def14a
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the registrant x
Filed by a party other than the registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary proxy
statement
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o |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x Definitive proxy
statement
o Definitive additional
materials
o Soliciting material
pursuant to Rule 14a-12
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
x No fee required.
o Fee computed on table
below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
o Fee paid previously
with preliminary materials.
o Check box if any part
of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and
the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
(3) Filing party:
(4) Date filed:
Polaris Industries Inc.
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2100 Highway 55 |
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Medina, Minnesota 55340 |
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763-542-0500
Fax: 763-542-0599 |
March 1, 2005
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
The Board of Directors of Polaris Industries Inc. joins me in
extending a cordial invitation to attend our 2005 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders which will be held at our corporate
headquarters, 2100 Highway 55, Medina, Minnesota 55340, on
Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. local time.
In addition to voting on the matters described in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, we
will review Polaris 2004 business and discuss our
direction for the coming years. There will also be an
opportunity, after conclusion of the formal business of the
meeting, to discuss other matters of interest to you as a
shareholder.
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting
whether or not you plan to attend in person. Please vote by
returning your signed proxy card in the envelope provided or by
using the telephone or on-line voting options indicated on the
proxy card. If you do attend the meeting and desire to vote in
person, you may do so even though you have previously sent a
proxy.
We hope that you will be able to attend the meeting and we look
forward to seeing you.
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Sincerely, |
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Gregory R. Palen |
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Chairman of the Board |
Enclosures
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
2100 Highway 55
Medina, Minnesota 55340
March 1, 2005
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Polaris Industries Inc. will hold its 2005 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders at its corporate headquarters located at 2100
Highway 55, Medina, Minnesota 55340, on Thursday, April 21,
2005. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. local time. At
the meeting, we will:
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1. |
Elect the following directors: |
One Class I director for a two year term ending
in 2007; and
Three Class II directors for three year terms
ending in 2008.
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2. |
Approve amendments to the Polaris Industries Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan for Directors to (i) increase the reserve
by 50,000 shares, (ii) extend the term of the plan,
which currently expires on May 10, 2005, to May 31,
2010 and (iii) shift the administrative responsibilities
under the plan from the Companys Chief Financial Officer
to the Compensation Committee. |
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3. |
Approve amendments to the Polaris Industries Inc. 1996
Restricted Stock Plan to (i) increase the reserve by
250,000 shares, (ii) extend the term of the plan,
which currently expires on January 25, 2006, to
May 31, 2011, (iii) incorporate into the plan
performance goals to be used in the case of awards intended to
qualify as performance-based for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
(iv) rename the plan as the Polaris Industries Inc.
Restricted Stock Plan. |
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4. |
Act on any other matters that may properly come before the
meeting. |
The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR
the director nominees named in the accompanying Proxy
Statement. The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR
the approval of the amendments to the Companys
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and FOR
the approval of the amendments to the 1996 Restricted
Stock Plan, as each is described in the accompanying Proxy
Statement.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on
February 22, 2005 may vote at the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Michael W. Malone |
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Vice President-Finance, |
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Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to
vote as soon as possible by telephone, Internet or mail.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
2100 Highway 55
Medina, Minnesota 55340
PROXY STATEMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
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Q: |
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Who can vote? |
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A: |
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You can vote if you were a shareholder at the close of business
on the record date of February 22, 2005. There were a total
of 43,020,045 shares of the Companys common stock
outstanding on February 22, 2005. This Proxy Statement and
proxy card, along with the Annual Report for 2004, are first
being mailed to shareholders beginning March 4, 2005. The
Proxy Statement summarizes the information you need to vote at
the Annual Meeting. |
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What am I voting on? |
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A: |
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You are voting on: |
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Election of one nominee as a Class I director
for a two year term ending in 2007. The Board of Directors
nominee is Robert L. Caulk. |
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Election of three nominees as Class II
directors for three year terms ending in 2008. The Board of
Directors nominees are William E. Fruhan, R.M. (Mark)
Schreck and John R. Menard, Jr. |
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Approval of amendments to the Deferred Compensation
Plan for Directors to (i) increase the reserve by
50,000 shares, (ii) extend the term of the plan, which
currently expires on May 10, 2005, to May 31, 2010 and
(iii) shift the administrative responsibilities under the
plan from the Companys Chief Financial Officer to the
Compensation Committee. |
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Approval of amendments to the 1996 Restricted Stock
Plan to (i) increase the reserve by 250,000 shares,
(ii) extend the term of the plan, which currently expires
on January 25, 2006, to May 31, 2011,
(iii) incorporate into the plan performance goals to be
used in the case of awards intended to qualify as
performance-based for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
(iv) rename the plan as the Polaris Industries Inc.
Restricted Stock Plan. |
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How does the Board recommend I vote on the proposals? |
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The Board recommends you vote FOR the director nominees
named in the accompanying Proxy Statement. The Board recommends
you vote FOR the approval of the amendments to the
Companys Deferred Compensation Plan and FOR the
approval of the amendments to the 1996 Restricted Stock Plan. |
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How many shares must be voted to approve each proposal? |
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Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the
Companys common stock represented in person or by proxy is
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date,
43,020,045 shares of Polaris common stock were issued and
outstanding. A majority of those shares, or
21,510,023 shares of our common stock, will constitute a
quorum for the purpose of electing directors or adopting
proposals at the Annual Meeting. If you submit a valid proxy
card or attend the Annual Meeting, your shares will be counted
to determine whether there is a quorum. Abstentions and broker
non-votes are counted for purposes of determining a quorum to
transact business at the Annual Meeting. |
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Vote Required. Directors are elected by a plurality of
the votes cast. A plurality means that the nominees with the
greatest number of votes are elected as directors up to the
maximum number of |
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directors to be chosen at the meeting. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will have no effect on the voting for the election of
directors. |
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Each of the other matters that may be acted upon at the meeting,
including the proposals to amend the Companys Deferred
Compensation Plan for Directors and the 1996 Restricted Stock
Plan, will be determined by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares of Polaris common stock present in
person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote,
assuming the presence of a quorum (provided that the number of
shares voted in favor of each such proposal constitutes more
than 25% of the outstanding shares of our common stock).
Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effects on these
proposals noted below. |
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What is the effect of broker non-votes and abstentions? |
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A: |
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A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding
shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular
proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting
power with respect to that item and has not received voting
instructions from the beneficial owner. If a broker returns a
non-vote proxy indicating a lack of authority to
vote on a proposal, then the shares covered by such a
non-vote proxy will be deemed present at the meeting
for purposes of determining a quorum, but not present for
purposes of calculating the vote with respect to that proposal. |
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A properly executed proxy marked ABSTAIN with
respect to a proposal will be counted for purposes of
determining whether there is a quorum and will be considered
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, but will not
be deemed to have been voted in favor of such proposal.
Accordingly, abstentions will have the same effect as votes
against a proposal. |
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How will the proxies vote on any other business brought up at
the meeting? |
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By submitting your proxy card, you authorize the proxies to use
their judgment to determine how to vote on any other matter
brought before the Annual Meeting. The Company does not know of
any other business to be considered at the Annual Meeting. |
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The proxies authority to vote according to their judgment
applies only to shares you own as the shareholder of record. |
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How do I cast my vote? |
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If you are a shareholder whose shares are registered in your
name, you may vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting
or by using one of the three following methods: |
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Vote by phone, by dialing 1-800-560-1965 and
following the instructions for telephone voting shown on the
enclosed proxy card. |
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Vote by Internet, by going to the web address
http://www.eproxy.com/pii/ and following the instructions
for Internet voting shown on the enclosed proxy card. |
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Vote by proxy card, by completing, signing, dating
and mailing the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided. If
you vote by phone or Internet, please do not mail your proxy
card. |
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If you are a street-name shareholder (meaning that your shares
are registered in the name of your bank or broker), you will
receive instructions from your bank, broker or other nominee
describing how to vote your shares. |
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Whichever method you use, the proxies identified on the back of
the proxy card will vote the shares of which you are the
shareholder of record in accordance with your instructions. If
you submit a proxy card without giving specific voting
instructions, the proxies will vote those shares as recommended
by the Board of Directors. |
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Q: |
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Can I revoke or change my vote? |
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You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by: |
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Submitting a new proxy with a more recent date than
that of the first proxy given by (1) following the
telephone voting instructions or (2) following the Internet
voting instructions or (3) completing, signing, dating and
returning a new proxy card to the Company; |
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Giving written notice before the meeting to the
Secretary of the Company, stating that you are revoking your
proxy; or |
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Attending the meeting and voting your shares in
person. |
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Unless you decide to vote your shares in person, you should
revoke your prior proxy in the same way you initially submitted
it that is, by telephone, Internet or mail. |
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Who will count the votes? |
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Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the independent proxy tabulator used by
the Company, will count the votes. A representative of Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A. and Mark McCormick, the corporate controller of
the Company, will act as inspectors of election for the meeting. |
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Is my vote confidential? |
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All proxy cards and all vote tabulations that identify an
individual shareholder are confidential. Your vote will not be
disclosed except: |
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To allow Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to tabulate the vote; |
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To allow Mark McCormick, the corporate controller of
the Company, and a representative of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to
certify the results of the vote; and |
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To meet applicable legal requirements. |
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What shares are included on my proxy card? |
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Your proxy card represents all shares registered to your account
in the same social security number and address, including any
full and fractional shares you own under the Polaris 1996
Restricted Stock Plan, the Polaris Employee Stock Ownership
Plan, the Polaris Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Polaris
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. |
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What happens if I dont vote shares that I own? |
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For shares registered in your name. If you do not vote
shares that are registered in your name by proxy through the
mail, telephone or internet as described on the proxy card, or
by voting in person at the Annual Meeting, your shares will
not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum or
in determining the outcome of the vote on the proposals
presented at the Annual Meeting. |
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For shares held in street name. If you hold shares
through a broker, you will receive voting instructions from your
broker. If you do not submit voting instructions to your broker
and your broker does not have discretion to vote your shares on
a particular matter, then your shares will not be counted in
determining the outcome of the vote on that matter at the Annual
Meeting. See effect of broker non-votes as described
above. The proposals to amend the Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors and the 1996 Restricted Stock Plan are
non-discretionary items and may not be voted
on by a broker absent specific voting instructions from the
beneficial owner. |
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For shares held in certain employee plans. If you hold
shares in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or the 401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan and you do not submit your voting
instructions by proxy through the mail, telephone or internet as
described on the proxy card, those shares will be voted in the
manner described in the following two questions. |
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Q: |
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How are Polaris common shares in the Polaris Employee Stock
Ownership Plan voted? |
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If you hold shares of Polaris common stock through the Polaris
Employee Stock Ownership Plan, your proxy card will instruct the
trustee of the plan how to vote the shares allocated to your
plan account. If you do not return your proxy card (or you
submit it with an unclear voting designation or with no voting
designation at all), then the plan trustee will vote the shares
in your account as directed by the committee that administers
the plan. Votes under the Polaris Employee Stock Ownership Plan
receive the same confidentiality as all other votes. |
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How are Polaris common shares in the Polaris 401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan voted? |
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If you hold shares of Polaris common stock through the Polaris
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, your proxy card will instruct
the trustee of the plan how to vote the shares allocated to your
plan account. If you do not return your proxy card (or you
submit it with an unclear voting designation or with no voting
designation at all), then the plan trustee will vote the shares
in your account in proportion to the way the other 401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan participants vote their shares. Votes
under the Polaris 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan receive the
same confidentiality as all other votes. |
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What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card? |
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Your shares are probably registered in more than one account.
You should vote each proxy card you receive. |
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How many votes can I cast? |
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You are entitled to one vote per share on all matters presented
at the meeting. |
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When are shareholder proposals due for the 2006 Annual
Meeting of the Shareholders? |
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If you want to present a proposal from the floor at the 2006
annual meeting, you must give the Company written notice of your
proposal no later than January 18, 2006. Your notice should
be sent to the Secretary, Polaris Industries Inc., 2100 Highway
55, Medina, Minnesota 55340. |
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If instead of presenting your proposal at the meeting you want
your proposal to be considered for inclusion in next years
proxy statement, you must submit the proposal in writing to the
Secretary so it is received at the above address by
November 4, 2005. |
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How is this proxy solicitation being conducted? |
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Polaris hired D.F. King & Co., Inc. to assist in the
distribution of proxy materials and the solicitation of votes
for a fee of $9,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Polaris will
reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for
forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to shareholders. In
addition, some employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may
solicit proxies. D.F. King & Co., Inc. and employees of
the Company may solicit proxies in person, by telephone and by
mail. No employee of the Company will receive special
compensation for these services, which the employees will
perform as part of their regular duties. |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to the beneficial ownership of the Companys common stock
as of February 14, 2005 by each person known to the Company
who then beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding
shares of common stock, each director of the Company, each
nominee for director, each executive officer named in the
Summary Compensation Table on page 26 and all executive
officers and directors as a group. As of February 14, 2005,
there were 43,005,871 shares of common stock outstanding.
Except as otherwise indicated, the named beneficial owner has
sole voting and investment powers with respect to the shares
held by such beneficial owner. The table also includes
information with respect to common stock equivalents credited as
of February 14, 2005 to the accounts of each director under
the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors that
is described in this Proxy Statement under the heading
Corporate Governance Director
Compensation.
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Shares | |
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Common | |
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Beneficially | |
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Percent | |
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Stock | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Owned | |
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of Class | |
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Equivalents(7) | |
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Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.(1)
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2,206,425 |
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5.1 |
% |
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Thomas C. Tiller(2)(3)
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1,793,770 |
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4.0 |
% |
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Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
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Jeffrey A. Bjorkman(2)(3)
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82,236 |
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* |
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Vice President Operations |
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John B. Corness(2)(3)
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66,551 |
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* |
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Vice President Human Resources |
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Michael W. Malone(2)(3)
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101,496 |
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* |
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Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary |
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Kenneth J. Sobaski(2)(3)
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82,744 |
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* |
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Vice President Sales, Marketing and Business
Development |
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Andris A. Baltins(4)(5)
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33,150 |
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* |
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17,674 |
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Director |
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Robert L. Caulk(6)
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200 |
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* |
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289 |
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Director |
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Annette K. Clayton(5)
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8,000 |
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* |
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2,025 |
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Director |
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William E. Fruhan, Jr.(5)
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16,000 |
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* |
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3,176 |
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Director |
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John R. Menard, Jr.(5)
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8,000 |
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* |
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4,497 |
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Director |
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Gregory R. Palen(5)
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25,400 |
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* |
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22,885 |
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Non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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R. M. (Mark) Schreck(5)
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11,890 |
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* |
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6,498 |
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Director |
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Richard A. Zona(5)
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14,500 |
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* |
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6,148 |
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Director |
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All directors and executive officers as a group (15
persons)(2)(3)(5)
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2,322,475 |
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5.2 |
% |
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63,192 |
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* |
Indicates ownership of less than 1%. |
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(1) |
The address for Goldman Sachs Asset management, L.P.
(Goldman Sachs) is 32 Old Slip, New York, NY 10005.
Goldman Sachs, an investment adviser, has sole voting power with
respect to 1,479,535 shares and sole dispositive power with
respect to 2,206,425 shares. The information set forth
herein is based on the Schedule 13G dated February 7,
2005 filed by Goldman Sachs with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. |
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(2) |
Includes 183,000, 7,400, 6,470, 15,550 and 7,400 restricted
shares of common stock awarded to Messrs. Tiller, Bjorkman,
Corness, Malone and Sobaski, respectively, and 234,450 aggregate
restricted shares of common stock awarded to all executive
officers as a group under the Polaris Industries Inc. 1996
Restricted Stock Plan. An aggregate of 193,000 restricted shares
become freely tradeable only upon the |
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Company achieving certain compounded earnings growth targets and
an aggregate of 41,450 restricted shares become freely tradeable
three years after the date of issuance provided that the holder
continues to be an employee of the Company. |
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(3) |
Includes 1,450,000, 29,436, 39,600, 17,624 and
60,000 shares subject to stock options that were granted to
Messrs. Tiller, Bjorkman, Corness, Malone and Sobaski,
respectively, and 1,626,460 aggregate shares subject to stock
options that were granted to all executive officers as a group
under the Polaris Industries Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan which
are or will become vested and exercisable on or before
May 4, 2005. |
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(4) |
Other members of the law firm of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan,
P.A., of which Mr. Baltins is a member and which serves of
counsel to the Company, beneficially own 9,580 shares. |
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(5) |
Includes 8,000 shares subject to stock options that were
granted to each of the non-employee directors with respect to
annual grants under the Polaris Industries Inc. 2003
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, which are or will
become vested and exercisable on or before April 21, 2005. |
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(6) |
These shares are maintained in brokerage accounts registered in
Mr. Caulks name as Custodian under the Delaware
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act for the benefit of two minor
children, as to which beneficial ownership is disclaimed. |
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(7) |
Represents the number of common stock equivalents credited as of
February 14, 2005 to the accounts of each non-employee
director as maintained by the Company under the Polaris
Industries Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. A
director will receive one share of common stock for every common
stock equivalent held by that director upon his or her
termination of service as a member of the Board of Directors.
The plan is described in this Proxy Statement under the heading
Corporate Governance Director
Compensation. |
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Our Board of Directors has adopted stock ownership guidelines,
which provide that each non-employee director is expected to
own, directly or indirectly, on January 22, 2007, shares of
Polaris common stock or common stock equivalents having a value
of at least three times the amount of the annual retainer fee
paid to such director. Each non-employee director who is elected
for the first time after January 23, 2003 will be expected
to satisfy such guidelines at the end of a period of four years
commencing on the date such director is elected. The stock
ownership guidelines also provide that the Chief Executive
Officer and other executive officers of the Company are expected
to own, directly or indirectly, shares of common stock or
restricted share awards having a value of at least five and
three times, respectively, their annual base salaries. The Chief
Executive Officer and other executive officers of the Company
that held office as of January 23, 2003 currently satisfy
these guidelines and any person becoming an executive officer of
the Company after January 23, 2003 will be expected to
satisfy the guidelines at the end of a period of four years
commencing on the date of becoming an executive officer of the
Company.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Independence
Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance
Guidelines, which may be viewed online on our website at
www.polarisindustries.com or may be obtained in print by
any shareholder who requests it. Under our Corporate Governance
Guidelines, which adopt the current standards for
independence established by the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE), a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors must be independent as determined by the
Board of Directors. In making its determination of independence,
among other things, the Board of Directors must have determined
that the director has no material relationship with Polaris
either directly or indirectly as a partner, shareholder or
officer of an organization that has a relationship with Polaris.
The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Clayton and
Messrs. Caulk, Fruhan, Menard, Schreck and Zona are
independent. The Board of Directors has also determined that
Mr. Baltins is independent for all purposes other than
service on the Companys Audit Committee because he is a
member of one of the law firms that provides legal services to
the Company. Mr. Palen, our non-Executive Chairman of the
Board, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spectro
6
Alloys, an aluminum manufacturing company that served as a
supplier to the Company until June 2003. Under our Corporate
Governance Guidelines, Mr. Palen will be regarded as
non-independent until June 2006, three years following the
termination of the Spectro Alloys relationship with Polaris.
Mr. Tiller, our President and Chief Executive Officer is
not considered to be independent by the Board of Directors.
Accordingly, a substantial majority of our Board of Directors is
considered to be independent. Additionally, all current members
of our Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committees are considered to be independent.
We have also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
applicable to all employees, including our Chief Executive
Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and all other senior
executives, and the directors. A copy of the Polaris Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at
www.polarisindustries.com and in print to any shareholder
who requests it.
Communications with the Board
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, a process has been
established by which shareholders may communicate with members
of the Board of Directors. Any shareholder who desires to
communicate with the Board of Directors, individually or as a
group, may do so by writing to the intended member or members of
the Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, Polaris
Industries Inc., 2100 Highway 55, Medina, Minnesota 55340.
All communications received in accordance with these procedures
will be reviewed initially by the office of our Corporate
Secretary to determine that the communication is a message to
our directors and will be relayed to the appropriate director or
directors unless the Corporate Secretary determines that the
communication is an advertisement or other promotional material.
The director or directors who receive any such communication
will have discretion to determine whether the subject matter of
the communication should be brought to the attention of the full
Board of Directors or one or more of its committees and whether
any response to the person sending the communication is
appropriate.
Director Compensation
Directors who are employees of the Company receive no
compensation for their services as directors or as members of
committees. Compensation for non-employee directors is divided
into cash and stock components. The Company presently pays each
non-employee director other than our Chairman, Mr. Palen,
an annual directors fee of $40,000, at least $5,000 of
which will be payable in common stock equivalents (as described
below). Mr. Palen, our non-executive Chairman of the Board
of Directors, currently receives an annual fee of $100,000 in
lieu of the annual directors fee received by other
non-employee directors. The Chairs of the Audit Committee,
Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee and Technology Committee currently receive an annual
committee chairmans fee of $10,000. Effective as of
April 23, 2004, non-employee directors also receive $1,000
for each committee meeting attended, which fees they may choose
to defer under the Deferred Compensation Plan (as described
below).
The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan for
directors, the Polaris Industries Inc. Deferred Compensation
Plan for Directors (the Deferred Compensation Plan)
for directors who are not officers or employees of the Company
(Outside Directors). As of each quarterly date on
which retainer fees are payable to Outside Directors, each
Outside Director automatically receives an award of common stock
equivalents having a fair market value of $1,250. An Outside
Director can also defer all or a portion of the director and/or
chair fees that would otherwise be paid to him or her in cash.
Such deferred amounts are converted into additional common stock
equivalents based on the then fair market value of the common
stock. These common stock equivalents are phantom
stock units, i.e., each common stock equivalent represents the
economic equivalent of one share of common stock. Dividends will
be credited to Outside Directors as if the common stock
equivalents are outstanding shares of common stock. Such
dividends will be converted into additional common stock
equivalents.
As soon as practicable after an Outside Directors service
on the Board terminates, he or she will receive a distribution
of a number of shares of common stock equal to the number of
common stock equivalents then
7
credited to him or her under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Upon the death of an Outside Director, the shares will be issued
to his or her beneficiary. Upon a change in control of the
Company (as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan), however,
each Outside Director will receive a cash payment equal to the
value of his or her accumulated common stock equivalents.
A maximum of 150,000 shares of common stock are reserved
for issuance under the Deferred Compensation Plan. Of that
total, 31,167 shares of common stock remained available for
future grants as of February 14, 2005. The Deferred
Compensation Plan will remain effective until May 10, 2005.
In the event the amendments submitted under Proposal 2 of
this proxy statement are approved by shareholders, the number of
shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Deferred
Compensation Plan will be increased by 50,000 and the term will
be extended until May 31, 2010. The Deferred Compensation
Plan may be terminated or amended at any time by the Board of
Directors.
Under the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, each
non-employee director elected at an annual meeting of
shareholders or who continues to serve as a director after such
annual meeting will receive an automatic annual grant of stock
options to purchase 4,000 shares of the Companys
common stock at an exercise price equal to fair market value on
the date of grant.
Additionally, the Company makes Polaris products available to
its Outside Directors at no charge to encourage a first-hand
understanding of the riding experience of Polaris customers.
Board Meetings
During 2004, the full Board of Directors met five times. Four of
those meetings were preceded and/or followed by an executive
session of the Board of Directors without management in
attendance, chaired by either Mr. Palen or the chair of the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Each of our
directors attended 75% percent or more of the meetings of the
Board of Directors and any committee on which they served in
2004. The Board also acted through one written action in 2004.
The Company does not maintain a formal policy regarding the
Boards attendance at annual shareholder meetings; however,
Board members are expected to regularly attend all Board
meetings and meetings of the committees on which they serve. All
members of the Board of Directors attended our 2004 Annual
Meeting, except for Robert L. Caulk, who was elected to the
Board effective October 21, 2004.
Committees of the Board and Meetings
The Board of Directors has designated five standing committees.
The Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee and the Technology Committee
each operate under a written charter which is available for
review on our website at http://www.polarisindustries.com
and is also available in print to any shareholder who requests
it. The current membership of each committee and its principal
functions, as well as the number of times it met during fiscal
2004, are described below.
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Members: |
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Gregory R. Palen
Thomas C. Tiller, Chair |
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Purpose: |
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Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
regarding the strategic plans and allocation of resources of the
Company and exercises the authority of the Board of Directors on
specific matters as delegated to it from time to time. |
8
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Members: |
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Annette K. Clayton
William E. Fruhan, Jr.
Richard A. Zona, Chair |
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All members of the Audit Committee have been determined to be
independent and financially literate by
the Board of Directors in accordance with our Corporate
Governance Guidelines and the applicable listing requirements of
the NYSE. Additionally, Mr. Zona and Mr. Fruhan have
each been determined by the Board of Directors to be an
Audit Committee Financial Expert as that term has
been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC). The Board of Directors has determined that
Mr. Zonas service on the audit committee of three
other public companies does not impair his ability to
effectively serve on the Companys Audit Committee. |
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Purpose: |
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The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling
its fiduciary responsibilities by overseeing the Companys
financial reporting and public disclosure activities. The Audit
Committees primary purposes are to: |
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assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of
(a) the integrity of the Companys financial
statements, (b) the Companys compliance with legal
and regulatory requirements, (c) the independent
auditors qualifications and independence, (d) the
responsibilities, performance, budget and staffing of the
Companys internal audit function and (e) the
performance of the Companys independent auditor; |
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prepare the Audit Committee Report that appears
later in this Proxy Statement; |
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serve as an independent and objective party to
oversee the Companys financial reporting process and
internal control system; and |
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provide an open avenue of communication among the
independent auditor, financial and senior management, the
internal auditors and the Board of Directors. |
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The Audit Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the Board
of Directors, is directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation, and oversight of the work of any independent
auditor employed by the Company (including resolution of
disagreements between management and the auditor regarding
financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an
audit report or related work or performing other audit, review
or attest services for the Company, and each such independent
auditor reports directly to the Audit Committee. This committee
met nine times during 2004 and acted through one written action. |
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Members: |
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Andris A. Baltins
William E. Fruhan, Jr., Chair
Richard A. Zona |
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All members of the Compensation Committee have been determined
to be independent by the Board of Directors in
accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the
applicable listing requirements of the NYSE. |
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Purpose: |
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The Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in
establishing a philosophy and policies regarding executive and
director compensation, provides oversight to the administration
of the Companys director and executive compensa- |
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tion programs and administers the Companys stock option,
restricted share and other equity based plans, reviews the
compensation of directors, executive officers and senior
management, and prepares any report on executive compensation
required by the rules and regulations of the SEC or other
regulatory body, including the Compensation Committee Report on
Executive Compensation that appears later in this Proxy
Statement. In addition, the Compensation Committee periodically
reviews with the Chief Executive Officer a written procedure for
the efficient transfer of his responsibilities in the event of
his sudden incapacitation or departure, including
recommendations for longer-term succession planning. This
committee met seven times during 2004 and acted through two
written actions. |
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Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
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Members: |
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Andris A. Baltins, Chair
William E. Fruhan, Jr.
R. M. (Mark) Schreck |
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All members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
have been determined to be independent by the Board
of Directors in accordance with our Corporate Governance
Guidelines and the applicable listing requirements of the NYSE. |
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Purpose: |
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The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee provides
oversight and guidance to the Board of Directors to ensure that
the membership, structure, policies and processes of the Board
and its committees facilitate the effective exercise of the
Boards role in the governance of the Company. The
committee reviews and evaluates the policies and practices with
respect to the size, composition and functioning of the Board,
evaluates the qualifications of possible candidates for the
Board of Directors and recommends the nominees for directors to
the Board of Directors for approval. The committee will consider
individuals recommended by shareholders for nomination as a
director in accordance with the procedures described under
Submission of Shareholder Proposals and Nominations
that appears later in this Proxy Statement. The committee also
is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors any
revisions to the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines.
This committee met seven times and acted through one written
action during 2004. |
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Members: |
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Annette K. Clayton
John R. Menard, Jr.
Gregory R. Palen
R. M. (Mark) Schreck, Chair
Thomas C. Tiller |
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Purpose: |
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Provides oversight of the product and technology plans at the
Company to ensure that the Polaris management team:
(1) continues to provide leadership products across all
product lines; (2) addresses regulatory and competitive
challenges in a timely and appropriate manner; (3) provides
adequate investment funds across product lines;
(4) addresses major facility opportunities and issues, such
as expansions, and in-source/out source opportunities; and
(5) properly assesses the risk and benefits associated with
major product and facility changes. This committee met five
times during 2004. |
10
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The law firm of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A.
(KSK) provides ongoing legal services to the Company
and certain subsidiaries in connection with various matters.
Andris A. Baltins, a member of the Board of Directors, is a
member of that firm. During 2004, KSK received $419,979 in legal
fees from the Company.
Gregory R. Palen, the non-Executive Chairman of the Board of
Directors, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Spectro Alloys, an aluminum manufacturing company that served as
a supplier to the Company until June 2003. Under our Corporate
Governance Guidelines, Mr. Palen will be regarded as
non-independent until June 2006, three years following the
termination of the Spectro Alloys relationship with Polaris.
Mr. Palen voluntarily resigned from the Audit Committee and
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee in January
2004 in order that such committees be comprised of independent
directors as required under the current NYSE rules. The Audit
Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Fruhan and Zona
and Ms. Clayton, all of whom are independent directors. The
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is currently
comprised of Messrs. Baltins, Fruhan, and Schreck, all of
whom are independent directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
All current members of the Compensation Committee are considered
independent under our Corporate Governance Guidelines. No
interlocking relationships exist between the Board of Directors
or the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors or
compensation committee of any other company.
Section 16 Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires the Companys directors and executive officers to
file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes of
ownership of the Companys common stock with the SEC.
Executive officers and directors are required to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they
file. To the Companys knowledge, based solely upon a
review of the copies of those reports furnished to the Company
during 2004 and written representations that no other reports
were required, the Company believes that, during the year ended
December 31, 2004, all filing requirements applicable to
its directors, executive officers and 10% beneficial owners, if
any, were complied with, except that the Company inadvertently
failed to timely file a Form 4 to report a sale of
3,735 shares by Jeffrey A. Bjorkman on July 28, 2004
and filed an amendment to a Form 4 for Mr. Bjorkman to
reflect the exercise of an option to
purchase 7,500 shares on February 7, 2002. In
addition, due to inadvertent arithmetical errors, the Company
filed amendments to Form 4 filings for
(i) Mr. Tiller in order to correct the number of
securities beneficially owned by him as reported on
November 3, 2003 and November 1, 2004, and
(ii) Messrs. Baltins, Fruhan and Palen, in order to
correct the number of common stock equivalents credited to each
directors account under the Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors as reported on January 3, 2005. The Form 3
filed for Mr. Caulk was amended to reflect 200 shares
held in brokerage accounts registered in his name as custodian
for two minor children, which shares were held at the time he
became subject to Section 16 reporting.
11
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee reports to and acts on behalf of the Board
of Directors by providing oversight of (1) the integrity of
the Companys financial statements, (2) the
Companys compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, (3) the independent auditors
qualifications and independence, (4) the responsibilities,
performance, budget and staffing of the Companys internal
audit function, and (5) the performance of the
Companys independent auditor, which reports directly to
the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of three
directors, all of whom meet the standards of independence
adopted by the SEC and the NYSE.
In performing our oversight responsibilities, we have reviewed
and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company
for the year ended December 31, 2004 with management and
with representatives of Ernst & Young LLP, the
Companys independent auditors. We also reviewed, and
discussed with management and representatives of
Ernst & Young, managements assessment and report
and Ernst & Youngs report and attestation on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in
accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
We also discussed with the independent auditors matters required
to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
Communications with Audit Committees, as amended by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90. We have received
from the Companys independent auditors the written
disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards
Board No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees, and discussed the independence of
Ernst & Young LLP with representatives of such firm. We
are satisfied that the non-audit services provided to the
Company by the independent auditors are compatible with
maintaining their independence.
Management is responsible for Polaris system of internal
controls and the financial reporting process. Ernst &
Young LLP is responsible for performing an audit of the
consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards and issuing a report thereon. Our
committees responsibility is to monitor and oversee these
processes.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to in this
Report, and subject to the limitations of our role, we
recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has
approved, that the audited financial statements be included in
the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE |
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Richard A. Zona, Chair
Annette K. Clayton
William E. Fruhan, Jr. |
12
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has engaged
Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y) as
independent auditors to examine the Companys accounts for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. Representatives
of E&Y will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an
opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
Audit Fees. The aggregate audit fees paid to E&Y for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003, were $552,000 and $300,000,
respectively. These fees include amounts for the audit of the
Companys consolidated annual financial statements,
statutory audits at certain foreign subsidiaries, the reviews of
the consolidated financial statements included in the
Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including
services related thereto such as attest services and consents.
The 2004 amount also includes fees related to testing of the
Companys internal controls over financial reporting
pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate audit-related fees paid
to E&Y for the fiscal years 2004 and 2003 were $96,000 and
$114,000, respectively. These fees related to the audit of
Polaris Acceptance, the audit of employee benefit plans,
assistance related to potential transactions and the issuance of
certain industry reports. The 2003 amount includes general
assistance with the implementation of the SEC rules pursuant to
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed by E&Y for tax
services rendered for the fiscal years 2004 and 2003 were
$45,000 and $319,000, respectively. Of the amount paid in 2003,
$75,000 was paid under a deferred billing arrangement entered
into by the Company with E&Y prior to its engagement as the
Companys auditors in March 2002 with respect to tax
planning services rendered in 2001. The remaining fees paid in
each of those years primarily related to tax planning and
compliance services, including assistance related to certain
foreign subsidiaries.
All Other Fees. There were no other fees paid to E&Y
for the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31,
2003.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Requirements. The Audit
Committees charter provides that it has the sole authority
to review in advance and grant any pre-approvals of (i) all
auditing services to be provided by the independent auditor,
(ii) all significant non-audit services to be provided by
the independent auditors as permitted by Section 10A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (iii) all fees and the
terms of engagement with respect to such services. All audit and
non-audit services performed by Ernst & Young during
fiscal 2004 were pre-approved pursuant to the procedures
outlined above.
13
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General Information
The Board of Directors of the Company is divided into three
classes. The members of one class are elected at each annual
meeting of shareholders to serve three-year terms. The
Class II directors currently serving on the Board, whose
terms expire at the 2005 Annual Meeting, are
Messrs. William E. Fruhan, Jr., R.M. (Mark) Schreck
and John R. Menard, Jr. In addition, the Board of Directors
appointed Robert L. Caulk as a Class I director, effective
October 21, 2004, to fill the vacancy created by an
increase in the number of directors from eight to nine.
Mr. Caulk has consented to serve a two-year term, which
will expire at the 2007 Annual Meeting when the term of all
Class I directors will expire.
Upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee of the Board, the Board of Directors
proposes that the following nominee, who is currently serving as
a Class I Director, be elected as a Class I director
for a two-year term expiring in 2007:
Robert L. Caulk
Upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee of the Board, the Board of Directors also
proposes that the following nominees, all of whom are currently
serving as Class II Directors, be elected as Class II
directors for three-year terms expiring in 2008:
William E. Fruhan, Jr.
R.M. (Mark) Schreck
John R. Menard, Jr.
The persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote your
proxy for the election of each of the four nominees, unless you
indicate on the proxy card that your vote should be withheld
from any or all of the nominees. If you are voting by telephone
or on the Internet, you will be told how to withhold your vote
from some or all of the nominees. Each nominee elected as a
Director will continue in office until his successor has been
elected, or until his death, resignation or retirement.
After the election of one Class I director and three
Class II directors at the Annual Meeting, the Board will
consist of nine directors, including five continuing directors
whose present terms extend beyond this Annual Meeting
(Classes I, II and III will each consist of three
members.) There are no family relationships between or among any
executive officers or directors of the Company.
We expect each nominee standing for election as a Class I
director and Class II director to be able to serve if
elected. If any nominee is not able to serve, proxies will be
voted in favor of the remainder of those nominated and may be
voted for substitute nominees designated by the Board, unless an
instruction to the contrary is indicated on the proxy card.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
the election of these nominees as Directors.
14
Information Concerning Nominees and Directors
The principal occupation and certain other information about the
nominees and other directors whose terms of office continue
after the Annual Meeting are set forth on the following pages.
Director
Nominee Class I (Term Ending 2007)
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Robert L.
Caulk Director
since 2004
Mr. Caulk, 53, has been the President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of United Industries Corporation since 2001
and was the President and Chief Executive Officer since 1999.
From 1995 to 1999 Mr. Caulk held the positions of President
and Executive Vice President of Cloplay Building Products.
Mr. Caulk also serves as a director of several corporate
and non-profit boards, including Sligh Furniture Company, United
Industries Corporation, and the St. Louis Academy of
Science. |
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Director Nominees Class II (Term Ending
2008) |
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William E.
Fruhan, Jr. Director
since 2000
Mr. Fruhan, 61, has been the Professor of Business
Administration at Harvard Business School since 1979.
Mr. Fruhan also serves as a director of various private
corporations, including PQ Corporation. Mr. Fruhan serves
as a member of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. |
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R. M. (Mark)
Schreck Director
since 2000
Mr. Schreck, 60, is a registered professional engineer and
retired Vice President, Technology, General Electric Company. He
has been the President of RMS Engineering, LLC, an engineering
and business consulting business, and a member of the staff of
the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering since
January 1998. Mr. Schreck also serves as a director of the
Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation, a private,
nonprofit organization. Mr. Schreck serves as the Chair of
our Technology Committee and is also a member of our Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee. |
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John R.
Menard, Jr. Director
since 2001
Mr. Menard, 65, has been the President and a director of
Menard, Inc., a building materials and home improvement
retailing business, since February 1960. Mr. Menard serves
as a member of our Technology Committee. |
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Directors Continuing in Office Class III
(Term Ending 2006) |
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Gregory R.
Palen Director
since 1994
Mr. Palen, 49, was elected to serve as the non-executive
Chairman of our Board of Directors in May 2002 and has been
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spectro Alloys, an
aluminum manufacturing company, since 1989 and Chief Executive
Officer of Palen/ Kimball Company, a heating and air
conditioning company, since 1983. He is a director of Valspar
Corporation, a painting and coating manufacturing company.
Mr. Palen also serves as a director of Opus Northwest, LLC,
a construction and real estate development company, and Fabcon,
a manufacturer of structural concrete wall panels.
Mr. Palen is also a director of various private and
non-profit corporations, including St. Johns University.
Mr. Palen is a member of our Executive Committee and our
Technology Committee. |
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Richard A.
Zona Director
since 2000
Mr. Zona, 60, has been the Chief Executive Officer of Zona
Financial, LLC, a financial advisory firm, since December 2000.
Mr. Zona was the Vice-Chairman Wholesale
Banking of U.S. Bancorp, a regional bank holding company,
from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Zona joined U.S. Bancorp, then
known as First Bank System, Inc., as Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer in 1989 and served as Vice Chairman
and Chief Financial Officer from 1991 to 1996. Mr. Zona, a
certified public accountant, was with Ernst & Young
from 1970 to 1989. Mr. Zona is a director of New Century
Financial Corporation, a mortgage banking and financial services
company, ShopKo Stores, Inc., a consumer retailing company, and
Piper Jaffray Companies, a securities brokerage firm.
Mr. Zona serves as the Chair of our Audit Committee and is
also a member of our Compensation Committee. |
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Annette K.
Clayton Director
since 2003
Ms. Clayton, 41, has been the President and a director of
Saturn Corporation, a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation,
since April 2001. She was the Executive Director of Global
Manufacturing Systems-Quality of General Motors Corporation from
April 2000 to April 2001. From 1983 to 2000, Ms. Clayton
held a number of production, engineering and management
positions at General Motors assembly plants in Moraine,
Ohio, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Oshawa, Ontario. She is a
member of the External Advisory Board for the College of
Engineering and Computer Science at Wright State University.
Ms. Clayton is a member of our Audit Committee and
Technology Committee. |
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Directors Continuing in Office Class I (Term
Ending 2007) |
|
|
|
Andris A.
Baltins Director
since 1994
Mr. Baltins, 59, has been a member of the law firm of
Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A. since 1979. He is a director
of various private and non-profit corporations. Mr. Baltins
serves as the Chair of our Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee and is also a member of the Compensation Committee. |
|
|
|
Thomas C.
Tiller Director
since 1998
Mr. Tiller, 43, is the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and was the President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company from July 15, 1998 to May 20,
1999. From 1983 to 1998, Mr. Tiller held a number of
design, marketing and plant management positions with General
Electric Corporation, most recently as Vice President and
General Manager of G.E. Silicones. Mr. Tiller serves as the
Chair of our Executive Committee and is also a member of our
Technology Committee. |
17
PROPOSAL 2 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
General Information
Upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board
of Directors has adopted, subject to shareholder approval,
amendments to the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors (the Deferred Compensation Plan) which was
originally approved by the Companys shareholders on
May 10, 1995, to: (i) increase the number of shares of
Polaris common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards
under the Deferred Compensation Plan, (ii) extend the term
of the Deferred Compensation Plan, which currently expires on
May 10, 2005, to May 31, 2010 and (iii) shift the
administrative responsibilities under the Deferred Compensation
Plan from the Companys Chief Financial Officer to the
Compensation Committee. The Companys Board of Directors
has determined that it would be in the best interests of the
Company and its shareholders to effect these amendments to the
Deferred Compensation Plan. Accordingly, the Board of Directors
recommends that the shareholders approve the proposed
amendments. If the amendments to the Deferred Compensation Plan
are approved by the shareholders, these amendments will take
effect as of January 20, 2005. If the amendments are not
approved, they will not take effect.
The proposed amendments are not related to the recent changes to
the tax laws governing deferred compensation arrangements under
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 409A has significantly altered the federal income
tax rules governing nonqualified deferred compensation plans,
and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is expected
to issue additional guidance interpreting this new law during
2005. After additional guidance is released by the IRS, it may
be necessary to further amend the Deferred Compensation Plan to
ensure that it is in compliance with Section 409A. The
Company does not intend to seek shareholder approval of any
amendments that the Board of Directors approves solely for the
purpose of bringing the plan into compliance with
Section 409A.
The reserve of shares of common stock under the Deferred
Compensation Plan is subject to appropriate adjustment in the
event of certain changes in the common stock, including by
reason of a stock split. A maximum of 150,000 shares of
common stock were originally reserved for issuance under the
Deferred Compensation Plan. Of that total, 31,167 shares of
common stock remained available for future grants as of
February 14, 2005. If the proposed amendment is approved,
there will be an aggregate of 81,167 shares available for
future grants. The Board of Directors believes that the grant of
common stock equivalents to non-employee directors of the
Company is a vital factor in attracting, retaining and providing
an incentive to non-employee directors by giving them an
opportunity for tax deferral and the ability to acquire an
increased proprietary interest in the Company, thereby more
closely aligning the interests of directors with those of the
shareholders of the Company, to encourage the highest level of
director performance by providing directors with a direct
interest in the Companys attainment of its financial goals
and to provide a financial incentive that will help attract and
retain the most qualified directors.
The following summary of the Deferred Compensation Plan is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of
the Deferred Compensation Plan, which is attached as
Annex A.
General Provisions
Duration of the Deferred Compensation Plan; Shares to be
Issued. The Deferred Compensation Plan originally became
effective on May 10, 1995. If the proposed amendment is
approved, the Deferred Compensation Plan will remain effective
until May 31, 2010 unless terminated earlier by the Board
of Directors.
The shares of common stock to be issued or delivered under the
Deferred Compensation Plan will be authorized and unissued
shares or previously issued and outstanding shares of common
stock reacquired by the Company.
On February 14, 2005, the closing price of Polaris common
stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $70.31 per share.
18
Administration. The Deferred Compensation Plan is
currently administered by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company. If the proposed amendment is approved, the Deferred
Compensation Plan will be administered by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation
Committees authority will be limited to such matters as
interpreting the Deferred Compensation Plan and making
appropriate changes to awards made under the Deferred
Compensation Plan to reflect changes in the capital structure of
the Company. However, the Compensation Committee will have no
discretion regarding the eligibility or amount and timing of
awards. The Compensation Committee may delegate administrative
authority for such matters as record keeping to one or more
officers or employees of the Company.
Participants. Any non-employee director of the Company or
its subsidiaries may be selected by the Compensation Committee
to receive an award under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Presently, there are 8 Outside Directors eligible to participate
in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Under the Deferred
Compensation Plan, Outside Directors will receive annual awards
of common stock equivalents and can elect to defer all or a
portion of the directors and/or chair and meeting fees that
would otherwise be paid to him or her in cash. Such deferred
amounts will be converted into additional common stock
equivalents based on the then fair market value of the common
stock. These common stock equivalents are phantom
stock units, i.e., each common stock equivalent represents the
economic value of one share of common stock. Dividends will be
credited to Outside Directors as if the common stock equivalents
were outstanding shares of common stock. Such dividends will be
converted into additional common stock equivalents.
Awards Available Under the Deferred Compensation Plan. As
of each quarterly date on which retainer fees are payable to
Outside Directors, each Outside Director will automatically
receive an award of common stock equivalents having a fair
market value of $1,250. For purposes of the Deferred
Compensation Plan, fair market value will be based on the
closing price of the common stock on the NYSE (or other stock
exchange or stock quotation system on which the Common Stock is
then listed or quoted) on the applicable date. A new Outside
Director whose Board service begins between quarterly fee
payment dates will receive a pro rated award for the first
quarter.
An Outside Director can also defer all or a portion of the
directors and/or chair and meeting fees that would otherwise be
paid to him or her in cash. Such deferred amounts will be
converted into additional common stock equivalents based on the
then fair market value of the common stock.
As soon as practicable after an Outside Directors Board
service terminates, he or she will receive a distribution of a
number of shares of common stock equal to the number of common
stock equivalents then credited to him or her under the Deferred
Compensation Plan. Upon the death of an Outside Director, the
shares will be issued to his or her beneficiary. Upon a change
in control of the Company (as defined in the Deferred
Compensation Plan), however, each Outside Director will receive
a cash payment equal to the value of his or her accumulated
common stock equivalents.
New Plan Benefits Table. The New Plan Benefits Table for
the Deferred Compensation Plan has been incorporated into
Proposal 3 on page 24 of this proxy statement.
Termination and Amendment. The Board of Directors can
amend or terminate the Deferred Compensation Plan at any time.
However, amendments must be approved by the Companys
shareholders if shareholder approval is required in order for
the Deferred Compensation Plan to meet applicable statutory or
regulatory requirements.
Antidilution Provisions. The amount of shares authorized
to be issued under the Deferred Compensation Plan, and the terms
of outstanding Common Stock Equivalents, may be adjusted to
prevent dilution or enlargement of rights in the event of any
merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock
dividend, stock split, spin-off, split up, dividend in kind or
other change in the corporate structure or distributions to the
shareholders.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is
a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences
of the Deferred Compensation Plan based upon current federal
income tax laws. The summary is not intended to be exhaustive
and, among other things, does not describe state, local or
foreign tax consequences.
19
Awards of common stock equivalents, and amounts voluntarily
deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan and
converted into common stock equivalents, will not be taxable to
the Outside Director until a distribution is made to the Outside
Director or to his or her beneficiary. An Outside Director will
recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount of
cash received or the fair market value of the shares of common
stock distributed. The Company will be entitled to take a
corresponding tax deduction for the tax year in which the
Outside Director recognizes ordinary income. Any appreciation in
value of common stock from the distribution date to the date the
Outside Director disposes of such common stock will be taxed as
capital gain, short-term or long-term, depending on the length
of time the common stock was held.
Vote Required
Approval of the Deferred Compensation Plan will require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Polaris common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting, assuming the presence of a quorum
at the Annual Meeting (provided that the number of shares voted
in favor of the proposal constitutes more than 25% of the
outstanding shares of the Companys common stock).
Board Recommendation
Except where authority has been withheld by a shareholder, the
enclosed proxy will be voted for the approval of the Deferred
Compensation Plan, as amended. The Board of Directors
unanimously recommends a vote FOR the proposal to
approve the amendments to the Deferred Compensation Plan.
20
PROPOSAL 3 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO 1996
RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
General Information
Upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board
of Directors adopted, subject to shareholder approval,
amendments to the Companys 1996 Restricted Stock Plan, as
amended and restated on January 18, 2001 and approved by
the Companys shareholders on May 3, 2001 (the
Restricted Stock Plan), to: (i) increase the
number of shares of Polaris common stock reserved for issuance
pursuant to awards under the Restricted Stock Plan by
250,000 shares, (ii) extend the term of the Restricted
Stock Plan, which currently expires on January 25, 2006, to
May 31, 2011, (iii) incorporate into the Restricted
Stock Plan performance goals to be used in the case of awards
intended to qualify as performance-based for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
(iv) rename the plan as the Polaris Industries Inc.
Restricted Stock Plan. The Companys Board of Directors has
determined that it would be in the best interests of the Company
and its shareholders to effect these amendments to the
Restricted Stock Plan. Accordingly, the Board of Directors
recommends that the shareholders approve the proposed
amendments. If the amendments to the Restricted Stock Plan are
approved by the shareholders, these amendments will take effect
as of January 20, 2005. If the amendments are not approved,
they will not take effect.
The reserve of shares of common stock under the Restricted Stock
Plan is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of
certain changes in the common stock, including by reason of a
stock split. An aggregate of 2,100,000 shares of common
stock were originally reserved for issuance under the Restricted
Stock Plan. Of that total, 459,964 shares of common stock
remained available under the Restricted Stock Plan for future
grants as of February 14, 2005. If the proposed amendment
is approved, there will be an aggregate of 709,964 shares
available for future grants. The Board of Directors believes
that the grant of restricted stock to employees of the Company
is a vital factor in attracting and retaining effective and
capable personnel who contribute to the growth and success of
the Company and in establishing a direct link between the
financial interests of such individuals and of the
Companys shareholders and that it is prudent to increase
the number of shares of common stock available for future grants
at this time.
The following summary of the Restricted Stock Plan is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the
Restricted Stock Plan, which is attached as Annex B.
General Provisions
Duration of the Restricted Stock Plan; Shares to be
Issued. The Restricted Stock Plan originally became
effective on May 9, 1996. If the proposed amendment is
approved, the Restricted Stock Plan will remain effective until
May 31, 2011 unless terminated earlier by the Board of
Directors.
The shares of common stock to be issued or delivered under the
Restricted Stock Plan will be authorized and unissued shares or
previously issued and outstanding shares of common stock
reacquired by the Company. Shares of common stock covered by any
unvested portions of restricted stock and shares of common stock
subject to any awards which are otherwise surrendered by
participants without receiving any payment or other benefit with
respect thereto may again be subject to new awards under the
Restricted Stock Plan.
On February 14, 2005, the closing price of Polaris common
stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $70.31 per share.
Administration. The Restricted Stock Plan is administered
by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The
Compensation Committee is comprised solely of non-employee
independent directors of the Company who are not eligible to
participate in the Restricted Stock Plan. The Compensation
Committee determines the employees who will be eligible for and
granted awards, determines the amount and type of awards,
establishes rules and guidelines relating to the Restricted
Stock Plan, establishes, modifies and determines terms and
conditions of awards and takes such other action as may be
necessary for the proper administration of the Restricted Stock
Plan.
Participants. Any employee of the Company or its
subsidiaries may be selected by the Compensation Committee to
receive an award under the Restricted Stock Plan, however, it is
the intention of the Board of
21
Directors to limit awards under this plan to awards made to
Mr. Tiller under the terms of his employment agreement and
discretionary awards made to new hires or in recognition of
significant contributions to the Company. Presently, there are
approximately 3,500 persons eligible to participate in the
Restricted Stock Plan. It is not possible at this time to
determine the amount of restricted stock awards to be allocated
to specific persons or groups from the additional number of
shares being added to the pool of shares available under the
Restricted Stock Plan. No participant may receive restricted
stock awards in respect of more than 500,000 shares of
common stock in any calendar year.
Awards Available Under Restricted Stock Plan. The
Compensation Committee may award to any participant restricted
shares that are subject to terms and conditions established by
the Compensation Committee. In general, restricted shares will
be non-transferable and subject to a risk of forfeiture during a
period of time set by the Compensation Committee. The Committee
may provide for such transfer and forfeiture restrictions to
lapse in installments and/or upon the occurrence of specified
events. The restrictions may be based on performance goals,
periods of service or other standards established by the
Compensation Committee.
The Restricted Stock Plan authorizes awards intended to qualify
as performance-based for purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Performance
goals may include one or more of the following: share price
appreciation, earnings, cash flow, revenues and total
shareholder return.
If the participants employment with the Company terminates
during the restriction period, his or her rights with respect to
the restricted shares will be forfeited, except that all
forfeiture restrictions will lapse if the termination is a
discharge without cause (as defined) or is due to the
participants death, disability or retirement. Forfeiture
restrictions also lapse upon a change in control of the Company
(as defined) or in cases of special circumstances where the
Compensation Committee deems a waiver of the restrictions to be
appropriate.
As soon as practicable after the date of grant of restricted
shares, stock certificates representing such shares will be
registered in the name of the participant. Unless the
Compensation Committee otherwise determines, during the
restriction period, these certificates will be held in custody
by the Company or its designee. Despite the restrictions, the
participant will be the registered owner of the restricted
shares and will have the right to vote and receive dividends, if
any, with respect to such shares.
Termination and Amendment. The Company has the right to
deduct from a participants salary, bonus or other
compensation any taxes required to be withheld with respect to
awards made under the Restricted Stock Plan. In the Compensation
Committees discretion, a participant may be permitted to
elect to have withheld from the shares otherwise issuable to the
participant, or to tender to the Company, the number of shares
of Common Stock whose fair market value equals the amount
required to be withheld.
Antidilution Provisions. The amount and kind of shares
available for issuance under the Restricted Stock Plan and the
limit on the number of shares in respect of which awards may be
made to any participant in any calendar year shall be
appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock dividend, stock
split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation
or other change in capitalization with a similar substantive
effect.
Withholding Obligations. The Company shall be entitled to
withhold (or secure payment from the participant in lieu of
withholding) the amount of any withholding or other tax required
by law to be withheld or paid by the Company with respect to any
stock issuable under the Restricted Stock Plan, or with respect
to any income recognized upon the lapse of restrictions
applicable to the restricted shares, and the Company may defer
issuance of shares under the Restricted Stock Plan until and
unless indemnified to its satisfaction against any liability for
any such tax.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is
a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences
of awards under the Restricted Stock Plan based upon current
federal income tax laws. The summary is not intended to be
exhaustive and, among other things, does not describe state,
local or foreign tax consequences.
22
Due to the presence of transfer and forfeiture restrictions, a
grant of restricted shares has generally no tax consequences to
the Company or the participant. Except as discussed below, the
full fair market value of common stock issued as restricted
shares will be taxed as ordinary income to the participant when
the restrictions on the stock expire, with such value being
determined at the time of such expiration. The Company will
receive a corresponding tax deduction at the same time.
Dividends received by the participant during the restriction
period are treated as compensation income and therefore are
taxed as ordinary income to the participant and are deductible
by the Company. Dividends received after the restriction period
are treated as dividends to the participant and are not
deductible by the Company.
The participant may, under Section 83(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code, elect to report the current fair market value of
restricted shares as ordinary income in the year of grant of the
restricted shares, even though the shares of common stock are
subject to forfeiture restrictions. If a participant makes such
an election, the Company will receive an immediate tax deduction
for such fair market value of the shares in the year of grant,
but will receive no deduction for any subsequent appreciation
during or after the restriction period. In addition, if a
Section 83(b) election is made, dividends paid during or
after the restriction period will be treated as dividends to the
participant and, therefore, will not be deductible by the
Company.
In the case of restricted shares as to which no
Section 83(b) election is filed, the participants tax
basis in the shares of common stock received equals the amount
of ordinary income recognized by the participant upon the lapse
of the restrictions with respect to such shares plus any amount
paid by the participant for the shares. Upon a subsequent sale
or exchange of the shares, the amount realized by the
participant in excess of his or her tax basis will be short-term
or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the
participant has held the shares for at least one year after the
restrictions lapse. The Company will receive no additional
deduction at the time of disposition of the common stock by the
participant.
In the case of restricted shares as to which a
Section 83(b) election is made, any appreciation in the
value of the subject shares of common stock after a date of
grant will be recognized as capital gain by the participant at
such time as the participant disposes of the shares in a taxable
transaction. Any capital gain then realized will be long-term or
short-term, depending upon whether the participant has held the
shares for at least one year from the date of grant.
The deductibility by the Company of amounts recognized as
ordinary income by participants with respect to restricted
shares may be limited under certain provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code, including the $1 million deduction limit per
executive under Section 162(m) and the limit with respect
to certain payments in connection with a change in control under
Section 280G.
Vote Required
Approval of the Restricted Stock Plan will require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Polaris common stock present in person or by proxy and entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting, assuming the presence of a quorum
at the Annual Meeting (provided that the number of shares voted
in favor of the proposal constitutes more than 25% of the
outstanding shares of the Companys common stock).
Board Recommendation
Except where authority has been withheld by a shareholder, the
enclosed proxy will be voted for the approval of the Restricted
Stock Plan, as amended. The Board of Directors unanimously
recommends a vote FOR the proposal to approve the
amendments to the Restricted Stock Plan.
23
New Plan Benefits Table
Assuming shareholders approve the amendments to the Deferred
Compensation Plan and the Restricted Stock Plan at the Annual
Meeting, the following table illustrates the amounts that were
awarded under such plans for fiscal year 2004.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dollar Value($) | |
|
Number of Shares | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Deferred | |
|
Restricted Stock | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Compensation Plan | |
|
Plan | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Thomas C. Tiller,
Chief Executive Officer and President
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
Jeffrey A. Bjorkman
Vice President Operations
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
John B. Corness
Vice President Human Resources
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Michael W. Malone
Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Kenneth J. Sobaski
Vice President Sales, Marketing and Business
Development
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
All Executive Officers as a group
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
All non-executive directors as a group
|
|
$ |
443,256 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
All non-executive officer employees as a group
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders
Our shareholders have approved the Polaris Industries Inc. 1995
Stock Option Plan, the Polaris Industries Inc. 1996 Restricted
Stock Plan, the Polaris Industries Inc. Employee Stock Purchase
Plan, the Polaris Industries Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors and the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders
The Polaris Industries Inc. 1999 Broad-Based Stock Option Plan
was approved by the Board of Directors, but was not approved by
the shareholders. Neither the NYSE rules nor federal law
required shareholder approval at the time the 1999 Broad-Based
Stock Option Plan was adopted and accordingly it was not
submitted for shareholder approval.
Under the Polaris Industries Inc. 1999 Broad-Based Stock Option
Plan, each of the Companys full-time employees, and any
part-time employee who had performed at least 1,000 hours
of service prior to the date of grant, received a one-time award
of non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of Polaris
common stock. The Companys executive officers and
directors are not eligible to participate in this plan. On
April 1, 1999, an aggregate of 675,400 options were granted
under the plan, consisting of an option to each fulltime
employee to purchase 200 shares and an option to each
part-time employee to purchase 100 shares of Polaris
common stock. These grants were made at the fair market value of
Polaris common stock as of the grant date. Of the 675,400
options initially granted under the plan, an aggregate of
518,400 options vested on March 7, 2002 when the closing
price of Polaris common stock, as reported on the NYSE, was two
times the per share exercise price of such options. The Board of
Directors does not intend to grant any future options under this
plan.
24
Summary Table
The following table sets forth certain information as of
December 31, 2004, with respect to compensation plans under
which shares of Polaris common stock may be issued.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
future issuance under | |
|
|
Number of securities to | |
|
Weighted-average | |
|
equity compensation | |
|
|
be issued upon exercise of | |
|
exercise price of | |
|
plans (excluding | |
|
|
outstanding options, | |
|
outstanding options, | |
|
securities reflected in the | |
Plan Category |
|
warrants and rights | |
|
warrants and rights | |
|
first column) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity Compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
4,717,278 |
|
|
$ |
27.02 |
(1) |
|
|
2,353,153 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
79,300 |
|
|
$ |
15.78 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Total
|
|
|
4,796,578 |
|
|
$ |
26.83 |
|
|
|
2,353,153 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Does not include an aggregate of 60,833 common stock equivalents
acquired on various dates between 1995 and December 31,
2004 pursuant to the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan
for Directors at prices ranging from $10.37 to $63.18. A
director will receive one share of common stock for every common
stock equivalent held by that director upon his or her
termination of service as a member of the Board of Directors. |
25
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION INFORMATION
Executive Compensation Summary
The following table shows, for each of the last three fiscal
years, the annual compensation paid to or earned by the
Companys Chief Executive Officer and the other four most
highly compensated executive officers (the Executive
Officers) in all capacities in which they served.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Awards | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Restricted | |
|
# of | |
|
All Other | |
|
|
|
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Stock | |
|
Options | |
|
Compensation | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
($)(A) | |
|
($)(B) | |
|
($)(C) | |
|
($)(D) | |
|
(#)(E) | |
|
($)(F) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Thomas C. Tiller
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
675,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,972,500 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
94,250 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
675,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,210,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,150,750 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
91,982 |
|
|
And President
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
614,136 |
|
|
$ |
1,165,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,424,750 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
85,956 |
|
Jeffrey A. Bjorkman
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
264,423 |
|
|
$ |
220,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
$ |
26,471 |
|
|
Vice President Operations
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
249,038 |
|
|
$ |
210,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
24,202 |
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
210,863 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
$ |
21,500 |
|
John B. Corness
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
239,423 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
24,171 |
|
|
Vice President Human |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
224,231 |
|
|
$ |
189,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
21,077 |
|
|
Resources
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
204,229 |
|
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
184,363 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,712 |
|
Michael W. Malone
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
236,346 |
|
|
$ |
210,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
594,500 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
$ |
23,217 |
|
|
Vice President Finance, |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
203,076 |
|
|
$ |
173,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,904 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
184,806 |
|
|
$ |
160,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
158,147 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,490 |
|
|
and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth J. Sobaski
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
353,462 |
|
|
$ |
237,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President Sales,
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
330,769 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
91,515 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing and Business
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
$ |
307,693 |
|
|
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
210,863 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
Includes amounts deferred by the Executive Officers under the
Companys 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan and Supplemental
Retirement/ Savings Plan. |
|
(B) |
|
Profit sharing bonus payments under the company-wide profit
sharing plan or the Senior Executive Annual Incentive
Compensation Plan, as applicable, are reported for the year in
which the related services were performed. |
|
(C) |
|
The Company provides club memberships, club dues, financial
planning and tax preparation, relocation benefits, Exec-U-Care
coverage, as well as standard employee medical, dental, and
disability coverage to its Executive Officers. The value of all
Other Annual Compensation is less than the minimum
of $50,000 or 10% of the total cash compensation for each person
reported above, except for Mr. Sobaski who in 2003 received
a one-time relocation payment of $39,659 and a medical
reimbursement payment of $49,775 under the Exec-U-Care coverage. |
|
(D) |
|
The Company granted restricted stock awards to employees
(including the Executive Officers) in 2002 and 2003. Restricted
stock awards in 2004 were limited to those made under
Mr. Tillers employment agreement and a discretionary
grant made by the Compensation Committee to Mr. Malone to
acknowledge superior, long-term contributions to the
Companys performance. All restricted stock awards were
approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors, were granted in accordance with the Companys
1996 Restricted Stock Plan and will vest only upon the
achievement by the Company of certain compounded earnings growth
targets over a three- or four-year period. The amounts shown in
this column were calculated by multiplying the closing market
price of Polaris common stock on the date of grant by the
number of shares granted. An aggregate of 160,000 restricted
shares become freely tradeable only upon the Company achieving
certain compounded earnings growth targets and an aggregate of
26,820 restricted shares become freely tradeable three years
after the date of issuance provided that the holder continues to
be an employee of the Company. The total number and value of
restricted stock holdings as of December 31, 2004 (the last
trading day of calendar year 2004), calculated by multiplying
the closing market price of Polaris common stock on
December 31, 2004 of $68.02 per share by the number of
restricted shares held, for the named officers are as follows:
Messrs. Tiller, 150,000, $10,203,000; Bjorkman, 7,400,
$503,348; Corness, 6,470, $440,089; Malone, 15,550, $1,057,711
and Sobaski, 7,400, $503,348. |
26
|
|
|
(E) |
|
The Company granted stock options to employees (including the
Executive Officers) in 2002, 2003 and 2004. All stock option
grants were approved by the appropriate committee of the Board
of Directors and granted in accordance with the Companys
1995 Stock Option Plan. |
|
(F) |
|
Consists of Company matching contributions to the Polaris 401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan and Supplemental Retirement/ Savings
Plan. The Supplemental Retirement/ Savings Plan began
July 1, 1995 and is a nonqualified plan which mirrors the
Polaris 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan without the Internal
Revenue Service contribution limitations. The Executive Officers
each received $13,000 in matching contributions to the Polaris
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan during 2004, except for
Mr. Sobaski. The Supplemental Retirement/ Savings Plan
contributions during 2004 were $81,250, $13,471, $11,171 and
$10,217, respectively, for Messrs. Tiller, Bjorkman,
Corness, and Malone. |
The Company does not maintain any defined benefit or actuarial
pension plan under which benefits are determined primarily by
final compensation and years of service.
Option Grants in 2004
The following table shows all options to purchase Polaris common
stock granted in 2004 to each of our Executive Officers named in
the Summary Compensation Table and the potential value of such
grants at stock price appreciation rates of 5% and 10%,
compounded annually over the maximum ten-year term of the
options. The 5% and 10% rates of appreciation are required to be
disclosed by SEC rules and are not intended to forecast possible
future appreciation, if any, in our stock price. The actual
future value of the options will depend on the market value of
the Companys common stock.
OPTION GRANTS DURING 2004 AND
ASSUMED POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Grants | |
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates of | |
|
|
|
|
% of Total Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price Appreciation for | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Option Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted(A) | |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
($/Share) | |
|
Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Thomas C. Tiller
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
16.76 |
% |
|
$ |
59.45 |
|
|
|
11/1/2014 |
|
|
$ |
3,738,779 |
|
|
$ |
9,474,799 |
|
Jeffrey A. Bjorkman
|
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
|
2.93 |
% |
|
$ |
59.45 |
|
|
|
11/1/2014 |
|
|
$ |
654,286 |
|
|
$ |
1,658,090 |
|
John B. Corness
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
2.35 |
% |
|
$ |
59.45 |
|
|
|
11/1/2014 |
|
|
$ |
523,429 |
|
|
$ |
1,326,472 |
|
Michael W. Malone
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
2.68 |
% |
|
$ |
59.45 |
|
|
|
11/1/2014 |
|
|
$ |
598,205 |
|
|
$ |
1,515,968 |
|
Kenneth J. Sobaski
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
2.01 |
% |
|
$ |
59.45 |
|
|
|
11/1/2014 |
|
|
$ |
448,653 |
|
|
$ |
1,136,976 |
|
|
|
(A) |
The options were granted at an exercise price based on $59.45,
the closing price of the Companys common stock on the
grant date. All of the options become exercisable on
November 1, 2007, the third anniversary of the date of
grant. |
27
Option Exercises and Values for 2004
The following table gives information for options exercised by
each of the Executive Officers in 2004 and the value (stock
price less exercise price) of the remaining options held by
those Executive Officers at year-end measured in terms of the
closing price of Polaris common stock on December 31, 2004,
the last trading day of the year.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES DURING 2004 AND
OPTION VALUES ON DECEMBER 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of In-the-Money | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Covered by | |
|
Outstanding Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Options | |
|
12/31/04 (A) | |
|
|
Shares Covered | |
|
Gain at | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
by Exercises | |
|
Exercise Date | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Thomas C. Tiller
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
89,671,875 |
|
|
$ |
7,310,000 |
|
Jeffrey A. Bjorkman
|
|
|
35,364 |
|
|
$ |
1,375,244 |
|
|
|
29,436 |
|
|
|
53,500 |
|
|
$ |
1,472,825 |
|
|
$ |
1,282,475 |
|
John B. Corness
|
|
|
18,400 |
|
|
$ |
767,789 |
|
|
|
39,600 |
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,992,138 |
|
|
$ |
1,048,405 |
|
Michael W. Malone
|
|
|
16,430 |
|
|
$ |
773,068 |
|
|
|
17,624 |
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
$ |
898,804 |
|
|
$ |
986,495 |
|
Kenneth J. Sobaski
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
44,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,761,200 |
|
|
$ |
1,135,320 |
|
|
|
(A) |
For purposes of this column, the value of unexercised options
means the difference between the option exercise price and the
market value of the underlying shares based on $68.02, the
closing price for the Companys common stock on
December 31, 2004. As used in this column, an option was
in-the-money on December 31, 2004 if the option exercise
price is less than the market value of the underlying shares
based on the closing price for the Companys common stock
on that date. |
Employment, Termination and Change in Control Agreements
|
|
|
Agreement with Mr. Tiller |
Mr. Tiller and Polaris entered into an employment agreement
effective January 1, 2005, which replaced all prior
agreements, except for his Change of Control Agreement dated
April 1, 1998, which remains in effect. The employment
agreement provides that Mr. Tiller will continue to be
employed as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company
through at least December 31, 2006. Mr. Tillers
agreement provides for:
|
|
|
|
|
an annual base salary of at least $750,000, which may, at the
discretion of the Board of Directors, be increased during the
term of his employment; |
|
|
|
an opportunity to earn an annual bonus under the Companys
Senior Executive Annual Incentive Compensation Plan based upon
the attainment of certain financial goals established by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
a stock option to purchase 215,000 shares of the
Companys common stock under the Companys 1995 Stock
Option Plan at an exercise price of $67.50, the fair market
value of such stock on the date of grant, which option will vest
on December 31, 2006 and is intended to be in lieu of any
annual grant of stock options when such grants are made to other
executives of the Company; |
|
|
|
a performance restricted share award for 33,000 shares of
the Companys common stock under the Companys 1996
Restricted Stock Plan, which restricted share award will vest
upon the achievement of certain compounded earnings growth
targets on the second or third anniversary of the award
date; and |
|
|
|
the opportunity to participate in the Companys benefit
programs and receive the perquisites made available by the
Company to its executive officers, including without limitation,
medical, dental and life insurance coverage, financial planning
and tax preparation services, 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan and
Supplemental Retirement/Savings Plan and a country club
membership. |
28
If Mr. Tillers employment terminates as a result of
his death or disability, he or his designated beneficiaries, as
appropriate, will receive payments equal to (i) his base
salary earned through the date of termination payable when such
salary would customarily be paid; (ii) a pro rata bonus
payment for the year of termination based on the average of the
annual bonuses paid or payable to him for the two calendar years
preceding the year in which the termination occurs payable when
bonuses for such period are customarily paid; and (iii) any
annual bonus for a preceding year that remains unpaid at the
time of termination payable when such bonuses are paid to other
executives of the Company. In addition, all of his outstanding
stock options and restricted share awards will vest immediately.
If Mr. Tillers employment is terminated by the
Company for cause or by him without good reason, he will receive
(i) his base salary earned through the date of termination
payable when such salary would customarily be paid; and
(ii) any annual bonus for a preceding year that remains
unpaid at the time of termination payable when such bonuses are
paid to other executives of the Company. Upon termination under
these circumstances, all stock options and unvested restricted
share awards will terminate immediately and he may purchase
health insurance under the Companys then existing health
insurance plan in accordance with applicable government
requirements.
If Mr. Tillers employment is terminated by the
Company without cause or by him for good reason, he will receive
payments equal to (i) his base salary earned through the
date of termination payable when such salary would customarily
be paid; (ii) a pro rata bonus payment for the year of
termination based on the average of the annual bonuses paid or
payable to him for the two calendar years preceding the year in
which the termination occurs payable when bonuses for such
period are customarily paid; (iii) his base salary as then
in effect for a two-year period, payable in monthly installments
at the times such base salary would customarily be paid;
(iv) a pro rata bonus payment in each of the two years
following termination based on the average of the annual bonuses
paid or payable to him for the two calendar years preceding the
year in which the termination occurs payable when the annual
bonuses for such years are paid; and (v) any annual bonus
for a preceding year that remains unpaid at the time of
termination payable when such bonuses are paid to other
executives of the Company. In addition, the Company will provide
him with medical and dental insurance coverage for a period
ending on the earlier of the second anniversary of the date of
termination or the date on which another employer employs him.
Any stock options and restricted share awards that would, by
their terms, vest on or before the first anniversary of the date
of termination will vest immediately, and in the case of stock
options, be exercisable until the first anniversary of the date
of termination.
Under his employment agreement, Mr. Tiller has agreed not
to engage in competitive activities for a period of two years
following his termination of employment.
|
|
|
Change in Control Agreements |
The Company has entered into change in control agreements (the
Agreements) with the Executive Officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table which become effective only upon a
Change in Control (as defined in the Agreements). If upon or
within 24 months after a Change in Control, any of the
Executive Officers terminates his employment for Good Reason or
such employees employment is terminated without Cause (as
such terms are defined in the Agreements), he will be entitled
to all accrued but unpaid compensation and benefits and a
lump-sum cash payment equal to two times his average annual cash
compensation (including cash bonuses, but excluding the award or
exercise of stock options or stock grants) for the three fiscal
years (or lesser number of years if such employees
employment has been of shorter duration) of the Company
immediately preceding such termination. If such termination
occurs before a cash bonus for any preceding fiscal year has
been paid, the Company is required to pay to the employee the
amount of the employees cash bonus for such preceding
fiscal year as soon as it is determinable and such amount is to
be included in the determination of the payment to be made
pursuant to the Agreement. No cash bonus shall be paid for any
part of the fiscal year in which the termination occurs.
29
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter
adopted by the Companys Board of Directors. The
Compensation Committee assists the Board in, among other things,
establishing a philosophy and policies regarding executive
compensation, providing oversight to the administration of the
Companys executive compensation programs and reviewing the
compensation of executive officers and senior management. The
Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors and is
advised by an independent consultant retained by the
Compensation Committee.
Executive Compensation Philosophy
Polaris executive total compensation program is designed
to attract and retain highly qualified executives and to
motivate them to maximize shareholder returns by achieving
aggressive goals. The program is designed to:
|
|
|
|
|
Link executives incentive goals with the interests of Polaris
shareholders. |
|
|
|
Tie executives compensation directly to the Companys
performance. A significant portion of each executives
compensation is dependent upon achieving business and financial
goals and upon stock price appreciation. |
|
|
|
Support the Companys business plans and long-term goals. |
Compensation Components
Polaris utilizes two primary components in designing a
compensation system appropriate to the needs of the Company and
its shareholders:
|
|
|
1. Annual Compensation: This component includes base
salary and cash-based incentive awards. Base salaries are
addressed within the context of competitive compensation levels
supported by analysis by the Committees independent
consultant and the total compensation system. Polaris awards
annual incentives based on the achievement of performance
criteria established for a specific year by the Compensation
Committee either under the Polaris profit sharing plan or, in
the case of the Companys senior executives, under the
Companys Senior Executive Annual Incentive Compensation
Plan, a performance based plan established by the Committee and
approved by Polaris shareholders in 2004. Each executive has a
bonus target expressed as a percentage of base salary based on
the individuals level of responsibility. The Committee
also has discretion to provide less than target awards based on
individual performance. Payments under this plan for 2004
performance were based upon earnings per share growth. The
Compensation Committee has also determined that payments under
the plan for 2005 performance will be based upon earnings per
share growth. |
|
|
2. Long-Term Compensation: This component includes
stock options, restricted stock and longer-term cash-based
incentive awards. Options issued by the Company have an exercise
price of no less than fair market value on the date of award and
generally vest three years from the date of grant. The Committee
currently makes restricted share awards in connection with
promotions or outstanding performance, hiring new executives and
extending existing employment arrangements. Restricted share
awards generally vest only upon the attainment of certain
financial metrics. Polaris Chief Financial Officer was
granted 10,000 restricted shares in 2004 for his consistent high
performance and his competitive position compared to similar
positions in the established comparative company group. Polaris
executives (other than its Chief Executive Officer) and
employees generally are eligible to earn long-term cash-based
incentive awards through participation in Polaris Long
Term Incentive Plan, which was established by the Committee and
approved by Polaris shareholders in 2004. Awards are determined
by financial performance measured against financial benchmarks
determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee has established earnings per share growth and revenue
growth benchmarks that will determine awards earned under the
plan for the two three-year cycles ending December 31, 2006
and 2007, respectively. At the beginning of the plan cycle,
participants choose how they would like their payout to be
calculated: (1) cash value at the time of award; or
(2) cash value tied |
30
|
|
|
to Polaris stock price movement over the 3-year plan. The
ultimate value of the long-term compensation component depends
on Company performance, in most instances as measured against
objectives set by the Compensation Committee, and/or future
stock price appreciation. |
Factors Considered in Determining Compensation
The Compensation Committee intends that, in order to attract and
retain talented individuals, the compensation of Polaris
executives be competitive with other companies in its comparable
market. On an annual basis, the Committee reviews competitive
compensation levels based upon a report compiled by the
Committees consultant that includes comparative
compensation data from a survey of a group of companies
determined by the consultant and the Committee to be relevant
for executive compensation comparison purposes. In 2004, the
survey group included 63 companies, primarily in the
manufacturing industry, with sales ranging from $1 billion
to $4 billion. The consultants report addresses all
aspects and components of compensation and compares and
contrasts Polaris executive compensation with the
compensation of similarly situated executives at the companies
within the survey group. In its annual review, the Committee and
its consultant take into consideration differences in the size
and success of the companies surveyed and any material
differences in performance, responsibilities and authority
between and among Polaris executives and executives at the
various companies within the survey group for purposes of
determining executive compensation. Utilizing the information
provided by its compensation consultant, the Committee conducts
its own review of various parts of the compensation program and
an assessment of skills, experience and achievements of
individual executives to determine the compensation targets of
Company officers as a group and individually. The Committee
approves any changes to the compensation of Company officers
including base salary, annual incentive payments, stock options,
restricted stock and long-term cash incentive awards.
An objective of Polaris executive compensation program is
to approximate over time the survey groups median
compensation, adjusted for company size and performance and to
pay higher than the median compensation if Polaris outperforms
comparable companies and an executive contributes meaningfully
to that performance. In 2004, Polaris executive salaries,
annual incentive and long term incentive awards were consistent
with this goal.
The Committee also considers the tax deductibility to Polaris of
compensation paid to its executives. Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code generally provides that a publicly held
corporation will not be entitled to deduct for federal income
tax purposes compensation paid to either its chief executive
officer or any of its four other most highly compensated
executive officers in excess of $1 million in any year if
that compensation is not performance related. Compensation based
upon Company performance is not subject to the deduction limit
if certain requirements are met. In 2004, the Company was not
entitled to deduct a portion of the compensation resulting from
the vesting of certain restricted share awards granted to the
Chief Executive Officer in 2000 and 2001 and the annual profit
sharing bonuses paid to certain executive officers under
Polaris company-wide profit sharing plan because that plan
does not meet Section 162(m)s requirement that
bonuses be payable solely on account of attainment of one
or more performance goals. In April 2004, shareholders
approved Polaris Senior Executive Annual Incentive
Compensation Plan and its Long Term Incentive Plan. Senior
executives of the Company, to whom Section 162(m) is
applicable, now participate in the Senior Executive Annual
Incentive Compensation Plan in lieu of the company-wide profit
sharing plan. Awards under both plans approved by shareholders
in 2004 would meet the requirements of Section 162(m) and
be tax deductible to the Company. Additionally, future grants
under the Companys stock based compensation programs,
including stock option and restricted stock programs, are
expected to be performance based for purposes of
Section 162(m).
31
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
The executive compensation philosophy and factors in determining
compensation described above also apply to the compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer except that the Chief Executive
Officer is not eligible for the long term cash-based incentive
plan that was established in 2004.
Pursuant to an employment agreement effective January 1,
2005, Mr. Tillers base salary is $750,000 per
year. From November 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004
Mr. Tillers base salary was $675,000. In addition to
this base salary, the benefits and perquisites paid or made
available to Mr. Tiller during 2004 and under his new
contract include club memberships, club dues, financial planning
and tax preparation, Exec-U-Care in addition to standard
employee medical and dental benefits, 401(k) Retirement Savings
Plan participation augmented by the Supplemental
Retirement/Savings Plan, which is designed to mirror the 401(k)
Retirement Savings Plan. In addition, Mr. Tillers
compensation is in excess of the limitation in effect under
Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code, which
limits contributions to 401(k) retirement plans. Therefore, he,
and other similarly situated employees of the Company, are
eligible to make contributions of deferred income to the
Supplemental Retirement/Savings Plan. This plan allows him to
make contributions above the IRS annual limits on 401(k)
contributions. His contributions are matched by the Company and
are limited to the Company match on his 401(k) contributions. In
2004 Mr. Tiller and the Company each contributed $81,000 to
the plan.
In accordance with the established Senior Executive Annual
Incentive Compensation Plan, Mr. Tiller was awarded
$1,350,000 in February 2005 for his 2004 performance. The
specific amount of Mr. Tillers award was determined
by the achievement of certain pre-established earnings per share
benchmarks. The Compensation Committee considered the
Companys high quality earnings, the strength of its
balance sheet, growth initiatives, high productivity and
consistent financial growth and strong leadership in determining
to pay the full award available based on the Companys
actual performance as measured against the benchmarks contained
in the payout matrix established at the beginning of the year.
The award is consistent with the executive compensation
philosophy to approximate the median compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer in the comparative companies, adjusted for
comparative company size and performance and to pay above the
median when the Company performance warrants it. In 2004,
Mr. Tiller led Polaris to 14% sales from continuing
operations growth, 14% earnings per share from continuing
operations growth and 57% shareholder return as the result of an
appreciation in stock price and dividend payments.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Tiller was
granted 100,000 stock options with an exercise price of $59.45
and awarded 50,000 restricted shares in November 2004. Both the
stock option grant and the restricted share award are considered
performance based for purposes of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The stock options were granted in
accordance with the Companys 1995 Stock Option Plan and
vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The
restricted share awards were granted in accordance with the
Companys 1996 Restricted Stock Plan and the restricted
shares of common stock granted thereunder become freely
tradeable only upon the Company achieving certain compounded
earnings growth targets within a three or four year period.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
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William E. Fruhan, Chair |
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Andris A. Baltins |
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Richard A. Zona |
32
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below compares the five-year cumulative total return
to shareholders (stock price appreciation plus reinvested
dividends) for the Companys common stock with the
comparable cumulative return of two indexes: Russell 2000 Index
and CoreData Groups Recreational Vehicles Industry Group
Index. The graph assumes the investment of $100 on
January 1, 2000 in common stock of the Company and in each
of the indexes, and the reinvestment of all dividends. Points on
the graph represent the performance as of the last business day
of each of the years indicated.
Comparison of 5-Year Cumulative Total Return Among
Polaris Industries Inc., Russell 2000 Index and Recreational
Vehicles Index
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At December 31 | |
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1999 | |
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2000 | |
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2001 | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2004 | |
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Polaris Industries Inc.
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
112.74 |
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$ |
167.51 |
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$ |
172.91 |
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$ |
266.46 |
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$ |
417.29 |
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Recreational Vehicles Index
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100 |
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113.65 |
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156.91 |
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141.71 |
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163.91 |
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211.18 |
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Russell 2000 Index
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100 |
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95.68 |
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96.66 |
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75.80 |
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110.19 |
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129.47 |
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Assumes $100 Invested on January 1, 2000
Assumes Dividend Reinvested
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004
Source: CoreData Group
OTHER MATTERS
The Board is not aware of any matters that are expected to come
before the 2005 Annual Meeting other than those referred to in
this Proxy Statement. If any other matter should come before the
Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy
intend to vote the proxies in accordance with their best
judgment.
33
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS
Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, if a
shareholder wants us to include a proposal in our proxy
statement and form of proxy for presentation at our 2006 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders the proposal must be submitted in
writing and received by the Secretary of the Company at our
principal executive offices by November 4, 2005. If a
shareholder intends to introduce an item of business at the 2006
Annual Meeting, without including the proposal in the proxy
statement, the Company must receive notice of that intention no
later than January 18, 2006. If we do not receive a notice
by January 18, 2006, the persons named as proxies in the
proxy materials relating to the 2006 Annual Meeting will use
their discretion in voting the proxies when these matters are
raised at the meeting.
If a shareholder wishes to have the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee consider a candidate for nomination as a
director, the notice of nomination must be submitted in writing
and received by the Secretary of the Company at our principal
executive offices by November 4, 2005. The notice given by
a shareholder who proposes a candidate for nomination must
include (i) the submitting shareholders name and
address, (ii) a signed statement as to the submitting
shareholders current status as a shareholder, the number
of shares currently owned and the length of such ownership;
(iii) the name of the candidate and a resume or a listing
of the candidates qualifications to be a director, and
(iv) a document evidencing the candidates willingness
to serve as a director if selected by the Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee and nominated by the Board of Directors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A copy of the Annual Report of the Company for the year ended
December 31, 2004 is being sent to shareholders with this
Proxy Statement. A copy of the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is included
as a part of the Annual Report being sent to shareholders with
this Proxy Statement.
Additional copies of the Annual Report, the Notice of Annual
Meeting, this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy may be
obtained from Michael W. Malone, the Vice President-Finance,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company. Copies of
exhibits to Form 10-K may be obtained upon payment to the
Company of the reasonable expense incurred in providing such
exhibits.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Michael W. Malone |
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Vice President Finance, |
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Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
34
ANNEX A
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORS
Section 1. Introduction
1.1 Establishment. Polaris
Industries Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the
Company), hereby establishes the Polaris Industries
Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (the
Plan) for those directors of the Company who are
neither officers nor employees of the Company. The Plan provides
(i) for the grant of awards in the form of Common Stock
Equivalents to Directors and (ii) the opportunity for
Directors to defer receipt of all or a part of their cash
compensation and thereby be credited with additional Common
Stock Equivalents.
1.2 Purposes. The purposes
of the Plan are to align the interests of Directors more closely
with the interests of other shareholders of the Company, to
encourage the highest level of Director performance by providing
the Directors with a direct interest in the Companys
attainment of its financial goals, and to provide a financial
incentive that will help attract and retain the most qualified
Directors.
1.3 Effective Date. This
Plan was originally effective as of January 26, 1995, the
date of its initial approval by the Board of Directors. The Plan
was amended and restated by the Board of Directors as of
January 20, 2005.
Section 2. Definitions
2.1 Definitions. The
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
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(a) Board means the Board of Directors of the
Company. |
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(b) Change in Control means any of the events
set forth below: |
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(i) The acquisition in one or more transactions, other than
from the Company, by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act
of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of a number of voting
securities of the Company in excess of 30% of the voting
securities of the Company unless such acquisition has been
approved by the Board; or |
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(ii) Any election has occurred of persons to the Board that
causes two-thirds of the Board to consist of persons other than
(A) persons who were members of the Board on the effective
date of the Plan and (B) persons who were nominated for
elections as members of the Board at a time when two-thirds of
the Board consisted of persons who were members of the Board on
the effective date of the Plan; provided, however, that any
person nominated for election by a Board at least two-thirds of
whom constituted persons described in
clauses (A) and/or (B) or by persons who were
themselves nominated by such Board shall, for this purpose, be
deemed to have been nominated by a Board composed of persons
described in clause (A); or |
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(iii) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, unless, following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, all or substantially
all of the individuals and entities who were the respective
beneficial owners of the voting securities of the Company
immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, following such reorganization, merger or
consolidation beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more
than 60% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors of the entity resulting from such reorganization,
merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportion as
their ownership of the voting securities of the Company
immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, as the case may be; or |
A-1
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(iv) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of
(i) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or
(ii) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all the assets of the Company. |
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(c) Committee means the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors of the Company or such other committee
of the Board as the Board may designate. |
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(d) Common Stock Equivalent means a
hypothetical share of Stock which shall have a value on any date
equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on that
date. |
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(e) Common Stock Equivalent Award means an
award of Common Stock Equivalents granted to a Director pursuant
to Section 5.1 of the Plan. |
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(f) Deferred Stock Account means the
bookkeeping account established by the Company in respect to
each Director pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof and to which
shall be credited Common Stock Equivalents pursuant to the Plan. |
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(g) Director means a member of the Board who is
neither an officer nor an employee of the Company. For purposes
of the Plan, an employee is an individual whose wages are
subject to the withholding of federal income tax under
section 3401 of the Internal Revenue Code, and an officer
is an individual elected or appointed by the Board or chosen in
such other manner as may be prescribed in the Bylaws of the
Company to serve as such. |
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(h) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. |
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(i) Fair Market Value means as of any
applicable date: (i) if the Stock is listed on a national
securities exchange or is authorized for quotation on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.s NASDAQ
National Market System (NASDAQ/ NMS), the closing
price, regular way, of the Stock on such exchange or NASDAQ/
NMS, as the case may be, or if no such reported sale of the
Stock shall have occurred on such date, on the next preceding
date on which there was such a reported sale; or (ii) if
the Stock is not listed for trading on a national securities
exchange or authorized for quotation on NASDAQ/ NMS, the closing
bid price as reported by the National Association of Securities
Dealers Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ), or if
no such prices shall have been so reported for such date, on the
next preceding date for which such prices were so reported; or
(iii) if the Stock is not listed for trading on a national
securities exchange or authorized for quotation on NASDAQ, the
last reported bid price published in the pink sheets
or displayed on the NASD Electronic Bulletin Board, as the
case may be; or (iv) if the Stock is not listed for trading
on a national securities exchange, or is not authorized for
quotation on the NASD Electronic Bulletin Board, the Fair
Market Value of the Stock as determined in good faith by the
Committee. |
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(j) Internal Revenue Code means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. |
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(k) Stock means the $.01 par value common
stock of the Company. |
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(l) Quarterly Payment Date means each of the
four dates each year on which the Company pays retainer fees to
Directors. |
2.2 Gender and Number.
Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the masculine
gender shall also include the feminine gender, and the
definitions of any term herein in the singular shall also
include the plural.
Section 3. Plan
Administration
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the
limitations of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and
complete authority: (i) to impose such limitations,
restrictions and conditions upon such awards as it shall deem
appropriate, (ii) to interpret the Plan and to adopt, amend
and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and
regulations relating to the Plan and (iii) to make all
other determinations and to take all other actions necessary or
advisable for the implementation and administration
A-2
of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall
have no authority, discretion or power to select the Directors
who will receive awards pursuant to the Plan, determine the
awards to be granted pursuant to the Plan, the number of shares
of Stock to be issued thereunder or the time at which such
awards are to be granted, established the duration and nature of
awards or alter any other terms or conditions specified in the
Plan, except in the sense of administering the Plan subject to
the provisions of the Plan. The determinations of the Committee
on matters within its authority shall be conclusive and binding
upon the Company and other persons. The Committee may delegate
such of its powers and authority under the Plan as it deems
appropriate to designated officers or employees of the Company.
The Plan shall be interpreted and implemented in a manner so
that Directors will not fail, by reason of the Plan or its
implementation, to be disinterested persons within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under Section 16 of the
Exchange Act, as such rule may be amended.
Section 4. Stock
Subject to the Plan
4.1 Number of Shares. There
shall be authorized for issuance under the Plan in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan 200,000 shares of Stock.
This authorization may be increased from time to time by
approval of the Board and by the shareholders of the Company if
such shareholder approval is required. The Company shall at all
times during the term of the Plan retain as authorized and
unissued Stock at least the number of shares from time to time
required under the provisions of the Plan, or otherwise assure
itself of its ability to perform its obligations hereunder. The
shares of Stock issuable hereunder shall be authorized and
unissued shares or previously issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock reacquired by the Company.
4.2 Other Shares of Stock.
Any shares of Stock that are subject to a Common Stock
Equivalent and for any reason are not issued to a Director shall
automatically become available again for use under the Plan.
4.3 Adjustments upon Changes in
Stock. If there shall be any change in the Stock of the
Company, through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, spinoff, split
up, dividend in kind or other change in the corporate structure
or distribution to the shareholders, appropriate adjustments
shall be made by the Committee (or if the Company is not the
surviving corporation in any such transaction, the board of
directors of the surviving corporation) in the aggregate number
and kind of shares subject to the Plan, and the number and kind
of shares which may be issued under the Plan. Appropriate
adjustments may also be made by the Committee in the terms of
Common Stock Equivalents under the Plan to reflect such changes
and to modify any other terms of outstanding awards on an
equitable basis as the Committee in its discretion determines.
Section 5. Common
Stock Equivalent Awards
5.1 Grants of Common Stock
Equivalent Awards. Common Stock Equivalents having a Fair
Market Value on the date of grant equal to $1,250 shall be
granted automatically, as of each Quarterly Payment Date, to
each Director who is entitled to receive a retainer fee on such
date; provided, however, that in the case of the first Quarterly
Payment Date applicable to any person who is a Director on the
date the Plan becomes effective, $3,750 shall be substituted for
$1,250 in the foregoing provision. If a person becomes a member
of the Board between Quarterly Payment Dates, whether by action
of the shareholders of the Company or the Board, such person
shall be granted automatically, as of the date his or her Board
service commences, a pro rata Common Stock Equivalent Award
equal to a full Award (determined pursuant to the immediately
preceding sentence as if the date such Director began serving on
the Board was a Quarterly Payment Date) multiplied by a fraction
(not in excess of 1.0), the numerator of which is the number of
days during the period beginning with the date upon which such
Director commences Board service and ending with the next
following Quarterly Payment Date, and the denominator of which
is the total number of days during the period beginning on the
Quarterly Payment Date immediately preceding the commencement of
Board service by the Director and ending on the next following
Quarterly Payment Date.
5.2 Deferral Elections. A
Director may elect to defer receipt of all or a specified
portion of the annual retainer, chair and/or meeting fees
otherwise payable in cash to the Director for serving on the
Board or any committee thereof. A Director may make the
elections permitted hereunder by giving written notice to the
Company in a form approved by the Committee. The notice shall
include: (i) the percentage of chair and/or
A-3
meeting fees or annual retainer to be deferred, and
(ii) the time as of which deferral is to commence. Amounts
deferred by a Director pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall
be converted into Common Stock Equivalents in accordance with
Section 5.4.
5.3 Time For Electing
Deferral. Any election to defer annual retainer, chair
and/or meeting fees shall be made prior to the date such fees
are earned by the Director. Any subsequent election to
(i) alter the portion of such amounts deferred or
(ii) revoke an election to defer such amounts, must be made
no later than six months prior to the time such compensation is
earned by the Director and credited to the Directors
Deferred Stock Account pursuant to Section 5.4 hereof.
5.4 Deferred Stock Accounts.
A Deferred Stock Account shall be established for each Director.
Fees deferred by a Director shall be credited to such Account as
of the date such amounts would have otherwise been paid in cash
to the Director, and shall be converted, based on Fair Market
Value as of the date such amounts would have otherwise been paid
in cash to the Director, into additional Common Stock
Equivalents. A Directors Deferred Stock Account shall also
be credited with dividends and other distributions pursuant to
Section 5.5.
5.5 Hypothetical Dividends on
Common Stock Equivalents. Dividends and other distributions
on Common Stock Equivalents shall be deemed to have been paid as
if such Common Stock Equivalents were actual shares of Stock
issued and outstanding on the respective record or distribution
dates. Common Stock Equivalents shall be credited to the
Deferred Stock Account in respect of cash dividends and any
other securities or property issued on the Stock in connection
with reclassifications, spinoffs and the like on the basis of
the value of the dividend or other asset distributed and the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock Equivalents on the date of
the announcement of the dividend or asset distribution, all at
the same time and in the same amount as dividends or other
distributions are paid or issued on the Stock. Fractional shares
shall be credited to a Directors Deferred Stock Account
cumulatively but the balance of shares of Common Stock
Equivalents in a Directors Deferred Stock Account shall be
rounded to the next highest whole share for any payment to such
Director pursuant to Section 5.7 hereof.
5.6 Statement of Accounts. A
statement will be sent to each Director as to the balance of his
or her Deferred Stock Account at least once each calendar year.
5.7 Payment of Accounts. A
Director shall receive a distribution of his or her Deferred
Stock Account as soon as practicable following his or her
termination of services as a Director. Such distribution shall
consist of one share of Stock for each Common Stock Equivalent
credited to such Directors Deferred Stock Account as of
the Quarterly Payment Date immediately preceding the date of
distribution.
5.8 Payments to A Deceased
Directors Estate. In the event of a Directors
death before the balance of his or her Deferred Stock Account is
fully paid to him, payment of the balance of the Directors
Deferred Stock Account shall then be made to his estate in the
time and manner selected by the Committee in the absence of a
designation of a beneficiary pursuant to Section 5.9
hereof. The Committee may take into account the application of
any duly appointed administrator or executor of a
Directors estate and direct that the balance of the
Directors Deferred Stock Account be paid to his estate in
the manner requested by such application.
5.9 Designation of
Beneficiary. A Director may designate a beneficiary on a
form approved by the Committee.
5.10 Change in Control.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, in
the event a Change in Control of the Company occurs, within ten
(10) days of the date of such Change in Control, each
Director shall receive a lump sum distribution in cash equal to
the value of all Common Stock Equivalents credited to such
Directors Deferred Stock Account as of the Quarterly
Payment Date immediately preceding the date of distribution
(based upon the highest Fair Market Value during the
30 days immediately preceding the Change in Control).
A-4
Section 6. Assignability
The right to receive payments or distributions hereunder shall
not be transferable or assignable by a Director other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Section 7. Plan
Termination, Amendment and Modification
The Plan shall automatically terminate at the close of business
on May 31, 2010 unless sooner terminated by the Board. The
Board may at any time terminate, and from time to time may amend
or modify the Plan, provided, however, that no amendment or
modification may become effective without approval of the
amendment or modification by the shareholders if shareholder
approval is required to enable the Plan to satisfy any
applicable statutory or regulatory requirements.
Section 8. Governing
Law
The Plan and all agreements hereunder shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of
Minnesota.
A-5
ANNEX B
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN
ARTICLE I.
PURPOSE AND ADOPTION OF
THE PLAN
1.01 Purpose. The purpose of
the Polaris Industries Inc. Restricted Stock Plan is to assist
the Corporation and its subsidiaries in attracting, retaining
and motivating selected key management employees, consultants
and independent contractors who will contribute to the
Corporations success. The Plan is intended to link the
remunerative benefits paid to eligible employees, consultants
and independent contractors who have substantial responsibility
for the successful operation, administration and management of
the Corporation with the enhancement of shareholder value and to
provide eligible employees, consultants and independent
contractors with an opportunity to acquire a greater proprietary
interest in the Corporation through the grant of restricted
shares of Stock which, in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth below, will vest only if the participants
meet the vesting criteria established by the Committee. Awards
under the Plan will act as an incentive to participants to
achieve long-term objectives which will inure to the benefit of
all shareholders of the Corporation. The Plan authorizes awards
intended to qualify as performance-based for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, as well as awards that may not so qualify.
1.02 Adoption and Effective
Date. The Plan was originally adopted as the Polaris
Industries Inc. 1996 Restricted Stock Plan (the 1996
Plan) effective as of January 25, 1996. The 1996 Plan
was amended and restated by the Board as of January 18,
2001. This Plan is an amendment and restatement of the 1996
Plan, as amended, effective January 20, 2005. The Plan has
been renamed the Polaris Industries Inc. Restricted Stock
Plan.
ARTICLE II.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Plan, the capitalized terms set forth below
shall have the following meanings:
2.01 Award Agreement means a
written agreement between the Corporation and a Participant
specifically setting forth the terms and conditions of an award
of Restricted Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to
Article V of the Plan.
2.02 Board means the Board
of Directors of the Corporation.
2.03 Business Day means any
day on which the New York Stock Exchange shall be open for
trading.
2.04 Cause means a
determination by the Committee that a Participant has engaged in
conduct that is dishonest or illegal, involves moral turpitude
or jeopardizes the Corporations right to operate its
business in the manner in which it is now operated.
2.05 Change in Control means
any of the events set forth below:
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(a) Any election has occurred of persons to the Board that
causes at least one-half of the Board to consist of persons
other than (x) persons who were members of the Board on
January 1, 1996 and (y) persons who were nominated for
election by the Board as members of the Board at a time when
more than one-half of the members of the Board consisted of
persons who were members of the Board on January 1, 1996;
provided, however, that any person nominated for election by the
Board at a time when at least one-half of the members of the
Board were persons described in clauses (x) and/or
(y) or by persons who were themselves nominated by such
Board shall, for this purpose, be deemed to have been |
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nominated by a Board composed of persons described in
clause (x) (persons described or deemed described in
clauses (x) and/or (y) are referred to herein as
Incumbent Directors); or |
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(b) The acquisition in one or more transactions, other than
from the Corporation, by any individual, entity or group (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of a number
of Corporation Voting Securities equal to or greater than 35% of
the Corporation Voting Securities unless such acquisition has
been approved by the Incumbent Directors as an acquisition not
constituting a Change in Control for purposes hereof; or |
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(c) Any of the following: (x) a liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation; (y) a reorganization,
merger or consolidation of the Corporation unless, following
such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (A) the
Corporation is the surviving entity resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation or (B) at least
one-half of the Board of the entity resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation consists of Incumbent
Directors; or (z) a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation unless,
following such sale or disposition, at least one-half of the
Board of the transferee consists of Incumbent Directors. |
2.06 Committee means the
Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee of
the Board as the Board may designate.
2.07 Corporation means
Polaris Industries Inc., a Minnesota corporation, and its
successors.
2.08 Corporation Voting
Securities means the combined voting power of all
outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of the Board.
2.09 Date of Grant means the
date as of which an award of Restricted Stock is granted in
accordance with Article V.
2.10 Disability means any
physical or mental injury or disease of a permanent nature which
renders a Participant incapable of meeting the requirements of
the employment performed by such Participant immediately prior
to the commencement of such disability. The determination of
whether a Participant is disabled shall be made by the Committee
in its sole and absolute discretion.
2.11 Effective Date means
January 20, 2005.
2.12 Exchange Act means the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.13 Fair Market Value
means, as of any given date, (i) if the Stock is listed
on a national securities exchange or is authorized for quotation
on the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.s
NASDAQ National Market System (NASDAQ/ NMS), the
closing price, regular way, of the Stock on such exchange or
NASDAQ/ NMS, as the case may be, or if no such reported sale of
the Stock shall have occurred on such date, on the next
preceding date on which there was such a reported sale; or
(ii) if the Stock is not listed for trading on a national
securities exchange or authorized for quotation on NASDAQ/ NMS,
the closing bid price as reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System
(NASDAQ), or if no such prices shall have been so
reported for such date, on the next preceding date for which
such prices were so reported; or (iii) if the Stock is not
listed for trading on a national securities exchange or
authorized for quotation on NASDAQ, the last reported bid price
published in the pink sheets or displayed on the
NASD Electronic Bulletin Board, as the case may be; or
(iv) if the Stock is not listed for trading on a national
securities exchange, or is not authorized for quotation on
NASDAQ/ NMS or NASDAQ, or is not published in the pink
sheets or displayed on the NASD Electronic
Bulletin Board, the Fair Market Value of the Stock as
determined in good faith by the Committee.
2.14 Outstanding Stock
means, at any time, the issued and outstanding Stock.
2.15 Participant means any
person selected by the Committee, pursuant to Section 3.02,
to participate under the Plan.
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2.16 Plan means the Polaris
Industries Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, as the same may be
amended from time to time.
2.17 Restricted Stock means
shares of Stock awarded to a Participant subject to restrictions
as described in Article V.
2.18 Stock means the common
stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation.
ARTICLE III.
ADMINISTRATION AND
PARTICIPATION
3.01 Administration. The
Plan shall be administered by the Committee which shall have
exclusive and final authority and discretion in each
determination, interpretation or other action affecting the Plan
and its Participants. The Committee shall have the sole and
absolute authority and discretion to interpret the Plan, to
establish and modify administrative rules for the Plan, to
select, in accordance with Section 3.02, the persons who
will be Participants hereunder, to impose, in accordance with
Section 5.01, such conditions and restrictions as it
determines appropriate and to take such other actions and makes
such other determinations in connection with the Plan as it may
deem necessary or advisable.
3.02 Designation of
Participants. Participants in the Plan shall be such
employees, consultants and independent contractors of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries as the Committee, in its sole
discretion, may designate. The Committees designation of a
Participant with respect to any calendar year shall not require
the Committee to designate such person as a Participant with
respect to any other calendar year. The Committee shall consider
such factors as it deems pertinent in selecting Participants.
ARTICLE IV.
STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE
PLAN
4.01 Number Of Shares Of Stock
Issuable. Subject to adjustments as provided in
Section 6.03, the maximum number of shares of Stock
available for issuance under the Plan shall be 2,350,000. The
Stock to be offered under the Plan shall be authorized and
unissued Stock, or Stock which shall have been reacquired by the
Corporation and held in its treasury. In any calendar year, no
Participant shall receive awards in excess of
500,000 shares of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 6.03.
4.02 Shares Subject To
Terminated Awards. Shares of Stock forfeited as provided in
Section 5.02 may again be issued under the Plan.
ARTICLE V.
RESTRICTED STOCK
5.01 Restricted Stock
Awards. The Committee may grant to any Participant an award
of Restricted Stock in respect of such number of shares of
Stock, and subject to such terms and conditions relating to
forfeitability and restrictions on delivery and transfer
(whether based on performance standards, periods of service or
otherwise), as the Committee shall determine in its sole
discretion. With respect to performance-based awards of
Restricted Stock to covered employees (as defined in
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended) that are intended to qualify as performance-based
compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, performance standards
will be limited to specified levels of one or more of the
following: share price appreciation, earnings, cash flow,
revenues and total shareholder return. The terms of all such
Restricted Stock awards shall be set forth in an Award Agreement
between the Corporation and the Participant which shall contain
such provisions, not inconsistent with this Plan, as shall be
determined by the Committee.
(a) Issuance Of Restricted Stock. As soon as
practicable after the Date of Grant of Restricted Stock, the
Corporation shall cause to be transferred on the books of the
Corporation shares of Stock, registered on
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behalf of the Participant, evidencing such Restricted Stock, but
subject to forfeiture to the Corporation retroactive to the Date
of Grant if an Award Agreement delivered to the Participant by
the Corporation with respect to the Restricted Stock is not duly
executed by the Participant and timely returned to the
Corporation. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, until
the lapse or release of all restrictions applicable to an award
of Restricted Stock (i) the stock certificates representing
such Restricted Stock shall be held in custody by the
Corporation or its designee, (ii) such certificates shall
be deemed not delivered to the Participant and (iii) no
Participant shall have any interest with respect to such
Restricted Stock except as expressly provided herein or in the
applicable Award Agreement.
(b) Shareholder Rights. Beginning on the Date of
Grant of the Restricted Stock and subject to execution of the
Award Agreement as provided in Section 5.01(a), the
Participant shall become a shareholder of the Corporation with
respect to all Stock subject to the Award Agreement and shall
have all of the rights of a shareholder, including, but not
limited to, the right to vote such Stock and, unless the
Committee provides otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement,
the right to receive dividends and other distributions paid with
respect to such Stock; provided, however, that, if the Committee
provides in the applicable Award Agreement that the Participant
shall be entitled to receive any Stock distributed as a dividend
or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock as to which
the restrictions have not yet lapsed, such Stock shall be
subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Stock and
shall be held as prescribed in Section 5.01(a).
(c) Restriction On Transferability. None of the
Restricted Stock may be assigned, transferred (other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution), pledged, sold or
otherwise disposed of prior to lapse or release of the
restrictions applicable thereto.
(d) Delivery Of Stock Upon Release Of Restrictions.
Upon expiration or earlier termination of the forfeiture period
without a forfeiture, and the satisfaction of or release from
any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, the
restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock shall lapse. As
promptly as administratively feasible thereafter, subject to the
requirements of Section 6.02, the Corporation shall deliver
to the Participant or, in case of the Participants death,
to the Participants legal representatives, one or more
stock certificates for the appropriate number of shares of
Stock, free of all such restrictions, except for any
restrictions that may be imposed by law.
5.02 Terms of Restricted
Stock.
(a) Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. Subject to
Section 5.02(b) and the last sentence of this
Section 5.02(a), all Restricted Stock shall be forfeited
and returned to the Corporation and all rights of the
Participant with respect to such Restricted Stock shall cease
and terminate in their entirety if during the forfeiture period
the service of the Participant with the Corporation and its
affiliates terminates for any reason or any other vesting
conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock are not met or
such Restricted Stock is forfeited in accordance with its terms.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall establish the
forfeiture period for each grant of Restricted Stock, and may
provide for the forfeiture period to lapse in installments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Committee provides
otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of the
discharge by the Corporation or an affiliate of a Participant
without Cause or termination of a Participants service by
reason of death, Disability or retirement pursuant to the
retirement policy of the Corporation or an affiliate, all
forfeiture restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock shall
immediately and fully lapse. Upon the occurrence of a Change in
Control, all forfeiture restrictions imposed on Restricted Stock
shall immediately and fully lapse.
(b) Waiver of Forfeiture Period. Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Article V to the contrary, the
Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive the forfeiture
conditions set forth in any Award Agreement under appropriate
circumstances and subject to such terms and conditions
(including forfeiture of a proportionate number of the shares of
Restricted Stock) as the Committee may deem appropriate,
provided that the Participant shall at that time have completed
at least one year of service after the Date of Grant.
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ARTICLE VI.
MISCELLANEOUS
6.01 Limitations on
Transfer. The rights and interest of a Participant under the
Plan may not be assigned or transferred other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of a
Participant, only the Participant personally may exercise rights
under the Plan.
6.02 Taxes. The Corporation
shall be entitled to withhold (or secure payment from the
Participant in lieu of withholding) the amount of any
withholding or other tax required by law to be withheld or paid
by the Corporation with respect to any Stock issuable under this
Plan, or with respect to any income recognized upon the lapse of
restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock, and the Corporation
may defer issuance of Stock hereunder until and unless
indemnified to its satisfaction against any liability for any
such tax. The amount of such withholding or tax payment shall be
determined by the Committee or its delegate and shall be payable
by the Participant at such time as the Committee determines. The
Committee shall prescribe in each Award Agreement one or more
methods by which the Participant will be permitted to satisfy
his or her tax withholding obligation, which methods may
include, without limitation, the payment of cash by the
Participant to the Corporation and the tendering of previously
acquired shares of Stock of the Participant, or the withholding,
at the appropriate time, of shares of Stock otherwise issuable
to the Participant, in a number sufficient, based upon the Fair
Market Value of such Stock, to satisfy such tax withholding
requirements. The Committee shall be authorized, in its sole
discretion, to establish such rules and procedures relating to
any such withholding methods as it deems necessary or
appropriate, including, without limitation, rules and procedures
relating to elections by Participants who are subject to the
provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act to tender
Stock or to have Stock withheld to meet such tax withholding
obligations.
6.03 Adjustments to Reflect
Capital Changes. The amount and kind of Stock available for
issuance under the Plan and the limit on the number of shares of
Stock in respect of which awards may be made to any Participant
in any calendar year shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect
any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of
shares, merger, consolidation or other change in capitalization
with a similar substantive effect upon the Plan. The Committee
shall have the power and sole discretion to determine the nature
and amount of the adjustment, if any, to be made pursuant to
this Section 6.03.
6.04 No Right to Award; No Right
to Continued Service. No person shall have any claim of
right to be permitted to participate or be granted an award
under this Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder
shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be
retained in the service of the Corporation.
6.05 Awards Not Includable For
Benefit Purposes. Income recognized by a Participant
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall not be included in
the determination of benefits under any employee pension benefit
plan (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) or
group insurance or other benefit plans applicable to the
Participant which are maintained by the Corporation, except as
may be provided under the terms of such plans or determined by
resolution of the Board.
6.06 Governing Law. The Plan
and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant to the
Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota
other than the conflict of laws provisions of such laws, and
shall be construed in accordance therewith.
6.07 No Strict Construction.
No rule of strict construction shall be implied against the
Corporation, the Committee, or any other person in the
interpretation of any of the terms of the Plan, any award
granted under the Plan or any rule or procedure established by
the Committee.
6.08 Captions. The captions
(i.e., all Section and subsection headings) used in the Plan are
for convenience only, do not constitute a part of the Plan, and
shall not be deemed to limit, characterize or affect in any way
any provisions of the Plan, and all provisions of the Plan shall
be construed as if no captions had been used in the Plan.
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6.09 Severability. Whenever
possible, each provision in the Plan and every Award Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, but if any provision of the Plan or any
Award Agreement shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid
under applicable law, then (a) such provision shall be
deemed amended to accomplish the objectives of the provision as
originally written to the fullest extent permitted by law and
(b) all other provisions of the Plan and every Award
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
6.10 Legends. All
certificates for Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject
to such transfer restrictions set forth in the Plan and such
other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the
rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Stock is
then listed and any applicable federal or state securities law,
and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be endorsed
on any such certificates making appropriate references to such
restrictions.
6.11 Amendment And
Termination.
(a) Amendment. The Board shall have complete power
and authority to amend the Plan at any time it is deemed
necessary or appropriate. No termination or amendment of the
Plan may, without the consent of the Participant to whom any
award shall theretofore have been granted under the Plan,
adversely affect the right of such individual under such award;
provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole
discretion, make such provision in the Award Agreement for
amendments which, in its sole discretion, it deems appropriate.
(b) Termination. The Board shall have the right and
the power to terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner
terminated by action of the Board, the Plan shall automatically
terminate, without further action of the Board or the
Corporations shareholders, on May 31, 2011. No award
shall be granted under the Plan after the termination of the
Plan, but the termination of the Plan shall not have any other
effect and any award outstanding at the time of the termination
of the Plan shall continue in effect in accordance with its
terms as if the Plan has not terminated.
B-6
POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2005
9:00 a.m.
Corporate Headquarters
2100 Highway 55
Medina, MN 55340
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Polaris Industries Inc.
2100 Highway 55
Medina, MN 55340
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proxy |
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This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on April 21, 2005.
The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment account will be voted as
you specify below.
If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted FOR Items 1, 2, 3 and 4.
By signing this proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint Thomas C. Tiller and Michael W.
Malone, and each of them, as Proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote your shares of
Common Stock, $.01 par value of Polaris Industries Inc., on the matters shown on the reverse side
and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April
21, 2005, or any postponements or adjournments thereof.
See reverse for voting instructions.
There are three ways to vote your Proxy
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Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the Named
Proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as
if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. |
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COMPANY #
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VOTE BY PHONE TOLL FREE 1-800-560-1965 QUICK ««« EASY ««« IMMEDIATE
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Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00
p.m. (CT) on Wednesday April 20, 2005. |
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Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax
Payer Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you. |
VOTE BY INTERNET http://www.eproxy.com/pii/ QUICK ««« EASY ««« IMMEDIATE
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Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on
April 20, 2005. |
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Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number or Tax
Payer Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records
and create an electronic ballot. |
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope weve provided or
return it to Polaris Industries Inc., c/o Shareowner ServicesSM, P.O. Box 64873, St.
Paul, MN 55164-0873.
If you vote by Phone or Internet, please do not mail your Proxy Card
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2, 3 and 4.
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1.
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Election of Directors:
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Vote FOR
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Vote WITHHELD |
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all nominees
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from all nominees |
Class I (two year
term ending in 2007): 01 Robert L. Caulk |
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(except as marked) |
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Class II (three year term
ending in 2008): 02 William E. Fruhan, Jr. 03 R.M. (Mark) Schreck 04 John R. Menard, Jr. |
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(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee,
write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.) |
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Please
fold here
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2.
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Approval of amendments to the Polaris Industries Inc. Deferred Compensation
Plan for Directors.
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For
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Against
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Abstain |
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3.
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Approval of amendments to the Polaris Industries Inc.1996 Restricted
Stock Plan.
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For
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Against
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Abstain |
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4.
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Upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
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For
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Against
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Abstain |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE
VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.
Address Change? Mark Box o Indicate changes below:
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Date |
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Signature(s) in Box
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears
on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all
persons must sign. Trustees, administrators,
etc., should include title and authority.
Corporations should provide full name of
corporation and title of authorized officer
signing the proxy. If a partnership, please
sign in partnership name by authorized
person.
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