UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
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 Rule 14a-11© or Rule
14a-12 |
( )
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11
the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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
|
2) |
Form, Schedule
or Registration Statement No |
3) |
Filing
Party |
4) |
Date
Filed |
SYNALLOY
CORPORATION
Post
Office Box 5627
Spartanburg,
South Carolina 29304
April
24, 2008
1.
|
To
elect six directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders
or until their successors are elected and
qualified;
|
2.
|
To
act upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment or adjournments
thereof.
|
Secretary
March 21,
2008
CROFT
INDUSTRIAL PARK
POST
OFFICE BOX 5627
SPARTANBURG,
SOUTH CAROLINA 29304
PROXY
STATEMENT
April
24, 2008
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors of Synalloy Corporation (the "Company")
of proxies to be voted at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting to be held at the
Company's corporate office, 2155 West Croft Circle, Spartanburg, South Carolina,
on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. local time, and at all adjournment(s)
thereof. On or about March 24, 2008, we will begin mailing these proxy materials
to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 25,
2008.
Quorum and Voting. The
presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual
Meeting. If a share is represented for any purpose at the annual meeting by the
presence of the registered owner or a person holding a valid proxy for the
registered owner, it is deemed to be present for purposes of establishing a
quorum. Therefore, valid proxies which are marked "Abstain" or "Withhold" and
shares that are not voted, including proxies submitted by brokers that are the
record owners of shares (so-called "broker non-votes"), will be included in
determining the number of votes present or represented at the annual meeting. If
a quorum is not present or represented at the meeting, the shareholders entitled
to vote who are present in person or represented by proxy have the power to
adjourn the meeting from time to time. If the meeting is to be reconvened within
30 days, no notice of the reconvened meeting will be given other than an
announcement at the adjourned meeting. If the meeting is to be adjourned for 30
days or more, notice of the reconvened meeting will be given as provided in the
Bylaws. At any reconvened meeting at which a quorum is present or represented,
any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as
originally noticed.
Voting Rights. The securities
which can be voted at the Annual Meeting consist of Common Stock of the Company,
$1.00 par value per share. The record date for determining the holders of Common
Stock who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting is
February 25, 2008. On February 25, 2008, the Company had outstanding 6,242,741
(excluding 1,757,259 shares held in treasury) shares of Common Stock. Each
record shareholder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share on each
matter to be voted on at the meeting, except that in the election of Directors
shareholders have cumulative voting rights.
be
downloaded from the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at:
http://www.sec.gov. Such Annual Report to Shareholders does not form any part of
the material for soliciting proxies.
THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
Amount
and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
|
Percent
of Class
|
Tontine
Overseas Associates, L.L.C.
Tontine
Capital Partners, L.P.
Tontine
Capital Management, L.L.C.
Jeffrey
L. Gendell
55
Railroad Avenue
Greenwich,
CT 06830
|
378,816(1)
|
6.07
|
1414
Avenue of the Americas
New
York, NY 10019
|
327,700(2)
|
5.25
|
(1)
|
According
to the Schedule 13G filed January 14, 2008, these entities and Mr. Gendell
expressly affirm that they are acting as members of a group with respect
to these shares. The Schedule 13G further states that: Mr. Jeffrey L.
Gendell is the managing member of Tontine Capital Management, LLC (“TCM”)
and Tontine Overseas Associates, LLC (“TOA”), and in that capacity directs
their operations. TOA serves as investment manager to Tontine Capital
Overseas Master Fund, LP. TCM, the general partner of Tontine
Capital Partners, L.P. (“TCP”) has the power to direct the affairs of TCP,
including decisions respecting the disposition of the proceeds from the
sale of the shares of the Company. Each of the clients of TOA
has the power to direct the receipt of dividends from or the proceeds of
sale of such shares.
|
(2)
|
Royce
& Associates, Inc. ("Royce") is an investment advisor registered with
the Securities & Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisors Act
of 1940.
|
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
Name
of Beneficial Owner
|
Owned
as of February 25, 2008
|
Percent
of
Class
|
|
215,969(1)
|
3.46
|
|
210,203(2)
|
|
|
74,423(3)
|
1.19
|
|
61,515(4)
|
*
|
|
43,852(5)
|
|
|
40,744(6)
|
*
|
|
29,337(7)
|
|
|
20,456(8)
|
|
|
16,517(8)
|
|
|
713,016(9)
|
11.42
|
1.
|
Includes
26,984 shares held by an IRA; and 93,750 shares owned by his spouse, as to
which Mr. Lane disclaims beneficial ownership.
|
2.
|
Includes
indirect ownership of 35,580 shares held by an IRA; 4,830 held by spouse;
and 11,890 held in custodial accounts for minor children
|
3.
|
Includes
32,300 shares which are subject to currently exercisable options; 9,463
shares allocated under the Company's 401(k)/ESOP; and 1,386 shares
allocated to spouse under the Company's 401(k)/ESOP.
|
4.
|
Includes
exercisable options to purchase 7,500 shares.
|
5.
|
Includes
22,593 shares which are subject to currently exercisable options; and
2,552 shares allocated under the Company's 401(k)/ESOP.
|
6.
|
Includes
4,781 shares allocated under the Company's 401(k)/ESOP.
|
7.
|
Includes
18,146 shares which are subject to currently exercisable options; and
3,941 shares allocated under the Company's 401(k)/ESOP.
|
8.
|
Includes
2,055 shares held by spouse which are held in a margin account and may
from time-to-time be pledged as collateral.
|
9.
|
Includes
80,539 shares which are subject to currently exercisable options; and
22,123 shares allocated under the Company's
401(k)/ESOP.
|
Name,
Age, Principal Occupation, Other Directorships and Other
Information
|
Since
|
Mrs.
Fishburn is a graduate of Hollins University, Roanoke, VA. Mrs. Fishburn
is a member of the Nominating/Corporate Governance and Compensation &
Long-Term Incentive Committees
|
1979
|
Mr.
Lane served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1987 until his
retirement on January 31, 2002. He has served as Chairman of the Board
since 1987 and is a member of the Executive, Compensation & Long-Term
Incentive, and the Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committees.
|
1986
|
From
2000 to 2007, Mr. Vinson was Principal and Managing Member of VH, LLC, a
private real estate investment company. He is a member of the Audit,
Executive, Nominating/Corporate Governance and Compensation &
Long-Term Incentive Committees.
|
1987
|
Mr.
Wright is the founder and managing director of Avitas Capital, LLC, a
closely held investment banking firm, founded in 1999, in Richmond, VA. In
1986, he founded, and he recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of,
the law firm of Wright, Robinson, Osthimer & Tatum, Richmond, VA. He
serves on the Audit, Nominating/Corporate Governance and Compensation
& Long-Term Incentive Committees.
|
2001
|
Mr.
Bram is the founder and President of Horizon Capital Management, Inc., an
investment advisory firm, founded in 1996, in Richmond, VA. Since 1995, he
has also been a Managing Director with McCammon Group, a mediation and
consulting company based in Richmond, VA. Mr. Bram has been the President
of Bizport, Ltd., a document management company in Richmond, VA, since
2002. Since1997, Mr. Bram has served as the CFO for TrialNet, Inc., an
electronic billing company based in Richmond, VA. Mr. Bram serves on the
Audit, Compensation and Long-Term Incentive and Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committees.
|
2004
|
Mr.
Braam has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Synalloy
Corporation since January 1, 2006. Since December 1999, he has been
President of the Company's Specialty Chemicals Group, which is comprised
of Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC, Blackman Uhler, LLC, Organic Pigments,
LLC and SFR, LLC, wholly-owned by the Company. Mr. Braam serves on the
Executive Committee.
|
2006
|
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Executive
Committee. The members of the Executive Committee are James Lane, Chair,
Carroll Vinson and Ronald Braam. This Committee exercises the authority of the
Board of Directors in the management of the business of the Company between the
meetings of the Board of Directors. However, this Committee does not have, among
other powers, the authority to amend the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws,
to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, to recommend to the
shareholders the sale, lease or exchange of the Company's property and assets,
to declare a dividend, or to authorize the issuance of stock. This Committee did
not meet in 2007.
Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of
Sibyl Fishburn, Chair, Carroll Vinson, Murray Wright, James Lane and Craig Bram,
all of whom are independent as defined in the NASDAQ Rules. This Committee is
governed by a charter which is available on the Company's website at:
www.synalloy.com. This Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending
changes in size and
composition
of the Board of Directors and evaluating and recommending candidates for
election to the Company's Board. This Committee also reviews and oversees
corporate governance issues and makes recommendations to the Board related to
the adoption of policies pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the NASDAQ, and other governing authorities, and as required by the
Sarbanes Oxley Act. This Committee met once in 2007.
In
recommending and evaluating candidates, the Nominating Committee takes into
consideration such factors as it deems appropriate based on the Company's
current needs. These factors may include diversity, age, skills such as
understanding of appropriate technologies and general finance, decision-making
ability, inter-personal skills, experience with businesses and other
organizations of comparable size, and the interrelationship between the
candidate's experience and business background and other Board members'
experience and business background. Additionally, candidates for director should
possess the highest personal and professional ethics, and they should be
committed to the long-term interests of the shareholders.
The Nominating Committee will consider as potential Board of
Directors' nominees persons recommended by shareholders if the following
requirements are met. If a shareholder wishes to recommend a director candidate
to the Nominating Committee for consideration as a Board of Directors' nominee,
the shareholder must submit in writing to the Nominating Committee the
recommended candidate's name, a brief resume setting forth the recommended
candidate's business and educational background and qualifications for service,
the number of the Company's shares beneficially owned by the person, and a
notarized consent signed by the recommended candidate stating the recommended
candidate's willingness to be nominated and to serve. Additionally, the
recommending shareholder must provide his or her name and address and the number
of the Company's shares beneficially owned by such person. This information must
be delivered to the Secretary of the Company at Post Office Box 5627,
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29304 or Croft Industrial Park, Spartanburg, South
Carolina 29302, for transmission to the Nominating Committee, and must be
received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. The Committee may request further information if it
determines a potential candidate may be an appropriate nominee. Director
candidates recommended by shareholders that comply with these requirements will
receive the same consideration that the committee's candidates receive. The
Nominating Committee routinely meets at the regular quarterly meeting of the
Board of Directors next preceding the Annual Meeting.
to the
Annual Meeting, contain the information set forth above, and otherwise are made
in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company's
Bylaws.
Name,
Age and Principal Position and Five-Year Business
Experience
|
Vice President, Finance since May
1994.
|
Cheryl
C. Carter, age 57
Corporate Secretary since June
1987.
|
Michael
D. Boling, age 53
Mr. Boling has been President of
Bristol Metals, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, since October 1, 2005.
He served as Vice President of Bristol Metals' Piping Systems unit from
1987 to 2005.
|
Objectives of the Company’s
Compensation Program. The Company’s compensation policies are intended to
induce senior managers, including executive officers, to maximize value for
shareholders over the long term. There are three components of each
compensation package: base salary, short-term cash incentive
compensation and long-term incentive compensation. Together, the
three elements of compensation for named executives are intended
to
attract,
retain and incentivise those individuals to the ultimate benefit of the
Corporation and its shareholders. Synalloy Corporation has chosen the
elements of executive compensation to address different considerations as
further described below. Taken together, they fit the Corporation’s
business model to achieve its long-term goals. Each element addresses
different considerations, and without one or more our long-term goals might not
be achievable. The three elements of executive compensation are
described below, as are the methods used in determining their
values.
Base
Compensation. The Committee determines base salaries by
considering market forces in the area, and in the industry applicable to each
business unit. Base salaries are set toward the low end of a range
defined by our peers of comparable size and in related
industries. Given the fact that our manufacturing businesses have, in
the past, been cyclical, the Company has attempted to attract and retain the
best available talent at the low end of industry base compensation
scale. This provides a cushion for the Company in times of reduced
profitability.
In
addition, the Company considers the facts presented by each individual case
including but not limited to the employee’s longevity with the Company, his or
her educational background and experience, the particular responsibilities of
his or her position, the compensation of others with similar background
credentials and responsibilities, and his or her past level of performance, as
well as prospective assumptions. It is important for the Company to
remain competitive with not only its domestic competition, but also its
competitors participating in world markets. Therefore, the Company
attempts at all levels of management and operations to control costs such that
the Company can strive for a relatively low-cost structure. In order
to attract the best talent necessary, this element is important because, in our
experience, prospective employees view salary levels as the most important
determinant of where they choose to work. In order to maintain an
advantageous cost structure, it is necessary that the Corporation provide
enhancement to base compensation when certain levels of profitability are
achieved.
Short-Term Incentive
Compensation. In order for the approach to base salaries
discussed above to be effective, the Company has maintained a cash incentive
program which tends to be somewhat more generous than that of our peers when
profits are robust, and pays the employees nothing unless minimum returns on
average shareholders’ equity are achieved. The cash incentive program
compensates each manager eligible for such incentive compensation pursuant to a
formula based upon returns on average equity in his business unit during the
year. The intent is to make every senior manager’s cash compensation
dependent upon measurable performance criteria. Subsidiary senior
managers participate in profit sharing pools determined by the performance of
their business units, while the Chief Executive Officer’s incentive compensation
is based on consolidated profitability.
The
formula employed with respect to the cash incentive program is to award an
incentive pool to each business unit in an amount equal to 10% of operating
income in excess of a threshold of 10% return on average shareholders’ equity
employed in the business units. A minimum of 60% of the incentive
will be paid to designated participants pro rata to their salaries. A
maximum of 30% of the incentive pool may be distributed to employees who are not
designated participants and a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 40% of the
incentive pool may be paid to designated participants in any proportion as
recommended by the CEO and approved by the Compensation & Long-Term
Incentive Committee. Other senior managers at the Company’s
headquarters, including the CFO, the Corporate Secretary and other senior
executives, receive cash bonuses based upon their individual performance as
determined by the CEO and the Compensation Committee & Long-Term Incentive
Committee. In the past, cash bonuses have varied from a small
percentage of the amount of cash bonuses allocated to the operating companies,
to as much as 20% of that amount, depending upon specific
circumstances. There is no maximum or minimum amount currently
established for these individuals, but there has been an indirect linkage
between the size of the cash bonus pool, and the amounts allocated to these
individuals. The CEO’s cash bonus is specified in his contract of employment
with the Company.
Long-Term Incentive
Compensation. The Company also provides to senior
managers a long-term incentive component to compensation. In 2004 and
prior years, the vehicle for this component was a series of stock options
pursuant to incentive stock option plans adopted in 1988 and
1998. For 2005 and future years, the Compensation & Long-Term
Incentive Committee of the Board of Directors has recommended, and shareholders
approved, awarding incentives through grants of restricted stock under the 2005
Stock Awards Plan. Grants of restricted shares instead
of
options are expected to benefit the Company in that it will avoid the
complicating issues of accounting for the cost of option grants and reduce the
potential dilution to existing shareholders, while exposing the grantees to both
the positive and negative aspects of changes in market price of the Company’s
common stock over time. Grants of restricted stock augment the cash component of
compensation in a number of ways. The grants vest in 20% increments
over a period of five years from the date of grant as long as the employee
remains employed by the Company. Over time, the program provides an
incentive for the executive to remain with the Company in the long term, as
vesting depends upon continued employment. Goals are prospective, and
the executives are made aware, annually, of the Company’s long-term values and
expectations. Cash compensation is necessarily focused in the near
term. Long-term incentive compensation is focused largely on the
future.
The
Compensation & Long-Term Incentive Committee understands that the costs of
stock grants under the Plan are a tax deductible expense to the Company measured
on the date of vesting. Cash compensation is a direct expense to the
Company in the time frame dictated by applicable accounting rules.
The
granting of awards under the 2005 Stock Awards Plan begins with a determination
by the Chief Executive Office and the Compensation & Long-Term Incentive
Committee of the dollar value of the stock available to be awarded for
performance in a given year. The awards are made the following year and the
total number of restricted shares available to be awarded is determined by
dividing the previously determined dollar value of available stock by the
average of the high and low sales prices on the trading day immediately prior to
the determination date. The number of shares so determined is the maximum number
that may be awarded to all participants for the prior year’s
performance.
The Chief
Executive Officer and the Compensation & Long-Term Incentive Committee also
agree at the beginning of the performance year upon specific milestones, largely
comprised of measurable business metrics which can be impacted by management.
These goals are established and communicated to managers in February of each
year.
The
Committee reviews progress towards the goals during the performance year and
evaluates performance after the end of the year. Based on its evaluation, the
Committee awards restricted shares to the participants as it deems
appropriate.
The
Committee has and uses its discretion to determine the number of shares awarded
to each named executive officer. The Committee does not use multiple levels of
performance which are tied to multiple levels of awards. Rather, it subjectively
evaluates the extent to which an executive officer has achieved or made progress
toward achieving the officer’s goals after considering the available data and it
then uses its collective judgment to make awards it believes to be appropriate
to the level of performance.
Corporate
goals for 2007 included both financial and operating
targets. Financial targets included, among others, revenue and profit
growth, return on invested capital, and cost control. Operating
targets included, among others, customer relationship issues, product quality
and plant process efficiency.
No
restricted stock grants were made in 2005. A total of 22,510 stock grants were
made in February 2007 against a potential grant of 45,000 shares for 2006 plan
participants’ performance. Goals for 2007 were established and communicated to
plan participants early in 2007. Based on the Company’s achieving its
goals and executive officers achieving their individual goals in 2007, grants
were made at the Committee’s meeting in February 2008.
During
2007, quarterly reports on progress toward goals were produced by each business
unit and senior management, and communicated to the Committee for
review. In February 2008, the Committee, with all members in
attendance, evaluated each business unit and senior management with respect to
2007 performance versus goals. As a result of this evaluation
process, the Committee declared an award of 11,480 restricted shares to plan
participants as against a potential grant of 24,465 shares. The
Committee also set a grant potential for the 2008 calendar year at shares having
a value of $400,000 as of the date of the 2009 evaluation meeting.
The
Committee has determined that the pool for restricted stock grants for 2008
shall be an amount not to exceed stock of the Company having a value of $400,000
on the date of the meeting. Thus, the dollar amount of the grant
potential
for calendar year 2008 will be equal to that of 2007. The size of the grant pool
may rise or fall over time, depending on the long-term performance of the
Company. The Committee’s focus in setting this element of
compensation is to achieve an appropriate balance among the three elements of
executive compensation. Awards are granted in February such that the
Committee has time to evaluate prior year goals against performance, and also to
enable the participants to have the earliest possible awareness of what their
goals are for the ensuing year. The Company does not employ a “claw
back” or similar technique to reduce existing awards if performance falters in
future years, instead the goals are intended to induce continued improvement,
and grading is rigorous. The entire system is intended to induce
consistent and improving performance over time.
Other
Matters. Executive officers make recommendations with respect
to salaries of their subordinates. The Compensation & Long-Term
Incentive Committee sets the salaries of the CEO, CFO, Corporate Secretary and
the head of each business unit.
The
Committee reviews all forms of executive compensation annually and based on its
experience with this system, believes that is fair to the employees, and the
Company, over time. The Committee also believes that the system
provides motivation for employees to maximize shareholder value over the long
term.
The
process outlined above describes the mechanics of determining executive
compensation at the Company in 2007. The Committee contemplates no
major changes in the process for 2008.
Sibyl
N. Fishburn
Craig
C. Bram
James
G. Lane, Jr
Carroll
D. Vinson
Name
and Principal Position
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards ($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)
|
|
|
All
Other Compensation ($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
Ronald
H. Braam
|
2007
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
526,381 |
|
|
|
11,926 |
|
|
|
813,307 |
|
President
and CEO
|
2006
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
383,162 |
|
|
|
13,853 |
|
|
|
597,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory
M. Bowie, CFO
|
2007
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
62,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
396,500 |
|
|
2006
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
110,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
283,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
D. Boling
|
2007
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119,000 |
|
|
|
506,119 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
784,119 |
|
President
of Bristol
|
2006
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
508,800 |
|
Metals,
LLC subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheryl
C. Carter
|
2007
|
|
|
83,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
31,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,720 |
|
|
|
168,970 |
|
Corporate
Secretary
|
2006
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,200 |
|
|
|
119,200 |
|
Stock Awards – The
amounts in this column represent the dollar amounts recognized in accordance
with FAS 123(R). The assumptions made in the valuation of these awards are set
forth in Note J to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 29, 2007, which are included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
GRANTS
OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
Name (a)
|
Grant
Date (b)
|
Estimated
Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
(1)
|
All
Other Stock Awards Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (2)
|
Exercise
or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)
|
Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Target
($) (g)
|
Maximum
($) (h)
|
(i)
|
(k)
|
(l)
|
Ronald
H. Braam
|
2/12/2007
|
-
|
-
|
3,000
|
25.00
|
75,000
|
Gregory
M. Bowie
|
2/12/2007
|
-
|
-
|
2,500
|
25.00
|
62,500
|
Michael
D. Boling
|
2/12/2007
|
325,087
|
830,778
|
4,760
|
25.00
|
119,000
|
Cheryl
C. Carter
|
2/12/2007
|
-
|
-
|
1,250
|
25.00
|
31,250
|
(2) Awards
of restricted shares to the named executives in 2007 pursuant to the 2005 Stock
Awards Plan based on achievement of pre-determined quantifiable and qualitative
goals during 2006. The shares vest in 20% increments beginning one year from
date of grant, and any unvested shares are forfeited upon termination of
employment. Dividends accrue and are paid to named executives upon vesting of
any portion of the restricted stock.
Awards of
restricted shares were also made on February 12, 2008 to the named executives
pursuant to the 2005 Stock Awards Plan for 2007 performance. Under the Plan
awards of restricted stock were made to key executives based on achievement of
pre-determined quantifiable and qualitative goals during 2007 as follows: Mr.
Braam – 2,200 shares, Mr. Bowie – 1,830; Mr. Boling – 1,715 shares and Ms.
Carter – 990 shares. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for more
information on long-term incentive compensation.
(3)
Computed in accordance with FAS 123(R).
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
2007
|
Option
Awards
|
Stock
Awards
|
Name
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Exercisable
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options (#)
|
Option
Exercise Price ($)
|
Option
Expiration Date (1)
|
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (2)
(#)
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (3)
($)
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
(d)
|
(e)
|
(f)
|
(g)
|
(h)
|
Ronald
H. Braam
|
6,500
|
0
|
|
7.75
|
4/29/2009
|
3,000
|
53,010
|
|
8,000
|
0
|
|
7.282
|
12/1/2009
|
|
|
|
4,800
|
0
|
|
4.65
|
4/25/2012
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
21,000
|
|
9.96
|
2/3/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory
M. Bowie
|
7,500
|
0
|
|
7.75
|
4/29/2009
|
2,500
|
44,175
|
|
8,093
|
21,000
|
|
9.96
|
2/3/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
D. Boling
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
|
4,760
|
84,109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheryl
C. Carter
|
6,000
|
0
|
|
7.75
|
4/29/2009
|
1,250
|
22,088
|
|
3,600
|
0
|
|
4.65
|
4/25/2012
|
|
|
|
8,546
|
1,454
|
|
9.96
|
2/3/2015
|
|
|
(1)
Options expiring April 29, 2009, vested as follows: 20% beginning April 29,
2000, 40% at April 29, 2001, 60% at April 29, 2002, 80% at April 20, 2003 and
100% at April 20, 2004. Stock options expiring April 25, 2012 vested as follows:
20% beginning on April 25, 2003, 40% at April 25, 2004, 60% at April 25, 2005,
and the remaining 12,800 shares granted to the named executive officers vested
on December 20, 2005 as a result of the Board of Directors' resolution to
accelerate the vesting schedules of substantially all outstanding unvested
options issued to officers and key employees effective as of the date of the
resolution. Options expiring February 3, 2015 which were granted to named
executive officers vest as follows: 16,454 options granted vested on December
20, 2005 as a result of a Board of Directors' resolution to accelerate the
vesting schedules described above; no options vested in 2006, 6,201 shares
vested on February 3, 2007 for Messrs. Braam and Bowie, 7,000 options vested on
February 3, 2008 for Messrs. Braam and Bowie, 7,000 options will vest on
February 3, 2009 for Messrs. Braam and Bowie, and 7,000 options for Messrs.
Braam and Bowie and 1,454 options for Ms. Carter will vest on February 3,
2010.
(2)
Restricted stock awards granted February 12, 2007. Twenty percent of these
shares shown vest annually beginning February 12, 2008, subject to the
recipient’s continuing to be employed by the Company and other conditions
described under “Equity Plans—Stock Awards Plan” below.
(3) Based
on the December 29, 2007 closing stock price of $17.67 per
share.
|
Option
Awards
|
Name
|
Number
of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
Value
Realized on Exercise ($)
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Ronald
H. Braam
|
18,000
|
312,190
|
Gregory
M. Bowie
|
18,207
|
291,769
|
Michael
D. Boling
|
19,000
|
301,805
|
Cheryl
C. Carter
|
7,000
|
112,655
|
Non-employee directors are paid an annual retainer of $35,000,
and each director has the opportunity to elect to receive $15,000 of the
retainer in restricted stock. For 2007 and 2008, each director elected to
receive $15,000 of the annual retainer in restricted stock. The number of
restricted shares issued is determined by the average of the high and low stock
price on the day prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In 2007 each
non-employee director received 389 shares of restricted stock (an aggregate of
1,945 shares). The shares granted to the directors are not registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to forfeiture in whole or in part upon
the occurrence of certain events. In addition, directors are compensated $1,500
for each board meeting attended in person; $1,000 for each telephone Board
meeting; and $1,000 for attendance at committee meetings not held on Board
meeting days. The Chairman of the Board and the Audit Committee Chair receive
additional annual compensation of $5,000 each; and the Compensation Committee
Chair receives annual compensation of $2,500. Directors are reimbursed for
travel and other expenses related to attendance at meetings. Directors who are
employees are not paid extra compensation for service on the Board or any
committee of the Board.
Name
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
(1)
|
Total
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(h)
|
James
G. Lane, Jr.
|
49,900
|
49,900
|
Sibyl
N. Fishburn
|
44,500
|
44,500
|
Carroll
D. Vinson
|
56,500
|
56,500
|
Murray
H. Wright
|
53,500
|
53,500
|
Craig
C. Bram
|
51,500
|
51,500
|
(1) As
discussed above, each director elected to be paid $15,000 of his annual retainer
in stock (389 shares each).
The agreement also provides that Mr. Braam will be entitled to
participate in all employee benefit plans in accordance with the terms of those
plans. In the event of Mr. Braam's permanent disability or death while employed
by the Company, he will be entitled to a payment equal to his current base
salary at the date of death or disability until the next anniversary date of the
agreement, which shall in no event be less than three months, together with his
bonus compensation for that fiscal year prorated to the date of termination of
his employment as a result of permanent disability or death. If Mr. Braam's
employment with the Company had terminated on December 29, 2007, as a result of
his permanent disability or death, he would have been entitled to a payment of
$50,000 with respect to his base salary and $526,381 with respect to his
short-term cash incentive compensation. The agreement contains Mr. Braam's
covenant not to engage, directly or indirectly, in competition with the Company
with respect to the businesses in which it is engaged on the date his employment
is terminated for a period of one year after termination of his employment. Mr.
Braam also agrees not to disclose, at any time during his employment with the
Company or thereafter, any of the Company's confidential
information.
Currently, there are options outstanding under the 1994 and 1998
Stock Option Plans, and options available for grant until April 30, 2008 under
the 1998 Plan. The grant period for the 1994 Plan expired in April 2004, but
options may be exercised under the 1994 Plan until April 2012. All of the plans
have been approved by shareholders. The 1998 Plan provides for options to be
granted to officers and key employees of the Company, its subsidiaries and
divisions to provide them with an opportunity to obtain an equity interest in
the Company and to increase their stake in the future growth and prosperity of
the Company. The 1994 Plan provided for such options to be granted to
non-employee directors. The option price for options granted under these plans
is 100% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date the
option was granted. Certain restrictions exist as to the time in which options
can be exercised. With regard to the 1998 Plan, approved at the April 30, 1998
Annual Meeting, options may be exercised beginning one year after date of grant
at a rate of 20% annually on a cumulative basis. In the event that (a) all or
substantially all of the assets or Common Stock of the Company (or a subsidiary
or division of the Company in which the option holder is employed) is sold to an
entity not affiliated with the Company, or (b) a merger or share exchange with
an unaffiliated party occurs in which the Company is not the surviving entity,
an option holder may exercise in addition to the above, 50% of the options not
otherwise exercisable because of the vesting period requirement subject to
certain limitations. If one of the events described in (a) or (b) above had
occurred as of December 29, 2007, half of the options shown in the ‘Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable” column of the
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End 2007 table would have vested
immediately.
No
options may be exercised under the 1998 Plan after 10 years from date of grant.
Incentive stock options are not transferable other than by death and can only be
exercised during the employee's lifetime by the employee. In no event shall
incentive stock options under all plans of the Company having an aggregate fair
market value in excess of $100,000 at the dates the grants become exercisable by
an optionee for the first time during a calendar year.
Under the
1994 Plan, approved at the April 29, 1994 Annual Meeting, each non-employee
director as of his or her election or re-election as a member of the Board
automatically received an option for 1,500 common shares. In the event a person
ceases to be a non-employee director for reasons other than death, the unexpired
options must be exercised within three years not to exceed 10 years after date
of grant. On December 20, 2005, the Board of Directors elected to accelerate
vesting of 44,144 outstanding unvested stock options under the 1998 Stock Option
Plan. At February 25, 2008, there were 129,743 options outstanding under all
plans of which 100,289 were exercisable.
The 2005 Stock Awards Plan, approved by shareholders at the
April 28, 2005 Annual Meeting, and amended by the Board of Directors effective
at its February 2008 meeting, authorizes issuance of up to 300,000 shares which
may be awarded for a period of ten years from the effective date of the plan.
Stock awards will vest in 20% increments annually on a cumulative basis,
beginning one year after the date of grant. In order for the awards to vest, the
employee must be in the continuous employment of the Company or a subsidiary
since the date of the award. Any portion of an award that has not vested will be
forfeited upon termination of employment. The Company may also terminate any
portion of an award that has not vested upon an employee's failure to comply
with all conditions of the award or the plan. Vesting of up to 50% of awards
will automatically accelerate in the event of (i) a sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company (or a subsidiary or division of the Company in
which the employee is employed) to an entity not affiliated with the Company,
(ii) a merger or share exchange with an unaffiliated party in which the Company
is not the surviving entity, or (iii) a similar sale or exchange transaction
that, in the Committee's sole discretion, justifies such vesting. If one of the
events described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above had occurred as of December 29,
2007, half of the restricted shares shown in the “Number of Shares or Units that
have not Vested” column of the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year Ended
2007 table would have vested immediately.
Shares
representing awards that have not yet vested will be held in escrow by the
Company and an employee will not be entitled to any voting rights with respect
to any such shares. Share awards that have not vested will not be
transferable.
The Board
of Directors implemented an equity-based incentive compensation program pursuant
to which it reserved 45,000 shares under the 2005 Stock Awards Plan for
potential grant in 2007 to officers, including the named executive officers in
the Summary Compensation Table, and certain key employees if they achieved
pre-determined quantifiable and qualitative goals during 2006. As explained in
connection with the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table, on February 12, 2007 a
total of 22,510 restricted shares were awarded under this incentive program, of
which 11,510 were awarded to the named executive officers, based on meeting
pre-disclosed 2006 goals. Of these restricted share awards, 4,436 shares vested
on February 12, 2008. At its February 2007 meeting, the Compensation &
Long-Term Incentive Committee set the amount of $400,000 under the Plan for
potential grants to officers and managers for 2007, including the named
executive officers in the compensation table, subject to achieving
pre-determined quantifiable and qualitative goals during 2007. On February 12,
2008, the Committee granted 11,480 restricted shares to certain management
employees of the Company including the named executive officers, based on their
achieving these goals in 2007.
At its
February 2008 meeting, the Compensation & Long-Term Incentive Committee set
the amount of $400,000 under the Plan to ultimately be denominated in restricted
shares for potential grants to officers and managers, including the named
executive officers in the compensation table, subject to achieving
pre-determined quantifiable and qualitative goals during 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
187,250 |
|
|
|
55 |
% |
|
$ |
145,600 |
|
|
|
74 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,100 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
Tax
Fees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
compliance/preparation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
16 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,625 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
9,575 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
36 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Fees
|
|
$ |
342,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
188,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and
discussed with management the Company's audited financial statements for the
year ended December 29, 2007. The Audit Committee has discussed with the
Company's independent auditors, Dixon Hughes PLLC, the matters required to be
discussed by SAS 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU
Section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule
3200T. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the
letter from Dixon Hughes, required by Independence Standards Board Standard No.
1, (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), as adopted by the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3600T, and has discussed with Dixon
Hughes, their independence. Based on the review and discussions referred to
above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007 for filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Any shareholder proposal to be included in the proxy materials
for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be submitted in accordance with
applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and received by
the Company at its principal executive offices, Croft Industrial Park, PO Box
5627, Spartanburg, SC 29304, no later than November 25, 2008. In order for a
shareholder to bring any business or nominations before the 2009 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders, certain conditions set forth in the Company's Bylaws must be
complied with, including but not limited to, the delivery of a notice to the
Secretary of the Company not less than 30 nor more than 60 days in advance of
the 2008 Annual Meeting which is tentatively scheduled on April 30, 2009. With
respect to any shareholder proposal not received by the Company prior to
February 8, 2009, the designated proxy agents will vote on the proposal in their
discretion.
Secretary
SYNALLOY
CORPORATION
POST
OFFICE BOX 5627. SPARTANBURG, SC 29304
This
Proxy is Solicited by The Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on
April
24, 2008
The
undersigned hereby appoints Gregory M. Bowie and Cheryl C. Carter, or either of
them, each with power of substitution, as lawful proxy, to vote all the
shares of Common Stock of Synalloy Corporation which the undersigned would be
entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of
Synalloy Corporation to be held at its corporate offices, 2155 West Croft
Circle, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302 on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 10:00
a.m. local time, and at any adjournment thereof, upon such business as may
properly come before the meeting.
The
proxies will vote on the items set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting and
Proxy Statement (receipt of which is hereby acknowledged) as specified on this
card, and are authorized to vote in their discretion when a vote is not
specified. If no specification is made, it is the intention of said proxies to
vote the shares represented by the proxy in favor of the proposal.
This
proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the
undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted FOR
election of all the director nominees in proposal 1.
Mail - Date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.
or
Internet - Access "www.voteproxy.com" and
follow the on-screen instructions. Have your proxy card available when you
access the web page.
or
In Person – You may vote your
shares in person by attending the Annual Meeting.
You may
enter your voting instructions at www.voteproxy.com up
until 11:59 PM. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off or meeting
date.
Please
sign, date and return your proxy card promptly in the enclosed
envelope.
Please
mark your vote in blue or black ink as shown here. X
Proposal
1. Election of Directors
|
|
|
____
|
For
All Nominees
|
Nominees
|
|
|
___
|
Sibyl
N. Fishburn
|
____
|
Withhold
Authority For All Nominees
|
___
|
James
G. Lane, Jr.
|
|
|
___
|
Ronald
H. Braam
|
____
|
For
All Except
|
___
|
Craig
C. Bram
|
|
(See
Instructions below)
|
___
|
Carroll
D. Vinson
|
|
|
___
|
Murray
H. Wright
|
Instructions:
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s) mark 'FOR ALL EXCEPT' and fill in
the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown
here.
2. Upon
any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
thereof, as the proxies in their discretion may determine.
To change
the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new
address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered
name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature Date Signature
if held
jointly Date
Please
sign exactly as your name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign.
Trustees, executors, administrators and others signing in a representative
capacity should indicate that capacity. An authorized officer may sign on behalf
of a corporation and should indicate the name of the corporation and his
capacity.