief Financial Officer as follows: Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva from $225,096 to $243,104; Robert Kurkiewicz from $161,522 to $167,983 and Mukul Rathi from $88,400 to $110,000. In light of the Company’s overall performance, no bonuses were awarded in Fiscal 2009 to the Chief Executive Officer or any of the other named executive officers. See “Compensation of Executive Officers – Components of Compensation – Executive Officers” for additional details.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
We generally award stock options and/or stock grants under our 2008 Equity Participation Plan. Prior to the adoption of the 2008 Equity Participation Plan, options and/or stock grants were awarded under our 1999 Equity Participation Plan. The subcommittee of non-employee directors of the Compensation Committee determines the options to be awarded to the Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers. Under our Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement, he is entitled to receive during each year of his term of employment, options to purchase no less than 40,000 shares of common stock based on the Company’s performance in light of pre-established mutually agreed upon Company objectives. During Fiscal 2009, no options were granted to the Chief Executive Officer. The subcommittee receives recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer, based on the Chief Executive Officer’s subjective judgment of an executive officer’s performance, of the appropriate number of options to be granted to an executive officer other than the Chief Executive Officer. During Fiscal 2009, options were granted to the other named executive officers as set forth below.
The following table summarizes all grants of plan-based awards during the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, to all named executive officers. For additional information on the plan-based award grants summarized below, please refer to “Compensation of Executive Officers – Components of Compensation – Executive Officers” above.
Name | Grant Date | | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | | | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($ / Sh) | | | Grant Date Fair Value ($) 1) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Daniel H. Movens – 2008 | 8/09/2007 | | | 40,000 | | | | 13.82 | | | | 291,288 | |
Daniel H. Movens - 2007 | 7/11/2006 | | | 40,000 | | | | 9.03 | | | | 156,108 | |
Mukul Rathi - 2009 | 7/25/2008 | | | 4,000 | | | | 15.57 | | | | 19,349 | |
Mukul Rathi – 2007 | 7/11/2006 | | | 3,000 | | | | 9.03 | | | | 8,684 | |
Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva - 2009 | 7/25/2008 | | | 15,000 | | | | 15.57 | | | | 72,559 | |
Robert Kurkiewicz - 2009 | 7/25/2008 | | | 5,000 | | | | 15.57 | | | | 24,186 | |
(1) | The amount shown in this column represents full grant date fair value. Value of stock granted is based on “grant date present value” using a Black-Scholes option pricing model using weighted average assumptions at grant date. Disclosure of the assumptions used for grants in Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 are included in footnote 8 to the Notes to the financial statement included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information as of March 31, 2009 regarding unexercised options and stock that has not vested which are outstanding as of March 31, 2009.
| | Option Awards | | Stock Awards | |
Name | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)(1) Unexercisable | | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | Option Expiration Date | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Daniel Movens | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
5/02/05 | | | 40,000 | | | | - | | | | 8.31 | | 5/2/2011 | | | - | | | | - | (2) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7/11/06 | | | 26,667 | | | | 13,333 | | | | 9.03 | | 7/11/2012 | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
8/09/07 | | | 13,333 | | | | 26,667 | | | | 13.82 | | 8/19/2013 | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mukul Rathi, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7/11/06 | | | 2,000 | | | | 1,000 | | | | 9.03 | | 7/11/2012 | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7/25/08 | | | 0 | | | | 4,000 | | | | 15.57 | | 7/25/2014 | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7/25/08 | | | 0 | | | | 15,000 | | | | 15.57 | | 7/25/2014 | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Robert Kurkiewicz | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7/25/08 | | | 0 | | | | 5,000 | | | | 15.57 | | 7/25/2014 | | | - | | | | - | |
_____________________________
(1) | One-third of stock options vest on each anniversary date. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth the options exercised by the named executive officers, and the stock of the named executive officers which vested, during the Fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
| | | Option Awards | | | Stock Awards | |
Name | | | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | | | Value Realized on Exercise ($) (1) | | | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting # | | | Value Realized on Vesting $ (2) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Daniel H. Movens | 2009 | | | - | | | | - | | | | 25,000 | | | | 424,750 | |
Daniel H. Movens | 2008 | | | - | | | | - | | | | 15,000 | | | | 217,800 | |
Daniel H. Movens | 2007 | | | - | | | | - | | | | 15,000 | | | | 184,650 | |
Mukul Rathi | 2009 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Mukul Rathi | 2008 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Mukul Rathi | 2007 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva | 2009 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva | 2008 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva | 2007 | | | 2,000 | | | | 21,280 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Robert Kurkiewicz | 2009 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Robert Kurkiewicz | 2008 | | | 10,000 | | | | 139,000 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Robert Kurkiewicz | 2007 | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
(1) | The value realized on exercise is the difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock at the time of exercise and the option exercise price times the number of shares acquired on exercise. |
(2) | The value realized on vesting is obtained by multiplying the number of shares of stock which has vested during the applicable years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 by the market value of the Company’s common stock on the vesting date. |
Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
As previously disclosed, Jitendra N. Doshi was appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the close of business on July 28, 2009. On August 31, 2009, Mr. Doshi entered into an employment agreement with the Company.
The employment agreement provides Mr. Doshi, as interim Chief Executive Officer, with a salary at the rate of $275,000 annually, which, to the extent applicable, may be reviewed annually and adjusted, a car allowance of $600.00 per month and such employee benefits as are maintained or adopted by the Company for all employees. The employment agreement is for a term of one (1) year, commencing effective as of July 28, 2009, and automatically renews for successive one-year periods, however, the agreement may be terminated at any time by the Company or Mr. Doshi with or without cause or notice.
If Caraco terminates Mr. Doshi for just cause or if Mr. Doshi terminates the employment agreement without cause or in the event of the death of Mr. Doshi, he shall be entitled to his base salary and benefits earned by him prior to such termination or date of death. For purposes of the agreement, ‘just cause’ means dishonesty, or refusal or failure by Mr. Doshi to faithfully or diligently perform his duties, including the failure to adhere to the policies of the Board. In the event Caraco terminates Mr. Doshi without just cause or if Mr. Doshi terminates for cause not attributable to him (meaning Caraco failing to make any payment of base salary to him within 30 days after such payment is due), he will receive monthly base salary payments and the Company shall continue premium payments for health insurance for six (6) months from the date of termination, and any stock options that would become available for exercise at the end of the year during which such termination occurred shall immediately vest. If Mr. Doshi was terminated without just cause or if Mr. Doshi terminated for cause not attributable to him as set forth above, as of September 30, 2009 , he would receive thereafter six monthly payments aggregating $139,206.
Daniel H. Movens, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Caraco until his resignation effective at the close of business on July 28, 2009, entered into an employment agreement with Caraco dated as of May 2, 2005 (the “effective date”). Under the employment agreement, Mr. Movens agreed to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company for period of thirty-six (36) calendar months which would automatically renew at the end of thirty-six (36) months. Each party may terminate the agreement upon ninety (90) days written notice to the other party. The agreement provides Mr. Movens with: a base salary during the first year of the agreement of $390,000 (to be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and adjusted accordingly, in its discretion), a bonus of up to fifty (50%) percent of the base compensation (with twenty-five (25%) percent of the base compensation guaranteed only for the first year), and stock options for 40,000 shares upon the effective date at the fair market value of the common stock on the day immediately preceding the effective date and stock options for not less than 40,000 shares of the Company annually thereafter based on Company performance in light of pre-established mutually agreed upon Company goals and objectives (all such options to vest over a period of three years from the date of their respective grants), a stock grant on the effective date of 45,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (to vest over a period of three (3) years), and a stock grant of an additional 10,000 shares upon the renewal of the employment agreement. In addition, the Company provided for the reimbursement to Mr. Movens of his reasonable relocation expenses up to $50,000.
On July 28, 2009, Mr. Movens entered into a Separation Agreement and Release of all Claims (“Separation Agreement”) pursuant to which he resigned as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. Under the Separation Agreement, Mr. Movens received a separation payment of $870,621 (one and one-half times his highest annual base and last earned bonus), the continuation of his health, vision and dental insurance for twelve months and the immediate vesting of his outstanding stock options and stock grants. In addition, Mr. Movens is bound by the confidentiality provisions of his employment agreement and by his Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Movens agrees not to solicit any customer of the Company for business in competition with the Company, or solicit for employment any other employee of the Company, for a period of two (2) years following his termination. In addition, for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of his employment, Mr. Movens agrees not to engage in any activity within North America which is competitive in any material respect with the business of the Company, including generic pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing, but excluding wholesale distribution. In addition, for a period of twelve (12) months following termination of his employment, Mr. Movens agrees that he will not perform services for any business or organization, whether as an employee, consultant, advisor, independent contractor, or otherwise, which engages in any activity within North America that is competitive in any material respect with the business conducted by the Company, including any business engaged in generic pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing and any other business in which the Company generates more than ten (10%) percent of its gross revenues.
Robert Kurkiewicz, the Senior Vice President - Regulatory, entered into a five-year employment agreement on November 22, 1993 which was amended on January 1, 1999 to extend the term until January 1, 2003 and which was further amended on August 30, 2002 to extend the term until December 31, 2007. The agreement, as amended, provides Mr. Kurkiewicz with a salary of $129,800 per year and provides for a car allowance of $380.00 per month. The agreement provides that at the end of the term, it is renewable for successive one-year terms. In the event that Caraco terminates Mr. Kurkiewicz for ‘cause’ (as defined in the employment agreement), he is entitled to the base salary and benefits earned by him prior to the date of termination. In the event that Caraco terminates the agreement without cause or Mr. Kurkiewicz terminates the agreement for cause not attributable to him (meaning Caraco failing to make any payment of base salary to him within 30 days after such payment is due), Mr. Kurkiewicz is entitled to receive monthly base salary payments and his premium payments for health insurance benefits for six (6) months from the date of termination. In addition, any stock options that would become available for exercise at the end of the year during which such termination occurred shall immediately vest. In August 2005, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Kurkiewicz’s salary to $152,250 annually. If Mr. Kurkiewicz was terminated without cause or he terminates for cause, as set forth above, as of March 31, 2009, he would have received six monthly payments (including no value for vested options since his options were underwater as of such date) aggregating $87,580.
Gurpartap Singh Sachdeva, the Senior Vice President - Business Strategies, entered into an employment agreement with Caraco dated February 1, 2005. The employment agreement provides Mr. Sachdeva with a salary at the rate of $135,000 annually, which may be reviewed and adjusted, and a car allowance of $380.00 per month. The employment agreement is for a term of five (5) years, commencing on February 1, 2005. The agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless terminated by Caraco or Mr. Sachdeva upon ninety (90) days notice. In the event of the death or Disability (as such term is defined in the employment agreement) or if Caraco terminates Mr. Sachdeva for just cause (as such term is defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Sachdeva shall be entitled to his base salary and to benefits earned by him prior to the date of death, Disability or termination for just cause, respectively. In the event Caraco terminates Mr. Sachdeva without cause or if Mr. Sachdeva terminates for cause not attributable to him (meaning Caraco failing to make any payment of base salary to him within 30 days after such payment is due), he will receive base salary payments and his premium payments for health insurance benefits for six (6) months from the date of termination. In addition, any stock options that would become available for exercise at the end of the year during which such termination occurred shall immediately vest. If Mr. Sachdeva was terminated without cause or he terminates for cause, as set forth above, as of March 31, 2009, he would have received six monthly payments (including no value for vested options since his options were underwater as of such date) aggregating $126,354.
Change in Control Arrangements
Under our 2008 Equity Participation Plan, options granted under that plan will become fully exercisable following certain changes in control of our Company, such as:
A person, other than Sun Pharma, becomes the owner of a majority of the outstanding shares of our company;
A public announcement is made of a tender or exchange offer by any person, other than Sun Pharma, for 50% or more of the outstanding shares of our company;
The shareholders of our company approve a merger or consolidation with any other corporation or entity, unless, following the merger, the shares outstanding immediately before the merger continue to represent a majority of the outstanding shares of the surviving entity immediately following the merger.
Directors who are employees of Caraco or who are directors and/or employees of Sun Pharma and its affiliates do not receive additional compensation for their service on the Board of Directors and its committees. During 2009, all other directors, the non-employee directors, received an annual retainer of $12,000 and meeting attendance fees of $1,500 per each Board of Directors meeting and each committee meeting attended in person and $750 per each Board of Directors meeting and each committee meeting attended via teleconference. During 2009, the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Chairman of the Independent Committee received, in addition to the other fees mentioned, an additional $500 for each meeting. No additional committee fees are paid if the committee meets on the same day as the Board meets. All directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and lodging expenses incurred in attending meetings. With respect to the Special Litigation Committee referenced under “Board of Directors and its Committees–Committees of the Board,” the Board has agreed to compensate Mr. Bell for these additional director services in the amount of $200 per hour. Mr. Bell will not receive any meeting attendance fees with respect to his service on the Special Litigation Committee. The following table shows the value of all cash and equity-based compensation paid to the non-employee members of our Board of Directors during the year ended March 31, 2009.
Name | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | | | Option Awards ($) (1) | | | Total ($) | |
John D. Crissman (2) | | | 17,250 | | | | 10,220 | | | | 27,470 | |
Timothy S. Manney | | | 20,000 | | | | 8,384 | | | | 28,384 | |
Madhava Reddy | | | 12,750 | | | | 10,220 | | | | 22,970 | |
Georges Ugeux (3) | | | 15,000 | | | | 8,389 | | | | 23,389 | |
| (1) | Represents the grant date fair value of such options computed in accordance with FAS 123R. Disclosure of the assumptions used for grants for the year ended March 31, 2009 are included in footnote 8 to the Notes to financial statements included in our Annual Report on From 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009. |
| (2) | Dr. Crissman did not stand for re-election at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is no longer a Director of the Company. |
| (3) | Mr. Ugeux resigned as a Director of the Company on September 20, 2009. |
The Audit Committee has appointed Rehmann Robson as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements for the Fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. A representative of Rehmann Robson is not expected to be present at the Special Meeting.
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for Caraco by Rehmann Robson for the Fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are set forth below. The aggregate fees included in the Audit Fee category are fees billed for the audit of Caraco’s Fiscal financial statements and review of quarterly financial statements and statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. The aggregate fees included in each of the other categories are fees billed in the Fiscal years.
| | Fiscal 2009 | | | Fiscal 2008 | |
Audit Fees | | $ | 264,000 | | | $ | 227,812 | |
Audit Related Fees | | | - | | | | - | |
Tax Fees | | $ | 76,315 | | | $ | 141,690 | |
All Other Fees | | $ | 20,175 | | | $ | 7,525 | |
Total | | $ | 360,490 | | | $ | 377,027 | |
Audit Fees for the Fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were for professional services rendered for the audits of the financial statements of Caraco, quarterly review of the financial statements included in Caraco’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or services that are normally provided by Rehmann Robson in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for such years, including Rehmann’s Robson’s audit of management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008.
Tax Fees for the Fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were for professional services rendered by Rehmann Robson for services related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees for the Fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were for assistance on SEC reporting requirements.
None of the services described above was approved by the Audit Committee under the de minimus exception provided by Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) under Regulation S-X.
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors prior to the engagement of the independent auditors with respect to such services.
SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD AS SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A COPY WITHOUT CHARGE OF THE COMPANY’S FISCAL 2009 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SEC ON FORM 10-K. SHAREHOLDERS WHO WISH TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS REPORT SHOULD WRITE TO DONNA GRIFFITH, DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES, CARACO PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORIES, LTD, 1150 ELIJAH MCCOY DRIVE, DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48202.
| Jitendra N. Doshi |
| Chief Executive Officer |
October 7, 2009
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF CARACO PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORIES, LTD.
Article VI, paragraph 4 of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read as follows
| “4. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Shares then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and/or by a vote to ratify or elect by a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and voting on such ratification or election, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.” | |
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
CARACO PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORIES, LTD.
October 26, 2009
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:
The Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement
are available at https://materials.proxyvote.com/14075T
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
↓ | | ↓ |
| Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. | |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND “FOR” THE NOMINEE PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE S |
| 1. To approve the amendment to Article VI, paragraph 4 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to permit vacancies on the Board of Directors to also be filled by a vote of the Company’s shareholders. | FOR £ | AGAINST | | | 2. | The election of one director. |
| | | | | | o FOR THE NOMINEE NOMINEE: |
| | | | | | F. FOLSOM BELL |
| | | | | | | o WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE NOMINEE |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 3. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournment(s) or continuation thereof. |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy. |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE REVERSESIDE OF THIS CARD. |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. | | | | | |
Signature of Shareholder | | | Date: | | | Signature of Shareholder | | | Date | |
NOTE: | Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on the Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
CARACO PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORIES, LTD.
This Proxy is Solicited by the Board of Directors of Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd.
The undersigned hereby appoints Robert Kurkiewicz and Donna Griffith, or either of them, each with power of substitution, to act as proxies for the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (“Special Meeting”) of Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. (“Caraco”) to be held at the executive offices of Caraco at 1150 Elijah McCoy Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48202 on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, and at any adjournment(s) thereof, and to vote the number of shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present on all matters coming before the Special Meeting, including the business identified on this Proxy and described in the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement dated October 7, 2009 (“2009 Proxy Statement”).
This revocable Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made on an executed Proxy, this Proxy will be voted by the proxies “FOR” the amendment to Caraco’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation as set forth in Proposal 1 and “FOR” the election of F. Folsom Bell as a director as set forth in Proposal 2. Discretionary authority is conferred by this Proxy with respect to certain matters as described in the 2009 Proxy Statement.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the 2009 Proxy Statement. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Special Meeting, you can be sure your shares are represented at the Special Meeting by signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
PLEASE VOTE, DATE, AND SIGN ON REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)