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Exhibit 10(j)
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
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THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of _________, 1999 (the "Effective Date"), is
made by and between Ferro Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), and
____________ (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to the best interests of
its shareholders to xxxxxx the continued employment of key management personnel;
and
WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly
held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control exists and that such
possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among
management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel
to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be
taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of
members of the Company's management, including the Executive, to their assigned
duties without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances
arising from the possibility of a Change in Control;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants herein contained, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as
follows.
1. DEFINED TERMS. The definitions of certain capitalized terms used in
this Agreement are provided in the last Section hereof.
2. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the
Effective Date and shall continue in effect through December 31, 2000; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that commencing on January 1, 2000 and each January 1 thereafter, the
Term shall automatically be extended for one additional year unless, not later
than September 30 of the preceding year, the Company or the Executive shall have
given notice not to extend the Term; and FURTHER PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a
Change in Control shall have occurred during the Term, the Term shall expire no
earlier than the last day of the [twelfth (12th)][twenty-fourth (24th)]
[thirty-sixth (36th)] month following the month in which such Change in
Control occurred. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, (a) except as
provided in Section 6.1 hereof, the Term shall expire upon any termination of
the Executive's employment prior to a Change in Control and (b) the Term shall
expire (and for purposes of the application of the provisions of the Agreement,
shall be deemed to have expired) on the date of the Executive's Retirement.
Except as provided in Section 7A.1, the expiration of the Term shall have no
effect on the terms of the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 7A.
3. COMPANY'S COVENANTS SUMMARIZED. In order to induce the Executive to
remain in the employ of the Company and in consideration of the Executive's
covenants set forth in Section 4 hereof, the Company agrees, under the
conditions described herein, to pay the Executive the Severance Payments and the
other payments and benefits described herein. No Severance Payments shall be
payable under this Agreement unless there shall have been (or,
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under the terms of the second sentence of Section 6.1 hereof, there shall be
deemed to have been) a termination of the Executive's employment with the
Company following a Change in Control and during the Term. This Agreement shall
not be construed as creating an express or implied contract of employment and
nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Company at any time from
terminating the Executive's right and obligation to perform service for the
Company or prevent the Company from removing the Executive from any position
which the Executive holds in the Company, subject to the obligation of the
Company to make payments and provide benefits if and to the extent required
under this Agreement, which payments and benefits shall be full and complete
liquidated damages for any such action taken by the Company. The Executive
specifically acknowledges that his employment by the Company is
employment-at-will, subject to termination by the Executive, or by the Company,
at any time with or without Cause. The Executive acknowledges that such
employment-at-will status cannot be modified except in a specific writing which
has been authorized or ratified by the Board.
4. CERTAIN EXECUTIVE COVENANTS. The Executive agrees that, subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event of a Potential Change
in Control during the Term, the Executive intends to remain in the employ of the
Company until there occurs a Change in Control.
5. COMPENSATION OTHER THAN SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
5.1 Following a Change in Control and during the Term, during any
period that the Executive fails to perform the Executive's full-time duties with
the Company as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the
Company shall pay the Executive's full salary to the Executive at the rate in
effect at the commencement of any such period, together with all compensation
and benefits payable to the Executive under the terms of any compensation or
benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company during such
period, until the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for
Disability.
5.2 If the Executive's employment shall be terminated for any reason
following a Change in Control and during the Term, the Company shall pay the
Executive's full salary to the Executive through the Date of Termination at the
rate in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination (without giving
effect to any reduction in base salary, which reduction constitutes an event of
Good Reason) or, if higher, the highest base salary rate in effect with respect
to the Executive at any time during the calendar year immediately preceding the
Change in Control, together with all compensation and benefits payable to the
Executive through the Date of Termination under the terms of the applicable
compensation and benefit plans, programs or arrangements of the Company or any
Affiliate thereof as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination
(without giving effect to any reduction in compensation or benefits, which
reduction constitutes an event of Good Reason) or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.
5.3 If the Executive's employment shall be terminated for any reason
following a Change in Control and during the Term, the Company shall pay to the
Executive the Executive's normal post-termination compensation and benefits as
such payments become due. Such post-termination compensation and benefits shall
be determined under, and paid in accordance with,
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the applicable retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans,
programs and arrangements of the Company or any Affiliate thereof as in effect
immediately prior to the Date of Termination (without giving effect to any
adverse change in such plans, programs and arrangements, which adverse change
constitutes an event of Good Reason) or, if more favorable to the Executive, as
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.
5.4 In the event a Change in Control of the Company occurs during the
Term, whether or not the Executive's employment thereafter terminates, the
Company shall pay to the Executive, within five days thereafter, an amount in
cash, with respect to each grant of Performance Shares (as defined in the
Company's Amended and Restated 1997 Performance Share Plan, as amended (the
"Performance Share Plan") previously awarded to the Executive under the
Performance Share Plan (or any predecessor thereto) in respect of a Performance
Period (as defined in the Performance Share Plan) which had not expired
immediately prior to such Change in Control (Performance Shares awarded in
respect of any such Performance Period being referred to as "Outstanding
Performance Shares"), which amount shall be equal to the excess (but not less
than zero) of (a) over (b), where (a) equals the product of (1) the number of
Outstanding Performance Shares awarded to the Executive in respect of the
applicable Performance Period, (2) the "fair market value of the Common Stock"
(as defined in the Performance Share Plan) and (3) a fraction (not to exceed
one) the numerator of which is the sum of (x) the number of days which had
elapsed in the applicable Performance Period as of the date of such Change in
Control plus (y) [365][730][1095], and the denominator of which is the number of
days in such applicable Performance Period, and where (b) equals the value
payable to the Executive under the Performance Share Plan (or any predecessor
thereto) in respect of such Outstanding Performance Shares in connection with
such Change in Control. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, to the extent
that implementation of such sentence would preclude a Change in Control
transaction intended to qualify for "pooling of interests" accounting treatment
from so qualifying, the cash value otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Section 5.4 shall be payable in shares of stock of the Company or the
corporation resulting from such transaction so as not to preclude such
transaction from so qualifying. Such shares shall have an initial value equal to
the cash amount otherwise payable to the Executive hereunder. For purposes of
this Section 5.4, in the event Executive's employment terminate under
circumstances described in the second sentence of Section 6.1, the determination
of the number of Outstanding Performance Shares which had not expired
immediately prior to the Change in Control shall, instead, be determined as of
the date which is immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the Potential
Change in Control. The provisions of this Section 5.4 shall not affect in any
manner the determination of amounts payable to the Executive under the
Performance Share Plan (or any predecessor thereto).
6. SEVERANCE PAYMENTS
6.1 If (i) the Executive's employment is terminated following a Change
in Control and during the Term, other than (A) by the Company for Cause, (B) by
reason of death, Disability or Retirement, or (C) by the Executive without Good
Reason, then the Company shall pay the Executive the amounts, and provide the
Executive the benefits, described in this Section 6.1 ("Severance Payments") and
Section 6.4, in addition to any payments and benefits to which the Executive is
entitled under Section 5 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, the
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Executive's employment shall be deemed to have been terminated following a
Change in Control by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good
Reason, if, during the Term, (i) the Executive's employment is terminated by the
Company without Cause after the occurrence of a Potential Change in Control and
prior to a Change in Control (whether or not a Change in Control ever occurs)
and such termination was at the request or direction of a Person who has entered
into an agreement with the Company the consummation of which would constitute a
Change in Control or (ii) the Executive terminates his employment for Good
Reason after the occurrence of a Potential Change in Control and prior to a
Change in Control (whether or not a Change in Control ever occurs) and the
circumstance or event which constitutes Good Reason occurs at the request or
direction of such Person.
(1) In lieu of any further salary payments to the Executive
for periods subsequent to the Date of Termination and in lieu of any severance
benefit otherwise payable to the Executive, the Company shall pay to the
Executive a lump sum severance payment, in cash, equal to [1][2][3] (or, if
less, the number of full and partial years between the Date of Termination and
the Executive's scheduled date of Retirement) times the sum of (i) the
Executive's base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Date of
Termination (without giving effect to any reduction in base salary, which
reduction constitutes an event of Good Reason) or, if higher, the highest base
salary rate in effect with respect to the Executive at any time during the
calendar year immediately preceding the Change in Control (the applicable amount
being referred to herein as the "Base Salary"), and (ii) the Executive's target
annual incentive compensation amount under the Company's Annual Incentive
Compensation Plan or any successor thereto (the "Incentive Compensation Plan")
for the fiscal year in which occurs the Date of Termination (without giving
effect to any reduction in targeted annual incentive compensation caused by an
adverse change in the Executive's Incentive Compensation Plan participation,
which adverse change constitutes an event of Good Reason) or, if higher, for the
fiscal year in which occurs the Change in Control. For this purpose, the
targeted annual incentive compensation amount shall be deemed to be [ ] percent
[( )] of Base Salary, or such greater percentage thereof as may be applicable to
the Executive at targeted levels, under the Incentive Compensation Plan.
(2) For the [ ] month period immediately following the Date of
Termination (or, if less, the number of months between the Date of Termination
and the Executive's scheduled date of Retirement) (the "Continuation Period"),
the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive (and, if applicable, his
dependents) with benefits substantially similar to those provided to the
Executive (and, if applicable, his dependents) under the Benefit Plans
immediately prior to the Date of Termination (without giving effect to any
reduction in benefits, which reduction constitutes an event of Good Reason) or,
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided to the Executive (and, if
applicable, his dependents) under the Benefit Plans immediately prior to the
Change in Control, at no greater cost to the Executive than the cost to the
Executive immediately prior to such date. For purposes of determining
Executive's rights under any such Benefit Plans applicable to retired employees,
the Executive shall be treated as having remained in employment through the
Continuation Period.
(3) The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum amount,
in cash, equal to the pro rata portion of the Executive's annual incentive
compensation for the calendar
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year in which the Date of Termination occurs, such amount to be determined by
multiplying the Executive's annual incentive compensation amount (determined
pursuant to Section 6.1(1)(ii) above) by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days in such calendar year which had elapsed as of the Date of
Termination and the denominator of which is 365; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this
Section 6.1(3) shall have effect only if the Date of Termination occurs in a
calendar year following the calendar year in which occurs a Change in Control.
(4) In addition to the retirement benefits to which the
Executive is entitled under the Pension Plans or any successor plans thereto,
the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the
present value as of the Date of Termination (calculated at a discount rate equal
to the discount rate used at the Date of Termination (or, if more favorable to
the Executive, immediately prior to the Change in Control) for computing the
present value of commuted payments under the Qualified Plan) of (a) the lump sum
value (determined as of the Executive's Normal Retirement Age, using the same
methods and assumptions used at the Date of Termination (or, if more favorable
to the Executive, immediately prior to the Change in Control) for purposes of
the Qualified Plan) of the retirement pension to which the Executive would have
been entitled under the terms of the Pension Plans (as in effect on the Date of
Termination) as if the Executive's employment had continued through the
Continuation Period at Base Salary and incentive compensation levels equal to
those set forth in Section 6.1(1) above (and including any other compensation,
if any, which is to be considered under the formulas applicable to such plans),
assuming commencement of payment of the Executive's pension at Normal Retirement
Age, reduced by (b) the lump sum value (determined as of the Executive's Normal
Retirement Age using the methods and assumptions hereinabove specified) of the
retirement pension, if any, to which the Executive will be entitled under the
terms of the Pension Plans (as in effect on the Date of Termination), based upon
termination of the Executive's employment as of the Date of Termination and
assuming commencement of payment of the Executive's pension benefits at
Executive's Normal Retirement Age. The lump sum value to be calculated under
clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be determined (y) under
the assumption that the Executive is fully vested in his retirement pension
under each Pension Plan and (z) without regard to any termination of or
amendments to any of such plans, which termination or amendments are adopted on
or after the date of a Change in Control, to the extent any such termination or
amendments adversely affect in any manner the computation of benefits thereunder
or are otherwise adverse to the Executive.
(5) The Company shall provide the Executive, at the Company's
sole cost and expense, with the services of an outplacement firm mutually agreed
upon between the Company and the Executive and suitable to the Executive's
position until the first acceptance by the Executive of an offer of employment.
(6) The Company shall continue to maintain officers'
indemnification insurance for the Executive for a period of not less than four
(4) years following the Date of Termination, the terms and conditions of which
shall be no less favorable than the terms and conditions of the officers'
indemnification insurance maintained by the Company for the Executive
immediately prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs.
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6.2 If the Executive's employment is terminated following a Change in
Control and during the Term by reason of Disability, the Company shall pay to
the Executive, in addition to any payments and benefits to which the Executive
is entitled under Section 5 hereof, (A) a cash lump sum, the amount of which
shall be determined under Section 6.1(3) hereof, (B) for the [12][24][36] month
period immediately following the Date of Termination, on a monthly basis, an
aggregate amount in cash equal to the excess (but not less than zero) of (i)
[one twelfth][one twenty-fourth][one thirty-sixth] ([ ]) of the aggregate amount
determined under Section 6.1(1) hereof over (ii) the aggregate amount received
by the Executive during such month under the Company's long-term disability
plans and (C) the continuation of benefits under the Benefit Plans for the
Executive (and, if applicable, his dependents), as determined under Section
6.1(2) hereof.
6.3 If the Executive's employment is terminated following a Change in
Control and during the Term by reason of his death, the Company shall pay to the
Executive's legal representatives or estate, or as may be directed by the legal
representatives of his estate, as the case may be, in addition to any payments
and benefits to which the Executive is entitled under Section 5 hereof, a cash
lump sum equal to the amounts determined under Sections 6.1(1) and (3) above.
6.4 Whether or not the Executive becomes entitled to the Severance
Payments, if any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive
in connection with a Change in Control or the termination of the Executive's
employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose actions result in a
Change in Control or any Person affiliated with the Company or such Person) (all
such payments and benefits, including the Severance Payments, being hereinafter
called "Total Payments") will be subject (in whole or part) to the Excise Tax,
then the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Executive, after deduction of
any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income and
employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment, shall be equal to the
Total Payments. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made and state and local income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive's residence
on the Date of Termination (or if there is no Date of Termination, then the date
on which the Gross-up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 6.4),
net of the maximum reduction in federal income tax which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.
(1) For purposes of determining whether any of the Total
Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax,
(i) all of the Total Payments shall be treated as "parachute payments" within
the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, unless in the opinion of a
nationally recognized legal or accounting firm selected by the Executive ("Tax
Counsel"), such other payments or benefits (in whole or in part) do not
constitute parachute payments, including by reason of section 280G(b)(4)(A) of
the Code, (ii) all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of section
280G(b)(l) of the Code shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax unless, in
the opinion of Tax Counsel, such excess parachute payments
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(in whole or in part) represent reasonable compensation for services actually
rendered, within the meaning of section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of
the Base Amount allocable to such reasonable compensation, or are otherwise not
subject to the Excise Tax, and (iii) the value of any noncash benefits or any
deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the accounting firm which
was, immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Company's independent
auditor (the "Auditor") in accordance with the principles of sections 280G(d)(3)
and (4) of the Code. The Executive agrees to direct Tax Counsel to submit its
determination and detailed supporting calculations to both the Executive and the
Company as promptly as practicable. If Tax Counsel determines that any Excise
Tax is payable by the Executive and that a Gross-Up Payment is required, the
Company shall pay the Executive the required Gross-Up Payment within five (5)
business days after receipt of such determination and calculations. If Tax
Counsel determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall, at
the same time as it makes such determination, furnish the Executive with an
opinion that the Executive has substantial authority not to report any Excise
Tax on the Executive's federal income tax return. Any determination by Tax
Counsel as to the amount of the Gross-Up Payment shall be binding upon the
Executive and the Company.
(2) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) at the time of the
initial determination by Tax Counsel hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an
"Underpayment"). In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
paragraph (5) below and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment
of any Excise Tax, the Executive may direct Tax Counsel to determine the amount
of the Underpayment (if any) that has occurred and to submit its determination
and detailed supporting calculations to both the Executive and the Company as
promptly as possible. Any such Underpayment (plus any interest and penalties
attributable thereto) shall be paid by the Company to the Executive, or for the
Executive's benefit, within five (5) business days after receipt of such
determination and calculations. In the event that (i) amounts are paid to the
Executive pursuant to subsection (A) of this Section 6.4 and (ii) the Excise Tax
is finally determined to be less than the amount taken into account hereunder in
calculating the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall repay to the Company,
within five (5) business days following the time that the amount of such
reduction in Excise Tax is finally determined, the portion of the Gross-Up
Payment attributable to such reduction (plus that portion of the Gross-Up
Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local income and
employment taxes imposed on the Gross-Up Payment being repaid by the Executive),
to the extent that such repayment results in a dollar-for-dollar reduction in
the Executive's taxable income and wages for purposes of federal, state and
local income and employment taxes, plus interest on the amount of such repayment
at the rate provided in section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code.
(3) The Executive and the Company shall each provide Tax
Counsel access to and copies of any books, records and documents in the
possession of the Company or the Executive, as the case may be, reasonably
requested by Tax Counsel, and otherwise cooperate with Tax Counsel in connection
with the preparation and issuance of the determination contemplated by
paragraphs (1) and (2) above.
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(4) The fees and expense of Tax Counsel for its services in
connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by this Section
6.4 shall be borne by the Company. If such fees and expenses are initially paid
by the Executive, the Company shall reimburse the Executive the full amount of
such fees and expenses within ten business days after receipt from the Executive
of a statement therefor and reasonable evidence of the Executive's payment
thereof.
(5) The Executive agrees to notify the Company in writing of
any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as promptly as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after the
Executive actually receives notice of such claim. The Executive agrees to
further apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which
such claim is requested to be paid (in each case, to the extent known by the
Executive). The Executive agrees not to pay such claim prior to the earlier of
(a) the expiration of the 30-calendar-day period following the date on which the
Executive gives such notice to the Company and (b) the date that any payment
with respect to such claim is due. If the Company notifies the Executive in
writing at least five business days prior to the expiration of such period that
it desires to contest such claim, the Executive agrees to:
(a) provide the Company with any written records or documents
in the Executive's possession relating to such claim reasonably
requested by the Company;
(b) take such action in connection with contesting such claim
as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including without limitation accepting legal representation with
respect to such claim by an attorney competent in respect of the
subject matter and reasonably selected by the Company;
(c) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim; and
(d) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such
contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax
basis, from and against any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and
penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this
paragraph (5), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection
with the contest of any claim contemplated by this paragraph (5) and, at its
sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals,
proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of
such claim (PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Executive may participate therein at the
Executive's own cost and expense) and may, at its option, either direct the
Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or contest the claim in
any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
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determine; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
the tax claimed and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of
such payment to the Executive on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or
income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with
respect to such advance; and PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that any extension of
the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the Executive's
taxable year with respect to which the contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of
any such contested claim shall be limited to issues with respect to which a
Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled
to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal
Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(6) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (5) above, the Executive receives
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive agrees (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of paragraph (5) above) to promptly
pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after any taxes applicable thereto). If, after the Executive's
receipt of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (5) above, a
determination is made that the Executive is not entitled to any refund with
respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing
of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty
(30) calendar days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven
and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall
offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be
paid pursuant to this Section 6.4.
6.5 The payments provided in subsections (1), (3) and (4) of Section
6.1 hereof shall be made not later than the fifth day following the Date of
Termination.
6.6 The Company also shall pay to the Executive all legal fees and
expenses incurred by the Executive in disputing in good faith any issue
hereunder relating to the termination of the Executive's employment, in seeking
in good faith to obtain or enforce any benefit or right provided by this
Agreement or, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.4 hereof, in connection
with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent attributable to the application
of section 4999 of the Code to any payment or benefit provided hereunder. Such
payments shall be made within five (5) business days after delivery of the
Executive's written requests for payment accompanied with such evidence of fees
and expenses incurred as the Company reasonably may require.
7. SECURITY. To secure payment of the benefits provided for in this
Agreement, the Company agrees forthwith to establish an irrevocable escrow
account (the "Escrow Account") at National City Bank (the "Escrow Agent"),
Cleveland, Ohio, or, in the event that National City Bank shall resign, any
other financial institution satisfactory to the Company and the Executive (or
the Executive's executor or other personal representative) or appointed by a
court of competent jurisdiction and to keep on deposit in the Escrow Account
such amount, if any, as shall at all times be at least equal to the required
security hereinafter provided for. The maximum amount of required security to be
kept on deposit at any time shall be (A) an amount
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equal to [eighteen (18)][twelve (12)][six (6)] times the Executive's base salary
in effect from time to time (the "Maximum Amount") or (B) if there has been
determination with the Executive's written consent or by a final arbitral award
rendered in accordance with this Agreement that a specific lesser amount fully
secures the Company's obligations under this Agreement, then such specific
lesser amount or, in the case that the Company has fully performed its
obligations under this Agreement, nothing. Subject to the provisions hereof, the
Maximum Amount of required security shall be kept on deposit at all times after
(i) the expiration of five days following the occurrence of a Potential Change
in Control or (ii) a Change in Control, whichever occurs earlier.
Until the Maximum Amount of required security is required to be kept on
deposit, the Company shall only be obliged to maintain on deposit in the Escrow
Account an amount (the "Required Security") at least equal to sixty percent
(60%) of the Maximum Amount of required security; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a
Potential Change in Control shall occur prior to a Change in Control and if a
Change in Control does not occur within twelve months after the most recent
occurrence of a Potential Change in Control, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled,
upon receipt of a written request by the Company, to return to the Company any
amounts in excess of the Required Security (or reduce the amount of any letter
of credit to an amount equal to the Required Security). Except as provided in
the immediately preceding sentence and in the penultimate paragraph of this
Section 7, amounts deposited in the Escrow Account shall be paid out by the
Escrow Agent only to the Executive, in such amounts as the Executive shall
certify to the Escrow Agent as amounts that the Company is in default in paying
the Executive under this Agreement, or to the Company, to the extent that the
amount on deposit exceeds the maximum amount of required security as specified
in joint written instructions from the Executive and the Company to the Escrow
Agent or in a final arbitral award rendered in accordance with this Agreement.
Prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless the Executive becomes
entitled to receive severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms
of the second sentence of Section 6.1 hereof, the Executive shall have no right
to receive, and shall have no right to have any access to, any portion of the
assets held in the Escrow Account.
The Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to
instruct the Escrow Agent to invest all or any part of the funds in the Escrow
Account in time deposits or certificates of deposit with, or repurchase or other
obligations of, National City Bank, in its individual corporate capacity, or any
of its domestic or foreign branches, or any other "bank" (as determined by the
Company), or obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or any of its
agencies or instrumentalities, provided that no such investment shall be for a
period in excess of ninety (90) days. The Escrow Agent shall have no liability
whatsoever for following the instructions of the Company regarding any such
investment, or for any loss in value of the Escrow Account as a consequence of
any such investment or the liquidation thereof.
The Company may meet its obligation to keep amounts on deposit in the
Escrow Account through (a) deposits of assets; (b) one or more letters of credit
deposited in escrow; or (c) any combination of the foregoing. The Company shall
have the right, at any time and from time to time, to substitute one form of
permitted deposit in the Escrow Account for another form of permitted deposit in
the Escrow Account.
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Intending that the Escrow Agent and its successors and assigns shall
have the right to rely hereon, the Executive consents to the agreement
pertaining to the Escrow Account to be maintained pursuant to this Section 7
(the "Escrow Agreement") substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A,
and consents to the amendment and restatement, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement,
of all prior escrow agreements which have been made between the Company and
National City Bank (in any capacity) and of which the Executive is a
beneficiary. The Executive further consents to amendments, modifications,
restatements and clarifications of the Escrow Agreement from time to time, so
long as, after giving effect to each such amendment, modification, restatement
or clarification, the then aggregate amount (whether in the form of cash,
investments which the Company has instructed the Escrow Agent to make as
hereinbefore provided (the amount of which shall be determined, in each case, at
the time of the investment), amounts available to be drawn by the Escrow Agent
under one or more letters of credit, or any combination of the foregoing)
credited to the Escrow Account by the Escrow Agent would not be less than the
required security provided for in this Section 7. The Escrow Agent and its
successors and assigns shall have the right to rely upon such consent of the
Executive.
7A. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS OF EXECUTIVE.
7A.1 RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION. Whether or not a Change in Control
shall have occurred, the Executive shall be subject to the restrictive covenants
set forth in this Section 7A.1; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such restrictions shall
cease to apply and shall be of no further force and effect from and after any
termination of Executive's employment for which he is entitled to receive
Severance Payments under Section 6.1 hereof.
(a) The Executive shall not, at any time during the Restricted Period
(as defined below), accept employment with, own an interest in, form a
partnership or joint venture with, consult with or otherwise assist any person
or enterprise that manufactures or sells products ("Competitive Products")
similar to, or competitive with, the products manufactured or sold by the
Company on the Date of Termination.
(b) The "Restricted Period" means:
(i) Twenty-four (24) months after the Date of Termination; and
(ii) An additional twelve (12) months thereafter (the "Additional
Period") if:
(1) the Company has not terminated the Executive's
employment because of Disability;
(2) the Company elects to impose the Additional
Period by providing to the Executive written notice of such
election not later than two (2) months after the termination
of the Executive's employment; and
(3) the Company pays the Executive, in twelve (12)
monthly installments during the Additional Period, an
aggregate
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amount equal to the Executive's Base Salary for the calendar
year in which the Executive's employment terminated; and
(4) in addition to the time period(s) set forth in
(i) and, if applicable, (ii) above, the remaining period of
time, if any, until the Executive is 60 years old if:
(A) this Agreement has terminated by reason
of the Executive's retirement before the Normal
Retirement Age;
(B) the Executive is an officer of the
Company; and
(C) the Executive has elected to receive his
or her early retirement benefit on the basis of the
increased "Post-1995 Factors" set forth in Section 4
of the Company's Excess Benefits Plan, as such
provision may be amended from time to time.
(c) Section 7A.1(a) above will not apply if the relevant person or
enterprise acquires a business or product line that manufactures or sells
Competitive Products after the commencement of the Executive's employment or
other relationship with such person or enterprise and the Executive does not
participate in any way in the business of the Competitive Products for
twenty-four months after the termination of the Executive's employment and, at
the request of the Company, the Executive and the relevant person or enterprise
certify to the Company in writing that the Executive has and will comply with
the restrictions of this Section 7A.1.
7A.2 NON-DISPARAGEMENT. The Executive agrees that during his employment
and at all times thereafter, he will not, unless compelled by a court or
governmental agency, make, or cause to be made, any statement, observation or
opinion, or communicate any information (whether oral or written) regarding the
Company, or its Affiliates, together with their respective directors, partners,
officers or employees (such entities, collectively, the "Ferro Related
Persons"), which disparages the reputation or business of the Company or the
Ferro Related Persons; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such restriction shall not apply
to statements, observations, opinions or communications made in good faith in
the fulfillment of the Executive's duties with the Company and PROVIDED FURTHER
that such restriction shall cease to apply and shall be of no further force and
effect from and after the occurrence of a Change in Control.
7A.3 Nothing in this Section 7A eliminates or affects any right to
payments or benefits that the Executive otherwise has under other provisions of
this Agreement and nothing in this Section 7A gives the Executive the right to
any payment or benefit under other provisions of this Agreement that he does not
otherwise have.
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8. TERMINATION PROCEDURES AND COMPENSATION DURING DISPUTE.
8.1 NOTICE OF TERMINATION. After a Change in Control and during the
Term, any purported termination of the Executive's employment (other than by
reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one
party hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 11 hereof. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice which
shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon
and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated. Further, a Notice of Termination for Cause is required
to include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not
less than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire membership of the Board at a
meeting of the Board which was called and held for the purpose of considering
such termination (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity
for the Executive, together with the Executive's counsel, to be heard before the
Board) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive was
guilty of conduct set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of Cause
herein, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
8.2 DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination," with respect to any
purported termination of the Executive's employment after a Change in Control
and during the Term, shall mean (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated
for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided
that the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the
Executive's duties during such thirty (30) day period), and (ii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in
the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a termination by the Company,
shall not be less than thirty (30) days (except in the case of a termination for
Cause) and, in the case of a termination by the Executive, shall not be less
than fifteen (15) days nor more than sixty (60) days, respectively, from the
date such Notice of Termination is given).
8.3 DISPUTE CONCERNING TERMINATION. If within fifteen (15) days after
any Notice of Termination is given, or, if later, prior to the Date of
Termination (as determined without regard to this Section 8.3), the party
receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute
exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall be extended
until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Term ends or (ii) the date on
which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the
parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of
competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the
time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice of
dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and
the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
8.4 COMPENSATION DURING DISPUTE. If a purported termination occurs
following a Change in Control and during the Term and the Date of Termination is
extended in accordance with Section 8.3 hereof, the Company shall continue to
pay the Executive the full compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to
the dispute was given (including, but not limited to, salary) and continue the
Executive as a participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans in
which the Executive was participating when the notice giving rise to the dispute
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was given, until the Date of Termination, as determined in accordance with
Section 8.3 hereof. Amounts paid under this Section 8.4 are in addition to
all other amounts due under this Agreement (other than those due under
Section 5.2 hereof) and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts
due under this Agreement.
9. NO MITIGATION. The Company agrees that, if the Executive's
employment with the Company terminates during the Term, the Executive is not
required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts
payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant to Section 6 hereof or Section
8.4 hereof. Further, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this
Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as
the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset
against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or
otherwise.
10. SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.
10.1 In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor
to the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement
prior to the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this
Agreement and shall entitle the Executive to compensation from the Company in
the same amount and on the same terms as the Executive would be entitled to
hereunder if the Executive were to terminate the Executive's employment for Good
Reason after a Change in Control, except that, for purposes of implementing the
foregoing, the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be
deemed the Date of Termination.
10.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive shall
die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive hereunder (other
than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Executive)
if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise
provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to
the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive's
estate.
11. NOTICES. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, if to the
Executive, to the address inserted below the Executive's signature on the final
page hereof and, if to the Company, to the address set forth below, or to such
other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in
accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective
only upon actual receipt:
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To the Company:
Ferro Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
12. MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing and signed by the Executive and such officer as may be specifically
designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other party hereto of, or of any lack of compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement supersedes any other
agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with
respect to the subject matter hereof which have been made by either party. The
validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall
be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio. All references to sections of the
Exchange Act or the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any successor
provisions to such sections. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be
reduced to the extent necessary so that the Company may satisfy any applicable
withholding required under federal, state or local law and any additional
withholding to which the Executive has agreed. The obligations of the Company
and the Executive under this Agreement which by their nature may require either
partial or total performance after the expiration of the Term (including,
without limitation, those under Section 6 hereof) shall survive such expiration.
13. [Intentionally left blank.]
14. VALIDITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
16. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES; ARBITRATION.
16.1 Any further dispute or controversy arising under or in connection
with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Cleveland,
Ohio, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then
in effect; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that all arbitration expenses shall be borne by
the Company and the evidentiary standards set forth in this Agreement shall
apply. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having
jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of the Executive's
right to be paid until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any
dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
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16.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16.1 above, the Company
shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy or remedies available to the
Company at law or in equity, to injunctive relief, without the necessity of
proving the inadequacy of monetary damages or the posting of any bond or
security, enjoining or restraining Executive from any violation of threatened
violation of the covenants contained in Section 7A hereof.
Moreover, in the event that the Executive breaches Section 7A.2 of this
Agreement, the Executive shall pay to the Company an amount in cash equal to
fifty percent (50%) of the value of (i) if the Executive is employed by the
Company at the time of such violation, the aggregate severance payments and
benefits that would have been paid to the Executive had his employment been
terminated on the date on which the Executive violated such Section 7A.2 under
circumstances entitling the Executive to the severance payments and benefits
provided under Section 6.1 hereof, (ii) if, prior to the date on which the
Executive violates such Section 7A.2, the Executive's employment with the
Company shall have been terminated under circumstances that do not entitle the
Executive to the severance payments and benefits provided under Section 6.1
hereof, the aggregate severance payments and benefits that would have been paid
to the Executive had his employment been terminated under circumstances
entitling him to severance payments and benefits under Section 6.1 hereof,
calculated as of the effective date of his actual termination of employment or
(ii) if the Executive's employment with the Company shall have been terminated
prior to the date on which he violates such Section 7A.2 under circumstances
entitling him to severance payments and benefits under Section 6.1 hereto, the
aggregate severance payments and benefits he is entitled to receive thereunder.
The provisions of this Section 16.2 shall not constitute a waiver by
the Company of any rights to damages or other remedies which it may have
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise. Executive further acknowledges and
agrees that due to the uniqueness of Executive's services and confidential
nature of the information Executive will possess the covenants set forth herein
are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the business and good will of
the Companies.
17. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated below:
(a) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
(b) "Auditor" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4
hereof.
(c) "Base Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in section
280G(b)(3) of the Code.
(d) "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(e) "Benefit Plan" shall mean each perquisite, benefit or
compensation plan (in addition to the Incentive Compensation Plan),
including the Pension Plans, dental
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plan, life insurance plan, health and accident plan or disability plan
of the Company (but excluding the Company's stock option plan and
Performance Share Plan, participation in which shall be at the sole
discretion of the Board or any applicable committee thereof).
(f) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g) The Company shall have "Cause" for termination of the
Executive's employment only (i) if such termination shall have been
the result of an act or acts by the Executive which have been found in
an applicable court to constitute a felony; or (ii) if such
termination shall have been the result of an act or acts of dishonesty
by the Executive resulting or intended to result directly or
indirectly in significant gain or personal enrichment to the Executive
at the expense of the Company; or (iii) upon the willful and continued
failure by the Executive substantially to perform his duties with the
Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to
mental or physical illness) after a demand in writing for substantial
performance is delivered by the Board, which demand specifically
identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive
has not substantially performed his duties, and such failure results
in demonstrably material injury to the Company. The Executive's
employment shall in no event be considered to have been terminated by
the Company for Cause if such termination took place as the result of
(x) bad judgment or negligence, or (b) any act or omission believed in
good faith to have been in or not opposed to the interest of the
Company. The Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for
Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy
of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than
three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of
the Board (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity
for him, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board),
finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the Executive was
guilty of conduct set forth above in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Further, in the event of
a dispute concerning the application of this provision, no claim by
the Company that Cause exists shall be given effect unless the Company
establishes to the Board by clear and convincing evidence that Cause
exists.
(h) A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if the
event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have
occurred:
(i) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or
more of the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities; or
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years, the
following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals
who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any new
director (other than a director designated by a person who has
entered into an agreement or arrangement with the Company to
effect a transaction described in clause (i) or (iii) of this
sentence) whose appointment or election by the Board or
nomination for
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election by the Company's shareholders was approved or
recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
directors then still in office who either were directors on the
date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for
election was previously so approved or recommended; or
(iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the
Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with
any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which
would result in the holders of the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto holding securities
which represent immediately after such merger or consolidation
more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the
voting securities of either the Company or the other entity which
survives such merger or consolidation or the parent of the entity
which survives such merger or consolidation; or
(iv) there is consummated an agreement for the sale or
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets.
(i) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time.
(j) "Company" shall mean Ferro Corporation and, except in
determining under Section 16(g) hereof whether or not any Change in
Control of the Company has occurred, shall include any successor to
its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to perform this
Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
(k) "Date of Termination" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.2 hereof.
(l) "Disability" shall be deemed the reason for the termination
by the Company of the Executive's employment, if, as a result of the
Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the
Executive shall have been absent from the full-time performance of the
Executive's duties with the Company for a period of six (6)
consecutive months, the Company shall have given the Executive a
Notice of Termination for Disability, and, within thirty (30) days
after such Notice of Termination is given, the Executive shall not
have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive's duties.
(m) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time.
(n) "Excise Tax" shall mean any excise tax imposed under Section
4999 of the Code.
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(o) "Executive" shall mean the individual named in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
(p) "Good Reason" for termination by the Executive of the
Executive's employment shall mean the occurrence (without the
Executive's express written consent) after any Change in Control, or
prior to a Change in Control under the circumstances described in the
second sentence of Section 6.1 hereof (treating all references in
paragraphs (i) through (vii) below to a "Change in Control" as
references to a "Potential Change in Control"), of any one of the
following acts by the Company, or failures by the Company to act,
unless, in the case of any act or failure to act described in
paragraph (i), (v), (vi) or (vii) below, such act or failure to act is
corrected prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of
Termination given in respect thereof:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent with the Executive's status as a senior executive
officer of the Company, a change in Executive's title or a
substantial adverse alteration in the nature or status of the
Executive's responsibilities or reporting relationship, in each
case from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control, or the removal of Executive from or failure to re-elect
Executive to positions held by Executive immediately prior to the
Change in Control (except in connection with termination of
Executive's employment for Cause, Disability or Retirement or as
a result of Executive's death or voluntary termination without
Good Reason);
(ii) a reduction by the Company in the Executive's annual
base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control or as the same may be increased from time to time;
(iii) the relocation of the Executive's principal place of
employment to a location which increases the Executive's one-way
commuting distance by more than twenty-five (25) miles over his
one-way commuting distance immediately prior to the Change in
Control, except for required travel on the Company's business to
an extent substantially consistent with the Executive's business
travel obligations immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(iv) the failure by the Company to pay to the Executive any
portion of the Executive's current compensation, or to pay to the
Executive any portion of an installment of deferred compensation
under any deferred compensation program of the Company, within
seven (7) days of the date such compensation is due;
(v) the failure by the Company to continue in effect any
Benefit Plan in which the Executive participates immediately
prior to the Change in Control unless an equitable arrangement
(embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been
made with respect to such
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Benefit Plan, or the failure by the Company to continue the
Executive's participation therein (or in such substitute or
alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both
in terms of the amount or timing of payment of benefits provided
and the level of the Executive's participation relative to other
participants, as existed immediately prior to the Change in
Control; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company may make
modifications in such Benefit Plans so long as such modifications
(a) are generally applicable to all salaried employees of the
Company and any Person in control of the Company and (b) do not
discriminate against highly-paid employees of the Company.
(vi) the failure by the Company to provide the Executive
with the number of paid vacation days to which the Executive is
entitled in accordance with the Company's normal vacation policy
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control (or pursuant
to a special vacation agreement or arrangement then in effect
with respect to the Executive);
(vii) any purported termination of the Executive's
employment which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of
Termination satisfying the requirements of Section 8.1 hereof;
for purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination
shall be effective; or
(viii) any failure of the Company to obtain assumption of
this Agreements, as set forth in Section 9.1 hereof;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a voluntary resignation by the Executive
at any time during the ninety-day period commencing on the first
anniversary of the Change in Control shall conclusively
constitute Good Reason. For purposes of any determination
regarding the existence of Good Reason, any claim by the
Executive that Good Reason exists shall be presumed to be correct
unless the Company establishes to the Board by clear and
convincing evidence that Good Reason does not exist. The
Executive's right to terminate the Executive's employment for
Good Reason shall not be affected by the Executive's incapacity
due to physical or mental illness. The Executive's continued
employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights
with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting Good
Reason hereunder.
(q) "Gross-Up Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4 hereof.
(r) "Normal Retirement Age" shall have the meaning provided
for in the Qualified Plan.
(s) "Notice of Termination" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 8.1 hereof.
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(t) "Pension Plans" shall mean, collectively, the
tax-qualified, supplemental and excess benefit pension plan
maintained by the Company and any other plan or agreement entered
into between the Executive and the Company which is designed to
provide the Executive with supplemental retirement benefits.
(u) "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9)
of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter
temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such
securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly,
by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
(v) "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following
paragraphs shall have occurred:
(i) the Company enters into an agreement, the
consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a
Change in Control;
(ii) the Company or any Person publicly announces an
intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if
consummated, would constitute a Change in Control;
(iii) any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly
or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20%
or more of either the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities;
(iv) any Person commences a solicitation (as defined in
Rule 14a-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act) of proxies or consents which has the purpose
of effecting or would (if successful) result in a Change in
Control;
(v) a tender or exchange offer for voting securities of
the Company, made by a Person, is first published or sent or
given (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General
Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act); or
(vi) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that,
for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in
Control has occurred.
(w) "Qualified Plan" shall mean the Ferro Corporation
Retirement Plan (001).
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(x) "Retirement" shall mean the termination of the
Executive's employment in accordance with the Company's mandatory
retirement policy as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control.
(y) "Severance Payments" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.1 herezof.
(z) "Tax Counsel" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.4 hereof.
(aa) "Term" shall mean the period of time described in
Section 2 hereof (including any extension, continuation or
termination described therein).
(bb) "Total Payments" shall mean those payments so described
in Section 6.4 hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above.
FERRO CORPORATION
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
-------------------------------
EXECUTIVE
Address:
-------------------------------
-------------------------------
-------------------------------
(Please print carefully)
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