MANAGING DIRECTOR EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (Geschftsfhrerdienstvertrag) (this "Agreement")
Exhibit
10.37
(Geschftsfhrerdienstvertrag)
(this
"Agreement")
Between
Xxxxxx
Management GmbH
Xx
Xxxxxxxxxxx 0
00000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
represented
by its shareholder (Shareholder) Xxxxxx International Industries,
Inc.
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hereinafter referred to as the Company -
and
Xx.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
0
00000
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
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hereinafter referred to as the "Executive" -
Article
1
Position and Scope of
Duties
1.1
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The
Company shall employ the Executive as a managing director (Geschftsfhrer) with
joint signing authority. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "Automotive Division" shall refer to the Company, Harman Holding GmbH
& Co KG, and all of their Affiliates (as hereinafter defined) involved
in the worldwide operations of the Shareholders automotive OEM
business. The Executive shall also serve as a member of the
Shareholders Executive Committee.
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The
Executives title shall be "Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Harman
Automotive Division of Xxxxxx International". The Executive shall
have full P&L responsibility for the world-wide operations of the Automotive
Division including sales, engineering, manufacturing, finance, human resources
and IT, subject to operating and reporting guidelines as approved by the
Shareholders representative (as defined in Section 1.3 below).
1.2
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The
Executive shall perform his duties by observing the diligence of a prudent
businessman and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; the
Company's Articles of Association (Gesellschaftsvertrag);
the general and specific directives or instructions given by the
supervisory board (Aufsichtsrat), if any,
or the Shareholder (including its Group Authority Regulation) or any
designees of the Shareholder; any Management By-Laws (Geschftsordnung) that
may hereafter be established or amended; and in accordance with applicable
law.
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1.3
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The
Shareholder hereby appoints its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as its
designee, and the Executive shall report directly to such designee,
subject to later amendment by the Shareholder. Any actions
required or permitted to be taken by the Shareholder hereunder may be
taken by the Shareholders designee.
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1.4
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The
responsibility of the Executive (subject to the limitations contained
herein, in the Articles of Association and Management By-Laws of the
Company, the Group Authority Regulation of the Shareholder (Group
Authority Regulation), and otherwise under applicable law) shall include,
without limitation, the following, subject to later amendment by the
Shareholder:
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(a)
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the
preparation and submission to the Shareholder of the annual budgets and
strategic plans of the Automotive
Division;
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(b)
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the
management of the Automotive Division in accordance with budgets and
strategic plans approved by the
Shareholder;
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(c)
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advising
the Shareholder of the material activities and operations of the
Automotive Division on a timely, on-going
basis;
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(d)
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hiring
and firing management personnel (except as to managing directors) and
overseeing the hiring of such other salaried and hourly rated employees as
may be required for the proper and efficient conduct of the business of
the Automotive Division within the scope of the Executive's
authority;
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(e)
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the
making of commitments on behalf of the Automotive Division, or any
business unit of the Automotive division, other than those commitments
requiring the approval of the Shareholder as provided by law, the Companys
Articles of Association, any Management By-Laws, the Group Authority
Regulation or this Agreement; provided, however, that
the signing authority of the Executive shall not be sole signing
authority;
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(f)
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seeking
the approval of the Shareholder in respect of any matter involving or
affecting the Automotive Division or its business which is out of the
ordinary and usual course of business of the Automotive Division;
and
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(g)
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carrying
out the directives of the
Shareholder.
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1.5
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The
Executive shall devote his full working time and ability to the Automotive
Divisions business. The Executive shall not engage in any other
activity for remuneration or any other activity that normally would give
entitlement to remuneration, including any part-time work, without the
prior written consent of the Shareholder in each instance. The
Executive may be required by the Shareholder to serve in management
positions for affiliates as defined in accordance with Section 15 of the
German Stock Corporation Act ("Affiliates") without further or additional
remuneration. The Executive shall not serve on the supervisory
board, advisory board (Beirat) or similar
corporate function of another company without the prior written consent of
the Shareholder.
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1.6
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The
Company reserves the right to assign additional areas of responsibility to
the Executive. At the request of the Shareholder, within the
framework of this Agreement and the areas of responsibility assigned to
the Executive, the Executive will also work for other national and
international companies of the Harman
Group.
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1.7
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Notwithstanding
the internal authority of the Executive as determined by the Shareholder
and its representative, the Executive shall, with respect to the exercise
of his statutory representation authority, be required to seek the
approval of the Shareholder for any activities for which the Shareholders
approval is required under the Group Authority Regulation or under
Management By-Laws and/or Articles of Association of the Company, either
now existing or later adopted or
amended.
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1.8
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The
Executive shall be entitled to coverage as a beneficiary under the
Shareholders Directors and Officers Liability insurance
policy.
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Article
2
Termination, Notice and
Severance
2.1
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This
Agreement commences with effect as of July 1, 2008 or earlier if agreed by
the parties (the Commencement Date). This Agreement may be
terminated by either party without giving any reason therefor upon at
least six months prior written notice to the other party; provided,
however, that any termination under this section shall be effective no
earlier than June 30, 2011. Notice by the Executive must be in
writing, must be delivered to the Shareholder and shall be effective upon
delivery. An extraordinary termination pursuant to Section 626
BGB (Termination for Cause) is not affected by these
rules.
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2.2
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At
any time during the term of this Agreement, the Shareholder is entitled to
relieve the Executive from his obligation to work. In such a
case, the Executive shall not engage in any activity during the term of
this Agreement for which he is, will be, or would normally be entitled to
remuneration without the prior written consent of the
Shareholder.
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2.3
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In
the event of relief of the Executive from his obligation to work, the
Executive shall continue to be entitled during the term of this Agreement
to compensation and benefits as provided for in this Agreement, subject to
the specific terms of those provisions, but only for as long as Executive
has not been employed by another
employer.
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Article
3
Secrecy/Business
Records
3.1
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The
Executive shall not disclose to any third party, or use for his personal
gain, any confidential, technical or other business information entrusted
to him, or which has otherwise become known to him and which relates to
the Automotive Division, the Company or to any of its
Affiliates. In particular, the Executive shall not disclose any
confidential or proprietary information concerning the organization of the
business, relations with customers and suppliers or technical know-how,
design or intellectual property, trade secrets, or any other marketing,
commercial or technical information considered confidential or proprietary
by the Automotive Division. This obligation shall not expire
upon termination of Executives employment but shall remain in
force.
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3.2
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The
Executive shall use business records of any kind, including private notes,
concerning the Automotive Divisions or the Companys affairs and
activities, only for business purposes. The Executive shall not
make copies or extracts or duplicates of drawings, calculations,
statistics, and the like, nor of any other business records, for purposes
other than for the Automotive Divisions
business.
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3.3
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Upon
termination of his employment (or upon request of the CEO upon or after
the giving of notice of termination), the Executive shall return to the
Company of his own accord all business records and copies thereof which
are in his possession. The Executive shall have no right of
retention as to any such records or copies. The Executive shall
also at such time return to the Company all keys, goods and other
equipment in his possession which are the property of the Company or any
of its Affiliates or to which the Company or any of its Affiliates has the
right of possession. The same applies in case the Executive is
assigned a different managerial position with respect to those business
records and properties that the Executive no longer needs in order to
perform in his new position.
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Article
4
Salary, Allowable Expenses
and Other Benefits
4.1
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Beginning
on the Commencement Date the Executive shall receive an annual gross
salary (the Salary) of 500,000 (five hundred thousand Euros) subject to
annual review. The Salary shall be payable in twelve equal
monthly installments to be paid at the end of each month, all after
deduction of the amounts to be withheld in accordance with
law. The Salary entitlement may not be assigned or pledged by
the Executive. The Salary includes payment for any work
performed by the Executive outside of normal working
hours.
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4.2
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Travel
expenses and other necessary and adequate expenses incurred by the
Executive in the furtherance of the Automotive Divisions business shall be
reimbursed against proof to the extent they are reasonable and in
accordance with rules applicable in Germany for tax purposes and with the
then effective travel policy of the
Company.
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4.3
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For
so long as the Executive holds the position of CEO of the Automotive
Division of Xxxxxx International and has not been assigned a different
managerial position, in addition to his Salary, the Executive may be
entitled to an annual bonus based on performance parameters as decided
each year in the sole discretion of the Shareholder and on a target of 60%
of his Salary in accordance with the MIC Corporate
Guidelines. The annual bonus can be up to 50% higher depending
on achievement of superior results in line with the MIC Corporate
guidelines. The annual bonus shall be governed by the terms and
conditions of the bonus plan and parameters for the Automotive
Division. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, the annual
bonus shall be guaranteed at the target level of 150,000, and payable
during the month of August 2009. The parties acknowledge that the Salary
already reflects the parties mutual risk should the Company release the
Executive from his obligation to work, and therefore the Executive shall
have no right to claim any bonus or pro rata bonus should the Company
(with or without termination of this Agreement) release the Executive from
his obligation to work. It is understood and agreed by the
parties that any bonus payments by the Company shall be voluntary one-time
remunerations and will not result in any future obligations by the Company
or any of its Affiliates.
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4.4
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Within
thirty (30) days of the Commencement Date, the Executive will receive a
one-time grant under the Shareholders 2002 Stock Option and Incentive Plan
(2002 Plan) covering a total of 25,000 shares of its common
stock. Subsequent grants, if any, will be at the sole
discretion of the Shareholders board of directors, and all grants will be
solely governed by the terms of the option plan or program under which
they are granted.
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4.5
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Within
thirty (30) days after the third anniversary of the Commencement Date, and
provided that the Executive is then employed by the Company, the Executive
will be granted 5,000 shares of HII common stock under the 2002 Plan,
which shares shall be non-forfeitable and non-restricted on the date of
grant.
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4.6
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The
Executive shall be entitled to a company pension in the form of an annual
gross pension payment (Annual Pension), to be calculated and paid as
follows:
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The
Annual Pension shall be in the amount of 54,000, and shall be paid in twelve
(12) equal monthly installments commencing the month following the month during
which the last one of the following conditions has been satisfied:
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(i)
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the
Executive has attained the age of
60;
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(ii)
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the
Executive is not employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates;
and
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(iii)
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The
Executive has completed three full years of consecutive active service as
an employee with the Company and/or its
Affiliate(s)
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provided, however, that the
Executive shall cease to be entitled to payment of an Annual Pension after his
reemployment by the Company or any of its Affiliates.
The
Annual Pension shall be increased by 18,000 for each full year of active service
under this Agreement completed between June 30, 2011 and June 30,
2013.
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The right
to payment of an Annual Pension hereunder shall cease upon the Executives death;
provided, however,
that, in case of the Executives death during his employment with the Company,
the Executives spouse shall not be entitled to an Annual Pension, but shall
instead be entitled to a death benefit in the form of a one-time payment in an
amount equal to the Executives eligible salary.
For
purposes of this Section 4.6, the term eligible salary shall mean the average
annual salary pursuant to Section 4.1 of this Agreement paid to the Executive
during the Executives last five consecutive years of employment with the
Company. The term eligible salary shall not include any other kind of
payments, benefits, or compensation made or granted to the
Executive.
4.7
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In
addition, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Companys
benefit plans. The Company will also provide for the following insurance
payments under policies issued by
LVM:
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a)
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Risk
life insurance: NR 3.229.580.107 - annual payment of 16,500 (sixteen
thousand five hundred Euros).
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b)
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Risk
Insurance: NR 3.229.600.108 - annual payment of 8,000 (eight
thousand Euros).
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c)
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Direct
Insurance: NR 3.227.733.100 - annual payment of 1,800 (one thousand eight
hundred Euros).
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4.8
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It
is the Companys and the Executives mutual intention that the Executive
relocate to Karlsbad or surrounding area. Upon submission of
the respective invoices according to Company policy, the Executive shall
be entitled to reimbursement by the Company of the following relocation
expenses:
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a)
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reasonable
closing costs;
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b)
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reasonable
moving costs for normal household goods and personal possession with
certain exceptions (e.g., the Company will
not pay for transportation of antiques, automobiles, art collections and
other special items);
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c)
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reasonable
flat accommodation in Karlsbad for a period of 7 months; monthly rental
amount of the flat is subject to the approval of the
CEO.
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4.9.
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The
Company shall provide to the Executive a company car, in accordance with
its policy for executives at similar levels. The Company shall
bear those car expenses (e.g., insurance, car
tax, repairs) that are associated with the business use of the company
car. The Executive may use the company car for private
purposes. Any taxes imposed with respect to such private usage
shall be borne by the Executive.
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4.10
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The
Company shall also reimburse Executive up to an annual maximum amount of
8,000 (eight thousand Euros) for tuition for Executives dependent
children.
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Article
5
Vacation
The
Executive shall be entitled to an annual vacation of thirty (30) working days
excluding Saturdays. The time of vacation shall be determined in
consultation with the Shareholder and the other managing directors of Company,
taking into consideration the personal preferences of the Executive and the
interests of the Automotive Division. In the year of termination of
this Agreement, the entitlement to vacation shall be calculated on a pro rata basis.
Article
6
Sickness
In case
the Executive is temporarily unable to perform his duties as Executive due to
sickness or absence not caused by the Executive's negligence, Company shall
continue to pay the Executive the Salary for a period of six weeks and, after
such period, for a period of 6 months minus six weeks, the difference between
the statutory sickness allowance and the Executives latest net income from
Salary, but the Executive shall assign to Company any claims the Executive may
have against third parties relating to such sickness or absence.
Article
7
Inventions
7.1
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Any
invention, design, concept, xxxx, know-how or other intellectual property
which arises out of the Executive's activities for the Company or which is
made with respect to the experience, work or business of the Automotive
Division (work-related intellectual property or "WIP") becomes the
property of the Company without
compensation.
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7.2
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Inventions,
designs, concepts, marks, know-how or other intellectual property which do
not represent WIP (free intellectual property or "FIP") must be reported
to the Shareholder in writing immediately. The Shareholder, on
behalf of the Company, may take an interest in FIP with or without
limitations. The Shareholder must report its intention to the
Executive within four (4) months of the report of the FIP by the Executive
to the Shareholder.
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7.3
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In
case of restricted acquisition of FIP, the Company shall receive a joint
use right based on terms provided by the Company; in the case of total
acquisition, all rights in the FIP go to the Companies. The
Shareholder and the Executive will agree on compensation according to the
provisions of the Law Concerning Inventions Made by Employees and the
regulations issued in connection with said law, which law shall apply in
any case in case any portion of this Article 7 is unenforceable, but only
to the extent of such
unenforceability.
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Article
8
Covenant Not to
Compete
8.1
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During
the term and until the effective date of termination or expiration of this
Agreement the Executive shall not:
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(a)
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lend
money to or engage, participate, assist, invest or have an equity
interest, directly or indirectly, whether as partner, owner, consultant,
agent or otherwise, in any business or enterprise that is in competition
with any business activity of the Company or any of its Affiliates or is
in competition with the sale of any products sold by the Automotive
Division as exclusive dealer other than by holding less than 5% of the
shares, voting or otherwise, in a publicly-traded company quoted on a
recognized stock exchange;
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(b)
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engage,
hire, suggest or assist in or influence the engagement or hiring by any
competing business or enterprise of, any salesman, distributor, supplier,
employee or officer of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or otherwise
cause or encourage any person having a business relationship with the
Company or any of its Affiliates to sever such relationship with, or
commit any act inimical to, the Company or any of its
Affiliates;
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(c)
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use
or divulge to others the customer or supplier lists of the Company or any
of its Affiliates or, directly or indirectly, whether as a partner, owner,
consultant, agent or otherwise, solicit or transact business with any
customers or suppliers of the Company or any of their Affiliates;
or
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(d)
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cause
or permit any person, legal or otherwise, directly or indirectly under
control of the Executive to do any of the
foregoing.
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8.2
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During
the term and upon termination of this Agreement and for a period of two
years thereafter, the Executive shall not solicit or entice any officer,
director or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates to leave
their employment with the Company or its respective
Affiliate.
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8.3
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If
the Executive breaches any of the obligations contained in this Article 8,
for each such instance of breach the Executive shall pay the Company a
penalty in the amount of 15,000.. Each week of continuing
breach shall constitute an additional instance of breach. In
addition, the Executive shall be required to reimburse the Company for any
additional damages suffered by it and any of its Affiliates by reason of
such breach.
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Article
9
Other
Provisions
9.1
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Any
amendments or supplements to this Agreement must be in writing signed by
both the Executive and the Shareholder in order to be effective, including
any amendment to this
provision.
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9.2
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The
English language version of this Agreement shall be controlling in all
respects, irrespective of the existence of a translation hereof into the
German language.
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9.3
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This
Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
and supersedes and cancels any prior written or oral agreement between the
Executive and the Company and its Affiliates or any of them, including,
without limitation, any prior employment agreements or arrangements,
whether written or oral.
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9.4
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This
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of
Germany.
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9.5
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The
invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the
validity of the remainder hereof. Any invalid provision or any
omission, if any, in this Agreement shall be replaced by an appropriate
provision which best approximates the economic arrangement intended by the
parties.
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9.6
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All
disputes arising from this Agreement, the validity of its conclusion and
its interpretation, shall be decided by an arbitration court which shall
have exclusive jurisdiction over such matters, and which jurisdiction
shall exclude the jurisdiction by any court over such
matters. Pursuant to Article 1031, para. 5 of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure, a special arbitration agreement is concluded thereon,
which is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit
1.
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Harman
Management GmbH
represented
by its shareholder
Xxxxxx
International Industries, Inc.
By:
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Xxxx Xxxxxx
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Date:
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May 30, 2008
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Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxx
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|||||
Title: Vice
President, Chief HR Officer
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
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Date:
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May 30, 2008
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Exhibit
1
ARBITRATION
AGREEMENT
between
Harman
Management GmbH
and
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
The
parties agree hereby as follows: All disputes arising from the
Managing Director Employment Contract appended hereto between Xxxxx Xxxxxxx and
Harman Management GmbH including its validity shall be finally settled by three
arbitrators according to the Arbitration Rules of the German Institution of
Arbitration e.V. (DIS) without recourse to the ordinary courts of
law. The arbitration tribunal shall also decide on the validity of
this arbitration agreement. The arbitral tribunal shall apply German
substantive law. The language of the arbitration proceedings shall be
English. If one party desires consideration of a document or of witness
testimony in another language, that party must undertake the prior translation
or simultaneous translation, respectively, of the same and alone carry such as a
separate, non-refundable expense. The place of arbitration shall be
Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. With the exception of possible
translation expenses as described above, the winning party is entitled to the
award of all necessary (in accordance to 91, ZPO (German Civil Procedure Code))
costs and necessary (in accordance to 91, ZPO (German Civil Procedure Code))
expenses in connection with the proceedings (including attorneys' fees in
accordance with the German Fee schedule (RVG)).
(Signature
page follows)
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Harman
Management GmbH
represented
by its shareholder
Xxxxxx
International Industries, Inc.
By:
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Xxxx Xxxxxx
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Date:
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May 30, 2008
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Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxx
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|||||
Title: Vice
President, Chief HR Officer
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
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Date:
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May 30, 2008
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