form14-a.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A 
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. _____)
 
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box: 
   
o
Preliminary Proxy Statement
o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x
Definitive Proxy Statement
o
Definitive Additional Materials
o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Interface, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
x
No fee required.
o
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 
______________________________________________________  
 
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 
______________________________________________________  
 
(3)
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
______________________________________________________  
 
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 
______________________________________________________  
 
(5)
Total fee paid: 
______________________________________________________  

o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
   
o 
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
 
for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
 
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing:

 
(1)
Amount previously paid: 
______________________________________________________  
 
(2)
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 
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(3)
Filing party: 
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(4)
Date Filed: 
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Interface, Inc.
2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 2000
Atlanta, Georgia 30339

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The annual meeting of shareholders of Interface, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at the Vinings Club located at 2859 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, Georgia.  The purposes of the meeting are to consider and vote upon:

 
 
Item                                                              
 
Recommended
     Vote     
       
1.
The election of eleven members of the Board of Directors, five directors to be elected by the holders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and six directors to be elected by the holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock.
 
FOR
       
2.
The ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent auditors for 2008.
 
 
FOR
3.
Such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and at any adjournments of the meeting.
   

The Board of Directors set March 12, 2008 as the record date for the meeting.  This means that only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 2008 will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments of the meeting.

A Proxy Statement solicited by the Board of Directors is attached to this notice. Please promptly complete and return a Proxy Card or use telephone or Internet voting at your earliest convenience. Voting your Proxy in a timely manner will assure your representation at the annual meeting. You may, of course, change or withdraw your Proxy at any time prior to the voting at the meeting.

The Company’s 2007 Annual Report to Shareholders and Proxy Statement for the 2008 annual meeting are available at www.edocumentview.com/ITFC.  Directions to attend the meeting can be found at www.memberstatements.com/Clubs/CSG-Vinings/Uploaded/FacilityPics/directions1.pdf.

By order of the Board of Directors

                                          /s/ RAYMOND S. WILLOCH                                   
RAYMOND S. WILLOCH
Secretary

April 8, 2008



PLEASE PROMPTLY COMPLETE AND RETURN A PROXY CARD
OR USE TELEPHONE OR INTERNET VOTING PRIOR TO THE MEETING SO THAT YOUR VOTE
MAY BE RECORDED AT THE MEETING IF YOU DO NOT ATTEND PERSONALLY.




     

 
 

 


Interface, Inc.

2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 2000
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
_______________

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
_______________

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Board of Directors of Interface, Inc. (the “Company”) is furnishing this Proxy Statement to solicit Proxies for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to be voted at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company.  The meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20, 2008.  The Proxies also may be voted at any adjournments of the meeting.  It is anticipated that this Proxy Statement will first be made available to shareholders on April 10, 2008.

The record of shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting was taken as of the close of business on March 12, 2008.  On that date, the Company had outstanding and entitled to vote 55,335,523 shares of Class A Common Stock and 7,153,683 shares of Class B Common Stock. Except for (i) the election and removal of directors, and (ii) class votes as required by law or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, holders of both classes of Common Stock vote as a single class. In all cases, holders of Common Stock (of either class) are entitled to cast one vote per share.

Each Proxy for Class A Common Stock (“Class A Proxy”) or Class B Common Stock (“Class B Proxy”) that is properly completed (whether executed in writing or submitted by telephone or Internet) by a shareholder will be voted as specified by the shareholder in the Proxy. If no specification is made, the Proxy will be voted (i) for the election of the nominees (Class A or Class B, as the case may be) listed in this Proxy Statement under the caption “Nomination and Election of Directors,” and (ii) for the ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent auditors for 2008.  A Proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by a shareholder who attends the meeting and gives notice of his or her election to vote in person, without compliance with any other formalities. In addition, a Proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked prior to the meeting by delivering to the Secretary of the Company either an instrument revoking it or a duly executed Proxy for the same shares bearing a later date.

An automated system administered by the Company’s transfer agent tabulates the votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes are included in the determination of the number of shares present and entitled to vote for the purpose of establishing a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee who holds shares for a customer does not have authority to vote on certain non-routine matters because its customer has not provided any voting instructions on the matter.  Abstentions are the equivalent of a non-vote since (i) directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, and (ii) other proposals are approved if the affirmative votes cast exceed the negative votes cast.  Broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved.

If your shares of Common Stock are held by a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”), you should receive instructions from your nominee, which you must follow in order to have your shares voted – the instructions may appear on a special proxy card provided to you by your nominee (also called a “voting instruction form”). Your nominee may offer you different methods of voting, such as by telephone or Internet. If you do hold your shares in “street name” and plan on attending the annual meeting of shareholders, you should request a proxy from your broker or other nominee holding your shares in record name on your behalf in order to attend the annual meeting and vote at that time (your broker or other nominee may refer to it as a “legal” proxy).

The expense of this solicitation, including the cost of preparing and mailing this Proxy Statement, will be paid by the Company. Copies of solicitation material may be furnished to banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding to the beneficial owners of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, and normal handling charges may be paid for the forwarding service. In addition to solicitations by mail, directors and employees of the Company may solicit Proxies in person or by telephone, fax or e-mail. The Company also has retained Georgeson Inc., a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in soliciting Proxies from record and beneficial owners of shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The fee paid by the Company for such assistance will be $7,500 (plus expenses).


     

 

 

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(ITEM 1)

The Bylaws of the Company provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of a maximum of 15 directors, the exact number of directors being established by action of the Board taken from time to time.  The Board of Directors has currently set the number of directors at 11.  The holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to elect a majority (six) of the Board members. The holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to elect the remaining (five) directors. The term of office for each director continues until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor, if there is to be one, has been elected and has qualified.

In the event that any nominee for director withdraws or for any reason is not able to serve as a director, each Proxy that is properly executed and returned will be voted for such other person as may be designated as a substitute nominee by the Board of Directors, but in no event will any Class A Proxy be voted for more than five nominees or Class B Proxy be voted for more than six nominees. Each nominee is an incumbent director standing for re-election, and has consented to being named herein and to continue serving as a director if re-elected.

Certain information relating to each nominee proposed by the Board is set forth below.  Directors are required to submit an offer of resignation upon experiencing a job change.

CLASS A NOMINEES

Name (Age)                                                                                                     Information

Dianne Dillon-Ridgley (56)                                                      
Ms. Dillon-Ridgley was elected to the Board in February 1997. Ms. Dillon-Ridgley has served as the U.N. Headquarters representative for the World YWCA since 1997 and for the Center for International Environmental Law since 2005. From 1995 to 1998, she served as senior policy analyst with the Women’s Environment and Development Organization, and from 1998 to 1999 she served as Executive Director of that organization. She was appointed by President Clinton to the President’s Council on Sustainable Development in 1994 and served as Co-Chair of the Council’s International and Population/Consumption Task Forces until the Council’s dissolution in June 1999. Ms. Dillon-Ridgley also serves on the boards of seven nonprofit organizations.
 
Dr. June M. Henton (68)                                                      
Dr. Henton was elected as a director in February 1995. Since 1985, Dr. Henton has served as Dean of the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, which includes an Interior Design program. Dr. Henton, who received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, has provided leadership for a wide variety of professional, policy and civic organizations. As a charter member of the Operating Board of the National Textile Center, Dr. Henton has significant expertise in the integration of academic and research programs within the textile industry.  Dr. Henton also serves on the board of one nonprofit organization.
 
Christopher G. Kennedy (44)                                                      
Mr. Kennedy was elected as a director in May 2000. He became an Executive Vice President of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (a subsidiary of Vornado Realty Trust based in Chicago, Illinois) in 1994 and President in October 2000. Since 1994, he has served on the Board of Trustees of Ariel Mutual Funds. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Kennedy served as the Chairman of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. Mr. Kennedy also serves on the boards of three nonprofit organizations.
 


     

 
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K. David Kohler (41)                                                      
Mr. Kohler was elected as a director in October 2006.  He serves as Executive Vice President for Kohler Co., a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, tile, cabinetry, engines and power generation systems, and an owner/operator of golf and spa destinations.  Mr. Kohler was previously a chairman of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s Board of Governors of Manufacturing.  He is currently a member of the board of Kohler Co., and has previously served on the board of a privately-held manufacturer.  He is also a director of Internacional de Cerámira, S.A.B. de C.V., a public company traded on the Mexican Stock Market.
   
Thomas R. Oliver (67)                                                      
Mr. Oliver was elected as a director in July 1998. He served as Chairman of Six Continents Hotels (formerly Bass Hotels and Resorts), the hotel business of Six Continents, PLC (formerly Bass PLC), from March 1997 until his retirement in March 2003, and served as Chief Executive Officer of Six Continents Hotels from March 1997 to October 2002. Mr. Oliver also currently serves as a director of UDR, Inc. (formerly United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc.).

CLASS B NOMINEES
Name (Age)                                                                                                     Information

Ray C. Anderson (73)                                                     
Mr. Anderson founded Interface in 1973 and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement as Chief Executive Officer and transition from day-to-day management in July 2001, at which time he became Interface’s non-executive Chairman of the Board. He chairs the Executive Committee of the Board and remains available for policy level consultation on substantially a full time basis. Mr. Anderson was appointed by President Clinton to the President’s Council on Sustainable Development in 1996 and served as Co-Chair until the Council’s dissolution. He currently serves on the boards of one private company and seven nonprofit organizations.
 
Edward C. Callaway (53)                                                     
Mr. Callaway was elected as a director in October 2003.  Since November 2003, Mr. Callaway has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, a nonprofit organization that owns the Callaway Gardens Resort and has an environmental mission of conservation, education and land stewardship.  Mr. Callaway has served in various capacities at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and successor companies, including the capacities of President and Chief Executive Officer (1987-2003) and Chairman (2003), and currently serves as a director.  Mr. Callaway serves on the boards of two other nonprofit organizations.
 
Carl I. Gable (68)                                                     
Mr. Gable was elected as a director in March 1984. He is a private investor and was an attorney with the Atlanta-based law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP, from March 1996 until April 1998.  Mr. Gable also served as a director of Fidelity Southern Corporation from July 2000 to November 2002. Mr. Gable currently serves as the lead independent director of the Board.
 
Daniel T. Hendrix (53)                                                     
Mr. Hendrix joined the Company in 1983 after having worked previously for a national accounting firm. He was promoted to Treasurer of the Company in 1984, Chief Financial Officer in 1985, Vice President-Finance in 1986, Senior Vice President-Finance in 1995, Executive Vice President in 2000, and President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2001. He was elected to the Board in October 1996.  Mr. Hendrix served as a director of Global Imaging Systems, Inc. from 2003 to 2007, and has served as a director of American Woodmark Corp. since May 2005.

     

 
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James B. Miller, Jr. (67)                                                      
Mr. Miller was elected as a director in May 2000. Since 1979, Mr. Miller has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Southern Corporation, the holding company for Fidelity Bank.  He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank from 1977 to1997 and from 2003 to the present.  Mr. Miller also has served as Chairman of LionMark Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Fidelity Southern Corporation, since 2004.  Mr. Miller currently serves on the boards of three private companies and six nonprofit organizations.
Harold M. Paisner (68)                                                     
Mr. Paisner was elected as a director in February 2007.  Mr. Paisner is Senior Partner of the law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, LLP in London, England.  He currently is a member of the respective boards of FIBI Bank (UK) plc and Think London (the official inward investment agency of London, England), and serves as a Governor of Ben Gurion University of the Negev and as a Trustee of the Institute of Jewish Policy Research.  Formerly, Mr. Paisner has served as a director of LINPAC Group Limited and Estates & Agency Holdings plc.
 
Vote Required and Recommendation of Board

Under the Company’s Bylaws, election of each of the five Class A nominees requires a plurality of the votes cast by the Company’s outstanding Class A Common Stock entitled to vote and represented (in person or by proxy) at the meeting. Election of each of the six Class B nominees requires a plurality of the votes cast by the Company’s outstanding Class B Common Stock entitled to vote and represented (in person or by proxy) at the meeting. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE CLASS A NOMINEES AND CLASS B NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE, AND PROXIES EXECUTED AND RETURNED OR VOTED BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES (CLASS A OR CLASS B, AS APPLICABLE) UNLESS CONTRARY INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED.

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors held six meetings during 2007. All of the directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and any committees of which he or she was a member.

The Board of Directors has the following standing committees that assist the Board in carrying out its duties:  the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating & Governance Committee.  The following table lists the members of each committee:

 
Executive Committee
 
 
Audit Committee
 
 
Compensation Committee
 
Nominating & Governance Committee
             
Ray C. Anderson (Chair)
 
Carl I. Gable (Chair)
 
Thomas R. Oliver (Chair)
 
June M. Henton (Chair)
Carl I. Gable
 
Edward C. Callaway
 
K. David Kohler
 
Dianne Dillon-Ridgley
Daniel T. Hendrix
 
James B. Miller, Jr.
 
Harold M. Paisner
 
Christopher G. Kennedy
James B. Miller, Jr.
         
Thomas R. Oliver

Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee met once and acted by unanimous written consent twice during 2007. With certain limited exceptions, the Executive Committee may exercise all the power and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Company.

     

 
- 4 -

 


Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee met five times during 2007. The function of the Audit Committee is to (i) serve as an independent and objective party to review the Company’s financial statements, financial reporting process and internal control system, (ii) review and evaluate the performance of the Company’s independent auditors and internal financial management, and (iii) provide an open avenue of communication among the Company’s independent auditors, management (including internal financial management) and the Board.  The Board of Directors has determined that all three members of the Audit Committee are “independent” in accordance with applicable law, including the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, and that each of the three members of the Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter that was adopted by the Board of Directors.  The Audit Committee Charter may be viewed on the Company’s website, www.interfaceinc.com/results/investor/.

Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee met four times during 2007.  The function of the Compensation Committee is to (i) evaluate the performance of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other senior executives, (ii) determine compensation arrangements for such executives, (iii) administer the Company’s stock and other incentive plans for key employees, and (iv) review the administration of the Company’s employee benefit plans.  The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is “independent” in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The Compensation Committee operates pursuant to a Compensation Committee Charter that was adopted by the Board of Directors.  The Compensation Committee Charter may be viewed on the Company’s website, www.interfaceinc.com/results/investor/.  The Compensation Committee’s policies and philosophy are described in more detail below in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Nominating & Governance Committee.  The Nominating & Governance Committee met once in 2007.  The Nominating & Governance Committee assists the Board in reviewing and analyzing, and makes recommendations regarding, corporate governance matters.  The Nominating & Governance Committee also assists the Board in establishing qualifications for Board membership and in identifying, evaluating and selecting qualified candidates to be nominated for election to the Board.  In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating & Governance Committee develops a pool of potential director candidates for consideration. The Nominating & Governance Committee seeks candidates for election and appointment with excellent decision-making ability, valuable and varied business experience and knowledge, impeccable personal integrity and reputation, and diversity of background and experience.  The Nominating & Governance Committee considers whether candidates are free of restraints or conflicts which might interfere with the exercise of independent judgment regarding the types of matters likely to come before the Board, and have the time required for preparation, participation and attendance at Board and committee meetings.  Other factors considered by the Nominating & Governance Committee in identifying and selecting candidates include the needs of the Company and the range of talent and experience already represented on the Board.  The Nominating & Governance Committee solicits suggestions from other members of the Board regarding persons to be considered as possible nominees.  Shareholders who wish the Nominating & Governance Committee to consider their recommendations for director candidates should submit their recommendations in writing to the Nominating & Governance Committee, in care of the office of the Chairman of the Board, Interface, Inc., 2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 2000, Atlanta, GA 30339.  Recommendations should include the information which would be required for a “Shareholder Proposal” as set forth in Article II, Section 9 of the Company’s Bylaws.  Director candidates that are recommended by shareholders in accordance with these procedures will be evaluated by the Nominating & Governance Committee in the same manner as director candidates recommended by the Company’s directors.

The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating & Governance Committee is “independent” in accordance with applicable law, including the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  The Nominating & Governance Committee operates pursuant to a Nominating & Governance Committee Charter that was adopted by the Board of Directors.  The Nominating & Governance Committee Charter may be viewed on the Company’s website, www.interfaceinc.com/results/investor/.

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT STOCK OWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth, as of February 1, 2008 (unless otherwise indicated), beneficial ownership of each class of the Company’s Common Stock by: (i) each person, including any “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities, (ii) each nominee for director, (iii) the Company’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and next three most highly compensated executive officers (the “Named Executive Officers”), and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.

     

 
- 5 -

 


Beneficial Owner (and Business Address of 5% Owners)
 
Title
of
Class
 
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
 
Percent
of
Class(1)
 
Percent of
Class A
After
Conversion(2)
   
 
                 
Ray C. Anderson                                                              
 
Class A
    15,000 (3)     *       6.0 %
2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 2000
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
 
Class B
    3,517,574 (3)     47.2 %        
                             
Ariel Capital Management, LLC                                                                
200 E. Randolph Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, Illinois 60601
 
Class A
    5,016,845 (4)(5)     9.0 %        
                           
                             
FMR LLC and Edward C. Johnson  III                                                      
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02109
 
Class A
    3,807,183 (4)(6)     6.9 %        
                             
Munder Capital Management                                                                
480 Pierce Street
Birmingham, MI  48009
 
Class A
    3,453,241 (4)(7)     6.2 %        
                             
Neuberger Berman, Inc.                                                                
605 Third Avenue
New York, New York  10158
 
Class A
    4,051,070 (4)(8)     7.3 %        
                             
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
One Wall Street, 31st Floor
New York, New York  10286
 
Class A
    3,158,392 (4)(9)     5.7 %        
                             
Edward C. Callaway                                                                
 
Class A
    10,000       *       *  
   
Class B
    31,000 (10)     *          
                             
Dianne Dillon-Ridgley                                                                
 
Class A
    100       *       *  
   
Class B
    30,000 (11)     *          
                             
Carl I. Gable                                                                
 
Class A
    2,640 (12)     *       *  
   
Class B
    91,244 (12)     1.2 %        
                             
Daniel T. Hendrix                                                                
 
Class A
    72,260       *       1.3 %
   
Class B
    659,898 (13)     8.9 %        
                             
June M. Henton                                                                
 
Class A
    2,000       *       *  
   
Class B
    39,600 (14)     *          
                             
Christopher G. Kennedy                                                                
 
Class A
    30,223 (15)     *       *  
   
Class B
    40,000 (15)     *          
                             
K. David Kohler                                                               
 
Class A
    0       *       *  
   
Class B
    16,000 (16)     *          
                             
Patrick C. Lynch                                                                
 
Class A
    31,253       *       *  
   
Class B
    160,967 (17)     2.2 %        
                             
James B. Miller, Jr                                                                
 
Class A
    22,000 (18)     *       *  
   
Class B
    40,000 (18)     *          
                             
Thomas R. Oliver                                                                
 
Class A
    100,000       *       *  
   
Class B
    70,000 (19)     *          

     

 
- 6 -

 


                         
Beneficial Owner (and Business Address of 5% Owners)
   
Title
of
Class
 
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
 
Percent
of
Class(1)
 
Percent of
Class A
After
Conversion(2)
                         
Harold M. Paisner                                                                 
   
Class A
    0       *       *  
     
Class B
    16,000 (20)     *          
                               
Lindsey K. Parnell                                                                 
   
Class A
    43,440       *       *  
     
Class B
    158,230 (21)     2.1 %        
                               
John R. Wells                                                                 
   
Class A
    137,326       *       *  
     
Class B
    296,724 (22)     4.0 %        
                               
Raymond S. Willoch                                                                
   
Class A
    37,486       *       *  
     
Class B
    169,339 (23)     2.3 %        
                               
All executive officers and directors                                                            
   
Class A
    579,101       1.0 %     10.1 %
as a group (18 persons)
   
Class B
    5,588,833 (24)     72.5 %        
__________

*     Less than 1%.

 
(1)
Shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible, on a share-for-share basis, into shares of Class A Common Stock. The number of Class A shares indicated as beneficially owned by each person or group does not include Class A shares such person or group could acquire upon conversion of Class B shares.  Percent of Class is calculated assuming that the beneficial owner has exercised any conversion rights, options or other rights to subscribe held by such beneficial owner that are exercisable within 60 days (not including Class A shares that could be acquired upon conversion of Class B shares), and that no other conversion rights, options or rights to subscribe have been exercised by anyone else.

 
(2)
Represents the percent of Class A shares the named person or group would beneficially own if such person or group, and only such person or group, converted all Class B shares beneficially owned by such person or group into Class A shares.

 
(3)
Represents 15,000 Class A shares held by Mr. Anderson’s wife, although Mr. Anderson disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.  Also includes 19,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Anderson pursuant to exercisable stock options, and 22,786 Class B shares that Mr. Anderson beneficially owns through the Company’s 401(k) plan.

 
(4)
Based upon information included in statements as of December 31, 2007 provided to the Company and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by such beneficial owners.

 
(5)
All such shares are held by Ariel Capital Management, LLC (“Ariel”) for the accounts of investment advisory clients.  Ariel, in its capacity as investment advisor, has sole voting power with respect to 2,304,860 of such shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 5,005,560 of such shares.

 
(6)
FMR LLC is a parent holding company.  Fidelity Management & Research Company (“Fidelity”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR LLC and is a registered investment advisor, beneficially owns 3,807,183 shares of Class A Common Stock.  Mr. Johnson and FMR LLC (through its control of Fidelity) and the Fidelity funds state that each has sole power to dispose of those 3,807,183 shares; however, none of them has sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares, which power resides with the Boards of Trustees of the funds.

 
(7)
Munder Capital Management has sole voting power with respect to 3,178,776 of such shares and has sole dispositive power with respect to 3,453,241 of such shares.

 
(8)
Neuberger Berman, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 3,239,900 of such shares and has sole dispositive power with respect to 4,051,070 of such shares.

 
(9)
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has sole voting power with respect to 2,874,716 of such shares and has sole dispositive power with respect to 3,152,792 of such shares.

     

 
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(10)
Includes 7,500 restricted Class B shares, and 16,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Callaway pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(11)
Includes 7,500 restricted Class B shares, and 15,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Ms. Dillon-Ridgley pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(12)
Includes 140 Class A shares held by Mr. Gable as custodian for his son.  Includes 7,500 restricted Class B shares, and 15,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Gable pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(13)
Includes 336,227 restricted Class B shares, and 4,287 Class B shares beneficially owned by Mr. Hendrix pursuant to the Company’s 401(k) plan.

 
(14)
Includes 7,500 restricted Class B shares, and 15,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Dr. Henton pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(15)
Includes 7,500 restricted Class B shares, and 25,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Kennedy pursuant to exercisable stock options. Mr. Kennedy serves on the Board of Trustees of Ariel Mutual Funds, for which Ariel Capital Management, LLC serves as investment advisor and performs services which include buying and selling securities on behalf of the Ariel Mutual Funds. Mr. Kennedy disclaims beneficial ownership of all Class A shares held by Ariel Capital Management, LLC as investment advisor for Ariel Mutual Funds.

 
(16)
Includes 6,000 restricted Class B shares, and 10,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Kohler pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(17)
Includes 130,966 restricted Class B shares.

 
(18)
Includes 3,000 Class A shares held by Mr. Miller as custodian for his daughter.  Includes 7,500 restricted Class B shares, and 25,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Miller pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(19)
Includes 7,500 restricted Class B shares, and 55,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Oliver pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(20)
Includes 6,000 restricted Class B shares, and 10,000 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Paisner pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(21)
Includes 156,730 restricted Class B shares, and 1,500 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Parnell pursuant to exercisable stock options.

 
(22)
Includes 211,335 restricted Class B shares, and 64,682 Class B shares that may be acquired by Mr. Wells pursuant to exercisable stock options.  Also includes 10,334 Class B shares beneficially owned by Mr. Wells pursuant to the Company’s 401(k) plan.

 
(23)
Includes 153,340 restricted Class B shares.

 
(24)
Includes 1,257,175 restricted Class B shares, and 279,182 Class B shares that may be acquired by all executive officers and directors as a group pursuant to exercisable stock options.  Also includes 41,236 Class B shares that are beneficially owned through the Company’s 401(k) plan.

     

 
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overall Philosophy and Objectives

The Company’s compensation program is designed in a manner intended to both attract and retain a highly-qualified, motivated and engaged management team whose focus is on enhancing shareholder value.  The Company believes a straightforward program that is readily understood and endorsed by its participants best serves these goals, and has constructed a program that contains (1) multiple financial elements, (2) clear and definitive targets, (3) challenging but attainable objectives, and (4) specified performance metrics.  More specifically, the objectives of the Company’s management compensation program include:

·  
Establishing strong links between the Company’s performance and total compensation earned – i.e., “paying for performance”;
 
·  
Providing incentives for executives to achieve specific performance objectives;
 
·  
Promoting and facilitating management stock ownership, and thereby motivating management to think and act as owners;
 
·  
Emphasizing the Company’s mid and long-term performance, thus enhancing shareholder value; and
 
·  
Offering market competitive total compensation opportunities to attract and retain talented executives.
 
Program Design and Administration

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed entirely of independent directors, has developed and administers the Company’s executive pay program so as to provide compensation commensurate with the level of financial performance achieved, the responsibilities undertaken by the executives, and the compensation packages offered by comparable companies.  The program currently consists of four principal components, each of which is designed to drive a specific behavioral focus, which in turn helps to provide specific benefits to the Company:

Program Component
___________________________
 
Behavioral Focus
_______________________________
 
Ultimate Benefit to Company
__________________________________
         
Competitive base salary
 
Rewards individual competencies, performance and level of experience
 
 
Assists with attraction and retention of highly-qualified executives, and promotes management stability
         
Annual cash bonuses based on achievement of established goals
 
Rewards individual performance and operational results of specific business units and Company as a whole
 
 
Aligns individual interests with overall short term objectives, and reinforces “pay for performance” program goals
         
Long-term incentives
 
 
Rewards engagement, longevity, sustained performance and actions designed to enhance overall shareholder value
 
Aligns individual interests with the long-term investment interests of shareholders, and assists with retention of highly-qualified executives
         
Other elements such as special incentives, retirement benefits and elective deferred compensation
 
Rewards targeted operational results, engagement and longevity, and sustained performance
 
Focuses enhanced efforts on a particular key objective (e.g., debt reduction), aligns individual interests with  the long-term investment interests of shareholders, assists with the attraction and retention of highly-qualified executives, and promotes management stability

The Company strives to structure various elements of these program components so that a large portion of executive compensation is directly linked to advancing the Company’s financial performance and the interests of shareholders.


     

 
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The Committee establishes base salaries for the executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers listed in the “Summary Compensation Table” included in this Proxy Statement.  The Committee also administers the annual bonus program, the long-term incentive program, retirement benefits, deferred compensation arrangements, and, when applicable, special incentive programs.  In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee periodically seeks input from a nationally-recognized, independent compensation consultant, retained directly by the Committee, and also seeks input from the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel.  The Committee also takes into account publicly available data relating to the compensation practices and policies of other companies within and outside the Company’s industry.  Furthermore, the policies and programs described below are subject to change as the Committee deems necessary from time to time to respond to economic conditions, meet competitive standards and serve the objectives of the Company and its shareholders.

Discussion of Principal Elements of Compensation Program

Base Salaries

The Committee generally strives to set base salaries at the market median (50th percentile) of salaries offered by other employers in our industry and other publicly traded companies with characteristics similar to the Company (size, growth rate, etc.), based on information provided by an independent compensation consultant.  Some of the companies considered from time to time are included in the list of companies comprising the “self-determined peer group” index used to create the stock performance graph included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007.  The Company’s current self-determined peer group is comprised of the following companies: Actuant Corp.; Acuity Brands, Inc.; Albany International Corp.; BE Aerospace, Inc.; The Dixie Group, Inc.; Herman Miller, Inc.; HNI Corporation; Kimball International, Inc.; Knoll, Inc.; Mohawk Industries, Inc.; Steelcase, Inc.; Unifi, Inc.; and USG Corp.

In addition, the Committee may consider other factors when setting individual salary levels, which may result in salaries somewhat above or below the targeted amount.  These factors include the executive’s level of responsibility, achievement of goals and objectives, tenure with the Company, and specific background or experience, as well as external factors such as the availability of talent, the recruiting requirements of the particular situation, internal equalization policies of the Company, and general economic conditions and rates of inflation.

Base salary adjustments for executive officers generally are made (if at all) annually and are dependent on the factors described above.  Based on the foregoing considerations, in December 2006, the Committee approved 2007 base salary increases for the Named Executive Officers in an aggregate amount of $98,543 for the group of five executives.  The Committee determined the raises were warranted primarily based on increases in the cost of living and, with respect to Mr. Lynch, the Chief Financial Officer, to bring his base salary more in line with market levels.

Please see the “Summary Compensation Table” included in this Proxy Statement for the base salaries of the Named Executive Officers in 2007.

Annual Bonuses

The Committee administers the shareholder-approved Executive Bonus Plan, which provides quarterly and annual bonus opportunities for Company executives.  The bonus opportunities provide an incentive for executives to earn compensation based on the achievement of important corporate or business unit (division or subsidiary) financial performance and, in some cases, individual performance goals.  In determining the appropriate bonus opportunities, the Committee seeks to establish potential awards that, when combined with annual salary, place the total overall cash compensation for the Company’s executives in the third quartile (between the market 50th percentile and the market 75th percentile) for comparable companies, provided that the performance objectives are substantially achieved.

Each executive officer of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer, is assigned a bonus potential (typically ranging between 70% and 110% of base salary), and a personalized set of quarterly and annual financial objectives and, in the case of certain staff positions, non-financial objectives.  Actual awards can range from 0% to 125% of the bonus potential, depending on the degree to which the established financial and non-financial objectives are achieved, and are paid on a quarterly and annual basis in the following manner:

     

 
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Achievement of Objectives
 
Percentage of Bonus
Opportunity Payable
 
Timing of Payment to Employee Participant
         
First Quarter Objectives Achieved
 
15%
 
Approximately 45 days following end of fiscal first quarter
Second Quarter Objectives Achieved
 
15%
 
Approximately 45 days following end of fiscal second quarter
Third Quarter Objectives Achieved
 
15%
 
Approximately 45 days following end of fiscal third quarter
Fourth Quarter Objectives Achieved
 
15%
 
Approximately 60 days following end of fiscal year
Fiscal Year Objectives Achieved
 
40%
 
Approximately 60 days following end of fiscal year

In 2007, 100% of the bonus potential for the Chief Executive Officer and each of the executive officers who were directly accountable for the profitability of a business unit (including Messrs. Wells and Parnell) was based on measurable financial objectives, which consisted of growth in operating income, cash flow, revenue and earnings per share.  Relative weights assigned to these financial objectives were 40%, 30%, 20% and 10%, respectively.  For executives who were not directly accountable for the profitability of a business unit (including Messrs. Lynch and Willoch), 80% of their bonus potential was based on these same financial objectives (relative weights assigned to the financial objectives were 30%, 25%, 15% and 10%, respectively), with the remaining 20% based on non-financial objectives.  Evaluation of non-financial objectives is, inherently, somewhat subjective, and equal weight typically is assigned to each of these objectives.

For 2007, each of the Named Executive Officers received a bonus, which appears in the “Summary Compensation Table” included in this Proxy Statement, as their respective performance objectives were determined to have been achieved, in part, for the year.  The achievements included:

·  
On a consolidated basis (applicable to Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch and Willoch), the Company experienced 30% growth in operating income from continuing operations (to $129.4 million) and 18% growth in net sales (to $1.1 billion) in 2007;
 
·  
Americas floorcoverings (managed by Mr. Wells) experienced 12% growth in net sales and 9% growth in operating income in 2007; and
 
·  
Europe floorcoverings (managed by Mr. Parnell) experienced 25% growth in net sales and 86% growth in operating income in 2007.
 
For fiscal year 2008, annual incentive awards are again based on the achievement of important corporate or business unit (division or subsidiary) financial performance.  The annual incentive awards for 2008 are structured in a manner similar to the annual incentive awards in 2007, except that non-financial objectives have been eliminated (where previously applicable) and the relative weights assigned to financial objectives have been reallocated (50%, 20%, 10% and 20% for operating income, cash flow, revenue and earnings per share, respectively).
 
Long-Term Incentives

The Committee administers the shareholder-approved Interface, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Stock Plan”), which is an equity-based plan that allows for long-term incentive awards such as restricted stock and stock options.  The Omnibus Stock Plan provides for the grant to key employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries of restricted stock, incentive stock options (which qualify for certain favorable tax treatment), nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, deferred shares, performance shares and performance units.


     

 
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Long-term incentives are intended to attract and retain outstanding executive talent, create a direct link between shareholder and executive interests by focusing executive attention on increasing shareholder value, and motivate executives to achieve specific performance objectives.  For instance, stock options (when granted) have an exercise price equal to at least 100% of the market price of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant.  Thus, the stock options only have value if the market price of the Company’s stock rises after the grant date.  Additionally, restricted stock awards generally vest, in whole or in part, over a period of multiple years (five years for the 2007 awards), giving the executive an incentive to remain employed with the Company for a significant time period to vest in an award.  Moreover, awards of restricted stock may vest earlier if specific performance criteria are met, and these performance criteria are designed to drive shareholder value.  (In fact, 50% of the 2007 awards are ineligible for time/retention vesting and are forfeited altogether if performance criteria are not met.)  For the executive officers directly accountable for the profitability of a business unit, the accelerated vesting criteria for the 2007 awards is based on improvement in the applicable business unit’s operating income.  For the Chief Executive Officer, and each of the staff executives not directly accountable for the profitability of a business unit, the accelerated vesting criteria for the 2007 awards is based on improvement in the Company’s consolidated operating income.

The size of the awards made to individual officers is based on an evaluation of several factors, including the officer’s level of responsibility, the officer’s base salary and the Company’s overall compensation objectives.  The amount and nature of prior equity incentive awards are generally considered in determining new Omnibus Stock Plan awards for executive officers.  For fiscal year 2008, restricted stock awards are higher than the typical award in prior years because the awards are made pursuant to a three-year performance program focused on increasing the Company’s earnings per share plus dividends during that period.  A substantial number of such shares are subject to risk of forfeiture if performance criteria are not met.  Because the 2008 awards are made pursuant to a three-year performance program, the Committee currently does not intend to make additional long-term incentive awards to executives in 2009 or 2010.  Consistent with prevailing practices in the marketplace, the Committee currently intends to make long-term incentive awards to non-employee directors each fiscal year.

Description of Available Awards

Restricted Shares

Awards of restricted shares under the Omnibus Stock Plan generally vest over a period of multiple years following the date of award, and may vest earlier if specified performance criteria established by the Committee are satisfied.  Unvested awards are also subject to forfeiture under certain circumstances.  All restricted shares awarded to date have been made without consideration from the participant (although the Omnibus Stock Plan authorizes the Committee, in connection with any award, to require payment by the participant of consideration, which can be less than the fair market value of the award on the date of grant).  Awards of restricted stock generally will not be transferable by the participant other than by will or applicable laws of descent and distribution, although the Committee, in its discretion, may permit limited transfers of awards to family members or for estate planning purposes.

Stock Options

Options granted under the Omnibus Stock Plan may be incentive stock options (as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), nonqualified stock options or a combination of the foregoing, although only employees are eligible to receive incentive stock options.  All options under the Omnibus Stock Plan will be granted at an exercise price per share equal to not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted.  Options may be structured to vest over a period of multiple years.  Options granted under the Omnibus Stock Plan expire following a pre-determined period of time after the date of grant (which may not be more than 10 years after the grant date), and generally will terminate on the date three months following the date that a participant’s employment with the Company terminates.

The Company receives no consideration upon the granting of an option. Full payment of the option exercise price must be made when an option is exercised.  The exercise price may be paid in cash or in such other form as the Company may approve, including shares of Common Stock valued at their fair market value on the date of option exercise.  Options generally will not be transferable by the holder thereof other than by will or applicable laws of descent and distribution, although the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may permit limited transfers of options to family members or for estate planning purposes.


     

 
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Other Potential Awards

The Omnibus Stock Plan also provides for the award of stock appreciation rights, deferred shares, performance shares and performance units.  To date, the Committee has not granted any of these types of awards.

2007 Omnibus Stock Plan Awards to Named Executive Officers
 
The long-term incentive awards made under the Omnibus Stock Plan during 2007 to Company executives consisted of restricted stock grants with performance-based vesting acceleration features.  No stock options were granted to Company executives in 2007.  Please see the “Summary Compensation Table” included in this Proxy Statement for the Omnibus Stock Plan restricted stock awards made to the Named Executive Officers in 2007.
 
Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines

To further tie the financial interests of Company executives to those of shareholders, the Committee has established stock ownership and retention guidelines.  Under these guidelines, executive officers are expected to accumulate a number of shares (unrestricted) of the Company’s Common Stock having a value equaling one and one-half times base salary in the case of the Chief Executive Officer and one times base salary in the case of the other executive officers (based on salaries and the stock price at the time the guidelines were adopted in 2004).  The expectation is for executives to reach this ownership level by January 2009.  To facilitate accomplishing the ownership targets, executive officers generally are expected to retain at least one-half of the net after-tax shares (i.e., the net shares remaining after first selling sufficient shares to cover the anticipated tax liability and, in the case of stock options, the exercise price) obtained upon the vesting of restricted stock and the exercise of stock options.

Directors also are subject to stock ownership requirements.  The directors who were serving when the requirements were adopted were required to accumulate at least 2,000 shares (unrestricted) by March 31, 2006, and any new director elected thereafter is required to accumulate at least 2,000 shares (unrestricted) by the second anniversary of his or her election.  As a guideline, non-employee directors also are expected to retain during their tenure all of the net after-tax shares obtained upon the vesting of restricted stock and at least one-half of the net after-tax shares obtained upon the exercise of stock options.

Other Elements of Compensation Program
 
In addition to the principal compensation program elements described above, the Company has adopted a number of other elements to further its compensation program goals, including, on occasion, special incentive programs to strengthen the alignment of our executive officers’ interests with shareholder long-term interests.  They are as follows:

· 401(k) Plan
· Special Incentive Programs
· Elective Deferred Compensation Program
· Severance Agreements
· Pension/Salary Continuation Programs
· Perquisites

401(k) Plan

The Company maintains the Interface, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), a tax-qualified 401(k) plan which provides its U.S.-based employees a convenient and tax-advantaged opportunity to save for retirement.  The Company’s Named Executive Officers who are based in the United States are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan on the same terms as other executive and non-executive employees based in the United States, and receive the same benefits afforded all other participants.

Under the 401(k) Plan, all participating employees are eligible to receive matching contributions that are subject to vesting over time.  The Company periodically evaluates the level of matching contributions afforded participant employees to ensure competitiveness in the marketplace.  The Company currently matches 50% of the first 6% of the employee’s eligible compensation (capped by statutory limitations) that the employee contributes to the 401(k) Plan.


     

 
- 13 -

 

Elective Deferred Compensation Program

The Company maintains the Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan and Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan II (collectively, the “Nonqualified Plan”) for certain U.S.-based “highly compensated employees” (as such term is defined in applicable IRS regulations), including the Named Executive Officers who are based in the United States.  As with the Company’s 401(k) Plan, the Named Executive Officers who are based in the United States are eligible to participate in the Nonqualified Plan on the same terms as other executive and non-executive eligible employees based in the United States, and receive the same benefits afforded all other participants.  Under the Nonqualified Plan, all eligible employees can elect to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their salary and/or annual bonus compensation.  (Up to 80% of base salary and 100% of annual bonus compensation can be deferred.)  Employees that contribute to the Nonqualified Plan receive matching contributions in an amount equal to 50% of the first 6% of salary and bonus deferred, less any potential Company matching amounts under the 401(k) Plan.  The Nonqualified Plan also contains a “Key Employee Retirement Savings Benefit” feature to permit discretionary contributions to certain key employees’ accounts (in a separately tracked sub-account) to enhance retirement savings and to couple such contributions with vesting structures that will promote the retention of such key employees.

In December of 2007, the Compensation Committee made a Key Employee Retirement Savings Benefit contribution of $50,000 to the Nonqualified Plan account of Mr. Lynch.  This contribution will vest 50% upon his reaching age 50 and 50% upon his reaching age 55, assuming continuous service with the Company until such ages.  To date, no other such contributions have been made.

Please see the “2007 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation” table included in this Proxy Statement for further details regarding the Nonqualified Plan, as well as the Company’s Named Executive Officers’ contributions, earnings and account balances applicable to the Nonqualified Plan for fiscal year 2007.

Pension/Salary Continuation Programs

Foreign Defined Benefit Plans

The Company has trustee-administered defined benefit retirement plans (“Pension Plans”) which cover certain of its overseas employees.  The benefits are generally based on years of service and the employee’s average monthly compensation.  As determined by their respective trustees, the investment objectives of the Pension Plans are to maximize the return on the investments without exceeding the limits of prudent pension fund investment and to ensure that the assets ultimately will be sufficient to exceed minimum funding requirements.  The goal is to optimize the long-term return on plan assets at a moderate level of risk, by balancing higher-returning assets, such as equity securities, with less volatile assets, such as fixed income securities.  The assets are managed by professional investment firms and performance is evaluated periodically against specific benchmarks.  The Pension Plans’ net assets did not include any shares of the Company’s own stock at December 30, 2007.

Named Executive Officer Mr. Parnell, based in Europe, is a participant in a Pension Plan.  Please see the “2007 Pension Benefits” table included in this Proxy Statement for information about the pension benefits applicable to Mr. Parnell.


     

 
- 14 -

 

Salary Continuation Plan

The Company maintains a nonqualified Salary Continuation Plan designed to induce selected employees of the Company to remain in the employ of the Company by providing them with retirement, disability and death benefits in addition to those which they may receive under the Company’s other benefit programs. The Salary Continuation Plan entitles participants to (i) retirement benefits upon normal retirement from the Company at age 65 (or early retirement as early as age 55) after completing at least 15 years of service with the Company (unless otherwise provided in the plan), payable for the remainder of their lives (or, if elected by a participant, a reduced benefit is payable for the remainder of the participant’s life and any surviving spouse’s life) and in no event for less than 10 years under the death benefit feature; (ii) disability benefits payable for the period of any pre-retirement total disability; and (iii) death benefits payable to the designated beneficiary of the executive for a period of up to 10 years.  The annual retirement benefit for retirement at age 65 is 50% of the executive’s final average earnings (defined as the average of the salary and bonus paid by the Company for the four individual calendar years of the executive’s highest compensation during the last eight full calendar years of the executive’s employment with the Company ending on or prior to the effective date of the executive’s retirement), which decreases proportionately to 30% of final average earnings for early retirement at age 55.  The annual disability benefit is structured to essentially equate to 66% of current pay (salary and bonus) at the time of disability.  The annual death benefit, for the 10-year payment period, is 50% of final average earnings, for a pre-retirement death, or a continuation of the actual retirement payments for the balance of the 10-year period (if any) for a post-retirement death (assuming no election of spousal survival benefits).  The Salary Continuation Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which has full discretion in choosing participants and the benefits applicable to each. The Company’s obligations under the Salary Continuation Plan are currently unfunded (although the Company uses insurance instruments to hedge its exposure thereunder); however, the Company is required to contribute the present value of its obligations thereunder to an irrevocable grantor trust in the event of a “Change in Control” (as such term is defined in the Salary Continuation Plan) of the Company.

Each of Named Executive Officers Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch has entered into a Salary Continuation Agreement with the Company pursuant to the Salary Continuation Plan.  The individual Salary Continuation Agreements contain most of the benefit terms and conditions, and those agreements control in the event of any conflict with the Salary Continuation Plan document.  Please see the “2007 Pension Benefits” table included in this Proxy Statement for information about the Salary Continuation Plan benefits applicable to Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch.

The Company entered into amended and restated Salary Continuation Agreements with Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch in January 2008, primarily to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  The benefits under the amended and restated agreements are substantially similar to those in the prior agreements.

Special Incentive Programs

From time to time, the Committee may implement special incentive programs which provide executives an opportunity to earn additional compensation if specific performance objectives are met.  The time period for achievement of the objectives may vary from less than a year to a multiple-year period.  In each case, the performance objectives are designed to represent challenging but achievable targets that will serve to align the interests of executives with the interests of shareholders, and encourage executives to think and act as owners.

2007 Special Incentive Program

The Committee implemented a special incentive program for nine executive officers of the Company effective during fiscal year 2007.  Awards under this special incentive program were tied to the Company stock price appreciating to $18.00 per share on or before December 30, 2007.  As of market close on December 14, 2005 (the date the Committee approved this special incentive program), the Company’s stock traded at $8.80 per share.  When the Company’s stock appreciated to the applicable target price, shareholder value/market capitalization increased more than 100% from program inception (market capitalization increased from $454 million to $1.1 billion).  Successful performance resulted in the payment to each designated executive officer of the Company of a cash amount equaling 75% of the officer’s base salary (at the time of achievement), a collective payment of $1.7 million for the Named Executive Officers.  The specific amount received by each Named Executive Officer under the program is reflected in the 2007 “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the “Summary Compensation Table” (and footnote 4 thereto) included in this Proxy Statement.

Monies paid under the 2007 special incentive program are excluded from any potential severance benefits (except in the case of a change in control of the Company), and also are excluded from the final average earnings formulas of all applicable retirement and Pension Plans.  At this time, there are no Special Incentive Programs in place for fiscal year 2008 or thereafter.

     

 
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Severance Agreements

In 2007, the Company had substantially similar employment agreements in effect with Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch, and had two employment agreements in effect with Mr. Parnell covering his activities (i) within and (ii) outside of the United Kingdom.  These agreements generally provided for certain benefits (salary, bonus, medical benefits, etc.) in the event of a Named Executive Officer’s termination of employment without “just cause” (as defined in the agreements), as well as certain benefits upon his resignation, death or disability.  These agreements also contained provisions placing restrictions on a Named Executive Officer’s ability to compete with the Company, or solicit its customers or employees, for a specified period of time following termination of employment.

In 2007, the Company also had substantially similar change in control agreements in effect with Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch (Mr. Parnell is not a party to a change in control agreement).  These agreements provided for certain benefits in the event of a termination of employment in connection with a “Change in Control” (as defined in the agreements) of the Company.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company entered into amended and restated Employment and Change in Control Agreements with Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch.  The principal objectives of the amended and restated agreements were to: (1) consolidate the employment terms and change in control provisions into a single “Employment and Change in Control Agreement;” (2) bring the agreements into compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and (3) maintain substantially similar economic terms to the previous agreements.  The two employment agreements with Mr. Parnell were unaffected.

Please see the further disclosure below in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control” section of this Proxy Statement regarding the respective employment and change in control agreements of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

Perquisites

In order to provide a market competitive total compensation package to certain of the Company’s executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, the Company provides those limited perquisites that it believes enable its Named Executive Officers to perform their responsibilities efficiently and with minimal distractions.  In 2007, the Company provided the following perquisites to one or more of the Named Executive Officers:

· Company-provided automobile/allowance
· Company-provided telephone
· Health club dues
· Long-term care insurance
· Tax return preparation services
· Split dollar insurance agreement (for Mr. Hendrix only)
· Brokerage fees for 10b5-1 trading plan sales
 

Please see the “Summary Compensation Table” included in this Proxy Statement (and the notes thereto) for a more detailed discussion of these perquisites and their valuation.

Compensation Deductibility

An income tax deduction under federal law will be generally available for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the chief executive officer and the named executive officers of a public corporation only if that compensation is “performance-based” and complies with certain other tax law requirements.  Executive compensation under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan, described above, meets these requirements and therefore qualifies for an income tax deduction under federal law.

Although the Committee considers deductibility issues when approving executive compensation elements, the Company and the Committee believe that other compensation objectives, such as attracting, retaining and providing incentives to qualified managers, are important and may supersede the goal of maintaining deductibility.  Consequently, the Company and the Committee may make compensation decisions without regard to deductibility when it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to do so.

     

 
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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management.  Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this 2008 Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Thomas R. Oliver (Chair)
K. David Kohler
Harold M. Paisner

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

None of the executive officers of the Company served as either (1) a member of the Compensation Committee or (2) a director of any entity of which any member of the Compensation Committee is an executive officer. In addition, none of the executive officers of the Company served as a member of the compensation committee of any entity of which any member of the Board of Directors is an executive officer.


     

 
- 17 -

 


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED ITEMS

2007 Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides information about the compensation paid by the Company and its subsidiaries to the Company’s Named Executive Officers for 2007 and 2006.

Name and Principal Position
(a)
Year
(b)
   
Salary
($)
(c)
 
Bonus
($)
(d)(1)
 
Stock Awards
($)
(e)(2)
 
Option Awards
($)
(f)(3)
 
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Compensation
($)
(g)(4)
 
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Earnings
($)
(h)(5)
 
All Other Compensation
($)
(i)(6)
 
Total
($)
(j)(7)
 
_________________
____
   
_____
 
_____
 
_____
 
_____
 
________
 
________
 
________
 
________
 
 
Daniel T. Hendrix,
President and Chief
2007
 
   
 
750,000
 
 
--       
 
 
1,017,165
 
 
 
 
31
 
 
1,470,000
 
 
609,727
 
 
148,642
 
 
 
3,995,565
 
 
Executive Officer
2006
    725,000  
--       
  676,641   28,460   954,535   698,239   99,030   3,181,905  
                                       
Patrick C. Lynch,
Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
2007
 
   
325,000
 
 
--       
 
 
282,655
 
 
--
 
 
574,275
 
 
--
 
 
90,582
 
 
1,272,512
 
 
Officer
2006
    300,000  
--       
  194,639   17,460   349,695   --   28,325   890,119  
 
John R. Wells,
Senior Vice President
2007
 
   
507,500
 
 
--       
 
 
580,377
 
 
13
 
 
836,069
 
 
125,900
 
 
54,240
 
 
2,104,099
 
 
(Division President)
2006
    490,000   --          374,175   11,384   676,288   274,091   38,966   1,864,904  
 
Lindsey K. Parnell,
Vice President
2007
 
   
360,906
 
 
--       
 
 
323,802
 
 
--
 
 
654,141
 
 
27,278
 
 
60,418
 
 
1,426,545
 
 
(Division President)(*)
2006
    342,363   --          201,561   3,240   488,732   96,752   63,206   1,195,854  
 
Raymond S. Willoch,
Senior Vice President
2007
 
   
360,000
 
 
--       
 
 
407,440
 
 
--
 
 
636,120
 
 
149,849
 
 
48,635
 
 
1,602,044
 
 
and General Counsel
2006
    347,500   --          264,898   8,639   405,063   211,941   33,265   1,271,306  
 

 
 
*
Mr. Parnell, as a Europe-based employee, is paid in British pounds sterling.  In calculating the U.S. dollar equivalent for disclosure purposes, the Company has converted each payment into dollars based on the exchange rate in effect as of the end of each fiscal year (£1 to $1.99 for 2007, and £1 to $1.96 for 2006).

 
(1)
The Company paid no discretionary bonuses, or bonuses based on performance metrics that were not pre-established and communicated to the Named Executive Officers, for 2007 or 2006.  All cash bonus awards for 2007 and 2006 were performance-based.  These payments, which were made under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan, are reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column (column (g)).

 
(2)
The amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column include the compensation cost related to restricted stock awards granted in current and prior years, computed in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123(R)”).  See the Note entitled “Shareholder’s Equity” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, regarding assumptions underlying valuation of equity awards.  See the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2007” table included in this Proxy Statement for information about equity awards granted for 2007, and the “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2007 Fiscal Year-End” table included in this Proxy Statement for information with respect to awards outstanding at year-end.  Pursuant to the terms of the 2007 “Stock Awards” included in column (e) and the 2007 “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in column (g), the performance criteria were appropriately adjusted to reflect the divestiture of the fabrics business in July of 2007.  The ultimate payout value may be significantly more or less than the amounts shown, and possibly zero, depending on the Company’s financial performance or the price of the Company’s stock at the end of the performance or restricted period and the recipient’s tenure of employment.  For a description of the performance criteria, please see the discussion contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis herein.

     

 
- 18 -

 


 
(3)
The amounts reported in the “Option Awards” column include the compensation cost related to stock option awards granted in years prior to 2006 (no options were granted to the Named Executive Officers during 2006 or 2007), computed in accordance with FAS 123(R). See the Note entitled “Shareholder’s Equity” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, regarding assumptions underlying valuation of equity awards.  See the “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2007 Fiscal Year-End” table included in this Proxy Statement for information with respect to awards outstanding at year end.  The ultimate payout value of option awards may be significantly more or less than the amounts shown, and possibly zero, depending on the price of the Company’s stock during the term of the option award.

 
(4)
The amounts reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column for 2007 reflect the amounts earned by and paid to each Named Executive Officer under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan ($907,500, $330,525, $455,444, $383,463 and $366,120 for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch, respectively), as well as under the 2007 Special Incentive Program adopted by the Compensation Committee ($562,500, $243,750, $380,625, $270,678 and $270,000 for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch, respectively).  The amounts reported for 2006 reflect the amounts earned by and paid to each Named Executive Officer under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan ($682,660, $237,195, $492,538, $362,305 and $274,750 for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch, respectively), as well as the 2005-2006 Special Incentive Program adopted by the Compensation Committee ($271,875, $112,500, $183,750, $126,927 and $130,313 for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch, respectively).  The material provisions of the Executive Bonus Plan and the 2007 Special Incentive Program are more fully described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included herein.

 
(5)
The amounts reported in the “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column represent aggregate changes in the actuarial present value of the Named Executive Officers’ accumulated benefit under our Pension Plans (for Mr. Parnell) and the Company’s Salary Continuation Plan (for Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch).  Mr. Lynch does not participate in a Pension Plan or the Salary Continuation Plan.  The Company does not pay any above-market interest (or any guaranteed interest rate) on its Nonqualified Plan.  See the “2007 Pension Benefits” table of this Proxy Statement for information about these benefits afforded each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

 
(6)
The amounts reported in the “All Other Compensation” column reflect, for each Named Executive Officer, the sum of (i) the incremental cost to the Company of all perquisites and other personal benefits (including the dollar value of life and long-term care insurance premiums paid by the Company), and (ii) amounts contributed by the Company to the 401(k) Plan, the Nonqualified Plan, and the Interface Europe Pension Scheme (collectively, the “Company Retirement Plans”).  Amounts contributed to the Company Retirement Plans are calculated on the same basis for all participants in the relevant plan, including the Named Executive Officers. The material provisions of the Company Retirement Plans are contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis herein.

The following table outlines those perquisites and all other compensation required by SEC rules to be separately quantified that were provided to the Company’s Named Executive Officers during 2007.
 
Name
 
__________________
Year
 
_____
 
Automobile
($)
_________
 
Telephone
($)
________
 
Long-Term
 Care Insurance Premiums
($)
________
 
Split Dollar Insurance Premiums
($)
________
 
Other
($)
________
 
Dividends
on Restricted Stock
($)
________
 
Company Contributions to Retirement Plans
($)
________
                                             
 
Daniel T. Hendrix
2007
    10,260       3,379       5,469       72,032       4,175       20,802       32,525  
 
Patrick C. Lynch
2007
    10,629       2,797       4,481       --       4,394       4,077       64,204  
 
John R. Wells
2007
    11,263       3,926       5,421       --       1,700       11,405       20,525  
 
Lindsey K. Parnell
2007
    25,420       4,760       --       --       --       3,178       27,060  
 
Raymond S. Willoch
2007
    11,717       1,921       5,019       --       6,033       7,813       16,132  

 
Automobile/Automobile Allowance.  Each of Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch were provided with use of a company-provided automobile or an automobile allowance.  The Named Executive Officers were taxed on the portion of the costs associated with any personal use thereof.  The Company does not provide any tax reimbursement in connection with the personal use of any automobile.

Telephone.  The Company paid certain fees associated with the Named Executive Officers’ use of company-provided cellular telephones.  In addition, certain fees associated with landline telephone and facsimile services were paid on Mr. Parnell’s behalf.


     

 
- 19 -

 


Long-Term Care Insurance.  The Company paid certain premiums associated with long-term care insurance policies covering Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch.  As a Europe-based employee, Mr. Parnell was not eligible for coverage under these long-term care policies.

Split Dollar Insurance Agreement with Daniel T. Hendrix.   The Company is a party to a split-dollar insurance agreement (the “Hendrix Split Dollar Agreement”) with Mr. Hendrix.  Pursuant to the Hendrix Split Dollar Agreement, Mr. Hendrix has obtained an insurance policy on his life, and the Company pays the premiums on such policy as an additional employment benefit for Mr. Hendrix.  The annual premium is $72,032.  Mr. Hendrix is the owner of the policy, and has assigned to the Company a portion of the death benefit that is equal to the greater of (i) the total amount of the unreimbursed premiums paid by the Company with respect to the policy, or (ii) the death benefit under the policy in excess of $2,000,000, which amount totaled $792,352 as of December 30, 2007.  The balance of the death benefits will be payable to the beneficiaries of the policy designated by Mr. Hendrix.

Other.  The Company paid certain fees or costs associated with health club membership dues (on behalf of Messrs Hendrix, Lynch and Willoch), tax return preparation (on behalf of Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch) and brokerage fees related to sales made pursuant to 10b5-1 trading plans (on behalf of Messrs. Lynch and Willoch).

Dividends on Restricted Stock.  In March of 2007, the Company began paying on all outstanding Common Stock of the Company (including restricted stock) a dividend of $0.02 per share on a quarterly basis.  The amounts in the “Dividends on Restricted Stock” column reflect dividends on the restricted shares of each Named Executive Officer in 2007.  No dividends were paid in 2006.

Contributions to Retirement Plans.  The Company makes matching contributions, on the same terms and using the same formulas as for other participating employees, to each U.S.-based Named Executive Officer’s account under the 401(k) Plan and the Nonqualified Plan, as applicable.

The amounts reflected below represent the following contributions by the Company during 2007 and 2006:

Name
___________________
Year
______
 
Company Contribution
To 401(k) Plan
($)
__________
 
Company Contribution
To Nonqualified Plan
($)
_____________
               
Daniel T. Hendrix
2007
    6,750       25,775  
 
2006
    4,400       --  
Patrick C. Lynch
2007
    6,750       57,454  
 
2006
    4,400       6,254  
John R. Wells
2007
    6,750       13,775  
 
2006
    4,400       13,266  
Raymond S. Willoch
2007
    6,750       9,382  
 
2006
    4,400       8,150  

The Company’s 2007 contribution to the Nonqualified Plan of Mr. Lynch includes a $50,000 discretionary contribution under the Key Employee Retirement Savings Benefit and is subject to vesting criteria as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included herein.  As a Europe-based employee, Mr. Parnell is ineligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan and the Nonqualified Plan.  Mr. Parnell is eligible to participate in the Interface Europe Pension Scheme (the “Europe Pension Scheme”).  Under the terms of the Europe Pension Scheme, the Company contribution amount is based on a percentage of pensionable earnings, with the rate applied depending on the category of membership.  Mr. Parnell’s specific category of membership entitled him to a Company contribution rate of 11.3% (subject to a maximum yearly contribution) through May of 2007 and a Company contribution rate of 12.9% (subject to a maximum yearly contribution) for the remaining part of 2007.  The Company’s contribution to Mr. Parnell’s accrual of benefits under the Europe Pension Scheme was $27,060 in 2007 and $23,341 in 2006.

 
(7)
In 2007, salary as a percentage of total compensation for each of Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch was 18.8%, 25.5%, 24.1%, 27.1% and 22.5%, respectively.  In 2006, salary as a percentage of total compensation for each of Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch was 22.7%, 33.7%, 26.3%, 28.6% and 27.3%, respectively.  As reflected in column (d), the Company paid no discretionary bonuses for 2007 or 2006.


     

 
- 20 -

 


Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2007

The following table provides information about awards granted to the Company’s Named Executive Officers in 2007, as well as potential future payments associated therewith.  None of the following amounts were earned or paid during 2007.

   
 
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards (1)
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
 
   
___________________________________
___________________________________
 
Name
 
 
(a)                                  
Grant Date
 
 
         (b)        
 
Threshold
($)
 
     (c)    
Target
($)
 
     (d)     
Maximum
($)
 
     (e)     
Threshold
 (#)
 
     (f)     
Target
(#)
 
   (g)(2)   
Maximum
(#)
 
     (h)     
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)
 
          (l)(3)         
                 
Daniel T. Hendrix
12-11-07
0
858,000
1,072,500
--
--
--
--
 
01-02-07
--
--
--
--
48,334
--
687,309
 
Patrick C. Lynch
12-11-07
0
310,050
387,563
--
--
--
--
 
01-02-07
--
--
--
--
20,000
--
284,400
 
John R. Wells
 
12-11-07
 
0
 
472,500
 
590,625
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
01-02-07
--
--
--
--
32,666
--
464,511
 
Lindsey K. Parnell (*)
 
12-11-07
 
0
 
357,750
 
496,875
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
04-25-07
--
--
--
--
32,000
--
549,760
 
Raymond S. Willoch
 
12-11-07
 
0
 
335,025
 
418,781
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
01-02-07
--
--
--
--
23,166
--
329,421
 
___________
*
Estimated potential payments are converted to U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate as of the end of fiscal year 2007.

(1)
The payment amounts reflected in columns (c), (d) and (e) above represent amounts associated with bonus awards potentially earned for fiscal year 2008 by the Company’s Named Executive Officers under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”).  The total bonus opportunity under the Bonus Plan (expressed as a percentage of 2008 base salary) for each of the Named Executive Officers is as follows: Mr. Hendrix, 110%, Mr. Lynch, 90%, Mr. Wells, 90%, Mr. Parnell, 90%, and Mr. Willoch, 90%.  As reflected in column (c), no bonus is paid to a participant under any individual Bonus Plan element (operating income, cash flow, gross billings, or earnings per share), unless a designated financial threshold (operating income) is exceeded.  As reflected in column (d), the estimated 2008 payout under the Bonus Plan for each of the Named Executive Officers assumes 100% achievement of all Company financial goals.  As reflected in column (e), the estimated 2008 payout under the Bonus Plan for each of the Named Executive Officers assumes 125% or greater achievement of all Company financial goals.  Certain additional material provisions of the Bonus Plan are more fully described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included herein.

(2)
The awards reflected in column (g) represent the number of shares of restricted stock granted to Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch on January 2, 2007 and to Mr. Parnell on April 25, 2007 under the Omnibus Stock Plan.  The 2007 awards are eligible to performance vest in two increments (one-half each) no earlier than the first and second anniversaries, respectively, of the grant date and only if a pre-determined performance target has been met on or after such anniversary (for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch and Willoch, the performance target is based on an increase in the Company’s operating income, and, for Messrs. Wells and Parnell, the performance target is based on increases in operating income of their respective business units).  Fifty percent of any and all unvested 2007 awards (i.e., all award shares not vested previously under the performance criteria) will vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.  The amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes under FAS 123(R) of these shares of restricted stock are included in the “Stock Awards” column (column (e)) of the Summary Compensation Table.

(3)
The amounts reflected in column (l) represent the dollar value of restricted stock awarded on January 2, 2007 to Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch calculated by multiplying the number of shares awarded by $14.22, the closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market on the trading date immediately preceding the date of grant.  The amount reflected for Mr. Parnell represents the dollar value of restricted stock award on April 25, 2007 to Mr. Parnell calculated by multiplying the number of shares awarded by $17.18, the closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq Stock Market on the trading date immediately preceding the date of the grant.  No options were awarded to any of the Named Executive Officers in 2007.


     

 
- 21 -

 


 
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2007 Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information about the number of shares covered by exercisable and unexercisable options and vested and unvested restricted stock awards granted to the Company’s Named Executive Officers as of December 30, 2007.

   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
   
________________________________________________________
   
_______________________________________________
 
             
Name
 
(a)
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Exercisable
 
(b)
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Unexercisable
 
(c)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options
(#)
 
(d)
 
Option Exercise Price
($)
 
(e)
 
Option Expiration Date
 
(f)
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
 
(g)(1)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
 
(h)(2)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#)
 
(i)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
 
(j)
________________
 
_________
 
__________
 
_________
 
_______
 
________
 
_______
 
________
 
_________
 
__________
 
Daniel T. Hendrix
 
    --       --       --       --       --       216,195       3,549,922       --       --  
 
Patrick C. Lynch
 
    --       --       --       --       --       50,967       836,878       --       --  
 
John R. Wells
    16,090       --       --       9.00       01-14-09       125,769       2,065,127       --       --  
      7,000       --       --       4.25       12-07-09                                  
      33,592       --       --       8.45       01-16-11                                  
      8,000       --       --       5.60       01-02-12                                  
 
Lindsey K. Parnell
 
    1,500       --       --       4.75       11-26-11       71,730       1,177,807       --       --  
 
Raymond S. Willoch
 
    --       --       --       --       --       85,817       1,409,115       --       --  
 
____________
(1)
Restricted stock awards that have not yet vested are subject to forfeiture by the Named Executive Officers under certain circumstances. For a description of the related performance criteria, please see the discussion contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis herein.  The vesting dates for each Named Executive Officer range from 2008-2012.

(2)
The market value referenced above is based on the closing price of $16.42 of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on December 28, 2007 (the last trading day of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year), as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market.


     

 
- 22 -

 


 
Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information about the number and corresponding value realized during 2007 with respect to (i) the exercise of stock options, and (ii) the vesting of restricted stock for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

   
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
   
____________________________________
 
_________________________________________
Name
 
 
(a)
 
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
 
(b)
 
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
 
(c)(1)
 
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
(#)
 
(d)
 
Value Realized
 on Vesting
($)
 
(e)(2)
______________
 
_____________
 
_______________
 
_____________
 
______________
 
Daniel T. Hendrix
    277,104       3,047,042       211,118       3,628,515  
 
Patrick C. Lynch
    80,000       851,725       38,050       611,667  
 
John R. Wells
    161,652       1,883,634       108,170       1,848,930  
 
Lindsey K. Parnell
    --       --       54,280       897,248  
 
Raymond S. Willoch
    8,931       69,483       74,338       1,259,483  
 
______

 
(1)
These amounts represent the difference at date of exercise between the exercise price of the stock option and the closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market, multiplied by the number of option shares exercised.  The stock options exercised by Mr. Hendrix had exercise prices ranging from $5.60 to $9.56 per share, and included options granted between 1997 and 2002.  The stock options exercised by Mr. Lynch had exercise prices ranging from $4.75 to $9.00 per share, and included options granted between 1999 and 2004.  The stock options exercised by Mr. Wells had exercise prices ranging from $4.25 to $9.56 per share, and included options granted between 1997 and 2004.  Mr. Parnell did not exercise any stock options in 2007.  The stock options exercised by Mr. Willoch had an exercise price of $9.00 per share, and were granted in 1999.

 
(2)
These amounts represent the product of the number of shares vested and the closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the vesting date.


     

 
- 23 -

 


 
2007 Pension Benefits

The following table provides information about the pension benefits for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

 
Name
 
(a)
 
Plan Name
 
(b)(1)
   
Number of Years Credited Service
(#)
 
(c)
 
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit
($)
 
(d)
Payments During Last Fiscal Year
($)
 
(e)
_______________
 
__________________
   
______________
 
____________
_________________
Daniel T. Hendrix
 
Salary Continuation Plan
      15       4,292,102      
--
   
Patrick C. Lynch(2)
 
  --
      --       --       --    
John R. Wells(3)
 
Salary Continuation Plan
      14       1,738,102       --    
Lindsey K. Parnell
 
Europe Pension Scheme
      11       503,392       --    
Raymond S. Willoch
 
Salary Continuation Plan
      15       1,491,603       --    
 
______

 
(1)
The benefits under the Salary Continuation Plan vest upon 15 years of service and attainment of the age of 55, with maximum benefit accruing at age 65.  None of the Named Executive Officers participating in the Salary Continuation Plan have reached age 55.  The above values assume commencement of payment of the maximum benefit at age 65.  All other assumptions are the same as are used for financial reporting purposes under generally accepted accounting principles.

 
(2)
Mr. Lynch does not participate in a Pension Plan or the Salary Continuation Plan, but he received a Key Employee Retirement Savings Benefit contribution under the Nonqualified Plan.

 
(3)
Mr. Wells has not yet attained the requisite 15 years of service under the Salary Continuation Plan.  The amount reflected above assumes that he will attain the requisite 15 years of service and that his benefits under the Salary Continuation Plan will fully vest.


     

 
- 24 -

 


 
2007 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

The following table provides information about the contributions, earnings and account balances of the Company’s applicable deferred compensation plans for each of the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

Name
 
(a)(1)
 
Executive Contributions
in Last FY
($)
 
(b)
 
Company
Contributions
in Last FY
($)
 
(c)(2)
 
Aggregate Earnings
in Last FY
($)
 
(d)
 
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions
($)
 
(e)
 
Aggregate Balance
at Last FYE
($)
 
(f)(3)
 
_______________
 
____________
 
____________
 
_____________
 
____________
 
__________
 
                                 
Daniel T. Hendrix
    132,314       25,775       5,098       444,068       181,602    
 
Patrick C. Lynch
    --       57,454       17,027       --       266,757    
 
John R. Wells
    546,323       13,775       79,808       586,372       1,464,260    
 
Lindsey K. Parnell
    --       --       --       --       --    
 
Raymond S. Willoch
    36,004       9,382       1,447       41,295       47,217    
 
______________
 
(1)
The Company maintains the Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan and Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan II (collectively, the “Nonqualified Plan”) for certain U.S.-based “highly compensated employees” (as such term is defined in applicable IRS regulations), including the Named Executive Officers who are based in the United States (Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch).  As with the Company’s 401(k) Plan, Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch are eligible to participate in the Nonqualified Plan on the same terms as other eligible executive and non-executive employees based in the United States, and receive the same benefits afforded all other participants.

Under the Nonqualified Plan, all eligible employees can elect to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their salary and/or annual bonus compensation.  (Up to 80% of base salary and 100% of annual bonus compensation can be deferred.)  Each participant elects when the deferred amounts will be paid out, which can be during or after employment, subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.  The employee earns a deferred return based on deemed investments in mutual funds selected by the employee from a list provided by the Company.  The investment risk is borne entirely by the employee participant.  Gains and losses are credited based on the participant’s election of a variety of deemed investment choices.  Participants’ accounts may or may not appreciate, and may even depreciate, depending on the performance of their deemed investment choices.  None of the deemed investment choices provide interest at above-market rates (or any guaranteed interest rate).  The Company has established a Rabbi Trust to hold, invest and reinvest deferrals and contributions under the Nonqualified Plan, and all deferrals are paid out in cash upon distribution.

 
(2)
The amounts reported in column (c) reflect, for each Named Executive Officer (as applicable), the actual amounts contributed by the Company to the Nonqualified Plan during fiscal year 2007 (including contributions in 2007 with respect to compensation deferrals in 2006).  The Nonqualified Plan also contains a “Key Employee Retirement Savings Benefit” feature applicable to certain designated key employees of the Company.  The purpose of this plan benefit is to permit discretionary contributions to certain key employees’ accounts to enhance retirement savings and to couple such contributions with vesting structures that will promote the retention of such key employees.  Mr. Lynch’s “Company Contribution in Last FY” includes a $50,000 discretionary contribution under this plan.  To date, no other such contributions have been made.

 
(3)
The amounts reported in column (d) were not reported as compensation to the Named Executive Officers in the Company’s Summary Compensation Table.  However, the Company’s matching contributions during previous fiscal years were included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Company’s Summary Compensation Table.


     

 
- 25 -

 


2007 Compensation of Directors

The following table provides information about the compensation paid to the Company’s directors in 2007 (excluding Company President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel T. Hendrix, a Named Executive Officer, whose 2007 compensation is presented in the Summary Compensation Table included herein).

Name
 
(a)
 
Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
 
($)
(b)
Stock Awards
 
($)
(c)(1)
Option
Awards
 
($)
(d)(2)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
 
($)
(e)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
 
($)
(f)
All Other Compensation
 
($)
(g)
Total
 
($)
(h)
__________________
 
________
_________
__________
__________
____________
___________
___________
 
Ray C. Anderson (3)
    350,000       --       --       308,000       253,142       225,418       1,136,560  
 
Edward C. Callaway (4)
    45,000       28,383       12,360       --       --       480       86,223  
 
Dianne Dillon-Ridgley (4)
    37,000       28,383       --       --       --       360       65,743  
 
Carl I. Gable (4)
    60,000       23,383       --       --       --       480       83,863  
 
June M. Henton (4)
    37,000       23,383       --       --       --       480       60,863  
 
Christopher G. Kennedy (4)
    37,000       23,383       --       --       --       480       60,363  
 
K. David Kohler (4)
    39,750       14,220       64,300       --       --       240       118,510  
 
James B. Miller, Jr. (4)
    45,000       28,383       --       --       --       480       73,863  
 
Thomas R. Oliver (4)
    47,000       28,383       --       --       --       480       75,863  
 
Harold M. Paisner (4)(5)
    29,000       14,220       62,772       --       --       180       106,172  
 
Clarien van Andel (5)
    8,500       14,163       --       --       --       --       22,663  
 
______

 
(1)
The amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column include the compensation cost for 2007 related to restricted stock awards granted in current and prior years, computed in accordance with FAS 123(R).  See the Note entitled “Shareholder’s Equity” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, regarding assumptions underlying valuation of equity awards.  The ultimate payout value may be significantly more or less than the amounts shown, and possibly zero, depending on the Company’s financial performance and the recipient’s tenure as a director.

 
(2)
The amounts reported in the “Option Awards” column include the compensation cost for 2007 related to option awards granted in current and prior years, computed in accordance with FAS 123(R). See the Note entitled “Shareholder’s Equity” to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, regarding assumptions underlying valuation of equity awards.  The ultimate payout value may be significantly more or less than the amounts shown, and possibly zero, depending on the price of the Company’s stock during the term of the option award.

 
(3)
The Ray C. Anderson, who serves as Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board, remains an employee of the Company.  Mr. Anderson is the Company’s primary spokesperson in support of its environmental sustainability initiative, giving over 150 speeches, webcasts and interviews during 2007, reaching a total estimated audience in excess of 50 million people.  In his capacity as an employee, Mr. Anderson was compensated during 2007 in the amounts reflected in the table above.

The amount reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column reflects the amount earned by and paid to Mr. Anderson for 2007 under the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan.  The material provisions of the Executive Bonus Plan are more fully described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included herein.  In addition, as an employee of the Company, Mr. Anderson also was covered by certain of the Company’s benefits programs, such as medical and dental insurance plans.  Mr. Anderson entered into an Employment Agreement and a Change in Control Agreement with the Company in April 1997, each of which is substantially similar to those described below for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch (except that each of Mr. Anderson’s agreements is for a fixed, two-year term that expires upon his reaching age 74).


     

 
- 26 -

 


The Company maintains a Salary Continuation Agreement with Mr. Anderson pursuant to the Salary Continuation Plan described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis herein.  The amount reported in the “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column relates to Mr. Anderson’s accumulated benefit thereunder.  In 2007, Mr. Anderson’s salary was reduced to $350,000 and he drew payments under his Salary Continuation Agreement totaling $449,605.  The amount in column (f) reflects the reduction in the actuarial present value of his salary continuation benefits, plus the salary continuation payments of $449,605, for a net change of $253,142.

All Other Compensation.  The amount reported in column (g) for Mr. Anderson reflects the sum of (i) the incremental cost to the Company of all perquisites and other personal benefits (including the dollar value of split dollar life insurance premiums paid by the Company), and (ii) amounts contributed (if any) by the Company to the 401(k) Plan and the Nonqualified Plan.  The material provisions of the 401(k) Plan and the Nonqualified Plan are contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis herein.

The following table outlines those perquisites and all other compensation required by SEC rules to be separately quantified that were provided to Mr. Anderson during 2007.
 
 
Name
Automobile
($)
Health Club Dues
($)
Financial, Legal and Tax Planning
($)
Telephone
($)
Split Dollar Insurance Premiums
($)
 
______________
__________
__________
____________
_________
__________
 
 
Ray C. Anderson
6,760
1,896
41,827
1,935
 
173,000

Automobile/Automobile Allowance.  Mr. Anderson was provided with use of a company-provided automobile.   He was taxed on the portion of the costs associated with any personal use thereof.  The Company does not provide any tax reimbursement in connection with the personal use of any automobile.
 
Health Club Dues.  Certain health club membership dues were paid on behalf of Mr. Anderson.  The Company does not provide any tax reimbursement in connection with the personal use of the club.
 
Financial, Legal and Tax Planning.  The Company paid certain fees associated with Mr. Anderson’s use of certain financial, legal and tax planning services, which included tax preparation and estate planning services.
 
Telephone.  The Company paid certain fees associated with Mr. Anderson’s use of a company-provided cellular telephone.
 
Split Dollar Insurance Agreement with Ray C. Anderson and Mary Anne Lanier.  The Company is a party to a split-dollar insurance agreement (the “Anderson Split Dollar Agreement”) with Mr. Anderson and Mary Anne Anderson Lanier, as Trustee of the Ray Christie Anderson Family Trust (the “Trust”).  Pursuant to the Anderson Split Dollar Agreement, the Company has obtained an insurance policy on the lives of Mr. Anderson and his spouse, and it pays the premiums on such policy as an additional employment benefit for Mr. Anderson.  The annual premium is $173,000.  The Company is the owner of the policy, and has endorsed to the Trust the right to name a beneficiary of a portion of the death benefit that is approximately equal to the full death benefit minus the greater of (1) the total amount of the unreimbursed premiums paid by the Company with respect to the policy, and (2) the cash value of the policy.  Upon the death of the last to die of Mr. Anderson and his spouse, the Company will receive a portion of the death benefit in an amount that is approximately equal to the greater of (i) the total amount of the unreimbursed premiums paid by the Company with respect to the policy, or (ii) the cash value of the policy, which amount totaled $1,046,000 as of December 30, 2007.
 
 
(4)
For fiscal year 2007, the Company’s non-employee directors (“outside directors”) were paid an annual director’s fee of $30,000, plus $1,000 for each Board or Board committee meeting attended.  Outside directors who serve on the Audit Committee or the Compensation Committee were paid an additional $5,000 per year, except that the Chairperson of the Audit Committee and the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee were paid an additional $10,000 per year (rather than $5,000).  In addition, the lead independent director of the Board was paid an incremental $10,000 per year.  Directors also were reimbursed for expenses in connection with attending Board and Committee meetings.

In 2007, each outside director was awarded 3,000 restricted shares of Company stock.  The awards of restricted stock are eligible to performance vest in two increments (one-half each), no earlier than the first and second anniversaries, respectively, of the grant date of the award and only if the Company’s operating income has risen to a specified target level.  All unvested shares will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.  Mr. Paisner also received a stock option grant of 20,000 shares following his election to the Board.

In March 2007, the Company began paying a dividend of $0.02 per share of Common Stock (including restricted stock) on a quarterly basis.  The amounts in the “All Other Compensation” column reflect dividends on the restricted shares of each director in 2007.

 
(5)
In February 2007, the Board of Directors elected Harold M. Paisner as a Class B director to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Clarinus C. Th. van Andel.  Mr. Paisner subsequently was re-elected to the Board by the shareholders in May 2007.

     

 
- 27 -

 


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The Board of Directors of the Company recognizes that transactions with related persons can present a heightened risk of conflict of interests and/or improper valuation (or the perception thereof).  Accordingly, as a general matter it is the Company’s preference to avoid transactions with related persons.  Nevertheless, there are circumstances where the Company may obtain products or services (i) of a nature, quantity or quality that are not readily available from alternative sources, (ii) on terms comparable to those provided by other, unrelated parties, or (iii) when the Company provides products or services on an arm’s length basis on terms comparable to those provided to unrelated third parties or on terms provided to employees generally.

Policy Regarding Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions Involving Related Persons
 
The Company has adopted a written policy (the “Related Transactions Policy”) with respect to the review, approval or ratification of transactions with related persons involving the Company (or its subsidiaries or controlled affiliates).  In evaluating potential transactions with related persons, the Related Transactions Policy incorporates and applies the contents of Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (including but not limited to the definitions of “related persons” and “transaction”, as well as the threshold for “direct or indirect material interest” contained therein).
 
 
Prior to entering into a transaction with a related person, the related person is required to advise a Company-designated “Compliance Officer” (currently the Company’s General Counsel), who shall determine whether the proposed transaction is a transaction with a related person under this policy.  If the Compliance Officer determines that the proposed transaction is a transaction with a related person, the transaction is required to be submitted to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors for consideration at its next meeting or, in those instances in which it is not practicable or desirable for the Company to wait until the next Audit Committee meeting, to the Chair of the Audit Committee (who possesses delegated authority to act between committee meetings).  The Audit Committee (or where submitted to the Chair, the Chair) shall consider all of the available relevant facts and circumstances, including (if applicable) but not limited to:  (i) the benefits to the Company; (ii) the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, an immediate family member of a director, or an entity in which the director is a partner, equity holder or executive officer; (iii) the availability of other sources for comparable products or services; (iv) the terms of the transaction; and (v) the terms available to or from unrelated third parties or employees generally, as the case may be.  After review, the Audit Committee or Chair either approves or disapproves the proposed transaction and advises the Compliance Officer, who in turn conveys the decision to the appropriate persons within the Company.  No member of the Audit Committee is permitted to participate in any review, consideration, or approval of any potential transaction with a related person with respect to which such member or any of his or her immediate family members is a related person.
 
 
The Related Transactions Policy also provides for the review of (i) transactions involving related persons entered into by the Company not previously approved or ratified under this policy, as well as (ii) any previously approved or ratified transactions with related persons that remain ongoing and have a remaining term of more than six months or remaining amounts payable to or receivable from the Company of more than $120,000.  The policy also explicitly requires disclosure of all transactions that are required to be disclosed under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and related rules and regulations.
 

Transactions Involving Related Persons

A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company employs James A. Lanier, Jr., son-in-law of Company non-executive Chairman Ray C. Anderson, as its Vice President of Sales, Higher Education.  In 2007, Mr. Lanier earned salary and bonus of $308,748 and participated in certain of the Company’s benefit programs generally available to employees in the U.S.

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

For each director, the Board makes a determination of whether the director is “independent” under the criteria established by the Nasdaq Stock Market and other governing laws and regulations.  In its review of director independence, the Board considers all commercial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable or other business relationships any director may have with the Company.  The current directors are Ray C. Anderson, Edward C. Callaway, Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, Carl I. Gable, Daniel T. Hendrix, June M. Henton, Christopher G. Kennedy, K. David Kohler, James B. Miller, Jr., Thomas R. Oliver and Harold M. Paisner.  As a result of its review, the Board has determined that all of the current directors, with the exception of Ray C. Anderson and Daniel T. Hendrix (who are employees), are independent.

The independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without Messrs. Anderson and Hendrix or other members of management present.  In 2007, the independent directors met four times in executive session.

     

 
- 28 -

 


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 30, 2007.

Plan Category
 
Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
 
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))
   
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
______________________________________
 
________________
 
_________________
 
_________________
 
Equity Compensation Plan Approved by Security Holders:
                 
Omnibus Stock Plan
    781,118     $ 6.20       3,550,280 (1)
 
Equity Compensation Plan Not Approved by Security Holders:
                       
Individual Compensation Arrangements(2)
    24,000     $ 7.00       0  

 
(1)
Each share issued under the Omnibus Stock Plan pursuant to an award other than a stock option will reduce the number of remaining shares available by two shares.

 
(2)
As of December 30, 2007, the Company maintained stock option agreements outside the Omnibus Stock Plan with one independent (non-employee) service provider with respect to a total of 24,000 shares at $7.00 per share.  The agreements provide for a five-year vesting period (all options under the agreements have now vested) and a ten-year term.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The Company is generally obligated to provide its Named Executive Officers with certain payments or other forms of compensation when their employment with the Company is terminated.  The actual amount of compensation due each of the Named Executive Officers, as well as the duration of any periodic payments, depends on both the circumstances surrounding the termination, as well as the particulars of any employment-related agreements to which the Company and the Named Executive Officer are party.  As of December 30, 2007, the Company had Employment Agreements with Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells, Parnell and Willoch, as well as separate Change in Control Agreements with Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch, which generally describe the benefits payable at, following, or in connection with various termination scenarios.  As stated in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Company entered into amended and restated Employment and Change in Control Agreements with Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch that are effective January 1, 2008 (primarily to conform such agreements to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended).  However, as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the following discussion pertains to their respective agreements in place as of December 30, 2007.  These are summarized as follows:

Employment Agreements

In April of 1997, the Company entered into substantially similar employment agreements with Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch.  In October of 2005, the Company entered into a substantially similar employment agreement with Mr. Lynch.  Each of their agreements was for a rolling two-year term, such that the remaining term was always two years (until such time as the executive reached the age of 63, at which time the term was fixed for an additional two years and then expired upon the executive reaching age 65).  The Company was permitted to terminate any of such agreements upon two years’ notice, and each executive was permitted to voluntarily terminate his respective agreement upon 90 days notice.  The employment agreements also contained provisions placing restrictions on the executives’ ability to compete with the Company, or solicit its customers or employees, for a two year period following the termination of employment.

     

 
- 29 -

 


In March of 2007, the Company entered into two separate employment agreements with Named Executive Officer Mr. Parnell (one agreement applies to Mr. Parnell’s activities performed on the Company’s behalf within the United Kingdom; the other applies to his activities outside of the U.K.).  Both agreements contain substantially similar terms, except that the specified compensation in each agreement correlates to the estimated amount of time Mr. Parnell anticipates spending within and outside of the U.K.  The agreements remain in effect until such time as the Company provides Mr. Parnell with twelve months’ notice (or pay in lieu of notice) of its intention to terminate Mr. Parnell’s employment relationship.  The employment agreements also contain provisions placing restrictions on Mr. Parnell’s ability to compete with the Company for a six month period following the termination of employment, as well as solicit its customers or employees for a twelve month period following the termination of employment.

Change in Control Agreements

In April of 1997, each of Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch entered into substantially similar change in control agreements with the Company.  In October of 2005, the Company entered into a substantially similar change in control agreement with Mr. Lynch.  Mr. Parnell is not party to a change in control agreement.  Each of the agreements for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch was for a rolling two-year term, such that the remaining term was always two years (until such time as the executive reached the age of 63, at which time the term was fixed for an additional two years and then expired upon the executive reaching age 65).  The Company generally was permitted to terminate any of such agreements upon two years’ notice. The agreements provided for certain benefits in the event of a termination of employment under certain circumstances in connection with a “Change in Control” (as defined in the agreements) of the Company.  In general, each agreement provided benefits to the officer upon an “Involuntary Termination” (essentially, termination without cause) or a “Voluntary Termination” (essentially, resignation in the face of specified coercive tactics) occurring within 24 months after or six months prior to the date of a Change in Control.  The agreements also entitled Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch to receive tax “gross-up” payments to cover the amount of any excise taxes imposed on the benefits payable following a “Change in Control” under Sections 4999 and 280G of the Internal Revenue Code.

Payments to Named Executive Officers Upon Termination or Change in Control

In the event that any of the Named Executive Officers (i) retired, (ii) died or suffered a disability, (iii) resigned, or (iv) was terminated by the Company (x) with “just cause” (“summary dismissal” in the case of Mr. Parnell), (y) without “just cause” or (z) in connection with a “change in control” (as applicable, and as such terms are defined in the respective agreements) on December 30, 2007, they would have been entitled to receive the following types of payments and benefits, and would have been subject to the various restrictive covenants, described below.

     

 
- 30 -

 

Upon Retirement:

 
Payment, Benefit or Restrictive Covenant
 
 
 
Entitled to Receive
 
Base Salary
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive his base salary (then-current amount) through the effective date of retirement.
 
Bonus
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive a prorated portion of his annual bonus opportunity calculated based on the date of retirement (e.g., a June 30 retirement would entitle executive to 50% of the bonus otherwise payable).
Stock Options
 
 
Executive would forfeit any unvested stock options; all previously-vested options would terminate over the period of time specified in the applicable stock option agreements (typically 12 to 24 months).
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
Executive would immediately vest in a percentage of all unvested restricted stock awards, as specified in the applicable restricted stock agreement(s) (assuming retirement at age 65).
Salary Continuation Plan/Europe Pension Plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salary Continuation Plan participant would receive full benefits upon retirement at age 65 after completing at least 15 years of service, payable for the remainder of his life (or, if elected, a reduced benefit for the remainder of his life and any surviving spouse’s life).  A reduced benefit is available to participant beginning at age 55.  Participant is prohibited from competing with the Company while receiving benefits.  Europe Pension Plan participant Mr. Parnell would receive full pension benefits per the terms of the Pension Plan documents assuming retirement at the “normal retirement date” (as defined in the Pension Plan documents).
 
 
Other Employee Retirement Plans
 
 
 
No additional benefit beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the Company’s 401(k) Plan and Nonqualified Plan following termination of employment.
 
Health, Life and Other Insurance Coverages
 
 
 
Upon attaining age 50 with 15 years of service, or age 55 with 10 years of service, all U.S. based employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s Retiree Medical Plan provided that the employee pays the associated premium (which is designed to cover the full cost of the plan).  No additional benefits are received beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the terms of the respective medical and/or insurance plans.  Mr. Hendrix has a Split Dollar Insurance Policy as described in footnote 6 to the 2007 Summary Compensation Table.
 
Restrictive Covenants
 
 
 
Executive would be prohibited from competing with the Company, or soliciting its customers or employees, for a two year period following retirement.  Mr. Parnell would be prohibited from competing with the Company for a six month period following termination of employment or from soliciting its customers or employees for a 12 month period following termination of employment.

Upon Death/Disability:

 
Payment, Benefit or Restrictive Covenant
 
 
 
Entitled to Receive
 
 
Base Salary
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive his base salary (then-current amount) through the date of death/disability.
 
 
Bonus
 
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive a prorated portion of his annual bonus opportunity calculated based on the date of death/disability (e.g., a June 30 death/disability would entitle executive to 50% of the bonus otherwise payable).
 
Stock Options
 
 
 
Executive would forfeit any unvested stock options; all previously-vested options would terminate over the period of time specified in the applicable stock option agreements (typically 12 to 24 months due to disability following termination and 24 months following termination due to death).
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
 
Executive would immediately vest in a percentage of all unvested restricted stock awards, as specified in the applicable restricted stock agreement(s).
 
Salary Continuation Plan/Europe Pension Plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upon Salary Continuation Plan participant’s death, he would receive a 10 year certain payout of an annual benefit level as if he were eligible for full benefits (e.g., age 65).  Upon a participant’s disability, he will receive a payout at an annual benefit level that when combined with all other Company-sponsored disability security payments being paid, equals 66 2/3% of the total payable compensation.  Participant is prohibited from competing with the Company while receiving benefits.  Europe Pension Plan participant Mr. Parnell receives full pension benefits per the terms of the Plan as if Mr. Parnell remained employed until the “normal retirement date” (as defined in the Pension Plan documents).
Other Employee Retirement Plans
 
 
No additional benefit beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the Company’s 401(k) Plan and Nonqualified Plan following termination of employment.
 
Health, Life and Other Insurance Coverages
 
 
 
Upon attaining age 50 with 15 years of service, or age 55 with 10 years of service, all U.S. based employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s Retiree Medical Plan provided that the employee pays the associated premium (which is designed to cover the full cost of the plan).  No additional benefits are received beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the terms of the respective medical and/or insurance plans.  Mr. Hendrix has a Split Dollar Insurance Policy as described in footnote 6 to the 2007 Summary Compensation Table.
 
Restrictive Covenants
 
 
 
 
 
Executive would be prohibited from competing with the Company, or soliciting its customers or employees, for a two year period following any disability. Mr. Parnell would be prohibited from competing with the Company for a six month period following termination of employment or from soliciting its customers or employees for a 12 month period following termination of employment.
 

     

 
- 31 -

 
Upon Resignation:

 
Payment, Benefit or Restrictive Covenant
 
 
 
Entitled to Receive
 
 
Base Salary
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive his base salary (then-current amount) through the effective date of resignation.
 
 
Bonus
 
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive a prorated portion of his annual bonus opportunity calculated based on the date of resignation (e.g., a June 30 resignation would entitle executive to 50% of the bonus otherwise payable).
 
Stock Options
 
 
 
Executive would forfeit any unvested stock options; all previously-vested options would terminate over the period of time specified in the applicable stock option agreements (typically 12 to 24 months).
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
 
Executive would forfeit any unvested restricted stock awards.
 
Salary Continuation Plan/Europe Pension Plan
 
 
 
Salary Continuation Plan participants would receive no benefit.  Europe Pension Plan participant Mr. Parnell would be entitled to receive “deferred benefits”, a reduced pension amount as compared to the benefits which he would have received if Mr. Parnell remained employed until the “normal retirement date” (as defined in the Pension Plan documents).
 
Other Employee Retirement Plans
 
 
 
No additional benefit beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the Company’s 401(k) Plan and Nonqualified Plan following termination of employment.
 
Health, Life and Other Insurance Coverages
 
 
 
Upon attaining age 50 with 15 years of service, or age 55 with 10 years of service, all U.S. based employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s Retiree Medical Plan provided that the employee pays the associated premium (which is designed to cover the full cost of the plan).  No additional benefits are received beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the terms of the respective medical and/or insurance plans.  Mr. Hendrix has a Split Dollar Insurance Policy as described in footnote 6 to the 2007 Summary Compensation Table.
 
Restrictive Covenants
 
 
 
Executive would be prohibited from competing with the Company, or soliciting its customers or employees, for a two year period following resignation.  Mr. Parnell would be prohibited from competing with the Company for a six month period following termination of employment or from soliciting its customers or employees for a 12 month period following termination of employment.
 
 
 
Upon Termination With “Just Cause”/”Summary Dismissal”:

 
Payment, Benefit or Restrictive Covenant
 
 
 
Entitled to Receive
 
 
Base Salary
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive his base salary (then-current amount) through the effective date of termination.
 
 
Bonus
 
 
 
No benefit.
 
Stock Options
 
 
 
Executive would forfeit any unvested stock options; all previously-vested options would terminate three months following termination.
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
 
Executive would forfeit any unvested restricted stock awards.
 
Salary Continuation Plan/Europe Pension Plan
 
 
 
 
Salary Continuation Plan participants would receive no benefit.  Europe Pension Plan participant Mr. Parnell would be entitled to receive “deferred benefits”, a reduced pension amount as compared to the benefits which he would have received if Mr. Parnell remained employed until the “normal retirement date” (as defined in the Pension Plan documents), and upon attaining age 50, would receive full pension benefits per the terms of the Pension Plan documents.
Other Employee Retirement Plans
 
 
 
No additional benefit beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the Company’s 401(k) Plan and Nonqualified Plan following termination of employment.
 
Health, Life and Other Insurance Coverages
 
 
 
Upon attaining age 50 with 15 years of service, or age 55 with 10 years of service, all U.S. based employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s Retiree Medical Plan provided that the employee pays the associated premium (which is designed to cover the full cost of the plan).  No additional benefits are received beyond those to which the executive would be normally entitled under the terms of the respective medical and/or insurance plans.  Mr. Hendrix has a Split Dollar Insurance Policy as described in footnote 6 to the 2007 Summary Compensation Table.
 
Restrictive Covenants
 
 
 
Executive would be prohibited from competing with the Company, or soliciting its customers or employees, for a two year period following termination.  Mr. Parnell would be prohibited from competing with the Company for a six month period following termination of employment or from soliciting its customers or employees for a 12 month period following termination of employment.
 
 
     

 
- 32 -

 
Upon Termination Without “Just Cause”:

Payment, Benefit or Restrictive Covenant
 
 
Entitled to Receive
 
Base Salary
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive his base salary in its then-current amount for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years, or, in the case of Mr. Parnell, 12 months).
 
Bonus
 
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive bonus payments for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years) in an amount equal to the bonuses received by the executive during the two years prior to the effective termination date, as well as a prorated bonus for the year in which employment terminates.  Mr. Parnell would be entitled to receive bonus payments equal to the amount of bonus he would have received had he remained employed for the remaining term.
Stock Options
 
 
 
Executive would immediately vest in all unvested options.  The options could be subsequently exercised over the period of time specified in the applicable stock option agreements (typically 12 to 24 months).
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
 
Executive would immediately vest in a percentage of all unvested restricted stock awards, as specified in the applicable restricted stock agreement(s).
Salary Continuation Plan/Europe Pension Plan
 
 
 
 
 
Salary Continuation Plan participant would remain eligible for participation in the Plan as if he were to remain employed, and thus would receive full benefits at age 65 after completing at least 15 years of service, payable for the remainder of his life, or a reduced benefit beginning as early as age 55 (or, if elected, a reduced benefit for the remainder of his and any surviving spouse’s life).  Participant is prohibited from competing with the Company while receiving benefits.  Europe Pension Plan participant Mr. Parnell would be entitled to receive “deferred benefits”, a reduced pension amount as compared to the benefits which he would have received if Mr. Parnell remained employed until the “normal retirement date”.  Upon attaining age 50, he would be entitled to receive full pension benefits per the terms of the Pension Plan documents.
Other Employee Retirement Plans
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to continue to participate for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years, or, in the case of Mr. Parnell, 12 months).
 
 
Health, Life and Other Insurance Coverages
 
 
Executive would be entitled to continue coverages for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years, or, in the case of Mr. Parnell, 12 months) with the Company paying the associated premium.  Thereafter, upon attaining age 50 with 15 years of service, or age 55 with 10 years of service, a U.S. based executives (like all other U.S based employees) would be eligible to participate in the Company’s Retiree Medical Plan provided that the executive pays the associated premium (which is designed to cover the full cost of the plan).
 
Restrictive Covenants
 
 
 
Executive would be prohibited from competing with the Company, or soliciting its customers or employees, for a two year period following termination.  Mr. Parnell would be prohibited from competing with the Company for a six month period following termination of employment or from soliciting its customers or employees for a 12 month period following termination of employment.
 
Upon Termination Following “Change in Control”(1):

Payment, Benefit or Restrictive Covenant
 
 
 
Entitled to Receive
 
Base Salary
 
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to receive his base salary in its then-current amount for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years).  Such amount would be paid in a lump sum, discounted to present value.
 
Bonus
 
 
 
 
Executive would receive bonus payments for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years) in an amount equal to the bonuses received by the executive during the two years prior to the effective termination date, as well as a prorated bonus for the year in which employment terminates.  Such amount would be paid in a lump sum, discounted to present value.
 
Stock Options
 
 
 
Executive would immediately vest in all unvested options.  The options could be subsequently exercised over the period of time specified in the applicable stock option agreements (typically 12 to 24 months).
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
 
Executive would immediately vest in all unvested restricted stock awards.
 
Salary Continuation Plan/Europe Pension Plan
 
 
 
 
Salary Continuation Plan participant would remain eligible for participation in the Plan as if he were to remain employed, and thus would receive full benefits at age 65 after completing at least 15 years of service, payable for the remainder of his life, or a reduced benefit beginning as early as age 55 (or, if elected, a reduced benefit for the remainder of his and any surviving spouse’s life).  Participant would also receive the benefit of a cost of living adjustment calculated with reference to a specified consumer price index on each participant’s annual benefit amount (such adjustment accruing from the date of termination until such date that the participant begins to receive benefits, and not thereafter).  Participant is prohibited from competing with the Company while receiving benefits.
 
Other Employee Retirement Plans
 
 
 
Executive would be entitled to continue to participate for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years).
 
Health, Life and Other Insurance Coverages
 
 
 
Executive will be entitled to continue coverages for remaining term of employment agreement (typically two years) with the Company paying the associated premium.  Thereafter, upon attaining age 50 with 15 years of service, or age 55 with 10 years of service, a U.S. based executives (like all other U.S. based employees) would be eligible to participate in the Company’s Retiree Medical Plan provided that the executive pays the associated premium (which is designed to cover the full cost of the plan).
 
Restrictive Covenants
 
 
Executive would be prohibited from competing with the Company, or soliciting its customers or employees, for a two year period following termination.  Mr. Parnell would be prohibited from competing with the Company for a six month period following termination of employment or from soliciting its customers or employees for a 12 month period following termination of employment.

 
(1)
Mr. Parnell is not party to a change in control agreement, and thus does not receive any materially different benefits and/or payments upon a “Change in Control” as compared to the Termination Without “Just Cause” scenario described above.

     

 
- 33 -

 


The following tables summarize the benefits payable to each of Named Executive Officers under his employment and (as applicable) change in control agreement in effect at December 30, 2007.  The tables do not include amounts payable under employee benefit plans in which Company associates are eligible to participate on a non-discriminatory basis.  The amounts shown in the tables below assume that a Named Executive Officer’s employment terminated as of December 30, 2007, and that the price per share of the Company’s stock was $16.42.


Daniel T. Hendrix

   
Retirement
 
Death/Disability
 
Resignation
 
Termination with Just Cause
 
Termination without Just Cause
 
Termination Following Change in Control(1)(2)
   
__________
 
___________
 
__________
 
____________
 
___________
 
___________
                         
Compensation:
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
Base salary
    --       --       --       --       1,500,000       1,500,000  
Bonus
    --       --       --       --       1,663,585       1,935,460  
Stock options
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
Restricted stock(3)
    --       2,064,027       --       --       2,064,027       3,549,922  
                                                 
Benefits and Perquisites:
                                               
Salary continuation(4)
    --  
 785,171 /1,046,789
      --       --       --       -- (7)
Retirement plans(5)
    --       --       --       --       65,049       65,049  
Health, life and other insurance(6)
    --       --       --       --       36,038       36,038  
Excise tax gross-up
    --       --       --       --       --       5,098,524 (8)
                                                 



Patrick C. Lynch

   
Retirement
 
Death/Disability
 
Resignation
 
Termination with Just Cause
 
Termination without Just Cause
 
Termination Following Change in Control(1)(2)
   
__________
 
___________
 
__________
 
____________
 
___________
 
___________
                         
Compensation:
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
Base salary
    --       --       --       --       650,000       650,000  
Bonus
    --       --       --       --       540,927       653,427  
Stock options
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
Restricted stock(3)
    --       369,088       --       --       369,088       836,878  
                                                 
Benefits and Perquisites:
                                               
Salary continuation
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
Retirement plans(5)
    --       --       --       --       28,408       28,408  
Health, life and other insurance(6)
    --       --       --       --       34,062       34,062  
Excise tax gross-up
    --       --       --       --       --       732,188 (8)
                                                 



     

 
- 34 -

 

John R. Wells

   
Retirement
 
Death/Disability
 
Resignation
 
Termination with Just Cause
 
Termination without Just Cause
 
Termination Following Change in Control(1)(2)
   
__________
 
___________
 
__________
 
____________
 
___________
 
___________
                                     
Compensation:
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
Base salary
    --       --       --       --       1,015,000       1,015,000  
Bonus
    --       --       --       --       920,194       1,103,944  
Stock options
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
Restricted stock(3)
    --       1,123,029       --       --       1,123,029       2,065,127  
                                                 
Benefits and Perquisites:
                                               
Salary continuation(4)
    --     446,806 / 595,682       --       --       --       -- (7)
Retirement plans(5)
    --       --       --       --       41,050       41,050  
Health, life and other insurance(6)
    --       --       --       --       35,942       35,942  
Excise tax gross-up
    --       --       --       --       --       2,863,650 (8)
                                                 

Lindsey K. Parnell

   
Retirement
 
Death/Disability
 
Resignation
 
Termination with Just Cause
 
Termination without Just Cause
Termination Following Change in Control(1)
   
__________
 
___________
 
__________
 
____________
 
___________
___________
                               
Compensation:
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
($)
Base salary
    --       --       --       --       360,906       --  
Bonus
    --       --       --       --       654,141       --  
Stock options
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
Restricted stock(3)
    --       394,129       --       --       394,129       --  
                                                 
Benefits and Perquisites:
                                               
Salary continuation
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
Retirement plans(5)
    95,123       95,123       41,033       95,123       95,123       --  
Health, life and other insurance(6)
    --       --       --       --       10,718       --  
Excise tax gross-up
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
                                                 

Raymond S. Willoch

   
Retirement
 
Death/Disability
 
Resignation
 
Termination with Just Cause
 
Termination without Just Cause
 
Termination Following Change in Control(1)(2)
   
__________
 
___________
 
__________
 
____________
 
___________
 
___________
                                     
Compensation:
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
Base salary
    --       --       --       --       720,000       720,000  
Bonus
    --       --       --       --       632,520       762,833  
Stock options
    --       --       --       --       --       --  
Restricted stock(3)
    --       720,707       --       --       720,707       1,409,115  
                                                 
Benefits and Perquisites:
                                               
Salary continuation(4)
    --     321,943 / 429,214       --       --       --       -- (7)
Retirement plans(5)
    --       --       --       --       32,264       32,264  
Health, life and other insurance(6)
    --       --       --       --       35,138       35,138  
Excise tax gross-up
    --       --       --       --       --       2,077,579 (8)


     

 
- 35 -

 

 
(1)
All benefits paid to Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch upon a termination following a “Change in Control” (under the Change in Control Agreement) will be reduced by the compensation and benefits, if any, paid to the officer pursuant to his Employment Agreement with the Company.  Mr. Parnell is not party to a Change in Control Agreement, and thus does not receive any materially different benefits and/or payments upon a “Change in Control” as compared to those presented in the Termination without Just Cause column.

 
(2)
Unlike a number of publicly-traded companies, the Company does not utilize a “single trigger” concept for severance payments in its employment and change in control agreements.  The “Change in Control” (as defined in the applicable agreements) does not, by itself, provide the Named Executive Officer with any right to resign and receive a severance benefit.  Instead, for severance benefits to be payable, there must be a “second trigger” of either (i) a termination without “just cause” or (ii) a “voluntary termination” (essentially, resignation in the face of specified coercive tactics) that occurs within 24 months after or six months prior to the date of a Change in Control.  The amounts included in this column thus assume that both a “Change in Control” and a subsequent termination (as described immediately above) occurred as of December 30, 2007.  If a related termination did not in fact occur, no severance payments would be payable.  The amounts in this column for Base Salary and Bonus would be paid in a lump sum within 30 days, discounted to present value.

 
(3)
These amounts assume each Named Executive Officer sold all newly vested shares of restricted stock immediately upon termination of employment.

 
(4)
The amounts included in the “Death/Disability” column represent the annual payments to which Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch would be entitled under the Salary Continuation Plan following their death or disability as of December 30, 2007.  The annual benefit amount following a participant’s death would be paid for 10 years, after which time it would permanently cease.  In the event of a participant’s disability, the annual benefit amount would continue for as long as the participant continued to suffer the qualifying disability.

 
(5)
The amounts noted for Messrs. Hendrix, Lynch, Wells and Willoch represent contributions required to be made by the Company on behalf of each executive following termination, and assume each executive chose to maintain his respective current level of contribution to the 401(k) Plan, as well as his deferral election under the Nonqualified Plan.  The amounts contained in Mr. Lynch’s table above do not include the Key Employee Retirement Savings Benefit contribution made by the Company in 2007, as the contribution had not vested as of December 30, 2007.  The amounts contained in Mr. Parnell’s table above reflect the annual payments to which he would be entitled under the terms of the Europe Pension Plan.

 
(6)
These amounts represent premiums paid by the Company on behalf of each Named Executive Officer following termination, and assume each Named Executive Officer chose to maintain his current coverages under the various medical and/or insurance plans in which he was a participant.

 
(7)
If a Salary Continuation Plan participant was terminated on December 30, 2007 following a “Change in Control”, he would not be entitled to any accelerated vesting and/or immediate payment of Plan benefits.  Instead, the participant would remain eligible for participation in the Plan as if he remained employed, and thus would receive full benefits at age 65 after completing at least 15 years of service, payable for the remainder of his life, or a reduced benefit beginning as early as age 55 (or, if elected, a reduced benefit for the remainder of his and any surviving spouse’s life).  However, the excise tax calculations performed pursuant to Sections 4999 and 280G of the Internal Revenue Code require, for purposes of this presentation and the resulting excise tax “gross-up” set forth herein for each executive, that the full lifetime benefit amount ultimately payable to each Plan participant (reduced to a net present value) be included.  The aggregate actuarial lifetime benefit amounts payable, reduced to a present value and assuming Plan benefits are paid beginning at age 61, are $6,440,360, $3,180,705 and $2,493,541 for Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch, respectively.

Each Plan participant would, however, in the case of a termination following a Change in Control, receive the benefit of a cost of living adjustment calculated with reference to a specified consumer price index on each participant’s annual Plan benefit amount (such adjustment accruing from the date of termination until such date that the participant actually begins to receive benefits, and not thereafter).  The aggregate actuarial lifetime value of the cost of living adjustment, reduced to a present value and assuming Plan benefits are paid beginning at age 55, are $304,187, $610,601 and $322,187 for Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch, respectively.

 
(8)
As discussed in Footnote 7, these amounts are calculated assuming (as applicable) the inclusion of the full lifetime benefit amount ultimately payable to each Salary Continuation Plan participant (reduced to a net present value) in connection with a termination following a Change in Control.  To the extent that the cost of living adjustment amounts referenced in Footnote 7, rather than the full lifetime benefit amounts, were instead included in the 280G excise tax calculations, the amounts shown as excise tax “gross-up” benefits payable to Messrs. Hendrix, Wells and Willoch in connection with a termination following a Change-in-Control would be $1,947,460, $1,543,956 and $962,635 (respectively).  The excise tax “gross-up” amounts presented further assume that none of the payments in the event of a termination following a Change in Control would be categorized as “reasonable compensation” (such as, for example, payments associated with non-compete and other restrictive covenants) for purposes of the Section 280G excise tax calculation.  The Company believes that a substantial amount of the payments could be deemed “reasonable compensation” for purposes of Section 280G, which could substantially reduce the excise tax “gross-up” payable hereunder.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
(ITEM 2)

Information Concerning the Company’s Accountants

BDO Seidman, LLP (“BDO Seidman”) acted as the Company’s independent auditor during the past fiscal year.  The Audit Committee has again appointed BDO Seidman to act as the independent auditor of the Company for fiscal year 2008.  The Board of Directors will present to the annual meeting a proposal that such appointment be ratified.  Should the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection, but may continue the engagement.  Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time.  BDO Seidman has no financial interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or any subsidiary.

A representative of BDO Seidman is expected to be present at the annual meeting to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions.

     

 
- 36 -

 

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table shows the fees for professional audit and other services provided by BDO Seidman to the Company for fiscal years 2007 and 2006.

   
2007 
   
2006 
 
Audit Fees1
  $ 1,764,000     $ 2,212,000  
Audit-Related Fees2
    18,000       141,000  
Tax Fees3
    222,000       229,000  
All Other Fees4
    --       --  
Total
  $ 2,004,000     $ 2,582,000  
_________________

 
(1)
“Audit Fees” consist of fees billed or accrued for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, review of the interim financial statements included in quarterly reports, and services that are normally provided by BDO Seidman in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
 
(2)
“Audit-Related Fees” consist of fees billed or accrued primarily for employee benefit plan audits and other attestation services.  In 2006, this category included $125,000 of fees related to the Company’s public offering of 5,750,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
(3)
“Tax Fees” consist of fees billed or accrued for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, both domestic and international.
 
(4)
“All Other Fees” consist of fees billed or accrued for those services not captured in the audit, audit-related and tax categories.  The Company generally does not request such services from the independent auditors.

 
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

Consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the Company’s independent auditors.  In recognition of this responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors.

These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.  Pre-approval is generally provided for and detailed as to the particular services or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget.  None of the services rendered by the independent auditors under the categories “Audit-Related Fees”, “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” described above were approved by the Audit Committee after services were rendered pursuant to the de minimis exception established by the Commission.

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board

Under the Company’s Bylaws, the proposal to ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman to act as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal year 2008 is approved if the affirmative votes cast by the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote and represented (in person or by proxy) at the meeting exceed the negative votes.  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL, AND THE PROXY SUBMITTED BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET OR PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED IN THIS MANNER UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER SUBMITTING THE PROXY SPECIFICALLY VOTES TO THE CONTRARY (OR ABSTAINS).

     

 
- 37 -

 


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Stock Market reports of ownership and changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Directors, executive officers and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely upon a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company or written representations that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during fiscal 2007 all filing requirements applicable to its directors, executive officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners were met except that (1) David McNeely Bradham, a Vice President of the Company during 2007, filed a late Form 4 with respect to the receipt of 9,250 shares of restricted stock; (2) Robert A. Coombs, a Vice President of the Company, filed two late Form 4s with respect to the sale of 21,060 shares and with respect to the exercise of 35,000 stock options; and (3) Lindsey K. Parnell, a Vice President of the Company, filed a late Form 4 with respect to the receipt of 32,000 shares of restricted stock.


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter that was adopted by the Board of Directors.  (A copy of the Audit Committee Charter may be viewed on the Company’s website, www.interfaceinc.com/results/investor/.)  The Company’s management is responsible for its internal accounting controls and the financial reporting process. The Company’s independent accountants, BDO Seidman, are responsible for performing an audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States.  The independent accountants also are responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

In keeping with that responsibility, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements with management and BDO Seidman. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with BDO Seidman the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, “Communications with Audit Committee,” as currently in effect. In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures from BDO Seidman required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” and has discussed with the independent accountants their independence. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the provision of any services discussed above in Item 2 under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors -- All Other Fees” by BDO Seidman is compatible with maintaining BDO Seidman’s independence.

The Board of Directors, in its business judgment, has determined that all three members of the Audit Committee are “independent,” as required by applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market as currently in effect. Although the members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting and are not experts in the fields of auditing or accounting (including in respect of auditor independence), the Board of Directors determined that each member does qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.  Members of the Audit Committee rely, without independent verification, on the information provided to them and on the representations made by management and BDO Seidman. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has followed appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or maintained appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of the Company’s financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that the Company’s auditors are “independent.”

     

 
- 38 -

 


Based on the reports and discussions described in this report, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee referred to above and in the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Carl I. Gable (Chair)
Edward C. Callaway
James B. Miller, Jr.


SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Company’s 2009 annual meeting must be received by the Company no later than December 11, 2008, in order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement and form of Proxy for that meeting.  In addition, in accordance with Article II, Section 9, of the Bylaws of the Company, proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Company’s 2009 annual meeting must be presented to the Board of Directors by no later than 90 days prior to that annual meeting, with such deadline for presentation of proposals estimated to be February 19, 2009.


COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD

Shareholders wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors may send communications via U.S. mail to the following address:

Chairman of the Board
Interface, Inc.
2859 Paces Ferry Road
Suite 2000
Atlanta, GA 30339

From time to time, the Board may change the process by which shareholders may communicate with the Board or its members. The Company’s website, www.interfaceinc.com, will reflect any changes to the process.
 
Attendance of Board members at annual meetings is left to the discretion of each individual Board member.  Five Board members attended the 2007 annual meeting (either in person or by telephone).
 

“HOUSEHOLDING” OF PROXY MATERIALS

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those shareholders.  This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.  The Company and some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or us that they or we will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent.  If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or us if you hold shares as the registered holder.  You can notify us by sending a written request to Interface, Inc., Attn:  Secretary, 2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 2000, Atlanta, Georgia 30339.

OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING

The Company knows of no matters other than those stated above that are to be brought before the meeting. However, if any other matter should be properly presented for consideration and voting, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies in the enclosed Proxy to vote the Proxy in accordance with their judgment of what is in the best interest of the Company.




 
By order of the Board of Directors
 
/s/ RAYMOND S. WILLOCH                            
 
RAYMOND S. WILLOCH
 
Secretary
April 8, 2008
 


     

 
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Electronic Voting Instructions
 
   
You can vote by Internet or telephone!
 
   
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
 
   
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.
 
   
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR
 
   
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received
by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 20, 2008.
 
   
Vote by Internet
 
   
Log on to the Internet and go to 
www.envisionreports.com/itfc
 
   
 Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.  
   
Vote by telephone
 
   
Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico any time on a touch tone telephone.  There is NO CHARGE to you for the call.
 
   
Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.  
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example.  Please do not write outside the designated areas.
x
   
       
Annual Meeting Proxy Card     Class A Common Stock                     
 
if you have not voted via the internet or telephone, fold along the perforation,
detach and return the bottom portion in the enclosed envelope.

A      ProposalsThe Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2.

1.  Election of Directors
               
 
For
Withhold
 
For
Withhold
 
For
Withhold
01 – Dianne Dillon-Ridgley
[   ]
[   ]
02 – June M. Henton
[   ]
[   ]
03 – Christopher G. Kennedy
[   ]
[   ]
                 
 
For
Withhold
 
For
Withhold
     
04 – K. David Kohler
[   ]
[   ]
05 – Thomas R. Oliver
[   ]
[   ]
 
[   ]
[   ]


 
For
Against
Abstain
       
2.    Ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent auditors for 2008.
[   ]
[   ]
[   ]
3.   In accordance with their best judgment, with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the meeting.
     

B      Non-Voting Items
 
Change of Address Please print your new address below.
 
 
 
 
 
C      Authorized Signatures – This section must be completed for your vote to be counted.  – Date and Sign Below
 
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.  Please sign and date this Proxy exactly as name appears.  NOTE:  When signing as an attorney, trustee, administrator or guardian, please give your title as such.  In the case of joint tenants, each joint owner must sign.
 
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) – Please print date below.
 
Signature 1 – Please keep signature within the box
 
Signature 2 – Please keep signature within the box
         
         
 


 
 
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if you have not voted via the internet or telephone, fold along the perforation,
detach and return the bottom portion in the enclosed envelope.

   
Proxy – Interface, Inc.


CLASS A COMMON STOCK
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
The undersigned hereby appoints Ray C. Anderson and Daniel T. Hendrix, or either of them, with the power of substitution to each, the proxies of the undersigned to vote the Class A Common Stock of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Interface, Inc. to be held on May 20, 2008, and any adjournment thereof.
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FAVORS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 AND, UNLESS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN THE SPACES PROVIDED, THIS PROXY WILL BE SO VOTED.
 
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


 
- 42 -

 






   
Electronic Voting Instructions
 
   
You can vote by Internet or telephone!
 
   
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
 
   
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.
 
   
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR
 
   
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on May 20, 2008.
 
   
Vote by Internet
 
   
Log on to the Internet and go to
www.envisionreports.com/itfc
 
   
Follow the steps outlined on the secured website.  
   
Vote by telephone
 
   
Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico any time on a touch tone telephone.  There is NO CHARGE to you for the call.
 
 
   
 Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.  
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example.  Please do not write outside the designated areas.
x
   
       
Annual Meeting Proxy Card     Class B Common Stock                     
 
if you have not voted via the internet or telephone, fold along the perforation,
detach and return the bottom portion in the enclosed envelope.

A      ProposalsThe Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2.

1.  Election of Directors
               
 
For
Withhold
 
For
Withhold
 
For
Withhold
01 – Ray C. Anderson
[   ]
[   ]
02 – Edward C. Callaway
[   ]
[   ]
03 – Carl I. Gable
[   ]
[   ]
                 
 
For
Withhold
 
For
Withhold
     
04 – Daniel T. Hendrix
[   ]
[   ]
05 – James B. Miller, Jr.
[   ]
[   ]
06 – Harold M. Paisner
[   ]
[   ]
                 


 
For
Against
Abstain
       
2.    Ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent auditors for 2008.
[   ]
[   ]
[   ]
3.   In accordance with their best judgment, with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the meeting.
     

B      Non-Voting Items
 
Change of Address Please print your new address below.
 
 
 
C      Authorized Signatures – This section must be completed for your vote to be counted.  – Date and Sign Below
 
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.  Please sign and date this Proxy exactly as name appears.  NOTE:  When signing as an attorney, trustee, administrator or guardian, please give your title as such.  In the case of joint tenants, each joint owner must sign.
 
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) – Please print date below.
 
Signature 1 – Please keep signature within the box
 
Signature 2 – Please keep signature within the box
         
         
 


 
 
- 43 -

 










































if you have not voted via the internet or telephone, fold along the perforation,
detach and return the bottom portion in the enclosed envelope.


   
Proxy – Interface, Inc.


CLASS B COMMON STOCK
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
The undersigned hereby appoints Ray C. Anderson and Daniel T. Hendrix, or either of them, with the power of substitution to each, the proxies of the undersigned to vote the Class B Common Stock of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Interface, Inc. to be held on May 20, 2008, and any adjournment thereof.
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FAVORS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 AND, UNLESS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN THE SPACES PROVIDED, THIS PROXY WILL BE SO VOTED.
 
PLEASE VOTE, DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
 
 

 

 
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