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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
GSI LUMONICS INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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GSI LUMONICS INC.
105 Schneider Road
Kanata, Ontario K2k 1Y3
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May 11, 1999
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the annual and special meeting of the
shareholders of GSI LUMONICS INC. (the "Corporation") will be held on Tuesday,
May 11, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. (Ottawa time)
at the Chateau Laurier Hotel, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario, for the
following purposes:
(a) to receive the annual report of the Corporation and the consolidated
financial statements of the Corporation for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998, together with the auditors report thereon;
(b) to elect directors;
(c) to appoint auditors and to authorize the Directors to fix the
auditors' remuneration;
(d) to consider and, if thought fit, adopt Resolution No. 1 to approve the
amendment to the Corporation's 1995 Stock Option Plan as described in
the management proxy circular accompanying this notice;
(e) to consider and, if thought fit, adopt Resolution No. 2 to ratify,
confirm and approve the Corporation's Shareholders Rights Plan as
described in the management proxy circular accompanying this notice;
and
(f) to transact such further or other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Only those GSI Lumonics Inc. shareholders of record at the close of
business on April 6, 1999 will be entitled to vote at the meeting and at any
adjournment or postponement thereof, except to the extent that any such holder
has transferred any of the common shares after that date and the transferee of
such common shares establishes proper ownership and requests on or before the
commencement of the meeting that his name be included in the list of
shareholders for the meeting.
A copy of the management information circular and a form of proxy
accompanies this notice, as well as a copy of the Corporation's Annual Report
which contains the financial statements of the Corporation and the report of
the auditors thereon for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and
management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operation relating thereto.
DATED at Ottawa, Ontario this 12th day of April, 1999.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Charles J. Gardner, Q.C.
CORPORATE SECRETARY
Shareholders who are unable to attend the meeting in person are requested
to date and sign the enclosed form of proxy or other appropriate form of proxy
and return it to Montreal Trust Company of Canada in the addressed envelope
enclosed not later than Monday, May 10, 1999. In order to be represented by
proxy, you must complete and submit the enclosed form of proxy or other
appropriate form of proxy.
GSI LUMONICS INC.
Management Proxy Circular
Solicitation of Proxies
This Management Proxy Circular is furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the management of GSI Lumonics Inc. (the "Company")
for use at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 10
a.m. (local time) on Tuesday, May 11, 1999 at the Chateau Laurier Hotel, 1
Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The solicitation will be made by mail
but proxies may also be solicited personally by employees of the Company. The
cost of solicitation has been or will be borne by the Company. The Company may
also pay brokers or nominees holding common shares of the Company in their
names or in the names of their principals for their reasonable expenses in
sending solicitation material to their principals.
All monetary amounts referred to herein are stated in United States dollars
unless otherwise stated. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the Company
refers to GSI Lumonics Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The Notice of the Meeting, this Management Proxy Circular and the form of
Proxy will be forwarded on or about April 12, 1999 to the registered
shareholders of the Company's common shares on April 6, 1999.
Appointment and Revocation of Proxies
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are officers of the
Company. A shareholder may appoint a person to represent him or her at the
meeting, other than the persons already named in the accompanying form of
proxy, by inserting the name of such other person in the blank space provided
in the form of proxy or by completing another proper form of proxy. Such
person need not be a shareholder. The completed form of proxy must be
deposited with the Company at its principal executive offices at 105 Schneider
Road, Kanata, Ontario, K2K 1Y3 or Montreal Trust Company of Canada, 151 Front
Street West, 8th Floor Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2N1, in either case no later than
5:00 p.m. (Ottawa time) on May 10, 1999, or, if the meeting is adjourned,
before commencement of the reconvened meeting.
The shareholder executing the form of proxy may revoke it as to any manner
on which a vote has not already been cast pursuant to the authority confirmed
by such proxy a) by delivering another properly executed form of proxy bearing
a later date and depositing it in the manner described above; b) by delivering
an instrument in writing revoking the proxy, executed by the shareholder or by
the shareholder's attorney authorized in writing, i) at the registered office
of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day
preceding the date of the meeting, or at any reconvened meeting following its
adjournment, or ii) with the chairman of the meeting on the day of the
meeting, or at any reconvened meeting following its adjournment; or c) in any
other manner permitted by law.
Voting of Proxies
The officers named in the form of proxy accompanying this Circular will
vote the common shares of the Company in respect of which they are appointed
proxy in accordance with the directions of the shareholder appointing them. In
the absence of such direction, such shares will be voted for the election of
Directors, for the appointment of Ernst & Young as auditors and for Resolution
No. 1--Proposal to Amend the 1995 Stock Option Plan and for Resolution No. 2--
Proposal to Approve the Shareholder Rights Plan.
The New Brunswick Business Corporations Act (the "Act") provides by section
65(1) for cumulative voting for the election of Directors so that each
shareholder entitled to vote at an election of Directors has the right to cast
a number of votes equal to the number of votes attached to the shares held by
such shareholders multiplied by the number of Directors to be elected and may
cast all such votes in favour of one candidate or distribute them among the
candidates in any manner. The Act further provides, in section 65(2), that a
separate
1
vote of shareholders shall be taken with respect to each candidate nominated
for Director unless a resolution is passed unanimously permitting two or more
persons to be elected by a single resolution. Where a shareholder has voted
for more than one candidate without specifying the distribution of votes among
such candidates, the shareholder shall be deemed to have divided the votes
equally among the candidates for whom such shareholder voted. If a shareholder
desires to distribute votes otherwise than equally among the nominees for whom
such shareholder has directed persons in the enclosed form of proxy to vote,
such shareholder must do so personally at the meeting or by another form of
proxy. On any ballot that may be called for the election of directors, the
persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to cast the votes to which
the shares represented by such proxy are entitled equally among all the
proposed nominees whose names are set forth in the table under "Election of
Directors" below, except those, if any, excluded by the shareholder in the
proxy, or unless the shareholder who has given such proxy has directed that
the shares be withheld from voting in the election of directors.
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority on the person
named therein with respect to amendments to or variations of matters
identified in the Notice of Meeting and other matters which may properly come
before the meeting. At the date of this Circular, the management of the
Company knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters.
Proxies to be used at the meeting must be deposited with the Company or its
transfer agent and registrar, Montreal Trust Company of Canada, prior to the
commencement of the meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please
date, sign and return the accompanying form of proxy to Montreal Trust Company
of Canada. Broker non-votes are not treated as votes cast or common shares
entitled to vote with respect to any matter described in this Management Proxy
Circular.
Voting and Ownership of Shares
At the date of this Circular the Company had 34,161,917 common shares
outstanding. Each shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each
common share held at the close of business on April 6, 1999, except to the
extent that such shareholder has transferred the ownership of any shares after
such date and the transferee of such shares establishes proper ownership
thereof and demands not later than ten days before the meeting to be added to
the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting in which case such
transferee will be entitle to vote such shares. The failure of any shareholder
to receive a Notice of Meeting of Shareholders does not deprive the
shareholder of a vote at the meeting.
Ownership
The following sets forth certain information concerning the direct and
indirect beneficial ownership of common shares as at the date hereof by each
person known by the directors or senior officers of the Company to be the
beneficial owner of, or exercise control or direction over 5% or more of the
common shares.
Shareholder Shares Percentage
- ----------- --------- ----------
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.............................. 6,078,238 17.79 %
Merger
The merger involving General Scanning Inc. and Lumonics Inc. (the "Merger")
was completed on March 22, 1999. Unless otherwise stated herein, the
disclosures set forth in this Management Proxy Circular relate to the Company
on a post Merger basis current to the date hereof.
Election of Directors
During the fiscal year ended 1998, the board of directors of the Company
held 5 meetings. Committees of the board held 6 meetings. During 1998, each
director attended 75% or more of the aggregate total of meetings of both the
board and committees thereof on which such director served.
2
Below are the names of the persons for whom it is intended that votes be
cast for their election as directors pursuant to the proxy which is hereby
solicited unless the shareholder directs therein that his or her shares be
withheld from voting. Within the minimum and maximum number of directors
prescribed by the Company's articles, the board will consist of eight
directors. Each director will hold office until the next annual meeting or
until his successor is elected or appointed.
Of the eight nominees, four were previously directors of General Scanning
Inc. and four were previously directors of Lumonics Inc. Management does not
contemplate that any of the nominees named below will be unable to serve as a
director, but if that should occur for any reason prior to the meeting, where
the proxy is granted to the management nominees, the management nominees
reserve the right to vote for other nominees in their discretion unless
directed to withhold from voting. The following table states the name,
position held with the Company by each person proposed to be nominated for
election as a director, the year first elected or appointed as a director,
committee memberships, and the person's principal occupation and employment
during the past five years.
Name, Age Year
Principal Occupation and Became
Municipality of Residence Director
------------------------- --------
Robert J. Atkinson, 57 1973
Chairman
GSI Lumonics Inc.
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Richard B. Black (2), 65 1999
Vice Chairman
Oak Technology, Inc.
Moose, Wyoming, U.S.A.
Paul F. Ferrari (1)(2), 68 1999
Independent Consultant /
Former V.P. & Treasurer
Themo Electron Corporation
Hobe Sound, Florida, U.S.A.
Woodie C. Flowers (1), 55 1999
Pappalardo Professor of
Mechanical Engineering at MIT
Weston, Massachussets, U.S.A.
Warren Scott Nix, 51 1998
President & Chief Operating Officer
GSI Lumonics Inc.
Westlake Village, California, U.S.A.
Yukihito Takahashi, 59 1997
Managing Director
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Inc.
Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Ben J. Virgillio (1)(2), 59 1998
President & CEO
Rea International Inc.
Kleinberg, Ontario, Canada
Charles D. Winston, 57 1999
Chief Executive Officer
GSI Lumonics Inc.
Oxnard, California, U.S.A.
(1)Member, Audit Committee
(2)Member, Compensation Committee
3
Robert J. Atkinson has served as Chairman of the board of directors of the
Company since January 1997. Prior to January 1997, Mr. Atkinson also served as
Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Richard Black has served as Vice Chairman of Oak Technology, Inc. since
March 1999, as President of Oak from January 1998 to March 1999, and has been
a director of Oak since 1988. He has served as Chairman of the board of
directors of ERCM Incorporated since 1983. He also serves as a director of Oak
Technology, Inc., Morgan Group, Inc., Gabelli Funds, Inc., Benedetto Gartland,
Inc. and Grand Eagle Companies.
Paul F. Ferrari has been an independent consultant since 1991. Previously,
he was Vice president of Thermo Electron Corporation from 1988 to 1991 and was
Treasurer of Thermo Electron Corporation from 1967 to 1988. He also serves as
a director of Thermedics Inc. and ThermoTrex Inc.
Woodie Flowers, Ph.D., is the Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical
Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Flowers also
served as a Professor of Teaching Innovation at the MIT School of Engineering
from 1991 to 1993 and was Head of the Systems Design Division at MIT from 1989
to 1991. He also serves as a director of Nypro, Inc. and is a member of the
National Academy of Engineering.
Warren Scott Nix has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since January 1997. Prior to that time, Mr. Nix was President and
Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Prior to January 1996, Mr. Nix was
Vice President, Operations of the Company and prior to July 1994, was
Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Nuclear Division of Allied
Signal Inc.
Yukihito Takahashi has been the Managing Director of Sumitomo Heavy
Industries, Ltd. since June 1997 and prior to that time was a Director of
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Benjamin J. Virgilio is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Rea
International Inc., an automotive fuel systems manufacturer. Prior to May
1995, Mr. Virgilio was a business consultant. Prior to November 1993, he was
President and Chief Executive Officer of A.G. Simpson Limited.
Charles D. Winston served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
General Scanning Inc. since September 1988. Prior to joining General Scanning
Inc., from 1986 to 1988, Mr. Winston served as a management consultant. In
1986, Mr. Winston was an officer of Savin Corporation. From 1981 to 1985, he
served as a Senior Vice President of Federal Express Corporation.
Security Ownership of Directors and Management
The following table shows the number of common shares, the Company's only
class of equity securities, of the Company beneficially owned by each of the
directors, the nominees for election as a director, the named executive
officers (see "Executive Compensation" below), as well as by the directors,
the nominees for election as a director, and the executive officers of the
Company as a group, as of April 6, 1999:
Amount and
Nature of
Name of Beneficial Percentage of
Beneficial Owner Ownership (1) Common Shares
- ---------------- ------------- -------------
Robert J. Atkinson, 141,249(2) *
Chairman and Director
Kanata, ON
Patrick D. Austin, 32,499(3) *
Vice President, Sales
Ojai, CA
Richard B. Black, 14,817(4) *
Director
Moose, WY
4
Amount and
Nature of
Name of Beneficial Percentage of
Beneficial Owner Ownership (1) Common Shares
- ---------------- ------------- -------------
Desmond J. Bradley, 79,582(5) *
Vice President, Finance and
Administration and
Chief Financial Officer
Stittsville, ON
Paul F. Ferrari, 149,518(6) *
Director
Hobe Sound, FL
Woodie C. Flowers, 42,296(7) *
Director
Weston, MA
John W. George 25,500(8) *
Vice President,
Customer Support
Rochester Hills, MI
Warren Scott Nix, 249,083(9) *
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
West Lake Village, CA
Yukihito Takahashi, 6,666(10) *
Director
Funabashi, Chiba, JAPAN
Ben J. Virgillio, 3,333(11) *
Director
Kleinberg, ON
Charles D. Winston, 156,453(12) *
Director
Oxnard, CA
All directors, nominees for
directors and executive
officers as a group (11 persons) 901,266 2.64
- --------
* Less than 1%.
(1) A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be
acquired by such person within 60 days from April 6, 1999, whether
pursuant to the exercise of options, conversion of securities or
otherwise. Each beneficial owner's percentage of ownership is determined
by assuming that options that are held by such person (but not those held
by any other person) and which are exercisable (or convertible) within 60
days of April 6, 1999 have been exercised. Unless otherwise noted in the
footnotes below, the Company believes all persons named in the table have
sole voting power and investment power with respect to all common shares
beneficially owned by them. Statements as to ownership of common shares
are based upon information obtained from the directors, nominees and
executive officers and from records available to the Company.
(2) Includes 126,249 common shares subject to options.
(3) All common shares subject to options.
(4) Includes 8,082 common shares subject to options.
(5) Includes 74,582 common shares subject to options.
(6) Includes 24,920 common shares subject to options.
(7) Includes 2,694 common shares subject to options.
(8) Includes 25,000 common shares subject to options.
(9) Includes 237,083 common shares subject to options.
(10) All common shares subject to options.
(11) All common shares subject to options.
(12) Includes 34,834 common shares subject to options. Does not include 75,000
shares which may be acquired upon achieving certain performance goals
which the Company does not expect to be reached within 60 days.
5
Executive Compensation
The following table, presented in accordance with the rules of the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission, sets forth information with respect
to the compensation earned during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996 by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most
highly compensated executive officers of the Company (the "Named Executive
Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
(All figures rounded to the nearest dollar)
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
------------------------------------ ------------
Securities
Under
Name and Fiscal Other Annual Options All Other
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Granted Compensation
- ----------------------- ------ -------- ------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Robert J. Atkinson (7) 1998 $178,508 $ -- $43,650(1) 100,000
Chairman 1997 183,956 25,278 41,944(1) 100,000
1996 209,598 110,011 40,837(1) 0
Warren Scott Nix 1998 275,000 -- (4) 120,000
President and Chief 1997 275,000 37,500 (4) 240,000 60,000(2)
Executive Officer 1996 215,000 113,000 (4) 0
Patrick D. Austin V.P. 1998 153,000 18,337 23,456 (5) 70,000
Sales 1997 153,000 25,400 (4) 40,000
1996 142,000 55,739 (4) 0
Desmond J. Bradley (7) 1998 107,105 -- 21,881 (3) 70,000
V.P. Finance and Chief 1997 109,526 11,195 19,692 (3) 45,000
Financial Officer 1996 105,921 38,137 18,454 (3) 0
John W. George 1998 119,615 -- 18,829 (6) 60,000
V.P. Customer Support 1997 110,000 8,300 15,854 (6) 32,500
1996 95,000 16,720 13,858 (6) 0
- --------
(1) For 1998, 1997 and 1996, includes total amounts accrued of $35,738,
$34,689 and $33,982 with respect to a deferred retirement benefit.
(2) Includes $60,000 with respect to the forgiveness of a demand loan.
(3) For 1998, 1997 and 1996, includes total amounts accrued of $15,255,
$14,808 and $13,071 with respect to a deferred retirement benefit and
$5,823, $4,064 and $4,764 of automobile expenses.
(4) Perquisites and Personal Benefits do not exceed the lesser of $50,000 and
10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus of the executive.
(5) For 1998, includes $9,412 with respect to the 401K Company match, and
$8,700 of automobile allowance.
(6) For 1998, 1997 and 1996 includes $8,700, $6,600 and $5,400 of automobile
allowance and $6,292, $6,004 and $5,778 with respect to the 401K Company
match.
(7) For 1998, 1997 and 1996 compensation paid in Canadian dollars has been
translated to U.S. dollars at the following rates: 0.6741, 0.7222 and
0.7334.
Stock Option Plans
The Company has entered into option agreements ("Option Agreements") dated
May 11, 1994 (the "Date of Grant") with five executive officers under which
options to purchase 700,000 common shares were granted, at an exercise price
of Cdn$4.00 per share. As at the date hereof there are options to acquire
131,250 common shares outstanding under the Option Agreements. The options
granted pursuant to the Option Agreements will expire on September 14, 2001.
6
On September 1, 1994, the Company adopted a stock option plan for key
employees and directors (the "Plan").
As of the date hereof, there are outstanding options held by 65 employees
and directors to acquire 208,075 common shares under the Plan, all of which
options were granted on September 1, 1994. The exercise price of all
outstanding options under the Plan is Cdn$7.00 per share. All outstanding
options under the Plan will expire September 14, 2001. No additional options
will be granted under the Plan.
On September 14, 1995, the Company established the 1995 Stock Option Plan
for Employees and Directors (the "1995 Plan") for the benefit of employees
(including contract employees) and directors of the Company. Subject to the
requirements of the 1995 Plan, the Compensation Committee or in lieu thereof,
the Board of Directors, has the authority to select those directors and
employees to whom options will be granted, the number of options to be granted
and the price at which the common shares may be purchased. The exercise price
of options granted under the 1995 Plan must be equal to the closing price of
the Company's common shares on The Toronto Stock Exchange or in lieu thereof,
NASDAQ, on the trading day immediately preceding the date of grant. The
exercise period of each option is determined by the Compensation Committee but
may not exceed 10 years. The Compensation Committee has the power to amend,
modify or terminate the 1995 Plan provided that optionee's rights are not
materially adversely affected and subject to any approvals required under the
applicable regulatory requirements. A maximum of 1,906,000 options to purchase
common shares are permitted to be issued under the 1995 Plan. As at the date
hereof, options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 1,617,487 common
shares are outstanding under the 1995 Plan to employees and directors at
prices ranging from Cdn$14.50 per share to Cdn$28.00 per share. At the
meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider a resolution to increase the
number of options which are permitted to be granted under the 1995 Plan to
2,906,000. See "Resolution No. 1--Proposal to Amend the 1995 Stock Option
Plan."
No past financial assistance has been given to participants to assist them
in purchasing common shares under the 1995 Plan, nor is such financial
assistance contemplated. The 1995 Plan contains no provision for the Company
to provide any such assistance.
In accordance with the terms of the Merger, all outstanding options or
warrants to purchase General Scanning Inc, common stock were assumed by the
Company and currently represent options to purchase an aggregate of
approximately 2,142,423 common shares of the Company.
The following table provides information regarding options granted by the
Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 to the Named Executive
Officers:
Potential
Realizable Value
At Assumed Annual
Rate of Share
Number Percent of Price
of Shares Total Options Exercise Appreciation for
Underlying Granted to or Base Option Term (3)
Options Employees Price Expiration -----------------
Name Granted in Fiscal Year ($/SH)(1) Date (2) 5%($) 10%($)
- ---- ------- -------------- --------- ---------- -------- --------
Robert J. Atkinson 100,000 11.4% $4.92 2 Nov 03 $136,000 $300,000
Chairman
Warren Scott Nix 120,000 13.6% $4.92 2 Nov 03 $163,200 $360,000
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Patrick D. Austin 70,000 8.0% $4.92 2 Nov 03 $ 95,200 $210,000
V.P. Sales
Desmond J. Bradley 70,000 8.0% $4.92 2 Nov 03 $ 95,200 $210,000
V.P. Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
John W. George 60,000 6.8% $4.92 2 Nov 03 $ 81,600 $180,000
V.P. Customer Support
- --------
(1) The exercise price and potential realizable value is expressed in US$
using an exchange rate of 0.6741.
7
(2) The options were granted on November 2, 1998. Fifty percent will vest when
the price per option share on the Toronto Stock Exchange over any period
of 20 consecutive trading days subsequent to the date of grant (the
"Strike Price") reaches CDN$15. The other fifty percent will vest when the
Strike Price reaches CDN$20. The vesting conditions may be changed on 60
days notice to the optionee. Options may be exercised once vested any time
after the first anniversary of the date of grant but not after the fifth
anniversary of the date of grant.
(3) This column shows the hypothetical gain of the options granted based on
assumed annual share appreciation rates of 5% and 10% above the exercise
price over the full term of the option. The 5% and 10% rates of
appreciation are mandated by the rules of the Commission and do not
represent the Company's estimate of future the Company's common share
prices.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
Securities Value (2) of Unexercised
Acquired Aggregate Unexercised Options at in-the-Money Options at
on Value December 31, 1998 December 31, 1998
Name and Exercise Realized (1) Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
Principal Position (#) ($) (#) (#) ($) ($)
------------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
Robert J. Atkinson -- -- 97,917 183,333 $ 148,298 --
Chairman
Warren Scott Nix -- -- 158,750 280,000 $104,651 --
President and
Chief Executive
Officer
Patrick D. Austin -- -- 19,167 103,333 $ 3,370 --
V.P. Sales
Desmond J. Bradley -- -- 62,917 108,333 $ 78,362 --
V.P. Finance and
Chief Financial
Officer
John W. George -- -- 15,000 82,500 $ 1,348 --
V.P. Customer
Support
- --------
(1) Market value of the underlying shares on the date of exercise less the
option exercise price.
(2) Market value of shares covered by in-the-money options on December 31,
1998, less the option exercise price. Options are in-the-money if the
market value of the share covered thereby is greater than the option
exercise price.
Management Contracts and Indebtedness
On April 13, 1998 GSI Lumonics Inc. concluded change in control agreements
(the "Agreements") with its Chairman and members of its executive management
team. The Agreements were effective January 1, 1998, will continue for a
minimum term of three years and will automatically extend for periods of one
year after the initial term unless notice is given by the Company or the
individual at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current period that
the Agreement shall not be extended. The Company entered into these Agreements
with each of the following individuals: Robert Atkinson, W. Scott Nix, Pat
Austin, Desmond Bradley and John George.
8
Each such employee's Agreement provides for a severance payment if a change
of control of the Company occurs or employment with the Company is terminated
under certain circumstances.
Under the Agreements entered into with each of Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Nix,
the severance payment is equal to twice the sum of (1) annual salary plus (2)
average target and actual bonus payments for the last two years plus (3) the
cost of certain employment benefits. If the payment is as a result of a change
of control of the Company, the benefit is calculated as three times the
previously noted sum.
Under the Agreements entered into with each of Messrs. Austin, Bradley and
George, the severance payment is equal to a factor (one month times the number
of months employed with the Company, minimum one year, maximum two years)
times the sum of (1) annual salary plus (2) average target and actual bonus
payments for the last two years plus (3) the cost of certain employment
benefits. If the payment is as a result of a change of control of the Company,
the factor is increased by one year.
Composition of Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") determines all aspects of
compensation payable to the Chief Executive Officer and the senior executives
named in the Summary Compensation Table. As at December 31, 1998 the Committee
was composed of three members of the then existing Board of Directors:
Benjamin J. Virgilio; Charles J. Gardner; and Atsushi Naitoh. Mr. Gardner is
Secretary of the Company and provides legal services to it, but is not an
employee.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The executive compensation policy of the Company has as its goals the
following:
(1) to provide executives with compensation that is fair and
competitive in the market place;
(2) to incent executives to meet and exceed financial and other
strategic objectives; and
(3) to raise the perspectives of executives from simply increasing the
size of the Company to taking a strategic path toward increasing
shareholder value.
Salary
Base salaries are determined on an individual basis taking into
consideration the individual's position in the Company, the individual's
ability to contribute to the Company's performance and amounts paid by
technology companies of similar size for comparable positions.
Annual Bonus
Each executive officer has the opportunity to earn an annual bonus. The
amount of the bonus is tied to specific financial goals that are approved by
the Compensation Committee. The amount of the potential bonuses vary based
upon the executive officer's position in the Company, ability to impact on
Company performance and degree of responsibility.
Long Term Incentives
Executives may participate in the Company's stock option plans (the
"Plans"). The Plans are administered by the Compensation Committee which
designates the individuals who are to be granted options, the number of
options to be granted and other terms and conditions of the options. The
number of stock options granted to executive officers are based upon the same
factors as are relevant in setting their salaries and annual bonuses.
9
Chief Executive Officer's Compensation
Warren Scott Nix has served the Company from 1982 to 1985 and from 1993 to
the present. During these periods he has held a number of senior executive
positions including Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, President and
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. In setting Mr. Nix's salary and target
bonus for the year ended December 31, 1998 the Committee reviewed salaries and
bonuses paid to other chief executive officers of technology companies of
similar size and considered his ability to impact on the achievement of the
Company's objectives. For the year ended December 31, 1998, Mr. Atkinson's
target bonus was 55% of his base salary. Options to purchase 120,000 common
shares were granted to Mr. Nix in 1998 an exercise price of Cdn$7.30.
Report Submitted by: Benjamin J. Virgilio
Charles J. Gardner, and
Atsushi Naitoh.
Compensation of Directors
During the most recently completed financial year, Company directors who
were not employees of the Company or representatives of Sumitomo Heavy
Industries Limited received an annual retainer of $7,500 and an attendance fee
of $1,000 for attending meetings of shareholders, the Board of Directors and
committees of the Board of Directors. In addition, upon initial election and
every third year thereafter, they receive an option to purchase 10,000 common
shares of the Company with an exercise price of fair market value on the date
of grant. Directors who are employees of the Company receive no remuneration
for serving as members of the Board of Directors. Directors who represent
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Limited received an option to purchase 10,000 common
shares of the Company with an exercise price of fair market value on the date
of grant upon their initial election and every third year thereafter. All
directors, other than those representing Sumitomo Heavy Industries Limited,
were entitled to reimbursement by the Company for all reasonable expenses
incurred in attending meetings of shareholders, the Board of Directors and
committees of the Board of Directors. No additional compensation is paid to
the chairs of the various committees.
Corporate Governance
The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSE") has adopted guidelines for effective
corporate governance (the "TSE Guidelines") addressing matters such as the
constitution of and functions to be performed by the board of Directors and
its committees. The TSE requires that each listed corporation disclose its
approach to corporate governance with reference to these guidelines on an
annual basis and that where a Company's governance system differs from the TSE
Guidelines, to give an explanation of the difference.
Board Responsibility
The Company's Board of Directors takes responsibility for stewardship of
the company. It discharges its responsibility directly and through the Audit
Committee and Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors meets quarterly
to review the business operations and financial results of the Company.
Meetings of the Board of Directors include regular meetings with management to
discuss specific aspects of the operations of the Company. Meetings of the
Board of Directors are held at various facilities of the Company so as to
allow directors to gain a better understanding of business operations.
Specific responsibilities of the Board of Directors include:
. reviewing and approving the Company's strategic and operating plans;
. ensuring the implementation of systems to manage the principal risks
of the business;
. reviewing and approving significant operational and financial
matters and providing direction to management on these matters;
10
. succession planning including the appointment, training and
monitoring of senior management;
. formulating policies to ensure effective communications with
shareholders; and
. ensuring that management has implemented the control and information
systems necessary to ensure reliable financial reporting, compliance
with applicable laws and regulations and effective management.
Board Composition
The Board of Directors of the Company has eight members of which five are
"unrelated". An "unrelated" director, under the TSE Guidelines, is a director
who is independent of management and is free from any interest in any business
or other relationship which could, or could reasonably be perceived to
materially interfere with the director's ability to act with a view to the
best interests of the Company, other than interests and relationships arising
from shareholding.
The Company does have a significant shareholder, SHI Canada Inc. ("SHI"), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. SHI owns
approximately 17.79 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Company. The Company believes that the investment of minority shareholders in
the Company is fairly reflected in the composition of the Board of Directors
since four of the eight directors do not have interests in or relationships
with either the Company or SHI.
The Board has a Chairman that is separate from management.
The Audit Committee is composed of three outside directors all of whom are
unrelated. The Committee has direct communication channels with external and
internal auditors. The Committee ensures that management has fulfilled its
obligation to design and implement effective systems of internal control.
The Compensation Committee is composed of three directors all of whom are
unrelated. The Committee is responsible for fixing the remuneration for the
Chief Executive Officer and for those senior executive officers who report to
him. The Committee also administers the Company's Stock Option Plans.
Investor Relations
The Company has designated specific executives to be responsible for
receiving shareholder feedback and comments. The Company believes that in this
manner shareholder concerns are dealt with appropriately when they arise.
Other Matters
The Company does not have a corporate governance committee or a nominating
committee. Currently, the Board of Directors has responsibility for nominating
new directors, ensuring that new directors are provided with appropriate
orientation and education programs, assessing the effectiveness of the Board
as a whole and the contribution of individual directors, reviewing the
adequacy and form of compensation of directors, and approving requests of
directors to engage outside advisors at the expense of the Company.
Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance
The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance in the
aggregate principal amount of $35,000,000 subject to a $1,000,000 deductible
per loss payable by the Company. The premium payable for such insurance is
currently $104,000 per year which is paid by the Company.
11
Investment Performance Graph
The following graph assumes an investment of Cdn$100 on September 28, 1995
(the date of the closing of the Company's initial public offering) and
compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder
return on such investment to the cumulative total return of The Toronto Stock
Exchange Composite for the five year period which commenced September 28, 1995
and ended on December 31, 1998.
LUMONICS CHART APPEARS HERE
30-Jun-96 31-Mar-97 30-Jun-97 30-Sep-97 31-Dec-97 30-Jun-98
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Lumonics 14.5 19.375 25.5 28 27 25 25.4 28.6 27.5 26.25 23.00 12.90 7.80 7.40
TSE 300 4500 4713.54 4970.83 5044.07 5291.07 5927.03 5850.22 6437.74 7040.23 6699.44 7558.50 7366.89 5614.12 6485.94
30 30
Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec 31-Mar-97 30-Jun-97 Nov Jun
95 95 95 96 30-Sep-97 31-Dec-97 98
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- -------------------------
Lumonics 100 133.6 175.9 193.1 186.2 172.4 175.2 197.2 189.7 181.0 158.6 89.0 53.8 51.0
TSE 300 100 104.7 110.5 112.1 117.6 131.7 130.0 143.1 156.4 148.9 168.0 163.7 124.8 144.1
Appointment of Auditors
The persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote for the
reappointment of Ernst & Young as auditors of the Company to hold office until
the annual meeting of shareholders in 2000. Ernst & Young have served as
auditors of the Company since 1993.
Arrangements have been made for one or more representatives of Ernst &
Young to attend the Meeting, which representatives will be given an
opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and to answer questions
that are appropriate.
Resolution No. 1--Amendment to 1995 Stock Option Plan
The holders of the common shares will be asked to consider and, if thought
satisfactory, to approve, with or without variation, Resolution No. 1, the
full text of which is set out in Schedule "A" to this Management Proxy
Circular, which resolution relates to the approval of an amendment to the
Corporation's 1995 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "1995 Plan"). The Board
of Directors approved the amendment to the 1995 Plan and shareholder approval
is required to meet the Rules of The Toronto Stock Exchange. At the date
hereof, the amendment to the 1995 Plan is subject to regulatory approval.
The 1995 Plan is intended to encourage ownership of common shares by
employees (including contract employees) and directors and thereby provide
additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Corporation in a
highly competitive business environment. Under the 1995 Plan, the maximum
number of common shares which may be issued is 1,906,000. The 1995 Plan is
more fully described herein under the heading "Stock Options Plans." In the
view of the Board of Directors, it is necessary and appropriate to increase
the specified maximum number of common shares issuable under the 1995 Plan in
order to permit the continued grant of options to attract and retain talented
individuals in accordance with the purposes of the 1995 Plan.
12
Accordingly, the Board of Directors has determined that the total maximum
number of common shares reserved for issuance under the 1995 Plan should be
increased by 1,000,000 to 2,906,000. The new specified maximum number of
shares that may be issuable under the 1995 Plan would represent approximately
8.5% of the issued and outstanding common shares at the date hereof. This
increase in the 1995 Plan together with other common shares reserved for
issuance pursuant to share compensation arrangements of the Corporation
including the options assumed by the Corporation pursuant to the merger with
General Scanning Inc. represents approximately 15.3% of the issued and
outstanding common shares as of the date hereof.
The Toronto Stock Exchange Policy requires a specified maximum number of
shares issuable under the 1995 Plan to be stated therein. The Toronto Stock
Exchange Policy also requires a shareholder vote to be taken where, among
other matters, the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to
the stock options may exceed 10% of the outstanding shares.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders approve the
amendment to the 1995 Plan and vote for the adoption of Resolution No. 1. In
order to be effective, Resolution No. 1 must be approved by a majority of
votes cast at the meeting.
Resolution No. 2--Proposal to Approve the Shareholder Rights Plan
Shareholders of the Company will be asked at the meeting to vote on a
resolution ("Resolution No. 2") to ratify, confirm and approve a Shareholder
Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan" or the "Plan"). The full text of Resolution No.
2 is set out in Schedule "B" to this Management Proxy Circular.
Adoption of Rights Plan
The Rights Plan was unanimously adopted by the Board of Directors by
resolution dated April 12, 1999. The provisions of the Rights Plan are set out
in a shareholder rights plan agreement (the "Agreement") dated and effective
as of April 12, 1999, between the Company and Montreal Trust Company of
Canada, as Rights Agent. Under the Rights Plan, shareholders of the Company
have received, for each common share issued and outstanding at 5:00 p.m.
(Ottawa Time) on April 12, 1999, one right to purchase one additional common
share (a "Right"), under the circumstances and on the terms described in the
Agreement.
In order to continue beyond the date of the meeting, the Plan must be
confirmed by resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast by Independent
Shareholders (generally, shareholders other than the Offeror or Acquiring
Person, their Associates and Affiliates, and Persons acting jointly or in
concert with the Offeror or Acquiring Person) who vote in respect of the Plan
at the meeting. The full text of the proposed resolution is attached as
Schedule "B" to this Management Proxy Circular. The Toronto Stock Exchange, on
which the common shares are traded, has accepted notice from the Company of
the issuance of Rights and common shares issuable on the exercise of Rights,
subject to shareholder ratification of the Plan at the meeting.
All capitalized terms used without definition under the heading "Proposal
to Approve the Shareholder Rights Plan" have the meanings ascribed to them in
the Agreement.
Objectives of the Rights Plan
The Board of Directors has implemented a shareholder rights plan to ensure
that, to the extent possible, in the context of a bid for control of the
Company through an acquisition of the Company's common shares, shareholders
will be treated equally and fairly and will be positioned to receive full
value for their shares. In deciding to implement the Rights Plan, of concern
to the Board of Directors was the widely held view that existing securities
legislation provides too short a response time to a Company that is the
subject of an unsolicited bid for control.
Also of concern to the Board of Directors is the possibility that, under
existing securities laws, the Company's shareholders could be treated
unequally in the context of a bid for control. These concerns are described in
more detail below.
13
The Rights Plan was not adopted in response to, or in anticipation of, any
pending or threatened take-over bid, nor to deter take-over bids generally.
Rather, the objectives of the Rights Plan are to give adequate time for
shareholders to properly assess a bid without undue pressure, for the Board of
Directors to consider value-enhancing alternatives and to allow competing bids
to emerge. In addition, the Rights Plan has been designed to provide
shareholders of the Company with equal treatment in a bid for control of the
Company.
In adopting the Rights Plan, the Board of Directors considered the
following concerns inherent in the existing legislative framework governing
take-over bids:
(a) Time. Current legislation permits a take-over bid to expire in 21 days in
Canada and 20 business days in the United States. The Board of Directors
is of the view that this is not sufficient time to permit shareholders to
consider a take-over bid and to make a reasoned and unhurried decision.
The Rights Plan provides a mechanism whereby the minimum expiry period for
a Take-over Bid must be 45 days after the date of the bid and the bid must
remain open for a further period of 10 Business Days after the Offeror
publicly announces that the shares deposited or tendered and not withdrawn
constitute more than 50% of the Voting Shares outstanding held by
Independent Shareholders. The Plan is intended to provide shareholders
with adequate time to properly evaluate the offer and to provide the Board
of Directors with sufficient time to explore and develop alternatives for
maximizing shareholder value. Those alternatives could include, if deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors, the identification of other
potential bidders, the conducting of an orderly auction or the development
of a corporate restructuring alternative which could enhance shareholder
value.
(b) Pressure to Tender. A shareholder may feel compelled to tender to a bid
which the shareholder considers to be inadequate out of a concern that
failing to tender may result in the shareholder being left with illiquid
or minority discounted shares in the Company. This is particularly so in
the case of a partial bid for less than all shares of a class where the
bidder wishes to obtain a control position but does not wish to acquire
all of the Voting Shares. The Plan provides a shareholder approval
mechanism in the Permitted Bid provision which is intended to ensure that
a shareholder can separate the tender decision from the approval or
disapproval of a particular take-over bid. By requiring that a bid remain
open for acceptance for a further 10 Business Days following public
announcement that more than 50% of the Voting Shares held by Independent
Shareholders have been deposited, a shareholder's decision to accept a bid
is separated from the decision to tender, lessening the undue pressure to
tender typically encountered by a shareholder of a Company that is the
subject of a take-over bid.
(c) Unequal Treatment. While existing securities legislation has addressed
many concerns of unequal treatment, there remains the possibility that
control of a Company may be acquired pursuant to a private agreement in
which a small group of shareholders disposes of shares at a premium to
market price which premium is not shared with the other shareholders. In
addition, a person may slowly accumulate shares through stock exchange
acquisitions which may result, over time, in an acquisition of control
without payment of fair value for control or a fair sharing of a control
premium among all shareholders. The Plan addresses these concerns by
applying to all acquisitions resulting in the acquiror beneficially
holding greater than 20% of the Voting Shares, to better ensure that
shareholders receive equal treatment.
General Impact of the Rights Plan
In the past, shareholder rights plans have been criticized by some
commentators on the basis that they may serve to deter take-over bids, to
entrench management, and to place in the hands of boards of directors, rather
than shareholders, the decision as to whether a particular bid for acquisition
of control is acceptable. Critics of some shareholder rights plans have also
alleged that they cast a needlessly wide net, thereby increasing the
likelihood of an inadvertent triggering of the plan, while at the same time
deterring shareholders from participating in legitimate corporate governance
activities.
The Board of Directors has considered these concerns, and believes that
they have been largely addressed in the Plan.
14
It is not the intention of the Board of Directors in adopting the Plan to
secure the continuance of existing directors or management in office, nor to
avoid a bid for control of the Company. For example, through the Permitted Bid
mechanism, described in more detail below, shareholders may tender to a bid
which meets the Permitted Bid criteria without triggering the Plan, regardless
of the acceptability of the bid to the Board of Directors. Furthermore, even
in the context of a bid that does not meet the Permitted Bid criteria, the
Board of Directors will continue to be bound to consider fully and fairly any
bid for the Company's common shares in any exercise of its discretion to waive
application of the Plan or redeem the Rights. In discharging that
responsibility, the Board of Directors must act honestly and in good faith
with a view to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
The Rights Plan does not preclude any shareholder from utilizing the proxy
mechanism of the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act to promote a change
in the management or direction of the Company, and has no effect on the rights
of holders of outstanding voting shares of the Company to requisition a
meeting of shareholders, in accordance with the provisions of applicable
corporate and securities legislation, or to enter into agreements with respect
to voting their common shares. The definitions of "Acquiring Person" and
"Beneficial Ownership" have been developed to minimize concerns that the Plan
may be inadvertently triggered or triggered as a result of an overly-broad
aggregating of holdings of institutional shareholders and their clients.
The Board of Directors believes that the dominant effect of the Plan will
be to enhance shareholder value, and ensure equal treatment of all
shareholders in the context of an acquisition of control.
The Rights Plan will not interfere with the day-to-day operations of the
Company. The initial issuance of the Rights does not in any way alter the
financial condition of the Company, impede its business plans or alter its
financial statements. In addition, the Rights Plan is initially not dilutive
and is not expected to have any effect on the trading of common shares.
However, if a Flip-In Event occurs and the Rights separate from the common
shares, as described in the summary below, reported earnings per share and
reported cash flow per share on a fully-diluted or non-diluted basis may be
affected. In addition, holders of Rights not exercising their Rights after a
Flip-In Event may suffer substantial dilution.
The Rights Plan may, however, increase the price to be paid by a potential
Offeror to obtain control of the corporation and may discourage certain
transactions, including Take-over Bids for less than all the Voting Shares of
the Company. Accordingly, the Rights Plan may deter some Take-over Bids.
Recent Developments
The Board of Directors believes that the results of several recent
unsolicited take-over bids in Canada demonstrate that shareholder rights plans
can enhance shareholder value without removing the ultimate decision from the
shareholders. In a number of instances, a change of control was achieved
following an unsolicited bid in circumstances where the ultimately successful
bid was substantially better than the original offer made by the bidder. There
can be no assurance however that the Rights Plan, if approved, would serve to
cause a similar result.
In recent decisions, the Ontario Securities Commission has indicated that
the board of directors of a Company confronted with an unsolicited take-over
bid will not be allowed to maintain a shareholder rights plan indefinitely to
keep a bid from the shareholders; however, these decisions also indicate that
so long as the board of directors is actively and realistically seeking value-
maximizing alternatives, shareholder rights plans may serve a legitimate
purpose.
Terms of the Rights Plan
The following is a summary of the terms of the Rights Plan. The summary is
qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Agreement, copies of which
will be made available to Shareholders of record upon request made to GSI
Lumonics Inc., 105 Schneider Road, Kanata, Ontario, K2K 1Y3, Attention:
Secretary.
15
Issuance of Rights
One Right has been issued by the Company in respect of each common share
outstanding at 5:00 p.m. (Ottawa Time) on April 12, 1999, and one Right will
be issued in respect of each common share of the Company issued thereafter,
prior to the earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time. Each
Right entitles the registered holder thereof to purchase from the Company one
common share at the exercise price of Cdn$200, subject to adjustment and
certain anti-dilution provisions (the "Exercise Price"). The Rights are not
exercisable until the Separation Time. If a Flip-In Event occurs, each Right
will entitle the registered holder to receive, upon payment of the Exercise
Price, common shares of the Company having an aggregate market price equal to
twice the Exercise Price.
Trading of Rights
Until the Separation Time (or the earlier termination or expiration of the
Rights), the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates representing the
common shares of the Company and will be transferable only together with the
associated common shares. From and after the Separation Time, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Rights Certificates"), together with a
disclosure statement prepared by the Corporation describing the Rights, will
be mailed to holders of record of common shares (other than an Acquiring
Person) as of the Separation Time. Rights Certificates will also be issued in
respect of common shares issued prior to the Expiration Time to each holder
(other than an Acquiring Person) converting, after the Separation Time,
securities ("Convertible Securities") convertible into or exchangeable for
common shares. The Rights will trade separately from the common shares after
the Separation Time.
Separation Time
The Separation Time is the Close of Business on the eighth Business Day
after the earlier of (i) the "Stock Acquisition Date", which is generally the
first date of public announcement of facts indicating that a Person has become
an Acquiring Person; and (ii) the date of the commencement of, or first public
announcement of the intent of any Person (other than the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company) to commence a Take-over Bid (other than a Permitted
Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid, so long as such bid continues to satisfy the
requirements of a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid). In either case,
the Separation Time can be such later Business Day as may from time to time be
determined by the Board of Directors. If a Take-over Bid expires or is
cancelled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time, it
shall be deemed never to have been made.
Acquiring Person
In general, an Acquiring Person is a Person who is the Beneficial Owner of
20% or more of the Company's outstanding common shares and any other shares in
the share capital or any voting interest of the Company entitled to vote
generally on the election of directors ("Voting Shares"). Currently, no Voting
Shares other than the common shares are outstanding. Excluded from the
definition of "Acquiring Person" are the Company and its subsidiaries, and any
Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the outstanding
Voting Shares as a result of one more or any combination of a Voting Share
Reduction, a Permitted Bid Acquisition, an Exempt Acquisition and a Pro Rata
Acquisition. The definitions of "Voting Share Reduction", "Permitted Bid
Acquisition", "Exempt Acquisition" and "Pro Rata Acquisition" are set out in
the Agreement. However, in general:
(a) a "Pro Rata Acquisition" means an acquisition of Voting Shares pursuant to
a dividend reinvestment plan, share purchase plan, stock dividend, a stock
split or other similar event. It also means the acquisition or exercise of
share purchase rights distributed pursuant to a bona fide rights offering
or a public or private distribution of Voting Shares or Convertible
Securities (including a conversion or exchange of such
16
Convertible Securities) but only if the acquisition allows the acquirer to
maintain its percentage holding of Voting Shares;
(b) a "Voting Share Reduction" means an acquisition or redemption by the
Company of Voting Shares;
(c) an "Exempt Acquisition" means a share acquisition in respect of which the
Board of Directors has waived the application of the Plan or which was
made prior to the date of the Agreement; and
(d) a "Permitted Bid Acquisition" means an acquisition of Voting Shares made
pursuant to a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid.
Also excluded from the definition of "Acquiring Person" are underwriters
acting in connection with a bona fide distribution of securities to the
public.
Beneficial Ownership
In general, a Person is deemed to Beneficially Own common shares actually
held by others in circumstances where those holdings are or should be grouped
together for purposes of the Plan. Included are holdings by the Person's
Affiliates (generally, a person that controls, is controlled by, or under
common control with another person) and Associates (generally, relatives
sharing the same residence). Also included are securities which the Person or
any of the Person's Affiliates or Associates has the right to acquire within
60 days (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and/or
banking group and/or selling group members with respect to a distribution of
securities, and other than pledges of securities in the ordinary course of
business).
A Person is also deemed to "Beneficially Own" any securities that are
Beneficially Owned (as described above) by any other Person with which the
Person is acting jointly or in concert.
The definition of "Beneficial Ownership" contains several exclusions
whereby a Person is not considered to "Beneficially Own" a security. A Person
shall not be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of a security because the
holder of such security has either agreed pursuant to a Permitted Lock-up
Agreement to deposit or tender such security to a Take-over Bid made by such
Person or such Person's Affiliate or Associate or because such security has
been deposited or tendered to a Take-over Bid made by such Person or such
Person's Associates or Affiliates until the earlier of such security being
accepted unconditionally for payment or exchange pursuant to the Take-over Bid
and such security being taken up and paid for. "Permitted Lock-Up Agreement"
is defined in the Agreement; however, generally a "Permitted Lock-Up
Agreement" is an agreement between a Person and one or more holders of Voting
Shares to tender shares to a Take-over Bid (the "Lock-Up Bid") which agreement
provides that the obligation to tender or deposit is terminable at the option
of the holder of Voting Shares if another Take-over Bid is made at a price or
value per Voting Share that is at least 5% in excess of the Lock-up Bid or
another Take-over Bid is made for a number of Voting Shares at least 5%
greater than a number of Voting Shares bid for under the Lock-Up Bid at a
price or value that is not less than the price or value offered under the
Lock-up Bid and in the event that the Lock-up Bid is not successful no break-
up fees, top-up fees, penalties or expenses or other amounts that exceed in
the aggregate the cash equivalent of 2 1/2% of the price or value payable
under the Lock-up Bid to the holders of Voting Shares who are party to the
Permitted Lock-up Agreement.
There are other exemptions from the deemed "Beneficial Ownership"
provisions for institutional shareholders acting in the ordinary course of
business. These exemptions apply to (i) a fund manager ("Fund Manager") which
holds securities in the ordinary course of business in the performance of its
duties for the account of any other Person (a "Client"); (ii) a licensed trust
Company ("Trust Company") acting as trustee or administrator or in a similar
capacity in relation to the estates of deceased or incompetent persons (each
an "Estate Account") or in relation to other accounts (each an "Other
Account") and which holds such security in the ordinary course of its duties
for such accounts; (iii) the administrator or the trustee (a "Plan
Administrator") of one or more pension funds or plans (a "Plan") registered
under Canadian or U.S. law or (iv) an agency (the
17
"Crown Agent") established by statute, and its ordinary business or activity
includes the management of investment funds for employee benefit plans,
pension plans, insurance plans, or various public bodies. The foregoing
exemptions only apply so long as the Fund Manager, Trust Company, Plan
Administrator or Crown Agent is not then making or has not then announced an
intention to make a Take-over Bid, other than an Offer to Acquire Voting
Shares or other securities (X) by means of ordinary market transactions
(including prearranged trades entered into in the ordinary course of business
of such Person) executed through the facilities of a stock exchange or
organized over-the-counter market, alone or acting jointly or in concert with
any other Person, (Y) pursuant to a distribution by the Company or (Z) by
means of a Permitted Bid (as defined below).
Finally, a Person will not be deemed to "Beneficially Own" a security
because (i) the Person is a Client of the same Fund Manager, an Estate Account
or an Other Account of the same Trust Company, or Plan with the same Plan
Administrator as another Person or Plan on whose account the Fund Manager,
Trust Company or Plan Administrator, as the case may be, holds such security;
or (ii) the Person is a Client of a Fund Manager, Estate Account, Other
Account or Plan, and the security is owned by the Fund Manager, Trust Company
or Plan Administrator, as the case may be.
Flip-In Event
A Flip-In Event occurs when any Person becomes an Acquiring Person. In the
event that, prior to the Expiration Time, a Flip-In Event which has not been
waived occurs (see "Redemption, Waiver and Termination" below), each Right
(except for Rights Beneficially Owned or which may thereafter be Beneficially
Owned by an Acquiring Person or a transferee of such a Person, which Rights
will become null and void) shall constitute the right to purchase from the
Company, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms of the Plan, that
number of common shares having an aggregate Market Price on the date of the
Flip-In Event equal to twice the Exercise Price, for the Exercise Price (such
Right being subject to anti-dilution adjustments). For example, if at the time
of the Stock Acquisition Date the Exercise Price is $200.00 and the Market
Price of the common shares is $40.00, the holder of each Right would be
entitled to purchase common shares having an aggregate Market Price of $400.00
(that is, 10 common shares) for $200.00 (that is, a 50% discount from the
Market Price).
Permitted Bid and Competing Permitted Bid
A Permitted Bid is a Take-over Bid made by way of a Take-over Bid circular
and which complies with the following additional provisions:
(a) the Take-over Bid is made to all holders of record of Voting Shares
wherever resident as registered on the books of the Company, other than
the Offeror;
(b) the Take-over Bid contains, and the take-up and payment for the
securities tendered or deposited thereunder is subject to, irrevocable
and unqualified conditions that:
(i) no Voting Shares shall be taken-up or paid for pursuant to the Take-over
Bid (a) prior to the Close of Business on the date which is not to be
less than 45 days following the date of the Take-over Bid and (b) unless
at the Close of Business on that date, the Voting Shares deposited or
tendered pursuant to the Take-over Bid and not withdrawn constitute more
than 50% of the Voting Shares outstanding which are held by Independent
Shareholders;
(ii) unless the Take-over Bid is withdrawn, Voting Shares may be deposited
pursuant to such Take-over Bid at any time prior to the Close of Business
on the date of the first take up of or payment for Voting Shares;
(iii) any \Voting Shares deposited pursuant to the Take-over Bid may be
withdrawn until taken up and paid for; and
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(iv) if more than 50% of the Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders
are deposited or tendered pursuant to the Take-over Bid and not
withdrawn, the Offeror will make a public announcement of that fact and
the Take-over Bid shall remain open for deposits and tenders of Voting
Shares for not less than 10 Business Days from the date of such public
announcement.
If a Permitted Bid ceases to be a Permitted Bid because it ceases to meet
any or all of the criteria at any time, any acquisition of Voting Shares made
pursuant to such Permitted Bid, including any acquisition of Voting Shares
made prior to such time, ceases to be an acquisition of Voting Shares made
pursuant to a Permitted Bid (or a Competing Permitted Bid, as described
below).
A Competing Permitted Bid is a Take-over Bid that is made after a Permitted
Bid has been made but prior to its expiry, and satisfies all the requirements
of a Permitted Bid as described above, except that a Competing Permitted Bid
is not required to remain open for 45 days so long as it is open until the
later of 21 days after the date of the Competing Permitted Bid and 45 days
after the earliest date on which any other Permitted Bid or Competing
Permitted Bid then in existence was made.
Redemption, Waiver and Termination
(a) Redemption of Rights. The Board of Directors acting in good faith may,
with prior shareholder approval, at any time prior to the later of the
Stock Acquisition Date and the Separation Time, elect to redeem all but
not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of
$.0001 per Right, appropriately adjusted for anti-dilution as provided in
the Agreement (the "Redemption Price").
(b) Waiver of Inadvertent Acquisition. The Board of Directors is required to
waive the application of the Plan in respect of the occurrence of any
Flip-In Event if (i) the Board of Directors has determined, following the
Stock Acquisition Date and prior to the Separation Time, that a Person
became an Acquiring Person under the Plan; and (ii) the Acquiring Person,
within 10 days after the determination by the Board of Directors or such
later date as the Board of Directors may determine (the "Disposition
Date"), has reduced its Beneficial Ownership of Voting Shares such that
the Person is no longer an Acquiring Person. If the person remains an
Acquiring Person at the Close of Business on the Disposition Date, the
Disposition Date shall be deemed to be the date of occurrence of a further
Stock Acquisition Date.
(c) Permitted Bid Acquisition. In the event that a Person acquires, pursuant
to a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid, more than 50% of the
outstanding common shares (including shares held at the date of the bid),
the Board of Directors shall, immediately upon the consummation of the
acquisition, be deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights at the
Redemption Price.
(d) Discretionary Waiver with Mandatory Waiver of Concurrent Bids. The Board
of Directors may, prior to the occurrence of the relevant Flip-In Event,
upon prior written notice to the Rights Agent, waive the application of
the Plan to a Flip-In Event that may occur by reason of a Take-over Bid
made by means of a Take-over Bid circular to all holders of record of
Voting Shares. However, if the Board of Directors waives the application
of the Plan, the Board of Directors shall be deemed to have waived the
application of the Plan, in respect of any other Flip-In Event occurring
by reason of such a Take-over Bid made prior to the expiry of a bid for
which a waiver is, or is deemed to have been, granted.
(e) Waiver on Agreement to Reduce Beneficial Ownership by Acquiring Person.
The Board of Directors may, prior to the Close of Business on the eighth
Business Day following a Stock Acquisition Date or such later Business Day
as it may from time to time determine, upon prior written notice to the
Rights Agent, waive the application of the Plan to a Flip-In Event,
provided that the Acquiring Person has reduced its Beneficial Ownership of
Voting Shares (or has entered into a contractual arrangement with the
Company, acceptable to the Board of Directors, to do so within 10 days of
the date on which such contractual arrangement is entered into or such
later date as the Board of Directors may determine) such that at the time
the waiver becomes effective, the Person having acquired the Voting Shares
is no longer an Acquiring Person. If such a waiver becomes effective prior
to the Separation Time, the applicable Flip-In Event shall be deemed not
to have occurred.
19
(f) Redemption of Rights on Withdrawal or Termination of Bid. Where a Take-
over Bid that is not a Permitted Bid is withdrawn or otherwise terminated
after the Separation Time and prior to the occurrence of a Flip-In Event,
or if the Board of Directors grant a waiver under the circumstances
described in (e) above after the Separation Time, the Board of Directors
may elect to redeem all the outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price.
Upon the Rights being so redeemed, all the provisions of the Plan shall
continue to apply as if the Separation Time had not occurred and Rights
Certificates had not been mailed, and the Separation Time shall be deemed
not to have occurred.
If the Board of Directors is deemed to have elected or elects to redeem the
Rights as described in paragraphs (a) or (c) above, the right to exercise the
Rights will thereupon, without further action and without notice, terminate
and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights is to receive the
Redemption Price. Within 10 days of any such election or deemed election to
redeem the Rights, the Company will notify the holders of the common shares
or, after the Separation Time, the holders of the Rights.
Anti Dilution Adjustments
The Exercise Price of a Right, the number and kind of securities subject to
purchase upon exercise of a Right, and the number of Rights outstanding, will
be adjusted in certain events, including;
(a) if there is a stock dividend (other than pursuant to any dividend
reinvestment plan) on the common shares, or a subdivision or consolidation
of the common shares, or an issuance of common shares (or Convertible
Securities) in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for common shares; or
(b) if the Company fixes a record date for the distribution to all holders of
common shares of certain rights or warrants to acquire common shares or
Convertible Securities, or for the making of a distribution to all holders
of common shares or evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than
regular periodic cash dividends or stock dividends payable in common
shares) or other securities.
No adjustment in Exercise Price will be made unless it represents, on a
cumulative basis with other unreflected adjustments, at least a 1% change in
the Exercise Price.
Supplements and Amendments
The following changes may be made subject to subsequent ratification by the
holders of the common shares or, after the Separation Time, Rights:
(a) changes that the Board of Directors, acting in good faith, determines are
necessary to maintain the validity of the Agreement and the Rights as a
result of any change in any applicable legislation, regulation or rules;
and
(b) changes to the Plan in order to cure any clerical or typographical error.
Subject to the above exceptions, after the Meeting, any amendment,
variation or deletion of or from the Agreement and the Rights, is subject to
the prior approval of the holders of common shares, or, after the Separation
Time, the holders of the Rights:
Shareholder Review
At or prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders of the Company
following the third anniversary of the date of the Agreement, the Board of
Directors must submit to the shareholders a resolution ratifying the continued
existence of the Plan. If a majority of common shares held by Independent
Shareholders who vote in respect of such resolution are voted against the
continued existence of the Plan, the Board of Directors shall, without further
formality, be deemed to have elected to redeem the Rights at the then current
Redemption Price.
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Otherwise, the Plan, if ratified, confirmed and approved at the Meeting, and
ratified after its third anniversary, will remain in force for a period of six
years.
Vote Required
Shareholder ratification of the Plan is not required by law but is required
by The Toronto Stock Exchange on which the common shares are listed. In
addition, the Board of Directors has determined that it would not, in any
event, allow the Plan to remain in force without shareholder approval. If the
Plan is not approved at the Meeting by the affirmative vote of holders of a
majority of the common shares voted by Independent Shareholders present in
person or represented by proxy, the Plan will thereupon effectively become
void and of no further force and effect.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to alter any terms of or not to
proceed with the Plan at any time prior to the Meeting in the event that the
Board of Directors determines that it would be in the best interests of the
Company and its shareholders to do so, in light of subsequent developments.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has determined that the Rights Plan is in the best
interests of the Company and the holders of its common shares. The Board of
Directors unanimously recommends that the shareholders approve the Rights Plan
and vote for the adoption of Resolution No. 2.
Other Business
Management does not know of any matters to be brought before the Meeting
other than those set forth in the Notice accompanying this Circular.
Proposals
Proposals for shareholders intended for inclusion in next year's Management
Proxy Circular must be received by the Company on or before March 1, 2000.
Directors' Approval
The contents and the sending of this Management Proxy Circular have been
approved by the directors.
Ottawa, Ontario
April 12, 1999
By order of the Board of Directors
Charles Gardner, Q.C.
Secretary
21
Schedule "A"
Resolution No. 1
Amendment to 1995 Stock Option Plan
BE IT RESOLVED AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS THAT:
1. the proposed amendment to the 1995 Plan increasing the number of shares
reserved for issuance under the 1995 Plan by 1,000,000, which change is more
particularly set forth in the Management Proxy Circular for the Corporation's
Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders on May 11, 1999 be and the same
are hereby authorized and approved; and
2. any officer or director of the Corporation be and is hereby authorized and
directed, for and on behalf of the Corporation, to execute and deliver all
such documents and to do all such acts and things as he or she may determine
to be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the foregoing provisions
of this resolution, the execution of any such document or the doing of any
such acts and things being conclusive evidence of such determination.
S-1
Schedule "B"
Resolution No. 2
Approval of the Shareholder Rights Plan
BE IT RESOLVED AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS THAT:
1. the Shareholder Rights Plan evidenced by the Shareholder Rights Plan
Agreement made as of April 12, 1999 between the Company and Montreal Trust
Company of Canada, be and it is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved;
2. any officer or director of the Company be and is hereby authorized and
directed, for and on behalf of the Company, to execute and deliver all such
documents and to do all such acts and things as he or she may determine to
be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the foregoing provisions of
this resolution, the execution of any such document or the doing of any
such acts and things being conclusive evidence of such determination; and
3. the directors of the Company may in their discretion revoke this resolution
before it is implemented, without further notice to, or approval of the
shareholders.
S-2
GSI LUMONICS INC.
Proxy for the Annual and Special Meeting to be held on May 11, 1999
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION
The undersigned shareholder of GSI Lumonics Inc. (the "Corporation") hereby
appoints Robert Atkinson or failing him, Charles Winston, or instead of them
as proxy of the undersigned with the power of
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substitution to attend and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the
Annual and Special Meeting of the Shareholders of the Corporation to be held on
Tuesday, May 11, 1999 and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, in the
same manner, to the same extent and with the same powers as if the undersigned
were present at the said meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof and
without limiting the general authorization and power hereby granted, the persons
named above are specifically directed to vote as follows:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS LISTED IN THE ACCOMPANYING MANAGEMENT PROXY
CIRCULAR.
[_] For [_] Withhold
2. APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG AS AUDITORS AND AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS TO FIX THEIR REMUNERATION.
[_] For [_] Withhold
3. RESOLUTION NO. 1--PROPOSAL TO AMEND 1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN.
[_] For [_] Against
4. RESOLUTION NO. 2--PROPOSAL TO APPROVE SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN.
[_] For [_] Against
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by
the undersigned shareholder. If the officers named in this proxy are appointed
by the undersigned and no direction is made, such officers will vote in favour
of the resolution.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. If not dated, this proxy is deemed to bear the date on which it is
mailed by the person making the solicitation.
Dated the day of , 1999.
-------------------------------
(Signature of Shareholder)
-------------------------------
(Signature if held jointly)
2
NOTES:
1. The shares represented by this proxy will be voted unless authority to
vote is withheld. This proxy confers authority for the above named to vote
in their discretion with respect to amendments or variations to the
matters identified in the notice of the meeting accompanying this proxy or
other matters which may properly come before the meeting.
2. Each shareholder has the right to appoint a person to represent such
shareholder at the meeting other than the persons specified above. Such
right may be exercised by inserting in the blank space provided the name
of the person to be appointed who need not be a shareholder of the
Corporation.
3. This proxy is not valid unless signed and dated. Where shares are held
jointly, tenants both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the
shareholder is a corporation, this proxy must be executed by an authorized
person under corporate seal. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
name by authorized person.