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EXHIBIT 10.25
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made as of December 1, 2000, by and
between CUNO INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and MARK G.
KACHUR ("Executive").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Executive is and has been serving as Chairman of the Company's
Board of Directors (the "Board") and President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company and is an integral part of its management;
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company are parties to an employment
agreement dated December 1, 1997; and which is set to expire on November 30,
2000;
WHEREAS, Executive and the Company desire to continue their
relationship with each other under the terms of this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to ensure that Executive will not compete
with the Company for a period of two years after the last date on which he is
either an employee of the Company or a member of the Board; and
WHEREAS, Executive is prepared to enter into this employment agreement
with the Company and to give the Company assurances it desires;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the
mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto have agreed and do hereby
mutually agree as follows:
1. Employment, Contract Period. During the period specified in this
Section 1, the Company shall employ Executive, and Executive shall serve the
Company, on the term and subject to the conditions set forth herein. The term of
Executive's employment hereunder shall commence as of December 1, 2000 (the
"Effective Date") and, subject to prior termination as provided in Section 6
hereof, shall continue through November 30, 2004. The term of Executive's
employment hereunder is sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Contract
Period."
2. Responsibility. At all times during the Contract Period, Executive
shall serve the Company as the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer and shall (a) devote his full business time and effort
exclusively to the performance of duties as assigned to him by the Board that
are normally incident to the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, and (b) use his best efforts to promote the interests of the
Company and its affiliates.
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3. Remuneration. At all times during the Contract Period, the Company
shall pay to Executive compensation as provided in this Section 3.
(a) Base Salary. The Corporation shall pay Executive a base
salary at an annual rate of not less than $420,000 paid at least on a
monthly basis. The annual rate of base salary may be increased at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board (the
"Committee"). If increased, the annual rate of base salary may not
thereafter be decreased during the term of this Agreement.
(b) Annual Incentive Compensation. The Corporation may pay
Executive an annual bonus under the provisions of the Company's
Management Incentive Plan and the Executive Management Incentive Plan
or any successor plans but only if and when authorized by the
Committee. The Executive's combined annual incentive compensation
target shall be 80% of his base salary.
(c) Restricted Shares. The Company shall grant to Executive,
effective as of the Effective Date, 20,219 restricted shares of the
Company's Common Stock pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock Incentive
Plan (with 4-year vesting) or any successor plan.
(d) Options. Commencing on of the Effective Date, and on each
anniversary of the Effective Date provided Executive remains in the
employ of the Company, the Company shall grant to Executive options to
purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock in the form of
non-qualified stock options pursuant to the Company's 1996 Stock
Incentive Plan or any successor plan. The actual number of options
granted at each annual award date shall be determined using the
following formula:
Number of NQSOs = $900,000
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P
where P is the average closing stock price of the Company's Common
Stock for the five (5) days immediately preceding the award date. The
Option Price for options granted pursuant to this paragraph 3(d) shall
be the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the day of the
grant. If the grant date falls on Saturday, Sunday or any other day
when the Company's Common Stock is not publicly traded, the Option
Price for such grant shall be the closing price of the Company's Common
Stock on the next day when the Stock is publicly traded.
4. Employee Benefits. Executive shall be included, to the extent
eligible thereunder with respect to the requirements applicable to all employees
eligible thereunder, under any and all existing plans (and any plans that later
may be adopted) providing benefits for the Company's employees. These plans,
include, but are not limited to:
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(a) The Company's group life insurance plan, under which
Executive shall be eligible for life insurance equal to four times his
then-current base salary as defined in the Plan or the Group
Replacement Insurance plan, at Executive's option.
(b) The Company's hospitalization and medical plans, as
provided to all Company employees.
(c) The Company's long-term disability plan, as provided to
all Company employees.
(d) Any pension, thrift plans, profit-sharing plans, stock
purchase plans, and any and all other similar or comparable benefits.
(e) The SERP and any other supplemental executive retirement
Plan or excess benefit plan.
Executive shall also be provided with a suitable automobile allowance of $1,500
per month under the terms of the Company's executive automobile program,
automobile insurance, gas and maintenance, paid vacation of at least four weeks
per year, and officers' and directors' liability insurance coverage in an amount
reasonably available. Executive shall also be provided tax preparation and
estate planning counsel up to $30,000 per year, not to exceed a total of $75,000
during the term of this Agreement.
5. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Company agrees to grant to
Executive a supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP") that contains the
following provisions:
(a) a SERP retirement benefit calculated in accordance with
the formula under the Pension Plan for Salaried Employees of CUNO
Incorporated, provided, however that such benefit will be calculated
(i) using base salary plus target award plan bonuses excluding the
stock payout premium, (ii) based upon average compensation of the
highest 3 consecutive years during the 10 year period immediately
preceding separation from service, and (iii) using years of service as
follows: (I) upon attainment of age 60, 12 years of service; (II) upon
attainment of age 62, 17 years of service; and (III) upon attainment of
age 65, 25 years of service.
(b) A SERP retirement benefit in the event of a change in
control, calculated in the same manner as a SERP retirement benefit,
provided however, that such benefit will be calculated (i) using 15
years of service, if greater than the service mentioned above; and (ii)
based upon Executive's highest annualized base salary plus the greater
of (I) an amount equal to the highest earned annual target award bonus
excluding the stock payout premium, or (II) an amount equal to the
highest target level bonus excluding the stock payout premium.
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6. Termination.
(a) Death or Disability. Executive's employment hereunder will
terminate immediately upon Executive's death. The Company may terminate
Executive's employment hereunder immediately upon giving notice of
termination if Executive is disabled, by reason of physical or mental
impairment, to such an extent that he has been unable to substantially
perform his duties under this Agreement for an aggregate of 180 days
(whether business or non-business days and whether or not consecutive)
during any period of twelve consecutive calendar months.
(b) For "Cause." The Company may terminate Executive's
employment under this Agreement for "Cause" only on the basis of:
(i) Executive's willful failure substantially to
perform his duties with the Company, after a written demand
for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the
Board, which written demand specifically identifies the manner
in which the Board believes Executive has not substantially
performed his duties, or
(ii) Executive's willful engagement in conduct
materially injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, no act or failure to act on Executive's
part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by
Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or
omission was in the best interest of the Company. Executive shall not be deemed
to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been
delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative
vote of not less than two-thirds of the entire membership of the Board at a
meeting of the Board called and held for that purpose, finding that in good
faith opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of conduct set forth in clause
(i) or clause (ii) of this subsection 6(b) and specifying the particulars
thereof in detail. No termination of Executive's employment by the Company for
"Cause" shall be effective unless and until it is communicated by the Company to
Executive by a written notice that refers to either or both of clause (i) and
clause (ii) of this subsection 6(b) as the specific termination provision or
provisions relied upon by the Company and that sets forth in reasonable detail
the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
Executive's employment under the provision or provisions so indicated.
(c) Without "Cause." The Company may terminate Executive's
employment under this Agreement without "Cause" at any time, effective
at such time as the Board may specify in a motion duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board then in
office.
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7. Compensation and Benefits Following Termination Without "Cause." If
the Company terminates Executive's employment under this Agreement without
"Cause:"
(a) the Company shall pay to Executive, in immediately
available funds, within 10 days of the date of termination of
Executive's employment, a lump sum amount that is equal to the sum of
(A) 24 months' of base salary at the highest rate paid to Executive
before the termination, plus (B) two times the average of the annual
cash bonuses, if any, received by Executive under the provisions of the
Company's Incentive plans or any successor plan with respect to each of
the two most recent fiscal years of the Company ended before the
termination;
(b) the restrictions on any restricted shares held by
Executive immediately before the termination of his employment shall
expire simultaneously with the termination of his employment;
(c) any options to purchase shares in the Company held by
Executive immediately before the termination of his employment that
were not otherwise exercisable by Executive shall be exercisable by
Executive at any time during the 90-day period beginning immediately
after the date of termination of his employment; and
(d) with the exception of health and medical benefits, which
the Company will provide for a period of one year after termination,
the Company shall not be obligated to pay any compensation, benefits,
or perquisites to Executive by reason of this Agreement after the
termination of his employment.
If Executive receives any payments under this Agreement as a result of
termination of his employment following a termination without Cause, those
payments shall be in lieu of any and all other claims or rights that Executive
may have for severance, separation, and/or salary continuation pay upon that
termination of his employment.
8. Compensation and Benefits Following Termination on Account of
Disability. If the Company terminates Executive's employment under subsection
6(a) of this Agreement by reason of Executive's disability:
(a) the Company shall pay and provide to Executive, not later
than 75 days after the end of the fiscal year in which the termination
occurs, that portion of the total bonus, if any, to which he would have
been entitled had he continued to be employed under this Agreement
through the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurs,
equal to the total bonus multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days in the fiscal year ending on or before the
date of Executive's termination and the denominator of which is 365;
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(b) the restrictions on any restricted shares held by
Executive immediately before the termination of his employment shall
terminate simultaneously with the termination of his employment.
9. Miscellaneous Services following Termination of Employment.
Following termination of his full-time employment under this Agreement,
Executive shall make himself available at all reasonable times for consultation
by and with the Company's officers and directors. If Executive is called upon to
render services of this nature, he shall, in consideration therefor and as a
condition thereto, receive reasonable compensation for the services rendered and
reimbursement for any travel or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection therewith.
10. Benefit. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by Executive's personal and legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributed, devisees, and legatees. If
Executive should die while any amounts are still payable to Executive hereunder,
all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement to Executive's devisee, legatee, or other
designee or, if there be no such designee, to Executive's estate.
11. Successor to the Company. The Company shall require any successor
or assign (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger. consolidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the
Company, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Executive,
expressly, absolutely and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform it if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
12. Confidential Information and Noncompetition. Executive agrees and
acknowledges that Executive's talents, skills, and experience are unique, and
that Company has invested considerable efforts and money in developing and
compiling customer lists, supplier lists, and trade and market information, in
developing business techniques and practices, and in maintaining valuable market
relationships; that such items and all other information that relates to the
business of the Company, the business of any customer or supplier of the
Company, or the business of any person, firm, or corporation that consults with
or is affiliated with the Company, constitute for purposes hereof the
"Confidential Information" of the Company; and that the Confidential Information
is valuable property of the company and is vital to the operation and
continuation of the Company's business. Confidential Information shall not
include information so generally known as to be part of the public domain.
Executive acknowledges that the Company has and will disclose Confidential
Information to Executive and afford him access to Confidential Information in
connection with his employment with the Company. Executive agrees that he shall
use such Confidential Information solely for the benefit of the Company.
Executive further acknowledges that the grant of restricted shares referred to
in section 3(c) is being made by the Company in order to induce Executive to
agree to the restrictions contained in this Section 12 and that
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Executive has received valuable consideration commensurate with those
restrictions. Accordingly, Executive agrees and acknowledges that:
(a) Except as required in the performance of his duties as an
employee of the Company, Executive shall not at any time, either
directly or indirectly, use, divulge, disclose. or communicate to any
person, firm, or corporation in any manner whatsoever any Confidential
Information.
(b) Executive shall be given access to the Company's
Confidential Information solely for purposes relating to his employment
by the Company. Executive shall have no rights in such Confidential
Information or any letters patent, copyrights, or other proprietary
rights relating thereto, and Executive hereby assigns to the Company
any supplemental or additional information relating to the Confidential
Information acquired by Executive, whether solely or in collaboration
with others, that relates in any manner to either the subject of
Executive's work for the Company or any business of the Company during
the Contract Period ("Improvements"). Executive will disclose promptly
in writing to the Company all such Improvements or information
supplemental or related thereto, and such Improvements shall be treated
for all purposes as Confidential Information hereunder.
(c) During the Contract Period and thereafter, at the request
of the Company and without expense to Executive, Executive shall
cooperate in the procurement of any patent, copyright, trademark, or
trade name protection in the Company's name that may be necessary or
desirable to vest, or to perfect the record of, title to the
Confidential Information in the Company. Executive agrees to execute
all documents and do all things necessary or desirable in any
controversy or otherwise to aid Company in obtaining and enforcing
proper protection of its Confidential Information.
(d) During the period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the second anniversary of the first date on which Executive
is neither employed by the Company nor a member of the Board (the
"Restriction Period"), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
own, operate, have any other than a minor financial interest in, be
employed by, or in any other manner take part in or consult with any
business that is the same as, similar to, or competitive with the
business of the Company as such business is conducted during the
Contract Period. During the Restriction Period, Executive shall not
solicit (other than for the benefit of the Company during the Contract
Period) any sale or purchase to or from any person who is or was a
customer or supplier of the Company during the term of Executive's
employment by the Company, either as an employee, agent, consultant,
licensee, independent contractor; owner, or otherwise. Furthermore,
during the Restriction Period, Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, hire or solicit any employee of the Company.
(e) At any time upon request of the Company and upon
termination of his employment by the Company, Executive shall deliver
to the Company, and
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shall not retain for his own or another's Use, any and all lists,
information, notes, memoranda, documents, devices, and any other
material, and all copies thereof, relating to Executive's work or the
products or business of the company of which Executive had knowledge.
(f) If any provision of this Section 12 is determined by any
court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable by reason of its
extending for too great a period of time or over too great a
geographical area, it shall be interpreted to extend only over the
maximum period of time for which it may be enforceable, or over the
maximum geographical area to which it may be enforceable, or both; and
such partial unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of
this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that, in light of the
proprietary interest of the Company in the Confidential Information,
the restrictions set forth herein are reasonable and that the remedies
at law for the breach of any provision of this Section 12 are
inadequate. Accordingly, in the event of any breach, or reasonable
belief as to the existence or imminence of a breach, of the provisions
hereof, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief to enjoin
the breach (in addition to any other legal and equitable remedies that
the Company may have, including an equitable accounting of gain to
Executive resulting from the breach), together with all costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, related to the
enforcement by the Company of its rights hereunder.
13. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
15. Legal Fees and Expenses. Except for fees and expenses related to
the Company's enforcement of the provisions of Section 12, the Company shall pay
all legal fees and expenses that Executive may incur as a result of the
Company's contesting the validity, enforceability, or Executive's interpretation
of, or determinations under, this Agreement.
16. Notice. All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed effective when delivered in person, or three days after deposit
thereof in the official U.S. mails, postage prepaid, for delivery as registered
or certified mail, addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
CUNO Incorporated
Attention: Corporate Secretary
400 Research Parkway
Meriden, Connecticut 06450
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If to the Executive:
Mark G. Kachur
2 White Pine Lane
Guilford, CT 06437
In lieu of personal notice or notice by deposit in the official U.S. mails, a
party may give notice by confirmed telegram or fax. Either party may change the
address to which notice to that party may be mailed by notifying the other party
of the change in the manner contemplated in this section.
17. Effect on Termination and Change of Control Agreement.
(a) Executive and the Company have entered into a Termination
and Change of Control Agreement dated as of December 13, 1996, pursuant
to which Executive may become entitled to severance compensation if
Executive's employment is terminated under certain circumstances
following a Change in Control, as defined in that agreement (the
"Change in Control Agreement"). Executive and the Company intend that
if a Change in Control, as defined in the Change in Control Agreement,
occurs and thereafter Executive receives any payments pursuant to
Section 7 of this Agreement (any "Section 7 Payments"), the entire
amount of such Section 7 Payments will be treated as damages paid to
the Executive by the Company as a result of the Company's breach of an
employment contract with the Executive with the result that the
payments otherwise due under the Change in Control Agreement will be
reduced by the full amount of the Section 7 Payments.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change of
Control resulting in a termination of Executive's employment without
"Cause", to the extent not then issued, Executive immediately shall be
issued the balance of the non-qualified stock options eligible to be
issued pursuant to Paragraph 3(d). In addition, all Restricted Shares
issued pursuant to Paragraph 3(c) and all non-qualified stock options
issued pursuant to Paragraph 3(d) shall fully vest and be fully
exercisable immediately upon termination of the Executive's employment
without "Cause" following the change of Control.
(c) The provisions of this Section 17 shall prevail over any
inconsistent language in the Change in Control Agreement and, to the
extent necessary to be effective shall be deemed to be an amendment to
the Change in Control Agreement.
18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement expresses the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and all promises,
representations, understandings, arrangements, and prior agreements are merged
herein and superseded hereby. No person, other than pursuant to a resolution of
the Board, shall have any authority on behalf of the Company to agree to modify
or change this Agreement or
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anything in reference thereto, and any such modification or change must be in
writing and signed by both parties.
19. Governing Law. This Agreement has been entered into in, and is
intended to be performed primarily within, the State of Connecticut and shall be
construed, interpreted, and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Connecticut.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement, as of the date
first written above.
EXECUTIVE CUNO INCORPORATED
/s/ Mark G. Kachur By: /s/ John A. Tomich
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MARK G. KACHUR JOHN A. TOMICH
General Counsel and Secretary