UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY
(AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
INVACARE CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] 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.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
[GRAPHIC OMITTED][GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Invacare Corporation
One Invacare Way
Elyria, Ohio 44035
April [__], 2007
To the Shareholders of
INVACARE CORPORATION:
This year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 10:00 A.M.
(EDT), on Thursday, May 24, 2007, at the Lorain County Community College,
Spitzer Conference Center, Grand Room, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio. We
will be reporting on Invacare's activities and you will have an opportunity to
ask questions about its operations.
We hope that you are planning to attend the annual meeting personally and
we look forward to seeing you. Whether or not you expect to attend in person,
the return of the enclosed proxy as soon as possible would be greatly
appreciated and will ensure that your shares will be represented at the annual
meeting. If you do attend the annual meeting, you may, of course, withdraw your
proxy should you wish to vote in person.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Invacare Corporation,
I would like to thank you for your continued support and confidence.
Sincerely yours,
/s/A. Malachi Mixon, III
A. Malachi Mixon, III
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
[GRAPHIC OMITTED][GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Invacare Corporation
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To Be Held On May 24, 2007
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Invacare Corporation (the "Company")
will be held at the Lorain County Community College, Spitzer Conference Center,
Grand Room, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio on Thursday, May 24, 2007, at
10:00 A.M. (EDT), for the following purposes:
1. To elect four directors to the class whose three-year term will expire
in 2010;
2. To consider and vote upon amendments to the Company's Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation to permit the Company to issue
non-certificated shares;
3. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent
auditors for our 2007 fiscal year;
4. To consider and vote upon a shareholder proposal, if properly
presented at the annual meeting; and
5. To transact any other business as may properly come before the annual
meeting.
Holders of common shares and Class B common shares of record as of the
close of business on Thursday, March 29, 2007 are entitled to vote at the annual
meeting. It is important that your shares be represented at the annual meeting.
For that reason, we ask that you promptly sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy
card in the return envelope provided. Shareholders who attend the annual meeting
may revoke their proxy and vote in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Dale C. LaPorte
Secretary
April [__], 2007
[GRAPHIC OMITTED][GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Invacare Corporation
-----------------------------
Proxy Statement
For the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
May 24, 2007
-----------------------------
Why am I receiving these materials?
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Invacare for use at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 24, 2007 and any adjournments or postponements
that may occur. The time, place and purposes of the annual meeting are set forth
in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which accompanies this proxy
statement. This proxy statement is being mailed to shareholders on or about
April [__], 2007.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay the expense of soliciting proxies, including the cost of
preparing, assembling and mailing the notice, proxy statement and proxy. In
addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, our directors, officers or
employees, without additional compensation, may make solicitations personally
and by telephone. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents
for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 29, 2007, the
record date for the meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at
the annual meeting. On this record date, there were [ ] common shares and [ ]
Class B common shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted on, you have one vote for each outstanding
common share you own as of March 29, 2007 and ten votes for each outstanding
Class B common share you own as of March 29, 2007.
How do I vote?
If you are a shareholder of record, you can vote in person at the annual
meeting or you can vote by signing and mailing in your proxy card in the
enclosed envelope. If you are a shareholder of record, the proxy holders will
vote your shares based on your directions.
If you sign and return your proxy card, but do not properly direct how your
shares should be voted on a proposal, the proxy holders will vote "FOR"
proposals 1, 2 and 3, and "AGAINST" proposal 4 and will use their discretion on
any other proposals and other matters that may be brought before the annual
meeting.
If you hold common shares through a broker or nominee, you may vote in
person at the annual meeting only if you have obtained a signed proxy from your
broker or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares.
How do I vote my common shares held in the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan?
If you are a participant in the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan, the
voting instruction card should be used to vote the number of common shares that
you are entitled to vote under the plan. If you do not vote timely, your shares
will not be counted.
What are the voting recommendations of the Board of Directors?
Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote:
o "For" the election of the four nominated directors to the class
whose three-year term will expire in 2010;
o "For" the amendments to the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation to permit the Company to issue
non-certificated shares;
o "For" ratifying the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent auditors for our 2007 fiscal year; and
o "Against" the shareholder proposal.
What vote is required to approve each proposal?
Except as otherwise provided by Invacare's amended and restated articles of
incorporation or code of regulations, or required by law, holders of common
shares and Class B common shares will at all times vote on all matters,
including the election of directors, together as one class. No holder of shares
of any class has cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
o Election of Directors (Proposal No. 1). The nominees receiving
the greatest number of votes will be elected. A proxy card marked
"Withhold Authority" with respect to the election of one or more
directors will not be voted with respect to the director or
directors indicated. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have
no effect on the election of directors.
o Approval and adoption of the amendments to the Company's Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation to permit the Company to
issue non-certificated shares (Proposal No. 2). The approval and
adoption of the amendments to the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation to permit the Company to issue
non-certificated shares requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast. A proxy card marked as "Abstain" with
respect to the approval and adoption of the amendments to the
Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will not
be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining
the number of shares entitled to vote. Accordingly, if you
"Abstain" from voting, it will have the same effect as an
"Against" vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the
approval and adoption of the amendment to the plan.
o Ratification of Auditors (Proposal No. 3). Ratification of the
appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. A
proxy card marked as "Abstain" with respect to the ratification
of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP will not be voted,
although it will be counted for purposes of determining the
number of shares entitled to vote. Accordingly, if you "Abstain"
from voting, it will have the same effect as an "Against" vote.
Broker non-votes will have no effect on the ratification.
o Approval of Shareholder Proposal (Proposal No. 4). If properly
presented at the annual meeting, the approval of the shareholder
proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
cast. A proxy card marked as "Abstain" with respect to the
Shareholder Proposal will not be voted, although it will be
counted for purposes of determining the number of shares entitled
to vote. Accordingly, if you "Abstain" from voting, it will have
2
the same effect as an "Against" vote. Broker non-votes will have
no effect on the approval of the shareholder proposal.
What constitutes a quorum?
A quorum of shareholders will be present at the annual meeting if at least
a majority of the aggregate voting power of common shares and Class B common
shares outstanding on the record date are represented, in person or by proxy, at
the annual meeting. On the record date, [ ] votes were outstanding; therefore,
shareholders representing at least [ ] votes will be required to establish a
quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum
requirement.
Can I revoke or change my vote after I submit a proxy?
Yes. You can revoke your proxy or change your vote at any time before the
proxy is exercised at the annual meeting. This can be done by either submitting
another properly completed proxy card with a later date, sending a written
notice to our Secretary, or by attending the annual meeting and voting in
person. You should be aware that simply attending the annual meeting will not
automatically revoke your previously submitted proxy, rather you must notify an
Invacare representative at the annual meeting of your desire to revoke your
proxy and vote in person.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal No. 1)
At the annual meeting, four directors will be elected to serve a three-year
term until the annual meeting in 2010 or until their successors have been
elected and qualified. Each of the nominees is presently a director of Invacare
and has indicated their willingness to serve another term as a director if
elected. If any nominee should become unavailable for election, which is not
currently expected, it is intended that the shares represented by proxy will be
voted for any substitute nominee(s) as may be named by the Board of Directors.
In no event will the proxy holders vote for more than four nominees or for
persons other than those named below and any substitute nominee for any of them.
Nominees for Terms Expiring in 2010
John R. Kasich, 54, has been a director since 2001. Mr. Kasich is a
Managing Director of Lehman Brothers' investment banking group. He spent 18
years as a member of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress,
and served as head of the House Budget Committee from 1995 to 2000. He was the
chief architect of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which eliminated the federal
budget deficits. As a committee chairman, he was the House's top negotiator with
the White House over details of the plan, setting spending limits for all
federal government agencies and cutting taxes. Mr. Kasich serves as a director
of Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE), Columbus, Ohio, a diversified steel
processor that focuses on steel processing and metals-related businesses. Mr.
Kasich is also the host of "Heartland" on the Fox News Channel.
Dan T. Moore, III, 67, has been a director since 1980. Mr. Moore has been
President of Dan T. Moore Co. since 1979 and is Chairman of four advanced
materials manufacturing companies: Flow Polymers, Inc., Soundwich, Inc., Team
Wendy LLC and Impact Ceramics LLC. He is a director of Hawk Corporation (AMEX),
Cleveland, Ohio, a supplier of friction products for brakes, clutches, and
transmissions used in aerospace, industrial and specialty applications, and is a
director of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp (NasdaqNM), Cleveland, Ohio, a provider of
supply chain logistics and a manufacturer of engineered products. Mr. Moore is
also a Trustee of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Joseph B. Richey, II, 70, has been a director since 1980. Mr. Richey has
been President-Invacare Technologies and Senior Vice President-Electronic and
Design Engineering since 1992. Previously, Mr. Richey was Senior Vice
President-Product Development from 1984 to 1992, and Senior Vice President and
General Manager-North American Operations from September 1989 to September 1992.
Mr. Richey also serves as a director of Steris Corporation (NYSE), Cleveland,
Ohio, a manufacturer and distributor of medical sterilizing equipment and as
3
Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of NeuroControl Corporation, North
Ridgeville, Ohio, a privately held company, which develops and markets
electromedical stimulation systems for stroke patients, and is a member of the
Board of Trustees for Case Western Reserve University and The Cleveland Clinic
Foundation.
General James L. Jones, 63, was unanimously elected to the board by
Invacare's current directors effective March 2, 2007. General Jones was
commissioned into the Marine Corps in 1967, served in Vietnam as a platoon and
company commander and became Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1999. General
Jones graduated from the National War College in 1985 and later served as
Military Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Defense. General Jones recently
retired as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
and Commander of the United States European Command. General Jones has a
Bachelor of Science degree and Honorary Doctorate from Georgetown University.
Invacare's Board of Directors recommends that shareholders
vote "FOR" the election of the four directors to the class
whose three-year term will expire in 2010.
Directors whose Terms Will Expire in 2009
James C. Boland, 67, has been a director since 1998. Mr. Boland served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of CAVS/Gund Arena Company (the Cleveland
Cavaliers, a professional team, and Gund Arena) from January 1998 to December
31, 2002, at which time he became Vice-Chairman of the company. The name of the
company was changed to Cavaliers Operating Company, LLC in 2005. Before his
retirement from Ernst & Young LLP in 1998, Mr. Boland served for 22 years as a
partner of Ernst & Young in various roles, including Vice Chairman and Regional
Managing Partner, as well as a member of the firm's Management Committee from
1988 to 1996, and as Vice Chairman of National Accounts from 1997 to his
retirement. Mr. Boland is a director of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE),
Cleveland, Ohio, a manufacturer and distributor of coatings and related products
and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE), Akron, Ohio, one of the world's
leading manufacturers of tires and rubber products, and is a Trustee of
Bluecoats, Inc. and The Harvard Business School Club of Cleveland.
Gerald B. Blouch, 60, has been President and a director of Invacare since
November 1996. Mr. Blouch has been Chief Operating Officer since December 1994
and Chairman-Invacare International since December 1993. Previously, Mr. Blouch
was President-Homecare Division from March 1994 to December 1994 and Senior Vice
President-Homecare Division from September 1992 to March 1994. Mr. Blouch served
as Chief Financial Officer of Invacare from May 1990 to May 1993 and Treasurer
of Invacare from March 1991 to May 1993. Mr. Blouch is also a director of
NeuroControl Corporation, North Ridgeville, Ohio, a privately held company,
which develops and markets electromedical stimulation systems for stroke
patients.
William M. Weber, 67, has been a director since 1988. In August 2005, Mr.
Weber became President and CEO of Air Enterprises L.L.C., which designs and
manufactures custom high end air handling equipment for critical areas in the
hospital, drug and educational markets. Mr. Weber also serves as a director of
Air Enterprises L.L.C. From 1994 to 2005, Mr. Weber was President of Roundcap
L.L.C. and a principal of Roundwood Capital L.P., a partnership that invested in
public and private companies. From 1968 to 1994, Mr. Weber was President of
Weber, Wood, Medinger, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a commercial real estate brokerage
and consulting firm.
Directors whose Terms Will Expire in 2008
Michael F. Delaney, 58, has been a director since 1986. Since 1983, Mr.
Delaney has been the Associate Director of Development of the Paralyzed Veterans
of America, a national veterans' service organization in Washington, D.C. In
October 2003, Mr. Delaney's title changed to Development Officer, Corporate
Marketing.
C. Martin Harris, M.D., 50, has been a director since 2003. Since 1996, Dr.
Harris has been the Chief Information Officer and Chairman of the Information
Technology Division of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio and a
Staff Physician for The Cleveland Clinic Hospital and The Cleveland Clinic
4
Foundation Department of General Internal Medicine. Additionally, since 2000, he
has been Executive Director of e-Cleveland Clinic, a series of e-health clinical
programs offered over the Internet. Nationally, Dr. Harris serves as the
Chairman of the National Health Information Infrastructure (NHII) Task Force of
the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the largest
information and management systems society in the world. He is also the Chairman
of the Foundation Board for the e-Health Initiative, a public policy and
advocacy group that encourages the interoperability of information technology in
healthcare.
Bernadine P. Healy, M.D., 62, has been a director since 1996. Dr. Healy has
been a columnist and Health Editor for U.S. News & World Report since October
2002. She has served on The President's Council of Advisors on Science and
Technology (PCAST) since 2001, and served as a chair of the Ohio Commission to
Reform Medicaid in 2003. Dr. Healy was President and CEO, American Red Cross
from September 1999 to December 2001. From 1995 to August 1999, Dr. Healy served
as the Dean and Professor of Medicine of the College of Medicine and Public
Health of The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Healy is a Trustee of
the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio and is a director of Ashland,
Inc. (NYSE), Covington, Kentucky, a company in specialized chemicals; The
Progressive Corporation (NYSE), Cleveland, Ohio, an automobile insurance
company; and National City Corporation (NYSE), Cleveland, Ohio, a financial
holding company with assets over $100 billion, providing a full range of banking
and financial services.
A. Malachi Mixon, III, 66, has been a director since 1979. Mr. Mixon has
been Chief Executive Officer since 1979 and Chairman of the Board since 1983 and
also served as President until 1996, when Gerald B. Blouch, Chief Operating
Officer, was elected as our President. Mr. Mixon serves as a director of The
Lamson & Sessions Co. (NYSE), Cleveland, Ohio, a supplier of engineered
thermoplastic products, and The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE), Cleveland,
Ohio, a manufacturer and distributor of coatings and related products. Mr. Mixon
also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Cleveland Clinic
Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, one of the world's leading academic medical
centers.
APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANY'S
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
(Proposal No. 2)
The Board of Directors has approved, subject to the approval and adoption
by the Company's shareholders, a certificate of amendment (the "Amendment")
containing amendments to the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation that would allow the Company to issue shares and provide for
transfers of shares without issuing physical certificates to evidence those
shares ("non-certificated shares").
We are asking our shareholders to approve and adopt the Amendment to the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. This item requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. The
Board of Directors recommends that you vote "For" this proposal.
The full text of the Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A. The following
description of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to
Appendix A.
Current Articles of Incorporation Requirements
The Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation currently can
be interpreted to require the Company to issue physical certificates to each
shareholder of record evidencing the shares owned by such shareholder. The
current version of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation was
consistent with the requirements of Ohio law when adopted. However, in view of
changes in Ohio law, developments in technology and recordkeeping processes and,
in particular, listing requirements recently adopted by the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE"), the Board of Directors believes that the Company should
have the flexibility to issue non-certificated shares.
5
Reason for and Effects of Proposed Amendment
Ohio law now permits the Company, subject to certain restrictions, to issue
shares and provide for transfers of shares without issuing physical certificates
to evidence those shares. In addition, the NYSE, the exchange on which the
Company's shares are traded, recently adopted listing requirements mandating
that, effective January 1, 2008, companies listed on the NYSE, such as the
Company, be eligible to issue non-certificated shares so that they may
participate in a "Direct Registration Program" operated by a security
depository. The proposed Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation is necessary in order for the Company to be eligible to issue
non-certificated shares and participate in this program, as required under NYSE
rules. Accordingly, the proposed Amendment would permit the Company to issue
such non-certificated shares to shareholders of record, while at the same time
mandating that the Company continue to comply with all applicable legal
requirements and the listing standards of NYSE with respect to issuing shares.
In addition, the Amendment also would provide that, with the exception of shares
held under certain employee benefit plans (as to which the Company may require,
unless prohibited by law, that non-certificated shares be issued), each
shareholder of record would have a right, so long as it is required by
applicable law and upon request, to have a physical certificate or certificates
issued to evidence his or her shares.
If approved by shareholders and implemented by the Company, a
non-certificated share program would be administered by the Company's transfer
agent, currently National City Bank. Under such a program, the transfer agent
would maintain an electronic record of the name of the applicable shareholder of
record and the number of shares owned. The transfer agent also would maintain
systems and controls designed to track accurately the ownership of
non-certificated shares by shareholders of record and, when directed by the
shareholder, to provide for the transfer of such shares pursuant to those
directions. Except as otherwise may be required by law, and subject to the terms
of any applicable employee benefit plan, the rights and obligations of holders
of non-certificated shares and holders of physical shares for a particular class
and series of shares would be identical.
While the proposed Amendment would make the Company eligible to issue
non-certificated shares, the Company does not currently anticipate issuing
non-certificated shares to shareholders of record. The Company will consider
this issue from time to time and, if the Company determines in the future that
the cost savings, ease of administration, technical feasibility or shareholder
acceptance of such a program justify the use of non-certificated shares for
shareholders of record, the Board of Directors may choose to implement such a
program in the future. However, as noted above, even if a non-certificated share
program were to be implemented in the future, the proposed Amendment to the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provides that each shareholder
would have a right, so long as it is required by applicable law and upon
request, to have physical certificates issued to evidence his or her shares.
The Company's Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote "FOR" the
approval and adoption of the Amendment to the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
(Proposal No. 3)
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP to continue as our
independent auditors and to audit our financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2007. The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors are asking you
to ratify this appointment. During the year ended December 31, 2006, Ernst &
Young LLP served as our principal auditors and provided tax and other services.
See "Independent Auditors." Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to
be present at the annual meeting and will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Invacare's Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote
"FOR" the ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors.
6
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
(Proposal No. 4)
The proposal set forth below has been submitted by a group of the Company's
shareholders. The Company will furnish to any person, orally or in writing as
requested, the name and address of, and the number of Common Shares held by, the
shareholder proponents promptly upon any written or oral request.
Shareholder Proposal
A group of shareholders has given notice that it intends to present the
proposal set forth below for action at the Annual Meeting.
"BE IT RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Invacare Corporation request
that the Board of Directors take the necessary steps to declassify the
Board of Directors and establish annual elections of directors,
whereby directors would be elected annually and not by classes. This
policy would take effect immediately, and be applicable to the
re-election of any incumbent director whose term, under the current
classified system, subsequently expires."
The following statement was submitted in support of the resolution:
"We believe that the ability to elect directors is the single most
important use of the shareholder franchise. Accordingly, directors
should be accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. The election
of directors by classes, for three-year terms, in our opinion,
minimizes accountability and precludes the full exercise of the rights
of shareholders to approve or disapprove annually the performance of a
director or directors.
In addition, since only one-third of the Board of Directors is elected
annually, we believe that classified boards could frustrate, to the
detriment of long-term shareholder interest, the efforts of a bidder
to acquire control or a challenger to engage successfully in a proxy
contest.
We urge your support for the proposal to repeal the classified board
and establish that all directors be elected annually."
Statement of Board of Directors
Opposing Shareholder Proposal
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote AGAINST this
shareholder proposal. The Board of Directors does not believe that this proposal
will promote the best interests of the Company or its shareholders.
The Company's Code of Regulations provides for the election of directors in
three classes. Each class serves for a term of three years, with one class,
constituting approximately one-third of the Board of Directors, being elected
each year at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The election of directors by classes assures that approximately two-thirds
of the Board will have prior experience with and knowledge of Invacare. This
provides needed continuity and solid knowledge of the Company's business and the
industry in which it operates. Directors familiar with Invacare are able to
provide informed oversight of corporate policies and the perspective necessary
for the orderly development of sound, long-term strategic planning. An abrupt
change in the Board of Directors could impair Invacare's progress in achieving
its long-term strategic goals.
It is important that Invacare's employees, shareholders, customers and
suppliers, as well as others with whom the Company does business, are able to
rely on the continuity and stability of the Company's corporate policies.
7
A classified board reduces the Company's vulnerability to certain
potentially abusive takeover tactics and encourages potential acquirers to enter
into arm's length negotiations with experienced directors as opposed to a few
large shareholders. The ability to resist abusive takeover tactics allows the
Board of Directors to consider how best to preserve Invacare's long-term value
to shareholders as well as its relationships with its customers, suppliers and
employees around the globe. A classified board gives the Board of Directors the
opportunity to review any takeover proposal, study appropriate alternatives and
achieve the best results for all shareholders, both large and small.
The Board of Directors believes that directors elected to a classified
board are no less accountable or responsive to shareholders than they would be
if elected annually. The same standards of performance apply to all directors
regardless of the term of service. Invacare's Code of Regulations permits the
removal of directors for cause by majority vote at any special meeting of
shareholders properly called for that purpose, subject to certain limitations as
described in the Code of Regulations. Accordingly, you have the opportunity as
shareholders to express your views regarding the Board's performance and to
influence its composition by voting at each annual election of directors and
through the removal procedures permitted by Invacare's Code of Regulations.
The Board of Directors remains convinced that a classified board is in the
best interest of Invacare and its shareholders and should not be changed.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders
vote AGAINST the adoption of the Shareholder Proposal (Proposal No. 4).
8
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL HOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
Who are the largest holders of Invacare's outstanding common shares and what is
their total voting power?
The following table shows, as of February 23, 2007, the share ownership of
each person or group known by Invacare to beneficially own more than 5% of
either class of common shares of Invacare:
Class B
Common Shares Common Shares
Beneficially owned Beneficially owned*
Percentage of
Number Number total voting power
Name and business address of of beneficially
of beneficial owner Shares Percentage shares Percentage owned
------------------------ ------ ---------- ------ ---------- -----
A. Malachi Mixon, III 2,493,158 7.7% 703,912 63.3% 21.9%
One Invacare Way,
Elyria, Ohio 44035 (1)
Joseph B. Richey, II 841,141 2.7% 376,262 33.9% 10.9%
One Invacare Way,
Elyria, Ohio 44035 (2)
Ariel Capital Management, LLC 8,142,169 26.4% - - 19.4%
200 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 2900,
Chicago, IL 60601 (3)(4)
NFJ Investment Group LP 1,807,450 5.9% - - 4.3%
2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 1840,
Dallas, TX 75201 (3)(5)
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC 1,706,671 5.5% - - 4.1%
90 Hudson Street,
Jersey City, NJ 07302 (3)(6)
Wellington Management Company, LLP 1,602,260 5.2% - - 3.8%
75 State Street,
Boston, MA 02109 (3)(7)
* All holders of Class B common shares are entitled to convert any or all of
their Class B common shares to common shares at any time, on a
share-for-share basis. In addition, Invacare may not issue any additional
Class B common shares unless the issuance is in connection with share
dividends on, or share splits of, Class B common shares.
(1) Includes 1,474,050 common shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of
stock options during the 60 days following February 23, 2007. For purposes
of calculating the percentage of outstanding common shares beneficially
owned by Mr. Mixon and his percentage of total shares beneficially owned,
the common shares which he had the right to acquire during that period by
exercise of stock options are considered to be outstanding. The number of
shares shown as beneficially owned by Mr. Mixon also includes (i) 18,482
common shares owned by the trustee for Invacare Retirement Savings Plan,
(ii) 279,283 common shares owned of record by Mr. Mixon's spouse, (iii)
24,576 common shares owned by the trustee for a 1997 grantor retained
annuity trust created by Mr. Mixon, (iv) 24,577 common shares owned by the
trustee for a 1997 grantor retained annuity trust created by Mr. Mixon's
spouse, (v) 39,866 common shares owned by the trustee for a 2003 grantor
retained annuity trust created by Mr. Mixon, and (vi) 39,866 common shares
owned by the trustee for a 2003 grantor retained annuity trust created by
Mr. Mixon's spouse. Mr. Mixon disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
9
held by his spouse and the grantor retained annuity trusts created by the
reporting person's spouse.
(2) Includes 182,500 common shares, which may be acquired upon the exercise of
stock options during the 60 days following February 23, 2007. For purposes
of calculating the percentage of outstanding common shares beneficially
owned by Mr. Richey and his percentage of total shares beneficially owned,
the common shares which he had the right to acquire during that period by
exercise of stock options are deemed to be outstanding.
(3) The number of common shares beneficially owned is based upon a Schedule 13G
filed by the holder with the SEC to reflect share ownership as of December
31, 2006.
(4) The Schedule 13G was filed by Ariel Capital Management, LLC, which has sole
voting power with respect to 6,297,272 of the 8,142,169 common shares held,
and sole dispositive power with respect to 8,141,299 of the 8,142,169
common shares held.
(5) The Schedule 13G was filed by NFJ Investment Group LP, which has sole
voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to all 1,807,450 of
the common shares held.
(6) The Schedule 13G was filed by Lord Abbett & Co. LLC, which has sole voting
power with respect to 1,599,971 of the 1,706,671 common shares held, and
sole dispositive power with respect to all 1,706,671 of the common shares
held.
(7) The Schedule 13G was filed by Wellington Management Company, LLP, which has
sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to none of the
1,602,260 common shares held.
How many common shares do each of Invacare's directors and executive officers
hold and what is their level of total voting power?
The following table sets forth, as of February 23, 2007, the share
ownership of all directors, our Chief Executive Officer and our four other
highest paid executive officers and all directors and executive officers as a
group:
Common Shares Class B Common Shares
beneficially owned beneficially owned**
Percentage of
total voting power
Number Number beneficially
Name of beneficial owner of shares Percentage of shares Percentage owned
------------------------ --------- ---------- --------- ---------- -----
Gerald B. Blouch (3)....................... 774,043 2.5% - - 1.8%
James C. Boland (3)........................ 56,072 * - - *
Michael F. Delaney (3)..................... 25,105 * - - *
C. Martin Harris, M.D. (3)................. 23,925 * - - *
Bernadine P. Healy, M.D. (3).............. 47,320 * - - *
John R. Kasich (3)......................... 36,419 * - - *
A. Malachi Mixon, III (1)..................2,493,158 7.7% 703,912 63.3% 21.9%
Dan T. Moore, III (3)...................... 115,696 * - - *
Joseph B. Richey, II (2)................... 841,141 2.7% 376,262 33.9% 10.9%
Louis F.J. Slangen (3)..................... 205,394 * - - *
Gregory C. Thompson (3).................... 187,661 * - - *
William M. Weber (3)....................... 123,278 * - - *
All executive officers and Directors as
a group (14 persons) (3)...................5,009,262 14.8% 1,080,174 97.2% 35.2%
10
* Less than 1%.
** All holders of Class B common shares are entitled to convert any or all of
their Class B common shares to common shares at any time, on a
share-for-share basis. In addition, Invacare may not issue any additional
Class B common shares unless the issuance is in connection with share
dividends on, or share splits of, Class B common shares.
(1) See Footnote 1 to the preceding table.
(2) See Footnote 2 to the preceding table.
(3) The common shares beneficially owned by Invacare's executive officers and
directors as a group include an aggregate of 2,879,668 common shares which
may be acquired upon the exercise of stock options during the 60 days
following February 23, 2007. For purposes of calculating the percentage of
outstanding common shares beneficially owned by each of Invacare's
executive officers and directors, and all of them as a group, and their
percentage of total shares beneficially owned, common shares which they had
the right to acquire by exercise of stock options within 60 days of
February 23, 2007, are considered to be outstanding. The number of common
shares that may be acquired by the exercise of such stock options for the
noted individuals is as follows: Mr. Blouch, 625,900 shares; Mr. Boland,
53,064 shares; Mr. Delaney, 14,105 shares; Dr. Harris, 23,925 shares; Dr.
Healy, 36,437 shares; Mr. Kasich, 36,419 shares; Mr. Moore, 29,953 shares;
Mr. Slangen, 173,000 shares; Mr. Thompson, 159,100 shares; and Mr. Weber,
18,365 shares.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance
The rules of the SEC require us to disclose late filings of reports of
stock ownership, and changes in stock ownership, by our directors and executive
officers. To the best of Invacare's knowledge, all of the filings were made on a
timely basis in 2006.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
How many times did the Board meet in 2006?
The Board of Directors held five meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1)
the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held during the period he
or she served as a director and (2) the total number of meetings held by
committees of the Board on which he or she served. Board members are expected to
attend Invacare's annual meeting of shareholders, and each director attended
last year's annual shareholder meeting. The non-management directors meet in
executive sessions after the end of each of the regularly scheduled Board
meetings. The chairpersons of the four standing committees of the Board rotate
presiding over such sessions.
What codes of ethics apply to directors, officers and employees?
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all
directors, officers and employees. We also have adopted a separate Financial
Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer (our principal
executive officer) and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial
officer and principal accounting officer). You can find both codes on our
website at www.invacare.com by clicking on the link for Investor Relations. We
will post any amendments to the codes, as well as any waivers that are required
to be disclosed pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the New York Stock Exchange, on our website. You also can obtain a printed
copy of these documents, free of charge, by writing to: Shareholder Relations
Department, Invacare Corporation, One Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, OH
44036-2125.
Has the Board adopted corporate governance guidelines?
The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines. This document can be
found on our website at www.invacare.com by clicking on the link for Investor
Relations. You also can obtain a printed copy of this document, free of charge,
11
by writing to: Shareholder Relations Department, Invacare Corporation, One
Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, OH 44036-2125.
Who are the current members of the different Board committees?
Compensation,
Audit Management Development and Nominating Investment
Director Committee Corporate Governance Committee Committee Committee
------------------------------ ---------- ------------------------------ ---------- ----------
Gerald B. Blouch
James C. Boland * **
Michael F. Delaney *
C. Martin Harris, M.D. *
Bernadine P. Healy, M.D. * **
General James L. Jones * *
John R. Kasich ** *
A. Malachi Mixon, III
Dan T. Moore, III * *
Joseph B. Richey, II
William M. Weber ** * *
----------
* Member
** Chairperson
What are the principal functions of the Board committees?
The Board has an Audit Committee; a Compensation, Management Development
and Corporate Governance Committee; a Nominating Committee; and an Investment
Committee.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee assists the Board in monitoring (i)
Invacare's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (ii) the integrity
of Invacare's financial statements, and (iii) the independence, performance and
qualifications of Invacare's internal and independent auditors. The specific
functions and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in the Audit
Committee Charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy of which is
available at www.invacare.com by clicking on the link for Investor Relations.
You also can obtain a printed copy of this document, free of charge, by writing
to: Shareholder Relations Department, Invacare Corporation, One Invacare Way,
P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, OH 44036-2125. The Audit Committee met eight times during
2006.
Our Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee satisfies
the current independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange listing
standards and Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. The Board also has determined that each of James C. Boland and William
M. Weber qualify as an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is
defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K. As audit committee financial experts,
each of Messrs. Boland and Weber satisfy the New York Stock Exchange accounting
and financial management expertise requirements.
Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee.
The Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee
assists the Board in developing and implementing (i) executive compensation
programs that are fair and equitable and that are effective in the recruitment,
retention and motivation of executive talent required to successfully meet
Invacare's strategic objectives, (ii) a management succession plan that meets
Invacare's present and future needs, and (iii) Invacare's corporate governance
policies and guidelines. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" below for
additional information on the committee and its activities. Each of the current
members of the Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance
Committee is independent within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange
listing standards and Invacare's Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board of
Directors has adopted a charter for the Compensation, Management Development and
Corporate Governance Committee, which is available at www.invacare.com by
clicking on the link for Investor Relations. You also can obtain a printed copy
of this document, free of charge, by writing to: Shareholder Relations
12
Department, Invacare Corporation, One Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, OH
44036-2125. The Committee met four times during 2006.
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee assists the Board in
identifying and recommending individuals qualified to become directors and will
consider all qualified nominees recommended by shareholders. Each of the current
members of the Nominating Committee is independent within the meaning of the New
York Stock Exchange listing standards and Invacare's Corporate Governance
Guidelines. The Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Nominating
Committee, which is available at www.invacare.com by clicking on the link for
Investor Relations. You also can obtain a printed copy of this document, free of
charge, by writing to: Shareholder Relations Department, Invacare Corporation,
One Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, OH 44036-2125. The Nominating Committee
met one time during 2006.
Investment Committee. The Investment Committee assists the Board in
monitoring the investments of the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan and other
plans designated by the Board or the Investment Committee. Each of the current
members of the Investment Committee is independent within the meaning of the New
York Stock Exchange listing standards and Invacare's Corporate Governance
Guidelines. The Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Investment
Committee, which is available at www.invacare.com by clicking on the link for
Investor Relations. You also can obtain a printed copy of this document, free of
charge, by writing to: Shareholder Relations Department, Invacare Corporation,
One Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, OH 44036-2125. The Investment Committee
met one time during 2006.
How does the Board determine whether non-employee directors are independent?
To be considered independent under the New York Stock Exchange independence
criteria under Section 303A (the "NYSE Standards"), the Board of Directors must
determine that a director does not have a direct or indirect material
relationship with Invacare. The Board of Directors has adopted the following
guidelines (set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines) to assist it in
making such determinations:
A director will be considered independent if he or she, at any time that is
considered relevant under the NYSE Standards (subject to any applicable
transition rules of the NYSE Standards):
(i) has not been employed by Invacare or its affiliates;
(ii) has not had an immediate family member who has been employed by
Invacare or its affiliates as an executive officer;
(iii)has not received, and has not had an immediate family member who has
received, more than $100,000 per year in direct compensation from
Invacare, other than director and committee fees and pension or other
forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such
compensation is not in any way contingent on continued service);
(iv) has not been affiliated with or employed by a present or former
internal or external auditor of Invacare;
(v) has not had an immediate family member who has been affiliated with or
employed in a professional capacity (partner, principal or manager) by
a former internal or external auditor of Invacare;
(vi) has not been employed, and has not had an immediate family member who
has been employed, as an executive officer of another company where
any of Invacare's present executives serve on that company's
compensation committee; and
(vii)has not been an executive officer or an employee of another company,
and has not had an immediate family member who has been an executive
officer of another company, that does business with Invacare and makes
payments to, or receives payments from, Invacare for property or
services in an amount that, in the most recent fiscal year, exceeds
the greater of $1 million or 2% of such other company's consolidated
gross revenues.
Additionally, the following commercial and charitable relationships will be
considered immaterial relationships and a director will be considered
independent if he or she does not have any of the relationships described in
clauses (i) - (vii) above, and:
13
(i) is not an executive officer of another company, and does not have an
immediate family member who is an executive officer of another
company, that is indebted to the Company, or to which Invacare is
indebted, where the total amount of either company's indebtedness to
the other is more than 5% of the total consolidated assets of the
other company and exceeds $100,000 in the aggregate; and
(ii) does not serve, and does not have an immediate family member who
serves, as an officer, director or trustee of a foundation (other than
Invacare's foundation), university, charitable or other not for profit
organization, and Invacare's, or Invacare foundation's, annual
discretionary charitable contributions (any matching of employee
charitable contributions will not be included in the amount of
contributions for this purpose) to the organization, in the aggregate,
are more than 5% percent of that organization's total annual revenues
(or charitable receipts in the event such organization does not
generate revenues).
In the event that a director has a relationship of the type described in
clauses (i) or (ii) in the immediately preceding paragraph that falls outside of
the "safe harbor" thresholds set forth in such clauses (i) and (ii), or if the
director had any such relationship during the prior three years that fell
outside of such "safe harbor" thresholds, then in any such case, the Board of
Directors annually shall determine whether the relationship is material or not,
and therefore, whether the director would be independent or not. Invacare will
explain in its next proxy statement the basis for any Board of Directors
determination that a relationship is immaterial despite the fact that it does
not meet the categorical standards of immateriality set forth in clauses (i) and
(ii) in the immediately preceding paragraph.
In addition, any director serving on the Audit Committee of Invacare may
not be considered independent if he or she directly or indirectly receives any
compensation from Invacare other than director and committee fees and pension or
other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such
compensation is not in any way contingent on continued service).
The Board examined the transactions and relationships between Invacare and
its affiliates and each of the directors, any of their immediate family members
and their affiliates. Based on this review, the Board affirmatively determined
that each of Messrs. Delaney, Boland, Weber, Kasich and Moore, Dr. Harris, Dr.
Healy and General Jones is independent and do not have any direct or indirect
material relationship with Invacare pursuant to the categorical standards set
forth in Invacare's Corporate Governance Guidelines.
How are proposed director nominees identified, evaluated and recommended for
nomination?
The Nominating Committee will seek candidates for an open director position
by soliciting suggestions from Committee members, the Chairman of the Board,
incumbent directors, senior management or others. The Committee also may retain
a third-party executive search firm to identify candidates from time to time.
Additionally, the Committee will consider any unsolicited recommendation for a
potential candidate to the Board from Committee members, the Chairman of the
Board, other Board members, management and shareholders. The Committee will
accept shareholder recommendations regarding potential candidates for the Board,
provided that shareholders send their recommendations to the Chairperson of the
Committee, c/o Executive Officers, Invacare Corporation, One Invacare Way,
Elyria, Ohio 44036, with the following information:
o The name and contact information for the candidate;
o A brief biographical description of the candidate, including his or
her employment for at least the last five years, educational history,
and a statement that describes the candidate's qualifications to serve
as a director;
o A statement describing any relationship between the candidate and the
nominating shareholder, and between the candidate and any employee,
director, customer, supplier, vendor or competitor of Invacare; and
14
o The candidate's signed consent to be a candidate and to serve as a
director if nominated and elected, including being named in Invacare's
proxy statement.
Once the Nominating Committee has identified a prospective candidate, the
Committee makes a determination whether to conduct a full evaluation of the
candidate. This initial determination is based primarily on the Board's need to
fill a vacancy or desire to expand the size of the Board, the likelihood that
the candidate can meet the Nominating Committee's evaluation criteria set forth
below, as well as compliance with all other legal and regulatory requirements.
The Nominating Committee will rely on public information about a candidate,
personal knowledge of any committee or Board member or member of management
regarding the candidate, as well as any information submitted to the Committee
by the person recommending a candidate for consideration. The Nominating
Committee, after consultation with the Chairman of the Board, will decide
whether additional consideration of the candidate is warranted.
If additional consideration is warranted, the Nominating Committee may
request the candidate to complete a questionnaire that seeks additional
information about the candidate's independence, qualifications, experience and
other information that may assist the Committee in evaluating the candidate. The
Committee may interview the candidate in person or by telephone and also may ask
the candidate to meet with senior management. The Committee then evaluates the
candidate against the standards and qualifications set out in the Nominating
Committee's charter. Additionally, the Nominating Committee shall consider other
relevant factors as it deems appropriate (including independence issues and
familial or related party relationships).
Before nominating an existing director for re-election at an annual
meeting, the Committee will consider:
o The director's value to the Board; and
o Whether the director's re-election would be consistent with Invacare's
governance guidelines.
After completing the Nominating Committee's evaluation of new candidates or
existing directors whose term is expiring, if the Committee believes the
candidate would be a valuable addition to the Board or the existing director is
a valued member of the Board, then the Nominating Committee will make a
recommendation to the full Board that such candidate or existing director should
be nominated by the Board. The Board will be responsible for making the final
determination regarding prospective nominees after considering the
recommendation of the Committee. These procedures were adhered to with respect
to nominees for election at this meeting, who were unanimously recommended by
the Nominating Committee and the entire Board of Directors.
How can shareholders communicate with the Board?
Shareholders may communicate their concerns directly to the entire Board or
specifically to non-management directors of the Board. Such communications may
be confidential or anonymous, if so designated, and may be submitted in writing
to the following address: Shareholder Communication, c/o Executive Offices,
Invacare Corporation, One Invacare Way, Elyria, Ohio 44036. The status of all
outstanding concerns addressed to the entire Board or only to non-management
directors will be reported to the Chairman of the Board or to the chair of the
Audit Committee, respectively, on a quarterly basis.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Company has adopted a written policy for the review of transactions
with related persons. The policy generally requires review, approval or
ratification of transactions involving amounts exceeding $120,000 in which the
Company is a participant and in which a director, director-nominee, executive
officer, or a significant shareholder of the Company, or an immediate family
member of any of the foregoing persons, has a direct or indirect material
interest. These transactions must be reported for review by the Compensation,
Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee. Following review, the
Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee
determines to approve or ratify these transactions, taking into account, among
other factors it deems appropriate, whether they are on terms no less favorable
to the Company than those available with other unaffiliated parties and the
extent of related person's interest in the transaction. The Chairman of the
15
Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee has the
authority to approve or ratify any related party transaction in which the
aggregate amount involved is expected to be less than $1,000,000. The policy
provides for standing pre-approval of certain related party transactions, even
if the amounts involved exceed $120,000, including certain transactions
involving: compensation paid to executive officers and directors of the Company;
other companies or charitable organizations where the amounts involved do not
exceed $1,000,000 or 2% of the organization's total annual revenues or receipts;
proportional benefits to all shareholders; rates or charges determined by
competitive bids; services as a common or contract carrier or public utility;
and banking-related services.
During 2006, Invacare purchased travel services from a third party private
aircraft charter company. One of the aircraft available for use by the charter
company is owned by an entity owned by Mr. Mixon and Mr. Richey. Invacare paid
approximately $1,013,000 to the charter company in 2006 for use of the aircraft
owned by Mr. Mixon and Mr. Richey. Invacare believes that the transactions were
on terms no less favorable than those Invacare would expect to obtain from
unrelated parties.
Since early 1995, Invacare has made investments in and loans to
NeuroControl Corporation ("NeuroControl"), a North Ridgeville, Ohio-based
privately-held company that develops and markets electromedical stimulation
systems for stroke patients. During 2006, Invacare loaned NeuroControl
$1,600,000 to help support its efforts to obtain FDA approval to market its
stimulation systems in the United States. As of December 31, 2006, Invacare had
no net exposure related to its investment in and advances to NeuroControl after
consideration of cumulative reserves and amounts written-off, totaling
approximately $26 million. A substantial portion of Invacare's investment and
advances was made pursuant to a secured credit facility. Mr. Richey is the
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of NeuroControl and Mr. Blouch
serves as a Director of NeuroControl. Each of Dr. Bernadine Healy and Messrs.
Evans, Moore, Weber (through his spouse), Mixon and Richey own minority equity
interests in NeuroControl Corporation, having invested the following amounts in
NeuroControl in 1997 or earlier: $50,000, $50,000, $100,000, $100,000, $245,000
and $7,513, respectively. In addition, (i) a private investment fund, the
general partner of which is owned and controlled by Messrs. Mixon and Weber, has
invested $350,000 in NeuroControl, (ii) a different private investment fund, in
which Mr. Mixon is one of the three managing members of the general partner, has
invested an aggregate of $750,000 in NeuroControl, and (iii) The Cleveland
Clinic, Dr. Martin Harris' employer, has invested an aggregate of $750,001 in
NeuroControl. Collectively, the aforementioned Invacare directors and other
related parties own an aggregate of approximately 9.7% of the fully-diluted
equity ownership of NeuroControl and Invacare owns an additional 30.1% of
NeuroControl's equity. Invacare formed a committee in 2004, comprised of three
disinterested directors, to evaluate the appropriateness and/or terms of any
additional future advances or other investments in NeuroControl. The committee
assessed the status of NeuroControl's research and authorized an additional
investment by the Company during 2006. For financial reporting purposes,
Invacare started to consolidate its investment in NeuroControl for periods
beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2006,
the Company's board of directors made a decision to no longer fund the cash
needs of NeuroControl, to commence a liquidation process and cease operations as
it was decided that the additional investment necessary to commercialize the
business was not in the best interest of the company. Therefore, funding of this
investment ceased on December 31, 2006.
The relationships described above have been reviewed and ratified in
accordance with the Company's policy for review of transactions with related
persons.
AUDIT COMMITTEE AND RELATED MATTERS
The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting
material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any
other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company
specifically incorporates this Report by reference therein.
16
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in its oversight and
monitoring of:
o the integrity of the Company's financial statements;
o the independence, performance and qualifications of the Company's
internal and independent auditors; and
o the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
The Audit Committee's activities are governed by a written charter adopted
by the Board of Directors which is available on the Company's website
(www.invacare.com) by clicking on the link for Investor Relations.
Each member of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence requirements
set forth in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Management has the primary responsibility for the Company's financial
statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal and
disclosure controls. Ernst & Young LLP, the Company's independent registered
public accounting firm for 2006, audited the annual financial statements
prepared by management and expressed an opinion on the conformity of those
financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States. Ernst & Young LLP also audited management's assessment of the Company's
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, and expressed
an opinion with respect to the Company's internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2006.
In December 2002, management established an internal audit function for the
Company. The Company engaged a third party to conduct internal audit services
and report its analyses, findings and recommendations directly to the Audit
Committee. During 2006, the Audit Committee met with this third party and Ernst
& Young LLP, with and without management present, to discuss their examinations,
their continuing evaluation of the Company's internal and disclosure controls
and the overall quality of the Company's internal procedures and controls over
financial reporting.
As part of its oversight responsibilities described above, the Audit
Committee met and held discussions with management, with Ernst & Young LLP and
with its internal auditors relative to the Company's financial reporting.
Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company's financial
statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States, and the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed
the audited financial statements with management and Ernst & Young LLP,
including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
accounting principles, the reasonableness of specific judgments and the clarity
of disclosures in the financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed
with Ernst & Young LLP such other matters as are required to be discussed with
the Audit Committee by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90, (Communication with Audit Committees).
In addition, Ernst & Young LLP provided to the Audit Committee the written
disclosures and letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussions With Audit Committees), and by all relevant
professional and regulatory standards, related to the auditors' independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their independence from the
Company and its management and considered the compatibility of non-audit
services with the auditors' independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved,
that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for its 2007 fiscal year and the Company is seeking
ratification for such appointment at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
17
AUDIT COMMITTEE
William M. Weber, Chairman
James C. Boland
Dan T. Moore, III
Independent Auditors
The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors have selected Ernst & Young
LLP to continue as our independent auditors and to audit the financial
statements of Invacare for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The Audit
Committee is asking you to ratify this appointment.
Fees for services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP were:
2006 2005
---- ----
Audit Fees $3,607,000 $4,166,000
Audit-Related Fees 25,000 44,000
Tax Fees
Tax Compliance Services 518,000 611,000
Tax Advisory Services 522,000 753,000
--------- ----------
1,040,000 1,364,000
All Other Fees - -
--------- ----------
Total $4,672,000 $5,574,000
========== ==========
Audit Fees. Fees for audit services include fees associated with the audit
of our annual financial statements and review of our quarterly financial
statements, including statutory audits required domestically and
internationally, and the auditors' attestation report on internal control over
financial reporting as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Audit fees also include fees associated with providing consents and review of
documents filed with the SEC, other services in connection with statutory and
regulatory filings or engagements, as well as accounting consultations billed as
audit consultations and other accounting and financial reporting consultation
and research work necessary to comply with generally accepted auditing
standards.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related services principally include accounting
consultations, audits in connection with proposed or completed acquisitions and
advisory assistance.
Tax Fees. Fees for tax services include tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval for
all audit, audit-related, tax services, and other services performed by our
independent auditors. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit
Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the
specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the
Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent
auditor is engaged to perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated to the
Chairperson of the Audit Committee authority to approve certain permitted
services, provided that the Chairperson reports any such decisions to the Audit
Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
The Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee
of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") operates under a
written charter adopted by the Board of Directors and is responsible for the
approval and administration of the Company's existing and proposed executive
compensation plans. This includes determining the contents of the Company's
executive compensation plans, authorizing the awards to be made pursuant to such
plans and reviewing and approving annually all compensation decisions relating
to the Company's officers, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
and the other executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the
"Named Executive Officers").
The members of the Compensation Committee are James C. Boland, Chairman,
Bernadine P. Healy and William M. Weber. Each of the current members of the
Compensation Committee meets the definitions of (i) "independent" within the
meaning of the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and the Company's
Corporate Governance Guidelines, (ii) a "non-employee director" within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and (iii) an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Charter
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a charter which describes
the responsibilities, functions and authority of the Compensation Committee. The
full text of the charter is available on the Company's website at
www.invacare.com by clicking on the link for "Investor Relations." There were
three meetings and one telephone conference of the Compensation Committee in
2006.
Compensation Consultant
The Company's Human Resources Department and other members of management
assist the Compensation Committee in its administration of the Company's
executive compensation program. As part of this assistance, the Company's
management engages Towers Perrin as an outside independent compensation
consultant to advise management and the Compensation Committee on the Company's
compensation philosophy, focusing on the three primary elements of the Company's
executive compensation program: annual base salary, annual cash bonus awards and
long-term equity incentive awards. Towers Perrin is a global professional
services firm that provides human resources consulting services to a majority of
the Fortune 1000 U.S. companies.
The independent consultant's primary role is to analyze the competitiveness
of, and provide recommendations on, the structure and amounts of annual base
salary, annual cash bonus awards and long-term equity incentive awards to be
paid to the Company's executives. In order to gauge the competitiveness of the
Company's executive compensation levels, the independent consultant provides the
Compensation Committee with market data regarding annual base salary, annual
cash bonus awards and long-term equity incentive awards paid by competitor
companies. The Compensation Committee and the independent consultant believe
that the Company's most direct competitors for executive talent are not
necessarily the companies included in the peer group established to compare
shareholder returns. Accordingly, in identifying the group of surveyed
employers, the independent consultant assembles market data on companies having
projected revenues similar to that of the Company, with particular emphasis on
durable goods manufacturers, on larger employers within the health care industry
and on larger employers which may be significant competitors with the Company
for executive talent. The Compensation Committee considers compensation
information from two groups of competitors in assessing and determining the pay
of executive officers. The Company's "primary competitor group" includes
healthcare equipment and supply companies with annual revenues ranging from $1
billion to $3 billion. The "secondary competitor group" includes companies from
across various industries having annual revenue similar to that of the Company.
The Compensation Committee relies on the independent consultant to identify the
individual companies which make up these competitor groups.
19
The assembled data is then reviewed by the CEO, the Senior Vice President
of Human Resources and the independent consulting firm and, with respect to each
of the top executive officer positions, adjusted for the scope of
responsibilities of the position within the Company as compared to the
responsibilities of positions within the companies included in the competitor
groups. The Compensation Committee then compares the Company's compensation
practices with those of the other companies included in the competitor groups
and takes the results into account when establishing compensation guidelines for
executives.
The independent consultant has been engaged by the Company in the capacity
described above for the last three fiscal years and received a fee of $41,350 as
compensation for its services in 2006. A representative of the independent
consultant attended two of the Compensation Committee meetings in 2006. Towers
Perrin does not provide the Company any other consulting or other services
outside of those associated with advising the Company on its executive
compensation programs.
Role of Executives in Establishing Compensation
The Company's CEO assesses the performance of each of the Company's other
executive officers and provides recommendations to the Compensation Committee as
to the structure and amounts of salary, cash bonus awards and equity incentive
awards to be paid to such executive officers. The CEO formulates his
recommendations with the assistance of the independent consultant and the
Company's Senior Vice President of Human Resources. The CEO also provides the
Compensation Committee input regarding the performance requirements associated
with the Company's annual cash bonuses and long-term compensation awards.
The CEO and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources both attend each
meeting of the Compensation Committee for the purpose of providing insight into
the Company's performance, the performance of individual executives and their
contribution to the Company's performance and to make recommendations as to the
structure and implementation of elements of executive compensation. The CEO and
the Senior Vice President of Human Resources each excuses himself from any
discussions of his individual compensation by the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee believes that the input of these executives provides the
Compensation Committee with information necessary to make informed decisions on
executive compensation that are consistent with the Compensation Committee's
overall philosophy.
General Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee has determined that the Company, as a
performance-driven business, should reward outstanding performance with
appropriate compensation. The Compensation Committee's strategy for carrying out
this philosophy is to:
o link executive compensation with the Company's annual and long-term
financial performance, with a particular focus on earnings per share;
o understand external market factors which might affect such performance
but be outside the control of executives;
o align the long-term interests of executives with those of shareholders
through equity-based compensation elements and stock ownership
guidelines; and
o recognize the importance of maintaining compensation at competitive
levels in order to attract and retain talented executives.
In determining appropriate compensation awards for the Company's executives, the
Compensation Committee generally does not consider the amount of compensation or
awards earned or achieved in prior years. Instead, the Compensation Committee
focuses on the current performance and achievements of the Company and the
executive as well as the executive's present and potential for future
contribution to the Company's success.
The Company's executive compensation program consists of three primary
components: base salary, an annual cash bonus and long-term compensation awards
in the form of stock awards. In general, base salaries are established at or
near market median levels for comparable positions. Cash bonuses are designed to
provide executives with cash compensation levels (salary plus bonus) that are at
or near the 75th percentile of individuals in similar jobs if the Company meets
20
demanding annual financial performance objectives. These objectives are
established in advance and reflective of the opportunities and challenges
present in the Company's industry. In addition, long-term compensation is
awarded in the form of stock options, restricted stock grants or in other forms
deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee in order to provide key
executives with competitive financial benefits, to the extent that shareholder
value is enhanced. These awards normally target the median value of long-term
incentives received by executives in similar positions at competitor
organizations.
The Company also provides its executives with certain other benefits,
including the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a
non-qualified deferred compensation plan and a supplemental executive retirement
plan. Certain compensatory insurance benefits and other perquisites described
below and in the Summary Compensation Table also are available to the Company's
executives. Each Named Executive Officer also has entered into an agreement with
the Company that provides for certain benefits upon a change of control of the
Company. The Compensation Committee believes these agreements help retain
executives and provide for management continuity in the event of an actual or
threatened change-in-control. They also help ensure executive's interests remain
aligned with shareholders' interests during a time when their continued
employment may be in jeopardy. Finally, they provide some level of income
continuity should an executive's employment be terminated without cause. The
Company believes that these benefits are an important part of an overall
compensation package that helps to attract and retain talented executives.
The Compensation Committee believes these various elements of the executive
compensation program further the Company's business objectives and the interests
of its shareholders by attracting and retaining the talented executive
leadership necessary for the growth and success of the Company's business and
motivating its executives to exert the maximum possible effort to further the
interests of shareholders.
Elements of Compensation
Annual Base Salary
The Company establishes salary levels which recognize the skills,
competencies, experience and individual performance an executive brings to his
or her position. As a result, changes in salary focus primarily on changes in
the executive's responsibilities and an assessment of their annual performance
against pre-established objectives. Generally, the Compensation Committee seeks
to establish an annual base salary level for each executive that approximates
the 50th percentile of levels established for executives having similar
responsibilities by employers surveyed by the independent consultant. The
Compensation Committee believes that establishing base salaries at this level
helps the Company attract and retain talented executives and, when paired with
the opportunity to earn annual cash bonuses and long-term compensation awards,
appropriately rewards executives based on performance.
In establishing salary levels for each executive other than the CEO, the
Compensation Committee, at its regular meeting early in the fiscal year,
considers annual survey information from the independent consultant and also
reviews annual recommendations from the CEO. The Compensation Committee also
takes into account whether each executive met key financial and individual
objectives established at the beginning of each year, and considers each
executive's potential future contributions to the Company. Important financial
performance objectives that are considered by the Compensation Committee in
establishing base salary levels (some of which may not be applicable to all
executives) include: net sales, income from operations, cost controls, earnings
before income tax, earnings per share, return on assets and return on net assets
employed. Individual objectives generally focus on the performance of an
executive within his or her area of specific responsibility. Operating and
individual objectives vary for each executive and typically change from
year-to-year. Financial and individual objectives are considered subjectively in
the aggregate by the Compensation Committee and the CEO. They are not
specifically weighted in assessing performance and determining any changes to
base salaries.
The base salary levels established for 2006 were based on the subjective
judgment of the Compensation Committee, taking into account the CEO's input
regarding each executive's performance and the targeted salary ranges based on
market salary information received from the independent consultant. Of the
Company's Named Executive Officers other than the CEO, the base salary of Mr.
Thompson was at the targeted 50th percentile range, while the base salaries of
Messrs. Blouch, Richey and Slangen were at 132%, 140% and 125% of the targeted
21
50th percentile range, respectively. In establishing the base salary levels of
Messrs. Blouch, Richey and Slangen, the Compensation Committee recognized the
particular talents, unique skills, experience, length of service to the Company
and depth of industry knowledge of each of these executives and determined that
base salary levels above the targeted range would help retain these executives
during a time of significant industry uncertainty. On average, the salary level
for these four executives increased 4.5% from the average level in 2005.
In determining the CEO's base salary for 2006, the Compensation Committee
took into account:
o survey results regarding the 50th percentile salary of CEOs at
comparable employers;
o certain financial performance objectives as described above;
o consolidation of key manufacturing facilities in the United States,
Europe and Australia under the CEO's leadership;
o acceleration of various initiatives to improve internal manufacturing
capabilities;
o continued efforts to extend current product lines, complement existing
businesses, utilize and enhance its distribution strength, streamline
operations and expand its geographic presence;
o strong commitment to reenergizing the Company's research and
development activities which has led to the successful introduction of
a number of new and/or improved products;
o the CEO's role as the leading industry spokesperson on behalf of the
home medical equipment industry, which has put the Company in a
position to directly impact reimbursement outcomes in a positive way
and which has been acknowledged by certain of our customers by their
expression of appreciation for our efforts on behalf of the entire
industry;
o progress made in meeting the Company's long-term strategic objectives
set by management and reviewed by the Board of Directors each year;
o the CEO's continuing commitment to geographic expansion and focus on
growing the respiratory business, as well as his attention to issues
of management succession; and
o the CEO's length of service and leadership.
These accomplishments and consideration of potential future contributions
resulted in the CEO's base salary being set at 129% of the targeted 50th
percentile salary. This base salary constituted a 1.8% increase from 2005.
Annual Cash Bonus
Consistent with its philosophy, the Compensation Committee provides each
executive an opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus resulting in total annual
cash compensation (salary plus bonus) that falls at or near the market's 75th
percentile of executives in comparable positions at surveyed employers. Annual
cash bonuses increase executives' focus on specific short-term corporate
financial goals. As a result, cash bonuses balance the objectives of the
Company's other pay programs, which focus to a greater extent on individual
performance (salaries), long-term financial results and stock price growth
(restricted stock and stock options). Finally, annual bonuses allow the Company
to manage fixed compensation costs but still provide executives with competitive
cash compensation. The terms of the cash bonus program are contained in the
Invacare Corporation Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (the "Executive Incentive
Bonus Plan"), which was approved by the Company's shareholders in 2005 and is
further described under the Grants of Plan-Based Awards For Fiscal Year 2006
Table.
The Compensation Committee annually determines the appropriate target
bonuses for each executive officer (as a percentage of the executive's salary)
so that total annual cash compensation for such executive officer will reach or
slightly exceed the market's 75th percentile, but with the potential to receive
additional bonus amounts if such objectives are exceeded (subject to a
$5,000,000 limit). In determining the target amounts, the Compensation Committee
takes into account the cash bonus opportunities established by the competitor
groups identified by the independent consultant, and also may determine that an
executive's individual performance (taking into account the same factors
discussed above with respect to base salary) and level of responsibilities
warrant a change in the bonus target percentage from the Company's general
22
targeted amounts. The Compensation Committee does not take into account awards
earned under other reward programs in determining annual bonus opportunities and
does not have an established policy on the desired mix between cash and non-cash
compensation. Target bonuses for the Named Executive Officers for 2006 were
established as 100% of base salary for Mr. Mixon, 95% of salary for Mr. Blouch,
and 75% of salary for each of Messrs. Richey, Thompson and Slangen.
Each year, the Compensation Committee considers a recommendation from the
CEO regarding the appropriate target for that year's earnings per share at which
target bonuses will be earned. The Compensation Committee also takes into
account the Company's forecasted annual operating plan, which is thoroughly
reviewed and discussed by the entire Board of Directors at its strategic
planning retreat early in the fiscal year. Targeted earnings per share before
unusual items is generally set at a level which the Compensation Committee
believes is challenging but achievable, and when achieved, supports paying
executives annual cash compensation at the market's 75th percentile. The
Compensation Committee has generally not awarded bonuses to the executives for
years in which the Company's earnings per share before unusual or non-recurring
charges did not improve over the prior year. As a result, the executives earned
bonuses in only one year in the five years from 2002 through 2006. The
Compensation Committee may adjust this practice in the future to reflect the
realities imposed by external market factors which continue to affect home
healthcare. If earnings per share exceeds the minimum level up to the targeted
level or higher, annual cash bonuses earned by executives increase on a linear
basis.
Pursuant to the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee
originally established a cash bonus plan for 2006 under which the Company's
executive officers would earn cash bonuses if the Company achieved various
earnings per share targets for 2006. The Compensation Committee and senior
management believe earnings per share represents important bottom-line financial
results that investors use to evaluate the Company's stock price value.
Individual performance or Compensation Committee discretion has not historically
played a role in determining the level of annual cash bonuses paid to
executives. For 2006, the following levels of earnings per share (EPS) would
result in the following bonus payments:
o Below Threshold -> EPS < $1.90 -> No bonuses paid
o Threshold -> EPS = $1.90 -> 50% of target bonus paid
o Target -> EPS = $2.15 -> 100% of target bonus paid
o Exceed Target -> EPS = $2.40 -> 150% of target bonus paid
If the Company reached an earnings per share level between or above the targets,
the target bonus was to be adjusted on a straight-line basis up to a maximum
amount of $5,000,000.
The Company experienced disappointing financial results in the first half
of 2006 because of several external market factors, including uncertainties
resulting from dramatic changes in government reimbursement policies and pricing
pressures arising from increased foreign competition. Based on these results,
the Compensation Committee determined it was unlikely the earnings per share
performance targets established at the start of the year would be achieved. As a
result, executives would earn no cash bonuses for 2006, the fifth year in the
past six in which the Company had paid no cash bonuses. In light of these
circumstances, the Compensation Committee established a new cash bonus plan for
the second-half of 2006. In doing so, the Compensation Committee sought to
motivate its executives to continue to improve the Company's financial results
by establishing challenging, but realistically achievable, earnings per share
goals for the remainder of the year. The "second-half 2006" cash bonus plan,
which is further described in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table, provided
each executive with a chance to earn a cash bonus equal to 30% to 50% of their
target bonus opportunity under the original 2006 bonus plan. These bonuses could
be received if the Company achieved earnings per share results ranging from
$0.90 to $1.08 per share during the period of July 15, 2006 to December 31,
2006. These goals for the "second-half 2006" bonus equal those of the original
2006 cash bonus plan on an annualized basis.
Earnings per share for 2006 were below the amounts targeted under both the
original 2006 cash bonus plan and the second-half 2006 cash bonus plan and, as a
result, no bonuses were paid to Named Executive Officers for 2006, including the
CEO.
23
Long-Term Compensation Awards
The third primary element of the Company's executive compensation program
is comprised of long-term compensation awards, which the Compensation Committee
has historically delivered in the form of stock options and restricted stock
awards. Under the Company's equity incentive plans approved by shareholders, the
Company also may grant awards in the form of other equity and performance-based
incentives, as may be deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee. These
awards generally have unlimited potential based on the performance of the
Company's stock.
Historically, the long-term compensation awards consisted primarily of
stock options, with the CEO, the President and the CFO receiving a relatively
small portion of their long-term awards in the form of restricted stock. The
Compensation Committee believes the primary benefit of stock options is to
motivate executives to increase shareholder value as options only produce
rewards to executives if the Company's stock price increases. In addition,
options help executives comply with the Company's ownership guidelines by
building stock ownership. While restricted stock awards also align executives'
interests with those of shareholders and increase stock ownership, they also
help in attracting and retaining executive talent. The latter issue has become
more important to the Compensation Committee as the Company continues to address
fundamental changes in its industry and its effect on the Company's performance
and stock price. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee changed the basis of
its long-term compensation awards for 2006. In 2006, one-half of an executive's
total long term incentive value was delivered in the form of stock options, with
the remaining value delivered in the form of restricted stock. In this manner,
the Compensation Committee accomplished its twin goals of increasing shareholder
value and retaining key executives. The Compensation Committee also recognized
restricted stock would reduce the dilution to the Company's shareholders as
compared with the use of stock options and also may decrease the Company's
expense for long-term compensation awards. As part of its charter, the
Compensation Committee continues to study alternatives to its current allocation
of equity compensation awards in light of these and other factors.
In 2006, the independent compensation consultant determined the median
value of long term compensation awards to executives in similar positions at
companies in the competitor groups. One-half of this value is converted into
target stock option grants based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model,
the same one used by the Company to determine its accounting cost. Minimum and
maximum grant guidelines are developed around target grants according to an
executive's salary grade or level, organizational level, reporting relationships
and job responsibilities to maintain internal equity in the grants to
participants. The other half of an executive's target long-term compensation
value is delivered as shares of restricted stock. The estimated value of each
restricted share is based on the Company's stock price and the estimated
dividends individuals can receive over the vesting period. Outstanding long-term
compensation granted in prior years and held by an executive officer is
generally not considered when the Compensation Committee determines the new
long-term compensation to be granted. Moreover, the Compensation Committee does
not have any targeted mix between short- and long-term compensation elements as
well as cash and non-cash reward elements.
Actual long-term compensation awards to each executive in 2006 were based
on the subjective judgment of the Compensation Committee. In determining these
awards, the Compensation Committee took into account several factors. First, it
considered the targeted range of long-term incentive compensation based on the
independent consultant's assessment of median long-term incentives awarded to
similarly situated executives in the competitor groups. Second, it assessed the
executive's performance in 2005 relative to the same goals used to determine the
executive's base salary levels. Finally, it considered the recommendations of
the CEO. No particular weight was assigned to any one of these areas. The
long-term compensation granted to each of the Company's executives, including
the CEO, in 2006 resulted in a value of long-term compensation at or near the
targeted range for each executive.
Stock options are generally issued under the Invacare Corporation 2003
Performance Plan as non-qualified options with an exercise price equal to the
Company's closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant.
Stock options become exercisable in accordance with a schedule established by
the Compensation Committee upon grant. Typically options become exercisable
ratably over a four year period (25% annually) after the date of grant to
support executive retention and expire after ten years to reward long-term stock
price appreciation. Restricted stock is generally issued at no cost to the
executive and vests in accordance with a schedule established by the
24
Compensation Committee upon grant. Similar to options, restricted stock awards
typically vest ratably each year over the four years. The terms of the
restricted stock grants provide that the executive shall cover any tax
withholding obligation of the Company upon vesting. The Compensation Committee
believes that the value of restricted stock awards to executives would be
diminished if the executive was required to pay cash to cover this tax
withholding obligation, and, therefore, the terms of the restricted stock awards
generally allow the executive, subject to certain restrictions, to surrender a
portion of the vested shares to the Company to cover such obligation at a value
per share equal to the closing price of the Company's common shares as quoted on
the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the surrender of shares. Holders of
restricted stock are entitled to receive the same dividends on their unvested
shares of stock as are declared and paid by the Company to holders of the
Company's outstanding common shares.
The Compensation Committee generally schedules its regular meetings from
six to twelve months in advance. The timing of these meetings is dependent
primarily on the availability of individual Compensation Committee members and
is generally not influenced by the Company's executive officers. In adopting
this practice, the Compensation Committee has sought to establish a regular and
predictable regimen for the granting of equity incentive awards that minimizes
the likelihood of outside influence on the grant process. Until 2006, restricted
stock awards to the Company's CEO, President and CFO were typically granted at
its March meeting. Stock options to these executives and other employees were
typically awarded at the Compensation Committee's meeting in August. In 2006,
the Compensation Committee granted restricted stock awards to executive officers
in March and August and stock options to executive officers and other employees
in August. The Compensation Committee's decision in the middle of 2006 to change
the allocation of stock options and restricted stock granted to executives
resulted in a deviation from the Compensation Committee's normal practice of
granting restricted stock only at its March meeting. The Compensation Committee
expects to establish a normal practice of granting restricted stock and stock
options only in August of each year. The Company does not attempt to time the
grants of options or other stock incentives to the release of material
non-public information. Moreover, the Company does not foresee ever adopting
such a practice.
In addition to the annual grants described above, equity-based grants are
also made occasionally during the course of the year to new hires or to current
employees in connection with a promotion. The terms of outstanding stock options
or restricted stock also may be amended as part of a termination or retirement
package offered to a departing employee. The Compensation Committee has
delegated to the CEO, the President, the Chief Financial Officer and the Senior
Vice President of Human Resources the following authority with respect to such
grants and amendments: (1) any two of the four executives may, subject to the
approval and ratification of the Compensation Committee, grant stock options to
a key employee, other than an employee who would constitute an "executive
officer" under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), in connection with an offer of employment to such employee
or with a promotion of such employee, which grants shall be made pursuant to
terms and conditions approved by the Compensation Committee generally in
connection with stock option grants and shall be deemed made as of the official
start date of the employee's employment with the Company at an exercise price
equal to the closing price of the Company's common shares as quoted on the New
York Stock Exchange on such date; and (2) any two of the four executives may,
subject to the approval and ratification of the Compensation Committee, amend
any outstanding stock option grants made to an employee, other than an employee
who would constitute an "executive officer" under Section 16 of the Exchange
Act, in connection with a termination or retirement package offered to such
employee, which amendments may include acceleration of vesting or extension of
the employee's exercise rights up to the final termination date of the stock
option.
In December 2005, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors of
the Company approved full acceleration of the vesting of all of the Company's
then outstanding and unvested stock options with an exercise price per share
greater than $30.75, the closing price of the Company's shares on the effective
date of the action . The Company accelerated the vesting of these stock options
primarily to partially offset reductions in other benefits made by the Company
in 2005 (such as higher deductible amounts and lower Company contributions to
the Company's healthcare plans) and to provide an additional incentive to
motivate the Company's employees to reduce operating costs. In addition, in
connection with the Company's adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) ("FAS 123R")
on January 1, 2006, the Company would have been required to recognize additional
expense between 2006 and 2009 with respect to the stock options if the vesting
of such options had not been accelerated. The Compensation Committee's action
25
involved 1,368,307 of the Company's outstanding stock options, or approximately
29% of the total options outstanding. This included options for 646,100 shares
held by the Named Executive Officers. None of these options were exercised in
2006 as their exercise prices remained greater than Company's stock price during
the year. The vesting of outstanding restricted stock awards was not accelerated
and no other terms, including the exercise prices, of the stock options that
were accelerated were changed as part of this action by the Company.
Personal Benefits and Perquisites
The Company provided its Named Executive Officers certain perquisites in
2006, which the Compensation Committee believes are commensurate with the types
of benefits and perquisites provided to similarly situated executives within the
competitor groups identified by the independent consultant. The Company believes
these benefits are set at a reasonable level, are highly valued by recipients,
have limited cost, are part of a competitive reward program and are useful in
attracting and retaining qualified executives. They are not tied to individual
or Company performance. These perquisites include the payment of country club
dues and initiation fees, the payment of premiums on excess liability insurance,
an annual physical exam and health screening, and the availability of corporate
sporting event tickets for personal use, as described under the Summary
Compensation Table.
The Company currently leases three corporate suites for use at major league
baseball, professional football and professional basketball games. It also
leases the right to eight courtside seats for professional basketball games. The
right to continue these leases and annually to renew the courtside seats is an
asset of the Company and the annual costs of these suites and seats are paid for
by the Company. In the event that the Company determines not to renew one or
more of the leases or the seat rights, it has granted a right of first refusal
to the CEO to assume its rights and obligations with respect to any of the
foregoing. Should the CEO decide to exercise his right of first refusal, all
subsequent costs associated with the use of the suite and/or seat rights would
become the personal obligation of the CEO.
Elements of Post-Termination Compensation
The Company has established the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan, a
qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan, to which the Company makes
contributions on behalf of the each of the Named Executive Officers. The Company
also maintains and pays premiums on behalf of each Named Executive Officer other
than the CEO and Mr. Richey under the Invacare Executive Disability Income Plan,
and maintains and pays the premiums on behalf of the CEO under a separate
disability insurance policy. The Executive Disability Income Plan supplements
the coverage provided under the long-term disability plan provided by the
Company to all of its employees, providing the executive with total disability
coverage of up to 70% of the executive's annual salary. The Company also
provides other benefits such as medical, dental and life insurance and
disability coverage to each Named Executive Officer in a flexible benefits plan,
which also is provided to all other eligible U.S. based employees of the
Company. The Company offers these plans to its executives in order to offer
benefits that are competitive with welfare benefit plans provided by other
companies with which the Company competes for executive talent.
The Company provides its executives with certain post-employment and
severance arrangements as summarized below and further described elsewhere in
this proxy statement. The Compensation Committee believes the benefits
summarized below are vital to the attraction and retention of talented
executives and, thus, to the long-term success of the Company. These plans
provide executives with the opportunity to address long-term financial planning
with a greater degree of certainty than is available in the case of their annual
compensation program, which can be impacted by various subjective factors that
may be unforeseeable and beyond the executive's control. These plans also
address the Company's interest in continuing to motivate executives in the event
of corporate instability, such as a change of control or unforeseen industry
changes which affect the performance of the Company.
The Company provides its executives with the opportunity to participate in
a non-qualified contributory savings plan, which allows the executives to defer
compensation above the amount permitted to be contributed to the Invacare
Retirement Savings Plan and, thus, provides the executives with additional
26
pre-tax savings opportunities for retirement. In addition to individual
deferrals, the Company provides a matching contribution and additional quarterly
contribution for participating executives which are similar in percentage to the
Company contributions made to the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan. This plan is
actually two plans operating effectively as one. Originally established as the
Invacare Corporation 401(k) Plus Benefit Equalization Plan (the "401(k) Plus
Plan"), the plan continues to be available currently to executives as the
Invacare Corporation Deferred Compensation Plus Plan (the "DC Plus Plan"). In
order to address the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code,
effective January 1, 2005, the Company froze the 401(k) Plus Plan and prohibited
further deferrals and contributions to the 401(k) Plus Plan for compensation
earned after December 31, 2004. All benefits of the participants earned and
vested in the 401(k) Plus Plan as of December 31, 2004 remain preserved under
the existing plan provisions. In conjunction with this change, the Company
adopted the DC Plus Plan, effective January 1, 2005, to provide its executives
with a Section 409A-compliant, non-qualified contributory savings plan going
forward. These plans are referred to in this proxy statement collectively as the
"DC Plus Plan" and are further described under the Non-Qualified Deferred
Compensation Table.
The Company also has established a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
for certain executive officers to supplement other savings plans offered by the
Company and provide a specific level of replacement compensation for the
executive in retirement. In order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code, the Company froze the original Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan and adopted a new plan which is intended to work in tandem with the
original plan and operate effectively as one plan. These combined plans are
referred to in this proxy statement collectively as the "SERP." The purpose of
these plans is to provide for basic life and income security needs and recognize
career contributions. The normal benefit under the SERP is a single-life annuity
in an amount equal to 50% of a participant's final earnings, which is the
participant's annual base salary and target bonus on the April 1st immediately
preceding or coincident with the date of the termination of the participant's
employment, multiplied by a service ratio, which is the participant's years of
service divided by 15 years (but not more than one). This normal benefit is
subject to certain reductions, including the annuitized value of Company
contributions on behalf of the participant to the Invacare Retirement Savings
Plan and the DC Plus Plan, one-half of the participant's annual Social Security
benefit, and other offsets. In February 2000, the Compensation Committee granted
to Messrs. Gerald B. Blouch, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Louis
F.J. Slangen, Senior Vice President-Global Sales and Marketing, the maximum
level of replacement compensation (50%) in recognition of their valuable service
to the Company. As further described below, the offsets described above that
would otherwise have been applicable to Mr. Mixon's benefit under the SERP have
been waived by the Company in recognition of Mr. Mixon's successful management
succession planning and past contributions to the success of the Company. Also,
upon joining the Company in 2002, Mr. Thompson was credited with five years of
service under the SERP in recognition of the valuable skills and experience he
brought to the Company and as a further inducement for him to join the Company.
The SERP is further described elsewhere in this proxy statement under the
Pension Benefits Table.
Effective January 1, 2005, the Company terminated its sponsored life
insurance plan. To replace this benefit, the Company established a Death Benefit
Only Plan ("DBO Plan") for its executives other than the CEO. By participating
in the DBO Plan, an executive agrees to limit his coverage under the Company's
other group life insurance plans to a maximum of $50,000. Under the DBO Plan,
the executive's designated beneficiary shall receive a benefit equal to three
times the executive's highest annual base salary plus target bonus (subject to
certain limitations) as in effect on the April 1st preceding or coincident with
his death if a participant dies while employed by the Company. If a participant
dies after attaining age 65 or after his employment with the Company is
otherwise terminated following a change of control of the Company, a payment
equal to his highest annual base salary plus target bonus as in effect on the
April 1st preceding or coincident with such event will be payable on behalf of
the participant. The Company may, in its discretion, pay an additional amount in
order to "gross up" the participant for some or all of the income taxes that may
result from the benefits described above. The DBO Plan is further described
under Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation.
To ensure the continuity of corporate management and the continued
dedication of key executives during any period of uncertainty caused by the
possible threat of a takeover, the Company entered into change of control
severance protection agreements with key executives, including each of the Named
Executive Officers. The agreements provide for the payment and provision of
certain benefits to the executives if there is a change of control of the
Company and for additional benefits if there is a termination of the executive's
employment with the surviving entity within three years after the change of
control. Following a review of these agreements and comparable agreements
27
entered into by other companies with similarly situated executives, the
Compensation Committee determined to amend the terms of these agreements during
2006 for the purpose of updating the agreements to incorporate certain new
benefit arrangements adopted by the Company and to comply with Section 409A of
the Internal Revenue Code.
The Company has also entered into separate agreements with Mr. Blouch, Mr.
Richey, Mr. Slangen and Mr. Thompson that provide for the payment of certain
severance benefits upon terminations of employment other than terminations
following a change of control of the Company. These agreements retain these
executives and provide for management continuity in the event of an actual or
threatened change-in-control. They also help ensure that executive's interests
remain aligned with shareholders' interests during a time when their continued
employment may be in jeopardy. Finally, they provide some level of income
continuity should an executive's employment be terminated without cause. These
agreements are further described under Other Potential Post-Employment
Compensation.
In March 2000, in recognition of the CEO's many years of service and the
successful financial performance of the Company, the Compensation Committee
established a Chairman and CEO Retirement Program. Under the program, upon his
retirement, Mr. Mixon is to be provided with a spending account for
reimbursement of expenses incurred in an ongoing role as consultant to the
Company, and certain other benefits, for five years following his retirement.
The Chairman and CEO Retirement Program is further described under Other
Post-Employment Compensation.
Compensation Policies
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally provides that certain
compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to a public company's chief
executive officer and any of its four other highest paid executive officers is
not deductible to the company unless the compensation qualifies for an
exception. Section 162(m) provides an exception to the deductibility limit for
"performance-based compensation" if certain requirements are met, including
shareholder approval of the material terms of the performance goal. The
Company's equity incentive plans and annual cash bonus plan have been submitted
to and approved by the Company's shareholders. The Compensation Committee
therefore believes that (i) cash bonuses paid to key executives in accordance
with the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, and (ii) grants of stock options to key
executives under the Company's equity incentive plans pursuant to the Company's
long-term compensation awards qualify for full deductibility under Section
162(m). However, restricted stock grants and certain cash bonus awards paid to
key executive officers (other than under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan) may
not qualify for the exception for performance-based compensation. To the extent
practicable in view of its compensation philosophy, the Company seeks to
structure its executive compensation to satisfy the requirements for the
performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m). Nevertheless,
based upon the Company's current compensation structure, the Compensation
Committee believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders for the Compensation Committee to retain flexibility in awarding
incentive compensation in the form of restricted stock grants and cash bonus
awards that may not qualify for the exception for performance-based
compensation. The Compensation Committee will continue to review and evaluate,
as necessary, the impact of Section 162(m) on the Company and intends to make a
determination with respect to this issue on an annual basis.
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code generally provides that
arrangements involving the deferral of compensation that do not comply in form
and operation with Section 409A or are not exempt from Section 409A are subject
to increased tax, penalties and interest. If a deferred compensation arrangement
does not comply with or is not exempt from Section 409A, employees may be
subject to accelerated or additional tax, or interest or penalties, with respect
to the compensation. The Company generally seeks to structure its deferred
compensation arrangements with its employees to comply with or qualify for an
exemption from Section 409A. The Compensation Committee believes that deferred
compensation arrangements that do not comply with Section 409A would be of
significantly diminished value to its executives. Accordingly, the Compensation
28
Committee has amended its supplemental executive retirement plan and
non-qualified deferred compensation plans to comply with Section 409A.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
The Company maintains stock ownership guidelines for its Named Executive
Officers and other executives for the purpose of aligning the interests of key
executives with those of the shareholders of the Company. They also reinforce
the primary reason for offering long-term compensation awards. Moreover, it
holds those executives most responsible for creating shareholder value more
accountable than other employees. Under the current guidelines of the stock
ownership program, executives are expected to own shares equal in value to the
following levels:
o CEO - five times base salary
o President - three times salary
o CFO - two times salary
o Other executive officers - two times salary
Executive officers are expected to reach these levels of ownership by the
later of May 2010 or five years from the executive's hire date. The number of
shares required to be held is established by multiplying the applicable
executive's salary by the applicable multiple and dividing by the Company's
average daily stock for the previous year. "Stock ownership" is defined to
include shares held directly and indirectly by the executive, all unvested
restricted stock held by the executive and 30% of the shares underlying
unexercised stock options held by the executive that are "in the money" by at
least 20%. For purposes of this policy, ownership of the Company's Class B
common shares is treated as ownership of common shares.
29
Report of the Compensation, Management Development and
Corporate Governance Committee on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with the
Company's management. Based on that review and discussion, the Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the
Company's definitive proxy statement prepared in connection with its 2007 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders.
COMPENSATION, MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
James C. Boland, Chairperson
Bernadine P. Healy, M.D.
William M. Weber
The above Report of the Compensation, Management Development and Corporate
Governance Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be
deemed filed with the Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C (other than
as provided in Item 407 of Regulation S-K) or to the liabilities of Section 18
of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically requests
that the information in this Report be treated as soliciting material or
specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act.
If this Report is incorporated by reference into the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K, such disclosure will be furnished in such Annual Report on Form 10-K
and will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act as a result of furnishing the disclosure in
this manner.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of the Compensation, Management Development and Corporate
Governance Committee was at any time during 2006 or at any other time an officer
or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. No executive officer of
the Company serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation
committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a
member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation, Management
Development and Corporate Governance Committee. James C. Boland, Bernadine P.
Healy, MD and William M. Weber were the non-employee directors who served on the
Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee during
2006.
30
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents the total compensation to the Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company in 2006 (the "Named Executive Officers").
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Year Salary Bonus Stock Option Non-Equity Change in All Other Total ($)
Principal ($) (1) ($) Awards Awards Incentive Pension Compensa
Position ($) (2) ($) (3) Plan Compen- Value and -tion
sation Nonqualified ($) (7)
($)(4) Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) (5)
--------------- -------- ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------------- ----------- --------------
A. Malachi 2006 1,074,450 -- 497,383 707,443 -- 1,095,261 118,397 3,492,934
Mixon III (8)
Chairman and
Chief
Executive
Officer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald B. 2006 674,200 -- 297,140 285,065 -- 593,781 70,840 1,921,026
Blouch (9)
President and
Chief
Operating
Officer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory C. 2006 401,200 -- 197,366 134,101 -- 199,008 66,431 998,106
Thompson (10)
Chief
Financial
Officer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph B. 2006 422,200 -- 5,099 72,270 -- -- (6) 42,426 541,995
Richey II (11)
President-Invacare
Technologies
and Senior
Vice
President -
Electronics
and Design
Engineering
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis F.J. 2006 386,200 -- 5,099 72,270 -- 253,201 55,598 772,368
Slangen (12)
Senior Vice
President-Global
Sales and
Marketing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31
(1) Of the amounts disclosed in this column, the following Named Executive
Officers deferred the following portions of such amounts into the DC Plus
Plan during 2006: (i) Mr. Mixon: $98,011; (ii) Mr. Blouch: $18,397; (iii)
Mr. Thompson: $18,148; (iv) Mr. Richey: $15,289; and (v) Mr. Slangen:
$10,405.
(2) The values reported in this column represent the dollar amount recognized
for financial statement purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006 in accordance with FAS 123R with respect to all restricted stock
awarded to each officer during 2006. For a summary of the terms of these
awards, see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table that follows. For a
description of the assumptions made in computing the values reported in
this column, see "Shareholders' Equity Transactions" in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
(3) The values reported in this column represent the dollar amount recognized
for financial statement purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006 in accordance with FAS 123R with respect to all stock options awarded
to each officer during 2006. For a summary of the terms of these awards,
see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table that follows. For a description
of the assumptions made in computing the values reported in this column,
see "Shareholders' Equity Transactions" in the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
(4) The targeted levels established by the Compensation Committee pursuant to
the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan for 2006 were not achieved. Accordingly,
no compensation was paid to the officers under non-equity incentive plans
in 2006. For a description of the 2006 bonus opportunities established by
the Compensation Committee under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, see
footnote (4) to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table that follows.
(5) The amounts reported in this column represent the amounts accrued by the
Company in 2006 to comply with the requirements of FAS 87 and FAS 158 as
they relate to the accumulated benefit obligation to the named executives
under the SERP. Because four of the named executive officers are already
fully vested under the SERP, there was no material increase during the year
in the actual benefit payable under the SERP to any of the named executives
except Mr. Thompson who was credited with an additional year of service. No
above market or preferential earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation
were earned by any officer in 2006.
(6) The aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the accumulated
benefits under the SERP for Mr. Richey in 2006 was a decrease of $58,820.
The value of Mr. Richey's SERP benefit is decreasing annually, primarily
due to his age and the relationship between the rate of change in his
annual compensation and the rate projected in the SERP's benefit
calculation factors.
(7) Compensation reported in this column includes (i) the value of dividends
earned on outstanding restricted stock awards granted prior to 2006 (with
respect to the 2006 restricted stock awards, the value of future dividends
was factored into the grant date fair value disclosed in the Grants of
Plan-Based Awards For Fiscal Year 2006 Table); (ii) the value of Company
contributions made in 2006 on behalf of the officer to the Invacare
Retirement Savings Plan and the DC Plus Plan; (iii) the value of premiums
paid by the Company under the Company's Executive Disability Income Plan
(or, in the case of Mr. Mixon, the premium under a separate disability
insurance policy); and (iv) the incremental cost to the Company of
32
perquisites provided by the Company, which include: country club dues, the
payment of premiums on excess liability insurance, an annual physical exam
and health screening, and the availability of corporate sporting event
tickets for personal use. Perquisites are valued on the basis of the
aggregate incremental cost to the Company of providing the perquisite to
the applicable officer. The value of personal use of corporate suites or
tickets is the price shown on the ticket for the event and does not include
annual fees or charges attributable to suite rental or ticket availability.
(8) Other compensation for Mr. Mixon includes $13,000 contributed by the
Company to the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan and $53,396 contributed by
the Company to the DC Plus Plan.
(9) Other compensation for Mr. Blouch includes $13,000 contributed by the
Company to the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan and $30,048 contributed by
the Company to the DC Plus Plan.
(10) Other compensation for Mr. Thompson includes $12,032 contributed by the
Company to the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan and $14,123 contributed by
the Company to the DC Plus Plan.
(11) Other compensation for Mr. Richey includes $12,452 contributed by the
Company to the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan and $15,348 contributed by
the Company to the DC Plus Plan.
(12) Other compensation for Mr. Slangen includes $11,636 contributed by the
Company to the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan, $13,104 contributed by the
Company to the DC Plus Plan and $13,396 in premiums paid by the Company
under the Executive Disability Income Plan.
33
Grants of Plan-Based Awards For Fiscal Year 2006
The following table shows, for the Named Executive Officers, plan-based
awards to those officers during 2006, including restricted stock awards and
stock option grants, as well as other incentive plan awards.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Grant Estimated Future All Other All Other Exercise Grant
Date Payouts Under Stock Option or Base Date Fair
Non-Equity Incentive Awards: Awards: Price of Value of
Plan Awards Number of Number of Option Stock and
Shares of Securities Awards Options
Stock or Underlying ($/Sh) Awards ($)
Units Options
(#) (#)
------- ------ ------
Thresh- Target Maxi-
hold ($) mum($)
---------- ------ ------- ------ ------ --------- ---------- -------- -----------
A. Malachi 3/8/06 14,929 (1) $ 31.26
Mixon III 8/23/06 35,200 (2) $ 22.66
8/23/06 88,100 (3) $ 22.66 $ 8.03
(4) (4) (4) (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald B. 3/8/06 9,239 (1) $ 31.26
Blouch 8/23/06 14,200 (2) $ 22.66
8/23/06 35,500 (3) $ 22.66 $ 8.03
(4) (4) (4) (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory C. 3/8/06 5,154 (1) $ 31.26
Thompson 8/23/06 6,700 (2) $ 22.66
8/23/06 16,700 (3) $ 22.66 $ 8.03
(4) (4) (4) (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph B. 8/23/06 3,600 (2) $ 22.66
Richey II 8/23/06 9,000 (3) $ 22.66 $ 8.03
(4) (4) (4) (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis F.J. 8/23/06 3,600 (2) $ 22.66
Slangen 8/23/06 9,000 (3) $ 22.66 $ 8.03
(4) (4) (4) (4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Restricted shares granted pursuant to the Invacare Corporation 2003
Performance Plan (the "2003 Plan"). These shares vest in 25% increments
over four years, commencing May 1, 2007. Dividends accrue and are payable
based on the total shares awarded as of the date of grant, irrespective of
whether the shares have vested.
(2) Restricted shares granted pursuant to the 2003 Plan. These shares vest in
25% increments over four years, commencing November 15, 2007. Dividends
accrue and are payable based on the total shares awarded as of the date of
grant, irrespective of whether the shares have vested.
(3) Stock options to purchase common shares of the Company granted under the
2003 Plan. These options become exercisable in 25% increments over four
years, commencing September 30, 2007 and expire on August 23, 2016.
(4) On March 8, 2006, the Compensation Committee established performance goals
under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan for the purpose of providing
financial incentives for 2006 to certain key employees, including all of
the officers included in the above table (the "original 2006 bonus plan").
Under this plan, if the Company achieved certain earnings per share
targets, the executives would earn a bonus amount equal to a percentage of
the executive's "target bonus" for 2006. Target bonuses for the Named
34
Executive Officers were established as 100% of base salary for Mr. Mixon,
95% of base salary for Mr. Blouch, and 75% of base salary for each of
Messrs. Richey, Thompson and Slangen. Under the original 2006 bonus plan,
performance goals were set at levels of $1.90 per share to $2.15 per share.
If the $1.90 earnings per share target had been achieved, then each officer
would have been entitled to 50% of his target bonus. If the $2.15 earnings
per share target had been achieved, then each officer would have been
entitled to 100% of his target bonus. If the Company reached an earnings
per share level between or above the targets, the target bonus was to be
adjusted on a straight-line basis up to a maximum amount of $5,000,000.
None of these goals were achieved.
On August 23, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved a second-half 2006
bonus opportunity under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan for the purpose
of providing financial incentives to certain key employees for the period
of July 15 to December 31, 2006 (the "second-half 2006 bonus plan"). Under
the second-half 2006 bonus plan, performance goals were set at levels of
$0.90 per share to $1.08 per share. The target bonuses set forth for the
officers in the original 2006 bonus plan were retained in the second-half
2006 bonus plan. If the $0.90 earnings per share target had been achieved,
then each officer would have been entitled to 30% of his target bonus. If
the $1.08 earnings per share target had been achieved, then each officer
would have been entitled to 50% of his target bonus. If the Company reached
an earnings per share level between or above the targets, the target bonus
was to be adjusted on a straight-line basis. None of these goals were
achieved.
The second-half 2006 bonus plan was structured by the Compensation
Committee such that no participant could receive a bonus under both the
second-half 2006 bonus plan and the original 2006 bonus plan. Because the
performance targets were not met under either plan, there was no non-equity
incentive plan compensation to the officers during 2006. See Compensation
Discussion and Analysis above for further discussion of these bonus plans.
Restricted Stock and Stock Options
Each of the restricted stock awards and stock option grants set forth in
the above table was awarded under the 2003 Plan. Under the 2003 Plan, and the
restricted stock and option award agreements entered into in connection with the
awards, the Compensation Committee may make certain adjustments to the awards
and the awards may be terminated or amended, as further described below.
Adjustments. In the event of a recapitalization, stock dividend, stock
split, reverse stock split, distribution to shareholders (other than cash
dividends), or similar transaction, the Compensation Committee can adjust, in
any manner that it deems equitable, the number and class of shares that may be
issued under the 2003 Plan and the number and class of shares, and the exercise
price, applicable to outstanding awards.
Termination of Awards. The Compensation Committee may cancel any awards if,
without the Company's prior written consent, the participant (1) within 18
months after the date such participant terminates employment with the Company,
renders services for an organization, or engages in a business, that is (in the
judgment of the Compensation Committee) in competition with the Company, or (2)
discloses to anyone outside of Invacare, or uses for any purpose other than
Invacare's business, any confidential information relating to the Company. In
addition, the Compensation Committee may, subject to certain conditions in the
2003 Plan and in its discretion, require the participant to return the economic
value of any award that the participant realized or obtained prior to and after
such participant engaged in any of the above activities.
Amendment of Awards. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion,
amend the terms of any award under the 2003 Plan, including to waive, in whole
or in part, any restrictions or conditions applicable to, or to accelerate the
vesting of, any award. This authority is subject to certain restrictions. In
particular, the Compensation Committee may not amend an award in a manner that
impairs the rights of any participant without his or her consent, or to reprice
any stock options or stock appreciation rights at a lower exercise price, unless
in accordance with an adjustment in the context of certain transactions
described above.
In addition, in the event of a change in control of the Company, as defined
in the 2003 Plan, unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise, (1) all
outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights will become fully
35
exercisable, and (2) all restrictions and conditions applicable to restricted
stock and other awards exercisable for common shares of the Company will be
deemed to have been satisfied. Any other determination by the Board of Directors
that is made after the occurrence of the change in control will not be effective
unless a majority of the Directors then in office are "continuing directors" and
the determination is approved by a majority of the "continuing directors" for
this purpose (or is approved by a committee comprised solely of such "continuing
directors"). "Continuing directors" are Directors who were in office prior to
the change in control or were recommended or elected to succeed "continuing
directors" by a majority of the "continuing directors" then in office (or by a
committee comprised solely of such "continuing directors" then in office).
The above description highlights certain terms and conditions applicable to
the restricted stock and option awards set forth in the Grants of Plan-Based
Awards Table above. This summary is not a complete description of the 2003 Plan
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2003 Plan, which was
included as Appendix A to the Company's definitive proxy statement filed in
connection with its 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and to the form of
Stock Option Agreement under the 2003 Plan and the form of Restricted Stock
Agreement under the 2003 Plan, which are included as Exhibits 10(y) and 10(x),
respectively, to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006.
Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
The Executive Incentive Bonus Plan was unanimously approved and adopted by
the Compensation Committee as of March 2, 2005 and was approved and adopted by
the shareholders of the Company on May 25, 2005. See the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis for a discussion of awards under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
during 2006.
Purpose. The Executive Incentive Bonus Plan is intended to provide an
incentive to the Company's executive officers to improve the Company's operating
results and to enable the Company to recruit and retain key officers by making
the Company's overall compensation program competitive with compensation
programs of other companies with which the Company competes for executive
talent.
Administration. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee,
which generally has the authority to determine the manner in which the Executive
Incentive Bonus Plan will operate, to interpret the provisions of the plan and
to make all determinations under the plan.
Eligibility and Participation. All officers of the Company are eligible to
be selected to participate in the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan. The
Compensation Committee has the discretion to select those officers who will
participate in the plan in any given year. A participant must be employed by the
Company on the payment date in order to receive an award under the Executive
Incentive Bonus Plan, unless the officer's employment terminated prior to the
payment as a result of death, disability, or retirement. Unless the Compensation
Committee determines otherwise, an officer whose employment terminates for any
other reason prior to the payment date will not be eligible to receive a bonus
award. For 2006, the Compensation Committee determined that the eligible
participants under the plan included Messrs. Mixon, Blouch, Thompson, Richey and
Slangen, as well as the Company's Senior Vice President of Business Development
and General Counsel and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
Awards under the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan. Awards under the plan are
designed to ensure that the compensation of the Company's officers is
commensurate with their responsibilities and contribution to the success of the
Company based on market levels indicated by compensation data obtained from time
to time by the Company or the independent consultant. For each calendar year or
other predetermined performance period, the Compensation Committee will
establish a target bonus for each eligible officer, payable if a specified
performance goal is satisfied for such performance period.
Performance Goals. The performance goal for each performance period will
provide for a targeted level or levels of performance using one or more of the
following predetermined measurements: stock price, net sales, income from
operations, earnings before income tax, earnings per share, cost controls,
return on assets, and return on net assets employed. For 2006, the bonus award
was based upon satisfaction of an earnings per share target, as further
described above in the footnotes to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table.
36
The performance goal for a performance period is established in writing by
the Compensation Committee on or before the latest date permissible to enable
the bonus award to qualify as "performance based compensation" under Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Compensation Committee may during this
same time period adjust or modify the calculation of a performance goal for the
performance period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights
of participants (1) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or
extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development; (2) in
recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events
affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in
response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations,
accounting principles or business conditions; and (3) in view of the
Compensation Committee's assessment of the Company's business strategy,
performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, and
any other circumstances deemed relevant by the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee may establish various levels of bonus depending upon
relative performance toward a performance goal.
The target bonus payable to any officer for a performance period is a
specified percentage of the officer's compensation for the performance period,
but in no event will the target bonus payable to any officer for a performance
period exceed $5,000,000. This maximum bonus amount was set in part to permit
the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan to accommodate continued growth of the
Company and also to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The Board of Directors believes that this limit will
provide the Compensation Committee with sufficient flexibility to reward
exceptional contributions toward the Company's success. As described in the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis elsewhere in this proxy statement, the
Compensation Committee currently seeks to give each executive officer an
opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus that would result in total annual cash
compensation to the executive officer that approximates the 75th market
percentile of compensation paid by other employers with which the Company may
compete for executive talent.
In the event of a change in control of the Company, the amount payable to
each eligible participant in the plan at the time of such change in control
would be equal to the greater of (1) the target bonus that would have been paid
if the performance goal for the calendar year in which the change in control
occurs had been achieved, or (2) the bonus that would have been paid to the
participant if the performance goal that was actually achieved during the
portion of the calendar year which occurs prior to the change in control is
annualized for the entire calendar year.
Amendment and Termination. The Company reserves the right, exercisable by
the Compensation Committee, to amend the Executive Incentive Bonus Plan at any
time and in any respect, or to terminate the plan in whole or in part at any
time and for any reason. Amendments will be subject to the approval of the
Company's shareholders in such manner and with such frequency as is required
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
37
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2006
The following table shows, for the Named Executive Officers, outstanding
equity awards held by such officers at December 31, 2006.
--------- -------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Option Awards Stock Awards
--------- -------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Name Number Number of Equity Option Option Number of Market Equity Equity
of Securities Incentive Exercise Expiration Shares or Value of Incentive Incentive
Securities Underlying Plan Price Date Units of Shares or Plan Plan
Underlying Unexercised Awards: ($) Stock That Units of Awards: Awards:
Unexercised Options Number of Have Not Stock Number of Market or
Options (#) Securities Vested That Have Unearned Payout
(#) Unexercisable Underlying (#) Not Vested Shares, Value of
Exercisable Unexercised ($) Units or Unearned
Unearned Other Shares,
Options Rights Units or
(#) That Have Other
Not Vested Rights
(#) That Have
Not Vested
($)
---------- ------------ ------------- ----------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Malachi 127,600 $ 25.1250 2/20/07
Mixon III 120,750 $ 23.6250 3/5/08
149,500 $ 23.6875 3/1/09
176,600 $ 18.6875 8/31/09
250,000 $ 23.4375 3/6/10
141,300 $ 25.1250 8/24/10
112,800 $ 33.50 10/31/11
122,400 $ 36.40 8/21/12
3,670 (1) $ 90,099
137,900 $ 37.70 8/20/13
5,254 (2) $ 128,986
142,000 $ 44.30 8/24/14
8,134 (3) $ 199,690
120,800 $ 41.87 9/8/15
14,929 (4) $ 366,507
88,100 (5) $ 22.66 8/23/16
35,200 (6) $ 864,160
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald B. 70,000 $ 25.1250 2/20/07
Blouch 57,600 $ 23.6250 3/5/08
63,700 $ 23.6875 3/1/09
75,300 $ 18.6875 8/31/09
100,000 $ 23.4375 3/6/10
63,300 $ 25.1250 8/24/10
50,600 $ 33.50 10/31/11
55,000 $ 36.40 8/21/12
2,273 (1) $ 55,802
58,700 $ 37.70 8/20/13
3,254 (2) $ 79,886
56,300 $ 44.30 8/24/14
5,034 (8) $ 123,585
45,400 $ 41.87 9/8/15
9,239 (4) $ 226,817
35,500 (5) $ 22.66 8/23/16
14,200 (6) $ 348,610
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38
Gregory C. 82,000 $ 32.70 11/04/12
Thompson 1,280 (1) $ 31,424
28,800 $ 37.70 8/20/13
1,746 (2) $ 42,864
25,900 $ 44.30 8/24/14
2,808 (7) $ 68,936
22,400 $ 41.87 9/8/15
5,154 (4) $ 126,531
16,700 (5) $ 22.66 8/23/16
6,700 (6) $ 164,485
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph B. 41,000 $ 25.1250 2/20/07
Richey II 17,900 $ 23.6250 3/5/08
21,600 $ 23.6875 3/1/09
25,500 $ 18.6875 8/31/09
21,000 $ 25.1250 8/24/10
15,800 $ 33.50 10/31/11
17,000 $ 36.40 8/21/12
15,400 $ 37.70 8/20/13
25,900 $ 44.30 8/24/14
22,400 $ 41.87 9/8/15
9,000 (5) $ 22.66 8/23/16
3,600 (6) $ 88,380
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis F.J. 18,600 $ 23.6250 3/5/08
Slangen 21,800 $ 23.6875 3/1/09
21,000 $ 25.1250 8/24/10
20,000 $ 33.50 10/31/11
21,800 $ 36.40 8/21/12
21,500 $ 37.70 8/20/13
25,900 $ 44.30 9/30/14
22,400 $ 41.87 9/8/15
9,000 (5) $ 22.66 8/23/16
3,600 (6) $ 88,380
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) These restricted shares vest on May 1, 2007.
(2) Half of these restricted shares vest on May 1, 2007, with the remaining
half to vest on May 1, 2008.
(3) These restricted shares vest according to the following schedule: 2,712
vest on May 1, 2007; 2,711 vest on May 1, 2008; and 2,711 shares vest on
May 1, 2009.
(4) These restricted shares vest in approximate 25% increments over four years
commencing May 1, 2007.
(5) These stock options become exercisable in 25% increments over four years
commencing September 30, 2007.
(6) These restricted shares vest in 25% increments over four years commencing
November 15, 2007.
(7) These restricted shares vest in approximate 1/3 increments over three years
starting May 1, 2007.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal Year 2006
The following table shows, for the Named Executive Officers, information
regarding each exercise of a stock option and each vesting of restricted stock
during 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Awards Stock Awards
--------------------- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name Number of Value Realized Number of Value Realized
Shares on Exercise Shares on Vesting
Acquired ($) Acquired ($)
on Exercise on Vesting
(#) (#)
--------------------- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
A. Malachi Mixon III 81,000 $ 696,600
3,175 $ 96,520
3,671 $111,598
2,628 $ 79,891
2,712 $ 82,445
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald B. Blouch 38,400 $ 330,240
1,964 $ 59,706
2,272 $ 69,069
1,627 $ 49,461
1,679 $ 51,042
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory C. Thompson 1,280 $ 38,912
873 $ 26,539
937 $ 28,485
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph B. Richey II 24,300 $ 196,101
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis F.J. Slangen -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40
Pension Benefits for Fiscal Year 2006
The following table presents certain information for each of the Named
Executive Officers with respect to the SERP.
---------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------
Name Plan Name (1) Number of Years Present Payments
Credited Service Value of During Last
(#) Accumulated Fiscal Year
Benefit ($)
($) (2)
---------------- --------------- ----------------- ---------------- ----------------
A. Malachi SERP 26 9,068,353 (3) --
Mixon III
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald B. SERP 15 3,307,313 --
Blouch
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory C. SERP 9 (4) 568,621 --
Thompson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph B. SERP 22 2,247,371 --
Richey II
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis F.J. SERP 19 1,400,750 --
Slangen
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The SERP is the Company's original Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan and a new plan which is intended to work in
tandem with the original plan to operate effectively as one
plan, as further described below under Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan (collectively, the "SERP").
(2) This column presents the actuarial present value of each
officer's accumulated benefit under the applicable plan,
computed as of the same pension plan measurement date used
for financial statement reporting purposes. For purposes of
this calculation, Named Executive Officers are assumed to
have worked until the normal retirement age as defined in
the SERP, which is the attainment of age 65.
(3) In recognition of Mr. Mixon's successful completion of
management succession planning and his past contributions to
the Company, in 2000, the Compensation Committee waived the
"Company contribution offset" to his SERP balance.
(4) In consideration of his joining the Company in 2002, Mr.
Thompson was credited with five years of service under the
SERP.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
In 1995, the Company established the SERP for certain executive officers to
supplement other savings plans offered by the Company so as to provide a
specific level of replacement compensation for retirement. In order to comply
with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, in 2005 the Company froze the
original Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and adopted a new plan,
effective in 2005, which is intended to work in tandem with the original plan
and operate effectively as one plan.
Under the SERP, the normal retirement date is either age 65 or, if the
executive has reached 15 years of service, age 62. The normal benefit is a
single-life annuity in an amount equal to 50% of a participant's final earnings,
41
which is the participant's annual base salary and target bonus on the April 1st
immediately preceding or coincident with the date of the termination of the
participant's employment, multiplied by a service ratio, which is the
participant's years of service divided by 15 years (but not more than one). This
normal benefit is subject to certain reductions, including the annuitized value
of Company contributions to the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan and the DC Plus
Plan, one-half of the annual Social Security benefit, and other offsets. An
early retirement benefit is available once the executive reaches age 55 with 10
years of service, in an amount equal to the normal retirement benefit reduced by
6% for each year that precedes the executive's normal retirement date under the
plan. A participant's benefits under the SERP vest over five years (i.e., 20%
per year), so that a participant is fully vested (100%) five years after
becoming a participant in the SERP. The SERP also provides for certain
disability benefits, termination benefits and change of control benefits. Upon
disability, the participant becomes 100% vested and unreduced normal retirement
benefits are commenced. Upon termination prior to early or normal retirement,
the participant receives the vested portion of the accrued normal retirement
benefit reduced by 6% for each year that precedes the executive's normal
retirement date under the plan. Upon a change of control, if the participant's
employment is subsequently terminated for any reason other than death within
three years after the change of control (two years for amounts under the
original plan), the participant receives a lump sum benefit that is actuarially
equivalent to his normal retirement benefit and is treated as 100% vested with a
service ratio of one (i.e., treated as having at least 15 years of service).
Actuarial equivalence is calculated on the basis of the 1983 Group Annuity
Mortality table and the greater of 8% annual interest or Moody's Corporate Bond
Yield Average rate for the prior calendar year.
The SERP is a nonqualified plan and, thus, the benefits accrued under these
plans would be subject to the claims of the Company's general creditors if the
Company were to file for bankruptcy. The benefits will be paid (1) from an
irrevocable grantor trust which has been partially funded from the Company's
general funds and/or (2) directly from the Company's general funds.
The present value of each Named Executive Officer's accumulated benefit
under the SERP is calculated based on a number of factors, including current
compensation data, the provisions of the SERP, and the following assumptions:
the executive salary will increase at a rate of 5% per year; the consumer price
index will increase at a rate of 3% per year; the executive's retirement age
will be age 65; the corporate annual income tax rate will be 40%; future
contributions by the Company to the SERP will increase at a rate of 5% per year;
earnings on Company contributions to the SERP will average 8% per year; and a
discount rate of 6.75%.
42
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal Year 2006
The following table presents information for each of the Named Executive
Officers regarding contributions, earnings, withdrawals and balances under the
DC Plus Plan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Executive Registrant Aggregate Aggregate Aggregate Balance
Contributions in Contributions in Earnings in 2006 Withdrawals/ At December 31,
2006 2006 ($) (3)(4) Distributions 2006
($) (1) ($) (2) ($) (5) ($)
----------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------- --------------- -------------------
A. Malachi 98,011 53,396 490,762 19,120 4,227,951
Mixon III
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gerald B. 18,397 30,048 63,250 69,733 812,489
Blouch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory C. 18,148 14,123 14,471 19,120 120,406
Thompson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph B. 15,289 15,348 (26,674) 15,120 591,122
Richey II
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louis F.J. 10,405 13,104 140,676 19,120 1,516,524
Slangen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The amounts reported in this column represent the portion of
the officer's salary and/or bonus, as reported in the
"Salary," "Bonus" and "Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation" columns of the Summary Compensation Table,
that was deferred into the plan.
(2) The amounts reported in this column have been included with
respect to each officer in the "All Other Compensation"
column of the Summary Compensation Table above, as described
in footnote (7) to that Table.
(3) No portion of the amounts reported in this column that
represent accrued interest has been included in the "Change
in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Earnings" column of the Summary Compensation Table, since
none of the amounts reported in this column represent
above-market or preferential interest or earnings accrued on
the applicable plan.
(4) Please see the discussion below under DC Plus Plan for a
description of how earnings under the plan are calculated.
(5) The withdrawal shown reflects a transfer to the officer's
account under the tax-qualified Invacare Retirement Savings
Plan up to the amount allowed by IRS limitations, pursuant
to the terms of the DC Plus Plan.
43
DC Plus Plan
The DC Plus Plan is a non-qualified contributory savings plan for highly
compensated employees. The program is offered to allow participants to defer
compensation above the amount allowed in the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan,
the Company's qualified retirement plan, and to provide participants with
additional pre-tax savings opportunities. The DC Plus Plan is actually two plans
operating effectively as one. In 2004, the Company froze what was originally
established as the 401(k) Plus Plan and prohibited further deferrals and
contributions to that plan for compensation earned after December 31, 2004. It
then adopted the DC Plus Plan, effective January 1, 2005, in order to address
the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. All benefits of
the participants earned and vested in the 401(k) Plus Plan as of December 31,
2004 remain preserved under the existing plan provisions. These plans are
referred to in this proxy statement collectively as the "DC Plus Plan."
The DC Plus Plan allows participants to defer all or any portion of their
annual cash bonus compensation and up to 50% of their salary to the plan. The
Company provides a matching contribution on amounts deferred of up to an annual
maximum of 2% of salary, as well as a quarterly contribution of up to 4% of
salary for the benefit of eligible participants. The DC Plus Plan works in
tandem with the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan, in that the participant can
elect for funds to be transferred to the qualified plan on an annual basis, as
determined by IRS limitations. Participants may allocate contributions among an
array of funds representing a full range of risk/return profiles, including
Company common shares reflected in phantom share units. Employee deferrals and
contributions by the Company for the benefit of each employee are credited with
earnings, gains or losses based on the performance of investment funds selected
by the employee. Earnings under the DC Plus Plan are based on the following
underlying funds, which had the following annual returns in 2006: Fidelity
Equity Income Fund, 15.2%; Fidelity Spartan U.S. Equity Fund, 12.0%; Fidelity
Growth Company, 5.8%; Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund, 11.0%; Harbor Small Cap
Growth Institutional, 8.8%; Harbor Small Cap Value Return, 6.9%; Fidelity
Diversified International Fund, 15.5%; Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund, 10.9%;
Invacare Common Shares, -29.6%; Fidelity Freedom Income Fund, 4.7%; Fidelity
Freedom 2000 Fund, 5.2%; Fidelity Freedom 2010 Fund, 6.9%; Fidelity Freedom 2020
Fund, 8.4%; Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund, 9.2%; Fidelity Freedom 2040 Fund, 9.6%;
PIMCO Total Return Admin, 3.4%; and Fidelity Managed Income, 3.4%. These funds
generally are the same as are offered for investment under the Invacare
Retirement Savings Plan. Participants do not have any direct interest in or
ownership of the funds. Participant's contributions are always 100% vested and
employer contributions vest according to a five year graduated scale. All
distributions from the plan are in the form of cash and paid in a single lump
sum upon termination of employment unless the participant has a qualifying
termination (i.e., after reaching retirement age or on account of death or
disability), the account is over the required threshold amount (i.e., over
$20,000 in the 401(k) Plus Plan portion and $10,000 in the DC Plus Plan
portion), and the participant has elected to receive payment in installments
instead of a lump sum. The installment period can not exceed 15 years.
Distributions under the DC Plus Plan may be made only upon termination of the
employee's employment, death, disability or hardship, or at a time certain
specified by the employee at the time of deferral in accordance with the terms
of the plan. Elections to participate in the DC Plus Plan must be made by the
employee in accordance with the requirements of the plan and applicable law.
For a description of the SERP, see the narrative following the Pension
Benefits Table included above.
44
Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation
Severance and Change of Control Benefits
Upon termination of employment for certain reasons (other than a
termination following a change of control of the Company) severance benefits may
be paid to the Named Executive Officers. The severance benefits payable to Mr.
Blouch are addressed in his Severance Protection Agreement, discussed below, and
the severance benefits payable to Messrs. Richey, Slangen and Thompson are
addressed in the description of each of their respective letter agreements
below. Mr. Mixon is not covered under a general severance agreement, but is
entitled to receive benefits under a change of control agreement (discussed
below under Change of Control Agreements) like all of the other Named Executive
Officers and under a Chairman and CEO Retirement Program (discussed below under
Chairman and CEO Retirement Program).
Severance Protection Agreement
In 2002, the Company entered into a Severance Protection Agreement with Mr.
Blouch. Under the terms of the agreement, if Mr. Blouch's employment is
terminated by reason of death or disability, by the Company for cause (as
defined in the agreement) or by Mr. Blouch other than for good reason (as
defined in the agreement), he or his estate is entitled to receive payment of
any compensation and benefits accrued but unpaid at the time of such
termination. If Mr. Blouch's employment is terminated by the Company other than
for cause or by Mr. Blouch for good reason (but not due to death or disability)
and, if Mr. Blouch is not entitled to receive benefits under his change of
control agreement (discussed below under Change of Control Agreements), he then
is entitled to receive the following benefits:
o compensation equal to three times the amount of his then applicable
annual base salary, to be paid in three equal annual installments;
o 75% of his target bonus for the year in which employment ends, to be
paid in three equal annual installments;
o any then-outstanding stock option grant or stock award shall
immediately vest in full as of the date of termination of employment,
unless stated otherwise in the option agreement; and
o the exercise period of any unexercised stock option shall be extended
until the earlier of two years after the date of termination of
employment or expiration of the option, unless stated otherwise in the
option agreement. In addition, Mr. Blouch may exercise all options by
means of a cashless exercise program, so long as (a) the program is
permitted under applicable law, and (b) the Company is not required to
recognize additional compensation expense as a result of the exercise.
In accordance with the terms described above, assuming that Mr. Blouch's
employment with the Company was terminated by the Company other than for cause
or by Mr. Blouch for good reason (but not due to death or disability) as of
December 31, 2006, the amounts and/or values of the benefits he would be
entitled to receive are as follows: (1) $2,022,600 in respect of three times his
applicable base salary; (2) $480,368 in respect of 75% of his applicable target
bonus; and (3) $782,000 in respect of the present value of acceleration of
vesting of outstanding unvested stock option grants and restricted stock awards
and of the extension of the exercise periods of outstanding unexercised stock
options, for a total of $3,284,968.
The agreement contains provisions which restrict Mr. Blouch's ability to
engage in any business that is competitive with the Company's business, or to
solicit Company employees, customers or suppliers for a period of two years
following the date of termination of his employment or two years after the last
payment due to Mr. Blouch pursuant to the severance provisions described above,
whichever is later. The agreement also contains provisions requiring Mr. Blouch
to maintain the confidentiality of non-public Company information during and
after his employment and to assign to the Company any rights that he may have in
any intellectual property developed in the course of his employment.
45
Other Severance Arrangements
The Company has entered into letter agreements with each of Messrs. Richey,
Slangen and Thompson which provide that, upon a termination of employment other
than by the Company for cause or following a change of control of the Company,
each executive will be entitled to continuation of his then-applicable base
salary for one year, to receive a pro rata portion of his target bonus for the
year in which his employment ends based on the date of termination, and to
continuation of health insurance benefits until the earlier of the end of the
severance period or such time as he obtains employment that provides such
coverage.
In accordance with the terms described above, assuming that the employment
of each of Messrs. Richey, Slangen and Thompson was terminated by the Company
other than for cause as of December 31, 2006, and assuming that these
individuals were not entitled to benefits under their change of control
agreements, the amounts and/or values of the benefits they each would be
entitled to receive are as follows: (1) Mr. Richey would be entitled to $422,200
in respect of the continuation of his current base salary for one year, $316,650
in respect of his target bonus for the year and $6,480 in respect of the
continuation of his current health insurance benefits for one year, for a total
of $745,330; (2); Mr. Slangen would be entitled to $386,200 in respect of the
continuation of his current base salary for one year, $289,650 in respect of his
target bonus for the year and $6,480 in respect of the continuation of his
current health insurance benefits for one year, for a total of $682,330; and (3)
Mr. Thompson would be entitled to $401,200 in respect of the continuation of his
current base salary for one year, $300,900 in respect of his target bonus for
the year and $6,480 in respect of the continuation of his current health
insurance benefits for one year, for a total of $708,580.
The Company also has entered into a technical information and
non-competition agreement with each of Messrs. Richey, Slangen and Thompson
which contain provisions requiring each executive to maintain the
confidentiality of non-public Company information during and after his
employment and to assign to the Company any rights that he may have in any
intellectual property developed in the course of his employment. The agreements
also contain provisions which restrict each executive's ability to engage in any
business that is competitive with the Company's business, or to solicit Company
employees, customers or suppliers for a period of three years following the date
of termination of his employment; provided that, if the executive is unable to
obtain employment consistent with his training and education solely because of
the non-competition provisions of the agreement, the provisions will be
effective only for so long as the Company makes monthly payments to the
executive equal to his monthly base salary at the time of termination of his
employment with the Company (including payment of premiums for health and life
insurance as generally provided to the Company's employees).
Change of Control Agreements
The Company has entered into change of control agreements with certain of
its executive officers, including each of the Named Executive Officers. The
agreements continue through December 31 of each year and are automatically
extended in one-year increments unless the Company gives prior notice of
termination at least one year in advance. These agreements are intended to
ensure the continuity of management and the continued dedication of the
executives during any period of uncertainty caused by the possible threat of a
takeover.
In the event that there is a change of control of the Company (as defined
in the agreement) and the executive remains employed by the Company on the first
anniversary of the change of control, the executive is entitled to receive a
retention bonus payment equal to the sum of (a) the highest annual base salary
paid by the Company to the executive since the effective date of the agreement;
and (b) the higher of the executive's target bonus amounts for the two previous
fiscal years (such sum being hereinafter referred to as "Base Compensation").
Assuming a change of control of the Company as of December 31, 2006, if each of
the Named Executive Officers were to remain employed by the Company one year
after the change of control, he would be entitled to receive a retention payment
equal to his Base Compensation as follows: (1) Mr. Mixon: $2,148,900; (2) Mr.
Blouch: $1,314,690; (3) Mr. Richey: $738,850; (4) Mr. Slangen: $675,850; and (5)
Mr. Thompson: $702,100.
If the executive is terminated without cause (as defined in the agreement)
or resigns for good reason (as defined in the agreement) at any time during the
three year period following a change of control under the conditions set forth
in the agreements, the executive will receive, in addition to accrued but unpaid
salary, bonus and vacation pay, the following:
46
o a lump sum amount equal to three times the executive's Base
Compensation, less the one year retention payment paid to the
executive, if any, as described above;
o a lump sum amount equal to three times the greatest contribution made
by the Company to each of the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan, the
401(k) Plus Plan and the DC Plus Plan on behalf of the executive for
any year in the three years prior to the change of control;
o a lump sum amount equal to the difference between (a) the amount
payable to the executive under the Company's SERP and (b) the amount
that would have been payable to the executive under the Company's SERP
if the executive had continued to be employed by the Company for three
years after termination of employment at the highest level of annual
compensation received by the executive from the Company in any year
during the three years prior to the change of control;
o continuing coverage under the Company's health, life and disability
insurance programs (including those available only to executives and
those generally available to employees of the Company) for three years
after termination of employment;
o accelerated vesting of all outstanding unvested stock options, so that
all options become exercisable in full and will continue to be
exercisable for two years after termination (unless the option earlier
expires by its terms);
o accelerated vesting of all outstanding restricted stock;
o immediate vesting of the executive's rights under the Invacare
Retirement Savings Plan, the 401(k) Plus Plan, the DC Plus Plan and
the SERP (as if the executive achieved the maximum normal retirement
benefit);
o a lump sum payment as necessary to "gross up," on an after-tax basis,
the executive's compensation for all excise taxes and any penalties
and interest imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code and
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
The table below reflects the approximate amounts that would be payable to
each Named Executive Officer under the individual change of control agreements
assuming that the change of control occurred at December 31, 2006 and that such
executive's employment was terminated in a manner triggering payment of the
above benefits, including a gross-up for certain taxes in the event that any
payments made in connection with a change in control would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and assuming
that no payments would be subject to excise tax or penalties imposed by Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
---------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Retirement Early Early
Lump Sum Plan Continuing Vesting of Vesting of Estimated
Severance Enhancement Benefit Stock Restricted Tax Gross
Name Amount (1) (2) Plan Options (4) Stock (4) Up (5) Total
Coverage (3)
---------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
A. Malachi $ 6,976,491 $ -- $ 46,440 $ 58,931 $462,316 $ -- $ 7,544,178
Mixon III
---------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Gerald B. $ 4,095,273 $ -- $ 47,781 $ 23,669 $214,178 $ -- $ 4,380,901
Blouch
---------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Gregory C. $ 2,377,902 $ 3,063,922 $ 45,828 $ 11,135 $124,673 $ 2,723,921 $ 8,347,381
Thompson
---------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Joseph B. $ 2,397,591 $ -- $ 28,524 $ 6,055 $ 33,616 $ -- $ 2,465,786
Richey II
---------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Louis F. J. $ 2,189,337 $ -- $ 62,628 $ 6,055 $ 33,616 $ -- $ 2,291,636
Slangen
---------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
47
--------------
(1) This amount is comprised of (i) a lump sum amount equal to three times the
executive's Base Compensation (which is $6,446,700 for Mr. Mixon,
$3,944,070 for Mr. Blouch, $2,106,300 for Mr. Thompson, $2,216,550 for Mr.
Richey and $2,027,550 for Mr. Slangen); (ii) a lump sum amount equal to
three times the greatest contribution made by the Company on behalf of the
executive for any year in the three years prior to the change of control to
(A) the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan (which is $39,000 for Messrs.
Mixon, Blouch, Richey and Slangen and $44,850 for Mr. Thompson), (B) the
401(k) Plus Plan (which is $325,230 for Mr. Mixon, $18,687 for Mr. Blouch,
$69,975 for Mr. Thompson, $93,885 for Mr. Richey and $81,543 for Mr.
Slangen), (C) the DC Plus Plan (which is $165,561 for Mr. Mixon, $93,516
for Mr. Blouch, $44,376 for Mr. Thompson, $48,156 for Mr. Richey and
$41,244 for Mr. Slangen), and (iii) a lump sum amount equal to the
difference between (a) the amount payable to the executive under the SERP
and (b) the amount that would have been payable to the executive under the
SERP if he had continued to be employed by the Company for three years
after termination of employment (which is $112,401 for Mr. Thompson;
Messrs. Mixon, Blouch, Richey and Slangen are each 100% vested with a
service ratio that allows for maximum benefits under the SERP and therefore
receive no additional benefit pursuant to the applicable provisions of the
change of control agreements).
(2) This amount is comprised of (i) the present value of the difference between
(a) the actuarial equivalent of the retirement benefit payable to the
executive under the SERP assuming the vesting percentage and service ratio
are accelerated to allow for maximum benefits and (b) the actuarial
equivalent of the retirement benefit currently payable to the executive
under the SERP without acceleration, which is $3,042,272 for Mr. Thompson;
(ii) the present value of the difference between (a) the amount of the
executive's vested account balance under the Invacare Retirement Savings
Plan, assuming 100% vesting of all contributions, and (b) the amount of the
executive's currently vested account balance under the Invacare Retirement
Savings Plan, which is $10,070 for Mr. Thompson; (iii) the present value of
the difference between (a) the amount of the executive's vested account
balance under the 401(k) Plus Plan, assuming 100% vesting of all
contributions and (b) the amount of the executive's currently vested
account balance under the 401(k) Plus Plan, which is $6,693 for Mr.
Thompson; and (iv) the present value of the difference between (a) the
amount of the executive's vested account balance under the DC Plus Plan,
assuming 100% vesting of all contributions and (b) the amount of the
executive's currently vested account balance under the DC Plus Plan, which
is $4,887 for Mr. Thompson. Assuming a change of control of the Company and
termination of his employment as of December 31, 2006, Mr. Thompson would
become 100% vested in the SERP with a service ratio that would allow for
maximum benefits. Messrs. Mixon, Blouch, Richey and Slangen are each
currently 100% vested in each of the above mentioned plans and have
achieved the service ratio necessary to allow for maximum benefits under
the SERP and therefore would receive no additional benefits under the SERP
as a result of a change of control.
(3) This amount represents the present value of continuing coverage under the
Company's health, life and disability insurance programs (including those
available only to executives and those generally available to employees of
the Company) for three years following the date of termination.
(4) These awards would become vested and the amount shown represents the
present value of the acceleration of vesting under Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
(5) The estimated tax gross-up is calculated assuming that a change of control
of the Company and termination of the executive's employment occurred at
December 31, 2006 and assuming that none of the payments made pursuant to
the change of control agreements were made in consideration of past
services.
Retirement and Other Post-Termination Benefits
The Company maintains other plans and arrangements with its Named Executive
Officers which provide for post-employment benefits upon the retirement or death
of the executives, as further described below.
48
Retirement Plans
The Company's Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in the
SERP and the DC Plus Plan. The SERP and the present value of the accumulated
benefits of each Named Executive Officer under the SERP are described elsewhere
in this proxy statement under the Pension Benefits Table. The DC Plus Plan and
the aggregate account balance of each Named Executive Officer under the plan are
described elsewhere in this proxy statement under the Non-Qualified Deferred
Compensation Table.
Death Benefit Only Plan
The Company maintains a Death Benefit Only Plan ("DBO Plan") for its senior
executives other than the CEO. By participating in the DBO Plan, an executive
agrees to limit his coverage under the Company's other group life insurance
plans to a maximum of $50,000. Under the DBO Plan, subject to certain
limitations, if a participant dies while employed by the Company, his designated
beneficiary shall receive a benefit equal to three times the executive's highest
annual base salary plus target bonus as in effect on the April 1st preceding or
coincident with his death. If a participant dies after attaining age 65 or after
his employment with the Company is otherwise terminated following a change of
control of the Company, a payment equal to his highest annual base salary plus
target bonus as in effect on the April 1st preceding or coincident with such
event will be payable on behalf of the participant. The Company may, in its
discretion, pay an additional amount in order to "gross up" the participant for
some or all of the income taxes that may result from the benefits described
above. With respect to each Named Executive Officer, if the executive had died
on December 31, 2006, the following amounts would have been payable on an
after-tax basis under the DBO Plan: (1) $3,944,070 to the beneficiaries of Mr.
Blouch; (2) $738,850 to the beneficiaries of Mr. Richey (who is over age 65);
(3) $2,027,550 to the beneficiaries of Mr. Slangen; and (4) $2,106,300 to the
beneficiaries of Mr. Thompson. Upon a change of control of the Company, the
Company's obligations under the DBO Plan will be binding on any successor to the
Company and the foregoing benefits would be payable to a participant under the
DBO Plan in accordance with the terms described above upon the death of the
participant following the change of control.
Chairman and CEO Retirement Program
In March 2000, the Company established a retirement program for Mr. Mixon.
Under the program, upon his retirement, Mr. Mixon is to be provided with a
spending account of $1,000,000 for reimbursement of office and clerical support,
financial and legal planning and other reasonable expenses incurred in an
ongoing role as consultant to the Company. If, after five years, any amounts
remain in such account, the remaining amounts are to be paid to Mr. Mixon or his
beneficiaries. The program further provides that, for the five years following
his retirement, Mr. Mixon will be reimbursed for the cost of private or first
class airfare of up to a maximum of $150,000 in the aggregate, the cost of home
security expenses of up to $2,000 per year and the annual premium cost for
medical insurance for Mr. Mixon and his spouse that is substantially similar to
that maintained by the Company on his behalf prior to his retirement. In
addition, during the five years after his retirement, Mr. Mixon will continue to
be eligible to participate, at the Company's cost, in such personal umbrella
insurance coverage and medical check-up benefit plans as may be maintained by
the Company for its senior executives. The program will terminate on the earlier
of the fifth anniversary of Mr. Mixon's retirement from the Company or a change
of control of the Company as defined under the Change of Control Agreements
described above. The Company estimates that, assuming that Mr. Mixon retired
from the Company at December 31, 2006, the total amount payable to Mr. Mixon in
connection with the foregoing benefits would be equal to approximately
$1,250,650.
49
Compensation of Directors
Non-employee directors were paid a $35,000 annual retainer in 2006, which
was increased from $30,000 for 2005, $2,000 per Board meeting attended and
$1,500 per committee meeting attended, or $2,000 per committee meeting for the
committee chairperson. If the Board or a committee meets via teleconference, the
directors attending the meeting receive one-half of the normal Board or
committee meeting attendance fee. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives
an additional retainer of $5,000 per year. In addition, all non-employee
directors receive annual stock option grants to acquire up to 4,000 shares
vesting over a four-year term.
Directors are eligible to defer compensation payable by the Company for
their services as a director into discounted (to 75% of market value on the date
of grant) stock options granted under the 2003 Plan. Mr. Boland deferred
$51,000, Mr. Delaney deferred $4,100, Dr. Harris deferred $32,800, Mr. Kasich
deferred $43,000 and Mr. Weber deferred $58,000 of their 2006 compensation and,
as a result, each was issued stock options on December 16, 2005 with an exercise
price per share discounted 25% from the closing price per share of the Company's
common shares as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange on that date.
2006 Director Compensation Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Fees Stock Option Non-Equity Change in All Other Total
Earned or Awards Awards Incentive Plan Pension Compensation ($)
Paid in ($) ($) (1) Compensation Value and ($)
Cash ($) Nonqualified
($) Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
------------ ---------- ------ --------- -------------- ------------ ------------- -----------
James Boland 60,000 (2) -- 3,025 (3) -- -- -- 63,025
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael 45,500 (4) -- 3,025 (5) -- -- -- 48,525
Delaney
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. C. 45,500 (6) -- 3,025 (7) -- -- -- 48,525
Martin
Harris
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. 50,250 (8) -- 3,025 (9) -- -- -- 53,275
Bernadine
Healy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Kasich 45,500 (10) -- 3,025 (11) -- -- -- 48,525
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan T. Moore 53,750 (12) -- 3,025 (13) -- -- -- 56,775
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William 66,250 (14) -- 3,025 (15) -- -- 5,084 (16) 74,359
Weber
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The values reported in this column represent the dollar amount recognized
for financial statement purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31,
50
2006 in accordance with FAS 123R with respect to all stock options awarded
to each director during 2006. The grant date fair value of the stock
options granted to each of the directors in 2006 was $8.97. For a
description of the assumptions made in computing the values reported in
this column, see "Shareholders' Equity Transactions" in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
(2) The fees to Mr. Boland include a $35,000 retainer, $8,000 for attendance at
four Board meetings, $6,000 for attendance (as committee chair) at three
meetings of the Compensation, Management Development and Corporate
Governance Committee, $6,000 for attendance at four meetings of the Audit
Committee, $3,000 for attendance at four teleconference meetings of the
Audit Committee, $1,000 for attendance at one Board teleconference meeting
and $1,000 for attendance (as committee chairman) at one teleconference
meeting of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Boland deferred certain of his
2006 Director fees, as further described above.
(3) As of the end of the fiscal year, Mr. Boland held options to buy 57,541
common shares of the Company under the Invacare Corporation 1992
Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan. All
options were granted between October 30, 1998 and March 8, 2006, at
exercise prices between $16.03 to $47.01 per share, will expire between
October 30, 2008 and March 8, 2016, and became or will become exercisable
between October 30, 1999 and March 31, 2010.
(4) The fees to Mr. Delaney include a $35,000 retainer, $8,000 for attendance
at four Board meetings, $1,500 for attendance at one meeting of the
Investment Committee and $1,000 for attendance at one Board teleconference
meeting. Mr. Delaney deferred certain of his 2006 Director fees, as further
described above.
(5) As of the end of the fiscal year, Mr. Delaney held options to buy 17,864
common shares of the Company under the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan. All
options were granted between March 2, 1999 and December 15, 2006, at
exercise prices between $16.3125 to $47.01 per share, will expire between
March 2, 2009 and December 15, 2016, and became or will become exercisable
between March 31, 2000 and March 31, 2010.
(6) The fees to Dr. Harris include a $35,000 retainer, $8,000 for attendance at
four Board meetings, $1,500 for attendance at one meeting of the Investment
Committee and $1,000 for attendance at one Board teleconference meeting.
Mr. Harris deferred certain of his 2006 Director fees, as further described
above.
(7) As of the end of the fiscal year, Dr. Harris held options to buy 27,922
common shares of the Company under the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan. All
options were granted between February 5, 2003 and March 8, 2006, at
exercise prices between $22.68 to $47.01 per share, will expire between
February 5, 2013 and March 8, 2016, and became or will become exercisable
between December 31, 2003 and March 31, 2010.
(8) The fees to Dr. Healy include a $35,000 retainer, $8,000 for attendance at
four Board meetings, $2,000 for attendance at one meeting of the Investment
Committee (as committee chairperson), $4,500 for attendance at three
meetings of the Compensation Committee and $750 for attendance at one
teleconference meeting of the Compensation Committee.
(9) As of the end of the fiscal year, Dr. Healy held options to buy 39,437
common shares of the Company under the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan. All
options were granted between March 2, 1999 and March 8, 2006, at exercise
prices between $16.03 to $47.01 per share, will expire between March 2,
2009 and March 8, 2016, and became or will become exercisable between March
31, 2000 and March 31, 2010.
51
(10) The fees to Mr. Kasich include a $35,000 retainer, $8,000 for attendance at
four Board meetings, $1,500 for attendance at one meeting of the Investment
Committee and $1,000 for attendance (as committee chair) of one
teleconference meeting of the Nominating Committee. Mr. Kasich deferred
certain of his 2006 Director fees, as further described above.
(11) As of the end of the fiscal year, Mr. Kasich held options to buy 48,457
common shares of the Company under the Invacare Corporation 1992
Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan. All
options were granted between March 1, 2001 and December 15, 2006, at
exercise prices between $18.1875 to $47.01 per share, will expire between
March 1, 2011 and December 15, 2016, and became or will become exercisable
between March 31, 2002 and March 31, 2010.
(12) The fees to Mr. Moore include a $35,000 retainer, $8,000 for attendance at
four Board meetings, $750 for attendance at one teleconference meeting of
the Nominating Committee, $6,000 for attendance at four meetings of the
Audit Committee, $3,000 for attendance at four teleconference meetings of
the Audit Committee and $1,000 for attendance at one Board teleconference
meeting.
(13) As of the end of the fiscal year, Mr. Moore held options to buy 32,953
common shares of the Company under the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan. All
options were granted between March 2, 1999 and March 8, 2006, at exercise
prices between $16.3125 to $47.01 per share, will expire between March 2,
2009 and March 8, 2016, and became or will become exercisable between March
31, 2000 and March 31, 2010.
(14) The fees to Mr. Weber include a $35,000 retainer, $8,000 for attendance at
four Board meetings, $4,500 for attendance at three meetings of the
Compensation, Management Development and Corporate Governance Committee, a
$5,000 retainer as Chairman of the Audit Committee, $8,000 for attendance
(as committee chair) at four meetings of the Audit Committee, $4,000 for
attendance (as committee chair) at four teleconference meetings of the
Audit Committee, $1,000 for attendance at one Board teleconference meeting
and $750 for attendance at a teleconference meeting of the Compensation
Committee. Mr. Weber deferred certain of his 2006 Director fees, as further
described above.
(15) As of the end of the fiscal year, Mr. Weber held options to buy 21,365
common shares of the Company under the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan. All
options were granted between March 2, 1999 and March 8, 2006, at exercise
prices between $19.50 to $47.01 per share, will expire between March 2,
2009 and March 8, 2016, and became or will become exercisable between March
31, 2000 and March 31, 2010.
(16) Other compensation includes personal use of corporate suites or tickets to
sporting events. See the discussion in footnote 7 to the Summary
Compensation Table for a description of the Company's methodology for
determining the incremental cost of this perquisite.
52
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2006 about our
common shares that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and
rights granted under all of our existing equity compensation plans, including
the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan, the Invacare Corporation 1994
Performance Plan and the Invacare Corporation 1992 Non-Employee Directors Stock
Option Plan.
Number of securities
Number of securities Weighted-average remaining available for
to be issued upon exercise price of future issuance under
exercise of outstanding equity compensation plans
outstanding options, options, warrants (excluding securities
Plan Category warrants and rights and rights reflected in column(a))
------------- ------------------- ---------- -----------------------
(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders 4,724,651 $30.68 1,784,033 (1)
Equity compensation plans not __ __
approved by security holders 305,578 (2)
--------- ------
Total 5,030,229 $30.68 1,784,033
========= ====== =========
----------
(1) Represents shares available under the Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance
Plan. The Invacare Corporation 2003 Performance Plan allows for the
granting of no more than 300,000 shares at an exercise price of zero and no
more than 200,000 shares at an exercise price of not less than 75% of the
market value on the date the option is granted. All other option grants
must be made at not less than the market value on the date the option is
granted.
(2) Represents phantom share units in the 401(k) Plus Plan and the DC Plus
Plan.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be presented at the
annual meeting other than those stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. However, if other matters properly come before the annual meeting,
it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote based
on their best judgment on any other matters unless instructed to do otherwise.
Any shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal for inclusion in the proxy
material to be distributed by Invacare in connection with its annual meeting of
shareholders to be held in 2008 must do so no later than December [__], 2007. To
be eligible for inclusion in our 2008 proxy material, proposals must conform to
the requirements of Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
Unless we receive a notice of a shareholder proposal to be brought before
the 2008 annual meeting by February [__], 2007, then Invacare may vote all
proxies in their discretion with respect to any shareholder proposal properly
brought before such annual meeting.
Upon the receipt of a written request from any shareholder, Invacare
will mail, at no charge to the shareholder, a copy of Invacare's 2006
Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and
schedules required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, for Invacare's most recent fiscal year. Written requests
for any Reports should be directed to:
53
Shareholder Relations Department
Invacare Corporation
One Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028
Elyria, Ohio 44036-2125
You are urged to sign and return your proxy promptly in the enclosed return
envelope to make certain your shares will be voted at the annual meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Dale C. LaPorte
Secretary
54
Appendix A
The following is the full text of the proposed amendments to the Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Invacare Corporation (the
"Corporation"), reflecting the amendments described in Proposal No. 2 of the
Corporation's Proxy Statement dated April [_], 2007.
RESOLVED, that the Corporation's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation be and hereby is amended as follows:
1. Paragraph 4.1(i) of Article IV, Subdivision B of the Corporation's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:
"(i) Each Class B Common Share shall be convertible, at any time,
at the office of any transfer agent for the Common Shares of the
Corporation, and at such other place or places, if any, as the
Board of Directors may determine, into one fully paid and
nonassessable Common Share of the Corporation upon surrender at
such office or other place of the certificate or certificates
representing any certificated Class B Common Shares so to be
converted or, in the case of non-certificated shares, upon
written request in form and substance acceptable to the
Corporation or any transfer agent for the shares, accompanied by
such assurances as the Corporation or such transfer agent may
require. In no event, upon conversion of any Class B Common
Shares into Common Shares, shall any allowance or adjustment be
made in respect of dividends on the Class B Common Snares or the
Common Shares."
2. Paragraph 4.1(ii) of Article IV, Subdivision B of the Corporation's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:
"(ii) Class B Common Shares shall be deemed to have been
converted and the person converting the same shall become a
holder of Common Shares for the purpose of receiving dividends
and for all other purposes whatsoever as of the date when the
Class B Common Shares to be converted are surrendered to the
Corporation as provided in paragraph 4.1(v)."
3. Paragraph 4.1(v) of Article IV, Subdivision B of the Corporation's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:
"(v) Before any holder of Class B Common Shares shall be entitled
to convert the same into Common Shares, he shall give written
notice to the Corporation at the office of a transfer agent for
the Common Shares, or at such other place or places, if any, as
the Board of Directors may determine, that he elects so to
convert Class B Common Shares in form and substance acceptable to
the Corporation or such transfer agent, accompanied by a duly
endorsed stock power and/or such other assurances as the
Corporation or such transfer agent may require, including, if
appropriate, endorsed certificate(s) (for certificated shares)
and duly executed instruments of transfer. Unless the Common
Shares are to be issued in the name of the registered owner of
the Class B Common Shares so converted, the holder shall state in
writing the name or names in which he wishes the Common Shares to
be issued, and shall furnish all requisite stock transfer and
stock issuance tax stamps, or funds therefor. The Corporation
shall as soon as practicable after such deposit of Class B Common
Shares, accompanied by the written notice above prescribed, issue
and deliver, at the office or place at which such Class B Common
Shares were deposited, to the person for whose account Class B
Common Shares were so surrendered, or to his assignee or
assignees, the number of full Common Shares to which he shall be
entitled as aforesaid."
4. The last sentence of Paragraph 4.2 of Article IV, Subdivision B of the
Corporation's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended
to read in its entirety as follows:
"In the event of any such automatic conversion, each certificated
and non-certificated Class B Common Share will thereafter
represent a Common Share."
A-1
5. Paragraph 6.1(i)(A)(4) of Article IV, Subdivision B of the Corporation's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:
"(4) A corporation if all of the outstanding capital stock of
such corporation is beneficially owned by, or a partnership if
all of the partners are and all of the partnership interests are
beneficially owned by, the Holder and his Permitted Transferees
determined under this paragraph 6.1(1)(A) provided that if by
reason of any change in the ownership of such stock or partners
or partnership interests, such corporation or partnership would
no longer qualify as a Permitted Transferee of such Holder or his
Permitted Transferees, all Class B Common Shares then held by
such corporation or partnership shall immediately and
automatically, without further act or deed on the part of the
Corporation or any other person, be converted into Common Shares
on a share-for-share basis, and certificated and non-certificated
Class B Common Shares shall thereupon and thereafter be deemed to
represent the like number of Common Shares;"
6. Paragraph 6.3 of Article IV, Subdivision B of the Corporation's Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read in its entirety
as follows:
"6.3 The Corporation shall note on certificates representing the
Class B Common Shares and on written notices relating to
non-certificated Class B Common Shares that there are
restrictions on transfer and registration of transfer to the
extent imposed by paragraph 6.1."
7. The last sentence of Paragraph 6.5 of Article IV, Subdivision B of the
Corporation's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended
to read in its entirety as follows:
"In the event that a holder of Class B Common Shares transfers
such shares after the effective date of such cancellation to a
non-Permitted Transferee, such transfer shall presumptively be
deemed to be an election by such holder to convert such Class B
Common Shares into Common Shares immediately prior to the
effectiveness of such transfer unless the transferring holder or
his agent shall give written notice to the Company or its
transfer agent at the time of delivery of the Class B Common
Shares to be transferred that the holder and the transferee of
such Class B Common Shares intend to transfer the Class B Common
Shares and that no such conversion is intended."
8. The following is hereby inserted as a new Paragraph (c) at the end of
Article VI of the Corporation's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation:
"(c) Subject to and in a manner not inconsistent with applicable
law, the Board of Directors may provide by resolution that some
or all of any or all classes and series of shares of capital
stock of the Corporation shall be non-certificated shares,
provided that the resolution shall not apply to shares
represented by a certificate until the certificate is surrendered
to the Corporation and the resolution shall not apply to
certificated shares issued in exchange for non-certificated
shares. Except as expressly provided by law, the rights and
obligations of the holders of non-certificated shares and the
rights and obligations of the holders of certificates
representing shares of the same class and series shall be
identical. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a shareholder of record
shall have the right, so long as it may be required by applicable
law, to receive one or more certificates representing some or all
of the shares held of record by such shareholder by making a
written request therefor to the Corporation or any transfer agent
for the applicable class of shares, accompanied by such
assurances as the Corporation or such transfer agent may require;
provided, however, that shareholders holding shares of the
Corporation under one or more of the Corporation's benefit plans
for officers, directors and/or employees shall have no such right
to have certificates representing shares issued unless such a
right is provided for under the applicable benefit plan, required
by applicable law or otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors
or a committee thereof."
A-2
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the President and Secretary of the Corporation be
and they are hereby authorized and directed to execute and file in the office of
the Secretary of State of Ohio an appropriate Certificate of Amendment, pay any
filing fees and take any and all other actions in order to carry out the intent
and purposes of the preceding resolution and render effective such amendment to
the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
* * * * *
A-3
Appendix B
INVACARE CORPORATION
PROXY FOR COMMON SHARES AND CLASS B COMMON SHARES
Annual Meeting of Shareholders --- May 24, 2007
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby (i) appoints GERALD B. BLOUCH, GREGORY C. THOMPSON
and DALE C. LAPORTE, and each of them, as Proxy holders and attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to appear and vote all the Common Shares and Class B
Common Shares of INVACARE CORPORATION (the "Company"), which the undersigned
shall be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company,
to be held at the Lorain County Community College, Spitzer Conference Center,
Grand Room, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at
10:00 A.M. (EDT) and at any adjournments thereof, hereby revoking any and all
Proxies heretofore given, and (ii) authorizes and directs said Proxy holders to
vote all the Common Shares and Class B Common Shares of the Company represented
by this Proxy as follows, with the understanding that if no directions are given
below, said shares will be voted "FOR" the election of the four Directors
nominated by the Board of Directors, "FOR" Proposal No. 2 and No. 3 and
"AGAINST" Proposal No. 4.
(1) ELECTION of Directors each to serve a three year term ending in 2010.
( ) FOR all nominees listed (except as ( ) WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
marked to the contrary below) for all nominees listed
John R. Kasich, Dan T. Moore, III, Joseph B. Richey, II
and General James L. Jones
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
write that nominee's name on the following line.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) PROPOSAL to consider and vote upon amendments to the Company's Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation to permit the Company to issue
non-certificated shares..
( )FOR the Proposal ( )AGAINST the Proposal ( )ABSTAIN from the Proposal
(3) PROPOSAL to ratify appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors.
( )FOR the Proposal ( )AGAINST the Proposal ( )ABSTAIN from the Proposal
(4) PROPOSAL to consider and vote upon a shareholder proposal, if properly
presented at the annual meeting.
( )FOR the Proposal ( )AGAINST the Proposal ( )ABSTAIN from the Proposal
(5) In their discretion to act on any other matters which may properly
come before the Annual Meeting.
(Continued and to be signed on other side)
(Proxy --- continued from other side)
Dated: _______________________________ , 2007
______________________________________
Signature
______________________________________
(Signature if held jointly)
Your signature to the Proxy form should be
exactly the same as the name imprinted hereon.
Persons signing as executors, administrators,
trustees or in similar capacities should so
indicate. For joint accounts, the name of each
joint owner must be signed.
Please date, sign and return promptly in the accompanying envelope.
Appendix C
INVACARE CORPORATION
COMMON SHARES AND CLASS B COMMON SHARES
VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD
Annual Meeting of Shareholders --- May 24, 2007
This Card is solicited on behalf of the trustees of the
Invacare Retirement Savings Plan
The undersigned hereby instructs the trustees of the Invacare Retirement
Savings Plan to vote the Common Shares and Class B Common Shares of INVACARE
CORPORATION (the "Company") which the undersigned is entitled to vote as a
participant in an employee benefit plan which may be funded by the Invacare
Retirement Savings Plan at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company, to
be held at the Lorain County Community College, Spitzer Conference Center, Grand
Room, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 10:00 A.M.
(EDT) and at any adjournments thereof. The undersigned authorizes and directs
the trustees of the Invacare Retirement Savings Plan to vote all the Common
Shares and Class B Common Shares of the Company represented by this Card as
follows, with the understanding that if no directions are given below, said
shares will be voted "FOR" the election of the four Directors nominated by the
Board of Directors, "FOR" Proposal No. 2 and No. 3 and "AGAINST" Proposal No. 4.
(1) ELECTION of Directors each to serve a three year term ending in 2010.
( ) FOR all nominees listed (except as ( ) WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
marked to the contrary below) for all nominees listed
John R. Kasich, Dan T. Moore, III, Joseph B. Richey, II
and General James L. Jones
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
write that nominee's name on the following line.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) PROPOSAL to consider and vote upon amendments to the Company's Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation to permit the Company to issue
non-certificated shares..
( )FOR the Proposal ( )AGAINST the Proposal ( )ABSTAIN from the Proposal
(3) PROPOSAL to ratify appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors.
( )FOR the Proposal ( )AGAINST the Proposal ( )ABSTAIN from the Proposal
(4) PROPOSAL to consider and vote upon a shareholder proposal, if properly
presented at the annual meeting.
( )FOR the Proposal ( )AGAINST the Proposal ( )ABSTAIN from the Proposal
(5) In their discretion to act on any other matters which may properly
come before the Annual Meeting.
(Continued and to be signed on other side)
(Proxy --- continued from other side)
Dated: _______________________________ , 2007
______________________________________
Signature
______________________________________
(Signature if held jointly)
Your signature to the Instruction Card form
should be exactly the same as the name
imprinted hereon. Persons signing as
executors, administrators, trustees or in
similar capacities should so indicate. For
joint accounts, the name of each joint owner
must be signed.
Please date, sign and return promptly in the accompanying envelope.