EXHIBIT 10.9
CHANGE OF CONTROL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 1st day of September,
2006, by and between LITTELFUSE, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter
referred to as the "Company"), and HUGH DALSEN FERBERT (hereinafter referred to
as the "Executive");
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (hereinafter referred to as
the "Board") has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders to provide the Executive with certain protections against the
uncertainties usually created by a Change of Control (as such term is
hereinafter defined); and
WHEREAS, the Board believes that the protections provided to the Executive
in connection with a Change of Control will better enable the Executive to
devote his full time, attention and energy to the business of the Company prior
to and after a Change of Control, thereby benefiting the Company and its
stockholders;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged and confessed, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as
follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the
first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)
hereof) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2 hereof) occurs.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if a
Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company is
terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is
reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i)
was at the direct or indirect request of a third party who theretofore had taken
any steps intended to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in
connection with or in anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes
of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to
the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on January 1, 2009.
Section 2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change
of Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition in one or more transactions by any individual,
entity or group (hereinafter referred to collectively as a "Person")
within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (hereinafter referred
to as the "Exchange Act"), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of,
and calculated in accordance with, Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company (hereinafter referred to as the "Outstanding
Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors (hereinafter referred to as the "Outstanding
Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this
subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change
of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any
acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
corporation controlled by the Company, (iv) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i),
(ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2 or (v) any acquisition
by Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, a California limited liability
company, or any of its Affiliates or Associates (as used herein, the terms
"Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to
such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act); or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board
(hereinafter referred to as the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such
individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an
actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or
removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (hereinafter referred to as a "Business Combination") unless,
following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of
the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially
own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting
from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all
or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through
one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation
resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or
more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
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common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination,
or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of
such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to
the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of
the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business
Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board,
providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company within one year after a Business
Combination.
Section 3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue to
employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain as an employee
of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of
such date (the "Employment Period").
Section 4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties. (i) During the Employment Period, (A) the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least
commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall be performed
at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the
Effective Date or any office or location less than 20 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to
devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions, and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary (hereinafter referred to as the
"Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, equal to at least
twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base
salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the
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Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period
immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the
Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12
months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the
Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base
Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such
increase and the term Annual Base Salary as used in this Agreement shall refer
to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or
under common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an
annual bonus (hereinafter referred to as the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least
equal to the Executive's highest bonus under the Company's incentive bonus
program or any comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the
last three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the
event that the Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of such
fiscal year) (hereinafter referred to as the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each such
Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the fifteenth day of the third month of
the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus. Any such deferral election shall be made not later than the first day of
the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is paid, and shall be made in
accordance with policies adopted by the Company in compliance with Section 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and any final regulations issued
pursuant thereto.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings
and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special
incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is
applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each
case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under
such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to
the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for
participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall
such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits
which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such
plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time
during the
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120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial
planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of an
automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided
to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
Section 5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Disability. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant
to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give written notice to
the Executive of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such
event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on
the 30th day after delivery of such notice to the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such delivery, the
Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's
duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of
the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis
for 180 consecutive business days as a result of
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incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and
permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the
Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company (other than any such
failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness),
after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the
Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which
the Board believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the
Executive's duties and such failure is not cured within sixty (60)
calendar days after receipt of such written demand; or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
For purposes of this provision, any act or failure to act on the part of the
Executive in violation or contravention of any order, resolution or directive of
the Board of Directors of the Company shall be considered "willful" unless such
order, resolution or directive is illegal or in violation of the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of the Company; provided, however, that no other act or
failure to act on the part of the Executive, shall be considered "willful,"
unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or
without reasonable belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the
best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority
given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the
instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company
or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively
presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and
in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the
Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have
been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the
Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an
opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that,
in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct
described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars
thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean:
(i) the Executive is not elected to, or is removed from, any elected
office of the Company which the Executive held immediately prior to the
Effective Date;
(ii) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any respect with the Executive's position, authority, duties or
responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) hereof, or any other
action by the Company which results in a diminution in
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such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this
purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad
faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by
the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iv) the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company
business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior
to the Effective Date; or
(v) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by
the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to
the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) hereof. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice
which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied
upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination
(as defined below) is other than the date of delivery of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than 30 days after the
delivery of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set
forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to
a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of delivery of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination, (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated
by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of
death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be, and
(iv) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive without Good
Reason, the last day of employment of the Executive with the Company.
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Section 6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the
Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other
than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate his employment for
Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash the
aggregate of the amounts set forth in A. and B. below. Such amount shall
be paid within 30 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however,
that if, and only if, the Executive notifies the Company that he has
determined in good faith that payment of such amount, or any portion
thereof, would be subject to Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such
amount, or portion, shall instead be paid on the first day that is six
months after the Date of Termination.
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, plus (2)
the product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and
(II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or
portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and annualized
for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve full
months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during the
Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being hereinafter
referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") multiplied by (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the
current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is 365 plus (3) any compensation previously
deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or
earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the
extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in
clauses (1), (2) and (3) are hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued
Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) two multiplied by
(2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary plus (y) the
Highest Annual Bonus;
(ii) during the two years following the Date of Termination, the
Company shall continue to provide medical insurance benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which
would have been provided to them in accordance with the medical insurance
benefits described in Section 4(b)(iv) hereof if the Executive's
employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that if the
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to
receive medical insurance benefits under another employer-provided plan,
the medical insurance benefits described herein shall be secondary to
those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of
eligibility;
(iii) for a period of up to two (2) years after the Date of
Termination, the Company shall provide outplacement services to the
Executive for the purpose of
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assisting the Executive seek new employment at a cost to the Company not
to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the Executive's Annual Base Salary,
payable directly to an outplacement service provider; provided, however,
that the Company shall have no further obligations to pay for any such
outplacement services once the Executive has accepted employment with any
third party;
(iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any stock
option plans pursuant to which the Executive has been granted any stock
options or other rights to acquire securities of the Company or its
Affiliates (the "Plans"), any option or right granted to the Executive
under any of the Plans shall be exercisable by the Executive until the
earlier of (x) the date on which the option or right terminates in
accordance with the terms of its grant, or (y) the expiration of twelve
(12) months after the Date of Termination;
(v) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to
receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts
and benefits shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as the "Other
Benefits"); and
(vi) notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any
employment agreement, benefit plan or other document, in the event the
Executive's employment shall be terminated during the Employment Period by
the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company other than for Cause or
Disability, on and after the Date of Termination the Executive shall not
be bound or prejudiced by any non-competition agreement benefiting the
Company or its subsidiaries.
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations by the Company to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and
affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the
Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other
peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations by the Company to the Executive under this
Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits.
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Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall
include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date
to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable
of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to
disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect
generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment shall
be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment during the
Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations of the Company to the Executive under this
Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be
paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination and the Company shall timely pay or provide the Other Benefits to
the Executive. In no event shall the Executive be liable to the Company for any
damages caused by such voluntary termination by the Executive nor shall the
Executive be in any way restricted from being employed by any other party after
such voluntary termination.
Section 7. Nonexclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f)
hereof, shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the
Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of
its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement, except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
Section 8. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest by the Company, the Executive or others in which the Executive is
the prevailing party and which involves or relates to the validity or
enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any
guarantee of performance thereof
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(including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any
payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed
payment from the due date thereof until paid at the prime rate from time to time
reported in The Wall Street Journal during said period.
Section 9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. (a) Anything in
this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in
the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company
to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed
or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
9, except as provided in the last sentence of this Section 9(a) (hereinafter
referred to collectively as a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by
the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with
any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that, after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect
to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any
interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon
the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment
equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. Regardless of whether the
Executive is subject to an Excise Tax, in the event that the Company fails to
defer payment of the amount described in Section 6(a)(i) in accordance with the
proviso to the second sentence thereof, and it is subsequently determined that
Executive is subject to the additional tax and interest provided in Section
409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code with respect to any portion of such payment (such
additional tax, together with any interest and penalties thereon, are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Section 409A Penalty") then
Executive shall also be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Section
409A Gross-Up") calculated in the same manner as a Gross-Up Payment by
substituting "Section 409A Penalty" for "Excise Tax" for all purposes of this
Section 9. The Section 409A Gross-Up shall be considered a Payment for purposes
of calculation of any Gross-Up Penalty.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c) hereof, all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions
to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Ernst & Young
LLP or such other independent certified public accounting firm as may be
designated by the Executive (hereinafter referred to as the "Accounting Firm")
which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the
Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive
that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the
Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the
Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make
the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be
referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the
Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the
Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon
the Company
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and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section
4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm
hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made
by the Company should have been made (hereinafter referred to as the
"Underpayment") consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.
In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c)
hereof and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise
Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has
occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or
for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed
in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).
If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively
to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating
to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection
with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or to contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the
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Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the
Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an
interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or
penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with
respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance. The Company's
control of any such contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a
Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled
to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof, the Executive becomes entitled to
receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to
the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c) hereof) promptly
pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof,
a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
Section 10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated
companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by
the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation
of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company
and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the
provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding
any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement. The
provisions of this Section 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement or
any termination of the employment of the Executive with the Company.
Section 11. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive
and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by
the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the
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Company to assume expressly 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 had taken place. As used in this Agreement, the term
"Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to
its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this
Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
Section 12. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. This Agreement may not be amended
or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto
or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) Each notice, request, demand, approval or other communication which
may be or is required to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been properly given when delivered personally at the
address set forth below for the intended party during normal business hours at
such address, when sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission to the
respective facsimile transmission numbers of the parties set forth below with
telephone confirmation of receipt, or when sent by recognized overnight courier
or by the United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
Littelfuse, Inc.
800 E. Northwest Highway
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
Attention: President (unless the Executive is
the President, in which case the
communication should be to the
attention of all of the Directors
of the Company other than the
Executive)
Facsimile: (847) 824-3864
Confirm: (847) 391-0304
If to the Executive:
Hugh Dalsen Ferbert
Facsimile: _________________________
Confirm: ___________________________
Notices shall be given to such other addressee or address, or both, or by way of
such other facsimile transmission number, as a particular party may from time to
time designate by written notice to the other party hereto. Each notice,
request, demand, approval or other communication which is sent in accordance
with this Section shall be deemed given and received for all purposes of this
Agreement as of two business days after the date of deposit thereof for mailing
in a duly
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constituted United States post office or branch thereof, one business day after
deposit with a recognized overnight courier service or upon confirmation of
receipt of any facsimile transmission. Notice given to a party hereto by any
other method shall only be deemed to be given and received when actually
received in writing by such party.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement
such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to promptly
assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including,
without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good
Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) hereof, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof and/or any other written agreement between
the Executive and the Company, prior to the Effective Date the Executive's
employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the Executive or
the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date upon written notice to the
other party, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under this
Agreement. From and after the Effective Date, this Agreement shall supersede any
other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(g) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Change of
Control Employment Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
By: /s/ Hugh Dalsen Ferbert
------------------------------------
HUGH DALSEN FERBERT
LITTELFUSE, INC.
By: /s/ Gordon Hunter
------------------------------------
Its: CEO
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