UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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BUNGE LIMITED | ||||
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Notice of Annual General Meeting
of Shareholders and
2016 Proxy Statement
April [·], 2016
Bunge Limited 50 Main Street White Plains, New York 10606 U.S.A. |
April [·], 2016
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend our Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Sofitel Hotel, 45 West 44th Street, in New York City. The proxy statement contains important information about the Annual General Meeting, the proposals we will consider and how you can vote your shares.
Over the past year, despite significant challenges in our markets, we continued to execute on our strategy to unlock greater value today, while building a solid foundation for future growth and consistent performance. We are making solid progress on the implementation of our strategic initiatives and will continue to strengthen our global business to create sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders. As we go about this, a key priority of our Board and management is ensuring robust outreach and engagement with our shareholders on the topics that matter most to them. We view our proxy statement as an important piece of our shareholder communications program. We encourage you to carefully review the information in the proxy statement as well as our annual report.
Your vote is very important to us. We encourage you to vote as soon as possible, regardless of whether you will attend the Annual General Meeting. This will help us ensure that your vote is represented at the Annual General Meeting.
As we look ahead, we are excited about the tremendous value creation opportunities in front of us as our dedicated management team continues to execute on our business strategy. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the management of Bunge, I extend our appreciation for your investment in Bunge. We look forward to seeing you at the Annual General Meeting.
L. Patrick Lupo Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Bunge Limited 50 Main Street White Plains, New York 10606 |
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Bunge Limited's 2016 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held on May 25, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Sofitel Hotel, 45 West 44th Street, in New York City. At the Annual General Meeting, we will discuss and you will vote on the following proposals:
Shareholders will also consider and act on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
We will also present at the Annual General Meeting the consolidated financial statements and independent auditors' reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, copies of which can be found in our 2015 Annual Report that accompanies this notice.
March 30, 2016 is the record date for determining which shareholders are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual General Meeting and at any subsequent adjournments or postponements. The share register will not be closed between the record date and the date of the Annual General Meeting. You will be required to bring certain documents with you to be admitted to the Annual General Meeting. Please read carefully the sections in the proxy statement on attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting to ensure that you comply with these requirements.
Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual General Meeting in person, please promptly vote by mail, Internet or telephone so that your shares will be represented at the Annual General Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 25, 2016: Our 2016 Proxy Statement is available at [www.bunge.com/2016proxy.pdf] and our 2015 Annual Report is available at [www.bunge.com/2015AR.pdf.]
By order of the Board of Directors.
April [·], 2016 | Carla L. Heiss Secretary |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY |
This summary highlights certain information contained in this proxy statement. As it is only a summary, please review the entire proxy statement before voting.
Annual General Meeting Information
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· Time and Date: |
Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. | |
· Location: |
Sofitel Hotel, 45 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036. | |
· Record Date: |
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 30, 2016 are entitled to vote. | |
· Voting: |
Each outstanding common share is entitled to one vote. You may vote by telephone, internet, mail or by attending the Annual General Meeting. Please see "How Do I Vote?" on page [7]. | |
· Attendance: |
To be admitted, please follow the instructions contained in "How do I attend the Annual General Meeting?" on page [6]. | |
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Proposals and Voting Recommendations
Proposal |
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Board's Voting Recommendation |
Vote Required For Approval |
Page References (for more detail) |
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Proposal 1. |
Amendment to Bye-laws to Declassify the Board of Directors |
FOR | 66% OF SHARES OUTSTANDING |
[19] | ||||
Proposal 2. |
Election of Directors | FOR EACH NOMINEE | MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST | [21] | ||||
Proposal 3. |
Appointment of Independent Auditors | FOR | MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST | [76] | ||||
Proposal 4. |
Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation | FOR | MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST | [78] | ||||
Proposal 5. |
Approval of the Bunge Limited 2016 Equity Incentive Plan | FOR | MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST | [79] | ||||
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The Board of Directors has nominated the four directors named below for election at the Annual General Meeting and recommends FOR the election of each director nominee. Each nominee is
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currently a director of the Company. The following table provides summary information about each nominee. (See "Election of Directors" for additional information regarding the nominees.)
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Independent |
Audit |
Compensation |
FRPC |
CGNC |
SCRC |
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Corporate Governance Highlights
Our commitment to good corporate governance practices includes the following:
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2015 was a year of solid performance amid industry headwinds for Bunge.
CAPITAL RETURNED TO SHAREHOLDERS IN 2015 |
TOTAL SEGMENT EBIT, ADJUSTED (US$)1 |
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Executive Compensation Highlights
Bunge's executive compensation philosophy is built upon a strong foundation of linking pay with performance and is structured to:
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A strong relationship exists in both the short- and long-term between CEO pay and Company performance. Over the prior three years, CEO pay has been consistently and directionally aligned with Bunge's year-over-year financial performance1:
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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING |
Questions and Answers about Voting Your Common Shares
Why did I receive this Proxy Statement?
Bunge Limited ("Bunge" or the "Company") has furnished these proxy materials to you because Bunge's Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 25, 2016 (the "Annual General Meeting"). This proxy statement contains information about the items being voted on at the Annual General Meeting and important information about Bunge. Bunge's 2015 Annual Report, which includes Bunge's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, is also being furnished together with this proxy statement. If you received printed versions of these materials by mail, these materials also include the proxy card or voting instruction form for the Annual General Meeting. Bunge is making its proxy materials first available to shareholders on or about April [], 2016.
Bunge has sent these materials to each person who is registered as a holder of its common shares in its register of shareholders (such owners are often referred to as "holders of record" or "registered holders") as of the close of business on March 30, 2016, the record date for the Annual General Meeting.
Bunge has requested that banks, brokerage firms and other nominees who hold Bunge common shares on behalf of the owners of the common shares (such owners are often referred to as "beneficial shareholders" or "street name holders") as of the close of business on March 30, 2016 forward either a Notice (defined below) or a printed copy of these materials, together with a proxy card or voting instruction form, to those beneficial shareholders. Bunge has agreed to pay the reasonable expenses of
the banks, brokerage firms and other nominees for forwarding these materials.
Finally, Bunge has provided for these materials to be sent to persons who have interests in Bunge common shares through participation in the Company share funds of the Bunge Retirement Savings Plan, the Bunge Savings Plan and the Bunge Savings PlanSupplement A. Although these persons are not eligible to vote directly at the Annual General Meeting, they may, however, instruct the trustees of the plans on how to vote the common shares represented by their interests. The enclosed proxy card will also serve as voting instructions for the trustees of the plans. If you do not provide voting instructions for shares held for you in any of these plans, the trustees will vote these shares in the same ratio as the shares for which voting instructions are provided.
Shareholders who owned our common shares as of the close of business on the record date for the Annual General Meeting are entitled to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting and adjournments or postponements of the Annual General Meeting. A poll will be taken on each proposal to be put to the Annual General Meeting.
What is Notice and Access and why did Bunge elect to use it?
As permitted by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Notice and Access provides companies with the ability to make proxy materials available to shareholders electronically via the Internet. Bunge has elected to provide many of our shareholders with a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
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("Notice") instead of receiving a full set of printed proxy materials in the mail. The Notice is a document that provides instructions regarding how to:
On or about April [] 2016, we began mailing the Notice to certain beneficial shareholders and posted our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice. See "Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials" in this proxy statement for more information about where to view our proxy materials on the Internet.
As more fully described in the Notice, shareholders who received the Notice may choose to access our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice or may request to receive a printed set of our proxy materials. In addition, the Notice and website provide information regarding how you may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis. The selected delivery choice will remain in effect until changed by the shareholder. If you have previously elected to receive our proxy materials electronically, you will continue to receive access to those materials by email unless you elect otherwise.
How many votes do I have?
Every holder of a common share will be entitled to one vote per share for the election of each director and to one vote per share on each other matter presented at the Annual General Meeting. On March 30, 2016, there were [·] common shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
What proposals are being presented at the Annual General Meeting?
Shareholders are being asked to vote on the following matters at the Annual General Meeting:
Other than the matters set forth in this proxy statement and matters incidental to the conduct of the Annual General Meeting, Bunge does not know of any business or proposals to be considered at the Annual General Meeting. If any other business is proposed and properly presented at the Annual General Meeting, the proxies received from our shareholders give the proxy holders the authority to vote on the matter at their discretion.
How do I attend the Annual General Meeting?
For admission to the Annual General Meeting, shareholders of record should bring the admission ticket attached to the enclosed proxy card, as well as a form of photo identification, to the shareholders' check-in area, where their ownership will be verified. Those who have beneficial ownership of common shares held by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee must bring account statements or letters from their
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banks or brokers showing that they own Bunge common shares, together with a form of photo identification. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m., EDT, and the Annual General Meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m., EDT.
How do I vote?
You can exercise your vote in the following ways:
Your vote is very important. Even if you plan to be present at the Annual General Meeting, we encourage you to vote as soon as possible.
What if I return my proxy card but do not mark it to show how I am voting?
If you sign and return your proxy card or voting instruction form but do not indicate instructions for voting, your common shares will be voted "FOR" each of proposals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. With respect to any other matter which may properly come before the Annual General Meeting, your common shares will be voted at the discretion of the proxy holders.
May I change or revoke my proxy?
You may change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised in one of four ways:
You may not revoke a proxy simply by attending the Annual General Meeting. To revoke a proxy, you must take one of the actions described above. Any written notice of revocation must be sent to the attention of our Secretary at 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, U.S.A., or by facsimile to (914) 684-3497.
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What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice or set of proxy materials?
It means that you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent and/or with banks and stock brokers. Please vote all of your common shares. Beneficial shareholders sharing an address who are receiving multiple Notices or copies of proxy materials will need to contact their broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all shareholders at the shared address in the future. In addition, if you are the beneficial owner, but not the record holder, of Bunge's common shares, your broker, bank or other nominee may deliver only one copy of the Notice or proxy materials to multiple shareholders who share an address unless that nominee has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders. Bunge will deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the Notice, proxy statement or 2015 Annual Report to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. Shareholders who wish to receive a separate copy of these documents should submit their request to Bunge's Investor Relations department by telephone at (914) 684-2800 or by submitting a written request to 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, U.S.A., Attention: Investor Relations.
Can I receive future proxy materials electronically?
Shareholders can help us conserve natural resources and reduce the cost of printing and mailing proxy statements and annual reports by opting to receive future mailings electronically. To enroll, please visit our website at www.bunge.com, click on the "InvestorsShareholder Info & ServicesElectronic Delivery Enrollment" links and follow the instructions provided.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the start of the Annual General Meeting of at least two persons representing, in person or by proxy, more than one-half of our outstanding common shares will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
What vote is required in order to approve each proposal?
The proposal to approve an amendment to our bye-laws to declassify our Board of Directors (Proposal 1) requires the affirmative vote of not less than 66% of the outstanding common shares.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is required to elect each of the nominees for director (Proposal 2). As this is an uncontested election, any nominee for director who receives a greater number of votes "against" his or her election than votes "for" such election will not be elected to the Board and the position on the Board that would have been filled by the director nominee will become vacant.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is also required to approve each of the other proposals described in this proxy statement.
Proposal 4, the non-binding proposal to approve the compensation of our named executive officers, is an advisory vote only and, as discussed in more detail in "Proposal 4Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation," the voting result is not binding on us. However, although the advisory vote on Proposal 4 is non-binding, our Board will review the results of the vote and will take them into account in considering the compensation of our executive officers.
Pursuant to Bermuda law, (i) common shares which are represented by "broker non-votes" (i.e., common shares held by brokers which are
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represented at the Annual General Meeting but with respect to which the broker is not empowered to vote on a particular proposal) and (ii) common shares represented at the Annual General Meeting which abstain from voting on any matter, are not included in the determination of the common shares voting on such matter, but are counted for quorum purposes.
Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), if you do not submit specific voting instructions to your broker, your broker will not have the ability to vote your common shares in connection with Proposals 1, 2, 4 and 5. Accordingly, if your common shares are held in street name and you do not submit voting instructions to your broker, your common shares will be treated as broker non-votes for these proposals.
How will voting on any other business be conducted?
Other than the matters set forth in this proxy statement and matters incident to the conduct of the Annual General Meeting, we do not know of any business or proposals to be considered at the Annual General Meeting. If any other business is properly proposed and presented at the Annual General Meeting, the proxies received from our shareholders give the proxy holders the authority to vote on the matter at the discretion of the proxy holders.
Who will count the votes?
Broadridge will act as the inspector of election and will tabulate the votes.
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Deadline for Appointment of Proxies by Telephone or the Internet or Returning Your Proxy Card
Bunge shareholders should complete and return the proxy card as soon as possible. To be valid, your proxy card must be completed in accordance with the instructions on it and received by us no later than 11:59 p.m., EDT, on May 24, 2016. If you appoint your proxy by telephone or the Internet, we must receive your appointment no later than 11:59 p.m., EDT, on May 24, 2016. If you participate in the Bunge share funds of the Bunge Retirement Savings Plan, the Bunge Savings Plan or the Bunge Savings Plan Supplement A, you must also submit your voting instructions by this deadline in order to allow the plan trustees time to receive your voting instructions and vote on behalf of the plans. If your common shares are held in street name and you are voting by mail, you should return your voting instruction form in accordance with the instructions on that form or as provided by the bank, brokerage firm or other nominee who holds Bunge common shares on your behalf.
We will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies, including the preparation, printing and mailing of proxy materials and the Notice. We will furnish copies of these proxy materials to banks, brokers, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in their names on behalf of beneficial owners so that they may forward these proxy materials to our beneficial owners.
We have retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist us in the distribution of the proxy materials and to act as proxy solicitor for the Annual General Meeting for a fee of $12,500 plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, we may supplement the original solicitation of proxies by mail with solicitation by telephone, telegram and other means by our directors, officers and/or other employees. We will not pay any additional compensation to these individuals for any such services.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
The following sections provide an overview of Bunge's corporate governance policies and practices, including with respect to independence of directors, Board leadership, risk oversight, shareholder outreach and the structure and key aspects of our Board and committee operations. The Board regularly reviews our policies and processes in the context of current corporate governance trends, regulatory changes and recognized best practices.
Board Structure and Proposed Governance Changes
As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board consists of 11 directors divided into three classes, with the directors in each class being elected for a three-year term. The term of the three classes is staggered so that only one class of directors is nominated for election at any one annual general meeting. After careful consideration and review of the classified Board structure, the Board determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to declassify the Board which, when fully implemented in 2017, will allow our shareholders to vote on the election of the entire Board each year. The Board has approved an amendment to our bye-laws to effect the declassification, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting. Please refer to Proposal No. 1 for further information regarding the declassification proposal.
The Board is composed of a substantial majority of independent directors. In accordance with the listing standards of the NYSE, to be considered independent, a director must have no material relationship with Bunge directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Bunge. The Board annually reviews commercial and other relationships between directors or members of their immediate families and Bunge in order to make a determination regarding the independence of each director. To assist it in making these determinations, the Board has adopted categorical standards of director independence which are set forth in Annex A to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are included as Appendix A to this proxy statement and are also available through the "Investors Corporate Governance" section of our website, www.bunge.com. Additionally, Bunge's bye-laws provide that no more than two directors may be employed by Bunge or any company or entity which is controlled by Bunge.
The Board has determined that the following directors are independent: Messrs. Bachrach, Boilini, Cornet de Ways-Ruart, de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais, Engels, Ferrier, Lupo and McGlade and Mses. Browner and Hyle. In making its independence determinations, the Board broadly considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including that in the normal course of business, purchase and sale and other commercial and charitable transactions or relationships may occur between Bunge and other companies or organizations with which some of our directors or their immediate family members are affiliated. Mr. Schroder is not considered an independent director due to his position as an executive officer of Bunge.
In determining the independence of these directors, the Board considered transactions between Bunge and a charitable organization with which an immediate family member of Mr. de La Tour d'Auvergne
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Lauraguais is affiliated as a director, and determined that Mr. de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais did not have a material direct or indirect interest in the transactions. The Board also considered that Bunge made donations in 2015 to the same charitable organization and determined that the amount of the charitable contributions were immaterial and fell below the thresholds in Bunge's categorical standards of director independence. Additionally, the Board considered that Bunge provided certain administrative support services to Mutual Investment Limited, a holding company and former parent company of Bunge Limited which currently has no significant operations. Messrs. de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais and Engels are directors of Mutual Investment Limited. The Board also considered that in 2015 Bunge made sales in the ordinary course of business to Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A., where Mr. Cornet de Ways-Ruart serves as a director, and had ordinary course business relationships with The ADT Corporation, where Ms. Hyle serves as a director. The Board determined that none of these transactions were material.
Our Board does not have a requirement that the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board be either combined or separated, because the Board believes this determination should be made based on the best interests of Bunge and its shareholders at any point in time based on the facts and circumstances facing the Company. Demonstrating the Board's commitment to making these thoughtful and careful determinations, our Board leadership structure has evolved over the past three years with the separation of the Chairman and CEO roles in June 2013 at the time of Mr. Schroder's appointment as CEO, and the appointment of L. Patrick Lupo as the Company's independent, non-executive Chairman effective January 1, 2014. The Board believes that its current leadership structure is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders at this time and demonstrates its commitment to independent oversight, which is a critical aspect of effective governance.
Additionally, as described above, our Board is characterized by a substantial majority of independent directors as well as Board committees that are comprised entirely of independent directors. As a result, independent directors oversee critical matters, including the integrity of our financial statements, the evaluation and compensation of executive management, the selection of directors, Board performance and our risk management practices.
The Board normally has five regularly scheduled meetings per year and committee meetings are normally held in conjunction with Board meetings. Our Board met seven times in 2015. All incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the combined Board and committee meetings on which they served during the last fiscal year.
Our bye-laws give our Board the authority to delegate its powers to committees appointed by the Board. We have five standing Board committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Finance and Risk Policy Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee and the Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Committee. Each committee is comprised entirely of independent directors, and the members of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee also meet the enhanced independence rules of the SEC and NYSE applicable to such committees. Each
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of our committees is authorized and assured of appropriate funding to retain and consult with external advisors and counsel. Our committees are required to conduct meetings and take action in accordance with the directions of the Board, the provisions of our bye-laws and the terms of their respective committee charters. Each committee has the power under its charter to sub-delegate the authority and duties designated in its charter to subcommittees or individual members of the committee as it deems appropriate, unless prohibited by law, regulation or any NYSE listing standard. Copies of all our committee charters are available on our website, www.bunge.com. Please note that the information contained in or connected to our website is not intended to be part of this proxy statement.
Audit Committee. Pursuant to its charter, our Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of:
Please see the Audit Committee Report included in this proxy statement for information about our 2015 fiscal year audit. The Audit Committee met nine times in 2015. The Audit Committee meets separately with our independent auditor and also in executive sessions with members of management and our chief audit executive from time to time as deemed appropriate by the committee. Additionally, the Audit Committee periodically meets in executive sessions at which only the Audit Committee members are in attendance, without any members of our management present. The members of our Audit Committee are Messrs. Boilini, Cornet de Ways-Ruart and Engels and Mses. Browner and Hyle (chair). Our Board has determined that each of Mr. Boilini, Mr. Engels and Ms. Hyle qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. In accordance with our Audit Committee charter, no committee member may simultaneously serve on the audit committees of more than two other public companies without the prior approval of the Board.
Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee designs, reviews and oversees Bunge's executive compensation program. Under its charter, the committee, among other things:
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Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee is empowered to hire outside advisors as it deems appropriate to assist it in the performance of its duties. The Compensation Committee has sole authority to retain or terminate any such compensation consultants or advisors and to approve their fees. For additional information on the Compensation Committee's role, its use of outside advisors and their roles, as well as the committee's processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation, see "Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page [29] of this proxy statement.
The Compensation Committee met six times in 2015. The members of our Compensation Committee are Messrs. Bachrach (chairman), de La Tour D'Auvergne Lauraguais, Ferrier, Lupo and McGlade.
Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee. Our Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee is responsible for, among other things:
The Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee met five times in 2015. The members of our Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee are Messrs. Bachrach and Lupo (chairman) and Mses. Browner and Hyle. Each of the members of the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee is independent under the listing standards of the NYSE.
Finance and Risk Policy Committee. Our Finance and Risk Policy Committee ("FRPC") is responsible for supervising the quality and integrity of our financial and risk management practices. As further described below, the FRPC reviews and updates our risk management policies and risk limits on a periodic basis and advises our Board on financial and risk management practices. The FRPC met six times in 2015. The members of the FRPC are Messrs. Boilini (chairman), Cornet de Ways-Ruart, de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais, Engels, Ferrier and McGlade.
Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Committee. Our Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Committee ("SCRC") provides oversight of Bunge's policies, strategies and programs with respect to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, the environment, human rights, community relations, supply chains, nutrition and health, public affairs, philanthropy and other matters. The SCRC met four times in 2015. The members of the SCRC are Messrs. Cornet de Ways-Ruart, Engels and Ferrier and Ms. Browner (chair).
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Our Board of Directors oversees management's approach to risk management, which is designed to support the achievement of our strategic objectives and enhance shareholder value. For the Board, fundamental aspects of its risk management oversight activities include:
Our Board has considered the most effective organizational structure to appropriately oversee major risks for our Company. It has established a dedicated Board committee, the FRPC, which enables greater focus at the Board level on financial risk oversight tailored to our business and industries. The FRPC has responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of our financial and risk management practices, which includes oversight of the following key risk areas: commodities risk, foreign exchange risk, interest rate and liquidity risk, credit and counterparty risk, country risk, derivatives risk, capital structure and approval of corporate risk policies and limits associated with the Company's risk appetite. The FRPC meets regularly with our CEO, Chief Financial Officer, chief risk officer, treasurer and other members of senior management to receive regular updates on our risk profile and risk management activities.
Additionally, each of our other Board committees considers risks within its area of responsibility. Our Audit Committee focuses on various aspects of risk oversight, including the financial reporting process, adequacy of our internal controls and the impact of risk and risk management strategies on our financial statements. The Audit Committee receives an annual risk assessment briefing from our chief audit executive, as well as periodic update briefings, and reviews and approves the annual internal audit plan that is designed to prioritize and address the identified risks. The Audit Committee also reviews key risk considerations relating to the annual audit with our independent auditors. The Audit Committee also assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to legal and compliance matters, including meeting with and receiving periodic briefings from our general counsel and chief compliance officer. In developing and overseeing our compensation programs, the Compensation Committee seeks to create incentives that are appropriately balanced and do not motivate employees to take imprudent risks. See "Compensation and Risk" on page [55] of this proxy statement for more information. Our Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee oversees risks related to the Company's governance structure and processes. This includes its role in identifying individuals qualified to serve as Board members, and its leadership of the annual Board self-assessment process that is aimed at ensuring that the Board is functioning effectively and is able to meet all of its responsibilities, including risk oversight. The Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Committee is engaged in oversight of sustainability, environmental matters and social responsibility, including related reputational risks and business risks.
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All of our Board committees regularly report on their activities to the full Board to promote effective coordination and ensure that the entire Board remains apprised of major risks, how those risks may interrelate, and how management addresses those risks.
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Conduct
Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth our corporate governance objectives and policies and, subject to our bye-laws, govern the functioning of the Board. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website, www.bunge.com. Please note that information contained in or connected to our website is not intended to be part of this proxy statement.
The Code of Conduct sets forth our commitment to ethical business practices, reinforces various corporate policies and reflects our values, vision and culture. Our Code of Conduct applies to all of our directors, officers and employees worldwide, including our CEO and senior financial officers. Our Code of Conduct is available on our website. We intend to post amendments to and waivers (to the extent applicable to certain officers and our directors) of our Code of Conduct on our website.
Executive Sessions of Our Board
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the non-management directors shall meet without management directors at regularly scheduled executive sessions and at such other times as they deem appropriate. Our Board has adopted a policy that the non-management directors will meet without management present at each regularly scheduled Board meeting. Our non-executive Chairman presides over these sessions.
To facilitate the ability of shareholders to communicate with our Board and to facilitate the ability of interested persons to communicate with non-management directors, the Board has established a physical mailing address to which such communications may be sent. This physical mailing address is available on our website, www.bunge.com, through the "Investors Corporate Governance" section.
Communications received are initially directed to our legal department, where they are screened to eliminate communications that are merely solicitations for products and services, items of a personal nature not relevant to us or our shareholders and other matters that are improper or irrelevant to the functioning of the Board or Bunge. All other communications are forwarded to the relevant director, if addressed to an individual director or a committee chairman, or to the members of the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee if no particular addressee is specified.
Board Member Attendance at Annual General Meetings
It is the policy of our Board that our directors attend each annual general meeting of shareholders. In 2015, all of our continuing directors attended our Annual General Meeting.
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Shareholder Outreach and Engagement
Shareholder outreach is a key priority of our Board and management, and through our shareholder outreach program, we engage with our investors to gain valuable insights into the current and emerging issues that matter most to them, including with respect to corporate governance, executive compensation and other matters. Over the past three years, we have engaged with institutional investors representing approximately 40% of our outstanding shares. Our independent Chairman participates in these sessions, and feedback is relayed to the Board of Directors. Additionally, outside of the shareholder outreach program, we interact with institutional and individual shareholders throughout the year on a wide range of issues.
Board and Committee Evaluations
The Board conducts annual self-evaluations to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. As part of the Board self-evaluation process, our independent Chairman conducts individual interviews with each Board member. Additionally, each committee annually reviews its own performance through written questionnaires and assesses the adequacy of its charter. The process is designed and overseen by the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee, which is chaired by our Chairman, and the results of the evaluations are discussed by the full Board.
As provided in its charter, the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee will identify and recommend to the Board nominees for election or re-election to the Board and will consider nominees submitted by shareholders. The Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee, in its commitment to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, strives to nominate director candidates who exhibit high standards of ethics, integrity, commitment and accountability and who are committed to promoting the long-term interests of our shareholders. In addition, all nominations attempt to ensure that the Board shall encompass a range of talent, skill and relevant expertise sufficient to provide sound guidance with respect to our operations and interests. The committee strives to recommend candidates who complement the current members of the Board and other proposed nominees so as to further the objective of having a Board that reflects a diversity of background and experience with the necessary skills to effectively perform the functions of the Board and its committees. In that regard, from time to time, the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee may identify certain skills or attributes as being particularly desirable to help meet specific Board needs that have arisen or are expected to arise. When the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee reviews a potential new candidate, it looks specifically at the candidate's qualifications in light of the needs of the Board at that time given the then-current mix of director attributes.
Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines, directors must inform the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee in advance of accepting an invitation to serve on another public company board. In addition, no director may sit on the board, or beneficially own more than 1% of the outstanding equity securities, of any of our competitors in our principal lines of business. While the Board has not established any term limits to an individual's membership on the Board, no director having attained the age of 70 will be nominated by the Board
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for re-election or re-appointment to the Board. Directors eligible for re-election abstain from Board discussions regarding their nomination and from voting on such nomination.
In accordance with our bye-laws, shareholders who wish to propose a director nominee must give written notice to our Secretary at our registered address at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda, not later than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date on which Bunge's proxy statement was distributed to shareholders in connection with the prior year's annual general meeting. If no annual general meeting was held in the prior year or if the date of the annual general meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the date contemplated in the prior year's proxy statement, the notice must be given before the later of (i) 150 days prior to the contemplated date of the annual general meeting and (ii) the date which is 10 days after the date of the first public announcement or other notification of the actual date of the annual general meeting. Where directors are to be elected at a special general meeting, such notice must be given before the later of (i) 120 days before the date of the special general meeting and (ii) the date which is 10 days after the date of the first public announcement or other notification of the date of the special general meeting. In each case, the notice must include, as to each person the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as director, all information relating to that person required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which includes such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, and evidence satisfactory to Bunge that such nominee has no interests that would limit such nominee's ability to fulfill their duties of office. Bunge may require any nominee to furnish such other information as reasonably may be required by Bunge to determine the eligibility of such nominee to serve as a director. A shareholder may propose a director nominee to be considered by our shareholders at the annual general meeting provided that the notice provisions in our bye-laws as set forth above are met, even if such director nominee is not nominated by the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee. A shareholder may also recommend director candidates for consideration by the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee at any time. Any such recommendations should include the nominee's name and qualifications for Board membership.
In connection with the director nominations process, the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee may identify candidates through recommendations provided by members of the Board, management, shareholders or other persons, and has also engaged professional search firms to assist in identifying or evaluating qualified candidates. Mr. Cornet de Ways-Ruart, who joined the Board in July 2015, was recommended by members of the Board and shareholders. The Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee will review and evaluate candidates taking into account available information concerning the candidate, the qualifications for Board membership described above and other factors that it deems relevant. In conducting its review and evaluation, the Committee may solicit the views of other members of the Board, senior management and third parties, conduct interviews of proposed candidates and request that candidates meet with other members of the Board. The Committee will evaluate candidates recommended by shareholders in the same manner as candidates recommended by other persons. The Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee has not received any nominations for director from shareholders for the Annual General Meeting.
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PROPOSAL 1 ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR BYE-LAWS TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Proposed Amendment to Our Bye-Laws
Currently, our bye-laws divide the members of the Board into three classes. One class is elected at each annual general meeting of shareholders to hold office for a three-year term.
After careful consideration, taking into consideration arguments in favor and against continuation of the classified Board, the Board has determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to declassify the Board to allow the Company's shareholders to vote on the election of the entire Board each year, rather than on a staggered basis. The proposed amendment to our bye-Laws to effect this declassification of our Board is set forth in Appendix C to this proxy statement.
If this Proposal 1 is approved by our shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, the declassification of the Board of Directors will be effected as follows:
If this Proposal 1 is approved by the Company's shareholders, any director appointed to fill a vacancy that arises between annual general meetings of shareholders will serve for a term that expires at the next annual general meeting.
The above description is qualified in its entirety by the actual text of the proposed amendment to the bye-laws, which is set forth in Appendix C. If this Proposal 1 is not approved by the Company's shareholders, the Board of Directors will remain classified, and the term of the Class I directors standing for election at the Annual General Meeting will expire at the Company's 2019 annual general meeting.
The Board recognizes that a classified structure may offer several advantages, including promoting Board continuity and stability and encouraging a long-term perspective by directors and company management. Classified boards also provide protection against certain abusive takeover tactics and more time to solicit higher bids in a hostile takeover situation because it is more difficult to change a majority of directors on the board in a single year. However, the Board also recognizes that many investors believe that a classified structure reduces directors' accountability to shareholders because a
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classified structure does not allow shareholders to express a view on each director's performance by means of an annual vote.
The Board believes that this proposal to declassify the Board further evidences its commitment to robust corporate governance practices and accountability to the Company's shareholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT AN AMENDMENT TO OUR BYE-LAWS TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
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PROPOSAL 2 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
There are four nominees for election at the Annual General Meeting. Each nominee is presently a member of the Board. Currently, our bye-Laws divide the members of the Board of Directors into three classes. One class is elected at each annual general meeting of shareholders to hold office for a three-year term. The four nominees are currently Class I directors whose term expires at the Annual General Meeting.
As explained in further detail in Proposal 1, the Board is proposing to amend our bye-laws to declassify the Board of Directors over a one-year period beginning with the Annual General Meeting. If Proposal 1 is approved by the Company's shareholders, the nominees standing for election at the Annual General Meeting will be elected for a term expiring at the 2017 annual general meeting. If Proposal 1 is not approved by the Company's shareholders, the bye-laws will not be amended and the nominees will be elected for a term expiring at the 2019 annual general meeting.
Upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee, Messrs. Cornet de Ways-Ruart, Engels, Lupo and Schroder have been nominated by the Board for election at the Annual General Meeting. Bernard de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais has reached the mandatory retirement age for directors under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and will retire from the Board when his current term expires on the date of the Annual General Meeting. Following the Annual General Meeting, the size of the Board therefore will be reduced to ten members.
The Board believes that its members possess a variety of skills, qualifications and experience that contribute to the Board's ability to oversee our operations and the growth of our business. The following paragraphs set forth information about the nominees and our directors, including the classes into which they are currently divided. The nominees for election at the Annual General Meeting are listed first. We are not aware of any reason why any of the nominees will not be able to serve if elected.
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Mr. Engels has been a member of our Board since 2001. Since 2007, he has been an advisor to a private investment fund with investments in South America. From 2003 to December 2006, Mr. Engels served on the board of directors of Quilmes Industrial (Quinsa) S.A., a holding company with interests in the beverage and malting industries, as the representative of Beverage Associates (BAC) Corp. From 1992 to 2003, Mr. Engels served in various capacities at Quinsa, including Director of Mergers and Acquisitions, Group Controller and Manager of Corporate Finance. Prior to joining Quinsa, Mr. Engels served as a Vice President at Citibank, N.A. in London, responsible for European sales of Latin American investment products, and in Brazil, in the area of mergers and acquisitions. Since 2010, Mr. Engels has served as Deputy Chairman of the board of Mutual Investment Limited. Mr. Engels has also served as a member of the board of BISA, a fund with diversified investments in different industries. Mr. Engels holds a B.S. from Babson College, an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Engels brings to the Board significant financial experience, an understanding of mergers and acquisitions and a good understanding of industrial and consumer products companies. He brings an international business perspective to the Board, having had extensive working experience in Europe, the United States and Latin America. He also qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. |
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Mr. Lupo has been a member of our Board since 2006. He was appointed non-executive Chairman of our Board effective January 1, 2014, and previously served as our Lead Independent Director since 2010. He is the former chairman and chief executive officer of DHL Worldwide Express (DHL). Mr. Lupo joined DHL in 1976. He served as chairman and CEO from 1986 to 1997 and as executive chairman from 1997 to 2001. During his tenure at DHL, he also served as CEO, The Americas, and general counsel. Mr. Lupo received a law degree from the University of San Francisco and a B.A. degree from Seattle University. He is a former director of O2 plc, Ladbrokes plc (formerly Hilton Group plc) and a former member of the supervisory board of Cofra, AG). Mr. Lupo's experience as former chairman and chief executive officer of a major global logistics company provides valuable leadership, strategic, operational, management, marketing, financial and risk management skills to our Board, as well as insight into logistics, a critical element of our business. Additionally, his legal background provides our Board with an important perspective. He also brings to the Board significant international board experience. |
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Ms. Hyle has been a member of our Board since 2012. She served as Senior Vice President of Constellation Energy and Chief Operating Officer of Constellation Energy Resources from November 2008 until her retirement in June 2012 following the completion of the merger of Constellation Energy with Exelon Corporation. From June 2007 to November 2008, Ms. Hyle served as Chief Financial Officer for Constellation Energy Nuclear Group and for UniStar Nuclear Energy, LLC, a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy and Électricité de France. Ms. Hyle held the position of Senior Vice President of Finance for Constellation Energy from 2005 to 2007 and Senior Vice President of Finance, Information Technology, Risk and Operations for Constellation New Energy from January to October 2005. Prior to joining Constellation Energy, Ms. Hyle served as the Chief Financial Officer of ANC Rental Corp., the parent company of Alamo Rent-A-Car and National Rent-A-Car; Vice President and Treasurer of Auto-Nation, Inc.; and Vice President and Treasurer of Black and Decker Corporation. Ms. Hyle is currently a director of AmerisourceBergen Corporation and The ADT Corporation. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Center Stage in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Hyle brings to our Board extensive financial experience gained through her career with Constellation Energy and other public companies. This experience also enables Ms. Hyle to provide critical insight into, among other things, our financial statements, accounting principles and practices, internal control over financial reporting and risk management processes. Ms. Hyle qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. In addition, Ms. Hyle brings extensive management, operations, mergers and acquisitions, technology, marketing, retail and regulatory experience to our Board. |
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Mr. McGlade has been a member of our Board since August 2014. He was chairman, president and CEO of Air Products from 2008 to 2014. He joined Air Products in 1976 and held positions in the company's Chemicals and Process Industries, Performance Materials and Chemicals Group divisions. He was appointed president and chief operating officer of Air Products in 2006 and retained the title of president when he was named as chairman and CEO two years later. Mr. McGlade serves on the board of directors of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He is a trustee of The Rider-Pool Foundation and the ArtsQuest Foundation, and a former trustee of Lehigh University. Mr. McGlade has strong leadership skills and extensive management, international and operating experience, including as chief executive officer of a public company operating in the industrial sector. These experiences provide him with valuable insights as a member of our Board. |
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
Our compensation program for non-employee directors is designed to enable us to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified directors to serve on our Board. It is also intended to further align the interests of our directors with those of our shareholders. Annual compensation for our non-employee directors in 2015 was comprised of a mix of cash and equity-based compensation. The Compensation Committee periodically receives competitive information on the status of Board compensation for non-employee directors from its independent compensation consultant and is responsible for recommending to the Board changes in director compensation. In 2015, no changes were made to compensation of the Board of Directors.
The following table sets forth the compensation for non-employee directors who served on our Board during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
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Non-Employee Director Compensation(1) | |||||||||
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Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash($) |
Stock Awards(2)(3)($) |
Total($) | |||||||
Ernest G. Bachrach |
115,000 | 154,041 | 269,041 | |||||||
Enrique H. Boilini |
125,000 | 154,041 | 279,041 | |||||||
Carol M. Browner |
125,000 | 154,041 | 279,041 | |||||||
Paul Cornet de Ways-Ruart(4) |
45,834 | 120,137 | 165,971 | |||||||
Francis Coppinger(5) |
45,834 | 0 | 45,834 | |||||||
Bernard de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais |
100,000 | 154,041 | 254,041 | |||||||
William Engels |
110,000 | 154,041 | 264,041 | |||||||
Andrew Ferrier |
100,000 | 154,041 | 254,041 | |||||||
Kathleen Hyle |
120,000 | 154,041 | 274,041 | |||||||
L. Patrick Lupo |
215,000 | 319,150 | 534,150 | |||||||
John E. McGlade |
100,000 | 154,041 | 254,041 |
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and Mr. Lupo 13,000. No other non-employee directors hold outstanding stock options. Bunge no longer grants stock options to non-employee directors.
Directors' Fees. Non-employee directors received the following fees in 2015: (i) an annual retainer fee of $100,000; (ii) an annual fee of $15,000 for service as committee chair on any committee, except for the Chair of the Audit Committee, who received an annual fee of $20,000 due to the added workload and responsibilities of this committee; and (iii) an annual fee for each member of the Audit Committee of $10,000 due to the added workload and responsibilities of this committee. No fees are paid for service as a member of any other Board committee. In 2015, our non-executive Chairman received a supplemental annual retainer consisting of $100,000 in cash and approximately $150,000 in time-based restricted stock units. In addition, although directors do not receive an annual Board or committee meeting attendance fee, if the Board and/or a committee meets in excess of ten times in a given year, each director receives a fee of $1,000 for each additional meeting attended.
Bunge also reimburses non-employee directors for reasonable expenses incurred by them in attending Board meetings, committee meetings and shareholder meetings.
2007 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan. The 2007 Non- Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan, adopted in 2007, provides for (i) an annual equity award to each continuing non-employee director as of the date of Bunge's annual general meeting of shareholders and (ii) an equity award upon a new non-employee director's initial election or appointment to the Board, which consists of a pro rata portion of the award made to non-employee directors generally on the immediately preceding date of grant. The value, type and terms of such awards shall be approved by the Board based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. Bunge may grant non-qualified stock options, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred restricted stock units under the 2007 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, stock options become vested and exercisable on or after the third anniversary of the date of grant. The exercise price per share for each stock option is equal to the fair market value of a common share on the option grant date, as provided in the plan. Outstanding stock options remain exercisable for a period of ten years after their grant date. The 2007 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan provides that up to 600,000 common shares may be issued under the plan. As of December 31, 2015, 235,321 shares remain available for issuance under the plan. Annual restricted stock unit awards generally vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided the director continues to serve on the Board until such date. Restricted stock units granted as part of our Chairman's supplemental annual retainer vest on December 31 of the year of grant.
Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan. The Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan, adopted in 2001, provides for awards of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors. Outstanding options remain exercisable for a period of ten years after their grant date. We have granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 512,000 common shares to our non-employee directors as a group under the Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan. Upon shareholder
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approval of the 2007 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan on May 25, 2007, no further stock options grants were permitted under the 2001 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan.
Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan. Our Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan"), a non-tax qualified deferred compensation plan, is designed to provide non-employee directors with an opportunity to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual cash fees. Amounts deferred are credited in the form of hypothetical share units that are approximately equal to the fair market value of a Bunge common share on the date that fees are otherwise paid. Participants' deferral accounts will be credited with dividend equivalents, in the form of additional share units, in the event Bunge pays dividends to holders of its common shares. Distributions are made in the form of Bunge common shares or cash, as elected by the participant. Upon a change of control of Bunge, a participant will receive an immediate lump sum distribution of his or her account in cash or Bunge common shares, as determined by the Compensation Committee. As of January 1, 2009, participants no longer have the option to defer any portion of their annual cash fees pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan as a result of the adoption of Section 457A of the Internal Revenue Code.
The number of shares underlying hypothetical share units held by our non-employee directors under this plan is shown in the share ownership table beginning on page [71] of this proxy statement.
Non-Employee Director Share Ownership Guidelines. To further align the personal interests of the Board with the interests of our shareholders, the Board has established share ownership guidelines for the minimum amount of common shares that are required to be held by our non-employee directors. These guidelines are required to be met within five years of a non-employee director's initial appointment or election to the Board. For non-employee directors, the guideline is five times the annual cash retainer fee paid by Bunge to its non-employee directors (i.e., $500,000). Shares deemed to be owned for purposes of the share ownership guidelines include shares directly owned by the director, shares underlying hypothetical share units held under the Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan and 50% of the difference between the exercise price of a vested, in-the-money stock option and the fair market value of a Bunge common share. Unvested stock options or restricted stock units do not count toward satisfaction of the guidelines. Furthermore, our non-employee directors are required to hold 100% of the net shares acquired through Bunge's equity incentive plans until the guidelines are met.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This section of the proxy statement provides an overview of our executive compensation program and an analysis of the decisions made with respect to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers in 2015. For 2015 our Named Executive Officers were:
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS CONTENTS |
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COMMITMENT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION GOVERNANCE
Strong governance, driven by best practice and feedback from shareholders. We value the opinions of our shareholders as expressed through their votes and other communications and annually submit our executive compensation program to a shareholder advisory "say on pay" vote. Through our shareholder engagement outreach program, we receive valuable feedback on the issues that are most important to them, including our executive compensation program and our business and strategic direction. In the past three years, our non executive Chairman, L. Patrick Lupo, together with members of Bunge's senior management team, has engaged with institutional investors representing approximately 40% of our outstanding shares. In these discussions, we seek to highlight a strong historical alignment of pay and performance driven by a CEO pay mix that is substantially performance-based and tied to disclosed performance metrics and goals that incentivize the creation of sustainable, long-term shareholder value.
Based on feedback received from our shareholders, as well as the Committee's consideration of competitive market practices, and its goal of continuing to link compensation to the achievement of our business plans and strategies, we have made meaningful changes to our executive compensation programs in recent years, and continue to do so as necessary to maintain a strong link between executive pay and performance:
In addition, Bunge is committed to clarity of compensation disclosures and maintaining strong compensation governance practices to support our pay for performance principles and further align the program with the interests of our shareholders. We have adopted a number of "best practices" with respect to executive compensation, including:
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Strong support from shareholders. At our 2015 Annual General Meeting, over 95% of the votes cast on our annual say on pay ballot item were in favor of our executive compensation program. We believe that the continuing overall level of support reflects the success of our shareholder outreach efforts and shareholder endorsement of the structure and outcomes of our executive compensation program.
OVERVIEW |
Performance drives pay. Bunge's executive compensation philosophy is built upon a strong foundation of linking pay with performance. The Committee actively monitors the relationship between pay and performance, as illustrated on page [34] of this proxy statement. The Committee strives to maintain a program structured to:
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PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS
Strong financial results and strategic progress despite economic difficulties. 2015 presented challenging economic conditions and depressed market environments around the globe. Despite disappointing shareholder returns, Bunge managed headwinds well and capitalized on opportunities, leveraging our balanced global footprint and producing solid results for the year. The Bunge team achieved a number of strategic and financial milestones in 2015:
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $4.84 was up over 60% from 2014, but fell short of our beginning of year expectations.
We are continuing our strategy of focusing on capital efficiency and maximizing returns to create sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders. We have a solid foundation, as evidenced by the recent solidifying of our credit rating to stable BBB/Baa2, and are focused on the right things: standing for safety, driving best in class performance in our operations, improving our winning footprint through incremental additions, and building our value-added portfolio. Management is focusing on the right things to drive shareholder value. We believe we have the right strategy it is more focused and clear and our teams have managed a declining price and margin environment well. We are positioned well for the future, and expect to grow earnings in 2016 despite significant economic and market challenges.
Tracking to peers long-term, disappointing 2015. The following chart illustrates how a $100 investment in Bunge Common Stock compares to the same investment in our peer comparators and the S&P 500 over the most recent five year period. While we saw strong growth in shareholder returns through 2014, 2015 was a disappointing year for our stock. Challenging market and economic conditions posed significant headwinds faced broadly across the sector.
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Financial and shareholder performance driven. In furtherance of our pay for performance objectives, it is our practice to deliver the majority of Named Executive Officer compensation in the form of performance-based equity awards with multi-year vesting. Additionally, our use of PBRSUs, with vesting contingent on achieving specific long-term financial performance metrics, further reinforces the performance driven nature of executive compensation.
Elements of Executive Compensation
RONA = Return on Net Assets
EBIT = Earnings Before Interest and Taxes
EPS = Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations
ROIC = Return on Average Invested Capital
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Target Mix of Executive Compensation1
Highly performance leveraged and focused on long-term, equity incentives. Each of our Named Executive Officers has more than 50% of total compensation targeted to be paid in long-term, equity-based incentives. Our CEO's targeted compensation is designed to place an even larger portion of total pay at risk in the form of long-term equity awards to reflect the greater level of responsibility he has for Bunge's overall performance.
CEO Target Total Compensation Mix |
Other NEO Target Total Compensation Mix |
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CEO Pay Analysis
A strong relationship in both the short- and long-term between CEO pay and company performance.
CEO reported pay is directionally aligned with Bunge's year-over-year financial performance1:
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A significant portion of CEO pay is at risk for long-term performance, and the ultimate value earned is highly dependent upon shareholder returns. The reported value of long-term incentives granted to our CEO represents the potential or expected value of those awards over the long-term, based on certain assumptions used for expense purposes. Given their long-term nature, our CEO will only realize, or receive, actual compensation from these awards over time, and the value of that compensation will be highly dependent upon Bunge's financial and stock price performance.
We believe this illustrates the long-term, shareholder-focused nature of compensation opportunities provided to our executives.
Long-Term Incentive Grants1
1 | Represents the value reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page [] of this proxy statement ( ) for each of the most recent three years' grants compared to the total value of those grants (realized plus the unrealized value) as of 12/31/2015 ( ) . For unrealized value, all unvested RSUs (both time- and performance-based) are valued based on the target number of shares awarded and all options are valued based on the difference in the strike price and closing price of Bunge stock. The closing price of $68.28 on December 31, 2015 is used to calculate the realized and unrealized value of the awards. |
With a substantially long-term leveraged total compensation package, CEO pay can be highly variable and is contingent upon how Bunge performs for its shareholders.
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Our long standing practice of tracking total shareholder return performance and pay for our CEO relative to our executive compensation Peer Group allows us to assess the results of our pay practices over time to ensure payouts are appropriately calibrated relative to our returns to shareholders. Over time, our total return to shareholders relative to our peers exceeds the compensation delivered to our CEO relative to the same peers:
Relative CEO Pay1 and TSR Performance2
Aligned with business strategies and plans, focused on driving long-term value creation. Consistent with our pay for performance principles, the Committee chooses financial performance metrics under the annual and equity incentive plans that support our short- and long-term business plans and strategies, and incentivize management to focus on actions that create sustainable long-term shareholder value. In setting targets for the short- and long-term performance metrics, the Committee considers our annual and long-term business goals and strategies and certain other factors, including our past variance to targeted performance, economic and industry conditions, and the practices of the Peer Group. The Committee sets challenging, but achievable, goals, including those that are attainable only as a result of exceptional performance. The Committee recognizes that performance metrics may need to change over time to reflect market practices and evolving business priorities. Accordingly, the Committee continues to annually reassess the performance metrics we use.
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DETERMINING COMPENSATION |
ROLE OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Ensure strong governance and adherence to pay for performance principles. The Committee is comprised of non-employee independent directors and is responsible for the governance of our executive compensation program, including but not limited to designing, reviewing and overseeing the administration of our executive compensation program. Each year, the Committee reviews and approves all compensation decisions relating to the Named Executive Officers. Generally, all decisions with respect to determining the amount or form of Named Executive Officer compensation are made by the Committee in accordance with the methodology described below.
When making compensation decisions, the Committee analyzes data from the Comparator Groups (as described on page [40] of this proxy statement) as well as tally sheets prepared by our human resources department for each of the Named Executive Officers. The tally sheets provide the Committee with the following information:
The tally sheets provide the Committee with a comprehensive view of the various elements of actual and potential future compensation of our Named Executive Officers, allowing the Committee to analyze both the individual elements of compensation and the aggregate total amount of actual and potential compensation in making compensation decisions.
In addition to reviewing data from the Comparator Groups and tally sheets, the Committee also considers a number of factors that it deems important in setting the target total direct compensation for each Named Executive Officer:
The differences in target compensation levels among our Named Executive Officers are primarily attributable to the differences in the median range of compensation for similar positions in the Comparator Groups and the factors described above.
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Assist the Committee in executing on our pay for performance strategy. The CEO assists the Committee in setting the strategic direction of our executive compensation program; evaluates the performance of the Named Executive Officers (excluding himself); and makes recommendations to the Committee regarding their compensation in consultation with the Chief Human Resources Officer. The CEO and the Chief Human Resources Officer also participate in developing and recommending the performance criteria and measures for our Named Executive Officers under our annual and equity incentive plans for consideration by the Committee. Although the Committee gives significant weight to the CEO's recommendations, the Committee retains full discretion in making compensation decisions.
No other executive officers participated in the executive compensation process for 2015. Bunge's human resources department, under the supervision of the Chief Human Resources Officer, also supports the Committee in its work and implements our executive compensation program.
ROLE OF COMPENSATION CONSULTANT
Provide the Committee independent advice in fulfilling its mission. Pursuant to its charter, the Committee is empowered to hire outside advisors as it deems appropriate to assist it in the performance of its duties. The Committee has sole authority to retain or terminate any such advisors and to approve their fees.
The Committee has retained Semler Brossy Consulting Group ("Semler Brossy") as its independent compensation consultant to provide information, analysis, and objective advice regarding our executive compensation program. Management has no role in the Committee selecting Semler Brossy. The Committee periodically meets with Semler Brossy to review our executive compensation program and discuss compensation matters. For 2015, Semler Brossy performed the following functions at the Committee's request:
The Committee reviews its relationship with Semler Brossy annually. The process includes a review of the quality of the services provided, the fee structure for the services, and the factors impacting
38
Semler Brossy's independence under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Committee has concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent Semler Brossy from independently advising the Committee.
COMPETITIVE MARKET POSITIONING
Opportunities to earn superior pay for superior performance. Bunge uses various methods to determine the elements of our executive compensation program and review current compensation practices and levels. Our executive compensation program strives to provide a mix of base salary, target annual cash incentive awards and target annual long-term equity-based incentive award values (referred to, in aggregate, as target total direct compensation) that is aligned with the program's principles and objectives and is competitive with compensation provided by a peer group of selected publicly-traded companies.
The Committee, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, Semler Brossy, selects a number of peer group companies (the "Peer Group") having one or more of the following characteristics:
The Committee periodically reviews the composition of the Peer Group and, as appropriate, updates it to ensure continued relevance and reflect mergers, acquisitions or other business related changes that
39
may occur. The composition of the companies comprising the Peer Group remained unchanged from 2014. For 2015, the following 17 companies comprised the Peer Group:
In determining Named Executive Officer compensation, the Committee reviews a market analysis prepared by Semler Brossy which includes general industry and Peer Group compensation data provided by Towers Watson. This data enables the Committee to compare the competitiveness of Named Executive Officer compensation based on their individual responsibilities and scope against comparable positions within our Peer Group and a broader general industry group of public companies. Mr. Thomsen's total compensation is further evaluated using commodity trading data from companies in the McLagan Fixed Income Sales and Trading Survey. The Peer Group and the other data sources referred to above are referred to collectively as the "Comparator Groups."
Neither Towers Watson nor McLagan makes recommendations or participates with the Committee in discussions regarding the determination of amounts or forms of compensation for the Named Executive Officers. Towers Watson and McLagan from time to time provide other compensation consulting services to management.
As an initial guideline, the Committee generally seeks to set target total direct compensation levels for each Named Executive Officer within a range (+/- 15%) of the median of the Comparator Groups. Our executive compensation program retains the flexibility to set target total direct compensation above or below the median of the Comparator Groups in the Committee's reasonable discretion in order to recognize factors such as market conditions, job responsibilities, experience, skill sets and ongoing or potential contributions to Bunge. In addition, actual compensation earned in any annual period may be at, above, or below the median depending on the individual's and Bunge's performance for the year.
PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM |
Compensation for responsibilities, skill and experience. A portion of annual cash compensation is paid as base salary to provide Named Executive Officers with an appropriate level of security and stability as well as to provide a competitive level of pay for the execution of their key responsibilities. Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers are reviewed on an annual basis, and in connection
40
with a promotion or other change in responsibilities. The Committee establishes base salaries for the Named Executive Officers based on a number of factors, including:
There is no set schedule for base salary increases. Base salary increases are periodically provided based on competitive factors or in connection with an increase in responsibilities. Base salaries are generally targeted at approximately the median level for comparable executives in the Comparator Groups. The Committee set the base salaries of the Named Executive Officers in 2015 as follows:
Executive |
2014 Base Salary | 2015 Base Salary | ||||
Soren Schroder |
$1,200,000 | $1,300,000 | ||||
Andrew Burke |
$725,000 | $725,000 | ||||
Raul Padilla1 |
$711,486 | $870,435 | ||||
Brian Thomsen2 |
$775,621 | $805,840 | ||||
Gordon Hardie |
$650,000 | $700,000 |
Salary increases for Messrs. Schroder, Padilla, Thomsen and Hardie reflect market competitive positioning for comparable positions in the Comparator Group. In Mr. Schroder's case, as part of ensuring a careful and successful CEO transition, the Committee set his initial base salary below market competitive levels to enable a phased review over time based on his performance.
The base salary earned by each Named Executive Officer is set forth in the "Salary" column of the Summary Compensation Table on page [57] of this proxy statement.
Drive achievement of short-term progress toward long-term value creation. The Committee provides Named Executive Officers an opportunity to earn cash incentive awards under Bunge's Annual Incentive Plan, an annual, performance-based incentive plan that is available to a broad group of employees. The Annual Incentive Plan provides a cash incentive that is directly related to the achievement of predetermined financial and strategic measures, primarily based on a formula related to total Bunge, business unit and individual performance and contributions that drive annual results aligned with our long-term goals. Each Named Executive Officer's award is based 70% on financial performance and 30% on individual performance.
Target annual cash incentive award opportunities under the Annual Incentive Plan are established by the Committee using analyses of comparable executives in the Comparator Groups and based on a percentage of each Named Executive Officer's base salary. The Committee generally sets target annual
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cash incentive opportunities for Named Executive Officers at approximately the median level for comparable executives in the Comparator Groups. The following target annual incentive awards were established by the Committee for 2015:
Executive |
|
2015 Target Annual Incentive as a Percent of Base Salary |
2015 Target Annual Incentive Award Opportunity |
||
Soren Schroder |
160 | % | $2,080,000 | ||
Andrew Burke |
100 | % | $725,000 | ||
Raul Padilla1 |
100 | % | $840,916 | ||
Brian Thomsen2 |
150 | % | $1,208,760 | ||
Gordon Hardie |
100 | % | $700,000 |
Threshold, target and maximum performance levels are heavily weighted towards the achievement of financial performance metrics. The actual annual incentive awards earned by each Named Executive Officer may be above, at, or below the established target level based on Company and/or business unit financial performance and the Named Executive Officer's individual performance metrics attained for the relevant year. In order to receive a partial incentive award under the Annual Incentive Plan, a threshold level of performance must be attained with respect to the performance metrics. If threshold performance levels are not achieved, no payout is made. Maximum performance levels provide an incentive to significantly enhance performance and are set at challenging levels. Incentive opportunities are subject to caps on the amounts that can be earned, so as not to encourage undue risk taking.
For 2015, the Named Executive Officers were eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award ranging from 0 percent to 250 percent of their target annual incentive award opportunity. Achievement of 250 percent of target requires both financial and individual performance at maximum levels, and is expected to be achieved in only rare circumstances.
Financial Performance Metrics
Reward achievement of earnings and capital efficiency targets. For 2015, the Committee allocated Annual Incentive Plan metrics between (i) return on net assets ("RONA") for Bunge Limited as a whole and/or for the business unit for which a Named Executive Officer had primary responsibility and (ii) net income from continuing operations after non-controlling interest for Bunge Limited as a whole and/or EBIT of its business segments, based on the primary responsibilities of the Named Executive Officer. All Named Executive Officers have a portion of their annual incentive opportunity based on Bunge Limited performance as a whole. Target levels are aligned with the annual business plan and reflect the achievement of market competitive financial performance.
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non-controlling interests. The Committee views net income from continuing operations after non-controlling interest as a useful measure of the overall profitability of ongoing business operations.
For 2015, the Committee established the following performance weightings under the Annual Incentive Plan. The weightings assigned to Mr. Padilla, Mr. Thomsen, and Mr. Hardie reflect their responsibility for their respective business segments.
Executive |
|
Component Weighting |
| Business Unit or Segment Weighting | |
Net Income / EBIT |
| RONA | |
Strategic Objectives |
|||||||||||||||
Soren |
Financial | 70% | 100% | Bunge Ltd. | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Schroder |
Individual | 30% | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Andrew |
Financial | 70% | 100% | Bunge Ltd. | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Burke |
Individual | 30% | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Raul |
Financial | 70% | 30% | Bunge Ltd. | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||
Padilla |
70% | Bunge Brazil | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Individual | 30% | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brian |
Financial | 70% | 30% | Bunge Ltd. | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||
Thomsen |
70% | Global Agribusiness | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Individual | 30% | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gordon |
Financial | 70% | 30% | Bunge Ltd. | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||
Hardie |
70% | Global Food & Ingredients | 43% | 57% | 0% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Individual | 30% | 100% |
The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals established for the financial metrics under the Annual Incentive Plan for 2015 and the actual results achieved against those metrics (dollar amounts are in millions of U.S.$):
Business Unit or Segment |
Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual | ||||
Bunge Ltd. |
||||||||
Net Income |
$650.5 | $986.9 | $1,435.5 | $755.8 | ||||
RONA |
4.7% | 7.1% | 10.4% | 8.3% | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
Bunge Brazil |
||||||||
EBIT |
$342.1 | $519.0 | $754.9 | $633.3 | ||||
RONA |
4.2% | 6.3% | 9.2% | 12.2% | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
Global Agribusiness |
||||||||
EBIT |
$657.3 | $997.2 | $1,450.5 | $1,152.4 | ||||
RONA |
4.9% | 7.5% | 10.9% | 11.0% | ||||
| | | | | | | | |
Global Food & Ingredients |
||||||||
EBIT |
$244.9 | $371.5 | $540.4 | $166.5 | ||||
RONA |
6.4% | 9.7% | 14.1% | 6.9% |
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Amounts used to determine performance against financial metrics are derived from our audited financial statements. Under the terms of the Annual Incentive Plan, the Committee may adjust actual results achieved, in its discretion, if it determines that such adjustment is appropriate to reflect unusual, unanticipated or non-recurring items or events. In calculating payouts for 2015 Annual Incentive Plan awards, the Committee made no adjustments to results achieved.
Individual Performance Metrics
Reward successful execution of strategic initiatives. In addition to the attainment of financial metrics, each Named Executive Officer was evaluated on the achievement of individual performance objectives that generally relate to the achievement of specific aspects of our business plans and strategies, as well as other initiatives relating to the executive's position.
2015 Annual Incentive Award Determinations
Following completion of audited financial results for the prior fiscal year, the Committee reviews and approves the annual incentive awards based on the results achieved against financial metrics and individual performance metrics as described above.
The following table sets forth the actual incentive awards paid to each Named Executive Officer for performance achieved in 2015:
Executive |
2015 Calculated Payout as a Percent of Target |
2015 Actual Annual Incentive |
||
Soren Schroder |
129% | $2,680,000 | ||
Andrew Burke |
126% | $910,000 | ||
Raul Padilla1 |
181% | $1,523,892 | ||
Brian Thomsen2 |
177% | $2,135,476 | ||
Gordon Hardie |
87% | $610,000 |
The actual amount awarded to each Named Executive Officer is also set forth in the "Non Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table on page [57] of this proxy statement.
Supplemental Annual Performance-Based Cash Awards
Reflects unique responsibilities for trading businesses. Brian Thomsen, in his dual role as Managing Director, Bunge Global Agribusiness and CEO, Bunge Product Lines, participated in two performance-based annual incentive opportunities in 2015. As Managing Director, Bunge Global Agribusiness, Mr. Thomsen participated in the Annual Incentive Plan, consistent with other Named Executive Officers as described above. In addition, to reflect his responsibilities as CEO, Bunge Product Lines, Mr. Thomsen also participated in a supplemental annual incentive award opportunity based on the trading profits earned by Bunge's agribusiness product lines.
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This supplemental annual incentive award opportunity is linked directly to the achievement of pre-established performance objectives aligned with the long-term success and strategic goals of our agribusiness product lines. The award is intended to align the compensation we provide for this position with that provided to comparable executives in commodity trading environments in the Comparator Groups. The award payout is based on actual performance achieved by the product lines, and in order to receive an award payout, a threshold performance level must be achieved. Mr. Thomsen was eligible to receive a supplemental annual incentive award opportunity ranging from 0 percent to 250 percent of his target award for 2015. The target award was 150% of base salary or $1,208,760, converted from Swiss francs to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of 1.0073 U.S. dollars per Swiss franc as of December 31, 2015.
The performance metric used for the supplemental annual incentive award opportunity was Risk Adjusted Profit. We define Risk Adjusted Profit as the aggregate profits generated from our global risk management activities in the agribusiness product lines (based on adjusted earnings before interest and taxes), after applying working capital and risk capital charges to take into account the amount of capital utilized and the underlying risk taken during the year.
The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance and award opportunities that the Committee established for 2015:
Award Level |
2015 Risk Adjusted Profit1 |
Percentage of Target | ||
Below Threshold |
Less than $210 million | 0% | ||
Threshold |
$210 million |
50% |
||
Target |
$280 million |
100% |
||
Maximum |
$420 million |
250% |
In order to ensure results are sustainable and to mitigate inappropriate risk taking, the Committee requires that a portion of the supplemental annual incentive award payout be deferred over a two year period and be at risk based on future performance of the agribusiness product lines. Amounts deferred are eligible to be paid out in two annual installments, subject to reduction or forfeiture in the event of (i) a cumulative annual risk management loss for the agribusiness product lines during the deferral period; (ii) an executive's resignation of employment for any reason; or (iii) an executive's termination of employment for "cause."
In February 2016, the Committee determined that the Risk Adjusted Profit for the 2015 performance period was $471.6 million and awarded Mr. Thomsen $3,021,900 as set forth in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table on page [57] of this proxy statement. Payment of $1,336,687 of the award is deferred and will be paid out in two installments on March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, subject to the terms and conditions discussed above.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
Aligns majority of pay with shareholder interests. Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive long-term equity based incentive awards under Bunge's 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan"). The long-term equity based incentive element of our executive compensation program
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is designed to provide Named Executive Officers with a continuing stake in our long-term success and serves as an important retention tool. We further emphasize equity ownership by senior executives through the share ownership guidelines described on page [52] of this proxy statement.
Pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan, the Committee primarily grants long-term incentive awards to Named Executive Officers in the form of:
Grants are generally made in the first quarter of each year, when compensation decisions for the year are made and after the public release of Bunge's year end audited financial results. In limited, special situations, equity awards may be granted at other times in the event of a new hire, promotion, for retention purposes or to recognize exceptional performance.
In 2015, the Committee targeted to grant Named Executive Officers an equal mix in value of stock options and PBRSUs to further reinforce the performance driven nature of our executive compensation program by focusing on both the strategic drivers and the achievement of enhanced long-term shareholder value. The Committee targets the value of the long-term incentive awards granted to the Named Executive Officers to provide total compensation opportunities that approximate the median of comparable executives in the Comparator Groups.
The Committee also considers the following factors in determining the type and amount of long-term incentive awards:
In 2015, the Committee granted the following long-term incentive award amounts to Named Executive Officers:
Executive |
2015 Total Long-Term Incentive Award Value |
|||
Soren Schroder |
$6,017,420 | |||
Andrew Burke |
$1,553,334 | |||
Raul Padilla |
$1,749,250 | |||
Brian Thomsen |
$1,553,334 | |||
Gordon Hardie |
$1,553,334 |
The actual amount awarded to each Named Executive Officer is also set forth in the "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards" columns of the Summary Compensation Table on page [57] of this proxy statement.
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Stock Option Awards
Rewards stock price appreciation. Stock option awards reflect the pay for performance principles of our executive compensation program by directly linking long-term incentives to stock price appreciation. Stock options have value only if the trading price of Bunge's common shares exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. Stock options also help us maintain competitive compensation levels and retain executive talent through a multi-year vesting schedule. Stock options generally vest in three equal annual installments following the option grant date and remain exercisable until the tenth anniversary of the grant. Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, the Committee sets the exercise price of a stock option based on the average of the high and low sale prices of Bunge's common shares on the NYSE on the date of grant.
On February 26, 2015, the Committee approved the grant of stock options to the Named Executive Officers effective February 27, 2015 (the grant date) with an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low sale prices of Bunge's common shares on the grant date. It is the Committee's practice to authorize annual grants of equity based incentive compensation awards, including stock options, effective as of the day immediately following the date the Committee meets to authorize the grant of awards. For expense purposes, stock options are valued using a Black Scholes option pricing model. As mentioned above, the Committee targeted to deliver 50% of the value of the 2015 long-term incentive award in stock options.
Information regarding the grant date fair value and the number of stock options awarded to each Named Executive Officer in 2015 is set forth in the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table on page [59] of this proxy statement.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Rewards achievement of long-term value drivers (EPS and ROIC) and stock price appreciation.
2015-2017 Award Decisions. PBRSUs are tied to Bunge's long-term performance to ensure that Named Executive Officer pay is directly linked to the achievement of sustained long-term operating performance. Reflective of the desire to balance earnings growth and efficient use of capital, the Committee has chosen to base earning of the awards on an equal blend of three year cumulative EPS and three year average ROIC. The Committee considers EPS and ROIC key drivers of shareholder value, and fundamental to long-term value creation.
On February 26, 2015, the Committee approved the grant of PBRSUs for the 2015-2017 performance period, effective February 27, 2015 (the grant date). Payouts of the PBRSUs, if any, will generally be subject to the Named Executive Officer's continued employment with Bunge through the vesting date (generally, the third anniversary of the grant date) and will be based (i) 50% on Bunge's achievement of cumulative, diluted EPS targets and (ii) 50% on Bunge's achievement of average ROIC targets established by the Committee on the grant date. Upon vesting, each PBRSU is settled with a Bunge common share. In addition, dividend equivalents are paid in Bunge common shares on the date that PBRSUs are otherwise paid out, based on the number of shares vesting. However, in no event will dividend equivalents be paid on any shares in excess of the target award granted.
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We define diluted EPS as Bunge's earnings per share from continuing operations calculated using fully diluted common shares outstanding as reflected in our reported audited financial statements. In setting the 2015-2017 EPS targets, the Committee considered various long-term growth rates and chose to apply a competitive long-term annual rate of 8.5% to prior years' adjusted EPS to obtain the three year cumulative target. ROIC targets are established at levels that are intended to incentivize continuous improvement of ROIC over the award period.
Based on the above factors, the Committee set threshold, target and maximum award levels for the 2015-2017 performance period in accordance with the table below:
Award Level |
Cumulative 3-Year Diluted EPS 50% Weighting |
3-Year Average ROIC 50% Weighting |
Percent of Award Vesting |
|||
Below Threshold |
Less than $17.00 | Less than 5.8% | 0% | |||
Threshold |
$17.00 | 5.8% | 50% | |||
Target |
$21.25 | 7.0% | 100% | |||
Maximum |
$29.75 | 8.0% | 200% |
As mentioned above, the Committee targeted to deliver 50% of the value of the 2015 long-term incentive award in PBRSUs. Information regarding the fair market value and number of PBRSUs that the Named Executive Officers may earn at the end of the 2015-2017 performance period, subject to satisfaction of the performance metrics described above, is shown in the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table on page [59] of this proxy statement.
2013-2015 PBRSU Award Determinations. Each year, following the end of a three year PBRSU performance cycle, the Committee reviews and certifies the performance attained based on our reported audited financial statements, subject to the Committee's discretion under the Equity Incentive Plan to adjust such results for non-recurring charges and other one-time events. Each PBRSU that vests is settled with a Bunge common share.
In February 2016, the Committee reviewed and certified achievement of the performance metrics for the PBRSUs granted on March 5, 2013 for the 2013-2015 performance period. One hundred percent of the 2013-2015 awards vest based on three year cumulative fully diluted EPS from continuing operations. In prior years, the Committee made the determination to apply adjustments to both the 2013 and 2014 Annual Incentive Plan awards and the 2013-2015 PBRSU awards. The Committee determined these adjustments appropriate in light of their non-operating and unanticipated nature and based on the continuing process to explore strategic alternatives for Bunge's sugar milling assets. The Committee made the following non-operating adjustments to the calculation of EPS:
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The following table shows the results for the 2013-2015 performance cycle:
Performance Metric |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
Actual1 | ||||
Cumulative 3-year diluted EPS from continuing operations | $16.01 | $20.79 | $27.03 | $16.20 |
Based on the Committee's assessment, 52% of the target number of PBRSU's was earned, representing 39% of the target value granted in 2013. Each of the Named Executive Officers received the following in settlement of their earned awards for the 2013-2015 performance period:
Executive |
Number of Bunge Common Shares |
Fair Market Value on Vesting Date1 ($55.19) |
||
Soren Schroder |
6,617 | $365,192 | ||
Andrew Burke |
5,200 | $286,988 | ||
Raul Padilla |
5,200 | $286,988 | ||
Brian Thomsen |
832 | $45,918 | ||
Gordon Hardie |
3,484 | $192,282 |
The value and number of PBRSUs that the Named Executive Officers earned for the 2013-2015 performance period are also shown in the "Stock Awards" columns of the Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table on page [61] of this proxy statement.
Other Equity Awards
Limited use for retention and special recognition. From time to time, the Committee may grant time based RSU awards for special, limited purposes that further our business objectives, such as to recognize exceptional performance; promotions; and as inducement to new hires in recognition of compensation forgone at a previous employer. Time based RSU awards generally vest based on an employee's continued employment during the vesting period and have no value unless the employee remains employed on the applicable vesting date. Award sizes and vesting dates vary to allow flexibility in connection with the specific award and the circumstances underlying the grant of the award. In addition, dividend equivalents are accrued and are paid out in Bunge common shares on the date the underlying time based RSU award otherwise vests and is settled.
In 2014, the Committee committed to limiting the use of supplemental time based restricted stock unit awards to maintain our emphasis on performance-based equity awards. Since 2013, the Committee has not granted any time based RSU awards to our Named Executive Officers.
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RETIREMENT AND EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
Competitively address basic health, welfare and retirement income needs. Bunge provides employees with a wide range of retirement and other employee benefits that are designed to assist in attracting and retaining employees critical to Bunge's long-term success and to reflect the competitive practices of the companies in the Peer Group. Named Executive Officers are eligible for retirement benefits under the following plans: (i) Bunge U.S. Pension Plan; (ii) Bunge Excess Benefit Plan; (iii) Bunge U.S. supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP"); (iv) Bunge Retirement Savings Plan; and (v) Bunge Excess Contribution Plan. Our executive compensation program also provides Named Executive Officers with limited perquisites and personal benefits. The Committee, in consultation with Semler Brossy, periodically reviews the benefits provided to the Named Executive Officers to ensure competitiveness with market practices.
Retirement Plans
The U.S. Pension Plan is a tax qualified retirement plan that covers substantially all U.S. based salaried and non-union hourly employees. Each U.S. based Named Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the plan. All employees whose benefits are limited by the Internal Revenue Code, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the Excess Benefit Plan. In addition, each U.S. based Named Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the SERP. The U.S. Pension Plan, SERP and Excess Benefit Plan are described in the narrative following the Pension Benefits Table on page [62] of this proxy statement, and the estimated annual normal retirement benefits payable to the Named Executive Officers (determined on a present value basis) are set forth in the Pension Benefits Table on page [62] of this proxy statement.
Each Non U.S. based Named Executive Officer is eligible to participate in a statutory retirement plan that covers substantially all employees who are employed in the country where the Named Executive Officer is based. Amounts contributed by Bunge to such plans are set forth in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table on page [57] of this proxy statement.
401(k) Plan and Excess Contribution Plan
The Retirement Savings Plan is a tax qualified retirement plan that covers substantially all U.S. based salaried and non-union hourly employees. Each U.S. based Named Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the plan. All employees whose benefits are limited by the Internal Revenue Code, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the Excess Contribution Plan. The Retirement Savings Plan and the Excess Contribution Plan are described in the narrative following the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table on page [64] of this proxy statement.
Company matching contributions allocated to the Named Executive Officers under the Retirement Savings Plan and the Excess Contribution Plan are shown in the "All Other Compensation Total" column of the Summary Compensation Table on page [57] of this proxy statement.
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Health and Welfare Plans
Active employee benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance and disability coverage are available to U.S. employees through Bunge's flexible benefits plan. Employees contribute toward the cost of the flexible benefits plan by paying a portion of the premium costs on a pre-tax basis. Long-term disability coverage can be paid on an after tax basis at the employee's option.
Perquisites and Executive Benefits
It is the Committee's practice to limit special perquisites and executive benefits provided to the company's executives. The Committee periodically reviews the perquisites provided to Bunge's executive officers under our executive compensation program. Under the current policy, Bunge provides U.S. based executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, with a limited annual perquisite allowance of $9,600. Non-U.S. Named Executive Officers are provided with an automobile allowance in accordance with company programs and local market practices.
SEVERANCE AND CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS
Focus executives on shareholder interests during periods of uncertainty. Our executive compensation program is designed to provide for the payment of severance benefits to our Named Executive Officers upon certain types of employment terminations. Providing severance and change of control benefits assists Bunge in attracting and retaining executive talent and reduces the personal uncertainty that executives are likely to feel when considering a corporate transaction. These arrangements also provide valuable retention incentives that focus executives on completing such transactions, thus enhancing long-term shareholder value. The Named Executive Officers are provided with severance benefits under individual arrangements.
Mr. Schroder is the only Named Executive Officer with change of control severance protections. His employment agreement contains a "double trigger" vesting requirement for the payment of severance benefits, meaning that both a change of control must occur and his employment must also be terminated under certain specified circumstances before he is entitled to any severance payment. All unvested equity awards are also subject to double trigger vesting upon a change of control.
None of our employment agreements or other compensation arrangements provide for a golden parachute excise tax gross up.
The terms of the individual arrangements and a calculation of the estimated severance benefits payable to each Named Executive Officer under their respective arrangements are set forth under the Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change of Control table beginning on page [67] of this proxy statement.
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COMPENSATION GOVERNANCE |
The Committee maintains and is committed to a policy of strong corporate governance. The principal governance elements of our executive compensation program are described in further detail below.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION RECOUPMENT POLICY
Mitigate unnecessary risk taking that may have adverse impact on Bunge. The Committee has adopted a recoupment policy ("clawback") with respect to executive compensation. The policy provides that, if the Board or an appropriate committee thereof determines that an executive officer or other senior executive has engaged in any fraud or misconduct that caused or was a significant contributing factor to Bunge having to restate all or a portion of its financial statement(s), the Board or committee shall take such actions as it deems appropriate to remedy the misconduct and prevent its recurrence.
The actions that may be taken against a particular executive include:
Any recoupment under this policy is in addition to any other remedies that may be available to Bunge under applicable law.
The Committee will review the Executive Compensation Recoupment Policy in connection with rules on executive compensation recoupment that are anticipated to be issued under the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to determine if the policy should be revised.
Ensure appropriate level of long-term wealth tied to shareholder returns. To further align the interests of senior management with our shareholders, the Board maintains share ownership guidelines that require executive officers to hold significant amounts of Bunge common shares. Executive officers are expected to meet minimum ownership guidelines within five years from the date the executive is hired or appointed to a covered title, as applicable. The guideline applicable to senior executives is based on a multiple of base salary.
52
The Committee reviews the progress of the Named Executive Officers toward meeting the ownership guidelines annually. In the event of financial hardship or other good cause, the Committee may approve exceptions to the share ownership guidelines as the Committee deems appropriate. For a description of the ownership guidelines applicable to our non-employee directors, see "Director Compensation" on page [26] of this proxy statement.
The following count towards meeting the ownership guideline: (i) shares directly or indirectly beneficially owned by the executive; (ii) shares underlying hypothetical share units held under Bunge's deferred compensation plans; (iii) 50% of the value of unvested time based RSUs; and (iv) 50% of the difference between the exercise price of a vested, in the money stock option and the fair market value of a Bunge common share. Unvested stock options and unearned PBRSUs do not count toward achievement of the guidelines.
Executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, are required to hold 50% of the net shares acquired through long-term incentive plans (such as stock options or PBRSUs) until the guidelines are met. If the initial ownership period has lapsed, and the minimum ownership guideline is not met, executive officers are required to hold 100% of net shares acquired until the guideline is met.
To further encourage a long-term commitment to Bunge's sustained performance, executive officers are prohibited from hedging, pledging or using their common shares as collateral for margin loans.
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY OF COMPENSATION
Optimize tax deductibility in keeping with compensation philosophy. When determining compensation, the Committee considers all relevant factors that may impact Bunge's financial performance, including tax and accounting rules such as the regulations under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 162(m) generally precludes a public corporation from taking a deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million with respect to each of the Named Executive Officers (excluding the chief financial officer). An exception to this limitation is if the compensation is considered "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m).
Although our executive compensation program seeks to maximize the tax deductibility of compensation payable to the Named Executive Officers by having such compensation qualify as qualified performance-based compensation, the Committee retains full discretion to compensate Named Executive Officers in a manner intended to promote varying corporate goals, including attracting, retaining and rewarding such officers. Therefore, the Committee may award compensation that is not deductible under Section 162(m) if it believes it will contribute to the achievement of Bunge's business objectives.
53
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT |
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the preceding "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and be included in Bunge Limited's Annual Report on Form 10 k for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Members
of the Compensation Committee
Ernest G. Bachrach, Chairman
Bernard de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais
Andrew Ferrier
L. Patrick Lupo
John E. McGlade
54
COMPENSATION AND RISK |
We believe our compensation programs are designed to establish an appropriate balance between risk and reward in relation to Bunge's overall business strategy. To that end, the Compensation Committee has conducted a compensation risk assessment, with the assistance of management. Semler Brossy, the Committee's independent compensation consultant, has reviewed this assessment at the Committee's request. The risk assessment focused on our executive compensation program, as these are the employees whose actions are most likely to expose Bunge to significant business risk. The relevant features of the executive compensation program that mitigate risk are as follows:
Additionally, as part of its risk assessment, the Committee also reviewed Bunge's compensation program for employees who engage in trading and related activities within Bunge, whom we refer to
55
collectively as global product line team members. Global product line team members have compensation risk higher than that of the overall employee population in that part of their compensation is linked to the profitability of their trading activities. In order to address and mitigate the potential risks associated with the compensation program for global product line team members, Bunge has implemented the following features:
The Committee also reviewed the supplemental annual incentive award opportunity for the CEO, Bunge Product Lines, as discussed in "Supplemental Annual Performance-based Cash Awards" on page [44] of this proxy statement. As this incentive arrangement is materially consistent with the design of the compensation program for global product line team members, the risk mitigating factors that are listed above also apply to this supplemental annual incentive arrangement. As an additional risk mitigator, Bunge has implemented a payout cap of 250% of the annual incentive award target.
Lastly, as part of its risk assessment, the Committee reviewed certain other trading compensation programs maintained by Bunge. These programs are based on a funded pool approach with the pool being tied to a percentage of relevant gross trading profit. Participants in these programs are not eligible for awards under Bunge's Annual Incentive Plan or Bunge's Equity Incentive Plan as their total incentive opportunity is directly tied to their trading performance. In order to address and mitigate the potential risk associated with these programs, Bunge has implemented the following features:
56
The Committee reviewed and discussed the findings of the risk assessment and believes that our compensation programs are appropriately balanced and do not motivate employees to take risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Bunge.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
The following table sets forth the compensation of our CEO, our Chief Financial Officer and the other three most highly compensated executive officers (the "Named Executive Officers") who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2015.
Name and Position Held |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) (1) |
|
Bonus ($) |
|
Stock Awards ($) (2)(3) |
|
Option Awards ($) (2) |
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (4) |
|
Change in Pension Value & Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (5) |
|
All Other Compensation Total ($) (6) |
|
Total ($) (7) |
||||||||||
Soren Schroder | 2015 | $1,283,333 | | $3,512,240 | $2,505,180 | $2,680,000 | $729,657 | $56,467 | $10,766,877 | |||||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2014 | $1,166,667 | | $2,980,125 | $3,186,000 | $1,740,000 | $986,188 | $53,959 | $10,112,939 | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 | $854,167 | | $2,945,847 | $1,028,816 | $1,320,000 | $161,349 | $201,113 | $6,511,292 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Andrew J. Burke |
2015 |
$725,000 |
|
$906,648 |
$646,686 |
$910,000 |
$441,933 |
$38,633 |
$3,668,900 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2014 | $720,833 | | $874,170 | $934,560 | $670,000 | $806,586 | $34,400 | $4,040,549 | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 | $700,000 | | $1,746,755 | $808,500 | $900,000 | $207,814 | $28,200 | $4,391,269 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Raul Padilla |
2015 |
$830,496 |
(8) |
|
$1,021,000 |
$728,250 |
$1,523,892 |
(8) |
$0 |
$84,810 |
(8) |
$4,187,186 |
||||||||||||||||
CEO, Bunge Brazil and |
2014 | $920,967 | | $874,170 | $934,560 | $1,324,627 | $432,941 | $531,978 | $5,019,243 | |||||||||||||||||||
Managing Director, |
2013 | $850,000 | | $743,300 | $808,500 | $2,652,000 | $338,325 | $34,200 | $5,426,325 | |||||||||||||||||||
Sugar & Bioenergy |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian Thomsen(9) |
2015 |
$800,804 |
(10) |
|
$906,648 |
$646,686 |
$5,157,376 |
(10)(11) |
$0 |
$129,216 |
(10) |
$7,640,730 |
||||||||||||||||
Managing Director, |
2014 | $653,859 | $404,449 | $1,166,499 | $1,226,592 | $889,788 | | $89,383 | $4,430,570 | |||||||||||||||||||
Global Agribusiness, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and CEO, Bunge |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Product Lines |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gordon Hardie |
2015 |
$691,667 |
|
$906,648 |
$646,686 |
$610,000 |
$171,025 |
$20,828 |
$3,046,854 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Managing Director, |
2014 | $633,330 | | $754,965 | $807,120 | $750,000 | $200,293 | | $3,145,708 | |||||||||||||||||||
Food and Ingredients |
2013 | $550,000 | | $758,166 | $539,000 | $470,000 | $57,730 | | $2,374,896 |
57
58
GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS TABLE |
The following table sets forth information with respect to awards under our Annual Incentive Plan and Equity Incentive Plan to the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
All Other |
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts |
Estimated Future Payouts |
Options |
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Under Non-Equity Incentive |
Under Equity Incentive |
All Other |
Awards: |
Grant Date |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Plan Awards |
Plan Awards |
Stock |
Number of |
Exercise |
Fair Value |
| ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
(1) |
(2) |
Awards: |
Securities |
or Base |
Closing |
of Stock |
| |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Number of |
Underlying |
Price of |
Price on |
and Option |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Shares or |
Options |
Option |
Grant |
Awards |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Grant Date |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
Threshold (#) |
Target (#) |
Maximum (#) |
Units (#) |
(3) (#) |
Awards ($/Sh) |
Date ($) |
(4) ($) |
| ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Soren Schroder |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 AIP |
2/26/2015 | $832,000 | $2,080,000 | $5,200,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPPBRSUs |
2/27/2015 | 21,500 | 43,000 | 86,000 | $81.78 | $3,512,240 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPStock Options |
2/27/2015 | 129,000 | $81.68 | $81.78 | $2,505,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Andrew J. Burke |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
2015 AIP |
2/26/2015 | $290,000 | $725,000 | $1,812,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPPBRSUs |
2/27/2015 | 5,550 | 11,100 | 22,200 | $81.78 | $906,648 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPStock Options |
2/27/2015 | 33,300 | $81.68 | $81.78 | $646,686 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Raul Padilla |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
2015 AIP |
2/26/2015 | $336,366 | $840,916 | $2,102,290 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPPBRSUs |
2/27/2015 | 6,250 | 12,500 | 25,000 | $81.78 | $1,021,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPStock Options |
2/27/2015 | 37,500 | $81.68 | $81.78 | $728,250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Brian Thomsen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
2015 AIP |
2/26/2015 | $483,504 | $1,208,760 | $3,021,900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 Supplemental Annual Cash |
5/18/2015 | $906,570 | $1,208,760 | $3,021,900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPPBRSUs |
2/27/2015 | 5,550 | 11,100 | 22,200 | $81.78 | $906,648 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPStock Options |
2/27/2015 | 33,300 | $81.68 | $81.78 | $646,686 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Gordon Hardie |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
2015 AIP |
2/26/2015 | $280,000 | $700,000 | $1,750,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPPBRSUs |
2/27/2015 | 5,550 | 11,100 | 22,200 | $81.78 | $906,648 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
2015 LTIPStock Options |
2/27/2015 | 33,300 | $81.68 | $81.78 | $646,686 |
59
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS TABLE |
The following table sets forth information with respect to all outstanding equity awards held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2015.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Option Awards (1) | Stock Awards (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
Date of Grant |
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (# Exercisable) |
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (# Unexercisable) |
|
Option Exercise Price ($) |
|
Option Expiration Date |
|
Date of Grant |
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights Held That Have Not Yet Vested (#) |
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights Held That Have Not Vested ($) |
| ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Soren Schroder |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/24/2006 | 3,333 | | $57.01 | 2/24/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2007 | 4,300 | | $80.06 | 2/27/2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2008 | 4,350 | | $110.75 | 2/28/2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/13/2009 | 4,500 | | $51.61 | 3/13/2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/3/2010 | 25,000 | | $61.60 | 3/3/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/2/2011 | 30,000 | | $71.20 | 3/2/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2012 | 37,500 | | $67.63 | 2/28/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/5/2013 | 25,450 | 12,725 | $74.33 | 3/5/2023 | 03/05/13 | (3) | 26,907 | $1,837,210 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/28/2014 | 37,500 | 75,000 | $79.47 | 2/28/2024 | 02/28/14 | (4) | 37,500 | $2,560,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2015 | | 129,000 | $81.68 | 2/27/2025 | 02/27/15 | (5) | 43,000 | $2,936,040 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Andrew J. Burke |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/24/2006 | 13,800 | | $57.01 | 2/24/2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2007 | 12,500 | | $80.06 | 2/27/2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2008 | 9,000 | | $110.75 | 2/28/2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/13/2009 | 14,000 | | $51.61 | 3/13/2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/3/2010 | 15,000 | | $61.60 | 3/3/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/2/2011 | 30,000 | | $71.20 | 3/2/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2012 | 37,500 | | $67.63 | 2/28/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/5/2013 | 20,000 | 10,000 | $74.33 | 3/5/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/28/2014 | 11,000 | 22,000 | $79.47 | 2/28/2024 | 02/28/14 | (4) | 11,000 | $751,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2015 | 0 | 33,300 | $81.68 | 2/27/2025 | 02/27/15 | (5) | 11,100 | $757,908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Raul Padilla |
2/24/2006 |
15,000 |
|
$57.01 |
2/24/2016 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2007 | 12,500 | | $80.06 | 2/27/2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2008 | 9,000 | | $110.75 | 2/28/2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/13/2009 | 14,000 | | $51.61 | 3/13/2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/3/2010 | 15,000 | | $61.60 | 3/3/2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/2/2011 | 30,000 | | $71.20 | 3/2/2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2012 | 37,500 | | $67.63 | 2/28/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/5/2013 | 20,000 | 10,000 | $74.33 | 3/5/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/28/2014 | 11,000 | 22,000 | $79.47 | 2/28/2024 | 02/28/14 | (4) | 11,000 | $751,080 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2015 | | 37,500 | $81.68 | 2/27/2025 | 02/27/15 | (5) | 12,500 | $853,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Brian Thomsen |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2007 | 4,800 | | $80.06 | 2/27/2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2008 | 4,650 | | $110.75 | 2/28/2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2012 | 2,100 | | $67.63 | 2/28/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/5/2013 | 3,200 | 1,600 | $74.33 | 3/5/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/28/2014 | 1,700 | 3,400 | $79.47 | 2/28/2024 | 02/28/14 | (4) | 1,700 | $116,076 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
5/1/2014 | 13,500 | 27,000 | $76.40 | 5/1/2024 | 05/01/14 | (4) | 13,500 | $921,780 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2015 | | 33,300 | $81.68 | 2/27/2025 | 02/27/15 | (5) | 11,100 | $757,908 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Gordon Hardie |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/29/2012 | 25,000 | | $67.63 | 2/28/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3/5/2013 | 13,334 | 6,666 | $74.33 | 3/5/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/28/2014 | 9,500 | 19,000 | $79.47 | 2/28/2024 | 02/28/14 | (4) | 9,500 | $648,660 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2/27/2015 | | 33,300 | $81.68 | 2/27/2025 | 02/27/15 | (5) | 11,100 | $757,908 |
60
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE |
The following table sets forth information with respect to the exercise of stock options during 2015 and vesting of restricted stock units during 2015.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||
Name |
|
Number of |
Value |
|
Number of |
|
Value Realized Upon Vesting ($) |
|||||||
Soren Schroder |
6,617(1) | $365,192 | ||||||||||||
Andrew J. Burke |
11,400(2) | $341,093(3) | 6,750(4) | $554,783 | ||||||||||
|
5,200(1) | $286,988 | ||||||||||||
Raul Padilla |
13,500(2) | $403,934(5) | 5,200(1) | $286,988 | ||||||||||
Brian Thomsen |
832(1) | $45,918 | ||||||||||||
Gordon Hardie |
3,484(1) | $192,282 |
61
PENSION BENEFITS TABLE |
The following table sets forth pension benefit information for the Named Executive Officers with respect to each defined benefit pension plan in which such executive participates as of December 31, 2015.
Name |
Plan Name |
Number of Years of Credited Service (#) |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefits (1) ($) |
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) |
||||
Soren Schroder |
Pension Plan | 10.1 | $324,212 | | ||||
|
SERP | 10.1 | $754,492 | | ||||
|
Excess Plan | 10.1 | $1,715,447 | | ||||
Andrew J. Burke |
Pension Plan | 14.0 | $611,335 | | ||||
|
SERP | 14.0 | $886,212 | | ||||
|
Excess Plan | 14.0 | $2,110,997 | | ||||
Raul Padilla |
Pension Plan | 3.8 | $151,609 | | ||||
|
SERP | 3.8 | $388,305 | | ||||
|
Excess Plan | 3.8 | $807,528 | | ||||
Brian Thomsen(2) |
Pension Plan | | | | ||||
|
SERP | | | | ||||
|
Excess Plan | | | | ||||
Gordon Hardie |
Pension Plan | 4.3 | $134,294 | | ||||
|
SERP | 4.3 | $114,037 | | ||||
|
Excess Plan | 4.3 | $300,622 | |
RETIREMENT PLAN BENEFITS |
The Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive retirement benefits under the Pension Plan, the SERP and the Excess Benefit Plan. Information regarding each of these plans is set forth below.
The Pension Plan is a tax qualified retirement plan that covers substantially all of our U.S. based salaried and non union hourly employees. The Pension Plan pays benefits at retirement to participants who terminate employment or retire from Bunge after meeting the eligibility requirements for a benefit. The Pension Plan provides pension benefits based on: (i) the participant's highest average salary for 60 consecutive months within the 120 consecutive months prior to termination of employment ("final average salary") and (ii) the participant's length of service.
A participant's annual benefit is calculated as (i) 1% of his or her final average salary multiplied by his or her years of benefit service and (ii) 0.5% of his or her final average salary over the average of the social security wage base multiplied by years of benefit service to a maximum of 35 years. For
62
purposes of the Pension Plan, average social security wage base means the average of the social security wage base during the 35 year period preceding the participant's social security retirement age. For purposes of the Pension Plan, a participant's salary for a year is deemed to include base salary and 50% of any award under our annual incentive plans for that year. Because the Pension Plan is a tax qualified retirement plan, a participant's salary is restricted by the compensation limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. For 2015, this salary limit was $265,000. If a participant's salary exceeds this limit, such amounts are subject to the non tax qualified retirement plans described below.
Participants are entitled to an annual pension benefit for life, payable in equal monthly installments. Participants may earn increased pension benefits by working additional years. The normal retirement age under the Pension Plan at which a participant may receive an unreduced normal retirement benefit is age 65.
Participants who complete 10 or more years of service with the Company may elect to receive an early retirement benefit following attainment of age 55. Mr. Burke and Mr. Padilla are eligible to elect to receive an early retirement benefit. Benefits payable to a participant who retires between ages 60 and 62 are subject to a 0.4% reduction for each month before age 62 and a 0.5% reduction for each month between ages 55 and 59. Participants who have 10 years of service and retire on or after age 62 are eligible to receive an unreduced early retirement benefit.
The present value estimates shown in the Pension Benefits Table assume payment in the form of a single life annuity of the Named Executive Officer's accrued benefit under the Pension Plan, based on a participant's salary and service through December 31, 2015 (the Pension Plan measurement date for financial reporting purposes) and commencing on the earliest date that benefits are available unreduced. The present value assumes a discount rate of 4.7% and mortality as set forth in the Mercer Industry Longevity Experience Study generational annuitant only mortality table with no collar for the Consumer Goods and Food and Drink industry projected using the mortality improvement scale implied by the Social Security Administration's rates of mortality.
The Excess Benefit Plan, a non tax qualified retirement plan, is designed to restore retirement benefits that cannot be paid from the Pension Plan due to the Internal Revenue Code limits described above. The benefit provided under the Excess Benefit Plan will equal the difference between (i) the benefit that would have been earned under the Pension Plan, without regard to any Internal Revenue Code limitations, and (ii) the actual benefit payable from the Pension Plan. All Named Executive Officers in the Pension Plan are potentially eligible to participate in the Excess Benefit Plan, provided that their Pension Plan benefits are limited by the Internal Revenue Code.
Benefits payable under the Excess Benefit Plan are payable to participants following termination of employment on the later of the first day of the month following the participant's (i) six month anniversary of termination of employment or (ii) 65th birthday, or if the participant has 10 years of service, the first day of the month following the participant's 62nd birthday, in accordance with the applicable restrictions set forth in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. All amounts under the Excess Benefit Plan are paid out of the Company's general assets.
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The present value estimates shown in the Pension Benefits Table for accumulated benefits under the Excess Benefit Plan are determined using the same payment, discount rate and mortality assumptions as were used to estimate the values shown for the Pension Plan.
We have adopted the SERP, a non tax qualified retirement plan, to attract, retain and reward certain key employees whose benefits under the Pension Plan and the Excess Benefit Plan are limited by the definition of compensation in the Pension Plan and further limited by the Internal Revenue Code. The Board designates those key employees who are eligible to participate in the SERP.
A participant's SERP benefit equals the amount that his or her benefit would equal if the Pension Plan (i) included 100% of such participant's bonus compensation when calculating his or her benefit and (ii) was administered without regard to any Internal Revenue Code limitation over any amounts payable to such participant under the Pension Plan and/or Excess Benefit Plan, as applicable.
Benefits payable under the SERP are paid coincident with and in the same distribution form and manner as the payment of the participant's benefit under the Excess Benefit Plan, subject to applicable restrictions set forth in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. All amounts under the SERP are paid out of the Company's general assets.
The present value estimates shown in the Pension Benefits Table for accumulated benefits under the SERP are determined using the same payment, discount rate and mortality assumptions as were used to estimate the values shown for the Pension Plan.
NON QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE |
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our nonqualified deferred compensation plans in which the Named Executive Officers participate as of December 31, 2015.
|
| | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation | |||||||||||||
Name |
|
Executive Contributions in Last FY ($) |
|
Registrant Contributions in Last FY ($) |
|
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY ($) |
|
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) |
|
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) |
||||||
Soren Schroder |
$0 | $36,267 | (1) | $542 | $0 | $88,231 | ||||||||||
Andrew J. Burke |
$0 | $18,433 | (1) | $2,810 | $0 | $245,975 | ||||||||||
Raul Padilla |
$0 | $0 | $392 | $668,000 | (2) | $383,859 | ||||||||||
Brian Thomsen(3) |
$1,336,687 | (4) | $0 | $4,786 | $3,089,833 | (5) | $2,497,366 | |||||||||
Gordon Hardie |
$0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
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The Company sponsors the 401(k) Plan, a tax qualified retirement plan that covers substantially all of Bunge's U.S. based salaried and non union hourly employees. Participants may contribute up to 50% of their compensation on a before tax basis into their 401(k) Plan accounts. In addition, the Company matches an amount equal to 100% for each dollar contributed by participants on the first 3% of their regular earnings and 50% for each dollar contributed on the next 2% of their regular earnings.
Because the 401(k) Plan is a tax qualified retirement plan, the Internal Revenue Code limits the "additions" that can be made to a participant's 401(k) plan account each year (for 2015, $53,000). "Additions" include Company matching contributions and before tax contributions made by a participant. In addition, the Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of annual compensation that may be taken into account in computing benefits under the 401(k) Plan. In 2015, this compensation limit was $265,000. Participants may also direct the investment of their 401(k) Plan accounts into several investment alternatives, including a Bunge common share fund.
The Company sponsors the Excess Contribution Plan, which is a non tax qualified defined contribution plan that is designed to restore retirement benefits that cannot be paid from the 401(k) Plan due to Internal Revenue Code limits. Participants in the 401(k) Plan are eligible to participate in the Excess Contribution Plan, provided that their 401(k) Plan benefits are limited by the Internal Revenue Code.
The amounts shown as "Registrant Contributions" represent Company matching contributions made under the Excess Contribution Plan to the Named Executive Officers and are also reported in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table. The benefit provided under the Excess Contribution Plan is equal to the difference between the benefit that would have been earned under the 401(k) Plan, without regard to any Internal Revenue Code limits, and the actual benefit provided under the 401(k) Plan. A Participant's account balance is credited with the same investment return as the investment alternatives he or she selected under the 401(k) Plan (including the Bunge common share fund).
Payments are made from the Company's general assets in a lump sum cash payment following a participant's termination of employment, subject to applicable restrictions set forth in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
BUNGE LIMITED EMPLOYEE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (THE "DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN")
The Deferred Compensation Plan, which is a non tax qualified deferred compensation plan, is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to defer receipt of current income into the future on a tax deferred basis. Amounts deferred into the Deferred Compensation Plan are shown as "Executive Contributions" and are reported in the Summary Compensation Table and, in the case of PBRSUs, have previously been reported.
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Eligible employees (including the Named Executive Officers) who meet the minimum base salary level may participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. For 2015, the minimum base salary level required to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan was $265,000.
The Deferred Compensation Plan allows participants to voluntarily defer from 1% to 10% of their base salary and 10% to 100% of their annual incentive compensation and PBRSUs. Gains and losses are credited based on a participant's election of a variety of deemed investment choices.
Subject to the applicable restrictions set forth in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, a Participant may elect to defer receipt of income for any period not less than 36 months from the date of deferral and will receive a distribution of his or her account following the end of his or her elected deferral period or death. Subject to applicable restrictions set forth in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, participants may elect to receive payment of their deferred account balance in a lump sum or in up to 25 annual installments. Distributions of a participant's account are made in cash and from Bunge's general assets.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE OF CONTROL |
The Company has entered into certain agreements and maintains certain plans that will require us to provide compensation to the Named Executive Officers in the event of certain terminations of employment. The amount of compensation payable to the Named Executive Officer in each situation is shown in the table below. The amounts assume that the respective termination of employment event occurred on December 31, 2015.
These amounts are estimates only and do not necessarily reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to the Named Executive Officers, which would only be known at the time that they become eligible for payment. The amounts are in addition to (i) vested or accumulated benefits generally under Bunge's defined benefit pension plans, 401(k) plans, and non qualified deferred compensation plans, which are set forth in the disclosure tables above; (ii) benefits paid by insurance providers under life and disability insurance policies; and (iii) benefits generally available to U.S. salaried employees, such as accrued vacation.
Unless stated otherwise, the value of unvested and accelerated stock options shown in the tables below have been determined by multiplying (i) the number of unvested stock options that would have been accelerated by (ii) the difference between (x) the exercise price of the stock option and (y) the average of the high and low sale prices of Bunge's common shares on December 31, 2015 ($68.51). Likewise, the value of unvested restricted stock unit awards shown in the tables below have been determined by multiplying (i) the number of unvested restricted stock units that would have been accelerated by (ii) the average of the high and low sale prices of Bunge's common shares on December 31, 2015.
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Name |
Executive Benefits and Payments |
Death, Disability or Retirement ($) |
Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason ($) |
Change of Control followed by Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason ($) |
||||
Soren Schroder |
Cash Compensation(2) |
|||||||
|
Severance |
| $5,660,000 | $10,140,000 | ||||
|
ProRata Annual Incentive Plan Award |
| | | ||||
|
Medical Continuation |
| $7,244 | $21,731 | ||||
|
Equity Incentive Plan(3) |
|||||||
|
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units |
|||||||
|
2014-2016 |
$1,574,322 | $2,569,125 | $2,569,125 | ||||
|
2015-2017 |
| $2,945,930 | $2,945,930 | ||||
|
Stock Options Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Time-Based RSUs Unvested and Accelerated |
| $1,843,399 | $1,843,399 | ||||
|
Total |
$1,574,322 | $13,025,698 | $17,520,185 | ||||
Andrew J. Burke |
Cash Compensation(4) |
|||||||
|
Severance |
| $1,450,000 | | ||||
|
ProRata Annual Incentive Plan Award |
| | | ||||
|
Equity Incentive Plan(3) |
|||||||
|
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units |
|||||||
|
2014-2016 |
$461,801 | $461,801 | | ||||
|
2015-2017 |
| | | ||||
|
Stock Options Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Time-Based RSUs Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Total |
$461,801 | $1,911,801 | | ||||
Raul Padilla |
Cash Compensation(5) |
|||||||
|
Severance |
| $1,740,870 | | ||||
|
ProRata Annual Incentive Plan Award |
| | | ||||
|
Equity Incentive Plan(3) |
|||||||
|
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units |
|||||||
|
2014-2016 |
$461,801 | $461,801 | | ||||
|
2015-2017 |
| | | ||||
|
Stock Options Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Time-Based RSUs Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Total |
$461,801 | $2,202,671 | |||||
Brian Thomsen |
Cash Compensation(6) |
|||||||
|
Severance |
| $2,014,600 | | ||||
|
ProRata Annual Incentive Plan Award |
| | | ||||
|
Equity Incentive Plan(3) |
|||||||
|
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units |
|||||||
|
2014-2016 |
$638,125 | $638,125 | | ||||
|
2015-2017 |
| | | ||||
|
Stock Options Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Time-Based RSUs Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Total |
$638,125 | $2,652,725 | |
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Gordon Hardie |
Cash Compensation(7) |
|||||||
|
Severance |
| $1,400,000 | | ||||
|
ProRata Annual Incentive Plan Award |
| | | ||||
|
Equity Incentive Plan(3) |
|||||||
|
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units |
|||||||
|
2014-2016 |
$398,828 | $398,828 | | ||||
|
2015-2017 |
| | | ||||
|
Stock Options Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Time-Based RSUs Unvested and Accelerated |
| | | ||||
|
Total |
$398,828 | $1,798,828 | |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE OF CONTROL
Schroder Employment Agreement
On February 6, 2013, Bunge entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Schroder in connection with his promotion to CEO.
In the event of Mr. Schroder's termination without "Cause" or his resignation for "Good Reason" before a "Change of Control," his severance will be equal to:
In the event of Mr. Schroder's resignation for Good Reason or termination without Cause during a "Change of Control Period," he will be entitled to the same severance benefit as set forth above, except that for purposes of determining the payment amount for the severance period, he will be entitled to receive three times the sum of the highest base salary paid to him over the three year period immediately prior to his termination and the target annual cash bonus in effect at the time of his termination, payable in monthly installments over a 36 month period.
If Mr. Schroder's employment terminates due to "Disability," he will be entitled to his pro rata bonus due for the year in which such Disability occurs.
If Mr. Schroder's employment terminates due to his death, his estate is entitled to his pro rata bonus due for the year in which his death occurs.
As a condition to receiving the severance benefits, Mr. Schroder will continue to be bound by the terms of the non competition and non-solicitation provisions contained in the employment agreement for 18 months following the date of his termination of employment for any reason and by the terms of
69
the confidentiality provision indefinitely. Mr. Schroder must also execute and deliver a general mutual release of claims against the Company and its subsidiaries.
The following definitions are provided in Mr. Schroder's employment agreement for certain of the terms used in this description:
"Cause" means Mr. Schroder's termination of employment by the Company for any of the following reasons: (a) any willful act or omission or any act of gross negligence that constitutes a material breach of the agreement; (b) willful and continued failure or refusal to substantially perform his duties; (c) willful and material violation of any law or regulation applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have an adverse impact on its business or reputation; (d) conviction of, or a plea to, a felony, or any willful fraud; or (d) any other willful misconduct that is materially injurious to the financial condition, business or reputation of, or is otherwise materially injurious to, the Company and its subsidiaries.
"Good Reason" means a resignation by Mr. Schroder for any of the following reasons: (a) a failure to pay material compensation that is due and payable; (b) a material diminution of his authority, responsibilities or positions under the agreement; (c) the occurrence of acts or conduct that prevent or substantially hinder him from performing his duties or responsibilities; or (d) if immediately prior to the Change of Control Period, his principal place of employment is located within the metropolitan New York area, any relocation during the Change of Control Period outside of the metropolitan New York area.
"Disability" means a physical or mental disability or infirmity, as determined by a physician selected by the Company, that prevents (or, in the opinion of such physician, is reasonably expected to prevent) the normal performance of duties as an employee of the Company for any continuous period of 180 days or for 180 days during any one 12 month period.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) the acquisition by any person of 35% or more of the Company's common shares; (b) a change in a majority of the members of the Board of Directors without approval of the existing Board members; or (c) a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company, a disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or the acquisition of assets of another corporation, except if it would result in continuity of the Company's shareholders of more than 50% of the then outstanding common shares and outstanding voting securities, as the case may be.
"Change of Control Period" means the period beginning on the date of the Change of Control and ending 30 months later, and can include the 12 month period immediately preceding such Change of Control, if Mr. Schroder is terminated without Cause during this 12 month period and there is a reasonable basis to conclude such termination was at the request or direction of the acquirer.
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Equity Acceleration Under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan
Under the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, a participant's equity award will be subject to the following treatment upon a termination of employment (except as otherwise provided under an individual award agreement or employment agreement):
Generally, for all terminations of employment other than for Cause or voluntary resignation, all performance based restricted stock unit awards vest pro rata through the date of termination (though subject to satisfaction of applicable performance goals and a minimum one year service period).
The 2009 Equity Incentive Plan does not include any provisions requiring accelerated vesting in connection with a change of control.
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS |
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares by each member of our Board, each executive officer and our directors and executive officers as a group as of March 7, 2016, based on 152,100,171 shares issued and outstanding.
All holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common shares, and the voting rights attached to common shares held by our directors, executive officers or major shareholders do not differ from those that attach to common shares held by any other holder.
71
Under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, "beneficial ownership" includes shares for which the individual, directly or indirectly, has or shares voting or investment power, whether or not the shares are held for the individual's benefit.
|
| Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | |||||||||
|
|
|
(Number of Shares) | ||||||||
Beneficial Owner |
|
Direct or Indirect1 |
|
Voting or Investment Power2 |
|
Right to Acquire3 |
Percent of Class |
||||
Soren Schroder |
50,696 | | 261,825 | * | |||||||
Ernest G. Bachrach |
57,117 | | 17,936 | 4 | * | ||||||
Enrique H. Boilini |
57,117 | | 5,500 | * | |||||||
Carol M. Browner |
3.156 | | | * | |||||||
Paul Cornet de Ways-Ruart |
| 107,700 | | * | |||||||
Bernard de La Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais |
444,285 | 3 | 5 | | * | ||||||
William Engels |
21,355 | | | * | |||||||
Andrew Ferrier |
6,592 | | | * | |||||||
Kathleen Hyle |
7,535 | | | * | |||||||
L. Patrick Lupo |
25,545 | | 13,000 | * | |||||||
John E. McGlade |
1,496 | | | * | |||||||
Deborah Borg |
| | | * | |||||||
Andrew J. Burke |
43,394 | | 181,100 | * | |||||||
Gordon Hardie |
10,565 | | 75,100 | ||||||||
David Kabbes |
4,297 | | 34,150 | * | |||||||
Pierre Mauger |
1,275 | | 31,450 | * | |||||||
Raul Padilla |
60,489 | | 182,500 | * | |||||||
Brian Thomsen |
28,063 | | 57,850 | * | |||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (18 persons) |
822,977 | 107,703 | 860,411 | 1.18% |
72
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares by persons or groups known to Bunge to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding common shares.
Beneficial Owner
|
Number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Common Shares Outstanding on December 31, 2015 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BlackRock, Inc.1 |
8,471,721 | 5.9 | % | ||||
The Vanguard Group2 |
11,365,224 | 7.97 | % | ||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.3 |
10,058,726 | 7.0 | % |
73
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT |
Bunge's Audit Committee is composed of five independent directors, all of whom are financially literate. In addition, Bunge's Board has determined that each of Mr. Boilini, Mr. Engels and Ms. Hyle qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which reflects NYSE listing standards and Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements regarding audit committees. A copy of the charter is available on Bunge's website at www.bunge.com.
The Audit Committee's primary role is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of (1) the quality and integrity of Bunge's financial statements and related disclosures, (2) Bunge's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) Bunge's independent auditors' qualifications, independence and performance and (4) the performance of Bunge's internal audit and control functions.
Bunge's management is responsible for the preparation of its financial statements, its financial reporting process and its system of internal controls. Bunge's independent auditors are responsible for performing an audit of the financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and issuing an opinion as to the conformity of those audited financial statements to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee monitors and oversees these processes.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy designed to increase its oversight of Bunge's independent auditor. Under the policy, the Audit Committee approves all audit, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by the independent auditor. In addition, any services provided by the independent auditor that are not specifically included within the scope of the audit must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee in advance of any engagement. The Audit Committee's charter also ensures that the independent auditor discusses with the Audit Committee important issues such as internal controls, critical accounting policies, instances of fraud and the consistency and appropriateness of Bunge's accounting policies and practices.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP, Bunge's independent auditors, the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015. In addition, the Audit Committee met regularly with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP to discuss the results of their evaluations of Bunge's internal controls and the overall quality of Bunge's financial reporting. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees) as amended, as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T. In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Deloitte & Touche LLP's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with them their independence from Bunge and its management. The Audit Committee also considered whether the non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP to Bunge during 2015 were compatible with their independence as auditors.
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Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, the inclusion of the audited financial statements in Bunge's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Members of the Audit Committee
Kathleen
Hyle, Chairman
Enrique H. Boilini
Carol M. Browner
Paul Cornet de Ways-Ruart
William Engels
75
PROPOSAL 3 APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD TO DETERMINE THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES |
Our Board has recommended and asks that you appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and authorize the Audit Committee of the Board to determine the independent auditors' fees. You would be acting based on the recommendation of our Audit Committee. Pursuant to Bermuda law and our bye-laws, an auditor is appointed at the annual general meeting or at a subsequent general meeting in each year and shall hold office until a successor is appointed.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal is required to make such appointment. If you do not appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP, our Board will reconsider its selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP and make a new proposal for independent auditors.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, the "Deloitte Entities") have audited our annual financial statements since our 1996 fiscal year.
Representatives of the Deloitte Entities are expected to be present at the Annual General Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. We also expect that they will be available to respond to questions.
The chart below sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by the Deloitte Entities for services performed in each of 2015 and 2014, and breaks down these amounts by category of service:
|
2015 | 2014 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audit Fees |
$ | 13,858,000 | $ | 13,926,000 | |||
Audit-Related Fees |
388,839 | 333,000 | |||||
Tax Fees |
292,117 | 241,000 | |||||
All Other Fees |
0 | 0 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total |
$ | 14,538,956 | $ | 14,500,000 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Audit fees are fees billed for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the audit of management's assessment on internal control over financial reporting and the reviews of our quarterly financial statements. Additionally, audit fees include comfort letters, statutory audits, consents and other services related to SEC matters.
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For 2015 and 2014, audit-related fees principally included fees for statutory attestation services in Argentina and certain other agreed-upon procedures engagements.
Tax fees in 2015 and 2014 primarily related to tax compliance services. Tax compliance services are services rendered based upon facts already in existence or transactions that have already occurred to document, compute and review amounts to be included in tax filings.
No fees were paid to the Deloitte Entities in 2015 and 2014 for any other professional services.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for pre-approval of all audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by our independent auditors. Pre-approval is detailed as to particular types of services and is subject to specific fee levels. The independent auditor and management are required to periodically report to the audit committee regarding the services that have been provided to the Company in accordance with this pre-approval policy.
All of the services relating to the fees described in the table above were pre-approved by our Audit Committee. In making its recommendation to appoint Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, the Audit Committee has considered whether the services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP are compatible with maintaining the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP and has determined that such services do not interfere with Deloitte & Touche LLP's independence.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE, YOU VOTE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP TO SERVE AS OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD TO DETERMINE THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' FEES.
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PROPOSAL 4 ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION |
Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, Bunge is required to provide shareholders with a non-binding advisory "say-on-pay" vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion & Analysis ("CD&A"), related compensation disclosure tables and narrative disclosures of this proxy statement. The Board recognizes the importance of our shareholders' opportunity to cast an advisory say-on- pay vote as a means of expressing views regarding the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. Based upon the outcome of our 2011 say-on-pay frequency vote, we intend to hold an annual advisory say-on-pay vote until the next say-on-pay frequency vote, which, in accordance with applicable law, will occur no later than the Company's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in 2017.
Bunge's compensation philosophy is to pay for performance, support Bunge's business goals, align the interests of management and our shareholders and offer competitive compensation arrangements to attract, retain and motivate high- caliber executives. In the CD&A, we have provided shareholders with a description of our executive compensation program, including the philosophy underpinning the program, the individual elements of the compensation program, and how our compensation program is administered. Our executive compensation program consists of elements designed to complement each other and reward achievement of short-term and long-term objectives by linking compensation to key performance metrics. We have chosen the selected metrics to align executive compensation to the achievement of strong financial performance and the creation of shareholder value. Our Compensation Committee regularly reviews our executive compensation program to ensure alignment with our business strategy and compensation philosophy. Additionally, our executive compensation program has been designed to appropriately balance risks and rewards and discourage excessive risk-taking by our executives.
For the reasons highlighted above, and more fully discussed in the CD&A, the Board unanimously recommends a vote for the following resolution:
"RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S- K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and related narrative disclosure in this Proxy Statement."
You may vote "for" or "against" this proposal, or you may abstain from voting. Although the vote on this Proposal 4 is advisory and non-binding, the Compensation Committee and the Board will review the voting results on the proposal and will consider shareholder views in connection with our executive compensation program.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION.
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PROPOSAL 5 APPROVAL OF THE BUNGE LIMITED 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN |
On the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, our Board has approved the Bunge Limited 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2016 EIP"), subject to approval by our shareholders. Approval of the 2016 EIP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting. Shareholder approval of the 2016 EIP is required under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"). In addition, shareholder approval is necessary to provide the Compensation Committee with the flexibility to grant certain awards that qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). If approved by our shareholders, the 2016 EIP will become effective on May 25, 2016 and will replace the Bunge Limited 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2009 EIP, which was originally approved by our shareholders on May 8, 2009. Upon approval of the 2016 EIP, no new awards will be granted under the 2009 EIP.
The 2016 EIP was established to (i) attract, retain and motivate key employees, consultants, and independent contractors; (ii) compensate them for their contributions to the growth and profitability of the Company; (iii) to encourage ownership of our common shares in order to align their interests with those of shareholders; and (iv) promote the sustained long-term performance of the Company and the creation of shareholder value. The following is a summary of the reasons that we support the adoption of the 2016 EIP, as well as the principal provisions of the 2016 EIP. It is not intended to be a complete description of all of the terms and provisions thereof. This description is qualified by reference to the 2016 EIP plan document, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix B.
Why Shareholders Should Approve this Proposal
The 2016 EIP is key to the Company's pay for performance philosophy. As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, long-term incentive compensation plays an important role in executing upon our pay-for-performance philosophy.
The Board and the Compensation Committee believe that the effective use of performance-based incentive compensation, including equity-based awards, can incentivize key employees to maximize our growth and overall success, as well as align their interests with the interests of our shareholders to create long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Further, our equity compensation program is vital to our ability to attract, motivate and retain key talent needed to successfully implement Bunge's business strategies and objectives.
There are approximately [181,000] shares remaining as of March 10, 2016 under the 2009 EIP and it is anticipated that the authorized share pool will be exhausted prior to the 2017 Annual General Meeting. Shareholder approval of the 2016 Plan is being requested to continue our ongoing objective of aligning compensation with the creation of long-term shareholder value. If the 2016 Plan is not approved, Bunge will continue to make grants under the 2009 Plan until the authorized share pool is exhausted.
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As of March 10, 2016, the shares remaining available for issuance under our equity incentive plans, and other relevant data, are set fort below:
| | | | | | | | |
|
2009 Equity Incentive Plan |
2007 Non Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan |
| |||||
| | | | | | | | |
Shares available under all outstanding plans | 181,063 | 235,321 | ||||||
Unvested full value awards outstanding |
1,556,251 |
18,505 |
||||||
Outstanding stock options |
6,203,805 |
29,500 |
||||||
Weighted average remaining term (years) |
6.84 |
0.28 |
||||||
Weighted average exercise price |
$71.18 |
$55.51 |
The 2016 EIP is instrumental in attracting, retaining and motivating top talent. Attracting, retaining and motivating talented executives and employees are essential to executing Bunge's business strategy. Equity-based awards are highly valued by Company employees, and management believes that they provide valuable incentives to remain with the Company.
The 2016 EIP permits multiple award types. The 2016 EIP permits the issuance of stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock units, performance units and other stock or cash awards, subject to the share limits set forth in the 2016 EIP. These varied award types will enable the Compensation Committee to tailor awards in light of evolving compensation strategies as well as the accounting, tax and other standards applicable at the time of grant, all of which have evolved over time and are likely to continue to evolve in the future.
Highlights of Key Governance Practices Under the 2016 EIP
We believe that the 2016 EIP is consistent with principles of good corporate governance. The 2016 EIP includes the following practices and provisions:
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Determination of Authorized Shares
In setting the proposed number of authorized shares under the 2016 EIP, the Board and the Compensation Committee considered the following factors:
Shares available for issuance under the 2016 EIP. As of March 1, 2016, the proposed share reserve of [5.8 million] shares under the 2016 EIP, together with the shares available for issuance under our 2007 Non-Employee Directors Equity Incentive Plan, represent approximately [ · ]% of our weighted average shares outstanding.
Historical equity award grant practices. Based on our equity award grant practices under the 2009 EIP over the prior three year period, we have maintained competitive grant practices consistent with our peer group. Our three-year average burn rate is within a reasonable competitive range of the market median as defined by the proxy advisory firms. Burn rate reflects the number of shares (including options and full value awards) granted in a calendar year divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding.
Shareholder value transfer and dilution. We also consider the shareholder value transfer and dilution policies of our institutional investors and major proxy advisory firms.
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Administration. The 2016 EIP is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to designate the participants; determine the size and types of awards; approve forms of award agreements for use under the 2016 EIP; determine the terms and conditions of each award, including without limitation, and to the extent applicable, the exercise price, the exercise period, vesting conditions, performance goals, performance periods, any vesting acceleration, waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any other term or condition regarding any award or its related common shares (including subjecting the award or its related common shares to compliance with restrictive covenants); construe and interpret the 2016 EIP and any agreement or instrument entered into pursuant to the 2016 EIP; establish, amend or waive rules and regulations for the 2016 EIP's administration; amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding award and any instrument or agreement relating to an award; delay issuance of common shares or suspend a participant's right to exercise an award as deemed necessary to comply with applicable laws; determine the duration and purposes of leaves of absence that may be granted to a participant without constituting termination of his or her employment or service for 2016 EIP purposes; authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any agreement or instrument required to carry out the 2016 EIP purposes; correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the 2016 EIP, any award, or any instrument or agreement relating to an Award, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the 2016 EIP into effect; adopt such plans or sub-plans as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to comply with the laws of other countries, allow for tax-preferred treatment of awards or otherwise provide for the participation by participants who reside outside of the U.S.; and make any and all determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the 2016 EIP administration.
Eligibility. Eligibility is limited to employees or consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Shares Reserved for Issuance; Limits. A total of [5.8 million] common shares will be reserved for issuance under the 2016 EIP pending shareholder approval thereof. The 2016 EIP contains the following additional limits:
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Grant of Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant awards under the 2016 EIP in the form of options, restricted stock units, SARs, performance units and other stock or cash awards. Award agreements provided with respect to any grant under the 2016 EIP will describe the specific terms of the award, including vesting schedules and applicable performance goals, if any. The following is a brief description of the various types of awards that may be issued under the 2016 EIP:
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specified target number of common shares depending on the achievement of the performance targets during the performance period. The performance targets and performance period are determined by the Compensation Committee and set forth in the applicable award agreement.
Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee may determine whether any award is a "performance-based" award for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Any awards designated to be "performance-based compensation" will be conditioned on the achievement of one or more specified performance goals established by the Compensation Committee at the date of grant. The performance goals will be comprised of specified levels of one or more of the following performance criteria, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate: accounts payable; accounts receivable; cash flow; cash-flow return on investment; cash value added; days cash cycle; days sales outstanding; debt; earnings before interest and tax (EBIT); earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); earnings per share; economic value added; effective tax rate; free cash flow; impairment write offs; income from continuing operations (net income after minority interests); interest coverage; margin; market capitalization; net financial debt; net sales; operating cash flow; operating earnings before asset impairment; operating profit; pre-tax income; return on equity; return on invested capital; return on net assets; return on tangible net assets; return on tangible net worth; revenue growth; selling general and administrative expenses; share price; total shareholder return; relative total; shareholder return; value at risk; working capital; amount of inventory; brand recognition; customer/supplier satisfaction; days of inventory; employee turnover; energy usage; headcount; loading time/days loading; market share; product quality; productivity/efficiency; quality; recruiting; risk management; safety/environment; satisfaction indexes; talent development; turn-around time; and volumes, in each case, unless otherwise specified by the Compensation Committee determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied on a business unit, subsidiary or consolidated basis or any combination thereof.
The performance goals may be described in terms of objectives that are related to the individual participant or objectives that are Company-wide or related to a subsidiary, region or business unit. Performance goals may be measured on an absolute or cumulative basis, or on the basis of percentage of improvement over time. Further, performance goals may be measured in terms of Company performance (or performance of the applicable subsidiary, region or business unit) or measured relative to selected peer companies or a market index.
The applicable performance goals will be established by the Compensation Committee within 90 days following the commencement of the applicable performance period (or such earlier or later date as permitted or required by Section 162(m)). Each participant will be assigned a target number of common shares or cash value payable if target performance goals are achieved. The Compensation Committee will certify the attainment of the performance goals at the end of the applicable performance period. If a participant's performance exceeds such participant's target performance goals,
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the number of common shares or the cash value payable under the performance-based award may be greater than the target number, but in no event can the amounts exceed the award limits described above. In addition, unless otherwise provided in an award agreement, the Compensation Committee may reduce the number of common shares or cash value payable with respect to a performance-based award even if the performance objectives are satisfied.
Adjustment or Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, spilt-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting the common shares, adjustments and other substitutions will be made to the 2016 EIP and to awards as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, including, without limitation, adjustments in the aggregate number, class and kind of securities that may be delivered, in the aggregate or to any participant, in the number, class, kind and option or exercise price of securities subject to outstanding awards as the Compensation Committee may determine to be appropriate; provided, however, that the number of common shares subject to any award will always be a whole number and further provided that in no event may any change be made to an incentive stock option which would constitute a modification within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the 2016 EIP to the contrary, an adjustment to an Award may not be made in a manner that would result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code.
Termination of Service. The Compensation Committee will specify, at or after the time of grant of an award, the effect, if any, that a participant's termination of service or the participant's death or disability will have on the vesting, exercisability, settlement or lapse of restrictions applicable to an award. The treatment may be specified in the award agreement or determined at a subsequent time.
Change of Control. If a participant is terminated without cause, as defined in the 2016 EIP, within two years following a change of control of the Company, his or her awards will vest. If the Company's successor in a change of control refuses to assume awards outstanding under the 2016 EIP or to provide substitute awards of equivalent value, outstanding awards under the 2016 EIP will vest immediately prior to the change of control unless the Board determines otherwise. Not all outstanding awards need be treated similarly upon a change of control of the Company.
Amendment and Termination of the 2016 EIP. The Board reserves the right to amend, modify or completely terminate the 2016 EIP at any time. However, no such amendment, modification or termination may adversely affect outstanding awards under the 2016 EIP in any material way.
Non-Assignability. Awards under the 2016 EIP are not assignable or transferable, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, except in the case of an incentive stock option, pursuant to a domestic relations order, as the case may be.
Recoupment. All awards granted under the 2016 EIP, any payments made under the 2016 EIP and any gains realized upon exercise or settlement of an award shall be subject to claw-back or recoupment as permitted or mandated by applicable law, rules, regulations or any Company policy as enacted, adopted or modified from time to time.
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Shareholder Rights. A participant will have no rights as a shareholder with respect to common shares covered by an award until the date the participant or his nominee becomes the holder of record of such common shares.
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a brief description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences generally arising with respect to certain awards that may be granted under the 2016 EIP based on current tax laws. The summary does not include any state, local or foreign tax laws. This discussion is intended for the information of shareholders considering how to vote with respect to the proposal to approve the 2016 EIP.
Nonqualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option or SAR. The participant generally will recognize ordinary income upon exercise, in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common shares received at the time of exercise (including any common shares withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations) over the exercise price.
Incentive Stock Options. A participant will not recognize taxable income when an incentive stock option is granted or exercised. However, the excess of the fair market value of the covered common shares over the exercise price on the date of exercise is an item of tax preference for alternative minimum tax purposes. If the participant exercises the option and holds the acquired common shares for more than two years following the date of option grant and more than one year after the date of exercise, the difference between the sale price and exercise price will be taxed as long-term capital gain or loss. If the participant sells the acquired common shares before the end of the two-year and one-year holding periods, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income at the time of sale equal to the fair market value of the common shares on the exercise date (or the sale price, if less) minus the exercise price of the option. Any additional gain will be capital gain, long-term if the common shares have been held for more than one year.
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units. A participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of restricted stock units or performance units. The participant will recognize ordinary income at the time the common shares (or cash) are delivered equal to the fair market value of the shares (or cash) received. Any subsequent gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, long-term if the common shares have been held for more than one year.
Tax Effect for the Company. The Company generally will receive a deduction for any ordinary income recognized by a participant with respect to an award. However, special rules limit the deductibility of compensation paid to the named executive officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO")). Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the annual compensation paid to these executive officers may not be deductible to the extent it exceeds $1,000,000. The Company may preserve the deductibility of compensation over $1,000,000 if certain conditions are met. These conditions include shareholder approval of the 2016 EIP, setting limits on the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to awards, and, for awards other than options and SARs,
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establishing performance criteria that must be met before the award will be paid or vest. As described above, the 2016 EIP has been designed to permit the Compensation Committee to grant awards that qualify as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Section 162(m) and to exclude these awards from the $1,000,000 calculation. However, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, grant equity awards that will not qualify as "performance-based compensation" and thus may not be deductible.
Future grants under the 2016 EIP will be made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and, accordingly, are not yet determinable. Consequently, it is not possible to determine the benefits that might be received by participants receiving discretionary grants under the 2016 EIP. If approved by the holders of the common shares the 2016 EIP will become effective on May 25, 2016.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE BUNGE LIMITED 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION |
The following table sets forth certain information, as of December 31, 2015, with respect to our equity compensation plans.
|
(a) | (b) | (c) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan category
|
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) |
|||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders(1) |
5,960,239 | (2) | 75.64 | (3) | 2,620,800 | (4) | ||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders(5) |
12,346 | (6) | | (7) | | (8) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
5,972,585 | 75.64 | 2,620,800 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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participant's account are paid in our common shares at the time an award is settled. Vested deferred restricted stock units are paid at the time the applicable deferral period lapses.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS |
Policy for the Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
Various policies and procedures of our Company, including our Code of Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines and annual questionnaires and/or certifications completed by our directors and executive officers, require disclosure of and/or otherwise identify transactions or relationships that may constitute conflicts of interest or may require disclosure under applicable SEC rules as "related person transactions" between Bunge and related persons. Our Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee has adopted a written policy for the review and approval of related person transactions. The policy is designed to operate in conjunction with and as a supplement to the provisions of our Code of Conduct.
Under the policy, our Legal Department will review all actual and proposed related person transactions presented to or identified by it and then present any transaction in which a related person is reasonably likely to have a direct or indirect material interest to the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee for review and approval or ratification. In determining whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee will consider all the available and relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, (a) whether the transaction was the product of fair dealing, (b) the terms of the transaction and whether similar terms would have been obtained from an arms' length transaction with a third party and (c) the availability of other sources for comparable products or services. The policy also identifies certain types of transactions that our Board has identified as not involving a direct or indirect material interest and are, therefore, not considered related person transactions for purposes of the policy. For purposes of the policy, the terms "related person" and "transaction" have the meanings contained in Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the SEC.
The son of Mr. Andrew J. Burke, Chief Financial Officer, is employed by the Company in the information technology department in a non-officer position. His compensation and other terms of employment are comparable to those of other similarly situated employees of the Company and determined in accordance with the Company's standard human resources policies and procedures.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE |
Bunge is subject to the SEC reporting requirements applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, and its executive officers, directors and certain persons who own 10 percent or more of its common shares are obligated by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act to file reports of their ownership of Bunge's common shares with the SEC and to furnish Bunge with copies of the reports.
Based solely upon a review of copies of reports filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or written representations from persons required to file such reports, we believe that all filings required to be made were timely made in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, except that, due to a dividend reinvestment feature in Mr. Engels' brokerage account being inadvertently activated,
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a late Form 4 was filed on June 4, 2015 upon its discovery reflecting ten transactions and the acquisition of 329.4 common shares in the aggregate by him.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
To be considered for inclusion in Bunge's proxy statement for the Company's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in 2017 (the "2017 Annual General Meeting"), presently anticipated to be held on May 25, 2017, shareholder proposals must be received by Bunge no later than December 6, 2016. In order to be included in Bunge sponsored proxy materials, shareholder proposals will need to comply with the SEC's Rule 14a-8. If you do not comply with Rule 14a-8, we will not be required to include the proposal in the proxy statement and the proxy card we will mail to our shareholders. Shareholder proposals should be sent to Bunge's Secretary at Bunge Limited, 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, U.S.A., Attention: Secretary.
Shareholders may also make proposals that are not intended to be included in Bunge's proxy statement for the 2017 Annual General Meeting pursuant to our bye-laws. Nomination of candidates for election to the Board or other business may be proposed to be brought before the 2017 Annual General Meeting by any person who is a registered shareholder on the date of the giving of the notice of such proposals and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the 2016 Annual General Meeting. Notice must be given in writing and in proper form in accordance with our bye-laws to the Secretary of Bunge at Bunge's registered office at Bunge Limited, Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda, with a copy to us at 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, U.S.A., Attention: Secretary, not later than December 6, 2016.
In addition, shareholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for shareholder action at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in accordance with Sections 79 and 80 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda. To properly submit such a proposal, either at least 100 shareholders or any number of shareholders who represent at least 5% of the total voting rights of our voting shares must notify us in writing of their intent to submit a proposal. In accordance with Bermuda law, any such shareholder proposal to be voted on at the 2017 Annual General Meeting and at future annual general meetings must be received by us no later than six weeks prior to the annual general meeting date. Please deliver any such proposal to Bunge Limited, Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda, Attention: Secretary, with a copy to us at 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, U.S.A., Attention: Secretary.
DIRECTIONS TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING |
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 25, 2016 at the Sofitel Hotel, 45 West 44th Street, New York City. The telephone number is (212) 354-8844 and the fax number is (212) 354-2480.
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REPORTS |
A copy of our 2015 Annual Report, which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC, is enclosed with these proxy materials. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K is also available to shareholders free of charge on our website at www.bunge.com under the captions "Investors SEC Filings" or by writing to us at 50 Main Street, White Plains, New York 10606, U.S.A., Attention: Investor Relations.
OTHER MATTERS |
We know of no other business that will be brought before the Annual General Meeting. If any other matter or any proposal should be properly presented and should properly come before the meeting for action, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote upon such proposal at their discretion and in accordance with their best judgment.
By order of the Board of Directors.
Carla L. Heiss Secretary |
||
April [·], 2016 |
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APPENDIX A CATEGORICAL STANDARDS OF DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
In order to qualify as independent, the Board must determine that a director has no material relationship with Bunge.
(1) A director will not be independent if:
(2) In addition, in order to assist it in determining what constitutes a material relationship, the Board has adopted the following categorical standards for relationships that, subject to paragraph (1) above, will not be deemed to impair a director's independence:
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to the organization or commercial relationships with the organization, as the case may be, are less than the greater of $1 million or 2% of that organization's annual gross revenues, and
For purposes of these standards, immediate family members include a director's spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers- and fathers-in- law, sons- and daughters-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in- law, and anyone (other than domestic employees) who shares the director's home. However, when applying the three-year look back provisions in the categories set forth above, individuals who are no longer immediate family members as a result of legal separation or divorce or those who have died or become incapacitated are not included.
For relationships not covered by the foregoing standards, the determination of whether the relationship is material or not, and therefore whether the director would be independent or not, shall be made by the directors who satisfy the above independence standards. The Board's determination of each director's independence will be disclosed annually in Bunge's proxy statement.
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APPENDIX B BUNGE LIMITED 2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN |
BUNGE LIMTED
2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Effective May 25, 2016
Article 1. Establishment, Purpose and Duration
1.1. Establishment of the Plan. Bunge Limited hereby establishes the Bunge Limited 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms are defined in Article 16 below.
1.2. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of the Plan are to (i) attract, retain and motivate key employees, consultants, and independent contractors; (ii) compensate them for their contributions to the growth and profitability of the Company; (iii) to encourage ownership of Common Stock in order to align their interests with those of shareholders; and (ii) promote the sustained long-term performance of the Company and the creation of shareholder value. The Plan seeks to achieve these purposes by providing for discretionary long term incentive Awards in the form of Options, Restricted Stock Units, SARs, Performance Units, and other stock or cash awards.
1.3. Prior Plan. The Plan replaces the Prior Plan. No Awards will be granted under the Prior Plan on or after the Effective Date, but the Prior Plan will remain in effect with respect to outstanding awards granted prior to the Effective Date.
1.4. Duration of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective on the Effective Date. The Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth anniversary of the Plan and may be terminated earlier pursuant to Article 12. Any Awards that are outstanding upon termination of the Plan shall remain in force and effect in accordance with the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement.
Article 2. Administration
2.1. The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall be comprised solely of Directors who are: (a) "non-employee directors" as contemplated by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; (b) "outside directors" as contemplated by Section 162(m) of the Code; and (c) "independent directors" as contemplated by Section 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual.
2.2. Authority of the Committee. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and discretionary authority to:
(a) designate the Participants;
(b) determine the size and types of Awards;
(c) approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(d) determine the terms and conditions of each Award, including without limitation, and to the extent applicable, the Exercise Price, the Exercise Period, vesting conditions, Performance
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Goals, Performance Periods, any vesting acceleration, waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any other term or condition regarding any Award or its related Shares (including subjecting the Award or its related Shares to compliance with restrictive covenants);
(e) construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into pursuant to the Plan;
(f) establish, amend or waive rules and regulations for the Plan's administration;
(g) amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award (subject to the provisions of Article 12);
(h) delay issuance of Shares or suspend a Participant's right to exercise an Award as deemed necessary to comply with applicable laws;
(i) determine the duration and purposes of leaves of absence that may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of his or her employment or service for Plan purposes;
(j) authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any agreement or instrument required to carry out the Plan purposes;
(k) correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, any Award, or any instrument or agreement relating to an Award, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect;
(l) adopt such plans or subplans as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to comply with the laws of other countries, allow for tax-preferred treatment of Awards or otherwise provide for the participation by Participants who reside outside of the U.S.; and
(m) make any and all determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the Plan administration.
2.3. Delegation. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Shares are listed or traded, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company or any Subsidiary the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Committee herein, and which may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to persons (i) who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (ii) who are, or who are reasonably expected to be, "covered employees" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.
2.4. Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the Plan and all related orders or resolutions of the Board shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons interested in the Plan or an Award. The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems relevant to making its decisions, determinations and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any Director, officer or employee of the Company or a
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Subsidiary and such agents, attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select. The Committee's determinations under the Plan need not be the same for all persons. A Participant or other holder of an Award may contest a decision or action by the Committee with respect to such person or Award and only on the grounds that such decision or action was arbitrary or capricious or was unlawful.
2.5. Indemnification. No member of the Committee, the Board or any person to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Section 2.3 above (each such person, an "Indemnifiable Person") shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made with respect to the Plan or any Award (unless constituting fraud or a willful criminal act or omission). Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys' fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in the manner provided in the Company's bye-laws as may be amended from time to time. In the performance of their responsibilities with respect to the Plan, such individuals shall be entitled to rely upon information and advice furnished by the Company's officers, agents, attorneys, consultants and accountants and any other party deemed necessary or appropriate, and no such individual shall be liable for any action taken or not taken in reliance upon any such advice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which an Indemnifiable Person may be entitled, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
2.6. Construction and Interpretation. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement shall be within the sole and complete discretion of the Committee.
2.7. Action by the Board. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, any authority or responsibility, which, under the terms of the Plan, may be exercised by the Committee may alternatively be exercised by the Board.
Article 3. Shares Subject to the Plan
3.1. Number of Shares. Subject to Section 3.2 below, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued for all purposes under this Plan shall be [5.8 million] Shares. Shares issued under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares reacquired by the Company in any manner, or a combination thereof.
3.2. Share Counting. The number of Shares remaining available for issuance shall be reduced by the number of Shares subject to outstanding Awards and, for Awards that are not denominated by Shares, by the number of Shares actually delivered upon settlement or payment of the Award. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, Shares subject to an Award will again be available for grant and issuance pursuant to the Plan to the extent the relevant Awards: (a) terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of Shares, (b) are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or (c) are surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program. Shares subject to an Award may not again be made available for grant and issuance pursuant to the Plan if such Shares are: (w) subject to an Option or a stock-settled SAR and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Option or SAR, (x) delivered to, or withheld by, the Company to pay the Exercise
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Price or the withholding taxes due with respect to an Option or SAR, (y) withheld by the Company to cover taxes incurred in connection with other stock-settled Awards, or (z) repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option exercise. In addition, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation, Shares delivered or deliverable in connection with any Substitute Award shall not reduce the number of Shares authorized for grant pursuant to Section 3.1 above.
3.3. Adjustments in Authorized Shares and Awards. In the event of any merger, amalgamation, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, bonus issue, extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, share consolidation or subdivision, spin-off, spilt-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting the Shares, such adjustments and other substitutions shall be made to the Plan and to Awards as the Committee deems equitable or appropriate, including, without limitation, such adjustments in the aggregate number, class and kind of securities that may be delivered, in the aggregate or to any Participant, in the number, class, kind and option or Exercise Price of securities subject to outstanding Awards as the Committee may determine to be appropriate; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number and further provided that in no event may any change be made to an ISO which would constitute a modification within the meaning of Code Section 424(h)(3). Moreover, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, an adjustment to an Award may not be made in a manner that would result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code.
Article 4. Eligibility
The Committee may select any Employee or Consultant to receive an Award; provided, however, that ISOs shall only be granted to Employees in accordance with Section 422 of the Code.
Article 5. Restricted Stock Units
5.1. Award of Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may grant Restricted Stock Units to an Employee or Consultant with such terms and provisions that the Committee shall determine.
5.2. Terms of Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of RSUs shall be subject to an Award Agreement that shall set forth (a) the number or a formula for determining the number of Shares subject to the Award, (b) the terms and conditions regarding the grant, vesting and forfeiture of the Shares, and (c) such other terms and conditions as may be appropriate.
5.3. Vesting Conditions. The Committee shall determine the vesting schedule for each Award of RSUs. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the terms and conditions specified in the Award Agreement. The Committee shall have the right to make the vesting of RSUs subject to the continued employment or service of a Participant, passage of time or such performance criteria as deemed appropriate by the Committee, which criteria may be based on financial performance and personal performance evaluations.
5.4. Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Earned RSUs shall be settled in a lump sum or in installments after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may settle
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earned RSUs in cash, Shares, or a combination of both. Distribution may occur or commence when the vesting conditions applicable to a RSU have been satisfied or, if the Committee so provides in an Award Agreement, it may be deferred in accordance with applicable law, to a later date. The Committee may also permit a Participant to defer payment of Shares related to a RSU provided that the terms of the RSU and any deferral satisfy the requirements of applicable law and the deferral is pursuant to a deferred compensation plan offered by the Company or a Subsidiary.
Article 6. Performance Units
6.1. Award of Performance Units. The Committee may grant Performance Units to an Employee or Consultant with such terms and provisions that the Committee shall determine.
6.2. Terms of Performance Units. Each Award of Performance Units shall be subject to an Award Agreement that shall set forth (a) the number of Performance Units granted or a formula for determining the number of Performance Units subject to the Award, (b) the initial value (if applicable) of the Performance Units, (c) the Performance Goals and level of attainment that shall determine the number of Performance Units to be paid out, (d) such terms and conditions regarding the grant, vesting and forfeiture of the Shares, and (e) such other terms and conditions as may be appropriate.
6.3. Earning of Performance Units. After completion of an applicable Performance Period, the holder of Performance Units shall be entitled to receive a payout with respect to the Performance Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period. Payment shall be determined by the Committee based on the extent to which the Performance Goals have been achieved and together with the satisfaction of any other terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. No payment shall be made with respect to a Performance Unit prior to certification by the Committee that the Performance Goals have been achieved.
6.4. Settlement of Performance Units. Earned Performance Units shall be settled in a lump sum or in installments after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee may settle earned Performance Units in cash or in Shares (or in a combination thereof), which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units. Distribution may occur or commence after completion of the applicable Performance Period and the satisfaction of any applicable vesting conditions or, if the Committee so provides in an Award Agreement, it may be deferred, in accordance with applicable law, to a later date. The Committee may also permit a Participant to defer settlement of Shares related to a Performance Unit to a date or dates after the Performance Unit is earned provided that the terms of the Performance Unit and any deferral satisfy the requirements of applicable law and the deferral is pursuant to a deferred compensation plan offered by the Company or a Subsidiary.
Article 7. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
7.1. Award of Options and SARs. The Committee may grant Options, SARs or both, to an Employee or Consultant with such terms and provisions that the Committee shall determine.
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7.2. Terms of Options and SARs. Each Award of Options or SARs shall be subject to an Award Agreement that shall set forth (a) the term or duration of the Options or SARs, (b) the number of Shares subject to the Options or SARs, (c) the Exercise Price, (d) the Exercise Period and (e) such other terms and conditions as may be appropriate. The Committee may grant Options in the form of ISOs, NQSOs or a combination thereof. Each Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Options are intended to be an ISO or a NQSO.
7.3. Duration of Options and SARs. Each Option or SAR shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time the Award is granted; provided, however, that no Option or SAR shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of its date of grant.
7.4. Exercise of and Payment for Options and SARs. Options and SARs shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall approve, which need not be the same for each Award or for each Participant. Options and SARs shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Company or its designated agent, setting forth the number of Shares to be exercised with respect to the Options or SARs, and, in the case of Options, accompanied by full payment for the Shares.
The Exercise Price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either: (a) in cash or its equivalent, (b) by tendering, either by actual or constructive delivery, previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Exercise Price, (c) by net Share settlement or similar procedure involving the cancellation of a portion of the Option representing shares with a value equal to the Exercise Price or (d) by any combination thereof. To the extent not prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Committee also may allow cashless exercise as permitted under Federal Reserve Board's Regulation T, subject to applicable securities law restrictions, or by any other means which the Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan's purpose and applicable law.
As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise of an Option and provisions for full payment for an Option, the Company shall issue to the Participant an appropriate number of Shares based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option.
Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount equal to the product of: (a) the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over (ii) the Exercise Price of the SAR, multiplied by (b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. At the discretion of the Committee, payment upon the exercise of a SAR may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value or in a combination thereof. The Committee's determination regarding the form of SAR payout shall be set forth in an applicable Award Agreement.
7.5. Automatic Exercise. The Committee may provide that, in the event that (i) an Option or SAR is not exercised or settled by the last day of the Exercise Period, (ii) the Participant is legally precluded from otherwise exercising such Option or SAR before the last day of the Exercise Period due to legal restrictions or Company policy (including policies on trading in Shares), and (iii) the Exercise Price of such Option or SAR is below the Fair Market Value of a Share on the last day of the Exercise Period, as determined by the Committee, then the Option or SAR may be deemed exercised on such date, with no action required on the part of the Participant, with a spread equal to
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the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Award on such date minus the Exercise Price for those Shares. The resulting proceeds net of any required tax withholding and any applicable costs shall be paid to the Participant or the Participant's legal representative.
7.6. Restrictions on Repricing, Repurchases, and Discounts. Other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 3.3, without shareholder approval, (i) the Exercise Price of an Option or SAR may not be reduced, directly or indirectly, after the grant of the Award; (ii) an Option or SAR may not be cancelled in exchange for cash, other Awards, or Options or SARs with an Exercise Price that is less than the Exercise Price of the original Option or SAR; and (iii) the Company may not repurchase an Option or SAR for value (in cash, substitutions, cash buyouts, or otherwise) at any time when the Exercise Price of a Stock Option or SAR is above the Fair Market Value of a Share. In no event shall the Exercise Price of an Option or the grant price per Share of a SAR be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant; provided, however that the Exercise Price of a Substitute Award granted as an Option shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A and may be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value.
7.7 Incentive Stock Options. The Exercise Price of an ISO shall be fixed by the Committee at the time of grant or shall be determined by a method specified by the Committee at the time of grant, but in no event shall the Exercise Price be less than the minimum Exercise Price specified in Section 7.6. No ISO may be issued to any individual who, at the time the ISO is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, unless (i) the Exercise Price determined as of the date of grant is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of the Shares subject to such ISO and (ii) the ISO is not exercisable more than five years from the date of grant thereof. No Participant shall be granted any ISO which would result in such Participant receiving a grant of ISO that would have an aggregate Fair Market Value in excess of $100,000, determined as of the time of grant, that would be exercisable for the first time by such Participant during any calendar year. Any grants in excess of this limit shall be treated as NQSOs. No ISO may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, as amended from time to time.
Article 8. Other Awards
Subject to limitations under applicable law, the Committee may grant such other Awards to Employees and Consultants that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Shares as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. The Committee may also grant Shares as a bonus, or may grant other Awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements. The terms and conditions applicable to such other Awards shall be determined from time to time by the Committee and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement.
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Article 9. General Provisions Applicable to Awards
9.1. Limits on Awards. Subject to any adjustments described in Section 3.2: the following limits shall apply to Awards:
(a) No more than an aggregate of 1,000,000 Shares may be issued under ISOs;
(b) The maximum number of Shares subject to RSUs that may be granted to a Participant during any one calendar year is 1,000,000;
(c) The maximum number of Shares subject to Performance Units that may be granted to a Participant during any one calendar year is 1,000,000;
(d) The maximum number of Shares subject to either Options or SARs that may be granted to a Participant during any one calendar year is 1,000,000;
(e) The maximum amount of cash-denominated Other Awards that may be granted to a Participant during any one calendar year is $2,500,000; and
(f) The maximum number of Shares subject to share-denominated Other Awards that may be granted to a Participant during any one calendar year is 1,000,000.
To the extent not prohibited by applicable laws, rules and regulations, any Shares underlying Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the number of Shares remaining for issuance and shall not be subject to the individual limits contained in Section 3.1 or this Section 9.1.
9.2 Restrictions on Performance-Based Awards. The Committee may determine whether any Award, including Performance Units, under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements for "qualified performance-based compensation" as that term is used in Section 162(m) of the Code. The following provisions shall apply to any Awards intended to satisfy such requirements:
(a) Any such Awards designated to be "qualified performance-based compensation" shall be conditioned on the achievement of one or more Performance Goals to the extent required by Section 162(m) and will be subject to all other conditions and requirements of Section 162(m).
(b) The Performance Goals shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (subject to adjustments and modifications for specified types of events or circumstances approved by the Committee in advance) consistently applied on a business unit, divisional, subsidiary or consolidated basis or any combination thereof. Adjustment events include (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results; (iv) charges for any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) unusual or infrequent charges or losses as described in Accounting Standards Codification 225-20-20 or elements of adjusted income in the management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company's annual report to shareholders for the applicable year; (vi) the impact of acquisitions or divestitures; (vii) foreign exchange gains and losses and (viii) gains or losses on asset sales.
(c) The Performance Goals may be described in terms of objectives that are related to the individual Participant or objectives that are Company-wide or related to a Subsidiary, business unit, or region and may be measured on an absolute or cumulative basis or on the basis of percentage
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of improvement over time, and may be measured in terms of Company performance (or performance of the applicable Subsidiary, business unit, or region) or measured relative to selected peer companies or a market index. At the time of grant, the Committee may provide for adjustments to the performance criteria in accordance with Section 162(m). The Committee may adjust downwards, but not upwards, the amount payable pursuant to such Award.
(d) The Participants will be designated, and the applicable Performance Goals will be established, by the Committee 90 days following the commencement of the applicable Performance Period (or such earlier or later date permitted or required by Section 162(m)). Each Participant will be assigned a target amount of Shares or cash payable if Performance Goals are achieved. Any payment of an Award granted with Performance Goals shall be conditioned on the written certification of the Committee in each case that the Performance Goals and any other material conditions were satisfied. The Committee may determine, at the time of grant, that if performance exceeds the specified Performance Goals, the Award may be settled with payment greater than the target Performance Goals, but in no event may such payment exceed the limits set forth in Section 9.1. The Committee retains the right to reduce any such Award notwithstanding the attainment of the Performance Goals.
9.3. Performance Awards Not Subject to Section 162(m). The Committee may also grant performance-based Awards not intended to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code. With respect to such Awards, the Committee may establish performance targets and goals based on any criteria it deems appropriate and shall not be required to follow the procedures or schedule specified in Section 9.2.
9.4. Restrictions on Transfers of Awards. Except as may be provided by the Committee, no Award and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, except in the case of an ISO, pursuant to a domestic relations order, as the case may be; provided, however, that the Committee may, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations and such terms and conditions as it shall specify, permit the transfer of an Award, other than an ISO, for no consideration to a permitted transferee. Each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable, during the Participant's lifetime, only by the Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant's guardian or legal representative. No Award and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Subsidiary.
9.5. Restrictions on Transfers of Shares. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to an Award as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions to comply with applicable Federal securities laws, with the requirements of any stock exchange upon which such Shares are then listed and with any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.
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9.6. Additional Restrictions on Awards and Shares. Either at the time an Award is granted or by subsequent action, the Committee may, but need not, impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate on the Award, any Shares issued under an Award, or both, including, without limitation, (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) any compensation recovery policy or policies established by the Company as such policy or policies may be amended from time to time, (c) share retention guidelines, minimum holding requirements and other restrictions designed to delay or coordinate the timing and manner of sales, (d) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for receipt, resales or other transfers of such Shares, (e) restrictions relating to a Participant's activities following termination of employment or service, including but not limited to, competition against the Company, disclosure of Company confidential information, and solicitation of company employees and/or customers, and (f) other policies that may be implemented by the Board from time to time.
9.7. Minimum Vesting Period. All Awards shall have a vesting period of not less than one year from date of grant, including those Awards that are subject to Performance Goals or other performance-based objectives; provided, however, that Awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% of the Shares available pursuant to Section 3.1 may be granted to any one or more Participants without respect to such minimum vesting provisions. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, Substitute Awards shall not be subject to the minimum vesting provisions of this Section 9.7.
9.8. Shareholder Rights; Dividend Equivalents. Except as provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, no Participant shall have any Shares subject to an Award and any of the rights of a shareholder unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise or vesting of the Award pursuant to its terms, Shares have actually been issued, restrictions imposed on the Shares, if any, have been removed, and the Shares are entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. The recipient of a Award (other than Options and SARs) may be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalents, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested and subject to vesting and forfeiture to the same extent as the underlying Award; provided, however, that Dividend Equivalents shall only become payable if and to the extent the underlying Award vests, regardless of whether or not vesting is contingent upon continued employment, the achievement of Performance Goals, or both.
9.9. Termination of Employment or Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the terms relating to the treatment of an Award in the event of a Participant's termination of employment or service, including, without limitation, the extent to which the right to vest, exercise or receive payout of an Award may continue following termination of the Participant's employment or service with the Company and its Subsidiaries, including due to death or Disability, and any forfeiture provisions. Such provisions shall be determined by the Committee in its discretion, shall be included in the Award Agreement applicable to a Participant, need not be uniform among all Awards or among all Participants and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of employment or Service.
9.10. Effect of Change in Status. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine the effect upon an Award, in the case of (i) any individual who is employed with, or
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engaged by, an entity that ceases to be a Subsidiary, (ii) any leave of absence approved by the Company or a Subsidiary, (iii) any change in the Participant's status from an Employee to a Consultant, or vice versa, and (iv) at the request of the Company or a Subsidiary, any Participant who becomes employed by any partnership, joint venture, corporation or other entity not meeting the requirements of a Subsidiary.
Article 10. Change of Control
Unless specifically prohibited by the Plan or unless the Committee provides otherwise prior to the Change of Control, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and a termination of a Participant's employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary without Cause on or before the occurrence of the two year anniversary of the occurrence of a Change of Control:
(a) Any restrictions imposed on RSUs shall be deemed to have expired;
(b) With respect to all outstanding Awards of Performance Units and other performance-based Awards, the Committee (i) shall determine the greater of (x) the payout at the target number of Performance Units granted for the entire Performance Period and (y) the payout based upon the actual performance level attained as of the last day of the calendar quarter immediately prior to the date of the Participant's termination without Cause, in either case, after giving effect to the accumulation of Dividend Equivalents, and (ii) shall pay to the Participant the greater of such amounts, prorated based upon the number of complete and partial calendar months within the Performance Period which have elapsed as of the date of the Participant's termination without Cause. Payment shall be made in cash or in shares, as determined by the Committee;
(c) Any and all outstanding and unvested Options and SARs shall become immediately exercisable; and
(d) Any restrictions imposed on any and all outstanding and unvested Other Awards shall be deemed to have expired.
Article 11. Corporate Transactions.
11.1. Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor. In the event of a Change of Control, any or all outstanding Awards may be assumed or replaced by the successor entity, which assumption or replacement shall be binding on all Participants. In the alternative, the successor entity may substitute equivalent Awards or provide substantially similar consideration to Participants as was provided to shareholders of the Company (after taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards). In the event such successor entity refuses to assume, replace or substitute Awards, as provided above, pursuant to a Change of Control, then notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, such Awards shall have their vesting accelerate as to all Shares subject to such Awards immediately prior to the Change of Control unless otherwise determined by the Board and then such Awards will terminate. In addition, in the event such successor entity refuses to assume, replace or substitute Awards, as provided above, the Committee will notify Participants in writing that such Awards will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Committee in its discretion, and such Awards will terminate upon the expiration of such period. Awards need not be treated
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similarly in a Change of Control. Except as provided in Article 10 and in this Section 11.1, the vesting, payment, purchase or distribution of an Award may not be accelerated by reason of a Change in Control.
11.2. Assumption of Awards by the Company. The Company, from time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either; (a) granting a Substitute Award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted under this Plan.
Article 12. Amendment, Modification and Termination
12.1. Amendment, Modification and Termination. The Board may, at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no amendment which requires shareholder approval in order for the Plan to comply with Section 422 of the Code, Section 303A.08 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, or any other applicable law, regulation or rule, shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of the shareholders.
12.2. Awards Previously Made. No termination, amendment or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any outstanding Award, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award unless such termination, modification or amendment is required by applicable law.
Article 13. Tax Withholding
The Company or a Subsidiary, as appropriate, may require any individual entitled to receive a payment of an Award to remit to the Company, prior to payment, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable tax withholding requirements. In the case of an Award payable in Shares, the Company or a Subsidiary, as appropriate, may permit or require a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the obligation to remit taxes by directing the Company to withhold Shares that would otherwise be received by the individual, or may repurchase Shares that were issued to the Participant, to satisfy the minimum statutory withholding rates for any applicable federal, state, local or foreign tax withholding purposes, in accordance with applicable law and pursuant to any rules that the Company may establish from time to time. The Company may establish procedures to allow Participants to satisfy such withholding obligations through a net share settlement procedure or the withholding of Shares subject to the applicable Award. The Company or a Subsidiary, as appropriate, shall also have the right to deduct from all cash payments made to a Participant (whether or not the payment is made in connection with an Award) any applicable taxes required to be withheld with respect to payments under the Plan.
Article 14. General Provisions
14.1. Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
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14.2. Headings and Severability. The headings of Articles and Sections herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning of any of the provisions of the Plan. In the event any Plan provision shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining Plan provisions, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
14.3. Successors. All Company obligations with respect to Awards, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.
14.4. No Right to Employment or Engagement. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant's employment or engagement at any time, for any reason or no reason in the Company's discretion, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary.
14.5. Participation. No Employee shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.
14.6. Requirements of Law. The making of Awards and the issuance of Shares shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise or vesting of any Award, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Shares are listed or traded, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided in the Plan, the Board or the Committee may require that a holder make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.
Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in the Plan, if required by the then-current Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any "derivative security" or "equity security" offered pursuant to the Plan to any Insider may not be sold or transferred within the minimum time limits specified or required in such rule, except to the extent Rule 16b-3 exempts any such sale or transfer from the restrictions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The terms "equity security" and "derivative security" shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the then-current Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act.
14.7. Securities Law Compliance. With respect to Insiders, Plan transactions are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of the Federal securities laws. To the extent any Plan provision or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.
14.8. Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by Federal law, the Plan, the Award Agreements and all agreements thereunder, shall be construed in accordance with, and subject to, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be entirely performed in
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New York and wholly disregarding any choice of law provisions that might otherwise be contrary to this express intent.
14.9. Effect on Other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
14.10. Unfunded Plan. The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a holder pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the holder any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any affiliate.
14.11. Recoupment. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, all Awards granted under the Plan, any payments made under the Plan and any gains realized upon exercise or settlement of an Award shall be subject to claw-back or recoupment as permitted or mandated by applicable law, rules, regulations or any Company policy as enacted, adopted or modified from time to time.
14.12. Award Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the Plan and any Award Agreement, the Plan shall govern and the Award Agreement shall be interpreted to minimize or eliminate any such conflict or inconsistency.
Article 15. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
The parties intend that Plan payments and benefits comply with Section 409A to the extent it applies or an exemption therefrom, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and be administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the "short-term deferral period" as defined in Section 409A shall be paid prior to the 15th day of the third month of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which any applicable restrictions lapse and shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan: (i) no payment or distribution under this Plan that constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Section 409A and becomes payable by reason of a Participant's termination of employment or service with the Company will be made to such Participant until such Participant's termination of employment or service constitutes a "separation from service" under Section 409A; and (ii) to the extent required in order to comply with Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant's termination of employment shall instead be paid on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following the Participant's separation from service (or upon the Participant's death, if earlier). In addition, for Plan purposes, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, which constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A. For any Plan payment that constitutes "non-qualified deferred compensation" under Section 409A, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A, a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to such payment only if a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or a
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change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A. The Company makes no representation that any or all of the payments or benefits described in this Plan will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to any such payment. A Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment of any taxes and penalties incurred under Section 409A.
Article 16. Definitions
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below and, when such meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word is capitalized:
"Approved Member" shall mean the individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board and subsequently elected members of the Board whose election is approved or recommended by at least a majority of such current members or their successors whose election was so approved or recommended (other than any subsequently elected members 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).
"Award" shall mean, individually or collectively, an Award of RSUs, Performance Units, NQSOs, ISOs, SARs or any other type of Award permitted under Article 8.
"Award Agreement" shall mean any written or electronic agreement or document evidencing any Award granted by the Committee, which may, but need not, be signed or acknowledged by the Company or a Participant as determined by the Committee. Award Agreements shall, in the discretion of the Committee, contain such terms and conditions that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Cause" shall mean (unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, or another applicable contract with the Participant that defines such term for purposes of determining the effect that a "for cause" termination has on the Participant's Awards) the termination of a Participant's employment or service with the Company in connection with:
(a) any willful and continued failure or refusal of a Participant to substantially perform the duties required of him or her;
(b) a Participant's conviction of, or a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony under U.S. law or applicable state law or any similar offense under non-U.S. law, or any misdemeanor or similar offense under non-U.S. law involving moral turpitude (other than any traffic-related offense), or
(c) a Participant's willful commission of an act of fraud, forgery, theft, misappropriation or embezzlement; or
(d) any other willful misconduct by a Participant that is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of, or is otherwise materially injurious to, the Company; provided that if a cure is reasonably possible in the circumstances, the Participant will have the right to cure the existence of any events purporting to trigger Cause under clauses (a) or (d) above for a
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period of 30 days after the date notice of the triggering event is given to the Participant by the Company (except that the Company will not be required to provide more than one notice as to any recurring similar conduct). A termination for Cause shall be deemed to occur (subject to reinstatement upon a contrary final determination by the Committee) on the later of (i) the date on which the Company or any affiliate first gives written notice to the Participant of a finding of termination for Cause or (ii) the expiration of any applicable cure period during which the Participant fails to remedy the circumstances triggering Cause.
"Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events.
(a) the acquisition by any Person of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the applicable rulings and regulations thereunder) of 35% or more of the Common Stock;
(b) the consummation after approval by the shareholders of the Company of either (i) a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, the issuance of voting securities of the Company in connection with a merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of assets of another corporation (each, a "Business Combination"), unless, in each case of a Business Combination, immediately following such Business Combination, all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common stock and more than 50% of 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 entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity 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 Common Stock; or
(c) the failure for any reason of the Approved Members to constitute at least a majority of the Board.
With respect to any Award that is subject to Section 409A and payment is to be accelerated in connection with the Change of Control, no event(s) set forth in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above shall constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this Plan unless such event(s) also constitutes a "change in the ownership", "change in the effective control" or a "change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets" of the Company as defined under Section 409A.
For purposes of the definition of "Change of Control," a "Person" shall mean any person, entity or "group" within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, except that such term shall not include (a) Bunge International Limited, (b) any member of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (c) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of any member of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (d) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (e) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company
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"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as such is amended from time to time, and any reference to a section of the Code shall include any successor provision of the Code.
"Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
"Common Stock" means the common shares of the Company, par value $.01 per share.
"Company" means Bunge Limited, a Bermuda company, or any successor thereto as provided in Section 14.3.
"Consultant" shall mean any natural person engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render services, but who is not an Employee provided, that a Consultant will include only those persons to whom the issuance of Common Stock may be registered under Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
"Director" means any individual who is a member of the Board.
"Disability" mean for (a) Participants covered by the long term disability plan of the Company or a Subsidiary, disability as defined in such plan; and (b) for all other Participants, a physical or mental condition of the Participant resulting from bodily injury, disease or mental disorder which renders the Participant incapable of continuing the Participant's usual or customary employment or service with the Participant's employer or service recipient for a period of not less than six consecutive months. The disability of the Participant shall be determined by the Committee in good faith after reasonable medical inquiry, including consultation with a licensed physician as chosen by the Committee, and a fair evaluation of the Participant's ability to perform his or her duties. Notwithstanding the previous two sentences, with respect to an Award that is subject to Section 409A where the payment or settlement of the Award will accelerate upon termination of employment or service as a result of the Participant's Disability, no such termination will constitute a Disability for purposes of the Plan or any Award Document unless such event also constitutes a "disability" as defined under Section 409A.
"Dividend Equivalent" means, with respect to Shares subject to Awards, a right to an amount equal to dividends declared on an equal number of issued and outstanding Shares.
"Effective Date" means May [ ], 2016, subject to the approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.
"Employee" means each employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.
"Exchange Program" means a program pursuant to which outstanding Awards are surrendered, cancelled or exchanged for cash, the same type of Award or a different Award (or combination thereof).
"Exercise Period" means the period during which a SAR or Option is exercisable, as set forth in the related Award Agreement.
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"Exercise Price" means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option or SAR, as determined by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement. Other than in connection with Substitute Awards, the exercise price per Share shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date an Option or SAR is granted.
"Fair Market Value" of a Share as of any date means: the average of the highest and lowest sale prices of the Common Stock on the date of determination (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock if no sales were reported) as reported by the New York Stock Exchange other domestic stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed. If the Common Stock is not listed on a domestic stock exchange, Fair Market Value will be determined by such other method as the Committee determines in good faith to be reasonable and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.. If the determination date for the Fair Market Value occurs on a weekend, holiday or other non-Trading Day, the Fair Market Value will be the price as determined above on the immediately preceding Trading Day, unless otherwise determined by the Committee. The determination of Fair Market Value for purposes of tax withholding may be made in the discretion of the Committee subject to applicable laws and is not required to be consistent with the determination of Fair Market Value for other purposes. For purposes of achieving an exemption from Section 409A in the case of affected Participants subject to Section 409A, Fair Market Value shall be determined in a manner consistent with Section 409A and any applicable regulations.
"Indemnifiable Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
"Incentive Stock Option" or "ISO" means an option to purchase Shares, granted under Article 7, which is designated as an ISO and satisfies the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
"Insider" means an Employee who is, on the relevant date, an officer, Director or ten percent (10%) beneficial owner of the Common Stock, as contemplated by Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
"Nonqualified Stock Option" or "NQSO" means an option to purchase Shares, granted under Article 7, which is not intended to be an ISO.
"Option" means an ISO or a NQSO.
"Participant" means an Employee or Consultant who holds an outstanding Award.
"Performance Goals" means, any of the general performance objectives, selected by the Committee and specified in an Award Agreement, from among the performance criteria set forth on Schedule A hereto, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to the Company as a whole or any Subsidiary, business unit, division, segment, product line, or function or any combination of the foregoing, either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, on a GAAP or non-GAAP basis, and measured, to the extent applicable, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to determine whether the performance goals established by the Committee with respect to an applicable Award has been achieved.
"Performance Period" means the period of time during which the Performance Goals will be measured to determine what, if any, Performance Units have been earned. A Performance Period shall, in all cases, be at least twelve (12) months in length.
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"Performance Unit" means the right of a Participant to receive cash or shares, upon achievement of the Performance Goals in accordance with the Plan.
"Restricted Stock Unit" or "RSU" means an Award to a Participant covering a number of Shares that at a later date may be settled in cash, or by issuance of those Shares.
"Share" means a share of Common Stock.
"Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, designated as a SAR, to receive a payment on the day the right is exercised, pursuant to Article 7. Each SAR shall be denominated in terms of one Share.
"Subsidiary" means any corporation that is a "subsidiary corporation" of the Company as that term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
"Substitute Awards" shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.
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Schedule A
| | | | | | | | |
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
accounts payable | market capitalization | |||||||
accounts receivable | net financial debt | |||||||
cash flow | net sales | |||||||
cash-flow return on investment | operating cash flow | |||||||
cash value added | operating earnings before asset impairment | |||||||
days cash cycle | operating profit | |||||||
days sales outstanding | pre-tax income | |||||||
debt | return on equity | |||||||
earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) | return on invested capital | |||||||
earnings before interest, tax depreciation and | return on net assets | |||||||
amortization (EBITDA) | return on tangible net assets | |||||||
earnings per share | return on tangible net worth | |||||||
economic value added | revenue growth | |||||||
effective tax rate | selling general and administrative expenses | |||||||
free cash flow | share price | |||||||
impairment write offs | total shareholder return | |||||||
income from continuing operations (net income | relative total shareholder return | |||||||
after minority interests) | value at risk | |||||||
interest coverage | working capital | |||||||
margin | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
amount of inventory | productivity/efficiency | |||||||
brand recognition | quality | |||||||
customer/supplier satisfaction | recruiting | |||||||
days of inventory | risk management | |||||||
employee turnover | safety/environment | |||||||
energy usage | satisfaction indexes | |||||||
headcount | talent development | |||||||
loading time/days loading | turn around time | |||||||
market share | volumes | |||||||
product quality | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | |
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APPENDIX C PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO BYE-LAWS |
The proposed amendment to the Company's bye-laws would revise Bye-Law 11 thereof as shown below (new language is indicated by double-underlining, and deletions are indicated by strike-throughs).
(11) Number and Tenure of Directors
(1) The Board may from time to time determine the total number of directorships, which shall not be less than seven nor more than fifteen. Any increase or decrease in the number of directorships shall require the affirmative vote of not less than 66 percent of the Directors then in office. The Board shall have the authority to appoint persons to fill newly created directorships, provided that any such appointment shall require the affirmative vote of not less than 66 percent of the Directors then in office. In no case shall a decrease in the size of the Board shorten the term of any Director then in office.
(2) No more than two of the Directors shall be employees of the Company or any other entity in the Group.
(3) The
Directors shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The Board shall have the authority
from time to time to fix the number of directorships in each class, provided that each class must consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directorships. If the total number
of directorships is changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be apportioned among the classes so as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible. In no
case shall a decrease in the total number of directorships or change in the number of directorships in any class shorten the term of any Director then in office.
Directors
whose term expires at the 2016 annual general meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual general meeting. At each annual general meeting
thereafter, successors to the class of all Directors whose term expires at that
annual general meeting shall be elected for a three year term expiring at the next annual general meeting. In
addition, at the direction of and in the sole discretion of the Board, Directors may be elected at any general meeting called for the purpose to fill any newly created directorships on the Board
arising under Bye-law 11(1) or any vacancy on the Board arising under Bye-law 15(3) or otherwise. Any person elected or appointed to a class of Directors in
accordance with these Bye-laws shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual general meeting for a term that shall coincide with the then
remaining term of such class of Directors. A Director shall hold office until the annual general meeting for the year in which his term expires, subject to his or
her office being vacated pursuant to Bye-law 15(3).
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APPENDIX D DEFINITION AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES |
The following information provides definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures used in this proxy statement. These measures are not intended to replace or be alternatives to GAAP financial measures.
Total Segment EBIT Reconciliation
Year Ended December 31
(US $ in millions)
|
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total segment EBIT(1) |
$ | 1,329 | $ | 956 | $ | 1,248 | ||||
Interest income |
76 | 87 | 43 | |||||||
Interest expense |
(363 | ) | (347 | ) | (258 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense |
(904 | ) | (249 | ) | (296 | ) | ||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax |
97 | 32 | 35 | |||||||
Noncontrolling interests' share of interest and tax |
71 | 36 | 19 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to Bunge |
$ | 306 | $ | 515 | $ | 791 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
RONA is an operating performance measure used by our management to evaluate Bunge's total and segments' operating activities. RONA is defined as net income attributable to Bunge adjusted for certain items, divided by the average trailing 12 months of certain net operating assets. Management believes RONA is a useful measure of how effectively Bunge utilizes net operating assets to generate earnings. RONA is also used by management as one of the performance measures in determining compensation.
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RONA Reconciliation
Year Ended December 31, 2015
(US $ in millions)
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Bunge |
791 | |||
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(1 | ) | ||
Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax |
(35 | ) | ||
Certain Foreign Exchange Gains / (Losses) |
62 | |||
Certain Interest Income |
(33 | ) | ||
Interest Expense |
258 | |||
Income Tax (expense) benefit on Net Income |
296 | |||
Other Non-Operating Income / (Expense) |
(10 | ) | ||
Certain Results from Investments |
32 | |||
Total Operating Profit |
1,360 | |||
Tax Effect on Operating Profit |
(383 | ) | ||
Operating Profit after Tax |
977 | |||
Total Current Assets |
10,916 |
|||
Certain Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities |
(181 | ) | ||
Current Liabilities |
(7,340 | ) | ||
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt |
1,517 | |||
Accounts Receivable Sold |
437 | |||
Property, Plant & Equipment, net |
4,736 | |||
Adjustments to Property, Plant & Equipment* |
(232 | ) | ||
Intangibles, net |
326 | |||
Goodwill |
418 | |||
Investments in Affiliates |
329 | |||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests |
(37 | ) | ||
Deferred income taxes, net |
207 | |||
Other non-current Assets |
780 | |||
Other non-current liabilities |
(750 | ) | ||
Net Operating Assets |
11,126 |
|||
Average Trailing 12 Month Net Operating Assets |
11,775 | |||
Return on Net Assets |
8.3 |
% |
* Adjusted for Construction in progress and cumulative CTA impact
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